The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-23
EXPLORING DEATH VALLEY.
An Expedition Starting TO Lift the
Veil from the Mysterious Canyon.

Veil from the Mysterious Canyon.
From the New York Herald
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-Information has
just been received by DIR. Merriam of the
agricultural department that the long an
ticipated expedition to thoroughly explore
the celebrated Valley Of Death had arrived
at San Bernardino, CAL, and would at once
proceed. The party will subdivide into
three separate bodies, and remain until
spring, prosecuting researches in this
curious region. At the conclusion Of their
labors DR.. Merriam will go over the ground
covered by these exploring parties, recti-
flying discrepancies in their work, and
formulating the whole into scientific sum-
mary. The final results cannot be made
public before next summer.
The fact that such an expedition has been
sent out by the department of agriculture
to make systematic explorations has scarcely
been mentioned in the public press. The
few paragraphs which have appeared are so
highly colored and distorted that an accu-
rate statement Of the matter will be of unu-
snal public interest. This valley has been
represented as a narrow, desert canyon,
where water is absolutely unknown. The
heat has been declared SO intense that dead
animals do not decompose. 1t has also been
believed that no human being has ever ex-
plored this inhospita BILE valley and returned
to give an account of his adventures. Those
who have Travelled by chance or design into
these wastes are supposed to have persisted
from prostration and thirst. their bodies
being preserved from decay by the abnor-
nally high temperature.
AS FANCY SEES 1T.
notwithstanding the discouraging char
acter of these semi-authentlc statements,
the canyon has been described as fabulous
Eldorado. The desolate hills are said to be
a continuation of the Bonanza ranges of
California Rich deposits Of gold and silver
are supposed TO abound, and numberlsss
parties, composed of hardy prospectors
have started in search of this imaginary
wealth, but soon returned after traversing
q short distance or were lost. 1t has been
out few years since one Of these expedi-
tions, consisting of a miner, his wife and
two children, was discovered by party OF
venturesome explorers. Their wagon had
fallen to pieces from lack Of moisture, and
its unfortunate occupants had evidently
died Of thirst.
In order to procure some accurate infor-
nation your correspondent has visited the
agricultural department, where he was
kindly furnished with maps of the expedi-
ton. Secretary Rusk stated that more in
terest had been taken iu this exploration
than any heretofore made The objects
n
correct map was to be outlined; all plants
and animals found were to be classified and
a collection Of neurological specimens
would be secured. Assistanu Secretary Will
lets and DR.. Merriam produced a map show
ing the Valley of Death to be located in
Southern California instead of Colorado or
Arizona, as has been popularity supposed. A
line drawn from latitude IS TO 81, and
longitude 116 to 49, encloses block of
u Law ,tnfF 1fnnr
miles, This area is traversed by numerous
parallel valleys running northwest to south
east and bounded by ranges of bills. This
territory lies along the lower portion of
Nevada, extending almost to the state line.
Several mining camps have been established
on the outer portion of this district, but no
systematic exploration has ever been con-
cluded.
LOWER THAN THE OCEAN.
Through the center of this barren tract
extends the Valley of Death proper. This
depression is about 1875 miles long, and
ranges from fifteen to twenty miles in
width. The hills surrounding it are of
various dimensions, sometimes approaching
the dignity of mountains. The valley
itself is from 100 to 500 feet below the level
Of tie sea. The indications all point to
rich mineral deposits, but no reliable speci-
mems have as yet been obtained.
Az NdElOuS IkuGn lnulNluudls udNo pcue~
trated this arid waste and a hastily pre-
pared expedition under government SUPER
vision passed through this region some years
since, but made no accurate drawings.
During the period OF this partial survey,
different springs of water were found, but
the supply they afforded was exhausted. 1t
is supposed that the subterranean heat, in
connection with that Astounding in the at
mosphere, absorbed the greater portion of
tba tar md odd
caused a temporary stoppage. During
the day the SUMS rays beating
upon the sand and reflected from
the hillsldes produced almost in
tolerable heat, but at night the discomfort
was materially reduced, the average tenn
perature at midnight In midsummer being
1922 Dead bodies did not decompose, but
became mummited, the animal liquids be-
ing absorbed by the air and the muscular
tissues dried into parchment. The water
supplied by spring was so limited in guam
tity that a single mule would exhaust the
flow. Beside these miniature water courses
was sparse growth Of hardy grass indigo
nous to Southern California. No other
vegetation was found.
HOW THE EXPLORATION WILL BE MADE.
Four members of the expedition will start
from San Bernardino and four others from
Daggett on the southwestern limits of the
desert area. while the remaining three will
enter from the northeastern boundary.
These parties will endeavor to effect meet
ing in the valley before spring.
A large supply of provisions and water
will be transported by pack trains. The
number OF men composing each division has
been reduced TO the smallest possible num-
Der. owing to the great difficulty expe-
rienced in carrying stores. TIE general
supervision OF this exploration will be IN
der the direction of Prof. Palmer.
In speaking of the expedition, Assistant
Secretary WilIets says: