The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-08-19
LETTER FROM COLORADO.
Special Correspondence.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Aug. 2, 1882

1t is said that there is no prettier
place in Colorado than this, and no
doubt it is true. Unlike Pueblo both
the town and It's surroundings present
features of attractiveness, and the air
is exceedingly bracing and delightful.
The town is situated upon slightly
elevated plateau, with plenty of room
to spread itself out; the streets are
regularly LAID out with an abundance
of growing shade trees, and there is
everywhere cosy appearance and an
atmosphere of cleanliness and thrift.
Without having reference to the last
census the population would be esti-
mated at about 5000, and probably
that is nearly correct. In this now
rich and fertile valley skirting along
the base of the mountains to Denver,
and which was formerly but the con-
tinuation of the same sandy plain we
haYejust left behind, we see the strik-
ing results produced by irrigation and
labor. And among the curiOusly in
teresting features of view of this
valley are the unmistakable evideE-
ceS that it was once a mountain
plateau ofseveral hundred feet higher
elevation. The Denver & Rio Grande
narrow guage road winds a crooked
and picturesque path along the base
of the mountains, making the 100
miles from Pueblo to Denver in about
four hours, this point being sort Of
halfway stopping place between the
two cities, or only forty-fve miles
from the latter.
The title of" Saratoga of the West"
is claimed for Colorado Springs and
Manitou, which, though three miles
apart, are considered in the same
category. The mineral springs are
the attraction at Manitou-the name
given to a few hotels and cottages
located around the springs and at the
foot of Pixies Peak. Many spend
several weeks overwhelmingly be-
tween the tWo-especially the fash
ionably inclined, as there is more of
the ways and manners, of fashion,
able resort than anywhere else in
Colorado. AT the Manitou Hotel the
ladies "dresS" for dinner as elabOr-
ately as at Cape May or Long branch.
| The Spring waters are strongly charg-
ed with carbonic acid and contain
,carbOnates of soda, lime, and magne-
STA in various proportions. Broad
claims are made for the meGica pro-
perties Of these waters, the opinions
Of professors of chemistry being quo
ted to the effect that they excel the
ems" and the Spa" two of the
most famous groups in Europe. The
elevation of this locality is higher
| than that of Denver, or little over
! 600 feet. there are splendid drives
of seven or eight miles are numerous
attractions and points of special in
| terest, including the Garden of the
/ Gods, Glen Eyre, Ute Pass, and
| Monument Park. The formations
| from which the latter takes its name
are among the greatest curiOsitieS to
be seen in Colorado. Pen cannot well
describe them. They consist of a
series of curiously shaped, natural
monuments which haye been formed
from sand stone rock solely by the
action of the weather, thin strata of
iron on the top having protected these
particular pieces and preserved them.
No accurate estimate can be made of
the hundreds of years this work of
the elements has been in progress.
There are perhaps hundred of the
peculiar formations of different sizes
and shapes, some of which are really
fantastic. The Garden of the Gods is
also a remarkable freak of nature,
partakiEg somewhat more of the
grand and imposing. It's a secluded
spot, hemmed in by great rocks stood
up on edge and on end. They are
some Of the more marked of the nu-
merOus evidences on every hand here
of grand upheaval some time in the
past. Imagine tremendous fiat rocks,
large enough to cover quarter of an
acre of ground, standing up on edge,
$50 feet high, and you will have some
idea of what forms the chief wonder
of this garden.
Upon the plains all about here may
be seen vast herds of cattle and sheep.
Next to mining. stock-raising is the
largest interest in Colorado. All
other branches of agricultural pur-
suits are conducted under difficulties,
and but a comparatively small pro.
portion of the vast area of TIE State
is suited to cultivation. No fruits
of any kind are raised, though wheat
is a successful crop and | am told that
something over 200, 900 bushels in ex.
cess of the amount required for home
consumption have been raised this