Semi-weekly herald., 1913-11-17

fruit, cattle and other interests. No
matter in which direction one goes
this is brought home in no uncertain
way. Just short trip the other day
L opened orr eyes to outside activity.
i Our trip took US to Hesperus and the
mining territory tributary to the May
Day-Idaho mines. At Hesperus we
found the merchants doing a very
= nice business without any hurrah and
they appeared happy. Postmaster
Bailey welcomed US in his usual hear
ty manner. And this reminds us that
Mr.. Bailey has been handling Uncle
Sans affairs at Hesperus and doling
out mail for the past % years and
during this time never complaint
has reached our ears, but Dan is be-
coming we'll along in years and un-
der rules laid down will soon have
to give way, but petition is being
signed asking for the appointment of
his son so the dispensing of mail may
be carried on at the old stand. Then
there is Joe Curtet who has been in
the general merchandise business
since Hesperus became town; Jack
Cunningham, John Puetz, T. H.
Henry and many others whose names
are as familiar as the alphabet. At
the Hesperus coal mine we found
every one busy trying to catch up
with the orders on file. At present
plans are under way for the opening
up of new coal channels which will
| materially aid in increasing the out
put in rush times. OF course this
mine, being located at the very door
of Hesperus, is one of the mainstays
of the town and William Mason has
been directing inside operations so
long that if he were taken away it
would be like the breaking of link
| in strong chain. Hesperus is also
quite a cattle and sheep shipping
point owing to it's central location
for the La Plata range as well as
| late fall feeding grounds. Judging
from the strawstacks above and be-
low Hesperus good many acres of
grain were raised by surrounding
farmers.
The La Plata mining district is
| reached about five miles from Hes
perus. From Hesperus the May Day
and Idaho upper workings are visible
but one must come in close contact
to realize the vast amount of work
done in the past and future possibili-
ties. The May Day buildings make
| an impressive showing
and roomy. The building site is ideal
| especially for winter operations. 1t
was our misfortune to find Manager
Kelley absent, otherwise we might be
able to give review of the work,
past and present. We will state,
however, that steady shipments are
being made while new ground is be-
ing opened up. This property has
been an important factor in the
wealth of La Plata county, distrib-
uting many thousands of dollars
monthly for labor and supplies. One
of these days we hope to put in con-
crete form just what mine of the
May Day kind means to the pros
perity of this city and county. In
line with arguments made at Ouray,
the general publis does not appreciate
the Importance Of the mining indus
try and we know this to be fact
so far as Durango is concerned.
Owing to the lateness of the hour
we did not extend our visit to the
Idaho, Incas and other nearby mines
1 but from indications it is only =
question Of development when there
will be many mines adding to the
wealth of La Plata county and the
| prosperity of our people. Practically
the same formation and "fault" ex-
tends to the west of the La Plata
river, that exists in the MAJ Day
| Idaho SIDE, bit the owners are mostly
poor men and they need assistance in
developing the properties.
Speed the day when every Durango
ite personally knows the great pos
sibilities of this county along the
different lines of industry. Durango
is solely dependent on these indus
tries and we trust our people will
make an effort to become better ac-
quainted with general c. nditions.
u II u u y u u = \ y y \ y = \ \