The Springfield herald., 1909-09-24
Gant's Party
Nearing Home

Saturday afternoon Mr.. Jones and
took ride around the Denver Union
Water Co.'S plant. We first drove
around the dyke which forms Lake
Maston The Lake is rs feet deep in
places and contains FIVE billion gallons
of water. Just below the Lake is the
filtering plant which contains 80 large
tanks connected by all sizes of pipes
and regulated by 800 different valves,
and with capacity of filtering five
million gallons per day.
Sunday we resumed our journey south
and our course took us through Il fine
farming and fruit raising country. As
we travelled along the Platte river we
encountered a heavy rain which grew
with increased volume as we continued
and at 5 o'clock we drove into Sadalia
and found shelter for ourselves and
horses. The rain continued until day
light when it subsidized sufficiently to
allow US to hitch up and start when it
poured again. We went without break
fast and at noon the rain let up and we
went into camp on Plum creek and par
took of a sumptuous dinner consisting
largely of cherries we picked along the
creek While it had been raining on
us the past couple of days it had been
showing couple of miles to the west
which is higher up. We now traversed
dairy country, which also produced
corn and alfalfa.
We camped for the night at Palmer
Lake which is 1850 feet above sea level
and the nights are uncomfortably cold.
This lake is very beautiful, lying be-
tween the Santa Fe and the Rio Grande
The foot hills abutting the lake are
covered with groves of spruce and pine
and many lovely cottages are to be
seen along the shores. After resuming
our trip number of miles we arrived
at a small town called Monument, be-
cause of the many huge stone columns
in that vicinity, ranging in height from
40 to so feet. AT noon we camped IL
miles north of Colorado Springs. We
next passed through Colorado City and
saw the most beautiful streets we had
ever seen. They consisted of a double
drive way with grass plot between
them laid out in all varieties of flower
beds. On either side of the streets were
beautiful mansions, the homes of mil
lionaires.
Wednesday the 18th we drove over to
y.ic IL
ing the city. Some of the party next
made preparations to climb up Pixies
Peak. Most of the family fell by the
way side as we ascended and only the
Captain and Kenneth reached the sum-
nit at sundown and arrived back at
camp at midnight.
Thursday the 18th we drove more
slowly so as to take in all the sights
and enjoy the soda spring water. We
then entered the Garden of Gods and
saw the Chinese temple, Blance Rock,
Steamboat Rock and many other his
toric things. Those of our friends who
are contemplating taking in Pixies Peak
we would advise them to ascend Steam
boat rock and look through the power
full telescope stationed there. A per-
son can see things much better than
when walking and it costs you no mon
ey and requires no energy. After tax
ing in the Garden we passed on down
through ColoraaY Springs and nooned
little south Of that city. Our drive
that afternoon was along Fountain
creek and through much better count
nv than we passed through north of
Colorado Springs.
Friday the 18th found us travelling
through hay country and we passed
many large hay ranches. We then ar
rived at Fountain creek, stream we
were obliged to ford. The creek was
quite high as a result of the recent
rains and quick-sand bottom made
the feat quite hazardous. A man who
attempted to cross before we arrived
received duclsing. We unhitched and
snaked our wagon over without any ac-
cident. After leaving the creek the
country we passed through until even
ing was destitute of all vegetation. 1t
was the poorest stretch of country we
had ever seen and would not even grow
soap weeds, and some cattle we passed
had become black in the face from
looking for grass. Towards evening
we approached a yellow shanty with
the letters EDEN painted thereon, as
that was the town we were looking for
we pulled in and the only inhabitants
who were the section boss and his wife,
divided up their bread supply with US
which consisted of two loaves and they
also gave us water which was shipped
from Palmer lake. We were also given
the use of their pasture and prepared
to spend the Sabbath.
B. B. Cant and Family.
For Sale--Seven acres of fine
maize and three acres of cane.
Will accept part money and the
bolapoo in hraakinU and sowing