Gilpin observer., 1910-02-10
ALPS sUILDING,>BURNs
TO THE GROUND.

Inc smart DullulnS on Ine Alps
mine was completely consumed by
fire Monday evening. The flames
were first discovered by Jack Riley,
who works on the Frontenac who
saw the big light on Quartz hill,
where the Alps mine is located. He
at once concluded that it was the top
building on the Alps and phoned
James Williams, Of Nevadaville, one
Of the lessees on the Alps. BY the
time Mr.. Williams and others reach
ed the scene Of the conflagration the
fire had gained such headway
nothing could be done to save the
shaft house from utter destruction.
AS there was no water avail
able it is doubtful If the flames could
have been checked had the fire been
discovered sooner. Mr.. Williams man
aged to reach the burning building in
a couple Of cars out on the dump.
time to remove some powder and run
1t was about IL o'clock when the
fire was first discovered. This was
four hours after the shift had left the
mine. Only one shift was working
and the men came off duty at z
o'clock in the evening. There was
no one around the premises when the
fire started, which is supposed to
have been caused from sparks from
the forge or the boiler.
The loss entailed will amount to
about $4,000 with no insurance. Be-
sides the complete destruction of the
shaft house the engine was ruined.
the machine drills which happened to
be in the building were destroyed and
the boiler was badly damaged. The
boiler is practically all of the equip
ment that can be repaired and used
again. Thirty-five tons of coal had
just been hauled to the mine and
this went with the building. The col
lar of the shaft was damaged but the
fire did not get down the shaft very
far. 1t will not require much expense
to repair the damage done to the
shaft.
The Alps mine is owned by Hal
Sayre and has been worked under
lease during the past two years by
"a pool composed of home people.
namely, ]. ]. Clark, James Williams.
Mrs. Mamie Richards. w. ]. Hutch
ems and f. S. Bolsinger. OF the So
900 damage wrought by Monday even
ing's fire, these lessees will have to
stand at least $4,000. Since procur
ing lease on the property they had
enlarged the shaft building. put in a
new boiler and had made numerous
other improvements on the surface.
While the mine has paid them well
at times. the larger portion of their
profits went towards improvements,
the object being to get the mine in
such shape that when the develop
ment brought them into permanent
pay they would be in a position to
equipment. Before the fire put stop
to their work, the lessees We ariv-
ing east under the main shaft to put
up raise to make the one shaft do
for the work they had in view.
The loss incurred through the burn
ing of their building and equipment
is keenly felt by the lessees and the
sympathy and regret Of the county
goes out to them in their misfortune.
Had they saved what they took out Of
the mine instead of making improve
ments their loss would have been tri-
vial. They had thought some time
ago of protecting themselves against
fire by taking out insurance and ]. ].
Clark wrote to company for rat
ing. For some reason he never re-
ceived reply to his letter.
At this time 1t is not known for a
certainty II the pool will rebuild and
resume work. ]. J. Clark and James
Williams went to Denver yesterday
and 1t is understood that the matter
will be taken up with the owner OF
the mine. and perhaps something will
De done so that the lessees will
not see all the efforts they have pat
forth in development completely vast
ed.