20023, 20024. The Arizona Miner, Prescott, Arizona Territory, July 1st, 1871. Wealth, Prosperity, Beauty, Etc. (article)

The Arizona Miner Prescott, Arizona Territory July 1st, 1871 Wealth, Prosperity, Beauty, Etc. Recently seen by us upon three different journeys through the section adjoining this goodly town of Prescott. Our first trip to Camps Date Creek and Hualpai was made with Col. James Nelson, of the Pay Department, U.S. Army, a gentleman who has travelled often and extensively through the Territory, and who admires it for its wealth, its beauty, its splendid scenery, and the traditions that hover over its ruined cities, towns, and villages- which were razed long before the foot of a white man was placed upon this vast continent. Leaving Prescott one forenoon, our route led through Miller’s valley, and the dark, pine forest which encloses it on every side, and adds unspeakable charms to its naturally impressive beauty. In this valley— recently the home of red marauders, Messrs. Miller, Simmons, Saunders, Buckman and others, have neat comfortable houses, good farms and fences, and almost every luxury of life. The brush wickie-up of the savage has almost disappeared, and the place well know its former dusky residents no more. Their last attempt to drive the whites from the valley proved an utter failure. It was made several years ago, when a large party of them tried to drive Mr. Miller (father of S.C. and J. Miller), from his house. But he, with one other man, fought them successfully for several hours, at last, forcing them to retreat. From Miller’s valley, the road passes through pine and oak, until, Burnt Ranch is reached, where another finely cultivated valley is passed through. A look at the house brought back recollections of the desperate attack once made upon it by Indians, who succeeded in firing it. The valley contains several acres of good land, and is pretty well watered by small streams from the mountains. Round valley is soon reached, and we stop at American Ranch, the property of 3.H. Lee, who is now in the States, enjoying the money he has made here. The ranch is being farmed by Messrs. Reese & Wickler, and the growing crops looked well. The valley is very prettily situated at the base of Granite Mountain. Further west, in Mint valley, the home of an industrious pioneer— Abraham McKee, who has had several tussles with Indians, but whose hair is still on his head. We soon leave the piney woods, and enter beautiful groves of oak, cedar, juniper and mulberry, and arrive at Tonto Springs, where we found some men who had just started a settlement. The next pleasing sight was the head of Skull valley, with its deep, green coating of grass, corn, potatoes, etc. Passing several fine ranches and houses, we soon arrived at the house of E.F. Bowers, where we met several men, all bound for Bradshaw. It is scarcely needless for us to state that Mr. & Mrs. Bowers Wealth, Prosperity, Beauty, Etc.- Continued. have one of the most beautiful, comfortable houses in Central Arizona, and they highly deserve it, for both are industrious, frugal, and accommodating. They keep the best house between Los Angeles and Prescott, and the travelling public know it. Morning came, and a short drive took us into Kirkland valley, through which courses a beautiful stream of water, which is of great benefit to the ranchmen. P. McAteer’s place looked pretty beyond description, with its rows of cottonwood trees, fields of wheat, corn, etc. We slaked our thirst arid drove on, past C.W. Beach’s place, and on reaching the hills, got a good view of the lower portion of the valley, with its numerous houses and finely cultivated fields. Both Skull and Kirkland valleys are fenced in by mountain ranges, containing much rich rock and placer mines. We soon lost sight of these, and descended into Bell’s Canyon, where in past years, the red devils, committed numerous horrid crimes. Here they murdered their best friends- Messrs. Bell, Sage and Indian Superint endent Leihy, with several others, and, here, too, they attacked many a train. On we pass, through this slaughter- pen, and feel relieved when we get out of it, into the footh ills. The place where poor Johnson fell, pierced by arrows and bullets, is soon passed and Camp Date Creek is seen in the distance. The hills are no longer timbered; we are on the brink of the desert, and the grass is dry and parched. Date Creek is soon reached, and what a pretty, clean, comfortable post it is! Clean parade ground; fine stables; a cemetery wherein lie buried many soldiers; whose graves are marked by neatly painted and lettered boards; the whole enclosed by a fence, for all of which substantial improvements, Col. R.F. O’Beirne, the gentlemanly commanding officer, is entitled to praise. The Kimball Bro’s. have a good store, well filled with goods at this place. Officers and men were soon paid off. Some of the men received between two and three thousand dollars back pay and allowances. When we were there, there were two small companies at the post. Captain Meinhold’s, of the 3rd Cavalry, and Col. O’Beirne’s, of the 21st Infantry. The other officers were Lieutenants Ebstein and Haughey, and Dr. Gwyther, Post Surgeon. Lt. Lawson was absent at Drum Barracks, inspecting horses, of which Capt. Meinhold’s Company stood in great need, it having but sixteen horses capable of carrying a man. Here at this isolated post, we met three excellent American ladies, Mrs. Lawson, Mrs. Ebstein and Miss Smith. It took us 10 hours driving time to get from Prescott to Date Creek. We stayed one night at the post, and the next morning, started back to Skull valley, where we left the Prescott road, and took that to Williamson valley and Hualpai, and a good road we found it, through rolling hills and valleys, covered with nutritious grasses, and now and then patches of juniper trees.