Gilpin observer., 1903-03-12

L nc lOllOWluS 10 SiPpSN ''cui
the Idaho Springs Siftings and shows
that some of the people there are awak
ening to the advantages of Yankee and
Alice, and it should also be lesson 10
our citizens not to let the opportunt,
pass 10 assist the promoters OF the road
from this city. The article was written,
we believe, by Harvey Preston Under the
nom de plume of "Alex Greyhotfer," and
being personally acquainted with Mr.
Preston, we know him TO be one of the
brig htest and far seeing young men in
Colorado, and this article coming from
his pen, impresses us all the more Mr..
Hall assures US that the railroad will be
built, and if Central people assisted him
before, we must double our assistance to
help him along. The article follows:
The assurances that come to us of the
building of the railroad into Alice and
Yankee from Central City ought to be
met by our business men with earnest
ness. 1t is no longer a scheme under
promotion and to be met with waegish
remarks by us, our citizens, or few Of
Yankees citizens who have some "great
schemes of their own. The best people
are working hard for road-some to
the contrary Notwithstanding. Whatev
Ell factions there are in Alice or YaLkee
makes but little difference to our people
who will be robbed by the building of
| this road from Central City.
The road will be built. That is the
situation to be met and conquered il pos
sible. Central City has been working
with will and purpose since the Alice
aud Yankee mail route was changed from
there tc Idaho Springs some two years
ago. They felt the loss OF that trade,
and are now in concurrence with any
scheme suggested by Alice and Yankee
to regain the trade and output OF the
camp-even if they have to build the
railroad themselves. as one OF the bank
ers of that city was bold to remark. And
that is the feeling that is, and that must
be met. The people OF Central are unit
ed and working as one for the building
of the road. The people of Russell Gulch
and Alice are united and working with
as good purpose. 1t is Of no use for us
to say that the people there are "broke,"
and cannot raise cent. There are per
sons at Alice that have raised great
deal of money for development, and now
are raising thousands to carry on their
work. Much OF this money has come
and is now coming into Idaho Springs
for supplies and provisions. When 1t is
| lost, cur merchants shall feel the loss.
But this is only a small item, an scintilla
OF what our loss will be. There are mines
at Alice and Yankee, and large ones, too.
One prominent mine manager there re-
Gently made the remark that he could
show more actual ore in sight than could
be shown in any mine in Idaho Springs
district, and he looked like he meant the
remark to be believed when he made it,
by offering to bet 5000 to $4,000 that
he could prove it. This may have been
braggadocio, or it may have been busi
ness-we do not know or care. We do
know that such experienced and capable
nen as George r. Steuart, G. p. Good
ier, Thomas I. Slater, Henry l. Seemann,
G. w. Possell, John Gilman, j. F. Kam-
inky and many others would not put in
their time and money there year after
year without a positive knowledge that
they have mines of great value.
They claim that they cannot get saw
ing of better than 40 to 60 per cent in
the mills at Idaho Springs, have to pay
from S3 to 81 per ton haulage to even get
that, and that their ores are worth more
in their mines. We have investigated |
some ano have found these statements |
have resulted in large bodies of ores be-
ing opened up in several OF the different
properties there and left where found. |
The building OF the railroad into that
district will change all Of these condi-
tions any one can see, feel and recognize.
The building Of the road will open up
and cut off part OF our very own dis
trict, and turn the tide OF that trade
swelled by resources that can be market
ed-into Gilpin county. Not only this,
but 1t will be but few years later until
the people there, loaded with success
and confidence, will break loose from
Clear Creek county and then join Gilpin
county, body and soul.
Can we blame them ? What are we
doing to relieve this distress Are we
reaching out to meet what foresight tells
us must come to one OF our cherished |
brothers? A? Must VIC stand back and see
our child that promises to grow into
noted man, robbed by scheming mer-