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  • Walter E. Dandy Letter 06/18/1907

    Denver, Colo.

    June 18, 1907

    Dear Mother and Father,

    I will try to concentrate in a few words what I have seen in the past three days. Indeed I have been busy seeing from the time I left Sedalia and am just 1/10 through as far as distance is concerned and probably less as far as time is concerned. We had a fine ride over MoPac [Missouri Pacific] to K.C. [Kansas City]; left 40 minutes late, made 60 miles per hour in lots of places, were laid out a couple of times and arrived at K.C. 20 minutes late. The U.P. [Union Pacific] Overland Limited waited for us or I would have missed connections and been able to stay in K.C. for a day. I would just as soon done so for John Leavis was on train and he wanted me to stay over with him and see K.C. I thought I had better go on and stop over coming back.

    Had one of the finest and fastest rides I ever had on the U.P. Overland Limited for 100 miles along the river banks through some of the nicest towns in Kansas. Darkness overtook us then and I slept most of the night.

    Morning caught us about 100 miles from Colorado border, still in Kansas. This part of Kansas and Colorado was entirely different from the part we had crossed the night or rather evening before. In the evening we passed through Topeka, Lawrence, and a dozen other fine little towns. In the morning everything was changed. Towns were scattered and very poor both in quantity and quality. The land was all level, sandy, no water, no trees. The only thing to break the monotony was an occasional prairie dog, jack rabbit and a few coyotes or grey wolves.

    I enjoyed it very much on account of the contrast with Missouri country and to see what other people had to contend with. In western Kansas nothing grows, hardly even weeds on account of sand and lack of water. The first 100 miles of Colorado is about the same. Then we get into irrigated district (slightly) and things begin to change at once. Everything begins to reappear in proportion to degree of irrigation.

    About 40 miles out of Denver we got our first glimpse of Rocky Mountains appearing as indistinct clouds in the distance along horizon. As we drew near, we could discern a greener base and white top, separated by an apparent definite line, the green the timber district, the white the snowy peaks.

    We finally arrived in Denver about 12:30 P.M. Sunday. Got me a room and went to dinner. On the train I met a number of people, among them a University boy of '03 law dept. He quit school, ran off and married and he and wife were coming to Colorado.

    Met another varsity boy who graduated in law this year. He was with a lady and made an appointment to met me next day, but we never found each other. Have met 15 or 20 college men from all over country, most of them going same way as myself, but we are all too selfish with our time to go together. They are from all over the country. Don't know what it is to be lonesome. Haven't time to think of it.

    Took in Denver Sunday afternoon and Monday. Fine clean healthy place. All buildings of brick or stone. Have number of fine public buildings, among them the state capitol, one of the finest buildings I ever saw, cost 3½ million dollars. City park covers 495 acres all laid out in nice grass, flower beds, lakes, a zoo, etc.

    Went through the government mint and watched whole process of making money. They were making mexican money when I was there.

    Went on famous Georgetown Loop, a good 57 miles through mountains. Most beautiful and awe inspiring trip I ever took. It was my first view of mountains from near at hand. Followed canyon for about 30 miles, almost level track but winding around like a serpent. I can't describe it to you; mountains on both sides extending up for over a mile and hardly room for train to pass.

    The Georgetown Loop is the greatest I ever saw. It is more indescribable than others if possible. We wound around loop after loop, covering over 5 miles of track to gain one mile of distance and thus climb the mountain.

    Am in Denver now. Leave in the morning for Colorado Springs, 75 miles away, for a few days. Will leave there for Salt Lake for a day, then to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    I guess I will close and leave the rest to tell you when I get home. It will take all summer to tell of these three days. I will tell the rest during the year.

    Your loving son, Walter

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