The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-08-25
From Colorado.

|
| point. Never having been on the NJ. 4 G. furthe
west than Hamden of course all outdoor objects
| interesting. We admired the great cornfelds nea
Chillicothe. The absence of fences gave them tn
appearance of one vast field. One mans field is sep
arated from anothers by wagon road, little stream
or perhaps ridge thrown up. The corn looked fine
but was not as far advanced that in the west. w
saw two steam threshers in operation. As soon a
the straw left the mach inc it raked away b!
horserakes and either put into ricks or left scat
tered on the ground.
At one place was admiring the grand curve of the
railroad and watching the engine go under bridge
when received both eyes full of cinders, which
retained till west of Cincinnati. Cincinnati the
depots, is the worst looking place that L
was interesting to watch the incline plane go W
and down. The end towards the street is elevated
| that the floor is horizontal. There were ro.
mantle looking places on high hills, and the suburbs
were quite pretty, but did not fancy it for dwell
| ing place.
The first beautiful country about 25 miles eas
OF ST. Louis ST. Louis looks decent than Gin
cinnati. The view is pretty from the bridge. The
water was very muddy. On looking at tickets we
discovered that cousins for different road,
and we were obliged to separate but expected to
meet again in Kansas City Our train delayed Ia
hours waiting for two of Rocky Mountain
sonists who had started from Cleveland. We arrived
in Kansas City in time to make connection, but
through inexperience and the prevarication ig-
norance of railroad official, missed the train. We
were lnlOrHeu Dy pOlceman LnaC Ine tram nau
gone. We staid at the depot hotel. After half a
dozen hours sleep COTS the private rooms all
having been taken, and the payment of 50, and the
remembrance that we were fraudulenty compelled to
stay, we very willingly took departure the 80
train. Iwould western travellers avoid Kansas
City, or keep part of the city the
depot is notoriously wicked that it is
Hel1's Acre. Southeastern Kansas and Southwestern
Missouri is the most beautiful farming country be-
tween Ohio and Colorado. In Kansas the great ter
races. water formation, were very interesting. They
extended hundred miles, farther. 1 noticed one
ledge of white limestone rock which extended at
least eighty miles on both sides of the railroad. In
one place the formation thick that it had been
quarred for building stone and sent to ST. Louis In
other places the loose rock had been gathered and
made into stone fences.
There were great herds of cattle and horses the
prIries and plains, and saw immense flock of
sheep which seemed to be herded by but one small
boy, miles away from any human habitation, for
looked around the horizon and saw no house.
The rivers of the prairie looked singular. Their
banks were perpendicular and lined with bushes and
small trees. The rivers of the plains had banks
were shallow and very muddy. We crossed the mile
and-a-half bridge the st. Charles river. The
builders of this bridge went down so feet find solid
rock which to base the piers The bridge is
curved like the letter S.
About eighty miles from Pueblo first the
mountains We arrived at Pueblo at O'Clock in the
evening, and missed the train of course, and were
Obliged to stay till 80. In order to pass the time
more pleasantly walked out on the pebble hills
behind the depot These hills from 80 to 60 feet
high, and seem to be made of colored pebbles and
sand. There beautiful building spots the
of the SUBMITS of the hills and beautiful views from
there, and that is the only pretty thing about the
town. willing for the train to be late in order
to get the ride from Pueblo to Cannon City by day
light. This my first ride narrow guage
railroad. but the pleasant of the trip.
The road is very smooth. At the first station the
train near the perpendicular rock that reach
ed my hand through the window and took small
piece of rock from the wall. 1t not very dark,
and the general outline of the country could be
plainly. We followed the Arkansas river a long dis
tance. 1t looked beautiful and bordered by
trees with white trunks. We arrived at Canon City
at O'Clock, having been on the road four days and
nights-one more than intended. The SUNRISE was
very beautiful. 1 could not ask more smiling well
come to Colorado.
Canon City situated in a valley of the Arkansas,
about five miles wide. which is apparently almost
surrounded by foothills the lowest hills of the noun
tain One is easily deceived in distance. was
astonished when told that hill which supposed to
be mile away, was four miles.
On the I'd of August party of eight including my
SELF went in covered light spring wagon to visit the
top of the famed Grand Canon. We found the road
good. Whether in the mountains or in the valleys
one can buggy ride both summer and winter.
We went out by the penitentiary and the Soda
Springs. mile two out of town we say new
method of irrigation. pipe led down from the
mountain to barrel, which was connected with about
twenty others. From these the water ran in little
bitches in which corn, pumpkins etc. were planted.
At short distance from the house was solitary
grave surrounded by palisades. The occupant of the
grave man named Nichols, who died cursing
God A little further on was what L VIII call the
burnt district. The Indians burned all the ever
these hills for signal lights % and
none have grown up since. Here grows the soap
weed tha of Iyhi oh he Meyicans 1t
resembles the Rock Lily, and has beautiful white
flower. The rocks along the sides of the road are
varousy coored. noticed large blocks of red gran
ite lying loose. The next thing OF interest was Dey
lis Gate, passage between huge rock and ledge
from which the rock had broken away. In these
rocks were many circular places filled with hard
substance said to be the petrifed remains of snakes
Soon we were overtaken by a couple of cowboys on
bronchos, which are peculiar-looking mfddle-s1hed
horses, possessing strong muscle. They can run up n
rocky hill like squirrel up Tree. They are so
named because they jump stitf-legged to dismount
tLeir riders. Ifthat is not sufficient they kick
There many cattle in the mountains. One of the
party remarked, Il wonder what those cattle find to
live n?' 1t suggested that they live imag-
ination, like the people.
After climbing long steep pehbly mn, few min
utes drive found us near the canon wall. We had
been four Lauls going twelve miles. We very
nunery and ate our dinner before going to view the
scenery. Some were Immediately impressed with the
grandeur of the scene. but was little dsaupo led
first view did not realize the great depth. al
though the narrow-guase RAILROAD appeared only
foot wide. The wall has been measured this point
and is hetween 1S00 and 1000 feet. We amused
selves by climbing the rocks, gathering specimens
and accidentally stepping ana Kicking cacti until
came to Echo Canon. The gentlemen rolled great
rocks over the cliffs These struck the projecting
walls and gave report like the successive discharge
of guns and when they struck the bottom they were
dashed TO powder, and gave report like cannon.
There nine eagles flying together, and we heard
what supposed eaglets, bnt could mas see any
nests. The wall has LeGn Giinlhed at this place 1t
win reauire seven hours. with occasional rests 10
ascend and descend. A train went by which appeared
| like a huge worm crawling along. At O'Clock we re-
turned 10 the wagon almost too weary to walk, but
soon grew rested after starting homeward. Eight
miles from town a big storm came up which pelted
our wagon the remainder of the way home. 1 never
had a ride that enjoyed more than that. l. being
dawn grade the horses fast and we sang every
thing could think oi.
as" We neared Canon City observed high hill
strewn from top base with rocks which were
broken up by an earthquake few years ago. In two
hours after starting arrived at the Soda Springs