The Meeker herald., 1895-04-20
ROutt County In 1t.


northern neighbor will be lively in more
places than one this summer:
That Routt county is on the verge of
mining prosperity is no longer ques-
tlon of doubt. 1t has been slow coming,
but as the longest way around is the
shortest way home, so is the slow yet
strongly advancing advent of mineral
development the surest. For years it
has been known that gold existed in
quantity, not only in the gravel bars,
but in the mesa soil that flanks the
Bear from above Hayden to and far be-
Green rivers.
The Pilot is informed, from a source
that cannot be considered unreliable,
that work will be commenced on what
is known as the Adams ditch, this
spring. The ditch is to be taken from
the Yampa (Bear) and will convey water
| for mining purposes, into the Big Hole
and Grease Wood localities, in the west
ern portion Of Routt county. Big Hole
and Grease Wood are between Bear and
h1LiahO liNCios bCloW lDuSSo, anu loU d
great distance from the Wyoming line.
1t is said that the ground is richer than
the Fourmile fields, some running as
high as $3.50 per yard. The ditch, as it
is now decided upon, will cost $40, 900,
and will open up an extensive and rich
agricultural country, as well as assist in
developing the wonderful mineral re-
source Of our county.
Word comes from the Fourmile fields
that the Aspen company are to go into
development work deeper than ever
this year. At meeting of the direc-
tors, held at the camp last week, it was
decided to extend and reconstruct
bitches which will cost S15O,000. There
were fourteen of the directors at the
recent meeting, including Messrs. Shear
and Gillespie Of Aspen, and it was the
unanimous decision to go ahead and
prosecute work on the big ditch. 1t is
estimated that 100000 feet of lumber
will be required in constructing ground
sluices, and bids upon that amount
have been invited.
One most important transaction of
the year in Colorado mining projects
was consummated this winter in New
York and it was in this that the Four
mile company figured cOnspicuously.
One million five hundred thousand
shares of Fourmile stock were sold by
New York brokers, realizing $500, 1000.
Though the amount does not compare
with some sales that have been made in
the state during the year, its signiii-
canoe is far greater because of being in
isolated, unprospected and almost un-
known Routt county.
At Fourmile another large company
is now interested, with headquarters in
New York City. From information
gained in the lower country, as well as
from Denver, it is learned that this
company have decided to begin con-
struction work on ditch that Will cost
between 500, 600 and $4,000. 1t is ru-
mored that work in small way has al
ready been commenced, that teams have
been hired. and oats have jumped TO
four cents pound in anticipation OF
the rush to be.
Further down the Bear, near its con-
fluence with Green river, and three
miles west of the Routt county line, are
large fields Of placer grounds which
have been taken up and partially devel-
oped this winter. A Pilot representa-
tive is now investigating the merits Oh
the fields, and in the course OF short
time will give an authentic account OF
the fame-spreading Ladore placer fields.
News comes from RusselPs, on hed
Dirt. that a strike has been made on the
Eperia divide, at the head Of Egeria
creek. which will warrant shipping. All
winter there has been party OF three
men camped at Russell's, ostensibly
hunting, but as later developments
prove, prospecting A mill test was re-
Gently made, and the ore found rich
enough to afford shipping to Leadviile,
including a wagon haul of some forty
miles. The ore is principally gold with
a small percentage Of silver and lead.
China and Japan have settled that