Gilpin observer., 1907-09-26
GENERAL REVIEW IN COLORADO
Captain James T. Smith, in Denver
NeWs)

Captain James T. Smith, in Denver
News.)
In its extended review of mining in
Colorado for the year 1899 the News
pointed out, by comparison and ex-
ample, the large Importance Of apply
ing new conditions to the older min
ing camps in the state, feeling assured
that the newer districts, with up-to-
date engineers In charge of the work,
would not need such advice. The ap-
plication of the new conditions In min
ing, transportation and ore treatment
has been taking root since that date,
and successful examples may at pres
ent be found in the different mining
camps, from the tungsten belt In
Boulder county to the gold belt in the
distant La Platas, with the vanadium
mines OF San Miguel farther out Of the
way, SO far as transportation Is con-
cerned. In Boulder county the most
active agents In the column of advance
are German and New York capitalists,
who are consolidating territory, erect
ing modern treatment plants and pre-
pairing to make tungstic acid near the
mines instead of shipping the concen-
trates to Belgium or New York harbor
for treatment. The acid works, when
COLupIcItu, Will Uc luc plOuCCL al tuCA
class in America, thus fixing the char
acter and standing Of Boulder county
as the leading tungsten producer. In
San Miguel the Vanadium Alloys Com
pany, New York corporation, Is the
pioneer producer, 1t having secured
patent rights to large number Of
claims at Newmire, seventy-five miles
west of Telluride and close to the
Utah line.
The pioneer county of Gilpin, where
mining for gold was practically COM
menced In Colorado, has an example of
the revival under notice in the Fifty
Gold Mines corporation, made up Of
Connecticut and New York men. a
party of whom was on the ground last
week. This company owns fifty-four
patented claims, in a portion Of the
gold-copper belt that has produced lib
orally and steadily, and which prom
ises to respond to the application OF
the new conditions" with generous
dividends-provided the application be
made with intelligence, financial hon
esty and fair common sense. In the
claims are included the well-known
Gregory and Bobtail properties, free of
all Indebtedness. lawsuits, etc. A past
production of some $21 100000 in gold
this eastern corporation proposes to
exploit, some Of the former owners
preferring to try their luck in Alaska,
Nevada or some other distant field, on
the old, old theory that far-away hills
look green.
MOnteZuma district, on the high
ground between Clear Creek and Sum-
init counties, Is another fine example
of the new awakening. Here the veins
are large and of the true fissure class,
producing some gold, but liberal
amounts Of silver, lead and zinc. Be-
fore the panic of 1873 the district was
conspicuous for its high-grade lead-sil-
yer ores, which were able to stand the
excessive charges for mining, transpor-
tation and treatment. figures that
would make present charges look ex-
ceedingly small In this case the con.
spicuous motive power is Kansas City
capital, exhibiting the courage. enter.
prise and push of the Missouri trade
center. where an exchange for mining
stocks is now contemplated.
Eagle county owes to Leadville min
ers and millmen it's present advance.
But outside capital is also in evidence,
and mines that were abandoned when
silver dropped in 1898 are again being
nished by the steady price of silver.
the liberal allowance at the snelters
for lead in the ores and the paying
market for zinc, which was a positive
detriment In the old silver days.
In Lake county. where Leadville is
located. the Ohio & Colorado Smelling
Company, which owns the large plant
at Salida, is extending the area of its
mineral holdings This combination of
Ohio capital, after some years of ex-
perience with the New Monarch group
in tn Leadville gold belt evinces con
fidence in Colorado mining by pur-
chasing group of claims in the Horse
shoe district. The group includes the
Tip Top and Last Chance, which were
recently operated by Hugh Dyatt. The
Ohio company has placed Harry Nc
Keen In active charge, and the ground
will be worked on large scale by
means Of modern machinery. The
tunnel workings have developed one
of the most extensive lead-silver de-
posits in the district.
c. p. Hoyt OF Golden, who has just
returned from his "old stamping
ground" in Gunnison county. where he
mined for silver and lead in 1885, gives
a glowing account of the new condi.
tions on the Gunnison leadsilver belt.
taking in the Elk mountain. Gothic,
Sylvanite basin and other well.known
camps which suffered severely from
the slump In silver in 1893. A modern
mill Is being erected at Gothic, equal
to 100 tons per day, and other plants
of like class will follow in its wake.
thus saving transportation upon value.
less material. The freight on ore from
Crested Butte to Salida has been re.
duced to 81 per ton. the rate to the
Pueblo smelters being fixed at IS. This