Salt River herald., 1879-01-22
SALT RIVER VALLEY.
Tho Garden Spot of Arizona Ter
 ritory.


 junction, and in a measure forms the delta of the Gila and Salinas rivers. What is now known as the Salt river country is valley about fifty miles in extreme length and varying in width from six 10 ten miles. At least one-third of this vast bottom, con- tanning as rich soil as 1 have ever seen in my life, is or can be irrigated, and is or can be placed under culti. vation. The main rr;gating canals have no superior in California. The nearest approach to them are the Haggin & Carr canals in Kern coun- ty; but none of them carry the vol. umes of water carried by these stu pendous aqueducts in the wilds of Arizona. 1 am informed that the smaller canals are more than a hun dred miles Tn length, and that nearly 10000 acres of choice arable lands are under cultivation or in process of improvement. The first settlement in this valley took place about ten years ago, although the Pima Indians had for many years before 1868 irri- gated these lands and raised wheat, which was hauled to the Gila river, nearly twenty miles away, and ground into flour by a man named White, who had a place on the Tucson road about half way between Maricopa Wells and SacatOn. This mill and casa are now in ruins. drove from Whites place with Governor R. C. Mccormick, twelve years ago, to Wickenburg, taking in part of this same valley, crossing the Salt river at or near where Phenix now stands, and never saw a white man for sixty miles. Now, Phenix contains at least 800 inhabitants. while the whole valley, including the Tempe, has a population of 2,500.
 PHENIX AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
 Phenix, the county-seat of Mari copa county, and the trading place of the country above described, is situ- ated near the river, and contains pretty closely upon one thousand in- habitants, half of whom are en- gagged in the pursuits generally fol- lowed by townspeople. It does not seem like a town only ten years old, with its wide streets and large, over- hanging trees. Its name was sug- gested oa acconnt of its erection at or near the site of some former commu- rIty, which probably flourished in the days of the Aztecs. Surround ing the town upon all sides arc or chards of all kinds of fruits, vine yards, grain, grass and alfalfa fields. All kinds of fruits, vegetables and cereals are raised and have a ready market. Wheat does exceedingly well, and keeps three mills constant " running However much the Territory may grow, this valley will raise enough corn, wheat, barley, hay, vegetables and fruit to supply all demands. The houses at Phenix and throughout the valley are all, or nearly all, built of adobe There is an abundance of stone in the moun- tains near by. Fuel is abundant the mountains are full of cedar, pine and kindred woods, the rivers are all fringed with willow and cottonwood, while the bottoms abound in mes quite. PheniX is desirably situated as an agricultural feeder. It is about 100 miles from Prescott in a direct way, 50 from Wickenburg, g from Maricopa, 60 from Florence, 200 from Yuma and 130 from Tucson. Ail of these distances, except that between Prescott and Phenix are actual Cnes.
 It will be seen by the above that PheDiX will have good portion of the Territory as a market, particu- larly for its fruit and grain. Near Phenix is a houring mill in perfect running operation, owned by Major Vail, formerly of the First Cavalry. When was at Tucson. twelve years ago, Vail was a bachelor lieutenant fighting Indians; now he is miller, with a white hat; is married and has one of the most beautiful places in tine Territory. His residence is oppo- site his mill, and is in fact perfect mansion, with great broad halls, roomy piazzas, shaded by stately looking ornamental trees. and gar den and orchard adjoining of many acres, with ditches of sparkling water coursing through them in all directions.
 A MORMON SETTLEMENT.
 \ few miles from Phenix is a Mormon settlement, and the inhabi- tants thereof arc carrying out an ex- cellent system of agriculture. They have a very superior body of land under cultivation, have erected sub- stantial homes, and carry on the dairy business with success.
 SALT RIVER VALLEY.
 The climate of Phenix and Salt River Valley is very eauable the year round. The days are never cold, and the nights are cool and agreeable nine months in the year. During the summer months the days are very warm. There are two rainy seasons July and August, and from Decem- Der to March. Two crops of beans, potatoes and corn can be raised. I inquired carefully regarding the healthfulness of this country, and my was all to the effect thai. with the exception of little fever and ague (or chills and fever, as it is called), the entire valley was a healthful one. The soil (humus) is very rich, and is similar to the sandy loam and adobe deposits that arc found in the better portions of Southern California. Mark my pre- diction: In five years this valley will contain 12,000 people, and Phenix will have become tho permanent