The herald., 1897-11-17
ALADDIN'S CAVE Is 0UTD0NE
M'K-NLEY AND THE HOME RULE
PLANK
A Territory Looking Toward Self
Coverrment--W. J. Murphy and
His Great Canal

territorial Masonic grand lodges as
sembled this week, in a cavern of sur
passing beauty
The entrance to the great subterrane-
an temple is by 1000 feet OF tunneling,
that begins at the 200-foot level of the
worldfamous Copper Queen mine. I'm
mediatey at the entrance of the cavern
is a large amphitheater, about 100 feet
in diameter, either from side to side or
from floor to floor. This is surrounded
by wonderful labyrinths of galleries,
many of which lead to other caves and
fissures and one of them to an immense
inclined hole in the rock that seems to
be bottomlcss, and that gives back no
sound when stones are cast into it. To
the left of the amphitheater, as one en-
ters is an enormous pit, 500 feet in depth.
The walls, floor and roof of both pit and
amphitheater are coated heavily
through lime carbonate drippings. At =
very recent date the entire cavern was
a vast subterranean well, and the wa
ters in going out have left indelible
traces of currents and wavelets on the
glistening walls
A DAZZLING SIGHT
Although the cave was discovered
three years ago, it's existence has been
kept almost a secret to the outside world,
and the Masonic fraternity of Arizona,
accompanied by many visiting brethren
from all parts of the world, were among
the first to view it's marvellous beauties.
The cavern had been decorated and illu-
minated by hundreds of incandescent
electric lights. arranged most effectively
and artistically, scores of the bulbs
showing dimly through the translucent
hangings of mineral. manyhued cop
per-stained, and from every large
stalactite hung a yellow incandescent
spark. The galleries, many of which
have exquisite draperies of lace-lilSe
lime, were vividly and wonderfully
lighted The whole effect was dazzling,
enchanting, bewildering in the extreme.
Those who were fortunate enough.to see
it thus illuminated were awed. There
may be larger caves, there may be more
awful cavities in earths crust, but none
other has been found hidden so deeply
and none so entrancingly and indescrib-
ably beautiful. The cavern of Alladdin's 5
genii gives the only possible comparison
SAVED FOR THE MASONS
Where the crystalline coatings are not
copper-stained they are pure white
sometimes resembling sculptured walls
of ice and sometimes carved and modelled
drifts of snow. King Solomons temple
was not a more beautiful or more befit-
ting temple for the ancient and honor
able brotherhood of Free Masons. Aside
from the territorial Masonic bodies
which assembled in the cave for the first
time on the afternoon of the 10th instant,
many hundreds of visitors from all parts
of the country, by the courtesy of the
Copper Queen Mining company We're
afforded view of this underground
Wonderland. Governor Myron ii. Nc
Cord and most of the territorial officials,
including the district judges of Arizona,
Masonic representatives from Mexico,
Central America, Scotland and Nova
Scotia, were the especial guests Of the
grand lodge in the cavern. The verdict
Of all was that words alone cannot de-
scribe tithe of what they saw and felt
CT natures architecture in the heart
of that limestone mountain.
A very notable feature of this Masonic
assembly was the general recognition
accorded by the grand lodge, the grand
chapter and the grand commandery of
Arizona to the representatives of the
grand lodge of Mexico of which Presi-
dent Diaz is grand master, and which
has not heretofore been extended, with
only one or two exceptions, by the grand
lodges of the, United States. At this
gathering President Diaz was repre-
sented by Senor Palaez, "de nuestra
republica hermana." He was given
very cordial welcome and accepted in
his official capacity with open arms.
NEW OFFICERS
The annual election and much of the
work of the grand lodge took place in the
cave, all approaches carefully guarded
bya score or more of miners, familiar
with every approach, and themselves
initiates of the order. The more I'm
portant offices were filed as follows:
F. and A. M. grand master, ]. b. Crea-
mer, Phoenix; treasurer, M. w. Kales,
Phoenix. For the Royal Arch. grand
high priest, c. NJ. Ormby, Tucson; dep
uty grand high priest, j. d. Monihon.
Phoenix. For the grand commandery.
knights Templar, grand commander,
r. N. Fredericks, Prescott; grand dep
uty, p. p. Parker. Phoenix; general issi-
mo, H. ID. Underwood, Tucson. In all
three bodies Geo. ]. Roskruge of Tucson
was reelected to the post of secretary.
SNOW AND ORANGES.
Winter has closed in in Northern Ari-
zona, and the stage line from Flagstaff
to the Grand Canyon and the hotel on
the rim of the gorge are alike closed
down till the melting Of tho SHOWS pevt
spring. For Northern Arizona is chill
ly land in winter, and there are months
when the SHOW lies four feet deep in the
vast pine forests OF the region. 1t is very
different IN the southland. Here in Phoe-
nix oranges from local groves are begin
ming to be abundant in the fruit stalls,
and shipments in considerable quantity
have been going to Chicago for several
weeks. The crop Is reported to be far
above that Of last year and the quality
Of the product improved as WELL
CANAL REORGANIZATION.
The Arizona Improvement company,
owner of the largest and oldest Of the
orange groves, under the Arizona canal.
Is. learn today on the eve Of rcorgan-
izatfon, on lines of decided advantage to |
Its members. 1t Is heavily bonded, for
over millicn. but has holdings OF i'm
mense value, embracing 5000 acres of |
the best fruit land In the Salt River val
ley and a controlling interest in the Ari-
roma. Grand. Maricopa and Salt River |
valley canals. The president, w. I. Mur-
ply, who has Tor years made hin head |
quarters Ia Chicago, has returned to |
Phoenix within the naat teW dnym, and |