Osage Valley banner. (Tuscumbia, Miller County, Mo.) 1879-1881, 1880-05-13
Advice g wouIa.bc colorado Miners.

lHE nfSb rtnOu1nb In0b Slilkes tpie "
that the grent majority OF those w.oare
coming are coming too soon. The
season in Colorado, especially IN the
mountainous portions, is backward.
The SHOWS fall until late in The spring
for that matter they often fall in SUM
mer and the passes are blocked until.
at 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 it
may be seen that to get 70 the mines is
now difiicult and prospecting is entire
ly ont OF the question
Whatever Is done In that direction
now in o majority OF thetiistrios n
which the hopeful hundreds are rushing
must be done blindly. When the snow
covers the ground to the depth of five
or six feet it is of course useless TO look
for surface indications, and if tho
searUher for precious metals would find
employment, he must first dig through
the snow and then into the earth. Many
do this, and many in doing so are for
tumate enough to 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 gold and
silver underlies the surface of the en-
tire State, and all that one must do 80
find il is to procure a pick and shovel
and start down and continue TO dig I'M
I'll he discovers the longed-for treasure.
| This is great mistake. 1t is safe TO
assert that out of ten holes that are
sunk, according 10 the best informa-
ton OF the most experienced miners,
not more than one deyelopes into
paving mine. Hence il may be
easily seen that the prospector, even he
1 who operates according to the most in
| telligent rules, takes great risk upon
himself. Many of them who have
| learned to know ores as the farmer
knows corn aud potatoes and beans
I who are thoroughly acquainted with the
! geolo 'ical formations and the character
I of the rocks and minerals of the earth
! dig and dig year after year, living in
4 holes in the ground, constantly shut out
4 from the light of day, but "never strike
1 it rich" They contrive TO sch enough
property to buy food and rough
! clothing, but never accumulate COM
| potency.
] This is dark view of the life of the
miner, but it is one that all who have
engaged in the business will recognize
at a glance. IL seems almost hard
hearted to present this picture of the
1 prospect in the mountains to those who
! are iloclling into the State, and of whom
ninety-nine out of every hundred are
led to our borders by the bright view of
ailluence which they permit their inn
aginations to paint for them. But it is
intended for no other purpose than TO
warn them that all cannot expect TO
reap rich harvest. Some will be dis
appointed. Those who go to the mines
at 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-hunter, are likely to be the first to
receive a setback. Many of those who
are coming into the State cannot afford
to take any more than the ordinary
risksj hence the warning not to start so
early in the season.
4 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
peoting districts at present. In numer-
Gus cases one is required to go by routes
twice the length OF those travelled later
in the season, because the short roads
are absolutely inpassable. Thus the
hardships and expense of the trip are
multiplied, In many cases the adven-
turer is required TO travel on snow
shoes, and II he is not hardy man and
accustomed to exposure and fatigue,
this win prove trying experience,
And then when he arrives at the
! camp, on account Of the rush Of those
J who are as foolish as himself, he is like
" to find that hotel accommodations
are the next thing 10 unattainable. He
viii in many cases be fortunate If be
finds sleeping room on hoOr with
dozens of others, and If he gets cold
{ potato for his supper and cup OF coffee
, for breakfast--for all OF which he viii
, have to pay as If he were fcasting at
Delmonieo's-
At the present season none but hardy
Z men should venture into the outlying
districts and they should go provided
with an abundance OF clothing. good
/ supply of blankets and some money.
To those who have not started to Col,
! orado. but who are expecting TO come
J to the State for the purpose Of mining,
, we would say:
| Do not leave home before the first Of
June, nor much later.
} DO not start with less than Sl00 in
your pocket.
Do not expect too much, but be pre-
! pared for any disappointment.
4 DO not come unless YOU are IN sound
! health and able and willing TO rough
/, it'A-Denper Tribune
I II A MAN with heart can never refuse