The Phoenix herald. (Phoenix, Maricopa County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1879-1882, 1880-10-15


north and south, emptying into the
east fork of the Verde River, twelve
miles below and traced to the high
basalt bluffs of the Mogollon
Mountains, which are plainly vlsable
to the northward.
1t may seem singular that an OBJ
ject of so much interest should have
remained so long unknown, though
lying almost to our doors But it is
only another evidence of the unlimit-
ed wealth not only useful, but also Of
the beautiful which Still. awaits de-
velop nent in our Territory. The top
of the bridge and adjoining bench
is fine mellow soil, thickly covered
with agramma and mesquite grass,
with large patches of sumacll and an
abundance of wild grapes Of excel
lent quality and unusual size. It was
located on August 18th, 1880, and is
held as ranch by d d G0wan,
/ William Mcdonald and W. S. Snow.
The bridge itself was first discovered
in June, 1880, by W. S. Snow and
Wm. Nelson, while they were pros
pecting along the bed of Pine Creek,
though, there are evidences of former
occupation and cultivation of the
spot in the form of bitches irrigating
several acres,in the remains of many
Indian huts, and in many scat tered
fragments of white and painted pot
terry. Inc manner III wnIcn TINS
notable structure has been
FORMED BY NATURE
VIII no doubt soon become a subject
of careful scientific study and inves-
tigation. Mr.. Treadwell, after the
somewhat cursory examination so far
made by him, is convinced that the
source of the formation is 10 be
found in an adjoining spring of min
eral water heavily charged with car
Donate of lime. This spring, Whose
waters possess great dluretic quail
ties, rises at the foot of the hill on
the east side of the bridge, at an ele
walton sufficient to insure irrigation
for all the adjoining lands, and flows
fully six inches of water, miners
measurement. The process OF the
precipitation Of the lime from the
waters of this spring, going on
through untold ages Of the past, has
gradually formed first the adjoining
bench or plateau, and then, gradually
extending lis sway, has pushed on
and on. until this wondrous structure
stood forth, complete in its beauty
and grandeur What other ar;iicers
of circumstance may have been in
PRODUCED by the master, for the more
gradual perfection of the work, the
hewing away of disproportions, and
the establishing of the perfect sym
etry and grace which adorn the
structure to-day? These are questions
in which the naturalist viii delight
in the near future. But there can be
no doubt, in Mr. Treadweli's opinion,
that these mineral waters have been |
the operating force and power by
which this grand result has been pro-
duced, for the entire bulk OF water
which now flows under the bridge |
and into Pine Creek finds lis source
in the mineral spring on the over
hanging east bank.
We share the opinion with Mr..
that this natural bridge, |
in the magnificence of its proportions.
in the beautify OF its outlines, and III
the symmetry of its entire structure is
destined to oufrauk any similar OBJ
j ect Of natural curiosity now known
in this country. As the new 35th paral
lei, Il. r. VIII pass within some p
miles Of the site Of this bridge, we
may reasonbly anticipate that the
spot viii soon become the Mecca of
many an earnest student and enthu-
siastic admirer of the wonderful and
beautiful in nature.
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MISCELJA NEOCS.