21 



galena, siili)lii(le of silver, anil copper pyrites. The .suli)liide of silver and what little chlorido is 

 found are all that so far have yielded any return. In case that arrangements were made for roasting, 

 it seems almost certain that this mine could he made productive. The facilities for mining are 

 extremely unfortunate. Tlie mines arc in a perfect desert, without wood or water. Everytliing 

 connected with their working is expensive, and must so continue until competition can be brought 

 to l)ear upon facilitii's for transportation. 



The other mines in this district are comparatively undeveloped. Their nnmlier is legion, as is 

 nearly always the case in mining sections. Every boulder that has a streak of mineral is likely to 

 be located as a ledge, with all its dips and spurs, angles, &c. 



From this point we turn our backs to the far-famed Colorado, that should be known as the 

 River of the Desert; winding its way here through steep and sterile canons, and there through 

 arid and long-extended deserts, acting as an imperfect channel of communication, varying in 

 velocity and \olnme. In my travels it has been my lot to cross it twice— at ."Mojaveand Fort 

 Yuma— and to examine its character for nearly seventy miles from El Dorado Canon to the 

 mouth of the Virgin, and when we looked back upon it for the last time no sense-was touched, 

 save that of relief. 



During the day of October (Jth topographical parties have made the best use of the time, and 

 the next day at 2 p. m. all start to join the main camp at Las Vegas. 



October Sth finds us all together agiin, a sorry-looking crowd, although the camp is a pleasant 

 one. Nearly every one wishes to go by the Salt Lake road to Los Angeles— by far the easiest route, 

 as by going to the northward at the time of reaching the latitude of White Tine it was exi)ected to 

 find mndi frost and snow. The fixed resolution of going back on this line was still persisted in 

 by myself, although it seemed a thing almost impossible, considering the state of the transporta- 

 tion. However, as it was necessary to send to Fort Mojave for supplies, it was thought best to 

 forward a requisition for mules. Four were received, and these, in connection with the six captured 

 from the Mormons, greatly recuperated our worn-out train. 



While remaining at this camp a reconnaissance was made toward Potosi Mountain, in vicinity 

 of Salt Lake road ; one along the Vegas wash, and another to northwest along the range known 

 as Spring ^Mountain range. I was in charge of the latter, and had left instructions lor the train to 

 meet our small party at Indian Springs. The reconnaissance to the west and south was (conducted 

 in charge of Lieutenant Lockwood as far as the old Potosi, now known as the Yellow Pine District. 

 A description of this district appears in the preliminary report of 1S71. 



The Indians iu the vicinity of Las A'egas are the Pah-Utes, and vary in numbers from fifty or 

 sixty to one hundred and fifty or two hundred, according as they see fit to live in the valley, or 

 keep to the mountains. Some of these at times make their wick eups about El Dorado Canon, 

 and again a t'cw near Cottonwood Island, on the river ; while the most of these same Indians are 

 found in the mountains of the Spring ^Mountain range, and to the northwest from the Vegas, 

 numbering as high as three or four hundred, all told. As some of these Indians could speak Sho- 

 shone, it was concluded that our guide would be able to gather from some of them information about 

 getting north from Indian Springs. The result proved quite fortunate in giving us a knowledge ot 

 one of the worst forced marches of the trip. 



During this detour quite an amount of mineral cropping was discovered by some members of 

 the party. The section was designated as the Timber Mountain District in consequence of its close 

 proximity to a large quantity of very fine pine timber, high up on the mountains. Ttie croppings 

 were galena, chloride of silver, and pyrites, with indications of gold. The ledges, iu some instances, 

 were large and well defined. The chances for mining were comparatively good. The develop- 

 ment of mines so far remote must depend upon time and increased facilities of inland transporta- 

 tion. If a railroad is built through Southeastern Nevada, a mineral section will be developed not 

 to be equaled on this coast, throw ing open chances for legitimate mining operations, where capital, 

 used with judgment, will ultimately prove a profitable investment. The building of the 35th 

 parallel road will improve and render quite accessible some of the mining prospects of this 

 latitude. 



Intelligence received from the camp at Las Vegas, upon our arrival at Indian Springs, told of 

 the desertion of two men and the loss of five of our best animals. This further crippling of our 



