The herald., 1897-09-19
JEROME
The Center Of a Large and Prosperous
Mining District


The largest mining property Of Ari-
zona is that Of the United Verde at Je-
rome. The town Is a typical western
mining camp, with all the accessories
and characteristics which make inter-
esting and active such places. There is
a population varying from 1900 to 5000,
depending upon the employment offered
at the mines that being the only source
of support for the community. From
$780, 900 to $125,0O0 are paid monthly to
miners in the camp, and the free cir
culation Of the bulk Of this great sum Of
money keeps life here. both social and
commercial, exceedingly active. The
usual accomplishments of frontier life
in remote settlements obtain at Jerome
within the limits of orderly behavior.
One may see phases Of life that would
not conform to the staid formulas of
Puritan conduct, to be sure. but back Of
it all is a rugged sense Of Justice and
fair play that maintains an exact bal
ance of obligations and their enforce
ment.
Rioting and bloodshed are not known,
though gambling, within the we'll de-
fined requirements Of play, is openly
conducted in connection with all sa-
looms. In view of the fact that many
discordant elements Of society are here
gathered, representative Of many ma
tionalities, the good order of the camp is
very remarkable. A Catholic church
has been recently completed and is an
edifice of no inconsiderable architecture
al merit All kinds of mercantile lines
are we'll represented and apparently Of
fer fair returns. Hotels are, as a rule,
well kept. and offer good rooms and
good meals to the traveller.
ATTRACTIVE LOCALITY
Jerome is situated upon a hill side
about the mines and a short distance
from the Verde river. The locality Is
picturesque and, though somewhat pre-
cipitous, quite attractive. But for the
dense sulphur smoke from the ore bakes
that hangs about the camp one might
enjoy the locality very much, and those
who have been long accustomed to the
offensive odors say they are ratheY
pleasant
No reference to the mines is here un-
dertaken for any other purpose than
to show the substantial basis of the
town. About three-fourths of million
dollars worth of metal, principally cop
per, is taken out every month. OF this
amount enough silver Is secured to pay
the operating expenses Of the mining
plant, while the gold yield amounts to
large sum. The entire district Is owned
by one corporation, including the rail-
way line, one of the most interesting
in the world, which connects the camp
with the Santa Fe, Prescott & Phoenix
railway at Jerome junction, 26 miles
away. Vast extensions are going on at
the great plant at the present time, which
are designed to double the output Of the
mines.
MERCHANTS AND OTHERS
Many important mercantile establish
ments are already located at Jerome,
among which are Merrill Bros, general
merchants; Con O'Keefe and Ralph Dill
Ion. These gentlemen are thoroughly
alive to the best interests Of the town,
and believe in and promote its rapid
growth by every fair means. AS would
naturally follow they do the business
of the town, both in merchandising and
banking, and enjoy the confidence ofthe
entire mining population. Other prom
inent names are r. H. Turner and DR..
M. A. Carrier, the latter a professional
gentleman of wide reputation who en-
joys lucrative practice.