The Compromise Company's property, near by, shows the largest ore body in the world. It is some 400 feet long and 150 feet thick, the average value being close to $80 per ton. The Bonnybel is just over the ridge, and from its stopes a half million dollars have been taken. Further south are the Ruby, the Little Percy, the Ingersoll, the Best Friend, the Camp Bird and the Libbie Bell, all of which are pay mines though none rank yet as great bonanzas. Passing further south we come into Lourtellotte Parke, now a wonderfully busy place, but until within six months a neglected and mistrusted section. Here are to be found the Edison, producing $75,000 a month; the Celeste, with a production of about the same amount; the Last Dollar, a larger mine than either of those just mentioned; the Silver Bell, with remarkable bodies of ore showing; the O. K., now a regular shipper of large quantities of mineral; the Carbonate Chief, a recent but valuable discovery; the Lottie, a steady shipper; the Highland Light, a most valuable property; the Oakland No. 2, that has just struck pay; the Little Rule, a producer of rich ore, and the Sam Houston, that has just struck a large body of very high grade mineral. THE FUTURE OF ASPEN. The above list of pay mines that lie in the developed district (and many small producers are not mentioned), will suggest the idea that as a mining center Aspen has no equal, and that the opportunities for mining investments in the district are unequalled. There are more than 30 miles of the mineral belt, part of it northward and part of it southward, that only needs development to stud it as thickly with mines, as the mines are dotted over Aspen mountain. Great opportunities are afforded, and they are rapidly being seized upon. Besides the resources of this great lode, there lie tributary to Aspen other rich districts. The Maroon Creek district is producing ore regularly, and is most promising in every respect. The fissure veins in Conundrum gulch and about Ashcroft are almost numberless, and are known to be rich. In Lincoln gulch there are rich leads; at Independence there are highly valuable gold mines; on Snow Mass the finest of copper ore is found, and on Rock creek there is another extensive contact country, in which important developments are continually being made. Thus are given briefly the facts upon which are based the prosperity of Aspen, and upon which is founded the proud and confident boast of her people, that they have the richest county in all the broad domain of the United States, a county in which more fortunes will be made than in any other ten counties of the West, and in which prosperity will continue for many generations. AGRICULTURE, COAL, IRON AND MARBLE. Aside from her wonderful mineral deposits, Pitkin County is rich in agricultural resources and in coal, iron and marble. The entire valley of the Roaring Fork and its many tributaries are susceptible of irrigation, and this means rich crops of all the cereals, vegetables and hay, which find ready cash markets at profitable prices among the miners. A considerable portion of arable land is still available for occupation through the construction of ditches to reach the higher portions yet unoccupied. The numerous ranchmen are all in comfortable circumstances, and their properties are seldom offered for sale. The southern portion of the county about Ashcroft has immense bodies of iron of merchantable character, and the western portion has coal beds of vast extent, and this is known to be of the best coking variety. The marble beds are almost unlimited in extent, but have not yet been utilized, although samples show it to be of superior quality. The railroad has reached the coal fields, and will probably be built to the iron and marble deposits in the near future, so that these vast native resources may contribute their quota towards making famous and prosperous this county, so wonderfully favored by nature. CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED. Parties desiring more complete information than is herein given. are invited to correspond with the Aspen Chamber of Commerce, and their inquiries will meet with prompt and cheerful attention. THE MINES OF PITKIN COUNTY. THE great Aspen lode or contact has become the marvel of the mining world. Upon this lode the most phenomenal discoveries have recently been made, while vast amounts of ore have been produced and are being produced from the older mines that are located upon it. The beautiful city of Aspen has been built up upon the mines that were opened in the early history of the camp, and now the developments that are going forward promise to make of it the greatest mining metropolis that has ever been known. To understand the importance of the developments that have already been brought about in their relation to the future of the district, it is necessary to give an idea of the extent of this mineral belt, to point out the small proportion of it that has been explored, and to pass in review the very large number of astonishingly rich mines that are comprised within the developed area. THE GREAT LODE. This lode is known to be some forty miles in length; it is a contact in lime formation and is represented upon Hayden's chart by the line of Silurian upheaval and outcrop. The contact between the lower line, known as magnesian lime or dolomite, and the overlying stratum of pure carbonate of lime, known as blue lime, is the mineral bearing zone. Opinions differ at some points regarding this, but, in a general way, the statement is sufficiently accurate for the purposes of this article. This contact between these two limes has been traced in a north and south course entirely across Pitkin county, a distance, as before stated, of about forty miles. Development was begun on the mountain sides near Aspen, and there the mining operations of the district have mostly been carried on. The result has been, that a number of mines that rank among the largest in the world have been opened there. It has long been known to those who have examined and prospected other sections along the contact that it was at all points fully as rich as at the points where the bonanza mines have been opened. It has been a little hard to convince those who would not investigate for themselves that such was the case, but recent developments, both northward and southward from the section in which the old mines are located, have established great faith among all mining men in the entire stretch of the belt. SALIDA. THE HE city of Salida is situated upon the line of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway and on the Arkansas River, in a beautiful broad valley, in marked contrast to the Royal Gorge, which must be passed in order to reach this lovely spot. The Royal Gorge for years stood an impassable barrier to the onward march of steel, and hung over this delightful valley like the flaming sword which has shut out from the Garden of Eden the descendants of Adam and Eve, lo! these thousands of years. The Denver & Rio Grande, the "Little Giant of the Rockies," broke through this seemingly insurmountable barrier, and, with a thread of steel, drew to this "Gem City of the Mountains" a class of citizens of sturdy character, energy and grit, who have built a city of growing importance and beautiful to behold. In 1880 the city of Salida was incorporated, and now, at less than ten years of age, fully 5,000 people find delightful homes within the city limits. Here are situated the division shops of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, the employees receiving monthly about $40,000, which turns considerable ready cash into circulation. Rich silver and copper mines surround the city on every hand; some are being actively operated. Large charcoal kilns are near at hand and form no inconsiderable part of the business of Salida, twenty car-loads per day being shipped to Leadville and Pueblo. Salida is admirably situated to make a remarkably good smelting point; charcoal being made here upon such an extensive scale would be sufficient to supply a large smelting plant. All ore which reaches Pueblo must pass through this point, paying heavy toll for the extra 100 miles' haul. Coal has lately been discovered near Salida, which may prove valuable for smelting purposes. With the establishment of smelters here, it is not certain but that several stacks could be profitably run upon the ore that would be mined within a radius of five to ten miles; low grades that are not of sufficient value to bear heavy freight charges would thus be made productive and a general stimulus would be had in the precious metal mining about Salida. As a place of residence few equal, and none surpass, this beautiful city. On every hand are found evidences of wealth, culture and refinement, such as large costly brick and stone residences, business blocks, churches and schools. In every respect are the public improvements and conveniences equal to any eastern city of like size. Here we find a splendid system of waterworks, which receive their supply of pure cold water from the Arkansas River above the city, |