The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-11-15
W. NJ. Ro1fSs5 N, CITY Clerk 3
DENVER, Coz, Der. 30ufI, 1870

trip into the heart OF the ROCKY Mountatus, n
almost at the endsof civilization, onssthe At-
lantic Slope, within ninol mileslof tliesAamm nit
of these grand old mountains, where snow and
frost are among the luxuries of midsummer.
With your indulgence, will attempt to give
the readers of The. RECON- birds eye view
of the sights aud wonders that are cont NAL
ly passing before the tourists noticeas he !
travels over this grand route into the Ameri-
can Switzerland.
The Colorado Central Railway, whichreach-
es from Denver into the mountains. passing
through Clear Creek Canon, makes a detour
through rich agricultural region, on its
route to Golden, the point, where. the grade
changes from broad to narrow aud the rnouns
tain assent begins This valley is considered
one of the most attractive in the State, and is
dotted with thrifty farms that produce abund-
ant crops, where water can be applied to the
soil by irrigation.
Golden city is the capitol of Jefferson coun-
ty, and has a population near two thousand.
It's location and material advantages are not
surpassed anywhere in Colorado. Her citi-
zens are thrifty, Intelligent and public-spirit-
ed. Where the city is built, in the valley of
Clear Creek, the fall of that stream is about
sixty-five feet per mile, and the supply of wat
or at all seasons sufficient to drive any amount
of machinery. There are in the city limitss
and surrounding them immense coal mines,
already extensively worked, and quarries of
excellent lime and building stone. We find
in operation here one paper mill, three flour
ing mills, two planning mills one steam saw
mill, one foundry, two smelling and reduction
works for ore, one fine brick and pottery
works, three works for the manufacture of
fire and common brick, also, car and repair
shops of the Colorado Central Railroad I
had the pleasure of meeting an old friend and
formerly neighbour, Mr. Daniel Peters, Of
Trenton, N. j.. who was attending to bust
ness connected with the Colorado Dressing
and Smelling Company. AS he is the Vice
President of this Company and has had long
experience in the business considered my
self very fortunate to be the acquaintance of
such a kind and amable friend, who took
such delight to explain the many wonderful
things connected with the operation OF sepa-
rating the precious metals from the rocks and
dirt This Company is one of the most 81
gantic enterprises thai has been inaugurated
in Colorado, and 1t contemplates nothing less
than the establishment Of large dressing
works in every important mining district in
Colorado, for the concentration of low grade
ores, aud the smoking Of the enriched pro-.
duct at the nam moth smoking establishment
in Golden. The main blilding of this mill,
consisting of brick walls and iron roof, covers
about 20, 900 square feetof ground or nearly
half an acre, with tho expectation of soon
building an addition to meet the demands of
their increasing business. cannot attempt
as full description Of the various mills and
business enterprises that L have given above.
Knowing that some of your readers were inti-
mate friends of Mr.. Peters, i have been more
particular in detail of this establishment,
while of the others, could also say, they are
worked more largely than ever before, and
many Of them are paying handsomely.
| For a short distance after leaving Golden,
the Colorado Central runs through an open
country, at the base of the first hills, the
grade of which constantly ascends, until, at
last, the cars reach the narrow opening which
constitutes the mouth Of the Canon. Lofty
| hills rise on either side severed with grass
and dwarfed and scrubby pines. The little
incline, pants and gfoans, and the cars creak
and twist. On and on along the water course
the little road extends, until, a few more
miles passed. the track and creek draw near
together, and the remainder of the distance
lies within a few feet OF the water Now the
curving and twisting Of the track becomes
more frequent, and the towering mountains
shut out the plains behind. Bleak rocks stand
over the road and over the creek, assuming
fantastic shapes The track turns and twists
and lodges into seemingly impossible open
ings, steadily climbing the mountains, at the
average grade of one hundred aud seventy #.
to every mile. The frowning rocks grow more
terribly sublime, their height Increasing until,
from the narrow defile, and out of the car
window, it strains the eye to scale their tops.
This is road of short thngents and innumer-
able curves. The route is more winding than
a snake track. 1t is marvel of engineering
skill Its bed is as firm as the very mountains
themselves, being laid upon the rocks. Some
distance above Beaver Creek, the north and
south forks Of Clear Creek unite, and here
the road branches, one line reaching to Black
Hawk, and the other to Floyd Hill. Black
Hawk has population of about 1900. Fully
one-half of the ore of Gilphin county is treat
ed in the stamp mills here, of which there are
over twenty, containing over 500 stamps
The Colorado Dressing and Smelling Com
pany have their concentration works here and
through the kindness Of Mr.. Peters, | was.
permitted 70 investigate the. wonderful ma
chinery Of this establishment, and also visit
the Boston and Colorado Smelling Works.
also, IN company withsMr Peter Grocer, of
Trenton, paid visit to the famous Bob Tail
tunnel. We secured a lantern and started on
our journey. We passed on for distance Of
of 1850 feet from tie entfahce, and arrived in
safety at the engine, when we were informed
that we were oyer600 feet below the surface,
in the'centre Of mountain surrounded onev-
cry side with gold. felt like resuming specie
payment, and paying off the debt of our be-