The weekly Arizona miner., 1873-04-12
Our Trip to the Verde --- Who
 and What We Saw.

General George Crook, commanding de partment of Arizona, Gen. NJ. P. Small. chief of subsistence, Dr. II. Bendell, superintend. ent of Indian affairs for Arizona, Dr. Will Hams, agent for Verde Indian reservation. Mir. Bromley, of Fort whipple, and ourself, started Tuesday, April first, on business visit to the Rio Verde, and a very profitable trip 1t was for us in so far as gaining new knowledge of that section of our country, its white and red people, is concerned.
 The evening of that day found us at Bow ers' Agua Fria ranch, where we were soon after joined by MT. II. Bowers, who brought word from Fort Whipple that Captain A. II. Nickerson, General Crooks able A. A. A. C. e, was taken quite ill and could not join us that night.
 The best of fare was provided for us by MT. and Mrs. John Rees, d recently spliced couple who were, just then, enjoying their honey
 The country between this place and Whip pie has been so often described in these col. umns that it is needless for us to say more just now, than that it is a very pretty coun- try, made up of timbered hills, high table land and charming valleys, all covered with rich grasses principally white and black gramma.
 Mr. Rees had a fine herd of cattle and other animals. He, D. J. Marr and other farmers had several blows running, preparing their land for corn, &c.
 Early Wednesday morning, we were on our way to the Verde, watching the beautiful scenery, and now and then, scanning piles of rocks that stood by the wayside at points where Indians had killed one or more white men.
 One o'clock found us at Camp Verde, where we met hearty welcome from soldiers and citizens. lt was our first visit since 1870. and many were the changes noted. The military post of those days is abandoned and IS being used by the Indian Department. The present post is on the point of high mesa, about one-half mile below the old post. on the west bank of the river The parade ground is the largest and best kept of any in the Territory; the soldiers are comfortably housed, in frame buildings; some of the officers have their quarters in the Mansard- roofed buildings started in Gen. Stoneman's time. One of these is, as yet, unfinished, so that few of the officers are living in tents. Col. Coppinger, commanding the post, is one of the most gentlemanly officers VIC have ever met-eyery inch soldier and, of course. favorite with all who know him. As suc- cessful post commander, he cannot be over shadowed. He has, with the labor of the troops, constructed ditch for irrigatino purposes, which ditch Is four miles in length and will irrigate great deal of land, from which the garrison will soon be supplied with vegetables. Beside Col. COppinger, the officers of the post are Capt. c. C. c. Carr, lst Cavalry, who has good record of over four years in our Territory First Lieuten- ants l.. Hammond, A. E. Woodson, and A. A. Grant Second Lieutenants Geo. B. McDer. mott, Otto l.. fiein A. A. Surgeons Mathews and Sanderson, all good men, who vied with each other to make our stay as agreeable as possible, as did the excellent wife of Lieu tenant Woodson, who with her husband, is now on her way out of the Territory
 With an engine to raise water from the river bottom to the post, Verde would soon be magnificent place, and, in view of the hot sun that in summer makes things red hot there, we hope that the prayers of the officers for an engine, will be speedily granted.
 There are Dominally three companies at the post; stables for cavalry horses are badly needed, there being at present only brush shelter for all of the animals.
 The hospital building is of wood, and we'll adapted for the purposes for which it is used