17 



state, anil so are called tbe tbree Mormon settlements — West Point, Saint Josepb, and Saint 

 Thomas — adjacent to tbe most fertile spots. Of tbose tbe entire population amounts to from 

 twelve to tiltcen hundred souls. In summer many go to the more northern settlements, to return 

 ajiain in the winter, having- always, as a matter of course, a wife or wives in each place. One of 

 these people, privijeged with four wives, was the happy father of twenty-two children. All of them 

 at this, his winter resort, were being reared unwashed, unkempt, untaught. All sorts of crops that 

 are familiar to the growth of our Southern States can be raised on these little spots of land, although 

 surrounded by tiie mountainous desert on every band. Unfortunately, the areas tiiat can be cul- 

 tivated are small, otherwise cotton could bo raised in great (luantities. Small lields of this were 

 ready for picking at our arrival. All tbe grains do well, but produce not so largely as in Tabrana- 

 gat ^'alley. Tbe same in regard to potatoes and most vegetables. Fruits and vines llourisb 

 luxuriantly. 



The limited waters of tbe ]Muddy will not irrigate more than about lifteen hiiiidicd acres; so 

 that, in case vast extents of the finest vegetable mold existed, it must now lie desert and arid for 

 the want of irrigation. 



Tbe most is made of every particle of information that can be gathered in respect to tbe nature 

 of the country in immediate vicinity of tbe Colorado, so that our exhausted forces shall be put to 

 the best use in continuing tlie examination, that it may be as full and satisfactory as possible. All 

 accounts were alike unfavorable, and our minds were made up for tbe severest trials of tbe triji. It 

 was plainly evident that the most that could be done would be to follow the Virgin to its mouth ; 

 thence, closely bugging tbe Colorado, ¥A Dorado Canon might be reached, and from thence a road 

 runs to Las Vegas Springs. The wagons can go no farther south without having to return, show- 

 ing how opjiortuue it had been to keep them in vicinity of the old California road. It was deter- 

 mined to send them at once to Las N'egas Kanch, at which point the animals would have a chance 

 to recuperate, and tbe parties would be in position to re-enforce tbe party going via the Colorado 

 This jiarty consisted of, besides myself. Lieutenant Lockwood, Jlr. llamel, one corporal and six men, 

 in adtlition to a pack-train, consisting of six animals. Previous to our departure on the morning 

 of the i'Otb, tbe section in proximity to the valley of the .Muddy had been examined. The settle- 

 ments along tbe 3Iuddy bad also been visited. 



Tiie first day's march brought us to tbe junction of tbe Muddy with the Virgin. Cam|) was 

 made beside the stream so long looked forward to with some anticipation, that told us we might 

 tind a river. Instead, however, its dignity attains to no more than that of a mill-stream over a 

 sandy Hat. Tbe water, continually full of cla^ aiid sand particles, is of a reddish, muddy color, 

 fearfully brackish, ami scarcely tit for any animal to drink. The thirst occasioned by a long day's 

 travel over a sandy road, in a temperature tliat would indicate more than 112^ Fahrenheit in tbe 

 shade, made any water palatable. 



The next day, after taking obser\ations till 2.30 p. m., we moved down the river sonii' live or 

 six miles, passing and leaving on our right the noted Salt Mountain, containing remarkably pure 

 crystals. This is owned by the llyko Silver ^lining (^ompauj', and is a very extensive deposit. 

 Other salt deposits are found near the banks of the Virgin, and to the south, while within one thou- 

 sand yards of its mouth is a large, deeii well of remarkably clear water, but i)Owerfully charged with 

 salty nuitter. This is situatcil upon the mesa, some five hundred yards from tbe Colorado, with pre- 

 ciiiitous banks, looking on the deep waters below. No one knows the depth ; our jiarties could not 

 ascertain this for want of means. Undoubtedly its origin is from the Virgin through underground 

 channels. 



We had reached tbe mouth of the ^■irgiu, and looked upon tbe banks of the llio Colorado. 

 Here two Mormon lisbermen inhabit a little hut, and catch some few fish from tbe river. We were 

 at this point some fifty or sixty miles below the foot of tbe " (irand Canon," which point it had been 

 my intention to visit, but the worn-out condition of the expedition absolutely forbade my doing so. 



From the most reliable information that could be gathered, it appears that the Colorado is 

 approachable on its northern and western sides at but very few points from El Dorado Canon to 

 far above the foot of the (Irand Cafion. A few sandy washes in tbe near vicinity of El Dorado 

 Canon lead down to the river. From the head of several of these access can be gained to the inte- 

 rior country. The next one is foniul at the mouth of Vegas wash, above the Black Cafion, a strip 

 3w 



