Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-07-14
GOVERNMENT SURVEYS.


In short time several western sur.
veying expeditions will be in the field
in active operations. They are inten-
ded 10 cover sections of country OF
which little is known OF scientific
character at the present time. One
expedition, under the command OF
Lieutenant Wheeler, was at Pueblo,
California, on the 9th instant, nearly
ready to start. The work of this par
ty will embrace territory Of thirty
thousand square miles. OF this large
area twelve thousand miles have new
er been trod by the feet of a survey
ing party. 1t is virgin soil in this re-
spect. Its mineral wealth and other
productions are unknown. This party
will be divided into three divisions
The first division will proceed in a
southwesterly direction to Fort Gar
land, and from thence to Terra ANA
rillo valley of the Rio Chama, in
New Mexico. They will then explore
the Mcsas in search Of practicable
route for a wagon road via Washing
ton Pass to the West, visit Manzana,
Zandia, San Pedro and Placer Noun
tains, reach Santa Fe, and end their
labors by surveying the drainage areas
of the Rio Pacos and the Canadian
river. The route will be about twen-
ty-fve hundred miles in length.
The second division will visit the
south park in the Rocky Mountains,
from that point more in the direction
of the north of the southern Arkan-
sas, and when that is reached pass
along the Atlantic and Pacific divide
between Coochctopa Pass and Mount
Stewart and return by the valley Of
the Upper Rio Grande, Wet Mountain
valley, the Sangre del Cristo and
Greenhorn ranges en- route TO Pueblo
and Fort Lyon. A minute and care
fnl examination of the mines upon the
upper Animos river and those in the
vicinity of Del Morte and Rosita will
be made by this division Of the sur
veying force.
The third and last branch of the
main party will proceed direct to
Spanish Peaks, and from that point
pass over and note the drainage areas
of the Purgatoire and Apishapa riv-
ers, move on to the lower extension of
the Sierra Sangre del Cristo and the
Ration Spur, and afterwards connect
the base lines at Pueblo and Santa Fc
with the triangle extended in 1873
from the latter town westward into
Arizona and southwark TO the Mexi-
can line. The real object of the whole
work is to ascertain the exact topo.
graphical features of the country west
OF the one hundrcdth meridian, and
find out and report the best routes for
the supply of interior posts for the in
terchange of troops, and for scouts
pursuing hostile Indians. This is the
military aspect and meaning of the
surveying expedition now operating
in the "lar West" 1t has also other
uses of most necdfnl and commen-
dable character IL will furnish the
people accurate and reliable informa-
tion in reference to the natural miner
al and agricultural resources of that
portion Of the country, of which so
little is known at the present time,
and thus enable those who wish TO be-
come pioneers in the march of i'm.
provement in that direction TO do so
advisedly. Astronomers, geologists,
biologists, minerologists and chemists
accompany all the parties, and they
will test all matters brought to their
attention in thorough manner. The
reports of the chiefs of the various
parties will be OF great practical inn
portance, and hence their appearance
will be watched with deep interest in
this and other countries. philadelphia
Times.