The copper era. (Clifton, Graham County, Ariz.) 1899-1911, 1901-04-25
OASIS IN THE DESERT.
A Visit to the County Seat and a
Trip Through the Valley.-A
Para disc for the Farmer.

IL was the pleasure OF the writer 10
visit Solomonville, the county seat OF
Graham county, last week. The trip
was made from Coronado ION the Ari-
IONA and New Mexico railroadl to
SOlomonville over Green's stage line.
distance OF thirty miles. The line is
we'll supplied with good teams aud
coaches. 1t Is an interesting. pleasant
drive over a good toll road. The trip
of the valley is not inspiring. Far
away to the right is seen a green rib
bon skirting the valley. which later
develops into stately cottonwood trees.
The valley is reached at san Jose, an
old time and picturesque Mexican set
Element. Here the valley widens out
and from thence TO Solomonville is
one panorama OF farm houses. orchards,
great fields OF alfalfa and waving
wheat stretching away down the valley
as far as the eye can reach. The glare
OF the hot sun is relieved by the com
Portable shade, and the heart is glad
dened by the fields OF green. Truly
this valley is an oasis in the desert-a
haven of rest and refreshment-the
home OF happy, contented and pros
porous people. As the traveller passes
on down the valley the area nf c. =
'tfOu expands, orchards anV-zsE[
crease, and the people are busy with
their work. Fat cattle wade around in
the green alfalfa, or chew their cud in
contentment in the shade of the trees
that line the roadway on either side.
1t is beautiful pastoral scene, but
gives one from the busy, dusty mining
camps feeling of laziness, coupled
with a desire to roll on the fragrant
fields of clover, chase the butterflies
and gather the fresh blossoms that nod
so sweetly in the sunshine. How 1t
does carry one back to the long ago.
when as children they drank in the
glories OF nature in world that was
all new, beautiful and good! Is it any
wonder that so many people when they
grow old and weary of the battles OF
life quit the counting room, the work.
shop and the mine and seek repose OF
old farm-where the happiest days of
their life were spent?
Solomonville is situated near the
confluence OF the San Simon and the
ella rivers, and is one OF the best loca-
tions for town in the valley. 1t has
population OF about 1000, and is
noted as place OF wealth and refine
ment. Here the valley is about three
miles in width, and is covered by net
work of canals. fed from the ella river.
The irrigating bitches are large and
we'll kept, and the entire valley is
under u thorough system of irrigation,
which experience has brought TO a
perfect state. New latterals are con-
stantly being taken out, and the acre
age increased year by year. The water
supply is abundant, but experience has
taught economy in its use, and the
same amount will now accomplish
much greater and better results than
in years past. The farmers themselves
look prosperous, and are prosperous.
They drive fine teams, and mostly come
to town in carriages behind fast
stepping thoroughbreds. They dress
well and have moHey to spend, and
they part with it with free hand.
They have no use for common stock,
and it would be impossible to find
poor animal in all the valley. 1t takes
money to farm in the ella, but nearly
all of the farmers came there poor.
but owing to the most favorable condi-
tiOns and good markets, they accumu-
lated property rapidly, and today it is
doubtful il more prosperous COM
munity can be found in the United
States Land under cultivation is
worth from $50 to $75 per acre. The
land carries water right with it, and
the farmer owns the water stock as
we'll as the land. During the past few
years the water stock has advanced
from $50 to $500 per share. which is
not bad speculation by any means,
and l. is as safe and profitable as the