The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1868-01-10
WHOLE No. 522.
A WONDERFUL River.

1
The Colorado river, whether consider
cd as an Independent water course through
an almost unbroken country. or in con-
aection with the railroads that are stretch
ing across the continent. is sn object O:
peculiar interest. deeply interesting
report was lately submitted to the mer.
chants of San Francisco by G. w Gil.
more, who was Commissioned 10 examine
and explore the river, with the view of
aseertaining its practicability as navi-
gable route 10 Utah.
A small steamer called the Esntralda
was fitted out for The trip. This steamer
was 81 feet lorg. with 12 inch cylinders
and 12 foot wheel. having in tow along
side barge 1876 !eet long aud 81 feet
beam. used for Carrying fuel along the up.
per portion of the stream, where wood
was difficult IL obtain. The distance
! from Fort Isabel. the mouth of the river,
TO CallviiIe, IN Utah, is 600 miles. The
| country is described as for q consid
cradle part peopled by friendly Indians.
cultiyating corn and nearly every kind of
vegetables. Other portions are heavily
timbered. The river is from bali 10
/ one and a half miles wide, and the water
from four to eight feet deep, aud no seri-
Gus obstructions from rapids or other
causes. An account Gays:
The renowned Black Canyon is from
eight to ten miles in length. Through
| this the river flows with a deep cur
rent and an average width of 200 feet.
| The Mauer is smooth and unbroken. and
no rocks Distract the passage.
| A large portion of the distance perpen-
dicular walls rise to The hight of thous-
and feet on either side. in some places
awaking in the mind Of the voyager the
most profound admiration and awe. In
solemn grandeur and native subIimity no
spot on earth equals the Black Canyon of
tie Rio Colorado oil the West. Years
ago, when Lieutenant Ives first passps
through it iu small boat, he reported
it's navigation imprscticabie, If not im
possible. But the inexhorable claims OF
commerce have at last pierced its gloom
depths. and its grim walls will coon send
back the echoes of shrili steam whistles
and the plash of paddle wheels.
II is impossible TO over-estinate The
'mpor lance of the opening of the Colorado
river. Southern Utah is peopled with a
busy aod thriving community OF Nor
mons. whose only present means of com
munication with the great trade marts OF
our country are over long and rough wag
on roads, via Salt Lake City. The re-
gion they inhabit is rich in agricultural
resources, but The difficulty of transport
ling produce to market has seriously re-
tarded it's growth. Merchandise has
| commanded fabulous prices, and home
products were only available for home
consumption. But a new era will soon
dawn upon these remote settlers, and they
will be able to carry on an extensive trsf-
&c which has heretofore been impraetics-
BILE. The mineral resources of Southwest
ern Utah and Southeastern Neyada-re-
Gently proved TO be rich and prolific
will also be opened to the enterprise and
capital of tie mining public. Callyills,
the head of navigation Oh the Colorado,
ls only one hundred miles from Pabrangai
District, where astonishingly rich silver
:. deposits have been discovered.
In this connection the following extract
from 9 Salt Lake letter will be read witt
| interest:
! "The action of some of the business
men of San Francisco in endeayorlng t
: organize a company for the purpose o
; navigating the Colorado river and tradln;
on it, has excited considerable interest II
f this city. It has asserted that San Frau
cisco merchants can successfully compel
/ with eastern merchants in regard to th'
trade of Utah aud are ona, aud IN part
!, of Montana The movement IN it's pros
ent phase, is not well regarded oS man
of the merchants OF tais city aod "a
Francisco, for Ire reason that 1t IS heI
= to be with the view of the company
4 trading, instead of navigating and freight
ing merely. The Utah merchants wan
: to do their purehasingiu distant markets
!. instead Of having it done Tor them I
n others as johbers."