The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-07-11

region within the limits Of the United
States-that mysterious country, in
Western Texas, where the old-time
adyenturer Coronado was lost, together
with his baud OF followers, while
searching for the golden village Of
Gran Quivera. He was led to believe
that there was such village, filed
with stores of the yellow metal, by
the tales Of treacherous Indians, who
conducted him into those wilds for
the purpose of losing the party and
leaving them to starve in the wastes.
They were taken by their false guides
across the Staked Plains into this vast
and horrible trap; but, having discov-
cred the snare, they managed to make
their way out Of it.
The government expedition will be
headed by Robert T. Hill, of the Uni
ed States geological survey. Yester-
cay Mr.. Hill said:
Notwithstanding the vast amount
,f exploration and scientific research
that has been going on, some of the
most elementary features Of American
geography are at present practically
unknown. We may say to begin with
hat the most conspicuous feature Of
the North American Continent is the
great Cordillsra OF Rocky Mountain
system, with its bordering ranges of
gigantic Sierras enclosing vast basin
deserts. This system stretches in a
shape that may be likened to canoe,
from British Columbia to the drop-off
Of the Mexican plateau solth of the
City of Mexico.
THE eastern rim of the canoe,
known as the Rockies, has been
mapped up to date only as far as Santa
Fe, New Mexico. From that point on
through New Mexico, Western Texas
and Northeast Mexico are many great
mountains and ranges, which iave
never been delineated on any chart.
No definite idea exists as to their ar
rangement, the elevation to which they
rise, or the details Of their topogra.
rhy. Iii is known, however, that in
Mexico, south Of the mouth of the
Rio Grande, the mountains Of the
mighty system run into the sea, where
the great coastal plain that begins in
New Jersey and runs down the east
shore of the continent comes to an,
end.
The problem is to find out some
thing about these mountains, with
other details necessary for. the map
ping Of this country which at present
is SO completely. unknown. Last SUM
mel I made q section across she cast
front ranges in the Great Bond region
4 Texas, and this year I am going to
reconnoitre the vast territory which
lies between there and Santa Fe, to
the north and west. From the little
that is known Of the country in ques-
tion it may be described as land Of.
peculiar conformation, mighty ranges
Of mountains alternating with vast
stretches Of waterless tablelands, bor-
dered by .precipitous cliffs and en-
closing immense desert valleys called
'bolsons' by the Mexioans. The word
bolson means literally purse, and
hence is applied to these enclosed
areas, which have no drainage outlet
to the sea. Among the mountains
one may mention the Sacramento
group, the highest peak Of which, Ell
Captain, is said to bo ever $4,000 feet
in height above SEQ level, and is COW
cred with valuable pine forests.
"This region has many very strange
natural features, among whichr9 might
speak Of Howard Bolson, ON the line
between Texas and New Mexico, with
its strange lake Of crystal salt. Il is
quite large body Of water, and is
always covered with thin layer Of
salt, which up to very recent times
was the chief source Of salt supply
for all Northern Mexico. The natives
used to come hundreds Of mics to get
il. But the railways arrived, civiliza-
ton was introduced, and an American
named Howard took possession Of the
lake under settler 8 rights. That was
about ten years ago. Inasmuch as the
aborigines had always considered the
lake tho common property Of all, they
resented the monopoly ard murdered
the new owner. OF course the salt is
derived from the rocks Of The monn.
tains surrounding the lake, being car
ried into the latter By atreams. There
is no outlet, and, evaporation being