The Arizona sentinel., 1901-01-09
CASTLE DOME DISTRICT.

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 l CASTLE DOME DISTRICT.
 | The veins of the Castle Dome district may be said to have been undiscovered in 1863 for it was evident that they had been aneiently 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 i from to I5 feet and in continuous lines of trenches, in some places for 50 to loo 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 off from these pits to the banks of the Gila river, some Is miles distant and the ruins there of some rude smelling furnaces, indicate that the ores were carried to the Gila, probably on the backs of Indians, and that they were smelted there, whether by the AztecS or the early-arri*ing Spanish explorer is not known. Since 1863 these mines have been worked almost continuously, and are now yielding silver-lead 1 ore Of most excellent quality, which is shipped to San Francisco. The claims were worked by the prCspectors without capital until October, ] IG7o. Up to January 1, 1899, there had not been an investment of over S30O 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 1 or tents.
 The veins crop out on a rolling plain or mesa at the base of the Castle Dome range a very rugged and picturesque group of mountains trending northwest and southeast, rising near the center to the remarkable dome-ShaDed sum nit with precipitous sides. looking like huge round castle or building with a dome. It is a noted landmark, being visible from great dis tance in all directions. It was originally called Capitol Dome by the officers at Fort Yuma in 1858, from the fancied resemblance to the dome of the capitol at Washington. This mountan range, being but sparingiy watered, 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 3O0 feet or more. The veins are re- markedly regular and well formed The ore is galena, carrying about 30 ounces of silver to each ton. The veins trend in general northwest and southeast course and arc nearly vertical. The outcrops are in- dicatcd by outlying masses and weather worn crystals of hourSpar. which is the chief veinstone- Caicite 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 barite are also as sociated in layers. Tho thickness or power of these veins is usually from to feet, sometimes from to l2 feet, wide. There are veins also only few inches in width. h general the veins arc well fllcd with ore. This ore occurs in sheets oT punches scattered through the vein stone and commonly known among the miners as ball metal. In one mine in the district mass of nearly solid ore feet thick was found.
 At or near the water level, where the galenite has decomposed, both carbonate and Sllph4ca Of lead are found associated with pale-green fuorite and an abundance of crystallizeI yellow wulfenite, another occurrence giving evidence of the presence of molybdenum in galenitc.
 The rocks of the district are compact fine grained mica and clay slates standing nearly on edge and traversed by numerous dilIeS or iatru- sive masses Of a chocolate-colored porphyry.
 THE CHA VALLEY
 The Giia valley extends from the Gila canyon near the junction Of the San Pedro river, west eriy to the east bank Of the Colorado, distance of slightly exceeding 250 miles. That portion of it situated iii the county of Yuma, known as the Lower Gila valley, is about 100 miles long and from to lO mics wide, all of which is suscept- ibie of profitable cultivation. The river from which it takes it's name cuts the valley in two. Its watershed extends some SC miles north and upward Of 5O miles south of it's channel, the land from either extreme inclining moro or less rapidly toward the stream. The Gi!a t-ayersc> narvelcUsly fertile country. very great il extent, and splendidly adapted to the cultivation of nearly all the products Of tic temperate and semi-tropic zones, besides many of the fruits common in the tropics. Nor is this longer a matter Of idle speculation, for fiourishing ranches in various portions Of the valley. drawing water from several important canals, amply demonstrate the magnificent results that will eIsue should the water supply be rendered. permanent, equable and adequate through appropriate storage systems.
 This consists of broad c2lpanse cf tilablc valley land, sometimes ovcrfowed by the river which is at times mighty uncertain, and steer range of volcanic hills coming close to the high ways. for a dozen miles or so, hot. heavy, sandy. It is hardly fair to say sandy as 1t l., really G friable allu7ial soil of grayiNh hue and loosc texture. Several ranches are passed, slcWinl that Inc Gila bottom is cultivated. With irri- gation every square mile of the Giia valley iS capable of producing prolific crops of grain and semi-tropical fruits well as cotton and sugar in great abundance. The river is able to fur nish all the water needed and a good deal mere. It would take no great skill in engineering and nc; v"ry losg" s,!n oI money citl,cc to coa-