Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-17
NEW RAILROAD OVER THE
ROCKIES,

A Railroad Two Miles Above the Sen
The Rev. Dr. Wills. chaplain q. 8. A., thu,
describes for The STAR recent Journey across
the Rockies:
"The Denver and Rio Grande R. R.. extending
from Ogden. in Utah, to Denver, Col. distance
OF III miles, presents, perhaps the most granc
and picturesque scenery on the continent. Thu
first point Of popular interest in travelling east
by this new line is the City of the Saints, So
called. which is situated near the shores of tina,
inland sea. Great Salt Lake, aud the growing
metropolis Of MormOnism in America From
this central city the road penetrates the yalie =
of the Jordan. which ahuunds in smiling VILLAGES
fruitful farms and sparkling fountains of water
In a few delightful hours the train reaches the
Wasatch range. and running down through a
rocky canon 1t passes out at q natural gateway
called Castle Gate into blllOwy desert of 100 miles
In extent. Then the route crosses into Colorado
through the Grand Valley which promises to
become the chief agricultural section or the
state. Crossing the Cedar Divide, from whose
lofty summit the distant peaks Of the San Juan
country are seen rising Respondent with their
glittering crowns. our iron horse plunges fear
lessly down into the depths of the Black Canon
carpeted with bright verdure and variegated
with all manner OF shapes and colOrs. and yet
withal awful with frowning precipices and faith
deile. we enter the broad plateau on which
stands the city Of Gunnison. the most important
manufacturing and commercial point in Colo
RADIO. west of the Continental divide It is also
the center of rich gold, silver coal, iron aud
lead mining country.
But the most grand and terrific scene is about
tc burst upon our startled eyes. Marshall Pass,
the crossing OF the continental divide Is lifting
Its mighty head above the clouds. The train
ruus along shelf cut in the side of the noun
tain. and by slow and laborpd movement climbs
to the dizzy height of 1OS75 feet, the highest
railroad elevation In North America. and more
than two miles above the level of the Sra The
spectacle here beggars description. The aston
ished traveller has assembled this fearful altitude
In Pullman palace sleeping car. where he
stands on the dome of the continent with great
mountains lying like mOnarchs at his feet The
profound and thrilling impression produced by
this stupendOus pile will never vanish from the
mind and memory.
From this giant crest Of the Rockies We pro-
ceeded to the Grand Canon CT the Arkansas
which has been described as the most sublime
chasm ever penetrated by any railway in the
world The cliffs are majestic aud mOss-grOwn
aud the walls so crooked that they seem at
times to impris0n the train. Suddenly they
close up till they can almost be touched ON either
side from the car. The river flows through a
cleft only 80 feet wide, it's granite walls rising
almost perpendicularly to height of more than
1900 feet. This is the eliminating sublimity of
the Royal Gorge whose cloud piercing pima
Giles seemed to tOpple and shut together over the
head OF the awc-struck beholder. Leaving this
dark and dangerous prison the track of the rail-
road follows the course OF the river to Pueblo
a place Of 200 Inhabitants, and after q pleas
ant run Of 100 miles through rich agricultural
and mining region, we arrive at Denver, the
most enterprising and ropulous city Of Colo
RADIO"