Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-10
LEADvILLE DAGUERREoTYPED.
{ Memphis Herald. ]

[Memphis Herald
''What about Leadvillel Is it q
good place to emigrate tot Tell us
all about it in the Herald" We can't
do it. The subject is long one, and
our means Of information sleagre. In
fact, we have not been there at all.
One of our friends has, and he does
not fail to give a fair daguerreotype
Of what he saw there, and The actual
condition Of things as they exist in
that far off home of the gold hunters.
Our witness is John w. Rutherford,
whom everybody knows is the hus-
band Of one Of the late reigning bellies
Of this city. He went 10 Leadville
to sell pipes for water works and gas
works, and he cOndenses much in q
small space, as follows:
From Webster, the railroad ter
minus, seventy miles from Denver,
the traveller must stage it one hundred
miles to I4eadville. Anal rough stag
nights, over the mountains, including
$500 feet rise Of the timber line.
Leadville is II 900 feet above the sea.
On first reaching that altitude one
has great difficulty in filling the
lungs. It takes day or two to get
over the feelings Of suffccation. A
snow storm brought great relief, the
atmosphere becoming denser.
A few months ago Leadville had
800 inhabitants; now it has $1,000,
the large majority miners. There are
about $50 prostitutes in the place, and
and 50 decent women. Mr.. r. saw a
funeral of prostitute. The place
boasts one hack, in which were con-
| veyed the body, in its coffin, and two
women. A long string Of men fol-
lowed, in procession; falling in from
the saloons, with hands in pocket,
pipes and cigars in mouths, but all
orderly. After planting the body in
the graveyard they returned in the
same way.
Leadville has three thousand houses
and shanties and two streets. There
are only two brick houses in the
place. At night, when work is done
for the day, these streets are packed
with people. Long lines of men form
at the postoffice when the mails are
distributed. The principal and first
class accommodations are atthe Grand
Central Hotel and the Tontine restau-
rant; board four dollars per day, with
good food and plenty of vermin.
Although the superintendent of
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 appeals to the author
tiles, and fifty men are picked up as
Migrants and put to work Oh 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, lot of them are in
duced to go to the mines and COM
mence work. And so with the next
call.
! While Mr.. Rutherford was in Lead.
vile he saw an offer made Of So, 500,
600 for property that cost it's owners
about 100000. Senator Jones and
associates offered that sum for three
mines, one of which cost $50, another
500, 900 and the third $4,000. The
holders held off demanding $780,
600.
The first Chinaman arrived while
Mr.. Rutherford was there. MISSIONER
had he alighted from the top of thu
stage than he was surrounded by
lot of men and marched off to th'
graveyard, where he was told that HI
could not remain in Leadville save a
a "stiff." He Immediately and cheer
fully started for "Fair Play" Tn
Leadville people have sworn that the.
will not tolerate John.
The fact that this wanderer ffon
, the Orient is willing to work, whil'
three thousand white men refuse t.
, work, does not operate in his favor il
the least. The trouble is, he is to-
willing.
Whisky, some good and some yer,
bad, sells at twenty-five cents pc
|; small glass; lager at one dollar pc
quart bottle. Waterworks and gas
, works are progressing.
Leadville is well governed. In tn
midst of all these rough men and ba
clements order prevails. The polio
y are efficient and there are two we
organized vigilance committees. !
bunko man had robbed miner {
b $l48. He was pointed out. Wit
} half dozen pistols at his head h
+ threw up both hands and quietly, too
a a seat. His gold watch and chair
= -~l 6AQ0