Arizona silver belt., 1899-03-09
THE OlLA VALLEY,
The Rapid Development of the Most
 Fertile Valley In Arizona.

TSTtuc Nduey m AfiZOua.
 The Gila valley, Graham county, favored by nature as we'll as by it's sit nation between the great copper camps of Clifton and Morenei on tue east, and Globe on the west, which are it's chief markets, is enjoying greater pros perity than any other agricultural sec ton of Arizona, and its advancement promises to be greater the coming sea- son than In any former year.
 We spent several days in the valley the past week, and were surprised at the improvement and growth in popu- lation that has taken place there.
 Solomonville, the county seat, while it has changed less than some other towns in the valley, is growing and shows many signs of thrift. l. E. Solomon, the leading merchant and largest land owner of the Gila valley, is now enjoying the fruits of his labor covering period of twenty two years.
 His mercantile establishment is oue of the largest in eastern Arizona and his trade entensive. In 1898 MT. Solomon erected fine two story brick store building covering ground space of forty by one hundred and twenty five feet. and having celler under the entire building which he informs us cost nearly as much as the superstruct. ure. Mir. Solomon also owns the greater part of the farming land about the town, from which he derives large revenue. MT. Solomon's eldest son, Charlie, is thorough business man and we understand will soon as- sume the entire management of the business. which will give Mr. Solomon opportunity to devote all his time to bis outside interests. Mir. Solomon is also landlord of the best hotel in the valley.
 There are several other stores in Solomonville which appear to be doing Tell.
 The Graham County Bulletin, con. lucted by Geo. H. Kelly and his son, Will, has been an important factor in he upbuilding of the Gila valley, and he development of the resources of 1T Lsm county. The Bulletin is the 1; esding weekly newspaper in Arizons, nd the Kelleys have ono of the best quipped print shops, too.
 The legal fraternity is we'll represent. | d at Solomonville by Moormsn & Nc | 'arlsnd, Frank B. Laine, and c. L. l sawlins, the present district attorney.
 The gem of the Gils valley is Stafford. which has grown in the past few years rom q hamlet into substantial town hrobbiug with business activity. The lew business houses and many attrac- | i've residences evidence the rapid ,rowth of the town. The property wuers evidently have great expecta. ions of the future of Stafford. as it is ] bread over large area, and the bus ness houses are widely scattered, which | truck us as disadvantage. Lis due argely to the high prices asked for round, eligible business sites being cid as high as S200 for 50 foot lot
 The principal business firms of Saf- ord are: John Blake, J. T. Owens. J. '. Campbell. Wm. Teller, Fl. NJ. letter
 Son. and Evans & Ellsworth.
 The Sofford Drug Store, conducted y T. K. Davis, carries a complete tock of drugs, patent medicines, etc. l. l.. Castle. dealer in furnishing goods, tationery, notions and candies, is loca. ,d in the postoffice building, Harry is
 son of Fred Castle of Globe. agent pr Prina & Go. Tom Sothlee is located D Stafford, running confectionery and ,e cream parlor.
 An enterprise that has done much for afford and has been an excellent ad- ertisement on the outside, is the Star .oller Mills, owned by z. c. Prina 6 o. The individual members of the rm ars z. c. Prina, John Blake, and 2