John+Wesley+Powell

//Down The Colorado// ||
 * ~ John Wesley P​owell
 * [[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/John_Wesley_Powell_USGS.jpg width="197" height="280" caption="(John_Wesley_Powell_USGS.jpg)"]] ||
 * Biography

Powell was born in Mount Morris, New York, in 1834. He studied at Illinois College, Wheaton College, and Oberlin College, acquiring a knowledge of Ancient Greek and Latin but never graduating. Powell had a deep interest in the natural sciences, with a rest less nature. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the Union Army, serving first with the 20th Illinois Volunteers. At the Battle of Shiloh, he lost most of one arm when he was struck by a Minie ball. The raw nerve endings in his arm would continue to cause him pain the rest of his life. After the war Powell became a professor of geology at the Illinois Wesleyan University. Then in 1867 he led a series of expeditions into the Rocky Mountains. John Wesley Powell died on September 23, 1902. || Explanation
 * 1. "A thousand feet of this is up through granitecrags, then steep slopes and perpendicular cliffs rise, one above another, to the summit." (113)

In the quote John Wesley Powell talked about the massiveness of    the Grand Canyon. He compared  the height of the walls to sky scrapers. Powell seemed to be awe inspired by the amount of force that was needed to create the Grand Canyon. || || in the rough river without shipping water." (32)
 * < 2. "Our boats are heavily loaded, and only with the utmost care is it possible to float

Explanation

In the quote Powell talked about how the boats are loaded with materials for the voyage into the Grand Canyon. The boats have to be loaded properly or risk the possibility of the boat capsizing. It takes an expert to navigate the roaring rapids of the river. ||< ||
 * 3. "Climbing for an hour over and among the rocks, we find ourselves in a vast amphitheater, and our way cut off."

Explanation

In this quote Powell talked about how difficult it was to be an explorer. He said that was completely surrounded by rocks and boulders. No one could hear or see him. If he was to get hurt it would have meant certain death. John Powell was an extremely tough, strong minded personto be able to explore Colorado. || ||
 * 4. " Last winter a man named Johnson, a hunter and Indian trader, visited us at our camp. This man has an Indian wife and usually travels with the Ute bands. He informed me it was his intention to plant some corn, potatoes, and other vegetables on the island in the spring, and, knowing that we would pass it, invited us to stop and help ourselves, even if he should not be there;" (66)

Explanation

This quote shows what a great relationship Powell has with the natives of Colorado. This relationship is one of the key reasons to his success as a great explorer. Powell made friends with the natives and if he was ever in any trouble he could count on them for help. The natives know the territory much better than Powell did, so he could ask them for advice or places he should avoid. If he was ever hungry he could go by and help himself to what the natives have planted. His success as an explored should be attributed to the natives of that land. || ||
 * 5. "A short distance below camp we run a rapid, and, in doing so, break an oar, and then lose another. So the pioneer boat has but two oars." (69)

Explanation

In the quote Powell told us how strong the rivers of Colorado can be. Powell is a brave man to have navigated through the rivers many times. He must have been an expert at navigating rivers, and what makes this feat even more impressive is that he did it with only one arm. Powell overcame so many adversities. || ||
 * 6. "Our rations are still spoiling; the bacon is so badly injured that we are compelled to throw it away. If we meet with difficulties, as we have done in the canyon above, we may be compelled to give up the expedition, and try to reach the Mormon settlements to the north." (120)

Explanation

This quote shows not only how hunger factored into these expeditions, but also that Powell was a great leader. Powell had to keep his men under control and keep them from uprising against him. He had to keep his power even when his men may have been questioning his judgment. Powell was a great leader as proven in war days, but he also knew what to say to keep his followers optimistic. Even with food shortages Powell made sure that he finished his expedition. || || Conclusion

John Wesley Powell was a war hero and a great explorer. At a young age Powell loved geology and studying the outdoors. When the Civil War occurred he showed he was a true patriot by enlisting in the army. When he lost his arm he did not feel sorry for himself, instead he followed his true passion and began teaching about geology. Later in life he led a series of expeditions into the Colorado. By reading Powell's diaries I learned about a great man. He was a born leader. He led in the Civil War and he led throughout expeditions into canyons. I learned a great leader knows to make friends not enemies. I now know to never let anything get in the way of what I want to achieve. ||  ||
 * Work Cited

"John_Wesley_Powell_USGS.jpg" Web. 20 Nov. 2009 <>.

“John Wesley Powell". Wikipedia. 11/10/09 <[]>.

“naa-1540.jpg” Web. 20. Nov. 2009 <[]>

“NWPPOD/EXPL2A-00145.jpg” Web. 20. Nov. 2009< [|http://img2.allposters.com/images/ NWPPOD/EXPL2A-00145.jpg]>

Powell, John. // Down the // // Colorado //. Promontory Press, 1969. Print ||