The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-06-23
ABOUT COLORADO.
The New N1IHIAG Reg10A-Ad.
vice 20 ImmEGr4Rta.
ALLEN, LYON Co., Ks.,l
June 10, 1876.

| June 10, 1876.
EDITORS News: In my last to you
in relation to what I think Of Colo
RADIO, gave some generalities of the
eastern portion of the territory, and
said that in my next would say
something of the San Luis valley,
San Juan mines, and let me say to
those who read with the view of
emigrating to the west, take what
say as coming from one whose
knowledge is limited, and whose
opportunities were not the best for
Obtaining very correct notions of
this peculiar country.
One Of the first things that q man
realizes here Is his own littlensss by
comparison with his surroundings !;
fifty foot square two story house
makes but little show aside Of q
400 foot mountain. There is any
quantity of land to the acre, while
the atmosphere is 80 pure that even
to my old eyes, many times could
not make up my mind whether the
object I was looking at was miles
or yards away.
Ny trip into the San Luis valley
was made In company with Messrs.
Hamilton Brothers, stock men here,
and to them I am much indebted
for many kindnesses and opportun-
tiles, in and out of camp. We hunt
ed some en- route, and, although I
have always thought myself . good
shot, found myself missing almost
every rabbit that shot at, and found
upon investigation that 1 must have
been shooting three times the dis
lance the gun would carry. This is
no joke. When you think that you
can see the mountains at q distance
of eighty miles on the plains, and
when they are from Is to 20 miles
away, the distance seems only q
nice evenings walk, is it any won.
der that I did not shoot half way to
my lack ra6bit?"
The San Luis valley is situated
west of the first range Of mountains
as you enter Colorado from the east,
and east of the main chain of the
Rocky mountains. Was discovered
by the earliest Spanish troops, who
invaded this country more than
three hundred years ago, and before
that by the Utes and Apache In
dians. It is from fifty to sixty miles
in width, by one hundred miles in
length; and think some time pre-
vious to the birth of Cenfucius,
Jesus Christ, or any of the worlds
great reformers, that it must have
been great lake. Although now,
that it is drained by the Great Rio
Grande del Norte, which has cut its
way out through solid rock for six.
ty miles, and in many places to the
depth of 8 thousand feet, leaving q
rather barren looking valley, very
much more sandy than the eastern
slope. There are several good wag.
on roads entering the valley. some
of which have been travelled for
many years; others are the result OF
the enterprise of men who now have
good thing in the way of toll.
Fort Garland, the only military
post in southwesterR Colorado. Is
situated upon one of the principal
routes, is 9 fur company post, built
originally upon the site of an old
Spanish fort, which was captured
from the Mexicans during the Mex
lean war, but afterward was built
upon the present military rsserva-
ton. 1t is qusdranglar in form.
built of adobe Cor sun dried brick).
In all of the building done by the
early settlers Of this country this
material is used. Besides being
proof against the bullets of the en-
envy, answers the purpose very
well. Very cheap and substantial.
warm in winter and must be cecil in
summer. as the walls are very thick
and the roofs made of the clay OF
the country, I imagine that during
the long wet spells . shingle roof
would be appreciated. They are .
good pioneer house, that any man,
with . thimble full of sense, can
build. This portion Of Colorado
was originally settled by Mexicans.
and some Americans of the old
nountaineer stamp-probably in-
duced to do 90 by the market offer.
red for labor and produce by the
military and Ute Indian agency,
which, prior to the purchase Of this
country from the Indians, was here.
now, upon q reservation father
west.
The people take to cattle and
sheep as go duck does to water. .
and are hospitable to any enc Who
GENES with half of q countenance.
One great drawback to the valley
is, that ii has in the past, AID Is now
to certain extent, coysred by old
Spanish titles (the merits of which
shall not attempt to discuss). One
of the largest lie owned by tee Hon.
William Gilpin, and others. A part
Of this has been transferred in some
manner to an Amsterdam company.
The government igvery slow In adj
justing these titles, much to the dis.
satisfaction and inconvenience of
the settler, and delay Of any very
extensive improvements. The time
must soon GENE when "Uncle Sam"
viii see the necessity of regulating
these matters. In the mountains
there Is very good pine timber for.
saw mill purposes, and the foot bills
are covered with cedar and pinion
e sort of dwarf pine) that answers
well for fuel. The upIands are GOV.
cred with . sage brush of very Lit.
tie yaIue. The soii In liwhk su6 go