The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-08-03
FREAK WELL IN ARIZONA
BottomIess Reservoir Which Contains
No Fish,

NO FISIls
one of the most wonderful OF the natu-
raj curiosities of Arizona is Montezuma's
we'll In a natural basin formed by low
lying hills, in the midst or vast desert
that stretches for miles across central
Arizona. is this never failing well OF
purest water. It never rises nor falls,
come food or come drouth, and it is
fathomless.
In years long since past Montezuma's
well was the source of water supply for
an ancient race OF people who inhabited
this wild and barren country. MOntezu-
mas castle an immense dwelling, carv-
ed into the side of a giant cliff. is ne1r
here, and there are numerous cliff dwell
ings in the immediate vicinity.
The surface OF the pool is nifty feet be
low the level of the surrounding country.
and about 500 feet across in any direction.
A green scum skirts the waters edge.
and huge water lilies float maJestically
upon the surface. But there is not
fish in the waters-not even a bull frog
to croak at eventide, nor single sigl.
OF any living thing.
The smooth surface OF the waters,
where there are no lilies, reflects the in
tense blue OF an Arizona sky and the
clifflike walls are studded with the wen
preserved ruins OF the prehistoric climb
ers On the fat top of the surrounding
hills grow a few stunted cedars, but
these hills are formed Of volcanic rock,
and that is a great discourag cement TO
vegetation.
Many theories for the existence OF this
remarkable we'll have been advanced by
the scientists who have visited it in re-
cent years. but no two Of them seem to
agree. One theory is that this IS the
center of an extinct volcano. while an
other is that il is a blowout" as tn,
miners say. The surface or the rock i
maiapal a volcanic rock. put the walls
OF the Wei are OF stratiied limestone.
through which the well sinks to unknown
depths. Beneath the floor OF an adjacent
cave may be heard the sound OF running
water. which energies ar the foot Of the
hin. Tie continual supply evidently
rises from grest depths and sinks away
again.
At one point the bluffs are SO broken
that tran has been made possible. and
by dint OF hard climbing one may work
his way down TO the waters edge and
back. The ancient olin dwellers' hablta-
tons are here in a state Of almost perfect
preservation The alcoves beneath the
overhansing and projecting rocks furnish
two sides and a roof for the dwellings.
and the remaining side. constructed OF
rocks and mortar. form a rude but CON-
Portable habitstion. Some OF these houses
have crumbled and left a mass OF disor-
eered stone and mortar.
some OF the layers OF stratihed lime
stone have proved 10 De more durable
than Others, and the elements have
scarcely altered the symmetry Of the ter
races upon which rested the dwellings.
The olin jewellers must have found some
method q determining which OF The
qualifications would last and which
would crumble away.
Montezuma's castle is a short distance
from the well. On the opposite side OF
Beaver creek. Here is also terraoed
limestone formation. and the ovsrhaagiug
bluff IS built 20 the very top with dwell
ings. and when viewed from one side has
the appearance OF q castle IN these
dwellings have recently been found mum
mined remains. baskets. pottery. tools.
weapons and many other relics OF this
ancient people.