Graham guardian., 1901-09-20
UPPER GILA VALLEY.
1t Comprises Halfdozen Towns and
Settlements Where Irrigation
did Wonders

In the following article the Globe
Times clearly expresses the senti-'
ments advocated by the GUARDIAN
/ for years, closer commercial re-
slationship between Globe and the
sGila Valley:
When we help our neighbors,
we help ourselves.
The people Of the upper Gila|
VALLEY are our neighbors. We
sneed their products, they need our
market. When we contribute to-
bringing the grand resources of
athat valley to the front, we are not
5only doing the graceful thing by
sour friends and neighbors but we
aare beneftting ourselves. To the
Sdusty weary traveller from the east
5whose tired eyes have dwelt for
adays on limitless stretches of sand
4and cactus, the shade and verdure,
sand beauty and plentitude of the
sGila valley comes like the visions
5of Alladin and he can hardly be-
3lieve but what his physical senses
Care deceiving him. The sudden
5transitions from a desert to a
sparadise is an unexpected, unheard
Sof experience to him which bewild-
JerS him.
\ Coming North the scene opens
Cup at Soiomonville and the rapid
seager inquiries drawn from the
strangers lips by sudden revel- |
cations call out the following facts.
sSolomonville is the first link in a
gchain of towns which is co-exten-
2sive with what might be approp-
7riately called the verdure belt
(which extends north to the vicinity
sof Ft. Thomas. 1t comprises al
3halfdozen towns and settlements
4where irrigation has converted the
sdesolate landscape into garden
sof beauty, while several miles
saway at the foot Of manificient,
scloud wreathed old Graham where
Athe elevation renders irrigation
simpracticable from the river, as if
Sto complete the list Of blessings,
Eartesian water in limitless volume
.gs found at a depth Of $50 to 3O0ft.
3Every well which has been proper
ely cascd and protected has proven
.sto be a grand perpetual gusher and
,5fnely available for irrigating pur-
opposes.
J Agriculture Of course is the lead
siing industry in this beautiful val
8lcy, wheat will average over 80
8bushels as n rule and corn grows
Gas it does in the bottoms of the
SOhio, Indiana and Illinois, barley
Els one of the leading products,
.swhile hay is produced in sufficient
8quantities to supply the great de-
4mand of the many important min
5ing camps on the G. V. G II N.
arailroad. Fruit and vegetables
frank correspondingly, and stock
araising especially when handled on
s3the home feeding plan has been
Aunusually successful.
q The Lone Star mining district
55only few miles from the river
aand in easy touch with every set
stlement in the valley is promising
Esln copper, about 40 men being en-
ssployed in development work there
Eat present.
y The valley is distinguished for
Isits numerous handsome schools,
Achurches, public and business
buildings, while handsome brick
aresidences loom up amid endless
@groves as the delighted traveller
Adrives for miles along shady lanes
EGwith only now and then little
MbeIt of sunshine to remind him
9that the day is warm.
u Solomonville is the county seat
sSof Graham, one of the wealthiest
ssand most populous county in the
gterritory. Solomonville don't
#buzz like mining camp of course
4but the business is there. 1t is a
@pudding for the merchant, a picnic
Ifor the lawyer and cinch for the
d newspaper man as will be observed
Ssby the immense wealth massed by
Rbrother Geo. II. Kelly, the able
geditor of the arizona Bulletin, one
aof the very best weekly papers in
aterritory, physicians generally
Bhave to turn their attention to
wthe telephone business as sickness
Eis seldom known, while absolute
Hstarvation stares the undertaken in
Mthe face from one end of the valley
Ito the other.
q Coming up the line, about
n Hmiles north of Solomonville you
srun kerplunk into Stafford, one OF
&the handsomest, roomiest rambling
little cities an the coast.
N The streets are from 800 feet tC
ia of mile wide. Nobody ever
Eknew the population because it was
#difficult to determine just where
Elthe town commenced and where il
fsy yo,;+ ,,b;nb offor all ic fbn N, n a