The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-01-04
COLORADO MINERS.
How the Miners Pass the Winter In
SnOw.BOund Localities.

TtOLu Inc bChNSi hCfuutitah
Hundreds of miners are snow bound in
the mountains of Colorado, and must re
main so for several months. It is inter
esting to glance at the condition of the
majority of these isolated jewellers on the
sides and near the SUBMITS of the ranges
which constitute the backbone of this
continent Their cabins are commodious
warm and comfortable. and are generally
situated at or near tunnel workings, which
afford them easy and safe access to the
scenes of their day and night shifts of toll
These drifts are utilized as storehouses
for provisions of all kinds, and while some
are natural ice houses others are temper
ate enough for articles that would be
injured by freezing The experienced,
prudent miner locates his cabin in the
timber, which tempers the furious wind
storms and also protects him from the
dangers of the dreaded snowslides. If the
situation is above timber line, he chooses
flat spot, above which the mountains
are not high enough to hold snow banks
to break away and sweep down upon him,
or plants his stout cabin beneath shell
tering ridge of solid rock in place or upon
| "hogback," which is the sharp divide
| between the gulchers. and upon which
| both the winds and the contour of the
ground prevent snow from accommodating.
| Granting that he has safety secured TO
him, what are the remaining conditions of
his months Of imprisonment The natural
tastes and domestic instincts of the in
dividual are the gauge of his preparation
for thorough enjoyment or mere liberation
of his voluntary exile. and hence the hab
its and customs, the pleasure and amuse
ments, and the modes of living are as
variable as among the same class Of in
dividuals wintering in towns and cities.
| But as a rule. the menu is excellent,
| thanks TO the canning of fruits, vegeta-
bles, meats and all kinds of preserves and
| relishes Intellectual pabulum can be
made as diversified as in lower attitudes.
with the one one exception of daily news
papers. Those possessing musical tastes
and accomplishments provide generously
| for enlivening the hours between labor
and rest. The convivial soul takes good
care that the flowing bowl does not become
exhausted ere the snow melts from the
trails or that the tobacco plug and pouch
are ample for himself and all chance WIS.,
itors. Water is obtained by melting the
snow, and supplies of wood are previously
prepared.
The miners from their coy cabins are
the observers of the terrific battles of the
i elements, and not unfreouently witness
natures most awe inspiring throes COM
monty termed snow slides. The snowfall
amounts to from three to ten feet depth
on the level, and this is banked by the
winds into drifts hundreds of feet in
height and covering hundreds and thou
| sands of acres in extent, according to the
lay of the land, and when they become
| top heavy. or the lower supports give
way by melting or settling. the whole mass
plunges down the steep mountain sides,
| uprooting, overturning and crumbling all
obstacles in its pathway until its
force is spent in the valley be-
low or against the opposite
mountain side. 1t is impossible to con.