The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-10-01
COLORADO.
pOxcHO srn,xos, Col, Sept. 10, 1881

PoScHo SPRINGS Col, Sept. 10, 1881.
H. V. MoRTHlNER-Dear Sir: Having
promised to write you when left the east
for my second trip weeks ago, I will endeav-
or to give you short description Of the diff
ferent towns in the southwestern part of
Colorado. may as well begin at my post
Office address, Poncha Springs, Chaffee Co.
But few years ago where now is a we'll
built and regulated town and cultivated
ranches was a camping place for the Utes
their trail led from their hunting grounds
through Poncha Pass TO Poncha Springs,
which at that time was their trading point
Poncha Springs is about eighteen months
old and contains about 800 people it was
named after the Hot Springs which are To-
Gated within three.quarters Of mile from
the town and the merits OF whose waters
have brought widespread reputation to
this town and assisted materially in maxi
ing it the place of importance it is. 1t is
situated six miles from South Arkansas on
the Gunnison Branch of the D. & r. G. R.
R., and was for a good length of time the
terminus until the road was extended TO
Silver Creek and on over Marshall Pass
the town is built on the banks Of the South
Arkansas river, and is one Of the most en-
chanting and romantic spots in the State.
Poncha is destined to become an abiding
place for families, and its adjancy to the
Hot Springs has and will make it resort of
health trout fishing is the general pastime
for those who have leisure to while away
few hours, and many who think its sur
rounding monotonous can jump on the cars
and in few hours can make the ascent of
Marshall Pass, where from its summit
scene at once grand, wild and beautiful pre-
sents itself; this town is desirable place
during the summer months for those who
cannot endure the heat farther east and
lower down the valleys, standing on an al
ttude of about 5000 feet and located in the
center Of three or more defiles or passes, the
gentle and cool breeze sweeps down from
higher attitudes, made cool and invigorat-
ing by the snow-capped peaks on their sum-
mils. Ranches waving with hay and grain
and general cultivated vegetation line the
margins of the South Arkansas above, be
low and surrounding the towd. The yege-
tation is prCdnced BY irrigation, an exien-
sive ditch being dug from a higher point on
the river, down which the water is conduct
ed and spread oyer the soil at intervals to
i s,,;t ~ apd tho olin,ata pnnoho Gnrin hos
location that destnes it to become pleas
ure and health resort, and understand
there is movement now on loot IN build
number of cottages for families who are de-
srous of making this their home. West and
northwest of the town are two extensive
mesas or table lands, portion of which was
this year put under cultivation, water con.
duct was dug and tho land plowed, sown
and irrigated, the result is that fine crop
of oats and potatoes sprung up, surprising
the expectations of all; this soil is ofa grav-
ell nature and was considered by oil as bar
rem of nutrition and worthless, and when
Mr.. Henry Newby dug his ditch, the gen.
eral opinion was that his expenditure Of
time and money in the enterprise was use
less. Since it's productiveness has been
demonstrated, preempting in this section
has been all the rage, until nearly every
available foot of ground has been taken up
as homesteads. Three-quarters Of mile
from the town of Poncha and on an eleva-
tion of 800 feet are situated the Hot Springs
whose waters have brought cheer and COM
fort to many who are afflicted there are AZ
in number and their degree Of heat is l60,
cooking an egg in less than five minutes.
! An analysis of these waters has never been
made, but am satisfied that sulphur, iron,
, magnesia, soda, borax and arsenic exist in
large quantities in these waters. Their cur
J ing and healing properties cannot be excell-
ed and this state from personal observation,
, Innumerable cases, and in fact, all cases ol
/ infiammstorY rheumatism are speedily
cured, scrofula ,scurvy and all diseases of the
blood, as well as vehereal diseases, find
5 ready and permanent cures by a proper ap-
: plication of the waters.
The situation of the Springs gives the Wis
I itor or patient a commanding view of Pom
cha as we'll as the beautiful valley Of the
> South Arkansas, also Mt. Shavano, Mt. 0u-
D ray and Taylor Mountain. Opposite the
Q door of the hotel is the grade of the Denver
= 4 Rio Grsnde Railroad, on its winding and
I steep ascent over Marshall Pass and the Con
: tinental Divide, and can say to the lravel-
: ing public, or those deslrous of testing thes,
s baths, that you have never received mort
: attention, more kindness, or more disposi
: ton to make you feel happy and at hom'
n than at these Springs and in the town o
= Poncho. Lumber is now being shipped fo
'f a large hotel that is to cost from so 70 l0l
y thousand dollars. Day after day rheumat
e les are going away cured, and in the shor
: time of one week, those who are oft-time
It earned into their baths, 90 away entirel!
II cured and rejoicing. There is one peculiar
(. ity with regard to these waters that is thei
: application in cases Of disease entirely con
Al flict with the taking of medicine, and th
10 patient who dispenses with drugs receive
re- more immediate relief
., Poncha has lively and well-edited pape
es its editor is young, but able man, VIII
$. is doing all he can to build up the resource
es of the place. ! am personally aequainte
d with Mr.. Tompkins and find him TO be
10 very fine young man. / will write 20
again from and about South Arkansas, May
D. vile, Silver Creek, also a few towns in 81
J. guaehe county, Tomiehi City, White Pin
s. Gunnison City, Gothic and Crested Butt
W Use this if you think proper, if not, let
s. drop gently into the waste basket.
r. Respectfully yours,