Tombstone epitaph., 1890-05-03
Tie Colorado Canyon SurVpV.

radO Canon and Pacific k. R. Co. MT. Stanton has just completed perilOus trip down the Colorado from the Green River to the Gulf Of California, being the only man in charge of party making the trip since it was performed by Major Powell many years ago The voyage was consumat- ed in the interests of the company re- presented by him, the object being to ascertain by surveys the feasibility of a proposed railway route from Denver to San Diego and, incidentally, q branch to the Gulf. Despite the most thorough examination no great diff culties have yet been encountered from an engineering standpoint while, financially speaking, the company Is possessed of ample means to carry the project through, and are, besides, very enthusiastic over is practicability. Originally the Gulf branch was in tended as deep water outlet for the great coal deposits of the north where by this fuel could be laid down at the end of the route very cheaply, and coke at as low a figure as nine dollars per ton. However, the country tra- versed has shown so much mineral 
 everywhere, including gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, coal, etc, that, says MT. Stanton, the enlivening of the mining industries will in themselves offer so large traffic to the road as to surpass the most sanguine expectations of its promoters. The total distance will involve the construction of some twelve hundred miles of railroad, standard guage, and the Colorado river crossing will be considerably north of Yuma at q point not yet selected or, at any rate, not commun- icated to the reporter. More than one thousand photographs of scenery were taken along the Colorado at intervals not greater than from one-fourth mile to one mile apart, through the cafOn portion of the river thus covering nearly every foot of the way, which will afford panoramic picture that will demonstrate, when taken in con junction with the maps showing the results of the surveys, beyond cavil, the overwhelming advantages and comparative simplicity of the con struction of the road. It has not yet been decided when building will com mence, as the company is waiting for the completion and receipt of the en- gineer's report
 Relative to the trip through the canon it may be explained that last December MT. Stanton, MT. John Hissop, assistant engineer, and ten others started to complete the surveys through the lower portion of Marble Caflon and down to Yuma, the party becoming less by several leaving be- fore reaching the latter place. During previous explorations further north, Pres. Brown and two others lost their lives. and pains were taken that a similar calamity should not again oc- cur. The three boats used were models of careful workmanship, designed es- pecially for the trip. The passage through the Grand Canon was fraught with peril, owing 10 the rapids every where formed by the deposit of inn mcnse bOulders in the. river. from side canOns. Speaking of the gorgeous surroundings everywhere visible in this, the most wonderful Oi all Natures marvels, MT. Stanton says: "The scenery of the Grand Canon was not alone grand, but 1t was surprisingly and almost indescribably beautiful. Imagine gigantic walls towering thou sands of feet above you, reaching from bench 10 bench and from plateau to plateau, each receding further away until lost in the distance. Far above at the summit, is the virgin snow, cold and white in the sunlight Then comes the timber, showing every shade Of green, and for two thousand feet further down are yellow and gray sandstones, followed by sandstoncs Of brilliant red, merging finally into rocks of every color, including yellow. purple, green, violet and black, to the river hanks. Grotesque rocks of every imaginable shape mingle one with an- other until the mind grows bewildered with the strange shapes and vivid col bring that blend into an ensemble of beauty, grandeur and majesty such as I can never forget"
 MT. Stanton and party arrived on Thursday afternoon, leaving early the next morning for the Gulf, with the expectation of returning by the follow ing Tuesday. He has performed a feat of which he may we'll be proud, and one mi likely f., ho repnotal ,,Dtil