The weekly Arizona miner., 1877-08-10
LETTER FROM DAN o'LEARx. southeru Arizona. fssuns, lndians, Ese'


 not done so until now, as have been walt ing to recover from my surprise at finding country that l never for a moment thought existed in Southern Arizona.
 Our trip from Prescott to Salt River, thence to the Gila, and thence to Tucson was the usual desert crossing one would naturally expect to find in this country No necessity for entering into details The Indians enjoyed good health, aud through the precautions of Lieut.. Hanna in avoid ing the Pima and Maricopa villages. small p1x, which was then raging at these villa ves, was entirely avoided. l find Lieutenant Hanna to be an energetic and painstsklng officer, who spares neither time nor trouble to perform his duty. He arrived at Camp Lowell in due time. This is . very neat and comfortable post. At the time we ar- rived at Lowell 1t was commanded by Col. Andrews of the 8th Infantry, who, as well as Lieut.. Ray and others stationed st that post, are we'll liked and spoken highly ot in this portion of the Territory.
 We left Lowell and marched out to the Cienegs, about 20 miles from Lowell. Here subscriber took in his first dose of surprise. Here in 6 pleasant valley with plenty of water and grass, we found one man farm ing on a very limited scale. This valley, up with us, would be considered sufficient for A large settlement. Good grass in abun- dance on every hand. We travelled up this valley seven or eight miles and struck an other cienegi, plenty of water all the way, and very fine farming country. We did not march to the end of this valley. have no idea how far 1t extended. 1 enquired of our Guide how many settlers there were. and he said there was only one man with acme cattle. assure you this valley is fully as extensive and as good location ss Will Hanson Valley in our part of the Territory
 We left this valley and secuted in Whet- stone mountains. We found god grazing on all of the foothills, although this was the dry season of the year. There are plenty of good stock ranges unoccupied and un- claimed After passing to the other si ic oi the Whetstone mountains we struck the valley of the Barbercombi creek, and fine grass all along. The Bsrbercombi is said t, be an ancient Spanish grant. The Me Carey brothers have ranch on the creek about miles above old Camp Wallen, but they are not farm ng to amount to anything being principally engaged in sheep and cattle raising Between old Fort Waller and McGarys ranch dwells our old friend Judge Lerty. You recollect the Judge am surs. He is farming and raising vegetables. The Barbercombi is 25 miie' long from its source to its junction with tn, San Pedro and flows east through . 6nt valley, with plenty of water all the way and in places large cienegas. have beer down the San Pedro la miles below tn, mouth of the Bsrbecombi creek, and uI the San Rsdro to its head in Sonora and ol all it's tribstries It is impossible for m. to estimate the number of settlers ths could find valuable farming land and stocl ranches on this river. We can boast of n, such valley up North. There is some tall about this valley being covered by Spanisl grants, but whether it is this or the depre ds,icns of lndials that has kept this val,e from being settled know not, but 10 me Having coiiBe here for the express pdrpos of hunting Indians and not having seel even A track of hostile, it seems as if tn Spanish grants must have been the cause However, \ small settlement has alread sprung up on the San Pedro, about 20 mile from this camp. and bids fair to thrive an, grow iuto large keitlernent soon. But thi leaves miles and miles of good farming sn grazing lands along the banks of the Sa Teur", oniy waiting tof Athe pto" tb orin forth crops equsl u any produced in Ar lona. There are several fine valleys lesdib asst from the Hsaehaes mountains to Il, San Pedro. Several cienegas, each of whic are as good locations as are to be foun, Phere are very fine stock ranges in, Hua chucs, Dragoop. and Whetstone mountain i,.id. in fact this whole country is one va, stock range. There seems to be ssmeihin ,cking here, as in the Northern country i VI and '65. think it is settlers. l te