Arizona citizen., 1875-06-26
LETTER FROM COL. HODGE.
SAN CARLOS, June 10, 1875.

EDITOR CITIZEN:-Having been supplied with horses al Camp Grant by Capt. Smith
 in command at that post, I left there on
 Monday the 7th instant, having for com- pany Charles Franklin, who will accom- pany me to Camp Apache, and thence to the Zumi and Moqui Villages where he is well known. We left Camp Grant at 215 D. m.; took cup of coffee at MT. Stevens Eureka Springs ranch, two miles distant, and camped at night at Peters cattle camp few miles down the valley where we had the good fortune to meet Dr. At
 kinson, most genial and we'll informed gentleman and thorough mountaineer, explorer and prospector. We left this camp the next morning, taking the old Indian trail through the mountains near ly north course to this point, a distance of slXty-dve miles from Camp Grant, ar irving here at p. m. Owing to my long sickness and weak condition, was com pletely tired out, and was gratified at the kind reception given me by both the Ind ian and military authorities. The wild, bold, and picturesque mountain scenery l felt not the fatigue until alighting. One whole days rest has been very acceptable, and to-day I have been much interested in making the rounds of the several Ind ian camps with M. A. Sweeney, assistant superintendent, acting agent at San Car los. The whole country from the head of Aravaipa canyon to the Gila at this point, iS ha ous country l have yet seen in Arizona. There can be no doubt that like all DOT tons of this grand old world of ours, this barren, rocky, mountainous region has it's purpose and use marked out for mans benefit, but what that is remains to be seen in the future.
 On the Gila at San Carlos there is a fine extent of rich agricultural land which produces fine crops of grain and vegeta- bleS. Corn seems to be the most productive Of the grains; and pumpkins. melons and beans, all of which the Indians are fond of, are very prolific. Some two hundred acres are under improvement at the agen- cy and additions are being made all the time. Over six miles Of main ditches, and some twenty miles of small irrigating ditches have been constructed. A full description of the work done by the Ind ians at this agency would occupy too much space to write at present. Every thing connected with the work, govern ment, etc., of the Indians, has been re- duced to perfect system and order. The first syStematiZed effort was made by Geo. H. Stevens, acting agent, some years since, and Lieut.. Babcock; but since J. P. Cum entered upon his duties, he, assisted by Mir. Sweeney, has placed everything in frst-rate order. Crime is but little known among the Indians here and in the aver age amount and degree of crime, the agen- cy, considering it's numbers, compares fa- vorably with Tucson or other towns in the Territory. The number of Indians on the agency is. now by actual count 2460, to whom rations are issued on Saturdays of each week.
 The military camp at San Carlos is now unda the command of lSt Lieut.. E. w. Ward, an energetic and gentlemanly off cer. Tine company here, is H, Fifth Cav. J. M. Hamilton it's comman- ding officer being now off on leave of ab- sence. The surgeon is Henry NJ. Mathews, long connected with the service. Dr. Ma thews is noted for his advocacy Of comfort as the great necessity of life. To Lieut.. Ward and Dr. NJ. as well as to acting Ind ian Agent Sweeney, Dr. Chapfn, surgeon for the Indians,) Agent Cum and P B. Brannan, I am under many obligations for favors and kindness. H. c. HODGE.