Gilpin observer., 1912-02-01
REMINIsc ENT.

ly visited these hills He spoke of
f1tz John Porter, who, it will be re-
| membered, once managed an extern
siVe mining plant at Black Hawk.
Details are not wanting; for they are
quite well known to some. Gilpin
county can boast of many great men
VINO tried mining hereabouts. OF most
on these, the reader is also familiar.
The question: arose what was the i'm
pelling force that drew them? 1t was
the remarkable showing, coupled with
tae favorable opinion of such as Prof.
Hayden and others.
The man of reminiscent turn had
lately been on an inspection tour.
He was greatly impressed. There was
so much that seemed waste. For in
stance. The wrecks of old mills was
appalling. 1t reminded him of scenes
after the war in the south. There
were so many buildings shattered and
made useless. In the case of the re-
suits of the war, the destruction of
property had been deliberate. 1t was
different with the many substantial
mill buildings erected here. At this
place it was process of decay and
dishantling. But the destruction of
both seemingly unnecessary.
There was no mistaken idea of the
worth of the properties. The mines
were all right, reports of them cor
rect. They were an attractive invest
ment. Many believed them capable of
mitch. In this they were not wrong.
But things did not work out as plan
ned for the reason that the invest
ors knew little or nothing about
mines or mining.
Fitz John Porter had a name. But
ii is said he never saw a producing
gold mine till he came to Black
Hawk to take charge of as large
a mining enterprise as was ever es-
tablished in that town. Money was
easily acquired in those days for min
ing purposes. The outlook very re-
esoSNA44hS. - h-ah VI WdS
thought equal to anything. Hence
such as he, was thought capable of
doing all that was really necessary.
Every stockholder was not slow in
contributing considerable toward plac-
ing the enterprise on its feet But
thee Invariably had string attach
ment. II meant a son or nephew must
be given a place in some capacity or
ether at good salary. 1t was big
inducement that brought Porter to
the mines. II was pretty much like
that all down the list. Hardly any
knew the difference between pyrites
and gold. Or silver from lead. But
they could learn by experience, who
was to teach them? Mining men were
few who may have guessed at things
and their advice hardly practical.
Afte- the expensive mill was erect
ed and a little work undertaken in
the mire, funds ran low. No one
seemed to know how to profit by the
deposits or veins so conspicuously
apparent. A little mining was under
taken by these big companies but
nothing developed worth while. They
all had a mistaken notion of condi-
tions. They could not understand
where the wrong came in to bother
them with technicalities. The ore was
abundant, the assays all that could be
expected. but no returns to meet the
extravaganza Of the management.
Result, many enterprises were aban
doned. as is testified by the numer-
Gus dismantled and dilapidated build
ings scattered over the hills. 1t was
lack Of knowledge OF how to pro-
ceed after securing the ore. II was
supposed the stamp mill could be
depended upon to turn out bullion as
fast as the ore could be fed to the
stamps. 1t looked simple ard easy.
II turned out otherwise.
The same mines are still in ex-
istence. They We're good to look up
CT as now. The mineral was entic-
ing and few could resist embarking
in an enterprise that seemed to
promise SO much. Most Of them went
the way. But there is better un-
derstanding now. Science knows more
and the management is conducted
or different lines. The mines, barring
the ore taken out are as good II not
better than in the old days. The
principal veins are uncovered and
they can be more readily followed
because Of their disclosure. There
may be from one to- eight or nine
levels in n mine all worked to the
confines Of the claim, but sinking
may be continued in the shaft at n
point where the last operator ceased
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