New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-13
THE GREAT WEST.
The Emigrants and Settlers Guide to the ntw
States and Territories,
The G0id Fields.
Number Two.l

to INNING by the discovery Of rich lodes in our ne"
Western god.felds ard recently by the increased
value which this precious metal obtains in the com
perce Of the country has naturally attracted decreased
attention to Colorado the Pixies Peak county, as IL
Is now familnrly known. and Idaho. \ largo number
Of emgrants from the eastern seaboard as wen as ron
Europe are now preparing leave for both these eou
tries and the prosrecs are favorable for heavy emf
grafton as the season advances In order TO meet the
present demand for information in regard to these sec
lions precedence is given them in this series
COLORADO.
I,ss Io4 800 square miles; Acres, 66SaoOcO Population
2sOCO; Capital Denver Population, 5000
Colorado Territory, more familiarly known
through the newspapers Of the day the Pixies Peak
God-mning Country, is located about 600 miles west
of the Missouri River between 80 and 40 N latitude,
and between lO2o and 1899 of long. W. from Green.
Eich.
EARLY HISTORY.
The regions now known Arizona, New'Mexico,
and Utah. Kansas, and Colorado were discovered by
Tasquez de Coronado as early as l5i0-5O.
In 1909 the United States Government DESTROYS OF
knowing the character and features Of the region con-
tiguous to the boundaries determined between Spain
Abe United States and Louisiana sent Zebuon Pike on
the expedition. He crossed what is now known As
Northern Kansas and following up the Arkansas river
discovered the Peak bearing his name, and already
famous as tie popular title Of the whole gold region of
Colorado.
Twenty years subsequent to this Longs expedition
was dispatched; and in lsi23 Fremont was sent out
twice but the knowledge Of this region remsined very
.neager till 1858.
1872 MINING OPERATIONS BEGUN 1852.
Asa mining country, settled and. occupied by the
Anglo Saxon race COLORADO dates from the Fall Of
1853. In the Summer of that year few adventures
md explorers from Eastern Kansas and Georgia under
The leadership Of Greene Russell an old Georgia ana
California miner, followed up the Arkansas River
and explored the country at and around Pixies Peak,
snd northward along the eastern base of the Rocky
Mountains to the Cherokee Pass. They found sure in
hcatons Of gold in the banks and bars Of the Arkansas
River, 25O miles below the mountans. These indica-
lions increased a. they approached the mountain' To
The north of Pixies Peak at the mouth of Cherry Creek
The site of the present town Of Denver South Platte
River near the eastern base OF the mountains, they
found very superior quality Of washed gold in small
paying quantities.
In May of the following Spring Qs5@, the Gregory
mines were discovered Quartz mills put in opera
hon in the Summer of 1850, and soon large emigra
ton began to set in TO the Eldorado Of the West
PHYSICAL ASPECT, BOUNDARIES, &C.
Colorado is bounded on the North by Idaho, on the
East by Kansas. the South by New.MeXco. and on
West by Utah. BE- examination OF the map of North
America, and by tracing the boundaries above given
the reader win readily obtain correct idea OF the
Topography Of Colorado.
The Rocky Mountain range the great backbone Of
Sic continent runs through the Territory from north
10 SOUTH dividing the vast plains Of the eastern sope
from the extension parks and savannas which stretch
away toward the Sierra Nevada The eastern portion
Of Colorado embraces that mythical region, laid down
on the old maps as the Great American Desert
CLIMATE.
Tba climate of Colorado varies with It's hight both as
10 temperature and the amount Of rain snow. The
climate of that portion lying the base and east of the
mountains is only delightful but remarkably healthy
The frosts generally curly In the Autumn, and
continue far into the Spring months, but they are not
severe On the plains, the Of Winter never
sufficient to prevent cattle of all kinds from thriving
and fatening on the nutritious grass dried up and thus
cured by nature in July and August.
Throughout the Winter months, with exceptions
tie sun blazes down with almost tropic glow little
or no snow falls and although the nights sometimes
sharp and frosty there steady intensity Of cold
With such climate Colorado could well be other
wise than healthy The sanitary condition Of the Ter.
rory Is good, and the number of deaths considering
the labor and exposure 10 which the great majority Of
It's inhabitants subjected remarkably snaI.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
In country remote from the agricultural districts
OF the States aud whore The expense Of transporting
supplies is heavy. the need Of home production is
necessarily very great The rather scany opportuni.
ties which Colorado presents field for agriculture
have been, however, improved 90 the utmost. An
tensiye system Of irrigation has been introduced which,
is thought will relieve the settlers from lack Of rain
and other difficulties which have hitherto limited ogri.
cultural progress.
As regards the production of grain the crops on the
various branches Of the South Platte, Arkansas and
Toatatn que Bruills afford encouraging prospects.f
In tho southern part Of the Territory considerable
attention has been paid 10 the raising Of wheat corn
barley and other cereals but the continuance Of dry
weather presents formidable obstacle to great success
10 this direction.
The bottom lands OF the Platte River and other
mountain streams have rich elluyia deposit which
only requires water At long intervals promote an
astonishing vegetable growth. All the succulent vare.
ties of plants such potatoes, cabbages onions
squashes. &C.. attain enormous size retaining the
tenderness, juiciness and sweetness which almost
everywhere else belong only to the smaller varieties
1he wild fruits Of the Territory also numerous and
abundant. II is believed that Colorado will III few
years be able to supply her home demand for the
accessories Of ihe
STOCK RAISING, &C.
AS grazing and stock raising region Colorado pos
sesses great advantages Near the base Of the rocky
ranges and along the valleys Of the streams which have
their origin in the mountains vegetation is prolific
The grasses are not only abundant but they contain
nutrmcnt than the cultivated species Of the most
prosperous agricultural districts Of the Mississippi Val
lev These grasses cure standing and cattle have been