Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-07-28

When the first man climbed til
Gold King mountain. not KNOWN,
whether he was going what he was l.
hnd. how different We're his sensa
, lions from those OF the pleasure seek
er Of today! Did he take the trai
, that ziggags up the mount now? w,
10 not know: but there is the trail
blaAed Ont by the patient toll OF som,
early prospectors leading from tn,
Dad TO the mouth of the famous Cole
Nlng, II is steep and narrow witt
sharp turns and precipitous mountain
: sleeps on either side. and the hors,
iabors cautiously up it's rugged incline
Timber line is passed. The all
grove rare. the summit lies barrer
aud rocky, snow fills all the crevices
ana shady places. Simular peaks
surround us on every side. we are in
= world of mountain and cloud But
1 is not long now before we reach the
sntrance to the Gold King. The
miners have just finished their dinner
and are scattered over the sunny
slopes, glad to escape for half hour
the cold dark tombs where their life
is spent. digging from the bosom of
earth its precious treasure As the
noon hour close they straggle back
into the mine each with his candle.
typical miners, rough crude of speech,
coarsely dressed bat with kind gem
tie hearts, and honest natures.
Miles S. McPhee. the shift boss. is
one of the kindest of men With him.
we went through the mine, down grade
| after grade, padding over the wet car
tracks by the light of candle, diving
into every Gusky corner where some
miner was busy driving the drill into
the ore laden vein. slipping and slid
ing down the steep slopes with the
loose rocks rolling after us, shivering
in the cold sepulchere of the mine
where ice shone on the rocks. until
we had explored a large portion OF the
place. Some one asked why they
kept the mine so cold. and the answer
came. so that the meE will work fast
to keep warm The cool atmosphere
must certainly have chat effect.
Not an easily moving elevator, but
bucket hoisted by a rope, was our
'tANftlIb VI lDNOlnptlOH iuAO lHt WOIlu
above. We stood on the edge of this
novel elevator. clasped the rope above
with both hands. and. in mortal fear
of humping against the sides of the
shaft, were lifted slowly and safely
TO the light of day.
The worlimen at the Gold King fare
better than some people who board at
nl Ia A. Il, hot
the appetite of healthy man could
wish, well cooked, and in abundance,
was placed on the table in their din
Ing room. and Gold King men certain
ly never feel the need of sumptuous
food
Recently rich strike has been
made in one of the tunnels of the Gold
King mine. 1t is wide vein. full of
ore, and is located in the American
tunnel, some 600 feet below the work
ing portion of the Gold King. A talk
with Mr. Kinney failed to bring out
any of the facts. the vein not being
sufficiently developed as yet. to make
the results of the discovery public.
Mr.. Kinney, however. verified the cur
l'h' i'iii'io 'lhE lut SIllhi. dS
being especially large and rich, and
also said that the Gold King company
is making plans for the erection of a
large boarding house near the Amer-
can tunnel. Everything points to an
increased output and richer values
from this famous mine, which has
steadily yielded the earth's treasures
since itg laVaIpnmont
At the mill additions are being
made and new buildings put up. Car
penters, backsmiths, and machine
men are busy at work, and the little
iowa presents a very lively appear
ance. New roads are being cut out
on the mountain sides and new track
added to the railroad system. A tun-
mel extending from the mill to the
mine, being cut through the mountain.
is nearing completion. Cars run by
motor power will bring down the ore
through this tunnel to the mill.
The scenery around Gladstone is
sublime. The mountains rise in
grandeur, covered with thick timber
close TO the SUBMITS. which are bare
anu lD'hNs DtNtldl DulItu ITdtkS
down the mountain sides indicate the
paths of snow slides which have swept
away the trees in their tremendous
downward plunge. In one of the
beautiful groves that surround the
town. the picnicers from Silverton
spent happy day, hocking into the
town as the afternoon wore away. to
discover all its industries. and have
their pictures taken. A string of
pack mules came in about the same
time, hoping to fill up the town and
give it very lively aspent.
Other mines besides Gold King are
busy turning ont the precious ore from
the mountains about Gladstone. The
wagon road to the Great Mogul passes
through grandly picturesque country
beyond the Gold King mill, where log
cabins here and there dot the hillside
and mountain streams ripple over the
green sward, that lies in the beautiful
basin. At the other end of the village
rise the high mountains wherein the
Natalie and the Big Colorado mines
are located, both rich in ore and work
ing constantly.
An article written about Gladstone
at the present time would not be com