Arizona weekly enterprise., 1888-09-15
A Peep at Arizona.

IRey. I. T. Whittemore in Mid-Continentl
 Of this far-off land people in the East know comparatively little, and | for the reason that within the memory of many living 1t was part of Old | Mexico and a barren desert. Like California, 1t has but little to attract settlers but the mines in its mountains These mountain ranges are full of minerals-gold, silver, copper, coal, etc. But 1t is of Florence that wish to speak as the county seat of Pinal, and of the Gila River Valley, as sanitarium, fruit-growing and grazing country, and as field fer missionary labor.
 The climate, except during the sum mer months, is delightful In June, July and August it IS very ho', but not oppressive-indeed, even when the mercury runs above q hundred in the shade, in doors it is not uncomforta ble, and sun-stroke is unknown. It is dry, and clear, and pure, and con ducive to perfect health. Many have come here with asthma, or catarrh, and broken down with other diseases, and have been perfectly restored. In the near future when we have another railroad, it must be a grand resort for nearly all classes of invalids. It has superior advantages over the Pacific Coast, in that there are no cold or damp and chilly nights to succeed lovely days. When the two canals,- the Florence and Montezuma,-- now being constructed, are completed, and the town is built up, and the country settled-the farms all watered by irri gation-the "desert will bud and 1 blossom as the rose"
 As a fruit-growing country, 1t can not be excelled. There are some here now who have apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, pomegranates, quinc- es, figs, grapes, almonds, and even bamboo and date growing in profusior. There Is no fruit of any kind belong ing to a semi-tropical climate, that does not flourish here, by irrigation.
 The state of society Is improving, and when better class of citizens is drawn here by investment or fine climate and an earthly paradise, as they will be soon, Florence will sit as a queen in this beautiful valley, and order, sobriety, intelligence, virtue, in dustry, fair sons and sweet pure, daughters, shaded trees and towering
 gardens, fountains and parks, and
 lovely promenades, and the amenities
 of the most cultured communities oi
 the East will supplant the dust and adobes and low order of living, now
 everywhere apparent.
 will not speak of the sacrifice oi money, and feelings, and taste, and
 sentiment that missionary has tC !, make to live here now All these vii s be overlooked and comparatively for
 gotten in the day when wealth, ant
 refinement, and piety have built ele gant bones, spacious stores, and halls and church -edifices, and even tht missionary himself will be forgotten , but no matter, if only those who hav' fine homes and love the Master anC
 precious souls in need of light, an(
 life and purity, will help him whom :, God has sent here, to b'lild 8 parson
 age and church, and sustain him b, their prayers and give him the assur
 ance that he Is not alone and uncaret for by those whom God has blessed with plenty and heart to use it wise ly and prudently for the glory of tn Master and the salvation of souls Capital, push and prudence, and wis foresight are needed to transform blemish into beauty and make it jo.
 forever.
 i. Florence, Arizona, June 15, 1889