Arizona republican., 1899-09-20
y DESERT LIGHT HOUSE
Something About Desert Travel and
western Arizona nineS.

j. S. Drew, mayor, common council
and postmaster of Cuttings, Ariz., is
in the city after an absence Of three
years and will remain for a few days.
H is engaged in stockrafsing and Incl
dentally doing little mining.
The cattle ranges in that part 81 the
territory are in fair shape and the
local beef demand is considerably bet
ter than it has been for some time
past owing to the increased mining ac-
tiyity in that region. ..->
Speaking C the death OF Mr.. Bate
man, who succumbed to fate on the
desert a short time ago, and whose re-
mains Mr.. Drew found about three
miles from his place, he said the oc-
currence called to mind the necessity
of placing sign boards along the dos
ert reads. This matter was agitated
some time ago and some effort was
made by the authorities along that
line, but their labOrs ended before they
were fairly begun. In the first place,
there were never half enough of these
sign boards erected, and in the next
place, the work was not carefully done
and some of the signs are misleading,
the information regarding the number
CT miles to a given place being inaccu-
rate. This perhaps would make no
serious difference to a horseback trav-
eler, but those crossing the desert on
foot prepared for a twenty-mile
tramp are overcome and no doubt
sometimes perish, when the distance
lengthens out to nearly twice as far
The sign boards are useful and the
few that havei been erected have no
doubt been the salvation of many, bus
the system should be enlarged and the
distances carefully computed. Pros
pectors, and many Of them are new to
the COUNTRY, are forced to travel
great amount of water. There is no
little Improvement that could be made
that would so help the development of
the country, as plenty of sign boards
1t is a matter that should be given Sc
rious consideration by the boards of
supervisors of the various counties
Very frequently travellers arrive at
Cuttings almost demented by thirst.
having been misdirected CT lost their
way, Though some, CT course, perish
simple ignorance Of desers
travel. About a year ago two German
boys travelling west from Congress
having almost given up hope lay down
in the evening to form their plans for
q last effort, if pe1chance, they sur
vived the night. Mr.. Drew had coca
sion to light lamp in the house and
they saw the glimmer and made for
his ranch, arriving just before their |
strength failed them. They had been !
without water for nearly two days. |
These events have suggested a new
idea to Mr.. Drew and he says when |
he gees back to the ranch he will |
erect a big lamp en- a pole and keep it |
burning at night as guiding star to |
the unsortunates who may be lost in /
the neighbcrhocd. Had he put this |
plan in operation sooner, Mr.. Bate |
man, perhaps, would have still been
IN the land of the living.
Asked regarding the mireS in that |
section Mr.. Drew says that one Of
he most important now being de-
veloped is the grcuTi cf copper and
gold claims being worked by a
Mr.. Kelly, president OF the Chicag go
stcck yards, under the management Of
Richard RuHard. The mines are stu
ated about ffty-five miles west of
Congress and fifteen miles from Gull
ings. which is the postoffice address of
h camp. About thirty men are en-
L Dyed and everything seems to be
progressing satisfactorily There are
-wci shafts on the property, e2ch down
about 100 feet. and two tunnels into
he hill distance of probably $50
'eet each A carload of ore is now
being taken to Congress and will be
shipped to a smeIter for testing. The