Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1896-05-29
CRIPPLE CREEK CORRESPONDENCE.
Joe Walker Writes Entertaininrlv of the
Famous Colorado Camp.
Joe Walker writes from Cripple Creek
under date of Nav %. as follows.

Joe walker writes from Cripple Creek
under date of May 20, as follows:
EDITOR STAR-We arrived in this, the
greatest of Colorado mining camps, on
the Sunday afternoon following our de-
partrre from Hot Springs, and at your
request l now write you a few lines as
this is the first opportunity have had
to give you some idea of the much
talked of Cripple Creek. Looking at
it from different points, this place is
decidedly different from the "Carlsbad
of America" Upon the day of our ar
rival here couldn't have sworn as to
its being Sunday, as Bennett, Meyers
and Carr avenues were crowded with
foot passengers, loaded drays and ex-
press wagons, and during the walk to
our room, which Mr.. Maloney had
kindly secured for us, we saw at least
five hundred men clearing away the
debris from the burned building, and
numbers of gangs of carpenters putting
up temporary shacks, which we're to be
used until more substantial buildings
could be erected. The fire was a terri
BILE one and made more so by the use
of dynamite. Those that witnessed it
say they saw small buildings lifted off
their foundations, and, blazing, raise to
the height of fifteen or twenty feet be-
fore falling apart. But the people have
plenty of push which is clearly demon
strated by this fact: Saloons were do
ing business in tents a few hours after
their buildings were burned; propri-
etors of grocery stores, dry goods stores
and restaurants had shacks put up and
were doingibusiness before the ground
they were on had cooled.
There is plenty of work of all kinds
to be had here and carpenters, masons,
bricklayers, in fact laborers of all classes
are in great demand. While still at the
Springs we heard a good many rumors
as to its being unhealthy here. There
was no truth in them at all as nearly
everyone I have seen here yet looks
very healthy indeed, and I am sure as
as far as am concerned myself, feel
a great deal better and have color in
my face that speaks we'll for the brac-
ing mountain air which we receive from
all sides.
The state militia broke camp last
week aud have gone-somewhere, but
while here they did very good service
in the way of keeping order. Nearly
every trade and profession here is
"union, ,"but I can't see as it makes much
difference in any particular way.
There are q number of cafes here,
and one especially where you can get
nearly everything that one could wish
for, and what surprises one most is
their unassuming charges. Mr.. Ma
loney's building has begun to take
shape once more, and he was telling
me the other day that there were to be
one hundred and fifty brick blocks
erected in the principal part of the city
where, before the fire, most Of them
were frame. The city dads have put
veto on the erection of any more frame
buildings within the fire limits and
also on the construction of wooden
sidewalks, and it is allowed by every
one that they knew what they were
about. Everyone, generally, speaks
hopefully of Cripple Creeks future.
and sometime later on will inform
you as to the correctness of their pre-
dictions. Yours Truly,
JOEL A. WALKER.