Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-23
MINING CAMP HOTEL LIFE WoIfe'S Place at Cripple Creek
 Is Lively and Stylish. SCENES AND IMPRESSIONS From the Gold Country-Mnes the Sole Topic
 of Conversation Among the People -- in That Section.
New York Sun.

New York Sun.
 It is an easy matter to get to Cripple Creek.
 'Facils est decensus Cripple Creek, said a young college graduate just ar rived from the east but it is h-l to stay here"
 You can leave Denver late in the even ing and have comfortable ride either in d narrow gauge or a standard gauge Pullman, and arrive here in time for breakfast at Wolfe's. If you get up early enough you can possibly get a good breakfast but if you wait until the crowd begins to descend upon Wolfe's dining room you may not fare so we'll In the language of the day, everything goes at Wolfes-for that matter every thing goes anywhere in the district. The Cripple Creeker is no respecter Of per. sons; he is the most independent man of the day.
 Wore's hotel has been the center of in- terest in Cripple Creek ever since there was camp amid those rounded hills back of Pike's Peak. Wolfe's first hotel was tent. Then he put up small frame shell with canvas partitions between the bed- rooms, and his patrons had to remove the dirt and dust of the stage ride from Florssant with water dipped from barrel which stood conveniently near in the hotel office. Wolfe has now very comfortable hotel, and, though the water barrel has been removed, the wash pa- sins still remain an important feature of the decorations of the main office. or course he has an electric enunciator, an elaborately carved office counter, bell boys and all other adjuncts of modern hotel, and when he gets round to 1t he probably will have a properly equipped Washroom for his guests.
 feature of Wolfe's is the bull pen. On one side of the wide office room is capaciouS fireplace, where the great logs snap and crack most cheerily during these cold days. This fireplace and the cane bottomed rocking chairs scattered about are for the exclusive use of those who are registered with Wolfe, and to make this clearly understood large placard hangs over the fireplace, where upon is printed in plain English warn- ing to outsiders that is unmistakable Tn it's meaning Running between the heavy wooden columns supporting the ceiling of the office are great round rods of iron, which fence off a large portion Of the office space, including the fireplace and easy chairs, and it is this space which has received the appellation of the bull pen. In the evening the main office at Wolfe's is strange sight Without the space protected by the iron rods are massed the Cripple Checkers as thick as they can stand; within the pull pen the tenderfoot from the east ana the Colorado investor the mining expert and the representative of the mercantile houses stand and sit at their ease. The Cripple Creeker without the railing looks through the bars and carries on his con versation with the guests of the hotel, if he should happen to have business with them. but he may not overstep the rules for Wolfe has an eagle eye ana does not hesitate to express his mind to xiolators of the rules of the house.
 Miners Meet Old Acquaintances.
 The jostling crowd without the railing Is an interesting sight to the Visitof Miners come in from their work in pros pect holes on the hills with their clothing soiled by contact with the various forma- tions of the hills in which they are seek ing the gold bearing mineral and discuss among themselves the news of the camps, and out of the evasive expressions en- deavor to learn what indications the day has brought forth. Pieces of mineral are exhibited. examined under electric lights and discussed; plans for the morrow are made and arrangements debated for leases bonds and sales There is a reun- ion going on in Wolfes office every day. Miners from all over the country are coming into Cripple Creek, and the re- newal of acquaintances made in other camps is a most common occurrence.
 Opposite the fireplace and the bull pen, through doorless opening in the wall. can be seen a long counter, upon which drinks are hastily set up to crowd with an evidently unsuitable thirst The bar at Wolfes is a busy place, and three at- tendants cannot begin to serve the GUS toners as rapidly as might be wished. In the bar room are several billiard ta.. hles and two or three other tables covered with green cloth for the entertainment of those who like to try their luck at faro or stud poker By o'clock the atmos- phere is reeking with tobacco smoke and fumes of liquor. The noise of many loud voices is confusing and bewildering, es- pecially to the tenderfoot, who, after the first half hour, finds the novelty waning and longs to get away to some spot where quiet and good order may be found which is impossible at Wolfe's. Toe guests may retire to one of the box rooms upstairs, but the partitions are not soiind-proof and the confusion continues