The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-03-30
COLORADO TERRITORY.
Fss-a osr SPECIAL Correspondent
DENVER, Colorado Territory,
March 10Th, ls6l.


,irabIs rniners-bus to see result Ike that
I witnessed, requires a little more labor
than mr. constitutional adherence to labor
will, il the future, iastify, or my courage
sustain: concise account Of my first and
only TRIP will fully sustain this assertion.
Leaving Denver with M favorite horse
"Iowa Silver TAIL" las the Yankee would
saw eeared to a substantial buggy. aud
accompanied by my friend Marshal VIM
SbafTer, | proceeded mountainward. Asws
neared the gigantic eminenees could not
but be astonished at the stupendous idea
that filed the mind of the great Architect
of the Universe when be conceived then
grand and sublime structure Snow
crowned mountains, with granite base tow.
eripg heav en- ward, with mystic clouds along
the range, through whose thick and darkened
wave the keen eye may seek in vain to get a
glimpse Of the rocky upheavings beyond
while, far above The conflict Of elements,
with gorgeous brightness, CLEANS forth the
brilliant sun. rejecting from every point the
diamond brightness of the glittering, ice
ike CRYSTALS that Nature, in her wonderful
operations, has shot forth. This much for
the romance, now for the reality.
Having travelled as far as was safe with
horse and buggy, we threw aside al our
surplus clothing and commenced our ascent
to the mountains, passing up deep canon
bound on either side with perpendicular
heights Of solid masonry, the tops of which
seemed like glimmering clouds. For few
miles our progress was easy, save now and
then dangerous passage across the stream
whose meanierinss we were following
spanned, as it was, with bridge of ice from
six to ten feet above the fJaming current.
and worn away by the sun and the action Of
the water, threatened every moment to pre-
cipltate Us in the destructive element. At
length we reached point where the rock
bound stream comes sweeping cataract-ilkc,
leaving 10 alternative but to mount the dan
gerous heights, then came the tug of effort.
The bold mountaineer that had joined Us at
Golden City took the lead, and. as matter
Of prudence, consented to be the last man
on the long line of twelve. The danger at
tending the ascent was so gradual that Twas
really astonished, not only at my courage but
at my physical endurance-truc, Frequently
had occasion (nos from fatigue, YOU know
to lean against some rocky promontory, and
wonderingly admire the beauties of the sur
scenery-after resting awhile
would again resume the weary task Of
climbing mountalns-those in the advance
saw or knew no danger; they would leap
from rock to rock across deep cavcrns, ike
goats fleeing before the hunters
chase, while those who lacked the nerve to
make the dangerous leap, were compelled to
AXE more circuitous route, merging IN
higher fight, the danger 0! which became
he more apparent rs a rock starting from
beneath our feet would 90 rolling anu bound
ug over precipice and ledge, and, at last,
1!unging in the foaming stream below, Cclv-
ng faint echo Of what would be our des-
my if a foothold should give way. But,
nothing daunted, we pressed forward, and,
.fter hours Of toll over the most rough and
ugged way that man ever trod-without
lther water or gln-wc came to what is
nown as the new discovery. Here we
ound some twenty men engaged in gulch
'igginGs, washing out the DIRT in pans-the |
esu't vie ding from twenty to thirty cents
o the pan. Having our curiosity fully |
ratified, we concluded to retrace our steps |
0 Golden City, where We new kind friends |
would be in waiting to congratulate US on
ur safe return. 1t is unnecessary to emu
neratc the various trials incident to the |
eturn trip, as they are but repetition of |
he former.
One incident connected with this trip. |
which was made on the 9th February, may
ot be amiSs to mention. While winding
nr way through the deep ravine Of the
fountain, with ice below and snow above.
nd green grass around US, such was the life. |
wing spirit of the warm sun as it poured |
own its mellow rays, that beautaous but
eTi'es foated in the air-spiders busiIy
ngaged in weaving their wcb-birds sang
n the groves, and lies, those intolerablc |
ests. would light upon our faces, making
$ for moment forget that We were really
n the midst of Winter, and surrounded on
ii sides by the results Of its stern reality.
returning to Golden City, we awaited our
elves of good glass Of gin, sumptuous
upper and again in due time returned to
ur homes in Denver.
We have had remarkably pleasant Win
er during the entire buildings have
cen constantly erected, street grading has
ontIuned unlnterruptedly; and, during mid
Winter, it was quite common sight to see
'd'es promenading our streets in Summer
ostume, with their sun shades over their
eads. Our farmers have continued their
loving and already numerous gardens 10
ur city are ready for the reception Of seed.
With all this milinsss of Winter-upe
Galed by any cline ever visited-we often
egret that We are not in the Bluff, to hail
ur good old friends with smile, and eniov
ne great luxury Of sleigh-ride with the ]
Governor and his spanking four. Il
". II. F.
MRS. >HIs>HELN ON -REyty,rS-
We believe that the modern exe;,sr,,,,,
apsizsd .'revivals,'' are devices oF ia
aian and 50 We are in duty bound to /
zach. The question has Een,,k. :"