New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-07
THE CoLoRADo-poWELDS EXPEDITION.
THE REPORTED DISASTER A FICTION-THE GREAT
CANYON AND ITS MYSTERIEs-THE ONLY

iAAA@ MI N''ihD DlSASIER A ElCTlON-TllE GREAT
CANTON AND ITS MYSTERIES-TIE ONLY
PASSAGE ON RECORD
Ihe Detroit Post publishes a letter from the
wife OF Major Powell, stating that she has received
letter from her husband dated May "a The disaster
reported by John A. Rsdou to have occurred ON the 18th
No such man. she says as Rsdon belonged to the party
and the other names given by him are fictitious Accord
ing to The Chicago Erentng Journal the mother Of Major
Powell, living in Wheaton, Ill., has received a letter
dated May %. The Chicago tribune crcises the report
Of Risdon as follows; --...
1t Is we'll known that Major Powell took with him boats
but under his instruction, especially calculated ma
he believed for the dangerous OF Colorado
These boats, 1t is stated he had abandoned bnt that
Colorado River is, above the Big Black, placid,
suggsh stream where the peculiar construction of his
boats could have had test whatever. Yet reason
whichever Is given for this important change In Major
PQYells plan; with single bark canoe, It would seem
that his further advance the itself imposs
be This TO rather an impossible vessel
1t was made of bark, and yet 1T was large
There may BIO vessels of that capacity made of
that material but we have meyer heard ,S OF one
party, with the exception OF Risdon, according 10 his
Tsn on b SUas on 70 OF o me BACK This Po
Of crossing was only miles above the rapids 81 tR me
credible that party OF IS would embark in bark
with only seven paddles with any expectation OF
been sheer madness st further doubt is thrown upon
the whole story by Rsdons account OF hmse since the
2oa s Of S RR ff h WR Was @
Pacific Railroad at the nearest point else make his
way TO the next nearest point Denver rather than strike
southwark and make for the Red River by which he
compelled travel twice thrice the distance through
The Chicago Times republlshes the account OF voyage
through the great Colorado canyon, by James White,
citizen OF Kenasha Wisconsin, in 1861 He Is the only
man. thus far, who has made the mysterious journey.
His account given in an official report from Prof C.
g. Parry, geoOgst, to Gen VIM j. Palmer, Director OF
Suryey Kansas Pacific Railroad The fact that he made
the trip on raft Of cottonwood logs renders Rsdens
story about Powell and his carefuybuilt boats stu
improbable. On the oath Of April 1851 White, with
one companion Henry Strole' found Themselves ersi
companions by the hostile Indians. The party
hSS Of SOS Of
three sticks ten feet In length and eight inches In diane
ter these securely tied together by larat ropes,
and having slowed away their provisions and arms. they
embarked at midnight on their adventurous voyage.
OF two and half to three miles per hour. They
entered the Colorado ut the mouth OF Green River
In elevation AT an estimated distance OF forty miles from
the mouth OF Green River they passed the mouth OF the
San Juan, both streams Oehg mere henueu III ny
dcuar walls. From this point the oanoyn was con-
small side caynous, equally Inaccessible with the
main ohasm. st they experienced no difficulty in con
fret severe rapids passing Of which Henry stroe
was washed OF. and sank IN whirlpool below The
emerged from the fOamng rapids he found himself alone
without any provisions His course now led through the
with masses OF rock which his fra raft thumped
and whred that he had TO adopt the Precautlon OF
the Colorado Chquo passGd on tho fourth day; no
was here entangled In an eddy for Two hours. The
course OF the nver was very crooked with shans,
turns the view every side being shut In by $40
bleak, PERCEPTIONS walls Of white sandrock" yleso
walls presented smooth, perpendicular surface apvNo
the water level and showed distinct line OF ghwatet
mark feet above the stream. His M VI to
average hight OF the canyon was 5000 sot, ~ %
edge OF which nared cut about half W. nsI two dsys
TOM thus preseptinS ragged crest ihe hst Two Iays
m tue oasyVn darkcoored igneOuy rock TOOK the place
The white sandstone which finally showed Gs snS
try containing small patches OF bottom lana here, TOT
tq first time on HIS route 10 encountered Indians lie
reacsed CalIye having passed through the great can
yon iIG days on September g. The conclusions drawn
by Prof rsrry from Whites account are as foI9ws Inc
whole distance travelled would DO 500 miles
from Green River junction To the head
OF steamboat Navigation on the Colorado
absence Of any dinct cataracts perpendicular
falls the conousion that In time Of high water
by proper appliances In tn, form OF boats resolute men,
aud provision secured m wafer bags, the same pas
sage may DO safely made and the actual course OF the
river mapped out and s peculiar geological features
properly examined The width OF the river at It's mar
Towcst points estimated nj 100 feet and the line OF
high wnter mark feet above the average stage In
Aug Any prospect for useful navigation up down
THE canyon during tho season OF high water or trans
pOrtaou - lumber from the upper pine regions, could
not DO req. Lcd as feasible.