Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-01-21

Northern ATlLOUd at
traction that rivals Niagara, or the Vel
lowstone, or the Yosemite, which Is exeit-
ing profound admiration on the part OF ali
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 few years
ago made a successful descent OF the
Colorado River. Before he saw the
canyon, however, and since he visited IL,
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 pie
turesque, there is great doubt among the
few inhabitants regarding Powells
achievement, for the Colorado, formed by
the Green and the Grand Rivers, is a wild,
tempestuous stream, and its course for
lies is through canyon with perpen-
dicular walls, whose height varies from
1000 to 5000 feet. Since the completion oh
the Atlantic q Pacific Railway the Grand
Canyon of the Colorado has come within
reach OF any tourist that desires to visit 1t.
By leaving the railway at the little town
of Peach Springs, situated in Arizona,
few miles east of The Needles, and driving
or riding down a rock bound canyon Tor
several miles one is taken TO the side OF the
Colorado at point where the stream runs
through its deepest canyon. Before one
rushes the river covered with foam and
surging like a rapid between the steep
| cliffs that border it on either side High
| overhead hang the dark-stained ledges,
| rising 5000 feet above the river. There is
| no sunlight in the region. Darkness
| fingers about the cliffs and the spot is as
| wild and 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
| continent-sublme in conception, awful In
| reality.
| Knowing that the South American COM
| missioners had lately visited the place, and
| desrous of learning their views regarding
| it, a reporter few days ago called on w.
| b. Curtis. the secretary. From him it 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.
ut is the widest and most interesting
| natural phenomenon in the world" said
| Mrs IelnDIduut nave
copied the shadows existing in it and have
profited from his study. The river seems
to have worn a course for itself through
miles of solid rock and the place should be
taken charge of by the Government and
kept free for all desiring to visit it,"
but it is free to visit, is it notY' said the
reporter.
mo, sir. There has been gigantic land
| appropriation near the canyon that is SIM
| liar to that in your Yosemite few years
ago. A nan has 'squatted' in canyon
bhrtrl tbhrt rlsads att to tbAt Eat Of otfat view the river rivd
and its cliffs he has To pay this boasting
fellow large sum of money OF 20 away
without seeing the canyon. OF course
every one having the money pays We
were charged $40 for our parry of six 1t
was an outrage, but we had come many
miles TO see the sight, and SO submitted to
the extortion."
"Can you tell more particularly about
the matterf"
Eyes; it is matter that should be
known and is as much of TN outrage as
though a man fenced in Niagara or levied
toll on every visitor TO the Y 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 mountain
surrounded valley overlooked by rugged
cliffs, we met a man who owned a cabin
there, who said he had taken up the land
in that vicinity and that bis cabin repre-
sented the 800 worth of improvements
| necessary to make his title good.
III you do not pay me 50 much
head he said, you can't
see the Grand Canyon And he had us.
There was no alternative but to pay or 60
away. So we paid our $40, and crossing
his land. got to the rivers side and enjoyed
the view. Ii is a sight worth tho money,
no doubt; but the man Harvey, who owns,
or says be owns, the land at the mouth
of Peach Springs Canyon, bleeds the pub
| lic."
docs the railway know of his tax on
visitors to the canyonr'
"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"
"Is there no way TO get the man OUTS
81 do not know. / have written Seero-
tary Teller, giving him the facts of the
case, and he may take summary proceed
iugs with Harvey. At present, however
the man holds the power OF shutting from
sight one OF the erandest looking canyons
in the country. He had squatted on he
little park for the sole purpose OF taxing
strangers. His land is valueless, and his
only income il from the sxorbitant fees
that he charges"
| "ls there any other possible entrans
TO the canyons"
| 'No; the Peach Springs Road is the ony
one Every visitor must pass through tic
park 'B.' There is no other way. II is con-
| pletely closed in. and is guarded by DIT
mond Mcutsin a on the one side and ~
high cliffs on the other. Harvey holds tfs
balance Of power. Until he is displacei
every tourist must make up his mind Z,
be aeeced, sc we al were. 1t a shaia<
and vet the action "a nNfnraf Tharo -.