Arizona citizen., 1873-12-13
prieto. nassing over high, rough and roll

Prieto, passing over high, rough and roll ing mountain country with but little wa ter. On the first day after leaving the BO-
 nito, the party encountered and Killed a large she bear and two cubs; and on the second reached the dry bed Of the Prieto. Tn this section of the country, no indica- lions of gold or mineral Of any Kind were found. Leaving the Prieto and travelling southeast until water was found; thence northWesterly the second day camped in 2 cafjon leading to the Gila, where little water was found; and in a SOutherly di- -ectiOn on the third day to the Glia, max ing about thirty miles on that day. The point reached on the Glia was about 4l- going down the mountains, before reach ing the plateau lands, the party met some of the grandeSt scenery on tne trlp. The mountains were covered With the giant or monumental cactus, the most monStrous, and the most beautiful plant ever seen by our informant. It was in instances from twenty-five to fifty feet in height and four feet in diameter One specimen in partlc- ular had the appearance Of hand, with the index finger pointing upward, the thumb and three fingers closed. This was about thirty feet in height and thirty 1nch-
 The party th1Sllowing day crossed the Gila and followed it down about six miles, and came to a point where three families were encamped-M Clanton's and two others. They were from California and intending to settle near by; had complet- ed ditch and were engaged in putting in a cam. Nine miles below this the party divided, MesSrs. Hutchinson, Johnson, shannon, Clay, Polk, Copeland (Who loln- ed at Clanton's), Juan the Mexican boy, the ex-captive and the man whose name is not remem bered, intending to cross the river and travel in a northerly direction. Our informant and Col. Way had by this time become satisfied that the rich placer diggings which they had been seeking, eX- isted only in the imagination of the eX- captive Antonio, and 1t was worse than useless to eXpend more time and suffer more hardships in seeking for this imag- mary Fl Dorado; therefore he, accOmpan- jed by Col. Way, Joseph B. Clifford and D. A. Beard, then proceeded down the Gila tWenty-SiX miles to San Carlos, where the Apache agency of San Carlos is located.
 After few days of rest and kind treat ment at San Carlos, the party moved on to Mount Turnbull which they prospect ed, but found to contain nothing worthy of note. They then went to Camp Grant where they remained several days, and the account is very complimentary to all about that post The Review continues the narrative thus:
 The party then took the trail over Mount Graham for Pueblo Viejo on the Gila, dis tant about forty miles. Six miles south east of Grant in Monnt Graham, the party tOunG gold bearing quartz, Of good quality from one fourth of to one inch Tn thlck- ness: merely feeders. This quartz was rich in gold, and the Doctor thinks that ouartZ in paving quantities WILL undOuDt- edly be found in this locality.
 At Pueblo ViejO the party camped TOT six days. near the ranch of Holmes and Donnelly, about 45 miles above old Camp Goodwin. There are seven ranches Tn this locality, and in the aggregate about 300 acres under cultivation, 200 of which were in corn. which looked well and would yield at least forty bushels to the acre. The beans, melons, potatoes cab hage. pumpkins and vegetables look ed finely. There are large areas Of excellent agricultural lands along the G1la, ana du1- Ing the next year at least fifty more tarmS will be opened. Six miles above VleJo Mir. Patterson and others are taking out a ditch and large number of families rom California and Salt River are expected there to locate. The land along the Glla at some former time has supported a large population, as the remains of the old villages indicate. For a distance Of 200 miles along it's banks, the lines of the old irrigating ditcheS are plainly marked, and these ruins of villages, extend nearly the entire distance. The population must have been immense.
 Leaving Pueblo Viejo, the party up the Gila. passed the mouth of the Rio PrietO, winch at this point is considerable stream, also the mouth of the RIO Bonlto, thence to the mouth of the FreScO, a dls- tance from NiejO of thirty miles. Ihe Glla was crossed twenty-nine times on tnlS march and the FrescO, from it's mouth to Clifton, fifteen miles, thirty-one times.