Gold Retort M. L. & B. Co.
4796. (South Manchester, Conn.) Capital, $1,500,000, 350,000 shares in treasury. A. L. Lawton, president; J. H. Thedinga, secretary, 17 E. Pike's Peak avenue. Debts, $1,000. Owns patented claims, Iona, four and one-half acres, on south slope of Big Bull, in northwest quarter, section 33, near Victor Hugo; Horse Shoe, 9,648 acres, on Buck Mt., east half, section 26: Iron Rust, 9,687 acres, on east slope of Big Bull, in northeast quarter, section 27, and Lena P., six acres, on Cow Mt., in northeast quarter, section 10.
What is being done to develop the above claims, and what is the standing of the president and secretary of the company? What is the present condition of the company?

Ans.: Mr. J. H. Thedinga. the secretary of the company, of No. 28½ North Tejon street, Colorado Springs, Colo., states that there is little else to report concerning the company other than the information shown in the above inquiry, and that the company have 347,000 shares of treasury stock instead of 350,000, no cash to speak of, and $1,000 debts, as shown.
The company have received patent on all the properties mentioned except the Horse Shoe on Buck Mountain, and they hold receiver's receipt for that. Mr. Thedinga informs us that at present they are in controversy with the government over that claim, the government claiming it for a reservoir site, but they expect to have that matter straightened out soon.
No work has been done on any of the claims except what was necessary to do to patent them, and they will make an effort to get the title all straightened out before they do any more work. They will, however, lease the property if a desirable lessee can be secured.
We are informed that all of their claims are located entirely out of what is known as the eruptive, mineralized area of the Cripple Creek district, and there are said to be no reputable mines anywhere near any of the property owned by the company.

The president and secretary of the company stand well in Colorado Springs, and are looked upon as among its leading citizens. Mr. Lawton, the president of the company, is also president of the company owning the trolley lines there and has lived there for a number of years.