Arizona republican., 1908-03-23

in the way oi provender appeared to be still uneXhausted, even after tho on- slaught of the noble five hundred. whose appetities were equal to that of a Colossus and a rhinoceros combined.
 Following the feeding of the loaves and fishes, etc. to the multitude the Industrial Liberty band tuned up and gave a short but brilliant concert on the streets and marched to the base ball grounds, where the Phoenix Would be- Choppers were to be served up like mutton chops through the worst drubbing since the time of David. The details of the tragedy may be referred to later on. The score was 13 to nothing. Florence had a strong, fast nine, reinforced by Cuber and Morris of Mesa. Phoenix had pitcher, Richardson. who was hammered all over the lot and the noise of the bin gles sounded like a fusilade from the Fleet. In d spirit of mercy the curtain was pulled down in the sixth and the Choppers strolled to town amid the good natured jibs End calls of Poor Phoenix from the Florence rOoters.
 The Rules Open.
 It was a great day for Florence. even to the ball game. The wagon for the band was decked out in national cOlors and all the people of that section were on hands to witness the arrival of the eXcursionists and were ever ready to lend a hand to make the day pleasant. Verify the gates to the city were thrown wide open and a chuck put hereunder. But the crowd was most orderly, and a spirit of the best fellow ship prevailed between townsman and visitor. This good behavior was notable on the train going and coming also. All acquitted themselves so well that the ties of common interest be- tween Phoenix and Florence are the more closely cemented.
 Florence is a picturesque little city and though it's later days have not been so prosperous, just now one finds a marked optimism among It's inhabit ants which number about 800 souls. This is well founded too, for around the city are thousands of acres of as fine land as ever laid out of doors, which only needs the quickening touch of moisture to awake the eternal re- nascenu germ of life. Just now every thing looks favorable to a rehabilita- ton of the irrigation system and the reservoir by Denver capitalists, who have investigated the proposition and pronounced it not only feasible but very attractive.
 For much interesting data the writer is under obligation to Col Weeden of the Blade. In general the plan is the increase Of the capacity of the reser- voir four or five times, by a high line canal run into the rear of the reservCkr. First to amply take care of the acre age under cultivation, which is now about five times what it was ten years ago, it is planned to maKe sheet pile dam, the pile of tongue and groove va riety and water tight. to raise and keep the water in the canal. Tt will be built above the present head. More elaborate plans have been already out lined for the building of a concrete dam ana making a larger reservoir, but some details are yet to be worked out and t is too early to talk about that now. The history of the Florence water problem and troubles is well known, but the people now feel that the troublesome days are over and the city and country will take on a new lease of life. Already there are signs of this revival; some new houses are being erected, and many older buildings are being repaired 4 number of in quiries have been received from out siders on the price of land, who have been attracted to Florence through the
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