The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-09-16

Letter From Colorado.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Aug. 80.


Leaving Colorado Springs in company witt
Mr.. B. of Shelbyville KY, we struck across
the prairie on foot, towards Cheyenne Noun
tain, distant six miles, to visit the far famed
Chyenne Canon. After travelling about one
mile we came to small creek which turned
out to be rather a formidable barrier as there
was no way of crossing except by wading
which | offered to try and do, remarking that
the water was not even two inches deep.
walked along the bank, until | found place
where it was rock bottom and apparently
about an inch deep, and stepped in and found
myself up to my knees in as cold water as it
was ever my fortune to wade in. think this
proves what fine water we have here Upon
reaching the mouth of the canon we were po-
litely requested to hand over ten cents apiece
as toll, by fair representative of the western
miner who with an eye to ''the goods OF this
world" had pre-empted one hundred and sixty
acres of land at the mouth of the canon and
was taking in from five to ten dollars daily
from THE Tender Feet" who come to see one
of the grandest canons of the Rocky Noun
tains. But anyone must be, indeed, fond of
the filthy lucre" who would regret spending
| fifty times that amount to spend day amid
such grandeur and beauty. The path we took
| through the canon led US along the bank of a
| mountain stream which we crossed no less
than ten times within the first half mile, where
it left the branch and led us along in the shad-
ow of rock ribbed walls extending up as
straight as the side of house for more than a
thousand feet. When about half way through
the canon we took our seats in the shade OF q
mountain pine and ate our lunch, which fla
vored with mornings walk across the prairie
and among the grandeurs of the canon, was
eaten with Zest that is seldom seen even at a
dining giving by a Virginia host. Continuing
f@, hoo
that there was fine mist falling and were pre-
pairing to hoist our umbrella when the path
made an abrupt turn and we came within
sight OF the last of the seven falls which, fall
ing three hundred feet down the side of preci-
plce, accounted for the spray we mlStoOk for
rain Seated around on rocks at the foot Of
the fall, were group of tourists, all armed
with their alpine staff" and meditating an
ascent to ledge of rocks about six hundred
feet above them where you can get a sight of
all seven of the falls at once. Leaving them to
make up their minds, we struck up the noun
tain determined to see, OF at least make the
effort to see, all that was to be seen. BY the
help of our sticks and twenty minutes hard
climbing, we arrived at the summit and well
were we repaid for the use OF our muscle and
time. Chyenne Canon, in all its grandeur and
beauty lay stretched beneath us, while, about
half mile to our left, we could see all seven
of the falls, and so near did they seem, that we
could almost imagine we heard the roar of the
water as it made its way by succession Of
leaps down the side of a mountain thousands OF
feet high. Looking to the east we could see
this place and the surrounding plains and it
resembled a beautiful picture, the sides of
the mountains, at the opening OF the canon,
forming suitable frame for picture no art
list can portray OF pen describe. 1t was with
a sigh of regret that we turned our backs on
such scene and began the descent, which was
accompanied with more rapidity than comfort.
Reaching the mouth of the canon, we bought
and drank some lemonade prepared by the toll
gate keeper, who, think, had a great adlnira
ton for Colorado water as he had taken great
pains not to change it's flavor any by mixing
such articles as lemon and sugar in it. After
quenching our thirst we started home, which
we reached in time for SUPPER having been
gone eight hours, and having walked twelve
miles besides spending four hours in the canon.
This is the centre of the great sheep interest Of
Colorado. The great plain east Of the city,
stretching away to Kansas is covered with the
flocks of the ranchmen. The flocks vary in
size. Some have as few as one thousand sheep,
whilst others number as high as ten or fifteen
thousand. An average flock is about five
thousand. They Craze free on the government
lands, and live the year around on the grass.
About the only expense is the wages $3.50 per
month) of the herders, of whom it takes one
for every thousand sheep. If | thought it
would interest your readers, would give de-
tailed account of the sheep and cattle business
on the plains, the cost OF commencing, increase
of stock annually, profit &c. J. B. G.
rive should be pleased if our correspondent
would give an account of sheep raising in Col
orado