The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-12-11

ritory-A Visit to On. OF tho Latter.
~:
- BouLDll CRY, COL, Nov. %, 1873.
=. EDITOR JouRHA4.-Much has been said
Of the mineral wealth Of Colorado in gold
and silver mines, which mines, so far 10 l
can see; do the people very little good but
Of it's vast coal fields, which are Of real
utility, ws.hsar nothing. A description Of
one Of these mines may DO interesting to
some Of your many readers. On ono Of the
glorious November mornings with which 10
ere blessed in this climate, with IN a.
mosphsre 90 dry aud clear and = sun 20
warm and bright that mere existence DO.
comes . pleasure, . party Of 10 started
from town to explore. one Of the many
mines situated in tho foothills. We select
cd the B!aok Diamond, partly on account
Of it, romantic locality, and partly because
tho quality Of tho coal is much superior to
any Of the others. This mine il situated
in south Boulder Valley, On the main road
between Boulder and Golden City, to both
Of which places the coal Is taken, besides
in part supplying Denver. Crossing the
Boulder creek, " sscended . steep hill
and about half way to the top came upon
what appeared to b tho entrance to vast
cave. Entering this We found ourselves in
q room, supplied with scales for weighing
coal, forge for sharpening picks, . shelf
full Of tiny lamps for the use Of the miners
and visitors, and many other articles used
in the mine. From this room . track for
tho coal cars penetrated tho bank to . dis
lance Of over three hundred yards, Fol-
lowing our guide We preceded in darkness
50 intense that our lamps could illuminate
but small space around US, till We came
to whore the main track ended and side
TRICKS diverged to number. of chambers
in which the miners were ct work. The
:pssssge Was rooted in with planks support
ed by posts set At short intervals: The min
ers, each with as:smsll lamp In the front
Of his cap, were at: 1srk. with small
picks, with WHICH they, dig around largo
pieces, when after plsoing . charge Of
powder in hole drilled for the purpose,
they hre the train, retire to the entry, and
down tumblss hugo mass Of thirty or
forty tons Of coal. We were shown ono
which completely blocked up the en-
trance to one Of the chambers, 40 they are
called, which are merely tho different
directions taken by the men in digging
iuto the bank. After excavating . place
large enough, they lay side track, run
out : car, and fill it with coal, brok en- into
pieces. convenient to handle: The vein Of
coal is seven feet thick and Of excellent
quality. The miners are paid $l.25 per
Con for digging, taking the weight as it 10
sold and rsoeiviug their pay at the same
time. Converting with some Of tho miners,
they assured us that the work though
dirty was very healthy, and that miners
we're remarkable exempt from disease. At
slt events, they have place in which to
work, secure from tho elements, for no
wind or storm can ever penetrate there.
Tho COAL is supplied to the inhabitants Of
Boulder 1t $3.50 per ton. making . cheap
and excellent fuel. "A St. Paul ne,ghbor
Of ours, Joseph Marshall, brothe r of the
Ex-Governor, has an extensive nina. this
side Of, "Blaok Diamond" The coal from
this mine, though not Of 80 good quality,
is much used, - it is nearer town. From
the s,is Of it. Mr.. NJ. has realised : hand
some fortune and tho supply seems mex.
hsustibls, IT,: G. MITCHELL.