Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1892-08-25
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plsasant lakeside resort, Chicago. the
old-timc dwellcrs Ia Vinita tell us that
II has experienced an unusual amount
of heat this summer. 1t was very nat
ural that northern tenderfoot should
wish snitf OF cooler breezes before
undertaking the work OF another
school year. After debating several
plans foran outing, nothing seemed
quite so attractive as the great excur-
sion to Denver, with it's promised ex-
pcrienccs OF Rocky mountain scenery
and breezes. If not a Sir Knight Z
could at least be one of the camp fol-
lowers of their pilgrimage, Sir Tour
ist of high degree. Let me note, in
brief, some incidents in trip quite
devoid Of stirring incidents, yet full
of delight.
OF the five days during which the
cheapest rates prevailed, the first was
chosen to avoid the rush which was
sure TO come later, and TO get fairly
ready TO enjoy Sabbath's rest After
a comfortable night we left the Frisco
at Burton and crowed into small
train on the Santa Fe. a ear added
at Ellinwood made the rest Of the
journey more comfortable. The cen
tral portion of southern Kansas was
beautiful and attractive with its wide
reaches OF prairie, laughing with abun-
dant haryests present and in promise,
and mocking the dismal forcbodings
of calamity shrickcrs," as a republic
can Of that region quite positively
declared. Further on we met "a dry
wind OF the desert from the south
west, like blast from a furnace
mouth, making iron hot, drying per-
spiration so as 20 be far more cndur-
able than a moist heat much lower.
The fields looked poor and the waste
places We're many. or the region
near the Colorado line, ! heard this
| story. 4 traveller there met native
hauling water. "How far must YOU 60
for watcr!" he asked. Twelve
miles, mo. down mean. how far
must YOU dig?' Same distance, "
was the answer. There were traces
of irrigation i'm Kansas but far more
when Colorado was reached. We saw
abundant harvests OF wheat and oats.
and large cuttings of alfalfa. with
promising crops of corn where the irri-
eating bitches appeared. while the un-
watered land close beside was dry and
waste.
All day our train. one Of moderate
speed and long stops followed the
valley of the Arkansas river, with that
stream often Ia sight. At times 10
apDeared as a thin aim Of water spread
over sand bed: az times, pardon the
expression. invisible beneath the
sand. IL was generally bare OF trees
7 until we reached Colorado, where it,
course might be traced by the cotton
woods on the banks. At hast. crossing
the bridge at Pueblo about midnight.
our train bid adieu 20 the Arkansas.
Had IL been daylight. we should have
seen that by a gradual ascent ota plain
we were coming To that city. whose
elevation is but little short of q mile
above the sea level. while far TO the
north. behind it,veiicd in blue haze,
stretch the Rockies.
At Pueblo. with an acquaintance OF
the day. | remained TIL the early
morning train, meeting here some OF
the varied decorations with which the
chief cities welcomed the Templars on
their pilgrimage. Denver lies nearly
l2U miles 10 the north. the road run
ming for "a good part OF the way d1z-
en- miles or so % the east Of the noun
tains, though The clear air made them
look not half that distance away d.
Not FAR from our track were the
mounds OF prairie dogs, sitting on
which one might occasionally ne seen
some eyil-dispOsed young men In our
car kept Swapping pistols at the dogs
% their own amusement apparently,
and with no percepLi1le harm 10 the
dogs. Soon those watching the noun
tains perceived iu the distance dust
cOiured knob slightly higher than the
other peaks, its height being more
pronounced as we ncarcd Colorado
springs, Till In plain pre-cmincucc IL
was manifest monarch OF all-PiSc's
Peak showing on one side of the SUM
init one little spot of snow.
Though Denver was visited briefly,
the objective pOib' pf my own tour
} ing was the center OF scenic attrac-
) tiOns, 80 miles this side. Colorado
/ Springs. Thanks, 10 the provisions, OF
the Chamber Of Commerce Z was very
soon accommodated with a pleasant
room in a private house, and board Il
? genial as 10 form not the least agree
/ able feature in a sOjOurn every day O
: which was filled with delight. Let
me give here not an Itinerary, but q
few sketches OF things seen In a round
1 OF busy idleness, which is yet the hard
: est work sightseeing.
! Colorado Springs Itself is a pleasant
city claiming 1900 inhabitants, yel
looking at first approach much like
country village. lhe houses are wei
apart, the streets wide, rather la
/ differently shaded, mostly with cotton
woods, which still Kept shedding tnciI
woOlly seeds. How the city has en-
dured these thin-shading, weed-ilk,
trees so long was past my cOmprchen
: sion. The visitor would mark Will
? pleasure in walking the streets the in
rigating channels. often filed with wa
, ter rushing swiftly aud musically by
Many fine residences may be seen Is
: pecially on the broad avenues, Cas-
cade and Nevada ana there wefl
J many bue, well-kept hotels, aud ;
gOOdly number Of churches. Among
public buildings may be named th'
State Asylum for the deaf and dumb
and the blind the recently Opene.
Childs-D -Drexel Home for Union print
ers, east Of the city, anOrdlng ;
, magnificent view Of the city aud O
the mOuniain-unge far 20 the north
: and south 10 the Spanish Peaks owe
100 miles away and Colorado Col
lege. with substantial dOrniitDncs iO
: gentlemen and ladies and a handsome
T stone building for chapel and rccita
= tlOn rooms. The streets were ned
! and weil-kept, 40 stock running ri
large. / noted specially the entire aD
sence OF church bells, the furious ring
> ing Of which makes Ninita musicale
r on Sunday mornings Electric can
run through the city, south 10 Broad
moor. the Casino, and Cheyenne
Mountain, three or four miles away
and west through Colorado CITY. N