Interesting facts from yesterday’s train ride.

First man Bob Womack that discovered gold and settled Cripple Creek sold his claim for $500 and 2 pints of whiskey. It was selling for $21 an oz. today it sells for $2054 an oz.
There are mules from the mining day that still wander through town but we didn’t see any.

There’s something about the sound of a train whistle.

Aspen trees only live about 20 years.
Africans came in and bought the shut down mines and are producing 4,000 oz. of gold a day. Where’s that money going?
Even on an open air train!
They mine the rock, crush it , make these rows and spray a chemical mixture which includes Cyanide, (yikes!) which leaches gold, silver and platinum out.
Close up of the rows. They collect the chemicals at the bottom and use again.
Miners worked for $3 a day and in 140 degree temperature. They were packed like sardines when they went down into the mine too.

Lots in town sold at $25 and this Sears and Roebuck house could be bought for $695 in 1908.

Unknown's avatar

Published by

gillsrbornetotravel

Leave a comment