East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1921-09-23
THRILLING STORY Of ADVENTUROUS EXPEDITION By MEN WHO BAZD FOR -SUHROAD"

out about ten miles they came across
two Indians. Not being able to talk
with them, they undertook. through
signs. to learn something about the
county. The Indians appeared TO be
friendly. but, taking advantage Of
Scott and Garrison while they were
off their guard, strung their bows and
commenced shooting with great ra-
pidity Garrison was mortally wound
ed, and Scott. while in the act OF fir-
ing. was shot through the arm with an
arrow. which passing through, enter
ed his side, pinnng his arm to his
body. Scott fired, however, killing
his Indian and the other took to flight.
Scott's were. fortunately. only flesh
wounds, but Garrison had been pierc-
ed by two arrows and died soon after
being conveyed TO camp Thus the
effort to make the CUTOFF failed, and
to this day has never been made
The little spring, where We encamp-
ed, furnished an abundance of water;
the grass was good, but fuel was ex-
tremely scarce, there being nothing In
this line but dwarf sage brush.
On startin~ out on the morning OF
the 18th Of July, we observed vast col
umns of smoke or steam rising at the
extremity OF the black ridge. Reach
ing the ridge few miles north OF its
extremity. we Travelled along its base
passing a number OF springs, some cold
and others boiling hot. At the end of
the ridge we found an immense boiling
springs from whence the steam was
rising like smoke from furnace.
large volume Of water issued from the
spring which irrigated several hundred
acres of meadow. Although the wa
ter was strongly impregnated with
alkali. 1t was fit for use when cooled,
and the spot was, on the whole, very
good camping place for the desert. The
cliffs, at the extremity of the ridge.
were formed OF immense masses of
black volcanic rock and all about were
vast piles Of cinders. resembling those
from a blacksmith's forge. This place
has ever since been known as BLACK
Rock" and is one of the most noted
landmarks OF the Humboldt desert.
At this place we rested day and con-
suited as to the best course to pursue
in order to reach the Humboldt, or. as
It was then called. ogden's river. The |
result of the council was that we
agreed to separate. one party to travel |
eastward and the other to pursue a |
more southerly direction.
In pursuance Of the plan decided on
at Black Rock, on the morning Of July |
14th, we separated into two parties: |
eight men starting out in southerly |
direction and seven men, including |
myself, towards the east The country |
before us appeared very much like the
dry bed of lake. Scarcely spear |
of vegetation could be seen. and the
whole country was white with alkali. |
After travelling about fifteen miles we
began to discover dim rabbit trails |
running in the same direction in which |
we were travelling. As we advanced |
the trails became more plain, and |
there were others constantly coming |
in. all pointing in the general direc-
ton toward ledge of granite bould- |
ers which we could see before us. APP |
preaching the ledge which was the |
first granite we had seen since leaving |
Rogue river valley. we could see a |
green mound where all the trails