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Show Record there. The boat was stolen finally and then we had to ford the river. The parties we brought up from Hole- In- The- Rock did not have to cross the San Juan River. They would keep on the North Side of the river clear up to Shiprock. We built lots of roads where it was imposable except on foot. We finally got the road 551 worked out so we could bring in the wagons. We used both horse and mule teams. Some people came with ox teams. I remember in the year 1883 or 1884 riding up and down the San Juan River on horse back hundreds of times, I guess. I have ridden on the river bed when the water was low. After the land was washed away we could cross around over the mesas joining the river on the North side. When it was safe, was not too high, we could go horse back on the old road. In 1879, maybe, it was washed away and we could not go with the wagon, we went horse back. I have not been down to Hole- In- The- Rock for 30 years anyway. I have run cattle in that country that I traversed when we were coming up from Hole- In- The- Rock. The boys did most of the riding 552 on Comb Wash, near Mexican Hat, only on the opposite of the river.' On the South side of the river. I have had trouble with the quick sand and sand bars on the San Juan River. The current would change, the river would I have only seen boats operating on the San Juan River at Trading Posts, where they would ferry the Indians over with their 553 wool and pelts. I have never witnessed any prospectors working placer mines. That was japer I moved to Monticello. I have heard of them going down the river with boats. I have butchered wattle after they have watered in the San Juan River. I have found about 4 pounds of sand in them, some-times 14 pounds, depending upon how muddy the water was and how much 554 they drank. Sometimes they would go out on the bank and lay down - 83- 1199 |