Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-05-13
IN ARIZONA.
Notes Taken During Trip Through
the Territory.

| AhaANhHHs oAandlu SOuulyl
Arizona, May 9th, 1890. lCorres
pondenee OF the DEsEREr NEWS. i
Gnham, though the youngesr
county in Arizona, is not the leasi
In enterprise or productiveness. II
Is situated in the southeastern part
ofthe Territory, embraces Que mil
Hon six hundred thousand acres,
and contains over ten thousand in
habitants. There are sixteen school
districts in the county, with over
twelve hundred pupils enrolled. Two
government posts are located in the
county, namely Fort Grant and
Fort Thomas, on the Gila River.
Graham County is well watered by
the ella River (which crosses
from east to vest and its
tributaries, the San Francisco, Ea-
gle, Blue and Black River. On the
summit OF Mount Graham, five
thousand feet above The ella VAL
ley, are ponds filed with dace. In
dian troubles and other adverse cir
cnmstances have been n great draw
tack In the past, but the people are
encouraged by present prosperity
anu future prospects, and invite
others to come and enjoy with
them the fruits Of their courage.
faith and persistence. In the val
ley OF the ella, where ninety per-
cent OF the farming Of the county
is done, there are over fifty thuus-
and acres OF land under cultivation.
All kinds Of grain can be raised
here, and Irish potatoes yield well.
Alfalfa fiourishes, yielding five crops
year.
SOlOmonville is the county seat,
but Is not the most desirable lcca-
ton, and il is rumored that a change
will be made IN the near FIXTURE.
Quite a number of the residents are
Mexicans, and their low, fiat-roofed
houses, together with the irregular
streets, render the town quite UNI
attractive. The most conspicuous
buildings are the court house and
Catholic church, the latter being
an adobe structure In need of re-
pair. While cOnvSrsing on the IA
cilities and prospects Of Solomon
vile, a gentleman remarked that |
lit required Mormons TO build up |
and beautify a town which de |
pended on agriculture for its growth |
and stability" This statement was
verified when the settlements Of the
LatteT-day Saints were visited.
Layton and Stafford are adjoining
settlements, about five miles west Of
Solomonville. a grist mill is located
at Layton, and quite n number Of
mercantile establishments are flour
ishing in Stafford. a new meeting
house Is in course Of erection. Elk
tensive orchards have been set out,
and all kinds Of small fruits are
being cultivated. Strawberries are
now in season, and Of excellent
flavor and quality. Graham Is
small but thriving settlement on the
north side Of the river, where many
good farms are located.
Thatcher is a fiOurishing town
ABOUT five miles west OF Stafford, and
IS building up fast and the many
brick residences and other structures
in course Of erection indicate the
character and good judg-
nent of the citizens.
Central, about three miles from
Thatcher, another ssMormon'' town,
las the only liberty-pole erected
n the county. The residents of Cen
raj have finished a good brick meet
ng house, and are evidently in a
condition. Smithville,
II Pima, as it is now called; is situ-
tied a few miles west, and was one
4 the first settlements In the valley.
The town is well located and laid of
md has some Of the finest residences
n the county.
On leaving the ''AIormon'' settle
nents we visited the town Of :
Thomas, near the fort of the same !
lame. The contrast is noticeable .
L once. Instead Of orchards, gar :
lens and good dwellings, We see the !
ow adobe buildings again, crowded I
Ogether in true Mexican style. !
saloons and gambling houses, filled !
With cOlOred soldiers, drunken men !
nd women, tend TO make night !
lideous. Women are 30 be seen at ;
he billiards, bagatelle and gambling i,
ables vieing with the men in their :
pursuits, and their de- !
.rading conversation and louu pro- !
inity can be heard in the streets. !
During the winter months three :
chOols are conducted and are well !.
TENDED.
The small towns OF Matthews AMI :
,urtis, few miles down the river,
re steadily growing and both have :
xcellent schools. We visited the :
lot Springs, about three miles from :
'urtis, which are noted for their /.
ledicinal properties and curative :
irtues. At two feet below the sur
Ice the water has a temperature Of :
% degrees Fair, being only L. de- =
rees below boiling point. :
In such towns the question Of dis :,
the Mormons is earnest :
: discussed. What a mockery! =
)isfranchiss the most sober, indus =
-ious and law-hbiding citizens be- !
ause of their appropriately and :
views, but leave the :
amber, the drunkard and the ],
rofligate free TO cast their votes =
nd enjoy all the rights and privi- n
,ges Of American citiZensi q
J PHOENIN. :