Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-07-05
CASA GRANDE.
WHAT.OUR REGULAR CORRESPOND.
 ENT HAS TO SAY.
The Dry Season Discussed--The Desert and Water--LocaI Gossip--Nfining News--The Natural Food of
 the Indians.
CASA GRANDE. July 1st

After every preparation for rain, days of dusty, windy weather and sultry cloud covered skies, shower has fallen hardly sufficient to dampen down the dust. Clouds still hang about the horizon and dot here and there the bluest of blue skies, and rain will evidently come before long. Every one agrees that the scarcity of water In the river courses, the tanks and wells which have heretofore been well supplied, IS unusual. When the rain comes It Is generally in greatest abundance and runs ln torrents to waste, filling to over flowing the dry water beds with which the whole face of the country is scanned and transforming the apparent desert into region of great fertility. Grasses spring up and flowers nod to their reflections in the streams and trees take on luxuriant growth. To any. one who reads aright, all this has a meaning and holds out promise for the future of our land. The waters that now run to waste will be irn- pounded and harbored up for use, reser- vols will be built, and an intelligent use made of Natures bounty. That the SUD- ply has fallen short this season should not be a..matter of discouragement;i 1t takes time to perfect all plans and enterprises and tune and energy will win.
 S1nce my last communication a few items of importance are noted:
 The marriage of our worthy townsman, Mr. Hugh Chalmers to Miss Elisabeth Kinney, for whom all express kind wishes for their welfare and true happiness.
 The departure from Casa Grande of Dr. Sabin and family, whichis is universally regretted. Dr. Sabin that has built and improved home in the vicinity of Gila Bend where with his family he will in future reside.
 The election for school trustee took place on Saturday last, the honor and glory of which position has fallen upon Thomas Iornlinson Esq, our popular Post master, ". 2. Go. Agent, merchant and future member of the legislature council if report be true.
 Of importance to the residents of Casa Grande is the survey of the town-site which was made recently, Ofimportance also, the appearance of mining men be- longing to the Central Silver Com pany of which Judge John c. Loss IS manager The mine in the vicinity of the Aio mines south of GIla Bend owned by Ex-Indian Agent Johnson of Kentucky. Mrs. Vii Hams < Bell. has been sold, and another sale may or may not be made in the near future, by Casa Grande mine owners.
 Machinery for the Silver King has ar- rived.
 While there seems to be no excitement ln mining affairs, 8 steady interest is manifested which bodes well for coming times. No one expects to do much in the summer months in any branch of business People at distance will not venture to come on account Of our reputation for hot weather-meantime while many deaths occur every season elsewhere, sunstroke IS almost unknown here. l might say quite unknown, as the ones who are afec- ted badly are they who have used stimu- lants to excess, or by careless use of lce-water have done themselves to death.
 Notwithstanding the heat and dryness. there is an abundance of mesquite beans and of sahuaras, the cactus fruit. Thus the Indians are provided for, notwithstand- ing the scarcity of wheat, since of the mesquite bean a palatable bread is made. Dame nature, good, mother that she is, has been liberal with her sweets, and the mesquite bread is as good as cake By the way 1t is not the bean at all that is used but the substance within the pod that surrounds the bean and while the pod resembles very much the bean-pod of our gardens, the bean itself is more like a lemon seed in shape. The sahuara cactus IS regal iii its season of Towering, it's sum- init bearing crown of lovely flowers which are transformed later into flaming jewels of ruby and amber as the fruit is formed. As the fruit ripens the hulls open in what appear to be pointed petals and the crimson contents of the cup is disclossed, luscious, fragrant and full of little nut-havored seeds. Then are the l birds made happy at the feast before them spread The pulp gathered by the In dians and dried is like rich preserves just seasoned to the taste, and will keep in- 1 definitely. LEIGH.