Arizona republican., 1905-07-27
BORN IN A GOLD PAN
We'll Known Citizen of Santa Fe Pays
 Tribute to Prescott.

Mir. A. L. Morrison of Santa Fe N. M, recently visited Prescott and while there wrote a communication to the Santa F'e New Mexican concerning Prescott that was highly compliment tary to that city. Anything that com pliments any Arizona city compli- ments all Arizona so it will be inter esting to many readers to know the good opinion of Arizona held by some people in the sister territory. Follow ing is a reproduction of MT. Morrison's letter:
 "The city of Prescott is beautifully situated in the foothills of the Sierra Pietras, which surround it on every side. The streets run high in the hills and the effect is picturesque in the extreme; the altitude is about $500 feet, and when I add that the climate closely resembles that of Santa Fe nothing more need be said as to it's sa- lubrtty and healthfulness. A recent magazine article writer says: Pres colt was born ill a gold pan and crad- led in the first rude rocker with which the shining gold grains were sifted out of what now are it's streets and thoroughfares.' In 1863 Arizona was erected into a territory and soon af- ter, as emigrants began to penetrate northward, a mining camp was estab- lished on the banks of Granite creek within the sound of the bugle calls of Fort Whipple. The location was an ideal one, and the young city which was named after our brilliant histC- rian, Prescott sprang up from that humble origin. As Q single instance of the difficulties these heroes and pioneers had to meet, it may be stat ed that the first ores from Arizona were hauled to the Rio Colorado, float ed down that river to it's moUth. then transferred to ocean vessels which sailed around Cape Horn, and so to the smelters at Swansea, Wales. being about 10000 miles from the mine to the furnace. To most eastern men this would seem incredible. but the early pioneers of the southwest were accustomed to meet and overcome
 impossibilities. It would be easy to fill a page of the New Mexican with
 thrilling incidents in the lives of the state builders of Arizona. but I must
 resist the temptation. Within ten
 years of the date of the discovery in
 Yavapai county, the gold output was
 $103,0O0. In 1880 it reached S265. .0O0. and three years later it rose to $SO0,- O00. There were no railroads in those
 days, and the freightS were something enormous. The first smelters, and crude affairs they were, came overland from San Francisco or Kansas City,
 and their cost delivered here was said
 to be about their weight in gold, but notwithstanding all that immense for
 tunes were made by the fortunate
 mine owners. Prescott became the distributing point for this rich mining country and naturally advanced rap idly in wealth. population and intel ligence. Now Prescott is connected with two transcontinental railroad lines, and spurs reach out in to the mountains to the leading mines which surround it.
 lover 1000 tons of ore are shipped monthly from here. Five years ago on
 the 14th of the present month, Prescott was visited by a disastrous fire, which | destroyed the entire business part of
 the city, and for a short time the out 1 look was somewhat gloomy. ut the ] plucky business men knew mo such word as fail and while the embers
 were yet smoking, they were being re- moved to make way for handsOmer and more commodious buildings than l those which had just gone up in smoke l and flame. Two-t thirds of these men
 lost their entire stocks. but a business
 to be kept must be kept going. Tents | were put up in the plaza and the inn ! mediate necessities of the people were | soon being supplied as usual. The pres ent banks are perfect gems of archi- lecture the bushes houses are as good l if not better than any this side of | Kansas City or Denver, while the ele gantly built, finely furnished residences will compare favorably with those of
 any other city in the union. The Sis ! ters of St Joseph have just complet- 1 ed a beautiful convent and school on one of the highest bluffs which com mands views of the entire city. and
 splendid views Of the mountains charm
 the eye on every side. The house cost
 $50 900; it is built in the old mission
 style. and is equipped with every mod
 ern convenience. One hundred and
 fifty pupils attended the school last sea l son, and there is ample room for 300. l The public buildings are very hand ] some, a splendid public school which
 cost about $40,O0O being opened re- gently. Near it is the high school, and
 they are already talking about build 1 ing another school. The Elks opera
 house the Yavapai club and the new
 public library speak eloquently of the public spirit of PrescOtt's citizens, who never weary of improving and beauti- ! flying their city. I wish some of this ! commendabIe spirit existed among the
 rich men of Santa Fe. What an ideal l city it would soon be made. We are enjoying perfect Santa Fe weather -o-
 After all, tight shoes occasionally