Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-12-13
TIRE PACIFIC RAILRoAp.

a correspondent OF the Chicago Repu5li.
can writes as follows of the Union Pacific
Railway:
Thirty days more of working weather,
and the iron horse will snuff the mountain
breeze upon the summit of the Black Hills,
eight thousand two hundred and forty feet
above the ocean level, or more than four
thousand ieet higher than the summit Of
Mount Gents, the greatest altitude reached
by the railroad over the Alps, and claimed
to be the grandest achievement of engineer
Ing skill yet accomplished in Europe.
On our outward trip we passed the
tracklayers four miles east of Cheyenne,
which point they reached two days later.
Cheyenne is not "a city on wheels, but a
real, and destined TO be great city. Only
three months old, it now has four hundred
houses and over three thousand inhabi-
iants. Many of the business houses are
large and substantial, built Of stone, adobe,
grout, brick, logs and boards. The Rollins
House is large and first-class hotel, and
General Stevens is erecting an immense
stoneware and commission house. The
town has all the appearance OF permanence,
and will undoubtedly continue 10 grow ra-
pidly until it reaches population of eight
or ten thousand. Beautifully situated upon
the level PLAIN, in full view of the snowy
range Of mountains, Pixies and Longs
Peaks looming up grandly in the distance,
it may some day rival in splendor the his
toric renown of Palmyra, fairest city of the
plain
1.-THE summit of the road is reached at
Mulloy's camp, the altitude being eight
thousand two hundred and forty feet above
the ocean level This is the greatest alti-
tude ever reached by railroad, and should
good weather continue thirty days longer,
which is thought very probable by old set
tiers in this region, the track will be laid.
and the locomotive will meet the first blast
Of the winter winds as they sweep across
from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.
What grand and memorable celebration OF
the new year 1861
''Across Dale Creek will be tho heaviest
TO be spanned here is six hundred and ninety
feet, and the depth one hundred and twenty.
five feet. 1t was the intention at first Ia
bridge this awful chasm, but it is now de-
cided 10 tressle, and fill up with rock ard
gravel. An immense quarry OF the finest
building stone is found near this point above
the surface, and hence easy OF access A
heavy force of workmen are busy getting
out stone for abutments, and it is hoped thai
early next spring the work may be com
pleted for the passage of cars.
'Dale Creek is alive with large mountain
trout, and game abounds in the valleys
below. Tho scenery IN the vicinity and fol
miles above and below is picturesque and
highly romantic. II we mistake not, this
will become a iaVoriie summer resort for
pleasure seekers and tourists. Crossing
Dale Creek we passed Miller's and one OF
two other camps, and by the middle of the
afternoon came in sight OF the famed Lara
mie Plains, beyond which loomed up the
snowy peaks of the great American Alps,
seemingly only few miles distant, but fully
fifty miles away. The Laramie Plains vary
in width from thirty to fifty miles, and
although a beautiful valley, covered with
grass and watered by numerous streams
that run down from the mountains on either
side, il has an altitude above the ocean level
Of from seven thousand to seven thousand
five hundred feet. 1t is a magnificent graz.
ing country, and will produce variety Of
vegetables and small fruits"