Graham guardian., 1899-03-24
THE GILA VALLEY.
The Rapid Development of the Most Fer
tile Valley in Arizona,

pen picture of tho ella valley from
The Sdrer Bet, which for lack of
space we were unable to do last
last week;
The ella valley, Graham coun-
ty, favored by nature as well as
by its situation between its great
copper camps of Clifton and
Morencl on the east, and
Globe on the west, which are
its chief markets, is enjoying great
er prosperity than anyother agri-
cultural section of Arizona, and
its advancement promises to be
greater the coming season than In
any former year.
We spent several days in the
valley the past week, and were
surprised at the improvement and
growth in population that that has
taken place there.
Solomonville, the county seat,
while it mas changed less than some
other towns in the valley, is grow,
ing, and shows many signs of
thrift. l. Il. Solomon, the leading
merchant and largest land owner
In the Gila valley, is now enjoy
ing the fruit of his labors, cover
ing a period of twenty-five years.
His mercantile establishment is
one of tho largest in eastern Ari-
zona and his trade extensive. In
1898 Mr.. Solomon erected fine
two.story brick store building,
covering II ground space of forty
by one hundred and twenty-five
feet, and having a cellar under the
entire building, which, he inform
ed US, cost nearly as much as tho
sperstructure. Mr.. Solomon, who
owns the greater part Of the farm
ing land ahcut town, from which
he derives a great revenue. Mr..
Solomon's eldest son, Charlie, is a
thorough business man, and we
understand will soon assume the
entiremanagement ofthe mercantile
business, which will give Mr.. Sol
omon an opportunity to devote all
his time to his outside interests.
Mr.. Solomon is also the landlord
of the best hotel in the valley.
There are several other stores in
Solomonville which appear to be
doing well.
The Graham County Bulletin,
conducted, by Geo. Fl. Kelly and
his son, Will. has been an I'M
portant factor in the upbuildlng OF
tho ella valley, and the develop
ment of the resources Of Graham
county. The Bulletin is one OF
the leading weekly newspapers IN
Arizona, and the KeIly's have one
one Of the best equipped print
shops, too.
The legal fraternity is we'll rep
resented at SolomonvIlle by Moor.
man & Mcfarland, Frank B. Laine,
and G. l.. Rawlins, the present
district attorney.
The gem of the Gila valley IS
Stafford, which has grown in the
past few years from Il hamlet into
y substantial town throbOing with
business activity. The new bust
ness houses and many attractive
residences evidence the rapid
growth Of the town. The proper
ty owners evidently have great
expectations of the future of Saf-
ford, as it is spread over large
area, and the business houses are
widely scattered, which struck US
as a disadvantage. 1t Is due large
/. ly to high prices asked for ground,
eligible business sites beIug held
as high as $500 for a fifty foot lot
| The principal business firms Of
Stafford are: John Blake. J. T.
Owens, J. F. Campbell, VIM. Tel
fer, II. NJ. Jeter & Son, and Evans
& Ellsworth.
The Stafford Drug Store, con
} Quoted by T. X. Davis, carries 6
complete stock of drugs, paten'
medicines, etc.
FL. L. Castle, dealer in furnish
ing goods, stationery, notions and
candies, is located in the postoffic'
building. Harry is a son OF Free
Castle, of Globe, agent for Print
& Co. Tom Southlee is located II
Stafford, running a confectionery
and ice cream parlor.
An enterprise that has done
much for Stafford and has been al
I excellent advertisement on the out
side, is the Star Roller Mills, own
ed by Z. q. Prina & Co. The in
dividual members Of the firm are
q. G. Prina, john Blake and J. c
l PurSley, who is the active manager
of the concern. He has a capable
assistant in Bert Frye, who is vel
known o many of our readers
The mill is kept running day ant
; night to supply the demand fo1
: their several brands offlour, which
have a high roputIrion. Globe il
one Of their best markets, consum
ing SIX or eight carloads of foul
bran and grain per month.
Stafford is soon to have one o
the largest and most modern roller
| a -, hn II