The Cecil Whig., 1874-10-24
PUEBLO, COLORADO.


population and importance in Colorado, i:
located at the confluence of the Fontaine
qui Bouille with the Arkansas river, II.
miles south of Denver, by the Denver &
Rio Grande railroad, the fare that distance
being $40. The morning of August 26th
found me waiting at the snug Depot of the
narrow gauge in Denver, for the train to
start for Pueblo, my objective point in the
Territory. There had been wedding in
Denver high life the evening before, and
while waiting for the train to start, the
wedding party entered the Depot, bound
for Manitou, which is the name of the
celebrated mineral springs miles from
the colony of Colorado Springs. The Rocky
Mountain Ne,cs told the world that the
groom was Mr.. John l.. Woodbury. and the
bride Miss Milly c. Harmon. The same
paper informed it's readers that Mr.. Wood
bury was man of note and wealth in the
Territory, one of the founders of the town
of Coribou, where he owns large quantity
of real estate and mining property. The
Neus closed its notice of the "event" with
the announcement that "Mr and Mrs.
Woodbury. 60 to Manitou this morning on
their wedding tour, but intend to make
their home in Denver" So we were to
have the bridal party along as far as Colo
RADIO Springs, the Saratoga of the Rocky
Mountains. The bride looked happy and
was pretty-all brides are-and her friends
were at the Depot taking leave, and amid
congratulations and fond wishes, the whis-
tie sounded aud the little engine whipped
away with the train toward the snow clad
mountains.
Among other items of local news in the
Neus found the following, which shows
that it is possible for the wheat crop to be
very short even in the land of irrigation
"Alfred Cushmon, residing near Long
mont, has been threshing wheat from the
new crop for about two weeks past, in the
St. Vrain valley. He says that the wheat
runs from seven to eighteen bushels per
acre, and thinks there will be about half a
crop. On his own farm he expected to
harvest thirty five bushels per acre, but
will only have about eighteen"
At 7:45 A. NJ. Denver time and 9:45 A. NJ.
Philadelphia .ime,-my watch l kept run
ming home time-we left Denver.
The most of the country along the road
for a number of miles from Denver was
wheat stubble and corn, with fenced fields,
and willows, which gave to the landscape
that variety and beauty which marks the
touch Of civilization from the majestic
sameness which nature bestows on her
works. The Loot Hills, few miles dis
tant on the right, looked not unlike the
ranges of broken hills along some Eastern
river, and the irrigated farms cheated the
eve with a delusion that the traveller is
winding along through the bottom of some
Eastern river, till the dry bunches of buff
falo grass, bayonet grass, and sage brush
recalls him to a realizing sense that he is
on the confines of what was so long termed
the great American desert.
The scene here is almest magic change
from that of but an hour before. The pine
lumber of the Rocky Mountains used here
is sorry stuff, pitchy, coarse grained and
knotty. The logs lying at the sawmils
were small, short and full of knots. 1t is
far inferior to our hemlock.
One of the first things which attracted
my attention on entering the cars at Den
yer, was the familiar name of Jackson &
Sharp, Wilmington, Del. This noted firm
of car builders had supplied the handsome
coaches that were now threading the Rocky
Mountain passes, two thousand miles from
the shops where they were built.
AS the train works its way into the
mountains the country becomes greener,
and a rain region is at length reached, and
rugged bluffs and broken hills on either
side give variety to the landscape. 1t is
interesting to examine through field glass
the rugged peaks and spurs of the noun
tains which present hundred fantastic
shapes, the scene continually changing,
growing wilder, as the train snakes its way
round and up the valley toward the summit.
Arkansas Divide is SO miles from Denver,
and 1900 feet higher than that city. A
picturesque little lake is here, covering
several acres, formed by the railroad com.
pany, and the waters from this point rur
north and south. The mountains diverge
right and left and the country opens Out
into broad plain with the ranges of rug
ged hills and mountains recediug further
and further from the road, on either hand
as the train descends to the south, and
most magnificent view is enjoyed from the
elevated point of the Divide.
This plateau known as the Divide has
sufficient rain for purposes of agriculture
without irrigation to any considerable ex
tent, and is famous for its fine large pota
toes. 1t embraces tract 90 miles long
and 30 wide. Twenty three miles from the
Station on the Divide, and Colorado Springs
is reached, place which has made Colo
rado famous through the civilized world
Here at present is the great Saratoga o
the Rocky Mountains, with good railway
facilities and short ride from Denver, i
is likely to maintain its ascendency in thi
respect, Notwithstanding the numbers o
rivals that are springing up all through
the mountains, each one claiming to be til,
spot where health is found and youth il
renewed. At the Station, omnibusses NEE
the trains and convey passengers to thu
hotels and back, proD ided you take dinner
for which you pay IS cents, and enjoy
very good meal, with attentive and polit'
walters to serve you. The town is livel,
place, with many fine handsome building
and good hotels. Notwithstanding tn
times are SO universally dull, the work o
building was going on here. Rows of tree
spread their green foliage bordering tn
streets, and crystal streams of water rul
in the bitches. Five miles distant are tn
famous mineral springs, at place calle'
hanIteu. There are seven of these springs
all famous for their curative properties
The population of the village is stated a
3,1OO, but these statements are general
above, never under the real number. Th
population is composed in large per cen
of wealthy people who have settled her
for health, and gardeners and small farmers
with the usual number of mechanics an,
middle men-the latter are found in ever
town largely in excess of the demand
Near the springs are several fine residences
among them the villa of DR.. VIM. A. Bell
the villa of Cecil K. Standish, Esq, bot
of England; the studio of Theodore Pine
of st. Louis. Sites have been purchas ID b
other wealthy celebrities and fine building
erected. The Countess de Novilles, O
- England, b. X. Bliss. of New York, Col
Heaton, of England, DR.. Bryan and Rev
Albert M'Calla Of Chicago, and man
others of wealth and note own ground
and residences in this mountain country
in Colorado Springs or its vicinity. AM
SO it is throughout all this mountain regio
where colonies have been opened, and irr
eating bitches made covering few thous
and acres of land. This colony from til
advantages named will probably mainta