The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-08-04
C0L0RAD0'S RICH MINES.
FACTS THAT sURPAss ANYTHING
FOUND IN FICTION.

The Dark Red Land OF Leadville-
Some of the Famous Mines OF That
Wonderful Mountain City-Who the
Lucky Mine Owners Are-Georgians
the First to Find the Precious Metals
in Colorado-Good Advice to a Ten.
derfoot.
LEADvILLE, COL, July 25.-The earliest
discovery of gold in Colorado seems to be
involved in tradition. 1t appears that dur
ing the time of the Spanish possession two
padres, Escalante aud Garcia, began in the
year 1775 lonely pilgrimage to the north,
whether with the object of discovering the
precious metals or of communicating the
riches of the gospel to the Indians history
does not state. at any rate, after a long
and dangerous journey through the territory
now known as Colorado they returned to
New Mexico with rich specimens of gold
and silver, discovered in the Sangre de
Christie range,an outspur of the Rocky noun
tains, which bounds the San Luis valley on
the east. An expedition was Immediately
organized to go in search of the newly dis
covered minerals, but, withthe exception of
a single monk, was ambuscaded in canyon
and completely annihilated by the Indians.
The sole survivor made his way back to his
native country, and before his death made
a rude map of the location of the mines,
but, although since that day many have
searched by aid of the dim light of that
rude drawing, no one has been fortunate
enough to relocate the spot where the pre-
cious metals lie hidden. Only yesterday I
passed over the ruins of a large excavation,
with assay oven, timbered tunnel, where
one industrious Investigator spent two years
in searching for the coveted prize; but now,
like many another hale in these mountain
sides, it tells of mans buried hopes, and
natures great ability to hide her secrets.
After the disastrous termination of the
Spanish expedition. gold was frequently
brought to the trading posts in small Quantl-
ties by the hunters and trappers, but the
fact seems to have aroused no general
inquiry, or, at least, We hear Of no organ
lied expedition to prosecute the search for
it.
GEoRGIANS THE PIONEERS.
To a couple of Georgians-Russeu and
Gregory-belongs the honor of being the
pioneers that opened the bosom of the Colo
rado mountains to pour forth its golden
millions into the lap of the world AS Cali
fornia had her 40, so Colorado has her $50.
1t came about in this way. In the spring of
1849-about the period of the great immi-
grafton to California-a band of Cherokee
Indians, who had lived in Georgia and were
familiar with the pursuit of mining, started
for the Pacific coast; bringing their sho els,
picks and pans with them, they
talked from time to time ana
prosrected the streams, in many of
which they found gold, but not enough to
divert them from the main purpose of the
trip. They passed on to California, but
failing TO locate themselves satisfactorily,
they returned home, and in 1858 organized
al expedition to prospect the Rocky noun
tains thoroughly, where they were con-
vlnced by their former experience that
equally good mines existed as in California.
News Of tn heir intention reached Russell.
who. with a well-equipped company
with all the requisite appliances for gold
mining, overlook the Cherokees. and
together they proceeded to Colorado.
Cherry Greek was crossed where Blake
street, Denver, is now located. Hunting
being good, the Indi ans killed several deer
where Denver is now built and some of the
Indi Ms remarked that "there" (pointing
to the present town site "there would prob
ably be town built there in the course of
100 years." 1t was pretty well started in
less than six months from the date of this
prophecy, for the news sent back by the
Georgians, reporting great discoveries and
big strokes" start crowds of eager peo-
pie from Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri,
and the famous Pike IS Peak excitement
began. Vast crowds of pilgrims came
across the plains. lured by the glittering
prospect of gold. In May of 1859 Gregory,
another Georgian, had the honor of discov-
ering the famous gulch which bears his
name. 1t is said that he left Georgia for
the far-away gold mines of British Colum-
bia, and that he passed by Colorado during
the excitement of 1858, and chance or acci-
dent induced him to spend the winter of
that year. Instead Of continuing his north
west journey he turned back and gave his
attention to the Colorado diggings. He
nearly perlshed in the snow, which came on
and found him without shelter. Painfully
he fought his way back to the valley.
Again he laid in his stock of provisions, and
again set out for Clear Creek, con-
vinced that it was treasure-house for
precious metals His energy and enthusiasm
led him to a great goal: for thirty years
already, and for many thirties yet to come,
Gregory Gulch has yielded It's rich treasures
of gold and silver, and where the poor
Georgian nearly perished in the snow three
populous cities now stand and hundreds of
valuable mines and smelling works send
lOILu IuclI VI udJ duQ ulEub
continuously, and active mining operations
make of the narrow valley q very beehive
of wealth and industry.
THE FIRST LEADvILLE EXCITEMENT.
The years $50 and go bring us to the first
Leadville excitement, when gold in placer
mines was found in the celebrated Cali
fornia gulch. The history of Leadville
during its two great excitements, first when
gold was found In placers then, many years
later, when silver was discovered in lodes,
reads like tale of romance. From the
growing village of Danver there set out on
the 18th of March, 1860, a party Of fine
young men who tempted the untrod wilder
ness In their search for gold. Almost all the
great discoveries in Colorado seem TO have
occurred by accident, thus putting skill
and knowledge to a discount Noticing a
depression in the mountains they
concluded that there must be a gulch
in that direction. Packing up their
outfits, they started for that point. As they
reached the fiat at the foot Of California
Gulch they observed small stream flowing
along, and according to Their custom they
took out their pans and began to pan out"
the sand from its bed. Every pan gave two
or three distinct colors of gold, and though
worn out by their long tramp through the
snow, they followed up the stream, getting
encouragement at every panntng, until they
reached point opposite where the city Of
Leadville now stands. At first they were
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