In the eclipse of this year, the dark shadow fell first on the United States thirty-eight degrees west of Washington, and moved towards the south-east, a circle of darkness one hundred and sixteen miles in diameter; circle overlapping circle of darkness until it could be mapped down like a belt.
"The mapping of the dark shadow, with its limitations of one hundred and sixteen miles, lay across the country from Montana, through Colorado, northern and eastern Texas, and entered the Gulf of Mexico between Galveston and New Orleans.

This was the region of total eclipse.

Looking along this dark strip on the map, each astronomer selected his bit of darkness on which to locate the light of science.
"But for the distance from the large cities of the country, Colorado seemed to be a most favorable part of the shadow; it was little subject to storms, and reputed to be enjoyable in climate and abundant in hospitality.
"My party chose Denver, Col.

I had a friend who lived in Denver, and she was visiting me.

I sought her at once, and with fear and trembling asked, 'Have you a bit of land behind your house in Denver where I could put up a small telescope ?' 'Six hundred miles,' was the laconic reply! "I felt that the hospitality of the Rocky mountains was at my feet.
Space and time are so unconnected! For an observation which would last two minutes forty seconds, I was offered six hundred miles, after a journey of thousands.
"A journey from Boston to Denver makes one hopeful for the future of our country.