Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-30
MINING TOWN

Denver Republican,: While it would be
useless to combat the prevalent impress
sion that a mining camp is the scene
of one continuous round of dissipation
and b~lood-curdling orgies, Colorado has
one example which, it is believed is with
out parallel in the United States for
good order, self-restraint and. morality.
Gold Hill. Boulder county, is a mining
camp more than 80 years I'D. 1t has a
population of more than 500 people, of
whom $50 are men engaged in mining.
Many of the houses are occupied by the
families for which they We're originally
built, and many Of the inhabitants We're
born in the Men and women born
in Gold Hill are now raising the second
generation.
The peculiarly happy condition of the
town, however, lies in the total absence
of restraint. and the prevalence of good
order dependent solely upon the senti-
ment of the community. The. law is
obeyed because it is the law. and not
because of the fear of punishment.
In this little town of 500 people. with ala
the conflicting interests that arise in n
community, the only official, state or
local, is a notary public, and he was APP
pointed only a few months g. to exc
cute papers of importance. There is not
a police officer in the town. The Justice
of the peace for the precinct does not live
there. There is neither mayor nor board
of trustees. There is absolutely no mu-
nicipal machinery of any kind. When
public improvements are necessary they
are decided upon in a public meeting and
carried out by the united efforts of tina
entire population. There is not a dive IN
the town, and a doubtful character finds
the atmosphere SO uncomfortable that
he soon takes his departure. There ara
no sprinkling carts or street sweepers.
but the streets are always clean = in
good condition. Back yards are models
of cleanliness, and a health inspector
would have a sinecure. There Is n
doctor, and he is not burdened with the
wealth acquired from the ailments OF
his fellow citizens. There are two or
three Saloons, but the owners are opera
ating mines of their own, and their
places of business are seldom opened un-
til after 4 o'clock p. M, when the day
shifts go off duty.
There has not been an arrest Of any Of
the inhabitants for more h three
years. An occasional dispute occurs be-
tween the younger men and sometimes
results in an appeal to natures weapons,
but the older men generally interfere
and restore order before any serious In.
jury befalls either of the disputants. Ev-
erybOdy Is on the most absolute equality.
In the social affairs that are of frequen1
occurrence. the millionaire mine owner
dances with the girl who waits on him at
the hotel table without thought of losing
caste, and the girl accepts his atten-
tions as q matter Of right. In public
affairs the miner or labOrer a an
equal say with his employer. and in ev.
cry department of social or business life
one man or woman Is as good al another.
OF the inhabitants of the town 80 per
cent are of American birth and most OF
the foreigners are citizens Of the United
| States.
Sit own at any OF h hotel tables AZ
| the evening meal and one will find HIM
self in the company Of az thorough Am
| erican gentlemen - can be found In tha