The Springfield herald., 1905-08-11
ARGENTINE RAILROAD
WORK BEGUN AT SILVER PLUME.
Will Open Rich Mineral seetion-Re-
markabie Scenic Attractions-one
Hundred Graders at Work.

Hundred Graders at Work.
Denver, Colo, Aug. "A Republi'
can special from Georgetown says.
The future of East Argentine district
is assured. When the announcement
was made that Edward J. Wilcox, gen.
Company. would build railway line
into that rich mineral section, there
was general rejoicing throughout up
per Clear creek.
Tho building Of the Argentine Cen
tral railroad for the purpose of ira.
versing the Argentine section is Of
vast Importance to the entire upper
Clear Creek district. 1t means the
opening and development Of hundreds
of properties which will be outputting
steady and heavy tonnage OF the
precious metals in a comparatively
short time. 1t means that the cost OF
transportation will be reduced to a
minimum and that eventually upper
Clear Creek and the Georgetown dis
trict will take front rank as gold and
silver producing sections OF the west.
ern empire.
Work was started on the road Tues
day morning. when a force OF 100
graders was put to work. The task OF
completing the grade and the laying OF
track Is expected to be completed
within sixty days. One of the most
attractive scenic regions in the state
will be opened by the road.
The Argentine Central railway will
be little over nine miles in length.
1t will start from the Colorado &
Southern tracks at Silver Plume, ran
ming first over the high ridge of Leav-
enworth mountain, giving a magnifi-
cent view Of the main snowy range.
Georgetown and Silver Plume resting
5000 feet in the valley below. 1t Will
follow Leavenworth gulch past the
Sidney, Leavenworth and Domino tun-
nels. then on to the Wilcox and Wider
u1nels in the East Argentine. thence
to the top of Mcclellan mountain, on
the same ridge as Gray's peak. 1t Will
take in the wonderful natural ice tun'
mel. the most beautiful ice formation
in the world. having the appearance oil
a hall draped with the finest of lace.
From the top of Mcclellan noun
| tain the traveller can see more than
one-sixth of the entire state of Colo
RADIO. Out OF thirty-six peaks having
an elevation of over $4,000 feet, the
sight-seers will be able to distinguish
thirteen from the top of old Mcclellan.
In addition to this most wonderful at
traction, a total of 176 peaks are visi'
BILE in the distance far above timber
line. To the south. Pixies peak can be
| seen, while to the north Longs peak
is In sight The Rabbit Ears Of the
main range stand forth IN the dis
tanc., and one of natures most beau
tifui panoramas will welcome tho
| traveller.
The new road will be narrow gauge.
The cars will be pulled by geared
Shay engine of thirty-seven tons. capa,
BILE of climbing a grade of from ten to
fourteen per cent, but when 1t is real
lied that the grade will average only
from three to six per cent, 1t can be
understood that the enterprise will
prove a success. both from scenic
and transportation standpoint.
Tuesday morning the enterprise wat
inaugurated. The first pick was SUM
in the ground by Mayor Dyer OF Silver
Plume, after which the first shovelful
of earth was thrown by Mrs. Wilcox,
the wife of the promoter. The alder
men of Silver Plume then cast spade
full of earth each. One hundred men
stationed fifteen feet apart, covering
a distance of 1900 feet, then stuck
their picks into the ground, and tho
building of the Argentine Central rail
| road started