The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-05-13
From Colorado.
Special Correspondence of tie Courie,
Georgetown, Colorado,
April ~, 1869.


April ~, 1869.
Gen. J. NJ. HEDRIcK
Dsar Su;-Whilc you arc enjoying
that delightful season which succeeds
the icy embrace of Winter, We are
efectually corolled by an almost con-
tinued fall of snow, rendering out
side locomotion q difficult task. Ex-
periencc is tho only methodby which
q correct idea can be formed of a
snow storm in tho Rocky mountains.
The famous artist, Bierstadt, has
made it tho subject Of his greatest
effort, transferring to canvass it's
principal features, from which no has
realized the handsome sum of twen-
ty thousand dollars. Some three or
four miles from this location, lies q
bed Of snow, which Sol in all his fer
vcncy fails to remove. A half days
journey from this point will place
one on the Pacific slope, tho altitude
hero being about twelve thousand
feet above ocean level. Snow falls
every month in the year, and OPP
press i've heat isunknown. Notwith-
standing the facts is, as above related,
yet the past winter will favorably
compare with any I have cxperinced
in other localities. If have become
over-snowy in my remarks, attribute
it to weeks Incarceration from it's
effects.
The White Pine excitement here
in great measure is collapsing, ow-
ing to the unfavorablc reports which
are received from that locality. One
correspondent writing from thcro
states that one-tenth of tho emigra.
ton there will not be supported, and
fears the consequence of an ovorhux
of fortune.scekers. A great many
will be in the condition of the Pixies
Peakers of $50, who, in his cnthusi-
asm labelled his "prairic schooner
" Pixies Peak or Bust" when Rosi-
mantle failing, and his commissary
played, he added to the above heroic
inscription, Busted, by Gosh"
From expressions, journalistic and
otherwise, a heavy immigration into
this region is anticipated the coming
season. Should they como with tho
expectation of finding this the Ell
Dorado of an excited imagination,
they will be sadly disappointed, and
probably curse country which re-
fuses to answer their "open
sesame" and pour forth at
their fortune.soeking footsteps, a
spontaneous production of the
precious metals. But, on the other
hand, should they como with the fix
cd determination of using every en-
ergetic means in aiding the develop.
ing Of the vast mineral resources,
which undoubtedly exist bound in the
rocky embrace OF Dame Nature, most
assuredly their commendable motives
will be handsomely rewarded. The
greatest impeachment to the progress
of mining interests here in tho past
has been the importation of gentle,
men of tho kid glove fraternity as
agents, who before their advent
scarcely knew the utility Of the pick
and shovel. In most cases they have
represented stock companies of large
capital, and on arriving constructed
large and extensive works, filed with
machinery of all kinds used in the
obtaining and reduction of ores, some
merely experimental, ontailing cnor-
nous and partially useless expendi-
lures at the same time, tho property
for which these extensive outlaws
were made in many cases proved
worthless. In the mining region of
which Central City is tho centre, can
be seen on every side the squandcred
capital of eastern companies adorn-
ing worthless property, OF the rock
less expenditures having impover-
ished them, they were, to use slang
expression, Stuck" This course OF
procedure hes not only rendered
the greater part Of the capital invest
ed null, but has also deferred othor
Investments which a moro economi-
cal disposition Of that already en-
ploycd would have encouraged. But
this state of affairs is rapidly disap.
pearing, more practical men occupy
ing tho positions formerly filled by
the personifcations of ignorance and
assurance. Under this improved re-
gimo mining is becoming moro of a
substantially, and the capitalrcpcllod
by the lavishness of the past, is at,
tracted by the righteousness of the
present. At some future time will
venture description of some works
adjacent, not sufficiently Investigated
at present to do justice even to my
imperfect style.
Genl McCook, our new Governor
is fellow-townsman of "wo uns, >
and belongs to the fighting family Of
that name so conspicuous in the late
onpleasantness. This, and other Elk.
ecutive appointments, oxplodes the
hope of a repetition of the treachcry
of "Old Bullrush," SO confidently ex-
pected by the late defeated.
The Legislative and Executive
branches now being in harmony, VIC
shall undoubtedly enjoy that era Of
peace and prosperity SO necessary for
the recuperation of our palsiod ener
ges. God grant the desired result
bringing in it's train the sunshine OF
prosperity, balanced by the scales OF