davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21

extinct oceans. The great Colorado desert was once an inland sea, cut off centuries and perhaps ages sgo from the main ocean, loav- ing its waters to evaporate ii this intense neat Throughout all thf country border ing the desert, including this section, iich mines are being constantly discovered, and some of recent location are already produc- ing immense profits. In the neighborhood of Yuma, claims exceedingly rich on the surface are daily being located, and all signs portend great mining boom for this county which will culminate as early as the coming fall in an irroad of much capital. Experts are arriving every week and mines are being seems wonderful to believe that all this mln- eral wealth has been lying at our very doors for so many years without taker, but tine tendency of prospe ctors is to go lo1,5 dis tancc of into strange lands rather than to seek for mines in 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 a virgin field for the mine hunter, and now with the few hundreds searching Ill its mountains its mineral secrets are still in effect secrets, for thousands upon thousands might be wander ing through the rocll-ribbed fastnesses ot our mountain ranges and their presence be almost unkrown, so vast is the extent oi 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 pat in opel ation has 2)-stamp mill runnmg night and day and the production of gold averages S75, ,00( per month. This mine is situat3d about 3( miles southwest of the village of Yuma.
 Rich gold discoveries have also been made in Castle Dome, Harqua Hala, Centennial Palomas, Pot Holes, and other mining dis tricts, and, although the mining or lcok 1T the county was never better, still llost o the silver and lead mines are idle, owing to the low value of these metals.
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
FOREST LIEU SELECTION.
U. s. LAND OFFICE, Tucson, Arizor2'

U. s. LAND OFFICE, Tucson, Arizor2'
 February 5. 1900.
 Notice is hereby given that Thomas O. Poland, whose post-office address is Ven- tura, Ventura county, California, has made application to select under the Act of June 4, 1897. (3O Stats, 36) the following tract of unsurveved land in Cibola valley, Yuma county, Arizona:
 The SE4 of the SWH and the NWA of the SWA of Subdivision 16 and the NWH of the SE14 of Subdivision IT of the Cibola valley, Yuma county, Arizona, con- taining 12O acres as said lands and subdivi- sions are shown, designated, and delineated upon the map of said valley entitled ''Sub- divisions and Irrigation map of Cibola val ley, Yuma County, Arizona, made by John A. Barry, survey or, November. 1S99," hled in this office November 25, 1899, by Stepl el B. Sealy and others, Desert Land clalm- ants, and according to the map marked Exhibit A" attached to the application for this selection.
 Within the next thirty days from the date of the first publication of this notice protests or contests against the selection on the ground that the land described, or any nortion thereof is more valuable for It's minerals than for agricultural purposes, will be received and noted for report to the Commissioner of the General Land Office MILTON R. MOORE, Register
 First publication February IA, 19OO.
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
LANDS AND SOILS.

The lands of Yuma County comprise the river
 bottoms and valleys and the uplands mesas The
 bottom ands are moister and slightly mere fertile
 if, indeed it is possible to make comparisons
 where all are so wonderfully productive and prolific
 The uplands or mesas are warmer and, perhaps,
 lightly for bctterthe cultivation the citrus fruits
 vuma contains variety of soil The valley land
 of the, Gila and Colorado rivers have for the most
 part deep sedimentary soil of brownish, gray
 sandy loam, resting, in most places, upon a gray
 clay subsoil at q depth of from ten to twenty feet
 below the surface, The clay subsoil forms hard
 been slowly formed by the decomposition of shaIes sandstones, marls lmestones, etc, mixed with or
 ganc and vegetable matter, washed down by the
 mighty rivers and have been gradually deposited
 during the course of centuries. The fertilizng brownish mud held in the wat tIof the Colorado and Gila rivers resembles that from the Nile, and its quantity varies from O.1 to O.5 per cent, though the water hen even considerably discolor- ed by mud is good drink, resembling in this res pect the Missouri river water. A chemical analysis of the sediments of the Colorado and of the Nile exhibits wonderful similarity in the constituent parts of each That ot the Colorado exhibiting triAe less potassa, most phosphoric acid and car bonade of limestomn beds through which the Colo rado pass~s In other respects the sed1l It of the Colorado is almost identical with that of the !ile It will be noticed therefore, that when this water is used for irrigation it is superior to aresan waters since it is constantly supplying the land with the hestfertilzng elements. The soil of the valley is extremely rich in dedomposed vegetable matter | and uncomDined carbon, readily absorbing the | aerial gases such especially, oxygen, which en- | tering the soil, dccomposes the organic matters so that they can be taken up and nourish the plants which may Se considered leading featur, in 1t | fertility. It also readily takes up and retains moisture, while the irmness of its particles affords every facility for percolation and the activity of capillary action In its mechanical colnpositionits particle are in state of very fine division which renders it more productive than coGrser soils I acqurios heat readily in the daytime, and the loss of the heat at night is very gradual so that it re- mains always warm and Is not subject to sudden changes of heat and cold. Besides it's essential con tituents of water, organic vegetable matter and and clay, chemical anal yss shows that lime, oda, magnesia, iron, ammoT a and available forms ,f nitrogen phosphoric acid and potash enter into composition in the proportions best adapted to dd to it's fertility though of course as is always
 rdrsutl calitics end is uct always ~onstgut | 2
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
VALLEYS OF THE COLORADO AND
 CELIA,

In the valleys of the Col, rado and the Gila rivers there IS roem foI 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 cf the land is rec aired; 1t lies almost ready for the blow Trees and shrubbtry have so rapid growth that within eightee months the immi9 ant can surround his abode with attract IS which would require years to mature in less favored climates. Fruits ripen and are ready for market full month before the California products. The bright sunshine makes life luxary, and the pure dry atmos- phere brings health to all wb3 inhale it. For the establishment of colcnies, such as are made in southern California, Arizona pre- sents unrivaled opportunities. Thousands of acres now prohtless 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. Pineapples, dates, almonds and waluuts will do well. Strawberries, rasp- berries, blackberries, entrants, gocseberries, and all varieties of small fruits can be suc- cessfrlly 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 ca;: be produced in either tropic of temperate zones will thrive ill the rich and fertile soils.
 With the bright prospects ahead of the town of Yuma and Yuma County there can be no better investment for capital seeking large and renumerative returns than is af- forded here. With a matchless climate, where ali forms of disease known to the damp and rigorous regions of the east and north are 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 long-con- tinued poem of happiness and delight, we can offer to capitalists an ideal field for in vestment ard to home seekers a veritable paradise lh which to settle.
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21

4 white man first set foot on what IS HOW Yuma County in l77l. It IS the southwest division of the Territory, and one of the four original counties of the Ter ritory. Many great reclamation projects are however on foot, and in a few years ex- meet to see Ylma County rated as the if hest in the Territory.
 The first glimpse the traveller from Cah- fornia catches of Arizona is that ot the picturesque town of Yuma, which Is sA"Sy situated in the embrace of gentle rolling hIIs unon whose crests and sides the modern homes of our superior civilization ure crowding the adobe dwellings Into eternal oblivion. Yuma is the gateway Arizona. the new empire of the West, upon whose undeveloped riches the eyes of the country are at present turned, and as suen' it is bound to grow and prosper Wlth cauiditv that at present can hardly be re alized. But coupled with her geogropf cal position ind that she IS the center of country whose agricultural possloili- tics are practically unlimited, being sur rounded by a soil the fertility Of winch exceeds that of the delta or the Me- anu wanting oaly water to become paradise oi bloom. Billions of gallons of that precious fluid have annually gone to waste at Yuma's very doors, but already reaction is taking place and many enterprises are on foot to supply the life-giving waters oi ike yellow Colorado to the thirsty earth
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
FOREST LIEU SELECTION.
US. LAND OFFICE, Tucson, Arizona.
 February 5, 1900.


 February 5, 1900. Notice is hereby given that Thomas 0. Poland. whose post-office address is Ven tura. Ventura county, California, has made application to select under the Act Of June 1. 1897. (3O Stats, 36) the following tract of unsurveyed land in Cibola valley, Yuma county. Arizona:
 The NWH of Subdivision 2, the NEH of Subdivision B, the E1z of the NEH of Subdivision 10, the NW14 of Subdivision 3, and the NWA of the NE4 ot Subdivision 9 of the Cibola valley, Yuma county, Arl- zona, containing 600 acres, as said lands and subdivisions are shown, designated and delineated upon the map of said valley entitled subdivision and Irrigation map of Cibola valley, Yuma county, ArGona, made by John A. Barry. surveyor, Novem- Der. 1899,' filed in this office November 70, 1S99 by Stephen B. Sealy and others, Desert Land claimants, and according 10 the map marked Exhibit A" attached to the application for this selection.
 Within the next thirty days from the date of the first publication of this notice protests or contests against the selection oH the ground that the land described, or any portion thereof, is more valuable for its minerals than for agricultural purposes, will be received and noted for report to the Commissioner of the General Land Office.
 MILTON R. MOORE, Register First publication February 14, 1900
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
ARIZONA.

Erizons stands at the threshold of ar era of wonderful social anl industrial de veiopment. There can't be a doubt about the fact. The dawn for which she has waited so long is breaking at last. There is every promise of & day of great pros perity and permanent upbuilding just be fOl e her. The impulse of a new and enel gizing hope is visible everywhere among her people. while the cumulative effect oI many things, which made but small i'm pression as they transpired siugly, is now commanding for her full share of atten tion and interest abroad among home seekers and capitalists.
 4 lively competition has sprung up fol the possession of things which have hereto fore gone a-begging for ownership. Ther' is a scramble fer franchises. Nothing nor surely indicates great industrial awaken ing than this The rates of interest art falling to moderate figures. Nothing nor, surely indicates confidence and competition among the money lend rs than this.
 Arizona has reachei that climactice period which every western state has ex perieneed sometime in its history when after long aud weary struggle and doubt with each side of the balance first up anC then down. t!.e clouds of despondency have suddenly rolled away, and sunhurs of cnergiziug hope has thrilled the droop ing spirits of the people to greater anc braver endcavor than before.
 For the last twelve years the subsidenc, of the great Tombstone boom and the com pletion of two transcontinental lines 0 railroad across her territor5 ha rather dropped out of public attention but in that time she has been quietly ac cumulating fund of substantial wealtl and a force of moral character whicl qualify her now to rise ur and take he destiny in her own hands,
 The population of Arizona is Mexican This is mistake of great importance fro,. the moral point of view. There is but ont considerable center of Mexican population in the territory, the city of Tucson, ana even there it is not by any means at pres ent the predominating element. It think it is certain that Arizona has not to-day nearly so large a Mexican population as Colorado and not above one-tenth as muci as New Mexico. -"Fitz- Mac," in Denver News.
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
MINES.

There is 10 section Of the United States, or probably of the earth, more rich in min eral wealth than the County of Yuma. al the country north, east and south of Yuma lies :irectly within the main gold belt that commences in Alaska and ends in Mexico
 From the San R"rnardino mountains in California t2 the Sonora boundary line the mountains ard hills are exceptionally rich in the precious metal, as though demonstrating the theory often advanced that the richest g5ld zi1ss afe found. b3edsrin4 ths !sde o2
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
WHY IMMIGRANTS SHOULD COME TO YUMA
 CtOJTNrV

WHY IMMIGRANTS SHOULD COME TO YUMA
 COUNTY.
 Because the climate is perfect.
 Because the soil is fertile and prolific.
 Because land is abundant and cheap.
 Because home can be made with little labor.
 Because so great a variety of products can be grown.
 Because the yield is large and the prices always remunerative.
 Because life is luxury in land where the sun shines every day.
 Because th,re are chances for poor man which he can never hope to find in older countries.
 Because the country is advancing and property values are increasing.
 Because, unlike Southern California it does not require small fortune to secure a piece of land.
 Because capital does not block all the av- enues to wealth, nor crowd the poor man to the wall.
 Because Uncle Sam has yet many farms in Yuma county waiting for occupants
 Because churches, schools, newspapers and railroads are fast developing the moral and material elements of the Territory.
 Because good land is becoming scarce, and if you don't catch on now, your last chance will soon be gone.
 Because the country is one of the few regions of the United States that yields the products of the temperate and semi-tropic zones.
 Because the worker receives a fair com pensation for his labor, and the 'rustler' has a field for the display of his energy and en- terprise.
 Because there are neither blizzards or tornadoes, earthquakes nor inundations. snow-sto; ms nor cyclones.
 Becaus, the vast and varied resources of the country are yet to be developed.
 Because the wealth of it's mines, it's farm ing valleys, and grazing lands, will yet bull up great and prosperous county.
 Because a man can make livelihood Ter l with less labor than in aay other part of the | United States.
 Because there is health in every breeze, and strength and vigor under it's cloudleos skies.
 Because the settler need Tot spend a life time in felling trees and grubbirg cut stumps.
 Because vegetation is so rapid that in two years the home is surrounded by a growth of trees and shrubs which would require i've years to develop in colder cline. Because fortunes here await the venture ome, and health welcomes the afflicted. Because the country has brilliant future nd you want to be in the swim" Because in it's pure, dry invigorating air, pidemic diseases cannot live or germinate. . Because it's people are generous, liberal, t equitable and progressive, q
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
THE CLIMATE OF YUMA.

Tbecliuoate of Yuma for nine months Of the year has no equal, as we believe, in the 1ror.d. and during Jh remaining three nenthg of the year. comprising June, July and August, the heat is not oppressive Even though the thermometer in mld-sun1- nler may a2 times rise above l000, and oo- casionally C, en reach ll0', yet, owing to the aksence,of moisture in the air, its not oppressive. The atmosphere is pure, light and balmy. When the mercury marks the highest extre"7e of heat, @ person does not .e! that oppression or debility which IS ;sss- iz t..s Eastern. States E'hen' the nasl-
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21

cnry is ranging from SO0 to 9O'. The air is so dry that precipitation is absorbed as soon as it reaches the surface of the hody, and at no tune in the sumrier does the heat produce any discomfort.
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
RIVERS OF YUMA COUNTY.

RIVERS OF ! U MA SOO M i'
 Jn ro,rard to climate, healthfulness' Ter tilitv and productiveness of soil, faclil'ies fo. cultivation. irrigation and abundance oi water supply, variety Ot resources anu cboan transportation by rail and by water no mart of Arizon can surpass l"'lI conntv. which is destined to become one oi icbest and most prosperous counees ln Arizona. .,
 Tt ra. between 32a 0O' and 340 20' north st;tnde and ll30 2O' and ll4' 4o west tonc;tnde. It contalns 6,4SS, ,32o acres. It tsabort as large as the States CT khoae 1.,a,,d Connecticut and Delaware com- bi,ed or as large as either New Hampshire Vermont or Massachusetts.
 The western boundary of Yuma County fs ,ocned by the Colorado river, when se,ararss Arizona from California lie sonntv is bounded on the north by NiiilamS Eo,l- and the Santa Maria nver, whose waters flow into the Colorado; on the 'aSt by the counties of Pima' MaricOPa anu Yavspai, and on the south by 0onor', Mexico. Its county seat is the town oi Yuma.
 Tho Co,or,do river drains the entire ter ritorv of Arizona, and every drop of water which falls on its mountains and PlainS dnds it's way to this mighty river' It is formed bv the union of the Green ana Grand rivers, fed by the streams "hich .;se in the Rocky Mountains, and the melt ine snows cause a greater depth ot Aa'ei E.. tl,is r,,.. F m summer than n winter. thus urpishing the most water at the season ,rhau- if is most required for the purposes of irrigation and agriculture.
 Ii will be seen that for the entire distance slono it's western boundary, Yuma County noss, sess the great advantage ot cheap water transDortation.
 The Gila river rises ill tne western part of New Mexico and is fed by numerous streams. among the most prominent or which are the San Pedro, Agua FrIa, Has- s1ynmpa and Salt rivers. It flows west through Yuma County and empties into the Colorado at the to VII ot Yuma
 Yuma county, t,aversed by these great rivers from its northern to its southern' and from its eastern to its western bcuno' 1 aries. possesses a far greater wate. supply than any other county in the territory .;Sfa, more than can be found in all Cali. | fernia.
 This water is now being diverted from It's natural channels by means ot numerous large irrigating canals ana utilized tor the purpose of retaining and irrigating the Immense tracts of lands which lie in this fsvorad country, and which are as fertile ss any in the world.
 The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses the Colorado river at the town of Yuma and rms through the county, following the ceperol course, and at an average distance of abcpt four miles south, of the Gila river, rendering all the ands susceptible ot lrrl' ,at;on and cultivation. can find an easy op,Iet in this way and can be transported B al the markets and csnterz of population in the East or West. Another competing railroad is projected l from San Diego, California, to tie town sf Yuma, aEd thence along the north side f of the Gila river Illus Yuma County will s 6Ave exceptional railroad advantages. f
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
TEMPERATURY.

1 have seen the thermometer mark 92 degrees in the shade on my north piazz2 in March On the other hand, we had frosts which killed young orange trees, and there were several nights when thin ice formed
 The government reports show a mean temperature for fourt cen years at the pres ent territorial capital of 572 degrees in November, 5 degrees in December, 49 de yrees in January, 54 degrees in February, T degrees in March and G6 degrees
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
WHICH TOWN IS THe BEST?

Primarily that is a question for the phy-
 sician, if there Is a physician in the case
 if not, try them all. If mountain region.
 considerable altitude and comparatively
 low temperature is desired, Prescott is in
 picturesque region, near great mining ! districts. and has the social advantap. of
 an army post, whipple Barracks. qg
 statfls still higher, sin a region of lse
 pine forests, and is within 2. hard ,y's
 journey of one of the wonders of the Id,
 the Colorado Canyor Oracle is a p .ttv
 mountain nook, powered in splendid
 live oaks, like ,se of California, and is also near an Aportant mining district If lower altitude and a distinctly semi tropical climate are desired, the three places most likely to be considered are Yuma. Tucson and Phoenix. The first is near the sea level; Is the warmest and probably the driest of the three, has the least population, and the smallest provision for visitors. Tucson is the oldest town in the Territory, and, after Santa Fe, perhaps the oldest in the Southwest. Its adobe houses give it Mexican look, and are thoroughly comfort able. Its newer houses are of a handsome building stone, found in the vicinity. The Territorial University is l ere, and it was formerly the capital. Its elevation being more than double that of Phoenix, it is somewhat cooler, and as there is next to no irrigation near it, the air is little drier. Phoenix is the centre of the greatest irriga- tiOn in the Territory. The country for miles around smiles with green fields, cover ed with almost countless herds of cattle, and it is everywhere shut in by low mount ains It is the Territorial capital, has the Government Indian School, the Territorial Lunatic Asylum, and other institutions. and is the general focus for the Territory Like Tucson, it has its occasional wind and sand storms-perhaps not quite so often At either place visitors who know how t, adapt themselves to circumstances can be entirely comfortable, and in each they vii | find an intelligent, orderly, enterprising and 1 most hospitable community. They vii | find country full of mines, full of ricl agricultural lands, abounding in cattle and horses, in vineyards and orchards and the beginnings of very successful orange grove "a country, in fact, as full of promise fol hardy and adventurous men now as Califor lia was in the ffties. Above all, it ha 'eeE their lot to search for health in faI they will revel in the luxury O. 'eing iE their own land, among their owI orntrymen, within easy reach of thei friends by telegraph or rail, and in climat, s good ofits kind as any in the world.
 ACTUAI. HTIInITY |
The Arizona sentinel., 1900-02-21
ACTUAL HUMIDITY.

This is extren ely slight, everywhere il Arizona, as compared with any easterl climate in the United States The air i driest on the high mesas, rem ote iron snowclad mOuztains or forests, and in tho desert valleys. where no s9nvidsT,Ll5 icfi g..tIon na> been Lrruu.