Arizona citizen., 1875-04-24
Letter From Florence.
FLORENCE, ARIZONA April F, lSi

| quite as forward as usual, on account of cuol weather. The last years crop on the Gila yielded some 2.50O,0OO pounds of bar ley, and about 3,OOO,O0O pounds Of wheat. Of the crops raised year before last, about l,G00,0O0 pounds were held over for want of market. It Is estimated at the present ! time that there are about half a million pounds of old crop on hand, the most of which will find market before the new crop comes in. There has been about the same amount of wheat and barley sown this year as last, so that at harvest, if the crop yields the same as last year. there will be about a million pounds of barley less than last year, on account Of the previous surplus.
 The mines are the all absorbing topic at the present time. A large belt Of country lying north of the Gila and extending over hundreds of miles, has heretofore been but little known to the white people. Every old prospector has for years looked with anxious gaze toward that country, and now and then a few have penetrated 1t, only 10 be turned back by the savage Apa- ches or to leave their bones to bleach in the mountains. It has only been 8 few months since miners have been able to penetrate this section and the result of their explorations has been to more than confirm former belief as to the wealth locked up in these mountains. There has not been time to develop the discoveries to any extent, but immense lodes Of copper, lead, silver and gold have already been found; and planchas of pure silver and nuggets of gold are daily being brought into the settlements. The settle ments are nearly depopulated and men are rushing frantically into the noun tains. Parties return for supplies, with their pockets full of rich specimens, only to hasten back with the greatest expedi- ton. There are several parties now out who went through these mountains years ago in pursuit of the Apaches, and 1t is believed they made rich discoveries then, but have kept them secret until they could return with safety.
 E. M. Pearce and c. O. Brown are still out in the mountains. Dr. w. w. Jones came in for supplies two or three days ago, and brought some remarkably rich rock with him, but was not inclined to give any information about his discoveries until he could prospect further and fully secure his locations. It Is thought that he has found q claim which was discover ed years ago by soldier, who took thirty five pounds Of metal from it and sold this In San Francisco for Sl73.
 It is to be hoped that these remarkable discoveries will not create an unhealthy excitement, for however rich the mines may eventually prove, it will be some time before employment can be given to any extent to poor men. But the future is most encouraging and promises more than was anticipated by the most enthu- siastic. It is to be hoped that the prospect Ors when making their locations will not forget ex-Senator Hagar Of California, and let him in for something occasionally. His prophetic eye as he stood in the cap- itol at Washington looking across lots 10 the Pacific, early discovered the mineral wealth of Arizona, and learning that Senatorial party were about starting in this direction and fearing this party might make the same discovery and get ahead of the simpler native, he coolly arose in his place and bluffed his hearers with the neat assertion that Arizona was a worth less barren waste. This little move prov ed effectual, for by the latest advices we see this party has abandoned their idea of a southwestern trip. There was an un- fortunate misunderstanding of Hagar's motive at first, and he was called some pretty hard names. But it was all mis- take.
 Gov. Stafford and MT. Vosburg arrived here on the I4th, and on the 18th paid a visit to the village school, taught by Miss Nesmith, and found the room crowd ed with pupils. Under the tuition of the present teacher there has been remarka- ble progress. Miss Nesmith seems to com bine the faculties of making the children love her and of melting strong ambition to learn. The people are justly proud Of their school. They have built a school which would do credit to any Of the States. The children are mostly of Spanish par entage and have had to learn the English language. This they have generally ac- complished in a few months, and can now read and write in English.
 Pinal county of which Florence Is the county seat, starts out on it's career under the most favorable auspices. To begin with, the most responsible citizens have consented to take the offices Of the county. Their first care being to "Cut the coat ac-