Delta chief., 1883-03-21
Colorado Mining.


The feeling throughout Colorado is that
the mining interest is looking better than
at any previous time since the great Lead
VILE period. From 1879 to the present. bands
of prospectors have been searching wholly or
iuire feet explored territory in the noun
tains for new mineral deposits Of u like char
ac:er. II has been persistently asserted by
this class of pioneers that they would be
found in time, and there is now every reason
TO believe tha; the primary foundation for eN-
tcnsive new settlements and enormous pro-
ductiou of silver and lead have at last been
laid in the old U Reservation. While yet
in the fir stages of development, the field re-
Gently opened is positively known TO contain
extraordinary evidences of very large and
rich ore bodies. This of itself is sufficient TO
awaken all the enthusiasm and its natural
consequence of an immense hegira. As the
snow still covers the ground to a considerable
depth, and as March and April are unusually
stormy months in the higher attitudes, the
material facts cannot we'll be known until the
ground is cleared and more thoroughly cN-
plotted by shafts and tunnels. Meanwhile,
however, the rush has begun, and out of it
will soon come such further information as is
necessary to determine both the future of the
district and the activity of the year. If it
shall prove to be equal TO present expecta-
,ions there is no doub, that 1888 will be the
most prosperous year ever witnessed in this
region.
But we are not wholly dependant upon
this enterprise for great results. Sufficient
has been done in other quarters to demon-
strate the fact that larger amount of bullion
will be produced in the State than was re-
turned in 1881, the most prolific period in
our history. The craze for selling holes in
the ground having exhausted itself by the ar
initiation of confidence, the owners of really
valuable mines have gone TO work, and by
converting them into profitable ventures re-
gained their scli.respect and n, the same time
rendered themselves independent of stock
sharps and professional bouismen. If man
has property tha; will bSar investigation,
and is worth the price asked for it, he can al
ways find purchaser without the intervcn-
ton of middle men. IL, practice of bonding
mine for ten thousand dollars its intrinsic
value, and then offering il under cloud of
Misrepresentation for a million, ruined the
business, and there was no other resource but
in development. The result is seen in the
rapid increase of paying mines and in the
vast tonnage of excellent ores sent to the
various established markets. The boom of
to-day is the hcaithiest we have ever cNper-
fenced because founded upon The products of
legitimate enterprise and widespread resto-
ration of public confidence.
The one thing needed to expand and per-
pctuatc the growth of aiming in Colorado is
the discovery and extensive operation of gold
mixes. Silver u well enough in its way, but
goldis better because less subject to fiuctua-
ton. Thedgh Senator Bowen by the thor
ough exploration Of Summit district in Rio
Grandc county added the most powerful fac
tor 10 the gold output that has been develop
ed since 1865, we need many more such con.
tribntors to maintain the grand prestige OF
Colorado as the greatest mining State in the
world.