The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-04-22
From Colorado.
Special Correspondence Of the Courier

From Colorado.
Special Correspondence Of the Courier.
GEORGETOWN, COL, !
April, 1869.
GENE J. M. HEDR1cK,
Dear Sir: / find from
experience that the opinion formed
in regard to the climate of this coun-
try, does not accord with the reality.
A person reading the account of FIRE.
mont's expedition, in these localities,
receives an exaggerated estimate Of
the severity of the climate, and the
barrenness of the soil. We must
take into consideration the unpropi-
tious season of the year in which
that expedition traversed this sec.
ton, and the many other obstacles
under which they labored, such as
the hostility Of the natives, the diff.
cuties Of transportation, &C., the two
mentioned, now, to a great extent
being removed, the former by "Gal-
liant Phil, who is famed for "pushing
things; and the latter by the U.
P. RR., which is rapidly approaching
completion. Whether the past win.
ter has been a criterion or not, 1 am
not able to say; but it has been one
which will favorably compare with
those in similar latltudes in the
States. In regard to the production
of the soil, Colorado is now self.
sustaining, and instead of receiving
a supply from the States, she now
exports her surplus.
Here, in the mountainous region,
the product Of the mines is the chief
resource of its inhabitants, yet, l
have seen some very fine ranches
along the streams. In the valley
along the tributaries of the Platte
where irrigation is possible, l have
seen crops of superior grader
Wheat, rye, oats, barley, all are raised,
and in all cases overrun the standard.
The root crops, here, excel those OF
any other locality l have visited, il
quantity and quality.
Having imperfectly disposed of the
weather and productions, a glance,
or rather a surmise, as to the natural
history of the country, may be of
interest: The most plausible theory
which accords with my limited
knowledge Of naturalism, and one
that is substantisted by the construc.
ton Of terra .frma, is contained in
the following:
There is every evidence of this be-
ing at one time scene of terrible
commissions, which left the surface
in motley pile, without regard for
appearances. There is no regular
strata Of earth, stone, or mineral,
laying horizontally. The only ap.
pearances of regularity to be found,
is seen in the ''crevasses," which is
perpendicular. This may be &C.
counted for by those assures which
have remained after the volcanic
erruptions, being filed with volcanic
matter, thus furnishing the strange
material, and In which is found the
precious metals. There is a circum.
stance which goes far to prove this
theory, l.. .. the richness of these
crevasses does not consist exclusively
in the richest metals, as copper, lead,
l zinc. tin. and. in fact. specimens nj
all kinds of mineral productions, are
found in them. The heavier metals,
obeying the law of gravitation, hav.
ing worked themselves toward the
bowels of the earth, and there being
where the greatest volcanic heat is,
have become molten, and during the
active workings have assembled and
filed these openings which have re.
NAMED after the first outbreak. Not
far from where I now write can be
seen bed of what was once lare Q
stream, located upon the side of a
mountain, the elevation of which ap-
proximates ten thousand feet above
ocean level. There is not drop of
water running in it, or is there the
most remote chance of it ever having
been used to convey water in it's
present location, or Of the possibility
of it being adapted for that purpose
in the future. So we must conclude
that volcanic influences have crown
ed the summit of a mountain peak
with what was at one time the chan
mel Of large body Of water.
The term "Rocky" has been very
appropriately applied to this vast
chain of mountains. On all sides
can be seen the jagged peaks, rearing
their snow-capped submits heaven
ward, almost solid mass of stony
substance, assuming at times the
most fantastic Of shapes.
Between Georgetown and Central
City, Idaho, are located the Mineral
Springs, which, in medicinal proper
ties, and attractiveness, far exceed
the famous Saratoga. There are
two streams elected from the noun
tain side, one of hot temperature,
the other cold. An enterprising in
dividual has erected hotel and
mammoth bathing establishment
there, and they are rapidly gaining
national reputation. These and 9TH
or attractions will gain this country
wide spread notoriety, which, in
future, will become famed resort
for the pleasure seeker and natural
list. A great many tourists visited
4hic 1oool;f1, 1ao% s,,r,,oo-