Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-08-18
SAN JUAN,
Marvellous Wealth Of Southwest
a'7 a7s72 ern Colorado. i...ss :, 4 I
Beautiful Scenery Amid the Rocky Noun
taias-A Wonderful Railroad-The Gold
:sd. and Silver Deposits at 0phir-,
.-.-'' ls7 Among the Miners.
SCENES IN THE NEW EL DORADO
Spao,a, Correspondence Of ae Reqs.ler.

Specsol Correspondence Of the Reoisic7.
OpH1R, COL, August l3.-on arriving at
Denver, en- route to the great mining
camps, one feels the first inspiration. Here,
in the corridors Of hotels and on the streets,
he first meets groups of men discussing the
great finds, and the sudden transitions
from poverty to affiuence. Here can be
seen the residences of many bonanza kings,
and in the enterprise and thrift Of the city
can be observed the influence Of the rapid
and wonderful developments Of the
country. At the Union depot can be seen
young men and old men, millionsires
and laborers, English gentlemen in palace
cars and Cornish miners with oilcloth hats
and coarse wool blankets each vending his
way to the land of promise, each hoping to
share in greater or less degree the won
drous treasures of gold and silver embowei-
led in the Rocky mountains. Observing
large numbers of these curious and xious
adventurers to board the trains for the San
Juan country on the Denver and RieGrande
railway daily, took my seat in the midst
Of group of apparently Eastern men, but
whose baggage and equipments bespoke q
knowledge of the occupation aud the
climate they were soon to encounter. In
reply TO questions as to the country and re-
sources / soon became satisfied that the
great procession was marching to the
Silver San Juan.
Our train soon reached Pueblo; here we
heheld miniature of a fourishing East
ern manufacturing city The influx of
population was so great and rapid that
temporary habitations became necessary,
until more permanent and comfortable
dwellings could be erected, and the fields
and hillsides are dotted with tents, On
leaving Peublo the train cut directly into
the mountains and was soon observed cut
ting semi circle, first to the left and then
to the right. 1t soon reached Neta Pass.
Here, the scene at midnight is as bewilder
ing as it is grand. 4 railroad train climb
ing flight Of winding stairs, locomotive
snorting among the clouds, go to make up
a scene so strange that one cannot help
wondering IL it is real or only the effects OF
dream, The trains stop for breakfast at
Antonita, where upon alighting the trav-
eller from the East enjoys for the first time
sniff of the cool mountain air. Leaving
Antonita in the morning / rode 1S2 miles
over the
Most Wonderful Railroad 81 the Age.
The train starts on a westward course,
but is soon observed going north, then
south, in fact, it makes ell the points OF the
compass in the first forty miles, during
which time the train passes through the
rich grazing fields OF the beautiful San Luis
VALLEY. IRE rising hills are covered with
grass, scattering pines, groves Of cedar, and
masses of volcanic rocks. The train curves
around the gentle slopes, and from
height the passengers look down upon the
valley of the grand San Antonia end Pinos,
affording views even more romantic than
those pictured in the tales Of fairy realms
AS the train ascends the mountain one
may see parts of the road in three parallel
lines, going over which in the ascent l
passed one cabin three times; each time the
train appeared at higher point on the
mountain side. Finally the train reaches
q point far up on the side Of rugged can
on, over which the mountains rise TO tow
er'ng height, throwing out rocky ribs as
though to bar the further progress OF the
engine. The rugged surroundings are
Grand and Exciting.
At times the train is dashing through q
tunnel, then it is on the edge OF a frightful
precipice, beneath castellated heights, ma
lures monuments, and then steaming
around the heads of yawning chasms, with
an occasional ray of sunlight sitting
through the overhanging crags. Such
description but briefly outlines the scenery
of the Toltec canon. The canon is a fright
full gorge, with granite walls rising to near
ly !, 900 feet enclosing it. The scene is be.
wildering and astonishing, and one hardly
knows which to admire most, the indes-
cribably grand natural objects that sur
and the skill OF the Denver and Rio Grande
Railroad Company and its intreped civil
engineers. Further on the train passes
through the reservation of the Southern
Ute Indians, and at the various stations
were seen warriors and squaws, many of
them with papoose secured to her back.
The train next reaches Durango, pic
turesque and flourishipg city. the source
of supplies for the great
San Juan Valley. From Durango to
Silyerton the scenery Of the Grand Animas
canon surpasses in grandeur and maSnih.
cence even that Of the Toltec canon. 1t
must be seen to be comprehended. From
the train running along niche cut into
the side of the mountlins a view may be
had of elevations rising thousands Of feet
perpendicuIarly on our left, and perpen-
dicular depression of a thousand feet on
our right. Far down in the valley the
rushing waters of the Animas struggle
along at the base Of mountain which
rises almost straight up 5000 feet, and
down the sides of which from the snowy
SUBMITS run gushing streams, whose sill
very spray seems but TO evidence the rich
ness hid within these most
Marvellous Works OF Natare.
In passing through this wonderful country
at an altitude of 10000 feet above the sea
A. ~ rsfh anRr NH "
this enormous expenditure OF money
What can be beyond to induce an outlay OF
so many millions by the railroad company?
The answer is always the same II Is the
promise of great future because OF the
marvellous wealth of the San Juan mines.
Silverton. the beautiful city Of Bakers
Park, with its streets as level as hoor, on
each side of which streams from the noun
tain tops rush 10 join the Los Animas,
is the terminus of the Denver and Rio
Grande railway, and the centre Of the great
San Juan mining region. Here was seen
for the first time the renowned pack train.
Up the principal street came about one
hundred donkeys, each with two sacks
firmly bound on his back, one on each
side. The contents of the sacks was ore
from the mines Of 0phir. The Ophir
mines are fast becoming the most celebra-
ted in the State, but there are Large guam
titles of ore arriving at Silverton daily
from the twenty mines at present shipping
ore from this camp, aud much OF this ore
averages one thousand ounces Of silver 70
theIton. visited 0phir. II is doubtful IL
a more picturesque spot than is presented
by the town of ophir can be found on the
fsce Of the earth.
ny First View OF this little Hamlet
was the snowy summit OF Lookout noun
tain on the Silverton and Ophir toll road
over which daily stage coach runs each
way, q distance Of twelve miles. On ar
irving in the village met many people
from the East These pioneers had pushed
their way to this camp some years ago,
and had at that time been compelled 70
walk over $50 miles on snow shoee. The
second man to locate and prospect in this
camp vas q weil.k uown Bostonian, and i
soon lesrned that number of the most cele-
brated mines in the section we're owned BY
Massachusetts, parties. After two weeks
spent in visiting the principal mines and
prospects in this camp, Lam forced 70 the
conclusion that ere long the annual pro.
duct of silver and gold from the mines OF