237 



is not onfrequent in the Rocky Mountains, and that their frequency and 

 the extent of damage occasioned by them must be expected to increase 

 as pox^ulation and development there progress. 



Note. — Mr. William N. Byers, C. E., a close observer aud long resident of Colorado, 

 says: "The main difference existing between onr mountains and those of the Old 

 World lies in the fact that there glaciers abound while we are free from them. The 

 great extentof plateau country causes the higli temperat^ire of the mountain ranges, 

 and is the canse of the snow melting off yearly, in direct contrast to the mountains 

 of Switzerland, thns 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- 

 quentl}^, and many lives are lost." (Last year two hundred lives are reported to have 

 been lost.) 



March is said to be the most dangerous month 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 can- 

 yons, that 'snow-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 

 land-slides, the following newspaper clippings, taken within 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, 1885. — The laud-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., Deceniber 22, 1885. — 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. 



Ouraij, Colo., January 17, 1886. — Ruby Trust's cabin, on Mount Sneffels, was carried 

 away this morning by a snow-slide, burying six men. 



Eoi'mson, Colo., January 25^ 1886. — A snow-slide occurred near Summit City this 

 afternoon, which buried a team and two men. 



Aspen, Colo., January 25, 1886. — 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., Jannary 26, 1887. — Leonard Sutton, who has been working in the 

 Silver Lake basin in the La Plata mine, reached Durango last night with an ac- 

 count of a slide which wrecked the cabin at the Daylight mine, Tuesday last. 



Gunnison, Colo., January 26, 1886. — A snow slide occurred on Sunday and carried 

 away the cabin of the Excelsior mine, located in Poverty Gulch near Crested Butte. 



Ouray, Colo., January 15, 1887. — Marshall basin was visited by another snow-slide 

 yesterday. 



Gunnison, Colo., January 18, 1886. — W. J. Fine, S. F. Winters, and Will Turner, re- 

 turning from a surveying partj^ to Spring Creek this evening, had a narrow escape. 

 When directly opposite the mouth 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 snow-slides are reported here. A snow- 



