The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-01-04
Junction Reception and Luncheon.

mine and Manager Collins Of the New
house tunnel held a reception on New
Years day, in the Hot Time lateral at
its junction with the bottom of the
Old Town shaft. Over 200 people
were entertained in the underground
chamber, some coming from Denver
for the express purpose of enjoying
the trip, and the balance was compos-
ed of residents of this city, Georgetown
and Central City.
Refreshments were served at the
bottom of the shaft and the guests
were entertained by trip up the shaft
land through the many levels of the
mime, where the big machine drills
were at work in the levels and Slopes
The celebration was greatly enjoyed by
everyone who ventured to go upon the
journey, and aside from a minor acci-
dent, in which one individual 'rubbered'
and was struck on the head by pro-
truding rock while going into the
tunnel, there was no one injured.
All of the rolling stock was brought
robe in the changing room for the pro
lection of the clothing of the visitors.
Among those making the trip We're
many ladies who thoroughly apprecat-
ed the novel experience. Mrs. Kim
ball, wife of the manager of the Old
Town, acted as hostess at the bottom
of the shaft, and nothing looking to
the care and comfort Of the guests
had been overlooked.
The lateral was lighted with any
number of candles and the banquet
board was extended some distance
along the level Various viands
were spread about and a keg of Coors
best was available, as well as tank
of water Leyner machine drill for
those who preferred the water wagon
beverage. Cigars of the best brand
were within easy reaching distance of
the guests and the excellent natural
ventilation in the mine workings per
mitted the gentlemen to smoke with
out adding discomfort to the ladies'
D present
The big electric locomotives used
by the tnnnel company conveyed the
guests as far as the Hot Time later
al at which point mule power was
used to propel the cars alorg tn late =
al. The latter makes man. turn
and the journey underground along
this place is not unlike a ride up
Clear Greek canon on the Colorado Il
Southern. The turns We're made for
the purpose CT following the walls of
veins to facilitate driving, and for the
purpose of not conflicting with the
veins in mining claims not owned by
the company which would have paved
the way for litigation in all probability
according to the map made by the
engineer there are 81 surveyors sta
tions between the Newhouse tunnel
and the bottom of the Old Town shaft
which means there are 81 different
courses and distances along the lateral
so that some idea may De CLEANED of
the twists in the underground passage
way.
Few if any, of tise guests, had the
lCdSt NOllICftlOii vi Al IilS dthsDit VI
wealth in the veins over then heads
when they were partaking of the re-
freshments served at the bottom of
the shaft. Engineer conseryatively
estimate the completion Of the lateral
gives close to million and half dol
\ lars worth of ore IN sight. Others,
than these men Of figures and cold
facts, can estimate considerably more
than five million dollars worth of ore
overhead along the lateral between the
Newhouse tunnel and the Old Town
shaft, and the experts will not deny
but what the ground above may
yield considerably more than that
While the lateral was being driven
impor tant strikes of mineral were fire.
.guently made, but no publicity was
given the finds for the reason that the
owners of claims in Russell gulch
might have worried over the fact that
the rich finds might be in the veins
owned by them, and retard the driv-
ing of the lateral by applying for
court injunctons and surveys. The
danger of such procedure is all past,
however, and property owners along
the line Of lateral may now make all
the surveys and calculations they de
sire, and in addition, will be permitted
to work their veins at depth by paying
q reasonable royalty for the privilege
of working at the bottom of the veins
they have not worked at the top or
surface
The Hot Time lateral was started
westward from the Newhouse tunnel