The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-17
MUCH DOOMED TOWN
The Praises of Cripple Creek Are Sung
Day and Night.
Mr.. PIERCE HAS BEEN THERE
He Gives the Reader a Good Idea
of the Camp and Its Re-
sources Many Penniless
Men In the Place.

Mlssoula Feb. 16.-In the bright lexi-
| con OF booms ii is more than likely that
the Cripple Creek excitement stands
without parallel in the history of the
West. Booms may come and booms
may 60 but Colo1ado's latest effort in
this direction threatens to go on for
ever. 1t is a worthy successor to
Leadville. Had this prodigy been
earlier of birth 1t would have COM
manded the respect of its worthy pre-
decessor In its palmiest days. AS it is
il easily heads the procession and has
already established for itself a modest
place in modern boom history.
The earlier period of Cripple Creeks
existence probably contains little of in
terest to the Missoula public. Its in
fantile experiences have more than
likely been similar to those of other
rising young mining camps. The hum
BILE prospector has accidentally discov-
cred hidden treasures of fabulous
wealth, and all that sort of thing. But
it is only during the past few months
that the attention of the outside world
has been attracted ITO this point. During
recent weeks prominent magazines
and newspapers have been full of
rush for the scene. Montana has been
a liberal contributor.
H. Nj. Pierce of this city has just re-
turned from the New Eldorado. In
conversation with a Standard reporter
yesterday he gave the following inter-
esting information in regard to the
muchly-boome district:
Yes, 1 spent several days in Cripple
Creek. Talk about excitement L never
saw anything like ii in my life. The
people of Colorado have gone clean daft
over the situation. They talk of ii by
day and dream of 1T by night. No
matter where you go, 1t is all Cripple
Creek.
The place is situated in the mount
aims at an altitude of about 5000 feet.
1t is reached by rail. The grade is
terrific until the summit is passed. The
trains consist of two cars. 1t requires
two engines to carry the load up the
hill. What do you think of that? The
road winds around Jagged cliffs and
rocks like an ocean steamer until your
head swims. Besides the accommoda-
lions are not the best on earth.
But these inconvenience are soon
forgotten when you reach Cripple
Creek. Here will be found upward of
10000 people. There are not suitable
quarters for one third of that number
The hotel rates are 81 per day, but
dences for 81 night, IL you are lucky.
Restaurants are numerous and fair
meals can be had for % cents. Hun
dreds of people find repose in chairs
each night. The rate is uniform-5O
cents straight. 10y
Cripple Greek cannot boast of many
pretentious structures. There are a
few brick buildings, but the majority
Of them are frame. The town is built
on solid rock and when connections are
made with the water system it is neces-
sary to resort to the drill and giant
powder 1t boasts of newspapers,
electric lights and other modern i'm
provements. The merchants are all
doing a rushing business, but prices are
not what they should be because of
the proximity of Denver.
There is a great deal of building go-
ing on and lumber cannot be obtained
fast enough to meet the demand Ii is
not an uncommon sight to see a young
fellow with white shirt and dainty
brush or driving nails in clapboards.
1t is a 10 to 1 shot that he was tempted
by the siren song of glittering gold and
fell. In short, he landed in Cripple
Creek with a depleted treasury. He
had to turn his hand to whatever he
could get.
The country round about Cripple |
miles. All that is necessary to dispose |
of claim is to prove ownership. The
largest producers are the Portland and
groups. The former has |
produced as high as S4.OO0,O00 a month |
in gold. The entire district is covered |
with rich surface rock. Much of il |
does not attain any substantial depth |
and the owners are careful not to eX- |
pose Its shallowness to the gaze of |
purchasers. They merely |
skim along the top. The rest is easy.
Early each morning hundreds of |
teams start for the various mines and |
prospects They come from every con-
ceivable direction. The whole town Is
awake by O'Clock and everybody is
on the move. Many men mount horses
and start for the hills. 1t is a sight |
never to be forgotten to witness this
rush of excited humanity. 1t is gold |
but gold.
THE people there never sleep: some
through choice, others of necessity. All
night long the streets are crowded. II |
s cosmopolitan population Every
and condition of life is rep
resented. Variety theaters and other
resorts of a questionable character are |
not tolerated. The wlniskey is bad but
The high altitude seems to remove any
lesire for intoxicants. In this instance
I would appear TO be a sort Of provi-
iehtial prohibition. Cripple Creek is
free from the lawless ele-
nent that usually characterizes BOOM
ng mining camps
The climate there is bad. II is too
nigh and very damp. Nearly everybody
5 troubled with hacking cough. IL
s a great camp. fhowever, but I think |
{ is overdone and that a reaction is
bound TO follow. But there is no STAY
ng the excitement at present That
IAN only be accomplished when a suf-
icient number OF people have found a
balance on the wrong side Of their ledg-
rs as a result of dabbling In Cripple
Creek stocks"
BRIEFS AND PERSONALS.