Gilpin observer., 1906-05-17
ABOUT sILPIM COUNTY.
The District Now Receiving Well Deserved
Publicity From The Outside.


ty comprehending large and costly i'm
provements, signifying regeneration in
it's most exalted sense, the practical re-
habilitation Of the mining and milling
industries, increase OF both population
and production, unsupported by the con-
vincing facts would tax the credulity OF
all who have been conversant with events
in that district for the past thirty years.
The history OF this really great mineral
division OF the state is as familiar as
household words, hence it is wholly un-
necessary to give even brief epitome
here.
Infusion of New Blood.
The generation Of pioneers who laid the
foundation, making what they could out
OF them, have either passed to their final
account or to what they considered more
inviting fields, leaving the future to
younger and more vigorous hands. This
injection of new blood and force. realiz-
ing the necessity Of replacing obsolete
forms with something new for the bet.
terment OF all concerned, has made sew
eral attempts to place public affairs upon
a more progressive basis, but in every
case they have proven abortive, largely
for the want Of proper leadership. Until
recently it seemed to be utterly impossi-
bic to secure entire unity OF action.
Meanwhile the reputation of the district
repelled both capital and immigration,
these essential elements OF progress ac
cepting the almost universal expression
that Gilpin county. though rich in re-
sources, was virtually dead OF dry rot
Being isolated from regular lines OF
tourist travel, few of our state visitors
went there.
Excepting an occasional exhibit OF its
ore in national expositions, Gilpin county
has not been widely advertised. If men
toned at all it was referred to sneering,
ly as dead and well nigh deserted camp,
without ambition and without much
hope for the future. Now let US con
slider what merit there is in the an
nouncement made at the outset Of this
article.
New Force at Work.
During the current week was invited
TO attend meeting OF the ewlyorganized
Chamber OF Commerce in Central CITY.
accepted for the purpose Of witnessing
and mentally measuring up the true sig
nificance OF the new departure which
was told had been inaugurated there,
but without overwhelming confidence in
it's being any better than the several pre-
vious efforts to "start something" for the
general benefit. On entering the large
hall Twas surprised and gratified by the
size and character OF the audience. Here
was an assemblage Of about 80, mostly
young, robust and intelligent men, wage.
Garner in the mines, representatives OF
mercantile houses, manufacturers, bank.
ers, the editors Of two excellent weekly
newspapers, mining engineers and opera
tors, school teachers, lawyers and doc
Post. Alternating the numerous ad-
dresses were musical selections from the
Central City Mandolin club with other
forms of entertainment. Taken as u
whole, it was one of the most enjoyable
meetings / have attended in Colorado.
The chamber is oflicered by II. c. Boil
singer, president; X. L. Martin first and
Thomas Dunstone, second vice presi-
dents; p. II. Alsdorf, secretary, and w.
A. Funk, treasurer. The directorate in-
cludes the foregoing with DR.. E. r. Fouts,
c. S. Ripley, p. II. Stout, II. c. Eastman,
j. c. Fleschhutz and John l.. Robins.
These men are eminently qualified to
drive the work they have enthusiastic
ally undertaken to triumphant finish.
Their standing in the community is OF a
character to command all the capital
needed to carry the projects in hand to
successful issue.
Water and Electricity.
From the beginning nearly all the re-
ductiop mills have been located on the
only principal water course in the county
at Black Hawk. During the past six or
eight years the center Of production has
shifted from Gregory Point to Russell
Gulch and it's immediate neighborhood.
Some splendid mines have been develop.
ed there, whose operators have found ad.
vantage in shipping the bulk OF their
concentrating material to Black Hawk
for treatment. 1t is impossible to treat
II near the mines from lack Of water.
To overcome this difficulty and to in
crease the output Of that region, one OF
the most important committees OF the
Chamber Of Commerce is investigating
the surrounding mountains where the
heaviest SHOWS Of winter accumulate,
with the view Of establishing storage res
ervoirs for water supply that will meet