Starting in June the most popular subject of conversation around these parts is rain—when will it start, who got it, and how much. A review of local newspapers published 100 years ago provides evidence that not much has changed. The full text of the Border Vidette articles quoted below can be found in the Library of Congress database, Chronicling America. Images of the Santa Cruz Patagonian are available on the Patagonia Museum website.
Prior to the monsoon season there is always lots of speculation about when the rains will start. According to local tradition it should start on June 24th, the feast day of St. John the Baptist. In 1917 the rains failed to materialize on that date: “Last Sunday was St. John’s Day; just the same no rain fell in Santa Cruz county.” (The Border Vidette, June 30, 1917) Fortunately, rain began soon after: “As predicted exclusively in The Patagonian last week, the long looked for, devoutly wished and prayed for rain came, and with what a multitude of blessings! Charley Chapman, The Patagonian’s especially engaged weather prophet, predicted it would rain sometime between Wednesday, June 27, and Wednesday July 4th, basing his prognostication on the proper signs of the moon – and it rained as predicted almost every day in some part of the County from June 27th up to and including the glorious 4th.” (The Patagonian, July 6, 1917)
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief once the rains begin since the moisture is crucially important to local agriculture: “The daily rains gladden the hearts of Santa Cruz county livestock raisers, all of whom are wearing ‘that smile that won’t come off’.” (The Border Vidette, August 11, 1917) “From all directions there come reports of abundant rains, with crops growing finely, plenty of grass and water on the range, and cattle growing fat. In another month there will be fine, fat beef coming from the ranges. And none of the alfalfa or corn fed beef has the flavor and tenderness possessed by range beef when it is fat.” (The Border Vidette, August 25, 1917) And when the rains miss an area there is serious concern: “Rain is very badly needed here (Elgin) just now, and unless it comes within a few days there will be very poor crops in the Elgin and Rain Valley country.” (The Patagonian, August 31, 1917)
The sometimes intense storms caused damage: “The heaviest rain of the season visited this section last Sunday, and as a result Nogales is a cleaner and better town to live in. The arroyo received its annual thorough cleaning and everything on the Mexican side of the line, not nailed down, including several wagons, etc., was washed beyond the city limits.” (The Border Vidette, July 14, 1917) “Considerable damage was caused throughout this section (Sonoita) by Wednesdays’ severe storm. Several houses were unroofed and the wall from at least one adobe building was blown in.” (The Patagonian, August 17, 1917). “The Duquesne ore haul has again started coming over the road to Patagonia, after being sent to the little Mexican station on the other side of the line, below the Duquesne camp, for a few weeks. The roads from this place to Duquesne are now just barely passable, owing to the recent heavy rains, which for a few days completely tied up traffic on this important thoroughfare.” (The Border Vidette, September 1, 1917)
Be sure to enjoy the verdant beauty that the rains create, just as our predecessors
did. “Several automobile parties motored from Patagonia to the pretty ranch of Henry Pyeatt at the foothills of the Huachuca mountains, last Sunday and spent the day
fishing, swimming and picnicking. This is one of the most beautiful places in this part
of the state, having plenty of shade, water, and fruit. To get the greatest enjoyment
out of the day be sure to stop the machine at the Canelo pass, just before descending
into the San Rafael Valley. Since the summer rains have started the valley has taken
on an emerald hue…” (The Patagonian, July 20, 1917)