Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-11-26
THE GREAT SOUTHWEST.


It's Wond crs-Forfy-tsyo Cities. Towns,
Mills, Etc., Etc.
From the Pittsburgh Chronicle
Among the most conspicuous aatu-
raj wonders of the country embtaced
in Captain Samuel Adams five and
half years. explorations. made under
the instructions of the late Secretary
Stanton, in the extensive and compare
lively unknown country southwest of
the Rocky Mountains, is the great des-
ert in California, running for over $50
miles along the west side of the Colo
RADIO, with width of from 100 to 24O
miles, Much of this dry and inhos.
pitable waste is below the river, and
the gulf at the mouth of the same.
This is capable of being reclaimed by
the introduction Of water from both.
Near the mouth of the Colorado a
strean1Duns out from it and discharges
it's waters in the desert over one hun
dred miles back, between there and
San Diego, and from the small guam
tity of this it sinks in the sand and is
evaporated. When the channel is en-
larged one of the most fertile sections
of the United States will be demon
strated. Such is the climate and the
richness of the soil here, as in the Salt
Lake settlement, 100 per cent. more
grain can be raised to the acre thar in
the isolated spots of the desert, where
water is found, vegetation advances
with remarkable and unprecedented
growth.
The tide at the head of the Gulf of
California rises from % to 80 feet. The
vast volume of fresh water coming
down the river from the Rocky Noun
tains meets the Gulf Stream; for q
moment there is struggle for the
mastery. when the first is compelled
to yield, and with roar like distant
thunder old ocean proclaims her tri-
umph. The consequence is that the
stream entering the desert is increased.
At a comparatively small outlay the
enterprise of turning water into the
desert could be put in motion, and the
action of the water would complete it's
success. This being done, an uninter-
rupted water communication could be
had with the interior, and the richest
mines of gold and silver upon our con-
tinent, now unproductive on account of
their situation, could be reached. The
Government cannot be too careful of
granting any of this valuable section
of our public domain.
Having repeatedly traversed this re-
markable desert we speak from a per-
sonal knowledge Of the prospective
value of the same. The advantages to
be derived from turning water upon
such an extended territory can scarce
ly be estimated. Within a few miles
of the head of this desert you come
unexpectedly upon forty-two beautiful
little Mormon cities and towns, with a
population of over 10000, extending
for four hundred miles, from Callville
to Great Salt Lake City. The names,
population and distance of them Cap
tain Adams gave the Government in
his published report, since which
time they have been marked
upon our official maps; also,
the facts showing the practical
bility of constructing railroad along
the same, thus giving uninterrupted
communication with the Pacific Ocean
without the necessity Of crossing the
Sierra Nevada mountains, as these run
niicent harbor of San Diego. Miles
of this is already made, and within a
few months it will be entirely com
p1eted. In the cities and towns through
which it passes WOODEN, -four, and other
mills are in successful operation, while
the neat public and private buildings
of brick, stone, frame and adobe, half
concealed by the orchards and vine
yards, add a refreshing charm to the
scene when emerging from the desolate
waste which separates them.
In the vicinity of Callville, where
the steamer Esmeralda, of Captain
Adams exploration, assembled. we
found thousands of feet up on the side
of the mountain, clear, solid veins of
salt, from ten to seventy-fve feet in
thickness, surrounded by inexhaustible
mines of precious metals. This is
blown out by powder OF dug by picks,
and is used in the reduction of ores,
and for domestic purposes. The facts,
as given by Captain Adams, of the re-
sources of the country embraced within
his unsupported explorations, are cor
roborated, as far as they have gore, by
Prof Hayden. Lieut.. Wheeler and
Major Powell. who have followed the
course marked out by him, and profit
ed by his report published before eth
er of these ever saw the river or coun-
try. Captain Adams, who is native
of Beaver county, Of our State, will de-
liver lecture in this city upon his ex-
plorations, for the benefit of the yellow
fever sufferers, if sufficient interest is
taken in the subject. He has lectured
in Washing on City, Richmond, Hun.
tington, Altoona, Indianapolis, Column
bus, and other points, receiving the
most fattering notices from the entire
press.
Tea Aduiterated.
Three Liverpool grocers have re-
Gently been fined fer selling tea adul-