Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-10-04
Casa Grande.

Editor Jim Chatham who recently visited sundry portions of southern Ari- zona gathering live stock statistics, writes to his paper the Nogales Sunday Herald, the following humorous letter from Casa Grande:
 Casa Grande is noted principally for the ancient ruins of the same name which, like milk-sickness in southern Illinois, are just beyond I have never seen the old adobe ruins, and, having only left Tue son this morning, I can't say that l have any ravenous desire to see more ruins. When one spends couple of days in Tucson he seems to lose all desire for the sight of all ruins, whether built by the Jesuits or prehistoric race. l say this in all kindness toward Tucson, because Tucson Is a glorious old tOwn-the aged and sainted mother of Pima county towns therefore her most dilapidated iacals are dear to us. And beside, isn't she the hub of the territory? The social, political, religious and commercial center of Ari- zona, as it were. If you don't believe this just ask Herbert Brown of the Citizen or Lew Hughes of the Star. .or-er; well, Brown and Hughes will do; they're about the only men in the town duly authorized and capable of telling things just as they are, on the subject of Tucson's importance.
 When 1 gouged the lingering rifts of slumper from my eyes this morning at o'clock and took the train for this place l congratulated myself. Not because Twas leaving the realm of the frontier dude who wears baggy trousers, Unmatched socks, black silk shirts and and web belt with snake buckle, but because l thought was getting out from the realm of the resident jaw-smithi. e., the politi- clan. Not so, however. No sooner had 1 set foot on the depot platform here than was gobbled by ye rural political director. As soon as they discovered that I really was not the new Presbyter ian minister for Florence they took me in hand. In two minutes l was seated on pile of ties and while a stream of roughly hewn political wisdom was being poured into my ear a resident in ancient Overalls and more or less frontier frewater began trying to sell me mineral bonanza and the village dogs, not to be outdone in fervid attention took liberties with my valise setting at my feet that angered me The combined incidents of the situation caused me to wish for the speedy arrival of the millennium.
 Casa Grande is not in a dense forest as it's picturesque name would seem to indl- cate. In fact when the political enemy takes to the brush" here 1t must also take d canteen and ratons. l am told that some 30 or 40 miles to the northward small tree has been found and Is called a landmark The wind can therefore blow here without much lncumbrance and 1t seems to enjoy the privilege. Sey- eral irligating ditches have been set out here and l believe they are thrlveng. The water is brought here from the Ctila river and those Ill position to know say | this will one day be prosperous farming country. It very likely will; there IS plenty of land here to fam On. The town seems prosperous and gets a good | trade from the Indians and surrounding | mining camps From the number of faro and monte lay outs in a majority of the business houses 1 should judge that there | is some money in circulation, because running faro game is not like running a newspaper; the man who plays against | the game must have money or there will be a suspension of active operations.
 A movement is now on foot to make a wagon road to Globe in the hope of get ting the freighting business that now goes to Wilcox Promoters of the scheme say that with a few thousand dollars a road can be built that will shorten the dis tance to 90 miles. Globe certainly ought to have good road before long, for 1 be- Iieve every town on the Southern Pacific has a Globe road proposition on hand.
 I have invested in a couple of cotton top mattresses and will tackle the Flor ence stage as means of conveyance this afternoon. 1 am nothing if not intrepid when I want to travel