The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1905-06-14
IRRIGATION COMMITTEES VISIT YUMA


: Committeeman Harry DonkerSley had
provided carriages, and in these the
visitors were conveyed to one of the
/, wondrous spots Of the desert-a striking
and beautiful object lesson in practical
} irrigation. They saw the ripe and rip
ening figs, growing oranges and lemons,
and other semi-tropic fruits; strawber-
ries, black berries, melons, cucumbers
and cantaloupes being prepared fer
marl1et-and all this on spot where
only 4 few years ago was the desert.
The drive was continued down to the
valley, of which the visitors we're first
given delightful view from the edge
of the mesa. The party drove as far
as the Woodman ranch, noting and
commenting upon lhe fertility Of the
land. evidences of which were TO be
seen on every hardin the fields
OF grain and alfalfa, in the luzuriant
vegetable growth.
The morning was beautiful: the air
cool ana bracing. and its eXhilaratlng
influence was not lost en- the visitors,
finding expression inoutbursts of amaze
ment and delight.
And this at Yuma! Poor, old Yuma.
The central point in "a region of burn
ing sands, alI,ali wastes, extinct volca-
noes and consuming thirsts. The home
of the rattlesnake, the tarantula and
ella monster and the most venomous
reptiles; where the fierce rays of Il
tropical sun barns like magnifling
glass. and the heated atmosphere
cho6es and stiles. =
The above was delivered in mock
dramatic style 10y Mrs. -----, who
had read it in some INSCRIPTIONS east
ern publication and now realized how
far it was from the truth.
why. what have you people done to
merit such slander?" she continued.
This is the most delightful morning
ever experienced. The air is perfect.
Yuma valley is coming Paradise. You
have friend in me henceforth.'
Other ladies expressed the same SEN
timents and the gentlemen felt the
same way, though they were 4 little
more polite in expressing their feel
! ings. That drive was q good invest
wentworth thousands Of dollars to
this section.
The return drive was made over
partially different route, the party
reaching reclamation headquarters
about 10 o'clock. Some two or three
hundred people had gathered in the
large room. where seats had been pro-
vided by the direction Of Mr.. Hamln.
\ brief period Of speech-making was
the next feature. AMI here we were
again assured that we lived in the most
favored spot, in the most delightful
climate. and whole lot OF other good
things and Of course they were all
true. 1t was good to be there and hear
them. President Wiusor welcomed
the quests in Il very good speech. in
which he referred to the pioneer wom-
en- aad said that they had borne the
brurt of battle in establishing homes
and Transforming desert wastes into
verdant fields.
Attorney Fred Ingraham next gave
a brief but concise and intelligent re-
view CT irrigation by private enter
prise in the Yuma valley, and also
talked entertainingly on prehistoric ir
rigation. instancing the still traceable
canals of bygone age in Salt river
valley and evidences Of irrigation sys-
TENS on the ella used in years long
agOne.
Senator Newlands was next intro
duced He told his audience about
what they wanted to hear. He praised
the climate and revived the blanket
story. but only for the purpose of con
ceding that the story had been refuted
so far as he was concerned and every
member of his party. AIR Newlands
talked at some length on government
irrigation-and touched upon the ques-
ton OF international complications with
Mexico over diverting the waters of
the Colorado. Upon this point he said
we would build the dam first and set
tie the complications afterward." Con
sidering the gentleman's prominence
in matters irrigational, the remark
seemed quite significant.
Congressman Mondell of Wyoming
followed Mr.. Newlands with most
pleasing speech. In the course OF his
remarks he added his praise to that of
Mr.. Winsor in mplimenting the pio-
neer women, but gently criticised that
gentleman for comm :Serating the fate
of the Yuma pioneer women, who he
acknowledged were the best and most
beautiful in the land-excepting always
the women of his own state. He said
| the women of Yuma needed no commits
Grafton or sympathy; on the contrary.
they were to be congratulated on living
here in such Paradise. Referring to
Mexico and our Colorado river. he said
there would be no international com
plications.
At the close OF Mr. Mondell's address
Mr.. Lippincott announced that the
Seachlight was ready to steam down
the river and that those holding tick
cts should pass through the rear OF the