The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-12

down chutes 10 the floor below, where an
ore sorter. with astonishing rapidity, picks
out that which contains metal and throws
aside the dross. The ore les then ground up
by several processes and passes on TO the
tables covered with copper plate, over
which is sheet OF mercury to catch the
gold, which Is washed over ii BY water.
To the ton there are two ounces OF gold
and the output OF the mills ~ twenty five
tons a day from 100 tons OF crude ore
received from the mine. After passing
through innumerable washings, Ia which
the metal sinks and the rock and earth are
washed away, the metal is gathered and
loaded and hauled to the smelter. Then the
washines OF the tables go through a second
process 10 extract anything that may re-
main. failing tables OF redwood are Gov
cred with canvas and the refuse of the
mill Is washed over them and allowed TO
settle At regular Intervals the canvas is
scraped and considerable fine gold is found
| to adhere to IL
| II was almost dark when we started
| down the trail toward Sllvewon, whom, as
| 1t happened we lost our way We could
not see ahead of us foot and we could
only put On brakes and trust the horse
| that did not shy even when a small
boulder came rolling down the mountain
| side into the road. We wandered for some
| time In the night until some miners put
Us right. Then we were SO hungry that we
| Let our siced go at break neck speed, re-
| CARELESS of the road and the depth of the
precplce We knew that we were In the
trail however. for had we sweryed fo1t
to either side we would have gone way up
or way down; and so we came at last TO
homo md supper after a very exciting and
eventiul day
4 CITY OF THE CLOUDS.
From Slverton we went TO Red Mcun-
tain, which Is said to be highest incor-
porated town In the world. There is no
valley at all here but the houses hang onto
the saea of the mountains The snow was
very deep, but We waded through II from
tho station TO tho tavern, where we were
seated In the Kitchen before n FIRE where
greet roasts and buckets Of coffee We're
cooking. TO dry ourselves. The air here Is
so light that the least exertion makes one s
head swim and his heart beat furiously,
In summer time snow storms are of fire.
Quent occurrence.
A STAGE RIDE IN WINTER.
At o'clock in the afternoon We left or
the Stage which runs from Red Mountain
to ouray' 1t was very cold and could no
ride on top as had desired, but was GLAD
to wrap myself In Navajo blanket ant
only keep peep hole large enough to Sc,
one side of the trail,
This stage ride offers in the summer tim,
one of the finest Views in Colorado. and i
is deservedly favorite with tourists Blu
to use It was a Wild experience as we'll a
4 wonderful ride, we started with six pas
sengers besides ourselves. a miner who n.
a characteristic mountaineer said nothtn.
the whole journey; Swede who WAS el
Their sick or drunk; two drummers (grocer
les and whisky, the driver and small
boy, who SAT on top. The driver said /
Was bad road and asked the drummer
who weighed 200, TO sit on the up side ant
help balance the stage. and afterward WI
were very glad that We had him along Tn,
stage bounced about in reckless manner
1t being down grade we had only foui
horses The snow was very deep and tht
road was slippery, and Tho wheels otter
! slid over the narrow road ms cad OF turn,
ing and creaked with frozen shudders wher
Inc brakes were pressed on.
We had not gone far when we came upor
h'tle camp, where we We're hailed by .
rosy faced priest wralHE in muffler and
greatcoat, Hewas told that there was nc
room. which Was true enough. but we were
so cold and anxious about the safety of The
road that we We're no more civil toward this
feiloW traveller than the law allows.
!, Hand down the boy" said one OF the
drummers, and III use him Tor fool
, warmer and you can get OF top
MORNING daunted, the father did sit out.
siue, ana the boy, too, and ~ went bounc-
, ing over the ruts and singing into the
J siusn, the stage tipping at times until we
were near going over into the canon below
me scenery, even al this unprop,tious sea.
son OF The year, was fine The road wound
around the mountains. which were espe.
elaiiy beautiful, red and brown In color and
traced with markings of moss ON ths
other side the canon was deem ana ths
water was clear and foaming There are
several hot lakes. the steam rising from
the melting of the snow about the edse ma
looking SO inviting that we hoped, II The
stage were going to tip over 1t would choose
that spot For we We're numb with cold
the road was very rough. and 10 besuile m.
time The passengers related stories OF other
stage s1des, and Ike telling ghost stories
on dark nights when everybody Is nj.
ready AFRAID TO so 10 bed they fingered
over stage robheries. runaways with drnnk-
en- drivers and horses stampedins on mar.
row bridges until We We're nervous enough
just then the wheel broke. the ice and
a assvy ROAD having done the mischief The
driver tried for some time in vain 70 drive