Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-06-30
LETTER FROM COLORADO.

CoLoRAo SPRINGS, June Is, 1879.
Colorado is emphatically mining
state. The eastern part, extending from
the Kansas line westward to the mount
aims, about one hundred and fifty miles,
is vast plain, not yet wholly redeemed
from the antelope and buffalo. Along
under the shelter of the mountains
small amount of tilllng is done by aid
of irrigation. Somewhat more extensive
is grazing; especially along the valley
of the Arkansas and Platte Rivers may
large herds of cattle and sheep be seen.
The grass is mostly very fine and short.
growing in punches and never covers the
ground, and is known as "buffalo grass"
Cattle require very wide range. and
many acres per head. On westward
from the first mountain range the entire
state is mountainous. Only few places,
called parks, offer any temptation to ag-
riculture, though grazing is sometimes
good among the mountains. The mount
aims are more or less rich in oar through
out, though only in the more favored
portions has it been found in paying
quantities. These, so far as developed,
are the San Juan mining region in the
southeastern part of the state; the car
Donate region in the central portion. the
center and life of which is Leadville;
and the Gunison country to the north
west. Silver is the principal and pay
ing mineral. Indeed, from the time of
the Pixies Peak gold fever in SO and
80. to the present, it is estimated that
every dollar of gold mined in the state
has cost eighty-6ve dollars The San
Juan mines have proved to be rich in
silver, but have been difficult of access.
However, it is expected, the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Co. will
soon extend their road to these rich
mines. The Leadville region is of late
development, and promises no end to
riches. Silver and lead are limited only
by the ability to bring the ore to the
surface. Last year the mining products
of Colorado were S9,62O,742.22. while
in the year 1872 it twas only $3.765. 1000.
1t is now predicted by some that the
Leadville mines alone will produce, this
year, the enormous sum of 100000, 900.
These figures appear dazzling, and the
hard working man thinks if he could
only reach the bright Eldorado soon he
would be rich and thus in few months
a city of 10000 inhabitants springs into
being while the cold facts show that Of
all the eager "tender- feet who rushed to
the mines, only one in one hundred sue
ceed-a far less proportion than those
who plod on the farms in Vermont. II
must be remembered that mining can be
successfully carried on in these days Of
machinery, only with capital to work
with. A claim must first be developed
and ore In paying quantities produced
before it can be sold to advantage. Mos
of the mines are owned by stock com
panies, and the poor man must be con
tent to work for wages by the day al
elsewhere. Here wages are high, anC
the expense of living is higher.
Colorado is also the state for tourists
Her wonderful canons; charming glens
mineral springs; mountain ranges ant
peaks; attractive parks; grotesque rocl
formations, and sparkling streams o
purest water, as we'll as most delight
full atmosphere, offer the strongest in
ducements to seekers of pleasure an,
recreation. Chief among the many at
tractive places in the state is Colorad
Springs. This is city of 1000 popu
lation; laid out skillfully, with wide o
double streets, finely shaded with fou
rows of trees, and provided with room
and beautiful parks. Water, clear a
crystal, runs along every street and tn
city is supplied with water from Pike
Peak. The places of interest, With
easy reach of the town. are so many an
! their attractions so rich and varied tina
| can only indicate the prominent feature
of a few. Five miles southwest, an
nearer the city than any other, is til
, Cheyenne mountain, which rises thre
thousand feet above the plain and is min
i thousand feet above the sea. Th
mountain is severed from the range