The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-08-19
Our Colorado Letter,

COLORADO SPR1NGs. Aug. ~. 1882.
1t is said that there is no prettier place
in Colorado than this. aud no doubt IL is
true. Unlike Pueblo both the town and
its surrounding present features of at
tractiveness, and the air is exceedingly
bracing and delightful. The town is sit
uated upon a slightly ELEVATED plateau,
with plenty of room to spread itself out;
the streets are regularly laid out with au
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 6 1000, and probably that
is nearly correct. In this now rich and
fertile valley skir'ing along the base OF
the mountains to Denver, and which was
formerly but the continuation of the same
sandy plain we have just left behind, we
see the striking results produced by irri-
cation and l,bor. Aud among the curl
Ously interesting features of n view of this
valley are the unmistakable evidences
that it was once mountain plateau of
several hundred feet higher elevation.
The Denver q Rio Grnnde narrow guage
road winds n crooked and picturesque
path along the base of the mountains
making the l20 miles from Pueblo 10
Denver in about four hours, this poin,
being sort of halfway stopping place
between the two cities, OF only forty-fve
miles from the lattr r.
The title of "Saratoga of the West" is
claimed for Colorado Springs and Mani
ton, which, though three miles apart, are
contidered IN the same category. The
mineral springs are the attraction at
Manitou-the name given to few hotels
and cottages located around the springs
and at the foot of Pixies Peak. Many
spend several weeks here alternately be.
tween the two espe cially the fashionably
inclined, as here is more OF the ways and
manners of fashionable r, sort than any.
where else in Colorado AT the Manitou
Hotel the ladies "dress" for dinner rs
elabortely as at Cape May or Ions
Branch. The Spring waters are strongly
charged with carbonic acid and contain
carbonates OF soda lime and magnesia il
various proportions. Broad cl aims ar,
J made for the medicinal properties of thesI
waters, the opinions OF professors q
, chemistry being quoted to the effect this
they excel the Ems" and the Spa,
two OF the most famous groups in. Europ
= The elevation of this locality is hight
! than that Of Denver, or a little over c, ,70l
feet. There are splendid drives in al
! directions, and within radius OF sever
. or eight miles are numerous attraction
2 and points OF special interest, includini
D the G rd,n II of Gods, Glen lyric, Ut
e Pass, and MpulIm MT Park. The form
S tions from which the latter takes its nam
A are among the greatest curlosities to
1 seen in Colorado. Pen cabnot we'll des
+ crlbe them. They consist of series G
: curiousiy shaped, natural monument
= which have been formed from sand ston
= rock solely by the action OF the weathei
: n thin strata Of iron on the top havir
# protected these particular pieces and pr,
Il served them. No accurate estimate Cd
e be made of the hundreds of years tn
Is work OF the elements has been in prt
h gress. There are perhaps a hundred (
d the peculiar formations of different siz,
D and shapes, some of which are really fal
1T tastic The Garden of the Gods Is al,
S- II remarkable freak of nature, partlkiT
L somewhat more of the grand and impo
~ ing. l. is q secluded spot, hemmed
le by great rocks stood up on edge and {
y. end. They are some ofthe more markt
I'd of the numerous evidences on every han
I'd here of a grand upheaval some time
er the past. Imagine tremendous fl It roc
he large enough to cover quarter of
al acre of ground, standing up on edge, 8
or feet high, and you will have some id
he of what forms the chief wonder Of Il
mt garden.
er Upon the plains all about here may
NJ seen vast herds OF cattle aud sheep. Ne
70 mining, stock raising is the largest
ne tereSt in Colorado. All other branch
he of agricultural pursuits are conduct
rty under difficulties and but comparative
he all proportion of the vast area of I
IRE State is suited to cultivation. No fru
ied of any kind are raised, though wheat i
in successful crop and am told that son
ere thing over 200, 600 bushels in excess
Ely the amount required for home consun
nd tion have been raised this year. But /
MS. country is better suited to grazing, a
u.s. that avocation is found TO be easier a
ills more profitable. /. is claimed that a
ro- nan possessing knowledge of the bu
nse ness can reasonably calculate upon dol
cen ling once in four years whatever amor
md of capital lie puts into it. Yet of eou
lnn there are some risks a. in every husin
our aud men without capital or aoquaintal
IN with the peouliarities OF the conntry
ills not advised to 90 into it, Nearly all
the stOck-men who embarked a few ye
md ago, however, ARE now Immensely wealt
IRE. The climate is so mild, especially in
for southern part of the State and in n
red Mexico, that stock run out all win
md without feeding and come out pretty "
val in the spring. 1t is astonishing how
ty- they will become roaming over tn
ave broad plains which look so barren. I
lur short grass appears to be thin aud wor
sen lesA, bat as matter of fact, appeArani
TIE are very dsOsiViHg ,iU Ahis ease r