The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-06-19
Letter from Colorado-No. 2.

WORD TO INVALIDS-HOW COLORADO
CUREs-ITs woNDRoUs CLIMATE AMI
SCENERY.
Especial Correspondence of the VIRG MIAMI
1t is now eighteen years since man was
setting out for Colorado in one OF those
white-covered wagons whose snail pace
across the continent, was enough to deter
the stoutest heart from the journey. He
had engaged to take a friend with him, an
invalid whom doctors had given up, friends
had given up who had nothing left him but
the resources OF Colorado air. He came.
leaning on his brothers arm, wan, haggard
and emaciated from the clutch of that fell
disease we know so we'll. Our emigrani
shook his head, repenting the promise. Ii
seemed cruelty to jolt the poor fellows es-
Gaping soul from his body in a wagon, if he
had bed to die in at home. The brother
took him aside and said significantly "Did
you bring a spade 2"
Yes, that was all they had to look forward
to. Asudden ceasing of the creaking and
and rumbling of the wagon, half hours
rest for the painting oxen, while the
solitary emigrant dug a shallow trench at
the side of his track and laid his comrade
there. No prayers; no mourners-a hillock
raised in the bosom Of the level wilderness,
which the wind and rain would soon smoothe
over, land then neithercayote, Indian nor emf
grant would find the spot again. Oh, the
pity Of it
Well, the two went forth. When they
passed the State line, the driver, looking back
from his high seat, thought he saw faint
color on the pale face lying back among the
grain sacks. By and by the sick man would
raise himself On his elbow and look with re-
viving interest at the surrounding ssccne-
but why detail the slow steps of his improve
ment? He is the actiue mayor Of Colo
RADIO Springs day.
An able article appeared in Harper IS
Monthly recently, which, in speaking of the
Cordilleras, or central climate !of America,
states that one consulnptive in fifteen is
cured by residence here. In my expe-
rience, larger proportion OF inval lids have
been restored to comfortable, if not perfect
health. But it must be admitted that Col.
orado is not universal cure-all. Asthmat-
les are invariably cured here, so are persons
with bronchial affections. With consump-
tives, come In time, or come not at all, is the
advice to be insisted upon. 1t is perfect
folly, insanity, for physicians and friends to
send an iavalid here in the very last stages
of consumption. The altitude accelerates
the progress of the disease F; the rapid breath
ing and strain upon the already exhausted
lungs shortens the weeks remaining to the
sufferer. could tell of case after case,
where invalds arrive in Colorado Springs,
hoping against hope, just to be sent back
home with all the speed possible by the
conscientious physicians of this place. Yes
terday morning watched from my window
mournful scene. A carriage drove up te
the porch; two men! carried out poor inva'
lid, who sank ON the carriage floor, exclaim-
ing, "Oh, Pm dying! I'm dying!'' while
! his pale wife bent over, tanning him, and the
doctor stood by, unable to help. They were
set out on the last journey he will ever take
till he goes forth on the one appointed for lis
all. Just one week previous, he had walked
into the house, hopeful-s'a few weeks in Col
orado would restore him to health.'' Day
after day, while he was visibly growing
worse under our eyes, it was sad to hear the
same story from himself and his wife. Al
last the doctor told them there was no hope
and but little time. Then, all the fond ex.
| pectations of recovery suddenly dispelled
| (think of the shock y their one thought was
to reach their little daughter left behind il
the East-so they hurried off--but will they
will he-reach her?
II man has lung and a half-or half q
lung even-let him come to Colorado, but i
both lungs are thoroughly diseased, fol
PHYS sake, keep him away!
Colorado cannot create lung tissue it cal
but make the best of what is already there.
The high. pure, dry air quickens the breath
ing, and by their incessaIt action, the air
passages of the lungs expand. A chest ha
been known to expand three inches in az
many weeks. It is estimated that man will
one third his breathing capacity gone may b.
restored to health here. Another commor
saying is, 'sOne-third the population of Col
orado are reconstructed invalids." But, b.
cautious. Do not attempt to reside on {
mountain top at once. Increase your alti-
tude as your strength increases. A lady
who, to all appearance, is well in Colorado
Springs at an elevation Of 6,003 feet, begar
to spit blood at Fairplay, which is $780,
feet above sea-level. On descending, nj
further inconvenience was felt.
On the brighter side of the picture, eve
rything is to be hoped. Day by day, as th'
cough grows less frequent, and the might
sweat" leaves the racked frame, while colo
and strength come back, under the caressinI
touch ct the health-giving air-whata reve
Iation of life comes to the invalid. VIVA
wonder that Colorado is the dearest spot OF
earth to many hearts?-because it ha
snatched loved ones from the grasp Of tn
Destroyer. or has returned to themselve
the rich possibilities Of living.
Occasionally, in winter, Colorado weathe
is very severe, but the ''cold snaps" neve
last long. Snow melts as soon as it falls il
Colorado Springs. Last winter (whos
storms were exceptionally severe every
where) the white mantle rested ON tn
ground for several weeks. Every one
CONSERVATION was ludicrous in the extreme
At last, primitive sleighs were fitted up b
a happy thought uggytops on 6oa-rmnner
; of unpointed mood, and the whole tow
went sleighing.
Then there are many days when the win
blows with fury, and with a velocity whic
would sweep buildings from their founda
tons elsewhere, but its force is lessened b
the thin air. From my North window ca
fsee the s'Divide spot where the purpl