Year: 1876

Editor Miner:

 am now on my way West from Prescott for the purpose of finishing my rambles Tn Yavapai County, and thence on through Mo- have County to the Colorado. Have stopped oyer here in this beautiful and healthy valley for few days. and shall tonight lecture to the good people of the valley on Arizona and the Zuni Iniians. came on one Of the easy riding blackboard stages ol tbe c. X A. Stage line. and shall 20 through to IIardyville and return by the same line, stopping over at every point wherever items of interest can be rleaned for the public. As it is not generally known, it may be we'll to state that this we'll known stage line, the oldest in the Territory, is being much improved in every respect and have quite recently revived the old route from Prescott via Wickenburg and Ehrenberg to San Bcrnardino in California, making the distance in 4 days and 2l hours. The fare has been reduced to $40, and ob- serve that the line is well patronized by the public. Under the energetic management of Mir. Thomas, who is we'll posted in stage management there can be no doubt as to the future success of this well known and long established line. find the people of this valley pleasant, social and intelligent, and in habits and character not excelled by those of any State or Territory. The stranger who goes among them for the purpose of seeking information, or for any legitimate purpose re- ceives warm and hearty welcome, at least such has been my experience and for winch return to one and ali my heartfelt thanks. There is but little news of interest to the general public here, as the citizens are of the quiet orderly kind who believe, and act on the principle of each attending to his or their own business. Mrs. Zimmerman was severely injured few days since by the upsetting of the wagon in which she, her husband and Mir. McCollum were returning from town It appears that suspicious character was turk ing in the bushes this side the divide" and while Mir. Zimmerman was watching the person, his horses went out of the road and into deep cut in which the wagon was over turned throwing Mrs. Zimmerman upon her side and shoulder and for the time paralyzing her. The injuries received although severe have been painful but now she is happily re- covering. Christmas was celebrated here in in pleasant manner by dance at Mir. Sul livan's in the lower part of the valley which was we'll attended and passed off in pleasant manner The Christmas festivities were kept up for ferr days by the bachelors of the val ley, who perhaps had the most pleasant re- union ever witnessed in thls section of Arizona Old times were talked over, the murders by the Indians in past days recalled by different individuals who had been actors in the scenes narrated, speeches were made, one of which by an old resident here, who had lost brother killed by the Apacbes, would do to repeat were it not for hurting the well known modesty of the orator. The place of meeting of the bachelors, known as the Happy Family" was at MT. Flournoy's who owns fine ranch in the upper part of the valley. The members of the Happy Family" as well as all the citizens of the valley have my thanks for their uniform kindness. H. c. HODGE.

 JANUARY lst, 1876.