Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1915 — HITTING SOME THE HIGH SPOTS. [ARTICLE]

HITTING SOME THE HIGH SPOTS.

Jerry Healy Writes Interesting Letter From Colorado. Colorado Springs, Col., July 15. Mr. F. E. Babcock, Dear Sir: I left Chicago Tuesday night, July 6, at 10 p. m., over the Rock Island and Pacific. It was a very lively night in Chicago and the Liberty Bell was shown in LaSalle street station from 6 till 11 p. m., and I had the pleasure of seeing the grand Old Bell. 1 passed through Illinois, lowa, Nebraska and Kansas and arrived in Denver Thursday morning at 8:30, after a run of two nights and one day. The crops along the liyto as far as 1 could see, were no better than In old Jasper county, especially the corn prospect. The train was packed with tourists, most of them going -to the fair, Denver Is a very nice city, with fine streets and parks. They claim they have a 250,000 population. I remained there four days sight-see-ing. J took a trip to Golden City on the interurban to foot of the mountain. To reach the top you have to go up on a cable railroad, which is 2,700 feet to top, when you are up there you are. 7,500 feet above sea level. That was my first experience on top of a mountain. It was a grand sight.

While in this city I went through the state capitdl building. It is a very large, fine structure. You bet I went to City Park every night because Irinis’ band of 50 pieces played there. It is the same band that was at the Chautauqua in Remington a few years ago. They are going to the fair at Frisco to play in September and October. Mr. Innlsgets $3,500 a year for directing this band. Monday morning, July 12, I left Denver for Colorado Springs, arrived there at 10:30 a. m. Almost the first person I met was Simon Leopold. He Is looking fine and feeling good. I also run across Walter White, who now lives here. He is looking fine and doing well. Colorado Springs, Colorado City and Manitou, at foot of Pike’s Peak, form practically one community with a total population of 37,000. A modern electric railway system connects the three cities. The many scenic attractions of the region are easily reached from all three cities. Tuesday, July 13, went over to Manitou on the Interurban. It is six miles from Colorado Springs and costs 10c each way. From there I took a touring car with 15 others at $1.50 each, through the mountains. There is a very fine road up to the Cave of the Winds, which is 1,500 feet higher than Manitou, where we started. The Cave of the Winds is claimed to be the geological wonder of this country, which nature has decorated with a lavish hand. The cave is nearly a mile long and is lighted with electric lights and high power lamps. It costs $1 to go through it. it is really a wonder. From there we passed through the Garden of the Gods. , Balance Rock, one of the most wonderful of the natural attractions of the Pike’s Peak region, is a huge rock weighing hundreds of tons. It is supported by a small base of clay. Many rocks in this region are 200 to 380 feet high.

My next trip was up to the summit of Pike’s Peak, which is 14,000 feet above sea level. It is reached by a cog road nine miles in length, from Manitou station. It is very cold up there. Not much to see only rocks and sonw, but it costs $5.00, They are building an automobile highway to the summit of Pike’s Peak, which will be open during the season of 1915, I was told. It Will be the highest motor highway in the world to the top of America’s most famous mountain.

This roadway will be 20 feet wide, and will be operated as a toll road. Regular dally auto service will be established making the round trip from Colorado Springs in five hours. Round trip fare $6.50 per passenger. If one use their own auto It is $2.50 each, so you see the price is very high as well as the top of the peak. At Manitou I drank from the famous iron and soda springs. I can not say that I like the water, although a great deal of it is used. Tomorrow I am going to Cripple Creek, if the weather permits. It is 42 miles from the Springs. Everyone who has been therS*claims it is one of the best trips in the mountains. It Is about 10,000 feet above sea level. - ■ Well, Mr. Babcock, I think this is enough this time. I am feeling fine. Board and room is $lO per week; room alone is $1 per day. Yours,

JERRY HEALY.