Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-03-19
A Clear Creek Curiosity.

The old Lebanon tunnel just below the
loop bridge above Georgetown is about to
be brought into operation again, after
fourteen years of inactivity. recent in
spection of the property revealed some
wonderful changes tina, had taken place
on the interior since the mine was closed
down. A mining writer says of il:
IAN Unusual formation of calcite and
other form of carbonate of lime. contain
ing small percentage of lead and zinc,
has been discovered in the drift on No.
10 lode. west of the main tunnel. From
an old raise and stope above this level.
where in early days thousands OF dollars
worth of rich ore was produced, a stream
of water runs down, carrying a heavy
solution of lime, with some lead and zinc.
and probably other minerals that have
not been determined.
while the mine has not been idle,
this water has formed a coating of calcite,
etc, on the walls of the raise, and thence
along the tunnel for more than 100 feet,
the deposi, averaging about four inches
thick. and assuming in places such beau
tiful crystalized formations as to defy
description. On various ,imbers in the
upraise. where the water has dropped
onto them and then flowed around to the
under side. hang rows Of stslsetites from
To to rs inches in length. formed in less
than - years
sTn places on walls Of the raise the de-
post takes the form of waves and then
of protruding columns, much like the
famous organ in the Grand caverns at
Nanitou. In the formation in the bottom
of The drift are numerous "pot-holes"
few inches in diameter. made by dripping
numerous oslcite pebbles. loose like a
handful OF beans.
I'm some of the pockets the beans are
smooth and as white as alsbas,er. having
an irregular form. while in a pocket not
more than a foot away will he others as
round as pearls. and about the size of
ordinary peas. bu, of AN amber color
Other nearbv pockets contain hsudfuls
OF heaus, white but with rough, grating
surface, while next to these will be beans
of irregular shape, but with smooth sur
face aud amber color.
Directly under the raise and stope the
calcite floor is hard as flag pavement,
but few feet along The drift it assumes
beautiful crys allied shapes, alabas,er
white. as delicate and gorgeous as the
mightiest efforts of the Frost King ever
produced on the window psnes or un the
ieafless trees on a cold winters morning
There are numerous dead water" pock-
cts in this crystaliz.d n ,or. with wavy
tops like overhanging cones of coral at
the water level.
The crystals that line the interior OF
these pockets are somewhat larger than
elsewhere, and shaped like a sharks
teeth, being almost as sharp and pene-
trating as broken glass. The water that
flows down the drift is as clear as the
purest artesian, and where it covers the
crystal floor, enhances its beauty and
sparkles in the candle light.
1.-THE great variety of formation and
deposit, all from the same water, and in
such close proximity, one formation to
another, that it is an interesting subject
for scientific study. 1t is a chamber of
indescribable beauty, that is source of
surprise and admiration to all who have
had the privilege Of inspecting it. Mr..
Maxton, the superintendent, carefully
guards II from possible vandalism