Arizona republican., 1908-03-23
AN EXCURSION
 TO FLORENCE
Half Thousand Pilgrims En- >joyed the Day,
Remarkable Feat Per- formed in Transportation Across Gila.

Florence, the coming metropolis of
 Pinal county. whither five hundred de-
 voices of the Arizona faith made pill grimage was a most gracious host yes terday. And never did city or people
 prove more hospitable, or provide more thoughtfully for the comfort and cOn-
 venience of their numerous guests.
 The crowd of excursionists. which in
 cluded many real estate and business men besides those bent definitely on pleasure only, was comfortably handled by a Phoenix and Eastern train. made up of nine coaches and engine No. -, and was even larger than had been an i ticipated. Before leaving Phoenix yes terday morning, in order to- give the needed carrying capacity. it was neces- sary to add three more coaches. With this addition to the train, everyone was provided with a seat and the journey made most satisfactory in ev- cry respect.
 The train was under the personal supervision and direction of General Agent Lee Landis. The crew was com posed of Conductor J. F. Diamond, Engineer Deal Fireman Allen and Brakeman Riggs and Davis. The sue
 cess of the excursion was notable and
 was a source of deep qualification to 1 those in charge as well as to the many who took advantage of the low rate to visit Pinal county's capital.
 i Passing through the agricultural lands of the Salt River valley from Phoenix eastward for a considerable ] ways beyond Mesa, signs of abiding prosperity and springtime's unrivalled ! luXuriance are found in field and fal- ] low, in blossoming orchard and garden plat. On either side, bordering the rightofway. are seen sleek fat cattle ncse-deep in content. pigs wallOwing in green alfalfa, fine horses and shorn sheep browsing, arched vistas of elm and cottonwood and rushing water courses. The beauty of the country
 side at this season is matchless.
 Rubbing elbows with this elysum of verdure lies the unreclaimed desert from Mesa's tributary acreage to the Gila bottoms and F'lorence-a vast plain of chaparall and cactl stretch ing to the foothills of the Superstition on the north and the Sacaton range to the southward. The evidence of mans ! toll and energy. irrigated lands. again spring suddenly in sight as the train hears the depot. which was yesterday the unloading point for the valley so-
 burners. Florence itself is one mile south across the Gila, located on a pla-
 teau 100 feet above the river bed. This
 crossing was once spanned by a fine
 bridge which today stands marooned
 skeleton onz the sandbar 300 or more
 1,o .l1
 stream.
 The Crossing.
 To negotiate this crossing and dis
 tance to the city with facility ana dis
 patch. by wagon or other conveyance.
 for d train load of people. was the great task presented to the Florence citizens. This task was undertaken with the direction of the Florence
 board of trade. When the train ar
 rived about noon. over forty vehicles were found lined up at the station for
 the visitors. It was truly remarkable how quickly and systematically was this transportation of humanity eff fected. requiring less than fifteen min utes, during which time not hitch nor accident occurred. though the Gila river had during the night risen five inches and some were dubious about the crossing at first. Furthermore all this was gratis, not one cent of graft. nor was an opportunity taken by anyone to capitalize his carriage room. The manner in which the Florence people responded to the call for service of man and vehicle is most praiseworthy and the board of trade deserves congratu- lations on its management of affairs.
 Arriving at the city, the Florence ho- tel was found to be working overtime to make the necessary provisions for the invading army of the great unfed. Here again was wise forethought man ifestly apparent. So well had MT. and Mrs. Drais and their efficient corps of helpers provided both in the amount of food and the service that all visi- tors were given full and bountifui menu, equal to that in hotels of more pretentions. in a very short time The fears entertained that Florence people would be eaten out of house and home were wholly unfounded. Their resources