Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1893-04-28
A BIG COUNTRY.
Possibilities of the Vast
ExpanSe
Lying West of the City
of Phoenix.
EQUAL in Area to a Flock OF
Eastern States.
A Paving and Absolutely Necessary
Investment to Be Made by
Local Merchants.

President Benjamin r.. Lower, oi the
Orange Belt Land and Canal company,
returned night before last with Samuel
Saunders from weeks trip through
the Harcuvar and Harqua Hala mining
regions. They bring back reports OF a
hattering outlook for those districts.
The object of Mr.. Lowers trip was to
look after an extensive copper claim in
the Harcuvars and to investigate Juan
Hidalgo's gold claim in the Harqua
Hslas. Speaking of this latter Mr..
Lower says it is an enigma which can be
solved only by actual development,
The surface indications are wonderful,
leading old miners to believe that it is
destined to become the most important
mining property in the territory. Ar
rangements are now being made to
sink shafts at various points.
From Hidalgo's Mr.. Lower went to
the Volcanic copper claim, near the
Eagle Tail mountains, a property lately
bought by the stockholders OF the Or
ange Belt Land ami Canal company.
1t was the intention to remain there
several days, but there was an unex-
pected scarcity of water for which the
party had made no preparation. After
havinglwatered the horses there was only
another bucketful obtainable and that
evening it was necessary to set out for
Burgers well. While there they found
some float on the copper claim rich in
gold, silver, iron and lead, and it was
traced to what was believed TO be the
original ledge. Samples were brought
along and submitted to an assayer, who
will render report today.
They say the Harqua Halas are alive
with prospectors, among whom were
many women. In all cases the parties
were we'll QUILTED and there was a
general expression OF confidence OF an
early rich strike.
Mr.. Lower calls attention to fact
which will be interesting though per-
haps distasteful to Phoenix merchants.
He said he observed many miners leav-
ing for supplies and in most cases they
were headed for ella Bend. He in
quired why they didn't come to the
natural headquarters, Phoenix. They
replied that ella Bend was nearer, the
road better defined and lined at con.
venient distances with wells. The trail
to Phoenix Intersected by hundreds of
wood roads was less distinct. Beside
the first watering place, Burgers well,
was forty miles, away and the next,
Mnllens, almost the same distance this
side. Neither watering place was well
kept and the presence in the water oil
the decaying bodies OF animals rendered
it unfit for other use than watering
stock.
Mr., Lower believes that If Phoenix
merchants would take the trouble and
incur the expense of erecting sign post.
among the mazes OF trails and of sink
ing three or four wellst the bulk of the
trade of that growing mining regior
may be held for Phoenix, otherwise il
will go to Gila Bend.
That the vast expanse OF country ".
ing east OF the Colorado and which
really though not in name 10 part Of
the Salt River valley will become q
thickly settled agricultural and fruit
growing region, Mr.. Lower believes j.
matter OF a very few years. At great
expense it may be irrigated from the
Colorado, though on smaller scale il
may be fitted for cultivation by means
OF wind mill pumps. At Harrisburg
water is obtained in limitless quaint,
ties in this way at a depth Of from IA
to 20 feet. 9.
After having described his trip Mr.
Lower remarked rehectively, tits q
big country-bigger than | ever dream
ed Of. When it is developed as it is
bound to be soon it will give Phoenix
and agricultural region to draw from
equal in extent to a couple of eastern
states and much more 1ertie. Then
we can reasonable expect another Den.
yer or Kansas CITY in the Salt River
valley. It's big country, an awfu
big country"