The St. Johns herald., 1893-10-19
ANTIQUE BEAUTIES.
The Marvellous Mountain Tributary
 of the Colorado River.
CliGs and Powders Which Bear the Print of Artistic Hands of Mys- terious Race-Homes of Pre-
 Historic Cave Owellers.

have for years, at irregular intervals, discoursed at some length upon the wonders of the Rio San Juan, and in the category of the marvellous this mountain tributary of the great Col orado has taken it's place by the side of the far-faned and mysterious Gila. The cliff ruins of the San Juan valley have been the center of attraction. have been viewed from all sides, and their wonders have been told and retold to the world, time and time again. Scientific men have visited this region, have penetrated southeastern Utah, and have considered this valley place of especial interest, because these cliffs and cave dwellings are probably the oldest in this strange country, be- ing the first built is that mysterious journey sOuthward of great and un- known people.
 For twenty years the prospector has followed this bold little river and gazed with careless unconcern on the rough and broken walls, so full of in- terest to the archaologist; but the mind of the prospector has no room for curios, and he has no time for archaeological investigation, says Phenix correspondent of the Cincip- nati Tribune. He sees only the glitter of the gold in the sand. and thinks only of the time when he shall have made his stake" In November of 1882 hundreds of gold hunters rushed madly into the canyon north of the Nav ajo mountain, travelled three hundred miles over bleak, desert tablelands, suf fered terribly from cold, hunger, and the long, wearisome journey; in few days staked off all the available land for fifty miles up and down the river, and then returned home without having obtained so much as color of gold, and to-day have nothing to show for it but the stakes.
 Whether this is a region that will ever show rich pay dirt the writer knows not, but he can say, without hesitation, that it is one of the most wildly picturesque and beautiful re- gions in the world. The bleak old Navajo mountain rises abruptly and towers like a grim sentinel over the surrounding mesa, while in canyon gorge, more than 5000 feet below it's base, the Rio San Juan appears like a silver thread. The canyon is several miles wide, and descent can be made to the river by precipitous trail, but as the river approaches the great Col orado the canyon becomes more mar row and the walls more perpendicular, and when it merges into the grand canyon it is scarcely more than deep, dark channel.
 The Navajo mountain, the jutting buttes that line the canyons verge, the huge powders that are lodged on the canyons side, and the straight walls of the canyon proper are all points of wonderful interest, for they are the canvas upon which are depicted some of the most strange and beautiful pie tographs that have ever been discov- cred in this country. Nearly every powder is a picture gallery, and near ly every smooth surface is covered with weird and fantastic figures.
 On the mountain these continue to the very summit, and, as the crowning piece, huge block of sandstone stands on the top, the four sides presenting
 
 than one hundred feet square, and on each face is picture of the sun, with the figures of seven warriors bowed as to the earth, in prayer. Beneath the warriors are many hieroglyphic charac- ters, probably prayer to the sun god. On bowlder, by the verge of the can yon, is the picture of woman l1neel- ing in prayer to the sun.
 On one of the canyon walls, more than one hundred feet from anything that could have furnished the barbaric artist a foot or handhold, there is a weird panoramic view in three scenes. Under tree child is sleeping. One little hand lies across it's breast, while the other has fallen carelessly by its side. A few feet from the sleeping babe, large snake, evidently rattle snake, is coiled to strike. Down the canyon, toward the west, is scene two. The snake is crawling away, and the limbs of the child are drawn as though in the last convulsions of death. The snake has done its deadly work. Still further down the canon is scene three. A warrior, evidently the father of the child, with one arm clasps his dead babe; with the other hand he holds club. Upon his face the rude artist has depicted a look of mortal anguish and hate. A snake lies dead at his feet. This is probably the most beau tiful picture ever executed by savage hands.
 On one of the canyon s walls war rior and a maiden are represented, gayly tripping along, hand in hand, while two doves are circling around their heads. Photographs of the bear in one place bear followed by two cubs-the dog, the mountain lion and the catamount are all to be found. Many of these are evidently of recent date, and have probably been executed by the Navajos, but here and there one meets with dim photograph that bears evidence of great age.
 Emperor William and Ills Gun.
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