The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-06

nuSDaldmeu. FROM mere W Inc La Fldbd tllNtT,
distance OF thIrty-ive miles or thereabouts the
trail was excellent, ana we travelled steadily all
day, starting at six O'Clock. As we descended
gradually and almost imperceptibly our path led
us through some OF the finest parts OF Colorado.
This was unexceptionably the paradise OF the
West. The succession OF lovely level parks opened
at length Into the noted Anlmas Valley or Park.
ANTMAs CITY.
At the mead OF this we passed through the city,
which viii be seen on most OF tue maps now pup
lished, under the name Of Animas City. 1t Is COM
posed OF three log huts, one of which is deserted.
The valley comprises the richest agricultural land
in the Territory and is settled by some twenty
I'VE men, who have built cabins ana
fenced IN garden lots for cultivation.
We saw some OF the finest crops we
have observed during our whole trip;
wheat corn, oats, onions, potatoes and 80 forth
thriving all along both banks OF the river The
park proper extends perhaps six eight miles
down the Animas and rolls out in some places TO
q mile in width. Numerous warm soda springs
bubble up along the hllsldes and river banks,
and their waters are pleasant and healthful. The
only drawback to the complete cultivation and
settlement Of this valley is the tribe OF Indians
Utesl who intest IL at certain seasons. Both
whites and Indians claiTa the land although there
is little doubt that IL lies outside or the reserva-
ton. Last summer the Utes invaded it and drove
all the settlers just as their crops OF grain,
vegetables and melons were ripe, and they fear
that the savages are waiting the maturity of their
crops for repetition OF the outrage From the
AnImas Valey the trail bends to the west and
winds through the hills OF red sandstone and lime
to the La Plata River. We arrived at sunset on
the banks OF this beautiful stream, some twelve or
fifteen miles from its rise, and camped on the
TERRA Amarillo wagon road, few hundred yards
from the La Plata mining settlement called Par
rot City. At this point we had expected 70 find
our supply camp as our provision teams were
due here several weeks ago; but they had not
yet arrived and nothing was to be heard OF them.
We were out OF provisions, long distance from
civilization, with no prospect of oar supplies ar
irving Tor weeks. 1t was therefore decided to
send two men down to TERRA Amarillo, dis
lance OF a hundred miles, through which the
teams were 10 pass, to try TO gain some informa-
ton relative to them. Mr.. Holiness division OF
the survey was camped on the Mancos River,
fourteen miles west OF us, and we discovered
that they were also short OF provist ons ana
impatently awaiting developments.
MINE PROSPECTING.
There are at present about seventy 1--WE miners
In the California district, and from appearances
this will prove without doubt the richest part OF
the San Juan mining country.
1nree years ago man DIV bn0 name OF MOSS,
from the California mines, came into this country
prospecting, and the indications of rcn mineral
resources were SO encouraging that he returned
for good about year and half ago with party
OF original California "Forty-nner The dis
trict was supposed to contain gold placers only,
until few months ago, when some PROSECUTORS
discovered some very promising lodes IN the sides
of the mountains, and up to this date there have
been over hundred claims located. The silver
fever seems to have set in now in the absence OF
material Tor gold mining. We visited several OF
the principal odes and were more favorably I'M
pressed by the appearance Of the ores snan any
we have yet examined. In the canyon OF the La
Plata, through the sides of the mountains, the
veins crop out for miles. There is series OF veins,
from six inches to several feet in width, which
run parallel IRON east to west in the "Silver
Mountain on the east side OF the river.
Twenty-Five have thus far been discovered, lying
from fifteen minimum distanceJ to two hundred
and fifty feet (maximum distance) apart, and
every day new lodes are being located. On the
west side OF the stream lies the Comstock lode, IN
which shaft has been sunk some twelve feet
being the furthest developed lode in the district
The gives a fair average assay OF 81, 200, and
contains heavy percentages OF silver in different
combinations. The chloride Of silver predoml-
mates, and this metal, in combination with cop
rienest mines in the whole San Juan range of
country, and doubtless many more, when they
are sufficiently developed, Will prove almost as
good Some OF the other most valued lodes are
the Maid Of Monterey, Princess, California and
Bay State. In addition TO the great proportions
OF silver in the La Plata Mountains the ore shows
rich deposits of gold, tellurium, copper ana
galena. An extensive ditch Is being con-
structed for obtaining water convenient for
gold mining two miles OF which is COM
pleted and by next season 1t Is TO
be finished, when it viii reach length
OF i've miles. winding around the sides OF the
mountains few hundred feet above the river.
Very little guch mining has been done yet on ac-
count OF the lack of ditch and hydraulic pres
sure, but nevertheless quantity OF nuggets
have been found IN citing, the largest being
one ounce ard half in weight OF pure gold, and
valued at $19 0S per ounce We were shown
several pieces, the size OF a half dollar, besides
quantity of coarse. dust, and there is not the
shade OF doubt that great quantities of the pre-
cious metal lie on the bed rock few feet below
the surface. Among the miners there are dozen
old "Forty-nners, besides Captain Moss, who
are very sangufne OF success in the near future,
and they predict tnat masses of gold will be taken
up pound or more in weight. 1t is certain that
there is gold in the district, ard the probabilities
are that in very few years this will be the min
ing camp of the whole country, and stampede
equal TO that of 1S40 may be the result.
DEALING WITH THE INDIANS
Captain Moss treated privately with the Indians
for this section OF country some time ago. and as
he is very upright and conscientious in all his
dealings with them and speaks their language as
auently as they do themselves he is held in great
esteem by them, and in the neglect OF the govern
ment in furnishing tnem with their stipulated an
nuities they draw largely upon his generosity for
supplies, in addition to the gifts he is constantly
lavishing among them. But their grievan ces seem
TO be reaching climax. The survey in charge OF
Mr.. Miller which has been sent out to run the
reservation line has been stopped by the weemI-
nuche band OF these Utes, and he and his party,
numbering about twelve men, have been taKen In
.Infn IL Inn