The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-10-02
THE MUSHROOM CITY.


ian who has but recently left the scene
of the wonders he describes:
When I went to Leadville last March,
it was city of about seven to twelve
thousand inhabitants, and at present it
ranges from twenty-five to thirty thous-
and. The places that were in waste
when went there, and that were covered
with sage bushes and timber, are now in
the heart of the city. Harrison avenue,
that was lane scarcely discernable, is
now graded and paved street, closely
built up with business houses. At pres
ent an opera house is in process. of con-
struction on that street that is larger and
finer than any in Louisville. On that
street also is the Clarendon House and
the Windsor hotel, that rivals in magnii
cence any hotels OF the east. There are
now thirty-three smelters in active oper-
alton in that city, that are handling at
least 1000 tons of ore per day, producing
over 300 tons of base bullion per day,
fifty cents per pound. The city proper
is about two miles long and one mile
wide, but for distance of eight miles
around it is thickly settled, miners
cabins dotting the mountain side III
groups. Carbonate hill which overlooks
the city, is as closely settled as the out
skirts of the city, having population of
at least 1000. On this hill are situated
the famous Pindery and Carbonate
mines; also the Forsaken. The Pindery
mine ships ninety tons per day, Welding
two hundred ounces per ton and amount
ing to at least 81, 900 daily. The other two
mines are also very large yielders. Just
across Stray Horse gulch from this is the
original discovery of the camp on what
is called Fryer HILL On this hill is stu
atcd the Little Pittsburg consolidation,
with stock Of 20, 900, 600, the Yulture,
Little Eva, Chrysolite, Little Chief, and
perhaps tw6nty other paying mines.
Senator Mackey has offered 8, $50, 900
for the Yulture, Little Eva and Chryso-
lite, which was refused by the owners
The Little Chief is perhaps the most
remarkable silver mino in the camp.
Since they struck mineral, there has
been perpendicular shaft, three by
seven feet, sunk ninety feet through
solid ore, and no end to it yet. The
value Of this mine is absolutely beyond
calculation. These hills might be said
10 be III the city, though not exactly ii.
the corporate limits. From these hills
for five miles east the paying mines form
one continuous chain, and prospect holes
rs thick rs the cells of a honeycomb.
AT the head OF these is the Butcher Boy,
of which L am one of the Owuers. The
Butcher Boy has drift of seven feet Of
ore, which will yield at least $500 pei
ton. Suffice 1t to say that there is
enough mineral now in sight in Leadyille
TO work the camp for ten years if no new
leads are found. Leadyille is certainly
destined to be city of rs, 200 to 100, 600
inhabitants in the next twelve months.
Land is worth nothing there except as
town lots and mining prospects, and, il
regard to the increase Of values in this
respect, | will say that last April L saw &
lot 125 by % feet, on Harrison avenue,
sold for $4,000, and ten days ago the
same lot was sold for $4,000.
The luck of the camp is wonderful.
have seen a poor fellow on the street there
one day, uncertain where his next meal
would come from, and the next day be a
millionaire and rolling through the
streets in n carriage. This is literally
true, and the instances can be cited
The society of the camp is improving
rapidly. Six months ago the ladies
could be numbered within the twenties,
while the women were within the hund
reds. Now hundreds of families have
taken up q permanent residence, giving
TO Leadvllle as good society as can bt
found anywhere. While the good socie
society of the east, the lower class is
developed to an abominable degree
Gambling and all kinds of vice are a.
open as any legitimate business, and AIT
open day and night. | can show you IL
Leadville n gambling saloon 200 fee
long by fifty feet wide, in which can b,
seen, at any hour of the day or night
crowds Of men gambling at all kinds OF
gambling devices. Miners smeared witt
the yellow clay of the soil, stand anxious
" over the table by the hour, riskine
the results of their days take. A band
Of music is always playing, and the door
is rs open, and the entrance of people as
little noted, as in one of your churches
here. 1t would take hours to tell wha!
Leadyille really is; it is the wonder o!
this aud of every other age; its marvel
Gus growth, its sudden wealth and it;
high class of civilization, in so short q
time, have never been equaled. The
spectacle can not be seen on the streets
OF Louisville, which is continuous IL
Leadyille, especially Saturday and Sun.
day; masses Of men rushing along. iost
ling with each other as If life was at the
end Of their journey. There is no Sab
bath IN the business world, and, although
there are four churches, but few men
attend any of them except the Catholic.
There are class of men known as bunko
steerers, which is a general term meaning
to include III thieves, pickpockets and
confidence men. In the early history OF