Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-09-20
From Chicago to Colorado.
litor Republican:

In agreement with my promise will
try to give you some impressions of my
journey to Colorado, though shall fail
to give an adequate description of this
wonderful scenery. To a person who
has always been accustomed to the
cities and rural districts of the Central
states trip across the country from
Chicago to the grandly picturesque
regi ons of Colorado is one full of novel
ty and charm. I~left Chica 60 at 10 P.
NJ. on the limited train called the Rie
5 over the popular Rock Island road,
and my impressions before starting are
perhaps worth mentioning for the night
scenes about great city depot are full
of strange fascination; in the semi
darkness familiar things assume a
weird outline, sounds common and
familiar in daytime are lent a new in
tonation by the darkness, the bright
lights here and there illuminating the
gloom for a small radius, combine to
form an unknown whole which some
how affects one in an eerie manner.
AS the preparations for departure are
completed and the "All Aboard" is
called, we pull slowly out into the sur
rounding shadow with the feeling that
our train is some great black monster
stretching it's slow length along" but
as we pass beyond the limits Of the
city, quickening our speed as we leave
its blinking lights behind, and rush on
and on through the open country, the
fresh night air cools our heated faces,
our pulses quicken, and we feel the
freedom Of space and motion as we go
farther, farther and yet farther, until
worn out, we fall asleep, in all p1oba-
bllity to waken at each new stopping
place with dull, sleepy wonder as to
our whereabouts, and then, as we re-
sumo our travel, to fall again into un-
easy slumber. Such at least was my
experience. Wakening early in the
morning before the state line between
Illinois and Iowa had been passed, [
was enabled to observe the differences
between the two states, Illinois with
her lower land and more monotonous
scenery failing in comparison with
Iowa, which truly is, as her patriotic
sons proclaim, a very garden spot of
beauty and fertility. 1t is hard to
imagine how railroad could wind its
way among prettier scenes than those
which cluster on either side of the
Rock Island route as it crosses Iowa.
Little streams flowing through mossy
ravines, half hidden from view by the
trees clustering upon either bank,
great stretches of wooded, fertile land
seemingly never having been under
cultivation, large fields of corn ripen-
ing in ihe autumn sun, gently sloping
hills with wooded crest, are but few
of the natural beauties which Iowa dis
plays to the traveller.
We crossed the Missouri river early
nrct CfN
place in Nebraska of course being
Omaha, which somehow did not inn
press me as being a very desirable
place of residence. 1t was great sur
prise to me to see the Missouri river SO
shallow, although [ had of course ex-
pected to find it somewhat affected by
the dry season we have had, as I had
noticed many of the smaller streams in
Iowa were nearly dry, but to see so
large river apparently shallow enough
to ford took me somewhat aback. Con-
tnuIng our journey across the south
eastern part Of Nebraska | was most
agreeably surprised in the fertile ap-
pearance of its rolling prairies; I can
assure you there is a marked contrast
In such dry season as this has been
between irrigated land and that which
is watered from natural sources only.
Our first stopping place of any impor-
tance after leaving Omaha was at Lin
coin, which is beautiful little city and
attracted me more than any other on
the journey. We passed through a
large portion of Kansas after nightfall,
SO [ saw nothing of that state as we had
crossed into Colorado before day break.
That first view of Colorado was one
never to be forgotten, for at the time I
Wakened we were in the midst of the
great Colorado desert, and for miles
and miles as far as the eye could reach
there was nothing but dreary stretch
of barren rolling land covered with an
arid growth of coarse grass, here and
there at great distances little hut, and
above all the clearest, brightest blue
sky imaginable. [ had allowed my
watch to remain unchanged from Chi
cago time and it indicated six O'Clock,
which of course was five O'Clock by
mountain time, but, observing the
brightness of daylight. I found it hard
to believe that my time was not cor
rect. Continuing the journey there is
gradual change in the appearance of
the landscape until at last the grand old
Rockies come into view, their lofty
SUBMITS standing out clear and rugged
against that clear, cloudless and daz-
zling sky which is to me one of Colora-
dos wonderful sights. Towering high
above his noble companions stands old
Pixies Peak, the baroness of his crest
manifesting his superiority in height as
no other of the range extends above
timber line. Winding our way alone
in almost semi-circle we see Colorado
| Springs, looking like toy village sci
down at the foot of the mountains and
before many minutes have passed we
are at our destination. Anxious to test
my length of breath in this high buoy.
ant atmosphere, [ declared my inten.
| ton ofwalking, and accordingly started
| off at my usual brisk pace, when my
| companion placed a restraining hand
on my arm cautioning me to slacken
my steps or would find myself short
of breath. But strange to relate [ fell
no such effect and it has been con.
stant wonder to my friends that since
coming here / have been in no manner
affected by the radical change in eli
mate.
Colorado Springs is a beautiful little
place, with great broad streets, as harC
and smooth as if macademized, though
they are only the natural roads formed
of very fine gravel packed hard, and
very dazzling to stranger when the
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