| Show AN ANCIENT FORT IM box canyon on the gila alla rl several miles south of the sou pacific railway in arizona 1 ancient american fort of st ddn construction it has bas been for a time a stronghold of the indians Indian 1 a during the gold excitement in C gal nia it formed one of th ir great mi m bering points As described by 6 R E li robinson in the ban fra fraak oo co chronicle Chr thle this canyon is feet width with walls of ica stone from to feet in heig at its mouth is the fortification tarred boand which occasions so BO much peculation to observers and seare benj 0 the post past it is p pentagonal e nt in form but pyramidal in shape and rises ahtty feet SA in height above the desert it a ra race ca and a civilization distinct from the remains found in the northern part of the territory mr robinson made a special pedal edcur gion lon to the gila river to examine this fort an A he journeyed down the canyon he saw that the faces of the CHHO on OB either side aide were covered with barks and writings of a bygone age they were made evidently with some kind or of paint J at t the t he mouth he came la in full fall view of th a fort it to is built of small boulders and ce the first story Is 22 feet high in the form of an irregular pentagon two of the sides are about fet fed t each while all ail the others measure about I 1 feet each ten feet from the race made by the thereof roof parapet ra 0 of the terrace of ath ehte brisee a another story built in the imme me manner and 18 feet in height above this there is still another terrace from which rises a circular tower 40 feet 1 IB height with a court on top tb the entire building is of solid masonry and even today it would take a formidable piece of artillery to shatter it the outside is in plastered and cov red MW with hieroglyphics inscriptions and ad representations of various animals so caged in combat the remains of via iko ON Mcanal are still visible which connected with the gila a mile dis tant and aad which before it reaches the fort is in divided pawing passing on either side and connecting again making the forma form of a diamond it is 18 supposed teate was waa used as a most moat in the vl vi dwity are indications of what must have be been at one time a populous city ad 4 evidences evi deuces of work and ind industry astry of various kinds for strat strategic egle purposes no better site bould be selected elected today for a fortification of the kind it commands the key to the country south mouth of it and no army could pus pass it without being slaughtered |
