New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-17
LEADvILLE AND ITS MINES
THE TEN MILE DISTRICT.

OF sUPPLY-FORTUNATE VENTURE OF LEAD
VILE MERCHANT-GREAT WEALTH OF THE ROB
INsON CONsOLIDATED-A NINE MANAGED OPENLY
AND ABOVE MISUNDERSTANDING ON ELK
| MOUNTAIN.
IRON STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuSEJ
RoBINsoN's CAMP, Col, Sept. 26.-Soon after the
discovery of carbonate ores at Lead'iIle, pros
pectors began to follow the Arkansas River up
toward its source in the main range OF she ROCKY
Mountains, and some Of them went early over the
divide into the Ten Mile district but while hum
dreds of lodes have been discovered on this western
side of the mountain. only one. the Robinson Con-
solidated has become very widely known. came
over here from Leadvile on horseback, and the
ride I'D the Arkansas Valley, for about twelve
miles. was q delightful one, although at some
seasons of the year the roads almost Impassable
on account of the mud. The Arkansas River this
side of Leadville, is clear, sparkling mountain
brook few feet wide, flowing through narro"
meadow in which there is a rank growth CT grass
and stunted bushes. the mountains on either
side which are not generally more than half mile
apart, are rugged and rough, and are covered WIN
the scars that prospectors have made IN their sdes
The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad has been
graded all the way up the valley and the con-
structon parties have already begun to lay the
iron. Another railroad which has been bought out
by the Denver and Rio Grande Company. and upon
which work has now ceased was graded about one
half of the way to this camp and kOkOmo. The
most of the way up the valley the grades are easy
for these mountain regions, but when the engineers
came to take the line over the Arkansas Pass. they
had TO twist and zgzag it about in the most daring
manner. ! suspect that it will be found much
easier to build railroad over these high attitudes
than to keep them free from snow in the winter.
The sources Of the Arkansas are in the very manu-
factory OF storms. Already the winter has begun
here. Shows three or four inches deep have fallen.
and one comes before previous one disappears.
On the way up here. and during the two days OF
my stay in this camp, have already encountered
some of these storms. and they have given me
foretaste Of such winter as l should not care TO
experience. People who spent last winter here
have told me that the snow lay on the ground tor
months at o depth OF from six to ten feet.
An engineer in charge OF construction on the
Denver and Rio Grande road told me that it was
the intention to build q small round honse on the
very summit of the mountain and to keep there at
ali times powerful locomotive aud snow plows
and that by the aid of these the managers hoped TO
keep the track clear all winter. | am afraid they
will be disappointed, and that neither this nor any
other of the lines now building across the Main
Range can be kept open from October to Nay un-
less it is protected by sheds
On the south side OF the Pass. and within half
mile of the springs in which the Arkansas River
rises. new mining district has recently been
OF organized. called the Alicante District, from the
principal mine that has been discovered IN it.
wen. over to this region, which is about thee miles
from the turnpike uut only short distance from
the railroad line. No very extensive developments
have been made but some very ilattering prospects
ore to be seen there. The mineral deposits are in
the form Of true ssure veins incl0sed by granite
walls. On the Alicante mine there was an Outcrop
OF quartz carrying galena. extending tor long dis
lance on the surface. This WAS pIospccted by
means Of long trench and as 1t was uncovered
the indications OF a strong vein beneath "ere I'M
mistakable. a tunnel Was then cut into the noun |
tain on the vein, and the Ore-bOdy grew wider and
better "a depth was gained upon it, Machinery is |
needed for the further development of this mine |
and when it Is provided. there is every reason to |
expect that it will prove itself to be valuable |
Several other prospects OH no one of |
winch as much work has been done as upon the !
Alicante are situated near it. Two of them look
to me as though they upon spurs or feeders of
the Alicante vein. There has been good deal OF
work done on other mountains in the immediate |
vicinity OF the Alicante mine. and in some in |
stances very encouraging indications have been |
found
RIVAL MIXING CAMPS
The altitude of the Arkansas Pass is nearly that |
of timber line, and in some parts Is very steep; but
having scaled the summit. there Is on this side |
broad grassy park cut up by numerous roads all |
leading between the same termini. The mountains |
here like all in this region. very high and |
rugged and in one of them, which Is four or live |
miles from the pass the Pacific slope called |
Sheep Mountain, the Robinson Consolidated Inlno |
was discovered. Two camps have been contending |
4.
Of the operation OF this great mine-Kokomo and |
Kokomo is situated in the Sulch |
Of Ten Nile Creek in n narrow steep rayine about a
mile and half north of this place. and is about |
wear and half old Its main street is closely built
np with q cheap class of houses but there is about
the place an air of rawness and thrift which often
90 together in new mining camps. 1t has. so far. |
been the metropolis of the Ten Mile mining district,
and shall write moro about 1t before close this |
letter. Carbonateville established as rival
Of Kokomo, about two miles south of the Robinson
mine, but the enterprise has not been success and
it already has the preternaturaly ancient look of
mining camp.
About six weeks ago it determined to have
town right here at the Robinson mine. Ths land
along Ten Milo Greek, here, was wet and swampy,
but that was considered no obstacle. Gravel from
the mountain side was hauled on and the grade OF
what was intended to be the main street was raised
, foot or two Merchants began to arrive with dry
yools and groceries, hardware, liquors. and to-
Dacco and set up tents to shelter their stocks until
buildings could he erected House carpenters by
;he score were brought from Lcadville and Breck-
,nridgc, and all OF them found work at high wages.
Store after store has gone up and still the ring Of
hc hammer and the grating of the saw are heard
n all directions 1t is one of the busiest scenes L
nave witnessed in the West. Everybody works as
hough he was under contract to complete his Job
o.lay, and, on the site where two months ago
here was only stable. driving, thriving town
If 500 or 600 people already stands. and new