Letter from Cornucopia. (June 18, 1875)
Article B
LETTER FROM CORNUCOPIA.
The Present Condition and Future Prospects of the Camp—The Fourth of July to be Celebrated.
Cornucopia, June 14th, 1875.
Editor Silver State: The recent favorable and fluttering reports emanating from speculators interested in the welfare of this place, and who, without intent, perhaps, have created considerable mischief by being instrumental in bringing a heavy immigration of the working classes to the new bonanza, are found, upon close examination into the matter, to have been greatly exaggerated. It is true that the future of Cornucopia is of a very promising character, indeed—judging from present indications—but it is equally true that at present there is but little encouragement for any number of people to come here in search of employment. A conversation with several prominent men of this town upon the subject, resulted in the corroboration of what I state; and, Mr. Goodfellow, Superintendent of the Leopard mine, regards the claims now being worked in the light of prospective mines. He did not advocate the erection of another mill, as was at first intended, until fuller developments, or new discoveries of good paying ore, make it an absolute necessity.
The ten-stamp mill on Deep Creek, seems to meet all the requirements at the present time. There are recorded in the office of the Recorder of this district 150 different locations; 80 of which show more or less good ore, and are being slowly developed; seven are incorporated on the Leopard, the leading mine, and the only one on which work is being carried on to any extent. This mine gives employment to 50 men. Time, of course, will mend matters, but unless outside capital is invested in developing the mines, erecting mills, and facilitating the shipment of ores from the little claims, the camp will remain for some time as it is now; groping its way out of its present crippled condition, it will share the same fate of other mining towns, which have been overrun and overdone at the start, and eventually suffer through the discouraging reports which are sure to follow a collapse of any great mining excitement.
In justice to the people, and especially to the working classes, it is necessary to state matters as they are, without the colored lights of fiction, and not induce them to come here upon the fanciful report of some enthusiast, as they will have to turn back disappointed, which, of my own knowledge, is an every day occurrence. As I have already stated, time and capital are required to insure a permanent success.
Active preparations are being made by the citizens for the forthcoming celebration of the Fourth of July. A committee of twenty-four has been appointed to arrange the preliminaries, and everything that can be done to make that national holiday a perfect success, is already in progress. Judge Steel has arrived here, and it is hoped that he will remain, as there will be plenty of work for him in a short time.—F.
Originally published in the Silver State on June 18, 1875. (link)