Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1875 — COLORADO TERRITORY. [ARTICLE]

COLORADO TERRITORY.

Perpetual Snow and Eipe Strawber-ries-Snow-balling on the Fourth of July. Gambole Gulch, Col., • July Ath, 1875. JIoitACE E. James: Dear Brother: I am alive and kicking, and intend to be as long as I see any body else so. I am now within twenty miles of perpetual snow, yet it is very pleasant here, although we have kept a fire burning all day. This afternoon it has snowed or rained most of the time, and for a while we could have had a big time snow-balling. While I write the ground is covered with snow- two inches deep. This forenoon two companions and myself walked' four or .five miles northwest of here to the top of Bald Mountain. On the north side snow was three to tour feet deep, and the air as cold as December, while on the south side it was as pleasant as in May or June. So you may see that we can have any kind of season we desire by only* traveling a few miles. Notwithstanding the low temperature and sudden changes of this region, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and currants grow in abundance. Grass grows luxuriantly in the gulches, and seems to be as nutritious as that in the tame meadows and pastures of Indiana. On the tops of some of these mountains are parks from a quarter to half an acre in extent where grass grows two and three feet tall. In these parks are living springs ol water as cold as ice. There is some game here. We have grouse which are nearly the size of common turkeys, elk, deer, bear, snowfoot or' mountain rabbit, and ground hogs; this is a very good variety for sportsmen and hunters. Over the Snowy Range, where the poor Ute Indians live, one finds many other species of game, fowls and quadrupeds, together with excellent fish. It is said to be rather colder on this side of the Range than on that. There is plenty of work here of the kind; but no farming, is done. People here expect the minerals of the Territory to bring all tbe produce they consume; and .most of it is brought from California. Prices range about the same as to average here as they do in the States. That is to say, where they pay big wages for work the workman pays a corresponding price for all he consumes. I find but little difference in this respect wherever I have been. If one is only contented and will be industrious he can get along most anywhere. lam now helping to build a saw mill, and may remain here this summer, but I intend to go to Oregon to make my home if nothing happens to prevent. From what I hear that State is one of the best lumber regions on the continent, and I expect to make lumbering my future business. My health is good; it was never better. Respectfully, your brother,

HENRY A. JAMES.