Arizona republican., 1901-12-23
PHOENIX. ARIZONA. DEC. %. 1901.
For the miner and prospector the

field than is found right
ARIZONA here in Arizona. Indeed.
BEST it is doubtful if there is
OF ALL. any other mineral re-
gion on the globe which
has undeveloped mineral wealth equal
to that of this territory. 1t is almost
a weekly occurrence for a rich strike
of gold or copper to be made in some
district of Arizona, which in any other
part of North America would attract
general attention. But here such things
are taken as a matter of course and
produce no excitement. Probably it is
because familiarity breeds contempt
that many prospectors neglect oppor-
tunities at home while thinking of min
ing districts abroad. During the last
year or two Mexico, and Sonora partic-
ularly, has been a magnet to draw
numerous mining men of Arizona away
from home. Sonora is undoubtedly rich
in minerals, and the few great fortunes
which have been made there in recent
years by Arizona operators have
served to eclipse the home territory as
something facinating in seeking ones
fortune in foreign country, which
paints Mexico in rosy hue in the
minds of imaginative people. Yet
Me1Sico-at least as to surface prospect
ing-has been more thoroughly gone
over than Arizona.
Il could not advise anyone to start
to Mexico seeking a high-grade propo-
sition which may be worked with small
capital says Theodore s. Delay in
the Engineering Magazine, and bases
his opinion on the following facts:
A more or less scientific system of
mining and metallurgy was practiced
in many localities in Mexico long be-
fore the California discoveries gave
American mining its great impetus
These operations were carried on under
the supervision of the priesthood, and
for the benefit of the church. At that
time the popula ton of Mexico was fan
atically religious: therefore, anything
pertaining to the interest of the church
would attract the interest of the public
at large The ecclesiastical mining
plants did not require any special and
exclusive class of operatives. but en-
ployed any and all of the communicates
who were not otherwise occupied. 1t
follows that nearly all the laborers of
the country would, at some time or
other in their lives. be employed in
mining operations.
In later years the American and Ger
man miners have made Mexico a field
nf
paratiyely recent methods. These for
eign enterprises have been no respect
ers of persons, as regards their native
laborers, employing the first person
who appeared to fill vacancy; and
since few dollars in hand makes the
average Mexican laborer too rich to
work, vacancies We're not infrequent.
From all of (which it follows that the
conditions have been favorable for a.
general dissemination of practical min
ing knowledge in Mexico.
Now the Mexican, while not of strong
mentality, has the faculty of observa-
ton strongly developed by close con-
tact with nature. and has the capacity
for accurate Imitation, characteristic of
all semi-civiiized peoples. Hence we
may expect to find him good off-hand
judge of ore. quite skiiirui IN tests with
the .'batea' and horn spoon, and even
able to supplement. these with rough
roasting and amalgamating operations.
In nearly every Mexican home. how.
ever lowly, one will find specimens of
ore, with which the children play while
they listen to the talk of their elders
about the fortunes which have been
gained by the turning of a stone.
In country over every foot of which
men of the above character have been
roaming for generations. either direct
ly in search of mineral or as herders,
yet ever with an eye open for piedras
ricss. there is small chance of there re-
naming anything which can be seen
at surface.
Arizona is much better than Mexico.
For instance. years from nov. when
Prescott has become a second Denver,
and old Yavapai county alone is show
ing scores of great mines in profitable
operation. hundreds of prospectors will
be heard to regret that they neglected
that region while chasing fortune far
afield. And almost every county in the
territory has attractions greater than
can be found anywhere else in the
world, Within ten years Tombstone
will be second Leadville in popula-
ton and mineral production. Yuma.
Tucson. Globe, the Mineral Creek dis
trict, Clifton. Morenci. Bisbee and No
gales viii be thriving cities, daily en-
riched by the wealth Of surrounding
mines.