The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-07-14
To oar Hartford FrIenGs

mOEnlukp inc sun 60O00 ITOm
cloudless sky down upon the little
village or Daily Mills, whose In,
hsbitants no doubt were all sleep.
ing, except Charlie Hill and myself
We were at breakfast, and discuss.
ing what we should do to-day ia
while our time away. At last we
concluded to take q rRmble to the
top of Russell mountain. So, after
our domestic affairs were finished
we began to put in order our PTS.
tolls; they being in perfect order,
next thing was to fix some WRITING
paper between couple of shingles
$50 as to be easy carried and which
we are at the present time using AZ
writing desks. With lead pencils
in our pockets and walking sticks
in hand we started. Crossing the
creek, we stopped for drink at h.
| FL. Suttles, who was Just sitting
down for breakfast. From here,
hating ~ we do to leave q ready
meal, although we are not one BIT
hungry, we started again rather
slow, the hour being about 7 80 q. m.
Taking the G. E. and 81. P. wagon
road, we followed It to the great
bend. Here we have q splendid
view Of Wilson's Mill, which ia
right below as, and about one mile
up the creek from Daily Mills.
Here we leave the road and pro-
coed to climb the mountain, which,
from this point up is rather steep.
Now as we have to climb, we go
slower, and stop now and then to
rest. 1t seems az though can stand
it to climb better to-day than Char.
lie, owing, perhaps, to his not being
very well for the pact two or three
days. Timber line being reached,
we stop to rest, all out OF breath ;
so while resting, we concluded to
amuse ourselves in roofing pebbles,
as we call it, which ia noted to be
very fine sport. l will give a slight
description OF how some OF these
stones go down the mountains. Per-
haps some would like to know
something about how they travel.
We look around, find one that is
two or three hundred pounds 10
weight and nearly round; starting
it, it goes slow at first, runs across
a snow drift and nearly stops, then
it commences to gain speed again,
until 1t nearly flies, jumping at some
time fifty feet high and for a dis
lance of one hundred yards down
the slope, striking another boulder
slam bang, making more noise than
forty old women at a quilting ; leaps
again, still Increasing its speed if
possible, crashing and laundering
on till it reaches the level valley be-
low, where it stops, perhaps miles
below it's lofty home, never to re-
turn. From timber line we begin
again slowly to move up, stopping
now and then 10 start boulder and
watch it fly for the valley below. II
the ones we start are not solid, but
are inclined to be shelly, they soon
strike larger one and are dashed
too pieces. At this point We begin
to see traces of the wild animal 9
that roam these lofty pastures, such
as the elk, the deer, the antelope
and the bear, although the latter is
more generally found lower down.
Very slowly and YEARLY We move
on, till we reach the summit of
Russell mountain, which is at an
elevation Of 1900 feet, and where
we are sitting at the present time.
Here We have q splendid view of
beautiful mountain scenery. Look
ing to the south we can see peak az
ter peak rising up above the gener.
al height, aud one is to be noticed
much higher than the rest-this is
Gray's peak. Looking to the west,
looms up the Great Rurvey range,
Of which this mountain is q spar.
At this time of the year the range
is always perfectly white with
snow. Easterly there is nothing of
Importance, excepting the beautiful
mountain scenery. But looking to
the north, we have q fine view. Be-
ing at the elevation we are, we can
look down on all the beauties of
Middle park" which are very
grand its lakes, rivers, forests,
with now and then q small spot of
prairie land. The park is also no.
ted for its variety or climats and
health giving properties, such as
hot sulphur springs, etc. At this
elevation we are at, 1t never rains,
but all that falls from above comes
down either in snow or hail; and,
though it never rains here, stilI the
whole top of the mountains are
covered with very beautiful flow
srs, one of which is . great curiosi-
Yty-ieis Called sthe 'ssnOws flosEer. !"
y win gr6v right up through he
snow drift and bloems as bright a
blossOh as you-eFer saw. It anSst
be remembered that all the Sadw
that H.sls here does 'ntIay just as it
falls, bat 1t blows up1pto drifIseas
4 creifs always q stifcGnd very eool
breeze here. 1t drtEta OF at the
ledge of the mountai6, Eco the top is
most. always bare. hpit were NOT
that the!sun was shining bright, and
il midday 1 couldCEnOt stand the
cold to write aS am. There is fire.
quenHy5tO DE seen from these high
points small lakes, scattered around
aua, sh. ,v,Suus.,- sE. mr.