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This county is bounded on the north and west by Mohave county; on the east
by New Mexico, and the south by Maricopa county. Nearly the entire county
has an elevation of from 5,000 to 6,000 feet above the level of the sea,
and several mountains rise to the height of 12,000 to 14,000 feet. It
contains large forests of excellent timber, and many valleys superior for
agriculture. Grass is abundant everywhere, and the advantages for stock
raising cannot be excelled. Considerable attention has been paid to
farming, and with the exception of two dry seasons, the yield has been
equal to that of other favored grain growing States. The farmers of this
county have depended entirely upon the rain fall to grow their crops.
Experience seems to prove that irrigation will have to be resorted to in
order to insure a certain yield. The most prominent streams of water in
this county are the Little Colorado, Verde, Salt, Sipicue and White
rivers. They all abound in excellent fish; and turkey, bear and deer, are
plentiful in all the mountains of Arizona.
MINES - Owing to the hostility of the Apache Indians, prospecting
and mining has been much retarded over a large portion of the county, but
sufficient explorations have been made to demonstrate the fact that it
contains extensively rich mines of gold and silver-scarcely a mountain has
been examined that does not show rich deposits of these metals. Placer
gold is found over a large extent of country, and during wet seasons are
worked with great profit. If water can be carried to these mines by means
of artificial ditches (and it is believed it can be from the Verde river),
lucrative employment would be given to hundreds of miners. The discovery
of gold and silver quartz lodes are so numerous that it is out of the
question to give room in this pamphlet to mention but one or two of the
leading ones: The Vulture mine at Wickenburg is principally of gold ore;
the lode is large and well defined, and is being worked now to a depth of
about 300 feet; 200 men are constantly employed, and a forty stamp mill is
regularly operated with paying results. The ore is drawn on wagons, for
reduction, fifteen miles, at a heavy cost. If machinery was erected at the
mine, vast quantities of ore that will not pay for transportation, could
be worked, and the profits on all would be proportionately greater, and
this mine would take front rank as a gold producing mine. The Bradshaw
mines have been but recently discovered, and have already a wide and
valuable reputation. The Tiger lode gives promise of taking an important
position beside the great silver bearing mines of Mexico and the United
States, and there are many other lodes in this district that prospect
well. There has yet been no machinery erected for the reduction of ores,
but many tons have been shipped from the Tiger to San Francisco that has
yielded over $1,000 00 per ton. With safety from Indians and capital to
develop the mines of this county, many millions of gold and silver would
be annually extracted and put in circulation.
TRADE AND FREIGHTS - Goods for this portion of Arizona are partly
purchased in New York, and shipped by R. R., to the terminus of the Kansas
Pacific R. R.; thence by freight teams via Albuquerque to Prescott. The
cost of freighting by this route is about $360 per ton. A portion of the
supplies is purchased in San Francisco and shipped by steamer to San
Pedro, thence via Los Angeles, or via the Colorado river and Eherenburg,
and thence by freight teams to Prescott and other points. The freights by
either of these routes cost about $300 per ton.
Towns - Prescott is located 155 miles east of the Colorado River by the
wagon road, and 403 miles west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is the
county seat of the county, and the headquarters for the Military
Department of Arizona; contains a population of about 1200; is pleasantly
situated in a valley, surrounded by a forest of pines. The buildings are
generally constructed of wood, and have the appearance of taste and
comfort. Its green hills, tall pines and. productive gardens, give it an
appearance of beauty and comfort rarely excelled. The people are energetic
and enterprising, and use every exertion possible to overcome the
obstacles of Indian hostilities, high transportation, and to develop the
resources of the county. They are justly proud of their mountain home, and
generally desire to remain there for life. It contains several large
mercantile houses, two of which are fire-proof, and would do credit to any
old settled town. There are many families here, and a school has been kept
open, mainly by private subscription, during the past three years. Efforts
are now being made that will undoubtedly secure a free public school. The
Good Templars have a flourishing society, and a Methodist Church is in
process of construction. Divine service is held on Sundays, and is
generally well attended.
WICKENBURG - This town is located on Hassayampa creek, about 90
miles south of Prescott; contains a population of about 500, and was named
after Henry Wickenburg, the discoverer of the Vulture mine. It is
centrally located to extensive mining regions, though the larger portions
are yet undeveloped. It contains a number of mercantile houses, and is
destined to grow with the development of the county.
CLIMATE AND HEALTH OF THE COUNTY - The climate of this county taken
altogether, can hardly be excelled. Over the larger portion, the
thermometer rarely shows a higher degree of heat in the summer than 90
deg., while the winter months are bracing and cool, but never severe. The
mercury seldom falls below zero.
With the exception of two or three locations (where swamps cause chills
and fevers), malarious diseases are almost unknown, and bronchial and lung
complaints are always benefited in this climate.
Source: Resources Of Arizona Territory.
Francis & Valentine, Steam Printers And Engravers. 1871.
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