COLORADO. 491 



steadily developed, and will be briefly noticed in the final chapter; while 

 beyond these are the districts of Park and Lake Counties, in which both 

 placer and lode mining is in progress. 



Bullion Peoduct. — The bulhon production of Colorado during the early 

 years of its mining career cannot be accurately stated, as there are no com- 

 plete records on the subject ; and the statistics now in existence concerning a 

 portion of the product aiford but a narrow basis for a reliable estimate of the 

 whole. 



Mr. Hollister, in his "Mines of Colorado," furnishes a statement of the 

 gold produced in the Territory, and deposited at the mint or its branches, 

 from 1859 to June 30, 1866, amounting, in all, to $12,401,374 20. Assuming, 

 then, that the deposits at the mints only embraced one-third of the total pro- 

 duction of bullion — a rule which, as applied to the gold regions of Colorado, 

 may well be questioned — he makes the bullion yield during that period 

 $37,204,122 60. By others the product is variously estimated; some placing 

 it higher than the figures given above, and some stating it at about $30,000,000. 



The production of the past two years, 1868 and 1869, is estimated by 

 the writer as stated below, on the following data: The greater portion of the 

 bullion product is shipped to eastern markets by the producers and the pur- 

 chasing bankers, through the office of Wells, Fargo & Co., in Denver. Ac- 

 cording to Mr. F. W. Jones, superintendent of that office, the average ship- 

 ment thence per month, for the two years, amounts to $200,000, currency 

 value — a little less in 1868 and a little more in 1869 — not including those 

 packages which are shipped through from Central City and Georgetown, with- 

 out being rebilled in the Denver office. From data kindly furnished by the 

 agents of Wells, Fargo & Co. at Central City, the writer estimates these 

 through shipments from that point at $25,000 per month, currency value, in 

 1868, and $50,000 per month, currency value, in 1869. The bullion ship- 

 ment of Greorgetown, for the two years, may be stated at $300,000, coin 

 value ; a portion of which may have been rebilled at Denver, but, if so, will 

 be partially oiFset by shipments of rich lead from Snake River and small par- 

 cels of ore, of which no other account can be taken. To these items are to 

 be added from five to ten per cent, for undervaluation of buUion shipped, and an 

 allowance for bullion carried out of the country by private hands, not exceed- 



