Arizona weekly miner., 1875-04-30
SAN BERNARDINO TO PRESCOTT.

The trip was very pleasant one after all, and not in the least what 1 had expected | from the numerous descriptions that had been given to me by as many friends who had ''been there and knew all about it." There were eight of us altogether, who started for this place. We left San Bernar dino by private conveyance, on the l4th, at noon, arriving here on the evening of the 27th, making the trip in just thirteen and one half days. We all started out in most excellent spirits and with the expectation of pleasant trip, which expectation was fully realized, as little or nothing occurred to mar its harmony. Our first drive was made to l Martins, about twelve miles this side of San Bcrnardino, where We laid over for the night. | The next morning we started out bright and early and drove as far as Huntington's sta tion, where we also stopped for the night. After leaving this place we struck the desert, which we never left until We had crossed the Colorado river, and actually placed our feet on Arizona soil. It would not be amis heres to state, that the general impression east and also with many Californians is, that the Des- ert lies in Arizona, and not in California, but it is in California where the lie is and not here. This impression alone has kept many people from coming into this Territory. l myself labored under such impression, and for the sake of truth and the benefit of those intending to emigrate to this Territory, let me say, that the first spot of verdure, or as one on the trip expressed it ''of Gods own country" saw after leaving San Bernardino, was after I had arrived in Arizona. On be- holding it, felt as happy as the discoverer of the celebrated McCrarken mine must have felt when he found he had struck the lead. But to continue our trip, the stations of which were made as follows; Fish Ponds, 1 Cady's Soda Lake, Marl Springs, PIute Hill, Hardyville, Union Pass, Fries Wash, Will lows Hualpai and Prescott. The above sta tions were made our stopping places for the night, while the intermediate ones We man. aged to reach in time for dinner. This fact was accomplished with one or two excep- tions. To Mir Fred. Williams of your town are we all indebted, not only for his able man. agement regarding the trips, but for many valuable bits of information. as we'll as a most pleasant companion. At one of our in termedate points We had pretty lively in the shape of fighting cook, who proclaimed himself 'the prettiest man in the Territory and the best runner". This expression gave rise to story that is too good to be lost It was told by one of our party, as follows: A long time ago, there was fellow up in Ne vada that put himself up for a runner, and be was a slashing good runner. Well, the boys backed him up pretty heavy for a race, besides betting lively on the outside, any how, the cuss chucked the race and the boys lost. That night they got talking about it, and the more they talked, the more excited they got, until at last they resolved to hang him. The runner soon got wind of this and lit out, but the boys were after him. He had not run far when some fellow yelled out 'there's another race" "Yes," replied the fellow without looking back, 'and you bet your life, it aint no chuck this time either.' It is needless to say that he escaped. The road to the Colorado river, presented an en- livening prospect of sand and rattlesnakes. and not much else outside of the stations. After leaving Union Pass, we ofcourse struck the soil-road, and from there in 10 your good httle town, the ride was more pleasant and easy. As most of your readers are we'll ac- qualnted with this route, it will scarcely bear any details, suffice it to say that Pres colt comes up to all had expected oft. and from what little information I am able to glean, deem it safe to say: that Prescott has room for more men of every description and of every trade, and that it opens a field | the better of which can not be found.
 CHARLEY.
 Prescott, April 18th, 1875.