The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-10-15
Captain Marcy's Gxp+aiaIon


DISCOVERY OF TIE HEAD WATERS OF TIE BIG VII.
CuiTA AND THE DRAzOs, AND OF IMMENSE FIELDS
OF GYPSUM.
The Fort smith (A,k.) Herald publishes an iute.
resting letter fram DR.. Shumarc surgeon end geolo-
Rist Ct Capt. Marcy g expedition, dated In camp,
near river Brszos, 40 miles above Fort Belknap,
Texas, sug. TO-"
We learn from IL that the ex edition consisting Of
Capt. Marcy. Maj. Neiei hors, Mr.. Parker, and Dr..
Shunard, together with four soldiers add five Deis
ware Indians, after some severe suffering from heat
epd thirst, succeeded in reaching the head of the
Big wichita and subsequently, the head Of the Bra.
The Wichita rivsr takes its origin il system Of
high bluffs, (tne borders of the Lano Estacad0,)
which at the head Of the river, form regular temi.
circle or horseshoe, and from which are sent out
number Of small streams, convc' ging at the distance
81 TWO OF three miles from the main river, which,
from s source 70 its mouth, runs through higo bluff
banks, composed mostly tot clay and red gypsum,
The waters OF this stream, as well a. that Of the
szae ant Red Rtve,, their bitter taste to the
gypsum, though extensive beds Of which all Of shem
flow. According TO analysis It yields Chamber and
Epson sslts, as wei az Ctbef substances stt
Having reached the head Of the Wichita, the ra-ty
stuck III In fseaTch Of tie source Of the Brazos
They roceeced cue south ard uacht d the Brazos
after travelling about twenty miles. The DE- says
Wichita, thnugh high bluff banks, composed Of
red Cay and gypsum The water, which vas sb ,ut
four feet deep, WAS as clear as crysai, but 50 To-
fepsfly hitter that even our horses couid hardly
oIn dtteI truvctllCN 0OOut miles IN 8
porshorn direction. We came to high Till on the
pvais1e, from witch We obtained an extensive
view ct the surrounding country. In q due
north direction, at the distance of about
thirty miles, sppe AIRED two mountain eech shA led
Ike q troncated cone, and at iesst fifteen hundred
feet above the level o. the surrounding plain These
marked the lead Of the stream. From them the
stream chnld be distinctly seen like cord of silver
mesndernc through the prairie to the DOT on which
We stood. Bsyond the mountains appeared limo
Of figh blofi. 1.-THE Lano Estxcsdo.) which, In the
distance. looked like clouds floating upon the no
rizon. Hoving row satisfactorily asserta,rei the
source Of the river, we decided unanimously to
return.
The party, after an absen, Q Of nine days, during
which they travelled thre hundred miles, returned
to camp. Dr.. Shumaid says they obtained not only
ledge of this heretofore upexplored region. but
mace several highly important dis overirs, which
msy hereafter be Of considerable importance to 60
WrnInent, az well as 70 the publ, generally. he
ADDS
In this connection 1t may be we'll to state that
gum arabic has been discovered in II exhaustible
quantities, and Of the very best quality, while I
hundred miles further than when on our Red river
trip. Near the head Of the Wichita nver, il pre-.
feDts the eDorm0us thickness Of seven hundred feet
and IL OF the very purest quality. With regard to
the character Of the Country We explored on tire
Wichita iver have only 70 cay ths.is is c0mpiste
barren waste, Totally nns for agricultural purposes
and Can only be valuable on account Of its gypsum
beds. During our journey to its source, We met
with noting but succession Of bluffs, rsvines aud
hills all OF an intense red color and almost totally
devoid 4 VI gesatiop. Neither can it ever be em.
ploJed Tor fafiwey pur. oeet; DO In his senses
would ever think of attempting railroad or any
other kind Of read through it, after seeing It.