The weekly Arizona miner., 1868-10-24
Trip to the Country.

Sunday evening last we jumped into Lew Alters wagon and rode out tO Willow Greek Valley. On the way we passed through Mil lcr's Valley, which, by the way, is one of the most beautiful spots in the mountains. The day was fine; the sun shone down in all it's splendor, and we could not help contrasting the present appearance of the country with that of four years ago. vixen nothing but grass and trees were to be seen. Nliller's Valley, with its large fields of ripened corn, neat cot tages and charming groves, is sight worth seeing, and we enjoyed it. On arriving at the head of Willow Creek Valley, we were taken all aback at beholding the great chan res wrought by those enterprisng farmers, David osborn, John simmons. Adam Scott, Lew Alters, and others, since last we saw this end of the valley, which was in the spring of '64. Land that was then thought useless, has this year produced heavy crops of corn, vegetables, etc, thus exploding our early mo- tions of the country During the afternoon, we visited the homes of the ranchmen, and found them comfortably housed, and, to all appearance, in the enjoyment of prosperity. Next morning, bright and early, we started down the valley, and soon arrived at the ranch of A. C. Williamson, where we found everything in apple pie order, as usual. Mr. W. has a large crop of corn, this year, some 30 acres. and most of it is first rate Him. self and nephew planted and attended to this large crop, besides some eight or ten acres of garden, containing potatoes and other yege- tables. He is having a very large con-crib built out of the very best lumber that could be procured here. During the forenoon we called upon Mir and Mrs. Stevens, and Mir. Johnson and were kindly treated by them. Mir Stevens showed us some of the finest and largest cahbages and onions we have ever seen. Mcssrs. Williamson and Johnson showed Us some healthy looking specimens of their potato crop. Every farmer in the valley has from two to five men employed, at from S6j to S75 per month in gold. After parJaking of an excellent dinner at friend Williamson's we bade him adios and struck over the hills to whipple Valley, on Ganite creek, arriving at the ranch of R. E. Harrington, the pioneer ranchman of the valley, and, we believe, ot this section. We found Nr. and Mrs [. al home, and after looking at the improvement. made by his better half, started out to view hi, fields of corn, potatoes, etc. Rufus claims tC have the best corn and potatoes in the valley and from what we saw of them, his claim ap pears to be proper one. As soon as his DO tatoes are dug he will give us facts and fig ures which will astonish those who thinl Arizona is good for nothing. Taking leav, of Mir. Harrington, we proceeded up the creel bottom, through forest of corn," passin: on the way, the houses and ranches of Mr Alexander and C. E. Blake. We put up Scott and Yincents, and in the evening, calle' upon Mir and Mrs Alexander and Mr Blake Mir. Alexander has one of the best ranches il the valley, and decidedly fine crop of corn lie has lately built two additions to his house and has now plenty of house-room for hi large family. Mir Blake is an old, or rathc young, bachelor, who deyotes his leisur hours te his books. great many men ar employed by the ranchmen, among whom " noticed some of those who recently escape with their lives from death at the hands the Eastern Apaches. The country surround ing these two valleys has been so often d scribed, and it's beauties so well known, W will content ourself by saying that it is d lghtful