Gilpin observer., 1903-11-12
The Town Of Leyden.

of. place Leyden, the new coal camp,
was. In last weeks Arvada Citizen we
find the following article, which gives
the required information
Wednesday afternoon we visited tie
town OF Leyden and was much surprised
to find it such a lively place. Although
but new place, the name has become
very familiar every where on account of
its wonderful deposits of coal OF the
very best quality.
The town is located ten miles west and
little north of this place, on the head
of Ralston creek, and is controlled ex-
clusively by the Northwestern Coal COM
pany, or in other words the D., N. w.
& P. railroad, which owns and operates
the coal mines and the finest electric
railroad in the West, which terminates
at the town, distance of eighteen miles
from Denver.
This interesting town is located in
rather picturesque place. To the west
but few miles the foothills of the
mountains begin their rapid ascent, fur
biShiHS u ldiuldt HduOldAld
and beautiful. On either side rough and
rocky hills surround and present view
that tempts the stranger and PROMPTS a
desire to climb to their submits and
view the lovely valley of Clear creek,
which presents rare opportunity. To
the east you follow the line of the street
| car and one OF the finest views of tie
country with the outlines of Denver is
| to be seen.
The town is now composed of prob
ably twenty-five to thirty new houses,
all with but two or three exceptions
being constructed alike. and painted a
crimson red with white finishiugs The
conlpany's boarding house, ics charge Of
Mr.. James Doyle. is large and roomy
house and standing alone. painted after
the universal style presents fine ap-
pearance, and is the home of a large
number of miners and employees, it
being the only boarding house or place
in the. town where a meal or lunch is
served So far there is not one line of bust
ness or profession represented, and not a
solitary article of any kind or descrip-
ton, outside of coal, for sale. No school
house, no church, no store, no shop of
any kind. The reason of this is the
company own all the land, and pre-
sumably after they get through with the
work OF putting the mines in operation,
and that is something which requires
much time and expense, then they will
take action in these things which will
come later. The place is sure to make
one OF the most prosperous coal camps
in the state for several reasons, the prin-
cipal ones being the cheapness Of trans
portation to near markets aud other ad-
point 1t is prone to but little further
than plain-and, we believe, virtuous,
meaning also a modern-coal mining
town.
A short distance above the town,
which decidedly appears down, is located
the shafts of the mine. About ninety
men are now employed underground
and probably fifty more on the grounds,
including carpenters and various me-
chanics and laborers who are erecting a
plant for the new shaft. Here we see
six immense boilers OF 600 horse power
being placed in position, and great hoist
ers soon to arrive. Mr.. Fred Neumeyer,
a gentleman OF a very affable nature
and man fully capable OF filing the po-
sition, is assistant superintendent and is
having the work done in the most sub
stantial manner. J. N. Curran, the
mine boss, is one of the valuable men to
the company and takes as much interest
in the success Of the mine as though he
was owner.
The mines today nre producing 800
tons Of coal daily and when they get
the new shaft working, the output will
reach from 1900 to 1900 tons daily and
this amount will not supply the demand
for Leyden coal, 80 great is the demand
for it.
In the Office we hnd as chief mine
clerk, salesman, recorder and time
keeper, Mr.. Newton Spangler, and his
assistant, Mr.. l.. d. Kline. The gentle
men are both the right men in the right
place.
To those who have not had the pleas.
ure OF trip to Leyden we wish to say
they have missed delightful trip and
an interesting visit, one which will show
them an industry, though now iu its in
fancy, which will soon develop into some.
thing Of immense proportions and be OF
much benefit to our people and the
country.