Wichita eagle., 1888-02-12

glories of this country. they can depend
upon it. that cheerfulness, with bodily
and mental activity will return to them,
and if some days
Must be dark and dreary-
here they are reduced to the minimum.
and some years happily missed from the
calendar altogether.
In attempting to describe whatione sees
and learns of natures handy work and
mans energy and enterprise IN Colorado,
some one particular location must be
selected and all matters of interest con-
nected with it carefully and inteiligently
examined, and then clearly and truth
fully stated. This line of action have
tried to follow in previous descriptions
of Denver and Pueblo-the two import
ant commercial and manufacturing CEN
tiers CT the state-and now after visit of
several DAYS in the San Luis Park will
try to give you and others the benefit of
my observations in locality where, 1t
strikes me. the Almighty intends the IN
dustrious shall prosper, and into each
and every life some hight shall shine;
a country just settling down to legiti-
mate industrial progress. one of the
most inviting fields for both capital and
labor, very fountain Of health climatic
ally and atmospherically and in scenery.
the Switzerland of SwitzerlandS.
Before starting on my journey l had
heard ard read much about the great
San Luis valley, so on the evening
OF january 10, 1886, l concluded
to start upon the ride that car
pik.I ofolx W. 70 md
across the wondrous ''Veta Pass. Can
answer, it is impossible. | can but out
line facts as they came before me, leav-
ing the balance, with all its enhancing
raptures. which must be seen to be APP
preciated. No voice, no pen can carry 10
distant minds the dazzling grandeur and
beauty of the unexampled panorama.
tinted and Swallowed as it is by pencils
of air. that takes possession Of your
astonished gaze in every direction. And
each new picture passing before you
seems TO Surpass the other IN its magnl-
tude and magnificence, until at last you
are lost in admiration, and can only eN-
claim, ''Of all that is grand this is the
grandest."
From the pinnacle of Veta pass look
ing eastward, the eye rests on the aim
horizon line where the cloudless sky
shuts down upon the widening plains.
To the south the symmetrical Spanish
peaks bear witness that il Is alone by toll
mankind can reach the shining stars,
while to the west the majestic form OF
that monarch of mountains, Sierra
Blanca. lifts its lofty head above them
all, wearing the imperial frown that
marks him supreme among these giant
powers.
On descending ''Veta' mountain YOU
reach the great and beautiful San
Luis valley. located in the southwestern
portion of Colorado. l, is drained by the
Rio Grande river, the largest stream in
the state, which flows from the lofty
mountain ranges surrounding this charm
ing spot, where the variety of life on
plain and in the mountain park, the
grand and ever changing scenery, in the
pleasures of fishing and hunting. one
finds enough to satisfy the most eager
and exacting.
There are numerous smaller streams or
creeks, other than the Rio Grande river,
traversing in different directions through
this valley. Among the most prominent
on the north is the::Sauguache, Cotton
wood, Crestone. Medano. Sand, Zapato,
Bear, Trim Chera and Ute creeks; on the
east, the San Luis. Costilla AND Culebra;
and on the west Rock Spring, La lara,
Alamosa and Conejos creeks.
These waters, with such giant irri-
eating canals as the Empire, Del Norte
and Sauguache; tCitizen, San Luis val
ley and the Costilla, with the Midland
Union and Mutual, covering as they
do more than $50 miles in length,
with sufficient capacity to irrigate $780,
900 thousand acres Of land. assures to
the industrious farmer certain and profit
able crops each and every year, with free
| and happy homes for all those who have
the courage and enterprise to grasp, with
out further delay some one or more OF the
| many opportunities this immense clip
| teal basin affords, isolated as il Is in the
heart of the continent. eco miles from
the sea, and where the atmospheric con
| ditions, like the scenery which surrounds
it, is one of constant brilliancy, both by
day and night, obeying steady laws, yet
alternating with playful, methodical
fckleness that only adds to its charms
The rapid strides of progress in the
San Luis are more than illustrated in
tablished. ranging in population from a
| few score to 900 or 800 people, all OF
| which will. as the valley is developed
become attractive, prosperous and grow
ing cities.
The most important places are
Del Norte, Sauguache, Conelos and San
Luis county seat; also Alamosa, La lara
Fort Garland. Monte Vista, Villa Grove
Antonita, Carnero, Manassas, Ephram,
Sanford. Richheld and Liberty, better
known perhaps as Palmer.
The question has been frequently asked
by persons not posted in the earlier his
tory of Colorado, and careless to learn
something Of those prehistoric days,
with which this state abounds in many
remarkable evidences. Why Is il, if this
valley is 50 fertile, that it has remained
unoccupied so longT Let me now fully
answer this question. The San Luis
| park has not remained unknown or un.
occupied valuable crops. among them
wheat. have been raised with great sue
cess by Mexicans farming along the foot
| hills for more than one hundred and
| fifty years, and as late as 1880 and 1851
| almost the entire state, then territory Of
Colorado, depended upon the San Luis
park for the -four il consumed, which
was thresned by goats, ground by water
mills and winnowed by the unbri9led
winds of heaven. And fifty miles south
Of AlaInosa peaches, grapes and other
| fruits have been grown and marketed
| for many long years.
To the American, the wonderful a2ri-
cultural advantages Of this garden spot.
| first made their impression on the mind
| of Mr.. James Schultz in 1850, said 10 be
the first whit. settler in the valley giving
earnest practical attention To this branch