Gilpin observer., 1919-07-03
COLORADO NEWS NOTES.

colorado holds the distinction Of be-
ing the foremost producer In the world
of molybdenum ore, according to the
fifteenth biennial report of the State
Bureau of Mines, recently compiled.
This report covers the years 1917 and
1918, and was submitted by Fred Car
roll, state commissioner of mines dur
Ing the above period. The total min
eral production of the state since 1858
was 81, ,405, ,4S4, ,255. Gold production in
1918 alone is estimated at $12,944 600,
as compared with the 1917 output of
$15,729,224. The decrease in gold pro-
duction was due to the closing Of
mines caused by the constantly in
creasing costs, the report states. The
report further states that Colorado Is
producing most Of the vanadium Of the
United States, and in the world mar
kets Is vieing with the Peruvian mines.
A greater part of the worlds supply
OF uranium and radium Is being mined
from Colorado deposits.
The correct assessed valuation Of all
property in the state for purposes Of
taxation in 1918 was $1,424, 81, ,2SS,
according to data compiled by the state
Immigration Department from the rec
ords of the State Tax Commission for
use in the Colorado Year Book. Den
yer county ranks first, with $34S, 187,-
545; Weld county second, with $685.,
449,23O, and Pueblo county third, with
$7O,463, 1888. The smallest valuation
reported is $1,O21, ,236, in Hinsdale
county. Mineral county ranks next
above Hinsdale, with $1,531,SS5, and
Dolores county next, with $1,774, ,125.
But six counties in the state report
valuations below $5OOO,OOO.
Congress probably will be asked to
appropriate $1,25O,OOO for the reclaim
alton of 10000 acres on Orchard mesa,
lying Immediately across the Grand
river from Grand Junction. Frank w.
Howbert, former United States deputy
internal revenue collector and resi-
dent of Denver, Is a special represent
ative Of Senator Lawrence Phipps, to
investigate the Orchard mesa project
"Unless the federal government lends
financial assistance" said Mr.. How
bert, "scores of homes will be literally
destroyed. The project, too, is unlike
going into an uninhabited area. This
tract is entirely surrounded by clvili-
zatiOn.'"
Word that Colorado probably will
receive q portion of the 219 army au-
tomobile trucks recently allotted to 1t
by the War Department within the
next few weeks was received by the
Sommers, chairman of the commits
sion, who is in Washington. Colorado
Is also to receive seventeen Ford cars
and nine pleasure cars of other makes.
The trucks and cars make up Colo
radios portion Of the $4,000, 900 worth
of automobiles the War Department
had on hand at the close of the war
and decided to allot to the various
states.
A thirty days stay of execution has
been granted Cruz Romero and Cliff
ford Sproul, condemned prisoners at
the penitentiary, who were sentenced
to be hanged during the last week In
June. Their execution will now take
place some time during the week be-
ginning July Goth, unless further Glenn
ency 10 granted by the Supreme Court
or the governor. The stay Of execution
was granted In order that their cases
might be reviewed by the State Board
of Pardons, which meets on June Goth.
Despite the cold, wet spring, the
crops in the Arkansas valley are max
ing wonderful strides. Corn in par
ticular is the best ever, and according
to the farmers in that section many
records will be broken in harvesting
Z. X. Blinn of the State Experimental
Station, and County Agent Droge are
having mucn success In experimental
plants, and expect to have some start
ling demonstrations.
Eric Berton, 25 years old, the man
who accidentally shot himself May
18th while cleaning revolver, died to.
day at st. Mary's hospital in Pueblo.
where he had been since the accident.
Two miles of the Santa F9 trail,
leading south from Pueblo, will be
paved, work to start as soon as the
United States Bureau Of Public Roads
has approved the action OF the State
Highway Commission, which has rec
commended that the contract be award
ed to A. Hewitt, the lowest bidder.
The contract price is $4,000. This
will be the first section Of the Santa
Fe trail to be paved.
The dairy business is rapidly in
creasing in the Uncompaghre valley,
according to the reports of the cream
cries, who state that during the last
year they have handled 100000 pounds
Of butter as compared with 10000 dur
ing the year before. In the upper val
ley the cheese factory at Delta has
handled an enormous business during
ths, Ioo ot