Arizona weekly enterprise., 1888-10-13
Water Storage and Irrigation.
Fl Paso Bullion.


 In connection with the destruction of the forests and disappearance of the greater portion of the surface water of the area designated ill this series of articles as the southwest, nasty re- view of some of the geological changes that have occurred within its limits is not out of place, and may throw some light upon the subject of water stor age and irrigation, and suggest modi- tication of existing conditions favor able to the restoration of its pristine fertility.
 It is said by distinguished authori- ties that at intervals the earth's axis have shifted their position thus revers- ing the climatic conditions of the globe, substituting m the temperate zones the products of the tropics. It is also very generally admitted by geo. logists that periods known as the gla- cial occurred in the earth's history when streams of water bearing noun tains of ice flowed over great DOT ton of it's surface. Some authors have limited the extent of these frigid currents. Others, and the writer thinks with good grounds, take the position that the full length of New Mexico and Arizona were traversed and at one time submerged by these arctic streams, save perhaps, the high est peaks of the then existing mourn tain ranges. As evidence confirma- tory of this position we cite the ac- cumulated debris that form the mesas. or vast plains, that lie between the mountain ranges in the above named territories. The scratches that are plain to be seen at Hansonburg and other points in Central and Southern New Mexico resulting from move ments of. icebergs, laden with the harder varieties of rock, over the smooth surface of the soft strata.
 The detritus that constitutes for hundreds of feet in depth, and that lie beneath the soil of the mesa, is composed of we'll worn pebbles and | boulders, some of the latter being tons in weight, and bearing upon their face the evidence of their journey in indel- ible characters. Again we encounter in these accumulations of debris, rocks that do not exist in place, either in New Mexico or Colorado, and some authorities claim to have recognized varieties found no where south oi British Columbia, including an augite rock that certainly is not to be met with in place south of the boundary of the above country. We might fol low this theme until we would exhaust the entire space in the Bullion de voted to other information, and still would only be entering into the sub feet. We have however done so sutfi- ciently for our purpose that during past geological stages catastrophes oc cured that modified the character o the vegetation in the territory under discussion, and in others obliterating it entirely, unless we except the germ or seed left in the soil that on the ap pearance of favorable conditions germinated and once more budded in to life.
 We will now carry our readers to { much later period, according to Aztec chronology and Pueblo tradition tC about 1000 years ago, perhaps 20Ot years. We will not be particular about the number of years for a few thousand form but a slight fraction O the millions that were required tC make this globe the home it now Il for man, but to continue our argu ment however we will start from th' premises that about ten centuries ago after passing through the various periods of metamorphism, the south west was provided with rivers, fed by springs and rainfall, that in turl wandered over the face of the country to find their way into lakes or on thei journey to the sea. Vegetation wa luxuriant, forests of deciduous tree! alternated with prairies on the plains while the mountains were covered witl resinous and cone bearing timber Probably a population of human beings existed and multiplied living by the chase and upon the finy in habitants of the streams and lagoons This however like the date in whicl this scene is laid is purely metaphor cal, and requires certain degree O imagination to grasp. This happ. condition, however, was not to last The region was convulsed by seismic forces; volcanoes burst forth in various portions of the country, overfiowin! hundreds of square miles lava. Vein of obsidian and other products of vol canic origin entered into the rents ant chasms made in the primitive rocks while the lava entering the crevice penetrated through the sedimentar. rocks overflowing them for miles Acidulated fumes in dense clouds re placed the atmosphere through whicl copious rains fell in acid showers t further disintergate and obliterate or ganic matter The fountains an' springs finding new channels to ente in the Assures that penetrated deel into the bowels of the earth, disappear ed and the rivers no longer being fed b. these and other tributaries ceased t flow. The surface moisture thus Il longer existing, any vegetation passin , through these horrors wilted and eA pired from want of that precious elt ment of organic life. From fertilit and productiveness the country wa changed into one of desolation an barreness.
 , White Chapel Murd srers.
 Sir Chas. Warren, chief of the LOT don metropolitan police has decided t , employ blood hounds to discover tn r perpetrators of the White Chapel mul
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