Show IN ARIZONA graham though the youngest county in arizona is not the least in enterprise or productiveness it is situated in the southeastern part of the territory embraces one million six hundred thousand acres and contains over ten thousand inhabitants babit Ailts there are sixteen school districts district sin in the county with over twelve hundred pupils enrolled two government posts are located in the county namely port grant and fort thomas on the gila river graham county is well watered by the gila river which cros crosses es its from east to west and its tributaries tributa ries the san francisco eagle blue and nd black river on the summit of mount graham five thousand feet above the gila valley are ponds filled with dace indian troubles and other adverse circumstances cum curn stances have been a great drawback in the past but the people are encouraged by present prosperity and future prospects and invite others to come and enjoy with them the fruits of their courage faith and persistence in the valley of the gila where ninety percent centon of the farming of the county is done there are over fifty thousand acres of land under cultivation all kinds of grain can be raised here and irish potatoes yield well afalla flourishes yielding five crops a year Solo monville is the county seat but is not the most desirable location and it is rumored that a change will be made in the near future quite a number of the residents are mexicans and their low flat roofed houses together with the irregular streets render the town quite unattractive the most conspicuous buildings are the court house and Ca catholic tholie church the latter being an adobe structure in need of re pair while conversing on the facilities cili ties and prospects of solomon ville a gentleman remarked rem anted that it required mormons cormons to build up and beautify a town which depended on agriculture lor for its growth and stability 11 this statement was verified when the settlements of the latter day saints were visited layton and are adjoining settlements settle menta about five miles west of Solomo uville A grist mill is located at layton and quite a number of mercantile establishments are flourishing in safford A new meetinghouse is in course of erection extensive orchards have been set out aud all kinds of small fruits are being cultivated strawberries sire ire now in season and of excellent flavor and quality graham to is a small but thriving settlement on the north side of the river where many good farms are located thatcher Tb atcher is a flourishing town about five miles west of safford and is building up fast and the many brick residences and other structures in course of erection indicate the progressive character and good j judgment of the citizens central about three miles from thatcher another mormon town has the only liberty pole erected inthe in the county the residents of central have finished a good brick meeting house and are evidently in a prosperous condition smithville Sinith ville or bidia as it is now called is situated a few miles west and was one of the first settlements in the valley the town is well located and laid off and has some of the finest residences in the county on leaving the mormon settlements we visited the town of thomas near the fort of the same name the contrast is noticeable at once instead of orchards gardens and good dwell dwellings ilage we see the low adobe buildings again crowded together in true mexican style saloons and gambling houses filled with colored soldiers drunken men and women tend to make night hideous women are to be seen at the ballards bil lards bagatelle and gambling tables vicin with the men in their gambling pursuits and their degrading conversation and loud pro acuity can be heard in the streets during the winter months three schools are conducted and are well attended the small towns of matthews and curtis a few miles down the river are steadily growing and both have excellent schools we visited the hot het springs about three miles from curtis which are noted for their medicinal properties and curative virtues at two feet below the surface the water has a temperature of degrees pahr fab r being only 12 degrees below boiling point in such towns the question of dis franchising the mormons cormons is earnestly discussed what a moc mockery keryl disfranchise the most sober industrious and law abiding citizens because of their unpopularity and their political views but leave the gambler the drunkard and the profligate free to cast their votes and enjoy all the rights and privileges of american citi citizens zenel PHOENIX |