The Arizona sentinel., 1899-11-25

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 in this intense heat. Throu.hout all the country border inc the desert, including this section, lich mines are being constantly discovered, and some Of recent location are already produc- .ne immense profits In the neighborhood of Yuma, claims exceedingly rich on the surface are daily being located, and all signs portenJ great mining boom for this county which will eliminate as early as the coming fall in an iEroad 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 so many years without taller, but the tendency of prospectors is to go lo1g dis tance off into strange lands rather than to seel. 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 Q 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 rocI,-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 great impetus to mining throughout the county.
 New locations are being constantly made, and all show well upon the surface. The Ia Fortuna mine, recently put in operation, has a 2)-stamp mill running night and day, and the production of gold averages $75, ,000 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, 1 Palomas, Pot Holes, and other mining dis tricts, and, although the mining cg looll in the county was never better, still I-lost ot the silver and lead mines are idle, owing to the low value of these metals.
 ] VALLEYS OF THE COLORADO AND
 CHA.
 In the valleys of the Col~rado 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 reGdired; it lies almost ready for the blow Trees and shrubbory have so rapid a growth that within eighteen months the immigrant can surround his abode with attracI;C1s which would require years to mature in less favored climates. Fruits ripen and are ready for market a full month before the California products. The bright sunshine makes life a 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 uurivaled opportunities. Thousands of acres now pro6tless 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. Pinoapples, dates, almonds and waluuts will do well. Strawberries, rasp- berries, blackberries, entrants, gooseberries, and all varieties Of small fruits can be suc- cessfully cultivated. Indeed, Yuma County is not cnly 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 of YHma and Yuma County there can be no better investment for capital seeking large and renumeratiYe returns than is af- forded here. With matchless climate, where ali forms of disease known to the damp and rigorous regions of the east and north ayo 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 Iong-con- timed poem of happiness and delight, we ] can offer to capitalists an ideal field for in vestment and to home seekers a veritablo paradise in which to settle.