Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-25
E A G Err r OR G o L D
How Strangers Flock to Cripple Greek to
Make Fortunes.
A Former Washington boy in the
Ean,ous Mining Dis
trfct.


Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
CRIPPLE CREEK, April %, 1890.
1t was expected when spring opened that
there would be a rush to the Cripple Creek
gold mining districts. This expectation is
being realized now, and every stage and
train running into Cripple Creek is loaded,
and, there are four trains and three
stages daily, besides numerous old-fashioned
canvas-covered wagons. the population OF
the district is being rapidly increased. Many
people who come here simply want to in
vestigate, and have foresight enought to
bring money along to buy return tickets,
but probably a majority of newcomers ex-
pect to get rich during Midsummer. and
have only two or three dollars left after
arrival for immediate support. There is
more brain and muscle here than is needed
to develop the mines and carry on ali neces-
sary business in connection with mining,
and hundreds of these unfortunate strang-
ers are left here without work, money or
friends
When they find they cannot get employ
ment OF any kind, they take side-door
nearest town outside the Cripple Creek dis
trict. only TO find that all available positions
in those towns have been filed by persons
who have had similar experience to theirs
few weeks previous.
Business and Recreation.
NIIpple STS1h, a mining camp,
is not behind the older cities in the va
riety of its industries. Every enc has read
Of the thoughtful man, who, during the
California rush. took wash tub with him,
and made his fortune washing clothes for
the miners. who got poor digging for gold.
Enough people who have gone to Cripple
Greek have thought of that, SO through
the competition between them you can get
such work done cheapIy as in the east.
81 iAynr n N huc hrl; rsf,f
So-rUund, which the tired miners may
ride and spend their nickels after hard
days work During the next three weeks
four circuses and animal shows are billed
TO give exhibitions. Opera houses and
dance halls are, of course, to be expected in
place like this Eighty saloons grace the
town, and an equal if not a greater num-
Der of gambling houses. EVERYTHING is
open and above board, and as for gambling
Nashington's disreputable Jackson City, II
here, would be but a small, unnoticed ad-
dition. The pawn shop seems to do a good
business. and eating and lodging houses
nave all the guests they can accommodate.
Cost of Living.
A few months ago 1t woutl cost per-
son three dollars to get rot for one night,
and then he would have all the company
the room would hold. But the demand did
not suffer long for lack Of supply. so now
you can get one of the o-isina, three-doIlar
CUGS IOT twenty-five CeulS II you are
particular about the finish of your room,
are willing that the "wainscoting" be of
unpianed boards, with cracks between them
large enough to put your finger through
and are willing to go 20 bed without q
lamp, you can get a single room for fifty
cents. There are better accommoda tons,
however at reasonable prices
If you want to dine at Delmonico's you
can, In name. The caSt-iron Holsters In
window does not always indicate that that
delicacy is served. However, the restau-
rants are fully up to the average in other
new towns and the prices reasonable
The healthfulness of the place is a detri-
ment to many. Mountain air and high
attitudes are generally considered health
full, but extremes often hurtful. The
| average height of this location is 10000
| feet, and people who are not used to the
rarilied atmosphere of such an elevation
are very apt to feel the effects. The death
| rate for awhile during the spring averaged
! six per day, out Of population of pos
sible 1000 or 10000. Pneumonia is the
dreaded disease and a person who gets
that is very apt to pass over.
FRANZ HUEBNER.