The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-01-13
9esrriptiue Sritles,
Colorado.

The eastern and southeastern portions
Of the State arc characterized by high,
rolling plains, covered with the sparsest
and most stubby yerdure, refreshed by few
streams, and constituting the western ex-
tremity Of the Great American Desert--a
dusty, arid waste, with u few desolate
towns scattered here and there. Range
after range of the grand old Rocky Noun
tains crosses the remainder of the State,
aud smiling little valleys nestle between,
growing more fertile and attractive as the
western boundary is neared Denver, the
capital and chief city, place of about
$4,000 inhabitants, is situated twelve
miles east Of the foot of the mountains and
little north of the geographical centre of
the State. Lying on an elevated plateau,
looking over aud across the valley of the
Platte to the magnificent mountain view
beyond, purple foothills capped by snowy
peaks-an unbroken view, extending from
Longs Peak on the north to Pixies Peak
on the south, with its broad streets, laid
with the finest natural pavement in the
world, its rows of substantial buildings, a
really handsome residence here and there
the city presents most attractive sight.
Colorado Springs, seventy-tive miles south
of Denver, is somewhat similarly situated,
though the view of the mountains is not
so extended, being much nearer. Between
that and ManitOu, six miles distant, lies
the famous Garden of the Gods, with its
fantastic and gigantic monuments, and
figures Of red and white sandstone, worn
into their curious shapes by the action of
the elements through countless ages.
Manitou, celebrated for its scenery and
medical springs, lies just beyond, and
above it Pixies Peak rears its lofty head.
Pueblo, Del Norte and Trinidad are all
places Of growing Importance in the south
ern part of the State; while in the north
ern part Georgetown, Boulder and Central
take the lead Half way between George
town and Denver lies Idaho Springs, a
little place, no less noted for its scenery
and pure air than for the soda springs from
which it takes its name Greeley and
Evans are the most important of agricul-
tural towns both founded ON the colony
plan, and possessing fine schools and
churches. The abundance of wild game
of all descriptiOns-elk, deer, bear, Rocky
Mountain lions, grouse, ptarmigans, wild
ducks and turkeys-makes the mountains
famous resort for sportsmen from all
parts of the world, while buffalo and ante
lope abound on the plains, and the noun
tain streams are full of trout The re-
sources of the State may be divided into
three distinct classes-the agricultural
mineral and stock interests, unless we ven
ture to name us a fourth the tourists,
which its scenery, climate and game an
nually attract, and who add in no uuim-
portant degree to its commercial pros
perity.
This much can say, however, without
prejudice. that the climate of Colorado is
greatly overrated, and that its extremes of
heat and cold are fully as severe as in the
States of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, while
the changes are, generally speaking, much
more abrupt About the air, however,
the pure, rarified, crystal air, so free from
dampness can be said except in
praise. Rare are the cases Of asthma that
are not at once relieved, and almost all in
the early stages of consumption find a
speedy cure. The people number, in all
probability, somewhat less than 10000,
instead of the 100000 necessary to gain
Territory admission to the Union. 1t is
very easy for such population, hungering
aud thtrsttnr, Inr unlF NJ 90 auyall
into a hundred thousand when census is
taken for the express purpose of making
out that number. They will forgive me
for saying this now that it can no longer
injure them. These people are wide
awake, energetic, progressive; in the larger
towns little too wideawake and enter
prising, and u stranger needs to be very
sharp indeed to keep from what is kncSn
in Western parlance as getting skinned" "
The population Of the smaller and mining
towns is chiefly composed of honest, indus
trious, hard-working men. Society natur-
ally centres in the capital and chief city.
Denver society is dashing, brilliant,
snowy set. That is all There are plenty
of people of culture in Colorado, refined,
intelligent people, but they have not yet
crystallized. The educational system is
surprisingly advanced, and the public
schools of the State rank in number, ac-
commodations and advantages with those
Of most older communities of the Same
size, and although there is large surplus
of teachers, those who are employed are
well paid. In direct opposition to the
purifying and elevating influences of the
schools there is throughout the State the
largest proportion of saloons, gambling
houses and dens of infamy that have
ever seen. Some of the villages, settled
on the colony plan, are remarkably exempt
from contaminating influences, but would
rather trust my son or daughter in San
Franciscothan in Denver, aud that is say
ing great deal.-DenUcr Cor. Of San
Eluncisco HLrOnicIe