Bisbee daily review., 1903-04-21
THE TOWN OF CLIFTON.


 Clifton, is the only man today living in either Clifton or Morenci who saw the beginning of mineral development in this section of Arizona He did not locate the first claim, but was on the ground before any work had been done. The first mine located in this section of Arizona was the Arizona Central properties owned by the Detroit Cop per company. This mine was located by a party of three men, Messrs. Bat iard, Yankie and Swishelm. This was about the first of the year 1870. No one was looking for copper in those days; silver and gold were the only metals which attracted the attention of the early prospectors in this country. The locators of the Central mine sunk ten-foot shaft, and then. in February of that year, in prospecting the hills around the camp, discovered some rich gold rock in Gold gulch, near the pres ent town of Morenci. The gold was exceedingly rich, and when banned out gave a value of 52 cents to the pan. This was considered something good, 50 the three men took some of the gold rock and returned to Silver City, New Mexico, then an-infant settlement, inbabited by only thirteen men. The story they told of Gold Cullen and the rich mineral country they had beea into created considerable excitement. Ike Stevenson and Robert Meteaf were at Silver City when Bullard, Yankie and Swisshelm returned. They lis tened to the story of the new find, and tested the samples of ore exhibited. which they concluded was rich enough to justify a trip for 6 more extended examination of the country. In the meantime men were arriving. al Silver City rapidly, and very soon party Of iorty-six men equipped themselves for a trip to God Gulch, where the rich gold rock was said to have been found. This party included Bullard. Yankie and Swishelm, Ike Stevens and Robert Metcalf Crude rockers" were pre- pared for washing gold, and the party carried one rocker to every two men. Some camp equippage packed on hurros was brought along. The In ttians were dangerous at that time, and a vigilant watch was necessary to pre- serve the scalps of the gold hunters. Several days were required in travel ing from Silver City to Gold Gulch. which was reached during the dry sea son in July, before the coming of sum mer rains On reaching Gold Gulch it was found that there was only a small hole of water to be found in the vicinity. and this water was So "cop- pery" that it was almost unfit for use. Finding camping facilities so un- Creek and made camp there, where they waited for the rains to supply the water holes in the mountains, so that prospecting in the district would be possible. After several weeks hal passed the party, tired of waiting for rain and not finding any considerable quantity of gold in Gold Gulch, cor cluded to return to Silver City. On the Giia river, above where the Frisco goes into it, MT. Stevens and thirteen men left the main party and went into the district in New Mexico now known as Steeple Rock, or Carlisle. In that vicinity they encountered small band of Indians, who were driven away from their camp, which was captured The party all arrived back at Silver City safely, and for more than year nothing more was heard about this sec ton. &
 h 1872 Colonel Ryerson, with Swiss helm and his two partners returned t this section and located three nor claims near the Arizona Central loca ton, which had been made in 1871 The four claims were the Arizona Cen tral. the Copper Mountain, the Yanki and the Montezuma- After doing tn required location work, Colonel Ryel son and party again returned to Silve City, which by that time had grow into a lively camp and was headqual ters for all the mining men and pros pectors who were being attracted t he mines of Arizona and New Mexico
 h August, 1872. a man name Pearce, who was mining expert, wit hsadouarters at Silver City, secured
 bond from Colonel Ryerson. Yanki' Buliard and Swisshelm on the fou claims which they had previously < cated, where Morenei now stand Pearce. the mining expert took san ples of the ore and went with it to D' -roit, Michigan. where he made de; with Q man named Ward. War agreed to pay the four owners S2.Ot each, which he did. After making tt payment he sent man named Joy oi 10 Morenei to do what work was auired to entitle him to patent to u claims from the government. At S
 yer City Joy met Ike Stevens, who hs been prospecting in that vicinity ar n the vicinity of Lordsburg since h first trip to Gold Gulch, and Stevel and others were employed to beg work on the four claims at Morenci.
 About that time Robert Metcs again arrived in this vicinity and catad yniues on saetcalf Hill and al