Smyrna times., 1868-04-22
ceIIuueOuS
For the SMYRNA Times"
LETTER FROM DENVER.
DENVER CITY, COLORADO.
FRIEND 4" JOE"

DENVER CITY, COLORADO.
April 4th, 1868.
FRIEND "JoE."
Presumlng that few lines, descrip-
tive OF the Rocky Mountain country, its condi-
tion and prospects, would not be uninterestinp
to your numerous readers, embrace the on
portunity afforded by leisure hour, to iot
down the result of observations since my ad-
vent, and also such facts and statements in
relation to Colorado, New Mexico, and other
Rocky Mountain Territories, as | have gather
ed during sojOurn of nearly two months.
Denver, the capital of the Territory, was
settled in 1859, by colony of gold hunters.
who discovered the precious metal both in the
Platte and Cherry Creek, at the confluence of
which streams the city is situated. Gold and
silver, In considerable amounts, were discover
ed, and the beds of both streams worked ex-
tensively, and with profit, until it was subse
quently discovered that richer deposits were to
be had further up the streams, in the mountains,
when the river bed washings were abandoned,
and now are not worked at ALL
The discovery of silver at Pixies Peak, and
the immense quantities of gold found in all the
gulches Of the mountains has attracted to the
Territory population sufficient in numbers to
be now claiming representation as a State
Denver is the center of this great mining re-
glon, the metropolis of the plains, and the
m10lOp
towns; and, although not yet ten years old, has
population of 1000, and trade which as
tonlshes the busy and cnterprising merchants
OF the great commercial centereS of the West.
Chicago and st. LOuis,-between which cities
there exists the most determined and enter
prlslng rivalry, to secure her trade There is
now In contemplation rail- oad from this
point to Cheyenne, the present terminus of
U. T. K. r., the first installment to the sub
scriptlon to which has already been paid In,
and 1t is expected that ground will be broken
next month. The surveys Of the u p. r. r.,
Eastern Division located that road through
Denver, and is is thought that it will be com.
pleted to this point about the last of the pres.
ent year. When these roads are completed.
the onward, rapid, and certain progress of this
city and Territory are successes beyond all
doubt.
The report of the Denver Board of Trade.
made in December last, shows the amount of
business done here last year:
Cash sales of merchandise s59leMo
Ca Cash value OF goods manufactured. 1s7,oo0 8s7SoS
Eastern exchange, sold by banks 9 7al'S@ al SSS
amount OF cash paid over bank counters, 77,s1OOOO
The amount of gold shipped from Colorado
In 1861, reached nearly nine millions of dollars,
and this was before the mines were as thor
oughy developed, and worked, worked as
they have since been.
We have, near the city, immense beds of
coal, which sells here for ten dollars per tom
Salt is also manufactured at the various salt
springs in the mountains, copper, lead, iron,
and petroleum are also found in abundance
But upon the mines of precious metals exist
ing In the mountains of Colorado, all the hopes
OF the settler is based We are here 5000
feet above tide-water and as an evidence of
the magnifying effects of so highly rarrifed
an atmosphere, Pixies and Long Peaks, one
80 and the other ! 10 miles distant, are distinct
ly visible. In fact, the Whole range is plainly
visible until lost, or Obscured by the high, roll
ing hills, on the north and south, rising above
the city. The climate is what an inhabitant of
the temperate zone would call delightful, and
in the southern part, and in New Mexico, and
Arizona, for agricultural and grazing purposes
is not surpassed, If equalled, by any country ia
the world. The Summer and Fall is balmv.
and pleasant, with but few very hot and sultry
days; high winds prevail, but are not of long
continuance, usually lasting but few hours at
time. Winter generally sets in late, and
lasts well into the Spring, as much snow fire.
quently falling in April as in any other month.
In the mountains the visitor can find at
almost any season of the year, such a climate
as he may desire; depending only on the alti-
tude he may choose.
The streams abound in trout and the noun
tains and planes supply game in abundance,
for all who are inclined to hunt for sport or
profit. We have in our market, bear, buffalo,
deer, antelope, prairie chickens, canvas back,
red head and mallard ducks, jack rabbits, Ia
very large Variety and in the mountains thew
have cougars, or lions, grizzlies, mountain sheep,
and numerous other beasts.
The soil of the Territory is wonderfully
strong and productive, raising the finest vege-
tables In the world have seen a squash,
raised last year, that was as large round as a
barrel, and halt as high Potatoes the finest
and largest ever saw, and Mexican onions
grow as large as turnips, and other vegetables
propeortlonately large. Grain crops, wheat,
rye, barley, oats, and the other cereals grow
with an exhuberance unknown in the best pro-