Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-06-13
OUT WEST.
West Virginians Out in Colo
radO.
A Description of Villa Grove and the San
Louis VaIIey-The Future Workshop
of the Nation-Homes for
the ToIing Millions.
Special Correspondence oJMe Register.

Special Correspondence Of the Register.
SALIDA, Col, Jane 9.-0n Saturday, May
9th, in company with Major I. Ii.
Norton, left Wheeling to visit Colorado
for the purpose Of inspecting the coal and
iron property in Saquache cOHnty, in
which the Major and other Wheeling peo-
pie are interested AS this is my first visit
to the Centennial State, and as | have not
yet acquired any interest in Colorado
properties, my impressions OF the country
may be taken as strictly impartial and
founded on facts derived from personal
observation,
On our arrival at Denver, the present
metropolis OF the State, and the radiating
point for the system of mountain rail-
ways, we obtained thousand mile ticket,
and after doning n blue flannel
shirt and corduroy pants, at once
commenced our journey through the
picturesque scenery OF the rockeys. Our
first objective point was Manitou Springs,
situated at the base of Pixies Peak, six
miles distant from Colorado City. This
place is developing into highly popular
summer resort, its chief attraction being
the wonderful
Garden OF the Gods,
a spot comprising an area OF several square
miles. in which nature seems TO have oCCu-
pied itself in mixing things up promlscu-
ously by throwing up perpendicular rocks
to immense heights, and carving out by
atmospheric action many strange and gro
tesQue images in the soft sand stone. Here
is to he seen a remarkable balancing rock,
weighing hundreds of tons and maintaining
its cQuipoise on base not exceeding tLiee
feet in circumference, presenting such an
appearance one would suppose breath OF
wind would bc sufficient to tOpple it over,
but thore it has remained for ages as firmly
planted as the rock OF Gibralter.' There
are many other points OF interest
in the Garden OF the Gods"
which was named in honor oi the
first settlers there, who wcle two old dark
les called Juno and Jupiter.
Near the hotel are he famous
Soda and Iron Springs.
bath houses shaded walks, and other appli.
anCcS for refreshing the wearied tourist.
Leaving this Saratoga of the West, we pro.
CCeded by the Denver and Rio Grande TO
Pueblo and Canon City, and thence through
the Grand Canon of Colorado TO the Valley
of the Arkansas. The town Of Salida is on
the Arkansas river, and at the junction of
the Salt Lake division of the Denver and
Rio Grande railroad. 1t will probably be-
come the distributing point for all the
mining camps in the Bonanza and Gunni-
son district, but Its future greatness has
been literally discounted, and spectators
have formed ring and advanced the price
of real estate until the whole neighborhoOd
resembles sort OF
Financial Pixies Peak.
at which all strangers gaze with feelings OF
wonder and dismay. Here we boarded the
San Louis passenger train and were soon
being whirled through the dark and dismal
gorge known rs Poncha Pass, and after
winding our tortuOus way for some hours,
finally emerged into the beautiful San
Louis Valley. On entering the valley and
looking southwark it spreads out before the
eye like boundless ocean Skirting the
eastern plain rises the majestic range of the
Sangre-de.C Christie, while hundreds of miles
to the south the snow capped Spanish peaks
OF New Mexico attract and dazzle the eye.
To the west the Hills OF COChotopiC extend
in range after range far out to the Ute
Indian reservation, hiding in their sides
the mineral wealth that gives prominence
to the camps of Bonanza" "Kerber Creek
and other places OF more or less note. On
one vi the hills OF this district are located
the
Iron and Coal Mines
| came here to examine. The entire region
is characterized by a singular qualification
OF rock and minerals.
For many miles to the east OF the con-
tinental divide great upheaval has taken
place, and whole mountains are apparently
thrown upon their sides. For this reason
the stratas OF rock and mineral bearing
veins dip into the earth at an angle OF
about eighty-five degrees instead ol lying
horizontal, as with us. Thus il is with the
coal and iron deposits | examined. The
veins are almost perpendicular, making 1t
quite easy and inexpensive to mine the
material composing them. The particular
property inspected is not yet we'll de.
velOped, but ii is evident the de-
posts of coal, iron and lime.
stone are extensive and OF
superior quality. The Colorado Coal AMI
Iron Company are now operating two
eighty-ton furnaces at Pueblo, and obtain
mense deposit or blow out located on the
Sangre de Christie range, nine miles from
Villa Grove. This ore isa very rich red
Hcmatite carrying. and is claimed,
20 Per Cent. of Metallic Iron.
which when mixed with magnetic ores,
produces pig iron, that is specially adapted
to the manufacture OF B"SSemcr steel rails.
lheN are now turning out some eighty tons
per day Al the Pueblo works. and under
stand they intend TO increase their probe
ton soon. ! expect to visit these work. n
a day or two, and in future letter may
give you the result OF my observations. |
have not time at present to elaborate my
views as to the probable future effect on
the iron trade in the East, Of the diScOy-
cries and developments now taking place
in this region. but would recommend
OF Pittsburgh and Wheel
ing, and all others interested. To visit this
for themselves and draw their own
Yours very truly,
BENZ FISHER.