Year: 1872

GOVernOr SauOrUS 1dtC IApcQ4t1Ous

 In company with Henry Kennedy and Thomas Farrell, Governor Stafford left Tucson July 21 to prospect some gravel bars on the Francisco river for placer gold. It was believed that with hydraulic works, there was ample gold in the gravel to pay well. To test this question, the trip was made.

 The route of travel lay by Grant and old Camp Goodwin. Colonel Royal in com mand at Grant, met the party, not with shotted guns pointed at them with threats to shoot, but with kindness and actual as- sistance. After short rest, the party moved on to old Goodwin, and it occur ring to them that the place they were seeking might be on the Apache Indian Reserve, it was determined to proceed to Camp Apache and report all the facts to Major Dallas in command. The Major also ignored the tactics of 1871, and re- ceived the party with prOpriety, and, upon learning all the facts, offered every assist ance tOprOmOte their purposes. Whether on or off the Indian Reservation, could not be determined by any knowledge the h. dians possessed, for they had not nor do they now range over it, hence no harm could result from the proposed prospect. The Governor found difficulty in getting an Indian guide, but finally succeeded, and Major Dallas increased his escort with colonel s. G. Whipple in command. They started with twelve days ratiOns, expect ing to reach their destination in three days, instead of which they were six. The route taken was along the south base of the White Mountains, over the three forks of Black river (which lower downis called Salt river), thence over the Bonito to the Francisco. The country was found to be very rough, and along the water courses the banks were quite perpendicular. The broken face of the country caused much extra travel, so that the direct distance from Apache must not be estimated by the time employed in getting over it. Grass, water and timber are abundant all along the route, and on the BOnito are some small but rich agricultural valleys.

 The gravel beds and red banks supposed to contain the coveted ore in paying amounts, were reached on the sixth day from Apache. Having with them rocker and other prospecting tools, the party were soon at work digging and washing. Nearly every painful showed gold colOrs, but the Governors judgment is that no process could be started there now by which the required labor and outlay would be remunerated. This gold belt extends along the Francisco river about fifteen miles. There are many bars with large boulders which may be rich in gold, but the Governors party were not prepared to test them. The amount of water in the stream is estimated at 8, 900 inches, and MT. Kennedy says his former visit there was in very dry time and the quantity was about the same

 | Upon advice of the Indian guide, the party moved down the Francisco to and down the Gila to Goodwin, where that part of the escort under Colonel Whipple returned to Apache, and the Governor and his party to Grant.

 Upon emerging from the Gila canyon above Goodwin, there is very large tract of fine arabic valley land skirted with ex- cellent grass land, and timber is con- venient. The party claimed the right to turn the Gila into ditch at the mouth of the canyon, and expect to organize and start an agricultural settlement there. We have traversed this section, and are sure the lands are very desirable. Of which, more by and by.