The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-02-08
The San Juan Country.

From q letter received by Hon. F. II.
Lyman, the following facts are taken
relative to the party now on its way
for the purpose of making new settle
ments on the San Juan River in this
territory. Since November 9Th, and
up to December 29tb, they had gone
distance Of only seventy-fve miles.
Work had been done on the road ss
far as they had gone. but owing to
storms the party had been compelled
to lay over considerable. They were
then sixty miles southeast of
Escalante, and on the Colorado River,
where they expected to remain for
time, as the road from there on, as
far az they had been, was one OF the
worst ever seen, and in many places
nothing but sandstone hills, cut up by
deep gulcnes, which ii is impossible
to cross except at few points miles
apart. They were then one mile from
the Colorado River, which was as
close as they could get at that time,
but work was going on when the
weather would allow, which was
seldom owing to the severity OF the
storms, winter having then set IN to
all appearances. Only one section
had been found where a road could
possibly be made across the river, and
It was estimated that it would cost
81 500 to make a road from the place
where they we're located down the
rivera distance of one mile. The
banks are solid sandstone, and in
m any places perpendicular, to a
depth Of from 800 to 1, 200 feet, and |
there are very few places where q
man can get down to the water. They |
we're then working in cliff, in some |
places so deep and narrow that
the sun never shines on the men.
When they commenced work on
the cliff, there was a torty-foot preci-
pice over which men bad to be
lowered by ropes to get to work, but
BY blasting they had got it into q con-
iition by which they could get down
without ropes, though it was danger
ous when there was snow on the
rocks. Ga the opposite side of the
liver the prospect ia very little better
or distance of ten or twelve miles.
1t had been expected by the party
hat they would have been located on
he San Juan River prior to the date
If the letter, and would have been
sowing crops and making improve.
nent for winter work, but they now
leem themselves about one year be-
hind hand; however, they are feeling
yell.
There are about seventy wager on
he road to the San Juan country, but
eversl are holding back, waiting for
,thers to perform the work OF making
he road. The road, when COM
oleted, will be q great benefit, as it
Rill save 200 miles in travelling to
san Juan and to Arizona. The com.
,any had been rather unfortunate
With its stock, having Lost a great
many by death and otherwise. while
heir grain was about exhausted.
A party had been sent out, which,
IN returning, reported that it had
been as far as the San Juan River,
which was a distance OF about 175
niles from the camp, much farther
han the members OF the company
lad expected. The worst part OF the
Dad was the first ten miles, after
which the teams would be able to get
Along pretty comfortably in about
NO months, but more powder was
necessary before they could proceed
any farther.
The exploring party found the
Mormon settlers on the San Juan
River in a critical condition, owing to
he scarcity OF provisions, which would
asst but a couple of months, and
none could be procured.
The distance from Salins to the
San Juan is estimated at 285 miles,
about the same az by the Grand
River route.