Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-05-13

THE PROMISED IJArssss u
hotel md another store that supplied OUT
fita to men prospecting along the EASTERN
slope Of tho Rocky Mountains, b0tween Den
yer and Fort Union. rho people OF Canyon
City had Just learned That the Nayajos and
Apaches had taken to the war path and were
devastating tho settlements TO t!o west Of tho
Rio Grande, md that thoy had 'rd all tho
projectors who had gone beyond Tho Sierra
Mhdrc Range, and into tho San Juan country.
They advised strongly against Bakers going
West assuring him and his companions that
II thoy did 80. 1t would be equivalent to sui
eide, for not one otthem would liyeto return.
Baker Affected 10 treat this counsel with Tin
difference but 1t had such an effoct on the
others tint nine Of thom refused 10 continue
the expedition further. This loft but six men,
among them JpInos White, who were ready to
follow Captain Baker, no matter whore no
lod. Tho wagons nnd mul0g woro sold. and
tho proceeds divided among all who Ind
share. Four animals were then bought blythe
little party, 10 carry their food and mining
outfit into the then comparatively little
known region Of the San Juan. There were
no roads through the mountains In those
days, and the trails were so difficult aud tor
tuous THAT II wns much easier 10 traverse
them on foot than mounted A the hour Of
thor departure drow near, the protests OF the
people Of Canyon City, and Of the mon who
had accompanied them across tho plains, grow
stronger; but Captain Baker know tho
| country had made up his mind 10 go, and
could not DO changed from his purpose.
V0I.t tuortt .u.gf ia fnrfsI, thn Wat
Valley, and by following whit WIS thon known
as tho "Od Tito Trail" they succeeded in
reaching tho Puntia PASS, At tho head of tho
Little Artansaa River. Bymeans OF this pass
| they CROSSED tho rocky range without DIM
! Guilty, and found themselves In Holmau's
Park, which ls really cove ut tho northern
teruinous OF tho great San Luis Park. The
grass hero was abundant, tho many clear
mountain streams ililcd with, trout, and the
aconcry Rs fino rs any on tho continent, while
glmo was abundant. In the park they came
upon camp Of Tito Indians, under tho com
maud of tho since famous chief, Ouray, n man
whom know and the only rod man I ever
| mot whoinanyiwayRppro the best ideals
gIyon us by the great story tolor, Cooper.
The Uto Indians were cncampcd In village
Of white topoes, while on tho slopes about
them. undor tho caro- Of tho women aud chill
drcn, Wore thousands Of sheep and cattle,
| and hundreds OF horses, that gayo an air Of
peace and plenty 10 tho scono
| Up to this timo. and for years afterwards,
| these Indians had never been Mt war with the
| whltoa. They were peaceful md hospitable,
and had always treated the hunters and pros
| p0ctors,Who cana 70 thoir villages with the
| greatest kindness. Thoy received Baker and
| his party as though they had boon old friends.
| oury. and many OF the head mon OF the tribe,
| spoke Tho Spanish patois OF tho Rio Gmnde
region, and llaker being familiar with this
! dialect, there was no difficulty In communi-
| eating with thom. Ouray had not heard Of
tho outbreak Of the Nayaios and Apaehos, but
as they had long been thetradltlonll onOmics
| otihls tribe no did not like them; no be-
llcyed thom 30 bc troachorous, oven in times
OF peace, and no advised Captain Baker to
! keep out OF their reach.
But tho captain nnd his men were so de-
lighted with the treatment received ut tho
hands OF the Utos that they believed they
would be equally successful II they met the
Naulos or tho Apaohos. They felt certain
that II a war had broken out tho Utes would
have known Of It, and so they reasoned that
tho fears Of the people at Canyon city were
| il-founded.
Except Fort Garland, at tho western end OF
the Sangro de Christie Pass, the only settle
mont In San Luis Park was at Concios, some
eighty milca away, aud near tho eastern
slope OF the Sierra Madrc Mountains.
More aud more confident OF success, Baker
and hts friends started on again, and after q
march of two weeks, during which the
abundance OF Dish and game enabled them to
ocouomiHe tho supplies carried ON tho pack
animals, they left the Atlantic slope. and
found thcmaolvcs on the western sldo OF the
Sierra Madrr, the Great Continental Divide.
Standing on tho mountain peaks TINT COM
mandod Wow for hundreds OF miles TO the
north, west and south, they ga2od upon ono
| OF the most wonderful areas IN tho world.
There WIS not cloud in the sky; beyond
tho mountain range at their back, there was
not tree In sight mesas, or Hat table lands.
isolated poaks, vast tracts Of storiie valley,
intricate gorgcs, or canyons that scanned the
oarth in every direction, were all that met
their gazo. IL was u land OF desolation; It
appeared TO DO a land OF death. Mother
door nor antelope could be soen there was
no Sign OF white man nor OF red man. 4
looked, na thcy gazod out on the vast sterile
eSpanee, above which the hot air rose In
shlmmcring, troubling waves a. II tho wing
\ OF bird or insect had never disturbed that
phenomenal atmosphere.
1T decent look very promising, boys. was
Il Captain Dakors comment, when he saw the
expression OF disappointment and surprise
on tho faces of mis- companions. ''hut IT'S boon
my experience out in this country, that the
land thnts beet 7or gold is good Tor
nothing else. Nature is not too generous
with her bounties Down in those black
canyons, we shall find, in bushels, heyeglow
nuSgc's for which we have como; and my
word for Il, our mules will carry hack
heavier loads OF dust than thoy arc now
carrying OF grub
AS always eotore, whenever he chose e
move them. tho men caught the courage OF
? their leaders spirit and cheered him; then
, began their descent into the valley, which
was 70 b tho valley Of death TO All but one.
vopeiuisd Ne, Week.