Arizona republican., 1898-01-29
THE HOUSE THAT CANT BUILT.

Valentine Cant, one of the most solid ranchers and stockmen CD the south side, was born near Chester, H., in the year 1884. He spent his childhood days going to school. learn ing the science of forming and mould ing character so broad and sound as to stand the storms and temptations of the battle of life in after years. Reaching the age of majority in 1854, he left his native state and went west. For years he engaged in the m ming, farming and stockraising business in the states of California, Oregon and Idaho, winning respect as a genie man, business man and citiZ:n wher- ever he went. In the early EOS he came to Arizona, spent some time in- vestigating the territory, and finally in 1892, bought large ranch nine miles south of Tempe. He did not settle on this ranch until 1895, how ever, as the work of adjusting his in terests elsewhere required great deal of time and travelling. When he did settle, he pursued the course Identical with himself-that of a builder. The ranch had been cultivated, but had grown to weeds and brush, the land was as rough as nature left it and the ditches reminded MT. Cant of a de- parted race. Under the builders di- rection- the wrest1e with nature be- gan i'll earnest. The land was clearad, the old fences rebuilt and new es the whole place seeded to alfalfa MT. Gant's time and money was not spent in vain for this then seemingly God constructed, the desert leveled, the ditches repaired and heightened, and forsaken spot, now, with it's herds of fattening cattle, reminds one of na- lures sweetest smiles.
 During all the time that.hese inn provements were going on Mr. Cant sorely felt the need of good house. The shanty erected for temporary purposes afforded poor shelter for the help and for MT. Cant himself, who was advancing in years. Consequently a few weeks ago he decided to build house.
 Hitching up his old gray horse early one morning he came to town to con- suit with contractor. As he wished the house to be we'll built he decided to figure with J. S. Hendrix. Accord ingly he took that long whiskered gentleman into the front office of the Tempe house, the most convenient place in town, and laid before him his plans.
 It was some time past noon when the matter with MT Hendrix was sat isfactorily arranged. Both gentlemen felt the need of a good meal. so they went across the street to the Office cafe where they replenished their ex- pended energies on the excellent food set before them from the kitchen Of G. F. Richards
 After dinner, having learned from his carpenter, approximately the amount of lumber he needed. MT. Cant went down the street to the B1inn lumber yard and spent several hours figuring with George N. Gage. He learned that he could do as we'll on lumber in Tempe as anywhere. and therefore ordered about 19,000 feet immediately.
 | AS he would now have more people than usual to feed consequent to his building enterprise, and as he was short on groceries. he went into the i store of William Goodwin and closed the days business by placing a large order for that young merchants stock l in trade.
 A few minutes later an old gray 1 horse giving evidence of the splendid l care it had received at G. R. Finch's | livery during the day, was seen leav,- i ing tOyn with MT. Cant in the buggy | behind, his characteristic foot hang l ing out of the box and smile of sweet
 satisfaction Illuminating his counts- nance.