Arizona citizen., 1872-08-10
To, at and from Crittenden.

After over two years talk of visiting Crittenden and vicinity, we have finally made the trip. By the kindness of MT. Samuel Hughes, we had an easy ride out on Monday afternoon and evening and back on Wednesday. The country is full of water now, and hence the Apaches are everywhere and liable to shoot into a party from any bush, or rock, or gulch. By a days delay in starting, Lieutenants O'Con- nor and Stewart with few troops were ready to go back to their post, and their party added to that of MT. Hughes, made an effective force of about twelve on the out trip, and by the kindness of Lieuten- ants Hall and O'Connor, it was arranged so that wagon and some troops were sent to Camp Lowell on business on the day of our return, thus making the trip each way safe from any ordinary war party. Many men have been killed in the canyon through the mountains beyond Davidson's Springs, and there are hundred places where the most perfect ambushes can be had and complete surprises made. There is ten miles of this canyon which could hardly be improved for the purposes of Apache assassinations, and
 
 danger that may be awaiting them at hun dred places but few yards from the road.
 The road is all the way free of dust anu the ride over it pleasure. After leaving O. Reilley's Station, sixteen miles from Tucson, the country begins to improve especially in abundance of grass and less worthless shrubbery. Indeed, at all points, green grass is abundant and better pastur- age would be useless. On the mesas, hills, mo untains, canyons and valleys, grass abounds, and there ought to be, and but for the Apaches would be, millions of cattle growing and making thousands of people rich and comfortable.
 As far as the eye can see about Critten- den, there is nothing but landscape oe charming beauty. For miles and miles, the country is covered with grass and free of all sage, greasewood, or other worthless shrubs. Beautiful thrifty live oaks give much of it beauty and charm not sur passed except where helped by an expendi- ture of cash and skilled labor. Without exception, we know of no section of coun- try unaided by art with more attrac- tions than that about Crittenden. The Santa Rita Noun tains, covered with pine timber, lie few miles westward of the post; the charming and rich Sonoita Val ley heads up to it from the southwest be- yond the Sonoita, in the direct tion of Santa Cruz and in full view, are the Patagonia Mountains, in which tn ere is abundance of timber, and among others, the noted Mowry Mine; the Huachuca Mountains to the southeast; the Whetstone Range east and northeast; an undulating prairie dotted with live oaks, making it more like a pleasure park than one possessed and in- tested by merciless savages, lies to the north; and altogether Crittenden is the center of one of the most lovely snd val uable parts of our common country. That it should be practically controlled by sav- ages is not right, and thatit is so con trolled, is fully shown in the fact that the officers hobble the cavalry horses and graze them under guard right on the parade ground of the post, for even there the pasturage is excellent.
 We gave the ranches on the Sonoita too little attention to speak of them. On that of Thomas Hughes, we observed thrifty corn, potatoes, cabbage, turnips, peppers, tobacco, cotton, sorghum cane, fruit trees, ct cetera. The small grain crops were good and all have been harvested. The ranches below are reported to be equally good. We want no more proof that the combined grazing, agricultural ard mining resources over that way are ample for an immense population to live in thrift, comfort and contentment. It is neither right nor cred- itable to the country that few hundred savages prevent the proper occupation and use of such region, and surely God never intended they should-ese the old States would still be in their possession.
 The post of Crittenden is commanded by Lieutenant Hall, Fifth Cavalry, and he is full of the right spirit and energy. Lieu tenant O'Connor, Twenty third Infantry, has charge of the Quartermaster and Com missary stores, and manifests the highest regard for the public good. We believe Lieutenant Stewart is the only other com- missioned officer there, and he is ever ready to do his duty on or off scout. Dr. A. B. Lowe is the post Surgeon and has a good reputation. Thomas Hughes, post trader, gave us hearty welcome. Our will is good to extend this to the personnel of our travelling party, but cannot for want of space.
 WEDNESDAY of this week very heavy