The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-02
THE FAR WEST.

EDIToR CARBON ADvocATE--DEAR SIR -
Having promised TO write you again,
will endeavor to give short review of the
mines in the Monarch mining district, stu-
ated in Chailee county, Colorado. Having
spent some months in this district, l am
prepared to speak by the book" about it.
The reply Of one of the most successful min
ing man of this part of the country, in
answer to the question, "What do you think
of the Monarch mining district" was "a
think it is without exception the most
promising district in Colorado" To give
an idea of how widely the good things
are distributed would ask your eastern
readers to place their hand, palm down
ward, upon the table, a line drawn around
and touching the ends of the fingers, would
represent the continental divide, the thumb
and fingers the vorious gulches running up
to the divide, and out of which flow the diff
ferent streams that converge at junction
City Garfield postoffice), and from the
south Arkansas river, this stream represent
ing the wrist AT the head of the creek
represented by the thumb is the Smith &
Gray mine. This is vast deposit, over 80
feet thick, of low grade ore, averaging 25
ounces silver and 80 per cent. lead. Lower
down is the Ben Bolt mine, for which
cash offer Of $4,000 was refused Next
comes the Monarch, from which the district
takes its name. This ore is of high grade,
and the last mill run saw in Pueblo was
$235. At the junction is the Black Tiger,
sold for $50 900, and now showing some of
tho finest gallena ore carrying silver that
ever made glad the miners eye. (My
friend Mr.. Arner took few samples of this
ore with him, and can be seen at his store
in New Mahoning) The forefingcr repre-
sents Lake Fork where at the time of my
visit many prospectors were at work. So
tar as know they have not shipped any
ore 10 speak Of The middle finger is the
middle fork at the head is the Michigan
Lode, assaying over 200 ounces, but the
owners are poor, and like the dog in the
manger they cannot work it themselves,
ana will not give those that have money
inducements to put their cash in. II offer
ed to procure the capital to work it for a
half interest, but was refused.) Lower down
u the celebrated Gunshot. l have seen
masses Of this ore fairly glistening with ma
tive silver. 1t is a beauty. The vein is 6
feet wide, and an eighth interest was sold
for twenty five thousand dollars before it was
worked ten feet This ore has and will run
as high as 81 800 to the ton. Up the gulch
represented by the third finger at it's end is
the Columbus, this mine has paid from the
grass roots. Two men were given $l2 foot
and the mineral to work out the assessment,
that is, ten feet year,and they cleared over
a thousand dollars in the first ten feet; this
mine was sold for one hundred thousand
dollars cash. Lower down are several 9th
ers, the names of which have slipped my
memory. Up Spring, or as it is now known
Taylor Gulch, is the Mountain Chief, one of
the best developed mines, as we'll as one of
the oldest in the district, it is over 200 feet
deep with several leyels run last season it
shipped over ten thousand dollars worth of
ore with the labor OF six men, now owing to
some disagreement among its owners as to
its management it is idle, it is shame to
let mine that pays so handsomely lay idle.
The owners refused an offer of $3.50 900 for
the property last season, it is really wonder
full, some prospects, mere holes, from ten to
twenty feet deep have sold for from 81 900
to 100000. Transportation here is some
what high, railroad fares ten cents a mile,
stage or freight 10 to Is cents pound per
mile in some districts.
Wages are fair, laborers get sl.5O to sl.75
day and board, mechanics from 800 to
$500 day or so cents an hour. From my
window I can see while write, Mount
Shavano, Mount Ouray and the Rocky
Mountain range covered with snow, while
may say at my very feet are millions of
beautiful flowers of all oolors, and as far as
the eye can reach the prairie is covered with
them. will write you again when have
leisure. To day is Sunday but not observed
by nine-tentbs Of the people here as it is IN
the East. Carpentering, painting, and mer-
camille business does not rest but keep right
on as though there was no day of rest. When
any OF them are approached on the subject
they generally say. al ain net here for my
health" have made short trip to AL
buquerque, New Mexico did not ind much
to interest me. could not stand mud
houses or as they are called there Dobas, it
was too much Dobas for me- might say
as the Chinaman Me no likee Mexican
man. Should l take too much of your space
drop this in the waste basket.
Respectfully yours,
G. W. LENTZ,
Poncha Springs, Chaffee Co., Col.
June 10, 1881.
TFANAA