Clip-clop, clip clop, horses walked
wearily after there work to and from town. They were latched down with
loads that would take five men to carry. A steam engine whistle signaled
the arrival of the six-ten, from Denver. The feel of greedy miners and
neophytes who packed up all there belongings to travel west for the
rich mineral deposits were everywhere. A rumor of discovery spread like
wildfire.
Fortunately, there was enough to go
around. When it rained inSt Elmo the roads sparkled. In St Elmo, during
the late 1800's many prospered; and the town flourished like other popular
mining towns. It grew so fast that it became an easy target for outlaws.
It wasn't until many robberies, shoot outs, and fires, that a sheriff
was sworn to office.
(In order) The Whitney Fobes house
built in 1882, Williams house (the shoemaker) built in 1880, The Russell
Thorp house built in 1880.
Mines were everywhere and minerals where
abundant. Many of the notable mines that were large producers like the
May Murphy, were constant and still produce gold today. The difficulty
would come latter as the price of gold would not justify the expensive
separation process of gold from other non-precious metals like iron.
The separation process ultimately yielded
about 1/10,000 th of weight that was originally mined. Soon the price
of gold would not be enough to sustain the miners and so the survivors
turned their interests to silver where the yields were sizable and the
payoffs were enough to survive well. But silver didn't last long, and
as the silver mines dwindled so did the population.
Because there were no more substantial
amounts of people, the train soon stopped coming and in 1920, the railroad
closed these tracks for ever.
The Cash Criss Building built in
1882, and the Heightley Cottage 1881.
Today what remains are great legends and stories of
survivors and the hunted.
The name St Elmo for example, was after a hero in a
book by Augusta J Evans. Its popularity can be compared with Gone with
the Wind. The book sold 1 million copies in its first year and has been
printed until 1996, making it one the the longest books ever kept in
publication. Many have read the book and give it a consistent glossy
eyed stare upon mention for its shear dullness.
The Miners Exchange, still in operation today as
a collectors store.
The St Elmo historical society along with public support
has not only kept the buildings in-tact but has also done much restoration,
making this destination an easy and fun visit between hard core adventures
in the area.
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