Gilpin observer., 1899-02-16
The Denver Republican says:

have been of the most serious cnarac-
ter, and have greatly reduced the out
put of the year. From every camp in
the state comes the same report OF
mining operations shut down on ac-
count of the deep SHOWS. suspension of
transportation facilities and lack of
fuel. and 1t is now estimated that the
production of Colorado will be cut
down at least S2,000,00D during the
coning year.
Leadville has been tie center of in
tcreSt during the past ten days. for
several reasons. The second camp in
the state in production. and the rival
of Cripple Creek so far as its future
is concerned, it was felt that serious
disaster to the state would result from
Il general closing down. At one time
it seemed impossible to avert a total
suspension of operations. The most
important feature of the situation was
the possibility that the pumping oper-
atons in the downtown section would
have to be stopped on account of the
lack of fuel. This would have been a
serious blow to the interests of the
camp. 1t would have meant the total
loss of more than 100000 expended up
to the present time. with no certainty
that Il like sum could have been Sc
'uiNi Nl'hii N'dl' anu tN'i II INV
money should he raised, ii postpone
ment of the operation of some of the
best mines in the state for period of
not less than six months. Incidental
to this would have been the reduction
of the working force of the camp by
at least 800 men. required to work the
downtown mines, for an indefinite
period
But Leadville has sustained her rep
utation for indomitable energy. and
came out with flying colors. There
has never been n time in the history
of that camp when it has not been
equal to the occasion and ready to an
Swer any call upon its resources 10
avert trouble and conquer unexpected
difficulties. and now, thanks 10 the en-
terprise of her citizens. there is no
longer any danger of serious disaster.
But. though the danger of universal
stoppage of the mines no longer exists,
present conditions are not pleasant.
and there is IL certainty that the camp
will have to stand a heavy loss as the
result of the heaviest storm period in
the history of the state. The snow lies
in great masses on the higher mines of
the district. and. though conditions
| are improving. the gain is slow and
many days must elapse before the
wonted activity of the mines near the
summit is resumed.
Late arrivals from Leadville report
that the greatest difficulty experienced
since the opening of the blockade is in
getting cars to load ore for the Denver
and Pueblo smelters. The railroad
| yards are in n wretched condition from
| the accumulations of ice and snow.
which has doubled the work of the en-
gines. In some cases it is almost i'm
| POSSIBLE for an engine to make any
headway with an advance force Of la
borers to pick the ice and SNOW from
| the track There is plenty of ore
awaiting transportation. that cannot
he moved until the yards are put in
| proper condition. and il is estimated
| that this will require at least two
| weeks.
The other camps of the state are al
seriously handicapped by the storm
conditions. Aspen has made IL splen-
did struggle against the elements. and
though the ore supply has been neces-
sarily cuI short. The miners have
worked hard during: the entire storm
period to get their ore to market The
actual mining conditions in that camp
have not been seriously affected by the
weather. but the hauling of ore and
timber has been greatly checked.
AT Red Cliff the topography of the
country is such that the danger from
snowslides has caused an almost ab-
solute suspension of work. The en-
tire force of miners in this active camp
his been constantly on the watch to
prevent damage or render assistance
when required.
AZ Silver Plume the same conditions
prevail. and since the terrible catas-
trophe of Sunday last no work at all
has been done. the camp being still
threatened by heavy masses of snow
which overhang the mines and the
town itself.
Boulder county has been blocked for
two weeks. AT Ward. Eidora. Carl
bou and other of the higher districts
ii has required all the energy of the
people to maintain the actual supply
of necessities and work has been con
fined To development alone. no ore OF
any consequence having been taken
| ont. The Colorado \ Northwestern
road was compelled 10 abandon the
western portion of its line, running no
farther than Sunset. hui Is now at
work opeuing The road with the pros
pcct of Getting through 10 Ward this
week.
In the san Juan country there has
not been so much difficulty as I'm the
other sections of the state. Up to ten
| days ago little snow had fallen In the
mountains. though the snowfall was
heavy in the valleys, and mining con-
ditions were favorable. Since then
| there have been severe storms In the
mountains and the roads have been
rendered almost impassahlc. while the
heavy masses of snow Indicate possi-
bic trouble from snowslidcs. The road
| from Sllverton has been kept open and
there is no difficulty III getting ore
| down 10 Durango. hut many of the