Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-03-22

Letter frnrn the West.
DENVER, Colorado, March 8, 1873.


Sditor S,uabuTy AS;siicdu:
In my former letter [ promised you my trip
from Denver TO Georgetown. After Il hurried
breakfast, with 2j minutes to make depot of Co
dorado Central Railway, arrived safe, and seat
ed myself in one OF the superior coaches of the
train, when all aboard sounded from the con-
ductor, and we were off for the noble Rockies.
For companion had one ofthe knights of the
gull. connected with one of oar Denver papers,
who by the way, came here In '59, consequently
Is wei! posted, and has Travelled all over the
mountains between here and Georgetown, and
by whom | was posted all along the line. Our
trip from this city TO Golden was uninteresting,
as the road runs over the'level plains. Now the
engine signals our nearapptoacn 10 Golden, where
we arc compelled TO change cars OF same road
but narrow guage, our arrival at Golden was
hailed with delight. Now, for the first time,
stand aud look up ut the lofty mountains that
surround us on all sdes, and we see one large
rock extending up, up, up, which is called Castle
Rock. This mountain IL fiat on top, and Is n
great resort for strangers. and for the people Of
the city who ascend to its top by an old trail
which winds around until the top Is reached
The city contains about 4eC0 inhabitants, and is
beautifully situated in the small valley of Clear
Greek. For tue second time / am seated in one
oil the coaches, aud our trip VIII be Of intense In
tetcst, running through Clear Creek Canyon, one
of the most sublime gorges or openings OF the
rockies. Tl!is narrow guaEe runs only ~ miles
from Golden to Black Hawk, the centre of the
gold mines and silver regions. This road
cends up very heavy grade, and its ascent is
2lU0 feet in the 20 miles. Here for the first time
after we were under way, running at a speed of
about miles per hour, We get fairly into the
mountains. When side Of the lofty
mountains, on the other the creek only 40 feet
wide, then We can look up 2000 feet, until our
head reels to sec the top. The mountain sides
abound in gamc-decr, Mountain sheep, bear
and grouse. Arriving at Black Hawk, We are
confronted with the familiar name of Wells, Fat-
- * Co.'S stage, stJ>hdlUg at side, ready to
start, hitCaCd TO which were six noble stccds
From here our route lay to Central City situated
one mile up the gulch, up the steepest grade ev
er assembled. Arriving, l find a busy, substantial
town on the top of the mountains, and at an al
ttudc of SiG0 feet. This city is supported by
her silver mines, and has an appearance Of enter
tcrprise and hustle on all sides. The road from
here to Virginia Canyon lays Oh top of the noun
lsus one OF the finest roads have ever travelled.
Nothing of interest except Graham Gulch, noted
FOR the vast quantities of gold taken from her
placer mines. Virginia Canyon reached our
stage making the first class time of seven miles
per hour, and full Of passengers both inside and
on top, myself side Of driver, and we now com
meuce the descent of tho Canyon 2000 feet, dis
tance, three miles from the top, and all along the
lofty ''Snowy Rtnge' looms up until its peaks
seem TO die away in clouds. The trip through
the Canyon is grand beyond description time
down 20 minutes. bringing us to ldahOe Springs.
Here W. change horses, aud driver, taking the
iar-iumcd knight Of the whip Hi Washburn to
lead us to GCoygctown-by the way Grace Green
woods favori.e driver. Again our road lay along
Clear Greek Canyon--mountains on all sides,
and nothing to relieve the eye but the clear. blue
sky above us. After two hours ride of IA
miles, we at last reach our destination. tired,
dusty and worn ont by our 80 miles staging. and
now Georgetown looms up before us, located in
one of the finest valleys / ever bched but very
narrow, not over onc-fourth mile wide The fur
thcr up the mountain you 90 the higher they
seem. The city contains about 5000 Inhabitants,
and will be one of the finest cities of the noun
tains, both in riches and population. Here We
are shut ont ofthe world, ,hemmcd up on all sides,
by high mountains, in comparison TO which those
of Pennsylvania are mere potato hills.
SAX.