The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-08-22
WAYslDE wANDERINGs.

the Arizona Star of Tucson, by Solor
M. Allis, Civil Engineer in that state
Mr.'Aliis was formerly well known in
this vicinity, and is an observing man
of sound Judgment: s.fn ..l.tsoI.
According TO promise have jotted
down few notes of trip lately taken
70 the mines now being developed by
Mr.. Cutler. The mines are in two
groups. one in the vicinity of the Ma
cosari canyon, the other about twelve
miles below Cumpass, a small town
abot thirty-fivc miles below the works
at Nacosari canyon.
The route taken was by way of
Tombstone, Charleston and San Pedro
river rs far as McDomaid's rancho
where we crossed and struck east to the
road leading south from Camp Supply.
which took us to. Eronteras. Here as
we'll rs in the broad valley north and
south for many miles, we saw evidence
of long abandonment to the Attaches.
who, after killing many people and
taking thousands of cattle, made The val
ley uninhabitable for many years. Ruin-
ed adobes, odd irrigation bitches, the lines
nearly Obliteratoa, old trees planted in
rows many years ago, testify to the
fact that this beautiful valley was once
the home of numerous population.
and we can readily believe tho state
ment that thousands of cattle and mules
found ample pasturage and were fat
tened for the market among the south
ern mines, them teeining with busy Ia
borers. was shownla grant contain
ing thirty-three square leagues or over
49O square miles, much of il the finest
land for cultivation or cattle ever saw.
which it was said could be bought for
$50 200. Not hOof upon 1t now. If
it was only in the United States it would
be worth four times the price asked for
it. Fronteras is little woe-bcQone.
dilapidated looking town. Some three
hundred people have reoccupied the old
half ruined adobes, and appear to be en-
deayoring to gain q foothold in the
beautiful valley of the Fronteras river,
and although plenty of rich land lies
uncultivated all around, seem TO need
everything, but have no energy. 10. Sc
cure more than enough to keep body
and soul together. 1t is the woeful
lack of energy, or plentiful possession
of downright laziness, that seems to me
the greatest curse of these poor people.
To illustrate: Needing some feed for
our mules, one of our number, cash In
hand, engaged of a Mexican, at his own
price, some green corn or wheat, that
was promised Immediately. Waiting
two hours, no feed appearing, said
young man was hunted mp again, and
again promised to get it right off. AT
ter waiting two hours more he was
again interviewed, and coolly told us
that the grass was wet, no had but little
feed, and he had concluded not TO 60
after it l thought to myself, that a
little application of black snake whip
would do that chap some good. We
were fortunate enough to find a little
sheiled corn, and feeding our hunL nv
animals with that, pushed on.
The country is beautiful one below
FrOnteras. On the Arizona line north
and east of the San Jose mountains. the
land is high and very dry; water only
found at long intervals; the grazing
appeared good. Belop Fronteras tho
wide valley is covered with fine grass.
and stream of never falling water
beantified the landscape, aud showed
its vicinity for many miles by luxuri-
ant fringe of cottonwOods along its
banks. AS we approach the mountains
southwark, we found the hills covered
with groves of oak and black walnut,
which gave the country park-like ap-
pearance, the high mountains ia the
background making some of the views
very beautiful and worthy of the paint
Al Nacosari canyon 1t Is said that the
Jesuits, In years long passed, had O
tionrishing village, and quite large min
ing operations were carried on. Wild
apricot, pear, peach, ounce, and fig
trees are fonnd, showing the locality OF
the ancient gardens; the now immense
cottonwood, mesquite, and walnut trees
completely shade the rich ground. The
work done in those ancient mines, NJ hen
we consider how it was done, was i'm
mense. saw open cuts extending on
some mines from 1900 feet 10 half |,
mile or more. Up one hill, down an.
other some of which were worked 2OC
feet in depth, and In one below Cum.
lpass, IL is said, 500 feet in depth, was
worked for long distance. Theil
rude machinery being quits insult
cient to cope with the Incoming water
work was abandoned. II is thought
that many of these old mines are yery
rich, Il Is said that for many years /
large piece OF ore, half native silver
was 70 be seen IN the church Il Oposu
ra, II having been presented to In
church and consecrated. Being care
fully squared and polished, II was |
beautiful and valuable present, but II
later and more unscrupulous times !
disappeared with the diamonds tha
! adorned the patron saint. ia,...l E
Il This valuable piece OF silver wa
taken from one Of the mincs shortly /,
ibe reopened by Mr.. Butler Cumpas