The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-17
THE EARTH is CRACKING
A Peculiar Phenomenon in the Valley Of
Kirkland, Arizona
Crevice Traversing Dry Ranch and River
That Is Rapidly Rising to the
Surface

Prescott, Ariz., Feb, 10. - Wonders
will never cease, and this applies
to Arizona as well as elsewhere. 1t
is exemplifed today in a manner that
carries with it much speculation, and also
some alarm, in an incident that has and
is taking place near this city, in little
valley known as Kirkland.
The arrival in this city of Sol. Jackson
and Edward Kirkland for the purpose of
securing force of carpenters to move
their present homes to ground higher,
and at safer distance also from an inn
pending 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 gentlemen say that Kirkland val
ley, in the vicinity of their ranches is
daily rising and developing itself into
living stream of water, and that since the
recent heavy rains the work of nature
seems to have progressed rather rapidly.
Several years ago, the existence OF what
is known as cienega, was noticed III
the field of Mr.. Jackson in the western
portion of the valley, which supported
body of water about twelve feet deep,
which, during a dry or rainy season, did
not seem to be affected in volume. Sud
denly an opening was made in the south
eastern part of it, about hundred feet in
width and ten feet in depth, developing
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 crevlce, however, has continued to
creep and grow, and a year ago had tray
eled in its serpentine route over 800 feet
distant from where it started and making
direct shoot for the residences of MesSrs.
jackson and Kirkland. Up to the pres
ent time it has continued to crumble the
ground facing it, and has progressed so
rapidly that it is but few feet from the
former home, developing itself as it goes
into crevice twenty-five feet deep
and 100 feet wide, with water plainly visible
in it.
After the heavy rains of last month and
the breaking away of Kirkland Creek, in
the eastern portion of the valley, creating
also for this stream another course for it
to follow, and seemingly being DESTROYS
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 Kirk
land Greek runs about mile to the south
of Messrs. Jackson and Kirkland; and,
strange as it it may seem, it is dry and
apparently supports no water. 1t is said
now that the natural course, or the orig
inal 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 depth of
six feet which goes further to substan
tiate 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 its physical features Of the past,
contrary to that prevailing now, and the
/ suppostion 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 travelling southeasterly
through the valley, a solid and perma-
nent body of water will again be visible.
1t may not be utilized however, owing to
the great depth from the ground and the
expense of securing it, but will neverthe-
less serve to bring the old again to face
the new and prove that at one time a
great body of water existed there The
idea of a dry rancher having to. move
away from a river in Arizona has such a
humorous touch TO it that it seems lud :
crous, but at the same time it is So and
the incident is well worthy of classical
ton among the seven wonders of the
world.