Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-11-04
FROM COLORADO.

Special Correspondence Independent.
PUEBLO, COLORADO, Oct, %, 1882.
After having consumed much
more time than at first contemplated
in this wonderful State, must now
bring my explorations to close
though there is still ample material
for several more interesting letters.
It is of course unnecessary to give
special resume of my impressions
concerning Colorado, as the reader
may have readily gathered them
from the letters already written.
What l have observed has been more
with the eye Of the tourist than that
of the seeker after either health or
wealth. | have spoken of things
only as l saw them, attempting no
coloring whatever. That there Is
untold mineral wealth in these
mountains, grand scenery in these
canons, fine gazing Oh the plains, land
a rarified, healthy air everywhere, |
have said because it is true. But !
have not maintained that this is the
place for everybody to come to at
once with the expectation of finding
health, fortune and happiness await
ing them. 1t is a misfortune to any
region, whatever its real attractions,
to have been over. praised or too
much written. up.p That has been
somewhat the case with Colorado.
In some instances people have un-
doubtedly for one reason or another,
said that about the country and It's
characteristics which they knew TO
be untrue or exaggerated in others
some of those who are gifted with
keen and absorbing appreciation OF
its peculiar and subtle delights, and
rare power in describing their own
impressions thereof, have given vent
to their own enthusiasm. The con-
sequence of all this is that fully
nineteen-twentieths of those who
came here few years back found
their first impressions on allghtlng
disappointment pure and simple.
To many of these there has come a
better feeling as the country grew
upon them, while to many others
the result has been dire disaster.
In one Of the following cases per-
sons may be advised and encouraged
to eXpend the time and money nee
essary to make the journey to the
Rocky Mountains and remain long
enough in Colorado to enable them
to study the country. 1st. If they
have present or prospective business
interests. I'd. If they are in ill
health and have intelligently satlsfi-
ed themselves that the probabilities
are in favor Of the climate proving
beneficial to them. Sd. IT they are
enthusiastic devotees of some of the
sciences, for the study of which
there is here such a grand field. 4th.
If they are lovers of mountains and
desire to form an idea of the Won
ders and extent of this great coun-
try, or to experience in some degree
the fascination which the very at
mosphere of the far West has for
some people. But those people who
will not intelligently inquire about
a possible destination who delude
themselves into expecting to discov-
or a paradise, or the gardens Of the
Hesperides, of the fountain of
Ponce dc Leon, between the 37th
and 4lst degrees Of north latitude,
and the 25th and 32nd meridians of
longitude west from Washington,
will certainly find themselves mis-
taken If any want the pleasures of
Newport and Saratoga, by all means
let them go there, and not look for
such things in State where there
are less than three inhabitants to
the square mile.
The obseryant tourist through
Colorado will naturally take some
account Of the growing industries of
the State aside from those connected
with gold and silver mining and the
business of stock raising, already
referred to in these letters. With
out leaveing the main routes of
travel he will see colleries, fire brick
works, grist mills, saw mills, paper
mills and other enterprises, and he
will also feel some interest in the
agricultural aspects of the State.
Knowing what prices are paid in the
mining camps for food for those
thousands of busy, hungry men and
their equally hungry beasts, one
would very likely think the Colora-
do farmer a person to be envied.
But the following story Of an "old-
timer" here aptly illustrates the fall
lacy Of that theory: II was mining
up Central City way once, and there
come along an old chap with onions
to sell. You bet we was glad to get
vegetables about then. They were
as small and mean onions as ever
you saw, but l was bound to have
dozen, and he charged me a dollar
and a half. Well, sir, didn't say
nothing, but / just allowed that