Graham guardian., 1906-02-09
A New Route

ANoRNShANAA1 Non va
calling the attention to the public
spirited citizens OF Graham and
Apache counties, through the
columns of your valuable paper, to
the great necessity, as well as the
practicabillty, of the construction
of u wagon road leading from
Sprlngerville, south, across the
the Black Mesa Forest Reserve to
some available point in the Gila
Valley in Graham county.
Apache and Graham, being ad
joining counties, the interests of
the citizens of each are mutual,
and in point Of distance, are near
neighbors; but for lack of facilities
of communication, they are widely
separated. The hope of recon
structing and maintaining the route
heretofore travelled by way Of the
Blue river, appears to be abandon
ed; consequently our present means
of communication are by long and
circuitous routes; our mail matter
having to be conveyed via Dem
ing, Albuquerque and Holbrook,
requiring Eve and SIX days in
transit, while we should receive IT
in three days on a direct route,
across the country,
Apache county is open to com
munication on the north to the
Santa Fe railroad and Graham
county, by means of the Globe and
Gila railroad, connecting with the
Southern Pacific, giving access to
the southernpart of the territory;
the relations of the citizens of the
two counties imperitiveIy demand
direct communication with each
other.
| bave talked with quite a mum
ber of stockmen, who live in the
Black river country and who are
we'll acquainted with the entire
route. They say, that the route is
feasible, and that fair wagon
road can be constructed and main
tanned almost on direct line, and
at nominal cost, making the dis
tance shorter by at least one third
than by any other route.
Branch roads at convenient
points, would be constructed from
this main road to Clifton, Morenci,
Metcalf and other important min.
ing plants, which are now deprv-
ed of communication to the north
of them.
A wagon road constructed across
the Black Mesa Forest Reserve to
tho Gila Valley, would not only |
open the way for communication
by travel and mail service, but
would serve as an advertisement
to the resources and possibilities
Of the section of country interven,
ing between the two counties; we'll
known for its rich deposits of
copper, gold and coal; with its
beautiful scenery, healthful atmos
phere, and pure water; inviting
The tourist, the health seeker, and
invalid, to the most desirable sum-
ner resort known in the territory.
1t is fact well known, that this
quite crosses the most extensive
'egion of forest timber known in
he territory, and is equal, if not
uperior to any other for lumber
purposes. A wagon road pene.
rating this forest, would advertise
he lumber industry; and soon
apital would be invested in the
establishment of plants for its
manufacture; giving employment
o hundreds of laborers, and sup
lying the demands both north
nd south with the production.
The southern part of the terri
ory being destitute of forest tim,
er suitable for lumber purpose,
eceive its supplies of building
nmber mainly from California and
)regon, at great expense, when |
he demand could be supplied
rom our home production, by
'eight with wagons, to the Gila
alley, thence by rail to the south. {
rn part of the territory, at great,
y reduced cost.
On the west, as for instance {
'om Fit. Apache to Globe, and
'om Globe to Florence, excellent
oads have been constructed over
nose rugged mountains, overcom.
e far greater di fllculhes, than
ould be encountered in the con- a
ruction of this road, and those /
eople are amply rewarded for f
leir outlay. II
II seems TO me that this is a mat.
= Of sufficient importance TO war
mt investigation Who of the
lterprising citizens of the two
'unties will take the initiatory
ep in the enterprise?
Most respectfully, o
WM. NJ RunD N