The Elk Mountain pilot., 1881-12-29

4
quality, easily mined and in iuex
haustible quantities.
Our forests will produce for gener.
atlohs, almost unlimited supplies ol
the finest of timber. Those who have
not travelled through these mountains,
can form but little idea of the wealth
standing there, ready to be utilized.
In the valleys there is considerable
land which produces a natural hay, to
harvest which it costs but little and is
the finest grazing for cattle, horses
and sheep; puresvatc7 and a not too
rigorous climate, and while at tn. alti-
tude Of Gunnison City, only the
harder cereals can be raised. We
have. just West OF us, immense tracts
OF land suitable for the production of
wheat. In the upper valleys We have
not seen finer country for the rails
ing of horses, in most sections they do
we'll the year round. The grass is very
nutritious and We shall see in this in
dustry a wonderful growth. The in
PRODUCTION and rearing of a breed OF
horses suitable for the work which the
development of all our resources will
demand, will find employment and
profit for many. We already raise
our own beef, and the summer ranges
for cattle and sheep are unsurpassed.
Another source of wealth which is
as yet in its extreme infancy, gives a
promise Of the greatest importance.
Luhricating oil has been discovered
near Irwin, and company with sua,-
Client capital and suitable machinery
is now boring at the rate Of fifty feet
per day. Experts from the oil fields
of Pennsylvania are unreserved in their
expressions of confidence in the f,-
ture of this great industry in Cunpison
county.
Iron of a superior quality has been
discovered, in how great quantities
We are not aware, but it is believed
there is sufficient already discovered
to warrant the erection of rolling
mills and iron manufactures.
Gunnjson City, our county seat,
even now stands forth like a young
giant and demands recognition as a
center of trade and importance. Two
railroads are at her door and pushing
through the valleys, ready 10 do the
work of transporting to the outer
world our products of silver, gold,
iron, wheat, oil and live stock.
The Cunnison country has as vet
no history. It has only future. The
implements are here at hand In men
and material, out OF which to build a
great commonwealth. 1t will take
time. capital and industry to trans
form all these varied natural resources
into the more convenient forms of
wealth, but it requires no prophetic
pen to write her future. Above all it
is extremely fortunate that lii her citi-
zens she will find public spirit and
an intelligence that fully appreciates
the value OF her fair heritage.
RUBY CAMP.
Ruby Camp is thirty miles north
west Of Gunnison City, eight miles
west Of Crested Butte, the presenter
minus Of the D. &, R. G., without
doubt themost.. important mineral dis
trict discovered in the Elk Mountain
country. Ruby Belt proper, named
from the large proportion ofrubys silver
in Its ores, is six miles in length north
and south and three miles in width.
The great anthracite coal fields and
Ruby Peak form distinct boundary
on the west, and Elk Basin, Gal:na
District, draws line equally distinct
on the east. The entire belt of eigh-
teen square miles lies at an altitude
exceeding 10000 feet, some rich dis
coveries having been made far above
timber line, IL, 900 and even 49, 900
feet above the sea. The mineral crop
pings throughout the belt are the most
regular, positive and stupendous We
ever saw, several Of the largest veins
being traceable upon the surface for a
mile or more and their various spurs
scanning the mountain sides protrude
on every hand. The veins nearly all