Evening star., 1937-08-22
}y Susdnne NJ. MuHen.

~ IN Colcrado-at least during
~ the annual play festival sea-
son when citizens of the Rocny
Mountain State attempt to resurrect
the spirit OF the long abandoned ghost
town. Bound for the last celebration,
held from July II to August 7, We
took the most direct route through
Denver seeing first the University
of Denver, the institution that spon-
eors this seasonal movement back
10 the pioneer era of great mining
kection.
We travelled over gravel road turn
Ing into Virginia Canyon on the road
10 Central City, a narrow one of dirt
which winds up the side of noun
tain. Car passengers gasp at the
vertical view while the driver peers
eround sharp curves, trying to decide
whether to take chance that car
Us not coming down full tilt, or to
honk gently like discreet Easterner
Halfway up we found an old man
painting fence posts, supposed to
Install confidence in the timid tour
st, and We asked him to tell us
whether we We're on the right road
We sprung our question suddenly,
feeling that the rickety bus in back
pf us was ready to give An impatient
honk. The old man evidently con-
kidered the question foolish, because
he did not answer until it was voiced
second time. and then he said:
Any of the roads lead to Central
City. All of them!' We found he
WAS right. The two roads became one
hitter the lower paid visit to
little mine.
There were many other little mines
perched up on the mountain, all
belching golden dirt into stays built
bf logs, and guarded by small tin
Fhacks oxidzed to a deep, rich, earthly
red, which contrasted nicely with the
kulphur -colored dross. We passed
little mining town with deserted
looking houses sprinkled evenly over
ID he side of a hill.
TENTRAL CITY, at an altitude of
$3.50 feet, is built in a gulch,
With a few houses up the hill on one
Eide, and many up the hill on the
bther side of the main street. Two
hf three layers of houses are built
hlong roads running parallel. almost
o the very top of the mountain. AT
he bottom, separating the hills is
Eushing mountain stream, which
civilization has converted into
rash gully. and worse. Visitors five
,ears ago. before the festivals. found
fnly two people strolling on the
streets of Central City, a storekeepel
md one other.
Pulse of the activity today is the
Teller House, famous hotel of early
inning days, dating from 1872. We
re told that last week Evelyn Walsh
Mclean Of Washington, D. c., who,
has a house this Summer at Colorado
Springs, threw A party at the Teller
House reserving several tables, and
Vore the notorious Hope diamond.
During festival days, professional
beople-authors. artists. actors and
bthers, sit in front of this hotel on the
|urb or on green benches with iron
rms looking like ghosts of former
lays. Yes, ghosts. The town itself
decidedly more real in appearance
han the tourists Summer inhabitants
Ind imported miners. The deserted
hines, open wounds on the hillside,
Fape at the insolence of the new
|omers. who defile a peace Is years.
Did houses rise eauntly. on the steep
hcline there are no new ones.
Still standing is an old bank,
bundled as a gold dust Office in 1862.
he Gold Coin saloon. ruins of an old
onvent, the remains of the first sue
essful smelter in the United States.
built by Nathaniel P. Hill in 1867;
n old red foundry built in 1861, which
hanged hands several times before
Icing deserted about 1912; an old city
|all, the Gilpin County Court House,
'hich contains mineral exhibits. and
hstly the Central City Opera House,
rhich was built by popular subscrip-
bon in 1878.
QUT back to the center of activity.
We see Dennis King strolling
round in slacks, handkerchief tied
nder a noble profile. That same pro-
lie that prompts much applause from
sophisticated New York audiences.
Mr. King points movie camera
|ither and yon at the crowd. Across
he street crowd is collecting and
Fe spy Edna Ferber, author of Show
boat" and 80 Big" in a modest
llack suit. with red turban perched
IN top of her iron grey hair. She
teps into an awning covered en-
(orium sporting 8 sign reading tin
Epes-25c" She poses a number Of
hines in costume . tiny hat ana
mail parasol Of Victorian vintage,
|pened decorously above her cocky
head, pleading to be sure to include
he parasol,
The crowd wanders over to some
ostumed couples dancing in the mid
le Of the street Pioneer numbers are
Executed with f1ourishes and men
lin9ing girls around under each arm.
he State champion fiddler plays for
hem in yellow SATIN blouse
nth black trousers tucked in tall,
kigh-heeled boots. After the play each
ay there is barn dancing-and tour
sts participate with the help of pro-
essional dancers to each group.
The dancers stop and lad dressed
h long frock coat and black string
e IA la gambler of the Western
novies) comes down the street from
he Opera House ringing a large brass
inner bell, duty he repeats before
ach performance and at the close of
ntermissions.
I flnd myself face to face with DR.
ohm E. Bentley of American Univer-
ity in Washington, D. c., and Colo
ado University at Boulder, Colo. His
ew book, Superior Children" has
ust been chosen by the Book of the
donth Club. With him Is his wife
nd grown son, with two St. Louis
iris in tow.
We sit in front of the hotel and