The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-07-17
Information.
Grand Canon of the Colorado.

The reporsed loss OF TIC Ao"'A 9APAS "a
pedition. ON the Colorado river, will revive pub
lie interest in the subioined account OF the re-
markable voyage through the great canon Of
that stream, in 1867, by a citizen of kenosha,
WIS 7. will be seen from this account that the
Powell expedition, at the time OF the alleged
disaster, could not have been on the Colorado
rirer.-EG. Times.
ToGEN. VIM j. PALMER, Director of Surveys
Kansas Pacific Railway-ST: The railroad sur
vey now in progress under your direction has at
forded many opportunities for acquiring valuable
additions to our geographical knowledge OF the
unexplored regions of the far west, from original
sources not accessible to ordinary map compilers.
Mining prospectors within the last 20 years,
more adventurous even than the noted trappers
of the Rocky mountains, have hardly left noun
tain slope unvisited or water-course unexamln.
ed over the wide expanse extending from the
Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean. Could the
varied and adventurous experience OF these
mountain men be brought into an accessible
form, we should know nearly as much OF these
western wilds as we now do OF the 0ld-settled
portions of the country.
Among the geographical problems remaining
for the longest time unsolved was the actual
character Of the stupendous chasms or canons
through which the Colorado of the west cleaves
its way from its knowy sources TO its exit into
the California gulf Within the last ten years
public attention has been frequently directed to
this subject and various government expeditions
have impaired reliable information in reference
to the upper and lower course OF this remarkable
river. Lieut.. Ives, in 1S57-5o, made a satistac-
tory exploration of the navigable portion of the
Colorado extending from its mouth 10 the Zig
Canon, and since then regular line of light draft
boats have been successfully traversihg these in
land waters. Still, the great canon remained
myth; its actual length, the character of the
stream the nature of its banks, and the depth of
its vertical walls, were subjects for speculation,
and afforded fine field for exaggerated descrip.
ton. in which natural bridges. cavernous tun-
nels, and fearful .cataracts naturally formed
prominent feature. Now, at last, we have per-
tectly authentic account OF the character OF this
a-eat canon of the Colorado, derived from the
Tips OF a man who actually traversed its formid-
able depths, and who, fortunately for science,
still lives to detail his trustworthy observations
of this most remarkable voyage Happening to
fall in with this man during my recent stay of
few days at Hardyville, ON the Colorado,
drew from him the following connected state.
ment, in answer to direct questions carefully
written at the time:
NARRATIVE.
James White, now living at Callville, on tho
Colorado, formerly from Kenosha. Wis, was in
duced to join small prospecting party in search
Of gold washings, IN the San Juan region, west of
the Rocky mountains The original party was
composed of four men, under command of Capt
Baker. This party left Fort Dodge on the 18th
of last April, and, after tossing the plains, COM
pleted their outfit for San Juan country in Colo
RADIO City, leaving that place on the Goth Of May.
Proceeding by the way Of South Park and upper
Arkansas, they crossed the Rocky mountains,
passing round the head waters of the Rio Grande
till they reached the Animas branch of the San
Juan river. Here their prospecting for gold
commenced, and being only partially successful,
they continued still farther to the west reach
ing the Dolores and Mancos branches. The lat
ter stream was followed down TO the main valley
of the San Juan, when they crossed to the
left bank, and followed down the valley 200
miles. AT this point the San Juan river enters
q canon, to avoid which they again crossed to
tho right bank, and struck across mountain
range for the Colorado. In distance 30 miles,
ever a very rugged country, they reached this
latter stream, or rather its main eastern branch
Grand river, being still above the junction of
Green river--the united waters Of which two
streams 20 to form the Colorado proper. AT the
point where they first struck the river, its steep
rock banks were inaccessible, and they accord
ingly followed up the stream in search Of a place
where water could be procured. At an es,ima-
ted distance of IL miles they came upon side
canon, down which they succeeded in descending
with their animals and procuring a supply Of
water. They camped at the bottom of this ra-
vine on the night of the 23d of August and on
Che morning of the Gath started to ascend the
right bank to the table land above. In making
this ascent they were attacked by Indians, and
Capt. Baker, being in advance, was killed at the
first fire. The two remaining men, James
l. ,ft. ,,1,, k1o
fate of their comrade, fought their way back in
to the canon, getting beyond the reach of the
Indians, hastily unpacked their animals, secur-
ing their arms and small stock of provisions,
and proceeded on foot down the canon to the
banks of the Grand river. Here they construct.
ed raft Of dry tten wood, composed Of three
sticks ten fee length and eight inches in
diameter; these securely tied together by
lariat ropes, q, 'ing slowed away their pro.
visions and ar .ey embarked at midnight on
their adventur ,oyage. The following morn.
ing, being the 10Th of August, they made a land.
ing. repaired their raft by some additional pieces
of light cedar, and continued on their course.
The river here was about 200 yards wide, flow.
ing regularly at a rate of two and half to three
miles per hour. At this estimate they reached
the mouth OF Green river, and entered the main
Colorado 30 miles from the point of starting.
Below the junction the stream narrows and Is
confined between perpendicular rocky walls,
gradually increasing in elevation At an est.
mated distance Of 40 miles from the mouth of
Green river they passed the mouth of the San
Juan, both streams being here hemmed in by
perpendicular walls. From this point the canon
was continuous, with only occasional breaks
formed by small side canons, equally inaocessi.
bic with the main channel. Still, they OK.
perienced no difficulty in continuing their voy.
age and were elated with the prospect of soon