The Arizona sentinel., 1897-08-14


 extinct oceans. The great Colorado desert was once an inland sea, cut off centuries and perhaps ages ago from the main ocean, leav- ing it's waters to evaporate in this intense heat. Throughout all the country border ing the desert, including this section, rich mines are being constantly discovered, and some of recent location are already produc- ing immense profits. In the neighborhood of Yuma, claims exceedingly rich on the surface are daily being located, and all signs portend great mining boom for this county which will culminate as early as the coming fall in an inroad of much capital. Experts are arriving every week and mines are being bonded at more than heavy prices. It seems wonderful to believe that all this min erel wealth has been lying at our very doors for so many years without taker, but the tendency of prospectors is to go long dis tance off into strange lauds rather than to seek for mines in a county as old as Yuma County and so accessible. The greater the distance, the hardship, and the danger, the greater the fascination for the prospector Distance seems, indeed, to lend enchant- ment to the view.
 So it is that this county is almost virgin field for the mine hunter, and now with the few hundreds searching in it's mountains its mineral secrets are still in effect secrets, for thousands upon thousands might be wander ing through the rock-ribbed fastnesses oi our mountain ranges and their presence be almost unknown, so vast is the extent si country.
 Recent rich discoveries of gold deposits, particularly in lodges, have given 8 great impetus to mining throughout the county.
 New locations are being constantly made, and all show well upon the surface. The La Fortuna mine, recently put in operation, has 23stamp mill running night and dag, and the production of gold averages $75,000 per month. This mine is situated about 30 miles southwest of the village of Yuma.
 Rich gold discoveries have also been made in Castle Dome, Harqua Hala, Centennial, Palomas, Pot Holes, and other mining dis tricts, and, although the mining outlook in the county was never better, still most oi the silver and lead mines are idle, ewing to the low value Of those metals.
 VALLEYS OF THE COLORADO ANr
 CHA.
 In the valleys of the Colorado and the Gila rivers there is roam for thousands. Ii is not too much to say that nowhere within the limits of this broad Unioa can be found a more desirable region for the making of 6 home. No laborious clearing of the land i: required; it lies almost ready for the blow Trees and shrubbery have so rapid growth that within eighteen months the immigrant can surround his abode with attraction: which would require years to mature in less favored climates. Fruits ripen and arc ready fer market 9 full mouth before the California products. The bright sunshine makes life l,,xury. and the pure dry atmos, phere brings health to all who inhale it. FoI the establishment of colonies, such as are made in southern California, Arizona pre- sents unrivaled opportunities. Thousands of acres now prohtless can be made produc tive by the construction of irrigating ditches and there is no investment which assure: larger or more permanent returns,
 The statement in this article on Yuma county are net exaggerated; in fact they fall short of doing justice in this wonderful bit of country. Piueapples, dates, almonds and waluuts will do well. Strawberries, rasp- berries, blackberries. entrants, gooseberries and all varieties of small fruits can be sue cessfully cultivated. Indeed, Yuma County is not only the natural home of the citrus and semitropical fruits, as almost every fsuit, nut, plant, grain, grass, or vegetable which can be produced in either tropic oi temperate zones will thrive in the rich and fertile soils.
 With the bright prospects ahead of the town of Yuma and Yuma County there can be no better investment for capital seeking large and renumerative returns than is af forded here. With a matchless climate where all forms of disease known to the damp and rigorous regions of the east and north are unknown, where the bright sun shine kisses into bloom and fragrance every form of vegetation, and where the clear day; and cool and balmy nights are one long-con. tinued poem of happiness and delight, we can offer to capitalists an ideal field for in paradise in which to settle