New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-01

the waters OF Salt River and Tonic Creek the
streams meeting at the southern edge Of the
pasln end emerging from 1t through a canyon
100 feet deep In the Salt River Mountains This
canyon is the only outlet Of the basin; if one
would emerge by another route 1t must be
that of the mountain roads and trails Across
1t the engineers of the United States Reclama-
ton Service are constructing what will be the
highest dam IN the world. converting this basin
into an enormous artificial lake more than
twenty miles long and with maximum depth
of 21O feet. The dam and appurtenant canals
and power stations vast an enterprise
that IT was readily appreciated that the country
thereabout must support a large population dur
ing the construction period. The nearest settle
ment is Globe. forty-three miles to the east;
therefore. in the opinion Of those Western peo-
pie. new town was justified. 1t is situated
close to the dam site upon the side of the noun
tain, where the land slopes off toward the river
When the government engineers first entered
the valley. In the spring of 1901. for the purpose
OF carrying preliminary studies the town site
was dry and dusty fiat, supporting only a few
stunted cacu and an occasional mesquite. Near
Its centre were the remnants of one of the pre-
historic mines SO common in the Southwest. AS
a town site it was not at all prepossessing. It's
location. however is the logical one for con-
struction camps and was therefore selected nv
the engineers, who realized that a town would
inevitably spring up in course of the progress of
the work. The site divided into two parts
that nearest the dam being reserved for the use
OF the government. while the rest was laid off in
town lots.
The rules laid down for settlers were simple
ana effective The title to these lots remains,
OF course, in the government and the parties
taxing them up do so with the understanding
that they Will some day be flooded. out Parties
who We're granted permission to take up town
lots received them the condition that tEey
prepare Immediately to reside or do business
ia or baf
the main street the party securing possession
must start legitimate business His continu-
Gus possession Of the property until the COM
pletlon Of the dam and the flooding of the coun-
Try depends entirely upon his own conduct No
saloons, gambling halls or any business OF oues-
uonable nature are allowed
The increase of population brought up new
problems OF water supply, drainage and lighting
plants. The question of a supply of pure water
was solved quickly and satisfactorily by con-
meeting the town with a spring three miles away
IN the mountains. Engineers soon provided for
proper sewerage. Later small electric plant was
installed and the city began to assume metro
politan airs The pioneer merchant erected a |
store, Roosevet's first building stocked il with
general merchandise and opened a restaurant |
The volume OF business increasing as the GOV
eminent work proceeded other merchants fol-
lowed until the basin became a vertable hive of |
INDUSTRY. Soon the butcher, the baker the |
druggist and the Hveryman were represented |
A barber drifted in and forthwith proceeded 10 |
lay waste the abundant hirsute adornments Of |
Ihe lhales' his business prospecting, he Sc |
questrated a hot spring which flowed ont 10 a |
cavern nearby and introduced the inhabitants |
10 the luxury Of hot bath. The long line Of |
citizens. each equipped with towel and soap |
whlch on Sunday mornings stood waiting the |
call of next" attested to the shrewd Judgment
Of the barber. ---eN'
While especial provisions were being made for
the care and comfort off the physical man the |
spiritual neglected. A branch IF tbo |
salvation Army appeared upon the scene and |
secured the privileges of the town hall which |
was alternately used as a church, a theatre a |
dance hall and occasionally as a restaurant
Having outgrown its swaddling clothes tho |
demanded q nd |
some discussion the name OF Roosevelt vas d.
clded upon. The ephemeral character of the |
new town attaches no stigma to the name of orr |
illustrious President, the massive rnasoprI, |
monolith with which the engineers will close
the canyon will bear the same name for penaro
lions TO come. daily mail service was put |
in operation between Roosevelt and CIoba TaIa
phone service with connections TO Globe across
the mountains seVenty-hve miles TO Phoenix was
completed. By this time the town of RoosaveIt
had Sc grown in population that a school became
matter of necessity The nearest conrtrI,
school was six miles UP the river In the sum-
mer or 1904 this carried bodily to the I'll
ley. church only was lacking now bnt tbia
need was filled in part by the Salvation ArmI
Globe. iio1il
For q time competition in general business
was keen, as the government gave Subsistence
TO all of its employees up to November IoO4
AFTER that date. however the wages OF the gov
eminent men were increased TO cover suhsist-
ence, and they were permitted to board WHARF |
they pleased. This had the effect OF augmentine |
the business OF the town. Roosevelt has nanS |
OF the facilities OF the modern town, even tbnnni
the nearest railroad is forty-five miles awsv |
and morally II is far ahead or most Western VII
lagos. Owing TO the rules governing the holding
OF property all undesirable business is rie-idiS
excluded by the officials and the present holder
OF property under careful supervision Thare |
Is long waiting list OF persons who desire to
enter into business. Drunkenness is practicaIiv |
unknown. and there are no professional gam.
blers. The men are free OF debt and apnsar
happy and contented
The principal amusement is dancing and the
gay thronr e. ---u.-4an or in thu do hail