The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1879-10-18
Ar PORTLAND PascEe.
Life il LeadsIIIe.

A correspondent Of the Chicago hIfssz
Oceaa who has been spending sos,s
months in Leadville. and IN the course
OF lengthy letter. gives some fa1fs Of
Interest about the cost Of living there
now. he says:
The cost Of living here now Is much
less than it was six months and year
ago. Very good accommodation may
pc had ct the second-class hotels for fen
dollars per week, while many Of the res-
taurants furnish fair meal for twenty
nve cents. II persons are disposed to
economic, they can rent q comfortable
log cabin or a small frame house az from
flye TO ten dollars per month, and either
board st private boarding houses or take
their meals at restaurants Men say
that they ive here quite comfortably il
this way at from 81 to S5 per week.
To give an idea of tie cost Of some Of
the accommodations here, will mention
the following: riding pony, saddle and
bride, 50 per day; hay $50 to $40 per
ton nov 1.-TWO weeks since it was going
at $120 per ton; cabbage, tllrnips, beebs
potatoes, etc., 5 cents per pound at ioH-
bing prices, and at retail from 81 cents
to cents; -four retails at $5 per 100
pounds; lumber, native, at S25 per 1000.
and Chicago at $50; corn and oats from
3 cents to 31l cents per pound. Rents
are very high. Small store-rooms in
frame buildings run at not less than
$500 per month, Offices at from $50 TO
800, while the Theater Comique. occu-
pying comparatively small building ON
State street pays monthly rental Of
$500. Business lots range very hioh.
The owner of a lot, corner of State and
Harrison avenue, is almost daily imDor-
tuned to take $500 for it, but persis-
tently declines, while day or two since
one-half interest in q lot on Har-
rlson avenue, near Chestnut street
sold for 80 900. Residencs lots ara vet
comparatively cheap, speculation in them
not having commenced to any great ex-
tent. The altitude of this place Is 10. 2z7
feet, and of course the climate Is some
what cold. At this season of the wear
the nights are quite cool, fire being
necessary after about 4 o'clock P. Il. and
up to 9A.M. Winter oyefcoats as well
as flannel underwear, are worn. or should
be, all the year round, except during the
middle of the day, when it is almost as
warm as in Chicago. Snow remains on
the mountain tops within sight of the
town, all the year around, and OF course
cool breeze is constantly blowing. As
to the health of the place. those who
have wintered here maintain that. with
ordinary care and proper clothing, no
trouble win be experienced. During
last winter and spring hundreds Of per-
sons rushed in here, taking with them
their habits of drinking bad whisky in
excessive quantities, and observing bad
hours, but neglecting to take clothing
sufficient and Of proper kind, and,
through these bad habits and exposures.
contracted disease which in some instan-
stances resulted fatally Pneumonia
/ prevailed to considerable extent dur
ing February and March among the un-
acclimated, and perhaps it is not wise for
persons unaccustomed to the climate to
come here in the winter season. By 90
ing during the months of July, August
and September, it is thought they viii
become sufficiently accustomed to the
climate, that with the proper care they
will have nodificulty about their health.
At present the health OF the place
is much better In the average Eastern
towns. There is great demand for
bricklayers at present, and those who see
fit to come viii readily command. e6ed
wages. Brick buildings in many in
stances are being built, not bec&nse Of the
inability to procure workmen in this
line. There are good many thugs and
footpads hanging around, and strangers
coming here should be careful about
going out alone on any but public
streets.