The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-01-14
sQUATTER, STRATEGY.
How Settler Secured Control Of
Natural Attraction.
The Means Resorted to by Sharp From
tiersman to Get n Corner on Natural
Scenery-An Outrageous Tax on vis-
itors to One of the World Wonders.
[san Francisco paper.l

traction that rivals Niagara, or 1.-THE Yell
lowstone, or the Yosemite, which is excit-
ing profound admiration on the part Of all
who view it. The Grand canyon Of the
Colorado River, which is the name given
this newly -talked-of bit of natures handi-
work, was originally brought to public
notice by Major Powell, who q few years
ago made q successful descent Of the
Colorado River. Before he saw the
canyon, however, and since he visited 1t,
the region has been practically inacces-
sible. In Eastern Utah, where the Green
River begins to enter the canyons that
afterward deepen and grow more pic
turesque, there is great doubt among the
few inhabitants regarding Powell's
achievement, for the Colorado, formed by
the Green and the Grand Rivers, Is q wild,
tempestuous stream, and its course for
miles is through canyon with perpen-
dicular walls, whose height varies from
5000 to 5000 feet. Since the completion OF
the Atlantic g. Pacific Railway the Grand
Canyon of the Colorado has come within
reach of any tourist that desires to visit it.
By leaving the railway at the little town
of Peach Springs, situated in Arizona, a
few miles east of The Needles, and driving
Oh riding down n rock bound canyon for
several miles one is taken to the side OF the
Colorado ut point where the stream runs
through its deepest canyon. Before one
PUSHES the river covered with foam and
Burging like a rapid between the steep
cliffs that border it ON either side. High
do RI Nain
rising 5000 feet above the river. There is
40 sunlight in the region. Darkness
fingers about the cliffs and the spot is as
wild snd uncanny as Dante pictured the
entrance to the Internal regions. Tourists
who have seen the canyon regard 1t as
superior In grandeur to anything on the
,ontinent-sublime in conception, awful In
reality.
Knowing that the South American COM
nissioners had lately visited the place, and
desirous Of learning their views regarding
1t, reporter few days ago called on w.
Z. Curtis, the secretary. From him 1t was
learned that whatever had been said or
written in laudation of the canyon gave
but little idea Of the real grandeur that ex-
isted.
at is the widest and most interesting
natural phenomenon in the world" said
Mr.. Curtis: "Rembrandt might have
copied the shadows existing in IL and have
profited from his study. The river seems
to have worn q course for itself through
miles of solid rock, and the place should DO
taken charge of by the Government and
kept free for all desiring to visit it."
"But it is free to visit, is 1t notp said the
reporter.
mo, sir. There has been gigantic land
appropriation near the canyon that is SIM
liar to that in your YOSEMITE a few years
ago. A man has 'squatted' in a canyon
that leads to that of the Colorado, and
before any one can view the river
and its cliffs he has 10 pay this boasting
fellowa large sum of money or go away
every one having the money pays. We
were charged SO for our party Of six. 1t
was an outrage, but we had come many
miles TO see the sight, and 80 submitted to
the extortion."
"Can you tell more particularly about
the matterp
"Yes; II Is matter that should be
known and is as much Of an outrage as
though a man fenced in Niagara or levied
toll on every visitor to the Yosemite or the
Yellowstone. The Peach Springs Canyon
road is a narrow and rock strewn passage
that is the only road leading to the Colora-
do. Now that we had reched a mountain
surrounded valley overlooked by rugged
| cliffs, we met q man who owned n cabin
there, who said he had taken up the land
| in that vicinity and that his cabin repre-
sented tho 500 worth Of improvements
necessary. to make his title good.
III you do not pay me SO much
head,' no said, you can't
see the Grand Canyon And he had us.
There was no alternative but ~ pay or go
away. 80 we paid our $40, and, crossing
his land, got to the rivers side and enjoyed
the view. 1t Is a sight worth the money,
no doubt; but the man Harvey, who owns,
or says he owns, the land at the mouth
OF Peach Springs Canyon, bleods tho pub
lic."
"Does the railway know of his tax on
visitors to the canyonp
"Yes. The ticket agent said his COM
pany would not sell coupon tickets good to
the canyon because Harvey would not
make terms with them"
SIS there no way to get the man out"
~ do not know. / have written Socre-
tary Teller, giving him the facts of the
case, and he may take summary proceed
ings with Harvey. AT present, however,
the man holds the power OF shutting from
sight one OF the grnndest looking canyons
in the country. He had squatted on the
little park for the sole purpose Of taxing
strangers. His land is valueless, and his
only income Is from the exorbitant fees
that he charges"
SIS there any other possible entrance
to the canyon"
'No; the Peach Springs Road Is the only
one. Every visitor must pass through the
| park 'B' There is no other way. IL is COM
pletely closed in, and is guarded by Dia-
mond Moutain "A on the one side and by
high cliffs on the other. Harvey holds the
balance Of power. Until ho is displaced
every tourist must make up his mind 10
be fieeced, as we all were. II Is shame,
| and yet the action is natural. There arc
| A n.