Gilpin observer., 1908-01-16
COLORADO CAMPS PROSPEROUS.

The gold camps of the state showed
increased prosperity during December,
says Mining Science in its monthly re-
view. This Is especially true of Grip
pie Creek, whose output amounted to
$3.50 tons, of a value of $1,200,500, as
compared with 47,S6O tons valued at
$1,102,970 during November. This was
the record month of the year, and is at
tributable in the main to the readiness
of the Golden Cycle mill, and to lower
treatment rates at the mill trust
plants. The local mills also handled
an increased tonnage of low-grade
ores. A number of old producers ap-
peared on the shipping list during the
month, and the number of properties
that resumed work on company ac-
count was noticeable.-The years pro-
duction has been locally compiled as
amounting to 60S,459 tons, OF value
OF S13,14S,152.
The total dividends paid by Cripple
Creek companies during the year 1907
are estimated at about $1,375,000, ex-
elusive of the $591 ,S71 paid by the u.
S. X. & Z. Co., which company's plants
have run entirely ON Cripple Creek
ores.
With the opening of the new year,
the outlook for an increased produc-
,tion is most encouraging. This, be-
cause Of the improved mill situation,
lower treatment rates and better trans
portation facilities.
The Portland Company made re-
markable record during the past
twelve months, there being handled at
the West Colorado Springs plant OF
the company approximately 22I,5OO
tons, and the dividends paid amount
ing to $4S0,000, or 16 cents per share.
The only mishap of note during the
past thirty days has been the destruc-
tion of the shaft house and surface
plant at the Abe Lincoln mine. The
plant will be Immediately rebuilt on
an enlarged scale, During the month,
the Ell Paso Consolidated Company
abandoned its tunnel driving contract,
but the Drainage Company immediate
ly took up the work, and good progress
has since been made.
The December shipments from the
Silverton station consisted of $500
tons of concentrates and 1000 tons OF
crude ore. which must be considered
most satisfactory for a midwinter
month, considering the fact that a
number OF larger properties suspended
productive operations during that per
iod. Owing to the unsatisfactory lead
and zinc prices, however, 1t is probable
that the San Juan region, and particu-
larly the Silverton camp, will show a
decreased output for several months.
San Miguel county's metal pro-
duction during 1907 has been figured
at $5,110,46S, of which amount S3,740,'
900 was gold, $1,344,72s silver, S5iS,62O
lead, 100000 vanadium, S76,3SO cop
per and $4,000 zinc.
Locally compiled statistics show the
production of Eagle county for 1907 to
have been $527,2S0, the bulk of which
came from the Red Cliff section. The
Creedc camp received a further set
back during the month when the
Creede United Mines Company s
Happy Thought power plant was de
stroyed by fire. At Aspen the Snug
gler and Durant mines were practical
ly closed down about the 18th ult., but
during the latter days of the month d
number of the laid-off miners were re-
engaged, and 1t Is reported that the
number will be added to until an al
most normal working force will be EN-
ployed. There were several important
ore discoveries in the camp, notably on
Richmond hill, which, together with
the plans under way for the reworking
of properties in the Ashcroft section,
give promise of prosperous year for
this old camp.