The Bailey Mill Dam offers a case study of water development in the
Boulder area. The following notes from the Denver Public Library's archives
provide a glimpse into the human experience and challenges faced by
John H. Kemp and Neil B. Bailey in building and maintaining the dam:
Photographer Donald C. Kemp's father John H. Kemp
stands in the right midground on the edge of the Bailey Mill Dam about
one mile west of Eldora in Boulder County, Colorado. Water flows rapidly
over the ledge near him. Water to turn the Pelton turbine that activated
the Bailey Mill was drawn from the log-cribbing dam and carried from
there to the penstock above the mill. Started by Neil B. Bailey, the
mill began operating in the summer of 1899 but was forced to close
down several months later due to financial troubles. In desperation,
Bailey turned to his family for financial backing. His family agreed
to help, but Bailey's financial woes were far from over. The ore treatment
process employed at the mill proved to be inefficient and Bailey's
funds dwindled quickly. Employees at the mill started to be concerned
about not getting paid for their work. On November 18, 1899, after
rumors spread through the region that Bailey was planning to skip
town, a group of mill workers went to Bailey's house to demand their
pay. Someone reportedly set the house on fire and as Bailey worked
to extinguish the flames, his house was riddled with bullets and rocks.
Bailey was shot in the arm during the ordeal. Law officials managed
to disband the angry crowd, but Bailey's wound proved fatal. Nine
people, including John F. Rowell, were arrested and charged with murder.
After a preliminary hearing in Boulder Justice Court, four of the
nine men were released for lack of evidence. The remaining men were
found not guilty.
The Bailey Mill was never operated for any extended
periods of time after Bailey's death. Several different owners tried
varying ore treatment methods, but none were successful. In 1916,
the mill was sold for salvage and torn down. Date [between 1935 and
1950?] Photographer Kemp, Donald Campbell, 1889-1975. Notes See also
"K-331." Title from back of print owned by Western History Department,
Denver Public Library; words "Eldora, Colorado. The dam built to convey
water power to the Bailey Mill (Eldora Mining & Milling Co.).
The dam was built on Middle Boulder Creek about half
a mile west of the Mill - a 75-ton chlorination plant erected in the
early summer of 1899, during the Eldora mining boom. The dam was built
by John H. Kemp, one of the locators of the Happy Valley Placer Mines;
and the town of Eldora was platted and built on part of the Placer
Company's holdings. Mr. Kemp is shown standing on the apron of the
dam. After the mill was torn down in the spring of 1916, the dam was
of no further use, and rapidly fell to ruin." typed on paper stuck
to back of print; image is copy of an earlier photograph taken by
an unknown photographer; image also identified as "F11087."
Several small log structures remain at the site
of the Bailey Mill Dam on a creek west of the Bailey Mill about one
mile west of Eldora in Boulder County, Colorado. Water to turn the
Pelton turbine that activated the mill was drawn from the log-cribbing
dam and carried from there in a wooden flume to the penstock above
the mill. Construction of the ore reduction mill was started in 1898
by Neil B. Bailey, president of the Bank of Eldora, at a cost of $75,000.
The mill began operating in the summer of 1899 but was forced to close
down a few months later when Bailey's main financial backer in New
York City was killed in a fire.
In desperation, Bailey turned to his family for
financial backing. The treatment process he employed at the mill was
found to be inefficient and the funds dwindled quickly. The employees
of the mill started to be concerned about not getting paid for their
work. On Nov. 18, 1899, after rumors spread through the region that
Bailey was planning to skip town, a group of mill workers went to
Bailey's house to demand their money. Someone set the house on fire
and as Bailey worked to extinguish the flames, his house was reportedly
riddled with bullets and stones. Bailey was shot in the arm, but his
house and family were saved when Town Marshal Ed Sperry and Constable
John Quinn helped douse the flames and disbanded the crowd. However,
within a few days, Bailey's arm worsened and infection set in and
finally killed him. Nine people, including John F. Rowell, were arrested
and charged with murder.
After a preliminary hearing in Boulder Justice Court,
four of the nine men were released for lack of evidence. The remaining
men were found not guilty. The Bailey Mill was never operated for
any extended periods after Bailey's death. Several owners tried varying
ore treatments, but none were successful. In 1916, the mill was sold
for salvage and torn down. Date [between 1935 and 1950?] Photographer
Kemp, Donald Campbell, 1889-1975. Notes Title from inventory prepared
by Western History Department, Denver Public Library; words "Kemp
#E-91 Happy Valley Eldora 1900 Site of Bailey Mill Dam Eldora photog
unknown" penciled on negative envelope; image is a copy of an earlier
photograph taken by unknown photographer.
