THE MIGHTY COLORADO. 



169 



desert country would no longer be an incubator for 

 hatching sandstorms, so annoying to the people of 

 southern California. What are now barren desert 

 valleys would be transformed into beautiful gardens 

 of fruits and flowers, of which it may yet be said: 



" Knowest thou the land where the lemon trees do bloom, 

 And oranges like gold in leafy gloom, 



A gentle wind from deep blue heaven blows. 

 The myrtle thick, and high the laurel grows? 

 Tis there ! 'Tis there ! 



O, my beloved one. I with thee go ! " 



Power could be obtained from dams for generating 

 electricity, which could be conducted to various places, 

 many miles distant from the river, for operating elec- 

 tric motors to be used for pumping water, running 

 factories, street cars, mining machinery, etc. This 

 power could be used for illuminating purposes also. 

 The Falls of Niagara is about to be utilized as a 

 source of power. It has been merely an object of 

 wonder, a natural curiosity; it will soon become a 

 greater wonder, because it will furnish thousands of 

 horse power to promote the industries of man. The 

 Grand canyon is one of the greatest wonders in nature. 

 If the waters of the Colorado can be extended to pro- 

 mote irrigation, in the ways suggested, that river will 

 be a source of greater wonder. The river Nile, as it 

 emerges from the unknown labyrinths of the wilds of 

 " Darkest Africa," performs wonders in the way of 

 irrigating " The Valley " that would otherwise be a 

 desert. Why should not the Colorado, after it aban- 

 dons the dark recesses of the Rocky Mountains and 

 the Grand canyon, do as much, and perhaps more, 

 than the Nile? No doubt great progress will be 

 made toward reclaiming this section of the country. 

 To consummate a scheme of this kind will require a 

 great deal of capital. While these improvements 

 are under way employment would be given to thou- 

 sands of men. If this section of the country should 

 be improved in the way suggested, it would furnish 

 homes and subsistence for millions of people. 



A GRAND CANYON RAILROAD. 



As has been stated, there is no railroad leading to 

 the Grand canyon. Several years ago a preliminary 

 survey was made for a road leading out from a point 

 on the Atlantic & Pacific. The parties interested in 

 it did not receive the support they expected, hence 

 the matter was abandoned, although they claim the 

 enterprise would have been a paying one from the be- 

 ginning. It is to be regretted that the grandest work 

 of nature in the world has no approach that meets 

 the demands of the traveling public. There are few 

 persons who are willing to undergo the hardships and 

 defray the necessary expenses of an outfit belonging 

 to an expedition having the usual equipments of a 

 camping outfit, including pack-animals and guides, 

 or a day's ride in a stage coach. 



A few years ago an enterprising capitalist had a 



survey made along the course of the Colorado river, 

 with the view of constructing a railroad which would 

 give a more direct route to the Pacific coast. By re- 

 ferring to maps of southern Utah, northern Arizona 

 and southeastern California, bordering on the Colo- 

 rado, it will be seen that there is no other section in 

 the United States that presents a better opening for 

 a railroad. 



The people in southwestern Utah and in the south- 

 ern extremity of Nevada have frequently petitioned 

 and have waited long and patiently for a railroad 

 that would place them in communication with the 

 outer world. That particular locality, with its natural 

 advantages, is already reported to be "An Eden," and 

 doubtless will become " the paradise of America " 

 when fully reclaimed by irrigation and proper rail- 

 road facilities. 



A more direct route leading from Denver to Los 

 Angeles and the Pacific coast is wanted. This may 

 be consummated by having a line leading out from 

 some point on the Denver and Rio Grande and ex- 

 tending through southern Utah, following the gen- 

 eral course of the Colorado river to the southern part 

 of Nevada, and thence southwest to the Pacific coast. 

 A line extending south from Salt Lake City and in- 

 tersecting the one named would also place that city 

 in direct communication with southern California. 

 In order to make this system complete it should pass 

 through the Grand canyon district, and be operated 

 in connection with a plant that would afford proper 



PROPOSED RAILROAD. 



