Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-05-17
Letter from Colorado.
DENVER CITY, April 26, 1867


Mr.. Editor AS the Pacific Rail-
road is rapidly stretching across the
continent, thousands eagerly follow,
with their minds eye" the course of
this great national highway, and make
anxious inquiry as to the states and
prospects of the country through which
it is passing. Before venturing far
out into the Western country, situated
beneath they very shadow of the
Rocky Mountains, their inquisitive
minds naturally suggest many ques-
tons, the answers to which will deter
mine, in great measure, their future
actions. i requires very little pre-
science to foresee that at tb,s very
moment a splendid future is opening
to this rising, growing country, and
that soon Colorado viii tower in her
pride of place, as one Of the richest
and most powerful States in the Union.
Whether reference be had to mineral
wealth, agricultural resources, grazing
facilities, the saiubrity OF the climate,
or fine natural scenery, it must be
concluded that Colorado stands al
most, if not entirely, without a rival
Her mineral wealth is literally in.
exhaustable, and now that capital and
educated labor are about TO be sys
tematically applied, on larger scale
than in the past, to the development
Of the mineral resources OF tie terri
tory, we may reasonably predict thai
a much larger quantity of gold will be
produced than heretofore The day
of wild speculations In gold claims, by
which fortunes were made and lost il
an hour, has gone By, and in its stead
we have the day of cool, calculating
business, based on rational end vel
considered view Of the undertaking
proposed; a change which to oul
mind indicates healthy and progress
i've state of things. When the mining
season of this year fairly opens there
will unquestionably be a large emf
grafton to the mineral region recently
discovered, whose essays from sur
face quartz alone have yielded from
five hundred to two thousand dollars
per ton. The main difficulty thus fal
experienced, is in the separation OF
gold from the basen metals-a Difficult
ty which has not yet been entirel,
overcome.
Colorado abounds in the useful al
we'll as the precious metals. Iron al
most in a pure state, coal, copper, leat
and salt are found in profuse adun
dance. Within few miles of Denver
coal oil has been discovered, and al
Incorporated company is busily en-
gagged in bringing to the light of day
and preparing for market this valuabl,
treasure, which has SO long been hid
den Ill the reservoirs of the earth
An amount nearly sufficient for HON,
consumption is already produced. q
| Although Colorado is chiefly knowr
abroad as territory, rich in minerals
her almost fabulous agricultural capa
bllltles should not be overlooked =
The prodnctiveness of Colorado soil
is truly wonderful far surprising thu
futile fields of the Key Stone State
Farmers, or ranchmen as they ar,
/ a
here termed in Mexican pariience, an
nually harvest crops which, to tn,
farmers of the eastern States, are s,
large as to hardly seem credible. T,
ascertain the capabilities Of the sol
and the usual yield, | have invaribl,
L
gone to the old settlers and others j,
whom could place implicit confidence
and herewith give the result of sucl
inquiries. afsaas ata*
4 ~ .amx gaW y
Two enterprising farmers and stool
ralsers, partners in company, in tn