The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-11-11
LETTER FROM COLORADO.
Special Correspondence.

After having consumed much more
time than at first contemplated in this
wonderful State, l must now bring
my explorations to close though
there is still ample material for sew
eral more interesting letters. 1t is of
course unnecessary to give a special
resume of my impressions concerning
Colorado, as the reader may have
readily gathered them from the let
tiers already written. What [ 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 [ saw them,
attempting no cOlOring whatever.
That there is untold mineral wealth
in these mountains, grand scenery Ill
these canons, fine grazing on the
plains, and a raritied. 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 eXpeCta-
ton of finding health, fortune and
happiness awaiting them. 1t is a
misfortune to any region, whatever
its real attractions, to have been oyer
praised or too much written up"
That has been somewhat the case
with Colorado. In some instances
people have undoubtedly, for one
reason or another, said that about the
country and its characteristics which
they knew to be untrue or eXagera-
ted in others some of those who are
gifted with a keen and absorbing APP
probation of its peculiar and subtle
delights, and rare power in deScrib-
ing their own impressions thereof,
have given vent to their own enthu-
siasm. The consequence of all this
| is that fully nineteen-tWentiethS of
those who came here few years back
found their first impressions on alight-
ing 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 neces.
sary to make hejourney to the Rocky
Mountains and remain long enough
in Colorado to enable them to study
the country. list. If they have pres
ent or prospective business interests.
I'd. If they are in ill-health and have
intelligently satisfied themselves that
the probabilities are in favor of the
climate proving beneficial 10 them.
Sd. If they are enthusiastic devOtees
of some of the sciences, for the study
of which there is here such grand
field. 4th. Ifthey are lovers of noun
tains and desire to form an idea ofthe
wonders and extent of this great coun-
try, or to experience in some degree
the fascination which the very atmOs-
phere of the far West has for some
people. But those people who will
not intelligently inquire about a pos
sible destination who delude them
selves into expecting to discover a
paradise, or the gardens of the Hes
perides, or the fountain of Ponce de
Leon, between the 37th and 41st de-
grces of north latitude, and the 18th
and 32d meridianS of longitude west
from Washington, will certainly find
themselves mistaken. If any want
the pleasures of Newport and Sarato-
ga, by al means let them go there,
and not look for such things in State
where there are less than three in
habitants to the square mile.
The observanG tourist through Col
Grade 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, Without leaving the
main routes of travel he will see col
leries, friedrich works, grist-mills
saw-mills, paper-mills and other en-
terprises, 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 fol
those thousands of busy, hungry
men and their equally hungry beasts
one would very likely think the Col
orado farmer person to be enyied
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
J 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 was bound to have dozen,
and he charged me dollar and half.
Well, sir, didn't say nothing, but l
lust allowed that farming must be an
everlasting sight better business than