The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1880-05-14


coming are coming too soon. The
season In Colorado. especially in the
portions. is backward.
The SHOWS fall until late In the spring
Tor that matter they often fall In sum-
mcr-and the passes are blocked until.
al the earliest possible time, the first Of
June. In most mining camps the
ground Is covered until this time. and
IN many even a month later Thus il
may be seen that 10 get 10 the mines Is
now difficult and prospecting il entire
IL out Of the question
Whatever Is done in that direction
now In majority Of the districts TO
which the hopeful hundreds are rushing
must be done blindly. When the snow
covers the ground TO the depth q five
or six feet Il is Of course useless 70 look
for surface indications. and Il the
searcher for precious metals would find
employment, he must first dig through
the snow and theninto the earth. Many
do this, and many in doing 50 are for
tunate enough 70 strike mineral.
Within the past year or two Colorado
has earned such reputation for min
eral wealth that popular impression
seems to prevail that a bed of god and
silver underlies the surface Of the en-
tire State, and all that one must do 70
lind Il is 10 procure pick and shovel
and start down and continue 10 dig I'M
iii he discovers the longed-for treasure.
This is a great mistake. IL is safe 10
assert that out Of ten holes that are
sunk, according to the best informa-
ton Of the most experienced miners,
not more than one developes into
4 .paying mine. Hence il may be
easily seen that the prospecror, even he
who operates according to the most in
telligent rules, takes great risk upon
himself. Many Of them who have
learned 10 know ores IS the farmer
knows corn and potatoes and beans
who are thoroughly acquainted with the
geological formations and the character
II the rocks and minerals Of the earth
dig and dig year after year, living in
holes in the ground, constantly shut out
from the light Of day. but = never ~ Ike
il rich.- They confrivc to sell enough
property to buy food and rough
clothing, but never accumulate com.
potency.
This il dark view Of the life Of the
miner. but Il Is one that all who have
engaged in the business will recognize
at glance. 1t seems almost hard
hearted TO present this picture Of the
prospect in the mountains TO those who
are docking into the State. and Of whom
ninety-nine out Of every hundred are
led to our borders by the bright view OF
af.iuence which they permit their i'm
aginations To paint for them But Il Is
intended for no other purpose than to
warn them that all cannot expect TO
reap n rich harvest Some ell be dis
appointed Those who 90 TO the mines
nj this season of the year. particularly
those who have their eyes set on the
most inaccessible districts. which are
ever. according 10 the popular belief,
the most promising fields for the for
tune-huntcr, are likely to be the first 70
receive set back. Many Of those who
are coming into the State cannot AFFORD
10 take any more than the ordinary
risks; hence the warning not to start 50
early in the season.
1t may be plainly seen that besides
the increase OF the venture IN working
without reward. there are other reasons
which should prevent men from going
: into many Of the new mining or pros
.. pecting districts at present In numer-
I Gus cases one isrequircd TO 60 by routes
twice the length Of those travelled later
in the season. because the short roads
are absolutely impossible. Thus the
hardships and expense Of the trip are
: multiplied. In many cases the adven'
. turer is required to travel on snow
q shoes. and II he Is not hardy man and
) accustomed 10 exposure and fatigue
. this will prove . trying experience
! And then when he arrives ut the
4 camp. on account Of the rush Of those
. who are Is foolish n himself. he Is like
. " 10 find that hotel accommodation
are the next thing TO unattainable. ~
: will in many cases be fortunate u n
= finds sleeping room on = floor witt
/ dozens Of Others. and II he gets COLI
= potato for his supper and cup OF cofie'
y for breakfast for all Of which he vii
e have to pay Is II he we're fcasting .
, Delmonico's
q At the present season none but hari
. men should venture into the outlying
y districts and they should 90 provide
with IN abundance Of clothing. goo
= supply Of blankets and some money
y To those who have no; started 20 Col
orado. but who are expecting TO com
y TO the State for the purpose Of mining
y we would say:
le DO not leave home before the first 9
% June, nor much later.
Do not start with less than 500 \
'e your pocket
Do not ex pect too much. but be pre-
pared for any disappointment.
10 DO not come unless you are IN SCUM
n health and able and wiling TO ''roug
"a it.r-Dtnrer Tribune.
-
4, IT is stated on good authority thu
~ tramps are more numerous In Connect