The Arizona sentinel., 1876-08-05
LETTER FROM COL. HODGE.

late for publication in our issue Of July 29th. It is still good:
 PRESCOTT, A. T., July Is, 1876. Editor Sentinel.
 Since my last communication to the SENTINEL, I have been rambling to the North of Prescott, in the Chino Valley, on the upper portion of the Verde, and else where to the North, and have been much interested in what l have seen. Hundreds and thous- ands of emigrants have come into this county during the past year and thousands more are on the way from every part of the States and Territories. The population of the county is now no doubt greater than the whole Territory at the last census. l will obtain the exact number before closing and give to your readers with other and important statistics, which I have obtained from diff ferent sources.
 The rainy season has just fairly commenced here and is some later than usual. Crops have suffered some for want of water. and corn and potatoes will not be as large as in former years. Wheat and barley has been a good and boun- tifUl crop.
 Quite number of mining ex- perts and capitalists have been in the country i'll. and around Pres colt the past two months, looking over the many rich gold, silver, copper and lead mines ofthe coun- ty, seeking opportunities for in- vestment. Some locations have been purchased, and at one time it was supposed that three fifths of the "Peck" mine had been sold to a party from San Francisco, but the sale from reasons not fully made public, fell through. The sale was to be for $50, ,OO0 gold coin per share, and there being five shares, would make the cash gold value of the whole mine $150,000
 MT. s. M. Vessels, from CaIifor- nia has secured Q location on the Hassayampa, at Walnut Grove, where he is erecting a large smelt- ing furnace. The distance is some over thirty miles from Prescott. Mir. Vessels is @ thoroughly com- petent man and will no doubt make success. the result of which would be highly beneficial to the #nole country.
 The small furnace Of Mes3rs. Burt Foster & Co.,, on the Agua Fria, IS miles east from Prescott, has been in successful operation for some weeks past. The ore worked has been mostly from the Peck mine, and yielded in refin ed bullion about 1900 ounces to the ton. A few tons of second class ore has been worked, which went over B400 per ton.
 Some wonderfully rich silver mines have lately been discovered near the mouth Ofthe Black Cation, some 50 miles south east Of Pres colt by Jack Swelling and others, which are said to rival the Peck and Silver Prince. After visiting that section l will write you more fully in reference to the new dis cOVerieS,
 Prescott continues to improve and is really one of the finest mountain towns I have seen in all my rambIes on the Pacific Coast. l to-day dropped into the fine watch and jeWelry establishment of Mir. Berteling, formerly from Yuma. He is doing a good busi- ness in all departments of his trade, and manufacturing some splendid jeweIry, consisting of golden brooches, chains, crosses, rings, buttons, studs, &c., which would do credit to many a pre- tentiOus Eastern establishment. He is located On MOntezuma st., next door to the large mercantile house of H. Asher & Go.
 A few statistics of town and county are as follows:
 Gold dust and bullion received by merchants