Misc. Records
Where to Emigrate and Why - Frederick B. Goddard, Peoples Publ. Co., 1869
ARIZONA.
ABOUT two hundred years ago a Jesuit missionary from Sonora, in Mexico, penetrated the wilds of this vast region, and established churches and schools at various points, for the instruction of the Indians. Returning, he spread such reports of its mineral treasures, as produced a rapid emigration thither, and more than a hundred gold and silver mines were soon in successful operation, the labor upon which was mostly performed by Indians, who were soon reduced to slavery by the Spaniards, and most barbarously treated.
It is said that in the Mission of St. Xavier, in Tucson, and at other missions in the Spanish towns along the Gulf of California, records and maps were preserved, showing that at this period, forty or fifty flourishing towns and villages were in existence in the present Territory of Arizona, and that considerable progress had been made in the cultivation of the soil. The ruins of towns, cathedrals, and irrigating canals, are still frequently to be found in the valleys of the Colorado, Gila, and other rivers—relics of the busy industry of those early days.
After many years of endurance the Indians finally revolted, massacred or drove out their oppressors, and the country soon relapsed into a wilderness, roamed over by that most terrible of all the savage tribes upon the face of the earth—the Apache.
Arizona formed a portion of the Territory of New Mexico, until more recently it received a separate Territorial organization. Its present boundaries are, Utah on the north, New Mexico on the east, Mexico on the south, and California and Nevada on the west, the Colorado River separating it from those States.
The surface features of the Territory may be described as consisting of elevated table-lands, broken by rugged mountain ranges, interspersed with sandy wastes and fertile valleys. Some of these valleys are of extraordinary beauty and fertility, producing bountiful crops of wheat and other grains, tobacco, fruits, and vegetables. In the southern portion of the Territory, cotton and sugar may be profitably raised, and on the hills and mountain sides are some of the finest grazing lands in the world, covered with a rich and abundant pasturage.
It may be safely stated that wherever land can be well irrigated in Arizona, it will produce double the crops per acre of land in the Atlantic States. It is estimated that at least five million acres may be thus brought under agricultural subjection. In addition, there are fifty-five million acres of grazing land in the Territory. Even the celebrated Colorado Desert, bordering for 150 miles the river of the same name, has a rich soil, composed of alluvial earths, marl and shells, needing only moisture to awaken its fertility; and it may easily be irrigated, as it lays below the bed of the river. It is claimed that the system of irrigation which once transformed the barren valley of the Nile into the granary of the East, supporting a population of twenty millions, besides exporting corn to all the surrounding nations, applied to the Colorado will fertilize a wider expanse of country than that reached by the waters of the Nile, with a finer climate and an equally productive soil.
There is much land in Arizona which does not require irrigation, especially that portion occupied by the Pimas Indians, who were first schooled in agriculture by the Jesuit Fathers, and who have ever since continued to gather two crops per annum.
TIMBER.—Though not so abundant as in many other portions of the United States, there is sufficient timber for home necessities. The river bottoms and valleys furnish mesquite, cottonwood, walnut, oak, elm, ash, &c. The mountains which give rise to the Rio Verde, the Gila, the Colorado Chiquita, and other rivers, are covered with thick forests of pine and cedar. The Black Forest, upon the head-waters of William's Fork of the Colorado, is said to equal in extent and density the celebrated Schwartzwald, or Black Forest of Baden.
CLIMATE.―The rainy season lasts from June to December, and snow seldom falls. Excepting upon the Lower Gila and Colorado, the climate of the entire Territory is represented as delightful. The days are not excessively warm, and the nights are refreshingly cool. Fruit-trees are in full blossom in February and March, and a great variety of temperate and semi-tropical fruits are raised in abundance.
RIVERS.—The valley of the Colorado, "the Mississippi of the Pacific," was one of the earliest seats of Spanish settlement and civilization. The Indians along its whole length are now said to be friendly and peaceable. Many of them are farmers, who, by taking advantage of the annual overflow of the river, are enabled to raise crops sufficient for their subsistence with their rude husbandry and with little labor. The river has been navigated as high up as Callville by light-draught steamers, and by some is believed to be navigable for several hundred miles above; while others, professing to have examined the river's course, pronounce the Big Cañon impassable. The average width of the river as far up as Hardyville, is about half a mile, with a channel from one-eighth to one-third of a mile wide. The depth of water is from four and a half to eight feet.
MINERAL RESOURCES.:―J. Ross BROWNE says:―
The present report indicates the discovery and location of lodes in all parts of the Territory rather than their development. The reader may wonder why lodes offering such rich surface indications, and so generally promising, have not been extensively worked. In explanation, the comparative inaccessibility of the Territory, being off the grand overland lines of travel, and without seaports, must be first offered. Next the fiendish Apache, the most difficult Indian upon the continent to overcome, and next the limited extent of the placer diggings, or the lack of water for their working. It will be remembered that it was the placers that brought the large population to California, Idaho, and Montana. Had those countries been without such inducements, their growth would probably have been as slow as that of Arizona.
After some years residence here the writer is more than ever confirmed in the belief that while there is much to contend with in Arizona, there is much to contend for, and that despite all the drawbacks and discouragements the Territory will yet command a large and prosperous population, and abundantly repay the Government for the outlay required to rescue it from the savage.
Besides the minerals already referred to, there are indications of the existence of many others in different parts of the Territory. Iron in carbonates and oxides is abundant. Traces of nickel have been found near the Big Bug Creek. Platinum (metallic) is shown in the placers of the Black Cañon or Bradshaw district, on the Agua Frio. Traces of tin exist at several points. The geologist of Lieutenant Parks's United States exploring expedition reports the discovery of large beds of gypsum upon the San Pedro. A lode of cinnabar was located several years since 10 miles southeast of La Paz, and named the Eugenia; copper, silver, and quicksilver are found together in a rare combination, but the lode is not large. Rich cinnabar float has been found upon the Mohave and Prescott road, about 50 miles from the Colorado. Lime of a superior quality exists in large quantities near Prescott and Tucson, and is found at other points. It is now extensively used in building. Lime coral exists in the Adelphi mine, Mineral Hill, Williams's Fork. It is found in immediate connection with the richest carbonates and oxides of copper. The Salt mountains near Callville, and a few miles east of the Colorado, are among the most remarkable formations in Arizona. The deposits of pure, transparent, and beautifully crystallized salt are very extensive, and no salt is superior for table or general use. In the vicinity traces of coal have been discovered, and parties engaged in exploration are quite confident that large quantities will be found. There is a report of the discovery of coal upon the San Pedro. * * *
Thus far it may be truthfully asserted that there have been more failures in superintending than in the mines in Arizona; indeed, it is a common remark that no lode properly opened and economically and systematically worked, has failed to pay. This is true in the main.
Governor MCCORMICK says of Arizona:—
The locality of this broad area presupposes great metallic wealth. The mountain ranges are the prolongation of those which southward in Sonora, Chihuahua and Durango, have yielded silver by millions for centuries past, and which northward in Nevada are now amazing the world by their massive returns of the precious ores. The general direction of the mountains and the veins is northwest and southeast, and there are numerous parallel ranges which form long valleys in the same direction. These and the broad and level bottoms of the rivers, which may be easily and cheaply irrigated by acequias or artesian wells, under which treatment the soils return an immense yield, and are independent of the seasons, produce, so far as tested, every variety of grain, grass, vegetables, fruits and flowers. While it has some barren and desolate country, no mineral region belonging to the United States, not excepting California, has, in proportion to its extent, more arable, pasture and timber lands.
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The climate, considered either in its relations to health and longevity, or to agricultural and mining labor, is unrivaled in the world. Disease is unknown, and the warmest suns of the Gila and. Colorado River bottoms are less oppressive and enervating than those of the Middle States. The proportion of fine weather is greater than in any other part of the world I have visited or read of.
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Prescott, the capital, is in the heart of a mining district, second, in my judgment, to none upon the Pacific coast. The surface ores of thirty mines of gold, silver and copper, which I had assayed in San Francisco, were pronounced equal to any surface ores ever tested by the metallurgists, who are among the most skillful and experienced in the city, and, so far as ore has been had from a depth, it fully sustains its reputation. The veins are large and boldly defined, and the ores are of varied classes, usually such as to be readily and inexpensively worked, while the facilities for working them are of a superior order. At the ledges is an abundant supply of wood and water; near at hand are grazing and farming lands, and roads may be opened in every direction without great cost.
Some of the most promising districts in the Territory have not yet been prospected at all, and others only in a most superficial manner. It is the opinion of many that the richest mines are yet unfound, and lie eastward from Tucson and Prescott; but if one in ten of those already known yields such a return, upon the introduction of proper machinery, as is promised by the indications and tests had to this time, Arizona will far excel all other Territories of the Union in its metallic revenue.
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INDIANS, &c.—The Indians of Yuma and Mojave counties are all peaceable and well-disposed to the whites. The Papagoes of Pima County, and the Pimas, Maricopas, Yavapais, Hualapais, and Moquis, of Yavapai County, are equally friendly. Those not already upon reservations will be so placed at an early day, and become a producing people. A reservation for the Colorado tribes was designated by the last Congress. It is upon the river between La Paz and Williams's Fork, and an exceedingly fertile tract.
The Apaches alone refuse reconciliation to the whites. Their depredations have been the serious drawback to the settlement and development of the Territory. Far more than any lack of agricultural lands, of water, or of timber, has their hostile presence delayed the incoming of a large white population. By frequent and vigorous onslaughts from military and civil expeditions, their warriors have, it is believed, been reduced to less than a thousand. These have their retreats in the rugged mountains eastward of the Verde and the Salinas, and on the Upper Gila. Their subjugation or extermination, while a matter of some difficulty, owing to their agile movements and entire familiarity with the country, can not be a remote consummation if the present military force in the Territory is allowed to remain undisturbed in its campaign.
The Territorial Government is now fully organized in all its departments. Law and order everywhere prevail. The courts are in operation. Schools have been established in the leading settlements and the printing press is doing its part to build up society and promote substantial prosperity. A code of laws unusually thorough and complete was adopted by the Legislature. The chapter regulating the location, ownership, and development of mining lanes, is pronounced the best ever devised upon the subject, and is urged for adoption in some of the older Territories. It is a guaranty to those who acquire mining interests that their rights will be carefully guarded, and it will be likely to save much of the annoying and expensive litigation hitherto common in mining countries.
In conclusion, I recommend Arizona to our discharged volunteers, and to all unemployed persons who seek a wholesome climate, and a new and broad field for energetic industry. To all who are ready to labor, and to wait even a little time for large success, it is full of promise. The day can not be distant when it will occupy a first rank among the wealthy and populous States. Its mountains and valleys teeming with cities and towns, musical with implements of mining and agriculture, its great river burdened with traffic, and its people thrifty and happy, the wonder will be that it was ever neglected by the Government, and by capitalists, as an insignificant and unpromising possession.
CORRESPONDENCE.
POST-OFFICE, PRESCOTT, A. T., September 5, 1868.
F. B. GODDARD, Esq., New York:―
SIR: In reply to your favor of July 14, just received, I have briefly to remark:—
The Territory of Arizona is not yet surveyed, nor can it be until the Indian difficulties are settled; consequently no lands are yet for sale. Pre-emptions to a large extent are being made by emigrants from all points— principally Germans. The lands are rich beyond precedent, and easily tilled. Larger portions of the tillable lands in different localities, especially near the rivers Colorado, Gila, and Salinas, yield two crops a year.
LABOR.—Farm hands, $50 to $75 per month, and board. Germans the best workers, and always in demand.
CLIMATE.—Country mountainous. Portions of the river bottoms unhealthy—chills and fever common. Prescott a very salubrious and delightful place—surrounded by hills and. valleys—much of the latter cultivated to great profit. Small grain 8½ to 15 cents. Timber and water in abundance.
Mineral resources unlimited. Thousands of gold mines only wait development, to pay well. Half the population of Yavapai County are practical miners, and but for the Indian risks, large profits would be realized. The expense of guarding against the red murderers is very great.
The principal crop is corn, but all the small grains, including wheat, barley, oats, rye, and buckwheat, do well almost invariably. Potatoes in abundance this year, but regarded as uncertain in many locations. Price of potatoes 20 to 30 cents.
The country is new, and roads in wet season very bad. Most of the transportation is by pack animals. Wagon roads are scarce, and will be until the survey is made—when the counties will locate roads and build bridges.
SCHOOLS are hardly known in the Territory. Excepting in Prescott and Tucson, none have been kept. Not a church, and but one preacher (Chaplain BLAKE, U. S. A.) in the country. No Church and State.
The people are generally industrious, hardy frontier-men, always ready for an Indian fight. There are many Germans, Irish, English, French and Mexicans—altogether probably outnumbering Americans.
The Territory of Arizona embraces an extent equal to any three of the largest Eastern States, and with the exception of some of the Southern States, has an amount of tillable land equal if not superior to any. Will be the richest portion of the United States at no very distant day.
The building of the railroad, eastern division, 35th parallel, is looked upon as a fixed fact. The road, as located, passes some fifty miles north of Prescott, but General Palmer has recommended a branch to our beautiful and. hopeful town, which will make it a large and splendid city in a few short years.
Respectfully, R. MEACHAM.
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.