Arizona republican., 1917-06-17

Stafford and took away the county seat in buggy. and few years later Saf ford went to SolomnVille and brought it back in an automobile. At least that is the way the wags of Stafford put it. At any rate Stafford now has the coun- ty seat, one of the prettiest county buildings in Arizona, and is happy Stafford in taking away the county seat did not incur the enmity of Sol omnville, however, and the latter is a thriving community, supplying a large part of the Gila valley. Every town, every farming section in Graham coun- ty is prospering this spring as never before, Prices for foodstuffs being high has had stimulating effect upon plant ing, with the result that bumper crops are now foregone conclusion. The assessed valuation of property in Graham county is about S11 000, 900. Stafford itself has an assessed valuation of about $700,000. Building all over the valley is going ahead rapidly and busi- ness the past twelve months shows an increase of 8 1-3 per cent oyer the.' preceding period. The forecast for busi- ness and growth this year is the best possible, say those financially interest ed in the county New people are com ing into the valley to engage in busi- ness and to settle on the land and the conservative estimate is that 1917 will be the big year there.
 Irrigation System Perfect The irrigation system of the Gila river valley is considered by the peo- pie and by engineers to be among the most practical ever installed. There are about 35,000 acres under the ditch. This acreage is watered from ten canals and the necessary laterals The water is taken from the Gila river and permitted to flow by gravity to the land irrigated Each of the canals is controlled by the farmers whose land is watered by it The only expense is what is con- sidered overhead" or that which is required to maintain the canal The farmers pay this, according to the quantity of water used, or according to the number of acres they have re- spectively. No revenue is derived from the canal system.
 Each canal has a board of directors which is elected annually Then when the election is complete commissioner is appointed by the courts. The duty Of the commossiOner is to look after the measurement of waer and to the allotment of such to the users in the several canal systems
 The Gila valley is ideally situated, both as place to live and a place to farm. The altitude at Stafford is 5000 feet. The winters are moderate and the summers cool. The country lies at the 1Ee- ,xfN r.
 height of 10000 feet The thermometer in summer registers from ten to twelve degrees below that of the Salt river valley.
 Over 5000 Population
 Considerable over 5000 persons live in the Gila river valley. There are 1000 at Saford. 800 at Pima, 1000 at Thatcher and the smaller towns and surrounding country comprise the re- mainder of the population. These towns are Solomnville, Central, Ft. Thomas and Geronimo, the latter at the San Carlos Indian reservation, on the edge of the valley
 Practically everything grows in the Gilla river valley and Graham county has promising mining area Alfalfa %eN-SAAA5 oiAh uelil HIS dlC dInOilS l0t chief industries. Cotton also is an inn portant factor in the countys wealth The mining camps of the contiguous country draw heavily, and in some in- stances exclusively upon the Gila river country for supplies The. cattle in- dustry is one of the big profit items If the valley and this industry is rapid ly growing.
 99 Per Cent Pure
 The boast of the people of Stafford IS their pure water supply. The water they drink comes from the snow line in the mountains. This water by chem 1cal analysis is 99 per cent pure. To those who have come from localities where hard water is drunk, especially water from artesian wells, the water 1ound in every home in Stafford, fresh from the snows of the mountains. is considered rare luxury. It is said that so pleased were many of the visit ors that they carried this snow water away with them in bottles and other vessels for use at home.
 Of the recent real estate improve ments Tn the valley are the court house at Stafford and the public school at 4ildtSiiti. IHt court house cost $50 O00 It is situated at the head of Main street, within an attractive park. It is prettily done by the hand of an archi tect in pressed brick with all modern appliances. It is two stories in height and has a basement. The county seat Was moved back from Solomnville two years ago and the new county building was completed and occupied last fall. The board of supervisors comprises. Frank Webster, chairman; J. R. Walk CT and James Quinn. A. J. McAllister is judge of the Superior court of Graham county.
 Stafford has the councilmanic form of government. George Jacobson is the mayor and five councilmen complete the government, as follows, L. J. Breshears, John Webber, J. R. Walker A. E. Jacobson and o. B. Lancaster U. l. Paxton is the police judge at Stafford.
 Stafford has just completed a new city hall. It is built in the bungalow