The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-06-13
LETTER FROM LEADvILLE.
EDITOR TRUE NoRTHEnNER:

EDiIoR lRUE NORTHEhNER.
Some two weeks ago wrote you giving you
some OF the outlines Of this great mining camp
--but for want OF information, and being un-
acquainted, my letter was brlef-but since that
time have become more acquainted with the
interests OF the place, its resources, mining
pursuits, etc.
AS | said before, it is located in gulch Of
the Rocky Mountains, its altitude being 10,247
feet. there being but two towns Of higher
altitude in the State, viz: Alma, II ,044, and
Montezuma, 10,295. To persons who saw the
crowded condition of the streets during the
months Of January, February and March last,
there would seem to be quite falling of in
the mining and prospecting interests, but this
is not the fact. 1t is true there are fewer men
to be seen on the streets every hour in the day
than there were few weeks ago, but there are
more in the hills. spent the day yesterday
among the prospectors on the Evans, found a
great many sinking holes, all confident they
were going to "strike it, Nearly every foot
of land is being prospected and miners cabins
may be seen on every hand. On Carbonate
Hill, since the Pendry strike, there has been
prospecting going on in every possible drec
tion, and some of the holes are very promising.
One can stand near the foot Of the hill, just
above the city, and count no less than thirty
prospect holes and mines on the west side Of
the hill alone, many of which have been started
since the Pendry strike was announced month
ago. This last mentioned mine offers TO be
one OF the best in the camp. The ore is high
grade, easily mined and is found in large guam
titles 1t closely resembles the ore found in
the New Discovery and IN the little Pittsburg
group generally. This last mine ia by far the
best paying mine in camp. 1t was discovered
by a poor miner who had worked for years
prospecting and mining, resulting only in pow
erty, hard luck and starvation. He couldn't
even get trusted for meal OF vctuas, but
finally one man agreed to board him another
week, when, as the saying runs, on the last day
Of grace he struck it. He sold his interest IN
the mine for the enormous sum OF two hun
dred and fifty thousand dollars. 1t was all the
man possessed. He received Governor Tabors
check for the amount, walked forty miles to
Fairplay, there he gave the banker twenty
thousand dollars to cash it. He afterward went
East, where 1t Is said he has run through with
the entire fortune Such ls life in Colorado.
None Of the paying mines are worked to their
full capacity, for the reason that it pays better
to await the arrival OF more smelters, which OF
course will bring competition in the pnce pa,d
for ore and the railroad, which will afford bet
ter transportation facilities and increase the
purchasing price Of mineral nearly twenty per
cent. In the meantime the principal mines are
working for development, IN order to be in
better condition for active operation so soon
as the proper moment arrives. New strikes
are being made every day. some OF which prom
ise we'll It is reported or said that one out OF
a thousand strikes bonanza but when a man
strikes it he is generally heard from.
If the city authorities do not bestir them
serves andscOmpel Tue citlZens 10 Keep tueiI
premises free from offal aud refuse matter,
there will he fearful contagion here IN early
summer that will sweep people OF like dead
sheep. The air is laden with the offensive odor
OF dead animals and slaughter-house refuse.
which is by no means conducive 10 health.
Everything is growing cheaper daily. All
branches Of business are active, with perhaps
The exception of saloons and restaurants
When the rush was so great in February and
March, and eating and lodging houses were so
few, there was an nordnate desire to go into
hotel and restaurant business, and these insti
tutions sprung into existence by the score, un
til now there are plenty and to spare. Living
is much cheaper than it was three weeks ago
Flour, $500 per 100; beef-steak, Is cents
bacon, 1215 hams, 20 cents per pound; butter
40 cents; eggs, 35 cents per doz., and water
cents per bucket full.
HOMER B. SMITH.