Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-07-06

ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
From Washington to San Francisco-Denver and
Its BeautiesA Ranch IN the
Mountains.


WESTWARD BOUND.
left Washington May oath, 1880 p.
N. The weather had been extreme
" cold for the season though it
was warm in the sun, and good fire
was comfortable in doors. Everything
in nature was doing its best notwith-
the cold duh weather. At
Harrisburg the sleeper soon filled up and
when we reached Pittsburg for break
fast the next morning we had fifteen cars
in the train. There we changed cars
for Chicago, but they We're equally good
with pleasant company. At 6 a. M. the
goth we reached Chicago, where |, with
many others, took the bus for Wells St,
North Side, from which point the U. p.
train started at 1890 p. m. The inter
vening time l spent very pleasantly with
friends on the South Side, who took me
to the train. After bid them goodbye
| felt lonely, indeed, going each mo-
ment farther and farther from home and
friends. The country was beautiful.
We travelled along by the Rock river ma
ny miles before we crossed it. Sterling
is quite town and we were detained
here more than an hour waiting for a
coming train. just beyond the depot,
on the next street, the houses were all
large and handsome, built of brick, and
with fine gardens and orchards. The
grapes looked ilourishing.
THE FARMS
along the road were nearly all surround
cd with trees to break the wind from the
fruit trees At Fulton we followed the
some distance, passing some
beautiful clamps of trees which added
much to the beauty of the otherwise
barren country The water was very
high, though not over the draw as il
was last fall. The bridge is a fine one
on which we cross to Clinton and it has
fifteen piers. From the bridge we could
see Lyons, up the river, with its steam
mills IN full operation. Many RATS
were moored near the bridge ard rain
pouring in torrents, adding to the wet
ness everywhere. At Missouri junction
the rain was still pouring.
AT COUNCIL BLUFFS
we were detained two and half hours,
which every one improved in writing to
friends at home or promenading back
and forth through the fine depot From
Chicago we had fine hotel car. Al
Omaha, after crossing the bridge, our
train was composed of twelve Pullman
cars, all full. From here on we must
trust to faith and our lunch baskets, as
there is no surety that we will find what
we like at the dining places. took my
breakfast the 2Sth at Sidney, reaching
Cheyenne at 1920 p. m. met friend
Mrs, A. ID. Wilson, whose husband has
charge of the Northern Pacific survey.
ing party, in Montana. After dinner we
took the train for Denver, and along the
way, saw
PEENTY OF ANTELoPES
and prairie dogs. After four hours ride
we reached the great city of the plains
But twelve years old and already has
10000 inhabitants and still growing
Lots a mile and half from the bust
ness part were selling for $4,000 The
streets are 100 feet wide with row 0.
shade trees on each side A fine opera
house is just completed. The city hal
is i'll progress, built of Morrison stone
also very fine depot built of the same
material A space has been donated foi
the new capitol building. There are sey.
eral fine hotels and the stores are as
handsome and well stocked as any in
the west The churches, too, are very
handsome. A cathedral after the plan
of the Jesuit cathedral at Montreal has
just been completed and is under thu
charge of a Bishop and a Dean, who
have fine residences quite near. Decor.
alton day | rode around the city for ma.
ny hours and was driven home by the
pouring rain. The 3lst we took train
for Cheyenne. While at dinner Mrs
Davis, from
OWL CREEK Rancho.
Ii miles out, came in for us to visit her
1t was 4 pleasant drive over the rolling
prairie with hardly tree to be seen
which is not to be wondered at when We
remember we are 5000 #. above the sea
level-nearly the height of Mount Wash
ington. My ideas OF a rancho were no
of q high order and what was my sur
prise to find every comfort and luxur,
that you could have in the finest cit,
home. Mr.. ID. has nearly 200 horses OF
this rancho, and on one 200 miles nortl
$4,000 cattle. We spent several day.
delightfully."- in doors, for there was moth
ing to see outside but wide expanse 0
prairie as far as the eye could reach. On
the 81 of June we received Telegram
from Mrs. ), who was on the coming
train-the one we were to take. AT In,
same time Mrs. ID received Il telegram
to meet her husband at Hot SPRINGS
Utah, where he was laid up with rheum
atism. Soon all was hurry and hustle
Two teams started in with us and on
traps, and just before reaching the cit,
a pelting hail storm overlook us, but W,
were well protected and did not mind it
Our section had been secured and W,
were soon merry party travelling slow
ly as it was a heavy up grade, until W,
reached Sherman, thirty-three miles be
yond, when we were at the
HIGHEST POINT
in the roads, 235 feet above sea level
Then we could perceive difference il
the speed, going down somewhat fast
er. The next afternoon / rode for sev
eral hours on the forward platform o
the car to enjoy the grand scenery. Tn,
lonely canons running so far away il
the distance SO green and beautiful Will
grass and trees; the rocks, mountain
high, looking as if arranged by human
hands, into castles, towers and prisons
You could hardly believe that nature ha,
loft !, -, th;s art;stto ,,.,, W i,