Gilpin observer., 1906-05-10

ground within the corporation limits of
this city, there spread over Colorado
and the entire region west of this divis-
ion of the Rocky mountains, hordes Of
men with picks in their hands who, in
the years that have passed since you
and l labored together, have produced
sufficient precious metal to pay the en-
tire national debt at the close of the
war and, in its ultimating consequences,
to make the American Republic the
richest nation in the world. Since the
dawn of civilization no country has ever
developed more than fraction of the
mineral wealth that for more than
forty years has been, and for more than
a hundred years, will be at the disposal
Of the United States. 1t is a matter of
immeasurable pride to every man of the
older generation, who with whitened
hair and bent figures are now in the
twilight of their years, that they have
witnessed and borne honorable part in
this stupendous transformation, and
that it began within rife shot of where
we are assembled in reunion this even
ing. Gregory gulch is not only the
cradle of our Commonwealth but of the
West, and measurably of the new and
mightier nation.
II there is any one thing in which we
take greater satisfaction it is in being
alive to tell the story, for it is in large
part, the history of one Of the greatest
epochs recorded in the annals OF time.
Descending from the plane Of remi-
niscence to the actualities of the present
day, let US consider briefly the existing
status Of industrial progress in Gilpin
And its prospects for the future. To be.
gin with, it is an indisputable fact that
in all the forty seven years Of mining in
the hills which surround US not single
mine has been exhausted. As a matter
Of personal knowledge the operated mines
OF this county are producing as much
ore today as in any former period, and
the better systems Of economics
employed are producing as rich returns.
The higher grades Of ore are Yielding as
many dollars as the richer products Of
any other camp, in the state. Tho dis
trct as a whole Is sending out each year
as large volume Of commercial metals
as it did in days Of yore. There is no
section OF the west that possesses better
mines than yours. What is needed here
is the general scheme Of water drainage
which is fast approaching from South
Clear creek, the breaking of greater
tonnages of workable ore and their swift
reduction by more and greater mills.
Your system Of conveying mineral from
mine to mills and railways is the best in
the state. Your miners are not surpass
ed by any In the world. New capital is
coming in and new lines OF progress are
observable on every hand. l think it
entirely safe to predict that within the
next ten years the production Of Gilpin
county will equal, il it does not exceed,
that Of Cripple Creek and Leadville, for
within that period facilities for vastly
augmented production will be provided.
1t is the dearest wish Of my heart to see
this accomplished. and to live long
enough to meet with you and rejoice over
the realization Of this not too sanguine
prophecy.
In the meantime you may depend upon
me to aid the glorious work by every
means within my power. Your Cham
Der OF Commerce, composed as it is OF
the best blood in the county working
upitedly on well directed lines, will be
an instrument for incalculable good. /
congratulate you most earnestly upon
the success which has attended your
efforts thus far. May all your strivit gs
for the advancement Of your city and
county be crowned with the rewards
that come from persistent well doing
Finally, permit me to thank you again
for the cordial welcome you have extend
ed me this evening. 1t is appreciated to
an extent beyond the power Of words to
express.