The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-09-27
Editorial Correspondence.
WAH5ATCH STATION, UTAH TER,
SeptemDer IL 1863.

september H. 1908.
All the way up the Platte Valley,
from the time We left Omaha, we had
been insensibly but steadily ascending
the eastern slope of the Rocky Noun
tains. But the broad Plains rose so
impereeptibly, and there was such a
total absence Of mountain scenery,
that when we reached Cheyenne,
though six thousand feet above the
sea, we could hardly realize the fact.
True, the air was clear and keen, but
not more SO than we often experience
on September morning on the low
level Of Indiana, precursor Of the
early Autumn frosts. A ride from
the Shoals Station on the Ohio and
Mississippi Railroad, to the French
Lick Springs, would show more rug
ged country than we saw in ascending
these six thousand feet.
But after leaving Cheyenne we
begin the ascent of the mountains IN
earnest, as the laboring engine and
the slow progress of the train indicate.
We look back from the rear car and
see the broad plains Teceding below
US; we lean forward as the road
curves around a rolling upland and
the rapid ascent is manifest. The
maximum grade from Cheyenne to
Sherman is eighty eight feet to the
mile; the distance thirty three miles
and the difference IN altitude two
thousand three hundred feet Aud
yet as re ascend to the highest point
on the entire line Of the Road, we still
are without the Immediate evidences
Of the great Rocky Mountain Range,
that rugged Backbone of the Ameri-
can Continent, of which we have read
or heard in the narratives of the pio-
neers and emigrants to the Pacific
coast. True, we occasionally catch
glimpses, to the south, of the snow
capped crest of Longs Peak and the
Colorado range, sixty miles and more
away, and occasionally In the vicinity
a bold headland or granite shaft rises
from the rolling surface around. But
If this is the far-famed Rocky Noun
tain Range, it IS tame indeed, thinks
the tourist. But so 1t is. The Pa
cifrc Railroad, which a few years ago,
we feared, had before it an insur-
mountable barrier in this rugged and
gigantic range, has even now safely
and noiselessly brought US to the top
of the Mountains, ere we were aware
Of it; and here We stand at Sherman
Station, Gin honor of our great Gen
eral. } eight thousand two hundred and
thirty-fve feet above the level of the
ocean. If the Alleghenies were piled
up to twice their heighth they would
not reach the altitude of the Pacific
Road at this point.
But if no towering eFags or yaWn-
ing chasms bear evidence of our great
highth, everything else tells of the
elevated position. The vegetation
and the verdure, which were con-
stantly with us yesterday, have al
most entirely disappeared, short, brown
and crisp tufts of grass are scat
tered over the hills, with sage brush
aud occasional stunted evergreens,
but veSetation is almost dead. The
al is clear and cool, and perceptibly
thinner than in the lowlandS. The
volcanic character of the earth
around is plainly seen. The reddish
and gray granite lodges which have
in the great upheavel been left stand
ing above the surrounding plain,
have, by an indefinite period of ex-
posure to atmospheric abrasion
and disintegration, worn away in
great measure, and make
up the sandy quartz-like soil !;
but here and there they are left stand
ing on the rolling table. land, wrought
INTO all kind Of weird and fantastic
Shapes BY the storms of rain aud
Winter frosts. Over this high plain
up so near and above the clouds there
is a spirit of dreariness and desola-
ton, and we are eager to leave il for
the milder and more majestic scenery
beyond.
We are reminded how our Ameri
can enterprise triumphs over Nature S
the building Of this great tboToncb-
fare Of the nation. As we stand at
Sherman Station, and are being
impressed with the scene around us on
this highest point reached by the rail-