The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1894-01-12

PHOENIX Arizona. New Years Day 1894.

| PHOENIX Arizona. New Years Day 1894
Editors Democrat:
As sit here in the open air, this bright
sunny day, ! visit. in mind. many places
and many people. The holiday season is
always suggestive of home, and for me
| there is but one place worthy that name.
From thinking fell TO writing. and. be-
hold. letter to the DEMOCRAT is the
result
have received a good many letters ol
inquiry about this southwestern portion oi
our great country and the questions asked
in the letters received suggest the outline OF
this letter. As to the climate one can only
string together list OF complimentary adj
| lectIves. This has been. am told, an un-
nsally wet season. Since came here, Nov
Both, it has rained two nights and part OF
one day and there have been lust two
cloudy days. All other days have been
sunny and bright from sun up TO sun down.
Imagine it, People talking Of q. wet sea
son to an old webfooter when the sunshines
every day little bit and all the time for
twenty-nine days in December. In an
average season. am told. the sun shines all
day during three hundred and sixty out of
the three hundred and sixty-fiye days of the
year. Where | am sitting just now |
think thermometer would register 20 de-
grees and it is 10 o'clock m | have
never been able to learn how hot ii does get
here in the summer. But have heard of
the man who. dying. ahd feeling sure that
he was doomed TO the region of the Fire
Fiend in the world to come. asked that he
might 90 TO that region by way of Arizona.
For. says he. afrer the heat of Arizona |
shall be comfortable in the place to which |
60 The humidity is very low, here. Ths
air is absolutely dry. This make. the in
tense heat tolerable and even pleasant TO
some. The nights ara nearly always ccoI,
and, as in our own Willamettss valley. the
heat OF a summer day gives way TO cool
and pleasant air at night. Many Of the
new corners live in tents the year round and
IN summer time every body. nearly. sleeps
ont Of doors
Phoenix IL now the capital Of the Terri
tory and Is in the Salt river valley. THIS
valley is, as nearly rs can learn, about one
hundred AMI twenty-five miles long by forty
miles wide. A large proportion Of this
cattle is alfalfa Wheat harley, and other
grains grow well. Oranges grow and ma
tuFe earlier than in any ether portion Of the
Three pounds Of apples for twenty-five
cents, Think of il, 70 Of the land Of red
apples, That agures abo-t 8 per bas don't
There siill remains in this valley eonsid-
cradle government land But il Is going
rapidly. | have seen On one side Of the
road as bright, grain heiis as Oregon
boasts in May while Just across the road
every thing is as barren as desert On
inquiry ] .nd the difference due TO irriga-
ton Land i useless without water rights
and hence some Of the largest inserpylses
are in the line Of canal projects. Land
varies from s-25 n $500 per acre according
10 location and with the land usually goes a
perpetual water right The valley Is rapidly
being covered with net work of canals.
On either side Of the valley Is a range Of
rough ragged mountains whence the water
flows TO the valley. and whence comes the
cool air u the night
Morey Is rs easy here a any place have
been. IL does no: grow on irces. Blu; il
seems to be tolerzbly frsse. OF course in
anstrisz oE large scale. and which depend
on earsscrn and northern capital more OF
less. ara feeling the depression cut the
prospect seems TO be bright for this region
There ara numerous and rseh mines through
this Territory and neS ones are being un-
covered. Ready money commands good
rats. Loans at Is per cent are not infre
anent Taxes. including city rztess szre q
Hgh as seventy mills. and prizes are gem
orally high for everything. The population
may be divided into two classes. Those
here for health and those here for money.
and trade Tsroueeds uron the old principle
that N every exchange somebody ul1St be
cheated and some one generally Is. But az
ter all one mar travel a long way and not
End = more whole hearted, genial and gen
srous ses Of people.
Schools. churches. charitable institutions
and society average well with older coui-
manities. and there is an abundant .eld for
all 10 work upon.
As fine specimen of the Indian as | ever
saw are in this valley. great big. broad
ches.si, robust bucks with all the fantastic
features Of the painted warrior and squaws
tastooed and painted in fast and furious
colors- There are many relics Of the pre-
historic occupants q this valley. and one
can not but wonder al the evidences os an
early civilization little behind that which
now obtains Whence these people came
and whittier they have gone is the theme
cf many a learned and eloquent tiisQuistion
bat the mystery Of their b<ing and civiliza-
ton remains to be fathouled.
There IS spriukling Of Mexicans in this
Territory but the population Is predonii-
nently American and Phoenix is American
| in ever feature.
| We are having today by way Of New
Years celebration field day of athletics in
the open air. A game Of baseball between
the lawyers and business men. foot-racing,
horse racing, bicycle-racing. - everythiRk
that is done elsewhere in midsummer goe:
on here in mid-winter under most favorable
| circumstances
There are other things worthy Of note
perhaps bu; these | will reserve 10 som'
future time. So wishing you. and other
old friends the compliments of the season
remain.
Yours very truly.
JAMES ]. CHARLTON.