The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-02

seeker can come and make comfortable
homes for their families out of the freez-
ing climate. of the Northern states. We
sometimes have a selfish notion that we
should advance and assist in promoting
none but our own interests in this world,
but, the duties that devolve upon us as
men rests with us and we ought to do it.
we nave each something to do in the mat
ter, and when these lands under our pres
ent canals are filled up let tbs branch out
until al. Arizona is what she ought to be
the most prosperous and the greatest
state i'll the Union, one supporting the
greatest population to the square mile OF
any In the Union. | thank you gentle
men for the privileges of your banquet,
you have afforded me great pleasure in
participating with you in it.
President Sheldon--Donald w. Camp
bell of Denver Is the supervising engineer
of our company. He has thoroughly
studied its physical features and its en-
cheering conditions. His knowledge of
its great natural advantages, ample water
supply, capacious storage locations, favor
able bedrock locations and mountain abut-
mcnts for dams, large area of fertile trib-
utary lands, small cost of construction as
related to values created, all favorable 10
the greatest safety and the highest eff
cheney, are the solid grounds OF his abid-
ing faith and continued confidence in the
enterprise. His repeated affirmation of
CATION enterprises in the United States
has made it possible for its projectors to
present it to the home seeker and invest
or. am sure you will be glad to hear
from Mr.. Campbell.
In December 1891, said Mr.. Camp
bell. when | was in Mexico, | received
telegram from New York, from the presi-
dent of one OF the large trust companies
there, requesting me to meet him at FL
Paso. When / met him in Ell Paso he in
formed me of the nature of his business,
and desired me to visit the Verde enter
prise with him and report upon its capa-
bilities. We came to Phoenix in Deem
Der, 1891, and met Mr.. Sheldon and the
officers OF the company and visited the
whole enterprise. My New York friend
asked me: Is it feasible enterprise, one
that we ought TO go into and one that we
can make money out Off | answered
that | thought it was one Of the best in
the West, and have never changed my
mind from that day to this. The ordinary
running water of the stream is already
appropriated. 1t was necessary to inquire
what amount of water could be safely
stored. The only observations we had
were the geological surveys and measure
ments of Samuel Davidson. have studied
all available data and l don't thank | am
exaggerating when l say that there are
flood waters enough in that valley to irri-
gate nearly a million acres of land, which
water can be stored and used as needed.
Ii any one tells you that it is
not so, he is mistaken; and 1 think the
day will come when over million acres
other than those now under canal will be
under ditch and well supplied with water
for irrigation. l make this statement
after studying the conditions for the con-
struction of reservoir dams, for impound-
ing and diverting the waters is as favor
able as any have ever seen. There is
solid porphyry rock Immediately at hand
for construction and an ample natural
spil-way a half mile away from the
dam, so that the dam and spill-way are
removed from the storage dam, and with
proper construction there is no danger
from breaking away either of the dam or
the spill-way. The reservoir, on an ac-
curate survey, has been found sufficient to
store enough water to cover 205, 900 acres
one foot in depth at one filling. In addi-
ton 10 that they nave several other reser-
voir sites so that the quantity can be
increased as needed. | have esti-
mated that the tlood-waters amount
to over S00,000-acre feet so that the
present capacity is only about one-fourth
of the amount that is annually wasted.
We have something there to be saved, for
it is all going to waste now and is of no
use to anyone whatever. The water is
brought down to the diversion dam in the
stream bed. That is to be built much
higher than usual, for the water must be
brought over the Mcdowell divide to get
it out of the Verde valley and on to the
great plains of the valley OF the Salt River.
On leaving the diversion dam it comes
through level country Lof nearly $4,000
III the Verde valley, and from that it
comes into the Salt River valley, m
After leaving there q large power can
be had for manufacturing, for electric
lighting OF the mines or running rail-
roads, etc.
There is a large area OF most excellent
land under the canal as contracted for
present construction. When that is all
settled, | stake my authority that we can
furnish water for still larger area.
THE enterprise has done well under Mr..
Sheldon's management. He has had
rough road to travel and he has Travelled
it well. In all of my dealings with him |
can only speak in the highest terms of his
integrity, energy and ability, and | am
very happy to say SO here in Phoenix to-
day"
President Sheldon-People turn their at
tention towards any country on account
of the benefits it affords. They take ac-
count OF the healthfulness OF its climate
and other conditions affecting physical
well being. Then come the other consid-
erations. We have with us one of the
physicians of the valley, who has made a
study of these conditions, and ] would be
glad to hear from him. DR.. Woodruff
please tell us of the health of the valley.
LAS we are here to celebrate the sue
cess of water enterprise" said DR..
Woodruff, II suppose it is right and
proper that one supposed to deal so large
~ in sweetened water should participate
in the festivities.
without investigating it from fnan-
cal standpoint, shall briefly touch upon
the point that homeseeker looks at
plating change Of location,
either from the desire of larger business
opportunities or from yearning for a
milder climate. In either case he nat
urally inquiries: Is the place under con-
sideration healthy one? Can | live there
in comfort and comparative safety? Can
I expect good health for my wife and chill
dren? What is the death rate and the pre-
vailing diseases, if any?
about all | am able to say is, and ] am
fully prepared to make the statement,
that here in the Salt River Valley we have
the healthiest climate to be found any
where in the United States. Now, / real
ize that that is a pretty broad assertion,
but l can vouch for its truth.
THE most reliable vital statistics are
to be derived from the records of the tin-
dertaking firms of Randall IL Davis and
OF Smith, Fields & Co. who have supplied
all funeral necessities to the territory |
shall describe, during the past three years.
These records are very full and complete,
and for every practical purpose are fully
reliable for the period named. These
firms have kindly placed their records at
my disposal for the purpose of this inves-
tigation. The record substantially covers
Inaf nj EnIlrl tx