Gunnison news-champion., 1914-10-16
|u6 HIM uE
sIuI nlfS kk
StsAe Cosnmiss,oaer d Mas
Prno,pal Speaker at Big
Meeting of Local As
soclatloa THIS Week.

state Commissioners of Mines Thomas
henehan was the principal speaker At
meeting Of the Gannison County Branch
of the Coiorsdo Metal Mining Aszoois-
ton which was held IN this city last
"Wednesday afternoon. At this meeting
members Of the GsBnison Chamber of
Commerce and the Gsnnison County
Stock Growers Association we're invited
guests and a representative crowd of
men were present
Besides che commissioner Of mines.
there were a number Of other speakers,
among them Carroll NJ. Garter. Of ONO
City. G. 4. Stevens and l.. NJ Easteriy
Of the Gsnnison County Stock Growers
Association. President James Herbert
Kelley Of the Normal School here, Scott
Humsson, representative of Gunnisop
county in the last legislature, and Sen
ator Dexter T. Sapp.o Gunnison.
senator John ~ Pearson, state sena-
tor from Gunnison county, who is the
president Of the GGnnison County Metal
Mining Association presided at the
meeting and in introducing the various
speakers commented upon the fact that
cooperation between the mining men
and those interested in other Industries
of the county should be encouraged and
that such a meeting as the one then in
session was a means toward such co
operation. He pointed out that the
people of the county should get together
and work for legislation which WAS for
the best interests of the county.
The salient spirit of the meeting ives
the feeling tAat aisiag mast hs Fsvivsd
in the state for the good Of sll Industries
and that men engaged in ali Industries
should work together to accomplish
such an end.
In a business session after the meet
ing, it was decided that the next meet
ing of the association would be held on
Wednesday, the second day of Decem-
ber and that at that time the sssocia-
tion would take up the matter of draft
ing desired legislation to propose to the
representatives of the county.
Mr.. Henehan in the first part of his
address made very interesting reference
to Gunnison county mining history. He
related the events of the first discovery
of gold, the rush of 1879 and the exodus
of the next few years.
lit was realized, he said, that the
ores while abundant were in the main
l,rnr apA h.t t4t,l.r al
conditions then extant, profits from in
vestments made could not be expected +"
He pointed out that the records show
that during The boom days there were
q, 4l6 lode claims recorded, $40 placer
claims, l6J mill sites. Us tunnel-sites.
1911 patented lode claims, As patented
placers and large number of lode
claims. located and recorded had been
abandoned. A notable feature in the
records is the number of claims recorded
during the last few years. Their loca-
tiOn clearly Indicate that special at
tention is being given to the develop
ment of gold resources. During 1911
and 1912 in Gunnison county an average
of 300 men were engaged in metal
lferous mining and l26 mines and pros
poets were systematically operated. -
The speaker pointed out that during
the past few years the mining re
sources of the county had been exploited
more systematically. Ii is his state
ment that what is elassed as low grade
ores in this section would be classed as
high grade ores in many other sections,
the difference being due to distance
from market and the lack of transpor-
tation facilities.
''In coal, iron and building stone,
Gunnison county is second to none in the
state. said Mr.. Henehan. The mar
bic beds are of exceptionally fine quality
and are being extensively worked at
this time. The granite quarries supply
the local demand and their excellence is
attracting foreign builders. | dare say
grade copper deposits, lying within
few miles Of this city, will be giving
to hundreds of men
Mr.. Henehan stated that for several
months he has been trying to awaken
the state to the Importance Of going
back TO the mines, if people are to see
restored. In making his
point clear he outlined certain condition.
which showed the importance Of the
mining industry.