The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1880-08-12
SILVER CLIFF,

Silver Cliff Is situated about al5
miles from the east line Of the State Of
Colorado. 1t is midway between the
Green Horn range on the east and the
Sange de Cristo range on the west.
Leaving Pueblo on the Arkansas val
ley, you gradually ascend until you
reach the Green Horn range. The
Green Horn range il not a. high "a
the Sange de Cristo, but perhaps it,
name will lead all to suggest that to
the ''Green Horn" or ''tender foot, !"
rs they are more strictly dubbed
here. 1t is q grand sight. Coming
from the summit almost, Ofthis range,
il q small mountain brook, which
finds its way to the Arkansas river,
towards the east. BY the side of this
Stream is the stage route from Pueblo
to the Cliff This gulch is called Hard
Scrabble Canon, which, like the range
of mountains, is well named. To all
those that have never seen any noun
tains, or had their first experience in
climbing, il il assuredly hard scrab-
bic for them to ascend. Some Of the
highest peaks in this range are about
300 feet in altitude. In going up the
canOn-tO look ahead-yOu would
think the way was stopped by large
mountain but as you neared II you
would gradually wind around until
you seemed to pass the imaginary
blockade. The slopes Of this range
are covered with pines and hemlOck
to its summit. Scattered around are
few rocky peaks towering above the
Others, which make a grand sight and
present to the eye one Of natures
grandc>t sights. To look ahead il
looks like you were almost on the
level hut look back and then YOU
have some idea how much you are
ascending. On each side Of the road
are stakes driven into the ground tell
ing to the travellers that some hardy
pioneer has left his home and friends
In the east to find u fortune in the
mines Of the west. Some appear to
have very fair claims, while the ma
jOrity are still working and hoping.
A fter you reach the summit the slope
IL more abrupt on the west than the
east.
When you reach position that will
enable you to behold the valley be-
tween the two ranges, you can see by
due observation small group of hOus-
e., which prove TO be Silver Cliff
nine miles distant. A stranger IL sur
prisesi ut the amount Of business trans-
acted in this infant city. Silver Cliff
Is the metropolis and Rosita the CAPT.
tai Of Custer county The first house
was erected In the Cliff two years ago
last July, and by the census IL has
$3.50 inhabitants-3,Ol5 males, and
1885 females. The Cliff received its
name from hill 300 yards from Main
street, toward the north, in which was
considerable quantities Of
silver. The principal paying mines
are the Silver Cliff. lsuil Doasi,r,eo,
Racine Boy, Bassett's, and Plata
Veria- There are three shelters, two
stamp mills. and several saw mills
There are four churches. school
house. town hall, and opera hou-e.
The Cliff IL connected with Canon
City by telegraph, and R"-ifa by tele-
phone. The Cliffites took the tcle-
phone fever hard, for nearly every
business man In town has one CONNECT
ing his house and office. A great
Of the residents Of the Ciiff
are on the Sange de Cri.to range pr.--
pecting. This range Is covered with
snow nearly all the year. Ii is nearly
- clear now ~ il will he for ISL. /.
When IL rains in the Cliff u snow. on
the range. July and August are the /
mouths that Colorado receive> moist (
ure in rain. II has r.ined almost ev-
cry day since the first Of July. Ocsa- |
some very Large hail will fall /
in the valleys.
The Cliff receives il. vegetables /
from Wet Mountain valley, six miller !
and - this valley receives
- much moisture - any part Of Colo
rado, IL h perhaps the richest agyicul- /
lural valley in the State. The water !
usepl in the Cliff II hauled from GrDp,e 1
crcek, tvo miles wers: and when i
hauled h sold Il IS crnts PR barrel. I
We expect 90 have water works by 1
next Nay. The Cii6 h To BE- connected
By rail BY the d. 4 r. G. r. r., rum
ming from Canon City, also BY the a. 4
T. s. F., from Pueblo. boeh ruads as~ /
nearly Constructed The Cti6 may 4
well 6oass for its age - being the lAF-
ret city In the World, and also tram
lrss the most basines. Hoping these
lew woods viii intesest the mAay nsAd- j
~ of your valuable paper / rs6Ain
Yoan Raspertfnlly.
Joss w. Wulss-