Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-12-01
Misfllanfnus.
Continued from last week.
A Visit to the Rocky Mountains.

This was, by far, the grandest part of
my journey. More than once have l
crossed the Alleghenies; have stood in
the Shenandoah and Cumberland vallies
aud viewed the mountains that rise on
either side; I've witnessed the scenery
of the beautiful Hudson under very
favorable circumstances but never in my
life did [ behold so much; silent grand
eur and magnificenoe. I've seen the
mighty cataract, Niagara, and its attraC-
ting surroundings and stood filled with
the Rocky Mountain scenery, though of
different nature is by far the most sub
lime and at the same time terrific. This
siage-ride of moro than fifty miles into
almost the heart of the range gave me
no small idea ofits beauty and sublimity.
The first view as had from Denver is
suberbly grand and inspifes one with
lofty emotions which as the mountain
is scaled-do not diminish but rather in
crease. From Denvor or any point on
the plains, you do not behold the range
as one continuous hill but as a thous-
| and or more hills pushed promiscuously
together; peak after peak looms up to
view, many of them sow-clad rnd SEEM
ing to pierce the sky; far to the left or
South you behold Pixies Peak whose
snowy top resembles an inverted icicle
and on each side there ARISES two ap-
parently broad topped hills being each
other in height. Far to the right or
North you behold reaching to the clouds
Longs Peak, while along the whole
western horizon thousand of smaller
peaks point their solitary figures heav-
onward. The beauty of the scene no
pen can portray, no. .artist'ssbrush can
picture, no poets tongue can sing; tits
only known from sight.
The morning is clear ana cool. With
five passengers inside and three outside
we begin our journey. Having crossed
the Platte river, we make sudden as
cent of twenty or thirty feet and I'll en-
! a gradual rise until we reach the foot
hills, at a distance of twelve miles from
Denver. AS we look back upon the city
it presents fine appearance for town
of three or four thousand inhabitants.
AS we near the mountain the openiu G
into which we are to pass looks very
passable. We frs. pass behind range
of hills called the ''Hog-back" because
of its rocky sop, that very much resem-
,bles the bristles on the back of a hog.
Now we mount higher and higher, fol-
lowing small stream and nothing OF
especial interest is seen except the high
mountains that seem to rise on all
sides; you look forward and cannot i'm
agine where you are going; you look
back and cannot see where you came
from; surrounded on all sides by high
hill. AT about one O'Clock we stop for
dinnerat one of those ranches that are
found all along this mountain roaafswe e
get our dinner and pay the little sum of
one dollar. After dinner we ascend a
little higher and then begin our descent
into the valley. And what going down!
it seems as if the coach would fall on top
/ of the horses but down we go as hard as
horses can trot; did the track be missed
a foot, many places, we must have been
hurled hundreds of feet down the preci-
pice. Surprised am when told that a
sleeper and more dangerous mountain
-af f1.I i,t I, IL
miles down it," says the driver, ''and 1
intend to let you drop" Soon we reach
it and-drop. Now we go up a stream
of water called Clear creek, which at
the present time is misnomer, as it is
kept continually turbid by the gold
washers. 1t was at one time filled with
mountain trout which have been driven
away by the muddy water. High on
each side-before and behind, ri es the
mountains; snow is continuallyin view;
overhanging rocks threaten US; decayed
bridges little frighten US but Oil we go.
About four o'clock we arrive at Idaho
fifteen miles up South is Georgetown our
stopping place-six miles northeast is
Central city, which is in the midst of
the gold mining region; here We change
horses; here are also Sulpher Springs
(hot) in the water of which invalids
bathe for their health. The air is now
quite chilly and shawl does good SER
vice. AT seven o'clock we arrive in
Georgetown and stop at the Barton
Hotel.
Having made visit to the silver mines
which are numerous in the vicinity of
Georgetown, and having learned all the
process of reducing the ore, turned my
attention again to the scenery. Seeking
an elevated position from which to view
the surrounding country ever giving
more picturesque, 1 mount to the highest
point of Republican mountain. AS I
ascend the trail, the valley looks beauti-
full below-it seems almost under me and
my head almost swims. For some dis
tance the timber has been removed and
there is nothing to obstruct the view but
having reached the forest all surround
ing country is hidden. onward and
upward go until I reach the top and
oh! what sight bursts upon my view!
Around on every side nought is seen but
high, steep and rugged cliffs. Not a
tree obstructs my vision, for 1 am far
above where even shrub will grow
hundreds of feet below is the "Music of
the Pines. Not sound is sound is heard,
save the whistling of the wind; not a
living. creature meets my gaze. Cold
and fierce blows the wind as it leaps
from the surrounding snow-clad peaks.
But night is coming on, the Sun is seek