Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-06-21
THE BURST GULU-BU BIBLE.
Pr0spectsrs Returning Disguised
from the scene of the Late Excite
ment In Lower California.

ment In Lower California.
San Francisco Dispa'ch.
Two sloops and one schooner arrived
at this port yesterday, bringing about
seventy prospectors from Lower Cali
fornia, all disappointed with their trip.
From conversation with several of the
most experienced it is learned that the
gulch had been well worked before It's
location was made public. Mexicans
and Indians work more faithfully and
are satisfied with less results than for
eigners would be willing to accept as q
remuneration for their trials. The dis
lance from Trinidad Bay to San Ger
trude's Mission is about seventy miles
over heavy sardy trail which is east
ly passed. Many false trails lead trav
elers astray. The water at Trinidad Is
very brackish, and the distance TO the
next water is about twenty miles. The
next water is about six miles further
These waters are springs, and are APP
parently exhausted after leaving the
pond water. The msia ridge is about
$500 feet high, and very steep. 1t has
to be crossed, and after crossing the
ridge the only water found is deposited
in a tank, which is very poor, and has
to be used by outward bound ard re-
turning travellers. The water at the
mission is abundant, and of good quail.
ty. The Pacific trail is easier and bet
ter defined than the gulch trail Evil
dence Of considerable labor is apparent
and the trail was presumably construct
ed under the direction of the Jesuits,
and the work performed by the Indi-
ans many years since.
About twenty persons are now living
at the Mission, which is variously stated
to be from 200 to $50 years old. Fruit
and veg tables are grown, and the place
still shows signs of having been In quite
a thriving condition at some distant
day. Tanks, cut from the solid rock,
still remain, evidently having been
used for tanning presses and other uses.
Corrals capable of holding large num-
bers Of stock still remain, and the stone
wall Enclosures, running even up to the
mountain sides, cause one to wonder
for what purposes they were built. A
graveyard adjoining contains over 20O
graves.
From the Mi sion to the next water
Is about nine miles, over steny road
for greater part of the way. The
water is deposit and of poor quail
ity, and is being fast consumed by men
and animals.
Reports differ concerning rain; some
say it has not rained in seven wears
others that 1T rains every year. The
country shows traces of tremendous
washouts at some period.
After leaving this water none is
reached for the distance of about twe...
ty miles, and this out of the course to
the placers, and distant from them fiji
teen miles. The water is of poo
quality, and is packed on hurres ane
sold at at the diggings from 10 to 20cts
per gallon.
All unite in admitting that the coun
try is the toughest and the hottest eve
travelled over. Much suffering was ex
perienced for the want of water by meI
and animals. Strong men succum bed
and the weaker were Frustrated by tn,
intense heat. Along the trail were scat
tered tools, provisions, blankets, anC
clothing whicA had proven too cumber
sonao.
Arriving at the placers they wer
found to be about One-quarter of mill
long by 90 feet wide, and looked ike
well plowed furrow. The men worked
side bv side, or in thesam hole. An,
one who thinks the Mexicans do no
know how 10 work placers should 90 t,
the placers and watch them pan GU
pan after pan, with cheeks extended
blowing away the sand Eight hand
produced a net result of aoolt 81, an,
some worked with poorer results. !
portion OF the country has been pros
pected for placers and quartz, as we
without paying results.
The pasturage is of the poorest kind
and the wood is small and scarce.
Very few foreigners are row left an,
all will undoubtedly return in fey
days. Many turned back, satisfied
with the experience of others, Will
others insisted on seeing for them
selves. A few days stay satisfies then
that the trip should not be attempted
on foot, and riding and pack null
are both necessary.
PROVISIONS and supplies can be found
at Trinidad Bay, at the mission, and q
the placers, at rates which Will no
warrant parties Quitting at distan
places.
The days are hotter than ut Yuma
and the nights cold, with heavy dew
ard fogs, and what the future may b
is very uncertain but a mine is yer.
rich which pays to work it in a countr.
void of wood and water, or Wagon
roads, and which ia 80 miles from tn
Pacific and 90 miles from the neares
point on the gulf. Two dry washer
are en- route, and others are to be sen
there shortly.