Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-06
Strange things to be Seen in New Mexico-ln-
terestinp Relics.

teresting Relics.
From letter To the Washington States, by
a correspondent in New Mexico, We make the
following interesting extracts. How few OF
our people are aware of what wonders are TO
be found in the vast territory Of the Great
West
THE Country ~ THE VICINITY OF Fort DE-
FGANCE.-Thc country i'll the vicinity has q
number of deep and irightful chasms or can
ons. Immediately ut this fort there is one OF
about mile long. and its walls Of solid rock
are about five hundred feet high. Canon de
ChaIlev. from which Col. Milos but recently
returned on Il scout against tn" Indians, killing
six or eight and taking 5000 sheep, is Won
derful phenomenon. IL is about forty miles
northwest of this place. is forty miles long
and 800 wards wide, with walls of tlinty rock
rising up loo feet. in majestic grandeur, As
if 10 pillar the very heavens. Horses and
men, standing upon these towering spires, are
represented rs appearing like rats and pig
mics. Stones thrown down at the troops by
the Indians break into pieces by the resist
ance of the air, and arrows discharged come
down horizontally, from the force OF graylta-
ton.
4 pistol shot is echoed and re-echoed by the
adamantinc walls. and rings in the ear tor
minutes aftcrward. The appearance of the
canon, as one gazcs up and about thus sunk
n thousand feet into the bosom OF the earth,
and walled bv huge and rugged rocks, is said
to be terribly grand and frightful. In these
deep openings the Indians plant grain,
peaches. melons etc. and in times Of difficult
ty. take their tlocks and women and children.
They seem, however. 10 have anticipated the
march Of the troops upon this one, and conse-
quently not great many Indians, no horses,
and butj. 600 sheep were found.
PETRIFACrIoN-Ihe officers the scout re-
port having seen great quantities OF slliclfled
wood large trees completely transformed in
u slick. and others in particular state were
abundant The slick was quite sulphuric,
and emitted fire freely by contract with iron
or steel.
4 RACE OF PEOPLE DESTROYED BY volcanic
ERUPTIOX.-Nu numerous stones OF rare quality
and beauty were seen. and immense quanti-
ties Of broken pottery were strewed in every
direction. This latter fact fayors the suppo-
siiion that race of people once inhabited this
country, who were either destroyed by vol
canc eruptonS and earthquakes. or have
ceased TO exist Ivy gradual deterioration. All
through the territory are TO be found Aztec
ruins and it is not unreasonable 70 presume
that superior race to the present, ut one time
were spread over this country. But this Is Il
subject which leave for the speculation OF
tie more learned and scientific
VOLCANIC ERrPTIoXS AND CRATERs.-ln
the valley of the Gallo-a creek which flows
from beautiful crystalline spring, gushing
up from in immense bed of rock-there IS Il
large deposit of lava. exhibiting evidence OF
having flowed down the valley in a stream OF
fearful force and volume from Il distant noun
tain, whence il was erupted. Indeed, era
tiers exist all through the country indicating
that at one time this region must have been
shaken and torn to pieces by volcanoes and
earthquakes. From the data furnished by
scientific examination. the most recent vol
canc discharge must have been as late as
three centuries back.
This stream Of boiling lava must have
been fifty feet deep and as many wide. 1t
seems t. have rushed on until 1t gradually
cooled and hardened, and thus was formed an
abrupt termination To its progress. The
forms of the waves can be seen plainly. The
dark. iron-Iikr substance would appear to the
naked eye to have been erupted within the
last century: but AS before stated, it could not
have been discharged short of three hundred
years ago. 1t is a singular sight, indeed, and
is Il field for infinite wonder and speculation.
RELICS OF A FORMER PEopLE.-Throughout this
country relies of former people and ruins of towns
are to he found in great quantities. The deep
chasms in the earth. and canons, too clearly indi
cate the awful urhcaSing and tearing asunder
which at one time must have visited here, and point
to 4 race ofpeupe buried beneath this chaotic mass
of disorganized nature. The few streams which
now and thcn gladden. the sight of the thirsty and
wearieI traveller through these barren hills and
parched valleys yet strongly irnpregnated with
sulphur. And while springs bubble up, chrystal
line and beautiful, they unfrequently serve to
create rather than aIlay thirst.