The Arizona sentinel., 1898-05-07

 extinct oceans. The great Colorado desert was once an inland sea, cut of centuries and perhaps ages ago from the main ocean, leav- ing its waters to evapOrate i'll 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 ot 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 all lnroad of much capital Experts are arrlvlng every week and mines are being bonded at more than heavy prices. It l seems wonderful to believe that all this min eral wealth has been lying at our very doors for so many years without taker but the tendency of prospectors is to go a long dis tance off into strange lands 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 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 lodges, have given a 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 2)-stamp mill running night and day, and the production of gold averages S75. GOO 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 trlcts, and, although the mining or lcok in the county was never better, still l.ost ot the silver and lead mines are idle. owino to the low value of these metals.
 VALLEYS OF THE COLORADO AND
 GILA.
 In the valleys of the Colorado and the Gila rivers there is roem 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 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 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 proftless 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 in this article on Yuma county 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, blackberries, entrants, gooseberries md all varieties of small fruits can be suc- 'essfully cultivated. Indeed, Yuma County s not only the natural home of the citrus md semitropical fruits, as almost every ruit, nut, plant, grain, grass, or vegetable which caE be produced in either tropic of temperate zones will thrive in the rich and critic soils.
 With the bright prospects ahead of the own of Yuma and Yuma County there can 'e no better investment for capital seeking ( arge and renumerative returns than is af- ' orded here. With a matchless climate, where all forms of disease known to the amp and rigorous regions of the east and V orth are unknown, where the bright sun line kisses into bloom and fragrance every c 'rm of vegetation and where the clear days V nd cool and balmy nights are one long-con- a nued poem of happiness and delight, we u m offer to capitalists an ideal field for in e estment and to home seekers a veritable is aradise in which to settle. 2