The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-07
THE HAYDEN SURVEY.
MINNo REGIoN-rHE ANCIENT ''FoRrY
MINER" OF THE SAN JUAN
Observation-Disclosures OF THE GOLD SEEKERS
LIFE AND NEEDS OLE TIE sEcTInN
EEDs OF THE SECTION.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF THE GOLD SEEKERS
LIFE AND NEEDS OF THE SECTION.
PHoTOGRAPuIC PARTY J
IN CAMP AT THE LA PLATA RIVER,
COLORADO, July %, 1875.
Parrott City is the headquarters Tor all the
miners and settlers In the California district or
the san Juan mining country. and Is located IN
small valley just west OF the La Plata River, mr.
Teen miles rom its source IN The volcanic noun
talns OF the La Plata Range. The town contains
TWO log cabins, IN which number OF men I'VE
in partnership and contenmept performing
their culinary and chamberwork In the only
room the house affords every morning and
evening, and devoting themselves during
the day 10 their various outdoor occu-
pations. A mining camp Is always
a stage on which human nature may be studied
in It's oldest phases, amid the most novel and In
! teresting OF plays. There are In such places
always some strange characters VINO have de-
voted their whole lives 10 this kind OF lie, in
which there seems to DE a fascination which can
not pc resisted There are men who came out to
California mere BOYS during the panic OF "For-
| ty-nlne,n ana have since been following this no
madc life without interruption desire TO change
IL; men who noped TO make rapid fortunes thirty
years ago. still hoping against hope, but with yet
brave hearts, and hands willing to help brother;
men who have become Injured to the hardships OF
| an unclvlhzed ana dangerous life, yet with the
tenderness OF women and tie sympathes OF more
refined natures; blun old men, with iDewy limbs
and prawny MUSCLES who look one uunlnch-
fngly In the eye and say to a needy friend:-
81 know not the ways OF the world, but what
possess will share with your
On the other hand there are Always those that
are unworthy OF trust who viii take advantage
oil another not so well versed In the wicked ways
oil men. There are avaricious Old men, whose
very eyes express the greed which gnaws at their
mlserly hearts. In fact there is every variety
and grade of ore represented here in the human
metal, just as there is IN the rocks in which they
delve Tor rlcnes. All such characters we ind
among the crowds which flock to a newly discov-
cred mineral country. Our camp here Is particu-
larry rich in such material the study OF the
profoundest philosopher. There are old, gray
headed men as poor as when they first entered
the country many, many years ago, but as hale
and hearty and cheerful ever, looking unfalter-
ingly to the future, Ike little Miss Elite in ''Bleak
House," for great fortunes which sure to
arrive at last.
GOLD BoREN,r
little man OF nearly sixty win ters, is as spry as
a boy and climbs the mountain sides TO prospect
and works his claims well as he could have
done forty years ago. His isolated hut, near the
head OF the La Plata Canyon is the scene OF his
daily labors, where he leads solitary lie, work
Ing mis- gold and silver mInes and ever ready for
|
taken out hundreds of dollars in gold during the
last few months, and nugget, which resembles
In shape rooster, is always Growing for him over
his neighpors. Then there Is "Big Alec" VINO
works all day at his "Comstock Lode" and re-
turns night 10 his humble of spruce boughs,
where he eats his frugal meal OF bacon and bread
as heartily an alderman. Thompson, one OF
Bret Harte's characters was here last year. but
has disappeared from the boards OF this stage to
act upon another.
Kinney, an original Irishman, was constantly
travelling around the country at all hours OF the
night. with his Burro sole companion; but he
has also recently snuffled or on trip 10 japan.
But Putnam is still here W tn his long, sprinkled
HAIR lying on his shoulders and parted in the mid
die, his classic features, buckskin suit and dry
Jokes Captain NAN Moss nowSyer IS me hsae to
each eye is rlveted on his benevolent face, and
the oldest OF MS audience pays him homage. The
Ute and Pan-Ute Indians hover around the ''cityu
when he is al home. and seldom leave without a
leg OF mutton, some hour or tobacco. He is big
cnlel among them, and his name Is q passwOrf to
travel without molestation anywhere in their
midst. Last summer Mr. Jackson was fortunate
enough to secure the captains services on his
Photographic tour as guide through
THE PREHISTORIC RUINS
OF the Mancos Canyon. Just the settled parts
or Colorado are lntersected In every direction Dy
railroads. the southern and western portions are
points, and most Of them OF Indian origin aud
almost old as the Nils, having been travelled
|
q foot below tue surface. Each OF these the
Captain Is perfectly familiar with, having ira
versed them for years. But as he has Just started
for California, and does not expect 10 return for
three or Jour weeks IL VIII be Impossible TO have
him with US ibis summer When he goes on n
long journey his baggage consists simply OF one
blanket and pOcketful OF bread ana Jerked meat,
which usually last him fortnight.
me surrounding and natural advan tages for
mining IN this country are far superior TO any
other section or district In the southwestern pOr
ZION of this Territory. Unlike Bakers PARK, wnere
all the valuable lodes are located far up the noun
tains and even above the timber, all the veins
far discovered have, In The California district APP
peared low down aud generally on the very brink
OF the river so that they can De conveniently
worked ana brought into COMMUNICATION with
any point. east or west, by means OF good wagon
ROADS. But the great drawback In TINS whole
western country Is the lack OF capital and capt.
ta.lsts. Those who own and attempt TO develop
the mines are scarcely able TO purchase the
necessities OF life. lt is not an uncommon thing
TO mud men wno possess thirty or forty lodes,
valued at perhaps millions OF dollars. who
live onbread ana bacon the year round and often
know not from whence their next meal Is 10
come. Men owning dozen or so mines there are
who spend their whole time In
WORKING OCT THE ASSESSMENT
OF each loae order 10 retain them, and thus
they derive no benefits to themselves nor enricn
the golfers OF the people. In the laws OF Colorado
each nine Is required TO have 500 worth OF labor
! performed upon 1t each year, which Is termed the
assessment, ana In neglectnr this the claim Is
liable be forfeited or, If The owner is absent,
TO be Jumped by another party. Another great
draw back TO prosperity Is the great scarcity or
entlre absence OF smeiting works, Tor the ore
when Is transported On the backs Of animals for
hundreds miles, loses all or the greater portion
olits profits. Money Is 30 very scarce IN this coun-
try that Inc little there Is IS never carried out
and rarely Increased. that the same unre.
deemed currency passes rom hand 70 Land so
ognze the denomination III the battered and
greasy paper wntcn IS presented 20 one III cDange
when change can De obtained. What the country
wants, then. Is capital aud capitalists Until
such material Is available the laDorer VIII labor IN
vain ior wealth ana things will drag alony IN the
same old channels, neither Improving nor retro
Ont np one or two men, s!ow.y, vigorously and
V.Ifh IA ran O A "A