The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-09-05


the mineral wealth of the CANYON.
Other persons have attempted the
journey for the same purpose, but IL
is said that none of these have been
successful. Some met with an I'M
known fate, while others became dis
heartened because of the hardships
and returned without accomplishing
their purpose.
How Project Originated.
The plan of the present undertak-
ing originated with Mr.. Lopez about
thirteen years ago, when he put in
much time placer mining in the San
Juan canyon. 1t was there that he
gained his experience in running rap
ids. for he made the trip through the
entire canyon several times From
placer mining his mind turned to the
quartz lodges and later his thoughts
became centered on the Grand can
yon. 1t is matter of common re-
port that the canyon contains rich
ore deposits, and if this is found to
be true the three explorers may be
expected to stake some of the most
valuable discoveries.
According to Mr.. Russell, it is re-
ported that the canyon cuts immense
lodges of every known mineral and
this trip will either prove or disprove
these reports. The only known min
ing concern which is now operating
in the Grand canyon Is the Canyon
Copper company, which has a valu-
able copper mine at the point where
the Santa Fe railroad approaches the
Colorado. Besides, there is consider
able placer mining in the tributary
streams.
Equipment of Party.
The party's equipment will consist
of three steel boats, a first class plac-
err outfit, mining tools and chemicals
for assaying. Each of the boats will
have five compartments, four air.
tight and one open. They will be
covered with sheet steel. In their
placer mining they will use an ANAL
gamating rocker, with silver-plated
copper plates, for the gold in the Col
orado is said to be so fine that the
amalgamation process is the only
practicable method. The mining tools
are designed for preliminary pros
pecting on quartz lodges, and the
chemicals will be used in qualitative
analysis.
That the adventures are prepared
to encounter great hardships is evil
dent from the fact that they are ia
miliar with the disasters that have
befallen all of the parties that have
attempted to run the canyon. The
first successful trip was made by
James White in 1867. White and
companion were prospecting in the
canyon of the San Juan river when
they were attacked by Indians. They
built raft by lashing three logs to-
gether with their lariats. The next
day the raft was overturned in the
water and one of the men was drown
ed. White tied himself to the raft.
and after spending fifteen days on the
water was rescued by the Inhabitants
of Callville, Cal. He had made one
landing during the descent and had
secured some dog meat from Indians
in exchange for his revolver When
he was rescued he was almost phys
ical wreck. Immediately after his
recovery he disappeared from Call
vile and nothing was heard from
him after his departure.
Expedition by Powell.
Two years later, in 1869, j. w.
Powell organized an expedition to ex-
plore the canyon. The party consist
ed of twelve men, with four boats.
1t was generally supposed at that
time that the Colorado became a lost
stream as it approached the coast.
When the party had finished about
two-thirds of its journey three of the
men became disheartened and desert
ed. They began the return journey
overland. and it is supposed that they
were killed by the Indians. The 9TH
err members of the party finished the
journey to the mouth of the river.
In 1872 the geological survey ap.
propriated a fund and Powell con-
Quoted second party through the
canyon. The trip was made in two
years and typographical maps of the
country were made. Before the ex-
petition had reached the Gulf of
California, however, it was met by
the party under Lieutenant Wheeler,
which was preparing maps for the
war department, and the journey was
abandoned about fifty miles from the
mouth of the river, as this country
had been explored by Wheeler's party