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is not unfrequent in the Rocky Monntains, and that their frequeney and 
the extent of damage oceasioned by them must be expected to increase 
as population and development there progress. 
Nore.—Mr. William N. Byers, C. E., a close observer and long resident of Colorado, 
says: “The main difference existing between our mountains and those of the Old 
World lies in the fact that there glaciers abound while we are free from them. The 
great extent of plateau country causes the high temperature of the mountain ranges, 
andis the cause of the snow melting off yearly, in direct contrast to the mountains 
of Switzerland, thus causing a higher snow-line with us. 
‘*Snow-slides are very common in Colorado, and most common in the San Juan near 
the main range. They occur every year, and, when snow falls to any extent, fre- 
quently, and many lives are lost.” (Last year two hundred lives are reported to have 
been lost.) 
March is saidito be the most dangerous mouth in the San Juan, and, as an old 
miner expresses himself, ‘‘ It is hard to say as to where it is safe to live in San Juan.” 
Commissioner of the Land Office, Williamson, in his report for 1885, states: “ It may 
be noted also as another incident to this total destruction of timber along the ean- 
yons, that ‘suow-slides’ are of frequent occurrence in the denuded localities of the 
mining settlements, and that during the past winter some were attended with serious 
loss of life and property. 
To show the not infrequent occurrence and disastrous effects of snow-slides and 
 Iand-slides, the following newspaper clippings, taken withiu the last few years. have 
been here in part reprinted : 
The well-known disaster at the Emma mine,’a few years ago, will probably be re- 
membered by all in Utah. 
Helena. Mont., May 7, 18~5.—The land-slide 1 mile east of Thompson’s Falls, May 
4, is not yet cleared. Water oozes from the ground 1,000 feet above the track. It is 
feared that the entire mountain side will be precipitated. 
Silverton, Colo., December 22, 1825.—The first snow-slide of the winter occurred to- 
day, coming down the mountain into Minnesota Gulch. The slide struck the mouth 
of the Prodigal Son mine, filling the 85-foot shaft and burying two men who were 
working at the bottom. The snow was packed so tightly that it was found to be im- 
possible to move the bucket. The news of the accident was a great surprise, as it was 
not supposed sufficient snow had fallen on the mountain to make a slide that would 
cause damage. 
Ouray, Colo., January 17, 1886.—Ruby Trust’s cabin, on Mount Snefifels, was carried 
away this morning by a snow-slide, burying six men. 
Robinson, Colo., January 25, 1886.—A snow-slide occurred near Summit City this 
afternoon, which buried a team and two men. 
Aspen, Colo., Janpary 25, 18°6.—A snow-slide of considerable dimensions passed 
over the Jessie mine, on Aspen Mountain, at noon to-day, demolishing the machinery 
and ruining the buildings. Fortunately no lives were lost. 
Durango, Colo., January 26, 1887.—Leonard Sutton, who has been working in the 
Silver Lake basin in the La Plata mine, reached Durango last night with an ae- 
count of a slide which wrecked the cabin at the Daylight mine, Tuesday last. 
Gunnison, Colo., January 26, 13°6.—A suow slide: occurred on Sunday and carried 
away the cabin of the Excelsior mine, located in Poverty Gulch near Crested Buite. 
Ouray, Colo., January 15, 1887.—Marshall basin was visited by another snow-slide 
_ yesterday. 
Gunnison, Colo., January 18, 1836,—W. J. Fine, 8S. FP. Wiuters, and Will Turner, re- 
turning from a surveying party to Spring Creek this evening, had a narrow escape. 
_ When directly opposite the month of Dead Man’s Gulch, they noticed a snow-slide 
coming down the mountain. The edge of the slide caught three men and horses. 
" Aspen, Colo., January 20, 1886.—Numerous suow-slides are reportec here. A snow- 
















