The Monte Vista journal., 1898-12-24
NOT MUCH FREE GOLD.
COPPER KING NOT a Bonanza
New 0rssshesa District Ars Ex.ger.
AsoA

Denver. Dec. 2l.-A distatch from
Canon City to the News says:
III there Ia ANY more free gold left on
the Copper King lode. II was not shown
IN a most critical and thorough exam.
ination Of the vein to-day.
arrived at Dawson City about 0:3O
O'Clock this morning. and half an hour
later had made the climb up the noun
tain side buck Of the discovery which
has now created such widespread ex-
citement and interest. remained there
FOR nearly four hourx. During all this
time there were never less than twenty
persons ut and about the prospect. Az
one or more left. nfter satisfying their
curiosity or completing their investlga-
tion. Others took their placer. None Of
the owners were present until about I
O'Clock. ~ that the crowd had free
hand TO search as II pleased. Very
many Of the crowd We're old miners.
and the majority OF them from Victor
and Cripple Greek. With pick and
hammer they worked on the vein.
breaking on pieces Of ore. In full view
OF all who were there. ande arefully In
specting each specimen with the eye.
as well as with magnifying glasses.
Not trace Of free gold was found.
nor was any ore discovered which was
regarded as Of high value. These are
the cold facts. and vet II is also n fact
that free-gold specimens have been
taken from this property.
II is impossible To question the lnteg.
rity or the veracity OF the DawsOns,
father and sous. and other owners OF
the Copper King. They are voucheti
for by the hest people In Canon City.
aud their statements already published
In the News ns to how they found the
gold ore arr accepted M perfectly true.
In my tnlk with one OF the Dawson
boys to-day ] wns impressed with his
entire honesty and truthfulness.
have also interviewed more persons
who took specimens from the mine
showing free gold. One Of them. +. T..
Thomas. n bicycle dealer In this city.
and most reputable business man.
was nt the Copper King yesterday af-
ternoon after the last shot was put In.
and with his miners pick took out "a
piece Of mineral which when broken
plainly shows free gold. l have seen
two specimens Of II.
Fred Wilson. clerk OF the District
Court. and thoroughly reliable young
mnn. ls another who took specimens
from the mine last Sunday. ]. II.
Bonn. n fruit grower near this city. Is
another who showed me frr.-gold spec
linens. which hc says lie took from the
mine on Wednesday last
+. w. White. proprietor OF the 81.
Cloud hotel. also has two specimens.
one of which he took from the mine On
Sunday and the other on Monday.
George Sharpley. one of Teddy Roosr.
velt's Rough Riders. is also said by
+. r. Thomas to have taken gold sIcci-
mems from the mine. but | have not
been able 10 find him.
Upon this statement Of facts the
readers OF the News can form their
own conclusions Ms 4. whether or not
this is a honnnza. For myself. basing
my opinion on my observations of to-
day. do not believe that It Is n bonan.
IN. and. from the general appearance Of
things. do not believe II ever will bc.
II continued development gives any fn-
vornbic results. Il will I've found to be n
copper mine carrying gold In very
small quantities. The copper mines
now being worked IN the Cache In
POu,lre. above Fort Collins carry - In
gold. The Copper King lies within
few conc-likc hills upon the side of the
Grcnl,orn range. nt least 1908 feet
above Canon city.
The formation is granite. and sew
ernl large masses OF rock crop out
along the mountain side. looking for
all the world like old-fashioned French
windows On old.styic houses.
Pueblo. Colo. Dec. aO.-F. II. Chew.
who went thoroughly over the Copper
King vein. ON Gr1,pc creek. near Canon
city. and secured samples from the
full width Of the vein. to-day had an
assay made of the rock he took out OF
the mine.
Complete calculations Of the returns
have not yet been made. hut. Ia the
words II the assaycr who made the
tests nnd reported To Mr. Chew. as II
gold proposition the vein, ns Indicated
by the samples. will not pay In n thou
snnd years
Mr.. Chew says that there Is undouht-
csily II poke, deposit ~ frce-Iold or.
on the properties. hut that he In now
convinced. from III. assay ns well ns
from his former opinion. that II is u
copper proposition. aud not gold.
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