Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-02-05
For the SPECTATOR.
Letter from Colorado.
S1IyERroN. COL. January 10. is

-SILVERTON, COL, January ~, 1854.
EDITOR Sitting alone in
my little room in the town of Silverton, a
stirring little town, surrounded by Alpine
heights, Dear Mr.. Editor, greet you.
Newspaper correspondence is an enterprise
in which have had but little experience,
and any error which 1 may commit in the
composition of this communication that
would, in any manner, reflect upon my
photographed knowledge, hope will be
pardoned for asking you to- make the nee
essary corrections.
This little town, place OF about four
thousand inhabitants, and the county-seat
of San Juan county, really think is the
most picturesque and the most beautifully
located town that it has ever been my
pleasure to see-to say nothing of the bu-
siness daily transacted, and the surprising
wealth of some of its citizens. 1t is sit
uated in what is known as Bakers Park, a
wide tract of land gradually sloping to the
south, and near the source of the Rio de
las Animas River. 1t contains about five
hundred acres Of land, 9, 400 feet above the
level of the sea, and derived it's name from
Col. Baker, Who, while hunting for the
treasures concealed within the bowels OF
the earth, in company with eleven others,
in 1870, and after enduring hardships in
consequence of hostile Indians, deep SHOWS,
precipitous mountains, and wild, weary,
and trackless wilderness, he finally made a
discovery that has disclosed to the world a
country of such vast mineral resources that
no locality on earth dare claim to rival it.
To attempt to give you a full description
of the numerous mines hereabout would
be an arduous and lengthy task; suffice it
to say, that it looks very much like busi-
ness to see wagons, sleds, and sometimes as
many as a hundred barrows, all loaded
with ore coming into town daily. Wages
here are from $3.50 to $4.00 per day and
board but work is scare now, because of
such a wonderful influx of prospectors who
have spent all their time and money in
summer prospecting, and now, as is always
the case with a prospector, they want win
ter work to carry them through the coming
summer.
Perhaps it might be of interest to some
of your readers to learn something of the
dangers of this country; but it must be re-
membered that here mountains are noun
tains, and that IA, 900 feet above the level
of the sea is not by any means an ant-hill.
After having travelled 1000 feet higher
than any mountains in Virginia, reached
what is called the timber-line, above which
no timber grows-nothing but grass, flow
ers, and rocks, and then, through that
character of country, l have assembled q, 900
feet further. Now, away above the timber
line, a little snow will fall and form crust,
then subsequent fall of snow will effect
that which too many sorrowing friends are
said to relate. They are called in this
country snow-slides, but are really the
same as the avalanches of Switzerland.
The new fall of snow will start to slide,
and, although small in the outset, it will
increase in quantity and velocity until
rocks, trees, and everything in its way,
are swept down and buried in mighty
wreck. l have known slides over one mile
in length and filling gulches 800 feet deep.
Of the victims of these slides, so far this
winter, will only give the number, not
being acquainted with all Of the parties.
In Marshall Basin, 13 were swept away in
cabin, 6 killed and badly wounded. In
the Virginius mine on Mt. Sneffies, 81
were swept away in carin, 13 killed, 10
wounded, and escaped injury. One killed
in Mill gulch, 8 miles from SilVerton; B
killed in Red mountain. The mail carrier
between here and Ophir will not be found
before August, so deep is he buried. One
killed near Gladstone, and carried away in
the night while asleep in his cabin, and
found the next day among the debris, un-
der eight feet of snow, between two days,
wrapped in his blanket, etc., cold and dead,
while his watch, under his pillow, contin-
ued to tick. This gentleman was Nor
wegian named Britt Wall, anda friend of
two welEknown Augustonians, Mr.. James
Todd, Jr., and r. H. Hoffman, as well as
of your humble servant. These are not
all. There are others, the names and
gulches have not learned. 1t may not be
amiss to state that here I have with me
one of the gentlemen above referred to, Mr..
Robert H. Hoffman, we'll known in Staun-
ton and Augusta county generally, but bet
ter known ia his native town, Mt. Solon,
and vicinity. Mr.. Hoffman.is the owner Of
some valuable mining property. and after
having served the people of Silverton for
two years in the capacity Of Justice of the
Peace and police magistrate, is now about
to enter into the practice of the law.
There are other matters that might re-
late, which would probably interest some
of your readers, but for fear may be con-
sidered too presumptuous in asking SO much
space, | will refrain from adverting to them.
l remain, yours, truly,