Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 August 1881 — LETTER FROM COLORADO. [ARTICLE]

LETTER FROM COLORADO.

Denver, Colo.. July 27, 1881. Dear Sentinlk : The broken, desert looning surface pf the earth covers hidden treasures of coal and ores. The mines are the present, sustenance and future hope of Uncle Sam’s Baby. The medicinal and mineral springs operate as a health-lift to the broken, down, over-worked ana invalid class, When blessed with money they come nere to be reconstructed. The deepest and grandest canons—the highest and most sublime mountain scenery the largest parks--abundant water power—numberless mill and damsites. and this, the most substantial young oity in the world, attract tourists to its pure air and healthful climate. Colorado is the play-ground of ffie nation. Congress ought to set apart Mouth, Middle, North and San Louis Parks as exempt from sale as one grand central parade ground for tnose needing and seeking recreation. We have merely taken a grip-sack view of the foot-range. We have not scaled the loftiest peaks nor explored the lowest caverns. The climate we find dry and salutary at ull places where we nave taken time to breathe. When we leave, we will have passed through 12 out of 32 counties. We pave become so used to side ditches running full of wafer in the towns, that we love their appearing. Home of the ores are refractory, and mills are yet to be invented which will leave no tailings. We have not crossed the Continental divide—the back-bone—but have seen the front range, and streams tumbling down from their sources in the mountains.

Our minds are filled with pictures of this well-named Colorado. For the graspers after mammon, tlieij purses can here be filled. For the purely esthetic this is a panorama of delight. The sustaining vegetables are imported. This is however a State of mauy— very many—compensations, and many draw-backs. The mining of the future, ijbo most manufactures will be done by organized labor, controlled by capital. The individual depending: on his own brain and brawn wilfhave to cross the divide to newer fields in which to use his pico. The future of the State is an uncertain problem. This city has an air of permanence and each Denverite is working to keep this the metropolis of the New West —the Queen City of the Plains.

SIMON P. THOMPSON.