Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1895-02-13
WORKING BACKWARD!
Tho Strange Phenomenon That Exists
 in Kirkland Valley.
ETsry Indication of a Big Stream Of
 Living Water.

AItuS uGlOis
 Wonders will never cease, and this applies to Arizona as we'll as elsewhere. It is exemplified to-day in a manner that carries with 1t much speculation, and also some alarm, in an incident that has and is taking place near this city, in 8 little valley known as Kirkland.
 The arrival in this city of Sol. Jackson and Ed. Kirkland for the purpose of securing force of car penters to move their present homes to ground higher. and at a safer distance also from an impending danger that seems to be creeping somewhat rapidly toward them, gives to them and their mission something of an unusual interest and consideration also. These gem tlemen say that Kirkland valley, in the vicinity of their ranches. is daily raising and developing itself into a living stream of water, and that since the recent heavy rains the work of nature seems to have pro gressed rather rapidly. Several years ago, the existence of what IS known as a cienega was noticed m the field of Mir. Jackson, in the western portion of the valley, which supported 6 body of water about twelve feet deep, which, during dry or rainy season, did not seem to be affected in it's volume. Suddenly an opening was made in the south eastern part of it, about loo feet in width and 10 feet in depth, develop ing as the crevice was formed, a living body of clear running water. At first no attention was paid to this, and the incident was looked upon with no concern whatever. The creyice, however, has continued to creep and grow, and year ago had travelled in its serpentine route over 600 feet distant from where 1t started, and making direct shoot for the residences of Messrs. Jackson and Kirkland. Up to the present time 1t has continued to crumble the ground facing it, and has pro gressed so rapidly that it is bat a few feet from the formers home, developing itself as it goes into erevice 25 feet deep and I50 feet wide, with water also plainly visible in it.
 After the heavy rains of last month and the breaking away of Kirkland Creek in the eastern DOT ton of the valley, creating also for this stream another course for it to follow. and seemingly being desiroas to connect with the opening made from the cienega above referred to, the above gentlemen have naturally become alarmed and have decided on moving away from their present location before it is too late.
 The present or regular stream of Kirkland creek runs about mile to the south of Messrs. Jackson and Kirkland: and strange as it may seem, it is dry and apparently sup ports no water. It is said now that the natural course, or the original Kirkland creek, runs directly through the center of this valley, and that nature is proving it by the manner in which it is so plainly opening it in the vicinity of homes there.
 Anywhere in the vicinity of the houses of the ranchers affected by this sudden outburst, water can be had at a depth of six feet, which goes further to substantiate the the theory that the original stream at one time lived in the center of this valley.
 In the history of this section as known to the white race, nothing can be learned as to it's physical features of the past, contrary to that prevailing now, and the supposition is that the opening with the water therein plainly shown is but the natural stream again coming into active life.
 Another opinion is that in very short time from the rapidity with which the present crevice is travel ing southeasterly through the val ley, solid and permanent body of water will again be visible. It may not be utilized however owing to the great depth from the ground. and the expense of securing it, but will nevertheless serve to bring the old again to face the new and prove that at one time a great body of water exhisted there. The idea of q dry rancher having to move away from a river in Arizona has such a humorous touch to it, that seems ludicrous. but at the same time it is so and the incident is we'll worthy of classification among the seven wonders of the world.