Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-11-24
OLD RIVERS IN ARIZONA.
The Oldest Settled Part OF America
New and Singulac Discoveries.
CAMP VERDE, ARIZONA TERRITORY,
September %, 1853.

I CAMP VERDE, ARIZONA TERRITORY,l
September %. 1859.
On Saturday last, the 18th inst, 9
small party from this post visited Z
place on Beaver Greek, about eight
miles distant.
The well is about one hundred wards
back from the stream upon a high
isolated mesa, is about one hundred
and twenty-five yards in width, and
about one hundred feet down to the
water, which is surrounded by per-
pendieular walls of rock.
The water is very clear, of light
/ green or blush color, and is very
/ strongly impregnated with lime, sui
| phur, sOds, iron, and other minerals.
1t has no visible inlet, but itsOutlet is
by subterranean passage at a point
nearest Beaver Creek, into which it
empties large volume of water.
The whole country between the
"Sierre Prieton and the "MOyallonn
ranges of mountains is a limestone
formation and full of caverns, some of
which are quite extensive, as was
shown by the results of the days ex-
plorations.
All along the bluffs of the Rio Verde
and Beaver creek, wherever these
caves exist, they are found to have
been the dwelling places of q race of
people which has long since passed
away, and about which not even my
thology tells tale; but it is generally
supposed that they are of a very an
cient character, as old and probably
older than the Aztees of Mexico.
1t is certain that the present abort
ginal occupants of the territory are
of different race altogether, and from
their fierce and warlike character it
as supposed that they are the destroy
ers of this industrious agricultural
people, which they seem to have
been, and who certainly were deserv-
ing of better fate.
The object of the expedition was to
explore the caves and ruins by which
the place is surrounded, and ascertain
if possible, the depth of water in the
well. We took with us a rubber bag
which was inflated and launched
DR.. w. H. Smith post surgeOn) and
myself undertook to make the sound
ings, which we did in very Satisfac-
tory manner, but with great deal of
labor and at imminent peril, owing to
thick growth of water plants which
fiOated upon the surface, and extend
ed some twenty feet from shore. and
through which it was next to an i'm
possibility to swim; by great exer-
tions the difficulty was overcome, and
the soundings made, which in the
deepest place was eleven fathoms.
Around the well were massive walls
of masonry, upon which time had
made such fearful havoc that it was
almost impossible to tell anything of
their inner construction; but it is GER
tain that they were intended as much
for defense as for habitation. They
were like the feudal castles of Old
their Notifications and their homes.
All around the well in the high
walls were caves which, too, had only
been occupied, and, from their shelf
cred position, all remain nearly as
perfect to-day as they were when
abandoned, probably hundreds OF
wears ago. The openings are built up /.
with masonry, through which are
left small entrances and lOOphoies Tor
protection. The walls overhead are /
blackened with the smoke OF their
fires, now 50 old that it will not rub {
off. The plastered walls show the
prints of their hands as plainly as if
they were made yesterday. Corn eObs, !
pieces of goards, mescal and seeds are
found in the plaster, which is cOnclu- I
sive proof that they were an agricul- .
tural people-and for a similar reason
it is believed that they were a manu- /
featuring people, as good article Of