The Arizona sentinel., 1900-01-20

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. Throughout all the country border ing the desert. including this section, lich mines are being constantly discovered, and some of recent location are already produc- !ng immense profits. In the neighborhood of Yuma, claims exceedingly rich on the surface are laily being located, and all signs portend great mining boom for this county which will culn,inate as early as the coming fall in an iEroad of much capital. Experts Ire 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 Q taker, but the tendency of prospectors is to go ler.g dis tance of into strange lands rather than to seek for mines in a county as old as Yuma County and 50 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 in its mountains it's mineral secrets are still in effect secrets, for thousands upon thousands might be wander ing through the rock-ribbed fastnesses of our mountain ranges and their presence be almost unknown, 80 vast is the extent of country
 Recent rich discoveries of gold deposits, particularly in lodges, have given a 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 opel ation, has 2)-stamp mill running night and day, and the production of gold averages SIS, ,0O0 per month. This mine is situated about 30 miles southwest of the village of Yuma.
 Rich gold discoveries have alse been made in Castle Dome, Harqua Hala. Centennial. Palomas, Pot Holes, and other mining dis tricts, and, although the mining or lcok in the county was never better, still llOst of tho 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 Coll rado and the Gila rivers there is room for thousands. It is not too much to say that nowhere within the limits of this broad Union can be found more desirable region for the making of a repaired; it lies almost ready for the blow Trees and shrubbtry have so rapid growth that within eightee months the immig ant can surround his abode with attract;C C1s which would require years to mature i'll less favored climates. Fruits ripen and are ready for market full month before the California products. The bright sunshine makes life luxury, and the pure dry atmos- phere brings health to all wbo inhale it. For the establishment of colonies, such as are made in, southern California, Arizona pre- sents unrivaled opportunities. Thousands of acres now prefitless 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, black ckberries, entrants, gocseberries, and all varieties of small fruits can be suc- ccssfully 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 in 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 sum- shine kisses into bloom and fragrance every form of vegetation, and where the clear days and cool and balmy nights are one long-eon- tinued poem of happiness and delight, we can offer to capitalists an ideal field for in vestment and to home seekers a veritable paradise in which to settle.
 ARIZONA.