The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1895-09-21

climate 1t possesses valuable mineral
springs. both hot aud cold. The water
Of the cold springs 10 almost icy In
temperature. and strongly inpreanatsd
with soda.
The scenery around Canton City Is ex.
ceedingly attractive.
GRAPE CREEK CANON
Among the many remarkable canions
for which the State Of Colorado Ia ia
nous. there is probably none which pre- |
sents more attractions to the lover Of
nature. or which combines the sublime |
with the beautiful more perfectly. than |
that Of Grape Greek. This beautiful |
stream takes it's rise among the lofty
and almost inaccessible peaks Of the San
gre de Cristo Range. and flowing nearly |
nOrthwaEd, waters In its course the
beautiful and fertile Wet Mountain VAL |
Icy; then passing near the famous Silver
Cliff mining camp 1t continues its tor
tuous course In an easterly direction
until II enters the Arkansas River about
mile above Canton CITY, just where
the river leaves the Grand Canton. after
a conflict the with granite cliffs. and
tossing Its foam crest high In the air.
makes its last triumphant exit from the
mountains. The walls Of this canton
present splendid study for the geolo-
gist, as p lied up In many places over
thousand feet In nearly vertical height,
they exhibit the various formations Of
primary rock In striking and peculiar
maDuer.
The entrance to tho canton for over
mile follows the windings Of the clear
flowing creek. with gently sloping hills.
on either side cover with grass plats and
brilliant flowers. far mp their slopes,
and the spanish lance and bush cactus
presents their bristling points where
ever q little soil affords them susten-
lance. A very satisfactory view Of this
lovely canton can ne obtained from the
car window. as the train In ascending
the deep grade goes very slow.
After looking at the beautiful noun
tain views fur couple Of hours, the train
stopped ut
| WEST CLIFF
q small town Of 800 inhabitants, 1914
miles from Denver. elevation 1884 feet.
This town is beautifully situated In the
Wet Mountain Valley. surrounded by q
fine grazing and agricultural country.
The view is . grand one. lofty mOun-
tains bounding the entire circle Of the
horizon.
Som after leaving Wet Cliff the train
rolled into the Grand Canton Of the Ar
kansas, tue nsrrowest portion Of which
i ia known a. the Royal Gorge.
i When examined IL seem impossible
that a railway could ever be constructed
through this stupendOus canton. There
was scarcely room for the river alone
aud granite lodges blocked the path
with their mighty bulk. In time. how
ever, these distractions were blasted
away. road bed closnly following th'
contour of the cliffs was made, aud TO.
day the canton Is well-used thorough
fare. But its grandeur still remains
After entering its depths, the trair
moves slowly along the side Of the Ar
kansas, aud around projecting shoulder
> Of darkhued granite, deeper and deepe
into the heart OF the range. The cres
ted crags grow higher. the river madl.
foams along It's Tocky bed. and aaol
the way becomes mere assure through
the heights. Far above the road th
: sky forms deep blue arch OF light; bu
: In the Gorge hang dark and sombr
9 | shades which the sun 3 rays have neve
9 penetrated. The place lie measurelee
n gulf of air With solid walls on eithe
side. Here the granite cliffs are on
4 thousand feet high, smooth and unbrt
O ken by tree or shrub. and there q pin
@ nacle scars skyward three times ths
9 distance. No flowers grow, and tn
= birds care not to penetrate the solitude
n The river, sombre and swift, breaks tn
"a awful stiffness with its roar. Soon th