Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-02-14
Means Given 20 the Elders An
Ancient Civilization.

Elder f. w. Wood sends this letter
from Pine, Arizona, Feb q
on the 2gth OF December, 1902. ar.
rived at Holbrook, Arlz., from NeE
Mexico, where / had been doing mis-
slcnary work during the summer a
Few days were spent In Holbrook await
ing the arrival Of William 7, Witten,
who arrived on the 3ist Of December,
with letter from President McRae Of
the Colorado mission, instructing us
10 10 to the Verde valley and labor for
the advancement OF truth.
We az once set out for our field. but
We're detained at Flagstaff ON account
o. the wagon road being blockaded
with snow. and our carfare exhausted,
While staying at the above named
place, waiting for the Lord 10 open the
way, we held four meetings at which
We enjoyed an outpouring OF the Spirit
OF the Lord. Before closing our last
meeting a gentleman arose ana said:
"Friends. these men are travelling
without purse or scrip and need some
cid in order to accomplish their journey
Come. let us put them on the train.
Ard. giving us 49, he started the contr ,
button, which continued until we had
destination. After bidding the good
people good bye and offering prayer
In their behalf, we went to the Verde
valley. where we at once began to can
vars, converse with the people ana
hold meetings; ever receiving the
blessings Of the Lord.
While laboring in the valley our at
tentlon has often been attracted by
visible signs OF an ancient civilization.
Marks of farms irrigation bitches
whose survey appears 20 be as accurate
as the surveys Of today pottery In its
unbroken state grave yards containing
numerous skeletons, large and small,
having dark brown hair, implements
ugcd for various industries, cliff dwell
inga and castles. While laboring az
Camp Verde we were privileged %
visit the Montazuma castle, an ancient
dwelling situated on Beaver creek some
three miles from Camp Verde.
The castle IL about 100 feet above the
creek bed on the side Of huge Gilt
that Is $50 feet IN height. The dwell
irg contains IA small rooms. divided In
20 three stories, above which Is a long
perch OF observatory having on the
trent wall some four feet high
through which are portfolios and other
email openings. used. no doubt, for the
purpose OF detecting the enemy and OF
defending themselves In time OF trou-
bic A ledge above the castle projects
far enough TO protect the dwelling frcm
Storm and dampness. The walls OF the
castle are composed OF rock and NOR
tar; the ceiling Of cedar, corn and cane
fodder and dirt, the floor OF dirt and
rock, etc.
Ladders are used for the purpose Of
ascending to the castle.
Cane and corn fodder, also cObs cot
ton in It's first stage, mummes pottery.
tools and weapons etc.. have been and
are being discovered In the ancient
wonder
from all appearances the Inhabitants
NJ the dwelling and Of the surrounding
country were a civilized educated race;
for superior 10 the Indians who roam
upon the American continent today, or
who were SO numerous upon this lana
al the time OF the discovery Of Ameri-
ca ny colombus.
The castle appears 10 have been q
place OF refuge, being sheltered on me
north side by a mountain and being
90 situated that an opposing force
could be detected by its Inmates some
time before being In shooting distance.
Who can doubt the divine authenticity
o. The Book OF Mormon when external
evidences are so plentiful? Every dis.
ccyery adds proof, that the Book ot
Mormon Is true.
The News" and Era" are welcomed
By US and read with pleasure,