The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-23
I. R. HAS BAD LUCK.

CURED on an unknown river which
ine0o0re Roosevelt, IT., today said his
father in a letter to him had called tho
Rio Dufvat or ,"River OF Doubt
Colonel Roosevelt in q letter written
on January 16 from Tapira Poan, In
Matte Crosse, q province in the south
central part of Brazil and received last
week by Frank M. Chapman Of the
american museum Of natural history
said that he expected to explore this
unknown river. He wrote:
I'VE are now able to go into the real
wilderness where we shall have to
travel light and can hardly collect any
big animals
I'm a month or six weeks we shall
/ reach the headwaters of an unexplored
river. If my health continues good
az expect. think it possible that I
VIII go down this river to try and ind
and Cherrie with me. as we'll as Colonel
Rondon and one or. two of the Bra
zilfans.
Meanwhile the rest OF the party, in
Guiding Miller. win go straight to Ma
deira and come, down to Manos. Miller
will collect around Manasor or else
where until Kermit Cherrie and turn
up. 1t is not possible to give a fore
cast as to the time that will be re-
quired.''
The headwaters of the unknown river
which Colonel Rondon at one time
crossed, according to Colonel ROoee-
velt's letters, are in Matte Crosse be-
tween Madeira and Tapajos rivers. two
great streams which fiow northward to
Join the Amazon. 81
Extent Of the Loss.
With what equipment Col. Roose-
lvelt's party was to make the trip down
the unknown river Is largely q matter
of conjecture. After leaving the upper
Parana and Paraguay rivers. which
flow southwark and join the Rio Do
La Plata, the party had to traverse the
plateau. extending through Paraguay
and Brazil, a trip of 500 miles or SO.
This the party did safely on horseback
according to telegraph advices which
came through nine days ago.
Colonel Roosevelt does not state, in
any of his letters, what means of
transportation they would use in de-
spending the unknown river. 1t is be-
lieved that nothing heavier than ca
noes could have been carried on the
500 mile journey on horseback from
the headwaters of the Paraguay to
the 'River of Doubt" believed to be
the stream on which the accident oc-
CURED. The great danger in descend
ing the streams that flow northward
In Brazil to Join the Amazon. IL in the
many rapids and falls.
The plateau which is on the aver
age 5000 to 1000 feet above the sea
level. slopes abruptly to the floor Of
the Amazon valley. For this reason
some of the greatest waterfalls in the
world are found in these tributaries.
It IL possible that after the expedition
Host the equipment members continued
on their way down stream On RATS or
on foot. 1t ID probable that the jour-
ney took them to the Tapaj0s and
on DOWN the river to santarem or sent
q messenger ahead to that place.
The specimens of natural history
collected by the party on its trip -
the Parana and Paraguay rivers are
safe. it ia understood, as .the colonel
had indicated he would ship them
before he entered the Brazilian wilds.
The loss in the rapids outside Of food.
undoubtedly included the birds and
animals killed and photographs taken
from the time the party started on
the horseback trip over the plateau.
Colonel Roosevelt. according to
next month at Manaos. From there
he was to start for Madrid to attend
the marriage Of his son Kermit to
Miss Belle Willard. daughter Of the
American Ambassador.
No Fear for the Colonel.
Chicago, March 23-..I do not think
there need be serious fear for the
aAfefy Of Col. Roosevelt or the larger
ana more valuable part Of his natural
history collectton." sid John Barrett.
who was in Chicago today
In the conference which had
with him. because Of my familiarity
With South Amer1ca. continued Mr..
planning this trip Just snch ponibIe
accidents - this one, Tor near1y all the
rivers flowing from the south into the
Amazon and ~ tzabutasjes - char
acterised ~ se4e.sous repsds, whom
% tlue lower yalleys e -ffeQnenfiy
happens that fho rams and boats AZ
trad<rs end expaofefa 1fe let WIN