par the Gulf port it is planned to build north to Yuma. While this t cular project is a few year in the future it will probably be coincident with the irrigation of the far lower valley and the Mexican lands by the Colorada Delta Canal, and will prove an efficient and appreciable factor in the upbuilding of that section. Canals. Of the operating canal systems, the Yuma Valley Union Land and Improvement Company and Colorado Valley Pumping and Irrigating Company are in active operation in their respective fields and are supplying to the full all requirements. The Union Valley Company is a farmers' cooperative organization, and has very recently installed a new and powerful dredge and centrifugal pump that, in its operation, is fully meeting all expectations. Up the valley of the Gila River the several canals there in operation have supplied an increased acreage and abundant crops are harvested. This year the annual rise of the Colorado River has been prolonged to an unusual period and is still maintaining an unusually high stage, indicating an extraordinary depth of snow in and around the headwaters of the river, to the gain of the valley gravity ditches at a later date. Some damage has ensued in the lower valley owing to the insufficiency of the levee at some places, and further protection in the way of levee additions and general strengthening of the existing bank would go far in the gain of valley population. Under present conditions many properties must be abandoned for several weeks of each year, thereby entailing the loss of a crop that protection from the overflow would insure. With the sole exception of the overflowed sections the prosperity of the valley is everywhere apparent in most abundant crops. At Cibola Valley, about 60 miles above Yuma on the Colorado River, a slight increase in population has been noted, although the district is practically unknown outside of the county. Here both the gravity ditch and pumping plant are in active operation, while the community enjoys, through its near-by mining-camp markets, higher prices for its products than is elsewhere obtainable. YAVAPAI COUNTY. [By Mr. J. H. Robinson, clerk of the board of supervisors.] The census of 1900 gave Yavapai County a population of 13,799, but these figures are universally declared to be too low. While nothing official can be given to estimate the population of 1903, it is fair to state, however, that to-day the number of people may be placed at 20,000, in round numbers. This is based on the general activity that prevails in mining, the opening up of new settlements, the question of climatic advantages being better and more generally known, and the strides made to accommodate people with commodious homes, together with which are the utilities and conveniences that go with personal comfort. It may be conservatively stated that in the past decade Yavapai County has at least trebled in population. A striking illustration in connection with the national character of our populationthe permanent as well as the transient-is that the American predominates in the ratio of at least seven to one. Prescott, the county seat, has kept pace with the strides in growth elsewhere, and is an American city in its entirety, the total foreign population being not more. than 500 out of a total of at least 5,000. Agriculture. Within the boundaries of the county are located the valleys of the Verde, Skull, Kirkland, Chino, and others. In addition to these are the bottom lands that lie at the foot of mountain ranges and along the many water courses. All of these divisions produce abundantly in grain, fruit, and vegetables, and in fertility can not be surpassed. The most prosperous and productive area in the county is that of the Verde, covering a distance in length of 29 miles by a width of 4 miles. This particular locality is well watered and production is heavy. Through its agricultural resources it sustains a population of at least 1,500 people. With water-storage reservoirs located at desirable points there is no reason why agriculture can not be made as prominent an industry here as mining. Water storage. There is no disposition in this community to publicly discuss the subject of water storage. With water storage even on a limited scale mining pursuits could be made profitable, and that, too, independent of agriculture. The only water-storage project, or the use of the same in any magnitude in this section is that of the Fossil Creek Company. This enterprise has for its object the harnessing of that stream for electrical power purposes. By the building of two dams the water will be utilized to serve two electrical plants, one located above the other, and each having the same capacity in power. Estimates show that the power generated by each station will aggregate over 9.000 horsepower, and contracts for more than this have been subscribed for by mining companies. The line will be about 45 miles in length from the plant to the terminus, and owing to the grade and confinement of the stream the water is useless for any other purpose than that of power. The completion of this plant and the operation of the same on the principles advanced is awaited with interest. Its success means the regeneration of mining in this section so far as it applies to the propelling of machinery and lighting. Settlement of lands.-There seems to exist an apathetic feeling in regard to the settlement and cultivation of lands of this section by the agricultural element that is probably due to the uncertainty or the irregularity of the rainy seasons. Another fact that prevails is the barrier that the Government has placed before the settler in confining great areas under the provisions of the forest reserve, and in addition to that the land in many localities has been denuded of its growth of timber. Railroad building.-Taking Prescott as the initial point, and as the center of operations in railroad building, the past five years have seen many miles of road constructed. The work now going on in this line is to reach the Bradshaw mining country, and before the present year ends that region will also have the advantage and the assistance of modern transportation facilities. It may consistently be said that as a direct result of the building of railroads in Yavapai County in the past ten years, more practical mining development is shown and a healthier commercial rating is before the community than at any time in the history of the county. In past years, or to be more explicit. before the advent of the railroad, the city (or the camp) was in a state of uncertainty financially as well as industrially. As an illustration of the changes in less than five years, one stagecoach a day to Mayer was all that was necessary to accommodate traveling or commercial demands. To-day to that point two trains each carry from 10 to 30 people each way, while in freight traffic each train carries from 3 to 5 cars in a day's journey of twelve hours. This is but an illustration in one specific case, but it applies as well to others. Prescott, recognized as the metropolis of northern Arizona, rebuilt and rehabilitated in the past ten years, threw away the slow and uncertain "bull-team" methods for modern rail communication, and the results shown are remarkable. Not alone has a strong and thrifty city been created, but there has likewise followed to all points on the outside the same activity and advancement shown in the city. In line with the principles of the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Company in building new railroads, there is given publicity that the temporary line of survey run from Wickemburg to the Colorado River will in all probability be made permanent, and the construction of the road will be under way before the present year ends. When built, this line will bring into prominence one of the greatest mineral and agricultural divisions of western Arizona, but which, under conditions prevailing at present in transportation, is uninviting and disregarded. The Cullen Valley, that lies on the line of this proposed railroad, is fertile in growth, and in addition can furnish water for irrigation by development or by storage to sustain a large population. In mining also it is the scene of considerable activity, which the building of this road will further encourage and immeasurably assist. It is also given publicity from the above sources that after the completion of the railroad to the Bradshaws, and if development work in the adjacent districts progresses, as it gives every indication it will, consideration to transportation demands from the Black Rock district will be entertained, and a line run from Hot Springs Junction to that section. Stock raising. An erroneous impression has prevailed heretofore that the range and its interests were played out. This alarm was created by the wholesome cleaning up of cattle for market and the reports of annual droughts. While it is true that the boundless area of the Yavapai range has to a great degree been scoured of its thousands of available beeves and its grasses eaten out by overcrowding in past years, the effect has been beneficial for the industry. The opening of the range is now guaranteed and the decimating influences of the past are eliminated. In other words, instead of being eaten out it is in reality in a thrifty condition, and if permitted to remain so for a few years more, unoccupied and disabused, stock raising will again become the factor it formerly was. Onyx and other stone. Within the boundaries of the county there are innumerable deposits of stone-the richly-hued onyx, the durable granite, gray and red sandstone, tufa, pipe, and other products of the like. The onyx beds are located at Mayer, and cover a solid deposit of over 250 acres. The same are being worked by the Denver Onyx and Marble Company, the product being shipped east. Many public buildings of several States of the Union show in their beauty and stability this reflection of an Arizona industry, while the Arizona capitol building at Phoenix more especially shows in its architectural beauty and solidity the character of material that Arizona can furnish for any service needed. 6406-03-16 Cities and towns.-Prescott is the county seat of Yavapai County and the metropolis of northern and central Arizona. It is situated in a basin of the Sierra Prietta range of mountains, at an elevation of 5,432 feet above sea level, and is becoming well and favorably known to the afflicted in chronic ailments, and especially so those with lung troubles. The summers here are ideal, and annually hundreds of transients come to camp out in the open and avail themselves of the pure and dry air. The population of the city may conservatively be placed at 5,000. In addition to this it has a healthy locality; it also enjoys and commands the distinction of being the thriftiest and most progressive city in Arizona. Its commercial houses are architecturally beauties, solid, and modern, while in comfort and design the residences are pronounced by the visitor as an agreeable surprise to what was generally anticipated as prevailing on the border land of the Union. In a commercial sense Prescott is the gateway to a vast domain of country, and from it and to it all roads go and come, whether it be the railroad, wagon road, or the burro trail. Every line of business is represented, and the modern idea prevails in the selection of goods and wares to the exaction demanded from those who come from the metropolis of any State. The public school interests are as sacredly guarded here as in old New England, and that this spirit prevails it may incidentally be mentioned that a little brick building that cost over $60,000 to build is being utilized for that purpose. The Sisters of St. Joseph also maintain a seminary, and they, too, find favor with generous patronage. While the latter school has a secular regard in its principles, the religious views of its patrons are, however, diligently respected, and the principles of education are permitted to prevail as wished for. Fraternal organizations of every order are maintained, while religion of all orthodox beliefs here have their edifices to worship in. There are two telephone systems, electric-lighting service, three daily newspapers, volunteer firemen, and other municipal utilities. The water system of the city is under municipal ownership, and is one of the prominent features of its life, being pumped from a distance of 20 miles, from living springs that furnish a wholesome and abundant supply for a population much greater than at present. Under construction to-day in Prescott is an electric street-car line to traverse all principal thoroughfares, and having as its destination the town of Walker, 12 miles away, in a mining region. The building of this line will still further enhance the valuation of mining in that locality; as well will it stimulate commercial interests in this city. Fort Whipple, a United States military post, is located but 1 mile from the city, and has a battalion of troops on station. It is being rebuilt and has the reputation of being the healthiest military garrison in the Union. The town of Jerome is located about 30 miles from Prescott and has a population estimated at about 3,500. The United Verde mine is here located, and affords employment to 1,500 men. Jerome is substantially built, and in addition to a heavy financial support from local channels, also derives from near-by districts a steady commercial business. It has also the advantage of municipal luxuries, schools, churches, telephone and electric systems, and a network of surrounding mineral claims that give its future a prominent rating. It is reached by a narrow-gauge railroad from the Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix. Congress is a mining town and located at the mine of that name. It has a population of about 500, independent of the miners employed. Surrounding this town are many mining projects under development. The town of Mayer is located on the P. and E. Railroad, and is a supply point for a very active mining region, in addition to which it is the center of several undertakings incidental to mining, and is rated as being a town in the near future of considerable importance. Other settlements, camps, and the like are Congress Junction, Octave, Ash Fork, Crowned King, Huron, McCabe, Walker, Poland, Val Verde, all of which are thrifty and growing steadily. Financial statement of Yavapai County, Ariz., for the year ending December 31, 1902. BONDED INDEBTEDNESS. Yavapai County redemption bonds, 7 per cent, issued January 5, 1888, Territorial funding bonds, 5 per cent, issued January 15, 1892, due January 15, 1942 (50 years) Territorial funding bonds, 5 per cent, issued January 15, 1896, due January 15, 1946 (50 years) Total bonded debt... FLOATING INDEBTEDNESS. $113,000.00 52, 163. 78 240,000.00 18,000.00 423, 163.78 Road fund warrants and interest (estimated), 1894, 1895, and 1896 Amount due Territory (fourth quarter apportionment, 1902). $42, 034. 76 7,910.00 70, 947. 19 33, 259. 18 Floating warrants (expense fund, 1898) Floating warrants (expense fund, 1899) Floating warrants (expense fund, 1900). Floating warrants (expense fund, 1901). Total floating expense fund warrants Floating warrants (road fund, 1902) Total floating debt December 31, 1902 CASH IN TREASURY. $27.00 2.50 32.80 14.50 9,577.99 9, 654.79 2, 805. 26 473.63 167, 084.81 Cash in road warrant redemption fund (1894, 1895, and 1896). Cash in refunding fund (Territorial interest) Cash in refunding fund (Territorial interest) Cash in Yavapai County redemption fund (bonds) Cash in Yavapai County redemption fund (interest) Cash in Territorial fund (fourth quarter apportionment) $13, 739.79 4, 162.90 5,063. 10 306.77 19, 147.98 9, 396.35 5, 722. 40 Cash in treasury available for payment of floating debt.. Cash in teachers' institute fund... Cash in county school fund . Cash in school district No. 1 interest account fund Total cash in treasury December 31, 1902.. 33, 259. 18 90, 798. 47 46.08 16, 947.64 3,002.90 15, 833. 43 126,628.52 |