The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-08-23
DENyRn, COL, Aug. 10,


DENVER, COL, Aug. 10.
have heretofore referred Ia this cor.
respondsnCet to the wonderful development
OF the railroad system Of Colorado. All
In all, itprobAbly has had no parallel In the
history Of this country. Stimulated by
the discoveries Of precious mineral in
every part OF the State, the weak and
puny system Of eight years ago has dsyel.
opsd into two rival systems that have
taken on almost mammoth proportions.
The Denver 4 Rio GrAnde system now
embraces over 800 miles Of actually built
road, and about 800 more Of projected lines,
400 Of which have been 10! 10 contract II
employs to day $1,000 men, and does a
business Of which few Of your readers can
have any conception. It's system really
Compreheuds two syslems-one appertain.
ing to Colorado and New Mexico, and The
other to Old Mexico. have been for.
nished with the following information In
regard 10 II. 1t really affords one Of The
most interesting chapters In the wonder.
full history Of this far Western country,
and reads like story Of the magical era
Of the Arabian Nights:
The Denver 4 Rio Grande was incorpo.
rated In 1870, to run 10 Ell Paso, Texas, a
distance Oi $50 miles, but lie charter Ia
very broad aud gives authority to build
lines all through the San Juan country
and across the divide into Utah Territory,
thus covering what 10 supposed to be the
richest mining district In the country. AT
first q stretch Of road from Denver City 10
Pueblo, 100 milee, was constructed: then,
after while, 10 Elmoro, about hundred
miles; then through Ouchara and Alamoso
to Espanola, twenty miles from Santa Fe.
It was originally intended 10 press on 10
Santa Fe and into Mexico, but alter 10.
diOus litigation with the AtChison, Topeka
Il Sanla Fs, treaty was made with that
road by which the Denver 4 Rio
GrAnde was restricted from extend.
ing south, but allowed 10 extend
west, shile the AtChison, Topeka &
Santa Fe was restricted from extending
west but allowed 10 extend south,
Under this arrangement the Denver 4 Rio
GrAnde stopped at Espanola, HoWeyer.
II will be Connected with Santa Fe BY a
road another company 10 building from
that city 10 Espanola. The company
now proceeded 10 extend West, and, BY Z
series oil long branches and forks "a
cover the Ban Juan country and 10
pierce Utah. There are now 10 operation
lines from Pueolo 10 Canyon Civ, An.
other line connects the main road with
Leadyille. Al LeadVilie two forks hofib
and west, each about AIty miles, are beinT
constructed. A line is running from Ar
kansas 10 Guhnison; also, another 10 De-
Notte, and yet another 10 DURANGO. From
DURANGO branch 10 being built Il
SilVsfton, and from Gunnis0n two llneI
are being constructed, one 10 Like OitJ
and the other to 0ufay, BY these line
the San Juan county IL covered, and II Il
intended 10 Cr0es the main divide Into
Utah by the Grand and GunniBon Rivers
1hete are nov 1857 miles In operation, SOC
additional miles VI extensions are aC,tAllJ
under way, 400 miles VI which Wefs lel
10 contractors within q fortnight. Lasl
year al this time there we're but sos miles
In operation. The road In operation
earned during the Htst biz monLhs Of this
year an average Of s., 1893 per mile, ihCud
Ing the transportation Of material for exlen.
sions. Thousands Of lAbofets are now al
work upon II; the exact number Ii ID
difficult 10 estimate, owing 10 the numef.
Gus extensions. Operations are pushed
along at rapid rate. A Philadelphia
contractor within day or two eng0ged
1000 negtoea from the Southern plahla.
lions Tor work on one oil the diViai0ne,
Negtoee are desirable iof this kind Of labor.
White men are apt 10 run away. They are
entlCed by the miners into mining. Much
difficulty has been experienced BY The
company 10 consequence Of white laboteta