Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-01-16
LAND OF GOLDEN DREAMS.
CRIPPLE CREEK As SEEN BY AN
ABILENE MAN.
Treasurer Pattison Talks Interesting
ly Of the History and Prospects Of
the Greatest Gold Camp in the
World Riches Are Not for ALL

County Treasurer c. II. Pattison
returned Monday from weeks
stay at Cripple Greek, the great gold
mining camp Of the world at present.
To REFLECTOR representative today
he gave some impressions of that re-
markable section which is attracting
wide attention. In substance he said:
"people have a wrong idea as to
the Cripple Greek district. The big
mines are not at Cripple Greek but in
the district at the leading shipping
stations, Victor, Independence, Ana
conda, Altman and Gillett. The dis
trict is about six miles in radius and
contains about $4,000 people. Hun
dreds are pouring in from all parts Of
the nation and IL is expected that
100000 will be on the ground by
spring. Lately three or four good
mines have been opened tributary to
Cripple Greek. One is the Anchoria-
Leland which is expected to rival W.
S. Stratton's famous Independence
mine, OF course visited the lndc-
pendence, the richest mine in the
world. saw Stratton, quiet, un-
assuming man, looks like Joe Ady,
only smaller. lie walked into the
camp three years ago dead broke.
His income now is 800, 900 II month
and he is only getting ready to deycl-
op the mine proper. Probablys7, o00,-
900 is in sight. Some Of the siIvanilc
ore taken out runs 100000 to the
ton, almost half pure gold. You
can't get even sample Of the ore.
Stratton's house is guarded nights to
keep cranks from him. Most Of the
correspondence from Cripple Creek is
pure bosh and misreprcsents condi-
tions.
"The town of Cripple Creek has
about 10000 people; 1t is rambling,
struggling mining camp. Four or
five brick buildings are seen, the re-
mainder are cheap shantes. Real cs-
tate has doubled and triped in value
since last summer and rents are high.
1t is almost impossible to find busi-
ness room. Stocks Of merchants
goods have been at the depot a month
awaiting II room. Yet everybody
wants to sell. Lots for which Il
ground rent of $1,000 year is re-
fused are for sale at $4,000. Busi-
ness firms doing 800 worth Of trade a
day will sell for 100000. The people
realize that like all mining camps
there may be u sudden drop in things.
Other camps are sprlnglng up all over
the district, Victor and Gillett are al.
ready becoming of Importance. Vic
tor is the bad mems town Of the dis
trlct, whore they kill men before
breakfast. Cripple Greek is compar-
atively quiet and orderly.
"Two great attractions exist in the
town. speculaiing in the mining ex-
change and in real estate. The lat
ter is for the few, the former for the
many. Everybody buys stocks, even
servant girls take their chances Hun
drcds of stocks are listed. Mines are
capitalized at 81, 200, 600 in shares of
81 EACH These sell from | cent to
1885. Scores Of stocks are selling
for to 8 cents share and in these
is the chance to invest, For 800 one
can buy several hundred shares and a
rise to par means fortune. Scores
Of men who have made 100000 to
800, 900 from hundred or less are
pointed out and it Is calculated to
make n man nervous. The craze
combines the fascination OF dealing
in grain margins with that of lot
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