Gunnison news-champion., 1908-03-27
z::'sE:f:-E:.:1S'' ~
C0stlssed srom Las; Week.

apesass - Aese 49, sAs pos ,aosa-
y sssl y 49, u 49, mage in
coaaelsss tsiQs - The sssGwasd - it
ves n0ss = ias vish ssssie0ests
slsa1 ~ Rio 0raads ssA ~ to els
paaias OoasAsy n0ssAsasaUsrA, wkils
L0Assnps pes wss tksir ss.ewsy
- vsss ed n0ssA- All THE sno~a-
tais Cossssy wss sksa ssors fsmtlAar
- ahsa thas it nO~ . 70 aass Gf The
psuDus inhshsas.ss. ExpsAst,oao
- soAlsw nsoAaso wese neAs -
- 6paAiasds 10 - sorsksasAss~
plniaA osaly u ssassA Il . myth
oal c;ey - es..sy sallsd o1ssiss
vhsrs eaal - - sbasAana - ssuAs
10 tks n0sa1niaA b sAaO eei0s
tksg ossa Asss - 9th ODssA Aas1-
GAi0s 80 ssGssiAg ~ FasaAy q
kG6AiaG lsAiaas. fsooably . nik-
sess II kssA. kaGseioes . msioriay
Il ths lissls partiss wosld limp bsnk
sd sometiass oaly Stw.
Bot nothing seemed to dis
courage them or dissssds the next
party from trying The ssae thiaS
over again Their brushes with
The mountxia Indians vese Just ~
frsq~ent ssd results Just ~ dis
coaragine; bot, never repining over
post mistakes they were always
ready for = new expedition and
likewise resigned to abide by its
couseq uencs~. From lGOO until
shout the time OF the American
Rsvolution the Spaniards had little
settlements scattered over the south
west occupied chiefly by a pastoral
asd agricultural people. Numerous
prospscting expeditions'bctween the
abO~s Aates roved through sd oves
tks weeAesn wsase sAed IN the ysae
1861 Jssn Rivera led such a party
up through the San Jaun country,
penetrating TO the head waters OF
the Gunnison river, thence over Co.
chetopa pass back to Santa Fe. They
found gold on several streams on
the expedition. Old placer work
ings in Taylor park at the head of
one branch Of Gunnlson river were
more than likely some of their work.
Some wears after this an expedition
from Santa Fe led by Francisco Es-
Gala nte, piloted by one of Rivera 5
guides, started from that place TO To-
cate route to California. The ac-
count of their wanderings is rather
hazv, but as they left this state in
the northwest part and were direct
ed by one of Rivera men as guide,
il is probable their course led over
Cochetopa pass and northwestward.
a tradition exists that the beaut-
ful seven riven Jasper sparlngly
used on interior decoration Of the
Cathedral of the City OF Mexico was
mined from somew here on Saw Tooth
mountain by Spaniards l5O years
ago and anSported over Cocheto-
pa pass and down the Rio Grande
to Mexico. If fact, which there is
no reason TO doubt, they must have
carefully covered up or obliterated
all traces Of the vein it came from.
This, reasoning from Spanish nature,
they would likely do to prevent its
use on any other edifice in the new
world but this one cherished mas
terpiece OF their church architec-
ture. A few old prospectors who
knew OF this tradition have hunted
in vain for the place
Summing up the part the Span
iards played in this section of our
state and nation: Ever in quest Of
the magnet, gold, which drew from
them some of the greatest achieve
ments in exploring that have ever
been recorded in the history OF any
people Bold daring and original
in their plans and movements Cut
tag loose from an attenuated base
of supplies and swinging off and
out into an unknown country, they
originated Sherman strategy Of
cutting loose from a base, two CEN
turies before he was born. Savages
they met and savages they fought
with cnntemptuous Indifference for
for suuerIor numbers and choice OF
strong positions. Cut off by 1900
miles from the coast and communi-
cation with home; traversInC scorch-
ed plains and clambering over
mountain passes showed their in
dominitable will power and endur-
ance. They had the Anglo-Saxon
colonists perseverance and tenacity
Of purpose without his profuse lam-
,,tafionS and coyuplaintS on, rne,a. ir q