The Press., 1884-02-14
(Rev. J. r. Haweys letter in the Providence Journal
 SOUTHERN COLORADO.

Rev.J. r Hawleys letter in the Providence Journal)
 SOUTHERN COLORADO.
 SOME sUGGESTlONS RELATIVE TO ITS RE-
 SOURCES.
 It is not a new thing, but in our days of haste and pressure, old, to speak of Col oradn. Much has been written, great deal extravagantly, not little truthfully. A larger proportion of that which has been published has had to do first, with silver mining interests, and next that which re- l,tes to the abundant and magnificent scenery. Northern Colorado has received large share of attention, while the south- ern, or rather the more southeastern por- tion, has been passed by with small con- ment. l propose to describe somewhat the resources of this part of the state, and that not in the interest of any railroad, land company, or other special claimant whatever. At the same time depending for sources of information in part upon the people around which there is an occa- sipnal appearance of over enthusiasm, the reason why will be understood. But ] think in the main we shall deal with sub- stantial facts. I have before this incl. dentally mentioned Trinidad, and it is the chief city round about, and is the center of large territory, the people of which find 1t their place of trada, the getting of supplies and the shipping of their products
 On arrival at Trinidad the immediate sur roundings occasion feelings akin to dislike. There is a scatter-a- -bout-ed-ness, and au unfinishedness disagreetble to the eastern eye and taste. But climb one of the many hills about the place and you find yourself looking down upon really beautifully To- cated town. Scraggy pines, whose dark green foliage contrasts prettlly with the red and gold of a scraggy oak which grows upon some of them, cover Tn @ fair degree the otherwise rather barren hills round about. With some of these views, if you do not gaze too closely aud critically, you may almost imagine yourself in some of the rocky, not over-fertile, but even TO- mantle parts of New England. From the town eastward and westward stretches the narrow and productive valley of the Purga- toire, otherwise called the Las Animas river. Up and down the valley and along the edges of the bluffs and mountains are the rude homes of the Mexican peasants On the hills and off these hills, on either side of the river, lies Trinidad, city of some five thousand inhabitants, the coun- ty town or capital of Las Animas county
 Of the town itself, it way still be said it is made up largely of adobe walls, but it is struggling steadily forward in the way of better things. From these hills without you gaze upon many strange scenes. You stand on the border land of-shall we say two civilizations, the old enough, Egyp- tian, the other youthful, the Nineteenth century. Wonder a Mexican woman, old and scrawny, her sleeves rolled up, is mix ing adobe. She has patterned the materi- al at her feet Properly kneeded, she losses large ball of the wet clay to her daughter, young, dark-eyed, and pretty enough, if you are not particular, perched upon the gable end of low hut. Quite
 likely rude chimney grows after about the same fashion, unless case and dispatch substitute, as is sometimes the case, 8 length or two of modern stove-pipe. Not far from such scenes as this, ponderous machinery is sanding, grinding and polish ing beautiful light stone, of which are built the fronts of more than 8 few of the fine buildings of the farfamed Denver The same stone serves as trimming and ornament upon the substantial Grand Union Hotel, which is one of the best ho- tels west of the Missouri river. Here the Mexican plants and sleeps, threshes, win nows and grinds very like to the Hebrews of old. I have seen several of their thresh- ing floors or places, and the running round of goats With their quickly pattering feet makes up the still used threshing machine Aud until recently, and am informed that further south even now ploughing is done with the crooked stick of the time of Virgil. The other night while walking near an adobe dwelling in the city paus- ed to listen to sounds coming from within, of sweet musid finely playt d upon Bos- ton Liano-hence the creditable house is not always to be associated with lowliness or even pinched discomfort. But the old en time is only in part all is not primeval The adobe, the hand-sickle and red pep per cuisine are doomed. American capital, pluck and energy have already gained a footing. Brick blocks, stone fronts and the ground. And 8 modernized adobe building furnishes house of even fair pretentions. Several respectable public buildings have been erected. New school house, an opera house with sawed stone front, block furnishing rooms for banks, stores, and above them the premises of good hotel are among the finer buildings with those of fair but lesser degree. I will not speak of the courthouse, more ex- pensive than credible, and more commodi- ous than beautiful. Gas furnishes light, and all night, while street cars already &C., those along the two more inn portant streets. But I turn to what is true of Triuidad, and of so many recently towns in the west, that there is want of thoroughness and finish in re- gard to streets and buildings. Sidewalks are here of plank, and there none at all. Along this block certain height is main tained, at the next quite another. But prosperity, if coming, as prophesied by many, will, in due time, remedy the de- fects of youth, for Trinidad as an Amer ican town, Is young-while as Mexican plaza 1t IS old. The resources of the re- zion hereabout are indeed important but we wait moment upon geography. Across the western end of Las Animas county, through the city of Trinidad, extends the Raton range of mountains, which is gen. orally accepted as the ruins of vast mesa. East of this range the country is broad, broken plain, devoted exclusively to graz ing, aud the large herds of cattle, horses and sheep, that roamed at large here, were for 9 long time the chief, if not the only, source of the business and wealth of Trin- idad. Through this country, from the Sangre de Christo range northwestward, flows the Purgatoire river, the principal stream in the county. The western part of Las Antimas about Trinidad and to the 1x,oo+ ,,,o,,n%o;,,>,,a oul :4