The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 28, July 1924 - April, 1925 Page: 143
344 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Expedition of Panfilo de Narvdez
ticable for pack mules-the Janos-Agua Prieta trail through
down a gradual descent for about ten miles; and . . . before us the
bottom of the valley, with a line of bushes which I supposed to mark
the stream we were in search of. . I found only a dry ravine,
without a drop of water. . . . A few miles in advance, following
the road, I also perceived a line of large cotton woods . . . [again]
no water was found. . . . We had now come about twenty-two miles
without water, and nearly forty from our last camping place, in Guada-
lupe Pass. . . . As soon as it was light, Col. Craig, Mr. Thurber and
others set off in search of water; and after . . . about two miles
they struck a fine spring, . . . known to the Mexicans by the name
of Agua Prieta or Black Water. .
We had now reached the farthest point to which we could follow the
California road; our destination being Fronteras, the nearest town in
Sonora . . . laid down on Cook's map as about fourteen miles to the
south. . . . May 23d . . . we were off by 10 o'clock, our course
lay south, towards the western point of a high mountain. Our guides
led us along a valley through which ran the stream called Black Water
creek (Agua Prieta)--that is to say, when there was water enough in
it to run. We found it here and there in pools. The country was flat,
and covered with luxuriant grass, resembling a meadow. Our course was
slow being much impeded by deep gullies. . . . As we proceeded, the
valley become more picturesque, being covered at intervals with mezquite
trees, larger than any we had seen. . . As we approached the moun-
tain, we found ourselves in a valley still more luxuriant, having a beau-
tiful stream winding through it, overhung with walnut, ash, and cotton
wood trees. . . . We stopped at five o'clock near a fine grove on the
banks of the stream.
"May 24th, at six o'clock we were off, keeping in the valley, and fol-
lowing the stream which led around the western extremity of the moun-
tain called Covayan. Our course still continuing south, we struck across
an elevation and entered the valley beyond, here covered with large cot-
ton wood trees. The road now continued level, and after a ride of four
hours, we reached Fronteras. . . . Fronteras is supported by a val-
ley two miles in width, which we entered about six miles from the town.
This space of arable land, limited as it is, is said to be one of the largest
and best in Sonora. The soil is exceedingly rich, and is capable of pro-
ducing abundant crops of maize and wheat, (the only cereals cultivated)
fruits of every sort, and with pains, every kind of vegetables. But here,
as in all parts of Mexico that I have seen, this species of culture is but
little attended to. Beans, pumpkins, and onions are raised, it is true,
but all other vegetables are unknown.
"A small stream passes by Fronteras, which, although called a river,
would scarcely be characterized as a creek in the United States; but all
the streams here are very small. This river winds its way through moun-
tains, and occasionally expands, forming a valley or bottom covered with
rank grass and luxuriant foliage. It is here called Fronteras River,
and like many other streams in the country, changes its name with the
towns it passes. . .. [Bartlett mistook this river, a branch of the
Yaqui, for Rio Sonora.]
"May 28th.-Took our departure at seven o'clock . . . about six
miles from Fronteras we passed a small stream running through a little
valley, on the opposite side of which, on the edge of the plateau, stood
the deserted village of Cocuiarachi [Quiquiarachi]. The fields that skirted
the roads, the rows of pomegranate trees in full bloom, and the orchards
of pear, peach, and mulberry, all betokened a high state of cultivation,
S. . it was indeed sad to see desolation where a few years ago there
had been so much happiness. On leaving this place we ascended a long143
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 28, July 1924 - April, 1925, periodical, 1925; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101087/m1/147/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.