Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-05-09
From Kansas City, to
Sacram entO, Cal.

We have had such an ENJOYABLE time
while in K. c. that we reluctantly step on
the train that is TO carry us away. We leave
Kansas City admiring the progressive spirit
Of its people, but sincerely hope that on our
next visit We will find better street crossings
and less mud. We soon cross the Missouri
river and run parallel with the Kansas r.yer
for about thirty miles The country here is
very lie ell Herds of cattle and sheep are
grazing IN the fields. The form OF buildings
nre the best we have seen since leaving Md.
We stop at Topeka half an hour and then on
to FIT. Reilly where we get view of tho U,
8. boys giving cavalry drill. Night is how
upon us during which time We pass through
Kansas and part Of Col, but We are awake
early enough TO get view Of tho country
before reaching Denver, where VIC rest three
hours. The time for sight seeing did not at:
ford US q chance TO morc than get acquaint-
ed with the main streets. Our course ia
along the Platte river for so miles in the
Denver canyon where irrigation is the only
means whereby grain could be produced.
Narrow trenches are cut in the land, which
wind around ranch like serpent coilcd
about its prey, and run to the mountain per.
haps IS miles away and thus is tho melted
snow conveyed from the mountains to these
sun parched plains. Farmers were at their
seeding and great clouds of dust were raised
by the harrows, the land being SO dry owing
to the small amount Of snow that has fallen
in the mountains this winter.
Prairie dogs and some peculiar formations
of stone mounds in the open prairie was all
that could be seen for hours Along through
the Denver canyon there is n great amount
of good land, but vegetation and raising
crops all depend upon water. Where irriga.
ton is complete crops are equal to any land
and the land is worth $50 to $50 per acre,
but without it whole farm can be bought
for song.
Near Cheyenne there WAS considerable
snow on the roadside, and the night before
there was snowstorm which made the air
quite chilly-the first cool breeze felt since
We left the Allegheny. Soon fences came
into line with large banks of the beautiful
still on the ground behind them. Here were
some small pine trees, the first We have yet
noticed and in fact nearly the last.
We now get our first actual view Of the
Rockies, and il is q grand sight to see the
huge boulders ofgranite, the deep canyons,
and the high peaks. Cheyenne has m elcva.
ton Of 5000 feet on a broad plain but after
leaying here there was no sign of farming AS
everything is gwen over to the raising of cat.
tie and sheep and great herds are feeding on
the hilsides or spots in the valleys where
the snow has disappeared. There is some
struggling pine between Cheyenne and Lar.
annie, where you get glimpse Of this wild
territory Wyoming. Rocks on all sides and
in many places almost overhanglng the train
apparently ready to drop upon Ii and crush
everything. The rocks are of every shape
size and color, and in the distance look like
old castles along since deserted and the land
appears TO be nothing more than granite
gravel for miles, with 20 signs Of vegetation
whatever. The mountain tops are capped
with huge bouldsrs having the appearance
Of large eagles aA ready TO- swoop down up
on their prey.
FAHAnpr.
Continued nert .cSek