The weekly Arizonian., 1859-06-09
The Gila Exploration.

IOlIOWlHS interesting HarrdJlVe Ol Inc Irlp up Jo the time he left On arriving at the mouth of the San Pedro, a meeting was held-G. H. Oury was elected captain; consulting committee of three appointed, and upon being ready to start, the following persons were found on hand:
 G. H. Oury, Wm. H. Thatcher J. Veramen- der Samuel Hughes, J. G. Capron, J. Snively, M Warner H. w. Burroughs, Frank Easton, J. w. Robberts, R. Draper. A. Lyon, J. Smith, Jas. A. Hastings, E. C. Barker, w. Nichols, Freak Martin, James A. Martin, Fred k Summit, John Drobit, J. H. Wells, Charles S. Hopkins Calvin Tush, Jos. Fry, Charles Coon, R. Kemp A. O.
 Clark, N B! Eldred, A. P. Bake D. H. Stickney -q After stating that while on the San Pedro he forwarded other proceedings of the meeting, and a list of the members of the expedition, (which never came to hand } Mir Wells says
 # joined the company, with five others, all of Tucson, and we left for the San Pedro on the 2Oth of last April, to join the advance party already formed, and camped on hatriver, wait ing for all that night wish to join them, as their number was not supposed large enough for pro- lection when in the home of the dreaded Apa- ches. We were accompanied by Mr. A. C. Clark and three others of the old party who had visi- ted Tucson for the purpose of adding to.ther supplies, and they, by the information they i'm parted, created considerable excitement, and many, for this little place, determined to join and be of the party, and day was set when. tiey would all meet on the San Pedro, near the Gila river They brought in some fine speci- mems of gold that they had found while pros pecting on Mineral creek, small stream that empties into the Gila, about P miles above the mouth of the San Pedro. We took with us from sixty to seventy days provisions, which we sup emf Ernu and found any good prospects the merchants of this place would soon hear of it, and supply us with all we. would need. Our course from here was by the Canon del Orc, and from thence to Leach's Crossing, on the San Pedro. l am satisfied, and many of the party agreed with me- that the above named canon is rich with gold, and all that is needed is a full and thor ough system of prospecting, and l hope yet some may deem it of sufficient importance to give it that attention it needs. It is So near Tucson that it can be easily and cheaply worked
 Very few Indians now visit it. On going out none were there, and on my returnI remained there one night. alone, near the old upper Ind- an treaty ground, and none visited me while there. We all reached the camp of the first party on the San Pedro some l2 miles from its mouth, May Sd, Thursday, we'll tired out We all walked, as our animals were heavily packed on starting. The San Pedro valley from Leach s crossing to the Gila, ,is beautiful country; the soil & very rich, sandy loam, and onlthe banks of the river great quantity of fine timber, an abundance of water in the river, fine fish, and plenty of game; it is undoubtedly one of the finest if not the best in the Purchase, and there | is land enough to support large population. | If our government intend 10 give Jus another ! military post, or remove the one we now have, doubt if better location could be found.-- 1 Many of the most important trails into the | Apache country start from this valley, and in fact it is right in the centre of their farming country and many of them are located on this river, on the Gila near the San Pedro, and the Arivypa; they would befglad to have post near them. We were while in camp visited daily by large numbers of the Pinal tribe, men and wo- men; many would come and remain all night | they were peaceaple, aud glad to see the white man. and hoped we would come and live among them; they had no objection to our going into their country, and seemed we'll aware we were looking for gold, although we did our best to keep that idea from their minds, informing them we were only desirous to see their coun- 1 try; they had now, since the treaty had been made, the liberty of visiting our country, any part of it, and whenever they pleased, and all we asked was the same privilege; and in addition to seeing it, we were desirous to trade with them
 if they desired to- Some of the party have brought with them articles to trade with, and although here we did not succeed in making any purchases, as they had but little stock yet as we advanced into the mountains, those that had manta and beads succeeded better, and
 several good horses and mules were secured
 Nothing of any importance occurred till the 9th
 when we moved our camp some 34 miles nearer
 the Gila, and camped near the river, under the
 shade of some large and beautiful trees plenty
 of grass, and our stock daily improving; many