The weekly Arizona miner., 1871-09-30
ARIZONA.

X correspondent of the New York Tribune gives the following Interesting account of some of the mines of Arizona, and concludes with hint at the future of this Territory, wherein he has observed so much mineral wealth. Only two glaring mistakes appear m ths communication-that Mir Wicken- burg, who still lives, fell a victim to the sav- ages, and that the inhabitants of the Terri tory are obliged to import everything that is eaten-whe the produce of the Territory, teddy, not only supplies the citizens but likewise the army stationed here:
 Not many months ago passed through the southern portion of California to Fort Yuma, and in company with an expedition of explorers and surveyors into the central and more accessible portions of Arizona. The country through portion of this district Is barren and sterile, looking as though 1t had been at some remote period upheaved by vol canic action. Fields of broken basalt and scoria are frequent while the aspect of the mountains on either hand Is gloomy and for bidding, the very crags and projections look iug like the protiles of persons writhing in pain. The landscape becomes more and more dreary, until, after having crossed a range of oak-covered mountains, and apparently left behind the stronghods of civilization, the traveller enters the great Colorado desert an immense expanse of level sand without wood or water, which ever the predatory savage holds in abhorrence. Accompanied by a troop of cavalry, and cumbered with wagons overloaded with baggage and forage, we were fifteen days in reaching Fort Yuma This, an important post, was the center of great activity during the early mining excitement, when Arizona City was founded directly op- posite. There Is every evidence througheut those portions of Arizona watered by the eoiorado river of the richest mineral re- sources. Oniy twelve miles distant from Fort Yuma, at '" "Gila City" Ga place which exists only m name), my muleteer, with a common bresd-pan, took out of the soil in a few min utes dollars worth of dust, which he wash ed in the waters of the Gila, adjacent; and Tn the course of a weeks excursion to Castle Dome, in company with some of the officers, l located claims in silver bearing lead. of which the richness was apparent to the eye-the ledges cropping out for miles along the surface. Here is rare field for capital, all expense for land transportation being avoided The ore may be " shuntedn down from the mines directly into the steam CTS, which take 1t tO the mouth of the Gulf ot California, where sailing vessels may re- celve 1t. Nearly all the energy of the peo- pie has been expended in the vicinity of Prescott, in the northern part of the Terri tory, where is situated the Vulture lead Great difficulty is still experienced from the Indians, Tonto and other Apaches. who live Tn tho more central portions and also those who dwell toward the east. Several year, ago one Wickenburg, poor "prospector'' liv- Ing principally upon game and such odd jobs as Government trains might throw in his way, or by desultory employment at the in- terror posts, accidentally discovered lode of silver and gold of extraordinary richness. which has since become celebrated as the Nulture lead. Wickenburg, poor vagrant, with at that time, not even coat to his back, became suddenly rich and famous he sold out for S75, 5,0O0, and the little town which was laid out at the mine received the name of Wickenburg. But the poor fellow did not live long to enjoy his suddenly gain cd wealth. A marauding party of Indians came upon him unexpectedly in one of his expeditions in search of the "rootn and scalped him to death for a reward for his temerity.
 Much has been said of the availability of the Colorado river for the purposes of navi- gation. During the warmer seasons it has an abundant How of water, sometimes, as in a time oi hoods, overspreading the low banks Tor distance Of miles on either side But m winter and spring the water recedes until the river Tn many places may be forded with out wetting the knees. Then the whole coun- try below the line of La Paz has the appearance of just having recovered from deluge. The Colorado Desert has evidently been, m some remote age, the bed of vast lhlaIh sea, the ancient waternark being vet visible on the sides of the boundary noun talns, with the hieroglyphics left there by the Indians ages ago. A terrible earthouake rett its barriers and discharged it's waters into the Gulf of California, at the same time thoroughly permeating the soil with alkal which lmpregnates the little water that can be obtained, and in some places. even satu- rates the vegetables Surprise has been ex perlenced by the travellers on noticing the brilliant whiteness of the teeth of the Indi ans Of all ages and sexes. This is due to the aIkall which mingles so literally with their food and drink. Indications of silver exist m innumerable places along both banks of the Colorado river, and found the traces of gold wherever journeyed on the line of the expedition. Opposite Fort Yuma is Arizona Clty, at present small collection of mud novels, but destined in the future to be point of great importance. as it is directly in the line Of the Southern Pacific Railroad. I: vas several years ago the center of large floating population, drawn together by gold excitement similar to that prevailing in San piego, but the war drove the ''prospectors'' away and put an end to the mining. Wand erihg enc day among the mesquit groves, several iilies rom this center, 1 stumbled