Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-26
PeRlLS OF DEATH VALLEY
MOST DESOLATE SPOT IN THE
WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
An Hour without Water In This SPOT
During the Heated Term
Means Death.

Death valley is probably the most unique
natural feature in California 1t is located
in the southeast corner Of Incyo county,
and is inclosed by the Panamint mountains
on the west and the Funeral Range on the
east 1t is seventy-fve miles long and at
Its narrowest point but eight miles wide
AT one time. most probably, 1t the
bed of an ancient river. The lowest depres-
sion is 200 feet below sea level. but above
this rises Telescope Peak. 1l.oO0 feet high,
of the Panamint Range. and directly oppo-
site the Funeral Peak. which reaches an
altitude of 5000 feet. During the winter
these peaks are covered with snow
This remarkable valley was discovered
In 1880 by a party of immigrants. many of
whom lost their lives in the attempt to
cross It, The name has chung to 1t. also, as
being the scene of numberless tragedies.
Early In its history traditions of gold and
silver deposits of wonderful richness within
Its boundaries persuaded many adventurous
persons to undertake the hazardous expert
ment of its exploration. The number who
have lost their lives in this desolate field Is
undoubtedly great. Pursuing the mirage Of
rich deposits of precious metals. these adj
venturous prospectors succumbed at last To
the intolerable heat and the agonies of
thirst.
The range of the thermometer is prob
ably greater In Death valley than elsewhere
In the western hemisphere In winter the
tciii'ti IS way DtlOW zero, Wnlle IN
July and August the thermometer ranges
FOR weeks at 13I degrees above frequently
rising several degrees higher. For weeks
at a time the lowest temperature observed
exceeded 100 degrees. The deadly heat
burns every vestige of vegetation. The
Spanish bayonet. plant that fiourisheS
under the most arid conditions. here barely
survives, while the mesquite with its long
roots penetrating deep into the earth in
search of scanty moisture. just manages to
exist.
A party of enterprisng agriculturists
once experimental with growing fruit and
vegetables in this region. anticipating large
profits in the early marketing of their crops
The attempt was a complete failure the in.
tense heat whitening the plants, notwith-
standing copious supplies of water and the
most skillful cultivation. In the higher
attitudes of the Panamints there are nlI-
merous valleys with flowing streams. In
these fruits cultivated, and reach the
market two months before the California
products mature.
The prevailing winds In Death valley are
from the west. Though originating in the
Pacific ocean and saturated with humidity
in travelling the intermediate distance they
are Intercepted by the lofty peaks of the
four ranges of mountains. which absorb all
of their moisture, SO that by the time they
reach the valley all humidity has disap-
peared. The blasts are if heated in n
fiery furnace, and no living thing can sur
vlve the intense heat. Even birds, indig-
enous to the region, die
1t is in the months of greatest heat that
the sand storms of Death valley are most
deadly. They rage with intense fury, oblit-
Grating the landscape and dimming the light
of the sun, whitening the scanty vegetation
and covering the trails deep In powdered
dust. AT all times the aspect Of the valley
is superlatively desolate. No spot on earth
surpasses it in ardity tophet-ike heat.
During the heated term an hour without
water means death. Meat becomes putrid
In an hour. Eggs are cooked in the blister.
ing sand. Water is only palatable by means
OF large porous earthenWare lars
to all hot countries. suspended in drafts
and reduced in temperature by means OF
the rapid evaporation of the moisture from
the outside.
The belief that the borax marshes are the
remains of the vast lake which once filled
the valley is supported by traces of water
line found 600 feet above, on the mountain
sides
In general appearance all borax marshes
are alike. They are located at the point Of
greatest depression, and from distance
look like deposits of salt or snow. Under
the surface Is common wet clay or water OF
varying depths. These deposits are gen.
orally circular in form and appear as
though once they were craters. Borax
was created by contact of boracic acid in
gaseous form with the lime and soda of tho
surface. At Teels marsh, Nevada, bcrate
of lime appears in the form of balls imbed-
ded in clay along with soda. salt, etc, but
at Columbus these are found in sandy soil.
Sometimes these balls are decomposed,
the borate shoveled out Deposits of crude
Death valley, at the Monte Blanco mines.