Autograph letter signed by C. Van Piper and S.A. Van Piper, to William Van Nostrand. Boulder Station, [Colorado], 27 October 1873. 8 pages, 8vo, 5 x 8 in. On Colorado Central Rail Road letterhead. With original yellow envelope with Boulder postmark and green 3-cent stamp.

A descriptive letter evoking the majesty of the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado frontier jointly written by C. Van Piper and his wife, Susan.

The couple writes to a friend “William” back in New York, retelling their voyage and regaling him with the beauty of the Rocky Mountains: "We left the Union Pacific Railroad at Cheyenne (pronounced Shyan) and took the Denver Pacific Railroad 106 miles and this was a very pleasant and interesting road. On the west, you can see the Rocky Mountains with their snow-clad peaks, and on the east, broad plains as far as the eye can reach- and all dotted over the large herds of cattle accompanied with their herd wagons and tents - a most splendid sight to me.” They continue:

“You can see so far in this country. The air is so clear you have a fair view of the mountains - can see them for some 300 miles. I was disappointed in the way they look. I supposed we would come to them by degrees, but not so. You keep on the plains and all at once as it were you come to them staring you in the face and saying, hold! and come no farther, but man is a progressive animal and into them he has you in search of the precious metals and it is wonderful to see what man can accomplish. For instance, the railroad running from Golden to Central City follows up Clear Creek Canyon and is wonderful to behold. Rocks from 5 to 1500 feet high piled in all manner of shapes and the railroad track cut in the rocks and crooked. Not half of the time you can see either end of the train. But I cannot describe it. You must come and see for yourself and it will pay you well."

C. Van Piper, signs off after 6 pages before S.A. Van Piper takes up the letter the same day, including more details of the "the beauty of this mountain scenery - peak upon peak, glade upon glade, more rough and rugged now..."

Condition: heavy old folds, else very crisp and fine.

[Manuscripts, Letters, Documents, Ephemera, Railroads, Postal History, Colorado]