Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-11-17
THE WONDERS OF THE COLORADO.
Mineral ReSOurces.-Great CanOnS.-
Ruins Of Cities and FOctifleatiOnS.

Mineral ReSOurceS.-Great CanOnS.-
Ruins Of Cities and FOctifleatiOnS.
Capt. Samuel Adams has recently
explored the Rio Colorado, and its
chief tributaries, from its head waters
in the Rocky Mountains to where it
empties into the Gulf of California.
Capt Adams spent about five years in
ascertaining the remarkable features
of the wonderful Colorado region, and
submits a report of his investigations
to the Secretary of War. We make
the subjoined extracts:
For the first one hundred and fif-
| teen miles from the mouth of the Col
orado river, there is very rich valley
| from five to fifteen miles in breadth,
with an abundance of cottonwood,
ash, willow and mesquite. The same
quality of timder extends over five
hundred miles up the river. The Col
opoh and Yuma Indians here raise
wheat, barley, corn and melons, gen.
eraly planting rs the water recedes.
This valley is equal if not superior to
that of the Sacramento. They differ
in this respect, the soil of the first
slopes back gradually to the base of
the mountains, while the banks of the
other are higher Immediately along
the river. The fish in the harbor and
Gulf of California are of the finest
quality. In four hours Captain Tru-
worthy and myself harpoOned nine
teen sea bass, averaging 149 pounds
& hnx-a Fort Nnrno 1lO 1oailpG
from the mouth of the river, to point
43O miles, numerous unconnected rich
valleys are found. These are mostly
occupied by the Majoves, Cinnamon,
and Poh Ute Indians. These raise
grain and melons and cut wood for
the steamers. The Majove Valley,
$50 miles from the mouth of the river,
is very rich and extends over thirty
miles in length. Her Col. Dent,
who has charge of the agency, has
succeeded in turning the river upon
the reservation.
For 625 miles from the Gulf the Col
orado is navigable for steamers and
barges, at all seasons of the year.
This has been practically demonstrated
by Capt TruwOrthy, whom succeeded
in inducing to bring his steamer to
y
a few months subsequent to that time
the same steamer was taken by Capt.
D. Rogers to the same point, and
trips made at both high and low stages
of water. Every obstacle was placed
in the way of demonstrating the inn
portance of the navigation of the river,
by a coalition of corporations whose
object it was to control the trade and
- .M,sw, . L.
appropriations to remove Instructions
which do not exist.
For distance of $50 miles along the
Colorado river you are in constant
view of leads of gold, silver,
copper and lead. Many of these can
be traced back into the mountains.
Many of these mines are in successful
operation. The scenery of China
wawa, Majove, Block Long, and
Painted Canon are particularly grand.
In that of Painted Canon, $50 called
by the Indians), at each change of
position new and startling beauties
are revealed. The striking resemb-
lance to ruined castles, Notifications
and bastIons was remarkable; in
others two thousand feet above the
water hung from its lofty height a
huge rock, apparently suspended, and
ready at the least breath to come
crashing to the surface below. Add
TO this the different stratas of every
color, as distinctly defined as if fresh
from the hand of a master painter, and
faint conception can be had of the
magnificent scenery.
At the head of Painted Canon, 1
found white strata of rock extending
for miles across the country. / eX-
amined this and found it extremely
light and of the most superior quality
for polishing silverware. subjected
it to an intense heat and no impression
could be produced upon it. I believe
this will yet be valuable article of
commerce.
The steamer for the last forty miles
passed through a continued chain of
canons, the walls in many of these be-
ing perpendicular. The smoke and
steam ascending these made it dam
gerous for the boat to lay in too close
proximity. AT this part of the river
there is no timber, that having been
cut down forty miles below by parties
seeking to prevent the steamers as
cending the river. The supply of
fuel in consequence of this had been
about exhausted when landing at an
opening in the rock which arose eight
hundred feet above, we ascertained it
to be a cave eight hundred feet in
depth and forty feet in breadth at the
entrance. Here we found several hun
dred cords of the best quality of wood
for steam purposes. This consisted of
white pine and cotton wood which
had been washed there for ages. This
was much worn by the action of the
water and the rocks in being carried
by the freshets from the country
above, appearing to indicate the rough
nature of the falls and streams above.
At this place the steamer and barge
took on about twenty-five cords, which
enabled US to reach Callviile, thirty
miles above, where the freight was de-
liyered without any damage.
Here, upon the highest sides of the
canon, the day and date of the arrival
of the steamer and barge were written
in letters so broad and conspicuous
that all the combinations which sought
to crush out the enterprise can never
erase. From Callville, $40 miles from ]
the mouth of the liver, to Salt Lake
City, Utah Territory, a distance of 400
miles, there are forty-two beautiful
cities, towns and settlements, the first
being established at st. Joseph and
st. Thomas, so miles from the COlora- !
do. Here, by system of irrigation,
the finest wheat, cotton and fruit is |
raised. In passing this chain of
settlements the traveller unexp ectedly |
finds many neat buildings of stone,
brick and adobe, whilst the cotton /
and woolen mills, half concealed by
the orchards ahd vineyards, add
peculiar charm to the scene. So sue I
cessful have the people everywhere 4
been in raising crops by irrigation, in
a desolate section heretofore con-