Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-12-25
A MEDLEY BY OUR WESTERN
CORRESPONDENT.
Ell PAso. TEXAS. Dec. I. 9

STANDARD promised to write some
thing in regard to Denver, Colorado,
and while there l prepared a few
notes in regard to the place expecting
to hand them into your sanctum
sanctorum while at home, but the
frigidity of the climate compelled me
to leave uncerimoniously on wild
goose chase South (all wild geese go
South in the winter before 1 had
time to copy them, hence I will mail
them from this point with a descrip-
ton Of my trip to this place added.
Denver is an elevated oasis, situa-
ted $50 miles west of Kansas City on
the American desert, 16 miles east of
the Rocky Mountains, and is 5000
feet above the sea level. In 1860,
there were only four log cabins there,
and the place was then a stage stand.
1t now contains $4,000 inhabitants
and covers an area of 5 square miles,
and is one of the most beautiful cities
on the American continent.
One of your recent correspondents
referred to Denver as having already
reached its highest degree of pros
perity, and was now on the retro
grade movement. This opinion was
evidently formed from the reports
circulated by some rival Western
city. tits true, that Denver has not
for the last year or two grown as rap
idly as it did just after the Leadville
excitement, but the improvements
that are now going on esteady, and
of a more substantial nature.
l have gathered a few statistics in
regard to this city for the year 1885,
which / wish to submit to your read
ers. In January 1886, there were
1000 various kinds of business or en-
terprisesengaged in in the city separate
and apart from the manufacturing
interests, doing business of $50, 49,
$50 annually, and giving employment
to over $500 laborers. There were
800 manufacturing establishments
giving employment to over $500 per-
sons at an estimated cost of 81, 1885,
900 per annum, the value of their
products for 1885 amounting to $780,
293,65O. The reports from the vari-
GUS banks in the city for the month
Of December 1885, show that the de-
posits were the largest in the city's
history. The loans had increased in
about equal proportion with the de-
posits, showing a healthy condition
of business and positive evidence that
1885 had not only held its own, but
shown a handsome growth.
The past year witnessed the cree
ton of quite number of business
blocks and handsome residences in
the city. By reference to the books
in the Office of the building inpector
Of Denver, we find that there were
4O3 building permits granted in 1885
within the fire limits of the city, the
erection of which cost $3.50, $4,000
many other buildings were erected
outside of the fire limits, in the sub
urbs of the city, of which there was
made no official record. To enter
prising and energetic men who con-
template making a change would
say that / know of no city that
promises a man better opportunities
for success than Denver. My reasons
for stating this are formed from in
vestigation with the view of perman.
entity locating there myself if l regain
my health.
From the lofty location of Denver
with its abundant supply of mineral
water, it is the healthiest city of its
size in the United States, this fact
alone will bring annually thousands
Of invalids there who spend consider.
able money and will continue to be q
source of revenue to the city. Denver
being the capitol and the largest city
and gratest railroad center in the
state, it is building up large jobbing
trade over the west. Mining is yet in
its infancy in Colorado. The Rocky
mountains contain ineXhaustible
stores of wealth and as these are de
veloped, new smelters will be erect
ed at Denver, giving employment tt
more labor and more capitol. Any
amount of coal can be had in siXteer
miles of the city thus rendering fue
as cheap as it can be had in any city
Iron ore has been found in those
mountains and at no distant day irOr
furnaces will start in Denver. Fol
lowing these foundries, machine
shops and the manufacturing of thu
various articles that are made from
this metal, etc. l am not paid t.
na~.o, H,,f hox-n yyritfn1