Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-08-02
WOMEN RUN MINES.
Rich Yields in Colorado Pass Into
Their Hands.
One Who Dons OyeraIIs and Jumper
and Goes Into the workings-A
Number Have Been Sue
cessfuI.

\
ioraoo have passed into the hands OF
women operators and are being worked
al a profit. Other women have made
study Of mining, have invested their
money ip prospects or leased loca-
tions and are reaping rich financial re-
wards in consequence of their shrewd-
ness and judgment. The success of the
pioneers in this new field has inspired
Others with a desire 10 take art in
the hunt for gold which is going on in
Colorado.
Not all of the women who have taken
up mining engage in the actual work
which goes on in shaft or tunnel. In
fact, very few of them have the
strength for this employment. but thew
are even more proftably employed in
figuring on the purchase of supplies.
marketing the ores and looking after
the finances of every department.
There is one woman in the San Juan
mining district who goes even further
than the most of her sex. She puts on
overalls and Jumper" and when occa-
sion requires goes into the workings
Of her extensive mine and bosses" the
men who are working with pick, shovel
and tram ear or who are employed in
the concentrating mill. Her mine
which is near the celebrated Camp
Bird owned by Millionaire Thomas F.
Walsh, is one of the greatest producing
gold mines in the state and has been
made SO largely through her enter
prise.
Empire, a little mining town in Clear
Greek county, is the headquarters of
three progressive women miners. Two
Of these are from Bostou-Misses Mary
and Edith Tracy. They were formerly
photographers and came TO Colorado
two seasons ago on a pleasure trip.
They took the famous excursion trip |
over the Georgetown loop, which is the |
heart of the Clear Creek mining couu- |
try, and became interested in the sub |
tect Of mining. Instead of returning
to Denver with the rest of the excur-
sionists they remained some time at
Empire and made a thorough study Of
the district. They knew nothing OF ]
actual mining, but they learned read
tly and concluded that a little capital
might be invested in some of the prop
critics that were lying idle. They went
back to Boston and secured some funds
with which to reinforce their own saw
ings. They decided not TO intrust the
money 70 manager, but had little
cabin erected on a claim which they Sc
cured from its owner under a bond
lease. The property had been only
slightly worked and the girls went
ahead and bought mill for eoneen-
tration and machinery for driving the
shaft 10 a depth Of several hundred
feet They were at the mine early and
ate and they made their prospect pay.
almost from the start. The ore is low ,
grade, but by concentration and a care y
iul system of working the owners have
netted a good profit for several months
and are now in fair way to make their
fortunes.
In the same district is a woman who {
las gone into mining even more thor {
oughly. Her name is Mrs. Atwood and
She owns and manages the Atlantic
nine, few miles from Empire Mrs.
ATWOOD at times dons a suit of Jeans I
and goes down into the mine TO see
What the men are doing and howsthe ,
imbering and blasting is progressing.
She knows every technical detail Of the ,
business and is besides an authority ,
on ores, having made a study of the ]
subject. Recently the Concentrations !
we're found to be unsatisfactory. She /
ordered the whole lot thrown out and / ,
the buying and placing
Il an entire new outfit. which is now :
LONG satisfactory work. She lives AZ
he hotel in Empire and goes to and
rom her work just like any mine su. ,
'erintendent In the country. She has
wealth as the result of her shrewdness
and application.
Not alone is actual mining appeaIinp
70 women as an occupation, but pros q
'ecting and promoting are included.
Not long ago an eastern school teach ,
r went 10 Arizona for her health. / ,
While there she picked mp many speci-
mems Of the country rock. She had
made q special study of geology at
chool, and with this knowledge 10 aid
Ter she became satisfied that there was
ome valuable copper land lying uu-
laimed in the district. She spent sew
rial weeks prospecting and had ASSAYS
made that bore out her idea. She took
Ip several claims and then went east
@ dispose Of them. Her report tall !
led with the reports Of the experts
Who were sent out 10 examine the prom
rites in the interests Of the capitalists
whom she had approached. Her claims
we're bought at a good figure and some
II the properties are shipping to-day I
In the Cripple Creek district many Of j
he largest and best-paying mines are j
.wned 10y women. In most Of these q
asses, however, the women have come j.
nto possession through the death of {
he original owners. They occasion
lly visit the properties. but as a rule b
be actual work Of overseeing the f
zines IS left 20 men. Ii is not unusual s.
or a woman TO take the affairs Of a
nine in her own hands for time. how 81
yer. and TO conduct them success "a