The herald., 1895-10-13

as Colorado Territory. AT that time Dem
YER, though the commercial and political
capital of the territory, and the only
place of importance anywhere between
Kansas and SAT- Lake, was an enterpris-
ing little:city with only 5000 population,
located at the extreme western edge of
what was called the great American des-
srt,' with barren foothills, huge .moun
tains and yawning canyons on the west
and a seemingly llimitable stretch of
dry. uncultivated plains on every other
side. Tho artificial conditions nave
changed wonderfully since that period.
Today Denver is a thriving, booming.
growing city with l60,0 population, half
q dozen or mora railroads, immense es-
taplishme ents, elegant residences, palatial
hotels and public buildings and all mod
ern Improvements such as sare found in
much older cities of the east.
But started to write a brief fdescrip-
tion of tnat famous excursion. Till that
date Denver had never enjoyed railroad
connection with the ''outside world" ex-
cept such as had been for short time
afforded by the little plug" branch OF
the Union Pacific road running from
Cheyenne south to Colorado's capital,
q distance of liz miles. The newly con-
structed line from Kansas City was called
the Kansas Pacific railroad. but it has
since become part OF the Union Pacific
system. The road being completed and
ready for business the officials arranged
for grand excursion to celebrate the
important event. At that time jour
ney even by rail. from Chicago to the
Rocky mountain region was regarded as
quite an undertaking. western Kansas
and nearly the whole of Colorado were
IL rHA1rs tnu
worthy the name within all that immense
aies of desoation. Almost the only liv-
ing creatures visible to the tourist over
the great "aesert" we're buffalo, an
telope and prairie dogs and
those creatures were nearly as plentiful
or liars in city that is swelling up with
big real estate boom. Many portions
of the country seemed to be swarming
with these animals, some of the larger
herds Of buffalos. as they swept with ter
rible force and sped over the level prairie,
presenting strangely wild, weird
spectacle. such as the beholder is never
likely to forget. The vast cavalcades of
antelopes also were an inspiring sight
as they glided over the course with less
noise and more grace than their big,
shaggy rivals. The prairie dogs did not
train in large bodies, but each one SEEM
ed TO be looking out for himself only, and
acting independent of the convention as
to MS motions and general department.
All of these animals. however, are now
things OF the past, SO far as can pe seen
along the. various lines of railroads run
ming through the same regions where
they then roamed at will and never
dreamed of annihilation by reason of
that irresistible factor in human progress
called modern civilization.
Well, to that excursion. The railroad
officials spared no pains in making the
affair one that should completely satisfy
the invited guests and prove to be worthy
OF the great ENTERPRISE which 1T was in
tended to celebrate. They provided
magnificent train of Pullman palace
furn ished by the Pullman company. The
excursioists numberd about $50, the rem
dezvous and the starting point Of the
special train being Kansas City. They
were all gathered at ths appointed time.
The train comprised one baggage car, u
com missary car. three dining cars and
sufficient numbef of sleeping cars for
every passenger to have good berth to
himself. A liberal supply of provisions
was provided in the commissary depart
ment, of which A. B. Pullman, then the
vice-president of the Pullman Palace Car
com pany, was the head and the Efficient
manager. He personally superinten ded
that Indispensable feature of the outfit,
and never was a party of aightseeing
exoursionists supplied WITH WITH greater va,
from first to last in liberal quantities.
The late General Anson Stager, manager
OF the Western Union Telegraph COM
pany, also accom- panied the party, ana
through his enterprise and courtesy the
best possi ble facilities were afforded every
excurionist for the prompt transmission
OF kilograms from every point on the
road where tho company had an office.
To the various newspaper representa-
tives Gen. Staeers courtesy was an i'm
portant factor and one that was fully