64 



fine ten-stamp mill, with all the modern improvements, for milling silver-ores. The supply of water is 

 ample, and the only disadvantage connected with the mining interests of this district is the distance 

 of the mines from the mill, which cannot probably be obviated. 



The mines are located to the east of Great Quartz Mountain, and extend in an almost continu- 

 ous line of cropping for the distance of five miles to the south. The ore is generally of a rather low 

 grade, but can be obtained in almost any quantity, so that in case the cost of milling can be reduced 

 to a reasonable figure, there is every prospect of success for the comjiany, which has done so much 

 to develop the interest, in every respect, of the district and surrounding country. The distance 

 from the mines to the mill is about twelve miles. 



The ranches, lower down the valley, furnish forage and provisions sufficient for the maintenance 

 of a much larger settlement, and prices are consequently very reasonable. 



Plenty of timber is found in the vicinity of Great Quartz Mountain, and the foot-hills on either 

 side of the valley are, as a general thing, covered with a fine growth of bunch-grass. 



So much time having already elapsed since leaving the Cave, it was not deemed advisable to 

 make a longer delay here than was positively necessary ; for this reason, I was unable to visit the 

 mines, and on the morning of the 11th started down the valley, passing Crystal Spring, estimated 

 to flow one thousand five hundred inches; Ash Spring, two thousand inches ; and at night camped 

 at a point on the road a short distance above the lake, near a small spring of brackish water. 

 Throughout the day the road had led by a succession of ranches which all api^eared to be in a 

 thriving condition ; barley, wheat, potatoes, and melons being the principal productions. The 

 valley is from three-fourths to one and one-half miles wide, and in consequence of the great supply 

 of water from the various springs along its whole extent, and the steady fall to the south, irrigation 

 is rendered comparatively easy. The lower portion of the valley is much more alkaline than near 

 the village, while below the lake, which is very strongly alkaline, there is very little cultivatable 



land. 



Coyote Springs were reached on the evening of the 12th, but a delay of one day was rendered 

 necessary in consequence of the heavy character of the road, part of the load of the heavy wagon 

 not getting into camp until the night of the 13th. At this place very little grass was to be found, 

 and that of a character not suited to what was needed for animals that were so reduced as those in 

 the train were by this time ; the water was of a very poor quality, being stagnant, of a greenish 

 color, and filled with insects and tadpoles. A very curious feature of these springs is that in the 

 different holes that have been dug on the slope where the springs are located, the water does not 

 stand at the same level, although in some cases the holes are separated only by a distance of ten 

 feet and even less. 



The next march was to what are termed the Pockets, the water being that which has fallen 

 dui'ing the rainy season and collected in a narrow caiion, through which the wash from the Hyko 

 Lake to the Muddy runs ; it was very muddy and literally alive \yith tadpoles. \No grass whatever 

 was found here. 



The next day's march was to West Point, on the Muddy Eiver, over a rough mountain road 

 and through heavy sandy washes. The road passes around Arrow Canon, leaving it to the right. 

 This caiion is one through which the main wash runs, and is so named from the fact that the Indians 

 of this vicinity, in passing through it, always shoot an arrow into a cleft in the rocks high up, for 

 some superstitious reason that I was unable to learn. 



The road after reaching the valley of the Muddy is good until reaching West Point, four miles 

 farther down. 



There can be no doubt but that the real headwaters of the Muddy Eiver are at and near Hyko, 

 as the heavy wash from Hyko Lake down to the Muddy Springs shows that formerly a considerable 

 body of water must have passed down to the Colorado Eiver by this course. 



There are also indications of water existing at no great depth in several places along the dry, 

 gravelly bed of the wash, as shown by willows growing and remaining green during the extreme 

 heat of the summer. The temperature of the water at Hyko Spring is about 78° Fahrenheit, while 

 at the Muddy Springs it is 87°. 



Upon leaving camp at the Cave it had been deemed certain that a junction would be effected 

 with the main party before the 15th September, and in consequence rations had been taken for only 



