The copper era., 1909-09-16
Something of the Early History of
 Sonora.

prior to the interest excited by liar riman's extensive operations through that rich district of Mexico, would be vivid in local coloring, with its lurid Yaqui disturbances and with the effect of the two years past financial difficulties, which closed so many of the rich mines now beginning active operations and temporarily crippled fnanciers, who, with an optimism born of knowledge of the uudeniable possibilities of that state hung on and struggled through as best they could, for the future of which they felt assured.
 Into first consideration comes the great mineral belt, beginning in Ari- zona and including the world famed copper mines in that territory and which extends through Cananea, Nacozari, Cienguita and Santa Nino ton the Yaqui riverl to Alamos dis trict and beyond.
 To an imaginative mind, one in- dulging in the love of the artistic, this belt of copper blends we'll with the broad band of gold running par allel with it and from a material standpoint the possibilities of the combination are inexhaustible. The extensive chain of gold runs on side by side through the copper region and leagues beyond the Cumaripa in the Guaymas country.
 Placer fields are operated success fully in this latter region by Boston and Chicago people. One of the best known geologist in the United States, Prof. Robert T. Hill, pro- nounces this vicinity to be equal to any gold region in the world.
 Silver adds its value to the mineral productions of the state of. Sonora and many are the tales of romance connected with the working of the antiguas, when this country was un- der the rule of Spain.
 Churches were tabulously rich from the output of these mines, one com ing easily into remembrance being that at Arizpe, which owned at the time of its prime in 1715, and up to about twenty-five years ago, gold and silver plate exceeding the value of $500, ,OOO
 In the districts of Arizpe, Mocte- zuma, Magdalena, Altar, Ures, Her mosillo: Guaymas and Alamos the mines, new and old ones, needed only modern methods of development to prove that the wealth existent now, as in the crude days of arrastas and boteas, and the primitive modes of working these mines has left it for up to date machinery to exploit the depths of treasures long secreted in the storehouse of Mother Nature, the surface indications and shallow depths of which she gave willingly to those who could not develop them as they deserved.
 In the districts mentioned the list of mines being worked by capitalists would be too long to consider in this article as opportunities of varied natures must of needs be dwelt upon.
 Extending to the gulf the agricul- tural and horticultural aspects are more than worthy of consideration. Many ranches along the various rivers are devoted to the cultivation of alfalfa, barley, vegetable raising, fruits and grain and it is a well known fact that wherever water is obtainable any growth indigenous to varied soils and climates can be pro- duced.
 In the comparatively small glades cut by the Magdalena, San Miguel, Sonora, Montezuma and other rivers and in the lower end of the valleys which broaden out generously near Hermosillo, wheat, tobacco, cotton, alfalfa, sugar cane, tomatoes, corn, lines, oranges, figs. grapes and vege- tables are the products.
 The Yaqui valley is supplied with water in immense quantities and un- failing volume, being furnished the river by the mountain streams and by the Sierra Madre slope, which forms broad drain for it's constant repetion.
 Within the next two years it is safe to predict that the valley will be full of home seekers, comprising as it does, one million acres and over of unusually fruitful soil-[this aggre- gation of figures expressing the ex- tent of the land in the river delta alone ]-while on the mesas there are as many more millions awaiting the stampede settlers that is sure to come.
 In this delta cotton is raised suc- cessfully of good quality and as the lands producing this necessary staple are diminishing in the United States, therefore increasing the value, this alone is food for deepest thought. Sugar cane and garvanzas are among the products and as sugar is another most necessary staple, there are fortunes awaiting those for whom a "word to the wise is sufficient.' GaryauZas. the diet popular in the