Arizona citizen., 1872-04-20
Communicated. SALT RIVER VALLEY.

pioneer, J. W. Swilling, and a few
 others located in the valley of Salt
 River. The worldly possessions of all
 who settled in the first year of this
 fourishing neighborhood, would not
 have aggregated $1,OOO; but as did
 Moses, they saw spread before them
 beautiful land of promise, one that
 once before maintained a large popu-
 lation, as the remains of immense ir-
 rigating canals, and ruins of towns
 and settlements bear witness. Vast
 improvements were once made here by
 people now unknown and of whom
 history seems to have made no record,
 and no living trace or link connects
 their annals with ours. Reasoning
 from the ruins about, it seemed that
 not less than 5O,OO0 people once long
 in the past inhabited this valley and
 subsisted by agriculture. With these
 facts before them, these new settlers
 began the work of rebuilding and re- populating valley which probably centuries ago had been abandoned tc the wild beasts and an overpowering savage foe. Notwithstanding many disadvantages, these new corners have made rapid progress and improvement even remarkable to all who pass through the valley now. It would require too much space to trace step by step the advancement of the men who commenced here with nothing but health and determination to suc- ceed; how they have in the short space of a few years made homes that are really beautiful and will bear comparison with those ill more favored and safer localities-for even here the Indians have committed thefts and other depredations. Many now have lands and stock and resources ample to insure an independence for life. Here is an encouraging example of how quickly neighborhood of con- fort and plenty can be made out of but well-directed industry, wherever the implacable Apache will permit. But to the Improvements of a year and less.
 A little over a year ago, the town of Phenix was projected; now it con- tains four stores owned by Mennasse & Co.,, Dennis & Murphy. Richard & Go, and - Smith; two saloons by John Roach and c. A. Carpenter 8 good hotel by J. J. Gardner; a brewery by M. Cavuness bakery by Julius Bauerlen; two blacksmith and wagon shops by Ware & Ford, and Frank Cosgrove; two carpenter shops by - Kendall and Richard E. Pierson. The professions are rep by Edward Irvine and Cap tain w. A. Hancock, lawyers; the Rev. Franklin McKean, of the Meth odist persuasion, attends to the spir- itual wants of the people. No physi- elan has yet settled ill the valley. The purity of the atmosphere seems to preclude all malarial diseases, yet SO large and growing Q population re- luire medical services, and doubtless , good practitioner would at once find encouragement there. Two free public schools are in operation, and he spirit so far manifested, seems to assure their regular maintenance.
 Improvements are now going on about as follows: W. D. Fruiter is erecting a business house; Barnett & Block store and warehouse; c. H. Grey two-story building intended Or a store below and a Masonic Hall .bove; Geo. Betran dancing and J. D. Monihan and Jacob Starrar g. livery stable; S. M. French, M. H. Hamilton, Jesus Otero md T. c. Hays are each putting up dwellings,, and several others are buildings.
 Three miles from Phenix is Mill City, where W. B. Hellings & Co. nave g. two-story Touring mill and one of the largest store houses in the Territory. Six miles above, c. T. Hayden has a store, and ferry, and ,ontemplates the early erection of touring mill. :
 It is estimated that this years crop covers $500 acres of barley and 1000 ,f wheat. The crops never promised better at this season. New irrigating litches are constantly being made, md great many miles of these artifi- ,ial streams have been completed. It S the custom to sharpen cottonwood