The Arizona sentinel., 1897-07-10

extinct oceans. The great Colorado desert was once an inland sea, cut off centuries and perhaps ages ago from the main ocean, leav- ing its waters to evaporate in this intease heat. Throughout all the country border ing the desert, including this section, rich mines are being constantly discovered, and sone 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 eliminate as early as the coming 2 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 eral wealth has been lying at our very doors for 50 many years without 0 taker, but the 1 tendency of prospectors is to go long dis tance of into strange lands rather than to seek for mines in 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 Ill its mountains its mineral secrets are still in effect secrets, for thousands upon thousands might be wander ing through the rock-ribbed fastnesses of our mountain ranges and their presence be almost unknown, so vast is the extent Of country.
 Recent rich discoveries of gold deposits, particularly in ledges, have given 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 2J-stamp mill running night and day, and the production of gold averages $75, ,000 per month. This mine is situated about % mics 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 s5ill most oi the silver and lead mines are idle, owing to the low value of these metals.
 VALLEYS OF THE COLORADO AND
 CHA.
 la the valleys Of the Colorado and the Gila rivers there is roSm for thousands. It is not too much to say that nowhere within the limits of this broad Union can be found a more desirable region for the making of a home. No laborious clearing of the land is required; it lies almost ready for the blow. Trees and shrubbery have so rapid a growth that within eighteen months the immigrant can surround his abode with attractions which would require years to mature in less favored climates. Fruits ripen and are ready for market Q full month before the California products. The bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pure dry atmos- phere brings health to all who inhale it. For 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 assures larger or more permanent returns.
 The statement ill this article on Yuma co&nty are not exaggerated; in fact they fall short of doing justice in this wonderful bit of country. Pineapples, dates, almonds and waluuts will do well. Strawberries, rasp- berries, biackberries, entrants, gooseberries, and all varieties of small fruits can be suc- ce.sfully cultivated. Indeed. Yuma County is not only the natural home of the citrus and semitropical fruits, as almost every fruit, nut, plant, grain, grass, or vegetable which can be produced in either tropic of temperate zones will thrive in the rich and fertile soils.
 With the bright prospects ahead of the town or Hma 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 days 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 vestment and to home seekers veritable paradise i'll which to settle.
 ARIZONA.