The copper era., 1904-01-07
DIXIE ON THE GILA.

So has been named this quiet spot where the historic Gila and the San Francisco rivers meet so near your cop per center and yet so little known; a chain of lovely little valleys with the silver rippling stream, and far away bounding the vision, the blue, hay, creviced mountains of New Mexico. If there were only roads through this country, cultivation and people, it would be d yeritable Paradise-they y will come later Some hundreds of acres of rich vigorous soil with no nocent weeds and yet so little grown. Twenty-eight children of school age and no school; mineral springs where you can sit in the waters "as nature intended you should," and be cured, and still poor people hie away to the alkali waters of Thomas or elsewhere; quiet, shady hooks for picnics; good hunting; deer in sight; rest and health, yet far away sports to reach, which makes pleasure a toll, seem to be the Mecca.
 A wagon road was built from the valley, which now lacks repairs and which if only continued two miles would connect with the main road. making some twenty less miles Of travel and $6 less official mileage. The road by the San Francisco is now not passable for teams. If that could be travelled the cedar wood would cost much less in Morenci. Only yester- day I passed a laden wOOd-train hope lessly stuck in the mud. Hello MT. CarrascO, you got stuck again. think this time for good" The ready answer in the tongue oi sunny Castile was "No, we are not, but the wagon is" Well, that is bad, but here over the trail with laugh and a song comes Antonio with the key, the same old key that has unlocked the mountains Of the west-the patient burro. Antonio is differant type of arroya than to be found in your midst now, he brings in with care all that is wanted and for his gentle ami mals he has pet names or names of flowers. If ever you do come to Dixie be sure and have him pack you in he sings all the way-th Ough at times line of his song ends with q whOOp to his 5urros, somewhat thus: " Adios Triguenita bonita me boy
 Burro-a-a-a-u -u-st-o-o
 Eo tc quiero solo te-
 Blavcl-- cl--u--u--u--a-o, Africena-u--a'
 The beauty spot in Dixie has fallen to the lot of John H. Brown Of much cost has been preparing his land for orchard planting, which will be done in the spring, so in the coming years under it's shade, he will smoke the pipe Of peace, and the only call he need answer will be one Of Come in 10 supper-peaches and cream, and this from home tended with love and care which will like Tennyson's brook flow on forever.'
 Mir. Wm. C. Crawford, Of MOrenci, has also fixed his land for planting and is now digging a ditch to water level- it will take many burros to carry his crops next year to market. Mir. Crawford has an apiary, which is pro- ductive. He says this is the home of the honey bee, but does not favor burros to market his comb.
 Mr. John H. Davies. an expert miner, has been clinking his hammer among the craigs and gorges south and says riches are there. Samples have been sent 10 Colorado and there is quiet talk abOuta syndicate and prosperity.
 On the north bank of the Gila river near the mouth Of San Francisco river are ruins buried like old Pompai near ha. been opened up. A wall laid with rock in cement in a shape no doubt for hot battles. . wash from the rocks above lay, bare. Pottery fragments, which far differ from the rude baked clay scattered over the country, these are marked and glazed and resemble terra cotta ware. and where lying un- der clay which heat has hardened into near rock strata. Now. if what we are taught by geology be true this hsndiwork Of man was left here long before Christ and his deciples walked the earth. It is startling to think that under the matchless blue Of the Arizona skies. and besides this same placid river, which is even now mur- mering silver prophecies of plenty, brings lived and loved-toiled and died in days when Homer sang Of Gods and men and Isis were revered in the Temples of Ancient Thebes.