The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-03-19
LHApV1LLE.

fllle.--S,etontiH Uottne'
And where Is Ieadville, and what are
they going there iorH Inasmuch as our
extinyests the answer with something Of
local interest we will explain.
Leadville Is to-day place Of 10000 in.
habitants. Yesterday, as 1t were, 1t had
no existence. 1t Is situated deep in the
wilds Of the Colorado mountains, and Is q
rendezvous for q small army Of fortune
seekers and adventures, all Of whom have
gone there To Join in the scramble for gold.
Why the place was ever called Leadville
docs not appear, inasmuch as when they
wanted to solder some water pipes the
other day they voted to use silver rather
than send to Denver for baser material.
The daily arrivals at this new mountain
city are 200 or more, and with tho melting
OF the snow in May a much larger In
flux is anticipated. Indeed. there are
those who reckon that the new
mining craze that has broken out will add
this year 100000 inhabitants TO the popu-
lation Of Colorado, and one sanguine cor
respondent predicts that the State will
have half million Of inhabitants by 1885,
attracted thither by its wealth Of precious
metals. The same writer, however, drops
the sinister hint that Colorado Is going
TO help cut more eye-teeth during the next
Eve years than any other State"
The brief history Of Leadvillo is that Of
so many other towns in tho psst,-the out
growth Of mining excitements, It has
hardly yet emerged from the Chrysalis
preliminaries Of inflated real estate specu-
lations and the stalking out Of claims by
prospeGtora, Less than year since the
LeadvilIe district was In no special repute,
but now It contains over 10000 eager, 40.
tive men whose staked out claims extend
several miles in every direction from the
city. Very little actual development has
set taken place, and probably $4,000 Is o
ialr estimate Of the daily shipments Of bull.
lion. The great crowd Of course is
made up Of men Of Gpapty means,
or none at all, dependant upon
a lucky stroke Of the pick to
turn up the wealth which each one fan.
cies may be his. In the wake Of the pros.
pectors follow the capitalist and specula.
tors, who when claim yielding rich pos.
sibilities is struck, buy itot the impecuni.
Gus discoverer, either outright, or have It
bonded to them. That is, the capitalist
pays a certain amount down with the priv
ilege Of taking out ore to the same value,
and then acquires complete title II he
chooses by paying certain additional
sum. A firstclass undcyeloped mine in
the Leadville district Is worth about Sl50,.
900. Many spectators make the llrst pay.
ments upon mines and then so East and
try to interest eastern capitalists in their
ventures, turning a pretty penny il sue
ccssful, and losing II mot.
There arethe customary tales Of colossal
luck and fortune. Prof. Borden, formerly
deputy State geologist Of Indiana, appears
to be the prince of Leadville. Going out
there year ago with 5000 in his pocket,
he now controls iningproperty valued at
millions, Another story is told Of
Leadville grocer mot our friend, Char.
ley Laue) hard.up for ready cash, who
offered few months since to trade out q
mine with tho Denver merchants for
5000 worth Of sugar, soap, ETC., but un.
successfully. Lately the same mine has
been bonded for million dollars. Fabu.
lous tales are also told of jumps in real
estate andof high rents. \ rude theater
commands LOO a month, log dance
hall ietches 500. The PRICES OF labor
are lower than usual in tho carly days Of
mining cities. Miners get 50 day,
common laborers g, while the Irish
washwomen make handsome living at
So and 50 dozen for washing. A bevy OF
Cinnamon who lately attempted to get a
foothold in LcadvillC were hustled I'M,
tremendously out Of town, and there is
one spot in the country where Chinese
immigration is interdicted in spite Of the
Presidents veto. Gaming, drinking, pros
titution, and tho other vices Of prema.
turely Rcdged mining city, arc prevalent
in the Colorado mountain town, hut there
is not so much Of the reckless disregard Of
human life characteristic OF tho earlier
and more classic towns OF California and
Nevada. The Santa Fo Railroad will
reach LeadvillO before midsummer, and
its arrival will much stimulate legitimate
mining. A mining expert processes to be.
lieve that sl5,OOO,OOO in bullion will DO
produced by this new district within the
coming year.
We have many signs OF improving