Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-04-30
STOP THE DRILLS
CHRISTMAS COMPANY SEEKS TO STOP
WORK AT CENTRAL TUNNEL.
DELAY WILL Be ONLY TEMPORARY
AND WORK WILL NO DOUBT BE RE-
sumED WITHIN A WEEK.

A report got circulated early Monday
morning to the effect that the work at
the breast of the Central tunnel had been
stopped owing to all injunction having
been obtained by the owners of the
Christmas property into whose ground
the big bore had entered few feet. The
fact of the stoppage is thus explained by
President Daniels of the Big Five, who
thus desires to acquaint the public with
the exact status of affairs.
Work in TIE Central Tunnel was
stopped because we do not wish to appear
as trespassers and to keep absolute good
faith with the court as we'll as with the
owners of the Christmas claim. The at
torney of the Denver Mines Agency Co,
and the attorney for the heirs OF the
late Mrs Ella Beebee who owned the
Christmas claim, notified us not to tres
pass upon that claim in driving the Gem
trail tunnel. Permission was given the
Denver Mines Agency Co, to make
survey in the tunnel to determine how
near the breast of the tunnel was to the
south side of the Christmas and mean
time we commenced proceedings before
Judge DeFrance to condemn the right OF
way across the claim. The survey de-
veloped the fact that the tunnel was
few feet, Some IS or 40, into the Christ
mas claim and SO work was Immediately
stopped. We have filed petition for
temporary possession, offering to deposit
with the court sum of money sufficient
to cover all possible damages to the
property. SO that we may proceed with
the driving of the tunnel pending the ap-
praisement Of the damages by a commits
we hope TO have this temporary order so
that work may be recommended this
week.
The Denver Mines Agency company
bas an option on the claim, to purchase
it at the sum Of IS, 600. for which option
it paid the owners nothing; its option
expires June 4th, 1904. Mr.. +. d. Rus
sell, the president OF the company hold
ing the option says that we must not
cross the claim because it will spoil a
pending sale to eastern parties; that when
the tunnel cuts the Christmas vein il is
likely to show il to be comparatively
worthless so il cannot be sold.
The Big Five tunnel, Ors Reduction &
Transportation company Is a drainage
and transportation company and has the
same right of eminent domain that other
transportation. or quasi-public corpora
tions have and ii will cross the Christmas
claim sooner or later: the heirs of Mrs.
Beebee ohjec, 10 our crossing probably
because il fuencee by the company hold
ing the option.
As soon as contractor Knowles lad
been informed Of the condition of affairs.
he immediately transferred his force of
men to the sun and Moon upraise. aud
but little time was lost by the workmen.
1t is indeed unfortunate for the camp
that these annoyaDces occur and that any
obstacle should be placed in the path OF
the work in the tunnel for il is one of
our biggest and most importsnt enter
prises, and its completion makes certain
the development of a vast territory that
would long lie dormant otherwise. The
assertion OF President Daniels that the
Big Five is ready to make good any dam
age the tunnel may do to the Christmas
vein should be sufficient to permit of
work going steadily forward, for if the
Christmas has the territory claimed for it,
there is nothing that will develop it and
enhance its yalue as wa,1ld the cutt,uu f,.=
the Central tunnel.