Year: 1876

LAMP uUALPAl, A. L., Jan. ), lcio.

 EDITOR MISER:-New Years day passed very pleasantly with the good people ofWil- lia,nson Valley and on New Years eve, by re- quest, lectured to large and intelligent audience at Mr. Burk's house on "Arizona. Nearly all in the valley were in attendance anc we had pleasan. time. No where in Arizona have met with more pleasant and agreeable people than those met there and l shall ever remember them with kind, and pleasant feelings. The citizens have erected a pleasant school house in the upper end of the valley and the next term of the school will commence in a few days with Miss Ar nie Kethroe as teacher. Miss K. was absent fro n the valley and did not meet her, but learn that she is an amiable young lady and a good teacher. There are 2 children in the valley of whom from l5 to Is will attend the sct ool the coming term.

 On the 2nd I took my seat on the buck board for this place bidding my excellent host Mir. Brcon farewell for time and promising him another visit on my return from Mohaye County. If there is any bach elor in Arizona who knows how to keep house equal to good housewife, that one is Ste phsn Breon.

 From Williamson Valley to this place is l7 miles nearly west The road most of the way is over beautiful rolling mesa lands un- til we reach Walnut Creek near the fine farm off Mr. Rogers, four miles to the east of Camp Hualpai. Walnut Creek and Apache Creek its principlal branch is in fact the head wa ters of the Verde river, though the water for most of the year sinks before entering Chino Valley. The Valley of Walnut Creek Is some 10 miles long and from 50 to 800 yards wide, having a rich and productive soil. The inhabitants are ready to claim that it is one of the very best in the Terri tory, with which assertion have no reason to dispute. I find quite a number of pleas ant and agreeable families here and children enough for a good school which it is to be hoped will be established now quite soon. Corn, hay, Irish potatoes and other vegeta- bles are raised here and all do well. The po- tatoes cannot be exceled in the most favored localities. The climate is unsurpassed for health and the valley being hemmed in by high hills and mountains is not as cold as Vi Iliamson Valley or Prescott. The grazing for many miles around is excellent and cattle horses and other stock are all in excellent condition.

 Immigrants, from California, Oregon, Washington Territory and Nevada are pass ing almost daily and all are pleased with the country and tell of many more who are com ing. The best of it is, most of those who have come are families who come to build up bomss and to stay.

 There is but little indication of any kind of mineral near, here, but in the country south and west am informed are some good prospects. Game is abundant, and deer and wild turkeys arc killed almost daily. Old ruins are abundant and 1 have visited four series all on the summit of high hills which have been source of much interest. These four seem to have been erected for defense, place of refuge and perhaps as "Temples for Sun Worship"

 I hope to be off on the morrow for Mohave County from whence my next will no doubt be written. H. c. HODGE.