Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-13
Leadville and its SURROUNDINGS.

A city among the clouds is LeadviIle
towering far above the proudest of her
sisters. Her altitude is more than ten
thousand feet above the sea. And it is
clty-not pretentious village. Here
near the limit of timber line, and in q
place beautiful for situation, are collec-
ted II, 600 souls or more. And most of
them are in the prime of ife-multi-
tudes from New England homes, full of
enterprise and bristling with energy
the very flower of the families from
which they came.
The altitude of Leadville would lead
the reader to expect 6 peculiar climate.
Such it is. The air is so rare that ones
lungs must needs grow to it before he
can exercise freely without exhaustion.
The "tender-foot." as they call new
conner, who attempts the physical task
to which he has been accustomed to low
attitudes, is at once seized with short
ness OF breath and feeling that his
chest is caving in. But soon nature
adapts itself to this new condition and
no inconvenience is experienced. And
the air is dry and pure as well as rare.
Far above all miasma, fresh from the
encircling, snow capped mountains, with
little moisture save that which comes
from the clouds, the air is so dry and
pure that fresh meat will dry before
spelling, and everything that has life
feels its tonic power. It is also strongly
charged with electricity. By rubbing
ones feet over a carpet his hair rises to
perpendicular, and then by approach
ing second person with extended
fingers, sparks will shoot from them.
Indeed, the city is most favorably situa-
ted for Sparkling" the only disadvan-
tage being that young men are in ratio
Of about ten to one to manageable
young ladies.
Another popularity of the climate is
its temperature. In summer it is delic-
iously cool-rarely hot day and always
chilly nights, inducing sleep. On the
10th. Of July there was sharp frost,
and frosts are always so late that no at.
tempt is made ct gardening; though
some grains and vegetables are raised
lower down in the Arkansas valley. It
was under the biting effect of these
summer frosts that son of Erin lately
remarked, "Faith, and I think I'll not
winther another summer in Lidville. :"
Snow falls more or less every month in
the Year, though sleighing does not Of
ten begin before New Years. The au-
tums are long and pleasant, and the
winters have not the cold Of some lower
attitudes. Though very cold at times,
it is not felt as in damp climate. In
deed, men discard heavy overcoats, and
many wear none at all. The older set
tiers declare that, taking the year
through. they never found such an
agreeable climate.
The buildings of Leadville are neither
imposing nor attractive. With few ex-
ceptions the store are of wood and low,
though brick blocks are beginning to
displace those temporary affairs on the
chief business street. With rare excep-
tons the dwellings, also, are cottages of
single story, and their lots contracted
and unreleaved by either flowers or
grass. Most Of them are mere huts
made of logs, slabs or rough boards
temporary stopping places. The greater
part Of the city is regularly laid out, but
in the mining suburbs there is perfect
tumble Of huts. The builders seem to
have followed the suggestions of nature
in the location of trees and mountains
sticking in hut wherever o convenient
and unoccupied place was found. It
should be said in justice, however, that
the citizens of Leadville have generously
provided for the law, the gospel, and
the education of children. Their court
house, churches, and public schools
exhibit high order of culture.
Leadvills owes it's existence to its
mines, and it was the discovery of silver
here that created new boom for Color.
ado. As early az 1859 gold was discov.
cred in California gulch, which skirts
the eastern side of the city. So rich
were these mines that multitudes fiocked
to them, and about $12, zoo, 600 have
been washed from this gulch alone. and
the end is not yet. During the earlier
years OF these operations it was known
that the neighboring hills were rich in
ore; but of what kind or how to secure
it, all were ignorant. In due tune. how
ever, the fact was discovered that here
was conferred wealth of silver ore. sur
passing even that of the famed Nevada
mines, and since then the names of the
Robert E. Lee, Morning Star. Little
Chief, Carbonate, Matchless, Little
Pittsburg and other mines have become
enviously famous. Why. the engine
house and miners huts connected with
the numerous mines so crowd upon each
other and cover so wide space that
they form city by themselves typi-
cal mining city. And then scattered
throughout this lake county rich silver
mines, like those at "Robinson's camp. {"
abound, while new mines are frequently
found. Some conception of the wealth
of these mines may be gained from the
fact that their output in silver last wear
was over $l3. 900, 900, and for the last
three and a half years over SIS, OOO. 600.
A New Gas.
At the works of the Excelsior Gas.
Light Company in Astoria, N, Y, gas is
manufactured from mineral oil and vat
er by what the patentee claims to be q
more simple, effectual and economical
process than any yet employed. Anew
York reporter visited the works and was
shown the machinery, which is very
simple. There is bench of six retorts.
and to each retort is attached two pipes.
Through one pipe flows naphtha and
through the other superheated steam.
The flow of each is regulated by valves.
R-1l