Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1867-12-20
Letter from Colorado.
CENTRAL CRY, Dec. 2, 1867.

your estimable paper--often containing
interesting 'snews from Home" which we
would not receive in any other way. And
to repay this debt of news somewhat, 1
propose, with your approval, to write an
article or series of articles for the per usal
of your readers. ~ y ee.
Wisconsin, and more particularly Iowa
Couaty, is largely represented in this land
or precious and useful minerals; so much
SO, that in some localities Wisconsin men
are said to "run Colorado = which though
not literally true in its phraseclogy, will
give you an idea of the representation.
Mining, as is well known, is the princi.
pal business of Colorado; all others being
mere dependents on the mines and the
mining population. Extensive mercantile
houses, mills, shops, farms in the valley,
are dependencies, which the failure Of the
mines would almost entirely disperse; but
failure is by no means apprehended, as the
mines, inexhaustible at present appearan-
ccs, will, 1t is believed require thousands
Of hardy miners in the future, for develop
ing and working the mines. The days of
nuggets and newly discovered rich lodes
are past, and live only in memory; gulch
mining is still carried on to limited ex-
tent. 81 500 z. a9 50 = al- 4-ift
Thsrc is no country believe but has its
productions conducting to the general pros
perlty and happiness of man. The explor-
er through this region fifteen years ago,
and even less, might havedbeheld with feel
ings of awe, Of sublimity almost Of reye-
erence, this great upheaval Of the sarth's
crust. The contrast is striking-te the
east the apparently illimitab.e plains; to
the west the mountain ranges, towering
often above the clouds, covered with eter-
nal SHOWS. Hcis satisfied with the worlds
geography, and goes forward to other
scenes, not perceiving through the dim
vista Of futurity ths Golden Era approach
ing. The lone hunter aud trapper, rang
ing with careless freedom overirocks and
through pine forests, hardly suspects the
bustling life that will supersede this noun
tain solitude And ''Lo, the poor INDIAN"
who believes the Rocky Mountains at least
safe from the encroachments of the white
man, is doomed to disappointment. s1s
The announcement of the discovery ol
gold in the Rocky Mountains was the sig.
nal for an emigration, which discardine
the beautiful and sublime in nature, the
game of the mountains, the object of the
hunters ambition, the native inhabitants
the Indian, these arc as "chaff before the
wind which the rude blasts of gold en-
tcrprise drives to moro remote regions
Every thing becomes subscfyient to tn,
explorations for gold and the development
of the veins when discovered. As soon as
gold was discovered, cities were built witt
almost incredible rapidity, lines Of commu
nication established with the states ane
other places the current Of business soor
found its proper channels, and now after
the lapse often years the mines are worked
with a monotonous routine as though tn,
results ofa half eentury's growth and ex
periencc. Colorado is mining country
| and we think permanent mining coun
try. Depth seems to give richness anc
consequent value to the lodes. Great re
suits have been deduced from large invest
mcnts of money and labor, but not com
paratively what might have been expected
The people Of Colorado are literally peo
Pile of Great Expectations. Men of larg
inventive genius are required. The differ
/ ent processes hitherto invented and worke'
are said to be failures comparatively,
small proportion only of the gold bein
/ extracted from the ore, that is, to th
\ amount assayed. II a process is invente
to extract the gold, in large quantities,
| the amount assayed, then Colorado is il
deed rich country. The fortunate inver
tor would be enriched Immediately, th
country enlivened beyond precedent. man
mines now suspended would be worke
with yigor and profit. Capitalists woul
invest largely, consequently labor woul
be in demand, business of every kin
would nolrish, the halcyon days won
return again, Such are the bright ant
cipations of sangnine Coioradians.
An important fact in relation to o,
mines and mining interests, is the intere
manifested in Europe By scientific me
and capitalists A large ard beautiful &C
. lection of specimen ores, was exhibited
the Paris Exposition, elciting the attentie
| and admiration of scientific visitors, incll
( ding the Emperor OF France. Books ha,
: been published in English, French ar
: German, giving synopsis of the histol
: and and resources Of Colorado and i
: mines. A large foreign emigration is e
: pectcd to succeed this general diffusion
e inlorma ion among the laboring classes
: Europe, where thousands of copies ha
n been distributed. The advent of railroa,
a into our midst is the signal for a large Ell
If grafton, an equalization of prices both
,f labor and commodities, essentially for L
n benefit of the capitalist. Generally spea
4 - 4. ~ :. q.