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Cripple Creek District
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Last updated: 29.05.2010 10:50
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Modern Machinery November 1900
(page 168-169 + images(3) page 170-172)
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CRIPPLE CREEK OPERATIONS.
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 CRIPPLE
CREEK is a wonderful development as a mining camp and as a
factor in the financial world. Within a decade a
prosperous city has been built on what was formerly a
cattle pasture and many flourishing institutions have been
established.
A
striking example of the remarkable strides that have been
taken is furnished in a late report made by the First
National Bank of Cripple Creek, which, upon a capital of
$30,000, shows surplus and profits of $19,152.60.
The
most remarkable feature of the statement is the growth of
the deposits. Starting on July 14, 1898, with $147,839.91,
the amount shown in the first report, the deposits were
more than doubled in 12 months, making $328,037.37.
Six
months later on, or on December 2, 1899, the deposits had
passed the half-million mark the exact figures of the
report made to the comptroller of the currency being
$503,132.97.
Another
phenomenal advancement was recorded officially on February
13, 1900, when the deposits reached $871,243.02, and less
than a month later the million-dollar point was reached.
The
first official report after this event was dated April
20th and showed deposits aggregating $1,017,711.20.
Aside
from the interest attached to such a record from a
financial point, the figures quoted cannot fail to attract
attention and be accepted as evidence of the condition of
the mining industry of the district.
Operations
are carried on there on a scale unknown elsewhere in the
world, the confidence displayed in the properties by the
men working the mines is unequaled anywhere, it is a
country of big things, gigantic schemes, unlimited nerve,
personal assurance and energy.
The
amount of money that is being put into the ground in the
way of costly machinery is equaled only by the amount that
is being taken out.
It
must not be inferred that Cripple Creek has lost any of
the characteristic features of a western mining camp or
that it has been "spoiled by prosperity." As a
matter of fact, it is crude in many respects to a greater
extent than similar communities elsewhere; yet in spite of
these rough edges it boasts of many of the comforts that
are supposed to be associated with refinement and
cultivation.
It
is a curious mixture and it will take a long time to
effect a balance or an adjustment of conditions that will
be more in conformity with the ideas of older and more
settled communities.
_fig01.jpg)
Fig. 1. View
Of Gold Hill From Emma Palmer Placer. |
In
the views presented herewith some evidence of these
conditions may be found. Fig. 1 is a general view of
what may be termed the old district, looking south
to Gold Hill from Emma Palmer placer, and showing
Globe Hill on the east.
The
Anchoria Leland mine is shown just to the right of
the top of the hill, and Moon Anchor mine is a
little lower down and farther to the west. |
_fig02.jpg)
Fig.2. Looking
North On Gold Hill From Anchoria Leland Mine. |
A
view of Gold Hill from the Anchoria Leland mine is
shown in Fig. 2. This is one of the most important
sections of the district.
Between
January 1, 1893, and December 31, 1899, six
companies operating on Gold Hill paid dividends
aggregating $520,000, while one company on Globe
Hill alone in the same period paid nearly $250,000
in dividends. |
The
ore producing area has been greatly enlarged during
the last few years, more than doubled in extent, and
many of the properties in the new territory are
exceptionally promising, while not a few have
already shown good returns.
Four
years ago the area of actual ore production of the
Cripple Creek district was encircled by the lines of
the Florence and Cripple Creek railroad and the
Midland Terminal railroad excepting a curved line on
the north from Grassy to the town of Cripple Creek,
including the area from the Gold King mine at the
head of Poverty Gulch, on the north, to the Gold
Coin mine at Victor, on the south, a distance of
three miles, and from the summit of Beacon Hill on
the west to the Victor mine on the east, a distance
of two and one-half miles.
At
present the ore producing area practically extends
from near Gillett on the north, to Straub Mountain
on the south, a distance of six miles, and from
Beacon Hill on the west, to the Gross shaft south of
Calf Mountain, and one mile beyond the Victor mine
on the east, a distance of over five miles. |
_fig03.jpg)
Fig. 3. The
Great Independence Mine. |
The
Great Independence mine, one of the wonders of
modern mining because of its extent and richness and
the value placed upon the property by the promoters
of the London deal, is shown in Fig. 3. |
_fig04.jpg)
Fig. 4. Roanoke
Mine. |
Another
promising property is the Roanoke mine, shown in
Fig. 4, which is regarded as a big producer for the
small amount of development accomplished. This mine
is now being operated on a larger scale.
Placer
mining is carried on extensively on one of the
properties first mentioned, the Emma Palmer mine,
which is located below the Gold and Globe Hills. |
_fig05.jpg)
Fig. 5. Placer
Mining On The Emma Palmer. |
Fig.
5 illustrates the operators at work on this mine. It
is a typical scene. A diversity of occupation and
scene is afforded in this district, and an example
is furnished in the view presented in Fig. 6, which
is in striking contrast to that shown in Fig. 5.
This
concluding illustration of the series comprises a
view of the underground workings at a depth of 450
feet, the fifth level, and suggests some of the
disadvantages of this occupation.
Everything
considered the Cripple Creek district is one of the
most interesting parts of the country. Modern
methods, the introduction of improved machinery and
the scientific investigations of the ore producing
qualities of the district have made it unlike the
old gold fields, yet in other respects it is very
like them.
It
affords an object lesson of the great advancement
that has been made in mining. |
_fig06.jpg)
Fig. 6. View
Of Underground Workings At A Depth Of 450 Feet. |
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