Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-12-18

Tx Cur GrLcH, Col, d

SOAUKAk kBU LEEEEAS.
TN Cur GCLcH, Col, Dec. 2.
FRIEND WHITE: Although it is
some sime since promised You that
would write YOU few items that
might be Of interest to your numar-t
ous readers, viii plead as an excuse
for not being more prompt want of
time, as I have been very busily en-
gagged with business affsirs, and have
little or no time 20 write.
MY journey from Mexico to Kan
sas City, and thence TO Pueblo and
Canon City, was, as usual, rather
monotoneus and uneyentfui. From
Kansss City west or southwest for
$50 or 200 miles we pass through
the best part Of Kansas. After pass
ing the 9sth or 99th dogree of longi-
tude every thing wears parcbed or
dried-up look. and ONE unacauainted
with the eouEsry cannot see what the
immense herds OF cattle seen along
the line OF the railroad subsist
upon, but tipOH inquiry of those bet
ter acquainted with the country are
informed that the small, fine grass
which we see is, buffalo grass and
that it possesses much of the proper
ties of gram, and cattle will thrive
and fatten upon it all winter when
the snow is not so deep as to prevent
them from grazing.
puf aNpfinuipr IN for uopoa A;a
tance our attention is called to a
snow-clad peak in the dim distance,
and we are informed that it is Pixies
Peak, some sixty OF seventy miles
sway. Even in midsummer you can
see the glistening ice and snow with
which its peak is covered nearly the
whole season.
We soon reach the sandy, bustling.
disagreeabie town or city of Pueblo,
and one needs to be On the lookout
for confidence men and pickpockets,
for they are plenty there. From
thence we are taken by the Denver
and Rio Grande Railroad along the
arkansas river to Canon City, quite
a respectable town OF about 5000
inhsbitsnts, where we And ourselves
in the grand and majestic presence
Of the Rocky Mountains proper. But
as we are ON our way to that ago,,oisr-
land, the "Gunnison country" we
will not tarry here. From Canon
| City we proceed by stage, and If one
escapes without the loss of life or
limb they may consider themselves
extremely fortunate, at least they
will receive such jolting and pound
ing that & nights rest with mine
host Bsyler, at Cleyia "a distance of
sixty miles from Canon City,, will be
very acceptable. At 6 o'clock we
start again for Centrevills, a post
Office or station on the road. Here
we leave the Leadviile road and pro-
eeed by hack or blackboard to AL
pine, mining tewn of some fifty or
sixty cabins, nestled in the Rockies
and situated On a beautiful stream
called Chalk creek. They are quite
sn ambitious people and think that
their town is bound to be city with
out delay, as the Denver and South
Park Railroad have determined to put
their road through by this route to
the southwest and San Juan country,
and are now letting contracts to con.
struct the same. At Alpine we are
getting into the mining district proper.
Just opposite and 1000 feet above
is the celebrated Tildsn mine,
which at the beginning Of the season
was bonded for s125,00 and re.
bonded for $350,0O0. The mine is
considered very excellent one. UI
Grisley gulch, SIX miles from Alpine,
are situated the Brittenstine mines,
which recently sold for the modest
sum of 100000. There are also
many other mines of lesser note,
which with more development may
prove equally as good.
But we will proceed. At Alpine
if one is so fortunate as TO obtain s
conveyance Or saddle-horse, we pro-
cesd on our journey rejoicing, and il
we are not thus fortunate, we do the
next best thing, 4. e., look up the
master Of jack or burrow train
have him pack an animal with oul
, baggage, and proceed on foot to tht
top of the range, a distance of tel
, miles, but before the distance ia &C
complished We will think it is twent,
miles, for s'the way it is rough ant
the path it is Steep" But with en-
ergy and perseverance the top of th,
range is at last reached and the granC
and majestic scenery that meets ou
view more than compensates for al
our toll and hardship. There i
something awe-inspirlng. We fee
our utter insignifcance and hoy
} small a part of Gods creation W
are.
In front of US lies the Pacifi
slope, behind US tie Atlantic, at ou
feet to the southwest lies Taylor Park
} a magnificent basin, surrounded b
hundreds of peaks raising their head
in majesty to the skies. To ou
right is the College group of mounts
Mount Entero, Mount Princeton
; Mounts Harvard and Yale, abov
1000 feet high and forming til
highest group of the Rocky Noun
tsins. To our left hand is the cor
tinuation of the main or Saguach
range, not so high, but still reachin
! I far above timber line. After takin
L in the magnificent scenery to ou
; full satisfaction we continue on ou
way down che Pacific slope distane
!, of some six Or seven miles to th
Il town of Virginia City, which is Il
Gated at the junction OF the thre
forks of Willow creek. 1t is quite
thriving mining town, has one smelte
d and no doubt several more will be
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