The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-10


tered, this pass must be gone through. There is no
retracng the steps taken, and nothing but the cool
est brain the bravest heart, the strongest muscle
Of te wnS
carry one TO It's mouth, where bare show for lie
may be found Other parties have attempted the
exploration OF this stream but none have ever dared
venture the passage OF Browns Hole and Hei's Gate
beyond. detour has always been made until the
light rapids twenty miles below, were gained, when
water was again taken TO the Divides. Two differ
ent parties have tried the descent OF these cOntinu
Gus as because OF tue almost utter
one from the PASSAGE the other from Indians, deep
SHOWS, lack OF game. &c.
The Ross OUTFIT left Laclede In 1862 numbering
thirty seven men, well supplied with every required
article OF use OF consumption. They started in search
OF gold, and only ventured into the divides in hopes
to discover some wealthy spot or exposed mine.
Their death was inevitable. Not one OF them but
had faced the grim monster hundred times, and IN
places where quick-witted resources we're the only
salvation. six Of the number were left behind to
take care OF the STOCK Those who entered the hor-
rid gulf found gigantic sepuchre, which buried
the bodies forever from human sight The remain
ing six attempted detour, but heavy september
SHOWS beginning to fall the tran was lost shelter and
king asp grove Starvation stared them In the face;
part Of the stock killed for food, the balance
died, and in 1854 the skeletons OF the brave fellows
were discovered by some hunters, with partial &C.
count OF the terrible disaster.
But one expedition has ever succeeded in making
this route. In May OF last year. Billy Lyons OF Pitts
R burg aS Sss Je.. lrS ss Of 9a N2a M k and
ece and superior ntelligence-the fact Is patent 70
every person. Still, as an explorer one could never
make success without venture. Hspiuck was conf
mendaole, but his Judgment in this Instance very
bad. Twas his first failure. Warned time and
time again hy those familiar with the nature Of his
route, he turned deaf ear to every voice and
pressed on. For the judgment Of his followers we
can only say they are deserving monument for
conbded and chung 10 him as II indeed he was the
great oracle 10 guide them on.
Our account is soon told. Ambition had a strong
I'M Uad IolA 0Gfhn nnh
the Napoeonc MAJOR, with his brave band OF faith
full comfanions saving one who was ordered on
snore 10 report IN case the failure none believed in
did occur; these hgh-mlnded men, bracmg their
courage wen up, made every preparation, and then
tails Of Rels Gate. We can only say they must have
died as they had hved-heroes all: yielding up their
spirits with the same quiet indiferenceand pure
faith manifested during the horrible descent OF the
rapids in Browns Hole.
LETTER FROM MAJOR POwELL's BnOTHER-iN-LAw-
THE IMPRoBA8ILiriEs AND UNTRUrHs OF RIsDONs
To THE EDITOR OF THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Permit Inc, as brotherin-aw OF Major Powell.
and as one familiar with the plans, preparations ana
movements previous to leaving Green River City OF
'Powel's Scientific Expedition" to pronounce the
field by Risdon concerning the loss Of the ex-
petition, unqualified lies, for the following rea-
sons:-
l. At the time OF the reported loss. May s, the ex-
petition had not left Green River CITY, and did not
leave that place until Nav 20. Major Powell himself
| did not leave illinois until Mays.
2. The names given by Risdon as those OF the men
lost are not the names OF members Of the party but
ID three Or Jour instances are the names OF persons
| now living at Hennepin and Vicinity, who have
| never been mem5ers OF the party.
8. Ali the horses, muies wagons &C., belonging TO
| the party were disposed OF before the expedition
| embarked in boats consequently this lying John A.
Risdon had no teams to br ng to unknown lie Roy"
| on apocryphal "Red river"
4. No tree grows In that country with bark capa~
BILE OF being made into canoe, much less one with
capacity OF carrying twenty-eight men, surveying
Instruments &C." Consequently they had not "lefr
their boats' and taken to . ''DarK canoe.n
s. Major Powell never commanded Company B,
First Illinois artillery. He did command Company
F. Second Illinois artillery; but am told tonight by
one VINO was member OF that company that no
such man as John A. sdOn ever belonged to 1t.
The whole tale Is false and stamps John A. Ris.
don as an arrant liar or crazy person. who, II ever
was kicked out, and tells this story to create SYM
patty and procure transp0rtatlon: and If this John
/ A. RisdOn has, or has had any OF Major P0well's
property In his possession he undoubtedly stole II.
| Allow me to ask you 10 publish this 'cOntradlc.
tiOn,n and thus aid in allaying the anxiety caused
| by Risdons heartless lies. Respectfully,
| LACON, July g. 1869. A. Ii. THOMPSON.
| STATEMENT OF A BROTHER OF MAJOR POWELL, At
| LA sALLE-NO SUCH MAN AS RIsDON KNOWN At
| LA SALE.
Major P0well's brother states that he knows the
Major was safe late May 20, and was then pre-
pairing his boats that 1t was not the Intention Of the
Major to cross the Colorado. The MAJORS wife has
letter dated May D. He was too prudent to leave
one man with SO much baggage. Some persons are
named as being with the expedition who did not Co.
None OF the parties named from La Sale were with
II. The boat was provided with alright cOmpart-
ments, and each member Of the party with life pre-
servers. something besides the satche ought to
have been saved and the family ought to have seen
| that ere this. 30 such man as kisdon ID known
here.