The Arizona sentinel., 1898-08-27

Awhite man first set foot on what i now Yuma County in l77l. It IS tht southwest division of the Territory, anC cheof the four original counties of the Ter ritory. Many great reclamation projects arc however on foot, and in few years ex- pect to See Yuma County rated as tho richest in She Territory.
 The first glimpse the traveller from Cali fornia catches of Arizona is that of tn, picturesque town of Yuma, which is snugly situated in the embrace of gentle rolling hills, upon whose crests and sides thu modern homes of our superior civilization are crowding the adobe dwellings into eternal oblivion. Yuma is the gateway tc Arizona, ths new empire of the West, upon whose undeyeloped riches the eyes of the country are at present turned, and as such, ,I is bound to grow and prosper with a rapidity that at present can hardly be re- alized. But coupled with her geographi- cal position we find that she is the center of a country whose agricultural possibili- ties are practically unlimited, being sur rounded by soil the fertility of which exceeds that of the delta of the Nile, and wanting oaly water to become paradise of bloom. Billions of gallons of that precious fluid have annually gone to waste at Yuma's very doors, but already a reaction is taking place and many enterprises are on foot to supply the ife-giving waters of she yellow Colorado to the thirsty earth.
 RIVERS OF YUMA COUNTY.
 In regard to climate, healthfulness, fer tility and productiveness of soil, facilities for cultivation, irrigation and abundance of water supply, variety Of resources and cheap transportation by rail and by water, no part of Arizona can surpass Yuma county, which is destined to become one of richest and most prosperous counties in Arizona
 It lies between S20 OO> and 340 2O' north latitude and ll30 2O' and ll40 40' west longitude. It contains (. ASS, ,320 acres. It zsabout as large as the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware com oixed, or as large as either New Hampshire, Vermont or Massachusetts.
 The western boundary of Yuma County IS formed by the Colorado river, which separates Arizona from California. The county is bounded on the north by Williams Fork and tue Santa Maria rlver, whose Waters flow into the Colorado; on the east by the counties of Pima, Maricopa and Yavapai, and on the south by Sonora, Mexico. Its county seat is the town of Yuma.
 The Colorado river drains the entire ter ritory of Arizona, and every drop ct water which falls on its mountains and plains finds its way to this mighty river. It is formed by the union of the Green and Grand rivers, fed by the streams which rise in the Rocky Mountains, and the melt ing snows cause a greater depth of water in this rivsr III summer than in winter. thus furnishing the most water at the season when it is most required for the purposes firrigation and agriculture.
 It will be seen that for the entire distance -Kong its western boundary, Yuma County possr sss the great advantage of cheap water transportation.
 The Gila river rises Ill the western part of New Mexico and is fed by numerous streams, among the most prominent Of which are the San Pedro, Agua Fria, Has sayampa and Salt rivers. It flows west through Yuma County and empties into the Colorado ct t!.e town of Yuma.
 Yuma county, traversed by these great rivers from its northern to its southern, and from its eastern to its western bound aries, possesses a far greater water supply shan any other county in the Territory, and far more shan can be found in all Cali fernia
 This water is now being diverted from its natural channels by means of numerous large irrigating canals, and utilized for the purpose of retaining and irrigating the
 
 immense tracts of lands which lie in this favored country, and which are as fertile as.any in the world.
 The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses the Colorado river at the town of Yuma and i runs through the county, following the eenerol course, and at an average distance of about four miles soutb, of the Giia river, rendering all the lands susceptible of irri- gation and cultivation, can Gnd an easy outlet in this way and can be transpol ted all the markets and centers of population Fa the East or West
 Another competing railroad is projected from San Diego, California, to tie town of Yuma, ard thence along the north side of the Gila river Thus Yuma County will sssve exceptional railroad advantages.
 CHE CLIMATE OF YUMA.
 The climate of Yuma for nine months of e}ie year has no equal, as we believe. in the world, and during the remaining three months of the year, comprising June, July and August, the heat is not oppressive. Even though the thermometer in nid-sun- -sta- may a1 times rise above lOOo. and oo