The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-09-15
''H0ME FOR LITTLE WAN
DERERS.o

LAKE CITY, Col, AU6. IA, '76.
ED. JEFF: Here am in my littl
tent 1, 600 miles from home, bolstere,
into an easy position (by various arti
cles too numerous to mention) for writ
ing on a tow-story desk made of .
cigar and mess box.
''Home for Little Wanderers" tn,
name of our CAMP. How did we ge
it2 Thereby hangs tale.
While encamped at Del Norte, on the
Rio Grande, during our absence one
day for short time, we were visited
by some homeless swine, which, &C
cording to their ill-bred natures, forci
bly, entered, took possession and an in
ventory of our household truck. The
one thing that suited their taste, ap
petite, and digestion. perhaps better
then bacon or flour, was a sack of A
sugar. With this / presume highly de
lighted and for the present satisfied,
they departed.
Some OF ''the bows" who had noticed
their proceedings and recovered part
of the plunder, must needs immedi-
ately decide upon an appropriate name
for the camp. The one at the head of
of this was suggested and unanimously
accepted-a board with the name
painted on hung up and the camp
christened.
When we moved over the range, we
still retained the name, but left the
sign. Since our arrival here we have
had quite similar experience, by the
midnight visitation of a "San Juan
Canary" We were again called upon to
replace sack of the same luxury. The
name therefore is now lastingly estab-
lished.
How they strike it rich" We are
at last in a veritable mining camp of
the West. Such a one as you read
about, but cannot fully appreciate un-
til seen in reality. Here, and on the
way here, the "Tenderfoot" will see
many shafts sunk along the mountain
side, that serve to heighten his expec-
tations of future wealth, and make
him the more eager to gain that place
where he can prospect for himself, with
some show of success. Hundreds of
just such eager fellows hurrying on,
stepped over the Gaping rock of one
of the richest mines yet discovered in
Southern Colorado. This Gaping rock
lay Immediately in one of the noun
tain trails 16 miles up the Henson, and
when removed disclosed to the aston
ished gaze of the 'fortune hunters
the long hidden wealth of 1.-The Ocean
Wave, three-fifths interest in which
recently sold for $50, ,000
The Ule and Ute leads up the same
creek, but four miles from here, the
principal owner of which is Squire
Henson, an agreeable old gentleman,
who has followed mining some sixteen
years, are a couple of very rich mines.
The Ule was sold few days since for
S125, 800 to Crooke Bros, proprietors
of the Reduction Works, put upon the
Gunnison this spring. The Messrs.
Crookes are men of considerable expe-
rience in q mineral way, having been
operating smelter of metals IN New
York city for several years past; conse-
quently. it is to be inferred from their
enterprise here, that they have q good
deal of confidence in the San Juan as a
mining country, and their confidence
will surely beget confidence in other
capitalists in the East acquainted with
them. This is the one necessary thing
to the development of this region, and
has been lacking to large and hurt
full degree. As soon, however, as
men do interest themselves
here, then times will be lively, money
plenty, and every one in good humor.
These are the times that the poor
devils of the country now living on
bacon, beans, coffee, and bread baked
in a frying pan, are looking forward
to, not hopelessly, but trustingly, and
with facts that assure a certain reali-
zation of them. Now and then we
pick up an item concerning the Black
Hills, fsom which we infer that Chey-
enne is overrun with sd. B.'s" unable
to get down to Dead Wood Gulch,
where the gold is found, (for we hear
it is coming in at the rate of S15, 900
per week. or to get out of town; in
fact, so ''hard up" especially on the
"cheek, as to beg in the streets. Here
we have nc such scenes to witness. /
never have had single fellow step up
to Inc and ask for even a quarter since
| have been in the country. No, sir
it's a fact. Maybe appearances would
not warrant him in so doing. But
really, man can live here on his mus
Gle, if nothing more. A mans antece-
dent don't gain or lose him a cent or
dollar. He stands entirely upon his
Own footing, and will bring just what
be is worth, nothing more, in the work
market
The wages of common laborers range
rom 50 90 to So 90; mechanics from
s3. 90 to S5. 90 per day. All carpenters
hat wish it can and do have steady |
The prospects at present for miners
8 prime. 1t is reported that 200 to 300 |
men will be at work within 80 days
Crooke Bros. contemplate putting an
ample force upon their interests to
levelop Them as rapidly as practicable.
The town itself, which three years
lgo was thought of and last summer
,ut an uncertainty, n the past three
,r four months has assumed the appear
.nce of a fast building city. 1t is
situated; nestled 10 a cute
title vale among high mountains. It's
lite occupies both the ground on the
vest bank of the GunDison and table
and of considerable extent on the east
,ank. The Henson creek flowing into
lie Gunnison from the west passes
hrouzh the south part of town, and is
panned by bridges-good substantial
mes, all new, connecting each street
With its proper extension on the other
hore. The streets have been well laid
,ut and are being put into first class
hape. All the spring the nail has
,een swelIed with pOstals from the
warning citizens to eth
r pay their Poll tax of $500 or work
/ out on the roads. l.
Last winter but fifteen or twenty
,eIsons remained here, this winter
here will be from 200 to 500. Milk is
vorth 81. 90 per gallon. Garden truck
orrespondingly high Radishes, from
wo for a nickel, to nickel per one.
,os Oil S1,25 per gallon. Ar light,
ood demand. Health plenty as the
ption of the receiver.
Any andall irregularities or miscon-
ections, SC, in this please excuse on
be score of my cooking beans while
Eritipg it. Yours truly, u
ONE TRSDERyoor" AMose THOUSAND