Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-10-28
FROM COLORADO.
Special Correspondence Independent.

sSlL NERION, OOL' wv A-s 1OO-'
The young city of Silverton, sit
uated in what is known as the San
Juan country, 40 miles from Duran
go, is one of the most beautiful spots
in all this mountainous region.
The valley through which runs the
Animas River is at this point about
a mile and a half wide, for dis
lance of two miles in length, and as
perfect a level as the earth's surface
can present. This city which few
years ago was only mining camp,
with here and there miners cabin,
now has some tn rec hundred build
ings of various classes, including
several very respectable business
blocks, u church edifice of fair di-
mentions and architectural comeli-
ness, banking house, several h0-
tells, restaurants, billiard rooms, a
variety theatre, livery stables, pri-
vate residences, &c, that accommo-
date a population of some fifteen
hundred souls. The trades and me-
chanics are well represented, and |
noticed a business block in process
Of erection, with iron front, three
stories high, that would, in point of
dimensions aud style of architec-
ture, do credit to a metropolitan
city. Silverton is the county town
of San Juan county, and has better
future promise than any town in
southwestern Colorado. 1t is sur
rounded by mountains that are filled
with rich minerals prominent among
which are silver, galena, and copper.
There is occasionally trace of gold
but not in sufficient quantities to at
tract much attention. On the south
Of SilvertOn is Sultan mountain, in
which there are ten or twelve mines
of silver, galena, and gray copper,
which are counted as very rich, all
having been developed to degree
that establishes their character be-
You'd question. The ore has been
tested and runs from forty to three
hundred ounces in silver, with a
large per centage of lead. These
ores are rated as among the best in
the country for smelling purposes.
The several mountains that eX-
tend up the Animas river on each
side as it stretches northward from
Silverton are all richly charged with
valuable ores and are separated by
gulches which abound in silver and
galena ores of a higher grade than
are common in that region. Bowl
der gulch, through which passes
Bowlder creek, is the first to brake
the mountainous range after leaving
Silverton, and the creek is never
falling mountain stream of the pur-
est and sweetest water that ever
slaked the thirst of man or beast.
This stream is to be diverted into
Sjlverton, about two miles and a
half distant, as water supply. The
mountain sides that line Bowlder
gulch are filled with silver and gale
ma ores to tempt the enterprise and
skill of the miner. Several very val
liable mines in that gulch have al
ready been developed and are now
being successfully worked. 1t may
be safely stated that Silyerton is the
centre of the most extensive mineral
region on this continent, though its
ores are of a lower grade than at
other points, but they are ineXhaus-
tible quantities. When other and
richer sections have been impover-
ished by the hand of the miner, the
San Juan region will scarcely have
begun to supply the world with its
treasure. A half century Of skill
full development will do but little
more than open up to the world its
enduring capabilities. Some Wash.
ington gentlemen are interested in a
big smelling company who have
erected extensive works here this
season.
SilYerton is the present terminus
of the San Juan branch of the Dem
yer Il Rio Grande Railroad, which
has accomplished some wonderful
feats Of engineering. This portion
of the road lies along the bank OF
the Animns river and masses through