New-York tribune., 1901-04-29
TENT LIFE ON THE DESERT.
ARTzoNA's UNIQUE RESORT FOR CON
ST1MPTIVES.


summer. but for all the year round.
Sea voyages. a mountain life or winters spent
In the soft air Of the tropics often answer the
purpose when the trouble is in its incipency. but
they do not suffice for the invalid whose laboring
lungs and weakened heart action forbid high alti-
tudes. whose lowered vi aty cannot stand humid
fly and its consequent chill, whose waning strength
is yet more quickly sapped by the enervating, de-
vitalized air of southern bayous. or whose thin
blood congeals in the cod of higher attitudes.
For such the desert with its minimum of rain
fall, its air purified and oXygenized by passage
over hundreds Of miles of uninha bited country
almost total lack of vegetation and consequent
miasmatic conditions. its uninterrupted food of
MISUNDERSTANDING sunshine. its warm and sunny
sands, and. above ALL its absolute freedom from
all the conventionaties and limitations imposed
by the artificial living that is in many cases
sponsible for the loss Of health, offers the single
plank of safety to the victim.
While there are deserts and deserts. the Salt
River Valley Of Arizona to offer the greatest
advantages to the health seeker who while living
on the desert. must still be near enough the
base Of supplies to insure the good and generous
diet which is so large factor in his recovery.
LIVING CLOSE TO NATURE.
In every direction from Phoenix comes across
these desert colonies, their canvas tents showing
white against the background of grotesque. CYCLIC
pean buttes and rugged mountains that wall in the
valley. For those strong enough to bear with
good humor the little discomforts incidental to
camp life this patriarcha housing. with living
duced TO its simplest. best fitted to aid
Nature in her kindly struggle restore the lost
physical equilibrium. Built with floors and low
board siding. protected from the glare Of the sun
or most infrequent shower by extra fly, screened
from the too intrusive attentions of insects. and
rendered still more comfortable by the addition of
an Indian "vatan," brush shed, under which
the hammock may be swung the steamer chair
placed or the table set, these tents offer COM
Portable quarters the year round.
They may be as large small as luxuriousy
or as simply furnished taste and the length of
the pocketbook permit. Among these desert
''squatters' to be found Boston, Philadelphia
New-York and Kentucky millionaires, who have
complete canvas establishments. with separate din
ing tents and kitchens, servants quarters and
stables. The reverse as regards expense and size
yet cosey and comfortable. the thirty odd tents
that, with a half-dozen adobe hor ses comprise
the little settlement Of Scottsdae. Situated on the
direct road from Phoenix to old Fort Mcdowell,
protected from northern winds by the stalwart
proportions Of old Camels Back, bordering on
Paradise Valley, and possessed of an abundance
OF the best drinking water in Arizona, the site is
recognized as one of the most admirable in the
valley for the health seeker. With the artistic
bungalow Of Howard Underhill of New-York and
the tropicaly fruited ranoh IF Chaplain Winfield
Scott, L. S. A, as certres, the radating beams
nt 1e more or less epheIneral canvas establish
mile. o W
YOUNG MEN PREDOMINANT.
While the larger part OF the settlement is made
up or young men-''doctors, lawyers, merchants
priests with generous sprinklng of college men
broken down by overstudy or football INDUCED in
not Wisely but too weu-there also a number Of
bachelor girls" Some are here alone and some
Win members OF thei- family TO keep them COM
pany. Here too, are several entire families in
cluoing dozen children, which entitle the little
Town 70 a well equipped, admirably taught school
A daily mail gives another distinct advantage To-
| the outside world. " 0N-- VAIN
! The smallest tent in the camp and one which is
a model of neatness and compactness cost nniv
S6 brush shed included but its owner was comy
paraauFeiy para strong and exceptionally handy man
which stands foot from the ground ALLOWING FOR
gq ggqoo ventilation Underneath. is only by feet
toot nigh running all around. The side walls of
to top. while close meshed wire screen serves as
sutncenL protection from everything but desert
corner wardrobe, table just high enough to allow
mirror, several prints the wall and a comforta
PIE rocking chair make bachelors apartment su-
perl9r TO the average stuffy hall bedroom Under
s sne pTush rus shed rough pine table with wash basin
eorps h a5d S sAHS 1 ice6oY for keeping fruits
Ola Tor drinking water complete his modest en-
athough increased dimensions. more elaborate fit,
, tngs and me necessity Of hiring the building OF
to $50 or $50 inns '''e average cost up
As these canvas establishments sell or rent read
ny when their original owners deem themselves
well enough to shake the dust of the desert from
most cases. when the invalid is accompanied bV bV
carried on If this is not practicable s cas is
board with genuine home cooking. can be pro.
est markets at Tempe. and eleven miles from
pnenix there are almost daily opportunities for
drive in. while peripatetic vegetable man and
milk az neighboring ranches simplify hoasekeepinsy
Ma @ Ice which is not much higher than
procured in town well as the best beef and
groceries and fruits in widest variety Wt sass
innovation appreciated by the light housekeeper is
mutton or beef may be obtained pp3E hot cuts yo OF
the SPY every gay in the year. Barbecued chickens
at the Saturday marketing.
THE HORSE INDISPENSABLE
Nearly every one keeps horse, and almost every
one rides horseback All the women ride astride
5000 ihoian ponies may be bought at anywhere
from s. to $40. though mountain pony which can
be driven or used with the saddle is preferahle
For such there is sliding of prices SIS 10 sa0
peihs @ me average II one prefers pasture it can
quired- corner OF brush shed Wis are ea re,
allowance OF alIalfa and an occasional pint of bar
excellent condition; The roads leading oven tba a
qeserd are s1pero Tor wheelins, driving or riding
country the numerous gopher and badger boa os
out for that himself There is me GS, uGSs,naIiy looks
eyerv direction aaTe ana pnnng me country in
at The meet Is favorite diversion while trips To
historic mounds in the neighborhood or to the ne
orange groves. now in fun bloom, of frequent
suited this pastoral existence Golf links stretnb
that too 16s ss
Of civilization and 'tameness Digging for archseo-
vorite pastime, as are also fagoting parties to
collect The dried eacti mesquite and ironwood from
the evening campfire. For the hunter there IS an
ss and With coyotes foxes bsSre9
and an occasional "rattler" ella monster TO add
ne esnt,Psdes. tarantulas scorpions and hydro
he hear Of feuderfOof. he said