The Arizona sentinel., 1901-01-16
CASTLE DOME DISTRICT.

The veins of the Castle Dome district may be said to have been rediscovered in 1s63 for it was evident that they had been anciently worked, as already stated in the historical introduction. The metal had been taken out from many of the veins by the ancient miners down to depth of from to l5 feet and in continuous lines of trenches. in some places for 50 to 100 feet or more. These old workings were found to be safe guides to good metal bearing ground a short distance deeper. Well worn trails leading of from these pits to the banks of the Gila river. some IS miles distant and the ruins there of some rude smclting furnaces, indicate that the ores were carried to the Gila. pTobaaly on the backs of Indians, and that they were smelted there, whether by the AztecS or the early-arriving Spanish explorer is not known. Since 1863 these mines have been worked almost continuously, and are now yielding silverlead ore of most excellent quality. which is shipped to San Francisco. The claims were worked by the proSpectorS without capital until October, ls7O Up to January 1, 1892. there had not been an investment of over S300 in building or per manent improvements. The climate is such that men can work the year round without no more protection than is afforded by brush, huts or tents.
 The veins crop out on a rolling plain CT mesa at the base of the Castle Dome range, very rugged and picturesque group of mountains trc2ding northwest and southeast, rising near the center to the remarkable dome-Shapcd sum- init with precipitous sides looking like a huge round castle or building with dome. It is a noted landmark, being visible from a great dis tance in all directions. It was originally called in 1853, from the fancied resemblance to the dome of the capitol at Washington. This mountain range being but sparingly watcred, has never been convenient to prospect and very little is yet known of it's structure or mineral value. The mines are usually reached from Yuma by driving to Gila City and thence to the mine from l6 to IS miles cast and inland from the river. The claims are numerous. Some have been patented and worked to a depth of 300 feet or more. The veins are re- markably regular and well formed. The ere is galena, carrying about 30 ounces of silver to each ton. The veins trend in a general northwest and southeast course and are nearly vertical. The outcropS are in dicated by outlying masses and weather worn crystals of lourspGr which is the chief veinStone. Calcite and gypsum are also found and in some of the veins there is vein stone of quartz dispersed in sheets or combs along the walls or in distinct sheets in the center. Manganese spar and ba-ite are also as sociated ill layers. The thickness or power of these veins is usually from to feet. sometimes from 10 l2 feet wide. There are veins also only few inches in width. In general the veins are well filled with ore This ore occurs in in stone and commonly known among the miners as ball metal. h one mine in the district a mass of nearly solid ore fec: thick Was found.
 At or near the water level, whore the galenite has decomposed, both carbonate an1 sulphlte of lead are found associated with pllc-green fuorite and an abundance of crystallized yellow wulfenite, another occurrence giving evidence of the presence of molybdenum in galcni5e.
 The rocks of the district are compact fine grained mica and clay sla1eS standing nearly on edge and traversed by numerous dikeS or intru- Sive masses of a chocolatc-colored porphyry.
 THE CHA VALLEY.
 The Gila valley extends from the Gila canyon near the junction of the San Pedro river, west crly to the east bank Of the Colorado, diStancC of slightly exceeding 250 miles. That portion ot it situated in the county of Yuma, known as tho Lower Gila valley. is about 100 miles long ant from to 10 mics wide al of which k SuScepc iblc of profitable cultivation. The rivcl from which it takes it's name cuts th, valley in two Its watershed extends some $ miles north and upward Of 90 miles south of it. channel the land from ei.her extreme inclinini more or less rapidly toward the stream. Th' Gila travcrscs d narvciouSly fertile country very great ih extent. and sP,endidly adapted |, the cultivation of nearly all the products of tn, | temperate and semi-tropic zones, besides man, of the fruits common in the tropics. Nor i this longer g matter Of idle speculation. fo | hourishing ranches in various portions of tn 1 valley, drawing water from several importan canals. amply demonstrate the magnificen results that will cnSue should the water suppl. l oe rendered permanent cquablc and adequate l through appropriate storage systems.
 | This consists of broad expanse of tillabl
 valley land. sometimes OvCraowed by the river
 which is at times mighty uncertain. and Stcel
 range of volcanic hills coming close to the high ] ways, for a dozen mI!eS or so, hot heavy, sandy
 It is hardly fair to say sandy as it is really friable alIuvial soil Of grayish hue and loos texture. Several ranches are passed. ShOwin l hat the Gila bottom x cultivated. With irri gation every square mic of the Gila valley i capable of producing prolific crops of grain an
 ,eui-tropical fruits, a. well as cotton and suga
 in great abundance The river k able to ful
 aish all the water needed and d good deal moro
 It would take no great skill in engineering an
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