Morning journal and courier., 1880-09-03

Mineral City, Etc., Etc.
 MINERAL CTTY, SAN JUAN Co.,, ]
 COLORADO, Aug. 2S. ] To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 The Continental Divide is reached at abou p. m. of the second day. Beyond lies the Pacific slope. The ascent of the Rocky range, 12,00O feet, is gradual and romantic It has strong, luxuriant growth of timber through which our six-horse team dasheE with fine effect on the spirits. The descent down the Pacific slope through SlumgullioI gulch, where we first notice the water run ming to the west-the Powder Horn rising at the head of the gulch-is steep and rugged We are bounced about roughly over the cor duroy road and at seemingly reckless speed ws look out and directly down into the depths that horrify, the darkness making them more horrible by it's impenetrativeness. We are on single track. On one side is the per pendicular wall of the canon, and on the other the deep, dark chasm. Still we speed. Not a word is spoken. The sense of danger has stilled the garrilous Down, down,-wil we ever reach the level We come upon level stretch of road after fye miles precipitous, terrerinspiring de scent. The intense feelings are relieved and the extreme tension relaxed, and just as we COIupOS0 OuFSCAV6S HI SSuB0 LII 1o110I duu safety, and mentally thank Him who cares for us, but with frequent thoughts of the driver, the coach makes pause and the nexi moment pitches forward at an angle of 6E degrees, remains in suspense for demi-sem quaver of time, in which the whole scene beyond comes before us and all our past life, and then dashes down for another three miles. At last we reach level ground and Lake City with thankful hearts. The follow ing day we speak to the citizens of the ap- palllng ride, the great and imminent danger and reckless driving, but are complacently told that there is no danger, no accident has ever occurred and that the speed maintained is the safest. We meet man some time af- forwards who informs us in confidence that 8 stage not long since did upset and roll down into the gu1ch, but no one was hurt; and re- gently Lake City paper gave an account of a team going of that track, down the precipice, breaking the drivers legs.
 In the light of experience would suggest to the traveller to get 8 horse on reaching Colorado. It is more independent and pleasurable mode of travel and more econom- ical, comfortable and advantageous. One may diverge from the road to places inacces- sible to wagon, can see and enjoy more and find rest and refreshment at any cabin, and particularly at those established as stations along the stage route. Stage travel is very expensive in this country, and very uncom- fortable. A charge of ten cents per pound is made for baggage over fifty pounds, and if the excess can wait send it by freight teams at II cents. One does not require much baggage and that should be confined to 8 few strictly necessary articles. At Lake City wearing apparel is about as cheap as at the East. We met at Lake City two ladies and gentleman from the East travelling through Colorado in camp wagon. They had complete outfit and were enthusiastic &,,s,, 4I,a1,. 51 joyment.
 Lake City is a thriving little town of eight hundred inhabitants and the county seat. It is prettily situated on fork of the Gun nison in valley enclosed by lofty noun tains. It is five years old, has a court house. bank, three churches-Episeopal, Presbyter- ian and Catholic-store well stocked large postofice, about dozen saloons, and that institution of all mining towns-the dance hall. Order and quiet prevail to Sabbathly degree. It is laid out in the shape of a par allelogram, with wide streets, macadamized by the slide rock from the mountains. An artificial water-coursa on either side of the main street conducts a clear, pure stream of water, as cold as ice, from the mountain snows. The office of the Ohio Consolidated Mining Company is at this place R. O. Mccormick president, New York city; R. N. Clark man. ager, and H. L. Phelps auditor at the office here The mines are situated fourteen miles away and include the famous Dolly Warden that has yielded such fabulously rich ore, specimen assays having given $14, ,396 85 and and eleven tons an average of A, 452 ounces of silver to the ton-the high est average ore of any mine worked. The property is being actively developed, and under it's present management must afford rich and quick returns to the stockholders. The president is not 1gure-head, but an &C., tive, zealous officer whose national reputation for personal integrity and business character and ability has drawn to him a following in mining interests of eminent character in the country.
 Leaving Lake City for Mineral City or Mineral Point, we proceed by blackboard up Henson Creek canon, charming, impressive ride, through mountain passes, on the edge of clean-cut precipices, at the bottom of which rushes a clear turbulent stream in roaring cataract or gentle cascade, the road running along the edge affording a terror. Occasionally we see broad avenue through the mountain forests, marking the course of a snow-slide Flowers bloom in our course in great variety of color and form. The flora of Colorado is noted. The columbine is the most prominent in the San Juan and is a beauty It was at this point in our journey that we encountered snow storm, on the 9th of August. It was infantile in it's way being but squall, but it was phenomenal to the ''tender foot" Again we cross the range at Engineer mountain, at an altitude of 1900 feet, and at it's summit be- hold the place of our destination, Mineral City, nestled in the Uncompaghre valley. The view is vast and grand beyond expression. The eye ranges over an arc of 15O miles to the mountains of Arizona and Utah. In the near distance is the highest mountain in the State-Uncompaghre IA, 540 feet above sea level, while around Is an ocean of mountains in billowy appearance from the rugged peaks of the near to the soft outlines of the distant enveloped in blue haze.
 The general altitude of this mining region Is the highest in Colorado, nine of it's peaks being over 14,000 feet and twenty-two over I3,OOo. As we descend to the mining camp of Mineral City we note the great num- Der of mines dotting the mountain sldes-the houses at them, the fresh gray quartz dumps, the sounds of the blasts laundering and re- through the mountains, and then the click of the drill. Here, we said, is an active camp There must be considerable and good mineral here, and it has taken but a little time to convince us of that fact. This is small camp of only twenty-five cabins, rude log structures, but the number of miners who make this their town" resort and post office is about POO. There is but one woman in the camp, and she boards nearly the entire
 
 in both the saloon and in one the postoffice as we'll, which occupies corner behind the door, and consists of a cracker box parti- toned off for the reception of mail, which arrives three times 8 week and is called off to the assembled crowd. The mail is brought over the range from Lake City by carrier on horseback, and it's arrival is of course an event of considerable interest to this isolated locality. We are now established here three weeks and purpose te ,emain this season, thoroughly investigate he San Juan and avail ourselves of my mining interests that may offer From cursory investigation and associa- ion with the prominent mining men # the camp we find that there is great op- in getting into good mining inter sts. This camp is the centre of a rich area hat will extend for twenty-five miles. The mineral is of high grade and in Assure veins, 1 trong, true, wonderfully large and very l ich. It's existence is as certain as the dem 1 nstration of any fact can make it certain. l There is absolutely no limit, at least for gen. 1 rations to come, to the mineral wealth of l he San Juan. The country is now in pre- | ared condition for active, profitable work. 1 The system of wagon roads is now so com l lete that transportation has no difficulties to l ontend with. The energy displayed by the 1 istrict authorities in this particular has been l ntiring, and the effect has been marvellous. | Works for breaking ore are abundant and in- 1
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