Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-11-15
WE LEAD
THEM ALL

That Clear Greek couty is in the lead
so far as big enterprises in the mining
line is concerned, there can be no doubt.
The following by General Frank Hall
and published in the Denver Post ex-
plains quite fully the work undertaken
by w. E. Renshaw and the wonerful
amount of ore he has encountered in the
Gem:
THAT the business of mining for gold
and its associated metals must be con-
Quoted in the largest practicable way is
matter which no well informed person
will question. That the business of treat
ing ores for the extraction of their com-
mercial values must proceed on scale
corresponding to the production of min
eral is equally true. That the consolida-
ton of separate claims into large combin-
ations supported by abundant capital and
supplied with every modern facility for
cheap and rapid extraction, is essential
to the continued prosperity of the state is
a matter of experience. This brings us
to the consideration of the trust idea. To
combine large areas of mining ground
and work them under a single manage
ment is to create a trust, but not neces-
sariarly monopoly. We used to be
afraid of such combinations, but that day
is passed. If it is best to operate mines
in this manner because it is more econ
omical, why is it detrimental to the pub
lie interest to apply like methods for the
same basic reason to the business of ex-
tracing the metals when it is clearly es-
tablished that individual effort is power
less to accomplish equally favorable re-
suits?
ITO illustrate. l went up to Idaho
Springs last week to investigate the pros
pective results of w. +. Renshaw's recent
| consolidation of mining properties on
Seaton mountain. By his orders | was
permitted to examine that part of the
great Newhouse tunnel which leads to
the present underground workings Of
the Gem Extension vein, upon which he
is drifting and upraIsing simultaneously.
These operations are carried on at point
] hNdiA AMO AlOhl tut DDlNdl VI AllC
tunnel and at a depth of about 1000 feet
vertical from the surface. 1t is the finest
example of clean cut tunnel work have
ever seen. There is neither water nor
mud at any point along its course, and
not sign of rubbish. One may walk
the eutire distance in patent leather or
other highly polished shoes without in
the least degree soiling them. The ven-
tilation, by reason of a very large air pipe
connected with powerful air compressors
below the dump, is perfect. The floor of
the tunnel is flumed for drainage. Sup
plies are carried in and ores brought out
by long trains of iron cars drawn by
small electric motor. The bore is as
straight as a surveyors line could make
it, straight as a die from Idaho Springs
into Russell gulch, Gilpin county, dis
tance of about three miles. To say that
this tunnel has been abandoned by its
projectors and will not be completed to
its original destination is nonsense. 1t
is one of the most important mining en-
terprises ever undertaken in the Rocky
mountains. 1t is absurd to talk about its
being finished at the present heading. 1t
may not be driven under Quartz hill this
year or next, but it will 6e taken there
nevertheless, because the very necessities
of the situation demand it.
"Entering one of the east drifts which