Arizona republican., 1896-12-20
RICH DECEMBER LANDSCAPE
The Irrigation Visitors Saw the
 Valley Yesterday.
Dined and Wined at Mesa, Presented With Bouquets by Pretty College Girls, and Royalty Entertained by Everybody.

Another enjoyable day was passed yesterday by the delegates to the if- rigation congress who visited the south side of the river
 The special train left the city abou4 8 o'clock yesterday morning. There were three cars we'll filled, the mum Der of people who went on the excuf- sion being about 175, most of them strangers.
 On the up trip the train passed through Tempe about four miles to- wards Kyrene, so that the passengers could view the vast alfalfa fields in that section. Upon returning te Tempe line of carriages was in wait ing and those of the delegates that desired were driven around the ad- jacent country. The carriages were furnished by Tempe's hospitable citi- zens, who left nothing undone that would tend to make the visit a pleas urable one.
 AS the party was passing through the Normal school grounds a bevy of the college girls presented each of the delegates with bouquet tied with ribbon of yellow, the school color. The young male students were more de monstrative and greeted the visitors with the Normal slogan. The -ve- randas were gaily decorated with palms and bunting, presenting a pret- ty and attractive appearance. Pria- clpal McNaughton and the faculty re- ceived the visitors and 8 brief and pleasing speech was made. in response by Delegate Uttley of Connecticut. The visitors greatly admired the new school building, and the well-kept grounds called for many compliment ary remarks.
 The journey was continued to Mesa through as rich an agricultural coun- try as can be found in any section of the United States The large or chards and immense alfalfa fields made picturesque December landscape, and many of the delegates from the east fell to comparing the scene with the region Of snow and outraseous coaa and plumbers bills.
 Arrived at Mesa, the citizens of that place turned out in force to welcome the visitors. They displayed the un- affected hospitality characteristic Of the west and the visitors were much impressed thereby Carriages were in waiting to drive the guests Of the city to all the points of interest. A tris was made to where the large dredger was working and the operation Of the huge machine was watched with lSeeK interest
 Returning to Mesa the delegates were escorted to the town hall and were seated to as tempting and savorR l a repast as was ever set before nor 1 tals. It was not a mere lunch, but a banquet, and the tables groaned under | their weight of delicacies p,canced at home and abroad. There was also an abundance of wine, the product of the Mesa wineries. Absolutely nothing
 was wanting and the citizens of the town were delighted with the way ir which the hungry diners made the edi- l bles disappear. It was a sure enough feast of reason and flow of scul. Brig ham Young was seated in the place of honor at the head of the long table and 1 directly opposite the bishop at the
 foot Of the table was Mrs. Cargili os
 this city. Felicitous speeches were made by Bishop Young, A. G. Wolfea-
 barger of Nebraska. General Sampson of this city, and others.
 The event was a most enjoyabfe one and will not soon be forgotten by the
 citizens of Mesa or those that accent ed the city's hospitality.
 After the banquet the delegates wers each presented with a small bottle cf
 wine as a souvenir of the pleasant oe-
 casion.
 The return trip to Phoenix WIFI
 without incident, the excursjonists ar
 irving here with a profound affection
 for Arizona and the pleasant sensation
 of having had most enjoyable time
 in the land of perpetual sunshine. The visitors will return to thei,
 various houses with an exalted opin-
 ion of Arizona's newer civilization and
 her great resources, of which they
 have had glimpse. They will m
 occasionally entertain 8 long and
 happy memory of the fifth national l irrigation congress