Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1921-10-02
coch'sE STRONGHOLD.
THE GLORIOUS CITADEL
OF A GREAT CHIEF


neighbor on the east. In purplish,
glorious splendcr glow the steep pre-
cipitous peaks and a thousand glaring
tints and hues radiate from the wild
and rugged rocks aud cliffs of the
Cochise Stronghold.
How often did we, two OF us only.
making the trip over the Stronghold.
stand still. gazing amazingly at this
spectacular play Of colors, watching
the Kaleidoscope changes and the
blue shadows OF the night as the
changings light crept Slowly and high.
er and higher over every precipice
and into every defile and crevasse
until they reached the highest peak
and had eNtinguished the last golden
glimmer OF the ending day To an
onlooker, it is always the same spec
tacle, the same magnitude. and the
same sun-and-sky scene that for ages
has been staged before the human
eye. stereotypical in its grandeur.
but withal. perpetually changing in
harmony of colors and OF shades.
One who wishes to explore this
mountain range. which is so interest
ing in Arizona Indian story. and which
in its sun-glow inspires one with awe,
should not hesitate making a trip to
the Stronghold. even if the ride be
over a pretty rough and weary road
Leaving the Bisbee highway about .
mile south of the Mormon church at
st. David. the road leads in a straight
line east to the entrance OF the Strong
hold. From Benson the region may
be reached by auto in little over two
hours riding. A busy little brook,
its waters as clear as crystal, with
old and sturdy oak trees bordering
its banks and scattered here and
there, and overshadowing modest,
shelter-seeking flowers of many kinds
and colors. invites one to pitch ones
camp here enroute. And the beauty
of the scene, Surely one will never
forget night spent outdoors at Co
chise Stronghold! A myriad of stars,
brighter and closer, seemingly, in the
darkness, hang over one like swing
ing lanterns. IL the moon be in re-
Elective humor, one sees her touching
with silver edges grotesQue silhou-
cites of rocks and cliffs and pin
nacles. Thus encamped no sound is
heard but the magic murmur of the
brooks and rivulets as they run and
sport and play and gurgle along from
stone to stone. forming tiny cascades
here and there. 1t is indeed an even
ing OF camping out worth while to ma
ture lovers.
How different is the picture Of this
stone world when, awakened by the
early morning edging of the rays OF
the sun, one finds ones self amid the
rugged strangeness of this region.
What a difference in the view of one
from Penson. a distance of about %
miles. The little peaks, which at a
distance. one imagines to be standing
on tiptoe. curiously peeping across
the shoulders OF their bigger brothers
are in all reality grown up monolithic
giants. just as mighty and just as i'm
pressive as the bigger brothers.
Thousands of rocks and Doulders Of
every size and form are either disor-
derby scattered about the wide cannon
in which one finds ones self, or are
heaped high into the air, some firm
Iy footed; some sustained and pre-
vented from falling off their pedestals
and pIunging into seemingly bottom.
less chasms by only delicate props:
some crowned with ill-fitting. danger
ously balanced stone caps. or some
scanty underbrush; some goodnatur-
ed and bald-headed. and some grinlly
and sternly pointing with long and
weather-withered fingers toward the
sky. Here and there are piled mon
ster rocks on one another, forming
natural gateway. Entering this gate
way, one climbs over rocks, boulders
and knotty roots a natural stairway,
which, though roundabout way,
leads one to the highes: peak Of the
Stronghold. The exertion of climb
ing to the top Of this wonderful stone
world is amply compensated by the
incompatible panorama thrown into