614 GEOLOGY AND MINING INDUSTEY OF LEADVILLE. 



Diu'iiis in.v visits to the smelters, I was received everywhere with the greatest 

 courtesy, both by niiuers and superiiiteudents, supplied with all inforiuatiou, and 

 allowed to inspect thoroughly every part of the works. I was at the same time re- 

 quested not to publish the names of the smelters in connection with information which 

 might betray their private interests. In compliance with this request, in the follow- 

 ing report the principal smelters have beeu designated by letters in all cases where 

 it seemed possible that the publishing of their names might be detrimental to their 

 interests. All analyses, where not otherwise specifically designated, have been made 

 by me in the laboratory of the Survey. 



SECTION I. 



PEELIMINART CONDITIONS OF SMELTING. 



LEADVILLE. 



Situation. — The city of Leadville is situated 10,150 feet above the level of the sea, 

 in the Eocky Mountains, valley of the Arkansas, California mining district, Lake 

 County, State of Colorado. It is placed in direct communication with Denver, the 

 capital of Colorado, and thence with the east, by means of the Denver and South Park 

 EaUroad and the Denver and Eio Grande Eailroad, both lines running on the same 

 track between Bueua Vista and Leadville. 



The young city of Leadville, which did not exist three years ago, is full of bustle, 

 life, and excitement, and had a population at the last census (1880) of about 15,000 

 inhabitants, but which fluctuates a good deal. It is built on a mesa or terrace formed 

 of rearranged moraine material brought down by large glaciers which once existed 

 there, and is surrounded on all sides by hills and mountains rising from three to four 

 thousand feet above its level. The most conspicuous points are: on the west side, 

 Mount Elbert and Mount Massive; on the east side. Ball Mountain, the Mosquito Pass, 

 and Mount Sheridan ; and on the north side. Mount Zion, above the Arkansas Eiver. 



Most of the lead and silver mines are situated to the eastward of Leadville {north- 

 east, due east, and southeast), in the localities known as Fryer Hill, Carbonate Hill, 

 Iron Hill, Printer Boy Hill, Long and Derry Hill, Little Ellen Hill, Stray Horse gulch, 

 and Iowa gulch. As the names of the mines and of their ores recur frequently in this 

 report, some information concerning them has been tabulated below. 



The geological information was kindly communicated by Mr. E. Jacob, geol- 

 ogical assistant to Mr. S. F. Emmons, and the output data were taken from the Lead- 

 ville Weekly and Monthly Circular, which receives its information direct from the 

 mine superintendents. 



In Table I is given the daily output of the working mines, whose names are 

 arranged alphabetically and grouped according to locality. 



