The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-02-22
Letter From Colorado.
Correspondence of the journal,

growth and prosperity of Denver. during
the past year. This "Queen City of the
Plains" is destined at some. not very dis
cant, day to became great metropolis, if
it keeps on its galloping progress Of the
last year. There has been a steady push
ing ahead. No hesitancy, and no wait
ing All that grit. muscle, and money
could do, have been done Old citizens,
and new comers have shown steady faith
in the future, by hearty work Great pub
lie improvements have been inaugural
ed. Gasworks, street-railways, water
works and railroads. drawing business
from new fields to our doors. Fine busi-
ness blocks have been put up, costly resi-
dences built. The population has doubled,
real estate advanced in value, trade in
creased, schools, churches, and societies
prospered. Every thing makes it the
best year iii the history Of Denver.
Twelve years ago. Colorado had only a
few miserable novels, with hardly house
between the Missouri river and the snowy
range. Flour sold for 800 per sack
Provisions Of all kinds brought fabulous
prices, and whiskey was king of the
| plains The postage on a single letter
was twenty-five cents, and mai-routes
We're unknown But continuous stream
of people poured into this valley of prom
| iSe, and not an hour elapsed but the
wagons OF the immigrants could be seen.
The 9TH Of May, 1879, the first stage
| coach of the Leavenworth and Pixies Peak
express arrived. an event of considerable
| Importance, being the first means of re-
gular communication with the east. The
first school was opened by the present
editor OF one of the Denver papers. 1t is
said that then, as now, he was considered
one of the best dressed men in ID. In a
suit of broadcloth, and wearing silk
hat. the "Professor." as he was then call
ed, commenced his march across the
plains In the heart of the unbroken
wilderness, the teamsters struck for high
er wages, but the chief proprietor refused
their demands. The men then left Their
wagons, whereupon the professor" Of
tered to take charge of one OF the teams
and much to the astOnishment Of all, seiz
ed whip and commenced driving on the
wrong side of the oxen. This was SC
ludicrOus and amusing to the teamsters
that they laughed until their good humol
was restored and then returned to thei
duties. Eleven years after the discovery
of gold, and on the 23d of June, 1870, the
first train of cars entered Denver. To
day the trains of i've railroads glide il
and out of this wonderful city. There
are ten CT twelve churches, two theatres
two colleges, three newspapers, public
schools, &c, &c. This is Denver of lS72
"t.e best, fastest. and finest town of thric
its size. and ten times its age, in America,
as the admirers of this fair city that ha
sprung up 50 rapidly under the shadow
Of the sublime mountains, call ii. But
will give you some figures that will speal
for themselves.
\ The present population of D. il M 3D.
gain in the last eighteen months 0
G,l32. The taxable real and persona
property, shows total valuation Of S6,
~ ,9OS This is more than a million an,
4 half over the city assessment OF las
year, and in 1868 the city valuation wa
only $3.50 ,29o. The sale of property, rea
estate, amounted to 81, ,093 2t7. Busines
lots that two years ago We're offered fo
1000, with no purchasers, sold last yea
for $1,000 and even 81 900. At the pres
ent time, there are 2,15O residences ant
stores in d.. 500 of which have been bull
within the year. Ghe estimate of the COS
OF building improvements for 1871 is 70
stores and public buildings, $500, 900
dwellings, $4,000. The total amour
Of freight received in ID. by rail, wa
| 134, l1J.35 lbs, the amount of freigh
forwarded was S9,3si.70s lbs Takn!
the different kinds Of business toget her
Denver sold Sll, 100000 worth of goods
wares, and merchandise last year. Their
are three Touring mills in the city, tha
turn out an average of 100 sacks of tlou
per day. The estimate of the flour ant
gra n trade of 1871 is $3.50, 900. Their
are twenty-nine grocery establishments
fourteen OF which do awholesale and retail
business, the rest retail alone. The grocer
sales for the year amounted to S3 $50, 900
There is a large business done in the i'm
portation of fruit. In the early parts OF
ly from California, later they are abou
equally divided between Kansas and Cali
fornia. There are about ten firms dealing
exclusively in fruits, to say nothing of all
the smaller stands; the sales last veal
amounted to S25O 600 The markets are
loaded down with meats, poultry, ant
game Of all kinds. We frequently see a
huge bear hanging head downwards, out
side, as a sign of what can be found with.
in. One firm Of three members, brothers
was said last year to bring in clear gair
| 10 eacn OF SlU,U ,UOO. But l think l have
told you enough to let you see Denver is
by no means standing still, nor does she
intend to.
Last week there was fearful fire, one
of the worst ID. has seen for long time
The alarm was given about o'clock P
NJ, and was found to proceed from the
largest livery stable in the city. The
building was very long. reaching nearly
from one street to the other 1t was found
useless to try to extinguish the fire it
had made such headway. so all the
energies of the people were directed to-
wards saving the adjoining buildings.
The Mint was next on one side, and great
fears were entertained that it would catch,
but by steady efforts it was saved. Every
one was asking ''have they saved the
horses" When the dreadful truth was
known, it was found that over forty horses
had perished. They were kept under