Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-02-25
LETTER FROM COLORADO.
SILVER CI1rr. Feb. 10. 1850.

SILVER CLIFF, Feb 10, 1880.
Editors CittzeH-In answer to the
many inquiries relative to the society,
the climate, the mineral resources, in
short, the advantages afforded for
making money in the State OF Colo
RADIO, few facts might be fitting, not
only to the general reader, but to those
more directly interested.
The attention of the entire East
has been directed toward the West,
and more particularly within the last
eighteen months to the wonderful
mining districts in the State of Colo
RADIO The fabulous tales of sudden
wealth have ever craZed the human
mind. Thousands and tens of thous-
ands have focked 0ike so many
eagles in pursuit of carrion,) to a
| common point, without due considera-
tion or even thinking as regards
what they shall do, or upon what they
shall subsist, only that they are going
to the gold and silver fields to make a
fortune; and, in a few weeks, or
months at most, to return to their
homes heavily burden with treasure,
to live in ease and comfort the re-
mainder of their days But not so
this expectation soon vanishes, unless
it be the exception In their eagerness
ard anxiety TO reach these fields of
hidden wealth, many fail to avail
themselves with the necessary per-
ait la. e 14Ifs fs,.ia NJ
knowledge, or of funds, or both; con-
sequently they suffer great inconve-
nience, and often hardships and ex-
posures never before anticipated
Then it is that the heart becomes
faint and sick, and thoughts of friends
and home comforts are sweet remem-
brances But the hardy old pioneer
miner yields with perfect resignation
to his lot There is no place, gener-
ally speaking, where one is supposed to
more carefully look after himself and
his olcn business, than in a lively min
ing camp; and the more is he to be
pitied is, upon his arrival. he becomes
the victim of misrepresentation or
misplaced confidence
Notwithstanding the bulk of society
is formed of the best men and women
Of the East. well educated aud refined,
upon whom better days had dawned,
full of energy and enterprise, bright
with hope, indie mitable in spirit, en-
deavoring to rise to their former sta
tion i'm life or enhance their present
comforts or luxuries by more and val
liable acquisitions, yet there are many
characters whose presence is blight to
any community; in many instances
refugees from justice, engaged in un-
lawful enterprises, numerous and varied,
freeing the uninitiated and unwary
The worst, disreputable characters
either kill one another off or finally
leave for some other point lest the law
abiding citizens administer justice by
virtue of their own right. In a well
regulated or well-officered camp law
and order generally prevail, though at
times it may require strong and
vigorous hand to enforce it. School
houses and churches, well attended
and supported, soon spring into exist
ence, together with many orders and
organizations whose mission is the
good of the common brotherhood of
man. Brave and noble hearts beat
beneath the miners garb External
appearances are no criterion of what
was once enjoyed, or of the mental
capacities of the individual society
accepts him just for what he is, not
for what he was, or might have been.
Men from the ranks Of every profes-
sion, whose early training has received
its finishing touch at some welI-recog
nized college or university, here cast
aside their professional airs, and exper-
iment on the nobility and dignity of
manual labor, not that they are com
PEELED to do 50 for subsistence or main
tenance, but that hat strange, indes-
cribable feeling, the hope of immediate,
sudden fortune, drew them willingly
into the onward, rushing. whirllng
current of excitement. Every PROV
incc in Europe, as well as every other
State in the Union, now pays tribute
to the Centennial State. These peo-
Pile have come to remain. And out of
this diversity of individuality as well
as diversity OF personal interest, will
come forth those elements which make
Colorado the richest and one Of the
most powerful States in the Union.
Before speaking Of the character of
climate, briel geographical outline
will not be out of place. From the
Missouri river 10 the base of the Rocky
mountains the prairie, or messa lands,
so often called the Great American Des-
ert. of more than five hundred miles in
width, have ali imperceptible, gradual
rise. till four or five thousand feet is
reached above tidewater. The State
comprises within its eastern boundary,
from north TO south, "a portion of this
elevated plain. From out this plain,
bv some wonderful natural force, the
mountains are thrown up, in ranges or
in irregular confused masses, appear
ing not unlike the skeleton backbone
of some great animal. Spurs and
towering snow-clad peaks, the SUBMITS
Of which literally go out of sight be-
yond the clouds, attain to the height
Of from nine to nearly fifteen thousand
feet above sea level. Between these
ranges beautiful valleys me found,
and parks, consisting Of thousands OF
acres in area, with streams of water
clear as crystal flowing down the rocky
gulches, but usually ut a high eleva-
ton. Climate is not only modified by
thermal currents and degrees of lati-
tude, but by altitude also. Hence,
Colorado may be said to comprise
diversity of climate her skies clear
and bright every day alike; her sun
sets of marvellous beauty and grandeur,