Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-03-26
Mining in Colorado.

~ 1OOh tuo uOu0ot mlu0K u xOuk
time to learn that "placer operations
the washing of metal from the sands
were not a certainty and permanency,
and the capitalists who came in after
him long time to make expensive
experiments, and equally expensive
mistakes, and to come down to what is
technically and happily called "hard
pan" and operate to some extent with
proper means, skill, and common
sense. There was one collapse about
1864, and Of course the panic of 1873
affected the progress of the State, and it
may fairly be said that the real flush
times in Colorado are these in which
we are now living. In spite of all dis
appointments and drawbacks, steady
progress has undoubtedly been made,
and great results accomplished. Min
ing is, beyond all question, the founda-
ton of the growing greatness of the
State, and it is most interesting to learn
from an elaborate calculation, coming
recently from responsible source,
that after making full allowance for the
labor of all the men employed from the
beginning, and all the money sunk, the
residue shows better return than any
other investment in this country. 1t
must not be forgotten that this is an
arerdge, and that the fortunes of two or
three bonanza kings balance the losses
of thousands of poor men; aud against
the results of this calculation should
be set the assertion-for which ample
support can be obtained-that at least
up to 1871, when railroads cheapened
living and introduced greatly improved
facilities, the proportion OF miners who
could be called successful was one in
fee hundred.
1t is to be noticed that here las in other
similar regions, pablo interest is con.
and floating population at once drawn
thither; and events move SO rapidly
that an account of the state of affairs in
the mining regions may be stale before
it is in type. On the other hand, it
may be said that even if some of the
people go away, the mines remain, and
the silver and gold come out just as
surely and easily as before, and larger
area than ever is now the scene of ac-
tive operations.
Starting from the north, we come to
the mines of Boulder county, not far
from Longs Peak, where there was an
ephemeral excitement, some three
years ago, about tellurium veins. Then
come those of Gilpin BLACK Hawk,
Central City, etc. and Clear Greek
Georgetown, ETC. counties, the former
noted for gold product, and both con-
tanning what are called true assure
VEINS" where the rocks have been
broken or torn assunder by earthquakes
or volcanic disturbances. Ia this
neighborhood some of the earliest dis
coveries were made, and the bullion
product of the two counties is large
and steady. Then come various points
in the South Park, and just between
the Park and Main Ranges. California
Gulch, now known from one end of the
world to the other, for here is Lead
Vile. South again, and between the
Sierra Mojada and the Sangre de Cristo
lie Rosita and Silver Cliff, and south
west again of this, the great San Juan
district. Discoveries have also been
made in the Gunnison and Elk Noun
tain country, away west Of the Snowy
Range, and only time can show what
other now hidden treasures are to com
w AlSh Al thCoO AO6Aohos Az 40 hCOA
less to say that several quarto volumes
could easily be written about these
mines and their operation. and still
much be left unsaid; and perhaps in
deed, in view of the rapid movement
of events, the writer of such work
stands in greater danger of being be-
hind the age than he who attempts
some random sketches Of the haunts
and ways of the "honest miner SO
first called, it Is said. by aspiring pa
triots who sought his suffrages. Mr..
Harte declares that when sets of pic
lures portraying the contrasted careers
of the honest and dissolute miner were
first sent out to California they utterly
failed of their effect, for the reason that
the average miner refused to recognize
himself in either capacity.
A man may come to Colorado with
resolutions worthy of Lsonidas; he
may treat gold aud silver with lofty
disdain; he may be doctor, lawyer,
parson, school teacher, book agent,
lightning rod man, or dealer in sewing
machines anything but q miner: all
in vain. for sooner or later, if he stays
in Colorado, the mania for the precious
metAl6 Will maho MI easy NlCum VI AlAJ
he will seek claim" and fondly see
a bonanza in the smallest and shallow
est of his prospect holes. "A. A.
HAYES, JR., in Hurper's Magazine.
Any one intending to reside above
week at watering-place on the Cont
nent is q fool if he remains at hotel.
On arriving he should leave his lug.
gage at the station and walk along two
or three of the main streets. He will
see bills before the doors OF lodgings to
let. Having chosen his lodgings, he
has only to go back to the station and
get his luggage. The dearest lodgings
ought not to be above one pound ster-
ling per week for each room; but if he
is satisfied with small room he may
obtain it for about ten shillings per
week. The maximum cost of breakfast,
consisting of rolls, butter, eggs and
coffee, provided by the lodging house
keeper, should be one shilling. His
lunch should cost him one shilling.
and his dinner, with wine, if he wishes
t>st