Semi-weekly herald., 1911-09-25
EASTERN MAN A BOOSTER
FOR THIS SECTION

Since the return of Captain Eli
Eichelberger anu family from their
two months sojourn among the noun
tain Businesses of Colorado, repre-
sentative of The Republican has had
an interesting interview with the cap
tain concerning their trip, and will at
tempt to portray some of his obser-
vations, believing they will be of in
terest to many of our readers.
Captain and Mrs. Eichelberger and
son Coolidge lefe here on June 12,
going from here to Denver and thence
southwark to Pueblo 1T miles, thence
southwark to Alamosa 1872 miles.
Here they were transferred to mar
row gauge road and went south thirty
miles, the entire distance being with
out curves, the longest straight line
in the world it is claimed. At An
tonito the course veered westward ITO
miles to Durango. This portion of
the road is very crooked, and a num-
ber of times it runs into New Mexico.
The scenery along the entire route
from Denver to Durango is grand
beyond description says Mr.. Eichel-
berger. Giddy heights, deep canons,
dashing waterfalls, dense forests and
snow, capped peaks, give the observer
a continuous change of the most
wierd views imaginable. Toltec gorge
along the narrow gauge, is especially
grand, as the road runs along the
gorge for some distance on the noun
tain side from 1,500 to 1000 feet
above the bottom Of the wonderful
chasm, the sides of which are almost
precipitous.
From Durango the travels were ta-
ken in private conveyance to the
home of Mrs. Eichelberger's sister,
Mrs. Columbia Griffith, ten miles dis
tant at Florida pronounced there Flo
reeda, accent on the e) mesa where
the Griffith brothers have a ranch of
1000 acres, $50 acres of which are
under cultivation.
This mesa is an elevated plain or
plateau beautifully. located several
hundred feet above Bear creek. The
view is grand and picturesque, with
pine clad mountains and lofty peaks
in all directions. In one direction the
outlook extends seventy-ive miles to
peaks that are perpetually capped
with snow, which glistens like silver
under the bridge sunshine. Flowers
of many kinds and charming beauty,
are abundant. The columbine is the
state flower.
Of the land under cultivation about
$50 acres is in alfalfa and timothy
grass. The balance is in wheat, oats
and barley. The alfalfa grows to the
height of three feet and as it natures
in less than two months their hay
making lasts nearly all summer and
fall. They have no failure of crops
on account of drought, although the
rainfall is not abundant. But the
streams of water have been gathered
In large dams up the mountain sides,
and are carried in bitches along the
upper side of the mesa from which all
portions of the large ranch can be
watered as needed. DR.. Griffith had
this irrigation plant built before his
death and its value is great. This
year, however, the rainfall has been
much greater than usual and during
July no irrigation was required. On
the ranch they keep about seventy
five horses, colts and mules, and from
800 to 500 head of cattle. In the fall
they increase the number of cattle
to about 800. All the grain and hay
produced is fed on the place. At one
place called the meadow there is
spring, which has flow of water that
would fill six-inch pipe that is as
cold as ice water.
In the surrounding mountain forests
there are many mountain lions, which |
are reducing the number of deer fast |,
sr than the hunters are. The lions
also come down to the ranches some-
times and kill young colts and calves. |
They eat only the choicest portions
'f the hind quarters of the animals. !
Bears are also numerous but are hard
% capture. Since Mr.. Eichelberger's |
'eturn he received letter from a |
,iece saying that one had been caught /
n trap that they had been trying
o capture for some time. Grouse are
'ery numerous and the meat is much !
more delicate than that of the pheas- |,