Gilpin observer., 1909-11-18
A LEGEND Of
THE GULCH
(Contlnued)

the sluice-boxes or coming up with
bedrock. Outside interest is increas-
ing in the adventure. Several visitors
were on the ground watching pro-
gress of the work during the past
week. Barring the unsuccessful work
ing of the pump the trio have had
it pretty much their own way SO far
The dirt handled has been quite free
from large rocks, the gravel also dry
with only an occasional narrow streak
of tale, which is thrown out Then
the water has not, so far, hindered
progress of the work. Judgement in
laying out plans for the quickest re-
suits have been admirably managed
so that for eight full day an average
of four yards has been made in the
attempt to solve whether sluice-boxes
still remain in the ground containing
precious treasure or any gold exists
at bedrock.
Then, ''the next day it showed"
which would have put a dampner up
on the spirits Of most, but these men
the spirits of most, but these men
are of sterner stuff and there is no
sentiment in digging for gold. 1t is
hard grinding toll with more often
failure than success at the end.
AS said, the pump from Denver
would not work. The tenderfoot knew
way to get the water out of the
trench. He rigged hose with bar
rel suction piston. He drew up a
great deal of air but no water At
last the miner took an interest in
matters, went down the hole and bal
Sinking and washing the dirt was re-
sumed.
This may seem a travesty on min
ing. Not so; it is too hard work. The
consequent loss of time and the doz-
ems of other disadvantages make it a
very serious matter, indeed. However,
chimerical the idea OF looking for a
treasure box in a gulch that has been
fairly leeched of its gold contents by
Cinnamon after the practical white
miner has given it up, may seem like
wild goose chase. 1t is not a wit
more foolish than a miner chasing a
vein or putting a hole down in To-.
cality contiguous to paying mine.
The miner has nothing to guide him.
1t is all blind dead-work, so to speak.
OF course, this venture, down the
creek, has legendary basis. Throw
ing that aside, there still remains
the gold actually washed from sink
ing and the ultimate goal, bedrock,
which cannot, now, be far distant.
The lead miner has no such advant-
ages. He has no income while work
1t is a well-known fact that many
localities have flour gold in paying
quantities. But how to save 1t is the
all-important question. Devices galore
ing has answered the purpose so we'll
as systematic working Of the gravel
with simple appliances. The method
adopted by the suggestion of the
scheme has been rehearsed. The
problem to be solved, how to get the
most gold for the labor. requires the
removal of much dirt in the least
time at the lowest expense. There
are millions in the sands Of the creek
and of a quality commanding the
highest price on account Of It's purity.
1t is not such serious problem,
this catching the gold. Cheap, simple
and practical are the ways adopted
by the trio. This system elaborated
ten, twenty or fifty fold, will return
ten. twenty Of fifty per cent increase
over that of one man. We're 1t possi-
BILE to make an average OF three dol.
lars a day by the simple mathod in
vogue, the creek would be full OF min
ers and others clamoring for allot-
ments Of ground.
No mining proposition. unless un-
exceptionable, is equal to a PROPOSE
ton to save the fine gold of the
creek In lead mining there are many
requirements, such as hauling, ship
ping. rehandling, sampling, treatment
etc. Against this the dirt from the
creek is simply shoveled into the box,
the water and carpets doing all that
is necessary with the addition Of
amalgamating and then retorting the
gold.
The trio seem to have a very live
problem before them and they hope
to realize. They will not be, finan.
cially, out very much should their
quest prove futile.
The men have no stock for sale in
the enterprise. as one facetiously put