The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1923-10-24

prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety. Washington, D. c.
Lower California, across a part of
which the path of the recent total
eclipse of the sun passed, and to
which parties of scientists journeyed
to make observations, seldom comes
In for a share of the worlds interest.
While its neighbor above the United
| States border-of which it was once
indeed a parts famed throughout
the world and visited by scores of
thousands of tourists, the Mexican
land of the same name with a record
ed history which goes back almost four
centuries and is crammed with varied
events, still remains one of the least
known parts of North America.
Lower California-or Baja Califor-
mia, to give it its Mexican name-is
the long, narrow peninsula that pro-
jects about 800 miles southeasterly
from the southern border of Califor-
mia. Its width varies from about 80
to over 100 miles, and it's regular
coastline, over 1000 miles long, is bor-
dered by numerous islands. Being
mainly mountainous, desert region,
it is thinly peopled and presents many
sharply contrasting conditions. Here
low, sun-scorched plains, where death
by thirst awaits the unwary traveller,
lie close to the bases of towering
granite peaks, belted with waving pine
forests and capped in winter by gleam-
ing snow.
Vast desolate plateaus of ragged
black lava embosom gem-like valleys,
where verdure-bordered streams and
the spreading fronds of date palms
recall the mysterious hidden wales of
the Arabian Nights" Its western
coast is bathed by cool waters and
abundant fogs, while the eastern shore
is laved by the waves of a warm in
land sea, sparkling under almost con-
tinuous sunshine.
The early chronicles tell of its dis
covery in 1888, by an expedition sent
out by Cortes in search of fabulous
ly rich island said to have been in
habited by Amazons.
1t has been estimated that at the
time of it's discovery the peninsula, in
Guiding many Of the bordering islands,
was peopled by about 25,OO0 Indians.
The inhabitants vigorously resented
the intrusion of newcomers, and for
more than century efforts to estab-
lish military colonies in the new land
resulted in disastrous failures.
Jesuts Opened 1t Up.
Then the occupation of Lower Cal
ifornia was put in the hands of the
Jesuits, and their missionaries were
wonderfully successful. They ex-
plored all parts of the peninsula and |
established missions throughout most |
OF its extent, at the same time in
Producing many of the crops and |
fruits of the Old world.
In addition they established the |
three main trails, which extend prac- !
tically the entire length Of the PENN
sula, and to this day serve as the reg |
ular routes of travel. One leads along |
each coast and the third down the
interior. The coast trails
are easier to travel, because less
broken; but the middle one is most
used, owing to its better grazing and
more numerous water holes.
The records of the dangers and OBJ
stacles met and overcome by such men
as Padres Salvatierra, Kino. and
Ugarte in their peaceable conquest of
the peninsula excite ones deepest adj
Two ton, IA nt.l- fhnx
)lished and their resourcefulness and
steadfast courage entitie them to a
place in the front ranks of those
pioneer explorers who
irst made known the widest parts
# America.
Resorted To by Freebooters.
During one period in its history the
outhern shores of the peninsula
erved as the lurking place of Sir
francis Drake and other freebooters
ying in wait for the treasure-laden
spanish galleons on their annual voy- {
ges from Manila to Mexico.
Afterwards, during the first two I
birds of the last century, those shores |
yere visited by numerous half-pirate S
mugglers and by fleets of whalers t
nd sealers, drawn there by the swarm S
lg abundance of whales, fur seal, sea Il
lephants, and sea otter. So ruthless f
as the pursuit of these animals that S
i a few decades they were on the a
erge Of determination, and the bust C
ess ended, apparently forever. L
The pearl fisheries of the Gulf coast t.
ere extremely productive at first and e
FINISHED the Spanish court with some St
Its richest jewels. Pearl fishing n