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.1,500,000

1,000,000

Gila river, above Reservation.

Indian Reservation, wheat, 750,000

Total:

maize, 250,000 1,000,000

.4,800,000

"That part of Southern Arizona lying east of a line drawn from Baboquivari Peak to the Gila above Sacaton possesses, in common with New Mexico, great pastoral advantages. It is covered at all times of the year with a magnificent growth of grama grass-one of the most nutritious grasses known to stock raisers; and at no season of the year do cattle need other shelter than that afforded by natural variations in the surface of the ground.

"Timber is scarce. In the Santa Catarina and Santa Rita Mountains pine is abundant, but elsewhere, and then only upon the immediate banks of the streams, cottonwood and mesquit alone are found to supply either timber or fuel. The latter is a remarkably hard and durable leguminous wood, and grows in the lower Gila valley and in the Colorado to a size large enough for cross ties, and not unfrequently attains a diameter of from 18 to 30 inches. It makes the most highly prized pianoforte legs."

During the years 1867 and 1868 a large amount of corn and other grain was raised in the northern part of Arizona, and during those years large quantities were furnished to the United States Government at from eight to ten cents a pound.

CHAPTER VI.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS-PHOENIX AND VICINITY (Continued).

MILL CITY OR EAST PHOENIX-HELLINGS' MILL -THE SWILLING FARM SIXTH TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE-CREATES COUNTY OF MARICOPA OFFICIALS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR SAFFORD FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF MARICOPA COUNTY HELD BY JUDGE TWEED. Mill City, or East Phoenix, became a village of considerable importance, and in 1872 demanded and received postal facilities. Ed. K. Buker, a well known resident of the valley, was appointed the first postmaster. By the middle of 1873, W. B. Hellings & Co., had built up a valuable trade the flour and produce, and during the following year added to their stock quantities of bacon and lard. At this time their steam mill was turning out an average of twelve thousand pounds of good flour every twelve hours from a superior quality of wheat grown in the valley.

In 1873 there was no demand for bran, so the manufacturers of the flour had to purchase hogs to consume all the refuse and unsalable stuff about the mill. The mill and the surrounding buildings were kept in first class repair, and the tract of land belonging to the firm was large, some of it planted to various crops. In 1873 the Swilling farm was added to these holdings. Upon this farm were planted apple and peach trees, and grape vines.

In a letter dated in November of the year 1872, the late Edward Irvine, of Phoenix, wrote the following description of the Swilling farm:

"On Saturday, November 9th, Granville H. Oury, J. B. Hartt and myself started out afoot, on a little excursion. Avoiding the roads we followed up the Dutch Ditch, a branch of the Swilling Canal; crossed the Extension, another branch of the same, and came upon a neat little artificial pond in a clump of willows and cottonwoods, which was covered with tame ducks, the property of J. W. Swilling, whose house, a comfortably large one, 59 x 80 feet stood nearby. Mr. Swilling's ranch is conveniently situated near the head of the main ditch, on which he has a vineyard and an orchard containing apple, peach, plum, pear, cherry, fig, walnut and orange trees, all of which looked thrifty and promising, except the latter, which were injured by the frost. A patch of fine large cane close by, gave indications of the future production of sugar.

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Long rows of cottonwoods, some poplars, and other shade trees were growing rapidly upon Hellings & Co.'s property, while castor bean plants were also abundant. In 1870, the property was covered with nothing but sage brush and greasewood, with not a drop of water in sight, so that the great change brought about in a few years by the owners was gratifying to all those who were interested in the progress of the valley.

The following article which appeared in the "Tucson Citizen" of January 2nd, 1875, shows the enterprise of Hellings Bros. :

"Among the noteworthy establishments of Arizona is that of Wm. B. Hellings & Co., of East Phoenix, in the Salt River Valley. It is well known throughout Arizona that they have a very large and complete steam flouring mill in the heart of the largest area of agricultural land, well supplied with water, in Arizona, and that they have been quite successful in operating it, as well as in making pork, bacon and lard. But during this year they intend enlarging and perfecting their pork and bacon establishment by the introduction of all the best appliances obtainable in the old states. Additional buildings will be erected and machinery installed for handling the hogs and for the making of all the barrels and casks required, right on the ground, and the whole business is to be systematized and perfected in its details as it is in the cities of Chicago, St. Louis and Cincinnati. They killed 250 hogs in 1874, and they proved to be of better quality and weight than in 1873, and better than was expected prior to killing and dressing. The result of their operations in 1874 was, or will be when completed, 400 barrels of mess pork with proportionate quantities of bacon, lard and sausages. They will ship these articles to various markets in the Territory, not supplied by local producers. It is the purpose of the firm to make their articles equally as good as can be purchased in the San Francisco or other markets, and sell them as cheaply as they can be laid down here from any other market. Local dealers will find it to their advantage to patronize them."

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