The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-10-17
Is PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY
BY E. E. EWING.
cRIPTIoN.
ADVER TISlNC.
DENVER, COLORADO.

L
was a swindle or the next thing to it. The
accommodation from the latter place had
degenerated to what they termed a gig"
two wheeled machine, with a seat like
trotting wagon, which was used for carry
ing the mail between Las Animas and Pue-
bio, and supplying some half dozen "ranch'
offices between those two points. This
"gig" stage ran only every other day,
starting from both ends of the line on the
same days-Mondays, Wednesdays and Fri
days. So reserving my ticket for the west
end of the line, took a seat in the cars on
the Kansas Valley Railroad for Carson,
thence via Kansas Pacific Railroad to Den
yer, on Tuesday morning, August 25th,
and soon we were speeding, by the power
of steam, over the wide, bleak plain, which
rolled away, away, as we left the river bot
toms behind, high and desolate on every
side, without so much as bush to break
the dull monotony of the scene; in the
same primitive desolation it was left when
the floods rolled away from il in some past
geological period.
The people here say that the rain fall
increases every year, which is at least the
semblance of hope that in some future age
there will be enough water from the clouds
to supply vegetation. This is, however,
extremely doubtful.
The fare by rail from Las Animas to
Denver is $1s.
These dry plains are the herder's delight
The troublesome farmer, with his fenced
fields and cultivated gardens, can find no
Judgment here to disturb the unbroken
range of his herds, which roam and feed at
will on the dry buffalo grass that tufts
the plains in small punches, three or four
inches high, with as much bare ground
between the tufts as the grass covers.
These plains must ever remain the home
of the herdsman and shepherd, between
whom, however, there is at present consid-
cradle strife. The sheep feed close and
foul the pasture. SO that the cattle have no
chance to gain a subsistence, and are fairly
driven out of the ranges where sheep feed
This exasperates the cattle men, and some
of them have committed outrages on the
sheep owners by killing their sheep.
1t requires less capital to start sheep,
than a cattle ranch, but sheep require more
careful attendance than the former. Dis
ease is apt to break out among them and
carry off large numbers of the flock. This
country is an excellent wool country, both
as to quality and quantity. A grade or
cross of the common Mexican and some of
the improved breeds>wil clip pounds of
wool, of excellent quality; and good grades,
costs at present IS head, while the little
hardy Mexican sheep can be purchased for
$1.25 per head. This part of the territory
is principally devoted to cattle, the sheep
ranches taking the lead as New Mexico is
approached. Jan Juan Valley pronounced
San Wan) has great reputation as sheep
country and is cracked up by some as the
choice spot of Colorado.
The wind whistled and howled round the
cars like heavy northeaster in one Of our
most severe Atlantic storms, but its rage
consisted wholly in the howl and whistle,
for its breath was as mild and balmy as a
June zephyr.
A run of Sc miles brought US to Kit Car
son, on the Kansas Pacific Railroad, the
miserable remnant of town in very
sea of desolation. A dozen characteristic
plain houses, a hotel, grocery, dugout, &C.,
and three large deserted warehouses;. This
was once a famous shipping point across
the plains before the branch road was built
to Las Animas.
The westward bound train soon arrived,
and l took my seat, bound for Denver, the
great emporium of the Rocky Mountains,
the proud city of tho plains. And the
vast dry expanse stretches away on every
side, as the train gradually rises towards
the Rocky Mountains and the city of Den
yer is approached.
Few cattle are seen between Kit Carson
and Denver, the country seemingly being
too sterile and remote from water through
which the railroad passes, save occasional
oasis met with, which were sure to be Wis
tied by the winged plague of the country,
swarms of grasshoppers, which drift about
before the wind, changing to every point of
the compass as the breeze veers. At Deer
Trail, station 35 miles from Denver, the
road strikes small creek, named Bjon
creek, and again fringe of green bottom,
willows and cottonwoods gladened the eye.
Here, John Hittson, a Texas cattle man
has a ranch, and owns a clever little herd,
numbering about 8, 600 head. By his bust
ness card, printed on the corner of his bill
heads, he informs the public that he has
call grades of cattle and horses, constantly
on hand, and for sale in any quantity, from
one to ten thousand This card, though
a little ungrammatically expressed, sounds
like large business was done at the Deer
Trail ranch. Mr.. Hittson is locating all
the land he possibly can on the creek, and
has at present some seven or eight miles
taken up on that little stream. These
large herders manage to get round the gov
eminent proviso that but 100 acres of
the public domain shall be pre.empted or
purchased by one person, by taking up
claims in the name of their herdsmen and
other employees. Other and smaller stock
men are occupying every spot where any
water can be had. Farming proper in
Colorado will never amount to great
deal, as compared with the stock and min
ing business. To every thousand acres
irrigated and cultivated, thousand square
miles will remain unbroken ranges for the
herdsmen and shepherds, in this aspiring
young commonwealth.
Denver is an ambitious young city of
great expectations. Miles Of streets and
hundreds of lots are laid out, waiting for
the tide of population to flow in and i'm
prove them. Money is scarce, very, and
banks charge per cent a month. The
usual complaint is, no money in circula-
ton, and mechanics and laborers can't get
their wages. There are few buildings,
which have been contracted for, going up,
but business is very languid The city has
a youthful ragged appearance, but there
.ro MANY laroa hlooL. onl Lot,l, The