The sun., 1896-03-01
UNIQUE MAIL ROUTES.
Ways In which snow-bourd Coiorsd
Miners Get Their Letters In Winter.

Ways In which snow-bourd Colorado
Miners Get Their Letters In Winter.
| DENVER, Feb. 2e-Probably tho most unique
method OF transporting mails known to the
United States Post Oflco Department 10 that In
daily use between Telluride md Smugglor. Tho
mining town OF Telluride is located ut tho head
OF a picturesque Rulch Tho mountains rise in
majesty to cloud-piercing heights about the
town, and from every preciptous draw between
the giant peaks foaming cascades. waterfalls,
and roaring streams come down from the snow
laden submits to swell tho torrent of tho San
Miguel. which rushes through the town. -Four
miles above Telluride Ia Marshall Basin, situated
among the snowy peaks and far above timber
lnc. and in this basin is the little mining sctte
ment of Smuggler. where the employees OF tho
great Smuggler. Union and Tom Boy mines make Q
their homes. Although the Inhabitants have
a Post ONCE of their own the postal authori-
ties do not guarantee n regular service because
of the difficulty Of keeping trail open in the
winter time. The dangerous srowslides con-
p,antly threaten destruction to the hardy
miners who scramble through tho SHOWS up the
steep trails to the settlement In Marshall Basin
Until in recent years all supplies for the camp
in Marshall Rasin were transported thithcr by
pack animals Tin Der for the mines, coal for
the boilers and iron rails were dragged over
tho trails or packed securely about swaying
pack saddles and carried to an elevation Of
$4,000 feet by the burro. When winter closed
down and tho burro trains could no longer be
driven on schedule time the miners would take
turns In going down on snowshoes TO get tho
mails and a few necessary supplies that could
be carried upon their backs
But the practical APPLICATION or the endless
greatly facilitated the Transportation Of sup
plies from Telluride up to Marshall a Ba,in; IN
vnn m N nj IN nf nj
weight the active power which drives the end
less chain from which they are suspended. In
supplies for the camp are placed. One of the
buckets y painted q bright red color and the
to which 1t is put, The daily mail for Smuggler
Post Office is now delivered as regularly across
and giant, mountain ruTsedness with as much
safety as between two settlements in the prai-
rios OF western Kansas or Nebraska.
Basin is the Post Office Of Nit Sneiies near tho
famous Nirginius mines. seven miles above
Ourny. mining town which is as pioturesqucly
located as Telluride. n good wagon trail leads
from Qurny up the mountain side 70 Nirglntns
snow an occasional slide DESTROYS he consnuity
of the route 50 that shedding cannot he done,
and the mails are carried by men with snow
shoes. There are a number OF snowshoe routes
in the mountains OF Colorado, but none more
hazardous than this one. The men who carry
with accident. They have learned to under
stand tho peculiarity of snowsides, and when
nEn Wlnu Is DloWlnk oT OtneT con-
ditions make travelling along the trails danger
ons, they postpone their trips until acttled
weather returns. Sometimes the mails arc two
weeks in arrears when the mail carriers dare to
venture forth.
A free delivery system is in vogue in the min
ing districts, though the postal authorities have
nothing to do with it, From every mountain
Post Office trails diverCe up every draw and
gulch. A mtner setting out for his cabin, perched
somewhere far up on u mountain. will take with
him all the mail belonging to his neighbors.
though they may live miles from his place. At
each turninG-on point a small box will be found
nailed securely to the trunk of stout old Pine
tree. and upon this box is scrawled the names OF
all miners who must pass that tree in going TO
their respective cabins. Into this box tho
last man from town deposits all the mail
belonging to miners living up that particular
gulch. From that gulch a miner will OCCASION
ally descend for the mail, and as he returns up
his trail he deposits II in turn tho several pieces
of mail in other boxes placed Mt convenient
points. In this manner one man can save many
weary step to other miners who live out the
long winters in the very heart of the Rocky
Mountains. Mails are collected in a similar
manner. and often small errands are likewise
done. Money deposited in mail boxes for the
purchase of stamps. tobacco. and other notions
light in weight is ALWAYS properly respected
and the mission fulfilled. no matter how much
tho snOwshoe pedestrian may he under the In
flnence Of good fellowship us he returns from
town.