The weekly Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1872-1887, 1879-06-22
a Trip Through Arizona.

ceived from former we'll known resi-
dent Of this county. now n resident of
the country Of which he writes:
In former days. or what is commonly
called the good old times, Arizona was
and still is considered the outside limits
Of civilization in the United States. Ey-
cry person without some great incentive
in the way of rich mines or other occu-
patton Of q like nature, by which his in
come is greatly increased by n small
outlay of money, considered himself in
exile, or so many years Of his life
thrown away and deprived of all the
necessary comforts Of civilization for
the time; especially 80 in the case of
those connected with the army. They
Immediately settle down for a siege of
at least two, three and perhaps four
years, and any who survives the in
tense beat, dust and all other discoIn-
forts. considers himself proof ana can
teke his blankets along with him when
he goes to the lower regions. The FIRST
impression that strikes the mind of n
new conner upon his arrival at Yuma or
Arizona City. is to take passage by the
same train by which he came and return
to the green fields and pleasant resorts
that be left far behind. But upon his
proceeding still further towards the
heart Of Arizona, his ideas assume a
somewhat different impression, although
the whole route from Arizona City to
Tucson, the former capital Ct the Ter.
ritory, distance three hundred miles. is
monotonous in the extreme, being de-
void of all vcstiges Of civilization for
the greater part of the route. The only
thing to arouse the Imagination are In
dian Villages, and traces Of old ruins.
the remains of at least II century or two.
This together with the rich mineral de-
posts of gold and silver, more than
recompense those who feel SO inclined
I" seek their fortunes in this kind of
enterprise. In the days of the stage.
coach, or rather the buck. board. and
that very recently. it was an arduous.
dreHry trip, and required a considerable
amount of endurance, and courage to
make the journey between the above
named points. In the FIRST instance il
would bo very advisable for the traveller
to leave the trunks he may have in his
possession in some secure place until
his return, or the probabilities are he
would be relieved of them before he
reached his destination; it was n weekly
and might say daily occurrence, for
the stages to be stopped, the passengers
relieved Of their money md valuables,
and the mail and express robbed, while
the passengers consider themselves for
innate in getting of with their lives.
The time required to perform the jour
ney varies, frequently taking three days
and nights. over u heavy, sandy, dusty.
alkali road. The meals furnished along
the route to the weary traveller are by
no means as good as those furnished at
the first class hotels in San Francisco.
far from it. But the change, however,
since then, is somewhat startling and
pleasant. the iron.horsc brings Won
along over the desulate wastes with
lightning spoed-what change from
the old buck board? We have POW the
beautiful palace silver sleeper; This will
gladden. tho hearts Of those who como
ont from the far off wilds on their way
to friends and homes once moro; they
will step in their berths with joy. and
have some enjoyment on their way;
aud with no stage robbers nor dust 10
dread, are whirled past the old stations
where formerly they enjoyed rcpast Of
pork and beans, nnd say with happy
hearts. " Good bye. old fcllcr."
Tho Territory will no doubt ere long
ho thickly settled. The mines aro be-
ing worked with little more vigor by
capitalists. nnd men of energy. Tho
oAtcnt and richness of the mines OK.
ceed no doubt the great Comstock Iodo
Of Nevada. Quartz mills for crushing
ore. and furnaces for smelling arc arriy.
ing in considerable numbers, and all
the necessary appliances for carrying on
the work with dispatch.
The north aud northeastern portion Of
the Territory is covered with mappid.
cent timber suitable for practicable pur.
purposes; with plenty OF puro mountain
streams, and stocked with an nbund.
nnco Of beautiful mountain trout. IL
also contains some Of the finest grazing
for stock 10 DO had OH the Pacific slope.
This isaIso the home Of tho deer. and wild
turkeys arc found in abundance. 1, ia
also the home Of the wild Apaches. but
the successive puniBhmonta inflicted
upon them by the United States troops
has rather tanned them somewhat.
They arc at present mostly on reseryn-
tiona, half fed and pettcd by tho Gov.
crnmcnt, the spoiled children OF the
Indian Bureau. Ills religious training
neither binds him 20 God, nor man. ITo
is not taught any ideas OF morality, md
IL is unknown to him, and his social
lifo Is scarcely better than tho beast Of
the field; his only law is fear. and that
is impressed upon him b. the strong
arm Of tho Govcrnmcnt--tho army.
Otherwise the outragcs aud deprcdn.
tions that no would commit wonld be
unparalleled. lftbo Government wonld
only select better mon for tho rcspop.i.