The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-03-20
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN UTAH
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their horses mred badly, so after proceeding only
some eight and onehalf miles they camped again
about mile to the west of Beaver river.
1t continued to grow colder and more unpleas-
ant their provisions were practically exhausted and
after some calculations which showed the little
tual progress they had made westward Escaante
decided to give up the attempt to reach Monterey,
and to return to Santa Fe by the most direct route
On the following morning they began travelling on
their new course toward the Colorado river. still
proceeding up the Beaver river to a point six
miles from Minersville From this camp they left
the Beaver and as there is an entry in the Journal
for the day, reading: "To this place the bearded
Yutas come from the south and this seems to be
the terminus of their land" it would appear that
the Beaver was the stream referred to as the River
Tiron by the Indians at the time of the first en-
campment the Sewer.
The determination to alter their and
abandon the journey to Monterey led to serious
opposition on the part of certain members of the
expedition and, in the interest of harmony, it
finally decided to cast lots to determine whether
they should go on to Monterey or enter upon the
return journey to the Colorado river; the cast of
the lots favored the Santa Fe and they again
marched on the southerly
From the last camp on the Beaver river south
to the state line between Utah and Arizona. it is
all but impossible to trace accurately the route OF
the party from the Journal. Whether disappoint-
ment over the failure to reach Monterey, or By the
trying ordeal of the days and nights or the i'll
feeling in the party caused by the return led less
careful keeping of the record it is noticeable that
i; Jod nd tbo
ton of Typographical features do not fit the coun-
try it exists today. 1t seems apparent. however
that from the camp near Minersvllle they went
southwestward, passing through Cedar Valley to the
west of where Cedar City stands and thence
followed down the Virgin river, leaving Utah neal
where this stream passes into Arizona and thu
completing that portion of the Journey with which
we are here Immediately concerned.
Following down the Virgin river they met will
Indians who informed them there was no crossing
of the Colorado in the direction they thel
going so they turned to the northeastward ant
followed course parallel with the river.
For twenty-three days they travelled over tn
broken and rugged country, which borders TIL
northern bank of the Colorado river hunting for
possible crossing With provisions exhausted, kill
ing Inelr horses 1Or lou, anu suDslSCllS DIS DeS
they could on pine nuts and roots secured from tn
Indians who refused to sell them meat, they FINAL,
reached the ford of the Colorado. They thel
learned that had they been able to secure prope
guides the same journey could have been accom-
plishd in less than quarter of the time and will
little or no hardship.
At about o'clock on the afternoon of Novem
Der 9TH the entire party had crossed the Colorado
without serious mishap and their arrival on tn
southern bank of the river celebrated with fir
ing of muskets and devout thanks to God for thu
safe accomplishment of the crossing.
Without careful inspection of the ground i