The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-16
PROSPEROUS ARIZONA
A FORMER ANGELINA TELLS OF
HIS ADOPTED HOME
Arixonans Seek the Coast to Escape the
Awful Heat-Water Storage,
Mining and Cattle Raising

Among the refugees from the heat Of
Arizona now In the city Is Edward 8. Gill.
clerk Of the United States court of the
territory and formerly adjutant general.
Mr.. Gill will be remembered by Los An
gefes people as managing editor Of the
Tribune when that now long-defunct sheet
was in Its palmy days. Mr.. GIL said:
('This Is undoubtedly the hottest sum-
mer In Arizona since q record has been
kept. 1t seems incredible. but yesterday
the temperature In the Pullman comingu up
from Phoenix was LES. The mercury In the
weather burea at Phoenix has been aver
aging ITO or more for some time. Yet the
heat has SO little moisture that 1t is bear
able; there the humidity during the day
varies from 81 in the morning to)A later.
while here the humidity, noticed the
other day, varies from "a to 10.
'The territory Is in a very prosperous
condition now. More people have left there
for the coast this summer than in any
previous year. This is simply because more
people could AFFORD to do so. W. have
profited by the misfortune of Southern
California with It's drouth. The crop Of
apricots, grapes and peaches has been
very good. and over 900 carloads of alfalfa
hay as well as large quantities Of barley
were shipped to various points In Southern
California up to August 1st. The lightness
Of our winter rains caused some anxiety.
but the summer rains commenced very
early and fell in great plenty. But you
must understand that these rains all fels
In the mountains. We having had but one
slight shower in Phoenix during the whole
year.
1.-THE mining interests are also In good
condition. The United Verde, Queen and
Arizona Copper company's copper mines
continue their large output and many fine
new developments are being made in this
line, particularly at place about thirty
miles from Tucson. Some Of the recent
gold mines are also proving to be paying
properties. Arizona ores havs the name Of
being low grade. whereas they are merely
refractory. few years ago the Union
mine near Prescott could not afford to ship
ore assaying less than $50 to the ton on 40
count of the high freight rates. Now II II
using quantities of $40 and $40 ore, and that
Is richer than most Colorado and California
ores.
THE sheep and cattle industries have
revived greatly Of recent years. Pasturage
Is plenty and some dealers have been buy
ing a good deal Of stock from California at
low figures. Cattle sales alone have been
made In the territory during the past
twelve months to the value of over three
million dollars.
THE Grand Canyon railroad which was
to have been built this summer has not
been pushed on account of the war. 1t
will doubtless be commenced soon and
will tap rich mineral section. The ella
Valley and Globe road will be into Globe
by November. and another new piece Of
road about twenty-seven miles long 10
being laid from the 8. F. p and p. to the
Big Bug gold mines.
Phoenix Is growing town and num-
Der Of very good houses. costing from two
to four thousand dollars are going UP.
The late Bucky O'Neill. who was a warm
personal friend of mine, built two hand
some business blocks a short time ago.
"This fall large storage reservoir will
be built in Tonic Basin, forty-five miles
from Phoenix, TO impound the waters of
Tonic creek, a tributary Of Salt river. The
dam Is to be at the mouth of a box canyon
and will be only 600 feet across at the top.
A lake seven miles long with an average
width Of half a mile will be formed, the
waters Of which will add 100000 acres to
the tillable land around Phoenix"
Mr.. Gill goes to Coronado for a rest ana
will return to Los Angeles beforee going
home.