Baacroft Librax> 
 
 Mrr)0r)0 • t^e • ^ilw]? • ©)e0:rr)s. 
 
 " This gradual and continuotis progress of the Fhiropean races towards the Rocky 
 Mountains, has the solemnity of a providential event. It is like a deluge of men rising 
 unahatedly, and daily driven onward by the hand of God." — De Tocqueville. 
 
 T^JARIETY in occupation is tlie only rest that an active, pushing man dare 
 \/ seek in these times of tremendous competition and marvelous industry. 
 Even his holiday must contribute to the dominant spirit of the times. His 
 incisive, but broad and masterly grasp on business affairs, marks all places as his 
 own. His journeys from home are enlivened with the anticipation of acquisi- 
 tion in the state to which he is come. He demands, not only renewed spirit and 
 strength, but profit as well : and he is a slow man indeed that, in these days, does 
 not look forward to a summer on his wheat farm in Kansas, his well-stocked 
 ranch on the plains, or with his profitable investments in the mines of Colorado. 
 He comes from the hot, dusty cities of the eastern and middle states to find in 
 the cool, dry, bracing air and clear sunlight of Colorado new life and strength, 
 and in her mines, her ranches, her coal fields, her quarries, all the elements of 
 substantial fortune that are to be had for putting out the hand and laying hold 
 on them. 
 
 Where the Public Domain has not merged into individual ownership, 
 the beneficient and liberal policy of the National Government spreads 
 before him miles upon miles of rich gold and silver veins, acre upon 
 acre of placer ground and gold washings, vast sections of coal, agricul- 
 tural and timber land, and large quarries of magnificent building stone, 
 *that only await the coming of a claimant to give their wealth into 
 his possession. 
 
 That the picture does not exceed the reality, and that no descrip- 
 tion can fairly describe the wonderful opportunities that the nat- 
 ural wealth of the State offers to all classes of people, is best 
 evidenced by the fact that those who come only to in- 
 vestigate or sojourn, stay to establish their homes and 
 fortunes. 
 
 This little work purports to give the facts and 
 => figures concerning only one of the many 
 
 prosperous and successful cities of Colorado, 
 and to give only suoli facts of prog- 
 ress as will continue the vivid inter- 
 est always felt in the most 
 famous mining region of 
 the State. 
 
Among the Silver Searfts of Colorado. 
 
 Georgetown. 
 
 QEORGETOWN, the "Silrer Queen" of Colorado, is situated fifty miles west 
 of Denver, at the head of the beautiful and picturesque Clear Creek Canon 
 in the centre of the Mineral Belt of the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 The trains over the Colorado Central, a mountain branch of the Union Pacific 
 Railway, leave the Union Depot at Denver every morning and afternoon and a 
 pleasant ride of an hour, over the most fertile and beautiful portion of the great, 
 gray plains, brings the traveler to the foot-hills and to the mouth of Clear Creek 
 
 Canon. For some 
 ten miles the road 
 follows the windings 
 of the Canon. At 
 the Forks of the 
 Creek it branches, 
 one line going to 
 Central City and the 
 other to the exhaust- 
 less silver veins of 
 Georgetown. 
 
 About three miles 
 below Idaho Springs, 
 the second city i n 
 the count\', the Can- 
 on broadens into a 
 wide and beautiful 
 valley, which, ac- 
 cording to Bayard 
 Taylor, is the only 
 portion of the Rocky 
 Mountains that, in 
 
 GEORGETOWN TEN YEARS AGO. . . l^„„„ „^ 
 
 heauty, bears resem- 
 blance to the lovely vales that suddenly open to the traveler's view in the rug- 
 ged fastness of the Alps. 
 
 The mountains are less broken and smoother in outline; the rocky, precipi- 
 tous sides of the Canon give way to a broad expanse of valley and beautiful 
 wooded slopes of the higher mountains. 
 
 The land along the stream is rich in gold, and placer mining is carried on 
 with great profit and to a constantly increasing extent. After leaving Idaho 
 Springs, Fall River, Lawson, Dumont and Empire station follow quickly, with 
 scarce two mil^s between, each little town an entrepot for the supplies and 
 
4 Among the SUver Seams of Colorado. 
 
 distribution point for the vast mineral seams that traverse, in great belts, the 
 mountains that tower so grandly above the towns. 
 
 At Empire station the steep sides of the "little giant," Douglas mountain, jut 
 out into the valley, turning it almost directly to the south ; Saxon, Columbia, 
 Griffith, Democrat and Kepublican mountains complete the chain and lift them- 
 selves thousands of feet above the beautiful spot in which Georgetown is built. 
 
 It seems strange to find in the very heart of the mountains a city of nearly 
 4,000 people — an active, busy, enterprising place, where the rumbling of mills, 
 the blasting of mines, as the long tunnels and deep shafts are driven into the 
 mountains, and all the elements of an upbuilding community disturb the quiet of 
 a land that scarce a score of years ago was known only to geography and to 
 dreams. But now it is 36 hours ride from Chicago, hardly 66 hours from 
 either seaboard, while its telegraph and telephone communications make it a fac- 
 tor and partaker in the general business and afiairs of the United States. 
 
 Built at an altitude of 8,500 feet, the ideal height that assures an equable and 
 unsurpassed climate the entire year ; with long, roomy, well-kept streets, lighted 
 with gas and supplied with water mains and hydrants ; with handsome resi- 
 dences, excellent hotels, unsurpassed mining and milling advantages, a large and 
 increasing general business and trade, the Silver Queen of the Rockies need not 
 fear comparison with more favored places of the older states. 
 
 But men do not subdue distant commercial territory and build cities without it 
 pays ; the profits of mining in Clear Creek county have been and are so large 
 and increasing that the world of business looks more and more to the wealth of 
 our mountains as the investment of the surest and largest returns — and in this is 
 the sufficient reason for the thrifty and wealthy cities of the mountains. 
 
 The Tributary Country. 
 
 to Y its position, Georgetown is the proper gateway to the country south of Ar- 
 J gentine Pass, into the towns of Montezuma, Decatur and Chihuahua ; over 
 Loveland Pass into the Blue River region, and over Berthoud Pass into the 
 wealthy ranches, stock farms and mineral resources of Middle Park. 
 
 Ease of Access. 
 
 7} LTHOUGH the name of the Rocky Mountains carries the idea of inaccessi- 
 © bility, yet, notwithstanding their great size, the points that cannot be reached 
 by trail or wagon road can be counted on the fingers. The Colorado Central rail- 
 road follows the water level of Clear Creek into the heart of the mountains, and 
 at the virtual head of the canon, where Georgetown is situated, every part of the 
 range is reached, not with undue exertion, but with comfort and pleasure. 
 Mines of exceeding richness in both srold and silver are found from the base of 
 the mountain to the pinnacle that extends above timber line — in fact, one of the 
 most valuable bodies of ore ever discovered in *be vicinity of Georgetown was 
 
PEVIL's gate, (GEORGETOWN. 
 
6 Among the Silver Seams of Colorado. 
 
 taken from a vein that formed the very apex or pinnacle of the celebrated Saxon 
 mountain, not a mile from the city streets, and to this mine heavy machinery has 
 been delivered without any serious difficulty. 
 
 The mountains are entirely free from precipitous gorges and canons. Their 
 broad slopes offer no difficulty to travel, and wagon roads of easy grades traverse 
 them in every direction. The winter time sees no stopping of the work, even in 
 prospecting. The snows that fall on the lower slopes are very transient, and the 
 open mines are worked with the same facility as in the summer time. 
 
 In this respect Georgetown has a tremendous advantage over the towns of the 
 San Juan and Gunnison country, where the working of the mines is hindered by 
 tremendous snowfalls, and are virtually inaccessible for months in the year. 
 
 The Mountains as a Health. Resort. 
 
 n^HE trying and uncertain climate of the Atlantic and Middle states adds its 
 1 heavy and enervating influence to the business worry and grind that is so de- 
 structive to the American temperament, but Colorado provides the remedy. The 
 sensations attending an entrance into the elevated regions are always pleasant. 
 The dry atmosphere, the warm, bright days, the cool nights, that are so efficient 
 in building up wasted strength, give a tone and vigor to the system that calls 
 every function into healthful action, so that one may fairly revel in the pleasure 
 of good health. Physical ailments find no encouragement in the bright sunshine 
 and up-building climate of the Rocky Mountains. The temperature of George- 
 town and its neighboring cities is remarkable for its evenness, there being less cold 
 weather in winter and warm in summer than any locality of less elevation. The 
 signal service reports gives the number of entirely clear days in a year at 163, 
 fair days 137, cloudy days 13, stormy days 52, with the amount of precipitation of 
 rain or melted snow at 15*51 inches. 
 
 Fissure or Vein Mining-. 
 
 r^LEAR CREEK COUNTY contains 450 square miles, or 288,000 acres of 
 ground that is practically devoted to mining tor gold and silver, of which area 
 two-thirds is tributary to Georgetown for a market and supply point. 
 
 All mineral deposits are superficial, or enclosed. The former include all 
 masses of metal found in surface material, washed into the canons from the 
 mountains above, which form the placer mines. 
 
 Enclosed deposits embrace lodes, seams and beds, and from these the precious 
 metals are taken in large paying quantities. By far the greatest quantity is 
 taken from the true fissure or vein mines, of which no workings, however deep or 
 extended, have yet been able to measure the extent and richness characteristic of 
 such mines. Gold and silver lodes are similar, but their location and geological 
 formations differ in that gold lodes have their existence principally in gneiss» 
 transition or conglomerate rocks, while silver is usually found in granite, trap,^ 
 basalt, and other primitive formations. How these great fissures have been 
 formed and filled with mineral, all are not agreed, but that their riches are in- 
 creasing ^nd coexistent at great dep^is, not onl^ ^re ^11 agreed, but workings- 
 
Among ike Silver Secam of Oolomdo. 
 
 ON THE ROAD TO BERTHOUD PASS. 
 
 with a depth of over 3600 feet prove the continuity of the same ore bodies that 
 outcrop on the surface of the mountain. The walls of the fissure vein are of the 
 "country rock," which are frequently worn quite smooth by the attrition of their 
 contents. When well defined, they have two good walls, the upper, or "hanging," 
 and the lower, or "foot" wall. The greater portion of the silver and gold lodes 
 haye a northeasterly and southwesterly trend, varying from 5 to 60 degrees, and 
 from 5 to 200 feet in width. On the surface the mass is to some extent decom- 
 posed, and affected by the elements, but at a depth of 40 feet the mineral becomes 
 aggregated and condensed into a vein of greater richness. Usually there is but 
 one ore vein in a fissure, which follows one or the other wall, but there are fre- 
 quently two veins, one on each wall, and sometimes numerous seams distributed 
 throughout the crevice material, which experience has proved generally unites 
 as depth is gained, into one solid and distinct body of ore. 
 These are the charact«»ristics of the mines that surround G^eorgetown, and iu 
 
B 
 
 Among the Silver Seams of Colorado, 
 
 practical value have already yielded $34,650,271 to the present time, as the 
 annexed table proves : 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 TOTAIi 
 
 popur.A- 
 
 PER 
 
 NO. 
 
 PER 
 
 GOLD, 
 
 PRODUCT. 
 
 TION. 
 
 CAPITA. 
 
 MINERS. 
 
 CAPITA. 
 
 SILVER. 
 
 1859 to 1864 
 inclusive. 
 
 $2,000,000 
 
 1,500 
 
 $1,333 
 
 1,000 
 
 $2,000 
 
 G. 
 
 1865 to 1868 
 inclusive. 
 
 182,823 
 
 1,000 
 
 141 
 
 700 
 
 365 
 
 S. and G. 
 
 1869 
 
 400,354 
 
 2,000 
 
 200 
 
 800 
 
 500 
 
 « 
 
 1870 
 
 481,354 
 
 2,500 
 
 192 
 
 1,500 
 
 320 
 
 (4 
 
 1871 
 
 869,046 
 
 3,000 
 
 287 
 
 1,500 
 
 579 
 
 U 
 
 1872 
 
 1,503,391 
 
 3,500 
 
 429 
 
 1,700 
 
 884 
 
 u 
 
 1873 
 
 1,259,761 
 
 3,500 
 
 357 
 
 1,700 
 
 741 
 
 ti 
 
 1874 
 
 2,203,947 
 
 4,000 
 
 550 
 
 2,000 
 
 1,101 
 
 (I 
 
 1875 
 
 1,928,161 
 
 4,000 
 
 482 
 
 2,000 
 
 964 
 
 t( 
 
 1876 
 
 1,982,544 
 
 4,500 
 
 440 
 
 2,000 
 
 991 
 
 u 
 
 1877 
 
 2,206,577 
 
 4,500 
 
 490 
 
 2,000 
 
 1,103 
 
 « 
 
 1878 
 
 2,261,105 
 
 5,000 
 
 465 
 
 2,000 
 
 1,130 
 
 u 
 
 1879 
 
 1,967,000 
 
 5,000 
 
 393 
 
 2,000 
 
 983 
 
 11 
 
 1880 
 
 2,994,728 
 
 7,000 
 
 427 
 
 2,500 
 
 1,198 
 
 li 
 
 1881 
 
 2,204,980 
 
 7,000 
 
 314 
 
 2,250 
 
 980 
 
 <i 
 
 1882 
 
 2,304,500 
 
 7,500 
 
 307 
 
 2,000 
 
 1,152 
 
 « 
 
 1883 
 
 2,400,000 
 
 7,500 
 
 320 
 
 2,000 
 
 1,200 
 
 u 
 
 1884 
 
 2,500,000 
 
 8,000 
 
 312 
 
 2,100 
 
 1,190 
 
 
 1885 
 
 r 3,000,000 
 
 8,000 
 
 375 
 
 2,200 
 
 1,363 
 
 (( 
 
 Total to January 1, 1886, $34,650,271. 
 
 The table shows that the average yearly product, per miner, from 1859 to the 
 present, taking into account also the immense losses caused by crude, imperfect 
 reduction, is over $980 per year, and allowing 7,000 as the average population of 
 the county from 1859 to the present, it will be seen that every inhabitant has 
 added about $5,000 in actual money to the wealth of the community — an average 
 surpassed by no place in the world, with perhaps the single exception of Lead- 
 ville. 
 
 It will be noticed that the number of miners dropped from about 2,500 in 1880 
 to about 2,000 for the years following up to 1884. This was caused by the tre- 
 mendous rush to Leadville in its palmy days, as that most wonderful camp drew 
 largely, not only from every portion of the world, but from every city, town and 
 camp in Colorado. 
 
 Mills and Reduction Works. 
 
 n^HE establishment of immense smelting plants at Denver and Pueblo, together 
 1 with the favorable prices paid by these companies not only for gold and sil- 
 ver, but copper, lead and other metals found in the mines, has given the business 
 of smelting to the valley towns, but concentrating works, stamp mills, sampling 
 works and other preliminary processes are on the increase in Georgetown, to 
 treat the tremendous quantity of medium grade ores, that were mined years ago, 
 when it was impracticable and impossible to save the values that railroads and 
 improved treatment have added to them. 
 
 The Clear Creek or Corry City Mill is finely equipped, and has a concentrat- 
 ing eapadty of 40 tons per day. 
 
UOUWr OF THS HOLY CB08S, SEEN FBOM ORAY^S PEAK. 
 
10 Among the Silver Seams of Colorado. 
 
 The Stanton Engineering Company have converted the old Farwell Reduction 
 Works into a concentrating mill. The improved plant treats over 100 tons per 
 day. 
 
 The Florence Mill is a well-eq.uipped concentrator, working on custom ores. 
 
 The Terrible Mill is the property of the famous mine of the same name, and 
 works exclusively on the product of the Terrible group of mines. 
 
 The last named mills each have a capacity of over 30 tons per day. 
 
 The Stevens mill is also a concentrator, working on custom ore. 
 
 The Republican Mountain Consolidated Mining Company and the Colorado 
 Central Consolidated Mining Company have large mills in contemplation, to be 
 used for the treatment of the product of their mines. 
 
 With these works constantly in operation, Georgetown handles, by preliminary 
 treatment, a total of several hundred tons per day, and yet this great capacity 
 is hardly adequate to handle the great bodies of ores now mined and awaiting 
 treatment. 
 
 Ore Markets. 
 
 tN addition to mills and reduction works, the great number of sampling works 
 and ore markets form a virtual Board of Trade, where ore is sold by sample 
 to the highest bidders, just as wheat, corn and agricultural products are sold on 
 eastern Exchanges. 
 
 The . Boston & Colorado Smelting Works, the largest smelting plant in the 
 world, the Grant Smelter, both of Denver, the Golden Smelter, of Golden, the 
 Pueblo Smelting Company, of Pueblo, G. W. Hall & Co., the Public Ore Market 
 (Duncan & Wheeler) and Miners Sampling Works (Billings & Co.) are all estab- 
 lished agencies and active bidders for all ores brought into market. 
 
 Ore SMpments. 
 
 JUHE shipments of ore, in car-load lots, from Georgetown and Silver Plume 
 1 vary from 80 to 100 cars per month, the value of the mineral being from 
 1100,000 to $150,000. 
 
 Q-eorgetown as a Home. 
 
 N a foundation of inexhaustible mineral wealth, with its increasing assur- 
 ances of permanency, the people whose enterprise and industry has built 
 a city, built not only for the time, but as a place of continued and established res- 
 idence. 
 
 The bright sunshine, the pure atmosphere, the mountain breeze, the cool, dew- 
 less nights, render life in this portion of the Rockies a pleasurable and inspirit- 
 ing existence. During the winter the temperature is even less severe and more 
 equable than the winters of Denver, the city of the finest climate on the conti- 
 nent. The snow-fall is so light that sleighing and winter sports are almost un- 
 known, while the winter season by no means interferes with the mining industry. 
 
 The Public SctLools. 
 
 UR public school system is not excelled in efficiency and thoroughness. The 
 pride of schools is the great dominant feature of Colorado people, and every 
 
Among the Silver Seams^of Oolerado. 11 
 
 town, it matters not how remote, is supplied with the very best of instruction, as 
 that is regarded as the essential element necessary to the peaceful and intelligent 
 growth of every community. The public school building of Georgetown is an 
 ornament to any city, while its equipment has been completed with only excel- 
 lence in view. 
 
 The Ctiiirclies. ; 
 
 fHE existence of a spirit that is not wholly commercial and devoted to money 
 getting, but pays a thorough respect to broader and more vital topics, is a 
 compliment to the worth of any people. The preponderance of the church-going 
 element is the best evidence of such a feeling. The First Presbyterian Church, 
 the Methodist Episcopal, Grace Church (Episcopal), St. Joseph's (Catholic) and 
 the Swedish (Lutheran), each owning a commodious and desirable place of wor- 
 ship and commanding large and influential congregations, are a tribute to the 
 moral and right living principles of our citizens. In addition, St. Joseph's 
 Church maintains a large parochial school, in buildings of its own, and a mag- 
 nificent hospital is the practical form that the charity of this church has taken. 
 
 The Water Supply. 
 
 n^HE Clear Creek Water Company brings its supply from Clear Lake. The 
 1 large supply pipe from the natural reservoir, with a fall of 270 feet, distrib- 
 utes the water through the miles of mains, with a pressure of from 50 to 120 
 pounds to the square inch. "Fire pressure" will discharge 306 gallons per min- 
 ute to each fire plug, where as many as six are used. The supply is ample for a 
 city of many thousands, while in quality Georgetown enjoys the best water of any 
 city in the state. 
 
 Gas Works. 
 
 n^HE Georgetown Gas Company has a plant with a capacity of 20,000 feet per 
 1 day, and have lately put in a new process for the manufacture of water gas, 
 at a large expense. The mains are distributed over the entire city, while the 
 public lamps are at such frequent intervals as to light the streets thoroughly. 
 
 Hotels. 
 
 ISITORS to a town are apt to measure it by the excellence of its hotel accom- 
 modations. In this respect the Barton House is first-class in all appoint- , 
 ments, while the Hotel de Paris, Ennis House and City Hotel cater to a large \ 
 and excellent class of trade. 
 
 Banking Institutions. - . i -^^ 
 
 7] MONG the strongest institutions in Central Colorado are the Bank of Clear 
 © Creek County, C. R. Fish, president, and J. M. Copeland, cashier, and the | 
 
 Bank of Georgetown, J. F. Tucker, president, and Henry Seifried, cashier. 
 The immense amount of business transacted by each shows the esteem and confi - 
 dence of the community in them. 
 
12 Among the Silver Seams of Colorado. 
 
 Newspapers. 
 
 r^ EORGETOWN supports two excellent weekly newspapers — the Courier, 
 established in 1877, issued every Thursday, and the Miner, established in 
 1867, issued every Saturday. Both of these papers raake a specialty of raining 
 news, and each employs competent men to edit this particular department. All 
 items of interest concerning new discoveries, mines coming into market as pro- 
 ducers, and the general condition of the mines, are made the distinguishing part 
 of each week's issue, while the editors are pleased ai all times to answer any com- 
 munications directed to them, concerning the town or the mines in its vicinity. 
 
 The Arbitrator is a recent weekly publication, devoted to the interests of labor, 
 which is meeting with a cordial and intelligent support. 
 
 At Silver Plume, but two miles distant from Georgetown, is the Silver Standard, 
 weekly, a wide-awake publication devoted to the interests of the town and sur- 
 rounding mines. 
 
 Green and Clear Lakes. 
 
 r7 AGING to the south, Leavenworth mountain seems to point thus far and no 
 further ; but a noisy, rushing stream invites you to the left, and around the 
 sharp point that Leavenworth and Alpine mountains have thrown over the way, 
 as though jealous of the beauties they still held unrevealed, opens a magnificent 
 roadway that leads to the summit of the range. Up, through the broad slopes 
 where the mountains join, now, close to the cliffs, and again, on the level ground, 
 bending and conforming to the way of the hills, the majesty of the nearing range 
 holds the view. But there are beauties that the impetuous, tell-tale stream is 
 trying loudly to proclaim, and impatient lest, on the way to the range, the lovely 
 lakes that give it birth should be passed over. It frets and foams and rushes by 
 the immense boulders that impede its way and break it into continuous cataracts 
 and cascades of sparkling water, too full and excessive not to be noticed, until 
 the road leads to the left. With sharp grades and quick turns, over the wooded 
 knoll, through an avenue of heavy pine trees, Green Lake spreads before you in 
 all its mystic beauty and soundless calm, secure in its height of ten thousand feet 
 over and above the stream of fret and worry of the work-a-day world — a picture 
 of exquisite loveliness, which words have no compass to describe, caught up and 
 held by the rugged majesty of the mountains, its beauty subdues and softens the 
 great heart of the Rockies, and gives a touch of tenderness and watchfulness to 
 the great peaks that guard its loveliness. 
 
 On the near shore stands comfortable and convenient houses, a good wharf well 
 supplied with boats, while its serene and untroubled depths give a home to thou- 
 sands of the mountain trout. 
 
 While the lake is clear and translucent, clearer than any simile of crystal can 
 express, the basin that holds it is green, the sand is green, the moss that clings 
 to the rocks or idly floats to the sport of the ripples, is green, and even the tiny 
 dro^s that fall from the feathering oar bear the same, inexplainable tinge that 
 has given this wondrous lake its name. 
 
 Just beyond the further shore of the lake is the Battle Ground of the Gods, 
 
14 Among the Silver Yearns of Oolorado. 
 
 where great bowlders, cast down from the surroundins: peaks, lay as though 
 hurled by the wrath of warring powers. 
 
 Always beautiful, yet it is only in the declining hours of the day that Green 
 Lake gives a gleam of its spectral and wondrous depths. Then, through its clear 
 waters, is seen the buried forest, witn its stately trees turned to stone, still erect, 
 but the tall heads and branches that once bended pnly to the mountain breeze, 
 now lie in the depths of the lake in the unutterable stillness of the dead. 
 
 Only a few rods to the south, across the Battle Ground of the Gods, is Clear 
 Lake, the contrast and antithesis of Green Lake. Its icy cold waters, so white 
 and clear, give no suggestion of the marvelous play and change of color of its 
 neighbor on the north. 
 
 As was said, from Clear Lake comes the city supply of water. Lying just be- 
 low timber line, fed by the snows of the peaks on the range, it is a reservoir that 
 the greatest engineer could not better have conceived or located. 
 
 To Argentine Pass. 
 
 It is not easy to part from the lakes, but there is still another wonder. Behind 
 the great mountain to the west lays the road over Argentine Pass — the highest 
 traveled road in the world, over 13,000 feet above the waters of the sea. 
 
 At the foot of the canon, to the right of Green Lake, on the road ap- 
 proaching the range, is the famous Colorado Central mine, which has produced 
 $2,000,000. It has an underground development of over six miles in drifts, tun- 
 nels, shafts and all the wondrous ways of exploitation known to the practical 
 miner. On the outside is the tremendous mill building, filled with ponderous 
 machinery, driving the power drills that, hundreds upon hundreds of feet away 
 in the tunnels, are still opening new riches in this inexhaustible mountain of 
 treasure. 
 
 But here is merely the starting point for the upward climb. The road is up- 
 ward and upward until all height seems overcome, and the broadway of Argen- 
 tine Pass seepas to assure that ultimate distance has been conquered. In close 
 proximitj^ to the pass, in a region of almost perpetual snow, are the Johnson, 
 Independence, Mint, Bullion and other mines that have together produced hun- 
 dreds of thousands of dollars in precious metals. The straight descent of the 
 further slope leads down to the rich mines of Chihuahua, Montezuma, Decatur, 
 and the ffimoilS Horse Shoe Region, rendered memorable by the thrilling story 
 of "The Led Horse Claim." Still further on are the gold fields of Summit and 
 the inviting country that compasses the waters of the Blue. 
 
 But all height has not been accomplished. The kingdoms that make a world 
 are beneath the feet, but on the right is something still higher, grander, greater — 
 as near 15,000 feet towers Gray's Peak, the Continental Grown. 
 
 Back to Georgetown, and again disregarding the sentinel aspect of Leaven- 
 worth, the Union Pacific Railway, on the south boundary of the city, turns 
 sharply to the west, giving a view of Bridal Veil Falls, and then as quickly to 
 the south where - 
 
Among the SUvei' Seams of Colorado. 15 
 
 The Famous Knot in a Railroad, 
 
 Depicted on the cover of this pamphlet, has proven that even the mountains of 
 Colorado hold no impossibles for brilliant, determined engineers. Passing above 
 west Clear Creek, with just a glimpse of the picturesque bridge that spans Devil's 
 Gate, the road runs under the great viaduct and rises and rises until you have 
 left the city hundreds of feet below and to the north, but, with a sudden turn, it 
 is again seen, with the train, this time, rushing toward the city and still climb- 
 ing; again a turn to the east; now down ninety feet below is the track just 
 passed ; away again on the further side of the mountain; again crossing to the 
 west side; suddenly turning east, until the "Big Fill," 76 feet high — too sharp a 
 curve for a bridge — has given another circle to the track ; then, with a turn to 
 the west, 'round the slope of McClellan mountain ; still another view of George- 
 town, with all the tracks in view, each seeming to have no relation to its neigh- 
 bor, until another valley in the mountains discloses the pretty village of Silver 
 Plume — Georgetown's liveliest neighbor and firmest friend. It is but two miles 
 distant in a direct line, yet four miles of railway is necessary to span the distance 
 at practical grades, which it does by going up, coming back on itself, tying a 
 knot and performing gyrations beside which a lamp post, seen through convivial 
 glasses, is a staid and sober creation. 
 
 But scarcely less wonderful than the turnings and twistings of the road is the 
 tramway that conveys the ores from the Pay Rock mine to the Florence Mill. 
 It seems to start right from the railroad, and one araaztd traveler, after passing 
 the loop, expected the train to be loaded upon the tramway and merrily lifted to 
 the top of the hill. 
 
 The Pay Rock is developed by over 10,000 feet of workings and has paid to 
 date over $750,000. 
 
 The immense altitude of 600 feet for only two miles distance, between Silver 
 Plume and Georgetown, lifts the train to another bench of the canon and thence 
 by easy grades Graymont, the terminus and outfitting point for Gray's Peak, 
 eight miles from Georgetown, is reached. 
 
 Gray's Peak. 
 
 n^HIS is the highest mountain, save Blanca, in the State. It is not rough and 
 1 chasmed, but is preserved in geological entirety, which make its masses 
 seem greater. The trail from Graymont is so plain and direct that it cannot be 
 missed ; it is carried backward and forward to the very crest, 14,441 feet above 
 the level of the sea, giving a view that locates every park in the state and follows 
 rivers from the source to the mouth. Only one such view is afforded, for Pike's 
 Peak and southern Blanca are the only points that "dare invade its supreme do- 
 main. 
 
 Developed Mines. 
 
 TN all directions from Georgetown lay mines of exceeding richness and large 
 production, but the few miles intervening between Georgetown, Silver Plume 
 
 and Bakerville have proven especially rich in gold and silver ores. 
 The Terrible, with its tremendous mill and machinery, with an output of 
 
16 Among the SUver Seams of Cblorado. 
 
 $3,500,000; the Diamond Tunnel properties, with a product of $500,000 to their 
 credit, and the adjoining Baltimore properties with $800,000 as a return for the 
 faith in them ; the Seven-Thirty with its surface area of 100 acres and a record 
 of $1,000,000, with a monthly increase of $10,000 ; the Pelican-Dives with a pro- 
 duction of $4,000,000 to account for its immense development ; the Mendota, 
 opened by the Victoria tunnel, 1088 feet in length, with a product of $259,471.00 
 during the past six years ; the Stevens with $750,000 as an output, and each and 
 every one of these properties working large and increasing forces of men, adding 
 heavier machinery as depth demands, is a record on which Georgetown is proud 
 to place itself as one of the most successful mining towns in the United States. 
 
 The mentioned properties constitute only one group of the immense number 
 tributary to Georgetown. The great Freeland, on Trail Creek, has a credit of 
 $1,500,000, and in view of the city is the Magnet-Sequel $250,000, the Astor 
 Group $250,000, the Cliff $80,000, the Fred Eogers $300,000, the Griffith $200,- 
 000, the Benton $200,000, the Red Elephant $500,00C, and the Jo. Reynolds 
 $200,000. There are still scores of mines in this county producing monthly from 
 two to five, ten, twenty and even thirty thousand dollars, that to enumerate 
 would only cumulate the record. 
 
 Intelligent development and rightly directed capital have placed $35,000,000 to the 
 credit of Clear Creek County, to which is constantly being added over $2,000,000 per 
 year. Hundreds of undeveloped veins, acres of ground yet unbroken, with the advantage 
 of cheap reduction, low transportation, experienced labor and enlarged market and de- 
 mand, only await the intelligent investment of capital to bring about still greater results 
 from the inexhaustible riches of the silver mines tributary to Georgetovm. 
 
 Westward, TtLrough. Bertlioiid Pass. 
 
 T\ RGENTINE, the lakes, the tremendous mineral wealth, the famous Loop 
 
 and the sublimity of Gray's Peak have been reviewed, but the grand "country 
 
 tributary to Georgetown must yet be visited — over Berthoud Pass into the Park. 
 
 Leaving Georgetown and turning north, a well built road marks the way 
 over Union Pass that separates Douglas and Columbia mountains, leading into 
 the beautiful valley in which the cosy and thriving village of Empire, four miles 
 north of Georgetown, is situated. The hills to the north and east of Empire are 
 one mass of gold-bearing mineral. For years and years sluicing and placer min- 
 ing has been carried on with enormous profits, and as depth is gained it is found 
 that the free gold, in the overlying debris on the mountain sides, condenses and 
 aggregates into rich, gold-bearing lodes. The Pioneer, Tenth Legion and 
 Benton are among the extensively worked properties. 
 
 From Empire the route is due west along the water level of Clear Creek; on 
 either hand rise the tremendous mountains, covered from base to summit with a 
 thick growth of magnificent pine timber, with their mineral resources yet un- 
 touched, but in indication and promise offering unsurpassed opportunities to the 
 miner. The snowy peaks come nearer ; the road winds upward to the summit of 
 the continental range ; about midway a great bend, with a road branching to 
 the west, opens the way to Daily District, which, in so far as it has been ex- 
 plored, produces the richest ore in veins of almost incredible size and strength. 
 
18 Among the Silver Seams of Colorado. 
 
 This is but one of the many regions that the miner, energetic as he is, has been 
 compelled to leave almost unvisited, simply for the reason that it is beyond the 
 power of any one community to explore, much less utilize the wealth of mineral 
 resources that is present on every hand. Before long it will come into prom- 
 inence, but to-day it is a section of untouched opportunities. 
 
 Bending now, almost to the east, but still upward and onward, the summit of 
 the range is reached ; the anticipated new country has become a reality ; to the 
 right hand is the grand dome of Flora Mountain ; to the north lie the massive 
 peaks of James and Long, while to the south and east are to be seen Mount Rosa- 
 lie, Evans, Irwin's and Gray's peaks, the largest of the entire range and all within 
 the boundaries of Clear Creek CoUnty. Here is the limit of the Atlantic country ; 
 its broad empire goes no further; the sharp, dividing line is almost visible ; the 
 Pacific country becomes dominant and under its protection the tiny stream that 
 comes from the snow bank on the pass, takes its course down the gentler western 
 slope, gathering in force and volume until, in the bed of the park, it assumes the 
 habitation and name of the Fraser — one of the well known rivers of the famous 
 park. 
 
 Middle Park. 
 
 KYTjIDDLE PAEK holds within itself the possibilities of a separate kingdom, 
 / its area of 4000 square miles is girdled by the snowy range on the east 
 the north and south, while to the west it opens into the broad plains of the west- 
 ern tier of Colorado counties. 
 
 The surface is diversified with gently rolling hills with alternating stretches of 
 grass covered valleys. It is watered by the considerable streams of the Grand 
 and Fraser rivers, to which are tributary innumerable small brooks and creeks, 
 The Fraser has its rise in the range, and some twenty miles into the park joins 
 the Grand River, which rises to the north-east, in the grandest body of water in 
 Colorado — Grand Lake. 
 
 The hay and agricultural lands along the streams are rapidly preempted and 
 the grazing lands support thousands of beef and stock cattle. 
 
 The principle settlements are Grand Lake, the county seat, about fifty miles 
 northwest of Georgetown, on the shores of the Lake of that name. Twenty miles 
 to the south-west is Hot Sulphur Springs, which, as its name implies, is the loca- 
 tion of a number of springs, coming out from the foot of Mount Bross and falling 
 into a natural basin. The waters contain most valuable medicinal properties and 
 are a specific for many diseases. 
 
 H-antiiig- and FisMng- Grounds. 
 
 ON the wooded slopes along the Grand, Fraser, Blue and Troublesome rivers 
 5 is an abundance of game, while the streams are all filled with mountain trout 
 in endless variety, and the finest game fish in the world. In the heavy timber is 
 found bear and mountain lion. Elk are seen in herds of hundreds, while ante- 
 lope, deer and mountain sheep are brought by the wagon load to markets of the 
 mountain and valley towns. 
 
 As a fishing ground, the waters of the Park have no equal, and sportsmen who 
 delight in the rod and line go in great numbers every summer for a never-failing 
 supply of mountain trout. 
 
Among the Silver Seams of Colorado. 
 
 19 
 
 A ROCKY MOUNTAIN NOOK. 
 
 Mineral Wealtli. 
 
 OOT only favored in climate, soil, grazing, agricultural and coal lands, as the 
 y basis of its future wealth. Middle Park is also rich in mineral deposits of 
 vast extent that only await the completion of the railroad to add their riches to 
 Colorado's increasing output. Besides the discovered veins and lodes of proved 
 value, the sands on the Willow Creek and other streams contiguous to the town 
 of Grand Lake, are particularly rich in gold, and each year are more and more 
 extensively worked. 
 
 The formation around Grand Lake is identical with that of the famous carbon- 
 ate district at Leadville. Experienced miners, backed by capital, are exploring 
 the deposits with encouraging results, which will add another vast district to the 
 wealth of Central Colorado. 
 
20 Among the Silver Seams of Colorado. 
 
 Conclusion. 
 
 WHILE gaining a constantly increasing trade from the grazing and ranch 
 lands of Middle Park, the chief industry of Georgetown, and that upon 
 which it bases its claim to favorable notice and attention, is its unexcelled 
 mining wealth and opportunities for investment 
 
 Taking the ratio of success in other branches of trade throughout the country, 
 there is a less number of failures in Silver Mining than in any other biisiness; 
 while, if the same economy, practical energy and close attention that is paid to 
 other business, were paid to mining in detail, the ratio of success would be largely in 
 favor of legitimate gold and silver mining. 
 
 It is poor policy for a man living in the east to buy stock in any mine without 
 he knows the facts upon which to base his investment. Colorado has suffered 
 more from "investments afar-oiF" than any State in the Union. But a personal 
 investigation of the country, a personal visit to its cities and mines, a personal 
 knowledge of the district where monies are asked for investment, will convince 
 any investor that Colorado has solid and enduring claims to consideration. 
 
 Fair play is a principle in the "land of sunshine and silver." If "words of 
 inventive wit" have persuaded to unfortunate investments ; if too highly colored 
 prospectus have drawn unwarranted attention ; if the tremendous daily out-put 
 of certain mines has engendered a fever of unfruitful speculation, it must be 
 remembered that the gaudy bait for gudgeons was prepared by "mining experts" 
 from the east — as instance that certain editor who allowed a carbonate deposit, of 
 measurable capacity, to be capitalized into the millions ; or, that other theoret- 
 ical miner, whose brilliant report led to the sudden snuffing out of the fame of a 
 politician, once an accredited minister at the Court of St. James. 
 
 Theoretical miners have been able to see more in Colorado mines than the 
 most enthusiastic prospector 'would dare to claim, and there have been owners of 
 such extreme sensibility that they would fail to dispel the illusion with the 
 actual facts. 
 
 But mining is now no longer a speculation. The elements of commercial 
 wealth, transportation, reduction, thorough exploitation, rightly enter into every 
 investment, large or small. 
 
 And because Georgetown has established herself on an enduring basis ; because 
 
 she has succeeded in demonstrating the real wealth of her mines ; because she is 
 
 aware of the great opportunities whose development must still add to her growth 
 
 and prosperity, is the reason that she holds out cordial welcome to those who 
 
 come to sojourn or to reside in her midst. 
 
 THE "COURIER." 
 Georgetown, Colorado, June, 1886. 
 
-^J'DlRECTORY OF GEORGETOWN.^* 
 
 Schools. 
 Public and High School. 
 Sisters School, 
 
 Churc?ies. 
 
 Grace Episcopal, 
 Presbyterian, 
 Methodist Episcopal, 
 Catholic, 
 
 Swedish Lutheran. 
 Hospital. 
 The Sisters' Hospital. 
 Fire Department. 
 Georgetown Fi re & Hose Co., 
 Hope Hose Co., 
 Alpine Hose Co. 
 Star Hook and Ladder Co. 
 
 Stage Lines. 
 Georgetown & Middle Park, 
 Georgetown & Empire. 
 
 Places of Amusement. 
 McClellan Opera House, 
 Georgetown Rink. 
 
 Newspapers. 
 "Georgetown Courier," 
 "Colorado Miner," 
 "The Arbitrator" (labor). 
 Oas and Water Companies. 
 Clear Creek Water Co., 
 Georgetown Gas Co. 
 
 Telegraph and Telephone. 
 W. U. Telegraph Co., 
 Colorado Telephone Co. 
 
 Bailroads. 
 Colorado Central, 
 Georgetown, B. & L. 
 
 Hotels. 
 Barton House, 
 Hotel de Paris, 
 City Hotel, 
 Ennis House, 
 Star Hotel. 
 
 Boarding Houses. 
 Georgetown House, 
 Woodward House, 
 Cottage Inn, 
 St. Andrews House, 
 Doyle House. 
 
 Ore Buyers. 
 Public Ore Market, 
 Miners Sampling Works, 
 Geo. W. Hall & Co. 
 Concentrating and Sampling. 
 Stanton Engineering Co. 
 Florence Mill. 
 Terrible Mill, 
 Clear Creek Mill, 
 Corry Mill, 
 Kocky Mountain Mill. 
 
 Lumber 
 G. W. Hall & Co., 
 David Wilson. 
 
 Saddlery. 
 H. O. Button. 
 
 Abstract Office. 
 Sayr & Parnielee. 
 
 8i)orting Goods. 
 John A. Monis. 
 
 U. S. Dep. Mineral Surveyors. 
 
 Wheat on & Chase, 
 
 Geo. E. Marsh, 
 
 F. A. Maxwell, 
 
 K. L. N. Foster, 
 
 M, T. Morrell, 
 
 11. W. Steele. 
 
 Attorneys at Law. 
 
 R. S. Morrison, 
 
 Fillius & Bullls, 
 
 Chas. C. Post, 
 
 John A. Coulter, 
 
 A. K. White, 
 
 L. H. Shepard, 
 
 William B. Hood, 
 
 W. T. Hughes. 
 
 Cfesar A. Roberts, 
 
 Luke Palmer. 
 
 T. J. Cantlon. 
 
 7'ailors. 
 
 Jacob Snetzer, 
 
 Morris Tishler, 
 
 James McDonald. 
 Barbers. 
 
 C. A. Townsend, 
 
 Theodore King, 
 
 W. Townsend. 
 
 Ckml and Grain. 
 
 Phil. Fillius, 
 
 Chas. B. Bullock. 
 
 Livery Stables. 
 
 A. R. Kinney, 
 
 Mileham & Balfour, 
 Dentists, 
 
 R. B. Welser, 
 
 W. W, Dunning. 
 
 Physicians, 
 
 R. J. Collins, 
 
 W. A. Jayne, 
 
 J. J. Lutze. 
 
 W. J. Eagles. 
 
 Provisions. 
 
 George Pease, 
 
 Z. Kalbaugh, 
 
 John Cowen. 
 
 Millinery. 
 
 Miss K. Pulis & Co. 
 
 Mrs. J. C. DeVotie. 
 Blacksmiths. 
 
 A. H. Colburn, 
 
 M. V. Wright, 
 
 Grocers. 
 
 C. W. Pollard & Co.. 
 
 L. D. Tlmmons, 
 
 J. F. & A. C. Tucker, 
 
 Henry Knelsel, 
 
 Spruance & Hutchinson, 
 ; Frank P. Stewart. 
 j Boot and Shoe-Makers. 
 \ Jacob Oaks, 
 j C. Johnson, 
 I A. Dickinson, 
 
 Henry Schwartz. 
 
 Painter's and Paper Hangers. 
 
 William Youngson, 
 
 George Cary, 
 
 Frank Hamilton, 
 
 Geo. W. Stewart, 
 
 R. Coe. 
 
 S. D. Faurot. 
 
 PUotographer. 
 Alexaiider Martin. 
 Druggists. 
 Forbes & Stromberg, 
 E. S. Wright. 
 
 News and Book Deale, 
 Frank J. Wood. 
 
 Dry Goods and Clothi, 
 Samuel Strousse, 
 Louis Cohen, 
 Jacob Hepner. 
 
 Jewelei's. 
 J. S. Gates & Co., 
 Evans & Glrton, 
 E. S. Wright. 
 
 Musical Instrument^ 
 C. C. Churchill. 
 
 Restaurants. 
 Mrs. C. H. Hook, 
 Louis Dupuy. 
 
 Hardware Dealers. 
 Pollard & Co., 
 A. F. Curtis, 
 Samuel Nash, 
 William Bible. 
 
 Confectionery Dealers 
 
 A. A. Walling. 
 Joseph Newton, 
 
 B. Shlmberg, 
 
 Mrs. E. A. Mileham. 
 
 Machine Shops. 
 Clear Creek F. and M. ('( 
 Hall & Tlbbltts. 
 
 Banks. 
 Bank of Georgetown, 
 Clear Creek County Banl 
 
 Meat Markets. 
 Jos. Harvat & Co., 
 Mills & Harvat. 
 Schafer & Gould, 
 
 Furniture. 
 
 C. McClellan, 
 Henry Boyer. 
 
 Insurance. 
 Henry Selfrled, 
 John Tom ay. 
 
 Assay ers. 
 R. B. Martin, 
 Robert Neuman. 
 Billiard Parlors and Salot 
 Nelson & Frohra, 
 P. H. Layden, 
 Henry Goetze, 
 Dan. Golden, 
 B. Agnese, 
 
 Boies, Ecklund <feSnyde, 
 Holcombe & Co., 
 James O'Donnell, 
 Fred Gall, 
 John Sjoqvlst, 
 Drelfurst & Ebert. 
 Fountain Bros. 
 
 Carpenters. 
 David Duncan. 
 Beni Southgate. 
 M. A. Harris, 
 Louis Ta.ylor, 
 1. Y eager. 
 
-» 
 
 
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