Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-01-19
CROSSING THE CONTINENT
Rock Islanders JOurneying to the
Far West.
Graphic. Desc ript,On OF Sights and
Incidents -. Nebraska Weather -
scenes in C0lorac o. Arrival in San
Francisco.

Special Correspond ence of the Argus:
COLORADO SPRINGS. Jan. A. There is
much food for thought in the growth of
the west since 1 crossed the plains in
1S52-thirty six years ago. At that time
there were no white people but MormOns
and regiment of soldiers at Fort Lara
mic. west of the Missouri river. The
nomadic Indian roamed the plains in ali
his glory: buffalo, antelope, deer. prairie
dogs and the jack rabbit covered them
for the wild monarch's benefit. Now ell
is changed; the buffalo. the deer. the an
telope. the emigrant wagon of the gold
seeker and the Mormons are of the past
The railroad has surpassed the wagon
train. modern civilization has covered the
plains with an euterprising. industrious
and prosperous people; the buffalo, the
deer and the antelope have given way for
the cattle. the sheep and the hogs of ag
| ricultural and domestic life. Cities with
their hum OF enterprise. village spires.
heaps of husEed. yellow, golden corn
piled up on the bare ground by the road
side are tolerably correct indices OF
| the kind Of sOClety-DOrallv and physic-
ally--that has suppanted the red man
and made these great plains an almost
continuous settlement. The changes
from IS 2 is, indeed. truly wonderful
We have had delightful weather since
leaving Chicago. The first of January,
1889, was like summer day in Netras-
ka. We rode nearly all day with the
doors and windows of the Car wide open
we had splen view of the eclipse,
aud of q glorious sunset. arriving in Den
yer in beautiful panorama around us on
every side.
In the last decade this wonderful city
has grown and multiplied many times in
wealth and population; lying as it were
in the very lap of the mountains facing
the east, basking in the first rays of the
early mornings sun. 1t is indeed a phe,
nOmenal city of fine houses. great wealth
and indomitable enterprise. Colorado
with its vast mineral wealth, its springs
its flocks ano herds, and agricultural
products is prospecting beyond the mos,
sanguine expectations of its enthusiastic
aud enterprisirg inhabitants, and Den.
yer, the capitol, aud its great receiving
and distributing center Will always be its
metropolis.
A about 9 p. m. the next day | me-
Mr.. E. Nj. Lowrey, brother of the blinC
mans namesake of the Harper, pleas.
ant gentleman of fine presence, genia
and aff4ble to a degree, but with very
correct idea OF the proper management OF
general business affairs and the future
possibilities of Denver. He is success
full real estate broker, has fine list o
properties, will soon he wealthy, and vii
| be held in grateful remembrance for hi,
special attentions and kindness in driving
your humble servant about this city o.
wonderful attractions. From the top OF
| the court house distance lends enchant'
J ment TO the view" of the front range Of
| the Rockies and their snow clad p axis
| while the gem city and its surrounding,
| are spread out in panoramic view.
Nv daughter and / were 10th to leav,
this charming. elegant, attractive anC
| beautiful CITY for which which We predic
a brilliant ano prosperous future: Five
| hours ride along The base of the Rockies
| seventy FIVE miles south of Denver
| through irrigated dales and valley
| brought Us To hat lovely and famous placi
| of resort for the invalid, almost IT tn
base Of Pixies Peak-ColoradO Springs
The day being warm ana pleasant, W,
took q carriage for Colorado City, Mani
tou. Pixies Peak an the Garden of tn,
Gods" When we arrived at the GardeI
| Se found it very fire. hut the Gods
| were out. Like Schiler's Gods OF Greece
they were Helm gekehrt." Grand oil
Pixies Peak towers high and lofty abov
all the other big and little peaks until hi
| snow capped summit reaches hcavenwart
| Id ia feet above the level of the sea
The Rainbow Falls, Ute Pass, the Gram
| Cnverns and the garden above men
toned, are Of the sublime in this granC
scenic line. We were late getting bacl
to Colorado Springs; the night air va
very cold. and we were chilled through
when VIC arrived. But if you could hav
seen us behind the knife and fork afte
our mountain ride. you would have founC
us doing ample justice to the delicious
and savory viinds of the spread at "Tht
Antlers After supper | vanquishet
the champion checker player of the hote
| in five successive games, gaming for my
self notO~iety which enabled me u
smoke twenty five cent cigar befor
retiring to the arms of Morpheus Al
re0Oir CHuMP.
In "A foot note TO the above letter tn
correspondent. who has assumed such
very inappropriate non de plume, note
the arrival of himself and fair companion
at San Francisco under Gate OF Jan. 13
and. 1--WE leave Frisco for San Jose, to
| morrow"