Salt River herald., 1878-09-28
SOUTH ERS ARIZONA.
Hts Towns. Farms and Mineral
 Wealth.

IKESCOlIs August -c- lc4o--LCdN- ing Phenix, our journey took Us through the western portion of Salt River Valley. For several miles we pass through a splendid agricultural country, with growing grain and fine orchards and vineyards on either side. There arc thousands of acres lying file and unclaimed in this valley, but should the canal companies continue to extend. their irrigating canals fur ther, this land will all he transformed into farms. The farmers here, unlike those of California, do not depend upon rain for their crops, but for the sum of S250 year, water is furnish ed them by the different canal com. panies in sufficient quantities for all purposes. Each farmer holds shares in the company, thus giving him a sdy in its management. Jogging along we pass through nothing but dense growth of meSquit wood, until we reach the Hassayampa, below the town of Wickenburg, some 30 miles from our starting point. Here we find more farms, but small. A few miles below is Smiths Mill-a small gold quartz crushing mill. This mill employs some 30 Mexicans or pcons, and several white men. Water, for the use of the mill, is conveyed by means of sluiccs some nine miles, and runs the whole year.
 THE TOWN OF wIcKENBURG.
 This town has not improved much since my first visit. It was laid out in 1861, and for several years was the town of the territory. At that time, and since, gold was found in almost all the gulches and ravines adjacent --the Vulture mine, some if mile; south, supplying a large amount; also, Antelope Mountain, the first place that placer gold WAS discovered in Arizona. For several years the Vulture mine has been idle, not from the lack of orc, but the miSmanage- ment of those in authority. It was sold recently to some San Francisco capitalists, and they have already commenced operations. There is a large amount of rock in sight, which will yield from S25 to $50 per ton in gold. Two miles southwest of Wickenburg arc their reduction works. There are other mines in this vicinity that will now be yielding, owing to the starting of those works. Stages connect with the main line every other day. After par;aking of a hearty meal, the driver calls out "go west, young man." and in obcdi- ence to his orders we arc whirled swiftly out of the iowa.
 A GREAT GRAZING COUNTRY.
 For 35 miles our route lay over one of the finest tracts for grazing that man has ever seen. X broad, level valley stretches out for miles covered with grass. but watcr-:hat which Arizona needs the most-is wanting. Occasionally there is small stream, but not enough for large drove of cattle. It iS said that artesian water can he had in this valley, and it seems strange to me that q well has not been sunk, as there is an appropriation of 5000 for the first artesian well in the territory.
 CROOKS FIGHTING GROUND.
 On our righ; is pointed out among high rocks and dark ravines Gen Crooks battle-ground, and few miles further on, his camp. Here the celebrated Indian fighter fought the redskins and caused them to surren der. \ post or two, with letters dug out by a pocket-knife, points out th' resting place of our boys in blue, the victims of the willy savage. Tht crmp still remains, but is occupied by the tiller of the soil. and the bar racks for barns, stables, etc. It i down on the map as Camp Dat Creek.
 THE MINING INDUSTRIES.
 The mining industry of Maricopi county is already attracting consider able attention. In this county tn big bonanza Silver King is situated and others of note. Around GlOb City there are numerous mines tha are being worked with profit. \ Cave Creek, few miles from Pheniy there arc a large number of goo mines. A number of your capitalist are putting up q fine mill on thei property at that place, under the sl perintendence of a gentleman name Killings, and expect that it will be i running order in two months. I'll rock bears considerable gold aad rub silver. Water is plentiful, but lun Der is brought from Prescott, some miles.
 MINOR MENTION.
 NIT Gleason fOr,nnrlI- e. ,utcIor