New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-06-19
SOME ACCOUNT OF "GREELEY."
Ffom I've CAristfaa Uator.

I've Chrishaa Uator
"The Rocky MountainsW What thosef Those
are clouds" "Beg yonr pardon; that is snow 12O
miles away and that highest point probably Longs
Peak.n This was an hour or sobefore we swept up
to Cheyenne All neoks are craneda and eyesstrained
and silent throb Of exultation possesses one as he
beholds, for the first time the low-lying banks of
white along the horizon Nearer and much nobler
are the views from the window as swing down the
steep grades of the Denver Pacific Most of the inter
venng country lies lower than we, and the eye trav-
els over an ntermnable landscape OF rolling prairie,
land and mountain with avidity and delight. Quite
often we pass antelopes coy, alert bounding OIL and
then stopping to look again.. They are very pictu-
rescue they stand erectand keen and lnqulsitive
so inqujstve indeed, that they soon canter along III
Here is another sight unfamiliar on a Western
journey-a river of considerable SIZE with verdnIe
and green trees along its banks This is the site OF
Greeley. 1t was chosen by the agents OF company
of prospective colOnists drawn together by an al
yeTtiseInent in THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE In April,
q wear ago the first shOvelful of earth was turned
The first glimpse is not prepossessng. We see
only small, wooden houses many OF them unpalnted.
The beats hotly down, and the dust is driven ny
the wind few have come here and. forming only
so superficial acquaintance as this, have eft III as
gust. But are more patient. The landlord OF the
Greeley House invites us in. AS evening draws near
the air becomes fresh and invlgoratmg: "Wouidyou
like to see our ParkP "Of all things" and we
noble grove of cottonwood trees waving over solt
grass and the green bushes of the river side Lightly
acres are appropriated as public park. II Is al
ready spot that any place might be proud Of Here
an excavation for a lake has been begun. The men
of the colony, and all, turned out last saturday
to dig it,. The birds sing around us, magnificent
pillows of color in the west, golden and purple
CLEAN through the trees and the uver lnqrmurs ana
FLASHES past us. As We pass homeward the road
runs beside garden. man is busliy setting out
trees. Guess you're stranger herep Yes, Sir"
mice country "YOu think sop "Well, I've
lived in the Territories ten years, and reckon you
won't find better But 90 you think TINS irri-
tains-"As reliable as those! Our river is melted
snow. 1t is deepest in June and July, when we
most need it. When those mountains cease to be
covered with snow our supply OF water Will tai"
But is it not very tedious work to keep the bitches
in order in ds soil 1t cakes snd harGe o
pillow is all the ditch garden needs connecting, OF
course, with the large bitches" So talked every
one Man after man told the same hopeful, cheerful
confronted story. And these men are of good stuff
brave intelligent, Industrious. The moment set
foot the platform was struck with the superior
The morning of the following day broke clear and
bright. You should ride up the river and see the
country" said mine host; andl soon found my sell
astride of long-legged animal, whose form and
gait at first suggested his descent from camel
opard stock. But after adjusting myself TO his
pace things %enn O Tat w H eVer remain
in my recollection one of the most memorable OF
my life Free the air we went over the prai-ies,
right INTO the lace oil WHICH
before u.s. Chaste serene, beautiful they lie in the
sunlight, speaking peace. The decvlties and spurs
of the near range clear as MONDAY and far be-
yond, but full as distinct against the blue sky, In
solemn majesty and grace, rise the snow-peaks.
Weare on quite little bluff now and turn to look
across the river II wnds in the most tortuous cir
cuits and the peninsuas thus formed, in the green
of their verdure, sprn1ed with the forms of cattle,
are quite as attractive the meadow lands OF En-
gland, which, indeed they very much resemble 1 in
my course. cool, lnylgoratlng breeze sweeps over
the pTaries and could shout aloud for very hap
piness and joy. A couple of enormous brown hawks
tlap lazily ND from my side and circle and soar on
high The prairie dogs whimsical little creaturesl
sit upright on their stump tails, bark with comical
zest as IapprOach, and whisk scoldinR into their
holes But nothing can obliteate the consciousness
that behind me lies the snow range. And again and
again, as turn, the vision of sweeping prairie of
gray hillside and white mountain peak, serene and
far against the pale blue sky, melts into the SOUL
and Obliterates and browns out everything else
This is no transient happiness. The impression is
strong and Deep and will hold fast in the mind So
long as imagination and memory abide there .
Fortunately for me this is Thursday, and in the
evening the exercises of the Lyceum" take place.
They well worth describing, for some of the most
prominent and able men in the place-the c0lOnY's
piOneers-make it point to be present and takes
part. The hall, necessarily small one is filed
quartette of gentlemen sing an opening song-appro-
priately temperance song. dor one of the marked
characteristics of this place is that liquor selling ,cH
not be tolerated, person who undertook 1t Ill
quiet way learned to his cost. Then follows an f..
original essay admirably read, succeeded by criti-
cal debate of great animation. One speaker /
especially admired. He spoke with freedom
and versatility that have never seen excelled He
paid noble and eloquent tribute to the beauty and
worth of the poetical spirit. A man is never 80
brave and high minded and generous as when he
first l0ves--as when there first comes something OF
true romance into his life In war, in business in
social life in all his walks and ways, he exhibits
more complete manhood. He is more humane, more
chivarous If before since. then at least he
will do to tie to- wherever you find him. says the
orator. clinching his argument with that most
telling of Western phrases. And so for two hours,
debate went on with spirit and excellence. All this
be it remembered, in acol6ny only year old. The
best men are determined to maintain these enter
tainments to the exclusion Of inferior and democrat
izing ones. 80 a.
do not attempt to predict with confidence as to
Greeleys future material prosperity, although SEQ
no reason why it should not be very great. Those
most competent to judge entirely satisfied that
the soil the climate the situation will all contribute
TO a very rapid growth. But to my thought its sur
est guarantee of future prosperity IL found In the
character and temper of the inhabitants Integrity,
courage, inteligence-these are the qualities That
made noble and attractive many sun Drowned face
that looked upon All plans for the future all de-
tails of present arrangement exhibit comprehensive
saqacitV and farseeing wisdom. The better lass OF
men-if indeed there be any other class there
have the inside track all to themselves and are
bound 10 keen il. And doubt there will come
from this place. in the rapid development OF Colorado
that has already begun, most potent influence Tor
good j.. NJ.