The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-13
AFFIRMING CITY IN EMBRYO.
Veins Of Anthracite and Btu
minoue Coal Discovered.
A Journey Through Ancient Ruins
and Prehistoric Cities.
INTERESTING RELICS DISCOVERED,
CALIYoKrIA DISTRICT
OF TIE SAN JUAN MINES,

n Week may DO pIOnIhOy culpOgVu III q 'i9R w '"S
locality for there is much OF interest 10 be seen and
many objects Of natural scenery be studied Tho
Photographic division OF the expedition has been en-
.amped at this place for than a week, and, al
though It has been a matter OF compulsion, the time
has nevertheless been too brief for thorough
examination of tho rich mineral deposits OF the mines
IN the vicinity. Our supplies which were TO have ar
rived the first part OF the month, were only unioaded
om the wagons on the Gath inst and tho intervening
period has been employed in preparations
for our trip through tho desert OF the San
Juan River which will require perhaps six
weeks About 5000 pounds Of provisions were
hipped by teams from Pueblo the 18th OF June and
wero forwarded from Sierra Amarillo on the LIST OF
July so idea may be formed Of the difficulties of
transportation in that country, when il is estimated
that days occupied in carrying the cargo
distance Of scarcely 800 miles However all the sup
plies have arrived safely at last, and our empty
mess chests have beon replcnished; and while the
parties for whom these things have been forwarded
In the field supply camp or quartermasters depart
will be established at Parrot City and ratons
will be drawn from this frequently is
Bary.
The town known by this is laid ont into building
lots most OF which have been secured by the miners
who intending erect substantial buildings upon
them this fall predictions and prophecies Of men
experienced in mining are realized
A TLouRrsHrNG TOWN
win occupy the site Of the two buildings which now
compose PARROT in less than year. and shortly prop
erty here will reach high value judging from the rapid
increase of all other successful mining camps in theer
ritory There are men to-day who are shrewdly con-
tempattng investments in town lots and If any money
Is be made 1t will be determined in
short time, for real estate must keep
lpace with all other enterprises Of mining
country. In the month of july solely, there havc
been sixty placer and lode claims located and the daily
discoveries of new mines seem be increasing in
Eeometrcal progression. The total Of mining claims
SO far reached is upward OF $50 all of which have been
recorded in little moro than year. Captain Moss has
gone out 10 California in the interests OF
the district and is expected return In less than
month with number OF capitalists who are anxious TO
mako examinations of the country. few days ago
one undeveoped placer claim sold for $500 and those
owning such along the La Plata anticipating heavy
bids for their property. In addition to the precious
and useful there have recently been discovered
several large veins OF hard anthracite coal OF the purst
quality Two veins, three and four feet wide at the
eurface found in the vicinity OF Parrot City,
and about forty miles southwest the Mancos River
there are extensive beds Of camel and bituminous
coal On the DUMAS River, twenty miles cast
of the La Plata, there exist great beds OF
limestone, easy Of access and sufficiently fine
for burning Heavy spruce, cottonwood, willow, Pine
and maple and oak timber grow in the canyon and
along the river banks and building stone TO be had in
largo quantities everywhere, so that all the requisites
for building purposes fuel Immediately at hand
The soil is fertile and productive of vegetables,
Dos ag apd fruits land ana in the Territory
included in district and where the soil is dry rriga
won s he best in the world Indeed from ali indca
Ions have no doubt OF the ultimate success and pros
perty OF the La Plata mines, be they OF goid silver,
copper or coal There are several very
PECULIAR ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA
10 frequently witnessed in this climate, SO completely
l variance with the natural laws Of the elements that
one unaccustomed the observation OF them will DO
unable account for their appearance As an instance
quarter re Of an hour when there was not
a cloud to be seen except one or two
frequent to have drenching shower which
proceeds from Insignificant cloud which seems TO
narent Veil through which the blue sky appears
and the brightness OF the sun SHINES unim,
paired A few evenings ago we witnessed
very novel but beautiful sight In the southern
horizon lay Of leaden clouds connected with the
earth by train Of vapor ont Of which appeared rom
the whole width Of the cloud seemed to be
converted into mass OF brilliant coors, like
the section Of an intense rainbow; but the strata
formed by the tnts perfectly vertical and the bright
hues remained unfaded Tor more than an hour until
twilight set in and hid the spectacle from view.
THE MIRAGE
on the sandy plain and the lunar iris douby reflected
when the moon is full are frequently seen but the
great distance to which the unassisted eye can pene
trate in rarcd atmosphere is the most remarkable
fact which IS noticeable among the climatic peculiarites
We are now entirely west Of the main range OF the
Rocky Mountains The adjacent country Is rolling but
not mountainous and farther west is what is called the
Mesa or canyon country, formed OF succession or
pateaus up by innumerable rocky and impossible
canyons In this tract are some Of the deepest
md toughest which have been discovered
As those the Colorado and branches OF the san Juan
Through this arid baked district lie thousands OF
ANCIENT RUINS
md scores OF prehistoric cities through which
pect TO pass on way down the San Juan River
renegade Indians composed OF Utes, Pah -Utes
and Nsvjoes who reported 10 be dangerous and 10
have a theving reputation These Captain Moss
warned us against but Just as he was starting West
Of this band arrived IN Parrot CITY 10 "nom
the Captain introduced n US EXPLAINING sro TO od hmm
Into that region. Tho Indian promised 10 do all he
Mountain and he would be there when we arrived, and
would show interesting ruins in the neghbor-
hood.
is divided into bands which are known as the
Tabeguache, Muache Capote Wecminuehe, Yampa
Grand River and Wntah Utes. The Weeminuches
nhabit this part Of the reservation and have
camp on the La Plata, few miles
below u.s. They the poorest branch
Of the tribe being dressed shnbbiy with few or no or
naments, and struggling constantly for the means OF
subsistence It is a well known fact among these set
tiers that they have never received any compensation
for the land hercabouts which was purchased by the
government, DO it through neglect or the
RAscAIITY or AGENTS.
Every day visited at dinner time by delega-
zion OF bali starved savagcs who SIT around us watch
successful applicant brings two or three OF his friends
the next day, and If we remain IN inc
whole tribe hands 10 feed There Is ono poor
old known as " Old How do do Wano,
whose age has Dcen lOst IN INC uadluohS "
The shadOwy past lie is mysterious old
cove and invariably tarries until the rest OF his com
panions depart when he approaches with air OF
ton and whispers softly Glow de do2 Biscuit"
Then he goes through the whole catalogue Of
articles he would desire, such as -four, sugar.
contributions from each member Of the party dsap-
pears with well filed blanket, cnloining upon us tho
strictest sccrcsy.
A STATION
ls 10 be established this point for couple OF mona
In charge of Mr. G. C. Adrch. One OF the Indians ap-
proached that gentleman the day after he arrived with
vial partially filed with mercury and an
other which was empty and modestly requested
40 have them filed from the barometer, seeming
nue Indignant TO refused This shows the unreason
sho demands which these constantly max ing
N Inc whites the only way 70 get along with them
A 10 refuse every request
Mr. Holmes party returned TO farrott ivy on the
-, for THAR qunoltes expected start