Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-06-06
NOTES OF TRAVEL.
MOJAyE AND DESERT TO THE
NEEDLES.
The Trip 20 Prescott-Descriptio Of
AriEona's CapitiAi-Its Altitude,
Climate, Prospects, Etc.
PREscorr (A.T3, June ., 1885.

PREscoTT (A.T. }, June ., 1895
At Mojave, situated near the western
edge Of the desert of the same name, the
writer left the Southern Pacific line, and
took the eastern bound train by the At
lantic and Pacific, starting from that place
at 9AN The town is in cold windy,
desolate region, at an altitude of 200 feet,
but going eastward the change is for the
worst with every succeeding mile during
the first days travel 4 short distance out
the railroad passes over thedry bed of what
was once shallow lagoon, which for a
considerable distance is level as a floor,
covered with thin alkaline deposit exceed
ingly trying to the eyes in the bright sun
shine. Beyond this waterless lake the
sandy soil supports very spare growth of
hardy salt-grass and a few shrubs peculiar
TO the desert The only family of the veg
etable kingdom that seems to thrive is the
cactus, and several species are to be seen.
One variety, the yucca, is becoming a pro-
duct of commercial importance, large guam
titles of pulp made from it being exported
to England for the manufacture of paper.
But there are portions Of the dcsert that
could be made productive.
THE MoJAvE RIVER
Comes from the San Bernardin0 mount
aims into the southern side of the valley.
through which the railway runs, and its
waters are utilized 10 limited extent by
the Mojaye Indians to irrigate their crops.
This stream sometimes flows for several
months, the fall being toward the Colorado
river, but not always above ground In
places the water is visible above the sur
face in greater or less quantity, and again
for intervals of several miles works its way
through the sand at depths varying from
few feet to more than a hundred BY d.
verting the water from its wide sandy bed
and carrying it in canals dug in the firmer
ground, large area of what is now desert
could be cultivated pr0ftably. Grain and
deciduous fruits would undoubtedly grow
well there, as they do in other parts of
the desert south of MajaYe station, where
artesian water is obtainable It is probable
that borings for artesian water might also
result successfully III the valley of the Mo-
jave river. for the natural drainage of
considerable amount of precipitation in the
higher ranges south and west is in that di-
rectiOn, and a portion of this, which is
all lost in the desert, must find its way be-
meath the first imperTious sub-stratum of
clay or other material, which lies closer to
the surface near the mountains than in the
center of the valley. Unless The formation
be widely different from other large valleys
in California, this is true, and the securing
of arteSian water is within the range of
probability. The western end of the desert
could be made productive by irrigation,
but the remainder and the greater part of
its area can never be of value save for the
mineral wealth contained in the mountain
spurs.
DAGGETT-THE TERDLIcS-TTC.
Most of the stations along the road con-
sist only of the necessary buildings of the
railroad company. Two or three are ship
ping places fer mines in the vicinity. The
largest is Daggett, eighty miles from Mo
jaTe, place of some importance 1t is a
"a meal station for the trains, and the base
of supplies and shipping point for the
Calico mining district It may be men
toned also that it has weekly newspaper
The mines OF the well-known district are
rich but are in an arid region, where no
water is TO be had save by hauling from the
valley of the MOjaYe a few miles distant.
where an abundant supply is obtained from
deep wells. Beyond Daggett there is no
station Of importance till we reach The
Needles, 100 miles further east, situated on
the west bank of the Colorado river, which
forms the boundary line between California
and Arizona This also is a meal station. |
the end Of a division on the railroad, !
where the company has a round house and
other buildings, and the largest town !
on the road in California. 1t is 8
o'clock when the river is crossed, and moth |
ing Is to be seen. Before daylight Peach |
Spring IS reached, g station from which a |
srara leavpS yrif1 fouriyto h.
Canyon OF the Colorado, one of the most |
weird, wild and wonderful pieces of natural !
scenery in the West. At 4:15 A. ID. we are |
at Ash Fork, and trsYel thence by stage to
Prescott, the Capital of the Territory, fifty
seven miles south. The road passes over q
succession Of low rocky hills, covered with
q heavy growth of juniper, for half the
distance, the remainder of the wav being
through a long, narrow, sinuous vaIley-in
which are q number of tarTns-untl With.
in seven miles OF the town, when low hills
are reached again, at the base Of the Sierra
Prieta range. Only two or three canyons
are encountered the whole distance, and |
only in a few places has any labor been ex-
pended in the making OF the road. We
did not reach town till after dark, being
thirteen hours on the way The team was
seldom made TO travel faster than walk.
The United States mail is carried by this
stage line, and the driver informed us that
in making the contract for transporting the
same, expense was calculated on thirteen
hours drive, and that he was directed by
his employer to spend that much time on
The way. Horses are changed three times,
and the distance could be made easily in
eight hours. Another reason for killing
lime was that the passengers get the full
worth of their ten dollars It was notice
able however, that when the stage neaged
Fort Whipple, army headquarters for Ari-
iona, situated mile from Prescott, the
Whip was used and the team kept on q
'risk trot through the post and into town.
Al THE CAPITAL OF ARIZONA.
Prescott is charmingly situated amidst
he Mills of the Sierra Prieta at the edge Of
1 magnificent pine forest few miles from
he higher ridges of the mountain range
little stream Granite creek, runs through
he town and by the little mesa upon
which Fort Whipple is built, The town is
'egularly laid out, the streets are wide and
med with good sidewalks and many Of
he buildings are handsome. The Court
louse Of YaYapai county of which Prescott
) the countyseat, is in the middle Of q
argc plaza occupying the central part of
he town. The town hall, com
h0ulous brick structure on the brow OF
mail hill, contains the Offices of the
Governor and other Territorial officials, for
Arizona has no Capitol. Other cities are
ambitious 10 become the seat of govern
nent, and until the matter is settled the
building at present occupied will probably
continue to be used as such The town has
| fine large sChool-house and an excellent
choOl, and five religious denominations
ave houses OF worship. There are also the
Usual number of lodges of secret orders.
The Deputy Collector Of Internal Revenue
or Northern Arizona, and Register and
Receiver of the United States Land Dis
rict, have Offices here An ample water
upply is obtained BY pumping from a
arge dam across branch of Granite creek
nto a reservoir on a hillside above the city,
rom which it is conveyed to all parts.
rha houses Of the residents are prnYided