The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-06-09
ROCKY MoENrA1N LETTER.
IDAHO SPRINGS, Co1oRADo TY.,
Nav Is, 1871

4
Fremont, and even two miles higher up in th
world. We left the city of Denver early on
bright May morning, by the regular Concor
six-horse stage, and crossed Platte River an
some ten miles of prarie plain, when we cam
to the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and com
menced their ascent through defle, whic
seemed to stand open to invite strangers
enter and explore the beauties and wonder
! OF the silent mountains, piled one above an
other, forming the backbone, of America
As the road wound round the sides of tn
mountains, going up, up and up, our breatl
was not taken away by the speed, il. fact il
is one of the wonders of animal science, that
horses can draw the forward so close to retro
grade movements and not get them mixed
But, as had heard Of mountain staging be-
fore, waited in patience for the fun of going
down the other side, at a 2.40 rate.
How grand, we all say, as we reach the
summit ofon of the fort hills, with beautiful
lawn-like surface, and then we all look to the
east, and the plains stretch of, in the dim dis
tance, for hundreds of miles, smooth as a
mirrored lake, and about us mountains cover
ed with Jagged rocks mingled with pine and
other evergreen trees, and through the open
ing between the mountains, we get glimpse
of mountain peaks still higher, crowned with
snow which never lifts its white mantle from
the brows of Pixies Peak, in full view to the
south, and Longs Peak $4,000 feet high, to
the north of US. Still up we go, with only
slight descents to cross the mountain streams
that come down from the snow, cold and clear
and full of speckled trout-the fancy of the
Epicurean don't care much for the fish,
but the music Of bowling mountain stream
is delightfully."- delicious.
We are now nearing the top of the range
now covered with snow. The ground is less
rocky, and we come to many beautiful parks
with trees here and there in lovely groups,
Just as a fastedious taste would dictate they
be set to add to the view Of mountain tops,
some rounded, others in clumsy like peaks
Here is the spot for party to camp, in July
and August, and haY6 the best of times, need
fear no Indians, bears or snakes which can
not be said of the large and grand parks fifty
miles further to the south. Next we 20
higher, leaving the parks below us, overcoats
are put on, though the sun shines bright, and
we left hot day on hand at Denver. The
wind sweeps across cool, and the pines give
out their mornful wailing sighs. We see
mountain tops and peaks below us, on our
left hand, and behind US, on our right, steep,
rocky-cliF, few hundred feet above us, and
its base solitary grave. Tow lonely on the
mountain top, with the winds singing never
ending requiem. Yet how grand a sepulchre
is a mountain peak.
We soon turned the summit of this range.
about 5000 feet above the sea, and what a
glorious view we had of Gray's Peak some
fifty miles west of US, Pixies Peak, seventy
miles south, and Longs Peak, sixty miles
north of u.s. With the interesting mountain
tops, it is doubtful if this view is equaIed in |
America in its extent and beauty of mountain |
scenery. We see round tops, smooth, green |
hills, but mountains in hight. Then the |
Rocky mountains, for which the whole range |
is so aptly named, not a spear of grass or a |
bush, then the wooded mountain, with vallies |
aud parks near the top, and lastly the snow
range mountains, forming a magnificent back
ground to all the lovely views. We descend
for mile, stop at good hotel, CressweII is
the name of T. P. Here We got the best din
ner had in seven States. Soon all are aboard,
crack goes the whip, and we are soon going
down the mountain, at fearful rate, but put
ting implicit confidence in the skill Of the driv-
er and the strength OF the brake, resignedly
enjoyed all the dangers of the descent, as well
as the everchanging panaramas of mountain
dells, craggy walls, yawning precipiees, over
which variation Of six inches of the wheels,
On either side of the road, would have made a
terrific accident in the Rocky mountains, not
ess than nine killed, which was Just our num-
Der. But an hours drive, some of the time
5he horses on a keen run, winding around the
ocks, brought us safe down to Clear Creek.
This stream is a roaring young river, at this
season. We follow up this stream the grand
,st of Rocky mountain gorges, the rocks
'rowding US first on one side of the stream
hen on the other. The rocks glistening in
he afternoon sun. If all was gold that gilt
,ers, how soon pile could be made here. A
miner in a seat in front says, there are indica-
ions Of gold; he points to a redish yellow rock,
md seams of rock and seams of soil. In a
hort time We come to where the miners are
It work sluicing for gold, and we saw hundreds
If old diggings, IN the space Of two miles, be-
ore reaching Idaho Springs. We leave the
tage at this place, about p. m, and look at
he various objects of interest. 1 will merely
ay that the scenery Is delightful, drives pleas
mt, mountain climbing varied to any ones
aste, from going Oh foot, on horseback or
climbing with ladders, and half is not quite
reezing to death IN the snow ranges. All Of
which ischeaper than going to the Alps to do
hem that way. The Beebe House is large
nd well kept Hotel with Accommodations for
bout 400 guests. The great novelty of the
lace is the Hot Springs. The water is highly
mpregnated with soda and other minerals.
nd bathing in the water is Of great benefit
o rheumatic and scrofulus persons. The wa
er is not as the Arkansas Springs, but of the
anne general nature. 1t is said the man who
rst discovered the Arkansas hot springs.
allied out to his comrade, "Hell must be
-ithin half mile Of this place" There is
o doubt but this whole range is volcanic.
t Central City, we examined some of the
old mines. When people started for Pixies
eak, they came here, and thousands of dol
rs have been made and taken away but the
xtravagance Of many companies has ruined, ;
T nearly so, the mining interest of Colorado
is one Of the most curious sights my eyes
yer rested on, the mountains that had been
oney combed by the eager miners of 1862.
t Denver, Golden City, and Greeley, large !
7stem of irrigation is now being brought into
Sc and for moderate rent per acre the farm
: foods his fields at will, and large crops will
E raised this year.
Colorado is the native home of the Potatoe
lg. regret to say they are still there in
nabated numbers. a few days in Denver d,
nd Col. Krebs and I take tie Kansas Pacific
lrs for Kansas City, at 10 P. NJ, and next
forming we are at Kit Carson We are in
le midst of the great American desert of our
,hoOl days. Now it is one continuous, green {
bling prarie for four hundred miles from the
ase of the rocky mountains east, covered
nth beautiful flowers of every hue, but no
'ees and no water, only at very long dis
lnces apart. Fifty years more, and it viii be
deep soil and teeming with herds of cattle
it now is with Its hundred thousands of
- /
lays, in great numbers, blackening the plains
" miles, feeding ON the dark green buffalo
rass. There is no use impeaching the