22 



wasted force of animals was so disheartening tliat it appeared almost impossible to attempt tlie trip 

 to the north, as all of them were growing weaker each day from the effect of eating the young salt 

 grass at Las Vegas. 



Having found some fine bunch-grass about seven miles distant from Indian Spring, orders were 

 sent back for tbe wagons to come on to this point, and they did so, reaching it on the evening of 

 the 22d October. The animals were sent to the mountains to graze, and all our energies gathered 

 for a severe march. To make this, a division into four parties was effected, as at two of the springs 

 it was known there was not enough water for more than six or eight animals. 



On the evening of the 28th October the first party moved out of camp, each one with a feeling of 

 uncertainty as to the success of getting through with the teams. During the next day the second 

 and third parties left, and on the following day the last. The march for seven or eight miles from 

 Indian Spring was across an alkali flat, which became almost impassable in consequence of a rain 

 that had -commenced some few hours before the starting of the last partj-. Tins party traveled till 

 midnight, when the animals being badly worn out, a halt was made for a few hours. The next day at 

 1 p. m., Quavtz Spring was reached. Tbe inarch to this point had been across alkali flats, sandy 

 washes, and broken mesas. A more thoroughly horrible road could not be imagined. 



Resting for about one hour at Quartz Spring — a little spring some one and one-half miles up a 

 canon from the sandy wash in which the road runs, and from which eighteen small backets of water 

 were obtained — it was considered better to ride on to ascertain how good luck the advance parties 

 were having. This was done, and, on the night of the 2d November, Crescent Mill, to the west- 

 ward of Pahranagat, was reached, from which point the advance party had gone on for seven or 

 eight miles to a place where there was more water and grass. The animals of the second and third 

 parties were driven in during the night to get water, having become too much exhausted to drag in 

 the wagons. The distance from Indian Spring to Crescent Mill is nearly ninety miles, and may be 

 looked upon as a desert for the entire distance, as at the two springs the amount of water obtained 

 was not so great as that taken along in casks and kegs. The grades are mostly ascending. The 

 sandy washes and broken character of tbe road render it a very disastrous route for anything like 

 heavy-laden teams. Our wagons could never have gone through except for the dividing up and 

 consequent good management, and not even then, except that from twelve to fifteen hundred pounds 

 of surplus materials were thrown away at Indian Spring. Much credit was due to every one con- 

 nected with the command for the energy and perseverance in this desert trip, which, being the 

 most difiicult of the season, was taken after long and protracted hardships during a summer's stay 

 in the mountains. 



Finally, on November i, all the train succeeded in making camp at Schafer's Springs ; a weary, 

 dirty-looking set, worse in appearance than emigrants. 



Considering that Lieutenant Lockwood had not been able to visit the mines in Pahranagat 

 District during his passage to the south, and as we were very near to them while at Crescent Mill, 

 it was considered advisable to make a hasty visit while the teams were in camp, for the purpose 

 of recuperating. This route was through Logan Springs to Silver Canon, where are situated most 

 of the buildings belonging to the Hyko Silver Mining Company, engaged in mining on a large 

 scale. 



This trip afforded many new hints. This company own nearly all the mines in the district, and 

 leads that stretch over a distance of five miles. Tbe general direction of the most of these is nearly 

 north and south, while many feeders, chimneys, wings, and cross-veins exist that, when developed, 

 run into the mother vein. Tbe Illinois and Indiana were the leads most worked, and those showed 

 well defined walls at a depth of nearly 300 feet. The ore is low grade, but of large amount. 

 Much money has been spent in the enterprise, with, so far, little return. One of tbe finest ten- 

 stamp mills in tbe State has been put up at Hyko. Everything connected with the mining of the 

 ore is conducted in tbe best manner. Tiie expense of hauling the ore to ITyko, a distance of about 

 ten miles, and wood also, brings the price of roasting so high that both together eat np all the 

 profit. An attemi)t was being made to find water in Silver Cafion, and a depth of ninety-seven 

 feet had been reached. 



A hasty trip was made to Hyko and down Pahranagat Valley toward the lake, as it was desirable 

 to learn more with regard to the valley that, by common consent, is considered as the most fertile 



