Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-04-19

two hundred and fifty-one thousand
acres. These lands, under the exist |
ing q. S. laws, could only be taken by
homesteads or preemption claimants,
and, therefore, were for actual settle
ment.
Heretofore upon the mines OF prec-
ious metals existing in the mountains
of Colorado, all the hopes of its set
tiers have been based. For the past
two or three years, the yields, of treas
ure have been small compared with
the great extent and known richness
of the mineral fields. This is owing
to the diminution of the laboring pop
ulation of the country by the late war
for the suppression of the rebellion,
and the consequent high price paid
| for labor when it could be obtained.
Additional rates to the price of labor
were occasioned by the high prices
that all kinds of necessary supplies
and provisions commanded during the
war, and the ..Indian troubles" To
all this may be added the fact that the
war attracted the capital of the coun-
try, so that there was little induce
ment to use the same in mineral de-
velopment. Most of the gold ores of
the country are peculiarly obstinate,
so that not only skilled labor, but i'm
proved methods for the working of
the same must be resorted to. in Or
der to effect the separation of all, or
nearly all, Of this precious metal from
the peculiar combinations in which it
is found. OF silver ores many veins
of great value, and whose ore may be
easily worked, nave been discovered
within the last two years. Notwith-
standing all the difficulties mentioned,
the shipments of gold and silver from
Colorado for the year 1866, more
than doubled that of 1868, and are
now very perceptibly on the increase
OF copper and lead there are extern
sive and eXhaustless mines. assaving
the richest percentage Of those met
tails; but the high price of labor and
transportation prevents their being
worked at present. In the valleys at
the base of the mountains, are vast
beds of coal and iron, as vet but little
developed, since the wants of the
country do not. at present, require a
large supply Petroleum abounds in
springs in various parts of the terri
tory, and well in southern Colorado.
Is now producing twenty-four barrels
of crude oil daily No great amount
of search or improvement of known
, oil lands have been made. Salt. suf-
: icient TO supply the demand for home
=, consumption, is now manufactured in
the South Park, and other salt springs.
unimproved are known to exist in va
rlous parts of Colorado. We have
the finest of building materials, mar
BILE, limestone, sandstone, brick-clay.
and inexhaustible forests of the very
best of pine timber.
There is a grandeur in the triumph
I OF human industry and enterprise
over what, to the weak and faint
hearted, seem insurmountable obsta-
cIes. Than Colorado, no greater ex-
ample of this triumph exists in the
Western hemisphere; situated as
she Is, tar from any navigable stream
or other means of easy access. all ma
terlal necessary tor sustaining life hay-
ing to be transported over a long.
weary road in wagons drawn by toll
ing horses or slow-moving oxen, thro'
a country infested by hostile Indians.
Astounding in water pools, to drink of
which is certain death to the animals,
and cause of much severe illness to
the pioneers. Built up under such
circumstances, and during time when
the whole nation was agonized and
agitated with an internal strife that
threatened the overthrow of the gov
ernment, and the destruction of the
only perfectly formed republic of the
world, Colorado has just cause to be
proud OF the advance and improve
ment she has made.
NJ l.. SCoTT.