The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-09
DENVER AND HOW 1T CAME
THERE

THERE.
1t is not an easy matter to describe
Denver. It is so similar to other cities,
in many respects, that one feels doubtful
about the propriety or the necessity of
mentioning many of its prominent feat
ures, and is in danger OF forgetting that
what may seem only ordinary, is in real
ity most extraordinary. If the city were
less substantial in appearance than it is,
if it possess ed certain glazing peculiari-
ties, it would be much easier to describe
it. But it so bellies it's age, and seems 80
much older than it really is, that one falls
to taking for granted that which should
be surprising. Wide, shaded, and at
tractive.looking streets, handsome resi-
dences surrounded by spacious grounds,
noble public buildings, and the many
Injuries of city life, tempt one to forget
that Denver has gained all these excel
lencies in less than twenty-five ears.
Every tree that one sees has been
planted and tended; every attractive fes-
ture is the result Of good Judgment and
careful industry. Nature gave Denver
the mountains which the city looks out
upon; but beyond those hills and the
bright sky and limitless plains, she gave
nothing to the place which one has only
to see to admire. The site originally was
barren waste, dry and billy. Never
was it green, except perchance in early
spring, and not tree grew, save few
low bushes clinglng to the banks of the
river. Surrounded on the east, south,
and north by the extended prairie lands,
fast being converted into productive
farms, and having on the west the mount
aims with their treasures OF gold, silver,
coal, iron, and lead, Denver is the nat
ural concentration OF all the production
of Colorado. From it are sent forth the
capital, the machinery, and the thou
sand and one other necessities of con-
stantly increasing number of people en-
gagged in developing new country.
From Capitol Hill rounded height
formerly on the eastern outskirts of Dem
YER, but now not far from it's center, is
obtained the best view of the city. The
scene is one that will never change. Rapid
as the progress in the State has been, the
mountains remain, as of old, high, state
ly, beautiful, their loftier SUBMITS cap
ped with snow, and their wooded sides
rich with coloring. At ones feet, how
ever, the contrast between the present
and the past is most marked. Gone are
the sanded gardens with their weeds;
the cabins OF earlier days are nowhere to
be found. A city lies grouped around
the hill-a city of wide, shaded streets
and stately buildings. From the height
you can look down upon the score of
church steeples and the fiat roofs of bust
ness blocks. The murmer OF the activity
below creeps up to you, and in the dis
lance lie the sea-like plains, no longer
dry and brown, but dotted with farms,
and the bright new houses OF those who
have come to the West and accepted it as
their home.
The history OF Denver is interesting
rather than eyentful. It was born of the
first Pixies Peak gold excitement in
1859, and in 1850 was simply stray
Cling camp of log cabins and tents. From
this time the population of what is now
Colorado increased with phenomenal
rapidity. In August, 1860, there were as
many as 10000 people engaged in min
ing, and 175 quartz mills had been erected
at cost of S1,80O,OO0. Denver during
this era became the acknowledged base
of supplies. The camp was centrally
located, and was, moreover, station on
the Ben Holiday route across the CONT
nent. When the mining excitement SUBJ
sided, as it had by 1865, Denver was too
firmly established to be materially affect
ed by the change in the fortunes Of the
State. Its population, indeed, was con-
siderably larger than when the excite
ment ran highest. While many of the
districts failed to meet the expectations
once held regarding them, there were a few
that proved richer than had been antici-
pated. Among these was the Clear Greek
territory, forty miles west Of Denver.
The towns, or camps, in that district con-
tinued to hold their own, and were the
main.stay of the settlement near the juno
ton Of Cherry Creek and the Platte. To
Central City, Black Hawk, and George
town, Denver may be said to owe its con-
tinusnce during that period when the
future of Colorado was most uncertain.
Had they failed, and had the mines there
proved unproductive, it may well be
doubted if Denver could have maintained
its existence. -Edacard Roberts, IN Hor-
peT's Magazine for Nay.
HOMES OF UNMARRIED WOMEN.
Have a homel Miss Cleveland urgently