Gilpin observer., 1909-10-21
A VISIT WITH
THE MICA LADY

Creek, near the line Of the Colorado
Southern. Her home Is not preten-
tious, just a rough board shack Of
one room. She seems contented
enough for one OF her years. She is
not old, by any means, IL she has a
grown-up family who have children
of their own.
| She has chosen to live in the little
house and neighborhood, not SO much
because she likes it, as that she
may be near her wonderful property,
which is not so near-some three
miles from her home.
The possibilities Of the property
are far better than when first locat-
ed, due to her indomitable will in
developing the same. Owing to vicis-
situde of fortune she came near los
ing her interest in the mine. Owning
one-tenth she did her part of the
assessment and some party jumped
the claim.
She saw visions of fortune in the
possession of the entire property. To
gain control she morgaged a house
back east for thousand dollars, with
this she bought out the other inter-
ests and thus gained title to the
whole claim.
Single handed she has accomplish
ed the assessment work every year.
She can handle a pick and shovel
| with the most experienced miner;
can drill a hole and set off a blast
with as much safety, effect and ease
as the best of miners. And that
is saying a great deal, for in work
ing mica property, it is different
from other kinds of mining. The
sheets of mica are likely to be damag
ed if not worked properly.
| The local reputation of the mine
stands high considering the scar
city of desirable sheet mica. She has
a fortune if everything develops as
she anticipates. She has desirable
commercial-size sheets row that are
the envy of promoters and schemers
who have, time and again tried to
inveigle her into all sorts of schemes
to gain possession. She is pretty
shrewd and has watched her inter-
ests closely from the start.
Hard pressed at times, she does
not hesitate to do her own assess
ment work. She is a bit suspicious
of the ordinary working man. An ex-
perienced mining man will find fav-
or in doing any work for her.
Several attempts have been made
to jump the mine. She was ready for
the jumpers. She invariably has 4
little sixshooter which she uses
"only to scare people" She shot a
mountain rat the other day, chased
a bear, but wass too late at the kill
ing. a neighbor got ahead of her.
Then, not long ago, during the win
ter. when the railroad was tied up
necessaries were hard to procure.
The Mica Lady trudged over the
mountains to a farm house in quest
of provisions. 1t began to grow dark
ere she reached her destination. She
noticed what she thought were six
ldogs-afterwards changing her mind,
thinking they were coyotes-follow-
ing her. On nearer view they develop.
ed into wolves. She was terribly
frightened. She took her revolver
from her pocket resolving, If possi-
BILE. to give each OF the animals one
shot apiece. she having a six-chamb-
cred affair. She meant to fight, II
she must. She took to flight, making
for large tree before which she
meant to make bold stand. They
did not seem to gain on her. On
nearing the tree she espied a friend.
ly light ahead shining from a farm
house window. One swift look over
her shoulder. She would essay it.
Sheer terror kept her from complete
collapse. On she ran. The goal was
Reached. The wolves cheated Of theil
prey skunk away into the darkness.
The animals having ceased to hear
the daily rumbling Of the trains had
come down out Of the fastness to In
wade the domain usurped by man.
That accounted for their presence in
the neighborhood.
On another occasion the Mica Lady
was startled one night by seeing a
pair OF staring phosporescent vel.
low eyes peering at her through the
window. She thought, at first, some
one was watching her. Presence OF
mind soon returned. No human had
: eyes like that. 1t must be an animal
She had heard that wild animals
dreaded fire. She took a newspaper