The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-24

FINE CoLLECTIoN. I'VE c6ned etSSne
studio Of George W. Plat, yesterday after
noon, in obedience to q polite invitation,
and essmined his Large and interesting COZ
lectios Of sketches snd casiosities, obtained
in the Instant regions fthe far west. Mr.
Plat, an artist BY profession, left Rock is
land on the 9th of last May, and passed
about four months in the vicinity Of Middle
Park, in the Rocky Mountains, taking sketch,
es of the novel and impressive scenes OF that
wild and unfrequented locality, returning to
this city short time ago. His collection
undoubtedly forms a, basis for. many yalua-
Bile futureepaintings.s Though hastily drawn
and carelessly filled, they afford nany new
and suggestive hints from nature. We ex-
amined number dehneating scenery along
Snake and Platte Rivers, on Clear Creek,
and around Middle Park and Snowy Range.
The great object of every artist should be to
draw his inspiration from Nature, instead
of following at the heels of more successful
compeers, or noted predecessors. Rome or
Italy never presented half the field for the.
student of art, as exists among the yet I'M
explored wilds of the Rocky Mountains. In
taking advantage of the earliest opportunity
| to visit that region, Mr.. Plat has shown a
commemorate enterprise. Beside his sketch
es, he also improved his time in collecting a
| 6ne cabinet of minerals, and also many Gu
riositios, among which is the robe of averita-
| Bile Grizzly Bear, the fur Of which is most
dense, somewhat explaining the difficulty
hunters experience in killing this dangerous
and combative animal. He also secured
| the skin of an Antelope, Marten skin,
| the head of Black-tailed Deer with antlers,
the ska Of a Rocky Mountain Goat, ESQ diff
| cult TO be procured on account of the seclu-
ded habits of the animal,) a small Indian
Shirt ma lie from Antelope skin and trimmed
| with beads-also arrows, quivers, bows. wan
| pun pony whip made from raw hide, and lari
at of the same substance, and used by the In
dams. The collection of geological speci
mems is extensive, including silver ores from
| Snake River, Argentine and Georgetown
gold bearing quartz procured from Black
Hawk, Idaho, and Georgetown; copper, iron
and lead ores from the same region; erys
tails of quartz, pyrotes of iron, opals, con
crete from the Hot Sulphur Springs of Mid
die Park, and the same from the Hot Sods
Springs of Idaho moss agates, agates from
the vicinity of Cheyenne, specimens of the
richest of Camel Coal, de. dc. The speci
mems of ores are strongly remindful of oh
bullion times, and give very favorable ide,
of the wealth of that fortunate section
Some Of them are indeed beautiful, while th'
whole would command the attention of al
most any one. Mr.. Plat describes the In
dams of that country, Middle Park, as
jovial, good natured, honest race, little incln
ed to be hostile while decently well treated.
The farming country around Denver is
remarkably productive one, hut lessened ,
trihe in value from the fact that irrlgauv.
is Indispensable. By proper cooperation
however, the expense of this Improvement II
reduced 10 a very small amount in some quar-
tiers. Canals or bitches, sometimes twenty
five miles in length are constructed, wit
side bitches supplied with gates, leading o.
: to farms on either side. The heaviest labo
and inconvenience fell to the share of III
first settlers.
Mr.. Plat is now busilv engaged in arraI
| ging and classifying his minerals, atte
, which, no doubt, he would be well please
, to have his friends drop in to examine the'