The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-09-21
For the Kenosha Telegraph.
Platte River Scenery.

Chimney rock is about 25 miles above Fort
hearney. on the south side OF the Platte. and
tour miles from its banks, although it appears
to be only quarter of mile. Such level
plains render distances very deceiving. 1t is a
high pillar set upon pedestra This pedes-
trail is many feet in circumference at its base
and looks between twenty and thirty feet high.
1t looks like an inverted deep round dish, grad
uaily slopng off at the top, and from it rises the
chimney tall and grand. We were opposite it
on the other side of the river and consequently
four miles from il. Everything looked SO dis
tinct about it at this distance that methinks its
stupendousness must awe one who stood at its
base. 1t is situated between two bluffs. or
rather in notch in bluff, which seems to have
opened at the command of Deity. and the Chin
ney rose from its bosom. 1t being nothing but
mari and sand we could see the deep grooves
washed in it by the rains, as we see sorrows
burrows traced tear-deep in the cheeks OF dark
browed men,. On ore side of the chimney near
the top there is deep notch, and travellers of
other Gays tell US 1t has diminished much in
hlghth curing few years. Oh ye elements, be-
meath whose wear all things crumble and are
and springing grass that waves Ter their tombs
Thus from death life often springeth.
halliday journey from this rock is Court
house" roek-periect in its simlitude. The
bluffs surrounding it looked like city in ru-
lnS, with broken walls and windows, and you
think involuntarily that hearts have grieved
ana smile glanced within there in DAYS that are
10 CIT
the plains on a sloping bluff, with finely roun-
d ed dome.
In this vicinity we found a great variety of
toWers-purpie, violet, pink and snowy white.
delicate all of them. And deep scarlet blossoms
growing in clusters not unlike the scarlet gera-
NUNS. Here the splendid cact abound in all
their native beauty and luxuriance. Their pale
straw color, or deep, double crimson blossoms, |
with downy white veretus meet the eye on ev-
cry side
Twenty-Five miles further on we come to |
Seotts oluH There is much mournful inter- |
est attached 20 this bluff Once there lived |
trader near its base He traded with the Indi-
a Ms for skins and furs. But he died there alone.
dea tn chained hie pulses. when not even his rep |
friends were rear. The next company that
passed that way found his body and buried
it at the foot Of the bluff. And since that time
it has borne his name Thus that obscure trader
lonely and unknown has monument greater
han art can chisel for the most gifted. 1t is
regal in its dimensions, magnificent in its beau
y, and lasting as the 'rock-rbbed hills'' them
selves
AS you approach this bluff from the east lite
appearance is very striking. 1t resembles a
Dig and old rambling building running back
several rods and terminated in the rear BY
round tower perfectly formed, except it may
le the third for there are three each one
smaller than the one below it's not exactly in
he center of the second. On the trout there
vast entrance running back into the bluff eev-
,ral feet. 1t is many ieet broad as you enter,
md narrows down you approach what APP
,ears to be the door. At ev ening as beheld
t, the blue mist of rising vapnrs shadowing it,
With the setting sun shining through it here and
here. 1t seemed like vast building OF granite
md gold. AS The shadows of night silently fold
ID themsel, es around it and Us, and l thought
Il the unknown dangers which my footsteps =
night be nearing, my minds eye looked back f
|
Gloriousy tie sun floods that cherished spot
y day, and at night the silent stars look down
n 1t with loving eyes. Ihave been young there.
nd the purple fruits of holy promise hung
lustering richly above my head, and l grasped
hem not And now from afar my soul reaches
ut after them mutely. Can it gather them to
self now and lay them up in that heavenly
arner which the spoiler time can never know ?
would NOT mourn, that young life has passed s
way, but would be always young in the real
lation of those holy promises, young in spirit.
not that the hand should never culver with the \
umbness ofage, nor that the hair should never :.
liver, or he eyes dim, but that the soul should !
line with adeeper beauty than youth can give. &
nd should know no joy stiller and truer than. lc
ouns1 life alone can give. Lttt ~
oh the days when youths crimson tide tbrob- O.
ed through my heart, and the shadows of those =
Id oaks were dearer to me than showers of q
calls. They are pictured with these in memo
''s halls, speaking to me voicelessy from afar j