The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-18

nal properties were recommended by
physicians for the cure OF blood diseases
and various ailments
GOLD DISCOVERED.
In 1901 the Seyser which supplied the
bathhouse became choked. and an investi-
cation followed A well-driIling apparatus
was obtained and operations were begun
in the drilling OF n we'll for the purpose OF
bringing about an active flow of hot water.
At the 4T-foot level was encountered
quartz which was full of Suiphurets. Hop
kns then drilled to the depth OF seventy
eight feet. He sent samples of the drill
lngs TO all parts OF the United States for
assaying. obtaining results varying from
s9SI.T7 TO A5S7 per ton in gold.
The springs or geysers issue at the base
Of Mount Rose. which towers 1880 feet
above the sea level. near the famous COM
stock Lode. which in its palmy days near
ly doubled the money metal of the civil
ICED word giving to the nation more than
siO.O0UO0. This ore was all taken from
hot water at and below the surface level
OF Steamboat Springs. Therefore, It is un-
derstood WIZ Steamboat Springs, with its
chlorine and escaping mercury. deposited
the gold. the silver being carried on to
the Comstock through volcanic crevices
which are known to exist there.
When the Sutro tunnel was cut and the
lower level of Comstock was pumped. the
.evel Of the waters at the Springs" was
lowered. This was accepted as evidence
that the two came from the same general
source.
FIRST SCIENTIFIC REPORT.
The first scientific report Of gold at
arnhaaf SnrinCu Ypada Nv Dprtnr
Lauer. who was sent to this country in
1858 by the French Government to investi-
gate geological conditions. In his report
he said that gold was being deposited
there by the action Of the hot water.
In 1856 the United States Geological Sur
vey Corps was encanped at Steamboat
Springs for more than three months. The
scientists found that gold was being de-
posted there by the hot water Of the
Eeysers and reported the discovery in
monograph No. l3 Of the United States
Geological Survey.
The minerals were deposited by hot water
arising from Il great depth and carrying
up In solution various meta.s. The waters
at this point are the most highly mineral
lied yet discovered. Their temperature at
the surface .s as high as 1876 degrees Fab
feet altitude Of the Springs"
These are the only known springs that
carry mercury up in solution and throw
1t of In vapor in the form of mercurio
sulphide
Steamboat Springs derived its name from
the emissions of steam from the earth.
which Is described as resembling the puff
.nE Of a steamboat when under fun steam.
The sanitarium and hotel which were
built there in 1900 by Hopkins burned to
the ground last April. destroying with
them the mining machinery and ap-
paratus.
This did not discourage the owners. a
they are now arranging to install q heavy
plant which will consist of pumps and
drills similar to those used at the Com
stock Lode.
AS to the value Of his discovery. meas
ured In dollars and cents, Colonel Hopkins
is reticent. That gold is comparatively
near the surface In enormous quantities
he firmly believes. His problem IL to over.
come the hot water which must b en-.
countered at every step In mining and
make It possible for men to work On tbs
gold-beortng veins.