In 1885, several church leaders rented 300 acres of land in northern Chihuahua, and Mormon members began to plant crops. Other Mormon families from Utah and Arizona soon joined their fledgling community. Six weeks after the original settlers began to cultivate the area, the colonists numbered 350. Certain local officials became suspicious of the increase in the Mormon refugees and their activities. They appealed to the Secretary of the State of Chihuahua, characterizing them as an armed band and implying they had nefarious intentions. The settlers were given orders to leave within 16 days. Some of the church leaders were given an audience with the governor of Chihuahua, who had had dealings with Mormons in the past and been favorably impressed. He welcomed them as colonists.