Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-01-18
Among the Rockies.

4 ). - = =. : - + "
Among the Rockies.
Sixth of a series of letters written
by the editor while on his trip in the
West
80. ASPEN, COL, Jan. II, '99.
Our recent sad experience here leads
me to say that I would rather be
stranger among the people Of a min
ing camp like Aspen than in any other
place I know Of. The people are so
kind and sympathetic. The many
protfers of aid and assistance as. we'll
as kindly words spoken have been a.
great comfort to US. We will always
remember the people of Aspen with.
grateful hearts. " 1
A large number of the residents
here, came to Colorado originally for
their health: Several of the physi-|
clans now practicing here came here.
for that purpose. One even came
when he had to be carried on a
stretcher. In most cases of lung
trouble where the patient is not too
much wasted the climate assists won.
derfully in arresting the disease. But
in great many cases the patient ar
rives too late. 1t is so human not to
take decisive step until the condition
becomes very serious. And then often
people do not know their own condi-.
tion before the disease has progressed
far in its deadly work of destroying
vital tissue. There seems to be a
false Or criminal delicacy with many
medical men in Withholding the true
condition of their patients in such
cases.. At any rate, as we remarked
before, hundreds arrive here when it
is too late. One of the undertakers
here stated that while in business in
this state he has taken care of neigh
boring twelve hundred subjects which
arrived from the east in the last stages
of tuberculosis. A frightful harvest
indeed, but result in which the eli
mate of Colorado is IN no way respons-
ible. The case of this same under
taker, Mr.. Johnson, a Dane, might be
mentioned as an instance of the bene-
ficient influence of the high and dry
air of the mountains in like cases.
On the advice of his doctors he came
to Colorado in 1871, and he had two
bad hemorrhages since his arrival,
but the fact that he is still robust in
health and able to administer the last.
! needs to his more unfortunate fellow
fsnferers speaks luolume for the sai,.sof
Colorado, in his case at least. II
** nE5 s.5
Aspen has fine hospital building
called the "Citizen's g Hospital, built
by means of subscriptions taken
among the people of Aspen. In com.-i
pany with DR.. 'L0f, the writer had the
pleasure of finspecting the same. The
doctor speedily convinced me of the
fact that a hospital where intelligent
and systematic nursing can be OBJ
tanned is great boon to a community.
The general appearance and arrange
ment of the building reminded me of
the plans that h ave been prepared for
the Willmar hospital: We have heard
nothing of that commendable project
for long time. hope that the un-
dertaking has not been given up, but
that it will be pushed through to COM
pletion.
The population of the camp is
mixed. There are a great many Swed-
ish people here, however, andx as
rule they are greatly interested in con-
| ditions in Minnesota. Minnesota is
looked upon as a ''little Sweden''
among the country men in other states
not so thickly settled by "Sveas
s6ner." We find representatives of
the nationality in the different walks
of life here, as merchants and statesmen,
in the professions, and as miners and
foremen. We had dinner. with a Mr..
Swanson and family the other day,
and the meal was served in genuine
old country style. There was 'stlut-
| fisk'' served up with a wooden spoon
and fork, ''risgrynsgr6t, = ''svag-
dricka,'' etc. Mr.. Swanson possesses
an enviable collection Of mineral
specimens, the best have ever seem
He owns a fine little home down on.
the "Oklahoma" flats, which name we
do not hesitate to pronounce a mis-
nomer particularly if it is used in a
Iderogatory sense. s r .
=I.=@* 5* y y Il 1.
IT, The read inr Of John r ind 81 IN q ron,