The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-05-14
Life in InadYille.

John H. Rutherford, who has returned
from a business trip to Leadville, gives,
in a ten-minutes' talk, a better idea OF
the place than could be had out of a
dozen ordinary letters. He went there
to sell pipes for water works and gas
works. From Webster, the railroad ter
minus, seventy miles from Denver, the
traveller must stage it 100 miles to Lead
vile. And rough staging it is, over the
mountains, $500 feet rise Of the timber
line. Leadville is 1000 feet above the
sea. On first reaching that altitude n
has great difficulty in filling the lungs: 1t
takes Il day or two to get over the feeling
Of s%uffocation. A snow-storm brought
great relief, the atmosphere becoming
denser. A few months ago Leadville had
800 inhabitants; now it. has $4,000, the
large majority miners. There are about
$50 disreputable women in the place and
fifty decent women. Mr.. Rutherford saw
q funeral of the former. The place boasts
one hack, in which were conveyed the
body in it's coffin and two women. A
long string ofmen followed, two abreast.
in procession, falling in from saloons
with hands in pockets, pipes and cigars
in mouths, but all orderly. After plant
ing the body in the graveyard they re
turned in the same way. Leadville has
5000 houses and sllanties and two streets.
There are only two brick houses in the
place. At night, when work is done for
the dav, these streets are packed with
people. Long lines Of men form ut the
postotfice when the mails are distributed
The principal and first-class accommodate
tons are at the Grand Central Hotel and
the Tontine Restaurant; board 81 per day
with good food and plenty of vermin.
Although the superintendents Of the
mines are constantly calling for men at
So and $3.50 per day, there are 5000 idle
men in the place, A mine calls for fifty
men at $3.50 per day and half a dozen
only respond. The superintendent ap-
peals to the authorities, and Immediately
fifty men are picked up as Migrants and
put to work on the streets. They cannot
be forced to work in the mines; but they
can be made to do the city some service.
The result is that under the influence of
this warning u lot Of them are induced to
90 to the mines and m work.
And so with the next call. While Mr..
! Rutherford was in Leadville he saw an
offer made of 50, 500, 900 for property that
cost it's owners about $500, 600. Senator
Jones and associates offered that sum for
! three mines, one of which cost $50, an
other $50, 600 and the third $4,000. The
owners held off, demanding $4,000, 900.
The first Chinaman arrived while Mr..
Rutherford was there. No ooner had
he alighted from the top of the stage than
he was surrounded by a lot of men and
marched off to the graveyard, where he
was told that he could not remain in
Leadville save as Il ~"stiff." He immedi-
ately and ch%eerfully started for Fair
Play" The Leadville people have sworn
that they will not tolerate John.
Whisky sells at twenty-five cents per
drink, cider at twenty-five cents per small
glass, lager at 81 per quart bottle. Water
works and gas works are progressing.
Leadville is well governed. In the midst
of all these rough men and bad elements
order prevails. The police are efficient
and there are two we'll organized vigi:
lance committees. A bunko man had
robbed 4 miner of 1913. He was pointed
out. With u half dozen pistols at his
head he threw up both hands and quietly
took a sitting. His gold watch and chain,
pistol, keys, ETC., and $3.50 were taken
rom him. The Sl3s having been re-
turned to the miner, the balance was
handed wei to the chairman of the vigi'
lance committee. The bunko man was
then given a start Of fifty yards through
the principal street and the word Ego
was given him. Then he started, with q
dozen pistol bullets tearing up the ground
behind him. 1t is supposed he is still
running--Cincinnati Commercial.