Silverton, one hundred years ago last week

Silverton Standard, June 24, 1905
"Rumors of financial difficulties which Otto Mears, the 'Pathfinder of the San Juan' is said to have been laboring under for some time were given credence yesterday afternoon by the filing of suits in the district court by the First National bank against Mr. Mears, in which judgment for nearly $75,000 is asked for by the bank on promissory note given by the defendant.
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”The long trestle below Rockwood caught fire, supposedly from live cinders that fell from the engine Monday, and a hundred feet destroyed. Mail, passenger and express traffic was in consequence delayed a few hours each day in arriving in Silverton as transferring at the bridge was necessary.
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“Otto Mears’ otto (sic) propelled by gas and instituted to carry passengers and express on the Silverton Northern will be brought in from New York City about the 5th of July. The new railroad gas engine with its passenger car is now being on some narrow gauge road and Mr. Mears is satisfied that it will be seventy passengers (not sure WHAT this means – ed.) and the trip from Silverton to Animas Forks and return should be made in two hours.”