New-York tribune., 1874-10-14

eneises ana sohsts with many intruded quarse peaks
In this group is ncuded The highest Iasd In the Terri
tory 10 whoie, and from almost OF the
hosry SUBMITS within vicw round dossn more-east.
west, north. and south, reaching 40 to and beyond
Ilooo feet IL the roug hest country ever saw. aud
could 20 endessy with descriptions OF scenery any
single detail Of which would be suicenty astonishing
But the chief Interest 70 the world OF ell ths 10 not the
unspeahabls grandeur winch oppressss By s vast
yet the fact that here b geological problem
10 solve which the student must discard many ener
hed precedent anticipate nothng but rather that
here veins OF crystalline rock. osch one full OF min.
era and each competent 10 carry gold or silver or
OF them are OF unlimited depth can count perhaps W
Of these whtsh lodes running up and down the FACADE
Of the mountain opposite me- and mile away in any
direction can find half o hundred more.
This mineral district goes by the name OF the San
JUAN although it seems have real right 10 it for
both the river and the Of that name are 100 mies
southwest Il n district 90 or 10 miles nextent. end
In the judgment OF competent contains more min
era than ell Of Colorado together aud as many
good mlnes-I silver minesfor although here, as
elsewhere, god found. they are not gress
success. Perhaps, however, exception ought To be
made in favor Of the gold plaeers the Rio La Plata
In this district something like 1000 claims have been
located each claim including feet along the line OF
the lode mineral streak snd seversl feet on either
side OF II n width. supposed that the majority OF
these leads 1t will pay TO work but so little develop
ment has yet been made that the owners themselves
but faint idea of the value Of their cisma Yet
assays show magnificent results. 2ooc .snd 5000
to the In several and one % hgn 40
l1OO0 ounces But these made from cued ORE ana
probably farer estimate is to found In the six tons
Of which s being sent 10 Denver. the average
yield Of which will be coo of silver TO the ton
great deal Of ore win be sent to Denver and even TO
Chicago Eastern cities and clear over TO Swansea
Wales year for redactiona proof OF Its richness
alone costs tiio ton Ore from this section usually
sold In Denver BY the producer directly, put I'D tne
Georgetown and most other mining districts IL Is bought
the mines by shippers who sample In Denver ana
then forward Il Esst 70 bs worked up. Another eyi
dence OF richness OF these me Contracts have Just
been made TO run In tunnel upon certain iocauon.
buy all the necessary machinery and pay all WORKING
for onehaif the taken out There are all
sorts contradictory reports concerning these mines
TO the accuracy and authenticity OF the facts am Civ
ing you. As for the dicton you are disposed 10 ma
fault please remember that am writing Al my camp
fire driving storm 1900 feet above The TRiB
UNE office.
With respect to the ore ITSELF Is found accompany
ing lead zinc. iron, copper antmeny, ETC. ana I'd iron
brittle silver Different mines vary IN character ana
adaptabihty. Those around Howardvie, which Is
10 the region are at for chiorodzng those
the Lower AuiIBas are best developed by the mat
ting process. and go on Nevertheless tncre so niue
really known Of the capabilities and worth OF the minerals
OF these mountains that little be said with CONFIDENCE
beyond the Developments already made; bot so far
there promise of almost b0undless source OF wealth
to the nation for years to come
The great obstacle now is the isolation all must sufer
who stay mines through the Winter and the dim
culties Of transportation at all seasons Should how
ever future Developments Justify continued aud addi
tional work. no doubt they wi roads are oound 10
come In and even, before hinted railway commu-
ncation with the outside world may not be very far