Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-03
VentureSome Spirits of Arizona
and Nevada viii Make Haz-
ardous Voyage Through the
Grand Canyon in Steel Boats
HOPE TO FIND GOLD
ALONG RUGGED WALLS
a Expect to Emerge From the
Titan of ChaSmS a Wealthy
Man or a Corpse" Says the
Leader of Expedition.

Spurred on by love for adventure
and the desire for gold, three expert
enced miners of the west, one a well
known Prescott mining man viii start
on one Of the most perilous explora-
ton trips ever undertaken i'm Amer
lea, that Of Drawing the untold and I'M
known dangers of the Grand Canyon
Of the Colorado.
These Venturesome spirits of the
western world. Bert Lopez, of Gold
field. New, and Prescott, Ariz.. Ed.
Monet Of Goldfeld, and Charles Rus-
sell. Of Prescott, VIII begin their dan
gerOus trip in specially constructed
boats and equipment, at Green River,
Utah, today, if their plans do not mis-
carry, and viii journey through the
canyon a distance of about Ell miles,
the exploration trip to end at the Nee
dies.
Mir. Russell, who left Prescott some
three months ago. at which time he
gave the full details Of his intended
trip. stated that Mr.. Lopez originated
the idea of the trip over thirteen years
ago. but had never undertaken il un-
til the present time. owing to his in
ability to find companions sufficiently
brave and adventurous. Mr.. Russell
stated the party expected 10 prove OF
disprove the reports that the canyon
contains valuable mineral deposits Of
fabulous richness. II IS also reported
that the canyon cuts through Immense
lodges of every known mineral. and If
this is true. the explorers expect to 10
cate some of the most valuable mining
claims yet found by man.
Several attempts to run the canyon
have been made in the past. and all
have ended in disaster. In 1861.
James White made the first trip
through the canVon, being accompan-
led hy a companion WhO was Killed. els
route, by Indians. More lead than
alive White was rescued from the a n
yon by Callville, Cal, inhabitants. As
soon as he recovered his strength he
disappeared and never vas heard
from again. 1t is thought the hard
ships he endured unbalanced his
mind.
Two years later, in 1869, J.. w. Pow
81 organized an expedition to explore
the canyon The party consisted of
twelve men and four boats. Three OF
them became disheartened at the
h%ardships and left the party, starting
homeward overland. They were never
heard from and il is supposed they
members Of the party continued on to
the mouth of the Colorado river.
whore the expedition disbanded. In
1872 Powell organized another party
for the United States geological sur
Ncy. This trip was made I'm two years.
but before the party reached the Gut
of California II was met by a second
party under Lieutenant Wheeler Of the
United States army. who was prepar-
ing war maps. and the journey was
abandoned about fifty miles from the
mouth of the river.
Another attempt was made to ex-
plore The canyon by n parry under thu
leadership of Zeb Brown Of Denver.
Before the trip was fairly started
Brown was drowned. The following
Browns chief engineer. "A Mr..
stanton. organized another expedition.
and traversed the greater portion of
route, seeking a survey for a rail-
road. He made the trip successfully. I
and maintains that a railroad through
the canyon Is practicable.
Previous to these expeditions. and
the interim. others have tried TO ex-
llore the canyon. Some haV W.
'ince been heard from, and others
abandoned the project before
the trip.
The party which Mr.. Russell will
will be equipped with three
.tcal boats. a first class placer mining
,utft. mining tools and chemicals for
.issaying. Each Of the boats will have
i've Compartments. four air-tight ana
me open. They Will be covered with
heet steel. In their placer mining
hey VIII use an matchmaking rocker
With silver plated copper wires, as the
Gold IN the Colorado Is said to be 50
that the amalgamation process Is
no. only practicable method.
That Russell and his companions are
prepared 10 encounter great hardships
md privations Is made manifest by
lts Statement just before he left. lie
lrclarad he expected Ia emerge from
.hc Grand Canyon a wealthy man or
= corpse. and ii was a dead ever break
which one II would be.