The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-07-24
Letter from Colorado.
NOTES FROM A WALDO COUNTY MAN IN THE
WEST.
1EOrraSpnnIapra of fba JonrpaI

Greenhorn range of mountains. distance thirty
miles, greater part of the way through Wild
er, grander scenery than the state of NJ aine can
boast. The idea of building Il road through
those deep, dark ravnes. where the suns rays
only fall a few hours each day, to the stad peo-
pie of the east would seem utterly impossible
While in conversation with an old time stage
driver | was told that au occasional "tender
foot prefers to walk some of the more danger
Gus grades where vicious horse or broken
break bar means eternity. Here my California
experience stood me in good stead. never
was great pedestrian, even in my younger
days, and my gray hair gives me warning that
must preserve my strength for my declining
years. For this reason | always ride. After
reaching the summit of the mountains one can
look away as far AS the eye can search, either
north or south, and the snow capped peaks OF
the Sangre deCristc range, meaning (the blood
of Christie will ever meet their gaze This |
think far the grandest range of mountains |
ever chanced to see, as their rugged peaks pile
one above another until they seem lost in the
clouds. 1t is indeed a grand sight to look
across the fertile valley which lies between the
two ranges of mountains and observe the
gradual changes up the mountain side, as the
green grass gives way to the smaller trees,
then the larger timber follows in its order
Next comes what is commonly called the tim
Der line where vegetation of all kinds. sex
cepting the snow plant" ceases to grow. Thi.
is belt where nothing but barren rocks are to
be seen. Then it would seem that nature be-
came ashamed Of her work and covered the
rest with snow. One popularity about the
mountains of this state is very noticeable. that
is the entire absence of trees Of anv kind on the
east side, while the west side of the noun
tainS are covered with oak and pine. The ii-
vidng line on the north and south is so
straight that it would seem that it must be the
work of man instead of nature. one is often
deceived in distances. especially new arrivals,
the air being so clear and trans parent that OBJ
jects at great distance seem 10 be within ones
grasp. To show bow one can be deceived, |
will relate an instance that occurred a few
days since while driving into the city of Silver
Cliff. The city is located on plain at the base
of the mountains As my companion aud |
approached the city from the east, we saw a
large crowd gathering in the street. Presently
we saw two dogs having slight unpleasant-
ness, which will attrack more attention than
the Jersey Lily could in these western cities
AS their colors were easily distinguished |
chose the white dog As my favorite, my COM
panion. thinking his sight better than mine,
thought he saw points in favor of the yellow
dog Bets We're made on the spot. Everybody
is anxious to bet in this country Asking an aged
ady who CHANGED to be standing at the gate Of
her cottage the distance to the city. she replied
As the crow llies it is two miles, but you will
find it 4 little further by the wagon trail"
Much surprised at the great distance which we
found to be correct, we drove on. Reaching
the city we learned that my fayorite had won
the battle, and that ! had won--I think it best
not to tell.
Every city or town in the west has character
or genius, as they are termed. silver Cliff claims
Old Man Horne, as he is commonly called as
her genius. To describe the Old geutlcman's
appearance would be bcvond my power. can
only say that he is an Old man with piercing
black eyes, and long grey beard. his dress cN-
tremely ragged. He has Il fine ranch at the
D'S' VI '"e Ie-o'-,r rl9'o mountains lh'
''''' '''"F'n 'H' TWO o''"lS' NE tlaih'. AS
''''''' ''i'' ''''N country i"o9earS o''ore an!
',', ""''' '','" S''''u h'F' he hao Ms ehoi'e
''', ''' luz 7"l"'" 'h' consent oI
the lndisu>. lie clam, that he. as all wise
men should do, never married. He lives alone
with a pet eat. which he keeps in bird cage.
con /, b., Il
!" ''"''' S"''on Win iil' ne NA'"' l"uhS man.
was ''In'l years ol age Yesterday ana came
~ '"'N ''".V N''" 'N'N ''N WAS Il hoIe III
'"' Si'uIl''' "n" was enc "l thr few that pack
e" i"eh "uu hud on 'h' horro> to build that
"i'H no""'a'h' no you he''eNe me: looked
tug Oh" 'L"u from Top TO toe ana as ne ScFmeulo
"' '''a ''''N' l"i one "i MS years ana ms 'hr
''I"'"''o" "' N'hut"@ h'aH! good man 10 a
"'""t I"N'>' 'hloiIh'u 'h' oId gentleman lhaj
"a" NO reason I" douol MS WoFd. tie seemed
10 take S''al pleasure IN showing me about, and
1t was with delight tnat my eyes rested on his
N'""oeFF! he"N I"adrd DOWN with delicious
looking frult. Hut for some unknown reason
th' "Id man dld not invite me to help myself
"I"ANN nave made IL Il point To Keep on In"
so'l >lH' OF aII bad men IN tins country, 50 did
not Try 10 deialn the ola man. as lost my ap-
prtite for strawberries about that time. After
showing 'ht every thing about his ranch Wo
came back TO his cabin door. lie raised h.s
sllh-burhei hand and pointing toward the ctry
ne spoke these words: Young man. go"
went PuAhS the early part Of my visit he n
Nled me 10 come again sometime, which SHAH
surely 90 II an opportunity offers Itself, a~
WISH 70 see inoreot the oid miu peculiar WAYS,
SINer HI hVt years age was one OF the most
"outlShlnS mining camps IN lht west To-day
'''''' "i' lh'"l vacant SioItS aiu uNtHtnSS' "hu
th' once prosperous city mas very deserted
appearances Near lhe tl'y are located several
silver mines among the number are the Racine
Boy and Bui Domingo, which were once great
PfodurtfH' but' 10 Use mining expression. th"
bottom dropped out OF them and to-day Their
furnaces are cold. their stamps are silent. le'
there are many here who have faith that in the
near luture lnelr tunnels WIN again be peopltd
with men, and that the city will enjoy boom
never before tqualled IN the history of booms
III seems a great pity that so pretty place
should meet with such sad reverse. The site
is magnificent one. Lying as ii does between
Two ranges OF mountains, with beautiful val
icy reaching away to the North and South as
far as the eye can reach while on the East and
West tb., SNOW. o,,,,,,1 mountain, ,,,,l.,,s.
,'tlN' i'''''''i'''''N ''''N' '''''''