Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-08-19
Correspondence Of The Star.1

lS"'e"p""sSHCc ~ 4He Otul
10 DwYER's RANCH, NEW MEXICO,
August 13, 1879.
have left the switzerland OF America to test
the merits OF ranch life In this territory. Since
/ wrote you last have "taken In" Leadvtlle
Idaho, Hot Springs and Georgetown, short
account Of which may be of interest to your
IT rtaders. Some years ago heard Col. Simpson,
OF the U.S.A., read paper before the American
Geographical society, at the Cooper's insti-
tute, in which he traced on a map the expedi-
tfon of Coronado who lead party OF Spanfards
In 154O, from some point in Mexico. to what is
now known as the " centennial State" So it
viii be seen that Europeans knew something
was saved by Pocahontas. l believe I said in
another letter that l regarded Denver one OF
the most beautiful cities on the continent; in
g dpon MON m has great 1t Is and
ciaf position forever remain the great
center of trade, fashion and culture of all
that vast area of the great west, COM
Mexico. What Kansas City is and will
continue to remain, to Kansas, West Missouri,
Nebraska and the future great state of Okla.
have mentioned.
But enough Of speculation and phophecy. In
company with several friends l left Denver
wonderful mining camp of 25. 900 people. There
are several ways OF getting there. The easiest
and sholiest staging at present is the route l
tOOk ny way vi GuC UcuSeF anu SOuCl Park
Narrow. Guage r. r. to Como, So miles, and
thence by the Mosquito Pess, As miles, by stage
or horseback to the Silver Mountains.
ro,,l Inc lands about Denver, on the lines OF the
splendid crops OF wheat and oats; the corn is
1ndfierert and cannot compare with Eastern
Kansas. An hours run from Denver brought
US to Clear Creek Canon" up which, on the
steepest grades and over the highest Of eleva-
lions which any railroad has attempted In this
country, and they say In the world, we pro-
CfY(r Ind fYrrv ,fv<p &ol1or
rushing stream, with huge mountains of rock
on either side.. 1t was altogether the most
picturesque and romantic ride on a railroad
ever enjoyed. Occasionally the Canon would
garden. of half mile wide, where little VIII
iage had sprung up and tourists had pitched
their tents. to seduce, with hook and line, the
spotted trout which abound in the clear waters
OF the creek. But saw nothing more lovely
and magnificent than the view that burst upon
us as we debouched from the Rocky Canon into
wide and 60 miles long.
l saw nothing in Switzerland which is COM
parade to the scenery as 1t first strikes the
vision. ] suppose the sudden contrast from the
narrow canon Of rocks towering on both sides
and almost near enough to touch with the
hands, and the pent- waters dashing madly
and loudly down its rocky bed to the vast level
plain, dotted here and there with little lakes
and surrounded by huge mountains covered
With snow, as imposing as the Alps, must
account IN great measure for the wonderful
Park. At Como met several friends who were
returning from Leady1lle, Col Smithee, OF the
Little Rock Press, and Col. Carpenter, a lawyer
well known In Washington, among them. Here
were all kinds OF convey ances, one OF which
was speedily appropriated by our party, and
away we went over the Mosquito Pass. In ten
miles we struck the first digg1ngs-gulch or
placer mining for gold-and from there to
Leadvflle the mountains and vallies were per-
forated Ike prairie dog village by the 'sholes''
OF miners. There has been an Immense deal OF
work done to make the Mosquito Pass passable
for wagons; there is no grander natural scenery
In the world than can be seen here, but our jour
ney over and back satisfies me. The altitude OF
this pass Is over 5000 feet hardly 1000 feet less
than Mount Blanc, / believe 1 experienced
some difficulty Ia breathing, as do all others not
acclimated to the rarif1ed air.
We reached Leadville at O'Clock D. M, Sat-
urday night, Through from Denver" as the
bills say, in daylight" An account of my
sunday Ia Leadvflle must postpone for another
letter. 60 now to meet Senator Window and
Billy Copeland" who will go with me to SEN
ator DorSey's ranch today. E. c. B.