DESCRIPTION -.. 
 
 -zoo- 
 
 -OF THE 
 
 CONSOLIDATED 
 
 .^ 
 
 III Mtfi Jliitt^^t 
 
 -OWNKD BY 
 
 JOHN Q. A. ROLLINS, 
 
 GILPIN COUNTY, COL. 
 
 GLOBE STATIONERY AND PRINTING CO. 
 
 89 LlBEKTY StUEKT. 
 
 1879. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2007 with funding from 
 
 IVIicrosoft Corporation 
 
 bttpV/www.archive.org/details/descriptionofconOOrollrich 
 
DESCRIPTION 
 
 -OF THE- 
 
 CONSOLIDATED 
 
 GOLD DIRT MINES 
 
 -OWNED BY- 
 
 JOHN Q. A. ROLLINS, 
 
 GILPIN COUNTY, COL. 
 
 GLOBE STATIONERY AND PRINTING CO., 
 
 89 LlBBRTT STBBBT. 
 
 1879. 
 
I^k ||on8oMated mold jjirt Jimes, 
 
 M.INEi\AL AND FaI^MING LaNDS 
 OWNED BY 
 
 JOHN Q. A. ROLLINS 
 
 The following described property situate near RoUins- 
 ville, and about ten miles from Central City, in Gilpin 
 County, Colorado, is intended as a basis upon which to 
 form a Company or Companies for practical mining oper- 
 ations. 
 
 Most of the Lodes herein described were discovered in 
 i860 ; a large amount of development followed the imme- 
 diate discovery of the " Gold Dirt'' (now named ** Ophir," 
 '' Virginia " '' Crown Point " and '* Savage,") and '• Maurer" 
 (now named " Colorado," " Perigo ") and other Lodes. 
 
 From the time of their discovery up to the winter of 
 1864, a number of individuals and firms were mining upon 
 these lodes in a very unskillful and unworkman-like man- 
 ner ; treating the ore in a very crude way, and saving but 
 a portion of the gold. During the winter of '6i, and the 
 following summer, these mines, as well as most of those in 
 the Central City and Black Hawk Districts, changed 
 owners, and eastern capital formed into Companies, took 
 possession of the country. Here began the retrograde of 
 the mining interest that came near blotting out Gilpin 
 County as a mining District, (now the best lode gold min- 
 ing camp in the United States), and would have done so. 
 
but for the fact that many of the old miners knew the 
 country to be a vast mineral belt, and that the fault lay at 
 the door of ignorant and impractical superintendents, im- 
 ported from commercial and other uncongenial pursuits, 
 and want of knowledge in treating the ores. 
 
 Prof. Rossiter W. Raymond, U. S. Commissioner of 
 Mines and Mining, has so ably discussed in his statistics of 
 Colorado mines and mining, as reported to the House of 
 Representatives, in 1870, the important questions; How 
 came those mines that were once so profitable, to fail? What 
 is the secret of the present success of others ? How can 
 many, now idle^ be restored to an active and profitable con- 
 dition ? that I extract briefly the following, (found on pages 
 347 to 349 inclusive), of the Report for 1870 : 
 
 " The complete failure of the stamp mills in '63 and '64, when the surface 
 quartz was worked o\xi, and the pyrites reached, was without doubt largely 
 owing to the inexperience of mill-men ; for the miners have now returned, 
 after an interval of reckless and disastrous experiment, to the old process, 
 which they o^erdXe profitably, in spite of refractory ores. 
 
 " The process-mania, commencing in '65, and lasting till "'67, was one of 
 the main causes which damaged the reputation of the mines to such a de- 
 gree that the country was nearly ruined by the reaction. Upon the first 
 failure of the stamp-mills, (upon reaching pyrites), people came to the con- 
 clusion that the ore must be roasted before the gold could be amalgamated. 
 One invention for this purpose followed another; desulphwization became 
 the abracadabra of the new alchemists, and millions of dollars were wasted 
 in speculations based on the sweeping claims of perfect success, put for- 
 ward by deluded or deluding proprietors of patents." * * * 
 
 Another cause of failure was the prevailing belief that the anticipated 
 magnificent gains would cover all minor extravagance, lead to great loose- 
 ness oi management; so capital was wasted ; stock was watered: large salaries 
 and high wages were paid without a thought of the inevitable result. Now 
 all these things have been changed, and the business is administered as any 
 other should be with care and economy . 
 
 "Moreover the miners of Colorado were inexperienced in deep mining, 
 and they made sad work of it at first. 
 
 " There were too many Companies and too many shafts on the same 
 vein, &c. * * These evils, combined with those already mentioned, to- 
 gether with reckless stock speculation, instead of legitimate raining, account 
 for the temporary depression in mining industry in Colorado. 
 
 " On the other hand, there is abundant evidence that the mines themselves 
 were ncH; to blame. I am surprised that they have yielded so much as they 
 have ; they will prove equal to those of any other country. 
 
"If we consider, however, the m.ixim abundantly illustrated, that bad 
 management will ruin any mine, however valuable, we may say with con- 
 fidence that bad management has done more to injure mining in Colorado 
 than all other causes together. And this bad management has been four- 
 fold in laws, in the extraction of ores, in the reduction of ores, and in general 
 finance. Here too the blame must be divided. Incompetent agents have 
 doubtless wasted money, but they generally have acted under advice. Scien - 
 tific men, so-called, have made stupendous mistakes in judgment ; but they 
 have been surpassed by the blunders of practical men, so-called. The scien- 
 tific men without practice, and the practical men without science, the honest 
 men without capacity, and the smart men wtthout honesty, have done so much 
 to destroy the mining industry of Colorado, that the very fact oi its continued 
 existence after so terrible a trial, is proof of its inherent vitality and future 
 prosperity. This year (70) marks a new era of mining in Colorado. The 
 old spirit of idleness and speculation has passed away. The new spirit of 
 /<23(;;- and ^^^«t?//n' has sprung into power. Especially in the Gilpin County 
 mines, which were the most disastrously affected, and the first to recover." 
 
 Gradually matters changed. The old owners and old 
 miners became possessed of the abandoned and lost 
 mmes, lost because of taxes, debts, and forfeiture under 
 the Act of Congress, May lo, 1872, and to-day witnesses 
 a most prosperous condition of the mining interests in 
 Gilpin County ; the Gunnel, Gregory, Briggs, Hidden 
 Treasure, Gravell & Wyandotte, Clark, Gardner, Bobtail, 
 Burroughs, Kansas, Flack and many others are enriching 
 the present owners, and no business either east or west 
 pays so handsome a profit as mining. If any are credu- 
 lous, let them go into Gilpin, Clear Creek, Boulder and 
 and Lake Counties and spend a few days, and see for them- 
 selves. 
 
 True it is, that a large percentage of the cause of this 
 prosperity is due to the settled processes of saving the metal ; 
 but little experimenting \% being done, the different modes 
 of treating the various ores are now quite well under- 
 stood. 
 
 The present proprietor of the Gold Dirt mines has al- 
 lowed them to drop out of sight, so to speak, that he 
 might buy up, relocate, and get patents to them before 
 calling public attention to their known real value ; and 
 having now received patents for some, and having en- 
 tered some, and now holding land office receipts there- 
 
for, the patents for which are only waiting the routine of 
 the Department to issue, he takes this method to bring 
 before capitalists and miners the once famous Gold Dirt 
 Belt. To be specific and describe the property in which 
 I am personally interested. 
 
 GAMBLE GULCH, Placer Mine. 
 
 Has been taken up and patented by me for the whole 
 distance from the mines to Boulder Creek, at RoUinsville, 
 and embracing about three miles of gulch claims, con- 
 taining 112 acres, which gulch cuts and crosses all the 
 lodes named in this paper except three. These claims 
 were secured more particularly for mill and water privi- 
 leges, than for placer mining, and to secure the right of 
 way for a road and tramway from the lodes to South 
 Boulder Creek, where the RoUin's mill is located, and 
 where other reduction works should be located. 
 
 There is, on the line of this road along Gamble Gulch, 
 and in the vicinity of the mines, a large amount of grow- 
 ing and down timber, valuable for mine and mill purposes, 
 and can be laid down at the mill at RoUinsville for $1.50 
 per cord, whereas, at Central City and Black Hawk, wood 
 is worth $6.00 per cord, cash. 
 
 The first lode crossed by Gamble Gulch, is what was 
 formerly known as the Gold Dirt, from which there has 
 been taken by different parties, up to -65 , at least $ i ,500,000, 
 and more than that amount lost because of imperfect 
 manipulation. On this lode, four locations have been 
 made^ known as the Ophir^ Crown Point, Virginia and Sav- 
 age claims, being in all 4,800 feet. 
 
 MOON GULCH, Placer Mine. 
 
 This has been taken up and patented by me for about 
 two miles in length. This gulch claim has produced 
 considerable gold, and is considered valuable for gulch 
 mining and timber. 
 
 This is the only route leading into a rich mining dis- 
 trict, and a large tract of valuable timber land. This 
 gulch also runs direct to the Rollin's farm and mill. 
 
THE OPHIR. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet in length, with 125 feet in width 
 of surface ground ; fifty feet on the south side, and seventy- 
 five feet on the north side. 
 
 This entry or claim, as a part of the celebrated Gold 
 -Dirt lode, is one of the most thoroughly developed in the 
 mining region, and on which five shafts have been sunk; 
 one shaft about five hundred feet deep, four other shafts 
 from forty to one hundred feet deep, all well timbered, 
 good ore in the bottom of each shaft, and especially in the 
 deep shaft and drifts, where there is a crevice of from two 
 to six feet wide, carrying ore which yields about $50.00 
 to the ton, when properly treated. In the deep shaft, 
 there is a pump which cost $3,000, with pipes complete 
 to the bottom of the shaft. There is on the property two 
 good buildings for the convenient working of the mine. 
 In Gamble Gulch a tunnel has been started on the crevice 
 of the Crown Point, (which is on the same vein as the, 
 Ophir and Virginia), and which will attain a depth of 
 about 400 feet at the Ophir. This tunnel is in about two 
 hundred feet. 
 
 The following assay was made from ore taken from this 
 lode : 
 
 Philadelphia, 8th March, 1864. 
 Dear Sir : — 
 
 The sample of gold ore you submitted to us for analysis, marked 
 " Gold Dirt Lode," yielded one ounce, five pennyweights, and twelve grains 
 pure gold, to one hundred pounds of ore. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 Booth & Garrett. 
 In value per ton of 2,000 pounds, $593.58. 
 
 Below is the average of six assays, made by Prof. S. H. 
 Bradford, of New York City, of ores taken from the Gold 
 Dirt Lode — now the Ophir, Virginia, and Crown Point 
 Lodes — in the year 1865. Prof. Bradford was sent to Gold 
 Dirt, as an expert, by the Rollins Gold Co., of NewYork, 
 to test the ores from said lodes. 
 
 Average of six assays, $137.40 in gold, per ton of 2,030 
 pounds. 
 
VIRGINIA LODE. 
 
 Three hundred feet in length and 150 feet in width. 
 
 This is a part of the old *' Gold Dirt" Lode, lying be- 
 tween the '' Ophir " and *' Crown Point" claims. Out of 
 this claini there has been taken out over $450,000. There 
 is a good vein and plenty of quartz in bottom of shaft. 
 
 CROWN POINT. 
 
 Claim is 1,500 feet in length, and 150 feet in width, of 
 surface ground, seventy-five feet on each side. 
 
 This is another portion of the old Gold Dirt Lode, and 
 west from the Virginia, last above described. A tunnel has 
 been started in Gamble Gulch, on this vein, running east, 
 and is now in about 200 feet. On the surface there are 
 three shafts ; one about eighty feet deep, about 100 feet 
 from the east end ; another about 200 feet from the east 
 end, about thirty feet deep ; within 200 feet from the west 
 end, one about 1 50 feet deep ; all shafts and drifts showing 
 to. body of mineral. One hundred pounds of ore were 
 taken from the above described shafts, thoroughly mixed 
 and assayed. (See certificates of assay above.) 
 
 SAVAGE. 
 
 Claim is 1,500 feet in length and 150 feet in width of 
 surface ground, seventy-five feet on each side. * -5^ * 
 
 This is a continuation west of the Ophir, Virginia and 
 Crown Point claims and on the old Gold Dirt vein, and 
 formerly known as the Lyneus, and is west of Gamble 
 Gulch ; one shaft sunk to a depth of about fifty feet, and 
 to a well defined crevice of good gold-bearing quartz. 
 This lode can be worked by tunnel commenced on the 
 west end of the Crown Point, in Gamble Gulch, and will 
 attain a depth of about 1,000 feet. This claim has Httle 
 development, but shows well in quartz. 
 
 NEW YORK LODE. 
 Fifteen hundred feet in length, and fifty feet in width ot 
 surface ground, twenty-five feet on each side. 
 
This is an old lode, discovered in 1853, and has been 
 worked very extensively. There are eight or ten shafts ; 
 the discovery shaft is sixty feet deep, and down to a well 
 defined crevice of iron pyrites, two feet in width. The 
 top ore has been worked out to a great extent, and yielded 
 in a stamp mill from $100.00 to $250.00 per cord. A tun- 
 nel is started in Gamble Gulch, on the east end, now in 
 fifty feet, well timbered and protected, and will attain a 
 depth of 1,000 feet below the surface of the hill. This 
 lode has always been considered among the best. 
 
 The following assay was made from ore taken from this 
 lode: 
 
 Philadelphia, 2oth March, 1864. 
 Dear Sir: — 
 
 The ore which you left with us for assay, from the New York Lode, 
 Colorado, is found by us to yield per ton of 2,000 pounds, in gold $92 81. 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 Du Bois & Williams. 
 
 WHITE PINE LODE. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet in length, and 150 feet in width of 
 surface ground, seventy-five feet on each side. 
 
 This is an old lode, formerly known as the Wisconsin, 
 is situated on the west side of Gamble Gulch, and has 
 been worked quite extensively, has four shafts. The dis- 
 covery shaft is about 100 feet deep, and' from it a large 
 amount of ore has been taken out and milled. The other 
 three shafts are about thirty feet deep each, and down to 
 a well defined vein of ore, and all well timbered. This 
 lode has a tunnel started in at Gamble Gulch, and on the. 
 east end of the property, and will attain a depth of about 
 800 feet below the surface of the hill. This tunnel is well 
 timbered and planked. 
 
 COLORADO LODE. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet in length, and 150 feet in width of 
 surface ground, 75 feet on each side. 
 
 This lode was discovered in the year i860, and was for- 
 merly known as the '* Maurer." It has four shafts : one 
 210 feet, one 140 feet, and two 30 feet deep each, and all 
 
lO 
 
 down in a well-defined crevice of iron pyrites, which is 
 trom 2i to 6 feet wide in shafts and drift, driven from 
 bottom of 75 feet to the deep shaft, from which ore has 
 been taken that yielded in stamp mills from $75 to $150 
 per cord, in gold. This lode yields largely in galena ores 
 carrying a large percentage of silver, and is justly regarded 
 as one of the most valuable in the district. 
 
 A tunnel has been started from Gamble Gulch, and is 
 now in about fifty feet on the crevice, exposmg about 
 three feet of crevice material, and will attain a depth of 
 about 400 feet below the surface of the hill 
 
 The ore mentioned in the followmg assay came Irom 
 this mine. 
 
 Philadelphia, 20th March, 1864. 
 Dear Sir: — 
 
 The ore which you left with us for assay from the Maurer Lode, Colo- 
 rado, is found by us to yield the following value per ton of 2,000 pounds. 
 
 In Gold .,..$81.20 
 
 In Silver $95 49 
 
 $176.49 
 Rf spectfully yours, 
 
 Dv Bois & Williams. 
 
 Below is the average of nine assays made by Prof. H. 
 S. Bradford, of New York City, of ores taken from the 
 Maurer, now the Colorado Lode, in the year 1865. Prof. 
 Bradford was sent to Gold Dirt as an expert by the Rol- 
 lins Gold Co., of New York, to test the ore from said lode. 
 
 Average of nine assays, $63.54, in gold, per ton of 2,000 
 pounds. A further test for gold was made as follows ; 
 Result of run, 200 pounds Maurer ore, in Evan's Amal- 
 gamator; button of pure gold, coin value, 14.05875 oz., 
 or $93.50 per ton of 2,000 pounds. Silver was not looked 
 for or treated in those days. 
 
 OOMSTOCK LODE. 
 Fifteen hundred feet in length, and 125 feet in width of 
 surface ground ; fifty feet on north side, and seventy -five 
 feet on south side. 
 
II 
 
 This lode was discovered in the year i860, and was 
 formerly known as the Surprise. It runs 100 feet south 
 of, and parallel with the Ophir. The vein has been 
 opened and worked for 1,000 feet in length, and yielded 
 from $100 to $200 per cord, in a stamp mill. About in 
 the centre of the 1,000 feet, a shaft has been sunk about 
 sixty feet, to a well defined crevice of iron pyrites, that 
 run from $100 to $200 per cord. 
 
 PERIGO LODE. 
 
 Thirty-three hundred feet in length, and 50 feet in width. 
 
 This lode is one of those discovered in i860, and has 
 been traced for over one mile in lenirth. There has been 
 a large amount of work done on this lode, taking out top 
 quartz, which run in stamp mill from $1 50 to $600 per cord. 
 When the sulphurets were reached they were found 
 to be quite refractory, and could not be successfully treated 
 in a stamp mill, therefore work was suspended. 
 
 There was over $500,000 taken from the top of this lode, 
 and it is considered to be one of the best, and most exten- 
 sive in Colorado. This lode should be worked by a tun- 
 nel running along the vein, which will reach a depth of 
 over 2,000 feet from which enough good ore can be taken 
 to run 200 stamps daily. 
 
 BAKER LODE. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet in length, and 150 feet in width. 
 
 This lode is along side and runs parallel with the 
 Perigo. Several shafts have been sunk on it, one of which 
 is 60 feet deep — well timbered — from which there was con- 
 siderable good ore taken in 1878, which run in stamp mill 
 over $100 per cord. 
 
 This lode is held under State and U. S. laws, and not 
 patented. 
 
 TONAWANDA LODE. 
 Fifteen hundred feet in length, and 150 feet in width. 
 This lode is near the Rollins Mill and has prospected 
 well, and thought to be a good lode. It has one shaft on 
 
12 
 
 it 40 feet deep, and well timbered up, from which consider- 
 able good ore has been taken out and showed well in gold. 
 The convenience of this lode to the Rollins Mills, makes 
 it quite valuable. 
 
 This lode is held under State and U. S. laws, and not 
 patented. 
 
 WATTERMAN LODE. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet in length, and 150 feet in width. 
 
 This lode is also situated near the Rollins Mill and is 
 considered a good lode carrying Gold and Silver and 
 Copper. One shaft has been sunk 40 feet, and well tim- 
 bered up, from which considerable ore has been taken to 
 mills in former days. 
 
 This lode is not patented but held under State and U. S. 
 laws. 
 
 SILVER LODE. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet in length, and 150 feet in width. 
 
 There is three shafts sunk on this lode — one about 150 
 feet deep, from which has been taken a large amount of 
 ore, and run in mills at Rollinsville in early days. There 
 is in this lode a well defined crevice about two feet wide, 
 and ore taken from it, assays over $50 per ton in gold, and 
 is thought to be rich in silver, but never worked for it. 
 
 This lode is near the Rollins Mill and when properly 
 developed, will prove to be a valuable property for any 
 company. 
 
 This lode is held under State and U. S. laws. 
 
 TUNNELS. 
 It is proposed to continue the tunnels mentioned above. 
 These said veins being all cut by Gamble Gulch, present 
 unusually favorable opportunities for. such developments. 
 Said tunnels or drifts will attain a depth on the various 
 veins of from 400 to 2,000 feet below the surface, and can 
 be run at a very moderate cost, and after a short time will 
 pay their own expense in ore and more fully develop the 
 mine. This will secure thorough drainage, without any 
 
13 
 
 expense for many years, on any scale of working that may 
 be adopted, and the ore taken directly from the mines to 
 the mill, without the great expense involved of hoisting 
 the ore to the surface through shafts 
 
 ROLLINS STEAM QUARTZ MILL. 
 
 Is situated in RoUinsville, two miles from the mines and 
 twelve miles from Central Citv, by the stage road, on 
 South Boulder Creek. The settlement has one large pub- 
 lic house, and many other buildings, and is one of the 
 healthiest and most delightful spots in the State. The 
 U. S. Mail is carried every day, (except Sundays) through 
 the place. A post-office in the RoUinsville House. 
 
 The mill is a large building, well built of timber and 
 stone, and is about 80 x too feet, built in steps on the side 
 of a hill, and well calculated to handle gold and silver ores 
 at very slight cost. It has an eighty-horse power engine 
 and boilers in perfect order ; twelve quartz stamps, and an 
 abundance of room for fifty more ; is well provided with 
 pulverizing pans, crusher, amalgamation pans and tables, 
 shafting, belting, and all the necessary conveniences for 
 successfully manipulatmg gold and silver ores ; has a never 
 failing supply of pure water ; a race-way which conducts 
 water into the mill from South Boulder Creek, and can be 
 made of sufficient capacity to run the mill by water power. 
 This mill is finely situated for the purpose for which it was 
 intended. There is a road from RoUinsville into Middle 
 Park and Western Colorado, from this point. All of the 
 above mining properties have cost me over $2^,000, and 
 being without the means to put them into proper work- 
 ing shape, I therefore propose to consolidate it all into a 
 Company or Companies, as circumstances shall warrant. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM VARIOUS REPORTS AND LETTERS. 
 
 From a report of a committee in 1864, of which Dr. F. 
 H. Judd was chairman, appointed by citizens to ascertain 
 the approximate product of the Gold Dirt mines: 
 
14 
 
 The yield of the Gold Dirt Lode, now the Ophir, Virginia and Crown 
 Point, since the summer of 1862, as follows : 
 
 J. Q. A. Rollins claim $250,000 
 
 Hollister & Co. claim 200,000 
 
 Fairbanks & Keene claim 70,000 
 
 Mulligan Bros, claim 15,000 
 
 Elliott & Fowler claim 65,000 
 
 Grill, Hulburt & Co. claim 150,000 
 
 Gold Dirt Co. claim 120,000 
 
 Hall, Evans & De Peyster claim. . ... 60,000 
 
 $930,000 
 
 From a letter from Lee, Judd & Lee, and others, dated 
 November 4, 1863, and addressed to Hon. S. H. Elbert, 
 Secretary of the Territory : 
 
 "The Gold Dirt is and has been rich in gold-bearing ore from the sur- 
 face down to the depth as worked. The ores have heretofore paid by the 
 imperfect process of working and amalgamation, upon an average, about 
 forty dollars per ton. This result, we think, is noi mare than one third the 
 amount the ores will pay, by the new process of desulphurizing, which is 
 rapidly being adopted by our mining men. 
 
 " The Gold Dirt has been known since 1859 ^s one-of the principal gold- 
 bearing lodes of this mining region, and we regard its location as especially 
 favorable. The supply of wood is almost inexhaustible, as the entire face 
 of the mountains in the neighborhood is covered with a dense growth of 
 pine and spruce. 
 
 " Lee, Judd & Lee, and others." 
 
 From Col. Dodge, formerly Superintendent of the Gold 
 Dirt Tunnel and Mming Co., dated October 30, 1863 : 
 
 * * * I have worked several lodes in this Territory, and know of 
 none less difficult to mine than the Gold Dirt Lode. The crevice is wide, 
 and the vein and wall-rock easy to drill for blasting. For these reasons 
 you can mine the ore in this lode at two-thirds the expense of mining in 
 many of the lodes of the Territory. * The best ore yields $300 per cord 
 * The lode is one of the richest and best, both in quality and quantity 
 of ore and quality of gold, in the Territory, and, if properly developed and 
 worked, I have no hesitation in saying, would yield large returns on capi 
 tal invested. * I know of no property more favorably located in reference 
 to all the facilities for mining on a large scale. 
 
 From N. W. Brown, Foreman and Plate Tender of the 
 Gold Dirt Tunnel and Mining Company : 
 
 I have been acquainted with the Gold Dirt Lode, and have worked and 
 experimented with the ore taken from said Lode, since August, 1862. 
 
15 
 
 From August, 1852, I took charge of the mill known as Rollins* Mill; had 
 charge of the same until the first of May, 1863. I had entire charge of the 
 mill, and the amount of quartz run through per day, also the entire charge 
 of cleaning up the amalgam, and retorting the same. This ore was of the 
 richest quality. During this time the ore averaged $350 per cord. A cord 
 averaging in weight about seven tons. Our weekly retorts often amounted 
 to $1,700, from about four cords of ore. I am satisfied that, with a good 
 first-class mill and machinery, I can take from the ore of the Great Dirt 
 Lode, on an average, as it comes out of the shaft, $300 per cord by the 
 stamping process alone. 1 have worked in mining lodes, and with the ore 
 of many lodes in this territory, and consider the Gold Dirt Lode one of the 
 very best and richest, both in quantity and quality of ore, and in quality of 
 gold, in this country. 
 
 It should be borne in mind that the Gold Dirt Lode so 
 frequently mentioned in the above extracts, is now the 
 Ophir, Virginia and Crown Point, and re-located by me, 
 under the above names, and now held by new locations, 
 under existing laws, my title to the same being unques- 
 tioned. 
 
 From a letter written by John H. Langley, dated Feb- 
 ruary 7, 1864, formerly a mining superintendent of the 
 Perigo Lode : 
 
 I have been in the mining business in said district for three years, and 
 consider it second to none in the Rocky Mountains. The gold-bearing 
 lodes in the district are numerous, among the most prominent of which are 
 the Gold Dirt, Maurer, New York, and Lyneus Lodes, now called Savage. 
 These have all been worked with satisfactory results, and I have no doubt 
 that many other lodes in the district will be equally valuable when they are 
 more fully tested. * I am well acquainted with Mr. Rollins, and know of 
 no man better qualified to make a better selection of mining property. Mr. 
 Rollins' statement can be fully relied on. 
 
 There is quite a difference in the purity of the. gold from 
 the Colorado mines, and this difference is equal to from 
 two to four dollars per ounce in value. 
 
 The following letter refers to this fact : 
 
 New York, May 24, 1864. 
 Mr. Thomas Bond, 
 
 Dear Sir • — In relation to our views in regard to the quality of the gold 
 taken from Gold Dirt, in Independent District, Colorado Territory, we 
 state that we have purchased of John Q. A. Rollins, and others, large 
 lots of" Gold Retort," from said district, and always found it superior in 
 
i6 
 
 quality to any other in Colorado Territory, and we consider the richness of 
 the lodes in Independent District equal to any in the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 J. KiRBE, of KouNTZ & Bros., Bankers. 
 
 Rogers & Wilcox, Bankers, Denver. 
 
 Clark & Co., Bankers, Denver. 
 
 Extract from a letter from Clark, Gruber & Co., Bank- 
 ers of Denver : 
 
 Banking-Hotjse of Clark, Gruber & Co.,) 
 Denver, Colorado, Sept. 26, 1863. f 
 
 ***** We have had a business and social acquaintance 
 with Messrs. Sweet & Hollister since the Spring of i860. * * * 
 
 We have bought of them over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth 
 of gold, idiken from their claim upon "the celebrated Gold Dirt Lode," (now 
 the Virginia). We have assayed and coined thisg old in our private mint, 
 and can testify to its being the finest quality of lode gold taken out in our 
 mines. ********* 
 
 Clark, Gruber & Co. 
 
 Nederland, Boulder County, 
 Territory of Colorado, March 10, 1876. 
 John Q. A. Rollins, Rollinsville, Colorado. 
 Dear Sir : — 
 
 In answer to your inquiry about the lode mining claims now owned 
 by you, viz: The Gold Dirt. Maurer, Wisconsin, New York and Surprise 
 Lodes, we have to state that we are very well acquainted with the above 
 named lodes. Thai we had charge of several stamp mills that run ore from 
 the said lodes ; that the yield of gold therefrom was always good, and 
 sometimes very large. We believe that at the present time, with the im- 
 proved system of stamp mills and ore reduction, and the low price of labor 
 and mining supplies — compared with what it was when we had charge of 
 said mills — that the lodes named could be worked at a large profit. We 
 have no hesitation in saying that this mining property is good, and we do 
 not know of a better group of lodes in this Territory. 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 A. W. Brown, 
 Wm. Bryant, 
 
 Central City, Colorado, April 10, 1876. 
 
 We, the undersigned, citizens of Gilpin County, Colorado, hereby certify 
 
 that we have been well acquainted with what are known as the Gold Dirt 
 
 mines, and Independent Mining District, Gilpin County, Colorado, for 
 
 many years last past, now claimed by John Q. A. Rollins. We know that 
 
17 
 
 some of the mines have in years past produced very large results, and are 
 among the best gold-bearing mines in the Territory. We are satisfied from 
 our knowledge of these mines, that with the present cost of labor and sup- 
 plies, they could be worked with good paying results. Zio*-*ri> 
 CUiZj tjrJt^ ^Ju^Si UZSy Wm A. Arnold. J. A. Thatcher, ff/n^ff' t '^J^ 
 Sl^i^^ ^ (UifJ'.^^UJ''^- M- Marshall, Samuel Meschler, Mc^r^^ 
 /22 ' ^^^ ^ ^* ^* Henderson, Otto Sauer, Vyri^rUx .U> 5??»t. 
 Aftx^wTj/ ^•a^**^/^*^ ^h^xi Smith, J. C. McShane, ^^ 
 J ^'***\^,a^;*^/^*^ ^' D- Belden, L. C. Rockwell, A^Z^^^ 
 ^^""^ry^. y~ jfiZiy-- Harley B. Morse, W. R. GoTsUne,Ji^_^^ ^ i 
 ^7I£..J^*-U^ James Clark, D.C.Collier. ^,^,^^4, 
 A;^^/2.*..^-7'^>^/-^^V-B°^»^^*^k' Clinton Reed, cUTT^duL^ 
 
 •*7^^ ^ _,7 ^. Henry Paul, Hal. Say er. flt^ J J> 
 
 Here I present you in a more condensed form all the 
 the property which I propose to sell to a Company, or 
 individuals ; retaining one-half interest for myself: 
 Patented Lodes. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the Comstock lode. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the Ophir lode. 
 
 Three hundred feet on the Virginia Lode. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the Crown Point lode. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the Savage lode. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the Colorado lode. 
 
 Fourteen hundred feet on the Perigo lode. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the Perigo lode. 
 
 Three hundred feet on the Perigo lode. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the New York lode. 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the White Pine lode. 
 
 Lodes held under State and United States laws and 
 ready to be entered and patented from government : 
 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the Baker lode. 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the Tonawanda lode. 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the Watterman lode. 
 Fifteen hundred feet on the Silver lode. 
 Making 20,000 linear feet of lode claims. 
 
 PATENTED PLACER LANDS. 
 One hundred and twelve acres on Gamble Gulch . 
 There has been considerable gold taken out of this gulch 
 
i8 
 
 and much more can be taken out. It is also quite valuable 
 for road purposes, as ihe gulch leads from the Rollins ville 
 quartz mill to all the mines. 
 
 Seventy-nine acres on Moon Gulch. The description 
 of Gamble Gulch will answer for this. It also leads to 
 some very valuable gold lodes, lately discovered, and con- 
 venient to the Rollins mill. 
 
 GOLD PLACER LANDS. 
 
 Taken up and held under United States and State laws 
 and ready lo be entered from the government. 
 
 Eighty acres of gold placer land adjoining RoUinsville 
 on South Boulder creek. This tract of land is believed to 
 be quite valuable for gold and is valuable for farming pur- 
 poses. 
 
 PATENTED AGRICULTURAL LANDS. 
 
 One hundj ed and sixty acres -the Rollins farm — at 
 RoUinsville, all under fence and crops. Upon which is 
 built the RoUins House, a large quartz mill, quartz house, 
 carpenter shop, smith shop, a large barn and five log 
 houses. And which is one of the prettiest places in Col- 
 orado for a summer resort tor tourists. 
 
 One hundred and sixty acres of agricultural land adjoin- 
 ing RoUinsville, called Fisherville, aU lenced and under 
 crops, upon which is built two large frame mills with good 
 water power, and five log houses — good dwellings for 
 employees of a company. This is a so a very pretty place 
 for residences. As fine crops have been raised on this 
 farm as ever were grown on the earth ; rye 7 feet high, 
 wheat and oats 6 feet high. Potatoes and other vegetables 
 grow in abundance and are good. 
 
 Five hundred acres of timber and agricultural land ad- 
 joining RoUinsviUe caUed the Gooch farm, mostly under 
 good fence and about one-half in grain and grasses, upon 
 which is a good frame barn, and three log houses of little 
 value. Upon this land are three lakes of pure water, ca- 
 pable of raising millions of fish. 
 
One hundred and sixty acres of good timber land about 
 three miles from Rollinsville and patented. It is quite 
 valuable for building purposes. 
 
 Eight hundred acres of timber and agricultural land 
 near and adjoining Rollinsville, pre-empted and held under 
 the State and United States laws, and can be patented at 
 any time the land is paid for to the government. This 
 land is quite valuable for timber and pasturage and much 
 of it can be cultivated for crops with success. 
 
 In addition to the various mines above partially de- 
 scribed, I have a section of patented land upqn which are 
 situate the quartz mill, the Rollins Hotel, and a large frame 
 barn, and many other buildings, such as store, shops, and 
 tenement houses ; this tract of land is largely meadow, 
 and will produce more hay and grain than will be needed 
 to feed the stock used in carrying on the mining, however 
 extensive. Finally, in view of the fact that the mines are 
 of great value, and the surrounding facilities for working 
 them are unequaled, because of water, the thousands of 
 cords of wood controlling by the location, costing from 
 three to four dollars per cord^ less than at Central or 
 Black Hawk, and the gradual descent in grade from every 
 mine to the mill and reduction works, and the further fact 
 that all buildings except for furnaces (if needed) are ready, 
 both at the mines and at the mill ; I say without fear of 
 successful contradiction, that there is no property now 
 for sale in Colorado, that promises so well to the investor. 
 I invite a thorough investigation by miners and capitalists. 
 
 As additional testimony in reference to the Gold Dirt 
 Lode, we make the following extract from a letter written 
 by Messrs. Lee, Judd & Lee, of Black Hawk; 
 
 Office of Caribou Mine, 
 Nederland, Colorado, October 29TH, 1878. 
 To whom it may concern : 
 
 This will introduce Mr. J. Q. A. Rollins, who goes east for the purpose 
 of disposing of an interest in his numerous mines located near this place, 
 of which I am well acquainted, also with Mr. Rollins. These mines con- 
 sist of the well known Gold Dirt, Perigo and others in the same vicinity. 
 I have known these mines since 1861, arid regard them as among the best 
 
20 
 
 mines in Gilpin County if properly worked. But a limited amount of 
 money will be needed to put them in good working condition, and this is 
 why Mr. Rollins visits your cities. 
 
 Mr. Rollins is a miner of many years of experience and is entirely com- 
 petent to judge and manage mines. I have known him since 1861, and my 
 knowledge has been favorable and intimate, and I most cheerfully recom- 
 mend him to business men generally. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 Eben Smith, Agent. 
 
 Office of the Briggs Mine, 
 Black Hawk, Colorado, November iith, 1878. 
 To whom it may concern : 
 
 I have known Mr. J. Q. A. Rollins ten or twelve years ; know his farm 
 and place, and consider it one of the best mountain farms in Colorado. I 
 know of the Perigo and Gold Dirt mines. They were considered rich and 
 valuable property. I believe they have not been worked of late to speak 
 of. I think if they were properly worked they would be among our best 
 paying mines. 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 G. W. Briggs. 
 
 Central City, Colorado, November sth, 1878. 
 Mr. Reed, 182 Broadway, N. Y. 
 Dear Sir : — • 
 
 Allow me to introduce to you Mr. J. Q. A. Rollins, a gentleman of high 
 standing in our County and a miner of long experience. He visits your 
 city to place some mining property ; the Crown Point, Ophir, Perigo and 
 other first-class property. The property that he represents is of more value 
 in my judgment than the Melvina of Boulder County. Any attention you 
 show Mr. Rollins will be a personal favor to me. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 J. W. Holm AN, 
 
 Mining Superintendent. 
 
 Central City, Colorado, November 6th, 1878. 
 
 7o whom it may concern : 
 
 I have known the bearer, Mr. J. Q. A. Rollins, intimately for the past ten 
 years. I have also known of his mining properties for the same length of 
 time, and I have no hesitancy in saying that there is no better gold bearing 
 mining property in this State, especially that portion called the Gold Diit 
 and Perigo properties. I can recommend this property to any person who 
 is inclined to invest in mining properties, knowing as I do, with an ordin- 
 ary capital for development, that the properties can be made good paying 
 
21 
 
 ones with good and economical management. Mr. Rollins can and will 
 verify all that he says about his properties, and is willing to have them in- 
 spected by any expert that purchasers may select. 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 Thomas J. Richman, 
 
 Supt. Gregory Mine, 
 
 Central Crrv, Colorado. November sth, 1878. 
 To whom it may concern : 
 
 This is to certify that I am acquainted with the property of J. Q. A. 
 Rollins, located in Gilpin County, Colorado, and known as the Consoli- 
 dated Gold Dirt Mines. That I have known the same since i860. That 
 the several lode locations are upon large well-defined gold bearing lodes. 
 That from the time of their discovery until about 1864 they were among the 
 most productive mines in the State, their products running up to hundreds 
 of thousands of dollars, notwithstanding the then crude modes of treating 
 ores. Subsequently the most of this property was sold to eastern companies, 
 which sent out as managers men wholly unacquainted with mining, and 
 who, in a majority of instances, had never before seen a mine. These men, 
 through ignorance and the grossest mismanagement, not only failed to 
 make the mines pay but incurred debts of such magnitude that many cf 
 the properties were allowed to be sold in satisfaction thereof. 
 
 In other mstances the companies allowed their titles to lapse by reason 
 of non-compliance with the Act of Congress of May loth, 1872. Through 
 these means Mr. Rollins, who has been acquainted with these mines since 
 their discovery, an 1 who was well acquainted with their value, becanie the 
 owner thereof, and has since secured U. S. patents therefor, his title to the 
 most of them, being now in fee. 
 
 The placer mines described in the prospectus are located on the gulches 
 leading from the lodes above referred to, and sufficient work has been done 
 upon these gulches to prove them of great value. The agricultural, grazing 
 and timber lands are of the very best quality of mountain lands, and pro- 
 duce the finest crops of hay, grain, potatoes and other vegetables. 
 
 The location is equal to any mountain lands in the State, and as an in- 
 vestment, the lands alone could be made very profitable. .Taken as a 
 whole, I do not know of a more desir.ible property, nor one from which, by 
 judicious management, more money could be made. As an investment for 
 capital,! would cheerfully recommend it to those^lookingfor an investment 
 of like character. 
 
 Respectfully. 
 
 Hal Sayr. 
 
 r. S. M. S. 
 
 Denver, Nox'embbr 20TI!, 187S, 
 John B. Drake, Esq., 
 
 Pacific Hotel, Chicago 
 The bearer, J. Q. A. Rollins, Esq., of Rollmsville, iriipiu t ouniy. 'Colo- 
 rado, visits the east with a view of interesting capital in the development of a 
 
22 
 
 group of mines near Rollinsville. Mr. Rollins, after many years of patient 
 labor and at great expense, has become possessed of a group of mines among 
 which are found the old " Gold Dirt," " Perigo" and " Maurer," though now 
 patented under different names, because of legal technicalities in obtaining 
 patents. I, from personal knowledge of long standing, unhesitatingly say 
 that there is not in Colorado among the lodes or fissure veins so valuable 
 a group, whether judged from their past history or present prospect. De- 
 velopment is all that is needed. A pamphlet, presented herewith, will fully 
 explain. Any aid by way of furthering Mr. Rollins scheme will be a favor 
 to the writer personally. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 William S. Rockwell. 
 
 Central City, Colorado, October 29, 1878. 
 To whom it may concern : 
 
 The mining property of J. Q. A. Rollins near Rollinsville, Gilpin County 
 is evidently very valuable, ranking among the best in this section. This is 
 especially true of what has been known as the Perigo and Gold Dirt lodes 
 which have been located for a distance of 4,500 feet each. The great size 
 of these veins and the extreme richness of the quartz, together with the 
 remarkably large yield of former days place them in the front rank of Col- 
 orado gold lodes. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gold were 
 obtained therefrom, in so short a time as to attract universal attention and 
 wonder in this district. This was previous to the organization and subse- 
 quent failures of the companies that purchased the propeity. 
 
 With persistent work and development under economical management 
 and first class milling facilities, these mines would undoubtedly have been 
 paying to this day, and I know of no idle properties in the State that offer 
 greater inducements for the resumption of work or the investment of 
 capital. The vast reducing in mining and milling expenses of all kinds 
 since the completion of the Pacific and Colorado Central system of rail- 
 ways bringing steam transportation to within a few miles of Rollinsville and 
 Gold Dirt, is another strong inducement for the resumption of work on 
 these mines. By the resumption of work I mean the inauguration of min- 
 ing operations on a large scale — the mines being worked at the present 
 time to some extent with gratifying results. What is needed is a moderate 
 amount of capital to open the mines in a first class manner. As there is 
 ore in sight in those parts of the mines now worked and work was aban- 
 doned elsewhere with ore in sight, there is every reason to believe that all 
 outlays would soon be made good from the profits of the mines. Further 
 than this, the history of Colorado mining shows that all lodes that paid so 
 enormously near the surface as did those are sure to do so at great depths* 
 It is the current belief here that if these mines were again worked on a 
 large scale they would rank among the most productive and profitable in 
 the State. I understand that the Gold Dirt has been relocated as the Com. 
 siock, Ophir and Crown Point, and the Surprise and the Maurer, (two 
 other once productive veins) as the Savage and Colorado respectively. 
 
^3 
 
 At Rollinsville, is a fine mill building with twelve stamps, etc., and a fine 
 engine and boiler of great size. This is supplied with one of the best 
 water-founts in the Stare ; with fiume in first-class condition. This mill has 
 lately been running on ore from the Gold Dirt lode when worked by the 
 tunnel, now driven on the vein in a good body of mineral. 
 
 Mr. Rollins also owns a fine tract of farming land at and near Rollins- 
 ville, which, with that settlement, forms one of the most charming localities 
 in this grand and beautiful mountain region of Colorado This tract of 
 land with the adjoining farms of Messrs. Gooch & Fisher, forms the best 
 and largest body of agricultural land that I know of in this part of the 
 mountains. Its production of hay, grain and vegetables would seem won- 
 derful to those accustomed to the lighter crops of most Eastern or Western 
 Slates. These farming lands like the 20,000 feet of lodes owned by Mr. 
 Rollins are all secured by government titles or U. S. Government patents, 
 so that there can be no dispute or question regarding their ownership. 
 
 Frank Fossett, Publisher " Colorado." 
 
 Central City, Colorado, October 31, 1878. 
 To whom it may concern : 
 
 I have been employed by John Q. A. Rollins for several years last past, 
 as his land attorney, in making applications for U. S. Patents for the agricul- 
 tural lands claimed by him, Fred. T. Gooch and Frank Fisher also in mak. 
 ing applications for U. S. Patents for the various mining claims owned by 
 them. I know that the agricultural lands claimed by them are all first class 
 and that the titles are the be«:t known to our laws ; being nearly all patented 
 lands and mining claims. I am somewhat familiar with the mining claims 
 that Mr. Rollins puts into his scheme, and I have no hesitation in saying 
 that I believe it to be one of the best schemes ever offered to the public in 
 the way of lands containing valuable farm improvements; also valuable 
 mining and Placer mining claims. I know of my own knowledge, that Mr. 
 Rollins has expended a large amount of money in developing and com, 
 pleting the titles to the mines owned and controlled by him ; including 
 lands, mines and mills. I believe it to be one of the largest and best prop- 
 erties in the State. 
 
 Wm. \. Arnold. 
 
 Central City, Colorado, November 5, 1878. 
 J. Q. A. Rollins Esq., Rollinsville, Colorado. 
 Dear Sir : — 
 Agreeable to your request, we take pleasure in stating what we know^ 
 and what we believe respecting your property at Rollinsville and vicinity. 
 We have known the Gold Dirt Lode since i860 and 1861. We do not know 
 
the precise amount taken from this Lode during the time of two years, but 
 do know that it yielded enormously, we think, several hundred thousands of 
 dollars, and that at immense profits on the expenditures. The same maybe 
 said of the Perigo Lode, except ihat it was not so extensively worked, and 
 yield and profits were not so great. We know but little of the other mines 
 in your list, except that some of them appear very promising from such de- 
 velopment as has been made upon them. We have no hesitation in giving 
 our opinion that these mines could be made immensely profitable by judi- 
 cious working and economical expenditure of money. It has always been 
 our opinion, that the district in which these mines are situated is among 
 the best in Colorado, and only needs judicious development to make it one 
 among the greatest gold producing districts of our State. 
 
 We most cheerfully and confidently recommend this property to the 
 favorable consideration of capitalists wishing to engage in mining. 
 
 As to the attractiveness of Rollinsville as a place of residence, or the 
 fertility and productiveness of the farming lands adjoining, and mentioned 
 in your list, too much can hardly be said. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 Jos. M. Marshall, Register, 
 E. W. Henderson, Receiver, 
 
 U. S. Land Office. 
 
 Office of the Leadville Mining Company, 
 New York, February 24TH, 1879. 
 Mr. J. Q. A. Rollins. 
 Dear Sir : — 
 You ask me my opinion in relation to your mines at Gold Dirt, Gilpin 
 County, Colorado. I can say that I visited them in 1865 for a New York 
 company, and found the " Gold Dirt," " Perigo," " Maurer," " New York '* 
 and " Wisconsin " lodes to be true fissure veins carrying large bodies of 
 valuable gold ore or mineral. I made many assays of these ores, some of 
 which are referred to in your prospectus, invariably finding gold in paying 
 quantities. I think no better group of gold mining properties or lodes can 
 now be found in Colorado, and that with a reasonable and wise expenditure 
 of money, they can be made to return handsome returns or dividends. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 H. S. Bradford. 
 
 JOHN Q. A. ROLLINS, 
 
 Proprietor, 
 Rollinsville, Gilpin County, Col.. 
 Feb. 15, 1879.