South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-08-18

tSpec'ai Corre.poadeaee.)
DENVER. CoLoaAno. Ann 4

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characteristics Of the State in few
days, or even weeks, will be disap.
pointed. Since my arrival have
been constantly on the go, and have
gathered SO much material that I
scarcely know where to begin to un-
ravel the thread; yet have but Just
commenced my explorations. APP
preaching the Centennial State from
the east, we have been gradually as.
cending since We left the Missouri
River, and cross ITS eastern border ut
am elevation Of 1000 feet. Up to
tie foothills run plains intersected
by streams and by the Divide
ridge 5000 feet high, fifty miles south
OF DEMONSTRATING room for many
cattle sheep and farming ranches.
VI these there are many interesting
facts for future letters Boldly out
among these foothills comes the great
lateral buttress capped by the famed
l,lke's Peak; then comes the males.
tic range itself, the backbone of the
continent, describing a tortuous course
through the State, which, rs the slang
phrase has it, "covers more out. DOORS
than any other State in the Union.
except California and Texas.
This vast area lies between the thir.
ty-soventh and forty-trst parallels Of
north latitude and the one hundred
and second and one hundred and
ninth meridians OF west longitude.
Its average extent, north and south.
Is 20 miles, and east and west, $50
miles, the total area being 10I,5OO
miles. The plains in the eastern
part comprise about one-third of the
area OF the State, and the mountains
occupy the remaining two.thirds
The main range of the Rockies passes
through the centre of the State from
the north TO the south. The plains
IN the eastern part are drained on the
north by South Platte and or the south
by the Arkansas. The continental
divide follows the summit of the main
range from north to south. In the
central part OF Colorado the noun.
talns form four vast basins, calle,!
parks-North Park, South Park, mid
ole Park, and San Luis Park. North
lark, with lis area OF $500 square
miles, at an elevation OF about 5000
feet, has north central location
j ust south of North Park is Middle
lark, with its area of 5000 squire
mites, at an elevation OF $500 feet.
Still south Of Middle Park is South
Park with It's area Off 200 square miles
at an elevation OF $500 feet. Tie 4tA
park. San Luis, is near the south line
ct the State, has an area OF 5000
square miles and an elevation of 1000
feet. lie mountains are drained chiefly
by the Arkansas, the Colorado the Rio
Grande, and the Platte. The latter
runs through the valley i'll which Den.
yer is situated, AMI though this is
SAID to be country where rain sell.
dom falls, and where agriculture Is
only possible by irrigation it has sew.
eral times gone on the rampage and
caused great damage. In 1864 one
OF these floods occurred, perhaps the
largest ever known, at which time
the county safe was carried down the
stream and has never yet been recov.
cred, though | saw in the Denver Re.
publican few days ago an anony.
nous card i'll which the writer clains
to have discovered it in fording the
river, and promises 20 have it in
Denver before October. The heavy
rains Of this week have done great
damage here also, and caused inauyI
land slides.
The stream of humanity which OF
late years annually flows into this
Rocky Mountain region has been lar
ger this year. apparently, than ever
before, and still the greatest rush has
not begun, if the expectations OF the
Dcnverites are any guide. Thou.
sands come here every SPINNER as
pleasure tourists, and many come in
search of health, though the number
ofthesc latter seems to diminish rather
than increase, at FEAST so far Us down
right invaiids are concerned. From
what ! can learn | feel convinced
that Colorado as a health resort is all
IT has been Cracked mp TO be-" but
for all that it is becoming known that
persons IN the last stages Of consump.
ton come TO these high ATTITUDES only
to die. If relief is sought from the
pure air of these mountains il must
not be put OFT until too late. This
season the proportion Of the people
who have come here as prospective
settlers seekers after hidden riches.
attracted by The reports they have
heard-is greater than any year since
the LcadyiIlc excitement subsided, and
probably in excess OF all other class.
es. Some ofthese have been success.
fol, If not in finding rich silver mines.
in at least securing good business o.
penings; yet bow few are they in COM
parison with the hundreds of disap.
pointed ones who have met not alone
.Ii.nl.r.1,i rr,nni l.t1l r,,i.nr.. 81