Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-26

THE ROCKIES.
Correspondents Of The Evening Star.
DESvEa. Col. July 81, 1892
Leaving Cincinnati by an early train we soon
found ourselves fairly flying pas. the farms and
villages Of southern and middle Indiana Green
burg and Shelbyville, charming young cities,
possessing great thrift aud enterprise,were soon
passed, and Indianapolis. the state capital
reached. There we found a large city Of rare
beauty, charming streets and drives. many
churches, banks and houses Of merchandise, all
bristlfng with life, and while here we were not
unmindful of the fact that this was the home Of
our fellow citizen. President Harrison. Hooked
to catch glimpse Of presidential air, but none
was to be seen. From here we went in direct
line to st. Louis, crossing the states of Indiana
and Illinois. The beautiful farms of both these
states are q source ofconstant admiration.
When we approached the wonderful valley Of
the Mississippi river, which is, I suppose, un-
surpassed for richness by any valley Of the
earth, we were surprised TO find that for many
miles the fields and woods were covered with
water. and it was with difficulty that one could
tell where tho real river commenced Forests
seemed to stand in the river, and there were corn
fields with the tops of the corn waving but all
else sea of water. Upon inquiry i learned
that the river hod been very high all of the
season, but just at the time Of our crossing 1t it
was particularly turbulent. We saw but little of
special interest IN st. Louis, large, busy. hur-
rying city, rich in resources. situated upon the
banks OF the great Mississippi river with the
agricultural products of the great northwest
passing at her very door. Leaving st. Louis
FOR Kansas City, Mo-, We soon passed Alton,
Godfrey, Roodhouse and other loss important
points The Illinois river valley We found also
to be covered very largely with water. That
river wns greatly swollen and much damage
had been done the crops. Then going nearly
due west we cross the entire state OF Missouri,
crossing the Mississippi river again at Louisiana
and the Missouri river at Glasgow.
Passing for 1923 miles across this state by day-
light has given me new impressions Of the
state. All of the western portion Of the state
for perhaps IT'S miles is one vast prairie or
plain without hill or mountain, as rich soil
and fine climate as can be found in the United
States. Indeed, its soil and atmosphere are
30 conducive TO growth and Development that IL
you shave at o'clock in the morning by 10
your beard is long and unsightly and by IL you
must shave again. Just tell the Washington
boys struggling to raise a beard to come out
here and in thirty days they can return home
with long and full whiskers. You know Ii is in
Missouri and Kansas during the summer that
they have to keep their stock Of horses and COWS
moving about, else their feet would take root
and they would be transformed into acres Of
corn, wheat or barley. the case might be.
But really the agricultural possibilities Of the
state of Missouri immeasurable II is the
opinion that if all of her millions Of acres we're
properly titled she could supply the wheat and
corn market OF the nation
But just now we reach Kansas City, situated
on the western, st. Louis is on the eastern,
extremity of the state, and here We find the
hustle, hurry and rush of great business CEN
ter. fast growing into Importance and power.
We stop some time here, and finding our young
Washington friend, Mr. Harry Pullman. are
nermlttPi thrOuOh hia a., loa ;,t<x
one OF the great industries of the nation,
a4t, indeed, OF the world-the Armour Packing
Company. We pass through one Of their kill
ing and packing establishments, where they
slaughter l 200 cattle day, and see the stock
driven in, knocked down, dressed. out I'D and
in the cold storage room in eight minutes from
the time we saw them alive aud we'll running
Into the slaughter pen The method Of killing
Is humane; one blow upon the head bv
Large iron hammer weighing three pounds. the
skull Is crushed in and the animal is dead in q
moment; no struggle, no torture. This Is but
one OF the Armour houses. In Chicago. Omaha
and San Francisco, Cal, are Others Mr. Pull
man Is now constructing an additional house
for them here, having frontage of 500 feet on
one street and 400 on another. 10 be six stories
high, and as soon that is completed they
will kill 200 animals day at the Kansas City
house alone.
We lso inspected the cable and other roads.
visited the high lands, where are found many
DeauuHu resicences, ana altogether declare
Kansas City to be taking place.
Leaving Kansas City for Denver, Col we had
before us an unbroken stretch of country of 639
miles, passing through the entire length Of the
state Of Kansas and nearly one-haN Of The
state Of Colorado. The state Of Kansas Is one
magnificent garden Of wheat and cornfields,
the soil being abou. like that Of Missouri, but
the state OF agriculture far superior. Here we
behold those vast fields Of wheat extending for
miles. and, indeed as far as the eve can reach
on either side of the road, and in the midst of
these nelds We saw hundreds of those immenee
machines, some driven by steam, others drawn
by two or four horses not only cutting the
grain but actually threshing, winnowing and
bagging it, SO that when it leaves the machine
it Is in bag ready for the market As I have
looked over these vast plains containing mill
ions of acres Of land rich and fertile 1 have
thought of our own beloved New England and
wondered why it is that the New England
farmer remains on tho rough, stony. barren
lands Of his home and spends his life in re-
moving stones In the search of soil in which to
plant his grain when there there IL such vast
extent Of fine land really unoccupied and I'M
titled. Many times in passing over the plains /
looked out OF the windows of the cars and be-
held tho wonderfully beautiful landscape which
suggested the mighty expanse Of the great ocean
when out OF sight of land, SO smooth, SO bcauti-
full and SO green.
As we approached Denver. the "aueen CITY of
the plains, the scenery became more beautiful
every moment, and soon We .beheld the Rocky
mountains, partly covered by snow, standing ont
in plain view. and as the train rushed on we
had magnificent view Of the mountain range
until later the porter announced, "Grand Gem
trail Depot. Denver" and all sprang TO their
feet and rushed out. We, of course, with the
rest, and having secured quarters at the Grand
Central Hotel we have since been ''yankee-hkc''
inspecting the town and its environments.
Denver seems and has the reputation of
being the social and commercial center of this
section of the country. 1t has an elevation Of
about 5.l10 feet above sea level, and is the gate
to the mineral well as the scenic phenomena |
that have made the Rocky mountains famous |
Its climate is said to be peerless and invigor- |
ating. and it is situated on that edge Of the |
plains which extends up to and touches the |
foot hills Of the Rocky range. Its streets are |
fine and largely in their natural state Cable |
and electric street railroads abound. The |
hotels are very good and numerous. From the |
city one obtains unbroken view of the 1
Rocky mountains for about 500 miles, reaching |
from beyond Longs Peak on the north to the |
historic Pixies Peak on the south, and doubt |
ii the grandeur Of this view can be anywhere sur
passed, especially when you consider the immen- |
sity of the range OF vision.
1t will be remembered that in the wear 1906 |
Capt. Pike. after whom Pixies Peak is named. |
visited with party and established themselves |
for the winter near this place. and that In 1920 |
Col Long discovered and located Longs Peak. |
hi nt,h Tx.v