Year: 1867

A correspondent OF the Chicago Republican
writes as follows of the Union Pacific Railway
Thirty days more of working weather, and
the iron horse will snuff the mountain breeze
upon the summit 90 the Black Hills, eight
thousand two hundred and forty feet above the
ocean level, or more than four thousand feet
higher than the summit of Mount Gents, the
greatest altitude reached by the railroad over
the Alps, and claimed to be the grandest
achievement of engineering skill yet accomp-
lished in Europe.


"On our outward trip we passed the track
layers four miles east of Cheyenne, which
point they reached two days later. Cheyenne
is not a city on wheels, but real, and des-
tined to be a great city. Only three months
DID, it now has four hundred houses and over
three thousand inhabitants. Many Of the
business houses are large and substantial,
built of stone, adobe, grout brick, logs and
boards The Rollins House is large and first
class hotel, and General Stevens is erecting an
immense stOneware and commission house.
The town has all the appearance of perma-
nence, and will undoubtedly continue to grow
rapidly until it reaches population of eight
or ten thousand Beautifully situated upon
the level plain, in full view of the snowy range
of mountains, Pixies and Long Peaks loom
ing up grandly in the distance, it may some
day rival in splendOr the historic renown of
| Palmyra, falreSt city OF the plain.


The summit of the road is reached at Null
loy's camp, the altitude being eight thousand
two hundred and forty feet above the ocean


level. This is the greatest altitude ever reach
ed by a railroad, and should good weather
continue thirty days longer, which is thought
very probable by old settlers in this region,
the track will be laid, and the locomotive will
meet the first blast of the winter winds as they
sweep across from the Pacific to the Atlantic
Ocean. What a grand and memorable cele-
bration of the new year 1868.


Across Dale Greek will be the heaviest
work done in the Black Hill. The valley to
be spanned here is six hundred and ninety
feet, and the depth one hundred and twenty
five feet. 1t was the intention at first to bridge
this awful chasm, but it is now decided to


tressle and fill up with rock and gravel. An


immense quarry of the finest building stone is


found near this point above the surface, and


hence easy of access. A heavy force of work


men are busy getting out stone for abutments


and it is hoped that early next spring the


work may be completed for the passage Of


cars.


dale creek is alive with large mountain


trout, and game abounds in the valleys below


The scenery in the vicinity and for miles above
and below is picturesque and highly romantic
If we mistake not, this will become favorte
summer resort for pleasure-seekers and tourists
Crossing Dale Creek we passed Miller $ anC
|, one or two other camps, and by the middle o
the afternoon came in sight of the famed Lara
mie Plains, beyond which oomed up the
snowy peaks of the great American Alps
seemingly only few miles distant, but fully
!. fifty miles away. The Laramie Plains vary il
t width from thirty to fifty miles, and althoug
0 beautiful valley, covered with grass an
! watered by numerous streams that run dow
from the mountains on either side, it has a
Q altitude above the ocean level of from seve
{ thousand to seven thousand five hundred feet
!; 1t it magnificent grazing country, and wi
o produce a variety OF vegetables and smal
. fruits.