The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1889-01-04
Across The Rockies.

Across the Rockies.
The writer has made an entire compass
from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific,
taking lis first trip from the Atlantic to
Colorado, and after a %sojourn of nearly
two years in that state, concluded to CON-
pass the remaining distance. Therefore
Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 18th. found lis at
the depot at Timnath ready for departure.
After bidding friends adieu we are soon
speeding on our way to Denver, via Fort
Collins. On the morning of our departure,
as we were preparing to leave, we met an
old friend, Frank Kirby. Friday, Dec.
18th, we are found boarding a train for
California-the Denver and Rio Grande
being the road selected. We hastily pass
ed along. taking a glimpse of the pictur-
esqueR Rockies on the west and the broad
expanse of the prairie on our east. The
snow-capped Rockies appear very beanti-
full to the eye, and there are lots of other
attractions equally as pleasing-some of
note hat we pass during u first days
travel being the noted Palmer Lake, Colo
RADIO Springs, Manitou Springs, with their
healthtul climate-the springs of which
are said to cure consumption. We arrive
at Pueblo at 1 o'clock, p. NJ. Taking a
look at the city from the cars a portion ap-
pears to be an old Indian camp of wig
vans, while the greater part presents a
thriving and business ! C city. We hasten
on, following the Arks sas river into the
mountains, passing Ca IN city about 4.30
P. NJ. From here we emerge into some of
the grandest scenery that the traveller is
able to see in the United States. Entering
Grand Canon we passed through the
Royal Gorge, which is a narrow pass with
perpendicular rocks extending as high as
1000 or 1900 feet, with once in a while a
rock projecting out over you as though it
would fall upon you in passing. We oc-
casionally pass small mountain towns, one
of which is Salida, where we stop twenty
minutes for supper and attach another en-
CINE. From here our road is a winding
one in the mountains, following a stream
and making US, Y's, horse shoes and lots
of sharp curves, and at one place the en-
CINE, in coming around, almost touches
the rear end of the train. Oar grade be-
fore reaching the summit is about 238 feet
per mile. This being in the evening from
730 to $50, with a full moon shining and
the mountains covered with snow from six
to twelve inches deep, the sight is the
grandest | have ever Glanced to see. We
reach the sumfnit known as Marshall Pass
at $50 P. NJ, and stop in a SNOW shed
where our train is divided into two Sec
ions with an engine on each. We step
out and make a limited survey of our sur
feet above the level of the sea. "AIl
aboard" sounds and soon we are making
the descent from the highest point that the
writer has ever been able to reach. AS
we descend the fall is about 230 feet per
mile in connection with a hundred more
or less sharp curves. On firing Of plat
form riding aud sight seeing We take our
bunk at a late hour for a short rest before
daylight dawns. On awakening Saturday
we find it showing and learn that we have
passed Gunnison City and Montrose. Dur
ing the day we pass through Black Canon,
Price Canon, Castle Gate and other places
of interest.
As we approach Salt Lake City we find
the residents engaged in agriculture and
also see fruit, pear and apple orchards.
This is something new to us, as fruit is
rare in Colorado. We arrive at Salt Lake
City at 5 P. NJ. Saturday, and conclude to
spend the next day here in sight seeing,
Looking around the city We see that it
presents a business like attitude. We see
the old residence of Brigham Young. and
two or three buildings occupying an entire
square surrounded by a stone wall about
ten feet high with occasionally a door for
an entrance. On inquiring we learn that
this latter is the noted Tabernacle, Assem-
bly, Hall and unfinished temple, construct
ed by the Mormons for their place OF wor-
ship. The entrance to these great build
ing were thrown open at / p. NJ. when
immense crowds flocked inside. The As
sembly is their house of business. The
Temple, which is unfinished. is a grand
structure and we learn that So, 00o, 900 has
already been expended on it. The Taber.
nacle is where their public services are
held, aud by 2 O'Clock 7. NJ. there had con-
vened about seven thousand people to wit
ness these services. AS we take our seats
we ind the interior very handsomely fur
nished. An immense pipe organ run by
steam was situated at the west end in the
rear of the pulpit. The services were OPEN
ed by music from a large choir of ladies