Gilpin observer., 1914-03-19
eILPIN's RADIUM SPRINGS

1t is a conceded fact that Gilpin
county has the richest radium mines
in the known world, and from pres
ent indications will soon be the Carls-
bad of America. 1t has been the sup
position ever since the waters at
Idaho Springs were tested for radium
that tieIe was a subIerranean pas
sage or water course, leading from
the radium belt through Virginia can
yon that feeds the springs, and re-
cent disclosures are about to SUBJ
stantiate the fact.
VIM. M. Kirk, of Russell Gulch, for
the past year has been a close stud
ent of this wonderful element, as
well as expending large sums in re-
search work. By deep study, COM
bined with theory and practice. he
became satisfied that this water
course must naturally cross his ranch
to reach the pitchblende belt that
lay one-half of a mile to the north
ward. Acting upon existing condi-
tions and the Judgment of the Obser-
yer man, with whom he consulted, he
sunk shaft on his ranch and when
down 1000 feet, started a drift to the
westward, and when 200 feet west of
the shaft encountered water at a
pressure of 100 pounds to the square
inch coming up through the crevice
in the floor Of the drift and wash
ing the, ceiling. The drift being of
soft tale nature, this immense
pressure is slowly and steadily eat
ing its way to the surface, and ac-
cording to figures actually compiled
by the engineer in charge, Fred
Wood, will break through at the sur
face on the evening of July 3rd. In
the meantime Mr.. Kirk had to install
Stroehle pump capable Of throwing
900 gallons of water per second and
a 1000 horse power flat rope McFar-
lane engine over the collar of the
shaft, manned by three eight-hour
shifts to hoist the fast accommodating
silt. Mr.. Kirk, after tapping this
subterranean passage, bottled gal
lon of the water and had 1t analyz-
ed at the Golden School of Mines,
and found 1t to be per cent more
radioactive than at Idaho Springs,
this is accounted for from the fact
that everything gives off stronger
emanations at the head.
Plans have been drawn for swim
ming pools and bath houses, on the
ranch, also for a 500 room up-to-date
summer hotel with radioactive baths
in every room, where the weary trav-
eler can lie in his porcelain tub and
watch the radioactive spray bring
returning energy. The rooms will be
furnished with speaking tubes where
the voice can ride on one of Colora-
dos gentle zephyrs to realms beyond
the briny deep. Aer0pAnes with ex-
perienced airmen will leave the ho-
tel every half hour for Denver and
other easternz zcit3na- for the accommo.
dation of the guests. The lawns fac
ing the hotel Will be carpeted with
rare mountain grasses and native col
umbines. while the walks and aven-
ues will be paved , with golden
quartz. Myriads of nude children will
sport on the banks of the pool, or
bask under the rays of Colorado's
perpetual sunshine. The landscape
sketching is under the supervision
of C. A. Wagner, an artist of great
ability, whose services are being
sought to adorn the rich plateaus of
darkest Africa.
The top of Pewabic mountain will
be leveled by hauling away for the
manufacture of radium the surface
radioactive quartz, and long dis
tance telephone station erected where
the tourist can daily transact busi
ness with foreign lands. Half-tone
engravings of this haven of rest have
been displayed on the pages of the
eastern newspapers, showing the lof-
ty mountain ranges, and the beauti-
full village of Idaho Springs nestled
at their base. Graham gulch and
Russell Gulch were the richest placer
diggings in the west in early days.
but were abandoned on account of
the rusty gold, which would not am
algamate with the quicksilver on the
rifles. 1t has been discovered that
these wnters eat away the rusty coat
ing, leaving the gold clean and shiny.
The overflow waters from the pools
will be utilized to wash the sands
and hundreds of men will be employ
ed, washing the golden sands that will
enrich them without robbing their
fellow men, and Pewabic flat will
soon be the Mecca of America, where
the halt and afflicted will gather
from all nations of the earth to
bathe in this fountain of perpetual
youth, so long sought for by Ponce
de Leon.