Gunnison news-champion., 1922-01-27

Historically the year 1921 will be
ever Of importance TO the citizens Of
Colorado, for it marked the final
dream of the State Historical and
Natural Society and of pioneers of
the state and of twenty years labor
by Edward T. Taylor Of Colorado.
congressman from the Western Slope,
in the approval by congress Of chang
ing the name of the Grand river TO
the Colorado river, so that the his
toric river originating in the state
bearing its name will be identified
with the state.
Early pioneers of Colorado sought
this change and Mr.. Taylor. twenty
years ago, took up the battle which
he has continually waged, ending in
the president signing the bill. provid-
ing for the change, July 25, 1921.
The Colorado river has been a river
with the name of the state in which,
it originated, yet that portion Of the
stream within the state did not bear
the name, but that Of the Grand river:
Few residents Of this state realize
that the river is one of the Oldest
known rivers in the United States and
the republic of Mexico from the Unit
ed States.
The Colorado river has its source
near the old mining camp Of Lulu in
the upper part Of Grand county and
in the shadow of Mt. Richtofen and
flows south, around the western part
Of Grand Lake and then fork that
rises in the shadow of Longs Peak,
within sight of Denver empties into
Grand Lake and thence out and into
the river. The river has n total
length from its source TO its mouth
to the Gulf of California in Old
Mexico of 1,430 miles. 1t is 1000
miles from its mouth to point so
miles from the Colorado line to Utah,
where it joins the Green river, but
it travels so miles to get into Colo
RADIO and then il has $50 miles to its
source.
The Colorado has n drainage area
Of 244.000 square miles. and has
figured in history since 1889. The
United States Geological Survey sub
mits the history of this great river
as follows:
'Gn 1889 Cortez, the conqueror,
sent Francisco de Ulloa from Aca-
pulco with three vessels to explore
the Pacific coast to the northward.
Ulloa, explored the Gulf Of California
to its head and the outer coast Of the
peninsula nearly to 30 degrees north.
He proved Lower California a penin-
sula and noted appearances that led
him to believe that great river en-
tered the head Of the gulf, though he
did not see it. In 1S40 Viceroy Men,
dona sent out the Coronado expedi-
ton in the course Of which (1540-
1922 the pueblo country Of New Mex
leo and Arizona and the great plains
as far northeast as central Kansas
were explored. Colorado river and
Grand Canon were discovered. and
the lower Colorado river was explor-
ed.
"The Coronado expedition, assemb-
led and organized at Compotela on
the Pacific coast near latitude 81 de-
grees, started north February %, l540,
with Francisco Vasguez Coronado, CAP
tain-g general, in command. A stop was
made at Culiacan, the most northerly
settlement. On April 20, 1540, Cor
noado left Culiacan, and marched
across the country to the upper Sono-
ra river where he established base
at or near the site Of the present
town of Sonora.
Leaving Melchior Diaz in COM
mand at Sonora the army under
Coronado with Fray Marco de Mia
as guide, started from that place May
26 and marching to the northeast ar
rived at Cizola (Zuni) July 7th. In
the meantime Mendoza had sent two
vessels in command of Hernando de-
Alarcon up the Gulf of California to
cooperate with the land expedition.
Leaving Acapulco on May 9 AlarcoL
was to follow the coast as fast as pos
sible to get in touch with the army,
carry heavy baggage and render any
assistance that Coronando should de-
sire. He explored the coast as direct
ed and reached the mouth Of the
Colorado river on August 26 without
having seen anything OF the army.
With the assistance Of the Indians
he made two ascents Of the river in
boats, reaching = point some 26 miles
above the mouth Of the Williams riv-
er. To the Colorado he gave the
name of Rio de Buena Guia, (good
suide). OF this he says in his re-
port 70 Mandoza that in passing up
tbis river the second time he ordered
those on the ship to build . chapel
on shore in honor Of Neutrs Sonora de
Buena Guis, 20 that they should call
tie river Rio de Buena Cuia-
"The contract for the conquest and
settlement was finally awarded in
1896 to Jaun de Orate, who was made
governor, adelantado and captain
general Of the province Of New
Mexico. Orate reached the
Santa Fe region with an army and q
colony of 400 men, Of whom 100 had
their families. Orate ruled New Mex
;ro unti1 16O6. Bv 1906 he and his
suboriinates had explored practically
an the ground covered by Coronado
and opened new trails. In 1904 he
made q Journey from San Gabriel, his
headauarters near Santa Fe, to the
head of the Gulf Of California HsI
CATARRHAL DEAFNESS