BANCROFT LIBRARY
fr
HISTORY
O F
COLORADO
WILBUR FISK STONE
EDITOE
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME I
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1918
<& 8
V. f
Debicateb
to tfjr
pioneers of Colorabo
3 3
Bancroft Library
FOREWORD
The prime object in the minds of the editor and his assistant writers in
compiling this History of Colorado, also the intent of the publishers, has been
to base it on authentic sources, not only in the narrative of the original explora-
tions of the New World, but in the modern settlement and development of our
state.
Hence, the facts relating thereto are stated not as opinions or mere con-
clusions of the writers or individual informants, but, in order to avoid personal
bias and prejudice, all that is set forth pertaining to important events of public
interest in the departments of state history — the military, industrial, educational,
religious and social organizations and their progress and results — has been taken
from the records, reports and archives, national and state, of the government
and administrative bodies relating to the several topics. Errors that have
been made in the past with reference to Colorado history have been corrected,
so that the work, as is sincerely desired by the editor and his many friends and
assistants, may come to be regarded as the standard History of Colorado to
the present date.
In the work of writing and compiling the historical volume the editor has
been ably assisted by Mr. Alfred Patek, a writer well known to Colorado, and
Mr. Gordon K. Miller, both experienced historical writers connected with The
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company of Chicago.
The work of the biographical volumes has been done by a corps of writers
engaged by the publishers for that department and their work has been gratify-
ing to the editor and, so far as he has ascertained, highly satisfactory to the
subjects of the sketches, to whom the typed copy has been submitted before
reaching the publishers.
The very efficient work of Mr. Charles T. Sprague in the organization of
the plan of work, the preparation of the prospectus, securing the names and aid
of the editor, and persons known to all the people of the state as sponsors of
the work, and who secured photographs for the illustration of the same, is
greatly appreciated and deserves the thanks of all the patrons.
The labor of all who have taken part in producing these volumes, aside from
the liberality of the publishers in their vast expense in the venture, has been
great ; but a noted man once said : "There is no great excellence without great
labor."
WILBUR FISK SfONE, Editor.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
POSITION OF COLORADO MOUNTAINS PARKS HUMIDITY — TEMPERATURE- — FROSTS
— PRECIPITATION — TOPOGRAPHY OF THE COUNTIES I
CHAPTER II
THE SPANISH AND FRENCH PERIODS OF EXPLORATION
SPANISH JURISDICTION DE VACA's EXPLORATION CORONADO's EXPEDITION
FATHER PADILLA'S FATE — MOSCOSCO'S MARCH — ONATE'S EXPEDITION — BONIL-
LA'S EXPEDITION — ONATE'S SECOND EXPEDITION — PUEBLO UPRISING — THE
FRENCH MENACE — VALVERDE^S EXPEDITION — ESCAL ANTE'S EXPLORATIONS — THE
LAST SPANISH EXPEDITION — THE FRENCH — FRENCH BELIEFS AND CLAIMS DU
TISNE — LA HARPE — BOURGMONT's SECOND APPEARANCE THE MALLET BROTHERS
— -FABREE DE LA BRUYERE GOVERNMENTAL ASPECTS 2O
CHAPTER III
THE PERIOD OF AMERICAN EXPLORATION
THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE — LEWIS AND CLARK ZEBULON M. PIKE HIS FIRST
AND SECOND EXPEDITIONS FIRST VIEW OF THE MOUNTAINS — MEETING WITH
THE SPANISH — PIKERS SINCERITY — LONG'S EXPLORING EXPEDITION FIRST
ASCENT OF PIKE'S PEAK — JOHN C. FREMONT THE SECOND EXPEDITION THE
THIRD AND FOURTH EXPEDITIONS OF FREMONT — THE GUNNISON EXPEDITION —
FREMONT'S LAST EXPEDITION 37
CHAPTER IV
ANCIENT AND MODERN INDIAN TRIBES
THE CLIFF DWELLERS — DISCOVERY OF RUINS — THE DWELLING SPRUCE TREE HOUSE
CLIFF PALACE — THE SUN TEMPLE — ORIGIN OF CLIFF DWELLERS THE AMER-
ICAN INDIAN — COLORADO TRIBES — CHIEFTAINS COL. HENRY DODGE'S EXPEDI-
V
vi CONTENTS
TION THE KEARNY EXPEDITION — BEGINNING OF DEPREDATIONS THE
UPRISING OF 1864 ALARM IN DENVER — REIGN OF TERROR COUNCIL AT DENVER
THE AFFAIR AT SAND CREEK THE AFTERMATH EFFECT UPON THE INDIANS
— FORSYTE'S BATTLE ON THE ARICKAREE — ROMAN NOSE — BEECHER'S DEATH —
THE OUTCOME — UTE UPRISING OF 1879 ATTACK ON THORNBURGH THE AT-
TACK AT THE AGENCY 65
CHAPTER V
TRADERS AND TRAPPERS
THE CHARACTER OF THE TRAPPER — THE FIRST TRADERS — CHOUTEAU AND DE MUNN
— THE GLENN-FOWLER EXPEDITION THE BENTS THE PUEBLO THE FIRST POST
ON THE SOUTH PLATTE FORT LANCASTER FORT ST. VRAIN ANTOINE ROUBI-
DEAU — FORT LARAMIE — THE SANTE FE TRAIL — THE LAST TRADER — DR. F. A. WIS-
LIZENUS' JOURNEY IO8
CHAPTER VI
EARLY SETTLEMENT IN COLORADO
SETTLEMENT ON DENVER SITE — ST. CHARLES TOWN ASSOCIATION — THE AURARIA
TOWN COMPANY THE DENVER CITY TOWN COMPANY FIRST BUSINESS AT
CHERRY CREEK — BOULDER CITY TOWN COMPANY — LA PORTE EL PASO CITY —
FOUNTAIN CITY TOWN COMPANY MOUNTAIN CITY GOLDEN CITY COLORADO
CITY CANON CITY OTHER TOWNS OF 1859 CENTRAL CITY PUEBLO CITY —
LEADVILLE — GRAND JUNCTION — DELTA — MONTROSE — GLENWOOD SPRINGS GUN-
NISON — Slf.VERTOX OURAY — TELLURIDE DURANGO 134
CHAPTER VII
COLONIZATION IN COLORADO
BEGINNING OF COLONIZATION THE CHICAGO COLONY THE UNION COLONY THE
CHICAGO-COLORADO COLONY — THE ST. LOUIS WESTERN COLONY — THE SOUTH-
WESTERN COLONY INSPIRING IMMIGRATION — SETTLEMENT OF COLORADO
SPRINGS SOUTH PUEBLO — BEGINNING OF FORT COLLINS 158
CHAPTER VIII
GOVERNMENT— ITS BEGINNINGS AND DEVELOPMENT
"UTAH, NEBRASKA, KANSAS AND NEW MEXICO LAND TRANSFERRED THE BEGIN-
NINGS OF GOVERNMENT— FAILURE OF FIRST STATE CONSTITUTION TERRITORY
OF JEFFERSON PEOPLED AND MINERS' COURTS CONGRESS CREATES COLORADO
TERRITORY CREATING THE FIRST COUNTIES — MOVING THE CAPITAL TO COLO-
CONTENTS vii
RADO CITY THE CAPITAL AT GOLDEN — CHANGE FROM GOLDEN TO DENVER —
CONGRESS PROVIDES FOR CONSTITUTION CUSTOMS OF LEGISLATURE — TERRITO-
RIAL OFFICERS OF COLORADO GOVERNORS — SECRETARIES TREASURERS — AU-
DITORS SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION DELEGATES TO CONGRESS
JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICES — ASSOCIATE JUSTICES —
UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEYS — LENGTH OF SESSIONS AND NUMBER OF
MEMBERS — CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS — FIRST ELECTION POLL BY COUN-
TIES 1 68
CHAPTER IX
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
OPPOSITION TO STATEHOOD- — MEETINGS OF CONVENTION — APPOINTMENT OF COM-
MITTEES SUMMARY OF CONSTITUTION — FRAMING AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE —
THE VOTE— SUBMITTING OF CONSTITUTION TO FEDERAL AUTHORITIES — STATE-
HOOD 183
CHAPTER X
GROWTH OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT
THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT — ROSTER OF ELECTIVE STATE OFFICERS — REPRESENTA-
TION IN CONGRESS — THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SUPREME BENCH DENVER BE-
COMES THE CAPITAL — BUILDING THE STATE HOUSE — WHEN THE NEW COUNTIES
WERE CREATED THE STATE'S FINANCES — AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION THE,
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM RECALL OF DECISIONS — THE SUFFRAGE AMEND-
MENT— PROHIBITION CHANGES IN THE FUNDAMENTAL LAW 190
CHAPTER XI
THE GROWTH OF STATE DEPARTMENTS
THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION — BOARD OF EQUALIZATION TURNS POWERS OVER
TO A TAX COMMISSION — THE STATE INHERITANCE TAX — BOARD OF STOCK INSPEC-
TION COMMISSIONERS STATE BOARD OF HEALTH — CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION —
STATE BUREAU OF CHILD AND ANIMAL PROTECTION CHARITIES AND CORRECTION
— THE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION — COAL INSPECTION STATE HISTORICAL AND
NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY FISH AND GAME COMMISSION — INSURANCE — IM-
MIGRATION BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS — BANKING COMMISSION — CAPITOL
MANAGERS — STATE1 LAND BOARD — ENGINEER — THE STATE SEAL 2O6
CHAPTER XII
THE BEGINNINGS OF MINING HISTORY IN COLORADO
MINING BY EARLY EXPLORERS — FIRST GOLD DISCOVERIES — THE RUSSELL EXPEDITION
— JACKSON'S DISCOVERIES ON CLEAR CREEK — CLEAR CREEK PRODUCTION — THE
FIRST MINING REVIEW GILPIN COUNTY AND JOHN H. GREGORY — COLORADO'S
i CONTENTS
FOUR MINING EPOCHS — CRUDE METHODS FOLLOWED BY AN EXODUS PERIOD
OF THE FISSURE VEINS CYANIDATION DEVELOPS PROSPECTS OF MINING DIS-
TRICTS— RISE AND FALL OF CHLORINATION CHANGING FROM A SILVER-PRO-
DUCING TO A LEADING GOLD- PRODUCING COUNTRY ERA OF DEEP MINING
— TUNNELING — DREDGING REVIVES PLACER MINING OIL FLOTATION — PRODUC-
TION OF BIG PROPERTIES UP TO l88o . .228
CHAPTER XIII
COLORADO MINING— BY SECTIONS
THE MINES OF PARK COUNTY — THE ROMANCE OF MINING IN SUMMIT COUNTY
LEADVILLE MAKES WORLD HISTORY — MINES OF THE SAN JUAN BOULDER COUN-
TY'S ARGONAUTS — CRIPPLE CREEK PROVES A WORLD WONDER — CUSTER COUNTY'S
MINING HISTORY IN THE REGION OF RICO EAGLE COUNTY EL PASO COUNTY
FREMONT COUNTY — MINING IN GUNNISON COUNTY — IN GRAND COUNTY
HINSDALE IN THE SAN JUAN COUNTRY JEFFERSON COUNTY LARIMER AND
JACKSON COUNTIES MESA COUNTY MINERAL COUNTY MONTEZUMA's MINES
— COLORADO CARNOTITE ENRICHES THE WORLD OURAY's MINES CAMP BIRD
MINES — RIO GRANDE COUNTY ROUTT AND MOFFAT COUNTIES CHAFFEE
COUNTY SAGUACHE COUNTY SAN MIGUEL PITKIN COUNTY METAL OUTPUT
OF COLORADO BY YEARS — DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS IN COLORADO 262
CHAPTER XIV
RECORD OF SMELTERS FOR HALF A CENTURY
BEGINNING OF THE SMELTER INDUSTRY IN COLORADO PROF. NATHANIEL P. HILL
AND HIS WORK FIRST COMPANY ORGANIZED RICHARD PEARCE's WORK —
PEARCE'S IMPROVED TREATMENT OF ORES — OTHER SMELTERS — PRICES PAID BY
BLACKHAWK SMELTER BEFORE iS/O GROWTH OF INDUSTRY LONG FIGHT OF
THE AMERICAN SMELTING AND REFINING COMPANY — CONTROL GOES TO THE
GUGGENHEIMS 3IO
CHAPTER XV
THE POWER PLANTS OF COLORADO
FIRST EFFORTS TO HARNESS STATE WATER POWER — CURTIS & HINE PIONEER THE
WORK — FAILURE OF POWER COMPANIES — EASTERN CAPITAL BECOMES INTER-
ESTED COLORADO POWER COMPANY STATEMENT OF BOARD OF UTILITIES IN
JANUARY, 1918 WESTERN LIGHT & POWER COMPANY ARKANSAS VALLEY
RAILWAY, LIGHT & POWER COMPANY — COLORADO SPRINGS LIGHT, HEAT & POWER
COMPANY — WESTERN COLORADO POWER COMPANY TRINIDAD ELECTRIC TRANS-
MISSION, RAILWAY & GAS COMPANY OTHER PLANTS IN COLORADO 317
CONTENTS ix
CHAPTER XVI
TRANSPORTATION— FROM MULE PACK TO RAILWAY
BEGINNING OF WAGON FREIGHTING FINDING TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY ROUTE
— STAGES FOLLOW THE FREIGHTERS THE OVERLAND EXPRESS — WELLS, FARGO &
COMPANY — THE PONY EXPRESS — COLORADO CENTRAL & PACIFIC RAILROAD
NEED OF TRANSPORTATION — SELECTION OF BRIDGER PASS BY THE UNION PACIFIC
THE CHEYENNE MENACE — LOVELAND's AMBITIONS — THE KANSAS PACIFIC
RAILROAD — AID REQUESTED A DAY OP CRISIS — SITUATION IN l868 ADVENT OF
GEN. WILLIAM J. PALMER — ARRIVAL OF FIRST TRAINS IN DENVER — STRUGGLE
FOR MINING OUTPUT— FREIGHT BUSINESS IN 187! COLORADO CENTRAL & PA-
CIFIC STARTS BUILDING KANSAS PACIFIC IN FINANCIAL STRAITS — UNION
PACIFIC SECURES CONTROL OF OTHER ROADS 325
CHAPTER XVII
TRANSPORTATION— THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE
VISION OF GEN. WILLIAM J. PALMER PLANS A GREAT SYSTEM IN AN UNDE^
VELOPED COUNTRY FAITH IN ITS GREAT POSSIBILITIES PREDICTED WITH UNER-
RING ACCURACY TOURIST TRAVEL HOW THE FIGHT FOR THE CANON OF THE AR-
KANSAS WAS WON THE CANON CITY & SAN JUAN RAILROAD ON THE SIDE OF THE
SANTA FE — WHAT LEADVILLE MEANT TO THE FIRST RAILROAD TO REACH IT —
THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE SELLS OUT TO THE SANTA FE PALMER MEN TAKING
FORCIBLE POSSESSION SEIZING ROLLING STOCK AND STATIONS JAY GOULD EN-
TERS THE FIELD AND EFFECTS A COMPROMISE — TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT
FIGHT FOR RATON PASS — CONSTRUCTION RECORDS IN COLORADO THE WESTERN
PACIFIC — ] N THE HANDS OF RECEIVERS 346
CHAPTER XVIII
TRANSPORTATION— OTHER STATE AND TRUNK LINES
THE DENVER & SOUTH PARK THE DENVER & NEW ORLEANS THE COLORADO &
SOUTHERN THE BURLINGTON THE SANTA FE THE MISSOURI PACIFIC — COLO-
RADO MIDLAND THE MOFFAT ROAD ITS STRUGGLES TO FINANCE ITSELF —
WRECKED GREAT FORTUNE — ERB ENTERS AND LEAVES THE FIELD COLORADO MEN
AGAIN IN POSSESSION THE DENVER, LARAMIE & NORTHWESTERN HOW IT WAS
BUILT ITS JUNKING — THE ROCK ISLAND THE DENVER, LAKEWOOD & GOLDEN
— UNION DEPOT THE COG ROAD GOLD CAMP ROADS — RAILROAD MILEAGE IN
Ipl/ WHAT IT COST TO BUILD THE EARLY ROADS 365
CHAPTER XIX
THE TELEGRAPH AND THE TELEPHONE
EFFORTS TO ORGANIZE TELEGRAPH COMPANIES IN i860 FAIL — CONGRESSIONAL SUB-
SIDY IN l86l EFFECTIVE LINE REACHES JULESBURG — DENVER USES PONY EX-
PRESS TO STATE LINE — FIRST LINE REACHES DENVER CONSTRUCTING TO SANTA
x CONTENTS
FE WESTERN UNION ACQUIRES ALL EXISTING LINES IN TERRITORY IN iS/O
ENTRANCE OF POSTAL TELEGRAPH IN FIELD MILEAGE IN 1918 THE TELE-
PHONE COMPANY ORGANIZES FOR BUSINESS IN COLORADO DETAILED HISTORY
OF ITS GROWTH — THE BEGINNING AT LEADVILLE — SUBSTITUTING GIRLS FOR MALE
OPERATORS — IMPROVEMENTS — EXTENDING THE SYSTEM ORGANIZING THE
MOUNTAIN STATES TELEPHONE COMPANY 383
CHAPTER XX
BANKS AND BANKING
EARLY BANKING IN DENVER CLARK, GRUBER & COMPANY — ESTABLISHMENT OF
UNITED STATES MINT IN DENVER OTHER PIONEER BANKING BUSINESS C. A.
COOK & COMPANY THE EXCHANGE BANK P. P. WILCOX & COMPANY —
KOUNTZE BROTHERS' BANK — BANKS NOW DEFUNCT — THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
COLORADO NATIONAL BANK DENVER NATIONAL BANK OTHER BANKS —
BANKING FRAUDS IN DENVER — DENVER CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION FIRST
BANKING IN OTHER COMMUNITIES, COLORADO SPRINGS, PUEBLO, ETC. STATIS-
TICS OF COLORADO BANKS IN IQlS 392
CHAPTER XXI
COLORADO'S POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
POLITICS BEGAN WITH THE COMING OF THE GOLD-SEEKERS ORGANIZING THE
TERRITORY OF "JEFFERSON"— NAMING THE NEW TERRITORY — ELECTING THE
FIRST "STATE" OFFICERS — THE FIRST GOVERNOR ARRIVES — TERRITORIAL SQUAB-
BLES GILPIN'S REMOVAL TURNING DOWN COLORADO^ FIRST CHOSEN "SEN-
ATORS" GRANT SPRINGS A SURPRISE BY REMOVING ELBERT THOMAS M. PAT-
TERSON TELLS OF THE WINNING OF STATEHOOD THE FIRST STATE ELECTION —
JUDGE WILBUR F. STONE ONLY DEMOCRAT CHOSEN — JOHN L. ROUTT WINS GOV-
ERNORSHIP THE BELFORD AND PATTERSON CONGRESSIONAL FIGHT CHAFFEE
AND TELLER GO TO SENATE BELFORD FOR CONGRESS — N. P. HILL ENTERS THE
FIELD — PITKIN CHOSEN GOVERNOR TELLER GOES INTO CABINET BOWEN AND
TABOR GO TO THE SENATE EATON ELECTED GOVERNOR — E. O. WOLCOTT CHOSEN
SENATOR ROUTT AGAIN CHOSEN GOVERNOR — REPUBLICAN FACTIONS IN RIOT
WAITE IS GOVERNOR WAITE RIOTS THE LONG SILVER FIGHT THE BRYAN
CAMPAIGNS LABOR WAR OF 1894 — THE PEABODY-ADAMS CONTEST — TELLER'S
RE-ELECTION TO THE SENATE GUGGENHEIM'S ELECTION — C. J. HUGHES, JR.,
GOES TO SENATE — SHAFROTH AND THOMAS WIN OUT — AMMONS, CARLSON, GUN-
TER FOLLOW EACH OTHER IN GOVERNOR'S CHAIR CHANGING THE ELECTION
LAWS 417
CHAPTER XXII
COLORADO COAL PRODUCTION
COAL IN THE UNITED STATES — FIRST COAL MINING IN COLORADO PROGRESS AND
DEVELOPMENT FROM YEAR TO YEAR MINES IN l888 OWNERS — TABLE OF
MINES IN 1916 OPERATORS AVERAGE NUMBER OF MEN EMPLOYED — CAPACITY
CONTENTS xi
OF MINE PER DAY IN TONS — STATE COAL PRODUCTION FROM 1864 UNTIL 1917
IN SHORT TONS VALUE OF OUTPUT FOR EACH YEAR — EMPLOYES MACHINE
MINING — AVERAGE PRICE PER TON AT MINE FATALITIES PRODUCTION OF
LEADING COUNTIES FROM 1887 UNTIL 1917 — COLORADO COAL FIELDS — THE COKE
INDUSTRY — COKE ESTABLISHMENTS — PRODUCTION — VALUE 449
CHAPTER XXIII
AGRICULTURE IN COLORADO
FIRST AGRICULTURISTS BEGINNING OF IMPROVED CULTIVATION — AGRICULTURAL
DISTRICTS — THE SAN LUIS VALLEY — NORTHWESTERN COLORADO MOUNTAIN
PARK DISTRICTS — EASTERN COLORADO PINTO BEANS — COLORADO LAND AND SET-
TLEMENT— PRODUCTION OF 1917 COUNTY AGENTS — FRUIT GROWING CROP
STATISTICS 478
CHAPTER XXIV
DEVELOPMENT OF IRRIGATION
FIRST IRRIGATION — FIVE PERIODS OF CANAL CONSTRUCTION — EARLIEST CANALS —
COMMUNITY EFFORT — CORPORATION EFFORT — PERIOD OF GREATEST DEVELOP-
MENT— THE CAREY ACT — FAILURE OF STATE MANAGEMENT — FEDERAL EFFORT
UNDER RECLAMATION ACT — RESERVOIRS — BEGINNING OF WATER RIGHT LAWS —
INCORPORATION OF CAPITOL HYDRAULIC COMPANY — CITY DITCH FIRST LEGIS-
LATION— LATER IRRIGATION LAWS — IRRIGATION KNOWN TO ANCIENT PEOPLES
— RIPARIAN RIGHTS — INTERSTATE RIGHTS TRANSFER OF WATER 491
CHAPTER XXV
FROM RANGE DAYS TO THE THOROUGHBRED ERA
"HUNTING OUT" THE BUFFALO — BUYING UP THE BROKEN-DOWN FREIGHTING OXEN
CONDITION OF CATTLE INDUSTRY IN l866 — DISCOVERY OF GRAZING VALUES —
TRAITS OF RANGE CATTLE — "MAVERICK" LEGISLATION ROUNDING UP THE CAT-
TLE THIEVES — SHIPMENTS OF CATTLE RANGE CONDITIONS IN 1879 FOREIGN-
ERS INVEST HEAVILY — EARLY STOCK-RAISING METHODS — THE FIGHT ON FENCING
— PUBLIC LANDS COMMISSION REGULATES GRAZING ON PUBLIC DOMAIN PASS-
ING OF THE LAST GREAT HERD — THE OLD FENCE LAWS — THE BREEDING OF HORSES
— LARIMER'S EARLY SHEEP HISTORY — THE LAMB FEEDING INDUSTRY — THE
FOUNDING OF A GREAT INDUSTRY — IN THE UNCOMPAHGRE — IN THE ROARING
FORK VALLEY — THE COMING OF THE HEREFORD THE NATIONAL LIVE STOCK
SHOW — THE STOCK YARDS AND THE PACKING INDUSTRY ON THE WHITE RIVER
AND ON THE BEAR — STOCK RAISING IN THE SAN LUIS VALLEY LIVE STOCK STA-
TISTICS— THE STATE CATTLE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION • • • • 5°6
xii CONTENTS
CHAPTER XXVI
HOW COLORADO WON BEET SUGAR LEADERSHIP
CONDITION OF THE INDUSTRY WHEN MOVEMENT STARTED IN THIS STATE — NATIONAL
PRODUCTION BY YEARS GROWTH IN NUMBER OF FACTORIES THROUGHOUT THE
NATION — HOW IRRIGATION'S BENEFITS WERE DISCOVERED — SUCCESS IN UTAH
STIRS UP WESTERN SLOPE CHARLES S. BOETTCHER AND JOHN CAMPION HELP
ALONG THE INDUSTRY — WHAT THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE WAS DOING SHIP-
PING THE FIRST BEETS TO NEBRASKA THE FAILURE AT GRAND JUNCTION — SUC-
CESS FOLLOWED WITH EXPERIENCE — THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY —
HAVEMEYERS COME INTO THE FIELD — THE AMERICAN BEET SUGAR COMPANY —
THE OXNARDS — THE NATIONAL — THE HOLLY SUGAR CORPORATION 533
CHAPTER XXVII
THE STRUGGLE TO BUILD UP MANUFACTURING
THE FIRST MANUFACTURERS IN COLORADO SOME EARLY STATISTICS— DEVELOPMENT
DESPITE REBATES AND DISCRIMINATIONS U. S. CENSUS FIGURES FROM 1870 TO
1914 — LATER FIGURES FROM STATE RECORDS — PROFESSOR PHILLIPS WRITES THE
HISTORY OF COLORADO'S GREATEST STRUGGLE — FORMING THE COLORADO MANU-
FACTURERS' ASSOCIATION KINDEL SCORES FIRST VICTORY — DEFEAT IN GALVES-
TON CASE — COLORADO MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION SECURES PARTIAL READ-
JUSTMENT COLORADO FAIR RATES ASSOCIATION BEGINS COMPREHENSIVE SUIT
WHICH WAS STILL PENDING EARLY IN IQlS MISCELLANEOUS NON-METALS
THAT ENTER INTO THE MANUFACTURING HISTORY OF COLORADO THE STONE
QUARRIES OF THE STATE OIL PRODUCTION OF COLORADO 546
CHAPTER XXVIII
COLORADO'S NATIONAL FORESTS AND MOUNTAIN PARKS
PROTECTING THE TIMBER IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN — WORK OF PRESERVATION BEGUN
TWENTY YEARS AGO THE WHITE RIVER PLATEAU TIMBERLAND RESERVE, THE
FIRST NATIONAL FOREST IN COLORADO TOTAL AREA OF SEVENTEEN FORESTS IN
STATE IS 12,640,450 ACRES — BUILDING HOMES IN THE RESERVES MAKING THE
TIMBER PROFITABLE — SELLING AT COST TO SETTLERS PROTECTED RANGE FOR
HOMESTEADERS AND RANCHERS — NEARLY THREE THOUSAND RANCHERS GRAZED
LESS THAN ICO HEAD OF STOCK EACH IN 1917 NATIONAL FORESTS OPEN TO
MINING DEVELOPMENT WATER POWER IN THE RESERVES — ROAD BUILDING
THROUGH THE FORESTS — STRETCHING TELEPHONE WIRES FROM STATION TO
STATION — WORK OF THE FIELD DISTRICT NATIONAL FORESTS IN COLORADO —
THE MOUNTAIN PARKS DENVER'S MOUNTAIN PARKS 563
CONTENTS xiii
CHAPTER XXIX
DEVELOPING THE HIGHWAYS OF THE STATE
THE FIRST WAGON ROADS AFTER THE SANTA FE TRAIL — "SMOKY HILL" TRAIL
ROUTES FROM THE EAST BUILDING THE MOUNTAIN ROADS — THROUGH UTE
PASS TO SOUTH PARK HAYDEN's LIST OF ROADS TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE
NAMES TERRITORIAL ROADS — HIGHWAYS OUT OF SILVERTON — "SNUBBING" POSTS
ADVENT OF THE AUTOMOBILE — THE FIGHT FOR GOOD ROADS — THE NEW HIGH-
WAY COMMISSION — BUILDING A NEW SYSTEM OF STATE ROADS 573
CHAPTER XXX
EDUCATION IN COLORADO
EARLY SCHOOL LAWS STANDARDIZATION OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL EARLY HISTORY
OF THE SCHOOLS IN EACH COUNTY OF COLORADO PRESENT ATTENDANCE,
VALUES, ETC 585
CHAPTER XXXI
EDUCATION IN COLORADO
(Continued)
HIGHER EDUCATION — UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO'S DEVELOPMENT — DENVER UNIVER-
SITY— THE SCHOOL OF MINES THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE — THE TEACHERS'
COLLEGE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL — COLORADO COLLEGE — WOMAN'S COLLEGE —
THE CLAYTON SCHOOI 603
CHAPTER XXXII
RELIGIOUS— GENERAL— GROWTH OF COLORADO'S
PROTESTANT CHURCHES
FIRST SERMON PREACHED BY REV. W. G. FISHER — TOWN COMPANY OFFERS LOTS FOR
HOUSES OF WORSHIP — RICHARDSON DESCRIBES EARLY STREET PRAYER MEETINGS
THE CHURCH CENSUS OF 1890, OF IQOO, OF 1906 AND OF IQIO MARVELOUS
GROWTH THE PROTESTANT-EPISCOPAL CHURCH — ESTABLISHING THE DIOCESE
OF WESTERN COLORADO THE METHODIST-EPISCOPAL CHURCH — THE STRUGGLE
TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — THE BAPTISTS CONGREGA-
TIONALISM AND ITS GROWTH IN COLORADO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH THE
LUTHERAN — UNITARIAN THE REFORMED CHURCH — CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS —
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS 632
xiv CONTEXTS
CHAPTER XXXIII
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN COLORADO
AMONG THE PUEBLOS CHURCH ESTABLISHED IN DENVER THE FIRST BUILDING —
COMING OF FATHERS MACHEBEUF AND RAVERDY — REVIVAL OF WORK — THE
CATHEDRAL ST. MARY'S ACADEMY — SISTERS OF LORETTO CATHOLICISM AT CAL-
IFORNIA GULCH BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH IX OTHER COMMUNITIES. 677
CHAPTER XXXIV
JEWISH CONGREGATIONS IN COLORADO
ORDER OF B'NAI B'RITH ESTABLISHES FIRST PERMANENT JEWISH ORGANIZATION IN
COLORADO FOUNDING OF FIRST CONGREGATION LIST OF ITS RABBIS THE LONG
RABBINATE OF REV. DR. WILLIAM S. FRIEDMAN ORGANIZING FIRST ORTHODOX
CONGREGATION — ELEVEN NOW IN ACTIVE CHURCH WORK — THE NATIONAL JEW-
ISH HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTIVES AND ITS MEMORABLE WORK — THE JEWISH
CONSUMPTIVES RELIEF SOCIETY — HOW IT WAS ESTABLISHED — ITS GROWTH. .68l
CHAPTER XXXV
WHAT SUFFRAGE HAS ACCOMPLISHED
THE FIRST EFFORTS FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE — GOVERNOR
MC COOK URGES ADOPTION ADVOCATES BECOME ACTIVE IN STATEHOOD YEAR —
FIRST ORGANIZATION APPEAL TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION CONCESSIONS
OBTAINED EASTERN WOMEN TAKE PART IN FIRST CAMPAIGN THE PROPOSITION
DEFEATED ORGANIZING FOR VICTORY IN 1893 — CAUSE LOOKED HOPELESS — MEN
AND WOMEN WHO HELPED FIRST VICTORY IN SCHOOL ELECTION THE WORK
CROWNED BY DECISIVE FAVORABLE VOTE WAITE ISSUES PROCLAMATION WOMEN
WHO HAVE HELPED AS LAW MAKERS MEASURES PASSED THROUGH THE INFLU-
ENCE OF WOMEN- — LONG HONOR ROLL 688
CHAPTER XXXVI
MILITARY
THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD — SENTIMENT IN l86l CONFEDERATE FLAG-RAISING IN
DENVER DEFEAT OF ENEMY PLANS FIRST RECRUITING PROCLAMATION
MENACE FROM THE SOUTH BAYLOR'S CAMPAIGN CONFEDERATE PURPOSES —
PREPARATIONS TO RESIST SIBLEY CONFEDERATE PREPARATIONS THE FIRST
CONFLICT — THE FIRST COLORADO FIRST BATTLE OF LA GLORIETA PASS THE
SECOND BATTLE THE RETREAT AND PURSUIT — DISPOSAL OF THE FIRST COLORADO
— THE SECOND COLORADO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY OTHER VOLUNTEER ORGAN-
CONTENTS xv
IZATIONS — MERGER OF THE SECOND AND THIRD COLORADO CAREER OF THE
SECOND CAVALRY RAID INTO COLORADO TERRITORY THE SPANISH-AMERICAN
WAR — PREPARATIONS IN COLORADO — THE FIRST REGIMENT CASUALTIES — SERV-
ICE OF OTHER COLORADO TROOPS — THE WORLD WAR COLORADO'S QUOTA RE-
CRUITING SELECTIVE DRAFT — RED CROSS — LIBERTY LOANS COUNCIL OF NA-
TIONAL DEFENSE OTHER PREPARATIONS FAREWELL ADDRESS BY CAPT. J. C. W.
HALL TO HIS TROOPS, 1864 i/OI
CHAPTER XXXVII
THE BENCH AND BAR
COLORADO COURTS — HISTORY OF THE APPELLATE COURTS, BY JUDGE WILBUR F.
STONE — THE PIONEER BENCH AND BAR, BY JUDGE WILBUR F. STONE- — REMINIS-
CENCES OF THK EARLY BENCH AND BAR, BY C. S. THOMAS, T. J. o'DONNELL,
W. H. GABBERT, JOHN F. PHILIPS AND E. T. WELLS THE COLORADO BAR ASSO-
Cl ATION . . '. 732
CHAPTER XXXVIII
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
FIRST DOCTORS IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION — EARLY EFFORTS TO ORGANIZE TER-
RITORIAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION — FIRST HOSPITAL — DENVER MEDICAL ASSOCIA-
TION ORGANIZATION OF TERRITORIAL MEDICAL SOCIETY — ROSTER OF STATE MED-
ICAL SOCIETY PRESIDENTS EARLY MIGRATIONS CONDITIONS IN 1864 — FIRST
MEDICAL LEGISLATION LEGISLATION RELATIVE TO OSTEOPATHY CHIROPRACTIC
OTHER LEGISLATION — COLORADO MEDICAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION — WOMEN
PRACTITIONERS NATIONAL AND STATE HONORS GENERAL HOSPITALS — STATE
SANATORIA COLORADO AS A HEALTH RESORT MILITARY RECUPERATION CAMP
COLORADO DOCTORS IN THE WORLD WAR 765
CHAPTER XXXIX
THE PRESS OF COLORADO
BRINGING THE FIRST PRINTING PRESS TO THE NEW GOLD REGION GREELEY VISITS
THE CAMP — THE FIRST EXTRA — BYERS SECURES CONTROL OF THE NEWS —
CHANGES IN CONTROL — PATTERSON BECOMES EDITOR — THE TIMES IS FOUNDED —
THE REPUBLICAN THE TRIBUNE PIONEER PUBLICATIONS IN THE MINING
CAMPS — FOUNDING THE CHIEFTAIN AT PUEBLO THE STAR-JOURNAL — THE BE-
GINNING OF COLORADO SPRINGS NEWSPAPERS ON THE WESTERN SLOPE — IN THE
SAN LUIS VALLEY — IN THE ARKANSAS VALLEY NEWSPAPERS OF THE PLAINS —
GREELEY TRIBUNE FORT COLLINS PUBLICATIONS GUNNISON^S PAPERS OTHER
COUNTY AND CITY PUBLICATIONS 781
xvi CONTENTS
CHAPTER XL
STATE INSTITUTIONS— CORRECTIONAL AND ELEEMOSYNARY
THE COLORADO STATE PENITENTIARY MODERN METHODS ROAD BUILDING — BOARD
OF PARDONS — THE COLORADO STATE HOSPITAL AT PUEBLO THE COLORADO
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND — HOW IT HAS DEVELOPED INTO A
NATIONALLY-FAMED INSTITUTION THE COLORADO SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS*
HOME AT MONTE VISTA — COLORADO STATE REFORMATORY THE S.TATE HOME
CARING FOR DEPENDENT . AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN STATE INDUSTRIAL
SCHOOL FOR BOYS — STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS — INDUSTRIAL WORK-
SHOP FOR THE BLIND SCHOOL FOR MENTAL DEFECTIVES MOTHERS' COMPEN-
SATIONtACT 8l6
CHAPTER XLI
LABOR WARS OF HALF A CENTURY
FIRST ORGANIZATION OF METALLIFEROUS MINERS IN COLORADO THE LEADVILLE
STRIKES OF l88o AND 1896 REDUCTION MILL EMPLOYES' STRIKE — SYMPA-
THETIC STRIKE AT CRIPPLE CREEK THE "EIGHT-HOUR" STRIKE OF IOX>3 THE
TROUBLE IN IDAHO SPRINGS — TROUBLE AT TELLURIDE STRIKES AT CRIPPLE
CREEK, IOX>3-4 — THE STRIKES IN THE COAL SECTIONS OF COLORADO 837
CHAPTER XLII
COLORADO LITERATURE 877
CHAPTER XLIII
SPANISH NAMES 89!
WILBUE F. STONE
HISTORY OF COLORADO
CHAPTER I
TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
POSITION OF COLORADO MOUNTAINS PARKS HUMIDITY TEMPERATURE FROSTS
PRECIPITATION TOPOGRAPHY OF THE COUNTIES
POSITION OF COLORADO
Colorado occupies a central position in the western half o.f the United States,
between latitudes 37° and 41° north, and longitude 102° and 109° west. It is
almost a parallelogram in shape, its east, and also its west boundary being 275.7
miles in length, its northern, 365.7, while its southern is 387.6 miles. The state
has an area of 103,478 square miles. Two-fifths of this area is highly moun-
tainous, the remainder being plains, foothills, and high mesas ; 42 per cent of the
entire state is above seven thousand feet elevation. The plains region, or the
eastern two-fifths of the state, is crossed by a ridge which forms the watershed
between the South Platte and the Arkansas rivers. Beginning in the foothills
north of Pike's Peak, this divide extends eastward, gradually dying away in the
eastern border counties. The lowest point in the state, Holly, on the Arkansas
River, has an elevation of 3,386 feet, while Julesburg, on the South Platte, eleva-
tion 3,458 feet, is the lowest point in the northeastern counties.
MOUNTAINS
The one hundred and seventh meridian marks the location of the Continental
Divide in the extreme northern as well as in the extreme southern part of the
state. In the north this watershed is known as the "Park Range" ; its course is
southward for a short distance, thence easterly to Long's Peak, thence south-
westward, forming the eastern boundary of Grand and Summit counties and
the northern boundary of Lake County; then the western boundary of Lake
and ChafTee counties, where it is known as the Sawatch Range. From the most
southerly point in Chaffee County the course of the divide is due southwest
to San Juan County, then southeastward to the state line, the Cochetopa Hills
being the divide until the San Juan Mountains are reached. . For four-fifths of the
distance the summit of the divide is above timber line. Though this area above
timber line is considerable, it is not nearly so great as is to be found on the de-
tached ranges and spurs.
2 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The foothills rise a few miles east of a north-and-south line drawn through
the center of the state. In the north, high mountains occupy the region to the
westward of this line for about seventy-five miles, but farther to the south these
ranges widen out west of Pike's Peak to about one hundred and thirty-five miles.
At a point not far from the center of the state the Sangre de Cristo Range begins
and extends southward beyond the New Mexico line. The San Juan, a range of
great altitude, occupies a large area in the southwestern part of the state.
PARKS
A prominent feature of the mountain region is the number of large upland
valleys or parks. The principal ones, North, Middle, South, and San Luis, lie
nearly in a north-and-south line, just west of the Front Range. Of these only
one, Middle Park, is west of the Continental Divide, which forms its northern
and eastern boundaries ; its surface is undulating ; elevation about eight thousand
feet. North Park opens toward the north, elevation generally about eight thous-
and feet. South Park lies in the center of the state, elevation eight thousand to
ten thousand feet, and is surrounded by very high mountains ; its surface is nearly
fiat. San Luis Park, the most southerly, is larger than North, Middle, and South
parks combined; it is an immense elliptical basin, whose surface is remarkably
flat — at one time doubtless the bed of an inland sea. The western fifth of the
state is occupied by high plateaus, or mesas — deep gullies, or arroyos, being a
feature, with many cliffs and hills.
Of the peaks above 14,000 feet elevation, the altitudes of thirty-two have been
determined. Mount Massive, near Leadville, with an altitude of 14,424 feet, is
the highest, and Mount Elbert, 14,421 feet, is next. The average height of timber
line is 11,526 feet, with extremes of 10,410 feet on Sierra Blanca, and 12,117 feet
on Mount Harvard.
A number of important rivers rise in the state. The Rio Grande has its
source in the San Juan Mountains, while the Arkansas and the South Platte of
the eastern slope, and the Gunnison and the Grand, important branches of the
Colorado, rise but a few miles apart near the center of the state.
HUMIDITY
Considering the great distance from the Pacific, and the high mountain ranges
which the prevailing westerly winds must cross, it is not surprising that low
humidity, attended by a great range of temperature, should be a characteristic
feature. Though distant also, the influence of the Gulf of Mexico is appreciable,
but only to a varying extent. It is most marked during the summer months, when
there is a general stagnation in the movement of northern low-pressure areas,
affording sufficient time for moisture to be brought to the eastern slope. That
this is true is apparent from the increased precipitation east of the Continental
Divide during the warmer half of the year.
With the advance of winter the pressure gradually increases over the Great
Basin until an extensive high-pressure area is developed. Remaining practically
unchanged for months, it exerts an important influence on the winter climate of
Colorado, the character depending on location, whether east or west of the Conti-
4 HISTORY OF COLORADO
nental Divide. To the west of the divide persistent cold for the latitude and
altitude prevails, especially in San Luis Park, the upper Gunnison Valley and
northwestern counties. Clear skies and a still atmosphere favor rapid radiation,
and the topography facilitates a steady flow night after night of the chilled air
from the surrounding high slopes into these valleys. On the eastern slope at such
times the prevailing winds are westerly, or over the Continental Divide. The air
being warmed by compression during the descent to the foothills and plains re-
gion, the mean temperature is raised materially, and the capacity of the air for
moisture is increased; or, in other words, there prevails in the eastern half of
the state a long succession of relatively dry, warm, and bright sunshiny days.
For the summer months the normal charts show low pressure over the Great
Basin and western Colorado, with little or no precipitation. On the eastern slope
the suction exerted by the western depression is sufficient to give to half of the
state east of the Continental Divide many periods of easterly winds, and as the
air is drawn up the mountain slopes it is chilled by elevation, and there is pre-
cipitated during the warmer half of the year practically five-sevenths of the annual
amount of moisture.
TEMPERATURE
Considered from the point of mean temperature alone, Colorado may be
divided into five zones, as follows:
The zone of 50° or higher, which includes a small area in the valley of the
Grand and Gunnison in the extreme western part of the state; the valley of the
Arkansas as far west as the foothills ; the southeastern border counties ; a narrow
strip bordering on northwestern Kansas, and an area east of the foothills, which
includes Denver County and parts of Boulder and Adams counties.
The zone of 45° to 50°, or the valleys of moderate elevation and the upland
plains, includes the Arkansas-Platte Divide, a narrow belt running north and
south adjacent to the eastern foothills, the middle portions of the Grand and
Gunnison valleys, and the valley of the Las Animas in the southwestern part of
the state.
The zone of 40° to 45° includes San Luis Park, the foothills region, and
the northwestern counties.
The zone of 35° to 40° includes North, Middle, and South parks, and gen-
erally the regions between eight thousand and ten thousand feet elevation.
The zone of 35° and lower includes the higher mountain masses, parts of the
Continental Divide, and the narrow valleys near the center of the state in Lake
.and Summit counties.
The mean temperature of winter ranges from 35° at Canon City to 11° at
' Gunnison. For the southeastern counties, the Arkansas Valley, including Colo-
rado Springs, and for a considerable area in the vicinity of Denver, the mean
temperature is slightly above 30°, while the western valleys, the eastern foot-
hills, the Arkansas-Platte Divide, and the northeastern counties have means be-
tween 25° and 30°. The mean for San Luis Park is slightly above 20°, while in
the remainder of the parks and higher mountain districts the means average
below 20°.
The mean maxima for this season range between 40° and 49° throughout
HISTORY OF COLORADO 5
the region east of the mountains, and values between 40° and 42° prevail
in Costilla, La Plata, and Mesa counties. In the central mountain region,
im Summit, and in Gunnison County 29° is the average.
The mean minima range from 12° to 18° east of the mountains, and from
14° to 18° in the lower western valleys. For San Luis Park the values are
4° to 6°, and, taking Breckenridge and Gunnison as representative of the
conditions in the mountain regions of the western slope, we find the means
for the season to be — 1° and — 7°, respectively.
For summer the mean temperatures range from 76° in the lower part of
the Arkansas Valley to 50° near the Continental Divide in Park County. Means
of 70° or higher are common to the valleys of the eastern slope, and also
prevail in the lower parts of the Grand and Gunnison valleys. San Luis Park
has a mean of 63°, and slightly higher values are common in the northwestern
counties. In the valleys of the central mountain region the means are generally
between 50° and 55°.
The mean maxima are above 90° only in the extreme southeastern part
of the state. From 91°, the highest, the means sink to 68° in the central moun-
tain region. Mean maxima above 80° are common to the valleys and plains,
and prevail to a considerable extent in the parks and in the mountain district
with southern exposures.
The mean minima range between 61° in the lower western valleys and 35°
in the central mountain region. East of the mountains they are in the fifties,
and similar values obtain in the middle portions of the Grand and Uncompahgre
valleys; in the parks and northwestern counties they range between 41° and 46°,
while in the central mountain region they are below 40°.
The mean temperatures for spring and autumn, and also the mean maxima
and minima, correspond closely with the annual values that have already been
given.
Maximum temperatures above 90° rarely, if ever, occur in the highest
valleys and parks, and on the average are noted only three times a year in
San Luis Park. Leaving out the Arkansas-Platte Divide, where they are noted
nine times a year, the number of days with 90° or higher east of the mountains
increases from six at Cheyenne, on the northern border, to sixty-six in the
extreme southeastern counties. In the western valleys the number varies from
sixteen to fifty, the latter being the value for the lower Grand and Gunnison
valleys.
Minimum temperatures below 32° are very common; their occurrence fewer
than 150 times a year is confined to the Arkansas Valley and parts of the South
Platte, Grand, and Uncompahgre valleys. In the northwestern counties and San
Luis Park they occur from 205 to 227 times a year, and more than 250 times in
the higher mountain districts. At Breckenridge the average is 283 times.
FROSTS
As might be expected, killing frosts occur every month in the year in the
higher valleys contiguous to the Continental Divide. In the agricultural dis-
tricts, owing to the varied topography, differences in elevation and location,
whether east or west of the Continental Divide, there is an entire absence of
6 HISTORY OF COLORADO
uniformity. This will be apparent from a consideration of the following: On
the western slope at Grand Junction the average date of the last killing frost
of spring and the first killing frost of autumn is April n and October 28,
respectively ; and in the northwestern part of the state, at Meeker, the dates
are June 7 and September 12, respectively. On the southern slope, at Saguache,
in San Luis Park, the average dates are May 24 and September 17; on the
eastern slope, at Fort Collins, May 13 and September 21 ; at Denver, May 7
and October 4, and at Pueblo, April 28 and October 25, respectively.
PRECIPITATION
The greatest annual precipitation occurs in the northern part of Gunnison
County at an elevation above 10,000 feet. Between 20 and 25 inches is the
average for the western slope of the Continental Divide, in the north-central
counties, over the greater part of the San Juan Range, and locally in the
south-central counties in the vicinity of the Spanish Peaks. Amounts ranging
between 15 and 20 inches, occur on the average in the northern half of the
state for some distance west of the mountains, while on the eastern slope this
amount occurs in a long narrow belt, stretching north and south, whose eastern
limits are the foothills. Somewhat more than 15 inches is also the average
in the counties bordering on Kansas and Nebraska. Between this eastern belt
and the foothills there is a broad area where the annual precipitation is generally
between n and 13 inches. Less than 10 inches is the average in the valleys
along the western border, thence increasing somewhat up the narrow valley
of the Gunnison. The least precipitation, between 6 and 8 inches, occurs in
the central part of San Luis Park.
TOPOGRAPHY OF THE COUNTIES
Boulder, Jefferson, Park, Fremont, Teller, El Paso, Clear Creek and Gilpin
counties include in one group, situated in the central part of the state, a greatly
varying topography. This may be termed the mineral edge on the eastern side
of the Divide.
Topographically Boulder County is naturally divided into three distinct types,
viz : mountains, foothills and plains, the foothills flanking the base and an average
of twelve miles of the western limit of the Great Plains country. It possesses
great natural resources. The mountain section contains the metal mines, mineral
springs, timber and water supply; the adjoining foothills, building stones of
great variety and clays for manufacture of brick, tile, etc., and the plains section
affords a field of operation for the agriculturist and horticulturist, is largely
underlaid with a good quality of lignite coal, and late developments demon-
strate the presence of oil in paying quantities.
The drainage is through a number of roughly parallel streams that find-
source near the rugged crest and amphitheaters of the mountains, and have a
general eastward course until they make exit through deep-cut canyons on the
plains. Here they join with the St. Vrain River, which is one of the main tribu-
taries of the South Platte. Locally the main streams are designated as the
North, Middle and South forks of the St. Vrain, Left Hand, James Creek,
North, Middle, Four Mile and South Boulder creeks.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 7
Clear Creek and Gilpin counties are in a rugged mountain section, with
intervening narrow valleys or canyons, formed largely by erosion. They embrace
a number of prominent mountain peaks, among which may be mentioned Gray's
Peak, 14,411 feet; Torrey's Peak, 14,336 feet, near the west boundary; James
Peak, 13,281 feet, on the north, and Mount Evans, 14,321 feet above sea level,
on the south county boundary.
The main drainage is through Clear Creek. This stream, near the west
boundary, divides into the North, Middle and South forks. The main tribu-
taries from the north are Mill Creek and Fall River; from the south, Chicago
Creek — all of which have a number of smaller tributaries bearing local names.
Bear Creek and tributaries afford an outlet for the waters in the southeast part
of Clear Creek County.
At Idaho Springs are located some of the most noted mineral springs in the
state.
The western limit of El Paso County embraces the summit of Pike's Peak,
and the eastern limit is some thirty-five miles from the base of the mountains
on the great plains section. The topography is that common to all counties
lying on the east slope of the Rocky Mountain Front Range and embracing
the adjoining foothills and plains sections.
Jefferson County lies in part on the east slope of the Front Range of the
Rocky Mountain system and includes a portion of the Great Plains country.
The drainage is to the South Platte River through a series of mountain streams,
among which are North Fork, Bear, Turkey, Clear and Ralston creeks. These
streams have a general easterly course, cutting their channels through the
uplifted and folded strata skirting the mountains and collectively showing a
complete geological section.
Within Park County boundaries, and surrounded on all sides by hills or
rugged mountains, one of the large plateaus of the mountain systems is located,
South Park. This plateau or basin is comparatively level and has an average
altitude of about 9,000 feet above sea level. It is about forty miles long by
thirty miles wide, and has an area of 1,200 square miles in the park proper.
On the east or northeast side the park extends to the west base of the Front
Range of the Rocky Mountain system, composed of the granite-gneiss complex
common to that range. Along the south border of the park is a series of hills,
with somewhat isolated peaks, attaining an altitude of 9,000 feet, composed
largely of various eruptive rocks in the form of dikes, intrusive masses, and
locally the late basalt lavas capping hill tops. On the west are the Trout Pass
hills and the Mosquito Mountain Range, and on the north a transverse mountain
section connecting the Mosquito and Front ranges. The drainage may be said
to be from all sides of it, toward the park center, the tributaries uniting with
the North, Middle and South forks of the South Platte River.
TELLER COUNTY
Teller County has been the subject of many papers. The following, by T. A.
Rickard, formerly State Geologist of Colorado, is here, reproduced in its
topographical aspect only :
"The known gold-bearing portion of the district covers an area of about
8 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ten square miles, occupying a group of hills which rise from 300 to 1,000 feet
above the general surface, and attain an average altitude of 10,500 to 11,000
feet above the sea. The drainage of the district flows into the Arkansas River,
whose gateway into the plains is at Canon City. The general slope is southward,
and the sunny aspect incident to this configuration of the surface has caused
the hillsides to be clad with sufficient grass, and enabled them, at one time,
despite the high altitude, to yield good pasturage.
"Few mining camps have so picturesque a situation and Cripple Creek is
further notable because the picturesque is not obtained by any sacrifice of
accessibility. The beauty of the panoramic view to be obtained from most of
the mines is not due to mere ruggedness or to the ordinary grandeur of a
mountainous country ; it is traceable to a position upon the slopes flanking Pike's
Peak, which permits of an uninterrupted view of snow-clad ranges a hundred
miles away. It is a panorama rather than a picture. In front are hills like
giants tumbled in troubled sleep, whose feet touch the plateau of the South
Park. To the left are the Arkansas Hills that confine the river of the same
name to its tumultuous gorge; farther south is ihe Wet Mountain Valley, and
beyond that the long, magnificent, serrated range of the Sangre de Cristo. Turn-
ing northward, the valley of the Arkansas can be seen dividing the mountains
which overlook Leadville. Farther to the right are the beautiful Kenosha Hills,
at the headwaters of the Platte, and beyond them are further peaks ennobled
with coronets of snow."
Fremont County, embracing, as it does, a part of the western limit of the
Great Plains country in the eastern portion, and its west boundary being outlined
by the crest of mountain ranges, flanked with foothills, is topographically divided
into three natural divisions — viz : mountains, foothills and plains. The geology
has many features in common with that of Boulder and other border counties,
differing mainly in the fact that in Boulder the Trias rests directly upon the
granite gneiss of the mountain proper, while in Fremont the Paleozoic rocks
of the Carboniferous and Silurian periods are exposed and rest upon the granite
floor. The uplifted strata are well seen along the Arkansas River from the
mouth of Grand Canon eastward.
Conejos, Rio Grande, Costilla, and Alamosa counties together form a notable
topographical group.
The west boundary line is the summit of the San Juan Mountains, which at
this portion form a part of the Continental Divide. This section is quite rugged,
and contains mountain peaks that reach an altitude varying from 11,000 to
13,000 feet above sea level. The San Juan Mountains at this point mark nearly
the southern limit of the great andesitic lava flow common to what is generally
designated as the San Juan country. This volcanic mass is locally traversed by
a series of dikes, the basalt flows being prominent near the mountain base and
capping many of the adjoining foothills.
The Rio Grande River courses the center of that section. The eastern
portion of Conejos County embraces the southwest part of the San Luis Valley.
This valley is unusually level, and has an average altitude of 7,500 feet above
sea level.
The drainage is through the Alamosa, La Jara, Conejos, San Antonito and
Los Pinos creeks, and through the Rio Costilla, Rio Culebra and Rio Trinchera.
ON THE CRYSTAL PARK AUTO ROAD
LOOKING OUT FROM THE GATEWAY TO CRYSTAL PARK
10 HISTORY OF COLORADO
These streams head well back toward the mountain summit, envelop numerous
small tributaries, and all unite with the Rio Grande River.
The summits of the Sangre de Cristo and Culebra outline the east boundary
line of Costilla County. The mountain ranges on the east rise quite abruptly
and contain some of the highest mountain peaks in the state, among which
may be named Purgatory, 13,719; Culebra, 14,079; Trinchera, 13,340; Blanca,
14,464; Baldy, 14,176, and Grayback, 12,887 ^eet> above sea level.
Near the north end of Costilla County are a number of small lakes, the
largest being known as the San Luis lakes, and contain several square miles.
These lakes are fed by numerous springs around the mountain base near Mosca
Pass and San Luis and other small streams coming in from Saguache County.
There is no apparent outlet to lakes, and the tendency of all the streams in
this section is to sink out of sight and appear only at intervals.
The eastern and major portion of Rio Grande County embraces the flanking
foothills and mesas and the western limit of the San Luis Valley, which here
has an average altitude of about 7,700 feet. The Rio Grande River passes
easterly through the northern portion of that county, and with tributaries
affords drainage. The principal tributaries from the south are Park, Abiti, Wolf,
Los Pinos, San Francisco and Alamosa ; from the north, Beaver, Bear and
Embargo creeks.
The topography of Custer County in a general way, is that of a compara
tively level basin or valley, within two mountain ranges. The average altitude
of the valley is about 8,000 feet. On the west the Sangre de Cristo Range rises
quite abruptly to 12,000 feet, and contains mountain peaks that reach an eleva-
tion of over 14,000 feet above sea level. The range front is scarred by deep
ravines or gorges, with precipitous cliffs or walls. Rising some 6,000 feet above
the valley, the bold, rugged, front and pyramidal peaks present one of the
most striking views in the mountains. The main rock of the mountain top is
granite, but of somewhat different type to that common to the Front Range.
Along and flanking the mountain front Carboniferous sandstones and conglomer-
ates predominate.
The valley which bears the same name as the mountain range on the east — •
viz., Wet Mountain — is about twenty-five miles long and fourteen to twenty
miles wide. It is one of the widest mountain valleys in the state.
The Wet Mountains on the east, originally known as the Sierra Majado, is
a comparatively low mountain range. The highest points are about 11,000 feet,
somewhat irregular and separated by comparatively shallow valleys, with easy
slopes. The rock mass composing this range is a coarse-grained granite.
The main drainage of this section is through Grape Creek and its numerous
small tributaries, which empty into the Arkansas River.
Huerfano and Las Animas counties border the Great Plains country, the
western boundary being the crest of the Sangre de Cristo and Culebra mountain
ranges. In the south portion are the Spanish Peaks, and in the north the south-
ern extremity of the Wet Mountains. The drainage is through Huerfano and
Cuchara, the Purgatorial and Las Animas rivers, the Apishapa and many tribu-
taries to the Arkansas River.
The southern boundary of Las Animas County passes over the summit
of the Raton Mountains. The mountainous sections are covered with a good
HISTORY OF COLORADO 11
growth of pine timber, and interspersed with comparatively broad valleys. Ad-
joining the foothills the mesas, or table lands, merge into the level plains on
the east.
In Mineral County, in the southwest part of the state, the drainage is through
the Rio Grande River and numerous tributaries. The water-shed of the Rio
Grande River is a basin-like area of horseshoe shape. On the north edge of
Mineral County the La Garita Mountains have a southwesterly course, and
near the west boundary of Hinsdale County unite with the San Juan Mountains.
This latter range, from point of junction, trends southward, and, gradually turn-
ing to southwest, passes through the southern part of Mineral County. The crests
of the two ranges form the Continental Divide, which may be said to encircle
the county on the north, west and south sides.
Considered as a whole, the topography is unusually rugged. The surround-
ing mountain chains rise from 10,000 to over 13,000 feet above sea level. From
these occur somewhat detached spurs, culminating in peaks 12,000 feet and
over, and occupying the central portion. The intervening valleys are, in the
main, quite narrow, but locally widen out into enclosed basins or parks of con-
siderable size.
In the south central part of the state lies what is known as the San Luis
Valley. Skirting the south and west are sections rich in coal and minerals. For
the purpose of a topographical description the central and south central section
comprises Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache, Conejos, Costilla, Alamosa, Chaffee,
Custer, Huerfano and Las Animas counties.
The west boundary of Chaffee County is formed by the Continental Divide
of, the Saguache Range, and the east boundary follows the more prominent
peaks of the Park Range. The intervening valley embraces the Arkansas River,
which with its tributaries affords drainage for the county. This valley varies
from an altitude of 7,000 feet at the southern to 9,000 feet at the northern
boundary. While it is quite narrow near the south-central portion of the county,
the valley widens to twelve or fifteen miles and carries this width for about
thirty miles in the central portion. The Saguache Range on the west rises to
14,375 feet at Mount Shavano, 14,245 at Mount Antero, Princeton 14,190, Yale
14,187, Haywood 14,575, a°d La Plata 14,311 feet above sea level.
On the west the main tributaries of the Arkansas River are Cash, Clear, Pine,
Cottonwood, Chalk, Browns, Boyds, South Arkansas and Poncha creeks. On
the east, Sweetwater, Badger and Trout creeks. These streams in the main
course through the granite-gneiss complex or metamorphic rocks common to
the Rocky Mountain system. Near the base of the mountains they usually
occupy more or less rugged canyons and locally expose remnants of strata
assignable to the Paleozoic.
The Chalk Creek Hot Springs near Haywood have a temperature of 150°
Fahrenheit ; Poncha Springs, a group of hot mineral waters range in tempera-
ture from 90° to 168°, Fahrenheit.
The southern and southwestern section of the state comprises San Miguel,
Dolores, .San Juan, Ouray, Hinsdale, Archuleta, La Plata and Montezuma coun-
ties, including in the larger part of these boundaries what is known as the San
Juan country and one of the richest and most productive sections of the state.
The territory embraced within San Juan County boundaries, about 480 square
12 HISTORY OF COLORADO
miles, is very mountainous. The San Juan Mountains on the north and Needle
Mountains in the south, with their numerous spurs, cover the entire county.
The intervening valleys are quite narrow in the main, but occasionally widen
out into small park-like areas. Baker's Park is the largest and has a mean alti-
tude of about 9,200 feet above sea level. Through it flows the Animas River
in a southerly course, affording the main drainage of the county. The narrow
valleys adjoining Baker's Park are traversed by mountain streams that find
source in large oval basins or cirques near the summit of the surrounding moun-
tains. The mountains reach a maximum altitude of nearly .14,000 feet above sea
level. The lower mountain slopes are covered with a heavy growth of spruce
timber, which ceases to grow at an altitude varying from 10,000 to 11,000 feet.
The area above "timber line" in San Juan County is greater in proportion to the
total area of the county than in any other sub-division of the state.
San Miguel County in its eastern portion is characterized by rugged moun-
tains with numerous cliff exposures, cut by deep, 'narrow canyons. The moun-
tains culminate in numerous peaks that reach an altitude of nearly 14,000 feet
above sea level, and the intervening gulches have been eroded to a mean eleva-
tion of about 9,000 feet. The west portion of the county embraces the eastern
limit of the Great Sage Plains of Utah, having a mean elevation of about 7,500
feet.
Dolores County embraces an area of about 1,000 square miles. The east
part of the county is mountainous, with rugged peaks rising from 12,000 to
14,000 feet above sea level. The west, and by far the greater part, consists of
elevated plateaus sloping gradually toward the west and varying from an alti-
tude of 8,500 feet near the mountains to about 6,000 feet near the Utah liwe.
The mountain area is drained by the East and West forks of the Dolores River
and numerous tributaries. These streams have -a general southwest and south
course and unite about twenty miles below Rico in Montezuma County. The
main river makes a somewhat lengthy detour south and west, then turns north-
ward and crosses Dolores County a short distance east of the Utah line.
In the Hayden atlas, based upon work of the survey in 1874-76, the moun-
tains of eastern Dolores County are designated as the "Bear River Mountains."
Later work of the geological survey has for good reasons changed the name
to the Rico Mountains.
Hinsdale County consists of rugged mountain chains, with comparatively
narrow valleys intervening, well-watered by streams. The valleys occasionally
widen into comparatively level parks and vary in altitude from 8,000 to 9,000
feet above the sea level. The mountains in individual peaks are from 12,000
to 14,000 feet above tide-water. Uncompahgre Peak, in the northwest corner,
is 14,289 feet, and is one of the highest in the state. The San Juan Mountains
form the west boundary in the northern part and cross the south portion of
the county in a southeast direction. Near the center of the west boundary a spur
extends from the San Juan Range in a northeast direction and joins the Coche-
topa Hills in Saguache County. This range-spur forms the Continental Divide
at this point. The territory embraced within county boundaries is therefore
on both the Atlantic and Pacific slopes. The north portion drains through the
Gunnison River, the south through San Juan, both streams emptying later
HISTORY OF COLORADO 13
into the Colorado on the Pacific Slope. The central portion drains through
the Rio Grande to the Atlantic side.
Archuleta County as a whole is a hilly one, composed of numerous mesas
and ridges of sedimentary rock, intersected with equally numerous valleys
locally widening into parks. The hills and mesas are timbered with some of
the finest timber in the state, principally white pine, yellow pine, red and white
spruce. These trees often attain a thickness of three feet or more, and run
up for fifty or sixty feet, a straight column without a branch.
The peaks of the adjacent Conejos Range average from 12,000 to 13,500
feet. The average altitude of the" valleys and parks is between 7,000 and 8,000
feet. The mesas may rise 500 feet above this.
Prior to the advent of the white man what are now termed Pagosa Springs
were known among the Indians as the "Great Medicine Waters," or "Healing
Waters," and their possession jealously guarded. The main spring basin is
50 by 75 feet in size, and presents the appearance of an immense seething
caldron. The temperature of the water is 148 degrees Fahrenheit. The outlet
from this pool evidences the probability of the springs being justly entitled to
the claim of the "largest hot spring in the world."
Montezuma County embraces the eastern limits of the Utah Plains, through
which two isolated groups of mountains have risen. The El Late group occupies
about forty square miles in the southwest portion, which in individual peaks,
reach an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level. La Plata Mountains are in the
northeast part of the county, and the culminating peaks reach an altitude of over
thirteen thousand feet. The plateau, from the base of the La Plata group, de-
scends in a gradual slope from 7,000 to 5,000 feet at the west county boundary.
The drainage of the east and south portions of the county is through the Rio de la
Mancos and its tributaries. The northern portion drains into the Dolores River,
which enters, makes a big bend, and finds egress through the north boundary
line.
La Plata County. — The topographical features of the southwestern section are
those common to rugged mountains, flanked by foothills and lofty mesas, inter-
sected by streams and gulches cutting through the country at irregular intervals.
In the north part of La Plata County are the Needle Mountains, in the west-
central portion the La Plata Mountains, each containing peaks that reach an alti-
tude of between 13,000 and 14,000 feet above sea level. The valley and mesa
lands vary from an elevation of 6.500 feet, at Durango, to 6,100 feet, near the
southern border. The county is well watered, and drains through three principal
streams, viz., La Plata, Anirnas and Los Pinos rivers. These streams are roughly
parallel, rise in the lofty mountain ranges lying on the northwest and north, and
flow in a southerly course. The La Plata drains the west, the Animas the central
and the Los Pinos the east portions of this section.
Mineral springs, both hot and cold, occur in several localities. The best im-
proved are the Trimble Hot Springs, about nine miles from Durango.
With the exception of a small portion in the north end, the topography of
Ouray County is that of rugged mountains, a number of which reach an altitude
of 13,000 to over fourteen thousand feet above sea level. The various streams
head, generally, in large open basins, or glacial cirques, well up above timber line,
14 HISTORY OF COLORADO
and near the top of the culminating ridges connecting the more prominent moun-
tain peaks. Below the basins, these streams occupy eroded valleys or gulches,
gradually deepening into somewhat narrow canyons, and finally uniting with the
Uncompahgre River, and making exit through the north county boundary line at
an altitude of 6,500 feet. Timber is abundant on the various mountain slopes, and
grows to an elevation of 10,500 to 11,500 feet above sea level.
Ouray County, in its southern portion embraces a small part of the San Juan
Mountains composed almost entirely of volcanic rocks. These rocks consist, in
the main, of tuffs, agglomerates and lavas of andesite and rhyolite. In the up-
per horizons the different lava flows lie practically horizontal, differ somewhat
in color and present a stratified appearance. Later, this volcanic complex has
been penetrated by a variety of eruptive rocks in the form of somewhat massive
intrusions and numerous dikes.
Lake County is situated on the west flank of the Mosquito Range, near the
head or north end of Arkansas Valley, and has a mean elevation of 10,200 feet.
The Saguache Range on the west and the Mosquito Range on the east have a
comparatively uniform elevation of from thirteen thousand to fourteen thousand
feet above sea level. The north as well as west boundary form the Continental
Divide. This basin-like area is drained by the Arkansas River, which flows in
a southerly course, and a number of tributaries that rise in the mountain ranges
upon the east and west sides. In the vicinity of Leadville the Arkansas flows
through a comparatively flat and level valley, six to ten miles wide. On either
side mesa-like benches rise one above the other to the foothills flanking the
mountain ranges. The City of Leadville occupies one of these mesas, about
three miles west of the river valley proper, near the base of the rounded foot-
hills, and north of California Gulch.
Summit County is embraced within boundaries that are outlined by the crests
of mountain ranges, viz., the Williams River Mountains on the east, the Conti-
nental Divide on the south, and the Park Range on the west. The included terri-
tory lies wholly on the Pacific Slope and embraces the valleys of the Blue, Swan,
Snake and Ten Mile rivers, with the drainage basins of their tributaries, all of
which unite with the Blue and form one of the large tributaries of Grand River,
which it joins near the north county boundary.
In the central west lie Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, Delta and Montrose coun-
ties.
Rio Blanco is included within the drainage basins formed by the Yampa
Plateau, Danforth Hills and Williams River Mountains on the north and east,
and the White River Plateau, Book Cliffs and Roan or Book Plateau on the
south. The White River Valley rises from an altitude of five thousand feet at
the western boundary of the county to nine thousand feet near the eastern limit.
The mountain peaks in the eastern part vary from ten thousand to twelve thou-
sand five hundred feet, and the plateaus on the north and south from eight
thousand to nine thousand five hundred feet above sea level.
In Garfield County the drainage is through the Grand River, which enters the
east county boundary near the center and flows in a general southwest direction,
passing through the south boundary line west of the center. The main tributaries
from the south are Roaring Fork, Divide and Maroon creeks; from the north,
Elk. Rifle, Parachute and Roan. These streams occupy narrow valleys, which
16 HISTORY OF COLORADO
locally open out into comparatively wide and level parks, and in other places are
closely confined by narrow walls.
Along the Grand River, Garfield County, for a distance of a half-mile or more
are noted hot springs. They occur at intervals, and appear to issue from a fissure
in the Paleozoic rocks. The largest and best improved are on the north side of
the river. The largest group of springs, called the Yampa, has a flow of about
two thousand gallons per minute and has a temperature of 120 degrees Fahren-
heit.
In Mesa County the drainage is through the Grand and Gunnison rivers, two
of the largest streams in the state. The valleys along these streams and tribu-
taries are of varying width, but are, in the main, comparatively wide and very
fertile.
The northeast portion of Montrose County embraces the southern limit of the
West Elk Mountains. Through this section the Gunnison River flows.
The Cerro Hills separate the valleys of the Uncompahgre and Cimarron, and :
both have streams that rise well back in the rugged San Juan Mountains, lying
south of the southern boundary line. The Uncompahgre River flows north and
northwest through the country to its junction with the Gunnison River. On the
west and southwest side of the river the broad valley rises gradually from six
thousand to ten thousand feet above sea level to another broad mesa known as
the Uncompahgre Plateau. From the northeast slope of this plateau a number
of streams flow in a northeasterly course and join the Uncompahgre River. Still
farther west there is another comparatively level mesa known as the San Miguel
Plateau. This plateau is drained by tributaries that flow westward and join the
San Miguel and Dolores rivers. Just beyond the west border are the Sierra la
Sal Mountains.
In Delta County the north and east county boundaries are outlined by natural
topographical divisions. The higher points rise from ten thousand to twelve
thousand feet above sea level, and the valleys vary in altitude from four thousand
eight hundred to six thousand five hundred feet.
In the next group, northwestern Colorado, are Larimer, Jackson, Grand,
Routt, and Moffat.
The east portion of Larimer County embraces about eighteen miles of the
western limits of the Great Plains section. In the western portion the Front
Range of the Rocky Mountain system ceases, and merges into the Medicine Bow
Range in Jackson County. These ranges have a general northwesterly course.
The Park Range, on the west, separates Routt and Jackson counties, and the
north limit of the Front Range is topographically connected with the Park Range
by an east and west chain, which chain, with the Park and Front ranges, form
the Continental Divide. North Park is a large basin-like section, in the west part
of the county, lying between the Park and Medicine Bow ranges, and north of
the range connecting the two, and separating North and Middle parks, the latter
in Grand County. North Park proper is a broad, comparatively level basin, free
of timber, thirty miles wide, east and west, by forty miles long, north and south.
The altitude ranges from eight thousand to nine thousand feet above sea level.
The plains section in the east part of Larimer County varies from five thousand
to five thousand five hundred feet, and the mountain chains culminate in Jackson
HISTORY OF COLORADO 17
County in numerous peaks ranging from eleven thousand to fourteen thousand
feet above tide-water.
The drainage is through the Little and Big Thompson and Cache la Poudre
rivers, which flow in a general southeast direction and unite with the South
Platte River. The North Platte River finds source through a number of radiat-
ing tributaries in North Park and flows north into Wyoming. The Big Laramie
River and tributaries drain the east slope of the Medicine Bow Range and flow
north into the Laramie Plains of Wyoming.
In Grand County is the Front Range ; on the south, the Williams River Moun-
tains ; on the west, the Park Range ; and on the north, an east and west range
that connects the Front and Park canges, separates North from Middle Park, and
forms the Continental Divide.
The entire drainage is through the Grand River and its tributaries. This
stream flows practically east and west through the center of the county, and its
tributaries have a general north or south course. Near the east boundary the
Grand River proper divides into two main branches, known as the North and
South forks. These branches, with their tributaries, drain the west slope of the
Front Range. From the south the Frazer, Williams and Blue rivers are the main
tributaries to the Grand River, and all flow in a northerly course. Between the
Frazer and Williams rivers there is a mountain range called the Vasquez Moun-'
tains. Between the Williams River and the Blue is a range known as the Wil-
liams River Mountains. These ranges or spurs are roughly parallel to the Park
and Front ranges, and the east and west slopes have a number of small streams
that are tributary to the main streams which occupy the intervening valleys. The
north part of the county has a series of streams that flow south to the Grand. The
principal streams from east to west are the Stillwater, Willow, Troublesome and
Muddy creeks. Each of these streams has a number of tributaries and occupies
a valley separated by ridges, but not so pronounced as those on ,the south side.
The central portion of the county is known as Middle Park. It differs ma-
terially, however, from the broad, open and comparatively level and timberless
basins known as North and South parks. Middle Park is practically a series of
valleys along Grand River, with the contiguous valleys of the tributaries of the
river. The intervening ridges are as a rule heavily timbered, and little idea of the
general topography may be gained except from some of the prominent, sur-
rounding mountain peaks. Locally the valley land is much restricted, but gen-
erally the valleys are of good width and comparatively level. They vary in alti-
tude from seven thousand to nine thousand feet. The surrounding mountains
have numerous peaks th,at reach 12,000 and Long's Peak, on the east, passes above
the fourteen thousand foot mark.
Routt and Moffat counties extend to the northwestern corner of the state.
Near the northeast corner the eruptive mountain group called the Elk Head
Mountains is the most prominent uplift. This group contains a number of cul-
minating points that reach an altitude of nearly eleven thousand feet, the most
prominent and perhaps best known being Hahn's and Anita peaks. Both of
these are very prominent landmarks, the latter being generally called the "Bear's
Ears," on account of its peculiar formation. Along the south part of the county
the Williams River Mountains, Danforth Hills and Yampa Plateau, are elevated
portions varying in altitude from eight thousand to nearly ten thousand feet. The
18 HISTORY OF COLORADO
main drainage is through the Yampa or Bear River, which flows in a general west-
ward course through the center of the section and is joined by numerous tribu-
taries from north and south. The main streams from the north «re Elk, Elk Head,
Fortification and Little Snake ; from the south, Williams River and Milk Creek.
It contains 150 mineral springs, all of which differ more or less in amount of
solids held in suspension and in accompanying gases.
Gunnison, Pitkin, Eagle, Lake and Summit are a central group with a varying
topography. The Continental Divide or Saguache Range, forms the east boundary
line of Gunnison County, and has a general north and south course.
The main drainage is through the Gunnison River, which flows westward and
departs from the county south of its center through the well known Black Canon.
Numerous tributaries join the river in the canyon. From the south the principal
streams are Lake Fork and White Earth creeks ; from the north, Curecanti, Sapi-
nero, West Elk and Ohio creeks. Near Gunnison, which is the county seat and
occupies a south-central position in the county, the Tomichi joins the river. This
stream carries the waters from the southeast part and its main branches find
source well up toward the Continental Divide. Gunnison River is formed by
the junction of Slate and Taylor rivers at Almont, about nine miles north of
Gunnison. These streams, with tributaries, care for the waters in the northeast ;
•the North Fork of the Gunnison carries the drainage from the northwest, and
the extreme north section is drained by Rock Creek, which is tributary to the
Grand River.
The topography of Pitkin County, taken as a whole, is quite diversified. On
the east is the Continental Divide of the Saguache Range, separating Pitkin and
Lake counties, and in the south and west sections embrace in part the Elk Moun-
tains. Both of these ranges contain noted landmarks, such as Mount Massive on
the east, 14,424 feet, and Castle Peak, 14,115 feet, and Maroon Mountain, 14,008
feet above sea level, on the south. The general drainage is toward the northwest
through the Roaring Fork, one of the main tributaries of Grand River. The
main tributaries of Roaring Fork are Frying Pan, Hunter, Woody, Lincoln, Diffi-
cult, Castle, Maroon, Sopris, Avalanche and Rock creeks. These with their nu-
merous small feeders receive the waters from drainage basins near the mountain
divides at a varying altitude of ten thousand to thirteen thousand feet, and eventu-
ally unite and pass out through the Roaring Fork Valley at an altitude of about
six thousand six hundred feet.
The drainage^ of Eagle County is to the Pacific Slope and through the Frying
Pan, Eagle and Grand rivers and the Piney. The Frying Pan and tributaries
are in the southwest part of the county. The Eagle River rises near the south-
east corner, flows approximately north to the center of the county, then turns
west and joins the Grand. -The Grand River flows in a southwest direction through
the northwest portion, and the Piney, in the east and northeast, flows northwest
and joins the Grand. All these streams have numerous tributaries of more or
less importance. The crest of the Park Range of mountains on the east forms
the dividing line between Eagle and Summit counties. This range is quite rugged,
and rises in peaks to over twelve thousand feet above sea level. Near the south
boundary the most prominent landmark is the Mount of the Holy Cross. This
peak rises to an elevation exceeding fourteen thousand feet, and practically marks
the northern limit of the Saguache Range.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 19
The Great Plains section of Colorado extends from the foothills to its eastern
boundary. There are no large streams in the northern district with the excep-
tion of the Platte River. The small streams in the southern part flow south to the
Arkansas River and in the north to the South Platte. The Republican River rises
in this district and is fed by many small streams. The average annual rainfall
here varies from twelve to twenty inches. In what is called the Divide between
the Arkansas and the Platte rivers from the foothills east the rainfall is con-
siderably heavier than on the lower lands on both sides.
The surface throughout is level or gently rolling with a few restricted areas
of valley or broken land. The soil is largely a sandy loam varying greatly in
depth.
CHAPTER II
THE SPANISH AND FRENCH PERIODS OF EXPLORATION
SPANISH JURISDICTION— DEVACA'S EXPLORATION CORONADO's EXPEDITION
FATHER PADILLA'S FATE — MOSCOSCO'S MARCH — ON ATE' s EXPEDITION— BONIL-
LA'S EXPEDITION — ONATE'S SECOND EXPEDITION — PUEBLO UPRISING — THE
FRENCH MENACE VALVERDE^S EXPEDITION — ESCALANTE's* EXPLORATIONS — THE
LAST SPANISH EXPEDITION — THE FRENCH FRENCH BELIEFS AND CLAIMS DU
TISNE — LA HARPE BOURGMONT'S SECOND AIM'KAKAXi'E — THE MALLET BROTHERS
— FABREE DE LA BRUYERE GOVERNMENTAL ASPECTS
THE SPANISH
SPANISH JURISDICTION
In order to give a proper perspective to the history of modern Colorado, its
growth, institutions and relative matters, a few prefatory remarks concerning
the early Spanish, French and English periods of explorations are necessary.
Upon this solid groundwork of discovery and romantic tradition the story of the
State of Colorado is laid. These adventurous and danger-loving men who first
traversed the ranges, canyons and mountains of this country were actuated by
the greed of 'their native countries across the sea, but they failed to build strongly
and the land eventually became the permanent possession of the United States.
But it is with these early explorations that we now have to do.
The first of the jurisdictions under which the present territory of Colorado
came was that of "Nueva Espana" — or New Spain, which covered an immense
part of North America in the Sixteenth Century. The domain of this empire
included all of Mexico, practically all of the land west of the Mississippi River
and extended into the unknown and unexplored regions of the Great Northwest.
Spain's right of ownership was based solely upon the discoveries in the New
World made by her subjects during the first half of the century. In 1519 Alvarez
de Pineda discovered the Mississippi River and named it "Rio del Espiritu Santo";
and within the next quarter century Spanish explorers had crossed parts of the
present states of New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma,
Kansas and Colorado. The first settlements were made upon the eastern coast
of the United States at a time when fully four-fifths of the present area of the
Union was Spanish territory, under the rights of discovery.
The Spanish held undisputed sway over this vast territory and were not in
any way threatened until the closing years of the Seventeenth Century. Then the
Sieur de la Salle descended the Mississippi River and on April 9, 1682, took pos-
20
CHEYENNE SPRINGS, MANITOU
MANITOU
22 HISTORY OF COLORADO
session of this "Father of Waters" in the name of the French (Drown. He in-
cluded with the Mississippi all the tributaries and the lands through which they
flowed and which they drained; thus declaring ownership over a great extent of
country from the Alleghanies to the Rockies. He named the new possession
"Louisiane," in honor of his sovereign, Louis XIV. Louisiane comprised about
one-half of the present area of the United States and included a large portion
of Colorado. Spain naturally denied the right of France to any land west of
the Mississippi, but the French succeeded in holding all they had claimed until
November, 1762, when a secret treaty was drawn up, by which the Mississippi
again became the eastern and northeastern boundary of New Spain, or New
Mexico as it was called by that time.
DE VACA'S EXPLORATION
Spanish history in the territory now included in the southwestern part of
the United States begins with the story of Alvaro Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, a
Spanish nobleman, and his three companions, Andres Dorantes, Alonzo del Cas-
tillo Maldonado and an African negro named Estevanico (Stephen). These
were the first Europeans to come into this part of the country, and were sur-
vivors of the ill-fated De Narvaez expedition into the Florida country in 1528.
De Vaca was held a prisoner by Indians near Galveston, Texas, but after several
years escaped and struck out for the interior, where he joined his companions.
The four started in search of Spanish settlements in Mexico and slowly made
their way from one tribe of Indians to another. Their course is not known, but
in time they reached the western coast of Mexico, where they met a band of their
countrymen. Supplied with guides, De Vaca and his companions later reached
the City of Mexico in July, 1536, after wandering for fully eight years.
De Vaca's story of the unexplored country through which he had passed and
his account of the tales which had been told him by the Indians fired the imag-
ination of the Spaniards and they came to believe of rich and thriving cities far
to the northward, where the sole industry of the people was the making of gold
and silver articles. Nufio de Guzman, a high official in the administration of
New Spain, inspired by De Vaca's stories and those of an Indian, guided an
expedition northward from Mexico City, but did not go farther than the Yaqui
River. Don Antonio de Mendoza, viceroy of all New Spain, also determined to
forage among the rich cities of the North and made preparations for a large ex-
pedition. He first despatched a scouting party, led by two Franciscan friars,
Juan de la Asuncion and Pedro Madal, which traveled as far as the Gila River in
Arizona, then abandoned the quest. Not to be discouraged, however, Mencloza
iormed a second party and chose Marcos de Nizza, a Franciscan, captain. Ac-
companied by the negro, Stephen, and Onorato, a lay brother of the order, De
Nizza began his journey to the northward.
Onorato left the party soon on account of sickness, so De Nizza and Stephen
pushed on, acquiring many Indians in their party as they progressed. After a
time, Stephen and a party of Indians were sent ahead of De Nizza and the others,
with instructions to report by messenger. In June, 1539, De Nizza reached the
"Land of Cibola" — the "buffalo country," where the seven rich cities were sup-
posed to be located. Here he learned that Stephen had been murdered.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 23
Stephen and his Indians had discovered a great pueblo in the western part of
the present New Mexico. Despite the warnings of the inhabitants, Stephen went
among them. After a few days his presence became so intolerable that the natives
put him to death, with a number of his Indian companions. Those of the party
who escaped hurried southward and one of them returned to De Nizza with the
account of Stephen's death. The intrepid friar, though dismayed by the news,
refused to retreat until he had obtained a view of the "city." He reached a
high point of land and from this eminence saw the "City of Cibola" in the dis-
tance. Then he- returned home, where his vivid and colorful tales more than
substantiated the wildest of De Vaca's stories of the rich peoples to the north.
De Nizza really believed that the pueblo which he had viewed from a distance to
be larger and richer than the City of Mexico.
CORONADO' S EXPEDITION
De Nizza stirred the imagination of the Spaniards as no one had done before.
Dreams of a country vastly richer than Peru were indulged in by the people. The
remembrance of cargoes of gold and silver from that South American country
only stimulated their desire to loot the mysterious cities of the still more mys-
terious north. Mendoza in particular resolved upon a huge expedition for the
invasion of the country which De Nizza, De Vaca and others had painted in such
glorious colors.
Accordingly, in the fall of 1539, Mendoza financed and equipped an expedi-
tion to be captained by Francisco de Coronado, the young governor of New
Galicia. On February 23, 1540, Coronado left Compostella, in New Galicia, with
Friar Marcos, three other Franciscans, 260 Spanish cavaliers, seventy Spanish
footmen, over a thousand Indians and servants, six pieces of artillery and about
a thousand horses. This army entered what is now the southeastern corner of
the State of Arizona by the end of the following spring. The rest of the year
was spent in subduing the Pueblo Indians and various minor explorations. Win-
ter found the expedition encamped on the Rio Grande River, discouraged and
disillusioned.
An Indian, supposed to have been a Pawnee, who lived at the Pecos Pueblo
fifty miles north of Coronado's encampment, told the Spaniards that he was from
a rich city 1,000 miles to the northeast, where even the commonest of utensils
were made of gold. The "Turk," as he was called by the Spanish, promised to
lead them thither.
This incident had a rejuvenating effect upon the fagged and heart-weary ex-
plorers, so on April 21, 1541, the march was begun. Ten days later the plains
Indians were first encountered. A captain in the expedition, Juan Jaramillo,
afterward wrote that "we began to enter the plains where the cows (buffalos)
are, although we did not find them for some four or five days. * * * We
found Indians among these first cows, who were, on this account, called 'Que-
rechos' by those in the flat-roof houses." One authority suggests the resemblance
of the name "Querechos" to Apaches.
Having crossed the Canadian River, or the southerly branch of the same, the
Coronado party proceeded in a northeasterly course. The exact route taken by
Coronado has never been determined definitely, several different versions having
24 HISTORY OF COLORADO
been given by as many historians and investigators. It is probable that Coronado
reached the southeastern part of the present Colorado; at least, a study of the
different histories of the expedition would seem to establish this fact.
The "Turk" eventually guided the expedition in an easterly, then southeasterly,
course, diverting the Spaniards from the original trail. On the thirty-fifth day
of the movement named a halt was made at another Indian village, the inhabi- '
tants of which were given the name of "Teyans," and who were undoubtedly
Comanches. Coronado estimated at this time that he had traveled fully 650
miles from the encampment on the Rio Grande. They were 'now probably in
what is now Oklahoma, on the north fork of the Canadian River. Here Coronado
first learned that De Vaca had visited this village.
A council was held and it was decided that the main part of the expedition
should go no farther in search of the mythical City of Quivira, but should return
to the Rio Grande, while Coronado and thirty of his picked horsemen should con-
tinue the journey as planned. .This was done and forty-two days later, after
crossing the Arkansas River and marching to the northeast, Coronado reached
Quivira.
Here, instead of finding a wealthy and populous city, the Spaniards discovered
a lonely village of Indians, probably Pawnees, who earned their living by hunting
buffalo and raising patches of corn. For twenty-five days the explorers remained
at Quivira, garroting the "Turk" to appease their anger and disappointment and
in punishment for his duplicity.
Then, with several Quivira Indians to guide them, the party began the return
journey to the Rio Grande. The route taken is thought to have been one familiar
to the Indians in their travels to the "flat-roof" villages and which undoubtedly
crossed southeastern Colorado.
Coronado met with a cold reception when he returned to the capital of New
Spain and was openly snubbed by Mendoza. He did not deserve to be discredited
for his failure to find the mythical cities of treasure, but the fact remains that
his own sense of disgrace and the obscurity forced upon him by his fellows bore
upon him until the day of his death, while he was yet a comparatively young
man.
The exact location of Quivira is not known. Coronado claimed that it was
"950 leagues," or 2,470 miles, from the City of Mexico. It is thought by the best
of writers that Coronado's farthest point into the interior of what is now the
United States was in the vicinity of Junction City, Kansas. Quivira appeared on
both English and French maps in the early days, in various latitudes and longi-
tudes, and was really thought to exist.
FATHER PADILLA'S FATE
When Coronado started upon his homeward trip one member of his party,
Father Juan de Padilla, decided to stay and undertake missionary work among
the Indians. With him went Andres del Campo and three educated Indians of
Coronado's band. They set out with the Quivira guides who were returning to
their own people. Upon the way Father Padilla crossed a corner of Colorado.
After arriving among the Quivira Indians he found a portion of them hostile to
him and it was not long before he suffered death at the hands of these savages,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 25
Campo and the Mexican Indians escaping and finally reaching Tampico, Mexico,
there to relate the story of Father Padilla and his fate.
MOSCOSCO'S MARCH
In 1542-43 Louis Moscosco de Alvarado, who was one of De Soto's lieuten-
ants in the Florida expedition, explored deeply into the northern part of New
Spain. While De Soto was in Florida, stories had been brought concerning the
activities in the West, Coronado's expedition in particular. After De Soto's death
Moscosco began his march westward from the Mississippi, having been ap-
pointed commander by De Soto. After many days' journey, it is recorded that
his scouts sighted mountain ranges to the westward, supposedly the Rockies. A
few early geographical charts represent Moscosco's route as having crossed
southeastern Colorado, but, allowing for discrepancies in latitude and longitude,
it is improbable that he reached the present borders of the state by several hun-
dred miles.
Following these many attempts to thoroughly explore the country comprised
in New Spain, there were very few expeditions of any consequence for a period
of over forty years. Friars went into the country of the Pueblo Indians, seeking
to establish missions, but most of them met death as their reward.
ONATE'S EXPEDITION
In 1595, Juan de Onate, a prominent Spaniard of the time, relative of Cortez
and Montezuma, attempted a large expedition into the northern country for ex-
ploration and colonization if possible. His actual start was about three years
later and his course followed up the Rio Grande Valley and into the San Luis
Park region of Colorado. About thirty miles above the site of Santa Fe, Onata
founded the Town of San Gabriel, the second in the territory now the United
States. Seven years later Onate founded Santa Fe.
A short time after establishing San Gabriel Onate despatched his nephew,
Juan de Zaldivar, with a company of cavaliers, farther into the interior. It is
believed that Zaldivar progressed along the foothills nearly to the site of Denver.
BONILLA'S EXPEDITION
The undertaking of Francisco Leyva Boniila in the year 1595 was one fraught
with tragedy and failure. Boniila was sent to subdue an Indian tribe among the
northern settlements and had instructions to continue in search of Quivira if the
condition of his men warranted it. Other authorities have claimed that Boniila
exceeded his orders by continuing northward. Nevertheless, he traveled up the
Rio Grande Valley to the plains. Here, in a quarrel with Juan de Humana, one
of his officers, Boniila was killed. Humana took charge of the expedition, which
then had passed through southeastern .Colorado into southwestern Kansas. After
crossing a large river (Arkansas), Humana and his men were surrounded by
Indians while encamped. The savages fired the dry grass around the Spaniards
and all were killed with the exception of two — Alonzo Sanchez and a half-breed
Indian girl. Sanchez afterward became a chieftain in the tribe of his would-be
murderers.
26 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ONATE' s SECOND EXPEDITION
In 1601 Onate organized another expedition and started northeastward, both
for the purpose of continuing Zaldivar's search and to learn more of the ill-fated
Humana expedition. For over three months he was absent upon this journey. He
came as far north as the site of Denver, then turned eastward into eastern Kan-
sas and, according to modern writers, went as far as the Missouri River, either
in Kansas or Nebraska. Nothing of material advantage resulted from this sec-
ond expedition, aside from the fact that Onate discovered the spot where Humana
and his soldiers had been annihilated by the Indians.
Following Onate's last attempt to discover riches in the north, there were no
more expeditions of consequence until 1662. Roving bands of Spaniards traveled
north in search of adventure, and generally found it, but their result was negative.
PUEBLO UPRISING .
Near the close of the Seventeenth Century the Spanish settlements along
the Rio Grande from the Taos Valley to Socorro had become numerous. Stock
raising and mining for gold were the chief occupations of the people. Pueblo
Indians were made slaves by the Spaniards and compelled to do all the heavy
work in the mines. This naturally led to an uprising among the natives, which
occurred in August, 1680. Then came days of massacre and conflict, with the
result that the Spaniards were either killed or driven southward toward El Paso.
By September 1st, it is recorded, not a live Spaniard was left upon the Upper
Rio Grande and all the settlements were destroyed.
Notwithstanding their utter defeat at first, the Spanish quickly recuperated
and sent out small bands to engage the Indians. Finally, in 1693-94, Don Diego
de Vargas, after desperate fighting, succeeded in retaking the land, but not in
returning the Indians to a state of slavery.
THE FRENCH MENACE
With the beginning of the Eighteenth Century there appeared a distinct
menace to the Spanish and their rights in New Spain. This menace was com-
prised of French explorers and colonists. La Salle came from France in the
winter of 1684-85, with a party of colonists, and had located on the Gulf Coast
about one hundred miles southwest of Galveston. He had previously, in 1682,
taken possession of the Mississippi River, all its tributaries and basin, in the
name of the French Crown. Settlements were made near New Orleans in 1699
and also in the present southern part of Illinois.
At the same time the Spanish had considerably extended their field of opera-
tions. Traders, missionaries and adventurers had gone as far as Montana and
Illinois. Many instances are recorded wherein the Spanish and French had found
evidences of each other's presence in different places. The trails crossed many
times, but until 1719 there were no signs of resistance by either.
VALVERDE'S EXPEDITION
In 1719 Governor Valverde assembled about one hundred soldiers and their
followers for an expedition against the French, whose inroads upon Spanish ter-
PIONEER MONUMENT, DENVER
28 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ritory had become serious. Their first purpose was to settle with some unruly
Comanche Indians and then continue the campaign against the French. The
party was joined later by Apaches, who had engaged in sanguinary conflict with
the French. Although Valverde claimed that he advanced farther north than
any other Spanish explorer, his purpose was unfulfilled and the expedition was
devoid of important results.
In 1720 another military force, under Pedro Villasur, left Santa Fe to es-
tablish a garrison on the northeast Spanish frontier. The object, as stated in the
De Montigny Memoirs, was to destroy the Missouri Indians, who were French
allies, and then confiscate the country, also to form an alliance with the Pawnees,
who were hostile to the Missouris. The Spanish first met the Missouri Indians
and mistook them for Pawnees. Unwittingly they bargained with these Indians
and thus exposed their whole plot. The Missouris maintained their bluff and
three days later, reinforced, fell upon the Spaniards and annihilated them.
From this time there appears to have been no more military expeditions by
the Spanish against the French on the northeastern border of New Spain. The
latter were practically unrestricted in their operations in this territory. How-
ever, the Spanish turned their attentions in another direction and resumed their
long journeys from the Rio Grande settlements. Little is known of these explora-
tions, for the simple reason that the Spanish did not keep records or maps of their
travels, thus differing from the French.
In the middle of the Eighteenth Century the present San Juan section of Colo-
rado became a district of great interest and several expeditions were sent there
by the Spanish in search of gold and silver. The first of these was that of Juan
Maria Rivera in 1761. This prospecting trip, such as it was, occupied a few
months' time without noteworthy result. Rivera and his companions are said
to have been the first white men to visit the Gunnison Valley.
ESCALANTE'S EXPLORATION
About 1773 Father Junipero Serra, in charge of the Spanish missions in Upper
California, urged that a road be established from Santa Fe to his missions on the
Pacific Coast. Until 1776 his pleas were ignored, then Father Francisco Silvestre
Velez Escalante was given the authority to head such an expedition into Cali-
fornia.
This exploring party started their journey in a northwesterly direction and
entered what is now Archuleta County. They reached the San Juan River and
encamped at a point three leagues below the junction with the Navajo on August
5th. This spot they called Nuestra Senora de las Nieves and it was the first
named site in Colorado of which the exact date is known.
From this place Escalante again took up his northwesterly course, crossing
several tributaries of the San Juan and giving them such names as Piedra Parada,
Pinos, Florida, and Las Animas. In order to avoid confusion, it must be stated
that the Rio las Animas, or Purgatory, is a tributary of the Arkansas in the south-
eastern part of the state and the Rio las Animas in southwestern Colorado is a
tributary of the San Juan. Escalante gave the appellation of Sierra de la Grulla
to the easterly extension of La Plata Range and called the La Plata River the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 29
Rio de San Joaquim. In the valley of the latter stream Escalante found evidences
of Rivera's mining investigations.
Arriving at the Rio Mancos, he heard from the Indians tales of gold mines
to the northeast and also saw the ruins of the ancient Cliff Dwellers in this dis-
trict. He was the first white man to visit these historic ruins, but he saw only
a part of them. From the Mancos Escalante proceeded northward to the Rio
Dolores. Along this stream he gave names to localities such as Asuncion, Aqua
Tapada, Canon Agua Escondida, Miera Labarinto, and Ancon San Bernardo.
To a small tributary of the Dolores the name of Paraliticas was given, the name
suggested by the sight of three paralyzed Ute squaws the party met there. Gyp-
sum Valley was entered about this point, otherwise called Cajon Del Yeso. After
ascending to a mesa, the party went on to the next halting point, called San
Bernabe. Another six leagues of march brought them to the San Miguel River,
which they called Rio de San Pedro. Places of encampment upon this stream
were San Luis, San Felipe and Fuento de la Guia. Leaving the San Miguel they
crossed the Canada Honda, probably the Uncompahgre Park, and encamped again
at the Ojo de Lain, so named in honor of their guide. Here Escalante reached
the Uncompahgre River and christened it the Rio Francisco. The first station
farther on was named San Augustin. It was estimated by the travelers that the
distance from the Uncompahgre to the Gunnison River, as they went, was about
ten leagues. The Indians called the Gunnison by the name of Tomichi, but Es-
calante renamed it the San Javier. A cross on the river bluff established the
fact that Rivera had reached this point.
Proceeding up the Gunnison the Spaniards came to another stream, which they
named Santa Rosa, and still farther they found another which they called Rio
Santa Monica. Then came the Rio San Antonia Martir, the present Divide
Creek. The two buttes, North Mam and South Mam, they gave the names of
San Silvestre and Nebuncari. Mam Creek they named Rio de Santa Rosalia.
Across the summit of Elk Range the party took their way and descended into
the valley of the Grand River, which river Escalante named Rio de San Rafael.
Continuing in a northwesterly course from the Grand they next encountered the
White River, called by them Rio de San Clemente. Their point of contact with
this river was about the Colorado-Utah line and the date September 9th.
From here the Escalante party passed into what is now the State of Utah.
From this state they returned to Santa Fe. Although Escalante did not succeed
in his original purpose, his name has been prominently recorded in the history
of the southwest part of the United States. In the northwestern corner of Colo-
rado his name has been given to a large range of mountain hills. Some years
later a trail was laid down from Santa Fe to Los Angeles, which traversed south-
western Colorado for a distance of 115 miles.
THE LAST SPANISH EXPEDITION
The last Spanish expedition to travel into the north country from the south
was that commanded by Lieut. Don Facundo Melgares. This was primarily a
military enterprise, undertaken after the United States had purchased the Prov-
ince of Louisiana. The Spanish became alarmed over the claims of the United
States and the rumors of Pike's expedition into the West. The Melgares expedi-
30 HISTORY OF COLORADO
tion accordingly was organized to go out to meet the incursions of Pike, to ex-
plore all the country between the Platte and Arkansas rivers to the Missouri
River, and to make friends with the Comanche, Pawnee, Kansas and other Indian
tribes. Melgares and his little army marched into the Comanche country and
bestowed upon the Indians presents and commissions, then went northeast to the
Arkansas River, to a place now in the southern part of Kansas. With a part of
his force, Melgares then entered the Pawnee country in the northern section of
Kansas, all the time watching for Pike. Returning to the other part of his band
on the Arkansas Melgares then followed the stream nearly to the site of Canon-
City, still in search of Pike. In this quest he failed, as Pike came later, but the
two had occasion to meet later while Pike was a partial prisoner of the Spanish
and they became warm friends.
As stated before this was the last of the Spanish expeditions in the north.
At this writing there are no evidences of any permanent settlement having been
made upon Colorado soil by them. From this time on, that is in 1806, when the
Melgares expedition went northward, Spain's participation in the affairs of the
Southwest was small. Prior to this time they had been masters in this country,
even over the region to the northwest which yet was unexplored. The treaty
made between England and France in 1763 took from the French all their au-
thority over the land now in the United States and left it under the control of
either the Spanish or English. In 1800, for some unknown reason, a treaty was
made by Spain and France, wherein Spain returned to France all the territory
which the latter had ceded to her in 1762. Three years later France sold all of
this territory to the United States, a negotiation which shall be described further
on. However, this still left about one-half of Colorado's area in the possession
of Spain. Mexico rebelled in the first part of the Nineteenth Century and in
the region of the Rockies she replaced Spanish ownership. About fifteen years
later the Republic of Texas came into existence and claimed more than half of
the present New Mexico, about two-fifths of Colorado and a small part of Wyo-
ming. This territory Texas held when admitted to the Union as a state. The
American war with Mexico placed the boundary between the country approxi-
mately the same as at present and made Colorado United States territory. In
1850 Texas gave up claims to the northwestern part of her territory in return
for a large sum from the United States Government.
THE FRENCH
The explorations of La Salle, Joliet and Marquette, were responsible for the
French claims to the Mississippi Valley in the first years of the Eighteenth Cen-
tury. Also, the French settlements upon the Gulf Coast were a large force to
this same end. Prior to La Salle's voyage down the Mississippi very few claims
were made by the French, except in the vicinity of the St. Lawrence River and the
Great Lakes. Afterward, however, they claimed all of the Mississippi Valley,
which included fully half of the present State of Colorado. In this claim the
French not only found opposition among the Spanish, but among the English
upon the eastern seaboard, who believed that their charters gave them possession
of the land from sea to sea.
The belief that the western coast of America was adjacent to, or a part of,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 31
the continent of Asia; the belief of a great waterway leading directly from the
Mississippi to the western ocean ; and the prevalence of rich and large mines of
gold, formed the basis of English and French calculations during the early
period. Map-makers confidently arranged their maps of the northwestern terri-
tory according to traditions and stories heard from the Indians and explorers.
Unscrupulous explorers, such as La Hontan, conceived marvelous stories of great-
rivers and Indian tribes, which they claimed they had found or traced. Boun-
daries were indefinite and neither the French nor the Spanish could have pointed
out exactly the territory which they believed to be theirs. Consequently, when
the French became the owners of Louisiana, they claimed a vast extent of coun-
try without regard to the rights of the Spanish or English.
One of the first attempts of the French to explore the northwest occurred in
1712, when a band of adventurers journeyed for several months. No record of
this enterprise exists, but it is known that they reached the plains country and
heard of the mountain ranges beyond. At this same time French traders and
trappers had begun to navigate the Missouri River and its tributaries. Although
it was some time before any of these traders reached the site of Denver, excur-
sions of equal distance in other directions were taken. The Crozat Government
in Louisiana, which began in 1713, endeavored to open up trade with the Span-
ish region to the southwest and in the valley of the Arkansas, basing its hopes
on the descriptions furnished by Indians. However, this attempt was abortive.
As an instance of the vague idea then held by the French in regard to their
western neighbors, the story of Bourgmont may be mentioned. In 1717, Bourg-
mont, an explorer who had become familiar with the lower part of the Missouri
River, reported that he had learned of the existence of a race far to the west
which traded with the Pawnees. The French accepted this story and, although
they knew that the Spanish were in that remote territory and that a large ocean
separated China from America, .they persisted in the belief that this new race was
Chinese.
In 1718 a memorial was prepared in Paris, outlining a plan for the develop-
ment of the mines on the Missouri and for making Louisiana the commanding
state in the new world. The memorial also stated : "Inasmuch as the Missouri
has one branch leading to the South Sea, trade can also be opened with Japan
and China." This branch assumed to lead to the South Sea was the River
Platte, of which the French had a very hazy idea.
DU TISNE
In the latter part of the year 1719 two French explorers started for the western
country, in order to gain some definite knowledge of it and use the same for the
benefit of their country. One of these expeditions was under command of Du
Tisne. He started from Kaskaskia and eventually arrived at a Pawnee village near
the present Fort Riley, Kansas, where he raised the French flag, as customary.
He made friends with these Indians, and then proceeded farther to visit the Padu-
cahs, after having gained the consent of the Pawnees, who were enemies of that
tribe. In November Du Tisne returned to Kaskaskia, without having found the
supposed Chinese or the river route to the South Sea.
32 HISTORY OF COLORADO
LA HARPE
The other expedition of like character was under the leadership of Benard
de la Harpe. This expedition also entered the country of the Paducahs. La
Harpe started from the French post on the Lower Red River, named Natchitoches.
He ascended the Arkansas River and probably came very near, if not into, the
plains of southeastern Colorado. At the point where the Santa Fe trail in later
years crossed the river, La Harpe found an immense gathering of Indians who
were friendly. They told of how easy it would be to reach the Spanish settle-
ments by way of the river, but cautioned La Harpe against doing so, well knowing
the hostility shown by the Spanish toward the French intruders. La Harpe re-
turned to his starting point without discovering anything of value, other than
the feelings of the Spaniards.
The expeditions of Du Tisne and La Harpe greatly alarmed the Spanish and
the military expedition described in foregoing paragraphs was despatched to
drive out the invaders. The terrible fate of this expedition at the hands of the
Missouri Indians has been described.
In 1721 La Harpe was sent upon another expedition, which was no more suc-
cessful than the first. The purpose was to learn whether or not the Arkansas would
make a satisfactory route for trade with New Mexico, also to obtain cattle from
the Spaniards upon the Rio Grande.
BOURGMONT'S SECOND APPEARANCE
In 1722 Bourgmont, whose fifteen years among the Indians of the Missouri
country had well qualified him for such work, was employed by the Company
of the West Indies, of French origin, and formed for the purpose of extending
commerce in Louisiana. He was instructed to devise means to hold the Spanish
from the Missouri. Bourgmont's first action was to erect a fort upon an island
in the vicinity of the present Jefferson City, called Fort Orleans. In June, 1724,
he built another fort up the Kansas River. Later, desiring to make friends with
the Indians, he took with him a small force of men and journeyed into the ter-
ritory occupied by the Kansas Indians. At a council held with these Indians they
promised Bourgmont safe conduct for French traders through their country to
the Spanish settlements on the Rio Grande. This was the last formal expedition
by the French for a period of fifteen years. Individual traders and adventurers
delved into the mysteries of the region during this time, returning each time with
bits of information of interest to the French government.
THE MALLET BROTHERS
With the purpose of finding a waterway into New Mexico, or to find the
western ocean and its eastern shore, the two Mallet brothers, with a small party of
Frenchmen, left the French settlements in Illinois in the spring of 1739 and as-
cended the Missouri River as far as the village of the Arickaree Indians. These
Indians pointed out to them that they were on the wrong road to the New Mexi-
can settlements and redirected them. Then, after descending the Missouri for a
distance, the Frenchmen started across country to the Platte, then known as the
MONUMENT TO WINFIELD SCOTT STEATTON, STEATTON
PAEK, COLOEADO SPEINGS
34 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Riviere des Padoucas. The Mallet brothers, in fact, gave this river the name of
Riviere la Plat. They followed this stream to the junction of the North and
South Platte, then proceeded up the latter to its meeting with the Lodge-pole
Creek, in the vicinity of the present Julesburg. The party then left the river
and again struck out across the plains in a southwest direction. They passed the
Arkansas, crossed the southern part of the Sangre de Cristo Range, then on to
Santa Fe. Here they remained until the following spring, then returned toward
the Mississippi. At a point in western Oklahoma the band separated, one cross-
ing the plains to the Missouri, and the other, with the Mallets, going down the
Canadian and Arkansas rivers to the Mississippi, thence to New Orleans. Thus,
it will be seen, the route of the Mallet brothers across Colorado began at the
northeast corner and led directly across the state from north to south.
The account of this expedition, when told to Governor Bienville at New
Orleans, led all the officials to believe that the Mallets were upon Chinese soil,
.Eastern Asia, when they were tramping across Colorado. The governor was so
excited over the expedition that he immediately made preparations for another,
in order to explore more deeply into the West.
FABREE DE LA BRUYERE
For the command of this expedition there was chosen Fabree de la Bruyere,
a naval officer. In the party were also the Mallet brothers, who wished to share
in the entrance to Asia, which they profoundly believed possible. La Bruyere
and his men ascended the Mississippi and the Arkansas in the fall of 1741, but
diverted his course into the Canadian, instead of continuing up the Arkansas as
originally intended. About one hundred miles from the latter stream's mouth he
constructed a small fort, in which the party spent the winter months. During
the long hours of this wait, the prospect of finding "Asia" and the Chinese be-
came very discouraging and resulted in the decision to return home. Upon
the return journey a stop was made at the mouth of the Canadian and all the
surrounding region was claimed in the name of the French king.
La Bruyere's journey ended forever the French quest for the western river
connection with the ocean and the eastern part of Asia. No more expeditions
were made in the direction of Colorado. Whether the French were convinced at
last that these things sought for did not exist, or whether the resentment shown
by the Spanish caused them to seek trade territory in other parts of Louisiana,
is hard to determine. The waterway to the western ocean, proof of which laid
only in the Indian reports, and the existence of the City of Quivira, persisted
for many years.
GOVERNMENTAL ASPECTS
Reference has been made in the earlier paragraphs of this chapter to Spain's
claim over the entire northwest territory. Her claim, naturally, was based upon
the "right of discovery," a much abused phrase and one calculated to cover
a multitude of governmental sins. Until the closing years of the Seventeenth
Century no serious opposition appeared from the Spanish in the Southwest.
Then, in 1682, when La Salle took possession of the Mississippi River and all
HISTORY OF COLORADO 35
its immense valley from the Alleghanies to the Rockies, the period of French
government may be said to have begun. In 1762, eighty years after La Salle's
voyage down the Mississippi, a secret treaty was consummated between France
and Spain, the terms of which allowed the Mississippi to be the eastern boundary
of New Spain, or New Mexico.
England declared war upon Spain in 1739 and upon France in 1744. This
overseas struggle did not end until 1748 and even then the peace compact was
considered nothing more than a truce. The interests of France and England
in North America immediately conflicted and in seven years resulted in another
war, which lasted seven years more. This Seven Years' War was concluded by
the Treaty of Fontainebleau on November 3, 1762, by which France ceded to
Great Britain all that part of Louisiana lying east of the Mississippi River "ex-
cept the City of New Orleans and the island upon which it is situated." This
treaty was ratified by the Treaty of Paris on February 10, 1763, at which time
it was announced that, by an agreement previously made in secret, "the city
and island of New Orleans, and all that part of Louisiana lying west of the Mis-
sissippi, including the whole country to the headwaters of the great river and
west to the Rocky Mountains," was ceded to Spain. In this way Colorado again
became Spanish territory, and continued so until the beginning of the Nine-
teenth Century.
The French Revolution during the closing years of the Eighteenth Century
brought into prominence two of the most noted characters in European history
— Napoleon and Talleyrand. These two great Frenchmen, feeling deeply the
loss of their country's American possessions, soon began to plan for the rebuild-
ing of a colonial empire, one of the chief features of which was the recovery
of Louisiana. At that time Don Carlos IV was King of Spain, but Channing
says: "The actual rulers in Spain were Dona Maria Luisa de Parma, his queen,
and Don Manuel Godoy, el Principe de la Paz, which title writers of English
habitually translate Trince of Peace.' "
Godoy, who had been influential in the formation and adoption of the Treaty
of Madrid in 1795, which gave the United States the free navigation of the
Mississippi, knew that he was not liked by Napoleon and Talleyrand. There-
fore, when they began overtures for the transfer of Louisiana back to France,
he resigned from the Spanish ministry, leaving the king without his most
efficient advisor. In exchange for Louisiana, Napoleon and Talleyrand offered
an Italian kingdom of at least one million inhabitants for the Duke de Parma,
prince presumptive, who was at once son-in-law and nephew of the ruling mon-
archs. The State of Tuscany was selected and its transfer to Spain was the
condition imposed by the secret Treaty of San Ildefonso. This treaty was con-
firmed by the Treaty of Madrid on March 21, 1801. So Colorado again became
French territory, so to remain until 1803, when by the Louisiana Purchase, her
soil came into the possession of the United States. Of this tremendous negotia-
tion a description is given in the following chapter.
Perhaps the first governor of the territory now in Colorado was the governor,
or commandant, at St. Louis, Captain St. Ange of the French Army, who went
to St. Louis in 1765, a short time after the founding of the city by Laclede and
Choteau. St. Ange was succeeded in 1770 by the first Spanish commandant,
Don Pedro Piernas, who served until May 19, 1775, when he was relieved by
36 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Don Francisco Crozat. The latter remained in office until June 14, '17/8,
then gave way to Don Fernando de Leyba. De Leyba died in June, 1780,
was succeeded by Lieut. Silvio Francisco Cartabona, who served until Crozat
was reappointed. Crozat's second term ended November 25, 1787, and then came
Don Manuel Perez. Zenon Trudeau followed in 1793 and stayed until 1799.
His successor was Don Carlos Dehault Delassus, a Frenchman who had become
a Spanish subject. In 1800, when France again became the controlling power
over Louisiana, Delassus yet remained at his post and governed until the acqui-
sition of the province by the United States in 1803. In fact, France had very
little jurisdiction, other than nominal, during the three years. At this point
begins the history of the American development of the Great West, which story
follows in the next chapter.
CHAPTER III
THE PERIOD OF AMERICAN EXPLORATION
THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE — LEWIS AND CLARK ZEBULON M. PIKE HIS FIRST
AND SECOND EXPEDITIONS FIRST VIEW OF THE MOUNTAINS MEETING WITH
THE SPANISH PIKERS SINCERITY LONG'S EXPLORING EXPEDITION FIRST
ASCENT OF PIKE'S PEAK JOHN C. FREMONT — THE SECOND EXPEDITION THE
THIRD AND FOURTH EXPEDITIONS OF FREMONT — THE GUNNISON EXPEDITION —
FREMONT'S LAST EXPEDITION.
THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE
A copy of the secret treaty between France and Spain which was confirmed by .
the Treaty of Madrid (March 21, 1801) was sent to President Jefferson by Rufus
King, then United States Minister to England. It reached the White House on
May 26, 1801. In August following, Robert R. Livingston went to France as
United States minister and immediately upon his arrival asked Talleyrand, then
the French Prime Minister, if the Province of Louisiana had been receded to
France. Talleyrand replied in the negative, and in one sense of the word he
was justified in doing so, as the Treaty of Madrid was not signed by the
King of Spain until in October, 1802. When President Jefferson received a copy
of the treaty sent by Mr. King, he wrote to James Monroe: "There is consid-
erable reason to apprehend that Spain cedes Louisiana and the Floridas to
France. To my mind this policy is very unwise for both France and Spain, and
very ominous to us."
During the next twelve months, President Jefferson and his cabinet officers
were kept in a state of suspense as to the status of Louisiana and little progress
was made toward a satisfactory adjustment of the navigation matter. On April
18, 1802, the President wrote to Mr. Livingston at Paris, advising him that the
American people were anxiously watching France's movements with regard to
Louisiana. In concluding his letter he said: "The day that France takes pos-
session of New Orleans fixes the sentence which is to restrain her forever within
her low water mark. It seals the union of two nations who in conjunction can
maintain exclusive (control) of the ocean. From that moment we must marry
ourselves to the British fleet and nation. The first cannon which shall be fired
in Europe will be the signal for tearing up any settlement she may have made,
and for holding the two continents of America in sequestration for the common
purpose of the united British and American nations."
Jefferson did not desire an alliance with England, but was firm in the con-
viction that French possession of Louisiana would force the United States to
37
38 HISTORY OF COLORADO
adopt such a course. In November, 1802, news reached Washington that the
Spanish authorities at New Orleans had suddenly and without warning with-
drawn the right -of deposit at that port. The country — particularly in the new
settlements in the Mississippi and Ohio valleys — was ablaze with indignation.
The federalists, Jefferson's political opponents, tried to force the administration
into some policy that would give them a political advantage, but their efforts
were futile. Says Channing: "Never in all his long and varied career did Jef-
ferson's foxlike discretion stand him in better stead. Instead of following public
clamor, he calmly formulated a policy and carried it through to a most successful
termination."
In his message to Congress at the opening of the session in 1802, the Presi-
dent merely stated that the change in ownership of Louisiana would necessarily
make a change in our foreign relations, but did not intimate what the nature
of that change would be. On January 7, 1803, the lower house of Congress,
acting upon the President's recommendation, adopted the following resolutions:
"Resolved, That it is the unalterable determination of the United States to main-
tain the boundaries and rights of navigation and commerce through the Mis-
sissippi River, as established by existing treaties."
On the 1 3th of the same month Mr. Jefferson wrote to James Monroe
that the federalists were trying to force the United States into war in order to
get into power. About the same time he wrote to Mr. Livingston that if France
considered Louisiana indispensable to her interests, she might still be willing to
cede to the United States the island of Orleans and the Floridas. Or, if not
willing to cede the island, she might be induced to grant the right of deposit at
New Orleans and the free navigation of the Mississippi, as it had previously
been under the Spanish regime, and directed him to open negotiations with that
end in view. A few days after writing this letter, thinking the cession could prob-
ably be more easily accomplished by sending an emissary direct from the United
States for that purpose, he appointed James Monroe as minister plenipotentiary,
to cooperate with Minister Livingston. The Senate promptly confirmed Mr.
Monroe's appointment and Congress placed at his disposal the sum of $2,000,000
to be used by him and Mr. Livingston to pay for the island.
In this connection, it may be well to note that the ultimate success of Liv-
ingston and Monroe was no doubt furthered by a letter written about this time
by Pichon, the French minister to the United States, to Talleyrand, in which
he advised the French prime minister that the people of the United States were
thoroughly aroused over the suspension of the right of deposit, and that the
administration might be forced by public opinion into an alliance with Great
Britain. War between England and France had just been renewed and Napoleon,
realizing the superior strength of the British Navy, saw that it would be a diffi-
cult undertaking to hold Louisiana if an alliance should be made between Eng-
land and the United States. He had a force of troops under General Victor ready
to send to New Orleans, but learned that an English fleet was lying in wait for
Victor's departure and countermanded the order.
In the meantime Livingston had opened negotiations for the cession of the
island of Orleans and West Florida, believing the Floridas were included in the
Treaty of San Ildefonso. On April n, 1803, Napoleon placed the entire matter
of the cession in the hands of the Marquis de Marbois, minister of the French
HISTORY OF COLORADO 39
Treasury, and the same day Talleyrand startled Livingston by asking if the
United States would not like to own the entire Province of Louisiana. Livingston
gave a negative reply, but Talleyrand insisted that Louisiana would be worth
nothing to France without the city and island of New Orleans and asked the
American minister to make an offer for the whole province. Another conference
was held the next morning and that afternoon Mr. Monroe arrived in Paris.
That night the two American envoys spent several hours in consultation, the
result of which was that Mr. Livingston was selected to conduct the negotiations.
Several days were then spent in discussing the matter, Marbois at first asking
125,000,000 francs ($25,000,000) for the whole province, though it afterward
cropped out that Napoleon had directed him to accept 50,000,000 francs, pro-
vided that a better price could not be obtained. The price finally agreed upon
was 80,000,000 francs, three-fourths of that amount to go directly to the French
treasury and the remainder to be used in s*ettling claims of American citizens
against the French government. The next step taken was to embody the terms in a
formal treaty, called the Treaty of Paris. The treaty bears the date of April 30,
1803, and was signed by Robert R. Livingston, James Monroe and Barbe Marbois.
The original cost of the entire territory thus ceded was about three cents
per acre, but McMaster says: "Up to June, 1880, the total cost of Louisiana
was $27,267,621." Out of the country acquired by the treaty have been erected
the following states : Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa,
Minnesota, North and South Dakota, one-third of Colorado, nearly all of Mon-
tana, three-fourths of Wyoming and Oklahoma. After the treaty was ratified
by both houses of Congress, Mr. Jefferson appointed William C. C. Claiborne, gov-
ernor of Mississippi, and Gen. James Wilkinson as commissioners to receive the
province from Pierre Laussat, the French commissary. The transfer was formally
made and the Stars and Stripes were raised at New Orleans on December
20, 1803.
LEWIS AND CLARK
Not long after the cession of Louisiana to the United States, President Jef-
ferson began making plans to send an expedition up the Missouri River to dis-
cover its sources, and to ascertain whether a water route to the Pacific coast was
practicable. As it was late in the year 1803 before the Treaty of Paris was rati-
fied, the expedition was postponed until the following spring. The President
selected as leaders of this expedition Capts. Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark, of the regular army. Both were natives of Virginia and the latter was
a brother of Gen. George Rogers Clark. On May 14, 1804, they left the mouth
of the Missouri River and ascended that stream. Their company consisted of
fourteen regular soldiers, nine young men from Kentucky, two French voy-
ageurs or boatmen, an Indian interpreter, a hunter and a negro servant belonging
to Captain Clark. Their main vessel was a keel-boat, fifty-five feet long, with
twenty-two oars and drawing three feet of water. It had a cabin, in which were
kept the most valuable articles, and a large square sail to be used when the wind
was favorable. They also had. two pirogues, fitted with six and seven oars
respectively. Two horses were led along the bank, to be used in hunting game.
These explorers continued to the headwaters of the Missouri River, then crossed
the Continental Divide and proceeded to the mouth of the Columbia River.
40 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ZEBULON M. PIKE
The life and efforts of young Lieut. Zebulon M. Pike, a young officer of the
regular army, are very closely associated with the early history of Colorado.
Pike was a debonair and dashing officer, with individual ideas, and well fitted
to conduct the expeditions into the western country. Of his unfortunate asso-
ciation with the notorious General Wilkinson, much has been written, some
authors giving Pike the benefit of the doubt, while others hesitate not in proclaiming
him a leader with traitorous designs.
Pike's first expedition occurred in 1805. On August pth of that year he left
St. Louis with a sergeant, two corporals and seventeen privates, to explore the
upper Mississippi River. He states, in his preface to the "JournaV that "I was
chosen to trace the Mississippi to its source, with the object in view contemplated
by my instructions ; to which I conceived my duty as a soldier should induce me
to add an investigation into the views of the British traders in that quarter as
to trade, and an inquiry into the limits of the territories of the United States and
Great Britain."
In the latter part of August, Lieutenant Pike held a council with the Indians
near the town of Montrose, Iowa. No attempt was made to conclude a treaty
with the Indians, but Pike's words of cheer made friends of them. Several
years later the noted Black -Hawk, Sac chieftain, described Pike's visit as fol-
lows : "A boat came up the river with a young chief and a small party of sol-
diers. We heard of them soon after they passed Salt River. Some of our young
braves watched them every day, to see what sort of people were on board. The
boat at last arrived at Rock River and the young chief came on shore with his
interpreter, made a speech and gave us some presents. We in turn gave them
meat and such other provisions as we could spare. We were well pleased with
the young chief. He gave us good advice and said our American father would
treat us well."
In order to gain a clear understanding of Pike's first trip a summary of his
journey is valuable. After leaving St: Louis he met a band of Chippewa chiefs
at Prairie du Chien and persuaded them to better their relations with the Sioux
Indians. The falls of St. Anthony was reached September 23d and here Pike
purchased a tract of land nine miles square at the mouth of the St. Croix, for
the location of a fort. In the middle of October, at Little Falls, Pike constructed
a stockade, where he left seven men. He arrived at Leech Lake (Lake La Sang
Sue) and believed it to be the main source of the Mississippi River. He then
traveled thirty miles farther to Cass Lake (Red Cedar). Here Pike spent his
time combating the influence of the British among the Indians, then returned
along the Mississippi to St. Louis, arriving on April 30, 1806.
PIKE'S SECOND EXPEDITION
In 1806 Lieutenant Pike led his second expedition, under the order of Gen.
James Wilkinson, westward to the Rockies, within the present State of Colorado.
The object of this expedition was, primarily, to restore to their people a band
of Osage Indians which had been held as captives by the Potawatomi of Illinois,
also to take home a number of Osage and Pawnee chiefs who had been to Wash-
LIEUT. ZEBULON M. PIKE
This portrait of Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike, of the United States Army and
for whom Pike's Peak was named, is reproduced from a photographic enlargement of an
engraved portrait of him that was made in 1810. He was the commander of a military ex-
pedition, ostensibly for exploring the central parts of the Far West, and which, departing from
Belle Fontaine, near St. Louis, crossed the country that now forms the states of Missouri
and Kansas, traversed the southwestern quarter of Colorado's area, and thence passed into
New Mexico, in the years 1806-07. Pike was born in Lamberton, N. J., on January 5,
1779, and having attained the rank of brigadier-general early in our last war with England,
was fatally injured on April 27, 1813, while leading the victorious assault on the British town
of York (Toronto), Canada.
42 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ington to visit the "Great Father." Pike himself wrote: "The great objects in
view by this expedition, as I conceived in addition to my instructions, were to
attach the Indians to our government, and to acquire such geographical knowl-
edge of the southwestern boundary of Louisiana as to enable our government
to enter into a definite arrangement for a line of demarkation between that terri-
tory and North Mexico."
The United States and Spain were at this time at swords' points over the
southwestern boundary of the Louisiana Purchase. Troops of the two govern-
ments were several times on the verge of conflict along the frontiers. Burr's
conspiracy and its menace to Spanish territory caused great uneasiness amoVig
the Spaniards; consequently, Pike was closely watched by secret agents during
the time of his preparation at St. Louis.
On July n, 1806, Pike went to Belle Fontaine, six miles from the mouth
of the Missouri River, where a cantonment was located. Late in the afternoon
of the I5th he and his party, accompanied by fifty-one Indians, left this point
and proceeded up the Missouri River in two large boats ; the Indians traveled on
foot along the shore. Pike's main command consisted of :
Lieut. James B. Wilkinson, son of Gen. James Wilkinson; John H. Robinson,
physician ; Joseph Ballenger, sergeant ; William E. Meek, sergeant ; Jeremiah
Jackson, corporal; Baroney Vasquez, interpreter; John Boley, private; Henry
Kennerman, private; Samuel Bradley, private; John Brown, private; Jacob
Carter, private ; Thomas Dougherty, private ; William Gordon, private ; Solomon
Huddleston, private; Theodore Miller, private; Hugh Menaugh, private; John
Mountjoy, private; Alexander Roy, private; John Sparks, private; Patrick Smith,
private; Freegift Stout, private; John Wilson, private.
The expedition traveled slowly up the Missouri northward to the Osage
River, thence along that stream and its north fork to the vicinity of the "Grand
Osage" village. One writer locates this village "some fifteen or twenty miles
northeastward of the present city of Fort Scott, Kansas." Here the captives
were delivered to their people and pack-horses secured for the remainder of the
westward journey.
On September ist Pike and his party, somewhat changed in personnel, left
the village of the Osage. His course first took a southeast direction, then bore
northwestward through Kansas. He arrived among the Pawnees on September
25th and on the 2pth held a grand council. The exact location, of this Pawnee
village is in doubt. It has been placed just north of the Kansas-Nebraska line
on the Republican River and also in the northwestern part of the present Republic
County, Kansas. The former version bears the greater weight of opinion. Here
Pike learned very interesting news regarding the Spanish, namely, the Malgares
expedition, which had previously visited the Pawnees. In all, Pike learned that
the Spanish were apprehensive of American intentions in the Southwest.
October 8th was the date of Pike's departure from the Pawnees. He now
traveled south by west and reached the Arkansas River on the I4th, near the
site of the present Kansas town of Great Bend. A crossing was made and camp
tents pitched on the other side. Here a rest of ten days occurred, while a detach-
ment of five soldiers and two Osage guides, under command of Lieutenant
Wilkinson, descended the Arkansas to visit the post on that river. Recrossing
the river, Pike then proceeded westward on the north bank, following an old
HISTORY OF COLORADO 43
Spanish military trail. On the 3Oth of October the party recrossed the river
again to the south bank and entered the land of Colorado.
FIRST VIEW OF THE MOUNTAINS
On November I5th Pike first obtained a glimpse of the Rockies, including
what is now Pike's Peak. At this time he was near the mouth of the Purgatory
River. In his Journal Pike describes the incident thus :
"At two o'clock in the afternoon, I thought I could distinguish a mountain
to our right, which appeared like a small blue cloud ; viewed it with the spy-glass,
and was still more confirmed in my conjecture, yet only communicated it to
Doctor Robinson, who was in front of me, but in half an hour it appeared in
full view before us. When our small party arrived on the hill, they with one
accord gave three cheers to the Mexican Mountains. Their appearance can
easily be imagined by those who have crossed the Alleghanies, but their sides
were white as if covered with snow, or a white stone."
Two days later Pike added: "Marched at our usual hour; pushed on with
the idea of arriving at the mountains, but found at night no visible difference in
their appearance from what we had observed yesterday."
The march was continued until the 23d when the party arrived at the St.
Charles, a small tributary of the Arkansas, and encamped. Pike at this point
determined to make an ascent of the "Grand Peak," now called Pike's Peak,
although the country was in the midst of winter. The distance to be traveled
seemed to him to be short, a deception which has occurred to many travelers
since. Writing in his Journal on the 23d of November, Pike states that "as
the river appeared to be dividing itself into several small branches, and of
course must be near its extreme source, I concluded to put my party in a defen-
sible situation, and to ascend the north fork to the high point of the Blue Moun-
tain, which we conceived would be one day's march, in order to be enabled from
its summit to lay down the various branches of the river and the positions of
the country." A small log breastwork was accordingly built the next morning
"five feet high on three sides and the other was thrown on the river." This
insignificant fortification has been located at various points on the Fontaine, one
writer placing it at a point in Pueblo, where Union Avenue crosses the river.
However, it is known practically for certain that this small breastwork was
the first structure erected by Americans in what is now the State of Colorado.
At one o'clock on the 24th Pike, Doctor Robinson and two of the soldiers
started toward the peak, leaving the remainder of the company to hold the fort
and guard the supplies. Pike fully expected to reach the mountain before even-
ing. Fifty miles was the distance they had to travel in order to accomplish this
feat, but they made only twelve before night. Pike's Journal, under date of the
25th, states : "Marched early with expectation of ascending the mountain, but
was only able to camp at its base, after passing over many small hills, covered
with cedars and pitch pines."
However, instead of being at the base of the "Grand Peak," Pike was
fully ten miles from that spot, mistaking another peak — probably Cheyenne —
for the main elevation. Upon the 26th the travelers began the torturous ascent
of the Cheyenne Peak, alternately marched and climbed all day and in the
44 HISTORY OF COLORADO
evening made their camp in a cave. They had brought no bedding or food with
them, as they had expected to make the round trip in one day. Pike describes
the trip in the following words:
"Arose hungry, thirsty, and extremely sore from the unevenness ' of the
rocks on which we had lain all night; but were amply compensated for our toil
by the sublimity of the prospects below. The unbounded prairie was overhung
with clouds, which appeared like the ocean in a storm, wave piled on wave, and
foaming, whilst the sky over our heads was perfectly clear. Commenced our
march up the mountain, and in about one hour arrived at the summit of this
chain ; here we found the snow middle deep, and discovered no sign of beast or
bird inhabiting this region. The thermometer which stood at 9 degrees above
zero at the foot of the mountain, here fell to 4 degrees below. The summit of
the Grand Peak, which was entirely bare of vegetation, and covered with snow,
now appeared at the distance of fifteen or sixteen miles from us, and as high
again as that we had ascended ; it would have taken a whole day's march to have
arrived at its base, when I believe no human being could have ascended to its
summit. This, with the condition of my soldiers, who had only light overhauls
on, and no stockings, and were every way ill-provided to endure the inclemency
of this region, the bad prospect of killing anything to subsist on, with the further
detention of two or three days which it must occasion, determined us to return.
The clouds from below had now ascended the mountain and entirely enveloped
the summit, on which rest eternal snows. We descended by a long deep ravine
with much less difficulty than we had contemplated. Found all our baggage
safe, but the provisions all destroyed. It began to snow, and we found shelter
under the side of a projecting rock, where we all four made a meal on one
partridge, and a pair of deer's ribs which the ravens had left us, being the first
food we had eaten for forty-eight hours."
Pike consumed two days' time in returning to the other men and the breast-
work. On the morning of the 3Oth, he abandoned this place and, under stormy
and adverse conditions, moved up the Arkansas. On December 3d, Pike, with
the assistance of Doctor Robinson and others, took the altitude of the Grand
Peak and by their calculations judged it to be 18,581 feet in height, an error of
4,400 feet. This mistake was made in over-estimating the altitude of the base
of the mountain.
On the 5th the party encamped very near the present site of Canon City,
from where he sent out small scouting parties to locate traces of the Spaniards.
This camp was the starting point of a month's wandering through the mountain
gullies, canyons and across ridges, the men suffering during all the time from
the severe weather. Provisions became scarce, game for themselves and food
for the animals were almost impossible to find. A return was made to the Canon
City site on January 5, 1807. While searching for the Red River, Pike came to
the South Platte, marched through South Park, left it by Trout Creek Pass and
then struck over to the Arkansas, which he thought to be the Red River. While
holding forth at Canon City camp, Pike and others of the party made sepa-
rate excursions farther up the Arkansas, both for exploration purposes and
to bag any game which might appear. He found evidences of the Spanish
explorers' trail, but had no actual conflict with any othdr white men. By January
9th (1807) the small parties which had separated on the loth of the preceding
HISTORY OF COLORADO 45
month were reunited at the Canon City camp. "The whole party was once more
joined together," writes Pike, "when we felt comparatively happy, notwith-
standing the great mortification I felt at being so egregiously deceived as to the
Red River."
"I now felt at considerable loss how to proceed," he continues in his Journal,
"as any idea of service at that time from my horses was entirely preposterous.
Thus, after various plans formed and rejected, and the most mature deliberation,
I determined to build a small place for defense and deposit, and leave part of
the baggage, horses, my interpreter, and one man ; and with the remainder, with
our packs of Indian presents, ammunition, tools, etc., on our backs, to cross the
mountains on foot, find the Red River, and then send back a detachment to
conduct the horses and baggage after us, by the most eligible route we could
discover; by which time we calculated our horses would be so far recovered
as to be able to endure the fatigue of the march. In consequence of this determi-
nation, some were put to constructing the blockhouse, some to hunting, some
to take care of horses, etc. I myself made preparations to pursue a course of
observations, that would enable me to ascertain the latitude and longitude of the
situation, which I conceived to be an important one."
. This blockhouse, or cache, was probably constructed within the corporate
limits of the present Canon City.
This strenuous journey in the quest of the Red River began on January 14,
1807. In the party were, besides Pike, the doctor and eighteen soldiers, according
to the Journal. There is a discrepancy here, as there were only twelve soldiers
in the whole party and one of them was left at the Canon City site with Inter-
preter Vasquez. The course first followed Grape Creek into the Wet Mountain
Valley and after a few days out the men encamped at the foot of the Sangre
de Cristo Range. Whatever experiences Pike and his men had undergone before
and whatever hardships and privations they suffered were minimized by the
intense and terrible suffering which lay just before them. The air was bitter
cold and when the encampment was made Pike found nine of his men with
frozen feet. Sleep was impossible under these conditions. Pike and Doctor
Robinson sallied out the next morning in search of food and on the afternoon of
the second day were fortunate enough to kill a Buffalo. This was the fourth
day since they had eaten. Nothing to be gained by remaining at this point, Pike
resolved to continue the hard journey, even in the face of the past experience.
Two of the men were unable to move and finally they were left in a shelter,
with food and ammunition, to wait until relief could come back to them. This
second lap of the trip was in every way a repetition of the first. A crossing
of the Sangre de Cristo Range was made and view obtained of the Rio Grande
River flowing through what is now the San Luis Park. From here Pike took a
southwest course and on the evening of January 30, 1807, came to the river,
about the site of Alamosa, Conejos County, Colorado. .
After crossing the river the party proceeded southward to the Conejos. Here
a fortified station was erected and the American flag raised. The stockade, which
was raised on the north bank of the river, is described by Pike thus : "The
stockade was situated on the north bank of the western branch, the west fork of
the Rio del Norte, about five miles from its junction with the main river, in a small
prairie. The south flank joining the edge of the river (which at that place was
46 HISTORY OF COLORADO
not fordable), the east and west curtains were flanked by bastions in the N. E.
and N. W. angles, which likewise flanked the curtain on the north side of the
work. The stockade from the center of the angles of the bastions was thirty-
six feet square. There were heavy cottonwood logs about two feet in diameter,
laid up all around about six feet, after which lighter ones until we made it
twelve feet in height; these logs were joined together by a lap of about two
feet at each end. We then dug a small ditch on the inside all around, making
it perpendicular on the internal side, and sloping next the work; in this ditch
we planted small stakes of about six inches diameter, sharpened .at the upper
end to a nice point, slanting them over* the top of the work, giving them about
two and a half feet projection. We then secured them below and above in that
position, which formed a small pointed frieze, which must have been removed
before the works could have been scaled. Lastly, we dug a ditch round the
whole, four feet wide, and let the water into it ; the earth taken out being thrown
against the work, forming an excellent rampart against small arms, three or four
feet high. Our mode of getting in was to crawl over the ditch on a plank, and
into a small hole sunk below the level of the work near the river for that pur-
pose. Our portholes were pierced about eight feet from the ground, and a plat-
form prepared to shoot from.
"Thus fortified, I should not have had the least hesitation in putting the
hundred Spanish horse at defiance until the first or second night, and then to
have made our escape under cover of darkness; or made a sally and dispersed
them, when resting tinder a full confidence of our being panic struck by their
numbers and force."
From here five men were dispatched northward to bring in the men who
had been left on the trail. Part of them were brought in, but two others were
unable to come, "but they sent on to me some of the bones taken out of their
feet and conjured me by all that was sacred, not to leave them to perish far
from the civilized world." These men were afterward returned to the main
party, also Interpreter Vasquez and the soldier who had been left in charge of
the first fort.
FIRST MEETING WITH THE SPANISH
Pike's first meeting with the Spanish occurred on February 16, 1807, while
he and one of his soldiers were engaged in hunting. Pike's own account of this
incident is as follows:
"Immediately afterwards (the wounding of a deer six miles from the fort)
I discovered two horsemen rising the summit of a hill about half a mile to our
right. As my orders were to avoid giving alarm or offense to the Spanish gov-
ernment of New Mexico, I endeavored to shun them at first, but when we
attempted to retreat, they pursued us at full charge, flourishing their lances, and
when we advanced they would retire as fast as their horses could carry them.
Seeing this, we got into a small ravine, in hopes to decoy them near enough to
oblige them to come to a parley, which happened agreeably to our desires. As
they came on, hunting us with great caution, we suffered them to get within
forty yards, where we had allured them, but were about running off again, when I
ordered the soldier to lay down his arms and walk towards them, at the same
HISTORY OF COLORADO 47
time standing ready with my rifle to kill either who should lift an arm in a hos-
tile manner. I then halloed to them, that we were Americans and friends, which
were almost the only two words I knew in the Spanish language; after which,
with great signs of fear, they came up, and proved to be a Spanish dragoon and
a civilized Indian; armed after their manner * * * We were jealous of
our arms on both sides and acted with great precaution. They informed me
that that was the fourth day since they had left Santa Fe; that Robinson had
arrived there, and had been received with great kindness by the governor. As I
knew them to be spies, I thought it proper merely to inform them that I was about
to descend the river to Natchitoches. We sat here on the ground a long time,
and finding they were determined not to leave me, we arose and bade them adieu ;
but they demanded where our camp was, and finding that they were not about
to depart, I thought it most proper to take them with me, thinking we were on
Red River, anci of course in the territory claimed by the United States.
"We took the road to my fort, and as they were on horseback, they traveled
rather faster than myself. They were halted by the sentinel and immediately
retreated much surprised. When I came up I took them in and then explained
to them as well as I was able, my intentions of descending the river to Natchi-
toches but at the same time told them that if Governor Allencaster would send
out an officer with an interpreter, who spoke French or English, I would do
myself the pleasure to give his excellency every reasonable satisfaction as to my
intentions in coming on his frontiers. They informed me that on the second day
they would be in Santa Fe, but were careful never to suggest an idea of my
being on the Rio del Norte. As they concluded I did not think as I spoke, they
were very anxious to ascertain our number, etc. Seeing only five men here, they
could not believe we came without horses ; to this I did not think proper to afford
them any satisfaction, giving them to understand we were in many parties."
On the morning of February I7th the two visitors departed from the fort.
From this time on Pike fully expected to be visited by* a large force of Spaniards
and in this expectation he was not disappointed. On the 26th they came.
"In the morning I was apprised by the report of a gun from my look-out
guard, of the approach of strangers ; immediately after two Frenchmen arrived.
My sentinel halted them, and I ordered them to be admitted after some ques-
tions. They informed me that his excellency, Governor Allencaster, hearing it
was the intention of the Utah Indians to attack me, had detached an officer with
fifty dragoons to come out and protect me, and that they would be with me in
two days. To this I made no reply, but shortly after, the party hove in sight,
as I afterwards learned ; fifty dragoons and fifty mounted militia of the Province
armed in the same manner, with lances, escopates and pistols. My sentinels
halted them at the distance of about fifty yards. I had the works manned;
I thought it most proper to send out the two Frenchmen to inform the com-
manding officer that it was my request he should leave his party in a small copse
of the wood where he halted, and that I would meet him myself in the prairie, in
which our work was situated ; this I did, with my sword on me only. I was then
introduced to Don Ignatio Saltelo and Don Bartholomew Fernandez, two lieu-
tenants; the former the commander of the party: I gave them an invitation to
enter the works, but requested the troops might remain where they were. This
was complied with ; but when they came round and discovered that to enter they
48 HISTORY OF COLORADO
were obliged to crawl on their bellies over a small drawbridge, they appeared
astonished; they, however, entered without further hesitation.
"We first breakfasted, on some deer, meal, goose, and some biscuit, which
the civilized Indian who came out as a spy had brought me. After breakfast
the commanding officer addressed me as follows:
" 'Sir, the Governor of New Mexico, being informed that you had missed
your route, ordered me to offer you in his name mules, horses, money, or what-
ever you may stand in need of, to conduct you to the head of Red River; as
from Santa Fe, to where it is sometimes navigable, is eight days' journey, and
we have guides and the routes of the traders to conduct us.'
"'What/ interrupted I, 'is not this the Red River?' 'No, sir, it is the Rio
del Norte.' I immediately ordered my flag to be taken down and rolled up, feel-
ing how sensibly I had committed myself in entering their territory, and was
conscious that they must have positive orders to take me in. He now added
that he had provided one hundred mules and horses to take in my party and
baggage, and stated how anxious his excellency was to see me at Santa Fe.
I stated to him the absence of my sergeant, the situation of the rest of the party,
and that my orders would not justify my entering into the Spanish territories.
He urged still further, until I began to feel myself a little heated in the argu-
ment, and told him in a peremptory style that I would not go until the arrival
of my sergeant, with the remainder of my party. He replied that there was not
the least restraint to be used, only that it was necessary his excellency should
receive an explanation of my business on his frontiers ; that I might go now,
or on the arrival of my party; but that if none went at present he should be
obliged to send in for provisions. He added that if I would now march, he would
leave an Indian interpreter and an escort of dragoons to conduct the sergeant
into Santa Fe. His mildness induced me to tell him that I would march, but
must leave two men in order to meet the sergeant and party to instruct him as
to coming in, as he would never do so without a fight, unless ordered.
"I was induced to consent to the measure by conviction that the officer had
a positive command to convey me in ; and as I had no orders to engage in hos-
tilities, and indeed had committed myself, although innocently, by violating their
territory, I conceived it would be better to show a will to come to an explanation,
rather than to be put in any way constrained. Yet my situation was so eligible,
and I could have so easily put them to defiance, that it was with great reluctance
I suffered all our labor to be lost, without once trying the efficacy of it.
"My compliance seemed to spread general joy through the Spanish party,
as soon as it was communicated. But it appeared to be different with my men,
who wished to have had a little dust (as they expressed it), and were likewise
fearful of Spanish treachery.
"My determination being once taken, I gave permission for the lieutenant's
men to come to the outside of the works and some of mine to go out and see
them. Immediately the hospitality and goodness of the Creoles and Mestis began
to be manifested by their producing their provision and giving it to my men ;
at the same time covering them with their blankets.
"After writing orders to my sergeant, and leaving them with my corporal
and one private who were to remain, we sallied forth, mounted our horses, and
HISTORY OF COLORADO 49
went up the river about twelve miles to a place where the Spanish officers had
made a camp deposit, from whence we sent down mules for our baggage."
Pike's experiences with the Spanish do not form a part of the history of
Colorado, but are interesting in demonstrating the attitude of the Spanish toward
the Americans. Pike and his men were conducted to Santa Fe and there cour-
teously received by Governor Allencaster. The governor questioned Pike mi-
nutely and examined his papers, but notwithstanding the good treatment accorded
him, Pike felt himself a prisoner. From Santa Fe the Americans were taken
to El Paso and from there to Chihuahua, where they were again questioned,
this time by General Salcedo. Leaving Chihuahua eventually, Pike and his men
were escorted by a roundabout course through the northeastern part of what
is now Mexico to the lower part of the Rio Grande, then by way of San Antonio
across Texas to Natchitoches, where they were released on July i, 1807.
PIKE'S SINCERITY
The name of Zebulon M. Pike has been associated with one of the most
treasonable plots ever contemplated in the United States — that originating in
the minds of Aaron Burr and Gen. James Wilkinson. Pike has been treated as
equally treasonable by some writers of history, but on the other hand has had
staunch apologists who have endeavored to show that he was a spirited young
military officer who believed he was following orders. There is no doubt that
the expedition of which he was the leader was formulated by Burr and Wilkin-
son and was a move for the purpose of planning a seizure of a great part of
the Mississippi Valley and much of New Spain, and there to establish another
empire with Burr in supreme command. Wilkinson, who was proved a traitor
and of the blackest character not only in this, but in other schemes, readily
fell in with Burr's schemes and immediately began to learn the attitude of his
younger officers. Wilkinson was at this time at the head of the United States
Army. Whatever Pike's participation in this plot was, it is certain that he was
aware of the real purpose of the expedition which he led to the Rockies. Cer-
tain features of the journey prove that it was not an exploring expedition, but
something more sinister and deeper.
After the trial of Burr, Pike wrote: "There have not been wanting persons
of various ranks who have endeavored to infuse the idea into the minds of the
public that the last voyage was undertaken through sinister designs of General
Wilkinson ; and although this report had been amply refuted by two letters from
the secretary of war, yet I cannot forbear, in this public manner, declaring the
insinuation to be a groundless calumny, arising from the envenomed breasts of
persons who, through enmity to the general, would, in attempting his ruin, hurl
destruction on all those who, either through official stations or habits of friend-
ships, ever had any connection with that gentleman."
Harry B. Tedrow, of Denver, who has studied the subject of Pike's life
with extraordinary thoroughness, in an article on "Zebulon M. Pike and Aaron
Burr," (Colorado Springs Gazette, August 18, 1901), states:
"His intimacy with Wilkinson at the time that bombastic general was hand
in hand with Aaron Burr tinges his reputation with a suspicion that even the
glory of his soldier's death cannot remove. It is almost too much to believe that
50 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Pike was ignorant of Wilkinson's ulterior designs in sending him to the Rocky
Mountain region. At the same time the duty of a soldier admitted of no ques-
tioning and he might have gone, as soldiers usually go; not because they would,
but because they must. . . . He (Pike) stands convicted by his own story."
In regard to the ostensible object of Pike's smoking the peace-pipe with the
Indians, Tedrow says:
"But other evidence tends to show that Wilkinson also gave some instruc-
tions which stopped short of nothing less than premeditated invasion of Spanish
ground. It takes no extraordinary imagination to believe that the general antici-
pated the capture of Pike and his men."
It is altogether probable that Tedrow's article was one of the first published
which actually attempted to establish Pike's connection with the Burr conspiracy,
although Elliott Coues, in his "The Expeditions of Zebulon Montgomery Pike,"
(1895), established Pike's connection with Wilkinson and Burr and his duplicity
of motive.
It is not the purpose here to set forth in detail the arguments pro and con
in regard to the Pike expedition. The History of Colorado is concerned more
with the adventures of this courageous soldier in the Rockies, which have
been described in preceding paragraphs. The world-famous Pike's Peak has
been named after him, although he did not succeed in ascending this mountain,
nor was he the first white man to see it. The Spaniards had looked upon its
majestic grandeur, fur traders and trappers had gazed upon it, and undoubtedly
the first American who saw the peak was James Purcell, whose trail led near it
about eighteen months before Pike's arrival.
Zebulon Montgomery Pike was born in Lamberton, New Jersey, January
5, 1779, and was the son of Zebulon Pike, an officer in the Revolution. At fifteen
years of age young Pike joined his father's regiment as a cadet and at twenty-one
years of age received a lieutenant's commission. Before his death he reached the
rank of brigadier general. After his expedition to the Rockies, Pike served
under Gen. Henry Dearborn in the campaign against York (Toronto), Canada,
in the spring of 1813. On April 27th he led an attack against the British there
and dispersed the garrison. As the English fled they blew up their powder
magazine and a piece of masonry, hurtling through the air, mortally wounded
the gallant Pike. A few hours later he died. His body was first interred at
Sackett's Harbor, New York, then in 1819 removed to the military cemetery
at Madison Barracks, New York, where it now lies.
In the collection of the Colorado State Historical and Natural History Society
at the Historical Building in Denver is the sword which Pike wore at the time
of his death.
LONG'S EXPLORING EXPEDITION
The exploring expedition commanded by Maj. Stephen H. Long in the year
1820 was the logical successor of the "Yellowstone Expedition" of 1818. The pur-
poses of the expedition were to explore the Mississippi River above the mouth
of the Missouri, then the Missouri, the Arkansas and Red rivers; to conciliate
the Indians ; to locate sites for military posts on the Upper Missouri and to
locate exactly certain notable points in the western country. This so-called
MAJ. STEPHEN HAEEIMAN LONG
This portrait is reproduced from a photographic enlargement of an engraved copy of a
daguerreotype of him that was made in or near the period of our war with Mexico. Major
Long was of the old corps of the Topographical Engineers of the United States Army, and
a native of New Hampshire. It was for him that Long 's Peak was named, and he commanded
a well organized and efficient exploring expedition into the Colorado section of the Kocky
Mountains in the year 1820. He died at Alton, Illinois, September 4, 1864.
52 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Yellowstone expedition was directly in the interest of the people, as it was to
decide largely whether or not the western country was worthy of settlement.
A small military force, under command of Col. Henry Atkinson, was sent
to the site of Leavenworth, Kansas, in the fall of 1818 and there passed the
winter, expecting to cooperate with Long. The Western Engineer, the second
steamboat to navigate the Missouri, left Pittsburgh on May 5, 1819, with Long and
his party on board, arrived at St. Louis on the ipth and on the 2ist began the
trip up the river. Progress was slow and not until September I7th did the boat
reach winter quarters, which had been established about twenty miles above the
present City of Omaha. Major Long went back East for the winter, returning
in the spring of 1820. In the meantime, Congress had become aggravated over
the delay and issued new instructions, changing very much the original purposes
of the expedition. An exploration of the West to the headwaters of the Platte,
Arkansas and Red rivers, formed the new plan. A treaty between the United
States and Spain in 1819 decided the location of the Spanish boundary line in
the Southwest; Colorado's present area west of the Continental Divide and
south of the Arkansas River was thereby made Spanish ground.
Long soon had his party organized for the long march to the Rockies. The
personnel of the expedition was as follows:
Stephen H. Long, major of the U. S. Topographical Engineers; J. R. Bell,
captain of Light Artillery, U. S. A.; W. H. Swift, lieutenant of Artillery Corps,
U. S. A., assistant topographer; Dr. Thomas Say, zoologist; Dr. Edwin James,
botanist, geologist and surgeon; T. R. Peale, assistant naturalist; Samuel Sey-
mour, landscape painter; Stephen Julien, French and Indian interpreter; H.
Dougherty, hunter; D. Adams, Spanish interpreter; Zachariah Wilson, baggage
master; J. Oakley, civilian; J. Duncan, civilian; John Sweeney, private, Artillery
Corps; William Parish, corporal; Peter Barnard, private; Robert Foster, pri-
vate; Charles Myers, private; Mordecai Nowland, private; Joseph Verplank,
private.
On June 6, 1820, the expedition started westward through the present State
of Nebraska, passed through and tarried at the Pawnee villages in the Loup
River district, and on the 22d reached the forks of the North and South Platte
rivers. From here they moved along the South Platte and, according to Doctor
James' map, crossed the northeastern corner of Colorado on the 26th. Animals
in great number were seen in this territory, including bison, deer, badgers, wolves,
hares, eagles, buzzards, ravens and owls. Doctor James records that "This barren
and ungenial district appeared, at that time, to be filled with greater numbers
of animals than its meager productions are sufficient to support. It was, how-
ever, manifest that the bisons, then thronging in such numbers, were moving
towards the south. Experience may have taught them to repair at certain sea-
sons to the more luxurious plains of the Arkansas and Red rivers."
"On the 3Oth," writes Doctor James, "we left our encampment at our accus-
tomed early hour, and at 8 o'clock were cheered by a distant view of the Rocky
Mountains. For some time we were unable to decide whether what we saw were
mountains, or banks of cumulous clouds skirting the horizon, and glittering in
the reflected rays of the sun. It was only by watching the bright parts, and
observing that their form and position remained unaltered, that we were able
to satisfy ourselves that they were indeed mountains. Our first views of the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 53
mountains were indistinct on account of some smokiness of the atmosphere,
but from our encampment at noon we had a very distinct and satisfactory pros-
pect of them. Snow could be seen on every part of them which was visible
above our horizon." Shortly after this, the party noticed "three conic summits,
each apparently of equal altitude. This we concluded to be the point designated
by Pike as the 'Highest Peak.' "
However, it was not the mountain peak which had been described by Pike.
This was the lofty peak which at present bears the name of Major Long. From
the point of view obtained by Long's party, there appeared to be three peaks, as
a view from the north now will give. Long's name was not given to the peak
at this .time, but within the next decade trappers and traders began to call it
Long's Peak, an appellation which has been maintained.
On July ist the Long party went into camp on the bank of the South Platte,
a short distance below the mouth of the Cache a la Poudre River, and on the
3d the march was resumed, crossing made of the Poudre, Big Thompson and
Vrain creeks. No side trip was made to the high peak, which was fully forty
miles distance on the 3d. On Independence Day the camp was made near what
is now the county seat of Adams County and a fitting celebration held in honor
of the day. The next day the party ascended the Platte River about ten miles
and again rested. According to Long's map this brought them to the site of
Denver.
On the morning of the 6th the party left this encampment and "crossed Ver-
million Creek, a considerable tributary from the south." This stream has been
identified as the present Cherry Creek. In the reports Long describes a "Cannon-
ball Creek" also, which must have been Clear Creek. Doctor James records that :
"Opposite the mouth of Vermillion Creek, is a much larger stream, from the
northwest, which is called Medicine-Lodge Creek, from an old Indian medicine
lodge which formerly stood near its mouth. A few miles farther, on the same
side, is Grand Camp Creek, heading also in the mountains. About four years
previous to the time of our visit, there had been a large encampment of Indians,
namely, the Kiawas, Arrapahoes, and Kaskaias or Bad-hearts, had been assem-
bled together, with forty-five French hunters, in the employ of Mr. Choteau
and Mr. Demun of St. Louis. They had been assembled for the purpose of hold-
ing a trading council with a band of Shiennes. These last had been recently
supplied with goods by the British traders on the Missouri, and had come to
exchange them with the former for horses. The Kiawas, Arrapahoes, etc., who
wander in the extensive plains of the Arkansas and Red rivers, have always a
great number of horses, which they rear with much less difficulty than the
Shiennes, whose country is cold and barren * * * Two miles beyond Grand
Camp Creek is the mouth of Grape Creek, and a little above on the opposite side
that of Defile Creek, a tributary to the Platte, from the south, which has its
course in a narrow defile, lying along the base of the mountains."
The names of the creeks mentioned in James' report are not those at present
applied to these streams. It is even hard to identify the streams as described
by the historian. It has been presumed, however, by modern writers, that Grand
Camp Creek is the same as Bear Creek, Grape Creek the present Deer Creek,
and Defile Creek the Plum Creek.
By noon of the 6th the party arrived at the foothills and at the entrance of
54 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Platte Canon remained for two days. Doctor James and others expected to
ascend the distant mountains and return the same day, but, as Pike had been,
were deceived by the telescopic condition of the atmosphere. Having obtained
the height of one ridge, the others appeared just as far in the distance, so the
party returned to the camp.
They left the Platte Canon camp on the morning of the pth of July, ascended
Willow Creek to its source, then crossed a ridge to Plum Creek and followed
this stream for some distance, before making camp. Pike's Peak first came into
view on the 9th, while the explorers were upon the top of a mesa "elevated
about one thousand feet, about eight hundred yards in length and five hundred in
breadth, the summit of which was of an oval form." On the loth the expedition
discovered and named Castle Rock, of which Doctor James remarks : "One of
these singular hills, of which Mr. Seymour has preserved a sketch, was called
the Castle rock, on account of its striking resemblance to a work of art. It
has columns, and porticos, and arches, and, when seen from a distance, has an
astonishingly regular and artificial appearance."
A southern course was then taken, Monument Creek forded, and toward
evening of the nth the discovery was made that the base of Pike's Peak had
been passed. As it was the intention of the party to make an ascent of this
height, in order to obtain the altitude, a stop was made at this point. Of their
view Doctor James says : "From this camp we had a distinct view of 'the Highest
Peak.' It appeared about twenty miles distant, towards the northwest; our view
was cut off from the base by an intervening spur of less elevation, but all the
upper part of the peak was visible, with patches of snow extending down to the
commencement of the woody region. . As one of the objects of our excursion
was to ascertain the elevation of the peak, it was determined to remain in our
present camp for three days, which would afford an opportunity for some of
the party to ascend the mountain."
FIRST ASCENT OF PIKERS PEAK
%
The journey to the summit was begun early on the I3th of July. Doctor
James, Lieutenant Swift, the French guide, Bijeau, and four soldiers comprised
the party. The doctor and two men were to make the last climb to the top, while
the others were to remain at the base to obtain measurements to assist in com-
puting the elevation of the peak. Noon found the party at the foot of the peak,
whence James and his two men started upon the last lap, carrying a supply of
provisions and blankets. Slide rock, loose sand and gravel impeded their course
very much during the afternoon and at night they were forced to make camp
among the fir trees. The next morning the doctor established a cache at this
point and continued up the mountain, passing the timber line about noonday.
The summit was attained about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. So, the first white
men, according to all history, had reached the summit of Pike's Peak. Doctor
James describes the impression made by the wonderful view: "To the east lay
the great plain, rising as it receded, until, in the distant horizon, it appeared to
mingle with the sky. * * * The Arkansas with several of its tributaries,
and some of the branches of the Platte, could be distinctly traced as on a map,
by the line of timber along their courses. On the south the mountain is con-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 55
tinued, having another summit at the distance of eight or ten miles. This, how-
ever, falls much below the High Peak in point of elevation, being wooded quite
to its top. Between the two lies a small lake, about a mile long and half a
mile wide, discharging eastward into the Boiling-spring Creek. A few miles
farther towards the south, the range containing these two peaks terminates
abruptly." After a half-hour's rest upon the summit the three men began the
descent. They were forced to camp for the night without food or covering, hav-
ing left their luggage at the cache among the fir trees. These supplies, which
had been hung in a tree, were found to have been burned by some agency when
they reached them the next morning.
The bubbling springs at Manitou, and the beads which were thrown into the
waters by the Indians, were of great interest to the explorers, also a "large and
frequented road" which passed the springs into the mountains. This road was
an old trail through the Ute Pass. Lieutenant Swift, after allowing 3,000 feet
altitude for the base, estimated the summit of Pike's Peak to be 11,507.5 feet
above the sea level. His measurement of 8,507.5 from the base to the top was
not far wrong, but his error was made in the altitude of the base, which should
have been 5,700 feet.
The journey was then resumed and on the evening of the i6th camp was
made on the north bank of the Arkansas, near the mouth of Turkey Creek. The
next morning Doctor James, Captain Bell and two others started the ascent of
the Arkansas to the mountains. The first day they reached a point some dis-
tance below the site of Canon City and the next day reached the lower end of
the Royal Gorge. Here their journey up the Arkansas was halted by the im-
passable condition of the gorge. After a short stay here James and his men
returned to the Turkey Creek camp, and then preparations were made for the
return journey. The journey was begun on the I9th, following down the Ar-
kansas along the north bank. Pueblo's site was crossed during the day. The
party proceeded down the Arkansas to about the one hundredth parallel at the
intersection with the Arkansas. Keeping upon the American side of the Span-
ish boundary line, they continued their journey to the end. Camping places within
Colorado's domain were frequently made and the line of the state crossed on
the afternoon of July 3ist.
Although Long's expedition was a noteworthy one in point of view of the
ascent of Pike's Peak and geographical observations, his reports gave a grossly
exaggerated account of the "Great American Desert" a vast outlay of land be-
tween the Missouri and the Rockies, which he claimed to be an arid waste of
sand and stone. Many years passed before actual settlement in this territory
began, due in principal part, to this erroneous impression given by the Long ex-
ploring expedition. The existence of this American Sahara was taught in the
public schools of the East and it is said that, even to this late day, there are
typical Easterners who believe in the existence of this "desert." Although Major
Long gave the name of James' Peak to our Pike's Peak, this title did not last
long. Doctor James was undoubtedly the first white man to reach the summit
of this elevation, but Pike's personal popularity among the traders and trappers
led them to use his name whenever speaking of the peak and so it has come down
in history as Pike's Peak. Some of the early map-makers gave it the name of
Doctor James, but the practice was of short duration. However, Doctor James'
56 HISTORY OF COLORADO
name has since been given to another peak of the Continental Divide in the
southeastern corner of Grand County. This peak is 13,283 feet in height.
How little these explorers knew of the real worth of the country through
which they passed, or how little they wished to know, may be understood by the
following quotations from Doctor James' record:
"We have little apprehension of giving too unfavorable an account of this
portion of the country. Though the soil is in some places fertile, the want of
timber, of navigable streams, and water for the necessities of life, render it an
unfit residence for any but a nomad population. The traveler who shall at any
time have traversed its desolate sands, will, we think, join us in the wish that
this region may forever remain the unmolested haunt of the native hunter, the
bison, and the jackal."
And again : "In regard to this extensive section of country, we do not hesi-
tate in giving the opinion that it is almost wholly unfit for cultivation, and of
course uninhabitable by a people depending upon agriculture for their subsist-
ence. Although tracts of fertile land, considerably extensive, are occasionally
to be met with, yet the scarcity of wood and water, almost uniformly prevalent,
will prove an insuperable obstacle in the way of settling the country. This ob-
jection rests not only against the immediate section under consideration, but ap-
plies with equal propriety to a much larger portion of the country. Agreeably to
the best intelligence that can be had concerning the country both northward and
southward of the section, and especially from the inferences deducible from the
account given by Lewis and Clark, of the country situated between the Missouri
and Rocky Mountains, above the River Platte, the vast region commencing near
the sources of the Sabine, Trinity, Brasis and Colorado rivers, and extending
northwardly to the forty-ninth degree of north latitude, by which the United
States territory is limited in that direction, is throughout, of a similar character.
The whole of this region seems peculiarly adapted as a range for buffaloes, wild
goats, and other wild game, incalculable multitudes of which find ample pastur-
age and subsistence upon it.
"This region, however, viewed as a frontier, may prove of infinite importance
to the United States, inasmuch as it is calculated to serve as a barrier to prevent
too great an extension of our population westward, and secure us against the
machinations or incursions of an enemy, that might otherwise be disposed to
annoy us in that quarter."
JOHN C. FREMONT
The first of the Fremont expeditions in 1842 was the next to be despatched
into the western country by the United States Government. John C. Fremont,
a lieutenant of topographical engineers in the United States army, in his several
trips to the West, covered more ground than any previous explorer and, although
in many ways not the first to discover various trails and passes, has been given
the sobriquet of "Pathfinder" by the majority of historians.
Fremont's first expedition was organized late in the spring of 1842 and was
for the purpose of exploring the frontiers beyond the Missouri River and es-
pecially the Rockies in the vicinity of the South Pass, through which the Amer-
ican immigrants traveled to the Oregon country; also to locate sites for military
JOHN CHARLES FEEMONT
This portrait, which is an unusual one, is reproduced from a photographic enlargement of
an engraved copy of an early photograph of him. He traversed Colorado 's soil on several of
his exploring expeditions across the old-time Far West, the first of which was made in the year
1842 and the last in 1853. General Fremont was a native of Savannah, Georgia, and died in.
New York City on July 13, 1890.
58 HISTORY OF COLORADO
posts, in order to protect the American fur companies from the inroads of the
Hudson's Bay Company. In his company upon this first expedition, and in
others, was Kit Carson, the noted guide and scout of the frontier.
Having gone from St. Louis to Chouteau's Landing, about ten miles from
the mouth of the Kansas River, Fremont there made final preparations for the
trip. Departure was made on June 10, 1842, to the westward. He proceeded
along the south bank of the Kansas for several days, crossed to the Blue River,
then went northwest to the Platte and along this until the great forks were
reached, this occurring about the first of July. Here Fremont split his command
into two sections, sending one to Fort Laramie and taking the other with him.
For about a week the course led along the South Platte and on July loth Long's
Peak came into view. He then continued as far as the St. Vrain trading post,
which was as near the site of Denver as he came upon this expedition. After
a short stay here, Fremont started northward to Fort Laramie. The homeward
journey was along the North Platte to the Platte, thence to the Missouri and
down that stream to St. Louis. Fremont then went to Washington, made his
report, and was authorized to conduct a second expedition. In the four months
he was absent upon this first trip, he surveyed the Pass and ascended the highest
of the Wind River Mountains since known as Fremont's Peak. His right of
discovery of the South Pass is, of course, of negligible quality, as there was a
well-defined and well-trodden roadway through the pass when he arrived. Had
it not been for his intrepid guide — Kit Carson — the little he did in the way of
climbing mountains and exploring might never have been done quite so thor-
oughly.
THE SECOND EXPEDITION
The second expedition was organized at Westport Landing, now a part of
Kansas City, Missouri, with thirty-nine persons, well-equipped and provided
with a small piece of brass artillery. On May 29, 1843, the expedition moved
in a southwest direction to the Santa Fe Trail and there was joined by William
Gilpin, afterwards the first governor of Colorado Territory. The Santa. Fe Trail
was followed, then the Valley of the Kansas and also the Republican River.
Finding the progress of the expedition to be too slow, Fremont on the i6th
separated his party, one division to follow with the heavier supplies while the
one led by himself was to push on with greater speed. Fremont reached the
South Platte on June 3Oth, at a point near the present southeastern corner of
Logan County, Colorado. He then marched up the right bank of this river to
the north to Fort St. Vrain, where he arrived July 4th. Two days later he left
the fort and began his journey up the South Platte, encamping the night of the
7th "a little above Cherry Creek," which is a point now within the limits of west
Denver. In the river bottoms here they found a large village of Arapahoe In-
dians, consisting of about one hundred and sixty tepees. The next day he
continued up the river almost to the mountains, then up Plum Creek, noted by
him as "Vermillion Creek," a name given by Doctor James to Cherry Creek. He
then crossed over to the Bijou," thence to the Fontaine-qui-Bouille, which stream
he followed to the mouth. Here he again met Kit Carson and, recognizing his
worth to the party, Fremont hastened to add the hunter and guide to his ex-
pedition.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 59
From the mouth of the Fontaine, Fremont returned northward along the
stream to the springs at Manitou, thence up Monument Creek, over the divide
to the head of Plum Creek, and down this waterway to Fort St. Vrain. Leav-
ing St. Vrain, the expedition then went northward to the North Platte, then
across the mountains to Salt Lake and the Columbia River country.
Upon his return in 1844, Fremont entered the land of Colorado about noon
of the 1 5th of June at the northwestern corner. He followed a southwest course,
with the mountains on his right and the North Platte on the left. He described
this phase of the journey as follows : "The valley narrowed as we ascended and
presently degenerated into a gorge, through which the river passed as through a
gate. We entered it, and found ourselves in the New Park (North Park) — a
beautiful circular valley of thirty miles diameter, walled in all around with snowy
mountains, rich with water and with grass, fringed with pine on the mountain
sides below the snow line, and a paradise to all grazing animals. The Indian
name for it signifies 'Cow Lodge', of which our own may be considered a transla-
tion; the enclosure, the grass, the water, and the herds of buffalo roaming over
it, naturally presenting the idea of a park."
Coursing up the west fork of the North Platte, Fremont crossed the Divide
on the 1 7th and came into what is now Middle Park. By the 2ist, the northwest
part of South Park was reached and the course followed down the south fork
of the South Platte River. During the journey down this stream "the face of
an old familiar friend," (Pike's Peak), came into view, also sounds of a conflict
between the Ute and Arapahoe Indians were borne to their ears. The party
left the river on June 22d and "taking a southeasterly direction, in about ten
miles we crossed a gentle ridge, and issuing from the South Park, we found our-
selves involved among the broken spurs of the mountains which border the great
prairie plains. Although broken and extremely rugged, the country was very
interesting, being well watered by numerous affluents to the Arkansas River, and
covered with grass and a variety of trees. The streams which, in the upper part
of their courses, ran through grassy and open hollows, after a few miles all de-
scended into deep and impracticable canyons, through which they found their
way to the Arkansas Valley. Here the buffalo trails we had followed were dis-
persed among the hills, or crossed over into the more open valleys of other
streams. During the day our road was fatiguing and difficult, reminding us
much, by its steep and rocky character, of our traveling the year before among
the Wind River Mountains ; but always at night we found some grassy bottom,
which afforded us a pleasant camp. In the deep seclusion of these little streams
we found always an abundant pasturage and a wild luxuriance of plants and
trees. After several days' laborious traveling we succeeded in extricating our-
selves from the mountains, and on the morning of the 28th encamped immedi-
ately at their foot, on a handsome tributary of the Arkansas River. In the
afternoon we descended the stream, winding our way along the bottoms, which
were densely wooded with oak, and in the evening encamped near the main
river. Continuing the next day our road along the Arkansas, and meeting on
the way a war party of Arapahoe Indians (who had recently committed some
outrages at Bent's Fort, killing stock and driving off horses), we arrived before
sunset at the pueblo near the mouth of the Fontaine qui Bouit River, where
we had the pleasure to find a number of our old acquaintances."
60 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The last stage of the journey led them down the Arkansas to Bent's Fort,
eastward across country to the Missouri at the Town of Kansas, and then down
the Missouri to St. Louis. Fremont was advanced by President Tyler to the
rank of captain of engineers in reward for his services upon this expedition.
THE THIRD EXPEDITION
The third expedition commanded by John C. Fremont was equipped and
organized in the spring of 1845. The object was to explore the great basin west
of the Rocky Mountains, little of which had been thoroughly traversed, and did
not include much work to be done within the present State of Colorado. Per-
haps the great purpose of this third expedition was to see whether or not a rail-
road could be constructed through the Rockies.
The expedition left the old point at the mouth of the Kansas River and
traveled the Santa Fe Trail to the Arkansas, thence up that river to Bent's
Fort, arriving August 2d. Fremont left the fort on August i6th, proceeded up
the Arkansas on the north side, detoured the Royal Gorge, traversed the main
mountain range at the head of Eagle River and after going down the Eagle to a
point near the Town of Minturn, he turned northwest and crossed the Grand
River. From here he continued northwestward to the head of White River,
down which he traveled into what is now Utah. Fremont reached California in
December of the same year.
THE FOURTH EXPEDITION
The fourth expedition commanded by Fremont was not a government enter-
prise, but a private scheme in the interest of the City of St. Louis and for the
purpose of surveying a route for a railroad to the Pacific Coast. Fremont and
Senator Benton were those chiefly interested in the affair, Fremont having pre-
viously resigned his position of lieutenant colonel in the United States army.
The expedition was fitted out at Westport, now a part of Kansas City, in the
autumn of 1848, and numbered thirty-three men, most of whom had traveled
before with Fremont.
Departure was made on October ipth and a route taken across the plains of
Kansas by way of the Kansas River. From the headwaters of its Smoky Hill
fork Fremont journeyed southwest to the Arkansas and then to Fort Bent. Up
the Arkansas to the Pueblo the caravan went and here the party was enlarged
by one "Old Bill" Williams, trapper and guide, whom Fremont engaged to lead
the party through the mountains. After reaching the mouth of the Hardscrab-
ble, Fremont turned southwest, crossed the Sangre de Cristo Range by Roubi-
deaux's Pass, and about the first of December entered the San Luis Valley.
Shortly the explorers found themselves at the mouth of the Rio Grande Canon,
among the most rugged of the mountain ranges, but intrepidly they followed
Williams across this divide. Every day they encountered more difficulties and
now that the range was crossed their hardships became greater and more bitter.
Fremont's narrative of the journey at this point contains many passages which
show the extreme suffering endured by the men, a portion of which story fol-
lows:
HISTORY OF COLORADO 61
"We pressed up toward the summit, the snow deepening; and in four or five
days reached the naked ridges which lie above the timbered country, and which
form the dividing grounds between the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Along these naked ridges it storms nearly all winter, and the winds sweep across
them with remorseless fury. On our first attempt to cross we encountered a
pouderie (dry snow driven thick through the air by violent wind, and in which
objects are visible only at a short distance), and were driven back, having some ten
or twelve men variously frozen, face, hands or feet. The guide became nigh
frozen to death here, and dead mules were already lying about the fires. Mean-
time, it snowed steadily. The next day we made mauls, and beating a road or
trench through the snow crossed the crest in defiance of the pouderie, and en-
camped immediately below in the edge of the timber. The trail showed as if a de-
feated party had passed by ; pack-saddles and packs, scattered articles of clothing,
and dead mules strewn along. A continuance of stormy weather paralyzed all
movement. We were encamped somewhere about twelve thousand feet above the
sea. Westward, the country was buried in deep snow. It was impossible to
advance, and to turn back was equally impracticable. We were overtaken by
sudden and inevitable ruin. It so happened that the only places where any
grass could be had were the extreme summit of the ridges, where the sweeping
winds kept the rocky ground bare and the snow could not lie. Below these, the
animals could not get about, the snow being deep enough to bury them. Here,
therefore, in the full violence of the storms we were obliged to keep our animals.
They could not be moved either way. It was instantly apparent that we should
lose every animal.
"I determined to recross the mountain more towards the open country, and
haul or pack the baggage (by men) down to the Del Norte. With great labor
the baggage was transported across the crest to the head springs of a little stream
leading to the main river. A few days were sufficient to destroy our fine band
of mules. They generally kept huddled together, and as they froze, one would
be seen to tumble down and the snow would cover him; sometimes they would
break off and rush down towards the timber until they were stopped by the
deep snow, where they were soon hidden by the pouderie. The courage of the
men failed fast; in fact, I have never seen men so soon discouraged by mis-
fortune as we were on this occasion. * * * In this situation, I determined to
send in a party to the Spanish settlements of New Mexico for provisions, and
mules to transport our baggage to Taos. With economy, and after we should
leave the mules, we had two weeks' provisions in the camp. These consisted of a
store which I had preserved for a hard day, macaroni and bacon. From among
the volunteers I chose King, Brackenridge, Creutzfeldt (the botanist of the
expedition), and the guide Williams; the party under the command of King.
In case of the least delay at the settlements, he was to send me an express. In
the meantime, we were to occupy ourselves in removing the baggage and equip-
age down to the Del Norte, which we reached with our baggage in a few days
after their departure (which was the day after Christmas)."
Fremont waited sixteen days without news from King or a relief party. One
of his party froze to death, which event determined the leader to go in search
of the missing men. Leaving part of the men with instructions to follow after
a certain time, Fremont and three others set out on foot, intending to either
62 HISTORY OF COLORADO
find King or to reach the nearest Mexican settlements and send back assistance.
A week later Fremont met a small band of Indians, from whom he secured a
guide and four horses, and in the evening of the same day discovered Creutz-
feldt, Brackenridge and Williams, almost frozen to death and unable to go
farther. King had died from the combined effects of starvation and cold a few
days before. They had lost their way soon after leaving the Fremont party and
for days had wandered aimlessly over the San Luis Valley. The stricken men
were placed on the horses and the southern journey resumed. Small Mexican
settlements were reached on January 20, 1849, and from there Fremont and a
companion hurried to Taos on horseback. From Taos a posse of Mexicans, led
by Godey, a member of Fremont's expedition, started back along the trail to
bring in the remainder of the party. These latter, who had been left at the Del
Norte, had waited the arranged length of time, then started down the river.
Food was low and after a few days the band broke up into small parties which
separated, three or four men having died in the meantime. It is said that their
hunger became so severe that a few were forced to cannibalism in order to
avoid certain death. Godey and his Mexicans succeeded in assisting them to the
settlements, but when the roll was finally called eleven men were missing.
Fremont remained at Taos for a time as the guest of his former guide and
friend, Kit Carson, then, in the middle of February, with a new outfit and com-
pany, left Santa Fe for California, routing his journey down the Rio Grande
and westward through southern New Mexico and Arizona. He reached the coast
in April. Fremont always blamed the guide, "Old Bill" Williams, for the dis-
aster in the mountains, but Williams claimed that Fremont ignored his repeated
warning not to enter the mountains at such a season. The so-called "explorers"
of the West who were sent out by the Government owe much to the picturesque
guides and trappers who accompanied them. It is doubtful whether or not any
degree of success could have been attained by these men had it not been for
the sagacity and knowledge of the frontiersmen. More shall be said in a later
chapter of this type of men.
THE GUNNISON EXPEDITION
By an act approved March 3, 1853, Congress authorized the Secretary of
War, under the leadership of the President, to employ engineers to find a prac-
ticable route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast, also
appropriated $150,000 for this work. Fremont was supposed to be the logical
man to survey this route, but, contrary to expectations, Jefferson Davis, then
Secretary of War, appointed Capt. John W. Gunnison, of Vermont, to head the
expedition. In the instructions issued to Gunnison, defining the purpose of the
journey, he was told "to explore and survey the pass through the Rocky Moun-
tains in the vicinity of the headwaters of the Rio del Norte, by way of the Huer-
fano River and Coo-che-to-pa, or some other eligible pass, into the region of
Grand and Green rivers, and westwardly to the Vegas de Santa Clara and Nicol-
let River of the Great Basin, and thence northwardly to the vicinity of Lake
Utah on a return route, to explore the most available passes and canyons of
the Wasatch Range and South Pass to Fort Laramie."
The party was organized at Westporf and the journey begun on June 23d.
CAPT. JOHN W. GUNNISON
Captain Gunnison, of the United States Army, was in charge of explorations, made in 1853,
for a route for a Pacific railway in the vicinity of the 38th and 39th parallels, which traverse
the central part of the area of Colorado. While in that service Captain Gunnison and several
of his assistants were killed by the Indians near Sevier Lake, in Utah. A river, a county and
a city in Colorado bear his name. The portrait is a photographic enlargement from a dag-
uerreotype, somewhat impaired by age.
64 HISTORY OF COLORADO
On July 24th the expedition crossed the border of Colorado upon the east, passed
the abandoned Fort Bent, went up the Arkansas to the Apishapa and Huerfano,
through the Sangre de Cristo Pass to the San Luis Park, then through the
Saguache and Coochetopa Pass, down the Gunnison River to its junction with
the Grand, and then westward across Utah to the valley of Sevier Lake. On
the morning of September 25th, Captain Gunnison and a number of his men left
the camp to explore in the vicinity of Sevier Lake. At daylight the following
morning they were unexpectedly attacked by a superior band of Pah Utes. Only
four of the soldiers, who escaped on their horses, lived to return. The others
were massacred, including Captain Gunnison. The remainder of the expedition
went to Salt Lake City and there spent the winter. In the spring the work was
reorganized and commanded by Lieut. E. G. Beckwith.
FREMONT'S LAST EXPEDITION
At this time, the fifth and last expedition commanded by John C. Fremont
was under way. The selection of Captain Gunnison by Secretary Davis had
not been to Fremont's liking and he had hastened from Paris, France, where
he had been living, to resume his work in the Rockies. The expedition was or-
ganized in 1853 and most of the expense borne by Fremont himself and Senator
Benton.
A start was made and the journey to the Utah Basin accomplished over prac-
tically the same route as taken by Gunnison — along the Arkansas, across the
Sangre de Cristo Range, San Luis Park westward, through the Coochetopa Pass
and down the Gunnison. Again, while in the western part of Colorado, Fremont
encountered severe weather conditions; most of his pack animals died or were
killed for food; and one man died of exposure. Late in March, California was
reached and from there Fremont returned by the Panama route to the East.
This was the last exploring expedition into the West actuated by such pur-
poses as guided Fremont and Gunnison. During all this time roads had been
established across the mountains by the immigrants and many routes were dis-
covered here and there which', for all practicable purposes, fulfilled the desires
of Congress expressed in their act of March 3, 1853.
CHAPTER IV
ANCIENT AND MODERN INDIAN TRIBES
THE CLIFF DWELLERS— DISCOVERY OF RUINS THE DWELLING SPRUCE TREE HOUSE
CLIFF PALACE THE SUN TEMPLE ORIGIN OF CLIFF DWELLERS THE AMER-
ICAN INDIAN COLORADO TRIBES CHIEFTAINS COL. HENRY DODGE'S EXPEDI-
TION THE KEARNY EXPEDITION BEGINNING OF DEPREDATIONS — THE
UPRISING OF 1864 ALARM IN DENVER — REIGN OF TERROR COUNCIL AT DENVER
THE AFFAIR AT SAND CREEK THE AFTERMATH EFFECT UPON THE INDIANS
— FORSYTE'S BATTLE ON THE ARICKAREE — ROMAN NOSE — BEECHER'S DEATH —
THE OUTCOME — UTE UPRISING OF 1879 ATTACK ON THORNBURGH THE AT-
TACK AT THE AGENCY
THE CLIFF DWELLERS
The most remarkable ruins of prehistoric cliff dwellings in the southwestern
part of the United States are those in the side canyon of the Mancos on the Mesa
Verde in Montezuma County, Colorado. When Columbus landed in America in
1492 there were many tribes of Indians living upon the Continent, of numerous
types and with varying degrees of civilization. There were tribes of low grade
and others of very high standard — such as the Mayas and Aztecs. Little is
known of the character of the Cliff Dwellers other than that learned from their
dwellings, which have so recently been exposed to the view of mankind.
It is strange that these greatest of American prehistoric ruins should have
escaped discovery until 1888. Years before, innumerable ancient ruins left in
other states by the ancestors of the Pueblo Indians had been described and pic-
tured. They had been the subjects of popular lectures ; they had been treated in
books of science and travel — they had become a familiar American spectacle.
Even the ruins in the Mancos Canon in Colorado were explored as early as 1874.
Mr. W. H. Jackson, who led the Government party, found there many small
dwellings broken down by the weather. The next year he was followed by
Prof. W. H. Holmes, later chief of the Bureau of American Ethnology, who
drew attention to the remarkable stone towers so characteristic of the region.
But these discoveries attracted little attention because of their inferiority to
the better-known ruins of Arizona and New Mexico. Had either of the explorers
followed up the side canyon of the Mancos they would have then discovered ruins
which are, in the words of Baron Gustav Nordenskiold, the talented Swedish
explorer, "so magnificent that they surpass anything of the kind known in the
United States."
Stone ruins of pueblos were found in general on the top of isolated plateaus,
65
66 HISTORY OF COLORADO
called in the Southwest from their Spanish names — mesas or tables. The de-
pressions between these mesas have been worn down by the rains of centuries,
which have eroded deep gorges called canyons, often extending many miles,
showing on their sides alternating layers of rock of different colors and degrees
of hardness. When softer layers of rock occur below the harder in the sides of
these mesas, there is worn a cavern often fifty feet high and several hundred
feet long.
The Mesa Verde, or Green Mesa, is so called from the cedar and pine trees
which, growing upon it, impart to it a green color. The mesa is large, fifteen
miles long and eight miles wide. Rising abruptly from the valley on the north
side, its top slopes gradually southward to the high cliff bordering the valley of
the Mancos on the south. Into this valley there opens a number of small high-
walled canyons, through which occasionally, in times of rains, raging torrents of
water flow into the Mancos. In the shelter of the sides of these small canyons
occur some of the best preserved cliff dwellings in America.
In prehistoric times a large population of Indians, whom we call Cliff Dwell-
ers, lived in these cavern dwellings. They raised small and scanty crops of corn
and other grains on the mesa tops, hunted and fished in the streams below, and
in other ways eked out their existence. The Cliff Dwellers left no written
language other than various symbols, which were drawn upon the walls of
their homes or carved into the surface of the rocks. However, scientists who
have studied the Mesa Verde ruins have been enabled to assign to them a definite
place in history and to learn much of the customs, habits, character and religion
of the Cliff Dwellers, among whom there were twenty-three clans. Each clan,
or social unit, as it were, had its "kiva," or men's room, which was exclusive
property.
DISCOVERY OF RUINS
Baron Nordenskiold thus describes in his book "The Cliff Dwellers of the
Mesa Verde" (Stockholm, 1893), tne discovery of the wonderful dwellings in
this side canyon of the Mancos :
"The honor of discovery of these remarkable ruins belongs to Richard
and Alfred Wetherill, of Mancos. The family own large herds of cattle which
wander about on the Mesa Verde. The care of these herds often calls for long
rides on the mesa and in its labyrinth of canyons. During these long excursions
ruins, the one more magnificent than the other, have been discovered. The two
largest were found by Richard Wetherill and Charley Mason one December day
in 1888, as they were riding together through the pinyon wood on the mesa in
search of a stray herd. They had penetrated through the dense scrub to the
edge of a deep canyon. In the opposite cliff, sheltered by a huge, massive vault
of rock, there lay before their astonished eyes a whole town, with towers and
walls, rising out of a heap of ruins. This grand monument of bygone ages seemed
to them well deserving of the name of Cliff Palace. Not far from this place, but
in a different canyon, they discovered, on the same day, another very large cliff
dwelling. To this they gave the name of Spruce Tree House, from a great
spruce that jutted forth from the ruins.
"During the course of years Richard and Alfred Wetherill have explored
68 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the mesa and its canyons in all directions. They have thus gained a more thor-
ough knowledge of its ruins than anyone. Together with their brothers, John,
Clayton and Wynn, they have also carried out excavations, during which a num-
ber of extremely interesting finds have been made."
THE DWELLING
In many cases the word dwelling is misleading, for most of the dwellings, or
buildings, were in reality whole villages. Spruce Tree House, for instance, was
undoubtedly a town of importance, harboring at least three hundred and fifty
inhabitants.
The arrangement of houses in a cliff dwelling of the size of Cliff Palace, for
example, is characteristic and intimately associated with the distribution of the
social divisions of the inhabitants. As mentioned before, the population was com-
posed of a number of units, possibly clans, each of which had its own social or-
ganization more or less distinct from others, a condition that appears in the
arrangement of rooms. The rooms occupied by a clan were not necessarily con-
nected, although generally neighboring rooms were distinguished from one an-
other by their uses. Thus, each clan had its men's room, which was ceremonially
called the "kiva." Here the men of the clan practically lived, engaged in their oc-
cupations. Each clan had also one or more rooms, which may be styled the living
rooms, and other inclosures, for granaries or storage of corn. The corn was
ground into meal in another room containing the metate set in a bin or stone
box, and in some instances in fireplaces, although these were generally placed
in the plazas or on the housetops. All these different rooms, taken together,
constitute the houses that belonged to one clan.
The conviction that each kiva denotes a distinct social unit, as a clan or
family, is supported by the general similarity in the masonry of the kiva walls
and that of adjacent houses ascribed to the same clan. From the number of
these rooms it would appear that there were at least twenty-three social units
or clans in Cliff Palace. The kivas were the rooms where the men spent most
of the time devoted to ceremonial meetings, councils and other gatherings. In
the social conditions prevalent at Cliff Palace the religious fraternity was limited
to the men of the clan.
Apparently there was no uniformity in the distribution of the kivas. As it
was prescribed that these rooms should be subterranean, the greatest number
were placed in front of the rectangular buildings, where it was easiest to exca-
vate them. But when necessary these structures were built far back in the
cave and inclosed by a double wall, the intervals between whose sections were
filled with earth or rubble to raise it to the level of the kiva roof. In that way
they were artificially made subterranean, as the ritual required.
The highest part of the Mesa Verde National Park is Park Point, 8,574
feet above sea level, while Point Lookout, the most prominent point on the Mesa
Verde, has an elevation of 8,428 feet above sea level. The northern edge of
the mesa terminates in a precipitous bluff, averaging two thousand feet above the
floor of the Montezuma Valley. The general slope of the mesa is to the south,
so that a person on the northern rim has a view in all directions.
The park is placed under the exclusive control of the Secretary of the In-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 69
terior and he is represented in the actual administration of the park by a super-
intendent, assisted by a limited number of park rangers who patrol the reser-
vation.
The principal and most accessible ruins are the Spruce Tree House, Cliff
Palace, Balcony House, Tunnel House and Sun Temple. Spruce Tree House is
located in the head of Spruce Tree Canon, a branch of the Navajo Canon. It
originally contained about 130 rooms, built of dressed stone laid in adobe
mortar, with the outside tiers chinked with chips of rock and broken pottery.
Cliff Palace is located about two miles east of Spruce Tree House, in
a left branch of Cliff Canon, and consists of a group of houses with ruins
of 146 rooms, including twenty round kivas, or ceremonial rooms, and a taper-
ing loopholed tower, forming a crescent of about one hundred yards from
horn to horn, which is reputed to be one of the most famous works of prehistoric
man in existence. Balcony House, a mile east of Cliff Palace, in Ruin Canon,
contains about twenty-five rooms, some of which are in almost perfect condition.
Tunnel House, about two miles south of Spruce Tree House, contains about
twenty rooms and two kivas connected by an elaborate system of underground
passages and a burial ground of 5,000 square feet. In each of these villages is
an elaborate system of fortification, with, in some cases, walls 2.3 feet thick and
twenty feet high, watch towers thirty feet high, and. blockhouses pierced with
loopholes. The Sun Temple was discovered in the summer of 1915 and is
located on the mesa opposite Cliff Palace.
SPRUCE TREE HOUSE
The total length of Spruce Tree House is 216 feet, its width at the widest
part 89 feet. There were counted in the Spruce Tree House 114 rooms, the
majority of which are secular and eight ceremonial chambers or kivas. Spruce
Tree House in places was three stories high; the third-story rooms had no arti-
ficial roof, but the wall of the cave served that purpose. Several rooms, the
walls of which are now two stories high, formerly had a third story above the
second, but their walls have now fallen, leaving as the only indication of their
former union with the cave lines destitute of smoke on the top of the cavern.
Of the 114 rooms, at least fourteen were uninhabited, being used as storage and
mortuary chambers. If we eliminate these from the total number of rooms we
have loo inclosures which might have been dwellings. Allowing four inhabi-
tants for each of these 100 rooms would give about four hundred persons as an
aboriginal population of Spruce Tree House. But it is probable that this esti-
mate should be reduced, as not all the 100 rooms were inhabited at the same
time, there being evidence that several of them had occupants long after others
were deserted. Approximately, Spruce Tree House had a population not far
from three hundred and fifty people, or about one hundred more than that of
Walpi, one of the best known Hopi pueblos.
CLIFF PALACE
Cliff Palace lies in an eastern spur of Cliff Canon, under the roof of an
enormous cave which arches fifty to one hundred feet above it. The floor of this
70 HISTORY OF COLORADO
cavern is elevated several hundred feet above the bottom of the canyon. The
entrance faces the west, looking across the canyon to the opposite side, in full
view of the promontory upon which stands the Sun Temple. The floor of the
recess in which Cliff Palace is built is practically covered with buildings, some
of which, especially those at each end, extend beyond the shelter of the cave
roof. The total length of the Cliff Palace is approximately three hundred
feet. The floor of the cave in which Cliff Palace was built had practically one
level, determined no doubt by a layer of comparatively hard rock, which re-
sisted erosion more successfully than the softer strata above it. The floor was
strewn with great angular boulders that in the process of formation of the cave
had fallen from the roof. These were too large to be moved by primitive man
and must have presented to the ancient builders uninviting foundations upon
which to erect their structures. The spaces between the rocks were better
suited for their purposes. These were filled with smaller stones that could be re-
moved, leaving cavities which could be utilized for the construction of subter-
ranean rooms. The upper surfaces of the large rocks, even those which are
angular, served as foundations for houses above ground and determined the
levels of the plazas. From the bases of these rocks, which formed the outer
edge of the level cave floor, a talus extended down the canyon side to the bottom.
The rooms forming the front of the ancient village were constructed in this
talus, and as their site was sloping they were necessarily situated at lower levels
on terraces bounded by retaining walls which are marked features in this part
of Cliff Palace. At least three different terraces, indicating as many levels, are
recognized. These levels are indicated by the rows of kivas, or ceremonial rooms,
which skirt the southern and middle sections of this ancient village.
An examination of the correct ground plan of Cliff Palace shows that the
houses were arranged in a crescent, the northern extension of rooms corre-
sponding roughly to one point. The curve of the village follows, generally
speaking, that of the rear of the cave in which it was constructed. There is
little regularity in the arrangement of the rooms, which, as a rule, are not
crowded together; most of the subterranean chambers are situated on terraces
in front of the secular rooms. There is one passageway that may be desig-
nated as a street ; this is bordered by high walls. No open space of considerable
size is destitute of a ceremonial chamber, and the largest contains five of these
rooms. It is not possible to count the exact number of rooms that Cliff Palace
formerly had, as many upper stones have fallen and a considerable number of
terraced rooms along the front are indicated only by fragments of walls. Roughly
speaking, two hundred is a fair estimate.
The Cliff Palace kivas, provided with pedestals or roof supports, furnish
examples of some of the finest masonry in prehistoric buildings of our South-
west. Every kiva of the first type has a ventilator, firehole and deflector. There
were two types of ceremonial rooms, which might indicate a division of the ritual
into two distinct parts performed by the summer and the winter people, re-
spectively, a specialization still perpetuated among some modern Pueblos. Secu-
lar rooms in Cliff Palace may be classified as living rooms, storage rooms, mill
rooms, granaries, dark rooms, probably for sleeping, towers both round and
square, and round rooms not towers.
72 HISTORY OF COLORADO
THE SUN TEMPLE
The Sun Temple is the latest of the Mesa Verde ruins to be explored and re-
claimed. This was discovered in the summer of 1915 and since then the work
of excavating and repairing the Temple has been continued, under the direction
of J. Walter Fewkes. Professor Fewkes describes the work as follows:
"At the close of a report on field work at Cliff Palace in 1909 I called atten-
tion to a mound of stones on the point of the mesa directly across Cliff Canon
and suggested that it might conceal an ancient pueblo ruin. The majority of
stones strewn over this mound showed pecking on their surfaces and other well-
marked signs of having been worked artificially, indicating the character of the
masonry in the walls of the ancient building buried beneath it. Enough soil had
accumulated on the mound formed by these stones to allow the growth of red
cedar and pinyon trees, the size of which indicated great age. A more important
consideration was that it presented evidences that the buried building belonged
to an unique type of ruin in the Mesa Verde, and gave promise of adding an
important chapter to our knowledge of the prehistoric people who formerly
made their home in the Mesa Verde National Park. These hopes were realized
and the results of three months' work on this mound were more striking than
had been expected. There was brought to light a type of ruin hitherto unknown
in the park, and, as well expressed by a visitor, the building excavated shows
the best masonry and is the most mysterious structure yet discovered in a region
rich in so many prehistoric ruins. Although at first there was some doubt as to
the use of the building, it was early recognized that it was not constructed for
habitation, and it is now believed that it was intended for the performance of
rites and ceremonies; the first of its type yet recognized in the Southwest.
"The ruin was purposely constructed in a commanding situation in the neigh-
borhood of large inhabited cliff houses. It sets somewhat back from the edge of
the canyon, but near enough to present a marked object from all sides, especially
in the neighboring mesas. It must have presented an imposing appearance rising
on top of a point high above inaccessible, perpendicular cliffs. The mound is
situated on a spur of the picturesque Chapin Mesa separating two deep canyons.
From it one can look southward down Soda Canon to the Mancos River, on the
banks of which a group -of cottonwood trees can be seen on a clear day. This
superb view is rivaled by one of almost equal beauty, looking east across Cliff
Canon into the cave in which is situated Cliff Palace. In a cave of the precipice
below Sun Temple there is a solitary, almost inaccessible cliff house, and in a
cavern not far up the canyon is Oak Tree (Willow) House, and the mysterious
dance plaza, called Painted House. Other cliff dwellings are visible from the
ruin, which is practically situated near the central point of a considerable pre-
historic population. No better place could have been chosen for a religious
building in which the inhabitants of many cliff dwellings could gather and to-
gether perform their great ceremonial dramas.
"The ground plan has been well compared to the letter D. The building is
formed of two sections, the larger of which, taken separately is also D-shaped
and may be called the original building, while the smaller, forming the west end,
is of later (?) construction. The foundation walls of the building, throughout
most of their length, rest on the solid rock of the cliff. There are about one
HISTORY OF COLORADO 73
thousand feet of walls in the whole building and its inclosed kivas ; it has 28,000
cubic feet, or 1,292 perches, of stone masonry in its present condition, and had
not far from 1,900 perches before the walls began to crumble. The width of
the ruin at its widest portion is sixty-four feet. The walls average four feet
in thickness and are composed of a central core made of rubble and adobe, with
two facings made of well-dressed rock, which, however, were not tied to the core
and present a serious architectural defect.
"The rooms in this building vary in form and type, one kind being circular,
the other rectangular. The circular rooms are identified as kivas or sacred
rooms; the purpose of the rectangular room is unknown. * * * We find
in this ruin numerous examples of an early attempt to embellish the walls of a
building by geometrical figures cut in their surfaces. Many cliff houses are
known to have their walls painted, but designs sculptured on component stones
are rare. Several stones with incised figures were set in the walls, but the ma-
jority were found on rocks that had fallen from the top of the walls. No uni-
formity in their position in the rooms was noticeable, and the figures were not
continuous enough to form a band about the room. * * * There are two
circular rooms or kivas of about equal size in the original building and a third
occupied the center of the Annex. There are twenty-three other rooms, four-
teen of which are in the original building.
"One of the most remarkable structures built on the outside walls of the
building is near the southwest corner of the Annex. This corner stands on a
solid rock that projects one and a half or two feet above the otherwise level foun-
dation of the wall. The cornerstone or foundation of the corner wall protrudes
two feet beyond the building, and on its upper surface is a fossil with central
depressed zone with sharp radiating ridges. The figure is not artificial, but is
possibly helped out by artificial means. A natural object with these characters
would greatly affect a primitive mind, and no doubt was regarded with more
or less reverence by the builders. At all events they have partially inclosed this
emblem with walls in such a way as to inclose the figure on three sides, leaving
the inclosure open on the fourth or west side. There can be no doubt that the
walled inclosure was a shrine, and the figure in it may be a key to the purpose of
the building. The shape of the figure on the rock suggests a symbol of the
sun, and if this suggestion be correct there can hardly be a doubt that solar rites
were performed about it long before the Sun Temple was built."
Professor Fewkes estimates the antiquity of the Sun Temple to be about
1300 A.D. "From absence of data the relative age of Sun Temple and Cliff Pal-
ace is equally obscure, but it is my firm conviction that Sun Temple is the
younger, mainly because it showed unmistakable evidences of a higher socio-
logical condition of the builders ; but here we again enter a realm of speculation
which merely adds to the mystery of the building."
The Mesa Verde ruins are now readily accessible to tourists. The Govern-
ment has just completed a thirty-two mile automobile road from the Town of
Mancos. Much of the increased interest shown in the cliff dwellings by students
and visitors alike is due to the reclamation efforts of Prof. J. Walter Fewkes, of
the Bureau of Ethnology. Under his direction the ruins have been cleared of
debris, reconstructed so far as practicable and described in more comprehensive
language than has ever been used before. The greater part of the above de-
74 HISTORY OF COLORADO
scriptions are taken bodily from his reports to the Department of the Interior
and published by the latter for the benefit of those interested. Future years will
bring to light many other cliff dwellings and Sun temples which are known to
exist under the mounds in the vicinity; governmental support and investigation
will eventually add much to the knowledge we have of the primitive peoples of
southwestern Colorado.
ORIGIN OF THE CLIFF DWELLERS
The exact origin of the Cliff Dwellers is in doubt, although it is generally
supposed that they were descendants of a race which had disappeared as such,
just as the Cliff Dwellers themselves were fated to do. Toltecs these ancient
peoples were called; then again, the Cliff Dwellers were supposed to have de-
scended from the Aztecs. They might have descended from the Mound Build-
ers or, in' fact, from one of the many other tribes which occupied the south-
western country ages ago. There is no doubt today, if the racial and ethnological
similarities may be considered, that there is a distinct relationship between the
Cliff Dwellers and the modern Pueblo Indian. Their ceremonies seem to
be similar and their houses are greatly alike. The Pueblo Indian may
be the remnant of the Cliff Dweller race, which was either driven out of
the country now in southwestern Colorado or migrated when food became
unobtainable. As stated in a preceding paragraph, future investigations
may disclose the great riddle of these dwellers of the cliffs, of whose life
no written record or tradition exists.
THE AMERICAN INDIAN
. The phrase "American Indian" has been criticized by a number of writers.
Columbus gave the red men the name of "Indies," a Spanish "word, believing the
country he discovered a part of India. This led to the adoption of the word
Indian, or its equivalent, in practically all the principal languages. Then came
the classification of the Indian as we know him as the American Indian, a name
that has remained despite the efforts to abolish the use of the title. The name
"Amerind" enjoyed a short prestige as a compromise expression. However,
for our purposes, the name "Indian," simple and self-explanatory, is sufficient.
The history of Colorado is chiefly concerned with the Indians who came
under the classification of Shoshonean and Siouan stocks. These tribes cov-
ered all of what is now the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, Oregon, Ne-
vada, Montana, California, Idaho and New Mexico when the first white settle-
ments were made in this state. In what is now Colorado the tribal "divisions
comprised the Utes, Arapahoes, Cheyennes and Kiowas. The Sioux warred
continually upon the Cheyennes and forced them into other parts of the country,
while, on the other hand, the Utes were bitter enemies of both the Cheyennes
and Arapahoes. The Potawatomi, Pawnee, Arkansas, Choctaw, Creek, Chero-
kee, Padouca, Sac, Kickapoo, Osage, Delaware, Otoe, Missouri and Omaha,
with other tribes, also occupied land now in Colorado at different times, but not
to the extent of the Utes and Arapahoes.
The Shoshonean Indians were in greater numbers west of the Missouri
VIEW OF THE
'CLIFF PALACE," WHICH IS SITUATED IN A BEANCH OF CLIFF
CANON, AS IT APPEAEED IN 1899
The building is about 425 feet in length and in the central part is about 80 feet in depth.
VIEW OF CLIFF DWELLERS' TOWER-LIKE STRUCTURES THAT STAND AT THE
VERGE OF A CANON PRECIPICE AND OVERLOOK A MESA BACKGROUND, IN
THAT PART OF MESA VERDE DISTRICT WHICH LIES IN THE FAR SOUTH-
WESTERN SECTION OF COLORADO
76 HISTORY OF COLORADO
River when explorations were first made to the Rockies and foothills. The
seven tribes of the Utes camped in the valleys and on the mountains of Colo-
rado, and along the Platte and Arkansas rivers. East of the Front Range and
north of the Arkansas were the Cheyennes and Arapahoes, while south of the
Arkansas were the Kiowas and Comanches. The Navajoes and Apaches, of the
Athabascan group, later came to the Rockies. It is said that the Spaniards
found Navajoes along the Rio San Juan in the Sixteenth Century, at which
time they were hostile to the Utes.
The early Spanish and French explorers came into frequent contact with
the Indians, with whom they traded and from whom they obtained information,
often fanciful, of the country. These foreigners gave the Indian tribes names
which have long since disappeared from use. The early maps gave to the various
tribes certain sections of the country such, for instance, as that of Delisle's map
of Moscosco's journey west of the Mississippi. Here what is now Colorado and
the northern part of New Mexico was designated as the "Country of the Apaches
and Padoucas," and upon a later map the country between the North and South
Platte is occupied by the "White Padoucas" and the valley of the Arkansas by
the "Black Padoucas." The Padoucas apparently were in the majority at the
time of French exploration, as the name predominates in every French descrip-
tion of the country. Upon other old charts of the country the Platte River has
been given the name of Riviere des Padoucas.
The central part of Colorado, in the vicinity of Denver, was occupied largely
by the Arapahoes. Of this tribe little can be said in commendation. They com-
bined all the characteristics which go to make up the "bad Indian." Crafty,
treacherous, cruel, pugnacious, dishonest and even murderous they were. The
site of Denver was a favorite camping ground for them and when the first set-
tlements were made there arose many difficulties between them and the white
people. The contact of civilization did them no good, as it brought to them all
the vices, including whiskey, to further inflame their warlike propensities.
Left Hand, Little Raven, and Buffalo Billy were noted Arapaho chiefs of
this day; the former met his death when Chivington massacred the Indian band
at Sand Creek in 1864 and the latter was killed in 1860 during a drunken spree
at the camp southeast of Denver.
The Pawnees occupied only a part of what is now Colorado, to be exact, the
northeast corner. Their country was along the Platte River principally, in the
west half of Nebraska, but their excursions took them over into Colorado many
times ; whence they were generally driven back by the enemy tribes.
The Cheyennes, probably of the Algonquin family, were so relentlessly warred
upon by the Sioux that they were driven from their native habitat along the
Cheyenne River and a large number of them came southward to form an alli-
ance with the Arapahoes. They were good warriors and hunters and consider-
ably strengthened the latter tribe. Roman Nose, whose name is identified with
the history of Colorado, was a Cheyenne chieftain who fomented a large amount
of trouble wherever he went, and whose activities eventually cost him his life
on the Arickaree while attacking Forsyth's troops.
The Crows, an exiled branch of the Sioux, were feared in Colorado on ac-
count of their depredations. The Sioux Indians considered a Crow a natural
HISTORY OF COLORADO 77
enemy despite the distant relationship and, for that matter, the white settlers
never trusted one of the tribe whose raids reached as far as the site of Denver.
The Kiowas, thought by many writers to be of Shoshone blood, were once
inhabitants of the upper valley of the Arkansas and on the South Platte. From
here the Arapahoes, with the Cheyennes, compelled them to migrate southeast-
ward, where they found refuge on the lower Arkansas and its tributaries.
The Utes, of the Shoshone family, were closely identified with Colorado's
period of settlement and were the cause of most of the Indian troubles of the
time. They once occupied all of the mountain country of Colorado, the south-
western part of Wyoming and a great part of Utah. They were at peace with
no other Indian tribe, except the notorious Apache on the South, with whom they
were allied mostly for defensive purposes. The Ute Indian was of a high order
and possessed many qualities not ordinarily associated with the American In-
dian.
At least two chieftains of more than ordinary intelligence were produced
among the Utes. Ouray, without question the best of the Utes, was a man of
great sagacity and administrative ability. He was a pacifist and continually
strived for peace between his people and the whites. The White River massacre
by the Utes was contrary to his advice and his services in the investigation after-
wards were meritorious. Ouray was born in 1839, the son of a Ute father and
an Apache mother, and died at the Southern Ute Agency in Colorado during the
year 1883.
Ignacio, of the Weeminuche tribe of Southern Utes, was another chieftain of
high intellect and wisdom. He succeeded Ouray as the head of the tribe and
always followed in his predecessor's course of promoting peace and prosperity
among his people. He understood thoroughly that the Indian could not with-
stand the civilization of the white man, also that hostile opposition only hastened
the doom of his people. With this view strongly inculcated into his every pur-
pose, he performed a notable work during his life — that of keeping his subjects
at peace.
On the other hand there were a number of Ute chieftains who were personi-
fications of everything despicable — treachery, cruelty, immorality, inebriety and
love of bloodshed. Captain Jack, chief of the Yampai White River Utes, was a
man of this character. He refused to acknowledge the wisdom of keeping peace
with the whites, was forever an enemy of the settlers, and strongly resisted any
attempt to civilize his race. Land cultivation or, to his mind, manual labor, was
very distasteful. He led the band of Utes which ambushed Major Thornburg
and his troops in 1879, at the time of the attack on the White River Agency.
Captain Jack was killed in October, 1897, during a drunken carousal at Navajo
Springs, Colorado.
Douglas, who led the attack on the White River Agency in 1879, was a chief-
tain of ability and intelligence, but combining with those laudable qualities others
of criminal character, which made him all the more dangerous. Until the time
of his dastardly attack on the Meeker family he had professed a desire for peace
with the whites. However, the opportunity had no sooner arrived than he
changed and literally bathed his hands in blood. Douglas was never punished
for this act and lived until 1885, dying at the Uintah Agency, White Rocks,
Utah.
78 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Colorow was a chieftain who was more thoroughly disliked, both by the whites
and the Indians themselves, than any other leader of the Utes. He had the
qualities of a wolf and a coyote, with not enough character to inspire respect
even among his kinsmen. It is said that he traveled around the country alone,
visiting ranch houses when the men were absent and frightening the women.
After the White River Agency massacre, he was taken to the Uintah Reserva-
tion, in Utah. He declared boastfully that he would not stay in Utah and in
1887 he, with his small band, left and came back to southwestern Colorado. He
speedily got into a quarrel with the authorities of Garfield County and state
troops were sent there to subdue him. The troops came into conflict with the
Utes, killed several of them and suffered slight casualties themselves, but old
Colorow was taken back to Utah. He died there in 1888.
Buckskin Charley, a chieftain of the Southern Utes, was a natural leader.
He was very tactful and shrewd, but did not rank with Ouray and Ignacio in
intelligence. Having had an Apache father, it was hardly possible for him to
be wholly good. Howrever, he did not antagonize the whites to any extent and
always managed to maintain a high position of leadership among his people.
He was a familiar figure in Denver during the later years of his life.
COL. HENRY DODGERS EXPEDITION
The desire of the United States Government to bring about a peaceable re-
lationship and amicable understanding with the Indian tribes of the Great West
and also to encourage friendship between the tribes was the foundation of sev-
eral military expeditions to the western country about the middle of the Nine-
teenth Century.
The first of these w.as that of Col. Henry Dodge, of the First Regiment of
United States Dragoons, in 1835. This was the first expedition of strictly mili-
tary character to march to the Rockies. The personnel of the expeditionary
force, as described by Colonel Dodge's own adjutant, was as follows:
"Company G, 37 men, commanded by Captain Ford.
"Company C, 40 men, commanded by Captain Duncan.
"Company A, 40 men, commanded by Lieutenant Lupton.
"Lieutenant Wheelock doing duty in Company C; Lieutenant Steen, ord-
nance officer, in command of two swivels. Lieutenant Terrett, assistant commis-
sary of subsistence, etc. Lieutenant Kingsbury, acting adjutant, and Doctor
Fellows, assistant surgeon. Major Dougherty, Indian agent, was to accompany
the command as far as the Pawnee village; and Captain Gantt, Indian trader,
who was well acquainted with the country over which we were to march, accom-
panied the detachment in the capacity of guide.
"The companies were directed to take sixty days' rations of flour, and ten
days' rations of pork; and the assistant commissary of subsistence to take twenty-
five beeves and two wagon loads of flour."
The Dodge expedition left Fort Leavenworth on May 2gth and. proceeded
to the Platte River at a point forty miles above its mouth, where a grand council
was held with the Otoe Indians. Later, the Omaha Indians under Big Elk met
Colonel Dodge here and another council was held. The journey was then con-
tinued up the south side of the Platte to the camp of the Grand Pawnees (below
80 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the foot of the Grand Island). Although the Pawnees distrusted the Americans,
they received Colonel Dodge with all Indian hospitality and despatched messen-
gers to outlying Indian villages, calling the chiefs in to a grand council. This
formal gathering was held on June 23d and was a success. The Indians promised
to be more friendly among themselves and also to make peace with the Chey-
ennes and Arapahoes.
Upon the continuation of the march up the Platte, negotiations were opened
with the Arickaras, considered to be the most warlike of the tribes west of the
Missouri. A council was held with this tribe a short distance beyond the forks
of the Platte, when Dodge assured them of the Whites' friendship and desire
for their welfare. Nothing of interest or pertinent to the history of Colorado
occurred at this meeting.
On the afternoon of July 9th the expedition entered Colorado at the north-
eastern corner of the state, following the right bank of the South Platte. The
command went up the east side of the river, crossing Denver's site, and pro-
ceeded almost to the Platte Canon mouth, then up Plum Creek, over the ridge
to Monument Creek, down the Monument to the Fontaine qui Bouille, thence
down the stream to a place within fifteen miles of the mouth, thence south-
east to the Arkansas and down this stream into Kansas. Bent's Fort was
visited on the route.
In his formal report to the Government, Colonel Dodge writes as follows :
"On the 28th of July, I encamped in full view of Pike's Peak, on the
Rocky Mountains. The next morning two Spaniards arrived at my camp and
stated that they had been sent by traders from the Arkansas River in search
of the Arepaha (Arapaho) Indians. On the 3Oth of July, I arrived at the Arkan-
sas River, about five miles from the point where that river leaves the Rocky
Mountains. Here I saw about sixty lodges of the Arepaha Indians with their
families. This nation claims the country from the south fork of the Platte
River to the Arkansas, and numbers about eleven hundred warriors. They
have never entered into a treaty with the United States. They are said to have
come from the Rocky Mountains, and are the descendants of the Blackfeet
Indians, whose tongue they speak. I found them desirous of cultivating the most
friendly understanding with me. From this place I despatched a messenger,
with a few dragoons, in search of some of the principal chiefs of the Arepaha,
with some of the Cheyenne and Blackfeet Indians, who were on the waters of
the Platte.
"On the 3ist of July, I commenced my march down the Arkansas, and arrived
at the fort of Bent and St. Vrain on the 4th of August. This fort is built on
the Arkansas River, about one hundred and thirty miles from the Rocky Moun-
tains, and its owners are trading under a license from the superintendent of
Indian affairs at St. Louis. They erected the fort to protect them against
a sudden attact of the Indians, and have a six-pounder and several light field-
pieces; they trade with the Arepaha and Cheyenne Indians, and also with the
Camanches of the Red River. At this place I met a number of the Cheyenne
Indians. On the 6th of August, my messenger arrived with one of the principal
chiefs of the Arepaha Indians and some of the Blackfeet who reside with the
Arepahas. At Fort William (Fort Bent), on the /th of August, I met a large
assembly of Indians in council, and endeavored to explain to them the views
HISTORY OF COLORADO 81
and wishes of the Government in relation to them. A small deputation of
Pawnees accompanied my command from the Pawnee village, and had a friendly
understanding with their old enemies, the Arepahas and Cheyenne Indians. I
made a few presents to them, in the name of the great father, the President
of the United States, which appeared to have a great effect upon them, they
being the first ever made to the Arepaha or Blackfeet. At this council, I learned
that the Osages and the Arepahas, who had been at war for many years, had made
peace, and that a party of the Osages had gone to the Camanches, on the Red
River, to confirm the peace made between them last year. Mr. Bent, of the
trading-house of Bent and St. Vrain, arrived at Fort William, on the Arkansas,
the day after I had held the council with these Indians. He had visited the
Camanches on the Red River, and stated that he had seen upwards of two
thousand, and they treated him with great kindness, and expressed a desire to
be included in the peace made by me with the Camanches last year.
"When the boundary line is run between the United States and Mexico, I
believe that more than one-half of the country now claimed by the Camanches
will be within the territorial limits of the United States.
"On the 1 2th of August, I took up my line of march down the Arkansas,
and on the i<4th arrived at a village of the Cheyenne Indians, composed of about
sixty .skin lodges. In the evening after my arrival, I held a council with the
principal braves of this band. About eight o'clock, next morning, my attention
was directed to the firing of a number of small-arms in quick succession, at the
distance of about one-half mile; more than one hundred guns were fired in one
or two minutes. Supposing this firing to be an attact on the Cheyenne Indians
by some of their enemies, and that this band might ask protection from me, I
instantly formed the dragoons in order of battle, until I could be informed as
to the cause of the firing. It was, however, soon ascertained to be a party of
the Pawnees and Arickaras, about one hundred in number, under the command
of one of the principal chiefs of the Pawnees, which Indians, upon arriving
in the vicinity of their enemies, the Cheyennes, had fired their guns, to prove
to them their friendly disposition, by approaching with empty guns. I was much
gratified to meet the Pawness and Arickaras at the village of the Cheyennes,
on the Arkansas River. I had advised them in council, on the river Platte, to
make peace with their old enemies, the Arepahas and Cheyennes. This I con-
sidered a fortunate meeting of the old enemies, as it enabled me, as the mutual
friend of all, to effect, I hope, a lasting peace between them. The Cheyennes
made presents to the Pawnees and Arickaras, of upwards of one hundred horses ;
and the latter made a present of fifty of their guns to the Cheyennes. I en-
deavored to impress strongly on the minds of these Indians, the mutual advantage
that would result to them by making a lasting peace."
Lieutenant Kingsbury was the chief journalist of the expedition and recorded
in excellent language the appearance of the Colorado country through which they
passed and the Indians with whom they became acquainted. He found the
country literally blackened with buffalo herds, also saw droves of wild horses.
The sight of the mountains, with their snow-capped peaks extending above the
clouds, impressed him with their "beautiful and splendid appearance." Not-
withstanding the intelligence of the members of the Dodge expedition, the
description of the route taken, distances, and names of rivers are recorded
82 HISTORY OF COLORADO
incorrectly many times. The official map published after the return is also
seriously in error. Of the Indian descriptions, however, more confirmation can
be given. Colonel Dodge and Lieutenant Kingsbury both made accurate and
colorful narratives of the red • man, his life and habits. Naturally, as their
principal object was to make friends with the native, their observation was
both thorough and unbiased. Of the Cheyennes the record states: "The Chey-
ennes are a bold and warlike band of Indians, and at the time of our arrival
were in a state of great disorganization. They had just killed their principal
chief, and had separated into three villages, and were wandering about the
prairie without any leader. They were at war with the Camanches, Kiowas,
Pawnees and Arickaras ; a large war party had gone out against the Camanches,
and had not returned at the time of our arrival. The Osages had visited the
Cheyennes and Arepahas early in the summer, and had made peace with them.
A party of the Arepahas then went with the Osages to visit the Camanches,
with whom they wished to establish friendly relations. The Cheyennes are a
better looking race of Indians than any we have seen, and more cleanly in their
appearance. The women are remarkable for their beauty and the neatness of
their personal appearance. The Cheyennes formerly lived on the Missouri
River, where they were visited by General Atkinson in 1825. They left that
country shortly after, and came to the south fork of the Platte, and have since been
living with the Arepahas, with whom they have entered into the strictest terms
of alliance, both offensive and defensive, and will, doubtless, in a few years,
become incorporated with that nation. They are now about two hundred and
twenty lodges, six hundred and sixty men, or two thousand six hundred and forty
souls in all. They range between the Platte and Arkansas, near the mountains,
and subsist entirely upon buffalo and the wild fruit they gather along the moun-
tains.
"Of the Arepahas, there are about three hundred and sixty lodges, one
thousand and eighty men, or three thousand six hundred souls in all. They
are a less warlike nation than the Cheyennes, and appear to be a small and
more delicate looking race of Indians, and are governed in their war movements
almost entirely by the Cheyennes. The names of their principal chiefs : Ena-
cha-ke-kuc, or buffalo bull that carries a gun ; Oe-che-ne, or old raven ; E-thaw-
ete, or strong bow; Waw-lau-nah, or black dog; Waw-hin-e-hun, or mad bear;
Naw-tuh-tha, or buffalo belly. They are less neat in their appearance than the
Cheyennes, and make their clothes of buffalo skins. They range with the Chey-
ennes between the Platte and the Arkansas, and subsist entirely upon buffalo.
The bow and arrow is the principal weapon they make use of in war, and in
killing game. Some few of them have guns and ammunition that they have bought
of the American traders for robes and fur. They kill their buffalo upon horses,
by running at full speed into a large gang and snooting them with their arrows.
The Arepahas formerly lived upon Maria's River, near the forks of the Missouri,
but emigrated to this country a long time since.
"The Gros-ventres of Fort du Prairie, now living with the Arepahas, are a
band of the Blackfeet. They speak the same language with the Arepahas,
emigrated from the sam'e country, and have the same manners and customs.
There are now about three hundred and fifty of them living with the Arepahas.
Seven hundred lodges came to the Arkansas in the summer of 1824 and returned
HISTORY OF COLORADO 83
in 1832, and are expected again on the Platte and Arkansas, in September, 1835.
The names of their principal chiefs are Nash-hin-e-thow, or elk tongue; Ka-aw-
che, or bear tooth. There is also a small band of the Blackfeet proper, consisting
of about fifty, who live with the Cheyennes and the Arepahas. A band of
Kiowas, called the upper band, consisting of one thousand eight hundred or
two thousand, and another who are called the Apaches of the plains, consisting
of about twelve hundred, also frequent this portion of the country. All these
Indians frequent the Arkansas and the Platte near the mountains, for the pur-
pose of killing buffalo, upon which they subsist, and make their clothes of the
skins. They all have large numbers of horses, upon which they hunt buffalo
and pack their baggage. The women do all the work, and wait upon the men,
who do nothing but kill the game."
Throughout his journey among the plains Indians, Colonel Dodge never was
met with hostility. He was an emissary of peace and as such he was ex-
tremely successful; for the time being he aroused better feelings among the
Indians, both toward the white men and toward each other. He pointed out
to the savage the economic benefits to be gained by friendly intercourse. Maj.
Gen. Edmund P. Gaines, writing to the adjutant-general at Washington, stated
that the results obtained "are not only altogether deeply interesting, but are,
in part, extraordinary, and I may add, unprecedented. For example, the ex-
pedition embracing a traverse of 1600 miles of continuous wilderness, alternate
prairie and woodland, in which many nations of Indians were conferred with,
and most judiciously impressed with the justice, humanity and power of our
Government and Country, and then passed by without sustaining any injury
or loss by any casualty, excepting only the short illness and death of one of the
brave dragoons, and without loss or any material injury done to the horses of the
battalion."
Henry Dodge reached the rank of colonel, which he bore at the time of his
expedition; served in the War of 1812 and the Black Hawk war; was the first
governor of Wisconsin Territory; elected the first junior senator from the
State of Wisconsin in 1848 and continued until 1857. He died July 9, 1867.
THE KEARNEY EXPEDITION
Of slightly different character was the military expedition commanded by
Col. Stephen W. Kearney, which visited the plains Indians in 1845. Wherein
Colonel Dodge effected his purpose by conciliation and mediation, Colonel
Kearney sought to accomplish his purpose by an exhibition of the "mailed fist."
Indian raids had been made upon the emigrants traveling to the Oregon country
and more were anticipated, so it was believed by the governmental authorities
at Washington that a lasting impression should be made upon the Indians by
proving to them the military power of the white men. Colonel Kearney was in
command of the First Regiment of United States Dragoons.
With several companies of this regiment, Kearney left Fort Leavenworth
on May 18, 1845, and pursued a westerly course until he arrived at the Oregon
Trail in the valley of the Big Blue. He followed this trail to the Platte River,
thence up the North Fork to Fort Laramie, from where he journeyed beyond
the South Pass. He returned to Fort Laramie during the middle of July, then
84 HISTORY OF COLORADO
struck out in a southerly direction through what is now Colorado, along the
foothills, to the Arkansas. The expedition then turned eastward, followed the
river to the Santa Fe Trail, thence to Leavenworth. In his official report,
Colonel Kearney stated:
"During our march we met with the Pawnees — with several tribes of the
Sioux Indians — with the Cheyennes and Arapahoes. They were distinctly told
that the road opened by the dragoons must not be closed by the Indians, and
that the white people traveling upon it must not be disturbed, either in their
persons or property. It is believed that the Indians will remember to observe
what has been told to them on this subject. * * *
"There are a number of white men from our own states, who have nomin-
ally their residence near Taas (Taos) and Santa Fe, and who come frequently
into the Indian country between the upper Arkansas and the Platte, between
'Bent's Fort' and 'Fort Laramie' ; bringing whiskey with them, which they
trade to the Indians ; consequently causing much difficulty and doing much harm.
This should be prevented ; and possibly might, by the appointment of a sub-agent,
which I recommend, located at 'Bent's Fort,' who, under instructions from the
War Department, might put a stop to that traffic in that section of the country."
Colonel Kearney strongly advocated placing the entire Indian country under
martial law; in fact, he believed in controlling the Indians with threats, and with
brute force, in general with an iron hand. The relative value of the Kearney
and Dodge theories of Indian government is a matter of debate, but the prepon-
derance of opinion seems to be in favor of Dodge's conciliatory methods, for
ultimate ends if not for immediate.
In 1846 Colonel Kearney was again present upon Colorado soil, but with a
different purpose. He had with him the forces which he employed in the "blood-
less" conquest of New Mexico in August of that year. The soldiers marched
from Leavenworth to a point nine miles below Fort Bent, where all were
assembled. The army thus gathered went into New Mexico by way of the Raton
Pass. Shortly after, Colonel Price's command, consisting of 1700 men, followed
practically the same route and crossed Colorado ground.
BEGINNING OF DEPREDATIONS
The presence of such great bodies of United States troops upon the plains thor-
oughly aroused the militant spirit of the Indians of the central and south west.
The Comanches, Kiowas, Apaches, Osages and Pawnees soon began to attack
the wagon trains on the Santa Fe Trail. The depredations committed along
this great highway, the cold and ruthless murders and the accompanying atrocities
were many during the summer and autumn of 1847. The Utes and Navajoes,
also the Apaches, began to don their war-paint in northern New Mexico and
make trouble. Troops from New Mexico were despatched in detachments
to drive out these bands of Indians and were more or less successful.
One particularly successful command was given to Lieut-Col. William Gilpin,
afterwards the first governor of Colorado Territory. Gilpin had taken part in
the conquest of New Mexico and the march to Chihuahua City as a major in
the First Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. He returned to Missouri in 1847 and
then was given the command of a volunteer force organized for the purpose of
VIEW OF A SMALL PART OF THE CLIFF DWELLERS' "CLIFF PALACE," IN THE
MESA VERDE DISTRICT, IN THE FAR SOUTHWESTERN SECTION OF COLORADO
86 HISTORY OF COLORADO
suppressing the Indians who were committing the depredations along the Santa
Fe Trail. There were three companies of infantry and two of cavalry, com-
prising about eight hundred and fifty men, in Gilpin's new command. The
expedition started from Fort Leavenworth in October and on November ist
reached a point where Walnut Creek enters the Arkansas. Colonel Gilpin
stated in his report that "By careful inquiry, I estimated the losses sustained
from Indian attacks during the summer of 1847 to have been: Americans,
killed, 47; wagons destroyed, 330; stock plundered, 6,500. The greater amount
of these losses were sustained by government trains, passing with supplies to
and from Santa Fe. * * * Such had been the losses sustained from the
Pawnees, and from the allied tribes and Camanches and Kiowas, upon the
Arkansas and the Cimardn, and from the Apaches, upon the Canadian River,
farther west. Rumors reached me from all directions, that, inflamed by these
excesses, an arrangement was negotiating between the latter people, and the
powerful tribes of the Cheyennes and Arapahoes to carry on the war with their
united strength, as the season of 1848 should open."
Gilpin decided that the best strategy would be to enter the Cheyenne and
Arapaho country boldly. He proceeded to the abandoned Fort Mann, where
the Santa Fe Trail crossed the Arkansas, there left a portion of his troops as
a garrison, and then took the remainder of the command directly into the hostile
country. He encamped on the north side of the upper Arkansas, near what is
now Pueblo City. "Being without provisions and transportation, my command,
dismounted for the most part, endured in tents the rigors of the long winter,
subsisting the men upon such provisions as could be procured from New Mexico
and the Indians, and the horses upon the dead winter grass. The Indians were,
however, overawed by this immediate contrast of a military force, abandoned
all intercourse with the southern tribes, and invited the Kiowas to withdraw
from the Camanche alliance ; to unite with them in pacific relations with the
Americans." The Kiowas obeyed the request of the Cheyennes and Arapahoes
and ceased their warlike activities for the time.
The two divisions of American troops were again united and a definite
campaign begun upon the Comanches and Apaches along the Santa Fe Trail.
Many encounters occurred between the troops and Indians, none of them in
Colorado, however, and the savages suffered heavy casualties. Colonel Gilpin
reported: "It will be perceived, then, in what manner so many tribes of Indians
inhabiting an immense and various territory, have been defeated by a single
battalion. By the winter march and residence of my cavalry command at the foot
of the Rocky Mountains, the Kiowas, Cheyennes and Arapahoes were forced
to abstain from hostilities. These tribes being cut off and kept in the rear by
the subsequent operations during the spring and summer upon the Canadian,
Cimaron and middle Arkansas, the Camanches, Apaches, Pawnees and Osages
were attacked, defeated and driven off in opposite directions. As neither treaties
of peace nor fortified points nor troops now exist to control this numerous
cloud of savages, it is clear that all of the atrocities of a very severe Indian
war may be momentarily looked for, and are certain to burst forth with the
early spring. * * * The continually crippled condition and destitution of
supplies caused by the ignorance, the laziness and the vicious character of the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 87
officers in the frontier depots, has fatally retarded the pacification of the Indian
country, and heaped up unmeasured trouble for the national government."
In 1851 the Comanches again went upon the war-path, not only against the
Americans, but against several other Indian tribes. This outbreak was quelled
by the military force under Col. John B. Sanborn. From the Arkansas River
crossing of the Santa Fe Trail, Colonel Sanborn and his troopers marched north-
ward through Colorado to Fort Laramie, after the Indian trouble was quieted.
Thereafter several other small military expeditions came through the Colorado
country, generally following the foothills; the destination of these detachments
was usually Fort Laramie. One of these, that of Captain Marcy in November,
1857, followed the route through the San Juan Mountains, and hardships and
sufferings only comparable to those of Fremont were experienced. An account
of Marcy 's hazardous journey is given elsewhere.
The gold-seekers of the late '505 had very little trouble with the Indians.
The Cheyennes and Arapahoes were disposed to be friendly with the prospectors
who had located along the eastern slope of the mountains, as the latter formed
a sort of buffer between them and the Ute tribes. For the same reason, the Utes
were strongly opposed to the new white settlements. A lone prospector named
Banker was killed during the summer near the site of Golden, also several other
miners in the Clear Creek district were murdered by the Utes. On June 26th
a party of prospectors consisting of J. L. Shank, J. L. Kennedy and William
M. Slaughter were attacked while they were working just south of Mt. Evans.
The first fire from the Utes killed Kennedy and mortally wounded Shank, but
Slaughter escaped. Another tragedy was reported in September. The bodies
of six white men and one Indian, scalped and mutilated in Indian fashion, were
found in Dead-men's Gulch, Gunnison County.
THE UPRISING OF 1864
The Indian uprising of 1864 had its beginning in 1861, when the North and
South became locked in warfare. The Indians of the plains did not fully under-
stand this great struggle which had begun east of the Missouri River; they
thought that the "tribes" of the North and South would quickly exterminate
each other and leave them in complete freedom of the great plains as of yore.
The Indians were not slow to take advantage of the opportunity. In order to
facilitate the redemption of their hunting grounds and the expulsion of the
Americans they began quietly to prepare for a concentrated attack. They were
wise enough to realize that only in united effort could their wish be gratified,
and not by desultory attacks or unorganized movement. In this they were only
partially successful. Some of the larger tribes were willing to confederate, but
others hesitated to ally themselves with those hitherto their bitter enemies. An-
other factor which prevented an expeditious union was the lack of guns and am-
munition. The day of the bow and arrow as an offensive weapon was past.
Accordingly, with stealth and diplomacy, all of the plains Indians began to
accumulate weapons from the white men. They would either steal, trade or
buy rifles and ammunition. The suspicion of some ominous occurrence to fall
upon the settlements became general among the Americans, but all questions
put to the Indians in regard to their consuming desire for ordnance were an-
88 HISTORY OF COLORADO
swered evasively or by skillful falsehood. The Cheyennes and Arapahoes,
although of the most peaceful attitude apparently, were also making prepara-
tions for war. The Utes did not conceal their true feelings so well, but main-
tained an openly hostile front. The small depredations and killings reported
from the mining districts in the late '503 and the early '6os were all perpetrated
by the Utes, generally small bands acting independently of the main tribe.
By the summer of 1862 the necessity arose of making a serious effort to
counteract the growing restlessness of the Indians of the plains. On July 18,
1862, Governor Evans, in his message to the Territorial Legislature, strongly
advocated the organization of a militia force and recommended a statute for
that purpose. The Legislature immediately complied with this request. But
action upon the new law, with immediate advantage to be gained from its enact-
ment, was impossible of accomplishment and the settlers were left during the re-
mainder of the year with inadequate protection. It is true that the Second Colo-
rado Volunteer Infantry had been organized, but this regiment was poorly
equipped and in all probability could not have withstood a very severe attack.
In August, 1862, several stage stations along the Arkansas River in Kansas were
plundered by Indian bands, but no men killed. In the same summer, northwestern
Iowa, southwestern Minnesota and southeastern Dakota received their baptism
of blood at the hands of the Sioux. New Ulm became history and over a
thousand men, women and children were slaughtered. Hostilities there really
began as early as 1855, when the massacre at Lake Okoboji, Iowa, occurred
and four white women were carried away to hideous captivity.
The first raid within the borders of Colorado occurred in March, 1863. At
this time a band of Cheyennes and Kiowas appeared at the settlement located
at the mouth of the Cache a la Poudre and confiscated every horse and gun
they could find. No murders were committed here, showing, without question,
that the Indians had decided upon a definite course and were not yet ready
to begin killing. Other raids of similar nature were conducted by the Indians
along the Platte and the South Platte during the remainder of the year, all the
time enlarging their means of warfare. Governor Evans appreciated the neces-,
sity of quick and forceful action on the part of the government and repeatedly
conveyed his fears and knowledge of conditions to Washington. However, the
government had its hands full fighting the Southern Confederacy and was unable
to hasten any material aid to the western plains. From reliable sources in-
formation had come that the Indians were to be ready the following spring
and would then turn loose with all their pent-up ferocity and hellish purposes,
beginning with the sparser settlements and gradually consuming the larger centers
of population.
With the coming of spring in 1864 the Indian activities began to assume
definite character. A central ground was established on the Smoky Hill fork
of the Republican River, in western Kansas, and here the Indians gathered,
sending out raiding parties on the eve of their offensive, both to learn of the
disposition of the Whites and to gather more- supplies. The only military
organization in Colorado Territory then was the First Colorado Cavalry. A
detachment of this regiment, consisting of a hundred men armed with two
howitzers, met fully three hundred Cheyennes about ten miles from Fort Larned.
The Indians immediately attacked openly, but were repulsed with heavy loss
HISTORY OF COLORADO 89
and were scattered. About the same time a smaller detachment of soldiers of
the First met a half hundred Cheyennes at the mouth of Kiowa Creek, in Morgan
County, Colorado, engaged in rustling a drove of horses. The soldiers de-
manded the surrender of the animals and were answered by a volley, which
killed one cavalryman and wounded three others. The troops did not have their
carbines, so permitted the Indians to escape with the stolen horses.
These skirmishes resulted in the quick despatch of a full company of the
First Colorado down the South Platte. At Cedar Canon, in what is now Logan
County, the company encountered an encampment of about three hundred In-
dians and quickly opened fire upon them. The engagement became bitter, but
at last the Indians were defeated, with a loss of thirty-eight killed. One
cavalryman was shot during the melee. Quite a number of horses were captured
by the troops, more than recompense for those stolen by the Indians just
previous.
Governor Evans then sent word to Fort Leavenworth, requesting of Gen.
S. R. Curtis, commander of the Department of Kansas and the Indian Ter-
ritory, a sufficient number of troops to protect the settlers in Denver and
vicinity. Curtis replied that he had no soldiers to spare. Governor Evans then
repeated the request to the authorities in New Mexico, but again was refused.
ALARM IN DENVER
To increase the general alarm, a report came . to Denver, during the first
week of June, that a large body of Indians was approaching the city from the
north and east, with the intention of massacring the inhabitants and sacking the
homes. Governor Evans practically placed Denver under martial law, and
ordered all business houses to close at 6:30 o'clock in the evening, in order that
the citizens might assemble at the corner of I4th and Larimer streets for drill.
The women and children were congregated in the brick buildings during the
night and a close network of sentinels established on the outskirts. The report
soon proved to be false, however, although the situation was rapidly becoming
desperate. Just one company of the First Colorado was left at Denver, the
remainder of the regiment having been sent to Fort Lyon a few days before.
It is easy to understand that a concerted attack by even a thousand Indians
at this time would have resulted in a massacre greater than any which after-
wards occurred during the Indian wars. The people of Denver were not in
a position to defend themselves to any extent and would have been quickly
overcome by the savages. The bloodshed which would have followed is hor-
rible to contemplate.
Under the provisions of a territorial act of 1862, Governor Evans attempted
to form a military force and began by appointing Henry M. Teller as major-
general of such force and with the authority to organize the same. At the
same time he requested the authorities at Washington to allow him to organize
a volunteer cavalry troop for the period of one hundred days. After much
delay this was granted. In the meantime the citizens of Denver fortified every
available building in the town and made all preparations for an attack.
On June i8th word came to Denver of the massacre of a settler named
Hungate, with his wife and two children, at his ranch on Running Creek, twenty-
90 HISTORY OF COLORADO
five miles east of the city. A band of savages led by Roman Nose, a northern
Cheyenne chieftain, had committed the deed and burned the houses after
taking all the plunder and stock desired. The scalped and terribly mutilated
bodies of the Hungate family were carried to Denver and here exhibited to pub-
lic view as a rather ghastly warning to the people.
REIGN OF TERROR
By autumn of 1864 the Indian uprising was in full force. The whole plains
region between the Rockies and the Missouri River and from the Canada
boundary to the Rio Grande was in the throes of Indian war. All routes of
travel were the scenes of bloody massacres and running fights. Lurking bands of
Indians awaited the stages and either compelled them to seek safety in headlong
flight or submit to capture, which meant slow torture for the passengers and driv-
ers until death relieved them. Freight caravans traveled only in large groups and
even then they were subject to attack and in some cases the Indians killed all the
defenders and carried off the women and merchandise. During this "reign
of terror" on the plains the Indian mind devised every known means of inflicting
torture trpon his captives. Bodies of white men were found in an unmentionable
state of mutilation, this having been accomplished before death. Ranch houses
were raided and the owners killed or carried into captivity. The latter recourse
applied only to women and their fate was even worse than death. Many of
the American women were driven insane or to suicide by the inhuman and
brutal treatment accorded them by the savages. When one -reads of the whole-
sale slaughter by the Indians, the tortures inflicted upon helpless people, the
destruction of property, the acts committed upon the white women — and all
of it according to the plan they had so carefully wrought during the pre-
ceding years, the massacres just for the pure love of killing and sight of blood,
the heavy toll exacted by Chivington at Sand Creek seems to have been, as pun-
ishment, a mere reprimand. Notwithstanding the Indians' apologists in later
years, the savage was at heart a beast, of primitive impulses and atrocious
motives. Had not their deeds of crime during the uprising proved this, their
life, personal habits, and their customs would have substantiated the fact.
Governor Evans sent messages to certain Indians whom he thought to be
peaceable and advised them to seek safety at some military post, but none 'of
them so warned heeded his words. At the same time the governor gave all
citizens of Colorado authority to kill Indians wherever they were found and
to take their property, but to avoid attacking peaceful Indians, if there were any.
Col. J. M. Chivington was the commander of the Colorado Military Division,
subordinate to General Curtis at Fort Leavenworth, but little aid was expected
from this source, as the Confederates in Missouri under Price compelled the re-
tention of all Federal troops there.
In the latter part of August a large force of Indians congregated on Beaver
Creek, near its junction with the South Platte, with the intention of attacking
the white settlements along the foothills through Colorado. Word of this came
to Denver on the night of the 2Oth of August. Colonel Chivington immediately
called together all the available, military forces, including a company of home
guards which had been organized by Attorney General Samuel E. Browne and
92 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Gen. Henry M. Teller. This force of men was sent down the river to prevent
the raid at all costs. The Indians, who had counted greatly upon the element of
surprise, gave up their plan when they learned of the approach of the troops
and returned to their depredations on the Platte River Trail.
In September, 1864, a proposal was made to the commander of the Fort
Lyon post by the Indians in the Smoky Hill district to make peace, provided
that the agreement included the Kiowas, Comanches, Arapahoes, Apaches and
Sioux. This written proposal, coming from a mere encampment of five or six
hundred Indians, was signed by Black Kettle and other chiefs. The sincerity of
the proposal was questioned, as the matter seemed to have been presented too
casually to bear much weight. The Indians also agreed to surrender some white
women and children whom they had captured. One of the women, a Mrs. Sny-
der, had hung herself a few weeks before rather than endure the shameful treat-
ment accorded her.
COUNCIL AT DENVER
Finally, an arrangement was concluded whereby five of the chieftains were
to go to Denver for a peace conference. These turned out to be Black Kettle,
his brother, White Antelope, Bull Bear, a Cheyenne, Neva and Bosse, Arapahoes.
Before going to Denver the Indians gave up four prisoners to the Fort Lyon com-
mander and then on the 28th of September a council was held with Governor
Evans, Colonel Chivington and others of the white leaders. Black Kettle and
Bull Bear addressed the meeting ; the former blamed the murders upon the young
men of the tribes, while the latter stated that the uprising originated with the
Sioux. Governor Evans spoke to the Indians then and warned them against
further warfare, but it remained for Chivington to end the meeting with his
characteristic strenuosity. He told the Indians plainly and in none too mild
language that to continue their depredations would mean just one of two things
— submission to the white man's will or extermination. Nothing definite was
decided at this council and the Indians returned to Fort Lyon under escort.
Within the week, Governor Evans left Denver for Washington, leaving the
administration in the hands of Acting Governor Elbert and Colonel Chivington.
He remained in the East for seven months.
By this time the Third Colorado Volunteer Cavalry had been organized. This
was the organization of one-hundred-days' men which Evans had requested per-
mission to organize. George L. Shoup was the colonel of the regiment and the
encampment was located in Denver. A few small reconnaissances were made,
but no serious conflict was had with the Indians during the recruiting stages.
Camp was moved to the head of Bijou Creek about the first of November.
During the autumn months Indian activities had increased alarmingly along
the Missouri River trails and on the Arkansas. People ceased to travel overland
and freighters refused to move unless adequately protected by the military.
Hundreds of emigrants from the East waited at the Missouri River during the
summer, until the conditions upon the plains became better. The more adven-
turous pushed on despite all warnings and generally came to grief. The total
loss of life during this time has never been accurately computed, but it is safe
to say that over one hundred white people lost their lives while traveling through
the plains country.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 93
THE AFFAIR AT SAND CREEK
Black Kettle and his four companions returned to the Smoky Hill rendez-
vous after the council in Denver. The Arapahoes under Left Hand, to which
band Neva and Bosse belonged, went to Fort Lyon in October and surrendered
much of the plunder that had been taken, to the officers of the post. The com-
mander kept them at the fort for a few days, then advised Left Hand to take
his warriors to an encampment upon Sand Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas.
The Arapahoes did as they were bidden and proceeded to a point forty miles
west of the fort, where they were joined by Black Kettle and his Cheyennes.
The whole band formed a village of some eight hundred men, although the In-
dians claimed after the massacre that there were only about two hundred of
them. The real purpose of the Indians at this time is not known for certain.
Some writers have claimed that they believed themselves to be under the protec-
tion of the forts and that they were peaceable, while other historians have ad-
vanced the theory that the Indians were simply taking a breathing spell and were
planning to go upon the warpath again.
After the conference at Denver, Colonel Chivington began to make preparations
for dealing a severe blow to the Indians before winter. General Curtis, at Fort
Leavenworth, advocated ruthless measures to punish the savages for their past
crimes, consequently Chivington felt secure in whatever he might do. Soon he
developed a plan to attack the Cheyennes and Arapahoes encamped on Sand
Creek and so carry into effect the threats he had made to Black Kettle in Den-
ver. For his campaign he selected the greater part of the Third Colorado Cavalry
and several units of the First Cavalry; two field-pieces of light artillery were
also taken. With this outfit he marched rapidly toward the Sand Creek encamp-
ment, first going to Fort Lyon. He arrived at the fort on November 28th and
after a few hours' rest here he continued toward the Indian village, with 125
extra men and two more cannon. He came upon the Indians at sunrise the next
morning.
Chivington had given definite orders to his men while at Fort Lyon and
these orders in a word were — no quarter! They were to kill without mercy,
sparing neither man, woman nor child. His intentions had been a secret before
reaching Fort Lyon, as he desired more than anything to take the Indians com-
pletely by surprise.
The hour was early and many of the Indians had not come from their lodges.
A raking artillery and musketry fire met them as they ran wildly about, endeav-
oring to organize for defense. Their horses were stampeded by a detachment
of soldiers. Many of the Indians, thinking the soldiers had mistaken them for
a war party* ran toward the troops, with their hands raised in token of peace.
This was of no avail and they were shot down without consideration. Fully a
hundred of the other warriors began to fight and continued desperately, but
against such heavy odds that they were quickly slaughtered. White Antelope
and Left Hand fell early in the fight, the former with his hands raised in sur-
render and the latter standing motionless, refusing to fight men whom he had
always considered friends. The women and children crowded together for
safety, but the troopers killed them as they stood. Nor were the wounded spared ;
the white men scalped and mutilated the bodies in a manner unsurpassed by any
94 HISTORY OF COLORADO
bloodthirsty savage in the past. By the testimony given during the Federal in-
vestigation of this massacre it would seem that the soldiers became fiends incar-
nate. The condition of the bodies and the evidence of frenzied butchery is hard
to believe as the work of Americans, but such it was. Not content with merely
killing the savages and their families, some of the soldiers insanely cut the
bodies to pieces, mashed the heads of others, and in numerous ways satiated their
abnormal desires. Black Kettle and 200 of the warriors succeeded in escaping
about midday and were not apprehended. By 2 o'clock in the afternoon the
soldiers ceased their bloody work, as there were no more Indians left to kill. A
few women were found hidden in the lodges, but these were quickly murdered.
Then began the work of pillage.
The results of this massacre were far-reaching and many. Chivington, after
a few days' search for another band of Arapahoes supposed to be under the
leadership of Little Raven, returned to Denver where he was received with ac-
claim. His losses had been small, ten men killed and thirty-eight wounded, of
whom four died. He reported boastfully that he had captured no prisoners and
that he had left between five and six hundred Indians dead upon the field. In
the matter of estimating the number of Indians engaged, the number killed, etc.,
there is a wide variance of opinion. Deeds committed in white heat are not
easily reduced to figures afterwards. A trader by the name of Smith, who was
in the Indian encampment at the time of the massacre, said there were only about
two hundred fighting men engaged. One person actually "counted" four hundred
and fifty corpses on the ground, while Major Anthony, of Chivington's force, esti-
mated that there were one hundred and twenty-five Indians killed. As to the
whole number of Cheyennes and Arapahoes in the encampment, there is a still
greater variance. From a study of all reports, it is believed that there were
not over six hundred men, women and children in all. Colonel Chivington reported
that he had with him "about five hundred men of the Third Regiment, and about
two hundred and fifty of the First Colorado; Anthony's battalion of the First-
Colorado, and Lieutenant Wilson's battalion of the Third Colorado; in all about
one thousand men."
THE AFTERMATH
The people of Denver welcomed Chivington and his troops when they re-
turned, proclaiming him as their deliverer. But it was different in other parts
of the country. Chivington was denounced with the same terms as had been
hitherto applied to the Indians. In January, 1865, Congress took heed of the
wave of indignation which had spread over the land and ordered an investiga-
tion to be made of the massacre. Many things of interest were brought out at
this formal probe into the details of Sand Creek.
The testimony showed that Black Kettle hoisted a white flag over his lodge
when the troops were first seen and that it was disregarded by Chivington. On
the other hand, it was proved that numerous scalps taken from the heads of white
people were found in the lodges, some of them still fresh. Other articles of
plunder which were recognized as having come from Americans were discovered.
Various bits of testimony were given and the circumstances of the tragedy were
built up detail by detail.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 95
Notwithstanding the fact that the people of Colorado, that is, the majority
of them, stood up for Chivington and the Territorial Legislature passed resolu-
tions of approbation, Congress took a different view of the matter. The com-
mittee which had conducted the investigation reported the following May and in
no uncertain terms condemned the act committed by Chivington. The report
stated that "it is difficult to believe that beings in the form of men, and disgracing
the uniform of United States soldiers and officers, could commit or countenance
the commission of such acts of cruelty and barbarity as are detailed in the testi-
mony." In regard to the leader the committee stated: "As to Colonel Chiving-
ton, your committee can hardly find fitting terms to describe his conduct. Wear-
ing the uniform of the United States, which should be the emblem of justice and
humanity; holding the important position of commander of a military district,
and therefore having the honor of the Government to that extent in his keeping,
he deliberately planned and executed a foul and dastardly massacre which would
have disgraced the veriest savage among those who were, the victims of his
cruelty. * * * The truth is that he surprised and murdered, in cold blood,
the unsuspecting men, women and children on Sand Creek, who had every reason
to believe they were under the protection of the United States authorities, and
then returned to Denver and boasted of the brave deeds he and the men under
his command had performed. * * * In conclusion, your committee are of
the opinion that for the purpose of vindicating the cause of justice and uphold-
ing the honor of the nation, prompt and energetic measures should at once be
taken to remove from office those who have thus disgraced the Government by
whom they are employed, and to punish, as their crimes deserve, those who
have been guilty of these brutal and cowardly acts."
After the governmental investigation, the reaction came to the people of
Colorado. There arose a constantly growing group of citizens who condemned
Chivington. The matter became a political issue, a social question and, in fact,
pervaded the very life of the territory. The question of statehood was before
the people then and those favoring statehood were Chivington men; conse-
quently, those opposed to statehood became anti-Sand Creek men.
Colonel Chivington stoutly defended his actions, claiming that he had un-
doubtedly saved Denver and other Colorado communities from imminent attack
and suffering and that such treatment was the only kind the Indians appreciated.
In this radical view, Chivington had many supporters, particularly among those
familiar with the Indian and his character. On the other hand, he held many
enemies throughout the remainder of his life, enemies in such number that his
future activities were failures*. Chivington left Denver in 1867 and went to
San Diego, Cal. In 1873 ne moved to Cincinnati, O., remained there until
1883 and then returned to Denver. He held a few minor public offices here
before he died October 4, 1894. It may be interesting to note that he was a
Methodist minister before entering the Government service.
EFFECT UPON THE INDIANS
Instead of cowing the plains Indians into submission, the Sand Creek mas-
sacre only added fuel to the flame of their hatred and hostility. The killing of
their tribesmen brought all the tribes together in a unity otherwise impossible
96 HISTORY OF COLORADO
and in hundreds of ways they exacted their toll from the Americans. They cre-
ated a reign of terror unknown before and the whole plains region from the
Colorado settlements to those of Kansas and Nebraska became an untenable
space. Stage stations were burned and the keepers killed, all livestock had been
captured, the overland telegraph line was destroyed, and even the troops occupy-
ing posts were compelled to remain behind their stockades. The absence of any
freighting upon the trails brought about a panic in Colorado Territory. Sup-
plies were low, prices arose exorbitantly and the winter months were of extra-
ordinary severity. The Third Colorado Cavalry had been mustered out previ-
ously and there arose the necessity for more troops. Acting Governor Elbert
issued a call for several companies of volunteers, mounted, but the sentiment
against Sand Creek was too strong and the volunteering was negligible. Colonel
Chivington was succeeded as commander of the Colorado District by Col. Thomas
Moonlight, of the Eleventh Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, in January, 1865. Colonel
Moonlight suggested amendments to the territorial militia law, so as to provide
pay and bounties, also horses, for the proposed volunteers, and while the Legis-
ture filibustered for a fortnight over the bill, he declared martial law in the ter-
ritory and closed all business houses and industries except those dealing in
necessities. Governor Elbert now asked for seven companies ; two from Ara-
paho County, two from Gilpin County, one from Jefferson, one from Clear Creek
and one from Boulder, Weld and Larimer counties together. The outcome was
satisfactory and the companies were quickly recruited to full strength and placed
under the command of Samuel E. Browne.
The Indian depredations continued without abatement. Colonel Moonlight,
in his report to Gen. Grenville M. Dodge, then in command of the Department
of Missouri, said : "The Indians are bold in the extreme. They have burned
every ranch between Julesburg and Valley Station, and nearly all the property
at the latter place ; driven off all stock, both public and private. These Indians
are led by white men, and have complete control of all the country outside my
district, so that I am hemmed in." It is said that the glare of flaming homes
could be seen at night from Denver; in fact, almost all of the surrounding coun-
try was in the hands of the redskins. The stage route from Denver to Julesburg
had been devastated every mile of the way, every ranch and every station de-
stroyed. Warehouses and the station at Julesburg were burned. It is needless
to describe the fate of the Americans who were captured by the Indians.
The Wisconsin Ranch, about one hundred miles northeast of Denver, was
attacked by a large force of Cheyennes and defended by the owner, Holon God-
frey, and three other men. Four women were there and assisted in every way
during the fighting which continued all day, the attack having been made in the
morning. After nightfall, one of the defenders, Perkins, escaped from the
ranch and rode for help to an encampment of soldiers near Fort Morgan. Four
soldiers and a corporal accompanied Perkins back to the ranch and succeeded
in stealing into the house unmolested. With this reinforcement Godfrey repelled
the Indians and won for himself a reputation among them as "Old Wicked."
Another ranch owned by Elbridge Gerry, located about seventy miles north-
east of Denver, was attacked at the same time as that of Godfrey. There were
five men, one woman and a child, there at the time and they made a heroic de-
fense of the house before the Cheyennes and Arapahoes forced an entrance. The
VIEW OF A TOWER OF THE CLIFF DWELLERS, STANDING UNDER THE BROW
OF A PRECIPICE ON McELMO CREEK, IN THE MESA VERDE DISTRICT
IN THE FAR SOUTHWESTERN SECTION OF COLORADO
It is probable that in its original height the top of the tower afforded a wide view of
the mesa that lies back of it.
98 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Indians killed all but the woman, whom they carred away to a worse fate. These
are but instances, two of the countless stories which could be told of the incidents
which happened in Colorado during this period.
The efficiency of General Dodge began to have effect shortly after he took
office. Many of the more important trails were opened, including^that along the
Platte River, and before summer the Santa Fe Trail was again a comparatively
safe highway. The Colorado volunteers engaged in guarding the Denver-Jules-
burg stage route until the last of April, when they were mustered out of service.
They were the last of the Colorado volunteers to see active service against the
Indians.
The close of the Rebellion released many troops for service in the West
and several military posts were established, more for the purpose of protecting
the trails than to carry on an organized warfare against the Indians. This gave
the Indians the opportunity to continue killing white men, holding up stages and
capturing women, which they did to the full extent of their ability. Hardly a
day passed but some new atrocity occurred ; and it is equally safe tp say that not
a stage, nor an emigrant train, succeeded in crossing the plains without one or
more fights with the Indians, sometimes winning and other times .suffering an-
nihilation.
Although a treaty was made in October, 1865, between the hostile tribes and
the United States, the Indians considered their agreement as a "mere scrap of
paper" and in the next year resumed their old tactics. 1866 was not a year of
such intense activity as 1865 and during the greater part of the time emigrant
and freight caravans crossed the plains to Colorado without serious interrup-
tion.
However, the year 1867 brought a renewal of the Indian outbreaks. The
depredations, burnings, killings and other deeds once more grew common and
the trails through Colorado again became impassable. Several stage stations in
northern Colorado were destroyed. This resumption of hostilities led the United
States Government to inaugurate a more extensive and enlarged campaign against
the savages, the details of which are not associated with the history of Colorado.
The courses of the Platte and Arkansas rivers continued to be dangerous coun-
try for Americans, as the Indians maintained their warfare against small bands
of settlers and travelers despite the expeditions launched against them by the
Government. But they were doomed to complete and utter defeat; the white
troops hunted them down in all parts of the great plains; tribe after tribe was
compelled to sue for peace, until finally, late in the spring of 1869, the last of
the tribes had been subdued.
The Cheyennes and Arapahoes were moved from their reservation in Colo-
rado to Oklahoma in 1867, which ended the occupancy of Colorado by the plains
Indians. In 1868, however, having been reinforced, the Cheyennes and their
allies again went upon the warpath, confining their ravages to the western part
of Kansas. In August 3 number of the Cheyennes and Arapahoes came into
eastern Colorado, bearing letters which certified that they were peaceable In-
dians, these letters having been issued the year before when their treaty was
made and which were now void, or rather, forfeited by their behavior. They
attacked and killed a number of settlers on Bijou and Kiowa creeks. Some of
them penetrated into the South Park by way of the Ute Pass and there attacked
HISTORY OF COLORADO 99
their old enemies — the Utes, killing several^of them. In the meantime, they had
secured entrance to Colorado City by their letters, the citizens believing them to
be peaceable. After their skirmish with the Utes, the supposed friendly In-
dians stole all the livestock they could in Colorado City and escaped. A short time
afterward several attacks were made along Monument Creek, in which a num-
ber of the white settlers lost their lives. Three men were murdered in the
southeast part of Larimer County by a small band of Cheyennes.
No troops were available in the territory and appeals to General Sheridan,
at Fort Hays, in western Kansas, were fruitless. On August 28th a small force
was hastily thrown together in Denver and before daylight on the following
morning had started for Bijou Creek, led by Maj. Jacob Downing. But the
Indians had gone, taking their plunder with them.
FORSYTH'S BATTLE
One of the most remarkable battles between United States troops and hostile
Indians during the whole plains war occurred on Colorado soil. The details of
this singular engagement follow.
Brev. Col. George A. Forsyth, serving on the staff of General Sheridan
during the summer of 1868, requested to be appointed to active service in the
field. Forsyth had won his spurs and was considered a good Indian fighter, con-
sequently his request was granted. Sheridan ordered him to organize a company
of fifty trained scouts, for duty along the Colorado-Kansas frontier. Forsyth
speedily recruited his men, fifty in number, in addition to himself, First Lieut.
Frederick H. Beecher, of the Third United States Infantry, and Acting Assistant
Surgeon J. H. Mooers, unattached.
Forsyth left Fort Hays on August 29th and campaigned for a few days with-
out noteworthy result. On the evening of September i6th he and his men pitched
their tents on the Arickaree, or Middle Fork of the Republican River, at a point
about fifteen miles south of the Town of Wray, Yuma County, Colorado. They
had reached this place by following an Indian trail which appeared to be fresh
and to denote rather a strong aggregation.
The soldiers opened their eyes the next morning to see hundreds of Indians
on the bluffs overlooking the river on the opposite side. Men, women and chil-
dren there were, literally swarming along the bank. At the head of the band
was Roman Nose, a notorious character, who had participated in the Indian
war since the beginning. The Indians immediately opened fire upon the troops,
whereupon Forsyth selected a small, sandy island in the center of the river and
there moved his men. In this way he had the protection of water on all sides.
The men quickly dug rifle pits in the sand, also using the bodies of some of the
horses which had been shot for barricades. Then ensued a battle which consti-
tutes one of the most heroic and brilliant features of American military history.
ROMAN NOSE
Forsyth received three wounds early in the fight, but protected himself as
much as possible and directed his men. Charge after charge of the Indians was
broken up by the accurate fire of the Americans. Several of the troopers were
100 HISTORY OF COLORADO
hit, one of them killed. Roman Nose, a magnificent type of Cheyenne, led the
warriors, but in one of the earlier charges received his death wound. Forsyth,
in Harper's Magazine, June, 1895, described Roman Nose thusly: "As Roman
Nose dashed gallantly forward, and swept into the open at the head of his superb
command he was a very beau ideal of an Indian chief. Mounted on a large clean-
limbed chestnut horse he sat well forward on his bare-backed charger, his knees
passing under a horse-hair lariat that twice loosely encircled the animal's body,
his horse's bridle grasped in his left hand, which was also closely wound in its
flowing mane, and at the same time clutched his rifle at the guard, the butc of
which lay partially upon and across the animal's neck, while its barrel, crossing
diagonally in front of his body, rested slightly against the hollow of his left arm,
leaving his right free to direct the course of his men. He was a man over six
feet three inches in height, beautifully formed, and save for a crimson silk sash
knotted around his waist, and his moccasins on his feet, perfectly naked. His
face was hideously painted in alternate lines of red and black, and his head
crowned with a magnificent war bonnet, from which, just above his temples and
curving slightly forward, stood up two short black buffalo horns, while its ample
length of eagles' feathers and herons' plumes trailed wildly on the wind behind
him ; and as he came swiftly on at the head of his charging warriors, in all his
barbaric strength and grandeur, he proudly rode that day the most perfect type
of a savage warrior it had been my lot to see. * * * he drew his body to
its full height and shook his clenched fist defiantly at us ; then, throwing back
his head and glancing skyward, he suddenly struck the palm of his hand across
his mouth and gave tongue to a war-cry that I have never heard equaled in
power and intensity. Scarcely had its echoes reached the river's bank when it
was caught up by each and every one of the charging warriors with an energy
that baffles description, and answered back with blood-curdling yells of exulta-
tion and prospective vengeance by the women and children on the river's bluffs,
and by the Indians who lay in ambush around us. On they came at a swinging
gallop, rending the air with their wild warwhoops, each individual warrior in all
his bravery of warpaint and long braided scalp lock tipped with eagle's feathers,
and all stark-naked but for their cartridge belts and moccasins, keeping in line
almost perfectly, with a front of about sixty men, all riding bare-back, with only
a loose lariat about their horses' bodies, about a yard apart, and with a depth of
six or seven ranks, forming together a compact body of massive fighting strength
and of almost resistless weight."
BEECHER'S DEATH
The charge was received with a galling fire from the troops and after a half-
dozen volleys the Indians broke ranks and retreated. The ambushed Indians
maintained a fusilade upon the troops while the charge was in progress and suc-
ceeded in killing at least two of the Americans and wounding several others.
After the failure of the attack and the death of Roman Nose, also the medicine
man of the tribe, the Indians were disconcerted and rode wildly about, while the
squaws kept up an unearthly wailing in grief over the loss of their men. Other
charges were attempted during the day, but like the first, were not successful.
Spotted Tail (Sintegaleshka) a Brule
Teton Sioux. A distinguished leader of the
Siouan people.
Red Cloud, Chief of the Oglalla Sioux,
who in his prime was the great military
leader of the Sioux Nation. He was born
in 1822 and died on December 10, 1909.
Mon-chu-non-zhin (Standing Bear), of
the Ponea Branch of the Dhegiha Sioux. He
was an exceptional chieftain, and devoted to
the welfare of his people.
Geronimo, a Chiricahua-Apache. His
Indian name is Goyathlay — "One Who
Yawns." He was a leader, and always hos-
tile to the white people.
102 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Toward the end of the day the brave Lieutenant Beecher received his death
wound. Forsyth thus describes Beecher's untimely end :
"Lieutenant Beecher rose from his rifle pit, and, leaning on his rifle, half
staggered, half dragged himself to where I lay, and calmly lying down by my
side, with his face turned downward on his arm, said quietly, and simply: 'I have
my death wound, General, I am shot in the side and dying.'
" 'Oh, no, Beecher — no ! It can't be as bad as that !'
;> 'Yes. Good night.' And then he immediately sank into half unconscious-
ness. . In a few moments I heard him murmur 'My poor mother,' and then he
soon grew slightly delirious and at times I could hear him talking in a semi-uncon-
scious manner about the fight ; but he was never again fully conscious, and at sunset
his life went out. And thus perished one of the best and bravest officers in the
United States Army."
While Surgeon Mooers bent over examining the wounds sustained by For-
syth he, too, received a fatal wound, from which he died on the second day
after.
THE OUTCOME
With the coming of night upon that first day, two of the scouts — Jack Stil-
well and Pierre Trudeau — volunteered to attempt to reach Fort Wallace, there
to procure help for the besieged men. During the night they succeeded in es-
caping from the island and eluding the watchful Indians.
On the second day of the battle another charge was attempted and failed.
Whereupon the Indians changed their tactics and prepared for a slow siege, to
compel the men to surrender from starvation. This was continued until the
ninth day thereafter, except for one small charge on the last day. The troopers,
especially those who were wounded, suffered much from the heat during the
days, while food became exhausted. The flesh of the dead horses was eaten and
the rest buried in the ground to retard putrefaction. Water was obtained by dig-
ging into the sand. On the evening of the third day, two more scouts crept from
the island, to try to make Fort Wallace for aid. A greater part of the Indian
band had left, but there remained a sufficient number to hold the troops on the
island. Sniping was the main pastime during the long hours and many of the
soldiers received wounds.
On the morning of the ninth day after the first attack, and after a half-hearted
charge, the Indians suddenly withdrew. The reason soon became apparent. In
a short time the fluttering pennons of American cavalrymen were seen by the
desperate soldiers on the island. A troop of the Tenth United States Cavalry
had arrived from Fort Wallace. The mission of the four brave scouts who
escaped from the island had been accomplished.
When the casualties were noted, it was found that besides Lieutenant Beecher
and Surgeon Mooers, three of the scouts were dead, one was mortally wounded,
and seventeen were wounded more or less seriously.' Forsyth recovered from
his wounds and became a distinguished soldier in the United States Army. A
monument was erected on this historic island in September, 1898, and the island
itself has always been preserved as one of the most honorable spots upon the
western plains. Beecher Island, as it is called, has upon it the graves of the
men who there died.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 103
UTE UPRISING OF 1879
The last Indian uprising upon Colorado soil occurred in September, 1879, at
the White River Agency, near the present Town of Meeker, Rio Blanco County,'
Colorado. What is now Rio Blanco County was at that time a part of the
White River Ute reservation.
In the forepart of the year 1878 N. C. Meeker, one of the founders of the
Town of Greeley, had been appointed to the position of agent at the White River
Agency. There he found that the Utes were not in the best of humor and, in
fact, had been sullen and dissatisfied for two years previous. Meeker was not
a man of sufficient ability, or personally fitted, to manage Indians. He was
sincere in his desire to reform their methods of living, but was too much of an
idealist. The Utes had previously made several raids into the Middle and North
parks, killing several white men and stealing everything they could carry away.
After Meeker took charge of the agency two parties of Utes, led by "George
Washington" and Piah, made a foray upon the plains and killed a settler named
McLean near the head of the Republican headwater forks. Returning to their
home, the Indians came through Denver, then into Middle Park. Here one of
the savages was killed by a white man, in revenge for which they murdered a
settler named Elliott shortly after.
A posse of men was formed at Hot Sulphur Springs and sent to the White
River Agency to apprehend the guilty Indians. The Indians persisted in holding a
council, at which time they denied any knowledge of the Elliott murder or other
depredations.
Conditions at the agency became worse and Meeker was unable to stem the
tide of unrest arising among the Utes. The chieftains assumed the upper hand,
while Meeker became really a subordinate to such notorious Indians as Colorow.
The visit of the white men after Elliott's death quieted them to some extent
until the spring of 1879, when fresh deeds were committed. Bands of the Utes
burned houses and stole stock, also maliciously started forest fires. Meeker
became alarmed and, although he had repeatedly stated that he would have no
troops at the agency, he decided that it had become necessary to have military
protection. He reported to Washington to that effect and also requested of Gov-
ernor Pitkin of Colorado some sort of military aid. At the same time, the Indians
made efforts to have Meeker removed from office, as they strongly resented his
efforts to civilize them. A number of them, led by Captain Jack, visited Governor
Pitkin at Denver to this effect.
Finally, Gen. John Pope, under instructions from Washington, ordered Capt.
Francis S. Dodge, with a company of fifty colored soldiers from the Ninth LTnited
States Cavalry, then at Fort Garland in the San Luis Valley, to conduct a small
campaign in the Middle and North parks, to protect the settlers and keep the
Indians within the bounds of their reservation. Despite the presence of the hated
negro troops — "buffalo soldiers" as called by the Indians — the Utes continued to
send out marauding parties and create havoc among the settlements.
The settlers themselves attempted to resist and one of them, Maj. J. B. Thomp-
son, obtained warrants for the arrest of "Bennett" and "Chinaman," two of the
Indian leaders. Sheriff Bessey, of Grand County, with four men, went to the
agency to arrest the culprits, but was informed by Douglass, another chief, that
104 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the two Indians were not there. This enraged the Indians more than ever and
shortly afterward Meeker himself was attacked by "Johnson," the medicine man
of the tribe, and would have lost his life had it not been for timely assistance.
Several other attempts to injure the white men occurred, all of which forecasted
an approaching crisis at the agency.
Further representations were made to the Indian Bureau, by both Meeker and
Governor Pitkin, concerning the situation. Meeker was warned time after time
to leave before he was killed, but he took no heed of this advice, believing that
the Indians would not go that far.
On September loth a war dance was begun at the agency and was continued,
notwithstanding Meeker ordered the Indians to cease and return to their lodges.
ATTACK ON THORNBURGH
In the meantime, the authorities at Washington moved. General Sheridan
was ordered to send a sufficient force to the agency to keep the Utes in abeyance.
From Fort Steele, near Rawlins, this expedition set out. It consisted of a com-
pany of the Fourth United States Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Butler D. Price,
E Troop of the Third United States Cavalry, in command of Captain Lawson, D
and F Troops of the Fifth United States Cavalry, commanded by Lieut. J. V. S.
Paddock and Capt. J. S. Payne. The whole force was led by Maj. T. T. Thorn-
burgh, of the Fourth United States Infantry and accompanied by Acting Assistant
Surgeon Grimes, also of the Fourth Infantry. On September I4th the slow jour-
ney southward was begun. At a spot known as Old Fortification Camp, on Forti-
fication Creek, a branch of the Yampa, the commander left Lieutenant Price with
the infantry company to protect the line of communication. Then, with the three
companies of cavalry, he moved forward. After going some distance he encoun-
tered a party of ten Utes, who raised their hands in friendship. Believing them
to be upon a hunting expedition only, Thornburgh permitted them to proceed.
Later, the same Indians again met the troops and offered to guide them to the
agency, but upon the advice of one of the scouts this offer was refused.
On the morning of September 24th, as the troops were moving along the valley
of Milk Creek, they were ambushed by about, three hundred Utes, led by Cap-
tain Jack. F and E Troops were in the advance and so received the first fire of
the Indians. For the space of a few moments the soldiers resisted the sudden
attack, then fell back to the wagon train, in charge of D Troop, a half mile in the
rear. Major Thornburgh and several of his men had been killed by the first shots
and many others were wounded. The cavalrymen, now under Captain Payne,
placed the wagons so as to make a fortification, further strengthened by the bodies
of dead horses. Here the soldiers were besieged for eleven days, until the morn-
ing of the 5th of October. A messenger was sent out on the first night to Raw-
lins for reinforcements and also on the night of the second day two more men
were slipped through the lines to find Dodge's colored cavalry. All were suc-
cessful.
On the morning of the 2d Dodge's troops arrived and galloped into the be-
sieged camp, but even then an attempt to attack the Indians would have resulted
disastrously.
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106 HISTORY OF COLORADO
at Cheyenne, Wyo., and immediately four troops of the Fifth United States Cav-
alry were sent to Rawlins by railroad, thence overland to the battleground on
Milk Creek. At Rawlins four companies of the Fourth United States Infantry
joined the cavalry. On the morning of the 5th of October this force reached the
besieged men, passing a short distance back a destroyed wagon train, with the
murdered and mutilated bodies of the men who had accompanied it. These bodies
had been partly burned, without doubt while the victims were still living.
Under General Merritt, with the infantry and three troops of the cavalry, an
advance was made toward the Indians, who had not fired at the newcomers. A
few scattering volleys met the troops, but did not stop them, and all the morning a
desultory fire was maintained. About noon a white flag was shown by the In-
dians and one of them approached General Merritt, stating that word had come
from Ouray, chieftain of the whole Ute tribe, that the fighting had to stop. This
ended the engagement on both sides. The Americans had lost thirteen killed and
forty-seven wounded. After a rest and attention had been given to the wounded.
Merritt's men moved on toward the White River Agency and the troops under
Payne and Dodge started on their homeward journey.
TIIK ATTACK AT TIIK AC.KXl'V
On the same day that Thornburgh and his men were ambushed on Milk Creek,
the agency at White River had been subjected to a brutal attack by a band of
twenty or thirty Utes, led by Douglass. This was on the 29th of September. All
of the men were killed, most of the buildings burned, and the women carried into
captivity. General Merritt arrived at the agency on the nth of October and dis-
covered the bodies of the slain lying ngar the buildings and along the trail. They
were for the most part stripped, obscenely mutilated, and presented a horrible
sight.
The men killed here were: X. C. Meeker, agent, William H. Post, assistant
agent, Henry Dresser, Frank Dresser, George Eaton, E. W. Eskridge, Carl Gold-
stein, E. L. Mansfield, Julius Moore, E. Price, Frederick Sheppard and W. H.
Thompson — twelve in all. Eskridge's body was found upon the northern trail
leading from the agency and in the pocket of his coat was found the following
letter :
"\Yhite River, September 29, i o'clock p. in.
"Major Thornburgh: — I will come with Chfef Douglas and another chief and
meet you tomorrow. Everything is quiet here, arid Douglas is flying the United
States flag. We have been on guard three nights, and will be tonight — not that
we expect any trouble, but because there might be. Did you have any trouble
coming through the canyon ?
"N. C. MEEKER, United States Indian Agent."
Evidently this was written but an hour or so before the attack and Eskridge
despatched northward to meet the troops. Eskridge was accompanied by two
Utes, one a chieftain named Antelope, and it is believed that they murdered him
when a short distance from the agency buildings.
The white women sought refuge in one of the outbuildings when the Indians
began their ghastly work. The Indians fired the building and compelled them to
HISTORY OF COLORADO 107
give themselves up. . Douglass was compelled by Ouray, the head chieftain of
the Utes, to surrender his captives in November. During this time they had
suffered untold miseries. In the Federal investigation of the massacre, Mrs.
Price, Mrs. Meeker and Josie Meeker, the agent's wife and daughter, testified of
the cruel treatment accorded them by Douglass, Pahson and other of the Indians.
These chiefs repeatedly outraged the white women, confined them to the lodges,
and in addition they were made the sport of the squaws and children of the band.
No punishment was ever meted out to the offending Indians as individuals, al-
though Congress assigned to the rebellious Utes a new reservation in eastern
Utah, known as the Uintah Reservation. The Southern Utes, who had taken no
part in the trouble, were left upon the reservation in southwestern Colorado, where
they yet remain.
The prompt intervention of that splendid chieftain of the Southern Utes —
Ouray — undoubtedly ended what would have otherwise been a widespread slaugh-
ter of white men. He ended the fighting at Milk Creek by a word and afterward
forced Douglass to surrender the white women. By these acts, and many others,
Ouray has taken place as one of the greatest characters in Colorado history, a man
of attainments and intellect immeasurably superior to his race.
CHAPTER V
TRADERS AND TRAPPERS
THE CHARACTER OF THE TRAPPER — THE FIRST TRADERS — CHOUTEAU AND DE MUNN
THE GLENN-FOWLER EXPEDITION THE BENTS — THE PUEBLO THE FIRST POST
ON THE SOUTH PLATTE FORT LANCASTER — FORT ST. VRAIN ANTOINE ROUBI-
DEAU FORT LARAMIE THE SANTE FE TRAIL — THE LAST TRADER — DR. F. A. WIS-
LIZENUS' JOURNEY
THE CHARACTER OF THE TRAPPER
The period from the latter part of the Eighteenth Century until the middle
of the Nineteenth may be termed that of fur trading and trapping. In no way was
this period constructive, nor was it a period of notable events; on the contrary,
during this time, what is now Colorado was but a part of an immense area over
which roamed the traders and trappers and, consequently, no permanent settle-
ments were made, except at the trading posts. These were not permanent set-
tlements in fact, but supplied the only community life of this vast territory then.
The prosaic life of the trapper was occasionally interspersed by days of excite-
ment ; the Indians at times become obstreperous ; but otherwise few things hap-
pened which could be called factors in the life of Colorado.
But what romance and what legend have been written about the frontiers-
man, the Indian fighter and the trapper ! The lore of these picturesque characters
occupies a large place in American literature. Tradition has made of the frontier
and its inhabitants a colorful and thrilling story. Never again will such life be
duplicated in this country or upon this globe, so it has been the effort of all writers
of the Great West to preserve the history of those days and the stories which
have been told of the frontiersman.
The history of the great fur companies which occupied the West before per-
manent settlements were made is one of great interest. Bitter rivalry existed
between these companies — rivalry which assumed the proportions of organized
warfare. Trading posts were established at advantageous points and here the
hunters and trappers brought their pelts after a season had closed.
Then the trapper himself. He has been immortalized, it is true, but generally
he was not a man to invite intimate companionship. In the first place, he was
illiterate and uncultured, but generally with "five strong senses, which he knew
how to use." Secondly, he was a nomad. He cared not for a home ; wherever he
found hunting and trapping he called his place of abode. The pinch of civiliza-
tion drove him farther along the trail, ever seeking the openness and freedom of
the frontier. Long seasons he spent in the solitude of the mountains and forests,
108
HISTORY OF COLORADO 109
gathering his furs; then came the return to the post — and Mexican whiskey, a
drink venomous to the extreme. A wild, dissipated orgy followed, which was
continued so long as the money lasted or the factor would advance additional
funds. Many of the fur dealers held the trappers perpetually in their debt in this
way, thereby having full rights for their services. It was customary for the trap-
per to have an Indian wife, as much of his trading was done with the Indians
whom he unmercifully cheated. In general, the trapper and Indian were indis-
pensable to each other. From the Indian the white man secured valuable pelts
for a pint of whiskey or similar articles of little value and from the white man
the Indian obtained flour, cloth and tobacco which he desired.
In another class altogether must be placed the so-called "free" trapper. This
type of trapper worked independently of all the fur companies, quoted his own
prices for furs and sold to all the posts. They were men of higher character and
among them were such as Christopher "Kit" Carson, who have lived through
history by their reputations as trappers, guides, Indian fighters and red-blooded
adventurers. Much of the credit received by such explorers as Fremont should
have been given to the frontier guides who conducted them across the mountains
and pointed out trails which they had discovered long before. They were expo-
nents of law and order and sturdily fought the encroachments of banditry and
crime which overran the West for so many years.
THE FIRST TRADERS
The Missouri, Platte and Arkansas rivers were familiar to many of the early
French trappers during the latter part of the Eighteenth Century. Just how
many of them reached the land now in Colorado is unknown, but it is to be pre-
sumed that some few did. One of the first expeditions of this character of which
any record exists was that of Maisonneuve and Preneloupe in 1799. In the spring
of the year this expedition, consisting of perhaps a score of men, left St. Louis
and proceeded up the Missouri to the mouth of the Platte, taking with them a
quantity of goods, which they exchanged with the Indians for furs of all kinds.
The two leaders despatched the furs back to St. Louis under guard and then, with
a small detachment, continued westward via the Platte and South Fork. By the
middle of July they reached what is now the site of Denver, where they found
numbers of Indians and a small Spanish scouting party.
In the History of Colorado (1913) Jerome C. Smiley writes: "The great body
of the American people believed for many years that the western and northwestern
parts of the Louisiana Purchase formed a region that was practically unknown
by any of their countrymen before Fremont put forth to explore it. It was the
common supposition that all previous knowledge of this vast domain by American
citizens was limited to the somewhat meager results of the going and coming of
Lewis and Clark through its northern section, and to those of the expeditions of
Captain Pike and Major Long across the central plains to the mountains in what
is now the State of Colorado ; Colonel Dodge's being unknown outside of military
circles. From the voluminous and fulsome exploitations of Fremont as 'the
Pathfinder of the Far West/ most of the people in the older parts of the United
States were given to understand that until he began to search this wide land of
plains and mountains its paths were few and hard to find.
110 HISTORY OF COLORADO
''Some Americans from Illinois had been trading on the Missouri River before
Lewis and Clark ascended that tortuous stream upon their way to the Pacific
Coast ; and prior to Pike's expedition others had been well up on both the Platte
and Arkansas. It is known that one American had been in the mountain section
of Colorado before Pike saw the Rockies, and some French traders from St. Louis
doubtless had built cabins upon soil of our state in advance of Long's summer visit
to our eastern foothills. A great merchandizing business, carried on in fortified
posts and stations, large and small, scattered between the northern border of New
Mexico and the headwaters of the Missouri, and that gave employment directly
and indirectly to hundreds of American citizens and caused the western plains
as well as the recesses of the mountains to be seamed by many paths and trails,
had reached its prime when Fremont set out upon his first expedition into the
Far West. The trans-Mississippi fur trade of that period attained relatively a
large development within the bounds of Colorado, the trading-posts upon the up-
per Arkansas and the South Platte, together with Fort Laramie, which was
located seventy-five miles north of the site of the present City of Cheyenne, Wyo.,
forming a chain of business establishments that made this part of the West rather
a busy region as long as the trade flourished."
History has stated that the first American to tread Colorado soil was James
Purcell, a trader among the Indian tribes. Pike mentioned him prominently in his
Journal, calling him "Pursley," and strongly recommended his character after
their meeting in Santa Fe. Purcell was a native Kentuckian and came to St.
Louis to enter the trapping business in 1799. Purcell and some companions, while
engaged in trapping along the South Platte in 1803, were attacked by Sioux In-
dians and driven into the mountains. It is thought that Purcell reached the South
Park by way of the Platte Canon when fleeing from the Indians. Purcell later
went to New Mexico and for many years was a citizen there.
Many other traders and trappers, both French and American, came into the
West at this period and until the first of the American expeditions. Few of
them gained much notoriety or left any record of their work here. Ezekiel Wil-
liams, a Missourian, came to this vicinity in the fall of 1811, in company with
nineteen other trappers. They experienced much difficulty with the Indians and
were plundered several times. Shortly after all but six left this country and
went elsewhere, leaving Williams as one of the half dozen who elected to stay.
Three of these were killed by the Arapahoes, but Williams and the other two
were protected by friendly Indians on the Arkansas. He spent one winter at the
camp and then returned to his home in Missouri. In 1812 other adventurers of
like character, including Joseph Miller, John Hoback, Jacob Rezner, Edward Rob-
inson and a Mr. Cass, came within the boundaries of Colorado. Their hardships
were many and in addition they were robbed on several occasions by the Arapa-
hoes. One of the party — Cass — was lost in some mysterious fashion, presumably
killed by the Indians, while the others were rescued when upon the verge of
starvation.
In 1814, in the forepart of the year, "Phillebert's Company," consisting of
Phillebert, a trader of St. Louis, and a score of French hunters and trappers, en-
tered the mountains in Colorado upon a fur-gathering expedition. From all ac-
counts, this party of men made a large haul during the season. Ezekiel Williams,
DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY
THE STATE MUSEUM, DENVER
112 HISTORY OF COLORADO
mentioned before, was a member of the party, having returned to the Colorado
country to secure some furs which he had hidden two years previously.
CHOUTEAU AND DE MUNN
The experiences of Chouteau and De Munn in Colorado and their conflict
with the Spaniards forms an interesting incident in the history of Colorado.
Auguste Pierre Chouteau and Jules de Munn were St. Louis traders and were
interested together in a scheme to trap extensively around the headwaters of the
Arkansas and Platte rivers. In September, 1815, they started for the mountains,
with nearly a half-hundred Frenchmen with them, including Phillebert, who was
going back to get a quantity of furs he had cached the year before. Chouteau
and De ATurkn learned that he had left a portion of his men behind with the furs
and, desiring to increase their own outfit as much as possible, bargained success-
fully with Phillebert for the furs and also for the services of his men. After a
grand council with the Indians on the Platte, a few miles north of Denver's site,
the party went to the junction of the Arkansas and the Huerfano, where Phille-
bert's men were to wait. But in this they were disappointed, learning from the
Indians that the men had waited until provisions had become scarce. and then
gone to Taos.
De Munn was appointed by the others to go to Taos for the men and also to
obtain permission from Governor Maynez, of New Mexico, to trap upon Spanish
territory south of the upper Arkansas and along the headwaters of the Rio Grande.
De Munn was successful in finding Phillebert's men at Taos, but in his other quest
he was not so fortunate. The Spaniards were not trustful of the American inten-
tions in the Southwest, a suspicion which had been heightened by Pike's expedi-
tion. Also the southwest boundary of the Louisiana Purchase was yet in doubt,
so the Spanish were alert and watchful of any move from the states. The gov-
ernor was evasive with De Munn, so the latter returned to his companions. He
then went to St. Louis for supplies and equipment, while Chouteau and the rest
were to remain until spring and then take the furs to the mouth of the Kansas,
there to be joined by De Munn. By September, 1816, the expedition had again
reached the Huerfano, thence proceeded southwest to the base of the Sangre de
Cristo Mountains, where they encamped. From here De Munn started for Santa
Fe, again to request his former favor of the Spanish. Governor De Allande had,
in the meantime, succeeded Maynez as the administrative head of the Province
and was not so gracious with the American "intruder." He peremptorily ordered
him to remove himself and his men from Spanish soil. De Munn returned to
the Sangre de Cristo and withdrew his men to the Arkansas, where the winter
was spent in hunting and trapping — part of the time on the Spanish side, contrary
to the governor's orders.
In the spring of 1817 De Murm went to Taos, still endeavoring to obtain the
desired permission from the Spanish governor at Santa Fe. He was received at
Taos in hostile manner and was conducted back to the Arkansas by 200 Spanish
soldiers. It is said that Governor De Allande had received the startling news of
a force of 20,000 Americans upon the upper Arkansas who had fortified them-
selves strongly. The leader of De Munn's military escort was to ascertain the
truth of this report and, if found to be without foundation, was to drive De Munn
HISTORY OF COLORADO 113
and his exploring expedition to the Missouri. In this he did not obey orders
strictly, as he permitted the Americans to remain so long as they trapped only
upon the American side of the river.
But Chouteau and De Munn, anticipating further trouble with their Latin
neighbors on the south, decided to strike out for the Columbia River country. The
impassable condition of the mountain trails prevented this journey, however, and
the decision was made to remain on the Arkansas and South Platte, to continue
their operations as heretofore and to take the furs already gathered back to St.
Louis— De Munn to perform this task.
Just as he was about to leave,' though, there appeared a company of Spanish
troopers, with positive orders to take Chouteau and De Munn, with all their men,
supplies and furs, back to Santa Fe. Once in Santa Fe, they were seized and
cast into prison, their belongings were confiscated and in other ways they were
subjected to insult. Two months later they were tried by court-martial and or-
dered to leave New Mexico without further ado or loss of time. Each man was
given a horse in order to expedite this sentence. Their treatment by the Spanish
authorities was severe and is well described by De Munn in a letter written to
William Clark, governor of Missouri Territory, on November 25, 1817. De Munn
states :
"After forty-eight days' imprisonment, we were presented before a court-
martial, composed of six members and a president who was the governor him-
self. Only one of the six members appeared to have any information, the others
not even knowing how to sign their names. Many questions were asked, but
particularly why we had stayed so long in Spanish dominions. I answered that,
being on the Arkansas River we did not consider ourselves in the domains of
New Spain, as we had a license to go as far as the headwaters of said river. The
president denied that our Government had a right to give such a license, and en-
tered into such a rage that it prevented his speaking, contenting himself with
striking his fist several times on the table, saying, 'Gentlemen, we must have this
man shot.'
"At such conduct of the president I did not think much of my life, for all the
members were terrified in his presence, and unwilling to resist him ; on the con-
trary (were ready) to do anything to please him.
"He talked much of a big river that was the boundary line between the two
countries, but did not know its name. When mention was made of the Mississippi
he jumped up, saying that that was the big river he meant ; that Spain had never
ceded the west side of it. It may be easy to judge of our feelings to see our
lives in the hands of such a man.
"That day the court did not come to any determination, because the president
(as I heard him say to Lieutenant de Arce) had forgotten everything he had to
say. Next day we were again presented to the court, but as I knew the kind of
man we had to deal with, I never attempted to justify myself of any of his false
assertions. We were dismissed, and Mr. Chouteau and myself put in the same
room.
"Half an hour afterward the lieutenant came in with a written sentence ; we
were forced to kneel down to hear the citure (recital) of it, and forced, likewise,
to kiss the unjust and iniquitous sentence that deprived harmless men of all they
possessed — of the fruits of two years' labors and perils.
114 HISTORY OF COLORADO
"What appears the more extraordinary is that the governor acknowledged to
me afterward in the presence of Don Pedro Piero, the deputy of New Mexico to
the Cortes, and several others, that we were very innocent men; yet notwith-
standing this, all our property was kept and we were permitted to come home,
each with one of the worst horses we had."
Notwithstanding the visible unfairness of the Spaniards, De Munn never
received reparation.
Following the experiences of Chouteau and De Munn in Colorado little fur
traffic occurred here until after 1821. The site of the City of Pueblo became a
mecca then for fur-gatherers, adventurers and traders and continued as the
favored spot for this class until the middle of the Nineteenth Century.
THE GLENN-FOWLER EXPEDITION
The expedition headed by Hugh Glenn and Jacob Fowler, the former from
Cincinnati and the latter a native of Kentucky, entered the land of Colorado on
November 5, 1821, by way of the Arkansas River. The party, numbering twenty
in all, carried a stock of merchandise which they intended to take to Santa Fe.
Their entrance into Colorado was inauspicious, except for the fact that one of
their men — Lewis Dawson — v^jas killed by an enraged grizzly bear and a meeting
was had with a large encampment of Comanches, Arapahoes, Cheyennes, Kiowas
and Snakes. The journey was continued up the Arkansas to a point near the
mouth of the St. Charles, where Glenn decided to leave Fowler with the goods and
a few companions, while he went to Santa Fe in company with some Mexican trad-
ers whom he met to investigate conditions in Mexico.
No history of Colorado would be complete, nor has one ever been written,
without quotations from Fowler's diary. This classic bit of English, if such it
may be called, has been published in recent years, and forms an interesting nar-
rative of frontier life. In regard to Glenn's departure for Santa Fe from the
Arkansas and other matters Fowler wrote :
"Jany 2nd 1822 this morning the Spanierds Began to Collect their Horses and
load for their departure — Conl glann and four men Set out with them — leaveing
me with Eight men in an oppen Camp With the ballence of the goods after takeing
Some things With Him to Sell So as to pay their Exspences. We are now in
the Hart of the Inden Cuntry and Emedetly on the great Ware (war) Road — not
only of one nation against the others — in the road to all the Spanish Settlements
With Which the Indeans on this Side of the mountains are at War — So that our
Setuation is not of the most Plesent kind — We Have no meet In Camp — and Con
Clude to Send two Hunters out with Horses in the morning to kill Some meat
Intending to Set the ballence of the Hands at Work to build a Hous and a Strong
Peen (pen) for the Horses at night.
"Jany the 3rd 1822 Roas Early to Start the Hunters ordered two of the men
to Prepare the Horses While the Hunters got Readey — but the men lay Still I
maid the Second Call but With no better Sucsees — I then discovered that a
mutney Was Intended — and Emedetly drew one of the men from His beed by the
top of His Head, but (some) of his friends in the Plott asisted Him — and We
Ware Soon all In a Scoffel, but Robert Fowler Soon Came to my assistance — and
the bisness as Soon Ended — tho it Was Some time before the gave up their In-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 115
tended muteney and five of them Separated to them Selves and declared the
Wold do (as) the plased and Wold not be ordered by any other person — I soon
discovered that the Exspected the Spanierds Wold not let Conl glann Return and
that they Intended to make the best of the goods the Cold — aledgeing the Ware
the Strongest party and that the Wold pay them Selves — on Which discovery 1
told them that un less the Wold Return to their dutey I Wold send for the Arra-
poho Cheef Who Wold be gld to asist me to take Care of the goods and that the
might go Whare the plased — and that I Wold not Suffer them to meddle With
the goods — the then Held a Councle and sent one man to tell me that if I Wold
be acountable to them for their pay — the Wold go to their dutey and do What I
ordored them — to Which I toled them I wold make no new Bargen with them —
and that If the Chose the might go on With their mutenous Seeen — that. I could
protect the goods till the Indeans Came for Which I Wold Soon Send — the then
All Came and Stated that the Wold do What I told them and Wold go to Work
Emedetley — and asked me to think of them and Secure the pay for them If Conl
glann Shold not Return Which the Espected He never Wold, and that it Wold be
Heard for them to loos all their Wages — to Which I toled them if the Continued
to do as good and Honest men aught that as fare as the goods Wold Reech they
Shold be paid — the two men Went out to Hunt but Returned With out killing any
thing — now all Hands Went to Worke Willingly and by night We Head the
Hors Peen finished and the Hous With two pens four logs High — Which maid
part of the Hors Pen and the door of the Hous in the Hors Peen Which Was
So Strong that a few Indeans Cold not take the Horses out With out Choping
Some of the logs — and must Waken us all tho We Slept Ever So Sound —
"Friday 4th Jany 1822 Went to Work Early got our House nine loggs High
— and began to pitch the tents on the top by Way of a Roof Just Wide Enof for
that purpose. * * *
"Saterday 5th Jany 1822. * * * this day finished our House and Packed
in all the goods."
A fortnight later, having become worried on account of no news from Glenn,
Fowler decided to abandon the south side of the Arkansas, where the above de-
scribed camp had been located, and occupy a new site farther up the river on the
north side. This new location was on the site of the City of Pueblo. Fowler
wrote of this:
"tusday I5th Jany 1822 * * * I then Went to look out a good Setuation
for a new Settlement on the north Side of the River — Intending to move tomorrow
Should no acoumpt Reach us from Conl glann — as We began to Sopose He is
now not at liverty to send or Return there being the full time Elapsed in Which
He promised to Send an Exspress — and We think that a party of Spanirds may be
Sent to take us prisnors — for Which Reason Intend makeing a Strong Hous and
Hors Pen on the Bank of the River Wheare it Will not be In the Powe of an
Enemy to aproch us from the River Side — and Shold the Spanierds appeer In
a Hostill manner We Will fight them on the Ameraken ground, the River Hear
being the line by the last tretey —
"Wensday i6th Jany 1822 moved Camp Early up the River on the north Side
to the Spot I looked out yesterday — We Built a Strong Hors Peen and put up the
Horses at night — no Word from Conl glann — We begin to Conclude as Is not
Well Him. * * *
116 HISTORY OF COLORADO
"Friday i8th Jany 1822 * * * We built the Hous With three Rooms
and but one out Side door and that Close to the Hors Pen So that the Horses
Cold not be taken out at night Without our knowledge We got the Hous Seven
logs High and Well Chinked the goods all stoed a Way before night. * * * "
Glenn, having found that the Spanish rule in New Mexico had been overthrown
by the Mexicans and that the feeling toward the Americans had become cordial,
despatched messengers back to Fowler. They arrived at the Arkansas "Hous" on
January 28th and requested Fowler to proceed into New Mexico, there to join.
Glenn. On the 3Oth Fowler started for Taos with the men and supplies and
reached there nine days later. The party remained in New Mexico until June ist
and then returned to the United States, crossing southeastern Colorado while en
route to the Arkansas River. The Glenn-Fowler expedition was a success, in that
it accomplished its original purpose of trading and merchandizing in New Mex-
ico.
John McKnight was another trader who established a small post upon the
upper Arkansas. McKnight met his death at the hands of the Comanche In-
dians in 1823 and the post was never occupied again.
THE BENTS
The Bent brothers were- the most prominent of the traders who established
posts in Colorado. In 1826 Charles, William W., Robert and George Bent, of
St. Louis, built a small post on the Arkansas River, half way between Pueblo and
the foothills. Associated with the Bents in this small undertaking was Ceran
St. Vrain, a young Frenchman, and who was later to make a name for himself
as a trader. The post which was thus established was but a small affair, consist-
ing of little more than a stockade, for protection against marauding Indians. A
few years later it was deserted.
In 1829 the Bents, in company with St. Vrain, established a larger and more
important trading post on the north bank of the Arkansas, at a point near the
eastern boundary of the present Otero County. The firm was known as Bent &
St. Yrain, also as Bent, St. Vrain & Company. Four years were spent in com-
pleting this new trading station and in the fall of 1832 the company moved into
it, at which time the old post on the Arkansas, built in 1826, was abandoned.
The post was a strongly fortified one. The dimensions were 100 by 150 feet;
the stockade was seventeen feet high and six feet in thickness at the base. One
gate opened to the outside and at the northeast and southwest corners there were
bastions, ten feet in diameter, upon the top of which were cannon. The walls of
these fortified towers were filled with loopholes for the use of the defenders in
case of attack. The interior of the post, or fort, was as comfortable as the condi-
tions would permit. Except the rafters and the gates, which were of wood, the
adobe construction was used throughout. Something of the general appearance
of the post is described by Doctor Wislizenus, excerpts of which article are given
later in this chapter.
The post was first named Fort W'illiam, in honor of William Bent, but
this name soon became obsolete and the place was thereafter known as Fort
Bent or Bent's Fort. This post became the largest and most popular of the
Rocky Mountain fur stations. From here great trading operations were launched,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 117
not only with the Comanches, Arapahoes, Cheyennes, Pawnees, Utes, Sioux,
Crows and Snakes, but with the Mexicans and the hordes of French and Amer-
ican trappers who infested the region. In certain seasons, June, August and Sep-
tember, thousands of Indians came to the post and encamped in the vicinity. At
these times no little apprehension was felt by the dwellers of the post; a certain
amount of safety lay in the fact that the Indians were not agreeable to one another,
but there remained the omnipresent fear of attack.
Fort Bent was even more than a trading post. Next to Fort Laramie, in what
is now the State of Wyoming, it was one of the few touches of civilization sought
by the droves of emigrants bound for the Great West. Military expeditions such
as those of Col. Henry Dodge, Gen. Stephen W. Kearney and Gen. Sterling Price
stopped at Fort Bent and there left those of the forces incapacitated. It was a
rendezvous for every type of humanity.
William Bent was the principal trader at this post, the other brothers, also St.
Vrain, remaining at Taos most of the time. He began negotiations in the late '405
for the sale of the post to the Government and demanded the sum of $16,000.
However, the Government agreed to give only $12,000, which was far from satis-
factory to the owner. Bent desired to establish a new post at another location and
the Government wished the property on the Arkarisas to convert into a military
station. Finally, Bent became so disgusted and enraged over the dilatory tactics
of the Government and his inability to obtain his price that he deliberately de-
stroyed his whole property. After removing everything of value, he set fire to the
buildings and the flames soon reached the magazine, resulting in a heavy .explo-
sion, which destroyed the walls and left only a heap of smoking ruins. This ended
the active era of fur trade in the land of Colorado — indeed, some years previous
the business had declined, for many reasons. One writer places the year 1838 as
the last period of active fur-gathering and marketing.
There were six of the Bent brothers in all — William W., Charles, John, George,
Robert and Silas, the sons of Silas Bent of St. Louis. All, except John and Silas,
engaged in trading. John resided in St. Louis, while Silas enlisted in the United
States Navy service. Charles and William Bent were the most prominent of the
large family of boys and both engaged in trafficking between Santa Fe and the
northern settlements in addition to their regular vocation of fur trading. Charles
was appointed the first American governor of the Province of New Mexico in 1846
and was the incumbent of this office when killed January 19, 1847, during the revolt
of the Pueblo Indians. William Bent died at Las Animas, Colorado, May 19,
1869.
Gantt's trading-post, or "fort," was another pioneer post on the upper Arkan-
sas, established in 1832 by two St. Louis traders named Gantt and Blackwell.
From the best of sources, it is believed that this post was situated on the north
bank of the river about five miles above the mouth of Fountain Creek. Little else
is known of this post.
M. Le Doux, a French trader, built a small habitation which might be called a
post in 1830 at the junction of the Arkansas and Adobe Creek, in what is now
Fremont County. A number of Mexicans were quartered near this place during
this time and shortly afterward.
118 HISTORY OF COLORADO
THE PUEBLO
The Gantt-Blackwell fort was succeeded by the trading-post known as "the
Pueblo," a habitation built in the style of Bent's Fort, of adobe, and which became
a meeting-place of various desperate characters as well as Indians and bona fide
traders. The identity of the founder of this post is somewhat in doubt. Writers
of history are nearly unanimous in designating George Simpson, an Indian trader,
and his two companions, Doyle and Barclay, as the founders of the fort. James
P. Beckwourth, a notorious personage of the times, claimed that he erected the post
about the first of October, 1842. His veracity in this and other matters has been
seriously doubted, however, and it is generally conceded that Simpson established
"Pueblo" in the summer of the year 1842. The post eventually became a harbor-
age for a motley collection of individuals.
The Hardscrabble post was built by Simpson, Doyle and Barclay the year
after the Pueblo was established and was located on the north bank of the Arkan-
sas, near the mouth of Hardscrabble Creek. The similarity of population and the
general character of the community caused it to be considered as a part of Pueblo,
or an adjunct, although there was a distance of twenty-five or thirty miles be-
tween the two.
Francis Parkman, in his book, "The Oregon Trail" (Boston, 1847), described
his visit to the Pueblo in August, 1846, during his journey through the Far West.
He wrote :
"The Arkansas ran along a valley below, among woods and groves, and closely
nestled in the midst of wide corn-fields and green meadows, where cattle were
grazing, rose the low mud walls of the Pueblo. * * * It was a wretched
species of fort, of most primitive construction, being nothing more than a large,
square inclosure, surrounded by a wall of mud, miserably cracked and dilapidated.
The slender pickets that surmounted it were half broken down, and the gate dan-
gled on its wooden hinges so loosely that to open or shut it seemed quite likely to
fling it down altogether. Two or three squalid Mexicans, with their broad hats
and their vile faces overgrown with hair, were lounging about the bank of the
river in front of it. They disappeared as they saw us approach ; and as we rode
up to the gate a light, active little figure came out to meet us. It was our old
friend Richard (a Fort Laramie trader). * * * Shaking us warmly by the
hand, he led the way into the area. Here we saw his large Santa Fe wagons
standing together. A few squaws and Spanish women, and a few Mexicans, as
mean and miserable as the place itself, were lazily sauntering about. Richard con-
ducted us to the state apartment of the Pueblo, a small mud room, very neatly
furnished, considering the material, and garnished with a crucifix, a looking-glass,
a picture of the Virgin, and a rusty horse-pistol. There were no chairs, but in-
stead of them a number of chests and boxes ranged about the room. There was
another room beyond, less sumptuously decorated, and here three or four Spanish
girls, one of them very pretty, were baking cakes at a mud fireplace in the corner.
They brought out a poncho, which they spread upon the floor by way of a table-
cloth. A supper, which seemed to us luxuriant, was soon laid out upon it, and
folded buffalo-robes were placed around it to receive the guests. Two or three
Americans besides ourselves were present. * * * When we took leave of
Richard it was near sunset. Passing out of the gate, we could look down the little
120 HISTORY OF COLORADO
valley of the Arkansas; a beautiful scene, and doubly so to our eyes, so long ac-
customed to deserts and mountains. Tall woods lined the river, with green
meadows on either hand ; and high bluffs, quietly basking in the sunlight, flanked
the narrow valley. A Mexican on horseback was driving a herd of cattle towards
the gate, and our little white tent, which the men had pitched under a tree in the
meadow, made a pleasing feature in the scene."
Frederick Ruxton, who visited the Pueblo in 1847, describes it briefly as fol-
lows : "The Pueblo is a small square fort of adobe with circular bastions at the
corners, no part of the walls being more than eight feet high, and around the in-
side of the yard or corral are built some half-dozen little rooms inhabited by as
many Indian traders and mountain men. They live entirely upon game, and the
greater pan of the year without even bread, since but little maize is cultivated.
As soon as their supply of meat is exhausted they start to the mountains with two
or three pack-animals and bring them back in two or three days loaded with buffalo
or venison. In the immediate vicinity of the fort game is very scarce, and the
buffalo have within a few years deserted the neighboring prairie, but they are
always found in the mountain valleys, particularly in one called Bayou Salado, in
the South Park, which abounds in every species of game, including elk. bears, deer,
big horns or Rocky Mountain sheep, buffalo, antelope, etc."
Among the better class of trappers and hunters the Pueblo suffered a decreas-
ing popularity. Dwellers at this whiskey-ridden and immoral post became fewer
and fewer and those that remained comprised only the riff-raff of the frontier,
many of whom found safety here which would have been denied them elsewhere.
Then, on Christmas Day, 1854, occurred the Indian massacre at the Pueblo,
which forever afterward caused the fort to be deserted and shunned. • Accounts
of this massacre differ materially ; there are as many as a half-dozen versions of
the story. One story is that the fort was occupied on Christmas Day by a few
Mexicans and seventeen Americans, all of them hunters and trappers. They were
engaged in celebrating the season with a generous supply of Mexican whiskey and
had reached the stage of inebriety when a large band of Indians appeared, were
invited to join the festivities and accepted. When the Indians had fairly caught
up with the white men a quarrel arose, which culminated in a general fight, with
the result that fifteen white men were killed in cold blood. According to this
story the only survivor was a teamster, who had gone from the Pueblo in the
morning and did not return until after nightfall, in time to escape the massacre.
Another account places the date as the morning of the 24th of December,
rather than Christmas. A large war-party of Utes appeared before dawn at the
post and asked to be admitted inside the stockade. When the white men refused
this, they attacked and forced an entrance, killing all the men and carrying off a
Mexican woman and two children. The woman they murdered shortly afterward,
but the children were recovered.
Milo Lee Whittaker, in his book, "Pathbreakers and Pioneers of the Pueblo
Region" (1917), describes the massacre with the following words :
"The most notable Indian massacre occurring in the immediate vicinity of
Pueblo was the one which took place on Christmas Day, 1854, when the entire
population of the old Pueblo fort was massacred.
"The Utes who occupied the foothills region west of Pueblo had been restless
for several days before the date above mentioned and had begun wandering away
HISTORY OF COLORADO 121
from their usual confines out into the valley. Uncle Dick Wooten, who lived
down at the mouth of the Huerfano, had been out on a hunting expedition to the
Hardscrabble region above Pueblo. Noticing indications that an Indian outbreak
was imminent, he put out immediately for home to make ready for a visit from
these savages. This was the day before Christmas, and as Wooten passed the
Pueblo fort he stopped and warned its inhabitants not to permit any Utes to come
within the fort. From this place he hastened on to his home on the Huerfano to
make ready for the expected attack.
"Unfortunately, the inhabitants of the fort did not take this warning seriously,
as we shall see. On the afternoon of Christmas a single Indian was seen gallop-
ing his horse up the trail to the fort. Upon his arrival he met the men with a
friendly greeting and suggested to Sandoval, who was in charge of the fort, that
they set up a target and try their skill as marksmen; Sandoval, believing that no
danger could possibly arise from the presence of one Indian within the enclosure,
permitted him to enter. A target was set up and with the entire group of men
standing by the shooting began. Sandoval fired first and was followed immedi-
ately by the Indian ; whereupon, two more Utes appeared riding up the trail.
Upon their arrival they greeted the group with a friendly 'How' and took their
places among the other spectators. The next time four shots were fired and four
Indians appeared. It was evident that the firing of the shots was a signal for
more Indians to appear. The shooting was resumed and in a short time the entire
band of Indians, fifty in number, had arrived and were intently watching the
contest.
"Blanco, the Ute chief, requested food for his followers, whereupon the entire
group entered the fort. Food was given them as well as a liberal quantity of
'Taos lightning.' Suddenly, at a given signal, the entire band of savages fell upon
the occupants of the fort and begun their massacre.
"Against such odds these men were unable to contend and in a few minutes
they were all killed except four, one woman, the two sons of Sandoval, seven and
twelve years old, and one man who was shot through the cheek and left for dead.
The woman was killed at a spring near by as they were leaving the fort, but the
boys were kept as captives, and were finally restored to their people after peace
was made."
No attempt was ever made to renew life at this post, and, among the Indians
and trappers, the deserted rooms and walls were believed to harbor the spirits of
the slain, whose waitings and moanings could be heard almost any night. The
place was regarded with superstitious dread and rapidly fell into decay and demo-
lition. Reliable authorities have placed the exact site of this post adjacent to the
spot where the Ferris Hotel in Pueblo stood for many years. The other frontier
post at Hardscrabble had disappeared several years before the massacre at Pueblo.
El Pueblo, or Fort Pueblo, was another small post established upon the north
bank of the Arkansas, about five miles above Bent's Fort. This is not to be con-
fused with the Pueblo trading-post mentioned in the preceding paragraphs. Two
other small stations were built during this same period — both near the mouth of
Timpas Creek, on opposite sides of the river. These three posts were inhabited
and utilized mainly by Mexicans and Frenchmen, whose principal business, accord-
ing to the general knowledge of the frontiersmen, was the smuggling of bad
whiskey across the international boundary.
122 HISTORY OF COLORADO
FIRST POST ON SOUTH PLATTE
In 1832 the first fur-trading station was built along the South Platte. Vas-
quez, a trader, brother to Pike's interpreter, is thought to have been the builder of
this post, using cottonwood logs which he obtained in the vicinity. The site was
about opposite the mouth of Clear Creek, almost within the present city limits of
Denver. In this connection, it may be said that Clear Creek bore the name of
Vasquez Fork at that time and until the middle of the Nineteenth Century.
Dr. F. A. Wislizenus in his narrative treating of his trip through the Rockies
in 1839, and from which extensive quotations have been used in another part of
this chapter, wrote of a fort owned by Vasquez and Sublette, located on the South
Platte five or six miles above Fort St. Vrain. This was undoubtedly the same
Vasquez and the other owner, William L. Sublette, one of the builders of Fort
Laramie.
In 1833 Peter A. Sarpy, a St. Louis Frenchman, erected a log trading-post on
the South Platte, five miles down the river from that of Vasquez. Little is known
of this post, or that of Vasquez, as the amount of business transacted was small
and the posts themselves were short-lived. Both Sarpy and Vasquez were veteran
fur traders; the former afterward entered the employ of the American Fur Com-
pany on the Missouri, while Vasquez was known as a "free" trapper in the moun-
tains until the late '405.
FORT LANCASTER
In 1836 or 1837 Fort Lancaster was constructed on the east side of the South
Platte, "about seven miles north of the south line of our Weld County." The
builder was Lancaster P. Lupton, a lieutenant attached to Col. Henry Dodge's ex-
pedition to Colorado in 1835 and in command of Company A, First Regiment, U. S.
Dragoons. Lieutenant Lupton resigned from the United States service March 31,
1836, for the purpose of entering the fur-trading business, which, he had convinced
himself, held great opportunities for money-making.
It is not known whether Lupton made money with his trading-post, but it is
known that he abandoned it within the decade. Hunters and trappers called it
"Fort Lupton" and "Lupton's Fort" rather than the original appellation of Fort
Lancaster. In fact, some writers have stated that Lupton built two forts in the
vicinity, one known as Fort Lancaster and one as Fort Lupton.
J. C. Smiley states in his History of Colorado (1913) that "The change gave
rise in our settlement period to rather a general belief, which has been transmitted
to the present time, that Lupton had built two trading-posts in that vicinity, the
earlier being Fort Lancaster, which was supposed to have stood upon the eastward
side of the South Platte, several miles above the mouth of St. Vrain Creek ; and
that the trader had bestowed his given name upon the first, and his surname upon
the second. But some of our pioneers thought that Fort Lancaster was the prede-
cessor of Fort Lupton, upon the same site.
"In a Table of Distances from Omaha, N. T. (Nebraska Territory), to the
Cherry Creek and South Platte Gold Mines,' by way of the Platte and South
Platte rivers, originally compiled and printed at Omaha in the winter of 1858-59,
and published in the Rocky Mountain News, in the settlement at the mouth of
HISTORY OF COLORADO 123
Cherry Creek, in April and May, 1859, and which contained various references to
the character of the route and also indicated the better camping-places, 'Fort
Lancaster' is located seven miles above (south of) Fort St. Vrain; and 'Fort
Lupton,' six miles above (south of) Fort Lancaster. Each of the two is noted
as affording 'good camp/ "
Fremont visited Fort Lancaster and described it as it appeared on July 6, 1843;
when he stopped to visit the lieutenant, as in a fairly prosperous condition with
an abundance of live stock and poultry. Fremont, in his Memoirs, also mentions
that, after leaving Fort St. Vrain for Fort Lancaster, he passed "two abandoned
forts," one "of which was undoubtedly that of Vasquez and Sublette. The other,
it is thought, once belonged to obscure traders.
FORT ST. VRAIN
The trading-post known as Fort St. Vrain was the largest of its kind on the
South Platte and was the third largest in the whole fur-trading region of the
Central West, Fort Laramie and Fort Bent being of greater size and importance.
It was constructed on the right side of the South Platte, about a mile below the
mouth of St. Vrain Creek, by the Bent brothers and Ceran St. Vrain. The post
was built of sun-dried bricks (adobe) and measured approximately seventy-five
by one hundred and twenty-five feet in width and length, with fourteen-foot walls.
The construction, or architecture, of the fort was similar to that of Fort Bent,
having a central court, picketed walls, one gate and corner bastions.
During the few years of existence Fort St. Vrain was a lively competitor of
Fort Lancaster, and was the half-way point between Fort Bent and Fort Laramie.
It was located on the well-beaten trail which led from the upper Arkansas to Fort
Laramie. This trail, of which I5th Street in Denver is a part, became one of the
most important of the frontier highways and was for several years part of a
pony-express route from Fort St. Vrain to Fort Bent, thence to Taos. Six and a
half years Fort St. Vrain maintained its popularity among the emigrants, traders,
trappers, adventurers and other what-not of the frontier. Parkman visited the
place after its abandonment and in his "Oregon Trail" speaks of it thusly :
"At noon we rested under the walls of a large fort, built in these solitudes some
years since by M. St. Vrain. It was now abandoned and fast falling into ruin.
The walls of unbaked bricks were cracked from top to bottom. Our horses
recoiled in terror from the neglected entrance, where the heavy gates were torn
from their hinges and flung down. The area within was overgrown with weeds,
and the long ranges of apartments once occupied by the motley concourse of
traders, Canadians and squaws were now miserably dilapidated."
Like many of the frontiersmen, Ceran St. Vrain was of French descent and a
native of St. Louis. All of his life he engaged in the fur-trading and trafficking
business, operating a wagon-train over the Santa Fe Trail in trading with New
Mexico. His death occurred at Mora, New Mexico, in 1870.
ANTOINE ROUBIDEAU
Antoine Roubideau was another St. Louis Frenchman who built for himself a
log trading-station on the left shore of the Gunnison River, a distance of between
124 HISTORY OF COLORADO
one and two miles below the mouth of the Uncompahgre, near the present Town
of Delta, Colorado. Roubideau started this small post some time in the '303 and
continued his lonely trade for several years. He became unpopular with the Utes
and finally they mercilessly burned his buildings and drove him from the vicinity.
This intrepid Frenchman, in honor of whom a pass in the Sangre de Cristo Range
has been named, was a wanderer over the entire West, following his trade and
undergoing hardship and adventure wherever he went. He is known to have
been in the western part of what is now Colorado as early as 1824, and in 1844 he
was the proprietor of Fort Uintah, a hundred miles southeast of Salt Lake City.
His garrison here was annihilated by the Indians, but Roubideau himself hap-
pened to be absent on that particular day.
In the extreme northwestern corner of Colorado stood Fort Davy Crockett, or
just Fort Crockett, on the left bank of Green River, just on or near the present
state line. Three Americans — St. Clair, Craig and Thompson — constructed this
post. Doctor Wislizenus visited the post and described it as a one-story adobe
building, with three wings, but no stockade. This fort was abandoned in the
early '405.
Fraeb's Post, built by "Jim" Bridger and Henry Fraeb about 1840, was located
on St. Vrain's Fork, but several miles beyond the northern boundary of Colorado.
Fraeb and several of his men were killed during an engagement between his garri-
son of over half a hundred men and a band of hostile Sioux. It is thought that
the post was abandoned shortly after this occurrence.
FORT LARAMIE
Although Fort Laramie's history properly belongs to the history of Wyoming,
within whose boundaries it was located, this historic fort played such an important
part in the drama of the Great West that a few words must be said of it in con-
nection with the other forts, which were situated within Colorado. Fort Laramie
was located near the junction of the North Platte and Laramie rivers, and received
its name from Jacques Loramie, or Laramee, a French trader who was killed in
1821. In 1834 William L. Sublette and Robert Campbell constructed a trading-
post near the confluence of the North Fork and the Laramie, and named it Fort
William, after Sublette. In the next year the firm of Fitzpatrick, Sublette &
Bridger, with strong affiliations with the American Fur Company, purchased the
post and renamed it Fort John in honor of John B. Sarpy. Notwithstanding the
official cognomen of the post, the trappers soon began to call it Fort Laramie.
Then, in the early '405 the owners of Fort John built a larger and stronger post a
short distance farther up the Laramie River and called it Fort Laramie, old Fort
John being abandoned at the same time. This new fort became the strongest and
most important in the Central West. Surrounded by a sixteen-foot wall of stone
and adobe, with bastions at two corners and a tower above the gate, the fort pre-
sented an imposing appearance. Fort Laramie was a stopping point for all the
emigrants to Oregon and California, and in 1849 the United States Government
purchased the property, improved and enlarged it, and utilized it as a military post
until the end of the Indian wars.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 125
THE SANTA FE TRAIL
•
The Santa Fe Trail, that great highway of trade and travel, which extended
from the Missouri River to the capital of New Mexico, crossed the southeastern
corner of what is now Baca County, in the State of Colorado. This trail was the
principal highway through the Great West. Adventures of infinite variety and
numerically greater than could be recorded in a work of this scope were experi-
enced by the hundreds who journeyed along this trail.
When trade first began with New Mexico the traders usually followed a route
straight west from the Missouri River to the mountains, then turned south to
Santa Fe by the trail from Taos. It was not long, however, until the amount of
travel increased to such an extent that an easier and quicker route had to be
devised. The road then followed along the left bank of the Arkansas River until
the stream turned to the northwest, and then crossed the river and went southwest
to Raton Pass.
Baptiste La Lande and James Purcell (Pursley), in the years 1804 and 1805
respectively, were the first to open a regular trade with the New Mexicans, while
representing American interests. Purcell liked the New Mexican country so well
that he became a permanent resident of Santa Fe. In November, 1809, three
other American traders — McClanahan, Patterson and Smith — left St. Louis for
Santa Fe, for the purpose of trading, but were never heard of afterward.
Whether they were killed by Indians or met other mishap is not known. Another
and larger party of Americans, including Samuel Chambers, James Baird and Rob-
ert McKnight, went to Santa Fe to trade in 1812, but they were received as enemies
and imprisoned at Chihuahua, where they remained for nine years, or until
Mexico revolted successfully from Spanish rule.
After the downfall of the Spanish administration in New Mexico the Santa Fe
Trail as a route from the Missouri to Santa Fe became an established highway.
The revolution occurred in 1821 and late in the same year William Becknell, of
Missouri, with a large party, went to the capital. He has been termed "the
founder of the Santa Fe trade and the father of the Santa Fe Trail." His journey
was undoubtedly the first of any importance after the Spanish were downed by
the Mexicans, and for this reason was probably the first to obtain unmolested
entrance to the markets of the southern province. His route led him straight
west to the mountains, all the time following the Arkansas River, and then turned
southward. In 1822 several caravans followed the trail to Santa Fe and in this
year the trade may be said to have opened in earnest.
The original eastern terminus of the Santa Fe Trail was the small hamlet of
Franklin, located on the Missouri River, about one hundred and fifty miles west
of St. Louis. After ten years or so the terminus was changed to the town of Inde-
pendence, Missouri, near the present Kansas City, then in the '505 to Westport
and to Kansas City. From Independence the Trail ran southwest to the extreme
northern point of the great bend in the Arkansas, then along the north bank to the
looth meridian. At this point a crossing of the Arkansas was made at a place
known as the Cimarron Crossing, and the course continued southwest to the
Cimarron River, thence along the north bank of this river, crossing the south-
eastern corner of the present Baca County, Colorado, over the Cimarron Pass
126 HISTORY OF COLORADO
through Oklahoma, northeastern New Mexico to Santa Fe. The total distance
covered by the Trail is estimated to have been 840 miles.
After the Mexican War traffic upon the Trail vastly increased. Mails were car-
ried over its route, troops were marched and transported along its broad stretches
and caravan after caravan of "prairie schooners," pack-animals, riders and pedes-
trians followed its course to the mountains and the Far West. The Bent brothers
opened a branch road from their first trading-post, following the north bank of the
upper Arkansas to the Santa Fe Crossing. This is now a public road from the
mountains to the eastward. The trail from the upper Arkansas to Fort Laramie,
via Fort St. Vrain, has been mentioned before. Another trail afterwards led
from the second Bent trading-post, which was Fort Bent, into New Mexico by
way of the Raton Pass, joining the Santa Fe Trail after entering the Territory of
New Mexico. There were numerous other and smaller trails established during
this period, many of them to suit the convenience of the trappers alone.
The Santa Fe Trail continued as a highway of commerce until after the Civil
War and the coming of the first railroads. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
Railway was built up the Arkansas Valley in the early '705 and as its steel rails
were advanced the old Trail was just so much shortened. Freighters used the
Trail only so far as to reach the beginning of the railroad. On February 9, 1880,
the first train over this railroad by way of the Raton Pass entered Santa Fe and
the famous Santa Fe Trail became a thing of the past.
THE LAST TRADER
William Bent was the last fur trader within the limits of the present State of
Colorado. After he had wilfully destroyed Fort Bent, he constructed a few log
houses on the left bank of the Arkansas at a point known as the "Big Timbers,"
in what is now Prowers County, Colorado. In 1854, having abandoned his cab-
ins, he began the construction of the New Fort Bent, on the Arkansas, eight
miles west of Lamar. Although smaller, in general appearance and equipment
this new fort was very similar to the original Fort Bent. Bent maintained a trad-
ing-post here and also negotiated with the government for its sale as a military
post. In this latter he had better success than formerly, and in 1859 the govern-
ment purchased the fort and renamed it Fort Wise, in honor of the Governor of
Virginia at that time. In 1861 it was again renamed Fort Lyon, after Gen.
Nathaniel Lyon. Afterward it was rebuilt and relocated at the mouth of the Las
Animas or Purgatory River. Of the picturesque characters developed in the
Great West during the fur-trading period more shall be said in a later chapter.
Such men as "Kit" Carson, "Jim" Bridger, "Uncle Dick" Wooten and Tom Tobin
were classed as "free" trappers, and, although possessing many of the rough traits
of the frontier, were ever staunch defenders of law and order, valiant fighters,
true friends and in all men of red blood and iron sinew.
DOCTOR WISLIZENUS' JOURNEY
In his journey to the Columbia River region in the year 1839, Dr. F. A. Wis-
lizenus saw parts of Colorado, also passed through the state upon his return jour-
ney. Doctor Wislizenus wrote a narrative of his trip, which was published in the
128 HISTORY OF COLORADO
original German by Wilhelm Weber at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1840. In 1911 a
translation was made of this book for the Colorado Historical and Natural His-
tory Society by Mr. Alfred Patek. It is from this translation that the following
excerpts are taken :
"About the middle of April, 1839, I left St. Louis for the purpose of traveling
westward. I took the steamer St. Peter up the Missouri to 'Chouteau's Land-
ing.' This took six days, as the water was low and it was a trip of no particu-
lar interest. The little western border town of Westport lies six miles from
Chouteau's Landing, and it was there that I determined to await the departure of
the annual caravan westward. This little town contains thirty to forty houses and
lies hardly more than a mile from the western border of Missouri. It is the ac-
customed gathering place for travelers to the Rocky Mountains. Its neighboring
town, Independence, which lies twelve miles away, is also a rendezvous for
those who are traveling to Santa Fe.
"I bought a horse and a mule, the former to ride upon and the latter for bag-
gage. I prepared myself in other ways for a long journey. On the 4th of May the
company that was to make this journey had arrived and prepared itself for the
trip, and the first stop was eight miles from Westport at a place called Sapling
Grove. The journey to this point was through the land of the Shawnees, friendly
Indians, who have settled here and who have become the owners of valuable
farms. Their customs are very much like those of the whites, some of them
even speaking English. My first day's travel was not auspicious, for I did not
understand how to pack the baggage upon the mule's back. The usual way con-
sists in dividing the luggage into two equal halves, tightening each separately
and then with loops adjusting it accurately to the shape of the pack saddle.
After this has been done a lash rope, made of buffalo leather, is bound around
the belly of the animal and then effectively wound around the baggage. My
entire outfit weighed from 150 to 200 pounds, which is the usual burden of one
of the animals, but it was not properly divided, so that I was compelled to unpack-
repeatedly, and I did not arrive at the first stopping place until after dark and
long after all the others had reached the place."
Speaking of the difficulties of pack-saddling, Doctor Wislizenus states later:
"During the first days of a journey it is the custom to lead the pack animals
with ropes, but later they are permitted to run free and are driven in front of the
caravan. The amateur travelers have considerable trouble with their baggage.
At one point the pack has turned to one side ; at another point it is under the very
belly of the animal. At times when the animal sees its load falling, it stops and
awaits the coming of the master, but some of them, frightened, start on a wild
run and do their utmost to free themselves of their loads. But the caravan, like
an army deserting its fallen, moves forward. The older ones repair the damage
in silence, but with angry faces, and the younger ones do not hesitate to give vent
to their feelings in picturesque language, to say the least."
Of the personnel of the company the Doctor says: "Our caravan was small,
for it consisted of only twenty-seven persons. Of these, nine were in the employ
of the Fur Company of St. Louis, Choteau, Pratte & Company, and were going to
the annual rendezvous on the Green River with a transport of trading goods.
Their leader was a Mr. Harris, a mountaineer of no particular culture, but with
five healthy senses which he knew how to use. The others had joined the excur-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 129
sion for purely personal reasons. Among them were three missionaries, two of
whom were accompanied by their wives and who were on their way to the Colum-
bia, that they might aid in converting the tribes in the Northwest. Several others
were talking of a permanent settlement on the Columbia River, others had Cali-
fornia in mind, but nearly all were impelled by trading interests. The majority
of the company consisted of Americans, the. remainder were Canadians, French
and Germans, with one solitary Dane.
"Our direction during those first two days was due west. For one day we
traveled along the broad Santa Fe Trail, then turned to our right into a narrower
road, which had been blazed by the early travelers to the Rockies, but which was
often so faint in its outline that even the leaders lost it, and were governed by the
camps. Our path took us through a prairie with rolling and fertile ground,
watered here and there by brooks and streams. Upon these shores we found as a
rule a narrow strip of undergrowth. On the prairie we found no timber. For
several days we were forced to drink dirty and stagnant water, but usually we
found pleasant and romantic places along clear streams. We saw but little animal
life and shot only a few prairie chickens. The weather-"beaten elk skull and elk
horn were evidence to us that at some time those old residents of the wilderness
were grazing in these regions. On the fifth day we arrived at the Kansas, or, as
it was called, the Kaw River. * * * We were now about one hundred miles
above its junction with the Missouri."
On the afternoon of May 2$d the party came into view of the Platte River.
"A short distance below the junction of the two forks (North and South) the
stream separates anew and forms a large and long island. It was at this point
that we reached the Platte."
The caravan proceeded along the Platte to the forks and then followed the
course of the South Platte for a few days. Shortly the journey was taken in a
northwest direction, to the North Platte. Nothing of importance happened along
this route, except a glimpse of a drove of wild horses. Wislizenus describes the
country as follows : "The North Fork and its environment is much like the South
Fork — much sand, very little wood and no buffalo. * * * The bluffs on our
side of the stream, and on which I noticed pine for the first time, grew smaller
as we advanced and were at last merg«d entirely in the prairie. Farther back,
however, we saw the first red cliffs, precipitous and imposing. In these the sand
formation is also predominant. Many of these rows of cliffs seemed to have
been telescoped into each other. Leading up to them are grass mounds which
are in the nature of foothills, and these in turn flatten out. Along the range are
numerous cliffs that seem thrown apart from the main range and shape them-
selves into most peculiar forms. The first cliff at the beginning of the range and
about eight miles from the stream had the appearance of an old castle or citadel
More remarkable still is the last one in the same range. Its tower-like pinnacle
can be seen for thirty or forty miles and it has therefore been named 'The Chim-
ney.' It is not more than a mile from the stream. Its cone-formed basis is about
three-quarters its height, while the pyramid-like pinnacle takes up the other quar-
ter. The upper part of the formation is of sandstone and the foundation is calca-
reous. The entire height of the cliff is 525 feet — the pinnacle about 125 of this."
Without further mishap, the party reached the Green River rendezvous and
on July loth Wislizenus began his return journey.
130 HISTORY OF COLORADO
"We left Fort Crockett on August i8th and moved easterly toward the North
Fork of the Platte. For several miles our path led along the Green River and
then turned into a gulch, six to eight miles long, known as Brown's Hole. At the
end of the gulch we camped. The following morning we gathered up the shreds
left in our meatsacks and ate them, hoping to come across fresh meat before long.
Our path, however, led over a sand waste, sparsely covered with grass and no
game. During the morning we crossed the Vermillion, a brook with reddish-
looking water, which flows into the Green. * * * On August 25th, in the
evening, we reached the left bank of the North Fork of the Platte, at a point
which we had not touched in our westward journey. This was probably 100 miles
in a straight line from Fort Laramie. The stream here was wide, but shallow,
and we forded it with ease. We left it at once, however, going southwest to
reach the South Fork. We arrived there in about eight days. On the first day
we crossed over fairly high hills the range that belongs to this North Fork terri-
tory. On the 5th we crossed the range which divides the terrain of the North
Fork from that of the South Fork and over which there is a comparatively easy
path. The mountain formation was again sand and limestone. On their sides
were mostly pines. On the seventh day we reached the Cache a la Poudre Creek,
which empties into the South Fork. On the ninth day we were at the South
Fork. On September 3d we were unexpectedly to the left bank of the South
Fork and crossed. On the right bank here there are three forts only a few miles
apart. These are Penn's and Savory's Fort, Vasquez and Sublette's Fort and
Lupton's Fort. They are of the customary construction, the outer walls being
of doby. There is much enmity and jealousy between these places. * * * In
the second I met the famous Fitzpatrick, whose adventures in the mountains have
been many and marvelous. He is a slim, bony figure, with expressive face and
snow-white hair. His whole being seemed to breathe emotion and passion. * * *
"On September 7th we left the South Fork forts on the way to the Arkansas.
For but half a day we followed the course of the former stream. At the sruth-
west, along the left shore of the Platte, there came into view a mountain range
whose topmost peaks were partially covered with snow. It made a beautiful
background for the cottonwood lines along the Platte and for the broad prairie
which stretches along its opposite bank. \
"On the fourth day we traveled in the country that lies between the water-
sheds of the Platte and Arkansas. The country is somewhat hilly and covered
here and there with pine woods. In this wide prairie which stretches to the
Arkansas we came across buffalo herds again. Here, too, we met two lodges of
Arapahoes who had just killed a buffalo cow and invited us to the repast. The
squaws were still busy cutting away the meat, and we smoked for a time and
assisted in gathering buffalo chips, which we had to use for fire, as no wood was
available. We traveled together after our meal. The squaws pack their animals
with wonderful economy. One horse carries a pack weighing 300 pounds, but
also the squaw and her children, she deftly preserving the equilibrium of it all.
Even one of the dogs carried a load of fifty pounds. We camped at a sandy creek
in the evening. The Indians were also going to the Arkansas, but they traveled
too slowly for us and so we separated, reaching the Arkansas in two days.
"The Arkansas and the region round about are much like the Platte country.
It rises in the same range on the South Fork and courses eastward toward the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 131
Mississippi. At times its shores are bleak, at times lined with cottonwoods.
There is rolling country on both sides. It is a rushing stream, but shallow and
navigable only for small boats. Catfish abound in it. We moved along the left
shore for sixty miles toward Penn's (Bent's) Fort, the environment changing but
little. Here and there along the shore we found wild grapes, which, though sour,
were extremely palatable. They were larger than any I had seen before in the
United States. We also found a red fruit, something on the cactus order, sweet
to the taste. The grass was getting dryer as we moved along. Only by the side
of the stream was it fresh. The high grass burns like tinder once it is lit.
Through carelessness this happened in camp, and it was with the utmost difficulty
that we saved our- baggage. Buffalo were no longer plentiful. On September
I5th we reached Penn's (Bent's) Fort. This lies on the left bank of the Arkan-
sas River and is the largest and most beautiful fort we had visited on our entire
journey. The walls are doby (adobe) and a watch tower, with loop-holes, rises
on each side of the front wall. In the spacious center cattle are herded. They
have in addition to these herds of cattle, sheep and goats and three buffalo calves
that graze in the nearby fields. They have no surplus of horses, for Indians with
unbelieveable boldness, recently drove off a hundred head. The fort lies about
one hundred and fifty miles from Taos, in Mexico, and about three hundred miles
from Santa Fe. Many little expeditions leave quite often for Taos to get flour,
bread, beans, sugar, etc. ' In addition, ox wagons bring large consignments of
goods annually from the Missouri border. About four miles above this is a sec-
ond smaller fort called Bublo's Fort, which is occupied largely by French and
Mexicans. We purchased some Spanish flour, which might better have been
called bran. But our appetites had not been spoiled, so it was palatable to us.
We left on the I7th. The many wagons that make the journey annually have
carved out a well-defined road which lies largely along the river and joins the
Santa Fe Trail about one hundred and fifty miles below. We followed this road.
It was the same monotonous, treeless, sandy prairie. On the second day we
reached what is called the 'Big Timber,' a spot on the Arkansas which for several
miles is well-wooded. But below it is again destitute of trees. The Comanches,
who here play about the same part the Blackfeet do in the North, scour the region
for prey. We were fortunate enough not to make their acquaintance. On the
fifth day we again encountered buffalo herds. On the sixth we reached the Santa
Fe Trail. This broad road, like a chaussee, had gradually been made by the
great ox caravans which annually cover the distance between the Missouri
boundary and Santa Fe. The distance between Independence and Santa Fe is
about nine hundred miles and the direction is southwest through the prairie.
"At a point less than half way between the towns is crossed the Arkansas.
The stream there is shallow and is easily forded. It was at this crossing that we
hit the trail. The road gradually left the river and wound its way toward smaller
streams which empty into it from the north. The first day we traveled over a
broad plateau, on which there were countless buffalo, but very little water. On
September 26th we reached Pawnee Fork, on the next day Ash Creek, in the
vicinity of which there is a cliff right in the midst of a prairie. This is said to
mark the half-way point between Missouri and Penn's (Bent's) Fort. Many
travelers have engraved their names on this.
"An unfortunate accident here separated me from my companions. My horse
132 HISTORY OF COLORADO
had weakened in the days that preceded and I was compelled to walk more than
I care to. As there was some delay in breaking camp the next morning I took
my animals by the bridle and walked them ahead in the hope that the party would
soon overtake us. I tried afterwards to drive the animals ahead of me, but they
ran to the side so often that I finally got into the tracks of another road, which
gradually became less and less denned and finally disappeared. It was foggy
and I could not see my companions in any direction. In order to lose no more
time I determined to move east and thus strike the trail farther along. After
going a few miles I came to a swamp. I could not see clear land either to the
north or south. In the east it seemed to be only a few miles in length. The
water was not deep, the soil fairly solid and I therefore determined to move
along. Slowly I sent my horse forward. It, however, slipped after going over
the wet grass and reeds. My packhorse I led by a rope. Waterbirds of all kinds
swarmed about us. I do not recall having seen such quantities of swans, cranes,
pelicans, wild geese and ducks in one small area. The marsh was covered with
them and they felt so secure that I could have killed hundreds of them with my
gun barrel. At this time I was not anxious to hunt, but rather to get safely out
of the miserable swamp. My horse was getting weaker and I barely covered a
mile an hour. With a great effort I finally reached what I thought from the
distance were trees, but which turned out to be high reeds, and the other half
of the swamp lay before me. I could no longer get my horse to move while
riding it, and I therefore dismounted and led it by the bridle. At times the water
was breast high. It was with measured and slow step that I moved along, my
dog swimming after the bedraggled procession. It was sunset when I finally
reached the end of the swamp. Before me lay a chain of small hills and nearby
a creek with a wooded shore line. To this I led my wornout animals. The lone-
someness of it all would at any other time have seriously affected me. Now it
actually had a charm. I built a fire and dried my clothes. On the following
morning, just as I was at breakfast, a herd of deer visited me. They came very
close, but I did not shoot at them, for I still had a supply of dried meat, nor did
I care to attract the attention of the Pawnees who were accustomed to crossing
this district. I still moved eastward. The grass was often man-high and going
was miserable. Nowhere did I strike a sign of a road. The country looked as
if it had never been traversed by a human being. I crossed several small brooks,
the bottom of some of which were so treacherous that my animals sunk in them.
Several times I had to take the baggage off the pack animal. In the afternoon I
reached a larger wooded creek, probably Cow Creek, and camped there. My
horses were tired and worn out, so I remained there all of the next day as well,
dried my baggage and animadverted on the solitude.
"The following morning I started again and struck the last buffalo herds of
the journey. I sank into a few more creeks and camped on the Little Arkansas,
a stream with a precipitous shore line. It took me a long time to find a place to
water my horses. The following morning my animals were gone. On climbing
a tree I spied them a mile away. It was impossible to get them across with the
pack, so I dragged this over myself and then came back and got the animals
over. After going eastward several hours longer I suddenly struck the Santa
Fe Trail again. Even my animals seemed overjoyed. I found traces of my
companions. That night I camped at a pool filled with frogs. This was for lack
HISTORY OF COLORADO 133
of a better place. I had now been separated from my companions for six days.
On the following morning I traveled twenty-five miles in one stretch to Cotton-
wood Creek, a wooded stream which here makes a half circle. I was just about
to select a camping place when I heard a shot that must have been fired from a
hollow nearby. I rode toward it and found my companions. They had waited
for me a day at the Little Arkansas, but finally concluded that I was ahead of
them. We still had 200 miles to the Missouri River."
Doctor Wislizenus reached Westport, now part of Kansas City, and from
there went to St. Louis, arriving on the last day of October.
How well Doctor Wislizenus prophesied the future life of the Great West
and the coming of civilization is shown by his words in concluding his journal,
which follow :
"The fate of the western Indian may be foretold by the history of those who
once occupied the eastern half of the country. Civilization will conquer even
the last remnant, aided as it is by disease and whiskey. Many eastern tribes, as
terrible as the Blackfeet are now in the West, have disappeared and hardly their
names remain. Some have taken up agriculture and live, but as shadow pictures
of a vanished people. The western tribes, it must be admitted, are protected from
the advance of civilization by the vast sandy prairie which stretches from the
boundary of Missouri 1,000 miles to the foot of the range. They have also the
great wall of the Rockies and the sand steppes beyond to add to their security.
"But civilization will not find these difficulties insurmountable. Fully half
of the prairie lands can be put under cultivation, and the lack of timber, which is
due less to the nature of the soil than to the many prairie fires and the great
herds of game, particularly buffalo, will not count for much with the advance
of civilization. Illinois, too, had many treeless stretches which later civilization
changed to wooded sections.
"When the waves of civilization from east and west will cover the vast sand
dunes, and break against the mountains, the few free tribes will fight for exist-
ence, but the waves will rise higher and higher until they reach and submerge
them where they will make their last stand in the Rockies. The buffalo and the
antelope and the bloody tomahawk will disappear in the flood. But there will
be no peace pipe to smoke, for the new people will bring with the virtues all the
evils of civilization. They will wallow in the lap of these Rockies to bring to
light the precious metals that lie buried there. When they have found these,
greed and envy and every ignoble quality will be aroused and the civilized race
will find itself no happier than the vanished red brother."
CHAPTER VI
EARLY SETTLEMENT IN COLORADO
SETTLEMENT ON DENVER SITE — ST. CHARLES TOWN ASSOCIATION — THE AURARIA
TOWN COMPANY — THE DENVER CITY TOWN COMPANY — FIRST BUSINESS AT
CHERRY CREEK BOULDER CITY TOWN COMPANY LA PORTE — EL PASO CITY
FOUNTAIN CITY TOWN COMPANY MOUNTAIN CITY GOLDEN CITY COLORADO
CITY CANON CITY — OTHER TOWNS OF 1859 — CENTRAL CITY — PUEBLO CITY —
LEADVILLE GRAND JUNCTION — DELTA MONTROSE — GLENWOOD SPRINGS GUN-
NISON — SILVERTON — OURAY — TELLURIDE — DURANGO
SETTLEMENT ON DENVER SITE
On September 7, 1858, the Lawrence party of prospectors, whose history is
narrated elsewhere, having established their camp north of the Russell, or Platte
River, "diggings," organized the "Montana Town Company." The purpose of
this company was to start a town to be called "Montana City," the site of which
is within the present city limits of Denver, 4^ miles south of the state capitol
on the east side of the South Platte. Josiah Hinman was elected president of
this company; and William J. Boyer was chosen secretary. A few log cabins
were constructed upon the site of this first Pike's Peak town and the community
began to show signs of becoming the principal town of the gold region. How-
ever, the creation of other communities at the mouth of Cherry Creek defeated
the ambitions of "Montana City" and before the next summer, 1859, little or
nothing was left of it.
ST. CHARLES TOWN ASSOCIATION
In September, 1858, a number of the members of the Lawrence party, be-
coming dissatisfied with the location of Montana City and believing that a better
site could be procured on the South Platte, separated from the Lawrence organi-
zation, with the intention of forming a new town company. With the Lawrence
"seceders" John S. Smith and William McGaa, Indian traders, joined; their co-
operation was much desired by the Lawrence men as in that way they could hold
friendly intercourse with the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians. On September
24th the members met at the mouth of Cherry Creek, formally took possession of
a mile square tract of land, drew and signed an agreement of organization, the
latter signed by William McGaa, John S. Smith, Adnah French, T. C. Dickson,
John A. Churchill, William Hartley, Frank M. Cobb, William N. Smith and
Charles Nichols. Upon the same day they adopted the "Constitution of the St.
134
HISTORY OF COLORADO 135
Charles Association," as their organization was named, which, with the articles
of agreement and the by-laws, constitute the earliest municipal documents rela-
tive to the settlement of Colorado. On the 28th of September the following first
officers were elected : Adnah French, president ; William McGaa, vice president ;
T. C. Dickson, secretary; John S. Smith, treasurer; Frank M. Cobb, recorder;
the above officers, with William Hartley, Charles Nichols, William Smith and
John A. Churchill, trustees.
Still making Montana City their headquarters, the members of the St. Charles
Company began the survey of the new tract. William Hartley, a surveyor con-
nected with the party, superintended this work, which was done with a rude
pocket-compass and chain. The survey was started from a point within the
present Denver city block bounded by Larimer, Fourteenth, Lawrence and
Fifteenth streets, and the general plan of the streets followed north and south
and east and west lines. Stakes and claim notices were set up on the land,
notwithstanding the fact that the Indians held title to all of the land in question.
The name St. Charles, suggested by Charles Nichols who had lived at St.
Charles, Missouri, was given to the new town, although several of the company in-
sisted that the town be called "Golden City."
In the forepart of October, 1858, the Lawrence members of the St. Charles
Association decided to return to eastern Kansas for the winter months, leaving
Smith and McGaa in charge. In this way they hoped to advertise the new
country and their townsite, also to obtain a charter from the Kansas Territorial
Legislature. They believed that no further immigration to Colorado would oc-
cur during the winter and that the prospects of St. Charles could be greatly en-
hanced before the spring months. But this decision proved to be fatal to the St.
Charles Association.
Shortly after the Lawrence men had departed upon their return trip to
Kansas they met the D. C. Oakes party en route for Cherry Creek, where they
arrived October loth, and, still further along the trail, they met another party
of Pike's Peakers, also bound for Cherry Creek. Frequent bands of immigrants
were encountered thereafter and before long the St. Charles members began to
be apprehensive of their holdings. They held a consultation and finally ap-
pointed Charles Nichols to return to the St. Charles plat and construct a build-
ing upon the site, in order to show their priority of right, also to induce the
new settlers to locate there, of course under the authority of the St. Charles
Town Association.
Nichols returned to Cherry Creek and there found about a half hundred new
settlers encamped on the west side of the stream, around the quarters of Smith
and McGaa, also the Russell men. Smith and McGaa, the two Indian traders,
had become indifferent to Nichols and the St. Charles people and refused to
assist in building a cabin on the platted ground. Nichols thereupon laid four
logs upon the ground, which, according to pioneer custom, was assumed to be
the beginning of a log house and to serve as protection of claim rights. His
efforts, though were of little value, for the others calmly proceeded in their own
fashion without regard to the former St. Charles Company.
136 HISTORY OF COLORADO
THE AURARIA TOWN COMPANY
By the 24th of October, the settlement on the west side of Cherry Creek hav-
ing been augmented by the arrival of a number of people from Kansas, Nebras-
ka and Missouri, the proposal was made to form a company and establish a
"city" upon the land there. Public notice was given on the 2/th that a mass
meeting would be held on the 3Oth, at which time a town company would be
organized. This meeting resulted in the formation of the company, as intended,
and may be identified as the actual beginning of the present City of Denver.
The record of this first meeting follows:
"October 30, 1858.
"At a meeting of the Citizens of the South Platte for the purpose of select-
ing a suitable site for a town, Wm. McFadding was appointed as chairman, and
A. J. Smith as Secretary of said meeting. The President stated the object of the
meeting.
"On motion of Mr. Hutchins a committee of five was appointed to select
said site, with power to examine into any and all previous claims. The chair
appointed the following, viz. : Hutchins, Dudley, Dr. Russell, J. S. Smith and
Rooker.
"The Committee reported that they were not able to report at this meeting
and asked further time. Permission was granted.
"On motion of A. J. Smith a Committee of five was appointed to draft a
Constitution, viz. : A. J. Smith, J. H. Dudley, William McGaw (meaning McGaa),
L. J. Russell and S. M. Rooker.
"On motion Wm. McFadding was added to the Committee.
"On motion meeting adjourned to Oct. 31, 1858.
"A. J. SMITH, Secretary."
This second meeting was officially reported in the minute-book of the associa-
tion as follows :
"October 3ist, 1858.
"Meeting met pursuant to adjournment, Mr. McFadding in the Chair.
"Minutes of Meeting 3Oth inst. read and approved.
"The Committee to whom the selection of a town site was referred reported
the Following, which was adopted, viz. :
"The Committee reports that they have selected a town-site upon the follow-
ing lands. A tract having Cherry Creek for the Easterly line and the South
Platte for the northerly line, and extending west and south sufficiently to include
not less than Six hundred and forty acres. The claimants to said portions being
present and acquiescing. Reserving and excepting for the Benefit of William
McGaw and John S. Smith the privilege of a ferry landing within the river
boundary of the town lands.
"The Committee appointed to draft a Constitution and By-laws reported on
the Constitution and By-laws, which were adopted with the following amend-
ment, viz.: To the 9th article of the Constitution — When it becomes necessary
to lay a tax for any improvement upon the town site it shall be the duty of the
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138 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Board of Directors to call a meeting, notifying the Stockholders to that effect.
A majority of the quorum always being necessary to levy such tax.
"On motion adjourned.
"A. J. SMITH, Secretary."
The constitution and by-laws of the Auraria Town Company, according to
the secretary's report of them, were such as the following:
"Constitution of Auraria Town Company.
"We, the Citizens of the South Platte, "having assembled on the First day
of November, A.D., One thousand, Eight hundred and fifty-eight, and agreed to
associate ourselves into a Company to be known and distinguished as the Auraria
Town Company, and by which name we hold ourselves liable to sue and be sued,
and to transact business as an individual and legal body.
"Article ist.
"This Company shall be known and distinguished as the Auraria Town Com-
pany.
"Article 2nd.
"There shall be elected by the Stockholders of said Company a President,
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and One Director, who shall hold their
offices for the term of one year from the date hereof, at the expiration of which
term there shall be a new election.
"Article 3rd.
"In case of any failure of such election at the expiration of said term of One
year, or should a vacancy occur through resignation, death or absence, a majority
of the Board may direct a meeting of the Stockholders to be called and elect
others in their places.
"Article 4th.
"It shall be the duty of the President to preside over the meetings of the
Board, to preserve order, and likewise to sign all certificates of shares, and to
discharge all the duties usually devolving upon the President of meetings and
companies.
"Article 5th.
"It shall be the duty of the Vice President in case of death, resignation, or
any absence from any cause, of the President, to discharge all the duties required
of the President.
"Article 6th.
' "It shall be the duties of the Secretary to keep the books and accounts of
said Company, to record all meetings of the Stockholders, or of the Board of
Directors ; likewise to sign all shares and transfers of shares and record the
same. Keep a record of all documents and papers relating to Town property,
and to notify stockholders of all assessments and when to be paid.
"Article ;th.
"It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to take charge of all monies which the
Board of Directors may place in his hands, and receipt for the same ; to collect
all assessments which the Board may make, and receipt for the same; and shall
upon an order from the Board disburse any funds belonging to said company,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 139
and shall submit a statement of his proceeds in office at any meeting of the
Board when called upon to do so by said Board.
"Article 8th.
"The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and One Director shall
constitute a Board of Directors, all to be chosen from the Stockholders of said
Company.
"Article 9th.
"It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to superintend the surveying,
platting, lithographing or mapping, of the Town Site. Printing or writing shares
of stock, superintending all company improvements, and hold all Company prop-
erty in trust for the benefit of said Company. And also — when it becomes neces-
sary to levy a tax for any improvements upon the Town Site, it shall be the
duty of the Board of Directors to call a meeting notifying the stockholders to
that effect. A majority of a quorum always being necessary to levy such a tax."
"By-Laws.
"Article ist.
"All shares donated by said Company shall be improved in such manner as
the Board of Directors may contract, within Sixty days after the day of Dona-
tion. But if such specified improvements be not made, then the title of such
person or persons to whom such donation shall have been made is null and
void.
"Article 2nd.
"The election of Officers shall take place on the first Monday in November
in Each year, the vote shall be cast by ballot, and two-thirds of the vote cast
shall be necessary to a choice.
"Article 3d.
"Each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote at the first election. At every
succeeding election each stockholder shall be entitled to on.e vote for every share
of stock as originally issued, providing all arrearages of assessments are paid.
"Article 4th. i
"Thirty days shall be allowed for payment of assessments, and if not paid
within said thirty days the Secretary shall advertise the same for thirty days ad-
ditional, and if not paid within said time the Secretary shall cause such share or
shares to b,e sold to pay such assessments.
"Article 5th.
"The owner or owners of any stock sold as above provided to pay assess-
ments, by paying, within 90 days after such sale as aforesaid, the purchase money
and fifty per centum added thereto, shall be entitled to redeem such stock.
"Article 6th.
"Each member of the Board of Directors shall be held under bond for the
faithful discharge of his duties as such member, the sum of which bond not to
exceed the sum of Twenty-five hundred dollars and not less than Two thousand
dollars.
"Article 7th.
"There shall be set apart four hundred shares for the use and benefit of the
Stockholders, the remaining two hundred shall be set apart for donation, public
140 HISTORY OF COLORADO
improvements, etc., and it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to take
charge of such donations, and all profits arising from such donations shall be
set apart for the benefit hereafter of said Company.
"Article 8th.
"The number of Original Stockholders shall not exceed the number of One
hundred. In the absence of any stockholder he may appoint an agent to cast the
vote or votes to which he may be entitled, and to act as proxy, generally.
"Article Qth.
"No transfer of stock shall be considered legal unless such transfer be signed
and recorded by the Secretary in the books of the company at the time of making
such transfer.
"Article zoth.
"Shares of stock shall be issued to each and every stockholder when such
Stockholder shall have, or caused to have been, constructed within the City Limits
a house not less than Sixteen by sixteen feet, to be approved by the Board of
Directors. Such improvements to be made and completed on or before the first
day of July, A.D., 1859, or the shares become forfeited to the Company.
"Article, nth.
"This Constitution and By-Laws thereunto annexed may be revised and
amended at any general meeting of the Company by a vote of Two-thirds of
the Stockholders of said Company."
At a meeting of the stockholders of the Auraria Town Company held Novem-
ber 6th the following officers were elected: William McFadding, president;
J. H. Dudley, vice president; L. J. Russell, secretary; John S. Smith, treasurer;
Henry Allen, director.
The name "Auraria," meaning "Gold Town," was one of two suggested by
Dr. L. J. Russell and appears for the first time in the title of the constitution.
Auraria was the name of Doctor Russell's home town in Lupkin County, Georgia,
where gold "diggings" existed then and which are still1 being worked.
Auraria was in this way the first town that was established at the mouth of
Cherry Creek and was the nucleus of the present City of Denver. Here many
of the first features of Colorado, including the first newspaper, the first Protest-
ant church and the first church school were started. Nichols, the custodian of
the St. Charles Company site, in the meantime stood by and watched with grow-
ing apprehension the rise of Auraria. There was nothing he could do just then
to hold the interest of the others, even though he did complete a cabin which he
had started with the four logs. This was near Cherry Creek in the vicinity of
the present Blake Street crossing, and was located outside the mile-square plat of
the St. Charles Company, but upon land which Smith and McGaa were to have
obtained for the organization.
THE DENVER CITY TOWN COMPANY
The Denver City Town Company was the result of the arrival of a company
of pioneers at the mouth of Cherry Creek in November, 1858, many of the mem-
bers of which became very prominent in the early life of Denver. This company
was really a union of two parties formed in eastern Kansas. One of them was
GEN. JAMES WILLIAM DENVEE
For whom the city was named. He was born in Winchester, Va., on October 23, 1817,
and died in Washington City on August 9, 1892. His tomb is at Wilmington, O., in which
town he had resided for many years.
142 HISTORY OF COLORADO
organized at Lecompton in the summer and among the members were Hickory
Rogers, Edward W. Wynkoop and H. P. A. Smith. James W. Denver was
then governor of Kansas Territory and thought there should be some represen-
tative government in the new Pike's Peak gold country. With this end in view
he appointed Smith probate judge, Rogers chairman of the county board of
commissioners and Wynkoop sheriff, of the County of Arapahoe, then nothing
more than a name attached to the western end of Kansas. In this way the
three "county officials" were authorized to proceed to the new country, which
they did.
The other half of the pioneer company was from Leavenworth, in fact be-
came known as the "Leavenworth Party." This company consisted of Folsom
Dorsett, M. M. Jewett, Gen. William Larimer, Jr., his son William H. H. Lari-
mer, Charles A. Lawrence and Richard E. Whitsitt. The six men departed from
Leavenworth on October 3d, with a prairie schooner, four yoke of oxen, and a
horse for each of the party. Five weeks later they arrived at the site of Pueblo,
there meeting Governor Denver's county officials and others. The two joined
and traveled to Auraria, reaching there November i6th.
The newcomers quickly perceived that a rival city could well be platted on
the east side of the creek from Auraria and with this end in view allied them-
selves with E. P. Stout, P. T. Bassett, William Clancy, Smith and McGaa, the
traders, and a few others. A meeting was held in McGaa's cabin on the night
of November i/th, when the Denver City Town Company was organized. Nichols
was present, according to all accounts, and protested strongly over the "jumping"
of the St. Charles Company's land, but later kept silent when he was threatened
with being the guest of honor at a "neck-tie party." No official record of this
first meeting exists. The gathering was more in the nature of a love-feast, how-
ever, with the flowing bowl much in evidence, and undoubtedly no one was in
the humor to keep the minutes. The minute-book of the Denver Town Company,
though, contains the following as its first record :
"Denver City Company adopted their Constitution on the 22 Nov. 1858, and
Elected the following Board of Directors and Officers:
"President E. P. Stout.
"Treasurer Wm Larimer Jr.
"Secty H. P. A. Smith.
"Recorder P. T. Bassett.
"Directors
"E. P. Stout.
"Wm Larimer Jr
"J (William) McGaa
"C. A. Lawrence
"W. Clancy
"Hickory Rogers
"P. T. Bassett
"The Board of Directors appointed Wm Larimer Jr Secty of the Board and
also Selected the Same to donate lots under the instructions from the Board
"Under a previously appointed Committee of Messrs Rogers, Bassett, McGaa,
Lawrence & Larimer they secured the services of — Curtis (Col. Samuel S. Cur-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 143
tis) on the 22nd Inst and laid out one principle Street and further the Same
Committee Set posts and bounded two miles square for a town site. Called
Denver City.
"Wm Larimer Jr
"Secty of the Board.
"Denver City
"22 Nov. 1858"
The new city was named in honor of Governor Denver, the head of the Kan-
sas Territory administration and who played such an important part in inaugur-
ating the movement which led to the establishment of the community. The
identity of the individual who proposed Denver's name is not known and by
many writers it is claimed that his name was chosen by acclaim as he was upper-
most in the thoughts of many of the members of the Company. The St. Charles
Company stockholders were given shares in the new company in recompense for
the "jumping" of their townsite. The Leaven worth-Lecompton party has been
accorded the honor by many authorities of being the founders of Denver, but
this statement is visibly in error. The members of the Auraria Company hold
much greater claim to this distinction; in fact, E. P. Stout, one of the members
of the latter company and the first Denver City president, had staked off a town
upon the St. Charles site before the arrival of the Leavenworth-Lecompton party.
In this work he was assisted by Smith and McGaa, who seemed to have an inter-
est in every scheme broached in the Pike's Peak region.
When the Leavenworth-Lecompton men arrived, there were about a dozen
cabins constructed upon the site of Auraria and sn equal number in the course
of building. The first house actually built on the St. Charles site was the first
house, necessarily, erected upon the land platted by the Denver City Company,
and this was the one erected by Charles Nichols, in the attempt to hold the claim
of his companions, and used for a time as a blacksmith shop by Hank Way.
General Larimer occupied this cabin after his arrival, until his own house was
constructed on what is now the northeast corner of Fifteenth and Larimer
streets.
As stated before, Montana City was gradually absorbed by the Cherry Creek
towns. In December, Samuel S. Curtis laid out another paper "city" about two
miles east of the present Town of Golden. This he named "Arapahoe City."
Not until the spring of 1859, though, did any settlement of consequence occur
here, then a portion of the great army of fortune-hunters occupied the site.
FIRST BUSINESS AT CHERRY CREEK
The first mercantile business in the Pike's Peak region was established in
1858 at Auraria. This was started by Charles H. Blake and Andrew J. Wil-
liams, under the firm name of Blake & Williams. These men came from Cres-
cent City, Iowa, and arrived at the mouth of Cherry Creek on October 27th, with
a train of four wagons, each hauled by four yoke of oxen. The wagons were
loaded with merchandise of all descriptions and especially adapted to the needs
of the frontier country. On the first day of November Blake & Williams began
business in a tent, but shortly afterward moved into a double log cabin, located
on the north side of the present Wewatta Street, near Twelfth Street.
144 HISTORY OF COLORADO
One week later, the firm of Kinna & Nye came to Auraria with a stock of
hardware. Kinna was in charge, Nye not arriving until the next spring. Kinna
secured a location near the northeast corner of Eleventh and Market streets and
there erected a cabin, to serve as both residence and store.
The third merchant in Auraria was J. D. Ramage, a jeweler, who located near
what is now the southeast corner of Eleventh and Larimer streets. On December
25th Richens L. Wooten, known as "Uncle Dick," an old Indian trader, came
to Auraria with two wagon-loads of merchandise, consisting principally of New
Mexican "fire-water," and called "Taos Lightning" by the Pike's Peakers. By
way of establishing an acquaintanceship with the citizens of Auraria and Denver
in the briefest time, Wooten placed the contents of one barrel at the mercy of
the public, to be consumed as a part of the general holiday celebration.
Auraria and Denver were quickly recognized as the center of the Pike's Peak
gold region and nearly all of the argonauts made for the Cherry Creek settle-
ments the first thing. Auraria made a better appearance during this first winter
than Denver, having about fifty log houses while Denver had only a score or so.
Little time was occupied in improving the condition of the towns, as gold was
the all-absorbing topic and the settlers were impatient to get to the "diggins."
By an act of the legislative assembly of Jefferson Territory, Auraria and
Denver were consolidated into one municipality in April, 1860. The Denver title
became the most popular and the name Auraria was gradually dropped. The
first territorial assembly of Colorado, by an act approved November 7, 1862, in-
corporated Auraria, Denver and Highland as the City of Denver, which was
largely a repetition of the consolidation act of the Jefferson Territorial As-
sembly.
BOULDER CITY TOWN COMPANY
By the spring of 1859 several more town companies had been established in
Colorado. These companies are to be distinguished from those mentioned in
another chapter by the fact that gold-mining was the basis of their organization,
their members were prospectors for the greater part, whereas colonies such as
Union and the Chicago-Colorado had agriculture as a stimulus and Colorado
Springs and South Pueblo were conceived by the railroad interests.
The colony at Red Rock, having been enlarged considerably, organized the
"Boulder City Town Company" on February 10, 1859. There were fifty-six
stockholders in this company and Alfred A. Brookfield was elected president. A
tract of ground covering 1,240 acres was selected, extending from the mouth of
the canyon for a distance of two miles down Boulder Creek. This land was
divided into 337 blocks, each of which was subdivided into twelve lots. Within
a few weeks the town was fully laid out and cabin-building actively begun. There
were about two thousand people then living in the vicinity of this new townsite
and the stage was splendidly set for the growth of a large community. However,
speculation by the most of the shareholders effectually obstructed the growth of
Boulder City for some time. The larger faction desired to hold the lots for high
and exorbitant prices, while the minority wished to give alternate lots to set-
tlers who would improve them and in this way establish a town equal to Auraria
and Denver. The high cost of the lots caused the early failure of this com-
VIEW OP BOULDER CITY IN THE MIDDLE '60s
VIEW OF THE MINING TOWN OF MIDDLE BOULDER, IN OR ABOUT THE
YEAR 1874
The name of the town was changed to Nederland a few years after this picture was made.
146 HISTORY OF COLORADO
munity, only a quarter section being retained finally upon which to build the
future city. Had the majority of the shareholders followed the experience of
the Cherry Creek towns it is reasonable to suppose that Boulder would have
become a very strong competitor to Auraria and Denver.
LA PORTE
Coincident with the start of Boulder City, the Town of La Porte came into
existence. The company which established this town, or "Colona," as it was
first called, was formed among the settlers on the Cache a la Poudre, near the
present site of Fort Collins. Among those included in this organization were:
Antoine Janise, Nicholas Janise, Elbridge Gerry, John Baptiste, B. Goodwin,
Antoine Lebeau, Oliver Morisette, and others named Randall, Ravofire, Ray-
mond, and Todd. A half hundred houses were constructed upon the plat and
the community began to take definite form. Several years afterward the town
was reorganized and the name La Porte, meaning "the gate," was substituted
for Colona.
EL PASO CITY
On the Fontaine qui Bouille, a short distance above the mouth of Monument
Creek, another community organized a town company during the winter of
1858-59. This company was named the "El Paso Town Company." The site
for the town which was laid out as El Paso City was located at an Indian trail,
in the gateway to the Ute Pass, through to the South Park, so the name El Paso.
Little is known of the character of this town organization or the names of those
who were active in the formation of the same. It is known, however, that the
town plat of El Paso lay within the present boundaries of Colorado City. El
Paso City experienced a very short life, though, and was succeeded during the
following summer and fall by Colorado City.
FOUNTAIN CITY TOWN COMPANY
Another of the ephemeral town companies which sprang up about this time
was the Fountain City organization. This was formed among the small settle-
ments on the east bank of the Fontaine qui Bouille near its mouth, a half mile
east of Pueblo by the christening of the community "Fountain City," which was
superseded in the winter of 1858 by the formal town company. The town plat,
which was surveyed by J. M. Shafer and a Mr. Brown, was laid out immediately
and about thirty cabins, of logs and adobe, were erected. Some of the material
used in the construction of these small adobes was taken from the old Pueblo
trading-post of former years. The people residing here soon moved to Pueblo
and for a few years the huts were occupied by Mexicans, who farmed the ad-
joining land. The site of Fountain City was afterwards absorbed by the City
of Pueblo.
MOUNTAIN CITY
During the days of the gold rush the formation of "cities" and "town com-
panies" was a matter of common occurrence. Wherever gold was discovered
HISTORY OF COLORADO 147
and a strike made the prospectors would gather by the hundreds, make a loca-
tion, and immediately proceed to organize a company and lay out a city, hoping
that it would be the metropolis of the gold country within a very short time. An
instance of this is "Mountain City," later absorbed by Central City, the present
seat of Gilpin County.
Mountain City was the result of the discovery of gold upon the north fork of
Clear Creek. By midsummer of 1859 about two hundred dwellings and busi-
ness houses were constructed here, but the town flourished only for a year or
two, then, as stated, was merged with Central City.
Nevada, two miles west of Central City, began in this summer, and still
continues as a mining center. Idaho Springs and Georgetown were also laid
out during this same season.
Missouri City was platted a short distance southwest of the Central City
site in the autumn of 1859, but did not long survive the competition from its
larger neighbors. Altona was another of the unfortunate, laid out at the mouth
of the Left Hand Creek canyon, eight miles north of Boulder City. The "Shiann
Pass Town Company" made a great noise when they organized on June 5th to
establish a town in the Cheyenne Pass through the Laramie Mountains. The
company platted a tract of land and advertised it as the site for the future great
city of the West. Arapahoe City, on Clear Creek, had sprung into prominence
with a town organization and about sixty cabins, but the diggings in the vicinity
proved valueless and before the end of 1860 the city had been abandoned.
Golden Gate, at the mouth of a gulch some two miles above the site of
Golden, was another town to live for a space, then die. Through here the wagon
road from Denver to Central City led and all the travel to the Gregory "diggins"
passed over it until the railroad was built from Denver to Central City. This was
the death of Golden Gate and its highway. The town company here organized
is described in another paragraph.
GOLDEN CITY
In June, 1859, the Pike's Peakers in the neighborhood of Arapahoe City had
become familiar with the site of Golden, where some of them had settled and
were engaged in more or less profitable placer mining. To these men this loca-
tion seemed to be the ideal one, being located conveniently to the Clear Creek
mining district and of great natural beauty. The founding of a "city" soon sug-
gested itself to these men, the leaders of whom were members of the "Boston
Company," eight in number, who had come to the neighborhood on June I2th.
A meeting was held on June i6th, where the "Golden Town Company" was dis-
cussed, and on the 2Oth the organization was effected, with George West as the
first president. Prominent among these men were: W. A. H. Loveland, J. M.
Ferrell, E. L. Berthoud, David K. Wall, A. F. Garrison, William Davidson and
J. C. Kirby. Land to the extent of 1,280 acres was secured for the townsite,
on the south side of the creek, and one-quarter of it was surveyed into streets,
blocks and lots during the summer. Buildings were constructed rapidly and be-
fore the end of the summer this town, named after the character of the surround-
ing district, had a population of over seven hundred people. Golden prospered
BOSTO
COMPANY.
A PIONEEE LOG BUILDING IN THE CITY OF GOLDEN, EEECTED IN 1859 BY THE
BOSTON COMPANY, AN OEGANIZATION WHICH TOOK A LEADING
PAET IN THE FOUNDING OF THAT CITY
The picture was given to the Society in October, 1902, by Gen. George West, of Golden,
who was one of the builders of the structure.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 149
as no settlement had done since Auraria and Denver and, indeed, it became a
serious rival of the latter two.
COLORADO CITY
Another town which came into being during the summer of 1859 was that
of Colorado City. This town lay along the Fontaine qui Bouille from a point
near the gypsum bluffs above the mouth of Camp Creek toward the mouth of
Monument Creek. Fully 1,280 acres of land, or a tract two miles long and one
mile wide, were included within this townsite. Most of the founders of this
"Colorado Town Company," which was organized in Auraria and Denver, were
citizens of the latter communities and included such men as E. P. Stout, R. E.
Whitsitt, Lewis N. Tappan, L. J. Winchester, S. W. Wagoner, Charles H. Blake,
H. M. Fosdick, W. P. McClure and D. A. Cheever. L. J. Winchester was the
president of the company and Lewis N. Tappan secretary. One of the founders
thus described the origin of the town in the Rocky Mountain News (History of
Colorado; J. C. Smiley; 1913):
"On the first day of August, immediately following the receipt of authentic
information that rich and extensive gold-fields had been found in the South
Park, and upon the Blue River, the only easy and natural access to which was
by the old Ute Trail, passing into the mountains at the foot of Pike's Peak, at
the famous Boiling Springs, a body of gentlemen, comprising some of the leading
business men of the country, associated themselves together, and entered upon
possession of a site lying near the old townsite of El Paso, some two miles, how-
ever, nearer the mountains. It was decided to establish a town and designate it
by the title of Colorado City, the recently discovered mines (evidently meaning
those on the Blue River) being, as was then supposed, on the Colorado River."
Despite a period of depression shortly after the founding of the town, when
the prospectors poured from the South Park and from the Blue River district,
claiming that the diggings there were no good, the Colorado City settlement, in
its weak state, managed to survive and by the middle of autumn settlers once
more began to come in, houses were erected in great numbers and in all the
new town began to prosper and grow amazingly. However, Colorado City never
became the metropolis which the founders hoped for and desired. A direct road
was laid out from Denver and Auraria to the South Park and Blue River district,
which became the established line of communication, also the Indian depreda-
tions along the Arkansas trails in the years which followed diverted much of
the travel to the northern routes along the Platte and South Platte rivers.
CANON CITY
The Town of Canon City was established about the middle of October, 1859,
when a number of the residents of Fountain City and Pueblo, namely: Josiah F.
Smith and his brother Stephen, William Kroenig, Charles D. Peck, Robert Ber-
caw and William H. Young, being apprised of the gold discoveries in the South
Park, went up the Arkansas River to a point just below the mouth of the gorge
and there platted the new town. The only improvement made by them at this
time consisted of a small log cabin, in which Robert Middleton and his wife,
150 HISTORY OF COLORADO
former members of the Lawrence Company of Argonauts, lived during the
winter months following. In the spring of 1860, upon the discovery of gold in
California Gulch at the head of the Arkansas River, near Leadville, another
and much larger party of men from Auraria-Denver, took possession of the
Canon City site and much additional land, making in all about one thousand two
hundred and eighty acres. A new platting was made, but the town name of
Canon City was retained.
OTHER TOWNS OF 1859
Of the many other towns founded in the year 1859, one of the principal ones
was Golden Gate. In July, 1859, the "Golden Gate Town Company" was organ-
ized by Thomas L. Golden, J. S. Rogers, Charles Fletcher, H. S. Hawley and
W. G. Preston, 640 acres of land two miles north of Golden City was selected,
and a town platted there and named Golden Gate. The town grew to some size
and became a rival of Golden City, but after a few years of apparent prosperity
it declined and finally disappeared.
In October "Mount Vernon," another city of the ephemeral type, was sur-
veyed upon a site five miles south of Golden, upon the highway to several of the
better diggings. Mount Vernon existed but a few years. Three miles north of
the mouth of the Platte Canon another collection of log cabins was given the
name of "Piedmont." Another — "Huntsville" — on the road from Denver to the
South Park, was a small settlement, also "Bradford City" which was sixteen miles
southwest of the mouth of Cherry Creek.
Tarryall, Jefferson City, Hamilton City, Montgomery and Buckskin Joe are
other towns now but a memory, with the exception of Fairplay and Buckskin
Joe, although there is a small station on the Colorado & South Park Railroad now
named Jefferson City.
CENTRAL CITY
Near the close of the summer of 1860 Nathaniel Albertson, John Armour
and Harrison G. Otis founded and platted "Central City," its site "being nearly
central between the locality of the Gregory Diggings and that of the upper mines
in Nevada Gulch." By the end of the year Central City had assumed great im-
portance as a mining center for the North Fork of Clear Creek district and was
made the county seat of Gilpin County when the latter was organized in the
winter of 1861-62. Mountain City, near by, lost its postoffice to Central City
and soon began to merge with the newer and more energetic community.
"Empire City," near Georgetown, was another Clear Creek town which was
created during 1860.
"Oro City," the metropolis of the California Gulch diggings and the ancestor
of Leadville, rose to a height of great prosperity in 1860 and was a typical mining
town of the wild West. However, after a few years Oro City declined, when the
richest of the placer gold had been worked out, but it continued to be a strong
producer until 1877, when the discovery of the lead and silver carbonates gave
it the name of Leadville and a boom of world-wide fame.
Breckenridge, founded in the late spring of 1860, proved to be the first town
VIEWS OF CENTEAL CITY IN 1864
152 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of permanence established upon Colorado's western slope. However, prior to
the start of Breckenridge, there were two other town propositions in the western
part of the Territory. In April, 1860, a meeting was held at Mountain City by
those interested, for the purpose of organizing two town companies. At an-
other meeting, held May 5th in Mountain City the "Grand Junction Town Com-
pany" and the "Saratoga Town Company" were organized, both to form a town
in what is now Grand County. Grand Junction was located at the junction of
the Grand and Blue rivers and Saratoga West, as it was called, was situated on
the site of the present Sulphur Springs. Neither one of these town projects was
successful, however, for within three or four years they had been completely
abandoned.
PUEBLO CITY
It has been stated before that the City of Pueblo was preceded by "Fountain
City." This latter community became demoralized to a great extent during the
year 1859 and those who composed the better class of citizens decided that a new
town would be the most desirable thing. Also the California Gulch gold strikes
influenced this move to a great extent, while the Fountain River trail from the
north was a factor. Various accounts have placed the actual formation of the
Pueblo Town Company during the winter of 1859-60, but this is in error. Milo
Lee Whittaker, in his "Pathbreakers and Pioneers of the Pueblo Region,"
(1917) states:
"On the 22nd of May, 1860, a meeting was called for the purpose of con-
sidering the organization of a town.
"According to the records of the Southern Colorado Pioneers' Association,
the following persons were present at this meeting: Jack Allen, John Kearns,
Albert Bercaw, W. H. Ricker, Dr. Catterson, Wesley Catterson, Ed Cozzens,
A. C. Wright, Mrs. A. C. Wright and Mrs. Mary Simms. These records further
state that it was on July i, 1860, that the town was formally 'laid out' and named
Pueblo in honor of the old fort which had stood for so many years on the
opposite bank of the Arkansas, a single prophecy of 'things yet to be'."
Among the prominent founders of Pueblo City were Col. William H. Green
and Albert F. Bercaw, who were associated with the organization of the Foun-
tain City Company; Dr. W. A. Catterson and his brother, Wesley; Dr. George
Belt, Silas Warren, Edward Cozzens and Josiah Smith. These were men who
recognized the worth of the location and the need for a better and more pro-
gressive city. That their dreams were of stable quality is proved by the growth
of Pueblo since that time to the rank of second city in Colorado.
The Pueblo site, bounded on the east by the Fontaine qui Bouille and on
the south by the Arkansas, was surveyed and laid out into streets, blocks and
lots in the summer of 1860 by George B. Buell and E. D. Boyd, of Denver. Judge
Wilbur F. Stone, who came to Pueblo in 1860, has written that the site "extended
from the river back two or three miles toward the divide, and from the Fontaine
qui Bouille on the east to Buzzard's Ranch on the west."
Fountain City, the site of which is now known as East Pueblo, soon lost her
identity and the citizens became residents of the new town — Pueblo.
VIEW IN PUEBLO in 1868
The street shown is a part of Santa F6 Avenue.
VIEW IN PUEBLO IN 1872, FROM AN ELEVATION EAST OF SANTA FE AVENUE
The large building in the upper right-hand corner of the picture was the Pueblo County
Courthouse.
154 HISTORY OF COLORADO
LEADVILLE
The founding of the City of Leadville was the direct result of the discovery
of silver mines in that district. Something of the California Gulch strike and
the rise of Oro City is given elsewhere in this and other chapters. After a
period of depression following the exodus of the miners from this locality there
came the silver strike made by the three Gallagher brothers in the winter of
1876-77 and in the following spring hundreds of prospectors came to the district,
followed during the year by many more. In June a town was started and in
January, 1878, this community had grown to such an extent that it was incorpo-
rated as the City of Leadville. For a few years after 1880 Leadville equaled
Denver in population.
GRAND JUNCTION
Grand Junction, the county seat of Mesa County, was founded in the autumn
of 1881 by George A. Crawford. In September of that year Crawford, with
William McGinley, R. D. Mobley, M. R. Warner and others, went to the junction
of the Grand and Gunnison rivers and on the 26th claimed 640 acres of land
there for a townsite, the same now being the central part of Grand Junction.
McGinley remained upon the ground, while Crawford and the others returned
to Gunnison. There, on October loth, the "Grand Junction Town Company"
was organized, with Crawford, J. W. Bucklin, R. D. Mobley, H. E. Rood, M. R.
Warner and Allison White as the incorporators. In the meantime McGinley
erected a cabin on the site, which was the first building of Grand Junction. John
Allen, a settler, was living in a tent there also in October, when Crawford and
Mobley returned, and was calling the place West Denver. However, within a
few days fully a half hundred people had located there and at a public meeting
held November 5th it was decided to name the community "Grand Junction."
The townsite was platted in January, 1882, by Samuel Wade, a surveyor, and
thereafter building construction proceeded rapidly.
DELTA
The Town of Delta was also started by George A. Crawford, who, in Sep-
tember, 1 88 1, decided to lay out a town at the confluence of the Gunnison and
Uncompahgre rivers. Associated with him was M. C. Vandeventer and others.
The "Umcompahgre Town Company" was organized, the organizers being Craw-
ford, H. A. Bailey, W. A. Bell, D. C. Dodge, M. C. Vandeventer and R. F.
Weitbree. Samuel Wade platted the town in December of the same year upon
the 500 acres selected. At the same time the name of the town was changed
from Umcompahgre to Delta.
MONTROSE
The townsite of Montrose, consisting of 320 acres, was located in January,
1882, when the only building thereon was a cabin erected by John Baird about
a month before. The town was the result of the Montrose and Uncompahgre
VIEW ON FEYEE HILL, LEADVILLE
SCENES IN LEADVILLE WHEN THE GBEAT CAEBONATE CAMP WAS ABOUT
TWO YEAES OLD
156 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Ditch Company, organized in December, 1881, and incorporated by John Baird,
T. H. Culbertson, O. D. Loutsenheizer, A. Pumphrey and Joseph Selig.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS
Glen wood Springs, the seat of justice for Garfield County, was founded in
August, 1882, by the "Defiance Land and Town Company," an organization
formed by Judge H. P. Bennet of Denver, John Blake, Isaac Cooper, William
Gelder and Frank Enzensperger. First the company named the town Defiance,
but in 1883 the name was changed to the present form. The first dwelling was
erected in the spring of 1883 by John Blake. Glenwood Springs has become
noted as a health resort, the chief attraction being the hot springs and baths there
on the north bank of the Grand River.
GUNNISON
The Town of Gunnison owes its inception to the silver investigations in the
surrounding district which were conducted in 1873, *ne details of which are
given in another chapter of this work. Under the leadership of John Parsons
and Dr. Sylvester Richardson, a large party of Denver people, having heard of
the treasures of the country around the Gunnison site, proceeded there. Rich-
ardson became enamoured with the country and resolved to found a colony there,
consequently during the winter of 1873-74 he gave his full attention to this
project, also enlisting the aid of several others. An organization was effected,
of which Richardson was the president, and on April 21, 1874, the first group
of colonists arrived on the ground later occupied by the Town of Gunnison.
The land was surveyed into sections and quarter sections and each member of
the company was given an allotment of 160 acres. The tract which was drawn
by Doctor Richardson was made the site of a town, which he named Gunnison
City, in honor of Capt. John W. Gunnison, of exploration fame. In 1876, Rich-
ardson's town not having prospered, other men laid out another town adjacent
to Gunnison City, but this, too, was a failure.
.Not until 1879 did the community begin to take definite form as a city. In
the spring of this year a rush began, as valuable ores had been found, and the
prospectors made a concerted rush for the district. On June 5th an entirely new
town organization was formed, the company being composed of John Evans,
Henry C. Olney, Louden Mullin, Alonzo Hartman and Sylvester Richardson.
During the following winter differences arose in the town company and a rup-
ture occurred. Richardson and Mullin, with others, withdrew and negotiated
with the Denver & South Park Railroad for the establishment of another town
"West Gunnison." Alonzo Hartman and others remained the leaders of "East
Gunnison." In 1880 the two rival towns were united under the name of Gun-
nison City, and the community remains to this day as a prosperous center of the
surrounding mining district.
SILVERTON
Silverton is one of the prosperous towns of southwestern Colorado which
had its beginning at the start of the statehood period. Silverton was established
HISTORY OF COLORADO 157
in 1874 and the plat filed for record in September, by a town company consisting of
Francis M. Snowden, N. E. Slaymaker and Dempsey Reese. The first cabin
was built three years before by Snowden. Silverton grew very slowly, in fact,
lost prestige, until the coming of the railroad in July, 1882, whereupon the com-
munity took new life and became progressive.
OURAY
Ouray was founded in 1875, owing to the metal discoveries in the summer of
that year by A. W. Begole, John Eckles, John Munroe, R. F. Long, A. J. Staley,
Logan Whitlock, M. W. Cline and others. Many prospectors thronged to the
vicinity immediately, where Cline and Long had formed a town company. D. W.
Brunton surveyed the plat a few weeks afterward and a few cabins were con-
structed thereon. During the winter months little building occurred, owing to the
fact that the prospectors left, but in the following spring the rush began again,
and Ouray, named after the celebrated chieftain of the Southern Utes, began
its growth. ' .
TELLURIDE
The City of Telluride, county seat of San Miguel County, is another product
of the mining activities in the '705. Telluride, originally known as "Columbia,"
was founded in January, 1878, but had a slow growth until 1880, when the Rio
Grande Southern Railway entered the town.
DURANGO
The Town of Durango was established in September, 1880, by the organiza-
tion of the "Durango Town Company." The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad
entered the town July 27, 1881, and from that time until the present Durango
has enjoyed an uninterrupted life of prosperity and progress.
CHAPTER VII
COLONIZATION IN COLORADO
BEGINNING OF COLONIZATION — THE CHICAGO COLONY — THE UNION COLONY THE
CHICAGO-COLORADO COLONY THE ST. LOUIS WESTERN COLONY THE SOUTH-
WESTERN COLONY INSPIRING IMMIGRATION SETTLEMENT OF COLORADO
SPRINGS SOUTH PUEBLO BEGINNING OF FORT COLLINS
BEGINNING OF COLONIZATION
The first permanent settler in Colorado was William Green Russell, the leader
of the Pike's Peak Argonauts, who came to this territory in the month of June,
1858. The settlements made by Russell and his brothers, as well as the numerous
others made by gold-seekers, are described in the chapters upon gold mining.
It is the purpose here to treat only of the settlements made in the state under
the "colonization" scheme.
The completion of the railroads into Colorado and to the City of Denver in
the summer of 1870 marked the end of the pioneer period and the beginning of
the period of colonization. The railroad brought advantages of travel and
freight-carrying hitherto impossible to obtain. The long and arduous journey
across the plains, the hardships and imminent dangers connected with such a
trip, had, in great measure, isolated the Territory of Colorado from the plains
region. Prospective settlers thought twice before risking their lives and for-
tunes by journeying across the Indian country to the mountains, especially when
settlements could be made closer to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. How-
ever, the frontier slowly pushed westward. The gold seekers invaded the land
of Colorado and established their camps. These men could not be considered
permanent settlers as a class, but fortune-hunters. Then came the railways and
new ambitions were born. Agriculture and livestock raising claimed an increas-
ing share of attention. What had been a straggling line of colonists, creeping
across the plains with no fixed purpose, became organized communities, with
definite purposes, the members of which had decided upon certain locations in
the new country, chiefly with a view of successfully developing the agricultural
resources.
THE CHICAGO OR GERMAN COLONY
The first organization established for the purpose of forming an agricultural
community in Colorado Territory was known as the "Chicago Colony," also the
"German Colonization Society." This body was organized in the City of Chicago
* 158
HISTORY OF COLORADO 159
August 24, 1869, with Carl Wulsten as the president. Later in the same year a
committee was appointed and directed to proceed to Colorado Territory, there to
select a suitable location for the new home. Accordingly, the committee, after
some investigation, arranged to acquire about forty thousand acres of land in
part of the Wet Mountain Valley. This tract is now contained within Custer
County, but in 1869 Fremont County extended over it.
On March 21, 1870, eighty-six families, mostly native Germans, arrived and
later in the year nearly one hundred additional families joined the community.
Land cultivation was begun and a town, christened "Colfax" in honor of the
Hon. Schuyler Colfax, Hoosier statesman, was laid out. However, difficulties
soon began to beset the new settlers. The old adage — "too many cooks spoil the
broth" — was very applicable to the Colfax community. Mismanagement, ill
feeling and general failure to obtain cooperation caused the unsuccessful close
of this first attempt at colonization. Many of the settlers left, leaving very few
to further develop their holdings, and the Town of Colfax disappeared.
THE UNION COLONY
The second colony to invade the Territory of Colorado in 1870, with the in-
tention of devoting its time to agriculture, was the "Union Colony," a product of
New York City.
Those responsible for the organization of the Union Colony were Nathan C.
Meeker, agricultural editor of the New York Tribune and Horace Greeley, owner
of the same newspaper. In the summer of 1859 Greeley had visited Colorado
while journeying to the Pacific Coast. While here he was greatly impressed
with the natural resources of the region and strongly realized the pos-
sibilities of the country under development. Greeley voiced his convictions
upon his return to New York City and among those becoming inter-
ested was N. C. Meeker. In the summer of 1869 Meeker came to Colorado
with a number of friends, to look over the ground and decide as to the exact
character of the Pike's Peak region. South Park first claimed his attention and
he hastily decided that upon this mountain-valley land a settlement should be
made. However, after conferring with the citizens of Denver, he changed his
decision in favor of the lowlands below the foothills. With this in mind he re-
turned to New York City.
Immediately he and Greeley began a newspaper campaign, widely advertising
the merit of the Colorado country and proposing their colonization plans, asking
for volunteers to go to the western country for the purpose of making a perma-
nent settlement. Hundreds of readers, seeing therein an opportunity to escape
the confining influences of the East and to make a new start, rallied to the
cause and, at a large meeting held at the Cooper Institute in New York City
December 23, 1869, the organization of the "Union Colony" was effected and
the following officers elected: Nathan C. Meeker, president; Gen. Robert A.
Cameron, vice president ; and Horace Greeley, treasurer. Meeker, Cameron and
A. C. Fisk were appointed as a committee to go to Colorado and fix upon a
proper location for the colony.
This committee came to the Territory in March, 1870, and chose a site near
the confluence of the South Platte and the Cache a la Poudre rivers, in Weld
160 HISTORY OF COLORADO
County, and nearly twelve thousand acres of land were purchased from the
Denver Pacific Railway Company and from individuals, also provisional title
was secured to about sixty thousand acres of public land, the whole necessitating
an immediate expenditure of about sixty thousand dollars. At this time there
were a few farmers in the vicinity chosen and near the mouth of the Cache a la
Poudre was a small village named Latham. The plan inaugurated by Meeker and
his associates resembled that of a stock company with equitable divisions of land
among the members.
Then, in May, 1870, there arrived the first party of the Union Colony settlers,
numbering about fifty families. Immediately irrigating ditches were dug and
the site for a town was platted and named Greeley in honor of one of its illus-
trious founders. The townsite was divided into 520 business lots, 25 by 190
feet; 673 residence lots, ranging in size from 50 by 190 to 200 by 190 feet; and
277 lots reserved for schools, churches, public buildings and buildings of like
character. The adjacent lands were divided into plats of from five to one hun-
dred and twenty acres each, according to the distance from the center of town,
and each member was allowed to select one of these plats under his colony cer-
tificate of membership. All the lands were to be supplied with water and were
not subject to assessment on any account, except for the nominal cost of keeping
the irrigating canals and ditches in repair. A plaza, or public square, of ten
acres was laid out in the center of the town, artificial lakes constructed, trees
planted, and by June, 1870, the first canal was completed and water running
through all the principal streets. An island in the river, just above the town,
comprising nearly fifty acres, and shaded with native cottonwoods, was reserved
for public uses and named "Island Grove Park."
During the few months after the first company of colonists came several
hundred other families arrived, mostly consisting of people from New England,
New York, Ohio and Indiana. The majority of the men were farmers, but there
were a few of other vocations, some merchants and a few professional men.
Greeley itself prospered amazingly. Within the space of a year's time the
town had become an active business center and a bank, hotels, the Greeley
Tribune, several first class stores and many up-to-date dwellings had been estab-
lished upon the new plat. In June, 1871, an enumeration of the population showed
1,155 people living here. Greeley enjoyed the distinction of being the first pro-
hibition town in the state. One of the stipulations in the real estate deeds, given
by the Union Colony to its members, was that no intoxicating liquor should either
be manufactured or sold upon the town plat.
THE CHICAGO-COLORADO COLONY
The Chicago-Colorado Colony was the first of three colonial organizations
established in Colorado during the spring of 1871 for agricultural purposes. The
two others were the "St. Louis Western" and the "Southwestern," but the Chi-
cago-Colorado was the first of the trio. This colony was organized in the City
of Chicago on November 17, 1870, with Robert Collyer, a Protestant preacher,
as the president temporarily ; he was succeeded shortly by Seth Terry. Like the
Union Colony, a committee came to Colorado, in December, 1870, and late in
January of the following year selected a location in the northeastern part of
A CABIN BUILT BY ANDREW SAGENDOEF AND OSCAE E. LEHOW, IN THE
AUTUMN OF 1858
Meetings of members of the Masonic order were held in this cabin.
A. H. BARKER'S CABIN, BUILT IN THE AUTUMN OF 1858
162 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Boulder County, which consisted of land well drained by the St. Vrain and Left-
Hand tributaries of the South Platte River. The committee purchased fifty-five
thousand acres of land at this site for the colony. The general proceedings of
the Chicago-Colorado Colony were modeled greatly after the Union Colony at
Greeley, as the latter had proved a success.
The first members of the organization began to arrive early in the spring of
1871, and before the beginning of summer several hundreds had joined the com-
munity. An elaborate system of irrigating ditches and mains was constructed
and the Town of Longmont platted. Longmont quickly became a town of im-
portance and well populated, also equipped with sizable stores, a newspaper and
public-spirited citizens.
THE ST. LOUIS WESTERN COLONY
The second colony established in Colorado during the spring of 1871 was the
St. Louis Western. This organization had been formed at Oakdale, Illinois, on
November 29, 1870; A. C. Todd, a clergyman of Protestant faith, was the presi-
dent. Shortly after the organization, the "New England Colony of Boston,"
united with the St. Louis Western. The first families arrived in Colorado in
April, 1871, and occupied land in the vicinity of Evans, named for Governor
Evans, which town had been laid out and platted in October, 1869, and was only
a straggling community of a half hundred souls. Before the end of the spring
season, however, Evans experienced a great "boom," fully five hundred people
settling near by. The settlement prospered and has always been rated high.
THE SOUTHWESTERN COLONY
The Southwestern Colony was established at Memphis, Tennessee, in Janu-
ary, 1871, and consisted mainly of people from Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois. The organization was effected chiefly through the efforts
of D. S. Green, of Denver, who was elected the first president. The colony
selected land in Colorado on the South Platte River, about twenty to thirty miles
eastward of the Town of Evans. About one hundred families arrived during the
spring, an equal number following during the summer months.
Irrigating ditches were dug and a town, named "Green City," in honor of the
first president of the colony, was laid out. This town was located in the vicinity
of the present station of Masters, Colorado, on the Union Pacific Railroad.
However, notwithstanding the efforts of the Southwestern Colony, it did not
become a success, and within a few years disappeared as a distinctive community.
The settlers had hoped for the construction of a railroad from Golden City to
Julesburg along the South Platte, and had indulged in many grand dreams of the
future prosperity of Green City. But the panic of 1873 effectually halted all
railroad construction, which gave the opportunity for Evans and Greeley to
absorb all the trade of the section. Green City in this way collapsed.
INSPIRING IMMIGRATION
The organized bands of colonists were not the only settlers in Colorado
during the years 1870 and 1871. Many individuals came to the state, seeking
HISTORY OF COLORADO 163
good agricultural lands, and generally sought a location near to one of the
colony towns. These independent farmers, in fact, outnumbered the organized
colonists during these years.
Citizens of Colorado strongly urged newcomers to settle upon the land of
the state and cultivate it, and great efforts were made to induce people to leave
the eastern states and locate in Colorado. The Ninth General Assembly passed
an act, approved February 9, 1872, which established a Bureau of Immigration,
the bureau to be in charge of a board of five commissioners. The duty of this
board was "to adopt and put in execution such means as will best promote and
encourage immigration to the Territory, and for this purpose shall publish and
disseminate such useful information as it can obtain concerning the developed
and undeveloped resources of the Territory, and may provide for one of its
number, or such other person as the Board may select, to attend such Agricul-
tural and Institute Fairs as may be deemed expedient for the display of the
Agricultural and Mineral products of the Territory."
But the advertising campaign conducted by this committee, or bureau, acted
in the nature of a boomerang. The advertisements and literature circulated
throughout eastern states, giving information relative to the advantages to be
found in Colorado were flagrant, deceptive, misrepresentative and filled with
gross misstatements of fact which led the people of other states to believe that
Colorado contained opportunities for every kind of workman, whether skilled
or unskilled. Colorado was pictured to be the elysium of industrial oppor-
tunity and consequently thousands of people, of every profession and trade,
came across the plains to the Territory, expecting to earn a quick fortune.
Many of them found advantages suited to their tastes, but the great majority
were bitterly disappointed, and angered at the deception which had been prac-
ticed upon them. These disgruntled ones returned to their native states, told
the story of their experience, and then began the back-fire. The eastern news-
papers "exposed" the 'fraud, as they termed it, and strongly advised against
further immigration to Colorado. This injured the then Territory to a great
extent and considerably retarded settlement and development.
SETTLEMENT OF COLORADO SPRINGS
There were also in Colorado Territory at this time several settlements which
might be called non-agricultural. The principal one of these was that at Colo-
rado Springs.
In 1870 Gen. William J. Palmer and Ex-Governor Hunt organized the
Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company. General Palmer in addition to his
promotion of the railroad, conceived the idea of developing the country of
Colorado through which the railroad was to pass. One of these ideas was to
establish a town near the east base of Pike's Peak, to be known as "Colorado
Springs." Late in the year Palmer organized the "Colorado Springs Company,"
of which he was elected president, with Henry McAllister as executive director.
This new company secured about ten thousand acres of land, the greater part
along Monument Creek and east of Colorado City, with some west of the town and
including the soda springs. Settlements had been made in the vicinity ten years
before, but no improvement of value had been made, and Colorado City itself,
164 HISTORY OF COLORADO
once cherished with such high hopes, had shrunken to a mere village of a half-
hundred people.
General Palmer first visited the site of Colorado Springs on July 27, 1867,
although he twice before had been in Colorado. His early efforts in establish-
ing the Colorado Springs Company are well told in his own words, following:
"To start a railroad under these circumstances (the fact that there were not
10,000 white people in Colorado south of Denver, Colorado City having eighty-
one inhabitants and Pueblo 666) required stronger considerations than any
promise of immediate returns from the business of hauling freight and passen-
gers. There was no national subsidy in land or money, and no county or town
aid. But one thing was not in doubt — the effect of a railway on the value of
land, if judiciously chosen along its route. Our subscription paper was sent out
on December i, 1870, for the first section of seventy-six miles. It provided
that all who subscribed for the railway securities should enjoy the privilege of
subscribing, pro rata, to a land and townsite investment, called 'The Mountain
Base Investment Fund,' embracing tracts at selected points along the projected
railway, where the greatest rise in values by reason of its construction was
expected to occur.
"This was the parent of the Colorado Springs Company.' It was thought
that many of the first disadvantages to immigration might be counteracted by
the formation of such land companies, with capital enough to construct the
irrigation ditches, lay out the farms and towns, plant the trees, aid the building
of hotels, and even that of dwellings in some cases, while selling the tracts and
lots to arriving colonists on small annual payments distributed over several years ;
that by such a system, the colonization of the country could be greatly stimulated,
the railroad earnings increased and 'the work of twenty years be concentrated
into ten.' Of the capital of our land company, as of that for the initial seventy-
six miles of railway, about one-half was raised in America, chiefly among my
own friends in Philadelphia and the East, and the remainder in Europe, chiefly
among the friends of Dr. W. A. Bell.
"The money was raised that winter and spring, construction began in a very
quiet way in January, 1871, and the track reached a point a few miles out from
Denver, when the first stake was driven at the town on July 3ist, and by
October 23, 1871, the railroad had reached the townsite. As soon as the money
for the railroad was assured, everything was ripe to organize, and on June 26,
1871, in Denver, the Colorado Springs Company held its first meeting, elected
officers, authorized the construction of roads, bridges and hotel, and on the
next day the whole party, with Colonel Greenwood, the chief engineer of the
railroad, started from Denver to lay out the new town, appraise the lots, and
start business. We had then, or shortly afterward, secured the services of Gen-
eral Cameron, of Greeley, to come to Colorado Springs to initiate and take
charge of the infant colony; and with him, or in his immediate footsteps, came
the first detachment, perhaps forty or fifty people, who settled on our tract and
began building their homes."
The first stake driven upon the site was set in place July 31, 1871. The
city plat contained seventy blocks, each 400 feet square. By the end of the year
1871 there were 159 structures of various kinds erected upon the plat of Colo-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 165
rado Springs, the first dwelling having been commenced on August I5th. The
various improvements this first year cost about $160,000.
In the summer of 1871 the "Fountain Colony of Colorado" was organized,
with Gen. Robert A. Cameron as the leader. This was a subordinate organiza-
tion to the Colorado Springs Company, was not incorporated, but conducted a
part of the business belonging to the Colorado Springs Company.
In 1872 the Town of Colorado Springs further developed. An improved
roadway to the soda springs was built and a good hotel constructed there.
These various improvements were made possible by the fact that the Colorado
Springs Company had decided to devote all the proceeds from the sale of land
to the improvement of the community. Liquor was forbidden in Colorado
Springs, as it was in Greeley, but there arose some opposition to this and the
case was finally brought before the Colorado courts, who eventually decided
that the liquor clause in the land deeds was valid. Appeal was taken to the
United States Supreme Court and in 1879 tms court affirmed the decision of the
Colorado courts. General Palmer wrote the following in regard to the liquor
situation here:
"The liquor restriction had already been adopted by Mr. Meeker for his
Greeley colony. In the early summer of 1871, while we were making arrange-
ments with General Cameron and some of his confreres to interest themselves
in our new enterprise, I was asked by them whether we would adopt a similar
restriction for the proposed Fountain colony. Having had some experience with
the railroad towns of the day in the new West, especially those whose generally
short but always lively existence punctuated the successive stages of advance
westward by the Kansas Pacific and Union Pacific railroads, I answered 'Yes.'
At Sheridan, especially, on the former road, where I had the privilege of a resi-
dence of some eight months in 1870-71, while directing the construction of a
railroad to Denver, the most noticeable suburban feature, notwithstanding the
salubrity of the air and the brevity of the settlement, was a fat graveyard, most
of whose inhabitants, in the language of the looth meridian, had died 'with their
boots on.' "
General Palmer continues : "We had, of course, the inevitable . fire, until
which no Rocky Mountain town feels that it has really entered the lists for a
permanent race in growth; the Jay Cooke panic in 1873, after which corn was
\2,y2 cents per bushel in Kansas and Nebraska, and potatoes here were about
as worthless as they now are on 'the Divide' ; a grasshopper invasion and an
Indian alarm the same year, when the able-bodied men of the town were organ-
ized under Capt. Matt France, and on October 6, 1873, marched to Jimmy's
Camp to meet 3,000 Cheyenne who were killing cattle, because, as they said,
'The white man has been killing our buffalo.' This was the last Indian alarm in
this neighborhood.
"Distinguished visitors came along. Among the first was Samuel Bowles,
the able and spirited editor of the Springfield Republican; later on, Charles
Kingsley, who helped us to celebrate the third anniversary of the town, in the
tent of Mrs. Giltner, who kept the shoe shop; General Grant twice, Jefferson
Davis, General Sheridan, Henry Kingsley, Lord Dunraven, Asa Gray, Sir
Joseph Hooker, the Duke of Northumberland, General Sherman and many
others. Some came to witness the operations of the colony, and of the novel
166 HISTORY OF COLORADO
railroad gauge. Others were attracted by the budding fame of the locality for
scenic interest and healthfulness."
Colorado Springs has become known as one of the most beautifully located
cities in the United States. Possessed of all the climatic advantages con-
ducive to health, surrounded with the most artistic handiwork of Nature, the
city has been the Mecca for tourists from over the whole world and has grown
from the barren plain of fifty years ago to one of the most prosperous cities
in the West.
SOUTH PUEBLO
The settlement of South Pueblo, across the Arkansas River from the early
town of Pueblo, was undertaken in much the same manner as that of Colorado
Springs. For this purpose, the "Central Colorado Improvement Company" was
organized, which was auxiliary to the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company
and under the direction of Gen. William J. Palmer. This organization, in 1872,
purchased a large tract of ground, the Nolan Mexican land grant, along the
Arkansas, opposite Pueblo. By the middle of the year the Denver & Rio
Grande Railroad was completed to Pueblo and about this same time the plat of
South Pueblo was laid out, covering approximately one thousand acres. Shortly
afterward the terminus of the railroad was taken from Pueblo and brought to
the ne'w town of South Pueblo, which occurrence caused much bitterness between
the two communities. However, the closeness of the two towns really made
them one, although for thirteen years each had its own governmental organiza-
tion. The Pueblo of today includes the plats, with additions of both, forming
one consolidated municipality.
BEGINNING OF FORT COLLINS
The start of the settlement at Fort Collins occurred at nearly the same time
as that of South Pueblo. In the early '6os a military post was constructed on
the Cache a la Poudre River, four miles southeast of the village of La Porte,
and named "Fort Collins," sometimes called "Camp Collins," in honor of Lieut.
Col. William O. Collins, of the . Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, portions of
which regiment engaged in fighting the plains Indians. A large space of ground
was included in this military reservation, and so remained until 1872, when it
was thrown open to entry by an act of Congress, approved May 15, 1872.
After this land had been opened for settlement, Gen. Robert A. Cameron, of
fame as a colonizer, organized another colony company, of which he was elected
president, for the purpose of founding a town upon the new land and developing
it agriculturally. The beginnings of settlement were similar to those of Greeley
and Colorado Springs, and, within a year the present City of Fort Collins had
been started. Many immigrants came to the vicinity of the new town and
located, also residents of other parts of the Territory moved here. Since that
time Fort Collins has had a steady growth and is now the county seat of Larimer
County and the center of one of the leading agricultural sections of northern
Colorado, and the location of the State Agricultural College.
VIEW OF FOET COLLINS IN 1865
It was a United States military post that occupied a part of the site of the present city
of Fort Collins. The original picture was a pencil drawing made by a soldier who was sta-
tioned at the fort in 1865. The lower part of the two-story building (back of the flag-staff)
was occupied by the sutler, and its upper story was an assembly hall. The buildings to the
left of this, and also those that are ranged about the staff, afforded living quarters for the
officers and men. Some of the other structures were stables for the horses and some were
warehouses for supplies.
CHAPTER VIII
GOVERNMENT— ITS BEGINNINGS AND DEVELOPMENT
UTAH, NEBRASKA, KANSAS AND NEW MEXICO LAND TRANSFERRED THE BEGIN-
NINGS OF GOVERNMENT FAILURE OF FIRST STATE CONSTITUTION TERRITORY
OF JEFFERSON — PEOPLE'S AND MINERS' COURTS CONGRESS CREATES COLORADO
TERRITORY CREATING THE FIRST COUNTIES MOVING THE CAPITAL TO COLO-
RADO CITY THE CAPITAL AT GOLDEN CHANGE FROM GOLDEN TO DENVER
CONGRESS PROVIDES FOR CONSTITUTION CUSTOMS OF LEGISLATURE TERRITO-
RIAL OFFICERS OF COLORADO GOVERNORS — SECRETARIES — TREASURERS — AU-
DITORS SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION DELEGATES TO CONGRESS
JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICES ASSOCIATE JUSTICES
UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEYS LENGTH OF SESSIONS AND NUMBER OF
MEMBERS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS FIRST ELECTION POLL BY COUN-
TIES
UTAH, NEBRASKA, KANSAS AND NEW MEXICO LAND TRANSFERRED
The area of the State of Colorado includes cessions by France, by Texas
and by Mexico to the United States. The northeast section, bounded north
and south by the 3ist and 4Oth parallels, east by the 25th meridian and west
by the Rockies, was in the original Louisiana cession, and was transferred by
Congress from the Territory of Nebraska to the Territory of Colorado. The por-
tion east, bounded north by the 4Oth parallel, east by the 25th meridian, south
by the Arkansas and west by the Rockies, was taken from Kansas and trans-
ferred to Colorado. It was part of the Louisiana Purchase. The southeastern
portion of the state, bounded north by the Arkansas River, east by the 25th
meridian, south by the 37th parallel, and west by the 2Oth meridian, was in
the cession from Texas and Mexico, and was transferred from the Territory of
Kansas to that of Colorado. The southern part of the state, bounded by the 38th
and 37th parallels, the 2Oth meridian and the Rockies, was a Texas and Mexico
cession, transferred from the Territory of New Mexico to that of Colorado.
The western portion, bounded by the 4ist and 4Oth parallels, the Rockies, and the
32d meridian, was ceded by Mexico and was transferred from the Territory of
Utah to that of Colorado.
THE BEGINNINGS OF GOVERNMENT
In the fall of 1858 the handful of settlers within a few miles and on the
present site of Denver called a meeting "to establish security and to prevent and
168
HISTORY OF COLORADO 169
punish crime." This gathering took place November 6, 1858, in the settlement of
Auraria, containing at that time about two hundred inhabitants. The assembly,
though composed of immigrants from different states, acted as citizens of Kansas
Territory. Out of the Pike's Peak country, as that part of the Rocky Moun-
tains, and the plains around their base, were called, they formed a county, de-
fined its limits, and named it Arapahoe, from a neighboring tribe of Indians.
They also declared Auraria to be the county seat. They then proceeded to elect
a delegate to Congress and a representative to the Kansas Legislature. H. J.
Graham was chosen delegate, and A. J. Smith representative. This action of
the assembly manifested a rare spirit of enterprise in politics. They declared
a district of Kansas to be a county, and deputed one of their number to the leg-
islature with credentials of his election, and petitions that the county be estab-
lished, and their representative be received. At the same time a delegate was
dispatched to Congress with instructions to have the county converted into a ter-
ritory. The delegate of Kansas Territory would be duly recognized and
admitted to a seat in Congress. But to the delegate of Arapahoe County no
such recognition or position would be tendered. His labors would be con-
fined to the advocacy of the petitions and claims of the people he represented
before committees, or with individual members of the House or Senate. Never-
theless, Mr. Graham hurried to Washington, impelled by the delusive hope that
his mission would be successful, and that he would enjoy the honors and emolu-
ments of territorial delegate. The people of Arapahoe County were 700 miles
distant from Leavenworth, the capital of Kansas, without railroads or tele-
graphs, and with immense uninhabited plains lying between them and the terri-
torial authorities. They, therefore, naturally desired to have the Territory of
Kansas divided, and the western part organized into a new territory. This
arrangement, if consummated, would place the country on a stable footing.
Peace and order would be maintained, the general prosperity promoted, while
Congress and the nation would be directly acquainted with the growth, pros-
pects and necessities of the country. Mr. Graham exerted himself to prevail
on Congress to respect the petition of his constituents, but his efforts proved
unsuccessful. Their representative, A. J. Smith, succeeded in his mission, had
Arapahoe County confirmed, but was not admitted as a member of the Kansas
Legislature.
The first election of Arapahoe County officers, under Kansas laws, was held
March 28, 1859. Over seven hundred votes were polled, of which 231 were
credited to Auraria and 144 to Denver. The spring months brought a great
increase to the mining population. From authentic sources it has been com-
puted that, during the summer, the Pike's Peak gold regions contained 20,000
souls. An established and accessible government became indispensable. The
subject pressed itself more and more urgently on the public mind. Their first
attempt, in 1858, to impress Congress favorably with the necessities of their
situation had proven abortive. But a profound sense of their needs moved
them to renew their efforts to prevail on Congress to consummate a partition of
the Territory of Kansas, and to establish a separate government in this distant
but even then populous region. A mass meeting was called, to convene in
Auraria, April n, 1859. In the resolutions adopted it was expressed as the
unanimous sentiment of the meeting that a separate and distinct government was
170 HISTORY OF COLORADO
not only important but necessary. By these resolutions, also, the several pre-
cincts of Arapahoe County were requested to choose delegates, to meet in joint
convention on the fourth day after the meeting, April I5th, to consider the ques-
tion of organizing a new state or territory. On the day appointed the delegates
met. In order to save time and determine quickly, they pursued an eminently
judicious course. They resolved on one subject of debate, and only one:
"The formation of a new and independent state of the Union." It must be
remembered that Kansas, at this time, was only a territory, though pressing her
claims for recognition and admission as a state. Thus early, and prematurely,
as facts subsequently proved, did the people, who crowded into this new coun-
try, seek for the honors and privileges of statehood.
FAILURE OF FIRST STATE CONSTITUTION
This Auraria convention, as a summing up of their labors, ordered a general
election of delegates on the second Monday in May, such delegates to meet on the
first Monday in June. At the time designated fifty delegates assembled. As
in the April convention, only one subject, it seems, engaged their deliberations —
the attainment of statehood. The work of drafting a constitution was en-
trusted to eight committees, in order to economize time and secure a complete
instrument. The committees were requested to report, and submit their labors
to a fuller convention, which was enjoined to meet on the first Monday in
August. In the interval the several committees prepared their work. When
the convention, which consisted of 167 delegates, met, the committees presented
their reports. A constitution was completed, and arrangements made for its
acceptance or rejection by the votes of the people. Though some members of
the convention were sanguine of success, the majority thought that the result
would be adverse, and sought to provide against such a contingency. The day
set for voting on the constitution and movement for a state was the first Monday
in September. The convention therefore resolved that should the constitution
be rejected, a delegate to Congress should be elected on the first Monday in
October. The delegate would represent Jefferson Territory — the name given
by the convention to Arapahoe County, or the Pike's Peak gold regions. On
September 4th the votes for or against the constitution were cast, and resulted
in 2,007 against and 649 for that instrument. A short time before the October
election it was proposed, at a mass meeting held in Auraria, that on the day a
delegate to Congress was elected delegates should be chosen to form a Provi-
sional Territorial Government. The proposition was adopted. Accordingly, on
the first Monday in October this double election took place.
The Governor of Kansas, in 1859, had issued a proclamation that Arapahoe
County be established, and that a representative be elected. The Arapahoe
County election for Kansas officials was therefore also held. Capt. Richard
Sopris was elected representative, and was the first member from Arapahoe
County admitted to a seat in the Kansas Legislature.
TERRITORY OF JEFFERSON
At the October election D. B. Williams was chosen delegate to Congress.
He was the exponent of the August Convention, and entrusted with the mis-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 171
sion to memorialize Congress to separate the Pike's Peak region from Kansas
and organize it into a territory under the name Jefferson. The other delegates
chosen were instructed to form a provisional government. Eighty-six delegates
met in convention. They entered upon their duties with great earnestness. A
new constitution, called the "Organic Act of the Territory of Jefferson," was
framed and adopted. Other important measures received their approval. The
territory was divided into legislative districts. A full ticket was nominated, and
an election ordered for the fourth Monday of October, the same month in which
they had been elected, had convened, had acted. The election took place ; 2,000
votes were cast in twenty-seven precincts. The provisional government was
adopted, a full corps of legislators chosen, and, indeed, all but one of the entire
ticket elected. The purpose of the parties who had determined on a provisional
government ran swift to its fulfillment. The legislature thus suddenly and
questionably brought into existence, began its sessions. The message of the
governor, R. W. Steele, was received with the usual formalities, and was fol-
lowed by diligent legislative labors. Many general and special laws were
enacted; nine counties were organized; a poll tax of $i was imposed, and a
committee appointed to report full civil and criminal codes to an adjourned ses-
sion, January 23, 1860. In each of the nine newly organized counties the
governor appointed a probate judge, to hold office until the regular county elec-
tion on the first Monday in January, 1860. The legislature met pursuant to ad-
journment, and for the remainder of the session devoted its attention to the
report of the committee. Full civil and criminal codes were finally adopted. An
imperium in imperio was now fairly established. Right in the midst of the Kan-
sas government stood the Provisional government. The first resistance to the
authority of the latter, and protest against its legality, arose from the Arapahoe
County officials, who were elected according to Kansas territorial law, and
were, therefore, beyond a doubt, legal. Besides this, a remonstrance against
the per capita tax, signed by 700 miners, was sent down from the mountains.
In the valley, therefore, the Kansas and the Provisional governments held di-
vided sway ; and in the mountains the miners' courts and the Provisional govern-
ment contended for the mastery. Golden was the only settlement that wholly
submitted to the Provisional government. In truth, the authority of the Kan-
sas officials was never fairly recognized, and they soon ceased to have even a
nominal existence.
PEOPLE'S AND MINERS' COURTS
From 1858 to 1861 two classes of courts existed in the Pike's Peak region,
whose decisions were final. These were called the People's Courts and the
Miners' Courts. The People's Courts were improvised assemblies of the people,
who convened to adjudicate criminal cases, such as murders, homicides and
other felonies. They were usually presided over by a probate judge or justice
of the peace. The extreme penalties were hanging, lashes on the bare back, and
banishment. The Miners' Courts were differently organized. Pursuant to a
general call, all occupying a mining district met together. They fixed the limits
of their district, adopted a miners' code, defined the duties of officers, and
elected them for the ensuing year. A president, judge, sheriff, collector, sur-
172 HISTORY OF COLORADO
veyor and recorder, who was ex officio treasurer and secretary of the district,
composed the officers of the court, who were all responsible to the superior
tribunal, the Miners' meeting. These courts settled all claims and offenses in
mining districts. When a case was not settled in the courts it was carried to the
Miners' meeting. There was no appeal from their decision. The courts organ-
ized under the Provisional government were respected by the people, and their
decisions accepted with general satisfaction. In Denver arid some other places
the People's Courts alone were recognized.
But as a rule these People's Courts were orderly affairs. An illustration will
bear this out. In July, 1860, James Gordon, while on a spree, and entirely un-
provoked, shot down a man named Jacob Gantz. Escaping to Fort Lupton, he
was able to barricade himself, but finally, hard-pressed by a posse, escaped by
riding through the crowd of pursuers. He was captured on the Indian Terri-
tory border by W. H. Middaugh, acting as people's sheriff, and when taken to
Leavenworth was acquitted in a farcical trial. A mob turned him over to the
Colorado sheriff, and Gordon was brought to Denver. A People's Court was
formed, and the judge in addressing it said: "The trifling of one of the highest
courts of the land with the life that is now in our hands has turned the eyes of
tens of thousands in the states towards Denver, where no law of the great
American Union claims jurisdiction. Let us temper justice with mercy, and let
no mob or unlawful attempt interfere with the 'People's Court.' " Gordon was
defended by able lawyers, and twelve of the most respected men in the com-
munity found him guilty. He was executed some days later, time having been
allowed for friends to attempt to secure a reprieve.
CONGRESS CREATES COLORADO TERRITORY
On February 26, 1861, Congress created the Territory of Colorado, and the
new officials, headed by Governor William Gilpin, arrived on May 29th of that
year.
The other coordinate branch of Federal Government had now to be estab-
lished. This was the Territorial Supreme Court. On July loth, the governor
assigned the judges to their districts, and the Supreme Court immediately organ-
ized. On July nth he issued a proclamation, in which the Territory was de-
clared to be one congressional district, and the congressional district to be
divided into nine council and thirteen representative districts, and in which the
election of a delegate to Congress, and of a legislative assembly was ordered.
The election was held on the igih day of August, Hiram P. Bennet being chosen
delegate to Congress. The Legislature of the Territory of Colorado convened on
the 9th of September. They adopted full civil and criminal codes. They rec-
ognized the miners as authority in mining legislation, acknowledged the legality
of their courts, adopted their laws, confirmed their decisions, and arranged for
the transfer of cases to the regular courts, so that no jarring, nor inconvenience
was experienced. Great praise is due to this legislative body for the laws
they enacted, and though some have been found faulty and others repealed, yet
they effectually served the needs of the Territory.
In 1867 Congress passed an act providing that the legislative assemblies of the
several territories of the United States "shall not, after the passage of this act,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 173
grant private charters or especial privileges, but they may, by general incorpora-
tion acts, permit persons to associate themselves together as bodies corporate,
for mining, manufacturing and other industrial pursuits."
In the same act it made the salary of each of the Territorial Supreme Court
judges $2,500 per year.
Biennial sessions of the legislative assemblies of territories were provided
for in 1869.
The civil and criminal codes enacted by the first territorial legislation were
founded on those of Illinois, the practice act of that state being almost bodily
appropriated, and the acts of the People's Courts as well as the Miners' Courts
were in many instances ratified. The records of some of these early courts, kept
by able secretaries, are still to be found in the court archives, and have been
repeatedly reverted to in litigation.
CREATING THE FIRST COUNTIES
When the first territorial legislature met one of its earliest tasks was the
creation of seventeen counties, as follows:
Arapahoe, with Denver as its county seat.
Boulder, with Boulder as its county seat.
Clear Creek, with Idaho as its county seat.
Costilla, with San Miguel as its county seat.
Douglas, with Frankstown as its county seat.
El Paso, with Colorado City as its county seat.
Fremont, with Canon City as its county seat.
Gilpin, with Central City as its county seat.
Guadaloupe, later changed to Conejos, with Guadaloupe'as its county seat.
Huerfano, with Autobees as its county seat.
Jefferson, with Golden City as its county seat.
Lake, with Oro City (Leadville) as its county seat.
Larimer, with La Porte as its county seat.
Park, with Tarryall City as its county seat.
Pueblo, with Pueblo as its county seat.
Summit, with Parkville as its county seat.
Weld, with St. Vrain as its county seat.
Many of the seventeen counties were larger than some of the eastern states,
but the Arapahoe and Cheyenne Reservation, in southeastern Colorado, was not
included in the division. Arapahoe extended from the Jefferson County line
to the eastern limits of the territory. Weld occupied the entire northeastern
part of the territory. Huerfano was even larger, extending from the Arkansas
and the Pueblo County line to the New Mexico line. Douglas stretched to the
territory's eastern limit. El Paso and Pueblo, Larimer and Fremont, were all
big divisions, but were dwarfed by the extent of territory occupied by Summit,
Lake, Costilla and Conejos counties, which extended over much of what is now
the San Luis Valley, North Park, and a good part of the higher country along
the Arkansas, as well as the entire western slope.
The judicial districts were three in number, the first comprising Arapahoe,
Boulder, Douglas, El Paso, Larimer and Weld ; the second, Clear Creek, Gilpin,
174 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Jefferson, Park and Summit; and the third, Conejos, Costilla, Fremont, Huer-
fano, Lake and Pueblo.
The first Legislature also lost no time in clearing up the many "Jefferson"
territory enactments, ratifying the consolidation of Denver, Auraria and High-
lands, and the granting of a charter to Denver. Titles to real estate given in the
days before territorial organization were finally smoothed out by congressional
action in 1864.
MOVING THE CAPITAL TO COLORADO CITY
The first Legislature, empowered by Congress to increase its membership
from nine in the council to thirteen, and from thirteen in the house to twenty-
six, arranged for the additional representation. Two days before it adjourned
it made Colorado City the capital of the territory. This was done largely to
injure Denver, the country members believing that the hustling little town was
endeavoring to "do all the governing.'' Despite this feeling, when the next
Legislature met in the log cabin provided at Colorado City it remained but nine
days, resuming its labors in Denver, July 16, 1862. This was accomplished
despite the southern members, who as Judge W. F. Stone, a member of that
body, relates, "were finally brought together in Mother Maggart's Hotel under
pretense of compromising the matter, locked in, and when the vote was finished
we adjourned to Denver."
THE CAPITAL AT GOLDEN
Golden City was fighting for the honor, however, and before that second
Legislature adjourned it specified that town as the seat of territorial govern-
ment.
CHANGE FROM GOLDEN TO DENVER
The third Assembly met in the new capital, but adjourned almost at once to
Denver. This Legislature finally changed the meeting date from the first Mon-
day in February to the first Monday in January. The fourth Legislature stuck
to Golden throughout its session. The fifth remained in Golden a single day.
The sixth, which began its meetings December 2d, remained at Golden. The
seventh first of all changed the convening date to the first Monday in January
which is still the date for the opening of the Legislature, and then, on Decembei
9, 1867, made Denver the permanent capital of the territory.
But the work of that first territorial legislative assembly was perhaps as
constructive as that of any that has since met. In giving married women con-
trol of their own property and the power of making contracts they took a long
step toward suffrage, which came many years later. With the enabling act pro-
viding a fund, it began the work of establishing a state university. The third
assembly passed the act providing for incorporation of giant stock companies.
The fifth passed the important law requiring a discovery shaft of ten feet on a
lode claim. But when Congress passed the mining law of 1872 Colorado adjusted
its entire mining code to conform to it. This was largely the work of the tenth
Legislature.
FIRST CAPITOL OF COLOEADO, NOW IN COLORADO SPRINGS, FORMERLY IN
COLORADO CITY, WHICH WAS ANNEXED TO COLORADO SPRINGS IN 1917
Colorado City was the capital of the state for three days.
176 HISTORY OF COLORADO
CONGRESS PROVIDES FOR CONSTITUTION
In the enabling act, which was approved March 3, 1875, Congress pro-
vided first of all for the formation of a constitution, which was to be "republican
in form, and make no distinction in civil or political rights on account of race or
color, except Indians not taxed, and not be repugnant to the Constitution of the
United States and the principles of the Declaration of Independence."
It provided that perfect toleration of religious sentiment shall be secured,
and "no inhabitant of said state shall ever be molested in person or property on
account of his or her mode of religious worship; secondly, that the people inhab-
iting said territory do agree and declare that they forever disclaim all right and
title to the unappropriated public lands lying within said territory ; that the lands
belonging to citizens of the United States residing without the said state shall
never be taxed higher than the lands belonging to residents thereof, and that
no taxes shall be imposed by the state on lands or property therein belonging
to, or which may hereafter be purchased by the United States.
"That sections numbered sixteen and thirty-six in every township, and
where such sections have been sold or otherwise disposed of by any act of
Congress, other lands, equivalent thereto, in legal subdivisions of not more than
one quarter-section, and as contiguous as may be, are hereby granted to said
state for the support of common schools; fifty entire sections of the unappro-
priated public lands within said state, to be selected and located by direction of
the Legislature thereof, be granted to said state for the purpose of erecting
public buildings at the capital of said state for legislative and judicial purposes ;
that fifty other entire sections of land are hereby granted to said state for the
purpose of erecting a suitable building for a penitentiary or state prison ; that
seventy-two other sections of land shall be set apart and reserved for the use
and support of a state university ; that 5 per centum of the proceeds of the sales
of agricultural public lands lying within said state which shall be sold by the
United States subsequent to the admission of said state into the Union, after
deducting all the expenses incident to the same, shall be paid to the said state
for the purpose of making such internal improvements within said state as the
Legislature thereof may direct; that the two sections of land in each township
herein granted for the support of common schools shall be disposed of only at
public sale and at a price not less than $2.50 per acre, the proceeds to constitute
a permanent school fund, the interest of which is to be expended in the support
of common schools; that all mineral lands shall be excepted from the operation
and grants of this act."
Under this act delegates to frame a constitution were duly elected, met in
convention in December, .1875, and adjourned after completing their task March
13, 1876. A complete history of the framing of the constitution will be found
in the succeeding chapter.
CUSTOMS OF LEGISLATURE
The Legislature convened at 12 o'clock M. on the first Wednesday in January,
1879, and at 12 M. on the first Wednesday in January of each alternate year
"forever thereafter," and at other times when convened by the governor.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 177
Custom, so prevalent and so ancient as to have the force of law, has made
it the duty of the clerk of the previous house to call to order, and to conduct
the proceedings generally, until a speaker is chosen, but any member-elect is
competent to perform this duty.
In other states it is the custom of the secretary of state to furnish to the
clerk a certified statement of the names of the members-elect, which is read.
The members then advance to the clerk's desk, generally the delegation of each
county by itself, and subscribe the oath of office. But in this state the usual
proceeding is to choose a speaker and a clerk pro tern., and to appoint a com-
mittee which examines credentials of members-elect, and reports to the House
thus temporarily organized.
The oath of office is then administered to the members-elect. It may be
administered by the president of the Senate, the governor, secretary of state,
attorney general, or any of the judges of the Supreme Court. It has been
administered in this state usually by one of the judges. After all are sworn
the roll is called, when, if a quorum is found present, the speaker pro tern, de-
clares the House to be qualified and competent to proceed to business.
If the members present have determined their choice for officers, the election
proceeds forthwith; if not, an adjournment is had until the next day.
It is determined by the House whether the election for speaker, clerk, and
sergeant-at-arms and the subordinate officers shall be by ballot, viva voce, or
otherwise.
Candidates for speaker are nominated and the vote taken.
The speaker pro tern, announces the result, and names a committee to con-
duct the speaker-elect to the chair. The other elections proceed in the same
manner, except that when the result is announced by the speaker the officer-
elect advances to the clerk's desk and is sworn in by the speaker.
A committee is then appointed to wait on the Senate, and inform it that the
House is organized; or the clerk is directed, by resolution, to inform the Senate
of the fact.
It is customary for the speaker to appoint a committee of three to meet with
a committee of three from the Senate for the purpose of forming joint rules for
the government of both houses; and when completed the committees report to
their respective houses.
By concurrent resolution both houses meet in joint convention to canvass the
vote for executive officers.
When it has been determined who are the executive officers, a joint com-
mittee of both houses is then appointed to wait on the governor and inform him
that both houses of the General Assembly are organized, and that the houses
are in readiness to receive any communication from him.
The Senate -and House usually assemble in joint convention in the chamber
of the House upon some day and hour suggested by the governor, during the
first week of the session to hear his message.
The message is usually read by the executive, but may be read by his private
secretary, or by anyone the governor may appoint.
At the first opportunity after hearing the message read the various recom-
mendations therein contained are referred, by resolution, to appropriate standing
committees, or select committees.
178 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Standing committees are appointed by the speaker at as early a day in the
session as is possible. Each committee usually consists of five members, but
the House determines the number.
TERRITORIAL OFFICERS OF COLORADO
GOVERNORS
William Gilpin, appointed by Abraham Lincoln .July 8, 1861
John Evans, appointed by Abraham Lincoln April 19, 1862
Alexander Cummings, appointed by Andrew Johnson Oct. 17, 1865
A. C. Hunt, appointed by Andrew Johnson May 27, 1867
Edward M. McCook, appointed by U. S. Grant June 15, 1869
Samuel H. Elbert, appointed by U. S. Grant March 9, 1873
Edward M. McCook, reappointed by U. S. Grant August, 1874
John L. Routt, appointed by U. S. Grant March 29, 1875
SECRETARIES
Lewis Ledyard Weld, appointed by Abraham Lincoln July 8, 1861
Samuel H. Elbert, appointed by Abraham Lincoln April 19, 1862
Frank Hall, appointed by Andrew Johnson May 2, 1866
Frank Hall, appointed by U. S. Grant June 15, 1869
Frank Hall, reappointed by U. S. Grant June 18, 1873
John W. Jenkins, appointed by U. S. Grant. . . .' February 12, 1874
John Taffe, appointed by U. S. Grant August 16, 1875
TREASURERS
George T. Clark, appointed by Governor Gilpin November 12, 1861
Alexander W. Atkins, appointed by Governor Evans March 17, 1864
A. C. Hunt, appointed by Governor Cummings January 25, 1866
John Wanless, appointed by Governor Cummings September 5, 1866
Columbus Nuckolls, appointed by Governor Hunt December 16, 1867
Columbus Nuckolls, reappointed by Governor Hunt March 17, 1868
George T. Clark, appointed by Governor McCook February 14, 1870
George T. Clark, reappointed by Governor McCook February 17, 1872
David H. M off at, Jr., appointed by Governor Elbert January 26, 1874
Frederick Z. Salomon, appointed by Governor Routt February n, 1876
AUDITORS
Milton M. Delano, appointed by Governor Gilpin November 12, 1861
Richard E. Whitsitt, appointed by Governor Evans March 10, 1864
Richard E. Whitsitt, appointed by Governor Cummings January 26, 1866
Hiram J. Graham, appointed by Governor Cummings .December 13, 1866
Nathaniel F. Cheesman, appointed by Governor Hunt January 7, 1868
James B. Thompson, appointed by Governor McCook February 15, 1870
HISTORY OF COLORADO 179
James B. Thompson, reappointed by Governor McCook February 14, 1872
Levin C. Charles, appointed by Governor Elbert January 26, 1874
Levin C. Charles, reappointed by Governor Routt February 12, 1876
SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
William J. Curtice, appointed by Governor Gilpin November 7, 1861
William S. Walker, appointed by Governor Evans November 15, 1863
*Alexander W. Atkins February 10, 1865
*John Wanless January, 1866
*Columbus Nuckolls March, 1867
Wilbur C. Lothrop, appointed by Governor McCook March, 1870
Wilbur C. Lothrop, reappointed by Governor McCook March, 1872
Horace M. Hale, appointed by Governor Elbe'rt. July 24, 1873
Horace M. Hale, reappointed by Governor Elbert 1874
Horace M. Hale, reappointed by Governor Routt .February 9, 1876
DELEGATES TO CONGRESS
Hiram P. Bennet, elected December 2,1861
Hiram P. Bennet, re-elected October 7, 1862
Allen A. Bradford, elected July n, 1864
George M. Chilcott, elected November 14, 1865
George M. Chilcott, re-elected August 7, 1866
Allen A. Bradford, re-elected September 8, 1868
Jerome B. Chaffee, elected September 13, 1870
Jerome B. Chaffee, re-elected September 10, 1872
Thomas M. Patterson, elected September 8, 1874
JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICES
Benjamin F. Hall, appointed by Abraham Lincoln March 25, 1861
Stephen S. Harding, appointed by Abraham Lincoln July 10, 1863
Moses Hallett, appointed by Andrew Johnson April 10, 1866
Moses Hallett, reappointed by U. S. Grant April 30, 1870
Moses Hallett, reappointed by U. S. Grant 1874
ASSOCIATE JUSTICES
Charles Lee Armour, appointed by Abraham Lincoln March 28, 1861
S. Newton Pettis, appointed by Abraham Lincoln July 9, 1861
Allen A. Bradford, appointed by Abraham Lincoln June 6, 1862
Charles F. Holly, appointed by Andrew Johnson June 10, 1865
William H. Gale, appointed by Andrew Johnson June 10, 1865
William R. Gorsline, appointed by Andrew Johnson June 18, 1866
Christian S. Eyster, appointed by Andrew Johnson August II, 1866
James B. Belford, appointed by U. S. Grant June 17, 1870
* Ex officio as Territorial Treasurer.
180 . HISTORY OF COLORADO
Ebenezer T. Wells, appointed by U. S. Grant February 8, 1871
James B. Belford, reappointed by U. S. Grant 1874
Amherst W. Stone, appointed by U. S. Grant March 1, 1875
Andrew W. Brazee, appointed by U. S. Grant February 24, 1876
UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS FOR COLORADO
Name Date of Appointment
Theodore Edwards March 27, 1861
James E. Dalliba August 19, 1861
Samuel E. Browne April 8, 1862
George W. Chamberlin October i, 1865
Henry C. Thatcher. , April 19, 1869
Lewis C. Rockwell June 7, 1870
H. C. Alleman April 15, 1873
Charles D. Bradley June 30, 1875
Westbrook S. Decker January 12, 1877
Edward L. Johnson May 10, 1880
Andrew W. Brazee September 5, 1882
Henry W. Hobson May 28, 1886
John D. Fleming March 23, 1889
Henry V. Johnson April 15, 1893
Greeley W. Whitford April 20, 1897
Earl M. Cranston April 25, 1901
Thomas Ward, Jr February 17, 1908
Harry Eugene Kelly February 17, 1912
Harry B. Tedrow June 26, 1914
LENGTH OF SESSIONS AND NUMBER OF MEMBERS TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION
Time of Length of
Year Meeting Adjournment Session No. Mems.
1861 September 9th November 7th 60 days 22
1862 July 7th August 15 40 days 39
1864 February ist March nth 40 days 39
1865 January 2nd February loth 40 days 39
1866 January i st February 9th 40 days 39
1866 December 3d January n, 1867 40 days 39
1867 December 2d January 10, 1868 40 days 39
1870 January 3d February nth 40 days 39
1872 January ist February 9th 40 days 39
1874 January 5th February I3th 40 days 39
1876 January 3d February nth 40 days 39
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS
1865 Aug. 8 Aug. 12 5 days 62
1875 Dec. 20 March 15, 1876 87 days 39
BROADMOOR HOTEL, COLORADO SPRINGS
STRATTON PARK, COLORADO SPRINGS
182 HISTORY OF COLORADO
FIRST ELECTION POLL BY COUNTIES
The vote by counties at the first general election was as follows :
Governor
Counties John L. Routt, R. Bela M. Hughes, D.
Arapahoe 2,173 I,795
Bent 250 439
Boulder 1,539 1,096
Costilla 351 J73
Conejos 341 218
Clear Creek 1,072 1,031
Douglas 282 333
Elbert 84 117
El Paso 713 397
Fremont 522 531
Gilpin 1,005 763
Grand 73 *47
Huerfano 4™ 614
Hinsdale 420 382
Jefferson 537 S96
Larimer 374 3°°
Lake 229 234
Las Animas 669 I»27I
La Plata 50 108
Park 465 423
Pueblo 543 739
Rio Grande 364 362
Saguache 306 l89
San Juan 393 4™
Summit ' 201 185
Weld 788 463
Total 14,154
CHAPTER IX
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
OPPOSITION TO STATEHOOD MEETINGS OF CONVENTION — APPOINTMENT OF COM-
MITTEES— SUMMARY OF CONSTITUTION FRAMING AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE
THE VOTE SUBMITTING OF CONSTITUTION TO FEDERAL AUTHORITIES STATE-
HOOD
It was by no means certain that the people of Colorado would accept the state-
hood offered by the Federal Government under the enabling act of March 3, 1875.
In fact when the constitution was finally submitted it needed no argument, for
it was throughout an ably prepared document, but its defeat was looked for by
many because the sentiment against statehood was still strong.
This was the third effort at statehood, the others having failed respectively by
reason of an adverse majority and a presidential veto. But in 1875 the popula-
tion was approximately one hundred thousand, and there had grown up in the
people of the territory a pride in its resources, its climate, its beauty and gran-
deur, but above all in its tremendous possibilities.
True, the panic of 1873 nad Just penetrated to the Rocky Mountain region,
the locust pest had devastated the crops in 1873, and all efforts at extending ir-
rigation systems had ceased for the time.
But the men who came to frame this constitution were the most influential
citizens of their respective communities, and, having the confidence of the voters,
would each personally draw a large contingent to support the document.
In- the two other efforts to gain admission it was more an attempt to break
into the union. This time Congress and the President had defined the exact con-
ditions under which statehood was possible.
The convention met for the first time in the Odd Fellows Hall, First National
Bank Building, northeast corner of Blake and Fifteenth streets, on December
20, 1875.
The constitutional convention was comprised as follows:
From the First District, composed of the County of Weld, S. J. Plumb and
J. S. Wheeler.
From the Second District, composed of the counties of Weld and Larimer,
A. K. Yount.
From the Third District, composed of the County of Larimer, W. C. Stover.
From the Fourth District, composed of the County of Boulder, Wm. E.
Beck and Byron L. Carr.
From the Fifth District, composed of the County of Gilpin, Alvin Marsh and
L. C. Rockwell.
183
184 HISTORY OF COLORADO
From the Sixth District, composed of the County of Clear Creek, Wm. M.
Clark and Wm. H. Cushman.
From the Seventh District, composed of the counties of Clear Creek, Sum-
mit and Grand, W. W. Webster.
From the Eighth District, composed of the County of Jefferson, Geo. G.
White and Wm. Lee.
From the Ninth District, composed of the County of Arapahoe, E. T. Wells,
H. P. H. Bromwell, L. C. Ellsworth, F. J. Ebert, C. P. Elder and Daniel Kurd.
From the Tenth District, composed of the counties of Arapahoe and Doug-
las, P. P. Wilcox.
From the Eleventh District, composed of the County of Bent, J. W. Widder-
field.
From the Twelfth District, composed of the counties of Bent and Elbert,
John S. Hough.
From the Thirteenth District, composed of the County of El Paso, J. C.
Wilson and Robert Douglas.
From the Fourteenth District, composed of the counties of Park and Lake,
Wm. H. James and Geo. E. Pease.
From the Fifteenth District, composed of the County of Saguache, W. B.
Felton.
From the Sixteenth Dictrict, composed of the County of Fremont, A. D.
Cooper.
From the Seventeenth District, composed of the County of Pueblo, Wilbur
F. Stone and Henry C. Thatcher.
From the Eighteenth District, composed of the County of Las Animas,
Jesus M. Garcia, Casimiro Barela and George Boyles.
From the Nineteenth District, composed of the counties of Las Animas and
Huerfano, Agapeta Vijil.
From the Twentieth District, composed of the County of Huerfano, Robert
A. Quillian.
From the Twenty-first District, composed of the County of Costilla, Wm. H.
Meyer.
From the Twenty-second District, composed of the County of Conejos, La
Fayette Head.
From the Twenty-third District, composed of the counties of Rio Grande and
Hinsdale, Wm. R. Kennedy.
From the Twenty-fourth District, composed of the County of La Plata,
Henry R. Crosby.
Judge Wilbur F. Stone, of Pueblo, was made temporary chairman, being
succeeded on December 2ist, by Joseph C. Wilson, of El Paso, permanent chair-
man. The secretary of the convention was W. W. Coulson.
The convention was in session until March 15, 1876, and framed the present
fundamental law of Colorado, on the whole one of the best of the state consti-
tutions of the Union. Throughout the sessions the men were animated by a
desire to make the fundamental law as just and fair as the joint opinions of its
members could frame it.
The following is a list of its committees:
Bill of Rights— Messrs. Marsh, Widderfield, Hurd, Ellsworth and Wheeler.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 185
Legislature and Legislation — Messrs. Thatcher, Stover, Elder, James, Meyer,
Wilcox, Clark, Boyles and Cushman.
Executive Department — Messrs. Elder, Hough, James, Head and White.
Judiciary — Messrs. Stone, Wells, Thatcher, Beck, Marsh, Rockwell, White,
Boyles, Kennedy, Pease and Felton.
Rights of Suffrage and Elections — Messrs. Webster, Bromwell, Stone, Beck
and Vijil.
Impeachment and Removal from Office — Messrs. Crosby, White, Wilcox,
Meyer and Garcia.
Education and Educational Institutions — Messrs. Hurd, Stone, Carr, Wheeler
and Douglas.
Public and Private Corporations — Messrs. Rockwell, Cooper, Ellsworth,
Thatcher, Wheeler, Meyer, Douglas, Webster and Barela.
Revenue and Finance — Messrs. Cushman, Yount, Hough, Plumb and Ells-
worth.
Counties — Messrs. Boyles, James, Stover, Hurd and Plumb.
Officers and Oath of Office — Messrs. Felton, Wells, Lee, Crosby and Quil-
lian.
Military Affairs — Messrs. Carr, Cooper and Pease.
Mines and Mining — Messrs. Clark, James, Kennedy, Rockwell, Crosby, Stover,
Ebert, Carr and Webster.
Irrigation, Agriculture and Manufactures — Messrs. Plumb, Head, Barela,
Felton, Wheeler, Lee, Ebert, Widderfield and Cooper.
Accounts and Expenditures of Convention — Messrs. Yount, Ebert and Barela.
State Institutions and Buildings* — Messrs. Douglas, Hurd, Quillian, Cushman
and Kennedy.
Congressional and Legislative apportionments — Messrs. Beck, Thatcher, Quil-
lian, Ellsworth, White, Meyer, Pease, Kennedy and Clark.
Federal Relations — Messrs. Wilcox, White and Garcia.
Future Amendments — Messrs. Pease, Elder, Boyles, Wilcox and Marsh.
Revision and Adjustments — Messrs. Wells, Bromwell, Carr, Lee and Rock-
well.
Schedule — Messrs. Quillian, Wells, Stone, Marsh and Carr.
Printing — Messrs. Hough, Bromwell and Webster.
Enrolling and Engrossing — Messrs. Cooper, Crosby and Widderfield.
Miscellaneous — Messrs. Head, Beck, Garcia, Lee and Elder.
State, County and Municipal Indebtedness — Messrs. Bromwell, Cushman,
Hough, Douglas and Yount.
Forest Culture — Messrs. Ebert, Felton and Stover.
SUMMARY OF THE CONSTITUTION
The Bill of Rights guarantees all national and civil rights, and to the end
that more power should be reserved to the people it declared that the General
Assembly shall make no irrevocable grants of special privileges or immunities ;
that private property shall not be taken or damaged for public or private use
without just compensation ; that no preference shall be given by law to religious
denominations ; that right and justice shall be administered without sale, denial
186 HISTORY OF COLORADO
or delay; that aliens, who are bona fide residents of the state, shall acquire, in-
herit, possess and enjoy property to the full extent as if native-born citizens.
The grand jury system was modified so as to make a grand jury consist of twelve
men instead of twenty-three — any nine of whom concurring may find a bill, and
the question whether it may not be abolished altogether is left to the Legisla-
ture. The petit jury system was modified so as to permit the organization of a
jury of less than twelve men in civil cases. The right of trial by jury in all
criminal cases was preserved, and for the purpose of protecting witnesses in
criminal prosecutions,- and that the accused may always meet the witnesses against
him face to face, provided for the taking of depositions before some judge of the
Supreme, District or County Court, which can be used upon trial of the cause
when the personal attendance of the witness cannot be obtained.
The term of office of the governor and other state officers was fixed at two
years.
The Governor was given the power to remove all officers by him appointed,
for misconduct or malfeasance in office; he was also empowered to grant par-
dons, subject, however, to such regulations for the application of the same as
may be provided by law. All the state officers were to be paid by salaries for
their services, and were required to pay into the treasury "all fees by them col-
lected in their respective offices."
The General Assembly was required to meet once in two years. The term of
office of the senators was fixed at four years; that of representatives at two.
For the first session the compensation of the members of the General Assembly
was fixed at $4 per day, and thereafter as may be provided by law. "No mem-
ber of the General Assembly shall, during his term of office, receive any increase
of salary, or mileage, above that allowed at the time of his election."
The evils of local and special legislation being patent, the passage of any
law not general in its provisions was prohibited.
To afford protection from hasty legislation, it was required that all bills
should be printed; that only one subject should be embraced in each bill, which
should be clearly expressed in its title; that it should be read on three different
days in each house before being passed, and that no bill should be introduced,
except for the general expenses of the Government, after the first twenty-five
days of the session.
It prohibited the passing of any law giving extra compensation, to any public
officer, servant, agent or employe, after services rendered, without previous au-
thority of law ; "nor is any officer of the state to be in any way interested in any
contracts or awards by which the legislative and other departments of govern-
ment are furnished with stationery, printing, paper and fuel."
"It is further provided that no appropriation shall be made to any denomina-
tional, sectarian or any other institution not under the absolute control of the
State."
The District Courts were invested with original jurisdiction to hear and de-
termine all controversies in behalf of the people, concerning the rights, duties
and liabilities of railroad, telegraph and toll road companies or corporations. A
Supreme Court, composed of different judges from those of the District Courts,
was created. "This court," it was explained, "will have three judges, and as
constituted will obviate the objections long entertained and frequently expressed
HISTORY OF COLORADO 187
against our present system, by which the same judge who presides over the trial
of a cause in the District Court sits in review of his own decision in the Su-
preme Court."
The judges of the District Courts were to be elected for six, and those of
the Supreme Court for nine years.
Instead of Probate Courts, County Courts were created for every county,
with probate jurisdiction, and such civil and criminal jurisdiction as may be
prescribed by law, their civil jurisdiction being limited to controversies in which
the amount involved does not exceed the sum of two thousand dollars. The
judges of these courts were to be elected for three years.
The General Assembly was empowered to create Criminal Courts for coun-
ties having a population exceeding fifteen thousand, and Police Magistrates for
cities and towns.
Justices of the Peace were to have jurisdiction to the amount. of three hun-
dred dollars.
The general supervision of the public schools was vested in a Board of Edu-
cation.
The maintenance of free public schools, and the gratuitous instruction therein
for all children between the ages of six and twenty-one years, was forever guar-
anteed.
It was declared that the public school fund shall forever remain inviolate
and intact : "that neither the State, nor any county, city, town or school district
shall ever make any appropriation, nor pay from any public fund any thing in
aid of, or to help support any school or institution of learning of any kind con-
trolled by any church or sectarian denomination whatsoever; that no religious
test shall ever be required as a condition for admission into any of the public
schools, either as pupil or teacher; that no religious or sectarian dogmas shall
ever be taught in any of the schools under the patronage of the State."
A state census was to be taken in the year 1885, and every ten years there-
after, which, with the Federal census of 1880, decennially thereafter, would en-
able the General Assembly to revise and correct the apportionment, on the basis
of population, every five years.
It provided for the wiping out of all dormant and sham corporations claim-
ing special and exclusive privileges ; denied the General Assembly the power to
create corporations, or to extend or enlarge their chartered rights by special
legislation, or to make such rights and privileges irrevocable.
It forbade the consolidation of parallel and competing railroad lines, and of
all unjust and unreasonable discriminations between individuals in their business
with such corporations. It retained the jurisdiction of state courts in case of
consolidation of a corporation within the state with any foreign corporation, over
that part of the corporate property within the limits of this state.
For the purpose of defraying the expenses of the state, a tax was provided
for, not in any case to exceed six mills on the dollar, with restrictions, that
"when the valuation of property within the state shall amount to one hundred
million dollars, the rate shall not exceed four mills, and when the valuation shall
amount to three hundred million dollars, the rate shall never thereafter exceed
two mills on each dollar of valuation."
Corporations and corporate property, real and personal, were required to
188 HISTORY OF COLORADO
share the burden of taxation, and the power to tax the same was never to be
relinquished or suspended.
The Legislature was prohibited from lending the credit of the state in aid
of any corporation, either by loan or becoming a subscriber to any stock, or a
joint owner with any party, except in case of forfeitures and escheats; neither
could it assume any debt or liability of any party. It required that appropriations
be kept within the limits of resources, and that no appropriations be made unless
assessments were made sufficient to meet them, and at the same session of the
Legislature.
It provided that the General Assembly shall not by special law remove the
county seat of any county, but that the location of county seats should always
remain a question to be voted on by the qualified electors in the several counties.
It prohibited under very stringent provisions the importation, manufacture
and sale of all spurious or adulterated liquors.
It provided liberally for the amending of the Constitution.
In submitting the document to the people the committee closed its appeal
with this argument, which gives a clear insight into the insidious nature of the
opposition :
"We do not think it necessary to enter into an elaborate argument to show
why they should meet your approval; believing that you fully appreciate the
inestimable prize secured by entering the sisterhood of states, whereby you gain
those privileges that flow only from that form of government, which is the
offspring of your choice, completely free in its principles, uniting in its powers,
security, happiness and prosperity of the whole people. But it is easy to foresee
that from different causes, and from different sources, an effort will be made,
and many artifices employed to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth,
and we may reasonably assume that the chief objection made to a state govern-
ment will not be founded upon the character of the instrument we have framed,
but upon the alleged and supposed increase of expenses and consequent taxation.
This is the old cry, and however potent it may have been heretofore, it certainly
has lost its force in the facts of the present. We meet this objection directly,
by conceding that a state government will, of course, involve an increased ex-
pense over that of our present form, but we assert that this expense will be
more than balanced by the pecuniary gain alone which we will receive by be-
coming a state. We will suppose that if we are not admitted now, we will not
have another opportunity of admission for at least five years. The increase in
our expenses under a State government will be about $50,000 per annum, which,
in five years, will amount to $250,000. This would be saved to us, or, more
properly, be delayed in payment, by remaining out of the Union five years
longer.
"Now, let us see what we would lose in that time: The Act of Congress
granting Sections Sixteen and Thirty-six for school purposes allows the State
to select an amount of public land equal to that which has been sold out of said
Sections to settlers prior to survey. Under this arrangement we will be entitled
to select about fifty sections of land.
"The Enabling Act grants fifty other sections for public buildings, fifty sec-
tions for the penitentiary, and seventy-two sections for general purposes — mak-
ing a total of two hundred and twenty-two sections, or one hundred and forty-two
HISTORY OF COLORADO 189
thousand and eighty acres of land, which, at $2.50 per acre, amounts, in value,
to $385,200.
"It will also be remembered that, upon becoming a state, Colorado will be
entitled to five hundred thousand acres of public land within her borders, by
virtue of a grant heretofore made by Congress. This amount, if selected now,
would be worth to us at least $500,000.
"The Enabling Act also grants the State five per cent, of the proceeds from
the sale of the public agricultural lands after the adoption of this Constitution.
The amount to be derived from this source for the next five years would ex-
ceed one hundred thousand dollars, which, added to the value of the land above
mentioned, would make a total of about $1,000,000, which is four times the esti-
mated amount of the increased expenses of the State for this period, so that
we would really gain over three-quarters of a million dollars in five years by
becoming a State. More than this, the revenues from sections sixteen and thirty-
six will save the whole State, in our school taxes, from ten to twenty-five thou-
sand dollars yearly, making a saving in five years of from fifty to one hundred
thousand dollars in addition to that already estimated. Should we not be ad-
mitted, and remain in a Territorial condition five years longer, most, if not all,
the public agricultural and non-mineral lands in Colorado, which are worth any-
thing, will have been sold by that time, so that there being none left for selection,
we would lose all this, even if a like grant should be renewed at the end of
that time. No one will doubt this statement who reflects upon the small amount
of public agricultural lands now left within our territorial limits, and considers
the probable immigration for the next five years. The five per cent, alluded
to would, from the same cause, like the lands granted in the Enabling Act, be
forever lost to Colorado, and we would, therefore, at the end of that time be
obliged to commence our statehood with increased expenses, and at a dead loss
of over a million of dollars at the lowest possible estimate. In addition to these
several benefits to be derived by our admission into the Union at this time, we
would also call your attention to the fact that, by cutting off special legislation,
we have lessened the expenses of that department almost one-half; by reducing
the number of petit and grand jurors the expenses of the judiciary department
are greatly reduced, while the provisions guarding against hasty legislation at
the close of the sessions of the General Assembly, will prevent great squander-
ing of public money, and in many cases save more to the State than sufficient to
pay the per diem and mileage of the members of that body."
On July i, 1876, the vote on the ratification of the document was: For the
constitution, 15,443 ; against, 4,062.
The authenticated copy of the constitution with the certified copy of the vote
was taken to Washington by John N. Reigart, secretary to Governor Routt.
On August ist, President Grant issued the proclamation admitting Colorado
to statehood.
CHAPTER X
GROWTH OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT
THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT ROSTER OF ELECTIVE STATE OFFICERS — REPRESENTA-
TION IN CONGRESS THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SUPREME BENCH DENVER BE-
COMES THE CAPITAL — BUILDING THE STATE HOUSE — WHEN THE NEW COUNTIES
WERE CREATED THE STATE'S FINANCES AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION THE
INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM RECALL OF DECISIONS THE SUFFRAGE AMEND-
MENT PROHIBITION — CHANGES IN THE FUNDAMENTAL LAW
The executive department of the State of Colorado consists of a Governor.
Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of State, State Treasurer,
Attorney General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction, each of whom
holds office for the term of two years, beginning on the second Tuesday of Janu-
ary next after his election, and until his successor is elected and qualified.
The returns of every election for state officers are sealed up and transmitted
to the Secretary of State, directed to the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives, who immediately, upon the organization of the House and before proceed-
ing to other business, opens and publishes the same in the presence of a majority
of the members of both houses of the General Assembly. The persons having
the highest number of votes for either of said offices are declared elected ; but if
two or more be equal and highest in votes, one of them shall be chosen to the
office by the joint votes of both houses. Contested elections for these offices are
determined by both houses of the General Assembly by joint ballot.
The age requirement for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or Superintendent
of Public Instruction is thirty years ; for the other elective officers it is twenty-five
years.
The Governor nominates and, with the consent of the Senate, appoints all
officers "whose offices are established by this Constitution, or which may be
created by law, and whose appointment or election is not otherwise provided
for." In case of a vacancy in any office which is not elective during the recess
of the Senate, the Governor makes temporary appointment until the next meet-
ing of the Senate, when he nominates some person to fill such office. If the
office of Auditor of State, State Treasurer, Secretary of State, Attorney General
or Superintendent of Public Instruction is vacated by death, resignation or other-
wise, the Governor fills the same by appointment.
The Governor has power to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons after
conviction for all offenses except treason or conviction of impeachment.
The Governor may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the General Assem-
190
1
192 HISTORY OF COLORADO
bly by proclamation, but, at such special sessions, no business shall be trans-
acted other than that specially named in the proclamation.
The Governor has power to disapprove of any item or items of any bill mak-
ing appropriations of money.
It requires a two-thirds vote to pass a measure over the Governor's veto.
The Lieutenant Governor in case of death or disability of the state executive
becomes Governor. He presides over the Senate.
The Auditor and Treasurer are not eligible for these offices at next succeed-
ing elections.
Following is a complete roster of the Governors, Secretaries of State, Audit-
ors, Treasurers, Attorney Generals, Superintendents of Public Instruction, mem-
bers of the Supreme Court, U. S. Senators and Congressmen elected since the
granting of statehood:
STATE GOVERNORS
John L. Routt, (R) 1876-1879
Frederick W. Pitkin, (R) 1879-1883
James B. Grant, (D) 1883-1885
Benjamirf H. Eaton, (R) 1885-1887
Alva Adams, (D) 1887-1889
Job A. Cooper, (R) 1889-1891
John L. Routt, (R) 1891-1893
David A. Waite, (P) 1893-1895
Albert W. Mclntyre, (R) 1895-1897
Alva Adams, (D) 1897-1899
Charles S. Thomas, (D) 1899-1901
James B. Orman, (D) 1901-1903
James H. Peabody, (R) 1903-1905
Alva Adams, (D) (Sixty-six days) 1905
James H. Peabody, (R) (One day) 1905
Jesse F. McDonald, (R) 1905-1907
Henry A. Buchtel, (R) 1907-1909
John F. Shafroth, (D) 1909-1913
Elias Ammons, (D) 1913-1915
George A. Carlson, (R) 1915-1917
Julius C. Gunter, (D) 1917-1919
U. S. SENATORS OF COLORADO
Henry M. Teller, (R) 1876-1882
Jerome B. Chaffee, (R) 1876-1879
Nathaniel P. Hill, (R) 1879-1885
George M. Chilcott (R) 1882
Horace A. W. Tabor (R) 1883
Thomas M. Bowen, (R) 1883-1889
HISTORY OF COLORADO
193
Henry M. Teller, (R) and (D) 1885-1909
Edward O. Wolcott (R) 1889-1901
Thomas M. Patterson, (D) 1901-1907
Simon Guggenheim, (R) 1907-1913
Charles J. Hughes, Jr., (D) 1909
Charles S. Thomas, (D) 1913-
John F. Shafroth, (D) 1913-
SECRETARIES OF STATE
Wm. M. Clark (R) 1876-1879 Elmer F. Beckwith (D) 1899-1901
N. H. Meldrum (R) 1879-1883 David A. Mills (D) 1901-1903
Melvin Edwards (R) 1883-1887 James Cowie (R) 1903-1907
James Rice (R) 1887-1891 Timothy O'Connor (R) 1907-1909
E. J. Eaton (R) 1891-1893 James B. Pierce (D) 1909-1915
N. O. McClees (P) 1893-1895 John E. Ramer (R) 1915-1917
A. B. McGaffey (R) 1895-1897 James R. Noland (D) 1917-
Charles H. S. Whipple (D) . 1897-1899
AUDITORS
D. C. Crawford (R) 1876-1879 George W. Temple (R) 1899-1901
E. K. Stimson (R) 1879-1881 Chas W. Crouter (R) 1901-1903
Jos. A. Davis (R) 1881-1883 John A. Holmberg (R) 1903-1905
J. C. Abbott (R) 1883-1885 Alfred E. Bent (R) 1905-1907
H. A. Spruance (R) 1885-1887 George D. Statler (R) 1907-1909
D. P. Kingsley (R) 1887-1889 Roady Kenehan (D) 1909^911
Louis Schwanbeck (R) 1889-1891 M. A. Leddy (D) 1911-1913
J. M. Henderson (R) 1891-1893 Roady Kenehan (D) 1913-1915
F. M. Goodykoontz (P) 1893-1895 Harry E. Mulnix (R) 1915-1917
C. C. Parks (R) 1895-1897 Charles H. Leckenby (D) . . 1917-1919
John W. Lowell (R) 1897-1899
TREASURERS
George C. Corning (R) 1876-1879 John H. Fesler (D) 1899-1901
N. S. Culver (R) 1879-1881 James N. Chipley (R) 1901-1903
W. C. Saunders (R) 1881-1883 Whitney Newton (R) 1903-1905
Fred Walson (R) 1883-1885 John A. Holmberg (R) .... 1905-1907
G. R. Swallow (R) 1885-1887 Alfred E. Bent (R) 1907-1909
P. W. Breene (R) 1887-1889 Wm. J. Galligan (D) 1909-1911
W. H. Brisbane (R) 1889-1891 Roady Kenehan (D) 1911-1913
James N. Carlile (R) 1891-1893 Michael A. Leddy (D) . . . . 1913-1915
Albert Nance (P) 1893-1895 Allison E. Stocker (R) .... 1915-1917
H. E. Mulnix (R) 1895-1897 Robert H. Higgins (D) . . . . 1917-1919
George W. Kephart (D) ... 1897-1899
194
HISTORY OF COLORADO
SUPERINTENDENTS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
J. C. Shattuck (R) 1876-1881 Mrs. A. J. Peavey (R) .
L. S. Cornell (R) 1881-1883 Grace Espey Patton (D)
J. C. Shattuck (R) 1883-1885
L. S. Cornell (R) 1885-1889
Fred Dick (R) 1889-1891
N. B. Coy (D) 1891-1893
J. F. Murray (P) 1893-1895
1897-1899
Helen L. Grenfell (D) 1899-1905
Katherine L. Craig (R) 1905-1909
Katherine M. Cook (D) 1909-1911
Helen M. Wixon (R) 1911-1013
Mary C. C. Bradford (D) . .
ATTORNEYS GENERAL
A. J. Sampson (R) 1876-1879
C. W. Wright (R) 1879-1881
C. H. Toll (R) 1881-1883
D. C. Urmy (R) 1883-1885
T. H. Thomas (R) 1885-1887
Alvin Marsh (R) 1887-1889
S. W. Jones (R) 1889-1891
J. H. Maupin (D) 1891-1893
E. Engley (D) iSctf-^S
Byron L. Carr (R) 1895-1899
David M. Campbell (R) . . . . 1899-1901
Charles C. Post (R) 1901-1903
Nathan C. Miller (R) 1903-1907
Wm. H. Dickson (R) 1907-1909
John T. Barnett (D) 1909-191 1
Benjamin Griffith (R) 1911-1913
Fred Farrar (D) 1913-1917
Leslie E. Hubbard (D)....i9i7-
SUPREME COURT
Elected in
E. T. Wells (R) 1876
Henry C. Thatcher (R) 1876
Samuel H. Elbert (R) 1876
Wilbur F. Stone (D) 1877
William E. Beck (R) 1879
Jos. C. Helm (R) 1882 and 1891
Samuel H. Elbert (R) i8S6
Charles D. Hayt (R) 1888
Victor A. Elliott (R) 1888
L. M. Goddard (R) 1892
Wm. H. Gabbert (R) 1892
John Campbell (R) 1894
Robert W. Steele (D) 1900
Elected in
* Julius C. Gunter (D) 1905
*John M. Maxwell (R) 1905
*George W. Bailey (R) 1905
Charles F. Caswell ( R) 1904
George W. Musser (D) 1908
S. Harrison White (D) 1908
William A. Hill (D) 1908
Morton S. Bailey (D) 1908
James E. Garrigues (R) 1910
Tully Scott (D) 1912
James H. Teller (D) 1914
George W. Allen (R) 1916
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
In 1876, when admitted to statehood, Colorado was entitled to two United
States senators, one congressman, and three presidential electors. In 1890
the state was entitled to two representatives in Congress. In 1900 this had
grown to three, with the state fairly apportioned, giving the Western Slope
one representative, the southern part of the state one, and the eastern part of
the state one. The first congressman was James B. Belford, republican, for
* Transferred from Court of Appeals.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 195
the short term, Thomas M. Patterson, democrat, succeeding him for the long
term. Congressman Belford was returned to the forty-sixth, forty-seventh, and
forty-eighth congresses. George G. Symes, republican, succeeded him in the
forty-ninth and fiftieth. Hosea Townsend, republican, was elected to the fifty-
first and fifty-second congresses. In the fifty-third Congress, 1893, John C.
Bell, republican, represented the second congressional district, and Late Pence,
populist, the first. In 1895, the fifty-fourth Congress, John C. Bell and John
F. Shafroth, republicans, were the state representatives, serving together until
1903. In that year and in 1905 the state elected Robert W. Bonynge, Herschel M.
Hogg and Franklin E. Brooks, the latter at-large.
For the sixtieth Congress, 1907-9, the Colorado congressmen were George W.
Cook, at-large, Robert W. Bonynge, and Warren A. Haggott. For the sixty-first
and sixty-second congresses the delegation was Edward T. Taylor, Atterson W.
Rucker, and John A. Martin, all democrafs.
The General Assembly, 1913, divided the state into four districts:
First, the City and County of Denver.
Second: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Cheyenne, Douglas, Elbert, El Paso,
Kit Carson, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington,
Weld and Yuma.
Third : Alamosa, Baca, Clear Creek, Conejos, Costilla, Crowley, Custer, Fre-
mont, Gilpin, Huerfano, Jefferson, Kiowa, Las Animas, Mineral, Otero, Park,
Prowers, Pueblo, Rio Grande, Saguache and Teller.
Fourth : Archuleta, Chaffee, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Gunni-
son, Hinsdale, Jackson, Lake, La Plata, Mesa, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose,
Ouray, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt, San Juan, San Miguel and Summit.
At the election of 1912 Edward T. Taylor and Edward Keating were elected
at-large, George J. Kindel and H. H. Seldomridge representing the First and
Second districts. The entire delegation was democratic.
For the sixty-fourth and the present Congress the delegation is : First, B. C.
Hilliard, democrat ; Second, Charles B. Timberlake, republican ; Third, Edward
Keating, democrat ; Fourth, Edward T. Taylor, democrat.
DENVER BECOMES CAPITAL
On November 8, 1881, the people of Colorado by an overwhelming vote made
Denver the permanent capital of the state. The matter of locating the capital
was wisely left open by the men who framed the constitution. They, however,
made Denver the temporary seat of state government, stipulating that "the
General Assembly shall have no power to change or locate the seat of govern-
ment of the state, but shall at its first session subsequent to 1880 provide by law
for submitting the question" to the people of the state.
After this selection is made the constitution provides that it can be changed
only by a two-thirds vote of the electors.
And in the election which followed 30,248 votes were cast for Denver, 6,047
for Pueblo, 4,790 for Colorado Springs, 2,788 for Canon City, and 1,600 votes
scattered in the interests of many other aspirants for the honor.
196 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ERECTING THE STATE HOUSE
The effort to erect a state house began in 1867, when a commission appointed
by the Legislature secured from Henry C. Brown, of Denver, the deed to two
entire city blocks, bounded by Col fax and Fourteenth avenues and Grand and
Lincoln streets. In 1883 the capitol "Board of Directors and Supervisors" pur-
chased for $100,000 the city block bounded by Colfax, Broadway, Fourteenth
and Lincoln, thus completing the present site.
Other sites were given which later created a fund used in the construction
of the present beautiful building. But the early capitol commissions, particu-
larly that of 1867, were made up of men opposed to Denver.
In 1874 there was still a strong sentiment, particularly in the southern part
of the state, against the selection of Denver. The growth of the present capital
had been phenomenal, and it was plainly the logical site for the seat of govern-
ment. The feeling, however, was yet too strong to permit of a decision in the
constitutional convention. In 1874 a board consisting of M. Benedict, of Den-
ver, J. H. Blum, of Trinidad, and J. H. Pinkerton, of Evans, was appointed to
carry out the legislative act to erect a building on the Brown site and have it
ready for occupancy January i, 1876. The officials of the territory were now
realizing the necessity for housing the departments under one building, for at
the time they were located in widely separated office buildings of Denver. The
matter of fire-proof vaults for records, the difficulty of getting officials together
for conferences, the many delays and annoyances, were under constant consid-
eration. The board again found that it lacked funds for the work, and so awaited
the coming of statehood.
The third General Assembly, under constitutional direction, did more than
put the matter of location to a vote. It authorized a levy of one-half mill for a
permanent state building fund. When the fourth General Assembly met the
location had been voted on and the first tax fund was about to become available.
It authorized the immediate selection of "The Board of Directors and Super-
visors," with the Governor as chairman, ex officio, and Alfred Butters, George
W. Kassler, E. S. Nettleton, John L. Routt, Dennis Sullivan and W. W. Web-
ster, members, to erect a wing of the new capitol. There were at once available
$150,000 voted by the Legislature and an authorized bond issue of $300,000.
The board decided it could not "build properly" with the moneys at hand. The
fifth General Assembly voted not to exceed a million and asked for occupancy
January i, 1890.
In the competition which followed the plans adopted were those of E. E.
Myers, of Detroit. The eastern contractors failed to carry out their agree-
ment, and the construction was finally turned over to Denver men, among whom
was David Seerie, a prominent builder, who died early in 1918.
Gunnison County granite was used and added greatly to the cost.
The Board of Capitol Managers appointed in 1890 comprised the Governor,
ex officio, Benjamin F. Crowell, Charles J. Hughes, Jr., Otto Mears and John L.
Routt, with full power to erect a magnificent structure. The board finally ex-
pended about $3,400,000 on the building, which is thought by the ablest building
experts of the country to be not only one of the most beautiful, but, considering
results, one of the most economically constructed state houses in the country.
198 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The corner stone was laid by the State Grand Lodge of Masons, on July 4th,
1890, and the first offices were occupied late in 1894.
In 1897 a State Board of Capitol Managers was created under an entirely
new enactment, but its existence was limited to the time when the capital building
would be completed.
In 1917 this Board of Capitol Managers was made a permanent body.
CREATING NEW COUNTIES
The following are the counties created after the first territorial apportion-
ment :
Archuleta County was taken from the western part of Conejos County, on
April 14, 1885, its county seat being fixed at Pagosa Springs. The state honored
J. M. Archuleta, Jr., head of one of the old Spanish families, in this designation.
Baca County was created April 16, 1889, and named in honor of the Mexican
Baca family, residents of Trinidad. It was created from the eastern part of
Las Animas County. Its county seat is Springfield.
In the naming and creating of Bent County out of part of Pueblo County,
the Legislature of 1870 honored the old traders of the Santa Fe Trail. Its
county seat is at Las Animas.
Chaffee County, segregated from Lake County, was created in 1879, and
named in honor of one of Colorado's first senators. Its county seat is Buena
Vista.
On April ir, 1889, Cheyenne County was formed out of part of Elbert and
Bent counties. It was the old rendezvous of the Cheyennes. Its county seat
is Cheyenne Wells.
Delta was segregated from Gunnison, February n, 1883^ Delta, formerly
known as Uncompahgre, is the county seat.
Dolores County was taken from Ouray County, February 19, 1881. Its
county seat is Rico. It is named after its principal stream, the Rio Dolores.
Eagle County was organized February n, 1883, and was formerly part of
Summit County. Redcliff is the county seat. It is named after its principal
river.
Elbert County, named after Governor Elbert, was organized February 2,
1874, out of Douglas County. Kiowa is the county seat.
Garfield, taken from Summit County, was organized February 10, 1883. It
was named after the late President James A. Garfield. Its county seat is Glen-
wood Springs.
Grand County takes its name from the Grand River, and was organized
February 21, 1874. Hot Sulphur Springs is the county seat.
Gunnison County, named after Captain Gunnison, was segregated out of
part of Lake County, March 9, 1877. Its county seat is Gunnison.
Hinsdale County was established in 1874, when the Legislature created three
new counties out of the region known as the San Juan. Its county seat is Lake
City. The others were Rio Grande and La Plata, both named after the rivers
of the southern part of the state. George A. Hinsdale, a former lieutenant
governor, and famous as a jurist, is the sponsor for Hinsdale County. Del
Norte is the county seat of Rio Grande and Durango is La Plata's county seat.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 199
The northern part of Bent County was taken to form Kiowa County, April
ii, 1889. This was the old stamping ground of the Kiowa Indians.
Las Animas County was created out of the southeastern part of Huerfano
County, February 9, 1866. Trinidad is its county seat.
Logan County, named for Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, was created out of part
of Weld County, February 25, 1887. County seat is Sterling.
Mesa County, taking its name from the Grand Mesa, was created out of part
of Gunnison County, February 14, 1883. Its county seat is Grand Junction.
Mineral County, taken from Rio Grande, Hinsdale and Saguache counties,
was created March 27, 1897. Its county seat is Creede.
Montezuma County was created out of the western part of La Plata County,
April 1 6, 1889. Its county seat is Cortez.
Montrose County was created out of the western part of Gunnison, February
n, 1883. Its county seat is Montrose.
Morgan County, named for Col. Christopher A. Morgan, a Civil War hero,
was created out of part of Weld County, February 19, 1889. Its county seat is
Fort Morgan.
Otero County, named in honor of Miguel Otero, descended from an old
Spanish family, was taken from the western part of Bent County, March 25,
1889. Its county seat is La Junta.
Ouray County was taken from the northern part of San Juan, January 18,
1877, and is named after the famous Ute chief. Its county seat is Ouray.
Phillips County, named after a local citizen, was created out of the southern
part of Logan County, March 27, 1889. Its county seat is Holyoke.
Pitkin County, taken from the northern part of Gunnison County, February
23, 1881, is named after Governor F. W. Pitkin. Its county seat is Aspen.
Prowers County, created from the eastern part of Bent County, named after
the late John W. Prowers, a pioneer, was organized April n, 1889. Its county
seat is Lamar.
Rio Blanco County was created out of the northern part of Garfield County,
March 25, 1889. Its county seat is Meeker.
Routt County was taken from Grand County, January 29, 1877, and named
after John L. Routt, last governor of the territory, and first of the state. Its
county seat is Hahns Peak.
Saguache County was taken out of the northern part of Costilla County,
December 29, 1866. It is named after the river course and the mountain chain
within its borders. Its county seat is Saguache.
San Juan County was taken from the northern part of La Plata, January 31,
1876. It derives its name from the San Juan Range. Its county seat is Sil-
ver ton.
San Miguel County, named from its principal mountain and stream, was
created out of the western part of Ouray, February 27, 1883. Its county seat is
Telluride.
Sedgwick County, named after Gen. John Sedgwick, was taken from part of
Logan County, April 9, 1889. Its county seat is Julesburg.
Washington County was taken from Weld County, February 9, 1887. Its
county seat is Akron.
200 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Yuma County, named for the Town of Yuma, was created from the eastern
part of Washington County, March 15, 1889. Its county seat is Wray.
Adams County was created out of part of Arapahoe County, April 15, 1901,
It is named in honor of former Governor Alva Adams. Its county seat is
Brighton.
Jackson County was created out of part of Larimer County, May 5, 1909.
Its county seat is Walden.
Kit Carson County was created out of part of Elbert County, April n, 1889,
and is named after the famous frontiersman. Its county seat is Burlington.
Lincoln County was created out of part of Elbert and Bent counties, April
ii, 1889. Its county seat is Hugo.
Teller County, named in honor of the late Senator Teller, was created out
of El Paso and Fremont counties, March 23, 1899. Its county seat is Cripple
Creek.
Crowley County, named in honor of State Senator Crowley, was created
May 29, 1911, out of part of Otero and Kiowa counties. Its county seat is
Ordway.
Alamosa County was created out of parts of Conejos and Costilla counties,
March 8, 1913. Its county seat is Alamosa.
Moffat County, named in honor of David H. Moffat, was created February
28, 1911, out of part of Routt County. Its county seat is Craig.
FINANCES OF THE STATE
The State of Colorado derives its main income from the 4-mill levy, which
in 1917 was $2,509,037.89. This is now, and has been since 1913, assessed on a
full valuation. From inheritance tax the state received in 1917 $358,330.15; the
insurance department, after defraying its own expenses of operation, turned
over to the general fund $247,500. The interest on bank deposits, which range
from 2}/2 per cent for daily balances to 3 per cent on deposits, amounted in 1917
to $65,346.31. The Board of Land Commissioners turned in for 1917 the total
of $1,196,165.59. This represented the sums paid on state lands from sales,
rentals, royalties and fees allowed for transaction of business. Out of this total
part of the land board expense is paid, but the bulk of it goes for educational and
road-building purposes, under constitutional acts and original grants in the
enabling act, which have been covered in another chapter. Under an act passed
by the General Assembly in 1915, revised in 1917, the land board now has power
to make farm loans from school funds. The loaning power is carefully circum-
scribed in the legislative enactment.
The state received in 1917 from the premiums on compensation insurance,
under the state compensation insurance act of 1915, $183,683.19. This is used to
pay indemnities and death benefits under that act. The state oil inspector turned
into the state treasury in 1917, $34,817.78. This was from fees of one-tenth of a
cent per gallon of all oils used in the state. Of this sum, $27,299.67 went into the
general fund.
The state's share of the motor vehicle tax for 1917 was $134,982.46. This is
used exclusively for road-building purposes. The other half collected goes to
HISTORY OF COLORADO 201
the various counties in which it originates, and is used by them for road-building
purposes.
The fees collected by the Secretary of State for 1917, all of which goes into
the general fund, was $217,000. This includes the flat tax paid by corporations.
The corporation tax for 1918 under the act passed at the extra session of 1917
will go to pay the interest on the authorized bond issue of two and a half millions
passed at the extra session as a war emergency measure. The excess above
required interest will form a sinking fund to retire the bonds.
The coal mine inspection fund in 1917 amounted to $39,954.38. This is used
exclusively to pay expense of protection of employes and inspection of coal
mines. It is a tax of a third of i cent on the tonnage shipped. The "Brand"
department fees collected by the Board of Live Stock Commissioners in 1917
amounted to $44,628.27, used only for the up-keep of that department.
The State Game and Fish Department turned in $6.8,850.76, fees from hunt-
ing and fishing licenses. This is used exclusively for the department.
The escheat for 1917 amounted to $19,153.14. After twenty-one years this
goes to the school fund. The United States Forest Reserve turned in to the
state in 1917 $76,594.93, which is 25 per cent of the earnings of the forests in the
state. The state received from tuition fees, earnings and miscellaneous fees from
educational and penal institutions and state departments the sum of $372,059.27.
The various trust and permanent funds of the state earned in 1917 from
interest on state bonds and warrants, $118,337.06.
The military department, from rental of armories, poll tax, etc., turned into
the state treasury $106,896.48.
Including the sale of $791,500 of the war bond issue, the state received in 1917
a total of $6,639,569.26.
HOW THE CONSTITUTION HAS BEEN AMENDED
The Initiative and Referendum was submitted to the voters in November,
1910, and carried by a vote of 89,141 to 28,698. By this amendment "8 per cent
of the legal voters shall be required to propose any measure by petition." The
referendum may be ordered, "except as to laws necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health or safety," by 5 per cent of the voters
or by the General Assembly. The initiative and referendum is expressly re-
served to all cities, towns and municipalities as to all local, special and municipal
legislation. The initiative requires in these instances a 10 per cent petition, the
referendum one containing 15 per cent of the names of legal voters. This was
an amendment to Article V, Section i, of the constitution.
On November 10, 1910, by a vote of 39,245 for to 31,047 against, the people
amended Article V, Section 6, providing a payment of $1,000 to each legislator
and traveling expenses for the biennial period. This is paid at the rate of $7 per
day of service, with the balance payable at the end of the biennial period.
Article V, Section 19, was amended in November, 1884, providing "that no
bill except the general appropriation bill for the expenses of the Government,
only, which shall be introduced in either house of the General Assembly after
the first thirty — it had been twenty-five — days of the session, shall become a law.
In 1916 this was limited by amendment to fifteen days.
202 HISTORY OF COLORADO
On November 7, 1884, Article V, Section 22, was amended to read : "Every
bill shall be read at length on three different days in each house."
The "eight-hour" amendment was adopted in November, 1902, by a vote of
72,980 for and 26,266 against. It provided eight hours' labor "for persons em-
ployed in underground mines or underground workings, blast furnaces, smelters,
and any ore reduction works or other branch of industry or labor that the
General Assembly may consider injurious or dangerous to health, life or limb."
On November 7, 1882, by a vote of 32,861 for and 8,378 against, Article V,
Section 30, which fixed the salaries of the Governor and judges of the Supreme
and District courts, the latter at $4,000, the former at $5,000 each, and which
provided that "no law shall extend the term of any public officer or increase or
diminish his salary or emolument after his election or appointment" was
amended. It provided in its new form that "this shall not be construed to forbid
the General Assembly to fix the salary or emolument of those first elected or ap-
pointed under this constitution."
In November, 1908, the amendment to increase salaries of Governor and
judges of the Supreme and District courts was voted down.
Article 6, that defining the duties and powers of the judiciary, was first
amended on November 21, 1886, to read: "The judicial powers of the state as
to matters of law and equity, except as in the constitution otherwise provided,
shall be vested in a Supreme Court, justices of the peace and such other courts as
may be provided by law." It had read, "and such other courts as may be created
by law for cities and incorporated towns."
On November 5, 1912, by initiative petition, this article was again amended,
the vote being 55,416 for and 40,891 against. This is the now famous clause, giv-
ing the people the power of reviewing certain court decisions. It provides that
"None of said courts, except the Supreme Court, shall have any power to declare
or adjudicate any law of this state or any city charter or amendment thereto
adopted by the people in cities acting under Article XX (the Denver charter)
hereof as in violation of the constitution of the state or of the United States ;
provided that before such decision shall be binding it shall be subject to ap-
proval or disapproval by the people." Within sixty days 5 per cent of the voters
of the state can obtain submission of the decision to the people of the state.
On November 2, 1886, Article VI, Section 2, was amended to read: "It (the
Supreme Court) shall have power to issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, quo
warranto, certiorari, injunction and other remedial writs, etc." This had read
"other original and remedial writs."
In November, 1904, the term of judges of the Supreme Court, now seven in
number, was made ten years. The termination of the Court of Appeals was
fixed on the first Wednesday in April, 1905, and "the judges of said court whose
regular terms shall not then have expired shall become judges of the Supreme
Court. All causes pending before the Court of Appeals shall stand transferred
to and be pending in the Supreme Court." The original State Supreme Court
consisted of but three members. The Court of Appeals had been created to ex-
pedite the business of the Supreme Court. In these amendments, carried in 1904.
provision was also made for future elections of Supreme Court judges.
Article VI, Section 14, which empowered the General Assembly to create
judicial districts not oftener than once in each six years and only by a two-
MONUMENT VALLEY PARK, COLORADO SPRINGS
NORTH CHEYENNE CANON, COLORADO SPRINGS
204 HISTORY OF COLORADO
thirds vote, was amended, eliminating the words "not oftener than once in each
six years." The vote on this amendment at the election November 2, 1886,
stood: For, 14,568; against, 14,022.
An attempt to empower the General Assembly to increase the salaries of the
judges of the Supreme and District courts "to not more than $7,000 each" was
defeated by a vote of 16,095 to 20,377 m ^9°-
In 1904 the terms of district attorneys and District Court judges were fixed at
four years.
Article VI, Section 29, was amended in 1878, but no record appears save in
the action of the General Assembly. It provided for the appointment to vacancies
"on the Supreme and District benches by the Governor, in the office of district
attorneys by the judge of the district, and of all other judicial officers by the
county commissioners."
The suffrage amendment is to Article VII, Section i, and provides that "He or
she shall be a citizen of the United States (over the age of twenty-one)." This
was carried in November, 1902, by a vote of 44,769 for and 27,077 against.
An amendment to Article VII, Section 8, permitted the use of voting machines.
An amendment permitting the State University to conduct a medical depart-
ment in Denver was adopted in November, 1910, by a vote of 59,295 for, and
15,105 against.
The reorganization of the land board by constitutional amendment was effected
in November, 1910, the vote being 42,218 for, and 21,300 against. The amend-
ment created a board of three land commissioners, appointed by the Governor,
one of whom is designated as president, the second as register, and the third as
engineer. The salary is fixed at $3,000 for each, and the term of office is six
years.
The section of Article X referring to uniform taxation and exemption has
been amended three times. In 1880 a purely technical change was made. In 1892
the word "household goods" was adopted instead of "personal property," and
this proviso added : "The provisions of this section shall not affect such special
assessments for benefits and municipal improvements as the corporate authorities
of cities, towns or improvement districts may assess and collect under provisions
to be prescribed by law. This was later, 1904, eliminated.
On November 8, 1893, Article X, Section n, was adopted and reads: "The
rate of taxation on property for state purposes shall never exceed 4 mills on
each dollar of valuation."
On November 6, 1888, the effort to increase the rate to 5 mills for 1889 and
1890 was defeated by a vote of 10,102 against and 762 for.
In 1910 the outstanding unpaid warrants, covering extraordinary expenses in
strike and other emergency causes had reached the sum of $2,115,000, and by a
close vote, 40,054 for and 39,441 against, the people authorized a 6 per cent
funding bond issue. Earlier the bond issue for the state capitol building had
been voted as an amendment to this clause. But in most instances the effort to
amend this clause of the constitution for the creation of a bonded debt failed to
carry. In 1904 the effort to create a funding bond issue of $1,500,000 was de-
feated by a vote of 51,711 against and 26,334 for.
Article XI, Section 6, was amended in November, 1888, permitting counties
to create, by consent of voters, refunding bond issues.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 205
•
In November, 1902, the term of county commissioners was fixed at four
years. In counties of over 70,00x3 the board may consist of five members. In
others there must be three commissioners.
In November, 1902, Article XIV, Section 8, was amended, creating the office
of county attorney, appointive or elective, and changing the election of all
elective county officers to conform with the biennial election period for legis-
lators.
In November, 1900, Article XIV of the constitution was adopted, providing
for the method of electing delegates to a convention to revise the constitution.
By a two-thirds vote the General Assembly may submit the proposition to the
people. If carried the next Assembly arranges for the election of constitutional
convention to consist of twice the number of state senators. It also provides
for the submission of the revised constitution to the people.
Article XX provides for the consolidation of the city and county govern-
ments of Denver, and is now, with amendments, the charter under which it
operates.
The original consolidation measure was adopted in November, 1902, and was
known prior to this as the Rush bill from its author, John A. Rush.
The section known as the "Home Rule" amendment, empowering the munici-
pality to "make, amend, add to or replace the charter of said city or town" was
adopted by initiative petition November 5, 1912.
The "Recall," empowering the people, on petition of 25 per cent of .the
electors, to vote upon the question of recalling any elective public officer of the
state, is now Article XXI of the constitution. It was adopted by initiative peti-
tion, November 5, 1912. The vote was: For, 53,620; against, 39,564.
In November, 1913, Article XI, Section 8, was amended to permit cities and
towns to provide for payment of bond issues within sixty but not less than ten
years. This had been "within fifteen years." The valuation clause in the section
was changed from 3 per cent to 10 per cent.
In November, 1912, Article XIX, Section 2, was amended, compelling the
publication of all proposed constitutional amendments with the next issued session
laws and also empowering the Assembly to arrange for their more general pub-
lication. It also limited proposed amendments to the constitution to six at the
same session.
Article XXII, the prohibition amendment to the constitution, provided that
"From and after the 1st day of January, 1916, no person, association or corpora-
tion shall import into the state any intoxicating liquors ; and no person, association
or corporation shall within this state sell or keep for sale any intoxicating liquors
or offer such for sale, barter or trade." This was voted on November 3, 1914,
and adopted by a vote of 129,589 for, and 118,017 against.
In November, 1916, the voters approved Article XXIII of the constitution.
This provides that "proposed constitutional amendments and proposed initiated
and referred bills shall be published in two issues of two newspapers of opposite
political faith in each county of the state."
CHAPTER XI
THE GROWTH OF STATE DEPARTMENTS
THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION BOARD OF EQUALIZATION TURNS POWERS OVER
TO A TAX COMMISSION — THE STATE INHERITANCE TAX BOARD OF STOCK INSPEC-
TION COMMISSIONERS STATE BOARD OF HEALTH — CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION —
STATE BUREAU OF CHILD AND ANIMAL PROTECTION CHARITIES AND CORRECTION
THE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION COAL INSPECTION STATE HISTORICAL AND
NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY FISH AND GAME COMMISSION — INSURANCE — IM-
MIGRATION BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS — BANKING COMMISSION — CAPITOL
MANAGERS — STATE LAND BOARD — ENGINEER THE STATE SEAL
THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
As early as 1862 the Territorial Legislature passed an act relating to corpora-
tions, including those engaged in constructing and operating wagon and rail roads,
and in a provision of this act, which prescribed the maintenance of toll roads in
good repair, and withheld the right to collect toll and fixed a penalty if they were
not so kept, the foundation was laid for later legislation designed to secure the
proper maintenance of roadbeds of railroads and the rendering of good service
to the public.
The Constitution of the State of Colorado, adopted in 1876, gave specific
authority relating to supervision of railroads.
. In 1881 an act was passed requiring every railroad company to keep an
agent in the principal town or city along its line in this state, to adjust and settle
claims for overcharges and for all loss or damage. The penalty fixed for failure
to comply was a fine of $3,000 for each month of neglect. A further provision
of this act, prescribed the settlement by railroad companies of all claims within
sixty days after presentation.
In 1883 an act was passed providing that no railroad corporation transacting
its own express business, or express company doing business, in this state, shall
charge, demand or receive from any shipper more than double first-class freight
rates, and "All individuals, associations and corporations shall have equal rights to
have their express, freight and material transported over such railroads in this
state."
In 1885 the Legislature established a Railroad Commission, consisting of but
one member, and granted him extensive powers.
The first state railroad commissioner under this act was Henry Felker. He
as well as his successor had a difficult time starting the work of state regulation.
W. A. Hamil, in his report dated December 31, 1892, when it was known that the
Legislature would repeal the act creating a commission, said :
206
HISTORY OF COLORADO 207
"True it is, that during the last five sessions of our Legislature, the members
of both House and Senate have been besieged by some of their constituents to
refrain from passing any railroad legislation; but when these protests are ana-
lyzed, and the names become known of the signers thereto, it is at once seen
that they are persons who either act from purely selfish and personal motives,
many of them being large receivers and shippers of freight, who have received
from the different railroad corporations large sums of money in the way of re-
bates, others being the attorneys of the several corporations within the State."
Governor Buchtel appointed Frederick J. Chamberlin, Halsted L. Ritter and
Bulkeley Wells the first commissioners under the act of March, 1907. The
exemption of a few roads with small mileage gave an opportunity for legal entan-
glements. The Supreme Court finally declared the act constitutional. But, on
August 12, 1914, under a new act the state railroad commission was merged
into "The Public Utilities Commission/' with effective supervision over rate and
service of all utilities, including municipally-owned or operated utilities. The first
commission under this act was composed of A. P. Anderson, Sheridan L. Ken-
dall and George T. Bradley. It is now composed of George T. Bradley, Leroy
J. Williams and A. P. Anderson.
STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
There have been several amendments to the article creating the state board
of equalization, whose powers at first were limited, and to a large extent advisory
to county boards. The board consists of the governor, auditor, treasurer, at-
torney general and superintendent of public instruction, and until 1912 its fre-
quent sessions interfered seriously with the conduct of departmental business.
On May 20, 1912, a tax commission, created by the Legislature, assumed the
statutory power of the board of equalization, the latter retaining only general
supervision and the constitutional power of final adjudication. The new law gave
the tax commission general supervision over the county assessors and of the tax
system generally. The Legislature of 1913 placed the assessment of local public
utilities in the hands of the tax commission. The most notable result was the
equalization of the state at full cash value. The equalization of 1913 was
brought about by the addition of $186,551,658 to the valuations as returned by
the local assessors. This was sustained by the Supreme Court. The first tax
commission consisted of J. Frank Adams, John B. Phillips and Celsus P. Link.
The tax commission in 1918 is as follows: Celsus P. Link, Edward B. Mor-
gan, and Charles S. Glascoe. S. E. Tucker is secretary.
THE STATE INHERITANCE TAX
The law creating a revenue from an inheritance tax was passed in 1902, and
amended in 1909. The work of appraising is done through the office of the attor-
ney general, who appoints one inheritance tax appraiser for each of three dis-
tricts. The law provides a graduated tax, which has since its inception amounted
to $3,078,289.48. The record by years is as follows :
208 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Inheritance tax collections for 1902 $ 539-77
Inheritance tax collections for 1903 3,435.18
Inheritance tax collections for 1904 8,486.02
Inheritance tax collections for 1905 46,189.08
Inheritance tax collections for 1^06 51,103.72
Inheritance tax collections for 1907-1908 438,135.68
Inheritance tax collections for 1909 91,249.85
Inheritance tax collections for 1910 133,1 16.04
Inheritance tax collections for 191 1 228,476.85
Inheritance tax collections for 1912 184,701.06
Inheritance tax collections for 1913 141,874.47
Inheritance tax collections for 1914 323,188.55
Inheritance tax collections for 1915 295,479,47
Inheritance tax collections for 1916 773.983-55
Inheritance tax collections for 1917 358,330.19
$3,078,289.48
THE BOARD OF STOCK INSPECTION COMMISSIONERS
Every General Assembly since the beginning of statehood, as well as nearly
all of the Territorial legislatures, had framed laws upon the subjects of stock
inspection and protection. Laws relating to stock generally were passed in 1861,
1862, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1868, 1870, 1872, 1874, 1876, and 1877, and the first effort
at a comprehensive system of round-up districts was passed in 1879. ^n X88i
this was again changed. By 1908 it was found necessary to revise all legislation
on this subject, and twenty-eight districts were defined. All laws with reference
to round-up districts, obsolete by this time, were repealed in April, 1915.
The laws relating to the state board passed in 1881, 1883 and 1885 were
revised in 1903 by the passage of the law creating the Board of Stock Inspection
Commissioners, whose powers have been greatly extended by each successive
General Assembly. To-day the entire regulation of the live stock industry, the
right to establish quarantine, the brand department, the control of abandoned
stock, regulation of freight shipments, etc., etc., is in the hands of this board.
The board in 1918 consists of the following: A. E. de Ricqles, Denver; M.
J. McMillin, Carlton; W. T. Stevens, Gunnison ; A. E. Headlee, Hooper; Sam
Gamm, Ramah; Coke Roberds, Hayden; Harry J. Capps, La Veta; R. C. Callen.
Silt ; W. C. Harris, Sterling ; E. E. McCrillis, Denver, secretary.
THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
The subject of public health, one of the most important matters in the scope of
the men who made laws, was the subject of continuous legislation. In the terri-
torial days much was left to local officers, but in 1876 the first general law per-
taining to the public health was passed by the Legislature. The General Assembly,
in 1877, 1878 and 1883, created public health officials and made futile efforts at
legislation.
In 1893 the first carefully framed law creating a state board of health and
HISTORY OF COLORADO 209
defining its duties was placed on the statute books. From that period on the
public health has been practically in the hands of the well organized State Medical
and County Medical societies of the state, whose representatives are on the State
Board of Health.
From year to year the jurisdiction has extended until now it supervises all
maternity hospitals, licenses embalmers, inspects foods and drugs, gathers vital
statistics, prosecutes for adulteration, distributes anti-toxin, has power to establish
quarantine, controls local boards.
The State Board of Health on January i, 1918, consisted of Dr. L. G. Crosby,
president ; Drs. E. E. Kennedy, A. W. Scott, C. A. Bundsen, A. C. McCain, C. G.
Hecker, W. H. Sharpley, F. R. Coffman, C. O. Booth, S. R. McKelvey and John
J. Connor.
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
The General Assembly passed its first civil service act in 1907, amending it in
1908, and in 1913. While drastic in its provisions, the litigation over its classifi-
cations and decisions continued during the first five years of its existence. In 1915
the law was repealed, and an entirely new act passed, which appears to correct
mistakes of the previous law. The commission is composed of W. W. Grant, Jr.,
Anna Wolcott Vaile, Lawrence Lewis and Eleanor F. Young, secretary.
STATE BUREAU OF CHILD AND ANIMAL PROTECTION
The State Bureau of Child and Animal Protection is the successor of the
Colorado Humane Society. It was incorporated in 1881 to obtain for children
and dumb animals the protection which they could not procure for themselves.
For twenty years, from 1881 to 1901, the society existed as a private corporation,
whose jurisdiction covered the state with local officers in various districts. In
1901, by act of the Legislature, the Colorado Humane Society was constituted the
State Bureau of Child and Animal Protection. With the exception of the Juve-
nile Court laws relating to delinquent children, all laws for the protection of chil-
dren and dumb animals were passed at the suggestion of the State Bureau of
Child and Animal Protection. Its secretary throughout its notable career has
been E. K. Whitehead. The president of the board is E. A. Colburn. Its other
members are Frank S. Byers, Frank N. Briggs, Mrs. Elizabeth Cass Goddard, and
William Smedley.
STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTION
The State Board of Charities and Correction was created by the General
Assembly in 1891, and its first president was Myron W. Reed. The other mem-
bers were W. F. Slocum, J. C. Hay, J. S. Appel, B. F. Johnson and 'Dennis
Sheedy. At that time there were in existence the Colorado State Penitentiary, at
Canon City ; the State Industrial School for Boys, at Golden ; the Colorado State
Reformatory, at Buena Vista ; the State Home and Industrial School for Girls, at
Denver; the State Insane Asylum, at Pueblo; the Mute and Blind Institute, at
Colorado Springs, and the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, at Monte Vista.
210 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The new board was given supervision of these institutions, and was also the
State Board of Pardons, but its duties as such were purely advisory. In 1895,
at the urgent request of the members, the act creating a distinct Board of Pardons,
consisting of four, was passed, thus segregating the work. But the secretary of
the Board of Charities and Correction remains secretary of the new Board of
Pardons.
In 1895 it was enabled to secure the passage of an act creating a Home for
Dependent Children, largely through the efforts of its president, J. Warner Mills.
During the presidency of Mrs. Sarah Platt Decker the indeterminate sentence
and parole law, advocated for many years, was enacted and became effective in
August, 1899.
In 1901 the General Assembly passed an act providing for annual reports to
the board of all private charities in the state, and the licensing by the board of
all such institutions.
In 1899 Colorado enacted its first juvenile law, providing that "children under
sixteen who are vicious, incorrigible or immoral in conduct, or habitual truants
from school, or who habitually wander about the streets and public places during
school hours or in the night time, having no employment or lawful occupation,
shall be deemed disorderly persons, subject to the provisions of the act." •
The earliest Juvenile Court laws of Colorado were enacted in 1903. These
created the court, giving original jurisdiction to county courts in all criminal
cases against minors, and provided for the punishment of persons contributing to
the delinquency of children. This last-named provision was the first of its kind
to be put upon the statutes of any state in the Union.
Since 1903 these laws have been amplified and made more effective by neces-
sary amendment. In 1909 the act penalizing persons responsible for juvenile de-
linquency or for neglect was passed.
The creation of these courts was largely the work of the State Board of
Charities and Correction. The appointment of probation officers by the court
under the law was in fact at this time made subject to the approval of the State
Board of Charities and Correction.
Its work has increased greatly with the growth of the state, and the creation
of many private, municipal and county institutions, which it inspects, licenses and
reports upon.
The members of the board January i, 1918, were: Mrs. James Williams,
president ; Owen F. Beckwith, Dr. Elizabeth Cassidy, Mrs. Sarah J. Walling, Rev.
Dr. W. S. Friedman, Rev. William O'Ryan.
Among the state institutions which have been founded since the creation of
the board are the State Home for Dependent and Neglected Children, the Indus-
trial Workshop for the Adult Blind, and the State Home and Training School
for Mental Defectives.
The State Board of Pardons in 1918 consists of the governor, ex-officio, Allan
F. Wright, C. J. Morley, Mrs. Martha J. Cranmer, Harry C. Riddle.
STATE BOARD OF CORRECTION
The General Assembly, in 1915, abolished the district boards of control which
had been known respectively as the State Board of Lunacy Commissioners and the
VIEW OF THE INTERIOR OF A NOTED GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENT
IN PIONEER DENVER
(Reproduced from a photographic enlargement of a wood engraving published in Harper's
Weekly, New York, March 10, 1866.)
AN INCIDENT IN THE CHINESE RIOT IN DENVER ON OCTOBER 30, 1880— THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT DISPERSING A MOB AT THE INTERSECTION
OF SIXTEENTH AND WAZEE STREETS
212 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Board of Penitentiary Commissioners, and created a State Board of Correction,
which now has direct charge of the Colorado Insane Asylum, at Pueblo, the State
Penitentiary, at Canon City, and the Colorado State Reformatory, at Buena Vista.
The appointive members are Frank D. Hoag, of Pueblo, Bulkeley Wells of Tel-
luride, and Helen L. Grenfell, of Denver. The chief officers of the institutions
are ex-officio members.
THE STATE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
In 1915 the General Assembly created an Industrial Commission, with powers
"to inquire into and supervise the enforcement, as far as respects relations be-
tween employer and employe, of the laws relating to child labor, laundries, stores,
factory inspection, employment of females, employment offices and bureaus,
mining, both coal and metalliferous, fire escapes and means of egress from places
of employment, and all other laws protecting the life, health and safety of em-
ployes in employments and places of employment."
In 1917 the Workmen's Compensation law was passed, mapped to a large
extent on the most advanced legislation of eastern states on this subject, and its
enforcement was entrusted to the Industrial Commission
In 1913 a temporary state wage board had been created for the purpose of
investigating wages and conditions of labor in the state. W. H. Kistler was ap-
pointed chairman, and Mrs. Catherine Van Deusen, secretary. This went out of
existence in 1915. At that session a permanent State Wage Board act was passed
by the General Assembly, but vetoed by the governor as in his opinion "the act
creating the Industrial Commission practically duplicated this work."
The new act empowers the Industrial Commission "to investigate and ascer-
tain the conditions of labor surrounding said women and minors, also the wages
of women and minors in the different occupations in which they are employed,
whether paid by time rate or piece rate."
The commission can then, either directly or by the appointment of a wage
board, consisting of employer, employe and disinterested parties, fix a "minimum
living" wage.
The Industrial Commission, as well as the Minimum Wage Commission, con-
sists of Hiram E. Hilts, chairman, George W. Densmore and Joseph C. Bell.
The secretary of the former is Walter E. Schwed ; that of the Minimum Wage
Commission is Gertrude A. Lee.
The Industrial Commission also has general supervision over the operation of
what is known as the "Mothers' Compensation Act." This was approved April
2, 1907, and was made effective by a referendum vote January 22, 1913. It
empowers "county commissioners or like officials in cities working under Article
XX (Denver)" to create a fund for the care of neglected or dependent children,
which is to be paid to parent or parents. In many cases, notably Denver, such
funds have been regularly created.
INSPECTION OF COAL MINES
The first specific law enacted to provide for the health and safety of those
employed in and about the coal mines and the protection of property was in
HISTORY OF COLORADO 213
1883, and as a result of the enactment of this law, Gov. James B. Grant appointed
John McNeil the first State Inspector of Coal Mines. He was allowed one deputy
inspector. This law was slightly amended several times, until in 1913 it was
found to be wholly inadequate, for the industry had grown by leaps and bounds.
In 1883 the production was 1,220,593 tons, and in 1910 it was 12,104,887 tons
and the field force had been increased from one to three deputy inspectors. But
as none of the few provisions that applied to safeguarding could be put into effect
because the law was not supported by any police authority, the department was
hopelessly handicapped, and there was a general dissatisfaction among the oper-
ators and mine workers.
In the winter of 1913, the present State Inspector of Coal Mines, James Dal-
rymple, with a member of the United Mine Workers of America, John R. Law-
son, drafted a new law, which was presented for enactment to the nineteenth
General Assembly then in session. The Senate, before which body the bill came
up, referred it to a mining committee, which in turn appointed a sub-committee,
composed of Messrs. James Dalrymple; E. H. Weitzel, manager of the fuel de-
partment of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company; George T. Peart, general
superintendent of the Rocky Mountain Fuel Company ; John R. Lawson, repre-
sentative of the United Mine Workers of America; and Senator John Pearson,
who was chairman of the committee. These gentlemen revised and amended the
bill to the satisfaction of all the members of the sub-committee, who advised that
the Assembly pass the bill as amended. It received the unanimous approval of
both House and Senate.
Under the present law coal mining has become a positive science, requiring
careful training on the part of both the operators and mine workers. The chief
and the five deputy inspectors are required to qualify by a rigid and competitive
examination showing both practical experience and theoretical knowledge. Mine
workers acting as mine officials take competitive examinations showing fitness to
serve as first-class mine foremen, or second-class mine foremen, or assistants to
such, or as fire bosses. Even the men who fire the shots after the miners have
prepared the coal take a shotfirer's examination. The consequence is that only
certified men now hold official positions in the coal mines.
STATE HISTORICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
The State Historical and Natural History Society was organized February 10,
1879, by a coterie of professional and business men, who felt that much informa-
tion then available concerning the old records of the territory and the history of
early explorations could be saved to posterity by such an organization. This first
meeting was held in the office of Joseph C. Shattuck, then state superintendent of
public instruction. In July, 1879, tne articles of incorporation were filed with
this splendid list of citizens as sponsors : J. F. Frueauff, William Halley, F. J.
Bancroft, Wilbur F. Stone, Richard Sopris, William D. Todd, Roger W. Wood-
bury, Fred J. Stanton, John Evans, Fred Z. Salomon, R. G. Buckingham, H. A.
Lemen, William N. Byers, R. E. Whitsitt, Paul H. Hanus, Williani E. Pabor,
J. Harrison Mills, Scott J. Anthony, B. F. Zalinger, Edward A. Stimson, Joseph
S. Shattuck, Edwin J. Carver, A. Stedman, W. B. Vickers, H. K. Steele, N. A.
Baker, William F. Bennecke, Aaron Gove, S. T. Arensburg.
214: HISTORY OF COLORADO
The first board of directors consisted of Richard Sopris, John Evans, William
N. Byers, Roger W. Woodbury, F. J. Bancroft, H. K. Steele, Aaron Gove,
William D. Todd and William E. Pabor.
On February 13, 1879, the General Assembly had passed an act donating
$500 and "the use of the supreme court or state library room * * * when-
ever there shall be organized within the state, a State Historical and Natural His-
tory Society."
With Doctor Bancroft as its first president, and Dr. H. K. Steele, Aaron
Gove and W. E. Pabor as joint curators, real progress was made particularly in
the beginnings of what is now the State Museum. In 1886 this was placed on
exhibition in the upper floor of the Chamber of Commerce building, corner of
Fourteenth and Arapahoe streets, and remained there until installed on the lower
floor of the State House.
This grew to such proportions that in 1909 the General Assembly passed
an act providing for a State Museum building, which was finally completed, at
a. total cost of $487,000, in 1915. It is located directly south .of the State House.
In this the Historical Society occupies the east side of the basement for its news-
paper files, these dating back to April 23, 1859, when the Rocky Mountain News
was founded. The entire main floor is filled with one of the finest ethnological
collections of its kind in the country. It is remarkable for the variety of speci-
mens covering prehistoric periods in Colorado.
Nothing equal to its collection of cliff dwellers' utensils is found anywhere
else in the United States. The collection covers with much thoroughness pic-
tures of pioneers and pioneering establishments all over the territory. Its collec-
tion of books on early and later history of various periods in the development of
this western country has been greatly enhanced by such additions as those in the
gift of Edward B. Morgan. The society also is custodian of the Dean Collection
of Civil War and other war relics.
In 1915 the General Assembly by enactment declared it to be "one of the
educational institutions of the state." The appropriation for the work of the
society has never, however, been in any way commensurate with its needs.
Its officers and directors are: L. G. Carpenter, president; Wm. N. Beggs,
vice president ; Ellsworth Bethel, vice president ; John Parsons, secretary ; A. J.
Flynn, treasurer; George L. Cannon, E. A. Kenyon, H. C. Parmelee, Hugh R.
Steele.
Jerome R. Smiley, the historian, is custodian.
THE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT
In 1883 the state passed the law creating the office of Insurance Commis-
sioner, making it part of the auditor's office. The first commissioner under this
act was John C. Abbott. There were then operating in the state thirteen life,
three accident, fifty-four domestic fire and marine and twenty-six foreign fire
and marine insurance companies. The total fire risks written in 1882 in Colorado
amounted to $22,178,195.30. The department was segregated and made a dis-
tinct part of the state government in 1907. According to the last report the
total fire risks written in 1916 were $330,612,720. All insurance companies
HISTORY OF COLORADO 215
operate in the state under a license from the department, and must file annual
reports. At present the insurance commissioner is Claude W. Fairchild.
In 1882 the amount carried in the shape of old line life policies in Colorado
was $5,538,751. In 1916 there was in force in the form of old line life poli-
cies $217,273,539.
Fraternal organizations also report to the department; and on January i,
1917, there was in force in Colorado in life insurance of all classes, $369,000,000.
There were in 1917 operating in Colorado, 51 life companies, 178 fire com-
panies, 69 casualty companies, and 61 fraternal societies.
STATE BOARD OF IMMIGRATION
The State Board of Immigration was first established in 1872, and was lim-
ited to the publication of statistics covering production and acreage of land avail-
able for homestead entry or outright purchase from the state, railroad companies
or private individuals. It was in existence only two years.
In 1909 the General Assembly again created the State Board of Immigra-
tion, and its first members were : Alva Adams, of Pueblo, D. T. Dodge, of Den-
ver, J. F. Mahoney, of Grand Junction, and the governor, ex-officio. This board
began active work early in 1910, and for two successive years exhibited the
products of the state at the land shows in Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York, Colum-
bus, Ohio, and Omaha. It also assisted in the now famous "Western Governors"
tour of the East, in which the products of all the states were exhibited in specially
designed cars. All the Colorado exhibits were in charge of Alfred Patek, Com-
missioner of Immigration.
For some years the department was without funds, but was recreated in
1916, and is now amply supplied with money, and is furnishing information con-
cerning state lands, products, resources, etc., to prospective settlers and investors.
The present commissioner is Edward D. Foster, of Greeley. The members of
the board are Thomas B. Stearns, of Denver, H. E. Wallace, of Boulder, L. Wirt
Markham, of Lamar, and the governor, ex-officio.
BUREAU OF TLABOR STATISTICS
The Bureau of Labor Statistics was first created in 1887, the commissioner
to be an appointee of and under the secretary of state. It was given the task
of compiling statistics covering agriculture, mining, manufacturing, transporta-
tion, labor and kindred matters. Gradually much of this work was transferred
to various bureaus, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics became in fact a Bureau
of Labor. The first commissioner under the law was C. J. Driscoll.
Factory inspection is perhaps the most important of the added duties. This
was created in 1909, and in 1910 was amended, eliminating the fee system. There
are now four factory inspectors, one of whom is a woman.
The free employment offices, of which there are four, two in Denver, one in
Pueblo, and one in Colorado Springs, were created in 1907. A superintendent
is in charge of each office, with an assistant, who is a woman. During the fruit
season a free employment office is opened at Grand Junction, which is in opera-
tion four months of each year.
216 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The collection of wage claims has been a continuously growing branch of
the department. In 1917 over $25,000 in disputed claims was collected for
wage earners of Colorado. This branch now takes up fully half of the time of
the office force at Denver.
The department works in conjunction with the schools of the state in enforc-
ing the child labor laws. Under these laws no child under fourteen is allowed
to work at any gainful occupation while schools are in session. Children between
fourteen and sixteen must have a permit to work from the school authorities.
No child under sixteen is permitted to work at any dangerous occupation. The
hour limit for working children in all cases is eight hours. No night work is
allowed.
The enforcement of the woman's eight hour law, which was enacted in 1912,
as an initiated measure, is under this department. This limits the employment
of women to eight hours in a calendar day in mercantile, mechanical or manu-
facturing establishments, hotels, restaurants or laundries. This law does not
apply to domestic or farm service.
The department also has the enforcement of the eight hour law applying to
underground mines and work in mills, smelters, reduction plants, etc.
The department also has supervision over all private employment offices in
the state working under a license from the bureau. The statute defines in detail
the manner in which they must conduct their business. This is perhaps one of
the most important branches of the department, as it gives complete protection
to the laborer who now has dealings with a licensed private employment agency.
Mediation of labor disputes, formerly in the Labor Bureau, is now the work
of the State Industrial Commission.
The Federal Bureau of Labor has notified the State of Colorado that a com-
pliance with the state law covering employment of children will be considered
as a compliance with the Federal law on this subject. The state law preceded
the Federal enactment by six years.
The present commissioner is W. L. Morrissey. The statistician is C. J.
Moorhouse.
STATE BANK COMMISSIONER
Until 1907 the regulation of banking by the state was confined to statutes
requiring reports to the secretary of state and to county officials. In that year
the General Assembly created the office of State Bank Commissioner, and the
first official under the act was Henry M. Beatty. In 1909, the date of his first
report, there were in the state seventy-three state banks, forty-six private banks,
eleven trust companies, ten savings banks, and three banks in the hands of re-
ceivers.
A compilation of all laws relating to banking was sent with report blanks
to every bank coming under the jurisdiction of the state bank commissioner.
Supervision followed, examinations being compulsory twice each year. The
banking laws of the state were further revised and made drastic in their opera-
tions by the General Assembly in 1913, and the powers of the state commissioner
were greatly extended.
218 HISTORY OF COLORADO
STATE BUREAU OF MINES
The State Bureau of Mines, created by the General Assembly in 1895, was
in fact a segregation of the mining department from that of the state geologist,
an office first created by the Territorial Legislature in 1872. Until 1895 the re-
port of the state geologist covered the work now done by the State Bureau of
Mines. In 1899 the powers of the bureau were extended, and the appointment
of additional inspectors was authorized. Numerous changes were made in the
law in 1903 and in 1913. The first Commissioner of Mines was Harry A. Lee.
The present commissioner is Fred Carroll.
STATE BOARD OF CAPITOL MANAGERS
The State Board of Capitol Managers was the final evolution in the various
steps leading to actual supervision and work upon the new capitol building, de-
tailed in full in the History of the State House.
In the act of 1897 the "State Board," to succeed the "Board of Capitol Man-
agers," was expressly named : John L. Routt, Otto Mears, C. J. Hughes, and John
A. Cooper, with the governor a member ex officio. The board under the act
was "to continue until the entire completion and furnishing of said capitol build-
ing, and shall announce by proper proclamation the same as accepted by and
through the said board on behalf of the state, and thereafter the said board shall
cease to exist."
The board continued in office under this provision notwithstanding the efforts
made repeatedly to annul it, and finally in 1917 the General Assembly made it a
permanent body with supervision of the state house, the state museum, and the
property purchased for the adjutant general's department north of the state
house, at Sherman and Col fax avenues. The board now, January, 1918, con-
sists of the governor, ex officio, Otto Mears, one of the original members, James
Williams, Hiram E. Hilts, and Marshall B. Smith.
THE STATE LAND BOARD
On April 2, 1877, the State Board of Land Commissioners held its first meet-
ing under the constitutional provision creating it.
The new state in the enabling act had been given 32,000 acres for the erection
of public buildings, 32,000 acres for the creation and maintenance of a peniten-
tiary, 46,080 acres for a state university, and sections sixteen and thirty-six or lieu
lands in each township for school purposes. This amounted to 3,715,555 acres.
In addition to this under the act of 1841 the state was granted "for purposes of
internal improvement so much public land as, including the quantity that was
granted to such state before its admission and while under territorial govern-
ment, will make 500,000 acres." The enabling act furthermore allowed the state
5 per cent from the sale of all agricultural public lands, except those disposed of
under homestead laws. This was to go to the fund for internal improvements.
Later Congress gave the state 90,000 acres for the agricultural college.
The state land board consisted of the governor, superintendent of public
instruction, secretary of state and attorney general. On April 2, 1877, the board
HISTORY OF COLORADO . 219
organized by the election of the governor as chairman, and the secretary of state
as secretary. William M. Clark, the first secretary of state, thus became the first
secretary of the State Land Board. Oh February 12, 1879, the board elected Rob-
ert G. Howell secretary, who then practically assumed the duties afterwards per-
formed by the register. The General Assembly, in 1887, in a revision of the land
laws, created the office of register, who was elected by the State Land Board.
The first register was A. Sagendorf, appointed at the meeting of March 22, 1887.
In 1909 the constitution was amended providing for a State Board of Land
Commissioners, appointed by the governor, one of whom is called the register,
one is president, and one is engineer. The term is for six years.
The state lands cannot be sold at less than $3.00 per acre, but the average
price has been far beyond that.
RECEIPTS OF STATE BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS AS PAID TO STATE TREASURER
DURING THE FOLLOWING BIENNIAL PERIODS
1877-1878 $ 44,000.00
1879-1880 1 12,000.00
l88l-l882 112,184.09
1883-1884 239,508.89
1885-1886 291,251.99
1887-1888 642,044.87
I889-I8QO 758,37776
1891-1892 479,70574
1893-1894 255,757.28
1895-1896 231,561.96
1897-1898 238,008.60
1899-1900 355,305-97
1901-1902 372>372-79
1903-1904 574,176.04
1905-1906 684,683.62
1907-1908 825,901.67
1909-1910 1,294,064.08
191 1-1912 : 1,596,428.96
1913-1914 1,364,763.66
1915-1916 1,788,430.54
LAND SALES SHOWING ACREAGE AND AVERAGE PRICE PER ACRE OBTAINED DURING THE
FOLLOWING BIENNIAL PERIODS
Acres Average price
1885-1886 12,83^.00
1887-1888 67,738.00 $ 7.80
1889-1890 78,464.00 7.85
1891-1892 28,320.00
1893-1894 9,621.00
1895-1896 41,980.00 4-57
1897-1898 12,148.00 I4-71
220 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Acres Average price
1899-1900 3>i30-0o $ 4.35
1901-1902 10,329.00 6.25
1903-1904 11,120.00 6.25
1905-1906 29,926.00 6.90
1907-1908 60,356.25 8.31
1909-1910 287,340.63 11.59
1911-1912 79>639-33 10.38
1913-1914 9I>2I5-57 7-35
1915-1916 134,218.87 10.27
STATE ENGINEER
With the first appropriation of streams for irrigation purposes came the need
of state regulation. In the "Decree Book" in the office of State Engineer, the
Brantner Ditch, appropriating 29.77 cubic feet per second from the South Platte
near Brighton, was dated April i, 1860. There was a small appropriation of the
waters of Clear Creek in February, 1860. The first decrees in the Arkansas River
Valley were taken out during the same year. Regulation under territorial legis-
lation was at first confined to county officials, with appeals to the courts; the
amount of water decreed to or claimed by the several early ditches and canals
being filed with the county and district court clerks. In 1879 the office of Water
Commissioner was created. This was appointive by the governor, and the duties
were "to divide the waters of the public streams in times of scarcity among the
several ditches and canals, according to prior rights of each. In such districts
as have had their rights adjusted by the courts, he has, under the law, but little
discretion of his own in the matter of dividing water."
Under the act of 1881 three water divisions, the South Platte, the Arkansas,
and the Rio Grande, were created. These were increased from time to time,
and on March 5, 1881, the General Assembly created the office of State Engineer,
"to be appointed by the governor for a two-year term." The principal task was
the making of "careful measurements and calculations of the maximum and mini-
mum flow in cubic feet per second of water in each stream from which water
shall be drawn for irrigation." The first state engineer appointed under this act
was Eugene K. Stimson, who could do little owing to lack of funds. Under his
immediate successor, E. S. Nettleton, the office was thoroughly organized and
the first records made.
In 1889 the General Assembly created the office of State Engineer as it exists
at present, giving this official general supervision over the public waters of the
state, the right to inspect and approve or disapprove designs and plans for the
construction of all dams and reservoirs, embankments which equal or exceed ten
feet in height, giving, him general charge of division water superintendents and
district water commissioners. There are now five division engineers and seventy
district commissioners. The laws governing the engineering work of the state
were revised in 1903, 1909, 1911, 1913, 1915 and 1917, but only in what may be
termed minor details. The matter of fees was regulated by amendment in 1911.
In 1911 the office of superintendent of irrigation was abolished and the governor
was empowered to appoint five irrigation division engineers. The boundarie; of
the water districts are fixed by legislative enactment. At present, 1918, the state
HISTORY OF COLORADO 221
engineer is Addison J. McCune ; deputy, John R. Wortham ; division engineers :
F. Cogswell, Denver; E. R. Chew, Pueblo; D. A. Norton, Alamosa; H. C. Getty,
Montrose; A. J. Dickson, Glenwood Springs.
STATE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
At! the extraordinary session in 1917 the General Assembly created a State
Department of Safety, appropriating for its establishment during the biennial
period the sum of $650,000 out of "Defense Fund, National Defense Bonds,
Series 1917." The first superintendent under this act is Frank Adams, former
police commissioner of the City of Denver, who in 1918 is organizing the vari-
ous companies under the act.
Enlisted men are paid $720 a year, together with board, lodging and equip-
ment. Officers are paid as follows: Captain, $1,500 per year; lieutenants, $1,200
per year; sergeants, $1,000; corporals, $000 per year.
STATE GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
The territorial government was early made aware of the great need of pre-
serving the game of the state. By 1870 the buffalo had been pretty nearly ex-
terminated, a few herds still finding shelter in the mountains. But the plains had
been cleared. Deer and elk were, however, plentiful, and the sportsmen of that
day relate that it was not unusual to find whole carcasses fed to hogs.
The streams of the state were thick with trout, the big streams west or north-
west of Denver, such as the Larimer, the Poudre, the North Platte, contained
both trout and pickerel. There was no restriction, and the hunter took all the
license his needs or pleasure prompted him to take.
Gordon Land was the first state fish commissioner, later taking also the title
of game and fish commissioner. But the protective laws were few and not care-
fully compiled. In 1899 D. C. Beaman revised the game and fish laws of the
state, and the department was then able to show real growth.
The open season on mountain sheep was closed twenty-nine years ago, the
first determined effort to save the game of the country. Large numbers of tour-
ists visit Ouray annually, attracted by the bands of mountain sheep cared for
and fed by the citizens of Ouray. Pitkin, Garfield, Clear Creek, Teller, Grand,
Chaffee and Fremont counties all report bands of mountain sheep.
The open season for elk was closed seventeen years ago, and today there are
large bands in Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Grand counties. There are now
(1918) nearly four thousand elk in the state.
The open season for deer was not closed until 1913, and the bands of deer
are gradually increasing, the largest being in Garfield and Rio Blanco counties.
In 1911 between seven hundred and eight hundred were killed. In 1912 not over
four hundred were killed. This brought the state to a sudden realization of the
need for protection of its game.
While there has been no open season for antelope since 1903, it is a difficult
matter to protect this animal, as the peopling of the plains is fast clearing them
out from their prairie habitat ; but even this year, 1918, small bands of antelope
222 HISTORY OF COLORADO
may be found eating with cattle through Adams, Arapahoe and Lincoln counties.
In Chico Basin and around Byers the herds number from fifty to a hundred.
The department has spent a great deal of money in stocking the state with
various kinds of game birds, such as the Mongolian and ring-neck pheasant, the
crested quail, bob-white quail, and Hungarian partridges. Senator E. O. Wolcott
was one of the first to bring the Mongolian pheasant to Colorado, stocking his
place at Wolhurst with this beautiful bird. W. F. Kendrick followed by' turn-
ing many thousands of pheasants into the state. While there is no open season
for the game, permits to kill are given where the pheasants become too plentiful
and are doing damage to crops. The scaly-breast quail, the old Tennessee breed,
known better as Bob White, and the crested quail, also known as Gambel's part-
ridge, are all protected under the law, and there is no open season in the state for
these birds. They are particularly thick along the Arkansas River and on the
mesas back of Canon City and in Garfield and Mesa counties.
The hunting proclivities of the Indians are now kept fairly well in check, the
Government at Washington cooperating in the matter with the Colorado authori-
ties.
The beaver is again growing plentiful, and the state protection is proving ef-
fective, as it has the cooperation of stockmen everywhere.
Under the state law hunting for bear is now licensed by the department, but
both bear and mountain lions are rapidly thinning out.
The efforts of the department are confined to the culture, propagation and
distribution of three species of fish, namely : the Rainbow trout, the Native, or
"Black-Spotted" trout, and the Eastern Brook, or "Red Speckled" trout. The
Rainbow spawns first — early in the spring. These eggs are taken in large quan-
tities from the adult fish in Electra, Emerald and the Grand Mesa lakes. The
natives follow, also in the spring, and thus far it has been possible to secure satis-
factory quantities of native eggs at Trappers, Marvine, Cotton wood, Grand Mesa
and Emerald lakes. The brook trout spawn in the fall, thus giving two hatches
annually. These eggs are secured at Grand Mesa, Electra and Columbine lakes.
The lakes operated for spawn are as follows : Trappers Lake, in Rio Blanco
County ; Marvine Lake, in Rio Blanco County ; Cottonwood lakes, in Mesa County ;
Grand Mesa lakes, in Delta County ; Columbine Lake, in Grand County ; Electra
Lake, in San Juan County ; and Emerald Lake, in Hinsdale County.
Trappers, Marvine and Emerald lakes have recently been taken over by the
department, which is now in absolute control under long time agreements with
the Department of Agriculture. Cottonwood, Grand Mesa, Columbine and Electra
lakes are privately owned, and are operated by this department under contracts
with those in control.
A total of twenty-one hatcheries, with a combined capacity aggregating 20,-
000,000 eggs, were operated during the last biennial period. During the summer
months the entire twenty-one are in operation ; however, satisfactory hatches can
be made in but eleven of these hatcheries during the winter months. These
hatcheries, together with their locations, are as follows :
Owned by the State of Colorado:
Denver Hatchery, six miles north of the city limits, on the Brighton Road.
Glenwood Hatchery, Glenwood Springs.
Buena Vista Hatchery, Buena Vista.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 223
Del Norte Hatchery, Del Norte.
La Plata Hatchery, Durango.
Routt County Hatchery, Steamboat Springs.
Privately owned, leased and operated by this department:
Pitkin Hatchery, Pitkin.
Estes Park Hatchery, Estes Park.
Cedaredge Hatchery, Cedaredge.
Privately owned, operated by the department :
Fort Collins Hatchery, Fort Collins.
Molina Hatchery, Mesa County.
Marvine Hatchery, Rio Blanco County.
Antonito Hatchery, on the Conejos River, reached via Antonito.
Emerald Hatchery, Hinsdale County, reached via Durango and Vallecito.
Electra Hatchery, San Juan County, reached via Durango and Rockwood.
Aspen Hatchery, Aspen.
Georgetown Hatchery, Georgetown.
Boulder Hatchery, Boulder.
Grand Mesa Hatchery, Delta County, reached via Delta and Cedaredge.
Grand Lake Hatchery, Grand County.
Walden Hatchery (North Park), Jackson County.
Walter B. Fraser, of Denver, is the present Game and Fish Commissioner.
His work has been most constructive, and he has in 1918 been honored with a re-
appointment for four years.
THE COLORADO TRAVELING LIBRARY
The act creating the Colorado Traveling Library Commission was enacted
July i, 1903.
The aims of the commission are to make the Traveling Library of the great-
est usefulness, by finding out the needs of the community or district where boxes
of books are to be sent, and as far 'as possible supply these needs ; to help small
public libraries in getting on their feet, by supplying recent fiction, thus making
it possible for them to invest their funds in reference and other books that are
necessary in establishing a permanent library ; to lend books to study clubs that
cannot get the material for their work ; to cooperate with the teacher in the
rural school in developing the children's reasoning power by placing in their
hands good, wholesome reading matter, thus guiding the children to the right sort
of reading and creating in them the love for and the habit of reading good
books.
The machinery of the commission makes possible the distribution of reading
matter to many who would otherwise be entirely removed from any oppor-
tunity of securing it, except through the uncertain and irregular kindness of indi-
viduals. Such are not only the dwellers on lonely ranches, many miles from
any railroad, but the men in the convict road camps and the inmates of county
poor farms.
The officers of the Traveling Library Commission in 1917 are as follows:
President, Mrs. Fannie M. D. Galloway, Denver ; vice president, Mrs. W. D.
Wright, Denver; recording secretary, Miss Ella New, Denver.
224 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Mrs. Julia von der Lieth Welles, president from 1903 to December 7, 1912,
the date of her death, was the founder of the "traveling library" idea in Colorado,
and was largely responsible for its growth.
STATE EXAMINING BOARDS
During the past decade various professions and trades have been enabled
to secure legislation creating state examining boards, all of which pass upon
the eligibility of candidates to practice their respective professions or trades.
Thus there are in Colorado : the state board of examiners of architects ; a
state examining board and a state board of examiners for teachers ; a
state board of examiners of coal mine inspectors; a state board of barber exam-
iners; a state board of dental examiners; a state board of nurse examiners; a
state board of pharmacy; a state board of optometric examiners; a state board
of accountancy ; a state veterinary examining board ; a state board of embalming
examiners.
The other boards, commissions, commissioners, are of a minor nature, and
were created from time to time as emergencies arose. These are such officers
as the inspector of building and loan associations, an appointee under the auditor ;
the public examiner, also appointed by the auditor ; the state oil inspector, for-
merly a fee office, now salaried, and appointed by the governor ; the state boiler
inspector, appointed by the governor. The superintendent of education is ex
officio state librarian. The state geologist in the early years of statehood was
in charge of the bureau of mines.
The history of the various boards in charge of state institutions is narrated
in chapters on Public Buildings and State Institutions.
THE STATE SEAL
By Jerome C. Smiley
The State's Seal is an inheritance from the territory, its design having been
adopted by the first territorial assembly in a joint resolution approved Novem-
ber 6, 1861. It was said at the time, and has been the understanding ever since,
that the seal was designed by Lewis Ledyard Weld, the first secretary of Colo-
rado Territory, the assembly giving the form and force of law to his conception.
The framer of the resolution (and no doubt Secretary Weld also) dis-
tinguished numine from Deo, and it was not the intention that the motto
should be translated "Nothing without God," but "Nothing without
the Deity," the latter being specifically stated in the resolution,' which follows
here:
"Joint resolution relative to a territorial seal.
"Resolved by the council and house of representatives of Colorado Terri-
tory :
"That the secretary of the territory be, and he is instructed to procure for
the use of the Territory of Colorado, a seal, to be two and a half inches in
diameter, with the following device inscribed on the same: An heraldic shield,
bearing in chief, or on the upper portion of the same, upon a red ground, three
snow-capped mountains ; above, surrounding clouds ; upon the lower part of
PIKE'S PEAK AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS
ANTLERS HOTEL, COLORADO SPRINGS
226 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the shield, upon a golden ground, a miner's badge, being the same badge; pre-
scribed by the regular heraldic rules; as a crest, above the shield, the eye of
God, being golden rays proceeding from the lines of a triangle; below the
crest, and above the shield, as a scroll, the Roman fasces (the insignia of a
republican form of government), bearing on a band of red, white and blue the
words 'Union and Constitution,' below the whole, the motto, 'Nil sine Numine'
(nothing without the Deity), the whole to be surrounded by the words 'Sigillum
Territorii Coloradensis' (seal of the Territory of Colorado), and the fig-
ures 1861."
As mentioned above, the state retained the territorial design, the only changes
made in the seal being the substitution of the words "State of Colorado" and
the figures "1876" for the corresponding inscriptions on the old one. This was
provided for by section I of an act of the first General Assembly, approved
March 15, 1877, and which reads as follows, but omits a translation of the
motto :
"Be it enacted by the general assembly of the State of Colorado
"Section i. That the seal of the state shall be two and one-half inches in
diameter, with the following device inscribed thereon : An heraldic shield,
bearing in chief, or upon the upper portion of the same, upon a red ground, three
snow-capped mountains ; above, surrounding clouds ; upon the lower part thereof,
upon a golden ground, a miner's badge, as prescribed by the rules of heraldry;
as a crest above the shield, the eye of God, being golden rays proceeding from
the lines of a triangle ; below the crest and above the shield, as a scroll, the
Roman fasces, bearing upon a band of red, white and blue, the words, 'Union
and Constitution' ; below the whole, this motto, 'Nil sine Numine,' the whole
to be surrounded by the words 'State of Colorado,' and the figures '1876.' "
From the heraldic standpoint, the act prescribes red, golden, white and blue
as the state's colors, but of course the band of red, white and blue is a direct
adaptation of the national colors. The "eye of God," the all-seeing eye, is a
conception of unknown antiquity, and was familiar to all the ancient historical
peoples in the general region of the Mediterranean. To the Egyptians it was
the eye of Ra ; to the Chaldeans, the eye of Anu ; to the Greeks, the eye of Zeus ;
to the Romans, the eye of Jupiter; and to the Hebrews, the eye of Yahveh, as
in Psalm xxxiii., 18: "Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him,
upon them that hope in his mercy." The Roman fasces, a bundle of elm or
birch rods, bound tightly together by red thongs, and containing a battle ax with
its blade projecting from the side, and near one end of the bundle, were borne
by a lictor, one of a body of public officials attending Roman emperors, dictators,
consuls and other magistrates, as symbols of authority and power, the lictor
walking in advance and clearing the way for his superiors. In a time-worn
story, a father, seeking to teach his children the importance of living and acting
in unity, in the presence of his sons broke with ease a single rod and kept on
until he had broken, singly, as many rods as he had sons. He then showed the
boys that when he tied up a compact bundle of rods, one for each son, he could
not break them. In modern forms of the symbol, which is a familiar one in the
United States, the ax handle, ca'rrying a spearhead also, extends entirely through
the bundle of rods and projects from both ends, thus exposing the ax to full
view, as seen in the Colorado seal. The fasces suggest to us the sentiment
HISTORY OF COLORADO 227
expressed in the motto of the State of Kentucky : "United we stand ; divided we
fall." The three snow-capped mountains represent the Colorado ranges, but in
the state seal, as in the territorial, as engraved, more mountains are shown than
the law requires. The miner's badge, bearing a pick and a sledge hammer,
plainly proclaims its significance. In cutting the die for the state seal the engraver
slightly flattened the triangle, made a little change in the form of the shield, and
shifted upward the flying ends of the streamer bearing the motto.
CHAPTER XII
THE BEGINNINGS OF MINING HISTORY IN COLORADO
MINING BY EARLY EXPLORERS F^RST GOLD DISCOVERIES THE RUSSELL EXPEDITION
— JACKSON'S DISCOVERIES ON CLEAR CREEK — CLEAR CREEK PRODUCTION — THE
FIRST MINING REVIEW GILPIN COUNTY AND JOHN H. GREGORY — COLORADO'S
FOUR MINING EPOCHS — CRUDE METHODS FOLLOWED BY AN EXODUS — PERIOD
OF THE FISSURE VEINS CYANIDATION DEVELOPS PROSPECTS OF MINING DIS-
TRICTS RISE AND ^FALL OF CHLORINATION CHANGING FROM A SILVER-PRO-
DUCING TO A LEADING GOLD-PRODUCING COUNTRY ERA OF DEEP MINING
TUNNELING DREDGING REVIVES PLACER MINING OIL FLOTATION — PRODUC-
TION OF BIG PROPERTIES UP TO l88o.
MINING BY EARLY EXPLORERS
The first reported mining in Colorado, by no means authentic, antedates by
more than two centuries and a half the period of the historic discoveries by
the Russell Brothers. And while the evidence, like fossil remains, lies in the
opened hills, it is not yet certain that the excavations were made at this early
period. Don Juan de Onate, an adventurous spirit of the days of the Spanish
conquest, in 1591, is reported to have opened gold and silver placer mines on the
western side of the Sangre de Cristo Range above Fort Garland in San Luis
Park between the Culebra and Trinchera.
The record of the many expeditions and explorations is fully covered in
the earlier chapters of this history. Here it is the purpose to record merely the
actual and reported beginnings of mining operations, and that of Onate — even
if not authentic, should be discussed- as it is at least the supposed beginning of
the industry in this region. In the Journals kept by Father Francisco Silvestre
Velez Escalante, of the journey taken together with Father Francisco Atanacio
Dominguez in 1776 there are references to these earlier discoveries, but save
for the fact that his work throughout is painfully accurate, there is nothing of
a convincing nature to substantiate them.
Escalante states that in the year 1765 Don Juan Maria de Ribera came to
the San Xavier (the Grand) at a point a little below what he termed its juncture
with the San Francisco. He describes the San Xavier as being formed above
this crossing place of four smaller rivers or forks, "and this," says Phillip
Harry, writing in 1860 of the Escalante journey, "corresponds remarkably with
the Uncompahgre River, Grand River, Smith's Fork and another large fork."
But the period of prospecting which began in 1858 and 1859 brought to light
in many parts of Colorado excavations which had undoubtedly been made by
228
HISTORY OF COLORADO 229
early Spanish exploring expeditions. Even about Denver and Boulder there were
these evidences. Those found on the tributaries of the San Juan and Gunnison
were probably made by Ribera and his followers.
Mr. Byers is also the excellent authority for the tale brought to Denver by
a prospector named -Samuel Stone. His party, in 1859, found evidences of a
mining camp near the headwaters of Big Thompson Creek near Long's Peak.
They brought back and showed Mr. Byers a small copper distilling outfit which
had been used in making brandy from the wild berries that grew so plentiful
in that region. Near this find they saw deep excavations made by former pros-
pectors. At Santa Fe, later, Mr. Byers was told that this may have been a
Portuguese expedition which never returned to Mexico and the members of
which were probably killed by the Indians.
More authentic, and yet unverified, except by the testimony of Lieut. Zebulon
M. Pike, is the discovery of gold by James Purcell, whom Pike in his narrative
calls Pursley. He had gone to the Rocky Mountains from Beardstown, Ken-
tucky, in 1802, and Pike thus relates the interview : "He assured me that he had
found gold on the head of the Plate (Platte River) and had carried some of the
virgin mineral in his shot pouch for months, but that, being in doubt whether
he should ever again behold the civilized world, and losing in his mind all the
ideal value which mankind had stamped upon that metal, he threw it away."
FIRST GOLD DISCOVERIES
Both Frank Hall and Jerome Smiley after talks with the late William N.
Byers assert that "when he traversed this country in 1852, one Tike' Vasquez,
a trader, informed him (Byers) that 'the hunters and trappers occasionally
brought small quantities of gold from the mountains to the trading post at the
mouth of Clear Creek at intervals between 1832 and 1836.' " Rufus B. Sage
insisted that he had found gold near Vasquez Fork in the winter of 1843-4.
Reports of discoveries on the Sweetwater and in South Park followed in
the early '503.
Col. William H. Paine, a noted military engineer, later under Grant,
while going to California in 1853, relates that he met a large party headed by one
Captain Norton, who displayed small quantities of gold found by him in what
he asserted was "the Pike's Peak region." The editor of this work in his his-
torical sketch of Pueblo County alludes to the report that the children of Wil-
liam Bent while enroute from Fort Bridger to Bent's Fort, in 1848, found nug-
gets on Cherry Creek.
O. J. Hollister, in his "Mines of Colorado," printed in 1867, says of the
early reports :
"There was a story among the mountaineers and traders, that a few years
previous an old French hunter named Du Chet had picked up in one of the
principal forks of Horse Creek, a piece of rock containing native gold ; that
he carried it in his hunting pouch until he got tired of it, and suspecting not
its value, but only regarding it as an hour's novelty, threw it away. Subsequently,
at Santa Fe, the emptyings of his pouch, being in part particles of gold, attracted
attention. But the old hunter could not again find the place.
"Rufus B. Sage camped on the present site of Golden City during the winters
230 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of 1843 and J844, successively, whence on some of his hunting excursions he
penetrated the mountains to a considerable distance; but he records nothing in
his published account of particular interest, more than his confirmed belief that
it was a mineral region. For instance, crossing from Cherry Creek to the Foun-
tain, he remarks : 'The country hereabout for an extent of upwards of one
thousand square miles, is much subject to storms of rain, hail, snow, and wind.
I can account for it in no way but by supposing it to have some connection with
the vast quantities of minerals lying embedded in its hills and valleys.'
"It was the commercial collapse of 1857 tna* se* many adventurous spirits
in the then West peering into the obscurity beyond them for a new field of
enterprise."
J. E. Wharton in his "History and Directory of Denver" printed by Byers &
Dailey in 1866, writes as follows of the first gold discoveries: "The first dis-
covery of the precious metal was made on the Cache la Poudre, where its waters
leave the mountains and enter upon the valley, by an adventurous hunting party
of Cherokee Indians and Georgians. This was in the month of August, 1849.
The specimens found were surface quartz, glitteringly spangled with gold, which
the party on their return to the States displayed to others, thus causing small
parties to venture here in search of the treasure bed."
Historian Wharton goes on to say: "Many small discoveries were made,
but nothing of sufficient importance to create an excitement until April, 1858,
when a party of traders, headed by John Cantrell, of Westport, Missouri, return-
ing from Salt Lake, reported that they had discovered rich deposits of gold on
the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, on what is now known as Ralston
Creek. This report was heralded by the public print throughout the land, and
soon culminated in a wild excitement. CantrelFs party took with them a sack
of dirt from what was afterwards known as the 'Spanish Diggings' situated
on the south bank of the South Platte about three miles above the present site
of Denver. Mining was then being done at these diggings by a party of Mexicans,
under John Smith, an old mountain trapper. Cantrell carried this dirt to West-
port, where it was 'panned out' by a California miner named Ira Emmons, in
the presence of many persons. The yield of gold was very small, being merely
sufficient to establish the fact that the country from whence it came was cer-
tainly gold-bearing. Additional evidence of this being a gold-producing region
was given by a party of Georgians and Cherokees, with whom were Messrs.
Russell and McFadden. This caused the first emigration to the Pike's Peak
region."
Mr. Wharton's information is, however, not reliable, for it was largely a
conglomeration of wild rumors which had grown with the years into what seemed
to be historical information, but was later completely disproved. The honor
of the first actual authenticated gold discovery belongs to the Russell Brothers.
THE RUSSELL EXPEDITION
The story of the Russell expedition is told as follows by Eugene Parsons in
a notable series of articles published in 1915 in the Mining American:
"Among the Argonauts of 1849 was a band of Cherokees who stopped on
their way to California and prospected some of the creeks and rivers of the
WILLIAM GREEN KUSSELL
CABIN EEECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE RUSSELL EXPEDITION IN SEPTEM-
BER, 1858, AND WHICH WAS THE FIRST CABIN ON THE
SITE OF PIONEER DENVER
(Reproduction from pictures of some of Denver's pioneer buildings. The originals of
these pictures are among the Historical Society's collection.)
232 HISTORY OF COLORADO
eastern slope. They found a little gold in Ralston Creek, a tributary of the
South Platte.
"William Green Russell, of Georgia, heard of this strike and, with others,
he organized an expedition to explore the Pike's Peak country with .the hope
of running across treasure-trove in the Rocky Mountains. In this company were
his two brothers — J. L. Russell and L. J. Russell — and other Georgians. They
left home February 17, 1858, and traversed Indian Territory and southern
Kansas on the way to Pike's Peak. From time to time they were joined by
parties of Cherokees and Kansans. It was considerable of a caravan that jour-
neyed up the Arkansas River, consisting of 104 persons at one time. Some of
them stopped at Bent's Fort. Most of the other members of the expedition
pushed on westward and northward, prospecting Fountain Creek, Cherry Creek,
the Platte and other streams they came to without finding colors in paying
quantities. As the days passed their spirits sank ; they had expected to pick
up gold nuggets as big as hailstones. After weeks of zealous seeking they had
made no valuable discoveries of gold, and some of the adventurers with Russell
were losing heart. On June 24, they camped on the bottom land near the con-
fluence of Cherry Creek and the Platte. That is a historic date. To this day
the pioneers' annual picnic in Denver is held, in commemoration of this event, on
June 24 or the Saturday near it.
"The next few days the men of the expedition scattered and prospected
Ralston Creek, Clear Creek and other streams, going north as far as Boulder
Creek. Nearly all of them were disappointed and discouraged, for they found
only minute particles of the glittering dust ; it was so fine they could do nothing
with it. After four days of tramping they worked back to their old camp on
the bank of Cherry Creek, some thirty or forty rods from the spot where the
City. Hall stands today. On June 29 the party broke up ; the greater number of
fortune hunters then and there gave up the quest for gold and turned back.
The Cherokees, thirty-seven in number, disgruntled, left in a body.
"A crisis had been reached. The leader, Green Russell, got the remaining
men together and made an eloquent speech. It is said- that he drew upon some
of his California experiences; he told of the ups and downs of the Argonauts
when prospecting ; he urged the malcontents to remain longer, saying he believed
it was only a question of time when they would strike rich placers and find
valuables mines. Russell had faith, but the majority had not. They deserted
and set their faces homeward ; the quest was not for them.
"On June 30, Green Russell found himself with only a dozen men, camped
near the mouth of Cherry Creek. It was a critical time, and he called a council.
In a plain talk he said he had come to this country to prospect the Rocky Moun-
tains. He was unwilling to give it up. 'If only one man will stay with me,' he
said, 'I will remain until I satisfy myself that no gold can be found, if it takes
all summer. Will you stay with me?' The twelve men, some of them Georgians
and some Kansans, declared that they would stick by him.
"Not at all disheartened by the turn of affairs, the handful of men broke up
camp and started up the Platte. They were on the constant lookout for pros-
pects. Here and there they stopped and washed out a panful of pay dirt. One
day, as James H. Pierce tells the story, he was loitering behind the wagons,
scanning the bars and shores, when he thought he saw a bar that would pan
JOSEPH O. RUSSELL
THE STATE HISTORICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF COLORADO
The subjects of these portraits were brothers and distinguished pioneers of the Colorado
country. They were the organizers and leaders of the "Russell Company," which came to our
section of the Rocky mountains early in the summer of 1858, thoroughly to prospect the Pike's
Peak district for gold. They formed the initial organization, which consisted of nine men in all,
at their homes in Lumpkin County, Georgia, in the old gold field in the northern part of that
state. At Manhattan, Kansas, the party was joined by twelve other white men; and a few
days later, pursuant to a prior understanding, by about thirty Cherokee Indians, who were
under the leadership of Rev. John Beck and Judge George Hicks, both of whom were of
the Cherokee tribe.
The company arrived at the site of Denver on June 24th, and immediately thereafter its
members began searching for the yellow metal in the beds of streams in that locality. While
the rewards were not large, they were sufficient to convince these prospectors that gold in
opulent quantities existed in the Pike 's Peak district. The results of the company 's operations
during that summer were the immediate causes of the founding of American settlements in
"the Pike's Peak Gold Region" in the autumn months of that year.
The portrait of William Green Russell (p. 231) is from a photographic copy of a crayon
picture made in 1857 ; that of Levi J. Russell ( p. 2.35) , a physician, is from a photograph
made in 1888; and that of Joseph Oliver Russell is sn enlargement of a photograph made
in 1885.
William died at Briartown, Indian Territory, on August 24, 1877; Levi died at Temple,
Texas, March 23, 1908; and Joseph died at Menardville, Texas, October 28, 1906.
234 HISTORY OF COLORADO
out well. He dipped up a shovelful of sand and dirt and began washing it.
At that moment Green Russell came up and finished panning it. He secured coarse
gold flakes to the value of a dime and exclaimed: 'Our fortune is made!'
"The other men retraced their steps and looked at the gold dust, delighted.
They all got busy with feverish haste, and in a short time they obtained gold to
the value of a hundred dollars from the sands of the Platte. The pocket of
colors was soon exhausted, but in high hopes they kept up the quest, day by day.
Not long afterward they found another valuable deposit of float gold on the
bank of Dry Creek. The leader and another man were out hunting antelope a
little to the south of the Englewood of today and came to a spot where the
ground sparkled with flakes of gold. Here they got from four to five hundred
dollars' worth of the yellow metal. That was all, but it was enough to settle
the fate of the expedition.
"Reports of the discovery spread to Kansas and Missouri and started an emi-
gration to the Tike's Peak gold region' in the summer and fall of 1858. News of a
fiad by a teamster in the army passing down the Platte that year was published
abroad, and this started a hegira of gold seekers from St. Louis.
"Such is, in brief, the history of the first finds' of the yellow metal in what
is now Colorado. To the Cherokees justly belongs the credit of originating the
Russell expedition, and Green Russell deserves the praise of keeping up Uie
quest and nerving the remnant of the party until success crowned their efforts.
For this is William Green Russell remembered and honored as one of the makers
of Colorado. One of the figures of the Pioneer Monument in Denver was modeled
after this noble man.
"Meanwhile there were other gold seekers in the Pike's Peak country in that
fateful summer of 1858. Green Russell and his companions antedated the
arrival of the historic Lawrence party by only a fortnight. A Delaware Indian
by the name of Fall Leaf started this expedition. In the summer of 1857 this
red man acted as guide to Colonel Sumner while he was chasing some Arapa-
hoes and Cheyennes on the warpath. One day, Fall Leaf stopped to get a drink
in a little stream of water flowing down the side of a mountain probably in the
Front Range. He saw several nuggets of glistening gold lying in the water on
a rock, and, of course, he picked them up. Late in the autumn of 1857, he
returned to his reservation and visited the town of Lawrence, Kansas. He showed
the bunch of nuggets to John Easter, the village butcher. 'Where did you get
these?' asked Easter. 'Two sleeps from Pike's Peak,' answered the Indian.
Easter got the gold fever at once. He spoke of the find to his neighbors, and in
the following spring they organized a company of about forty persons to pros-
pect the Pike's Peak region for gold. Fall Leaf promised to accompany them
and lead them to the spot where he found the nuggets, but when it came to a
showdown Mr. Indian refused, and they went on without him. They proceeded
leisurely up the Arkansas River, seeing thousands of Indians. They found the
plains black with bison as far as the eye could see in western Kansas. On the
third of July the party camped on the present site of Pueblo. Two days later
they camped in the Garden of the Gods. They knocked about for six weeks,
having a good time, but not finding any gold to speak of. Then they heard by
chance of the discovery in Dry Creek and forthwith they set northward for the
diggings. One of the leading spirits of the company was Josiah Hinman who,
DE. LEVI J. KUSSELL
236 HISTORY OF COLORADO
with a number of other men, laid out the town of 'Montana City' in the month
of September, 1858. This was the first Colorado village founded by Americans.
It existed only about six months, however.
"From time to time other newcomers pitched their tents at the mouth of
Cherry Creek and the Platte, which had already become a rendezvous for pros-
pectors and miners. In October seme of them began building log cabins, John
Easter erecting one of the huts. Nebraskans, Kansans and people from the
States kept coming, and the little cluster of cabins grew into a hamlet that was
at first called Auraria, after a place in Georgia. Then the name was changed to
Denver in honor of General James W. Denver who was, in 1858, the governor
of Kansas Territory, which at that time extended to the main range of the
Rocky Mountains.
"Such was the beginning of Colorado. The settled portion between Pueblo
and Boulder first went by the name of the 'Pike's Peak country,' the 'Pike's Peak
gold region,' also Tike's Peak and Cherry Creek.' It is said that as many as
two thousand gold seekers came here in the summer and fall of 1858. They
dug up the gravel in many localities, uncovering some 'prospects.' The only
important discovery of 1858, however, was the find in Dry Creek."
JACKSON'S DISCOVERIES ON CLEAR CREEK
The gold strikes of the summer and fall of 1858 were small — probably no
more than $2,000 in value — but the reports of them, greatly exaggerated, spread
far and wide and started the rush to Pike's Peak the following year. Fortunately,
important discoveries of gold were made early in 1859 by George A. Jackson
and John Gregory. Otherwise nothing might have come of this historic stampede.
George Jackson hailed from Missouri, and he had in him some of the spirit
of the renowned backwoodsman, Daniel Boone. Jackson, who had done some
mining in California, came to the Pike's Peak country in 1858, and with two
other men, built a cabin on the present site of Golden, the town that afterward
grew up and was named after one of these men, Tom Golden. The other man was
James Sanders.
It was holiday time, when most men would prefer to sit by the fire, that
these three Fifty-eighters — Jackson, Golden and Sanders — set out on a pros-
pecting tour, intending to look for gold in the mountains. That was December
31, 1858. They struck out on foot into the hills, each man carrying a rifle and
a small load of provisions. On New Year's Day they sighted a big band of elk,
and forthwith Jackson's two comrades left him to hunt elk. Undaunted, he
proceeded up Clear Creek alone, with his two dogs, Drum and Kit, for company.
Besides his rifle, he carried a blanket, a drinking cup and a little bread and
coffee, enough to last several days. That was his outfit. He depended upon his
rifle to supply him with meat.
Jackson pressed on up Clear Creek, part of the time finding it hard traveling,
wading here and there through snow two or three feet deep. Along toward
nightfall, he came to the hot mineral springs, now known as the famous summer
resort of Idaho Springs. Nearby were some large flocks of mountain sheep graz-
ing, and he shot one. That night he camped in a clump of cotton wood trees.
The next day the weather turned cold and snowy; so he stayed in the little
^*-,.//X ./. Ss. „../_ S,.<S, .-,./,,,L
ifcr jf«~S,.t, ,/ //^ >£^,~/ /*. / Sj
A^r^*. «, >^- ^**^u^/- , / x^r.. // A^
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^4- y^-^-_ .
"V» •/--./..£, /^ j/j
^-.-/, yfefi, //^.^-—rtr^/^ .
This agreement was one of the consequences of the discovery of gold . on the site of the
City of Denver by the Bussell prospecting expedition into the Pike's Peak country in the
summer of 1858, and which was followed in the autumn of that year by the founding of
Denver. When the "parties of the first part" to this agreement arrived at the site of Den-
ver (which was the principal rendezvous of the Pike's Peak Argonauts) they joined with
others, who were on the ground, in a town-company enterprise that was a part of the city's
beginning and thus complied, to some extent, with the purpose of the agreement.
238 HISTORY OF COLORADO
bough-house he had made to shelter him. The following day being pleasant, the
ambitious prospector started out in the trackless wilderness to search for traces
of gold. He wandered up a gulch, finding no traces of colors.
Jackson's first day's quest was unsuccessful but, hero that he was, he
resolved to stay and try again, although supplies of provisions were running
low. He put in another day, tramping up and down creek and canyons, without
seeing any gold. He returned to camp after dark, tired and hungry, only to
find that a marauding cougar had stolen all his meat. The man went to bed sup-
perless, for he had eaten the last of his bread that morning. He did not lose
heart, however. He got up early the next morning and shot a wild sheep before
sunrise. He drank the last of his coffee and started out to do some more prospect-
ing. This day, January 5, Jackson found a place a half-mile up stream where the
gravel looked good. Here he made a new camp under a big fir tree. The ground
was frozen hard, and he built a big fire on it. All day (January 6), he kept the
fire going until the ground was thawed. The next day he had his reward.
"Clear day," — he cheerily writes in his diary, January 7 — "removed fire embers
and dug into rim on bed-rock, panned out eight treaty cups of dirt and found
nothing but fine colors ; ninth cup I got one nugget of coarse gold ; feel good
to-night."
Jackson worked another day, digging and panning until his hunting knife
was worn out. He then had about a half ounce of gold worth ten dollars. "I've
got the diggings at last," he wrote in his journal. Having no mining tools —
pick, shovel and pan — the man had to quit. He marked the spot of his discovery
and trudged back to his shack.
In the spring, Jackson returned to the spot, where he had marked a tree
so that he could locate it, and took out between four and five thousand dollars'
worth of placer gold. Jackson Bar was the first large deposit of gold ever uncov-
ered in the Rockies. The site of this bonanza is near the mouth of a little
stream, Chicago Creek, flowing into Clear Creek. A monument marks this spot
in the town of Idaho Springs. This discovery was an event of vast moment in
the history of the West.
Meanwhile John H. Gregory, of Georgia, was prospecting only a few miles
away from Jackson, although neither knew of the presence of the other. Gregory
discovered rich placer ground, near Blackhawk, in the gulch that bears his
name. The Jackson Diggings and the Gregory Diggings were some thirty-five
miles to the west of Denver.
CLEAR CREEK PRODUCTION
These were the beginnings of the mineral industry of Colorado, which leads
all states of the Union, except California, in gold production. Clear Creek County
was organized in 1861. One mining camp after another had its day, and mil-
lions of treasure, mostly placer gold, was obtained. The mines of Empire,
Georgetown, Idaho and other diggings were famous in Territorial days. Many
rich quartz veins were discovered, and fortunes were made. There was not
much deep mining done then, the shafts being from fifty to 300 feet deep. The
Argentine district produced both gold and silver in large quantities many years
ago. Lead and copper also were found in some of the mining districts of Clear
VIEW OF BLACKHAWK, LOOKING UP GREGORY AND CHASE'S GULCHES
This picture was drawn by A. E. Mathews in the latter part of the year 1865.
240 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Creek County. Not until about 1903 was much zinc obtained. Around George-
town, silver-lead-zinc ores predominate.
So long ago as 1870, Clear Creek County was one of the leading producers
of the precious metals in Colorado. Says Hall in his "History of Colorado," Vol.
III., p. 323 : "While exact figures are not at hand, the mines of this county have
contributed about $40,000,000 in gold, silver and lead to the mineral wealth of
the world, the greater part during the last two decades (1870-1890). The
product is from two to two and a half millions per annum."
Since 1890, the mineral production of Clear Creek County has fallen off
somewhat, and yet it is one of the best mineral counties of Colorado. Its mines
are still yielding an abundant harvest of the precious metals. The past score
years, the annual production has ranged from one to two million dollars, and some
years over two thousand men have been engaged in the mineral industry in this
county.
In 1895, the State Bureau of Mines was established. Its biennial reports con-
tain statistics which may be quoted as trustworthy. During the past eighteen
years, Clear Creek County's gold output has amounted to over ten million dol-
lars ; the output of silver has been about nine million dollars ; that of lead has
exceeded three millions; and a half million dollars' worth of copper has been
obtained. The past dozen years, 1903-1914, the zinc harvest has exceeded one
million dollars. The grand total of these five minerals during the years 1897-
1914 is nearly twenty-four million dollars.
During fifty-nine years — 1859-1917 — the Clear Creek mining region has pro-
duced over $100,000,000, mostly gold and silver. But few other counties of
Colorado have made a better showing.
THE FIRST MINING REVIEW
The report on the mining outlook of the Pike's Peak region after a few months
of operation was prepared at the "Diggings" by Horace Greeley, A. D. Rich-
ardson and Henry Villard.
And here is that famous report, which gives an accurate picture of the men
and the mines of that period :
Gregory's Diggings, near Clear Creek, in the Rocky Mountains,
June 9th. 1859.
The undersigned, none of them miners, nor directly interested in mining,
but now here for the express purpose of ascertaining and setting forth the truth
with regard to a subject of deep and general interest, as to which the widest
and wildest diversity of assertion and opinion is known to exist, unite in the
following statement:
We have this day personally visited nearly all the mines or claims already
opened in this valley (that of a little stream running into Clear Creek at this
point) ; have witnessed the operation of digging, transporting, and washing
the veinstone (a partially decomposed, or rotten quartz, running in regular
veins from southwest to northeast, between shattered walls of an impure gran-
ite), have seen the gold plainly visible in the riffles of nearly every sluice, and in
nearly every pan of the rotten quartz washed in our presence ; have seen gold
(but rarely) visible to the naked eye, in pieces of the quartz not yet fully decom-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 241
posed, and have obtained from the few who have already sluices in operation
accounts of their several products, as follows :
Zeigler, Spain & Co. (from South Bend, Indiana), have run a sluice, with some
interruptions, for the last three weeks ; they are four in company, with one hired
man. They have taken out a little over three thousand pennyweights of gold, esti-
mated by them as worth at least $3,000; their first day's work produced $21 ; their
highest was $495.,
JSopris, Henderson & Co. (from Farmington, Indiana), have run their sluice
six days in all with four men — one to dig, one to carry, and two to wash; four
days last week produced $607; Monday of this week, $280; no further reported.
They have just put in a second sluice, which only began to run this morning.
Foote & Simmons (from Chicago), one sluice, run four days; two former days
produced $40; two latter promised us, but not received.
Defrees & Co. (from South Bend, Indiana), have run a small sluice eight
days, with the following results : first day, $66 ; second day, $80 ; third day, $95 ;
fourth day, $305 (the four following days were promised us, but, by accident, failed
to be received.) Have just sold half their claim (a full claim is 50 feet by 100),
for $2,500.
Shears & Co. (from Fort Calhoun, Nebraska), have run one sluice two hours
the first (part of a) day; produced $30; second (first full) day, $343; third
(today), $510; all taken from within three feet of the surface; vein a foot wide
on the surface ; widened to eighteen inches at a depth of three feet.
Brown & Co. (from De Kalb County, Indiana), have been one week on their
claim ; carry their dirt half a mile ; have worked their sluice a day and a half ;
produced $260; have taken out quartz specimens containing from 50 cents to $13
each in gold ; vein 8 to 10 feet wide.
Casto, Kendall & Co. (from Butler County, Iowa), reached Denver March 25;
drove the first wagon to these diggings ; have been here five weeks ; worked first
on a claim, on which they ran a sluice but one day ; produced $225 ; sold their claim
for $2,500; are now working a claim on the Hunter lead, have only sluiced one
(this) day; three men employed; produced $85.
Bates & Co., one sluice, run half a day; produced $135.
Colinan, King & Co., one sluice, run half a day ; produced $75.
Shorts & Collier, bought our claims seven days since of Casto, Kendall &
Co. for $2,500; $500 down, balance as fast as taken out. Have not yet got our
sluices in operation. Mr. Dean, from Iowa, on the 6th inst, washed from a single
pan of dirt taken from the claim, $17.80. Have been offered $10,000 for the claim.
S. G. Jones & Co. (from eastern Kansas), have run our sluices two days, with
three men ; yield, $225 per day. Think the quartz generally in this vicinity is gold-
bearing. Have never seen a piece crushed, that did not yield gold.
A. P. Wright & Co. (from Elkhart County, Indiana), sluice, but just in oper-
ation ; have not yet ascertained its products. Our claim prospects from 25 cents
to $1.25 to the pan.
Tohn H. Gregory (from Gordon County, Georgia), left home last season
en route for Frazier River, was detained by a succession of accidents at Ft.
Laramie, and wintered there. Meanwhile heard of the discoveries of gold on
the South Platte, and started on a prospecting tour on the eastern slope of the
Rocky Mountains, early in January. Prospected in almost every valley from
242 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the Cache la Poudre Creek to Pike's Peak, tracing many streams to their
sources. — Early in May arrived on Clear Creek, at the foot of the mountains,
thirty miles southeast of this place. There fell in with the Defrees & Zeigler
Indiana companies, and William Fonts, of Missouri. We all started up Clear
Creek, prospecting. Arrived in this vicinity, May 6; the ice and snow prevented
us from prospecting far below the surface/ but the first pan of surface dirt, on
the original Gregory claim, yielded $4. Encouraged by this success, we all
staked out claims, found the "lead" consisting of burnt quartz, resembling the
Georgia mines, in which I had previously worked. Snow and ice prevented the
regular working of the lead until May 16. From then until the twenty-third, I
worked it five days with two hands, result, $972. Soon after, I sold my two
claims for $21,000, the parties buying to pay me, after deducting their expenses,
all they take from the claims to the amount of $500 per week, until the whole
is paid. Since that time, I have been prospecting for other parties, at about $200
per day. Have struck another lead on the opposite side of the valley, from
which I washed $14, out of a single pan.
Some forty or fifty sluices commenced, are not yet in operation ; but the
owners inform us that their "prospecting" shows from 10 cents to $5 to the
pan. As the "leads" are all found on the hills, many of the miners are con-
structing trenches to carry water to them, instead of building their sluices in
their ravines, and carrying the dirt thither in wagons, or sacks. Many persons
who have come here without provisions or money, are compelled to work as
common laborers, at from $i to $3 per day and board, until they can procure
means of sustenance for the time necessary to prospecting, building sluices, etc.
Others, not finding gold the third day, or disliking the work necessary to obtain-
ing it, leave the mines in disgust, after a very short trial, declaring there is no
gold here in paying quantities. It should be remembered that the discoveries
made thus far, are the result of but five weeks' labor.
In nearly every instance, the gold is estimated by the miners as worth $20.00
per ounce, which, for gold collected by quicksilver, is certainly a high valuation,
though this is undoubtedly of very great purity. The reader can reduce the
estimates if he sees fit. We have no data on which to act in the premises.
The wall rock is generally shattered, so that it, like the veinstone, is readily
taken out with the pick and shovel. In a single instance only did we hear of
wall rock too hard for this.
Of the veinstone, probably not more than one-half is so decomposed that
the gold can be washed from it. The residue of the quartz is shoveled out of
the sluices, and reserved to be crushed and washed hereafter. The miners esti-
mate this as equally rich with that which has "rotted" so that the gold may be
washed from it ; hence, that they realize, as yet, but half the gold dug by them.
This seems probable, but its truth remains to be tested.
It should be borne in mind that, while the miners here now labor under
many obvious disadvantages, which must disappear with the growth of their
experience and the improvement of their now rude machinery, they at the same
time enjoy advantages which cannot be retained indefinitely, nor rendered uni-
versal. They are all working very near a small mountain stream, which affords
them an excellent supply of water for washing at a very cheap rate ; and, though
such streams are very common here, the leads stretch over rugged hills and con-
VIEW OF GEORGETOWN IN 1874
VIEW OF GEORGETOWN
(Reproduced from a photographic enlargement of a photograph made in 1869.)
244 HISTORY OF COLORADO
siderable mountains, down which the veinstone must be carried to water, at a
serious cost. It does not seem probable that the thousands of claims already
made or being made on these leads can be worked so profitably in the average
as those already in operation. We hear already of many who have worked their
claims for days (by panning) without having "raised the color," as the phrase
is — that is, without having found any gold whatever. We presume thousands
are destined to encounter lasting and utter disappointment, quartz veins which
bear no gold being a prominent feature of the geology of all this region.
We cannot conclude this statement without protesting most earnestly against
a renewal of the infatuation which impelled thousands to rush to this region a
month or two since, only to turn back before reaching it, or to hurry away imme-
diately after more hastily than they came. Gold-mining is a business which emi-
nently requires of its votaries capital, experience, energy, endurance, and in
which the highest qualities do not always command success. There may be
hundreds of ravines in these mountains as rich in gold as that in which we write,
and there probably are many ; but, up to this hour, we do not know that any
such have been discovered. There are said to be five thousand people already in
this ravine, and hundreds more are pouring into it daily. Tens of thousands more
have been passed by us on our rapid journey to this place, or heard of as on
their way hither by other routes. For all these, nearly every pound of provisions
and supplies of every kind must be hauled by teams from the Missouri River,
some 700 miles distant, over roads which are mere trails, crossing countless
unbridged water-courses, always steep-banked and often miry, and at times so
swollen by rains as to be utterly impassable by wagons. Part of this distance
is a desert, yielding grass, wood and water only at intervals of several
miles, and then very scantily. To attempt to cross this desert on foot is mad-
ness— suicide — murder. To cross it with teams in midsummer, when the water
courses are mainly dry, and the grass eaten up, is possible only to those who
know just where to look for grass and water, and where water must be carried
along to preserve life. A few months hence — probably by the middle of October
— this whole Alpine region will be snowed under and frozen up, so as to put
a stop to the working of sluices if not to mining altogether. There then, for a
period of at least six months, will be neither employment, food, nor shelter
within 500 miles for the thousands pressing hither under the delusion that
gold may be picked up here like pebbles on the seashore, and that when they
arrive here, even though without provisions or money, their fortunes are made.
Great disappointment, great suffering, are inevitable ; few can escape the latter
who arrive at Denver City after September without ample means to support
them in a very dear country, at least through a long winter. We charge those
who manage the telegraph not to diffuse a part of our statement without giving
substantially the whole; and we beg the press generally to unite with us in
warning the whole people against another rush to these gold-mines, as ill-
advised as that of last spring — a rush sure to be followed, like that, by a stampede,
but one far more destructive of 'property and life.
Respectfully,
HORACE GREELEY,
A. D. RICHARDSON,
HENRY VILLARD.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 245
Hollister in his "Mining in Colorado" writes as follows of that first season
in the newly opened mining region :
"It was not unusual for four or five men to wash out from the Gregory, Bates,
Bobtail, Mammoth, Hunter and many other lodes then newly discovered, one
hundred and fifty dollars a day for weeks together. Single pans of dirt could
be taken up carefully from any of a dozen lodes, that would yield five dollars.
Zeigler, Spain & Co. ran a sluice' three weeks on the Gregory and cleaned up
3,000 pennyweights; Sopris, Henderson & Co. took out $607 in four days;
Shears & Co., two days, $853, all taken from within three feet of the surface.
Brown & Co., one and a half days, $260; John H. Gregory, three days, $972;
Casto, Kendall & Co., one day, $225 ; S. G. Jones & Co., two days, $450 ; Bates
& Co., one and a half days, $135; Coleman, King & Co., one-half day, $75;
Defrees & Co., twelve days with one sluice, $2,080. In one day Leper, Gridley
& Co. obtained $1,009 from three sluices. One sluice washed out in one day
$510. Foote & Simmons realized $300 in three days. The Illinois Company ob-
tained $175 in their first day's sluicing from the Brown lode in Russell district.
Walden & Co. took in one day from a lode in the same district, $125. John
Pogue took $500 from a lode in the same district in three days. Three men
took from the Kansas lode in two days, $500. Kehler, Patton & Fletcher aver-
aged with five hands on the Bates lode, $100 a day for two months. Day &
Crane on the same lode with seven or eight hands, sluiced for ten weeks, their
smallest weekly run being $180, their largest $357. J. C. Ross & Co. with four
hands, averaged $100 a day on the Fisk lode for four months. F. M. Cobb &
Co. on the Bobtail lode with four men, averaged from $75 to $100 a day for
two months. Heffner, McLain & Cooper worked four men at a sluice on the Clay
County lode, averaging $100 a day for ten weeks. Shoog & Co. averaged $100
a day for three months' sluicing with five men on the Maryland lode."
GILPIN COUNTY AND JOHN H. GREGORY
As soon as the news of Jackson's discovery spread, a resistless tide of "pil-
grims" surged up the winding banks of Clear Creek, in search of the "golden
fleece." In the summer of 1859, the gulches and canyons of the Front Range
swarmed with prospectors and miners. At the same time there was a stampede
to the Gregory Diggings in what is now Gilpin County, one of the richest mineral-
bearing districts of Colorado.
John H. Gregory, of Georgia, was an adventurous fellow who knocked about
on the frontier in the summer and fall of 1858, finally reaching Fort Laramie.
Here he seems to have heard of the gold discovery in Dry Creek. In January,
1859, ne set out southward, determined to prospect the streams of the Front
Range. Gregory was no tenderfoot. Like Jackson, he had real. grit and heroism
in his make-up. In the wintry weather he put up with many discomforts in the
wilderness. He must have found the cold hard to bear, for he had been used
to the mild, sunny clime of the South.
Gregory was an experienced miner, and he knew where to look for colors.
Working gradually south along the foothills, he prospected the Cache la Poudre
and other streams. Following up- the Vasquez Fork of the South Platte, he
came to the vicinity of the Blackhawk of today. Hereabouts he got some colors.
246 HISTORY OF COLORADO
"Gregory now felt certain that he had found gold," says Hollister in "The Mines
of Colorado" (1867), "but before he could satisfy himself a heavy snowstorm
occurred, during which he nearly perished." On account of the snow and the
lack of supplies, the man was forced to leave the little ravine where he had
obtained a small quantity of fine gold. He found his way down into the valley
and subsisted upon venison and other game that he got by hunting. He finally
turned up in the short-lived mining camp or town of "Arapahoe" on Clear
Creek, a little below the Golden of today. Says Hollister: "At one time there
must have been fifty houses in this town; today not one remains."
Gregory was discouraged. Apparently he was down and out. At this crisis
in his life he chanced to meet David J. Wall, of Indiana, who had faith in the
Georgian and "grubstaked" him for another prospecting tour in the hills. The
Hoosier's confidence was not misplaced. Gregory made good. Accompanied by
a small party of men, he set out in April and reached the place where he had
seen indications of gold deposits the previous winter. A little south of Black-
hawk, the discovery of Gregory Lode occurred May 6, 1859. This was the
discovery of the season. In '59-'6o "Gregory's Diggings" had a great reputation,
yielding millions of dollars.
Was it a chance, or superior judgment, that led Gregory through a maze of
broken mountains to a ravine two or three miles in length ? In this gulch and on
the bordering hills he found the heart of one of the richest mining regions in the
world.
From poverty he suddenly attained affluence. He sold his claims for twenty-
one thousand dollars. Four months later, he left Denver with gold dust valued
at twenty-five thousand dollars, and he had previously forwarded five thousand
dollars to his family in Georgia. Not much is known of his later history. He
returned home, drifted to Texas and disappeared. We have not even a photo-
graph of this man, who did so much for Colorado. A town or a county should
be named in his honor. There are those who think Gilpin County should have
been named Gregory County.
First came the discovery of float gold in Dry Creek, between Denver and
Littleton, in the month of July, 1858. The news of this find, with other rumors,
started the rush to Pike's Peak in the spring of 1859. The great majority of
the fortune hunters who flocked to the hills and mountains that memorable year
were disappointed. They found no gold worth mentioning, and many of them
turned their faces toward the rising sun, discouraged. The golden treasure
was here, but they could not locate it; so they gave up in despair and disgust.
The tide of the "go-backs" was checked by the discoveries of Jackson and
Gregory.
Others made valuable finds. About June i, Green Russell arrived at Central
City with 170 followers. Immediately he struck out into the neighboring hills,
and soon he located the gold-bearing gulch that was named in his honor. At the
end of the season, Russell took back $21,000 in the glistening grains that formed
the currency of the new mining region yclept "Pike's Peak," although the dig-
gings were all located seventy-five miles or more to the northwest of the majestic
monarch of the Rockies.
The discoveries of Jackson and .Gregory settled the fate of the straggling
VIEW OF A STREET IN GREGORY'S GULCH, GILPIN COUNTY
(Reproduced from a photographic enlargement of a wood engraving published in Frank
Leslie's Illustrated Weekly, March 24, 1860.)
248 HISTORY OF COLORADO
frontier settlement. The section of the Eastern Slope embracing Clear Creek
and Gilpin counties is called the birthplace of Colorado.
These were the beginnings of the mineral industry in Colorado. Gilpin is
one of the smallest counties in the state, and yet it has produced a hundred
millions in metallic wealth, mostly gold.
There is a silver belt in Gilpin County, but it has never been largely devel-
oped or very productive. The past eighteen years the annual output of silver
has averaged something over $166,000, while the gold production during that
period has averaged $1,275,000 a year. The yearly production of lead has ranged
from $20,000 to $69,000. The copper output has averaged about $114,000 annu-
ally. Gilpin County has produced no zinc to speak of.
COLORADO'S FOUR MINING EPOCHS
The mining history of the state divides itself naturally into four epochs.
The first, a placer mining period, which began with the discovery of gold by
the Russell party in 1858 and- in the fpllowing year by Jackson and Gregory
was wholly crude and spasmodic, and cleaned up what was on or near the sur-
face. The second period was that which exploited along constantly improving
scientific lines, the fissure veins, the chief sources of production. The third
period was that in which the methods of ore treatment were revolutionized — the
era of modern mills and smelters — a cyanidation period. The fourth might
well be termed the deep-mining epoch, in which vast capital was invested in the
proper and widely extended development of the state's deeper mineral resources
— a period which is yet only in its inception. It is the epoch of great tunneling
projects, of scientific unwatering, and of new treatment methods that are as
revolutionary as was the beginning of the cyaniding era. To this time also be-
longs the exploitation of masses that had been discarded upon dumps as worth-
less.
It is advisable to go over the periods in a general way before narrating the
interesting episodes which brought the gold-seekers to Colorado and welded them
into a powerful community.
The tracts bearing free gold were extremely limited and each crowded at
the outset by hordes of men impatient to dig out their fortunes as quickly as
possible. But the gradual decrease in earnings was the sieve which sent impa-
tient thousands to othei' fields and left the development of the country to the
few whose pluck and faith seemed equal to the task.
From 1863 to 1870 there was a gradual but certain decrease of population,
and in view of the facts this is not at all strange, for it took much patience and
hard work to initiate mining enterprises on legitimate development lines. J. Alden
Smith, state geologist, to whose early reports we are indebted for much of this
information, asserts that the population in 1870 was " a little over 35,000." He
adds : "The small amount of solid wealth accumulated meanwhile was due rather
to hard work and the closest economy than to the productiveness of the resources
under operation."
Prior to 1870 or even as late as 1874 the prospector did all his work with
a gold pan. If the required number of "colors" were not present, the district
was deserted by him.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 249
From 1874 to 1890 the gold pan was almost entirely discarded by the pros-
pector and he depended upon the returns given him by the assayer to determine
the value of his rind. So complete was the change that comparatively few men
engaged the assayer to determine more than the silver and lead content, assuming
that there was no gold.
With the discovery of Cripple Creek the prospector again changed his method.
He used both the pan and the assay.
E. S. Bastin, C. W. Henderson and J. M. Hill in a government publication
issued in 1917 by the U. S. Geological Survey, thus discuss these early methods:
"Entering the mountains with little equipment beyond shovel, pick and pan,
the first miners in this district saved the gold by the usual pioneer methods of
sluicing, cradling, and panning. These methods were fairly satisfactory when
applied to the stream gravels and the oxidized surface ore of the veins, but the
miners soon discovered that as depth was gained on the veins the yield of gold
fell off rapidly. For this there is an excellent geologic reason, as the early work-
ings were in the outcrops of the veins, in which the action of air and water had
distintegrated the ore, freed much of the gold from its sulphide matrix, and
converted it by solution and redeposition into a coarser form. In the deeper
portions of the veins the ore was harder, and most of the gold being finely dis-
tributed through sulphides was much, less readily amalgamated.
"Appreciating the difficulty, even if not cognizant of its causes, the miners
sought a remedy in various appliances for fine crushing of the ore. An early
device consisted of a small mortar whose pestle was attached to a sapling, the
spring of the sapling raising the pestle. Another device was the 'woodpecker mill/
which was an iron-shod wooden trip hammer, worked by water power, which
fell in a wooden iron-lined trough. The arrastre early made its appearance, the
first one being constructed near the mouth of Gregory Gulch in July, 1859. Five
of them, each six feet in diameter, and constructed of granite, may still be seen
in the valley of Clear Creek just below Dumont. This device was followed the
same summer by the first stamp mill, a home-made affair with six stamps, set up
at the mouth of Chase Gulch and run by water power. It had wooden stems,
shoes, and dies, but the dies were shod with iron plates. Its operation in the
summer and fall of 1859 is said to have netted its owner about $6,000. The first
imported mill appears to have been a little three-stamp mill erected in 1859 by
T. T. Prosser in Prosser Gulch.
"During the first year of the development of the region near Central City
the scarcity of water for ore treatment became troublesome, and a company was
formed to bring water in from Fall River. The ditch built to accomplish this
end had its head above the mouth of Silver Creek, at the base of the high peaks
of the range, was twelve miles long, and traversed some rough country. The
early miners, however, were deterred by no obstacles and had the work com-
pleted and water flowing at Russell Gulch, Nevadaville, and Blackhawk early
in the spring of 1860. The ditch later came under the control of New York
people, who, through short-sighted management, so antagonized the miners that
the enterprise was of short usefulness.
"During the summer of 1860 there were sixty stamp mills and thirty arrastres
run by water power in operation between Nevadaville and Blackhawk. These
were all working on oxidized ores, but by the end of that year the heavier sul-
250 HISTORY OF COLORADO
phide ores were reached and the percentage of savings by the mills immediately
dropped.
"The year 1861 saw the construction of the first mill on South Clear Creek.
In Gilpin County the savings from sulphide ores continued to diminish, arid dur-
ing 1861 it was found necessary to close mine after mine which could not be
made to pay. Numerous experiments were tried, both with stamp mills and
leaching processes, none of which was markedly successful. In fact, this change
at so shallow a depth from free-milling ores to stubborn sulphides was a calamity
that crushed the hopes of many prospectors and caused a suspension of opera-
tions by numerous companies operating in the district.
"In 1861 Caleb S. Burdsall built the first smelter of the region at Nevada-
ville. This was a crude affair that was unfortunately destroyed too soon after
its erection to prove its worth.
"The difficulty in amalgamating the sulphide ores led to what Raymond has
called the 'process mania.'
"The process mania, commencing in 1864 and lasting till 1867, was one of
the main causes which damaged the reputation of the mines to such a degree
that the country was nearly ruined by the reaction. Upon the first failure of the
stamp mills, the people came to the conclusion that the ore must be roasted before
the gold could be amalgamated. One invention for this purpose followed another ;
desulphurization became the abacadabra of the new alchemists, and millions of
dollars were wasted in speculations based on sweeping claims of perfect suc-
cesses put forward by deluded or deluding proprietors of patents."
Exploitation even of the fissure veins proceeded slowly because of the uni-
versal ignorance concerning perfected methods of mining and reduction of
refractory ores. The mineral broken by hand, struggling with adverse condi-
tions, however rich in gold or silver, returned meager profits to the producer,
because no one had applied the better knowledge of milling and smelting employed
even then to good effect in the older mining sections of the country. The beds
of streams into which the crushing mills poured their refuse were choked with
concentrates bearing the enormous wastage of imperfect appliances. Excepting
the few districts in Gilpin, Clear Creek and Boulder counties, very little beyond
the determination of the permanency of the lodes was accomplished during the
first decade. The remoteness of industrial centers from the bases of supply
east of the Missouri River, and the total absence of railways, compelled the trans-
portation of all commerce, including heavy machinery, across the plains at a
cost for freightage of from ten to forty cents per pound.
The coming of the railways in 1870 and the years immediately following
inaugurated a new mining era. Then began the practical demonstration of the
character and value of the fissure veins at great depths, which has been prose-
cuted to this time. The system of milling the sulphuret bearing gangues (quartz
or rocky non-metallic material) from which the heavier mineral had been pre-
viously assorted for treatment by fire, advanced briskly under the improvements
added by science to the work of amalgamation and concentration, and the
smelters were soon enabled to pay higher prices for the grades best adapted
to their use, and to multiply their facilities to keep up with the growing demand.
In a report made in 1882 by A. N. Rogers on gold milling in Gilpin County
the methods in vogue then betray the fact that there had been little, if any, ad-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 251
vance in California methods and that the great progress in treatment is in the
history of later years. Mr. Rogers says in this report of 1882 :
"Most of the gold ores are reduced by stamping, and amalgamated, both inside
and outside of the batteries, after which blanketings are caught, to be panned
or returned to the batteries and put through a second time with the coarse rock.
Below the blankets, suitable sluices and buddies are used to collect and concen-
trate the outflowing tailings, which, being reduced to a 10 per cent gangue limit,
become marketable product for smelters, because of their fluxing qualities more
than their value. The richer sulphurets are hand-picked and cobbed for the
smelters and some grades of ore which are not free milling are concentrated and
likewise sold."
In 1867, or perhaps a year or two earlier, stamp milling in Gilpin County
barely escaped disastrous failure because of the refractoriness of the very heavy
sulphide ores. Stamp mill products, which contained $20 to $50 per ton, under
the best skill and methods then at command would rarely yield more than 50 per
cent and in some cases less than 25 per cent of their value. In 1882, of upward &f
2,000 tons of ore which was weighed, sampled and assayed before treatment
in the Bobtail mill, the saving, by amalgamation above the blankets, was 70
per cent of the contained values of gold and about 6 per cent of the silver.
"This milling," says George H. Gray, assayer and metallurgist, in his report on
this particular item, "was done at an average cost of but little more than one
dollar per ton, embracing all items of current expense, repairs, and removals of
the plant, but not covering interest on its cost."
Mr. White, state geologist, in his report for 1882, says of concentrates:
"Mills have been erected in different quarters of the state expressly for concen-
trating ores, but, with few exceptions, were closed in a few weeks after com-
pletion, or operated spasmodically without satisfactory results." Mr. White
attributes the causes of failure to ignorance of the essential principles involved,
to defective machines, to machinery with insufficient capacity, and to concentrates
which, when perfectly cleansed, were of too low a grade for existing markets."
Amalgamation, too, at this period secured only an average of about 70 per
cent of the gold contents.
Colorado led in the introduction of the cyanide process through a company
known as The Gold and Silver Extraction Mining and Milling Company, owners
of patent for the McArthur-Forrest process, obtained in May, 1889, and in May,
1890. In November, 1893, the above Colorado company sold to The Gold and
Silver Extraction Company of America, Limited, a corporation organized under
the laws of Great Britain, with home office in Glasgow, Scotland, and the
American agency in Denver.
Robert B. Turner, in the State Bureau of Mines report for 1897 thus writes
of the process:
"A second cyanide company was organized in September, 1894, known as The
American Cyanide Gold and Silver Recovery Company, which is strictly an
American and state organization, being incorporated under Colorado laws, with
headquarters in Denver. This company operates what is generally known as the
American dioxide-cyanide process, which is the addition of sodium dioxide to
a potassium cyanide solution.
"A third company, The General Gold Extraction Company, Limited, has head-
252 HISTORY OF COLORADO
quarters in Denver, and represents the Pelatan-Clerici process, under the United
States patents issued in 1894, 1895 and 1896. The mode of treatment of the
crushed ore is by agitation with a dilute solution of potassium cyanide in a large
pan, and while such agitation is in progress, the gold is precipitated by an elec-
trical current and mercury on copper plates.
"At present time the writer knows of no mill in operation in Colorado using
the Pelatan-Clerici process, but the company has an experimental or testing plant
in Denver. Therefore, all the cyanide mills working in the state are using either
the American dioxide-cyanide or the McArthur-Forrest process.
"The Cripple Creek district has been one of the best in the state for the
treatment of its ores by the cyanide process, and has five mills, as follows: The
Colorado Ore Reduction Company, Elktori, chlorination, 50 tons; cyanide, 60
tons per day. The Brodie Gold Reduction Company, Mound City, cyanide, 400
tons per day. The American Reduction Company, Florence, cyanide, 50 tons
per day. The London, Florence, cyanide, 50 tons per day.
"As all the above mills are custom plants, it becomes necessary to sample the
ores in a well equipped sampling works, so as to establish their values for pur-
chasing purposes before going to the fine crushing department of the mill.
Therefore, all the Cripple Creek mills have their own sampling department and
storage bins ahead of the cyanide mills, and ores are held until satisfactory settle-
ments are made."
In 1897 the chlorination process was considered the best for the telluride ores
of Cripple Creek and Boulder counties. The record of the largest mills using
that process was as follows :
Tons per day.
The Colorado-Philadelphia Reduction Company, Colorado City 250
The Gillett Reduction Company, Gillett 75
The Kilton Reduction Company, Florence 40
The El Paso Reduction Company, Florence 100
The Delano Reduction Company, Boulder 50
There are to-day no chlorination plants in Colorado. The process has been
superseded by cyanidation and roasting. The two largest mills in the state have
been changed over into newer process plants.
In discussing amalgamation Harry A. Lee, commissioner of mines, in 1897,
says: "While no radical changes have occurred the old custom of feeding the
battery by hand is almost wholly replaced. New equipment of crusher, rolls and
automatic feeders at the 'bead' of the mill being quite common and is now con-
sidered an essential part of the modern mill. The stamp battery as a reducing
device has stood the test of generations, but its operation is almost as variable
as the mills operated. The old reliable slow-drop Gilpin County mill still holds
sway in that region and the question of utility as compared with the more modern
compromise or quick-drop mills still remains unsettled except with the various
parties."
In this report for 1897 he says: "A number of stamp mills have been erected
during the past year in various sections of the state, and as previously stated,
differ materially in their method of operation. The tendency, however, is towards
heavier stamps, faster drop and depending more upon the outside plates (the in-
side plates being often omitted) to collect the gold and the appended devices for
VIEW OF A GULCH MINING LOCALITY ADJACENT TO THE TOWN OF
IDAHO SPKINGS
(Reproduced from a photographic enlargement of a photograph made in 1867.)
VIEW OF NEVADA IN 1865
This picture was drawn by A. E. Mathews in the latter part of 1865. Nevada is situated
in Gilpin County, and was one of the famous mining towns in Colorado's pioneer times.
254 HISTORY OF COLORADO
concentration to recover the remaining values. The weight of stamps varies
from 650 to 1,100 pounds, the drop from ten to twelve inches, and screens from
twenty to sixty mesh. The amalgamation plates are, with few exceptions, silver-
plated but vary in size and pitch."
In 1897 concentration methods had made a considerable advance. The in-
creased use of the canvas tables was a long-considered proposition, but was finally
very generally adopted. Another departure of this period was the separation of
the zinc from lead and iron sulphides and the making of a marketable zinc prod-
uct as well as lead and iron. Mr. Lee, however, adds : "While it may be said
that concentration has advanced during the past years, there is still room for im-
provement, and it must be improved before some of the largest ore bodies can
have commercial value."
By 1900 Colorado recovered its "stride," so to speak. For the panic of 1893,
the shutting down of most of its silver mines, introduced a long period of tragic
depression, and during the closing quarter of 1902 the market price of silver
reached the lowest point in its history, 49^ cents per ounce. Yet by this time
the transition had been made from the leading silver-producing to the leading
gold-producing state of the union. There was a slow but certain process that
had brought about the change. Prior to 1900 a movement had begun to make
the mining of low grade ores profitable. Up to a period between 1895 and 1900
only ores with values sufficient to bear the toll of labor, transportation and
smelting were sought or mined. The high-grade segregated ore shoots, chambers,
pipes or pockets were eagerly sought, mined and marketed. The intervening ore
bodies of lower grade were either left in the mine or, from necessity, removed
to the mine's dump. To realize profit from the low-grade ore, the introduction
and erection of metallurgical plants and the installation of improved and enlarged
mechanical equipment were necessary. Many changes of this kind were effected,
and mining methods show a decided advance. By this year the processes had
been greatly improved, cyaniding was thoroughly modernized and concentration
was given a great impetus by many new and ingenious devices. In these years
the eyes of the mine owners were also turned upon the old waste dumps and mill
tailings, and out of these have in recent years come vast fortunes which by the
earlier and cruder methods had been discarded with the mine refuse.
As the shafts attained deeper levels the cost of production in many districts
soon became so heavy that mine after mine was shut down. In fact in many
districts work was confined to cleaning up old stopes and prospecting surface
areas formerly considered unworkable, but now made possible by lower cost of
ore treatment. Then there came the solution of the problem, viz. : the deep drain-
age tunnel. Perhaps the most important of these first undertakings was the New-
house tunnel, located at the lower edge of Idaho Springs, and with its objective
Nevadaville in Gilpin County. The tunnel is now known as the Argo. It pene-
trates Seaton and Pewabic mountains, Quartz Hill and Gunnell Hill, crossing
under the county line into the Central City district," and has its present terminal
under Prosser Mountain. It intersects the mineral veins at an average depth of
seventeen hundred feet, and is over twenty-two thousand feet long. Part of it is
double-tracked and electric locomotives are used for hauling ores and waste
rock which are automatically dumped. The production of Gilpin and Clear Creek
gives some conception of the value of this tunnel.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 255
T. J. Dalzell, commissioner of mines, in his report for 1909 and 1910, writes
thus of the mining tunnels :
"The largest mining tunnels in the state are the Newhouse, at Idaho Springs ;
the Roosevelt, at Cripple Creek; the Yak, at Leadville; the Revenue, at Ouray,
and the Big Five, at upper Idaho Springs. Their use has given the mining in-
dustry the highest kind of conservation. They have in many cases closely demon-
strated the existence of the veins at considerable depths. They have drained the
surrounding area, and are constantly increasing the drainage area they affect.
They have reduced the cost of mining ore by largely removing the necessity of
hoisting, and they have practically eliminated the wagon transportation. They
have assisted ventilation of mines; and, in the Clear Creek district particularly,
the methods and cost of ore treatment have been improved and*reduced by as-
sembling the ores of the various mines at centrally operated plants located at the
mouth of the tunnel, at which points the entire ore product is treated by the
usual methods which have for years proved serviceable in this district. The
yearly output of Clear Creek and Gilpin counties was in the neighborhood of
four million dollars twenty years ago, but has declined gradually, until that for
1908 was $2,500,000. The improvements and advances which will now mark
the completion of the Newhouse tunnel will go a long way toward bringing a
return of the old prosperity to these two pioneer mining districts. The drainage
tunnel will also have a present effect on the new mines opened, making the work
easier and of less cost, by reason of relieving the operator of the necessity of
pumping.
"In the Cripple Creek district the enormous help of the Roosevelt Drainage
tunnel lies in this, that practically all the mines are drained an additional 754
feet, and the use of many separate and expensive pumping plants is made un-
necessary. The tunnel is 14,000 feet in length, and was finished in November,
1910, to the extent of first drainage connection being made. Laterals will now
be run to tap the various hills or sections of the district. The Cripple Creek
district has produced, in its life of seventeen years, approximately two hundred
and ten millions. More than half of this sum was produced in the first eight or
nine years of its history, from the zones in which little or no drainage was neces-
sary or effected. In late years, the production of more than fifty thousand tons
of ore monthly has shown what has been made possible by tunnel drainage, and
there is every reason to suppose that the present tunnel, and other enterprises of
like character, will maintain the reputation of the district as the greatest gold-
producing section ever known.
"The water has begun to fall at a regular rate per day or week — a rate that
is practically the same all over the district. Measurements extending over periods
of thirty days give a subsidence of three inches per twenty-four hours. While
this seems small now, it must be remembered that it is the drainage from but
the one water course thus far cut. Very soon another important channel will
be intersected and connected with the drainage course, and the heading of the
tunnel will also be advanced. It is likely that the drainage will settle itself to a
subsidence of six inches daily, at which rate the 754 feet additional mining terri-
tory afforded will be drained in eighteen "months. This period will not only
suffice to develop the productiveness of this new territory, but also serve to per-
mit plans and organization for the driving of a still lower tunnel, for which the
256 HISTORY OF COLORADO
site is already available and the project shown to be feasible at a length of about
thirty thousand feet."
The Roosevelt deep drainage tunnel in the Cripple Creek district, the Yak
tunnel at Leadville, the Raymond, the Sandy Hook, the Carter in the Pitkin and
Ohio Creek districts, and many others which are fully covered in the history
of the districts, have proven beyond a question that the mineral wealth of Colorado
is perhaps largest at depths that could not be worked profitably save by the aid
of tunnels.
The first dredging for gold in the United States, aside from some experi-
mental work in Montana, was done in the Breckenridge district in Colorado. But
the project failed because of the inferior quality of the material used in their
construction, manganese and other self-hardened steels being then unknown. But
in 1907 the project was again revived.
In 1910 five dredges were in operation in Breckenridge, most of them work-
ing even through the winter, and capable of handling up to three thousand yards
per day. The Reliance was the largest dredge in the district, and was one of
two dredges operating in French Gulch; the others were working on the Blue
River. The yield was in the neighborhood of 20 cents or 30 cents per cubic
yard, and the field offered extremely promising opportunities to the investor and
placer miner.
In the annual State Mining Bureau report for 1916, the commissioner, Fred
Carroll, says :
"Dredging, wherever the depth and character of the gravel will permit, is
gradually replacing other methods of placer mining, but when the gravel beds
are shallow or the size and percentage of boulders too great, the older methods o'f
ground sluicing or hydraulic mining are still in vogue ; however, in determining
the method best adapted for the economical working of any placer deposit, the
factor governing is largely that of grade, i. e., the value of the gold contained
in a cubic yard of the gravel.
"The Tonopah Placer Company, operating three dredges in the Breckenridge
district, employs about seventy men on the boats, on the surface and in the
machine shops.
"The French Gulch Dredging -Company is employing about fifteen men in the
operation of a dredge, which is equipped with buckets of five cubic feet capacity
and which is digging gravel at a point opposite the Wellington mill in French
Gulch. The gravel bed at this point has an average thickness of about thirty feet
and carries values higher than ordinary in the area mined this season.
"The Derry Ranch Dredging Company during last year installed a dredge in
the Arkansas Valley, at a point about twelve miles from Leadville, and has
operated very successfully for the past two seasons. This boat, which is equipped
with buckets of 5^ cubic feet capacity, is working gravel which has a thickness
of about thirty feet.
"The only hydraulic operations of any magnitude carried on in this state dur-
ing the past two seasons are those at the head of Tarryall Creek in Park County.
"The Fortune Placer Company started operating in the spring of 1912 and
has worked every season since then with a force of from fifteen to twenty men.
About thirty thousand cubic feet of gravel are handled each season with the use
of three Number 2 Giants, working under a pressure of from eighty to ninety-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 257
five pounds. The gravel now being handled has a thickness of from twelve to
eighteen feet.
"The Burnhart Placer was worked with a few men this season. A ditch
and pipe line were completed and a pit started at a point a short distance above
the pit of the Fortune Placer.
"The Colorado Gold and Platinum Placer Mining Company has spent a large
sum during the summer of 1916 in ditches and placer equipment on their prop-
erty in the Hahns Peak district, and is now ready to start actual mining as soon
as the season of 1917 opens."
The output of placer gold from thirty-five placers in 1915 was $693,310, an
increase of $50,950 over 1914. Summit County, with four dredges and seven
hydraulic and sluice mines, produced nearly 88 per cent, and one dredge in Lake
County produced 10 per cent of the placer yield.
English capital became more heavily interested in Colorado ventures immedi-
ately after the opening of Cripple Creek, when the entire world listened with in-
terest and amazement to the stories of fabulous fortunes that were made there.
But there had been large ventures and big dividends from English monies invested
in Clear Creek and Gilpin counties long before this. In fact foreign capital had
many engineers on the ground looking over likely propositions and made many
investments. It is not the purpose of this history to cover in detail these foreign
undertakings in Colorado, but to mention two in particular which stand out as
the solid evidences of a wonderful faith by careful foreign investors in the per-
manence of Colorado's mineral resources.
The first of these was the purchase of the Independence mine at Cripple
Creek from W. R. Stratton, by the Venture Corporation of London in 1899 f°r
$10,000,000. The second great venture was the sale to a group of London
capitalists of the Camp Bird mine in what is known as the Imogene Basin about
twelve miles north of Silverton. Thomas F. Walsh sold this property to the
English syndicate in 1902 for $5,100,000.
In 1909 the finding of enormous bodies of carbonates of zinc in the old upper
workings of Leadville mines opened a new era of prosperity for that camp.
These bodies were supposed for years to be spar and valueless. In 1910 the
discovery increased the production of the Leadville district over one third. Since
then the increase has been much greater. In the State Bureau report for 1912
the district inspector says :
"Lake County has enjoyed a prosperous period during 1911 and 1912, due
in great measure to the recent carbonate-of-zinc discoveries, which now total at
least one-fifth of the output of the district. This new class of mineral has not
only increased the tonnage, but has added to a large extent to the number of men
employed underground. In the year 1910 there were employed in mines, smelt-
ers, and mills a total of 2,460 men, of whom 1,810 worked at mining, 575 worked
in smelters, and 75 worked in mills. A recent enumeration shows that at the
present time there are 2,130 men working at mining, 625 in smelters, and 15 in
mills and sampling works; a total of 2,770 in all the industries pertaining to
the mining business. This is an increase of 310 men over the last biennial period,
notwithstanding the fact that the American Zinc Extraction Company shut down
its works, which formerly employed seventy-five men in the district."
Since 1015 there has been a new prosperity era for practically all the mining
258 HISTORY OF COLORADO
camps save that of Cripple Creek. In this camp the production is confined to
gold, and with increased cost of production, the output has not had the added
values which obtain elsewhere in the state. The total production of gold, silver,
copper, lead and zinc in 1915 in Colorado amounted to $44,060,052.47, an increase
of nearly 30 per cent over 1914. This increase was undoubtedly due to the
high price of metal prevailing in 1915, together with an increase in tonnage of
about sixty thousand tons over that made the previous year. The total produc-
tion in these metals in 1916 was but $49,000,000, an increase of only 13 per cent
over the previous year, although the average yearly market price of silver for
1916 was 30.3 per cent higher; that of lead was 45.6 per cent higher; that of
copper 55.4 per cent higher; and that of zinc about the same, $13 as compared
with $13.05 in 1915. This condition was the result of a decrease in both quality
and grade of the gold ore mined in the state.
OIL FLOTATION
In December, 1916, there was handed down by the Supreme Court of the
United States the now historic decision in the oil flotation case.
For years it had been known that oil and oily substances had a selective affin-
ity and would unite mechanically with the minute particles of metal and metallic
compounds found in crushed or powdered ores, but had no attraction and would
not unite with quartz or rocky non-metallic material, called gangue. Patents
had been granted to various individuals, and the oil flotation process had been
used in Colorado for some years. This consisted in mixing finely crushed or
powdered ore with water and oil, sometimes with acid added, and then in vari-
ously treating the mass, — the "pulp" thus formed, so as to separate the oil, when
it became impregnated or loaded with the metal and metal-bearing particles from
the valueless gangue. From the resulting concentrate the metals were recovered
in various ways.
The Minerals Separation, Limited, of London, had obtained patents in the
United States and all foreign countries in 1906 on a new flotation process in
which the oil used was infinitesimal and "the lifting force was found not in the
natural buoyancy of the mass of added oil, but in the buoyancy of the bubbles,
which, introduced into the mixture by the" more or less violent agitation of it,
envelope or become attached to the thinly oiled metallic particles."
The decision in both the Supreme Court of the United States and in the
House of Lords was in favor of the Minerals Separation, Limited.
Oil flotation is purely an ore-dressing process, which has supplemented and
revolutionized concentration methods of sulphide ores. It can be used on any
bright sulphide or flaky metal. On the sylvanites of Cripple Creek it is used
with splendid results. Under the decision of the Supreme Court the most ad-
vanced oil flotation process is subject to license by the original patentees or their
agents. At present the control in the United States is in the hands of the Min-
erals Separation, North American corporation, with headquarters in San Fran-
cisco.
VIEW OF THE BUSINESS SECTION OF TRINIDAD IN 1869
VIEW OF TRINIDAD IN 1881
260
HISTORY OF COLORADO
PRODUCTION OF BIG PROPERTIES UP TO l88o
The following from Fossett's "Colorado" was published in 1880 and makes
a fairly complete record of production of gold and silver from the earliest periods
to the year 1880. Fossett introduces his tables with the following explanation:
"The yields given for a majority of mines are close estimates in coin value —
not currency, as was the former custom. This list embraces all mines in Colorado
whose product had exceeded a quarter of a million prior to January, 1880, and
but very few whose yield was less than that. Gilpin and Clear Creek counties
have many lodes that yielded from one to two hundred thousand dollars, but they
don't think a mine prominent in those counties unless its yield exceeds such fig-
ures. Most lodes in Gilpin have several distinct mines on them, but each lode is
combined here. Leadville has new mines now producing largely that did not
appear below, and many of those mentioned have doubled their product since
January i, 1880. So that in this comparison the new Leadville mines do not
appear to the advantage that they will another year."
Years of
Active
Work
Little Annie
Caribou
and No Name
Native Silver
Smuggler
Melvina
Columbia Lode
Gregory
Bobtail
Gunnell
California, Gardner
Hidden
Treasure Lode
County
Boulder
Boulder
Boulder
Boulder
Boulder
Gilpin
Gilpin
Gilpin
Gilpin
Silver
1878
1Y*
$2,100,000.00
Silver
1878
ll/2
3,800,000.00
Silver
1878
ll/2
2,056,292.00
Silver
1877
2/2
700,000.00
Silver
1877
2
600,000.00
Silver
1878
l/2
600,000.00
Silver
2
450,000.00
Silver
3
300,000.00
Silver
y*
250,000.00
Silver
l}/2
300,000.00
Silver
ll/2
200,000.00
Gold
5
300,000.00
Silver
1874
5
723,929.51
G. and S.
1877
2l/2
350,000.00
:Gold
i873
4
200,000.00
Character
DiSSrt
Esfd No.
&?£
Entire Lode
Wo?
TSB?
Total Yield
from DU-
Silver
1869
10
812
$1,368,000
Silver
1873
6
580
250,000
G. and S.
1876
4
240
300,000
G. and S.
1875
5/
500
310,000
Gold
1859
H
540
350,000
Gold
1859
16
940
6,970-354
Gold
1859
16
920
5,138,837
Gold
1859
15
800
2,300,000
Gold
1859
15 1,100
2,150,000
HISTORY OF COLORADO
261
Est'd No. Depth in
Years of Feet of
Total Yield
from Dis-
When
Work f o
Name
County
Character
Discovered
Entire Lo
de Shaft
Jtmfl&SO
Kansas
Gilpin
Gold
1859
15
1,150
$2,000,000
Burroughs
Gilpin
Gold
1859
14
1,000
1,250,000
Rollins Mines
Gilpin
Gold
1860
7
450
1,000,000
Wyandotte Cons.
Gilpin
Gold
1859
14
300
800,000
Buell
Gilpin
Gold
1859
7
550
650,000
Bates
Gilpin
Gold
1859
9
450
600,000
Kent County
Gilpin
Gold
1859
15
800
550,000
Prize, Suderburg
Gilpin
Gold
1859
9
450
650,000
Fisk
Gilpin
Gold
1859
15
650
500,000
Forks
Gilpin
Gold
i860
10
700
450,000
Flack
Gilpin
Gold
1860
10
650
400,000
Rhoderick Dhu,
Borton, etc.
Gilpin
Gold
1860
7
550
400,000
Alps
Gilpin
Gold
1860
9
550
300,000
Illinois
Gilpin
Gold
1860
7
200
300,000
American Flag
Gilpin
Gold
1860
8
450
300,000
Pewabic
Gilpin
Gold
1860
7
300
250,000
Pelican, Dives
Clear Creek
Silver
1871
8>
2 460
2,711,253
Terrible Group,
Brown, etc.
Clear Creek
Silver
1868
ii
700
1,900,000
Colorado Central,
Consolidated
Clear Creek
Silver
1868-72
9
350
900,000
Red Elephant Con.
Clear Creek
Silver
1876-7
3
46O
650,000
Dunderberg-East
Terrible
Clear Creek
Silver
1868
6
4OO
608,000
Hukill
Clear Creek
G. and S. 1871
9
300
525,000
Pay Rock-
Clear Creek
Silver
1872
8
350
450,000
Baxter
Clear Creek
Silver
1871
8
350
360,000
Freeland
Clear Creek
G. and
S. 1861
4
• 70O
350,000
Maine-Phoenix
Clear Creek
Silver
1871
6
300
300,000
Junction Group
Clear Creek
Silver
1872
6
400
350,000
Equator
Clear Creek
Silver
1867
7
450
300,000
Kirtley
Clear Creek
Silver
1877
2^
\ 300
225,000
Roe-Hercules
Clear Creek
Silver
1871
8
300
250,000
Snow Drift
Clear Creek
Silver
1868
8
250
200,000
Silver Plume
Clear Creek
Silver
1868
8
250
200,000
Seaton
Clear Creek
Silver
1861
8
250
200,000
Saco
Clear Creek
Silver
1871
5
200,000
Boston Co. Mines
Summit
Silver
1868
ii
Tunnel
500,000
Moose
Park
Silver
1871
9
Tunnels
900,000
Dolly Varden
Park
Silver
1872
8
Tunnels
340,000
Phillips
Park
Gold
1862
5
150
300,000
CHAPTER XIII
COLORADO MINING— BY SECTIONS
THE MINES OF PARK COUNTY THE ROMANCE OF MINING IN SUMMIT COUNTY — i
LEADVILLE MAKES WORLD HISTORY MINES OF THE SAN JUAN BOULDER COUN-
TY'S ARGONAUTS CRIPPLE CREEK PROVES A WORLD WONDER — CUSTER COUNTY'S
MINING HISTORY IN THE REGION OF RICO EAGLE COUNTY EL PASO COUNTY
FREMONT COUNTY MINING IN GUNNISON COUNTY IN GRAND COUNTY—
HINSDALE IN THE SAN JUAN COUNTRY JEFFERSON COUNTY LARIMER AND
JACKSON COUNTIES MESA COUNTY MINERAL COUNTY MONTEZUMA^S MINES
COLORADO CARNOTITE ENRICHES THE WORLD OURAY*S MINES CAMP BIRD
MINES — RIO GRANDE COUNTY ROUTT AND MOFFAT COUNTIES CHAFFEE
COUNTY SAGUACHE COUNTY SAN MIGUEL PITKIN COUNTY METAL OUTPUT
OF COLORADO BY YEARS DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS IN COLORADO
THE MINES OF PARK COUNTY
Park County lies some fifty or sixty miles to the southwest of Denver, and
was named after the beautiful valley or plateau called South Park. Never a
great mining county, it figured largely in pioneer history from the placer camps
of early days — Tarryall, Fairplay, Buckskin Joe and other diggings. The gulches
and streams of South Park yielded an abundant harvest of gold in 1859-62. The
Park was one vast placer, and it attracted thousands of adventurers. The first
comers panned out the colors to the tune of thousands and tens of thousands of
dollars. The aggregate yield of the mines of the Park region ran up into the
millions in the early '6os. Many romantic incidents are related of Park County
in those stirring times.
Some of the gold hunters who overran Clear Creek and Gilpin in the summer
of 1859, not striking it rich, hit the trail for fresh pastures. One party of pros-
pectors— Thomas Cassady, Clark Chambers, W. J. Curtice, Catesby Dale, Earl
Hamilton, W. J. Holman, and several others — skirted the Snowy Range and
explored the edge of South Park. They found pay-dirt in a creek christened by
them Tarryall. As the story goes, one of the tired men exclaimed: "Let us
tarry here." "Yes," said one of his comrades, "we'll tarry all." The name of
"Tarryall" stuck, and it was also given to the new mining camp. So there was
a "Tarryall City" as well as a Tarryall Creek. The town has been deserted many
years.
Near by sprang up a mining camp named Hamilton in honor of a member
of the party. Reports of rich finds spread, and crowds of "Pilgrims" flocked to
the diggings. The later comers, being told there was no room for them, in
262
VIEW OF A GULCH MINING LOCALITY AT THE PIONEEE TOWN OF MONTGOM-
ERY, IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE SOUTH PARK
DISTRICT, FROM A PHOTOGRAPH MADE IN 1867
The town became extinct soon after 1867.
264 HISTORY OF COLORADO
derision changed the name of Tarryall to "Graball." Moving on some thirty
miles or more, they had the luck to discover rich gold-bearing gravel and named
the new settlement Fairplay. Both names — Tarryall and Fairplay — have passed
into history and they perpetuate the dispositions of the first arrivals; they are
significant of traits, selfishness and the love of fair play, which are characteristic
of Coloradoans today.
In the summer of 1859, the South Park mining district swarmed with pros-
pectors and miners. Among them was an odd character called "Buckskin Joe,"
because he wore buckskin clothes. This man, whose name was Joseph Higgin-
bottom, discovered a valuable deposit of gold dust in the Park mineral belt, and
the vein or district became known as "Buckskin Joe." A lofty peak in the north-
western part of Park County was named in his honor Buckskin Mountain. Buck-
skin Joe was a flourishing mining camp for a number of years, some of its veins
being of extraordinary richness. The famed Phillips lode is said to have yielded
over three hundred thousand dollars in the early '6os. Up to 1866, the Buckskin
district was credited with a production of $1,600,000.
"This region is rich in gold and silver," says Fossett in 1876. "The placers
have yielded largely and are again doing so, but in a less degree. Up to the
time of the silver discoveries in 1871, the gold lodes and placers had produced
$2,500,000, principally obtained prior to 1866. The silver deposits are, however,
of vastly greater value and extent. They did not produce largely until 1872 or,
rather, 1873, but have already yielded nearly three million dollars."
The section around Fairplay had many productive mines of gold and silver.
The estimated production of Park County, in gold and silver, amounted to over
half a million annually from 1873 to 1879, the Moose and the Dolly Varden giving
big returns. Up to 1876, the Moose is said to have produced over three million
dollars. Here it may be stated that the estimates of Hollister and Fossett are
sometimes over the mark.
Speaking of Park County, State Geologist J. Alden Smith, in his report for
1882, remarks:
"High up on the slopes of Mounts Lincoln and Bross, we find some of the
finest contact mines in the county, many of them extensively developed, among
them the Moose, Dolly Varden, Russia, Wilson, Lime, D. H. Hill, and others
of lesser note. For ten years the Dolly Varden group, working but a small
force, has returned about six hundred and sixty thousand dollars in bullion, and
it is estimated that the low-grade ores on the dumps are worth five hundred
thousand dollars. The Moose appears to have been equally productive * * *
"Both fissure and contact veins are found in Mosquito district. In past
years some of these have been quite productive. Both gold and silver occur in
about equal proportions, or rather of equal value. The Orphan Boy, Senate,
London, Forest Queen, New York and some others have acquired greatest promi-
nence through exploitation. From the London, besides the smelting product, im-
mense quantities of free-milling gold-bearing ores are extracted."
On the top of a peak of Mosquito Range, overlooking South Park, is the cele-
brated London mine. It is situated about six miles west of Alma, and lies near
the county line. The London is the foremost producer of gold and lead in Park
County. It has been one of the great mines of the West. Most of the deep
mines of the county are in the Mosquito district.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 265
During the eighteen years, 1897-1914, the gold output of Park County fluc-
tuated, year by year, from the high-water mark of 1909, $555,815, to $43,644 in
1914. Park's silver production in the same period totals something over a half
million dollars. The lead output during those years amounted to about $345,000,
an average of less than $20,000 a year. The copper production has averaged
about $5,000 a year. For some years, 1908-11, the zinc yield of Park County
was considerable, aggregating almost a quarter of a million dollars. These fig-
ures are based on statistics in reports of the State Bureau of Mines.
THE ROMANCE OF MINING IN SUMMIT COUNTY
The story of the first prospecting of Summit County belongs to the romance
of mining. Among the disillusioned fortune-seekers who camped in the shadow
of Pike's Peak in the fateful summer of '59 was a band of gold-hunters who
were disappointed but not quite disheartened by their experience. Finding no
nuggets or colors galore in the region around Manitou, they hit the trail leading
into South Park, August 4, 1859. In this historic party were Reuben J. Spalding,
John Randall, William H. lliff, James Mitchell, N. B. Shaw and Bake Weaver.
Moving in a northwesterly course, they reached the South Platte, crossed the
Snowy Range and halted at a point on Blue River not far from the site of the
Breckenridge of to-day. They camped and set about in earnest to find gold in
the vicinity.
Mr. Spalding's narrative tells what happened on the afternoon of August loth.
"We sunk a hole 3 ft. deep on a bar," he says, "and I, having mined in Cali-
fornia, was selected, as the most experienced man in the company, to do the
panning. The result of the first pan of dirt was I3c of gold, the largest grain
about the size and shape of a flax seed. The second panful gave 2?c, both yields
being weighed in gold scales brought for the purpose. This was the first recorded
discovery on Blue River. Our little party now felt jubilant over the strike thus
made and began to realize chat here lay the fulfillment of their most ardent
hopes."
There were fourteen in the company, and they proceeded to stake off claims
on both banks of the river. Spalding's claim was 200 feet and each of the
others had 100 feet. Believing they had found a rich mining country, the miners
erected a rude log blockhouse for defense in case of attack by the Utes. Then
Spalding put up a cabin for a dwelling. This done, he began placer mining in
the river, washing out $10 worth of dust the first day.
Digging and prospecting went on, and several mining camps were started in
1860, one of them being Breckinridge, (afterward changed to Breckenridge).
The population of the various diggings numbered about eight thousand, and
many of the pilgrims found placer mining profitable. It is said that the dis-
coverers of Gold Run, two brothers, cleaned up ninety-six pounds of gold in
one season, lasting six months. There were other valuable finds. The gulches
of Summit County were scenes of feverish activity not only in the early '6os, but
in '64 and later, when placer mining had played out in some other parts of Colo-
rado. No exact estimate can be made of the golden harvest of Summit County
in the '6os, but it amounted to several million dollars. Breckenridge and other
266 HISTORY OF COLORADO
nearby mining districts prospered when some other gold camps of the territory
were deserted.
The first notable discoveries of silver in Summit County were made in 1868-9,
along the Sna'ke River. Some of the mines were worked with varying success,
but owing to its isolation this section did not become populous. The heavy snow-
in 11s interfered with mining operations -a great portion of the year.
In the southwestern portion of the county some of the ore deposits are low
in silver content, associated with sulphides of iron and copper, the average grade
of ore ranging from 20 to 100 oz. silver a ton. In the neighborhood of Monte-
zuma and Chihuahua are veins rich in silver.
For many years, work has been carried on in the placers along Blue River
and its tributary gulches. The harvest of the yellow grains, obtained first by the
gold-pan and sluice and of late years by dredges, has been very large. The first
gold dredge in Summit County was installed in the Breckenridge district in 1898.
It was a small affair, but larger and more costly dredges followed. Now gold-
dredging is a profitable industry.
Summit County's yield of gold for the eighteen years, 1897-1914, has been
nearly five million dollars, an average of about $270,000 a year. The silver
output during the same period has averaged about $130,000 a year; the production
of lead has amounted to about $2,500,000; copper is a small item, about $100,000;
while the yield of zinc has been some years enormous, aggregating about three
million dollars during the fourteen years, 1902-1915. The zinc production of
1914 was valued at $260,000.
Summit County is the foremost placer area in Colorado. In 1914, the pro-
duction of placer gold in this state was $642,360, and 95 per cent of it came
from the placers of Summit County. The Breckenridge mining district includes
practically all the placers of any importance.
Since 1901, dredging operations have been carried on extensively in the
Breckenridge district, and over $3,000,000 in gold has been garnered in. The
placer yield of 1913 was upward of $400,000, most of it obtained by three dredges,
run by electricity. There has been some hydraulic mining in the placers of
Summit County. Several valuable gold nuggets have been found, one being
worth $500.
In recent years gold dredging in Summit County has become a paying indus-
try where the ground shows an average value of 20 cents per cubic yard. The
cost of handling ground is about 7 cents per yard, but varies in different locali-
ties, electricity being more expensive in some places than in others. In some of
the placer fields the yield is much greater than 7 cents to the cubic yard. Gold
dredging in the Swan River district has been a profitable enterprise for years.
The Tonopah Placers Company's three large boats get as good returns of the
yellow metal as any dredges on this continent. One of the boats of this company
works successfully both summer and winter. The French Gulch Dredging Com-
pany has been operating for years past and owns some of the richest gold areas
in the United States.
The Wellington is the principal mine of the county. The Wellington mill in
Breckenridge is well equipped.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 267
LEADVILLE MAKES WORLD HISTORY
The mines of Lake County have a world- wide reputation. Leadville is as
famous as Cripple Creek. There have been several epochs in the history of
this wonderful mining district. In early days placer mining was active in Cali-
fornia Gulch. The gold diggings of that far-off time, which has almost passed
into oblivion, yielded up millions of treasure. Then the pioneer miners, after
making large clean-ups, departed, thinking that the deposits had about played
out. After a period of depression there was a revival that ranks among the
world's marvels. The stampede of 1878 is comparable to the Pike's Peak gold
excitement. Then for a dozen years or more the camp had a considerable popu-
lation, and things were humming. The period of prosperity lasted until 1893,
when silver mining got a setback and many mines were closed because of the
low price of the white metal. Stagnation ensued. That year of panic and de-
pression will be long remembered. Leadville staggered beneath the blow, but
recovered. A period of exploration and renewed enterprise followed. The pro-
duction of gold picked up. The camp was again alive. A campaign of develop-
ment work was carried on in the gold belt of Lake County. The names of its
mines became household words. Leadville has had its ups and downs, but is
still on the map. Of late years zinc has helped its prosperity amazingly.
Such is a brief epitome of Lake County's growth and achievements. It is one
of Colorado's most celebrated counties. It is Colorado's most productive county.
A section of about four thousand acres has given the world nearly $400,000,000
in metallic wealth. Its hills contain treasure vaults of riches. Its mines are
still producing. This historic region faces a bright future.
As the story goes, Russell Gulch became the mecca of Georgians and other
Southerners in the summer of '59. From time to time parties of these placer
miners broke away and wandered westward into the mountains, looking for
pay gravel. One of them, a man by the name of Kelly (or Kelley) is said to
have prospected on the upper Arkansas and to have found gold in the vicinity of
Granite in the fall of 1859. His find became known as Kelly's Bar. This event
led to the discovery of California Gulch the following year.
In the early spring of 1860 Kelly and a score or more of prospectors explored
the locality south of the Leadville district of today, getting colors in various
timbered ravines. In March, 1860, "Kelly's Mining District" was organized by
these hopeful adventurers, and soon afterward the news of the discovery reached
Denver, starting a stampede to the new diggings.
In April, 1860, a company of Georgians headed by Abe Lee drifted into the
Leadville country in quest of gold. On the slope where Leadville now stands
they met a party of prospectors from Iowa, led by W. P. Jones. Shortly after-
ward, on April 26, 1860, the Georgians uncovered a rich deposit of placer gold
in California Gulch. Building a big bonfire that evening and firing their guns,
they attracted the attention of the men of the Jones party, who joined them in
the morning. The diggings proved to be extraordinarily valuable, and the fame
of California Gulch spread far and wide. So great was the influx of adventurers
that Lake County in 1861 was the most populous spot in the Territory of Colo-
rado, just organized. California Gulch, only five or six miles long, had from
five to ten thousand people in it that summer. For years it was one of the best
268 HISTORY OF COLORADO
gold-producing ravines in Colorado. In 1860 and 1861 it may have yielded a
million a year in gold dust. Some of the loo-foot claims panned out from
$20,000 to $60,000 a season, from $10 to $25 a day to the man, if Hollister's
figures are to be trusted. This writer was at times addicted to exaggeration.
The richness of the ground was, however, very uneven. Here a man had the
good fortune to strike a pay streak that sparkled with flakes of gold, while his
neighbor got little or nothing.
"California Gulch, in 1860 and 1861, had a population of something over
10,000, and was the great camp of Colorado," says Wolfe Londoner, who was
on the ground in those flush times. "It was strung all along the gulch, which
was something over five miles long. * There were a great many tents
in the road and on the side of the ridge, and the wagons were backed up, the
people living in them. Some were used as hotels. They had their grub under
the wagons, piled their dishes there, and the man of the house and his wife would
sleep in the wagon. Their boarders took their meals off tables strung along the
wayside to take in the cheerful but unwary miner. The game that took the most
was three-card monte."
Meanwhile other placers were located. One of them, Georgia Bar, two miles
below Granite, is said to have been the most productive in proportion to area in
the county. A venturesome Georgian, Jim Taylor, has the honor of being the
first prospector to cross the Saguache Range. Taylor Park and Taylor River in
Gunnison County perpetuate his name. Other fortune hunters wandered up and
down among the hills, garnering the golden sands in the gulches. Such were the
beginnings of mining in Lake County.
California Gulch saw its best days in 1861, but, in the following years of
lean diggings, the camp was not entirely deserted. Sturdy workers with the
pick, shovel and sluice-box or "long torn" were to be found here and there, and
other gulches had their solitary inhabitants. Some claims that were fabulously
rich at the start were worked over and over till the streambeds were pretty nearly
denuded of gold dust. Sometimes they quit because of the scarcity of water,
and returned when it was plentiful. Placer production was light after 1866, and
miners were few and far between ; it dropped to $60,000 in 1869, and to $20,000
in 1876. Meanwhile the Printer Boy and other gold lodes were profitably oper-
ated with stamp mills. The gold production of 1877 was $55>oo°, an<3 $118,000
in 1878, according to Fossett. All told, the county's gold product during the
quarter-century, 1860-1884, amounted to $13,000,000. At least, this estimate is
somewhere near the mark.
In 1873-7 times were pretty dull in Lake County, and yet things were hap-
pening that eventually changed the course of Colorado history. In 1873 Lucius F.
Bradshaw was sluicing a side hill of California Gulch, but was compelled to
abandon gold washing by the accumulation of heavy sand in his boxes. Sus-
pecting the presence of lead, he looked around and uncovered a body of lead-
silver ore. The discovery was made near the spot where Abe Lee found gold
deposits in the gulch in the spring of 1860. It was an event of far-reaching
importance.
In the summer of 1874 W. J. Stevens and Alvinus B. Wood began to work
placer claims in California Gulch, using improved methods. It is supposed that
Stevens heard of Bradshaw's discovery, and it set him to thinking. Anyway,
Courtesy of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.
FIRST CABIN IN ORO, BEFORE LEADVILLE WAS NAMED, WHERE GOLD WAS
FIRST DISCOVERED IN THIS PART OF THE RANGE
VIEW ON CHESTNUT STREET, LEADVILLE, IN 1880
270 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Stevens and Wood, after investigating the heavy dirt they had to handle, found
it to be carbonate of lead carrying silver. They concluded that the hillside was
full of it and took up more claims. Two brothers, Charles and Patrick Gallagher,
became interested and located claims rich with carbonates. Reports of these -dis-
coveries were noised abroad. Scores of men, then hundreds, were attracted to
California Gulch in 1877. High grade ore was obtained by digging to shallow
depths, and a boom was started such as Colorado had not known since the Pike's
Peak excitement. The mining camp was organized into a city and named Lead-
ville on January 14, 1878. It has been nicknamed the "Cloud City" on account
of its high altitude. It is nearly two miles above sea level.
The "Leadville- fever" was the result of the discovery of bonanza ore bodies
on Fryer Hill in May, 1878. Then the rush began in earnest. In 1879 Leadville
was the liveliest town in the world. It had 5,000 residents in January of that
year, and its population was estimated to be 15,000 in the fall. As if by magic
a cosmopolitan city grew up in a single year. Again Lake became the most popu-
lous county in Colorado.
The railroad was completed to the "Cloud City" in 1880, and the camp
was a scene of bustling activity. In 1884 it was estimated that Lake's silver
production up to that date amounted to $55,000,000, and the output of lead
was very great.
During the first decade of its existence, 1878-87, Leadville's yield of gold,
silver and lead exceeded $120,000,000, largely silver (estimated at ninety cents
an ounce). Meanwhile the "Carbonate City*' had become a big smelting center.
Its growth was substantial.
Before the opening of the Cripple Creek mines, Lake County stood first as
an ore-producing county. Silver mining was the chief industry of its camps
until the slump of the white metal in 1893. The city was hard hit by the
demonetization of silver. A period of stagnation followed, but it was not long
continued. The enterprising citizens of Lake turned their attention to gold,
lead and zinc. Gold mining picked up, and the county had another period of
prosperity. During the decade, 1898-1907, its output of gold amounted to
$15,640,000. In this decade Lake was the banner county in the production of
silver, yielding thirty million dollars' worth. The bulk of Colorado's supply
of zinc comes from this county. Its zinc production has ranged from three
to six millions annually for several years. Since 1907 its gold production has
averaged more than a million and a quarter a year. During the seven years,
1908-14, Lake's harvest of the white -metal was about twelve million, five hundred
thousand dollars, or an average of something over one million, seven hundred
and eighty thousand dollars. Lead is still extensively mined, and so is copper.
Lake County's mineral treasure is seemingly inexhaustible.
The first half of 1916 was a period of marked activity in the mines of Lake
County, the output being estimated at nine million dollars or more, or equal to
the mineral production of the entire year of 1914. The yield of the mines in 1915
was close to sixteen million dollars. Many old .mines, ^ idle for years, have
been re-opened. Among these are the Harvard, the Mikado, the Greenback,
the Tarsus, etc. The upward movement in silver has increased the production
of the white metal, of which Lake County has to its credit about one hundred
and eighty million dollars in value.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 271
MINES OF THE SAN JUAN
One of the thrilling episodes of early Colorado history is the Baker expedi-
tion of gold hunters, who explored the San Juan country so long ago as 1860.
Among the prospectors and miners who swarmed in California Gulch in
the eventful summer of 1860 was an adventurer named Charles Baker. He
.was a restless fellow "who was always in search of something new." Baker
was eager to penetrate the trackless region of southwestern Colorado, now known
as the San Juan. He persuaded some men to outfit him for a prospecting trip
in the terra incognita along the San Juan River or, rather, the mountainous
district included in San Juan, La Plata and neighboring counties. There were
six men with Baker on this foolhardy quest for treasure in the Ute domain.
The leader reported that he had found colors, but the fact is that the party
obtained very little gold on their wanderings. They knew nothing about lodes
or quartz veins. They suffered many hardships in this inhospitable region; the
Utes made it hot for them, and the discouraged palefaces had to get out.
The San Juan was traversed time and again by other parties of gold seekers
in the '6os and '705. In 1868 Captain Baker wandered through the mountains
and over the plateaus of southwestern Colorado and finally met a tragic death
at the hands of Indians. Baker Park was named in honor of this brave soldier
of fortune. In this lovely valley nestles the Town of Silverton.
In 1871-2 some notable finds were made by prospectors in the San Juan
Mountains. In 1873 that part of the Ute Reservation was ceded to the United
States and thrown open to settlement. Immediately settlers poured into this
rich mining country. Silverton and other mining towns date back to the '705.
Mining, however, was then at a disadvantage in this county, because of its
isolated situation, and the yield of the precious metals was comparatively small
up to 1882, when the Durango and Silverton Railroad was completed. From
'time to time the years have witnessed a magnificent outpouring of mineral wealth
in the San Juan, the total up to January, 1916, being nearly $67,000,000.
According to Fossett, the San Juan district had produced $823,000 in silver,
$416,000 in gold and $115,000 in lead prior to 1879. The area of the county was
much larger then than now. The pioneer settlers were practically all miners,
for agriculture is out of the question in this elevated, picturesque region, where
disaster overtook Fremont on his fourth expedition in 1848-9.
Says Hall : "The permanent occupation and development of the San Juan
country was accomplished under almost incredible hardships and by a mere
handful of resolute people. At first there was no communication with the
older settlements of Colorado, the nearest of importance being Pueblo; no
outlet even to the San Luis Valley at Del Norte, except by crude and rugged
trails which tried the souls of men to the uttermost, until 1875, when by prodi-
gious labor a more direct thoroughfare was opened on which wagons could
be used. In 1876 the opening of the Crook Bros, reduction works at Lake
City in Hinsdale County, offered a temporary market for the products of the
lode mines, but they were almost inaccessible from this side and soon closed.
It was not until after the completion of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway to
Durango that any substantial prosperity ensued."
Among the eager exploiters of Colorado's mineral resources who ventured
272 HISTORY OF COLORADO
into the San Juan in 1875 was David W. Brunton, whose interesting "Remin-
iscences" appeared in the Mining and Scientific Press (November 27, 1915).
This capable mining engineer roughed it in the 'wilderness about Mineral Point
on a ridge separating the headwaters of the Animas and Uncompahgre rivers.
In his journeys on foot, or astride the patient burro, he tramped over or came
near many a spot afterward celebrated for its mines and diggings. He found
the andesitic mountain sides seamed with veins, whose outcropping streaks may
be seen from afar as white lines of remarkable continuity. On some of the
mountains, King Solomon in particular, the metalliferous veins can be seen
for miles.
The San Juan is a great mining country, being ribbed with heavy mineral
deposits. Many a time the prospector "struck it rich" in the '8os and '905.
Often he was disappointed when, instead of a fortune, he found a mass of
low-grade ore. A new era began with the completion of the Durango and
Silverton Railway in 1882. The Red Mountain and Silverton Railroad, finished
in 1888, has helped the development of the county, which has an area of 438
square miles. It is interesting for its geological formations. "The San Juan
Mountains are volcanic, with an area of quartzite peaks in their midst, and
flanking the range on the south is an area of carboniferous and cretaceous rocks."
The search for precious metals began in La Plata County as early as 1861.
At that time placer mines were alone sought and the history of the pioneers
is that of great hardships 'endured and dangers encountered. In 1873 ditches
were constructed near the old site of Animas City, and some gold was re-
covered from the placer deposits in that section. More recent attempts have
been made at various places, but the gold is generally fine, hard to recover,
and exists in limited amounts over comparatively large areas. Owing to the
great interest in the adjoining San Juan counties, there was but little prospecting
for gold and silver deposits in veins in the La Plata Mountains prior to 1878.
Since that time nearly all of the numerous gulches have been scenes of more or
less excitement. Following meager development the usual proportion of ill-
advised mills have been erected, and served to retard rather than advance active
mining operations. The ores of this district are mainly gold-bearing pyrite or
telluride compounds.
BOULDER COUNTY'S ARGONAUTS
Among the Fifty-eighters who crossed the plains to the "Pike's Peak gold
region" was a company of adventurers that camped in the shadow of old Fort
St. Vrain, October 17, 1858. Some of them climbed to the top of the walls of
the old trading post and had an enchanting vision of Boulder Valley, whither
they proceeded instead of going to Denver. These men — Capt. Thomas Aikins,
Charles Clouser and others — were the pioneer settlers of what is now Boulder
County. Having built their cabins, they explored a nearby canyon where they
found a considerable deposit of placer gold on the I5th day of January, 1859.
They named the point Gold Hill, which afterward became a noted mining dis-
trict. Out of the gold gravel of this gulch it is said that they took $100,000
that season.
Then valuable quartz lodes were discovered. The Horsfal was the greatest
HISTORY OF COLORADO 273
of the mines of early days, yielding over $300,000 in the two years 1861-2.
It was near Gold Hill that the first stamp-mill in Pike's Peak country was
set up in the fall of 1859. Other stamp-mills followed, and a multitude
of diggers were busy washing out golden sands of the streams. Mining
camps sprang up and were deserted as soon as the placers were worked out.
Then for a number of years, there was not much doing in the mines of Boulder
County, although farming proved to be a success in the bottom lands along the
streams. Says Hall : "There was no revival of interest in the mining fields until
1869-72, when some of the richest veins of tellurium ores known in the world's
history were discovered, together with veins of very rich silver mines at Cari-
bou. Other discoveries followed until a great belt of silver-bearing veins (but
none of gold) was opened."
In other sections, gold mines were profitably worked, and the mineral in-
dustry amounted to a good deal in Boulder County, its annual production of the
precious metals reaching a half million dollars or more. Says State Geologist'
J. A. Smith in his report for 1881 and 1882: "For ten years, Boulder County
has produced gold and silver in large quantities and about equal proportions.
In 1881, the bullion product was $535,482.88. * * * It is sufficient to say
that, as a rule, the veins are true fissures in gigantic rocks, continuous and well
defined to the greatest depths thus far attained. Caribou district, situate in
the southwestern corner of the county, yields the major part of silver, the main
sources being the Caribou and No Name mines, both quite extensively de-
veloped." The total output of gold and silver in 1879 was about $800,000.
In Boulder County, telluride ores — both auriferous and argentiferous — have
been found in greater abundance than anywhere else. Some of its mines have
yielded ore running from $3,000 to $5,000 a ton. The tellurium belt extends
through Gold Hill, Sunshine, Magnolia and Sugar Loaf districts. It is twenty
miles long and from three to six miles wide. It lies to the north of the silver
district. Among the noted telluride mines are the American, the Cold Spring,
the Red Cloud and the Smuggler. Many choice specimens of Boulder's telluride
ores have been placed in mineral collections.
In 1900, deposits of ores containing the somewhat rare mineral known as
tungsten were discovered in and around the town of Nederland in the south-
western part of Boulder County. This metal is valuable as an alloy in steel
tools and is used in the manufacture of incandescent electric lamps. Of late
years, from sixty to eighty per cent of the tungsten produced in the United
States has come from the mines of Boulder County, which produces one-
^eventh or more of the world's tungsten output annually. The principal part
of the tungsten area lies in the southwestern quarter of Boulder County. In
the fifteen years — 1901-15, Boulder County has given the world tungsten to
the value of over five million dollars. Boulder's tungsten mines were credited
with the extraordinary production of $1,625,000 in 1915-
It is said that Gilpin County was the place where history was first made
in Colorado. Boulder County is also historic ground. One of the first counties
organized in 1861, it has figured prominently in Colorado annals. Here is the
home of the State University, whose foundations were laid in pioneer times,
the first building for academic work being opened in 1877. Here was the first
schoolhouse, erected in 1860. To Boulder belongs the honor of having the
274 HISTORY OF COLORADO
first mining district and formulating a code of laws for local government. Its
coal fields were worked in the early '6os. A railroad was completed to Boulder
City in 1874.
The western half of Boulder County is mountainous and contains the metalli-
ferous mines. While not a great mining county, its mineral resources are di-
versified, and its gold veins have yielded good returns without the excitement
of booms. No exact estimate of the yellow metal has been made, there being
gaps in the statistics. The State Bureau of Mines in its biennial reports gives
the following figures as to the gold production of Boulder County during the
eighteen years, 1897-1914, as follows:
1897 $512.657 1906 $254,034
1898 581,302 1907 184,872
1899 547358 1908 I73>4&>
1900 607,015 1909 161,838
1901 774,298 1910 132,909
1902 538,701 1911 163,051
1903 43^568 1912 101,446
1904 4H,58i 1913 51,467
1905 355,337 I9H 131,024
The silver production of Boulder County's mines has fluctuated from $15,000
in 1908 to $125,000 in 1914. The annual yield of the white metal the past years
has averaged about $45,000.
The item of lead cuts no figure in mining in Boulder County, the yearly
average being slightly over $6,000. The harvest of copper is still less ; no zinc.
These are the mining districts of Boulder County: Central (Jamestown) —
gold and silver; Gold Hill — gold, silver, lead, copper; Grand Island (Caribou),
Eldora — gold, silver, lead, manganese, copper; Magnolia — gold, silver, tungsten;
Nederland — tungsten; Sugarloaf — gold, silver, tungsten, lead, copper; World —
gold, silver, copper, lead.
Some leading dates may be given, showing the steps of progress in Boulder
County in pioneer and Territorial days.
1858 — On October 27 gold seekers pitch their tents at the mouth of Boulder
Canon.
1859 — Placer gold discovered at Gold Hill, January 15. Other diggings were
uncovered later in the winter. The town of Boulder laid out in February.
1861 — Boulder County, one of the original seventeen counties, organized.
1869 — A prospector named William Martin discovers valuable silver ore. Con-
ger and other fortune hunters make rich strikes near by, all in true-fissure veins.
1870 — The Idaho and other silver mines discovered in the vicinity of the
Caribou. Bullion obtained this year estimated at $130,000; total amount prior
to this year being $950,000.
1871 — Caribou mill built at Nederland, costing $100,000. Metallic product of
Boulder County, $250,000 this year.
1872 — Gold and silver yield estimated at $346,000, mostly silver. Red Cloud
gold mine discovered on Gold Hill.
1873 — Output of mines about $300,000; little gold.
1874 — Metallic harvest amounts to $536,000. Boulder City growing rapidly;
HISTORY OF COLORADO 275
railroad completed. D. C. Patterson finds tellurium ore in lode named Sunshine.
The American lode discovered in May.
1875 — The Caribou mine produces $204,000. The Dives, Pelican and Poca-
hontas mines also large producers. Output of precious metals, $605,000 ; quanti-
ties of gold increasing.
1876 — Gold production picks up rapidly because of tellurium discoveries.
Silver yield declines. Smelters and mills established. The Smuggler lode un-
covered by Charles Mullen.
The Boulder settlers saw flush times in the early 'DOS. Then ensued a period
of depression, due to the decline of placer mining and to the Indian troubles
from which Colorado suffered for five years. After the opening of the smelter
at Blackhawk, in 1868, mining picked up. Boulder miners were prospering
when the plainsmen were suffering a setback from the ravages of grasshoppers
in 1873-4-5-6. Those were great days for the Boulderites. They were digging
fortunes out of the earth. Railroads and towns were building. Men were dream-
ing great dreams.
CRIPPLE CREEK PROVES A WORLD WONDER
The Cripple Creek mining district, to the southwest of Pike's Peak, is the
greatest gold camp in the United States. It ranks second only to the famed
Witwatersrand of the Transvaal, in South Africa. Cripple Creek has had a
history stranger than fiction, and who can foretell the future of this "three-
hundred-million-dollar cow pasture."
The rush to Pike's Peak, in 1859-60, was the first determined attack of gold
seekers upon the wilderness about this historic mountain. Some of the "Pilgrims"
of that far-off time tramped over the grassy hills of what is now Cripple Creek,
without suspecting the existence of an El Dorado beneath their feet. No other
treasure was revealed near by, and the quest was speedily abandoned. This
is not surprising, because the gold-bearing ore of the section is different from that
found in most other Colorado diggings. So the Golconda of Cripple Creek re-
mained unknown.
Robert Womack, familiarly known as Bob Womack, was the discoverer of
gold in the Cripple Creek section. The story of his find and subsequent de-
velopments is one of the romances of mining that are real history. In the late
*8os the Cripple Creek region was a lonely cattle ranch. Bob Womack was a
herder riding the range where Cripple Creek is situated. Time and again he got
off his horse and picked up a piece of float rock, thinking it might possibly con-
tain gold. Some of these pieces of float rock did have traces of gold. He took
them to Colorado Springs, but he could not succeed in interesting capitalists. No
one believed the district whence they came was a bonanza. Womack never lost
faith, however, and put in his spare time prospecting. It is said that "he built
a little log cabin in what is known as Poverty Gulch," and whenever he could get
away he would go up on the land where he found the float rock and dig for gold.
It might be said that Womack made the discovery of gold at Cripple Creek so long
ago as 1889, and he found some more in 1890. He did not get gold ore in
paying quantities, however, but he kept^on trying. He pegged out a claim and
dubbed it "Chance." The cowboys only laughed at him, but he did not lose faith.
276 HISTORY OF COLORADO
One day in January, 1891, he picked up a piece of float rock that looked good;
he sent it to an assayer, who reported that it went $250 in gold to the ton. Several
days later he struck a vein that glistened with sylvanite. It was deposited in
such an unusual manner, it is not surprising that experienced prospectors did not
discover it. This deposit was later known as El Paso lode of the Gold King Co.,
one of the most valuable properties in the camp.
This was the first gold discovery in Cripple Creek that amounted to anything.
It is to be remembered that Hayden's geological party looked about here for
the royal metal, in 1874, and narrowly missed running across gold. The general
prospecting that followed the stampede to Leadville brought fortune hunters
to this district ; they looked the ground over, .never noticing the inconspicuous
vein outcroppings. In the spring of 1884 a "salted" mine on Mount Pisgah
started an excitement, and 2,000 miners camped in the vicinity for a short time.
As the story runs, a shaft "had been shot full of gold and then offered for sale
as a wonderful prospect."
Untold ages ago a volcano formed "a chasm in Cripple Creek plateau and
piled up masses of granite and lava. The gold veins occur in the volcanic
rocks of the district, which is about six miles square and has an elevation from
nine thousand feet and upward above sea level. Here the first great deposit
of gold telluride was discovered.
Womack's great find set him wild. He made a hasty trip to Colorado Springs
and loaded up with bad liquor. While half crazed with drink and success, he
disposed of his bonanza for $500 in cash. He jumped on his broncho and rode
through the streets, proclaiming his find. In a few days the cow pasture was
literally swarming with people. Claims were staked out, and Mount Pisgah again
became a scene of hustling activity. This time it was no wildcat excitement that
attracted capitalists ; it was the beginning of the most celebrated gold camp of
the Rockies. Cripple Creek is a veritable treasure vault, and yet the discoverer,
poor Bob Womack, never realized anything out of the find that brought princely
fortunes to scores of men. He died in poverty.
There was at first no wild stampede of miners to the scene of Womack's dis-
covery. In April and May, 1891, a number of men from Colorado Springs lo-
cated claims in the new district. About forty prospectors were there then, but
more came in the summer.
On the 4th of July, 1891, Winfield Scott Stratton staked out the Independence
and Martha Washington claims, which soon lifted him from poverty to affluence.
Other prospectors made notable finds that summer.
By October a straggling settlement of log cabins and tents had grown up in
Squaw Gulch, on Anaconda ground and on the site of the present Town of Cripple
Creek. Lots sold for $25 and $50. A mining district was organized in the fall,
and it was named after the little stream which had been dubbed Cripple Creek
from the fact that several men living thereabouts had met with accidents of one
kind or another.
The growth of the place thereafter was simply remarkable. In the spring
of 1892 its population was over four thousand, it had a big hotel, business blocks
were building, a newspaper was started, there were saloons galore, electric lights,
etc. Men who knew little or nothing about mining were making and losing
fortunes in a day. "The people actually went wild," remarks a newspaper man
CRIPPLE CREEK MINES
278 HISTORY OF COLORADO
who was there. "All of the trading was curbstone, and the streets were crowded
with excited people." Some incidents of the excitement may be mentioned. "Gold
King stock was put on the market at 25 cents, and twenty-five thousand shares
were sold immediately. It soon went to 60 cents a share. Buena Vista went from
$1.75 a share in one day to $5 a share."
It is said that the Blue Bell was the first mine discovered and opened. It
was discovered and opened by Dick Langf ord. Among the pioneer mines were the
Hub, Ironclad, Marguerite, Princess, Star of the West, Tam O'Shanter and a
score of others opened in 1892. The mining agitation of that year resulted in
the discovery of new "gold fields" in the adjacent country. The would-be camps
near Manitou and other localities in various directions from Cripple Creek never
panned out much ; they were only shallow placer grounds.
Not much had been heard of Cripple Creek in 1891, although it had attracted
many adventurers, some of whom made important strikes. In discovering
and developing the Independence mine, Stratton did more than any other man to
make the camp known. The fame of this bonanza district soon traveled to the
ends of the earth, and Stratton's name was indissolubly linked with America's
greatest gold camp.
In 1891, Cripple Creek's output was only a trifle. From that time its produc-
tion of the royal metal rapidly increased. Previous to that year Colorado's
yield of gold had never exceeded $5,000,000 a year. Thenceforth the harvest of
the yellow metal in the Centennial State began to pick up. The stream of gold
poured out of the mines of Cripple Creek saved Colorado in the lean years of
the '905. Colorado's gold production (in round numbers) jumped from $5,000,000
in 1892 to $28,000,000 in 1900. The latter year the mines of Cripple Creek had
$18,000,000 to their credit, or over two-thirds of Colorado's total yield of gold
in 1900. Some years in the '905 Cripple Creek's gold output exceeded that of
the remainder of the state. During the first decade of the camp, 1891-1900, its
total production of gold amounted to $77,274,872. In this decade the population
of the district had increased from less than a hundred to over ten thousand.
Through all these years Stratton had been a dominating personality in the
life and development of Cripple Creek. There were, however, other brainy
men who helped in making it a great mining camp. There was an army of pro-
moters, mining engineers and mine superintendents who contributed to the pros-
perity of Cripple Creek. Among them a dozen may be named — F. M. Symes,
J. W. O'Brien, Philip Argall, William Weston, John Stark, R. A. Tregarthen,
W. M. Bainbridge, Milo Hoskins, Joseph Luxon, Sam Strong, Warren Woods,
J. R. McKinnie, Irving Howbert, E. M. De La Vergne and Verner Z. Reed.
Cripple Creek gold had made many millionaires. The treasure taken from the
mines had done much for the upbuilding of Colorado Springs and Denver; it
had aided the growth of the entire commonwealth. The stimulus of this bonanza
camp was felt throughout the whole Rocky Mountain region.
From the start many of the mining ventures in the Cripple Creek district were
successful because men found high-grade ore at grass roots in paying quantities.
Much of it ran from $50 to $250 a ton. The ore has been described as "altered
and enriched rock." The deeper they went, the more productive the mine became
in numerous instances, and the profits were much larger than in some other gold
camps of the state. The vein-structure at Cripple Creek is peculiar. So some
HISTORY OF COLORADO 279
investors were skeptical and wary, even after the mines had produced gold to
the value of tens of millions.
While the gold-bearing district of Teller County includes about one hundred
and thirty square miles, the noted mines are congregated in the hills and valleys
within a small area. There are over one hundred different mines here, some of
them having tunnels over half a mile long and shafts more than two thousand
feet deep. Among the large producers are Stratton's Independence, Cresson,
Golden Cycle, Granite, Ajax, Elkton, Findlay, Vindicator, El Paso, Isabella,
Mary McKinney and the Portland.
There is a group of great mines in this golden crest of the continent, and the
Portland is the foremost. The story of the Portland is well worth telling. The
news of Womack's discovery attracted James F. Burns and James Doyle, who
came to Colorado, in the '8os, from Portland, Maine. A friend kindly grub-
staked them to do a little prospecting in the new gold camp. That was in 1882.
"In course of time Doyle found a little unclaimed triangular piece of ground
and staked it as the Portland in honor of his old home. John Harnan combined
with Doyle and Burns, and by their partiality his name was also written on the
stake. They opened up rich ore almost immediately, but kept still about it, for
their little bit of a claim was so surrounded by conflicting surveys they were in
danger every minute. For weeks they carried sacks of ore, mined during the
day, on their backs at night, down the trails to wagons, whence it was hauled
away to the mills and smelters." The men soon found themselves in possession
of riches and bought adjoining claims. Presently they had lawsuits on their hands.
Then Doyle sold his interest. The others stayed with the property and reaped
a handsome reward, for during the last twenty-four years the Portland has given
the world bullion to the value of over $40,000,000. Its dividends up to January
i, 1918. have amounted to $11,047,000.
Undoubtedly the Portland is the most celebrated mine in this far-famed gold-
bearing zone of the Centennial State. Its underground area of mineral territory,
over two hundred acres, is honeycombed with tunnels, drifts and crosscuts. The
workings extend under the summit and the northern slope of Battle Mountain,
directly north of the Town of Victor. In 1894 the present company was organ-
ized with a capital of $3,000,000. About one hundred men were employed at
that time, and it was shipping sixty tons of smelting ore daily. From time to
time new pay shoots and ore bodies were encountered, and the extent of under-
ground workings was increased until a force of more than five hundred men were
employed. In 1904 its output was 100,000 tons of ore, about one-sixth of the
total production of Cripple Creek. Up to the time of the discovery of ore of ex-
traordinary value in the Cresson mine, in December, 1914, the Portland was
the banner producer of the camp.
Other Cripple Creek mines have achieved eminence in gold production. For
instance, the Mar)j McKinney holdings, comprising about one hundred and forty-
four acres on Raven and Gold hills, have added over $10,000,000 to the money
of the country, while the Elkton has a still larger sum to its credit.
It would require a volume to relate in detail all the happenings of the Cripple
Creek camp the last fifteen years. Some of the principal events are jotted down
concisely. 4
1901 — The gold production of Cripple Creek this year was $17,261,579, accord-
280 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ing to figures given in the U. S. Geological Survey report for 1901. Stratton's
Independence Mine produced about $2,500,000, from which a profit of over $i,-
000,000 was realized. Notable improvements were made in this mine. The pro-
duction of the Portland was $2,408,413, the profit being $1,760,939.
1902 — This year Cripple Creek produced gold to the value of $16,912,783. A
lower grade of ore was handled than in 1901. There were heavy shipments from
Stratton's Independence mine. Rich discoveries were made in the lower workings
of the Blue Bird and the Last Dollar mines. Preparations were made to draw on
an extensive area of the district between the Gold King and Elkton and El
Paso.
1903 — The gold production of the district this year was $12,967,338, a con-
siderable falling-off from the preceding year. Labor troubles greatly interfered
with mining in Cripple Creek ; there were strikes, and some mines were oper-
ated under military protection. Stratton's Independence mine produced 200 tons
of low-grade ore daily. Its total production reached the sum of $11,000,000
since its acquisition by the Stratton's Independence, Limited. Its dividends
amounted to $260,000 this year. The Portland declared dividends of $360,000,
realized from 90,000 tons of ore valued at $2,609,000. The Golden Cycle, Strong,
and Vindicator mines yielded large returns. Two cyanide mills were built this
year in Cripple Creek. A re-survey of the district was begun in June by Messrs.
Lindgren and Ransome. The El Paso drainage tunnel was dug at an expense
of $80,000.
1904 — Cripple Creek's gold output for this year was $14,504,350. Valuable
discoveries were made in the Portland, Elkton, Gold Coin, Gold King and Blue
Bird mines.
1905 — Cripple Creek produced gold to the value of $15,411,724, a marked
increase over the output of the previous year. The average was about $21.50 a
ton. The Portland maintained its position of supremacy, its output being $2,-
422,033, from 109,233 tons of ore.
1906 — Cripple Creek's gold output this year was $14,253,245. The banner
producer of the camp, the Portland, was credited with a yield of $1,932,083, from
103,614 tons of ore.
1907 — The gold production of the camp this year was $10,913,687. The
Portland's output was $1,600,950. The Golden Cycle produced 67,397 tons of
ore, averaging $21.02 in value.
1908 — Cripple Creek produced gold to the value of $12,740,287 this year,
which saw an influx of skilled miners. Success attended cyanide experiments in
treating low-grade ore. Steady progress was made in the Roosevelt drainage
tunnel.
1909 — The gold production of Cripple Creek this year was $11,470,673. Min-
ing operations were reduced in the Portland, the Golden Cycle, El Paso and other
mines. 9
1910 — Cripple Creek's golden harvest this year was $11,002,253. The yield
from the Portland mine was 67,515 tons, valued at $1,241,168.
1911 — Cripple Creek's gold production fell off this year to $10,562,653. The
Portland produced 50,258 tons, valued at $1,140,054, averaging $22.68 a ton.
1912 — The gold production of the .camp this year was $11,008,362, about
three-fifths of all Colorado's gold output in 1912. The Portland's yield was
44,562 tons, valued at $987,416.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 281
1913 — The yield of the camp this year fell below the average, being $10,-
905,003. The Portland, the Vindicator and other mines had a prosperous year.
The grand total production of the Portland mine from April i, 1894, to Decem-
ber 31, 1913, was 1,767,592 net tons, of a gross value of $36,268,797.
1914 — The mines of Cripple Creek yielded $11,996,116 this year. As a re-
sult of the unwatering of the mines by the Roosevelt tunnel, many large bodies
of valuable ore were disclosed in the Portland, Vindicator and other mines. The
richness of some of the ore found in the Cresson mine surpassed all previous
records in Cripple Creek annals. In a chamber 1,265 feet below the surface
"masses of decomposed quartz, filled with coarse grains of calaverite and sylvan-
ite" were discovered. The amount of gold was reported to run into thousands of
dollars to the ton.
1915 — This year witnessed a notable gain in the gold production of the dis-
trict, it being $13,683,494. Stratton's Independence mine, after producing ore
to the value of $23,621,728, was sold to the Portland Gold Company. To De-
cember 31, 1915, the Portland and Independence mines, comprising 250 acres
of highly mineralized land, had produced 3,653,969 tons of ore, valued at $64,-
426,370.
1916 — The gold output of the camp this year was about the average, being
$12,199,550. This was a year of marked activity in the Cripple Creek district.
The grand total production of the camp, 1891-1916, amounted to $285,245,393,
according to Government figures.
1917— Gold production was $11,402,968, making the golden harvest of the
camp during the past quarter of a century far over three hundred million dollars.
Work progressed steadily on the Roosevelt tunnel, its total length being about
24,000 feet. The tunnel has lowered the general water level of the district ap-
proximately 700 feet vertically. Deep mining was profitable in many of the
mines, huge bodies of good ores being encountered at depths of 2,000 feet or
more.
CRIPPLE CREEK'S GOLD PRODUCTION
Year Bullion Value Year Bullion Value
1891 $ 200,000 1904 $21,414.080
1892 587>310 i9°5 22,307,952
1893 8,750,000 1906 16,268,291
1894 3,250,000 1907 13,148,152
1895 6,100,000 1908 16,230,525
1806 ; . 8,750,000 1009 15,850,000
1897 12,000,000 1910 11,031,555
1898 16,000,000 1911 10,593,276
1809 21,000,000 1912 11,049,024
1900 22,500,000 1913 10,948,008
1001 24,986,990 1914 12,025,364
1002 24,508,511 1915 13727,992
1903 17,630,107 1916 12,177,221
1917 11,402,968
Grand Total $357,686,178
282 HISTORY OF COLORADO
CUSTER COUNTY'S MINING HISTORY
In the winter of 1870 Richard Irwin, a well-known prospector, and a com-
panion, Jasper Brown, started a camp at Rosita Springs on the site of a float
quartz discovery made by Irwin in the summer of that year. The stories of his
discoveries brought the prospectors in great numbers and in the spring of 1874
Leonard Fredericks had opened up the Humboldt and O'Bannion & Co. found
a fortune in the Pocahontas. In 1877 the great mine first called the Maine, after-
ward the Bassick, was discovered by John W. True, who had been sent there to
prospect by John A. Thatcher and a group of his friends in Pueblo. Abandoning
the work, it was later relocated by E. C. Bassick. He extended the shaft and
later by sending a lot of eight tons to the mill was gratified to find it return him
$12,000. Bassick made a fortune out of it.
In August, 1877, R. S. Edwards, a prospector who had crossed the plains
pushing a wheelbarrow, came to the site of what is now Silver Cliff, and located
Horn Silver, Racine Boy and Silver Cliff mines. This was just before the Lead-
ville craze broke loose. In 1880 the entire region was flooded with prospectors
looking for carbonates. The discoveries of Edwards were soon bruited about
and Silver Cliff became the site of a veritable stampede. Many good properties
were located in this period on Wet Mountain. The Hardscrabble district, which
includes Silver Cliff, Querida, West Cliff and Rosita, is still a fine mining
section.
As early as 1875 mill building commenced, reached its zenith in 1880, and
closed in 1882. The belief entertained at the beginning of the mill building era
was, as the industry advanced, changed to conviction, viz. : That each mine must
have a mill. This, with the fabulous prices asked for undeveloped claims, dis-
couraged investment of capital and development of prospects. The result was
that both capital and prospectors sought other fields, where, from reports re-
ceived, they had reason to believe less capital or labor was required to gain re-
munerative returns. The aggregate amount of money expended in mill building
in this section was not less than one and one-half million dollars. With a few
notable exceptions, the plants erected were total failures. Even some of the
exceptions were financial failures if successful from a metallurgical standpoint.
The decline in the mining industry, started in 1881, was not only accelerated by
one mill failure after another, but also by litigation, that eventually closed the
leading developed and regular producing properties. This condition can in no
manner be ascribed to the natural mineral resources of the county, but is di-
rectly attributable to "boom times" and mills.
In 1915 the advance in the price of silver had a splendid influence on prop-
erties all through the Hardscrabble district.
IN THE REGION OF RICO
The mining history of this section centers about Rico, the present county
seat and leading commercial center. It practically begins with the year 1879.
Since that time the mines at or near Rico have demonstrated Dolores to be one
of the important mining counties of the state. Like all mining sections it has
been more active at certain periods than others, but at no time since 1880 has it
CRIPPLE CREEK MINES
284 HISTORY OF COLORADO
failed to contribute its quota of precious metals toward the aggregate production
of the commonwealth. The predominating value in the ores is in silver, which
occurs in all the richer sulphide forms, at times native, but generally associated
with lead, iron, copper and zinc, in a quartz gangue. Although the mines were
formerly spoken of as silver-lead producers, and the general impression was es-
tablished that gold was not associated in appreciable quantities, under present
market conditions, and with somewhat recent developments, the producers of
this section are now ranked as gold-silver-lead mines. In common with many
other districts in the state a number of mines are operating largely upon ores in
which gold values predominate. •
The discovery of gold dates back to 1869, wnen Sheldon Shafer and Joe
Flarheiler, who had reached Santa Fe, decided to go to Montana. They made the
reservation that only the discovery of mineral could stop them. They were ex-
perienced prospectors and had no sooner reached the region of what is now
Silver Creek when the evidence was clear that they were on the eve of a precious
metal discovery. In July, 1869, they made their first location, embracing what
is now a part of the Shamrock, Smuggler and Riverside lodes of the old Atlantic
Cable group. This they called the Pioneer. Soon after they discovered north-
east of the Town of Rico the "Phoenix" and the "Nigger Baby." They also
located what was later the Yellow Jacket, the Amazon, the Pelican and the Elec-
tric Light mines. The district soon attracted attention and settlers began to pour
in and locate claims. In the spring of 1879 Col. J. C. Haggerty on a visit to
Ouray found that some ore from "Nigger Baby" hill proved to be lead car-
bonates very rich in silver. The neighboring camps of Ouray, Silverton, Ophir
and San Miguel emptied their hundreds into the Rico region. But the boom
was brief.
In 1880 the Grand View smelter was built, and in the fall of the same year
produced some high grade bullion. This afforded assurance of the permanency of
the district, and the development was more rapid for a few years following.
The grade of ore necessary to bear reduction charges, and high prices for sup-
plies were again felt, and progress was slow until the advent of the Rio Grande
Southern Railroad. This line leaves the Rio Grande system at Ridgeway and ex-
tends to Durango, via Rico. With transportation facilities the development was
rapid until the value of silver and lead reached the low range of prices of 1893.
A large number of producers then either reduced working force or closed down
entirely. Probably no district in the state was as seriously affected as this. The
recovery has been slow but sure and, in common with other counties.
EAGLE COUNTY'S MINING HISTORY
While what is now Eagle County had been previously explored, the history
of the active development of its natural resources begins with 1879. This year
marked the great rush to the Leadville district, which joins on the south. The
discovery of ores similar in character and occurrence along Eagle River served
in a small degree to relieve the pressure at Leadville, and to quickly populate
this section. Its establishment, therefore, may be ascribed to the overflow pros-
pectors from Leadville. The first valid locations were made early in 1879. The
ore production was limited on account of grade of ore necessary to bear trans-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 285
portation and treatment charges. In 1880 a smelting plant was erected and pro-
vided a home market. This plant produced a large amount of lead bullion, but
ceased operation soon after the advent of the Rio Grande Railway, early in
1882.
The first actual lode claims discovered and staked were in the names of Rob-
ert and John Duncan, who on April 15, 1879, thought they had made their for-
tunes in the Eagle River mining district. The Belden, located May 5, 1879, by
D. D. Belden and Price Merrick, was the first to produce profitable ores in large
quantities. In that first year a hundred claims were staked near Gilman. The
Wyoming group near Redcliff was among the locations of the first period.
THE BEGINNINGS OF EL PASO COUNTY MINING
The history of this section begins practically with the year 1859. At that
time Pike's Peak was a name more familiar than Colorado, and this section there-
fore received a large proportion „ of the immigrants from the eastern states.
Colorado City, located near the base of Pike's Peak and the entrance to Ute
Pass, became temporarily the leading town of the territory and its importance
was enhanced by being made the first territorial capital. Later the seat of gov-
ernment was removed to Golden, in Jefferson County, and finally to Denver.
The removal of the capital from Colorado City in 1861 was followed by a some-
what continued depression. The Pike's Peak placer mines had not proven lucra-
tive and the prospectors moved on to the west and north. In the fall of 1871
the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad reached this section, producing a marked
change in existing conditions.
There was formed in those early days the El Paso Claims Club, which had
its law offices, and in fact was the government of this section. It was primitive
but it served its purpose as a preventive to "claim jumping." H. T. Burghout,
with the title of recorder, had all the powers of a judge.
In common with the Front Range of mountains in other sections, the range
here is traversed with eruptive dikes and embraces fissure veins carrying precious
metals. Prospecting is indulged in, a few veins are located and worked to the
extent of annual assessment, but the ore values appear to be too low to permit
of extraction and reduction at a profit. While ores of economic importance are
not as yet found within the new western limit of the county, this section has
long been noted for its rare minerals, notably at Pike's Peak, Florissant and
Buffalo Peak.
FREMONT COUNTY ITS OIL AND ITS MINERALS
The discovery of oil in Fremont County dates back to 1859, when Joseph
Lamb, a pioneer, claims to have first investigated a flow of oil half a mile above
the mouth of Oil Creek Canon. The man who, however, located and perfected
his claim to Oil Springs, was Gabriel Bowen, who, in 1862, sold them to A. M.
Cassidy. In March of that year Mr. Cassidy sunk six wells but only the original
upper strata proved profitable. In that first year he marketed several thousand
gallons. But many wells were sunk and much capital was brought into the field
before it made any commensurate returns. The great trouble generally lay in
286 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the weakness of the casing material and few of the prospecting companies reached
any depth without accident.
In 1880 D. G. Peabody put down the first well in what is now part of the
Town of Florence, and what was then known as Lobach's farm. In 1882 his
company, which consisted of George O. Baldwin, J. J. Phelps, Ed. Lobach,
Thomas Willey, W. B. McGee, E. B. Ailing and himself, secured a great number
of leases and began boring with new outfits shipped from Pennsylvania. On
April 7, 1883, at a depth of 1,205 feet oil was discovered. The strike brought a
great horde of prospectors to Florence, but the Peabody Company, while it struck
oil again on several of its leases, never prospered.
By 1890 the field had been greatly developed and large capitalists were in
control. The United. Oil Company, with N. P. Hill as president, D. P. Ellis,
J. Wallace, S. F. Rathvon, I. E. Blake, John Coon and S. Josephi, owned 2,200
acres of patented land and 38,000 acres of oil rights and leases. They had fifteen
flowing wells, with a daily output of 850 barrels. It owned a refinery with daily
capacity of 1,500 barrels.
The Florence Oil & Refining Company, headed by A. H. Danforth and con-
trolled by himself and A. R. Gumaer, W. E. Johnson, Dr. E. C. Gray, T. M.
Harding and Frank M. Brown, had eleven productive wells with a daily output
of 500 barrels. It also owned a refinery.
The Triumph Oil Company, Ira Canfield, president, The Rocky Mountain Oil
Company, Dan P. Ellis, president, The Colorado Coal & Iron Company, and a
new company headed by Henry and Edward O. Wolcott and holding leases on
21,000 acres of the Beaver Land Company, were the other corporations actually
at work in the field.
At the close of the year 1902 there were fifty-seven wells producing. There
were two local refineries, with a combined capacity of about twc thousand bar-
rels per day. The following were the producing companies: Florence Oil Re-
fining Company, Triumph Oil Company, Griffith, Rock Mountain, Eraser Oil
and Gas Company, Fremont Oil and Gas Company, Keystone, Columbia Crude
Oil Company and United Oil Company.
The oil appears to be found at different geological horizons, the Fox Hill
shales underlying the coal measures being the most productive. The oils from
the various wells do not differ greatly in character. A number of tests published,
and made by competent chemists, show the naphtha and benzine to be about 4 to
6 per cent; of illuminating oils, 25 to 35 ; paraffine and heavy oils, 55 to 60; and
a residuum, mainly coal tar, 6 to 7 per cent. The refined products are consumed
by the western trade, and the residuum is utilized for fuel purposes.
In 1904 N. M. Fenneman, in a report to the U. S. Geological Survey, states
that there were 500 wells in the district, which had an area of approximately fif-
teen square miles. The deepest well in the field he found to be 3,650 feet, but no
oil sand had been found below 3,000 feet. Of the 500 wells he enumerates, 60
were pumping, and 175 had been producers. In his concluding paragraph he
states : "The average life of a well is not far from five years. Many wells have
yielded oil for from ten to twenty years. One well has been pumped for a still
longer time, and has yielded more than one million barrels of oil. The product
is for the most part refined at Florence." In 1901 it produced 17,000,000 gallons.
In 1907 the Florence field produced 263,498 barrels, valued at $197,025.00.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 287
In 1908 it was 295,479 barrels; in 1909, 225,062 barrels; in 1910, 201,937 bar-
rels; in 1911, 210,094 barrels; in 1912, 201,195 barrels; in 1913, 6,785,000 gal-
lons; in 1914, 6,854,799 gallons; in 1915, 6,039,507 gallons; in 1916, 5,058,615
gallons; in 1917, 4,442,095 gallons. On January i, 1912, there were fifty-four
wells producing. In January, 1918, there were forty- three wells producing.
The producing properties in the Florence field are today owned by the Conti-
nental, a Standard Oil subsidiary.
Since 1881 the precious metal mines have been more or less active and pro-
ductive. The production, however, has never been large, and the mines may be
said to have scarcely passed the prospective stage of development. The original
mines, or those that first attracted general attention, were in the neighborhood of
Cotopaxi and on Grape Creek. The Gem mine, near this stream, gained much
notoriety on account of nickel being found associated with silver ores.
Following the advent of the Cripple Creek mines in the adjoining county on
the north, the northern part of Fremont County was the scene of much prospect
work, which gradually worked westward and centered mainly about Whitehorn
and the Cameron districts. There are a number of small camps in this part
of the county bearing local names, and in the aggregate a large amount of devel-
opment work has been done. The ores are mainly gold-copper, in a quartzose
gangue. In the section immediately south of the Cripple Creek district a num-
ber of properties have been worked extensively.
Mining for gems and precious stones is carried on profitably in this county.
THE MINING HISTORY OF GUNNISON COUNTY
Gold was discovered in the Tin Cup and Washington Gulch districts during
1 86 1 by an adventurous prospector named Fred Lottes. In 1879 the reports cir-
culated by prospectors were so favorable that, during the following year, there
was a "rush" to this district second to none in the history of the state. Mining
camps sprang up at numerous points, and were followed by the usual number
of ill-advised smelting plants and mills. Precious metal ores were found in
abundance, but development was too meager to supply the demands of a smelter,
and transportation of ores to outside markets, even in concentrated form, left
small margin of profit. The toll on freight at this time was more often calculated
by the pound than by the ton.
The "rush" of 1 880-81 to this section was second to none in the state's his-
tory. Towns sprang up in all districts of the county; the mountains were filled
with prospectors, who, through specimen assays, kept the excitement at high
pitch; the "boom" was launched and maintained; capital followed and sought
investment on the "boom" basis, and smelters and mills were erected at enor-
mous outlay. It was finally realized that the ores, while abundant, were in the
main low grade, and that under economic conditions then extant, profits from in-
vestments made could not be expected. The exodus during the next few years
was almost equal to the rush of 1880. No county in the state, as prolific in nat-
ural resources, has suffered from a "boom" as severely as Gunnison. This sec-
tion, however, did not prove an exception to "mining boom" history, and many
good pay mines were discovered and opened. These in a measure served to re-
lieve the general depression, and each year from 1885 to 1892 showed gradual
288 HISTORY OF COLORADO
increased activity in all the districts. Until this time, the production of lead-silver
ores received almost undivided attention. With the then current price for these
metals, profitable mining was impossible except in isolated cases. Prospecting
ceased and small producers closed. As in other counties, attention was turned
to prospecting for gold. While the existence of gold was well known, it had,
prior to this time received little attention. The results have been satisfactory.
During the past decade there has been a great deal of prospecting done par-
ticularly in the Tin Cup, White Pine and Vulcan districts. In 1914 dredging
operations were begun in the Taylor Park district.
THE MINING HISTORY OF GRAND COUNTY
Owing to inaccessibility for many years prior to the construction of the
Moffat Road, this section has produced but a limited quantity of precious metals.
History shows this section to have been the scene of much prospecting in 1859.
At that time, and for a number of years afterwards, it was one of the favorite
hunting grounds for the Indians. The reported discoveries at different times
since then have caused an influx of more or less people, and in the aggregate a con-
siderable amount of development work has been done. At one time Lulu, in the
extreme northeast corner, became quite a flourishing camp. Also, Gaskill, at the
mouth of Baker Gulch, a few miles south. At the former camp the veins are
in granite-gneiss, are locally well defined, but the copper-iron-sulphide ores, carry-
ing gold, with some silver, appear to occur in short shoots or pockets so far as
exposed by meager development. Up Baker Gulch the veins are much better de-
fined and ore deposits are more persistent. The Wolverine properties and a
number of others, names unknown, showed fair bodies of low-grade sulphide
ore. In the vicinity of Grand Lake there has been quite an amount of prospect
work.
The Ready Cash group, that has been a good producer of high-grade silver
and lead ores since 1880 is still operating with good profits. This group is situ-
ate near the line between Grand and Clear Creek counties, and the ore is hauled
by wagon over Jones Pass to Empire station, and thence via the Colorado &
Southern Railroad.
The Mollie Groves group has been systematically developed since 1906, and
is a copper proposition carrying some gold and silver values. It is situate on Elk
Mountain, in the Blue Ridge district, and is fifteen miles from the Town of
Parshall, on the Moffat Railroad.
In 1878-79 some very promising silver prospects were discovered in the
Rabbit Ear Range, which is about twenty-five miles northwest of the Hot Sul-
phur Springs. Considerable work was done at the time, but all were abandoned
on account of the long haul and the low price of silver.
The first actual discovery of gold in the county was made by a prospector.
Sandy Campbell, in this very Rabbit Ear Range. The report of his discoveries
brought the first considerable influx of prospectors into the camp. The Town
of Teller in North Park had a large population at this time. In the fight for
the county seat between Hot Springs and Grand Lake, in 1883, four of the
county commissioners were killed ; the sheriff, implicated in the trouble, later
committing suicide.
VIEW OF THE CITY OF GOLDEN AS IT APPEARED IN OB ABOUT THE YEAR 1874
290 HISTORY OF COLORADO
HINSDALE IN THE SAN JUAN COUNTRY
The history of this section practically begins with 1874, when the first valid
mineral locations were made. The population rapidly increased until 18/9, when
the effects of inaccessibility to market were fully realized. In 1889 the Denver
& Rio Grande Railroad constructed a branch line into Lake City, the county
seat and commercial center of the county. This branch leaves the main line at
Sapinero and follows up the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, and trains for
Lake City are operated so as to connect with main line trains. Following the
advent of transportation facilities, there was a marked revival in all the mining
districts. The general depression of 1893 agani retarded advancement, for the
reason that nearly all ores developed at that' time were lead, silver and copper.
Since 1894 the advance has been steady, and, in common with many other sec-
tions, the existence of gold-bearing ores has been demonstrated.
.The county is divided into five mining districts, viz.: Lake, Galena, Park,
Sherman and Carson. Lake district embraces the northeastern portion of the
county. It extends about three miles west and nine miles south of Lake City.
The Galena and Lake districts are the two principal producers of the county.
This, however, is largely due to their development and accessibility. The Bur-
rows Park, Sherman and Carson districts each possess distinctive merit, equal
in many respects, but less developed than their more fortunate neighbors.
JEFFERSON'S EARLY MINING HISTORY
The first mining in this section was upon the placer beds near Golden. Al-
though the placer territory is limited, the aggregate production has been quite
large. In common with the "placer diggings" near the head of the stream in
Clear Creek and Gilpin counties the beds have been reworked a number of times
and are still worked in desultory manner each year. The appliances used are
little in advance of those used by the pioneers. The few who annually engage in
this pursuit report that they make fair wages by hard work, and occasionally
find a small bar that "pays well." Several attempts have been made by capital
to systematically work the bed of Clear Creek and recover the gold deposited near
l>ed-rock. Another inducement has been to collect the concentrated losses from
the many mills farther up the stream. There is little doubt that great values
exist along or under the present stream bed, but so far attempts at recovery have
proven futile on account of the physical condition encountered, viz., granite
boulders too large to handle that require breaking up before removal. Following
the placer excitement was the discovery of large veins of copper with small as-
sociated values in gold and silver. These discoveries are made annually through-
out almost the entire granite-gneiss region, but do not appear to pass the
location and annual assessment stages. The veins and ores exist, but are ap-
parently too low in grade or limited in deposition to mine with a profit.
The coal seams in this section were among the first opened in the state. The
coal is of fair quality for all domestic purposes and the seams conform to the
enclosing strata and run in an almost vertical position.
One of the principal industries is the mining and manufacture of the exist-
ing clays. The fire-clay bed that occurs in the Dakota formation almost continu-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 291
ously with the mountain range has in this section been somewhat extensively
mined and manufactured at home, or shipped in crude form to other sections.
A number of plants are located at Golden, and the required clays for the manu-
facture of fire brick, pressed brick, tile, sewer pipe, pottery, etc., have been
found by development to exist in large quantities.
A number of stone quarries are developed in a small way and produce good
building and other stone. The lime quarries at Morrison are drawn upon largely
by the reduction works in the vicinity of Denver for fluxing purposes.
THE MINING HISTORY OF LARIMER AND JACKSON COUNTIES
The precious metal deposits of Larimer and Jackson counties have been
worked in a desultory manner for a number of years. During the past year the
greatest activity has been in the vicinity of Pearl, in Jackson County. This camp
is located within a few miles of the Wyoming line. The section has attracted
more or less attention since the favorable developments of the mines at Battle
Lake, west of Grand Encampment, and the territory from that section to Pearl
and Independence Mountain and Pinkhampton has been subjected to careful
scrutiny by the prospectors. The veins occur in fissured zones of the granite-
gneiss country, the vein-filling being largely altered country rock with variable
gold and silver bearing copper ores associated. Lead sulphide is found in a
few places, but iron and copper pyrites and pyrrhotite are invariably present.
The latter possesses the peculiar bronze color that is indicative of the presence
of nickel.
Among the leading industrial pursuits, the stone industry has been prominent
for many years. The stone resource is large and the stone is of variable texture
and color, and well suited for structural purposes. The Colorado & Southern Rail-
road has two branch lines into the stone-producing sections, along which a num-
ber of quarries have been opened and are fairly well equipped. One of these lines
extends from Fort Collins to Stout via Bellvue. The other from Loveland up
the Thompson to Arkins. From the various quarries, almost any character of
stone desired may be obtained. The principal market is local and the leading
cities of the state.
On the branch line from Loveland the gypsum beds are well developed near
Wild's Spur. The plaster mill at that point is well equipped and is operated by a
company that practically controls the Colorado production. The plaster of paris
produced is of high grade and is marketed over a large area of country. In ad-
dition to the higher grades of plaster, suitable for dental and like work, the com-
pany is making a plaster cement that is meeting with much favor. The gypsum
deposits of this county are large and workable beds are found from the south
to the north boundary lines.
At present the principal mining districts in the two counties are : Empire
(Howe's Gulch), copper and gold; Pearl, copper, gold and silver; Pinkhampton,
lead and silver; Steamboat Rock, copper and gold; Teller (Copper Creek), lead
and silver.
MESA COUNTY AND ITS MINES
In the precious metal mines the developments are meager, and the value of
the properties appears to be yet not fully determined. The Copper Creek or
292 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Unaweep district, in the south-central and southwest parts of the county, has
been the most active, and during the past few years has attracted considerable
attention. The ores are mainly low grade, copper values predominating, and
only assorted lots may be shipped direct to market.
At one mine, the Nancy Hanks, a pocket of ore was found at the contact of
the quartzite with the granite, from which some fifteen cars were shipped, which
returned from ten to sixteen per cent copper, two or three dollars gold, and from
three to six ounces silver.
The discovery of this body of ore led to a "boom" about 1897-98, with the
usual result of a "set-back," from failure to immediately discover other ore
bodies, which was, for the most part, due to well intended but misdirected outlay
of time and money.
IN PROSPEROUS MINERAL COUNTY
The early growth and development of this section was phenomenal. While
it had many times been looked over by prospectors, it was practically unknown
prior to 1890. In 1891 a branch line of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad was
'completed, and the camp was a large producer. In March, 1893, it was created
a county. Prior to the construction of the cross-cut tunnels, one of the most
notable features in connection with the mines was the almost complete absence
of waste dumps. The mines yielded "pay ore" from the grass roots, and the
ordinary expensive development was largely eliminated. This fact becoming
known, the general rush to this section during 1891 and early in the following
year are notable events in the state's history.
The magician who brought the flood of population into the section was N. C.
Creede, a famous prospector, after whom the Town of Creede was named. He
had prior to this discovered the Monarch district in Chaffee County. In 1890,
while in the mountains above Wagon Wheel Gap he located what he termed "The
Holy Moses." Creede interested David H. Moffat, Eben Smith, Sylvester T.
Smith and Capt. -L. E. Campbell in this prospect, selling it to them for $65,000.
Creede next found the "Ethel" and then began the rush for the camp. The in-
vestment of Moffat was in itself sufficient to start a stampede. At the outset
the district was called "King Solomon's Mines," but soon changed to Creede.
In 1891 Moffat built the spur from Wagon Wheel Gap to Creede, and this
gave the district its greatest impetus. The most important discovery, however,
was made by Theodore Renniger, who was grubstaked by two Creede butchers,
Ralph Granger and Earl von Buddenback. Creede saw what they had, though
they themselves did not realize its importance. After they had staked the "Last
Chance" Creede staked off the "Amethyst" next to them. These two properties
became the largest producers in the camp. Renniger and Buddenback sold out
to Henry and Ed. O. Wolcott for $65,000. Ralph Granger refused $100,000 and
made a vast fortune by his foresight.
The mines of this section are operated largely through cross-cut tunnels. These
were driven for drainage purposes and as economic measures to reduce great ex-
pense of pumping and hoisting.
Mining operations in this county are in the main on a somewhat extended
scale, and the production is from comparatively few properties. Market condi-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 293
tions since 1893 and until 1915 have been somewhat discouraging. As previously
stated, the ores are mainly low grade, and until within a few years have been
almost strictly silver-lead ores. Below the 5OO-foot level in the Bachelor vein
there has been a marked increase in gold values and this has added new vigor to
operations. In common with some other sections of -the state, concentration
of values is receiving more attention, and several new mills are contemplated.
The new Humphrey's mill has proved quite successful, but improvements are
being added to increase the percentage of saving. Silver and zinc-lead properties
are gradually increasing their output and have been encouraged by an advance
in the price paid for silver and zinc ores.
HISTORY OF MONTEZUMA'S MINES
The mining history of this district begins with the pioneers of 1873-74. Since
that time there have been several short-lived revivals of interest. All energy,
however, was expended in search for gold in placer deposits until about twenty-
seven years ago. At that time George A. Jackson, who was the discoverer of
the first placer mine in the state near Idaho Springs, called public attention
to the so-called Baker, or Jackson contact on the west fork of the Mancos.
Somewhat later his enthusiasm enlisted the cooperation of capital to the extent
of an investigation, and the erection of a small milling plant. Expectations were
not realized, and. the district soon ceased to attract general attention. While
several placer beds were spasmodically worked, and prospecting was followed to
a limited extent thereafter, not until 1896-97 was there any activity in lode
mining. Since that time the districts adjacent to the headwaters of the Mancos
have shown a slow but gradual increasing activity.
The lode mines are located at altitudes varying from eight thousand to twelve
thousand five hundred feet and at an average distance of ten miles from the
Rio Grande Southern Railway. The market for ores is Durango, in the adjoining
county east. These mines may be classed as low-grade propositions that have
barely passed the prospect stage. The ores are mainly a complex sulphide, but
susceptible to concentration or reduction on the ground. Good timber is abun-
dant and the water supply ample at no great distance from the properties.
The most important districts at present are: East Mancos, gold and silver;
California, gold and silver ; Disappointment, copper, uranium, vanadium ; Blue
Mountain, copper, uranium, vanadium.
COLORADO CARN.OTITE ENRICHES THE WORLD
In the spring of 1899 Messrs. C. Friedel and E. Cumenge, of Paris, announced
the discovery of a new mineral, caniotite, obtained through M. Poulet, of Den-
ver, from Rock Creek, Montrose County, Colorado. Mr. Poulet had already
identified vanadium in it. During the year the government sent F. L. Ransome
and Dr. A. C. Spencer into San Miguel, Montrose and Mesa counties, where
large deposits were found.
This at once attracted the attention of foreign and eastern investors, who be-
gan to secure claims.
294 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Development, however, was slow, but the following is the record for 1914,
by which year the field had been pretty thoroughly exploited.
There was mined from the carnotite deposits in Montrose County, during
1914, 6,000 tons of ore that would assay 2. per cent uranium oxide and 5 per
cent 'vanadium oxide, 4,500 tons of which was mined by the Standard Chemical
Company. None of this ore, in the crude state, ever finds its way into Europe,
it being shipped to Pittsburgh and the radium extracted at that point.
The United States Government, managing the national radium property,
mined close to five hundred tons. This ore was shipped to Denver, at which
point the Government carried on experiments for the extraction of the radium,
and the separating of the uranium and vanadium.
The Currans interests mined during 1914 four or five narrow-gauge carloads.
Most of this ore went to Europe.
The Colorado Carnotite Company mined four or five small cars during 1914.
Most of this ore also was sold in Europe.
The General Vanadium mined (principally through assessment) three small
carloads. This ore was shipped to Liverpool, England.
Several small miners mined from five to ten tons of ore. About half of this
was sold in Europe and the other half in New York.
The Standard Chemical Company spent, in 1914, for mining and transporta-
tion of ore to Placerville, $30,000 a month. The remaining companies, com-
bined, spent about three thousand dollars per month in the mining and trans-
portation of ore in 1914.
Development work during 1917 exploded the certain theory that carnotite
ore did not extend into the ground for a distance greater than twenty feet. There
were some tunnels driven during 1917 that show large bodies of ore in the breast
of the tunnel, the tunnels being driven 150 feet. Some of these large bodies had
as much as 250 feet of covering on them.
' There were in 1914 two concentrating mills in Montrose County for the
concentration of carnotite.' The Standard' Chemical Company had a large mill at
the mouth of the San Miguel River, which cost $100,000. This mill has a capacity
of thirty tons in ten hours.
Some production of radium was made in 1915 and 1916, through a coopera-
tive arrangement between the National Radium Institute and the Federal Bureau
of Mines, whose reduction plant is located in Denver, and is under the direction
of Dr. R. B. Moore. While the exact value of their production is not known, it
is said that the radium produced had a value of nearly $750,000.00 and the ura-
nium and vanadium had a value exceeding $100,000.00.
In the latter part of 1915 another radium reduction plant was established in
Denver, and has made a considerable production, but does not give out the values.
Small quantities of carnotite ore were sent outside the state for reduction in
Toward the end of 1916 the Standard Chemical Company resumed opera-
tions on a large scale at their concentrating plant at Naturita, Montrose County.
Other smaller concerns became active producers of ore at about the same time.
The Denver reduction plant, which was erected by the National Radium Insti-
tute, operated steadily throughout the year, but passed into the hands of new
owners toward the end of 1916.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 295
There was a very small production of pitchblende ores in Gilpin County, but
the -value probably did not exceed $10,000.
'Precious metal mining has been prosecuted in Montrose County in a desultory
manner for a number of years. Along the various stream beds placer locations
are quite common and evidence the fact that hand sluicing has been indulged in
to considerable extent. Along the San Miguel River, in the western part, sev-
eral attempts have been made to operate the placer beds on a more extensive
scale with hydraulic appliances, but the results apparently have not proven very
remunerative.
The most active mining section during the past four years had been near
the western limits of the county, lying east of the La Sal Mountains. Owing
to great distance from market only the higher grade ores may be handled profit-
ably.
HISTORY OF OURAY'S FAMOUS MINES
In the Ouray Plaindealer of January 21, 1890, there is told the story of the
first mineral discovery in this section.
The history of Ouray dates back to the founding of the Town of Ouray, in
1875, when the little park was discovered by A. W. Begole and Jack Eckles, who
came over from Green Mountain, above Howardsville (San Juan County), in
July of that year, and got down as far as the Horseshoe, whence they saw the
beautiful park that is now the site of Ouray. They went back for supplies, and
returned on the nth of August following. Begole located the Cedar and Clipper
lodes, covering hot springs and what is known as "'Ahlwiler's Park," after which
they returned to San Juan, via Mineral Farm Hill. On their way through the
Red Mountain country, they met a large number of prospectors, among them
A. J. Staley, Logan Whitlock, Judge R. F. Long and Capt. M. W. Gine, to whom
they related what they had seen and done. Long and Cline came down to hunt
and fish, and while here Staley and Whitlock, who were of the party, discovered
the Trout and Fisherman's lodes, which was, in fact, the first actual discovery
of ore in place in the immediate vicinity of Ouray, as Begole only found "float"
or "blossom" rock, and did not locate "Mineral Farm" until after the Trout and
Fisherman had been discovered by Staley and Whitlock. Great excitement fol-
lowed these events, and that season the valley was alive with prospectors from
Silvertoh and Mineral Point. The town site was located and named by Long and
Cline in honor of Chief Ouray. Quite a number remained through the winter,
while others .went out to equip themselves for the next season, and tell the people
in other sections of the wealth and wonderful beauty of the new country. Spring
brought a great influx of people from Lake City and other points. It was also
ascertained when spring came that a band of prospectors, among them Andy S.
Richardson and William Quinn, had found their way into the Sneffels district,
the preceding fall ; had located mining property which they had worked all win-
ter, not knowing that the Town of Ouray had been founded, nor that any per-
sons other than Ute Indians were between them and Utah. Nor did those in
Ouray know there were any men in Sneffels.
296 HISTORY OF COLORADO
CAMP BIRD MINE
Mount Sneffels, the largest producing district, embraces the southwest corner
of the county, or the properties tributary to Canon Creek. The most prominent
mine or group in this district is the Camp Bird, in Imogene Basin. The Camp
Bird vein, or some one of its near neighbors embraced in the group, is doubtless
an east extension of the well-known Pandora vein, in San Miguel County. The
strike of the vein is nearly east and west, and dips about 75 degrees, on an aver-
age, to the south.
When the Camp Bird was discovered prospecting was almost wholly prose-
cuted for silver-lead ores, and gold assays were seldom asked for by prospectors
when having their samples tested. The Camp Bird vein occupies a fissured zone.
One of these fissures near the footwall was filled mainly with lead and zinc sul-
phides carrying low values in silver, and was located and worked to a limited ex-
tent for this ore, which, under existing market conditions, was of little value.
Near the so-called hanging wall there is another band that near surface appeared
to be an almost barren quartz. This was, when removed, thrown into the waste
dump as worthless. The discovery of the value of this ore by Mr. Thomas F.
Walsh, and later developments and production will long be remembered as an ob-
ject lesson of whai "might have been."
In 1895 Walsh was running a pyritic smelter in Silverton. He knew of the
low-grade mines in the Imogene Basin and engaged an old prospector, Andy
Richardson, to sample the dumps. One of the samples from the Gertrude dump
contained 80 oz. of gold to the ton. Then Walsh, keeping his own counsel,
determined to look over the ground for himself and take samples. Ill as he was,
he rode on horseback with Richardson from Ouray to the basin and climbed up
the steep trail. He was impressed. He could not enter the interior workings of
the Gertrude and Una because the tunnel was buried beneath deep snow that had
never melted in a dozen years. Before leaving, Walsh directed Richardson to
dig through the snow and get samples from the tunnel that had never been fin-
ished, the work .having been interrupted by snowslide. He believed there was
gold in the vein.
On a later trip Walsh went inside and carefully examined the walls of the
vein, finding tellurium rich with gold. He broke off pieces of rock, filled his
pockets and carried away sacks of samples, which he took with him to Leadville
to be assayed. He got samples that ran as high as $3,000 to the ton. That was
in September, 1896. Returning, he set quietly to work and gathered in pretty
much all the claims in the Imogene Basin, buying them on tax titles for $10,000.
He also paid Hubbard Reed $10,000 for the Una claim. In this group of claims
the Gertrude and the Una formed the most valuable portion and constituted the
bonanza afterward named the Camp Bird mine, which yielded $2,500,000 of
gold before Walsh sold out, in 1902, for $5,100,000.
The Camp Bird has been one of the largest gold mines in the world. With
the exception of the Portland, it was probably the richest mine in Colorado. The
output of the yellow metal from the wonderful Camp Bird for a long time varied
from one to three million dollars a year. During the twenty years (1897-1916)
it has added $25,000,000 to the money of the nation.
The Red Mountain district embraces the southern portion of the county and
VIEW OF SOUTHWAKD SIDE OF LARIMER STREET, DENVER, BETWEEN FIF-
TEENTH AND SIXTEENTH STREETS, IN 1866
F STREET, DENVER
This picture was drawn by A. E. Mathews, in the summer of 1865, and is from a point
between Blake and Wazee streets. The name "F Street" was later changed to Fifteenth
Street.
S98 HISTORY OF COLORADO
became famous for its rich copper-silver ores through the Yankee Girl, Guston
and other mines. This section is practically tributary to Silverton, with which
it is connected by the Silverton Railroad.
HISTORY OF MIXING IX RIO GRANDE COUNTY
The mining history of this section practically begins with the year 1870. The
reported gold discoveries of that year resulted in a rush to that section in 1871.
Introduction of mills followed during 1874-75. In 1883 this district gained the
distinction of being the third largest gold producer in the state. Nine amalga-
mation mills, aggregating 155 stamps, were at that time actively operated. The
percentage of value saved by the mills was low, even from the highly oxidized or
surface ores. As depth was gained the prevalence of base metals made milling
unprofitable, and in 1893 the district was practically deserted. During the past
few years there has been a gradual return to former activity. Not in search of
the phenomenal pockets of "free gold ores," but through the application of ad-
vanced methods in metallurgy to recover the values from the large low grade
deposits.
Summitville is now the principal mining camp of the county. This is near
the site of Wightman's Gulch, where Tames L. Wightman and companions found
gold in June. 1870.
HISTORY OF MINING IN ROUTT AND MOFFAT COUNTIES
In 1864 the Hahns Peak gold placers were discovered by Captain Way, a
prospector, who brought news of his find to Empire. The next spring Joseph
Hahn, of Empire, and W. A. Doyle, of Blackhawk, organized a party of forty
and inspected the field. Later Hahn and Doyle were left alone in the camp for
the winter, and in their efforts to return for provisions Hahn died of cold and
exhaustion. In 1874 the Purdy Mining Company employed 150 men on these
claims.
In the vicinity of Hahns Peak there has been a large amount of exploit
work done, but the search has been almost wholly devoted to "high-grade" ores,
which occur in the veins in form of small pockets a,nd shoots at irregular inter-
vals.
North and northwest of Hahns Peak are the Whiskey Park and Three Forks
districts. Both of these districts, together with the Farwell district, east of the
peak, have attracted considerable attention during the past few years. These
combined districts embrace the territory between the Elk Head Mountains and
Battle Lake, in Wyoming. Battle Lake is the leading mining center of what is
better known as the Grand Encampment mining district. The ores in the districts
above mentioned occur in fissures in granite-gneiss. In the Three Forks, lead-
silver ores predominate ; in the Whiskey Park, lead-copper-silver, and in the
Farwell, copper-silver. All the ores carry more or less gold values.
Desultory mining or prospecting has been prosecuted along the granite-gneiss
Park Range, from the Wyoming line to the Rabbit Ear Peak.
In the Rabbit Ear district the ores are mainly lead-silver, and, although but
little developed, appear to occur in quite large deposits.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 299
•
One of the most valuable resources of Routt' County is its large coal reserves,
of which mention is made elsewhere.
MINING HISTORY OF CHAFFEE COUNTY
Chaffee County's beginnings are those of Lake County for until 1879 it was
part of the region that had put Leadville on the world map. The first actual
work 'in the way of mining was done at Kelly's Bar near Granite, for there were
the gravel deposits which made small fortunes for the adventurous spirits who
had come into this section. The old -Cache Creek placers were exploited as early
as 1860 and among the men who a little later struggled with fate in this section
was H. A. W. Tabor. Five placers were opened in those early days below
Buena Vista and below the mouth of Cottonwood Creek.
Great activity prevailed until 1862, when there was an exodus of many to
other, supposed better, sections. Those remaining pursued mining in a lethargic
manner; lode claims were located, mills installed and the success attained from
the supposed exhausted placers and milling of the oxidized ores again attracted
attention. These mining districts were therefore active during 1874-76. Soon
after this the discoveries at Leadville became the center of attraction and the
great revival of the mining industry, which reached its zenith in 1880, again popu-
lated this section. The various mineral districts were thoroughly overhauled by
the prospectors, and their favorable reports were productive of a short era of
smelter and mill building. During the next few years the various prospects
were gradually deserted for the supposed better fields in the San Juan and Creede
districts, and finally for Cripple Creek.
Notwithstanding the apparent willingness of the prospectors to leave this
county and follow any new excitement, the successful operation and production
of a few properties has always retained this section among the lists of producers.
From 1897 to the present time interest in the mines of this county has been grad-
ually increasing. The close of 1917 marks not only more active operation, but a
great increase in the list of new operators, many of whom follow mining as a
business and appreciate the advantages this section affords. In almost every
mining district in the county there has been substantial improvement.
The metal production from 1897 to 1901 inclusive amounted in value to over
two million dollars. Fully half- of this was gold. Its lead, silver and copper
output has also been quite heavy. The iron beds at Calumet have been operated
systematically and the product was consumed by the iron and steel- works at
Pueblo.
The La Plata, Hope, and Red Mountain districts in the northwest portion of
the county have been thoroughly prospected with fair results. Lode mining in the
Dewey and Granite districts has attracted much attention in recent years.
The Chalk Creek district has been successfully mined. The Mary Murphy
was for years one of the best producers in the state. It first attracted attention
in 1880. The erection of the lead smelter near Salida gave an impetus to mining
in this section. It is interesting to note that from 1860 to 1901 the records of
the county clerk at Buena Vista show the filings on placer claims, lode claims,
mill sites and tunnel sites to aggregate nearly, fourteen thousand. The county
300 HISTORY OF COLORADO
abounds in mineral waters, both hot and cold. The most important are the Chalk
Creek Hot Springs near Haywood, Poncho Springs and the waters at Collinwood.
IN THE MINES OF SAGUACHE
As early as 1867 Saguache had gained considerable prominence as a distribut-
ing point, but the history of precious metal mining practically begins with 1879-80.
During the years of 1880-81 it attained its greatest prominence. This result is
largely attributable to the Gunnison excitement of these years. To reach this
latter section the most favored route at that time was via Poncha Pass to
Saguache, thence over Cochetopa Pass. Many who started to and returned from
the Gunnison district remained in Saguache County. In the summer and fall
of 1880 Cochetopa. Creek, Bonanza, Ford Creek and Crestone were active mining
centers, especially that of Bonanza on Kerber Creek. During 1881-82 "locations"
were recorded to the number of four thousand or more. Of these less than two
hundred have been patented. This season of great activity was followed- by
the usual period of mill and smelter construction, and afterwards, decline. Sev-
eral years ago there was quite a revival of interest in" the Crestone section. This
however, was quieted by litigation brought about by reason of locations having
been made on one of the old Spanish land grants, known as Baca Land Grant
No. 4. The litigation was finally adjudicated in favor of the Land Grant Com-
pany, which company later declared the territory open to prospectors under cer-
tain "rules and regulations." Within the past few years mining operations have
again been revived, not only in the Crestone and Baca sections, but in all parts
of the county, and indications favor a largely increased production for the future.
The ore deposits of this county occur under variable conditions, that of fis-
sure veins predominating. Locally blanket veins occur as replacement of the
carboniferous limestone, but these deposits are not far distant from igneous
dikes, intrusive or overlying sheets. The ores are variable and may only be gen-
eralized. On the western slope the main value is in gold, often in free form
or associated with iron pyrites in a hard milk-white quartz occurring in fissures
in granite. On the eastern slope of the hills the veins are generally larger and
fill fissures in the volcanic rocks. The ores below limit of oxidation are mainly
sulphides of iron, copper, lead and zinc, carrying both silver and gold values.
SAN MIGUEL AND ITS FAMOUS MINES
It was not until 1875 that the first prospector entered the country now form-
ing San Miguel County, and it was during that year that the first location was
made upon the great Smuggler vein. John Fallon was the locator of the Sheri-
dan, locating in one day the Sheridan, the Emerald, the Ausboro, and what is
now known as the Ajax lode. Mr. White, who was an associate of Mr. Fallon,
located the extension of these claims, but did not have the same faith in their
value that Mr. Fallon had. Mr. White allowed the year to go by without doing
his $100 assessment, as was then required during the first year, and in 1876 all
his locations were jumped. It was not until the Smuggler was located that the
vein began to have a reputation. This location was made by J. B. Ingram, and
was situated between the Sheridan and the Union whose boundary stakes had
HISTORY OF COLORADO 301
been set out to cover more than fifteen hundred feet of ground each. Very
high grade ore was struck on the surface of the Smuggler and shipping began.
The difficulties of transportation were great, it being necessary to first pack by
burro train to Ouray, and then ship by wagon, 260 miles, to the end of the
railroad. Moreover, for fully six months in the year the mine was inaccessible
to pack trains. Transportation charges alone amounted to $60 a ton, and it took
time to obtain returns. But the Smuggler had ore that could stand the expense.
One shipment of four tons gave 800 ounces in silver and eighteen ounces in gold
to the ton.
The Mendota, just above the Sheridan, was located in 1878, the slide rock
having made it difficult to find the vein. John Donnellan and William Everett
were the locators and they, with a third man, worked a lease on the Sheridan
during the winter of 1878, and ran 100 feet of tunnel on what is now the main
level of the Sheridan. They took Out considerable ore which by careful sorting
could pay the high charges of freighting and yet leave a good margin.
Such were the beginnings of this prosperous camp, which has shown a great
advance in lode mining since that beginning in 1875.
The important mines in this district are the Smuggler-Union, Liberty Bell,
and Tom Boy. There were added two more producing mines in 1914 — the Weller
mine and the La Junta. The La Junta has a fifty-stamp mill in operation. It
is treating ores by amalgamation, concentration, and cyanidation.
The only large vanadium mill in the state is located in this county. During
the past year this mill has doubled its production. The mill is situated at the
Town of Vanadium, about eight miles west of Telluride. For the past three
years there has been a great deal of prospecting done in the western part of
San Miguel County for uranium ores. There are a few mines in this section
which have produced some high-grade uranium. There are also enormous bodies
of low-grade ores in this part of the county.
HISTORY OF MINING IN PITKIN COUNTY
The mining history of this section practically begins with 1879. Prior to
this the district had been passed over casually a number of times by prospectors,
without any discoveries of importance being made. In the Leadville district the
scramble for territory was followed by an exodus of the numerous prospectors
who had gathered there to look for new fields. In common with Eagle and Sum-
mit counties, the Continental Divide was crossed and the territory now embraced
by Pitkin County was carefully prospected. That the experience and knowledge
gained by the prospectors during their sojourn in the Leadville district was well
utilized is demonstrated by the fact that during 1879 nearly all of the mining
claims were located that have since made Aspen and surroundings prominent in
the mining world. The general conditions connected with ore deposits in Lead-
ville and Aspen are similar, and although the most active centers in Pitkin
County were first in the vicinity of Ashcroft, Aspen Mountain and later Aspen
were made prominent as early as 1883-84. Owing to inaccessibility to market,
production was restricted until the fall of 1887, at which time the Denver &
Rio Grande Railroad reached Aspen. The stimulus given mining by the advent
of rail transportation was added to by the completion of the Colorado Midland
302
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Railroad to Aspen early the following spring. Production, which prior to this
had been subjected to a freight charge of $50 to $100 per ton, could then be
moved for $10 to $15 per ton. The result was a largely increased tonnage and
a realized profit from ores that were valueless prior to the advent of railroads.
Operations were in a short time conducted on a large scale, and the developed
conditions of ore deposition were productive of litigation of like large propor-
tions. The value of the ore product was almost wholly in silver, and the decline
in market price of that metal in 1893 aided in restricting production. By this
time the mines had attained greater depths, encountered heavy flows of water,
and operating expenses had so increased that the raw ore could not, as a whole, be
marketed at a profit. Mills were therefore erected and the values concentrated
into smaller tonnage.
The silver ores of the Aspen district are as a whole very low grade. High
grade silver ores, which at first attracted general attention to this section, are
still encountered, but are not of frequent enough occurrence to make operation
for these alone profitable. The success attained in the milling of the low grade
ores is second to that of no other section in the state and could be advantageously
followed by various districts where existing conditions are even more favorable
than at Aspen.
This, like other mining counties, is somewhat indefinitely divided into local
mining districts, viz., th^ Roaring Forks, including the territory adjacent to
Aspen; Highland, south of Aspen; Columbia, south and east of Highland; In-
dependence, southeast of Aspen and adjacent to Independence ; Lincoln, south
and east of Independence ; Woody, north of Aspen ; Dry Pine, north of Woody ;
Frying Pan, north and east of Woody.
The first important apex case came out of this district. This was the case
of the Durant vs. the Emma, and was tried before Judge Moses Hallett. Sena-
tor Henry M. Teller and Charles J. Hughes, Jr., appeared for the "apex" claim-
ant, and Charles S. Thomas and Thomas M. Patterson for the "sideliners." The
verdict went to the Durant.
METAL OUTPUT OF COLORADO
Year Gold
Previous to 1870 $27,213,081
1870 3,015,000
1871 3.633,951
1872 2,646,463
1873 1,835,248
1874 2,065,595
1875 ••••' 2,321,055
1876 2,726,311
1877 ..- 3,000,000
1878 3,366,404
1879 3,225,000
1880 3,200,000
1881 3,300,000
1882 3,360,000
Silver
Copper
Lead
330,000
S 40,000
660,000
20,000
1,029,058
30,000
2,015,001
45,000
$ 5,000
2,185,014
65,000
7.078
3,086,926
90,197
37,502
2,873,591
90,000
95,706
2,950,256
70,000
8i,774
4,180,138
93,797
98,491
4,807,001
89,000
481,502
10,162,503
131,000
i ,960,207
15,055,302
184,000
3-595,939
15,104,092
161,000
3,900,621
14,436,136
276,390
5,401,000
HISTORY OF COLORADO
303
Year Gold Silver Copper
1883 < $4,100,000 $14,912,756 $182,751
1884 4,250,000 13,984,066 278,801
1885 4,200,000 13,014,927 127,435
1886 4,450,000 12,313,404 44,990
1887 v 4,000,000 1 1,345,608 226,350
1888 3,758,ooo 13,813,906 270,059
1889 3,833,859 17,199,486 426,250
1890 4,150,000 19,665,245 945,ooo
1891 4,600,000 20,906,554 883,400
1892 . . : 5,300,000 23,082,600 837,375
1893 ••• 7,527,ooo 20,205,785 765,535
1894 9,549,73! 14,638,696 624,097
1895 13,559,954 1 1,683,232 659,050
1896 15,267,234 14,458,536 820,270
1897 ; 19,579,637 12,692,448 960,917
1898 23,534,531 13,690,265 1,304,504
1899 26,508,676 13,771,731 1,295,611
1900 28,762,036 12,488,775 1,293,012
1901 27,679,445 10,901,366 i, 303/297
1902 28,517,117 8,315,192 1,006,108
1903 21,605,359 7,079,7n 1,033,643
1904 • 24,223,008 7,416,157 1,205,607
1905 25,577,947 7,743,719 1,536,266
1906 - 22,588,734 8,499,735 1,844,002
1907 20,471,527 7,886,736 2,251,258
1908 22,695,576 4,975,428 1,383,733
1909 21,946,684 4,587,643 1,220,642
1910 20,297,536 4,392,736 1,048,835
1911 19,042,732 3,921,415 1,146,135
1912 18,691,577 5,023,961 1,445,416
1913 18,148,711 5,5!5,iO7 1,240,901
1914 19,883,105 4,864,224 883,010
i9!5 • • • • 22,414,944 3,563,182 1,244,694
i9l6 19,153,821 5,038,006 2,121,524
Lead
$6,096,125
4,724,742
4,345,000
5,463,400
5,670,000
5,790,200
5,423,400
4,883,200
5,568,000
5,030,700
3,147,97!
3,200,000
2,954,714
2,321,109
2,731,032
4,117,043
6,170,766
7,770,196
6,419,132
4,325,484
4,301,123
4,624,515
5,438,507
5,666,993
4,965,517
2,429,67 1
2,765,512
3,158,381
2,925,397
3,280,703
3,716,25!
2,894,264
3,234,098
4,893,072
$604,776,589 $452,467,356 .$35,245,862 $166,111,038
Year Zinc
J902 $2,544,993
1904 3,313,788
1905 4,774,498
1906 5,298,602
TOO; 5,275,377
1908 1,798,603
Tungsten
Vanadium,
Uranium,
Radium, etc.
$130,000
255,000
295,000
560,000
115,000
$185,000
196,000
157,000
304 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Vanadium,
» Uranium,
Year Zinc Tungsten Radium, etc.
1909 $2,295,046 $390,000 $310,000
1910 3.366>437 725,o°° 625,000
191 1 '. 5,696,188 370,200 945,000
1912 8,591,624 455,000 1,028,000
1913 6,218,607 625,000 1,750,000
1914 4,935,623 295,000 2,750,000
1915 12,969,779 1,684,250 1,000,000
1916 17,994,252 5,325,000 1,650,000
$89,426,681 $11,224,450 $10,596,000
DISTRIBUTION' OF MINERALS IN COLORADO
Adams County — Coal, brick clay, sand, gravel, some stone of little economic
value.
Alamosa County — Brick clay, sand, some gravel, little stone of commercial
value.
Arapahoe County — Coal, brick clay, sand, some gravel, some stone of little
commercial value.
Archuleta County — Undeveloped and largely unproved metal deposits, carry-
ing uncertain values in gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc, a considerable part of
the county lies in what is known as the gold belt, but lack of transportation
facilities has hindered development ; abundance of building stone, chiefly granite
and sandstone ; clay deposits of uncertain value.
Baca County — Has produced small quantities of silver and copper, in the
southwestern part, the deposits having been but little developed because of lack
of transportation facilities; extensive undeveloped deposits of clay, sand, gravel
and stone.
Bent County — Clay of many varieties, suitable for brick, earthenware and
drain tile ; glass sand, building sand, gravel and stone.
Boulder County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, barium (barite), cerium (allan-
ite), tungsten, molybdenum, bismuth sulphide, asbestos, antimony (stibnite),
cement materials, coal, clay of many varieties, including kaolin and fire clay,
fluor spar, granite of many varieties, limestone, marble, amber, mercury (small
deposits), -petroleum, natural gas, pyrite, antimony sulphide, sandstone of many
varieties, sand gravel, wide variety of road metal, several varieties of shale.
Chaff ee County — Gold, silver, lead, zinc, aquamarine, beauxite, (aluminum)
beryl, bismuth, bismuthinite, bismutite and tetradymite, brochantite, corundum,
cuprite, epodite, fluor spar, fuller's earth, asbestos, garnet, granite, building and
monumental, graphite, iron, clay of many varieties, limestone and other cement
materials, magnetic iron ore, marble, mimetite, arsenate and chloride of lead,
molybdenite (silicate of beryllium), phenacite, platinum, magnetic iron pyrites,
sapphire, building sand, zinc blende, a wide variety of building stone.
Cheyenne County — Clays of uncertain value, building sand, stone of doubt-
ful economic value.
, JR
306 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Clear Creek County — Gold, silver, lead, copper, zinc, antimony (polybasite
and stibnite), beryl, bluestone, corundum, fluor spar, granite, mica, pitchblende,
platinum, pyrite, tungsten, clays of unproved value, and extensive undeveloped
deposits of building stone.
Conejos County — Gold, silver, copper, zinc and lead deposits, chiefly un-
developed; granite, sandstone and other building stone; clay, sand, gravel and
alunite.
Costilla County — Gold, silver and perhaps other metals, little developed;
granite, sandstone and other building materials, undeveloped ; magnetic iron ore,
clays, building sand and potash.
Crowley County — Clays of uncertain value, building sand, road surfacing
material, some stone.
Custer County — Gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, alunite, fluor spar, nickel (anna-
bergite and niccolite), gypsum, granite, sandstone, and a variety of building stone,
undeveloped.
Delta County — Coal, gypsum, oil shale, granite, sandstone and other building
stone, little developed ; sand, gravel, clays of wide variety, mostly undeveloped.
Dolores County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, carnotite, fluor spar, gypsum,
antimony (polybasite), rhodochrisite, zinc blende, stephanite, granite, sandstone
and other stone suitable for building purposes, undeveloped ; clays of a wide
variety, wholly undeveloped.
Douglas County — Gold, silver, coal, sandstone, granite, limestone, allanite,
amazon stone, clay of good quality, but little developed, suitable for pressed brick,
earthenware, drain tile, terra cotta and similar purposes; fluor spar, lava stone
and a wide variety of building stone, partially developed.
Eagle County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, carnotite, gypsum, manganese,
sandstone, granite and other building stone, little developed ; manganosiderite
(carbonate of manganese and iron), turquoise.
Elbert County — Coal, clay, several varieties, undeveloped ; sandstone and
other building stone of uncertain value; sand and gravel, suitable for road build-
ing and similar purposes.
El Paso County — Coal, clays of wide variety and considerable value for brick,
earthenware and similar purposes ; also good fire clay ; fluor spar, aluminum
(cryolite), granite, gypsum, phenacite, smoky quartz and similar gem stones, sand-
stone and other building stone, partially developed.
Fremont County — Coal, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, nickel (niccolite),
tourmaline, agate, rose quartz, garnet, amethyst, beryl and similar gem stones;
lithium (amblygonite), clay of good quality, asbestos, limestone and other cement
materials in large quantities, petroleum, natural gas, granite of good quality, some
development; gypsum, lava, mica, lithium and aluminum (amblygonite), building
sand, sandstone of good quality, partially developed.
Garfield County — Gold, silver, copper, carnotite, clay of many varieties, un-
developed, cassiterite, (ore carrying tin), coal, granite, asphaltic rock, sandstone
and other building stone in abundance, but undeveloped and of uncertain value.
Gilpin County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, arcenopyrite, pitchblende,
pyrite, fluor spar, stone of wide variety, little developed ; a wide variety of clays.
Grand County — Gold, silver, asphaltic rock, antimony (stibnite), bituminous
rock, clay of wide variety ; molybdenite, asphaltic sandstone, antimony sulphide.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 307
Gunnison County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, aluminum, arcenopyrite,
antimony, bismuth, sulphur, coal, clays of many varieties, including good fire
clay, graphite, granite, in abundance, of good quality; iron, (magnetic iron ore
and hematite), limestone, cobalt (erythrite and smaltite), manganese, marble,
molybdenum, nickel, oil shale, onyx, mineral paint, platinum, sandstone, slate,
tungsten, grindstone and other abrasive stones.
Hinsdale County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, alunite, amethyst, iron, pyrite,
oxide of manganese, wide varieties of stone, undeveloped ; clay, sand and similar
materials, undeveloped.
Huerfano County — Coal, clay, building stone, including much basalt, a wide
variety of good sands and other similar materials, little developed ; gold.
Jackson County — Coal, stone and clay, undeveloped.
Jefferson County — Coal, valuable clays, including plastic clay, kaolin, fire clay
and good clay for the manufacture of earthenware and china ; wide varieties of
building stone, limestone, granite, sandstone, aquamarine, beryl, columbite, copper,
fluor spar, gold, (in small quantities) pitchblende, magnetic iron pyrites, rose
quartz, zeolites.
Kiowa County — Clay and sand of uncertain value ; some building stone of
little economic value.
Kit Carson County — Clay of uncertain value ; sand and stone of several
varieties, but of doubtful economic value.
Lake County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, alunite, bismuth, iron ore,
mostly manganiferous, manganese, geslarite or hydrous zinc sulphate, cadmium
sulphate, (greenockite), topaz, wide varieties of stone of little proved economic
value ; clay.
La Plata County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, aikinite (compound containing
lead, copper, bismuth and sulphur), amalgam, bismuth sulphide, bismutite, cin-
nabar (mercury ore), coal, clay, cosalite (compound of lead, bismuth and sulphur),
limestone and wide variety of other stone, including sandstone, granite and other
good building stone ; quicksilver, building sand, of wide variety and considerable
value.
Larimer County — Marble, granite, wide variety of clay and sand ; copper,
gypsum, limestone, bismuth, (bismuthinite), sandstone of good quality, marble,
granite, mica, pyrite, rose quartz, tourmaline.
Las Animas County — Coal, clay, graphite, sand, building stone of several
varieties, including granite, sandstone and limestone.
Lincoln County — Clay of uncertain and unproved value, sand and gravel and
some stone of uncertain value.
Logan County — Clay of no high value, sand and gravel and stone of appar-
ently little commercial value.
Mesa County — Copper, coal, carnotite, clay, mica, petroleum, oil shale, lime-
stone, sandstone and a variety of other building stone, sand.
Mineral County — Gold, silver, copper, sulphur, barium (barite), lead, zinc,
fluor spar, alunite, granite, sandstone, limestone and other stone not developed,
sand and gravel in abundance, undeveloped.
Moffat County — Gold, silver, coal, clay, carnotite, oil shale, wide variety of
stone. Nearly all mineral deposits, including coal, largely undeveloped ; amethyst.
Montezuma County — Gold, silver, lead, aikinite, coal, clay, stone, sand, gravel
308 HISTORY OF COLORADO
and other similar materials not extensively developed because of lack of trans-
portation facilities.
Montrose County — Gold, silver, copper, carnotite and other radium bearing
ores, coal, oil shale, petroleum, clay, sand stone and other similar materials but
little developed.
Morgan County — Clays, stone and sand, of comparatively little proved com-
mercial value.
Otero County — Clays of good quality, stone, sand and gravel of little proved
commercial value.
Ouray County — Gold, silver, lead, copper, zinc, tungsten, bismuth, iron
(pyrite), antimony (polybasite), alunite, clay of wide variety, granite, sandstone,
limestone and many other varieties of stone, undeveloped.
Park County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, vanadium (volborthite), fluor
spar, manganese (alabandite), coal, beryl, bismuth (beegerite), clay, sandstone,
limestone, granite and other building stone, little developed.
Phillips County — Clay of little proved value, sand and some stone.
Pitkin County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, antimony (polybasite), coal,
iron (bornite), hematite, magnetite, pyrite (siderite), arsenic, (pearcite), barium
(barite), clay and stone almost wholly undeveloped.
Prowers County — Clay of good quality, excellent glass sand, stone of several
varieties but of doubtful commercial value.
Pueblo County — Clay of many varieties, including good fire clay, sand of good
quality, including some glass sand, excellent stone, including good sandstone,
marble and granite, large deposits of limestone.
Rio Blanco County — Coal, carnotite, oil shale, petroleum, asphaltic rock, lime-
stone, sandstone, granite, sands of many varieties, including asphaltic sands, ex-
cellent road making material.
Rio Grande County — Gold, silver, copper, sand, asbestos, alunite, lava, sand-
stone, clay, granite and many varieties of stone, not widely developed.
Routt County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, coal, corundum, clay, asphaltic rock,
sand and wide variety of building stone, but little developed.
Saguache County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron, alunite, amethyst,
manganese (pyrolusite), sand, clay, building stone of several varieties.
San Juan County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, iron (marcasite,
pyrite, pyrrhotite), arsenic (arsenopyrite), bluestone, fluor spar, molybdenite,
antimony (bournonite, polybasite, stibnite), a wide variety of stone of doubtful
commercial value, clay, utilized to some extent for brick.
San Miguel County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, carnotite and other
radium-bearing ores, antimony (polybasite), tungsten, barite, fluor spar, arseno-
pyrite, enargite (sulpharsenate of copper), iron (marcasite, pyrite), minium,
barium (barite), platinum (in small quantities), stone of many varieties, like-
wise clay and sand.
Sedgwick County — Plenty of clay, some of which has been utilized for mak-
ing brick; sand, stone, of doubtful economic value.
Summit County — Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron (brown iron ore),
manganese (rhodochrosite), molybdenum, stone of many varieties, undeveloped,
also sand and clay.
HISTORY OF COLORADO
309
Teller County — Gold, silver, fluor spar, molybdenite, antimony (stibnite),
topaz, phenacite, tourmaline, volcanic ash, stone of wide variety, clay and sand.
Washington County — Clay, used sparingly for brick, tiuor spar, stone of little
economic value, fuller's earth, sand and gravel.
Weld County — Coal, clay, stone, sand, gravel.
Yuma County — Clay, used to a limited extent for brick, sand, gravel and stone
of uncertain economic value.
CHAPTER XIV
RECORD OF SMELTERS FOR HALF A CENTURY
BEGINNING OF THE SMELTER INDUSTRY IN COLORADO PROF. NATHANIEL P. HILL
AND HIS WORK FIRST COMPANY ORGANIZED RICHARD PEARCE^S WORK
PEARCE'S IMPROVED TREATMENT OF ORES — OTHER SMELTERS — PRICES PAID BY
BLACKHAWK SMELTER BEFORE 1870 GROWTH OF INDUSTRY LONG FIGHT OF
THE AMERICAN SMELTING AND REFINING COMPANY — CONTROL GOES TO THE
GUGGENHEIMS.
BEGINNING OF SMELTER INDUSTRY IN COLORADO
The smelter history of Colorado had its actual beginning in January, 1868,
when Prof. Nathaniel P. Hill opened his smelter at Blackhawk. The crude
Burdsall smelter at Nevadaville had been destroyed immediately after its erection
in 1861, but it is doubtful if its operation would have solved the great problem
of the day.
When Professor Hill built his smelter it was necessary to send the metal to
Swansea, Wales, where the gold, silver and copper were separated from the com-
bination. This was, however, done for a brief period only, as Professor Hill
and his associates, the success of the smelter assured, soon built their own refinery.
Nathaniel P. Hill, the father of the smelting industry in Colorado, was a professor
of chemistry at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. To him practically
every manufacturer in Rhode Island brought his chemical problem, with a feel-
ing of confidence that his keen analytical mind would solve it.
And thus it was that some thought perhaps this problem of the refractory ores
of Gilpin County could be solved by this genius. Of one thing they felt assured:
If he undertook the task he would not give it up until he had either solved it or
knew that it could not be solved.
PROF. NATHANIEL P. HILL
When Hill, on the invitation of capitalists, came into Gilpin County he found
the camp nearly deserted. The task had been a hopeless one to most of those
men, and they had given it up, for they had found it impossible to wrest from
these iron and copper sulphides the rich gold stains that lay within them. Stamp-
ing was of no avail, for the gold was plainly held in a chemical combination, and
the product obtainable was hardly 25 per cent, of actual gold values. Professor
Hill made two trips to Colorado. He took small quantities of ore with him to
Swansea, and to Freiberg, Germany, where the celebrated school of mines is
310
312 HISTORY OF COLORADO
located. Finally he returned with a Swansea metallurgist, and with the process
fairly well outlined in his own mind. They had succeeded with small quantities.
Could they duplicate their success with a large tonnage? It was an expensive
proposition this of carting seventy-two tons taken from the Bobtail mine over the
prairies to the Missouri River, and thence to Swansea.
FIRST COMPANY ORGANIZED
When Professor Hill returned with his smelting process completed, the Bos-
ton and Colorado Smelting Company was organized. Construction was begun
in 1867, and a stated operation began in January, 1868, and the first matte was
shipped to Swansea in June, 1868.
The first smelter consisted of a calcining furnace, and a small reverberatory.
The fire brick was shipped by rail from St. Louis to the terminus of the road,
and then 600 miles by wagon. The iron cost 22 cents a pound, and skilled labor
$8.00 to $10.00 a day. The smelting charges were $20 to $45 a ton.
In 1869 the works consisted of two reverberatories for roasting and two for
smelting, together with roast heaps in the open air. In 1878 the plant was re-
moved to Argo, near Denver.
RICHARD PEARCE' s WORK
In April, 1872, Richard Pearce, of Swansea, Wales, built the Swansea smelter
(capacity eight tons in twenty-four hours) near Empire, Clear Creek County,
similar in design to the Hill smelter. Owing to the deficiency of iron pyrites
the smelter was operated steadily only about one month in 1872, but in 1873, it
was operated intermittently, the deficiency being supplied from Gilpin County. No
mention of the Swansea smelter is made in reports subsequent to 1874, and it was
probably closed when Pearce took over the superintendency of the plant at Black-
hawk and lead smelters were erected at Golden. Mr. Pearce apparently started
at the Swansea smelter his experiments for the extraction of silver from the
matte and carried the results of these experiments to Blackhawk.
Early in 1871 the plant consisted of two calcining furnaces for tailings, which
were too finely pulverized to be roasted in heaps, two Gerstenhofer or terrace
furnaces for calcining (never satisfactorily operated), and two reverberatory
smelting furnaces. The plant was enlarged during the summer of 1871 by one
smelting furnace, a reverberatory of the same type as the two older ones. In
1872 a blast furnace was added for re-working slags obtained by the treatment
of zinciferous silver ores.
From the beginning of operations this company had shipped its copper matte
to Swansea, Wales, for separation, but in the summer of 1873 Richard Pearce
built separating works at Blackhawk for this smelter, and the first silver bullion.
0.998 fine, was turned out early in November. The residue was shipped to
Boston for the recovery of the gold and copper.
PEARCE'S IMPROVED TREATMENT OF ORES
In 1875 Pearce invented a process for the separation of the gold, silver, and
copper, at Blackhawk. This process was not made public until after the de-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 313
cision in 1908 to close and dismantle the smelter at Argo, a suburb of Denver, to
which the smelter had been removed in 1878 from Blackhawk, because of the ex-
pansion of business and the need of closer accessibility to fuel supplies. The
refinery at Argo was destroyed by fire in 1906 and was not rebuilt. The fires of
the smelting furnaces were finally "out" on March 17, 1910.
•It was at the Argo smelter that Richard Pearce developed the smelting of
copper ore in reverberatories, gradually working up from 5-ton to loo-ton fur-
naces. The works at one time included five furnaces, later reduced to two, and
finally to one (1909-10). In 1900 the Argo works were the only works in the
United States that smelted gold and silver ores to matte exclusively in reverbera-
tory furnaces. Copper at Argo was merely a vehicle, and only sufficient cupri-
ferous ore was employed to make sure of thoroughly collecting the precious
metals, the average charge smelted containing less than 2 per cent copper. The
ores treated comprised pyritic (auriferous) ores and concentrates from Gilpin
County and elsewhere, barytic silver ores from Aspen and Creede, siliceous,
telluride and other gold ores from Cripple Creek, and any and every kind of
ore containing gold and silver and not too rich in lead.
OTHER SMELTERS
While the Hill smelter at Blackhawk had the distinction of being the first
successful smelter of the district and with its successor at Argo played a most im-
portant part in the development of this region, several other smelters were also in
operation at different times. In 1872 there were in operation the Swansea matte
smelter at Swansea, near Empire; a matte smelter at the Whale mill (now a part
of the Stanley mill), near Idaho Springs ; and a lead smelter at Golden (Bayley &
Sons or Golden City Smelting Works). In 1873 a lead smelter (Denver Smelting
Works) was established at Denver. In 1875 the Collom Company, which already
had separating and concentrating works at Idaho Springs and Blackhawk, com-
pleted a lead smelter at Golden. The Golden Smelting Co.'s plant was con-
structed at Golden in the same year. This plant, which started in September, was
first operated as a lead smelter, but as the supply of galena proved inadequate, it
was altered to a copper-matte smelter. Golden became for a short time a smelting
center of some importance. In 1880 three plants were in operation there, but from
1884 to 1888, inclusive, only one was in operation. In 1901 the Golden semi-
pyritic plant was built by F. R. Carpenter according to plans developed at Rapid
City and Deadwood, South Dakota, for the purpose of treating highly pyritic ores
from Gilpin and Clear Creek counties. The smelter, operated for several years by
the Clear Creek Mining & Reduction Co., smelted large quantities of ore from
the Saratoga mine, which the company controlled, also ore bought in the open
market. In April, 1910, this plant, after the addition of a reverberatory, was re-
opened as the North American semipyritic plant for the treatment of copper and
pyritic ores of Gilpin, Clear Creek, and other counties, and was operated inter-
mittently until November, 1911. Its building is still -intact, but none of the other
plants at Golden are standing.
About the time the owners of the Argo plant were planning to go out of busi-
ness, a new matte smelter, styled the Modern, with McDonald furnace, went into
blast on October 22, 1909, at Utah Junction, a short distance from Globeville,
314 HISTORY OF COLORADO
on ores purchased in the market from Clear Creek, Gilpin, Lake, and other coun-
ties, but it was closed in April, 1910, and was never opened again, being dismantled
in 1915-16.
The American Smelting- & Refining Co.'s Globe plant, at Denver, now
treats most of the ores of this region. Some ore from Georgetown and Rollins-
ville goes to the Ohio and Colorado Smelting & Refining Co.'s plant, at Salida.
Zinc ores and concentrates from Georgetown and Idaho Springs go to the United
States Zinc Co.'s plant, at Blende, and to smelter plants in Kansas and Oklahoma.
The smelting and milling charges in the early days of the development of the
region seem prohibitive compared with those now in vogue. The prices paid by
the Blackhawk smelter previous to January i, 1870, are shown in the following
schedule, which was not, however, invariably adhered to.
PRICES PAID BY BLACKHAWK SMELTER BEFORE 1870
Ounces of Percentage Ounces of Percentage
fine gold of the value fine gold of the value
per ton of the gold per ton of the gold
of 2,000 and copper of 2,000 and copper
pounds paid pounds paid
10 60 5 45
9 58 4 40
8 55 3 30
7 52.5 2 20
6 50
The precious metals in the ores were up to 1874 never paid for below a cer-
tain minimum, which for silver was 40 ounces and for gold il/2 ounces. In
July, 1874, an arrangement was adopted whereby the Blackhawk smelter paid for
gold ores at the rate of 85 per cent of the total value of the gold and silver con-
tained after deducting $35 (currency) a ton for treatment. The gold was esti-
mated at $20 an ounce and the silver at $1.25 (gold) an ounce, with the premium
(3 per cent below New York quotations) added.
The above details are from (jovernment reports by Messrs. Bastin, Hender-
son and Hill, published in 1917.
GROWTH OF INDUSTRY
After this the smelter industry assumed vast proportions. In 1877 the Ar-
kansas Valley smelter, one of the largest in the country, was opened at Leadville,
for the ores here were lead carbonates, and, like the sulphides, had to be smelted.
James B. Grant, later governor of the state, another graduate of the School of
Mines at Freiberg, Germany, together with N. H. James, built what was called
the Grant smelter, at Leadyille, but as this was burned in 1882, these men, to-
gether with E. W. Nash and Burton Sewell, built the Omaha and Grant smelter
at Denver. Nash and Sewell put up the refinery at Omaha to handle the bul-
lion. Another of these Freiberg graduates, and one of the ablest, was Anton
Filers, who came to Leadville in its opening days. He secured ample capital to
HISTORY OF COLORADO '315
back him and put up the Eilers smelter at Pueblo, which in a few years became
one*of the greatest plants of its kind in the world. By 1900 the smelting capacity
at Pueblo was 2,000 tons daily in smelters owned by The Colorado Smelting
Company, the Philadelphia Smelting & Refining Company, the original Guggen-
heim plant, and The Pueblo Smelting Company.
By 1889 there were four large smelters operating in Leadville, the Arkansas
Valley, the American, the*Harrison reduction works and the Manville or Elgin
smelter. These were all prospering, and were using the fine coal and coke pro-
duced in the Jerome Park mines near Glenwood Springs.
In 1901 the plant of The Buena Vista Smelting & Refining Company, de-
stroyed by fire in 1900, had been replaced and was in active operation. The Ohio
and Colorado Smelting Company was completing its plant just above Salida.
They had an aggregate capacity of 1,200 tons daily.
In 1886 Edward R. Holden, backed by C. B. Kountze and Dennis Sheedy,
Denver bankers, built the Globe smelter, at Denver.
Meyer Guggenheim, a shrewd investor, had come to Colorado from the
East, where he was one of the largest importers of Swiss laces in the country.
Switzerland was his fotherland. He had taken over a Colorado mine, the "A J.
& Minnie" and one of his sons, Benjamin Guggenheim, was placed in charge.
This was in the halcyon days of Leadville and every property looked like ready
money. With ample capital at his command the elder Guggenheim decided to
go into the more certain end of the business, that of smelting — and with E. R.
Holden, who had just put up the Globe, and in which he also interested Mr.
Guggenheim, formed The Denver Smelting Company, $500,000 capital, expect-
ing to locate at the capital. In this respect, as well as in the matter of money
needed for the enterprise, they altered their plans. They changed the title to
the Philadelphia Smelting & Refining Company, a tribute to the city in which
the elder Guggenheim had had his first great success; and in 1888 erected the
Philadelphia smelter, which eventually cost $1,250,000.
In 1893 the panic hit the smelters as well as the mines, but the slump, at
least with the smelters, was not of long duration or as utterly disastrous as in
some of the silver-mining districts.
In 1899 eighteen of the largest smelting concerns in the country organized the
American Smelting & Refining Company, with a capital of $65,000,000. Into
this came the Standard Oil interests, represented by H. H. Rogers. That fa-
mous "Freiberg" trio, James B. Grant, Anton Eilers and G. R. Meyer, who had
constructed a plant at Argentine, near Kansas City, joined the combination with
their plants. Dennis Sheedy represented the "Globe" in the consolidation, and
E. W. Nash, the first president, representing with Governor Grant both the
Omaha refinery and the Omaha & Grant smelter. Thus the Colorado plants in
the first combine were The Colorado Smelting Company and The Pueblo Smelt-
ing Company plant at Pueblo, the Durango at Durango, the Omaha & Grant and
the Globe at Denver, and the Arkansas Valley & Bimetallic at Leadville. Out-
side of the state eleven smelting and refining companies were in the consolida-
tion. This new company, the American Smelting & Refining Company, was in-
corporated on April 4, 1899, as a New Jersey corporation. The only large Colo-
rado concern not in the new company was that owned by the Guggenheims in
Pueblo.- They, however, had two Mexican smelters and a refinery at Perth
316 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Amboy, New Jersey, to assist them in their fight on the new combination. Now be-
gan an era of good mine contracts, in which liberal propositions were made to mine
owners, and within two years the Guggenheims were able to enter the combina-
tion and control it. The American Smelting & Refining Company in 1901 paid
the Guggenheims $45,200,000 in stock, one-half common and one-half pre-
ferred. In the market on the date of the sale the value of this was over $35,-
000,000.
In 1910 when the Grant and other Colorado plants had been dismantled or
shut down, there were lef£in Colorado as the possession of the American Smelt-
ing & Refining Company: at Denver, the Globe, seven furnaces, annual capacity,
322,000 tons; at Pueblo, the Pueblo, 328,000 tons annual capacity; the Eilers,
295,000 tons; at Durango, the Durango, 146,000 tons annual capacity; at Lead-
ville, the Arkansas Valley, 509,000 tons annual capacity.
In 1917 the Colorado smelters, controlled by the American Smelting & Re-
fining Company, the Globe, Pueblo, Arkansas Valley and Durango, reported
production of metals as follows: gold, $3,467,186; silver, $4,373,609; lead, $4-
488,041; copper, $1,807,992; total, $14,136,826.
CHAPTER XV
THE POWER PLANTS OF COLORADO
FIRST EFFORTS TO HARNESS STATE WATER POWER — CURTIS & HINE PIONEER THE
WORK — FAILURE OF POWER COMPANIES — EASTERN CAPITAL BECOMES INTER-
ESTED COLORADO POWER COMPANY — STATEMENT OF BOARD OF UTILITIES IN
JANUARY, 1918 WESTERN LIGHT & POWER COMPANY — ARKANSAS VALLEY
RAILWAY, LIGHT & POWER COMPANY — COLORADO SPRINGS LIGHT, HEAT & POWER
COMPANY WESTERN COLORADO POWER COMPANY TRINIDAD ELECTRIC TRANS-
MISSION, RAILWAY & GAS COMPANY OTHER PLANTS IN COLORADO
The history of mining in Colorado would be incomplete without a reference
to the development of hydro and steam power plants and their application to the
operating of the mines of the state. Thus The Colorado Power Company now
supplies power to mining territory from Twin Lakes on the south, Redcliff on
the west, through the sulphide belt and into Boulder County. This company, on
January i, 1918, was serving 275 metalliferous mining properties with a total
of 30,000 horse power and with installations ranging from 20 to 2,000 horse
power.
FIRST EFFORTS TO HARNESS STATE WATER POWER
The use of the streams of Colorado for power purposes began in a small way
with the advent of manufacturing. But not until November 13, 1906, was it
undertaken on what may well be called a gigantic scale. The idea of harnessing
the Grand River occurred first to Leonard E. Curtis and Henry Hine, two promi-
nent engineers of Colorado Springs. On the date above mentioned they incorpo-
rated The Central Colorado Power Company, with a capita} of $22,500,000. This
was the final outcome of a long series of tests and of experimentation stretch-
ing over a decade.
The incorporators and first directors of the new company were : Myron T.
Herrick, David H. Moffat, J. R. McKee, Henry Hine, Leonard E. Curtis, Copley
Amory, J. A. Hayes, Orlando B. Wilcox, Charles A. MacNeill, George B. Tripp,
Horace G. Lunt, George R. Bucknan, and T. P. Hanscom.
In the articles of incorporation its purposes was declared to be the diverting
of, and appropriating for power purposes, the water from the Grand River, and
the building of a storage reservoir to accommodate the waters of Williams
Fork.
Messrs. Curtis and Hine undertook the construction of a finely planned sys-
317
318 HISTORY OF COLORADO
tern at Shoshone, on the Grand River, near Glenwood Springs, securing a head
or fall of 165 to 170 feet.
The prospect looked feasible, and its construction was progressing so satis-
factorily that a second company was formed on May 13, 1907, and known as
The Eastern Colorado Power Company, with Horace G. Lunt, John T. Adams
and Henry Hine as incorporators. The purpose of' this was to build a dam at
Nederland in Boulder County, with a complete plant on Middle Boulder Creek.
COLORADO POWER COMPANY
The original incorporators soon found that the two projects required a far
greater expenditure of money than had been anticipated. But eastern capital
was looking westward. The largest operators in the electric field, the General
Electric, the Westinghouse-Kerr Company, H. M. Byllesby & Co., of Chicago,
were directing their eyes to the Colorado field.
In the adjustments which followed, both hydro plants, at Shoshone and in
Boulder County, were completed, and on April I, 1913, the properties of the
two companies were taken over by The Colorado Power Company, which has
since been extending its field of operations.
The following statement was issued by the State Board of Utilities for this
history in January, 1918:
"The Colorado Power Company with general offices in the Symes Building,
Denver, Colorado, operates hydro-electric plants at Shoshone, Boulder and Sa-
lida. The company also operates the property of The United Hydro Electric
Company, which has a hydro-electric plant near Georgetown. The capacity of
these hydro-electric developments is as follows :
"Shoshone 18,000 h. p.
"Boulder 21,000 h. p.
"Salida 1,900 h. p.
"Georgetown (United Hydro) i,45° h. p.
"Total : 42,350 h. p.
4
"This company also operates steam plants at Leadville and Georgetown. The
plants at Shoshone, Boulder, Leadville and Georgetown are tied together by means
of a 100,000 volt transmission line. At Salida, there are two small hydro-electric
plants having a combined capacity of 1,900 h. p., and there is in addition a steam
reserve plant located in the Town of Salida. The steam reserve plant and the
hydro plant are tied together by means of a 17,000 volt transmission line.
"In addition to the above plants, The Colorado Power Company operates
steam plants at Alamosa, Monte Vista and Sterling. The territory served by
this company is as follows : Alamosa, Monte Vista, Salida, Monarch, Leadville,
Redcliff, Georgetown, Lawson, Idaho Springs, Nederland, Sterling and lliff. In
addition, the surplus output of this company, known as "dump" power, is sold
to The Denver Gas & Electric Light Company.
"The officers of The Colorado Power Company, January, 1918, were : Presi-
dent, George H. Walbridge, New York City; first vice president, Sidney Z.
Mitchell, New York City; second vice president, L. P. Hammond, New York
City; secretary, Irwin W. Day, New York City; treasurer, John Connell, Den-
YUMA IN 1885
320 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ver, Colorado; assistant treasurer, A. E. Smith, Denver, Colorado; assistant
treasurer, J. J. Sherwin, Denver, Colorado; attorney, William V. Hodges, Den-
ver, Colorado; general manager, Norman Read, Denver, Colorado.
"Directors: Bulkeley Wells, chairman, Telluride, Colorado; A. C. Bedford,
New York City; Irving W. Bonbright, New York City; Irwin W. Day, New
York City ; L. P. Hammond, New York City ; George C. Lee, Boston, Massachu-
setts; J. R. -McKee, New York City; Sidney Z. Mitchell, New York City; F. C.
Walcott, New York City; George H. Walbridge, New York City; O. B. Wilcox,
New York City."
The Colorado Power Company is controlled by Bonbright & Co., of New
York, which firm also is closely identified with the General Electric interests.
On April 26, 1906, The Northern Colorado Power Company was organized,
with William J. Barker, Thomas Keely and Robert S. Ellison as incorporators.
Its capital stock was $50,000. and it began its operations in Weld, Boulder
and'Larimer counties, with the following directors: William J. Barker, Thomas
Keely, Charles C. Bromley. James P. Miller, William Mayer, Francis E. War-
ren, Wm. F. Crossley, Joseph J. Henry and Walter S. Schuylerare.
WESTERN LIGHT & POWER COMPANY
In the financial readjustment which followed, the Westinghouse-Kerr Com-
pany became interested in the proposition. The following is from the statement
issued in January, 1918, by the State Board of Utilities:
"The Western Light & Power Company with principal offices at Boulder, Col-
orado, was organized May i, 1915, taking over at that time the holdings of The
Northern Colorado Power Company, which latter company was organized April
26, 1906. This company serves either directly or indirectly the following terri-
tory: Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Dacona, Erie, Frederick, Long-
mont, Niwot, Mead, Berthoud, Loveland. Gilcrest, Windsor, Wellington, Greeley,
Eaton, Ault, Pierce, Platteville, Fort Lupton, Milliken, Johnstown, La Salle,
Evans and Kersey. The company also owns and operates gas and electric
'properties at Cheyenne, Wyoming, but there is at this time no physical connec-
tion between the Colorado and Wyoming properties. In addition to supplying
the power and lighting requirements of the above communities, this company
supplies practically all of the power requirements for the northern Colorado lig-
nite and coal fields.
"The entire output of this company, with the exception of the small amount
of power purchased from The Colorado Power Company, is generated by means
of a steam power plant located in the coal fields near Lafayette. The power re-
quirements of the Denver & Interurban Railroad are likewise furnished from
the Lafayette plant. The capacity of the plant at Lafayette, exclusive of that
portion used for supplying the power requirements of the Denver & Interurban
Railroad, is 5,000 kilowatts.
"The officers of The Western Light & Power Company, on January I, 1918,
were: President, Guy E. Tripp, New York City; first vice president, H. U.
Wallace, Boulder, Colorado; secretary, John Seager, New York City; treasurer,
John Seager, New York City; auditor, E. E. Sherman, Boulder, Colorado; at-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 321
torney, M. C. Goss, Boulder, Colorado ; general manager, H. U. Wallace, Boulder,
Colorado.
"Directors: Guy E. Tripp, New York City; John Seager, New York City;
N. C. McPherson, New York City; J. R. Hall, New York City; H. H. Wehra-
hane, New York City ; A. Rothbarth, New York City ; A. W. Krech, New York
City; A. L. Kramer, New York City; J. Imbrie, New York City; H. U. Wal-
lace, Boulder, Colorado ; J. A. Davis, Boulder, Colorado ; T. H. Eaves, Fort Col-
lins, Colorado; W. B. Lowry, Denver, Colorado.
ARKANSAS VALLEY RAILWAY, LIGHT & POWER COMPANY
"The Arkansas Valley Railway, Light & Power Company with principal of-
fices in Pueblo operates steam power plants in Pueblo and Canon City, and a
water power plant near Skagway. In addition, small reserve steam plants are
maintained at Rocky Ford and La Junta. All of these plants are tied together
by means of a transmission system which extends from Cripple Creek by way
of Canon City and Pueblo to the Town of La Junta in the eastern part of the
state. This company furnishes service for mining purposes in the Cripple Creek
and Victor districts, for coal mining in the Canon City coal fields, for oil drilling
and oil refining near Florence, for The Portland Cement Company at Port-
land, to the various industries in the City of Pueblo and to the agricultural com-
munity east of Pueblo to La Junta. The company also operates the street rail-
way system in Pueblo, power necessary for this purpose being generated mainly
at the Pueblo steam plant.
"The company furnishes all electric service in the following territory : Canon
City, Victor, Cripple Creek, Goldfield, Turkey Creek, Pueblo, Fowler, Manzanola,
Swink, Olney Springs, Rocky Ford, Crowley, La Junta, Cheraw, Florence, Rock-
vale, Coalcreek, Ordway, Sugar City, Altman, Cimarron, Independence, Elkton,
Anaconda and Penrose.
"The company was organized November 14, 1911, and began operations as
The Arkansas Valley Railway, Light & Power Company on December i, 1911.
A number of plants operating in the communities served were taken over at the
time of this organization. The combined capacity of the generating plants of
The Arkansas Valley Railway, Light & Power Company, including a new unit
recently placed in operation at Canon City, is 18,170 kilowatts. The capacity of
the hydro-electric development at Skagway is 4,290 h. p. By far the greater
portion of this company's output is generated by steam plants.
"The officers of The Arkansas Valley Railway, Light & Power Company on
January i, 1918, were: President, George H. Harries, Chicago, Illinois; vice
president, F. C. Gordon, Chicago, Illinois; vice president, W. F. Raber, Pueblo,
Colorado ; vice president, Otto E. Osthoff, Chicago, Illinois ; secretary, Herbert
List, Chicago, Illinois; assistant secretary, E. J. Rosenauer, Pueblo, Colorado;
assistant secretary, William E. McKenna, Chicago, Illinois; treasurer, R. J.
Graf, Chicago, Illinois ; assistant treasurer, Walter J. Benning, Pueblo, Colorado ;
assistant treasurer, Herbert List, Chicago, Illinois ; general manager, W. F.
Raber, Pueblo, Colorado; auditor, E. J. Rosenauer, Pueblo, Colorado.
"Directors: Arthur S. Huey, Chicago, Illinois; Otto E. Osthoff, Chicago, II-
322 HISTORY OF COLORADO
linois ; George H. Harries, Chicago, Illinois ; H. M. Byllesby, Chicago, Illinois ;
W. F. Raber, Pueblo, Colorado.
COLORADO SPRINGS LIGHT, HEAT & POWER COMPANY
"The Colorado Springs Light, Heat & Power Company with principal offices
in Colorado Springs operates a hydro-electric plant at Manitou, and a steam
power plant at Curtis, a short distance north of the City of Colorado Springs.
This company also operates in connection with its steam heating system a small
steam power plant in the City of Colorado Springs. The company likewise op-
erates the gas plant in the City of Colorado Springs. All three plants are tied
together by means of a transmission system.
"Some power is furnished to the coal mines in the El Paso County coal
fields, and a large part of the company's output is taken by the Golden Cycle
and Portland mills. The hydro-electric plant at Manitou has a capacity of
31,050 h. p. and the combined capacity of the two steam plants is 5,550 kilowatts.
About one-half of the entire output of this company is generated by means of
water power.
"The company was organized as The Colorado Springs Light, Heat & Power
Company on June 26, 1910, consolidating at that time a number of smaller com-
panies operating in the City of Colorado Springs.
"The officers of The Colorado Springs Light, Heat & Power Company, on
January i, 1918, were: President, George Bullock, New York City; first vice
president, R. L. Holland, Colorado Springs, Colorado; second vice president,
George B. Tripp, New York City; secretary, John W. Ryter, Colorado Springs,
Colorado ; treasurer, John W. Ryter, Colorado Springs, Colorado ; auditor, John
W. Ryter, Colorado Springs, Colorado ; attorney, R. L. Holland, Colorado Springs,
Colorado ; general manager, J. F. Dostal, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
"Directors: George Bullock, New York City; George B. Tripp, New York
City ; E. G. Connette, New York City ; M. J. Dodge, New York City ; R. L. Hol-
land, Colorado Springs, Colorado; J. A. Hayes, Colorado Springs, Colorado; W.
M. Hager, Colorado Springs, Colorado; C. T. Fertig, Colorado Springs, Colo-
rado; C. Underbill, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
WESTERN COLORADO POWER COMPANY
"The Western Colorado Power Company with principal offices in Montrose,
Colorado, supplies all electrical service in the following territory: Durango, Tel-
luride, Montrose, Delta, Olathe, Ouray, Ridgway and Silverton. The company
was organized on March 12, 1913, taking over at that time a number of smaller
companies operating in the various communities. This is part of the system of
the Utah Light & Power Company, controlled by the Electric Bond and Share
Company (It is believed to be a subsidiary of the General Electric).
"This company operates hydro-electric plants in the southwestern part of
the state having a total capacity of 17,250 h. p. In addition, a reserve steam
plant is maintained at Durango, and steam plants are operated at Montrose and
Delta for supplying the towns of Montrose, Delta and Olathe and the rural ter-
ritory thereabouts. The hydro-electric plants of the company, together with the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 323
reserve steam plant at Durango, are connected by means of a transmission system.
There is no physical connection, however, between the hydro-electric plants of
the company and the plants at Montrose and Delta. The plants at Montrose and
Delta are likewise tied together by means of a transmission line and are oper-
ated as a unit. This company furnishes practically all of the power requirements
for metal mining purposes in the southwestern section of the state.
"The officers of The Western Colorado Power Company are: President,
Bulkeley Wells, Telluride, Colorado; first vice president, G. E. Claflin, New
York City; second vice president, C. E. Groesbeck, Salt Lake City, Utah; secre-
tary, E. P. Summerson, New York City; treasurer, E. P. Summerson, New
York City ; auditor, P. F. Parkinson, Montrose, Colorado ; general manager,
J. A. Clay, Montrose, Colorado.
"Directors: D. C. Jackling, Salt Lake City, Utah; G. M. Dahl, New York
City; G. E. Claflin, New York City; C. E. Groesbeck, Salt Lake City, Utah;
Bulkeley Wells, Telluride, Colorado; E. W. Hill, New York City; J. A. Clay,
Montrose, Colorado; E. P. Summerson, New York City; A. E. Smith, New
York City.
TRINIDAD ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION, RAILWAY & GAS COMPANY
"The Trinidad Electric Transmission, Railway & Gas Company with princi-
pal offices in Trinidad was organized August 7, 1911. This company operates
steam power plants at Trinidad and Walsenburg. These plants are tied together
by means of a transmission system which covers the bituminous coal fields in
the southern part of the state. In addition to supplying service for general light-
ing and power purposes in Trinidad and Walsenburg and a few other small towns
in the southern part of the state, the company furnishes the power requirements
of the coal mines operating in the southern part of Colorado. The transmission
system of the company also extends into New Mexico, and power is furnished
to coal mines and to the cities and towns in the northern part of the state. This
company also operates the street railway and interurban railway system at Trini-
dad and the gas plant in the City of Trinidad.
"The total generating capacity of this company's steam plants is 13,000
kilowatts.
"The officers of The Trinidad Electric Transmission Railway & Gas Com-
pany are : President, E. N. Sanderson, New York City ; first vice president, John
Dunhill, New York City ; secretary, A. R. Marshall, New York City ; treasurer,
John Dunhill, New York City; auditor, H. J. Wightman, Trinidad, Colorado;
attorney, James McKeongh, Trinidad, Colorado; general manager, E. C. Deal,
Trinidad, Colorado.
"Directors: E. N. Sanderson, New York City; John Dunhill, New York
City; A. R. Marshall, New York City.
OTHER PLANTS IN COLORADO
"In addition to the plants mentioned, the following companies generate either
a portion or all of their output by water power developments. Some of these
companies also furnish a large part of their outputs to the mining industry : The
324 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Summit Bounty Power Company, operating near Dillon, has a total electrical
development of 1,600 h. p. The Roaring Fork Electric Company, operating at
Aspen, has a hydro-electric development of 3,850 h. p. A large part of the
output of this company is supplied to the metal mines near Aspen. The Rifle
Light, Heat & Power Company, at Rifle, Colorado, has a hydro-electric develop-
ment of 240 h. p. The Rico Mining Company, at Rico, Colorado, has a hydro-
electric plant of 1 60 h. p. capacity. The Meeker Electric Company, at Meeker,
Colorado, has a water power installation of 143 h. p. The Town of Longmont
operates its own municipal light plant, and with the exception of a small amount
of power purchased from The Western Light & Power Company, its entire
power requirements are generated by means of a water power plant located about
eleven miles west of Longmont on St. Vrain Creek. The capacity of this plant
is 525 h. p. The Hinsdale Mining & Development Company, at Lake City, Colo-
rado, has a hydro-electric plant of 200 h. p. capacity. The Glenwood Light &
Water Company, operating in Glenwood Springs, had a hydro-electric plant of
300 h. p. capacity. In addition to the power furnished by this plant, The Glen-
wood Light & Water Company furnishes power at wholesale from The Colorado
Power Company. The Gem Electric Company at Idaho Springs until a short
time ago operated a hydro-electric plant of 900 h. p. capacity. This property
has recently been taken over by The Colorado Power Company. The Crested
Butte Light & Water Company has a small hydro-electric plant of 60 h. p. ca-
pacity. The Buena Vista Electric Light & Power Company furnishes light and
power for the Town of Buena Vista and generates its entire supply by means of
a hydro-electric plant having a capacity of 125 h. p."
CHAPTER XVI
TRANSPORTATION— FROM MULE PACK TO RAILWAY
BEGINNING OF WAGON FREIGHTING FINDING TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY ROUTE
STAGES FOLLOW THE FREIGHTERS THE OVERLAND EXPRESS WELLS, FARGO &
COMPANY THE PONY EXPRESS COLORADO CENTRAL & PACIFIC RAILROAD
NEED OF TRANSPORTATION SELECTION OF BRIDGER PASS BY THE UNION PACIFIC
THE CHEYENNE MiENACE — LOVELAND's AMBITIONS THE KANSAS PACIFIC
RAILROAD — AID REQUESTED — A DAY OF CRISIS — SITUATION IN 1 868 ADVENT OF
GEN. WILLIAM J. PALMER — ARRIVAL OF FIRST TRAINS IN DENVER — STRUGGLE
FOR MINING OUTPUT — FREIGHT BUSINESS IN 187! COLORADO CENTRAL & PA-
CIFIC STARTS BUILDING KANSAS PACIFIC IN FINANCIAL STRAITS — UNION
PACIFIC SECURES CONTROL OF OTHER ROADS
BEGINNING OF WAGON FREIGHTING
Transportation in the sense of freighting with wagons had its beginning in
1824 along the Santa Fe Trail, which since 1812 had been thoroughly hoof-
marked by the slow-going pack-mule. The route along the Arkansas River be-
came familiar to the eastern public, for books and newspapers told more of its
game-filled sections and of its rich opportunities for commerce than of the dan-
gers and physical burdens of the long and wearisome journey.
Zebulon M. Pike had pointed the way, and the adventurous spirits of the east
and of what was then the western end of civilization came to Santa Fe and to
Taos to trade the cheapest of American merchandise for the riches of New
Mexico.
Josiah Gregg in his "Commerce of the Prairies," published in 1831, drifted
away from the fairy tales of wealth and told of the trials of these early trades-
men who suffered untold hardships in an' effort to do business with the Indians
of the great plains and to reach the richer pickings at Santa Fe. The Tetons
and Comanches were especially susceptible to the cheap glass trinkets and cheaper
cloths of the caravans. Among these earlier traders whose journeys are men-
tioned by Josiah Gregg are those who "outfitted" from Franklin, Missouri, about
one hundred and fifty miles above St. Louis, on the Missouri River.
These caravans often carried by pack-mules as much as $15,000 worth of
goods.
But in 1824 a company of eighty traders safely transported $50,000 worth
of goods by wagon to Santa Fe.
The cupidity of the Indians was now, however, aroused and the Arapahoes,
325
326 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Cheyennes and Kiowas were not slow to swoop down on succeeding caravans
and maim, kill and rob at will.
In 1829 Major Riley, and in 1834, Captain Wharton, escorted large caravans
along the dangerous trail, but after 1843 military, escorts were dispatched regu-
larly with the trading caravans.
By this time the "outfitting" point had been transferred to Independence,
near the western border of Missouri, and practically within the Indian belt.
Many of the more adventurous tradesmen moved directly west to the Rockies,
then south, following the present route of the Santa Fe Railroad across the Raton
Range to the Rio Grande. This trip took fifty to seventy days.
But the Santa Fe Trail, protected as it now was by the Government and with
several good places for rest and repair work, was long the favorite route. Thi;*
lay along the Arkansas River, and then followed the Cimarron to Las Vegas,
San Miguel and Santa Fe.
FINDING TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILWAY ROUTE
General Fremont's five expeditions, the history of which is narrated in an-
other chapter, were in reality trail-making explorations, and gave the Argonauts
who streamed into the country in 1859, 1860 and 1861 the incentive to prospect-
ing long distances from the earliest discoveries of gold.
In February, 1850, the people of St. Louis, believing that Fremont had dis-
covered a feasible railroad route to the Pacific, passed a resolution "that the
thanks of this meeting be tendered to Col. John C. Fremont for his intrepid
perseverance and valuable scientific explorations in the region of the Rocky
and Californian mountains by which we have been furnished with a knowledge
of the passes and altitudes of these mountains, and are now able to judge of the
entire practicability of constructing a railroad over them from St. Louis to Cali-
fornia."
Speaking of the final journey of Fremont, Senator Thomas M. Benton, his
friend and protector, said: "He followed the course described by the mountain
men and found safe and easy passes all the way to California, through a good
country, and upon the straight line of 38 and 39 degrees. It is the route of the
Central Pacific Railroad which the structure of the country invites and every
natural consideration demands."
On March 3, 1853, an act of Congress provided for explorations and surveys
of "a practicable and economical route tor a railroad from the Mississippi River
to the Pacific Ocean. When Capt. J. W. Gunnison was chosen for this task,
which was to end in his death, he was advised by the secretary of war, Jefferson
Davis, to "survey a line through the Rockies near the headwaters of the Rio del
Norte by way of Huerfano and Cochetopa, or some other available pass, into
the region of the Grand and Green rivers, and westerly to the Vegas de Santa
Clara and Nicollet rivers, to the Great Basin, and thence northward to the
vicinity of Lake Utah on a return route with the view of exploring the most
available passes and canyons of the Wahsatch Range and the South Pass to
Fort Laramie."
The work of Captain Gunnison and the story of his untimely end are nar-
rated in another chapter. Lieut. E. G. Beckwith, his associate on the journey,
328 HISTORY OF COLORADO
completed the task, and the joint reports upon the feasibility of a transconti-
nental railway are among the archives of the war department.
STAGES FOLLOW THE FREIGHTERS
After the Mexican War the trade to New Mexico increased greatly, and the
outfitting points were changed from Independence to Westport, the first settle-
ment of Kansas City, and later to Kansas City. With the discovery of gold in
California there was a vast increase, and it took both outfitting points, Inde-
pendence and Westport, to meet the great crowds that streamed across the
Santa Fe Trail. The overland mail now began to do business. Each stage con-
veyed eight passengers, and was drawn by six mules. It was built much on the
style of a boat, water-tight and in good shape for getting over high streams.
Eight men guarded each mail stage. At Council Grove and at Walnut Creek
they built repair stations. This service began with a monthly stage, then changed
to a weekly run, and in 1862 daily stages were each carrying eleven passengers,
nine inside and two outside. The passenger fare to Santa Fe from the outfitting
point was $250. This allowed forty pounds of baggage. Excess was fifty cents
a pound. When the daily stage runs began there were eating stations at all
relay points.
In 1859, and until June, 1860, the caravans had increased in number and
followed the old and now well-beaten trails. Merchandising for the new com-
munities which the rush for gold had created was on a much larger scale and
vastly different from trading with Mexicans and Indians. Here were men
with the knowledge of merchandise values and with practically all the needs of
eastern towns. For a year only the emigrant train and merchandise caravans
had brought to these growing centers the tools, the machinery, the clothes they
required and the luxuries they craved. Hauling a newspaper plant from the
Missouri River to the site of Denver on an emigrant wagon was no small task.
Heavy mining machinery was brought across the Great Plains only at heavy
expense.
The mails came first from Fort Laramie, where the Salt Lake stages going
east and west left them, and later from the old California route crossing of the
Platte. Whatever came, whether it was a letter, postage 50 cents, a newspaper,
postage 10 cents, or merchandise or machinery, had been en route from one to
four months.
THE OVERLAND EXPRESS
But there was relief in sight. B. D. Williams, the former and first delegate
of the territpry of "Jefferson" to Congress, had been engaged to lay out a feasible
stage route between Leavenworth and Denver. This was done and the line, 687
miles long, extended from Leavenworth to Riley, thence along the natural high-
way between the Republican River and the Solomon Fork of the Kansas, then
following the south side of the Republican River and then going along the
Beaver, Bijou, Kiowa and Cherry creeks. It was later reduced to about 625
miles. Fifty-two fine Concord coaches, one leaving either end daily, made the
trip in from ten to twelve days.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 329
The first coach left Leaven worth March 28, 1859, and reached Denver June /th,
with its precious journalistic load, Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune,
Albert D. Richardson of the Boston Journal, and Henry Villard of the Cincin-
nati Commercial. Its first title was the "Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express,"
but its early promoters, including Dr. J. M. Fox of Denver, and Nelson Sargent
of Denver, soon sold it to the firm of Russell, Majors & Waddell, Government
contractors, only John S. Jones, of Leavenworth, retaining his original interest.
Absorbing also the line operating between the Missouri River and Salt Lake
City, it took the name under which it was chartered by Kansas, the "Central
Overland, California & Pike's Peak Express Company," but soon generally known
as the "C. O. C. & P. P. Express." Gen. Bela M. Hughes was president and
made many improvements, shortening the route to Leavenworth by using the far
more feasible Platte River road.
He later expended about forty thousand dollars on the stage route to Salt Lake
City over Berthoud Pass, with a view of shortening the route to the Pacific
by several hundred miles.^ The surveys along this route made at this period by
General Hughes were used as an exhibit, ineffectual however, in the notable
argument to induce" the Union Pacific to abandon the Bridger Pass and to adopt
the Berthoud Pass line.
Ben Holladay finally obtained control of the C. O. C. & P. P. Express, and
the times improving, the stage line prospered.
On April 9, 1861, the "Pony Express" covered the distance between Sacra-
mento, California, and St. Joseph, Missouri, in seven days and seventeen hours.
With the relay from Fort Laramie to Denver by the ordinary mail route, the "Pony
Express" brought the new Colorado communities into much closer touch with
the outside world.
The C. O. C. & P. P. Express, late in 1860, absorbed the Kehler & Mont-
gomery and the Hinckley Express lines to the new gold fields in the Gregory
Gulch.
On September 23, 1865, the first coach of the Butterfield Overland Dispatch
line arrived in Denver from Atchison via Smoky Hill, a new stage route estab-
lished by D. A. Butterfield & Company. The Legislature which met in 1866 in-
corporated the new company, and, with W. A. H. Loveland as president, planned
to use the Berthoud Pass route to Salt Lake City. The Butterfield Company
finally suspended all operations, owing to the expenses incurred in construction
work in Colorado.
WELLS, FARGO & COMPANY
The Holladay Overland Mail and Express Company was incorporated by
legislative enactment, February 5, 1866, with Ben Holladay, David Street, Bela
M. Hughes, S. L. M. Barlow and John E. Russell as incorporators. In Novem-
ber, 1866, this became Wells, Fargo & Company, the Legislature approving the
change of name. Its capitalization to begin with was $3,000,000. By 1870, when
the railroads began the work of "freighting" in this section, the capitalization,
which had crawled up to $15,000,000, was reduced to $5,000,000. It was then in
charge of the following directors : William G. Fargo, A. H. Barney, D. V. Mills,
James C. Fargo, Lloyd Tevis.
330 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Wells, Fargo & Company Express is still a Colorado corporation. Its cap-
ital was increased in 1879 to $6,250,000, in 1893 to $8,000,000, and in 1909 to
$24,000,000.
Denver had from the very outset sought to have the Overland stage routed
up the South Platte. The deciding argument finally was the fact that the In-
dians were making the North Platte route more and more dangerous. So in
June, 1862, the Overland followed the old Cherokee Trail from Denver to La-
porte, thence via Virginia Dale and Laramie Plains and on west. Later the route
was changed to pass through Fort Collins. Troops were stationed at the Big
Thompson, Virginia Dale and La Porte to protect the stage. .
THE PONY EXPRESS
Of the pony express and of its marvelous feats of speed much was written,
for its inauguration nearly cut in two the time between the Pacific and the At-
lantic coasts. It took twenty-two days to carry the mail by water and across the
Isthmus of Panama from New York to San' Francisco. In 1861 the Pony Ex-
press, carrying Lincoln's inaugural message, and starting at St. Joseph, made
the 1,950 miles between that point and San Francisco in seven days and seven-
teen hours. Its time from St. Joseph to Denver, 665 miles, was made in two
days and twenty-one hours, the last ten miles being accomplished in thirty-one
minutes.
Denver profited only as a branch, its pony service coming from the nearest
point on the transcontinental route. When the first through line was constructed
Denver's pony service came from Julesburg, the nearest point on the Pacific tele-
graph line. The pony coming under drive up Fifteenth Street to the postoffice,
where David H. Moffat was acting postmaster, was a daily event which half the
town gathered to witness.
The freighting firm of Russell, Majors & Waddell inaugurated the pony ex-
press, but it was at the suggestion of Senator W. M. Gwin, of California, who
on his journey to the capital in 1854 had covered part of the distance on horse-
back and in the company of B. F. Fidclin, superintendent for the freighters.
There were at this period four routes to the Pacific Coast. One of these was
by way of Panama, the southern route was controlled by Butterfield, the central
route was operated by Russell, Majors & Waddell, and the Charpenning monthly
route ran via Fort Kearney, Laramie and Bridger, and confined itself to local
business.
Mr. Russell, head of the freighting firm, with the prospect of a big Govern-
ment contract, was won over and in turn persuaded his partners to permit the
organization of a "pony "'express. The limit of mail to be carried was twenty
pounds. The first rate was $5 per one-half ounce letter, later however reduced
to $2.50. Many newspapers printed issues on very thin paper, but the price in-
cluding transmission was prohibitive, so that this use of the Pony Express was
not extensive.
The first Pony Express left St. Joseph, April 5, 1860, and passed through Fort
Kearney, Laramie, Bridger, Salt Lake City, Camp Floyd, Carson City, Washoe,
Placerville, Sacramento. From this point to San Francisco a fast steamer car-
ried the leather pouch with its four locked pockets. It reached Sacramento at
Office of the Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Com-
ny, built in the autumn of 1859. This company operated
he first line of stage coaches into Denver, which was also
the first into the Pike's Peak gold country.
pa
th
"The Denver House," the first "regular hotel" in
Denver, built in the spring of 1859 by Charles H. Blake
and A. J. Williams.
Denver's first "Sky Scraper." R. L. Wooton's build-
ing, the first in Denver of more than one story, built in the
spring of 1859.
VIEW OF SOME OF THE PIONEER BUILDINGS IN DENVER
The depot and office of the Central Overland, California
& Pike's Peak Express Company. The men in line were
waiting their turn to reach the company's postoffice.
332 HISTORY OF COLORADO
5.30 p. m., April I3th, and San Francisco, with the entire town awaiting its com-
ing, at i a. m., April i4th.
Stations were established from ten to fifteen miles apart, a rider covering
approximately seventy-five miles in a day. Two minutes was the time allowed
to change horses, and at relays no time was lost in the transfer.
Riders covered larger distances at times. On the famous journey with the Lin-
coln message "Pony Bob" covered the 120 miles from Smith's Creek to Fort
Churchill in eight hours and ten minutes. At its height the Pony Express required
nearly 500 horses, eight riders, 200 station keepers, and as many assistants. It cost
$30,000 a month to operate it on a semi-weekly basis.
Later it became part of the Government's million dollar contract, but its
backers were finally forced out by financial difficulties, which even the high rate
paid under the Federal agreement could not prevent. ' Senator Gwin, the father
of the pony express idea, died many years later in Mexico.
COLORADO CENTRAL & PACIFIC RAILROAD
But the agitation for the construction of railroads grew as population and
trade increased.
In 1865 W. A. H. Loveland, one of the greatest of Colorado's builders, was
granted a charter by the Legislature for a railroad "up Clear Creek Canon to
Empire and Central City, and from Golden City to Boulder and via Denver to
Bijou." Later its title was changed to "The Colorado Central & Pacific Rail-
road," and its route was extended to the western borders of the territory. By
the end of 1865 the survey had been completed, and some capital had been raised
for actual construction.
In the meantime the Pacific Railroad bill was again under consideration in
Congress, and there were indications of a change of the route originally out-
lined in the measure. But the engineers who came to Colorado in August, 1866,
and inspected the surveyed line up Clear Creek to Berthoud Pass, decided against
it, and in favor of the route to Cheyenne Pass, through the Black Hills (the
name first given to the ridge of mountains at Virginia Dale, between Cheyenne
and the Laramie plains) and Bridger's Pass. It was Jim Bridger, noted pioneer,
hunter and trapper, who convinced the Union Pacific officials of the feasibility
of the northern route.
There was some consolation in the passage of the measure providing for
the construction of the Kansas Pacific, the so-called eastern division, which was
to be built to Denver and "connect within fifty miles of Denver, with the main
line."
The contest had been a long and bitter one. In Washington John Evans
and Jerome B. Chaff ee, looking for recognition as United States senators, were
making a splendid fight for the diversion of the Union Pacific from its proposed
route, but their work did not avail.
During the contest the Colorado Central & Pacific was practically offered to
the Union Pacific, and there was actual dickering in progress as to the disposi-
tion of the grant lands should the route be accepted.
In Colorado there had been meetings of its leading citizens who sent to
HISTORY OF COLORADO 333
Washington trade reports showing the vast growth of the territory in the short
period since its organization.
NEED OF TRANSPORTATION
It is interesting to note the great need of transportation at this period from
the revised census returns of 1870. There "were in the territory in that year
95>594 acres of improved farms, valued at $3,385,748. The value of its farm
productions was $2,335,106. Its mineral production at this period is fully cov-
ered in the mining history chapter.
But the business of Denver was the best illustration of the great need of trans-
portation. From the Denver Board of Trade report for the year ending Octo-
ber 31, 1867, this record is taken:
Gross sales of merchandise $ 5,946,000
Cash paid for freight 2,171,000
Pounds of freight received 17,122,000
Pounds of corn and wheat sold , . 12,638,000
Sacks of flour sold 70,386
Cash value of lumber sold 850,000
250 buildings erected, valued at A. 722,650
Cash value of goods manufactured in Denver 887,000
Cash receipts from passengers by stage line 591,801
Cash receipts from express matter 168,976
Gold shipped by Wells Fargo 1,560,000
Gold bought by banks 604,000
Gold and silver received by U. S. branch mint 289,158.10
Average cash deposits in bank 741,000
Average loans and discounts by banks 398,000
Eastern exchange sold by banks 8,301,000
Amount of cash paid over bank counters 77,870,000
"The exhibit," says the report, "represents the least active year in the history
of Denver, covering a period of Indian war, when the main lines of travel east
and west were about closed by Indians and immigration was virtually pro-
hibited."
But when on November 23, 1866, Gen. Grenville M. Dodge and his associate
engineers filed their report recommending the Lone Tree and Crow Creek route
the dream of Thomas H. Benton was nearing realization. His famous speech
delivered in St. Louis in 1849 nad indeed been prophetic: "When this mighty
work is completed," he said in this address, "and the commerce of the East is
being brought^ over it, and the iron bands connect the oceans, a grateful country
will carve out of the granite pillars of the Rocky Mountains a statue of Colum-
bus pointing to the West, and exclaiming, 'There is the East ! There ! There
is India !' "
The Union Pacific committee on location, which included Sidney Dillon,
Oliver Ames and Thomas C. Durant, reported in favor of a branch to Denver
with spurs into the mining centers. It made particular mention of the vast de-
posits of coal which would become available by the construction of the branch.
334 HISTORY OF COLORADO
However, it was not the Union Pacific directorate but pioneering giants who built
the road and put Denver on the map.
The act of Congress moreover provided a land grant only for main-line con-
struction, hence the Union Pacific Company soon came to Colorado with out-
stretched hands. Again it took the energy and pluck of its pioneers to steer
Denver out of the grip of wily financiers.
It is apparent therefore that there were powerful reasons for the adoption
of the Bridger Pass route for the main line aside from the greater cost of con-
struction along the Berthoud Pass line. The land grant was figured on a
mileage basis, as were the subsidy bonds. The larger the mileage the greater the
borrowing power of the road. So this three years' work of preliminary surveys
ended as might have been anticipated, with the all-powerful money-making argo-
nauts clearly in the ascendant and finally victorious.
THE CHEYENNE MENACE
For Denver the sudden creation of a railroad metropolis at Cheyenne seemed
little short of ruinous. The Union Pacific directors had given it a body blow from
which, without the genius and pluck of its citizens, it might never recover. In
1867 Denver had about four thousand inhabitants, and even this remnant was
threatening to go to Cheyenne and to other more prosperous fields. Leading
firms moved their stock to Cheyenne, be'lieving that only ruins would soon mark
the site of the City of Denver. On the heels of this news came the information
that the Kansas Pacific was surveying for a southern route to the far west, elim-
inating Denver as a terminal.
After all it was masterful leadership that won the day for Denver and Colo-
rado,— the leadership of a group of pioneers built much on the order of those
who first carved towns out of the American wilderness along the eastern coast.
Within its own territory too the Denver men had wounds to heal. W. A. H.
Loveland, the president of the Colorado Central & Pacific, was one of the found-
ers of Golden, and at this period bent all his energies to make this the coming
railroad center of the gold region. In the long struggle which ensued Love-
land never gave up the dream of building northward along the west side of the
Platte, which meant a terminal at Golden.
THE KANSAS PACIFIC RAILROAD
In June, 1866, came the first ray of hope in the passage by Congress of the
act compelling the Kansas Pacific to become the eastern division of the Union
Pacific, although under distinct management and control, and to connect with
the main line at a point not more than fifty miles west of tfie longitude of
Denver.
The Government land grant of the Kansas Pacific, however, ended at Pond
Creek, and by the middle of 1867 it was unable to go on with construction unless
aid came from one of two sources, Congress in the shape of an additional land
grant, or from Denver with its dream of greatness apparently shattered by the
creation of booming Cheyenne.
Thus in midsummer of 1867 Denver was facing a "stalled" railroad far off
HISTORY OF COLORADO 335
in Kansas, what seemed a hopeless fight for a branch road to the north, and
Loveland still struggling for a "western" Platte route connection. The situation
was anything but encouraging.
In this quandary Denver for a time became the prey of groups of wily finan-
ciers who wanted bonds — negotiable securities to tide their companies over dif-
ficulties.
Some of the propositions of this period were made in good faith, and were
supported by the leading men of the community, yet in the end it was not the
intruder and not the foreign financier who brought prosperity and the basis
of greatness to Denver, but the determination and the pluck and the sacrifice
of its own citizenship.
AID REQUESTED
On July n, 1867, Denver was visited by Thomas J. Carter, one of the Gov-
ernment directors of the Union Pacific Railroad, who came to find out what
Denver would do toward the construction of a branch to connect with the Union
Pacific. He suggested using the Colorado Central & Pacific, General Loveland's
proposed road, from Denver to Cheyenne, with a branch to Golden and one to
Boulder. But for this the road bed must be built by the people of the counties
to be benefited. The Union Pacific would lay the iron and provide the rolling
stock and operate the road, giving to each county stock equivalent to the amount
voted in bonds. The total to be raised was $600,000, and of this Denver was to
contribute $200,000, the remainder to be voted by Jefferson, Gilpin, Clear Creek
and Boulder counties.
To the keenness and to the genius of John Evans, Denver owes its escape
from the tangle which outsiders were creating. Even at this early period Mr.
Evans insisted that the bonds be voted for a direct route between Denver and
Cheyenne, stipulating the southern bank of the Platte as part of the proposed
line.
The Kansas Pacific, as stated before, was in financial straits. There was
the possibility of eventually getting a big stake in Denver, and Col. James Archer
was sent as the emissary to induce its people to vote down the Union Pacific
proposition.
It is true that Congress had passed the act creating the Kansas Pacific as
the eastern division of the Union Pacific, and that Denver was to be the terminus,
but there was a belief current that with the "land grant" construction about
completed the road could be built independent of Government aid toward the
southwest with Las Animas on the Arkansas River as the first objective of a
proposed southern route to the Pacific Coast.
Yet without Government aid help must come from eastern capital or from
the country traversed, and it was generally supposed that while no subsidy was
asked for the opposition of the Kansas Pacific to the counter proposition was
due solely to the fear that Denver could not be "bled" twice in rapid succession.
There was logic in this argument.
However, Denver, on August I7th, unanimously voted the aid asked for
by Mr. Carter, and speedy action was suggested as the Union Pacific was already
336 HISTORY OF COLORADO
completed to the junction of the North and South Platte, and it would not be
many months before it would reach Cheyenne.
The wisdom of John Evans became apparent. General Loveland had no
intention of giving up his dream to make Golden the terminal and the bonds
voted were never issued.
The Kansas Pacific now began its campaign for help from Denver. In Sep-
tember the engineers appeared on the scene and began the survey of a line con-
necting the Colorado metropolis with the "land grant" terminal.
A DAY OF CRISIS
November 14, 1867, ls tne day on which the fate of Denver was in the bal-
ance. Col. James Archer, of St. Louis, and one of the directors of the Kansas
Pacific, later an honored and respected citizen of Denver, had come to tell the
people of Denver of the financial difficulties of his road, so to speak, stranded
on a Kansas prairie. It would require a subsidy of $2,000,000 to build it to
Denver. Col. D. C. Dodge, who then represented the Chicago & Northwestern
road in Denver, had telegraphed the proposed plan of subsidy to the Union
Pacific officials some days prior to the meeting, and these far-seeing men lost
no time in sending to Denver George Francis Train, then a famous though eccen-
tric character, and an orator of great ability.
Colonel Archer had made his proposition, which was new to many present,
and fairly staggered the entire gathering. Train followed, and in elaborate and
convincing argument suggested a local company to build the branch to Cheyenne
a'long the most feasible route.
On November i8th John Evans addressed a monster meeting of citizens
in the Denver Theatre, at Sixteenth and Arapahoe streets, and informed them
that a company had been formed to incorporate a railroad to run from Denver
to Cheyenne. In a few days this was done, and its first directors were:
Joseph E. Bates, William M. Clayton, John Evans, Bela M. Hughes, W. F.
Johnson, Luther Kountze, David H. Moffat, John Pierce and John W. Smith.
Its officers were : President, Bela M. Hughes ; vice president, Luther Kountze ;
treasurer, David H. Moffat; secretary, W. F. Johnson; chief engineer, F. M.
Case.
SITUATION IN l868
In a pamphlet published by the Denver Board of Trade in 1868, the railroad
situation is thus instructively detailed:
"The Denver Pacific Railway and Telegraph Company was organized under
the laws of Colorado in November, 1867. Books of subscription were opened,
and in a single week $280,000 were subscribed by the business men of Denver.
On January 20, 1868, by an almost unanimous vote the citizens of Arapahoe
County voted a subscription of $500,000 to the stock of the company. Con-
tracts for the whole road have been made with prominent members of the Union
Pacific Railroad Company. Work has commenced. The grading is progressing
at the rate of one and one-half to two miles per day, and it is confidently expected
that connection with Chicago will be secured by November and certainly within
the present year.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 337
"The Union Pacific (eastern division) has reached Pond Creek, 180 miles
east of Denver, at which point its government subsidy of $16,000 per mile
ceases. The policy of the company constructing that road is unknown, but
there is no doubt that St. Louis, Cincinnati and Philadelphia, which are to be
benefited by its extension, will at an early day push it through to Denver, and
beyond to a connection with the main line.
"The completion of the branch railroad from the Union Pacific Railroad
during the summer, as contemplated, will give an immense stimulus to the
growth and business of Denver . . .
"The United States & Mexico Telegraph Company, with a capital of $1,000,000,
lately organized under the general incorporation law of the territory, for the
purpose of constructing a telegraph line from Denver to Colorado City, Pueblo,
Trinidad and Fort Union to Santa Fe, a distance of 430 miles, have already con-
structed 200 miles, and the line is being pushed forward at the rate of five miles
a day.
"The Arapahoe, Jefferson & South Park Railroad Company, also organized
under the general incorporation law of the territory, has projected a narrow
gauge road from Denver to the mining region for the purpose of bringing ores
to the coal fields of the plains for cheaper reduction, and for the cheaper trans-
portation of the coal, building stone and lumber used in- Denver. About one-
third of the capital required for the construction of the first and most important
section of this road is already subscribed."
The enthusiasm of the citizens of Denver which, in December, 1867, had by
legislative enactment become the momentary capital of the territory, thus taking
much of the prestige which had aided the "Golden" project from that pushing
little town, is best exemplified in the vote for the half-million bond issue. Out
of 1,306 votes cast only 47 were against the proposition.
And yet Loveland, the indefatigable, was not easily defeated. In fact the
first ground for a railroad in Colorado was broken at Golden on January I,
1868, and about 200 feet was graded. There, however, the Colorado Central &
Pacific project rested awaiting financial developments.
The Denver Pacific Company was not idle. Its promoters were men of great
energy, who did not know what defeat meant. In January, 1868, the Kansas
Pacific again sent emmissaries to Denver, who were informed that the com-
munity was not to be deluded again by promises, but that if the road was to be
extended to Denver the men back of the eastern division must find the construc-
tion capital elsewhere than in Denver.
Governor Evans and John Pierce in the meantime had gone to New York
and closed with the Union Pacific along the lines of the earlier contract, which
provided that the local company was to furnish the funds to grade the road and
that the Union Pacific would supply the iron and the rolling stock.
The route was to be along the Platte as far as practicable, and was to be
a direct line between Cheyenne and Denver. As fast as twenty-mile sections
were graded the Union Pacific agreed to lay the rails and put the road into
service.
Before actual work was begun the contract with the Union Pacific underwent
some changes. Durant and Dillon took the contract for building the entire branch.
The Denver Pacific Company was to supply half a million dollars toward this
338 HISTORY OF COLORADO
work, and the Union Pacific was in turn to receive a subsidy, based on mileage,
of Denver Pacific stock, agreeing in turn to operate the road when completed
and to pay 8 per cent on its two million capitalization.
Actual construction was to begin at the Cheyenne. end, but ground was first
broken at Denver on Monday, May 18, 1868, not far from the corner of Blake
Street and Fortieth Avenue.
This agreement was never fulfilled, the Union Pacific failing even to com-
plete the survey, and finally, when the matter was peremptorily put up to its
directors in Boston, acknowledged that it was financially unable to carry out
the contract.
In the meantime Governor Evans, accurately construing the delay; had gone
to Congress for the subsidy which was really contemplated in the act creating
the eastern division of the Union Pacific and providing for its connection with
the main line not more than fifty miles west of the longitude of Denver. All
efforts to dispose of the Arapahoe County bonds had failed, but with a Govern-
ment subsidy the path of the project would be cleared of all obstacles.
The Kansas Pacific fought the act at the first session, but finally an agreement
was reached, and in March, 1869, Congress provided a land grant of alternate
sections for the Kansas Pacific to Denver, and for the Denver Pacific to Cheyenne,
the Kansas Pacific to operate the entire line on its completion. This, in fact,
confirmed the purpose of the Pacific Railroad act of 1866, creating a through
line from Kansas City to a point on the Union Pacific in Wyoming. Each com-
pany was, moreover, authorized to bond the road for not more than $32,000 per
mile.
The news of the success of Governor Evans' effort reached Denver by wire
over the only part of the Denver Pacific project so far completed. This was
the telegraph line between Cheyenne and Denver, which had been built in sixty
days and had been opened for business January I, 1869.
In the midst of its rejoicing Denver was saddened by news of the death of
Major Johnson, president of the Denver Pacific. Governor Evans on his return
succeeded to the office.
ADVENT OF GEN. WILLIAM J. PALMER
This stage in the railroad history of Colorado is marked by the advent of
its greatest railroad builder, Gen. William J. Palmer, who was closely identified
with the Kansas Pacific interests.
He came into the territory as a constructive power, and soon won the admi-
ration and respect of all those who had fought so long for this rail connection
with the outer world. The Kansas Pacific was no longer a beggar. It had not
alone its new government subsidy, but a negotiable foreign loan amounting to
$6,500,000. It did not take long to start things moving, the two roads merging
their interests.
The capitalization of the Denver Pacific had been increased to $4,000,000
shortly after the second agreement with the Union Pacific, and this was now
available for its larger purposes. The company issued $2,500,000 of 7 per cent
bonds, a lien on 800,000 acres of land secured from the Government. By Sep-
tember, 1869, the contractors, Governor Evans, Walter S. Cheesman, David H.
340 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Moffat and associates, had begun laying tracks, and before winter the road,
approximately fifty-eight miles, with a small equipment, was operating to the
crossing of the Platte, at the town which had been given the name of Evans in
honor of the president of the Denver Pacific.,
ARRIVAL OF FIRST TRAINS IN DENVER
In May, 1870, construction was begun on the southern part of the line under
the direction of General Palmer, and the line from the site of the present Union
Pacific shops to Evans was completed by June nth, a notable day in the history
of Colorado. The silver spike driven as the concluding act of construction was
presented by Georgetown, and was inscribed with the name of that town, to
the Denver Pacific, and the name of John Evans, president of the road. The
first locomotive, which arrived on that day, was followed, on June 24th, by the
first passenger train.
The officers and directors of the Denver Pacific at this time were : President,
John Evans; vice president, John Pierce; secretary and auditor, R. R. McCor-
mick ; treasurer, David H. Moffat ; chief engineer, L. H. Eicholtz. The directors,
in addition to these officers, were: Walter S. Cheesman, William M. Clayton,
Frank Palmer, of Denver, Robert E. Carr, William J. Palmer, R. H. Lamborn,
representing Kansas Pacific interests.
In the meantime the Kansas Pacific was speeding to completion, and on August
1 5th the first passenger train arrived from Kansas City. A ten-mile stretch had
been completed in about ten hours, a rare feat for those early days of railroad
building in the Far West.
In April, 1870, Governor Evans in an address to the Board of Trade stated
that it had been found impossible to reduce the capitalization from $4,000,000
back to the original $2,000,000, which would have materially enhanced the value
of the Arapahoe County bond issue. "The stock," he added, "represented all the
value then existing, and it was an absolute necessity that the stock should all
be given to secure the prosecution and completion of the work. Even then it
was doubtful if it could be made to answer the purpose, for it must either be
sold for cash enough, or the assets it represented be made to serve the purpose
of borrowing enough money upon, to pay for the entire work. Nothing but cash
will build railways."
"I took the contract, therefore, to build the road with the remaining stock.
The county bonds in hand, at the best price that could be obtained for them,
were barely sufficient to finish the grading and pay the pressing indebtedness
already incurred for ties and other material. While the contract was thus pressed
upon me, and while there were serious doubts as to the success of our efforts
to make the means accomplish the end in view, I held in mental reservation a
determination to so manage the matter as to make enough out of the contract
to enable me to donate to the county an additional half-million of the capital
stock of the road. «
"This purpose I did not at first allow myself to express to anyone, for fear
of disappointment in making the necessary profit on the contract to enable me
to do so, and in my negotiations I found it absolutely necessary to place the half-
million capital stock in trust, to be voted in perpetuity, but reserving to myself
HISTORY OF COLORADO 341
and my assigns the entire right of property in the same, and all profits and divi-
dends arising therefrom.
"I will, therefore, have, to all intents and purposes, the whole intrinsic value
of said stock in my possession and ownership as soon as the road shall be com-
pleted, and I now for the first time publicly declare, that it is my. full purpose
and intention to donate the same to Arapahoe County as soon as I shall become
entitled to it by compliance with my contract to complete the road to the City
of Denver. This I do on the condition that the people shall go forward with the
other enterprises so necessary to our prosperity."
STRUGGLE FOR MINING OUTPUT
The Union Pacific had been fairly checkmated in the railroad game in Colo-
rado, but it did not acknowledge its defeat for some years. Its directors were
still pinning their faith to the project of W. A. H. Loveland, whose untiring
efforts to make Golden the metropolis of Colorado, even though unsuccessful,
are worthy to rank among the great pioneering efforts of this formative period.
On the part of the Union Pacific it was an effort to secure control of the
mine output of Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, and Boulder counties and, as far
as possible, at the expense of the citizens of these counties. Jefferson, Love-
land's home county, had voted the Colorado Central $100,000 of bonds, and
this enabled Loveland to make some progress on his project. He purposely made
his Denver terminal close to the junction of the Denver Pacific and Kansas Pacific
lines on or near the site of the now dismantled Grant smelter. By this move
he hoped to divert traffic direct to Golden and away from the growing town of
Cherry Creek. As part of this plan he designed a standard gauge connection
between his so-called Denver terminal and Golden, but the line up Clear Creek
Valley was to be of narrow gauge construction. On September 23, 1870, the
standard gauge section had been completed and passenger trains were run. The
Union Pacific had finally, when the Denver Pacific was nearing completion, agreed
to put down the rails and equip the graded main line of the Colorado Central.
Not until 1874 was the route changed to enter the city directly.
In 1871 a total of ninety and three fourths miles of operated road was added
to Colorado's transportation system. The Boulder Valley from Hughes to Erie,
a distance of fourteen and three-fourths miles, was the first branch of the Denver
Pacific. The Denver & Rio Grande, the history of which will follow, had built
seventy-six miles between Denver and Colorado Springs, the town then founded
by General Palmer. But this section had not been opened until November.
FREIGHT BUSINESS IN 1871
With this added mileage the following exhibit of freight received and for-
warded at Denver by all railroads during 1871 is interesting as a study of
immediate growth :
Lbs. Received Lbs. Forwarded
January 15,724,679 4,368,359
February 13,094,741 2,609,735
March , 17,635,441 2,814,233
342 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Lbs. Received Lbs. Forwarded
April 18,888,270 2,679,688
May 21,397,733 3,577,253
June . 19,709,435 3,088,963
July 17,583,666 2,278,441
August 21,317,435 2,390,689
September 27,555,105 3,239,°96
October 23,769,860 5,853,261
November 23,318,839 3,574,347
*December 14,200,000 2,910,406
At the end of the year 1871 there were in operation within the limits of the
state 425 miles of railroad.
The passenger fare between Chicago or St. Louis and Denver was $55;
between Denver and Cheyenne, $10; between Denver and Kansas City, $44.
Local fares on Colorado roads averaged 10 cents per mile. Freight between
Denver and Kansas City or Omaha ranged between 80 cents and $2.80 per hun-
dred, according to class. Even at this early period the Union Pacific and Kansas
Pacific made uniform rates from Missouri River points to Denver.
There was received at Denver over the Denver Pacific and Kansas Pacific
for the first eleven months of 1872, 88,539,710 Ibs. of freight as against 62,551,-
690 Ibs. for the corresponding period of 1871. The amount of outgoing freight
over these two lines for 1871 was 7,031,842 Ibs., and 17,833,625 Ibs. for 1872.
A few carloads of cattle were shipped east in 1871, just enough to demon-
strate that the trade could be made a profitable one, both to the shipper and to
the railways. In 1872, 13,878 head of cattle were shipped out of Colorado. To
this must be added 31,250 head driven out of the state. The value of live stock
exported from Colorado in 1872 was $1,016,980.
THE COLORADO CENTRAL & PACIFIC STARTS BUILDING
In 1870 the clamor of the mining districts was at last heeded and construc-
tion work was begun by the Colorado Central along Clear Creek Canon. This
was a most difficult engineering task, but the bonus of $250,000 in Gilpin County
bonds proved a strong incentive. In 1871 Gilpin had voted $300,000 in bonds
provided the road could reach Blackhawk in a year. This was an impossible
task, but the second bond offer of $250,000 was approved, yet the road failed to
reach Central City in the time stipulated. It, however, reached Blackhawk in
December, 1872, and Floyd Hill in March, 1873.
The completion of the four-mile branch from the junction of North and
South Clear creeks to the western base of Floyd Hill, the entrance to the valley
of South Clear Creek, gave an immediate outlet to the valuable mines of Idaho,
Spanish Bar, Georgetown and Empire. In a report issued by the state geologist,
J. Alden Smith, in 1883, he thus describes the results that followed the advent
of the Colorado Central in the Clear Creek mining camp :
"The necessities of the people following the exhaustion of timber on the
mountain sides, were met by cheaper and better fuel brought up from the coal
beds of the plains. Goldejs. having by this time become not only an active rail-
* Snow blockade
HISTORY OF COLORADO 343
way center, but a strong point for the reduction of ores, competing markets were
opened to the miners; and the unsatisfactory returns of the stamp mills, which
up to 1868 when the Boston & Colorado Smelting Works became a competitor,
were the sole arbiters of the gold product, were supplemented, or rather, for the
higher grade of minerals, wholly superseded by the more perfect method of
reduction in reverberating and blast furnaces. The change became a revelation
to the despondent workers underground, since if brought the promise of sub-
stantial gains for the present and future.
"Then began the practical demonstration of the character and value of the
fissure veins at great depths, and the smelters were soon enabled to pay higher
prices for the grades best adapted to their use, and to multiply their facilities
to the extent of the growing demand."
But the Colorado Central, or rather the Union Pacific, had larger plans in
mind to meet the last successful move of its rivals. In these years of 1870, 1871
and 1872 money was still plentiful for investment, and in the financial sky there
were no portents of the collapse to come in 1873.
Actual standard gauge construction on what was to be the main line of the
Colorado Central was begun in 1872 along a survey which extended from Golden
as a terminal to Julesburg, by way of the coal fields at Marshall, and by way of
Boulder, Longmont and Greeley, thus completely sidetracking Denver. Boulder
and Weld counties had voted it $200,000 and $150,000 in bonds, respectively.
When the panic of 1873 broke upon the nation the Colorado Central &
Pacific had been completed and was in operation to Longmont. There it
remained, for the great eastern sources of investment funds were suddenly dried
up. Work also was stopped on the narrow gauge at Floyd Hill.
But the plan to sidetrack Denver, which was ended by the panic, had been
followed earlier along a southerly route as well, where a connection between
Golden and Littleton on the new Denver & Rio Grande had been completed.
This was plainly to divert southern business to Loveland's proposed Colorado
metropolis.
The advent of the Colorado Central and the Denver Pacific into the coal fields
of Marshall and Erie respectively had an immediate effect in greatly cheapening
the price of fuel in Denver, Golden, Boulder, reached on June i, 1874, by the
Denver Pacific, and the other new communities. Prior to the advent of the rail-
roads into the coal fields the price per ton of lignite coal, delivered by wagons
direct from the field, was $10 to $15 per ton. When the railroads opened the
fields the retail price at once went down to $4 and $5 per ton.
It was not until 1877 that the Floyd Hill branch of the Colorado Central
was extended to Georgetown. In that year also the coal road from Boulder to
the Marshall coal banks, six miles distant, was completed by T. G. Lyster and
associates, of Denver. This was known as the Golden, Boulder & Caribou.
In 1878 the gap between Blackhawk and Central City was filled by a switch-
back> a remarkable achievement of engineering skill.
In 1 88 1 what was known as the Julesburg cut-off was extended from the
Town of Evans on the Denver Pacific, 200 miles down the valley of the South
Platte River to a junction with the main line of the Union Pacific at a point about
five miles east of the old Julesburg station. This made a line to Omaha seventy
miles shorter than via Cheyenne.
344 HISTORY OF COLORADO
But this construction work on the part of the Colorado Central and Union
Pacific was by no means a peaceful proceeding. In fact in the history of Colo-
rado's railroad wars it is paralleled only by the fight made many years later on
the builders of the "Moffat road," and which might almost be called a renewal
of that old trouble.
KANSAS PACIFIC IN FINANCIAL STRAITS
The panic had left the Kansas Pacific without the feeders so necessary for
its existence. It now began to feel the heavy hand of Union Pacific competition,
for with the Colorado Central's extension to Floyd Hill the latter road, or rather
the Union Pacific, controlled practically all of the mining trade of the territory.
In March, 1872, when the pinch of future competition was in evidence, Presi-
dent John Evans, of the Denver Pacific, resigned and R. E. Carr, executive of
the Kansas Pacific, replaced him. Their first move was the incorporation of the
Denver, Georgetown & Utah Railway Company, planned to run through Mt.
Vernon Canon to Idaho Springs, Georgetown, and then over the range to Utah.
A branch was to be built to Central City. R. E. Carr was president of this
company ; John D. Perry, vice president ; R. R. McCormick, secretary ; David
H. Moffat, treasurer; with Governor Evans as adviser.
Bond issues were voted by Clear Creek and Arapahoe counties but no bonds
were ever issued for the Colorado Central had been aroused to sudden activity
by the opposition movement and speedily finished its line to Blackhawk and Floyd
Hill as already related.
The Evans-Carr project lapsed for the time being, and the Kansas Pacific,
hit hard by the panic and by the failure to establish feeders out of Denver, soon
showed signs of distress. In 1873 the company defaulted in the payment of
interest on its bonds and was placed in the hands of a receiver.
The Union Pacific directorate now became conciliatory, hoping to secure
possession of the Kansas Pacific and Denver Pacific. Its first move along this
line was to effect a lease of the Colorado Central to the Kansas Pacific. This
was ratified by the Colorado Central at a meeting held in April, 1877, an^ Pre~
sided over by Senator Henry M. Teller, who was then president of the road.
The Union Pacific, in control, had, however, failed to consider the fighting
capacity of the founder of the Colorado Central, W. A. H. Loveland. The con-
solidation, or what amounted to such, wiped out much, if not all, of the value
in the stocks held by the several bonded counties. This brought the people to
the side of Loveland, and on May 21, 1876, they took forcible possession of
the road.
The courts were quick to act, as the Union Pacific had suddenly entered the
contest with a claim of $1,250,000 for rolling stock and material. Judge A. W.
Stone, of the Second Judicial District, appointed David H. Moffat receiver and
arranged to qualify him at Boulder on August I5th, the last day of the term.
But on the morning of that day the judge was forcibly taken from a train, and
hidden in the mountains for three days, and finally brought back to Denver at
night none the worse for his adventure. But the governor extended the term of
court and the judge then qualified the receiver. Loveland, however, held on by
counter court proceedings. In the meantime statehood had been granted, and Love-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 345
land was able to bring the Union Pacific to terms. For two years Loveland con-
tinued as president, and in that period the Kansas Pacific was given a last body
blow in the construction of the standard gauge line via Fort Collins to a junction
with the Union Pacific five miles west of Cheyenne. This marked the beginning
of a rate war which was disastrous to all lines and finally ended in an agree-
ment by which uniform and higher charges were made.
UNION PACIFIC SECURES CONTROL OF OTHER ROADS
On January 24, 1880, the Union Pacific Railway Company was formed, con-
solidating the Union Pacific, the Kansas Pacific and the Denver Pacific railroad
companies. By the terms of consolidation the shareholders in each company were
to receive shares in the new company corresponding in number to those held in
the old, the number of shares of Union Pacific being 367,623; Kansas Pacific,
100,000; Denver Pacific, 40,000; the stock of the consolidated company being
507,623 shares, or $50,762,300. On February 6, 1881, $10,000,000 additional
stock was sold at par.
In November, 1879, the Union Pacific leased the Colorado Central for a
period of fifty years, and W. A. H. Loveland resigned the presidency.
Poor's Manual, the railroad authority, in its issue in the early '8os has this
illuminative reference to the Colorado Central:
"Colorado Central Railroad — Denver to Golden (3 rails), 15.57 miles; Golden
to Wyoming line, 106.37; Denver Junction to La Salle, 151.16; Golden to George-
town (narrow gauge), 34.23; Forks of Clear creeks to Central City, 11.12 miles;
total, 318.45 miles. The Colorado Central of Wyoming is operated under lease
by this company. The company is controlled by the Union Pacific through the
ownership of $6,229,000 stock out of a total of $6,230,300, and $4,697,000 first
mortgage bonds out of a total of $4,701,000 * * * The Julesburg 'cut-off,'
Denver Junction to La Salle, was built in 1882 in consequence of the extension
of the Burlington & Missouri in Nebraska to Denver."
After all it was a great triumph for Denver, achieved by leaders who saw
not alone the big interests but influential men within the state arrayed against
its further development into a metropolis, a great railroad center. After 1874
there was no further question of supremacy, for even the building of the Golden-
Cheyenne line in 1877, while it injured the Denver Pacific and the Kansas Pacific,
aided Denver, for it was to the growing metropolis that the rich sections in the
north sent their product. In the end even W. A. H. Loveland, one of the most
indomitable spirits of that early period, became a resident of Denver and was
influential and helpful in its progress.
In 1873 the Kansas Pacific extended a branch from Kit Carson to a point near
the present site of Las Animas. This was to accommodate the traffic at Fort
Lyon and Fort Reynolds, and also was intended to mark the inauguration of
the long-planned southwestern line. The road was abandoned in 1878.
The Union Pacific has the following new construction record in Colorado
since 1910: Sand Creek Junction to St. Vrain, Colorado, 17.45 miles, opened
for traffic November i, 1909; Greeley to Briggsdale, 26.16, opened for traffic
May 22, 1910; Cloverly to Hungerford, Colorado, 13.16 miles, opened for traffic
May 22, 1910; Dent to Fort Collins, 25.25 miles, opened in 1911.
CHAPTER XVII
TRANSPORTATION— THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE
VISION OF GEN. WILLIAM J. PALMER — PLANS A GREAT SYSTEM IN AN UNDE?-
VELOPED COUNTRY FAITH IN ITS GREAT POSSIBILITIES PREDICTED WITH UNER-
RING ACCURACY TOURIST TRAVEL HOW THE FIGHT FOR THE CANON OF THE AR-
KANSAS WAS WON — THE CANON CITY & SAN JUAN RAILROAD ON THE SIDE OF THE
SANTA FE WHAT LEADVILLE MEANT TO THE FIRST RAILROAD TO REACH IT
THE DENVER & RIO GRANDE SELLS OUT TO THE SANTA FE PALMER MEN TAKING
FORCIBLE POSSESSION SEIZING ROLLING STOCK AND STATIONS JAY GOULD EN-
TERS THE FIELD AND EFFECTS A COMPROMISE} — TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT
FIGHT FOR RATON PASS — CONSTRUCTION RECORDS IN COLORADO THE WESTERN
PACIFIC — IN THE HANDS OF RECEIVERS
Gen. William J. Palmer was by far the greatest of the actual railroad builders
of Colorado. He had been active in the construction of the Kansas Pacific, and
when he came to Denver to smooth out the difficulties with the Denver Pacific,
it was found that he was even more than a great engineer, he was a diplomat
and statesman as well.
It was with a rare vision that he scanned this great field for railroad oppor-
tunities. There were no gold camps, no great trading centers, save perhaps
Santa Fe far south in this vision. There were not 500 people between Denver
and the straggling village of Pueblo. In Colorado City a few shacks marked the
site of what had once been a territorial capital. Colorado Springs and Glen
Eyrie, the town and the beautiful home he built later, were in the vision only.
At the foot of Pike's Peak the wild vegetation, the pines and spruces and the
mountain flowers of the region grew in unmolested grandeur and beauty.
Only a scenic wonderland was here, Cheyenne Canon, Cheyenne Moun-
tain, Seven Falls, which in his vision all the world would come to admire. At
these mineral springs he saw the long pilgrimage of succeeding years. There
was only beauty in the juncture of the valleys of the Monument Creek and
"Fontaine qui Bouille."
General Palmer had toured the territory in the early '6os with a Government
surveying party, one of the many Federal efforts to find a transcontinental route.
With this knowledge and what he gleaned from many surveys submitted to the
Kansas Pacific and Denver Pacific, and with an almost prophetic vision, he
mapped out the present Denver & Rio Grande system. For sources of revenue
he went to his marvelous faith in what these mountains would give up to the
miner's pick, in what the axe would supply in the way of timber, in what the
346
348 HISTORY OF COLORADO
virgin quarries would give of their stones, and in what these vast ranges could
feed of cattle, hogs and sheep.
The system as he mapped it out before 1870 has been built, every line save
one, and that was a railroad stretching along the valleys of the Grand and the
Colorado to San Diego.
In his first annual report to the directors of the Denver & Rio Grande, issued
April i, 1873, General Palmer states that "the idea of a north and south railway
following the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains from the principal city of the
new West — Denver, southward to Mexico, arose from a conviction that this
belt of country had especial advantages in its location, climate and natural re-
sources. In the first place it was separated from the boundary line of arable
culture on the eastward, in Nebraska, Kansas, the Indian Territory and Texas,
by a width of over 400 miles of arid plains, unfit for settlement except in occa-
sional valleys, and only capable as yet of supporting a population of nomadic
stock raisers. On reaching the foothills of the great chain, however, new con-
ditions were found : First, numerous streams of water pouring out upon the
plains, and fed by the melting of the mountain snows. The slope being favorable
to the distribution of this water over the adjoining land, the result was a fertile
agricultural district, capable of raising food for a large population. Although
this watered belt was not of great width, yet experience had shown that land
cultivated by irrigation will produce much larger crops than the same amount
under ordinary culture. Second, the rugged mountains immediately adjoining
on the westward had been found, wherever exploited, to contain veins and deposits
of silver, gold, lead, copper, iron and other metals. An active population of miners
had begun to seize upon these treasurers and they required to be fed from the
agricultural produce raised near the foothills. At numerous points along the
whole belt named from Denver to El Paso were found extensive deposits of
good coal, frequently in connection with iron ore, lime and fire clay. This cir-
cumstance and the water power afforded by the rapid fall of the mountain
water courses to the plain, pointed out the country as especially fitted for manu-
facture." In the next three paragraphs he tells of the vast supply of timber,
stone and lime for building purposes, of the grazing possibilities, of the genial
climate. "It was plain," he concludes, "that the long distance from all other
agricultural districts would cause its farming lands to be rapidly and densely
settled, that its coal, iron, water power, timber, wool, hides, etc., would soon
create with railroad facilities, a large manufacturing community. Assisted by
the natural tariff afforded by the distance of nearly 1,000 miles intervening
between these and the nearest known iron deposits on the eastward, and of 500
to 600 miles between these coal mines and those of eastern Kansas; that the
manufacturing resources and the working of the mines would afford a reliable
home market to the farmer and grazer, that the larger amount of water near
the mountains and the shelter afforded by the foothills gave peculiar advantages
to this section for raising cattle, horses and sheep ; that the climate, scenery and
mineral springs would attract also a large number of tourists and invalids; that
the uninterrupted tide of emigration would have to leap across the great plains
which begin 200 to 250 miles from the line of the Missouri River, and settle
upon this first inhabitable belt westward ; and that the six or eight great east and
west railway lines crossing or preparing to cross the continent would, from neces-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 349
sity, promote the rapid colonization of the new West, and, by competition for its
trade, stimulate its subsequent growth."
It was taken altogether, a pioneering task based solely upon the faith that
would move these mountains, for within them were the riches with which he
was certain his land galleons would be loaded. He saw in Pueblo the natural
depot for the raw material of the mines and visioned there the multiplied smoke-
stacks and whirring wheels of a greater smelting industry.
Out on the prairies of the Divide men had begun to graze small herds of
cattle and sheep which were later driven north and sent by rail to eastern
markets. But to this visionary the potentiality of these plains was clear. The
railroad would make this country teem with vast herds of cattle, even as it had
once been filled with buffalo.
He knew too that the railroad must create towns and passenger traffic, for
the Pueblo-Denver stage in 1870 carried not more than three passengers daily
each way. It was not a glorious outlook, for in 1870 it must be remembered
Leadville was still a few years distant and Cripple Creek two decades away.
There was hope in the dribbling oil fields of Florence, but that too was but in
its beginning and but little had been done toward development. The coal fields
of Fremont County and those far below in Las Animas and Huerf ano were well
worth reaching by rail. Here, as a matter of fact, were the only tangible evi-
dences of prospective railroad business.
But the original incorporation in 1870 under the laws of the Territory of
Colorado revealed the fact that the great plan of the Denver & Rio Grande
Railway was a most carefully considered project. Its articles of incorporation
provided for the location, construction, operation and maintenance of the Den-
ver & Rio Grande Railway, of the Denver & Southern Railway, of the South
Park Railway, of the Western Colorado Railway, of the Moreno Valley Rail-
way, of the San Juan Railway, of the Gallesteo Railway and of the Santa Rita
Railway. The general route of each was designated, and there were the saving
clauses which in the long fight with the Santa Fe over possession of the Canon
of the Royal Gorge finally won out for the Denver & Rio Grande.
The Denver & Rio Grande Company was incorporated October 27, 1870,
with the following trustees: Gen. William J. Palmer and A. C. Hunt, former
governor of Colorado ; William P. Mellen, of New York ; R. Henry Lamborn, of
Philadelphia; Howard Schuyler, of Colorado. W. H. Greenwood, who became
superintendent of construction, was also one of the incorporators. He left the
company in 1874, and later met a violent death in Mexico. The directors the first
year were William J. Palmer, William P. Mellen, Robert Henry Lamborn, A. C.
Hunt and William A. Bell.
The capital stock of the company was $14,000,000, and the road was to be
bonded at the rate of $10,000 for each mile constructed. General Palmer
was chosen president, and had able aids in J. P. Mersereau, chief engineer; in
W. H. Greenwood, and in Samuel E. Browne and Wilbur F. Stone, attorney.
In March, 1871, the work on a narrow gauge railroad was begun south of
the site of the present Union Depot and on October 21, 1871, the last rail was
laid covering the seventy-four miles between Colorado City and Denver.
Thus far the road had been built without county, state or federal aid.
In June, 1872, Congress passed an act granting the Denver & Rio Grande
350 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Railroad the right of way over the public domain, 100 feet in width on each side
of the track, "together with such public lands adjacent thereto as may be needed
for depots, stops and other buildings for railroad purposes, and for yard room
and sidetracks, not exceeding twenty acres at any one station and not more
than one station in every ten miles, and the right to take from adjacent public
lands stone, timber, earth, water and other material required for the construc-
tion and repair of its railway and telegraph lines."
The act also gave the company the rights, powers and privileges (condem-
nation rights), conferred upon the Union Pacific by section 3 of the act of
July 2, 1864, provided it reached Santa Fe within five, later changed to ten,
years after the passage of the act. Another proviso stipulated fifty miles of con-
struction below Santa Fe each year. Before the railway replaced the stage-coach
•from Denver to Colorado Springs the latter ran tri-weekly and carried an aver-
age of five passengers per trip, or thirty both ways, weekly. A few "Mexican"
and other teams carried all the freight there was before the railway was built.
The actual freight hauled by the railroad in 1872 (an average distance of sixty-
one miles) was 46,212 tons, or, omitting construction material, 34,892 tons of
commercial freight.
By the census of 1870 Denver had a population of 4,800. In 1872 the city
directory showed it to have over 15,000. Pueblo when the Denver & Rio Grande
was begun had 500 people. In 1872 it had 3,500. Colorado Springs did not exist
in 1870. In 1872 it had a population of 1,500.
Pueblo now voted $200,000 in bonds and on June 29, 1872, the town cele-
brated the arrival of the first train from Denver. It marked the beginning of
the growth and industrial prosperity of the town.
The line to Florence and to the coal field near Canon City, was built in 1872.
The people of Canon City were chagrined to find that no plans had been made
for the extension of the road to the town — a matter of only eight miles. They
appealed to the Santa Fe to build into the Arkansas Valley, but the panic had
hit that road as well as so many others. General Palmer asked for an issue of
$100,000 in bonds. It was voted but not issued. Finally $50,000 was subscribed
to the stock of the Rio Grande and the road was built in 1875, not into the town,
but to a point a considerable distance below.
The earnings of the Denver & Rio Grande for 1872, deducting construction
material, was $281,400.29; operating expenses deducting cost of transporting
construction material, $175,206.32. Net earnings, $106,193.97. Earnings were
divided: freight, $172,102.23; passenger, $134,371.56; miscellaneous, $1,645.03.
Expense: conducting transportation, $63,160.44; motive power, $62,311.73; main-
tenance of cars, $4,885.95; maintenance of way, $55,060.13; general expenses,
$16,526.60.
In the second annual report the "company was able, notwithstanding a panic
which caused the failure of seventy-seven railroads in the United States, to meet
all of its obligations promptly and survive the gale." The net earnings for 1873
increased 60 per cent over those of 1872.
Out of the wrangle with Canon City grew the struggle for the right of way
through the Royal Gorge to the Grand Canon of the Arkansas.
A local company was formed at Canon City, and on February 15, 1877, was
incorporated as the Canon City & San Juan Railway Company, with Messrs.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 351
Ailing, Locke and Megrue, all of Fremont County, as incorporators. The feud
between the Santa Fe and Denver & Rio Grande was then at its height, and the
former lost no time in backing the Canon City enterprise to seize the route
through the Canon of the Arkansas. Under the original grant the Denver &
Rio Grande was confirmed by Congress in any route which it had specified in
its articles of incorporation. Justice Harlan in his famous review of the case at
its final hearing in the United States Supreme Court stated: "In 1877 and 1878
it became evident that that pass was of vital importance to any company desiring
to reach the trade and business of the country beyond it, whether to the west,
northwest or southwest. Discoveries then recently made of mineral wealth in
western Colorado gave it immense pecuniary value in railroad circles, since, as
the evidence tends to establish, the occupancy of the Royal Gorge by one line
of railroad would practically exclude all other competing companies from using
it for like purposes except upon such terms as the first occupant might dictate.
From the date of the survey made in 1872 down to April 19, 1878, the record
furnishes no evidence that the Denver company actually occupied that defile
for any purpose whatsoever. On that day, however, Congress having extended
the time to ten years from the date of the original act within which to complete
its road as far south as Santa Fe, that company did, by its agents, occupy the
narrow portion of the canyon known as the Royal Gorge with the avowed inten-
tion of constructing its road upon the line of the surveys, made in 1871 and 1872.
But during the night of April io/, 1878, the board of directors of the Canon
City company were convened and Robinson and Strong, the chief engineer and
manager respectively of the Santa Fe system, were elected to the same positions
in the Canon City company. On the morning of the 2Oth as early as 4 o'clock,
a small squad of their employes, nine or ten in number, under the charge of an
assistant engineer, swam the Arkansas River and in the name of their company
took possession of the Canon."
The supreme court in this decision gave the Denver & Rio Grande the sole
right to construct a railroad through the gorge.
This battle for possession of the Canon of the Arkansas is one of the great
romances of early railroad building in the west. The wonderful discoveries
at Leadville proved the lodestone for the Santa Fe directorate which until that
time had, like so many other eastern powers, regarded Colorado largely as a
mere matter of "scenery." It was for this reason that the people of Canon City,
when in 1874 they found the Denver & Rio Grande within eight miles of its
town limits, were unable to get a hearing from the Santa Fe. But the Leadville
excitement wrought a magic change. Rates of 4 cents a pound were cheerfully
paid on freight brought by teams from Canon City to Leadville. Both the Den-
ver & Rio Grande and the Santa Fe determined to get to the big mining camp
through the only available mountain pass, the Canon of the Arkansas, twelve
miles west of Canon City and with hardly fifty feet of width for rail traffic.
The Santa Fe\ in February, 1878, had fairly outwitted the Denver & Rio
Grande in securing and holding Raton Pass. Thus on the fateful April ipth of
the same year it decided to secure a western outlet by the methods which won
out at Raton.
Judge Harlan's decision covers the legal phases of the case, the fact that
General Palmer had designated the canyon route in his original incorporation,
352 HISTORY OF COLORADO
that Congress had confirmed his right to this in perpetuity if built within a period
of five years, and was about to extend this confirmation for another five years.
William B. Strong, who in December, 1877, had been elected vice president
and general manager of the Santa Fe, was one of the great construction geniuses
of this period. He lacked the wonderful foresight and knowledge of General
Palmer, but surpassed him in a native shrewdness which too often degenerated
into mere trickery. With all that, it took men of his calibre to pioneer these
early railroads, men who could "vision" towns and industries, mines and manu-
facturing in these rugged wildernesses.
The struggles of these great builders were often against the densest ignorance.
Thus in the New Mexico Legislature the Mexican faction fought the coming
of the Santa Fe for fear it would people the country with "Americanos." Far
from granting a subsidy it was largely by subterfuge that railroad and develop-
ment rights were at first obtained in New Mexico.
Strong had engineered the fight at Raton. He was the moving spirit in the
struggle to win the canyon. At that time the Santa Fe was building southwest
from La Junta. W. R. Morley, in charge of construction at El Moro, reached
Pueblo on the night of April i8th, only to learn that the Denver & Rio Grande
construction force had already gone west to take possession of the canyon.
The people of established towns were nearly all against the Denver & Rio
Grande, for General Palmer's policy of building up his own towns had not made
him many friends in the side-tracked places^ This was the case at Trinidad,
which he purposed to surpass by his own town of El Moro. No bonds were voted
by Trinidad. It was the case at Canon City, where he had built to a point away
from the center of the town.
Morley, therefore decided to reach Canon City and get the townsmen to
help him seize the canyon. With the best pair of horses he could find in Pueblo
he made the distance of over forty miles just as the dawn showed him that the
Denver & Rio Grande construction crew was arriving. He rushed to the home
of the officials of the Canon City & San Juan Road, was legally empowered by
them to occupy the canyon, and leaving them to gather a force of men to follow,
rode to the canyon two miles away and began to dig. The officials of the
Canon City & San Juan with a few friends, six or eight in number, all armed
to the teeth, came to Morley's aid.
For the time being the Denver & Rio Grande was beaten, for its men came
and saw, and to avoid bloodshed, left.
For Morley there was the handshake of Strong and the satisfied smile which
to Santa Fe men was like a Victoria Cross. The repeating rifle, elaborately
mounted with gold, which was given to Morley for his work in the canyon, was
later accidentally discharged, killing -this intrepid engineer.
The Denver & Rio Grande took possession farther up the canyon, erected
forts, and began actual construction work. The state courts were appealed to,
arrests of officials were frequent, but finally Judge Hallett enjoined both parties
from work in the canyon until the matter was disposed of in the supreme court.
What Leadville meant in the railroad fight between the Denver & Rio Grande
and the Santa Fe can now best be gleaned from the confidential communications
made in those years to General Palmer, and in the correspondence of General
Palmer. These, through the courtesy of the Denver & Rio Grande officials, are
HISTORY OF COLORADO 353
now available. On March 23, 1878, Col. D. C. Dodge, then holding the title of
general freight agent, began pouring into General Palmer's offices advices of
prospective shipments from Leadville. "The Gallagher mine promises twenty-
five tons of ore a day after May ist." "Harrison reduction works could ship
100 tons a day if they had the transportation. Want to contract for shipment
daily of 100,000 Ibs. of ore and bullion." Here's another from Charles B. Lam-
born, a prominent railroad man of that day, written to General Palmer under
date April i, 1878: "Mr. Streeter, freighter, informs me that he has arranged
to take charge of the transportation from Leadville across Weston's Pass and
South Park, with mule teams. From the Park down to Cold Springs 'bull-
teams' are being arranged for. He has agreed to commence during this month
and carry over Weston's Pass 50,000 Ibs. ore and bullion per day and to increase
at any time on notice, to a capacity of 100,000 Ibs. per day. Harrison's people
expect soon to ship 100,000 Ibs. per day, and are only anxious about getting
enough transportation. The rate they expect to pay is $18 per ton to Colorado
Springs and Canon City."
One of the earlier "human documents of this period is the letter of General
Palmer, dated September 15, 1877, ff0m Colorado Springs, and addressed to
R. H. Lamborn, previously if not then treasurer of the Denver & Rio Grande.
In this he says : "You will doubtless be surprised to learn that I am satisfied the
proper route is from Canon City up to Oro (Leadville), no miles, with a branch
of thirty-nine miles if necessary from mouth of Trout Creek to Fairplay, a cheap
line to build. We can either run through the Arkansas Canon or via the iron
mines and down Texas Creek, avoiding the worst canyon and at an increased
distance of, say, fifteen miles. This would greatly develop Wet Mountain Val-
ley, which has a surplus of 5,000 tons best hay, besides oats and potatoes; and
Rosita, which is today as important, perhaps, as Fairplay, and is apparently as
large as Fairplay, Dudley and Alma put together, and has two reduction works in
full blast, with another just going up on Oak Creek, and according to Professor
Hill's statement to me is good for twenty tons daily of shipping ore * * *
Harrison guarantees at once to a railroad 15,000 tons of the high grade silver
lead ore for shipment besides the base bullion (33 to 40 per cent) of product
of two furnaces and the coke and merchandise (This guarantee was later in-
creased to eighty-five tons of ore, bullion and coke per day, in May, 1878) * * *
Stevens (of the firm of Wood & Stevens) estimates the daily shipment of ore
with railroad at 1,000 tons daily; wood, 500 tons daily * * * Every gulch
in the 120 miles of Arkansas Valley, however, from Grape Creek up to Tennessee
Pass, on each side of Arkansas River, seeming to have men working on it in
the mines * * * There are smelting works on Chalk Creek, and another
just going up; a mill or two at Granite; ore smelting furnace at Oro (Leadville) ;
ore mill at Printer Boy mine, California Gulch; say three reduction works at
Rosita * * * the fifty tons daily being now mined at Oro average thirty
ounces of silver and 40 per cent lead to the ton of 2,000 pounds. Ten bushels
of coke are used to one ton of ore; 25 per cent iron ore to one ton of silver
ore. This carbonate district extends from Iowa Gulch to Evans' Gulch, say two
miles long and one and one-half miles wide. The ore is in three great breaks of
the strata. There are said to be six to eight such breaks between South Park
River on the east (head of Mosquito Range of South Park Gulch opposite Fair-
354 HISTORY OF COLORADO
play) and the Arkansas River on the west, a distance of say eight or ten miles.
* * * In richness, however, the "Gallagher," which abuts against Weed &
Stevens properties on the north, far exceeds. Everything appears to pay from
time of striking the deposit, which is, say, ten to twenty feet down. The Hays
& Cooper mines were discovered a week or two before my arrival within 200
or 300 yards of Harrison's new furnace. There was considerable excitement
and Senator Logan and Governor Routt were there and out with picks, search-
ing for the treasure * * * Fourteen miles down the Arkansas are the Twin
Lakes. With a railroad this would be the most attractive summering spot in
Colorado, and could not be exhausted of fish * * * I doubt if it would be
necessary- to build lor some time the branch to Fairplay so that less than $1,000,-
ooo would be absolutely necessary * * * The carbonate of lead district,
on present yield, and Harrison's guarantee, would pay as follows, to say noth-
ing of any of the numerous mining deposits from Rosita to Tennessee Pass or
the South Park, which would come in at Trout Creek.
Rough Estimate —
One hundred and fourteen miles to Canon City via Arkansas
Canon to Oro (Leadville) $1,000,000
Ten per cent on which is per annum 100,000
Cost of operating per year 120,000
Necessary to earn gross yearly, to pay operating expenses and
10 per cent interest 220,000
Ore and Coke business of Oro only —
Harrison's guarantee, 15,000 tons of high grade, he now pays
$18 ($25 per ton paid in winter) per ton ore to the Mexican
wagons, freight to Colorado Springs, by railroad (half pres-
ent cost) $ 135,000
Forty tons daily of low grade ore reduced in two Harrison's
furnaces to thirteen tons base bullion daily, 4,700 tons 43,OOO
Requiring ten tons coke daily, 3,650 tons, for which he now
pays freight from Colorado Springs $12 per ton, say by rail-
road, half, or $6 ($25 paid for half when ox teams not prac-
ticable) 22,000
Omaha works in high grade ores, shipped out ten tons per day 32,000
$232,000
"By building from Canon, no miles, we would of course, thoroughly control
the trade and carry it to Denver as readily as Pueblo. We could discourage
Denver extending the South Park Railroad thus, as readily as by building from
Colorado Springs. Denver gets now most of Canon City and Colorado Springs
trade."
General Palmer then goes into the advantages of the Canon City route, pre-
dicting even at that early day the enormous tourist travel of the present day.
"From Canon City," he says, "to Oro (Leadville) the attractions to passenger
travel are unusual. The Arkansas Canon would undoubtedly be traversed by nearly
every tourist coming to Colorado, and much of the California travel would come
by way of Pueblo and Denver in order to see this bit of grand scenery. The resi-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 355
dent population of Colorado would mostly manage to see it by means of excur-
sions * * * As iron works will be at Pueblo large smelting works, etc., we
> could supply iron cheaper to the mines in the mountains * * * This would
make a real central and national Pacific railroad line good for Oregon and
southern California, equally, on the west, and Chicago and Memphis, or Texas on
the east. * * * The most sheltered and appropriate places for consumptives
in winter that I have seen are the little warm openings or parks, beside the dashing
river which separates the several canyons of the Arkansas from Canon City up to
the South Arkansas (Salida)."
The letter goes on into minute engineering details, of possible production from
every existing mining camp, of prospects of raising vast hay and oat crops in Wet
Mountain Valley and Texas Park, of the forests of fine timber.
Beauty in nature seemed to have a marvelous appeal for this practical railroad
builder. Even in this long letter advocating construction for only solid business
reasons he thinks of the health-restorative powers of the mountains. Here is a bit
of his description of the scenic wonderland of the Arkansas River : " — above the
Arkansas Canon the ride is mostly through the cultivated park-like valley of the
Upper Arkansas, interrupted by dashes into occasional short canyons with rapids
and falls. For sixty miles here, the passenger can look up on one side to the 'Con-
tinental Divide' which the line runs parallel with, and from whose crest it is but
about twelve miles distant between Poncho and Oro. He looks up in this three
hours' railroad ride at ten peaks whose elevation exceeds 14,000 feet, and sees
fields of snow which drain into two oceans. On the right is the high rim of the
South Park. When within eleven miles of Malta he passes the outlet of the Twin
Lakes, a mile or two distant, nearly encircled by high mountains, whose height
seems doubled by reflection in the blue waters."
Financially the Santa Fe was winning the long struggle with the Denver &
Rio Grande, for its resources were immediate — while the Rio Grande was still in
the earlier development stages. In that year, 1878, the Santa Fe had earned
$3,950,868, while the Denver & Rio Grande was heavily involved. There were
quarrels with the Philadelphia backers of the Denver & Rio Grande for whom the
vision of General Palmer was not coming to realization rapidly enough.
Dr. John Burton Phillips, professor of economics and sociology at the Univer-
sity of Colorado, in his article on "Freight Rates and Manufactures in Colorado,"
published by the University in 1910, writes as follows of the extension of the Rio
Grande system from Pueblo to Canon City and to Trinidad :
"About 1872, the Rio Grande Railroad was built into Pueblo. General Palmer,
the builder, got into difficulty when the road had reached this city and found -him-
self shortvof funds. He wished to build the road from Pueblo to Canon City, a
distance of forty-two miles. The Colorado Coal and Iron Company had many
coal and ore lands in the vicinity of Canon City which they wished to develop. The
coal and iron company, therefore, raised the money needed to build the road to
Canon City, taking in exchange therefor the stock of the railroad. In this way
the road was successfully extended to that point. In a similar fashion, another com-
pany bought up the coal and iron lands around Trinidad, Huerfano and some other
points, and then turned over one-half of their interests to the railroad and on these
properties the funds were raised with which the railroad was built to Trinidad.
In 1880 or 1881, in order to develop the resources along the road, General Palmer
356 HISTORY OF COLORADO
got the men interested in these properties, both at Trinidad and at Canon City, to
put up the capital for a steel plant at Pueblo. All the companies were consolidated
into the Colorado Coal and Iron Company. About $2,500,000 was expended at
that time. The two contracts which had formerly been made by the railroads by
which special favors were granted to the companies in the matter of freight rates
were then consolidated into one contract with the combined company. This con-
tract extended special favors to the company in the matter of freight rates as the
company had united with Palmer in the development of the coal and ore beds and
was therefore entitled to a good bargain. This is why, according to the evidence
of the receiver of the Rio Grande, no other companies were allowed to sell coal
in Leadville except the Colorado Coal and Iron Company."
On October 19, 1878, General Palmer, much against his own wishes and those
of his able aide, Col. D. C. Dodge, but acting largely upon the wishes of stockhold-
ers, leased the road right for a period of thirty years to the Santa Fe, and gave
up possession December 13, 1878. There had been, it should be added, a decided
change in the ownership of the stock, the Philadelphians gradually disposing of
their holdings to the Santa Fe.
In this lease nothing was said concerning a cessation of the litigation over
the canyon. But an express stipulation prevented any rate discrimination against
Denver.
The Santa Fe was a Kansas road, and its metropolis was Kansas City. Its
big west-bound business originated at that point, and its east-bound business was
distributed there. Thus the road was in a way pledged to the building up of
Kansas City trade. This became apparent at once when rates from Denver to
the south were raised and its jobbing trade was at once diverted to Kansas City.
Moreover, in their first wrath it was charged by Denver and Colorado men that
the Denver & Rio Grande was to be wrecked and scrapped.
The old officials were appealed to by their Colorado friends to cancel the
lease and take possession of their road. It must always be a Colorado road.
General Palmer had no trouble in securing funds for building the road to Lead-
ville, where it was certain of enormous revenues. Armed men took possession of
the old forts built in and near the canyon by the Denver & Rio Grande. Councils
were held by the old officials. Friends all over Colorado tendered their aid.
Practically all the employes of the system were quietly helping the old com-
pany. Nor was the Santa Fe idle. It was actually finishing the road to Lead-
ville, every mile of which had been graded and twenty miles completed before
the trouble was settled.
In June, 1879, the Denver & Rio Grande secured an order from Judge Bowen
restoring the road to the old company. With this mandate the officials decided
to take forcible possession, a feat in which the employes aided. The sheriff of
every county traversed by the Denver & Rio Grande system was instructed to
take possession at 6 a. m., Wednesday, June 9th. The armed volunteers made a
formidable showing as the time for action approached.
Leaders were on hand to direct and to fight if necessary. Former Governor
A. C. Hunt started a train from El Moro and with his posse of 200 captured
station after station. Col. D. C. Dodge was coming south with a posse from Den-
ver.
The Santa Fe had hired Bat Masterson, the noted former sheriff of Dodge
EL PASO COUNTY COURTHOUSE, COLORADO SPRINGS
CITY HALL, COLORADO SPRINGS
358 HISTORY OF COLORADO
City, Kansas, to hold the roundhouse at Pueblo. With a force of Kansas roughs
he kept the Denver & Rio Grande men at bay, succumbing finally to the peace-
making efforts of R. F. Weitbrec, a former engineer of the Denver & Rio
Grande.
This battle which extended all along the lines was led by General Palmer and
Col. D. C. Dodge, for whom every employe had the greatest respect and admira-
tion. As the captured train crews reached Colorado Springs they joyfully joined
the old ranks and took arms to prevent recapture of trains by the Santa Fe.
There was an outburst of indignation all over the state when Judge Hallett
on June 24th appointed Col. L. C. Ellsworth receiver. The latter managed the
road until it was legally restored to the old company.
Jay Gould was at this time looking for western railroad investments and the
Santa Fe stockholders lost no time in disposing of their Denver & Rio Grande
holdings to him.
On December 20, 1879, with Gould acting as mediator, an agreement was
reached which ended the war. The lease was canceled, the receivership termi-
nated, the line to Leadville purchased for $1,400,000, and all plans for eastern
development of the Denver & Rio Grande were given up.
In the annual report for 1880 the agreement is thus outlined: "The struggle
* * * was finally terminated and the Leadville line was restored to the Den-
ver & Rio Grande Company on March 27, 1880, and an agreement was then
made under which the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Company agreed for ten
years not to build through any portion of Colorado west of the north and south
line of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway (except a coal road to their coal mines
near Canon City), or in that portion of New Mexico north of the 36th parallel
(approximately) and west of the summit of the Spanish Range; while the Den-
ver & Rio Grande Company agreed for the same period not to build in Colorado
east of the same north and south line or to Trinidad, or in that portion of New
Mexico east of the Spanish Range or south of the 36th parallel, except in the
western part of New Mexico. There were also reciprocal obligations in regard
to traffic, which included as well the Union Pacific."
The fight for Raton Pass, in 1878, was, it is asserted by historians of the
period, lost to the Denver & Rio Grande by half an hour. It is possible, that
the loss of this gateway to the south would have completely altered the plans of
the Santa Fe.
Mr. Strong, in February, 1878, had just returned victorious to Pueblo from
the long legislative fight in Santa Fe. Like General Palmer, who seemed to see
far into the future, Strong was arguing for immediate construction. President
Nickerson of the Santa Fe, like the Denver & Rio Grande's Philadelphia capital-
ists who fought Palmer, was always for delay. "Why, Barlow and Sanderson,"
he remarked, "have just taken off the stage from El Moro to Santa Fe because the
Denver & Rio Grande would not guarantee one passenger daily."
Strong finally got permission to spend a small amount of money on surveys.
When, on February 26, 1878, A. A. Robinson was sent south to take possession
of Raton Pass he found Denver & Rio Grande officials on the train to El Moro.
He believed it was merely an inspection tour, although the presence of the chief
engineer led him to surmise that their mission might be to Raton. With the in-
spiration that Strong gave to all his men, he scoured the town for a construction
HISTORY OF COLORADO
359
crew, and when the day dawned in Raton Pass he was in possession. The Den-
ver & Rio Grande crew arrived half an hour later and was met by armed oppo-
sition. The Santa Fe held the pass. On December 7, 1878, the first passenger
train entered New Mexico. By February, 1880, Santa Fe was reached, Albu-
querque April, 1880, Deming March ist, El Paso July i, 1881. In 1883 the
Atlantic & Pacific was completed from Albuquerque to the Pacific, giving the
Santa Fe the long-sought-for connection from the Missouri to California.
The Denver & Rio Grande earnings and expenses and mileage of the first
decade, ending December 31, 1881, were as follows:
Earnings Expense Net
1872 $ 301,160.26 $ 197,092.86 $ 104,067.40
1873 392,653.89 197,124.31 195,529.58
1874 378,063.07 195,626.09 182,437.58
1875 363,095,86 208,067.14 155,028.72
1876 450,118.00 271,729.08 178,388.22
1877 773,322.07 416,161.55 357>l6o.56
1878 1,096,517.15 623,455.22 473,061.93
1879 1,800,000.00 1,000,000.00 800,000.00
1880 3,478,066.90 1,767,605.10 1,710,461.80
1881 6,244,780.83 3,620,029.89 2,624,750.94
Av. Miles Total miles
operated at end of each year.
1872 100 ; 155.5
1873 155 155-5
1874 163 163.5
1875 163 163.5
1876 240 276.5
1877 293 307.8
1878 308 338.4
1879 337 360.7
1880 474 685.9
1881 786 1,066.6
Before going into the later history of the Denver & Rio Grande Company it
will be interesting to follow the realization of General Palmer's vision in the
construction of its many lines in Colorado. In 1876 the branch from Pueblo to
El Moro was built, with a branch from Cuchara to La Veta. In 1877 the' La
Veta branch was extended through La Veta Pass, and in 1878 it was completed
to Alamosa. The work on this line required masterful engineering, for La Veta
Pass presented many unlocked for difficulties of construction. In May, 1880,
Salida was reached and Leadville in July of that year. Much of this construc-
tion was done by the Santa Fe.' In August, 1881, Gunnison was reached by way
of Marshall Pass, another feat of mountain railroad engineering. By October
the roa*d was at Crested Butte. In 1880 the road to the San Juan was begun, ex-
tending from Alamosa over the Conejos Range to Durango, with branches from
Antonito to Espanola, New Mexico, and from Alamosa to Del Norte and South
360 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Fork, reaching the latter point in November, 1881. Durango was reached in
July, 1881.
In September, 1881, the Villa Grove branch to the upper end of the San Luis
Valley was finished, as well as the branch to Orient. The road from Leadville
through Tennessee Pass to Rock Creek was opened in February, 1882; and by
November the branch to Dillon was in operation. This is by way of Fremont's
Pass. In November, 1882, the road from Gunnison through Montrose and Delta
reached Grand Junction, and on December 19, 1882, it was at the Colorado-Utah
line prepared to carry out the great transcontinental plan of its founder.
The Rio Grande Western, at this time practically a subsidiary of the Denver
& Rio Grande, had by purchase of the Utah railroad running from Provo
to Clear Creek, and by construction at both ends established a connecting link
between the Denver & Rio Grande and Central Pacific. From 1881 to 1884 the
Utah road was leased and through trains were run from Denver to Ogden on the
narrow gauge system. In that year the Rio Grande Western, maintaining the
connection, was operated under its own management. In 1889 it secured by
lease the portion of the road running from Grand Junction to the state line.
In July, 1883, the Denver & Rio Grande extended its Del Norte branch to
Wagon Wheel Gap, and later, in 1891, when Creede burst upon the world with its
discoveries, to that point.
Not until 1887 did the road reach Trinidad from El Moro.
When the Mollie Gibson began to pour out its great silver ores, and other
mines in Aspen followed in its wake, the Denver & Rio Grande lost no time build-
ing along the canyons of the Eagle and Grand rivers to Glenwood Springs, then
up the Roaring Fork to Aspen, which it reached in October, 1887. In 1889 what
is now the main line was extended to Rifle. The camp at Lake City was added
to the Denver & Rio Grande producers in that year. Ouray and its mines were
reached by a branch from Montrose in 1887.
By 1881 it was apparent that the road had outgrown its narrow gauge swad-
dling clothes, although General Palmer in an elaborate printed argument had
predicted the adoption of the narrow gauge idea all over the country. This was
in 1870. In 1881 it controlled the entrance to Denver from the south, and with
the Santa Fe, and later the Missouri Pacific and Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
seeking this terminal, it was imperative that the road be broad-gauged at least
from Pueblo to Denver. The third rail for this stretch was completed in Decem-
ber, 1 88 1. It then began broad-gauging its main line from Pueblo to Canon
City, Salida, Glenwood and Rifle. At that point it joined forces with the Colo-
rado Midland, completing the standard gauge connection to the state line and
to the tracks of the Rio Grande Western.
In 1890, after the line from Pueblo to Trinidad had been made standard
gauge, the Villa Grove extension was built on to Alamosa.
The Denver & Rio Grande Company has steadily kept up with development
along its lines. When the coal fields at Ruby, or "Anthracite," were opened, in
1893, the branch from Crested Butte to that point was built. In 1896 it pur-
chased the Texas, Santa Fe & Northern running into Santa Fe from its main
line. In November, 1898, it built its Ibex branch out of Leadville to meet the
new discoveries in that camp. Later this was in part swapped to the Colorado
& Southern.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 361
The Manitou branch, five miles, was built in 1880.
The Fort Logan branch, two miles, was built in 1889.
The West Cliff branch, twenty-five miles, was built in 1901.
The Monarch branch, twenty-eight miles, was built from 1881 to 1883.
The Silverton branch, forty-five miles, was built in 1882.
The Farmington branch, forty-seven miles, was built in 1905.
In 1894, during the height of the Cripple Creek excitement, a subsidiary com-
pany built the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad.
In 1890 the Rio Grande Southern, backed by the Denver & Rio Grande, built
a line from Ridgway on the Ouray branch to Vance Junction and Telluride and
this was extended to Rico and Durango in 1891.
In 1899 the La Veta Pass road was relocated, and standard gauged, the work
being completed on November 7, that year.
The road from Pagosa Junction to Pagosa Springs, 30.8 miles, was completed
in 1900.
In 1902 the North Fork branch was started, covering rich and extensive coal
fields and fruit growing farms at Hotchkiss and Paonia. Its length is forty-six
miles.
The standard gauging was extended during 1902 from Monte Vista to Del
Norte and to Creede, making the whole line from Alamosa to Creede standard
gauge. The Castle Rock branch near Denver, 2.65 miles, was made standard
gauge the same year.
The standard gauge line from Minnequa or Southern Junction to Walsenburg
Junction was completed in 1911. It affords a low grade line of first class con-
struction to Walsenburg and the various coal mines in that vicinity, where it
connects with the main line across the Sangre de Cristo Range to Alamosa.
The double track "Detour line" from Soldier Summit, fifteen miles to a point
near Tucker, on the existing line, was completed in 1913.
In 1882 William J. Palmer retired from the presidency, and the annual re-
port of that year was issued by L. H. Meyer, first vice president. At the annual
election Frederick Love joy, of New York, was made president. In 1884 the
heavy construction work and the lack of necessary increments in business created
a condition which made a receiver necessary. On July 12, 1884, Judge Hallett
appointed William S. Jackson to this position. While the road was under the
jurisdiction of the court the Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company trustees
elected David H. Moffat president. The trustees were: David H. Moffat, William
S. Jackson, W. S. Cheesman, all of Denver; T. H. A. Tromp, representing in-
vestors at The Hague, Holland; William L. Scott, of Erie, Pennsylvania; C. F.
Woerishoffer, Adolph Engler, Wm. Wagner, and J. C. Reiff, of New York.
The reorganization was approved July n, 1886, and George Coppell,' of New
York, became chairman of the board, with Wm. S. Jackson as president. Other
directors were Robert B. Minturn, Adolph Engler, Richard T. Wilson, of New
York; John L. Welsh, John J. Stadiger, of Philadelphia ; T. H. A. Tromp, of The
Hague, and David H. Moffat.
In 1887 David H. Moffat succeeded to the presidency, George Coppell re-
maining chairman of the board of directors. On the board Charles M. Da Costa,
of New York, took the place of T. H. A. Tromp.
Minor changes occurred during the following four years, but in 1891 Edward
362 HISTORY OF COLORADO
T. Jeffery succeeded to the position of president and general manager. He had
been for years in an executive position with the Illinois Central. George Coppell
remained chairman of the board, the other directors being Edward O. Wolcott
and Edward T. Jeffery, of Denver; Adolph Engler, Richard T. Wilson, Wm. Mer-
tens, C. C. Beaman, all of New York; John Lawber Welsh and Edmund Smith,
of Philadelphia. The Gould interests remained in control.
The income of the road for the year ended June 30, 1893, was $9,372,221.53;
its net earnings from traffic, $4,035,561.61, a remarkable showing for the now
fairly developed system. >
In the report for 1894 the panic which had hit the west was fairjy well mir-
rored in reduced traffic and income, but for the year ending June 30, 1895 it came
back into its stride with net earnings of $2,925,628.65, being $422,136.24 more
than the previous year.
The Rio Grande Southern receivership, a consequence of the panic, was
quickly terminated and the road came into control of the Denver & Rio Grande.
The Santa Fe Southern, which ran from Espafiola on the Denver & Rio Grande
to Santa Fe, was also purchased during this period.
In 1901 George J. Gould became chairman of the board of directors, the re-
maining members being: Jacob H. Schiff, Edward H. Harriman, both new mem-
bers, Winslow S. Pierce, J. Edward Simmons, Richard T. Wilson and Arthur
Coppell of New York; Edward T. Jeffery and Edward O. Wolcott of Denver.
In 1903 Russell Harding, general manager of the Missouri Pacific, became
general manager of the Denver & Rio Grande, Edward T. Jeffery removing the
office of president to New York City. Joel F. Vaile succeeded Edward O. Wol-
cott as a director. George J. Gould remained as chairman and the Gould inter-
ests continued in control of the property.
In 1905 Amos C. Ridgway succeeded to the position of general manager. He
had been in charge of the Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek Railway for some
years.
In 1905 President Jeffery gave the first intimation of a determination on the
part of the Goulds to build their own Pacific Coast line. In this report he says :
"For many years while the line of railway between Ogden and San Francisco
was uncontrolled by interests competitive with your system, your company en-
joyed a satisfactory share of the traffic to and from California, and one of the
reasons moving the management between four and five years ago to acquire the
Rio Grande Western, was the closer relationship that would be established with
the San Francisco line of the Southern Pacific Company and the freer inter-
change that it seemed probable would result therefrom. Subsequent events were
in a measure disappointing. The control of Southern Pacific by Union Pacific
interests has led to unexpected restrictions of interchange, and more especially
unlocked for impediments in the way of securing traffic in territory reached by
the Southern Pacific line."
He announces the formation of the Western Pacific, capital, $75,000,000, and
states that $50,000,000 of first mortgage 5 per cent thirty-year gold bonds had
been disposed of. Mr. Jeffery also announces that he has taken the presidency
of the new road. The bond issue was finally guaranteed by the Denver & Rio
Grande and the Rio Grande Western. On July 23, 1908, these two roads were
consolidated, the stock of the Rio Grande Western being extinguished.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 363
The construction of this road proved more expensive than even the most con-
servative engineering figures given after the survey.
For two years, 1909 and 1910, unprecedented floods in the Humboldt valley
and a series of storms on Great Salt Lake retarded construction and did heavy
damage to graded sections. Up to June 30, 1910, the Western Pacific Company
expended (exclusive of accrued interest on second mortgage bonds) $70,438,-
302.41. Funds were provided as follows: Proceeds of $50,000,000 first mortgage
5 per cent thirty-year gold boYids; $18,784,033.40 were proceeds with interest
of $25,000,000 second mortgage 5 per cent gold bonds sold to the Denver & Rio
Grande Company; and $4,606,412.01 by the Denver & Rio Grande Company in
accordance with contract entered into June 23, 1905.
On August 22, 1910, one through passenger train each way daily was inau-
gurated between San Francisco and Salt Lake City. The railway was placed on
a full operating basis July I, 1911.
On August 20, 1910, the Salt Lake City union depot, which had cost $1,217,-
059.13 and is owned jointly by the Denver & Rio Grande Company and the West-
ern Pacific, was formally opened.
In 1912 Benjamin F. Bush, of the Missouri Pacific, succeeded Edward T.
Jeffery as president, the latter taking the place of George J. Gould as chairman
of the board. For the time being the Gould interests were still in control, the
directors being George J., Edwin and Kingdon Gould, Edward T. Jeffery, Edgar
L. Marston, Edward D. Adams, Arthur Coppell, all of New York ; Benjamin F.
Bush, of St. Louis ; Charles H. Schlacks, of San Francisco ; Edward L. Brown
and Joel F. Vaile of Denver.
On June 30, 1911, the mileage of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Com-
pany, operated and leased, was 2,604.86; on June 30, 1913, this had been in-
creased by the building of spurs to 2,639.81. On January i, 1918, with small
mileage of main track not operated, the total mileage was 2,576.75.
On November 30, 1912, the company purchased the Rio Grande Junction
Railway, which up to that time it had owned jointly with the Colorado Midland.
The line extends from Rifle to Grand Junction, and the price paid for the Mid-
land's interest was approximately $400,000. A leasing arrangement was made
for the Colorado Midland.
The interest due March I, 1915, on the Western Pacific bonds having been
defaulted, the United States Court on March 5, 1915, placed that road in the
hands of receivers. In October, 1915, the Denver & Rio Grande was called upon
to pay the defaulted interest on Western Pacific bonds under its guarantee. This
has now, January, 1918, ended in an application for a receivership for the road.
In June, 1916, the Western Pacific Railroad Corporation was organized and
bought in the road. This corporation owns the entire capital stock of the West-
ern Pacific Railroad Company and has power to enforce the claims against the
Denver & Rio Grande.
On January i, 1918, the directors and officers of the Denver & Rio Grande
Railroad Company are: Directors, George J. Gould, E. T. Jeffery, George G.
Haven, Kingdon Gould, Arthur Coppell, Edward D. Adams, Finley J. Shepard,
Benjamin B. McAlpin, H. U. Mudge, Harrison Williams, Benjamin F. Bush.
E. T. Jeffery is chairman of the board of directors. H. U. Mudge is president
of the road.
364 HISTORY OF COLORADO
In January, 1918, the Denver & Rio Grande system went into the hands of
receivers by order of the Federal Court. This was done largely to protect it
from forcible collection under foreclosure for claims arising out of Western
Pacific guarantee. Later in the year the receivership was annulled owing to prior
Federal action taking possession of all the railroads of the country. An adjust-
ment has, however, been reached which will prevent any drastic seizure of the
property under foreclosure proceedings.
CHAPTER XVIII
TRANSPORTATION— OTHER STATE AND TRUNK LINES
THE DENVER & SOUTH PARK THE DENVER & NEW ORLEANS — THE COLORADO &
SOUTHERN — THE BURLINGTON — THE SANTA FE — THE MISSOURI PACIFIC — COLO-
RADO MIDLAND THE MOFFAT ROAD ITS STRUGGLES TO FINANCE ITSELF—
WRECKED GREAT FORTUNE ERB ENTERS AND LEAVES THE FIELD COLORADO MEN
AGAIN IN POSSESSION THE DENVER, LARAMIE & NORTHWESTERN HOW IT WAS
BUILT — ITS JUNKING THE ROCK ISLAND THE DENVER, LAKEWOOD & GOLDEN
— UNION DEPOT — THE COG ROAD — GOLD CAMP ROADS — RAILROAD MILEAGE IN
1917 WHAT IT COST TO BUILD THE EARLY ROADS
THE DENVER & SOUTH PARK RAILROAD
The Denver & South Park Railroad, as it was first known, was designed as a
feeder to the Denver Pacific and Kansas Pacific. It was at first planned to build
the road to South Park by Bear Creek, with prospect of mining business at that
end in competition with the Colorado Central. The great discoveries of California
Gulch were still some years in the future, and the new route was a later develop-
ment.
But in Park County, Fairplay was a thriving mining center. There were good
placer mines and every indication of a fine camp. So that at least in this section
there would be passenger and freight traffic for the new line.
Aside from this there was timber skirting the South Platte on both sides,
there were stone quarries at Morrison, there were rich gypsum beds farther up
the line. The railroad, it was believed, would bring an army of men into the
whole region, and development was bound to follow. In July, 1873, when the
project was in full swing Arapahoe County voted $300,000 in bonds. It was
found difficult to float them. Prior to this, however, the surveys had been made,
and the name of the road had been changed to the Denver, South Park & Pacific
Railroad. Its corporators were those of the Denver & South Park road of
the previous year: John Evans, Walter S. Cheesman, Joseph E. Bates, F. A.
Clark, Henry Crow, Bela M. Hughes, C. B. Kountze, F. Z. Salomon and David
H. Moffat. Its capital, which at first was $2,000,000, was increased to $5,000,000,
and its purpose was now to build eventually to the Pacific.
The road was completed by a subsidiary construction company to Morrison,
sixteen miles, on July i, 1874. By this time the effects of the panic of 1873
were beginning to pinch the far west and further construction was out of the
question. This was perhaps a rather fortunate outcome, for the delay brought
about a complete change in the company's plans.
365
366 HISTORY OF COLORADO
It was found that the route up Platte Canon was really feasible, and new
surveys confirmed them in this belief.
The people of Denver resented the delay, and finally in 1876 a subsidiary con-
struction company raised $150,000 and completed the road to Bailey's ranch,
taking a first mortgage bond issue in payment for the work. This company had
as directors, John Evans, W. L. Cheesman, C. B. Kountze, David H. Moffat,
John W. Smith, the leading spirit in this new construction movement, William
Barth, F. J. Ebert, J, S. Brown and George Tritch.
But the Leadville excitement now completely changed the aspect of matters.
The road began to prosper even though built but part of the way to the new
camp. Stages and freighters completed the journey for thousands from the
Denver & South Park terminus. At this time Jay Gould was investing heavily
in Union Pacific, Colorado Central and Kansas Pacific stocks, and soon was
able to control and complete the line to Leadville.
The Denver men continued in apparent control and on February 9, 1880, took
part in the celebration which marked the completion of the line to Leadville.
In 1886 the extensions and main line comprised a mileage of 322.25. From
Poor's Manual of that year the following is taken : "Gunnison extension, North-
rop to Gunnison, 65.50 miles; Gunnison to Mount Carbon, 17.25; Como to Key-
stone, 35.10; Dickey to Leadville, 34.40; Garo to London Junction, 15.40;
Bear Creek Junction to mines, 9.70; Como to mines, 4.10; Schwanders to Buena
Vista, 3.80."
In this year its capital stock was increased to $6,235,400 to meet construc-
tion expense.
The Leadville excitement had died out and the road soon became a losing
proposition. It was finally in 1889 sold under foreclosure and bought in by the
Union Pacific interests, who reorganized it under the name of the Denver, Lead-
ville & Gunnison Railway Company. It continued a heavy loser, finally going
under in the panic of 1893. In that year, after a receivership, it became a part
of the Colorado & Southern system.
THE DENVER & NEW ORLEANS RAILWAY COMPANY
The restless spirit of Denver's early railroad builders was forever in evidence.
To them the metropolis saved from ruin by timely and determined action, was
now something to build up into the ranks of the greatest cities in America. Their
faith in Denver and Colorado was little short of inspiration.
Denver in 1881 had its connection with the east and west and through the
Denver & Rio Grande and Santa Fe toward the Mexican border. But it needed
a railroad to the metropolis of the gulf, New Orleans, whence its products could
more speedily reach the growing Central and South American markets, the gulf
cities of the United States, the Atlantic coastwise trade and European trade as
well. So in January, 1881, these men incorporated the Denver & New Orleans
Railway Company: John Evans, -David H. Moffat, Cyrus W. Fisher, George
Tritch, J. F. Brown, Isaac Brinker, William Barth, John R. Hanna, John A.
Cooper, T. G. Lyster, K. Sidney Brown, George W. Kassler and C. B. Kountze.
Many routes were suggested, but finally the air line to Pueblo was decided on
as the first branch of the system, and by December, 1882, this was in operation.
368 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Branches to Colorado Springs and to Franceville gave the new road 138 miles of
track during its second year of operation. The competition with the Denver &
Rio Grande was keen and finally forced the road into a receivership before the
old incorporators could carry out their plan of building south of Pueblo. In
May, 1885, the new company under the title, the Denver, Texas & Gulf Railroad
took possession, but this was practically a purchase by the old incorporators. In
1890 if was made part of the Union Pacific, Denver & Gulf systems, and later
was merged into what is known as the Colorado & Southern, a constituent part
of the Burlington system.
In April, 1887, the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth was incorporated by the men
interested in the Denver, Texas & Gulf and Union Pacific. It secured operating
rights over the Denver & Rio Grande to Trinidad, this line having been equipped
with the third rail.
In April, 1888, the road had built from Trinidad to Texline, and with its
branches and small subsidiary lines to coal fields its mileage was approximately
one hundred and seventy-six.
The Fort Worth & Denver City Railway Company incorporated in 1873, was
practically taken over by the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth, and in January,
1888, had been completed from Fort Worth to Texline, 455 miles, thus making
a through route from Denver to Fort Worth, and of course to gulf tidewater.
In 1890, although operated independently, it, together with the entire "Denver
Gulf system," became known as the Union Pacific, Denver & Gulf Railroad. The
cut-off built in 1882 from Julesburg to La Salle, 151 miles, partly Colorado Cen-
tral and partly Union Pacific construction, also became a constituent portion of
the Union Pacific, Denver & Gulf.
Into this combination also went the Cheyenne & Northern, built in 1887 by
Union Pacific interests from Cheyenne to Wendover; the Denver, Marshall &
Boulder built first to Erie, and then by the assistance of Boulder citizens to
Boulder; all the old Colorado Central holdings, and the subsidiary companies
under which some small sections were still operating. The reorganized "South
Park" line, the Denver, Leadville & Gunnison, though operated under its own
name, was also part of the combination. The Denver, Marshall & Boulder had
originally been the Denver, Western & Pacific and was completed to Boulder in
1886, and to Lafayette in 1888.
With a capital of $36,000,000 and a directorate of Union Pacific men, it now
began operations, working into the disastrous period of 1893. It, however, did
some construction, building from Wendover to Orin Junction the line which is
now part of the Burlington's north and south transcontinental road. It also
built a few spurs into coal and other properties in the south. The old Loveland
road from Golden to Longmont, that between Ralston and Louisville Junction,
and that between Fort Collins and Colorado Junction close to Cheyenne, were all
abandoned.
After the Union Pacific crash in 1893 a"d repeated changes in receiverships,
the court finally placed the entire mileage of the Union Pacific, Denver & Gulf
under the management of Frank Trumbull, one of the ablest of Colorado's rail-
road men. This receivership included 810.63 miles of standard gauge, 79.66 miles
of narrow gauge, 105.92 miles of leased lines, and 469.03 miles of allied (Texas)
lines, a total mileage of 1,465.24. In 1895 Mr. Trumbull added the branch from
HISTORY OF COLORADO 369
Walsenburg to Acme and that from Forbes to Rolling Mills; later that from
Fairplay to Leavick.
In 1894 Mr. Trumbull was also made receiver of the old "South Park" line.
In December, 1898, the holders of the debentures bought in the entire system,
and on December 2Oth of that year incorporated the Colorado & Southern Rail-
way Company, with a capital of $48,000,000. Grenville M. Dodge, of New
York, was chosen chairman of the board, and Frank Trumbull, of Denver,
president. This position he retained until the entire system was purchased by
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy in 1914 and made a constituent part of that
system.
On January n, 1899, the new owners took charge, controlling also the Fort
Worth & Denver City Railway Company, which continued its through line. The
'La Salle-Julesburg "cut-off" had been purchased by the Union Pacific and be-
came part of that system in its reorganization. In 1900 the Colorado & Southern
acquired a joint interest with the Denver & Rio Grande in the Colorado Midland.
In that year it also took over the "Ward" line, which had been built by private
capital between Boulder and the mines at Ward and opened in June, 1898. This
was in fact the old Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific project, which had actually con-
structed the line as far as Sunset. Other portions too were built but abandoned.
Another important branch which became a part of the Colorado & Southern
system was the famous "loop" at Georgetown, built originally by a Union Pa-
cific subsidiary to cross the range.
The Colorado Railroad, owned by the Colorado & Southern, was chartered
July 6, 1906. In 1907 it absorbed the Fort Collins Development Railway. Its
total mileage is 120.35.
The Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Railway was incorporated
April 13, 1897, as tne Cripple Creek District Railway. In November, 1899, the
first-mentioned name was adopted. The electric line from Cripple Creek to Vic-
tor via Midway was opened June i, 1898; line via Anaconda, September 9, 1900;
other lines in 1901. The Colorado & Southern owned practically all of its out-
standing capital stock. On November I, 1911, the road and equipment were
leased to the Florence & Cripple Creek District Railway Company.
The Gilpin Railroad, from Blackhawk to various mines has a mileage of
16.50. It was chartered July 24, 1906, to purchase the Gilpin Tramway Com-
pany. This was later controlled by the Colorado & Southern.
On December 21, 1908, the directors of the Burlington ratified the purchase
from the late Edwin Hawley and associates of a controlling interest in the com-
mon stock of the Colorado Southern and the entire system was in a few years
operated in conjunction with the Burlington. The company has in the past few
years built new lines from Wellington to Cheyenne and from Southern Junction
to Walsenburg Junction, the latter a double track owned and operated jointly
with the Denver & Rio Grande. The main line between Wendover and Orin
Junction, Wyoming, has been leased to the Burlington and is part of its Billings-
Denver line. Its mileage June 30, 1916, was 1,841.72. This includes
Colorado & Southern 781.52
Colorado Railroad 120.35
Trackage rights 134.20
Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Railway 74-25
370 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Denver & Interurban 20.36
Fort Worth & Denver City Railway 454-14
Wichita Valley Railroad 52.20
Wichita Valley Railroad 60.70
Wichita Falls & Oklahoma 22.80
Stamford & Northwestern 82.50
Abilene & Northern 38.70
1,841.72
THE BURLINGTON ROAD THE COLORADO & SOUTHERN ROAD
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, now one of the most important systems
in Colorado, had its lines directed toward Denver early in its great construction
period. In 1869 "The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in Nebraska" was
chartered and completed to Kearney Junction. Under the Federal incorporation
it had a land grant which eventually sold for more than it cost to build the road.
In March, 1881, the Burlington was at Colorado's northeastern gate, and on May
29, 1882, under the corporate name "The Burlington & Colorado Railroad Com-
pany" was in Denver.
As far back as 1892 the Burlington began planning its present north and
south line, the first step in which, as it believed at the time, was the purchase of
a little road known as the Denver, Utah & Pacific. This had been incorporated in
December, 1880, and at first leased the road between Utah Junction and Burns
Junction from the Denver, Western & Pacific, then built to Longmont and in
September, 1885, operated the road to Lyons.
In 1900 the Burlington had completed its connection via Brush and Alliance
with its Black Hills system, thus placing a splendid new territory into the trade
area of Denver. In the following year it built into the coal and iron fields around
Guernsey, Wyoming.
During the year ended June 30, 1915, the line extending southerly from Laurel,
Montana, was completed to Orin Junction and the connection between Guernsey
and Wendover was ready for operation early in 1916. This completed the line
from Billings, Montana, to Northport, Nebraska. It also gave the Burlington a
complete north and south line from Billings to Denver.
THE SANTA FE
The Atchison & Topeka Railroad Company had no astounding ambition when
it was incorporated in 1859 to build a line from Atchison to Topeka. In 1863 with
almost three million acres in a land grant it started, under the name Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, to build as far as possible along the Santa
Fe Trail to the old New Mexican terminal. In 1869 actual construction was be-
gun but progress was slow. In 1872 the road had reached Emporia and the stretch
of 340 miles to the Colorado boundary was undertaken without much enthusiasm
on the part of the directors. In Pueblo the capitalists had been looking forward to
this move and were now ready to cooperate. The Colorado & New Mexico Rail-
way, the Pueblo & Salt Lake, the Pueblo & Arkansas Valley, all "paper" roads,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 371
were now consolidated into the Pueblo & Salt Lake Railroad, with M. A. Shaff en-
burg, W. B. Orman, George M. Chilcott, M. D. Thatcher, O. H. P. Baxter, J. N.
Carlisle, P. K. Dotson, and J. Raynolds as incorporators. Pueblo County in
March, 1874, voted $350,000 as a subscription to the company's stock. Bent County
voted $150,000. Later the Santa Fe took over the company, Joseph Nickerson,
president of the Santa Fe, taking the same position in the Pueblo road, M. D.
Thatcher remaining as secretary and assistant treasurer. Not until 1876 was the
road in Pueblo, but in the meantime it had built its main line to Trinidad and the
steps in its transcontinental program have already been detailed. In 1882 under
its traffic arrangement with the Denver & Rio Grande it ran its trains through to
Denver. In October, 1887, it came in on its own lines, using the route around
West Denver. Its construction in Colorado since the early construction periods
has been confined to spurs in the Arkansas Valley and in the coal sections.
When Governor Osborn rode over the Colorado-Kansas state line on New
Year's day, 1873, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe was informed that it was en-
titled to its entire land grant of about three million acres.
The building of the road over the Raton Mountains in New Mexico was an
engineering feat. This was first of all a climb up Raton Canon, the surmounting
of the natural obstacles of Raton Pass, nearly eight thousand feet above sea level,
and the descent through Willow Canon to the New Mexican plains. From Trini-
dad to the summit of the pass is a distance of fifteen miles, with a grade in that
period at some places of 185 feet to the mile. Much of the way was cut through
solid rock. The road was often protected by rip-rap work and iron bridges were
thrown across the canyon. When the builders got to the 'foot of the crest it was
a case of constructing a tunnel or building a switch-back. The latter was decided
on as a temporary makeshift — and a very expensive one. The enormous grade
of 316.8 feet per mile was reached on the switch-back.
By 1 88 1, however, trains were operating through a tunnel.
The Pueblo & Arkansas Valley Railroad Company was incorporated as a Santa
Fe subsidiary August 31, 1878, a consolidation of the Pueblo & Arkansas Valley
Railroad Company, chartered January i, 1875, and the Canon City & San Juan
Railroad incorporated February 19, 1877. This line was placed in operation from
the Kansas State line to Pueblo on March i, 1876. Its length was 148.72 miles.
The road from Pueblo to Rockvale, 37.01 miles, began operation January i, 1881.
THE MISSOURI PACIFIC
The Missouri Pacific built into Colorado in 1887, reaching Pueblo in that year,
giving Colorado a second direct connection with Kansas City and St. Louis. As
its interests for years have been closely identified with those of the Denver & Rio
Grande, the traffic agreements give the Missouri Pacific what may be termed a
through line to Denver.
THE COLORADO MIDLAND
The Colorado Midland was, to begin with, a Santa Fe subsidiary. It was in-
corporated in 1883, work was begun in 1885 on a standard gauge railroad to the
372 HISTORY OF COLORADO
west from Colorado Springs via Leadville, and completed to New Castle in 1889.
From that point to a connection with the Rio Grande Western it built jointly with
the Denver & Rio Grande, later selling out its interest in this branch to the latter
road. It also built from Aspen to Aspen Junction, and in 1882 through a subsidiary
company completed the Midland Terminal Railway to Cripple Creek, giving the
gold camp a short line to Denver. Until 1894 it was operated by the Santa Fe.
It then went into the hands of a receiver, and in the spring of 1900 was taken
over jointly by the Denver & Rio Grande and the Colorado & Southern, Frank
Trumbull acting as president, and Col. D. C. Dodge as vice president.
On December 13, 1912, George W. Vallery, then president of the company,
was appointed receiver on the application of the bondholders' committee.
The Colorado Midland Railroad Company was incorporated May 31, 1917,
buying in at public auction at Colorado Springs, Colorado, on April 21, 1917, the
entire property of the Colorado Midland Railway Company. The price paid
was $1,425,000. A committee representing the first mortgage bondholders of the
Railway Company on March 17, 1917, suggested a plan of reorganization, which
failed of approval. The new owners are now projecting an eight mile road to
connect the Uintah Railroad at Mack, Colorado, with the Grand River Valley
Railroad at Fruita. This will mean access to the rich gilsonite deposits near
Dragon.
The officers of the road, January i, 1918, are: Chairman of the board, Spen-
cer Penrose ; president, A. E. Carlton ; vice president, C. M. MacNeill ; secretary,
L. G. Carlton ; treasurer, H. L. Hobbs. The following are directors, in addition
to the officers : E. D. Shove, Irving Howbert, C. C. Hamlin, C. L. Tutt, A. V.
Hunter, W. R. Freeman, C. C. Parks, Charles Boettcher, A. G. Miner, Gerald
Hughes.
This directorate shows it to be in control of Colorado men, 'who at the public
auction in April combined to save it from being sold to junk dealers.
THE MOFFAT ROAD
The vain efforts, in 1865 and 1866, to induce the Union Pacific to construct
its main line through Denver, and over a shorter but more rugged route, via
Berthoud Pass to Salt Lake, found a far echo in the determination of David H.
Moffat to build in 1902 what was known at the outset as the Denver, Northwestern
& Pacific. In the records of the secretary of state there were many incorpora-
tions which had similar objects, but most of these lapsed and a few only were
utilized in other branch construction.
And since the early fighting days of Governor John Evans and his associates,
among whom was David H. Moffat, there had been many surveys and much ex-
ploitation, and the wealth of Grand and Routt counties and what is now Moffat
County, made a railroad incursion to this field full of promise.
The Denver & Northwestern, a Denver Tramway connection to a point be-
yond the Leyden coal fields, furnished an entrance to Denver for the projected
road.
The articles of incorporation filed July 18, 1902, named Denver, Salt Lake
City and San Francisco as points on the route of this new transcontinental car-
rier. The capital stock was placed at $20,000,000, $10,000,000 preferred and
HISTORY OF COLORADO 373
$10,000,000 common; the board of directors for the first year were: David H.
Moffat, Walter S. Cheesman, William G. Evans, Charles J. Hughes, Jr., George
E. Ross-Lewin, Samuel M. Perry and Frank B. Gibson.
This directorate made it evident that it was purely a Denver enterprise. Two
of its incorporators, David H. Moffat and Walter S. Cheesman, had been con-
nected with the Denver Pacific, the first road to enter Denver, William G. Evans,
the son of Governor John Evans, and Charles J. Hughes, Jr., of the family of
Bela M. Hughes, represented two of the principal incorporators of the earliest
rail connection.
The first actual construction was in charge of the Denver & Northwestern,
of which Samuel M. Perry was president, and was for the first eighteen miles
west from the terminus of that road. This was let on July 23, 1902, to A. A.
Utley, of Rock Springs, Wyoming.
As in the building of the other roads, however, the "Moffatt" road construc-
tion work was to be in the hands of the Colorado-Utah Construction Company,
which was now incorporated with a capital stock of $2,000,000 and with Sylves-
ter G. Smith as president and general manager, and A. C. Ridgway, F. G. Moffat,
William G. Thomas and Charles K. Durbin as directors.
It now became evident that Denver capital must be depended on at least to
begin the work of building this road.
On June 24, 1902, when Mr. Moffat had returned from his first financing trip
to the east, his determination to build the road was fixed; this despite the fact
that he had met with but little encouragement from moneyed men in the eastern
centers. It was the first of a long series of disappointments, but he did not then
realize the extent of the "trunk line" opposition to his dream of a short-cut trans-
continental line. His announcement to the public of Colorado was in part as
follows: "I am convinced that the building of this railway is a matter of great
importance to Colorado and that it will do much to further the growth of Den-
ver, where my chief interests are. I am also satisfied that the enterprise is one
of great merit and will be profitable in itself. For these reasons I am devoting
much time and money to it. Satisfactory progress has already been made in this
undertaking. Important financial assistance, both at home and in the east, is
already assured. Surveying parties are in the field. Contracts for grading
upon the eastern slope of the range, west of Denver, are to be let at once, and,
speaking for myself and my Denver associates, whether the work goes on rapidly
or slowly we propose to keep at it until the railroad is built."
On July 30, 1902, officers were elected as follows : President, David H. Mof-
fat ; vice president, William G. Evans ; secretary, Frank Gibson ; treasurer, George
E. Ross-Lewin; general counsel, Charles J. Hughes, Jr. The contract for 500
miles of construction was approved and tr?e debenture plan was as follows : Mort-
gage for $22,500,000 to be placed, covered by 4 per cent fifty-year gold bonds.
The issue was to be at the rate of $40,000 a mile, and $2,500,000 was to be held
in the treasury for emergencies of construction.
Construction was to begin at Rollinsville, the proposed terminus of the Den-
ver & Northwestern.
The reports of that date state "and the very first crack will be at the 11,000
foot tunnel through the main range."
374 HISTORY OF COLORADO
And that "first crack" was soon side-tracked, for the sale of the bonds was
not easily negotiated.
H. A. Sumner, formerly state engineer, and who had built the Florence &
Cripple Creek road, was made engineer, and started on his task with enthusiasm.
On Tuesday, October 2ist, the bond issue was placed upon the market, and
while subscribed for liberally in Denver, failed to meet the expectations of the
promoters of the project.
But Mr. Moffatt was determined to build, and the work, though interrupted
for periods, went on with funds furnished by himself and associates.
It soon developed into a struggle with the men who controlled the eastern
money markets, and in this fight Mr. Moffat, brave and determined as he was,
lost out.
In February, 1903, the incorporation papers and route were filed with the
Secretary of the Interior, thus giving the Moffat road the right of way through
Gore Canon. In the struggle which ensued with the New Century Power &
Light Company over possession of the canyon, the Moffat road finally won out.
The first section of the road, Denver to Sulphur Springs, was completed in
1905, and by November i, 1908, the road reached Steamboat Springs. Its mile-
age now was 214. The extension from Steamboat Springs to Craig, 40.51 miles,
was completed November 22, 1913; the belt line to the Denver stock yards, 4.87
miles, was opened September i, 1913.
David H. Moffat died at Hotel Belmont, New York, on March 18, 1911, his
entire fortune of many millions consumed in this enterprise. In the Denver Re-
publican of March 19, 1911, the following appeared, giving the reasons for the
long struggle:
"Mr. Moffat pledged his personal means in the completion of the new line,
and the magic of his past success brought him the generous support of local
capital. But this was not enough. Such a line of railroad as was surveyed, nego-
tiating heavy grades and numerous curves, almost involving a complete change in
the topography of many stretches along the survey, meant money and plenty of
it. * * * It was during the early days in the building of the line that a new
power was rising in Wall Street, destined to dominate the railroad situation of
the entire nation. Edward H. Harriman had been silently welding together the
disorganized constituents of a network of railroads for the purpose of gaining
the transcontinental mastery of America. Harriman speedily came into his own.
The Union Pacific system he immediately marked out for vast improvements.
On that line, long since constructed and controlling the greater portion of trans-
continental traffic, he purposed to spend on modernization alone twice the cost of
completing the Moffat road from Denver to Salt Lake. * * * Harriman
would not have been Harriman had he permitted a rival line, financed mainly by
local capitalists, to pluck his plums. At the south was the Denver & Rio Grande,
controlled by the Gould interests. It was enough for those interests to com-
pete with the astute Harriman, let alone an air line which would slash into their
hours of travel and length of mileage. But Mr. Moffat went ahead. He built
the line into Sulphur Springs. More money was needed to build down the Gore
Canon. He built into Yampa. * * * When more money was needed to build
into Steamboat Springs he again asked for support and was refused. *
Can there be any wonder that the Moffat tunnel has not been built?"
HISTORY OF COLORADO 375
The success of the Denver & Salt Lake road, it was clear now, depended
upon the building of the tunnel through the range. At an election held May 20,
1913, a charter amendment was adopted by an enormous majority of the voters
of Denver, creating a tunnel commission which was to supervise the issuance of
bonds for the construction of the "Moffat" tunnel. On February 17, 1914, the
city authorized the issue of $3,000,000 in bends, its share of the proposed tunnel
expense, for the new owners of the road had agreed upon a plan of joint con-
struction.
This the Supreme Court of the state declared unconstitutional on the ground
that the contract between the railway company and the city construed as a part-
nership is in violation of the state constitution, and that the provision to use the
tunnel to bring water from the Western Slope "is merely a subterfuge."
•The efforts to pass an amendment to the state constitution to permit of this
tunnel construction also failed.
In June, 1911, the "Moffat" road was taken over by the Denver Railway
Securities Company, under a reorganization accepted by~the bondholders. On
May i, 1912, the road went into the hands of Col. D. C. Dodge and S. M. Perry,
as receivers. This was in an action begun when the Railway Securities Company
failed to meet interest and principal payments on short term notes of the com-
pany aggregating $3,000,000. These had been secured by $8,000,000 in Denver,
Northwestern & Pacific bonds, $4,000,000 in notes of the Colorado Construction
Company and $8,200,000 par value stock of the parent company.
On January 24, 1913, Newman Erb, an eastern railroad man, became inter-
ested in the properties, together with Dr. F. S. Pearson, English financier and
railroad builder, who with Percival Farquhar, another English promoter, had
just completed the financing of Central and South American railroads. It was
now incorporated as the Denver & Salt Lake Railroad Company, and its directors
in 1915 were: Lawrence C. Phipps, Charles S. Boettcher, of Denver; Ward E.
Pierson, Harry I. Miller, Newman Erb, all of New York; W. M. Madden, of
F. H. Prince & Co., of Boston.
On December 5, 1915, the local owners of stock secured control with Charles
Boettcher as president. In the winter of 1916 and of 1917 the road was forced
to shut down operations of trains by unusual weather conditions. Lack of cars,
heavy operating expenses, discrimination in the matter of rates, made deficits
certain. For the year ending June 30, 1917, the deficit from operations alone
was $186,436.
On August 1 7th the court appointed Charles Boettcher, its president, and
W. R. Freeman, co-receivers. These are now in charge of the system.
The deficits have been large. In 1909-10 its passenger earnings, largely
tourist, were $336,204, its freight earnings, $592,896; its net earnings $209,494.
Taxes and interest were $637,097, leaving a deficit for the year of $406,583. In
1910-11 the deficit was $287,826. In 1911-12 it was $234,443. Then with the
reorganization and the reduction in interest the road had a surplus of $58,229
for the year 1912-13. In the following fiscal year the deficit was again $147,565.
In 1915-16, with gross earnings $1,893,747, and interest charges of $565,514, its
deficit was reduced to $83,912. In 1916-17, with passenger earnings $330,406,
a normal figure for the entire period, freight earnings $1,585,676; interest charges
$674,001, its deficit was $526,871.
376 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The Northwestern Terminal Railway, incorporated July 30, 1904, is a sub-
sidiary company owning the terminals of the road in Denver. The property
is leased to the Denver & Salt Lake for fifty years from January i, 1914.
THE DENVER, LARAMIE & NORTHWESTERN
The 'Denver, Laramie & Northwestern Railway Company was incorporated
in Wyoming February 19, 1906, with a capital of $5,000,000, and the following
directors : Edward A. Buck, William R. West, Robert H. Dwyer, Joseph T. West,
all of Laramie; J. O. Curry, of Boston; Jesse W. Avery, of Aurora, Illinois;
and Charles S. Johnson, of New York.
The project was an ambitious one for the railroad was to go through the
rich northern counties of Colorado, through to Laramie and on to Seattle. Under
the management of Charles S. Johnson it began a stock -selling campaign, largely
in Kansas and Oklahoma, which netted it sufficient in a couple of years to begin
construction. A subsidiary "Land and Iron Company," looked after town sites,
the purchasing of producing properties in the coal and iron regions of Wyoming,
and the leasing of terminals. The company had gone so far as to dicker for
dock properties in Seattle. It actually built the tunnel through Fish Creek Canon
near Virginia Dale, Wyoming, while the road was still a hundred miles south.
Sixteen hundred stockholders residing in the middle west subscribed more than
$3,400,000 for the securities of the main and subsidiary companies.
On February 8, 1910, the name was changed to the Denver, Laramie &
Northwestern Railroad Company, and its capital was increased to $30,000,000.
By the end of 1910 it had made Denver terminal arrangements with the Moffat
road, was operating 56.16 miles of road to Greeley and was grading the first
twelve miles beyond.
Many prominent Denver and northern Colorado men became interested in
the road, and on April i, 1911, its directors were: C. S. Johnson, W. E. Green,
John D. Milliken, W. E. Skinner, Z. C. Felt, C. M. Day, A. J. Spengel, W. L.
Clayton, S. J. Kent, N. H. Heft, H. B. Holcomb, Allyn Cole and O. D. Berroth.
The heavy promotion expense, inability to sell bonds, differences among the
stockholders, dissensions among directors, finally necessitated a receivership.
The deficit for the year 1909-10 was $25,643; for 1910-11 it was $122,229.
On June 12, 1912, Marshall B. Smith, bailiff in the court of District Judge
H. C. Riddle, was made receiver together with the Continental Trust Company.
All efforts to oust the receivers failed, and the road remained in the jurisdic-
tion of the district court until May 16, 1917, when it was sold as junk for ap-
proximately $300,000. In June the purchasers of the road, together with Mar-
shall B. Smith and Clinton Smith, incorporated the Denver & Northern Railroad
Company for the purpose of disposing of the property which had been bought in
May.
On August 29, 1917, the State Utilities Commission sanctioned the sale of
a portion of the road to the Great Western Sugar Company. This was the sec-
tion extending from the Union Pacific crossing east of Brighton to Elm in Weld
County. The remainder of the road, the tracks from Utah Junction to Brighton,
fifty miles, and from Elm to Greeley, about fifteen miles, were then junked by
HISTORY OF COLORADO 377
the purchasers. The Great Western Sugar Company at once began the operation
of the purchased section.
THE ROCK ISLAND
The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific completed its line to Colorado Springs
in 1890, coming into Denver from Limon on the Union Pacific tracks. It still
operates to Pueblo under a traffic agreement with the Denver & Rio Grande.
The Colorado Eastern, incorporated in 1886 as the Denver Railroad & Land
Company, later as the Colorado & Eastern Railway Company, was, to begin
with, a narrow-gauge road running from the site of the former Grant smelter
to the Scranton coal field, a distance of seventeen miles. In 1894 it was sold
under foreclosure, and named Colorado Eastern. It has since been abandoned.
Its first president was E. H. Hallack.
The Denver, Lakewood & Golden Railway Company incorporated July II,
1892. Its original incorporators were: J. W. Starkweather, R. Ryan, H. J.
Hersey, of Denver ; W. B. Willard and J. P. Hayner of Hartford, Connecticut. It
was completed early in 1892. It runs from Denver via Lakewood to Golden,
with a branch to Barnum. On July 31, 1896, it went into a receiver's hands.
The president of the corporation at the time was Samuel Newhouse.
The Denver & Intermountain Railway Company was incorporated May 20,
1904, as successors by foreclosure of the Denver, Lakewood & Golden road.
On April 21, 1909, the name was changed to the Intermountain Railway Com-
pany, being a subsidiary of the Denver City Tramway Company.
The "Cog" road from Manitou to the top of Pike's Peak is one of several
roads that now take the tourist to the towering heights of the Rockies. Maj.
John Hulbert, of Manitou, conceived the idea in 1889, and in 1890 the com-
pany was organized with Roswell P. Flower, of New York, R. R. Cable,
president of the Rock Island, David Dows, H. H. Porter, David H. Moffat,
Maj. Jerome B. Wheeler and Maj. John Hulbert as its backers. In August,
1891, trains were run to the half-way house. The following year the old
Government signal station at the top was the terminus. It was first built on
what was known as the Swiss "Abt" system, but has been greatly improved
and strengthened in recent years.
It is known as the Manitou & Pike's Peak Railway, and is operated from May
to November of each year solely for tourist business. In 1913 it paid a dividend
of 40 per cent. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1916, it paid a dividend of
10 per cent. In that year it carried 69,159 passengers to the top of Pike's
Peak. Its officers are: C. W. Sells, president and manager; H. J. Holt, vice
president; Z. G. Simmons, treasurer; A. H. Lance, secretary. Its ownership
has practically remained unchanged.
The Laramie, Hahns Peak & Pacific Railway was incorporated in Wyoming
February 27, 1901, and the road was built from Laramie, Wyoming, to Coal-
mont, Colorado, a distance of 111.35 miles. Its promoters were Otto Gramm,
Jesse Converse, H. R. Woods, of Laramie; L. W. Thompson, of Woburn,
Massachusetts; Wallace Hackett, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; C. E. Davis,
of Meredith, New Hampshire, and A. S. Howe of Boston. Failure to reach its
terminal early in 1911 put the road into the receivers' hands on June 9, 1912,
378 HISTORY OF COLORADO
although in November, 1911, the line had reached Coalmont. On June 2, 1914,
the Colorado, Wyoming & Eastern Railway Company was incorporated in Colo-
rado, and purchased the road at Master's sale. Its first directors under the
purchase were: Trowbridge Calloway, Lewis B. Franklin, Carl M. Owen,
Henry Sanderson of New York, C. Hutchins of Boston, W. E. Green of
La ramie.
During 1915 the Denver Union Depot & Railway Company was completely
reorganized. The old owners were the Union Pacific, Denver & Rio Grande
and Colorado & Southern. The Denver Union Terminal Company took over the
properties and the stock was divided evenly between the old owning companies,
the Burlington, the Santa Fe and the Rock Island companies. The Union
Pacific profit in the liquidation was $848,681.90. This is approximately what
each of the other owners made.
GOLD CAMP RAILROADS
The Cripple Creek Central Railway Company, organized under the laws of
Maine on September 30, 1904, is the successor of the Denver & Southwestern
Railway, the property of which it bought in under foreclosure October 4, 1904.
It is now a holding company, and owns the securities of the Cripple Creek &
Colorado Springs Railroad Company, the Midland Terminal Railway Company
and the Beaver Park road.
The Midland Terminal Railway was incorporated in Colorado, August 8,
1892, and the road opened from Divide to Midland December u, 1893; from
Midland to Gillett, July 4, 1894; from Gillett to Victor, December 10, 1894;
from Victor to Cripple Creek, December 18, 1895. Its officers in 1895 were:
H. Collbran, president and general manager; W. J. Gillett, of Chicago, vice
president and treasurer; J. H. Waters, superintendent. Its directors in 1906,
when it had gone into control of the Cripple Creek Central Railway Company,
were Henry M. Blackmer, J. H. Waters, K. C. Schuyler, C. M. MacNeill and
C. C. Hamlin, with J. H. Waters as president. On July 21, 1917, the entire
road and equipment were leased to the Cripple Creek & Colorado Springs Rail-
road Company.
The Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad was incorporated for $1,000,000,
April 17, 1893, and opened from Florence to Cripple Creek, 40.02 miles,, in
July, 1894. It was an exceedingly profitable road in its first years. For the
year ending June 30, 1895, its passenger earnings were $82,745, and its freight
earnings, $142,128; its net earnings from operating were $89,916. Its
surplus for that year was $36,990. Much of its equipment in those early
years was furnished by the Denver & Rio Grande. The first directors were
William E. Johnson, James A. McCandless, Eben Smith, George E. Ross-Lewin,
and A. B. Roeder, what was known as a "Moffat" directorate. In 1904 it was
controlled by the Cripple Creek Central Railway Company, and later operated
under lease the Canon City & Cripple Creek Railroad and the Golden Circle Rail-
road. On April 30, 1915, the Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad was dissolved
and the line from Wilbur to Victor was abandoned. The remainder of the road,
together with equipment, was sold to the Gcld'en Circle Railroad, which changed
its name to the Cripple Creek & Colorado Springs Railroad, the latter assuming
VIEW OF DENVER
(Keproduced from a photographic enlargement of a wood engraving published in Prank
Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, New York, December 15, 1860.)
VIEW IN DENVER, MAY 20, 1864, LOOKING SOUTHWEST FROM INTERSECTION
OF LARIMER STREET AND CHERRY CREEK WHEN CHERRY CREEK
AND THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER WERE AT FLOOD STAGE
380 HISTORY OF COLORADO
also the Florence & Cripple Creek lease of the Colorado Springs & Cripple
Creek District Railway.
The Golden Circle Railroad was incorporated April 15, 1896, and was to
begin with a small line running from Cripple Creek to Vista Grande, a distance
of eleven miles. In 1904 it came into control of the Cripple Creek Central
Railway Company. On April 30, 1905, it changed its name to Cripple Creek &
Colorado Springs Railroad, and has taken over the equipment, the Cripple Creek
District terminals and the; lease of the District Railway from the former
Florence & Cripple Creek Company.
Its mileage, owned and leased, is as follows : Cripple Creek to Vista Grande,
10.98, Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek, 46.62.
The Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District Railway was incorporated
April 13, 1897, as the Cripple 'Creek District Railway, changing its name in
November, 1899. It operates lines from Colorado Springs to Colorado City,
Cripple Creek and Victor, a total mileage of 74.25. On November i, 1911, it
was leased by its owners, the Colorado & Southern, to the Florence & Cripple
Creek Railroad, and this was, on April, 30, 1915, transferred to the Cripple
Creek & Colorado Springs Railroad.
The following is a record of railroads operating in Colorado January i, 1918,
together with main track mileage.
Main Track
Miles
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry. Co 5°5-94
Beaver, Penrose & Northern Ry. Co 6.49
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. Co 394-36
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Ry. Co 165.52
Colorado Railroad Company IO7-47
Colorado & Southeastern R. R. Co 7.52
Colorado & Southern Ry. Co 808.37
Colorado & Wyoming Railway Co 36.70
Colorado-Kansas Railway Co 22.20
Colorado Midland Railway Co 261.10
Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek D. Ry. Co 74-25
Cripple Creek & Colorado Springs R. R. Co 12.40
Colorado, Wyoming & Eastern Ry. Co 43-88
Crystal River R. R. Co 32.43
Crystal River & San Juan R. R. Co 7.40
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company I.578-77
Denver & Salt Lake Railroad Company 252-35
Denver, Boulder & Western R. R. Co 45.99
Georgetown & Gray's Peak Railway Co 15.90
Great Western Railway Company .83
Manitou & Pike's Peak Ry. Co 8.70
Midland Terminal Ry. Co 29.40
Missouri Pacific Ry. Co 152.12
Rio Grande Junction Ry. Co. . 62.08
Rio Grande Southern R. R. Co 182.27
San Luis Central R. R. Co.. . 12.21
HISTORY OF COLORADO 381
Main Track
Miles
San Luis Southern Ry. Co 3l-53
Silverton Railway 17.00
Silverton Northern R. R. Co 20.80
Uintah Railway Company 50.80
Union Pacific R. R. Co 591.22
Total 5,538.10
The Argentine & Gray's Peak Railway is owned by the Georgetown & Gray's
Peak Railway Company, which was incorporated in 1913. It is purely a scenic
and tourist line.
The Beaver, Penrose & Northern, is a "fruit" road, organized in 1909, and
provides rail facilities from the orchard portions of Fremont County. Its head-
quarters are at Colorado Springs.
The Colorado-Kansas Railway Company operates out of Pueblo.
The Crystal River Railroad is a "marble" road, owned by the Colorado Fuel
& Iron Company, and the Crystal River & San Juan is owned by the Colorado-
Yule Marble Company.
The Great Western Railway Company is a "sugar-beet" road, controlled by
the Great Western Sugar Company.
The San Luis Central Railroad, incorporated February 18, 1913, runs from
Monte Vista to Sugar Factory and from Sugar Factory to Center. J. B. Cos-
griff, of Denver, and associates owned the road in 1917.
The San Luis Southern Railway was incorporated July 3, 1909. Road put
in operation from Blanca to Jaroso September I, 1910. It was built by the
present owners of the old Spanish Land Grant in the San Luis Valley.
The Silverton Northern was incorporated November 4, 1895, and the road
was completed in June, 1905. In July, 1915, it purchased the Silverton, Glad-
stone & Northerly, running out of Silverton. The Silverton Railway, incorpor-
ated on November 9, 1904, runs to Joker Tunnel, and is a reorganization of the
Silverton Railroad Company, incorporated July 5, 1887, and after a receivership,
which was ordered in 1898, was sold under foreclosure in 1904. A company,
of which Otto Mears is president, controls these roads.
The Uintah Railroad is the line running from Mack, Colorado, to Dragon,
Wyoming, and taps the gilsonite fields in that region. It is controlled by the
Barber Asphalt Paving Company. It waa incorporated in Colorado on November
4, 1903, and completed February i, 1905. Its net earnings have been: 1910-11,
$143,042 ; 1911-12, $79,473 ; 1912-13, $152,225 ; 1913-14, $43»22O ; 1914-15. $37P29 ;
1915-16, $156,190. For 1916, $08,445.
The Colorado & Wyoming Railway, incorporated in Colorado, May 9, 1899,
runs from Guernsey to Sunrise, Wyoming, and in the southern coal fields.
Its total mileage is 42.78. It is a C. F. & I. road. The Colorado & Southeastern
is also a small coal road that operates to properties of the Victor Company.
The only interurban roads in the state are the Denver & Intermountain, Denver
to Golden, which is part of the Denver Tramway system ; the Denver & Inter-
urban, Denver to Boulder, which is a Colorado & Southern company ; the Grand
382 HISTORY OF COLORADO
River Valley Railway, Grand Junction to Fruita; and the Trinidad Electric,
Trinidad to the coal fields. Aside from these the Union Pacific has gasoline
motors operating in northern Colorado.
Up to January i, 1885, there were on file in the office of the secretary, 202
distinct articles incorporating as many different railroad projects. Among these
was the Atlantic & Pacific Railway Tunnel Company, designed to go from
Atlantic City to Pacific City, and capitalized for $7,000,000. There was also
the Denver, Hot Springs & Pacific Railway, incorporated for $30,000,000 on
February 12, 1882, the precursor of the "Moffat" road. The most important was
that consolidating the Denver Pacific Railway & Telegraph Company, the Union
Pacific Railroad Company, and the Kansas Pacific Railway Company, under the
name Union Pacific Railway Company, with a capital stock of $50,962,300.
The cost of railroad construction in the early period was heavy, but with the
peculiar financiering methods of holding and construction companies, was by
no means accurately reported to state officials. In 1885 the state railroad com-
missioner says in his report : "The Colorado Central, Utah & Pacific and Denver
& New Orleans are the only roads that have fully reported the cost of road and
equipment separately. The cost per mile of the Colorado Central, including
road, $10,708,563.14, and equipment, $515,805.73, was $34,318 per mile ; that of the
Denver, Utah & Pacific, road, $1,305,000; equipment, $109,653.88 per mile, $39,-
189.18; the Denver & New Orleans, road, $3,015,136.79, equipment, $269,431.90;
per mile, $23,880.65. This last-named was the road built to Pueblo and was not
of difficult construction.
CHAPTER XIX
THE TELEGRAPH AND THE TELEPHONE
EFFORTS TO ORGANIZE TELEGRAPH COMPANIES IN i860 FAIL CONGRESSIONAL SUB-
SIDY IN l86l EFFECTIVE LINE REACHES JULESBURG — DENVER USES PONY EX-
PRESS TO STATE LINE — FIRST LINE REACHES DENVER— CONSTRUCTING TO SANTA
FE WESTERN UNION ACQUIRES ALL EXISTING LINES IN TERRITORY IN iS/O
ENTRANCE OF POSTAL TELEGRAPH IN FIELD — MILEAGE IN 1918 THE TELE-
PHONE COMPANY ORGANIZES FOR BUSINESS IN COLORADO DETAILED HISTORY
OF ITS GROWTH THE BEGINNING AT LEADVILLE SUBSTITUTING GIRLS FOR MALE
OPERATORS — IMPROVEMENTS — EXTENDING THE SYSTEM ORGANIZING THE
MOUNTAIN STATES TELEPHONE COMPANY
The agitation for telegraphic communication with the east began with the
first rush of gold seekers, for in 1859 and in 1860 it seemed as though the Union
must break asunder under the driving stream of the slave-holding section. And
these thousands who were crossing the plains were eager for news. Fast as was
the pony express, it could not satisfy their hunger for information. In 1860
President Charles M. Stebbins, of the Missouri & Western Telegraph Company,
came to Denver, and obtained the promise of a small realty subsidy, but the ex-
pense of construction proved too heavy, for all supplies, all material, had to be
hauled by teams and this was not only a slow but a money-devouring process.
Congress, however, in 1860, offered a guarantee of $40,000 a year from Fed-
eral business to the builders of a transcontinental telegraph line. Edward Creigh-
ton and associates had previously organized the Pacific Overland Telegraph Com-
pany, and begun building from Omaha westward. The Missouri & Western
lines were secured by the new company and early in 1861 construction on the
long overland route began via Fort Kearney, Julesburg, Fort Laramie, Fort
Bridger, Salt Lake City, where it expected to meet the construction gangs from
the Pacific Coast. Henry M. Porter, one of Colorado's prominent pioneers, built
the division between Omaha and Fort Kearney. Denver was in 1861 getting its
telegrams by pony express from Julesburg, that mode of transmission having
kept pace with the advance of the telegraph lines.
Edward Creighton came to Denver in 1861, and offered to build the line
from Julesburg to Denver for a subsidy equal to the cost of construction. This
was rejected. At this time the telegraph company had opened an office in Den-
ver and placed David H. Moffat in charge. The business soon became so heavy
that the company officials returned in 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, when
the hunger for news was keenest, and secured advance telegraph payments
amounting to $35,000, part of which was contributed by Central City on the
383
384 HISTORY OF COLORADO
promise that the line would be extended to that point. B. F. Woodward, another
of Colorado's noted pioneers, built this line, cutting across country from the
present site of Fort Morgan by way of Living Springs to Denver. This was even
then called the "cut-off road." On October 10, 1863, Mayor Amos Steck, of
Denver, sent the first message to the mayor of Omaha. Mr. Woodward succeeded
David H. Moffat as manager, and in November announced the completion of the
line to Central City. He remained manager until 1866.
The business was by no means profitable in these early years, for the buffalo
herds made scratching posts of the poles, which were generally planted in sandy
soil, and the outlay for repairs wiped out profits, even though rates for ten words
were $9.10 to New York; $9.25 to Boston; $7.50 to St. Louis. The Indians
too were troublesome, and storms on the prairies wrought great havoc. Con-
struction, too, was crude, and it was some years before these long lines were
really profitable.
B. F. Woodward, however, saw other opportunities for telegraph business,
and with William N. Byers, David H. Moffat, H. M. Porter and Fred Z. Salo-
mon and other progressive Denver men organized the United States & Mexico
Telegraph Company, later the Denver & Santa Fe Railway & Telegraph Com-
pany. On March 8, 1868, Denver was in telegraphic communication with Santa
Fe. This was really a part of the north and south railroad planned about this
time by Mr. Moffat, and later merged into the Denver & New Orleans project
of John Evans.
In the autumn of 1868 the same telegraph company built along the located
route of the Denver Pacific to Cheyenne.
In 1870 the Western Union acquired both telegraph lines.
Wire facilities were, however, planned with all railroad lines and followed
the right of way of these projects.
The Western Union controlled the telegraph business in Colorado, extending
its lines into all districts until 1890, when the Postal Telegraph Company reached
Denver.
In the reports to the Tax Commission for 1917 the Western Union mileage
of wire in the state was 21,248.32; that of the Postal Telegraph Company, 5,-
652.08, and that of the Colorado & Wyoming Telegraph Company, a Colorado
Fuel & Iron Company subsidiary, 847.98.
The Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company has a mileage in Colo-
rado of 269,893, — with a valuation of $2,527,250. There are many small telephone
companies throughout the state, most of which are either part of the Mountain
State system or cooperate with it. Of these the Colorado & Eastern Telephone &
Telegraph Company has a mileage of 2,122; the Delta County Cooperative Tele-
phone Company, 1,136; the Eagle Valley Telephone Company, 246.50; the Gar-
field County Telephone Company, 275 ; the La Garita Telephone Company, 230 ;
the Montezuma County Telephone Company, 526.40; the Springfield-Lamar
Telephone Company, 185; the Yampa Valley Telephone Company, 216.
Late in the fall of 1889 the Postal Telegraph-Cable Company started the
construction of a new line of telegraph from Kansas City to Denver, building
westward from Kansas City paralleling the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Rail-
road through Kansas to Colorado, and terminating its line at Denver, in July,
1890. A main office was then opened at 1705 Larimer Street, with branch of-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 385
fices in the Windsor Hotel and at Sixteenth and Larimer streets, in the old office
location of the Western Union Company, from which they had just moved.
The Postal Company, with its direct wires to Kansas City, St. Louis and
Chicago, soon became a factor in the telegraph field in Colorado. The new line
gave competitive telegraph service to such points in the state as Holly, Lamar,
Las Animas, La Junta, Rocky Ford, Fowler, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Palmer
Lake, Castle Rock and Littleton, and it was not long before there were eighteen
competitive branch offices being operated in the City of Denver by the two com-
peting lines.
The next construction was in 1892, when the Postal built a line into Lead-
ville via the Colorado Midland route, and the Postal was the first telegraph com-
pany to give telegraph service in the Cripple Creek district, building its own
independent line into that wonderful gold camp ahead of the railroads.
In 1893-94 the Postal extended a line of telegraph from Denver to El Paso,
Texas, and from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Los Angeles, California, to con-
nect with the Pacific Postal system ; and, in 1904, after seven years of litigation
with the Western Union and Union Pacific (both owned by Gould interests, Har-
riman not yet having secured control of the Union Pacific) the Postal, after set-
tling its litigation, extended its lines from Denver to Omaha and from Denver
to Salt Lake via Union Pacific rights-of-way, and still later a line of telegraph
was further extended from Salt Lake to San Francisco, carrying the largest cop-
per wire ever placed on poles for telegraph purposes.
THE TELEPHONE IN COLORADO
Within three years from the date in 1876 when Bell exhibited his electric tele-
phones a.t the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia the new method of transmit-
ting messages was successfully applied in Colorado.
The Bell controlling patents were issued March 7, 1876, and January 30,
1877, the company was putting out magneto telephones in original form, on rental
and royalty for about two years, which at first were used only on private lines.
In 1877 Berliner invented the Microphone (contact transmitter) and filed ap-
plication for American patents. This was the original and basis of all later bat-
tery transmitters. The Berliner patent was delayed by interference and litiga-
tion, but the claim was finally bought by the Bell company in 1879, although the
patent was not issued until 1891, persistent litigation following the issue.
In the same year Edison invented the Carbon Microphone transmitter, which
gave to the Berliner invention its commercial effectiveness. The Edison British
carbon patent was dated 1877, but the American application for the same was
delayed in the patent office by interference and litigation and was not issued until
1891, fourteen years later, and then held to be technically void by reason of the
prior British patent. Meanwhile Edison sold his American rights to the Western
Union Telegraph Company, giving them a big advantage over the Bell company,
which at that time had no transmitter, and consequently could not furnish any-
thing but purely local service.
In 1878 the Blake Carbon Platinum transmitter was invented, and this en-
abled the Bell company to furnish more than purely local service and saved the
day for them in their competition with the Western Union.
386 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The first telephone exchange was built at New Haven, Connecticut, in 1878,
a crude switch and signal device being used. In the same year work on the
Boston and Chicago exchanges was started. Prior to this telephones had been
rented to merchants and others for private lines between departments or between
offices and yards or factories.
In 1878 the Western Union Telegraph Company went actively into the tele-
phone business, both private and exchange, relying chiefly on its Edison trans-
mitter patent and the chances of litigation against the Bell patents. The Western
Union Telegraph Company also acquired the Gray claims.
On Monday, February 24, 1879, the Denver exchange opened and was prob-
ably the third or fourth one in the world. This was in a way a crucial year for
this infant industry, for the Bell company and the Western Union began com-
peting for territory. This was of brief duration for late in 1879 the Western
Union sold all its rights, claims, patents and properties in telephone instruments
and apparatus to the Bell company, retiring entirely from the telephone end of
the message transmission business.
F: O. Vaille came to Denver on July 20, 1878, with the idea of engaging in
some business enterprise in Colorado if the prospects appeared favorable. He
visited Central City and other points of activity and became enthusiastic over the
resources of the state. While he had some doubts as to the future of the tele-
phone business, he concluded to embark in it, and visited Boston and secured
from the Bell company the license to use its instruments in Colorado. He re-
turned to Denver in October, 1878, formed a partnership with Senator E. O.
Wolcott and Henry R. Wolcott, to carry on the enterprise, and at once announced
to the public that a telephone exchange would be opened if 125 subscribers could
be obtained. The new enterprise was given some publicity by trie newspapers.
In December Mr. Vaille began a canvass of the business men, putting telephones
on exhibition. It was a new invention, there being only three exchanges in the
world, those at New Haven, Boston and Chicago, and these had just started.
The Bell company had been renting telephones for use only on private lines.
There was such a line in Denver equipped with telephones rented of Mr. Vaille.
This was used by the Colorado Coal & Iron Company (now the Colorado Fuel &
Iron' Company).
By February 2, 1879, sixty-three Denver exchange subscribers had been se-
cured, not including those of the City of Denver, and work on the lines started.
On Monday, February 24, 1879, tne Denver exchange, which has now reached
such huge proportions, was modestly opened for business, receiving meager
recognition from the newspapers. While one paper gave considerable notice to
the opening of the exchange, a second paper merely said under an inconspicuous
heading, "The Line Open." "The telephone was in working order yesterday
and the line was well patronized. After the novelty of the thing has worn off
the operators will be able to get some rest. All of yesterday they were burdened
with anxious inquiries from about two hundred subscribers asking questions about
the weather, the telephone and other unimportant subjects."
The central office was located on the south side of Larimer Street, between
Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets, on the second floor of the building owned by
George Tritch and over Frick's shoe store. The company had three rooms, using
HISTORY OF COLORADO 387
the front room for a business office, the one back of it for a battery room, and
the third or rear room for the central office.
In 1880 after consolidation with the Western Union, or rather the Colorado
Eastern Telephone Company, which had followed the Bell with competing ex-
changes, the company moved to the Bardwell Block, on Larimer Street. With-
in three months it was moved to the top floor of the newly-completed Tabor
Block, next door to the Bardwell Building.
In 1890 the company erected a fire-proof building at 1447 Lawrence Street,
remaining there until 1903, when it built the first four stories of its present eight-
story building at 1421 Champa Street. In 1915 the one-story building to the east
of the large structure was erected, and later the greater part of the Wyoming
Building at the southeast corner of Fourteenth and Champa streets was leased.
Many branch exchanges have also been opened.
The first lines were iron, the discovery of the process for hardening copper
to stand a strain not having been invented, and the subscribers were grouped
together on grounded lines.
General Manager Vaille believed that lines should be run upon poles instead
of upon fixtures placed upon roofs, although this latter construction was being
followed in the few exchanges which had been started elsewhere in the United
States.
The switchboard was crude, being modeled after that of telegraph companies.
The subscriber's set consisted of a black walnut back board to which was at-
tached a primitive apparatus consisting of a single stroke bell which tolled off
the number of the subscriber's ring.
The rates established were $5.00 per month for business and $4.00 per month
for residence use.
The line to Georgetown was the first long distance line built in the State of
Colorado, the line to Boulder being built later. The rates made for local ex-
change service at Golden and the towns mentioned, including Boulder, were
$60.00 per annum for business and $48.00 for residence service.
The first telephones used in Leadville connected two plants of the Malta
Smelting Company on May 15, 1879, and worked perfectly, and on June 25,
1879, a lme a m^e l°ng from the Western Union office at the corner of Pine and
Chestnut streets to the Birdwell & Witherell smelter, equipped with telephones,
worked so well that an operator at the smelter heard over the telephone and re-
corded telegraph messages which were being received at the telegraph office. This,
was only three years after vocal sounds were first transmitted by telephone.
An exchange was established in the old Herald Building, corner of Third and
Harrison avenues, adjoining the Western Union telegraph office. It is recorded
that at this time seventy miles of telephone wire were strung on poles, trees,
housetops, and anything that would afford support for them, connecting the
smelters, mines, hotels, business houses, etc.
A. G. Hood, manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, was also
manager for the telephone company. The switchboard, which was considered a
marvel of the inventor's art, was a horizontal table affair with metal strips cross-
ing each other at right angles. Connections were made by inserting "pumpkin
seed" plugs between the strips at the proper points, which was "something to
know." The talking instruments were of the Edison type receiver, transmitter
388 HISTORY OF COLORADO
and gravity battery. The signaling was with push-button and single-stroke bell,
— rather old-fashioned, but up-to-date at the time.
In the spring of 1880 the Leadville Telephone Company was formed, and
H. A. W. Tabor furnished the money to replace the primitive exchange. The
Quincy Block was being built. This was the tallest building in town at the time,
and the new company secured rooms for office purposes in it at a rental of
$2,000 per year. A tower was erected on the top of the new building, from
which wires were run in every direction. Poles fifty-five and sixty feet long were
set along Harrison Avenue and Chestnut Street, and ten-pin cross-arms were
placed on them. It was considered a brave act in those days, before Eastern
climbers had reached this Western country and safety belts and straps were
unknown, to carry up and place a ten-pin arm on one of those tall poles with
only the grip of the leg around the pole for support.
A new Gilliland switchboard, thirteen feet long, standing upright and equipped
for 300 grounded lines, with "barn door" annunciator jacks and ringing and
connecting strips, was placed, and for many years gave excellent service to
patrons.
In 1888 the Colorado Telephone Company bought the Leadville exchange and
soon connected the great mining camp with Denver and its other exchanges by
means of a copper toll line over Mosquito Pass and across the South Park via
Fairplay, Como and Morrison to Denver.
In the early '8os every gambling house and up-to-date "joint" was connected
— theaters, "free and easies," billiard halls, etc., where every class and kind of
patron stood on a level. Whether from sound judgment of these conditions or
from some other phase of undevelopment, it was decreed that the job of operat-
ing or "switching" in the telephone office was peculiarly fitting for young men
and decidedly inappropriate for girls.
An operator who could not answer back in kind was not well qualified for
his job. His ability to compete in language and style with the slang-whangers
of the saloons was considered quite the thing and commanded respect.
It was several years before young ladies were employed as operators.
In 1880 the Pueblo and Colorado Springs exchanges were opened and in
1 88 1 party lines were run from Boulder to Longmont.
In 1882 the company had 593 subscribers in Denver, 46 in Boulder, 41 in
Central City, 33 in Georgetown, 24 in Golden, 108 in Colorado Springs and 138
in Pueblo. The exchanges at Silverton and Gunnison were abandoned after the
boom days in these camps.
The long distance lines, then called toll lines, were exceedingly few in num-
ber, being only about two circuits of one wire each running from Denver through
•Golden, Central City and Blackhawk and thence to Georgetown, and one or
perhaps two lines from Denver to Boulder. Even Colorado Springs and Pueblo
were not connected with Denver at that time. However that connection was
made in the spring of 1884, the line terminating at Pueblo. It was of iron and
grounded. So limited at that time were the possibilities of talking with any
satisfaction more than forty or fifty miles that when the Pueblo line was being
built doubt was expressed as to its working.
After the invention of hard-drawn copper wire in 1883 by Thomas B. Doo-
little, of the Bell company, the business made tremendous advances, for this
HISTORY OF COLORADO 389
wire, with six times the conductivity of iron, made long distance talking a certain
quantity.
In 1884 F. A. Vaille, the founder of the company, retired, and was succeeded
by E. B. Field, Sr., as general manager.
Mr. Field came to the company January i, 1880, as an operator of the first
exchange. He was soon made superintendent, and has now for many years
been active as president of the company.
In 1884 the Bell Telephone Company in Boston organized a department of
Telephone Engineering and Development for the benefit of all the Bell com-
panies.
To this step the most notable improvements have been due, the last being
the achievement of wireless telephoning between New York and Honolulu in
October, 1915.
In New Mexico, probably about 1881, certain people'of that state, which was
then a territory, organized a telephone company and secured the Bell rights for
New Mexico, Don Miguel S. Otero, delegate to Congress, being one of the in-
corporators. The territory was so sparsely developed that they could not main-
tain the organization of a telephone company, and do the small business offered
it, with any profit. The company became bankrupt, and The Colorado Telephone
Company purchased it about November, 1884, at sheriff's sale.
In 1885 Denver had 763 subscribers, Colorado Springs 92, Pueblo 98, Boulder
32, Central City 39, Georgetown 32, Golden 22, Longmont 15, total in Colorado,
1,101.
In this and the succeeding five years there was a revolution in the types of
apparatus involving big financial loss in discarding existing apparatus. Copper
wire cost several times the price of iron, and had to be used for lorig dis-
tance lines. This also increased the cost of constructing such lines in another
way, namely, the spans had to be much shorter because of the tensile strength of
copper being much less. The cost of long distance lines increased fully 300
per cent.
In June of this year street railroad men experimented with the first electric
car system, building a line the full length of Fifteenth Street, Denver. The
system was the invention of Professor Short, of Denver. The cars used an
underground trolley. They were abandoned in June of the following year. The
system while it lasted caused great inductive disturbance in telephone lines.
Denver then resumed its dependence upon cable and horse cars until 1889, when
the Overhead trolley was introduced by one company on Lawrence Street, by an-
other from Broadway and Alameda Avenue south. Then the real troubles be-
gan with induction from the trolley car lines.
In 1889, however, it was found that the induction and resulting noise from
electric light and trolley railroad circuits were somewhat reduced by using a
common return wire.
Mountain construction of the telephone lines was not an easy task. When
in 1888 the company built the celebrated line up the Platte River and over
Mosquito Pass it was found that the first storm wrecked ihe poles which had
been placed 100 feet apart. This is Mr. Howard T. Vaille's description of the
undertaking after they found that fifty-foot spans would not work:
"Next we set two poles in between the poles making the spans only seventeen
390 HISTORY OF COLORADO
feet long. We had started out with No. 12 bare copper wire, then changed it to
No. 10 insulated, thinking the snow Would not stick to it, but it did stick. Then
to No. 6 iron, and when we had the spans only seventeen feet apart we had the
No. 6 iron wire on them. Our people then thought we would have no more
trouble, for why should we, with heavy poles so close together and with iron wire
almost as large as a pencil? But it was no use, the snow would freeze to the
wires several inches thick, and the next winter the wind tore the wire down as
though it had been cotton thread. Our people then concluded the place for the
line was on the ground where the wind could not reach it, so they abandoned
the poles and laid No. 10 insulated copper wire on the ground. That lasted a
little while, but would get broken by burros in the summer and be blown around
or be carried away by snows in the winter. We then put down a No. 10 copper
submarine cable and put it in a trench or put rocks on it wherever we could.
That lasted us nine years, when we placed our present wire, which is No. 14
twisted pair copper covered in trenches or by rock wherever possible."
The building of the Leaclville line was a notable event for other reasons.
It was the first toll line built into sparsely settled territory, and the first across
the main range. At that time there were exchanges at Boulder, Denver, Golden,
Central City, Georgetown, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Canon City, Leadville and
Aspen, about twenty-five hundred subscribers in the state, and the toll line sys-
tem went no farther north than Boulder, south than Pueblo or west than George-
town. The lines then connected only the largest centers of population.
From Leadville the company went on to Aspen, later to Glenwood Springs,
down the Grand River to Grand Junction, thence up the Gunnison to Delta
and Montrose, south to Ouray, branching over to Telluride, from Ouray to
Silverton and Durango, thence west to Mancos and south to Farmington and
Aztec. It built south from Pueblo to Trinidad and down into New Mexico,
bringing that state into Colorado business connection, over into the San Luis
Valley, down the Arkansas to Holly, over to Cripple Creek, Salida and Buena
Vista.
In 1893 there were in Colorado 2,782 telephones, and in Denver 1,731. The
number of telephones in the state increased to 92,561 on September i, 1915, and
the Denver exchange to 41,903 on September 25, 1915.
It was in 1893 that the company experimented with the Beach village system
for small towns. This system did away with a local manager, the forty-eight or
smaller number of subscribers being divided among eight circuits and the sub-
scriber controlling his connection by a certain number of rings. This was un-
satisfactory, and later in that year the toll line was built from Longmont through
Berthoud, Loveland, Fort Collins, Windsor, to Greeley.
In 1901 the company ran its lines up the Gunnison River through Delta to
Montrose, thence south to Ouray, Silverton, Durango and Aztec to Farmington,
New Mexico. From Durango it built a branch westward to Mancos and from
Ouray west to Telluride. At the same time it made arrangements for the pur-
chase of exchanges which were then in operation at Delta, Montrose, Telluride
and Durango.
During the succeeding five years the San Luis Valley lines, and those at
Salida and Buena Vista were purchased and put into good working condition.
By 1912 it had bought the systems at Gunnison, Pitkin, Crested Butte, Lake
HISTORY OF COLORADO 391
City, connecting these with the rest of the system. The Julesburg line was
bought in 1908, the Lincoln Telephone Company, operating in Hugo and Limon,
was purchased in 1910.
During these constructive years it' also bought the Akron line, extending it
to Yuma, and also secured possession at sheriff's sale of the exchanges at Fort
Morgan and Brush.
It also purchased and completely rebuilt the line running from Rifle north
through Meeker, Axial, Craig, Steamboat Springs and Yampa, down to Wol-
cott.
On May 8, 1911, the Bell company completed its line to Denver and gave a
public demonstration with New York City. At that time the line from New
York to Denver was the longest long distance line in the world.
In July, 1911, the name of The Colorado Telephone Company was changed to
"The Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Company," the company acquir-
ing control of the Bell and other telephone exchanges and toll lines of all the
Rocky Mountain region, including all of the states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming,
Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, as well as El Paso and the section
of Texas adjacent thereto, with a total area of 22 per cent of the total area of
the United States.
In 1915 there were in the whole Mountain States system over 220,000 tele-
phones, owned by this company, over 617,000 miles of wire, or enough to en-
circle the globe twenty-five times, and an invested capital of approximately $35,-
000,000. Denver is the headquarters and, to an extent, the supply point of this
large system.
CHAPTER XX
BANKS AND BANKING
EARLY BANKING IN DENVER CLARK> GRUBER & COMPANY — ESTABLISHMENT OF
UNITED STATES MINT IN DENVER OTHER PIONEER BANKING BUSINESS C. A.
COOK & COMPANY THE EXCHANGE BANK P. P. WILCOX & COMPANY —
KOUNTZE BROTHERS' BANK — BANKS NOW DEFUNCT — THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
COLORADO NATIONAL BANK DENVER NATIONAL BANK OTHER BANKS
BANKING FRAUDS IN DENVER — DENVER CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION — FIRST
BANKING IN OTHER COMMUNITIES, COLORADO SPRINGS, PUEBLO, ETC. STATIS-
TICS OF COLORADO BANKS IN 1918.
EARLY BANKING IN DENVER
Banking was first started at the Cherry Creek settlements in the year 1860.
During the two years prior to this time there had been little or no necessity for
banks or brokerage concerns. The pioneers of 1858 came to Colorado with
their supplies for the winter, and their personal belongings, but with no money.
Very little cash changed hands in Auraria and Denver, whatever trading neces-
sary being carried on largely by bartering.
But the gold rush of 1859 brought richer people to the colony and gold and
silver coins made their appearance. The Clear Creek gold discoveries in the
spring of this year brought forth a new medium of exchange — gold dust and nug-
gets. Gold dust of varying quality was weighed out over the merchant's counter
or the saloon bar in trade for supplies of all kinds. It became the common prac-
tice for everyone to carry, in addition to his pouch of gold dust, a small pocket
scale for weighing the gold. It is said that the dealer gave himself the advantage
in a transaction of this kind, but upon the other hand the customer usually had
a fair percentage of foreign metal — brass filings, for instance — mixed with his
dust, so the bargain was even. With the increasing number of gold "strikes" the
amount of gold upon the market reached a point necessitating a definite means
of handling it, requiring persons whose business would be to receive the gold,
ascertain its value by scientific methods, and give in return an equivalent amount
in gold or silver coins. This led to the first banking business, as such, in Den-
ver. These men who transacted this exchange business with the miners were
more in the nature of brokers. They purchased the gold dust at prices ranging
from $12 to $16 per ounce, the higher price being paid for the bright yellow ar-
ticle, the purest of the gold. For three years the "Platte River" gold was the
standard quality. They, in turn, shipped the dust to bankers upon the Missouri
River. Gold dust continued to be the principal medium of exchange until the
392
HISTORY OF COLORADO 393
summer of 1860, when the Clark, Gruber & Company gold coins made an ap-
pearance. In 1862 war time paper money was circulated in the territory, but
not until 1865 did local national bank notes come into use.
The first men in Denver to buy gold dust from the miners were Samuel and
George W. Brown, brothers, who came in June, 1860, and opened an office in
a log building on the north side of Larimer Street between Fourteenth and Fif-
teenth streets. George W. Brown continued in the business for many years
after his brother had left the country and became the first collector of internal
revenue in Denver.
The firm o'f Turner & Hobbs, bankers and brokers, also opened up for
business in June, 1860. William H. Russell, of the freighting firm of Russell,
Majors & Waddell, was the principal owner of this business and George W.
Kassler was the cashier. The place of business was first located in a building
on Eleventh Street, but later was moved to a two-story brick building on the
southwest corner of Tenth and Larimer streets. The firm of Turner & Hobbs
may be considered as the first real banking organization in Denver, but as such
its career was short, having been abandoned in the summer of 1861.
CLARK, GRUBER & COMPANY
The largest financial organization of pioneer days in Colorado was the bank
and mint of Clark, Gruber & Company. This firm was composed of Austin M.
and Milton E. Clark, brothers, and E. H. Gruber, the former two from Ripley,
Ohio, and the latter from Hagerstown, Maryland. They came to Leavenworth,
Kansas, in 1858, and entered the banking business, in the course of which they
became acquainted with the Denver country through the gold coins received
from there. Very soon they conceived the plan of establishing a bank at Denver,
also a mint where the gold dust could be converted into coins identical with the
regular Government issue. In this way, as they estimated, the cost of transpor-
tation across the plains could be eliminated. They were perfectly within the law
in this procedure, as no Government statute existed which would have prevented
them from coining gold pieces.
In the spring of 1860 Austin M. Clark and Gruber came to .Denver to pre-
pare the way, while Milton E. Clark went to Boston, Massachusetts, to secure
the necessary presses and dies. A tract of land was purchased at the northwest
corner of Market and Sixteenth streets, and a small, two-story building erected
thereon. By the middle of the summer all of the equipment had arrived and
the establishment was ready for a start.
The formal opening occurred July 20, 1860. George W. McClure, an assayer
from Iowa, was in charge of the minting department. The coins issued in 1860
were of the $10 and $20 sizes, made of pure gold and devoid of any alloy, which
made them of greater intrinsic value than the corresponding United States coins.
However, in 1861, when the coins of $2.50, $5, $10 and $20 were minted, alloy
was used, but yet contained i per cent more gold than the Government coin, as
a guarantee of full value. Fully $3,000,000 in gold coins were minted by this
company in the two years after the opening of the bank. The organization won
a high reputation in the Far West and never was there a suggestion of dishonesty
or unfair dealing connected with the institution.
394 HISTORY OF COLORADO
In 1860, late in the year, a branch bank was established at Central City, the
operation of which was identical with that at Denver. Demand notes were issued
shortly afterward, for $5, made payable in local coinage at the Denver bank.
These notes were at a premium in 1862, which exceeded the value of the regu-
lar United States notes.
However, some doubts soon arose as to the legality of the minting business
carried on in Denver and Central City. This open discussion of the status of
the business came up after the Territorial Government had been established in
Colorado, in the year 1861. In the summer of this year a movement was started
to have the Government start a branch mint at Denver. The' first territorial
convention of the republican party, held at Golden July 2, 1861, passed a resolu-
tion favoring the establishment of a Government mint in Colorado and, with
characteristic fair play, Clark, Gruber & Company openly joined forces with
this movement, and made every effort to have a Government mint started.
Proceedings at Washington were first started by Hiram P. Bennett, Colo-
rado's first delegate to Congress, and Austin M. Clark. It was ascertained that
the gold coins issued in Colorado were of full value and weight and that no
laws had been violated, whereupon the secretary of the treasury recommended
that a law be passed prohibiting the coinage of gold by private concerns in the
country, that a branch mint of the Government be established in Denver, and
that the property of Clark, Gruber & Company be purchased for use as Govern-
ment property. Bennett prepared a bill incorporating a portion of these recom-
mendations, succeeded in getting it through both the House and Senate, and it
became a law by the President's approval on April 21, 1862.
By a later act, approved March 3, 1863, the Secretary of the Treasury was
authorized to buy the Clark, Gruber & Company property, for which purpose
the sum of $25,000 was appropriated. The transaction was consummated in
April, 1863. The law prohibiting private coinage was not passed until June 8,
1864, this clause not having been in the original Bennett Bill. Although the
Treasury Department at Washington intended at first to create a mint at Denver,
other provisions were made later. The minting machinery used by Clark, Gru-
ber & Company is now in the collection of the State Historical Society.
The firm of Clark, Gruber & Company remained in business about a year
longer. This was a large concern, the "home office" being at Leavenworth and
branch banks at Denver, Central City and Salt Lake City, Utah. On March 10,
1864, E. H. Gruber left the firm and the Clarks continued under the name of
Clark & Company until May 9, 1865. Then the business was transferred to the
First National Bank. The branch at Central City was purchased by George T.
Clark, first cashier of the First National Bank of Denver, and Eben Smith.
This business was perpetuated under the firm name of George T. Clark &
Company, also a branch was established at Georgetown.
OTHER PIONEER BANKING BUSINESS
In the year 1859 Dr. John Parsons came into the South Park country from
Quincy, 111. In 1860 he brought out dies and presses and established a mint at
Tarryall. Here he coined gold pieces of the $2.50 and $5 denominations which
were in free circulation in Denver and surrounding country.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 395
Another banker was Warren Hussey, who came to Denver from Des Moines
Iowa, in the spring of 1861 and on April i4th opened a general banking, or
gold-buying business under the firm name of Warren Hussey & Company. His
office was located in the William Graham drugstore, on the northwest corner
of Larimer and Fifteenth streets. He later started a branch bank at Central
City and about the same time employed Frank Palmer as manager of the Denver
office.
In January, 1863, the office having been moved to the Ford building at the
northeast corner of Fifteenth and Market streets, Joseph A. Thatcher was
made a' partner, having the position of cashier and manager of the Central City
branch. In 1865 Palmer became a partner in the business, which had been con-
siderably enlarged and now constituted general banking of all kinds. However,
in 1867 Palmer sold out to Hussey, but retained his position. Thatcher pur-
chased the Central City branch entire in 1870 and, with Joseph Standley, organ-
ized the banking firm of Thatcher, Standley & Company, with a capital stock
of $50,000. This firm was succeeded January i, 1874, by the First National
Bank of Central City, Thatcher being the first president. The Denver house
was succeeded in 1872 by the City National Bank. Hussey went from Colorado
to Washington Territory and then to New York City.
C. A. COOK & COMPANY
In September, 1859, there arrived in Denver two merchants, C. A. Cook
and Jasper P. Sears, hailing from Leavenworth, Kan. These men established
their mercantile business on the north side of Blake Street, between Fourteenth
and Fifteenth streets, and quickly developed an excellent trade. In the course
of their business they accepted a large amount of gold dust, which naturally
led them to establish the gold-buying activities as a side line, using part of their
store for this purpose. In 1 860-61 this developed into a regular banking busi-
ness, which in turn brought up the necessity of some medium of making small
change. To supply this need the C. A. Cook & Company, as the firm was known,
issued small notes, engraved, which were popularly called "scrip." These were
in denominations of ten, twenty-five and fifty cents, and $i, and were redeem-
able at the store and bank. Until 1863, when all of them were redeemed by the
company, these small notes formed a great part of the common exchange in
the territory.
So large did the banking business become, that C. A. Cook & Company, in
1864, discontinued the mercantile part of their establishment. However, the
business was discontinued entirely in 1865, Mr. Cook later becoming one of the
stockholders of the First National Bank of Denver. Cook died in 1878 and
Sears in 1899.
•
THE EXCHANGE BANK
In May, 1860, Dr. O. D. Cass, a native of New Hampshire and a California
'49er, came to Denver from Leavenworth, Kansas, and engaged in the banking
business. He established his business in Hinckley & Company's office on Blake
Street, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, and in the spring of 1861
396 HISTORY OF COLORADO
was joined by his brother, Joseph B. Cass, and G. H. Wilcox. The brother had
previously been engaged in the banking business at Leavenworth, with the firm
of Carney & Stevens. These three men formed a partnership and named their
bank the "Exchange Bank." After a time the business was transferred to a
building erected on Blake Street, near Cherry Creek, but the flood of 1864'
demolished this property. The Henry C. Brown building was constructed on
the southeast corner of Sixteenth and Market streets in 1868, and to this the
Exchange Bank was moved. A branch office was opened in Central City when
the business justified and the agency for the Holladay Overland Mail Stage
Company was added. In 1865 Holladay purchased the banking business, but
did not continue long after. Dr. O. D. Cass remained a citizen of Denver until
his death in 1894.
P. P. WILCOX & COMPANY
In 1861 the first Legislature of the Territory of Colorado passed a law
providing for the organization of the "Bank of Colorado," by P. P. Wilcox,
E. C. Jacobs and E. W. Cobb. Certain stipulations were made by the Legis-
lature governing the organization and administration of the proposed bank.
However, the Bank of Colorado failed to materialize, but very soon afterward
Wilcox formed the P. P. Wilcox & Company banking firm. Inferior scrip was
issued, most of which was redeemed just after the fire of 1863, which destroyed
the remainder. Scrip was against the Territorial law at this time, but very few
cases were prosecuted. Wilcox was one of the latter few, but nothing definite
was ever accomplished against him.
KOUNTZE BROTHERS' BANK
Luther Kountze came to Denver from Omaha in the spring of 1862 and
opened a gold-buying business in one corner of the Walter S. Cheesman drug-
store on the southeast corner of Blake and Fifteenth streets. He used for
his business, the firm title of Kountze Brothers, for the reason that his three
brothers, Augustus and Herman in Omaha and Charles B. in Ohio, were as-
sociated with him in banking and they had agreed to transact all business con-
ducted by any of them under the name of Kountze Brothers.
After the fire of 1863, when the Cheesman drugstore was destroyed, Kountze
transferred his business to the general store of Tootle & Leach, on the south
side of Blake Street between Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets, where it remained
until the spring of 1864, then moved to the Kountze Brothers' own new brick
building on the northwest corner of Fifteenth and Market streets. At the same
time Charles B. Kountze joined Luther at the Denver office, and in 1866 became
a partner, at which time the business was reorganized as the Colorado National
Bank. The Kountze Brothers became bankers of national reputation 'and had
large banks in New York City, Omaha, Cheyenne and Denver.
BANKS NOW DEFUNCT
The City National Bank, the business of which was purchased by the Amer-
ican National Bank on June 21, 1894, was the outgrowth of the Warren Hussey
HISTORY OF COLORADO 397
& Company banking firm. The business started June 10, 1872, on the northeast
corner of Fifteenth and Market streets, with a paid-up capital of $200,000. The
last location of the institution was on the northwest corner of Sixteenth and
Lawrence streets. The first officers were: Henry Crow, president; Frank
Palmer, vice president; John R. Hanna, cashier; and Hyatt Hussey, assistant
cashier.
A bank known as the Colorado Savings Bank was started on July 20, 1872,
with John W. Smith as manager. This bank was not incorporated and con-
tinued in business until January, 1880, when the depositors were paid in full
and the doors closed.
In 1872 Henry C. Brown and C. D. Gurley opened up a banking business,
known as the Bank of Denver, on the southeast corner of Sixteenth and Market
streets. In 1873 Brown sold out his share to William H., J. H. and F. D. Hager,
and then the firm became the "Bank of Denver, Hager, Sons & Company,
Bankers." In 1876 the bank discontinued business after paying all the de-
positors.
Collins, Snider & Company was a banking firm, started in 1873, by Samuel
G. Collins, Frederick J. Ebert, J. H. Jones, Jacob F. L. Schirmer, Jacob Snider
and Hiram Witter, with a capital stock of $90,000. In January, 1876, the bank
was sold to the stockholders of the Exchange Bank, which then was beginning
in business.
The People's Savings Bank was another concern established in the year
1873, by John W. Blackburn, Dr. R. G. Buckingham, Dr. H. K. Steele and
H. C. Donnell. The business was opened in the Evans Building, on the south-
west corner of Fifteenth and Lawrence streets, with Blackburn as president and
Donnell cashier. This bank came to a disastrous end in January, 1878, nearly
all of the depositors suffering total loss.
On March 3, 1874, the German Bank of Denver was incorporated, with
paid-up capital of $100,000. Those principally interested were: Joseph L.
Bailey, L. F. Bartels, M. D. Clifford, J. M. Eckhart, John Good, John J. Rieth-
mann, Walter A. Stuart, George Tritch and Conrad Walbrach. Riethmann was
elected president, Tritch vice president, and C. F. A. Fisher cashier. Henry
Suhr became cashier within the year.
The bank opened for business May 4, 1874, in the Fink building, southeast
corner of Fifteenth and Market streets. In 1877 the institution was made a
national bank, with George Tritch as president. The organization had been
moved in the meantime to the Good building on the northwest corner of Six-
teenth and Larimer streets, and here, in April, 1877, the German National Bank
opened. Until the panic of 1893 this bank maintained its business in apparently
creditable manner, then the storm broke. On July igth of that year the bank
was closed, but reopened on August iQth to provide depositors with time cer-
tificates. In this condition the bank continued until June 6, 1894, then closed
definitely and passed into the hands of a receiver. The Riethmanns, John J. Sr.
and Jr., were president and vice president respectively at this time.
One of the interesting phases of the history of this bank was the activities
of Walter A. Stuart, one of the directors when the institution was organized in
1874, and who proved to be one of the cleverest bank criminals in the country.
More of him is related elsewhere in this chapter.
398 HISTORY OF COLORADO
In the summer of 1881 the Denver Bank was organized, capitalized for
$50,000. A. E. Pierce was the chief organizer of this bank, and the first officers
were : G. W. Gildersleeve, president ; D. C. Wyatt, vice president ; and A. E.
Pierce, cashier. The bank was located on the northeast corner of Larimer and
Twelfth streets. For the reason that the business center of Denver gradually
withdrew from the west side to the east, the bank discontinued operations in
the winter of 1884-85, settling all obligations in an honorable manner.
The State National Bank was organized in the spring of 1882 with a capital
stock of $120,000. Those interested were: Elias R. Barton, C. E. Billings,
J. A. Chain, Charles Hallack, Charles F. Hendrie, Julius C. Lewis, George N.
Wheeler and E. P. Wright. Wheeler was the first president. The bank opened
for business on May ist in the McClintock building, northeast corner of Six-
teenth and Larimer streets. The State National, after a more or less successful
career, suspended payments on July 19, 1893, resumed on August 3ist, but on
June 25, 1894, transferred its entire business to the Union National Bank and
closed.
The Merchants National Bank was also a product of the spring of 188*2.
Samuel N. Wood was the chief organizer of this institution and associated with
him were: William M. Bliss, D. C. Dodge, A. W. Waters and Henry R. Wolcott.
The last named gentleman was the first president. This bank opened for
business on May ist in the McClintock building, Sixteenth and Larimer streets.
On December 31, 1882, the business was taken over by the First National Bank.
On July 2, 1887, the second bank, known as the Colorado Savings Bank,
opened for business. The capital stock was $250,000 and the stockholders were :
F. K. Atkins, E. M. Battis, J. G. Benkelman, John A. Clough, William G. Evans,
C. S. Howard, B. Lombard, Jr., James L. Lombard, W. B. Mills, Jacob Scherrer
and Walter J. Wildman. John A. Clough was the first president. Business was
first started at the southeast corner of Larimer and Fifteenth streets. On July
17, 1893, the Colorado Savings closed its business and was never revived, the
majority of the stockholders undergoing a total loss of their money.
In the year 1888, during the spring, Mortimer J. Lawrence came to Denver
from Cleveland, Ohio, and organized the People's Savings and Deposit Bank.
M. J. Lawrence, W. W. Porter, Scott J. Anthony, J. J. Joslin and F. A. Knight
were others interested. This bank opened its doors July 9, 1888, at 1644 Arap-
ahoe Street, with Charles A. Raymond as president.
In the summer of 1889 the Peoples National Bank was organized by the
same men as the above institution, with a capital stock of $300,000. On July 31,
1889, the People's Savings and Deposit Bank was renamed the People's Savings
Bank and became an adjunct of the national bank. An office building was con-
structed on the southwest corner of Sixteenth and Lawrence streets and the
capital stock of the national bank increased to $600,000. However, in spite of
the prosperity which came to these allied institutions, the financial panic of 1893
proved fatal. The Savings closed on July I7th of that year and two days later
the national bank followed. The Savings Bank resumed business June I, 1894,
but continued only a year longer. Much litigation resulted between the receiver
and the stockholders, the result of which was a judgment of $475,000 against
the national bank, to which the greater part of the funds of the Savings Bank
had been diverted prior to the 1893 panic. This, with other assets, enabled the
HISTORY OF COLORADO . 39.9
depositors to recover their money in 1900. The national bank itself had resumed
business after its suspension in 1893, but finally liquidated and, after the suit
against it, was closed out. The stockholders suffered complete loss, although
the depositors were paid in full.
The Commercial National Bank started business September 12, 1889, at
906-8 Sixteenth Street, with a capital stock of $250,000. The officers were:
C. H. Dow, president; C. D. Cobb, vice president; F. H. Dunleavy, assistant
cashier, later cashier. This bank^ with many others, was smothered in the
panic of 1893, entailing a great loss to the stockholders.
The North Denver Bank was an institution incorporated August 15, 1889,
established at Fifteenth and Central streets, with C. F. Ray president. This
bank closed July 18, 1893, paying depositors in full.
The American National Bank was established in the autumn of 1889, the
capital stock being $250,000. The first officers were : I. B. Porter, president ;
J. M. Armstrong, vice president; and Howard Evans, cashier. The bank opened
December 2d in the Granite building on the southwest corner of Larimer and
Fifteenth streets. The bank continued in business with fair success until April
22, 1896, when the doors were closed, the depositors subsequently being paid
in full.
The Union National Bank, an outgrowth of the Union Bank, was chartered
June 19, 1890, with a capital stock of $1,000,000. The first officers after the
reorganization were : R. W. Woodbury, president ; M. Spangler, vice president ;
W. H. Trask, cashier. Located at Sixteenth and Arapahoe streets, the bank
entered a period of great prosperity. In 1893 the bank temporarily suspended,
but resumed business a month later. In 1894 the Union National took over the
business of the State National Bank and moved to the McClintock building on
the corner of Sixteenth and Larimer streets. Dissatisfaction with the affairs of
the old State National eventually led to severe criticism of the Union National,
although it is claimed by some that the latter was not in the wrong. The result
was that the Union National ceased business July 29, 1895. Both stockholders
and depositors were paid by the bank.
The Rocky Mountain Dime and Dollar Savings Bank was incorporated
May 7, 1891. The first officers were: F. W. Woodbury, president; K. G.
Cooper, vice president; and E. S. Thompson, cashier. The bank was located
at 1515 Arapahoe Street, where it maintained a good business until the stress of
1893. On July 1 7th of that year the bank closed. Business was resumed a few
weeks later and continued until April 20, 1894, when a reorganization was
effected and the name changed to the Rocky Mountain Savings Bank. However,
the new organization was compelled to suspend business indefinitely August 6,
1895. Some loss was suffered by the depositors.
The Capital Bank, the East Denver Savings Bank and the Mercantile Bank
were other institutions which existed for a short time in the early 'oos.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
The First National Bank of Denver is the oldest of the banking institutions
now in the city, having had an uninterrupted career, with the same name, since
the spring of the year 1865. This was the first bank in Denver or Colorado organ-
400 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ized under the national banking law. The First National is the successor of the
banking firm of Clark & Company, which succeeded the firm of Clark, Gruber
& Company, the history of which is given elsewhere in this chapter. The First
National received certificate of authority from Washington April 17, 1865.
The first stockholders were: Bela S. Buell, Jerome B. Chaffee, Austin M. Clark,
Milton E. Clark, Charles A. Cook, Henry J. Rogers, George T. Clark and Eben
Smith. The original capital stock of this bank was $50,000 and the first officers
elected were : Jerome B. Chaffee, president, Henry J. Rogers, vice president ;
and George T. Clark, cashier.
The business of Clark & Company was transferred to the First National on
the Qth of May, and on the loth the doors of the new institution were opened
to the public. The bank was located in the old Clark & Company room in the
O. K. building on Fifteenth Street. Later in the year the bank moved into a
new building on the northeast corner of Fifteenth and Blake streets. Here it
remained until 1875, when a removal was made to the McClintock building on
the northeast corner of Larimer and Sixteenth streets. In 1885 another move
was made into the corner room of the Tabor building on the southeast corner
of Larimer and Sixteenth, where the bank remained until the spring of 1896.
In this year the bank was again moved to the Equitable building on the south-
west corner of Seventeenth and Stout streets, where it remained until the
erection of the present structure.
The currency of the First National Bank of Denver was the first national
banking currency issued in the city or in the State of Colorado. The presidents
of this strong institution have been : Jerome B. Chaffee, David H. Moffat, A. V.
Hunter, H. J. Alexander. The other officers are : Gerald Hughes, C. C. Parks,
vice presidents ; J. C. Houston, cashier ; C. C. Hendrie, J. M. Hauk, O. Preston,
W. F. Rogers, D. E. Miller, H. M. Beatty, assistant cashiers; A. R. Milks,
auditor.
COLORADO NATIONAL BANK
The second bank organized in Denver under the national banking law was
the Colorado National, at present the second oldest bank in the city. This
institution was the outgrowth of the Kountze Brothers banking business, de-
scribed in preceding paragraphs. The first plans toward the organization of
this bank were made in the spring of 1866, and on August ist business was begun
in the Kountze Brothers building on the northwest corner of Fifteenth and
Market streets. The first officers were: Luther Kountze, president; Joseph H.
Goodspeed, vice president ; Charles B. Kountze, cashier ; Luther Kountze, Charles
B. Kountze, Joseph H. Goodspeed, Joshua S. Raynolds and Edward Creighton,
directors.
The Colorado National remained in its first location until 1881. In that
year a new building of four stories was erected on the northeast corner of Seven-
teenth and Larimer streets and occupied by the bank until the present building
was erected in 1915.
The presidents of the Colorado National Bank have been: Luther Kountze,
Augustus Kountze, Charles B. Kountze, George B. Berger. The other officers
are : Harold Kountze, Dennis Sheedy, vice presidents ; Wm. B. Berger, cashier.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 401
The original capital stock of the Colorado National was $100,000, which now
has reached the sum of $500,000.
UNITED STATES NATIONAL BANK
The United States National Bank of Denver was organized October 10,
1904. A few years later the institution took over the business of the National
Bank of Commerce and Gordon Jones was chosen president. Upon the latter's
death, April 14, 1917, W. A. Hover succeeded to the president's chair. The
remaining officers at the present time are : Henry T. Rogers, A. C. Foster, James
Ringold, Albert A. Reed, vice presidents; E. C. Ellett, cashier; R. F. Bates,
assistant cashier. The capital stock is $400,000 and the surplus and undivided
profits $600,000. The United States National Bank absorbed the National Bank
of Commerce in September, 1908, and the Central National Bank in March, 1912.
DENVER NATIONAL BANK
The Denver National Bank of Denver was started December 8, 1884, in the
Barclay building, on the northwest corner of Larimer and Eighteenth streets.
The first capital stock was $500,000 and the first officers were: Joseph A.
Thatcher, president ; James B. Grant, vice president ; A. A. Denman, cashier ;
James Duff, Edward Eddy, James B. Grant, W. S. Jackson, Otto Sauer, Joseph
Standley, Dennis Sullivan, Joseph A. Thatcher and George W. Trimble, directors.
The bank remained in the Barclay building until October, 1893, then moved to
the Cooper building on the northeast corner of Seventeenth and Curtis streets.
The capital stock of the Denver National has been increased to $1,000,000 since
the organization.
OTHER BANKS
The present Central Savings Bank & Trust Company was started as the North
Side Bank April n, 1892, with a capital of $25,000 and the following board of
directors : John A. Clough, William Light, David Brothers, Henri R. Foster,
Samuel E. Marshall, Henry H. Mills, William E. Wilson, Adelia E. Clough,
Roland D. Smith, Willis M. Marshall and S. E. Howard. The bank was first
established at the intersection of Dunkeld and Gallup avenues, with John A.
Clough, president, and Willis M. Marshall, cashier. In 1894 the bank was
removed to 1032 Fifteenth Street, and on January 15, 1896, took the name of
the Central Savings Bank.
The National Bank of Commerce was the successor of a private banking
firm. The firm of Mclntosh & Mygatt, consisting of Charles L. Mclntosh and
William R. Mygatt, opened a bank on July i, 1887, at 1615 Curtis Street, after-
wards occupying the southeast corner of Sixteenth and Curtis streets. In the
summer of 1800 the National Bank of Commerce was organized to succeed this
business, with a capital stock of $500,000. The first directors were : L. Anf enger,
P. L. Bockfenger, Charles Boettcher, Benn Brower, Job A. Cooper, Phillip
Feldhouser, F. C. Goudy, J. W. Graham, W. L. Graham, L. L. Higgins, Frank
B. Hill, J. F. Hopkins, Charles L. Mclntosh, William R. Mygatt and D. D.
402 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Streeter. Business was started July 16, 1890, in the Ernest & Cranmer building,
southwest corner of Seventeenth and Curtis streets. This bank was merged
with the United States National in September, 1908.
The Denver Savings Bank was organized January 2, 1890, by the following
directors: Dr. F. J. Bancroft, Isaac E. Blake, A. W. Chamberlin, H: B. Cham-
berlin, D. H. Ferguson, J. A. Ferguson, Joseph W. Gilluly, S. H. Hastings, C. Y.
McClure, John L. McNeil, I. B. Porter, Charles H. Smith, and S. N. Wood. The
bank opened February 9, 1890, at 1227 Sixteenth Street, later occupying quarters
of the Union National at Sixteenth and Larimer streets. In the 19005 this bank
went into the hands of a receiver.
The Western Bank was incorporated November 13, 1891, by Frederick C.
Kilham, John L. McNeil, Robert D. Thompson, Charles Hallack, Edward L.
Raymond, E. S. Kassler, William R. Thompson, and W. A. Hover. The bank
started activities shortly thereafter at 1640 Arapahoe Street, but in 1895 was
removed to the northwest corner of Seventeenth and Arapahoe- streets. This
bank failed many years ago.
The Citizens Trust and Savings Bank succeeded the Citizens Savings Bank
which was organized in May, 1892. The first bank failed to weather the 1893
storm satisfactorily and in 1895 became known as the Citizens Savings and Com-
mercial Bank. In 1897 the bank was given the title of the Citizens Trust and Sav-
ings Bank, located at 721 Sixteenth Street.
The Union Stockyards Bank was incorporated October 27, 1898, by Samuel
G. Gill, William J. Fine and Frank C. Goudy. David H. Moffat was the first
president.
The International Trust Company, at present one of Denver's important
financial institutions, was started in 1885. This company is the successor of two
similar institutions — the Security Safety Deposit and Trust Company, organized
in 1885, and the National Trust Company, organized in 1891. The incorporators
of the first were : David H. Moffat, Henry R. Wolcott and S. N. Wood ; of the
second, David H. Moffat, Henry W. Hobson, Moses Hallett, Walter S. Chees-
man and thirty-four others. On January 29, 1892, the name of the National
Trust Company was changed to the International Trust Company and in 1897
the business of the Security was merged with it.
The Union Deposit & Trust Company of Denver started in 1874 as the
Denver Safe Deposit & Savings Bank, which was changed in August, 1882, to
the Union Bank of Denver. Late in 1886 the property was sold to J. V. Dexter
who organized the Union Safe Deposit & Trust Company with a capital of
$50,000.
BANKING FRAUDS IN DENVER
At various times in the history of Denver unscrupulous men have endeavored
to promote fraudulent banking schemes in the c*ity, but have nearly always been
discovered before they had reached the pinnacle of their ill-directed success.
One of the first of these arrived in 1871. His name was Abel Endelman,
but he assumed the name of Benjamin Erlanger while here. He started in
business on Larimer Street, combining banking with a pawnshop trade and call-
ing his place the "Denver Savings Bank." He opened a "branch" at Blackhawk
HISTORY OF COLORADO 403
soon after. A fairly large sum in small deposits was placed in his hands and all
seemed to go well until November 3, 1873. Then Endelman disappeared, taking
all the money with him. Nothing more was heard of him, except one instance
when he was recognized in San Francisco.
Perhaps the cleverest bank criminal ever in Denver was Walter A. Stuart,
one of the directors of the German Bank which was organized in 1874. Stuart,
whose true name was Walter C. Sheridan, appeared in Denver in 1873, accom-
panied by his wife and boy, supposedly. Here they quickly made friends, moved
in the best society, took prominent part in church affairs, purchased property on
Grant Avenue, near Sixteenth Street, and in every way made themselves popular.
Stuart obtained recognition from the business men through references he held,
which were afterward found to be forgeries. His part was skillfully played
during the first phase of his operations in Denver.
A few months afterward the German Bank was organized and Stuart pur-
chased several thousand dollars worth of stock. As his interest in the new bank
gave him influence, he was chosen as one of the directors. In this manner he
proceeded until the fall of 1875, when he became acquainted with T. W. Herr,
principal owner of the Pocahontas silver mine at Rosita, Custer County. Stuart
recognized Herr as easy prey, consequently interested the mine owner in the
establishment of a bank at Rosita. With this in view, Stuart withdrew his
money from the German Bank and accompanied Herr to Rosita, there meeting
James R. Boyd, a confederate, posing as a wealthy investor. Stuart and Boyd
opened up a bank in Rosita, Herr's influence serving them well in obtaining de-
posits from the miners.
It was not long until Stuart and Boyd had obtained virtual possession of the
Herr mine and were engaged in selling the ore as rapidly as possible. Herr
realized how he had been hoodwinked and began action against the pair of
conspirators and finally had them cornered. Their mining activities ended in
a riot, during which one man was killed and several injured. Shortly after,
Stuart and Boyd decamped without paying the miners or Herr and with every
dollar deposited in the Rosita Bank. Then it was that Stuart's identity became
established. His career had been one of criminal activities and before coming
to Denver he had served two terms in prison. After leaving Rosita Stuart went
to New York City, where he was recognized, arrested and sent to Sing Sing
Penitentiary for ten years on an old charge. His sentence expired and on De-
cember 13, 1888; in partnership with another of like character, he returned to
Denver. Here he and his partner, Hovan, attempted a common robbery of the
Peoples Savings Bank on Arapahoe Street. Stuart stood guard while Hovan
entered the bank vault. The latter was captured while inside of the bank and
Stuart escaped, never to be seen again in the city. Stuart continued his opera-
tions in various parts of the country, finally dying in jail at Montreal, Canada, in
January, 1890.
The efforts of the Vanwoerts, James and Ellen, to establish the "Commercial
Bank of Denver" in 1881 ranks as another of the fraudulent banking enterprises
of the city. The Vanwoerts filed a certificate of incorporation on February 2ist,
naming as incorporators James L. Vanwoert, Pliny S. Rice, Horace W. Cotton,
P. T. Smith and Ellen Vanwoert, claiming $100,000 capital. James Vanwoert
was designated as president and his wife, Ellen, as cashier. Quarters were leased
404 . HISTORY OF COLORADO
at the corner of Sixteenth and Curtis and the bank was advertised to open on
April ist, but for some reason, alleged to be the non-arrival of fixtures and
safe, the institution did not open its doors at the time mentioned. The press
of Denver became suspicious of the Vanwoerts and conducted an investigation,
with the result that Vanwoert was discovered to be a former convict, forger and
general confidence man. He had committed several "jobs" in the East similar
to the one he was attempting in Denver. The Vanwoerts, of course, lost no time
in shaking the dust of Denver from their shoes, while Cotton, Smith and Rice
were Denver men and were proved to be simply dupes of the clever Vanwoerts.
DENVER CLEARING HOUSE
The Denver Clearing House Association was organized in the autumn of
1885. Gen. R. W. Woodbury, then president of the Denver Chamber of Com-
merce, took the first step toward the forming of this association by requesting
each of the national banks in the city to appoint delegates to confer with him
on October 25th. This meeting was held, the following representatives attend-
ing: John R. Hanna, City National; William B. Berger, Colorado National; J.
A. Thatcher and A. A. Denman, Denver National ; David H. Moffat and S. N.
Wood, First National; George Tritch, German National; E. P. Wright, State
National ; and William D. Todd, Union Bank. Mr. Woodbury explained the
benefits of a clearing house and strongly urged the organization of such an asso-
ciation. J. A. Thatcher was chosen chairman of the meeting and A. A. Denman,
secretary. A committee, consisting of S. N. Wood, William B. Berger and Wil-
liam D. Todd, was appointed to draft rules and by-laws and to arrange the organi-
zation. The committee having done its duty, another meeting was held and the
organization effected. The clearing house began active duty on November 16,
1885.
FIRST BANKING IN OTHER COMMUNITIES
Hiller, Hallock & Company were the first bankers in Buena Vista. The Bank
of Buena Vista was incorporated December i, 1890, but had been conducted pre-
viously as a private bank by R. W. Hockaday and C. L. Graves, who sold to
George C. Wallace and A. C. Wallace in December, 1890.
At Salida the Chaffee County Bank was established in 1880 by W. E. Robert-
son and Robert A. Bain. The First National Bank of Salida was founded Janu-
ary 2, 1890, with L. W. Craig, president; E. B. Jones, vice president; and F. O.
Stead, cashier. The Continental Divide Bank was opened in 1885 by L. W. and
D. H. Craig, who closed out the business en December 31, 1889.
The First National Bank at Alamosa was established February i, 1884, as
the successor of the Bank of San Juan. The Bank of Alamosa, first opened by
the Schiffer Brothers at Del Norte, as the Rio Grande County Bank, was re-
moved to Alamosa July 18, 1890.
At Silver Cliff, Stebbins, Post & Company started a bank in February, 1880.
The Custer County Bank was opened for business here in November, 1878, with
F. A. Raynolds and F. W. Dewalt, proprietors, and Fred S. Hartzell, cashier.
This later became the Merchants and Miners Bank.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 405
The Delta County Bank was established at Delta by H. A. Bailey and T. B.
Crawford. This bank was incorporated in July, 1889. R. Bigelow & Sons also
transacted a general banking business in Delta in the early days.
The first bank in Glenwood Springs was started in 1885 by Geo. Arthur Rice
& Company and was conducted as a private bank with a capital stock of $10,000.
On December i, 1887, a consolidation with the Glenwood National Bank was ef-
fected. The First National Bank of Glenwood Springs began in the spring of
1887, with W. B. Devereaux as president and J. H. Fesler, cashier; capital stock,
$100,000. The Glenwood National Bank was opened June i, 1887, with John L.
McNeil, president, and C. N. Greig, cashier. In the summer of 1891 the latter
bank was consolidated with the First National.
The first bank in Gunnison County was started by Edwin Hiller at Hillerton.
The next was the Bank of Gunnison, which was organized by Sam G. Gill, H. A.
W. Tabor, Col. E. P. Jacobson, Mrs. Augusta Tabor and several others in March,
1880. This was the first incorporated bank in Colorado west of the Continental
Divide. The safe, which contained $25,000 in cash, was hauled by wagon from
Saguache, accompanied by Mr. Gill, who acted as cook and general hired man.
The Bank of Gunnison was changed to the Iron National in July, 1883, and in
1884 went into voluntary liquidation. The second bank in the county, exclusive
of a private institution in Pitkin, was the Miners Exchange, started in July,
1881, with the following officers: Lewis Cheney, president; M. Coppinger,
cashier; and C. E. McConnell, assistant cashier. In May, 1882, this bank became
the First National Bank, retaining the same officers. The Pitkin Bank, located
at Pitkin, was organized in 1881. Banks were also established in the early '8os
at Irwfn, Tin Cup and Tomichi.
The Bank of Durango was established by John L. McNeil, as a branch bank
of Daniels, Brown & Company of Alamosa in 1881. In 1885 the charter of the
First National was purchased and the two merged under the latter name. The
Colorado State Bank at Durango was organized December 29, 1886, by Frederick
L. Kimball, Benjamin N. Freeman, Thomas F. Burgess, William E. Morgan and
James H. Hoskins. F. L. Kimball was the first president and the first capital
stock was $30,000.
The Trinidad National Bank was organized in 1874 as the Bank of Southern
Colorado, and in 1886 was nationalized. The First National Bank at Trinidad
was established in 1875, with a capital of $100,000. The American Savings Bank
was incorporated February i, 1889.
The Bank of Grand Junction, started by S. G. Crandall in 1882, was the first
in Mesa County. The Mesa County Bank was founded in 1883 by W. T.
Carpenter. It later became a state bank. The First National Bank at Grand
Junction was organized March 15, 1888, by William Gelder, A. A. Miller, John
O. Boyle, T. J. Blue, David Roberts, George Arthur Rice, T. M. Jones and J. F.'
McFarland, succeeding the firm of George Arthur Rice & Company, who in turn
had succeeded the Commercial Bank, founded in 1886 by J. F. McFarland.
The Bank of Montrose began business August i, 1882, and was operated by
C. E. McConnell & Company, the institution later becoming the Uncompahgre
Valley Bank. The First National Bank of Montrose was started as the Mont-
rose County Bank in 1888 and in April, 1889, was made a national bank.
The Morgan County Bank at Fort Morgan was incorporated and opened
406 HISTORY OF COLORADO
for business in November, 1889, and became a state bank in May, 1890, with
the following officers: L. M. More, president; A. C. Fisk, vice president; and
Burton Preston, cashier. The Bank of Fort Morgan, the pioneer institution, sus-
pended business in 1890. The State Bank was started September 4, 1890, with
Arthur Hotchkiss as president.
The Bank of Ouray was established by J. Fogg in 1877, but soon afterward
went into voluntary liquidation. The Miners and Merchants Bank of Ouray
was founded in 1878 by M. D. and John A. Thatcher of Pueblo, with A. G.
Siddons as cashier. The First National Bank of Ouray was opened September
5, 1889, with George Arthur Rice, president; L. L. Bailey, cashier.
The San Luis Valley Bank at Del Norte was opened by E. T. Elliott, H. B.
Adsit and John G. Taylor in March, 1874. Shortly after the bank entered vol-
untary liquidation. The Bank of Del Norte was founded by Asa F. Middaugh
in 1 88 1. The First National Bank at Del Norte was opened May 6, 1890, with
the following officers: W. H. Cochran, president; R. H. Sayre, Vice president;
and Charles W. Thomas, cashier. The Bank of San Juan was established at
Del Norte in 1876 by Daniels, Brown & Company of Denver, with John L. Mc-
Neil as manager and cashier. This bank was afterward established at Alamosa.
The Bank of Monte Vista was started by R. B. and John Wallace under the
firm name of Wallace Brothers. The State Bank of the same place was started
as the Bank of Commerce by A. M. Isbell and E. M. Perdew.
The Bank of Telluride was founded May 14, 1889, capitalized for $50,000,
with the following officers : J. H. Ernest Waters, president ; W. H. Gabbert, vice
president ; W. E. Wheeler, cashier, and J. L. Brown, assistant cashier. The First
National Bank was started in Telluride September 19, 1890, with officers as fol-
lows : William Story, president ; L. L. Nunn, vice president ; T. A. Davis, cashier ;
and William Bird, assistant cashier.
At Julesburg the Citizens Bank, private, was started in March, 1886, by H.
L. McWilliams and Frank McWilliams. The Bank of Denver Junction was
organized in 1885 by the Liddle Brothers; this was the first bank in the com-
munity. When the name was changed from Denver Junction to Julesburg, the
institution became known as the Julesburg Bank, and still later the State Bank
of Julesburg.
The first bank in the City of Greeley was established by the H. T. West &
Company on May 14, 1870. The Union Bank was organized in 1887 by J. L.
Brush, Bruce F. Johnson, J. C. Scott, W. F. Thompson, Daniel Hawks and
others. Mr. Johnson was the first president. The First National Bank at Greeley
began business June 23, 1884, with J. M. Wallace, president ; D. B. Wyatt, vice
president; B. D. Harper, cashier; and A. J. Park, assistant. The Weld County
Savings Bank was organized November 20, 1889, by J- M. Wallace, president;
D. H. Gale, vice president ; A. J. Park, treasurer ; and J. B. Phillips, cashier.
In May, 1871, George C. Cornung established the Bank of Boulder, the first
financial institution in the community. In 1877, however, through mismanage-
ment, the bank went into liquidation. The National State Bank was founded
April 20, 1874, by Charles G. and W. A. Buckingham and was conducted as a
private bank until May, 1877, then was nationalized with a paid-up capital stock
of $50,000. The First National Bank at Boulder opened for business May 10,
1877, witn the following officers: Lewis Cheney, president; I. M. Smith, cashier.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 407
The Boulder National Bank opened October i, 1884, capitalized at $50,000, and
officered by H. N. Bradley, president; Dr. I. L. Bond, vice president; and Charles
L. Spencer, cashier.
At Longmont the first bank was started by C. Emerson and W. A. Bucking-
ham in April, 1871. In 1880 F. H. and C. H. Stickney organized a private bank.
Afterward F. H. purchased his partner's interest and organized the Bank of
Longmont, with W. H. Dickens, Rienzi Streeter, John Kitely and S. H. Dob-
bins as associates. The First National Bank at Longmont was chartered June
i7th and opened for business September i, 1885.
The pioneer banking institution in Georgetown was that of George T. Clark
£ Company, in the first years of Georgetown's prominence as a mining center.
The business was transferred to J. B. Chaftee & Company and then to W. H.
Cushman, et al., who established the First National, which failed in 1876. The
Merchants National Bank followed, was changed to a private bank, then closed
out business. The Bank of Clear Creek County was started in 1876 by Charles
R. Fish & Company. The Bank of Georgetown was founded in 1882 by Henry
Seifried, J. F. Tucker, Col. C. P. Baldwin and others.
In 1872 a bank was established at Colorado Springs by W. H. Young.
Through the insolvency of a New York firm, Young failed and in 1873 was
bought out by William S. Jackson, C. H. White and J. S. Wolfe, who founded
the El Paso Bank. W. H. Young, in the meantime, became more successful finan-
cially and, in association with Eastern capital, organized the First National
Bank of Colorado Springs. A short time after, this institution was reorganized
by B. F. Crowell, G. H. Stewart, F. L. Martin and others. In 1876 J. H. B.
McFerran organized the Peoples Bank, but closed out after eleven years' activi-
ties. The Exchange National Bank in Colorado Springs was established in 1888
with the following directors: F. E. Dow, George De La Vergne, D. M. Holden,
George H. Case, D. B. Fairley, W. S. Nichols, J. A. Himebaugh, K. H. Field,
D. H. Heron, John J. LaMar and A. L. Lawton.
The first banking house in Leadville was the Lake County Bank, established
in April, 1878, by Zollars, Eshelman & Company, who continued the business
until April i, 1879, then organized the First National Bank. On January 22,
1884, the First National closed its doors, heavily in debt. F. W. De Walt was
the principal stockholder at the time and he immediately fled the country. How-
ever, he was soon captured, tried in the United States Court at Denver, and sen-
tenced to a term of seven years in the penitentiary. After serving five years of
this sentence he was liberated through a technicality. Under the administration
of a receiver, J. Samuel Brown, the bank paid about 40 per cent of its liabilities.
In April, 1878, Trimble & Hunter established the Miners Exchange Bank
at Leadville. In October, 1881, the firm mentioned retired and the business
was merged with the Bank of Leadville, which institution had been started in
October, 1878, by H. A. W. Tabor, president; August Rische, vice president;
and George R. Fisher, cashier. This bank also came to a disastrous end July
25, 1883, in debt nearly $450,000. The Merchants & Mechanics Bank, a private
institution, began in the summer of 1879, with L. M. and L. J. Smith, proprietors.
This bank failed in January, 1884, with a total loss to the depositors of $300,000.
The City Bank of Leadville started in June, 1880, but soon closed its business
408 HISTORY OF COLORADO
honorably. The Bank of Colorado was another short-lived institution at Lead-
ville.
The Carbonate Bank at Leadville was opened as a state bank September 3,
1883, with a capital of $50,000. This bank became a national institution in
July, 1887. The American National Bank opened for business January 7, 1889,
with a capital stock of $100,000, paid up.
One of the earliest banks of Pueblo was the Peoples Bank, established in
April, 1873. The capital stock was $100,000 and the first officers were: E. W.
Bailey, president; J. L. Lowther, cashier.
The First National Bank of Pueblo was organized first in 1871 with the fol-
lowing officers: M. D. Thatcher, president; John A. Thatcher, vice president;
and Robert F. Lytle, cashier. The Stockgrowers National Bank was established
privately in 1873 by Goodnight, Cresswell & Company, Colorado stockmen. In
the year following, the firm of Raynolds, Lamborn & Company became the owner.
In 1876 the institution was incorporated as a national bank and C. B. Lamborn
became the first president. The Western National Bank at Pueblo was incorpo-
rated in August, 1 88 1, and was first officered by W. L. Graham, president, and
C. B. McVay, cashier. The Central National Bank was originally started as the
South Pueblo National Bank in August, 1881, by the following directors: H. L.
Holden, president; D. L. Holden, cashier; James N. Carlisle, Marcellus Sheldon,
James B. Orman, William Moore, Garrett Lankford and William W. Taylor.
When South Pueblo became a part of Pueblo, the name of the bank was changed.
The Pueblo Savings Bank was incorporated in 1889 and opened for business
January i, 1890. The American National Bank also came into existence in
COLORADO BANKS IN 1918
Location. Name of Bank. Year Organized. Capital Stock.
Aguilar — First State Bank 1911 $15,000
Akron — City National Bank 1916 30,000
Akron — First National Bank I9°7 40,000
Alamosa — Alamosa National Bank 1907 25,000
Alamosa — American National Bank 1905 50,000
Alamosa — Safety First State & Savings Bank . . . 1915 20,000
Alma — Bank of Alma : 1882 10,000
Antonito — Commercial State Bank 1911 25,000
Arriba — Lincoln State Bank 1908 10,000
Arvada — First National Bank 1904 25,000
Aspen — Aspen State Bank 1908 25,000
Ault — Farmers National Bank 1906 25,000
Ault — First National Bank 1006 25,000
Austin — State Bank of Austin 1910 12,000
Bayfield — Farmers & Merchants Bank 1910 15,000
Bennett — Bennett State Bank 1917 10,000
Berthoud — Berthoud National Bank 1892 50,000
Berthoud — First National Bank 1906 25,000
Blanca — Blanca State Bank 1909 10,000
THE LOBBY OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK IN THE THATCHER BUILDING,
PUEBLO
THE THATCHER BUILDING, PUEBLO
410
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Location. Name of Bank. Year Organized. Capital Stock.
Brandon — First State Bank 1910 $10,000
Breckenridge — Engle Bros. Exchange Bank 1888 20,000
Boulder — Boulder National Bank 1884 50,000
Boulder — First National Bank 1877 100,000
Boulder — National State Bank l&77 50,000
Boulder — Mercantile Bank & Trust Company . . 1904 50,000
Briggsdale — Briggsdale State Bank 1912 10,000
Brighton — Farmers & Merchants State Bank .... 1907 30,000
Brighton — First National Bank J9O4 25,000
Bristol — Bristol State Bank 1909 10,000
Brush — Farmers State Bank 1915 50,000
Brush — First National Bank 1902 25,000
Brush — Stockmens National Bank I9°7 35,ooo
Buena Vista — First National Bank 1880 25,000
Burlington — Burlington State Bank 1908 15,000
Burlington — Stock Growers State Bank 1910 12,000
Byers — Byers State Bank 1910 15,000
Calhan — First State Bank J9°7 15,000
Canon City — First National Bank 1888 50,000
Canon City — Fremont County National Bank . . . 1874 100,000
Carbondale — First National Bank 19°7 25,000
Castle Rock — First National Bank of Douglas Co. 1903 25,000
Cedaredge — First National Bank I9°7 25,000
Center — First National Bank 1906 30,000
Central City — First National Bank 1873 50,000
Cheraw — First State Bank . . . : 1910 10,000
Cheyenne Wells — Cheyenne County State Bank 1895 15,000
Clifton — First State Bank 1914 10,000
Collbran — Stockmans Bank 1916 25,000
Colorado City — First National Bank 1902 50,000
Colorado Springs — Colorado Savings Bank .... 1907 50,000
Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs National
Bank 1907 100,000
Colorado Springs — Colorado Title & Trust Co.-. . 1900
Colorado Springs — Exchange National Bank . . . 1888 300,000
Colorado Springs — First National Bank 1874 300,000
Colorado Springs — State Savings Bank 1913 25,000
Cortez — Montezuma Valley National Bank 1905 30,000
Crawford — Crawford State Bank 1910 10,000
Craig — Craig National Bank 1861 25,000
Craig — First National Bank 1904 25,000
Creede — Tomkins Brothers Bank 1809 10,000
Crested Butte— Bank of Crested Butte 1881 15,000
Cripple Creek — Cripple Creek State Bank 1004 30,000
Cripple Creek — First National Bank 1893 50,000
Crook — First State Bank 1916 10,000
De Beque — Bank of De Beque 1910 10,000
HISTORY OF COLORADO
411
Location. Name of Bank. Year Organized. Capital Stock.
Deer Trail — Deer Trail State Bank 1910 $15,000
Del Norte— Bank of Del Norte 1882 10,000
Del Norte — Rio Grande State Bank 1907 15,000
Delta — Colorado State Bank ICX>9 30,000
Delta — Delta National Bank 1907 50,000
Delta — First National Bank 1900 50,000
Denver — Broadway Bank 1906 100,000
Denver — Capitol Hill State Bank 1912 30,000
Denver — Central Savings Bank & Trust Co 1892 300,000
Denver — Citizens Exchange Bank 1912 30,000
Denver — City Bank & Trust Company 19°9 100,000
Denver — Colorado National Bank 1866 500,000
Denver — Colorado State & Savings Bank 1904 50,000
Denver — Commercial State & Savings Bank 1911 50,000
Denver — Continental Trust Company 1902 300,000
Denver — Denver National Bank 1884 1,000,000
Denver — Denver Stock Yards Bank 1883 100,000
Denver — Drovers State Bank 1916 100,000
Denver — First National Bank 1865 1,250,000
Denver — German-American Trust Company .... 1905 500,000
Denver — Guardian Trust Company 1912 240,000
Denver — Hamilton National Bank 1910 250,000
Denver — Hibernian Bank & Trust Company .... 1910 100,000
Denver — Home Savings & Trust Company 1910 100,000
Denver — International Trust Company 1885 500,000
Denver — Interstate Trust Company 1906 200,000
Denver — Italian-American Bank I9°9 50,000
Denver — Liberty Bank 1916 10,000
Denver — Merchants Bank 1912 75,ooo
Denver — Motor Bank 1916 50,000
Denver — North Denver Bank 1911 10,000
Denver — Pioneer State Bank 1912 75,ooo
Denver— Silver State Bank 1912 50,000
Denver — State Mercantile Bank 1908 70,000
Denver — Union Deposit & Trust Company 1874 50,000
Denver— Union State Bank 1913 30,000
Denver— United States National Bank 1904 400,000
Denver — West Side State Bank 1910 30,000
Dolores— First National Bank 1910 25,000
Dolores— John J. Harris & Company 1887 50,000
Durango — Burns National Bank 1910 100,000
Durango — Durango Trust Company I9°9 50,000
Durango— First National Bank 1880 100,000
Fads— First National Bank 1906 25,000
Eagle— First National Bank of Eagle 1003 25,000
East Lake— East Lake State Bank I9H 10,000
Eaton— Eaton National Bank 190? 25,000
412
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Location. Name of Bank. Year Organized. Capital Stock.
Eaton — First National Bank 1902 $100,000
Eckley — Eckley State Bank 1915 10,000
Elbert — Elbert County Bank 1902 10,000
Elizabeth — Elizabeth State Bank 1906 10,000
Englewood — First National Bank 1908 25,000
Erie — Erie Bank 1903 12,000
Estes Park — Estes Park Bank 1908 12,000
Evans — Farmers & Merchants Bank J9O4 12,000
Fairplay — Bank of Fairplay 1898 . 10,000
Flagler — Farmers State Bank 191 1 10,000
Flagler— Flagler State Bank 1908 12,500
Fleming — Fleming State Bank I9I3 10,000
Florence — First National Bank 1900 50,000
Fort Collins — Farmers Bank & Trust Company . 1916 50,000
Fort Collins — First National Bank 1881 150,000
Fort Collins — Fort Collins National Bank 1900 100,000
Fort Collins — Poudre Valley National Bank .... 1878 150,000
Fort Lupton — Fort Lupton State Bank 1900 25,000
Fort Lupton — Platte Valley State Bank 1912 10,000
Fort Morgan — First National Bank 1903 100,000
Fort Morgan — Fort Morgan State Bank 1915 20,000
Fort Morgan — Morgan County National Bank . 1889 50,000
Fountain — First National Bank 1903 25,000
Fowler — First National Bank 1905 25,000
Fowler — Fowler State Bank J&99 25,000
Frederick — First State Bank 1916 10,000
Fruita — First Bank of Fruita 1004 25,000
Fruita — First National Bank 1907 25,000
Genoa — Genoa State Bank 1909 10,000
Georgetown — Bank of Clear Creek County 1876 50,000
Georgetown — Bank of Georgetown 1882 30,000
Gilcrest — Gilcrest State Bank 1914 10,000
Glenwood Springs — Citizens National Bank .... 1903 50,000
Glen wood Springs — First National Bank 1887 100,000
Golden — Golden Savings Bank 1908 25,000
Golden — Rubey National Bank 1893 50,000
Granada — American State Bank !9!5 10,000
Grand Junction — Bank o'f Grand Junction 1914 40,000
Grand Junction — Grand Valley National Bank . . 1902 100,000
Grand Junction — United States Bank & Trust Co. 1003 125,000
Grand Valley— Garfield County State Bank 1907 10,000
Greeley— First National Bank 1884 100,000
Greeley — Greeley National Bank* 1800 100,000
Greeley — Union National Bank 1877 100,000
Greeley— Weld County Savings Bank 1889 25,000
Grover — Grover State Bank 1009 10,000
Gunnison — First National Bank 1882 50,000
HISTORY OF COLORADO
413
Location. Name of Bank. Year Organized. Capital Stock.
Gunnison — Gunnison Bank & Trust Company... 1910 $50,000
Gypsum — Bank of Gypsum 191 1 25,000
Hartnian — Hartman State Bank I9°7 10,000
Haswell — Colorado State Bank *9°9 10,000
Haxtum — Bank of Haxtum 1906 10,000
Haxtum — Farmers State Bank :9O9 25,000
Hayden — First National Bank 1903 25,000
Hayden — Yampa Valley Bank 1903 30,000
Hillrose — First State Bank 1906 15,000
Holly:— First National Bank 1905 25,000
Holly — Holly State Bank J9O7 30,000
Holyoke— First National Bank , . . . 1888 50,000
Holyoke — Phillips County State Bank I9°9 25,000
Hooper — Hooper State Bank 1912 10,000
Hotchkiss — Bank of North Fork 1893 10,000
Hotchkiss— First National Bank 1901 25,000
Hot Sulphur Springs — First State Bank 1909 10,000
Hudson — Hudson State Bank 1909 10,000
Hugo — First National Bank J9O7 25,000
Hugo — Hugo National Bank 1915 35,ooo
Idaho Springs — Clear Creek & Gilpin Trust Co. . 1906 50,000
Idaho Springs — First National Bank 1880 50,000
Idaho Springs — Merchants & Miners National
Bank 1901 50,000
Idalia — First State Bank 1916 10,000
Ignacio — Ignacio State Bank 1910 10,000
Iliff — First Bank of Iliff 1907 30,000
Johnstown — First National Bank 1907 25,000
Johnstown — Johnstown State Bank 1916 15,000
Julesburg — Citizens National Bank 1909 25,000
Julesburg— First National Bank 1906 50,000
Keota — Farmers State Bank 1915 10,000
Kersey — Kersey State Bank , 1908 10,000
Kiowa — Kiowa State Bank 1908 10,000
Kirk— Kirk State Bank 1917
Kit Carson — Kit Carson State Bank 1909 10,000
Kremmling — Bank of Kremmling 1905 10,000
Lafayette — First National Bank 1907 25,000
Laird— Laird State Bank 1009 5,000
La Jara — First National Bank 1910 25,000
La Jara — La Jara State Bank 1006 30,000
La Junta — Colorado Savings & Trust Company . 1907 7S,ooo
La Junta— First National Bank 1890 50,000
La Junta — La Junta State Bank 1893 50,000
Lamar— Citizens State Bank 1008 35>o°°
Lamar— First National Bank 1887 50,000
Lamar — Lamar National Bank 1900 50,000
414
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Location. Name of Bank. Year Organized. Capital Stock.
La Salle— La Salle State Bank 1908 $10,000
Las Animas — Bent County Bank 1875 30,000
Las Animas — Farmers State Bank 1910 50,000
Las Animas — First National Bank 1901 30,000
La Veta— La Veta State Bank 1903 15,000
Leadville — American National Bank 1888 100,000
Leadville — Carbonate National Bank 1887 100,000
Limon — Limon State Bank 1905 30,000
Littleton — First National Bank 1905 25,000
Littleton — Littleton State Bank J9O9 15,00°
Longmont — Emerson & Buckingham Bank &
Trust Co 1871 50,000
Longmont — Farmers National Bank 1881 50,000
Longmont — Longmont National Bank 1905 30,000
Louisville — First State Bank 1915 15,000
Loveland — First National Bank 1905 50,000
Loveland — Larimer County Bank 1890 100,000
Loveland — Loveland National Bank 1882 100,000
Lyons — State Bank of Lyons 1908 12,000
Manassa — Colonial State Bank 1912 ' 10,000
Mancos — First National Bank 1910 50,000
Manitou — Bank of Manitou 1907 20,000
Manzanola — J. N. Beaty & Company 1898 15,000
Marble — Marble City State Bank 1912 15,000
Matheson — Matheson State Bank 1916 10,000
Mead — Longmont National Bank 1916
Meeker — Bank of Meeker 1889 15,000
Meeker — First National Bank 1904 40,000
Merino — Merino State Bank 1908 10,000
Mesita — First State Bank 1910 10,000
Milliken — First State Bank 1009 10,000
Moffat — Bank of Moffat 1910 10,000
Monte Vista — First National Bank 1904 25,ooo
Monte Vista — Wallace State Bank 100,000
Montrose — First National Bank 1889 10,000
Montrose — Home State Bank 1009 30,000
Montrose — Montrose National Bank I9°4 60,000
Nederland — First State Bank 1915 10,000
New Castle — New Castle State Bank 1909 10,000
New Raymer — State Bank of Raymer 1915 10,000
Niwot — Niwot State Bank TQO9 10,000
Norwood — Bank of Norwood 1007 50,000
Nunn — First State Bank 1008 10,000
Oak Creek — Routt County Bank 1910 10.000
Olathe — First National Bank 1910 25,000
Olathe — Olathe Banking Company ...._. 1904 30,000
Olney Springs — Olney Springs State Bank 1916 10,000
Ordway— Citizens National Bank 1911 15,000
HISTORY OF COLORADO
415
location. Name of Bank. Year Organized. Capital Stock.
Ordway — First National Bank 1907 $25,000
Otis — First National Bank 1910 25,000
Ouray — Citizens State Bank 1913 15,000
Ouray — Miners & Merchants Bank 1878 25,000
Pagosa Springs — Citizens Bank 1908 50,000
Palisades — Palisades National Bank 1905 25,000
Paoli — Paoli State Bank 1916 10,000
Paonia — First National Bank J^S 25,000
Paonia — Fruit Exchange State Bank 19°9 30,000
Parker — Parker State Bank 191 1 ic.ooo
Peetz — Peetz State Bank 1915 10,000
Peyton — Farmers State Bank 1916 10,000
Pierce — Pierce Exchange Bank 1913 10,000
Pitkin— Pitkin Bank 1884 10,000
Platteville — Platteville National Bank 1909 25,000
Proctor — Proctor State Bank I9°9 10,000
Pueblo — First National Bank 1871 500,000
Pueblo — Bank of Pueblo 1916 50,000
Pueblo — Minnequa Bank 1902 30,000
Pueblo — Pueblo Savings & Trust Company 1909 100,000
Pueblo — Western National Bank . . . . '. . . 1881 100,000
Pueblo — Wigton State Bank 1916 30,000
Ramah — State Bank of Ramah 1908 10,000
Red Cliff— Red Cliff State Bank 1915 10,000
Ridgway — Bank of Ridgway 1891 10,000
Rifle — First National Bank 1902 50,000
Rifle — Union State Bank 1910 25,000
Rocky Ford — First National Bank 1904 60,000
Rocky Ford — Peoples Home Bank 1908 30,000
Rocky Ford — Rocky Ford National Bank 1908 50,000
Roggen — Roggen State Bank 1916 10,000
Saguache — First National Bank 1911 60,000
Saguache — Saguache County Bank 1880 30,000
Salida — Commercial National Bank 1905 50,000
Salida — First National Bank 1889 100,000
San Acacio — Costilla County Bank 1910 10,000
Sedgwick — First National Bank 1908 25,000
Seibert — Seibert State Bank 1908 10,000
Severance — Farmers Bank 1916 10,000
Silt — First State Bank 191 1 10,000
Silverton — First National Bank 1882 50,000
Simla — State Bank of Simla 1914 10,000
Springfield — First State Bank 1914 10,000
Steamboat Springs — Bank of Steamboat Springs 1898 10,000
Steamboat Springs — First National Bank 1902 25,000
Steamboat Springs — Miners Bank & Trust Co. 1889 50,000
Sterling — Farmers National Bank 1909 50,000
Sterling — First National Bank 1900 100,000
416 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Location. Name of Bank. Year Organized. Capital Stock.
Sterling — Logan County National Bank 1893 $50,000
Stoneham — Stoneham State Bank 1916 10,000
Stonington — Colorado State Bank 1916 10,000
Stratton — Stratton State Bank 1909 10,000
Sugar City — State Bank of Sugar City 1910 15,000
Swink — First State Bank 1906 10,000
Telluride — Bank of Telluride 1889 50,000
Telluride— First National Bank 1890 75,ooo
Timnath — Farmers Bank 1906 15,000
T owner — Peoples State Bank I9°7 10,000
Trinidad — Commercial Savings Bank 1905 50,000
Trinidad — First National Bank 1875 200,000
Trinidad — International State Bank 1911 100,000
Trinidad — Trinidad National Bank 1886 100,000
Two Buttes — Bank of Baca County 1912 10,000
Victor — Bank of Victor 1895 30,000
Victor — Citizens Bank J9H 30,000
Vona — Vona State Bank 1915 . 10,000
Walden — North Park Bank 1903 30,000
Walden — Stock Growers Bank 1916 20,000
Walsenburg — First National Bank 1903 60,000
Walsenburg — Guaranty State Bank 1909 30,000
Weldona — Weldon Valley State Bank 1908 10,000
Wellington — First National Bank 1905 25,000
Westcliffe — Henry H. Tomkins & Company .... 1890 10,000
Wiggins — First State Bank 1909 10,000
Wiley — State Bank of Wiley 1907 25.000
Windsor — Farmers State Bank 1908 15,000
Windsor — First National Bank 1903 40,000
Wray — First National Bank 1903 30,000
Wray — National Bank of Wray 1910 30,000
Wray — Peoples State Bank 1910 15,000
Yampa — Bank of Yampa !9°3 !5,ooo
Yampa — Stockmans Bank 1908 10,000
Yuma — Farmers State Bank 191 1 25,000
Yuma — First National Bank 1886 40,000
The present banking facilities and resources of the state are shown by the
following figures in addition :
Number of national banks 122
Number state banks and trust companies 197
Number savings banks 6
Number private banks 28
Total number of banks 353
Total capital stock of all banks $ 18,904,000
Total surplus of all banks 13,933,000
Total deposits of all banks 221,978,000
Total loans of all banks 174,362,000
CHAPTER XXI
COLORADO'S POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
POLITICS BEGAN WITH THE COMING OF THE GOLD-SEEKERS ORGANIZING THE
TERRITORY OF "JEFFERSON" NAMING THE NEW TERRITORY ELECTING THE
FIRST "STATE" OFFICERS — THE FIRST GOVERNOR ARRIVES — TERRITORIAL SQUAB-
BLES GILPIN'S REMOVAL TURNING DOWN COLORADO^ FIRST CHOSEN "SEN-
ATORS" GRANT SPRINGS A SURPRISE BY REMOVING ELBERT — THOMAS M. PAT-
TERSON TELLS OF THE WINNING OF STATEHOOD — THE FIRST STATE ELECTION
JUDGE WILBUR F. STONE ONLY DEMOCRAT CHOSEN JOHN L. ROUTT WINS GOV-
ERNORSHIP THE BELFORD AND PATTERSON CONGRESSIONAL FIGHT — CHAFFEE
AND TELLER GO TO SENATE — BELFORD FOR CONGRESS — N. P. HILL ENTERS THE
FIELD — PITKIN CHOSEN GOVERNOR — TELLER GOES INTO CABINET — BOWEN AND
TABOR GO TO THE SENATE — EATON ELECTED GOVERNOR — E. O. WOLCOTT CHOSEN
SENATOR ROUTT AGAIN CHOSEN GOVERNOR REPUBLICAN FACTIONS IN RIOT
WAITE IS GOVERNOR — WAITE RIOTS THE LONG SILVER FIGHT — THE BRYAN
CAMPAIGNS LABOR WAR OF 1894 — THE PEABODY-ADAMS CONTEST — TELLER^
RE-ELECTION TO THE SENATE GUGGENHEIM'S ELECTION — C. J. HUGHES, JR.,
GOES TO SENATE — SHAFROTH AND THOMAS WIN OUT AMMONS, CARLSON, GUN-
TER FOLLOW EACH OTHER IN GOVERNOR'S CHAIR CHANGING THE ELECTION
LAWS
BEGINNING OF COLORADO POLITICS
Politics began in Colorado with the coming of its Argonauts. On November
6, 1858, 200 men gathered to create a government, elected Hiram J. Graham
delegate to Congress, and A. J. Smith a representative to the Kansas Legislature
for what was Arapahoe County of the Territory of Kansas. In April, 1859, at
a convention to which thirty-seven precincts sent in all 167 representatives, a
state constitution was framed which was promptly repudiated by the people,
who had no yearning for the expenses attached to the premature institution of
statehood. Another convention followed, and despite the protests of Kansas
officials, a constitution was prepared for a provisional government of the Terri-
tory of Jefferson, and on October 24th the election was held. R. W. Steele, of
Florence, Nebraska, was chosen governor; Lucien W. Bliss, secretary of state;
Charles R. Bissell, auditor; G. W. Cook, treasurer; Samuel McLean, attorney
general; A. J. Allison, chief justice; John M. Odell and E. Fitzgerald, associate
judges ; Oscar B. Totten, clerk of the court ; John L. Merrick, marshal ; H. H.
McAfee, superintendent of public instruction.
417
418 HISTORY OF COLORADO
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT
The officials of the Territory of Kansas ordered an election of a legislative
representative in what had been organized as Arapahoe County. The pioneering
statesmen, however, claimed, and with the law entirely on their side, that the
Indian title to what is now known as Colorado remained unextinguished and had
been expressly excepted in the organic act creating the Territory of Kansas.
Beverley D. Williams was then elected a delegate to Congress in a free-for-
all, with eight candidates in the field and the voting considerably heavier than
the male voting population. In these days the election machinery was unor-
ganized and utterly inadequate in the way of ballot protection. Mr. Williams
remained a provisional delegate to Congress until the organization of the terri-
tory and although given the courtesy of the floor of the House was never officially
recognized by Congress.
But the political meetings had become an outlet for much of the pent-up energy
of the period. With a provisional government, in effect, but still unauthorized, a
Senate of eight and House of Representatives of twenty-one were elected. The
first consisted of N. G. Wyatt, Henry Allen, Eli Carter, Mark A. Moore, James
M. Wood, James Emmerson, W. D. Arnett, D. Shafer. The House was com-
posed as follows: John C. Moore, W. P. McClure, William M. Slaughter, M. D.
Hickman, David K. Wall, Miles Patton, J. S. Stone, J. N. Hallock, J. S. Allen,
A. J. Edwards, A. McFadden, Edwin James, T. S. Golden, J. A. Gray, Z. Jack-
son, S. B. Kellogg, William Davidson, C. C. Post, Asa Smith, and C. P. Hall.
William N. Byers, who then owned the News, made this remarkable predic-
tion when the Legislature of the Territory of Jefferson convened on November
7th:
"We hope and expect to see it (Territory of Jefferson) stand until we can
boast of a million people, and look upon a city of a hundred thousand souls, having
all the comforts and luxuries of the most favored. Then we will hear the whistle
of the locomotive, and the rattle of trains arriving and departing on their way
to and from the Atlantic and Pacific. The future of Jefferson Territory — soon
to be a sovereign state — is glorious with promise. No country in the world in
so short a time has developed so many resources of wealth."
The Legislature proceeded with its work despite protests, created nine coun-
ties, provided a revenue in the form of a dollar poll tax, gave a charter to the
City of Denver, and appointed a committee to prepare civil and criminal codes.
It adjourned December 7, 1859, and on the following day Richard Sopris was
elected Arapahoe County representative in the Kansas Legislature. The fac-
tions, reactionary and progressive, were beginning the great work of creating a
stable government.
NAMING THE NEW TERRITORY
When the question of territorial organization came up in the United States
Senate the name "Jefferson" was promptly turned down. It is an interesting"
list, this of proposed names, including "Tampa," "Idaho," which was the name
first accepted, "Nemara," "San Juan," "Lula," "Arapahoe," "Weappollao," "Ta-
hosa," "Lafayette," "Columbus," "Franklin," "Colona." When the bill was about
HISTORY OF COLORADO 419
to pass the name "Colorado" was ordered substituted for that of "Idaho" at the
suggestion of Delegate Williams. The actual motion was made by Senator Wil-
son, of Massachusetts.
But it was a bitter struggle in Congress. The "Slavery" controversy had been
injected into the bill organizing the new territory, and the North and South were
divided on the question of repealing that portioin of the law passed by the Legis-
lature of New Mexico, recognizing slavery in the new territory. Schuyler Colfax
claimed that it was the "slave power" in Congress that even defeated his name
"Colona" for the new territory.
Congress adjourned without passing upon the measure. In the Territory of
"Jefferson" the people were divided on the question of the legality of the pro-
visional government, and failed to give it financial or even moral support. A
convention at Golden City, on August 7th, proposed united action with other
communities in the gold region for the creation of a state government. The
adherents of the provisional government met in Denver August 6th and, repudi-
ating all allegiance to Kansas, issued a call for a convention to frame a state
constitution.
These movements did not develop owing to the action of Congress at its
next session, but on October 22d the regular ticket of the provisional govern-
ment, headed by Governor Steele, was elected, although the voters were generally
opposed to it on principle.
On February 28, 1861, President Buchanan signed the bill creating the Terri-
tory of Colorado, and political activities which for two years had been confined
to Kansas legislative campaigning and to the bitter struggle for a distinctive
territorial government assumed a new interest.
FIRST TERRITORIAL OFFICERS
On March 22, 1861, President Lincoln nominated and the Senate immediately
confirmed the following first territorial officers of the Territory of Colorado :
William Gilpin, of Missouri, governor.
Lewis Ledyard Weld, of Colorado, secretary.
William L. Stoughton, of Illinois, attorney general.
Francis M. Case, of Ohio, surveyor general.
Copeland Townsend, of Colorado, marshal.
B. F. Hall, of New York, S. Newton Pettis, of Pennsylvania, and Charles
Lee Armour, of Ohio, judges of the Supreme Court.
But in these appointments there had been no end of politics. Gen. William
Larimer was a prominent candidate for governorship, and until Frank P.
Blair, of Missouri, entered William Gilpin, of his state, as his personal choice,
it was believed the former would surely secure the honor.
Missouri was a border state in the impending Civil War, and many conces-
sions were made to those of its politicians who were struggling to hold the state
in the Union. In these early days there was still a vague hope that civil war
could be averted.
420 HISTORY OF COLORADO
FIRST GOVERNOR ARRIVES
When, on May 20, 1861, Governor Gilpin arrived in Denver he was welcomed
by Judge H. P. Bennett, chairman of a reception committee, with the remark
that "We accept you as governor of Colorado under the palladium of the Union
and the principles of the Constitution."
The removal of Governor Gilpin in 1862 was the result of an enormous un-
authorized military expenditure, the details of which will be found in the chap-
ters devoted to the Military History of the State. His successor was Dr. John
Evans, of Illinois, who became one of the greatest of Colorado's builders.
But the injury done him by the national administration rankled and he deter-
mined to run for delegate to Congress as the candidate of the "People's" party.
Hiram P. Bennett was renominated by the Union Administration party, to which
democrats and republicans alike, who were pro-Union, gave adherence. There
was but this one issue, and all elections were fought out along the lines of anti-
or pro-secession.
Bennett was reflected by a substantial majority over Gilpin.
DEFEAT OF STATEHOOD
The first effort in Congress for statehood was made by Mr. Bennett on Jan-
uary 5, 1863. But the bill was not even reported out of the committee. At the
second session of the Territorial Legislature held in Colorado City — which was
the seat of law-making for a few months only — a further futile effort was made
to frame the machinery for a state government.
On March 21, 1864, Congress passed the act enabling the people of Colo-
rado to form a state government. The population was at this time about forty
thousand, and the great majority was opposed to assuming the burdens of taxa-
tion which statehood would create. Governor Evans, however, issued the call,
the constitutional convention met first at Golden City, and later in Denver, with
C. A. Whittemore as chairman, and Eli M. Ashley as secretary, and framed a
state constitution. The ticket of the Union men was named, and after some
changes was headed by Daniel Witter for governor, and Col. John M. Chivington
for Congress. Governor Evans and Henry M. Teller were named for the
United States Senate. The former, when the struggle became bitterly partisan,
declined the nomination. Allen A. Bradford, the Union candidate for Supreme
Court, repudiated the nomination and ran for delegate to Congress on an anti-
statehood ticket. He was elected by a large majority and statehood was defeated.
The rancor of this campaign extended into politics for over a decade.
In June, 1865, a second effort was made for statehood under the old enabling
act of Congress. A better feeling existed and, although there was much oppo-
sition, the constitution framed by a convention presided over by W. A. H.
Loveland, was carried by a majority of 155. Conventions were held in October
of this year by republicans, democrats and the so-called "Sand Creek" faction.
This latter was for an emphatic endorsement of the battle of Sand Creek, and
bitterly opposed all those who had in any way condemned the soldiers who took
part in it. The democrats named Captain William Craig for governor, the re-
publicans nominated William Gilpin, with George M. Chilcott for Congress. The
HISTORY OF COLORADO 421
Sand Creek men named Edwin Scudder for governor. The Union men elected
their ticket, with exceptions of lieutenant governor and treasurer. The Legis-
lature met in Golden City on December i8th, and elected John Evans and Jerome
B. Chaffee as senators. The session was brief.
The territorial government was still in force. Governor Evans had resigned
and was succeeded by Acting Governor Samuel Elbert, who, on October I9th,
was succeeded in office by Alexander Cummings, of Philadelphia. In the bitter
controversy that followed, in which the governor opposed the meetings of a
"state" legislature and favored the continuation of the Territorial Legislature,
which was the qnly legal law-making power of the territory, the people again
took sides for and against statehood, or, as they put it, for or against Cummings.
FAILURE OF STATEHOOD BILLS BY PRESIDENT'S VETO
Congress passed the senate bill providing for the admission of Colorado May
3, 1866. On January 12, 1866, the President had sent the communication notify-
ing him of the election of John Evans and Jerome B. Chaffee as senators to
Congress, without recommendation. On May I5th the President vetoed the
Colorado statehood measure. He charged insufficiency of population, that the
burdens of state taxation were too great and finally intimated a fraudulent ma-
jority for statehood.
In the next contest for delegate to Congress, Governor Cummings took a
deep partisan interest, favoring A. C. Hunt, an anti-statehood candidate, against
George M. Chilcott, the republican and statehood nominee.
A. C. Hunt was given the certificate, but Congress later seated George M.
Chilcott.. When, on April 2ist of this year, Cummings resigned the governor-
ship he was succeeded by A. C. Hunt.
In February, 1867, Congress again passed a bill for the admission of Colo-
rado, but it was again vetoed, and could not be carried over the veto.
On April 15, 1869, Governor Hunt, whose administration had been devoted
largely to a settlement of the Indian troubles, was succeeded by Gen. Edward M.
McCook, who during the Civil War rose to the brevet rank of major general.
The burning question of statehood was still uppermost in the minds of Union
party leaders, and they were finally enabled to effect the appointment of Samuel
H. Elbert, who succeeded General McCook April 17, 1873.
On January 27, 1874, less than a year after his appointment, the President,
without any previous notification, removed Governor Elbert and reappointed
General McCook, with John W. Jenkins of Virginia as secretary, taking the
place of Frank Hall, and T. B. Searight of Pennsylvania taking the place of
Surveyor General Lessig. Jenkins and Searight were confirmed in February and
the fight on McCook continued until June I9th, when he too was given the office.
This was perhaps one of the most bitter fights ever made on political leaders in
territory or state. On McCook's side the Las Animas land deal, growing out
of an old Spanish land grant, was made the basis of charges against friends of
the removed officials. On the other hand, serious charges were brought against
General McCook by the Chaffee faction. On the arrival of the new officials a
clean sweep was begun and practically every appointment made at the suggestion
of Jerome B. Chaffee, already the republican leader, was annulled. This hos-
422 HISTORY OF COLORADO
tility even extended to Supreme Court appointments, Judge Hallett being re-
tained, but Judges E. T. Wells and James B. Belford being succeeded by A. W.
Brazee, of Lockport, New York, and Amherst W. Stone, of Colorado. Among the
removals was that of Amos Steck, receiver of the Denver land office, and the
appointment of Maj. Samuel T. Thomson as his successor followed.
But President Grant strongly favored statehood for Colorado, and in his
message to Congress December 3, 1873, urged the enactment of such a measure.
In August, 1874, the republicans and democrats met to name candidates for
delegates to Congress. In the republican party the removal of Governor Elbert
and associates was the cause of serious dissension. Jerome B..Chaffee declined
to run again, but the nominee, Judge H. P. H. Bromwell, was selected to make
the race in an effort to bring the factions together.
The democrats had nominated Thomas M. Patterson, who had come to Colo-
rado in 1872 from Crawfordsville, Indiana, and who proved to be one of the
best campaigners the territory had known. He carried nineteen of the territory's
twenty-five counties.
On December 8, 1873, Jerome B. Chaffee, delegate, had introduced the Colo-
rado statehood measure. It passed the House June 8, 1874, and was called up
in the Senate February 24, 1875. Here began a long and bitter struggle, in which
many of the best features of the House bill were eliminated for purely political
reasons. Thus, the new state was given for internal improvements 5 per cent of
the proceeds of public land sales made subsequent to admission. This was made
to apply only to agricultural lands and not to any lands taken up under the
homestead laws. Finally all mineral lands were excepted from the operation
of the act. These and many other minor changes were all cheerfully agreed to.
Then began a venomous fight on the territory, the~claim being put forward that
it had only a roving population of less than one hundred thousand, that it had
no great resources, that its only asset was "scenery." It became clear to the
"statehood" leaders that the bill could not be carried by the Senate until General
McCook's removal or voluntary resignation. He was finally induced to step
down, and Col. John L. Routt, second assistant postmaster-general was named
and confirmed as his successor. The bill then had smooth sailing in the Senate.
But House concurrence in the Senate amendments was now the occasion for
another struggle. There were but a few days left of the session and of the
term of Jerome B. Chaffee, who with the help of the leaders of his party was
struggling to secure consent of the House for consideration. When the bill
came to the House on February 26th it was loaded with the New Mexico meas-
ure, and Senator Elkins had been promised that they would not be separated ex-
cept in the most extreme emergency.
After the morning hour on March 3d as soon as the deficiency bill had been
passed Mr. Haskins, of New York, by previous arrangement, proposed concur-
ring in the Senate amendments to House Bill No. 435 (the Colorado statehood
measure) and to House Bill No. 2418 (the New Mexico statehood measure).
This was defeated. It was now apparent that the bills must be separated and at
8 o'clock Ellis H. Roberts, of Utica, moved the suspension of the rules and con-
sideration of bills on the speaker's table, with the understanding that only a
two-thirds vote could carry any measure. A few other bills preceded the Colo-
rado measure. To the great relief of its friends, it passed, and within a few
HISTORY OF COLORADO 423
minutes carefully enrolled copies, prepared in advance, had been signed by the
president of the Senate and speaker of the House. The men who were largely
responsible for this success were Jerome B. Chaffee, Thomas M. Patterson, who
as a democrat and delegate-elect was urging members of his party to support
the measure, Jasper D. Ward, of Chicago, "Sunset" Cox, of New York, James
G. Blaine, then the speaker of the House, and a great host of other republicans and
democrats.
THOMAS M. PATTERSON TELLS OF WINNING STATEHOOD
The late Senator Patterson, a few years before his death, told the inside
story of the action taken by the House. His article in the Jubilee edition of
the Rocky Mountain News follows:
"The first session of the Forty-third Congress commenced on the first Mon-
day in December, 1873. Very shortly after it convened Mr. Chaffee and Hon.
Stephen B. Elkins, who had been elected delegate from the Territory of New
Mexico to the Forty-third Congress, determined to make a united effort for the
admission of both Colorado and New Mexico into the Union. They were both
men of great social and political influence in Washington, particularly Mr. Chaf-
fee, who was not only considerably older than Mr. Elkins, but was also then a
much wealthier man, with a wider and more influential political acquaintance.
They were both republicans, and determined to make the admission of the two
territories a party measure, the reason being that the republicans were in a
decided majority in the Senate and the House, and they knew it would require
party pressure to induce many Eastern members and senators to vote for the
admission of any new states. They were certain that, could it be made a caucus
measure, there were republicans enough, and to spare, in both branches to give
the territories statehood.
"Whether the republicans did make their admission a caucus measure I never
learned with positiveness, but it was understood at the time the bills were intro-
duced that the republicans of both Houses would, with practical unanimity, sup-
port the measure.
"The bills were introduced into the House at the same time, and were re-
ferred to the committee on territories. They were both reported back to the
House with favorable recommendations at the same time, and the House passed
both bills at the same time, and with practically the same vote.
"After their passage by the House both went over to the Senate at the same
time, and were referred to the committee on territories.
"This all occurred at the first session of the Forty-third Congress, in the
early part of the year 1874, and though that session held well into the summer
of that year, the bills were allowed to slumber in the committee without action.
Not that the friends of the measure in the Senate didn't urge action, but a ma-
jority of the committee were in no hurry then, as they have never been since, to
accelerate the admission of new states into the sisterhood.
"That was the situation when I was elected delegate in the summer of 1874.
The second session of the Forty-third Congress would convene in December,
1874, and since the session must end on the 4th of March, 1875, and all measures
uncompleted at that time must totally fail, I made up my mind to go to Wash-
424 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ington immediately after New Year of 1875, to add whatever influence I could
bring to bear in behalf of the measures.
"When I reached Washington the bills were yet with the Senate committee
on territories, but Messrs. Chaffee and Elkins succeeded in having them favorably
reported back by the committee shortly afterward. The measures went to the
Senate calendar, there to remain fixtures until that body could be moved to take
action upon them.
"I was assigned by Messrs. Chaffee and Elkins to labor with democratic sen-
ators and members — not with a brass band, but quietly, for I was to convince
them as well as I could that Colorado would in all probability cast its electoral
vote in 1876 for the democratic nominees for President and Vice President. The
republicans had practically made the admission of these two states a party meas-
ure. The democrats, for that reason, lined themselves up almost solidly in op-
position, although the social influences of Chaffee and Elkins had brought a few
democrats to their support.
"On the other hand, I had just been elected as a democrat to the House by a
good, large majority, and with that as my groundwork, I urged upon democrats
that Colorado was more likely to vote for the democratic nominees in 1876 than
for the republican; in any event, the chances were even, and justice demanded
that the two territories should be admitted.
"I had several interviews with Senator Allen G. Thurman of Ohio shortly
after I reached Washington. One of them was at his home, to which he invited
me, that we might be undisturbed during the interview.
"I found Senator Thurman quite disposed to be friendly to the clamoring
territories, and after this latter interview I knew he would do all he could to
have them admitted.
"But the Senate could not be induced to act at all until about two weeks be-
fore the close of the session, and then the reason for the tedious delay became
apparent. It was to amend the bills at so late a day in the session that, in all
human probability, the House would not be permitted to act upon them at all.
"Those were the days of the filibuster, and Samuel J. Randall, a past grand
master in the art of filibustering, was the democratic leader in the House.
"The senators who were opposed to new states expected that when the two
bills were returned to the House with the Senate's amendments they would, as
was the rule in such cases, be referred to the House committee on territories,
in which body action might be altogether deferred; or, if it has had, and the
bills were reported back favorably, then they would have to go to the calendar,
where they were likely to be smothered in the rush of measures in the closing
days of the session; or, should they come to the front, a good, strong show of
filibustering against them would end their careers.
"The Senate passed both bills, but before doing so amended them in fouf
or five minor particulars. Not one of the amendments was important, but it
was necessary to amend them to carry out the plans of the senatorial cabal that
was opposed to the admission of new states.
"Upon their passage by the Senate the friends of «the two ambitious terri-
tories went into consultation. They knew the dangers that beset them, should
the regular course be adopted — that of referring them to the House committee
on territories — so a desperate remedy was resorted to as the alternative. The
HISTORY OF COLORADO 425
friends agreed that, instead of referring them to the committee, they would
have them laid, in parliamentary language, 'upon the speaker's table.' The en-
emies of statehood were quite willing that they should be given that chute, for it
would require a two-thirds vote of the House to take them from the table to
ratify the Senate amendments and pass the bills as then amended. But on send-
ing them to the speaker's table the shoals and quicksands of the committee, and
the deadly perils of a filibuster in the very last days of the session, were all
avoided.
"The work now before the friends of statehood was to make certain of the
necessary two-thirds vote whenever the bills should be called up. My real labor
commenced then. A certain number of democratic congressmen had to be won
over, and I made myself quite busy. I'm afraid some of the democrats felt that
I was something of a nuisance, but I persevered, and bottled my pride, deter-
mined that, if failure occurred, it should not be traced to want of effort upon
my part.
"Of course, Messrs. Chaffee and Elkins kept their republican friends right in
line, but they did not have the republicans solidly, nor did the republicans have
the House by the necessary two-thirds vote.
"About a week before the close of the session, however, we were able to
count the necessary two-thirds, and the friends of the measure were ready for
action.
"But right then there occurred an unlooked-for and very disquieting event.
It put the plans of statehood up in the air very badly, and it lost statehood to
New Mexico and took some of the votes from Colorado it would otherwise have
had.
"What was called a 'force bill' had passed the Senate and was before the
House. Sam Randall was leading the democrats in a filibustering struggle to
defeat it. The feeling upon both sides was bitter in the extreme.
"Fiery speeches had been made; the Southern democrats drew the line of
personal friendships along the debate. They believed they were fighting to
preserve their states and homes from negro domination, and those familiar
with the feeling of the South, where carpet-bag rule and negro domination were
in the balance, can judge of the bitterness of that feeling.
"There was a young republican congressman in the House from Michigan.
He was then unknown to fame, except that a rumor from the wilds of Michigan
set him down as a Columbian orator of prodigious carrying power. His name
was Julius Caesar Burroughs.
"Mr. Burroughs made a speech on the force bill. He grilled the Southerners
from head to foot, and tortured them in the fires of his oratory.
"It was a bitter, exasperating speech, and the Southerners listened with gleam-
ing eyes and gritting teeth. Burroughs closed with a flood of invective that
brought republicans and democrats to their feet, and as he sat down the repub-
lican side and the galleries burst out with hand-clapping and applause.
"Mr. Elkins came into the chamber about five minutes before Mr. Burroughs
closed his speech. He entered it through a door very close to the desk from
which Mr. Burroughs was speaking. He was immediately attracted by the .or-
ator, and stood as if spellbound, listening to him. He was manifestly carried
away by the fervor and swelling voice and earnest manner of Burroughs, and
426 HISTORY OF COLORADO
when Burroughs closed he rushed up to him, and was the very first to shake
him by the hand and congratulate him upon the mastery of his effort. Scores
of other members gathered about Burroughs' seat and shook his hand, but Elkins
was the very first.
"Fatal enthusiasm! The fervor of Columbian oratory would not move the
experienced and self-poised Elkins today to so foolish an act — foolish, I mean,
having in mind the admission of a state or any other matter of half the import-
ance.
"The democrats — particularly the Southern ones, those who had been won
over to Colorado and New Mexico statehood — witnessed Elkins' rush for Bur-
roughs and his congratulations with set teeth and ominous mutterings. That
evening it was known that a number of them who had been counted friends of
statehood would vote against New Mexico, at least, and Colorado might possibly
be included in their wrath.
"We all set about fixing up the dislodged fences, but how well the work was
done could not be told until the votes were actually recorded. I had been a
witness of it all — had seen Mr. Elkins when he entered the chamber, saw him
stand as if rooted to the floor, saw him rush up the very first to congratulate
Burroughs, and felt intuitively that the delegate from New Mexico had com-
mitted a fatal blunder. I was not mistaken.
"I will never forget the event of that final vote on the bills for the admission
of Colorado and New Mexico. It was 2. o'clock in the morning of the last day
of the session — March 4th. James G. Blaine was speaker of the House. He
was not in the chair in the early part of the night, nor until after midnight. He
had been an honored guest at some important function. He entered the chamber
at between 12 and I o'clock, clothed in full evening dress, just as he had left the
fashionable dinner function.
"It then became a mere question as to when the votes might be taken. Some
matters of perhaps greater importance even than statehood had to be gotten out
of the way.
"At length Speaker Blaine was ready for the test. He was the friend of
statehood, and he was to determine the most propitious moment for the effort.
He gave the signal to the member who was to make the necessary motion, and
he arose in response to the call.
" 'Mr. Speaker,' he said, and Blaine recognized him.
"It was understood that the test should come on Colorado first.
" 'I move,' said the recognized member, in a loud, clear voice, 'that the bill
for the admission of Colorado, with the amendments of the Senate, be taken
from the speaker's table, that the amendments of the Senate be concurred in,
and that the bill as amended do pass.'
"Immediately there was a loud demand by the democrats for the ayes and
noes, and the speaker, ruling that the demand was seconded by a sufficient num-
ber, ordered the clerk to proceed with the calling of the roll.
"Would Colorado receive the requisite two-thirds vote? That question, and
the uncertainty of the answer, caused several hearts in that great chamber almost
to. cease beating. The whole House was still as the roll call proceeded, for in-
terest in the matter had grown to be intense — the friends and opponents of
statehood hoped for and expected the victory.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 427
"It was not until after the roll call of nearly three hundred and fifty members
had been completed that those who followed the count knew that Colorado had
won the day, or, rather, the night.
"As was usually the case on roll calls, a number had not voted when their
names were called, and after the call had been completed, those, each in his turn,
stood by his seat to be recognized by the speaker, and when his name was called
by the clerk he announced his vote and had it recorded. It was only then, after
a proceeding that required more than thirty-five minutes, that the friends of
Colorado statehood knew that its future was assured. It then but required the
signature of the President, the adoption of a state constitution and a final procla-
mation by the President, when Colorado would be an equal with the rest of the
states in the Union, to work out its own destiny under the aegis of the Consti-
tution— a Constitution that knows no favorites, and that protects and defends
its children all alike.
"But what of New Mexico?
"Immediately on the announcement of the Colorado vote by Speaker Elaine
— it was the necessary two-thirds, with five or six to spare — the member who
had moved in the Colorado bill made the same motion as to the New Mexico
measure. A roll call was demanded and ordered, and the roll was called. As it
was being proceeded with it was noted that now and then a democrat who had
voted for Colorado voted against New Mexico. Would there be enough to
change the Colorado outcome ? There was ! Those who followed the call knew
that enough such votes had been cast to defeat New Mexico, and even before
those not voting and who asked to have their votes recorded had been accom-
modated, it was known that New Mexico was not yet to become a state.
"It failed to obtain the necessary two-thirds by less than Colorado had re-
ceived above it."
Governor Routt came to Colorado as a peace maker. This appointment had
healed the breach between General Grant and Colorado's republican leaders, and
after being sworn in by Judge Hallett on March 30, 1875, he began the work of
reconciling the factions of his party in the territory.
To win it was evident that there must be unanimity in the republican party,
for at the last election for the Territorial Legislature, September 14, 1875, the
democrats had elected nine members of the Senate, the republicans four; and of
the House ten were democrats and sixteen were republicans. The delegates to
the constitutional convention, twenty-four republicans and fifteen democrats,
were elected October 25th, and began their labors in Denver December 2Oth. The
constitution framed by this body of men was ratified July I, 1876. The vote
was: For the constitution, 15,443; against the constitution, 4,062.
On August ist President Grant issued his proclamation declaring Colorado
a state of the Union.
FIRST STATE ELECTION
When the State of Colorado held its first party conventions there was really
no clear-cut test vote at hand by which to gauge the political complexion of the
entire commonwealth. During the war and in the few years after the war the
legislative elections had been controlled to some extent by "North" or "South"
428 HISTORY OF COLORADO
sentiments, but to a large extent by purely local and territorial issues. The
question of statehood, for and against, had divided the territory into factions in
which democrats and republicans forgot old party fealties in the bitterness of their
present contest.
So it was decided to have a test vote and both parties named their strongest
candidates. The fight for the Supreme Court judgeships was a peculiar and
interesting one. Judge Wells had just formed a partnership at Leadville, which
meant a fortune to him yearly. But he was the strongest candidate the repub-
licans could name, so he was finally, and much against his will, nominated with
the understanding that he would resign immediately after the election. The
republican ticket was elected, and Judge Wells assisted in the organization of the
Supreme Court. In deciding on terms Judge Wells, much to his chagrin, drew
the long term. He was, however, permitted to resign.
Judge Wilbur F. Stone, who had been named by the democratic conven-
tion to oppose Judge Wells in the first .election, was then named as joint
candidate by the leading members of the state bar. He was of course elected
and served out the long term which Judge Wells had so unfortunately, for the
republicans, drawn.
JOHN L. ROUTT WINS GOVERNORSHIP
There was a spirited contest for the nomination for governor in the repub-
lican convention held at Pueblo August 23, 1876, and of which Alvin Marsh,
of Gilpin, was permanent chairman. John L. Routt, who secured the honor,
was opposed by George W. Chilcott, Samuel H. Elbert and Lafayette Head.
The latter was nominated for lieutenant governor, and Mr. Elbert was named
with Henry C. Thatcher of Pueblo and, as stated above, Ebenezer T. Wells,
of Arapahoe, for justices of the Supreme Court. James B. Belford, one of
the most celebrated orators of the state, was named for representative in
Congress.
On the democratic side, at a convention held in Manitou on August 29th,
Judge Harley B. Morse, of Gilpin, presiding, Thomas M. Patterson of Arapahoe
was nominated for Congress. Gen. Bela M. Hughes was named for governor
by acclamation. Wilbur F. Stone of Pueblo, E. Wakely of San Juan and George
W. Miller of Arapahoe were nominated for the supreme bench. This election
was held October 3, 1876.
THE BELFORD-PATTERSON CONGRESSIONAL FIGHT
The entire republican ticket was elected, thus assuring two republican United
States senators. But in the election for Congress James B. Belford received
a majority of the vote both for what was called the short and for the full
term. Thomas M. Patterson conceded Belford's election for the short term,
but on November 7, 1876, ran alone and unopposed for the full term beginning
March 4, 1877. General Buckner, of Kentucky, in reviewing the case when
the contest came before the House said that the only question before the House
was whether or not the certificate of the Governor of Colorado, showing upon
its face that the election was held on a day unauthorized by law, entitled the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 429
holder of such a credential to a prima facie right to a seat. He held that the
governor might have avoided all this difficulty by merely stating that Mr.
Belford had been duly elected according to the laws of Colorado, for, "I under-
take to say, and no one will doubt that if such had been the form of the certi-
ficate, Mr. Belford would, unquestionably, have had the prima facie right to
a seat here. But the governor does not give such a certificate. He undertakes
not merely to give his conclusions of law upon the facts, but he states a fact,
which, according to my construction of the law, proves that the election was
invalid; that there was no authority of law for holding the election on the day
upon which he says Belford was elected. This brings us to the only question
really before the House; and this question is not to be decided upon what the
Constitutional Convention did upon its view of the law, but it is for each
member of the House upon an examination of the authority under which the
Convention acted, to determine the question for himself. The rights of Mr.
Patterson to a seat here are not involved in this discussion. The question
whether the Governor or the State authorities issued the proclamation required
by law, is not before the House. Nor is there before the House the question
whether Mr. Patterson or Mr. Belford received the largest vote at the election
in October or November, or what proportion of votes they received, or whether
any particular county did or did not vote at the November election."
The only law, Mr. Buckner concludes, under which Colorado could vote
was the law of Congress of 1872, and the amendatory act of 1875, which fixes
the date for the election of all representatives to Congress for the first Tuesday
after the first Monday in November.
Mr. Patterson was seated for the full term.
CHAFFEE AND TELLER GO TO SENATE
On January 7, 1877, Colorado had its first senatorial election. There had
been much wrangling and wire-pulling by sectional leaders, Pueblo and El Paso
both coming with candidates, George M. Chilcott and W. S. Jackson, to oppose
Jerome B. Chaffee and Henry M. Teller. Almost at the outset, however, the
feeling that Jerome B. Chaffee should be chosen permeated all minds, and on
the night of January pth he was named by the republican caucus. Finally on
the I4th the southern part of the state turned to Henry M. Teller, and one
of the most constructive minds ever sent to the United States Senate was thus
honored with the election. The senators were sworn in December 4, 1877. In
the drawing Mr. Teller secured the short term, which expired March 3, 1878,
and Mr. Chaffee that which expired in March 1880. On December 9, 1878, Mr.
Teller was reflected for the full term ending in 1883. The democrats at the
latter election voted for Thomas Macon of Fremont. At the first senatorial
election they voted for Thomas Macon and William A. H. Loveland of Jefferson.
The recognition of his state was but the beginning of the honors that came
unbidden to Senator Teller throughout his career.
In 1882 when he had been in the Senate but a single term he was made
Secretary of the Interior by President Arthur, a position which he filled with
such conspicuous success that the nation was placing him among its presidential
possibilities. But Colorado with its small electoral vote was not destined to
430 HISTORY OF COLORADO
be a "mother of presidents", though it had in its borders many statesmen who
in larger and politically more doubtful communities could have aspired to the
honor.
In practically all his remaining campaigns for the United States Senate
his position was never that of the wrangling righting politician. The friends who
managed his campaigns, both republicans and democrats, fought for the man
who so to speak had put Colorado "on the map" nationally. Yet there were but
two campaigns in which the opposition to Henry M. Teller showed its teeth.
In 1885 it was Senator Chaffee who led the hosts against the reelection of
N. P. Hill, another of Colorado's great men. This was really Chaffee's fight,
with Henry M. Teller, Colorado's most noted figure, lending to his faction the
influence and power Chaffee needed to win out.
The last contest was with Senator Wolcott, who was defeated rather by the
defections in his own party than by the strange combination of circumstances
which brought about the reelection of Senator Teller.
His return to Colorado from the republican national convention out of
which he had led his "silver" friends, was made the occasion of one of the most
notable ovations ever given any man in public life in the state. Nothing so
endeared him to his people as the firm stand he had taken in the cause of his
constituency. The sacrifice was really a great one. Henry M. Teller was in line
for whatever he aspired to from the hands of, a republican President. A cab-
inet portfolio or the greatest of the country's foreign missions was in his grasp.
At this time there was but little hope for democratic success. Nor was
Teller ready to become a democrat. He called himself a Silver republican,
and under this name led his faction into the Bryan fold. To republican eyes
in that first silver campaign this was plainly an effort to split the old party. So
that it is clear that this great man was burning the bridges behind him. He had,
however, the courage of his convictions even though his stand for his state led
to the destruction of all hopes he may have had for further national distinction
from his old party.
The work of Henry M. Teller was always constructive. To a great extent
the Public Lands policy of the Government was made helpful to the West as far
as this was possible for him in Senate committees and as Secretary of the Interior.
On all the work of the judiciary committees of the Senate during his terms
of office he has left the impress of his clarifying and practical intellect.
Senator Jerome B. Chaffee was another of Colorado's great men, although
hardly to be classed in intellectuality or statecraft with either Senator Teller
or Senator Wolcott. To no one man in Colorado does the honor of achieving
statehood belong, yet if this honor could be divided the larger share would go
to Jerome B. Chaffee. He became the republican leader of Colorado when he
was chosen territorial delegate to Congress, although he was already a power
when chosen speaker of the Territorial Assembly in 1863. Nor was his influence
confined to Colorado. In the party councils he was even then a growing power.
Within the state the Hill faction was really never reconciled to his leader-
ship, but when all the causes for this quarrel are simmered down, it becomes like
nearly every internal party wrangle, merely a fight for patronage— a fight in which
leaders are estranged despite themselves.
The illness of Senator Chaffee put him out of the political running for a time,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 431
but his remarkable recovery, followed by the Teller-Hill contest, in which he
managed the Teller campaign, demonstrated that his influence in his party was
still to be figured with.
The first presidential electors chosen by the Legislature were Herman Beck-
urts, Otto Mears and William L. Hadley.
In 1878, just on the eve of the biennial campaign, the News, which had
been the property of William N. Byers was sold to W. A. H. Loveland, a dem-
ocrat, and thus became a factor in the coming gubernatorial election for the
new proprietor of the News was made the nominee for governor at the Pueblo
convention on July i/th, the day after his newspaper purchase.
Thomas M. Patterson was again nominated for Congress.
In the republican party there was every evidence of dissension. The northern
part of the state had gathered in all of the plums and the south felt that it
would go even to the absurd extreme of trying to create a new state unless there
was a complete change in the apportionment of honors. The movement, while
the occasion of considerable joshing, ended, however, in the selection of Fred-
erick W. Pitkin, of Ouray, for the gubernatorial nomination, and a large rep-
resentation from the southern part of the state on the ticket. James B. Belford
again ran for Congress.
On August I4th the third party, known as "the Greenbackers", nominated
a ticket headed by Dr. R. G. Buckingham, of Arapahoe, for governor. The
entire republican ticket was elected.
N. P. HILL ENTERS THE FIELD
In 1879 tne Legislature selected the successor to Jerome B. Chaff ee. His
reelection would have been a foregone conclusion, but a serious illness, which
it was believed would end fatally, compelled him to decline the honor. This
left the party without a head, for Senator Chaffee had been its leader and guid-
ing spirit for much over a decade. Prof. Nathaniel P. Hill, who was then
manager of the Boston & Colorado Smelting Company, with Senator Chaffee's
consent and support, became an avowed candidate for the United States senator-
ship and party leadership in the state. The candidates opposing Mr. Hill were
Thomas M. Bowen, of Rio Grande, John L. Routt, H. A. W. Tabor, William A.
Hamill, of Clear Creek, W. S. Jackson, of El Paso, John Evans, Henry C.
Thatcher, of Pueblo, and George M. Chilcott. The result was in doubt at the
outset only, for Professor Hill was nominated on the fourth ballot. The dem-
ocrats voted for W. A. H. Loveland.
In 1880 the political contest was again three-cornered, the greenbackers
naming Rev. A. J. Chittendon, of Boulder, as their candidate for governor, while
the republicans renominated Governor Pitkin by acclamation, and the dem-
ocrats named John S. Hough, of Hinsdale, as their standard bearer. For
Congress James B. Belford was again named by the republicans, opposed by
Robert S. Morrison, of Clear Creek, a democrat. This was the period of torch
light processions, and in one of these the transparencies were lettered to arouse
the anti-Chinese prejudices of the community. The "Morey letter", an unskil-
ful and infamous forgery, helped to arouse the anger of the voters. This
432 HISTORY OF COLORADO
resulted, on October 31, 1880, in what are known as the anti-Chinese riots.
These are fully covered in another chapter of this history.
PITKIN CHOSEN GOVERNOR
The effect of the riots on the election is not apparent. The republicans,
who had continuously controlled the state, again won by the old-time substantial
majorities. The election of James A. Garfield to the presidency was followed
by the first determined effort to secure representation for Colorado in the cabinet.
For this honor former Governor Routt was urged by Senators Teller and Hill,
and former Senator Chaffee, by Congressman Belford and by General Grant,
who personally urged the appointment. While this first effort failed, the honor
came to the state rather unexpectedly in 1882, when President Arthur recon-
structed the cabinet and named Senator Teller Secretary of the Interior. When
his resignation reached Governor Pitkin he lost no time in appointing George
M. Chilcott of Pueblo to fill the vacancy, thus ending the long and bitter contro-
versy between republicans of the northern and southern sections of the state.
The republican party of the state, continuously victorious, now began to
weaken under the stress of a bitter factional fight, with Senator N. P. Hill and
Henry R. Wolcott on one side and ex-Senator Chaffee and Henry M. Teller on
the other. In the campaign of 1882 the Chaffee wing was strong enough to
defeat Henry R. Wolcott for the gubernatorial nomination, and named E. L.
Campbell, of Lake County, as its standard bearer, James B. Belford again
receiving the congressional nomination. The democrats nominated James B.
Grant, head of the Grant Smelting Company, and one of the most popular men
in the state. The two republican papers of Denver, the Tribune and Senator
Hill's paper, the Republican, bolted their party nominee.
The greenback-labor party, with George W. Woy as its gubernatorial can-
didate, made inroads on both of the older parties. James B. Grant while elected
by a heavy majority failed to carry the remainder of his ticket to victory.
BOWEN AND TABOR GO TO SENATE
The senatorship was before the fourth General Assembly, which convened
January 9, 1883, and the campaign just ended left the factions apparently in
irreconcilable conflict. Former Governor Pitkin, H. A. W. Tabor, Thomas M.
Bowen and George M. Chilcott managed to split up the vote of the Assembly
so that the reelection of Senator Hill became impossible. On January 26th,
on the ninety-second ballot, Thomas M. Bowen was chosen as the successor of
Senator Hill and Horace A. W. Tabor was named for the unexpired term of
Secretary Teller. It was a Chaffee victory, and was followed by one other in
1884, his last appearance as republican leader. The convention of that year was
inclined to make peace between factions and the nomination of Benjamin H.
Eaton of Weld County for governor was a popular one. George G. Symes, of
Denver, in a hot fight defeated James B. Belford for the congressional nomina-
tion. The democrats nominated Alva Adams, of Pueblo, for governor, and
Charles S. Thomas, of Lake County, for Congress. The greenbackers were
still in the field, and again with George W. Woy.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 433
While the republicans were victorious, Elaine carrying the state by 8,650,
the remainder of the ticket won in some instances by less than half this figure.
But it had been altogether a fight for the next senatorship with Jerome B.
Chaffee in the field for the return of Secretary Teller, and the friends of former
Senator Hill massing to defeat him. When on January 2oth the first ballot
was taken Teller had 35 votes, Hill 17, with the remainder scattering, the dem-
ocrats casting 22 votes for Dennis Sullivan. Hill's declination was followed
by the reelection of Mr. Teller.
In 1886 the leadership of the republican party had fallen upon Edward O.
Wolcott, who was even then preparing to succeed Senator Bowen. The party
nominated William H. Meyer, of Costilla, for governor, and George "G. Symes
for Congress. The democrats renominated Alva Adams of Pueblo for governor,
recognizing in him one -of the best campaigners in the party. For Congress it
nominated Rev. Myron W. Reed, of Denver. While there were no apparent
factional differences in the republican party, the election ended in a victory
for Alva Adams, his friends in the southern part of the state, without regard
to party affiliations, voting for him.
In 1888 the democrats named their party leader, Thomas M. Patterson,
for governor and the republicans nominated John A. Cooper, also of Denver.
Hosea Townsend, of Custer County, was named for Congress. The democrats
opposed him with Thomas Macon, of Fremont. The election hinged largely
upon the senatorial succession to Thomas M. Bowen. The republican victory
was decisive. In the republican legislative caucus Edward O. Wolcott received
45 votes, Bowen 15, and Tabor i. Mr. Wolcott was elected on January 16,
1889. The democrats cast their eleven votes for Charles S. Thomas. Thus began
a senatorial career that surpassed in brilliancy, if not in greatness, that of
Senator Henry M. Teller.
It may be well to interrupt the narrative of political events with a brief
resume of his campaigns.
Senator Wolcott maintained undisputed leadership in his party until 1902,
and in the trying days of 1896 when only a remnant clung to him, the famous
appeal issued from his home at Wolhurst was the evidence he gave to his state
of his deep love for and of his unquestioning adherence to the party which had
honored him in the past. "What we need in Colorado is less hysterics and more
common sense. We are one of forty-six states in the Union, each free and sover-
eign. Within our borders live about one one hundred and fiftieth of the people
of the United States. We live in a Republic where the majority rules. The vast
majority of the people of the United States are honest and of high average
intelligence, and devoted to the perpetuity of free institutions. Our great
desire is to induce a majority of the people of the United States to. believe as
we believe. The way to the accomplishment of this result is not by vituperation
and abuse."
Senator Wolcott presided over the republican state convention at Colorado
Springs in 1896. In his address he confessed to a prior promise to join any
great party that declared for free silver — a promise his intense love for his party
would never have permitted him to keep. But he explained it by saying that "I
did not dream that they were going to join hands with populists and give us the
anarchistic platform, nor did I ever dream that the change would make me
434 HISTORY OF COLORADO
stand on the same platform with Governor Waite and General Coxey. When
I really came to face the possibility of leaving the dear old party, I wouldn't
play — that's all. I walked up to the trough, but I couldn't drink." In that
bitter contest Senator Teller was opposing him and Bryan supporters were break-
ing up republican meetings. In the midst of interruptions at the big Coliseum
meeting, one of few he addressed that year, he shouted to the Bryan men who
were raising a row, "I want to tell you you've got the right town and number,
but the wrong street. Your meeting places are in the saloons on Sixteenth Street.
Go back and tell them that this is a place of meeting of decent people, who
respect individual opinion."
But with all this bitterness the great party leader was able to say in one of
his speeches of that trying time : "I hold in my hand typewritten copies, and they
are not five per cent, of what I could have got from the files of that paper, of
the most filthy and dirty and outrageous and lying attacks that were ever made
upon my colleague (Senator Teller) during the different years he has been in
public life. I won't soil my tongue by reading them. They include the direct
charge that since my colleague has been in public life fighting the battle for silver
in Washington he has been an enemy of silver and would defeat it if he could.
They charge him with personal dishonor and personal misconduct, and personal
dishonesty, when there never was a man of purer life connected with public
affairs."
This was the man in whose nature it was always to be magnanimous.
Thomas F. Dawson in his excellent two volume biography of Senator Wol-
cott thus accurately characterizes him, "His intellectual processes were swift,
independent and accurate; his mental vision broad and keen — penetrating, com-
prehensive. He always thought and acted on a large scale."
In the campaign of 1902 Mr. Wolcott made the mistake of heeding the cry
of a few of his party to keep out of the Peabody fight and to allow it to be
fought out not complicated by the senatorship. The men who opposed him had
control of the party machinery. J. B. Fairley, chairman of the state republican
committee, together with Phillip B. Stewart, a growing power in the party,
opposed him. At the big Coliseum meeting November i8th, which the opposing
faction tried to call off, Wolcott spoke to an audience that packed every nook
and corner of the hall.
The factional differences in the republican party had in 1888 been deepened
by local party fights. Thus in Denver there was what was called the "Gang"
and what was termed "Gang Smashers." With state and Federal patronage
in their control, the republican leaders had aroused much opposition from the
unrecognized element.
ROUTT CHOSEN GOVERNOR
In 1890 this contest ended in two Denver conventions, which fought like
Kilkenny cats for recognition in the state convention held at the Coliseum
September i8th. John L. Routt was named for governor, and Hosea Town-
send was renominated for Congress. The democrats named Caldwell Yeaman,
of Las Animas, for governor, and T. J. O'Donnell, of Denver, for Congress.
The prohibitionists, who had also nominated a ticket in 1888, again appeared
HISTORY OF COLORADO 435
with a ticket headed by John A. Ellett, of Boulder. There was in this election
the first evidence of actual independent voting on the part of the people, a drifting
away from party dictation. Thus James N. Carlile of Pueblo was elected treas-
urer on a pledge to turn into the state treasury all interest on public funds. The
democrats also elected Joseph H. Maupin, attorney general, and Dr. N. B. Coy,
superintendent of public instruction. In 1891 the reelection of Senator Teller
was without opposition in his own party, the democrats voting for Judge Caldwell
Yeaman.
And here may be said to end the first of the epochs of state government. The
year 1891 was still one of great prosperity. The population had by the census
of 1890 been placed at 410,000; the mines were producing increasing quantities
of the precious metals, and silver mining was still immensely remunerative,
although its price was beginning to decline. Denver was in the midst of a
notable building era. Its financial institutions had increased in number and
apparently in strength.
The Denver Steel Company, capitalized at $5,000,000, was organized by
men of great wealth and influence. The Overland Cotton mills, whose buildings
had cost over $300,000, began operating. The Denver Paper mills were in full
blast in August, 1891. The Hitchcock Woolen mills had its spindles going at
this time.
REPUBLICAN FACTIONS IN RIOT
On January 13, 1891, Governor John L. Routt was inaugurated. The factional
fight in the republican party was now switched from primaries and conventions
into the legislative halls. It was still a contest between what they termed the
"gang" and the "gang smashers." The respective leaders in the House were H. H.
Eddy, of Routt County and James H. Brown, of Denver, with the latter control-
ling the situation, although the former had been able to elect J. W. Hanna, of
La Plata, speaker. The first clash came over the appointment of committees.
This ended in actual riots on the floor of the House, the Brown faction finally
deposing Hanna and electing Jesse White, of Custer, speaker. For days both
factions met, presided over by their respective speakers. In the meantime the
only joint harmonious act was the caucus nomination of Henry M. Teller for the
United States senatorship. Governor Routt finally submitted the matter to the
Supreme Court, which declared White legally elected speaker.
So bitter was the feeling that one of the indirect consequences of this struggle
was the fatal wounding of Police Inspector Charles A. Hawley by Harley McCoy,
a "reform" deputy, and the shooting of officer J. C. Norris by one of McCoy's
aides. Fortunately, although three companies of militia were placed under arms,
the governor did not call upon them for actual service during the rioting.
One of the acts passed by this General Assembly had a far-reaching effect.
This was the creation of Boards of Fire and Police Commissioners for the City of
Denver, thus transferring a vast political power from the mayor to the governor,
who had the appointing of these newly-created officials. It further provided
"that the governor shall at all times have power and authority to revoke the
appointment of any member of said board for good and sufficient causes, to be
specifically stated in such revocation."
436 HISTORY OF COLORADO
THE LONG SILVER FIGHT
The state campaign of 1892 was an integral part of both the silver and
populist movements, which had just begun their long- looked- for swing into
national prominence. Colorado's leaders had for years urged a governmental
policy of the "free and unlimited coinage of silver." That this doctrine was so
generally accepted was to a great extent the result of its continued advocacy
by the ablest spokesmen in the Senate, Henry M. Teller and Edward O. Wolcott,
and by the active campaign which began with the first national silver convention
held in Denver in January, 1885, and out of which grew the National Bimetallic
Association. In this all of the Colorado advocates were active, and it had also
the enthusiastic support of Senator John P. Jones, of Nevada, Martin Maginnis,
of Montana, Morris L. Gage, of Kansas, Governor F. A. Tuttle, of Arizona, and
John W. Donelson, of Wyoming.
Through the efforts largely of state newspapers, all of which advocated the
cause, the movement gained further strength and the Colorado Silver Alliance
soon had its branches in all parts of the state. The second national silver con-
vention, held in St. Louis in November, 1889, made the question a vital national
issue. To this Colorado had sent forty-three representative men, covering every
branch silver party organization in the state. It became evident to the entire
nation that the silver question was growing in strength and was even at that
time strong enough to smash party lines if that were found necessary.
The third national silver convention was held in Washington from May
26 to May 28, 1892. To this Colorado, which then had 220 silver clubs, sent
Henry M. Teller, Thomas M. Patterson, B. Clark Wheeler, G. G. Symes, Mrs.
J. M. Luthe, Ed. F. Brown and George G. Merrick, the latter a prolific and
able writer on the subject.
It was George G. Merrick, together with Harley B. Morse, who on January
3, 1891, called at the Philadelphia mint and demanded that a silver brick weigh-
ing 514.8 ounces be coined for them. This as anticipated was promptly refused.
It was hoped that the entire question could then be taken to the Supreme Court,
but there jurisdiction was denied.
The national people's party, organized in Cincinnati, May 19, 1891, was the
first to advocate and to actually espouse the cause of silver. The people's party
had its beginnings in the days of the greenbackers, and most of its principles,
even that involving the free and unlimited coinage of silver, were advocated
by the convention which in 1876 had nominated Peter Cooper for President.
There were spasmodic "People's" movements in all sections of the country. In
1890 the people's party of Colorado nominated a state ticket under the title
"Independent." The Farmers' Alliance of the Northwest, the Agricultural
Wheel of the Southwest, the Laborers' Union of the South, the Knights of Labor,
had formulated their political demands at a conference in St. Louis in December,
1889, and on February 22, 1892, they came before the public with these demands,
clarified and strengthened by two years of careful consideration. When this
convention, inviting all voters to its ranks, met in Omaha on July 2, 1892, it came
forth a full-fledged "People's" party, endorsing silver, and nominating J. B.
Weaver of Iowa for President.
Thus in 1892 the two old party organizations entered the Colorado field with
HISTORY OF COLORADO 437
fear and trepidation. The spirit of unrest was over all. The moneyed interests
in the east were evidently turning against silver, but the labor and independent
element was strong enough, it was believed, to swing the new party to victory
within or without the old ranks.
The other national conventions had acted, — the one openly unfavorable and
the other diplomatically evasive on the question.
The issue had now disrupted the old organizations in both parties.
Thomas M. Patterson, who owned the Rocky Mountain News, bolted the dem-
ocratic party and advocated the election of Weaver, although at the outset
strongly favoring a democratic state ticket.
On July 28, 1892, the State Silver League and the people's party state conven-
tion were both in session in Denver. The former made overtures for joint action
on nominations, which were promptly rejected. The people's party then en-
dorsed the Omaha platform and nominated a ticket headed by Davis H. Waite,
of Pitkin County, for governor. On July 2Qth the silver league endorsed the
ticket, although, many democrats, including T. M. Patterson, left the hall,
refusing to sacrifice the democratic state organization. Toward the end of the
campaign, when the disruption was complete, Patterson supported Waite as well
as Weaver.
On September 8th the republican state convention met at Pueblo and both
Senators Teller and Wolcott advocated adherence to the party and a fight within
its ranks on the silver question. This policy won the day, and Joseph C. Helm,
of Denver, was named for the gubernatorial sacrifice.
The democratic state convention, with its organization a mere spectre, met
in Pueblo September i2th. Charles S. Thomas, T. J. O'Donnell and Thomas
M. Patterson were still ardently hoping that there could be a state democratic
ticket with a Weaver head. On the other hand, A. B. McKinley, Platt Rogers,
Caldwell Yeaman, Cleveland democrats, were irreconcilable on the compromise,
and finally bolted and nominated a ticket headed by Joseph H. Maupin of
Fremont. Later the Thomas and Patterson factions split over the manner of
the Weaver endorsement, and Thomas and his followers left the convention
hall. On September 26th the democratic state central committee, after learning
that the secretary of state had certified to the electoral ticket of the Cleveland
democrats, endorsed the entire people's party ticket. The prohibitionists also
had a ticket in the field headed by John Hipp, of Denver.
Weaver carried the state by 14,964. Waite was elected governor by a plu-
rality of 4,537; Lafe Pence and John C. Bell, people's party candidates, were
elected to Congress by 2,395 and 12,005 plurality respectively. The Legislature
stood: House, republicans, 33; democrat-populists, 32; Senate, republicans, 15;
populists, 13; democrats, 7.
The administration of Governor Waite was turbulent, to say the least. Nor
was he entirely responsible for the strife and the contentions of this period, for
it was the era of the panic, the storm clouds of which had been gathering for some
years. On June 26, 1893, the mints of India were closed to the coinage of silver.
Within a- week silver fell from 83 cents to 62 cents an ounce. This was followed
by the shutting down of the silver mines and smelters and with an immense
army of men out of employment the result was inevitable. The wildest reports
of prospective repudiation, all utterly unfounded, were spread throughout the
438 HISTORY OF COLORADO
east. Expressions uttered publicly and separated from contexts were used
to confirm these reports. Thus the utterance of Governor Waite that "it is
infinitely better that blood should flow to our horses' bridles, rather than our
liberties should be destroyed," was construed to imply revolution. That it was
indiscreet is evident, but in its purport it had no meaning of the kind implied
in the east.
The heavy withdrawals of eastern capital followed, and on July i/th the
panic was brought home to all by the shutting down of the three Denver savings
banks — the People's, the Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Dime and Dollar
Savings banks. On July i8th the Union National, the Commercial National and
the National Bank of Commerce announced temporary suspension.
This was followed by the closing of three private banks in Denver, the
German National, the People's National, the State National; the Union Bank
of Greeley, the J. B. Wheeler Banking Company at Aspen, the Bank of Loveland,
savings banks at Pueblo, Salida and New Castle. In Denver alone twelve banks
closed in three days. Business was at a standstill. Many business firms were
forced to suspend.
The First National, the Colorado National, the American National, the Denver
National and the City National weathered the storm.
Heavy loans, inability to force collections, the sweeping away of realty values
and equities and the drain of withdrawals for weeks prior to the suspension,
were the main causes for the failures.
The encouraging promise of help from Comptroller James H. Eckels, the fact
that five banks had stood the awful strain without flinching, the statements of
bank examiners of early adjustments, all helped to improve the situation.
At the November election the populists divided the offices with the republi-
cans, showing still further gains, however, over the gubernatorial year.
LABOR WAR OF 1894
But the law empowering the governor to appoint the Denver Fire and Police
Board now brought the municipal and state powers into serious conflict. Late
in 1893 the governor had determined to remove Commissioners Jackson Orr and
D. J. Martin, his own appointees. They on their part asserted that the governor
had been balked by them in his effort to build up a populist machine in the fire
and police departments of Denver. The governor on the other hand asserted
that Orr and Martin were deputizing policemen to protect gambling places. On
March 7, 1894, the governor tried the officials and found them guilty, appoint-
ing Dennis Mullins and Samuel D. Barnes to fill the positions. The ousted com-
missioners claimed there was no "cause for removal" and began changing the
City Hall of Denver into an armed fortress. Judge Graham, of the district
court, enjoined the governor from forcibly removing the officials, claiming that
he could not call cut the militia unless called upon by regularly constituted au-
thorities. Maintaining that the commissioners were in insurrection, Governor
Waite ordered the national guard under arms by noon of March I5th. That
afternoon a crowd of thousands gathered about the City Hall. When the troops
arrived at Lawrence and Fourteenth streets they were placed in position for as-
sault. One company with battery was stationed at the rear end of the old Cham-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 439
ber of Commerce building, later the Davis Drug Company building. At this
point they could see the muzzles of 300 Winchester rifles guarding the doors
and windows of the City Hall. In the meantime Federal troops under command
of Brigadier General McCook arrived and went into camp near the depot. The
governor declined the proffered aid, but at eight o'clock ordered the national
guard to the armory, where it was to remain under arms.
In the meantime the attorneys had been busied with a compromise, and the
matter was finally put up to the Supreme Court for decision, the governor, how-
ever, asserting that under no circumstances would he obey any court order
denying his right to call out the national guard. On April I5th, a month after
his display of force, the Supreme Court issued a writ of ouster and the new
Waite appointees were sworn in.
The labor war of 1894 was the final trouble of this stormy administration.
This is fully covered in another chapter of this history.
In 1894 Governor Waite determined to go to the polls for vindication. His
administration had been assailed from inception to finish, even by the leaders of
his own party. Thus Thomas M. Patterson and the News fought his renomina-
tion, but later supported the ticket.
"The paramount issue in Colorado is the suppression of anarchy, the restora-
tion and the maintenance of law and order." This was the keynote of the repub-
lican platform of 1894. Its nominee for governor was Albert W. Mclntire, of
Cone j os County. The "silver wing" and the "white wing" or Cleveland demo-
crats, smoothed out their differences and nominated Charles S. Thomas for gov-
ernor. The state gave Mclntire a plurality of 19,604, and his entire ticket was
elected. John Shafroth, republican, was sent to Congress by a plurality of
13,487. The Legislature stood: Senate— republicans, 15; populists, 17; demo-
crats, 3 ; House — republicans, 43 ; populists and democrats, 22. The first women
to sit in the Legislature were Mrs. Clara Cressingham and Mrs. Frances S. Klock,
of Denver, and Mrs. Carrie C. Holly, of Pueblo, all republicans.
In the spring of 1895 Colorado began its preparations for the national cam-
paign of 1896, in which the opening gun was fired by Joseph C. Sibley and
Richard Bland. The former spoke on April i6th to 5,000 people gathered on
the capitol grounds. In May, Richard Bland was given ovations all over the
state.
Former Governor Alva Adams, Congressman John F. Shafroth and E. B.
Light of Denver were delegates to a conference called by Governor Rickards of
Montana and held May I5th in Salt Lake City for the purpose of inaugurating a
campaign of education on the silver question. The "Bimetallist," a weekly issued
at Chicago, was the first fruit of this conference.
The first national silver convention was held in Memphis June nth and I2th,
and to this former Governor Alva Adams went as delegate from the Salt Lake
conference. A. W. Rucker, of Colorado, was on the committee appointed at
Memphis to call a second convention. The Colorado leaders made it clear that
in convention or at the polls they would not vote for any candidate who was
not an advocate of the free coinage of silver. The first republican to make this
pledge was John F. Shafroth. Many western republicans followed with like
pledges.
440 HISTORY OF COLORADO
On August 17, 1895, the democrats of Colorado in mass convention declared
unequivocally for the free and unlimited coinage of silver at a ratio of 16 to i.
On April 15, 1896, the democrats of Colorado sent the following delegates to
the democratic national convention to be held June 7th, in Chicago: At large,
Charles S. Thomas, T. J. O'Donnell, Denver; Bo Sweeney, Las Animas; First
district, Robert W. Speer, E. F. McCarthy; Second district, E. H. Seldomridge,
S. I. Hallett.
The republican delegation was chosen with the understanding that it would
not be pledged to abide by a decision which would pronounce for a single gold
standard. Senator Wolcott wisely declined to go on the delegation. Senator
Teller in a telegram asserted that "I cannot go to the national convention unless
the state convention is in accord with my ideas in declaring that in the coming
campaign the silver question is the paramount issue."
The convention not alone elected Teller to head its delegation but endorsed
his every act in connection with the silver issue. The delegation was : At large,
Henry M. Teller, Gilpin; Frank C. Goudy, Arapahoe; Dr. John W. Rockafellow,
Gunnison; James M. Downing, Pitkin; First district, A. M. Stevenson, John F.
Vivian; Second district, J. J. Hart, Charles H. Brickenstein.
The populist convention held in Denver July 2d, declared for a union of all
silver forces, endorsed the action of Senator Teller, and declared the silver ques-
tion to be the issue of the day. Waite and his followers withdrew and adopted
a complete populist platform. The delegation to the St. Louis convention was
led by Thomas M. Patterson, Myron W. Reed, Horace G. Clark and Samuel D.
Nicholson.
When the national silver party held its state convention on June 25th, it elected
a delegation of 100, headed by I. N. Stevens, Dennis Sheedy, H. A. W. Tabor
and J. H. Brown, to represent it at St. Louis July 22d.
At the St. Louis republican convention Senator Teller carried out his pledge
and walked out of the convention. The entire delegation of Colorado and Idaho
and portions of those of Nevada, Utah and Montana left the hall with him.
Senator Wolcott returned to the state and reorganized the republican party,
which was now but a remnant.
In the state campaign which followed the democrat, populist, silver republican
and national silver parties all entered the field against the regular republicans.
Even the "Middle-of-the-Road" populists held a state convention and nominated
Davis H. Waite for governor and John McAndrew for attorney general, passing
up all other nominations.
While all but the McKinley republicans had the four Bryan presidential elect-
ors, E. T. Wells, republican, A. T. Gunnell, democrat, T. M. Patterson, populist,
J. W. Thatcher, democrat, they failed to fuse on state tickets. After many con-
ferences the democrats and silver republicans named Alva Adams, democrat, for
governor, Simon Guggenheim, republican, for lieutenant governor, Charles H. S.
Whipple, democrat for secretary of state, George H. Kephart, of Durango, for
treasurer, John W. Lowell, of Routt, for auditor, Bryan L. Carr, of Pueblo, for
attorney general, Grace Espey Patton, of Fort Collins, state superintendent of
public instruction.
The populists and national silver party named Morton S. Bailey of Fremont,
for governor; B. Clark Wheeler, of Aspen, for lieutenant governor; William
HISTORY OF COLORADO 441
Scott Lee, of Denver, for secretary of state; George Seaver, of Pueblo, for
auditor; Horace G. Clark, of Weld, for treasurer; L. S. Cornell, of Denver, for
superintendent of public instruction.
On the McKinley republican ticket George W. Allen, of Denver, was named
for governor; Hosea Townsend, of Custer, for lieutenant governor; Edwin
Price, of Mesa, for secretary of state; James H. Barlow, of El Paso, for treas-
urer; George S. Adams, of Weld, for auditor; Alexander Gillett, of Gunnison,
for attorney general ; Mrs. lone T. Hanna, of Denver, for superintendent of
public instruction.
Shafroth and Bell had only the McKinley republican opposition, and were
returned by the following votes: Shafroth, 61,928; McClelland, 3,282; Bell,
69,175; Hoffmire, 12,590.
Alva Adams polled 86,881 votes; Bailey, 71,808; George W. Allen, 23,845;
Waite, 3,421.
The Legislature was composed as follows : Senate, democrats, 5 ; silver re-
publicans, 8 ; republicans, 6 ; populists, 1 1 ; national silver party, 5 ; House, demo-
crats, 20; silver republicans, 2; republicans, 10; populists, 23; national silver
party, 7; single taxer, i; socialist, i; non-partisan, i. Mrs. Olive C. Butler, re-
publican, Mrs. Evangeline Heartz, populist, and Mrs. Martha A. B. Conine, non-
partisan, were the women in the House.
The election of Senator Teller was, of course, a foregone conclusion. Out
of a total membership of ninety-eight he received ninety-two votes.
In the fall Senator Teller refused to sanction a union of his silver republican
faction with the McKinley republicans. In fact the separation was now so com-
plete that it was but a brief period until the so-called irreconcilable silver repub-
licans, including Teller and Shafroth, were classed as democrats, and a great
host of the national silver party men had gone back to the republican party.
In the election of 1898 this became apparent early in the campaign. In this
campaign there were four active parties, all factions of the two older organi-
zations. Archie M. Stevenson was chairman of the "Teller" silver republican
party. D. A. Mills was at the head of the "Silver" populists, or "People's" party,
with the Waite element practically eliminated. Milton Smith was chairman of
the democratic state committee. These had fused their forces by naming a
ticket headed by Charles S. Thomas for governor. The republican factions were
known as the "Guggenheim" and "Wolcott" republicans. These, while differing
somewhat in their attitudes on the silver question, were making a joint fight for
Henry Wolcott.
The entire silver "fusion" ticket was elected, the plurality for Thomas being
42,921. Shafroth and Bell were again returned to Congress. Among those who
came into office in January, 1899, was Mrs. Helen M. Grenfell, whose record
as state superintendent of public instruction gave her a national reputation.
The Legislature, both Senate and House, was overwhelmingly fusion, and
W. G. Smith of Jefferson, a "silver" republican, was elected speaker by a vote
of fifty-six to six.
With the republicans strongly entrenched in Washington, there started a
gradual disintegration of the fusion elements, the people's party quietly merging
into democracy, although it held to its name and its organization for other cam-
442 HISTORY OF COLORADO
paigns. But the silver republicans could not be held in line. In the local election
of 1899 a democratic victory was won in Arapahoe County, and in most of the
other counties of the state, but in Pueblo the republicans scored a sweeping vic-
tory. Boulder, Delta, Sedgwick and Fremont were among the republican counties,
with mixed results in many of the strongest "silver democratic" counties.
But with the certainty that Bryan would again be the nominee of the party
on the silver platform in 1900, the democratic leaders felt sanguine of results in
that campaign. Their nominee for governor was James B. Orman, of Pueblo,
and he was also the nominee of the Bryan, the Teller silver republican, the silver
republican, and the people's parties. In Arapahoe County the democratic fac-
tions had split, Thomas Maloney securing the right to use the name for his
local ticket, the Bryan faction nominating a "Bryan" ticket to oppose it. Thomas
M. Patterson was leading the fight on Maloney.
The republicans nominated Frank C. Goudy.
The election in Denver was exceptionally partisan and bitter, a riot resulting
in the murder of two deputies. However, the result was that the so-called
"Bryan" ticket in Denver won out by substantial majorities. The Legislature was
overwhelmingly fusion, thus assuring the return of a "fusion" nominee to suc-
ceed Edward O. Wolcott in the United States Senate.
When the Legislature convened the people's party representation, led by
Senator Edward T. Taylor, of Garfield, entered the democratic caucus as demo-
crats, and Col. B. F. Montgomery, of Teller, a democrat, was chosen speaker.
The two avowed candidates for the United States Senate were the retiring
governor, Charles S. Thomas, and Thomas M. Patterson, with the representa-
tives apparently pretty evenly divided. The struggle was not long but acrimo-
nious. When the two leaders finally on Monday, January 14, 1901, mustered their
forces at their respective headquarters, Patterson was found to have fifty-two
pledged to him. As forty-six was a majority of the fusion caucus, this assured
his nomination and election. Governor Thomas at once withdrew from the
contest. In the caucus balloting Thomas M. Patterson had 74 votes; Charles J.
Hughes, 7; James H. Blood, 5; John F. Shafroth, I.
On the final joint ballot Patterson received 91 votes ; Wolcott, 9.
In the campaign of 1902 the two old parties were again aligned against each
other with the silver question subordinated by local and other state issues. Even
the candidacy of Senator Teller to succeed himself and the presence of Mr.
Bryan in the campaign failed to bring out the old-time "silver" enthusiasm of
the previous campaigns.
The republicans nominated James H. Peabody, of Fremont. The people's
party, a mere remnant now of its old self, had nominated Frank W. Owens for
governor. The democrats named a strong candidate in Judge Edward C. Stim-
son, of El Paso County. For congressman-at-large, Alva Adams ran against
Franklin E. Brooks. Congressman Shafroth was pitted against Robert W.
Bonynge.
While the democrats based their campaign upon the "silver" issue, the repub-
licans, openly backed by the leading public utilities companies, made the records of
the past two General Assemblies the point of attack. While the election was a close
one, the republicans returned to power, Peabody defeating Stimson. Franklin
HISTORY OF COLORADO 443
E. Brooks was elected to Congress by a small majority. Shafroth on the face of
the returns had defeated Bonynge. The latter was finally seated, Shafroth volun-
tarily giving up the office as he believed he had not been elected.
The Legislature, however, was in doubt, the republicans believing that they
could prove fraud in the election of the Denver members to the House, and
would be able to change a joint democratic majority into one decisively repub-
lican. With this program openly announced, the candidacies were declared. Ed-
ward O. Wolcott, still a power in his party, opened headquarters. He was fol-
lowed by Frank C. Goudy, a republican candidate for governor in what was
known as the "Sacrificial" year. In the Legislature Philip B. Stewart led the
anti-Wolcott faction. On January 8th, after six hours of balloting for temporary
clerk, the House was finally organized by a combination of anti-Wolcott repub-
licans and democrats. James B. San ford, anti-Wolcott republican, was elected
speaker, and John F. Vivian, manager of the Goudy campaign, chief clerk. The
republican vote in the House stood: Wolcott, 17; anti-Wolcott, 17. The Senate,
organized by democrats, was marking time and planning to secure the reelection
of Senator Teller.
On Monday, January iQth, the House republicans, acting together, began
the work of unseating the Arapahoe County democrats. The democratic major-
ity in the Senate retaliated by deciding several of its contests adversely to repub-
licans. Eight republican senators, led by Lieutenant Governor Haggott, then
bolted and organized a Senate by admitting eight republican contestants, appeal-
ing to the governor to recognize it as a legal body. This he wisely refused to do.
For the time being both sides rested on their arms, and awaited the result of
the first ballot for United States Senator. This resulted, on Tuesday, January
2Oth, as follows: Teller, 50; Wolcott, 18; Goudy, 13; Howbert, 6; Dixon, 3.
On Saturday, January 24th, Henry M. Teller was elected, receiving fifty-one
votes, the joint session having refused to adjourn until its democratic absentees,
who were blocking the democratic program, appeared and voted.
It is interesting to quote from both sides of the controversy. Senator Wol-
cott, in his address to the public, said:
"On Wednesday evening at eight o'clock the General Assembly consisted of
fifty-one republicans and forty-nine democrats. At that hour the Senate by a
motion put by its chief clerk unseated without argument or hearing of evidence
two republican members lawfully holding their seats. The lieutenant governor,
the presiding officer of the Senate, acting with courage and patriotism, refused
to put this revolutionary motion, and assured by his associates in the state gov-
ernment of their approval and support, sought to protect the legally elected
senators from this action, and by steps justifiable, and, if properly supported,
legal, presided over the organization of a republican Senate composed of nine-
teen members — the support of which the lieutenant governor was assured — fell
away from him. There was still left the House, which if it promptly recognized
the republican Senate might with it constitute a valid and legal General Assem-
bly. This recognition was sought for in vain."
Mr. Wolcott then declares the election of Mr. Teller valid, but "tinctured with
fraud."
In the statement issued by the democrats each step in the controversy is taken
up and explained. The Senate confirmed the appointment, thus putting the seal
444 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of its approval upon the manner of his election, which on both sides left much
to criticize and condemn.
THE PEABODY-ADAMS CONTEST
The administration of James H. Peabody proved one of the most turbulent
in the history of the state. The labor troubles in the Cripple Creek district of
this period are fully covered in the chapter on Labor History, and need not be
gone into in this purely political narrative.
In 1904 both parties were sanguine of success, for the silver issue, in Colo-
rado at least, was completely subordinated by the state labor issue. Furthermore,
the nomination of Alton B. Parker had been a concession by the friends of Mr.
Bryan to make a campaign on other issues and to bring back the element which
had left the party during the campaigns of 1890 and 1900. On the republican
side, it was felt that Roosevelt's candidacy was likely to sweep the entire state
ticket into office, despite the labor defection.
The democratic party nominated Alva Adams, who had twice served it bril-
liantly in the office of governor. The republican party of course sought foi
vindication of its labor policy, and renominated James H. Peabody. The other
party gubernatorial nominations were only of minor importance. On the face
of the returns Alva Adams was elected governor by a plurality of over twelve
thousand.
The powers that had so strenuously backed the candidacy of James H. Pea-
body, basing action upon a few undoubted frauds in Arapahoe County, deter-
mined to oust the new governor by legislative authority. With the Supreme
Court meting out punishment for these wrongs, the republican Assembly began
its investigations immediately after assembling.
The testimony taken in this case fills thirteen printed volumes. The best legal
talent of both parties was engaged to examine witnesses and to argue the con-
flicting law points. It is but just to say that both sides, the one in Arapahoe, the
other in Huerfano County, had been guilty of violation of election laws. Yet
it is perhaps a -topic which is still too close in its perspective to permit of the
drastic handling which future historians will give it.
On March 17, 1905, the vote unseating Alva Adams and declaring James H.
Peabody legally elected governor was passed as a compromise, Peabody having
agreed to serve but one day and to relinquish the governship to Jesse F. Mc-
Donald, lieutenant governor. This program was carried out. Alva Adams had
been inaugurated governor on January loth, holding office until five o'clock,
March i6th.
In the campaign of 1906 it was but just that the democrats should renomi-
nate Alva Adams, whose sole purpose was to secure vindication from the people
of the state. The republicans nominated Dr. Henry A. Buchtel, chancellor of
Denver University for governor. Judge Ben B. Lindsey, however, upset the
democratic hopes of success by deciding to run as an independent candidate.
He was judge of the juvenile court, and had a wide popularity. When the
democratic convention declined to nominate him he decided to make the race on
a ticket of his own.
In this campaign also the two democratic factions in Denver, the one led by
HISTORY OF COLORADO 445
Robert W. Speer, mayor, the other by Thomas M. Patterson, owner of the
News, fought out some of their grievances at the polls.
The result of this three-cornered fight was the election of Chancellor Buchtel.
The senatorial candidacy of Simon Guggenheim, vice president of the Amer-
ican Smelting & Refining Company, to succeed Thomas M. Patterson, was not
strongly in evidence during the campaign, but with a republican majority in the
General Assembly, and a preelection agreement between leaders, it became a
foregone conclusion. He was not opposed within his own party in the legisla-
tive balloting in January, 1907, and took his seat in the United States Senate
on March 4th of that year.
In 1908 the democratic national convention was held in Denver, and nomi-
nated William Jennings Bryan for president, thus giving to Colorado democracy
assurance of victory in its state campaign. John F. Shafroth, who had served
his district repeatedly in Congress, was named for governor, the republicans
nominating Jesse F. McDonald. The entire state ticket, headed by Shafroth,
was elected, and the General Assembly was overwhelmingly democratic.
C. J. HUGHES, JR., GOES TO SENATE
In January, 1909, when the democratic General Assembly convened it elected
Charles J. Hughes, Jr., to the United States Senate.
Senator Charles J. Hughes for the brief time he occupied a seat in the Senate
was establishing a national reputation for constructive statesmanship. With the
great record he had made in the west, there was every reason to believe that his
national career would but for his untimely death have rivaled that of Henry M.
Teller. '
In 1910 John B. Stephen, a popular mining man, and who in the state Senate
had shown marked ability, was nominated for governor by the republicans to
oppose John F. Shafroth, who was one of the greatest vote getters in the demo-
cratic party. It was moreover a democratic year throughout the nation, that
party making heavy congressional gains. The result in Colorado was a victory
for democracy, Shafroth winning out by over twelve thousand plurality. Two of
the republican candidates, Benjamin Griffith, for attorney general, and Helen M.
Wixson, for superintendent of public instruction, were elected. The democrats
also kept control of the General Assembly.
In January, 1911, the factions of the democratic party began a bitter fight
for the speakership, with the Patterson candidate, A. C. Skinner, of Montrose,
opposing George McLachlin, the Speer candidate, the latter scoring a victory.
On January I2th news came of the death of Senator Charles J. Hughes, Jr., and
with the Legislature in session this necessitated immediate action. Four demo-
cratic leaders announced candidacies, and opened headquarters. These were,
Robert W. Speer, Alva Adams, Charles S. Thomas and T. J. O'Donnell. In
the early balloting Speer had 26 votes, Adams 20, O'Donnell 3, Thomas 5.
Charles B. Ward was also honored with five of the democratic votes, the rest
scattering. The republicans voted for Joel F. Vaile, F. C. Goudy, C. C. Daw-
son and E. O. Roof. This deadlock continued until the end of the ninety-day
session. On the final night an effort to elect Thomas McCue, leader of the Speer
446 HISTORY OF COLORADO
forces, failed. Thus the vacancy continued until the next regular session of
the Legislature in 1913.
In the campaign of 1912 the senatorial fight loomed large for there were now
two seats to fill, one for the unexpired term of the late Senator Hughes and the
other for the full term to succeed Senator Guggenheim. It was, moreover, the
first election at which senators were to be chosen by popular vote. On the demo-
cratic side the primaries had swept aside all candidacies save that of Charles S.
Thomas, for the short term, and John F. Shaf roth, for the long term.
On the republican side the cause was hopeless, with the party split nationally
and in the state, for the "progressives" headed by Theodore Roosevelt were
determined to test their strength along the entire line.
The result was the election of the democratic ticket in Colorado, including its
congressional delegation and a sweeping majority for its General Assembly.
Elias M. Ammons was the democratic victor for governor, and opposed to him
were Edward P. Costigan, progressive, and Clifford C. Parks, republican.
At this election the state-wide prohibition movement, which won out in 1914,
was defeated.
The campaign of 1914 began with the democratic party divided as to the ad-
visability of nominating Thomas M. Patterson for governor. The convention,
which now merely suggests candidates, put the matter up to the primaries. At
these Patterson was made the choice of the state democracy for governor. It is
doubtful if he realized the strength of the many elements opposed to him and
which his fights of several decades had engendered. The labor element, too, en-
tered into this contest, for the republicans nominated George A. Carlson, who as
district attorney had been fearless in his prosecution of militant strikers. With-
out the candidacy of Roosevelt to aid them the progressives, still active, could
make no great impression at the election. The result of the election was the
defeat of Thomas M. Patterson by an overwhelming vote.
Charles S. Thomas was elected to the Senate by a small majority. James H.
Teller, democrat, was elected to the Supreme Bench ; Mary C. C. Bradford, demo-
crat, was reelected to the position of superintendent of public instruction; Al-
lison Stocker, republican, was elected state treasurer; Harry E. Mulnix, repub-
lican, was elected auditor; Fred Farrar, democrat, was elected attorney general.
It was the first election in which the voters came in such numbers to the polls
with a determination to vote for their own and not for party candidates. Never
in the history of the state had there been quite so even a division of the offices.
In 1916, with Woodrow Wilson again the democratic standard bearer, the
party felt sanguine of wiping out its previous defeat. The republicans, with the
progressives practically all back in the fold, and Charles Evans Hughes as the
presidential candidate, started their campaign with all the old-time vigor. Gov-
ernor Carlson was the candidate for reelection, and opposed to him was Judge
Julius C. Gunter, who had been on the Supreme Bench of the state, and who had
a splendid following all over the state, but particularly in the southern tier of
counties. There were complete tickets in the field by democrats, republicans and
socialists, and partial tickets by progressives, prohibitionists, liberals, citizens,
independents and people's party. It was estimated that the candidates running
for office in the state numbered twelve hundred. There were seventy-eight can-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 447
didates for nineteen county and legislative offices in Denver; and this proportion
held throughout the state. The election was an overwhelming democratic victory,
only one of the republican Supreme Court judges, Judge George W. Allen, win-
ning out.
CHANGING THE ELECTION LAWS
Colorado has kept pace with the most advanced states in the country in the
perfecting of its election machinery. It had no greater obstacles than were en-
countered in many if not most other sections of the country. It was long the
prey of party gangs, no better and no worse than those of other states, and
went at its work of purification in a commendable and thoroughgoing manner.
Woman suffrage had no ameliorating effect on the gang methods of the earlier
years following the granting of the right to vote. But with knowledge of their
power and a growing appreciation of the need of "house-cleaning" methods the
woman voter became a tremendous power for good. The adoption of the pri-
mary law in 1910, and which became effective with the election of November,
1912, practically eliminated the old convention method. Efforts at the introduc-
tion of primary laws had been made in previous periods, one as early as 1883,
but these were largely the work of party men who saw to it that the sting was
removed before the change became effective.
But the primary law, applying to county and city as well as state elections,
passed in 1910, was drastic and with changes made by successive General As-
semblies, particularly in the protective improvements relating to registration, has
worked out to the satisfaction of the people generally. This primary law permits
of party "assemblies," at which platforms are at least outlined, and one or more
candidates endorsed for the various state offices. Delegates to national conven-
tions and presidential electors are, however, still named by party assemblies. All
primary elections are held four weeks prior to the general election. Nominations
by petition are permitted, and all names of state primary candidates are officially
filed with the secretary of state, who certifies them to the various county clerks.
Nor is the primary law confined to the selection of candidates for state, county
or city offices. It provides for the election of party organizations — of commit-
teemen and committeewomen. A political party under this act is one which
polled at least 10 per cent of the total vote for its candidate for governor at the
preceding general election.
The actual platform is adopted by the candidates for state offices, including
those running for the General Assembly, the state chairman and state senators,
four weeks after the party assembly.
Expense accounts must be filed within ten days after the primary. In 1917
the General Assembly safeguarded both registration and the election by providing
for the most stringent supervision of both, even to the extent of appointing dis-
tinctive election and "vote counting" or "canvassing" judges for every precinct.
The so-called "headless" ballot was adopted by initiative petition on Novem-
ber 5, 1912, and was effective January 23, 1913. The vote on this question was:
For, 43,350; against, 39,504. Under this act "no emblem, device or political party
-organization designation shall be used on the official ballot at any election, by
which a voter may vote for more than one candidate by placing a single crossmark
448"^ HISTORY OF COLORADO
on the ballot or by writing therein any political party or organization name or
other name or political designation."
The first prohibition of a party emblem was enacted May 3, 1899, but this
permitted the writing in of the party name if a straight ticket was to be voted by
the elector. Under the present law a cross against each name voted for desig-
nates the choice of the elector.
The "Recall," an amendment to the state constitution, was adopted Novem-
ber 5, 1912, by a vote of 53,620 for and 39,514 against, and was effective Janu-
ary 23, 1913. This provides that "Every elective public officer of the State of
Colorado may be recalled from office at any time by the electors entitled to vote
for a successor of such incumbent through the procedure and in the manner
herein provided."
A petition signed by 25 per cent of the votes as cast at prior election for
the office in question shall be sufficient for an election under the "Recall" amend-
ment.
There was for many years a diffidence on the part of many women to the ex-
ercise of their voting privilege. But in 1913 a- law was passed stating that "it
shall only be necessary for a female voter to state that she is 21 years of age
or older in answer to all questions concerning her age."
CHAPTER XXII
COLORADO COAL PRODUCTION
COAL IN THE UNITED STATES — FIRST COAL MINING IN COLORADO — PROGRESS AND
DEVELOPMENT FROM YEAR TO YEAR MINES IN l88S — OWNERS — TABLE OF
MINES IN 1916 OPERATORS AVERAGE NUMBER OF MEN EMPLOYED CAPACITY
OF MINE PER DAY IN TONS STATE COAL PRODUCTION FROM 1864 UNTIL 1917
IN SHORT TONS VALUE OF OUTPUT FOR EACH YEAR — EMPLOYES MACHINE
MINING AVERAGE PRICE PER TON AT MINE FATALITIES — PRODUCTION OF
LEADING COUNTIES FROM 1887 UNTIL 1917 COLORADO COAL FIELDS THE COKE
INDUSTRY COKE ESTABLISHMENTS PRODUCTION — VALUE
So far as known, the first mention of coal beds in the United States is made
in the journal of Father Hennepin, a French missionary, who, in 1679, recorded
the site of a "cole" mine on the Illinois River, near the present City of Ottawa,
Illinois. The first actual mining of coal was in the Richmond Basin, Virginia,
about seventy years after Father Hennepin's discovery, but the first records of
production from the Virginia mines were for the year 1822, according to one
authority, when 54,000 tons were mined.
The coal areas of the United States are divided, for sake of convenience, into
two great divisions — anthracite and bituminous. The areas in which anthra-
cite are produced are confined almost exclusively to the eastern part of Pennsyl-
vania. In addition there are two small areas in the Rocky Mountain region, in
Gunnison County, Colorado, and Santa Fe County, New Mexico. The bitumi-
nous and lignite fields are well scattered over the whole country.
Coal was first mined in northern Colorado in the year 1864, in Jefferson and
Boulder counties. This mining was carried out in a superficial manner by the
settlers and the coal, obtained from the outcroppings, was used only for domes-
tic purposes, little or no marketing occurring. In 1872 coal was mined in Weld
County for the first time and in the following year Las Animas and Fremont
counties became known as coal producers. The two latter counties, one of which
is now the greatest coal-producing county of the state, produced 12,187 short
tons together in the year 1873. Not until 1876 did Colorado produce as much as
100,000 tons, but from this time until the present the annual production has
grown steadily, until now the state ranks seventh in the country as a coal-
producer.
Coal in southern Colorado was discovered in the fall of 1860, near Canon
City, by the settlers then building the town and flocking there from the gold
diggings to winter. Everyone who sought his horses or oxen in the grazing
lands of the foothills on the south side of the Arkansas River, or hunted ante-
449
Vol. I 29
450 HISTORY OF COLORADO
lope, discovered in the deep gulches an exposure of coal, cut by the ages of
water-erosion. This coal was first used by Anson Rudd, one of the first settlers
of Canon City, a blacksmith and gunsmith, who erected the first workshop in the
winter of 186061. He used this coal in his forge in place of charcoal. No one
sought to acquire title to this coal, as there was no commercial market for it.
When the settlers began to use it for fuel, everybody dug for himself and took
away as much as he could use. This condition existed until the building of the
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad from Pueblo to the coal mines. It was found
by test that it was a fine locomotive coal and the first of this type in Colorado,
as the northern coal fields were all lignitic and little better than wood for furnace
purposes.
In the decade from 1860 to 1870 much coal was mined for domestic pur-
poses in Golden, Denver, Boulder, Blackhawk and Central City, the principal
supply coming from the mines near Golden and on Ralston Creek, ten miles north.
The Marshall coal bank first assumed importance in 1865, although previous to
that time the ranchmen in the neighborhood had hauled away small quantities
of the coal. The completion, in the summer of 1870, of the Denver Pacific Rail-
road from Cheyenne to Denver, the Kansas Pacific, and the Colorado Central
from Denver to Golden, created a large demand upon the mines of Jefferson
and Boulder counties. The completion of the Boulder Valley Railroad from
Brighton to Boulder in 1873 opened to the market the mines of Boulder and
Weld counties.
By 1883 mining in Colorado was yet in its first stages, except in the im-
mediate neighborhood of Golden; no depth had yet been obtained, only surface
outcroppings having been worked. North of the divide and east of the moun-
tains, whence Denver drew its principal coal supply, coal was found in Jefferson,
Boulder and Weld counties, in which region some twenty mines were being
worked. The leading mines of this number were the Marshall, Fox, Welch,
Boulder. Valley, Northrop, Stewart, Superior, Mitchell, Garfield, Briggs and the
Star. The coal here secured was a free-burning lignite of jet black, high luster
and destitute of any fibrous or woody structure. Second to the mines of South
Colorado the mines of North Colorado were the greatest producers. The middle
division included the counties of Park, Fremont and El Paso. In El Paso County,
in 1883, the only mines worked to any extent were those owned by the Denver
& New Orleans Railroad at Franceville. The product of these mines had
only become available since the completion of the above named railroad in 1882.
In Park County the coal mines were at Como and were owned by the Denver,
South Park & Pacific Railroad Company. The principal mines in Fremont
County were the Oak Creek, Nos. i and 2, and the Coal Creek, owned and worked
principally by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company and the Atchison,
Topeka & Santa Fe road. The coal from these mines ranked first in the state
for domestic purposes and was largely used in Denver, while Canon City and
Pueblo also derived their supply from here. The southern division of mines
included the counties of Las Animas, Huerfano, La Plata and Dolores and
ranked first in Colorado as a producer. The mines in Las Animas, Huerfano
and Fremont counties were mainly owned and operated by the Colorado Coal &
Iron Company, a corporation closely allied to the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad
HISTORY OF COLORADO 451
Company. At this time the coal veins in La Plata County were the largest in
the state, varying from twelve to ninety feet in thickness.
By the end of the year 1884 the known and partially developed coal fields of
Colorado covered an area of about fifteen hundred square miles. The only
anthracite coal then known, as now, to occur in the state was in Gunnison County,
on Slate Creek, near Crested Butte, west of Irwin and on Anthracite Creek, a
tributary of the north fork of the Gunnison River. The anthracite Mesa mine
in Gunnison County was opened in 1882 and the Cow Creek mine, near Ouray
and on the branch of the Uncompahgre River, was opened in 1883, but little
coal was extracted. The principal mines of Colorado at this time were owned
and operated by the various railway companies of the state. Those operating
on the largest scale and the corporate name under which they transacted their
mining operations were as follows:
Denver & Rio Grande R. R. — Colorado Coal & Iron Company.
Union Pacific R. R. — Union Coal Company. i
Burlington & Missouri R. R. — Colorado Fuel Company.
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. — Canon City and Trinidad Coal and
Coking companies.
Denver & New Orleans R. R. — New Orleans Coal Mining Company.
Denver, Utah & Pacific R. R. — Mitchell Coal Mining Company.
The largest of these companies at this time was the Colorado Coal & Iron
Company, with headquarters at South Pueblo, and in control of mines in Fre-
mont, Las Animas, Huerfano and Gunnison counties, also owning practically all
the coking veins in the state. The Union Coal Company owned mines mainly in
northern Colorado. The Colorado Fuel Company had no productive mines, but
consumed the greater part of the product' of the Cameron and Walsen mines
belonging to the Colorado Coal & Iron Company. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe controlled the Trinidad mines in Las Animas County and the Canon mines in
Fremont County. The Denver & New Orleans owned mines at Franceville in
El Paso County. The Denver, Utah & Pacific operated the Mitchell mine in
Weld County.
During the year 1885 one new coal field only was opened in Colorado; this
was the Cimarron, or Cutler, field. No new mines were started.
The greater development of the Colorado coal fields began in the year 1886.
The mines in the southeastern part of the state were greatly increased, in order
to accommodate the demand from western Kansas and Nebraska. The greatest
amount of new work, however, was done in the Glenwood field, west of Pitkin
and the Continental Divide. Large discoveries of coking coal were made in
Gunnison County, on Ohio Creek, also of anthracite southwest of Hahns Peak
in Routt County. Work upon the coal beds in Routt, Garfield and Pitkin counties
was hastened, owing, in great measure, to the railroad activities in that direction.
The year 1887 was another period of great activity, featured by the develop-
ment of the Glenwood field and the opening of mines in the Yampa field in Routt
County. Railway connection was made during the latter part of the year by
the Denver & Rio Grande and the Colorado Midland. In Fremont County two
large new mines were opened in the interest of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa*
Fe, and in Las Animas County, near Trinidad, the Denver Fuel Company and
452 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth Railroad Company opened new mines. Coking
also prospered in the state during this year.
Eighteen hundred and eighty-eight was a year of increased production, par-
ticularly in the Glenwood field, also the growing demand for fuel taxed the Trini-
dad field to the utmost. Boulder County ranked third in productiveness among
the Colorado civil divisions. While the coal field here was inferior to those in
the southern and western sections, the proximity to Denver and ample railway
facilities caused a great demand for the product. The Douglas mine in Douglas
County, opened in 1886, produced very little this year and was not considered a
success. Huerfano County was actively developed during 1888. The completion
of the Missouri Pacific and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railways to
Pueblo and Denver and the consequent opening of large and prosperous markets
in Kansas and Nebraska brought about the purchase and development of many
mines in this county hitherto considered valueless. The largest new product
came from the Colorado Fuel Company, which bought and opened the Rouse
mine. At Loma, three miles from Walsenburg, the South Colorado Coal Com-
pany opened new mines.
In Las Animas there was an increase of 40 per cent in production. This
was entirely due to new mines. The Chicosa mine was opened by the Trinidad
Fuel Company on Chicosa Creek, twelve miles north of Trinidad, with the pur-
pose of supplying the Texas markets. The Sopris, largest of the new mines,
was owned by the Denver Fuel Company. The Valley mine was opened in this
year by the Raton Coal and Coking Company, also the Gray Creek mine by the
Colorado Coal & Iron Company. Garfield County was the scene of great
coal industrial activity in 1888 and all the mines along the Roaring Fork of Grand
River were operated by the Grand River Coal and Coking Company of Glen-
wood Springs.
The mines of Colorado in 1888, their location, ownership and character of
product, are shown by the following list, as compiled by the U. S. Geological
.Survey :
Name of Mine Location, Owner and Character of Coal
El Moro — Las Animas County ; Colorado Coal & Iron Co. ; Bituminous.
Starkville — Las Animas County ; Trinidad Coal & Coking Co. ; Bituminous.
Chicosa — Las Animas County; Trinidad Fuel Co.; Bituminous.
Mine A, Sopris — Las Animas County ; Denver Fuel Co. ; Bituminous.
Valley — Las Animas County; Raton Coal & Coke Co.; Bituminous.
Gray Creek — Las Animas County; Colorado Coal & Iron Co.; Bituminous.
Fort Lewis — La Plata County; U. S. Army; Bituminous.
Rockvale No. i — Fremont County ; Canon City Coal Co. ; Semi-bituminous.
Rockvale No. 4 — Fremont County ; Canon City Coal Co. ; Semi-bituminous.
Rockvale No. 5 — Fremont County ; Canon City Coal Co. ; Semi-bituminous.
Rockvale No. 7 — Fremont County ; Canon City Coal Co. ; Semi-bituminous.
Coal Creek No. i — Fremont County ; Colorado Coal & Iron Co. ; Semi-bitumi-
nous.
Coal Creek No. 2, — Fremont County ; Colorado Coal & Iron Co. ; Semi-bitumi-
nous.
Oak Creek — Fremont County; Mellor Brothers; Semi-bituminous.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 453
Name of Mine Location, Owner and Character of Coal
Alkali Gap — Fremont County; Moore Brothers; Semi-bituminous.
Marshall No. 3 — Boulder County ; Marshall Con. Coal-Mining Co. ; Lignite.
Marshall No. 5 — Boulder County; Marshall Con. Coal-Mining Co.; Lignite.
Fox — Boulder County; Fox & Patterson; Lignite.
Standard — Boulder County; Standard Coal Company; Lignite.
Star — Boulder County; Star Coal Company; Lignite.
McGregor — Boulder County; McGregor Coal Company; Lignite.
Cleveland — Boulder County; Cleveland Coal Company; Lignite.
Garfield — Boulder County ; Garfield Coal Company ; Lignite.
Baker — Boulder County ; Baker Coal Company ; Lignite.
Davidson — Boulder County; Edwards & Lewis Company; Lignite.
Cannon — Boulder County ; Cannon Coal Company ; Lignite.
Stewart — Boulder County ; Goodredge & Marf el ; Lignite.
Jackson — Boulder County; Jackson Coal Company; Lignite.
Simpson — Boulder County ; Simpson Coal Company ; Lignite.
Louisville — Boulder County ; Loch & Company ; Lignite.
Como No. i — Park County; Union Coal Company; Semi-bituminous.
Como No. 5 — Park County ; Union Coal Company ; Semi-bituminous.
Mesa-r- Mesa County ; Book Cliffs Coal Company ; Bituminous.
Grand View — Dolores County ; Grand View Mining & Smelting Co. ; Bituminous.
Anthracite No. i — Gunnison County; Colorado Fuel Company; Anthracite.
Crested Butte — Gunnison County ; Colorado Coal & Iron Co. ; Bituminous.
Baldwin — Gunnison County; Union Coal Company; Semi-bituminous.
Mitchell — Weld County ; Colorado Fuel Company ; Lignite.
Brown — Weld County ;*M. Brown; Lignite.
Walsen — Huerfano County ; Colorado Coal & Iron Co. ; Semi-bituminous.
Cameron — Huerfano County ; Colorado Coal & Iron Co. ; Semi-bituminous.
Robinson — Huerfano County; Colorado Coal & Iron Co.; Semi-bituminous.
Rouse — Huerfano County ; Colorado Fuel Company ; Bituminous.
Indian Creek — Huerfano County ; John F. Moore ; Semi-bituminous.
Loma No. i — Huerfano County; South Colorado Coal Co.; Semi-bituminous.
Loma No. 2 — Huerfano County ; South Colorado Coal Co. ; Semi-bituminous.
Loma No. 3 — Huerfano County ; South Colorado Coal Co. ; Semi-bituminous.
Franceville — El Paso County ; Denver, Texas & Fort Worth Coal Co. ; Lignite.
McFerran — El Paso County ; West. Coal & Mining Co. ; Lignite.
San Juan — La Plata County; San Juan Coal Mining Co.; Bituminous.
Porter — La Plata County; Porter Coal Company; Bituminous.
City Coal — La Plata County; Robert Carter; Bituminous.
Champion — La Plata County ; Champion ; Bituminous.
Black Diamond — La Plata County; B. Whitehead; Bituminous.
White Ash — Jefferson County ; Golden Fuel Company ; Lignite.
Scranton — Arapahoe County ; Denver R. R. Land & Coal Co. ; Lignite.
McKissic — Weld County ; John McKissic ; Lignite.
Pearl Ash— Douglas County; W. T. Wells; Lignite.
Marion — Garfield County ; Grand River Coal & Coking Co. ; Bituminous.
Sunshine — Garfield County ; Grand River Coal & Coking Co. ; Semi-bituminous.
New Castle — Garfield County ; Grand River Coal & Coking Co. ; Bituminous.
454 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Name of Mine Location, Owner and Character of Coal
Spring Gulch — Pitkin County ; Grand River Coal & Coking Co. ; Bituminous.
Thompson — Pitkin County; Colorado Coal & Iron Co.; Bituminous.
In 1891 Las Animas County ranked first in Colorado as a coal producer, fol-
lowed in order by Fremont, Boulder and Huerfano counties. The coal-producing
counties of the state were at this time generally spoken of as being in four divi-
sions, the north, central, south and west. In the first of these classifications were
the counties of Arapahoe, Boulder, Jefferson, Larimer, Routt and Weld; in the
second were the counties of Douglas, El Paso, Fremont and Park; in the third
were Dolores, Huerfano, La Plata and Las Animas; and in the fourth occurred
Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Mesa, Montezuma, Pitkin, Rio Blanco and San
Miguel.
Notwithstanding the shock which many of the industrial concerns of Colo-
rado sustained by reason of legislation adverse to the silver interests in 1893, m
addition to the widespread business depression, the coal mining industry not
only held its own, in amount of coal produced, but far surpassed any previous
year. In this year Colorado stood sixth in the list of coal-producing states, hav-
ing superseded Iowa in 1892. On account of the closing down of many silver
smelters in the west, a very important market for Colorado coal was thereby
shut off and the operators were compelled to seek other markets. Texas was
already a consumer of considerable importance, but not being satisfied with this
alone, the Colorado product had been shipped by operators as far as Shreveport,
Louisiana, coming into competition with Alabama coal as already was the case
with Indian Territory coal in Texas.
In 1896 Colorado occupied tenth place in the states producing coal. In this
year occurred one of the worst accidents in the history 6f Colorado coal mining.
On February i8th a terrible explosion and fire occurred at the Vulcan mine,
near New Castle, in Garfield County, in which fifty lives were lost. The force
of the explosion was such that the buildings and trestle at the mouth of the slope
were completely wrecked, a hole one hundred feet square carved out of the hill-
side at the mouth of the incline, while timbers two feet square were blown into
the ground and river four hundred feet away. One miner was on his way down
the slope when the explosion occurred and his mangled remains were found
several hundred feet distant. There were 140 men employed in and about the mine
at the time, and the mine itself had just recently been pronounced in good condi-
tion by the state coal inspector. Investigation was made and the cause determined
to be a high-lighted fuse which ignited gas in one of the new rooms, while the men
were blasting down coal. Another theory was that the explosion was caused by
a small shot put in to open a chute which had become clogged. This mine was
operated at the time by the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company.
In 1900, with an increased production of 468,140 short tons over 1899, Colo-
rado attained a production exceeding five million short tons for the first time in
her history. This increase placed Colorado well ahead of the coal producing
states west of the Mississippi and also advanced the state from ninth to eighth
place in the national list. In 1901 Colorado ranked seventh. The development of
the iron industry brought about a relative increase in coal production, particu-
larly in the vicinity of Colorado Springs.
In 1903 Colorado ranked eighth among the states. Labor troubles were rife
in this year and the state, with Alabama, bore half of the total labor disturbances
HISTORY OF COLORADO 455
of the entire country. The same troubles were in evidence in 1904 and the total
time lost was greater, although not so many men were on strike.
Colorado's production in 1905 exceeded any previous record in the history
of the state. More than half of the increase was due to the growing iron indus-
try. In 1906 the Yampa field first began to attract attention. This field was
located in the Yampa Valley, below Steamboat Springs.
The main features of the coal mining industry in Colorado during the year
1907 were a general growth in prosperity and unusual activity in new mining
improvements, such as ventilation, and the installation of fans and airshafts.
In 1908, for the second time in fifteen years, the coal production of Colorado
showed a decrease. Trade depression and the stringency in the money market
contributed to a great extent to the situation. The financial depression was most
severely felt in the early part of the year, and resulted in the shutting down of
many fuel-consuming industries in Colorado and adjoining states. The plants
of many metalliferous mines either closed down entirely or materially reduced
their output, and this decline in production in turn curtailed freight traffic and
consequently lessened the demand of the railroads for fuel. In addition to this,
the winter of 1907-08 was very mild and as a result many of the mines suspended,
some not resuming business until the autumn of 1908. Little development work
was done in 1908, except the continuation of the construction of the Denver,
Northwestern & Pacific Railroad, "The Moffat Road," from Denver into Routt
County. The completion of this railroad in 1909 gave opportunity for the devel-
opment of the coal resources in the northwestern part of the state and had the
effect of increasing the prestige of Routt County. The undeveloped fields at this
time attracting most attention were the North Park, Yampa and the other fields
tributary to the White River. The known area of the coal fields of the state
was considerably extended by investigations in the lower White River Valley.
An area of 250 or 300 square miles hitherto described in geological reports as
occupied wholly by the tertiary strata, which was therefore supposed to contain
the valuable coal beds buried beyond available depth, was found to be almost en-
tirely composed of the outcrop of the Mesa Verde or coal-bearing formation.
An unusually mild winter in 1910-11, a prolonged drought in the agricultural
states of the great plains region, a decreased consumption of locomotive fuel, and
the resumption of mining in the coal states of the Mississippi Valley, all con-
tributed to a marked reaction from the fat year of 1910 and, as in the other
Rocky Mountain states, the coal product in Colorado fell off sharply. Only
four counties showed increased production — Boulder, Weld, Delta and Routt.
The first two constitute the Denver sub-bituminous region, in which many of the
miners were on strike in 1910. Industrial peace, however, was restored in 1911.
The production in 1913 was the smallest since 1905. This was due entirely
to the inauguration of a strike, called on September i6th and put into effect a
week later, which reduced the output in the southern part of the state for the
rest of the year to about 40 per cent normal. As had been the case in numerous
other instances of labor disaffection, the trouble in Colorado arose from a demand
for the recognition of the union and resulted in a contest which for bitterness,
violence and bloodshed, was unparalleled, necessitating first the state militia and
finally the presence of Federal troops to restore and maintain order. An ex-
tended description of this strike is presented in another chapter of this work.
456 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The production in 1914 was the smallest since 1904, due to the continuance
of the strike until December I4th. Eight mines were idle throughout the year,
mines which had employed a total of 1,165 men. The operation of fifty-three
other mines was seriously affected by the troubles. Routt County showed an
increase, due to the completion of the Denver & Salt Lake Railroad in 1913 as
far west as Craig and well into the center of the Routt field, thus furnishing an
outlet to Denver for much of the coal.
The years 1915 and 1916 were periods of steady growth in production. The
year 1917, a. time of such potent interest to every American, was also a year of
growth in the coal industry, although many situations arose which taxed the
ingenuity of the mining operators. The demand for coal from the United States
and from the allied nations has grown to such an extent that every coal-producing
state in the union is compelled to work under heavy pressure. This burden, with
the demand for larger outputs of various industries, with a scarcity of labor owing
to the loss of men through enlistment, with a serious car shortage interfering
with steady production, with increasing costs and wages, has placed the coal in-
dustry in a critical state and only by the combined efforts of operator and miner,
working in harmony, has the industry been maintained upon an even higher level
than in previous years.
Coal was produced in eighteen counties in 1917, Las Animas County heading
the list and followed by Huerfano, Boulder, Fremont and Routt. The demand
for coal is growing rapidly every day and relatively the industry of coal mining
will develop. The year 1917 brought forth a production of over twelve million
short tons of coal from Colorado, a higher figure than in any other year of the
state's history. The war, of course, has 'been the stimulating factor in this prog-
ress, but it is reasonable to suppose that after the struggle has ceased the indus-
trial development of Colorado and her coal mining activities will continue to
grow.
The following table of mines in the state is taken from the Fourth Annual
Report of the State Inspector of Coal Mines, for the year 1916:
BOULDER COUNTY
Average Number Capacity of Mine
Name of Mine Company Name Men Employed per Day in Tons
Simpson — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 126 1,000
Standard— Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 71 700
Vulcan — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 47 350
Mitchell — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 71 450
Rex No. i — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 48 350
Hecla — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 19 300
Gorham — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 1 52 800
Industrial — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 81 750
Monarch No. i — National Fuel Co 25 80
Monarch No. 2 — National Fuel Co. . , 120 700
Fox— Fox Coal Mining Co 56 500
Matchless— Great Matchless Fuel Co 79 500
Centennial — Big Four Coal & Coke Co 68 400
HISTORY OF COLORADO 457
Average Number Capacity of Mine
Name of Mine Company Name Men Employed per Day in Tons
Sunnyside — Big Six Coal Co 31 250
Nonpareil — Brooks Fuel Co 18 150
Black Diamond— Mitchell & Graham 8 50
Gorham No. 2 — Morgan & Williams 6 35
Big Lake — Big Lake Coal Co 10
Mile High— New Mile High Coal Co 6
Lewis — J. T. Lewis 3 15
Electric — Crown Coal Co 14
Strathmore — Strathmore Mine Co 6 30
Red Ash — Red Ash Coal Co 4 100
DELTA COUNTY
King — Juanita Coal & Coke Co 60 600
Farmers — Paonia Coal Co 5 40
Red Mountain — Hall & Motto 3 30
Green Valley — Rinehart & Patton 2 14
Winton — C. O. Billstrom 2 10
States — States Coal Co i 40
Black Diamond — Farmers Progressive Coal Co. ... 3
Bennett — Hotchkiss Fuel & Supply Co „ . i 20
Converse — Frank Converse 2 15
Coalby — Gus Billstrom 2
Rollins — Dugger Coal Co 2 50
Leroux Creek — J. R. Degraffenried i
Independent— E. J. Weld i
Fairview — William Proutt i
EL PASO COUNTY
Pike's Peak— Pike's Peak Fuel Co 160 1,000
Patterson— Pike's Peak Fuel Co 34
El Paso — El Paso County Land & Fuel Co 76 600
Rapson No. 2 — Rapson Coal Mining Co 40 300
Danville — Tudor Coal Co 13 100
Williamsville— Thomas Coal Co 1 1 50
Franceville — Dan. E. Davis 2 10
FREMONT COUNTY
Rockvale — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 367 1,000
Coal Creek— Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 217 800
Fremont — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 129 800
Nonac — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 18 200
Chandler — Victor- American Fuel Co 156 1,000
Radiant — Victor-American Fuel Co 68 500
458 HISTORY 'OF COLORADO
Average Number Capacity of Mine
Name of Mine Company Name Men Employed per Day in Tons
Royal Gorge — Gibson Lumber & Fuel Co 50 150
Emerald — Williamsburg Slope Coal Co 51 75
Brookside — Brookside Coal Mining Co 10 100
Willie— Petry Coal Co 7 40
Double Dick— McLean & Gilbert 7 15
Orecchio No. I — Orecchio & Rocchio 3 20
Wolf Park— Wolf Park Leasing Co 41 30
Williamsburg Slope — Donnelly Coal Co 7 25
Smith Tanner — E. R. Harris 3 5
GARFIELD COUNTY
Midland — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 56 350
Vulcan — Garfield Mine Leasing Co 48 350
Carbonera — Gilson Asphaltum Co 7 60
South Canon — South Canon Coal Co 61 400
Harvey Gap — Harvey Gap Coal Co 4 15
GUNNISON COUNTY
Somerset— Utah Fuel Co 203 1,800
Crested Butte— Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 141 600
Floresta — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 87 600
Alpine — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 46 500
Porter — Littell Coal & Mining Co 38 150
Horace — Pueblo Fuel & Mining Co 34 200
Bulkley— Crested Butte Coal Co 21 200
Smith — Crested Butte Anthracite Mining Co 25 250
Baldwin-Star—Baldwin Fuel Co 5 300
Great Western — Joseph David 2 10
HUERFANO COUNTY
Walsen— Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 298 1,200
Robinson — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 271 800
Rouse — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 269 1,200
Cameron — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 169 800
Ideal— Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 171 600
Lester— Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 179 5°°
Pictou — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 107 600
Oakdale— Oakdale Coal Co 214 1,000
Mutual— Mutual Coal Co 67 600
Raven wood — Victor- American Fuel Co 117 600
Pryor— Union Coal & Coke Co 58 5OO
Reliance— Alliance Coal Co 88 500
Toltec — Aztec Coal Mining Co 99 4°°
HISTORY OF COLORADO 459
Average Number Capacity of Mine
Name of Mine Company Name Men Employed per Day in Tons
Big Four — Big Four Coal & Coke Co 97 600
Sunnyside — Sunnyside Coal Mining Co 53 500
Rugby— Rugby Fuel Co 54 250
Turner — Turner Coal Co 54 500
Caddell — Black Canon Fuel Co 45 200
Vesta — Vesta Coal Mining Co 21 200
Tioga — Tioga Coal Co 48 300
Maitland— McNalley & Co 30 70
Breen — Breen Coal Mining Co 25 150
Loma — Loma Fuel Co 14 200
Larimore — Monument Valley Coal Co 40 200
Solar — Walsenburg Coal Mining Co 1 16 600
Gordon — Gordon Coal Co 34 500
Pinon — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 13 150
Black Canon— New Maitland Coal Co 18 90
Ojo— Ojo Canon Coal Co 2
JACKSON COUNTY
Coalmont — Northern Colorado Coal Co 29 500
Moore— North Park Coal Co 13 200
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Leyden No. 2— Leyden Coal Co 163 2,000
Justrite — Thomas Shepherd I 7
LA PLATA COUNTY
Perm's Peak — Calumet Fuel Co 63 350
Hesperus — Porter Fuel Co 43 300
San Juan — Carbon Coal & Coke Co 33 450
O. K.— O. K. Coal Co 6 60
Sunshine — Sunshine Coal Co 5 10
Morning Star — Bandino & Co 2 10
.•- • !l
LAS ANIMAS COUNTY
Primero — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 492 2,000
Frederick — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 384 1,800
Sopris — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 371 1,500
Morley — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 346 1,000
Berwind — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 327 800
Tabasco — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co. 223 1,000
Starkville — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 254 1,200
Delagua — Victor-American Fuel Co. 450 2,500
460 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Average Number Capacity of Mine
Name of Mine Company Name Men Employed per Day in Tons
Hastings — Victor- American Fuel Co 167 1,200
Bowen — Victor- American Fuel Co 88 1,000
Gray Creek — Victor-American Fuel Co 76 500
Cokedale — Carbon Coal & Coke Co 149 1,000
Piedmont — Rocky Mountain Fuel Co 173 800
Forbes No. 9 — Chieosa Fuel Co 123 800
Forbes No. 6 — Chieosa Fuel Co 17 800
Toller— Cedar Hill Coal & Coke Co .134 800
Greenville — Cedar Hill Coal & Coke Co 46 300
Black Diamond— Cedar Hill Coal & Coke Co. .... 25 150
Brodhead No. 9 — Temple Fuel Co. 1 18 450
Kenneth — Temple Fuel Co 30 150
Royal— Royal Fuel Co 98 500
Ludlow — Huerfano Coal Co 90 600
Primrose — Primrose Coal Co 50 250
Jeffryes — Jeffryes Fuel Co 46 200
Rapson No. i — Rapson Coal Mining Co 55 400
Jewel — Ideal Fuel Co 30 150
Wootten-Turner — Wootten Land & Fuel Co 13 150
Prospect — Prospect Coal Co 7 25
Baldy— Baldy Coal Co 3
Keystone No. 2 — Bartolo Parivecchio 2 6
McLaughlin — James E. McLaughlin 3 12
Hines — Hines Coal Co 3 8
Fisher's Peak — Fisher's Peak Coal Co 2 20
Keystone No. i — Trinidad Coal Co 3 15
Baldy Mountain — Trinidad Coal Co 3 25
Three Pines— Black Diamond Niggerhead C. M. Co. 8 35
Superior — Brown & Bartolomeo 2 2
MESA COUNTY
Cameo — Grand Junction Mining & Fuel Co 71 800
Book Cliff— Book Cliff R. R. Co 14 100
Garfield — Garfield Coal Mining Co 15 150
' Palisade— Palisade Coal & Supply Co 15 100
Grandview — Grandview Coal Co 10 30
P. V.— M. Sixbey 3
Fidel — Anthony Fidel 2 50
Stokes— W. D. Stokes 4 50
Anchor No. 2 — Anchor Coal Co 2
Anchor No. i — Anchor Coal Co 2
Thomas — C. F. Thomas 2
Farmers — Farmers Mutual Coal Co 2 20
Riverside — Riverside Coal Co. . 2
HISTORY OF COLORADO 461
Average Number Capacity of Mine
Name of Mine Company Name Men Employed per Day in Tons
Lynch — Valley Commercial Co 2 7
Black Diamond — Black Diamond Coal Co i
Winger — A. C. Richmond i 10
MOFFAT COUNTY
Collom — Joseph Collom i
MONTEZUMA COUNTY
Spencer — W. H. French 3 12
Mancos — Mancos Fuel Co 2 40
Todd— G. S. Todd 2 8
Mitchell Springs — J. F. Mowry I \y2
MONTROSE COUNTY
Missouri — Gus Winkler i
Knauss — William J. Oberding i
Cloverdale — Marcus Peterson i 3
Specht— George T. Specht i 10
PITKIN COUNTY
Spring Gulch — Colorado Fuel & Iron Co 66
Placita — Rapini Bros 9 50
RIO BLANCO COUNTY
Black Diamond — Reynolds & Babcock 3 30
Lion Canon — T. E. Linderman 2
Fairfield— F. W. Fairfield 2 4
Sulphur — R. H. Crawford 2 6
Pollard— J. D. Moog i 3
ROUTT COUNTY
Moffat No. i — Moffat Coal Co 42 2,000
Moffat No. 2— Moffat Coal Co 195 2,000
Harris — Colorado & Utah Coal Co 167 1,500
Pinnacle — Victor-American Fuel Co. ...-..' 145 i,ooo
Yampa Valley No. i — Yampa Valley Coal Co. ... 40 500
Yampa Valley, Nos. 1-2 — Yampa Valley Coal Co. . 27 500
Bear River — Bear River Coal Co 50 400
McGregor— McNeil Coal Co 57 350
462
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Average Number Capacity of Mine
Name of Mine Company Name Men Employed per Day in Tons
Hayden — Hayden Bros. Coal Corp 61 500
Wolf Creek — International Fuel Co 26 250
Federal — Federal Coal Mining Co 48
Curtis Routt — Curtis Coal Co 19 100
Grayland — Indian Creek Coal Co 1 1
Jones — D. W. Jones I
Routt Pinnacle — Routt Pinnacle Coal Co i
Electric— Routt Electric Coal Co 24
Twenty Mile — Thomas Chargo I 10
Diamond — Tony Tordoroff 2 10
Golden Oak — Northwestern Coal & Coke Co 1 1
Allen— Allen Coal Co 2 25
Hitchen — Comer & Riley 2
WELD COUNTY
Puritan — National Fuel Co 98 1,200
Parkdale— National Fuel Co 16
Baum — Consolidated Coal & Coke Co 57 1,000
Russell— W. E. Russell Coal Co 51 350
Evans — Evans Fuel Co 51 550
Frederick — Frederick Fuel Co 58 750
Firestone — Louisville Coal & Land Co 41 250
Shamrock — Shamrock Coal Co 21 400
Grant — Carbon Fuel & Iron Co 20 350
Ideal — United Collieries Co 13 140
Eureka — United Collieries Co 9 100
White Ash— W. C. Bedlien 3 20
Peerless — Peerless Coal Co 2
State— State Coal Co 5 9
New Washington — David Brimble I 10
Farmers — Wagner & Austin 4
STATE COAL PRODUCT FROM 1864 UNTIL 1917
Year Location of Mines Short Tons
1864 Jefferson and Boulder Counties 500
1865 Jefferson and Boulder Counties 1,200
1866 Jefferson and Boulder Counties 6,400
1867 Jefferson and Boulder Counties 17,000
1868 Jefferson and Boulder Counties 10,500
1869 Jefferson and Boulder Counties 8,000
1870 Jefferson and Boulder Counties 13,500
1871 Jefferson and Boulder Counties 15,860
1872 Jefferson, Boulder and Weld Counties 68,540
HISTORY OF COLORADO 463
Year Location of Mines Short Tons
J873 Jefferson, Boulder, Weld, Las Animas and Fremont Counties . . 69,977
1874 Same as 1873 77,372
1875 Same as 1873 .*. 98,838
1876 Same as 1873 1 17,666
1877 All Coal-Producing Counties 160,000
1878 Northern, Central and Southern Divisions 200,630
1879 Northern, Central and Southern Divisions 322,732
1880 All Coal-Producing Counties 437,500
1881 All Coal-Producing Counties 706,744
1882 All Coal-Producing Counties
1883 All Coal-Producing Counties
1884 All Coal-Producing Counties
1885 All Coal-Producing Counties
1886 All Coal-Producing Counties
1887 All Coal-Producing Counties
,061,479
,229,593
,130,024
,356,062
,368,338
,795,735
1888 All Coal Producing Counties 2,185,477
1889 All Coal-Producing Counties 2,597,181
1890 All Coal-Producing Counties 3>°77,°O3
1891 All Coal-Producing Counties 3,512,632
1892 All Coal-Producing Counties 3,510,830
1893 All Coal-Producing Counties 4,102,389
1894 All Coal-Producing Counties 2,831,409
1895 All Coal-Producing Counties 3,082,982
1896 All Coal-Producing Counties 3,1 12,400
1897 All Coal-Producing Counties 3,361,703
1898 All Coal-Producing Counties 4,076,347
1899 All Coal-Producing Counties 4,776,224
1900 All Coal-Producing Counties 5,244,364
1 90 1 All Coal-Producing Counties 5,700,015
1902 All Coal-Producing Counties 7,401,343
1903 All Coal-Producing Counties 7,423,602
1904 All Coal-Producing Counties 6,658,355
1905 All Coal-Producing Counties 8,826,429
1906 All Coal-Producing Counties io;i 1 1,218
1907 All Coal-Producing Counties 10,790,236
1908 All Coal-Producing Counties . . 9,634,973
1909 All Coal-Producing Counties 10,716,936
1910 All Coal-Producing Counties 1 1,973,736
191 1 All Coal-Producing Counties 10,157,383
1912 All Coal-Producing Counties 10,977,824
1913 All Coal-Producing Counties 9,232,510
1914 All Coal-Producing Counties 8,170,559
1915 All Coal-Producing Counties 8,624,980
1916 All Coal-Producing Counties 10,522,185
1917 All Coal-Producing Counties ' 12,433,129
464
HISTORY OF COLORADO
MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS
Value of
Year Output
1882 $ 2,388,328
1883 2,766,584
1884 2,542,554
1885 3,051,589
1886 3,215,594
1887 3,94i,8l7
1888 4,808,049
1889 3,993,768
1890 4,344,196
1891 4,800,000
1892 5,685,112
1893 5,104,602
1894 3,5l6,34Q
1895 3,675,185
1896 3,606,642
1897 3,947,i86
1898 4,686,081
1899 5,363,667
1900 5,858,036
1901 6,441,891
1902 8,397,812
1903 9,!50,943
1904 8,751,821
1905 10,810,978
1906 12,735,616
1907 15,079,449
1908 13,586,988
1909 14,296,012
1910 17,026,9534
1911 14,747,764
1912 16,345,336
1913 i4P35,336
1914 13,601,718
1915 i3,599,264
1916 16,930,564
1917 30,000,000
Tons Mined Aver. Price
Number of by each per Ton at
Employes Machines Machine Mine
1,781 $2.25
2.25
1,750 2.25
2,200 2.25
2-35
5,000 2.20
5,375 2.20
Fatal-
ities
66
9
6
10
29
•54
23
5,827
.40
16
6,000
20
284,646
•37
30
5,747
.62
34
7,202
•24
46
6,507
.24
19
6,125
.20
23
6,704
34
318,172
.16
68
5,852
37
352,400
•17
35
6,440
43
225,646
•15
24
7,166
63
527,H5
.12
42
7,459
90
756,025
.12
29
8,870
62
319,678
•13
55
8,956
98
857,279
•13
73
9,229
!57
1,270,221
•23
40
8,123
125
945,965
•31
89
11,020
121
1,247,687
.22
59
11,368
141
1,337,006
.26
88
14,223
175
1,689,517
40
99
H,523
211
1,668,602
•41
61
11,472
253
1,929,545 1.33
95
15,864
256
1,005,781 1.42
14,316
242
1,975,411 1.45
9i
13,000
304
2,552,168 1.49
95
11,990
300
2,3H,493 1-52
108
10,098
306
2,502,558 1.66
75
12,372
299
2,628,300 1.58
63
13,570
PRODUCTION, IN SHORT TONS, OF LEADING COUNTIES
245
Year LasAnimas Huerfano Boulder Fremont
1887 .......... 506,540 131,810 297,338 417,326
1888 .......... 706,455 i59,6io 3I5J55 438,789
J889 .......... 993,534 333-717 323,096 274,029
44
Routt
1,491
HISTORY OF COLORADO
465
Year Las Animas
1890 ,154,668
1891 ,219,224
1892 ,171,069
1893 ,587,338
1894 ,153,863
1895 ,253,J49
1896 ,261,555
1897 ,427,526
1898 ,211,340
1899 2,125,143
1900 2,123,411
1901 2,476,138
1902 3,245,271
1903 3,213,743
1904 2,808,953
1905 4,297,599
1906 4,768,882
1907 4,885,105
1908 4,190,801
1909 4,592,964
1910 5,548,085
1911 4,458,753
1912 4,708,698
1913 3,739,357
1914 .2,693,288
1915 2,853,847
1916 4,154,334
1917 3,352,037
Huerfano
Boulder
427,832
425,704
494,466
498,494
541,733
545,563
521,205
663,220
408,045
419,734
386,696
377,395
353,338
448,706
367,894
477,790
1,075,881
451,539
632,577
540,475
854,944
574,334
918,609
482,975
1,189,313
806,371
1,319,666
803,924
1,187,905
736,824
1,426,640
839,804
1,803,791
1,022,096
1,797,790
1,296,729
1,644,068
1,067,948
1,915,910
1,332,322
2,387,090
802,769
1,786,645
954,752
1,899,538
1,054,925
1,705,240
902,918
1,724,265
1,000,590
1,682,335
946,888
1,811,585
1,061,250
1,840,136
840,000
Fremont
Routt
397,4i8
705
545,789
538,887
330
536,787
816
245,616
2,710
315,344
2,767
294,822
1,832
304,589
945
426,533
i,339
620,609
1,211
619,413
i,375
536,313
i,558
695,999
3,180
633358
2,775
256,200
5,568
512,002
3,643
666,034
5,297
772,949
5,690
669,274
13,005
611,980.
92,439
722,142
258,452
661,240
3i7,79i
738,833
448,261
535,778
334,96i
169,271
666,384
473,284
852,315
592,091
919,895
661,188
834,841
PRODUCTION, IN SHORT TONS, OF LEADING COUNTIES
(Continued)
Year El Paso
1887 47,517
1888 44,114
1889 54,212
1890 25,617
1891 34,364
1892 23,041
1893 19,415
1894 30,268
1895 51,840
1896 12,544
1897 ...'.... 12,500
1808 14,942-
1899 27,668
1900 94,334
Gunnison
La Plata
Weld
243,122
22,880
39,28i
258,374
33,625
28,054
252,442
34-971
28,628
229,212
43,193
46,417
261,350
72,47i
22,554
225,260
81,500
2,205
258,539
104,992
35,35.5
200,325
53,57i
42,818
239,182
106,099
27,934
260,596
104,661
4,300
297,417
76,788
8,310
323,321
100,650
24,085
319,434
116,500
47,573
432,555
123,524
80,015
Delta Garfield
30,000
115,000
239,292
183,884
191,094
277,794
212,918
75,663
274,271
i65,797
182,884
222,480
134,354
i,357
775
200
2,580
3,697
4,5*4
5,000
5,765
5,052
6,100
5,417
466
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Year
El Paso
1901 175,979
1902 218,549
1903 207,797
1904 248,013
1905 188,775
1906 210,793
1907 269,795
1908 317,763
1909 312,233
336,780
332,155
• 334,904
326,899
280,577
1915 299,883
1916 313,184
1917
Gunnison
La Plata
Weld
Delta
Garfield
397P43
144,892
33,374
5,844
J73,707
364,874
155,029
73,68i
9,350
207,262
436,604
143,637
94,492
13,029
' 176,354
494,545
146,080
118,862
21,683
198,545
513,317
168,669
101,812
9,497
172,563
583,175
173,720
95,420
6,812
193,063
588,859
184,018
136,074
22,087
220,040
5°3,J 40
166,090
343414
37,689
220,099
598,463
139,858
327,545
55,03i
257,796
640,982
147,755
322,896
63,590
189,755
575,648
96,749
520,396
7i,399
165,908
557,685
132,487
491,037
75P43
185,452
472,753
140,055
409,131
86,464
158,662
402,043
132,317
475,734
86,861
112,842
439,403
117,502
432,501
69,053
139,393
5H,755
111,406
461,274
76,986
132,540
COLORADO COAL FIELDS
The following account of the Colorado coal fields is taken from "The Rocky
Mountain Coal Fields," by L. S. Storrs, and published in 1902 by the U. S. Geo-
logical Survey :
"As already stated, the coal-bearing rocks of Colorado are confined to the
Upper Cretaceous, and with but few exceptions to the Laramie formation. Areas
of coal-bearing formations are found along both the eastern and western flanks
of the Rocky Mountains, with two smaller fields in the park region immediately
back of the Front Range, between that and the main range. For convenience the
fields have been divided into three groups, the eastern, park, and western, the
fields of each group being separated by areas of great elevation and erosion. The
fields of the eastern group are the Raton, Canyon City, and South Platte ; those
of the park region, Middle Park and Como ; those of the western group, the
Yampa, Grand River, and La Plata, with several small areas separated from the
main fields by erosion.
"The coal fields of Colorado contain every variety of coal from the typical
lignite to the equally typical anthracite. The area of the latter, however, is very
limited, probably not exceeding eight square miles.
"The fields of the eastern group are the more accessible to the principal
markets, the product of the western group being subject to the higher freight
rates incident to the haul over the main range in reaching the large markets of
eastern Colorado and the prairie states.
"The fields of this state have been more thoroughly explored than those of
any of the other states of the Rocky Mountain region, owing to the aggressive
policy of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. This exploration has demon-
strated the superiority of the Colorado coal fields over those of the other states
in the Rocky Mountain region as to the size of the fields, their available tonnage,
and the character of the coal itself.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 467
RATON FIELD
"This field takes its name from the Raton Mountains, which are included
within its limits. Part of the field is situated in Colorado and part in New
Mexico, but only that portion which is in Colorado is here considered.
"The field is bounded on the south by the Colorado-New Mexico line, and ex-
tends eastward along this line from the base of the Front Range to the plains.
The range forms the western edge of the field, and the coal-bearing measures
extend northward along its base a distance of 45 miles, reaching out into the
plains an average of 32 miles throughout its length. The southern portion of
the field is drained by the Purgatory River and its branches ; the Huerf ano River'
drains the northern end. These streams are located very near, the southern and
northern ends of the field, respectively.
"As yet the productive area of the field is limited to the eastern edge, that
being the most readily accessible. For freight-tariff purposes it is divided into
two districts: The southern or Trinidad district is located near the southeast
corner of the field and includes the mines of Las Animas County ; the northern
or Walsenburg district includes the mines of Huerf ano County. Besides these
districts there is a very important area, at present non-producing, which consti-
tutes by far the largest portion of the field. A part of this area will become pro-
ductive upon the completion of a railroad line that is now being constructed along
the Purgatory River westward from Trinidad.
"Immediately below the lowest coal is a bed of massive sandstone 90 to 120
feet thick. This is the uppermost member of the Trinidad formation, and is
very persistent throughout the entire area. The thickness of the Laramie in this
field varies from 3,000 feet, as exposed immediately under the basalt flow of the
Raton Mountains, to 4,500 feet on the Cuchara River. The Laramie strata are
divided into two groups, upper and lower, each of which contains throughout the
entire extent of the field, at least one coal bed of workable thickness. The indi-
vidual seams, however, vary greatly in character, and a seam which is productive
at one point may be worthless a short distance away. The two groups are sepa-
rated by a barren zone of about 700 feet.
"The main structural features of the field were determined by the post-
Cretaceous revolution, at which time the Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountain
ranges were elevated. By this disturbance the strata along the western border
were tilted up along the eastern base of the Sangre de Cristo Range, while on the
opposite side of the field a broad anticline was produced. A second epoch of
disturbance coincided with the period of eruptive activity. As the result of
these movements the strata along the western border are tilted from 25° to 85°
to the east and those along the eastern border from 3° to 17° toward the west,
while in a broad belt extending north and south through the middle of the field
they are nearly horizontal. The fault displacements produced by these dis-
turbances are in places very numerous and in many cases of some magnitude, the
largest ranging from 70 to 80 feet. These faults, however, appear to have no
connection with the eruptive bodies, as in many cases mining operations have
been extended through an intrusive dike without change of level.
"There are numerous masses of eruptive rocks within the limits of the field,
all of which have played an important part in the alteration of the various coal
468 HISTORY OF COLORADO
beds. The most noticeable of these are the Spanish Peaks and the attendant
series of dikes situated at about the center of the western border, Silver Moun-
tain, in the northwest corner, and the great overflow of the Raton Mountains
along the southern border. The attendant dikes and interbedded sheets have cut
through the productive measures, and in several instances the sheets have entirely
•destroyed the coal or altered it into a hard columnar coke which has no market-
able value.
"In this field, more than in any other in the state, there is a noticeable lack
of uniformity in the thickness of the individual coal beds. The most persistent
is the lowest, which is also the only one that can be identified in different parts of
the field with any degree of certainty. Extensive exploration of the field, both
on the surface and by diamond drill has developed the presence of about 40 coal
beds in the entire section. Of these, five are usually of a workable thickness,
two or three in the lower measures and two in the upper.
"The beds worked in the Trinidad district are confined to the lower series,
although in the northern part of the district the upper group contains two work-
able seams. In the southern part of the district the producing mines have from
4 to 8 feet of coal. The beds here have a slight inclination, which gradually in-
-creases towards the north, becoming as high as 15° in places near the northern
end of the district.
"In the southern portion of the Walsenburg district three beds are worked,
their total thickness being about 16 feet. Numerous dikes have been encountered
in mining operations in this portion of the district, entailing considerable expense
in the 'dead work' necessary to drive entries through them. This is offset to a
great extent by the superiority of the product from that portion of the bed af-
fected by the intrusion. These mines encounter water at a distance of about
1,000 feet from the outcrop. The mines in the northern portion of the district
are operated upon four beds, the total thickness of which is about 9 feet. These
mines, being operated below the level of the Cuchara River are in 'wet ground.'
The strata in this district have an inclination of 3° to 8° toward the southwest.
"Aside from this eastern edge, the measures have been thoroughly explored
at only two other points, both in Las Animas County, on the drainage of the
Purgatory River. The first embraces the highly inclined measures of the lower
series along the western border, where two beds of excellent coking coal have
been opened up at intervals from the state line north to the center of this side
of the field. The second district lies about 12 miles east of the first, where two
workable beds of the upper series outcrop within a short distance of the Pur-
gatory River. These seams have only very slight inclination. The beds of the
lower series have not been tested at this point, but they will doubtless be found
to contain a workable thickness of coal, which can be reached by shafts from 600
to 1,000 feet deep.
"The coal of the northern district is entirely of the semi-coking variety known
as 'domestic,' though the finer sizes make an excellent steam coal, which is largely
used in the accessible territory. There is a limited quantity of this kind of coal
in the southern district, but the bulk of the product is true coking coal. The tran-
sition from one variety to the other is very gradual, and hence there is an area
through the center of the field which produces a coal that cokes too strongly for
domestic purposes, yet does not produce a desirable metallurgic coke in the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 469
ordinary beehive oven. The coal of the upper series of beds is better adapted
for coke making than that of the lower series, and with proper manipulation a
most excellent metallurgic fuel can be produced.
"A large portion of the domestic coal and a little of the steam coal reaches
the markets of Kansas and Nebraska, the rest being consumed in Colorado. The
principal consumers of the coke and a portion of the steam coal are the large
lead and iron smelters of Pueblo and Denver.
"The extreme southern end of the field is crossed by the main line of the
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, which carries the product to the
markets of southern Kansas. The lines of the Denver and Rio Grande and the
Colorado Southern roads from Pueblo to Trinidad are located on the plains a
few miles east of the various mines, which are reached by branches from these
roads ; the line of the Denver and Rio Grande to Alamosa and southwestern Col-
orado passes westward through Walsenburg along the northern end of the field.
CANON CITY FIELD
"The field is located in Fremont County near the town of Canon, and is 42
miles north of the Raton field. Its western boundary is formed by the northern
end of the Wet Mountain Range, from which it extends eastward to the plains ;
the valley of the Arkansas River marks the northern limit, and that of the New-
land Creek the southern. The field comprises an isolated area of 54 square
miles of Laramie measures, with an average thickness of 900 feet; two-thirds of
the area contains coal beds of workable thickness.
"Along the western margin of the field the strata are steeply upturned against
the flanks of the mountains, but rapidly flatten out, so that in the body of the'
field they are nearly horizontal, with a slight westward dip as the eastern edge is
reached. Faulting is very rare and there are no dikes or other evidences of erup-
tive bodies within the area.
"Extensive prospecting with the diamond drill has demonstrated the presence
of as many as 16 coal beds 4 feet thick and upward, the lower beds being
the most persistent, and ranging from 4 to 5 feet in thickness. There are known
to be two other beds which have a workable thickness at various points.
"The coal produced in this field possesses excellent qualities' for domestic
purposes and is known throughout the plains region as the type of that class of
fuel. In burning it does not coke, but produces a bright flame and leaves but a
small amount of very light ash. When ground to a fine powder and ignited in a
crucible it forms a slightly coherent mass. The fine coal and the culm make
excellent steam fuel, the demand for these sizes being fully equal to the supply from
the mines. In general the coal of this field may be considered as the transition
type between the lignitic coals of the South Platte field and the more highly al-
tered coals of the Raton field.
"The product of this field is used mainly for domestic purposes, being shipped
to the markets as far east as the Missouri River.
"The main line of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway passes through Canon,
branches being built to the mines. The Santa Fe also has branch lines reaching
the field.
470 HISTORY OF COLORADO
SOUTH PLATTE FIELD
"This field consists of a continuous strip of coal-bearing rocks, beginning a
few miles north of Colorado Springs and extending thence nearly to the north
line of the state. The western limit is denned by the upturned strata in the foot-
hills of the Front Range, along which the field extends for a distance of 140
miles. The width of the field averages about 40 miles. The limits thus defined
are those given by Mr. Hills in the articles before mentioned (R. C. Hills, geolo-
gist of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company), and the area outlined is a con-
servative estimate of the extent of the Laramie formation containing coal seams
of economic value. The great area east of this line in northeastern Colorado
contains, with local exceptions, only coal of an inferior grade.
"The productive portion of the field, which comprises about one-sixteenth of
the total area, is divided into six districts. The most southern is located im-
mediately north of Colorado Springs and includes that portion of the Palmer
Lake divide which is drained by the tributaries of the Arkansas River. North
of this there are no mines operated for a distance of 54 miles. The mining
districts northwest of Denver, at Boulder, Marshall, Erie, Lafayette and Louis-
ville, form the northern group. The non-producing eastern half of the field and
a wide strip through the center have not been divided into districts, and may be
considered at present as inaccessible on account of the depth of the beds from
the surface, lack of railroad transportation, or the inferiority of the coal to that
elsewhere produced.
"The coal-bearing rocks are assigned to the Laramie, their total thickness
ranging from i.ooo to 1,200 feet. The workable coal beds are included within
the lower half of the measures.
"The strata along the western edge of the South Platte field are steeply up-
turned along the base of the range, but rapidly flatten out toward the east. There
are, however, gentle undulations through the body of the field, their axes extend-
ing parallel with the axis of the range. The inclination of the beds along this
western border depends upon the extent to which the strata have been removed
by erosion and ranges in the northern district from nearly horizontal to over-
turned strata, with a general easterly dip. The strata at the southern end of the
'field have a northward dip of about 9°. Faulting is generally confined to the
northern district, in which there are numerous displacements, often of such
magnitude as to prevent the extension of mine workings. The occurrence of
eruptive rocks is limited to the small flow near Golden, on the western edge,
and a small patch at Castle Rock, near the center of the field.
"So far as known, there are from one to four coal beds in the field, from two
to four being formed in the southern district and in the southern part of the
northern district, and one in the rest of this district. These beds vary from 3
to 1 6 feet in thickness, the greatest development being in the center of the field.
"The character of the coal is essentially lignitic, with local variations, though
quite removed in structure from true lignite, since it mines in blocks which show
the even fracture of "block" coal. It has a black color and a brilliant luster. It
slacks rapidly upon exposure to the air and is therefore not adapted for storage
or long transportation. The best grade of fuel is produced from that portion
of the field in which the strata have been subjected to movement. This is the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 471
western edge of the northern district, where the strata are steeply upturned.
The poorest coal is produced in the southern district. The coal found in the
upper half of the measures contains too many impurities to enter into competi-
tion with that from the lower half.
"On account of the excessive moisture content of these coals their use is
entirely confined to the markets in the immediate vicinity, where they have a
large consumption for domestic and steam purposes, the low cost as compared
with the coals of higher calorific value from the more remote fields of the state
being greatly in their favor.
"The proximity of the northern district to Denver, which is the most im-
portant market of the state, has induced the development of a large number of
mines along the western border of this district, where the coal can be reached
either from the outcrop or by short shafts. The great thickness of the overlying
beds in the Denver Basin has thus far prevented the operation of any mines in
the immediate vicinity of the city.
"The mines of the southern district are reached by branches of the Colorado
Southern and Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroads, those of the northern by
the Colorado Southern, Union Pacific and Burlington systems.
COMO FIELD
"Located in Park County, in the most southern of the interrange series of
parks, is a strip of Laramie strata, 21 miles long and from 3 to 5 miles wide,
which comprises one of the most valuable fields of the state.
"Only one-half of this area can be considered available on account of the in-
trusion of an eruptive mass which limits the workable area on the south. The
northern end is badly faulted, which makes the cost of production excessive.
The inclination of the beds along the western outcrop ranges from 30° to 50°
through the workable area. The eastern border is obscured by the overlying post-
Laramie beds.
"The coal bed as developed in No. 5 opening contains from 5 to 8 feet of coal
in the lower bench and 2 feet in the upper, separated by from 8 inches to 3 feet
of shale. A mile so'uth of this opening there is a bed containing 4^ feet of coal.
Whether or not these openings are on the same bed has never been determined.
The coal cokes strongly and mades an excellent locomotive fuel.
NORTH PARK FIELD
"This field comprises nearly the entire area of the most northern of the inter-
range parks of the state, extending from its northern end as far south as the
divide separating the drainage of this park from that of Middle Park. The
measures through the center of the area are covered by post-Laramie beds of
considerable thickness. The beds outcropping on the northern edge of the park
have a slight dip to the south for a short distance, when they gradually assume
a northern dip, owing to the presence of an anticlinal fold, the beds on each side
of which have an inclination of about 15°.
"There are in this field apparently three workable beds, all remarkably free
from shaly impurities and of considerable size. The largest is from 21 to 32
feet thick, another is 15 feet, and the third is from 4 to 5 feet.
472 HISTORY OF COLORADO
"The character of the coal is essentially the same as that of coals in the
South Platte field, namely, lignitic, but not true lignite.
"This is the least developed field in the state, the only openings being for the
supply of the ranches in the immediate vicinity. The region is so remote from
markets, and the probability of railroad extension into the district so slight, that
there is no immediate prospect of its development.
YAMPA FIELD
"This field lies altogether on the drainage of the Yampa River. For the
sake of convenience, however, a portion of the Rawlins field of Wyoming, lying
within Colorado, on the drainage of the Little Snake River, is included in this
description. Indeed, it is quite probable that the two fields are continuous under
the great thickness of post-Laramie beds which occupy the high ground between
the two exposures. This field is situated but a few miles north of the Grand
River field, the two being separated by a small eroded anticlinal valley from the
sides of which the strata of the two fields dip in opposite directions, doubtless
at one time having been connected. There is a small area of coal-bearing meas-
ures on the top of the Flat Top Mountains, a short distance west of the main
field, containing about 80 square miles of coal measures, with an average thick-
ness of not more than 100 feet, in which four coal beds, from 4 to 5 feet in
thickness, have been discovered. This area is at present practically inaccessible.
"There has been very little development done in the main field — by no means
enough to determine with accuracy the number of coal beds or the character of
the coals, except at a few localities. There are no mines operated other than
the small banks which supply the ranches. The field has no railroad connection
to render the coals accessible to markets.
"Both the Laramie and the post-Laramie formations are coal bearing in this
field, and the same uncertainty exists here as in the Grand River field in deter-
mining the exact limit between the generally shaly Montana formation below and
the sandstones of the Laramie. The total thickness of the Laramie cannot, how-
ever, be far from 2,000 feet.
"The disturbances determining the structure of the field were those associated
with the principal orographic movements and those connected with the later
period of eruptive activity. The former resulted in the production of two folds,
one along the southern border, extending east and west, the measures adjacent to
which are inclined from 45° to 50° to the north, and the second fold on the
northeastern border, parallel with the axis of the Park Range. The measures at
this point dip from 10° to 15° to the southwest. The effect of the eruptions is
confined to local dislocation and upturning. The area thus affected is limited,
with the exception of an intrusive sheet on Elk Head Creek, to the portion
along the northern border of the state.
"The coal beds of the Yampa field have been exposed at a number of points
along its northern border, but there has not been enough work done to determine
with accuracy the number of beds contained in the field. A bed 7^2 feet in
thickness has been exposed on Elk Head Creek, and a few miles farther down
that stream are two small beds of anthracite. This character is doubtless very
local, depending upon the presence of a sheet of eruptive rock. About 8 miles
HISTORY OF COLORADO 473
southeast two beds have been exposed, one of anthracite, from 7 to 10 feet thick,
and 160 feet above it a seam of semi-coking coal 5 feet in thickness. The degree
of alteration depends upon the nearness of an intrusive sheet, which at one
point approaches the upper bed, producing anthracite, and leaving the lower bed
semi-coking. Along the Yampa River the coal is exposed at three places. Near-
est the head of the river the exposure shows a bed 17 feet in thickness. On Oak
Creek, at the eastern extremity of the field, there are four workable beds exposed,
the lowest being 10 feet thick.
"Prospecting on the Little Snake River has developed a bed n feet thick,
above which is another, not always of workable thickness. The coal in these
beds very closely resembles the celebrated Rock Spring coal, which is an excel-
lent domestic fuel. There are several small beds higher up in the measures (one
containing anthracite), none of which are of workable thickness at the points
exposed.
"The post-Laramie strata contain several beds of lignitic coal, which will not
be developed until the coals of the underlying measures are exhausted, although
at present there are several small banks operated on the beds of these measures.
One bed worked near the town of Craig is 4 feet in thickness, and another, near
Hayden, is a little thicker.
GRAND RIVER FIELD
"This is prospectively the most valuable field of the state, both because of its
extent and because of the varied character of the coals which it contains. It
forms the eastern extension of the Green River Basin, while the Wasatch field
of Utah forms the western extension. It extends from the state line eastward
to the base of Mount Wheatstone, near Crested Butte, a distance of 150 miles,
and from the drainage of the Yampa River on the north to the GunnisOn River
on the south, a distance of over 100 miles.
"The productive area has been divided into a number of separate districts,
viz: Crested Butte, Baldwin, and Ruby, in the southeastern portion; Coal Basin
and Jerome Park, immediately north and separating the former from the Grand
River district. These are the only portions of the field now reached by railroads,
and only a small portion of the accessible areas of these districts has been devel-
oped. At the northeastern edge of the field there is a still larger area, at present
non-productive, which contains extensive reserves of coal.
"The thickness of the coal-bearing Laramie varies from 2,000 feet along the
southwestern border to 3,500 feet near the mines of Coal Ridge, on Grand
River. The exact limiting beds are very hard to define at all points, and the
change from the predominantly shaly beds of the Montana to the sandstones
which comprise the greater part of the Laramie is so gradual that an arbitrary
dividing line has been established at the massive sandstone immediately under
the lowest of the coal beds. The determination of the summit of the Laramie is
equally difficult.
"As elsewhere in the Rocky Mountain region, the structure of the field has
been produced by two agencies, first, the mountain-forming movement, and sec-
ond, the post-Cretaceous eruptive activity. Most of the eruptions occurred in
the southern half of the field.
474 HISTORY OF COLORADO
"The number of coal beds in this field varies considerably in the different
localities. In the eastern, southern, northern and southwestern areas from two
to four beds of workable size are known, while through the central tract and
along the northwestern border there are from 5 to 7 beds, containing a total of
from 22 to 106 feet of clean coal.
"The character of the coal invariably depends on the presence or absence
of intrusive eruptive rocks and on their relation to the several coal seams. The
coal along the northern border of the field is nearly all semi-bituminous, while
that in the southern half varies from semi-bituminous to anthracite. The gradu-
ation is well shown on Slate River, where the mines at Crested Butte are located
upon a zone of coking coal less than one mile in width which grades on one side
into semi-coking and on the other into anthracite. The coke made from the
coals of the Coal Basin district is superior to any produced in the Rocky Moun-
tain region, being remarkably similar to the Connellsville (Pa.) product, both in
chemical composition and in physical structure.
"The various parts of this field which are at present productive are reached
by branches of the Denver and Rio Grande and Colorado Southern railroads.
These roads carry the product to the markets of the eastern portion of the state
or deliver it to the other roads that convey it to the markets as far west as San
Francisco.
LA PLATA FIELD
"This, the southernmost of the fields on the western slope of the Rocky
Mountains, is located in the southwestern part of the state and extends thence
into New Mexico and Utah. Hence the state lines form portions of both the
southern and western boundaries of the Colorado field. The other boundaries
are well defined, topographically, by a line of high bluffs resulting from the ero-
sion of the underlying soft marine beds.
"The extent of the field along the southern state line is 85 miles, north of
which it extends about 15 miles, giving a superficial area of 1,250 square miles in
which the coal-bearing strata are either exposed and accessible or covered by
later deposits. The drainage channels, consisting of the San Juan, Piedra, Los
Pinos, Florida, Animas, La Plata and Mancos rivers, have cut deep canyons
across the field and deeply notched the northern margin.
"There are two productive districts, the Durango and the La Plata. The first
is located near the town of that name, and its product is entirely coking coal.
The La Plata adjoins it on the west. There are several non-producing districts
which will doubtless be developed as this part of the state becomes more thickly
settled.
"There are in this basin two distinct coal-bearing horizons, both of which are
probably in rocks of Montana age. In the upper series massive, light-colored
sandstones predominate, while the lower series consists of thin-bedded sandstones
with numerous bands of shale.
"The inclination of the strata along the northern border of the basin varied
from nearly horizontal at each end to 36° en the Animas River near the center
of the northern margin. This high angle is confined to the upper series. The
lower has not been affected to so great an extent by the flexure caused by the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 475
upheaval of the La Plata Mountains, which are adjacent to this part of the field
on the north. There are no bodies of eruptive rocks of any magnitude within
the area, though the great La Plata Mountain eruption doubtless had a decided
effect upon the character of the coal along the northern border.
"The upper series contains a great aggregate thickness of coal at all points
along its outcrop. The individual seams, however, vary to a marked extent. At
one point in the Durango district there is a total of 80 feet of coal in 100 feet
of strata. This marks the thinnest point of the intervening beds of clay and
shale which a few miles to the east have separated the coal into four distinct
beds. The lowest is four feet thick and is separated by 100 feet of barren strata
from a bed 15 feet thick; this in turn is separated by 50 feet from a bed 20
feet thick, which is 80 feet from the top seam, containing 5 feet of coal. The
seams of the lower series are generally small, the thickest reaching a total of but
5 feet of coal.
"The coal at the two extremities of the field is of the semi-coking or domestic
variety, while that of the central portion of the northern border possesses pro-
nounced coking qualities. A few bee-hive evens are in operation near Durango,
the coal used being obtained from the lower measures, since none of that from
the upper measures produces a coke. The southern and central portions of this
field have not been examined sufficiently to give any detailed idea as to the char-
acter of the individual seams or of the structural features of that portion of
the area.
"The market for the product from this field is very limited, being confined
almost entirely to the mining towns of the La Plata Mountains and the smelter
at Durango.
"The Denver and Rio Grande and the Rio Grande Southern roads are as yet
the only railroads constructed to this part of the state, though as all of the can-
yons form practicable routes it is thought that one or more of the trunk lines
are contemplating westward extension by the way of Durango.
TONGUE MESA FIELD
"This includes a long, narrow, isolated strip of Laramie measures occupying
the ridge between the Cimarron and Uncompahgre rivers.
"The strata, which are not steeply inclined, contain two beds of workable
thickness. The lower is from 15 to 20 feet thick, the upper, 400 feet above, is
5 feet thick and contains a better grade of coal. The coal is dry, closely resem-
bling the lignitic coals of the eastern slope. As there is no railroad connection
the production is limited entirely to the supply of local demands. The greater
part of the output is consumed in the town of Montrose, on the line of the Den-
ver and Rio Grande Railroad, about 10 miles northeast of the field.
COAL IN THE DAKOTA FORMATION
"At a number of places through the western part of the state, south of the
Grand River drainage, coal beds are exposed at the base of the Dakota forma-
tion.
"As a rule these seams are so thin and the coal is of such inferior quality that
476
HISTORY OF COLORADO
they are not of economic value. There are, however, places at which they attain
a thickness of 20 inches to 3 feet, and owing to the distance from the railroads
these areas are of value for local supply, and several small mines are in opera-
tion. The character of the coal depends entirely upon the proximity of some body
of eruptive rock, the alteration at two points having produced anthracite. The
beds at these points are so badly faulted, however, as to render the coal of no
value. The utilization, in a large way, of the coals from these areas will not
take place until the coals of the other fields of the state are nearly exhausted."
THE COKE INDUSTRY
The industry of coke-making may be said to have begun in the State of Col-
orado in the year 1879. In this year coke works were established at El Moro,
Las Animas County, by the Colorado Coal and Iron Company. By 1883 there
were 250 ovens in the state. This location was six miles south of El Moro and
near the New Mexican boundary line. In 1883 Colorado was the only locality
outside of the Appalachian Basin in which coking attained any importance as an
industry. The product of this state was exceeded only by that of Pennsylvania,
West Virginia, Alabama and Tennessee. The iron and steel industry was the
principal factor in creating the demand for coke, also the smelting of the ores
of precious metals and the high cost of this fuel when transported from the east.
The principal coking operations are now carried on in the vicinity of Trini-
dad, in the northern end of the Raton Mountain region. Considerable quanti-
ties of Colorado coke are produced at plants forming parts of establishments
which include coal mining, iron and steel manufacturing, smelting and refining
of precious and semi-precious metals. All the coke ovens in the state are of the
beehive type.
The following statistics, from the year 1880, which are taken from the annual
reports of the U. S. Geological Survey, will exhibit the growth of the coke in-
dustry in Colorado:
Value
$145,226
267,156
476,655
584,578
409.930
512,162
569,120
682,778
716,305
643,479
959,246
896,984
1,201,429
1,137,488
903,970
940,987
Year
Establishments
Ovens
1880 ..
i
200
1881 ..
2
267
1882 ..
5
344
1883 ..
7
352
1884 ••
8
409
1885 ..
7
434
1886 ..
•••• 7
483
1887 ..
7
532
1888 ..
7
602
1889 ..
9
834
1890 ..
8
916
1801 ..
7
948
1892 . .
9
1,128
1893 ..
8
i,i54
1894 ..
8
i,i54
i8qS ..
9
1,169
Coal Used
Coal Produced
Tons
Tons
51,891
25,568
87,508
48,587
180,549
102,105
224,089
133,997
181,968
115,719
208,069
131,960
228,060
142,797
267,487
170,698
274,212
179,682
299,731
187,638
407,023
245,756
452,749
277,074
572,904
365,920
628,935
362,986
542,429
317,196
580,584
340,357
HISTORY OF COLORADO
477
Coal Used Coal Produced
Year Establishments Ovens Tons Tons Value
1896 ii 1,275 639,238 363,760 1,046,306
1897 12 1,273 616,592 342,653 999,2i6
1898 12 1,253 803,686 474,8o8 1,230,428
1899 •• I2 1,243 898,207 530424 1,333,769
1900 13 1,488 997,86i 618,755 1,746,732
1901 15 2,060 1,148,901 671,303 1,626,279
1902 17 3,4H 1,695,188 1,003,393 2,754,341
1903 18 3,959 1,776,974 1,053,840 3,089,783
1904 17 3,923 1,376,354 789,060 2,590,251
1005 17 3,925 2,368,365 1,378,824 4,157,5*7
1906 17 4,103 2,566,196 1,455,905 4,504,748
1907 18 4,683 2,388,911 i,42i,579 4,747,436
1908 18 4,705 1,546,044 982,291 3,238,888
1909 18 4,700 1,984,985 1,251,805 4.I35.931
1910 •. . . 18 3,611 2,069,266 1,346,211 4,273,579
1911 16 3,606 1,810,335 1,177,023 3,880,710
1912 15 3,588 i,473.n2 972,941 3,043,994
1913 15 3,588 1,349,743 879,461 2,815,134
1914 14 3,573 1,048,251 666,083 2,203,031
1915 3,573 1,026,019 670,938 2,242,453
1916
1917 r»990 987,977
Prior to 1912 the statistics for Utah are included with those of Colorado.
CHAPTER XXIII
AGRICULTURE IN COLORADO
FIRST AGRICULTURISTS BEGINNING OF IMPROVED CULTIVATION AGRICULTURAL
DISTRICTS THE SAN LUIS VALLEY — NORTHWESTERN COLORADO MOUNTAIN
PARK DISTRICTS — EASTERN COLORADO PINTO BEANS — COLORADO LAND AND SET-
TLEMENT— PRODUCTION OF IQIJ COUNTY AGENTS — FRUIT GROWING — CROP
STATISTICS
FIRST AGRICULTURISTS
It is reasonable to suppose that the first agriculturists upon Colorado's soil
were the Cliff Dwellers, those mysterious and interesting people who lived in the
southwestern corner of the state. However, they were not skillful farmers and
their crops consisted merely of a small and hard variety of Indian corn, which
became sparser every year. In fact, the total failure of this source of food
supply is advanced by some writers as the reason for their disappearance from
the Mesa Verde district. Strange and cumbersome farming implements have
been found in the ruins of the cliffs, together with stone affairs for grinding the
corn into coarse meal, also burned cobs and kernels have been discovered in the
vicinity.
The modern plains Indian, as known by the first white men in Colorado, de-
pended very little upon grain for subsistence. The hordes of buffalo which
ranged over the plains supplied him with unlimited quantities of meat, which
rendered unnecessary the labor of tilling the soil.
In 1840 a colony of nearly fifty families of Mexicans from Santa Fe and
other pueblos of that vicinity made settlements on the Costilla, the Culebra and
the Conejos, tributary streams of the Rio Grande1, in the southern end of the
San Luis Park, where the settlements have prospered until this day.
The fur-trading period brought with it the first improved attempts at farm-
ing. In the late '205 and early '305 small crops of grain were raised at the various
trading posts on Colorado soil and in the years from 1840 until 1855 the Mex-
ican settlers along the Arkansas River further developed their tillable land by
means of irrigation.
The first actual settlers to cultivate the soil within the present boundaries of
Colorado were a party whose names were Fisher, Sloan, Spaulding, Kinkaid,
and Simpson. These men raised a crop of corn on the site of Pueblo in 1842.
In March, 1843, m the valley of the Hardscrabble, thirty miles from Pueblo,
another crop was raised by George S. Simpson.
Charles Autobees, a French half-breed, cultivated a farm at the mouth of
478
HISTORY OF COLORADO 479
the Huerfano River about this time and "Zan" (Alexander) Hicklin of Mis-
souri, who married a half-breed daughter of William Bent, settled on Green-
horn Creek and there, with peon labor, planted a large field with grain and
vegetables. Francis Parkman, who was at the site of the "Pueblo" in 1846,
mentions the "great fields of corn" near the post, upon the Arkansas bottoms.
These attempts to raise successful crops were for the purpose merely to supply
the local needs of the settlements. Consequently, when the pioneers of 1859
came to Colorado, about the only farming district was along that portion of the
Rio Grande lying within the present borders of the state.
The pioneers of 1858 and 1859 gave little thought to agriculture. This had
not been their purpose in coming across the plains to Colorado. Gold ! — that was
the all-compelling force which encouraged them and induced them to endure
countless hardships and dangers, but there were many who came who faced the
necessity of earning a living while they dug for the gold. This "many" rapidly
became a majority and the land along the rivers and streams began to claim the
attention of those in this predicament. Vegetables were raised almost exclusively
in 1859, principally on the Arkansas River, at the mouth of Fountain River, and
on Clear Creek. Below Golden, on the last named stream, David K. Wall laid
out a hot bed for experimental gardening and raised fully two acres of vegetables,
irrigating his ground by a small ditch from Clear Creek. In 1860 Wall planted
seven acres and sold his vegetables as far away as Denver. In 1859, also, the
first irrigation ditch of importance was built in the Cache a la Poudre Valley, in
Larimer County. Wall's success led other settlers to follow his example.
BEGINNING OF IMPROVED CULTIVATION
Agriculture now had come into its own and, although the Civil War and the
Indian troubles seriously retarded the development of farming the path had been
broken for greater and more scientific progress. In 1860 and 1861, just prior
to the outbreak of the Rebellion, a great increase in cultivated acreage was made
in Colorado, even in the face of the fact that many people believed the land
wholly unfit for successful agriculture. A writer of the time, describing the
agricultural prospects in Colorado, stated:
"Agriculture in Colorado is an entirely different pursuit from what it is in
the Eastern States, and the farmer who comes to the state and enters upon the
cultivation of the soil in the style he has been accustomed to, will find that failure
is more likely to result from his labors than success. He has so much to unlearn.
It is better to abandon all notions and begin anew. Dependent upon irrigation
for the growth of his crops, he must study the methods and meet the requirements
of the climate. With a fixed purpose in his mind to overcome all the obstacles
that will daily present themselves to him, it will not be long before the new order
of things will be familiar to him. Once understanding the method, he may rely
upon Nature for the rest."
Irrigation was a subject just beginning to be learned. Without knowledge
of it, the Colorado settler would never have been successful in cultivating the
soil of the state. Samuel Bowles, in his volume "Across the Continent," speaks
of the nature of this territory as follows:
"The burden laid upon all agriculture, the absolute want of all horticulture,
480 HISTORY OF COLORADO
as yet in all this country, are among its serious drawbacks. The winds, the sun,
the porous yet unfriable soil, the long seasons of no or inadequate rain, leave
all vegetation gray and scanty, except it is in direct communication with the
water courses. Trees will not live in the house yards, house owners can have
no turf, no flowers, no fruits, no vegetables — the space around the dwellings in
the towns is a bare sand relieved only by infrequent mosses and weeds. The
grass is gray upon the plains ; cottonwood and sappy pine are almost alone the
trees of the mountain region ; no hardwood is to be found anywhere ; and but
for the occasional oases by the streams, and the rich flowers that will spring up
on the high mountain morasses, the country would seem to the traveler nearly
barren of vegetable life."
This article was written in 1865 and undoubtedly drew an unfair picture of
Colorado soil. Many other journals and newspapers belittled the prospects of
this western country at that time, but others staunchly maintained that, with
proper methods and care, excellent crops could be raised. The Rocky Mountain
News, in 1873, in refuting some of the derogatory remarks made by an eastern
paper, stated: "There has been enough of success at farming in Colorado to
prove the contrary; not only that farming can be successfully carried on here,
but that it can be followed with a larger and more certain annual profit tha'n in
any other part of the United States."
After the close of the Civil War in 1865 the population of Colorado increased
60 per cent before 1870. Agriculture underwent a corresponding increase. The
greater part of the soil cultivation during this period was confined to the upper
section of the Arkansas River Valley, to small spaces in the San Luis Valley,
and to certain districts near the foothills on the South Platte and its tributaries.
In 1870 the railroads first came to Denver and with them came the colonists,
bodies of men organized for settlement purposes. Agriculture and its kindred
pursuits were strengthened greatly by these newcomers and the land in the
vicinity of their settlements soon began to flower.
AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS
Colorado contains about 66,500,000 acres of land, 20,000,000 acres of which
are included in the plains of the eastern part of the state. The western slope,
the Rio Grande and San Juan valleys and the various parks are, in addition to
the plains, excellent lands for the production of crops — cereals and fruit. The
soil of Colorado may be said to be deceiving; at least, in the earlier days this
was true. This soil is of granitic origin, has an abundance of potash, phosphoric
acid and organic matter, elements which go to make up the ideal ground for
cultivation. However, the general absence of quantities of water rendered this
soil bleak and bare in appearance, although the necessary qualities were yet there,
waiting to be developed by the addition of sufficient moisture. The soil of Colo-
rado is also of many kinds, due to the different rock formations from which it
is derived. It ranges from the sandy to the heavy loam, the latter known to
the pioneers as "adobe." Each of these soils requires a- different treatment or
process of cultivation in order to make it valuable. Colorado has a wonderful
system of natural drainage and irrigation, but notwithstanding this has had to
HISTORY OF COLORADO 481
be supplemented by extensive irrigation, a subject treated fully in another chap-
ter of this work.
Generally speaking, all the land lying at 6,000 feet altitude or above requires
irrigation, while that below the 6,000 foot level may be tilled without artificial
irrigation. The land upon the eastern slope of the state, including the acres
first drawing the attention of the colonists, along the Arkansas and South Platte
rivers, comes within the class of ground at the 6,000 foot level requiring irriga-
tion. Similar land is also to be found upon the western slope, near the Grand,
Gunnison and Umcompahgre, also in the southwestern part of the state in the
valleys of the Rio las Animas and the Rio San Juan. From Canon City to Pueblo
the Arkansas River irrigates a very rich farming area along its course; the
Fountain River, -which joins the Arkansas at Pueblo, also supplies water to ex-
tensive farms along its shores. This vicinity is largely devoted to the cultivation
of vegetables, while Rocky Ford, in the Arkansas Valley, has become nationally
famous as a producing ground for melons. The sugar-beet industry has also
become an important one in the Arkansas Valley, in fact, at this time, ranking
first among the products.
Northern Colorado, east of the range, is in the drainage basin of the South
Platte River, also the Cache la Poudre. This triangular district has been ap-
propriately named the richest agricultural region of Colorado. Irrigation has
been introduced extensively into this area and has added incalculable value to
lands already rich in productivity.
During the year 1917 every district in the Poudre Valley, which includes the
counties of Larimer and Weld, centering around the cities of Fort Collins, Gre^-
ley, Loveland, Berthoud, Windsor, Eaton and Evans, has enjoyed unequaled pros-
perity. In Weld County alone farmers received over twenty million dollars for
the irrigated and dry land crops. Sugar beets, potatoes, pinto beans, wheat, al-
falfa and seed beans are the main agricultural products of this county.
The farmers of the St. Vrain Valley, north, east, south and west of the
City of Longmont, easily had the best season of history in 1917. Sugar beets
was the principal money-maker during the year, followed closely by wheat.
Alfalfa, beans, potatoes and peas were also extensively raised.
The Valley of the South Platte, about two hundred and twenty-five miles in
length, extends from the Platte Canon, southwest of Denver, to the northeastern
corner of the state and in width is from three to six miles. In the vicinity of
Denver vegetables are raised principally, due to the large market in the city for
this produce. In other parts of this fertile valley cereals, fruits, sugar beets and
hay are raised with equal facility.
The western slope of Colorado is the great fruit-producing section of the
state. The principal fruit is the apple, while great quantities of peaches, melons,
potatoes, all kinds of grain and various vegetables are also raised here.
Northern Colorado is essentially the home of the potato. Potatoes are, of
course, raised in all parts of the state, but the district of which Greeley is the
market center has become noted for the cultivation of tubers. As many as
800 bushels of potatoes have been raised upon an acre of Colorado soil, with-
out artificial fertilization, and a yield of 400 bushels per acre is not at all un-
common.
Vol. I -81
482 HISTORY OF COLORADO
THE SAN LUIS VALLEY
The principal district over the 5,000 foot elevation where agriculture is car-
ried on extensively is the San Luis Valley, between the Sangre de Cristo Range
and the Continental Divide. Here the elevation averages about seven thousand
five hundred feet and the plain itself, one hundred by forty miles in dimensions,
includes over two million five hundred thousand acres of tillable ground. Owing
to conditions, however, this land is almost wholly dependent upon irrigation,
which is supplied by the waters of the Rio Grande River and smaller streams
of the southern part of the state. Small grains and nearly every' kind of
vegetable are produced in this remarkable section. Something of the condition
of the San Luis Valley during the year 1917 'is to be shown by the following
excerpts from the description by a recent writer:
"It was a long year of hard work and worry for all hands. Urged by the
Government to increase production, stockmen and farmers bent all their energies
to obey orders. Seed and feed were scarce and labor could not be had at critical
times. An acre of potatoes cost the farmer this year $100 as against $30 and
$40 in normal times. An acre of peas that formerly cost $6 or $7 cost this year
from $12 to $15. High prices during the year have resulted in large selling. In
wheat production the valley shows a marked increase over former years. It is
estimated that 900,000 bushels were raised. Much of this was of the Marquis
variety. Oats and barley yielded well also. This class of grain is all fed to
valley stock now instead of being shipped as in former years. Field-peas made
an average yield this year. They are mostly fed by turning sheep into the fields
where they were grown and later hogs are turned in to clean up any grain that
the sheep have lost. In the southern part of the valley many peas are cut, threshed
and shipped to Chicago buyers. They make a first class soldier's ration and
last year the British Government bought large quantities. Alfalfa is grown with
good profit in all parts of the valley. Two and sometimes three cuttings are
made, averaging two and a half tons for the first cutting and one and a half
tons on the second cutting, which sold this year at $20 in the stack. All alfalfa
is fed at home, but large quantities of native baled hay are shipped from the low-
lands in all parts of the valley to Colorado Springs and Denver markets.
"The potato crop of the valley last summer was the largest ever known. In
Rio Grande County, where the crop has been featured for many years, there
were 485 growers, with a total of 11,028 acres planted and a production of 3,605
carloads valued at $4,000,000. Conejos, Costilla and Alamosa counties also
produced large quantities of potatoes, but unfortunately an acute car shortage
prevented loading and probably a fourth or more of the crop was lost by frost
and overheating in crowded cellars."
Northeast of the San Luis Valley lies the Wet Mountain Valley, between
the Wet Mountain Range and the Sangre de Cristo, having a length of about
thirty miles and a width of seven miles. This section is drained by the Grape
Creek, a tributary of the Arkansas River. Notwithstanding the fact that stock
raising is the principal industry of this valley, superior crops of potatoes, alfalfa
and timothy hay, wheat, rye, barley, oats and the sturdier kinds of vegetables
are produced here.
Agriculture also flourishes in the Arkansas Valley which lies in Chaffee and
HISTORY OF COLORADO 483
Park counties, in the Plateau Valley lying in Mesa and Delta counties and in the
Gunnison Valley after the emergence of that river from Lost Canon. The Valley
of the Eagle River for a distance of forty miles from the confluence with the
Grand, although narrow, is a valuable producing ground for wheat, rye, oats,
barley, vegetables and forage crops. The valleys of the Roaring Fork and Crystal
rivers constitute another agricultural section, with an elevation of from six thou-
sand five hundred to eight thousand feet. The product of this district is similar
to that of the Eagle River Valley. In the Montezuma Valley, in Montezuma
County, which is drained by tributaries of the San Juan River, agriculture is
growing rapidly. Irrigation is being developed extensively in this valley, for
the production of various crops, the principal one of which is alfalfa. In La
Plata County, adjoining Montezuma, are the valleys of the Las Animas, Los
Pinos and other tributaries of the San Juan. This section is rich in agricultural
possibilities and is being developed with Durango City as the market center.
NORTHWESTERN COLORADO
Northwestern Colorado is one of the sections which will, in time, be one of
the greatest agricultural districts of the state. This district is made up properly
of the counties of Routt, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Grand and Jackson, a "veritable
empire of resources and wealth." Stock raising has been the chief industry of
the northwestern part of the state, but agricultural improvements have steadily
increased the crop production of these counties. One writer describes the ter-
ritory in the following words :
"The crop value of northwestern Colorado soil can scarcely be estimated. It
will never 'wear out.' How deep it is no one knows. For ages the disintegration
of the mountains poured unchecked tons of sediment into the valleys, building
up a silt and rich loam strongly impregnated with iron oxides, nitrates, phosphates
and potash, elements which contribute to the record crops of the section.
"Hay is the staple crop of the country. Native grass, timothy, alfalfa and
clover are grown extensively, yielding from three to ten tons per acre. Oats,
wheat, rye and barley are also grown extensively, all far surpassing the yields
of the Eastern States. Potatoes and other vegetables give abundant yields and
are of superior quality. Small fruits are becoming of extreme importance, Steam-
boat Springs strawberries having established a name throughout the country.
"Hundreds of new settlers have come into the country during the past year
(1917) and there is room for thousands more. There are still thousands of
acres of Government and state land open to entry, as fertile and productive as
any in the world."
Northwestern Colorado land is drained by the White and Yampa rivers and
their tributaries. This facility of irrigation, together with the present railroad
advantages and others to come, insures a future of prosperity for this part of
the state.
MOUNTAIN PARKS
The North Park, east of Routt County, with an elevation of 8,000 feet and
bounded by the Continental Divide and Medicine Bow Range and constituting
Jackson County, is a mountain valley sixty miles long and thirty miles .wide.
484 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Cattle raising is the chief occupation of the farmers herein, but as the streams
carry bountiful supplies of water for irrigation, crops of hay, field-peas, oats,
sugar beets and other products are annually raised here.
Crossing the Divide at the Nork Park, one comes to Middle Park, a mountain
valley of greater size than North Park. However, owing to the topography of
the land here less crops are produced, the ground being used chiefly for grazing.
The high mountain parks of Colorado, though, are becoming more valuable
as they are being intelligently developed. It has not been so many years since
these lands were recognized only for their grazing uses, but now this same land
is being developed either by dry-farming methods or by irrigating systems. This
change has been accomplished by the knowledge, recently gained, that these
parks are ideal for the production of potatoes, cabbage, small grains and hay.
Such products from these mountain parks not only top the open market, but
have been found by numerous experiments to be ideal seed, when taken to the
lower parts of the state and to other states. It is along these lines that the parks
should, and no doubt will, be pushed.
EASTERN COLORADO
The eastern part of Colorado gives us an example of the great movement to
reclaim the land of Colorado. Here is a vast extent of valuable ground which,
until a few years ago, was considered fit only for grazing purposes. Through
the many years until the close of the year 1911 eastern Colorado was considered
a failure, but in 1912 new methods were introduced in planting and cultivating
the farm area and a good crop was obtained. The extensive cultivation of non-
irrigated land in this district was begun in 1893, but the season was one of
drought and the succeeding months of 1894 were likewise failures, consequently
the belief became general that cultivation of non-irrigated land in eastern Colo-
rado was impossible. Many of the farmers moved away and for years the
land was used only for grazing. In 1912 methods of strictly scientific farming
were evolved by agricultural experts and the farmers were encouraged to try
again. As a reward, those who had remained on their farms through the hard
years became prosperous and happy agriculturists, having learned the methods
of cultivating their hitherto arid land. The annual report of the Department of
Agriculture for the year 1905 states:
"The bitter lessons of the 'rain-belt' failure lasted for years, but its sears at
length healed. Another wave of settlement is sweeping over the plains, includ-
ing eastern Colorado. Other settlers are buying the abandoned farms. This
latest attempt is not a repetition of the first. New methods are being tried. Much
has been learned in the past twenty years. Practically every settler who re-
mained in the semi-arid belt has been an experimenter in developing a kind of
agriculture suited to the local conditions. The United States Department of Agri-
culture has searched the world for drought-resistant crops, and it and the State
Experiment Stations have conducted extended experiments to determine their
value in the semi-arid sections of America, including Colorado. Independent
investigators have been working many years to adapt old varieties to semi-arid
conditions."
In order to provide some sort of assistance to the new farmer upon Colorado
HISTORY OF COLORADO 485
soil, the Department of Agriculture established two demonstration farms in the
eastern part of the state. One is adjacent to Akron and the other near Eads.
These farms were started for the distinct purpose of determining the proper
kinds of crops to grow upon the land, and principally the kind of crops avail-
able to the farmer who used no irrigating system of any kind. Dry farming is
the main subject of interest to the eastern Colorado agriculturist at this time and
every year new ideas are put into effect and the general crops — in quantity and
quality — are thereby greatly benefited.
PINTO BEANS
One of the crops of Colorado which has made rapid strides during the last
few years is the bean. Ten years ago the production of dry beans in the state
was so small that Colorado was not given a place in the Government reports in
the statistics of bean production. Five years ago the value of the dry bean crop
of the state was perhaps less than $100,000. Yet in 1916 the value of beans
grown in the state reached approximately $1,700,000 and in 1917 it stands at
about $6,500,000. Colorado now has a place in the Government reports as a
great bean-producing state, and the principal buyers of beans throughout the
country have established connections in the state. This rapid development in
bean production has been due to the introduction of the Mexican pinto bean
and to the war demand for beans, which has brought the pinto into favor where
it was formerly unknown. This bean is well adapted to the soil and climate of
Colorado, especially in the eastern or non-irrigated section. In some parts of
eastern Colorado it was well established and was high in favor so far as pro-
duction was concerned before the beginning of the war. But there was only a
limited market and prices were so low as to make its production unprofitable. A
partial failure of the navy bean crop in 1916, together with the heavy war de-
mand, gave the pinto bean a chance before the large bean buyers, including
agents of the United States' Government. The result is that the pinto bean is
now selling at a price but little below that commanded by the navy variety and
the production is steadily approaching a point equal to that of the latter.
COLORADO LAND
Colorado is making a stupendous effort to encourage settlement upon the un-
cultivated lands of the state, which comprises over two-thirds of the whole area.
Of the land values in Colorado and the possibilities of settlement many facts
are given by Edward D. Foster, commissioner of immigration, (Rocky Mountain
News, January i, 1918) :
"Forty years ago the assessed valuation of the entire state of Colorado, rep-
resenting one-third of the actual value, was $44,130,000, indicating an actual
valuation for the state of $132,300,000. In forty years' time, as shown by the
abstract of assessment for the state in 1917, its total valuation has grown to more
than $1,300,000,000, or approximately ten times its valuation forty years ago.
Assessment figures, moreover, are conservative beyond question and represent
the lowest possible estimate of value.
"But the marvelous advance which the last forty years have seen is as nothing
486 HISTORY OF COLORADO
compared to the increase which the next two decades may bring if the settle-
ment and development of Colorado are pushed scientifically and energetically.
Today we boast of our vast areas of irrigated land and consider Colorado one
of the leaders among the irrigated states of the West, yet only 3,000,000 acres,
or less than 5 per cent of the total area of the state, is being cultivated under
irrigation today. Only 7,000,000 acres at the most is under cultivation at all,
and that figure includes all lands devoted to hay as well as those devoted to the
crops demanding a higher degree of cultivation. In fact, it is probable that ex-
cluding lands which lie idle one year or another in the process of crop rotation,
there is not at any one time more than 5,000,000 acres actually under cultivation
within the state.
"With a total assessed valuation of more than $1,300,000,000, Colorado is
farming but little more than one-third of the territory within her boundaries
which is capable of cultivation. Conservative estimates made within the last
few weeks show that there is now at least 6,000,000 acres of privately owned land
suitable for cultivation, which is used for no purpose other than grazing and that
there are 2,000,000 acres of government land subject to homestead, and an equal
amount of state land subject to purchase, making a total of 10,000,000 acres
capable of intensive cultivation, but now used only as pasture or open range.
"Taking $40 per acre as an extremely low estimate of the possible average
crop production of all land now open for settlement, it is apparent that the land
still going practically to waste in the state is capable of producing annually no
less than $400,000,000 in crops, or an amount approximately one-third as great
as the total assessed valuation of the state for 1916.
"But production is not the only direction in which the settlement of unoccu-
pied lands adds to the wealth of the state. The land itself will increase in value
from its present average of about $15 per acre to an average of anywhere from
$50 to $150 per acre, adding hundreds of millions of dollars more to the total
of taxable property within the state. Moreover, a comparison of the records for
1916 shows that with approximately 23,000,000 acres of land devoted to agricul-
ture (of which 17,000,000 is classed as grazing land and is not highly improved),
the total valuation for improvements afid livestock was approximately $206,000,-
ooo, or nearly $10 per acre. At the same ratio the 10,000,000 acres of land now
not devoted to agriculture, but capable of cultivation, would add another $100,-
000,000 to the total valuation of the state.
"The establishment of cities and towns follows inevitably in the wake of agri-
cultural development. Elevators, flour mills, creameries, condenseries, sugar
factories, canning plants — these and hundreds of other industries come naturally
and necessarily to communities that are producing the raw material and add
hundreds of millions to the total of the state's wealth.
"The possibilities which reveal themselves as one studies the future of Colo-
rado are enough to stagger belief, but they are no greater than that which has
already been accomplished in the forty years in which Colorado has grown from
nothing to a wealth of over $1,000,000,000.
"Two problems — settlement and transportation — present the only means by
which the vast possibilities of the state may be realized, and in reality the two
problems are but one, for transportation facilities will follow as the settlement of
HISTORY OF COLORADO 487
the state progresses and freight tonnage is produced from the lands which now
produce nothing.
"Irrigation, which now admittedly can be developed but little more in the
thickly populated valleys of the state, offers tremendous opportunities in the
northwestern, southwestern and eastern sections. In Moffat and Rio Blanco
counties, in northwestern Colorado, there are still large volumes of water which
may be diverted for direct irrigation and which wait only on settlement to be-
come realities. The same condition exists in Montezuma County and neighboring
vicinities of the southwest, but there, as in the northwest, the transportation prob-
lem is an element of vital importance. Liberal colonization work will result in
the settlement of the lands to such an extent that railroads will be tempted to
spread their tentacles into all parts of the district regardless of cost of construc-
tion and operation. In eastern Colorado the problem possibly can be solved
only by the development of reservoir storage to an even greater degree than it
has attained at the present time, but even without irrigation the lands of eastern
Colorado, farmed under modern and scientific methods and with a knowledge
of the needs of that variety of agriculture, are paying well today in comparison
with their cost and the cost of farming. They are capable of more intensive cul-
tivation and of subdivision into smaller tracts, but these things are matters which
must and will work out slowly and surely as the settlers learn by experience.
"The progress of immigration is well demonstrated by the fact that within
the past year settlers have filed on more than 4,000,000 acres of government lands
within the state, and have purchased more than 131,500 acres of state lands.
Year by year the possibilities of Colorado's soil and Colorado's unexcelled climate
are becoming known in less favored parts of the United States and the intelli-
gent, progressive young men of the East and Middle West, searching for cheaper
lands where their own efforts may count for more, are turning by hundreds to
Colorado. Land which but ten years ago was considered of no possible use save
for grazing, is coming under the plow and being made to produce and to add
millions to the nation's storehouse of wealth."
PRODUCTION OF
The total output of Colorado farms and orchards in 1917 was the largest on
record. The area cultivated within the state was immeasurably larger than in
any previous year. The tdtal value of farm products, exclusive of livestock,
poultry and dairying, was $145,562,450, an increase of more than 59 per cent
over any previous year. The national agitation for increased production has
been the stimulus for this remarkable growth, a strong desire to do everything
possible to win the war against the Germanic empire. No state has shown a
greater percentage of increase in the area cultivated. The total area given over
to crops of various kinds in 1917 was about five million acres, an increase of 13
per cent over any previous year.
This record was made despite the fact that conditions were not favorable for
the maximum agricultural production. In some sections the rainfall was un-
usually light after June 5th and crops grown without irrigation were below the
average.
Hay is Colorado's principal crop, both in acreage cultivated and total value.
488 HISTORY OF COLORADO
In 1917 about 1,420,000 acres of land were devoted to this crop. This includes
970,000 acres of what is known as tame or cultivated hay, including alfalfa, timo-
thy, alsike, sweet clover and millet, and about 450,000 acres of wild hay, including
salt or prairie grass, bluestem and a large variety of natural grasses. The total
yield of hay in 1917 is estimated at 2,691,000 tons, being the largest in the history
of the state. At current prices it is worth to growers about $42,517,800. This
crop was worth more than the wheat and corn crops combined, the latter two
ranking next.
The state's wheat crop in 1917 amounted to approximately 13,536,000 bushels,
which is the largest ever produced, with the exception of 1915, when the pro-
duction was estimated at 13,770,000 bushels. The Department of Agriculture
found the average price of wheat in Colorado to the farmers to be $1.87 per
bushel on November I, 1917.
The acreage cultivated to corn in 1917 was the largest ever devoted to that
crop in Colorado. The Department of Agriculture placed the area for grain other
than wheat in the state last year at 532,000 acres, which yielded 10,600,000
bushels.
COUNTY AGENTS
In the spring of 1912 the board of directors of the Logan County. High
School conceived the idea of a teacher of agriculture in their school. After de-
tails had been perfected and arrangements made, on October ist of the same
year, D. C. Bascom was made county agent under a cooperative agreement be-
tween the Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Department of Agriculture, the com-
missioners of Logan County, the board of directors of the county high school
and the State Agricultural College. Other counties rapidly followed the precedent
established by Logan County. Saguache, Rio Grande, Conejos and Costilla in
the San Luis Valley organized in December and El Paso County shortly before.
In the meantime, D. W. Frear had been employed by the Bureau of Plant In-
dustry and the State Agricultural College to act as "state leader," with head-
quarters at the college. The Nineteenth General Assembly passed a bill granting
to the commissioners of each county in the state the right to employ county agri-
culturists and to levy funds for such work and, further, to make special investi-
gations whenever any agricultural industry of the country was threatened by
disease or insect pest. This bill was signed by the governor April 13, 1913.
Pueblo County was the next to organize, then came Prowers, Mesa, Boulder,
Morgan, La Plata, Montezuma, Adams, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Las Animas, Gar-
field, Fremont, Douglas, Huerfano, Weld, Delta, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Montrose,
Moffat, Routt, Larimer and Sedgwick.
FRUIT GROWING
The science of fruit growing in its most successful phases is nowhere better ex-
emplified than in Colorado. This division of agriculture has increased amazingly
since the territorial days, the greatest progress having been made during the
last quarter century. William E. Pabor, in the publication "Colorado as an Agri-
cultural State," 1883, stated:
HISTORY OF COLORADO 489
"Fruit growing is in its infancy in Colorado, but it promises to be an industry
of some importance. When it is known how they can be grown there will be no
trouble to raise fruits of all kinds. It is with the horticulturists of the state as
it is with the child learning to walk. Steps are feeble and uncertain at first.
* * * Ten years ago a fruit grower in Boulder County, in the month of April,
looked over what was then an extensive orchard for Colorado, and saw over
three hundred peach trees, besides apple, pear, plum and cherry trees, destroyed,
so far as that year was concerned, by the cold, severe winds that swept down the
valley as late as the 22d of the month. He saw, in addition, the canes of his
raspberries, and blackberries, and the vines of his grapes killed to the ground.
Surely such a sight would be enough to discourage the most ardent fruit grower.
Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin seemed written of the country, so far as fruit was
concerned. But this courageous man did not say so. * * * Returning to his
sitting-room, Joseph Wolff, of Boulder, wrote as follows : 'Notwithstanding the
disastrous results of last winter and this spring on the various kinds of trees and
vines, there is no need for anyone to be discouraged. Fruit culture is a system
of experimenting, and must for many years be largely in that condition, until
experience shall determine what varieties to plant, the soil required, the proper
tillage, the effect of irrigation, mulching, fertilizers and other equally important
matters. * * * My own opinion is that Colorado will yet rival any of the
Middle States in the production of fruit, and for one I propose to keep on trying
until I succeed; not in getting a few bushels of little, knotty, sickly trash, but
an abundance of large and luscious fruits of all the hardier varieties. * * *'
"The same year, at a Farmers' club, held in Denver, one of the speakers
said: 'I have twenty-five varieties of apples, ten of pears, five of cherries, and
ten of plums. There were a few killed last winter, the season being the hardest
on trees I have ever known in this country. But I think that apple's will yet be
as sure a crop with us as wheat. Cherries will do as well, provided the right
variety is chosen, which should be none of the kind called sweet.' "
How well these men— Mr. Wolff and the Denver speaker — prophesied is
shown by the rich and bountiful crops now raised in Colorado.
The pioneers, as a rule, thought little of the possibility of fruit raising.
Other crops they considered difficult enough, but fruit was regarded with frank
distrust. However, there were a few who thought differently. As early as
May 2, 1860, an item appeared in a Denver newspaper, recording the fact that
a small parcel of fruit trees was unloaded from the express coach and con-
signed to S. Howe.
After the Civil War the tree fruits began to appear in the open markets. Prior
to this time the fruits which could be called "home grown" consisted of various
kinds of berries. Writers on this subject have always mentioned Jesse Frazier;
a pioneer of 1859, as one of the most prosperous of the early fruit and vegetable
growers. His ranch was located on the Arkansas River about eight miles below
Canon City and was the site of one of the most valuable and largest orchards
in the state.
Until 1890 nearly all the fruit raised in the state was grown in that part of
Colorado near the base of the eastern mountains. The western slope was yet
an undeveloped field. However, about the date mentioned, the great possibilities
of the western slope were recognized and the horticulturists began to turn their
490 HISTORY OF COLORADO
attention in that direction. The result has been, as familiarly known, the devel-
opment of a fruit growing section unsurpassed in the country. Apples are the
staple and principal product of this section and every year are produced in
large and increasing quantities. The cultivation and marketing of these fruits
is not done in an indifferent manner, but by a regularly organized and well
equipped system, much of the work of disposal being in the hands of associations.
CHAPTER XXIV
DEVELOPMENT OF IRRIGATION
BY JOHN E. FIELD (Civil Engineer)
FIRST IRRIGATION FIVE PERIODS OF CANAL CONSTRUCTION EARLIEST CANALS —
COMMUNITY EFFORT CORPORATION EFFORT — PERIOD OF GREATEST DEVELOP-
MENT THE CAREY ACT FAILURE OF STATE MANAGEMENT — FEDERAL EFFORT
UNDER RECLAMATION ACT RESERVOIRS — BEGINNING OF WATER RIGHT LAWS
INCORPORATION OF CAPITOL HYDRAULIC COMPANY CITY DITCH FIRST LEGIS-
LATION LATER IRRIGATION LAWS IRRIGATION KNOWN TO ANCIENT PEOPLES
— RIPARIAN RIGHTS INTERSTATE RIGHTS TRANSFER OF WATER.
Any adequate and comprehensive history of irrigation in Colorado would
involve a work comprising many years of study and investigation, and even then
could not adequately be handled except by one who had personally seen the
growth of irrigation from as early as 1876, the time when the state was ad-
mitted to the Union, until the present time.
FIRST IRRIGATION
It is difficult to establish the date of the first irrigation in Colorado. The
dates of priority of the canals in the state in nearly all of the districts are almost
coincident with the arrival of the first pioneer. We have, however, evidences
of canals existing prior to that time, evidences of the existence of canals said
to have been constructed by the Indian tribes occupying the southerly and south-
western portion of the state, also evidence of canals constructed by the early
Mexican settlers who came north from New Mexico. Zebulon Pike, in the
history of his expedition, however, makes no mention of either canals or settle-
ment in the San Luis Valley or along the Arkansas. We may assume, there-
fore, that no canals, except the prehistoric ones, were constructed in Colorado
prior to 1806.
In looking over the list of priorities in various sections of the state and if
we limit this history to the growth of irrigation under modern conditions, that
is subsequent to the arrival of the gold seeker in Colorado in 1858, we find a
number of ditches in the South Platte drainage built as early as the fall of 1859,
and in the Arkansas drainage in the spring of 1859, or only one year after the
first gold seekers reached those sections. In 1860 and 1861 a great many ditches
were constructed, while by 1879 practically all of the available water for direct
irrigation had been appropriated on both drainages.
491
492 HISTORY OF COLORADO
In the Second Biennial Report of the State Engineer of Colorado for 1883
and 1884 (page 23) is given an estimate of canal construction from 1864 to
1884 inclusive. This shows that for the five years, 1864 to 1868 inclusive, there
were canals constructed of a capacity of 700 cubic feet per second each year.
From 1869 to 1873 the aggregate yearly capacity of canals constructed was 1,350
cubic feet per second. From 1874 to 1878 it was 1,380 cubic feet and for the
six years, 1879 to i%&4, the average of canal construction aggregated 2,700 cubic
feet per second per year. The canals constructed by individual effort occupied
the period 1864 to 1870. Cooperative effort was dominant 1870 to 1878, while
the large development from 1878 to 1884 was due principally to corporation
effort.
FIVE PERIODS OF CANAL CONSTRUCTION
It is interesting to note the gradual progress of canal construction from
1858 to the present time, and the methods of development may be divided into
five periods.
First, there was the individual effort, where the settler establishing his home
on the bank of a stream built a small ditch to cover his meadow land and to in-
crease the production of the native grasses which he found in the natural
meadows along the streams. Many of these ditches were built without engin-
eering advice, but the water was merely taken from the stream and the grade
of the ditch was developed to conform to the topography of the land, and the
water was merely turned into the canal as constructed and followed the con-
struction, the builder taking this very natural method 'to determine the grade.
It is needless to say that these grades were excessive by reason of their usually
very small capacity, ignorance regarding washing and erosion of canal banks,
and the usually heavy fall in the stream itself. The early canals were usually
built just outside of the foothills, where on both the Arkansas and Platte drain-
ages the fall is usually about twenty-five feet per mile. Contrary to general be-
lief, however, engineers were employed, and we find that many of the older
canals on Boulder Creek and on the Big Thompson were surveyed by Mr. Hal
Sayre, at that time a mining engineer practicing in Gilpin and Clear Creek coun-
ties. Mr. Sayre made his trips from the mountains to the valleys on ox teams
which hauled the ore down and hauled back hay and other produce.
EARLIEST CANALS
The incentive for the construction of the canals was directly due to the large
demand for hay and grain in the mines and it was natural that the hay meadows
and grain fields would be developed as near the point of consumption as prac-
ticable. We find on the South Platte drainage the earliest canals, according to
the dates of decree were as follows :
The lower Boulder ditch, from Boulder Creek, October I, 1859.
The McBroom ditch, near the mouth of Bear Creek, November i, 1859.
The Hayseed ditch, from St. Vrain Creek, January i, 1860.
The Brantner ditch from Platte River below Denver, April i, 1860.
The Yeager ditch, from the Cache la Poudre, June i, 1860.
The WadswortH ditch, from Clear Creek, February 25, 1860.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 493
The Platte Water Company ditch, commonly called the City ditch and be-
longing to the City of Denver, from the Platte River, November 28, 1860.
The Rough and Ready Mill ditch, also from the Platte River above Denver,
December 31, 1860.
The Berry ditch, from the upper Platte River in South Park, June 15, 1861.
We thus see that within four years of the first arrival of Americans on the
South Platte, from nearly all of the tributary streams and from the main river
itself the first ditches had been taken out.
On the Arkansas River, the dates of priority are:
Flanagan ditch, from Fountain Creek, April, 1860.
Hardscrabble ditch, from Hardscrabble .Creek in the vicinity of Caiion City,
May i, 1860.
The Toof ditch, from Fountain Creek, February 26, 1860.
The oldest ditches were in Districts 15 and 16.
The Hicklin ditch from Greenhorn Creek, some 20 miles south of Puebloi
in the spring of 1859.
The Doyle ditch, from the Huerfano, in the spring of 1859.
It will be noted that all of these earlier ditches were taken out well up on
the stream. In Division No. i that portion of the Platte River between the
mouth of the Cache la Poudre near Greeley and the Town of Fort Morgan, the
earliest ditch was the Oakes No. i, constructed April 26, 1866, while in Dis-
trict 64, still farther down the river, the South Platte Ditch Company's ditch
was not constructed until May i, 1872, and the Keesee ditch in District 67, being
on the lower Arkansas River, was not constructed until March 13, 1871.
It is fortunate that the early development began well upon the streams, for
the reason that with the 'construction of ditches the return seepage flowing back
to the stream has augmented the flow in the lower river and has developed a
permanent, reliable, and almost adequate supply for the later ditches lower down
on the streams. It is unfortunate, however, that the building of larger canals
on the upper stream did not antedate the building of any ditches on the lower
stream.
COMMUNITY EFFORT
The second period of development following individual effort was commu-
nity effort, where several neighbors or a community undertook larger works
covering more land and extending farther from the stream. Generally speak-
ing, the first comprehensive and successful community effort was made by the
Union Colony in the vicinity of Greeley.
However, this was not the first community effort, as the Denver City ditch,
officially known as the Platte Water Company's ditch, was constructed by public-
spirited citizens of the City of Denver. The construction of this ditch was for
the purpose of supplying the citizens of Denver with water for irrigating their
gardens, lawns and trees, also to develop the farming industry in the vicinity
of Denver, so that the city might receive the indirect benefits therefrom. To
us of this day, it seems remarkable that as early as 1860 there were men in the
city far-sighted enough to anticipate the city's needs, to appreciate the neces-
sity of building up a community around the City of Denver and the necessity
494 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of cooperation, organization and a uniting of forces for the construction of
canals of such t magnitude as were impossible to the individual.
Furthermore, it has generally been credited to the founders of the Greeley
Colony that they were the first to appreciate the value of the higher lying lands
and to realize the fact that they were the better and more productive lands.
However, the City ditch, as constructed, covered the upper or prairie lands and
attained a distance of from one mile (in the vicinity of Englewood) from the
river to three miles from the river at its crossing at Cherry Creek. While a
great deal of the land of the City ditch has since become town property, there
still are, just south of the city and indeed within the city limits, considerable
areas of excellent farming and gardening land.
Without doubt the leaders in the Greeley Colony had visited Denver and its
vicinity and there had a demonstration that the upper lands were the better
lands and that it was practical and advisable to construct canals of considerable
capacity covering as much as possible the higher lying lands. It has been said
that the American people are preeminently pioneers, inventors, people of indi-
viduality and initiative. The same may be said of the early residents of the
City of Denver, but it remained for the Greeley colonists to perfect and to
bring to their highest use the available waters and the better lands. Indeed, the
Greeley Colony can be said to have been the leaven in irrigation which was to
leaven the whole state and which was to be the district to teach the best and
highest use of this great natural resource.
CORPORATION EFFORT
The third step in progress can be designated as the corporation effort, where
outside capital was brought into the state and where much larger works than
theretofore attempted were undertaken.
Prominent among the corporations constructing irrigation works was The
Northern Colorado Irrigation Company, commonly known as the "English
Company," which constructed the Highline ditch from the Platte River, cover-
ing land to the south and east of the City of Denver. Under this system there
was some 40,000 acres of land. This same company constructed the Evans
ditch north of Denver some 40 miles, the Loveland and Greeley Canal, from
the Big Thompson River in the vicinity of Loveland, and the Larimer and Weld
Canal, from the Cache la Poudre River.
A subsidiary of The Travellers Insurance Company was induced by Mr. T.
C. Henry to invest large amounts of money in Colorado. It constructed two of
the largest canals in the San Luis Valley — the Rio Grande Canal and the Monte
Vista Canal. These canals covered 110,000 and 22,000 acres of land respec-
tively, and are still in operation, and, even in the light of our present knowledge,
were well constructed and well operated. The same company also built the
Loutzenheiser and the Montrose canals in the vicinity of the Town of Montrose,
covering n,ooo and 33,000 acres respectively.
On the Arkansas River practically all of the larger canals were constructed
by corporations, notably the Bessemer, the Fort Lyon, the Bob Creek, the
Otero Canal, the Amity, and others. Indeed, on the Arkansas River the con-
ditions are such that little could be accomplished through individual or com-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 495
munity efforts and practically all of the canals were constructed by outside cap-
ital, and even such as were constructed by individual or community effort were
enlarged and perfected under the corporation plan.
PERIOD OF GREATEST DEVELOPMENT
This period marks the greatest development of the irrigation of the state,
and while the investors were often unfortunate and while it is probable from
the standpoint of the investor he was some twenty years ahead of his time, yet
almost without exception these canals have been a success, have built up the
community and have been of vast importance in the general development of the
state, and those corporations financially able to carry the burdens until the lands
were settled and developed and communities built up, have made good on their
investments, and, at any rate, the state owes a debt of gratitude to the people
and to the corporations which invested their money. To no individual is a
greater debt owed by the state than to Mr. T. C. Henry, to whose efforts was
due the larger part of the development during this period, and, while he per-
sonally was unfortunate and many of his companies were unfortunate, yet the
canals and reservoirs which he built stand today a monument to him and to
his associates.
THE CAREY ACT
The fourth period of development, but one which is not generally recognized
and which has not been of great importance was the effort at development
through the so-called Carey Act. Senator Carey, of Wyoming, appreciating the
difficulties encountered under corporate effort of securing early settlement and
adequate returns to the investor, sought to protect him by providing that anyone
filing upon Government land under a Carey Act system would be required to
contract to purchase water from the irrigation system. One of the surprises
and one of the unfortunate things in the construction of large systems was the
fact that those holding lands under the canal refused to pay even a reasonable
price for the water, with the result that interest, overhead charges, maintenance
and operation proved too great a burden for the corporations and many of
them went into the hands of a receiver and ultimately passed to the consumer
with very considerable losses to the original investors.
There is in the State of Colorado, to date, but one successful Carey Act
project, although there has been withdrawn under this act lands for some twenty-
three projects. Several circumstances militated against the successful and more
extensive operation under this act. First, was the difficulty and delay in ob-
taining segregations and in complying with the Government regulations. Sec-
ond, in raising adequate funds not only for construction but for that indefinite
period between the construction period and the final settlement of the lands. In
this period of development, also, it might well be said that the development was
a number of years ahead of its time as viewed from an investor's point of view.
The cost of construction was in excess of the then market value of water. The
ordinary cost of construction was perhaps $30 per acre, while in many districts
water could be purchased for a less amount than this in already developed com-
munities.
496 HISTORY OF COLORADO
FAILURE OF STATE MANAGEMENT
Coincident with this period and also of little consequence was the effort of
the State of Colorado to construct canals and reservoirs. During the period from
1890 to 1893 the state invested a considerable part of its income fund in the
construction of reservoirs. Unfortunately these were poorly located as to cost,
as to water supply and as to capacity. Of the canal construction State Canal
No. i and State Canal No. 2 were undertaken. The use of convicts on these
works was advocated and tried. Here again the location was not good, the
water supply uncertain and a general scheme of development inadequate. The
result of the state's efforts was that practically all the money spent was with-
out result. It has been claimed that politics played a large part in this failure,
and to some extent this is true, but the failure was due more particularly to
inadequate knowledge of the water supply and the cost of construction.
FEDERAL EFFORT UNDER RECLAMATION ACT
The fifth period can be designated as the Federal effort to construct canals,
under the Reclamation Act. The Reclamation Act was passed in 1902. Work
was almost immediately begun upon the Montrose project and investigations were
made on the Rio Grande project, the White River project and others. Here
again we see that the cost of construction is in excess of the value of the -water
at the time of construction, even though no interest charges of importance are
entered as a charge against the project. Sixteen years have elapsed since the law
was passed and yet the amount of land actually irrigated by the United States
in the State of Colorado is about sixty thousand acres or two per cent of the total
irrigated. In each of these periods we see a different method of financing, we
see larger and more comprehensive works, greater areas to be irrigated and more
systematic effort at colonization, and while on each, with the exception of the
first two, these efforts were often disastrous to the investor, yet from the stand-
point of the indirect benefits each and every one has been a success. The history
has not been materially different from the history of development of a new
country along other lines.
The history of our railroads is one of, first, great activity in construction, one
of promotion, next, one of depression and receiverships, loss of money and dis-
credit, but ultimately, as the country grew, these projects have been a success
and have been the means of developing the country. Similarly, in the matter of
subsidies and public aid, as we look upon them now this seems to have been a
species of graft, but under similar conditions and circumstances thinking people
of today would offer the same inducements and the same subsidies to have the
works constructed, and the people of today should have no criticism and no
complaint of those who, even in the expectation and in the belief of vast profits,
made possible the more rapid settlement and development of the natural resources
of the west.
RESERVOIRS
The construction of reservoirs in the state began as early as 1869, and, almost
without exception, these are for the purpose of supplementing the direct diver-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 497
sions from the river, that is to supply deficiencies in the water supply during the
periods of small flow, in the rivers, especially in the months of July, August and
September.
There are also in the South Platte drainage about five hundred reservoirs with
decrees finally entered and nearly as many more "conditional" decrees, the decreed
appropriations in the South Platte drainage aggregating 1,136,000 acre feet, or
very nearly the same as the capacity of the Pathfinder reservoir constructed by
the United States Reclamation Service in Wyoming.
On the Arkansas watershed the reservoirs have an aggregate capacity of
730,000 acre feet.
On the Rio Grande River the aggregate capacity of the reservoirs is about
240,000 acre feet.
The reservoirs in the South Platte drainage were largely built before 1900,
the years from 1880 to 1890 being the period of principal construction.
On the Arkansas River the reservoir construction was between 1895 and I9°5 >
while on the Rio Grande the principal constructions have been since 1905.
BEGINNING OF WATER RIGHT LAWS
A history of irrigation in Colorado is incomplete without some mention of
our laws and customs, and of the litigation concerning water and water rights.
In the beginning the very simple idea was evolved that the first one to make
beneficial use of water had the better right, and this simple rule is the funda-
mental rule and the foundation of our irrigation law. Second and also funda-
mental is that to protect the later comer against the earlier. Therefore, it was
early provided that water should not be wasted or used excessively. Third, there
appears in the fundamental Colorado practice the principle that one may do any-
thing which does not detrimentally affect others. With these three simple rules
in mind almost any problem which may be presented could be solved were it not
for certain court decisions which have rather complicated these very simple rules.
In point of fact the Colorado law as it exists today is largely based upon
court decisions, there not being a great many regulations or rules fixed by statute,
and often, where so fixed the legislation has followed a court decision rather
than preceded it. Prior to the organization of Colorado into a territory there
was at least one act recognizing irrigation on the part of the Territory of Kan-
sas, of which Colorado was then a part. As indicating the status of irrigation
matters at that time and as showing that even at that early date the importance
of irrigation was appreciated and the fundamental theory well understood, there
is given below in full the act creating the Capitol Hydraulic Company which con-
structed the Platte Water Company's ditch, now known as the City ditch.
INCORPORATION OF CAPITOL HYDRAULIC COMPANY
"AN ACT to incorporate the Capitol Hydraulic Company of Arapahoe County.
"Be it enacted by the Governor and Legislative Assembly of Kansas Terri-
tory:
"Section i. That A. C. Hunt, Charles H. Gratiot, John A. Clark, Thomas
Pollock, Henry Allen, William M. Slaughter, Richard Sopris, A. P. Vasquez,
498 HISTORY OF COLORADO
A. Sagendorf, W. N. Byers, H. H. Scoville, Jr., J. A. McDonnell, F. Z. Salomon,
John H. Wing, and their legal associates, are hereby created and declared a body
corporate and politic, under the name and style of the 'Capitol Hydraulic Com-
pany,' and by that name and styl» may sue and be sued, plead and defend in any
court of this territory, may have perpetual succession, grant and receive by its
corporate name, purchase and sell, hire and lease property, real, personal and
mixed, in all lawful ways ; may have a corporate seal, may alter the same at pleas-
ure, and may make by-laws for the regulation of its business not inconsistent
with the constitution of the United States and the laws of this territory.
"Section 2. Said company shall have the power and exclusive right to direct
the water from the bed of the South Platte River at any point they may select
between the Platte Canon and the mouth of Cherry Creek, and also to direct the
water from the bed of Cherry Creek at any point within six miles of its mouth,
and to conduct the water from both said streams by canal or ditch across the
plains or intervening lands to the cities of Auraria, Denver and Highland, in the
County of Arapahoe, Territory of Kansas, and have the exclusive privilege of
using and controlling the same for mechanical, agricultural, mining and city pur-
poses.
"Section 3. The capital stock of said company shall consist of five hundred
thousand dollars, but it may commence operations when one* hundred thousand
dollars are subscribed. Its liabilities shall at no time exceed fifty thousand
dollars.
"Section 4. The officers of said company shall consist of a president, vice
president, secretary and treasurer, and four directors, who shall be elected at
the annual meeting of the company, to be held on the last Tuesday in Novem-
ber, who shall constitute a board of directors, and a majority of them shall con-
stitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
"Section 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
passage.
"GUSTAVUS A. COLTON,
"Speaker of House of Representatives.
"W. W. UPDEGRAFF,
"President of the Council.
"Approved February 21, 1860.
"S. MEDARY, Governor."
BUILDING OF CITY DITCH
Under this act the present City ditch was built and operated. The men
named, realizing the necessities of the city then and its future necessities as well,
secured the enactment of this law, which for years furnished water for the lawns,
trees and gardens of the city. Residents of Denver, even as late as 1880, remem-
ber the streams of water which flowed down both sides of the streets leading to
the river and that trees lined the sidewalk casting their "grateful shade" on the
gravel. The boys will remember how their bare feet burned and blistered and
how the shade was so refreshing and remember how much fun it was to wade
in these artificial brooks, build miniature canals and lakes and erect water wheels
therein.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 499
This act, properly enforced, should give to the city all the water it needs for
mercantile, agricultural, mining and city purposes, for without doubt the inten-
tion was to secure a grant for the future needs of the city, and just as in the
case of the City of Los Angeles, where the pueblo of Los Angeles had a similar
grant, the city's rights would be confirmed in any suit at law properly prosecuted.
FIRST LEGISLATION
The first General Assembly of the territory convened in 1861 and passed
laws concerning irrigation. The owners of land on streams were entitled to
the use of water. Water might be allotted on alternate days. Rights of way
could be secured. Local customs developed during territorial period and the
questions then arising related principally to the use of water and the rights of
different appropriators, both as to quantity and as to time. In the case, how-
ever, of Yunker vs. Nichols the Supreme Court in 1872 took up the question of
riparian rights as against appropriation. Judges Hallett, Belford and Wells sat
in the case when appealed to the Supreme Court, and while they agreed in the
findings it was for different reasons, Judge Wells contending that the necessities
of an arid climate were such as to change the riparian doctrine as found in the
English common law, and thus laid the foundation for the so-called "Colorado
system," claiming that the right of appropriation existed before any statute was
enacted and would still survive though the statute was repealed. While the
Yunker vs. Nichols case indirectly abrogated riparian rights, the case of Coffin vs.
Left Hand Ditch Company dealt with the matter directly. Colorado, fortunately,
thus early avoided complications and conflicts between riparian owners and ap-
propriation users, which has given California and other states so much trouble.
Other states followed Colorado in this and now in nearly all of the states the
riparian right has been abrogated.
As previously stated, the greater part of the flow of the streams was appro-
priated prior to 1879.
LATER IRRIGATION LAWS
Controversies generally resulted in physical encounters and often bloodshed,
and it is probable that to trace the history of irrigation closely would necessitate
the study of the records of the criminal court rather than that of the civil court.
At any rate, the difficulties had so grown that by the time the second General
Assembly of the state met in 1879 an effort was made to provide a means for ad-
judicating the rights of the different appropriators.
Colorado in 1879 ar"d again in 1881 passed acts providing for the adjudicating
of water rights intended to settle all claims then existing and to fix relative dates
of priority and the amount of water to which each ditch was entitled. The ap-
plication of the law of 1881 was so defective that litigation in later years was
inevitable. The courts were advised almost solely on legal points to the neglect
of consideration of physical conditions. No technically trained engineer ap-
peared as the friend of the court nor was the state represented though the state
as trustee of this great estate for future canal and reservoir builders and water
users should have seen to it that water was not given away except as fixed by
500 HISTORY OF COLORADO
actual beneficial use limited by the necessities. Three parties should have been
brought into these suits: First, the claimant; second, the adverse claimant; and
third, the state.
Considerable other legislation was enacted in 1881, as, that no lands should
be burdened with more than one ditch; shortest route must be taken; owners
must permit others to enlarge; while in 1879 the law provided that water should
be prorated among the consumers ; provided for the irrigation of meadows where
by reason of diversions of water above the meadows had been injured and no
longer enjoyed the overflow.
In 1889 the law took up the matter of priority of right to seepage and spring
waters, thus recognizing the fact of return waters to streams. In 1891 water ap-
propriated for domestic purposes could not be used for irrigation. In 1889 also,
a commission was formed for the codification of the water laws, it being by that?
time apparent that our laws and decisions were inadequate to our needs.
In 1879 reservoirs were recognized and the right to use the natural channel
to conduct water from reservoirs to canals was provided.
As early as 1872 the owners of ditches were required to maintain their em-
bankments and tail ditches and in 1876 the owner of any ditch must prevent water
from running to waste.
In the laws of 1879 ^e statute provided for the regulation of charges for
water and charges for carrying.
The first state engineer was appointed in 1883, while in 1879 water districts
were created and water commissioners were provided for the irrigation districts.
The irrigation district law was enacted in 1905 and was based upon the so-
called "Wright Law" of California, and it is under this law and subsequent
amendments that our irrigation districts now operate.
As previously stated, the state undertook construction of ditches and reser-
voirs and in 1889 made appropriations for their construction. State Canal No. i
was taken from the Arkansas River in the vicinity of Canon City. About two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars was spent upon this work and it was never
completed. The Mesa County ditch was to take water from the Grand River in
Mesa County. This ditch was never built and was known as State Canal No. 2.
State Canal No. 3 was to take water from the Gunnison River below the mouth
of the Cimarron. This ditch was never completed.
Of the reservoirs there were the Coal Creek, the Apishapa Creek, Hardscrab-
ble Creek, Saguache Creek, Monument Creek, for one or more reservoirs in
Chaffee County taking water from tributaries of the Arkansas River, and the
Boss Lake reservoir on the South Arkansas. Some of these reservoirs were
constructed, but only one is now operated — the Monument Creek reservoir, which
was turned over to El Paso County and is now principally used for the cutting
of ice, although to some extent it is used for irrigation. Its limited capacity,
however, renders it unimportant.
IRRIGATION KNOWN TO ANCIENT PEOPLES
Agriculture by irrigation is historically as old as agriculture itself and its
importance now, as always, is greater than agriculture without irrigation. As-
syria, Babylonia, Nineveh, Egypt, Carthage, Persia and Phoenicia depended al-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 501
ways and almost entirely on irrigated crops. Italy, France, Sicily, Algeria, Spain,
India, China, most of Latin America, Australia, the Hawaiian Islands, the United
States and Canada west of the looth meridian, all practice irrigation wherever
water is available and the topographic features permit. It has been stated by no
less an authority than Sir William Wilcocks that two-thirds of all the food con-
sumed by civilized man is produced by irrigation.
It is therefore apparent that irrigation is the most important factor in the
world today, and it is proper that a brief resume be given of the progress of
irrigation in any history of Colorado.
The study of irrigation in semi-arid and arid America is especially interesting,
as in the brief period of a half century and within the memory of men now living
irrigation has developed from its crudest form to its highest known perfection.
In this brief period we see a development which in the ancient world required
centuries, a development equal to all of the development since the beginning of
history to the present day, and one familiar with the growth of irrigation in
arid America can study ancient irrigation with a full understanding of the diffi-
culties which beset the ancients. Speaking of Assyria and the land between the
Euphrates and Tigris, Herodotus wrote, 400 years before Christ: "This is
of all the land with which we are acquainted by far the best for growing corn."
Hamurabie, 700 years before the time of Moses, wrote: "Any one failing to
keep his irrigating dam in repair and through his neglect and laziness a break
occurs in the dam and his neighbor's lands are flooded by overflow of the waters
therefrom, shall compensate the owner of the damaged land for his loss of corn
and other property occasioned by the overflow." In the Roman law we find,
for example, "it is not acreage but the use to which water is put that measures
the right to water."
RIPARIAN RIGHTS
- In "Mills' Irrigation Manual" (page 2) we find from the history of this
subject, dating as we have seen from the earliest period of irrigation down to
the period when extensive preparations were made for mining and agriculture
in the arid and semi-arid west, that there was no controversy between those
claiming as riparian proprietors and those engaged in diverting and conducting
water to non-riparian lands. It seems to have been accepted that the water was
the property of the public and when the necessities of the people required that
it should be conducted from the stream and applied to the soil for the production
of crops, the right to do so was unquestioned. Only in the common law of humid
England do we find riparian rights seriously considered. It was provided as
long ago as 286 A. D. that "if it can be fully proven that a flow of water through
certain places is according to ancient custom and according to observation it
shows usefulness in irrigating certain tracts of lands, our procurator will pro-
vide that no innovation against the old form and the established custom be
permitted. * * * If the supply of water is sufficient the right may be granted
to ,many in the same place for the same day and the same hour. * * * From
my water right I may accommodate my neighbors with water. On the other hand,
Proculus holds that water will not be used for any part of the estate other than
that for which the right was acquired. The opinion of Proculus is the truer one."
502 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Scarcely a question has arisen in Colorado concerning irrigation during the last
fifty years which has not been discussed in the writings of the ancients.
INTERSTATE RIGHTS
In an article of the brevity of this it is inadvisable to attempt to give in any
detail the conditions or history of the interstate suits. It is not out of place,
however, to briefly state Colorado's attitude on this subject :
"Colorado believes in Home Rule and local self government.
"Professor Farnham of the College of Law of Yale University says in his
great work on 'Water Rights' : 'The establishment and enforcement of laws upon
the waters within the limits of the state are absolutely necessary, it being estab-
lished that the title to the waters and the lands covered by them is in the state.
They form a part of its domains and its laws are binding thereon.'
"Colorado believes in the economy of use and in the greatest good to the
greatest number and that these are elements in the consideration of interstate
rights.
"Colorado believes that each state has certain sovereign and inalienable
rights. When natural resources are essential to a state's development, the state
has the right to the use of such resources as are within its boundaries in much,
the same way that independent governments have in furthering their develop-
ment.
"Colorado, as one of the sisterhood of states, believes that an equitable divi-
sion of the rights between the states, with a due regard to the necessities of each,
should control in determining interstate relations.
"She believes in the interest of economy in the use of water and that in the
proper conservation of this natural resource the use of water high up on the
streams is necessary.
"Colorado believes and history shows that a diversion of water from one
watershed to another is a necessity in the proper utilization of the water supply.
In all countries where irrigation has been practiced, we find transmountain and
transcontinental diversions as old as written history.
"Colorado believes that, although ditches may have been built in other states
earlier than in Colorado, where these ditches were abandoned or ceased to be
used for any considerable period, the dates of priority of such ditches should be
fixed at the time of their reconstruction and actual use and not of date of their
inception.
"Colorado believes in the utilization of the natural resources at this time and
•not in their being held for a similar utilization by future generations. She does
not believe in retarding development merely because in the past some frauds may
have been practiced upon the Government or that some of the natural resources
have been wasted, or that development should be hindered for the fear that these
may at some future time pass into the hands of monopolistic owners.
"Colorado has been accused of 'assuming to be bigger than the whole United
States,' and of being 'bigger than the Government.' No such assumption, thought
or feeling exists in the State of Colorado. The people do believe, however, that
the state has the same rights as every other state in the Union, and that the laws,
as made by Congress, are superior to departmental rulings, and that every per-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 503
son, corporation or state believing itself to be injured by departmental rulings
and decisions should have the opportunity to take the matter into court for final
judicial determination.
"Colorado believes that the public lands and natural resources belong to all
of the people of the United States but not to the Government as a sovereign
owner, but that they should belong to the Government as a trustee for the whole
people, which trusteeship will continue until the individuals signify their desire,
under proper regulation, to take over the public lands and natural resources and
utilize them. We believe that the public lands and natural resources belong only
to such people who are willing to put them to beneficial use and do not belong
to such people as elect to remain in the east and are not willing to come west
and claim their inheritance and aid in the building up of the west and the utili-
zation of the opportunities offered them.
"The west believes that the United States Government should in no sense
become a landlord, nor the people using the public lands and natural resources
become a tenant. The people of the west believe in conservation — in a sane and
practical conservation."
Control of interstate streams has been suggested by some of the Government
men as a solution of interstate controversies. At this time the relative rights on
interstate streams has not been judiciously determined and there is nothing that
would direct the decisions and actions of such Government water official except
his own private opinion, prejudiced or academic theory of what was proper. A
judicial determination of the rights or priorities is necessary before an executive
can act with authority and after such determination it is better to leave the mat-
ter in the hands of the local officials who are executing the local laws, regulations,
decisions and adjudications. It is unwise to create a dual executive control of
the streams and to move the control of local matters to Washington and put them
in the hands of men probably from humid regions and where knowledge and ex-
perience is limited to the perusal of "Authorities" on the subject.
Speaking of authorities, it is strange but nevertheless true that many writers
on irrigation in the United States are men who have merely a theoretical knowl-
edge of irrigation. This is especially true of writers on irrigation law and too
often the case in writings on engineering and other related subjects. Unfor-
tunately in the past the reliability of the Government publications has not justi-
fied the high place accorded them by the general public. The influence for good
and evil of the Government publications is so great and the confidence with which
they are accepted should cause the heads of departments to be very careful in
accepting and in publishing what their subordinates write, or in accepting reports
too often influenced by "the wish being father to the thought," by inexperience
and even at times prejudice.
The general public should recognize also that the Government officials believe
thoroughly in bureaucratic control, in centralization of government, and their
own unprejudiced view point. It should also recognize that they are not infallible,
that they desire autocratic power and to enlarge and extend their control. If
any one believes that the people are incapable of local self government, that each
man's business should be supervised by some official, that independent thought
and actions are undesirable, that initiative is dangerous and the acquiring of ex-
perience unprofitable, then such a person will be in favor of bureau control of all
504 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of our enterprises and in a widespread and beneficent paternalism. The proposi-
tion of Government control is based on lust of power on the one hand and is
encouraged by a lack of confidence in the ability and integrity of one man in
another, who is his neighbor. "A prophet is not without honor except in his own
country," a piece of goods is not first class unless it is imported, nor an adviser
held in much regard unless he too is "imported."
The aggression of the executive departments is merely a manifestation of
what the framers of our laws and constitution foresaw and attempted to guard
against by creating these coordinate branches of Government, each of which
would act as a- check upon the other and prevent centralization of power in any
one branch. The weakness of our present legislative branch and the lack of
intimate contact of the judicial branch with the country as a whole has permitted
the executive departments to destroy the balance of power and to become the
dominant branch of the Government to such an extent that it now has the
temerity to assume to interfere with the sovereign rights of the states and to
assume to direct and control the states' internal affairs.
The controversies which have arisen with the Government are, in the opinion
of the writer, unnecessary and should not have arisen. Eliminate the question of
increasing Federal power and control and substitute a desire for cooperation
and a sensible solution of the mooted questions and there remains only to deter-
mine whether the use of water in Colorado will or does materially affect users
lower on the interstate streams. On the Rio Grande, the Colorado and the North
Platte rivers, I believe that with proper economic use there is an ample supply
in each of these rivers for the irrigation of all lands susceptible of irrigation at
this time, or which it will probably be profitable to irrigate during the present
generation. Each of these streams can be controlled by reservoirs: The North
Platte by the Pathfinder Reservoir with over a million acre feet capacity; the
Rio Grande by the Engle Reservoir and the already constructed and proposed
reservoirs on its headwaters, and the Colorado River by the proposed reservoirs
at Kremmling in Colorado, on the Grand, by the Browns Park and others on the
Green, and by one said to have a five million acre feet capacity at the junction of
the Grand and Green.
The only controversy to my mind is whether users in Colorado are to be al-
lowed to develop their systems now or whether they are to be held up until some
future time when this opinion is actually demonstrated to be sound.
The constructors of projects in Colorado are so sure that there is an ample
water supply for all, that they are willing to go ahead at this time, construct
their works and take the order of priority to which their construction and use
will entitle tnem. The present attitude of the Government shows that it is not
willing to take its order of priority as determined by construction and use or that
it is determined to curtail private enterprise and to extend unnecessarily its field
of operations.
(From the Report of the State Engineer of Colorado 1913-1914.)
TRANSFER OF WATER
The most fruitful source of litigation in recent years has been the attempt to
transfer water from one canal to another. This has been permitted in Colorado
HISTORY OF COLORADO 505
under our law and decisions and has subjected Colorado to severe criticism, not
only with people outside the state but among our own people. These critics fail
to realize the benefits to the state from the transfer of water from one canal to
another. The right to transfer water is not in itself wrong; in fact the benefits
to the state as a whole are great ; the damage is to the individual. The decrees
rendered under the laws of 1881 were defective in that while it fixed the rate
of flow it did not fix the total amount to be diverted, that is the length of time
for the diversion. In other words, a volume was attempted to be described and
measured by only two dimensions. It is as reasonable to ask the price of lumber
4x4 inches without giving the length as it is to try to establish the value of a
cubic foot of water per second without stating the number of seconds the water
is to run. With the character of crops raised in the '6os and '703, especially up
to the introduction of alfalfa, about 1878, the period of diversion was short and
large volumes were required for the irrigation of meadows and grains. The
greatest demand for water was almost coincident with the greatest supply. With,
however, the advent of alfalfa and subsequently the growing of late maturing
crops, such as potatoes and beets, the irrigation period was extended from not
to exceed sixty days to perhaps 180 days. Thus, the total volume diverted under
a decree was three times as much under modern agricultural conditions as under
the early agricultural conditions. The courts should have fixed not only the
date of priority and the rate of flow, but should have fixed the total for each
season, expressed either in terms of time or in terms of volume, such as the acre
foot. Had the decrees read that a ditch had a priority of 1860 and was entitled
to a flow of ten cubic feet per second limited to three acre feet per acre per an-
num, enlarged use and excessive use would have been eliminated.
The transfer of water from land both less productive and requiring more
water to better and more productive land requiring less water per acre, is ad-
visable as a matter of public policy and should be permitted, nor should theo-
retical, imaginary or small damage to individuals be allowed to prevent such
transfer. Studying the history of the litigation in transfer cases, we find the
courts apparently leaning first one way and then the other, and the litigants argu-
ing from a specific case to a general proposition. Whatever criticism of either
the courts or of our laws, the general result has been of great benefit to the
state and we find that in almost every decade since 1860 Colorado has been first
or second in development and increased acreage put under irrigation, and the
conclusion is inevitable that our laws, customs and rulings have been good, are as
good as those of any other state, and probably better in actual practice and ap-
plication. Under other laws and other theories such as have been adopted by
other states and which are much favored by "authorities," Colorado might have
avoided some trouble and some litigation ; she might also, as in some other states,
have accomplished less in consequence.
CHAPTER XXV
FROM RANGE DAYS TO THE THOROUGHBRED ERA
"HUNTING OUT" THE BUFFALO — BUYING UP THE BROKEN-DOWN FREIGHTING OXEN
CONDITION OF CATTLE INDUSTRY IN l866 — DISCOVERY OF GRAZING VALUES
TRAITS OF RANGE CATTLE — "MAVERICK" LEGISLATION ROUNDING UP THE CAT-
TLE THIEVES — SHIPMENTS OF CATTLE — RANGE CONDITIONS IN 1879 FOREIpN-
ERS INVEST HEAVILY EARLY STOCK-RAISING METHODS — THE FIGHT ON FENCING
— PUBLIC LANDS COMMISSION REGULATES GRAZING ON PUBLIC DOMAIN PASS-
ING OF THE LAST GREAT HERD THE OLD FENCE LAWS THE BREEDING OF HORSES
— LARIMER'S EARLY SHEEP HISTORY — THE LAMB FEEDING INDUSTRY — THE
FOUNDING OF A GREAT INDUSTRY IN THE UNCOMPAHGRE — IN THE ROARING
FORK VALLEY THE COMING OF THE HEREFORD THE NATIONAL LIVE STOCK
SHOW — THE STOCK YARDS AND THE PACKING INDUSTRY ON THE WHITE RIVER
AND ON THE BEAR — STOCK RAISING IN THE SAN LUIS VALLEY LIVE STOCK STA-
TISTICS THE STATE CATTLE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION
"HUNTING OUT" THE BUFFALO
The live stock industry of Colorado began with the migrations along the
Santa Fe Trail in the early years of the Nineteenth Century, for few caravans
came without one or more milch cows, and many had oxen for freighting. At
Bent's Fort, when it was the celebrated way station, the first herd of cattle kept for
beef and milk, fed plentifully and bountifully upon the native buffalo and bunch
grasses of the country. This was also true a little later of Lupton's Fort.
Such was the beginning of the encroachment of domesticated live stock upon
the domain of the buffalo in what is now Colorado.
Between 1826 and 1836, according to General Fremont, the buffalo roamed
from Independence to the "Fishing Falls" of the Columbia River. By 1836 they
began to diminish, and by 1840 they had abandoned all the waters of the Pacific
north of Lewis's Forks. Five years later, according to Hollister, the "Buffalo
wallow" had contracted to what was erroneously called "the Great American
Desert," for, curiously enough, it "sustained nearly as many of these huge quad-
rupeds as could stand upon it."
By 1867 the buffalo were confined largely to the Smoky Hill and Republican
forks of the Kaw, rarely straggling on either to the Platte or Arkansas, within
two hundred miles of the state line of Missouri, or the base of the mountains.
Hollister, in his "History of Mines," written in 1867, says: "The number of
robes annually traded for by the American, Hudson's Bay, and other fur com-
panies, was ninety thousand, and this tells not half the story of their destruction.
506
HISTORY OF COLORADO 507
It will be seen that the vast herds of buffalo had passed away before the dis-
covery of gold and silver in the Rocky Mountains. It is not certain that they
were much fewer in 1866 than in 1856."
But later they seemed to have drifted westward again. "In a little more than
three months," says a writer, "in the fall of 1874 over 50,000 buffalo hides were
shipped from the stations on the Santa Fe road, and the total shipments on this
and the Kansas Pacific aggregated 125,000. During the winter season of five
months about two million pounds of buffalo meat were shipped to all parts of the
country."
BUYING THE BROKEN-DOWN FREIGHTING OXEN
In 1867 the raising of stock had not yet become a great business for it was
cheaper, at least in the Denver district, to buy and to make beef of the train
oxen. These usually arrived at Denver in June, very thin, and were held cheaply
by their owners. In 1866, 5,000 head of this stock was bought by Iowa farmers
to be driven home and fed during the winter.
Samuel Hartsel, one of the most prominent of Colorado's cattlemen, tells of
buying in 1860 and 1861 the broken-down animals that were brought in, for $10
and $20, then fattening them and selling them for $90 to $100 each. In 1861
Duke Green and Ed Shook brought in a bunch of good Shorthorns from Oska-
loosa, Iowa, and Hartsel bought these and was so successful that he determined
to go back and bring a larger herd to Colorado. He left Denver in 1864 and re-
turned in 1866. Of this journey he has written as follows, throwing interesting
sidelights on the difficulties of bringing herds across the plains:
"I reached Clay County, Missouri, early in the summer of 1864 and bought
148 cows and two bulls from Tom Gordon, a well-known Shorthorn breeder of
those days. Gordon was the grandfather of Gordon Jones, the well-known banker
of Denver.
"I crossed the Missouri River at Fort Leavenworth, ferrying my cattle across.
At Fort Leavenworth I purchased a team of oxen — one of the largest and finest
pair I ever saw. I paid $200 for them, which was a good price even in those
days. Then I started west intending to take the old Santa Fe Trail at the Ar-
kansas River. It was getting along into the fall and when I reached Leroy,
Kansas, I decided to winter my herd there.
"In one attack, near Cottonwood Creek on the Santa Fe Trail, we lost two
men killed and in another attack, west of Fort Arberry, five were killed. The
Indians were on the warpath everywhere and we were in constant danger. At
Fort Arberry one of my best bulls gave out with sore feet. I made an arrange-
ment with the quartermaster at the fort to winter the bull and deliver him at
Pueblo the next year with the first ox-train going through, and agreed to pay
him $100 for the bull when he was delivered. He was delivered all right the
next summer. That bull was in service in my herd until he was eighteen years
old.
"At Spring Bottom, a place near Bent's Fort on the Arkansas, I decided to
leave my herd for the winter. There was plenty of feed there and soldiers enough
in the vicinity to make the herd safe. I was anxious about things at home, so
after fixing my herd for the winter, I continued on to South Park, where I
508 HISTORY OF COLORADO
spent the winter. Early in the spring I returned after the herd and got them
through into the South Park early in the summer without any further trouble.
"I consider that I had the best herd of cattle in the Rocky Mountains. They
were all pure bred and as I had the South Park to myself to graze them there
was no chance for them to become mixed with any other cattle. Two-thirds of
them were pure white and most of the balance were roans. One of my bulls was
pure white and the other a roan. There were not ten head of red cattle in the
whole herd."
CONDITION OF CATTLE INDUSTRY IN 1 866
The condition of the cattle industry in 1866 is thus outlined by Hollister:
"Cattle bred on the plains mature younger than elsewhere. Fall calves are
not checked in their growth by the winter as in the east, and they commonly be-
come mothers at eighteen months of age. It is estimated by those in the business
that there are one hundred thousand head of horses and cattle in the territory,
and there are large flocks of sheep in the southern portion. These sheep were
never shorn until 1866, and but few were then, from the lightness of the fleece,
the coarseness of the wool, and the distance to market. The Mexican sheep is
small and hardy, economical in its use of wool, wearing merely a little hempen
stuff on its back. No pains were ever' taken in breeding, and the article can
barely be called a sheep, either in quality of mutton or wool, or in fecundity.
The first cross of an improved breed increases the size, doubles the yield of
wool, and restores prolific power, indicating that as a basis for extensive sheep-
breeding, the native stock, if we may so call them, cannot be excelled. * * *
The first cost of cows is high, from $60 to $100, but their keeping amounts to
very little."
DISCOVERY OF GRAZING VALUES
The discovery of the capabilities of this area for grazing purposes is said to
have been accidental. Theodore J. McMinn, of St. Louis, in the Government
investigation in 1884 thus related it: "Early in December, 1864, a Government
trader with a wagon train of supplies drawn by oxen was on his way west to
Camp Douglas, in the Territory of Utah ; but on being overtaken on the Laramie
plains by an unusually severe snowstorm, he was compelled to go at once into
winter quarters. He turned his cattle adrift, expecting of course that they would
soon perish from exposure and starvation. But they remained about the camp
and as the snow was blown off the highlands, the dried grass afforded them an
abundance of forage. When the spring opened they were found to be in even
better condition than when turned out to die four months previously."
This discovery, says the Government report, led to the purchase of stock
cattle in Texas to be matured and fattened on the northern ranges, and the trade
steadily grew to enormous proportions, much accelerated by the building of rail-
roads. The number of cattle driven north from Texas between 1866 and 1884
was 5,201,132.
TRAITS OF RANGE CATTLE
Baron W. B. von Richthofen, in his book "Cattle Raising on the Plains.,"
insists that the range cattle acquired many of the characteristics of the buffalo.
HISTORY" OF COLORADO 509
"A cow will often defend her calf when it is caught by the lasso ; they move
about in families, grazing and herding together, and the attachment of a cow
to her calf and vice versa is much greater than that of the domestic animal.
Here and there one can watch groups of families in which the offspring of three
or four generations have never been separated. The mother of all always re-
tains her authority, and even punishes her children and grandchildren, though
they may be much larger than herself, but in the defense of families the female
yields precedence to the male."
The old-timers insist that the sight of a riderless broncho would stampede
a herd of Texas longhorns, extremely timid animals. They were accustomed to
the sight of men on horseback, regarding the combination as one animal. Sepa-
rate them, the spell was broken and the stampede was on.
The defeat of the Indians by Col. J. M. Chivington in 1865 put a stop to the
indiscriminate stock depredations of the red man. After this, although there
were spasmodic attacks until 1881, the cattlemen began getting away from the
settlements and taking possession of the entire area of the "Great American
Desert."
"MAVERICK" LEGISLATION
In those days the country was open from Montana to Texas and cattle soon
roamed at will. When a blizzard struck them the herds would move south, com-
ing back again in the spring. It was not unusual to find cattle belonging in
northern Colorado feeding along the Arkansas River nearly two hundred miles
from their range. One of the results of this open country was the reckless
branding of mavericks, but this soon brought about legislation which for some
time made the maverick property of the state, giving the owner, however, ample
time to enter claims. "Maverick" legislation was long an annual feature for
the lawmakers of territory and state.
It was not long before there was a "code of honor" with reference to these
unbranded calves, for the work of the range soon became thoroughly organized.
Later, in the period of the big roundups from April to June, it required seven
herders for every 5,000 head. Between July and September the herders hunted
for lost cattle, and were aided by the herders of other companies in this task.
During September and October, when cattle were rounded up for market, calves
if unbranded were invariably given the brand on the mother. These cattle kings
and herders soon became punctilious on this point of honor.
CATTLE THIEVES
The cattle thieves, however, were not so particular.
From 1 86 1 to 1863 the ranges, particularly the Arkansas Valley, were infested
by thoroughly organized gangs of cattle thieves who stole animals in what are
now Fremont, Pueblo, Las Animas and Huerfano counties and took them via
Trinidad to Texas, where they sold them. The most notorious of these gangs
was broken up, the criminals flying the country. In 1867 and 1868 a much more
formidable combination, under one William Coe, began to steal entire herds. This
gang had a store, ranch and corral at the Dry Cimarron, and a station just above
Boggsville. Detectives sent after them were killed, and in 1868 a flock of 3,000
sheep was found in their possession at Adobe Creek. After they had been
510 HISTORY OF COLORADO
rounded up, the narrator of their fate writes: "Shortly after this Coe was taken
from the jail at Pueblo and privately hung by a committee of soldiers — it was
believed at the instigation of their superior officers." Certain it is, they were not
court-martialed.
Cattle thieves had an easier time of it up in Larimer County. At Fort Col-
lins in 1865 Lieut. Ewell P. Drake tried two of these, found them guilty, and in
his sentence states that as "the safety of the community requires that no person
or persons should be tolerated in this county who are unable to discriminate be-
tween their own and other persons' property, it is therefore ordered that * * *
they leave this country never to return either as residents or visitors."
In 1881 they were brazen enough after stealing from several herds in Jef-
ferson County to ship the lot to Kansas City, where a Colorado inspector seized
them. This gang served time in Canon City.
Colorado stockmen learned early in their use of the plains that the results of
allowing the cattle to run at will were extremely remunerative. Colorado grass,
the Gamma, the Buffalo and the Bunch, started about the first of May, grew
until near the end of July, then dried up and cured as it stood on the ground.
It retained its strength and stock kept fat on it all winter.
But the big storm of December, 1878, led most of them to take steps for the
better protection of stock, and systematic winter-feeding during and after storm
periods followed.
CATTLE SHIPMENTS
The shipment of cattle on a large scale began with the advent of the railroad.
In 1877 some 80,000 cattle were forwarded by rail, and some 88,000 in 1878 and
in the ensuing winter. Of the eastern cattle exports in 1878, 24,500 went by
way of the Union Pacific, 19,800 by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and 18,700
by the Kansas Pacific. The main shipping points were Julesburg, Cheyenne,
Grenada, Las Animas, Pueblo, Rocky Ford, Deer Trail, Hugo, Denver and
Wallace.
Frank Fossett, in his "Colorado," published in 1879, says:
"The cattle men of Colorado usually started in the business by securing a
quantity of Texas cows — "long horns" as they were called — and a suitable num-
ber of bulls, of American or foreign breeds. Some of the finest bulls in the world
were brought to Colorado. Most of them were of the Durham, Hereford, Jersey,
Canadian, and other fine species. Their average value ran from $100 to $150,
but some were worth several times those figures. Durham bulls were generally
brought to Colorado in preference to others, but later the white-faced Herefords
were the favorites, and were introduced extensively.
" 'Roundups' were important occasions with cattle men, and usually occupied
their time from late in April to July or August, when branding time began, and
continued until the beef shipments of autumn and early winter. The cattle often
scattered over the plains into adjoining counties, miles away from their start-
ing place. To complete the 'roundup' the ground had to be gone over two or
three times, although most of the stock was secured the first trip. There was a
law, as well as rules and regulations, for the guidance of stock growers. These
districted off the country and designated the points of assemblage.
"On or near the 25th day of April, when the time came for the 'roundups',
HISTORY OF COLORADO
511
the stockmen in each of the sixteen districts assembled with their herders at
their respective places of rendezvous and began to drive the cattle from the
creeks and branches to the main stream or river. Gradually the scattered herds
were gathered together. After many days and weeks from twenty to two hun-
dred thousand head were massed together in a comparatively small space of ter-
ritory. Then came the separating and driving away of the stock of various
owners, each of whom could distinguish his property by the brands placed thereon
in the previous season.
"After the country had been scoured over until the last of the wanderers had
been driven in and assigned to their owners, the latter returned to their respective
stock ranges, when the work of branding followed. Every cattleman had a pecu-
liar brand, separate and distinct from that of his neighbor, in order that he could
know his property wherever he found it. By the time fall arrived cattle were
fat and in prime order for market, and shipments began and were continued until
the surplus steers were disposed of. Large numbers of yearling steers were driven
in from Texas, and kept on these prairie ranges until they were four years old,
when from $40 to $45 was sometimes received for them.
"The first purely blooded live stock farm in Colorado was that established
by Capt. J. S. Maynard, in Weld County, in 1870, with a start of thirty-six
thoroughbred Shorthorns. The same year, Childs and Ring brought a Short-
horn herd into El Paso County. Stock and animals of similar character had ar-
rived in Saguache County in 1868, and in Huerfano, Park and Lake in 1869.
The growth of the cattle interest can be appreciated from the fact that but 145,916
were assessed for taxation in 1871, while 483,278 was the number in 1878.
Hartsel's importations preceded all of these.
RANGE CONDITIONS IN 1879
"The numbers and value of cattle and sheep of leading stock counties for
1879 are given as estimated by prominent dealers and owners :
Number of
Name of County Cattle
"Bent 125.000
Weld 95,ooo
Elbert 90,000
Arapahoe 60,000
El Paso 33,ooo
Las Animas 40,000
Pueblo 36,000
Larimer 27,000
Douglas 40,000
Huerfano 24,000
Saguache 25,000
Conejos 10,000
La Plata 50,000
Other Sections . . . 200,000
Number of
Value
Sheep
Value
$2,000,000
90,000
$190,000
1,500,000
* 65,000
145,000
1,500,000
100,000
225,000
1,000,000
87,000
190,000
550,000
230,000
500,000
600,000
210,000
420,000
600.000
100,000
210,000
450,000
70,000
l6o,000
650,000
40,000
85,000
380,000
180,000
300,000
400,000
25,000
55>o°°
1 50,000
120,000
230,000
900,000
30,000
65,000
3,100,000
570,000
1,385,000
Total 855,000 $13,680,000 2,002,000 $4,220,000"
512 HISTORY OF COLORADO
In 1879 a New York Commercial Bulletin correspondent had' this to say of
range conditions in Colorado : "At the east we have but an imperfect conception
of its value and rapid growth. But the simple fact that the exports from Colo-
rado alone, during the past five years have exceeded in value the shipments of
bullion, and the further fact that what is known as the great cattle-raising belt is
estimated today to contain fifteen million head, worth upward of $300,000,000,
are calculated to expand those conceptions materially. Already the II iff s, the
Bosters, Dorsey, Waddingham, Craig, Hall Brothers and others have each nearly
as many cattle as existed in either of the territories a year ago, and together have
more than existed in New Mexico, Colorado and Nebraska combined."
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
That the cattle business was attracting world-wide attention was evident in
the late '703 when the first heavy investments were made in the industry. In a
circular issued by J. Berger Spencer & Co., of London and Manchester, August
15, 1883, the firm says that "the formation in England and Scotland of large com-
panies for the purchase of ranches in Western America is reported steadily on the
increase. Reports as to large dividends by many Scotch companies are favorable,
some being as high as 30 per-cent."
This was the cause for the agitation to prevent aliens from holding title to
lands in the United States. In 1883 English companies alone owned over 25,000,-
ooo acres in the west. Lord Dunraven's purchase of 60,000 acres in Colorado was
of this period.
In 1881 there was already evidence of the end of the cattle growing business
on the range. A writer at this period says : "The range is getting crowded about
the water fronts, and sheep men are driving cattle growers back from their old
ranches into new quarters, north and east. Along the base of the mountains agri-
culture is encroaching rapidly upon the former domains of stockmen, almost to
the exclusion of the latter, who are moving their herds to a distance."
In these early '8os the cattlemen began their overtures to purchase the range
from the Government at $1.25 an acre. It was a long and hard fight, but here too
the settler finally won out and the land was left to him to homestead or buy and
to populate.
In 1870 Colorado had less than twenty thousand head of sheep. In 1879 there
were something like two million or more.
The wool shipments from points in Colorado, in 1878, amounted to about 4,000-
ooo pounds, of which about one-half came from New Mexico, via wagon trains
to the southern railway termini. These shipments embraced 1,250,000 pounds at
El Moro, 500,000 at Alamosa and Fort Garland, 600,000 at Colorado Springs,
200,000 at Fort Collins, 200,000 at Greeley and Cheyenne, 500,000 at West Las
Animas, 100,000 at Pueblo, 100,000 at Canon, 100,000 at Walsenburg, and 450,000
at other places.
EARLY STOCK-RAISING METHODS
Prof. J. E. Payne, in an illuminating bulletin written for the Colorado State
Agricultural College, thus describes the early stock-growing methods :
HISTORY OF COLORADO 513
"Cautiously at first, and recklessly afterwards, men went into the cattle busi-
ness, until in the '8os the tally books of the various outfits whose cattle ranged
eastern Colorado summed up nearly half a million head. The most of these cattle
were owned by large outfits, supporting high-salaried officers and employing super-
intendents and foremen to do the real work. These large companies took posses-
sion of the open water along the streams and soon it became an unwritten law
among them to allow each ten miles of open water and the valley adjoining it, and
from the stream half way to the nearest open water on another stream or in an-
other locality. It was the custom then to allow the cowboys to run their own cat-
tle with those of the company. The care consisted usually in rounding up, count-
ing what could be found, branding the calves, and selecting animals to be sent to
market.
"For some time all the range was entirely open and cattle whose owners lived
on the South Platte might drift to the Big Sandy, or possibly as far as the Arkansas
River. Under this system it was impossible to improve the range stock, so in the
'8os the large companies began to fence large pastures and use pure bred bulls of
the beef breeds. The pasture method was quite economical as the only hands
needed were enough to ride the fences to see that they were kept in repair and
do a little extra work around the home ranches.
"Following this era came a wave of settlement. As all the country was
fenced as cow pastures, the people had to settle in the pasture claimed by some-
one. During this era of claim-taking the cowboys of the different outfits, after
finding it impossible to bluff the settlers out of the country, filed in many cases
on the land containing the open water of the streams, leaving the smooth upland
for the settlers who came to farm.
"This wave of settlement came just after the hard winter of 1885-86 had
destroyed fully one-half of the cattle on the plains and had caused many owners
of cattle to be discouraged and ready to quit business.
"The reports of special agents of the general land office made in 1884 showed
that 4,431,980 acres of the public lands had been unlawfully fenced in for the
raising of range cattle. In February, 1885, Congress by enactment forbade the
unlawful occupancy of the public lands and authorized the President 'to take
such measures as may be necessary in order to remove or destroy any such in-
closure and to employ civil or military force for that purpose.'
"President Cleveland acted promptly on the suggestion and the settler scored
a victory.
"All this, with the crowding of settlement and the losses from the storms dur-
ing 1885-86, caused the majority of the large companies to go out of business
and be succeeded by men with smaller herds.
"Haste of these men in getting out of the cattle business probably helped to
make the period of low prices experienced in 1889-93. During these years cat-
tle were considered very poor property; yet those who stayed in the business
found themselves on the top wave of prosperity a few years later when ordinary
calves sold for $15 and $20 per head at five months old. But the old way of
raising cattle by turning them loose and leaving them without further attention
except at round-up time, had passed.
"The winter of 1902-03 was the hardest since 1885-86. Old-timers say that
the reason the losses were not greater then was that the cattle were kept closer
514 HISTORY OF COLORADO
home and owners were able to get their cattle in and feed them. Some who at-
tempted to winter without feed lost nearly all they had. Some fed so much that
the cost of the feed was more than the value of the cattle. The owners of cattle
are now compelled by public sentiment to feed so as to keep their stock from
starving and they did this in 1902-03. If they had not the losses would have
been 75 per cent of all cattle on the Plains instead of probably less than 20 per
cent as it was.
"The settlers came to the country to farm and settled so thickly that they
left no range for stock. After the crop failures in 1903-04, settlement was thinned
so much in many communities that there was room for the remaining settlers to
pasture as many cattle as they wished. From that time settlers began to gather
herds about them until now the country is again almost as much overstocked by
the small herds as it was before by the large holdings."
GOVERNMENT REGULATION OF GRAZING
During the administration of President Roosevelt the Public Lands Commis-
sion, consisting of W. A. Richards, F. H. Newell and Gifford Pinchot, took up
the question of grazing rights. This investigation was the result largely of the
frequent collisions between sheepmen and cattlemen, and the incursions into each
others' domain. The killing of thousands of sheep, the murder of innocent herd-
ers, the equally brutal retaliatory measures, finally brought the Government to
a determination to solve this great problem of the west. In 1903, the year of
the investigation, the commission in its report states that "there are more than
300,000,000 acres whose chief value will always be for grazing."
"At present," the commission says, "the vacant public lands are theoretically
open commons, free to all citizens. This general lack of control in the use of
public grazing lands has resulted naturally and inevitably in overgrazing and
the ruin of millions of acres of otherwise valuable grazing territory. Lands, use-
ful for grazing are losing their only capacity for productiveness as of course they
must when no legal control is exercised."
In August, 1904, the commission conferred with the National Live Stock As-
sociation in Denver. This meeting was attended by the leaders of agriculture and
by representative stockmen from all the grazing land states and territories. The
commission then recommended that suitable authority be given to the President
to set aside by proclamation certain grazing districts or reserves. To the Secre-
tary of Agriculture should be given the right to classify and appraise the grazing
value of these lands, and to collect moderate fees for grazing permits.
With some modifications this policy is now being carried out, the public
lands having been carefully classified and valued in the past few years.
Under the Federal grazing laws the Colorado area of national forests is care-
fully limited as to number of cattle or sheep to be grazed. In the Arapahoe For-
est reserve, which comprises 636,899 acres, the number of cattle and horses per-
mitted to graze is 12,600, and of sheep 106,500. The Rio Grande reserve, which
totals 1,137,067 acres, permits the grazing of 266,000 sheep and 23,400 cattle and
horses. The White River reserve leases grazing areas for 40,000 cattle and
horses and 220,000 sheep. The Government grazing areas in Colorado permit the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 515
grazing of about 400,000 cattle and horses and approximately 1,200,000 sheep
and goats.
The yearly rates for grazing cattle is 54 cents, for horses, 67 cents, for sheep
and goats, 13^ cents.
The Federal Government states that the ranges of the country are now sup-
porting over 1,750,000 cattle and 7,850,000 sheep, exclusive of calves and lambs.
It is estimated that in the next decade this will be increased by 10 per cent.
The years 1915 and 1916 witnessed a great stride forward in live stock breed-
ing. In 1916 dairy production in the state increased 37 per cent, and that meant
the shipping in of a large number of dairy cows and high-class bulls. The grade
dairy cows went chiefly to the Arkansas Valley, Carbondale and Rifle districts.
The interest in beef cattle was evidenced by the sale in 1916 at the Western
Live Stock Show of a Hereford bull for $5,000. A Shorthorn bull was bought
for $6,600 in December, 1916, for Steamboat Springs.
THE PASSING OF THE LAST GREAT HERD
The Prairie Cattle Company was the last of the big range cattle raisers to
go out of business. This was in 1916 when they sold out their vast holdings at
the highest market prices of the year. In 1886 this company had three ranges,
the first extending from the Arkansas River to the New Mexico state line and
fifty miles in width from La Junta east. Their other divisions were in Texas and
New Mexico. The Colorado range alone was 2,240,000 acres. On this they
had 53,982 cattle. In 1882 this company branded 26,000 calves on its three
ranches.
The Prairie Cattle Company was a foreign corporation (Scotch) organized
unders the laws of Great Britain in 1881, and all its general managers in Amer-
ica, with the exception of one, have been either Scotchmen or Englishmen.
About 1880, when cattle reached a higher price than they had ever attained
since the war, the price that the Jones brothers were offered for their herd by
Underwood, Clark & Co., of Kansas City, representing the Prairie Cattle Com-
pany, was too tempting. No one knew how long these prices would continue. A
bird in the hand seemed worth more than two in the bush, and so Jones Brothers
disposed of all of their holdings to the Prairie Cattle Company. One of these
brothers was named Jim — Jim Jones — and thus originated the J J brand.
At the time of this purchase in that portion of southern Colorado known as
the J J range, nearly all the small owners of cattle offered their herds at the same
price paid for the Jones herd, and they were taken by the same syndicate. About
the same time the Hall brothers, owning the Crosselle ranch, whose cattle ranged
in northern New Mexico, and the then "Neutral Strip," now Oklahoma, disposed
of their herd to the same company. Immediately afterwards Mr. Littlefield sold
to the company his range with the cattle, known as the LIT herd, located in
the northern part of Texas with headquarters at Tascosa, known at one time as
the toughest town in Texas.
The Jones brothers were among the first to give consideration to the im-
provement of the grade of cattle then in Colorado. They imported Shorthorn
bulls from the eastern states, and their herd became one of the finest in the
west. The Halls, at the Crosselle ranch, did much the same, but they, a little
516 HISTORY OF COLORADO
later, went more extensively into Here fords. The Prairie Cattle Company sold
this ranch some years ago to Mr. G. A. Fowler of Colorado Springs. Mr. Fow-
ler has continually purchased the best bulls obtainable in the east, and has now
brought his herd, which for its size is probably the best bred herd in the States,
to a high state of perfection.
The Littlefield LIT herd was started with well selected southern Texas
cows, but the improvement of that herd and the high standard it subsequently
reached was due to the management of the Prairie Cattle Company.
The J J herd branded at one time about ten thousand calves a year on the
J J division; the Crosselle division branded about the same number, and the
LIT about four thousand a year. These three herds were run as separate and
distinct outfits under one general management. The cattle roamed freely with-
out hindrance, and in the spring, when the general roundup took place, the J J
cattle from the Arkansas division could be found as far south as northern
Texas. The bulk of them, however, were north of the Cimarron River. The
Crosselles went as far south as the Canadian.
THE OLD FENCE LAWS
The stock-raising experiments of Horace Greeley's famous Union Colony
make interesting and somewhat amusing reading in these "thoroughbred" days.
In his famous book on "What I Know of Farming" the editor of the New
York Tribune had epitomized two of his pet horrors into the phrase: "No
fences and no rum." Thus when the "Greeley Cooperative Stock and Dairy As-
sociation" was formed in 1870 with a capital of $10,000, N. C. Meeker, in his
Tribune letter, said : "We are to engage in all kinds of business relating to stock,
including the supplying of the town with milk and beef. As a start seventy-five
head of cows and young cattle have been purchased for $1,100, and they make
a respectable show when stretched out across the prairie. This herd is to be
increased as we find good bargains, and we mean to cover the unoccupied land
in every direction with our cattle." This is exactly what happened. The hard
winters of 1871 and 1872 drove the herds south, the capital of the company was
small, and the greater part of the herd was never recovered. Then too, hay was
high in this period, and the experiment was given up, the stockholders getting
back half of their money.
When Mr. Meeker started his paper the "first use of our type" was an appeal
to "fence in all of the property as the roaming prairie cattle were destroying
whole fields. * * * The protection of our strawberry grounds, containing as
much as a quarter million plants alone, demand our organization" (for fencing
purposes). Horace Greeley arrived in Greeley the following day, and quietly ap-
proved the new "fence" program. He never changed his mind on the "rum" part
of his epigram.
Before Union Colony was through it had spent $20,000 on a smooth wire
fence.
But the cattle still roamed and did enormous damage. In 1872-3 Greeley
was allowed to put gates across the public roads leading into the town. These
were kept closed during seven spring and summer months of the year. In 1875
the Legislature authorized the forming of fence districts. The first one organized
HISTORY OF COLORADO 517
under the law was the "Poudre Valley Fence District." But the fence required
approval of the county commissioners, two of whom were stockmen.
The stockmen saw in this general early fencing proposition the doom of the
range, although they resorted to it later on a huge scale. But in many instances
it kept them from getting to water with their cattle.
The publication of a private Meeker letter to Horace Greeley, in which the
former reported the tremendous cattle losses in the hard winter of 1871-72 im-
paired the credit of the stockmen in the east and the fight between this colony
and the cattlemen was on in earnest. The colonists were called "Greeley saints"
who had "fenced themselves in" from "the heathens." The cattlemen argued
that farming could never pay — "the country was fit only for grazing."
The colony started impounding cattle found roaming at large. This worked
for a while, but the armed guard went to sleep one Sunday and the stockmen
drove all of the impounded cattle over to Evans.
The cooperative fencing plans worked well for a while but with the invention
of barbed wire, put up at one quarter the previous cost, individual fence building
began and the community plan was discontinued. Orchard and Sterling and the
English company which built the Larimer and Weld Canal, all put up these co-
operative fences.
THE BREEDING OF HORSES
In 1880 the breeding of a better class of horses was begun in Colorado. It
was found that the broncho "with sinews of steel and tireless gallop" was fit only
for rough riding and herding. He was at his best worth about fifty dollars,
while an eastern animal commanded double that amount. It was not long before
the best long distance racers in the west were bred on Colorado grasses.
At the great Lexington race meet in the autumn of 1909 the standard bred
mare, Catherine Direct, a three-year-old product of Colorado soil, climate and
grasses, demonstrated the superior quality of these products when she won the
Kentucky Futurity for pacers in three-year-old form from eighty-seven entries.
This mare was bred and reared on the farm of J. M. Herbert near Denver and was
fed upon alfalfa hay and pasture to the exclusion of all other fodders until she
was put into training. Daybreak, a Colorado product, the same year, won the
$10,000 Lewis & Clark stake race in Portland. The record since then is long
and convincing.
LARIMER'S EARLY SHEEP HISTORY
From 1870 to 1878 the sheep industry of Larimer County grew from a few
small herds owned by J. S. Maynard, E. W. Whitcomb, William N. Bachelder
and Thomas Weldon, to herds totaling 75,000 head. Most of these were in
the Big Thompson Valley, at Maynard Flats, Spring Canon and Bachelder Creek.
After 1878 the narrowing of the ranges drove many out of the business, but
some took their herds into the regions of the cattle barons. The result was the
beginning in this region of Colorado of the war between sheep and cattlemen.
In 1880 one firm alone shipped more than one hundred thousand pounds of wool
out of Larimer County.
518 HISTORY OF COLORADO
William N. Bachelder, writing in 1900, recalls that he ran for the constitu-
tional convention but was defeated because he was a "sheep" man. It was Wil-
liam N. Bachelder who brought to Colorado Henry Dewey, brother of Admiral
George Dewey, as his associate in the early sheep-raising business. Henry died
of tuberculosis a, few years later.
In 1870 about forty thousand head of cattle ranged on the hills above the
Laramie River. In those days the old-timers say that ranchmen "started their
herds from a few milch cows and mavericks, gradually increasing and in ten
or twelve years retiring with an ample competence." In the valley were the
cattle ranches of Captain Hance, William Mansfield, Oscar and Kelley Martin
and Bieler and Hutton's horse ranch.
Isaac Adair was the first permanent white settler on upper Boxelder, start-
ing in the stock-raising business in 1875. E. W. Whitcomb and Alma Goodwin
had ranged cattle in this section in 1868.
The Larimer County Stock Growers' Association was organized August 20,
1884. Its first president was T. A. Gage, with S. B. Chaffee as secretary. Among
the prominent stockmen who joined the organization were J. L. Bristol, F. L,
Carter-Colton, F. J. Spencer, C. E. Roberts, Fred Christman and practically all
the stockmen who were using the range in the mountains of Larimer County. It
was useful in the supervision of branding and in the prosecution of cattle thieves,
but as the range stock thinned out the association was allowed to die out. Most
of the flock masters had in a few years moved to Wyoming and Montana.
THE LAMB FEEDING INDUSTRY
The bringing in of lambs every fall not only provided an outlet for the alfalfa,
but also introduced feeding methods into that section, and was instrumental in
teaching Colorado farmers the importance of feeding their forage crops at home.
In the beginning the farmers did not realize the great value of the manure from
the feed lots, but with the coming of the sugar beet industry they quickly dis-
covered that the manure was as valuable as any profit they might make from
their feeding operations. When I. W. Bennett and his brother brought that first
trainload of starved lambs into the northern Colorado alfalfa fields they in-
augurated a new era of prosperity for the Colorado farmers. It was a small
beginning, but it has grown to enormous proportions, and during the present
year this same section is feeding nearly, if not quite, double the highest number
reported in the table given below.
In 1889 E. J. and I. W. Bennett, who many years before had been inter-
ested in the range sheep and wool-growing industry and also feeding sheep in
Nebraska in the wintertime, bought in southern Colorado about twenty-four
hundred grade Mexican lambs with the intention of shipping them to their feed-
ing pens in Nebraska and fattening them for the spring markets. They were
caught at Walsenburg in a severe snowstorm, which blocked the railroad so that
no trains could be moved.
The storm began at Walsenburg on the night of October 3ist, following a
very warm and perfectly lovely day, continuing for several days and with such
severity as to cause some twenty-six herders and stockmen to perish in southern
Colorado and northern New Mexico before they could find adequate shelter. A
HISTORY OF COLORADO 519
prominent stockman of Trinidad by the name of Taylor was caught out in this
storm and lost his life, together with several of his cowboys. Here for two
weeks the lambs were held without food, except such as was afforded by a few
pinon trees cut down for them to browse.
As a last resort the owners decided to ship the lambs to Fort Collins, where
alfalfa could be obtained at a reasonable price, and there attempt to fatten
them under what they considered at the time as adverse circumstances.
The lambs reached Fort Collins about the middle of November and were
placed upon a generous ration of alfalfa. They recovered rapidly from the
effects of their long fast and rough journey, and later were fed corn as well as
hay. The lambs were shipped to Chicago in March and April, 1890, and sold at
prices ranging from $5.05 to $6.40 per hundred pounds, leaving the feeders a
fine profit.
This was the beginning of the lamb- feeding industry in Colorado, an industry
that put the farmers on their feet and enabled them to pay off their debts, im-
prove their farms and build new homes. These figures show the number of lambs
fed in the county for the first thirteen years :
Winter of 1889 2,500
Winter of 1890 3, 500
Winter of 1891 6,000
Winter of 1892 30,000
Winter of 1893 40,000
Winter of 1894 60,000
Winter of 1895 80,000
Winter of 1896 128,000
Winter of 1897 193,000
Winter of 1898 250,000
Winter of 1899 300,000
Winter of 1900 350,000
Winter of 1901 400,000
THE FOUNDING OF A GREAT INDUSTRY
In 1859 Jonn H. Craig, Jack Johnson and Charles Holmes settled in Happy
Canon, about ten miles north of Castle Rock, and began prospecting for gold,
but as a side issue started the cattle-growing industry. In November, 1860, Judge
P. P. Wilcox, of Denver, and William Liptrap started a cow ranch about two
miles above Frankstown. But between the coming of Craig and his companions
and the starting of the Wilcox cow ranch the old chroniclers of Douglas County
tell of the arrival of a hundred or more followers, most of whom went into the
cattle-raising business on a small scale. The Wilcox herd, however, grew to be
one of the largest in the territory, and was finally moved over to Big Sandy, near
River Bend. Many of the small herds, too, in time, grew to such proportions that
the stock-raising industry of Douglas County became of foremost importance, en-
riching its owners without much effort on their part, for feeding was as free as
the air. The sheep industry began to develop early. But here, as all over the
Plains, the era of settlement of the public domain cut down the range and stock
raising was soon confined to smaller areas.
520 HISTORY OF COLORADO
El Paso County, like Douglas County, profited more in the early days from
its range than from its mines. It was in this section that General Palmer recorded
the vast cattle-raising possibilities. In 1890 there were in El Paso County 37,573
head of cattle and 58,831 sheep.
The stock-growing industry of Pueblo County began with the first settlement
By 1873 the industry had grown sufficiently to warrant the founding by Good-
night, Cresswell & Co., prominent stockmen, of the Stockgrowers' National Bank.
This became the center of the Texas cattle trade in Colorado, distributions being
made to northern and Arkansas Valley points. George H. Hobson, who came to
Colorado from Missouri in 1869, was one of the Pueblo men heavily interested
in the Texas cattle trade. In 1888 there were 50,000 cattle in the county, 10,000
horses and 40,000 sheep.
Huerfano County's cattle-raising industry began with the first settlement by
Charles Autobees, of what was known as part of the Las Animas Land Grant,
in 1849. In J858 William Kroenig, of New Mexico, purchased some of the
holdings of Autobees and began stock-raising on a large scale. Joseph B. Doyle,
William Craig and Samuel Watrous followed, until the business grew to vast
proportions. Wealthy stock companies held the range for a long time, and
were finally driven out of business by the smaller holders, who greatly improved
the herds by importing blooded stock.
The Colorado Company, in 1879, practically monopolized the cattle industry
in the Huerfano Valley. This company had bought the famous Craig ranch and
gradually absorbed others until in 1881 it had 30,000 head of cattle on its range.
In 1890 there were in use in Jefferson County 132,060 acres of grazing land,
showing the growth of the cattle industry even in this "foothill" region.
In 1890 there were 86,000 acres of grazing lands in use by stockmen in Ar-
chuleta County, largely in the Piedra and Weeminuche parks. The assessment
roll for that year placed the number of cattle feeding upon these lands at 3,509;
sheep, 17,840; horses, 1,000.
It was in Baca County at the Sylvanus Johnson ranch on Bear Creek that
the Angora goat industry was started in Colorado with 2,000 head.
The grazing lands of the county were long devoted to the raising of Texas
longhorns. On the many fine stock farms near Springfield now herds of better
breeds are proving exceedingly profitable.
John W. Prowers brought his herd of a hundred cows to Bent County in 1861.
L. A. Allen, of Missouri, hearing of the success of Prowers in the stock-raising
business, induced a fellow-Missourian, Solomon Young, of Independence, to back
him with 700 head, which reached Fort Lyon in 1863. Lucien B. Maxwell's
herds were later transferred from the Greenhorn to Bent County. William Kroe-
nig, who had settled on the Las Animas grant, and his fellow stockmen brought
their cattle to the Arkansas and made heavy sales to settlers. The settlers after
1865 came in flocks and practically all went into the stock-raising business. The
range cattle trade reached its height in the early '8os, and here as elsewhere its
decline was rapid.
Among the earliest ranchmen in Eagle County using the grazing ranges were
Henry Hermage, Robert Matthews and W. E. Frost, who began cattle raising
on Brush Creek ; W. W. Livingston, R. M. Sherwood, C. M. White, C. B. Stone,
J. L. Howard, on the Eagle; F. M. Skiff, Frank Doll, A. F. Grundel, Casper
HISTORY OF COLORADO 521
Schumm, on Gypsum Creek; W. H. Harris, Robinson, Thomas O'Connell, Luck-
singer Brothers, H. B. Gillespie, on Roaring Fork.
In 1891 the wool clip of Elbert County was 628,540 pounds from 87,000
sheep. The extent of the grazing industry in this county, which is now but a
small part of its original area, was in 1900 nearly a million acres. It is still,
however, one of the most profitable cattle-growing counties in the state. In
1874 L. F. Roberts, A. J. Redford and H. C. Hall, together with Samuel E.
Wetzel and S. P. Williams, had herds of 25,000 at the head of Beaver Creek.
About 1876 J. W. Bowles and W. L. Campbell located cattle ranches near Yuma,
in what is now Yuma County. J. P. Olive went into the cattle business near
Wray in 1877. Thomas H. Ashton, W. Newell, William Lauver, J. R. Porter
and C. D. Thompson followed. This, however, was even until 1881 a danger
section, for the Cheyennes, Arapahoes and Sioux made raids on cattle, despite
the punishment administered at Sand Creek.
The beginning of the cattle-raising industry in Gunnison County dates from
the establishment of a "cow camp" in 1869 near the present site of Gunnison.
This was used to supply the Indians at the Cochetopa agency. It was not given
up until 1873, when the Utes were transferred to the Uncompahgre reservation.
Gradually the excellence of the country for grazing purposes brought a great
number of ranchmen to the region and the industry has been on the whole more
profitable than the mining of Gunnison County.
When John W. Iliff, of Denver, died in 1878 the Iliff cattle holdings were
perhaps the largest in the west. It was said that he could travel over the coun-
try from Julesburg to Greeley and always eat and sleep at one of his own ranches.
In 1880 the Iliff executors sold $250,000 worth of beef without making much
of an inroad upon the Iliff herds.
Finis P. Ernest came to Colorado in 1875 from New Mexico, where he had
in four years gathered a herd of 6,800 head.' He bought enough water front at
Deer Trail to control practically 1,500,000 acres. In 1884 he sold $200,000 worth
of beef and declined an offer of $850,000 for all his holdings.
R. G. Webster began in 1872 with a small herd of twenty-five head near Den-
ver, and in 1884 sold out his interest for $135,000. George A. Benkelman began
cattle raising on the Kiowa east of Denver with a hundred head in 1868. In 1884
he owned 8,000 head. Alfred Butters was another of Denver's early cattlemen
who realized a fortune in live stock.
Dennis Sheedy of Denver was another speculator of those early days. In
1873 he was far-seeing enough to bring in 1,500 head of steers at panic prices,
and sent them into winter quarters near Fort Lyon, on the Arkansas, realizing
a fine profit when they were sold in prime condition.
M. J. McMillan, secretary oi the Bent and Prowers Counties Cattle and Horse
Growers' Association, whose association was first formed in 1870, has written a
history of his organization. From these records it is learned that the actual
work of the society began with its reorganization in February, 1874, when a big
meeting was held at Las Animas.
At this time "mavericking" and cattle stealing was indulged in to a very
great extent. Some of the largest cattle raisers recommended a vigilance com-
mittee and a trial by cattlemen and the penalty for stealing cattle was to be death.
Cattle raisers were present from New Mexico and from the Dry Gmarron ; f ron?
522 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Las Animas County and from Kansas. After holding nightly meetings for nearly
a week it was decided not to resort to extraordinary measures but to punish of-
fenders by legal means. Large rewards were offered for the conviction of guilty
parties but without satisfactory results. At the meeting in February an organi-
zation was effected and the following named persons were elected officers : John
W. Prowers, president; H. S. Holly, vice president; James C. Jones, vice presi-
dent ; Mark P. Price, treasurer ; R. M. Moore, secretary.
Notwithstanding the efforts of the association to prevent it, illegitimate brand-
ing of calves and stealing of cattle was carried on and it was not until the spring
of 1884 that the association succeeded in convicting anyone. At the spring term
of court in that year eight persons were sent to Canon City for stealing cattle
and horses, their sentences ranging from rhree to eight years. This sweeping
conviction struck terror to the hearts of the cattle thievevS and since then com-
parative peace reigns.
With the windup of the Prairie Cattle Company in 1917, there are no more
big herds left in the valley. This has been due to the coming in of settlers who
have gradually extended their fence lines farther and farther away from the
river on each side, reducing the amount of available range to a point where the
running of big herds was no longer practical.
The trail no longer exists, and the ranges that had in those days grazed from
200,000 to 400,000 cattle are today being occupied by the stock farmers and
herds of from 50 to 150 head, and even smaller. In these late days the stock
association has become a strictly business organization. It is maintained prin-
cipally for the purpose of cooperating with other associations throughout the
state in protecting the cattle industry as a whole.
IN THE UNCOMPAHGRE
T. W. Monell has written thus briefly the history of the "Cowmen in the
Uncompahgre" :
"In the early days the cattle herds were run in the mountains in the summer
time, where the grass was more abundant and nutritious than along the rivers
in the bottoms, while the families were left in the valleys. During those early
years the cattle were forced to rustle for themselves during the winter months,
but gradually, as safety was assured, the farmer came in and took up the winter
ranges of the cowmen. At first it looked like a hardship to the cattle owners, but
it has proven the greatest indirect blessing the live stock business could receive.
It did not take the cowman long to discover that it paid him to purchase hay
from the farmers and feed his cattle during the winter, and thus there was cre-
ated a demand for the alfalfa crop, which became the chief cattle feed.
"The coming of the farmer sounded the death knell of the 'longhorn,' which,
up to that time, had been the principal class of cattle run in the mountain ranges.
The stockman soon found that it did not pay to put good feed into the long-
legged, long-horned animals, and they began to jmprove their herds. Better bulls
were in demand, and the place of the longhorn was speedily taken by the improved
breeds of Shorthorns, Herefords, Red Poll, Polled Angus and Galloways, pro-
ducing a beef animal at one year of age which equalled or excelled the longhorn
at four years of age.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 523
"Inhabited by the Ute Indians until the '8os, the valleys of the Muddy and
Paradox, tributary streams, were first located and settled by the cowmen, James
P. Galloway, coming from Del Norte, and Thomas 'Ray, from Utah. These men,
with their families, opened the great Paradox Valley in West Moutrose County.
Coming in by way of Sapinero, the Hartmans, Creighton, Savage and Collins de-
veloped the Muddy country. The cattle they took out from this country and
their stories of the possibilities of the Uncompahgre Valley had many settlers
ready to rush in before the Indians moved out. O. D. Loutzenheiser, one of the
original Packer crowd, began dealing with the soldiers in the valley and estab-
lished probably the first herd there with James A. Fenton and J. W. Smith
close to him. The real cow business, however, was outside the Indian lines.
R. H. Blake, the Warners and J. W. Tripler were located on the San Miguel
River near Naturita. With the removal of the Indians and the opening of the
valley to settlement a great influx of all classes of people began.
"True to their instincts, the cowmen became the real developers, growing feed
in the valleys for winter use and grazing their cattle during the summer in the
mountains, using only the best bred bulls. It was natural that, in a short time,
this valley should have a national reputation for the quality of its beef cattle.
The winter feeding of the cattle herds so enriched the soil of the farms that
the agricultural production exceeded from four to seven times the average of
the United States.
"It was soon discovered that the soils of this section were rich in mineral
salts, but lacking in humus and nitrogen, and had growing on them the essentials
to make perfect crops, i. e., alfalfa.
"All of the farmers of this section who have made state and national repu-
tations for the production of wheat, oats, barley, beets and potatoes were orig-
inally— and many of them are yet — in the cattle business. Some of the most
successful bankers and business men of the county started in the cattle business.
A few years ago Al A. Neale, of Montrose, brought honor and credit to the entire
State of Colorado when he won the grand championship at the International
Live Stock Exposition at Chicago two years in succession with his splendid
Shorthorn calves, and the fourth time he exhibited he won the purple ribbon
again."
IN THE ROARING FORK VALLEY
Among the first to engage in the cattle business in the Roaring Fork Valley
was John C. Eames, of New York. He came into the valley with a herd of cat-
tle purchased near Denver, in the spring of 1880. The Roaring Fork and its
tributaries, Crystal River, "Frying Pan, Sopris Creek and others, provided an
ideal grazing country for cattle, and about the summer of 1882 quite a number
of settlers came in and went into the cattle business in a small way. Among
them were A. B. Foster, M. H. McLaughlin. M. L. Shippie, Horace Gavin, S. P.
Sloss, G. W. King, C. H. Harris, Fred Light and B. Bourg. Most of these
pioneers met success in a small way from the beginning, and, with the exception
of a few of them, are still located in the valley and are classed among the suc-
cessful men in the cattle business.
About the summer of 1883 Ed Banning of Carbondale drove in a bunch of
524 HISTORY OF COLORADO
cattle from the Eastern Slope and located in the valley. About the same time
J. W. Zimmerman, James T. Dalton and H. B. Gillespie started in the business.
During the summer of 1885 or '86 Reef and Nuckols brought in the first
large herd of cattle to this section. They were southern steers and were grazed
upon the ranges in this section, and used to supply the mining camp of Aspen
with beef. Later this firm moved their cattle north of the Grand River and were
extensive cattle producers for a number of years.
Eugene and Lloyd Grubb acquired a ranch on the Crystal River near Car-
bondale in 1885. Later Lloyd Grubb secured a ranch of his own east of the Roar-
ing Fork, which he sold a few years ago at a good price and moved to California,
where he is now located. Eugene Grubb still continues on his fine ranch at the
foot of Mt. Sopris.
THE COMING OF THE HEREFORD
T. L. Miller of Beecher, Illinois, the dominant spirit of the Breeders' Live
Stock Association (the forerunner of the American Hereford Cattle Breeders'
Association), is probably the man entitled to the credit of introducing the first
Herefords into Colorado. There are no available data to establish the exact date
when the first Hereford made its appearance in this state, but it was probably
about, or just before, the year 1870. Mr. Miller sold three Hereford bulls in 1873
to John Zweek of Longmont, Colorado. In 1874 he shipped more Hereford bulls
to Denver, which were sold to Colorado ranchmen. Wherever tried the Hereford
blood made good and became popular from the very first on the Colorado ranges.
Perhaps the leading herd of Herefords in the state in 1893 was George H.
Adams' herd at Crestone, in the San Luis Valley. He operated a very select
registered Hereford herd on the Baca grant of very high quality, in addition to
a large grade herd. In 1898, to improve and increase his already noted herd, he
attended the memorable sale of C. S. Cross of Sunny Slope Farm, Emporia,
Kansas, where 144 head of imported and home-grown registered Herefords sold
for an average of $407 per head. Mr. Adams bought twenty head of the best
females in the sale, at an average of over five hundred dollars per head. In the
fall of the same year he was one of the sixteen exhibitors at the Omaha Expo-
sition, which was the largest and best display of its kind ever seen in the United
States up to that time. The first list of members published in the American
Hereford Record was in Volume 5, published in 1886. There were something
less than three hundred and fifty members in all the United States and Canada
at that time. Of this number the following were listed from Colorado : Elliott &
Company, Del Norte ; Ewart & Hart, Estes Park ; A. D. Gifford, Loveland ; A. D.
Hudnall, West Las Animas; W. E. James, Estes Park; J. W. Prowers, Jr.,
West Las Animas ; R. M. Moore, West Las Animas ; P. J. Pauly & Son, Estes
Park, and E. R. Sizer, Wigwam — nine members. In 1900 this number had in-
creased to twenty-six members from Colorado. The last list contains the names
of ninety members who have registered or transferred Herefords since January
I, 1914.
THE NATIONAL LIVE STOCK SHOW
It was a little over nineteen years ago that the first event which led to the
final building of what is now known as "The National Western Stock Show"
HISTORY OF COLORADO 525
took place. In the fall of 1898 some of the stockmen who lived around Denver
decided that, as the National Live Stock Association was to hold its second an-
nual meeting in Denver, there should be some kind of an exhibition of live stock,
and, accordingly, committees were appointed and plans were made for "The
National Exhibition of Range Cattle," and on January 24, 25, 26 and 27, 1899,
this first stock show was pulled off at the Denver Union Stock Yards. The show
consisted entirely of feeder cattle in carloads, and some thirty-five loads of very
good cattle, as cattle ran in those days, were on exhibition, and all kinds of pre-
miums were contributed by Denver merchants and others, together with some
special silver medals, which were awarded to the lucky exhibitors.
In 1905, when former Governor E. M. Ammons became the president of the
Colorado Cattle Growers' Association, he made a strong plea for the establish-
ment of another stock show, and during that summer and fall the matter was
taken up by officers of the association, committees were appointed, the hat was
passed for subscriptions, and in January, 1906, the "Denver Fat Stock and
Feeder Show" was held.
Within a very few weeks after this first successful show several meetings
were held, and it was decided to incorporate the Western Stock Show Associa-
tion, with these charter members: E. M. Ammons, F. W. Boot, Clyde B. Ste-
vens, W. L. Carlyle, Jose P. Adams, Fred P. Johnson, William M. Springer,
Harry Petrie, L. F. Twitchell, A. J. Campion, John H. Fesler, C. E. Stubbs, J.
F. Vallery, E. Bosserman, Gordon Jones, John Grattan and I. N. Moberly.
The new brick barn and the big tent were used to hold the exhibits of indi-
vidual and breeding animals, and the carloads were placed in the pens in the
stock yards, as before. The second show was an even greater success than the
first, and upon its conclusion immediate steps were taken to make the third show
even larger.
For the third show the stock yards company erected a large shed for stabling
the cattle and built an open frame stadium, enclosing a large amphitheater, and
over this was placed the top of the big tent in which the second show had been
held.
Strong pressure was now brought to bear upon the stock yards interests to
construct such suitable buildings as were really necessary to make this annual
midwinter exhibition more comfortable. Negotiations with the stock yards
company resulted in an agreement that if the show association would agree to
put up a guarantee fund to warrant the continuance of the show for at least ten
years the company would erect an amphitheater sufficient for the requirements
of the exposition. This was promptly agreed to.
The fourth annual show opened in the new building in January, 1909. In
addition to this monster amphitheater, which had cost the stock yards company
over two hundred thousand dollars, the only other buildings were the two-story
brick barn and the frame shed erected the year before. This proved sufficient,
however, and the fourth show was the real thing in stock shows, and from that
time on the great National Show at Denver was an assured institution. At the
fourth show the National Western Horse Show became a settled department of
the annual exhibition, and for the first time the association was able to hold
night shows at which the fine horses from all over the United States were ex-
hibited in harness.
526 HISTORY OF COLORADO
For the fifth show the stock yards company yielded to the insistent demands
of the stock show association for more buildings, and erected a three-story
barn and club house. At the fifth show the two upper floors of the new building
were used for cattle and the bottom floor for horses.
From that time on there has been a steady development in the annual ex-
hibition. The feed and forage exhibit which was added at the fourth show de-
veloped into a great agricultural exhibit. At the sixth" show the poultrymen
came into their own with a National Western Poultry Show, and at the ninth
show dairy cattle made their first appearance, together with a baby health con-
test, and the show had become a great midwinter fair.
THE STOCK YARDS AND THE PACKING INDUSTRY
The first cattle brought into Denver were driven to the old Bull Head corral
down on what is now known as Wazee Street, between i6th and I7th streets.
As the town grew, other yards were built at Broadway and Cherry Creek, along
in the early '705. Later on the yards were crowded out to 35th and Wazee
streets, where is now located the Colorado Iron Works. This was the first place
in Denver where cattle were unloaded from railroad cars. The further exten-
sion of the city lines forced the yards out still farther to a point about a quarter
of a mile south of the present location, which new location was soon outgrown.
John Clough, who bought and traded in cattle, had become interested in the
yards at this time. He bought some ground from J. Farley on the present site
of the yards and put up some pens along the bank of the South Platte in 1880.
The Union Pacific built into the yards immediately, and the Burlington followed
in the early part of 1882.
The first incorporation of the stock yards was in 1881, under the name of the
Denver Union Stock Yards Company, by John A. Clough, Jacob Scherrer, F. P.
Ernest, J. A. Cooper, J. M. Wilson, William B. Mills and Samuel E. Wetzel. In
1885 the yards were taken over by the Kansas City Stock Yards Company and
reincorporated as the Denver Union Stock Yard Company. This was really the
first important event in connection with the yards, and drew attention to the
fact that there might be some future to the business of the yards in Denver.
About this time George W. Ballantine became associated with the company
as general manager and continued as its active head for twenty-eight years, re-
tiring from the presidency in January, 1915.
Live stock markets are plants of slow growth and cannot be expected to
develop faster thqn the country which they are designed to serve. Some slaugh-
tering was done nearby. Smith Brothers were among the first, with a plant
located about where the present Smith Brothers' plant now stands, and were
the first to kill hogs, shipping them in from eastern Nebraska and Missouri River
markets. Walters & Aicher had a small plant across the river from Smith Broth-
ers. Hofrer Brothers built a slaughtering place about on the present site of the
Swift plant, and near that Pete Schaefer had a little place.
Hoffer Brothers' plant was taken over by Burkhardt & Mills along about
1881, and was run for awhile by them and became known as the B. & M. Packing
House. About 1880 Andy Campion became interested with Mills in the plant,
and it continued to be operated as the B. & M. Henry Gebhard was more or
HISTORY OF COLORADO 527
jess interested in the slaughtering business, having been for a short time con-
nected with the B. & M. concern, and conceived the idea of building a plant of
his own. He succeeded in interesting George Benkelman and Alfred Butters in
the proposition, and together they established the Colorado Packing & Provision
Company, which was opened for business in 1892. This was the first big boost
Denver received in the packing line, which gave the industry a start and kept
it going.
The packing industry got another big lift when Charles Boettcher and Col.
D. C. Dodge, in 1903, built and opened for business the plant of the Western
Packing Company. The Coffin Packing & Provision Company, of which W. N*
W. Blayney is now the president, was organized in 1904, and its business has
grown abreast of the market.
Up to the time the Colorado plant was opened the demand for killing stock
at the Denver stock yards was only nominal and no real market could be said to
exist, but with the demand of the "Western Packing Company added to that of
the Colorado plant an interest was created which led to the purchase of both
plants and the stock yards property by the National Packing Company.
While the live stock and packing industry in Denver showed very substantial
growth from 1906, when the National Packing Company became interested in
Denver, the greatest evidence of permanent development has been apparent since
the big firms of Armour & Company and Swift & Company took over the pack-
ing plants of the Western Packing Company and the Colorado Packing & Pro-
vision Company and became directly identified with the market in 1912.
ON THE WHITE RIVER AND ON THE BEAR
In the '705 the Indian Bureau drove a herd of cattle to the White River
agency to supply beef to the Utes, using only the increase for that purpose. Not
alone was this need filled but the cattle became the nucleus of other herds in the
Snake River country. The rich grasses of the White River country soon gave
Denver its best beef, save the corn-fed, which, of course, was always superior.
The Snake River beef was often on the market when Plains cattle were too thin
to kill.
The "Bear River" cattle also soon commanded a premium on the Denver
market — and this meant practically all of Routt County — that is the Bear River
valley and the tributaries. In the early '903 the stockmen had already become
powerful and when in 1894 a "sheep" invasion was threatened from Wyoming
there was a determined movement to stop it. But this was no sooner settled when
the old fight between the range man and the settler began. Perhaps the largest
herds were known as the "two bar" outfit, owned by Ora Holey, who has since
sold his holdings, and today the Careys have the largest and finest herds.
It was the custom before the advent of the railroad to trail the herds through
Egeria Park on their way to the lower ranges and return them in about three
summers, in prime condition. Cattlemen say that grass in the Aspen groves
was high enough to hide cattle, and that as soon as the snow started to melt in
the spring cattle could get enough grass on the bare patches to keep them going
until new grass came. The early range is now fenced in.
Alex Gray, John Trull and Jerry McWilliams have done much for the indus-
528 HISTORY OF COLORADO
try by their importation of pedigreed Shorthorns. But the Careys, on their model
ranch below Hay den, have sold bulls all over the west from their fine Shorthorn
herd.
Among the pioneers who have developed the industry in that country are
the Dunckley Brothers, the Male Brothers, Mark Choate, Arnold Powell, Riley
Wilson, W. E. Wheeler and Dave and Franz Chapman.
STOCK RAISING' IN THE SAN LUIS VALLEY
Coronado in 1541 was perhaps the first man to carry domesticated cattle
into this region. In 1765 Ribera came with a few head, Escalante too, carried
some live stock into the Rio Dolores and Gunnison country. It is quite certain
that many of the herds of "wild horses" and of Indian ponies are the direct de-
scendants of horses that escaped from the Rio Grande communities in New
Mexico. The cattle too strayed and soon joined and were "eugenically" swal-
lowed up by the buffalo herds.
When General Pike was captured in the San Luis Valley and taken to Santa
Fe he found that the small New Mexican communities through which he passed
were shipping 30,000 head of sheep to Mexico annually, and even a larger num-
ber of cattle.
The first attempt to settle and to raise live stock in the San Luis Valley was
in 1842, when the Mexican land grant in Conejos, or Taos County, New Mexico,"
as it was then called, was taken possession of by its owners. "Eighty-three heads
of families" were on the ground and promised to "occupy and cultivate the lands,
raise stock, etc." Thus, it appears that stock raising was a prerequisite to settle-
ment. The first attempt failed as the Indians resented the coming of the Mexi-
cans. But in 1849 another settlement was made in Costilla and in 1854 in Cone-
jos. This latter was the Mexican colony headed by Maj. Lafayette Head, a
former Missourian and later a celebrated legislator. From this time dates the
beginning of the cattle and sheep-raising industry of the San Luis Valley.
The Government in the summer of 1852 built Fort Massachusetts, a few miles
above the present site of Fort Garland, within easy access of the first Mexican
settlements in Conejos and on the Greenhorn. In 1858 this fort was abandoned
and Fort Garland was erected on the present site of the town of that name.
Governor Gilpin in his contest for the Sangre de Cristo grant, began adver-
tising the country in the early '6os as the greatest stock-raising area in the United
States.
In 1864 the San Luis Valley was visited by Allen A. Bradford, later territorial
delegate to Congress, then associate justice of the Supreme Court, and in a letter
to Governor Gilpin he says : "I learned that stock to the amount of 50,000 head
were owned by people on the Sangre de Cristo grant." In 1862 Bishop Sampson
in a letter to the Christian Advocate says of the cattle raised by the Mexicans
in San Luis Park: "Cattle refuse to eat hay in the winter when they can have
access to the dry grass of the plains. Beef cattle that have not been fed a pound
of grain or hay are very frequently brought to market even in winter."
Sheep raising was also carried on in these early years, and in a letter written
in 1867 by C. D. Hendron, from San Luis, then a Mexican town of perhaps
three hundred, he says : "Ewes can be bought here for $2 per head ; a boy can
HISTORY OF COLORADO 529
easily herd 1,000 at a cost of $10 per month, to include board and buckskin cloth-
ing. In the months of April and May when the lambs are dropped, small boys
are employed — say four to one thousand sheep — to take care of the young lambs.
These boys are hired at about twenty-five to fifty cents each per day. Shearing
also commences at or about this time. The shearers receive one sheep for every
hundred they shear. Cattle or sheep are never fed during winter, but thrive
and fatten on the nutritious grasses which the plains and valleys afford."
And so it was. Even before 1860 the New Mexican cattle and sheep men
drove their horses and mules, their hogs and sheep, in fact all their live stock,
into the San Luis Valley and grazed them there upon the rich public domain.
In 1861 the Territorial Legislature made this unlawful and limited the grazing
right to owners and residents of the counties. In 1867 the shipment of Texas
cattle had become so extensive that the Legislature, for some reason that cannot
be plausibly explained today, prohibited the traffic. This proved a dead letter,
and the importation continued on an even larger scale.
In the '703 the cattle industry took on vast proportions. The finest "freight-
ing" oxen in the country were raised here, ariH when the railroad reached Ala-
mosa in 1878 fully a thousand Mexicans started freighting in all directions with
yokes of oxen, running as high as twenty-eight head for one wagon and trailer.
The history of the early big herds in the San Luis Valley is in many cases a
story of "mavericks." Old John Chisholm and his brother (in the "Twitchell
History of New Mexico" this is spelled Chisum) had herds running up to sixty
thousand head, and while their range was largely in the Pecos Valley, parts of
the herds strayed into the southern end of the San Luis Valley. But the whole
region was filled with cattle thieves and outlaws, "the worst of these," says Em-
erson Hough in his "Story of the Cowboy" "being under the leadership of Billy
the Kid, who died at the ripe age of twenty-three, and at that time had killed
twenty-three men, committing his first murder when he was but fourteen years
of age."
During what is known as New Mexico's "Lincoln County cattle war" many
head were driven north and became the nucleus of herds owned by Mexicans in
Colorado.
It was not long before the big cattle kings, both Mexican and American, began
to buy up these herds, and thus in the '8os the industry took tremendous strides
forward.
The Mexicans had for decades fed small herds of cattle on the field pea in
the San Luis Valley, but the advent of the railroad in 1878 brought the stock-
growers to a realization of the. value of this vegetable for cattle, sheep and hog
raising on a large scale. The investments of T. C. Henry for the Travelers In-
surance Company, made first in 1883, gave the entire San Luis Valley another
great advance in the stock-raising industry. There had been until this time much
feeding of thousands of range cattle brought from Texas, and not alone fattened,
but changed by the climate and the feed to a richer color from what in Texas
had been a very light red. Here as elsewhere, except on the vast old Mexican
grants, the settlements soon put an end to the big herds. But the scientific stock
raising of the present day had its real beginnings in the splendid irrigation projects
and in the accidental discovery of the first artesian well about eight miles below
Alamosa by workmen employed under T. C. Henry. Today there are about
530
HISTORY OF COLORADO
four thousand of these wells, some of them having sufficient flow to irrigate forty
acres of land.
The discovery that the field pea, which turns mouldy under the hot sun in
the east, here thrives and has ideal feeding qualities, has made the entire San
Luis Valley a great live stock "fattening" district.
An acre of peas will fatten more lambs than an acre of corn, with less than
one-tenth of the labor. The lambs to be fattened are simply turned into the
fields in the early winter. They eat the cured vines as hay, and eat the peas as
grain. All the attendant has to do is to see that they eat up the feed clean as they
go, see that they have water, and keep dogs and coyotes away. In sixty to ninety
days the lambs are finished, ready to go en the eastern markets, where they
bring the highest prices paid.
Hogs as well as lambs are fattened on field peas. In the cool climate of the
San Luis Valley hog cholera and swine plague are absolutely unknown. Enor-
mous crops of roots are raised as maintenance crops for herds of swine, to be
finished off on field peas. Pea-fattened pork is of the highest quality, especially
for butchering and bacon making, and the exceptionally healthful conditions
under which the hogs are raised and fattened puts San Luis Valley pork products
almost in the line of fancy articles. Denver and Pueblo packers are now paying
from 10 cents to 15 cents per hundredweight more for pea-fed hogs than for
hogs of the same grade fattened on corn.
The San Luis records of lamb, sheep and hog shipments show a continuous
and enormous growth.
LIVE STOCK STATISTICS
The following figures are from the Government census reports, and give in
number and values the records of the industry :
LIVE STOCK ON HAND
Year
1870 . .
1880 ..
1890 ..
6,446 1,173
.42,257 2,58l
155,170 7,139
5,566
2,080
1,282
25,017
28,770
76,948
40,153
315,989
639,631
5,509 120,928 $2,871,102
7,656 746,443 8,703.342
64,358 717,990 22,594,010
The valuation of all live stock in 1900 was $49,954,311 ; and in 1910 it was
$70,161,344.
HORSES AND MULES.
248,843
1910 312,007
1911 328,000
1912 338,000
1913 341,000
I9H 357,ooo
1915 365,000
1916 380,000
1917 (January ist) 385,000
$ 7,686,283
29,318,193
29,448,000
27,380,000
29,905,000
29,988,000
31,295,000
34,409,000
36,025,000
HISTORY OF COLORADO
531
CATTLE
1,433,318
1,127,737
1,133,000
1912 1,088,000
1913 1,093,000
1914 1,135,000
1915 1,201,000
1916 i,3i5»«»
1917 (January ist) 1,387,000
SHEEP
1900 2,044,814
1910 1,426,214
191 1 1,61 1,000
1912 ,579,00°
1913 ,737,00°
1914 ,668,000
1915 .751 »ooo
1916 ,839,000
1917 ,950,00°
SWINE
IOXX) 101,198
1910 179.294
1911 215,000
1912 2II,OOO
1913 205,000
1914 205,000
1915 256,000
1916 320,000
1917 352,000
$35,532,738
31,017,303
31,329,000
33,269,000
40,660,000
49,678,000
57,465,000
64,869,000
68,825,000
$ 5,584,897
6,856,187
5,800,000
4,737,000
6,253,000
6,172,000
7,704,000
9,563,000
14,625,000
$ 482,722
1,568,158
2,107,000
1,688,000
2,255,000
2,152,000
2,688,000
3,624,000
4,224,000
Colorado's wool clip in 1870 was 204,925 Ibs. ; in 1880 it was 3,197,391 Ibs. ; in
1800 it was 3,334,234 Ibs. The wool product -in 1916 was 8,400,000 Ibs., which
sold at an average price of 25.2 cents. This compared with the output of
7,800,000 Ibs. in 1915, for which 21.2 cents was paid.
THE STATE CATTLE GROWERS' ASSOCIATION
The "Colorado Stock Growers' Association" was established in 1867 and was
largely to prevent stealing of cattle. But it was not effective and no concerted
effort at securing protective legislation was made until November 10, 1871, when
a second Colorado Stock Growers' Association was formed. At the meeting,
held in Denver, January 19, 1872, both the Wyoming Grazers' Association and the
532 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Southern Colorado Stock Growers' Association were represented. And thus
with the cooperation of practically all the cattlemen in this territory and region
the first measures for adequate protection were framed and submitted and passed
by the Legislature. Roundups were regulated, recording of brands was pro-
vided for, which has now been perfected. In 1876 the Colorado Stock Growers'
Association changed its name to the Colorado Cattle Growers' Association. This
went out of existence in 1897, when the National Live Stock Association was
organized in Denver by the cattlemen of the country.
On the question of the leasing of the public domain to the cattlemen there
was a split-up after the Fort Worth convention in 1899, where favorable action
was taken. In 1900 the Colorado Cattle and Horse Growers' Association was
formed as a distinctive Western Slope organization fighting the leasing propo-
sition.
In 1900 the two factions in the national field divided and the American Cattle
Growers' Association was formed, merging a year later into the old fold under
the joint name of the "American National Live Stock Association."
In 1905 the State Cattle Growers' Association was formed, composed alto-
gether of men who were both farmers and stock growers.
CHAPTER XXVI , •
HOW COLORADO WON BEET SUGAR LEADERSHIP
CONDITION OF THE INDUSTRY WHEN MOVEMENT STARTED IN THIS STATE NATIONAL
PRODUCTION BY YEARS GROWTH IN NUMBER OF FACTORIES THROUGHOUT THE
NATION — HOW IRRIGATION'S BENEFITS WERE DISCOVERED — SUCCESS IN UTAH
STIRS UP WESTERN SLOPE CHARLES S. BOETTCHER AND JOHN CAMPION HELP
ALONG THE INDUSTRY WHAT THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE WAS DOING SHIP-
PING THE FIRST BEETS TO NEBRASKA THE FAILURE AT GRAND JUNCTION SUC-
CESS FOLLOWED WITH EXPERIENCE — THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY —
HAVEMEYERS COME INTO THE FIELD — THE AMERICAN BEET SUGAR COMPANY
THE OXNARDS THE NATIONAL — THE HOLLY SUGAR CORPORATION.
The condition of the beet sugar industry in the United States when the
movement for the erection of factories started in Colorado, was not exceptionally
favorable. The entire capacity was not much more than thirty-five hundred tons,
and the factories were able to extract only approximately n per cent of sugar
from the gross weight of the beets. The extraction now is from 15 to 17 per
cent. In the official report. in 1897 by Charles F. Saylor, special agent and in-
vestigator of the sugar beet industry, he said :
"In Europe farmers are required to do a great deal of fertilizing, while in
this country we have sufficient lands to produce our sugar without fertilization —
lands which will excel the production of Europe, both in tonnage and percentage
of sugar and purity of beets; and now that Congress has arranged for a pro-
tective tariff, having in view the fostering of the beet sugar industry, extensive
experiments are being carried on in various parts of the United States in the
culture and test of sugar beets. There can be but one answer to the question
as to whether this country will eventually manufacture its sugar. We not only
think that it will manufacture the hundred million dollars' worth of sugar that
we now purchase, but we feel safe in predicting that, in this industry, history
will repeat itself, and the United States will be offering its sugar to the other
countries of the world at a profit."
In the year 1897 there were in operation the two Oxnard factories at Grand
Island and Norfolk, Nebraska; the Lehi, Utah, factory, operated by the Mor-
mons; and the four California factories at Alvarado, Watsonville, a Spreckles
concern, at Chino, an Oxnard factory, and one at Los Alamitos, controlled by
W. A. Clark and J. Ross Clark of Montana. Aside from these there was a
small factory at Eddy in the Pecos Valley, New Mexico, and one at Rome, New
York, the latter just opening up. Oxnard, California, was also in process of
construction.
533
534 HISTORY OF COLORADO
By 1900 thirty-one factories were in operation. By the winter of 1901 eleven
additional factories were opened up. Expansion continued until 1906. After a
building respite of several years eleven new factories were built in 1911 and
1912. In 1914 there were seventy-eight beet sugar factories in the United States,
located in seventeen states, Colorado and Michigan leading, each with sixteen;
California had thirteen and Utah seven.
The work of the sugar companies took them far afield from the domain of
manufacturing sugar. They became involved in every phase of the farmer's. life
and problems. Irrigation systems depending on direct irrigation found them-
selves not infrequently without water at critical stages of the crop development
and the irrigation systems of the state had to complete tremendous water storage
reservoirs, and not infrequently these extensions had to be financed by the sugar
companies.
In those early days of the beet sugar industry the companies had to erect their
factories, finance the planters as to seed and labor, bolster up and perfect defec-
tive canal systems, provide frequently implements of tillage peculiar to the in-
dustry, and also keep in bank available a working capital equivalent to 35 per
cent of their total investment.
During these early days of struggle and constantly increasing investment the
price of sugar was steadily declining and there was an incessant clamor for a
higher price for beets. Nor was the course of affairs at the nation's capital such
as to make easy the minds of those who had invested in the securities of the sugar
companies.
Cane sugar from the Philippines, Hawaiian Islands and Porto Rico obtained
entry into the United States duty free, and Cuba, the greatest producer of cane
sugar, had been given a 20 per cent reduction of the tariff. German beet sugar
producers were being paid bounties on all sugar exported, enabling them to de-
liver raw sugar (88 per cent) in London at $1.50 per hundred pounds.
Some relief was afforded by the Brussels Conference in 1903, at which boun-
ties were abolished. The price of raw sugar immediately rose to $2 per cwt. in
London ; in May, 1904, it went to $2.33 and in September, 1904, the price was
$2.72, and in December of that year reached $3.50.
But in spite of all obstacles and handicaps the American beet sugar industry
was making steady growth, winning its fight. By 1916 there were 665,000 acres
devoted to sugar beets, and seventy-four factories made 822,887 tons of sugar.
The investment of approximately fifteen million dollars in construction of
fifteen new sugar factories in 1917 indicates what shrewd investors think of the
future of the beet sugar industry in the United States.
The total number of sugar factories in this country is now, January i, 1918,
ninety-nine. Utah leads in new construction with four; California, Idaho and
Montana with two each ; Iowa, Washington, Wyoming and Colorado with one
each.
Prior to the war, in 1914, Europe had 1,254 sugar factories; Germany, 341 ;
Russia, 294; France, 208; Austria, 201 ; Belgium, 68; Italy, 39; Spain, 31 ; Hol-
land, 27; Sweden, 21; Denmark, 9; Rumania, 6; Serbia, 3; Bulgaria, 3; Eng-
land, Switzerland and Greece one each.
It should be noted, however, in connection with the European sugar factories
that they do not compare in size or in economy of operation with the factories
536 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of Colorado. Most of them are very old and do not slice over a third as many
beets as a new mill in this state. Besides this, most of them do not refine the
sugar, whereas the western mills of the United States turn out the very finest
granulated sugar.
Europe builds for permanency and the Europeans hate to scrap a building
and its machinery, even after they have become obsolete. Well informed sugar
men assert that when the time comes to rebuild the sugar factories that have
been destroyed in the war zone there will be erected such factories as will match
the best in the world. Their destruction will not have been an unmitigated evil,
as the new mills will in time save in economy of operation their cost of con-
struction.
Not all the beet sugar factories are old. Many of those in Germany are of
the latest pattern and up to date in every respect. The ninety-nine sugar fac-
tories in the United States are probably equivalent in slicing capacity to 300
European mills.
Colorado now leads all the states in beet sugar production with about 31
per cent of the total crop. The table below shows the source of beet sugar sup-
ply in the United States, the percentages given being approximate:
No. of
State Per cent Factories
Colorado 31 16
California 22 15
Michigan 15 16
Utah 10 15
Idaho .6 7
Ohio 4 5
Other states 12 25
In 1891 some California beet growers irrigated their beets. The sugar factory
management thereupon issued a printed notice to the effect that irrigated beets
would not be received. The farmers were stubborn and persisted in the irrigation
of the crop and at the end of the season it was found that the beets were both
high in sugar and heavy in tonnage.
Now more than half of the beet crop of the United States is grown under
irrigation and sugar production has been a potent factor in opening up to settle-
ment large areas of western desert lands.
The annual production of beet sugar in the United States from 1889 to 1915
follows :
Year Short tons
1889-1890 2,467
1800-1891 3,874
1891-1892 5,999
1892-1893 13,460
1893-1894 22,344
1894-1895 22,503
1895-1896 32,746
HISTORY OF COLORADO 537
Year Short tons
1896-1897 42,040
1897-1898 45,246
1898-1899 36,361
1899-1900 81,729
1900-1901 68,082
1901-1902 184,606
1902-1903 218,406
1903-1904 240,604
1904-1905 242,113
1905-1906 312,921
1906-1907 483,612
1907-1908 463,628
1908-1909 425,884
1909-1910 509,655
1910-191 1 510,821
1911-1912 585,380
1912-1913 688,174
1913-1914 726,764
1914-1915 722,054
For 1916-1917 the tonnage of sugar beets in Colorado was 1,801,580.
Federal tariffs, and in some instances, state bounties, greatly stimulate the
industry.
In Colorado the acreage and the average yield per acre since 1904 is as follows :
Average yield per
Year Acreage acre — short tons
1904 44,456 12.38
1905 85,916 10.19
1906 1 10,943 13.41
1907 127,678 1 1.93
1908 119,475 9-28
1909 121,698 10.33
1910 81,412 10.62
1911 86,437 11.07
1912 144,999 JI-32
1913 168,410 10.93
1914 135,400 12.60
1915 171,222 11.03
For the year 1917 the acreage was 157,817 and the average yield was 11.43
short tons per acre.
The beginnings of the sugar beet industry in Colorado have a close relation-
ship to those of Utah, for it was at Grand Junction, near the Utah line, that
the first factory was built.
A few men in that Western Slope town had been watching the Utah experi-
ments, which succeeded only after long years of patient and persevering labor.
538 HISTORY OF COLORADO
As early as 1850 Brigham Young, in his anxiety to supply his people with home
industries and with the sugar that they needed, had sent a delegation to France,
and this committee brought by ox teams across the plains some very crude ma-
chinery of the open-kettle type. The father of Senator Reed Smoot was super-
intendent of the first sugar mill of which he later said : ''That is about the only
failure I ever made in my life." There was no means of polarizing the beets,
and the only thing produced was what is today called "macerate," or the entire
mass of the material. This they ate, but with no great relish, for while it was
sugary it "almost took off the end of the tongue," as Mr. Smoot put it.
Until 1865 the price of sugar at Salt Lake City was $i per pound, so that
the Utah experiments were continued despite apparent failure.
As far back as 1871 the experimental work with sugar beets began in Colo-
rado, and in 1872 a bill to pay a bounty of $10,000 to the first successfully oper-
ated beet sugar factory was defeated by one vote. The promoters of that period,
however, formed a company, of which the principal directors and officials were
James Archer, H. P. Bennett, Fred Z. Salomon, H. G. Bond, Henry Crow, Charles
W. Perry, F. L. Schirmer, George C. Schleier, Wellington G. Sprague, Peter
Magnus, and Phillip Trounstine. While approximately thirty thousand dollars
was raised, it was insufficient for the enterprise, and so the company gave up the
project.
Not until 1891 was the first actual working factory built at Lehi by what was
then called the Utah Sugar Company, finally merged into the Utah-Idaho Sugar
Company. This almost proved disastrous. People refused to buy stock, and the
farmers did not want to raise beets. In that first year the Government paid a
two cent bounty on sugar, and Utah paid a One cent bounty. Despite this, it cost
9 cents per pound to manufacture that first sugar, which amounted to 500 tons.
For three years it was a struggle. After this the agricultural problem was
at least partially solved, and so the project grew to success. By 1898 the second
factory was started at Ogden.
By this time the agitation for sugar-beet culture in Colorado had developed
along several lines.
The value of such an industry to Colorado had first been shown by the
State Agricultural College, even before 1888, the date of the establishment of
the first experiment station. Plots of beets were grown on the college farm at
Fort Collins. These were carefully analyzed for sugar content and purity.
Later with the cooperation of the Department of Agriculture enough sugar-beet
seed was obtained from a German seedsman for distribution in small lots to five
of the main irrigating sections of the state. These crops were grown and the
analysis made by the Department of Agriculture showed sufficient sugar content
and purity to warrant the establishment of a factory.
Before the coming of the beet industry the state was growing grain and
engaging heavily in the cattle business, and the range was then more or less open.
In favorable localities the price of land ranged from $20 to $31 an acre, and
rotation of alfalfa was just beginning. The principal market for the farm prod-
ucts were local mills, either cooperative, built by the farmers or else built by
Denver capitalists. The potato industry around Greeley and in the San Luis
Vallev had iust developed and was offering a new crop for rotation.
With the advent of the beet industry there came first of all another new crop
HISTORY OF COLORADO 539
for rotation, a tremendously important factor in farming. This was followed by
pulp cattle- feeding, and land that formerly sold for $20 to $30 per acre went at
once to $150 and $200 an acre.
Beet culture has played a great part in the evolution of scientific farming
in Colorado. The better methods of cultivation in France and Germany were
imported and greater efficiency in agriculture resulted. The specialists in the
employ of the factories educated Colorado ranchers in beet culture and naturally
in systematic farming.
But these were the developments of the future. About 1898 John F. Campion
was president of the Denver Chamber of Commerce. He had made a vast for-
tune at Leadville and was ready and anxious to spend it in helpful ways for
Colorado. Through the foresight and interest of Charles S. Boettcher he be-
came deeply interested in the beet sugar movement, and secured its endorsement
by the Chamber of Commerce directors. The committee of the Denver Chamber
of Commerce which had the subject of the beet sugar industry in charge consisted
of Earl B. Coe, J. F. Callbreath, W. A. Hoover, I. N. Stevens, Charles F. Wil-
s/>n.
The Agricultural College was following up its experiments, and those of the
Federal agricultural department. On offers of seed to the farmers of the state
about fifty plantings were made in as many parts of the state in 1898. The re-
sults of these were on the whole unsatisfactory, for little was known concerning
beet culture. But in a few sections experiments had been followed by actual
crops. In fact as early as 1898 Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland shipped a
trainload of beets to Grand Island, where the Oxnards were operating a factory
successfully.
In these years (1897 and 1898) the agitation in Colorado had assumed such
proportions that construction of factories was assured. Prizes, much in the
nature of bonuses, were offered to the farmers of the state. The Denver Cham-
ber of Commerce put up $2,000, and to this the railroads added $4,000. In Grand
Junction the Western Colorado Beet Sugar Association was formed, with S. D.
Delan, of Glenwood Springs, as president, C. E. Mitchell, of Grand Junction,
secretary, and H. J. Holmes, of Glenwood Springs, treasurer. Under its auspices
successful experiments were conducted in nearly all the Western Slope counties.
In 1898, 1,200 acres had been signed up for the Grand Junction project, and
when all these facts were presented to John F. Campion and Charles S. Boettcher
in Denver they at once gave it not alone enthusiastic moral support but financial
aid as well. This made possible the erection of the first beet sugar factory in
Colorado, in 1899.
The factory at Grand Junction, while low in capacity — only 350 tons — was
equipped with Dyer Company machinery, the best in the market at that time.
But its failure in the first few years was due more to the fact that its promoters
had not mastered the agricultural requirements. There was a tendency, too, to
grow sugar beets on new lands ; in fact to open up these lands with the cultiva-
tion of this crop. The failure, which should have been foreseen by agricultural
advisers, was, of course, inevitable.
The original company was The Colorado Sugar Manufacturing Company,
and several of the men to whom the success of the industry in Colorado is due,
notably Charles S. Boettcher, were in this first project.
540 HISTORY OF COLORADO
In 1903 it was purchased by the Western Sugar Land Company, the stock of
which was owned almost altogether by J. R. McKennie, R. P. Davie, Verner Z.
Reed, all of Colorado, and Alfred Hand, of Scranton, Pennsylvania. The daily
capacity was increased to 600 tons, and in 1904 it bought 29,554 tons of beets. By
1911 this had grown to 56,069, although its banner year for the period was 1907,
when the tonnage was 67,002. For this period its yearly average was 50,280 tons.
Its production ranged from 4,809,400 pounds in 1904 to 11,102,400 in 1911, with
14,611,110 as the production in 1907. The acreage planted in 1904 was 3,733,
and in 1911 it was 6,290.
The Grand Junction factory gets its beets from Grand Junction to Colona
on the Ouray branch of the Denver & Rio Grande, and intermediate points;
from Grand Junction to Paonia on the Somerset branch; from Grand Junction
to Glenwood Springs; and from Grand Junction to Green River, Utah.
The Grand Junction Sugar Company, with a top-heavy capitalization of $2,-
000,000, went into the hands of a receiver two years ago, and is now under
lease to the Holly Sugar Company, giving this company two plants in Colorado.
THE GREAT WESTERN SUGAR COMPANY
In 1901 the first of what are now known as the Great Western group of
factories was erected by Colorado capital at Loveland. In this Charles S.
Boettcher and J. E. Kinney were heavily interested. Its title then was the
Great Western Sugar Company, and its capital stock was $1,000,000. The
capacity was 600 tons, and this was eventually enlarged to 1,200 tons. The
Eaton Sugar Company's factory was built in 1901, by a group of men headed
by W. D. Hoover, of Denver. In the same year the Greeley Sugar Company
began business, with Chester S. Morey as president.
At the close of that year the American Sugar Refining Company, better known
as the Havemeyer interests, came into the field, and first of all purchased the
Eaton Sugar Company, followed immediately by the purchase of a controlling
interest in the factories at Loveland and Greeley. Thus in 1903 the American
Sugar Refining Company controlled the Eaton Sugar Company, the Great West-
ern Sugar Company and the Greeley Sugar Company.
In 1903 the Windsor Sugar Company, which had been organized with a cap-
ital of $750,000 by W. D. Hoover and associates, sold a controlling interest to
the American Sugar Refining Company before the completion of the factory at
Windsor.
In 1903 the Longmont Sugar Company built the factory at Longmont. Of
this Chester S. Morey was president, its ownership being controlled by the new
eastern interests. The factory at Fort Collins was built by the Fort Collins
Sugar Company, and was put into operation in January, 1904. At that time
B. B. Hottel, of Fort Collins, was its president. This factory had a capacity of
1,200 tons at the very outset. This also was completed by the new eastern inter-
ests. Its first year was, however, disastrous, as it started too late, and much of
its beet supply rotted.
In his testimony before the Senate Finance Committee Mr. Morey thus
graphically describes this period:
"Rumors were pretty thick about the beet sugar business in those years. They
HISTORY OF COLORADO 541
were falling over each other to get locations, and every town that had 300 people
wanted a sugar factory. In fact all of them were circulating petitions for acre-
age."
The old company which built the factory at Loveland, was known as the
Great Western Sugar Company of Colorado. In 1905 the Great Western Sugar
Company was organized and incorporated in the State of New Jersey. This took
over all of the existing sugar factories in northern Colorado in which Charles S,
Boettcher, Chester S. Morey, of Denver, M. D. Thatcher, of Pueblo, Charles S.
Waterman, Henry M. Porter and associates and H. O. Havemeyer and the
American Sugar Refining Company were interested.
The capital stock was originally $20,000,000, $10,000,000 preferred and $10,-
000,000 common. This was later increased TO $15,000,000 each, or $30,000,000 in
all. The purchase of the properties included also the purchase of the Great West-
ern Railroad, to which in the last year part of the Denver, Laramie & North-
western has been added.
The company paid 7 per cent on preferred stock since 1905, and, since 1910,
5 per cent on the common.
In 1905 the factory at Sterling was constructed, followed in 1906 with those
at Brush and Fort Morgan, and in 1917 the latest Colorado plant was erected at
Brighton. The company in 1906 built the factory at Billings, Montana, and in
1910 that at Scottsbluff, Nebraska, was erected. The factories at Lovell, Wyo-
ming, Gering, Nebraska, Missoula, Montana, and Bayard, Nebraska, were built
in the preceding years. The factory at Lovell was a transfer of the plant at
Monte Vista.
In 1911 the company had 4,460 growers, who grew 97,484 acres; in 1917 at
its ten factories it harvested 119,200 acres and produced 370,000,000 pounds of
sugar.
The price paid to the farmer per ton for beets began with $4.50 for the
years 1901 to 1903 inclusive, with the exception of the Eaton factory, which paid
$5.00 at the beginning. Commencing with the year 1904 the price was $5 in all
localities up to and including the year 1906. In 1907 the price was the same with
the exception that 50 cents per ton extra was paid for all tonnage which was
silved. The silving of beets consists of placing the beets into piles about five
feet high, five feet wide, and of any desired length, and covering them with dirt
enough to protect the beets from freezing and thawing in order to deliver them
in good condition after the harvest work in the fields is finished. These prices
continued until 1910. In that year the contract was changed, so that the growers
were paid according to the sugar content. They received an increase of 25
cents per ton for each increase of i per cent in sugar content for all beets testing
15 per cent and above. This change resulted in an increase of from 31 to 88
cents per ton. In 1917 it paid from $6.50 to $8.00. For 1918 it will pay from
$8.37 to $9.75.
From 1901 to 191 1 the company, or its antecedent companies, purchased beets
to the value of $37,400,000. In 1917 it paid the farmers $10,362,000.
At the beginning of the beet sugar industry in the state it was necessary to
procure laborers from other states to work in the fields. The greater part of
these laborers were Germans, whose ancestors 200 years ago emigrated from
Germany to Russia, but retained their native language. In Russia these people
542 HISTORY OF COLORADO
were engaged in beet farming, so that they came to the fields in Colorado thor-
oughly equipped for the work.
The production of sugar ranged from 13,920,900 Ibs. in 1901-2 to 38,786,800
in 1902-3, and to 295,648,500 Ibs. in 1907-8 and to 264,194,300 in 1911-12. In
1917 it was 370,000,000 Ibs.
In 1901 the acreage was 5,610. In 1909-10 it was 98,095; in 1911-12 it was
83,059. In 1917 it was 119,200.
The Great Western Sugar Company has paid dividends regularly since the
consolidation in 1905. This was increased from 5 per cent to i$4 quarterly in
July, 1916. In July, 1917, an extra dividend of 10 per cent was paid. Moody's
Manual states in its 1917 issue that while the American Sugar Refining Company
holds a large interest, it does not control a majority of the stock.
Its officers in 1917 were: C. S. Morey, chairman; W. L. Petrikin, president;
W. S. Dixon, first vice president and general manager ; Charles Boettcher, second
vice president; S. M. Edgell, third vice president. The directors are the above
and John H. Porter, Godfrey Schirmer; E. R. Griffin, R. M. Booraem, S. D.
Seerie, M. D. Thatcher, Horace Havemeyer, and R. J. Marsh.
THE AMERICAN BEET SUGAR COMPANY
The American Beet Sugar Company, which owns the factories at Rocky
Ford. Lamar and Las Animas, in the Arkansas Valley, had its beginnings at
Grand Island, Nebraska, where Henry T. Oxnard with his brothers Robert, Ben-
jamin and James G., and W. Bayard and R. Fuller Cutting of New York, built
the first beet sugar factory in 1889. The machinery was brought over from Ger-
many. The Oxnard Brothers Company had operated a refinery in Brooklyn from
1876 to 1887, when it was bought out by the trust, the Oxnards getting $750,000
worth of trust certificates of the Sugar Refineries Company for their holdings.
The factory at Grand Island was built by the Oxnard Beet Sugar Company,
and aside from the Oxnards and the Cuttings the only other stockholder was
J. G. Hamilton. This plant cost $350,000, and had a capacity of 350 tons. In
1890 and 1891 the company built the factory at Norfolk, Nebraska, which was
later moved to Lamar, Colorado, and the one at Chino, California. In 1897-8
the largest plant of the company was built at Oxnard, California, with a capacity
of 2,500 tons. In 1899 tne American Beet Sugar Company was incorporated
under the laws of New Jersey, consolidating all the existing Oxnard companies.
In 1900 the factory at Rocky Ford was built, followed at once by that at Las
Animas. In 1906 the factory at Norfolk was moved to Lamar and greatly en-
larged. The capitalization of the American Beet Sugar Company was fixed at
$20,000,000, of which $5,000,000 is preferred.
The American Beet Sugar Company, with a capacity of 7,200 tons daily, broke
all records for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1917. Its gross revenues for
this period were $15,333,224, and net operating earnings $6,126,677. This com-
pared with earnings of $3,174,831 in 1916, $1,426,778 in 1915, $517,427 in 1914;
$775,660 in 1913 and $2,325,589 in 1912. Its earnings on preferred stock for
1917 were 97.64 per cent; on common stock, 30.55 per cent.
Its production for the year ending March 31, 1917, was 2,155,963 bags of
sugar; in 1916, 1,752,662 bags.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 543
Its land holdings in Colorado in 1917 were: 5,936 acres about Rocky Ford;
212 acres at Las Animas, and 13,453 acres about Lamar.
Its officers in 1917 were: H. Rieman Duval, president; Robert Oxnard, vice
president ; Henry T. Oxnard, vice president. Its directors include the above
and Kalman Haas, Charles J. Peabody, J. Horace Harding, R. Walter Leigh,
E. M. Bulkeley, Franklin Q. Brown, William Fellows Morgan, and F. A. Schoon-
maker.
THE NATIONAL SUGAR COMPANY
The National Sugar Manufacturing Company owns one 5<x>-ton daily slicing
capacity beet sugar factory at Sugar City, Colorado, which was built in 1900.
The absence of farmers close to the plant compelled the company to seed about
sixteen hundred acres of prairie land to beets the first year, only a few farmers
living ten to twenty miles west of Sugar City, contributing beets. The second
year there was a large increase in tonnage, and in 1906 the tonnage harvested
was 70,000. Each year new farmers came to this part of the Arkansas Valley,
largely from Illinois, Iowa and Missouri, and purchased or leased land near the
factory. Prairie conditions were slowly conquered, and today land values which
ranged from $35 to $50 per acre run from $100 to $125 flat per acre without im-
provement. The production of the factory in 1916 was 122,429 bags.
The headquarters of the owning company are at Baltimore, and its officers
are : President, Francis K. Carey ; vice president, Frances J. Carey ; general man-
ager, John H. Abel. The capital stock of the company is $750,000.
THE HOLLY SUGAR CORPORATION
The Holly Sugar Company was organized by Colorado men in 1905, with a
capital of $1,500,000, and began its work by cooperating with a subsidiary com-
pany then and still in existence and called The Arkansas Valley Sugar Beet and
Irrigation Company. In 1905 the factory at Holly was built, and this was suc-
cessful, but in 1915 was moved to Sheridan, Wyoming. In 1906 the factory at
Swink was built and the capacity of this after 1915 sufficed to cover the entire
acreage of the company both at Holly and Swink. In 1910 the company built a
factory at Huntington Beach, California.
When Swink was decided on as the site for a factory a railroad was pro-
jected from Holly to Swink. This was partially built, and then sold to the
Santa Fe, by which system it was completed and is now operated. In 1917 the
company leased the factory at Grand Junction, the first one erected in Colorado.
The inception of this project, which is in the hands of Colorado men, was
due largely to the efforts of W. M. Wiley, its first manager.
The Holly Sugar Corporation was incorporated April 4, 1916, under New
York laws, taking over the stock of the Holly Sugar Company and controlling
the Sheridan Sugar Company, the factory at Swink, the Huntington Beach, Cali-
fornia, refinery, and now also has the lease on the factory at Grand Junction.
In 1916 it acquired 50 per cent of the capital stock of the Southern California
Sugar Company at Santa Ana, California.
544
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Its earnings for the year ended March 25, 1916, were $1,226,374; for year
ended March 31, 1917, its net profits were $1,874,478.
Its officers in 1917 were: A. E. Carlton, president; S. W. Sinsheimer, vice
president; Remsen McGinnes, secretary; E. P. Shove, treasurer. Its directors
include J. H. Post, T. A. Howell, Spencer Penrose, and Ray Morris.
BEET SUGAR STATISTICS
for 1917
Number Factories " 10
Acres harvested 1 19,200
Average Yield per Acre 1 1 .80
Gross Tonnage 1,405,000
Average Sach. Content J6-34
Pounds Sugar produced 370,000,000
Money paid Farmers $10,362,000.00
Money paid Factory Men 2,700,000.00
Money paid Farm Labor 2,500,000.00
Money paid for Supplies 2,100,000.00
Money paid for R. R. Transp'tion 2,600,000.00
Number Factory Employes 4.35°
Length of Campaign (Days) 100
Pounds Beet Seed raised 3,000,000
American Beet Holly Sugar
Sugar Company Corporation
2 2
21,823 18,500
12.50 10
273,000 185,000
I4-50
00,000,000 50,000,OOO
$1,900,000.00 $I,25O,OOO.OO
450,000.00 190,000.00
9io,ooo.ooest. 500,000.00
510,000.00 500,000.00
250,000.00 225,000.00
910 650
IOO IOO
This covers all but the National Sugar Company factory at Sugar City. Dur-
ing the year the Lamar factory was idle.
Dry pulp, as a food for various classes of animals, is not an experiment. In
Germany about 70 per cent of all pulp, from about twenty million tons of beets
was dried before the war and now virtually all is dried, partly with, and partly
without, molasses.
The dry pulp is fed to cattle of all kinds, to sheep and also to horses.
In Colorado, California, Michigan and Ohio almost all pulp is dried and mainly
used as dairy food.
Dry pulp is a food similar to corn, that is, it is valuable mainly for its fat-
tening, but not meat-making qualities. Wherever corn or barley has been used
in a ratio, part of it can be replaced with good results by dry pulp.
SIXTEEN BEET SUGAR FACTORIES IN STATE
Location Erected Capacity tons
Rocky Ford 1900 1,800
Lamar 1905 500
Las Animas 1917 1,000
Loveland 1901 2,000
Greeley 1902 1,000
Eaton 1902 1,100
Fort Collins 1903 2,150
HISTORY OF COLORADO 545
Location Erected Capacity tons
Windsor 1903 1,100
Longmont 1903 2,350
Sterling 1905 ,100
Brush 1906 ,100
Fort Morgan 1906 ,200
Brighton ; I9I7 ,000
Swink 1906 ,200
Sugar City 1900 500
Grand Junction 1&99 700
The San Luis Valley Beet Sugar Company was organized through the efforts of
W. D. Hoover in 1909, -and erected a factory at Monte Vista, making its first run
in 1911. This opened up a new territory in the San Luis, and upper Rio Grande
valleys. Beets for the factory were grown in Rio Grande, Saguache and Cos-
tilla counties. Other Colorado and New Mexico factories now cover this acre-
age, as the factory came under the control of the Great Western Sugar Com-
pany and was removed to Lovell, Wyoming.
CHAPTER XXVII
THE STRUGGLE TO BUILD UP MANUFACTURING
THE FIRST MANUFACTURERS IN COLORADO SOME EARLY STATISTICS— DEVELOPMENT
DESPITE REBATES AND DISCRIMINATIONS U. S. CENSUS. FIGURES FROM 1870 TO
1914 — LATER FIGURES FROM STATE RECORDS — PROFESSOR PHILLIPS WRITES THE
HISTORY OF COLORADO'S GREATEST STRUGGLE — FORMING THE COLORADO MANU-
FACTURERS' ASSOCIATION KINDEL SCORES FIRST VICTORY — DEFEAT IN GALVES-
TON CASE COLORADO MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION SECURES PARTIAL READ-
JUSTMENT COLORADO FAIR RATES ASSOCIATION BEGINS COMPREHENSIVE SUIT
WHICH WAS STILL PENDING EARLY IN I9l8-^MISCELLANEOUS NON-METALS
THAT ENTER INTO THE MANUFACTURING HISTORY OF COLORADO THE STONE
QUARRIES OF THE STATE — OIL PRODUCTION OF COLORADO.
FIRST MANUFACTURERS
It was not a difficult task to take the census of manufacturing in Colorado in
1860, for there were in the entire region only 163 blacksmiths, 542 carpenters
and joiners, 4 coopers, 29 painters and 30 stone cutters. No mention is made
of any other skilled labor needed in manufacturing. Manufacturing, however,
began in April, 1859, when the timber about twenty-five miles south of Denver
was needed for the construction of buildings in the two Cherry Creek settlements,
and in the Clear Creek section a little later. The Bennett & Wyatt and the Oakes
saw mills were the first to use machinery for the needed lumber supply in the
north and at Golden City. Within a year A. G. Langford & Company estab-
lished the first machine shop in Denver and smelted the first iron ore which
had been brought down from Coal Creek. In December, 1860, Joseph M. Mar-
shall began getting iron from the ore brought down from Erie at the foundry
which he had just purchased from Eraser & Scoville and which they had started
in the summer of that year. In 1865 his production of iron from a small furnace
at Erie was considerable.
But within two years the processes for handling Boulder, Jefferson, Clear
Creek and Gilpin County ores were so completely changed that many hundred
thousand tons of discarded machinery were put into the furnace and remelted into
necessary iron utensils. Tarr & Cushman, owners of the Denver foundry were
getting a good quality of gray pig iron by mixing scrap and the Colorado product:
of hematite and limonite ores.
In 1860 James Endlich began the brewing of beer, which grew finally into
one of the large establishments closed up after the state went dry. In that year
John W. Smith actually brought a grist mill to Denver and began making flour
546
HISTORY OF COLORADO 547
and corn meal. A grist mill had been projected in 1859 by Gen. William Larimer
to be operated with water power from the Platte, but this was never constructed.
Smith after erecting a mill in West Denver, which was operated with high-priced
cord wood as fuel, closed a contract for water power with the Union Ditch Com-
pany's canal built in 1864 and, selling his second mill, erected a third one a little
way above the town. In 1874 Smith built the Excelsior mill at Eighth and Law-
rence streets and this in 1879 became part of the J. K. Mullen interests. Whit-
temore & Company were also among the early milling interests. In 1868 the
Colorado Salt Works were in operation about twenty miles below Fairplay at
the Salt Springs.
By 1868 pottery, tiles and fire brick were being made at Golden City where
three flour mills had also began to do business. The commercial report for 1868
gives the value of the flour, feed and bran manufactured in that year as $180,000;
the beer, $5,000; manufactured goods, $66,400. On the South Boulder the
furnace for smelting iron ore was in operation. In Gilpin County 181 engines
with an aggregate of 4,500 horse power were giving power to sixty-five stamp
mills, reducing works, etc.
Pueblo was agitating for a woolen mill to manufacture "blankets and fabrics
for heavy wear from the wool of the country, which is annually shipped east
at an expense per pound nearly equal to the cost of the raw material, wool being
sold in the fleece at the ranch at 10 cents to 12^/2 cents per pound." This woolen
mill became a reality in 1870 when John W. Smith and John Winterbottom began
the manufacture of flannels, blankets and yarns, but prohibitive freight rates then
as later, prevented the success of the venture and it was closed up in 1877.
Rocky Mountain flour in those years commanded a high price in eastern
markets, but little of it was shipped out for it was barely enough to supply
home demands.
In 1877 a rolling mill was taken from Danville, Pennsylvania, and set up in
Pueblo. On March i, 1878, it was in operation, producing re- rolled rails. Late
in the year Denver offered a substantial subsidy and Faux, the owner removed
the plant to a point near the old fair grounds in the northern part of the City of
Denver. While operating in Denver the first rolling mill supplied the iron for
the Denver & South Park road. The Colorado Coal & Iron Company, now the
Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, bought it in the early '8os and transported it
back to Pueblo, where it has remained.
The new company in 1880 commenced the erection of a large coke furnace
at what was then known as South Pueblo, now Bessemer. This was put in blast
September 7, 1881. It also at the same time began building the Bessemer steel
works. Coke ovens on an extensive scale had even before this been built by the
same company at El Moro. In 1880 the U. S. Census reports 200 ovens com-
pleted. This marked the beginning of the state's greatest manufacturing in-
dustry, the history of which is covered in other chapters.
Mrs. Elizabeth Stone and H. C. Petterson in 1868 built the first flour mill,
the Linden in the Cache la Poudre. Later ?n the same year Andrew Douty built
his mill in the Big Thompson Valley.
The first commercial cheese manufactured in Larimer County was made by
Mrs. George E. Buss in 1886. Her facilities at the start were crude, the hoop
being hollowed out of a cottonwood tree and the press being the parts of an
548 HISTORY OF COLORADO
old grain reaping machine. In 1887 the first creamery was built at Fort Collins
but Mrs. Buss made and sold from 10,000 to 20,000 pounds of cream cheese each
year until 1889.
The first sawmill, a portable one, in Larimer County, was located northwest
of Laporte by James Obenchain in 1863. The logs cut in the canyon of the
Cache la Poudre in the winter were floated down to the mill by the spring floods.
Later Joseph Rist's mill supplied the booming Cheyenne market with lumber. In
the '705 the industry became very important, logging crews going into the moun-
tains in the fall and preparing the timber and in the spring sending it down in
the flood waters to Greeley and to a mill located at the Linden Street bridge at
Fort Collins.
Between 1882 and 1890 over a thousand men were employed at the quarries
at Bellvue, Stout and Arkins in Larimer County, getting out building stone, pav-
ing blocks, curbings and flaggings for Denver, Omaha and Kansas City contract-
ors. At Ingleside, sixteen miles northwest of Fort Collins, immense limestone
quarries were opened in 1904.
In 1911 the amount invested in manufacturing enterprise in Larimer County
was $3,500,000 with an annual production of $6,000,000. These in 1917 were
more than doubled. In 1914 the county had two sugar factories, two pressed
brick-making plants, two large stucco and plaster mills, four flouring mills, a
fruit and vegetable canning factory, one cement tile factory, one foundry and
several machine shops, one alfalfa meal-mill factory, two planing mills, several
-cigar factories.
The first iron foundry and machine shop in Boulder was built by J. W.
Develine in 1876. At Valmont the five rock quarries were early worked for
superior pressed brick.
From the first crude blast furnace built at Marshall in 1864, A. G. Langford,
William and Milo Lee and Joseph M. Marshall sold many tons of excellent pig
iron made from the brown hematite iron ores of that region.
In the early '6os the first flour mill, run by water power was built at San
Luis by St. Vrain and Easterday. They sold it to a Mormon association and
later it drifted into other hands and grew into a fine steam-driven industry.
Red Park Canon in El Paso County supplied some of the finest red sand-
istone in the country. Among the early buildings of note for which this stone
was used were the Board of Trade of Fort Worth and the Union Depot at Des
Moines.
With the advent of the railroad in 1870 manufacturing grew, but not to the
extent to which the central position of Colorado entitled it. It had the eastern
trade powers to combat from the very outset. Thus when the Denver & Rio
'Grande was sold to the Santa Fe there was an express stipulation that there should
l>e no discrimination in rates against Denver. But Kansas City was powerful
<enough to effect a discrimination in rates, which might, had it not been met by
what was in fact a Colorado uprising, have ended in the commercial ruin of
Denver. But this was only the beginning of its efforts to build up its manufac-
turing enterprises. The problem of the long and short haul, the apparent neces-
sity of meeting water rates by low rates to the Pacific Coast points, discrimina-
tion against western inland points — all these entered into the struggle which
not even the creation of the Inter-State Commerce Commission was able to set-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 549
tie. But despite its trade limitations, Colorado has had a phenomenal growth in
•manufacturing. In 1873 the total of manufactured products sold was $1,394,000.
SOME EARLY FIGURES
In 1878 the Denver Board of Trade thus reviewed the state manufacturing
growth of 1877: "The three large planing mills manufactured lumber to the
amount of $350,000. The value of furniture manufactured here is upwards of
$45,000, while the value of leather, whips, collars, etc., amounts to the round sum
of $103,000. Woolen goods Avhich include blankets, flannels and yarns amount
to $20,000; a malt house made 50,000 bushels of malt, a large amount of which
was shipped east, west and north. The iron interests employ three large and com-
plete foundries and machine shops in the manufacture of boilers, engines, mining
and mill machinery. Fifteen engines were constructed here in 1877 ; value of
products, $140,000. There are in Colorado twenty-six first class mills, with
sixty-eight burrs, employing over two hundred men and representing an in-
vestment of $350,000. The flour made in Denver will aggregate not less than
a million dollars. A soap manufactory started in Denver March 14, 1877, now
averages 65,000 pounds in sales every month."
The United States Census for 1880 and 1870 gives a fair conception of the
growth of manufacturing in Colorado during the first decade after the railroads
had reached the territory :
1880 1870
Number of Manufacturing Establishments 599 256
Capital $4,31 1,714 $2,835,605
Average Number Employes, . 5,074 876
Wages paid in Year $2,314,427 . $258,221
Value of Products 14,260,159 2,852,820
In 1880 Colorado had two firms making awnings and tents, 62 men were
employed and the value of the product was $135,000; one baking and yeast pow-
der factory made $1,200 in goods in the year. There were 47 blacksmiths, em-
ploying 160 men and with a production valued at $287,085. In forty-four boot
and shoe shops in the state 158 men were producing goods to the value of $262,-
518. One brass-casting concern employing three men did $7,500 business in the
year; sixteen bakeries employed 117 men and women and had a production valued
at $574,552 ; one broom and brush factory produced $30,000 worth of goods an-
nually. Forty carpenter shops employed 262 men and their production was valued
at $1,056,400. Ten carriage and wagon shops employing 135 men did a total busi-
ness of $475,000; twenty-five charcoal kilns employed 75 men and their production
was $81,873. There were two butter and cheese factories; thirty-one brick and
tile yards ; nine clothing shops ; one coffee and spice mill, six candy factories, one
cutlery and edge tool maker, three manufacturers of drugs and chemicals, two
dyeing and cleaning establishments, a fertilizer factory, thirty-four grist mills,
seventeen foundry and machine shops, one iron and steel rolling mill, seven tan-
neries, twenty-three breweries, three lock and gun smiths, ninety-six lumber mills,
one pickle and preserve factory, two soap and candle factories, twenty-two firms
550 HISTORY OF COLORADO
in the tinware and sheet iron ware business, ten wheelwrights, ten watch makers,
one trunk and valise maker. ,
One of the largest industries in the state at this period was that of slaughter-
ing and meat packing exclusive of retail butchering establishments. Of these con-
cerns there were four in Denver, one in Boulder, four in Clear Creek, two in
Custer, one in Gilpin and two in Lake City.
This shows not alone the growth in volume but in industrial diversification
as well.
The Board of Trade Annual for 1882 estimates the value of Denver's manu-
factured products for 1881 as seven million dollars.
CENSUS STATISTICS — 1890-1914
The following United States Census throws further light on the progress made
in manufacturing in Colorado from 1890 to 1914:
The value of the manufactured products of Colorado in 1914 was $136,839,-
321 ; the average number of wage earners employed in its manufacturing indus-
tries was 27,278 ; and the value added by manufacture, which is the best measure
of the importance of the manufacturing industry, amounted to $47,083,019. In
1914 the state ranked, among the states, thirty-second in value of products,
thirty-sixth in number of wage earners, and thirty-third in value added by man-
ufacture. The corresponding rankings in 1909 were thirty-first, thirty-sixth, and
thirtieth, respectively. The value of the manufactured products of Colorado
in 1914 and 1909 represented six-tenths of i per cent of the total for the United
States ; the corresponding proportion for 1904 was seven-tenths of i per cent.
From 1899 to 1914 the capital invested in manufacturing industries more
than trebled ; the horsepower used in developing these industries increased almost
four times ; and the amount paid for salaries and wages almost doubled. The
largest percentage of increase for the period 1909-1914 was in the amount paid
for contract work (80.7). This increase is not an indication of the growth of
the manufactures of the state, but of the method of operation. For the five-
year period from 1909 to 1914 the capital invested increased by $19,108,538, or
11.7 per cent; the cost of materials, $9,265,398, or 11.5 per cent; and the value
of products, $6,795,009, or 5.2 per cent. The value added by manufacture de-
creased $2,470,389, or 5 per cent.
In rank according to value of products, there were a few changes in 1914, as
compared with 1909. Of the more important industries, slaughtering and meat
packing, flour milling and grist milling, printing and publishing, and the opera-
tions of steam-railroad repair shops held the same relative rank in 1914 as in
1909. Separate statistics for the manufacture of sugar from beets are shown
for the first time in 1914 in this state, and as the industry is the most impoitant
one in the state for which figures can be given, it takes first place in rank, and
the other industries in that year are lowered relatively by one. Bread and other
HISTORY OF COLORADO 551
bakery products, foundry and machine shop products, butter, cheese, and con-
densed milk, and the malt-liquor industry, ranking sixth, seventh, eighth and
ninth, respectively, in 1914, were seventh, fifth, ninth and eighth, respectively,
in 1909.
In 1914 Colorado ranked first among beet sugar producing states with 13
establishments employing 2,268 wage earners, which represented 8.3 per cent of
all the wage earners employed in manufacturing industries in the state. The
value of products was $17,635,556, or 12.9 per cent of the total value of man-
ufactures; and the value added by manufacture was $4,278,527, or 9.1 per cent
of the total for the state.
In 1914, 16 establishments were reported as engaged in the slaughtering and
meat-packing industry in Colorado, as compared with 13 in 1909. During the
five-year period 1909-1914 the total value of products increased from $9,656,810
to $12,726,127, or 31.8 per cent; the average number of wage earners from 659
to 777, or 17.9 per cent; and the value added by manufacture from $1,362,031 to
$2.039,201, or 49.7 per cent. Eight of the 16 establishments reported for the
industry were located in Denver, and the value of their output represented 88.2-
per cent of the total reported for the industry in the state.
The packing industry shows a remarkable growth from 1904 to 1914. The
total cost of materials increased by $7,905,137, or 284.2 per cent, and the total
value of products by $9,402,624, or 282.9 per cent. The total number of animals
slaughtered almost doubled, and their cost increased nearly four times. Each of
the various products shows large increases in both quantity and value, but the
increase in value was relatively much greater than the increase in quantity. This
is apparent in fresh beef, the chief product, which increased by $2,624,153, or
240.5 per cent in value, and by 17,269,649 pounds, or no.8 per cent in quan-
tity, and the price per pound from 7. cents in 1904 to 11.3 cents in 1914.
Cars and general shop construction and repairs by steam railroad companies
represent the work done in car shops operated by steam railroad companies.
The operations consist principally of repairs to rolling stock and equipment but
includes also shop work done for the track and bridge and building depart-
ments. Although there was a decrease of four establishments during the period
1909-1914, there was an increase of 356 in the number of wage earners employed.
In 1914 there were 4,349 wage earners employed in the industry, which was
15.9 per cent of the total for all manufacturing establishments of the state, the
largest number of wage earners reported for any of the industries shown sep-
arately in the census. The value of the work done was $6,821,673.
In 1914 the number of persons engaged in manufacture in the state was
33'7T5> °f whom 27,278, or eight-tenths, were wage earners. A predominating
proportion of the total number employed, 90.7 per cent, were males, a decrease,
however, since 1909, when the proportion was 92 per cent. During the five-
year period 1909-1914, there was a slight increase in the proportion of females
employed in the state. The largest number of females, 2,318, were employed
as wage earners, but the largest proportion (21.2 per cent) were reported as
clerks and other subordinate salaried employes.
Denver, the largest and most important city in the state in respect to value
of manufactured products and number of wage earners, shows an increase in
value of products at each successive census. In 1914 this city contributed 34.3
552 HISTORY OF COLORADO
per cent of the total value of products of this state and reported 40.6 per cent
of the total number of wage earners employed. The principal industries were
slaughtering and meat packing, printing and publishing, foundry and machine
shops, bakeries, steam railroad repair shops, butter making, and flour mills and
grist mills. The principal industries in Pueblo were the manufacture of malt
liquors, printing and publishing, steam railroad repair shops, saddlery and har-
ness, and brick and tile; in Colorado Springs, printing and publishing, butter
making, bakeries, the manufacture of gas, and steam railroad repair shops; in
Greeley, flour mills and grist mills, and canning and preserving; in Trinidad,
breweries, mineral waters, and bakeries; in Fort Collins, flour mills and grist
mills, and printing and publishing; in Boulder, flour mills and grist mills, and
printing and publishing.
City Average number of wage earners
1914 1909 1904
Denver 1 1,062 1 1,639 9,672
Pueblo 980 1,065 94i
Colorado Springs 538 516 410
Greeley 170
Trinidad 236 220
Fort Collins 85
Boulder 90
One of the noteworthy developments of 1916 and 1917 was the consummation
of plans by the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company to erect a by-product coke oven
plant at Pueblo. This plant cost approximately $3,000,000 and has for its pur-
pose the conservation of coal products which heretofore have gone to waste
through the use of the old-fashioned beehive ovens.
The Colorado Fuel & Iron Company had a prosperous year in 1916. It pro-
duced 3,800,000 tons of coal as compared with 2,590,000 in 1915; 875,000 tons
of coke against 634,443 in the previous year ; 800,000 tons of iron ore as com-
pared with 562,843 in 1915; 438,576 tons of iron ore against 281,617 in 1915,
and 520,000 tons of finished iron and steel against 378,886 in the previous year.
It employed 12,000 people in 1916 against 9,000 in 1915, and its aggregate payroll
during 1916 was $11,000,000 against $7,190,000 the preceding year.
The Western Chemical Manufacturing Company experienced prosperity dur-
ing the year. It has laid plans for expansion during the next four years through
the addition of departments to manufacture dyes and other products. The
company increased its capital from $600,000 to $1,000,000 during 1917 and added
John C. Mitchell, Tyson S. Dines, and other prominent Denver men to its board
of directors.
The sugar industry witnessed substantial progress during 1916. The Holly
Sugar Company was reorganized and succeeded by the Holly Sugar Corporation
with A. E. Carlton at its head and other prominent Colorado and eastern men
associated with him. It took over all the plants of the old company, purchased
another plant in Arizona, one in California, leased the Grand Junction sugar
plant and by these acts became the third largest producer of beet sugar in the
country.
554 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The Great Western Sugar Company in 1916-1917 built a new plant at Brigh-
ton, one in the Big Horn basin, of Wyoming, and one in western Nebraska.
These plants cost approximately $1,500,000 each and add materially to the pro-
ducing capacity of the company.
Another important step taken during 1916 was the survey of the resources
of Colorado factories by the Government for possible mobilization and use by
the Government in the event of war. A strong committee of engineers, with R.
B. Moore, of the United States Bureau of Mines, as chairman, took a complete
inventory of plant equipment, facilities for turning out products, raw material
available, and other data, which information is now in the hands of the depart-
ments at Washington.
The old paper mills in Denver were reconstructed during 1916 and occupied
by a group of Denver capitalists with a plant for manufacturing chemicals and
other products made scarce by the war in Europe.
The American Coal Refining Company put into operation during the year a
plant representing an investment of $200,000 of foreign capital for the extraction
of coal products from lignite coal by a process developed in its own laboratories.
The Great Western Cement Company was incorporated by the Cement Se-
curities Company to operate a $750,000 cement plant at Morrison. Armour &
•Company spent nearly a million during 1916 and 1917 in doubling the capacity
of its packing plant.
Swift & Company appropriated $500,000 for enlarging its packing plant and
facilities.
The brewing industry readjusted itself to new conditions following prohi-
bition. The Coors Manufacturing & Brewing Company is manufacturing near
bear and a malted milk which is finding a ready market. The same interests are
manufacturing a pottery product which is enjoying a large sale. The Ph. Zang
Brewing Company is manufacturing near beer and working out plans for *a cold
and dry storage plant, a garage and other improvements. The other plants have
either engaged in the manufacture of prohibition drinks, or turned their plants
to other uses.
A $200,000,000 valuation is placed on the Colorado factory output for 1917.
The output of fifteen sugar factories in Colorado constitutes 31 per cent of
the sugar manufactured in the United States. During the year 1917 these insti-
tutions produced over five hundred million pounds of sugar. The factories
paid the beet growers $14,212,000. The growers, in turn, paid farm laborers
$4,010,000. The factory employes received $3,430,000 and the railroads $3,175,-
ooo for transportation services.
The great steel mills of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company at Pueblo pro-
duced, during 1917, 552,500 net tons of finished iron and steel, much of this
product going into war uses. Of pig iron, the company produced 404,000 net
tons. In producing this output, the big concern used 706,900 tons of iron ore,
451,600 tons of limestone and 4,427,000 tons of coal, the latter from its own
mines.
The great packing concerns of Denver, during 1917, reported an output of
$21,219,265, a's compared with an output of $15,249,710 the year before. Pueblo
followed closely in this important industry.
Denver has the second largest saddle tree manufacturing plant in the United
HISTORY OF COLORADO 555
States, a company which is engaged at present in filling an order for 50,000
saddle trees for the United States Government. In connection with war orders,
also, it can be disclosed that a million and a half dollars or more in Government
supplies, including lathes, engines, tenting and army food stuffs, are being turned
out, with many more orders in waiting. Five large machinery firms are at work
on these supplies. A branch of one of the nation's great powder concerns, near
Denver, meanwhile, is turning out vast quantities of explosives for war use.
Benzol and Toluol for high explosives, sulphuric acid, nitric acid and other war
materials are produced in important quantities at the works of the Western Chem-
ical Company in Denver.
In all, according to Government figures themselves, Colorado manufacturers
have received upwards of $10,000,000 in orders for military supplies since the
war began.
COLORADO'S GREATEST STRUGGLE
"For the first decade and more after the railroad reached Denver," writes
Dr. John B. Phillips of the State University and recently a member of the State
Tax Commission, "mining was the leading occupation. No one was paying much
attention to manufacturing; the returns from mining were sufficiently large to
make that the paramount industry. Therefore the few manufacturing concerns
which did start were soon disposed of by the adjustment of discriminatory rates
on the part of the railroad companies. After the factories started, the rates
were lowered so that goods could be brought in from the east more cheaply
than they could be produced in Denver. This matter did not attract any par-
ticular attention during the early period, as mining was occupying too prom-
inent a place. As Denver increased in population, however, and it was seen
that it was destined to be one of the large cities of the country, and as it also
became apparent that the cheaper forms of mining were no longer efficient, it
was evident that manufacturing in Colorado would be an advantage to the city
and state. Therefore, public attention began to be directed toward whatever
hindrances there were to the development of this important industry. The freight
rate difficulty was at once complained of. Discussion of the injustice which it
was alleged the city and state were suffering at the hands of the railroads was
carried on in the newspapers and in January, 1885, the Legislature, almost im-
mediately after convening, appointed a special railroad committee of the House
of Representatives to investigate the freight rate situation and ascertain if pos-
sible whether or not the railroads were unfavorable to the establishment of man-
ufactures in Colorado. This committee occupied several weeks in examining
witnesses, both shippers and railroad agents and officers, in an honest endeavor
to ascertain the facts of the existing situation and also the attitude of the rail-
roads toward the establishment of manufacturing industries in Colorado. Much
important testimony was taken and great light was thereby thrown upon many
phases of the question.
"The efforts of the Union Pacific to build up Cheyenne and interfere with
the progress of Denver which had been the policy of that railroad in the early
days lasted till some time previous to 1885, and the rates enjoyed by the mer-
chants in that town were much more favorable than the rates granted to the
Denver dealers. Goods shipped to Georgetown and Central City came via
556 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Cheyenne. The Union Pacific would not make the same rate to Denver, as it
was a pool point and Cheyenne was not. If goods were shipped to Denver the
Union Pacific would get only one fourth of the freight, but if shipped to Chey-
enne, this road would get all. Such conditions prevented the increase of man-
ufacture and trade in Denver. If the Union Pacific hauled to Denver, it would
get one fourth of the freight, but if it hauled to Ogden, it would get all the
freight. This condition accounts for the lower rates from the Missouri River
to Ogden and Salt Lake than to Denver.
"The true attitude of the railroads toward the growth of manufacture in
Colorado during this period is perhaps most clearly shown by the statements of
the freight agents before the investigating committee of 1885. The freight agent
of the Santa Fe testified that the rate on freight from Denver to points in New
Mexico was uniformly more than the rate from Kansas City. He said it av-
eraged 40 per cent more on goods made in Colorado. The rate was uniformly
more to Denver and from there to destination than was the case if the freight
went through direct. The then existing rates were not published in the rate
sheet, but were gotten up in a hektograph form and distributed among some
of the shippers.. The date of the sheet exhibited to the committee was January
i, 1882. It showed a pronounced discrimination against Colorado manufacturers.
"The freight rate was usually from 50 per cent to 75 per cent more from
Denver to points in Arizona and New Mexico than from Kansas City 600 or
700 miles farther distant. Much the same situation prevailed with regard to
the freight rates from Omaha. These rates show that the man with the capital
to invest in manufacturing enterprises would be driven out of Colorado and
would probably locate his factory at some point on the Missouri River."
The Colorado Manufacturers Association was organized in December, 1905,
for the purpose of securing equitable rates to and from Colorado points. Up
to 1905 the Interstate Commerce Commission lacked the power to enforce rate-
making rulings and when this was given them by the Hepburn Act, Colorado's
association became active. It interested itself in the individual cases of rate
maladjustments and has accomplished results in thousands of cases.
On December 26, 1911, the association filed its case against all the railroads,
claiming discrimination against Colorado in classes and commodities in trans-
Missouri rate territory. In 1913 the Inter-State Commerce Commission ordered
a reduction on the class rates. Early in 1914 it adjusted commodity rates. This
was a victory for the Colorado Manufacturers Association and has greatly ben-
efited the growth of manufacturing and jobbing in the state.
George J. Kindel's case against the New Haven road and others, filed August
14, 1907, was decided March i, 1909. In that the Inter-State Commerce Com-
mission granted the first important reduction in class rates from Chicago and
St. Louis territories to Colorado points. Many efforts have been made to secure
adjustments from southern and eastern points, but as a rule these have not been
successful. The most important was that known as the Galveston rate case,
which sought to secure the benefit of the partial water haul for Colorado. This
failed.
The Colorado Fair Rates Association and the Public Utilities Commission
of the State of Colorado have pending in 1918 the most comprehensive case
yet filed for the improvement of rate conditions both into and out of Colorado.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 557
They aim through their attorneys, Albert L. Yogi, Carle Whitehead and
former Governor George A. Carlson, to secure a comprehensive readjustment
of class rates between Chicago, Mississippi River and Missouri River terri-
tory and Colorado common points. The complaint seeks reduction in com-
modity rates from the same territories to Colorado common points; reductions
are also sought in class rates for Atlantic seaboard points and territory via
Galveston to Colorado common points, and between Galveston and Colorado
common points ; reductions are also asked in commodity rates from Atlantic sea-
board points and territory, via Galveston to Colorado common points. Read-
justment of class rates between Colorado common points and all points in Kansas
and Nebraska as far east as points midway between Colorado common points
via Missouri River points is sought. It also seeks reduction in class rates from
Colorado common points to ninety-four representative points in Arizona, Cal-
ifornia, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Da-
kota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, including Pacific coast terminals ;
and commodity rates to Albuquerque, New Mexico; Billings, Butte and other
Montana common points; El Paso, Texas; Green River, Utah; Holbrook, Ari-
zona; Huntington, Oregon; Pocatello, Idaho; Salt Lake City and other Utah
common points; Thermopolis, Wyoming, and Tucson, Arizona.
MISCELLANEOUS NON-METALS THAT ENTER INTO THE MANUFACTURING HISTORY
OF COLORADO
In addition to those previously mentioned, the principal non-metal mineral
deposits found in the state are asbestos, asphalt, cement materials, clays, corun-
dum, feldspar, fluorspar, fuller's earth, graphite, gypsum, mica, natural gas,
potash, road metal, sand, sulphur, and a variety of gem stones. Of these ce-
ment materials, clays, fluorspar, fuller's earth, gypsum, road metal, sand, sulphur
and various gem stones have been produced in commercial quantities. Most of
the others have been produced in small quantities, but the deposits as a usual
thing have not been developed sufficiently to make their production profitable.
Cement materials are found principally in the Missippian and Cretaceous
limestones along the Front Range. Limestone of the Niobrara age is also used
for this purpose. The principal cement workings are in Fremont County, where
two large companies are operating. Only Portland cement is made. Large
deposits of good cement material are found in Boulder, Larimer, Chaffee and
Gunnison counties and in several other counties. There has been little de-
velopment except in Fremont County, near the City of Florence. The average
annual output of Portland cement from the state is in the neighborhood of one
million barrels.
The clay deposits of Colorado are in wide variety, and are found in con-
siderable quantities in nearly all parts of the state. Brick clay has been dug
in Boulder, Conejos, Alamosa, Delta, Denver, El Paso, Fremont, Garfield, Hins-
dale, Jefferson, Kit Carson, La Plata, Larimer, Las Animas, Mesa, Moffat,
Montrose, Morgan, Otero, Prowers, Pueblo, Rio Grande, Monte Vista, Teller,
Weld and Yuma counties, and to a limited extent in a few other counties. It
varies greatly in quality and shows a wide range of color. Fire clay has been
dug in Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Garfield, Jefferson, Lake, Pueblo and a few
558 HISTORY OF COLORADO
other counties. Kaolin occurs in many mines as gouge, and extensive deposits
are found in La Plata, Chaffee, Garfield, Fremont, Custer and some other coun-
ties, but they are undeveloped and their quality is little understood. Clay suit-
able for the manufacture of stoneware and china is found in Jefferson and a few
other counties. Deposits near the City of Golden are being worked successfully.
Clay suitable for the manufacture of tile has been dug in many counties and a
considerable amount of tile and similar clay products are being produced in the
state. Special opportunities are offered for the development of the clay de-
posits of the state. Detailed information about these deposits may be obtained
from the State Geologist at Boulder, Colorado.
Fluorspar produced in Colorado is used almost exclusively in the steel fur-
naces of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, as a flux. It has been found
in Boulder, Clear Creek, Custer, Dolores, Douglas, El Paso, Gilpin, Gunnison,
Jefferson, Mineral, Park, San Juan, San Miguel and Teller counties, and has
been marketed from Boulder, Custer, El Paso, Jefferson, Mineral and San Juan
counties.
Fuller's earth is found in Chaffee and Washington counties, and has been
produced in limited quantities from the latter county, near the town of Akron.
Gypsum is found in very large quantities in several sections of the state. Its
occurrence has been noted in Custer, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, El Paso, Fremont,
Jefferson, Larimer, Montrose and some other counties. Deposits have been
worked in Eagle, El Paso, Jefferson, and Larimer counties. Reports of recent
investigation in connection with black alkali on irrigated lands, particularly in
the San Luis Valley, indicate that such lands may be reclaimed by the use of
gypsum to neutralize the sodium sulphate in the soil. If experiments in this
direction prove satisfactory the result will be the utilization of a large amount
of the gypsum available and the consequent reclamation of some of the best
agricultural land in Colorado.
Road metal of various kinds is found in practically every county in the state.
Disintegrated granite is largely used for ballast and for surfacing. Clays of
various kinds are largely utilized. With the increased activity in road building
that has been evident in the state in the past few years, materials of this kind
are rapidly becoming valuable.
Valuable sands are found in most counties in the state. Building sand has
been dug in Denver, El Paso, Fremont, La Plata, Pueblo, Rio Grande and sev-
eral other counties and is known to exist in considerable quantities in about
half the counties of the state. Moulding sand has been dug in Denver and
Pueblo counties. Good glass sand is found in several localities, particularly along
the valley of the Arkansas River in Prowers, Pueblo, Bent and Otero counties.
It has never been developed.
Sulphur has been mined in Gunnison County, at Vulcan, and in Mineral
County, at Trout Creek. It is found in several other localities, and is a con-
stituent of many of the compound metallic ores produced in the state.
Gem stones have been produced in considerable quantities in Colorado,
chiefly in the central mountain counties. Among the varieties are blue chalce-
dony, amazon stone, agate, amethyst, aquamarine, beryl, chrysoberyl, garnet, jet,
opal, rose, smoky, clear and crystal quartz, sapphire, serpentine topaz and tur-
quoise.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 559
Asbestos has been found in considerable quantities in a number of localities,
but there is no production. Asphaltic rock occurs in Garfield, Routt, Rio Blanco
and other western counties, in Grand and Jefferson counties and in other lo-
calities. There has been very little production. Corundum is found in Chaffee,
Clear Creek, Routt and a few other counties, but it is not mined. Feldspar has
been produced to a limited extent in El Paso County. Graphite has been mined
in Chaffee and Gunnison counties and is found in Las Animas and a few other
counties. Mica is rather widely distributed in the state, but has been very little
mined, principally in Fremont and Mesa counties. Potash occurs with other
salts in solution in Soda Lake, Costilla County, and in other localities. Alunite,
which often occurs in connection with potash, is found in Conejos, Custer, Hins-
dale, Mineral, Lake, Ouray, Rio Grande, Saguache and a few other counties.
THE STATE'S STONE QUARRIES
The stone deposits of Colorado cover a wide range in variety and are prac-
tically inexhaustible. They are confined largely to the mountainous counties, in
the central and western part of the state. They include granites, marbles, sand-
stones, limestones, slates, abrasives, lavas and other less common varieties.
There has been little working of stone deposits for any purpose except in re-
stricted areas near railroad lines, and few sections of the country offer wider
opportunities for development in this direction when market and transportation
conditions justify such development.
Perhaps the most extensive and valuable stone deposits in the state are the
different varieties of granite. Almost every known variety of granite is found
in Colorado, showing a wide range of color and texture. Granite mined in the
state has been used largely for building purposes, for interior finishing and
for monumental purposes, as crushed stone for road surfacing and like uses.
Granite quarries have been opened for commercial purposes in the following
counties: Boulder, Chaffee, Clear Creek, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Gunnison,
Jefferson, La Plata, Larimer, Pitkin and Rio Grande. Hundreds of small quarries
have been operated to supply local demands in many other counties. The character
of Colorado granite is well known among users of stone all over the country,
and its use for building and monumental purposes is increasing steadily.
The range of marbles found in the state is not nearly so wide as that of gran-
ites, but there is a very large supply of excellent stone and a good variety of color
and texture. The most extensively developed deposits are in northern Gun-
nison County, along Yule Creek, near the town of Marble. The marble here is
principally pure white, or white with black veins and is of medium fine grain.
Some of the handsomest public buildings in the country are trimmed with this
stone, including the postoffice at Denver, Colorado, the Cuyahoga county court-
house at Cleveland, Ohio, the Lincoln Memorial at Washington, D. C, and a num-
ber of others. Marble has been mined also in Chaffee, Fremont, Pueblo, Pitkin
and Saguache counties, and in small quantities in several other counties.
Sandstone is very widely distributed in the state and is of many varieties.
It has been mined principally in the following counties : Boulder, Conejos, Delta
Douglas, Eagle, El Paso, Fremont, La Plata, Larimer, Las Animas, Montrose,
Pueblo, Rio Grande and Routt. It has also been mined for local uses in a con-
560 HISTORY OF COLORADO
siderable number of other counties -and is found in some form in practically
every county in the state. It has been used extensively for building purposes
in the state and has been shipped to a limited extent to other states. The most
important varieties are the fine-grained red, light-grey and tan-colored sand-
stones found along the Front Range, particularly in Larimer, Boulder, Douglas,
El Paso and Pueblo counties. Cream-white and pink sandstone are quarried in
Routt County. In most of the inter-mountain counties the stone is quarried
chiefly for local use.
Limestone is quarried chiefly -in these counties : Pueblo, Boulder, Chaffee,
Douglas, Fremont, El Paso, Jefferson, Gunnison, Mesa, La Plata, Larimer, Pit-
kin and San Juan. There are lime kilns in Boulder, Chaffee, Douglas, Fremont,
Gunnison, La Plata, Larimer and Pitkin counties. The limestones of the state
may be divided both geologically and geographically into two general groups.
The first group includes limestones chiefly of the Cretaceous age, which occurs
in the eastern plains region and in a narrow belt immediately east of the Front
Range. The second group includes limestones mostly of the Carboniferous age,
which lie west of the Front Range. The abundance and wide distribution of
both sandstone and granite suitable for building purposes has retarded the de-
velopment of the limestone deposits to some extent. It has been used chiefly
for lime, as a smelter flux and in the purification of beet sugar. Limestone de-
posits are used extensively in the state for the manufacture of cement, espe-
cially in Fremont County, where the principal cement plants are located.
Lava stone is found extensively in some sections of the state, particularly the
south central part. It has been used chiefly for building purposes and has been
quarried in Douglas, Fremont, Gunnison, Huerfano and Rio Grande and a few
other counties. Grindstones and other abrasive stones are found in several sec-
tions and have been quarried to a limited extent in Gunnison County.
The amount of stone produced in the state has varied greatly from year to
year, the maximum annual output being but slightly in excess of $2,000,000, but
it has perhaps been somewhat in excess of that figure, as there are considerable
amounts of stone used locally each year which do not appear in the statistics of
production.
THE OIL PRODUCTION OF COLORADO
Although Colorado has never ranked high among the states in petroleum
output, it has been producing crude oil steadily since 1887. The maximum annual
output was recorded in 1892, being 824,000 barrels. The total output of the
state to the end of 1917 was approximately 11,000,000 barrels.
The most important producing fields are in Fremont County, in and about
the City of Florence, and in Boulder County, near the City of Boulder. There
has been some production from Rio Blanco County, near the Town of Rangely ;
Garfield County, near the Colorado-Utah line, and Mesa County, near De Beque.
Drilling has been done in several other sections and favorable oil showings have
been found in some localities, but no production of importance has been made
from districts other than those named above.
As a result of the extraordinary demand for gasoline, fuel oil and other
petroleum products, growing out of the war there has been much prospecting
HISTORY OF COLORADO 561
for oil in the state since 1915, and several wells are now being drilled in widely
separated districts. In order to encourage the development of possible oil sup-
plies within the state, arrangements have been made for an oil survey, to be
conducted under the direction of the State Geologist and the State Oil Inspec-
tion Department. This survey is now being made and reports on various dis-
tricts will be made public as they are completed. Information regarding the
survey will be obtainable from the State Oil Inspection Department at the State
Capitol Building.
Recent discoveries of oil in large quantities in nearby states, particularly
in Wyoming, Kansas and Oklahoma, have greatly stimulated prospecting in
Colorado. Reports of competent geologists on various sections of the state
have afforded considerable encouragement and many oil experts are convinced
that the oil supplies of the so-called Mid-Continent field extend into this state.
The oil of both the Florence and the Boulder fields is of good quality, and
the production in each district has held up exceptionally well. The Florence
field especially is noted for the long life of its wells, one of them at least hav-
ing been a steady producer for twenty-five years. This field has always been
the most important in the state and is now producing nearly ninety-five per cent
of the oil marketed from Colorado.
Colorado has immense supplies of oil shale, which promise in the near
future to become one of the most important sources of petroleum production in
this country. The war demand for petroleum products has caused both the
Federal and State governments to make special investigations of the economic
possibilities of these oil shale deposits, and reports have been made which prom-
ise much in the direction of speedy and extensive development.
Colorado's oil shales are found in what is known as the Green River forma-
tion, in the western part of the state, chiefly in Mesa, Garfield, Rio Blanco and
Moffat counties. They cover an area of perhaps 2,000 square miles, and the
various shale strata sometimes attain an aggregate thickness of more than one
hundred feet. Tests made by representatives of the United States Geological
Survey have shown a recovery ranging from 10 to 68 gallons from a ton of shale
and in one case the recovery reached 90 gallons. Experts of the United States
Geological Survey have estimated that the oil available in Colorado shales is
at least 20,000,000,000 barrels, or about three times as much as has been pro-
duced in the world up to date. The same authorities estimate that in the process
of recovering oil from the shale there should be a recovery of approximately
300,000,000 tons of ammonium sulphate, now in great demand as a fertilizer,
worth from $50 to $60 per ton, or more. The process o.f distillation by which
the oil is recovered also may result in the recovery of large quantities of pro-
ducer gas, dye stuffs and other valuable by-products.
There has been almost no development of these rich shale deposits, for the
reason that production of petroleum from wells in this country until recently
has been ample to meet requirements. Prices as a result have been low and
there has been little encouragement for the installation of expensive equipment
for the recovery of oil from shale in competition with the production of oil from
wells. In 1917, however, the consumption of petroleum in the United States
was 2irooo,ooo barrels in excess of production, and at the beginning of 1918
the supplies in storage were only sufficient to last, at the present rate of con-
562 HISTORY OF COLORADO
sumption, a little less than six months. With growing war demands consumption
is sure to increase, and the Federal Government is now encouraging the produc-
tion of oil from shale to supplement the supply from wells. The price of oil is
higher than it has been for many years, and there is every indication that the
profitable production of oil from shale in this country will begin very soon. It
has been produced profitably from shale in Scotland and France for a great
many years.
Oil is recovered from shale by a process of destructive distillation. A plant
for handling shale in this way has been established at De Deque, Mesa County,
and other plants are being contemplated for various points in the shale fields.
Many varieties of equipment have been devised for the recovery of- the various
products from the Colorado shales, and tests with some of them have proved
very satisfactory. Those who are familiar with the tests are confident that
shales of the average richness found in Colorado can be now treated profitably
with the equipment at present available, and improvements are constantly being
devised, so that within a few years it is believed that practically all the shales
having an average oil content of 15 gallons or more to the ton can be worked
advantageously.
Following is the output of petroleum in Colorado up to January i, 1916:
Year Barrels Year Barrels
1887 76,295 1902 396,901
1888 297,612 1903 483»925
1889 3l6,476 1904 50^763
1890 368,842 1905 376,238
1891 665,482 1906 327,582
1892 824,000 1907 33^851
1893 594,390 i9°8 379,653
1894 515,746 1909 310,861
1895 438,232 1910 239,794
1806 361,450 1911 226,926
1897 384.934 1912 206,052
1898 444,383 1913 188,799
1899 390,278 iQH 222,773
1900 317,385 1915 208,475
1901 460,520
CHAPTER XXVIII
COLORADO'S NATIONAL FORESTS AND MOUNTAIN PARKS
PROTECTING THE TIMBER IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN WORK OF PRESERVATION BEGUN
TWENTY YEARS AGO THE WHITE RIVER PLATEAU TIMBERLAND RESERVE, THE
FIRST NATIONAL FOREST IN COLORADO TOTAL AREA OF SEVENTEEN FORESTS IN
STATE IS 12,640,450 ACRES BUILDING HOMES IN THE RESERVES MAKING THE
TIMBER • PROFITABLE — SELLING AT COST TO SETTLERS — PROTECTED RANGE FOR
HOMESTEADERS AND RANCHERS — NEARLY THREE THOUSAND RANCHERS GRAZED
LESS THAN ICO HEAD OF STOCK EACH IN 1917 — NATIONAL FORESTS OPEN TQ
MINING DEVELOPMENT WATER POWER IN THE RESERVES — ROAD BUILDING
THROUGH THE FORESTS — STRETCHING TELEPHONE WIRES FROM STATION TO
STATION — WORK OF THE FIELD DISTRICT NATIONAL FORESTS IN COLORADO —
THE MOUNTAIN PARKS — DENVER'S MOUNTAIN PARKS.
(By Wallace I. Hutchinson, U. S. Forest Reserve)
PROTECTING THE TIMBER
Until about twenty years ago the forests of the public domain — the timber
of the Rocky Mountains from Montana to New Mexico — seemed in a fair way
of being eventually destroyed by fire and reckless cutting. Nothing whatever
was done to protect them, or even to use them in the right way. They were
simply left to burn, or else to pass by means of various land laws into the hands
of private owners whose interests in most cases impelled them to take from
the land what they could get easily, and move on.
Had this destruction gone on unchecked, there would have been little tim-
ber left in the west at the present time, either to burn or to cut, and the develop-
ment of the country, which calls for timber at all times, would have been seriously
retarded.
The destruction of the forest cover on the watersheds supplying nundreds
of streams which rise in the Rockies would also have had its certain effect on
stream flow. Little or no water would be available during long dry periods,
and destructive floods would follow heavy rains. This, of course, would spell
disaster to the irrigation systems by which thousands of ranchers raise their
crops, and would also have a serious effect on domestic and municipal water
supplies and electric power development. So, in 1891 Congress authorized the
President to set aside "Forest Reserves," as national forests were then called,
in order to protect the remaining timber on the public domain from destruction
and to insure a regular flow of water in the stream.
563
564 HISTORY OF COLORADO
WHITE RIVER PLATEAU TIMBERLAND RESERVE
The first national forest in Colorado — the "White River Plateau Timber-
land Reserve" — was created by President Harrison on October 16, 1891, and
later presidents have created others, until at the present time there are seventeen
forests, with a total net area of 12,640,450 acres. Within the forest boundaries
are also some 2,115,896 acres in private ownership, consisting of lands granted
or taken up for one purpose or another before the forests were created or of
homestead and mining entries made since. These forests are largely located in
the high, mountainous country of the state, and through proper management
now yield an unfailing supply of timber for the people and also regulate the
flow of streams upon which thousands of inhabitants of our cities, towns and
ranches are dependent for their domestic and irrigation water.
BUILDING HOMES IN RESERVES
The policy under which the national forests are administered by the De-
partment of Agriculture through the Forest Service is to make them of the most
use to the most people, but especially to the small man and the local farmer or
settler. They are meant, first of all, to enable the people of Colorado to build
homes and to maintain them. How well this policy is becoming to be under-
stood by the public is shown by the constantly increasing use which is being
made of national forest resources by the home builders of the state.
MAKING TIMBER PROFITABLE
The greatest of all national forest resources is timber, which the Government
is anxious to sell as soon as it is ripe, since when a tree reaches maturity it is no
longer growing at a profitable rate, and should, therefore, give way to young
trees and seedlings that will insure continuous production. The total commer-
cial stand of timber in the national forests of Colorado is estimated at 18,076,-
432,000 board feet, having a total stumpage value of over $36,000,000. Engel-
mann spruce is the leading timber tree, followed in order by lodgepole pine,
western yellow pine, Alpine fir, and Douglas fir, these five species comprising
over ninety per cent of the total stand.
Any one may purchase timber from the national forests, but no one can obtain
a monopoly of it or hold it for speculative purposes. Settlers living within or
adjacent to the forests are granted free use of material for firewood and domestic
purposes and where timber is desired for farm use any amount may be secured
for the actual cost of administering the sale, at a price of about seventy-five
cents per thousand board feet.
SELLING AT COST
In Colorado during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917, permits were issued
by the Forest Service to 3,017 applicants for 8,500,000 board feet to be taken
free from national forest lands; 2,000,000 board feet were sold to settlers at
cost, and 44,696,000 board feet disposed of through 935 commercial sales, 95
HISTORY OF COLORADO 565
per cent of which were sales for less than $100 worth of timber, showing that
the small lumberman or local consumer is the one who receives the principal ben-
efit from the timber resources of the forests. A permanent supply of material
for local communities, including the mining industry, is always given first con-
sideration in the administration policy of the national forests.
PROTECTED RANGE
Of all the benefits received from the national forests, probably the greatest
is the protected range afforded homesteaders and ranchers for their stock.
About two-thirds of the area of the forests contains more or less forage, which,
like all other resources, is put to its highest use. In Colorado, during 1917,
over 3,500 permittees grazed 1,266,000 cattle, horses, sheep and goats on na-
tional forest range. This grazing is under Government regulations, so that the
forests are not injured or the range overstocked.
Every farmer is to a certain extent a stockman, especially if his ranch is
remote from markets at which he can sell his farm produce. It is at this point
that the national forests serve to meet his special need, for the small rancher
is given the preference in use of the forage on the forests. He is allowed to
graze ten head of milch and work animals free of charge, and is also considered
before all others in the allotment of further grazing privileges. That the small
owner avails -himself of these privileges is shown by the fact that out of the
1917 total of 3,500 permittees using national forest range in this state, 2,987
were ranchers grazing less than 100 head of stock each. The number of animals
now sustained in proportion to the area of the forests is vastly greater than it
was ten years ago. Under regulation the productivity of mountain ranges has
been restored and increased ; the livestock industry has been made more stable ;
range wars have ceased ; and ranch property has increased in value. In short,
public control has served to promote community development, prevent monopoly,
and increase prosperity.
OPEN TO MINING
The national forests are open to prospecting and mining development just
as is the public domain. Many of the greatest mining camps of the west are
located within or adjacent to forests. This is a distinct advantage to the miner,
since these protected areas assure him of a continuous supply of timber and
water for development work. To prevent fraud, a claim coming up for patent
is examined on the ground to determine whether the mining laws have been
complied with. This examination is made by an expert miner, and no one
with at valid claim need fear it. It is not on the great areas of privately owned
land that miners are prospecting, but on the national forests and public domain ;
for it is only on these lands that title to a claim can be secured by a conscientious
compliance with the mining laws.
WATER POWER IN RESERVES AND AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS
Water power is also an important resource of the national forests. Many
sites suitable for hydro-electrical development are to be found in the vicinity
566 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of the lakes and streams in the mountains. These are open to occupancy for
such purposes at all times. The Government does not, however, permit the
monopolization of power in any region, or allow power sites to be held without
development. Permits for power development on the National Forests usually
run for a term of 50 years, and may be renewed at their expiration upon com-
pliance with regulations then existing.
To the agricultural interests the proper handling of the national forests is of
the greatest importance. The forests conserve and increase the water supply;
and property secures an added value through fire protection and the construc-
tion of roads, trails and other Government improvements. It is the policy of
the Department of Agriculture to make available for settlement lands chiefly
valuable for farming. To this end all forest lands have been classified, and
areas found to be more valuable for agriculture than for forest purposes re-
stored to entry. The farm units available for entry as a result of this classifica-
tion are, as a rule, small and isolated, and of considerably less value than much
of the land on the public domain outside the forests. Since 1906 nearly 250,-
ooo acres have been listed for settlement under the Act of June n, 1906, in the
national forests of the state, and many large tracts found to be unsuited for
forest purposes have been eliminated.
ROAD BUILDING, TRAILS AND TELEPHONE LINES
Good roads and the successful development of a country go hand in hand,
and road building is the greatest problem which confronts the new settler.
Today there are millions of acres of good farm land lying undeveloped because
of the lack of adequate transportation facilities. The national forests, situated
as they are in remote and least settled localities, often present as difficult condi-
tions as are to be found anywhere in the country. The Government is meeting
this problem in three ways : First, by public improvements constructed by the
Forest Service in the forests ; second, by returning to the counties 9, share of the
receipts from the forests ; and third, by standard road construction under the
terms of the Federal Aid Road Act.
Each year the Government builds in the forest roads, trails, telephone lines
and other improvements. During the twelve years which the national forests
of Colorado have been under the administration of the Department of Agri-
culture there have been constructed 282 miles of roads, 3,251 miles of trails,
and 1,183 miles of telephone lines. All of these improvements benefit some set-
tlers or ranchers, but more especially those who live within the forest boundaries.
Congress has also provided for an annual appropriation of twenty-five per cent
•of all gross receipts earned from the sale of timber and other resources for the
use of the counties in which the forests lie. This money must be used for road
building and for schools, and to the sum thus made available is added another
ten per cent of the receipts for road construction only, this latter money being
expended under the supervision of the Forest Service. In 1917 some $107,232
were obtained in this way from national forest receipts by the various counties
in Colorado for road and school improvements. As the business throughout the
forests increases, this contribution to community development will soon be a very
large one.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 567
A bill of far-reaching importance to the national forest communities, known
as the Federal Aid Road Act, was signed by the President in July, 1916. By
the terms of this Congressional measure an appropriation of $1,000,000 a year
for ten years was made, to be used exclusively in the development of national
forest roads. This money is expended on a fifty-fifty basis — the states benefiting
from the act appropriating a like sum. Colorado's share of this amount is ap-
proximately $62,000 per annum.
Protection from fire is one of the many services effected by the administration
of the national forests. Prior to their creation little or no effort was made to
guard the timber on the public domain from fire. But during the past ten years
a most effective system of detection and suppression of fires has been developed
by the Forest Service. Extra patrol forces are maintained during danger
periods; numerous fire lookout stations have been established on prominent
points overlooking large areas of timber; trails and telephone lines have been
constructed into hitherto inaccessible parts of the mountains, and efficient meth-
ods of detecting and suppressing forest fires put into force. Through these
various means the occurrence of disastrous fires has practically been eliminated,
and the number of small fires materially reduced. Thus in 1916 over 275 fires,
covering an area of 3,053 acres, occurred in the national forests of the state,
while in 1917 the number was reduced to a total of 172 fires, and the area burned
over to 1,525 acres. This work is not only saving public property; it is con-
serving our natural resources for economic development and for permanent
industry.
Apart from the commercial resources of the national forests, their use for
recreation is destined to become one of enormous value to the nation. It is esti-
mated that 3,000,000 people visit the forests of the United States yearly, and it
would be difficult to find a freer or more healthful place in which to spend a
vacation. These vast areas, which embrace the high, rugged mountains of our
country, the scenery of which is unsurpassed, are open to all. Camping, fish-
ing and hunting grounds abound, and the visitor is free to come and go as he
pleases. The lands bordering on the thousands of lakes and streams in the for-
ests offer attractive sites for summer homes, which may be obtained under term
leases from the Forest Service at a nominal rental. Many portions of the -for-
ests can now be reached by railroads and automobile highways, while even the
more remote mountain regions are open to travel on horseback over trails built
and maintained by the Government.
Thousands of recreation centers, public picnic and camping grounds, excur-
sion points and resorts are being developed in localities readily accessible to large,
numbers of people. Through the cooperation of railroads, tourist bureaus and
commercial associations, the public is rapidly becoming familiar with the won-
derful opportunities for outdoor life and enjoyment which the national forests
offer. In 1917 over 853,000 visitors and 144,270 automobiles entered these great
mountain playgrounds of Colorado, an increase of thirty-five per cent over 1916.
These figures express better than words the popularity of the national forests
as a place in which to motor, camp, fish and hunt, and justify the title of "The
People's Playground," by which they are commonly known.
568
HISTORY OF COLORADO
WORK OF THE FIELD DISTRICT
In order to prevent delay and "red tape" in the administration of the na-
tional forests of the country, seven field districts have been established, with a
district forester in charge at each headquarters. The Rocky Mountain Dis-
trict, which includes Colorado, has its headquarters in the new Federal Building
in Denver. Each of the national forests is in charge of a forest supervisor, who
is the general manager of his forest, planning the work and seeing that it is
properly carried out. Every forest is also divided into ranger districts, with a
forest ranger in charge of each. On January i, 1918, the force employed by
the Forest Service in the state numbered 310. The total receipts for the fiscal
year 1917, from the national forests of Colorado, on account of timber sales,
grazing fees, and special uses, was $306,379.93.
NATIONAL FORESTS IN COLORADO
Name
Date Created
Net Area Acres
Headquarters
Arapaho
July i, 1908
634,903
Hot Sulphur Springs
Battlement
Dec. 24, 1892
651,227
Grand Junction
Cochetopa
June 13, 1905
905,723
Saguaehe
Colorado
July i, 1910
847,328
Ft. Collins
Durango
July i, 1911
614,129
Durango
Gunnison
May 12, 1905
908,055
Gunnison
Holy Cross
Aug. 25, 1905
576,905
Glenwood Springs
Leadville
May 12, 1905
934,oi7
Leadville
Montezuma
June 13, 1905
700,082
Mancos
Pike
July i, 1908
1,080,381
Denver
Rio Grande
July i, 1908
1,136,884
Monte Vista
Routt
June 12, 1905
833,459
Steamboat Springs
San Isabel
May 27, 1910
598,912
Westcliffe
San Juan
June 3, 1905
6i7,995
Pagosa Springs
Sopris
April 26, 1909
596,986
Aspen
Uncompahgre
July i, 1908
790,349
Delta
White River
. .Oct. 16, 1891
848,018
Glenwood Springs
12,640,450
THE MOUNTAIN PARKS
The Federal Government has during the past two decades set apart and
reserved from disposition, under the Public Land Laws, some of the state's
"wonderland." Part of this has been included in "national parks" and part as
"national monuments," under the act of Congress known as the "Antiquities Act,"
which authorizes the President to reserve by proclamation "historic landmarks,
historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific in-
terest" that are situated upon public lands or upon lands which may be donated
to the LTnited States for monument purposes.
There are now two national parks and iwo national monuments in Colorado.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 569
Colorado's national parks are the Mesa Verde and Rocky Mountain (Estes)
parks. Of the Mesa Verde much has been covered in the chapter devoted to
the cliff dwellers. But aside from these there is in Mesa Verde Park scenery
of a high order. Mesa Verde itself is covered with a magnificent growth of
cedar, and its northern rim is fringed with pine trees. From any point on the
mesa, and especially from its rim, one may view the awe-inspiring Shiprock
balancing its phantom form on the southern horizon, the distant Sleeping Ute
in the west.
In the Rocky Mountain National Park there are some of the highest moun-
tains in the United States — one peak over 14,000 feet in altitude, fourteen peaks
which tower over 13,000 feet above the sea, and nineteen peaks with an altitude
of more than 12,000 feet. Enormous glaciers, remarkable evidence of past gla-
cial action on a grand scale ; numerous species -of animals and birds, wild, of
course, but no longer in great fear of man ; wild flowers in abundance ; beautiful
lakes teeming with fish; and primeval forests of extraordinary grandeur.
The national monuments in Colorado are the Wheeler and Colorado monu-
ments. The former is located in Mineral County, not far from Creede and
Wagon Wheel Gap, and has an area of over three hundred acres. It is a moun-
tainous region of volcanic structure and evidences of violent volcanic action are
to be seen everywhere. The monument is cut by numerous deep canyons which
exhibit stratum after stratum of ashes and lava of varying composition. These
deep gorges have been carved by powerful erosive forces, leaving, besides the
exhibit of volcanic action, a remarkable exhibit of erosive sculpturing in great
pinnacles, spires, and other fantastic rock formations that crown the ridges be-
tween the canyons and rise in bewildering profusion in the canyons themselves.
The Colorado National Monument is located a short distance from Grand
Junction, on the Denver & Rio Grande, and contains over thirteen thousand
acres of land. It also includes several canyons of more than ordinary scenic
quality. These canyons have been cut in a red sandstone formation and in connec-
tion with their development monoliths of enormous proportions have been carved
by the tireles elements working through countless ages. These great monoliths,
towering hundreds of feet in the air, all gorgeously colored, are the chief natural
features of the monument. The largest monolith is considerably over four
hundred feet high and is more than one hundred feet in diameter at its base.
The canyon floors offer excellent opportunities for the establishment of an im-
portant wild animal refuge, and in all likelihood the Federal Government will
undertake the development of this sanctuary within a few years.
DENVER'S MOUNTAIN PARKS
Denver pioneered the mountain park idea. Six years ago this progressive
western city put the idea into effect, and went about the development of its
mountain parks methodically. The plan has been tested thoroughly, both as to
popularity and benefits, and the results may be gauged by the fact that more
than 300,000 individual visitors passed through the mountain park gateways dur-
ing June, July and August of 1917, in automobiles alone. This is more than
the combined attendance at all of the Federal national parks in the country dur-
ing the corresponding period.
570 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The Denver mountain parks at present constitute ten tracts of land, more
than rive square miles in total area, scattered over 100 square miles of territory
and connected by 75 miles of road, of which 50 miles are of actual mountain con-
struction. The road never exceeds 'a six per cent grade, is 20 feet wide with
easements on turns; tilted inward towards the hillside, guarded with anchored
steel cable, and drained by iron pipes passing beneath the surface.
An amendment to the state constitution gave Denver the right to condemn
land in other counties for park purposes, to build and maintain roads and im-
provements outside the city limits. The citizens voted a levy not to exceed five
mills per year, to accomplish this purpose.
The City of Denver had expended on mountain parks up to January i, 1918,
$414,000. Of this amount there has been spent for road construction, $225,000;
for building fences, etc., $30,000; for land purchases, $34,000. There are eight
shelter houses, and in the immediate vicinity of each shelter house there will be
found playground equipment consisting of teter boards and swings, stone fire-
places for food preparation; tables and benches for picnic parties, and an unfail-
ing supply of pure water.
In Genesee Mountain Park, the largest of the park areas, is a municipal wild
game preserve, in which are 75 head of elk, 14 buffalo, 10 big horn sheep, antelope
and deer of three varieties. This preserve is to be stocked also with game birds
of various species, blue and sharp-tailed grouse, mountain plume partridge, Hun-
garian partridge, Mongolian pheasants, and certain mountain-dwelling European
species.
On Bear Creek, the southern boundary of the mountain park system, the
city maintains two feeding ponds for mountain trout, from which are released
annually into Bear Creek 300,000 trout fry. These trout consist of rainbow,
eastern brook and black-spotted native trout. The only requirement of citizens
and visitors desiring to cast the elusive fly, is that they secure a state fishing
license, which costs $i.OO.
There are three types of park lands in the mountain park system, the first
beginning at the little town of Golden, Colorado's second capital, includes Look-
out Mountain. In five miles the road climbs 2,000 feet — a skyline drive that
has no peer in this country. All the tricks of the scenic engineer have been em-
ployed on this section. At one moment the motorist looks into the gorge-like
depths of Clear Creek, along whose .banks gold was first discovered in Colorado;
at the next he gazes across 200 miles of checkered farm land, and looks into
the states of Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas.
The section leading up Lookout Mountain constitutes one of the finest road-
building feats in America. At Sensation Point, the road hangs on the face of
the cliff and is prevented from dropping into Clear Creek, 500 feet below, by a
concrete retaining wall. The engineers lost their roadbed repeatedly during
construction, as sections of it crumbled away beneath them. Finally, they
anchored the retaining wall on solid rocks on either side to serve as a dam on
the face of the cliff.
Another battle royal with the mountains occurred when the engineers evolved
the upper and lower hairpin curves, two successes which compare favorably with
any of the scenic road-building in the Swiss Alps. On the upper Hairpin, in an
elevation of 75 feet, and on a transverse horizontal axis of 250 feet, five levels
572 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of the road are laid. At Wildcat Point, on Lookout Mountain, the motorist
drives to the edge of a sheer cliff, and gazes down at the little town of Golden
2,000 feet below. From this point at night the lights of Denver, criss-crossing
over an area of sixty square miles, impart a wonderful impression. One hundred
feet above this point, among the pungent pines, lies the body of the late Col.
W. F. Cody, "Buffalo Bill."
The second type of the parks is represented in Genesee and Bergen parks.
This is a region of pastoral landscapes, abounding in splendidly wooded mountains.
Bear Creek Canon represents the third type. The road here runs through
the bottom of a rocky, picturesque canyon — the haunts of fishermen and campers.
The entire region is well timbered with silver spruce, yellow pine, lodgepole
pine, flexible pine, cedar, fir, quaking aspen and alders. On every hand wild
flowers are in profusion. Colorado, with its 300 native species, has more wild
flowers than any other state in America. Acres of delicate blue and white colors
beneath the quaking aspens are in bloom. The scarlet spikes of the Indian paint
brush splash the hills and meadows with vivid touches of color, while a careful
search may reveal the Woods lily; a red flower resembling the tiger lily in all
but the color. So far as botanists know, it has its habitat exclusively in Colorado.
The multifarious small life of the region is especially interesting to the nature
lover. This phase of the mountain parks is reserved to the enthusiastic pedestrian.
Mountain trails, built over the hills and around beetling crags, lead the hiker
into a primeval wilderness. Rabbits, chipmunks, grouse, bluejays, and scores
of bird species start up on every hand.
Genesee Peak, 8,260 feet high, is encircled by a spiral automobile road. This
is the scene of winter sports. Skiing, tobogganing, snow-shoeing draw the city-
bred dweller to the mountains, even in winter.
Along Bear Creek hundreds of summer homes have been built by wealthy
residents of Denver and other cities. These picturesque lodges, built of un-
dressed pine and the native rocks, form one of the most interesting features of
the mountain park system.
The city has begun the construction of a wonderful skyline drive to the top
of Mount Evans, the tenth highest peak in Colorado. Its elevation is 14,260
feet, and it is surrounded by a series of titanic cliffs, moraines, and some fifty
natural lakes. A bill before Congress asks for the creation of a national park
in the Mount Evans region. The city has offered to stand half the expense of
completing a driveway to the top of the peak. When completed, this drive,
which will be twenty-seven miles from the present end of the mountain park
roads, will be above twelve thousand feet in elevation for more than half of its
length.
CHAPTER XXIX
DEVELOPING THE HIGHWAYS OF THE STATE
THE FIRST WAGON ROADS AFTER. THE SANTA FE TRAIL "SMOKY HILL" TRAIL
ROUTES FROM THE EAST BUILDING THE MOUNTAIN ROADS THROUGH UTE
PASS TO SOUTH PARK HAYDEN's LIST OF ROADS — TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE
NAMES TERRITORIAL ROADS HIGHWAYS OUT OF SILVERTON — "SNUBBING" POSTS
— ADVENT OF THE AUTOMOBILE THE FIGHT FOR GOOD ROADS — THE NEW HIGH-
WAY COMMISSION BUILDING A NEW SYSTEM OF STATE ROADS
In 1852, when the Santa Fe Trail passed up the Arkansas River and over the
Sangre de Cristo Pass, it was found necessary to construct a fairly wide trail
to the site of Canon City covering the trapping stations along the Arkansas River.
Five thousand pounds of freight was about the limit for eight mules or three yoke
of oxen on these early roads. There were no bridges in this period, and it often
taxed the pulling power of forty or more mules to pull a large loaded wagon
across the sandy river beds. When the floods were on, it was simply a case of
stopping and camping until conditions for crossing were favorable. There are
many places to be seen along the old trail, even at this late day, which are un-
questionably the ruts made by the old, heavy wagons.
The "Smoky Hill" Trail from Leavenworth was headed toward Auraria and
Cherry Creek almost immediately after the discoveries of 1858, followed a little
later by the "Overland" Trail, built from Atchison towards Colorado and Utah.
The first real stage line to Colorado was the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak
Express Line, which made its initial trip starting March 27, 1859, reaching
Denver June 7th — seventy-one days. This was mainly over a new and untraveled
route, the stage company building the road as it progressed. Horace Greeley
was a passenger on this first journey and helped out with the shovel and pick.
The route followed was along the divide between the Solomon and Republican
rivers ; thence northwest to the south side of the Republican to its source ; thence
southwest to the headwaters of the Beaver, Bijou and Kiowa creeks ; thence along
the pine ridge to Cherry Creek ; thence along the high ridge on the north side of
Cherry Creek to Denver. The route was laid out by Beverly D. Williams, first
territorial delegate to Congress, who kept the road on high, dry ground all the
way. The total distance was 687 miles; afterwards reduced to 600 miles, and
the average time each way was reduced to ten or twelve days.
Later the line was reorganized and called the Central Overland California
and Pike's Peak Express Company. A survey was completed over Berthoud
Pass and along the Green River to Utah, and the road was partially completed,
but after spending $40,000, this part of the line was abandoned for the time.
573
574 HISTORY OF COLORADO
In 1861 Ben Holladay and associates bought up many of the old stage lines
and then controlled 3,300 miles of stage routes. Between 1861 and 1865 the
Government was paying them $1,000,000 yearly for carrying a daily mail from
the Missouri River to Placerville, California, a distance of about 2,000 miles
over the Overland route.
D. A. Butterfield was running a line from Leavemvorth via the Smoky Hill
route to Denver and Salt Lake, while Holladay was sending a branch line from
the Overland Trail into Denver via Julesburg and Fort Morgan. There was
much rivalry and record runs were made. Holladay made the trip himself for
a test from Atchison, Kansas, to Placerville, California, 2,000 miles, in twelve
days. Albert .Richardson made the run from Atchison to Denver in four and
one-half days, and Butterfield was advertising regular trips from the Missouri
River to Denver in eight days and often made them in six days.
Very little change has been made in the old Santa Fe Trail. The Smoky
Hill route followed what is now known as the "Golden Beit" route as far as
Oakley, Kansas, thence followed directly west to Cheyenne Wells, Hugo, Limon,
Deertrail and Bennett to Denver. It is exactly the Kansas Pacific Railroad route,
or the Union Pacific Railroad of the present day. The old Leavenworth and
Pike's Peak stage route is now practically extinct. The Overland Trail has been
changed somewhat ; it now starts from Omaha and is partly on the north side of
the Platte, while in the stage-coach days it ran from Atchison and kept on the
south side of the river through Julesburg to a point near Greeley, thence to
Laporte, near Fort Collins, thence to Virginia Dale, thence to Rock Springs,
Wyoming. Three branches connected the Overland Trail with Denver, one across
the plains to a point near Fort Morgan, another connecting at Latham, near
Greeley, another connecting at Laporte near Fort Collins. These old roads are
practically the same as the present roads.
The Overland roads, the Arkansas River route to Pueblo and Buckskin Joe,
were so good that in 1860 a man by the name of Fortune built a steam wagon
twenty feet long with driving wheels eight feet in diameter intended to run be-
tween Atchison and Denver. It worked well on its trial trips, making eight
miles per hour. Its first trip to Denver was scheduled for July 4, 1860. Then
something went wrong with the steering gear, and the excited driver in attempt-
ing to get out of town ran it through a building, wrecking both the building
and the wagon. The disgusted Mr. Fortune concluded his name was "misfor-
tune" and abandoned the scheme.
The "wind" wagon was another product of the times, but the inventor, who
conceived the idea of propelling his wagon by sails, found he could not "tack"
upon the prairie and consequently he and his wind wagon finished at the bottom
of a gulch.
With the immigration into the mountains there soon came a pressing need
for wagon highways, the mule-pack soon exhausting its utility. Heavy material
was needed for even the crudest mining operations, and as the population in-
creased, supplies were called for in quantities that required wagon traffic. Through
the Ute Pass to South Park the natural road, improved by the early settlers, was
comparatively easy for wagon travel. But the first actual roads built into the
mountains were two routes to the Clear Creek gold fields, one by Mount Vernon
to the diggings at Chicago Creek, and the other was by way of Rocky Moun-
PIKE'S PEAK AUTO HIGHWAY
COG ROAD UP PIKE'S PEAK
576 HISTORY OF COLORADO
tain Gulch to the North Clear Creek gold field. There were two roads that
led to the Arkansas River, one part of the old Fort Laramie Trail via a point
near Colorado City, the other known as the "Plum Creek" road. From Cation
City the early settlers built a good wagon road to the camp at Tarryall. Denver
men, too, built a fairly good road to Bergen Park and to Tarryall soon after the
camp was opened. Later it was extended to the western slope to the Blue River
mining district over Breckenridge Pass. It was not long before the enterprising
citizens of Golden City took a hand in the fight for wagon roads, as they took a
prominent part in the contest for railroads a little later. They soon had their
own road to Tarryall by way of "Bradford Hill" and even into some camps in
what is now Grand County. Bridges, too, built of logs, but well constructed were
now put in on all these toll roads, the most important being that over the Arkan-
sas River at the site of the future Fowler City. Thus did these pioneers pave the
way for the crude traffic of those early days.
William L. Campbell, afterwards surveyor general of Colorado, came to the
gold diggings in 1860, and after building the Virginia Canon wagon road from
Idaho Springs to Russell Gulch, did much tc survey and build many of the best
of the later mountain highways of the state.
From Hayden's record of this period the following is taken :
"The original stage route from Denver to the South Park entered the moun-
tains via Bear Creek, (crossing the creek eight miles from Denver) crossed the
divide to Turkey Creek, (over Bradford Hill) followed that stream to Elk
Creek, thence across the high divide to the North Fork ; followed the latter nearly
to its head, and across into the park at Kenosha Summit ; thence skirted the
northwestern border to Hamilton and Fairplay. A branch left it at Michigan
Creek and crossed the main range at Georgia Pass and thence to Breckenridge.
Still another branch left it at Hamilton and connected with Breckenridge via
Tarryall Pass and Swan River. From Fairplay a road ran up the South Platte,
connecting Fairplay with the mining towns above, and, crossing by Hoosier Pass,
ran down the Blue to Breckenridge.
Colorado City was connected with Fairplay by a road which followed closely
the Ute Pass, now the Midland route, as far as the crossing of the South Platte ;
thence northwest to the Tarryall fork of the Platte, where the road forked, one
branch going to Tarryall and one to Fairplay. A branch left it in the southern
part of the South Park and ran to the Arkansas Valley over the Canon City
road. From Fairplay a road skirted the western side of the park, a branch of
it crossing the Park Range at Weston's Pass to the California Gulch, while the
main road continued on down to the salt works and thence to the Arkansas Val-
ley via Trout Creek Pass and Trout Creek. The direct route from Fairplay
and Buckskin Joe was by a pack trail up Mosquito Gulch and over Mosquito
Pass to California Gulch.
By an act approved February 8, 1865, the Legislature authorized county
commissioners to fix the toll rates and made the legal distance between toll sta-
tions ten miles.
In 1865 the Denver & San Luis Valley Wagon Road Company was organized,
with authority to build south by way of Canon City to the mouth of the South
Arkansas, now Salida, thence up the South Arkansas to the mouth of Poncha
Creek, thence to Poncha Pass and over into the San Luis Valley. The ferry rates
HISTORY OF COLORADO 577
across the Rio Grande were fixed at $i for wagon and two horses, mules or oxen,
25 cents for each additional animal ; a "one animal" vehicle was 75 cents ; "loose"
animals, 10 cents per head ; footmen, 10 cents.
In 1865 the wagon road from Boulder to Central City via North Boulder
Creek, and via South Boulder, was incorporated, constructed and operated as a
toll road.
In 1868 the Legislature by enactment declared "the most usually traveled
roads between the following-named places to be territorial roads." This list by
no means covers the road construction up to this period, for there were many toll
roads and ferries still operating under prior "thirty-year" enactments. But in a
general way it is a fairly complete list of main-traveled lines. The list follows :
"From Denver to Pueblo via Colorado City; from the Denver & Pueblo road
where it diverges from the Platte, to a point near jthe mouth of Plum Creek, up
Plum Creek Valley to Monument Creek, thence to a point (Colorado Springs)
on the Denver & Pueblo road in El Paso County; from Fort Lyon by way of
Pueblo, Canon City, Platte Valley ranch; from Fairplay by way of Tarryall
City and Hamilton to Jefferson; from Hamilton to Platte Valley (Hartsell's)
ranch; from Denver by way of Boxelder station and Bijou station to the "Junc-
tion" (near Fort Morgan) ; from Denver down the Platte River by way of St.
Vrain's to Julesburg; from Denver to Golden; from Denver by way of Boulder
to Laporte; from Denver to Bradford (Hill) ; from Denver up Cherry Creek to
"Fountaine qui Bouille" (River). From St. Vrain to Golden; from Denver to
Golden by way of Boyd's ranch on Clear Creek ; from the mouth of the Cache la
Poudre to Laporte through Cherokee Pass to the western boundary of the ter-
ritory; from Pueblo by way of "Greenhorn's Ranch" (the Greenhorn ranch)
to Fort Garland ; from Cisco and Head's ferry across the Rio Grande and from
Fayette's Head to the southern boundary of the territory ; from Fort Garland to
Culebra, Costilla, Red River, Osage House; from Greenhorn's Ranch to the
Cimarron, on the south line of the territory; from Hayne's (Hoyne's) ranch up
the Huerfano by way of the Mosca Pass to Fort Garland; from Canon City to
Greenhorn's Ranch ; from Denver to the south boundary of Weld County."
It may be stated that the preceding paragraph is quoted verbatim from the legis-
lative record. This record was officially written by a misinformed clerk and so numer-
ous were his mistakes that a bill was brought up in the Legislature to have the errors in
spelling, etc., corrected. One member of the assembly, who might have been from the
innermost fastnesses of the Ozarks, prevented the bill from being effected by the stand
that the record was "law," mistakes and all. Some effort has been made to correct
errors by the use of parentheses in the foregoing quotation.
This is interesting as it covers in a general way the trend of the system of
state roads since established. The changes are largely due to the discovery of
lower passes.
In 1867 the state began dispensing its road funds in. considerable sums, voting
in 1868 about five thousand dollars for highway improvement on the line of the
Georgetown and Snake River wagon road in Clear Creek and Summit counties,
for a bridge over the Arkansas in Lake County at the point where the South
Park and San Luis Valley wagon road crossed it, and for improvements on the
wagon road from Colorado City to Hamilton.
In 1870 the Legislature made "territorial" the road from Evans in Weld
578 HISTORY OF COLORADO
County to Boulder, with a branch to Golden. In 1872 the road already built
from Walsenburg by way of Veta Pass to the San Luis Valley was made a ter-
ritorial road. In 1874 the road laws of the territory were completely revised,
all acts of county commissioners in the construction of roads were legalized, and
the manner of bonding towns and counties for road work was carefully defined.
Between 1876 and 1886 the state passed through a notable road building era,
particularly in the southern and western part of the state.
The road over Marshall Pass, a continuation of the Salida road, opened up
the entire Western Slope. The railroads, however, followed quickly and greatly
accelerated development. The wagon road between Silverton and Ouray, for a
distance of ten miles from the latter place, was constructed under the super-
vision of Otto Mears. This was the original "Rainbow route" in the state.
In the period when the Rio Grande was making its surveys and building to
Alamosa, enterprising men in the San Juan built a wagon road between Animas
City and Alamosa, utilizing a large part of the Government pack trails between
Fort Lewis and Fort Garland. The wagon road from Durango to Fort Lewis,
however, was not built until some years later.
While this Alamosa-Durango road was under way the San Juan men also
built a toll road from Silverton to Durango, realizing that this gave them an
easier and quicker outlet for their ore for treatment in the Durango smelter.
In 1878 the Denver & Rio Grande reached Alamosa and heavy freighting in
all directions over new and old wagon roads began immediately. Judge C. D.
Hayt, who was the first postmaster of this San Luis Valley center, estimates the
number of freighters leaving Alamosa weekly in this period at several thousand.
The Mexicans used oxen almost exclusively, at times driving one wagon and
trailer with fourteen yoke. The wagon could take three or four tons and the
trailer a ton and a half. From this point freight brought in by the narrow gauge
was sent to Santa Fe and even as far south as Texas. All freight for Gunnison
and Montrose went via Alamosa and through Saguache. The wagon road up
the Rio Grande to Silverton and the roads to Animas City and the La Plata
placer fields were all utilized, and Alamosa became one of the busiest points in
the state.
The road from Lake City to Animas Forks was built in the early '8os. The
John J. Crook smelter was then in operation at Lake City. Crook had mining
properties in Animas Forks and Mineral Point besides his holdings in Lake
City, and he aided in the construction of a wagon road to facilitate the move-
ment of his ores to his smelters. Until this time there had been only a pack
trail between these points.
The original mountain road into the San Juan was built from Wagon Wheel
Gap up the Rio Grande River, over Stony Pass, down Cunningham Gulch to Sil-
verton. It was on this road — the Cunningham Gulch side of Stony Pass — that
the precipitous nature of the country made down travel exceedingly difficult.
This was so steep that loaded wagons were held back by heavy ropes tied to trees.
These were slowly "snubbed" down the incline about a thousand feet. Trees
eighteen inches in diameter were cut in two. These old "snubbing" posts are
still to be seen, the road having been abandoned. The state about twelve years
ago appropriated moneys for the construction of a less dangerous road by the
use of a switchback.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 579
Between 1880 and 1902 the General Assembly used the Internal Improve-
ment fund, the Federal Government's contribution to internal improvements, for
the building of bridges, most of them built for permanency. In 1889 tnis fun<i
amounted to $341,000. While it was divided between the counties for bridge and
road building, and was called the "Pork Barrel" fund because it was too often
"traded off" and used to bring recalcitrant members to terms by an anxious ma-
jority, yet it was practically always used for a real and economically constructed
improvement. Many of the best country toads and finest bridges in the state
came out of this period. The great trouble was that the work was not done in
unison with other counties and followed no general state plan. The further draw-
back was that in the division money was voted in some instances in such small
amounts that the greater projects of a county had to be sidetracked for minor
betterments. This of course is now changed, as the entire expenditure is under
the supervision of the State highway commission.
The advent of the automobile had much to do here as elsewhere with the
"good roads" movement, which became effective in Colorado in 1902, when the
owners of motors first combined to secure better "traveling" conditions. The
Colorado Automobile Club, of which D. W. Brunton was president and Dr. F. L.
Bartlett, the latter one of the most ardent advocates for good roads in the state,
vice president, was formed in 1902. In 1905 Doctor Bartlett, who was then its
president, with the assistance of the National Good Roads Association, arranged
the first state good roads meeting. This was held in Denver July 27th and 28th,
and was attended by sixty-five authorized delegates. It was at this meeting that
the Colorado Good Roads Association was formed, with J. A. Hayes, of Colorado
Springs, as president; Dr. F. L. Bartlett, of Denver, vice president; and Henry
R. Wray, of Colorado Springs, as secretary.
The second convention was held December 4th to 6th, 1906, in Denver, and
was an enthusiastic gathering, to which President Roosevelt and Secretary of
Agriculture Wilson sent telegrams of congratulations, and which was addressed
by the Government heads of the Public Roads Bureau. The Denver Chamber of
Commerce shouldered the burden of the expense of conducting this great gath-
ering.
William R. Rathvon of Boulder was elected chairman, and many notable
good roads speakers attended, among them the late Sam Houston, road commis-
sioner of Ohio.
The bill for a State Highway Commission was drawn up and adopted by the
convention, and committees were appointed, headed by S. A. Osborn of Denver,
to get it through the Legislature. A fight was made, but the "Pork Barrel" con-
tingent was too strong, and the bill failed even to be considered on the floor of
either House or Senate.
Not discouraged, the Good Roads Association immediately lined up for a
campaign of education all over the state. They were ably seconded by the Rocky
Mountain Highway Association, formed early in the spring of 1908, incorporated
by Charles A. Johnson, Harold Kountze and Gerald Hughes of Denver, with
C. A. Johnson as president. F. L. Bartlett, vice president and W. H. Emmons,
secretary.
In order to gain strength for the legislative fight, the Colorado Good Roads
Association and the Colorado Auto Club, with all its affiliated clubs, were in the
580 HISTORY OF COLORADO
fall of 1908 consolidated into the Rocky Mountain Highway Association, and the
Highway bill was finally pushed through and became a law in 1909, but with
no adequate appropriation for .effective work. C. F. Allen, William M. Wiley
and Thomas Tully were appointed State Highway Commissioners. During 1909-
1910 state roads were mapped and laid out and considerable preliminary work
was accomplished but no funds were available for anything more than a begin-
ning of the work.
In January, 1911, under the auspices of the Rocky Mountain Highway Asso-
ciation and the Denver Chamber of Commerce another good roads conference
was called in Denver for the purpose of making another attempt to secure funds
for the Highway Commission. At this convention four road bills were drawn
and presented to the Legislature, the two most important ones being for a ten
million bond issue and the turning over of the Internal Improvement fund to
the Highway Commission. The ten million bond issue passed, was referred to a
vote of the people and was lost. The Highway Appropriation bill was amended
and, after the Legislature had passed ninety-three special improvement bills, the
remainder of the Internal Improvement fund was turned over to the Highway
Commission. Governor Shafroth vetoed the ninety-three special road bills, thus
turning over the entire Internal Improvement fund to the highway commission.
Immediately the validity of the bill was assailed and the bill was fought through
the courts and finally pronounced invalid by the Supreme Court. Thus again the
State Highway Commission was left without funds and the money then amount-
ing to over eight hundred thousand dollars was left in the banks. The bill was
then initiated and referred to a vote of the people and lost by only a few votes.
Meantime the Good Roads Association of Colorado, having become a perma-
nent association, took up and by its various committees succeeded in finally se-
curing, in 1913, adequate road legislation, thus ending a fight which was waged
for eight years by good road enthusiasts.
The present state highway commissioner, T. J. Ehrhart, is responsible for
the first bill for convict labor on the state roads. This was in 1899, f°r a convict
built state road between Pueblo and Leadville.
The Lewis bill, however, with some amendments, is the one under which
convicts are now successfully working. Work began under the Lewis bill in
the summer of 1905, on the famous "Sky Line" drive at Canon City, and to
Warden John Cleghorn belongs the credit of beginning the system of working
convicts without gun guards. I quote from his letter dated September 18, 1906,
read at the Denver Good Roads convention, of that year:
"We have been working on an average of seventy-five convicts on the roads
in this county (Fremont), under the provisions of the Lewis road law, for more
than a year, without gun guard or other protection aside from the overseers in
charge of the work. Not one attempt to escape has been made by any member
of these road gangs during this period, and it seems to be the ambition of a large
percentage of the inmates to attain a place on the road gang. In accordance with
the terms of the Lewis law the penitentiary commissioners adopted rules allowing
additional good time to each prisoner employed on the roads, and this fact, to-
gether with the change from prison conditions afforded by the outside work,
seems to serve as a great incentive both for faithful service and good conduct."
The famous highway to the top of the Royal Gorge was opened May 12, 1911,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 581
by Governor Shafroth. Prisoners from the state penitentiary in Canon City,
working in gangs of from twenty-four to forty, completed the road within eight
months. From its highest point Pike's Peak, nearly a hundred miles away, can
be seen to the east, and the Sangre de Cristo Range to the south, while 3,000
feet below, like mere streaks, the tracks of the railroad running through the can-
yon can be seen.
Work on the "Sky Line" was followed by work on the state road between
Trinidad and the New Mexico state line in 1908. The present warden, T. J.
Tynan, took charge of the work in 1909, and under his energetic and progres-
sive management convict road work has been extended until Colorado now ranks
above all other states in this class of work. The record of road building by
convicts will be found in the chapters on State Institutions.
The state highway commission now consists of a highway commissioner, ap-
pointed by the governor, and an advisory board of five members, holding office
from one to five years, respectively. The commission is required to meet four
times a year and to appoint a secretary, who is required to be a civil engineer
and a practical road builder, to hold office at the pleasure of the commission.
The commission is required to prepare a map showing the public roads in each
county connecting the roads of sufficient importance to receive state aid and
form a connecting system of state roads. The commission is given authority to
designate the most important roads as the first to be improved. They are also
authorized to make investigations to ascertain the location of road material, etc.
The commission is given authority to apportion the state road fund among
the counties, taking into consideration area, amount of money expended in con-
struction, difficulty and extent of such construction, and extraordinary expenses
in connection with the development of new territory. The counties receiving
such aid are required to raise an amount equal to the amount set aside by the
state, unless the state highway commission should desire to extend further aid to
poorer counties, in which case they may extend it to the amount of $5 of state
money to $i of the county's. All money apportioned to counties and not ac-
cepted by them is distributed to other counties. The county commissioners are
to designate the roads to receive state aid, subject to the approval of the state
highway commissioner. The county commissioners must make surveys, prepare
plans and specifications, and make estimates and submit them to the state high-
way commissioner for approval. Contracts are let by the county commissioners
after approval by the state highway commissioner. Construction and mainte-
nance are under the supervision of the county commissioners, subject to the ap-
proval of the state highway commissioner. The money apportioned by the state
highway commission shall be paid to the treasurer of the county on estimates from
the state highway commissioner as the work progresses. Annual reports must
be made by the county commissioners to the state highway commissioner of all
moneys expended on roads during the current year.
Appropriations for state highways are made directly by the Legislature.
In each county a board of three county commissioners serving four-year terms
has jurisdiction over local roads. They may appoint a general overseer for all
such roads or divide the county into districts and appoint a district overseer for
each.
Automobile registration with the secretary of state is required. The fees
582 HISTORY OF COLORADO
are as follows: 20 h. p. and less, $2.50; 21 h. p. and*4O h. p., $5; 41 h. p. and
over, $10; motorcycles, $2; chauffeur's license, $i.
Revenues are divided equally between the state and the county from which
the revenue is received. The state's portion is credited to the state road fund,
to be expended in improving and maintaining state roads, and the county's por-
tion is credited to the road fund of such county. Fines and forfeitures are divided
equally between the state and the county and credited in the same way as the
registration fees.
The highway officials in 1918 are: State highway commissioner, T. J. Ehr-
hart, of Denver. There is an advisory board of five members, composed at this
time of Lafayette Hughes, Denver ; Leonard E. Curtis, Colorado Springs ; Fred
J. Radford, Trinidad; L. Boyd Walbridge, Meeker; Frederick Goble, Silverton;
and J. E. Maloney, of Littleton, secretary and engineer.
The total length of roads in the state in 1916 was estimated to be thirty-one
thousand miles, of which 550 miles were hard surfaced. No roads are completed
entirely at the expense of the state, but it is estimated that fifty-five hundred
miles had in 1917 been improved partly at the expense of the state and partly
at the expense of local subdivisions.
THE STATE ROADS
The total mileage of roads in the state on January i, 1918, was approximately
40,000, of which about 7,100 is state highways. There is available for work on
state and county roads in 1918 a total of $800,000, together with the proportion-
ate sum from the counties. The Internal Improvement funds and Internal In-
come funds total $110,000. The half mill state levy for roads amounts to $600,-
ooo. The auto license fund is approximately $150,000.
Under the Federal act of July n, 1916, for ten years of Post Road building
Colorado will receive the following amounts: 1917, $83,690; 1918, $167,300;
1919, $251,070; 1920, $334,760; 1921, $418,450-
The State Highway Commission, under the supervision of T. J. Ehrhart,
commissioner, and J. E. Maloney, engineer, has during the past five years car-
ried out and greatly extended the system planned in the previous three years.
Originally the plan was for 3,000 miles of state road construction. This has
now grown to 7,100 miles, for the first time in the past few decades outdistanc-
ing railroad mileage, which today is approximately 5,800.
The most important of the state roads built during these years was the road
now known as the "Great North and South Highway." This goes from Cheyenne
to Raton, New Mexico, passing through Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Den-
. ver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Walsenburg, Trinidad, and over the Raton Pass
to Raton.
The entering roads from the east are first of all the Platte River road, com-
ing in at Julesburg. This is along one of the old overland routes and follows the
Platte River through Sterling, Brush, Fort Morgan, Greeley, Brighton and into
Denver. This now is the Colorado branch of the Lincoln Highway.
There are six main roads, including the above, from the east to the moun-
tains. The others go as follows : one via Holyoke, joining the river road at Ster-
ling: another by the old trail via Wray and Akron, joining the Lincoln Highway
HISTORY OF COLORADO 583
at Brush; another is via Burlington, following the old K. P. survey, running
from Burlington to Limon, branching there to Colorado Springs, and on to Den-
ver. This is now known as the Golden Beit road, also as a part of the Pike's
Peak Ocean to Ocean Highway, and also as the Kansas-Colorado road. The
next entrance from the east is the road via Cheyenne Wells, coming via Hugo to
Limon, where it joins the Golden Belt Highway. The next is the old Santa Fe
Trail, following the Arkansas River by way of Holly, Lamar, Las Animas, La
Junta, Rocky Ford, Manzanola, Fowler, to Pueblo. The present state highway
from La Junta to Trinidad, joins the North and South Highway at Trinidad.
From La Junta to Pueblo the road is known as the new Santa Fe Trail.
There is another entrance to the state via the Missouri Pacific, going through
Eads and Ordway, and joining the Santa Fe Trail at Manzanola.
The Midland Trail from Denver goes through to Grand Junction and Salt
Lake City, following the Lookout Mountain trail through the Denver Mountain
Park system to Idaho Springs, then over Berthoud Pass to Hot Sulphur Springs,
Kremmling, over the Trough to Wolcott, and then following the Eagle and Grand
rivers to Glenwood Springs, Rifle, and Grand Junction, west to the state line.
A state road branches at Rifle, going up to Meeker, thence west to the "K"
ranches at the state line, then via Vernal to Salt Lake City. Another road from
Denver is by way of Morrison and Turkey Creek, following the old Leadville
road from Conifer to Fairplay, then to Buena Vista and along the Arkansas
River to Leadville, crossing Tennessee Pass and following the Eagle River to
Wolcott, where it merges into the Midland Trail. The connection from Colo-
rado Springs is by way of Ute Pass into the South Park district, joining the
Leadville road just beyond Hartsel, thus connecting with the Midland Trail.
From Pueblo the road follows the Arkansas through Florence, Canon City, Salida,
to Buena Vista, connecting there with the road above mentioned and known as
the old Leadville road. From Pueblo to Salida is part of what is known as the
"Rainbow route," which runs from Salida across Monarch Pass into Gunnison,
following the Gunnison River, then crossing the Cerro Summit and dropping into
Montrose. From there it runs by Delta to Grand Junction, connecting there with
the Midland Trail. South from Montrose it runs to Ouray and Silverton. From
the North and South Highway at Walsenburg the state road runs south through
La Veta, over La Veta Pass to Fort Garland and Alamosa. There it follows the
Rio Grande River through Monte Vista, Del Norte to South Fork. A short
branch runs up through Wagon Wheel Gap to Creede. From South Fork sta-
tion the road follows the south fork of the Rio Grande over Wolf Creek Pass,
dropping into the west fork of the San Juan River, thence to Pagosa Springs and
Durango, Mancos, Mesa Verde Park, Cortez and the Dolores into the Montezuma
Valley. This road, known as the Spanish Trail, also leads into a picturesque
section of Utah, that containing the natural bridges and scenic wonders. This
was the old region of the so-called lawless characters. This is now part of the
road to California by way of New Mexico and Arizona, which is under con-
struction.
Between Durango and Silverton the state highway is now being constructed.
This will finish the western North and South Highway, giving the people of t*»e
western part of the state easy access to northern and southern points. Work is
584 HISTORY OF COLORADO
also under way on the road from Dolores to Rico, giving another outlet in this
section.
In addition to these there are main state highways connecting every county
seat in the state.
In the early '8os the Government built a road to Pagosa Springs from Ala-
mosa, going along the Alamosa River, crossing Ellwood Pass a short distance
from the old mines at Summitville, then dropping down Timber Hill and the
east fork of the San Juan to its junction with San Juan, thence to Pagosa Springs.
This was used for transporting troops and supplies quickly into regions made
dangerous by Indian raids. The west portion of the old road was washed out
by the flood of 1912, and is not now used. The Wolf Creek Pass road is now
a better road to the same section.
CHAPTER XXX
EDUCATION IN COLORADO
EARLY SCHOOL LAWS STANDARDIZATION — OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL EARLY HISTORY
OF THE SCHOOLS IN EACH COUNTY OF COLORADO — PRESENT ATTENDANCE,
VALUES, ETC.
EARLY SCHOOL LAWS
Among the acts passed by the first Legislative Assembly of Colorado, held
at Denver in 1861, was a very comprehensive school law, similar in its provisions
to that then in force in the State of Illinois. This law provided for the appoint-
ment, by the governor, during that session, of a "Territorial Superintendent of
Common Schools," who was to enter upon the duties of his office on the first day
of December, 1861, and to continue until his successor was duly appointed and
qualified ; he was to receive an annual salary of $500. The duties were minutely
prescribed and were similar to those now imposed on the state superintendent of
public instruction, with the additional duty of recommending to the several school
districts a uniform series of text-books, to be used in the schools thereof. As a
matter of course, the superintendent could accomplish but little. The impulses
of the people were in the right direction, but the essential elements of success —
children — were wanting. Some of the first school districts organized were as
large as states, while the school population numbered less than a score.
It may be interesting to note that the first effort to give the youths of this
part of the country some educational advantages was made by O. J. Goldrick,
later county superintendent, who opened a private school in Auraria in 1859.
The school started with an enrollment of thirteen children — two Indian half-
breeds, two Mexicans, and nine whites.
The law provided for the election, biennially, of a county superintendent in
each county, and in its general features was not essentially different from that
of the present.
At the second session of the Legislature, begun at Colorado City, July 7, 1862,
and adjourned to Denver, July nth, the ordinary school revenue was sought to
be supplemented by enacting "That hereafter when any new mineral lode, of
either gold bearing quartz, silver, or other valuable metal, shall be discovered in
this Territory, one claim of one hundred feet in length on such lode shall be
set apart and held in perpetuity for the use and benefit of schools in this Ter-
ritory, subject to the control of the Legislative Assembly."
This law seemed at the time to promise much for the schools, but the results
proved to be insignificant ; not one per cent of the thousands of claims so located
585
586 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ever contributed a dollar to the school fund; a few were sold at prices ranging
from $5 to $25.
By virtue of the provisions of the law of 1861, W. Curtice was, by Governor
Gilpin, appointed "Territorial Superintendent of Common Schools" and entered
upon the duties of his office December ist of that year.
The pioneers and immigrants of other new regions — Michigan, Illinois, Kan-
sas, etc. — were families, seeking permanent homes, while those of Colorado were
fortune-hunting men only, whose wives and children were left behind, whose
highest ambition and only intentions were to remain here long enough to gather
wealth.
Mr. Curtice resigned his office in 1863, and William S. Walker was appointed
to the vacancy. Mr. Walker left no records of his doings, and the presumption
is that little or nothing was done in the office, probably from the fact, as above
stated, of an insufficiency of working material.
At the fourth session of the Legislature, held at Golden City, in 1865, tne
school law was amended, making the territorial treasurer ex officio superintendent
of public instruction, with an annual salary of $500, and also fixing the compen-
sation of county superintendents at $5 a day for actual services; prior to this
the superintendent had been paid "such a sum as the county commissioners saw
fit to allow." By this last enactment, the superintendency fell into the hands of
A. W. Atkins, territorial treasurer. There are no reports of his official work.
The same may be said of his successors in 1866 and 1867. At the fifth session
of the Legislature, begun at Golden City, January ist, and adjourned to Denver
January 2, 1866, a law was passed making it a misdemeanor to jump mineral
claims that had been set apart for schools, or for failing to relinquish such
claims as had previously been pre-empted ; also, providing for the sale and leasing
of school claims, and the investment of the proceeds in United States bonds ;
also, for giving to the colored people a pro rata share of the school fund for the
maintenance of separate schools.
In December, 1867, Columbus Nuckolls, by virtue of his office as territorial
treasurer, became superintendent. His deputy, E. L. Berthoud, evidently set out
with a determination to bring order out of chaos; still but little was accom-
plished.
The chaotic condition of school affairs continued until 1870. It was no un-
common thing for the school funds to be misappropriated by both county and
district officers. The burden of the songs of nearly all, who were by law required
to make reports, was about the same: "Lack of interest," "My predecessor In
office has left no records," "I hope to get matters in shape so as to render a com-
plete account next year," "School matters here are in a very bad condition ; for
the past two years the County Commissioners have neglected to levy a school
tax, hence we have no money," etc., etc.
The advent of the railroad in 1870 seemed like a new birth ; the effects of the
success of the smelting works at Blackhawk, which had been in operation two
years, were being felt. Confidence and stability began to supplant doubt and
makeshifts ; it had been completely demonstrated that Colorado was to become
more than a mere mining camp, or a series of them. The favorable results of
irrigation had demonstrated beyond a doubt that farming was, ultimately, to play
an important part in the settlement of this region. Irrigation canals of great
HISTORY OF COLORADO 587
extent were projected, colonies were founded, immigration increased, and all cir-
cumstances tended towards the upbuilding of a great commonwealth. Costly
public schoolhouses sprang up as if by magic. Following those of Central City
and Blackhawk, were the still finer structures of Denver, Greeley, Golden, Colo-
rado Springs and Georgetown. Private and sectarian schools and seminaries
kept pace with the public schools.
The Legislature of 1870 made provision for a State School of Mines to be
located at Golden City, and also established the office of superintendent of public
instruction. The act provided that the governor, "by and with the consent of
the Legislative Assembly, should appoint a suitable person to said office, who
should hold the same two years and receive a salary of $1,000 a year."
By virtue of this enactment, Governor E. M. McCook appointed Wilbur C.
Lothrop superintendent of public instruction. Superintendent Lothrop published
his first report December 20, 1871, covering the years 1870-71. Mr. Lothrop was
reappointed to the office by Governor Elbert, in 1872, and continued until July,
1873, when he resigned, and Horace M. Hale was called to the vacancy. In
1874 Governor Elbert reappointed Mr. Hale, and in 1876 Governor Routt con-
tinued him in the office, which he held until November, 1876, when Joseph P.
Shattuck, who had been elected by the people under the provisions of the state
constitution, assumed its duties.
The complete list of superintendents appears in the roster of state officials
in the chapters on State Government.
With the advent of statehood the schools, both city and country, became
thoroughly modernized, culminating in the standardization, particularly of the
schools of the second and third class, and in the development of consolidated or
"Union" schools in country districts. The latter plan has brought the curricu-
lum of the country schools to a plane with that of the graded city schools.
STANDARDIZATION
A standard school, what is now known as the Colorado plan, means one
that has earned sufficient credits to be recognized by the State Standardization
Committee and the State Department of Public Instruction as worthy of special
commendation.
Credits are given for the proper heating and lighting and ventilating of the
school building. A condition of ideal cleanliness is required. A minimum of
two hundred cubic feet of air and a minimum of fifteen square feet of floor
space for each pupil is necessary. The building must be well designed, well
painted, the site must be convenient, healthful and beautiful. The school build-
ing must be equipped with thoroughly modern furniture and possess a good
library, musical instruments, good pictures or other art agencies, and tinted walls
and well finished woodwork. -A minimum of one acre of ground must surround
the school building. Playground apparatus, lawn, shrubs, trees, and other fea-
tures of aesthetic and economic value must be present. The school district must
either provide a teacherage or make itself responsible for securing good places
for the teachers. The school must be a community center and the teacher a com-
munity leader. A high grade of teacher must be provided and good salaries
paid.
588 HISTORY OF COLORADO
These are the requirements of standardization, and their fulfillment is recog-
nized by the presentation of a tablet, beautiful in design, which declares the grade
of standardization attained by the school.
The first Standardization Day was observed on February 25, 1917, although
2.y2 years of work had gone to prepare the way for this great educational and
civic holiday. In 1918 there are 305 standard schools in the State of Colorado,
17 of which are "Superior," 115 "Approved," and 173 "Probationary."
Among recent methods of securing the betterment of rural schools, standardi-
zation has come to be considered one of the most practical and efficient. It re-
quires no legislation to effectuate this form of school improvement, the constitu-
tional authority of the state department of education being amply sufficient to
put it in operation. It appeals to local self-respect and pride in the local school
and community and it stimulates local initiative. It includes no denunciation of
present conditions, but holds fine aims before the minds of teachers, pupils, tax-
payers and school patrons generally. It stands for practical idealism in school
work, energizes the higher motives, and makes definite requirements which must
be met by all who care for the schools.
OPPORTUNITY SCHOOL
In the city its culmination has been the creation of a system of splendid man-
ual training schools and of what is now known as the "Opportunity" school, the
credit of which must go both to the creator of the idea, Carlos M. Cole, superin-
tendent of the Denver schools, and to Miss Emily Griffith who has so successfully
developed the new school that it is now attracting the attention of educators all
over the country. It was the idea of Mr. Cole to establish a school in which the
three usual elements of school control were to be eliminated. It was to have no
definite hours, but was to begin and end daily according to the needs of its pupils.
It was to have no age limit and it was to have none of the usual educational re-
quirements for admission. It was to be a people's school in which trades for
men and women could be acquired, and in which elementary education was to be
at hand for men and women who had lacked early opportunities. The Denver
"Opportunity" school begins at 8:30 a. m., and closes at 9 p. m. During these
hours it often serves as many as three thousand individuals.
EARLY HISTORY OF THE SCHOOLS BY COUNTIES
Early attempts to open schools in what was part of Arapahoe County and
what is now Denver met with but little encouragement. A private school con-
ducted in 1859 nad but nine white pupils. But in October, 1862, under territorial
enactment the first election for members of boards of education was held and
two districts organized. The first public school, with three teachers, was con-
ducted by the second district officers on the upper floor of a roomy two-story
brick building on Larimer between Tenth and Eleventh streets. A few days
later the first district officials opened the Bayaud School on the present site of
the American House.
In 1868, upon the demand of some of the patrons, a separate school for
HISTORY OF COLORADO 589
colored children was opened temporarily at Sixteenth and Market streets, and
a German private school was reorganized as a public school.
The first official records show that in 1870 there were ten school districts in
Arapahoe County, having a total school population of 1,122 persons and an ap-
propriation for the year of $18,096.55.
At the close of 1880 there were thirty-two organized districts in the qounty
and 12,046 persons of school age. The apportionment for the year was $70,-
606.31.
The decade 1880-90 shows an unprecedented increase in school affairs. The
school population was more than doubled, the number of schools more than
trebled, and sixty-five new districts were formed.
During the next decade no new districts were formed. There was a gradual
growth in school population and a proportionate increase in school accommoda-
tions.
In 1903 the consolidation of the districts was completed and the supervision
placed in the hands of Superintendent Aaron Gove, assisted by L. C. Greenlee
and C. E. Chadsey.
The superintendents in succession were : L. C. Greenlee, C. E. Chadsey, and
William H. Smiley, and the present superintendent, Carlos M. Cole.
On January i, 1916, there were in Denver 73 schools with 871 school rooms,
63 school libraries and all valued at $4,549,753- The enrollment was 4,916 in
high schools, 4,194 in rural schools, and a total of 41,781 enrolled in the public
schools.
The first high school of the county was established in District No. i in 1874.
The Arapahoe School, situated on Arapahoe Street, between Seventeenth and
Eighteenth, was used for this purpose until 1881, when the present high school
was finished. District No. 2 opened a high school in 1881, but had no separate
building until 1893, the date of the completion of the present high school.
District No. 17 organized its first high school in the Ashland School in 1883;
District No. 7, the South Denver section of the city, in the Grand School in
1892, and District No. 21 in the Villa Park School in 1895.
At the time of the consolidation of the districts there were eight high schools
in Arapahoe County, including the five mentioned above, one at Brighton, one at
Littleton and the Manual Training, established by District No. i in 1897.
At present there are in existence the East Side high school, the Manual Train-
ing high school, the North Side high school, the Denver School of Trades and
the West Side high school.
In Adams County, which was part of Arapahoe, the school enrollment in
1916 was 2,479. The enrollment in the high school at Brighton was 143 ; in rural
schools, 965. There are 65 school buildings, with 94 schoolrooms, in' the county.
In Arapahoe County, separated from Denver, there are 45 schoolhouses, with
86 schoolrooms. There are high schools at Englewood and at Littleton, with an
attendance January i, 1916, of 159. The total enrolled in the public schools of
the county on that date was 1,842.
Archuleta County. — School District No. 5, of Conejos County, was detached
from this county May 20, 1885, and known as Archuleta County, and F. A.
Byrne was appointed county superintendent of schools.
The first schoolhouse was a frame building 22 by 30 and 12 feet high, one
590 HISTORY OF COLORADO
room, with wooden benches, one stove, poor ventilation, and no school apparatus.
Thirty pupils were enrolled on the teacher's daily register.
In 1888 and in 1903 new schoolhouses were built.
The county contains a large per cent of Mexican children, which causes a
slower progress in the teachers' work, as they must learn the language over and
above what the American children do.
Baca County. — What is now Baca County was part of Las Animas County
until April 16, 1889, when it was organized into a county under the present
name. Prior to this there were thirty-two school districts.
During the rapid settlement of the county in 1887 and 1888, ten school dis-
tricts were organized in 1887 and twenty-one districts in 1888.
There are now forty-three districts, and a school age census of 1,879.
Bent County. — There is a record of a private school established in what is
now Bent County in 1869 at Las Animas. Bent's early educational history is
that of the counties from which it was segregated. On January i, 1916, there
were forty-five school districts in the county, with a school age census of 2,205.
The attendance of the high school in Las Animas was 135. The total attendance
in the public schools of the county was 1,295. It has thirty-four schoolhouses,
with sixty-one rooms, and a total school property valuation of $72,211.
Boulder County. — Robert J. Woodward, superintendent in 1868, reported
thirteen districts and 439 persons of school age. The first public School was
opened in 1860, with A. R. Brown as teacher. Mr. Brown had taught a private
school the winter before. The first schoolhouse was built in the fall of 1860.
This is claimed to be the first schoolhouse built in the territory — a one-room frame
building, which was used also for town and church purposes.
On January i, 1916, Boulder County had eighty-two schools, with 196 rooms,
with a total county school valuation of $537,462. The high school enrollment
was 810, and the total public school enrollment was 3,428. There are high
schools at Boulder, Longmont, Louisville and Lafayette.
Chaffee County. — This is one of the counties created after statehood. On
January i, 1916, it had thirty-five schoolhouses, with seventy-four rooms, total
valuation, $138,400. In the high schools at Salida and Buena Vista the enroll-
ment was 228. The total enrollment in the public schools on January i, 1916,
was 1,698.
Cheyenne County. — This is another of the eastern counties segregated after
statehood. On January i, 1916, there were forty-eight pupils enrolled in trie
high school at Cheyenne Wells. The total enrollment in the public schools of
the county January i, 1916, was 796. There were in the county sixty-six school-
houses, with seventy-five rooms, and valued at $63,410.
Clear Creek County. — In 1869 there were twenty-five school children in the
county, and they occupied a schoolhouse which had cost $2,300 to erect. During
the gold excitement there was a considerable growth in school population. On
January i, 1916, there were sixteen school houses, with forty-two rooms, and
valued at $94,256, in the county. The enrollment in the high school was 118,
and the total public school population was 837.
Cone j os and Alamosa counties. — Both are counties segregated in later years.
On January i, 1916, there were enrolled in the Alamosa high school seventy-six
pupils, with a total public school population in the county of 1,066. Conejos had
HISTORY OF COLORADO 591
fifty-seven in the La Jara consolidated school, and a total public school enroll-
ment in the county of 2,185. In Alamosa there were twenty-seven schools, with
forty-four rooms, and valued at $62,075. In Conejos there were thirty-two
schools, with sixty-five rooms, and valued at $82,477.
Costilla County. — On January i, 1916, there were thirteen districts, with
thirty- three teachers in the county. The total school enrollment in the high
school grades was twenty-seven; total public school enrollment in county, 1,047.
There were in the county fifteen schools, with thirty-eight rooms, and valued at
$55,550.
Crowley County. — This was segregated in late years from Bent and Prowers.
On January i, 1916, there were twenty-six schools in the county, with approxi-
mately thirty-eight rooms, and valued at $81,500. The high schools at Ordway
and Sugar City have an enrollment of no. The total enrollment in the county
was 1,586.
Custer County. — The first public school taught in what is now Custer County
was in School District No. 8, Fremont County, in Wet Mountain Valley, about
four miles southwest from Silver Cliff. A five months' term was taught here in
the winter of 1871-72, by Miss Louisa V. Verden. There was probably an average
attendance of a dozen pupils.
On January i, 1916, there were enrolled in the public schools of Custer
County 428 pupils. These were housed in twenty-two school buildings, with
twenty-eight rooms. School property is valued at $12,800.
Delta County. — The early school history of this county is told in that of the
Western Slope counties, out of which it was segregated. On January i, 1916,
there were enrolled in the high schools of Delta, Hotchkiss and Paonia, 591
pupils. The total enrollment in the county was 3,966. There were fifty-three
schoolhouses in the county with 132 rooms, and valued at $214,223. Delta County
has twenty-seven school libraries.
Dolores County. — This also was segregated in later years. On January i,
1916, there were 147 pupils enrolled in its public schools. They were housed in
six schoolhouses, with nine rooms, and a total valuation of $12,400.
Douglas County. — The early history of this county is that of its immediate
county neighbors, from whom it was separated after statehood. On January i,
1916, there were seventy-seven pupils enrolled in the high school at Castle Rock.
The total enrollment in the county was 726. The county has forty-six school-
houses, with fifty-seven rooms, and valued at $77,410.
Eagle County. — This also is one of the later counties. On January i, 1916,
there were enrolled in the high school at Gypsum seventy-seven pupils. The
total enrollment in the public schools of the county was 878. There were thirty-
three public schools, with forty-six rooms, in the county, and these were valued
at $63,400.
Elbert County. — On January i, 1916, there were enrolled in the high schools
at Elizabeth and Simla eighty-three pupils, ^nd the total enrollment in the public
schools of the county was 1,565. Elbert County had January i, 1916, a total of
ninety-nine schoolhouses, with 109 rooms, and a valuation of $56,945.
El Paso County. — In 1868 there were in El Paso County six districts, and
235 persons of school age. The first school was opened at Colorado City. On
January i, 1916, there were enrolled in the high schools of Colorado Springs
592 HISTORY OF COLORADO
1,504 pupils, with a total enrollment in the public schools of the county of 9,301.
There were on January i, 1916, 143 public schools in the county, with 321 rooms.
The valuation of school property was placed at $1,278,421.
Fremont County. — In 1869 there were seven districts in the county, and 180
persons of school age, and as the superintendent phrased it, "a general indif-
ference in the matter of schools." On January i, 1916, the enrollment in the
high schools of Canon City, Florence and South Canon was 483, with a total
public school enrollment of 4,187. There were in the county sixty-two schools,
with 147 rooms, and the school property was valued at $279,640.
Garfield County. — On January i, 1916, there were in Garfield County fifty-
four schoolhouses, with 101 rooms, and valued at $198,850. The enrollment in
the high schools of Carbondale, Rifle, Grand. Valley, Silt, New Castle and Glen-
wood Springs, was 306; total enrollment in public schools of the county, 2,468.
Gilpin County. — Thomas Campbell reported in 1868, five school districts,
with 639 persons of school age, nine teachers, salaries from $50 to $150 a
month. The first school taught in this county was a private school, by Miss
Ellen F. Kendall, in her father's house, in the fall of 1862. A public school
was soon after opened, and Miss Kendall gave up her school to assist
Thomas Campbell in its management. In this county were built, 1870, the first
permanent schoolhouses in Colorado, Central City building a granite house at
a cost of $20,000, and Blackhawk, a frame, costing $15,000.
On January i, 1916, there were enrolled in the high school at Central City
fifty-nine pupils. The total enrollment in the county was 455. There were
eighteen schoolhouses, with thirty-six rooms, and valued at $89,490 in the
in the county.
Grand County. — On January i, 1916, there were enrolled in the Union high
school at Kremmling twenty pupils. The total enrollment in the county was
359. There were sixteen schoolhouses, with twenty-two rooms, and valued at
$19,144, in the county.
Gunnison County. — The rush to Gunnison in 1879 an^ 1880 was followed
immediately by the establishment of the school system. By 1890 the county had
a school population of 844. There were twenty school districts and eighteen
buildings, valued at $42,850. On January i, 1916, there were enrolled in the
high school at Gunnison 141 pupils. The total enrollment in the county was
1,323. There were in the county thirty-five schoolhouses, with sixty-five rooms,
and valued at $89,473.
Hinsdale County. — The first- school district was organized in 1876, and in
a few months had pupils in ten grades. In 1890 thefe were 145 pupils enrolled
in its four districts, and at school in its three schoolhouses. The schools then in
existence were valued at $32,000. On January i, 1916, there were eight school-
houses, with fourteen rooms, in the county ; valuation, $19,082. There was an
enrollment of ten in the high school grades, and a total enrollment of no in
the public schools of the county.
Huerfano County. — The first schoolhouse was built at St. Mary's, on the
old Cate Patterson place, by the people of the community, in 1869, and in 1870
a man by the name of Harland taught school in it. Judge J. A. J. Valdez taught
a school in Cucharas, and drew his pay from the county, $300. About 1871,
Father Jose Piercevoux, a lay priest, taught a school in Walsenburg. The first
HISTORY OF COLORADO 593
records, in 1874, show that at that time there were eight school districts in the
county, i. e. : Gardner, Badito, St. Mary's, Butte Valley, La Veta, Walsenburg,
Santa Clara, and Cucharas.
The first schoolhouse in Walsenburg was built in 1875, and the deed was
given in 1876. It was built on what is West Sixth Street on the lot now oc-
cupied by the fire department. The first high school was that of Walsenburg,
which was established in 1896. The La Veta Union high school was organized
in 1905 ; it comprises five districts. The County high school was established in
1906.
On January i, 1916, there were enrolled in the Walsenburg and La Veta high
schools, 138 pupils. The total enrollment in the public schools of the county
was 3,568. There were fifty-nine school buildings, with 106 rooms, valued at
$146,743, in the county.
Jackson County. — The early school history of Larimer County covers the
beginnings in this section. On January i, 1916, there were nine schoolhouses,
with twelve rooms, in the county, and the valuation of this property was $7,200.
The enrollment on January i, 1916, was nineteen in the high school at Walden,
and a total of 164 in the public schools of the county.
Jefferson County. — M. C. Kirby, superintendent, reported in 1868 ten dis-
tricts, with 429 persons of school age. The first school was taught at Golden
City, in the winter of 1860, by J. Daugherty, with eighteen pupils in attendance.
The first public school was opened in the same district in 1863, and taught by
Miss Bell Dixon. In 1863 a one-story brick schoolhouse was built, which was
used also by the governor as an office. It was burned, and another was built
on the site.
In 1890 the South Golden schoolhouse, built in 1873, an^ the North Golden
school, built in 1879, were pretentious structures. The school population in this
year was 1,548. There were forty-five schoolhouses, nine of logs, twenty-eight
frame and eight of brick and stone. The high school in 1890 had an enrollment
of fifty-seven.
On January i, 1916, there were 317 pupils in the high school, and 2,863
enrolled in the public schools of the county. The schoolhouses numbered sixty,
with 116 rooms, and valued at $206,272.
Kiowa County. — This was part of Bent County until 1889. By the census
of 1890 its school population was 411. Its schoolhouses numbered seven, and
were put up at a cost of about eleven thousand dollars.
On January i, 1916, there were fifty-one schoolhouses in the county, with
seventy-two rooms, and valued at $53,525. The enrollment in the high school
grades was seventy-one; total enrollment in the p'ublic schools of the county,
1,240.
Kit Carson County. — The first record of schools in Kit Carson County dates
back to 1886, when the territory now embraced in Kit Carson County was a
part of Elbert County. From this time to May ist, 1889, thirty-one schools were
established. The record shows the existence of two other schools, which must
have been established previous to the above, but does not tell when they were
established. They were districts 26, at Carlysle, and 39, at Tuttle, one of which
must have been the first school established in this section.
From 1889 to 1895 new districts were established, boundaries were changed,
Vol. 1—88
594 HISTORY OF COLORADO
and a few districts were annulled, until there were forty-six districts, representing
as many schools, the largest number of districts, but not the largest number of
schools, in the history of the county.
From 1895 to 1903 a great many people left the county, and ten districts were
annulled.
The first graded school was taught in the Town of Burlington, in 1893-94.
From 1893 and 1894 to 1900 a school having but one, or, perhaps, two
pupils enrolled, was not an unusual thing; now a great many of the country
schools enroll thirty, forty, and as high as fifty-six pupils.
In 1916 there were 118 pupils enrolled in the high schools of the county, and
a total enrollment of 2,048 in the county. In that year there were 100 school-
houses, with 125 rooms, and valuation was placed at $76,063.
Lake County. — In February, 1879, Chaff ee County was divided, and the
portion now known as Lake County was organized into a new county. Previous
to this division there were three organized school districts in the section now
known as Lake County. The most reliable information obtainable fixes the date
of the establishment of the first school, at Oro City, in 1876.
In 1878 the first school was established in Leadville, with an enrollment of
thirty pupils. In 1879 the commencement of the "boom" days, six additional
rented rooms and eight teachers were necessary to care for the four or five hun-
dred pupils enrolled.
The annual report for 1908 shows that there were twenty school buildings
in Lake County, with fifty-five teachers. The school buildings were valued at
$133,900. The high school building erected, in 1907, in Leadville, was one of
the best equipped in the state.
On January i, 1916, there were twenty-one schools, with forty-nine rooms,
and valued at $140,931.15. The enrollment in the high school was 250; total en-
rollment in public schools of county, 1,521.
La Plata County. — In 1876 the first school district was organized, in what is now
La Plata County ; the county superintendent was F. G. Hagan.
Durango, included in District No. 9, was organized February 9, 1881, with
twenty-six children of school age on the census list. The county seat was
then at Parrott. C. M. Hoge was then county superintendent. In 1888 there
were twenty districts in the county. Not until 1905 was all the territory in the
county organized into school districts.
By 1890 the total school population had grown to 1,056, with an enrollment
of 745. There were sixteen schoolhouses in La Plata County, which were valued
approximately at thirty-two thousand dollars. On January i, 1916, there were in
the county fifty-six schoolhouses, with 104 rooms, and valued at $152,300. The
high school enrollment was 312, and the total number of pupils in the public
schools of the county was 2,582.
Larimer County. — James M. Smith, superintendent, reported, in 1868, three
school districts, with seventy-five persons of school age. The first school (pri-
vate) was taught in 1864, near the present site of Loveland, by Mrs. A. L. Wash-
burn ; her patrons paid her $10 a month. The first public school was opened in
the winter of 1865, near Loveland, and taught by Edward Smith. In 1868 a
log schoolhouse was built by contributors of labor and material. La Porte also
opened a public school in 1865.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 595
In 1890 the school population of the county was 2,757, and of these 2,272
were enrolled. There were fifty-six schoolhouses, valued at nearly ninety thou-
sand dollars, and in Fort Collins the Franklin, built in 1886, and the Remington,
in 1878, had cost respectively $20,000 and $10,000.
On January i, 1916, there were 777 pupils enrolled in the several high schools
of the county, the largest number in Loveland and Fort Collins. The total en-
rollment in the public schools of the county was 6,810. There were seventy-
three schoolhouses, with 204 rooms, in the county, with a valuation of $595,553.
Las Animas County. — Las Animas County was created by an act of the
Legislature in 1866, and in the early part of the following year the first school
district in the county was organized, in Trinidad, which was known as "School
District No. I." This district embraced, originally, within its territory, what are
now known as Starkville, Sopris, Jansen, Engleville, El Moro and Bowen. The
first school was started in the new district in the fall of 1867, with George Boyles
as teacher.
In 1867 Jefferson W. Le welling was elected the first county superintendent,
but had to resign, and Joseph Davis was appointed in his place.
The schools of Las Animas County developed rapidly. By 1890 there were
in Trinidad three two-story brick schools, a private academy, the Tillotson, and
a business college. In that year, 1,844 pupils were enrolled in the public schools,
with an enrollment fully as large in the parochial schools, which most of the
Mexican children attended. There were, however, thirty-three public schools.
On January I, 1916, there were enrolled in the high school 449; and the total
enrollment in the public schools of the county was 9,077. The public schools
numbered eighty-nine, with 230 rooms, and a valuation of $561,805.
Lincoln County. — In 1890 there were seven schools in the county. In that
year Hugo built an $8,000 school building. On January i, 1916, there were in
Lincoln County twenty-nine public schools, with 116 rooms, and valued at $130,-
877. In the high school at Hugo the enrollment was 1 19. The total public school
enrollment in the county was 951.
Logan County. — The early school history of this county, created in 1887, is
largely that of Weld County. By 1883 Sterling had a fine $6,000 school build-
ing, the Franklin; and by 1888 the Broadway, costing $10,000, was built. By
the census of 1890 Logan had 1,104 °f school age, of whom 900 were enrolled,
thirty-seven in the Sterling high school. There were thirty schoolhouses, and
the value of the school property was approximately thirty-three thousand dollars.
On January i, 1916, there were four high schools in the county, the Industrial
Arts high school at Sterling, and the Union high schools at Atwood, Merino and
Crook. On January i, 191^, there were 386 enrolled in the high schools, and the
total public school enrollment was 3,610. There were ninety-three schoolhouses
in the county, with 139 rooms, and a valuation of $300,080.
Mesa County. — The first schoolhouse on the site of Grand Junction was one
made of pickets, about the period of the town's beginning in 1881. The first
election held was for members of a school board, and W. M. McKelvey, O. D.
Russell and Dr. H. E. Stroud were chosen to supervise the work of Miss Nannie
Blair, the teacher. From that time on the growth of the schools was rapid.
In 1890 there were twelve school buildings, with fifteen pupils in the first
high school. The total enrollment was nearly seven hundred. In January, 1916,
596 HISTORY OF COLORADO
there were Union high schools at Fruita and Collbran, a Senior high school
and a Junior high school at Grand Junction, with high school grades at Pali-
sade. There were 797 pupils in the high schools of the county, with a total
public school enrollment of 5,165. The schoolhouses numbered sixty-five, with
239 rooms, and valued at $383,700.
Mineral County. — Mineral County was organized in April, 1893. Governor
Waite appointed W. A. Gipson superintendent of schools of the new county.
May 3rd three schools were established, at Weaver, Sunnyside and Spar City.
June 6th school commenced at Bachelor and Creedmore. In 1894 the census was
364, a decrease of ninety-eight from the preceding year. In 1907 the census
was 430, and enrollment 323. Nine teachers were employed.
On January i, 1916, there were thirty-eight enrolled in the high school at
North Creede. The total enrollment in the county was 210. The seven school
buildings were valued at $13,800.
Moffat County. — The early history of Routt County covers the first period
of this region. On January I, 1916, there were thirty schoolhouses in the county,
with forty-three rooms, and valued at $40,840. There were fifty-one enrolled in
high school grades, with a total public school enrollment in the county of 516.
Montezuma County. — The first school district was organized and the first
school opened in Cortez on August i, 1887. By 1890 a high school had been
built at Mancos, and had forty pupils enrolled, and a two-story stone structure
had been put up at Cortez.
The enrollment in the county in that year was 549. On January i, 1916,
there were forty-one schools in the county, with sixty-three rooms, and valued
at $55,580. The high school enrollment was 107, and total public school enroll-
ment 1,529.
Montrose County. — District No. i, Montrose, was organized in 1883. The
first building was a brick one of four rooms. The County high school was or-
ganized in 1004, with three teachers.
School District No. 2, Montrose R. F. D. No. i, was formed in 1883, from
a part of District No. i, and extending north from that.
School District No. 3, Montrose R. F. D. No. 2, was formed in 1883 from
a part of District No. i, and extending north from that.
In 1890 there were nineteen public schoolhouses and 419 pupils enrolled.
From that period on the schools of the county have grown rapidly until on Janu-
ary i, 1916, there were a county high school at Montrose, an Olathe branch
county high school, a Nucla branch county high school, and an Uncompahgre
branch county high school. There are twenty-six school districts in the county.
The high school enrollment is 425, and the total public school enrollment 3,332.
There are forty-three school buildings, with 102 rooms, in the county, and these
are valued at $201,745.
Morgan County. — -W. E. Garver was the first county superintendent after the
incorporation of the county in 1889. In 1800 the public school enrollment was
350. Nine school buildings, valued at $18,428, had been erected. On January
i, 1916, there were in the high schools at Brush and Fort Morgan 473 pupils.
The total public school enrollment in the county was 3,027. There were sixty-
nine schoolhouses, with 127 rooms, in the county, and these were valued at
$265,459.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 597
Otero County. — In 1877 t^6 fifst school district was organized in La Junta.
The first schoolroom was of cottonwood logs. In September, 1877, when the
schools opened, the enrollment was thirteen, embracing all the school popula-
tion save ten or twelve. The first school directors in this district were all women
— Mrs. George Spane, Mrs. S. J. Anderson and Mrs. Cooper. Miss Ida Crit-
tenden was the first teacher, and Miss Florence Brondage and Mrs. Rollings-
worth her successors.
In the year 1879 tne school population was thirty, and the adobe building,
used later as a residence by Rev. Father Callahan, was built, costing $1,000.
Mrs. Marshall taught in this for a little time, also J. E. Gauger, former county
clerk of Otero County.
Messrs. Russell, Kilgore and Spane, in 1883, put up the stone building, No.
I, costing $7,500. Two teachers were employed. In 1904 a five-room addition
was completed at a cost of $12,000.
During the years 1884-85, 180 pupils were enrolled in La Junta and in 1890
this number had increased to 600.
The Columbian school was completed and occupied in December, 1890, and
cost $15,000. Union District No. i county high school was organized in 1895,
with about fifty pupils and three teachers.
In 1890 the enrollment in the public schools of the county was 497, and the
nine schoolhouses were valued at $7,000. On January i, 1916, there were high
schools at Manzanola, Rocky Ford, La Junta and Fowler. The high school en-
rollment was 629, the total public school county enrollment, 5,131. There were
forty-five schools, with 154 rooms, and these were valued at $480,930.
Ouray County. — Rev. C. M. Hoge was the first county superintendent, elected
in 1877, and schools were established at once. By 1890 there were ten districts
and as many schoolhouses, built at a cost of $23,800. The enrollment was 586,
and of these eight were in the high school grades. On January i, 1916, there
were 101 enrolled in the Ouray County high school, with a total enrollment of
715 in the county. Eighteen school houses, with forty-two rooms were valued
at $64,850.
Park County. — Oliver P. Allen, superintendent in 1869, reported sixty-four
pupils enrolled in the two schools of the county. On January i, 1916, there were
thirty schoolhouses in the county, and the public school enrollment in the county
is several hundred. There are forty-three pupils in the high school at Hartsel.
Phillips County. — The first county superintendent of schools was Oscar Trego,
elected in .1889. Holyoke had schools when the first settlers came, and long be-
fore incorporation. In 1888, the year of the town's incorporation, one two-story
brick school was erected at a cost of $8,000. In 1890 there were sixty-two school
districts and thirty-five school buildings in the county, valued at $16,698. The
enrollment was 777. On January i, 1916, there were thirty-six school buildings,
with forty-seven rooms, and valued at $42,000. Seventy-eight high school pupils
were enrolled. The total enrollment was 910.
Pitkin County. — The first schools in Pitkin County were held in Tourtelotte
Park and Aspen in the fall of 1881 and the spring of 1882. These were not
organized districts until 1882. The first school opened with an enrollment of
twenty-five pupils. The school, in a regular organized district, opened in the fall
598 . HISTORY OF COLORADO
of 1882, and consisted of two rooms with an enrollment of twenty-five pupils in
each room.
On January i, 1916, there were 112 pupils enrolled in the Aspen high school.
The total public school enrollment in the county was 798. There were twenty-
one public schools, with forty-eight rooms, in the county; valuation, $52,312.
Prowers County. — Lamar had its first school in 1886, the year before the
date of its incorporation. Within the next three years it expended $14,000 on a
fine two-story schoolhouse. In 1890 there were 535 pupils enrolled in the eleven
schoolhouses in the county. On January i, 1916, there were 392 pupils enrolled
in the high schools of the county. The total enrollment in the public schools
of the county was 3,125. There were sixty-three schools in the county, with 117
rooms; valuation, $215,808.
Pueblo County. — In 1862 the first school in southern Colorado was opened
in Pueblo. The building, a frame structure built near the center of the town,
has long since disappeared. It was a school supported by subscription, and its
teacher was a Miss Weston.
School District No. i was organized in 1866-67 an<^ tne members of the first
school board were L. R. Graves, H. C. Thatcher and D. Sheets.
In 1870-71 a two-room adobe schoolhouse, the first public school building
in southern Colorado, was erected in Pueblo, on the corner of Eleventh and Court
streets, where now stands the beautiful Centennial high school.
The first teachers in this building were Mesdames S. J. Patterson and E. S.
Owen. They were followed by Miss Hillock and Miss Lou Stout.
The "adobe" was soon outgrown and it was necessary to rent rooms in dif-
ferent parts of the town to accommodate the larger pupils.
In 1874 the bonds for a new building were sold, but after the building was
started the district treasurer absconded with the funds. For over a year no pub-
lic school was held, but in January, 1876, the new building was opened and it
was appropriately named the Centennial School.
In 1890 this was remodeled and enlarged and made into one of the finest and
best equipped school buildings in the United States. At that time the old "adobe"
was torn down. In 1908 another wing was added to the building.
District No. i contained in 1008, besides the Centennial high school, the
Hinsdale, Fountain, Somerlid, Bradford, Riverside, Irving and Centennial An-
nex buildings.
The first superintendent of District No. i was Prof. Isaac C. Dennett, who
had charge of the schools from 1876 to 1879, whe« he was called to a chair in
the state university. He was succeeded by J. S. McClung, of Delavan, Illinois,
who for twenty-six years was at the head of the schools of this district.
Superintendent McClung was followed in September, 1905, by Prof. George
W. Loomis, who was formerly the superintendent of the Central State Normal
School of Michigan.
In 1873 a new school district, which was called No. 20, was organized in
Pueblo on the south side of the Arkansas River.
Ex-Governor Adams was one of the chief factors in its organization, having
driven out to the ranch of Philip Zoeller, Pueblo's first county superintendent,
and presented a petition to him to organize the territory lying south of the Arkan-
sas River into a new school district. Superintendent Zoeller did so, but said
HISTORY OF COLORADO 599
that he did not see the use of it, as there were no children to attend school. The
members of the first school board in the new district were Dr. Shelburn, J. A.
Barclay and Klass Wildeboor.
A one-room brick building was erected on the brow of the hill, and the school
was opened in the fall of 1873.
The little brick building was soon followed by a four-room building, the
Corona, and the Central, Bessemer, Wildeboor, Danforth, Carlile, Columbian,
Edison, Central Annex, Minnequa, Lake View, Lincoln and the Pueblo high
school, the latter said to be one of the finest school buildings in the United States,
were built.
Mrs. Emma Kincaid was the first principal of the "Corona," and she was
succeeded in March, 1882, by C. W. Parkinson.
In February, 1883, the enrollment in this district was 460. January I, 1916,
there were enrolled in the high schools of the county, the Centennial, Manual
Training department, the Pueblo and the Junior high school, 1,037 pupils. The
total enrollment in the county was 9,943. There were ninety-one schools, with
375 rooms, in the county; value, $1,395,113.
Rio Blanco County. — Before the incorporation of Meeker, in 1885, the settlers
had started their schools. Before 1890 it had expended $10,000 on a two-story
brick school. The enrollment in the six schoolhouses of the county in that year
was 153. On January i, 1916, there were sixty pupils enrolled in the Meeker
high school, and the total enrollment in the twenty-two county public schools
was 339. The valuation of these schools was $34,756.
Rio Grande County. — Daniel E. Newcomb, the first county superintendent,
was appointed March 21, 1874. At Del Norte the first school district was or-
ganized jn 1874, the first directors being John Poole, J. Hughes and J. C. Howard.
A fine schoolhouse was erected from the proceeds of a $10,000 bond issue. The
public school enrollment in 1890 in the county was 817, in seventeen schoolhouses.
On January i, 1916, there were 200 pupils enrolled in the Del Norte and Monte
Vista schools. The total public school enrollment in the county was 1,823. There
were twenty-nine school buildings, with fifty-one rooms, and valuation, $126,900.
Routt County. — The first school established in Routt County was organized
March 5, 1881, on Snake River, near the present town of Slater. The first board
of directors was A. McCargar, president; A. L. Ely, treasurer; and F. N. Robi-
dottx, secretary. Ten pupils were enrolled.
The schoolhouse was a small log cabin, and grouped around it were three or
four empty cabins. Some of the mothers brought the children to school on Mon-
day mornings, stayed in these cabins all the week, and took them back to the
ranch Friday evenings.
District No. 2 was organized at Ladore September 12, 1881. No report was
received from this district after 1882, so the district number was given to Hayden,
organized in 1882 with an enrollment of twenty-eight. The first term was held
in a cabin on the present site of Hayden. School was held in different cabins
up and down the river until 1889, when a permanent schoolhouse was built. It
had only one room, but was the best school building in the county at that time.
In the days of the log cabin schoolhouse in the Hayden district there came
a heavy rain one spring that lasted three days. A settler happened to go to the
600 HISTORY OF COLORADO
schoolhouse one morning and found all the pupils sitting on the floor under a
table studying, while the rain was pouring through the dirt roof.
The original District No. 3 was organized in November, 1881. It included
almost a third of the county and was situated in the southeastern part.
August 25, 1883, District No. 4 was established. The first school was taught
by Mr. Bennett in the home of J. H. Crawford at Steamboat Springs. A little
later the school was held in a cabin built for that purpose. In 1890 a new school
building was completed.
District No. 6 was organized in Egeria Park December 10, 1883, and District
No. 5 at Craig, now part of Moffatt County, July 6, 1885.
The first schoolhouse at Craig was built on one corner of the McLachlin
ranch. The first term there were fifteen pupils.
Among .the graded schools of Routt County, Yampa was the last to be or-
ganized. The first schoolhouse was built across from the old Watson place and
near the cemetery. This old building is still standing.
After 1890 the four schools in Hay den, Craig, Steamboat Springs and Yampa
were established and in a flourishing condition, but only a part of them had been
graded. The grading in these districts was not brought to anything like a perfect
state until 1900, and full high school courses were not added to all the town
schools until 1907.
The census record of 1894 gives 674 pupils in the schools of Routt County.
In 1898 there were 835, showing but a small increase. In 1908 there were 1,579
pupils enrolled.
On January i, 1916, there were in the present limits of Routt County fifty-
eight schoolhouses, with ninety-seven rooms; valuation, $107,030. In the old
limits there were eighty-eight schoolhouses. There were 108 high school pupils
enrolled in what is now Routt County, and the total public school enrollment
was 1,980.
Saguache County. — In 1869 the first superintendent of Saguache County re-
ported thirty children, "English and Spanish," enrolled in the schools of the
county. In 1890 the enrollment was 651, and the eighteen schoolhouses had been
erected at a cost of $13,100, the first high school having been established in that
year in Saguache. On January I, 1916, there were ninety-nine pupils enrolled
in the high school; total county public school enrollment, 1,294. The thirty-six
.schoolhouses, with sixty-five rooms, were valued at $74,000.
San Juan County. — The first county superintendent of schools, elected in
1876, the year the county was created, was William Munroe. By 1890 Silverton
had spent $10,000 on a fine schoolhouse, and the total enrollment in this, the
only schoolhouse in the county at that time, was 109. By 1894 the valuation
had gone from this first expenditure of $10,000 to a total of $210,944. On Jan-
uary i, 1916, with much territory taken to form other counties the high school
enrollment was ninety-six, and the total county enrollment was 341. There were
in the present comparatively small limits five schoolhouses, with sixteen rooms ;
valuation, $66,000.
San Miguel County. — The school system of what now comprises San Miguel
County started with the early days of Columbia, later called Telluride. When
the town was incorporated in 1878 the first school was already in existence. By
1890 a substantial structure was erected. The first county superintendent, elected
HISTORY OF COLORADO 601
in 1883, was George S. Andrews. In 1890 the enrollment of the county in its
three schoolhouses was 109. On January I, 1916, there were ninety-six enrolled
in the Telluride high school, and the total public school enrollment in its twenty-
one schools was 1,055. The valuation of these schools was $23,100.
Sedgwick County. — The first school district was organized in Sedgwick County
May 2, 1887, according to law. The second school district was organized May
6, 1887. In 1908 there were twenty-four organized school districts.
Miss Amelia Guy was the first public school teacher in Julesburg, having
been appointed in 1885 to conduct the school in a frame building close to the
railroad tracks. By 1890 there were 265 pupils enrolled in the county, in twenty-
three schoolhouses.
On January i, 1916, there were thirty-two schools, with forty-three rooms, in
the county ; valuation, $43,500. There were 1 13 pupils enrolled in the high school,
and total enrollment in the county was 902.
Summit County. — The first record of schools in Summit County was made
in 1876. The county was then much larger than now and was divided into two
school districts and the first school was held in Montezuma for a term of forty-
six days.
The first school census was taken in 1878, and there were then in the county
sixty-five persons of school age.
In 1880 two more districts were made from the original two, and Kokomo
had a three months' school that summer, the. school population for that district
being sixty-nine. The other district was Red Cliff, which now belongs to Eagle
County.
On January i, 1916, there were eleven schools, with seventeen rooms, in the
county; valuation, $35,245. The high school enrollment at Breckenridge was
thirty-three; total in the county, 335.
Teller County. — The early history of El Paso County covers Teller County.
In 1892 the first public school was started in what is commonly called Old Town,
in Cripple Creek, with W. E. Pruett as teacher. In 1897 the first class, num-
bering two, graduated from the Cripple Creek high school, which was established
late in 1896.
On January i, 1916, there were enrolled in the high schools of Cripple Creek
and Victor 408 pupils ; total enrollment in county, 2,568. There were thirty-five
schools, with 122 rooms, and a total valuation of $223,348.
Washington County. — Akron was the site of the first schoolhouse, in what is
now Washington County, but which in 1886 was still part of Weld County. The
first public school teacher was Miss Hettie Irwin, although Mrs. S. Cordeal had
conducted a private school prior to this time. Before 1890 a $12,000 school-
house was erected. In that year there were nineteen schoolhouses in the county,
which had cost $25,000 to build and equip. The total enrollment was 601. On
January i, 1916, there were ninety-nine school buildings in the county, with 178
rooms ; valuation, $63,258 ; the high school enrollment was eighty-eight ; total en-
rollment, 2,060.
Weld County. — Seven counties now occupy the area which was formerly that
of Weld County. In 1868 D. J. Fulton, superintendent, reported sixty-one per-
sons of school age in the entire county. With the formation of Union Colony the
work of establishing a school system began. A class of over fifty forming the
602 HISTORY OF COLORADO
first private school was opened in 1870, with a Mrs. Guinney as teacher. In 1871
E. W. Gurley organized the school into a semblance of grades, with two teach-
ers to aid him. But the first school directors, elected in May, 1871, J. L. Brush,
W. Teller, and W. H. Post, now started in to establish a modern public school
system, and appointed J. C. Shattuck, later state superintendent of public in-
struction, to the position of principal. By 1873 the new building, for which an
expenditure of $30,000 had been authorized, was completed and occupied. In
1880 the first high school class was graduated. By 1890 seven other school build-
ings had been erected. On January i, 1916, there were 240 schoolhouses, with
415 rooms, in the county, with its various segregations all distinctively enumerated.
Within its present limits the high school enrollment is 697; total enrollment,
12,813. The valuation of school property is $863,737. There are high schools
in practically all the leading towns of the county, the principal ones being at
Greeley, Johnstown, Fort Lupton, Erie, Ault, Eaton, Milliken, La Salle, Nunn,
Gill, Grover, Keota, Gilcrest, Kersey, Buckingham, and Mead.
Yuma County. — Miss Mary Elmore taught the first school at Yuma, in 1886.
By 1890 there had been built in Yuma, Wray, and in the other towns of the
county twenty-two schoolhouses, with an enrollment of 573. In the county high
school at Wray the enrollment January i, 1916, was 107, with 2,816 enrolled in
the 109 schoolhouses of the county. The valuation of school property on Janu-
ary i, 1916, was $54,899.
CHAPTER XXXI ,
EDUCATION IN COLORADO
(Continued)
HIGHER EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO'S DEVELOPMENT — DENVER UNIVER-
SITY THE SCHOOL OF MINES THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE — THE TEACHERS'
COLLEGE STATE NORMAL SCHOOL COLORADO COLLEGE — WOMAN'S COLLEGE —
THE CLAYTON SCHOOL.
THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
Higher education in Colorado was in the minds of the pioneers who first came
into this part of the territory of Kansas as early as 1860 — when even the few
district schools had a difficult time finding pupils to fill the few log huts. Dr.
J. Raymond Brackett, of the University of Colorado, in the brief history of the
University of Colorado prepared for this volume, says that before Boulder's
first schoolhouse was a year old Robert Culver began the work for a university
to be located at this little town of some sixty log cabins and one or two frame
houses. Charles F. Holly introduced into the House, October 26, 1861, a bill
to establish the university at Boulder, and this was ratified by Governor Gilpin
November 7th.
During the ten years from 1861 to 1871 this hamlet hungering for a university
hardly kept itself together. Denver had its first railway communication June
22, 1870, by way of Cheyenne; in 1871 the Denver & Rio Grande reached Col-
orado Springs, a city consisting of one low, flat, mud-roofed log cabin. The "es-
tablishment" of the university by the first Territorial Legislature was merely on
paper. There were only about twenty-five thousand people in the Territory,
mostly men ; children and schools were few. It took sixteen years of hard work
to bring the actual. Nearly every man of standing in Boulder contributed funds
or visited the capital at each session to keep the legislation alive; among these
must be mentioned Capt. David H. Nichols, speaker of the House, and James
P. Maxwell, who was president of the Senate when Colorado became a state.
The tract constituting the campus was presented to the university in 1872.
On January 8th of this year George A. Andrews deeded 21.98 acres; on the
same day Marinus G. Smith deeded 25.49 acres; January loth Anthony Arnett
deeded 3.83 acres. The main building and Hale Science building are on the
Smith tract; Woodbury and the athletic field are on the Andrews tract.
In 1872 an appropriation for the erection of the first building failed to pass.
For three years longer the jack-rabbits on the campus were undisturbed by ham-
mer or trowel. But September 20, 1875, the corner-stone was laid; $15,000 had
603
604 HISTORY OF COLORADO
been appropriated in 1874 and another $15,000 given by the citizens of Boulder.
The raising of $15,000 by this village was a matter of great sacrifice/but this was
what actually fixed the university at Boulder. Marinus G. Smith, known as
"University Smith," headed the list with $1,000, the largest sum. So the main
building rose as an index of the ideals and a partial measure of the self-depriva-
tion of those pioneers who sixteen years before had seen on this spot not a uni-
versity campus, but hundreds of elk grazing in the evening sun.
The proposed university was in charge of a board of fifteen trustees. They
organized at Boulder, January 2, 1870. The $15,000 raised by the people of
Boulder and the $15,000 appropriated by the Legislature of 1874 was expended
by them and also about $6,500 of the $15,000 granted by the Territory in 1875.
In 1877 the population of the state scarcely reached one hundred and thirty-
five-thousand. The common-school system was barely organized. Only three
high schools existed ; but one high school class had ever graduated in Colorado
and that was at Boulder in 1876; Denver had eighty-one high school students
at that time and the next year graduated a class of seven. But the regents voted
to open the university in the two departments required by law — the normal and
preparatory. This decision was reached at. a meeting at Boulder in conference
with Governor Routt and Prof. Joseph Addison Sewall, March 27 and 28,
1877.
The regents had the following resources with which to establish the uni-
versity :
1. A campus of fifty-one acres presented by three citizens of Boulder.
2. The main building erected but not ready for occupancy; $15,000 had
been put in by citizens of Boulder, $15,000 from the appropriation of 1874,
and about $6,500 came from the territorial appropriation of $15,000 of 1875.
3. Eight thousand five hundred dollars of the territorial appropriation of
1874 — the balance unexpended by the trustees; the warrants for the sum were
expected in March and July, 1877; $6,920 dollars was realized.
4. The income of a permanent levy of one-fifth of a mill on the assessed
valuation of the state.
5. The income of a permanent land fund to be created by the disposal of
seventy-two sections of land granted by Congress in the Enabling act.
6. A special appropriation of $15,000 made by the General Assembly of 1876,
to complete the building and open the school.
The regents, at the meeting of March 28, 1877, unanimously elected to the
presidency, Joseph Addison Sewall, a native of Maine, educated at Harvard Uni-
versity. He had been known to Governor Routt as professor of natural science
in the State Normal University of Illinois. The high school at Boulder was dis-
continued ; its students and principal, Justin E. Dow, were transferred to the
empty building on the hill.
The university opened Wednesday, September 5, 1877, with two teachers and
forty-four students.
In the first year, 1877-78, seventy-five students matriculated. Some remained
but a short time. Sixty-six names were published — fourteen normal and fifty-
two preparatory. Of these, thirty-nine were men and only twenty-seven were
women. Seven had been born in Colorado. Sixteen states and countries were
given as places of birth.
HALE SCIENCE BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER
MACKY AUDITORIUM, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER
606 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The college was opened the second year under the titles, "University Classical
Course" and "University Scientific Course." These courses of four years each
were modeled on the rigid college curricula of the time. The chief branches
were Latin, Greek, and mathematics.
The classical, which had the eight entering freshmen in September, 1878, re-
quired two full years of Greek, three years of Latin, and practically two years
of mathematics.
In 1882 the college year was divided into two semesters. The three term divi-
sion continued in the preparatory six years longer. In this year a third college
course was added, Latin and Scientific, leading to a B. S.
In 1885 two new degrees were offered: Bachelor of Philosophy for those
completing the Latin-Scientific, and Bachelor of Letters for those entering with-
out foreign languages.
The increase in the faculty was slow : In 1879 Paul Hanus in mathematics,
was succeeded by W. W. Campbell in 1886; Isaac C. Dennett succeeded J. E.
Dow in Latin and Greek; in 1884 James W. Bell, history and economics) J. Ray-
mond Brackett, English literature and Greek; in 1886 William J. Waggener,
physical sciences. The first year there were three instructors and one assistant;
in the tenth, seven professors.
The Department of Medicine was announced in 1883 on the basis of a four-
year course; President Sewall was dean, associated with William R. Whitehead,
M. D. (University of Paris). There was a class of two. In 1884-85 the fac-
ulty was increased by two physicians from Boulder and three from Denver; the
course was reduced to three years. Two degrees were granted in 1885. From
1888 to 1892 twelve licenses were granted.
The Preparatory School was naturally the chief department in importance
at the opening and the most numerously attended throughout the first ten years.
In 1877 there was one course of three years based on two years of Greek,
three years of Latin, mathematics, French and German ; in 1880 a scientific course
was added; in 1882, a third, Latin-Scientific; in 1884 the course was lengthened
to four years.
In 1885 there were three four-year courses — Scientific, Latin-Scientific, and
Classical. Sixty completed a preparatory course in the first ten years. Admis-
sion was by rigid written examinations, and the conditions for promotion were
severe. A list of accredited schools was first published in 1884: Denver, Pueblo,
Leadville, Gunnison, Trinidad, Georgetown, and Golden.
In 1882 the first honorary degree was conferred, Doctor of Divinity, upon
W. E. Hamilton, pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Central. In 1887 the
first degree for graduate work in residence, Master of Arts, was conferred upon
Silas Edward Persons.
December 9, 1891, James Hutchins Baker, a native of Maine, educated at
Bates College and for seventeen years principal of the East Denver high school,
was elected president, and his administration began January i, 1892. Until
September he was employed with executive work only ; then, in addition, he filled
the chair of psychology and ethics, teaching psychology or ethics until 1897-98.
The number in attendance in 1892 was fifty-five ; in 1908 it had increased to
550; and in 1911 to 697; in 1911 there were, deducting professional and vocational
students, 472 taking a four-year course, of college subjects. In 1892, four re-
ENGINEERING BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER
LAW BUILDING, ON THE RIGHT, AND LIBRARY, ON THE LEFT, UNIVERSITY
OF COLORADO, BOULDER
608 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ceived a college degree; in 1913 the B. A. was conferred upon 106 — the College
of Commerce furnishing six, the College of Education thirty-five.
The following professorships were established: 1893, philosophy (with peda-
gogy) > J894, psychology (with education) ; 1897, romance languages; 1902, geol-
ogy, history; 1903, education; 1906, English; 1907, systematic zoology, music;
1909, natural history; 1910, second professorship in Latin.
The professorships increased from ten in 1892 to twenty-one professorships
and four assistant professorships in 1913; the instructors increased from four
in 1892 to thirty-two in 1913.
The College of Commerce was opened in 1906, with John B. Phillips sec-
retary. It offers four courses of four years each; i, banking; 2, manufactures;
3, journalism ; 4, trade, transportation and consular service.
The College of Education was opened in 1907, with Frank E. Thompson
secretary; a four-year course comprising ten courses in subjects the candidate
intends to teach.
The College of Engineering was opened in 1893 as the School of Applied
Science, Henry Fulton, acting dean; dean, 1894. He was followed in office by
George H. Rowe, 1902; Henry B. Dates, 1903; Milo S. Ketchum, 1905. At the
opening, courses were announced in civil and in electrical engineering ; mechanical
engineering was added in 1901 ; chemical engineering in 1905. In 1906 the name
College of Engineering was used. In 1913 the attendance was 293; fifty-one
degrees were conferred.
The School of Medicine was reorganized in 1892-93, James K. Eskredge, dean.
He was folowed in office by Clayton Parkhill, 1895; Luman M. Giffin, 1897;
and W. P. Harlow, 1907. From September, 1892, to September, 1897, the first
year was conducted in Boulder, the others in Denver. In 1895 the course was
lengthened to four years. January, 1911, the school was thoroughly reorgan-
ized, taking over the Denver and Gross Medical colleges; the third and fourth
year students removed to Denver. The attendance in 1913 in all classes was
195; fifty-one degrees were conferred.
The School of Law was opened with a two-year course in 1893, Moses Hallett,
dean. He was followed in office by John Campbell, 1902, and John D. Fleming,
1907. In 1898 the course was lengthened to three years. The attendance in
1913 was ninety-seven ; degrees granted, twenty-two.
The Normal School, which was opened at the beginning of the school, was
discontinued in 1892. In 1892 arrangements were made for the entering class
to be consolidated with the Boulder high school ; the course was lengthened to
four years. The Preparatory Department was therefore dropped in 1906.
The Summer School opened in 1904 with sixty students, Fred B. R. Hel-
lems, director; George Norlin was director, 1909. In 1913 the attendance was
305.
In April, 1911, the regents authorized the establishment of a College of
Pharmacy as a division of the School of Medicine. In June, 1913, it was organ-
ized as a separate department, with Homer C. Washburn as dean. From the
beginning it has maintained a standard of requirements for entrance and grad-
uation equal to the best schools of pharmacy in the country.
The Extension Division was organized in 1912, with Loran D. Osborn as di-
rector. It aims to make the campus of the university coextensive with the state,
HISTORY OF COLORADO • 609
in accordance with the new idea that a state university exists for all the people
and not for a few. Through this department the resources of the university
are put at the disposal of all the people of the state who wish to utilize them.
In December, 1913, James H. Baker resigned from the presidency and was
succeeded by Livingston Farrand, A. M., M. D. Dr. Farrand came from Colum-
bia University, where he was professor of anthropology. He had for a num-
ber of years been executive secretary of the National Association for the Study
and Prevention of Tuberculosis, and an active member of other organizations
concerned with public health.
During his administration the university has made marked progress in' organ-
ization and public service. A revision of the tax levy for the various educational
institutions of the state has given the university a stable income for running ex-
penses and improvements, independent of special appropriations by the Legis-
lature.
The faculty now includes 200 members, and there has been a wholesome in-
crease in enrollment of students each year. Even the present national crisis has
not reduced the number of students as severely as it has in many institutions.
In 1917 the School of Medicine was completely reorganized and put upon a
basis for greater efficiency. The curriculum of the School of Law has also been
revised in accordance with the demands of this profession. The requirements
for graduation in the College of Liberal Arts and its branches (Commerce, Edu-
cation, Social and Home Service) are based upon the most approved group elec-
tive system. The College of Engineering offers technical training of the highest
grade in the departments of Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical Engineer-
ing. The School of Pharmacy offers courses of two, three and four years'
duration, which furnish thorough training for pharmacists, drug inspectors and
analysts. The summer session offers courses of standard university grade to
those who are unable to attend college during the regular school year and to
those who wish to hasten the completion of their course by continuous study.
The Extension Division has greatly increased its activities along the lines of
public service. In 1916-17 there were 1,366 persons enrolled for instruction in
this department.
DEGREES BY YEARS
*Dip.
*Dip.
Year
Hon. Grad. Med. Law
Arts Eng.
Phar. Total Ed.
Con.
1882 ....
i
6 ...
7 ...
1 88 ^
2
2
1884
I
I
1885
I 2
3
1886
2 ...
7
Q
1887
2 I . . -\
/ * * *
2
' * " .7 • * •
e
1888
... ... I ...
4 ...
O
5
1889 ....
2 ... I
3 •-.
6 ...
1890 ....
4 ...
3 •••
7 ...
1891
2 ... 5
9 ...
16 ...
...
* These are given as evidence that certain specified courses have been included in the work
for +V>e A. B and A. M. degrees.
Vol. 1—39
610 HISTORY OF COLORADO
*Dip. *Dip.
Year Hon. Grad. Med. Law Arts Eng. Phar. Total Ed. Con.
i893 ....
1804
2
2
I
3
12
12
10
IO
3
17
-2C
1895 ....
1896
I
4
II
6
7
12
j i
34
•5 T
1807 .
i
22
Q
10
i ...
C2
1898 ....
1899 .'...
1900
IQOI
I
I
5
5
7
6
7
8
9
13
12
21
20
28
4.7
3 ...
12
5 .-.
c
39
48
74
IO02
IQO"?
I
9
4
8
1 1
33
28
8 ...
17
78
64
...
IQO4 .
12
14
2O
47
16
IOQ
1005 ....
1006
1007
1008
1009 ....
1910
IQII
3
2
I
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36 273 379 370 1,482 500 30 3,070 312 14
In 1908 the Government was reorganized; the Board of Regents delegated
certain powers to the president, to the administrative council, to the senate,
and to the separate faculties. The administrative council, made up of the heads
of all the schools, is advisory to the president, and also acts in major cases of
discipline. The senate, composed of all the full professors and heads of de-
partments in all schools, recommends for honorary degrees and through its
committees and legislation deals with most questions in which more than one
school is interested. Each separate faculty acts on questions of its own curricu-
lum, and the scholarship and degrees of its own school; its dean controls minor
cases of discipline.
In 1882 a landscape artist was employed who platted the grounds for an
ornamental campus ; many trees, shrubs, vines, and flowering plants were set
out ; the lawn about the main building was put in. The main building was im-
proved from time to time ; the chapel was completed and furnished in 1883.
In the spring and summer of 1884 the following buildings were erected:
* These are given as evidence that certain specified courses have been included in the work
for the A. B. and A. M. degrees.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 611
President's House, costing approximately $6,500.00
Cottage Number i 4,263.00
Cottage Number 2 , 3,825.00
Hospital (later known as the Medical Building) 6,250.00
Most of the campus was ploughed and seven hundred trees were planted,
lawns were put in, and walks laid during President Hale's incumbency. The
ravine was crossed by two bridges of stone and one of iron; a part of it was
filled with a beautiful lake. The older buildings were put in repair and the
following built :
Medical Hall, brick $ 2,540.00
Addition to Women's Dormitory, brick 3,695.00
Woodbury Hall, stone 23,470.00
Hale Science Building, stone; contract price 41,586.00
In 1904 the driveways in the centre of the campus were removed and a large
quadrangle extending east and west from the Engineering Building to Broad-
way and north and south from the Library to Main, was leveled and put into
lawn bordered by stone walks and rows of elms.
Among the improvements made in President Baker's administration may be
mentioned :
Engineering Building $ 50,000.00
Gymnasium 6,000.00
Chemistry Building 43,000.00
Hospital ($10,000 from Boulder region) 15,000.00
Heating, Lighting and Power Plant 112,000.00
Engineering Shops 32,500.00
Later construction :
Library $ 75,500.00
Hale Science Building (the wings) 37,000.00
Geology Building 55,000.00
The Simon Guggenheim Law Building 55,000.00
The Macky Auditorium 300,000.00
Denison Research Laboratory 21,000.00
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
The first educational charter granted in the history of Colorado was the
charter of the Colorado Seminary, given by the Territorial Legislature, when
in session at Golden, on March 5, 1864. The Supreme Court of Colorado in a
unanimous decision, in the University of Denver tax suit, certified that "This is
the pioneer school of higher learning in this state."
The institution, like all schools at the beginning, had a more or less uncertain
life for a period of sixteen years. In 1880 the Colorado Seminary developed
into the University of Denver. The work of the University of Denver has gone
forward steadily, without any interruption whatsoever, and with ever-growing
612 HISTORY OF COLORADO
usefulness and efficiency since that date. The first university degrees given in
Colorado were given by the University of Denver in April, 1882. The university
has given 3,351 degrees down to the commencement in 1917, and leads all insti-
tutions of like rank in the state in service to the public, as shown by this record.
The University of Denver has been a pioneer in many varieties of educational
work, giving the first degrees in medicine, the first degrees in law, the first de-
grees in dentistry, the first degrees in commerce, and the first degrees in phar-
macy. This means that these various departments were organized at the Uni-
versity of Denver first of all.
The medical department of the University of Denver, after having graduated
more than 600 doctors of medicine, was associated with the medical department
of the State University a few years ago. The Extension College of the University
of Denver began its work about twenty years ago. Work has been given regularly
in the Extension College on Saturdays and on other week-days in the evening,
and in the Summer School for a period of twenty years. More than two thousand
different people have enriched their lives through securing college training out-
side of the regular college hours. More than a thousand of the teachers and
principals in Denver have been students in these classes. In the list of teachers in
Denver at this time approximately four hundred of them have had their higher
educational training in whole or in part in the University of Denver.
The departments of the University of Denver now fully equipped are as fol-
lows : College of Liberal Arts, Graduate School, School of Pharmacy, Summer
School, Extension College, Law School, Dental School, School of Commerce,
School of Arts.
At this writing, January 7, 1918, the University of Denver has 340 stars in
its service flag. The Patriotic League of the University includes in its member-
ship all the professors and instructors and practically all the students in all de-
partments. The membership will include graduates and former students and
friends of the university, as well as students and professors and trustees.
The purpose of the League is to maintain intelligent interest in the ideals of
our country, to awaken ever deepening enthusiasm in our obligations to all peo-
ples, to coordinate all effort of our university for the development of what is
best in our national life, to respond to the call of the Government in all manner
of service, whether military or educational or economic, and to unite our efforts
in all possible ways with like endeavors of other educational institutions.
THE COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
It is rather a singular coincidence that the two great mining schools of Amer-
ica, the Colorado School of Mines and the Columbia University School of Mines,
New York, should have had their inception in 1864. In the year noted Thomas
Eggleston, a well-known mineralogist, a graduate of Yale and ef the Ecole des
Mines, in Paris, originated the plans for the Columbian institution.
The Colorado school owes its inception to the practical miners of Gilpin
County, who set aside for that purpose a portion of the receipts derived from the
recording and sale of mineral claims. In 1868, when Bishop Randall, of the
Protestant Episcopal Church, started his proposed university at Golden, he made
provision for a school of mines, and the original building yet stands on the grounds
HISTORY OF COLORADO 613
of the Industrial School for Boys, about two miles east of the present School of
Mines. Jarvis Hall, a general college for boys and young men, and Mathews
Hall, the divinity school, were the other institutions in the group. The two halls
were destroyed by fire in 1874. The schools were then removed to Denver.
In 1870 the Territorial Legislature, appreciating the design of Bishop Randall,
appropriated $3,872 for a special building. This was completed in 1871, when
Prof. E. J. Mallett, a New York chemist, began giving instructions in assaying
and the easier of the chemical tests. With the assistance of his students, and
aided by John W. Nesmith, then master mechanic of the Colorado Central Rail-
road, and later president of the Colorado Iron Works, Professor Mallett tested
the fuel values of the Colorado coals, which were at that time regarded as unfit
for use in either smelting or railroad work. The tests were favorable, showing
the variety and value of the Colorado product. Thus early in its history the
School of Mines demonstrated its peculiar value and its intimate relation to the
varied resources of the Rocky Mountain region.
The appropriation of 1874 was $5,000, secured by Dr. Levi Harsh, the repre-
sentative from Jefferson. When this appropriation became available the School
of Mines was transferred by Bishop Randall to the territorial authorities. Five
acres of land, originally the donation of C. C. Welch to the Episcopal University,
were deeded to the Territory in connection with the school. The first board of
trustees met in Golden, July 6, 1874, when W. A. H. Loveland was elected pres-
ident and Capt. E. L. Berthoud secretary. As the minutes were recorded in
the handwriting of the secretary, the names of all the members of the board are
not easily made out. However, Prof. N. P. Hill, of Gilpin County, founder of
the Argo smelter; Alpheus Wright, of Boulder; C. C. Davis, of Arapahoe; and
W. W. Ware, of Clear Creek, were among those present. The title deeds from
Bishop Spalding and C. C. Welch were presented and approved, whereupon the
bulk of the $5,000 appropriation was set aside for the salary of Professor Mallett
and the equipment of the school. The sum of $500 was paid Bishop Spalding for
the church's interest in the building and grounds, and the purchase of one-half of
a certain Table Mountain spring was provided for.
Governor John L. Routt, the last of the territorial executives, named a new
board of trustees, which was made up as follows : W. A. H. Loveland, E. L.
Berthoud, and Capt. James T. Smith of Jefferson County; Adair Wilson, of
San Juan County; J. H. Yonley, of Summit. Messrs. Loveland and Berthoud
were the officers of the board. Gregory Board, M. E., a graduate of the Royal
School of Mines, London, succeeded E. J. Mallett as professor in charge.
March 29, 1878, Milton Moss, a practical chemist, succeeded Gregory Board
in charge of the school, the latter taking charge of the Golden Smelting Works.
In addition to his duties at the school, Professor Moss was instructed to use his
summer vacation in the examination of mines, mining districts, stamp mills, smelt-
ers, reduction and concentration works, and any other examinations or reports
pertinent to his duties as commissioner of mines — an office which was then at-
tached to the duties of professor in charge.
The year 1879 was a crucial one in the affairs of the Colorado School of
Mines, which at that time was confronted by an agitation to merge the school
with the State University at Boulder. The location of the school at Golden, by
the state constitution, served to stay the agitation in the General Assembly, and,
614 HISTORY OF COLORADO
at the urgent request of its local friends, the school was given a further chance
to "make good." The second General Assembly, which met in January, 1879,
established the fifth-of-a-mill tax for the regular support of the school, and out
of that provision, with gifts and special appropriations added, in addition to re-
ceipts from students, the institution extended from four lots in 1879, to four and
one-half blocks in 1907, with an increase in property from $10,000 all told to more
than $500,000.
Governor Pitkin, who was elected in November, 1878, named the following
board to govern the school : Rev. John R. Eads, Capt. James T. Smith and F. E.
Everett, of Golden ; Frederick Steinhauer and Edward L. Johnson, of Denver.
Additions were made to the original building of 1880 by the building of 1882
and by the building of 1890, all of which are now united and called the Hall of
Chemistry. The Hall of Physics was erected in 1894, the Assay Laboratory in
1900, and Stratton Hall in 1904. The heating, lighting and power plant was com-
pleted in 1906. The Administration Building, named Simon Guggenheim Hall
for the donor, was also erected in 1906. The Gymnasium was completed in 1908.
The Experimental Ore Dressing and Metallurgical Building was completed in 1912.
At a meeting of September 23, 1880, Prof. Albert C. Hale, now of Brooklyn,
New York, was engaged to take charge of the school, being the fourth in suc-
cession.
In September, 1883, Dr. Regis Chauvenet, of St. Louis, was placed in charge
•of the school, remaining in this position until 1902. He was succeeded by S. K.
Palmer, who had been professor of chemistry at the state university. Prof. W.
G. Haldane, of the School of Mines, followed. Prof. Victor C. Alderson then
assumed charge. Professors Phillips and Parmelee followed, but in August, 1917,
Doctor Alderson again assumed charge of the institution.
The Colorado School of Mines had graduated 762 mining engineers from its
inception to January i, 1918. Of these, 103 were foreign students.
Of the total number of living graduates, 84 per cent are located within the
United States. Of the graduates in the United States, 30 per cent are located
in Colorado. Of the graduates engaged in foreign countries, 51 per cent are in
Spanish-American countries.
THE STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
The first move toward establishing an agricultural college in Colorado was
made by Congress in what is known as the Morrill act of July 2, 1862, which gave
public lands to the several states and territories in order to "provide colleges for
the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts." According to this act, each
state was to receive 30,000 acres for each senator and representative it had in
Congress.
This act cannot be said to have established the Agricultural College, for the
lands were not finally made available until the year 1884, yet the provisions of
the act were known and must have encouraged the legislators of Colorado in estab-
lishing the college. Through this act the college finally received an endowment
of 90,000 acres of land.
The people of Fort Collins, however, took a lively interest in the proposed
college and. before 1872, 240 acres of land near Fort Collins were given for col-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 615
kge purposes by Arthur H. Patterson (80 acres), Robert Dalzell (30 acres), Jo-
seph Mason, H. C. Peterson, and J. C. Mathews (jointly 50 acres), and the Lari-
mer County Improvement Company (80 acres).
On February 13, 1874, the Territorial Legislature made an appropriation of
$1,000 to aid the trustees in erecting buildings, provided they should raise "by
subscription, donation, or otherwise," an equal sum for buildings and grounds.
More than the required sum was subscribed by the Improvement Company, by
Collins Grange, and by private parties, amounting in all to $1,123.
In 1876 the college became an institution of the new State of Colorado, and
early in 1877 it came under the control of the State Board of Agriculture. The
act establishing this board provides as follows :
"That a board is hereby constituted and established which shall be known by
the name and style of the State Board of Agriculture. It shall consist of eight
members, besides the governor of the state and the president of the State Agri-
cultural College, who shall be ex-officio members of the board. The governor, by
and with the consent of the Senate, on or before the third Wednesday of January
of each biennial session of the General Assembly, shall appoint two members of
the board to fill the vacancies that shall next occur, which vacancies shall be so
filled that at least one-half of the appointed members of the board shall be prac-
tical farmers.
"The State Board of Agriculture shall have the general control and super-
vision of the State Agricultural College, the farm pertaining thereto, and .lands
which may be vested in the college by state or national legislation and of all ap-
propriations made by the state for the support of the same. The board shall
have plenary powers to adopt all such ordinances, by-laws, and regulations, not
in conflict with the law, as they may deem necessary to secure the successful op-
eration of the college and promote the designed objects. The design of the
institution is to afford thorough instruction in agriculture and the natural sci-
ences connected therewith. To effect that object most completely, the institu-
tion shall combine physical with intellectual education, and shall be a high
seminary of learning, in which the graduates of the common school of both sexes
can commence, pursue, and finish a course of study, terminating in thorough
theoretical and practical instruction in those sciences and arts which bear directly
upon agriculture and kindred industrial pursuits."
On March 9, 1877, the first General Assembly also provided for the support
of the college by a levy of one-tenth of a mill upon the assessed valuation of
property in the state, thus giving to the college an income of about seven thousand
dollars a year. ; .
The first meeting of the board of agriculture was held in the office of Gov.
John L. Routt, in Denver, on March 19, 1877. The members of the board were
as follows: William Bean, M. N. Everett, Harris Stratton, John J. Ryan, B. S.
La Grange, W. F. Watrous, P. M. Hinman, John Armor. W. F. Watrous was
made president and Harris Stratton secretary of the board. The term of office
of the members was determined by lot.
On February 3, 1879, the General Assembly made better provision for the
support of the college by a levy of one-fifth of a mill in place of the levy of one-
tenth of a mill made in 1877.
The college was opened for students on September i, 1879, with Rev. E. E.
616 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Edwards, D. D., of McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois, as president, as-
sisted by A. E. Blount, A. M., as professor of agriculture, and Frank J. Annis,
A. B., as professor of chemistry.
During the first term there were twenty students in attendance. There was
but one course of study. The college year closed with the autumn term and the
second year began with the spring term after a winter vacation. This plan was
abandoned after a couple of years, and the long vacation thereafter extended
from June to September. In addition to the work of instruction in agriculture,
Professor Blount established a model farm and carried on experiments of con-
siderable value. At the close of 1880, the value of the farm and buildings was
estimated at over twenty thousand dollars. In 1881 a dormitory was erected at
a cost of $6,000.
During the year 1880, forty-five students were reported in attendance, and in
the following year the number had increased to sixty-two. It was found that
many of those who applied for admission were poorly prepared, and an intro-
ductory or preparatory year was introduced with a course of study equivalent
to that of the eighth grade in the public schools. For those who had completed the
work of this year a four years' course was offered.
On April 2, 1882, President Edwards resigned and was succeeded, on August
i, by Clarence L. Ingersoll, M. S. At that time the faculty numbered seven in all.
In 1883 the Legislature made a special appropriation for a mechanical shop
and a conservatory. In the same year the department of veterinary science and
zoology was created.
On June 7, 1884, three students were graduated from the college. In
April of this year the department of music was added, making seven depart-
ments in all. Those of agriculture, horticulture and botany, chemistry and
physics, mathematics and engineering, mechanics and drawing, veterinary sci-
ence and zoology, and the department of music.
In 1887 the "Hatch experiment station bill" passed Congress, and in Febru-
ary, 1888, an appropriation was made of $15,000 a year for the support of an
experiment station in Colorado in connection with the State Agricultural Col-
lege. The agricultural experiment station was forthwith organized, with auxiliary
stations near Del Norte, Rocky Ford and Eastonville, and since that time it has
regularly received the appropriation of $15,000 a year. This fund cannot be used
for any purpose other than experimental investigation, but since the president
and other members of the college faculty are also officers of the experiment sta-
tion and receive salaries in connection therewith, the fund is of great benefit to
the college.
In the year 1889 the State Legislature made a special appropriation of $18,-
ooo for erecting an extension to the main building.
On August 30, 1890, was passed what is known as the "second Morrill act,"
by which Congress gave the agricultural college the sum of $15,000 for the first
year and an additional $1,000 each year until the total sum of $25,000 should be
reached. No part of this appropriation can be used for building or repairing,
but the whole must be "applied only to instruction in agriculture, the mechanic
arts, the English language, and the various branches of mathematics, natural and
economic science, with special reference to their applications to the industries
HISTORY OF COLORADO 617
of life and to the facilities for such instruction." The income thus received has
been of great benefit to the college. For the year 1899 it was $25,000.
On March 17, 1891, the State Legislature passed an act to replace the one-
fifth mill tax by a tax of one-sixth of a mill, whereby the income of the college
was considerably reduced for several years, until in 1895 the act was declared un-
constitutional by the Supreme Court of the state and the one-fifth mill tax re-
stored.
In the year 1891 President Ingersoll resigned. Prof. J. W. Lawrence acted
as president until the appointment of Alston Ellis, A. M., Ph. D., LL. D., as
president and professor of political economy and logic.
Early in 1899 President Ellis resigned his position and on August ist he was
succeeded by Rev. Barton O. Aylesworth, A. M., LL. D., formerly president of
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa.
Doctor Aylesworth resigned the presidency of the college in 1909, and after
serving as acting president, Dr. Charles A. Lory was in 1912 placed in complete
charge of the institution. It has made wonderful strides during his term of
office.
The State Board of Agriculture, organized primarily as the board of control
of the State Agricultural College, is now, through laws passed by the General
Assembly, serving the State of Colorado in the following capacities :
Board of Control of the State Agricultural College.
State Board for the Collection of Agricultural Statistics.
Board of Control of the Colorado Experiment Station.
State Fair Board.
Board of Control of the Colorado School of Agriculture.
Board of Control of the Fort Lewis School of Agriculture, Mechanic and
Household Arts.
Board of Control of the Teller School of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
State Board of Forestry.
Supervising Board of the Office of State Dairy Commissioner.
State Board of Horticulture.
The Teller School of Agriculture arid Mechanic Arts teaches horticulture, for-
estry and vocational learning at what was formerly known as the Grand Junc-
tion Indian School, and was provided for by the eighteenth General Assembly
in 1911, the control of the institution being placed with the State Board of Agri-
culture. This school was named by the board "The Teller School of Agricul-
ture, Mechanic and Household Arts" in honor of Senator Teller.
There are thousands of young men and women in the state who cannot go
to college, but must return to the farm or enter other vocational lines after leav-
ing high school. For these young people Colorado has provided opportunity for
training in Agriculture, Mechanic Arts, Household Arts and Rural Teaching in
the secondary schools maintained by the Agricultural College.
The Colorado School of Agriculture, established in 1909, is located at the
Agricultural College at Fort Collins, the same buildings, classrooms and labora-
tories used for the college being used for the school. Young men and women
are admitted from the eighth grade and are given training in the lines specified,
which fits them in a thorough, practical manner for lives of usefulness.
618 HISTORY OF COLORADO
At Fort Lewis, twelve miles west of Durango, is located The Fort Lewis
School of Agriculture, Mechanic and Household Arts, established in 1911. Here
the young men and women of the southwest are trained in Agriculture, Mechanic
Arts, Household Arts and Rural Teaching. The course here is peculiarly prac-
tical because the term comes in summer-time and the students thereby are given
an opportunity to learn by actual practice, as well as by theory, In the fields
which are under cultivation at this season of the year. Provision Is made for
high school students who wish vocational training during the summer or who
wish to prepare for rural teaching.
In addition to the work being carried on at the Experiment Station at Fort
Collins, branch stations are maintained at Rocky Ford, Cheyenne Wells and
Fort Lewis. Experiments in alfalfa breeding are in progress at Rocky Ford. At
the Cheyenne Wells station, experiments with crops and farm practice adaptable
to the plains region are being carried on. This is a most important piece of work,
for the problems of the dry farmer are quite as complex and numerous as those
of the farmer under an irrigation ditch. At Fort Lewis, experiments with high-
altitude crops, both under dry farming and irrigated farm methods, are being
conducted. To those familiar with the possibilities of mountain parks the im-
portance of this work need not be emphasized.
All the information obtained in these investigations is made available to the
people of the state through bulletins published by the station or through the
Extension Service.
It is through its Extension Service that the Agricultural College is able to
render direct and general service to the people of Colorado. The workers in
agricultural and industrial pursuits when confronted by problems which they
are unable to solve can call on any or all the specialists at the college through
the Extension Service for technical information and helpful suggestions. New
methods are constantly being discovered which will give better production and
better profits. These are brought to the people of the state through the ex-
tension workers.
The farmers and communities in eighteen counties in Colorado are at the
present time receiving the aid and assistance of county agricultural agents, main-
tained by the Extension Service of the Agricultural College through cooperation
with the United States Government, the county governments and other interests.
Twelve men are looking after the work in these eighteen counties, bringing the
farmers better cultural methods, advising them about the selection of crops
and livestock, aiding them in organizing themselves in order to bring about better
cooperation, helping in the improvement of rural school conditions and social
conditions in the country.
Besides these, specialists who devote all their time to the needs of special
phases of agriculture or community betterment are maintained in the following
lines: Farm management demonstrations, animal husbandry, boys' and girls'
clubs, home economics, markets and marketing, rural school improvement.
One example of the work of these specialists will suffice. Until four years
ago little attention had been generally given by the institutions of higher learn-
ing to the improvement of the rural school. The work the Agricultural College
was carrying on in Farmers' Institutes convinced the workers at the college that
the rural school was the strongest factor for community betterment. The plan
HISTORY OF COLORADO 610
of employing a field worker who should give all his time to the rural schools
was proposed and met with strong favor and support by the county superinten-
dents of the state, and by the school patrons.
The eighteenth General Assembly authorized the college to employ such a
field man and made an appropriation for the support of his work. The work was
begun in the summer of 1912 and has proven to be one of the most effective
lines of service rendered the rural communities. This field man, or specialist,
has given his entire time during the past four years to studying the problems of
rural education as they are found in Colorado and lending assistance to the people
in these communities. As the result of this work the people of many of the
country districts have built handsome consolidated schools, where their children
are now receiving training every bit as good in every particular as their city
cousins are receiving. A very striking feature of the coming of these consoli-
dated schools is that, wherever there is one of these schools, the boys and girls
are getting high school training, a thing they could not have gotten under former
conditions without going to some neighboring city, and then they would not have
been taught agriculture, manual training and domestic science as they are now
taught in the consolidated schools. Since this work was begun four years ago
twenty consolidated schools have been established, taking the place of forty-
eight small country schools. In these consolidated scho.ols 3,296 boys and girls are
enrolled this year and 446 are in high school.
The following figures are taken from the report of the director of Extension
for the year ending June 30, 1916:
Farmers' Institutes, Attendance 19,777
Farmers' Congress and Short Course 477
Meetings held by County Agents, Attendance 45-393
Number of People reached in meetings and at exhibits by
Specialist in Rural School Improvement 12,598
Days of Judging at Fairs 145
Number of County Agriculturists 12
Number of Counties having Agriculturists 18
Farm Bureaus organized
Membership (to January i, 1916) 952
Boys' and Girls' Clubs, Members 3>325
Counties in which Clubs are formed 20
Farm Visits made by Agents 5>6io
Letters written by County Agents 6,451
Letters written by Instructors and Experiment Station
Workers in Reply to Requests for Information 12,572
Articles for Press 173
Acres of Corn planted with Selected Seed 4.631
Farms treating Oats for Smut 827
Acres of Oats treated t 12,810
Hogs vaccinated for Cholera 2,567
Cattle treated for Blackleg 803
Acres of Land drained 4>25o
620 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Exactly 1,019 of Colorado's sons and daughters were getting an education in
1917 at the Colorado Agricultural College. They were receiving instruction in
Agriculture, Mechanic Arts, General Science, Home Economics, and Veterinary
Medicine. Of these 649 were enrolled at the college proper, and 370 were re-
ceiving training in the Colorado School of Agriculture, the secondary school
maintained for eighth grade graduates. In addition to these there were 140
enrolled in the Conservatory of Music, or a total of 1,159 students on the campus.
During the seven years, from 1909 to 1916, the enrollment at the college has
almost tripled. In 1909 it was 217 and for 1916-17 it was 649. The following
shows the growth year by year since 1909 :
/
1909-10 217 1913-14 515
1910-11 253 1914-15 6o2
1911-12 322 1915-16 638
1912-13 403 1916-17 649
THE COLORADO STATE TEACHERS' COLLEGE
From the very first the .picture of education in Colorado was a bright one.
The state early established^ the State University at Boulder, the Agricultural Col-
lege at Fort Collins and the School of Mines at Golden. Private initiative brought
forward Colorado College at Colorado Springs and the University of Denver.
None of these institutions however was established primarily for the train-
ing of teachers and there was a lamentable gap in the educational forces of the
state during its first four years. Either it had to look to other states for trained
teachers or be content with the high school graduate. People all over the state
began to realize this want and a clamor arose for the establishment of a normal
school. In many centers in the state this agitation was carried on, but a group
of men in Greeley who knew at first hand the work of the normal school and
colleges of the middle west and east and the educational and social benefits of
such institutions upon the communities where they were located had clearly the
most definite vision.
Some of these citizens might be mentioned. State Senator J. W. McCreery
and George D. Statler, later a member of the board of trustees, were both grad-
uates of the Indiana (Pa.) Normal School and were former school teachers in
Pennsylvania. The late Judge J. M. Wallace, then president of the First Na-
tional Bank of Greeley, was deeply interested in higher institutions. Attorney
J. M. Look was a former resident of Michigan and knew intimately the normal
schools of that state.
In the fall of 1888 the gentlemen mentioned, together with Governors Eaton
and Brush, J. Max Clark, B, D. Sanborn, Doctor Hawes, and other citizens, com-
menced to agitate for the location of a normal school at Greeley, and in January
of 1889 a meeting was held of the citizens of the town to urge the founding of
such a school there.
The result of the citizens' meeting was the introduction of two bills, one in
the House by Representative George C. Reed -of Washington County, and one
in the Senate by Senator J. W. McCreery of Greeley. The bills were drawn up
by Senator McCreery and Attorney Look of Greeley, and were based on the
HISTORY OF COLORADO - 621
knowledge their authors had of the laws in Pennsylvania and Michigan, which
had created the normal schools of those states.
The bill which finally passed by a majority of one vote in each house carried
an appropriation of $10,000 for founding the school, and specified that the
building site and $25,000 should be furnished by the people of Greeley. At that
time "Normal Hill," the region on which the school stands and extending to the
top of the hill south of the school, was largely owned by the Colorado Investment
Company, Limited, of London. The site for the school was donated to the
state by the company and by J. P. Cranford. The company also donated $15,000
toward the $25,000 fund demanded by the state, and the other $10,000 was
donated by local citizens.
The Colorado State Normal School opened its doors to students October 6,
1890. The first faculty, five in number, was composed of the following instruct-
ors: Paul M. Hanus (now head of the department of education in Harvard Uni-
versity), was vice president and professor of pedagogy; Thomas J. Gray of the
Mankato (Minn.) Normal School was president ; Miss Margaret Morris was
teacher of English and history ; Miss Mary D. Reed was teacher of mathematics
and geography, while Prof. John R. Whiteman of Greeley was teacher of vocal
music.
When the first session of the school was opened, the building had not been
completed, and so the classes were held in rooms down town. There were three
places of meeting — the vacant courtrooms in the courthouse, the lecture room of
the United Presbyterian Church, and the old Unity House Church at the north-
east corner of Ninth Street and Ninth Avenue, Greeley.
On June i, 1890, the cornerstone of the main building of the State Normal
School was laid by Fred Dick, state superintendent of public instruction. Gov-
ernor Cooper, the president of the State University, Superintendent Gove of
Denver, and many other prominent persons in the state were present. The east
wing of the main building was first finished, and it was two years before the
west wing was added.
One must remember, in attempting to get a proper setting for the institu-
tion, that Greeley at that time was a town of 3,500 people, instead of over ten
thousand, as now. The campus then was a waste of sage brush and wild oats,
and nothing was done to improve it until Doctor Snyder later took charge of
the institution. A very hopeful move forward, however, was made the follow-
ing year when a millage bill was passed by the Legislature placing the school
on an assured basis.
Dr. Z. X. Snyder, who had been superintendent of schools at Reading, Penn-
sylvania; principal of the Indiana (Pennsylvania) State Normal School, and who
had been appointed by Governor Robert Pattison state superintendent of public
instruction of Pennsylvania, was in 1891 elected to take charge of the institution.
The course, at first, because there were few high schools in the state, was a
four-year one, the first two years being devoted to a review of the common and
high school branches, the last two years having the emphasis upon the profes-
sional branches. In 1897-98 the standard of admission was raised to high school
graduation. There was no decided tendency to allow election of subjects for the
first decade of the history of the school. From that time on the course of study
has been a decided amplification and enrichment as well as a chance for election
622 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of subjects in wide and varied fields. The change to the three term system was
accomplished near the beginning of the second decade of the school's history, and
the establishment of a high school department to replace the old four-year course
gave an opportunity for the training of high school teachers. By an act of the
Legislature in 1911 the name of the school was changed to the State Teachers'
College, and it entered upon newer and broader fields of usefulness. This steadily
expanding aim has been reflected in a growth from seventy-eight students of
the first year to over seven hundred and fifty in the year 1915-16. The material
growth has been as remarkable as the intellectual. The beautiful library build-
ing occupying the center of the campus was finished in 1906. The commodious
training school building, a splendidly lighted and well equipped structure, was
completed in 1910. The Simon Guggenheim Hall of Industrial Arts was a gift
from Senator Guggenheim to the cause of education in the state. No pains were
spared to make it the last word in buildings of its kind. The corner-stone of the
woman's building was laid in 1912.
During all its formative years Doctor Snyder, who died in November, 1915,
was at the helm of the institution. Each step in its growth was directed by
him.
After a nation-wide search the board of trustees finally, in June, 1916, se-
lected Dr. John Grant Crabbe as a successor of Doctor Snyder. Doctor Crabbe
is a man of wide educational experience. An Ohio man, he spent twenty years
of his life in the schools of Kentucky, rising to the highest educational honor it
was possible for the state to bestow — that of state superintendent of public in-
struction. At the time of his call to Greeley, he was president of Eastern Ken-
tucky State Normal School.
During his first year in the school Doctor Crabbe obtained from the Colorado
Legislature a $50,000 additional annual fund for maintenance, and a $75,000
annual fund for building. He immediately embarked on an extensive building
program, including the building of a domestic science building and a gymnasium.
Doctor Crabbe also enlarged the faculty and placed it on a most satisfactory
and definite salary schedule.
THE COLORADO STATE NORMAL SCHOOL
Archie M. Stevenson, then a resident of Gunnison, and state senator from
the district, introduced the bill thirty-one years ago, to establish the first state
normal school in Colorado with its location at Gunnison.
Nothing further was done toward consummating the ambitions of Gunnison
until the election campaign of 1896, when the Gunnison Tribune started agitation
for the resurrection of the old bill of Senator Stevenson's and its introduction.
This also failed.
Two years later, in 1899, Charles T. Rawalt became a member of the House
of Representatives of the twelfth General Assembly, and he introduced the bill,
which was very simple in form and was for "An Act establishing a State Nor-
mal School at Gunnison." This finally was enacted.
On May 3, 1899, Governor Orman named the first board of trustees, as fol-
lows: T. W. Gray, H. F. Lake, Jr., and C. E. Adams, all of Gunnison. The
HISTORY OF COLORADO 623
first meeting of this board was held at Gunnison, July 18, 1901, and Mr. Adams
was named president and Mr. Lake secretary.
From private subscriptions a sufficient fund was raised to purchase twenty
acres from Dr. Louis Grasmuck, ten acres were donated by Frank P. Tanner
and Joseph F. Heiner, five acres by Dexter T. Sapp, five acres by Doctor Gras-
muck, and a strip of land 100 feet wide by 660 feet long by C. T. Sills, making in
all, in one block of land, lying in the shape of an L, for the normal school prop-
erty, approximately forty-three acres.
The seventeenth General Assembly voted an appropriation of $50,000 for the
normal school building. The corner-stone of this new building was laid on Octo-
ber 25, 1910.
During the period of the erection of the building, the question that was up-
permost in the minds of the people of Gunnison was how the school could be
opened without funds, as Governor Shafroth had vetoed the maintenance appro-
priation. Meetings were held and the patriotic business men and citizens agreed
to loan the state enough money to start the school and keep it going until the
next session of the Legislature, when an appropriation could -be secured to make
up the deficiency. The people once more demonstrated their loyalty and loaned
the sum of $10,000 without interest. The last of this amount was paid back
to them in the summer of 1914.
The school was finished and the first term of school was opened on September
12, 1911, with Dr. Z. X. Snyder of Greeley as president, and C. A. Rollings-
head, principal.
The following year, on May 29, 1912, the first commencement exercises were
held, when five young ladies received life certificates as teachers in the public
schools of Colorado.
In December, 1913, James Herbert Kelley was chosen principal of the school
following the resignation of Professor Hollingshead.
The General Assembly in 1910 made the state normal school at Greeley the
Colorado Teachers' College, and this gives to the school at Gunnison the dis-
tinction of being the only state normal school in Colorado. It was, however,
continued under the management of the Colorado Teachers' College until June
6, 1914, when the board of trustees, unanimously adopted a resolution segregat-
ing the two institutions, electing Mr. Kelley as president, and officially desig-
nating it as the Colorado State Normal School.
The growth and popularity of the school have been beyond all expectations.
It was opened in. 1911 with an enrollment of twenty-three, while at the summer
normal term of six weeks in 1915 there was an enrollment of 275 teachers and
students from all parts of Colorado.
On April 12, 1915, Governor George A. Carlson signed the bill giving the
school a .03 mill permanent income.
On March 24, 1917, Governor Julius C. Gunter signed the bill for additional
mill levy of .02 mill for maintenance and .015 mill for ten years for buildings.
COLORADO COLLEGE
Before the year 1874 many proposals had been made looking to the founding
of one or more colleges in the Territory of Colorado. The University of Colo-
624 HISTORY OF COLORADO
rado was incorporated in 1861. The Colorado Seminary was founded in 1864,
and continued to exist for several years. An Episcopalian school for boys —
afterwards known as Jarvis Hall — was established at Golden in the early '703.
On July 12, 1871, the Colorado Springs Company adopted the report of a
committee concerning the laying out of a town site for the Fountain Colony.
This committee, consisting of Gen. R. A. Cameron, William H. Greenwood and
E. S. Nettleton, recommended that a tract of land one-third of a mile wide and
a mile and a half long in the valley of Monument Creek be set aside for educa-
tional and other public purposes. Included in this tract was the present college res-
ervation, "which was distinctly set aside by this committee for the founding of a
college." This action of the committee was largely owing to the advice and sug-
gestions of Gen. William J. Palmer and Gen. R. A. Cameron.
One of the first proposals to establish a college in Colorado under the auspices
of the Congregational Church seems to have been made by Rev. T. N. Haskell,
A. M., before the Congregational Conference at Boulder on October 28, 1873.
Mr. Haskell was appointed moderator of the conference and chairman of a
permanent committee on education "to ascertain what opportunities there are
for founding a higher institution of learning in Colorado under Congregational
auspices."
The committee immediately took steps to secure offers of land and money
from towns desiring to be the seat of a college. Several towns made proposals,
including Greeley and Colorado Springs. The Colorado Springs Company offered
to give to the college seventy acres of the reservation above mentioned, together
with a block of twenty acres on higher ground and a cash donation of $10,000,
on condition that the trustees should raise $40,000 more.
At a meeting of the General Congregational Conference held at Denver on
January 20, 1874, Mr. Haskell, as chairman of the committee, made a report in
favor of establishing the college at Colorado Springs.
After the address of Mr. Haskell and a full discussion, conference decided
without a dissenting vote to undertake at once the establishment of a Christian
college in Colorado under Congregational auspices, having a board of trustees
of not less than twelve or more than eighteen men, two-thirds of whom must
be members of evangelical churches. Colorado Springs was also selected as the
most suitable site and the offers made from that town through the educational
committee were accepted.
The conference subsequently elected the following self-perpetuating board
of trustees, eighteen in all: Rev. E. P. Wells, Rev. J. M. Sturtevant, Jr., Rev..
T. N. Haskell, Rev. E. B. Tuthill, Rev. Nathan Thompson, Rev. T. C. Jerome,
Rev. R. C. Bristol, Maj. Henry McAllister, Gen. W. J. Palmer, Gen. R. A.
Cameron, Dr. W. A. Bell, H. W. Austin, W. S. Jackson, E. S. Nettleton, Prof.
J. E. Ayers, J. R. Hanna, W. McClintock, and H. B. Heywood.
In spite of difficulties, the trustees secured the services of Rev. Jonathan
Edwards, a graduate of Yale and pastor of the Congregational Church at Ded-
ham, Massachusetts. Mr. Edwards was to be professor of literature and was
to receive as compensation the fees of students attending the college. A prepara-
tory department was opened at Colorado Springs on May 6, 1874, in rooms se-
cured near the center of the town. The first term continued for ten weeks.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 625
There were about eighteen students in attendance. At the end of the term "a
committee passed thirteen of these students to the literary and scientific fresh-
men rank."
In September the college began the work of the fall term in a new frame
building on the corner of Tejon Street and Pike's Peak Avenue, where the First
National Bank now stands. Afterwards the college was moved to the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church. It continued to occupy rented buildings until the
completion of the central portion of the first college building, in the year 1880.
During the year 1874-75 there were in all seventy-six students, of whom seven-
teen were of freshman rank. Before the end of the year Professor Edwards re-
signed. He was succeeded by Rev. James G. Dougherty as president of the
college, who continued in office during the ensuing year.
It was possible to reopen the college in September, 1876, with Rev. E. P.
Tenney, A. M., as president, assisted by Winthrop D. Sheldon, A. M., and F. W.
Tuckerman. During the frequent absences of the president the work of admin-
istration was ably carried on by Professor Sheldon, assisted by Prof. Frank H.
Loud, who has been connected with the college from the year 1877 until the
present time. During the first year there were twenty-five students in attendance,
of whom seven were in the preparatory course, thirteen in the normal course,
and five were special students. There were no college students. In the follow-
ing year there were sixty-six students in all, of whom three were of college
rank. In the year 1878-79 there were five college students out of a total attend-
ance of seventy.
During the three years from 1876 to 1879 the work of securing money for the
running expenses of the college and for endowment was vigorously carried on
by President Tenney, and by the officers of the American College and Educational
Society.
In the year 1880 the central portion of the new college building, for many
years known as Palmer Hall, was completed, at a cost of $43,000, and the work
of the college began to be carried on there. This building, later enlarged by
the generosity of General Palmer, remained the only college building until the
erection of Hagerman Hall in 1889. In the year 1881-82 there were 122 students,
of whom nine were of college rank. In the year 1882 the degree of B. A. was
conferred upon Parker S. Halleck and Frederick W. Tuckerman. In addition
to these degrees, nine certificates had been given for proficiency in assaying and
one for proficiency in analytical chemistry since 1876. The system of admitting
graduates of accredited high schools to freshman standing was introduced at
this time, and the East Denver high school was the first to be placed on the list.
When President William F. Slocum entered upon his duties October i, 1888,
the situation was not without hopeful features. The people of Colorado Springs
were interested in the college ; there were generous friends in the east ; there was
a capable financial agent, and the new president was a man of energy and finan-
cial ability. A vigorous policy was at once inaugurated. Within two years a
cash endowment of $100,000 was obtained from friends in Colorado. In April,
1889, tne Woman's Educational Society was formed by the ladies of Colorado
Springs, with Mrs. William F. Slocum as president, and its membership was
soon over one hundred. In 1891 the .girls' residence, Montgomery Hall, was com-
626 HISTORY OF COLORADO
pleted, free of debt. In 1889 Hagerman Hall was erected at a cost of $18,000
as a dormitory and clubhouse for young men. In the following year the library
was increased to about seven thousand volumes, and the Rice and Curran schol-
arships were established by gifts of $700 and $1,000.
In the year 1891 a gymnasium was erected, largely through the efforts of the
students. In September, 1892, a telescope of 4-inch aperture was presented to
the college by Henry R. Wolcott,' of Denver. In the following year was begun
the erection of the Wolcott Observatory, which was completed in June, 1894, at
a cost of about three thousand dollars. In the year 1892 N. P. Coburn, of New-
ton, Massachusetts, gave $50,000 for a college library.
From 1893 to 1897 Colorado College was chiefly interested in raising the
endowment known as the Pearsons' fund. It originated in an offer made by
Dr. D. K. Pearsons, of Chicago, in the autumn of 1892, and first announced in
Colorado Springs in January, 1893. Doctor Pearsons offered to give $50,000 to
the college provided that an additional sum of $150,000 should be raised. This
sum of $150,000 was finally raised, fully one-half in the east, and on January 26,
1897, the endowment was completed by the receipt of $50,000 from Doctor
Pearsons.
In 1897 Tillotson Academy, founded at Trinidad in 1880 by the New West
Education Commission, was united to Cutler Academy and moved to Colorado
Springs. The property at Trinidad, valued at about ten thousand dollars, be-
came the property of Colorado College.
In December, 1897, Ticknor Hall, the gift of a friend of the college, was
completed at a cost of over twenty-three thousand dollars. It is a fine stone
building and is the residence for young women of the college classes.
In 1899 was erected another large building, the gift of the late Willard B.
Perkins. It is known as the "Perkins Memorial," and cost $30,000. The first
floor is the auditorium, with seating capacity of over six hundred, used for the
religious services and other public meetings. This room contains a valuable pipe
organ, the gift of Miss Elizabeth Cheney, of Wellesley, Massachusetts. The
second story is occupied by the department of fine arts and the conservatory of
music.
McGregor Hall was built in 1903 ; Palmer Hall, in 1903 ; Bemis Hall, 1908 ;
the president's residence, remodeled and enlarged in 1903 ; Cossitt Memorial
was built in 1914; the administration building in the same year.
In 1903 a school of engineering, with Dr. Florian Cajori as dean, was opened,
the first class graduating in 1906. In 1914 Cutler Academy was discontinued
and the building is now used for the engineering courses.
In 1914 the department of business administration and banking, with Dr.
Warren N. Persons as dean, was established.
Through the generosity of General Palmer and Doctor Bell, who in 1905
presented Manitou Park, a tract of 10,000 acres of timber land, to the college,
the foundation was laid for a school of forestry. In 1906 this department of
the college was opened with Dr. William C. Sturgis as dean.
In December, 1907, the endowment fund of half a million was completed.
Doctor Slocum remained with the college until September i, 1916, when he
resigned. His successor will be named during 1918.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 627
COLORADO WOMAN'S COLLEGE
The year 1916 was a milestone year in the history of Colorado Woman's Col-
lege. It witnessed the realization of one of the dreams of its founders, the erec-
tion of the central section of the college building, known as Administration Hall.
In the '705 and '8os there were some Coloradoans who wanted their daughters
to have a college education, but did not wish to send them to co-educational
schools. The need of a woman's college in Colorado was felt, for only parents
possessed of wealth could afford to send their daughters east.
In 1886 Dr. Robert Cameron, then pastor of the First Baptist Church of Den-
ver, became impressed with the importance of starting an institution of higher
learning for young women who could not avail themselves of the advantages of
eastern schools. He talked with others who agreed with him, but for some
time nothing was definitely accomplished toward carrying out his idea.
The statement has been made that "the college was born June 16, 1887,"
when five men — the Rev. Robert Cameron, the Rev. E. H. Sawyer, the Rev.
E. Nesbit, Prof. C. L. Wells and Hon. W. C/Lothrop, met in the First Bap-
tist Church of Denver and took the initial step toward establishing the institu
tion now known as the Colorado Woman's College.
Baptists contributed over twenty-five thousand dollars to the first subscrip-
tion, taken in 1889 and 1890. At that time the assets of the "Ladies' College"
amounted to over one hundred thousand dollars, including the campus (twenty
acres, valued at $30,000), four blocks adjacent ($20,000), other real estate
($20,000), improvements, pledges and other gifts obtained by united effort.
The first officers of the Denver Ladies' College Society (organized June 30,
1887) were: President, Victor A. Elliott; vice president, Wilbur C. Lothrop;
secretary, Samuel H. Baker; treasurer, Robert T. McNeal. The first executive
committee was composed of seven men: Governor J. B. Grant, I. E. Blake, M.
Spangler, S. H. Baker, I. B. Porter, Granville Malcom and Robert Cameron.
Nearly all of these men were Baptists. The institution was chartered Novem-
ber I2V 1888, with the title "Colorado Woman's College Society."
In 1893 building operations at the college were entirely suspended. The
project languished and all but died "a-borning." For sixteen years (1893-1909)
the unfinished structure stood idle and desolate, with windows boarded up.
The college enterprise was reluctantly abandoned by Doctor Cameron, who
left Denver and held pastorates in Boston and Providence. Later he went to
the northwest and became pastor of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Victoria,
British Columbia. He now lives in Seattle and edits a religious magazine.
In 1902 the Rev. W. T. Jordan, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church, under-
took to clear off the old indebtedness preparatory to getting subscriptions to
establish the college. "Pay off the debt, calling on the Baptists mainly for
money," was his motto. Year by year the debt was reduced, and in 1907 it was
practically wiped out. He was given effective assistance by the other members
of the executive committee — Edward Braislin, Granville Malcom, Robert T.
McNeal and F. I. Smith.
Then the Rev. C. R. Minard, Ralph Voorhies, Frank Perry and Doctor Mal-
com began a campaign for additional funds to complete the building and furnish
it. In the course of two years they succeeded in getting $30,000, of which the
628 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Colorado Woman's College Auxiliary Association raised $11,000 for the. furnish-
ing of the college. The interior of the south wing was finished, the dormitories
were furnished and equipment was bought for the recitation rooms. The next
thing on the program was to open the school, September 7, 1909.
The college once started, the Baptists with pride awoke to the consciousness
of the strategic advantage of occupying the center of a vast territory without any
other woman's college of high rank.
Prof. Jay Porter Treat, an experienced educator, was selected as president,
and he was given a free hand to carry out his ideas of what a woman's college
should be. From the start it has been his aim to make the school a seat of cul-
ture and a Christian home for young women. There are four departments —
liberal arts, fine arts, Sunday school pedagogy, domestic science and efficiency.
So rapid was the growth of the institution that it was crowded to its capacity
within three years. The erection of the middle section of the college hall was
considered imperative, and in 1914 a financial campaign was started for addi-
tional funds to complete Administration Hall. This was successful, Dr. A. H.
Stockham of Delta making a gift of $10,000. As a result the edifice was com-
pleted in 1916.
CLAYTON COLLEGE
George W. Clayton was born February 22, 1833, at Philadelphia, Pennsyl-
vania. The patronymic of the Great Father of the Republic must have come
to him from the coincidence of birth date. The parents of Mr. Clayton main-
tained their residence at Philadelphia throughout their long lives, and the chil-
dren of the family often returned to the parental home to renew the associations
of childhood.
In this way all became familiar with Girard College, which lias been, in the
minds of Philadelphians, the model institution for boys for many years. It is
easy to trace Mr. Clayton's preference for Girard College in founding an insti-
tution in Denver.
In July, 1859, Mr. Clayton came to Colorado, then known as the Pike's Peak
Country, and beyond the pale of organized government.
The story of Mr. Clayton's subsequent life and business is substantially that
of the development of "the County of Arapahoe, in the Territory of Kansas,
known as Jefferson Territory" into the State of Colorado and the City of Den-
ver, as they grew and developed during the forty years of his residence therein.
He was a man of clear vision and excellent judgment; he gave personal at-
tention to all details of his business ; he was truthful and faithful in every trans-
action. These qualities enabled him to meet all vicissitudes of business through
many years, and to succeed in a large way where many failed.
The George W. Clayton College was founded under the provision of the will
of the late George W. Clayton, who left the larger part of his estate to be de-
voted to the founding and maintaining of a permanent institution within the
City of Denver, for the education and maintenance of poor, white, male, orphan
children.
The funds and property constituting the endowment of the college itself are
held in trust by the City and County of Denver, and are managed by the "George
HISTORY OF COLORADO 629
W. Clayton Trust Commission," consisting of the mayor, the manager of rev-
enue, and the president of the council. The management of the college itself
is vested in a board of trustees, consisting of the judge of the District Court of
the United States for the District of Colorado, the senior judge of the District
Court of Denver, the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Colorado (or such
persons as they shall appoint), and two persons appointed by the mayor of Den-
ver.
The college is located in the northeastern portion of the city and is reached
by the Thirty-fourth Avenue car line. The college buildings are fifteen in num-
ber; they include an administration building, four dormitories, a school build-
ing, a power house, a hospital, a laundry, a superintendent's house, a farm house
and barns. The main group of ten buildings is situated upon a tract of twenty
acres at Thirty-second Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. All of the buildings are
of permanent, substantial construction, the architecture being characterized by
dignity and beauty. The chief buildings are constructed of stone, and are roofed
with red tiles. The buildings of the main group are heated, lighted, and sup-
plied with hot and cold water from the central power house, all pipes and wires
being conveyed through concrete tunnels.
An important part of the equipment of the college consists of 270 acres of
farm land, adjacent to the buildings. The water for the irrigation of the land
is obtained through a pipe line reaching the Sand Creek overflow some six miles
distant.
To be eligible for admission, a boy must fulfill the following conditions :
1. He must be over six and not over ten years old.
2. He must be of white blood and of reputable parentage.
3. He must be poor.
4. He must be sound in mind and body.
5. He must be the child of a father who is not living.
In giving admission, preference is given first, to children born in and belong-
ing to the counties of Denver, Adams, and Arapahoe; second, to children born
in and belonging to other counties of the State of Colorado. The will of the
founder enjoins that care be taken to receive no more boys than can be adequately
cared for from the available income.
Boys received into the college are maintained here without charge or cost
to their mothers, or guardians, until discharged by the board of trustees at be-
tween fourteen and eighteen years of age except that a boy may be discharged at
any time for malconduct or incompetency.
The college requires that the legal custody and control of the child shall be
vested in the board of trustees during the time that he is a pupil in the college,
authorized by a statute of the State of Colorado. The purpose of this require-
ment is to give to the college power over the child commensurate with the re-
sponsibility it assumes for his welfare, thus insuring that the progress of his
education will not be interrupted.
The development of the college farm during the past two years has been satis-
factory. Vegetables sufficient to supply the college table have been produced.
The dairy and poultry department have likewise completely supplied the in-
stitution with products always fresh and of the highest quality. The dairy herd
has shown a good growth by natural increase.
630 HISTORY OF COLORADO
A beginning has been made in building up a herd of high class registered
Holsteins; and it is expected that the production of pure bred dairy stock will
come to be an important branch of the farm activity. The farm is also now
supplying a portion of the meat used on the college table.
Practically all of the 270 acres of farm is now under cultivation. Experi-
mental work is being carried on in the raising of crops specially adapted to dry
and semi-humid conditions.
In the school, instruction in the common school branches has proceeded suc-
cessfully.
A committee upon curriculum, appointed by the board of trustees is framing
the course of instruction which shall follow the elementary work. This will
consist of vocational work in agricultural tasks, for the larger number of pupils,
while some will be instructed along commercial and mechanical lines.
While the institution under the terms of the founding is non-sectarian, re-
ligion is not neglected. The Sunday devotional services and the daily vesper
services in each dormitory imbue the pupils with a spirit of reverence for religion,
and constitute a strong influence toward character formation.
February 22d of each year is celebrated as Founder's Day, it being the birth-
day of George W. Clayton as well as that of George Washington. The celebration
of the day is an occasion of great interest to the boys, and brings a large number
of visitors to the institution.
The square system is an important factor in the life of the boys of the col-
lege. A square is a unit of college money, the equivalent being one cent in
United States money. In various ways the boys may earn squares, mainly by
voluntary extra work. This currency is good at the college store, where a stock
is carried of such articles as are in demand by the boys. They also use it as a
medium of exchange among themselves. The ordinary punishment for bad
conduct is a fine in squares. A savings bank is maintained where squares on
deposit draw interest.
This system of college currency is of practical convenience and decided edu-
cational value. Very soon after arriving at the college even the youngest boys
acquire a sense of quantity that is surprising. This is followed by the develop-
ment of habits of thrift and foresight. For instance, some bOys do a good busi-
ness in poultry raising, buying their feed, and selling their eggs. Others are
engaged in other enterprises.
It is an important part of the aim of the institution to train each boy to
work. When boys leave the institution, the energy and intelligence with which
they work will be their only capital. Therefore each pupil, in proportion to his
strength and ability is required to participate in the work of the institution. As
soon as he enters the new pupil learns to make his own bed and to clean his own
quarters. As he grows older, his duties increase. At present with the oldest
"boys only sixteen years old, a considerable part of the work is done by them.
Tt is planned that after finishing the eighth grade, pupils shall study half of
each day at the vocations or trades to which they are assigned.
The boys enjoy a variety of recreation. The aim of the institution is to
furnish such recreaation, in quantity and kind, as will stimulate the boy to healthy
development. During the past two years the average health of the pupils has
HISTORY OF COLORADO 631
been high. It is the policy of the institution in undertaking the care of the boy
to give first consideration to his physical condition.
Upon entrance he is given a thorough physical examination by the college
physician. Each boy is weighed and measured twice a year, and a careful record
is kept of his growth as compared with that of the average normal boy. The
teeth are regularly cleaned and looked after by the college dentist.
Excellent sanitary conditions are maintained throughout the institution. The
method of life is regular and hygienic. An abundance of wholesome food is sup-
plied, including milk from the college farm. The boys get plenty of exercise,
in the open air. Under these conditions the boys grow up and build up wonder-
fully, and show great resistance to disease.
CHAPTER XXXII
RELIGIOUS— GENERAL-GROWTH OF COLORADO'S
PROTESTANT CHURCHES
FIRST SERMON PREACHED BY REV. W. G. FISHER TOWN COMPANY OFFERS LOTS FOR
HOUSES OF WORSHIP RICHARDSON DESCRIBES EARLY STREET PRAYER MEETINGS
THE CHURCH CENSUS OF 1890, OF IC)OO, OF 1906 AND OF IQIO MARVELOUS
GROWTH THE PROTESTANT-EPISCOPAL CHURCH — ESTABLISHING THE DIOCESE
OF WESTERN COLORADO THE METHODIST-EPISCOPAL CHURCH THE STRUGGLE
TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH THE BAPTISTS CONGREGA-
TIONALISM AND ITS GROWTH IN COLORADO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH THE
LUTHERAN UNITARIAN THE REFORMED CHURCH — CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.
The churches of Colorado were a mighty factor in the early and later devel-
opment of territory and state, and while the lust for gold was strong in those
pioneers of 1858 and 1859, they found time to listen to and to heed the spiritual
thoughts that came from the lips of the earliest evangelists. Perhaps the first
sermon ever delivered by a Christian in the vicinity of what is now Denver was
that of Rev. W. G. Fisher, who in the fall of 1858 made a temple of the cotton-
wood trees in the new Town of Auraria near the mouth of Cherry Creek.
In January, 1859, the Auraria Town Company offered lots to the first four
religious societies that would "build a church or a house of worship in Auraria."
It was some time before advantage was taken of this proposition.
Similar offers were made by the officers of the Denver Town Company. Nor
were these speedily taken up.
Jerome Smiley in his "History of Denver" reverts to Father Mallet, who
came into the region of Cherry Creek in 1739, but rather as an explorer than as
a missionary. He also refers to Rev. John Beck, who came in June, 1858, with
the Russell party, but never preached.
To Rev. W. G. Fisher belongs undoubtedly the honor of having been the first
man to preach the Word of God in this section. It was not until June, 1859, when
Rev. L. Hamilton, a Presbyterian minister, reached Denver, that the work of
Rev. W. G. Fisher was supplemented. The first meeting held in the Pollock Hotel
by Rev. L. Hamilton was largely attended, and actually resulted in the organi-
zation of a church.
The Union Sunday School, opened on November 6, 1859, at the house ot
"Preachers Fisher and Adriance," grew from an initial attendance of twelve un-
til it was forced to move to the Masonic Hall, on what is now Eleventh Street.
Albert D. Richardson, who came with the Greeley party, in June, 1859, saw
632
HISTORY OF COLORADO 633
"several hundred men in the open air attending public religious worship. They
were roughly clad, displaying weapons at their belts, and represented every sec-
tion of the Union and almost every nation on earth. They sat upon logs and
stumps, a most attentive congregation, while the clergyman upon a rude log
platform preached from the text : 'Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.'
It was an impressive spectacle — that motley gathering of goldseekers among
the mountains, a thousand miles from home and civilization, to hear the good
tidings forever old and yet forever new."
John L. Dyer, better known as Father Dyer, a Methodist, one of the gentlest
and noblest of the preachers of territorial days, came to Colorado June 22, 1861,
and went at once into the mining regions to tell simply and eloquently the need
of the kindly deed. On July 18, 1861, he was at Buckskin Joe where he gathered
the rough characters of that region about him, told them of the sweetness of
living and doing right and talked to them of their far-off eastern homes. There
were always liberal donations for the church work of Father Dyer. And it mat-
tered not where he went in this region the doors of all cabins, even the doors
of saloons and gambling hells, were opened for him to tell his story of the world's
great need of kindness, one to another. He had great misfortune later in life,
his son, Judge Elias F. Dyer, dying at the hands of an assassin.
The church history of Colorado is best told by denominations, and in the
following pages the facts narrated are either written or supplied by leading mem-
bers of each sect.
The growth of the churches of Colorado, in edifices and membership, has
been accurately recorded in the decennial census returns. Colorado had in 1890,
647 church organizations, with 463 edifices. These were valued at $4,743,317.
The communicants numbered 86,837, which was 21.07 per cent of the popula-
tion. In 1906 it had 1,261 church organizations and 956 church edifices; church
property valued at $7,723,200, and 205,666 communicants, an increase over 1890
of 118,829.
In 1910, the date of the last Federal census the records by denominations
follow :
The Seventh Day Adventists had thirteen church organizations, two churches,
and 414 communicants. Of the other five branches of the Adventist Church none
was represented in Colorado when the last census was taken.
The so-called "Regular" Baptists, whose Colorado history is narrated in these
chapters, had in 1910, fifty-four organizations, forty church edifices, and 4,944
communicants. Of all the other Baptist bodies, the Regular (South), the Sev-
enth Day, Free Will, Original Free Will, General, Separate, United, Baptist
Church of Christ, Primitive, Old Two-Seed-in-the-Spirit Predestinarian, there
was no representation in Colorado in 1910.
The Plymouth Brethren, who have no houses of worship, had four organiza-
tions in Colorado in 1910, with a membership of seventy. Of these four organi-
zations each belonged to one of the four distinct sects of Plymouth Brethren in
the United States.
The Catholics in 1910 had no organizations in Colorado, ninety-four church
edifices, and 47,111 communicants.
The Christadelphians, a religious sect founded by Dr. John Thomas about
1845, had two organizations, with sixteen communicants, in Colorado in 1910.
634 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The Christian Scientists in 1910 had four organizations in Colorado and 147
members.
The Christian Union Church had in 1910 twelve organizations in Colorado
and 571 communicants.
The Church Triumphant (Schweinfurth) had in 1910 two organizations in
Colorado, one church edifice, and forty-one members.
In 1910 there were in Colorado forty-nine Congregational churches, thirty-
eight edifices, and 3,217 onnmunicants.
The Disciples of Christ also called Christians had in 1910 thirty-one church
organizations, eighteen church edifices, and 2,400 communicants in Colorado.
Of the Dunkards Colorado in 1910 had one church with no communicants,
who are known as "The Conservative Brethren," and one church with seventeen
communicants of "The Progressive Brethren."
The Evangelical Association (in doctrine and polity Methodist) had three
organizations in Colorado in 1910, one church edifice and eight-seven communi-
cants.
The Friends had in 1910 one church organization, one edifice and thirty-eight
members in Colorado.
The German Evangelical Synod of North America had in 1910 two organi-
zations, one edifice and 135 communicants in Colorado.
The Orthodox Jews in 1910 had in Colorado four organizations, three church
edifices, and 662 members. The Reformed Jews had one organization, one
church edifice, and 400 members.
The Mormon Church in 1910 had three church organizations in Colorado,
three edifices and 1,640 communicants.
The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had in 1910
five organizations in Colorado, one church edifice and 122 members.
There were in Colorado in 1910 twenty-one Lutheran Church organizations,
fourteen church buildings, and 1,208 communicants. Of these, seven churches
belonged to the General Synod, seven to the General Council, six to the Synodical
Conference, and one to the Norwegian Church in America.
The Amish Mennonites had one organization, one church edifice and seventy-
five members in Colorado in 1910.
There were in 1910 ninety Methodist Episcopal organizations in Colorado,
with seventy-seven church edifices and 8,580 members. The African Methodist
Episcopal Church had eight organizations, six edifices, and 788 members. The
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, had in 1910, twenty-six church organizations,
sixteen church buildings and 1,299 communicants. The Free Methodists in 1910
had twenty-two church organizations, eighteen church edifices and 203 communi-
cants. The total of all Methodists in the state in 1910 was 10,870, with 146 or-
ganizations and 117 church edifices.
There were in 1910 in Colorado a total of eighty-eight Presbyterian church
organizations, sixty-nine church edifices, and 6,968 communicants. The Pres-
byterian Church in the United States of America (Northern) had seventy- four
church organizations, fifty-six church edifices, and 5,902 members. The Cumber-
land Presbyterians had five churches and 231 members. The Welsh Calvinistic
Methodist Church had one church edifice and 156 communicants.
The United Presbyterians had in 1910 five church edifices, and 537 members.
THE "BAPTIST DUG-OUT"
The basement story of a projected church edifice in Denver, which was constructed on
the northeast corner of Sixteenth and Curtis Streets in 1867, by the pioneer Baptist
organization in that city. Building funds having been exhausted the basement was roofed
rudely and used by the congregation for several years as a place of worship, and in 1872-73
was occupied on week days by a public school. Because of its primitive appearance the
structure became commonly known as the "Baptist Dug-out." The congregation did not
complete the building, but sold the property and erected a church in another part of the city
in 1873.
636 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The Reformed Presbyterians had three organizations, two edifices, and 142 mem-
bers in Colorado.
The Protestant Episcopal Church in America had in 1910 in Colorado fifty-
two organizations, forty-four church edifices, and 3,814 members.
The Reformed Church in the United States had in 1910 one church edifice
and thirty-five members in Colorado.
The Salvation Army had in 1910 ten organizations in Colorado, one hall, and
214 communicants.
The Spiritualists had in 1910 two organizations, with 275 members in Colorado.
The United Brethren in Christ had in Colorado in 1910, eighteen church or-
ganizations, eight church edifices and 585 members.
The Unitarians in 1910 had in Colorado four church organizations, two
edifices, and 644 members.
The Universalists had one church organization in Colorado in 1910, with
fifteen members.
THE BAPTISTS OF COLORADO
The first Baptist Church in Colorado was established at Denver, September
25, 1860, with a membership of twenty-seven. These pioneers called this first
organization the Rocky Mountain Baptist Church. Elder James Ripley was
called to the pastorate, and J. Saxton and M. A. Clarke were the first deacons.
Robert S. Roe was the first chief clerk. The congregation obtained the use of
the courthouse from the owner, Judge Buchanan, free of charge. The mem-
bers, however, soon scattered into various camps, and in 1861 the organization
failed. In its best days, however, it not alone sustained the church but a Sun-
day school with nearly a hundred members.
The records of the First Baptist Church in Golden show that it was estab-
lished about August i, 1863, and this justly claims to be the oldest existing Bap-
tist church in Colorado.
On December 27, 1863, the first meeting of those interested in the organiza-
tion of a permanent Baptist Church in Denver was held, and a committee ap-
pointed at this time secured the United States court room on Ferry Street for
its services. Rev. Walter M. Potter, who had been sent to the territory at this
time by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, officiated.
On May 2, 1864, the First Baptist Church of Denver was organized, with
the following members : Rev. Walter M. Potter, Miss Lucy K. Potter, Francis
Gallup, Henry C. Leach, Mrs. A. Voorhies, Mrs. L. Burdsall, Mrs. L. Hall,
Mrs. A. C. Hall and Miss E. Throughman. Mr. Gallup was the first deacon,
and Henry C. Leach was first clerk and treasurer. In May, 1866, Rev. Ira D.
Clark was pastor, remaining a year, and in May, 1868, Rev. A. M. Arneill be-
came pastor, followed by Rev. Lewis M. Raymond. Rev. Ira D. Clark built
the basement on the church lots at the corner of Curtis and G streets, and Rev.
W. Scott, who succeeded Mr. Raymond, erected a lecture room on lots donated
by Rev. Walter M. Potter, the first pastor of the church. He had preempted
320 acres near the city, and with his uncle, W. Gaston, of Boston, bought fifty
acres covering the present depot grounds. All of this, worth in 1873 nearly a
hundred thousand dollars, was left to the Mission bodies of the church.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 637
The Rocky Mountain Baptist Association was organized September 21, 1866,
in the United States Court room in Denver, its first moderator being Rev. Ira
D. Clark. The Colorado Baptist churches represented and unrepresented at
this first session were as follows: Canon City, membership fifty-four; First
Denver, eighteen members; Golden City, twenty-eight members; Denver Zion
(colored), eight members; Central City, thirty-six members; Colorado City,
fifteen members.
At its session in 1867, with Cheyenne added, its total membership in the
state was 180. Mt. Vernon and Georgetown were organized in the following
year.
In 1873 tne Baptist Church had a firm hold in this field. At Central City a
$4,500 church building was under erection, and its membership had grown to
fifty-four. The First Baptist Church of Denver was building a $12,000 struc-
ture, and had a membership of ninety-four. The Baptist Church in Golden was
not alone a commodious brick building, but had a tower with bell. Its member-
ship was twenty-two. In Greeley the largest church in the place, built at a cost
of $6,500, was occupied by a Baptist membership of forty.
Laramie, which was part of the Colorado district, had just organized.
Denver Zion had a good church building and seventeen members.
At Georgetown, the membership of thirty-five worshiped in a leased building.
At this time there were services held in the Hard Scrabble district, and on
the Greenhorn, by preachers who had taken up farming in these sections.
Colorado City, Cheyenne and Mt. Vernon church organizations had become
extinct, "owing principally to the unsettled character of the population in those
places when the churches were organized." At this time new churches were
organizing at Boulder, Longmont, Evans, Platte Valley, Colorado Springs,
Pueblo, Fountain and at Idaho Springs. Rev. James French, who was then ter-
ritorial missionary, announced that he had sold for the owner one of "the cel-
ebrated Idaho springs" and had earned a commission of $1,000, which, as he
said, "I propose to give to the Home Mission Society, to be designated towards
building a church edifice at Idaho Springs."
Late in 1872 a new association of seven churches was organized in south-
ern Colorado, and new meetinghouses were building "on the Cuchares, the
Apache, the Greenhorn, the Hard Scrabble, and at Colorado Springs."
The first meeting of what was to be known as the Southern Colorado Baptist
Association met in Canon City, November 22, 1872, elected Andrew Brown mod-
erator, and was represented as follows : Canon City, thirty-four members ; Col-
orado Springs, nineteen members ; Fountain, five ; Huerfano, thirty ; New Hope
(on the Hard Scrabble), twenty-two; Pueblo and Spanish Peaks, just organiz-
ing.
When this organization met in 1873 a^ New Hope, Spanish Peaks reported a
membership of forty-three; Pueblo, seventeen; Dodson, seven; Monument, five.
The total membership was 199, and nine churches comprised the conference. In
1874 the membership was 219.
In 1874 the Rocky Mountain Association, with nine churches — at Denver
(2), Golden, Greeley, . Central City, Laramie, Boulder, Platte Valley and Bear
Canon, had a total membership of 458. This figure was 427 in 1873.
At the session of the Rocky Mountain Baptist Association in 1874 a com-
638 HISTORY OF COLORADO
munication from Gov. John Evans requested cooperation in the founding of the
University of Denver. At that time the plan was to establish a seat of learning,
with the support of "The Protestant Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, Presbyte-
rian and Baptist churches." The project was endorsed, but later the University
became exclusively a Methodist Episcopal institution.
In 1877 the ten churches in the Rocky Mountain Baptist Association had a
membership of 631; in the Southern Association there were fourteen churches,
with a membership of 395.
The record of the Baptist churches in the southern field follows : Canon City,
established 1865; Fountain, 1870; New Hope, 1871; Pueblo, Colorado Springs,
Spanish Peaks, 1872; Monument, 1875; Saguache, 1876; Las Vegas, N. M.,
1880; Durango, Gardner, Gunnison City, 1881 ; Grand Junction, Salida, Raton,
N. M., Lake City, 1883; Table Rock, 1884. In 1883 its church property was
valued at $29,100; its membership was 613.
In 1885 the value of church property in the Rocky Mountain Baptist Associa-
tion territory was $162,700, and the membership was 1,319. There were now two
churches, the First and Calvary, in. Denver, the First and Second in Cheyenne,
one each at Boulder, Fort Collins, Golden, Greeley, Laramie, Leadville, Loveland,
Lone Tree and Sunnyside. The moderators of the Rocky Mountain Baptist
Association for its first two decades had been: 1866, Rev. Ira D. Clark; 1867,
Rev. Jos. Casto; 1868, Rev. T. T. Potter; 1869, 1870, 1871, Rev. B. M. Adams;
1872, 1874, Rev. S. D. Bowker; 1873, Rev- D- F- Safford; 1875, Rev. T. W.
Greene; 1876, Rev. W. C. Lothrop; 1877, Rev. D. J. Pierce; 1878, Rev. I. C.
Whipple; 1879, l88o> l88l> R- S. Roe; 1882, Rev. J. G. Brown; 1883, Rev. C.
M. Jones; 1884, Rev. C. L. Ingersoll; 1885, Rev. E. N. Elton.
In 1884 the Rocky Mountain Baptist Union was formed, with delegates from
both the Rocky Mountain Baptist Association and the Southern Colorado Bap-
tist Association, as well as from the territories of Wyoming, New Mexico and
Utah.
On July 23, 1886, the Gunnison Valley Baptist Association held its first
meeting in Grand Junction, Saguache, Delta, Colorow and Grand Junction being
represented. Its first moderator was Rev. Moses A. Clarke. The total membership
in the new district was 104. In 1888, Aspen, Lake City, Monte Vista, New Liberty
and Platte Valley were the new members.
On October 21, 1889, the first annual meeting of the Colorado Baptist*
State Convention was held, its jurisdiction now covering only the State of Col-
orado. New churches were organized in that year at Coryell, Del Norte, Ala-
mosa, Santa Clara, Walsenburg, Fairview, La Junta and Denver. New churches
were built and dedicated at Sterling, Delta, Coryell and Aspen.
In 1890 the membership in the Baptist churches of Colorado had grown to
3,273, of which 1,989 were in the Rocky Mountain Baptist Association, 1,004 ™
that of Southern Colorado, 205 in the Gunnison Valley, and seventy-five in un-
associated churches. The Sunday school membership was 4,246.
On March 25, 1890, the corner-stone of the Colorado Woman's College, a
Baptist educational institution, was laid, Mrs. J. A. Cooper, wife of Governor
Cooper, presiding at the exercises. Among those who spoke at this time were
ex-Governor John Evans and Doctor Slocum, of Colorado College. Rev. W. T.
Jordan was its first president. The detailed history of the institution is covered
in Chapter XXXI, on "Education."
HISTORY OF COLORADO
639
On September i. 1896, the Colorado Midland Baptist Association was organ-
ized, with the following church representation: Anaconda, Colorado City, Col-
orado Springs, First and St. Johns, Cripple Creek, Eastonville, Fountain, Husted,
Olive Branch and Table Rock. '
In 1895 the Baptist churches at Durango, Hooper, Lockett, Monte Vista,
Mosca, Saguache and Salida formed the San Luis Valley Baptist Association.
This was later again divided and in 1900 the San Luis Association had churches
at Centerview, Hooper, Mosca, Monte Vista, Salida and Saguache. The new
South- Western Association had members at Durango, Pagosa Springs, Mancos
and Dolores.
In 1900 the Colorado State Baptist Convention comprised six associations.
The Midland Rocky Mountain Association, with churches at Ault, Beaver Val-
ley, Boulder, Denver (thirteen churches), Eastern, Eaton, Fort Collins, Golden.
Greeley, Holyoke, Longmont, Loveland, Louisville, Sterling, had a total mem-
bership of 3,947. In 1912 the churches in the district were as follows:
Date of Or-
Churches ganization
Arvada 1904
Ault 1900
Barnum 1910
Beaver Valley 1901
Bennett 1907
Berthotid 1904
Beth Eden (Denver) 1893
Bethel 1892
Bijou Valley 1908
Broadway 1886
Brush 1911
Calvary 1881
Capitol Hill 1894
Central 1891
Cray 1911
Deer Trail 1913
Eastern 1893
Eaton 1906
Eleventh Avenue 1910 .
Englewood 1911
First 1864
First Swedish 1885
Fort Collins
Fcrt Morgan 1906
Date of Or-
Churches ganization
Fruitdale 1905
Galilee 1888
German 1906
Golden 1863
Greeley , 1871
Greeley (Swedish) 1906
Holyoke 1888
Iliff 1911
Johnstown 1905
Judson 1887
Kersey 1912
Lafayette 1906
Longmont 1890
Louisville 1898
Loveland 1879
Mount Hermon J9O9
Mount Olivet 1891
North Side 1895
Sterling 1883
Wellington 1913
West Park 1912
Wiggins 191 1
Zion 1863
The value of church property in this association in 1900 was $223,275.
In 1912 the total membership was 6,767; Sunday school enrollment, 5,891;
value of church property, $303,500.
The San Luis Association in 1900 comprised churches at Center, Hooper,
Monte Vista, Mosca, Saguache, Salida, Monte Vista (German). Its total mem-
640 HISTORY OF COLORADO
bership was 331. By 1912 there were churches at Del Norte, Ortiz (Mex.), Ala-
mosa, San Acacio. Its total membership was 484.
The Gunnison Valley Association in 1900 had churches at Delta, founded
1899; Grand Junction, founded 1899; Gunnison, founded 1900; Hotchkiss,
founded 1901; Lake City, founded 1898; Montrose, founded 1898; Olathe,
Eckert, Palisade, Plateau Valley, all founded 1900. Its total church membership
was 522, with 724 enrolled in its Sunday schools. The church property was valued
at $20,400. In 1912 there were new churches at Pear Park, Cedaredge, Molina,
Fruita, Paonia, Austin, New Castle, Bethel and Coal Creek. Its total member-
ship was 1,532.
The Colorado Midland Association in 1900 had churches at Aspen, Anaconda.
Colorado City, Colorado Springs (three), Cripple Creek, Colorado Springs
(Swedish), Fountain, Husted, Goldfield, Good Hope, Leadville and Victor. Its
membership was 1,550. Its church property was valued at $72,600. In 1912
there were new churches at Allbright, Bethel, Bijou, one more at Colorado
Springs, Flagler, Kanza, Prairie Home, Ramah, Shiloh, Vona. Total member-
ship, about sixteen hundred.
The Southern Baptist Association in 1900 had churches at Canon City, Flor-
ence, Fowler, Gardner, N. M., La Junta, La Veta, Las Animas, Lamar, Peublo
five), Rocky Ford and Trinidad. The membership in 1900 was 1,602; Sunday
school enrollment, 1,469. Church property was valued at $49,780. By 1912
there were new churches at Hartman, Holly, Kiowa, Ordway, Springfield and
Walsenburg. In 1912 the membership was 3,168; Sunday school enrollment,
2,522. Value of church property, $133,870.
The Southwestern Association in 1900 had churches at Chromo, Dolores,
Durango, Florida, Aztec, N. M., Pagosa Springs, Telluride and Mancos. Its
membership was 318; Sunday school attendance, 279. Church property was
valued at $6,770. In 1912 it had new churches at McElmo Canon and Lebanon.
Total membership 263.
Unassociated churches numbered seven, with a membership of 159.
In 1917 there were no Baptist churches in Colorado. These were divided
by districts as follows : Baca County, twelve ; Gunnison Valley, fourteen ; Mid-
land, twelve ; Rocky Mountain, thirty-six ; San Luis Valley, ten ; Southern, twenty-
one ; Southwestern, ten. The total membership was as follows : Baca, 256 ;
Gunnison Valley, 1,635; Midland, 1,650; Rocky Mountain, 8,370; San Luis, 584;
Southern, 3,810; Southwestern, 300. Total, 16,605. Church property valuation
was $987,700. The Sunday school enrollment was 12,015.
THE REFORMED CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES
Both branches of the Reformed Church, formerly the Dutch and the German,
are represented in the church life of Colorado. The German Reformed Church
was organized in Denver in 1890 as a German church, and this congregation
erected its first edifice at Twenty-third and Lawrence. This it occupied until
1898, when the German congregation was discontinued and an English church
was organized under Rev. Henry Tesnow. Under him the present church build-
ing, corner of Seventh Avenue and Emerson Street, was erected. In 1901 he
HISTORY OF COLORADO 641
was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. David H. Fouse, who came here from
Iowa.
The Christian Reformed Church (Dutch) was organized in the English Re-
formed Church building in 1907 by a group of Hollanders from Grand Rapids.
Rev. Ivan Dellen was the first pastor and is still in charge of the work. They
have their own church on South Emerson Street and Colorado Avenue, and con-
duct a parochial school and have also established the Bethesda Sanitarium for
Consumptives.
The only other Reformed church in Colorado is one established by the so-
called "German" Russians at Loveland. These are the descendants of Germans
who had emigrated to Russia 200 years ago and later were brought over to
take up the work in the beet fields of Colorado.
The total membership in the state approximates a thousand.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Christian churches of Colorado numbered sixty in 1917, with a further
increase during the past year. The church membership then was 11,344. This
was an increase from thirty-one church organizations and 2,400 communicants
in 1910.
The First Church of Christ of Denver was organized by a few ardent dis-
ciples, among whom were former Governor Routt and members of his family,
members of the well-known Brinker family, of Denver, J. N. Hill, William and
James Davis and I. E. Barnum.
For many months meetings were held in the chapel of the Brinker Institute,
which had been built in 1880 and which was later the Hotel Richelieu, and still
later the Navarre. On December 13, 1881, while still meeting in the Brinker
Institute, the church was incorporated as The Central Christian Church of Den-
ver, with J. N. Hill, William Davis, James Davis, I. E. Barnum and John L.
Routt as incorporators. The membership had also increased to such an extent
that the Rev. M. D. Todd was, on September 18, 1881, made pastor of the
church, and lots were purchased on the present site of the Majestic Building
for a permanent church home. When on March 25, 1883, the church was dedi-
cated its pastor was Rev. W. B. Craig, and the dedication sermon was preached
by Rev. Isaac Errett.
This was the beautiful home of the Central Christian Church until 1900, when
the Majestic Building was projected. On Easter Sunday, 1902, the fine church
on Lincoln Street and Sixteenth Avenue, which today is its home, was dedicated.
Both the Colorado Springs and the Boulder churches were pioneers in the
work of the denomination in the state.
Much of the splendid growth of the church in Colorado is due to the en-
thusiastic labors of the American Christian Missionary Society, of which Rev.
C. H. Morris, pastor of the Central Christian Church, is state president, and
Rev. Charles W. Dean, corresponding secretary and missionary.
In 1917 there were Christian churches in Colorado with membership as fol-
lows:
Vol. 1—41
642
HISTORY OF COLORADO
Englewood 1 50
Las Animas 190
Boulder 766
Longmont 275
Salida 200
Ordway 125
Delta 215
Paonia 208
Denver, Central 685
Denver, East Side 234
Denver, Highlands 500
Denver, South Broadway 550
Denver, 43d Avenue 130
Denver, West Side 190
Elbert 30
Colorado City 155
Colorado Springs 1,067
Canon City 360
Florence 65
Carbondale 30
Glenwood Springs 20
Grand Valley 30
Rifle 100
Sheridan Lake 22
Burlington 30
Durango 40
Berthoud 100
Fort Collins 363
Loveland 301
Trinidad . ..200
Limon 72
Atwood ' 20
Sterling 133
Clifton ioo
Fruita 50
Grand Junction 960
Palisades 94
Craig ]..8o
Coventry 25
Montrose 117
Fort Morgan 233
Fowler 1 30
La Junta 220
Manzanola ' 124
Rocky Ford 290
S wink 35
Holyoke 86
Lamar 118
Pueblo, Broadway 260
Pueblo, Central 484
Pueblo, Vineland 20
Monte Vista 210
Ault 60
Gill 47
Greeley 607
Severance 31
S. L. W. Ranches 65
Windsor 107
Total . 1 1,461
THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Church of St. John's in the Wilderness, of Denver, the first Protestant
Episcopal church in Colorado, was officially organized February 19, 1860, by the
erection of a temporary vestry. The name of the church was given it some
weeks earlier by William' H. Moore, who had begun this mission, as he said,
"seven hundred miles from the nearest church." His sister, who was known as
Deaconess Moore, born in 1830, and who assisted at the founding of the first
mission, was still alive and active in 1917.
The first temporary vestry consisted of Charles A. Lawrence, Thomas I.
Bayaud, later its first senior warden, Amos Steck, soon elected mayor, Samuel
C. Curtis, then postmaster, E. Waterbury, Thomas G. Wildman, D. C. Collier,
C E. Cooley, Dr. A. F. Peck and Richard E. Whitsett. On November 6, 1861,
St. John's Church in the Wilderness was incorporated by legislative enactment,
with the following incorporators : Amos Steck, Benjamin H. Blanton, John S.
Fillmore, Oscar D. Cass, Thomas G. Wildman, Roswell W. Roath, Henry B.
644 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Rogers, Milton M. Delano, Samuel S. Curtis, Thomas J. Bayaud. In the incor-
poration the church was legally exempted forever from taxation.
In the church records the first rector, Rev. John Kehler, who had for many
years been rector of the parish of Sheppardstown in Virginia, and who had
reached Denver early in January, thus announces this historical beginning of
Protestant church services in Colorado under date January 17, 1860: "January
17 — We inaugurated our services in Denver City in the Union School House on
Cherry Creek, McGaa Street. Then and there doubtless for the first time since
the creation were the solemn and befitting words spoken: The Lord is in this
Holy Temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.' "
"Father" Kehler, as he was ever affectionately called, resigned the rectorship
June 3, 1862, after his appointment as chaplain of the First Regiment of Colo-
rado Volunteers. After his term of service, spent mostly in the field in New
Mexico, he returned to Denver, where he continued to reside, much beloved,
and serving the church, as his age and infirmities permitted, until 1876, when he
removed to Washington, where he died February 21, 1879. From 1866 to 1876
he was a member and president of the standing committee.
Bishop Talbot, missionary bishop of the Northwest from 1859 to 1865, made
his first visitation August, 1861. He was surprised and delighted to find a flourish-
ing parish in this city of the plains, maintaining regular worship in a rented
building, humble in character, but well adapted to the services of the church. He
spent the entire month in Denver, and in the mining camps of what were subse-
quently Gilpin and Clear Creek counties, holding service and preaching in Central
City, Idaho Springs, Spanish Bar, Golden, Mountain City, Nevadaville, etc. Cen-
tral City was the only point at which in his judgment a missionary should then
be stationed.
On the next visitation in the summer of 1862 more substantial results were
accomplished. St. John's Parish had recently become vacant. By his advice,
the chapel of the Southern Methodists, the only place of worship in town, was
purchased and fitted up for services, at a cost of $2,500, of which, according to
the bishop's report, the congregation contributed $1,000. It was consecrated on
Sunday, July 20, 1862. To supply the parish till a rector could be found, the
Rev. Isaac A. Hagar, deacon, was called from Nebraska. Mr. Hagar, in addi-
tion to his services in Denver, officiated occasionally during his stay at Central
City and Golden. At the former, including surrounding camps, was a popula-
tion of nearly five thousand, at the latter about one hundred. Denver had per-
haps three thousand. The bishop, after holding several services and much per-
sonal visiting and intercourse, secured the organization of St. Paul's, Central
City, as a parish, the earnest churchmen of the place having obtained subscrip-
tions, which guaranteed the full support of a clergyman. Soon after he sent
to them the Rev. Francis Granger, who became and was for two or three years
their rector. The bishop visited all the places where he had been the year before,
and also the Clear Creek Valley as far as Empire and Georgetown. He also made
an extensive journey to the South Park, visiting Tarryall, Montgomery, Georgia,
Buckskin Joe, California Gulch (on which is the present city of Leadville), and
Breckenridge. He returned by way of the Ute Pass and Colorado City, the first
capital of the territory, where he held services.
In 1863, the bishop made another visitation occupying the month of August.
HISTORY OF COLORADO • 645
He brought with him the Rev. Wm. O. Jarvis, and appointed him missionary at
Empire, Gold Dust and Idaho — a most discouraging field, for the early promise
of growth was not realized, and after a year of arduous labor, the missionary
returned to the east. The bishop had secured the Rev. H. B. Hitchings to suc-
ceed Mr. Hagar at Denver, in the autumn of 1862. His labors had been so
successful that it became necessary to enlarge the church, giving it a seating
capacity of over three hundred. It was opened by the bishop August i6th,
and on the same day Mr. Hitchings was instituted rector.
Bishop Talbot was again in Denver and officiated on Sunday, November 22d,
the same year, on his return from Utah and Nevada. This was his last visit,
until the consecration of Trinity Memorial, Denver, September, 1875.
The church was now firmly established in the two most important centers,
Denver and Central City. At both of these, parish schools were established. The
two rectors held occasional services at Golden, Blackhawk and Nevada. Mr.
Granger having resigned, the Rev. A. B. Jennings was secured for Central City
in August, 1865.
The Rt. Rev. Geo. M. Randall, elected missionary bishop in October and
consecrated December 28, 1865, arrived in Denver June n, 1866. His jurisdic-
tion included Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. In 1867 Idaho and Montana were
assigned to Bishop Tuttle, and New Mexico was at the same time given to
Bishop Randall. He entered upon his work. with great zeal and enthusiasm.
The Rev. Father Kehler and Reverends Hitchings and Jennings were in the field.
He brought out the Rev. Wm. A. Fuller, deacon, and placed him at Nevadaville,
two miles above Central City.
The bishop during his first summer visited all the points seen by his predeces-
sor and a few others on the Arkansas and its tributaries. Going east for the
winter to secure men and means, he came back in the spring with the "army of
one" he had succeeded in "recruiting," the Rev. F. Byrne. He met on his way
back the "first army," the Reverend Mr. Fuller, returning. This was the clergy-
man who made so narrow an escape from the Indians when they attacked the
stage-coach in the Platte Valley. Soon after, however, 1867-69, he secured a
few additional clergymen — the Reverend Lynd, for Golden, Reverend White-
head, for Blackhawk, and Reverend Winslow, for Empire and Georgetown.
On April i, 1869, the Reverend Mr. Hitchings having resigned, the bishop
assumed the rectorship of St. John's, Denver.
In 1868 and later the work was considerably extended. Churches consecrated
were: Christ, Nevada, September 17, 1867; Emmanuel, Empire, September 18,
1867; St. Mark's, Cheyenne, August 23, 1868; Calvary, Golden, September 23,
1868; St. Peter's, Pueblo, June 27, 1869; Calvary, Idaho, July 15, 1869; St.
Matthew's, Laramie, September 21, 1869; St. Paul's, Littleton, April 2, 1871:
Grace, Georgetown, May 9, 1872; Heavenly Rest, Baldwinsville, March 29, 1873.
Missions were established at Greeley, Canon City, Ula and Trinidad. In Pueblo,
Georgetown, Cheyenne, Central City and Golden, parish schools were established
until the public schools became so good as to render the former impracticable.
No sooner had the bishop entered upon his work than he began to make plans
for the establishment of schools of a higher grade for the youth of both sexes.
In the autumn of 1866 he purchased a small house in the outskirts of Denver
with a view of opening a girls' school. In the following year this plan was aban-
646 -HISTORY OF COLORADO
cloned, on the citizens of the city subscribing the money to purchase five lots
in a more central location. On these he erected in 1867 tne central part of the
old Seventeenth Street Wolfe Ha:l, at a cost, for the building itself, of $18,000.
John D. Wolfe gave most largely towards the enterprise, and the school was called
by his name. The bishop with his family took up his residence in the school and
opened it in the autumn of 1868 with seventy pupils. In 1873 h£ added a wing
costing four or five thousand dollars.
While building Wolfe Hall he was also planning for a school for boys and
young men who might be looking to the ministry. His purpose was in 1866-67
to accept a large block of land on Capitol Hill in Denver that had been offered
him, and build upon it a clergy and bishop's house, a school for boys with a
training .school of theology and a cathedral chapel, extending the buildings be-
yond the chapel in the center, as the needs should require. His plan, as detailed
in his reports of 1866 and 1867, was well conceived. The location was the
best possible. In 1868, however, he accepted a deed for school purposes of
twelve acres in the vicinity of Golden conditioned on a collegiate school being
maintained thereon ; and began 'the erection of a building seventy-two by thirty-
five feet, two stories high, with Mansard roof, to contain living apartments,
schoolroom for thirty, recitation rooms and alcoves for twenty pupils. Mis-
fortune seems from the first to have attended the undertaking. On the early
morning of Thanksgiving Day, November 24th, a terrible hurricane blew off
the roof. The cost of building and rebuilding was $17,873.42. On September
17, 1870, the school, which had been carried on by the Rev. Wm. J. Lynd in a
rented house in Golden, was opened on "College Hill" with appropriate services.
Through the generosity of Nathan Matthews, of Boulder, George A. Jarvis,
Rev. Ethan Allen, Rev. Samuel Babcock and others, the first Matthews Hall was
erected in 1872, and opened September igih of that year, with Rev. R. Harding
in charge and six or seven students for the theological course. The Legislature
had voted several thousand dollars for a school of mines as an adjunct to Jarvis
Hall. This seemed the beginning of a great educational center.
The schools in Golden never met the expectations of their friends. The
School of Mines was in 1874 given back to a board of trustees of the territory
created by the Legislature to receive it. The territory remunerated the church
in part for what it had cost beyond the sum appropriated from the territorial
treasury.
In 1874 Matthews Hall had seven students, but only two of the scholarships
that were relied on to support them could be secured. There were no funds for
the professor's salary. Five of the young men were ordained. The professor
went east. Thenceforth the few theological students were teachers in Jarvis
Hall.
On the 4th and 6th of April, 1878, Jarvis and Matthews halls were destroyed
by fire. The next year, with the approval of all the largest benefactors of the
schools and the clergy and laity in convocation, it was decided to remove them
to Denver.
In 1883 Bishop Spalding built the second Matthews Hall at Twentieth and
Glenarm, and this was used for years as an Episcopal residence. In 1888 the
second Jarvis Hall was erected in Montclair. When this was destroyed by fire
in 1901 the few theological students were taken care of at Matthews Hall. In
HISTORY OF .COLORADO 647
1917 Matthews Hall was sold by the diocese. The Jarvis endowment fund began
with a gift of $10,000 by George A. Jarvis, of Brooklyn, in 1870. It was designed
to be the nucleus for the theological school which has since been discontinued.
The Wolfe Hall fund was started by Bishop Randall through gifts obtained
chiefly in Grace Church parish, New York. The first building erected at Seven-
teenth and Champa cost $18,000, and before it was opened the cost was a little
over thirty-seven thousand dollars. The largest donor was Mr. Wolfe, of Grace
Church, who gave $7,000 of this. Bishop Spalding sold this property and
with this as a nucleus in 1888 began the erection of Wolfe Hall on its present
site. Jarvis Hall and Wolfe Hall together cost $317,000, and it was not long
before the diocese was in serious financial trouble. Seth Low and nine others
presented the diocese with $22,000 to save the property.
Miss Anna Wolcott (Mrs. Vaile) was placed in charge of the Wolfe Hall
school for girls, and this she conducted for five years, when friends established
her in what is now still conducted as the "Miss Wolcott School for Girls," one
of the finest institutions of its kind in the country.
Wolfe Hall continued as a school for girls until 1913, when it was discon-
tinued. The building is now used for the collegiate school for boys, and as
headquarters for the diocesan jurisdiction.
In 1873 Bishop Randall died, and his successor, Bishop J. F. Spalding, was
consecrated February 27, 1874.
In 1874 the stone churches at Central City and Colorado Springs, costing each
about ten thousand dollars, were completed, with Trinity Memorial, Denver,
erected in memory of the late Bishop Randall. In 1875 Fort Collins was per-
manently occupied, and the church at Greeley built. In 1876 Christ Church,
Canon City, was built.
Work was begun in North Denver, and also at Rosita and church buildings
undertaken. In 1877 the church entered with a missionary the San Luis Val-
ley and established services at Saguache, Del Norte, and Lake City, and at the
last two places secured chapels. Emmanuel, West Denver, was also completed.
In 1878 Bishop Spalding visited Silver Cliff and Leadville and began more per-
manent work at Boulder, placing a new missionary in charge. In 1879 churches
were built at Ouray, Silver Cliff and Boulder. In 1880 a mission was planted at
Rico, and churches built at Leadville and Manitou, and the cathedral of Denver
commenced. Bishop Spalding had secured the lots for the cathedral in 1876.
In 1881 the church rebuilt All Saints, North Denver, and occupied Durango and
Gunnison and Longmont, and built, or began to build, churches, and had a mis-
sionary at Breckenridge and Pitkin. In 1882 it organized at South Pueblo, Ala-
mosa, Buena Vista and Alma, and built in 1883 at South Pueblo, Fort Collins,
Villa Grove and Alamosa, and began work at Silverton.
The most important work of church building was the former Denver Cathe-
dral. It was begun in July, 1880. The corner-stone was laid on St. Matthew's
day, and the opening service was held on November 8, 1881. It was built of
brick and stone in Romanesque style, with porch, nave, transepts, aisles and
chancel. The building, with its ample grounds, including organ and gifts of
expensive memorial windows, cost about one hundred and fifteen thousand dol-
lars.
Another very important work of those years was the founding of St. Luke's
648 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Hospital, Denver. A lady residing in Denver had bequeathed a small property
worth $1,800 for a hospital to be under the control and management of the Epis-
copal Church. She died in January, 1881. A sermon in the cathedral soon after
excited quite general interest. The board of managers, all churchmen, was or-
ganized February I2th, and the hospital was opened in June of that year on the
north side.
The new St. Luke's Hospital was erected on Pearl Street, between Nineteenth
and Twentieth avenues, and the success in raising the fund needed for this great
diocesan benefaction was due largely to the donations and personal efforts of the
late Judge Hallett, of the United States District Court, and of the late Walter S.
Cheesman.
The bishops of the Diocese of Colorado, which is now known officially as
"The Bishop and Chapter of John the Evangelist, Denver, Colorado," were:
missionary bishop, Rt. Rev. George M. Randall, D. D., consecrated December
28, 1865; died September 21, 1873. First diocesan bishop, Rt. Rev. John Frank-
lin Spalding, D. D., consecrated 1873; died March 9, 1902. Rt. Rev. Charles
Sanford Olmsted, bishop, consecrated 1902. Rt. Rev. Irving Peake Johnson,
D. D., consecrated bishop coadjutor, 1917. The institutions founded by the
diocese are : The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, of which Rt. Rev. H.
Martyn Hart is dean ; St. Stephen's School for Boys at Colorado Springs ; St.
Luke's Hospital, Denver; the Home for Consumptives at Denver, of which
Rev. F. W. Oakes is superintendent; the Convalescent Home, at Denver, of
which Mr. V. R. Jones was president in 1918; the Collegiate School for Boys,
Denver, now occupying part of Wolfe Hall, which is also the office of the dio-
cese. Rev. G. H. Holoran was principal of the school in 1917.
New Mexico was detached from the Diocese of Colorado in 1881 and grouped
with Arizona. Wyoming was detached in 1886 and grouped with Idaho. The
missionary jurisdiction of Colorado was organized as a diocese in 1885, and ad-
mitted into union with the general convention in 1886. In 1892 all that part of
Colorado west of the counties of Larimer, Boulder, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Park,
Lake, Chaffee, Saguache, Rio Grande and Conejos was detached from the Diocese
of Colorado and made a missionary jurisdiction by the House of Bishops. In
1893 Bishop Spalding gave up this part of his diocese to the newly-appointed
head, Rev. William Morris Barker, D. D. This is now known as the Missionary
District of Western Colorado.
In 1873 the number of church families in Colorado reported was 360; in
1883 it was 1,921 ; increase, 433 per cent. There were reported in 1873, 550
communicants; in 1883, 2,112 — an increase of 284 per cent. Sunday school
teachers and scholars: In 1873 the report gave 658; in 1883, 2,082 — a gain of
216 per cent.
In 1899 there were 5,267 communicants in the church. In 1912 they were
6,700. In 1917, 7,002. In 1917 there were fifty-seven rectors, and seventy-one
parishes and missions. From 1902 to 1912 the diocese built or organized twenty-
six churches, seventeen rectories and seven parish houses.
On May 15, 1903, St. John's Cathedral was destroyed by fire, and within a
few weeks the work of planning a new cathedral was under way. In his "Recol-
lections and Reflections," published in 1917, Dean Henry Martyn Hart says:
"We collected $66,000 of the insurance company, sold the site for $30,000,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 649
and after much debate purchased the block opposite Wolfe Hall, on which we
built a Chapter House to accommodate some of our congregation. We invited
eight architects, to whom we paid $150 each, to supply us with designs; ten others
also competed. Tracy and Swartwout of New York presented a design for an
elaborate Gothic cathedral.
"When the designs were submitted for bids, the least bid was $300,000 — a
sum far beyond our reach. The architects then begged to be allowed to design
a simpler Gothic structure to fit the same foundations, and they produced this
very dignified and satisfactory drawing, entirely changing the construction; the
weight of the roof was born by the piers — each one supports 200 tons of masonry
— whereas the aisle walls only supported themselves. In altering the construction
the architects did not sufficiently consider whether the original foundations of
the piers would be sufficient to carry the extra weight; the consequence was,
when the building had reached the gutters of the roof, I found on September
5, 1909, that one of the pillars had cracked. The whole structure had to be taken
down, larger foundations constmcted, and the fabric reerected at a loss to us
of $30,000. For seven years we worshipped in the Chapter House.
"The Cathedral was finished without further mishap and on November 5,
1911, we held in it our first service.
"The stone is Indiana Oolite limestone from the Bedford quarries. The two
front towers are 100 feet high. The great tenor bell occupies alone the east
tower, and the other fourteen are hung on iron girders in the other. The tenor
bell can be swung; the rest are stationary.
"The Reredos, which is unique, represents the chief personages through
whom we have received the Bible. The central figure is Giotto's Christ. His
right hand is raised in Blessing, his left hand holds the Book. On the 'north'
side are eight Old Testament saints ; on the other side are figures of Jerome,
who gave us the Vulgate ; Erasmus, who edited the Greek New Testament ; Wy-
clif, the translator of the Saxon Bible; Tyndale, the inimitable translator; and
Cranmer, by whose authority the Bible was delivered to the English people. All
these beautiful figures were carved in oak by Josef Mayr, who for so long per-
sonified the Christus in the Oberammergau Passion Play. The front of the
Holy Table is an exquisite carving by Peter Rendl, Mayr's son-in-law, of Gilbert's
'Last Supper.' "
The missionary district of western Colorado has had the following bishops:
Rt. Rev. William Morris Barker, D. D., consecrated January 25, 1893 ; transferred
to Olympia in 1894. The second bishop was Rt. Rev. Abiel Leonard, who in
1894 had western Colorado added to his jurisdiction of Nevada and Utah. From
1898 to 1907 the jurisdiction was a part of the Missionary District of Salt Lake
City. Rt. Rev. Edward J. Knight, D. D., was consecrated December 19, 1907,
and died in the following year. Rt. Rev. Benjamin Brewster, D. D., was bishop
from 1909 until his transfer to Maine in 1916. At present the missionary bishop
is Rt. Rev. Frank Hale Touret, who lives at Grand Junction. There were in
1917 fifteen rectors, and forty-one parishes and missions; communicants, 1,096.
Its eleventh annual convocation will be held in May at St. Matthew's Church,
Grand Junction.
It has parishes at Breckenridge, Delta, Durango, Glenwood Springs, Grand
Junction, Marble, Meeker, Montrose, Ouray, Pueblo, Silverton, Steamboat
650 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Springs, Telluride, and missions at Aspen, Axial, Craig, Dillon, Grand Valley,
Grand Lake, Gunnison, Hayden, Hotchkiss, Ignacio, Kremmling, Kokomo, Lake
City, Mancos, Maybell, Montezuma, Montrose County, New Castle, Norwood,
Oak Creek, Ohio City, Olathe, Paonia, Pitkin, Placerville, Rico, Ridgway, Rifle,
Hot Sulphur Springs and Yampa.
The St. Peter's Episcopal Church was the first in Pueblo and was started in
1867. In this church was the first church bell in Colorado south of the Divide
and the third in the territory. This bell was hauled from Missouri by ox teams.
TH£ LUTHERANS
The first successful attempt to organize an English Lutheran Church in Den-
ver was made in 1884. There had been other attempts before that time but they
had proven failures. But in October of the above year the Home Mission Board
of the General Synod sent Rev. P. A. Heilman to Denver with orders to organize
a church. This energetic pastor gathered together a number of people for this
purpose and held the first meeting at the home of Reverend Doctor Weiser, 686
Glenarm Street, at 3:00 P. M., October 19, 1884. The following people were
present at this meeting : Reverend and Mrs. Weiser, Mrs. Laura Cree, Mrs. Mar-
garet DeMars, Mrs. Jennie Fisher, Mrs. I. Hildebrand, Mr. and Mrs. George
Sheets, Miss I. S. Oakland, Mr. and Mrs. Middlewarth, Mr. Jenkins, Dr. J. W.
Exline and Rev. and Mrs. P. A. Heilman. These together with Mr. and Mrs.
Crigler, Jim Tyson and B. F. Sadtler who were present the following Sunday
constituted the charter membership of the church. Of these nineteen original
members of the church only one, Miss I. S. Oakland still remains a member.
The first sermon to this newly organized congregation was preached by
Reverend Heilman in the Methodist Church on California Street, Sunday eve-
ning, October 19, 1884. The congregation first worshipped in a hall at twenty-
eighth and Larimer streets. This hall was owned by Mr. George Sheets and was
offered free of rent, fuel, light and janitor service. In July, 1885, they moved to
Morris Hall at the corner of Twenty-seventh and Welton streets. The Sunday
school was organized October 20, 1884, at 2:30 P. M. There were nineteen per-
sons present. Rev. P. A. Heilman was the first superintendent. The first
church council consisted of two elders and two deacons as follows : Elders, Rev.
R. Weiser. D. D., and Geo. S. Sheets. Deacons, Dr. J. W. Exline and James
Lyson.
The congregation made such rapid progress that it soon began to lay plans
for a church building. On May 3, 1885, the congregation authorized the selection
of a site for this purpose and the purchase of three lots. These were later se-
cured at Twenty-second and California streets, at a cost of $6,000. On October
18, 1885, the corner-stone of the new church was laid with appropriate ceremonies
and on February 14, 1886, the first service was held in the lecture room. On
March 21, 1886, the new church was dedicated.
Rev. Dr. C. A. Wilson is now in charge of the congregation.
At present, January, 1918, there are in Colorado under the jurisdiction of
the Rocky Mountain Synod, the following English Lutheran congregations:
Boulder, 85 members ; Calhan, 37 ; Canon City, 75 ; Colorado Springs, 93 ; Good
HISTORY OF COLORADO 651
Hope, Denver, 30; Messiah, Denver, 176; St. Paul's, Denver, 235; Elbert, 13;
Grand Junction, 39; Gypsum, 33; Pueblo, 60; Trinidad, 35.
The first permanent Swedish Lutheran Church in Colorado, the Augustana,
was established in Denver, September, 1878. Rev. A. Lindholm, traveling mis-
sionary, organized it. There was a Swedish Lutheran Church established at
Golden in 1877, but this lapsed after a few years and its members are now in
other churches. There were seven members in the first church, one of whom,
Miss Mathilda Peterson, is still active in church work. The first church was built
in 1880 at the corner of Nineteenth and Welton, by Rev. John Telleen, who re-
mained in the pastorate until January, 1883. In July, 1884, Rev. G. A. Bran-
delle came to the church from the Augustana Theological Seminary at Rock
Island, Illinois. This was his first charge and he is still in. the pastorate of the
same church. Doctor Brandelle built the present beautiful church edifice at the
corner of Court Place and Twenty-third Street in 1890. It was not dedicated
until 1906 when it was clear of debt, the last indebtedness having been paid in
1905. The total cost of the church and parsonage was $62,000. The Augustana
Synod met in Denver in that year, Doctor Norelius, head of the synod, delivering
the dedicatory sermon.- The church now, January i, 1918, has grown from its
small beginning of seven to about six hundred communicants. It was 125 when
Doctor Brandelle came to the pastorate. The church in 1917 built a missionary
cottage for girls and an Old Folks home at a cost of $16,000.
The United Danish Church in Denver was established in 1893 and has now
a membership of no. P. Rasmussen, a theological student, founded this church
with six or seven members. They have within the past few years built a fine
church at Bannock Street and Fifth Avenue.
There are now fifteen Swedish Lutheran churches in the state, the Nor-
wegians have three. The Danish also have three. The Swedish Lutheran
churches in 1918 are as follows: Augustana, Denver, founded 1878, total pa-
rishioners, 692; Bethania, Georgetown, founded 1880, total parishioners, 6; Elim,
Longmont, founded 1887, total parishioners, 162; Bethesda, Boulder, founded
1892, total parishioners, 63; Tabor, Pueblo, founded 1892, total parishioners,
174; Bethania. Las Animas, founded 1894, total parishioners, 73; Zion, Idaho
Springs, founded 1896, total parishioners, 65; Colorado Springs, founded 1897,
total parishioners, 74; Nebo, Victor, founded in 1902, total parishioners, 183;
Immanuel, Greeley, founded 1905, total parishioners, 214; Zion, Loveland,
founded 1905, total parishioners, 129; Bethania, Denver, founded in 1908, total
parishioners, 226; Fridhem, Ault, founded in 1908, total parishioners, 451;
Bethania, Leadville, founded in 1910, total parishioners, 124; Elim, Haxtum,
founded in 1910, total parishioners, 69.
THE GERMAN LUTHERAN
President Buenger of the Western District of the German Lutheran Church
in 1872 requested the Rev. J. Hilgendorf, now of Omaha, and long western vice-
president-general of the Missouri Synod, to make an exploration trip into Colo-
rado. Hilgendorf explored Denver in quest of German Lutherans, and found
eleven families who declared their willingness to organize a congregation. Pastor
Hilgendorf held a service with these people. On the first of November Hilgendorf
652 HISTORY OF COLORADO
went on to Pueblo. Later he organized a church at Westcliffe in the Wet Moun-
tain Valley.
In January, 1873, Candidate H. Brammer was ordained as pastor of the con-
gregation in Denver, the first resident Lutheran pastor in Colorado. On Septem-
ber 7, 1873, Candidate H. W. Hoemann was ordained by Pastor Brammer as
pastor of the congregation in the Wet Mountain Valley, Fremont County. In 1881,
Pastor L. Dornseif became minister in Denver, and the Rev. E. Saupert became
pastor at Westcliffe. Pastor Dornseif was succeeded in Denver, in 1886, by the
Rev. H. Rauh, and Pastor Saupert by the Rev. H. J. Mueller. At the time of the
organization of the Kansas district, there were four resident pastors in Colorado,
viz., in addition to Pastors Rauh and Mueller, the Rev. F. Lothringer in Trinidad,
and J. H. Tietjen in .Durango. Besides these, the Reverend Oesch of Nebraska
supplied three mission posts in northeastern Colorado.
There are today in the Kansas district which includes Colorado, over one
hundred German Lutheran churches with approximately twenty thousand com-
municants.
The work in Colorado and in Oklahoma increased to such an extent that, upon
request of the Colorado and the Oklahoma pastoral conferences the synod, in 1909,
established sub-boards in these two states.
A sanitarium for tubercular patients in one of the German Lutheran Church
establishments near Denver. Over eight hundred patients have been received since
its doors were opened in 1905.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE IN COLORADO
The history of Colorado and of Christian Science may be said to be coincident
in that the first edition of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health
with Key to the Scriptures" was published by Mrs. Eddy but a few months prior
to the admission of Colorado as a state. The seed of the Christian Science move-
ment in Colorado were sown in the spring of 1885 by Geo. B. Wickersham, and
later that year a class was taught in the Denver home of Mrs. Chas. L. Hall by
Bradford Sherman of Chicago. By the fall of 1888 a sufficient number had thus
become interested to form an organization. Meetings were held in a private home,
but soon it became necessary to move into a public hall to accommodate the in-
creasing number.
In May, 1891, this organization was incorporated as a church, some of the
charter members being Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Griffith, Mr. and Mrs. I. M. Low, Mr.
and Mrs. W. J. Swift, Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Frederick, Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Clark,
Mrs. Martha Miller, W. C. Wix, Mrs. Frances Mann, Mrs. John R. Smith,
J. H. Miller, Jas. L. Henshall, Mrs. R. MaufT, Mrs. M. G. Fulweider, and
Wm. H. Yankee. During the autumn of that year the building of a church home
was begun on Logan Street near Eighteenth Avenue, which was occupied the fol-
lowing year. In five years this proved too small, and the building was enlarged
to the capacity o'f the ground space owned ; but in less than two years this also was
filled to overflowing, and the problem of providing additional room again con-
fronted the Denver Christian Scientists.
When the five lots at Fourteenth Avenue and Logan Street were purchased in
1899 less tnan three dollars was in the building fund of the church, but soon build-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 653
ing operations were begun on an edifice which cost about one hundred and sixty
thousand dollars. Although services were held therein beginning in May, 1904,
it was not dedicated until the fall of 1906, as no Christian Science Church is dedi-
cated until it is free from debt.
Although more than seventeen hundred people can be comfortably accommo-
dated in the First Church edifice the continued growth of Christian Science neces-
sitated further expansion, so in January, 1909, the Christian Scientists of the south
side withdrew and formed Second Church. The members of this organization
after meeting in the Masonic Temple for some time were forced to build in order
to secure larger quarters, and they are now nicely situated in a beautiful church
home on South Grant Street and Bayaud Avenue.
In the fall of 1909 the Christian Scientists living on the north side of Denver
followed the example of their south side friends and started an organization,
which also has prospered and grown, so that it is evident that their removal to
the largest hall in that section of the city will but temporarily meet the need.
A beautiful and conveniently located building site has been secured, on which 2
church home will soon be erected.
Prior to 1895, although there were many throughout the state interested in
Christian Science, the organized church activities had been restricted to Denver,
Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Canon City and Grand Junction, as up to that time the
Christian Science churches were served by personal pastors. Chief among these
had been Capt. John F. Linscott, Rev. L. P. Norcross, and Mrs. Ella Peck Sweet,
the last named having started the churches in Colorado Springs, and Canon City,
where she preached for several years, occasionally supplying in Pueblo as well.
In the spring of 1895 Mrs. Eddy ordained the impersonal pastor system, which
has since been used in all Christian Science organizations. Instead of depending
on personal preachers, each organization has two readers who read alternately
selections from the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by
Mary Baker Eddy. This has enabled the starting of many organizations, which
have steadily grown, until there are now forty-three recognized Christian Science
organizations in Colorado, with more than that number where informal meetings
are being held.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
In November, 1859, a union Sunday school was established at the mouth of
Cherry Creek for both settlements (Denver and Auraria) and for all denomina-
tions. This may fairly be called the beginning of Congregationalism in the Rocky
Mountain region. "During most of the period of this pioneer Sunday school's
existence," says the record, "Miss Indiana Sopris, who later became Mrs. Sa. .mel
Cushman, served as assistant to the superintendent." Miss Irene Sopris, who was
afterward Mrs. J. Sidney Brown was also active in this work. Samuel .Cushman
was another active Congregationalist in the Union Sunday School and its super-
intendent for a considerable time.
It was no fault of the independent congregationalists that a church of this
denomination was not organized. Repeated appeals were made to the east but
without success, and in 1863 when the subject received proper attention it was
found that more active churches had succeeded in drawing many Denver Congre-
654 HISTORY OF COLORADO
gationalists into their membership. It was for this reason rather than any other,
that the first Congregational church organized in Colorado was that at Central
City, August 23, 1863, long since lapsed; and the second was that at Boulder, July
17, 1864.
In the winter of 1863-64, however, Mr. Cushman had made an eastern trip
as far as Boston, and his earnest appeal to the church leaders in that city not to
neglect the Denver field doubtless had considerable effect in determining the
foundation of the church in that city.
The organization was effected through the aid of an ecclesiastical council con-
vened for the purpose at the invitation of a dozen interested men and women of
Denver. The place was the People's Theater, at that time the principal amuse-
ment house of the city, located on the west side of Larimer Street, about half
way between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, and as nearly as can be determined
today, on ground now occupied by the Schaefer Tent and Awning Company. Rev.
William Crawford, an energetic agent of the American Home Missionary Society
and the first Congregational minister in Colorado has written of a visit made by
him to Denver in February, 1864. The town then had a population of 5,000, was
a mile long and a quarter of a mile wide, and "was getting to be a stylish place."
Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Episcopal churches were already established,
but Mr. Crawford discovered twenty-five Congregationalists, mostly ladies. In
population, wealth, resources and business activity Denver was surpassed by both
Central City and Boulder.
In October of that year, the advisory council to establish the First Congrega-
tional Church of Denver was convened. Its members were : Rev. Jonathan Blan-
chard, of Wheaton College, Illinois, who was a casual visitor in the city while
returning with his son from a trip to Montana ; Rev. Norman McLeod, a mission-
ary of the American Home Missionary Society, stationed in Denver ; Rev. William
Crawford, the first Congregational minister in Colorado, then pastor of the church
in Central City, which he had organized as well as that in Boulder ; Deacon James
Hubbard, representing the Congregational Church in Boulder ; Mr. Colton, of a
Congregational Church in Kansas. The twelve charter members of the church
were : H. A. Goodman, D. G. Peabody, I. J. Stevens, W. N. Ellis, Mrs. Eliza-
beth Sopris, wife of ex-Mayor Richard Sopris, Mrs. Melona Ellis, wife of W. N.
Ellis, Mrs. C. A. Tolles, Mrs. S. W. Trumper, Miss Indiana Sopris, later Mrs.
Samuel Cushman, Miss Irene Sopris, later Mrs. J. Sidney Brown, Miss Isabella
R. Glenn and Miss Ellen Cooper.
The first pastor of the church was Rev. Norman McLeod, a home missionary
who was released for this service by the society for the period of three months.
At the end of this time he was transferred to Salt Lake City. Great difficulty was
experienced in securing his successor^ and it became necessary for Mr. Crawford.
who was the Congregational leader of the region, to make a trip east. He at-
tended the National Council of Congregational Churches at Boston, and after a
personal appeal to the young men at Andover Theological Seminary, three of the
graduates volunteered to return to Colorado with him. One of these, Rev. G. D.
Goodrich, became the second pastor of the Denver church. Mr. Goodrich's pas-
torate lasted until March, 1867, and in September of that year, Mr. McLeod, who
was the first pastor, returned.
On December 6, 1867, the church decided to build a house of worship. Ser-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 655
vices had previously been held in the district court room, in the assembly room
of the University of Denver then known as the Colorado Seminary, Fourteenth
and Arapahoe streets, and in the partially completed basement of the Baptist
Church, which was commonly called "the dug-out," where now stands the America
Theater, Sixteenth and Curtis. Two lots were purchased at the corner of Fif-
teenth and Curtis streets for $600. The period of prosperity was not, however,
long continued. Mr. McLeod gave lectures and worked on one of the city papers,
but the combination of Indian wars, grasshoppers and general hard times reached
a crisis in 1869, and the church was left again without a pastor for more than a
year. It is significant of the vitality of the church that in this period, the church
building was completed and dedicated, October 25, 1870.
The next pastor was Rev. Thomas E. Bliss, who was called from Andover,
Massachusetts, January 15, 1871, and began his work in Denver February i2th of
the same year. The early months of Mr. Bliss' pastorate were among the most
prosperous in the history of the church. The membership increased to 101. Un-
fortunately, however, the new membership was not harmonious and in 1872 the
church entered upon the most troublous period of its existence. Irreconcilable
differences regarding matters of church polity led to a controversy between the
pastor and prominent members of the church, and finally resulted in charges
filed with the prudential committee against the pastor and also against some
of the members. On March 8th the trustees effected a final settlement by
which upon payment of $800 in full of all demands, Mr. Bliss relinquished
all claims to the pastorate. A considerable number of Mr. Bliss', sympathizers
withdrew from the church with him and organized a second Congregational
Church, which maintained an existence for only a few months, when it was trans-
ferred to the Presbyterians.
The next regular pastor was Rev. J. M. Sturtevant, Jr., who came to Denver
from Ottawa, Illinois, and whose father was at that time president of Illinois Col-
lege at Jacksonville. The period of his pastorate was one of harmony and prog-
ress. He was succeeded by Rev. C. C. Salter, who served as pastor from Janu-
ary, 1877, to October, 1879. Mr. Salter is chiefly remembered for his success-
ful effort in starting the Second Congregational Church on the west side, and for
his achievement in clearing the church property of debt. The old church and
lots at the corner of Fifteenth and Curtis streets were sold for $14,500, and
without waiting for the arrival of a new pastor the church purchased lots on
Glenarm Street, just west of the Denver Club for $5,000 and began the erection
of a building which was completed at a cost of $40,690.
On January 7, 1880, a call was extended to Rev. J. V. Hilton of East Boston,
Massachusetts, at a salary of $2,500, and in March, 1880, Mr. Hilton accepted the
call. While the new church was building services were held in Walhalla Hall,
which had been erected for a general public meeting place upon the foundation of
the old Baptist dug-out, at the corner of Sixteenth and Curtis streets. On May
22nd of that year the completed building was dedicated free from debt. This was
made possible very largely through the liberality of Messrs. J. S. and J. F. Brown,
who continued for many years among the staunchest and most liberal of the
church's financial supporters. The four years of Mr. Hilton's pastorate constituted
a period of great prosperity. Two hundred and thirty names were added to the
roll of membership, and the creed and covenant were considerably simplified and
656 HISTORY OF COLORADO
broadened. Air. Hilton resigned December 12, 1883, to take effect April i, 1884,
and he was succeeded by Rev. Myron Reed, whose pastorate continued for more
than ten years, the longest in the history of the church. Mr. Reed came to this
city from the First Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis and he was a dominant
figure not only in the church and in religious life of the state, but in politics and
industrial matters as well. It is impossible even at this time to speak of Mr. Reed's
career without partisanship, for he was himself partisan. His ideas were radical
along many lines and his acts were not less extreme. He made many very warm
friends and many bitter enemies. His salary was repeatedly raised by the church
until it amounted to $7,000 annually, and the church contributions for benevolent
purposes were proportionately large. The stormy and disastrous year, 1893,
brought confusion and distress to almost every individual and organization of
the state, and this church was not exempt from the common lot. Mr. Reed had
come to be one of the recognized leaders of public thought and action, and in a
time when every man was a partisan he felt it to be his duty to act as well as
to speak for what he believed to be the truth. Like other public men of the period
he was the victim of misrepresentation and abuse. His political and other public
activities in addition to the work as pastor of this church were more than could
be carried on by one man. On March 14, 1894, Mr. Reed asked for a six weeks'
leave of absence on account of failing health, and on June 6th he presented his
resignation, which was accepted a week later. After leaving this church Mr.
Reed continued independent religious work in Denver for a number of years and
died in Denver in January, 1899. He was unquestionably one of the most ag-
gressive and influential leaders in religious and political thought of his time, and
he had a lasting effect not only upon the church, but also upon the city and the
state.
Mr. Reed's successor was Dr. John P. Coyle, who came from the Congrega-
tional Church of North Adams, Massachusetts. At the beginning of his pastorate
he attracted the attention of some of the more active of Mr. Reed's critics, and the
excitement of this publicity, coupled with the unaccustomed altitude, is believed
to have been responsible for the development of a malady of the heart, from
which he died after a pastorate of about four months.
From February, 1895, to January, 1896, the church was without a regular
pastor, services being conducted for the most part by Chancellor McDowell, the
head of the University of Denver. Dr. J. H. Ecob, the tenth pastor of the
church, came from Albany, New York. He remained nearly three years, and re-
signed in September, 1898. His successor was Dr. David N. Beach, who remained
until August 15, 1902. The pastorates of both Doctor Ecob and Doctor Beach
were disturbed by financial difficulties growing out of the general business dis-
turbances that followed the great panic of 1893, which was especially injurious to
Denver and generally throughout the Rocky Mountain region.
The coming of Rev. J. Monroe Markley from Pittsfield, Illinois, may be fairly
said to mark the beginning of a new era in the church's history. He was
the first pastor of the new century. During his pastorate the church home was
changed from Glenarm Street to its present location. On December 27, 1905, it
was voted to sell the old building and lots, from which $45,000 were received.
The lots at the corner of Tenth Avenue and Clarkson Street were purchased for
$7,250. The last services were held in the Glenarm Street building on January
HISTORY OF COLORADO 657
J3» 1907, and the same night it was destroyed by fire. While waiting for the
construction of the new building, services were held in the Jewish Temple Eman-
uel. The corner-stone of the Tenth Avenue Church was laid March 18, 1907,
and the first service was held in the new building on November 10, 1907.
Mr. Markley's pastorate ended by his resignation on December 22, 1907, and
for exactly four months the church was without a pastor, though services were
held regularly. Rev. Elbert H. Alford followed and remained until Memorial
Day, 1909.
The following Sunday, June 6, 1909, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Allan A.
Tanner, of Alton, Illinois. Three days later the Committee on Pulpit Supply
recommended that a call be extended to Mr. Tanner. The report was approved
unanimously by church and congregation. During Mr. Tanner's years of service
474 new members have joined it, of whom 400 are now on the rolls, the total
membership being 511. Of the fifty-six who have united in 1917, twenty-seven
are men and twenty-nine women. Dr. Tanner retired from the pastorate in 1917.
The following is a complete list of Congregational churches in Colorado in
1917, with date of organization, date of building of church, and members for
1917. The total membership in the state at that time was 11,865; Sunday School
enrollment, 12,776:
Churches. Church Church
City or Town. Organized. Erected.
1 Arickaree 1917 ....
2 Arriba 1895 1909
3 Ault 1901 . 1903
4 Berthoud, i st German 1908 ....
5 Bethune, German 191 1 1912
6 Boulder 1864 1906
7 Briggsdale, German .* . 1911 1911
9 Brighton, Platte Valley 1901 1879
10 Brush, German 1910 1910
1 1 Buena Vista 1880 1907
12 Clark, Elk River 1901 1906
13 Collbran 1902 1903
14 Colorado City 1901 1904
15 Colorado Springs, ist 1874 1888
16 Colorado Springs, 2d 1889 1890
17 Cope 1912 191 1
18 Cortez
19 Craig 1900 1900
20 Creede 1894 1905
21 Crested Butte 1880 . 1884
22 Cripple Creek 1892 1897
23 Crook, German, Sterling 1912 ....
24 Delta, German I917
25 Denver, ist 1864 1907
26 Denver, 2d 1879 1890
27 Denver, 3d 1881 1893
Vol. 1—42
658 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Churches. Church Church
City or Town. Organized. Erected.
28 Denver, Boulevard 1882 1895
29 Denver, Pilgrim 1883 1884
30 Denver, Plymouth 1884 1899
31 Denver, Tabernacle 1884 1901
32 Denver, 4th Avenue 1888 1892
33 Denver, South Broadway 1890 1891
34 Denver, 7th Avenue 1890 1913
35 Denver, North 1891 1894
36 Denver, German l&94 l^97
37 Denver, Ohio Avenue 1904 1910
38 Denver, Englewood 1904 1914
39 Denver, City Park 1906 1910
40 Denver, Berkeley 1916 1917
41 Denver, Washington Park 1913
42 Denver, Union 1906 1916
43 Denver, Free Evangelical 1916 1898
44 East Lake 1915 1915
45 Eaton 1886 1890'
46 Eaton, German 1907 1915
47 Flagler 1888 1914
48 Fondis 1917
49 Fort Collins, German 1904 J9O4
50 Fort Collins, Plymouth 1908 1909
51 Fort Morgan, German I9°7 1916
52 Fountain 1904 1909
53 Fruita 1888 1889
54 Fruita, German
55 Genoa 1910 1907
56 Grand Junction 1890 1904
57 Greeley 1870 1907
58 Greeley, German 1906 1915
59 Green Mountain Falls 1917
60 Grover, German I9I4 ....
61 Hayden 1889 1893
62 Henderson 1905 1909
63 Joes 1916
64 Julesburg 1885 1914
65 Keota, German, Pilgrim !9T4 •.••'.
66 Lafayette 1890 1891
67 Longmont 1871 1894
68 Loveland, ist German 1901 1915
69 Loveland, Zion, German 1904 1908
70 Lyons 1889 1894
71 Manitou 1878 1880
72 Marble 1917
73 Maybell 1901 1904
A CABIN BUILT IN THE SUMMER OF 1859 AND OCCUPIED BY THE EEV. JACOB
ADRIANCE, A MINISTER OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
660 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Churches. Church Church
City or Town. Organized. Erected.
74 Minturn 1917
75 Molina 1906 1908
76 Montrose . . 1885
77 Montrose, Spring Creek < 1912
78 New Castle 1889 1890
79 Nucla 1911 1913
80 Paonia 1901 1912
81 Paradox 191 1 ....
82 Plattville, Highland Lake 1881 1896
83 Proctor, German 1912 ....
84 Pueblo, ist 1878 1889
85 Pueblo, Pilgrim 1880 1890
86 Pueblo, Minnequa 1902 1904
87 Pueblo, Irving Place 1906 1902
88 Raven, Fairview 1915 ....
89 Redvale 1910 191 1
90 Rico : 1888 1892
91 Rocky Ford, German 1906 1907
92 Seibert 1889 1913
93 Silt 1909 1909
94 Silverton 1881 1881
95 Steamboat Springs 1889 1891
96 Sterling, German 1911
97 Stratton '1888 1908
98 Sulphur Springs 1892 1904
99 Telluride 1889 1889
TOO Wellington, ist 1904 1906
101 Wellington, German 1906 1906
102 Whitewater 1888 1895
103 Windsor, German 1904 1906
104 Yampa 1901 1901
The Congregational Conference of Colorado was organized March 10, 1868.
Its officers in 1917 were: William E. Sweet, Denver, moderator; Rev. Frank L.
Moore, Denver, superintendent ; Rev. Joel Harper, registrar ; A. D. Moss, Denver,
treasurer.
THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS
The Seventh Day Adventists established their first church in Denver in 1880
at the corner of Lawrence and Twenty-third streets. Rev. E. R. Jones came from
California to serve the small congregation. Later he held tent meetings on the
large vacant lot at Twenty-third and Wei ton. In 1891 the church at Kalamath
and West Eleventh was purchased from the Third Congregational Church, and
considerably enlarged. This is now the largest church in the Colorado Confer-
ence, its membership numbering 350. There are now (1918) six churches in
HISTORY OF COLORADO 661
Denver, with a total membership of over 600. These are the First Church, at
Kalamath Street and Eleventh Avenue; the Second Church, at East Thirteenth
Avenue and York Street, which was dedicated March 23, 1918. Meetings have
been held there for some time, but the dedication could not be held until the
church was free from debt. The Third Church, a colored congregation, is at
2917 Glenarm. The Fourth Church is a Scandinavian church, at the corner of
East Thirty-sixth Avenue and High Street. The fifth church is the South Denver
Church, at 2303 South Cherokee. The sixth church is a North Denver church
at West Thirtieth Avenue and Perry Street.
In the Colorado Conference, including Denver, there are fifty-three churches.
The Western Slope of Colorado is part of the Utah Conference. There are there-
fore twelve churches to be added to make the total for Colorado, sixty-five
churches. The Colorado Seventh Day Adventist Conference was organized in
1883, and holds yearly sessions. The president in 1918 is Rev. W. A. Gosmer,
of Denver. The total membership in 1918 in the Colorado Conference is 2,517.
This is over 3,000 for the state. v
The Colorado Conference established a sanitarium in Boulder about twenty
years ago. This is for the treatment of all cases except tubercular. It is known
as The Colorado Sanitarium.
The Campion Academy, located three miles south of Loveland, belongs to the
denomination and now has about 150 students of both sexes. This was estab-
lished about a decade ago.
At Jarosa, in the San Luis Valley, the denomination has an industrial school
established about six years ago. There are over a hundred pupils, who in part
work their way by labor on the farm. The denomination owns a thousand acres
in this section.
The Colorado Sanitarium has established a "health food" store in Denver for
the denomination.
When the Colorado Conference was established in 1883 there were less than
three hundred members of the denomination in the state. These were established
in churches in Denver, Boulder, Longmont, Hillsboro and Loveland. The de-
nomination began its big organizing work at this' time, and within a few years
there were churches at all leading points in the state.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Methodism in what is now Colorado was filed upon when Bishop Scott, on
April 18, 1859, read out "Pike's Peak and Cherry Creek" as one of the appoint-
ments to be supplied by the Kansas and Nebraska Conference, which was held at
Omaha in that year. This was in the midst of the gold excitement of the period
when "it was known that many thousands were crossing the plains in their search
for the precious metal. Rev. W. H. Goode was the man chosen, for he had
organized and was supervising the work west of the Missouri River. Rev. Jacob
Adriance, who had just been -appointed to the Rock Bluffs mission near Omaha,
was selected as his associate.
These Methodist pioneers reached Denver June 28, 1859, having journeyed
four weeks from Glenwood, Iowa, and at once put up notiqes announcing their
662 HISTORY OF COLORADO
meeting on the following Sunday. Isaac Haight Beardsley, in his "Echoes from
Peak and Plain," writes as follows of this beginning:
"Experience soon taught them that the best way to get a crowd was to sing
it up. Their first service was held July 3, 1859, in Pollock's Hotel. This was
a frame building, one of the three or four only in the two towns of Auraria, now
West Denver, and Denver City. This house stood on the east side of Eleventh
Street, between Wazee and Market streets. Brother Goode preached at n
A. M., and Brother Adriance at 3 P. M. The congregations were small, the
people not caring for these things.
"July 4th they started for the 'Gregory Diggings,' discovered by Green Russell
and the Georgians in June, 1858, now better known as Blackhawk, Central City,
and Nevada. They halted long enough in Golden City to hold religious services
in a 'round tent/ the gamblers stopping their games for one hour to let Goode
preach, but claiming the next hour.
"They attempted to drive into the mountains through the 'Golden Gate,' which
is a little north ofx Golden City. The trail was so rough that they were compelled
to 'about face/ and camp in a little park outside of the mountains, where the
wagon, driver, and three mules were left.
"Then they proceeded on pony and mule back, 'packed to the full measure of
comfort/ to the 'Gregory Diggings/ where they arrived on Friday, July 8th. Im-
mediately they announced preaching on the next Sabbath, at 10 A. M.
"The streets of Mountain City were dusty. The congregation was large and
attentive ; all men. Goode preached on the street to that mass of humanity with
great power. That afternoon at 2. o'clock he held an experience meeting in a
retired place on the rocky seats of a mountain spur. Oft has the writer heard
that 'love feast' described by those who were present. Here were men gathered
from nearly all lands and climes. This was the first meeting of the kind ever
held in the Rocky Mountain region. They sang the old hymns, wept over their
shortcomings, and shouted for joy as they related their experiences of a personal
salvation. So great was their 'refreshing' that those who were present have never
forgotten it. Sad the thought, the great majority has 'crossed the range' to that
land 'whence no traveler returns.'
"At its close Brother Goode received thirty-five members into the church.
The next day, Monday, at 10 o'clock, he organized a Quarterly-meeting Confer-
ence at the same place, formed a charge, embracing the mining camps in that
region, and engaged G. W. Fisher, a local elder, to supply the work. This man
Fisher had preached the first gospel sermon in Denver, and had also preached on
this identical spot on a preceding Sabbath.
, "The first service, the first experience meeting, and the first Quarterly Con-
ference at Central City were each held on the site where the Methodist Episcopal
Church now stands.
"Rev. W. H. Goode then wrote to Doctor Durbin, corresponding secretary of
the Missionary -Society : 'We have divided the work into two districts, as fol-
lows: i. Denver City and Auraria Mission, embracing the two places named in
the above, with the country along the Platte on both sides, the country up Cherry
Creek, the towns at the base of the mountains, and "Boulder Diggings" in the
mountains (probably the region of Gold Hill). We have organized in this field
a Quarterly-meeting Conference, consisting of the preacher in charge, three
HISTORY OF COLORADO .663
stewards, and one leader. The membership so far ascertained and enrolled is
twenty-two. The mission is under the charge of Rev. Jacob Adriance, appointed
by Bishop Scott. His postoffice address is Denver, Kansas Territory. The Rocky
Mountain Mission embraces all the mining regions in the mountains, except
"Boulder Diggings." Here we have organized a Quarterly Conference, consisting
of two local preachers, an exhorter, three stewards, and have a society of fifty-one
members, including probationers just received. I have employed Rev. G. W.
Fisher to take charge of this mission. The principal seat of our permanent labors
will be in Denver and Auraria.' "
Here are the names of the "Supplies" as taken from the Kansas Conference
minutes by the Rocky Mountain News of that period :
1860. — ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT John M. Chivington, P. E.
Denver and Auraria Supplied by A. P. Allen
Golden City and Boulder Jacob Adriance
Mountain City Supplied by Joseph T. Canon
Clear Creek, Blue River, and Colorado City All to be supplied
1861. — ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT John M. Chivington, P. E.
Denver City W. A. Kenney
Golden City and Boulder J. W. Caughlin
Central City J. Adriance
Colorado City W. S. Lloyd
Tarryall .William Howbert
Gold Dirt, Mountain City, Nevada and Eureka, Missouri City, South Clear
Creek, Platte River and Plumb Creek, Canon City, Blue River, and
San Juan City To be supplied
1862. — ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT B. C. Dennis, P. E.
Denver W. A. Kenney
Golden City and Boulder Charles King
Canon and Colorado Cities William Howbert
South Park W. S. Lloyd
Central City, California Gulch, South Clear Creek, and Blue River. . . .
To be supplied
1863. — ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISTRICT B. C. Dennis, P. E.
Denver City O. A. Willard
Golden City D. M. Petfish
Central City W. H. Fisher
South Park John L. Dyer
Blackhawk Charles King
Pueblo William Howbert
Boulder, South Clear Creek, Blue River, California Gulch, and Colorado
City To be supplied
In 1862 they reported 131 members, thirty-two probationers, and fourteen
local preachers, and one church building worth $200. The six Sunday schools
had forty-two officers and teachers, and 233 scholars of all ages.
In his sketches of the religious life of this early period, published in the
Rocky Mountain Christian Advocate, Rev. John M. Chivington writes as follows :
"On May 8, 1860, I arrived at Denver, published an appointment, and preached
664 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the following Sunday in the Masonic Hall, and also on the next Sunday, morning
and evening. During the next week I succeeded in securing the services of Rev.
A. P. Allen, a supernumerary of the Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, as a supply for Denver. Mr. Allen was an able preacher, and
filled the pulpit with great acceptability ; but as he was engaged in secular pursuits,
he did but little church work, except to preach, and consequently his success was
not what it otherwise might have been. Adriance and Canon were at their posts
in due time, and heartily engaged in the work. At California Gulch I found
H. H. Johnson, a local preacher from Kansas, who had been preaching there, and
seemed to be greatly in favor with the people. I employed him as a supply, organ-
ized a society, held Quarterly Conference, and set matters to work in good shape.
"In June and July, 1860, Rev. William Bradford, of the Kansas Conference,
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, preached and set up the banner of his
church; but he soon became discouraged, and quit the field.
"The first quarterly meeting held at Mountain City was one of the most
extraordinary ever held in this or any other country. There were present thou-
sands upon thousands of people from every State and Territory in the Union,
and from almost every country of Europe, declaring the wonderful work.; of
God. The brethren erected a good hewed-log church on the ridge between
Nevada and Eureka gulches, and it was opened with appropriate services Decem-
ber 25, 1860. Rev. John Cree, John W. Stanton, John Reed, J. C. Anderson,
D. S. Green, and others, were prominent in the construction and furnishing of
this place of worship. In July and August I visited and held services in Hamil-
ton, Fairplay, and Buckskin Joe in South Park, and on French and Georgia
gulches, over the Range, on the headwaters of the Blue River; also in California
and McNulty's gulches, on the Arkansas River.
"It is true Doctor Goode came on the ground at the same time Adriance did ;
but the Doctor returned to Iowa in six weeks, and never saw this work again.
Indeed, it was not intended, or expected, that he should. He simply came on a
reconnoitering expedition, and that accomplished, his work here ended; while
Mr. Adriance remained, formed a mission circuit, organized societies, appointed
class leaders, held quarterly conferences, and started the first Sunday school
ever organized in Colorado. He is, indeed, the father of Methodism in Colorado."
Rev. William Howbert, of the Iowa Conference, accompanied by his young
son, Irving Howbert, now prominent in the political history of the state, came to
Denver in June, 1860, and went at once to his district, the South Park Mission,
locating near the present town of Como. He first preached at Tarryall on July
ist, in the morning, and at Hamilton in the evening. During July he started
build.ing the first Methodist church in Colorado at Hamilton, a crude, incomplete
log hut, and organized the first Methodist classes on the Pacific Slope in Colorado
at Blue River and at Breckenridge. He then went with Rev. H. H. Johnson, a
local deacon, and Reverend Mann to the California Gulch Diggings. During the
summer the first complete Methodist church building in Colorado was erected
about half a mile south of Harrison Avenue, Leadville. This has long since dis-
appeared. In 1862 his circuit included Canon City, Colorado City, and all points
in the Arkansas Valley. It was then that Rev. William Howbert located at Colo-
rado City, going from there to preach wherever it was possible to get a congre-
gation.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 665
In 1863 the population of Canon City had decamped into the mountains, and
Presiding Elder Slaughter is said to have preached there at that time to a congre-
gation of four. By March, 1868, the Methodist congregation was large enough to
purchase, alter and furnish a stone building, which was formally dedicated by its
pastor, Rev. George Murray, on March 8, 1868, the first dedication of a Methodist
church in the state outside of Denver.
Of the introduction of Methodism in the San Luis Valley, Doctor Crary
writes that in May, 1873, he and Dr. John E. Rickards traveled with mule packs
to Del Norte, where they preached in the new courthouse, the first Protestant
service ever held there. Rickards was left at Del Norte and organized a church
there and at Saguache.
In the spring of 1863 Rev. Charles King, whose charge was at- Boulder,
organized the first society in the South Platte Valley in the home of Judge Ham-
mitt, about two miles south of what is now Platteville. A few weeks prior Rev.
L. B. Stateler, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, had preached to a
large gathering just opposite Fort Lupton. He was preacher and freighter.
Out of these meetings came the fine churches at Fort Lupton and Platteville.
The conference of 1863 created a Denver circuit, later called the Platte River
Circuit, including the entire Platte Valley, and Rev. William Antes, who had
come as an exhorter from Pennsylvania in 1861, was engaged to cover the entire
region. The late Peter Winne writes that in April, 1864, Rev. William Antes
preached the first sermon ever heard in the Poudre Valley, near Island Grove.
He made his circuit regularly despite the Indian outbreak of 1864, and only the
fleetness of his- horse saved his life on several occasions.
The first religious services in the vicinity of Arvada were by Rev. D. W.
Scott, pastor at Golden, in 1866.
On July 25, 1864, Rev. B. T. Vincent preached the first sermon in Georgetown
in the log house occupied by J. E. Plummer. In 1868 Rev. George Murray, the
fourth pastor in the place, erected an eight-thousand-dollar church, which Bishop
Kingsbury dedicated June 20, 1869. It was to this charge that one of Colorado's
greatest preachers, Rev. Isaac Haight Beardsley, came in that year.
Rev. Jacob Adriance formed the first class in Golden, February 6, 1860, ap-
pointing John W. Stanton class leader. With Reverend Goode he also supplied
Boulder and a town on the "Mesa" then known as Arapahoe.
Bishop E. R. Ames presided over the first annual conference of the ministers
of Colorado Territory, held in Denver July 10, 1863. There were in attendance :
Oliver A. Willard, John L. Dyer, William H. Fisher, Charles King, B. C. Dennis,
W. B. Slaughter, G. S. Allen, A. P. Allen, William Antes, J. M. Chivington, Wil-
liam Howbert and T. R. Kendall.
The reports from the few organized districts were in the main discouraging,
but there was in no single case a note of despair. The second conference was
held in October, 1864, at Central City, and the growth, at least in enthusiasm, was
apparent.
Bishop Calvin Kingsley presided over the third session of the Colorado Con-
ference, in the Lawrence Street Church, Denver, June 22, 1865, and a real advance
in number of churches and membership was recorded. Particularly in evidence
were the new congregations at Empire City and what is now Longmont. The
conference of 1866, Bishop Baker presiding, was held in the building at Empire
666 HISTORY OF COLORADO
City which John Collom had bought and changed from a saloon into a church,
and of which Rev. Charles King was the first pastor. The conference of 1867 was
held at Colorado City, and at this conference Pueblo was first represented. Bishop
E. R. Ames presided over the session.
The following were the appointments made at the first session of the Colo-
rado Conference held in Pueblo, in June, 1870:
DENVER DISTRICT— B. T. Vincent, P. E.
Laramie, Cheyenne, and Greeley G. H. Adams and E. C. Brooks
Denver J. L. Peck
Central W. D. Chase
Blackhawk and Arvada George Wallace
Georgetown I. H. Beardsley
Idaho and Empire To be supplied
Golden City F. C. Millington
Divide Circuit . John L. Dyer
Ralston and Clear Creek G. W. Swift
Boulder and Valmont Supplied by G. S. Allen for a short time ; then by
R. W. Bosworth.
Burlington Circuit Supplied by R. J. Van Valkenberg
Big Thompson and La Poudre J. R. Moore
Platte Circuit Supplied by G. S. Allen
ARKANSAS DISTRICT — George Murray, P. E., and Pastor at Canon City.
Colorado City W. F. Warren
Pueblo , O. P. McMains
Fairplay and Granite Jesse Smith
La Junta and Elizabethtown, N. M.. Thomas Harwood
Trinidad Supplied by E. J. Rice
Here is the Methodist Episcopal record of membership for 1871 :
Cheyenne, Laramie and Greeley no
Denver 170
Central 60
Blackhawk and Arvada 30
Georgetown 43
Idaho and Empire 17
Golden City 34
Divide T 13
Ralston and Clear Creek 23
Boulder and Valmont 39
Burlington City 41
Big Thompson and Cache La Poudre 36
Platte Circuit 45
Colorado City -. 63
Canon City 36
HISTORY OF COLORADO 667
Pueblo 15
Fairplay and Granite 22
La Junta and Elizabethtown 5
Trinidad 13
Total 815
This was an increase over 1870 of 226.
The chnrch property was valued at $80,000, of which $25,000 was in Denver
and $20,000 in Central City.
In 1872 the membership had grown to 1,070, and the churches numbered
twenty-three, as compared with twenty-one in 1871.
In 1872 the first German mission was started in the state, and classes were
organized at Monument, Huerfano, Ocate, Peralto, Littleton, Plum Creek,
Greeley, Evans and Green City, Cheyenne and Laramie, Longmont, Carbon,
Ward and James Creek. In 1873 there were twenty-five church buildings in the
state, valued at $120,100. The membership in that year was 1,336.
In 1874 the Southern district had a membership of 916, and the Northern of
819, a total of 1,735.
On August 10, 1878, the Colorado Annual Conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church was incorporated, as was also the Colorado Conference Preachers
Aid Society.
In 1880 the membership of the church in Colorado was 2,966. In the Sunday
school there were 4,416 enrolled. The number of church edifices had increased
to thirty-seven.
In 1884 the membership had grown to 3,829; the churches to fifty-one. In
1889, including the new Gunnison district, there were 6,448 members in the church
in Colorado, with sixty churches.
In 1898 the membership was: Denver district, 4,092; Greeley, 2,919; Pueblo,
3,383; Rio Grande, 2,641; a total of 13,035.
This phenomenal growth continued through the succeeding years. In 1910
the membership in the Denver district was 5,737, with Sunday school enrollment
of 6,216; twenty-five churches, and church property valued at $636,300. Epworth
League membership in this district in 1910 was 1,397.
In the Denver-Northwestern district in 1910 the total membership was 3,949,
with Sunday school enrollment of 6,622 ; thirty-eight churches, and church prop-
erty valued at $282,200; Epworth League, 1,389 members.
In the Greeley district in 1910 the church membership was 7,341 ; Sunday
school enrollment, 9,099; churches, forty-nine; value of church property, $293,-
100; Epworth League membership, 2,403.
In the Pueblo district in 1910 the membership was 6,563 ; Sunday school en-
rollment, 7,784; churches, thirty-seven; value of church property, $334,000;
Epworth League membership, '1,000.
In the Rio Grande district in 1910 the membership was 5,188; Sunday school
enrollment, 7,142; churches, thirty-nine; value of church property, $198,600;
Epworth League, 1,826.
This makes a total church membership in 1910 of 28,798, an increase of 715
668 HISTORY OF COLORADO
over 1909. The total number of churches, 188; value of church property,
$1,744,200.
In 1916 the church membership was 34,549, divided as follows: Colorado
Springs district, 6,480 ; Denver, 7,678 ; Grand Junction, 4,483 ; Greeley, 9,097 ;
Pueblo, 6,811. The Sunday school enrollment was 46,074; the number of
churches, 208.
TRINITY CHURCH, DENVER
G. W. Fisher, a carpenter, preached the first sermon in Denver near what is
now Twelfth and Wewatta streets, in February, 1859. In April he preached
again under cover of an unfinished structure where the Railroad building now
stands.
But the beginning of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Colorado dates from
the arrival of Revs. W. H. Goode and Jacob Adriance. On August 2, 1859, a
Quarterly Conference was held for the "Auraria and Denver City Mission" of
the Methodist- Episcopal Church. The first stewards were Alexander Carter,
Henry Reitze and H. J. Graham.
The regular weekly services began on October 30, 1859, when the Rev. G. W.
Fisher administered the sacrament of the Lord's Supper at the services held in
the first brick building in the town, the Masonic Hall, which stood at 240 and 242
Eleventh Street, Denver. The first Union Sunday school was organized by
Revs. Adriance and Fisher on November 6, 1859, in the Adriance cabin on
Twelfth Street.
The first actual church edifice of the denomination was a carpenter shop pur-
chased from Henry C. Brown and .fitted for church purposes. In this in 1863
the first "Rocky Mountain" conference was organized. This building, which
occupied a site close to Cherry Creek, was swept away in the flood of 1864.
On July 22, 1863, the "First Methodist Episcopal Church of Denver" was
incorporated. Here is the announcement : "Know all men by these presents,
that Mr. John Evans, Hiram Burton, Andrew J. Gill, and John Cree, citizens of
Denver City, in the Territory of Colorado, have this day organized a religious
society in said Denver City under the name of 'The First Methodist Episcopal
Church of Denver,' and that John Evans, Hiram Burton, John C. Anderson,
John Cree, and John M. Chivington are the trustees duly appointed for said
society. (Signed) John Evans, A. J. Gill, John Cree, and Hiram Burton."
Bishop Ames gave $1,000 and Governor John Evans gave an even larger sum
as the first subscriptions to a new church edifice which was erected at the corner
of Fourteenth and Lawrence streets, and dedicated February u, 1865, by Rev
George Richardson. The church cost $21,000, and the denomination had in
addition to this spent $14,000 in starting the new Colorado Seminary, now Denver
University, the history of which appears in the chapters on education.
The pastors of the Lawrence Street Church, later Trinity, have been from its
inception to date as follows :
Jacob Adriance, Loudon Taylor, A. P. Allen, S. W. Lloyd, W. A. Kenney,
O. A. Willard, George Richardson, Geo. C. Betts, Wm. M. Smith, B. T. Vincent,
J. L. Peck, T. R. Slicer, J. R. Eads, Earl Cranston, David H. Moore, R. W.
Manly, Gilbert De La Matyr, Henry A. Buchtel, W. F. McDowell, Robert Me-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 669
"Intyre, Camden M. Cobern, Frost Craft, James S. Montgomery, Louis Albert
Banks, Charles B. Wilcox and Charles L. Mead. This list does not include
preachers sent as supplies.
The new church at Broadway and Eighteenth Avenue was built during the
pastorate of Rev. Dr. Henry A. Buchtel, and the name "Trinity" was then taken.
The edifice was opened April i, 1888, Bishop H. W. Warren preaching the
opening sermon. The church and land is now valued at over $250,000.
The General Conference of 1884 ma'de Denver the episcopal residence, and
Bishop H. W. Warren, who had been elected to the episcopacy in 1880, made
this his home. He was a noted factor in the upbuilding of the church in the
west.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH — FREE METHODISTS
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, followed right in the wake of its
northern sister conference. For as early as 1860 Rev. M. Bradford organized a
society in Denver, on the site of the present Brock-Haffner building, formerly the
Haist School, an adjunct of the University of Denver. The Civil War broke into
Doctor Bradford's building project, and the Episcopal Church then bought the
property.
In 1871 a second effort was made, and a small house of worship was erected
on Arapahoe between Eighteenth and Nineteenth streets. Its first pastor was
Rev. A. A. Morrison. The congregation moved to Twentieth and Curtis, and in
1888 erected St. Paul's, corner Twenty-first and Welton. In 1880 the Morrison
Memorial Chapel was erected at the corner of Thirty-second Avenue and La-
fayette Street.
In 1910 there were in Colorado twenty-six church organizations belonging to
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, with 1,299 communicants. In 1918 the
records show a substantial increase.
The Free Methodists, whose first church in Colorado was at the corner of
Tenth and Champa streets, Denver, were organized through the efforts of Rev.
Hiram A. Crouch, the first pastor. The society later moved to its present location.
In 1910 the Free Methodists of Colorado had eighteen church edifices, and a total
membership of 203.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The first Presbyterian minister to awaken the silence of the Rockies with the
voice of the Gospel was the Rev. Lewis Hamilton, of the Presbytery of St.
Joseph, New School. On account of failing health his congregation at Lima,
Indiana, granted him a six months' vacation with full pay. Accepting an invita-
tion to act as chaplain of a caravan leaving Lima for the gold country, he arrived
in Denver on June n, 1859, after twenty-nine days of traveling with ox teams;
and on the next day, June I2th, he preached the first sermon in an unfinished
building on Ferry Street, in what is now West Denver. After the sermon at
the same place the next Sabbath, Horace Greeley said to him, "Mr. Hamilton,
you should go into the mountains ; the men are there." Acting on this advice, he
went to Gregory Gulch and Central City, where he preached under the majestic
670 HISTORY OF COLORADO
pines. Afterward he visited Tarryall, Fairplay, and other points and then re-'
turned to Lima. In the spring of 1860, in broken health, he came again to
Central City by way of Pueblo and Canon City. He soon organized a union
church into which he gathered sixty-five members. To help support himself, he,
with a partner, engaged in the grocery business. About this time his son, a prom-
ising young man of nineteen, died. This great affliction almost unbalanced his
mind, and as a relief he traveled among the mining camps. For two years he
was chaplain of the Second Regiment, Colorado Volunteers, and after his army
life he was commissioned by the board as an itinerant missionary. Rev. H. B.
Gage says, "We venture to say that Father Hamilton preached the first sermon
in more new localities than any other man in the west." He was the first moder-
ator of the Presbytery of Colorado and also of the Synod of Colorado. In 1881,
when over seventy years of age, he journeyed mostly on foot, eighty miles over
the range, crossing the summit by. night on the crust of the snow, to take up the
work at Irwin, a rough mining camp. Here he built a church, supposed to be the
highest in the United States at that time, 10,450 feet above the sea. He went
east and obtained money and a bell for the church, and on his return, while
changing cars at South Pueblo, was killed on December 7, 1881. He was buried
at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The second Presbyterian minister to visit this region was the Rev. Alexander
Taylor Rankin, who arrived in Denver on July 31, 1860. On August 5th he
preached in the Union School _ to a large audience, of which service he said,
"Made a good start." After holding services in several different places, on Sep-
tember 2, 1860, in a large room on Larimer Street, he organized the first Pres-
byterian church in the Rocky Mountain region, with eight members, Dr. W. P.
Hills and Daniel Mayn were chosen elders, and on September 6th six trustees
were elected.
On October i4th the first communion service was held; on November I2th a
Bible class was begun and on November 2Qth Mr. Rankin preached what was
probably the first Thanksgiving sermon in all this region. He visited Colorado
Springs, Central City and Idaho Springs, and on December 8, 1860, after a stay
of a little over four months, left Denver and returned to Buffalo, New York.
From December 8, 1860, there was no Presbyterian minister in Denver until
April 26, 1861, when Rev. A. S. Billingsley arrived. He preached in various
buildings, at one time over a liquor store, concerning which he writes : "And thus
with the spirit of alcohol below and praying for the Spirit of God above, * * *
hope to be mighty through God to pulling down the strongholds."
On December 15, 1861, he organized the First Presbyterian Church, with
eighteen members. No reference is made to the former organization. Two elders
were elected, one of whom, Simon Cort, having been previously ordained, was
on the same day inducted into office. He was the first installed elder in the
Rocky Mountain region, and with his family had much to do with founding
Presbyterianism here. The organization was effected in International Hall on
Ferry Street.
Mr. Billingsley remained until April, 1862. After preaching for three months
at Buckskin Joe and adjacent points, he returned east and died in North Carolina
in 1897.
The work in Denver had not been largely successful and when Rev. Alanson
HISTORY OF COLORADO 671
R. Day arrived on November 2, 1862, only six persons could be induced to
identify themselves with the church.
In 1863 Major Fillmore donated lots on F Street (now Fifteenth) between
Lawrence and Arapahoe, and on them a building 36 by 64 feet, costing $5,200, was
erected. It was dedicated on January 17, 1864, being the second Presbyterian
church building in this region. To it the Board of Church Extension, Old School,
contributed $500 aid, and thus began the important work of helping the churches
to obtain buildings. Mr. Day returned east in March, 1865, but again ministered
to the church during the winter of 1868 and 1869. After this he labored at Boul-
der Valley Church until March, 1873.
From October, 1865, to October, 1867, Rev. J. B. McClure of the Presbytery
of Chicago, Old School, ministered to the church under commission of the
Board of Domestic Missions, and then accepted an agency for the North Western
Presbyterian and returned to Chicago.
In February, 1868, the Rev. A. Y. Moore, of the Presbytery of Southern In-
diana, Old School, began to supply the church. He received a call to become
its pastor, but declined it and returned to Indiana in about three months.
Without dismission or permission, on November 18, 1868, because they
could not obtain sufficient aid from the Old School Board, the congregation, by a
majority of one, "Resolved to place itself under the care of the most convenient
Presbytery connected with the Presbyterian Church, which is to hold its next
general assembly in the Church of. the Covenant of New York City." This
part of the congregation took possession of the building, obtained a title to the
property after much litigation, by paying to those who remained in the Old
School branch, $2.500. They were received into the Presbytery of Chicago on
August 10, 1869, as the First Presbyterian Church of Denver, New School. By a
committee of that Presbytery, the Rev. E. P. Wells, who had arrived in Den-
ver on December 10, 1868, was installed. The church was received from the
Presbytery of Chicago by the Presbytery of Colorado, on August 16, 1870.
The church became self-supporting in 1871, the name was changed to Central
in 1874, and the location was changed to Eighteenth and Champa in 1876.
At a congregational meeting held February 14, 1888, Messrs. Fletcher, Bene-
dict and Woodward were appointed a committee to secure a suitable site for a
new church and parsonage. Eight lots on the corner of Seventeenth and Sher-
man avenue were purchased at a cost of $40,000. A building committee consist-
ing of Dr. J. W. Graham, J. G. Kilpatrick, J. B. Vroom, Donald Fletcher and
B. F. Woodward was appointed. A parsonage was erected on the seventh and
eighth lots from the corner at an expense of about twenty-two thousand dollars.
The four lots on the corner of Eighteenth and Champa were sold for $130,000,
exclusive of improvements. The church building and furniture were sold to the
Twenty-third Avenue Church for a nominal consideration. Plans for a new
church at Seventeenth and Sherman were prepared by Architects F. E. Edbrooke
and W. A. Marean. Contracts were awarded to Messrs. William Simpson and
R. C. Greenlee & Sons for the new building, to be completed on or before June
i, 1892, at a cost when completed and furnished of $165,000. The New Broad-
way Theater was rented for Sabbath services for one year. The First Congre-
gational Church lecture room was rented for mid-week and Sabbath school
services. The farewell services in the old structure, which was endeared to
672 HISTORY OF COLORADO
many by sacred and tender associations, were held on the Sabbath of December
28, 1890, and soon thereafter the building was carefully taken down and removed
to the new location of the Twenty- third Avenue Church, there being rebuilt in
the same form, and re-dedicated to the same uses and purposes.
Beginning with eight members in 1861, the church has organized two other
churches from its membership, viz., the Twenty-third Avenue and North Pres-
byterian churches, and has aided several missions in different parts of the city.
The Railroad Union Mission was established and endowed by one of its mem-
bers, the late F. J. B. Crane.
The Old School branch of the congregation was ministered to by Rev. A. R.
Day from April, 1869, to April, 1870. The Rev. W. Y. Brown succeeded him
and began work in July, 1870. He met with great success and built a church
where the Equitable building now stands, the entire property being worth $12,-
250. Afterwards what is now the First United Presbyterian Church, was
built, and the congregation removed to that location. The different names of
this church are interesting: First Presbyterian Church of Denver, Westminster,
Stuart Re-Union, First Presbyterian Church of Denver, distinguished as First
Presbyterian, on Seventeenth Street, Seventeenth Street Church and Capitol
Avenue Church, after which it was united with the First Avenue Church and
lost its identity in 1899.
The second church to be organized was that of Central City, on January 26.
1862, by Father Hamilton, with nine members. It was the first Protestant church
in the mountains. In the fall of that year the Rev. G. W. Warner of Weedsport,
New York, took charge of the work and remained about one year. On February
15, 1863, he organized the Blackhawk Church with ten members, and there built
the first Presbyterian Church building in the Rocky Mountain region. It was
dedicated on August 29, 1863, free of debt and without aid from the board.
In the spring of 1864, the Revs. T. D. Marsh and A. M. Heizer were ap-
pointed by the board, the former to Central City and the latter to Blackhawk.
Doctor Marsh labored at Central City until February, 1865, when he accepted
a call to Blackhawk. He recognized the need of a Presbytery, and at a conven-
tion of Presbyterians in Denver, on January 16, 1866, the Presbytery of Colorado
was informally organized, consisting of three ministers and four churches. Doctor
Marsh was moderator. Strong resolutions in favor of union were adopted. By
it Mr. Marsh was installed at Blackhawk. But this so-called prehistoric Pres-
bytery never met again and was not recognized by the General Assembly, and the
pastoral relation was never dissolved.
The next organization was that of Boulder Valley, effected in September,
1863, by the Rev. A. R. Day, having seven members. He continued to preach
for them every alternate Monday evening, until the summer of 1864, when the
Rev. C. M. Campbell, of the Presbytery of Allegheny City, took charge of the
field. He labored for this church for some two years, preaching also at Boulder
City and Upper St. Vrain. The church was vacant from October, 1866, until
October, 1867, when the Rev. A. R. Day again took charge and continued to labor
there until January i, 1871. After this the Rev. C. M. Campbell again supplied
the church. A building was erected in 1864.
At the end of ten years, June, 1869, there were six organized churches: the
two in Denver, and one each in Central City, Blackhawk, Boulder Valley and
HISTORY OF COLORADO 673
Santa Fe, with a combined membership of probably not more than one hundred
and fifty. There were three church buildings, Denver, Blackhawk and Boulder
Valley. There was but one organized Presbytery, that of Santa Fe, including but
a small part of the territory.
As early as 1867 the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Canon City, then
in charge of Rev. B. F. Brown, erected the largest and finest religious edifice in
southern Colorado.
In 1890 there were four Presbyteries in Colorado, those of Boulder, Den-
ver, Gunnison and Pueblo. Churches had been established at Boulder, Boulder
Valley, Cheyenne, Fossil Creek, Fort Collins, Timnath, Greeley, Fort Morgan,
Longmont, Laramie, Crook, Rankin, Rawlins, Berthoud, Julesburg, Denver,
seven churches, Akron, Otis, Blackhawk, Idaho Springs, Westminster, Littleton,
Georgetown, Hyde Park, Central City, Brighton, Wray, Laird, Yuma, Abbott,
Golden, Tabernacle, Pitkin, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Salida, Glenwood
Springs, Ouray, Lake City, Delta, Poncho Springs, Irwin, Fairplay, Palmer
Lake, Monument, Mesa, Pueblo, Trinidad, Saguache, Monte Vista, Valley View,
Colorado Springs, Walsenburg, Eaton, Table Rock, Canon City, Huerfano, Du-
rango, Antonito, La Luz, Cinicero, Las Animas, Silver Cliff, West Cliff, Ala-
mosa, Del Norte, Rocky Ford, La Junta, El Moro, Eagle, La Veta. In its
eighty churches there were the following number of communicants: Boulder,
1,080; Denver, 2,449; Gunnison, 901 ; Pueblo, 2,142. The Presbyterian College
of the Southwest, which had been established in 1884 at Del Norte, and the Salida
Academy, established at Salida in 1884, both received aid at this period from the
General Assembly. In 1900 there were forty-seven students at the Del Norte
College, and 161 at Salida. The General Assembly was continuing its work of
aiding these institutions.
The growth of the membership of the church in Colorado was gratifying.
In 1891 it was 6,674; in 1892, 7,312. In 1897 it was 9,327; in 1899 it was 10,310.
In 1910 it had grown to 20,167. In 1900 there were 128 churches in the four
Presbyteries which formed the Synod of Colorado.
In 1910 there were 155 churches, with a Sunday school membership of
20,112.
In 1917 there were 149 churches in the Synod of Colorado, and communicants
were as follows: Boulder Presbytery, 4,81 1; Denver, 7,724; Gunnison, 1,993;
Pueblo, 8,216; total, 22,744. Sunday school membership, 20,839.
In 1899 and in 1904 the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States met in Denver. In 1884 Dr. George P. Hays, of Denver, and in
1903 Dr. Robert F. Coyle, of Denver, were chosen moderators of the General
Assembly. Dr. R. F. Tinnon, of the Rocky Mountain Synod was chosen mod-
erator of the Cumberland Branch, General Assembly, in 1903.
CLOSING WESTMINSTER UNIVERSITY
On June 8, 1891, the Westminster University of Colorado was incorporated.
Among the leading figures in the movement were : Rev. T. M. Hopkins, D. D. ;
Ben F. Woodward ; E. B. Light, and J. J. Carver.
The corporation acquired title to 640 acres of land from Ben D. Spencer and
H. J. Mayham, of which forty acres were set apart as the campus of the uni-
674 HISTORY OF COLORADO
versity, eighty acres as the college farm, and the remainder plotted into lots and
blocks. This section of land is located seven miles north of Denver near the
station then known as Harris on the Colorado & Southern Railway.
A handsome building was erected, costing more than two hundred thousand
dollars, the funds being secured from loans and advances made by the estate
of H. A. W. Tabor, The Sayre-Newton Lumber Company, The Colorado Mort-
gage & Investment Company, Ltd., and from the proceeds of sales of real estate.
Before the enterprise was completely launched the so-called panic of 1893
came on and it became necessary to defer the plans of the founders. No faculty
was organized and no instruction offered.
On March 14, 1903, a certificate of incorporatioin of The Westminster Uni-
versity Corporation was filed in the office of the secretary of state. The man-
agement of the corporation was confided to twenty-four trustees, at least two-
thirds of whom "shall be ministers or members in good standing of some church
or churches in connection with and under the control of the General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America."
On September 18, 1907, the college was formally opened, work being car-
ried on for the first year in the Central Presbyterian Church of Denver.
The deficit was, however, continuous, and at the session of the synod in
Pueblo, October 16, 1917, the college was officially closed, arrangements having
been made to clear the institution of debt.
THE UNITARIAN CHURCH
On May 31, 1871, there appeared in the Denver morning papers a notice,
which said that at three o'clock on the following Sunday afternoon there would
be preaching in the District Court room, on Larimer Street, by the Rev. L. E.
Beckwith, Unitarian minister from Boston, and that all persons interested in
Liberal Christianity were cordially invited to be present.
After the close of the services the congregation, forty or fifty, who were
mostly strangers to each other, remained to introduce themselves to Mr. and
Mrs. Beckwith and to each other, and it was then and there learned that Mr.
Beckwith was recently graduated from Harvard, had as yet charge of no church,
but was visiting his parents, who resided in Denver, and desired, if practicable,
to establish a Unitarian Society in Denver.
A meeting was called early in June, 1871, at the residence of D. D. Belden,
to organize such society.
This organization was effected under the name of "The First Unitarian So-
ciety of Denver."
The officers of the First Unitarian Society then elected were : Pastor, Rev.
L. E. Beckwith; trustees, D. D. Belden (chairman), George C. Beckwith, Alfred
Sayre, D. C. Dodge, John L. Dailey; secretary, Mrs. William H. Greenwood;
treasurer, Col. E. H. Powers.
From the District Court room the society went to the old Denver Theater,
corner of Lawrence and G (now Sixteenth) streets, where they continued until
the summer vacation. Upon their re-assembling, October i, 1871, the school-
room of the Methodist Seminary (now Denver University) had been rented,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 675
but after holding service there two Sundays, notice was received from the trus-
tees of the seminary that the society could no longer occupy the room.
Being unable to secure any suitable hall or public room, the pastor opened
the parlor of his house on California Street, between Seventeenth and Eighteenth,
and there religious services were first held October 15, 1871.
The number attending the Unitarian services, during all these months, ranged
from thirty to fifty persons.
On December 5, 1871, a hall was rented in Crow's Block, on what was then
called Holladay Street (later Market Street). This hall was occupied during
the week, through the winter, by the House of Representatives of the Territorial
Legislative Assembly. The floor was covered with sawdust, and all the sur-
roundings and appointments were as unchurchlike as possible.
One hundred common wooden chairs were purchased, and the small cabinet
organ previously secured was removed thither, and in this bare, unattractive hall,
reached by two long flights of stairs, the little society continued to struggle for
an existence.
On May 8, 1872, Mr. Beckwith resigned his pastorate of the church because
of failing health.
In August, the Rev. S. S. Hunting, western secretary of the American Uni-
tarian Association, visited Denver to ascertain the condition and wishes of the
little society, and to assist in securing a pastor.
Correspondence was at once opened with Rev. W. G. M. Stone, of Berlin,
Wisconsin, which resulted in his accepting the call made to him, and on the
8th day of October, 1872, he arrived in Denver and reported himself in readi-
ness for the work.
The committee secured for Sunday, August 3Oth, at three o'clock in the after-
noon, the place then familiarly known as the "Baptist Dug-Out, " corner of Cur-
tis and G (now Sixteenth) streets. This consisted of a cellar or basement,
mostly underground and wholly without superstructure, and roofed over with
common rough boards. There were held, with forty persons present, the first
religious services under the Reverend Mr. Stone.
It was, however, decided by the committee not best to engage this basement
further, because of its want of light and other unfavorable conditions, but to
accept the offer of Messrs. Belden and Powers for the free use of their offices, in
Ruter's Block, in G Street, which offices were upon the ground floor.
There was organized by Reverend Mr. Stone, on Sunday, February 2, 1873,
the first Sunday school of the Unitarian Society, with nineteen named as mem-
bers.
In June, 1873, the society purchased four lots, corner of Seventeenth and
California streets, and the work of building was at once commenced. The build-
ing was of wood, of Gothic architecture, with stained glass windows and a seat-
ing capacity of 225. It was neatly finished and furnished, and was dedicated
Sunday, December 28, 1873.
Rev. S. S. Hunting was present, and assisted, preaching morning and eve-
ning to a crowded house, and on that day, by unanimous vote, the name "Unity"
was given to the church.
On Sunday, January 23, 1875, Reverend Mr. Stone resigned the pastorate
676 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of the church, although remaining some three months thereafter. From that
date until October 27, 1878, no regular pastor occupied the pulpit.
In the autumn of 1878 a call was sent to the Rev. Wm. R. Alger, who ac-
cepted, and preached his first sermon in Denver October 27, 1878.
The Rev. R. L. Herbert, having accepted a call to Denver, preached his first
sermon September 19, 1880.
In August, 1 88 1, Mr. Herbert died suddenly. The payment of the church
debt is Mr. Herbert's memorial.
From Mr. Herbert's death, in August, 1881, there were no regular services
until March 19, 1883, when Rev. A. M. Weeks, of Chelsea, Massachusetts,
preached his first sermon in Unity pulpit. His sudden death occurred January
29, 1884, at the age of thirty- three.
In July a call was extended to Rev. Thomas Van Ness, and on Sunday, October
13, 1884, his installation took place at Unity Church. Present and assisting:
Rev. John Snyder, of St. Louis; Rev. E. Powell, of Topeka; Rev. J. T. Gibbs,
of Greeley; Rev. C. G. Howland, of Lawrence.
During the first two years of Mr. Van Ness' pastorate, the steadily increas-
ing congregation made the need of a new and larger church building more and
more imperative.
In the spring of 1887 the church property, corner of California and Seven-
teenth streets, was sold for $24,000, and lots purchased at the corner of Broadway
and Nineteenth Avenue for the sum of $14,000. Here, on November 9, 1886,
was laid, with appropriate and impressive ceremonies, the corner-stone of the
present church building. The building is of brick, with red stone trimmings, of
Romanesque architecture, and has a seating capacity of 920. Besides the spa-
cious entrance hall, and the beautiful audience room, there are commodious
Sunday school rooms, parlors, and all that is necessary to the social as well as
the religious work of the society.
Beautiful memorial windows keep fresh the memory of their beloved dead.
The new church was dedicated September 4, 1887. The Revs. Minot J. Savage
and Brooke Hereford, of Boston, were present, and preached morning and
evening.
Failing health compelled Mr. Van Ness' resignation October i, 1889.
On November 10, 1889, Rev. Samuel A. Eliot, son of President Emeritus
Eliot of Harvard, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, was ordained in Unity Church.
Under his ministry large numbers were added to the church, and the Sunday
school doubled its numbers. Dr. Eliot is now president of the American Unita-
rian Association.
Rev. N. A. Haskell succeeded Rev. Samuel A. Eliot in 1893, and remained
until 1895, when Rev. David Utter, now pastor emeritus, followed.
Doctor Utter remained in active charge of the church until 1917, when Rev.
Fred Alban Weil, originally of Boston, succeeded him. Doctor Weil was for
ten years at Bellingham, Washington.
There are now small but active Unitarian congregations at Pueblo, Fort Col-
lins, Greeley and Colorado Springs, all of which are thriving. The Greeley
church was founded in 1880; the church at Colorado Springs in 1891; that at
Fort Collins in 1897; that in Pueblo in 1898.
CHAPTER XXXIII
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN COLORADO
AMONG THE PUEBLOS — CHURCH ESTABLISHED IN DENVER — THE FIRST BUILDING —
COMING OF FATHERS MACHEBEUF AND RAVERDY — REVIVAL OF WORK — THE
CATHEDRAL ST. MARY^S ACADEMY — SISTERS OF LORETTO CATHOLICISM AT CAL-
IFORNIA GULCH — BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH IN OTHER COMMUNITIES.
The teachings of Catholicism were perhaps brought to the Pike's Peak country
many decades before the first permanent white settlements were located. The
Spaniards taught the principles of the faith to the Pueblos, but these tribes, for
some reasons, failed to adopt completely the customs and their religious rites,
even to this day, contain only a few features suggestive of the Catholics.
The denomination proper did not have birth in this territory until about 1858,
when the first white settlers began to come in numbers. Catholicism was the
fourth denomination in the settlement at Denver, although the members erected
the second church building in the village. The Town Company had extended to
the churches the privilege of obtaining ground upon which to erect houses of
worship, and the Catholics seem to have been about the only ones who took advan-
tage of this offer, receiving land which afterwards proved to be extremely val-
uable. The first actual record of the Catholic Church in Denver is contained in
the following excerpts from the Town Company's books :
"Mr. Clancy moved that a committee of three be appointed to see Mr. Guiraud
in relation to a Catholic Church and that said committee be further empowered
to reserve grounds for them, if they should determine to build a church in Den-
ver City."
The Guiraud referred to in the above statement was a Denver merchant, of
French nativity, and undoubtedly one of the leaders among the members of his
church and one who represented the church officially in the community.
Late in the spring of 1860 Rt. Rev. J. B. Miege, bishop of Leavenworth,
Kansas, came to Denver with the purpose of establishing his church, the matter of
the first lot donation having been settled the previous March. His first services
were conducted in Guiraud's home, located on the southeast corner of Fifteenth
and Market streets. This was in June. Immediately afterward he journeyed
out of Denver and conducted mass in several of the mining camps in the surround-
ing country, carrying his religion into many of these places for the first time. He
found, upon his return to Denver, that the Town Company had donated to him
another lot, known as Block 139, and bounded by Fifteenth, Stout, Sixteenth and
California streets. A church association was then organized, with Judge G. W.
Purkins as president and arrangements were made for the construction of a
church on Stout Street near Fifteenth. About this time Rt. Rev. J. B. Lamy,
677
678 HISTORY OF COLORADO
bishop of Santa Fe, received official notice that the Pike's Peak region had been
united to his diocese.
The foundation of the church building was laid on the designated spot and
the work of construction begun. However, this was in a period of financial strain
over the whole region and the subscription lists which had been started in order
LO pay the expenses failed to accumulate as fast as expected. The result was that
very shortly the building work had to cease.
At this juncture the Bishop of Santa Fe despatched the Very Rev. J. P.
Machebeuf and Rev. J. B. Raverdy. They arrived in Denver October 29, 1860,
to take charge of the Catholc missions in the Pike's Peak country. Reverend
Machebeuf was the greatest Catholic Colorado ever had ; he is responsible for the
establishment of the denomination in its strength in practically every locality in
the state, and his efforts and kindly work have made a glorious chapter in thfc
religious history of the Columbine State. He passed away in Denver August 2,
1889, and was followed in death by Father Raverdy on November i8th of the
same year. Raverdy had been vicar general to Machebeuf.
Immediately upon the arrival of the two priests the work of building the church
and securing funds was revived and the church pushed toward completion. The
first religious services were held in the building on Christmas night in the year
1860. In 1862 an organ, the first in Denver, was brought from St. Louis; also
an 8oo-pound bell, the first in the village. The bell was suspended in a wooden
tower in front of the church, but during the storm on the night of December 25,
1864, tne tower fell and the bell was broken into pieces. Thereupon a new bell,
weighing 2,000 pounds, was sent from St. Louis. Additions were subsequently
made upon each side of this first church building and for many years it was one
of the familiar structures of Denver.
Having acquired a building site at the corner of Coif ax Avenue and Logan
Street, the Catholics sold the Stout Street property in the spring of 1900, and
on May i3th of that year the last services were held in the old building, which
had housed the congregation for forty years. Plans were immediately made for
the raising of funds for a new cathedral, but the work progressed slowly. The
foundation was laid, but the lack of money prevented any further work. "Then,"
writes Rev. William Howlett, the diocesan historian, "on July 26, 1908, a new
rector was appointed in the person of Rev. Hugh L. McMenamin, a young man of
talent, energy and courage, who proved the man of the hour, the right man in the
right place. Under him new plans for financing the undertaking were devised,
subscriptions were actively and successfully pushed, and the work of building
the superstructure begun. It is not necessary to enter into the details of the dif-
ferent contracts, nor to recount the personal and material difficulties inevitable
in such a stupendous task — let it be sufficient to say that Father McMenamin met
every difficulty with a courage that conquers." This magnificent church property,
which is now completed, stands at the corner of Colfax and Logan and is valued
closely to $i, 000,000; it is a work of art and declared by architectural critics to
be one of the best cathedral types in the country. In addition to the cathedral,
there are now twenty-one Catholic churches in the City of Denver.
In 1864 the large frame dwelling of William Clayton, on the south side of Cal-
ifornia, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, was purchased and placed in
charge of three sisters of the Order of Loretto, who came from Kentucky in re-
CHUKCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, DENVER
680 HISTORY OF COLORADO
sponse to a call from Father Machebeuf to institute an academy school in Denver.
This school was given the name of St. Mary's. The Sisters of Loretto later con-
structed their- academy several miles southeast of the city and now occupy a com-
modious new building within the city.
When the California Gulch fever broke out and brought hordes of men from
the east in 1860, Father Machebeuf appeared upon the field and celebrated the
first mass. He labored among the camps, paying yearly visits to each and re-
maining for several weeks at a time. In 1875 Father Robinson of Denver was
sent to Fairplay, just across the range, and one of the duties assigned him was a
monthly visit to California Gulch and Oro (Leadville), which then consisted of
only a few log cabins. In February, 1879, Father Robinson was despatched to
Leadville, where he found about twenty-five members, but so rapidly did the
congregation increase that in the course of a few weeks a church was erected on
the corner of East Third and Spruce streets — the first place of public worship in
the city. The church, quickly becoming too small, was abandoned in 1879 and
the new Church of the Annunciation occupied. Father Robinson, who gave
Catholicism its first life in Leadville, was also responsible for the St. Vincent's
Hospital in that city.
In Boulder, Colorado, the first church building of the Catholic Church was that
of the Sacred Heart, constructed in the year 1876 by Rev. A. J. Abel. In George-
town the Catholics formed the basis of their church when the town was first laid
out ; a building was early constructed and named after "Our Lady of Lourdes,"
with Rev. Thomas Foley as the first rector. Longmont had her first Catholic
church building in 1882, the same year as the first structure was put up in Col-
orado Springs. At Central City Father Machebeuf established a church in 1872;
an academy was built on Gunnell Hill in 1874. The first priest at Golden was
Rev. Thomas McGrath, who began his work there in 1871. The church was estab-
lished at Glenwood Springs in 1886 and at Manitou in 1889. The Catholics were
established at a very early date in the vicinity of Trinidad. Its people have
progressed with the years and now number far in excess of other denominations
in the southern part of the state. Sterling first had a Catholic church, built of
wood, in 1887-8. Rev. Father Hewlett was among the more prominent of the
early rectors here. At Grand Junction Rev. Father Servant, assistant priest at
Gunnison, held the first services March 24, 1883, and on June 7th was appointed
pastor by Father Machebeuf, his work also embracing Delta, Montrose, Ouray and
the San Miguel country. The new church at Grand Junction was opened for
services in April of the year 1884. The period of greatest growth of Catholicism
in Colorado is from 1885 until 1895; in this decade, at some time or other,
church societies were established at practically every community of importance
in the state. Most of these had small beginnings, meetings ordinarily being held
in the private residences at first, but in nearly every case church structures of size
and beauty were soon built. In a census of the different denominations of the
state at the present time, the members of the Catholic Church are found to be in
greater numbers than of any other one denomination.
CHAPTER XXXIV
JEWISH CONGREGATIONS IN COLORADO
ORDER OF B'NAI B'RITH ESTABLISHES FIRST PERMANENT JEWISH ORGANIZATION IN
COLORADO FOUNDING OF FIRST CONGREGATION LIST OF ITS RABBIS THE LONG
RABBINATE OF REV. DR. WILLIAM S. FRIEDMAN ORGANIZING FIRST ORTHODOX
CONGREGATION ELEVEN NOW IN ACTIVE CHURCH WORK THE NATIONAL JEW-
ISH HOSPITAL FOR CONSUMPTIVES AND ITS MEMORABLE WORK — THE JEWISH
CONSUMPTIVES RELIEF SOCIETY HOW IT WAS ESTABLISHED — ITS GROWTH.
The first Jewish services were held in what is now the State of Colorado in
1859 by a few of the early gold-seekers of that faith. There is, however, no record
of these exercises and those who came a few years later have merely the verbal
report that the holy days were always kept by a group of the devout Jews who
had come as trail-makers into the new gold regions.
The first permanent Jewish organization in Colorado was Denver Lodge,
No. 171, Independent Order B'nai B'rith. This was instituted April 7, 1872.
The charter members were : David Kline, Louis Anfenger, Julius Londoner,
Fred Z. Salomon, Herman Schayer, A. M. Appel, Samuel Rose, Bernhard Berry,
Solomon Hexter, M. Abrams, Phil. Trounstine, David Mitchell, Isidor Deitsch,
Michael Hattenbach, H. I. Weil, Edward Pisko, John Eisner, Simon L. Wels,
H. Z. Salomon, Charles Rothschild, and Caesar Casper.
The event took place at Clark and Crow's Hall, at Fifteenth and Holladay
(now Market) streets. The first officers were David Kline, president; F. Z.
Salomon, vice president; Louis Anfenger, secretary; Phil. Trounstine, treas-
urer; A. M. Appel, monitor; David Mitchell, assistant monitor; S. L. Wels,
warden; Ed. Pisko, guardian; H. Z. Salomon, S. Hexter, and Julius Londoner,
trustees; and Dr. J. Eisner, lecture master.
Two months later Temple Emanuel was organized, Louis Anfenger, the sec-
retary of the lodge, being chosen president of the congregation. The latter wor-
shipped in the B'nai B'rith Hall for some time, the lodge paying for the hall rent
and Congregation Emanuel for the fuel and light.
In 1874 the congregation, consisting of twenty-one members, considered ways
and means for raising funds to build a house of worship.
A fair was among the devices, and proved successful. The Hebrew Ladies'
Benevolent Society donated the carpets, furniture and other accessories, and the
modest structure at Nineteenth and Curtis streets was dedicated September 30,
1875-
The members of the choir, during the first years of the Temple's organization,
almost all volunteered their services. One soprano was engaged and an organist
for a short period. Later Miss Seraphine Eppstein, now Mrs. Pisko, volunteered
681
682 HISTORY OF COLORADO
her services as organist. The other members of the choir were Mrs. C. M.
Schayer, Mrs. Samuel Cole, Mrs. E. Block, and Messrs. Ben Hamburger and
Frank Kratzer.
The following year Rabbi S. Weil was engaged to serve the congregation.
He established a religious school, having sessions both Saturday and Sunday,
being assisted by volunteer teachers. He ministered to them a few years, when
he was followed by Rev. Marx Moses, whose occupation of this pulpit was of
but short duration, when he was succeeded by Rabbi Henry Bloch, who remained
until August, 1881.
The congregation was slowly growing with the growth of the town and its
home became too small. When Dr. M. Elkin arrived in the fall of 1881, he
found his congregation making preparations to move into a larger and more
pretentious abode, at Twenty-fourth and Curtis streets.
The building and lots of the old temple were sold, and later used by the
orthodox congregation, Ahava Amuno, which, however, was short-lived. A
fair was held at Standard Hall, where a large sum was raised towards defraying
the expenses of the new edifice.
On September i, 1882, the dedication occurred. Dr. H. S. Sonnenschein,
then of St. Louis, came to Denver to assist in the exercises.
Rabbi Elkin was succeeded by Dr. Emanuel Schreiber, under whose minis-
trations the congregation prospered greatly. Following him came the Rev.
Mendes De Solla.
Rev. De Solla was succeeded by Dr. William S. Friedman in 1889. The ar-
rival of this young Rabbi marked the beginning of a new era for Congregation
Emanuel. He infused life and energy into an almost inanimate organization.
He retained a strong hold upon the older members and reached the young people,
making of the temple a real social and religious center. The attendance at serv-
ices was very large immediately after his coming, and has not since that time
decreased, but has grown with the growth of the community.
The temple was destroyed by fire in November, 1897. The congregation
decided not to rebuild upon the same site ; but the location chosen was at Six-
teenth Avenue and Pearl Street, where the temple now stands. The three lots
cost $7,750, and the building $35,000.
During the fifteen months that the congregation was without a home they
held services at Unity Church, which was offered them immediately after the
disaster.
The new house of worship was dedicated January 29, 1899, the third home
occupied by Congregation Emanuel. Seven ministers of various Christian
churches, with whom Doctor Friedman had frequently exchanged pulpits, as-
sisted at this beautiful and impressive dedication, making it a fellowship service.
They were Dr. David Utter, Dr. Claudius B. Spencer, Rev. (now Bishop) Wm.
F. McDowell, Revs. Barton O. Aylesworth, Frank T. Bayley and David N.
Beach.
From the time of his coming to the city. Doctor Friedman, who a few years
ago was elected rabbi for life, has identified himself with all broad charitable
undertakings, both sectarian and non-sectarian.
He was appointed on the State Board of Chanties and Corrections shortly
after he came to Denver and has since remained a member, serving twice as
HISTORY OF COLORADO 683
president. He is an officer of the State Prison Association. He has been iden-
tified with the Associated Charities, having for many years served as one of its
vice presidents. He is vice president of the State Conference of Charities. He
is also vice president of the Saturday and Sunday Hospital Association. He
was appointed on the State Board of Charities and Corrections by a republican
governor and a trustee of the public library by a democratic mayor.
He has been professor of Hebrew at the University of Colorado since 1902,
from which institution he received the Doctor of Laws degree in 1906.
In 1892, dissatisfied with the manner and methods of worship of the then
existing orthodox congregations, H. Plonsky, who had established the first ortho-
dox minyan in Denver in 187.7, founded Beth Ha Medrosh Hagodol Synagogue.
With the aid of a few faithful supporters he rented a commodious room on
Larimer, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets. Rabbi Heyman Saft, who
happened to be in Denver at the time, was engaged, and the congregation soon
gained in membership and influence. A religious school was established, the
first orthodox one in the city, and did excellent work.
On December 15, 1897, Congregation Beth Ha Medrosh Hagodol was incorpo-
rated, and the property of old Temple Emanuel purchased for $4,500. Soon
thereafter the erection of the synagogue was begun, and in 1898 it was formally
dedicated.
In 1899 Rabbi R. Farber was engaged. He made many innovations, one of
these being the confirmation of boys and girls, and labored with success for about
two years, when dissensions arose and he resigned.
On February 16, 1902, fire again damaged the building and the synagogue
had to be rebuilt. This was soon done, and in September of the same year it
was rededicated and the holiday services observed therein.
At the same time Rabbi Charles Hillel Kauvar was engaged to fill the pulpit.
He has served from that time to the present day ably and faithfully, and to the
great satisfaction of his congregation.
There are today in Denver approximately twelve thousand Jews, most of
them in what are termed orthodox congregations. Of these there were in exis-
tence in 1917 eleven distinct organizations. These are: Beth Ha Medrosh
Hagodol. Rev. C. H. Kauvar, Rabbi, Twenty-fourth, corner Curtis Street ; Con-
gregation Agudas Achim, Idel Idelson, Rabbi, West Thirteenth Avenue, near
Platte River; Congregation Chariot of Israel, D. Grinstein, president, Tenth,
northeast corner Lawrence; Congregation Kasher Ahavo, Rev. Frank A. Wein-
berg, Rabbi, 1508 Clay Street; Congregation Keles Jacob, 2715 West Holden
Place; Congregation Kneseth Israel, Rev. David Stein, Rabbi, Hooker, south-
east corner West Conejos Place ; Congregation Mogen David, Rev. Louis Klavans,
Rabbi, West Fourteenth Avenue, near Platte River ; Congregation Shomro
Amunoh, H. Hayutin, Rabbi, west side Tenth, corner Lawrence Street ; Congre-
gation Zera Abraham, Rev. S. Halpern, Rabbi, 2781 W. Colfax Avenue ; Ohavey
Zedek Congregation, Twenty-eighth Avenue, southeast corner Downing Street ;
Tiphereth Israel, Dale Court, northwest corner West Colfax Avenue, Rev. A.
Braude, Rabbi. 2748 N. Colfax Avenue.
Of these the oldest is Shearith Israel, which is the successor of Congregation
Ahava Amunoh, organized in 1877. For some years the latter society wor-
shipped in the synagogue at Fourteenth and Blake streets. In 1898 the build-
684 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ing was given up and services held in a hall, and by 1903 the congregation had
ceased to exist. A few of its members immediately organized Shearith Israel.
In August of that year, they purchased a building, corner of Tenth and
Lawrence streets, and moved into it the following month, before the holy days.
Agudoth Achim was organized in 1892.
Zera Abraham was organized in 1887.
In the state there are now two strong congregations, one at Trinidad and
one at Pueblo, with a smaller organization at Colorado Springs. There was
also for a time a congregation at Leadville, but this has long since gone out of
existence.
The history of the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives dates back
to that time when poor consumptives all over America began to flock to Denver.
The exhilarating effects of the climate had been widely advertised, and its
curative properties were recommended by the medical profession.
The Jews of Denver were appealed to from the pulpit of Temple Emanuel to
provide for the hundreds of stricken sufferers.
So numerous were the applicants for aid that it was soon found impossible
to shelter and care for the impoverished victims of tuberculosis.
A building of substantial proportions was constructed, but after its comple-
tion it could not be maintained by the Jews of Denver.
The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith came to the rescue. At a meeting
of the Grand Lodge, District No. 2, held in Louisville, Ky., May 18^ 1898, it was
decided to endorse the efforts of establishing a hospital for consumptives at
Denver.
A provisional Board of Control was appointed, which secured as president
of the institution Samuel Grabfelder. This fortunate choice gave new en-
thusiasm to the work, and Mr. Grabfelder still continues as an inspiration to the
institution.
On December 10, 1899, the doors of the hospital were opened.
At the meeting of the Grand Lodge held in Chicago, April 29, 1900, the com-
mittee on charitable and educational institutions, in their report, stated as
follows :
"We have also considered with care the existing and proposed relations be-
tween our Order and the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives located at
Denver, Colo.
"The hospital is not local, either to Denver, to the State of Colorado, or to
any portion of the Union. It was not established to meet a local condition or to
gratify local pride.
"We do not favor the proposal to convey the hospital to the Order and
bring it under our exclusive dominion. This would not be good either for the
hospital or the Order. But we do favor such a relation between the two as will
give to the hospital the use of our organized machinery, our sanction and a
substantial financial support."
The B'nai B'rith therefore recommended that the hospital be incorporated
under the laws of Colorado.
The B'nai B'rith also recommended, beginning with January i, 1901, that
the Constitution Grand Lodge shall pay a per capita contribution.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 685
This convention requested that the B'nai B'rith be represented by one member
from each of the seven districts.
The suggestions of the Constitution Grand Lodge were incorporated in the
laws of the hospital, and the president of the Constitution Grand Lodge was
made ex-officio a member of the board.
The subvention of the Constitution Grand Lodge was gradually increased to
forty cents per capita.
Ever since the doors of the hospital were opened the presidents of the B'nai
B'rith, Leo N. Levi, Simon Wolf, his successor, and the present incumbent,
Adolph Kraus, have enthusiastically championed the life-saving .work of the
institution.
Without the encouragement and support of the Independent Order of B'nai
B'rith, the National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives might never have be-
come a reality.
From one building with a capacity of sixty beds, the hospital has now grown
to ten buildings, with a capacity of one hundred and fifty.
There are the Guggenheim Pavilion, used exclusively for men, the gift of
the Guggenheim Brothers; the Woman's Pavilion, which was constructed from
the contributions of Jews throughout the country ; the Adolph Lewisohn Chapel,
the gift of the well-known New York philanthropist; the Shoenberg Memorial,
the gift of Mrs. Joseph E. Shoenberg, and Mrs. Herman August; the Grab-
f elder Medical Building, the gift of the president of the institution; the infirm-
ary, the dining room, laundry, boilerhouse, superintendent's bungalow.
Since the opening of the hospital 3,000 patients have been -admitted, from all
sections of the country. New York sends one-third and Chicago one-fifth.
Three hundred patients are treated annually; the average stay in the hospital is
seven months.
The patients are under the direction of the superintendent, Dr. Saling Simon,
first and second assistant medical superintendent, the medical advisory board of
five, eight nurses and a staff of thirty consulting physicians.
Ex-patients who remain in Denver may claim the treatment of the hos-
pital's externe, who averages fifty calls a month, and the visiting nurse, who,
during the past year, paid 2,476 visits.
It is axiomatic that fresh air, flooded with sunshine, good food, and life in
the open are the specific for phthisis. The consumptive who has the opportunity
of enjoying these requisites has by far the best chance to recover .
Three-fifths of the patients admitted to the hospital have been discharged as
recovered, or with disease arrested ; one-fifth were greatly improved, the remain-
ing one-fifth having been cases that were far advanced, of which a number
were discharged as unimproved, and some died in the hospital.
A suitable diet is essential in the treatment of tuberculosis. Food must be
varied and appetizing. The weight charts show how carefully the matter of
diet is considered.
The moral and mental condition of the patient is often as seriously involved
as his physical state. The management of the National Jewish Hospital for
Consumptives has stressed this part of its work.
While it has not been possible to persuade the patients to perform as much
work as would perhaps be good for them, a number of the inmates are assisting
686 HISTORY OF COLORADO
in the work of the various departments of the hospital, such as helping in the
laboratory, in the library, secretary's office, dining room, diet kitchen and on
the grounds. Their experience along these, lines has been of great assistance
in fitting them for good positions.
Many patients who come to the hospital without knowledge, or with only
limited familiarity with the English language, enjoy the opportunity in the
Shoenberg Memorial Building to learn to read and write the vernacular. They
eagerly accept the training they receive in the school. The class in English is
supplemented by a domestic science department for women ; a class in bookkeep-
ing; a tailoring class, where men who understand only the rudiments of their
trade are instructed in the more advanced lines of tailoring.
The library is the meeting place of the patients. It contains 1,500 volumes
adapted to the needs of the patients. Here they read and write and play games
of chess, checkers, dominoes, etc.
There is also an amusement room, where entertainments are held, and where
moving pictures are exhibited weekly.
The social service work that is carried on in the Shoenberg Memorial Build-
ing is conducted without expense to the institution. Herman August has en-
dowed this building.
Five years ago Louis D. Shoenberg gave to the hospital a farm in memory
of his only son, Dudley C. Shoenberg. This farm supplies products for the
health of the patients.
In 1814 Samuel Grabfelder built and thoroughly equipped the Grabfelder
Medical Building. It includes examination rooms, laboratories, drugroom,
X-ray equipment, animal quarters for experimental purposes, and a medical
library. This building adds one of the greatest units of efficiency to the hospital.
The reconstructed Infirmary Building was in 1916 dedicated as the William
S. Friedman Building.
The Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society, or J. C. R. S., as it is generally
termed, is the outgrowth of an organization promoted by a little band of poor
consumptives for the purpose of aiding one another in severe illness or distress.
It did not take the projectors of this mutual aid society very long to find out
their inability to carry out their program unaided by outsiders. A mass meeting
was therefore arranged for December 12, 1904, to consider ways and means to
help the numerous indigent consumptives, who come to Colorado to regain their
health.
While the project of the J. C. R. S. met with some opposition, as all under-
takings will in their initial stages, the appeal in general was warmly received,
and contributions began to come in. In a short time the trustees of the society
felt sufficiently encouraged to purchase a twenty-acre tract of land on which to
erect a sanatorium.
The site that was selected is located about a mile and a half from the city
limits of Denver in the adjoining county of Jefferson. It is in the shadow of
the foothills and commands a magnificent view of the Rocky Mountains. On
this piece of ground a small frame building was erected at a cost of $300. This
wooden shack, some time since converted to the baser use of a barn, originally
served as office, library, medical room, dining room and kitchen. Around this
HISTORY OF COLORADO 687
executive structure eight tents were pitched. Thus was inaugurated the work
of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society.
The sanatorium was formally dedicated September 4, 1904, and opened for
the reception of patients a few days later.
On January i, 1918, the J. C. R. S. had expended $142,997.77 on buildings
and equipment, the institution occupying fifty-seven acres. Its capacity was
150. Its income for 1917 was $174,284. Its total income from 1904 to 1917
was $1,091,537.63, practically all of which had been expended on building en-
largements, and in the care of patients. It has its own dairy and farm. Its
library to-day contains 4,000 volumes. Total cases admitted since 1904, 2,974.
Dr. Philip Hillkowitz is president of the society, and Dr. C. D. Spivak is
secretary, positions which they have occupied continuously since the organiza-
tion of the J. C. R. S.
The Denver Sheltering House for Jewish children was founded in 1909, its
first officers being: President, Mrs. J. N. Lorber; vice presidents, Milton M.
Schayer, Hermann Strauss, S. R. Zwetow ; treasurer, Meyer Friedman ; record-
ing secretary, I. H. Mendelssohn. It now (1918) shelters forty children and
owns a block of ground with two modern structures. Its principal officials in
1918 are: President, Mrs. J. N. Lorber; vice presidents, Mrs. B. Willens. Mrs.
S. Friedenthal, Mrs. S. Francis ; treasurer, Sig. Strauss ; financial secretary, Sam-
uel Isaacson; secretary, Max S. Schayer.
CHAPTER XXXV
WHAT SUFFRAGE HAS ACCOMPLISHED
THE FIRST EFFORTS FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE GOVERNOR
MCCOOK URGES ADOPTION — ADVOCATES BECOME ACTIVE IN STATEHOOD YEAR —
FIRST ORGANIZATION APPEAL TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION CONCESSIONS
OBTAINED EASTERN WOMEN TAKE PART IN FIRST CAMPAIGN THE PROPOSITION
DEFEATED ORGANIZING FOR VICTORY IN 1893 CAUSE LOOKED HOPELESS — MEN
AND WOMEN WHO HELPED FIRST VICTORY IN SCHOOL ELECTION — THE WORK
CROWNED BY DECISIVE FAVORABLE VOTE WAITE ISSUES PROCLAMATION WOMEN
WHO HAVE HELPED AS LAW MAKERS MEASURES PASSED THROUGH THE INFLU-
ENCE OF WOMEN LONG HONOR ROLL.
Colorado was not easily won over to the cause of woman suffrage. The
struggle which began in the first decade of its history was marked by many, and
to begin with, almost constant defeats. There was first of all a heterogeneous
population the worst element of which, fortunately, soon disappeared, leaving the
solid pioneers to carve out the destiny of the country. '
In the southern part of the state there was a large Mexican population, which
could not understand the problems that agitated the better educated classes of
the territory. There was, moreover, a strong opposing saloon element, which
finally had to be caught napping.
In the Territorial Legislature, 1868, the first effort was made by former Gov-
ernor John Evans and D. M. Richards, of Denver, to bring the matter of equal
suffrage in Colorado to a test vote. It found few friends at this early stage.
On January 3, 1870, Gen. Edward McCook, then governor of the territory,
in his annual message to the Legislature used the following language, recommend-
ing the granting of the franchise to women: "Before dismissing the subject of
franchise, I desire to call your attention to one question connected with it, which
you may deem of sufficient importance to demand some consideration at your
hands before the close of the session. Our higher civilization has recognized
woman's equality with man in all other respects save one — suffrage. It has been
said that no great reform was ever made without passing through three stages
— ridicule, argument and adoption. It rests with you to say whether Colorado
will accept this reform in its first stage, as our sister territory of Wyoming has
done, or in the last ; whether she will be a leader in the movement or a follower ;
for the logic of a progressive civilization leads to the inevitable result of a uni-
versal suffrage."
When the subject was brought before the House and council it found its
champions far more numerous than when the first effort was made, and it became
evident immediately that Colorado had jumped from the stage of "ridicule" to
HISTORY OF COLORADO 689
that of reasonable argument. Advocates of the measure then introduced but not
passed by the Legislature were Judge Amos Steck, Judge M. De France, D. M.
Richards and Willard Teller. Both Judges Steck and De France in presenting
committee reports to the House and council made elaborate arguments favoring
the proposition. Woman suffrage was lost in the council chamber by a majority
of one, and in the House'by practically a two-thirds vote against it. But it must
be remembered that any measure publicly approved by Governor McCook at this
time was bound to meet with opposition in the House, which showed its un-
friendliness to him in various ways ; the anti-McCook faction being always strong
enough to defeat any pet measure advocated by the governor.
Nothing further was accomplished for woman suffrage until 1876, state-
hood year, and on January loth, anticipating admission to statehood, a Terri-
torial Woman's Suffrage Society was organized and an enthusiastic meeting held
in Unity Church, Denver. Its first officers were as follows : President, Alida C.
Avery, M. D., Denver; vice presidents, Reverend Mr. Hosford of Denver, J. E.
Washburn of Big Thompson, Mrs. H. M. Lee of Longmont, Mrs. M. M. Sheetz
of Canon City, Mrs. L. S. Ruhn of Del Norte, Mrs. N. C. Meeker of Greeley,
Willard Teller of Central, D. M. Richards of Denver, J. B. Harrington of Lit-
tleton, A. E. Lee of Boulder, Rev. William Shepard of Canon City; recording
secretary, Mrs. Eunice D. Sewall of Denver; corresponding secretary, Mrs. A.
L. Washburn of Big Thompson; treasurer, Mrs. lone T. Hanna of Denver;
executive committee, Mrs. W. P. Shields of Colorado Springs, A. L. Ellis of
Boulder, M. E. Hale of Denver, Mrs. W. A. Wilkes of Colorado Springs, J. K.
Hanna of Denver, Mrs. S. C. Wilber of Greeley, Reverend Doctor Crary of
Pueblo.
The organization lost no time in making its appeal to the constitutional con-
vention. The petition presented was signed by a thousand citizens of Colorado,
and other states also memorialized the convention, particularly the suffrage as-
sociation of Missouri, asking that the new constitution make no distinction on
account of sex. Judge H. P. H. Bromwell and Agapita Vigil were the only two
members of the constitutional convention who signed a report favoring the grant-
ing of the voting privilege to women. It is but just to add that more than a
majority of the men in this convention were inclined to favor suffrage but felt
that it was a matter that should be referred to the voters to decide. But a con-
cession was made in granting women the right to vote for school district officers.
When the matter came to a vote in the constitutional convention, equal suf-
frage was lost by twenty-four to eight, but Judge Bromwell had the satisfaction
of securing the adoption of the following section to Article 7: "The General As-
sembly may at any time extend by law the right of suffrage to persons not herein
enumerated, but no such law shall take effect or be in force until the same shall
have been submitted to a vote of the people at a general election and approved
by a majority of all the votes cast for or against such law."
This was the opening wedge, and it was an easy matter for the few staunch
adherents to the cause to bring about the adoption in the convention of a reso-
lution instructing the First General Assembly of the State of Colorado, which
was to meet in 1877, to provide a law whereby the question of woman suffrage
be submitted to a vote of the electors. This was a victory worth achieving, for
it meant that the matter would be before the people of the state within a year.
690 HISTORY OF COLORADO
When the Woman Suffrage Association held its annual convention on Feb-
ruary 1 8, 1877, it at once arranged for an active campaign, and in order to
make sure that the cause would be properly presented elected its strongest ad-
herents to office. The new list of men and women who had charge of this cam-
paign was as follows: President, Alida C. Avery; vice presidents, D. Howe,
Mrs. M. B. Hart, J. E. Washburn, Mrs. Emma Moody, Willard Teller, J. B.
Harrington, A. Lee and N. C. Meeker; recording secretary, Birks Cornforth of
Denver; corresponding secretary, Mrs. T. M. Patterson; treasurer, Mrs. H. C.
Lawson of Denver; executive committee, D. M. Richards, Mrs. M. F. Shields,
Mrs. M. E. Hale, H. McAllister, Mrs. Birks Cornforth, J. A. Dresser, A. J.
Wilber, B. F. Crary, Miss Annie Figg, H. Logan, J. R. Eads, F. M. Ellis, C.
Roby, Judge Jones, Gen. R. A. Cameron, B. H. Eaton, Agapita Vigil, W. B.
Felton, S. C. Charles, J. B., Campbell.
The question, ''Shall the right of suffrage be extended to the women of
Colorado?" was a puzzling problem to many people. The proposition was novel
and vexing, and was the dominating source of contention throughout the cam-
paign. The pulpit and press were divided on the measure and the weight of
influence was against the women. Among the leading champions of the cause
were Lucy Stone, Henry B. Blackwell and Susan B. Anthony, who came to the
aid of the Colorado women and wielded a mighty power in the field, while among
the home leaders were Dr. Alida C. Avery, Mrs. W. W. Campbell, Mrs. M. F.
Shields, D. M. Richards, Henry C. Dillon, Rev. B. F. Crary, Mrs. T. M. Patter-
son, Col. Henry Logan, Governor John Evans, David Boyd, Miss Laura Hanna,
Hon. J. B. Belford, S. C. Charles, J. A. Dresser, J. R. Eads, Judge H. P. H.
Bromwell, Mrs. H. S. Mendenhall, Reverend Doctor Ellis, Mary and Lafayette
Nichols, Alexander and Emmeline Rooney and others. Miss Matilda Hindman
the noted Eastern advocate, and Miss Lelia Partridge of Philadelphia, were
also efficient aids in the movement, Miss Hindman having made a thorough
tour of the state at her own expense.
From January to October the question of woman suffrage was a prominent
topic of discussion throughout the state. On Wednesday, August I5th, an equal
rights mass meeting was held in Denver for the purpose of organizing a county
central committee and for an informal discussion of the plans for the campaign.
The main speakers were Judge H. P. H. Bromwell, H. C. Dillon and Governor
John Evans. From this meeting the following committee of seventeen was
appointed to district the territory and send out speakers assigned to their re-
spective stations : Dr. R. G. Buckingham, chairman ; Hon. John Evans, Judge
C. W. Miller, Benjamin D. Spencer, A. J. Williams, Capt. Richard Sopris, E. B.
Sluth, John Armor, John Walker, J. W. Marlow, Col. W. H. Bright, John G.
Lilly, John S. McCool, J. W. Nesmith, Henry O. Wagoner and Doctor Mortimer.
October i, 1877, a mass meeting was held at Lawrence Street Methodist
Church, in Denver, and the overflowing audience was addressed by Lucy Stone,
Miss Matilda Hindman, Mrs. Campbell and Doctor Avery. The next day (Sun-
day) a Presbyterian minister preached a sermon on "Woman Suffrage and the
Model Wife and Mother," in which he said, "God intended woman to be a wife
and mother and the eternal fitness of things forbade her to be anything else. If
women could vote, those who were wives now would live in endless bickerings
HISTORY OF COLORADO 691
with their husbands over politics, and those who were not wives would not
marry."
At that time Mrs. Mary Graf ton Campbell was the editor of a column in
the Rocky Mountain News, which space had been donated by W. N. Byers for
the daily use of the women. On Monday morning Mrs. Campbell answered the
Reverend Speaker with a most gracefully written article which was at the same
time a withering rebuke for the affront and an accomplished refutation of his
vagaries concerning the instability of the tender passion in the heart of woman.
In concluding her argument she quoted thus from "floating literature of the
day" :
''Motherhood is the natural vocation of woman; is, indeed, an instinct so
mighty, even if unconscious, that it draws women toward matrimony with a
yearning as irresistible as that which pulls the great sea upon the land in blind
response to the moon."
"If this be true," Mrs. Campbell concluded, "society is safe and women will
still be wives, no matter how much they may exult in political freedom ; no mat-
ter how alluringly individual careers may open before them nor how accessible
the tempting prizes of human ambition may become."
The women and thair masculine allies continued to work with unfaltering
energy and faith to the end of the campaign. At last election day came and their
measure was defeated by a vote of 10,000 for and 20,000 against. Discouraged,
though not vanquished, the women discontinued their organization and associated
work for suffrage, but, maintaining their individual convictions and their pur-
pose until passing years and the progress of events should again ripen the field
of their endeavor.
While the City of Denver was from first to last the central source of activity
in the suffrage cause, many active advocates of equal rights were found among
the leading men and women in other sections of the state. In the earlier stages
of the movement, people of the pioneer Town of Greeley were among the more
advanced co-workers in the cause.
In April, 1890, Miss Matilda Hindman again came to Colorado to lecture
and raise funds in behalf of the Equal Rights Campaign then pending in South
Dakota. The admission of South Dakota into the Union of States was to be an
event of that year. The effort of the women was to have the word "male" ex-
punged from the constitution, so that woman suffrage become a constitutional
right. At the time of Miss Hindman's visit to Denver there was no organiza-
tion of the women and but little interest taken in her mission except by a few
persons. However, the women by whom she was received made up in enthusi-
asm what they lacked in numbers. A public meeting and a substantial subscrip-
tion list headed by Mrs. T. M. Patterson, were the first signs of a reawakening
interest in the cause of woman's suffrage. It was a part of Miss Hindman's
mission to urge the organization of societies as the nucleus of a State Suffrage
Association.
The first meeting was held at Miss Hindman's room at the Richelieu Hotel.
The results were a pledge of $100 to the women of South Dakota and the organi-
zation of the Colorado Equal Suffrage Association, with a membership of only
six persons. These were Miss Georgiana E. Watson, president ; Mrs. Mary P.
Nichols, treasurer; Mrs. Sharman, secretary. Other ladies, Jennie P. Root,
692 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Amy K. Cornwall and Mrs. Laverna C. Dwelle. Mrs. Nichols collected the $100
pledged, besides giving $10 as her part. It was Mrs. Sharman's endeavor to
have regular meetings of this small association as a study club and in various
ways encourage a deeper interest in all matters pertaining to woman's political
rights.
In this way the association was maintained so far as its membership was
concerned, but it had no constitution or by-laws, nor was there a membership
fee, so that for a time its existence was of little force. In May of the same
year, Mrs. Louisa M. Tyler of Boston came to make Denver her home, bringing
with her a letter from Lucy Stone, urging the women of Colorado to form a
state organization as an auxiliary to the National Association. Mrs. Tyler first
called upon Mrs. John R. Hanna, by whom she was directed to the new associa-
tion in Denver. Mrs. Tyler thereupon attended one of the regular meetings, ac-
companied by Mrs. Elizabeth P. Ensley, both at once becoming members. Soon
after this time the association was regularly organized, with constitution and by-
laws, and by vote attached itself as an auxiliary to the national body. Miss
Watson continued as president and held the office until Mrs. Tyler was elected
president. She held the office until April, 1892, when Mrs. A. W. Hogle became
her successor. In 1893, Miss Martha A. Pease was elected president and 'ad-
ministered the affairs of the campaign of that year. In July, 1890, Mrs. H. S.
Stansbury and her mother, Mrs: Emily Meredith, became members of the asso-
ciation and were among the foremost workers. Mrs. Ella C. Adams was also
a prominent worker. The first candidate endorsed by the association was Mrs.
Harriet Scott Saxton, who was nominated for the East Denver High School Board
in the spring of 1892, but not elected.
At the session of the Ninth General Assembly (1893), a bill providing that
the question of woman suffrage be submitted to a vote of the people at the
next general election was drawn by J. Warner Mills, who gave his services free
of charge, and this was presented in the House by Representative J. T. Heath.
Mrs. Louise M. Tyler, as chairman of the legislative work, gave her time for
nearly three months, watching over the destiny of the bill as it took its course
among the committees of the House, while Miss Minnie J. Reynolds gave the
same devoted attention to the measure in the Senate, where her constant pres-
ence was of great value. Near the close of the session the bill passed the
House by a small majority and the Senate by a two-thirds majority, and re-
ceived Governor Waite's signature without delay. It is worthy of note as a
singular coincidence that four bills for woman suffrage were introduced at that
session of the Legislature by different organizations and without the knowledge
of the Suffrage Association. Three of these were held in abeyance until the
fate of the Suffrage Association bill should be decided.
Thus, the year 1893 being the year of a general election, the women of Colo-
rado, upon the passage of their bill, found themselves upon the eve of their first
political campaign, though it was to be a campaign without the use of the ballot
by them. The association entered the campaign with only twenty-eight members
and $25 in the treasury. -These facts, however, showed all the more favorably
the force and cleverness of their work in the political field. The foundation of
their work was laid within their society organization, which was so powerful
a factor in the splendid conduct of the campaign. Auxiliary societies were or-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 693
ganized all over the state, and were in constant communication with the state
association.
At its annual election of 1893 tne State Suffrage Association, then changed
in name to that of the Non-Partisan Equal Suffrage Association of Colorado.
Miss Martha A. Pease of Denver, was elected president; Mrs. H. S. Stansbury,
vice president; Mrs. E. P. Ensley, treasurer; Mrs. C. A. Bradley, secretary;
Mrs. Louise M. Tyler, chairman of the executive committee. At the annual
school election in Denver for that year, Mrs. lone T. Hanna was placed in
nomination for director and elected by a large majority in the face of bitter op-
position. The women for the first time exercised their one right of franchise
in full force and it was their votes that elected Mrs. Hanna. This fact stimu-
lated them to the more vigorous efforts for their enfranchisement at the Novem-
ber election, and as a result of their activity it was noticed that the stale argument
— that women would not vote if they could — was not once heard during their en-
tire campaign.
The women found that they had no speakers of known ability among the
women, though later, a number of these arose from their midst; they had little
money, no auxiliaries, and as far as they knew, few powerful friends among the
men. In view of these disadvantages, they appealed to the National American
Woman's Suffrage Association for assistance. It was known to the home as-
sociation that Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone and other noted champions of
woman suffrage would be in attendance upon the Woman's Congress at Chicago
in 1893. Mrs. H. S. Stansbury, vice president of the Colorado State Suffrage
Association, attended the congress for the purpose of meeting the leaders of
the National Association, to lay before them the cause of the Colorado women
and ask help in the campaign. But these veterans of equal rights, although they
lent the aid which in their judgment would be the most effective, were doubtful
of the good results. Remembering the defeat of 1877 in Colorado, they had no
hope that the verdict would be changed in 1893. Miss Anthony, unable to realize
the great change that had taken place since 1877, kindly, but in a vein of satirical
humor, inquired of Mrs. Stansbury if she had "converted all those Mexicans out
in the southern counties." However, the appeal of the Colorado women received
fair consideration. The National Association having no money for missionary
purposes, agreed to send Mrs. Carrie Lane Chapman into the Colorado field.
Mrs. Chapman came in the midst of the campaign, and her splendid work con-
tributed much to the success of the cause. In the meantime, Miss Minnie J.
Reynolds, chairman of press work, had interviewed the editors of the state, and
75 per cent of the newspapers had been enlisted on the side of the woman, while
Mrs. Tyler's work in organizing auxiliary leagues was persistent and effective
throughout the summer. Late in August, state headquarters were opened in the
Tabor Opera House Block, Mrs. Elizabeth Tabor having donated the free use of
the rooms for three months. Miss Helen M. Reynolds was employed as correspond-
ing secretary and did most effective work throughout the contest, succeeding Dr.
Minnie C. T. Love, who had given her time gratuitously, and opened communi-
cation with suffragists all over the state. Until the removal to the opera house
was necessitated by the increasing numbers in attendance, the association held
its meetings at Doctor Love's residence for a number of months.
In the early fall, the City League of Denver was organized, with Mrs. John L.
694 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Routt as president, and with a membership of over one hundred representative
women. A valuable auxiliary society was the Young Women's League, organized
by Miss Mary E. Patterson, Miss Margaret Patterson and Miss Isabel Hill,
and from this nucleus grew other leagues of a similar nature in the city and
state. The ministers preached for the women, while the press, especially the
Denver Republican, the National Populist and th,e Rocky Mountain News
wielded a powerful influence in their behalf. The republican, prohibitionist and
people's parties endorsed the measure in their county conventions and the cam-
paign became a regular crusade for equal suffrage in which the best elements
in all parties participated. Mrs. Chapman made speeches throughout the state,
organizing leagues wherever she found none, and all these leagues were put in
communication with headquarters at Denver. An enormous amount of suf-
frage literature was sent out from Denver to all auxiliary branches in advocacy
of the cause and giving instructions in the methods of procedure, etc., in prac-
tical work. Numerous mass meetings were held in Denver and many prominent
lawyers and politicians put aside their own engagements to speak in the women's
campaign. A number of the women actively engaged in the work who now
bear enviable reputations for their powers of oratory, became fluent and effective
speakers during the contest.
Among outside speakers Mrs. Chapman, as we have previously mentioned,
was one of the best and most effective workers of the campaign. Late in the
fall Mrs. Laura Ormiston Chant of London, added her aid also to the good
cause by giving two lectures in Denver (on suffrage) which drew crowded and
representative audiences.
Fortunately for the success of the new measure the liquor element of the
state did not until nearly the time of election, awaken to the fact that the equal
suffrage amendment was really a live issue. The most open evidence of their
hostility was a circular, widely scattered abroad, wherein much ridicule and
abuse was cast upon the upholders of female suffrage. Whatever influence this
may have had was more than offset by a dignified manifesto in favor of suffrage
published in some of the leading papers and signed by a long list of prominent
and influential men and women.
Mrs. Wrigley, state superintendent of franchise of the W. C. T. U., and
Mrs. M. J. Tel ford, state vice president, did efficient work. The lamented Pa-
tience Stapleton labored valiantly in the cause and greatly endeared herself to
all the women in Colorado. Mrs. Minnie J. Reynolds, a gifted speaker as well
as a fluent writer, was indispensable to the cause ; so also was Mrs. H. S. Stans-
bury who, both by her pen and by the magnetic influence of her contact with
the people, wielded a large influence. It is to the combined might of these three
talented women of the press. Mrs. Stapleton writing in the Denver Republican
and Miss Reynolds and Mrs. Stansbury in the Rocky Mountain News, that
much of the credit for the victory has been accorded.
Complete returns gave the total vote as follows: For, 35,698; against, 29,461,
showing a majority of 6,237 f°r woman suffrage.
After the convassing boards of the respective counties had announced the
result of the election, Governor Waite issued his proclamation declaring the
enfranchisement of the women and Section i of the Act submitting the ques-
tion to the people became of full force and effect ; it read as follows :
HISTORY OF COLORADO 695
"Section i. That every female person shall be entitled to vote at all elec-
tions in the same manner in all respects as male persons are, or shall be entitled
to vote by the constitution and laws of this state, and the same qualification as
to age, citizenship and time of residence in the state, county, city, ward and pre-
cinct and all other qualifications required by law to entitle male persons to vote
shall be required to entitle female persons to vote."
Mrs. John L. Routt was the first woman registered in the state. The greater
number of them have registered and voted at all subsequent elections. Many
of them have become adepts in the knowledge of statecraft and political affairs
and not a few have been elected to office, though as a rule, the women who
fought the battles for equal suffrage have not sought public preferment.
February, 1894, the Woman's Industrial Legion, a populist secret order, opened
headquarters in Denver and organized branch societies throughout the state.
The Woman's Populist League of Denver was their leading organization. It
continued its work through the municipal and county campaigns of 1895, and
the state and national campaign of 1896, with Mrs. Alice W. Faulkner as its
president. In practical campaign work the populist women, for the most part,
concentrated their efforts with the men in the committee and club organizations
of the party, thftugh they maintained numerous clubs of their own in the state.
At the People's Party Arapahoe County Convention in September, 1894, Mrs.
H. S. Stansbury, Mrs. Marian Sheridan and Mrs. Nellie E. Matteson of Denver,
were nominated candidates for the General Assembly and these were the only
legislative nominees among the women in the state by that party. The repub-
licans nominated Mrs. Clara Cressingham, Denver; Mrs. Carrie C. Holly, Pueblo;
Mrs. Frances S. Klock, Denver, all of whom were elected.
In March, 1894, the women, irrespective of party, performed their first work
in the political field under appointment as canvassers to register the female vote.
The first woman to aspire to office was Miss Carrie West, who was nominated by
the republicans for town clerk of Highlands, then a suburb of Denver, but de-
feated.
June, 1894, the annual convention of the National Republican League clubs
was held in Denver. At that time there was no organization of the republican
women in the state. The republican leaders, realizing the need of such organi-
zation, selected Mrs. Frank Hall, whom they persuaded to take charge of the
woman's department of the campaign work, under the general direction of the
Republican State Central Committee. Her first and most important duty was
that of organizing women's republican clubs in all the counties of the state.
For the democratic women the campaign presented a complex state of af-
fairs. Owing to a division in their party, and the acknowledged possibility of
its success in that race, the women realized that they were in an uncertain atti-
tude, unorganized and without leaders. But it was this condition that created
leaders among them, developing an unknown wealth of latent talent with which
they had been peculiarly endowed for use in the time of need.
The first democratic women to take action upon this decision were Mrs. Anna
Marshall Cochran and Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford of Denver. By arrangement
between these two, the first meeting of democratic women was held at the resi-
dence of Mrs. Bradford in May, 1894, and the first women's democratic club
was organized. "The Colorado Women's Democratic Club" was the name given
696 HISTORY OR COLORADO
this organization, and it started on its mission with a membership of only nine.
Mrs. Mary V. Macon was chosen president, Mrs. Anna Marshall Cochran, sec-
retary, and Mrs. Mary Holland Kincaid, treasurer. The membership of the
club rapidly increased, and, to the honor of its promoters, in a short time it was
accepted by the National Democratic Committee as the only straight democratic
organization in Colorado. By this authority Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford was
appointed as state organizer. Mrs. Cochran in her capacity of secretary, raised
the necessary funds to pay the expenses of the organizer and started her upon
her mission. Mrs. Bradford canvassed the state, making a number of speeches.
In this tour she added to her reputation the highest encomiums of the press for
her delightful oratory and her superior reasoning powers. Taking letters from
each chairman of the two State Central committees, wherever she appeared she
usually succeeded in drawing both factions to her meetings. She organized
twelve strong clubs in the state and started them to. work under her own instruc-
tion. Mrs. Cochran was practically at the head of the democratic women's cam-
paign, and she and her able assistants did more than the men to reunite the
factions.
Every bill introduced or urged by women in the two sessions of the Legis-
lature following their admission to suffrage was designed for can improvement
of social conditions. In the session of 1895 the law raising the age of protection
from sixteen to eighteen years, the law giving the mother an equal right to her
children, and the law creating a home for friendless and incorrigible girls were
secured by the women ; and they aided in securing the home for dependent chil-
dren. The bills introduced and advocated by them, but failing of passage were :
Initiative and referendum, civil service reform, state control of the liquor traf-
fic, Guttenburg system of license, indeterminate sentence, the new primary law,
which was designed to abolish the convention and its attendant evils. In 1897
they secured the Curfew law, an appropriation for the Home for Dependent Chil-
dren and advocated many measures for the improvement of domestic and indus-
trial conditions.
The list of reform legislative measures to whose establishment the work of
the women has largely contributed, is a long one, and in addition to those enu-
merated, especial mention should be made of the following acts : Establishing
parental or truant schools ; making father and mother joint heirs of deceased
child ; making it a misdemeanor to fail to support aged and infirm parents ; making
education compulsory for all children between the ages of eight and sixteen ; other
strict compulsory education measures and laws against child labor; providing
for the examination of the eyes, ears, teeth, and breathing capacity of school chil-
dren (the bill from which this law was enacted was prepared by a woman
physician and is the most comprehensive of all such laws in existence in the
United States) ; requiring lessons in the public schools on the humane treatment
of animals : prohibiting men from being supported by the earnings of immoral
women ; abolishing the binding out of girls committed to the State Industrial
School; enabling school boards to pension teachers; requiring the joint signature
of husband and wife to every chattel mortgage, sale of household goods used by
the family or conveyance or mortgage of a homestead; validating the wills of
married women; factory inspection, requiring three inspectors, one of whom
shall be a woman ; establishing a State Traveling Library Commission consisting
HISTORY OF COLORADO 697
of women; establishing the indeterminate sentence for prisoners; for the in-
spection of private eleemosynary institutions by the State Board of Charities ;
making the methods of the sweat-box in connection with the examination of
prisoners a felony ;• requiring that at least three of the six members of county
visiting boards shall be women ; a pure food law ; for tree preservation ; prohibit-
ing the killing of doves except in August ; eight hour law for women ; minimum
wage law; and mothers' compensation act.
Women have been nominated for many positions by all the political parties
since the granting of suffrage. They have endured the fate of men who aspire
to office, and been defeated when they accepted place on a losing ticket. The
prohibition party has numbered more women candidates than any other party
— the socialists being a close second. Mrs. Antoinette A. Hawley was candidate
for mayor of the City of Denver on the prohibition ticket and "points with pride"
to the fact that she received some five hundred votes. After the granting of
suffrage, the republican party nominated three women who were elected to the
Legislature. These members of the Tenth General Assembly who accepted and
discharged the highest privileges consequent upon the duties of citizenship were
Mrs. Frances S. Klock, Mrs. Carrie Cressingham, both of Denver, and Mrs.
Carrie Clyde Holly of Pueblo. Mrs. Frances S. Klock had been a resident of
Denver thirty-six years.
At the second election the populist party, once defeated, but still numbering
a large voting contingent, united with the democrats and a wing of the repub-
licans, calling themselves the National Silver Republicans, and they carried the
state. Each party nominated women; Mrs. Evangeline Heartz was selected by
the populist party and the silver republicans nominated two women, Mrs. Martha
A. B. Conine and Mrs. Olive Butler. These women were all from Denver, and
were elected to the Eleventh General Assembly.
The women of the state, with continued zeal, two years from this election,
sent three more women to the Twelfth General Assembly. Two were nominated
and elected to represent the women of Arapahoe County, being residents of Den-
ver, and the third was elected from Pueblo County. This member, Dr. Mary F.
Barry, was a practising physician in Pueblo, where she had been previously pub-
licly honored by being appointed county physician.
Of the two Denver women representatives, Mrs. Frances S. Lee was the
youngest woman ever elected to such a positioin and one of the youngest mem-
bers of the House. She was a graduate of Denver schools and had been for a
time school teacher. She introduced several bills relating to the lighting and
sanitation of school buildings.
Mrs. Harriet G. R. Wright, the other member, has been for over forty years
a resident of Colorado. Her husband came in the days of "fifty-nine" and took
part in many of the early enterprises that helped to build the financial future of
this state.
The Thirteenth General Assembly was represented by but one woman — Mrs.
Evangeline Heartz. The Fourteenth General Assembly witnessed the same con-
dition as the thirteenth, there having been but one woman representative. The
democratic party of Denver nominated and elected Mrs. Alice M. Ruble, who
was the lone woman in that assembly. She had been in 1898 a member of the
698 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Board of Control of the State Industrial School for Girls and served with zeal
and faithfulness.
The Fifteenth General Assembly was without representation by the \vomen,
and the sixteenth was also lacking women representation.
The Seventeenth General Assembly found Mrs. Alma V. Lafferty in the
House. In the Eighteenth General Assembly Mrs. Alma V. Lafferty, Mrs.
Louise M. Kerwin, Mrs. Louise U. Jones and Mrs. Agnes L. Riddle were in
the House. In the Nineteenth General Assembly, Mrs. Helen Ring Robinson
was in the Senate and Mrs. Frances S. Lee and Mrs. Agnes L. Riddle were
in the House. In the Twentieth General Assembly Mrs. Robinson was in the
Senate and Mrs. Evangedine Heartz in the House. In the Twenty-first General
Assembly Mrs. Riddle was in the Senate and Mrs. Heartz in the House.
NUMBER OF WOMEN IX THE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES SINCE WOMEN* RECEIVED
SUFFRAGE
General Assembly Number of Women
loth 3
nth 3
1 2th 3
1 3th i
1 4th i
1 5th None
i6th None
1 7th i
1 8th 4 in House
iQth 2 in House, i in Senate
2Oth i in House, i in Senate
2 ist i in House, i in Senate
Of those women who took active part in the campaign of 1893 anc^ won tne
victory for equal rights, there is a long list of unrecorded names, and it is pos-
sible to perpetuate upon these pages only the names of a few of the leaders in
different parts of the state, including some of the leading men of those times.
Among those in and around Denver were: Mrs. John L. Routt, president of the
Denver City League, and Mesdames T. M. Patterson, N. P. Hill, John R. Hanna,
Rev. William Bayard Craig, Kerr B. Tupper, the Misses Patterson and Miss Hill
of the- Young Women's League; Mrs. S. M. Casper, Twenty-second Avenue
League ; Dora Phelps Buell and Mrs. Herbert George, of the Highlands League ;
Mrs. J. Eppley, Colfax ; Mrs. A. D. Taggart, Berkeley ; Mrs. Hartzell, South Den-
ver; Mrs. Margie Gibson, Provident Park; Mrs. Hutchins, Lower Clear Creek;
Mrs. E. J. Webber, Globeville ; Mrs. L. L. Leland, Swansea ; Mrs. B. C. Chinn,
Central ; Mrs. H. S. Stansbury, Professor Hale, Mrs. Hale, Mrs. J. H. Platt, Den-
ver; Mrs. E. W. Middleton, Harris; Mrs. Frank Caley, Littleton; Miss Lillian
McKercher, Young People's League ;" Mrs. Marion C. Lucas, City Park League;
Mrs. Mabel Chinn, Eva Johnson, Ida De Priest, Esther Morris, Lois Allison, Mary
E. Clark, Dudley Clark, Richard K. De Priest, Martha Spratlin, W. H. Wade, Al-
berta Battles, Henry O. Wagoner, Misses Mattie and Matie Rutherford, Agnes
HISTORY OF COLORADO 699
Cummings, Dora Dean, Mrs. Nannie Laur, Col: Irving Hale, Col. Byron L. Carr
and Mrs. Mary Carr of Longmont.
Buena Vista — Mrs. Mary Gafford, President E. S. L. ; Mrs. Joseph Newitt,
Mrs. Julia Logan, Mrs. Ernest Wilbur, Miss Flora Kennedy, Mrs. Grace Wallace,
Mrs. George Wallace, Mrs. Jennie Berry, Mrs. J. Halsey, Mrs. Laura C. Holt-
schneider.
Harman, 1893 — Mesdames Laura A. France, M. A. Smith, Anna Burchard,
Lizzie I. Lament, L. A. Walker, L. B. Leonard, Emergene McGowan, Sarah J.
Taylor, Emma Ingerson, Carrie Fluecken, Bertha G. Smith, M. E. Yaeger, S.
Fullman, Mabel Finnerty, Misses Tude, McChesney, Julia L. Wheeler, Nellie
Fullman, Margaret Compton, Sophie Compton, M. E. Smith, Mary Masters,
Irene I. Smith, Kate D. McChesney, Martha A. McChesney, and Messrs. Harry
E. Nevin, B. A. Bennett, G. H. Ingersoll, Charles Fullman, Fred Smith, Uri
Walker, James Hackshaw, C. H. Smith, Joseph H. Richardson, W. C. Barnhart,
Norman Clifford.
In other parts of the state there were Mrs. E. M. Tanner of Fort Collins ;
Mrs. C. E. Gibbs, Greeley ; Mrs. Morris E. Dunham, Boulder ; Ettie V. Parenteau,
Central ; Mrs. E. F. Kendall, Silver Plume ; Mrs. L. B. Sinton, Mary C. C. Brad-
ford, Colorado Springs ; Mrs. J. S. Sperry and Doctor Hatfield, Pueblo ; Emma G.
Curtis, Canon City (who conducted the campaign among people mainly of foreign
tongue in a coal mining district and secured a majority of 200) ; Emma Greer and
Dr. S. A. Goff, Louisville; Mrs. Roselle Goodrich, Red Cliff; Ina Davis, Para-
chute; Miss A. M. Murphy, Fruita; Mrs. H. C. Olney, Gunnison ; Lillian Hartman
Johnson, Durango, who had charge of the work in the Southwest ; Dr. Jessie
Hartwell, Salida ; Mrs. S. A. Reddin Jenkins, Mosca; Mrs. Hazlett, Rico; Mrs.
A. M. Bryant, Gilman; Mrs. S. J. Roocroft, Coalcreek ; Mrs. Job Jones, Rock-
dale ; Mrs. A. W. Maxfield and Mrs. Emma Simmons, Rifle : Mrs. George Pear-
son, New Castle ; Miss Mollie Noonan, Glenwood Springs ; Mrs. Reno, Arvada ;
Mrs. Jessie Caswell, Grand Junction ; Mrs. Ashmead, De Beque ; Mrs. S. M.
Morris, Mancos ; Mrs. J. F. Heath, Montrose ; Mrs. George A. Burrows, Ouray ;
Mrs. A. E. McCausland, Aspen ; Mrs. Louise Frybarger, Carlton ; Mrs. Hilla M.
Griffith, Villa Grove ; Mrs. M. Hollingsworth, Silverton ; Dr. J. M. McCoy, Tel-
luride ; Mrs. A. Guthrie Brown, Breckenridge, who, at an advanced age, as a resi-
dent of Denver, was an active and enthusiastic worker in political and public
affairs in general; Mrs. J. A. Pritchard, Greeley; Mrs. Minnie Hovey, Amethyst;
Mrs. Fannie McClintock, Grand Junction ; Mrs. M. E. Timberlake, Holyoke.
Among the women of prominence in the work of the Suffrage Association
were Miss M. A. Pease, the president, and Mesdames C. A. Bradley, the record-
ing secretary; M. H. Walker, J. B. Belford, Anna Steele, Grabing Craise, Hattie
E. Fox, Mrs. Carrie Lane Chapman, Mrs. Jenkins of Cheyenne, Carrie Schnebele,
Harriet Scott-Saxton, Eva Hulings, George Phelps, Helen Reynolds, Minnie
Jay Reynolds, Georgiana Watson, Louise M. Tyler, Mrs. Mary P. Nichols, Dr.
Anna Morgan, Mrs. A. J. Frincke, Mrs. Anna Marshall Cochran, Louise Forest,
Mrs. Minerva Roberts, Mrs. Alma Lafferty, Mrs. Nellie Matteson, Dr. Sarah
Calvert, Dora Fletcher Noxon, Mrs. A. C. Fisk, Mrs. W. A. L. Cooper, and a
host of others.
Greeley — Prominent in the campaign of 1877 were Judge Levi Hanna, Mrs.
Amanda Hanna, Father Nathan C. Meeker, Rosine Meeker, Mrs. Mary M.
700 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Gallup, David Boyd, Mrs. Sarah Boyd, Dr. Anna Marsh, Mrs. Eastman, Mrs.
Adela Clark, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Stevens, Oliver Howard, Mrs. Clemma Howard,
Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Wilbur, Hon. Jared Brush, Florence Haines, Mrs. Doctor
Law, S. S. Kennedy. In the campaign of 1893 — Senator David Boyd, Mrs.
Sarah Boyd, Oliver Howard, Mrs. Oliver Howard, Mrs. Doctor Hawes, Mrs.
Jennie N. Pritchard, Harry N. Haynes, E. E. Clark, Mrs. H. T. West, Mrs.
Carrie B. Sanborn, Mrs. C. E. Gibbs.
At Salida, leading women in the campaign of 1893 were : Mrs. M. O. E. Har-
rington, Mrs. Margaret Watkins, Miss Jessie Hartwell, M. D., Mrs. E. Ford,
Mrs. M. E. Densmore, Mrs. Anna J. Kennedy, Mrs. Judge Warner, Mrs. Etta
Eggleston, Mrs. Cynthia Stead.
Grand Junction — Among those participating in the campaign of 1893 were:
Mrs. Charles J. Caswell, president, and Mrs. Frank McClintock, vice president
of the Mesa County Equal Suffrage League; Mrs. L. F. Ingersoll, Mrs. B. F.
Jay, Mrs. A. R. Wadsworth, Mrs. C. F. Caswell, Mrs. Elizabeth Ashmead, Miss
Alice Murphy, Miss Elizabeth Walker, Mrs. Margaret Ogilvie, Miss Nettie
Stockton, Mrs. J. Telford, Dr. Ethelle Strasser, Mrs. J. L. Vallow, Miss Leander
Watkins, Mrs. George Smith, Mrs. Edwin Price, Mrs. L. M. Layton, Miss Mary
E. Welborn, Mrs. S. C. Buckley, Miss Minnie Carlile, Mrs. Charles Glessner,
Mrs. M. E. Gambling, Mrs. G. L. Gaylord, Mrs. Jessie G. Ramey, Mrs. Esther
R. Mitchell, Mrs. A. J. McCune, Miss Ollie Hensel, Miss May Cookingham,
Miss Annie Sells. Equally as many leading men took an active part for the
women.
Colorado Springs— Ella L. C. Dwinell, L. E. Dwinell, R. C. Hamlin, Mrs.
E. L. Hamlin, Dr. Anna D. Chamberlain, Dr. F. C. Chamberlain, L. B. Fasser,
Mrs. Laura A. Fasser, Mrs. Elizabeth Fasser, Dr. W. K. Sinton, Mrs. Luly B.
Sinton, Mrs. O. S. Stout, Mrs. Mary C. C. Bradford, Mrs. Annie E. Wilder,
Mrs. M. J. S. Otis, Mrs. Hattie A. Balcomb, H. C. Balcomb, Mrs. C. E. Robert-
son, Miss M. C. Robertson, Emily E. Hildreth, Mrs. Mary E. Hildreth, Mrs. J. C.
Smith, Mrs. A. L. Blake, Mrs. Blake.
Colorado City — Mrs Alice Finley, Louis W. Cunningham, Charles L. Cun-
ningham, Mrs. Julia N. Cunningham and Mrs. E. I. Cunningham.
Manitou — Maude L. Green, Dr. Francis Cooper, Dr. Fannie Cooper.
Boulder— Hon. A. S. Baldwin, Mrs. Mary Collie, Mrs. Sallie F. Monell.
Durango — Mrs. Lillian Hartman Johnson, Judge Henry Garbonati, Charles
A. Johnson, Mrs. Olivia M. Hechtman, Mrs. Lizzie Metcalfe, Mrs. Frank Young.
Silverton — Mrs. Emma Hollingsworth.
Mosca — Mrs. S. N. R. Jenkins, F. C. Hitchcock.
Cortez — Judge A. P. Edmindson, Mrs. Perley Wasson.
Mancos — Mrs. S. M. Morris, president E. S. L. ; Mrs. Marion Wetheril, vice
president; Mrs. A. Lemmon, secretary; George M. Carr, treasurer; W. H. Kel-
ley, Hon. D. H. Lemmon, Mrs. A. J. Barber, Judge M. T. Morris.
Highlands — Mrs. Mary C. Woodburn, Mrs. Mary Butters, Mrs. Emma Olin-
ger, Mrs. Hester W. Hartzell, Mrs. Ida M. Lesley, Mrs. Eva Wheeler, Mrs.
Fred Kern, Miss Blanch Badger, Mrs. Bertha Corlew, Mrs. Bertha Mueller,
Mrs. A. G. Channel, Mrs. Elizabeth S. Ferguson, Mrs. J. W. Jackson.
Breckenridge — Mrs. A. Guthrie Brown, Mrs. C. L. Westerman, Mrs. E. G.
Brown, and Mrs. Hugh Steele.
CHAPTER XXXVI
MILITARY
THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD — SENTIMENT IN l86l CONFEDERATE FLAG-RAISING IN
DENVER — DEFEAT OF ENEMY PLANS — FIRST RECRUITING PROCLAMATION-
MENACE FROM THE SOUTH BAYLOR'S CAMPAIGN CONFEDERATE PURPOSES —
PREPARATIONS TO RESIST SIBLEY CONFEDERATE PREPARATIONS THE FIRST
CONFLICT — THE FIRST COLORADO FIRST BATTLE OF LA GLORIETA PASS THE
SECOND BATTLE — THE RETREAT AND PURSUIT — DISPOSAL OF THE FIRST COLORADO
THE SECOND COLORADO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY OTHER VOLUNTEER ORGAN-
IZATIONS MERGER OF THE SECOND AND THIRD COLORADO CAREER OF THE
SECOND CAVALRY RAID INTO COLORADO TERRITORY — THE SPANISH-AMERICAN
WAR PREPARATIONS IN COLORADO — THE FIRST REGIMENT — CASUALTIES SERV-
ICE OF OTHER COLORADO TROOPS THE WORLD WAR COLORADO^ QUOTA RE-
CRUITING SELECTIVE DRAFT RED CROSS LIBERTY LOANS — COUNCIL OF NA-
TIONAL DEFENSE OTHER PREPARATIONS FAREWELL ADDRESS BY CAPT. J. C. W.
HALL TO HIS TROOPS, 1864.
THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD
SENTIMENT IN l86l
During the winter of 1 860-61, preceding the actual outbreak of hostilities be-
tween the North and the South, there arose stong evidences of divided sentiment
in Denver and other communities of Colorado Territory. There must be taken
into consideration the fact that many of the settlers in Colorado — in the towns
and mining camps — were from the South, were thoroughly imbued with the
southern spirit and ideals, and naturally sympathized with the cause of the South.
But there were others, from the North and in the majority, who bitterly opposed
everything which smacked of the false aristocracy of the Southern States. Actual
war between the states was considered remote and not until the news of Fort
Sumter came to Denver did the people awaken to the true character of the
situatidn.
. The military organizations in the territory were insignificant at this time. In
fact, when Governor Gilpin arrived to take over the government in the new
Territory, there were no Colorado troops in existence. The Jefferson Rangers and
Denver Guards, small militia companies, had been organized during the summer
of 1860 in accordance with an act of the Legislative Assembly of Jefferson Ter-
ritory, but were disbanded before the end of the following winter. Small forces
of government troops were stationed at two places in Colorado Territory — at Fort
Garland, in the San Luis Valley, and at Fort Wise, on the Arkansas River, near
701
702 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the eastern part of the present Bent County. The latter post was formerly the
trading station built by William Bent and which was sold to the Government in
1859; in the fall of the year 1861 the name was changed from Fort Wise to Fort
Lyon, in memory of Gen. Nathaniel Lyon, the Union leader who fell at Wilson's
Creek, Missouri, the preceding August.
CONFEDERATE FLAG-RAISING
Governor Gilpin was a staunch supporter of the Union, but the same could not
be said for many of the citizens. Rebel sympathizers could be heard on every
hand, expounding their blatant views of slavery and the Southern Confederacy.
The first actual demonstration of opposition to the North occurred on April 24th,
just a few days after the bombardment of Fort Sumter. Upon this day a number
of men raised the "Stars and Bars" over the store of Wallingford & Murphy, a
log building which stood on the north side of Larimer Street, a short distance
west of Sixteenth Street. A turbulent crowd, in which the Union men were pre-
dominant, soon gathered in front of the store, and demanded that the flag be
taken down. The southern adherents were equally determined that the flag should
stay. A general melee seemed imminent. Shortly a young man in the crowd,
Samuel M. Logan, later captain in the First Colorado Volunteers, climbed to the
roof of the store and tore the emblem down, without opposition from the crowd
assembled. This was the first and last open display of the Confederate flag in
Colorado Territory, although it is said that a few small flags were flown from
private houses later. This occurrence, however, brought the Union spirit out in
force and numerous manifestations of loyalty to the North were made.
Colorado Territory was placed in a complicated situation. Territorial govern-
ment had just been inaugurated and actual administration was yet in the formu-
lative state; the conditions in New Mexico heralded a Confederate menace from
that direction ; Indians, covertly watching for the opportunity to spring upon the
white men, roamed the plains in great numbers ; great distances lay between the
settlements and the beginning of civilization in the east ; and, in all, many other
factors contributed to the feeling of isolation and uneasiness in the territory.
DEFEAT OF ENEMY PLANS
Governor Gilpin came to Denver on May 29th and began the work of organiz-
ing the new government. In the next month he formed a military staff, consisting
of : Richard E. Whitsitt, adjutant-general ; Samuel Moer, quartermaster-general ;
John S. Fillmore, paymaster ; and Morton C. Fisher, purchasing agent. One of
the first moves made by the governor, after the organization of the staff, was to
order Fisher to purchase all the small ordnance and ammunition he could find
among the people. This variegated stock of weapons was not collected without
opposition from the Confederates. The latter were quietly active throughout the
territory, were engaged in gathering arms themselves, and were suspected to be
forming a mounted force for the purpose of raiding Denver or some other of the
larger communities. Under the leadership of one McKee, a Texan, these men
advertised freely for guns and were becoming more and more open and boastful
in their actions, when Governor Gilpin took steps to crush them. He ordered
HISTORY OF COLORADO 703
McKee and two score of his followers arrested and imprisoned. This ended the
purchase of guns by the rebel sympathizers.
There were yet many of the butternut caste in Colorado and a detachment of
them succeeded in establishing a meeting place at the head of Cherry Creek in the
autumn of 1861. In the meantime, the First Colorado Volunteer Regiment had
been organized and a number of these soldiers were despatched to the enemies'
stronghold. Some of the latter were captured and others escaped. The rebels
fled southward, taking possession of a wagon train in the southeastern part of the
present state, but many of them were speedily caught by the pursuing soldiers
and returned to Denver with their former comrades. After a few weeks of im-
prisonment they were discharged by the authorities and threatened with summary
punishment if they resumed their disloyal activities. In this way the last organized
attempt to oppose the North was quelled in the territory. Those of southern ideas
and who wished to take up arms against the North surreptitiously departed from
Colorado, individually or in small groups, and made their way to the nearest Con-
federate army or community.
FIRST RECRUITING
In July, 1861, Governor Gilpin, with the cooperation of several prominent
citizens, had taken steps to perfect some sort of military organization. A request
was made of the Washington authorities for permission to organize a few com-
panies of infantry or cavalry, the same to be used in the service of the North.
For some reason, this request was ignored.
In the same month of July, recruiting was begun near Idaho and vicinity by
Samuel H. Cook, for service in a Kansas Regiment. This must be considered as
the first actual recruiting in the territory for service in the cause of the Union.
When Cook had nearly completed his recruiting Governor Gilpin persuaded him to
keep the men in Colorado, to form a unit of the First Regiment of Volunteers.
This regiment was conceived in the mind of the governor, as he had decided to
assume the initiative and organize a regiment despite the silence of Washington.
As governor of the territory he was vested with authority to raise a military force
for the defense of the citizens.
John P. Slough, a Denver attorney, by this time had received a commission
from Washington to enlist two companies of infantry for the regular service. The
original plan was for this command to relieve the United States Regulars at Fort
Garland, thus releasing the latter for work at the front. In July and August,
Governor Gilpin appointed company officers and ordered the enlistment of nine
companies which, with Cook's two, were to comprise the new regiment. In the
latter part of August he made additional arrangements for two more companies,
which were to perform the service intended for the two units to be raised by
Slough, and afterward to form the basis of the Second Regiment of Colorado
Volunteers, then contemplated.
Recruiting offices having been located at the more important places in the ter-
ritory, by the end of September the quota of the First Regiment was practically
filled. John P. Slough was appointed colonel of the regiment ; Samuel F. Tappan
was made lieutenant-colonel; John M. Chivington, later of Sand Creek fame,
was commissioned major. Chivington, in view of his former vocation as a
704 HISTORY OF COLORADO
preacher, was tendered the position of chaplain at first, but his bellicose spirit
was too strong for such an office and he chose the majorship. The companies
and their officers, also places where recruited, were :
Company A, Capt. Edward W. Wynkoop, was recruited at Denver by Colonel
Slough.
Company B, Capt. Samuel M. Logan, was recruited at Central City by Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Tappan.
Company C, Capt. Richard Sopris, was recruited partly in Denver and partly
in the Buckskin Joe district in the South Park.
Company D, Captain Downing, was formed mostly in Denver.
Company E, Capt. Scott J. Anthony, was recruited in the California Gulch
and Buckskin Joe districts.
Company F, Capt. Samuel H. Cook, was formed of men from the vicinity
twenty-five miles west of Denver, which is now Clear Creek County.
Company G, Capt. Josiah W. Hambleton, was recruited in the Clear Creek
district.
Company H, Capt. George L. Sanborn, raised mostly at Central City.
Company I, Capt. Charles Mailie, a German company recruited at Denver,
Central City and in other Clear Creek mining towns.
Company K, Capt. Charles P. Marion, recruited mostly in Denver and Central
City.
Captains Hambleton and Marion were both cashiered for insubordination in
November and were succeeded by Captains William F. Wilder and Samuel H.
Robbins respectively.
Comfortable barracks, costing about $40,000, were constructed on the east
side of the South Platte River, two and a half miles above the mouth of Cherry
Creek, and here the regiment was taken in October. The encampment was given
the name of Camp Weld, in honor of the first secretary of the territory — Lewis
Ledyard Weld.
By the end of November two more companies were raised at Canon City, and
were known' as "Captain 'Jim' Ford's Independent Company" and "Captain Theo-
dore Dodd's Independent Company."
These Colorado soldiers might be described by the word nondescript. Regula-
tion government supplies and equipment failed to arrive for some time, and each
man carried a different kind of weapon. When the regulation guns did arrive,
they were few in number and of inferior quality. Currency was another obstacle
in the governor's path. Congress had not included in its appropriations for the
Colorado territorial government any funds for military purposes. Governor
Gilpin found it necessary to resort to some means to meet expenses, so issued
negotiable drafts directly upon the national treasury, which were accepted here as
legal tender. He was outside of 'his authority in doing this, but was not aware
of it at the time. When the drafts began to reach Washington the merry music
began, and the paper was all repudiated by the Government. This led to a finan-
cial depression in the territory, as there had been about $375,000 worth of these
drafts issued, and the feeling against Gilpin became extremely bitter. He visited
Washington in the attempt to straighten matters out, but was unsuccessful, and
the question was finally submitted to the cabinet. Early in 1862 this body of men
voted to remove Gilpin from office. In May, 1862, John Evans succeeded to the
office of governor of Colorado Territory.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 705
PROCLAMATION
In order to show the temper of the people in regard to the conflict being
waged, the Territorial Legislature adopted the following resolutions the first of
October :
"Be it Resolved by the Council and House of Representatives of Colorado
Territory, as follows, to-wit:
"Resolved, That the deplorable Civil war in which the United States Govern-
ment is now engaged, was brought about by the unjustifiable and traitorous acts
of the disunionists at the South, and therefore the sole responsibility for all its
legitimate consequences rests with them alone.
"Resolved, That all the resources of the Country both in men and means to
their utter exhaustion should be at once called out, if needed to defend the Na-
tional Government, and to preserve the integrity of the Union.
"Resolved, That the pretended right of secession, as claimed by some of the
states of the Union, has no warrant in the Constitution and is wholly repugnant to
the principles on which our government was founded.
"Resolved, That after this rebellion shall have been crushed out, the supremacy
of the Federal Constitution shall have been fully conceded, and the rights of the
Union shall have been amply guaranteed, then there should be invoked the same
spirit of concession and compromise to perpetuate our institutions, in which they
were first conceived and framed.
"Resolved, That the people of Colorado Territory, utterly ignoring all former
political classifications, heartily sympathize with the Federal Government in its
present contest, approve of its leading acts, which have been necessarily under-
taken for its own self-existence and self-defense, and pledge themselves to co-
operate to the full extent of their power, in all constitutional measures which may
hereafter be adopted toward the prompt and decisive conclusion of the war thus
waged on its part only for the maintenance of the Constitution and the enforce-
ment of the laws."
Another resolution was approved on October 29th which placed confidence in
Governor Gilpin and accorded him the support of the Legislature.
In addition to the volunteer companies already formed and which were enlisted
for the term of three years, two home guard companies, designated as Nos. I
and 2, were formed in the City of Denver. Joseph Ziegelmuller was the captain of
the first one and James W. Iddings of the second. The duty of these troops
kept them in Denver as guards, but they were regularly mustered into the United
States service and mustered out in the spring of 1862. In November, three com-
panies of the First were taken to Fort Wise from Camp Weld and there remained'
during the winter months, under command of the post officer, Lieut. James M.
Warner. The companies which had been raised at Canon City, recruited by Ford
and Dodd, remained there until the close of the year for equipment and muster.
MENACE FROM THE SOUTH
Shortly after Texas seceded from the Government in March, 1861, the Con-
federate authorities in that state began to prepare to take possession of the
Federal forts which stood upon Texas soil, also to take over the Territory of New
Vol. I 45
706 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Mexico, which then included all of the present State of Arizona. In a short
time all the Union troops which had been stationed in Texas were withdrawn,
leaving many supplies in the hands of the Confederates.
Adequate provisions had been made for the expected war by John B. Floyd,
secretary of war under President Buchanan, who was a southern sympathizer.
Anticipating the secession of the rebel states, he abundantly stocked all the forts
in Texas and New Mexico with provisions and munitions of war, also stationed
a greater number of army officers than necessary at the New Mexico posts, believ-
ing that when the South withdrew from the Union these officers would give their
services to the cause and persuade a greater part of the soldiers to do likewise.
Although many of the officers did desert the blue for the gray, the whole force in
this territory was not seriously crippled thereby.
Col. William W. Loring, a North Carolinian, was unwisely placed in charge
of the Union army in New Mexico, with headquarters at Santa Fe. Colonel
Loring bore an excellent reputation as an officer, but favored the southern cause.
He remained in office at Santa Fe for about three months, doing all in his power
to aid the Confederates in their plan of invading New Mexico, then formally
resigned and joined the Confederate army. Col. Edward R. S. Canby, an officer
of. unquestioned loyalty, succeeded Loring and established his headquarters at
Fort Craig, on the Rio Grande, one hundred and fifty miles above El Paso. Con-
ditions in New Mexico and Arizona were then in turmoil. New Mexico was
considered to be largely for the North, but in the country now constituting Arizona,
where there were few people, rabid southerners were in the majority. In a con-
vention held at Tucson in the late spring of '61 the western half of New Mexico
was definitely listed among the Confederate states and a delegate to the Con-
federate Congress elected.
BAYLOR'S CAMPAIGN
In July, 1861, Lieut.-Col. John R. Baylor, C. S. A., with several companies
of Texas mounted infantry and artillery, invested Fort Bliss, on the Rio Grande
below El Paso. Here he left a detachment and began to march up the Rio Grande
with the remainder of the force, carrying with him a small field battery. First he
approached Fort Fillmore, thirty-six miles above El Paso, and commanded by
Maj. Isaac Lynde. The latter made a feeble effort to resist the southern troops,
was defeated, and abandoned the fort. With some five hundred Union troops he
sought refuge at San Augustin Springs, twenty-five miles northeast of Fort Fill-
more, but Baylor continued the pursuit and compelled the Union commander to
lay down his arms, despite the wishes of Lynde's under officers to make some sort
of fight. This exhibition of weakness compelled the evacuation of Fort Thorne,
forty miles up the river from Fort Fillmore. The garrison was removed to Fort
Craig. The Confederates, evidently believing they could capture Fort Craig,
moved on up the valley of the Rio Grande, but were met by a detachment from
the fort and compelled to retire. Colonel Baylor lost no time in proclaiming to
the inhabitants that he had assumed control of the southern half of New Mexico
in the name of the C. S. A. and that the town of Mesilla would be the seat of
government.
Colonel Canby realized the distinct menace of Baylor's success along the Rio
HISTORY OF COLORADO 707
Grande and immediately began to assemble all available Federal troops at Fort
Craig. The post was strengthened and enlarged and every preparation made to
receive the enemy.
CONFEDERATE PURPOSES
The vast designs of the Confederates in occupying New Mexico were put into
motion when Gen. Henry H. Sibley was directed to invade and hold all of New
Mexico Territory. Sibley was a native of Louisiana and a West Point man; he
won an enviable reputation in the Mexican war, and near the outbreak of war in
1861 was stationed in New Mexico. He resigned from the Federal service in
May, 1861, and was given the office of brigadier-general in the Confederate army,
with orders to form a whole brigade in Texas and two batteries of light artillery.
This completed, he was to take possession of all New Mexico, capture the Federal
supplies and forts, and drive all Union troops out. This done, it was believed
many enlistments would be secured from this territory and also Colorado.
The complicated purpose of this move is well described by J. C. Smiley in the
preface to Whitford's Colorado Volunteers in the Civil War; the New Mexico
Campaign in 1862, which was published by the Colorado State Historical and
Natural History Society (1906). This follows:
"The men in whom were the military ability and the very bone and sinew of
the Union cause in that campaign, and who bore the burden of hardship and
sacrifice in winning the victory which abruptly checked and turned the rising tide
of Confederate successes in the southwest, were citizen-soldiers of the Territory
of Colorado.
"On the part of the Confederates that campaign meant far more than appears
when it is considered merely as a military enterprise — as an ambitious inroad into
a section of the national domain outside the boundaries of the Southern Confed-
eracy. Back of it was a political project of vast magnitude, upon which enthusi-
astic southern leaders had set their hearts.
"In 1860, 1861, and well into 1862, the militant spirit of disunion was not
confined to the slave-holding states of our country. Disruption of the old Union
was boldly advocated among and favored by a large and influential element of
the population of California — an element that predominated in number and influ-
ence in the southern half of that state. Far-northwest Oregon had many earnest
and active supporters of secession, who thought their interests demanded an inde-
pendent government on the Pacific Slope. In the Territory of Utah, which then
(until the spring of 1861) included the area of the present State of Nevada, those
of its people of the Mormon persuasion had been embittered against the United
States Government by reason of their long-continued embroilments with it, and
were ready for any change in which immunity from interference in their church-
and-domestic affairs was conceded to them. The inhabitants of New Mexico were
divided in sentiment, but while probably more than one-half of them were for
the Union, those of the western part of the territory (the present Arizona) were
almost unanimously against it ; and these, as well as the other sympathizers of
the breaking-up policy, were led by men of high standing among them and of
extreme determination. When the Territory of Colorado was organized in 1861,
a large majority of its population was in the Town of Denver, and in the Clear
708 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Creek, the Boulder. and the South Park mining districts. Perhaps rather more
than two-thirds of the people were loyal to the Union, but among their friends and
associates and neighbors were many who were ardent and outspoken for the
Southern Cause. The first discovery of gold here that was followed by practical
results had been made by Georgians in 1858, and a host of southern men had come
into the territory in 1859 and '60. These Colorado pioneers from the South were,
as a rule, men of sterling character and of much personal popularity.
"In this backward glance at the political conditions existing in Colorado, New
Mexico, Utah and on the Pacific Coast, we may see the reasons for the exuberant
hopes that were sanguinely cherished by some southern leaders in 1861-62. Be-
cause of these conditions they confidently expected to split off from the Union,
in addition to the states which had already seceded and formed the 'Confederate
States of America,' these three territories and the larger part, if not all, of the
Pacific Coast proper. Their anticipations and plans embraced even more than this,
for it was their intention to acquire, also, either with money or by force of arms,
a large part of northern Mexico, which was to be annexed to the Southern Con-
federacy. Maj. Trevanion T. Teel, one of General Sibley's very efficient officers,
in a brief account of the objects of the Confederate campaign in New Mexico in
1862 and of the causes of its failure, written and published about twenty years
ago, said that if it had been successful, 'negotiations to secure Chihuahua, Sonora
and Lower California, either by purchase or conquest, would be opened ; the state
of affairs in Mexico made it an easy thing to take those states, and the Mexican
President would be glad to get rid of them and at the same time improve his
exchequer. In addition to all this, General Sibley intimated that there was a
secret understanding between the Mexican and Confederate authorities, and that,
as soon as our occupation of the said states was assured, a transfer of those states
would be made to the Confederacy. Juarez, the president of the Republic (so
called), was then in the City of Mexico with a small army under his command,
hardly sufficient to keep him in his position. That date (1862) was the darkest
hour in the annals of our sister republic, but it was the brightest of the Confed-
eracy, and General Sibley thought that he would have little difficulty in con-
summating the ends so devoutly wished by the Confederate Government.'
"But we have not yet reached the limit of southern purposes in that memo-
rable campaign. Confederate control. of the gold-producing regions of the West
then known — Colorado and California — was another great result expected from
its successful issue, and which figured largely in the calculations. President
Lincoln held these sources of gold supply as being of vital importance to the
Union Cause, as forming 'the life-blood of our financial credit.' Jefferson Davis,
President of the Southern Confederacy, also comprehended their value in that time
of stress, and hoped to make them an acceptable basis of foreign loans to his
government.
"It is usually unprofitable to speculate about what 'might have happened' ; yet
there can be no reasonable doubt that if the Confederate army which entered
New Mexico at the beginning of 1862 had not been stopped and defeated at La
Glorieta, or somewhere else in that vicinity about the same time, our histories of
the War for the Union would read differently. In their dreams of the near
future some southern leaders saw their Confederacy extended to the Pacific Coast
and embracing more than one-half of the territory of the United States, while in
HISTORY OF COLORADO 709
those of others it formed a junction and an alliance with another division of the
old Union — with a 'Western Confederacy' having dominion over all that part of
our country lying west of the Continental Divide, save in the South an outlet to
the Pacific for the southern people. Had General Sibley succeeded in taking
Fort Union, with its large stores of arms, artillery and general military supplies,
his further progress before he could have been confronted by an adequate force
perhaps would have been over an easy road toward fulfillment of the plans of his
government. We are further informed by Major Teel that 'Sibley was to utilize
the results of Baylor's successes,' and that 'with the enlistment of men from New
Mexico, California, Arizona and Colorado, form an army which would effect
the ultimate aim of the campaign, for there were scattered over all the western
states and territories southern men who were anxiously awaiting an opportunity
to join the Confederate army.' * * *
"With the Pacific Coast in their possession by conquest, or with a free way to
it by alliance with a 'Western Confederacy,' the world would have been opened
to the Confederates, since it would have been impossible for the Federal navy
effectively to blockade the coast. Furthermore, the oceans could have been made
to swarm with Confederate cruisers and privateers preying upon the commerce
of the Union. An approach to success in this great scheme, with a prospect of the
domain of the United States becoming broken into three minor nationalities, prob-
ably would have secured recognition of the Southern Confederacy from the
English and French governments at once, and perhaps from others in Europe.
What, then, might the consequences have been?
"It was such considerations as those outlined in the foregoing that induced
Confederate leaders in 1861-62 to attempt to establish provisionally a military
government in western New Mexico, and to send General Sibley forth to carry
the war into the Rocky Mountains. Regarded solely from a military standpoint,
the mere conquest and occupation of New Mexico, and even of Colorado in addi-
tion, could have worked no advantage of importance to the Southern Confeder-
acy; but possession of both would have strongly fortified subsequent efforts to
consummate the greater purposes. Bearing in mind these comprehensive designs,
we shall be better prepared to appreciate the services rendered the Nation by.
Colorado volunteers in the New Mexico campaign in 1862."
PREPARATIONS TO RESIST SIBLEY
General Canby, as stated before, hastened to assemble all available troops at
Fort Craig, in order to meet Sibley's Confederates. One of his acts during this
time was to request Governor Gilpin to send him troops from Colorado Territory.
The two companies recruited by Ford and Dodd were accordingly sent.
Dodd's unit departed from Canon City December 7th and Ford's December
1 2th. The troops marched to Fort Garland, by way of the Sangre de Cristo Pass,
and there the two companies were mustered into the United States service, as
Companies A and B respectively, of the Second Colorado Volunteer Infantry.
In the latter part of December Company A marched to Santa Fe, then down the
Rio Grande Valley to Fort Craig, reaching the latter place in February Company
B stayed at Fort Garland until February 4, 1862, then went to Santa Fe, thence
to Fort Union, arriving March nth.
710 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Volunteers were also raised in northeastern New Mexico, when it became
evident that the Confederates intended to take possession of the territory. An
attempt was made to raise five regiments there. About the middle of February,
one of these regiments, of which the redoubtable Kit Carson was the colonel, to-
gether with portions of the other four and a number of unattached units, came
to Fort Craig to join Canby.
CONFEDERATE PREPARATIONS
By the first of the year 1862 Colonel Sibley had his force encamped near
Mesilla and Fort Fillmore, while Baylor was quartered at Mesilla, acting as gov-
ernor of the Confederate Territory of Arizona. All of New Mexico below the
thirty-fourth parallel had been annexed to the C. S. A. on January 2ist by the
Confederate Congress and had been named the Territory of Arizona. President
Davis appointed Baylor as military governor and also the commander-in-chief of
all troops therein stationed.
Sibley, acting under instructions, made an attempt to enlist Mexican volun-
teers from the Rio Grande Valley, but in this was not successful. Delegates, or
envoys, were sent to the Mexican states, such as Chihuahua and Sonora, to gain
the good will of the people there toward the Confederacy, and a detachment of
soldiers was marched to Tucson, in order to maintain obedience in that section
of Arizona Territory. Having failed to obtain any appreciable number of volun-
teers from among the Mexicans, Sibley then placed all of his hopes in getting
them from the Americans in New Mexico. As it later transpired, however, he
was disappointed again.
Sibley followed his troops from Fort Bliss about the middle of January, 1862,
bringing with him some additional soldiers who had come from San Antonio.
On January i6th he and his command as a whole left Mesilla for Fort Thorne,
arriving February 7th. Then, with 2,700 men, fifteen pieces of artillery and an
immense wagon train, he started on the northern march — for conquest.
THE FIRST CONFLICT
Sibley's force marched up the west side of the Rio Grande and on February
1 6th encamped seven miles below Fort Craig. He sent a challenge to Colonel
Canby to fight him upon the plain on the east side of the river. Canby refused to
do this, although his report shows that he had the preponderance of man-power.
His report, in regard to this, states :
"His (Sibley's) force consisted of Riley's and Green's regiments, five com-
panies of Steele's and five of Baylor's regiments, Teel's and Riley's batteries, and
three independent companies, making a nominal aggregate, as indicated by cap-
tured rolls and returns, of nearly 3,000 men, but reduced, it was understood, by
sickness and detachments, to about 2,600 when it reached this neighborhood.
"To oppose this force I had concentrated at this post five companies of the
Fifth, three of the Seventh, and three of the Tenth Infantry, two companies of
the First and five of the Third Cavalry, and a company of Colorado Volunteers
(Dodd's). The New Mexican troops consisted of the First Regiment (of which
Carson was colonel), seven companies of the Second, seven of the Third, one of
HISTORY OF COLORADO 711
the Fourth, two of the Fifth, Graydon's Spy Company, and about 1,000 hastily
collected and unorganized militia, making on the morning of the 2ist an aggre-
gate present of 3,810."
On the ipth Sibley took his men across the Rio Grande and two days later
formed them in battle array five miles north of the fort, having detoured to the
east of Fort Craig. Here, early in the morning, the Federal troops sallied out
and met the Confederates. For a time an intensive bombardment was conducted
by each side, then began a series of attacks and counter-attacks, with the usual
accompaniment of handrto-hand fighting. The contest waged fairly even until
late in the afternoon, when the Confederates, by a particularly brilliant charge,
captured the crack battery of the Federals, a six-gun unit, and then the tide
changed. Very soon the Union troops were compelled to retire from the field
and return to Fort Craig.
Upon both sides the casualties were extremely heavy, taking into consideration
the number of men engaged. This may be explained by the fact that among the
troops engaged were men inured to warfare, dead shots and, in all, cunning
fighters. These frontiersmen were accustomed to fighting Indians and to make
every shot count, so it was a case of diamond cut diamond. Canby reported that
3 of his officers and 65 enlisted men were killed outright, while 3 officers and 157
men were wounded, some mortally, also i officer and 34 men were missing. Later
reports, however, placed the Federal dead at about 100 men. The Colorado com-
pany lost 2 killed, 2 fatally wounded and 26 slightly or severely wounded. Sibley
reported that the Confederate loss was 40 killed and 100 wounded, although it is
believed that his casualties were greater than this figure shows.
After the conclusion of the battle, Sibley demanded the unconditional sur-
render of Fort Craig, but Canby refused. Thereupon, he again took up the north-
ward march. The Union troops were left in the fort, but their lines of com-
munication were cut and they were otherwise rendered without power of op-
position.
Sibley himself was at first retarded on account of his wounded, but many of
these were left at the Village of Socorro. By the I7th of March his whole force
had reached Albuquerque. The small force of Federal troops which had occupied
Albuquerque fled to Santa Fe, thence, with the troops at Fort Marcy in Santa
Fe, had gone to Fort Union, taking with them all the Federal supplies and equip-
ment which had been stored in the New Mexican capital. These troops barely
escaped capture by Maj. Charles L. Pyron's Confederates, some five, hundred
strong, who had been sent ahead of Sibley's force and had taken Santa Fe. After
this city had been taken, the main force of the southern army encamped at
Galisteo, about twenty miles south of Santa Fe. Accompanying the Union sol-
diers in their hurried exodus from the city were the civil officers of New Mexico,
including the governor, and the seat of administration was accordingly trans-
ferred to Las Vegas.
THE FIRST COLORADO
Immediately upon the receipt of the news at Denver of Sibley's advance from
Fort Bliss, an attempt was made to induce Gen. David Hunter, commander of
Fort Leavenworth and of the military division of which Colorado was a part,
712 HISTORY OF COLORADO
.to order more of the Colorado troops to the assistance of General Canby. Several
weeks passed by before any definite action was taken, then, on February 10, 1862,
Acting Governor Weld of Colorado Territory received the following instructions :
"Send all available forces you can possibly spare to reinforce Colonel Canby,
commanding Department of New Mexico, and to keep open his communication
through Fort Wise. Act promptly and with all the discretion of your latest
information as to what may be necessary and where the troops of Colorado can
do most service."
In Colorado, the seven companies at Camp Weld and the three at Fort Wise
received this news with great enthusiasm, and preparations for departure were
quickly made. The seven companies left Denver on February 22d and those from
Fort Wise marched out on March 3d, the two divisions under orders to join
forces in the south part of the territory and proceed to Fort Union with all
despatch. This meeting occurred near Trinidad. On the way down the south
part of Raton Pass a messenger from Fort Union met them, carrying the news
of Canby's defeat, and urging all haste toward Fort Union. Then forced marches
became the rule, one of which was for the distance of sixty-seven miles. Arrival
at Fort Union was made on the evening of March loth. Colonel Slough took
charge of the post and made all preparations to resist Sibley's army when it
appeared.
On March 22d the decision was made and put into effect to hunt the enemy
instead of waiting for him. Colonel Slough assembled the whole First Colorado,
Ford's company, a portion of one company of the Fourth New Mexico, a battalion
of regular infantry, three small detachments of Federal Cavalry and two light
batteries consisting of four guns each. This made a force of about 1,342 men,
75 per cent of whom were Colorado volunteers. This army moved out of Fort
Union on the 22d, as stated, and two days later were at Bernal Springs, about
fifty miles southwest of the fort.
The Confederates were, in tthe meantime, looking forward eagerly to the cap-
ture of Fort Union, which feat they considered to be easy, not knowing of the
presence of Colorado troops on New Mexican soil. Canby and his men had been
left at Fort Craig and from him Sibley anticipated no interference, or not until
he had his men safely behind the walls of Fort Union. Most of Sibley's troops
were at Galisteo, but an advance force was encamped about thirty-five miles
northwest of Bernal Springs, at the western end of La Glorieta Pass.
FIRST BATTLE OF LA GLORIETA PASS
On March 25th, Major Chivington, of the First Colorado Regiment, with a
force of 440 infantry and cavalry troops, marched from Bernal Springs to the
relief of Santa Fe, where, it was reported, about a hundred Confederates were in
control. On the 25th, while at a ranch house owned by M. Kozlowski, half way
between Bernal Springs and La Glorieta Pass, Chivington first learned of the
presence of the enemy in the neighborhood. Rebel scouts had been at the ranch
just before him and had gone in the direction of the pass. He immediately sent
out twenty-one of his men to capture these Confederates, which they did that
night at the entrance to the pass, at a point known as Pigeon's Ranch. They
were brought back to the Union camp and interrogated, with the result that
HISTORY OF COLORADO 713
Chivington learned of Sibley's advance force, consisting of 800 men, which was
encamped at the eastern end of the pass. He ordered the assembly blown and
shortly the whole force moved forward, with the intention of striking the enemy
before he had a chance to leave.
In the fore part of the afternoon of the 26th the Federals crossed the top of
the pass and soon afterward entered Apache Canon, where they met Sibley's
advance force in command of Major Pyron. The latter was marching to Fort
Union, and was taken wholly by surprise, and, although of superior force, was
compelled to retreat before the fire of the Colorado troops. The Confederates
retired to a more favorable position a mile farther down the canyon. The Fed-
erals poured a stream of bullets into their ranks from the front and from the
mountain-sides, finally charging the gray ranks and scattering the rebels in every
direction. A wild retreat was made down the canyon toward their former camp-
ing place, the dead and wounded, also eighty prisoners, being left in Chivington's
hands. In the evening, and by request of the Confederate commander, an armis-
tice was declared to permit the burial of the dead and removal of the wounded.
Chivingston's official report of the battle gave the casualty list as five dead
and fourteen wounded, although the correct figure was slightly in excess of this.
Four Colorado men were killed and seven wounded. Capt. Samuel H. Cook was
one of the wounded and Lieut. William F. Marshall was killed by the accidental
discharge of a gun after the battle was over. The Confederate loss was very
heavy.
The Federal forces returned through the pass to the ranch where they had
captured the enemy scouts, and there buried their dead. On the 27th they
marched to Kozlowski's Ranch and joined the remainder of the Federal command
under Colonel Slough, which had moved to that point while Chivington engaged
the enemy in the pass.
THE SECOND BATTLE
When the fight in Apache Canon had just begun, Major Pyron sent word to
the remainder of the Confederates at Galisteo, under Col. William R. Scurry
(Sibley being temporarily absent), asking for immediate reinforcements. In an
incredibly short time Scurry had his command on the march and by the next
morning had joined Pyron and his shattered troops at the western entrance to
La Glorieta Pass, a distance of fourteen miles from Galisteo. On the morning
of the 28th fully 1,100 Confederates started up the pass, leaving 300 men to
guard the wagon trains and supplies. Scurry was aware of the presence of
Federal troops at Kozlowski's Ranch, but anticipated an easy victory and unin-
terrupted progress to Fort Union.
Colonel Slough, having been apprised of the approach of the enemy in aug-
mented force, enacted a clever piece of strategy. He and his officers formulated
a plan whereby Chivington, with a third of the force, was to ascend the ridge at
the south of the pass, march along this ridge to the rear of the enemy, and then
descend in his rear, while Colonel Slough was to hurl the larger part of the
command directly in the face of the enemy. These two divisions, with a small
reinforcement from Fort Union, set out on the morning of the 28th, as usual
leaving a detachment in guard of the supplies at the ranch. Slough's men halted
714 HISTORY OF COLORADO
at Pigeon's Ranch for water and while resting the Confederate advance posts
were discovered up the pass. An advance was immediately made and the
Confederate resistance met within a half mile. The following authoritative
account of the ensuing battle is taken from Hall's History of Colorado :
"About 10 o'clock, while making his way through the scrub pine and cedar
brush in the mountains, Major Chivington and his command heard cannonading
to their right and were thereby apprised that Colonel Slough and his men had met
the enemy. At 12 o'clock he arrived with his men on the summit of the mountain
which overlooked the enemy's supply wagons, which had been left in the charge
of a strong guard with one piece of artillery mounted on an elevation command-
ing the camp and the mouth of the canyon. With great difficulty Chivington de-
scended the precipitous mountains, charged, took and spiked the gun, ran together
the enemy's supply wagons of commissary, quartermaster, and ordnance stores,
set them on fire, blew and burnt them up, bayoneted his mules in corral, took the
guard prisoners and reascended the mountain, where about dark he was met by
Lieutenant Cobb, aide-de-camp on Colonel Slough's staff, with the information
that Slough and his men had been defeated and fallen back to Kozlowski's. Upon
the supposition that this information was correct, Chivington, under the guidance
of a French Catholic priest, in the intense darkness, with great difficulty made
his way with his command through the mountains without a road or trail, and
joined Colonel Slough about midnight.
"Meanwhile, after Chivington and his detachment had left in the morning,
Colonel Slough with the main body, proceeded up the canyon, and arriving at
Pigeon's Ranch, gave orders for the troops to stack arms in the road and to
supply their canteens with water, as that would be the last opportunity before
reaching the further end of Apache Canon. While thus supplying themselves
with water and visiting the wounded in the hospital at Pigeon's Ranch, being
entirely off their guard, they were suddenly startled by a courier from the advance
column dashing down the road at full speed and informing them that the enemy
was close at hand. Orders were immediately given to fall in and take arms, but
before the order could be obeyed the enemy had formed battery and commenced
shelljng them. They formed as quickly as possible, the colonel ordering Captain
Downing with Company D, First Colorado Volunteers, to advance on the left,
and Captain Kerber, with Company I, First Colorado, to advance on the right.
In the meantime Ritter and Claflin opened a return fire on the enemy with their
batteries. Captain Downing advanced and fought desperately, meeting a largely
superior force in point of numbers, until he was almost overpowered and sur-
rounded ; when, happily, Captain Wilder of Company G, of the First Colorado,
with a detachment of his command, came to his relief, and extricated him and
that portion of his company not already slaughtered. While on the opposite side,
the right, Company I had advanced into an open space, feeling the enemy, and
ambitious of capturing his battery, when they were surprised by a detachment
which was concealed in an arroyo, and which, when Kerber and his men were
within forty feet of it, opened a galling fire upon them. Kerber lost heavily;
Lieutenant Baker being wounded, fell back. In the meantime the enemy massed,
and made five successive charges on our batteries, determined to capture them
as they had captured Canby's at Valverde. At one time they were within forty
yards of Slough's batteries, their slouch hats drawn down over their faces, and
HISTORY OF COLORADO 715
rushing on with deafening yells. It seemed inevitable that they would make the
capture, when Captain Claflin gave the order to cease firing, and Capt. Samuel
Robbins, with his Company K of the First Colorado, arose from the ground like
.ghosts, delivered a galling fire, charged bayonets, and on the double-quick put
the rebels to flight.
"During the whole of this time the cavalry, under Captain Rowland, was held
in reserve, never moving except to fall back and keep out of danger, with the
exception of Captain Cook's men, who dismounted and fought as infantry. From
the opening of the battle to its close odds were against Colonel Slough and
Jiis forces ; the enemy being greatly superior in numbers, with a better armament
of artillery, and equally well armed otherwise. But every inch of ground was
stubbornly contested. In no instance did Slough's forces fall back until they were
in danger of being flanked and surrounded, and for nine hours, without rest or
refreshment, the battle raged incessantly. At one time Claflin gave orders to
double-shot his guns, they being nothing but little brass howitzers, and he counted
•'One, two, three, four,' until one of his own carriages capsized and fell down into
the gulch ; from which place Capt. Samuel Robbins and his Company K extri-
cated it and saved it from falling into the enemy's hands.
"Having been compelled to give ground all day, Coloned Slough, between
5 and 6 o'clock in the afternoon, issued orders to retreat. About the same time
'General Sibley received information from the rear of the destruction of his supply
trains, and ordered a flag of truce to be sent to Colonel Slough, which did not
reach him, however, until he arrived at Koslowskie's. A truce was entered into
until 9 o'clock the next morning, which was afterward extended to twenty-four
liours, and under which Sibley with his demoralized forces fell back to Santa Fe,
laying that town under tribute to supply his forces.
"The 2Qth was spent in burying the dead, as well as those of the Confederates
which they had left on the field, and caring for the wounded. Orders were
received from General Canby directing Colonel Slough to fall back to Fort Union,
which so incensed him that while obeying the order he forwarded his resignation,
and soon after left the command."
Colonel Slough estimated that his losses had been twenty-eight killed and forty
wounded, but the official records of the First Colorado Regiment, of which one-
third had been with Chivington on the day of the battle, show that the dead of
this regiment numbered forty-three and the wounded fifty-eight. Lieut. Clark
Chambers of Company C and Lieut. John Baker of Company I were among the
killed. Companies D and I were the heaviest losers, the former with sixteen killed
and twenty wounded and the latter with fifteen killed and fifteen wounded. It
is thought that the Confederates lost more men that the Federals, although no
exact statistics of this are available.
Had not Canby sent his foolhardy order to Colonel Slough it is probable that
the whole Confederate force could have been captured or scattered by the Union
men, but orders from a superior officer meant obedience and Slough was com-
pelled to accede to them, although he resigned at the time of so doing. He after-
ward went East and was placed in command of the Military District of Alexan-
dria, Virginia, with the rank of brigadier general.
The coup accomplished by Chivington during the second battle of La Glorieta
Pass completely defeated the ambitions of the Confederates in the Southwest.
716 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Their dreams of a union with the Far West and the control of New Mexico^ and
Colorado territories were rudely dispelled and they were compelled to retreat
ignominiously to Santa Fe, where preparations were made for the withdrawal of
the entire Confederate force from the Rio Grande Valley to Fort Bliss.
THE RETREAT AND PURSUIT
Major Chivington succeeded Colonel Slough at the head of the First Colo-
rado and Captain Wynkoop, of Company A, was advanced to the former's rank
of major.
Sibley evacuated Santa Fe on April 5th and 6th, leaving his wounded behind.
On the ist, Canby, with a force of 1,200 men, including Dodd's Colorado com-
pany, had advanced up the Rio Grande Valley from Fort Craig and had sent an
order to Fort Union for the First Colorado to join him.
Canby met the retreating Confederates at old Albuquerque on the 8th, skir-
mished desultorily all day and then retired to Tijeras, fifteen miles northeast,
leaving the rebels in possession of the town. On the I2th the greater part of
Sibley's force crossed the Rio Grande to Los Lunas, twenty miles below, to wait
for the others. On the I3th Sibley evacuated Albuquerque and marched down
the river valley to Peralta, opposite Los Lunas. Canby placed no obstacle in the
path of this movement, which was as defiant as it was daring. On the evening
of the same day the First Colorado joined Canby at Tijeras, whereupon Canby
thought best to go in "pursuit," which he did, marching down the east side of the
Rio Grande thirty-five miles to a point within a short distance of Sibley's encamp-
ment at Peralta. Had Chivington been in command at this juncture, it is reason-
able to suppose that an immediate attack would have been made and the Con-
federates routed, for they were distinctly in a "groggy" condition. However,
for some reason, Canby refused to attack, claiming that it was an unnecessary
risk and that he cared not if the Confederates escaped, as it would lessen the
drain upon the provisions. On the I5th, the following day, Canby made a slight
advance upon the enemy, which resulted in a half-hearted engagement which
lasted until evening. Four Colorado boys were killed this day and many others
wounded.
That night, under the very nose of Canby, Sibley withdrew his men across
the river to Los Lunas, thence the next morning down the valley. Canby fol-
lowed on the east, opposite, side of the river, all the time within sight of the re-
treating enemy, but made no effort to attack, although his force was much
superior. Whether or not the fact that Canby and Sibley were brothers-in-law
had anything to do with this strange behavior is left for the reader to judge.
Sibley detoured past Fort Craig a short distance below Socorro, returned to
the river thirty miles below the fort and, after many hardships and the loss of
the greater part of his men, reached Fort Bliss about the ist of May. Canby
went only as far as Fort Craig.
Canby played a negligible part in the campaign against the Sibley forces; in
fact, it would have been a shorter and less expensive campaign if he had effaced
himself entirely. He worked at variance with Slough when actual fighting was
occurring and when he had his chance to deal a lasting blow to the Confederates
was too indifferent, to use a polite term, to take advantage of his opportunity.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 717
The glory of expelling the enemy from New Mexican Territory belongs to the
gallant Colorado volunteers, who were in the thickest of the conflict at all times
and suffered heavily. All the casualties had not been recorded, but these ex-
cepted, there were fifty-six killed and ninety-one wounded, about fifteen per cent
of their total strength. Such a loss in proportion in the great battles of the war
— Gettysburg, Antietam or Missionary Ridge — would have been beyond belief.
DISPOSAL OF THE FIRST COLORADO
After Sibley's escape down the Valley of the Rio Grande, Canby's men, in-
cluding the First Colorado, were stationed at Fort Craig, where a long and
tiresome period of inactivity was undergone. In May, 1862, Canby, with the
regulars and the New Mexican volunteers, went to Santa Fe, Chivington being
left in charge of southern New Mexico, with headquarters at Fort Craig. Chiv-
ington stood this irksome duty until July 4th, then was relieved at his own request
and marched the First back to Fort Union. Having arrived at this post, Chiving-
ton obtained leave of absence and went to Washington, to attempt to secure a
more active berth for his "crack" regiment. He asked to have the First changed
to a regiment of cavalry and also assignment in one of the great eastern armies,
preferably the Army of the Potomac. His request was only partially granted.
In October the War Department directed that the First Regiment, or the Second
Colorado which had been formed early in the year, be made into a cavalry regi-
ment for western service only, Governor Evans to select one of the two units for
the change.
In recognition of their services, the First Regiment soldiers were awarded the
change by Evans, who ordered Chivington to assemble the regiment at Colorado
City and attend to the details. Cavalry equipment and mounts were difficult to
obtain and not until the first of January, 1863, was the transformation from in-
fantry to cavalry effected completely. The regiment, resplendent with new uni-
forms, sabres and pennons, marched into Denver January I3th and there re-
ceived a joyous and liberal welcome from the proud citizens.
This was the last time the First Colorado appeared in service as a unit. The
companies were separated and in small detachments were .assigned duty in dif-
ferent parts of the territory, also in western Kansas and Nebraska. The Indian
depredations began about this time and it fell to the lot of the brave First to
guard the trails and fight the roving bands of savages. In this manner the First
served the country during the later years of the Rebellion.
THE SECOND COLORADO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
It has been stated before that the two companies of infantry recruited by
Dodd and Ford were to constitute the nucleus of the proposed Second Regiment
of Colorado Volunteers. In February, 1862, Jesse H. Leavenworth, son of
Col. Henry Leavenworth for whom Fort Leavenworth was named, was com-
missioned by the War Department to organize the Second Regiment, he to have
the office of colonel. Leavenworth came to Denver on May 12, 1862, bringing
with him a six-gun battery that had seen service at Fort Donelson in the Con-
718 HISTORY OF COLORADO
federate cause, and which was in charge of a few Wisconsin volunteer. artillery-
men.
Recruiting offices were soon opened in the larger communities of the territory
and regimental headquarters were established at Camp Weld. The first of the
next month the following were appointed captains of the six companies in the
process of organization : E. D. Boyd, William H. Green, L. D. Rowell, J. Nelson
Smith, S. W. Wagoner and George West. The authorities at Washington made
provisions for the formation of only six additional companies, which, with those
of Ford and Dodd, would make only eight to the regiment; this error resulting
from the general belief of the department that there were four companies in
Colorado ready to become part of the Second Regiment. By August fully two-
thirds of the total strength of the regiment had been acquired. Capt. Theodore
H. Dodd and Capt. James H. Ford had been given high offices in the Second, the
former that of lieutenant colonel and the latter major.
The Second left Camp Weld August 22nd and marched to Fort Lyon, arriving
on the 29th. A number of additional volunteers, composed of men who had en-
listed from southern Colorado for service in a New Mexican regiment, were
sent to Fort Lyon and entered into the ranks of the Second. In April, 1863,.
after several months of weary camp life, the Second was enlarged by the arrival
of the two veteran companies under Dodd and Ford.
At this same time six companies of the Second were ordered to Fort Leaven-
worth, the remainder of the regiment to remain at Fort Lyon. The six com-
panies named, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Dodd, left Fort Lyon
on the 6th of April, marching eastward. At Fort Riley, 135 miles west of Fort
Leavenworth, Dodd received new orders, directing him to go to Fort Scott, in
the southeastern part of Kansas. Here, with a number of Kansas colored troops,
the companies of the Second Colorado were made the escort of a huge wagon train
to Fort Gibson, in the Indian Territory. Upon the route a small battle was
fought with a mixed force of Indians and Confederates, led by Standwatie, a
Cherokee Indian with a brigadier general's commission. Twenty-three men of
the Union forces were killed or wounded, while the enemy lost considerably
more.
Having arrived at Fort Gibson, the Colorado companies were attached to-
the command of Gen. James G. Blunt, then preparing to meet the Confederate
army under Gen. Douglass H. Cooper, who was approaching along the north
side of the Arkansas River. Cooper's force was estimated then to be about six
thousand of nondescript character — Indians, Confederates, renegades and gen-
eral flotsam and jetsam of the frontier. The Federal army, comprising 2,500
men and twelve pieces of field artillery, left Fort Gibson and met Cooper's ad-
vance on July 1 7th, at Honey Springs, near the mouth of Elk Creek, a tributary
of the Arkansas. The ensuing battle lasted barely two hours, but in that time
the well-trained and courageous Union soldiers completely routed the enemy.
Blunt lost seventeen killed and about fifty wounded, while the Confederates —
and Indians — lost fully 150 killed and 400 wounded. The supply train of the
enemy was burned by Cooper to prevent it falling into the hands of the Fed-
erals. Five weeks later, General Blunt occupied the post at Fort Smith, Ar-
kansas.
In the meantime, Colonel Leavenworth was succeeded as colonel of the Sec-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 719
ond by Lieutenant Colonel Dodd. Leavenworth, through a small technicality, was
dismissed from the service, but quickly reinstated. However, his pride caused
him to resign his commission.
OTHER VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS
In 1862 the organization of two more volunteer units in the Territory of
Colorado was begun. One of these was the Third Regiment of Colorado Volun-
teer Infantry, of which William Larimer was to be colonel, and the other was
a battery of field artillery, to be commanded by William D. McLain. Recruiting
was enthusiastically begun in the fall of the year, but the number of recruits was
small. A sufficient number to form a few companies, however, had entered by
December ist and these were taken to Camp Weld, then having been renamed
Camp Elbert, in honor of Samuel H. Elbert, then Secretary of the Territory.
Lieut. Col. Samuel S. Curtis had been appointed to the regiment and he assumed
charge of the camp, with the task of whipping the "rookies" into shape. Gen-
eral Larimer resigned from the regiment. No further enlistments of any im-
portance were secured and by the first of February, 1863, there were only enough
soldiers for five companies, A, B, C, D and E, under Capts. R. R. Harbour, E. W.
Kingsbury, E. P. Elmer, G. W. Morton and Thomas Moses, Jr., respectively.
An order had been received in January to proceed to Fort Leavenworth, but de-
lay of supplies and equipment prevented the start until March 3d. At this time
five companies, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Curtis, began their
march down the Platte to Fort Leavenworth, arriving April 23d.
The battery which was raised by Captain McLain developed into a four-piece
organization. Besides the captain, the officers were : George S. Eayre, first lieu-
tenant ; and H. W. Baldwin, second lieutenant. This battery was also sent to
Fort Leavenworth and later participated in the military operations in eastern
Kansas and Missouri.
The five companies which constituted the embryonic Third Colorado re-
mained at Leavenworth but a short time. During the latter part of April they
were despatched to St. Louis by boat, thence to Sulphur Springs, twenty miles
farther south. Here they remained until the latter part of May, then were or-
dered to Pilot Knob, Missouri, there becoming a part of Schofield's Army of the
Frontier. Under this command they remained during the summer and autumn
months.
MERGER OF SECOND AND THIRD COLORADO
On October n, 1863, the Second and Third regiments of Colorado Volun-
teer Infantry were ordered to consolidate into a new regiment, to be known as
the Second Regiment of Colorado Volunteer Cavalry. At this time the two
regiments were widely scattered — six companies of the Second had been attached
to General Blunt's command, the remainder at the time doing outpost and guard
duty along the Arkansas River trails, and the Third was a part of Schofield's
Army of the Frontier.
This necessitated much delay, consequently it was not until the late fall that
the two regiments assembled at St. Louis, as per orders. In January following
720 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the reorganization was accomplished and the regimental officers chosen were:
James H. Ford, colonel; Theodore H. Dodd, lieutenant colonel; Samuel S. Cur-
tis, J. Nelson Smith and Jesse L. Pritchard, majors. The companies of the Sec-
ond became Companies A, B, C, D, E, F and G, while those of the Third be-
came Companies H, I, K, L and M.
CAREER OF THE SECOND CAVALRY
Colonel Ford's regiment, 1,240 strong, well equipped and mounted, was or-
dered to Kansas City in the latter part of January, 1864, where Ford was
placed in command of a military sub-district, consisting of three border counties
— Jackson. Cass and Bates, the former including Kansas City. Under his com-
mand, in addition to the Second Colorado Cavalry, there were: a regiment of
Missouri infantry, some Missouri militia and two companies of Minnesota in-
fantry. Until the autumn of 1864 Ford's troops engaged in combating the fierce
guerillas through Missouri, a form of warfare much disliked by all northern
soldiers, but popular among certain classes of Confederates.
Both the Second Colorado Cavalry and McLain's Battery were chosen in
September, 1864, as part of the army to meet Gen. Sterling Price's Confederates,
a host 15,000 strong which marched into Missouri with the intention of conquer-
ing the state. Price's troops were seasoned veterans, but nevertheless were re-
pulsed from St. Louis. The Confederates then moved westward to Jefferson
City, there again to be defeated. From Jefferson City, Price marched up the
Missouri River, with the purpose of investing Kansas City and capturing Fort
Leavenworth. Gen. S. R. Curtis, in command of the Department of Kansas and
the Indian Territory, with headquarters at Leavenworth, hastened to assemble
all available troops at Kansas City and Independence, and the Colorado troops,
who had been assigned under General Blunt, were stationed at Lexington, Mis-
souri. The heavy hand of Price's army soon fell upon Blunt and his small com-
mand.
On the morning of October 2Oth, Price's gray-clad men appeared before
Lexington and quickly attacked the Federal troops. The latter, fighting desper-
ately, held the attacking ranks off until night, then withdrew from the position,
which was rapidly becoming untenable, to the Little Blue River, six miles east
of Independence. Here, on the 2ist, they again engaged Price's entire army,
suffering heavy losses. Blunt was compelled to again fall back to the Big Blue
River, joining the main army of General Curtis which had been reinforced by
Pleasanton's Cavalry. This augmented command, on October 22d, succeeded in
inflicting a severe defeat upon the Confederates, which was the beginning of the
end for' Price and his army.
By the end of the 23d of October, after a day of continual battle, Price began
a disordered retreat southward, closely followed by the Union forces. On the
night of the 24th he was attacked in Linn County, Kansas, by Curtis' men, in-
cluding the Colorado companies, and driven out. The Confederates came to
bay again on the 25th at Mine Creek, but could not maintain their stand and
were forced onward.
The culminating battle occurred on the 28th at Newtonia, a Missouri village
southeast of Fort Scott. The struggle waged bitterly, with great losses upon
HISTORY OF COLORADO 721
each side, until finally Price's army was driven from the field. He was pursued
as far as the Arkansas, when, with the remnant of his once well-equipped and
trained army, he was permitted to escape across the river. The Second Colo-
rado's losses at Newtonia included forty-two men killed outright. This was
easily the most sanguinary engagement of the campaign.
In December, 1864, the Colorado troops which had participated in the Price
campaign were ordered to Fort Riley, Kansas, there to be assigned to the service
against the plains Indians. In this manner they continued until the fall of 1865,
when they were mustered out.
RAID INTO COLORADO TERRITORY
The nearest approach to an organized Confederate expedition into Colorado
Territory was the raid by James Reynolds' Texan guerrillas into the South Park
in the summer of 1864. Reynolds, formerly a miner in the South Park, entered
southeastern Colorado with twenty-one renegades in July, intending to pillage
and murder indiscriminately. The band avoided Fort Lyon, Pueblo and Canon
City, but proceeded to the South Park, where the men began a systematic cam-
paign of plundering, attacking ranchmen, miners and stage coaches. Reynolds
boasted that he intended to ravish Denver at the first opportunity, but this op-
portunity never came. Colorado citizens began a determined hunt i'or the des-
perado and his gang. The first conflict resulted in the death of three of the
band and the wounding of Reynolds himself, whereupon all fled, leaving their
supplies and plunder behind. A few days later Reynolds and five of his men
were captured near Canon City, the others escaping. The leader and his men
were brought to Denver, then started for Fort Lyon under military guard. Just
what happened at this juncture is not known definitely, but can be guessed with
little error, for very shortly the troops returned to Denver with the statement
that Reynolds and his men had been shot while attempting to escape near the
head of Cherry Creek.
THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
On the night of February 15, 1898, the U. S. Battleship "Maine" lay peace-
fully at anchor in the harbor of Havana, Cuba. Without warning and with the
suddenness of a lightning flash the majestic warrior of the seas was destroyed,
together with the lives of 266 of the American sailors on board.
Interested the country had been in the events preceding this disaster — watch-
ful and apprehensive — but the tragedy in the Havana Harbor quickly kindled
the fires of martial excitement and in Colorado, as in the whole nation, the people
prepared for war. President McKinley appointed a commission to investigate the
"Maine" explosion, and when this committee made its formal report, which was
sent to Congress by the President, the warlike spirit of the country was expressed
in the determination to drive Spain out of the Western Hemisphere. Nothing
more remained but to declare war, which was done by Congress on April 25th.
On April 23d, President McKinley, as authorized by Congress, issued a procla-
mation calling for 125,000 volunteers for two years' service or for the duration
722 HISTORY OF COLORADO
of the war. Within an incredibly short time this number was secured and on
May 25th 75,000 more volunteers were called.
In Colorado the quota fixed under the two calls of the President was: one
regiment of infantry, two troops of cavalry and one battery of artillery, consist-
ing in all of about sixteen hundred men. Military affairs in the state had been
at low ebb for several years prior to April, 1898, but when the first rumors of
friction between Spain arid America became current, recruiting was vastly
stimulated. There were two partial regiments of infantry, three small cavalry
troops and the Chaffee Light Artillery in Colorado and these forces quickly ap-
proached war strength in the few months just before the declaration of war.
After hostilities were in force Governor Adams issued a mobilization order
to all the Colorado troops and on April 29th they were assembled. Camp was
made in Denver, near the City Park, which site became known as Camp Adams,
in honor of the governor. Hardly a week passed before one full regiment of
infantry, two troops of cavalry and a battery of artillery, which filled the quota,
were ready for active service.
THE FIRST REGIMENT
The First Regiment of Colorado Infantry was mustered into the service of
the United States on the ist of May, 1898. The field and staff officers, appointed
by Governor Adams, were :
Irving Hale, of Denver, colonel.
Henry B. McCoy, of Pueblo, lieutenant colonel.
Cassius M. Moses, of Pueblo, major.
Charles H. Anderson, of Denver, major.
Dr. Clayton Parkhill, of Denver, surgeon.
Dr. Louis H. Kemble, of Denver, surgeon.
Dr. Charles E. Locke, of Denver, assistant surgeon.
Alexander McD. Brooks, of Denver, adjutant.
William B. Sawyer, of Denver, adjutant.
David L. Fleming, of Leadville, chaplain.
There were twelve companies in the First Regiment, each company represent-
ing a group of towns or a city. Companies A and C were enlisted mostly from
Pueblo; Companies B, E, I and K from Denver; Companies F and L from Lead-
ville; Company G from Cripple Creek; Company H from Boulder; and Com-
pany M from Colorado Springs. The company officers were :
Company A — John S. Stewart, captain; William F. Dortenbach, first lieu-
tenant; Samuel E. Thomas, second lieutenant.
Company B — Frank W. Carroll, captain; Charles B. Lewis, first lieutenant;
Charles E. Hooper, second lieutenant.
Company C — Ewing E. Booth, captain ; William H. Sweeney, first lieutenant ;
Willard P. Bidwell, second lieutenant.
Company D — John A. Taylor, captain ; George Borstadt, first lieutenant ; Al-
bert J. Luther, second lieutenant.
Company E — Kyle Rucker, Captain ; Clarence W. Lothrop, first lieutenant ;
Rice W. Means, second lieutenant.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 723
Company F — G. Ralph Cummings, captain; Charles S. Haughwout, first lieu-
tenant; Willard G. Riggs, second lieutenant.
Company G — David P. Howard, captain; Thomas C. Brown, first lieutenant;
Walter P. Burke, second lieutenant.
Company H — Charles B. Eastman, captain; Charles H. Wilcox, first lieu-
tenant ; Fred L. Perry, second lieutenant.
Company I — William R. Grove, captain; Charles H. Hilton, Jr., first lieuten-
ant ; Charles O. Zollars, second lieutenant.
Company K — William A. Cornell, captain; William J. Vannice, first lieuten-
ant; Ralph B. Lister, second lieutenant.
Company L — David P. LaSalle, captain; Cornelius F. O'Keefe, first lieu-
tenant; Franklin Ballou, Jr., second lieutenant.
Company M — Clyde C. Spicer, captain; Charles H. Sleeper, first lieutenant;
James H. Gowdy, second lieutenant.
The First was a regiment of picked men in every sense of the word. The
number of applicants for enlistment was far in excess of the number desired,
consequently only those best fitted and trained for military life were accepted.
At first it was thought that the regiment would be sent to Cuba and among the
early orders the First was included among the regiments ordered to Chicka-
mauga Park, Tennessee. However, the Philippines became the center of interest
t efore the regiment moved and on May I3th orders were received directing the
First to entrain for San Francisco, thence across the Pacific to Manila.
On the I4th the regiment marched proudly into Denver, where a national
flag was presented by the Sons of the Revolution. On the next day a handsome
regimental flag, the gift of Mrs. William Cooke Daniels, was presented to the
First with appropriate ceremony.
May i /th was the day of farewells to the regiment. The whole command,
consisting of 1,086 men, accompanied by the regimental band, marched through
the City of Denver, along streets black with cheering crowds, to the Union Sta-
tion. It is said that never before, nor since, has such a patriotic celebration oc-
curred in Denver. Four trains awaited with steam up to carry the soldiers west-
ward, while the men hurriedly said their good-byes.
The First arrived at San Francisco on May 2ist and encamped at Camp
Merritt, their section of which was called Camp Hale, in honor of the colonel.
While here, orders from the War Department directed that each company be
recruited to a strength of 104 men, and accordingly a detachment of the First
returned to Denver, obtaining 200 new men in quick time. The new soldiers ar-
rived at San Francisco June 24th, one week after the regiment had sailed for
Manila; one half of the detachment followed on August ist, arriving at Manila
September ist, and the remainder started August 2ist, were delayed at Honolulu,
and did not disembark at the Philippine port until November 23d.
The main body of the First were landed at Paranaque and pitched tents at
Camp Dewey. After a week spent here the active work of the campaign was
begun. Regimental activities for a time consisted mainly of reconnoitering, road
making, trench digging, guard duty, with a few skirmishes thrown in for excite-
ment. The First was ordered to participate in the attack upon the City of
Manila, which occurred August I3th, and in this engagement the Colorado boys
conducted themselves brilliantly. Late in the morning of that day, after some
724 HISTORY OF COLORADO
artillery preparation, Colonel Hale was ordered to lead his regiment against the
Spanish fortifications and capture Fort San Antonio. This was done in one
charge, while the regimental band played "A Hot Time in the Old Town To-
night," and the flag raised over the fort by Adjutant Brooks, Lieutenant Colonel
McCoy and Lieutenant Lister was the first to be flown over the Manila defenses.
Shortly after, Color Serg. Richard Holmes and the Color Guard raised the flag
at Malate, a suburb of Manila, which was the first national emblem within the
city.
The predominant part played by the First Colorado in the capture of the
Philippine city led to several promotions. Colonel Hale was promoted to the
rank of brigadier general by President McKinley and Governor Adams advanced
Lieut. Col. Henry B. McCoy to the command of the regiment, while Maj. Cas-
sius M. Moses became lieutenant colonel.
For several months afterward the duties of the First were not greatly hazard-
ous, consisting of guard and outpost work, part of the time at Bilibid Prison.
In February, 1899, the insurgents under Aguinaldo became troublesome and
the First became part of the force which captured blockhouses 5 and 6, also par-
ticipated in the recovery of the Manila water-reservoir, and the pumping-station.
Until late in March the regiment then remained on guard at the pumping-station,
with frequent small engagements with the natives who were conducting a guer-
rilla warfare.
Companies A, M and a portion of E, under Lieutenant Colonel Moses, en-
gaged in the advance toward Malolos on March 25th and fought bitterly with
the insurgents during the entire day. On March 3ist, Companies C, D, E and
G participated in a movement against Mariquina and San Mateo, capturing the
enemy entrenchments under extreme difficulties. During the latter part of May
and the forepart of June, Companies A, C, F, G. K and L were in the advance
upon Antipolo and Morong, under General Lawton. The next expedition, also
under the command of the brave Lawton, in which Colorado troops engaged, was
against a large force of Filipinos near Paranaque and Las Pinas. The American
force, consisting of about five thousand men, was composed of regulars, with the
exception of a troop of Nevada cavalry and Companies B, D, E, F, I and M of
the First Colorado under Colonel McCoy. Several casualties were inflicted upon
the First in the capture of Las Pinas, but during the whole of the fighting the
Colorado soldiers bore a conspicuous part and received warm praise for their
gallantry. This was the last active field service in which the Colorado men par-
ticipated. On June nth they went into camp at Manila, were assigned to guard
duty at the waterworks, where the greater portion of the regiment remained un-
til departure for the states.
Orders for embarkation, were received July 4th and on the next day camp
at the waterworks was "struck." On the 6th the regiment marched into the
City of Manila, boarded the transport Warren on the i5th, and sailed on the i8th,
just one year after the troops had arrived on Philippine soil. The transport
stopped at Nagasaki and Yokohama, Japan, on the return voyage and arrived
at San Francisco on August i6th, there to be met by Governor Charles S. Thomas,
Adj. Gen. J. C. Overmeyer and other Colorado men of prominence. The regi-
ment was mustered out at the Presidio on September 8th and reached Denver
on September i4th. In their home city the men were accorded a gigantic wel-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 725
come. A fund of $35,000 was raised by popular subscription to provide for their
transportation home, in order that they might keep the funds which had been
given for that purpose by the Government ; new colors were presented ; addresses
were made and a banquet given ; and, as a fitting reward, subscriptions were raised
to provide for a bronze medal for each soldier, commemorative of their heroic
service upon foreign soil.
Many changes occurred in the personnel of the First Colorado during the
period of service. Officers were changed frequently and many men from the
ranks received commissions. Fully 10 per cent of the regiment had received
discharges at Manila, preferring to remain in the service. Most of these men
enlisted in the Thirty-Sixth U. S. Volunteer Regiment, being organized at the
time the First sailed for home.
CASUALTIES
One of the features of the First Colorado's war service is the fact that so
few men died of disease, a fact which proves the excellent physical character
of the men, and the efficient sanitary methods of the regiment. The list of those
who died in the service, either from Spanish bullets or sickness, follows :
Aldrich, Archie A., Company E, died at Manila, April 18, 1899, of wounds.
Bell, William H., Company C, died of smallpox, January n, 1899.
Bowser, Clifford H., Company K, died of wounds, June 9, 1899.
Bryant, R. M., Company K, died of variola, February 25, 1899.
Bush, W. H., Company I, died of dysentery, March 24, 1899.
Carlson, Charles, Company L, killed in action, February 5, 1899.
Daniel, Elmer E., unassigned, septicaemia, at San Francisco, August I, 1898.
Dawson, B. W., unassigned, died of remittent malarial fever, at Honolulu,
October 24, 1898.
Donahue, W. J., Company F, variola, February 26, 1899.
Doran, Elmer F., Company I, killed in action, February 5, 1899.
Downing, Walter, Company L, acute dysentery, November 22, 1898.
Doxsee, Harry L., Company C, killed in action, May 23, 1899.
Duval, Frank A., Company F, died of wounds, June 28, 1899.
Falkenburg, Harry C., musician, died of smallpox, January 20, 1899.
Haviland, Albert, Company F, variola, February 24, 1899.
Hegewer, Bert C., unassigned, spinal meningitis, at San Francisco, August
15, 1898-
Jefferson, W. S., Company G, typhoid fever, at San Francisco, November
20, 1898.
Lillie, Charles, Company I, acute diarrhoea, February 10, 1899.
Lindsey, Frank B., Company L, died at sea on homeward voyage, August 8,
1899.
Loosa, August H., unassigned, septicaemia, at San Francisco, August 5, 1898.
McDowell, Harry A., Company M, suicide, December 4, 1898.
McMurray, William S., Company C, accidentally drowned, November 2,
1898.
Neptune, Frank D., Company H, at San Francisco, August 22, 1899.
Phillippi, Leonard E., Company G, died of wound, April i, 1899.
726 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Phoenix, Charles, Company I, died of wound, August 18, 1898.
Pynchon, Edward R., Company K, died of wound, March 26, 1899.
Ramsay, Arthur, Company F, spinal meningitis, February 20, 1899.
Reisig, Harry J., Company M, July 14, 1899.
Sarazin, Norbert, Company B, typhoid fever, October 4, 1898.
Saunders, David I., Company I, smallpox, December 20, 1898.
Scroggs, John A., Company A, acute malaria, October 4, 1898.
Smith, Bernard J., Company B, variola, March 18, 1899.
Springstead, F. E., Company K, killed in action, August I, 1898.
Stewart, Capt. John S., Company A, killed in action, March 25, 1899.
Sullivan, Niel C, Company H, spinal meningitis, June 4, 1898.
Tinnerholm, Ivan, Company H, tuberculosis, at sea on homeward voyage,
August 2, 1899.
Warrington, George W., Company F, dysentery, July 8, 1899.
White, Cass, Company D, killed in action, February 5, 1899.
Whiteside, Thomas F., Company M, at Manila, March 23, 1899.
Wise, Walter W., spinal meningitis, at sea, July 5, 1898.
SERVICE OF OTHER COLORADO TROOPS
As stated before, the remainder of Colorado's troops in the Spanish- American
war consisted of two organizations of cavalry and one battery of artillery. There
were really three small cavalry troops in the state — Troop A at Leadville, and
Troops B and C at Denver — but A and B received precedence over C as ranking
organizations. Troops A and B were mustered into the United States service
on May 6th, the official date being given as May ist, however. The officers of
Troop A were: Charles A. McNutt, captain; John Harvey, Jr., first lieutenant;
and Frederick A. Follett, second lieutenant. Troop B was officered by: William
G. Wheeler, captain; Arthur L. B. Davies, first lieutenant; Francis A. Perry,
second lieutenant. These two troops were assigned to the Second United States
Volunteer Cavalry, under command of Col. Jay L. Torrey. The Colorado troop-
ers left Denver May 3Oth for Fort D. A. Russell, near Cheyenne, Wyoming, and
became the ranking troops of "Torrey's Rough Riders." On June 22d the regi-
ment left Fort D. A. Russell and proceeded to join the Seventh Army Corps,
under Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, at Jacksonville, Florida. Arrival was made June 28th
and camp was pitched at Panama Park, near the city. The regiment, with the
Seventh Corps, was destined for active service in Cuba, also attack upon Havana,
but the early closing of the campaign in that country prevented the Second Cav-
alry' from leaving its native soil. The regiment remained in camp at Jacksonville
until October 24, 1898, when it was mustered out of the service. Five men of
the Colorado contingent died while in camp ; these were :
Johnson, Ralph S., Troop B, died of fever, September 10, 1898.
Moss, Peter E., Troop B, died of fever, September 15, 1898.
Nellis, George G., Troop B, died of fever, September 15, 1898.
O'Brien, William J., Troop B, died of fever, September 13, 1898.
Woodhall, Serg. Thomas A., serving on Colonel Torrey's staff, died of fever,
October 2, 1898.
The Colorado Battery, formed from the Chaffee Light Artillery, was not
HISTORY OF COLORADO 727
mustered into the United States service until July i, 1898. The officers were:
Harry J. Parks, captain; John G. Locke, first lieutenant; and John C. Exline,
second lieutenant. The organization was assigned as Battery A, First Colorado
Volunteer Artillery, but was known as an independent battery during the term
of service. On July 2,, 1898, the battery was taken to Fort Logan, near Denver,
and there remained until August I2th, when it was transferred to Fort Hancock,
New Jersey, arriving August i6th. Here the battery stayed until mustered out
of the service November 7, 1898. No deaths occurred in Battery A during this
period.
Two other young men of Denver who met death in the service were Herbert
A. Lafferty and Thomas R. Sullivan. Lafferty, a graduate of West Point in
February, 1898, became a second lieutenant in the Seventh U. S. Infantry, served
in Cuba, and died at Montauk Point, New York, September 17, 1898 of wounds
received at Santiago, Cuba. Sullivan, formerly member of Troop B, Colorado
National Guard, was discharged March 9, 1898, and became first lieutenant in
Company I, First U. S. Volunteer Engineers, contracted fever in Porto Rico
and died in New York City November 3, 1898.
THE WORLD WAR
The story of Colorado's participation in the events which have occurred since
the United States' entrance into the present World War is one of patriotism and
pride. The state has accomplished great things in preparation and has not only
given freely of her youth, but has given money continually and liberally. The
future historian of the State of Colorado will have a larger and greater story to
tell of the state's share in the great struggle overseas, as now the accomplish-
ments have been directed toward the war preparations and other tasks necessary
for the insurance of success. In the columns of the Rocky Mountain News,
Governor Julius C. Gunter stated :
"Colorado is shaped for war. The state is organized to meet any demand
the nation may make. At the threshold of the New Year (1918) Colorado faces
the war problem of future months with a council of defense in every county of
the state. This means that our state is well advanced in preparation to bear its
part and to do its share in all of the services President Wilson had in mind when
he said : 'It is not an army we must shape and train for war ; it is a nation,' and it
further means that Colorado's people, zealous to give their abilities and resources
to the cause of the world's democracy and liberty, are coordinated and unified
in organizations that can quickly and effectively translate into action the policies
of their chief executives, state and nation. Thus prepared, Colorado will bend
its energies in concentration upon the performance of its work.
"Our state began its loyal action before even the declaration of war. First
an appropriation in the regular session of the Legislature, in anticipation of the
possibility of war. Again, on March 29, 1917, four days before our President de-
livered his historic address at the joint session of Congress, and eight days before
the issuance of the official proclamation declaring the existence of a state of war
with Germany, the chief executive of this state called together a voluntary group
of citizens to advise and aid in the direction of Colorado's war activities. From
then until now that group of volunteers, since enlarged as conditions have de-
728 HISTORY OF COLORADO
manded, has been laboring continuously and zealously to meet fundamental
needs." This organization is now known as the Colorado Council of Defense
which, with its auxiliary, the Woman's Council of Defense, has done such lauda-
ble work.
Prior to the outbreak of the war the National Guard of Colorado was con-
sidered one of the best state organizations in the country. This body of men
was well, equipped, well trained and every way ready for instant call to the colors.
The state National Guard aggregated about forty-two hundred men when mus-
tered into the United States service on August 5, 1917. The mustering was
directed at that time by Capt. I. L. Hunsaker of the regulars, who had been de-
tailed by the War Department as senior mustering officer for Colorado. Previ-
ously, on July 7th, the troops had been mobilized by Governor Gunter's orders
and encamped while awaiting formal muster. By the close of the year prac-
tically all of the companies and regiments had been transported to national camps.
The First and Second Regiments of Infantry and the First Regiment of Cavalry
were stationed at Camp Kearney, Linda Vista, California, also a signal corps
company was there. The First Battalion of Field Artillery was despatched to
Camp Mills, Long Island, New York, there becoming a part of the Sunset Divi-
sion. The Field Hospital Company of the Colorado National Guard is now upon
French soil, being part of the famous Rainbow Divisioin.
Something of the war activities of Colorado during the year may be learned
from the following figures :
Number of officers and men of the Colorado National Guard in the
United States service 4,250
Number of Colorado citizens drafted and sent to the national camps 4,753
Red Cross funds subscribed by the state $1,570,000
Red Cross funds subscribed by Denver City $714,500
Colorado's subscription to First Liberty Loan $18,000,000
Denver's subscription to First Liberty Loan $12,900,000
Colorado's subscription to Second Liberty Loan $23,017,850
Denver's subscription to Second Liberty Loan $14,913,600
Total registration in state under selective conscription law 83,847
Total registration of Denver 18,468
While Colorado boys are going to war to fight for democracy, echoes come of
that old conflict back in the '6os when other Colorado boys, some of them fathers
of those who are now going to the front, were fighting for an undivided nation
and the right to open western America to the white man.
A document of interest to state historians has recently come from one of
those who helped to write the early chapters of the history of Colorado in war
time. Sylvester Gilson, private of Company B, Second Colorado Cavalry, now
living in Los Angeles, has added to the archives a copy of the parting address
of Capt. J. C. W. Hall as he bade his comrades farewell and retired from the
service with the reorganization of the regiment in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on
November 15, 1864.
Colorado was nearly a thousand miles from the seat of the conflict, isolated
by untracked prairies stretching from the mountains to the Mississippi, yet its
HISTORY OF COLORADO 729
troops did valiant service in heading off raiding guerrila bands and played a
part in the defense of St. Louis from capture by Confederates. The long hike
those early day Colorado soldiers took gives them a unique place in the history of
the Civil war.
The address of the retiring captain in part recites this march, but the
achievement can better be appreciated when one considers that the route of the
regiment wove from Denver through New Mexico to Honey Springs, Arkansas,
to Fort Gibson, in the Cherokee nation; to St. Louis and back to Kansas City
and Fort Leavenworth.
REGIMENTS CONSOLIDATED AS CAVALRY UNIT
The Second and Third Colorado regiments were filled with their full com-
plement of men and it was decided to consolidate them and make them cavalry
instead of infantry. This was effected at Benton Barracks, near St. Louis, and
it was then that a readjustment of the official roster became necessary and Cap-
tain Hall retired.
James H. Ford became colonel, T. H. Dodd, lieutenant colonel, S. S. Curtis,
J. Nelson Smith and Jesse L. Pritchard, majors of the new cavalry regiment,
which under the consolidation became a regiment of twelve squadrons magnifi-
cently mounted and armed. Colonel Ford was placed in command of the district
of central Missouri, Captain Hall became his provost marshal.
The troops had frequent skirmishes with bands of Missouri bushwhackers,
the most harrassing and perilous form of warfare which had been known to that
time, and invariably the men from the mountains of Colorado acquitted them-
selves with credit.
The address of their retiring commander recites some of their deeds as gen-
eral orders No. 40:
UNFLINCHING BRAVERY PRAISED BY OFFICER
"The captain commanding announces to the members of his company that he
this day leaves you as your company commander, and in leaving you he leaves
a company which is a pride to its adopted territory and his pride to command,
and whose gallantry and good deportment now forms a part of their country's
history.
"You were the first soldiers to leave Colorado in defense of your country;
you were the only representatives of Colorado at the battle of Val Verde, New
Mexico, February 21, 1862, and your participation in that conflict has been a
theme of praise.
"You nobly sustained your reputation in the different skirmishes, long and
toilsome marches through snow, wind and sandstorms, in driving the Texan army
from the soil of New Mexico.
"Your footprints in the sands and the sweat of your brows while on the
march from Fort Union, New Mexico, to Fort Blunt, Cherokee Nation, a dis-
tance of over twelve hundred miles, and your conduct at the battle of Cabin
Creek, Cherokee Nation, July i and 2, 1863 ; your forced march and the unflinch-
ing bravery manifested in the hard-fought battle of Honey Springs, July 17, 1863 >
730 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the untiring energy with which you performed the duties of provost guard and
guarded for so long a time a large number of prisoners at Fort Blunt, will long
be remembered.
"Your march from Fort Blunt, Cherokee Nation, to St. Louis, Missouri,
thence across the state to Kansas City, Missouri, in the dead of winter; your
many toilsome and dangerous scouts after bushwhackers in the district of central
Missouri; your efficiency as provost guard at Kansas City, Missouri, incurring
the love as soldiers and as a company of all citizens who knew you, and finally,
your bravery and devotion to your country's cause in volunteering after the term
of service of the larger portion of you had expired, and joining your regiment in
the hard-fought battles of .Little Blue, Missouri, October 21, 1864; Big Blue
and Westport, Missouri, October 22 and 23, 1864, and your conduct in the many
skirmishes and night marches in driving Price's army with marked rapidity to
the State of Texas, and the cheerfulness with which you have marched over
five thousand miles as infantry, and performed every required duty as infantry
and cavalry soldiers, forms a part of a most worthy history.
HEROIC DEAD ARE LAUDED FOR SACRIFICE
"Your territory honors you, and it is with pride that your friends speak of
you as soldiers of Company B, Second Colorado Cavalry. The price of your
good name is shown in the records of your comrades who have been wounded,
and who have laid down their lives as a sacrifice to their country's honor and
integrity, to the perpetuity of her institutions and of the Union.
"The sad dreams of the past bring mournfully to our minds the names of
Privates West, Hicks, Brown, Woodward, McKee, George, Eastland and Dicka-
son as having a place among the heroic dead of our commonwealth, besides many
others who have their names upon the list of those wounded and maimed for life.
"I would say to you, as a parting request, remember and appreciate the com-
pliments and kindness awarded you by your colonel, James H. Ford, your com-
manding generals, Canby, Carleton, Blunt, Curtis and Brown. To those of
the company who are soon to indulge in a citizen life, I would say, encourage
and uphold the institutions of our Government, and encourage a vigorous prosecu-
tion of the war.
"To those of the company who are to continue in the service, I would say,
stand by the principles you first enlisted upon, stand by your country, and when
the contest comes between you and the enemy of the Union, strike and battle
with will and determination until the last foe has fled who would sever and de-
stroy this glorious Union, and the true and wise will sustain you, and the patri-
otic will honor you."
FORT LOGAN
Early in the year 1887, Henry R. Wolcott, Sen. N. P. Hill, David H. Moffat
and other wealthy men proposed to donate a tract of land sufficient for the estab-
lishment of a large garrison near Denver. The real leader of the movement was
Maj. W. S. Peabody, who acted as agent for the men interested and for the
Chamber of Commerce, and who also aided in drafting the bill which went through
HISTORY OF COLORADO 731
the lower House of Congress. On February 28, 1887, Congress passed an act
authorizing the secretary of war to establish a military post near Denver; the
same act appropriated $100,000 to be expended under the secretary's direction
for the necessary construction work. The State of Colorado was required to cede
jurisdiction over the tract of ground used by the post. Gen. Phil Sheridan came
to Denver and selected the present location from a great number offered, and
after it had been accepted by the War Department, Gen. George K. Brady, with
two companies of the Eighteenth Infantry, was ordered to proceed to the ground
and erect temporary quarters, the site to be known as "Camp near the City of
Denver." In November of the same year (1887) Capt. L. E. Campbell, of the
quartermaster's department, was ordered to Denver to begin the construction of
permanent quarters. At the end of three years the post was an accomplished
fact, and Col. H. C. Merriam, with six companies of the Seventh Infantry, took
possession. For some time the post was called Fort Sheridan, but the people of
Chicago, Illinois, had given their post the name of Fort Logan. When the matter
was submitted to General Sheridan he switched the titles and the new Colorado
post became known by its present name — Fort Logan.
Fort Logan is not, at the present time, a regular training post of the U. S. A.,
although strong efforts have been made to have it created as such. The post is
used as a receiving station, however, for thousands of enlisted and drafted men,
and here they are outfitted and given some preliminary training before being
assigned to permanent training camps.
CHAPTER XXXVII
THE BENCH AND BAR
COLORADO COURTS HISTORY OF THE APPELLATE COURTS, BY JUDGE WILBUR F.
STONE — THE PIONEER BENCH AND BAR, BY JUDGE WILBUR F. STONE — REMINIS-
CENCES OF THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR, BY C. S. THOMAS, T. J. o'DONNELL,
W. H. GABBERT, JOHN F. PHILIPS AND E. T. WELLS THE COLORADO BAR ASSO-
CIATION
COLORADO COURTS
The courts of Colorado, as provided for and established by the state consti-
tution, are the supreme court, district courts, county courts, courts of justices
of the peace and municipal or police courts. The general assembly has author-
ity to establish whatever other courts deemed necessary.
The supreme court has appellate jurisdiction only, excepting that it may
exercise original jurisdiction in the issuance of extraordinary writs, such as
habeas corpus, injunction, mandamus, ne exeat, etc., concurrently with the district
courts.
The district courts have original jurisdictioin in all civil and criminal cases,
with appellate jurisdiction over cases brought up thereto from inferior courts.
There are thirteen judicial districts in the state, in the larger of which there are
more than one judge for the same district. In the Denver District, comprising
the "city and county of Denver," there are five judges of the court sitting in five
several divisons, in one of which all the criminal cases are tried, each of the
judges in turn presiding therein for a certain period.
The county courts, one for each county, took the place of the county courts
of the territory, which were termed the "probate courts." The county courts of
Colorado are courts of record, with jurisdiction in matters of probate and in-
heritance of estates, as well as limited jurisdiction in most of other civil actions,
concurrently with the district courts, and from which appeals lie to the district
and supreme courts.
Justices of the peace have the ordinary jurisdiction of such magistrates in
other states, with appeals therefrom to the county and district courts.
The constitution fixed the number of judges of the supreme court at three
and the length of a single term of office at nine years. But in the case of those
first elected upon the organization of the state the three were to draw lots re-
spectively for the short term of three years, the middle term of six years, and
the full term of nine, so that a new judge should come upon the bench every
three years. It also provided that the judge thus assigned to the shortest term
should preside as chief justice to the end of his term, and so on in succession.
732
HISTORY OF COLORADO 733
The three supreme judges kept up with the docketed cases very well for about
ten years, then the court became overburdened. To relieve this congested con-
dition, a commission of three members was formed to aid in the work, but this,
however, failed and was discontinued.
All other experiments having been tried, an appellate court or a court of ap-
peals was created to divide the labor and this aided greatly for several years.
However, it was then deemed best to increase the number of judges of the
supreme court. Therefore, after the adoption of a constitutional amendment for
that purpose, that court was, in 1905, enlarged to seven members and the court
of appeals was discontinued. But since that time the business of the supreme
court had so increased that the Eighteenth General Assembly (1911) found it
necessary to recreate the appellate court of four members, to be appointed by
the governor. The duration of this tribunal is limited to four years and its
work is to be the decision of cases already docketed in the supreme court, in
order to allow the latter court to "catch up."
In addition to the state courts are the United States Courts — the district court
of Colorado and the circuit court of appeals for the districts embracing the state.
The judges of the U. S. District Court for Colorado have been: -Moses Hallett,
January 23, 1877, to May i, 1906, retired; Robert E. Lewis, May i, 1906 until
the present time.
THE APPELLATE COURTS
In a paper read before the bar association, January 12, 1905, during the
ceremonies attending the convening of the reorganized supreme court, Judge
Wilbur F. Stone related the following facts concerning the appellate courts of
the state:
"Our Appellate Courts began with the organization of the Territory under
the organic Act of Congress of February 28, 1861. Forty-four years is a long
time in the lives of those of us who came here before that date — covering more
than the chloroform period of Dr. Osier — but I shall try to give you a so-called
'history' inside of forty minutes ; a little longer than the average divorce trial,
but much shorter than the Kansas-Colorado water case.
"In the organization of all the Western Territories during a half century
past the form of government provided by Congress has, with a few late excep-
tions, been almost identical in each.
"The chief judicial department consisted of three judges, appointed by the
President of the United States, an attorney (usually called in the territory the
'Attorney General'), and a marshal. Inferior courts were provided by terri-
torial statutes. The legislature at its first session divided the territory into three
judicial districts, and assigned each judge to one of such districts for the
holding of courts at times and places designated by statutory provisions, as also
were fixed the dates on which the judges were to convene at the capitol and
hold sessions of the Supreme Court. These judges held the double headed posi-
tion of trying causes at first instance in their respective districts, independent of
each other, and then coming together and, without change of stage make-up,
immediately transforming themselves into a supreme appellate court to decide
each other's cases brought up from their nisi prius jurisdiction. This, then, was
734 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the first appellate court of Colorado. Very simple it was. The simplicity refers
to the system and character of the court — not the judges.
"Quite anomalous, and 'one can fancy it rather embarrassing at times, when
the Chief Justice should request one of his associates to retire while the two
conspired to reverse the absent member, and thereafter the two associates po-
litely hint that the Chief Justice should step out — to see a man — one at the bar,
for example — while the two associate conspirators got even by taking the Chief
down a peg in the reversal of his proudest decision.
"Some amusing stories were told out of this triangular school, and tradition
has it that Judge Belford sometimes used to cross the triangle on the hypoth-
enuse and beat both pitcher and batter by a solution in trigonometry — in the
role of umpire and cube rooter.
"The history of courts is more or less a history of their judges, for courts
are very much what the judges make them. A court is not a mere vehicle into
which a judge steps, is carried, and steps out like a passenger. Every court
takes its quality and complexion from the judge, and its influence and effects are
measured by the structure of the man and not the machine.
"The first three judges of the territory appointed were Benjamin F. Hall,
Charles Lee Armour and S. Newton Pettis. The latter came, saw, was con-
quered, resigned and left the country without ever sitting in court, and Judge
Allan A. Bradford was appointed successor.
"Colorado had its quota of experience with carpet-bag appointees in the
early days, and complaints were hard to get to the ear of Washington while the
civil war was raging and its results engrossing administrative attention.
"Chief Justice Hall was a good man, but served only about two years, and
was succeeded by Stephen H. Harding, a former Governor of Utah.
"Judge Charles Lee Armour, of Maryland, was one whom the irreverent
called a 'cuss.' A talented, cranky, inscrutable, many-sided tyrant. Among other
peculiarities he required every one taking an oath to swear on an old, musty
Bible and kiss the begrimed book, regardless of the labial transfusion of pre-
historic microbes.
"He became so unpopular in a year that, after petitions for his removal had
proved unavailing, the legislature (which then held sessions annually) redis-
tricted the territory — our first legislative gerrymander — and assigned him to a
district over the range, consisting of the two Mexican counties of Conejos and
Costilla, far from the madding crowd.
"But with sublime defiance he refused to visit his adobe castles in Spain or
resign his office, but smilingly smoked his imported cigars (imported by bull
train from Missouri), sipped his toddies, of which he was fond, drew his
salary, of which he was fonder, and held out his term as a gentleman of elegant
leisure.
"Judge Bradford had lived in the Gregory diggings before his appointment
and so was one of the Pike's Peak people. He was a native of New England,
having, to use his own expression, 'escaped from Maine' when young, and had
been raised on the Western frontiers. A most remarkable man, and whose
eccentricities, quaint speech and grotesque mannerisms were proverbial during
his long and honorable life which closed a few years ago at his Pueblo home.
"Chief Justice Harding was another unsatisfactory official from the outside.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 735
''His venality and general unfitness became so odious that finally the bar
organized what would now be termed a boycott against him. Every lawyer
moved a continuance of his cases, and if not granted, refused to try them in his
court from term to term, until one morning the Judge hitched up a team and
trekked across the plains to the rising sun — literally, his former home, Rising
Sun, Indiana.
"By the united effort of the Bar and people, in 1886, the then young Moses
Hallet was appointed Chief Justice, and soon afterwards William R. Gorsline, of
the Gilpin County Bar, an able lawyer, formerly a judge in Wisconsin, and uni-
versally beloved, was appointed an associate justice, and in 1871 Ebenezer T.
Wells came upon the bench.
"Judge Wells came here after being mustered out of the army at the close
of the civil war and entered into active practice.
"He compiled the first revision of our statutes, a most painstaking and
useful work, and his coming upon the bench was a welcome' acquisition.
"Judge Belf ord came to the bench here in 1870, and came to stay ; he stayed,
became one of us, and as the chanticleer of the Rocky Mountain roost, he helped
chant the greatness of our new West from the peaks to the halls of Congress
on the Potomac.
"From 1866, having a majority of judges of our choice, the courts moved on
smoothly to the date of our admission to statehood.
"From the organization of the territory until its admission as a State there
were only three Chief Justices — Hall, Harding and Hallett. Hall presided from
1 88 1 to 1883 Harding to 1888, and Hallett— the last of this alliterative line-
sat in the middle the last ten years of territorial life.
"The Associate Justices who served in the same period were the following:
Charles Lee Armour, Allan A. Bradford, Charles F. Holly, Wm. H. Gale, Wm.
R. Gorsline, Christian S. Eyster, James B. Belford, Ebenezer T. Wells and
Amherst W. Stone.
"Judge Hallett was the youngest in years and length of practice of all the
early judges when he came to the bench, but in study and knowledge of law he
was accounted the equal of any and the superior of most.
"Boyish in appearance he was familiarly called 'Moses' by the older mem-
bers, and his natural modest shyness suggested the witty and genial General
Bowen to always address him as 'Moses the meek.' I have been told, however,
by old practitioners of his court, that, like his illustrious Hebraic namesake, the
halo of meekness which our judge of the Federal Court wore as a conspicuous
crown in his timorous years, has, through the friction of years and the habitual
exercise of undivided official authority, become frayed, faded and almost in-
visible.
"Upon the admission of the state the Supreme Court under our constitution
continued to be the sole appellate court, as well as the court of last resort, until
the business of that court could no longer be kept up without auxiliary remedy.
Various plans were discussed by that Bench and the Bar. For myself, I always
favored an increase of judges of the Supreme Court as the least complex and
the most economic system, not only in the matter of expense, but in efficiency of
accomplishment. During the last two years of my term — 1885 and 1886 —
Judges Beck and Helm with myself made earnest efforts to have the judges
736 HISTORY OF COLORADO
increased to at least five in number, but a coterie of the political pontiffs of both
parties at that time, for what seemed to be partisan or personal motives, set
foot against and prevented all steps for the enlargement of the Supreme Court.
"The plan of a Supreme Court Commission, which was then being tried in
several states, was finally agreed upon, and by Act of March 7, 1887, the Legis-
lative Assembly provided for such commission, to consist of three members, and
A. J. Rising, Thomas Macon and J. C. Stalcup were appointed as the first com-
missioners.
"It did not take long to prove that the work of the Commission failed in
giving proper relief. The work was not independent and final.
"The Supreme Court handed out to the commissioners certain of their pend-
ing cases. The commissioners examined, decided and submitted their opinion
to the Supreme Court.
"The latter had then to go over the whole case to determine whether they
agreed with the commission, and if not, they had then to make and write an
opinion themselves. This involved just about as much time and labor on the
part of the court as if the commission had not existed. In fact, the function
of the commission practically amounted to no more than a finding and report of
facts and law, requiring re-examination in every case, and in many cases a
rejection of findings and a different decision and written opinion ab initio.
"Hence, by Act of April 6, 1891, the legislature abolished the commission
and established the Court of Appeals, consisting of three judges, and possessing
limited appellate jurisdiction of cases tried in the nisi prius courts.
"The first judges of this court were George Q. Richmond, Gilbert B. Reed
and Julius Bissell.
"That court has done a vast amount of business, and with results generally
well approved by the bar, so far as I have ever heard.
"But it has failed of being the ideal aid in the division of appellate business
of the state, not from the fault of the judges, but from a variety of circum-
stances connected with the respective jurisdiction of the two appellate courts
and the friction of their separate machinery — causes which need not be here
discussed since they have been long understood by the Bench and Bar, and the
end thereof is now come.
"Such in brief is an imperfect review of the appellate courts of the territory
and state up to this date.
"By recent constitutional amendments and statutory provisions the Court of
Appeals passed out of existence yesterday, to be merged into the greater Su-
preme Court of to-day.
"However interesting it might be, there is not time on this occasion to speak
of the work and the debated questions involved in the framing of the judiciary
article of the constitution by the judiciary committee of the constitutional con-
vention (of which committee I had the honor to be chairman), and of how
much would have been incorporated in that article which has had to be done
since piecemeal by amendment, and not all done yet that ought to be, had we
known that the constitution would have been so overwhelmingly adopted at the
election therefor, instead of being defeated as was feared if loaded with sup-
posed encumbrances.
"T cannot refrain from alluding to the character of the laws enacted in the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 737
early sessions of the territorial legislature. Those laws were just what were
needful, no more, no less; they were wise and beneficial and constituted a solid
basis for the government of the state in after years. That the enactment of
such laws was due chiefly to the able and honorable lawyers of that day is a
matter of history.
"And much is due to the proper interpretation of that body of early laws by
such able benchers as Hallet, Gorsline and Wells.
"It is a salutary legal adage that the proper function of a court is not to
make law, but to ascertain and declare what is the existing law.
"Yet every lawyer knows that much law, and of the best quality, has always
had to be made in a certain way by the courts, outside the letter of statutory
enactment. All the maxims and foundation principles of law have come to us
through the channels of the logic, analysis, moral deduction, interpretation and
application to changing conditions, as enunciated by the courts through the
centuries.
"Unique physical conditions and property rights in this new land called for
new laws. Three paramount interests essential to the life and business of the
citizen and the state were found here orphaned of parental law for regulation —
mining, irrigation and stock raising — on the public domain. In the absence of
national and local statutes and the inapplicability to conditions here of the
common law, we owe primarily to Judge Hallett the establishment of the
doctrine of prior appropriation of public waters, the most of the settled decisions
affecting mining rights, and in the early years the decisions of questions arising
out of damage feasant by range cattle upon unenclosed crops, before fences
were required by statute, and on unpatented lands.
"It may be regarded as a fortunate circumstance, too, that this, our oldest
judge in service, had the advantage of ten years on the bench of the Territorial
District and Supreme Courts during the formative period of law before he was
appointed to the Federal District Court of the state; for that experience, with
his intimate knowledge of the history and local conditions of this country and
his sympathy with a citizenship of which he has all his mature life been a part,
have induced much of the harmony that has prevailed in respect of decisions
upon like questions brought up for determination in the state and federal courts
respectively.
"And now we have got back to our first estate — a single appellate court for
the state.
"I beg to congratulate this present enlarged Supreme Court, Your Honors,
and I congratulate the Bar and the people of this enlarged state on its behalf.
I am glad that I have lived to see this culmination. In the personages of this
court we count the sacred number seven, an omen which bears the mind back to
the Nile, the Jordan, to the temples of Athens, to the seven wise men of the
ancient civilization — the birthplace of law, art and philosophy.
"And I wish to pay a compliment to the taste which has adopted the innova-
tion of the judicial gown when sitting en bane. Irrespective of the form or
character of governments or questions of rank, title and caste, the judicial gown
for the highest courts of law is no freak or meaningless affectation. It has the
same uses in our profession that the robe of the officiating priest has in the
clerical profession. It shuts out the differences and idiosyncrasies of the ordinary
738 HISTORY OF COLORADO
garb; all badges of wealth or want or rank of the individual; the suitor, the
advocate, the curious onlooker, all see not John Doe nor Richard Doe, but behold
only the judge — the office; the impartiality and the dignity of personified Justice.
"A few days before graduation day in the Law Department of my university,
the Dean of the Faculty, who was a gentleman of the old school, had recently
been elected to the institution and had no knowledge of the ceremonies there,
asked us if we had our graduation gowns ready. Gowns! Nobody had ever
seen or heard of such a thing west of the Alleghanies.
"But have them he would; we were not to be graduated looking like the
ordinary classical chaps.
"It was a small town and nobody could be found who could furnish such
things. No tailor would undertake to make them. But the old Judge was not
to be baffled. He went to a store and got some black serge or alpaca, hunted
up an old lady who did plain sewing and told her what was wanted. She did
not know how. 'But,' said the Judge, 'you know how to make a woman's night-
gown, don't you?' She did. 'Well, then make them like your own nightgown;
a yoke in the shoulders, but big open sleeves.'
"The class marched from a side door onto the rostrum in those fearfully
and wonderfully made gowns and scared nearly to death the Hoosier audience
who gazed upon the unexpected procession as upon a troop of spooks from the
nether world. When I had been out here in the Pike's Peak country a year or
two I had an old trunk shipped to me by ox train for the sake of some law
books I had left in it, and on opening the trunk found that forgotten gown. I
kept the treasure until moths and rust consumed it and naught was left but
the memory that I had possessed and worn — though unofficially — the first legal
gown ever known in the Rocky Mountains.
"This occasion is to me deeply impressive. I confess to feeling as though
I had lived through the creation of a world. In the first courts ever held in the
Arkansas valley the judge sat on a small goods box with a larger one for a
table in front of him. The lawyers sat on boards supported by boxes or chunks
of wood. The others squatted on the dirt floor and leaned against the adobe
walls.
"The judicial robe of old Judge Bradford was oftenest a Mexican blanket.
Everybody smoked tobacco pipes during the proceedings.
"Here now we are under the dome of a three-million-dollar palace. We
tread floors of marble, and walls of onyx and alabaster echo our speech. This
city and state are known in all the civilized world.
"Looking back to the beginnings in the wilderness, happy is he who can say
with the old Roman : 'All of it I have seen and a great part of it I have been.'
"The present reorganization and amplification of this court marks an epoch
in the history of our judiciary and the state.
"This high Appellate Court is now more perfectly than ever equipped to do
more and better work than ever before.
"And whatever may have been thought or said of other tribunals, the Su-
preme Court of Colorado has hitherto had the respect and confidence of the
people of the state, and that faith should now be strengthened.
"The security of the rights of the citizen, the stability of the state, the per-
petuity of the nation, all rest upon the integrity of the judiciary. Laws may
HISTORY OF COLORADO 739
be made and laws pass away. Executives may come and go, the wicked may
oppress and may flourish for a time in their oppression in the games of human
affairs, but to the wisdom, integrity and potency of the courts — especially the
courts of last resort — we must look for the results so strikingly expressed by
those lines in Festus :
" 'Kings, queens and knaves would trick the world away
Were it not now and then for some brave ace.' "
PIONEER BENCH AND BAR
In an address before the Colorado Bar Association in 1908 Judge Wilbur
F. Stone, newly elected president, spoke as follows concerning the early history
of the bench and bar in the territory and state :
"In my boyhood I often heard my grandfather tell of things which hap-
pened forty years before, and I wondered how he could remember what seemed
to me like stories out of Plutarch's Lives.
"But when our years have lengthened to about the seventieth degree of
longitude we become retrospective, and find it easy to flit back and forth on
the wings of memory over forty or fifty years of our life's journey — each one
of us scanning every mile he traveled, noting especially the straight path he
himself made, and the many crooks and turns in the trail of his fellows.
"At that age, too, we are liable to become afflicted with what may be termed
garrulitas senectutitis, when loquacity of the past in the most virulent form is
apt to set in — worse than cacoethes scribendi.
"The settlers of Colorado came here into No-Man's land. The conditions
were without precedent, save in the case of Utah and California, and both Utah
and California were different. Immediately west of the Alleghanies migration
and settlement crept along slowly, an agrarian outgrowth, making, farms and
spreading, much like forest or vegetable increase, where seeds dropped from
the parent stock take root and advance from the outer rim of contiguous setting.
In such case the frontier settlers are always joined to the government, laws,
rules and customs of the older settlements, linked to their business and interests,
have their aid and protection and with little need for creative effort.
"Contrasting with such conditions, the Pike's Peak region was known only
to explorers, trappers and Indian traders. Arid in climate and soil, high in
altitude, the pioneer invasion of our first real settlers was induced only by gold,
the thirst for which had been sharpened by the California example — a thirst of
mankind reaching back through human history, ages before the Greek Argonauts
of the Golden Fleece.
"And so, to this new region, mapped as a desert waste, six hundred miles from
frontier government, our pioneers came, not creeping but marching in armies,
were transplanted, set down where they had to begin> without existing law or
government, and thus left to their own creative ability and volition.
"The history of the beginnings of Colorado is a most interesting chapter of
American annals, since it stands almost alone as an example of the genesis and
evolution of self-government by civilized people — former citizens of States, but
740 HISTORY OF COLORADO
suddenly transplanted far beyond the immediate jurisdiction, restraints and pro-
tection of the laws and authority of State or National Government.
"Here, then began a school of law-making and law-administration in which
every man took part, not for the government and observance of others, but of
themselves.
"Think for a moment of this as an education and foundation for the future
citizenship of this great but then unborn Commonwealth of Colorado, wherein
a President of the nation is next week to be named.
"Every mining camp, embryo town and agricultural settlement became an
independent democracy, a loyal American sovereignty. The open air groves were
the first legislative and judicial halls. 'The court, the camp, the field, the grove/
which the old poet named as 'the summit of life,' we recreated here on the crest
of the Western continent.
"This condition of peoples' governments existed here for two or three years
before Congress established the Territory of Colorado.
"The laws and courts were simple and suited to the immediate needs and
conditions. Appeals were allowed from the court to the people at large, who
heard the cause de novo and decided it by a majority vote.
"The three principal writs or modes of procedure were attachment, replevin
and injunction. If one claimed an indebtedness he attached the debtor. If he
claimed the right of possession of anything another fellow had he replevined it,
and if he wanted to prevent another from doing anything to his damage, he en-
joined him. The ancient and venerable writ of injunction was at that time duly
respected as a beneficent and necessary remedy. There was no politics in it
then, and nobody was howling about 'government by injunction.' Where the
plaintiff got judgment he saw that it was executed without stay. (It may be
added, parenthetically, that, in rare and desperate cases, when the plantiff failed
to get judgment or failed in its execution, he executed the defendant.) As to
the character and results of these people's courts, I can sum it all up by declaring
that, if their administration was not always strictly law, it was rarely ever any-
thing else than acknowledged justice.
"Grim justice was sometimes mixed with grim humor. . A horse thief had
escaped from custody at Canon City one morning, stole another horse he saw
hitched on the street, and 'lit out' down the road towards Pueblo. Only one
good horse could be found on which to make pursuit, and no one man would
undertake the job. There chanced to be staying there for a few days a well-
known character, a professional gambler, who had just come up from New
Mexico. He was called 'Gentleman Charley,' as he always dressed like a city
clergyman, in a long-tailed black coat, white shirt and necktie. He was tall,
soft-voiced, self-possessed and the politest, mildest mannered man ever seen in
the country at that day, but was supposed to be a desperate -criminal.
"He volunteered to retake the culprit if the sheriff would furnish the horse.
This was done, and Charley mounted with a Winchester rifle and two lariats,
and rode off. He overtook his man at Beaver Creek, covered him with his gun,
bound him with one of the lariats and hung him with the other to the limb of a
tree, and returned to Canon, leading the stolen horse. 'Mr. Sheriff,' said Charley,
'here's the horse, and if you want the man you can go and get him. I tied him
to a cottonwood at the Beaver Creek ford, so he can't get away before you
HISTORY OF COLORADO 741
reach him, but you'd better take a wagon, as he may not be able to walk, owing
to cold feet.' The Sheriff and a posse drove to the spot, found the facts as
described, and buried the victim at the foot of the tree.
"The penalty for horse-stealing was death at that time, under the Colorado
statutes. Good horses were scarce — and there were no automobiles.
"This is no dime-novel story, but an absolute fact. I knew 'Gentleman
Charley' well, and he was a character for a border romance.
"Early lawyers had some queer and amusing experiences.
"A bright young lawyer told me the story of his first case out here. He
landed at Central, in 'Gregory Diggins,' one evening, after footing it up there
from Denver, in 1860, dead broke. He couldn't pay for lodgings, so as dark
came on he lay down supperless to sleep in a dry sluice trough in the gulch.
He was awakened early in the morning by a miner with a shovel, who shouted :
'You'd better get out of this box, young man, for I've turned the water in, an'
it'll sluice the dust out o' ye in about a minute.' Aleck jumped up, loafed
around awhile, and then sauntered up the hill leading to 'Missouri City,' near
Russell Gulch, and being a Missourian himself, thought he might find or make
some friends there. Half way up the hill he met a man in long miners' boots
coming down hotfooted. Aleck began to ask him some questions, but the man
told him he was in a hell of a hurry to hunt up a lawyer to try a case then
waiting for him up at Missouri City. Aleck's throat was dry, and his heart
jumped as he exclaimed: 'Why, I'm just your man; I'm a lawyer and I'd like
to try your case.' The tall miner looked down on Aleck's diminutive form and
boyish, grimy face, saying, 'You a lawyer? You look less like a lawyer nor any
chap I ever seed afore.' 'Well, I am one,' says Aleck, in his desperation, 'and a
good one, but I've just landed here, and I'm awful hungry.' 'Well, my boy,
they're waitin fur me up there, an' I'll try ye ; if you git beat I can appeal the
case and git another lawyer.' As they walked up the hill, Aleck learned briefly
the main facts of the case, entered the log cabin where the miners' court was
waiting, and proceedings began. Aleck felt that it was life or death for him,
but he was gritty and he cut loose, assumed to know all the law and some to
spare; inspired by desperation, he pounded the table — a board on top of an
empty barrel — scattered the papers, sawed the air and pawed the dirt floor like
a lassoed steer in a Texas corral. He won the case and his delighted client took
him into a shack, produced his buckskin dust bag and the little weighing scales,
and weighed out to Aleck for his services three ounces of gulch gold. Fifty
dollars. Great God! Aleck had expected about two dollars and a half, Missouri-
Justice-of-the-Peace rates. He started out to look for grub; he saw a sign on
a little slab grocery, reading, 'Frute & Vegitabels'; he rushed in and inquired
what kind of fruit and vegetables they had. The shopkeeper proudly replied:
'Dried apples from Missouri, and navy beans !'
"Aleck went to Montana in 1866 and became a leading lawyer and a judge.
"An odd experience of my own may be pardoned mention.
"In the early sixties I was Assistant United States Attorney, with then U. S.
Attorney General Sam Browne. The U. S. Marshal, 'Cam' Hunt (afterwards
governor), appointed me also a special deputy marshal for convenience in serving
process up in Park County, where I then made my residence, and so I sum-
moned jurors and witnesses on occasion and sometimes served warrants of arrest
742 HISTORY OF COLORADO
and brought down prisoners for trial at Denver and Central City. At a term
in Central I had, as deputy marshal, brought down a prisoner not yet indicted.
In the course of my several Poo-bah duties I procured the indictment by the
grand jury and drew the bill — acting for the U. S. Attorney.
"When this prisoner's trial came on in course, the trial jury panel became
exhausted and the marshal found it difficult to get talesmen. Meeting me on
the street, he said he needed me as a juror. I protested, but he said Judge Lee
Armour never noticed the jurors, and as Gen. Brown alone would prosecute the
case in court. I would not be noticed by the Bench, and the Bar would wink at
it as a good joke. So I was sworn in without questioning, and in my diversified
capacity as juror, assisted in returning a unanimous verdict of guilty upon my
bill, as attorney, against my prisoner, as marshal. Marshal Hunt never quit
telling the story on me and declaring that I was 'the handiest official — for a
Democrat — that the Republican administration had.'
"After the first three or four years of unfamous — if not infamous — carpet-
bag judges, during the Civil War, had passed, the most distinguished benchers
of the Territorial period were Judges Moses Hallett, William R. Gorsline,
E. T. Wells, all of whom were appointed from the Colorado Bar, and James
B. Belford. During the administration of these able and upright jurists the
laws affecting the new and peculiar conditions of Colorado received their best
interpretation and settled the fundamental structure of our succeeding state
government and the rights of the people thereunder.
"It was easy to carry existing laws from the Atlantic States across the
Alleghanies and extend them gradually over the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys,
where like conditions prevailed, but here, new and entirely different conditions,
geographical, climatic, economic and social, had been imposed by nature. Irriga-
tion, mining and non-agricultural public domain begot new rights of person,
property and business, demanding new legislation, which in turn exacted judicial
interpretation, construction, application, consideration of possible results and
the application of the doctrine and rules of selection and adaptation.
"In this work of building stable law upon primitive customs, 'squatters'
rights' and ex necessitate rei conditions the able lawyers of our early period,
many of whom were also members of the Territorial Legislature, lent their aid
with zealous energy and efficiency.
"In all this judicial work Judge Hallett did the greatest part, during his
forty years of judicial service; an index of which is found in the first two
volumes of the Colorado Supreme Court reports, which he himself prepared for
publication, and also in his decisions as Judge of the U. S. District Court.
"Judge Gorsline was an eminently clear-headed judge, of amiable disposition,
whom everybody liked and respected.
"Judge Wells was, and still is, the most painstaking and industrious lawyer
who honors our profession. He made the first revision and compilation of the
Colorado Statutory Laws. Tom Macon used to say that Judge Wells was the
only lawyer he ever knew who could work fourteen hours a day every day in
the year, and thrive on it. He is still in his office, and I never heard of his
being sick in forty years.
"Judge Belford is so well and long known as one of the most brilliant men
HISTORY OF COLORADO 743
in the profession, that he requires no analysis of characteristics in my brief
references on this occasion.
"The most noted lawyers of Territorial days were Gen. Leavitt L. Bowen, a
former Attorney General of Nebraska, a learned constitutional lawyer; J. Bright
Smith, of Pennsylvania, a tall, handsome gentleman of polished manners and
a born lawyer; his brother, Ed. L. Smith, a Bar leader; George W. Purkins, of
Virginia, a cultured lawyer of the old school, classical and the most graceful
and eloquent speaker we ever had; Henry M. Teller, our present Senior United
States Senator, whose public and political life and services are interwoven with
the history of the State and Nation for the last thirty years; James M. Cava-
naugh, a former Congressman of Minnesota, a tall, elegant fellow whom we all
called 'Jim, the Irish Orator'; William S. Rockwell, a former Wisconsin judge;
his brother, Lewis C. Rockwell; Willard Teller, brother of the Senator; Hugh
Butler, who is still among us, with his stately tread and distinguished manners, —
one of the best civil law pleaders at the Bar; Alfred Sayre, the first law partner
of Judge Hallett, and for many years the leading lawyer in practice in Denver;
Charles C. Post, of Georgetown, who served a term as Attorney General of the
State; Robert S. Morrison, author of our standard text-book on mining law;
George F. Crocker, formerly City Attorney of Chicago, a brilliant lawyer, and
speaker of the House in the Territorial Legislature of 1862 ; Gen. Bela
M. Hughes, the early-day veteran of the Bar, and of whom it could be said:
'None knew him but to love him, and none named him but to praise'; John
Q. Charles, the most industrious and studious book lawyer of all the old Bar;
Lewis B. France, the most critical and technical pleader of all, the first reporter
of our State Supreme Court Reports, and in his last years the author of several
charming literary volumes ; Gen. Sam. E. Browne, the first noted U. S. Attorney
of Colorado, whose rollicking humor and amiable spirit shed sunshine upon
every one he met, and whose daily good cheer and flowing white beard on the
street and in the forum will long be missed ; Vincent D. Markham, Judge George
W. Miller, Governor Charles S. Thomas and Hon. Thomas M. Patterson were
a notable quartette of lawyers, famous alike in the forums of the court and
political life.
"In Southern Colorado, George A. Hinsdale, Henry C. Thatcher, George
Q. Richmond and John M. Waldron of Pueblo; Thomas Macon of Canon City;
Albert W. Archibald, Spence M. Baird and William G. Blackwood of Trinidad;
Adair Wilson and John G. Taylor of 'the San Juan country,' were the most
noted. Hinsdale was a pioneer of 1860, of New England birth, a graduate of
Michigan University, a scholar, an able lawyer and an influential politician of
the old school Democratic brand. The County of Hinsdale and the Hinsdale
public school of Pueblo perpetuate his memory. Thatcher was a member of
the Constitutional Convention and the first Chief Justice of our State Supreme
Court. Richmond was President of our first Supreme Court Commission, a
former adjunct of the Supreme Court.
"John Waldron, who is yet in the zenith of his successful career, started as a
boy protege of mine in Pueblo, and his beginnings and progress — unknown to
most of the Bar now living — deserve a sometime sketch, replete with the romance
of real life, but too lengthy to be presented here.
"Thomas Macon was the leader of the Bar at Canon City, one of the best
744 HISTORY OF COLORADO
criminal lawyers of the West, and a famous advocate .in trials before a jury.
Archibald was the pioneer lawyer and one of the first American settlers at Trin-
idad. Blackwood had been a judge of the Supreme Court of New Mexico, was
a genius and one of the most accomplished and versatile gentlemen I ever
knew; a lawyer, orator, litterateur, actor, musician and gifted poet. Gen. Baird
was a remarkable man ; was Attorney General of the 'Republic of Texas' before
it was annexed and admitted into the Union as a State ; served as a Confederate
Colonel in the Civil War, came to Colorado and settled at Trinidad, where he
practiced law until his death. He spoke -Spanish as well as his native English,
and his speeches in the Spanish tongue were the most fluent and eloquent I ever
heard. He was a giant in size, his leonine head matted with thick, curly hair,
and his shaggy beard ranked with that of the gray poet, Walt Whitman. He
was known by all the Mexicans in New Mexico and Texas as 'Chino Tejano' —
Curly Texan.
"The most of the lawyers I have mentioned here were those who attended
the courts of the three judicial districts, traveling round the 'Circuit' as was
the custom in the early days of the old West, east of the Missouri River.
"The Southern or Third Judicial District then included all the southern half
of the Territory from the 'Divide' to New Mexico, and from the western
boundary of Kansas to the Utah line. Courts were held at Colorado City (later
at Colorado Springs), Canon City, Pueblo, Las Animas, Walsenburg, Trinidad,
and over the mountains at San Luis de Culebra, Conejos, Del Norte, and across
the Continental Divide at Silverton.
"Over this vast region, larger than an average State, the lawyers with the
judge and other officials, litigants, witnesses, Spanish interpreters and often
prisoners for trial, traveled from court to court in a motley caravan of wagons,
ambulances, primitive buggies, horseback and muleback ; over dusty, sage-bush
mesas and mountain ranges, fording rivers ; in heat, snow, wind and alkali dust ;
camping out nights where there were found 'wood, water and grass' ; fishing
trout in the mountain streams, occasionally shooting an antelope, cooking their
own 'grub,' smoking pipes round the campfires, singing songs, swapping lies,
sleeping in blankets on the ground ; then holding courts within rude adobe walls,
attending Mexican fandangoes at night — dances got up in honor of the Court —
and having more fun, legal and unlegal, than the Bench and Bar have ever seen
since in the effeminiate days of railroads and fine court houses.
"It was a long road then from the Cacihe la Poudre to the Garden of the
Gods at Pike's Peak, and long thence to the Purgatory. But from the purlieus
of the Gods to Purgatory it is mostly down hill. 'Facilis descensus Avernum.'
And we were also reminded of the line in Festus, where the devil says : 'The
road to hell needs mending.'
"Old Judge Bradford was the oddest, most unique and eccentric character in
the Territory. It would require pages to fully describe him, and nothing short
of seeing and hearing him would picture him. A most upright man and a good
judge, with a marvelous memory, but so absent-minded that a stranger would
pronounce him crazy. Fat, gross, slovenly, he was withal the most ungainly and
awkward man in person, speech and mannerism that ever lived. Before he came
on the Bench he was once in a case in a miners' court at Central City, when the
presiding judge made a decision against him which Bradford regarded as wilfully
HISTORY OF COLORADO 745
outrageous. He rose and gazed a moment at the judge and then, in- his inimitable
manner, said, 'All I've got to say to that decisioin is — I was about to say — I
don't know as I ought to say it — well, on the whole, I guess I will say — in the
words of the poet — "O, shame ! where is thy blush ?" '
"When Bradford was Territorial Judge he was once called to hear a murder
case at Central City at the request of the Judge of that District. The Court was
held in the old Langrish Theater. After the evidence was all in, a night session
was held to hear the arguments to the trial jury. The miners came in to hear
Jim Cavanaugh make one of his famous speeches for the defense, and the
house was packed, galleries and all. Cavanaugh had got fairly under way and
soaring into the clouds, when the sheriff discovered that the joists were giving
way along one wall and the main floor was slowly sinking. To avoid disaster
the sheriff slipped quietly to the side of the judge, and whispering to him the
situation, suggested that he immediately announce a recess of the Court, on
account of his illness or other pretext, so that the house could be emptied with-
out the audience knowing of the danger.
"Judge Bradford suddenly whacked his gavel and called out: 'Mr. Cava-
naugh, take your seat.' Jim stopped in the middle of one of his longest words —
like 'in-vul-ner-a-bil-i-ty' — and turning to the Court, said: 'If your Honor
please, I am not aware of having said anything improper — ' 'Sit down, I say !'
again squeaked the Judge. 'I am certain that I have neither said nor done any-
thing to offend the Court, and I decline to be interrupted — ' exclaimed Jim,
defiantly. The Judge brought his gavel down again on the table and yelled out
in his highest falsetto key: 'I tell you to sit down, Mr. Cavanaugh; this is not
a question of politeness between you and me, Mr. Cavanaugh; the question is
whether this whole shebang is going to hell or not !'
"Some of the pioneer lawyers tried their luck in mining, but with ill success.
I have seen them often in red flannel shirts, smoking a pipe while sitting on a
Blackstone. or ruminating under the green-leafed pines. Seldom a Jay sat on
a Bench, but one could Marshall a flock whom the sun and desert wind had
made Ta(w)ney.
"Judge Hallett, soon after his arrival here in the summer of '60, went up to
the 'diggins' and tried a little mining, with varied results. One week he struck
a streak of pay dirt, and to celebrate his luck he invited two or three friends
to dinner with him the next Sunday. Moses Hallett was a youthful, lanky chap
at that time, rather timid in nature, not given to quick friendship, but was genial
and companionable with his select few. On this occasion he made unusual prep-
arations to entertain his guests. Of course, like all other miners in camp, he
bached and bunked in a shack, cooked his own grub and kept in order the tin
dishes. He now replenished his stock of gulch fruit and vegetables, and secured
a few luxuries. Among the latter was a pound or two of unclassified butter.
To keep this cool and safe, he put the butter in a tin pail and hung it on a pine
limb Saturday night. Sunday noon the friends arrived and disposed themselves
on stools and cracker boxes under the pines. Moses had fished up from some
recess of his cabin a Sunday suit of store clothes in which he had that day
arrayed himself. The dinner was laid out on a miner's table — a la maitre d'hote —
and the company was just starting in to test the structure of the hand-made
biscuits, when Moses thought of the butter which he had forgotten to take down
746 HISTORY OF COLORADO
in the morning and set in the sluice box. Now it had so happened that the sun
had been blazing six hours on that tin pail, so that at this moment the said
alleged butter was in a state of fluidity a little below the boiling point. Hallett
was somewhat rattled when he grasped the situation, and climbed on a three-
legged stool to grasp the butter. Now a three-legged stool has in all history
played a leading role in the undoing of man — and maids. Moses, reaching high
over his head, seized the pail by the rim, instead of the bail, and at this psycho*
logical moment that stool started to walk off backwards on its three legs. Of
course, as Moses clung to the rim edge of the pail in his descent, the pail turned
bottom side up before the bail or limb broke, and a cascade of tepid oleoporkerino
flooded from head to heels the future Chief Justice of all this domain. Were
any remarks made soon after the fall?
"I read a story of Bishop Potter that may suggest an answer to this query.
The Bishop was fishing with a friend who was given to emphatic language when
out of the hearing of the clergy. After long waiting, the banker drew a fine
big fish out of the water, which gave a flop or two, freed the hook and disap-
peared. The fisherman stood still, looked at the Bishop, then at the water, then
at the far horizon, but never spoke. Bishop Potter looked at his friend quiz-
zically a minute and then said : 'George, that is the most profane silence I ever
listened to!'
"In the summer of 1875, Judge Hallett, after holding the courts in the San
Luis Valley, went over the range and opened the first court at Silverton. A
party of us accompanied him, consisting of Adair Wilson, John G. Taylor, Judge
Love and Tom Bowen (afterwards judge of that district, and later U. S. Sen-
ator), John W. Henry, George Q. Richmond and myself — a rollocking lot of
legal blades as ever traveled the circuit. We journeyed from Wagon Wheel Gap
on horseback, following the Rio Grande River up to its very source, and still on
up the dizzy trail to the crest of the range, where the first drops of water trickled
from the melting snow banks to form this great river; then over the top and
down Cunningham Gulch 2,000 feet, so steep that the horses would often slide
for rods on their haunches, to the Animas River, on the Pacific side, where
nestles Silverton in an emerald basin walled in by snow-covered peaks as lofty as
the Alps. The streams were alive with trout in those days, and Adair Wilson
told us that when the most active trout got tired of the monotony of the Atlantic
waters, they swam up to the source of the river, and then scaled the summit
and slid down to the Animas and mixed with their Pacific relations. Adair
swore he 'could prove it, too, if old Bill Jones was alive.'
"The Silverton Hotel proved very interesting to us. The upper floor was
one large room about forty feet square. Here we all slept with about forty
others, on hay mattresses spread on the floor. The pine boards of the floor, laid
down green, had shrunk so that there were cracks between them an inch wide.
At night there was talking and laughing and singing and cussing by the bunch
until midnight. Underneath were the bar-room, dining-room and kitchen,
divided by like boards and cracks, and the habitues of that lower deck prolonged
the bedlam until 2 a. m. Adjoining the kitchen was a corral full of pack mules
and burros — the mountain nightingales of the mining camp — and these raucus
songsters started a braying concert at 2 and closed at 4 a. m. An interlude of
foghorn snoring fifteen minutes; and then the hyena cooks in the kitchen began
to pound the india-rubber beefsteak with clubs on a pile of loose boards. At
HISTORY OF COLORADO 747
five the bar-room opened with a monologue, followed by a dialogue, and then
broke into a chorus of polyglotic omnilogues. At six breakfast for the mining
gang, and seven for the other fellers. Meanwhile, there came up into our flat,
through the wide floor cracks, a cloud of incense bearing the amalgamated odors
of tobacco smoke, unrectified whisky, corned-beef and cabbage, codfish, fried
liver and onions, stale fish and burning bones and feathers.
"To do honor to the Judge of the Court, a corner of our caravansary had
been set apart for his exclusion, screened by a board fence about four feet high,
fitted up with a pine bedstead and shuck mattress ; one chair, a goods box for a
table, and a tin wash pan with a pail of water. This arrangement was so
exclusive of sights and sounds, that we didn't laugh; oh no, I guess not.
"The rest of us had to go down to the creek to wash our faces.
"We got a barrel of fun out of that historic first court in the 'San Juan
Country,' and now when I go there on a Pullman car, I live over the old days
only in memory, but find no more fish, fun and fandangos.
"At one of Judge Hallett's terms of court at San Luis de Culebra, there was
a funny case, involving the identity and ownership of a jackass. A common
laboring Mexican claimed the animal as one he had raised and owned from a
foal, and that it had strayed or been stolen from him. He had discovered it in
possession of an old gray-bearded American, named Palmer, had replevined it
before an alcalde, and on trial was awarded it as his own property. Palmer
had appealed to the District Court, claiming the burro as his own and bore his
brand— a horseshoe brand — and that he had raised it from the time it had opened
its meek eyes upon the Sangre de Cristo range.
"When the case came on in Judge Hallett's court, Palmer employed George
Q. Richmond as his lawyer, but the Mexican was poor and so went to trial with-
out a lawyer. The plaintiff and defendant were the only witnesses, each swear-
ing to ownership, and the case re*' .d on the alleged brand, which had healed up
and haired over — if there ever .-, as one — so that an examination of the jackass,
de occulis, so puzzled the jury, that they disagreed and were discharged on the
last day of the term. Richmond was so disgusted and laughed at for being
beaten by the lawyerless Mexican 'greaser' that he declined to move for a new
trial, and so Jesus Maria Gonzales rode the ass away.
"At the request of the Bar present at the trial, the district attorney, aided and
abetted by the court, perpetrated the following asinine ballad on this cause
celebre, which I have preserved as a sample result of the inspiring air and
Mexican aguardiente of the San Luis Valley — of the vintage of 1876 :
"A BRAY FROM THE COURT
"The leading case in court this term
Presents a question rare;
'Tis not of human rights or wrongs,
Or flagrant crime laid bare ;
" 'Tis not of lands and tenements,
Nor yet of grain nor 'grass;
But whether a horseshoe brand was stamped
Upon old Palmer's — burro.
748 HISTORY OF COLORADO
"The jury sat all day and night
And swore about that spot ;
For one declared the brand in sight,
And eleven swore 'twas not.
"The Judge discharged the jury, then,
And let them homeward pass;
The greaser rode the donkey off —
Spurring and kicking old Palmer's — jack.
"Over the hill on the dusty trail
The pair did fade as the sun did set;
The donkey switching his fly-brush tail,
The greaser smoking his cigaret.
"Like Balaam, Palmer he did scoff,
And swear and wail ; alack, alas !
Sore at his lawyer, he also felt
Full sore about the — beast.
"Meanwhile George Q., who felt like — not well,
Was cussing the loss of pelf —
Out back of the doby-walled corral
He was trying to kick himself.'
"In my professional experience I have had opportunity to compare and judge
of the relative ability and standing of the Bar and Bench of the several States
from seacoast to seacoast, judging them by the reported decisions of their highest
tribunals and by their recognized reputation, State and National, and I do not
hesitate to say to you here, my brothers-in-law, that I believe Colorado ranks as an
equal with any other State, and is excelled by none other in the Nation. Our
brightest members have shed luster on the pages of judicial history, and we have
ample reason to 'point with pride,' and no ground to 'view with alarm,' the char-
acter of the courts and the legal forum of our beloved Commonwealth.
"Meanwhile, our State is yet growing. Situate here on the crest of the mid-
continent, where the rains that fall and the snows that melt on the Continental
Divide flow alike into the oceans of the Occident and the Orient ; and on the line
between North and the South, which our prophetic William Gilpin, the first gov-
ernor of Colorado — and, as a geographer, the American Humboldt — designated as
'the zonal line of migration from East to West around the earth — a migration
which started four thousand years ago from the 'Pyramids,' — this State, so situate,
and now in its fiftieth year of evolution, is pregnant with the gestation of new
growth in manhood, in intellectual and moral attainment, material resource and
development, presaging the birth of years and years of prosperity and progress —
so long as the sun shines, the rivers run, the granite hills endure and our white-
robed mountains lift their shining heads to the eternal heavens above us."
REMINISCENCES
At the exercises attending the dedication of the federal district court room in
the new postoffice at Denver, February 21, 1916, a number of addresses of
HISTORY OF COLORADO 749
reminiscent character were delivered by prominent early members of the bar.
Excerpts from these give many interesting and intimate stories of the early
lawyers and judges of Colorado. A series of quotations from these addresses
follows :
C. S. THOMAS
(From Letter Read)
"United States Senate,
Washington, D. C., 2-17-16.
"I was present when the District Court for the new District of Colorado met
for the first time. It was in a building on Larimer between i6th and 1 7th streets,
with Judge Dundy of Nebraska, presiding. The entire Bar of the city was present
and nearly all of them were at once admitted on motion. This was in the winter
of 1876 and 1877, some thirty-nine years ago. Shortly afterwards Judge Hallett
was appointed and the court moved to an adjoining building. It then shifted its
quarters to the Symes building on Champa street, and the change was duly
observed by the Bar. Afterwards and about 1890, as I recall, another removal
took place; this time to the old Gettysburg panorama building, just between the
present Ideal building and the Chamber of Commerce. There it had real swell
headquarters with all the conveniences of adjoining offices, and there it remained
until about 1894, when the new Federal Building was completed, after eight weary
years of construction. We made much of this occasion and felt that the court
was finally and securely housed.
"But I have lived to see still another and for me the last and best change. For
the new government building is as nearly and commodiously perfect as we can
hope for. The court room is stately, imposing and appropriate. The library room
should, and I hope will soon, be filled with books, and Bench and Bar will find
themselves settled and secure for many years. My sincere congratulations to both.
"I am rapidly approaching the scriptural limit of man's existence, and cannot
therefore hope to again take an active part in the work of the noble profession to
which we belong. But I rejoice that the years of my practice were cast among
such men as adorned the Colorado Bar from the time I reached man's estate down
to this hour, and that the men of the younger generation are proving themselves
the worthy and vigorous successors of such a splendid body of lawyers. Sayre,
Butler, Decker, Symes, Benedict, Markham, Wolcott, the Tellers, Dillon, Belford,
Smith, Macon, Yonley, Hughes, Hallett, France, Charles Elbert, Thatcher, Cast,
these and many others have gone; but these invisible spirits — 'that rule us from
their urns/ — they surely will be with you and breathe their benedictions upon the
ceremony which marks the transition of the United States District Court from its
old to its new habitation. I am, My Dear Sir,
Very respectfully your friend,
(Signed) C. S. THOMAS."
T. j. O'DONNELL
"The first session of this court and of that court which was its contemporary,
as well as its predecessor, was held in the building then known as Ford's Hotel,
1626 Larimer Street, December 5, 1876.
750 HISTORY OF COLORADO
''The event had been looked forward to, by those who participated in it, with
an interest and an enthusiasm far beyond even that which animates this occasion.
"Elmer S. Dundy, Judge for the District of Nebraska, presided, but there was
no Bar. The genius of American institutions has no better illustration than the
method by which the lawyers of the state were .made members of the Bar of the
courts of these United States. Judge Samuel H. Elbert, who had been elected to
the Supreme Court of the state, upon its admission to the Union, was recognized
in his official capacity, and moved the admission to the Bar of Eugene P. Jacob-
son, Alfred Sayre, Hugh Butler, Westbrook S. Decker, John W. Jenkins, Mitchell
Benedict and Alfred I. Blake as attorneys and counsellors at law, solicitors in
chancery, and proctors in admiralty. All these are historic names in Colorado.
"Law, equity and admiralty (doubtless it was then thought the latter might
draw unto itself jurisdiction over irrigation ditches) having been thus started on
their course, with the nucleus of attorneys, solicitors and proctors, the admission
of others rapidly followed on the motion of divers of those first sworn in.
"That was not quite forty years ago, but of the men who signed the roll that
first day and thereafter during the first month of this court's existence, Owen E.
Le Fevre, George Q. Richmond, William C. Kingsley, Robert E. Foote, Alfred C.
Phelps, Robert S. Morrison and Clinton Reed only, still answer at roll-call. The
others, that brainy, brilliant host of pioneer lawyers, who foregathered on Lari-
mer street in 1876, alas, The winds have blown 'them all away.'
"Judge E. T. Wells and Ex-Senator T. M. Patterson were not admitted to
this Bar until the following year.
"John M. Waldron's name was added to the roll in 1879, and our well beloved
and hoary friends, James H. Blood and Gustave C. Bartels, signed up, in this
order, three days apart, in July, 1880, the first, last and only time they were ever
known to do the same thing or anything at different times.
"Wilbur F. Stone went early to the Supreme Bench of the state, and so the
name of the much esteemed historian of the pioneer Bench and Bar does not
appear on this roll until many years later.
"Edward O. Wolcott, 'of Georgetown,' was admitted here on the 5th day of
the court's session. Senator Charles S. Thomas was admitted December I4th, and
Frederick W. Pitkin, afterwards Governor for two terms, on the same day. Henry
M. Teller, George W. Miller and Vincent D. Markham were enrolled in 1877, as
was General Bela M. Hughes, Nestor of the Bar, and Chevalier Bayard of Colo-
rado. These were honored in their day and generation and were the glory of
the times and these are of them that have left a name behind them.
"Butler, walking statelier than Rome's Tribune, master of logic and rhetoric,
and able to contend, with all the canniness of his Scotch, or the fervor of his
Irish ancestors, as the cause demanded ; it was said of Butler that he never put
forth his best efforts until he came to the petition for rehearing, and that if he
represented the defendant the case was never tried until both parties were dead,
and generally not then. Wolcott, like Coriolanus, hating the many-headed mul-
titude, but able to sway with his voice, juries and assemblies ; Henry M. Teller,
cold as the icicle on Diana's temple, but bold as a lion when aroused to righteous
wrath ; Miller, uncouth and not too learned, but with a fierce and savage imagery
and posture and voice, an inheritance of his Indian blood, which drove all before
him.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 751
"There is a story of Judge Miller — authentic — which I must tell. Judge
Miller was defending a man accused of manslaughter, in the Territorial court
at Colorado Springs. Judge Hallett was presiding. That the defendant killed
the deceased was admitted ; the plea was self-defense, and it was charged that the
deceased had been threatening the life of defendant with a loaded rifle. Miller
seized the rifle, which was an exhibit in the case, and bringing it to bear upon
the jury, charged, with a ferocious Indian yell. The jurors, and everyone else in
the court room, except the judge, instantly became men of one mind and fled
from the room. Judge Hallett remained upon the bench, as imperturbable as he
appears in that portrait upon the wall. The sheriff finally peeked in. Judge
Hallett, calling him to the bench, said: 'Mr. Sheriff, will you see if you can
induce the jury to return to the court room and resume the consideration of the
case, and, Sir, you may promise them the court's protection.'
"There was Markham, Virginia cavalier, whose learning and wit were seldom
voiced standing, but who was a most formidable antagonist with pen and paper ;
Willard Teller, equally able and, locally, as well known as his more famous
brother; Judge Steck, that quaint character, pioneer of California, as well as
Colorado, whose character was illustrated by an incident in my own experience.
He resigned from the county bench in 1883, or thereabouts, and took offices in
the old Tabor Block, now Nassau, at Sixteenth and Larimer streets, where I then
had an office. Coming behind him as he was stomping along on the tile floor
one day, as was his custom, talking vigorously to a man whom h* had by the
arm, he said, 'The Supreme Court will reverse it; the Supreme Court will re-
verse it; it is bound to reverse it.' I stepped up to him and said, 'What is that,
Judge Steck ; one of your decisions ?' 'Yes, and a most damnably iniquitous de-
cision it was, too,' he answered. I wish that judges could more often recognize
their limitations before they leave the bench. It seems so easy afterward.
"No reference to the Bar of that time can omit mention of Major Edward L.
Smith, urbane, soft spoken and courteous, but who would spring with the quick-
ness of a leopard at an antagonist off his guard ; Tom Macon, primal man from
Missouri, who never willingly ate any diet more civilized than corn pone and
bacon, who could beat the devil quoting scripture, who described a contemporary
orator as placing all his emphasis on his prepositions, and who could grill a wit-
ness until the lid of Satan's cook-stove would seem cool to the touch.
"Judge John F. Dillon sat with Judge Dundy the second and third days of
the term, and many times afterward, and Judge McCrary and Judge Brewer fre-
quently presided during their respective terms as Circuit Judge.
"The late Justice Samuel F. Miller of the Supreme Court frequently came
here, in the old days, when the judges of that august tribunal were generally ap-
pointed with some reference to the circuits, and made periodical visits to the
one to which assigned.
"The Union Pacific Railroad, under some one of its many corporate aliases,
was a party in Cause No. I on the docket; No. 2 and several thereafter were
bills brought by the United States to set aside alleged frauds against the govern-
ment in respect to public lands. Nothing changes, in forty years, but men. The
grand jury — and I think the late Dennis Sullivan, who died in October, was the
last survivor of the panel — returned numerous true bills, principally against
Mexicans. The court seems to have taken up their cases under the maxim,
752 HISTORY OF COLORADO
First in time, first in right. Manuel Vigil, having drawn the lowest number on
the docket, was tried first, and acquitted by a jury of Gringoes. The others fol-
lowed. A careful investigation of the facts will lead any careful man to the
firm conclusion that each and every one was clearly guilty and most properly
acquitted. Pioneer juries evidently applied the same principles, in the trial of
Mexicans, that tenderfoot juries, in these soft days, apply upon the trial of young
Piute Indians.
"The court continued to occupy the Larimer street quarters until May 6th,
1884, when it was removed to the old Symes building. I will pass that history
because it has been given, with a few minor errors, by Senator Thomas' letter,
mentioning merely as a fact, illustrating the celerity with which this great gov-
ernment of ours can be driven — can act when it is driven to it — its capacity for
quick preparedness — the site of that building was selected and its structure com-
menced in 1880, and the building was ready for occupancy thirteen years later.
"There were many notable cases tried in that old Larimer street court room.
The Leadville apex cases brought political and financial fortune to a number of
lawyers. Judge George G. Symes came here in the '705. He had been Terri-
torial Judge in Montana. He formed a partnership with Judge Decker, and be-
came immediately prominent through connection with the litigation over the
Dives-Pelican mines at Georgetown. He espoused the apex side in the contro-
versy over the Leadville formation, but was defeated. He purchased the corner
on Sixteenth* and Champa streets with his fees, built a block and went to Con-
gress. Patterson and Thomas represented the defense. Both became rich, and
the riches of one, at least, have continued to grow ever since. Both, at times, ran
for governor, and one of them was finally elected to that office. Both ran for
the Senate many times, and each of them was ultimately elected Senator. They
defeated the apex for Leadville, but lost it in Aspen. The Aspen cases were
tried later, and the apex side was espoused by Senator Teller, then in the very
zenith of his power and influence. C. J. Hughes first attained prominence in
these Aspen apex litigations through his association with Senator Teller, and
laid the foundation of his fortune, and subsequent senatorship.
"On the day this court opened, Colonel Edward F. Bishop, who had been a
gallant soldier of the Union in the conflict between the states, and who bore the
scars of that conflict, was appointed clerk of both the Circuit and District Courts,
and his brother, Charles W., then a fat and chubby boy, occupied a desk in the
little room where its meager records were to be written.
"William A. Willard succeeded Colonel Bishop when the latter resigned. On
the death of Mr. Willard, Captain Francis W. Tupper, a one-legged veteran of
the Civil War, was appointed, by Judge Hallett, clerk of the District Court, and
Circuit Judge Caldwell appointed Captain Robert Bailey, who had been his com-
panion in arms, clerk of the Circuit Court.
"Charles W. Bishop became clerk of the District Court on the death of
Captain Tupper in 1900, and clerk of the Circuit Court on Captain Bailey's resig-
nation in 1906. He held both places until the merger of the two courts, Decem-
ber 31, 1911, and still he serves, less changing than the law itself, immutable and
inscrutable, but still believing:
" 'Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for courtesy.'
HISTORY OF COLORADO 753
"The incumbent is the eighth marshal. His immediate predecessor, Dewey C.
Bailey, served more than twice as long as the average term in this office.
"Judge Moses Hallett took his seat on this Bench January 23, 1877. How
different the surroundings from those in which we are assembled ! The venue of
that day is laid in a poorly lighted, illy ventilated room, in a dilapidated building.
The condition of the furniture is illustrated by a story which Judge Hallett told
me not long before he died. It was shortly after Judge Hallett took his place upon
this bench. General Samuel E. Brown came in one day and taking his seat on
one of the chairs of the court room, the perforated bottoms of which were held
in place with tacks, he quickly discovered that a tack had been inverted. Im-
mediately arising, and addressing the court, he said : 'This court is sharp at the
wrong end.'
"General Brown was first Attorney General of the territory, and the wag
and wit of the Bar. Judge Markham said of him that he would, rather get off
a joke than get a verdict, and that if he had been paid a dollar apiece for all the
suits he had appeared in, he would have been the richest man in the world.
"The unique and extraordinary character who was first judge of this district,
must necessarily occupy the foreground in any picture of this court, for the
period covered by this sketch. 'He presided here for thirty years and thus rounded
out a forty-year term upon the bench in Colorado. Nature is not sufficiently
fecund, in departing from formula, to lend reasonable expectation that he will
be approached, much less duplicated, within the century.
"Dignified in bearing, austere in manner, unapproachable in demeanor, frigid
in speech, there dwelt beneath this cold and forbidding exterior a heart in which
the law of kindness was as well known as was the law of the land in the head
above.. When I had occasion to seek his aid, and that of others, for a pioneer
lawyer who was in distress, he responded more liberally than any other man ap-
proached, and in a spirit which showed that an ancient quarrel had left no bit-
terness. Behind the stern demand for the respect due the judicial office and
judicial proceedings there dwelt a modesty and a simplicity which few were privi-
leged to know or understand.
"When with him in Washington during and just before the Cleveland inau-
gural of 1885, he was turning away from the Bar of the Supreme Court, because,
on that day, only members of that Bar were admitted within the rail. Another
lawyer made known the position held by Judge Hallett, which he himself was
too modest to mention, and he was thereupon immediately seated inside the rail.
I believe that was the first time he was ever present at a session of the Supreme
Court of the United States.
"The written law he knew; the precepts which are writ in a dead language
upon the lintel of this building, and upon these walls, were living sentiments in
his heart and guide-posts of his daily walk.
"To him this state owes a debt hard to estimate and impossible to liquidate.
It owes a debt for lessons in law enforcement, for Judge Hallett taught rude and
lawless men respect for the law, and for the tribunals organized to enforce it.
When first appointed to the Territorial Bench, he opened court in a turbulent
community, only to find that a cause about to be tried had divided the people into
hostile factions and armed camps; that primal passions were aroused, and that
the flames of violence were likely to break forth at any moment. The court room
Vol. I 48
754 HISTORY OF COLORADO
bulged with excited men, each man a walking arsenal. Judge Hallett talked to
these men in that cold, calm, dispassionate way of his, on the necessity of
courts; he pointed out that courts could not perform their functions unless the
people would bow to them and support their judgments; he asked each man pres-
ent to give up his arms to the sheriff and then adjourned court for half an
hour. When the judge returned to the bench he saw piled in front of him an
assortment of weapons which was not duplicated until the Austrian troops called
upon the Montenegrin villagers to turn over their implements of war.
"The same characteristics, illustrated by the incident last recited, were at
the bottom of the fact that he so conducted his court that the dignity and order
of its proceedings attracted national and international notice. In doing this, he
was, doubtless, at times, unnecessarily harsh; he made many enemies, and was
much misunderstood, but generally speaking, he was able to accomplish the
results sought by that amazingly scathing sarcasm, of which he possessed such
supreme command. The result was, enough rare incident and capital anecdote
hangs around this court to make a volume more' prized than any which has yet
found a place on lawyers' tables. I wish that my friends, Judge Wells and Judge
Stone, might collaborate in the preparation of such a book, before all the good
stories are distorted or emasculated, as I find is being done when I hear them
told by the generation which knew not Moses and the Prophets.
"With masterly genius Judge Hallett conceived the needs imposed by the new
conditions found here, and with a courage, which mounted to occasion, he up-
rooted ancient doctrines of the law, with the declaration that they must yield
to the situation which confronted the new civilization, thus disregarding one of
the maxims inscribed in this room — witness his sweeping decision abrogating the
law of riparian rights in %he arid west (Yunker v. Nichols, I Colo. 551 ; see, also,
K. P. Ry. Co. v. Lundin, 3 Colo. 94)."
W. H. GABBERT
"When the Territory of Colorado was created, able jurists were appointed to
our Supreme Court Bench. They were confronted with new legal problems and
required to develop and apply principles of law which had lain dormant because
conditions in other jurisdictions had not called for their application. How well
these pioneer jurists performed their tasks is evidenced by the fact that their de-
cisions have not only been uniformly and consistently followed by the Supreme
Court of this state, but are recognized as authority in every oth^r jurisdiction
throughout the Rocky Mountain region.
"The Supreme Court of the Territory was organized in 1861. Five years
later, or nearly fifty years ago, Judge Hallett was appointed Chief Justice of that
tribunal, and continuously occupied that position until the territory was admitted
as a state. During that period the law of irrigation and mining was in its forma-
tive stage, and the opinions he rendered on these subjects have been of incalcu-
lable value. Speaking through him, the Supreme Court of the Territory an-
nounced, in effect, in advance of any other court of last resort, that the common-
law doctrine of riparian rights was not applicable in Colorado. On this sub-
ject, though not directly connected with riparian rights, in one of his opinions,
delivered forty-four years ago, he said : 'In a dry and thirsty land it is necessary
HISTORY OF COLORADO 755
to divert the waters of streams from their natural channels in order to obtain
the fruits of the soil, and this necessity is so universal and imperious that it
claims recognition of the law.' In the same opinion he also said, 'When the lands
of this Territory were derived from the General Government, they were subject
to the law of nature, which holds them barren until awakened to fertility by
nourishing streams of water, and the purchasers could have no benefit from the
grant without the right to irrigate them.'
"These utterances are oi- great historical interest. They form the basis
upon which the right to divert water for beneficial purposes is founded, and no
doubt prompted the adoption of our constitutional provision which declares that
the right to divert the unappropriated waters of any natural stream to beneficial
uses shall never be denied.
"Early in the history of Colorado, Congress passed a law to fix and define
mining rights. The territorial bench was called upon to construe and apply this
law. This required the consideration of new questions with respect to the law
of real property, and our early reports furnish precedents on the subject of
mining rights which have been followed and approved not only by the courts of
last resort in states embracing the mountain region of the West, but by the high-
est tribunal in the land. Foremost in interpreting the Act of Congress relating to-
mining claims appears the name of Judge Hallett as Chief Justice of the territory,
and as Federal Judge of the state. In the text books and the reports his decisions
on the subject of mining law are more frequently referred to and quoted than
those of any other jurist."
JOHN F. PHILIPS
"I had been on the Federal Bench but a little over a year when I received a
note from Circuit Judge Brewer, who had just been promoted to the Supreme
Bench of the United States, stating that there were some cases which had been
especially assigned for him to hear at Denver, but as he was soon to take his
place on the Supreme Bench, he wished very much that I would come out here
and try them; that it would probably not take me over three or four days. He
had never tried a mining case. With some misgivings, but in a spirit of service-
ableness, I came. I reached here about the first of December, 1889. The first
case, on the especially, arranged docket for me to hear, was that of Cheesman
and others against Shreeve and others. It was an action of ejectment for the
recovery of a mine, I think up in Eagle Pass. Charley Hughes represented the
plaintiff, B. F. Montgomery and C. C. Parsons the defendants. The mining law
to me was a terra incognita; and this one presented some questions that were
new even to the experienced mining lawyers engaged in the case. But I recalled
what I heard an old judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri once say: 'The trial
judge should never 'give himself away to the lawyers ; if he don't know all the
law of the case, he should keep the fact to himself.' So, at the very outset, I
bluffed Montgomery, when he set up a sort of kindergarten in court to tell me
all about the peculiarities of an ejectment suit in a mining case, by reminding
him of the motto of the pick-axe on the dial, 'I will find a way, or make one.'
"That trial lasted until Christmas, and in reading over the other day that
charge of mine to the jury, reported in the 4Oth Federal, I was somewhat amazed
756 HISTORY OF COLORADO
at my audacious display of knowledge of geology, mineralogy, apexes, dips, con-
tinuity of veins, side- and end-lines. One would think that I was sort of judicial
vug, endowed with an insight into all the hidden mysteries of these mountains.
But why shouldn't I have known and learned a great deal about all these occult
matters ? I had not only the assistance of most learned and skilled lawyers, but
access to the well assorted library of that able jurist Judge Dixon, of Wisconsin,
who had recently located in Denver; where at nights, while Montgomery was at-
tending theatres with his young and handsome wife, and Charley Hughes was
lolling in his private library at home reading the deliverances of his model orator
and lawyer, Marcus Tullius Cicero, I was reading every pertinent decision in the
territorial and state courts of Colorado, of California, and of the Supreme Court
of the United States.
"Furthermore, as the quotation from my opinion just read by the chairman,
McAllister, states, I had before me for over two weeks the most wonderful dis-
play of swearing by expert witnesses I ever heard or dreamed of. They were not
only up in geology, mineralogy, surveying, but in photography and assaying.
They swore at the rate of fifty dollars per diem, and to the very utmost of their
ability and all that was supplemented by the arts of photography and assaying.
The photographers were skilled experts. They could take the inside of a mine
so as to make the roof the foot and reverse the sides just to suit the side that
hired them ; while the assayist possessed that wonderful alchemy of finding gold
or silver when gold or silver was required, or no gold or no silver when they were
not required; while the other side could find nothing but dirt or rotten rocks.
One could follow the continuity of a vein lik^e a ray of sunbeam extending from
sky to earth, while the other would find lapses of a hundred or two hundred yards
apart.
"The only vein of humor struck in that case was when an Irishman, fresh
from Cork, was introduced as a witness. He had been watching the performances
of these expert witnesses, with the pointer stuck up against the photograph of
the mine displayed on the wall ; and as soon as he was sworn, without being asked
a question, he seized what he called 'that pinter' and stuck it up against that
picture, and turned to the jury and said, 'Gintlemin of the jury, I intered dis
yer mine right thar, and de furder I wint in, de furder I got/ By this time pa-
tience had ceased to be a virtue, and I said to the witness, 'Take your seat,' and,
turning to the lawyers, I said, 'Gentlemen, this witness has stated about the
most self-evident proposition I have heard since I came to Colorado, and that is,
the further a man goes the further he gets. I think I will now close this debating
society among the witnesses, and you can proceed to introduce evidence, if you
have any.' The jury returned a verdict for the defendants; but, under your
Colorado statute, the plaintiff on certain conditions was entitled to a new trial.
Judge Thomas, of the Federal Court in North Dakota, was sent down here to
run the second trial. He was in delicate health, and the principal object, I think,
in sending him here was in the hope that this electrical atmosphere of yours
would breathe into his lungs new life. My recollection is that he spent the most
of one winter in trying the case ; and at the end of it he was so exhausted that
he only had strength enough left to reach home in time to die.
"But the case did not end there. It seemed to have as many lives as the pro-
verbial cat. In its peregrinations 'it went to the Court of Appeals, and I think
HISTORY OF COLORADO 757
to the Supreme Court, and only got out of court a few years ago, when all the
lawyers concerned in it, and about all the litigants, had died.
"Another incident, if somewhat disagreeable, connected with that first term
of court I held here : among the cases assigned on the special docket made out
by Judge Hallett for me to hear, was that of the United States against Harman.
Harman was a lawyer from Illinois, of some celebrity. He was indicted for
making false entries, I believe, of some school lands out here, which were de-
signed to create a school fund for the benefit of Colorado. He was convicted
before Judge Hallett. Tom Patterson, his lawyer, filed a motion in arrest and
for new trial. Being overruled, an appeal was taken, which, under the statute
then, went to the Circuit Court. I heard the argument in that case, of evenings,
while I was trying the mining case, in order to see that I earned my pay while
I was out here. I took the case under advisement, and after returning to Kan-
sas City, wrote it up, reversing the judgment of conviction, on the ground that,
until all the conditions were complied with, of such an entry, and at the end of
five years when the party might obtain a patent, it was not possible for the gov-
ernment to be defrauded out of its property by a mere preliminary entry, when
he might never get a patent. And so the authorities held. I sent the opinion
and the papers out to Judge Hallett, with the request that he file the opinion,
and, to save me the trouble and the government the expense of my coming out
here, to have made the formal entry, vacating the judgment. When he read the
opinion, he refused to make the order, on the ground that as I was only a District
Judge I had no right to reverse him. It has always remained to me an insoluble
mystery how I had jurisdiction to hear the case if I had no power to decide it;
and I do not know whether his acute mind would have ever discovered the in-
firmity in my authority if I had affirmed his ruling. Judge Caldwell, then the
Circuit Judge, had to come out here, and, holding that, as I was assigned to hold
the Circuit Court in Colorado, I was invested with all the jurisdictional powers
of a Circuit Judge, ordered my finding to be entered of record. But Judge Hal-
lett and myself ever after remained good friends ; and I here today pay to his
memory the tribute that he was an able jurist and an honest man. Like many
men full of affirmation, there were in his mental and moral makeup some sharp
angles ; but the composite man was strong and majestic.
"The last case I tried in Denver is also historic. Just a short time before I
retired from the bench, in 1910, Judge Lewis, another Missouri product (who,
I am glad to say, is reflecting honor both upon the state of his nativity and that
of his adoption), with the honeyed words of Minerva and the baits of the Siren,
inveigled me into coming out here to try an old chancery case, which he said he
didn't care to sit in. When I arrived I picked up the papers and looked at them,
when I discovered his true reason ; there were about 3,000 pages of printed testi-
mony and about 400 exhibits. It grew out of the Amethyst mine up at Battle
Mountain, I believe, near Creede. And, curiously enough, Moffat, who was a
party to the Cheesman case, was defendant in this; Charley Hughes, who was
counsel in the Cheesman case, was Moffat's counsel in this. He having gone to
the Senate of the United States, Gerald, 'a worthy scion of a noble sire/ made
the argument in his place. One of the witnesses in the case was among the ex-
pert witnesses in the Cheesman case. So I ended my judicial career in Colorado
by going into one mine and coming out of another. It took me ten days to read
758 HISTORY OF COLORADO
and digest that mass of testimony. I wrote the case up elaborately, deciding in
favor of Moffat ; and though he had builded the railroad from Denver to Steam-
boat Springs — a grander achievement in civil engineering than that of the Simp-
Ion Pass of Napoleon Bonaparte — he received no reward; but I was told that he
had printed and circulated in pamphlet form my opinion, and died with the
io triumphe smile on his face, because, as he said, it was the only case decided
in his favor in this jurisdiction for many years.
"Many terms I sat upon the Court of Appeals at this city. Some of the best
opinions, at least to my satisfaction, I ever wrote were in cases that came from
Colorado. This, because the quality of the questions involved was calculated to
strike up whatever of fire slumbered in me; and because the cases were well
briefed and ably argued by splendid lawyers. If there be any diamond in our
mental composition, it will shine out by attrition with superior minds. The flush
times of litigation in Colorado furnished a striking illustration of the fact that
great causes make great lawyers, just as the prize of an empire is apt to develop
a great general.
"Colorado was then engaged in subjecting the vast area of arid lands to the
uses of husbandry by the process of irrigation. She was tunnelling the moun-
tains, penetrating their depths, by applied mechanics, to make them give up their
hidden treasures of gold, silver and coal ; and constructing railroads over and
along precipitous heights where the head today grows dizzy as you ride over
them. All this was a fruitful source of litigation, calling into requisition the
highest intellectual gifts, in adapting old principles in science, law and equity to
meet the demands of new conditions. So that the lawyer, who counseled, ad-
vised and managed such stupendous affairs in and out of court, was stimulated
by the prizes before him to the highest exertion of energy, research, and endeavor.
The questions he had to meet involved a wide range of learning and knowledge,
from the geological conformation of these mountains, to the alembic and the
crucible ; from assaying to geometry ; demanding the application of old princi-
ples in science, common and statutory law, and the reach and compass of equity
jurisprudence to meet new demands. All this tended to make great lawyers, just
as the practitioner who indulges in petty litigation, in the training of witnesses,
rather than study of the law, is apt to dwarf to the dimensions of the shyster —
becomes a scavenger bird instead of an eagle."
BY E. T. WELLS
The following reminiscences are taken from an address delivered before the
Denver Bar Association by E. T. Wells on May 24, 1917:
"When our coach reached Denver in the evening of November 5th we drove
to the Planters House, a rambling framed affair of two stones, which stood on
the opposite side of Blake Street from the present American House. The driver
called 'Coach' in a loud voice, and in an instant we were surrounded by a crowd
of perhaps fifty, perhaps a hundred, all anxious to see who had come, and hear
the news from the states. I knew someone in the throng, was introduced to
every one else, and I think every one of my new acquaintances invited me to
drink.
"On the next day one of my new acquaintances called and escorted me about
HISTORY OF COLORADO 759
the town, introducing me to merchants, bankers, lawyers, and loafers. Every-
where I was greeted like a long-lost brother. I suppose every newcomer met a
similar welcome.
"My friend Chamberlain, upon whom the liberal people of Denver at once
conferred the title of General, shared with me in all these courteous attentions.
"On the second or third day after our arrival we were invited to a party
at the residence of Hon. Cameron Hunt. The ladies and gentlemen whom we
met at that assembly were, I thought, as refined, well bred and intelligent as
would be seen in any like assembly in any city of the states.
"I regret to mention that Mrs. Charles B. Kountze and Col. D. C. Dodge (now
deceased) are, so far as I can recall, the only survivors of the interesting ladies
and gentlemen whom I met on that occasion.
"My first residence was in Gilpin County. I had been appointed attorney
of the Blackhawk Gold Mining Company, one of the principal institutions of
that mining center, and for convenience in attending to their affairs, I located
in that village. My office was with the city clerk, who was also a justice of the
peace, notary public and police magistrate. At the rear of this office was a bed-
room, which the then sole occupant, the city marshal, was kind enough to share'
with me. Separated from this by a partition of boards was the city calaboose.
So far as I remember, that apartment never had a tenant.
"The bar of Colorado was then feeble in number, but at least equal in ability
to that of most similar communities in the East.
"One might count upon the fingers of his two hands all those engaged in
active practice in Gilpin and Clear Creek; the number in Denver was, I think,
still less ; at Boulder were two lawyers ; the Hon. Wilbur F. Stone and two others
were at Pueblo, and the Hon. Thomas Macon at Canon City. I believe that
-Judge Stone and myself are the only survivors of the bar of that time.
"Among the bar of Gilpin County was Ellsworth Wakeley. He was some-
what advanced in life, had been a judge in Michigan, and was a man of con-
siderable learning, though of rather quaint and peculiar notions. He thought no
book published since the reign of Charles II ought to be accepted as authority.
Perhaps he limited this condemnation to the reports of the mother country, and
would admit the authoritative character of Marshall, Kent, Story and other native
luminaries. On what grounds he set this limit to the authority of the English
courts I think I never heard.
"His great delight was to argue a demurrer to a bill in chawncery, as he
called it, or exceptions to an answer. On these occasions he would accumulate
books without end, arranging them in the precise order in which he proposed to
refer to them, and there wasn't a man living who dared to touch one of these
books after he had competed his arrangement.
"He told many stories, and had a habit of indulging in endless details, enter-
ing into the avoirdupois and stature of every character. He told me that the
first time he ever attended a court was in Connecticut, when he was there as a
school boy. There were three judges, he said, and 'What do you think? One
of those judges got up and opened the court with prayer! I have often thought/
he continued, 'that Sam Lorah was about the size of that judge, but Lorah is a
heavier man. Sometimes I think Horace Atkins is about his size, but Horace
is a taller man. I have never seen a man exactly the size of that judge but once.
760 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Seven years ago I was going over to. Empire, and met on the road a man who
was exactly the size of that judge. I had never seen him before, and never
have seen him since, and I don't know who the h — 1 he was, but I thought at
the time he was exactly the size of that judge.'
"With all his learning Judge Wakeley was never able to acquire any con-
siderable clientage. He finally died at Silver Cliff, and I have been told was
buried at the expense of his brother members of the bar.
"Among othjer members of the bar in the second district in territorial times
were the Messrs. Teller, and the firm of Royle & Butler, composed of Jonathan
C. Royle and the late Hugh Butler. The elder Teller was an amiable man of
very engaging manners in private life, but in a trial a most persistent and un-
compromising adversary. I thought him one of the most happily equipped men
for the profession that I had ever known, and still so regard him. If he had
been content to remain in practice he must have made very large accumulations.
"Mr. Willard Teller was a man of austere manners, but exceedingly fair and
liberal in practice, always ready to grant any favor to which an adversary was
fairly entitled, even when conscious that by a denial he might gain an advantage.
"His reputation was somewhat overshadowed by that of his brother, but his
ability would have been recognized at any bar in the land.
"My Royle was a man of learning, integrity and industry. Few men could
present a question of law with more lucidity; but the technicalities of the com-
mon law pleading were the bane of his life, and I think it was his distaste for
them that finally induced him to remove to Salt Lake, where he resided and
followed the law for many years, I believe, with great success.
"Mr. Butler was of Scottish birth or extraction, and his intellect was of the
Scottish type. He delighted in subtleties, and while effective in dealing with
any question of law, it seemed to me that he preferred the wrong side to the
right. His great joy seemed to be to make something out of nothing; to give
plausible reasons for a proposition manifestly unsound, and which he knew to
be unsound. The very difficulties of the occasion seemed to arouse him.
"Charles C. Post, later Attorney General of the state, was one of the most
amiable and worthy of men. He was an excellent lawyer, but more attentive to
the interests of his clients than to his own. Though, I believe, the first attorney
to have settled in Gilpin County, he accumulated little, and died in very modest
circumstances.
"The leading members of the profession in Denver were Amos Steck, George
Crocker, John Q. Charles, Samuel H. Elbert, Bright Smith and his brother, Ed-
mond L. Smith, Vincent D. Markham and George W. Miller. They were all
men of learning and exceptional talent, though in different lines of effort.
"I was afterwards associated with the younger Smith and with Thomas
Macon, and cannot refrain from expressing here my great regard and admiration
for them.
"Each of them was possessed of that charity that thinketh no evil. They
were gentlemen in the best sense of the word. Just, sincere, truthful, courteous.
"Neither of them was a profound lawyer in the learning of the books, but
each of them possessed that native sense of right, of what the law ought to be,
which is perhaps even a surer guide than authority.
"The courts sometimes wander from the true path, but the right in invariable.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 761
"Major Smith was equally equipped in all departments of practice. His
argument of a question of law was like a passage from one of the opinions of
Benjamin R. Curtis or Jeremiah S. Black— so clear and coherent in thought, so
felicitous in expression. His voice, to use the expression of another, was like
a band of music. Before a jury he was very effective, and his management of
a witness was a model, always fair, gentle and considerate with the truthful, no
prevaricator could evade him.
"Macon was a man of the noblest mold. His youth was spent in poverty,
and his acquaintance with the law was limited. He had little confidence in his
own opinion, but in the presentation of 'the facts of the case he had very few
superiors.
''The first case in which I had the fortune to hear him was the People v.
Briggs and McClish, indictment for the murder of Harrington. The trial lasted
many days. Macon took no notes of the testimony, but in his argument, which
I think occupied something like five hours, he missed no single point tending to
•dissipate the case made by the state, or establish the innocence of his clients.
"Their acquittal brought on what was known as the Gas Creek War, in which,
as I remember, fourteen of the citizens of Lake County, among others the County
Judge, lost their lives.
"In the autumn of 1865 the bench of the Supreme Court of Colorado was
composed of Stephen S. Harding, William H. Gale, and Charles C. Holly. Judge
Harding had left the Territory under something of a cloud, I believe, and never
returned. But his sign was still here. He had occupied a small frame house
which stood upon the corner now occupied by the Symes Block. Upon the door
was a sign more than two feet square, I should think, painted in black upon a
ground of tin, 'Stephen S. Harding, Chief Justice' — as if he were advertising
for business. It seemed to say, in the language of the crier: 'Draw near and
ye shall be heard !'
"Judge Gale had arrived here a few days in advance of my coming. I called
to pay my respects at his room in the Tremont House, then perhaps the swell
establishment of the city.
"I observed with admiration that each foot of his bed rested in a pan of
water, and a sheet stretched above it, prevented the approach of the prowlers of
the night from that direction.
"Judge Gale was what might be called an exquisite. He dressed with great
care, parted his hair in the middle, wore an enormous seal ring, and spoke with
a lisp. The rules of the common law pleading, or even its commonest terms,
were an enigma to him. I heard the late General Sam Brown argue in the Su-
preme Court, after Judge Gale had left the country, an appeal from one of his
judgments. 'This is the case,' he told the court, 'This is the case in which, when
I argued to the late Judge of the First Judicial District, that the plea of non
cepit in replevin did put in issue the property in the goods, asked me with won-
derful gravity what I meant by the plea of 'non thepit — non thepit, your Honors.'
"It was Judge Gale's habit, it was said, to take out with him at the evening
of every motion day, the pleadings and papers in every case in which a demur-
rer or motion had been argued. In the morning he returned them carefully
folded and arranged, and upon the opening of court, the demurrer in the case
first in the pile was sustained, the second overruled, the third sustained, and so
762 HISTORY OF COLORADO
to the end — thus dispensing equal justice to all. General Sam Brown told me
that on one occasion, observing that the first paper in the pile was a declaration
which he had prepared, he dexterously shifted it to the second place, and by this
sleight of hand averted the impending defeat. His adversary had observed his
maneuver, and accused him of 'shuffling the deck after the cut.'
"The judge assigned to the second district, Gilpin and the adjoining counties,
was Charles F. Holly. He had not, I thought, a very profound acquaintance
with the books, but seemed conscious of his deficiencies, listened to counsel with
attention, was possessed of patience enough to stock up two or three judges, and
was, withal, as I read him, a conscientious man, ready and anxious to do justice
without fear, favor or affection. Undoubtedly, if he had continued he would
have proved a useful and acceptable judge; but he fell from grace, was indicted
by his own grand jury, and finally removed from office. He went later to New
Mexico, made and lost a fortune there, and died in great poverty at Pueblo.
"Judge Gorsline, who succeeded Judge Holly in the Second District, was an
able lawyer and an independent and conscientious judge. But he was not always
in good health, was something of a hypochondriac, and these infirmities, actual
and imaginary, much impaired his usefulness on the district bench — which, during
the Territorial regime, was the most important function of the judges of the
Supreme Court. His opinions are found in the first volume of our reports, and
may well be said to be sound in law and felicitous in expression.
"Judge Belford, who succeeded Judge Gorsline, was from Indiana, and like
some of his predecessors, could never assimilate the technicalities of common
law pleading. It was at his instance, or at any rate largely through his influence,
that we were finally condemned to the so-called Reformed System of the Code.
He was a most conscientious and just-minded judge, and his opinions as they
appear in the reports, are examples of happy expression. His conduct of the
district courts was not entirely commendable. He had little regard for the
decorum of the occasion, and the office, and sometimes incurred unjust censure
for his failure to remember that the judge must not only be fair and indifferent,
but must appear so. He was devoted to his friends, and was sometimes indiscreet
in manifesting his regard for, and apparently courting the society of, those en-
gaged in important controversies before him. But, generally speaking, he was
so esteemed and respected that these instances were excused, and set down to
a frailty leaning to virtue's side.
"Christian S. Eyester, who succeeded Judge Gale, was from Pennsylvania.
A most worthy and kindly man. No man had more personal friends, or de-
served more, but as a judge I believe he was thought to be of too gentle and
kindly a' nature for the place.
"So far as I ever heard, he never in a single instance exercised the just author-
ity of the place to compel the prompt attendance of any juror or witness, and
from this amiable infirmity great and inexcusable delays ensued.
"The Honorable Moses Hallett of blessed memory was appointed Chief Jus-
tice to succeed Judge Harding. His long service on the bench of the district and
circuit courts of the United States has made him almost as well known to the
present generation as to those of the past.
"His district was the Third, but he often held the district court in the Second
District, at the request of Judge Gorsline, and for some four years I had the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 763
pleasure to be frequently before him, and to observe his demeanor in the conduct
of his office. He was, in those years, the model of a judge — learned, just, patient,
dignified, and industrious. I have, more than once, when some novel or difficult
question was presented in a pending trial, seen him spend the noon hour in some
lawyer's office, searching for light in the books of authority.
"During my service with him in the Supreme Court of the Territory, I noticed
that while there were many appeals from the First and Second Districts, an
appeal from the Third District was of the rarest occurrence — so absolute was
the confidence of the bar and suitors of that district in his justice, and the legal
soundness of his judgment.
"His word was, in the minds of those people, the end of the matter.
"When I think of the days of the past, of the feeble and poverty-stricken
community which I found here, the wilderness which they occupied and which
was all about them, and the asperities of nature with which they contended, and
compare these things with those of the present, I am proud to reflect that I have
spent more than half a century in a community exhibiting so many of the virile
virtues.
"Our profession has contributed little, directly, to the material prosperity
of the present, but we may take credit and rejoice that our membership has
played the principal part in framing and administering the laws, without which
industry, and even society itself, is impossible. A very large part of the frame-
work of our laws as they stand now goes back to 1861 and 1862, and is largely
the work of Moses Hallett and George Crocker.
"Of later statutes, perhaps the most important — that regulating the adjudi-
cation of priorities to the use of water — was largely the work, perhaps entirely,
of the late James M. Freeman of Greeley.
"And the Constitution under which the state has grown and prospered, was
principally the work of Stone, Thatcher, Bromwell, Beck, Quillian, White and
Pease."
COLORADO BAR ASSOCIATION
The Colorado Bar Association was organized in the year 1897 and incorpo-
rated January 8, 1898. The call for organization, issued in 1897, stated: "The
undersigned, members of the Bar of Colorado, believing that the organized
action and influence of our profession, properly exerted, would lead to the cre-
ation of more intimate relations between its members than now exist, and would,
at the same time, sustain the profession in its proper position in the community
and thereby enable it, in many ways, to promote the interests of the public, do
hereby agree to unite in forming a state association for such purposes.
"And we do hereby appoint Hugh Butler, Edward L. Johnson and Lucius W.
Hoyt a committee to call a meeting of the subscribers at such time and place as
may be designated by said committee, at which meeting measures will be taken
for the organization of the proposed association."
The "undersigned" lawyers mentioned above were : Hugh Butler, A. E. Pat-
tison, J. C. Helm, A. J. Rising, J. F. Vaile, Westbrook S. Decker, Caldwell Yea-
man, A. C. Phelps, Sylvester G. Williams, B. J. Pitkin, Edward L. Johnson,
Oscar Reuter, W. C. Kingsley, Henry T. Rogers, Lewis B. France, William A.
764 HISTORY OF COLORADO '
Moore, Orland S. Isbell, Henry V. Johnson, George C. Manly, John H. Denison,
John L. Jerome, John D. Fleming, G. C. Bartels, Charles J. Hughes, Jr., Tyson
S. Dines, A. J. Fowler, Earl M. Cranston, Thomas H. Hood, Platt Rogers, E. T.
Wells, Charles E. Cast, S. A. Giffin, James H. Blood, Henry C. Charpiot, Henry
W. Hobson, Ralph Talbot, William P. Hillhouse, Morton S. Bailey, Charles
Cavendar, Samuel P. Dale, A. H. DeFrance, Thomas H. Devine, Henry A.
Dubbs, John A, Ewing, W. H. Gabbert, D. V. Burns, Charles H. Toll, Lucius
W. Hoyt, R. S. Morrison, O. F. A. Greene, A. T. Gunnell, J. C. Gunter, G. K.
Hartenstein, Harry N. Haynes, Edward C. Mason, Joseph H. Maupin, William
L. Murfree, Jesse G. Northcutt, John T. Shumate, Ed T. Taylor, C. A. Wilkin,
Robert G. Withers and R. H. Whitely.
The trustees for the first year were : Hugh Butler, Westbrook S. Decker, Ed-
ward L. Johnson, Caldwell Yeaman, Lucius W. Hoyt, Platt Rogers and W. C.
Kingsley. The presidents of the Colorado Bar Association from the beginning
until the present time have been: Hugh Butler, 1897-98; Charles E. Cast, 1898-
99; Caldwell Yeaman, 1899-1900; Moses Hallett, 1900-01; Platt Rogers, 1901-
02; Horace G. Lunt, 1902-03; Joel F. Vaile, 1903-04; Luther M. Goddard, 1904-
05; Henry T. Rogers, 1905-06; Julius C. Gunter, 1906-07; James W. McCreery,
1907-08; Wilbur F. Stone, 1908-09; Lucius W. Hoyt, 1909-10; Charles D.
Hoyt, 1910-11; Henry C. Hall, 1911-12; Harry N. Haynes, 1912-13; Henry
A. Dubbs, 1913-14; Edw. C. Stimson, 1914-15; John D. Fleming, 1915-16; T. H.
Devine, 1916-17.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
FIRST DOCTORS IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION — EARLY EFFORTS TO ORGANIZE TEtR-
RITORIAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FIRST HOSPITAL — DENVER MEDICAL ASSOCIA-
TION ORGANIZATION OF TERRITORIAL MEDICAL SOCIETY — ROSTER OF STATE MED-
ICAL SOCIETY PRESIDENTS — EARLY MIGRATIONS CONDITIONS IN 1864 — FIRST
MEDICAL LEGISLATION LEGISLATION RELATIVE TO OSTEOPATHY CHIROPRACTIC
OTHER LEGISLATION — COLORADO MEDICAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION — WOMEN
PRACTITIONERS NATIONAL AND STATE HONORS — GENERAL HOSPITALS — STATE
SANATORIA COLORADO AS A HEALTH RESORT — MILITARY RECUPERATION CAMP
COLORADO DOCTORS IN THE WORLD WAR. .
FIRST DOCTORS IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
Dr. John H. Robinson, the volunteer surgeon who accompanied Lieut. Zebu-
Ion M. Pike on his expedition to Colorado in the early years of the Nineteenth
Century, was probably the first medical practitioner in what is now Colorado.
Only the medicine man, and perhaps a few skillful leeches among the Spanish
padres of the exploration days, preceded this man, of whom Pike wrote: "As
a gentleman and companion in dangers, difficulties and hardships I, in particular,
and the expedition generally owe much to his exertions."
Then came Dr. Edwin James with the expedition of Maj. Stephen H. Long
in 1820, who distinguished himself not only in his professional capacity but by
being the first person to ascend Pike's Peak. Medical officers accompanied the
military expedition of Col. Henry Dodge in 1835 and of Lieut. John C. Fremont
on his various journeys. Doctor Wislizenus, of St. Louis, was another explorer
of the earlier period.
Finally, when the name "Auraria" was chosen for part of the present site
of Denver, it was at the suggestion of Dr. Levi J. Russell, who with his brothers
had come from the Georgia town of that name to find the placer gold which the
Cherokee Indians had first located. Doctor Russell had engaged in medical
practice in his native state, Georgia, before coming to the Far West.
It is known that in the summer of 1846 a Doctor Hempstead resided at
Bent's Fort, on the left bank of the Arkansas about half way between the present
towns of La Junta and Las Animas. Little is known of Hempstead outside of
the information given by Lieut. J. W. Albert, U. S. Topographical Engineer, in
his "Examination of New Mexico" in 1846-7, during which time he called at
the fort. He simply mentions Doctor Hempstead as a resident of the fort and,
if this is correct, this physician may be said to have been the first actually to
practice his profession upon Colorado soil.
765
766 - HISTORY OF COLORADO
The year 1859 brought an added number of doctors to the Pike's Peak
region. Among them were: Drs. G. N. Woodward, Samuel Reed, J. W. Lee,
Willing, J. W. Smith, Drake McDowell, W. F. McClelland, A. Steinberger, Mc-
Clain, G. W. Bark and W. H. Farner. In this year, also, Dr. E. Fitzpatrick was
at Arapahoe City, Drs. C. R. Bissell, A. M. Smith, J. Casto and J. S. Stone were
at Mountain City, the forerunner of Central City; and Dr. J. W. McCade was at
Nevada Gulch. Doctor Stone was one of the participants in a duel fought with
L. W. Bliss, secretary of the territory, in March, 1860, and was fatally wounded.
Dr. William M. Belt and Doctor Catterson were located at Fountain City
(Pueblo) early in the spring of 1860.
When the "Rocky Mountain News" was printed on April 23, 1859, it con-
tained this card : "A. F. Peck, M. D., Cache la Poudre, Nebraska, where he may
at all times be found when not professionally engaged or digging gold."
EARLY EFFORTS TO ORGANIZE TERRITORIAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Doctors came with the flood of gold-seekers, and on Jtine 6, 1860, the Jef-
ferson Medical Society was organized. Its first president was Dr. W. M. Belt;
its vice president, Dr. Drake McDowell ; treasurer, Dr. J. J. Saville ; secretary,
Dr. S. E. Kennedy ; curators, the officers, with Drs. J. F. Hamilton, O. D. Cass
and S. Rankin. f
One of its resolutions was the adoption of the national code of medical ethics,
and the second was a uniform rate of $3 per visit. But even though the code
was adopted it was apparently not unprofessional to publish a "physician's card'*
in the daily paper. Doctor Belt, Dr. W. F. McClelland and Doctor Cass carried
these professional announcements. That first medical society meeting was held
in the log hut which was the office of Doctor Belt. The organization disintegrated
at the opening of the Civil war.
Dr. F. J. Bancroft, who came to Denver in 1865 and probably knew much
of all these early medicinal matters, in his presidential address before the eleventh
annual convention of the Colorado State Medical Society, at Leadville, in 1881,
says : "It was in Denver in a rough log cabin, at the corner of Sixteenth and
Larimer streets that the first Colorado medical society saw the light. Its rise and
fall were alike speedy. The civil strife into which our country was plunged in
1861 drew to itself most of its founders, among whom were Drs. O. D. Cass,
Drake McDowell, J. F. Hamilton, Peck, Beale and Saville. These were led
according to their convictions into the Union army or south to the Confederate
service, and the embryo society left to itself, perished from inanition."
A second society was formed in 1868, which soon died. But in 1871 a per-
manent organization was effected.
FIRST HOSPITAL
In June, 1860, a city hospital was established near the present junction of
Nineteenth and Larimer streets. This was quite a distance east of the center of
population and was due perhaps to the need of a place to treat contagious dis-
eases. Of this first hospital Dr. J. F. Hamilton was surgeon, and Dr. O. D. Cass
the physician in charge. This should not be confused with the Municipal Hos-
pital, which Dr. John Eisner established a few years later.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 767
In the city directory of 1866 the following is a complete list of the doctors
and dentists practising in Denver:
Dr. R. G. Buckingham
Doctors McClelland & Strode
Dr. F. J. Bancroft
Dr. S. W. Treat
Dr. M. L. Scott
Dr. J. Ermerius
Doctor Tossier
Doctor Bailey
Doctor Eisner
Doctor Rust
Dr. L. L. Adams
Dr. E. C. Gehrung
Dr. C. A. Gordon
Dr. W. H. Williams
DENTISTS
Dr. C. P. Moffett
Dr. E. A. Crocker
DENVER MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
On April 4, 1871, the meeting to "reorganize the Denver Medical Associa-
tion" was held in the office of Dr. R. G. Buckingham. There were seven physi-
cians in attendance, and of these Doctors McClelland, Bibb and Heimberger
were chosen to draft a constitution and by-laws. When the society met on April
n, 1871, there were present or elected at this meeting, Doctors Bancroft, Wil-
liams, Justice, Dickinson, Steele, Buckingham, Stedman, McClelland, Eisner,
Heimberger, Gehrung and Bibb. Its first officers were: Dr. R. G. Buckingham,
president; Dr. A. L. Justice, vice president; Dr. A. Stedman, recording secre-
tary: Dr. W. H. Williams, corresponding secretary; Dr. E. C. Gehrung, treas-
urer. Doctors Justice, Heimberger and Buckingham were made censors.
ORGANIZATION OF TERRITORIAL MEDICAL SOCIETY
In response to a call issued by the Denver Medical Association for a Terri-
torial Medical Convention, representatives of the medical profession from dif-
ferent parts of the Territory of Colorado assembled at the District Court room in
Denver on Tuesday, the igth of September, 1871, at n o'clock A. M., for the
purpose of organizing a territorial medical society. Dr. W. F. McClelland called
the convention to order, Dr. G. S. McMurtrie of Central City was elected tempo-
rary chairman, and Dr. R. J. Collins of Georgetown, secretary pro tern.
It resolved that, for the purpose of organization, all regular graduates of
medicine, residents of the territory, who acknowledged fealty to the code of
ethics of the American Medical Association, and who were not objected to,
might become members of the association.
768 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The following are given as signing: G. S. McMurtrie, Central City; A. L.
Justice, Denver; R. G. Buckingham, Denver; F. J. Bancroft, Denver; I. J. Pol-
lok, Georgetown ; W. F. McClelland, Denver ; John Eisner, Denver ; E. C. Geh-
rung, Denver; J. S. Dickinson, Denver; S. D. Bowker, Central City; H. C.
Dodge, Denver; H. K. Steele, Denver; W. Edmundson, Central City; A. Sted-
man, Denver; W. H. Williams, Denver; A. J. Collins, Georgetown.
The following officers were elected : Dr. R. G. Buckingham, president ; vice
presidents, first, Dr. G. S. McMurtrie; second, Dr. I. J. Pollok; third, Dr. W. F.
McClelland. Dr. A. Stedman was elected secretary; Dr. A. J. Collins, assistant
secretary; Dr. E. C. Gehrung, treasurer, and Dr. H. C. Dodge, librarian.
Drs. Erasmus Garrott, Blackhawk; T. M. Smith, Laporte; S. C. Tolles, Cen-
tral City; Eugene F. Holland, Idaho (Springs); William H. Thacker, Denver;
Joseph Anderson, Golden ; D. Heimberger, Denver ; Charles F. Neilson, Den-
ver, and Dr. P. R. Thombs of Pueblo, also became members.
The name of this organization was the Colorado Medical Society.
The second meeting of the Territorial Medical Society, as it was called, in-
stead of the name given in the constitution (the Colorado Medical Society), was
held in the F Street First Presbyterian Church, Denver, September 24, 1872, ,and
routine business, medical papers and reports occupied the society for two days.
Dr. W. F. McClelland, of Denver, was elected president, and Dr. A. Stedman,
Denver, secretary.
The third annual meeting was held at the district court room in Denver, Oc-
tober i and 2, 1873. Dr. George S. McMurtrie, Central City, was elected presi-
dent, and Dr. H. J. Pratt, Denver, secretary.
ROSTER OF STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY PRESIDENTS
The following is a complete list of the presidents of the Territorial and
State Medical Society since its organization :
1871 — Dr. R. G. Buckingham, Denver.
1872— Dr. W. F. McClelland, Denver.
1873 — Dr. George S. McMurtrie, Central City.
1874 — Dr. Henry K. Steele, Denver.
1875— Dr. William H. Thacker, Denver:
1876— Dr. William H. Williams, Denver.
1877 — Dr. Thomas G. Horn, Colorado Springs.
1878— Dr. A. Stedman, Denver.
1879 — Dr. Boswell P. Anderson, Colorado Springs.
1880— Dr. Frederick J. Bancroft, Denver.
1881 — Dr. Harrison A. Lemen, Denver.
1882— Dr. Pembroke R. Thombs, Pueblo.
1883— Dr. William R. Whitehead, Denver.
1884 — Dr. Jesse Hawes, Greeley.
1885 — Dr. J. Culver Davis, Denver.
1886— Dr. John W. Graham, Denver.
1887— Dr. S. Edwin Solly, Colorado Springs.
1888— Dr. Samuel A. Fisk, Denver.
1889— Dr. John W. Collins, Denver.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 769
1890 — Dr. Jeremiah T. Eskridge, Denver.
1891 — Dr. William M. Strickler, Colorado Springs.
1892— Dr. William E. Wilson, Denver.
1893 — Dr. Edmund J. A. Rogers, Denver.
1894— Dr. Hubert Work, Pueblo.
1895— Dr. I. B. Perkins, Denver.
1896 — Dr. Robert Levy, Denver.
1897 — Dr. Lewis E. Lemen, Denver.
1898— Dr. William A. Campbell, Colorado Springs.
1899— Dr. Joseph N. Hall, Denver.
1900 — Dr. William P. Munn, Denver.
1901 — Dr. Richard W. Corwin, Pueblo.
1902 — Dr. William W. Grant, Denver.
1903 — Dr. Thomas H. Hawkins, Denver.
1904 — Dr. Frank Finney, La Junta.
1905 — Dr. Horace G. Wetherill, Denver.
1906 — Dr. Heman R. Bull, Grand Junction.
1907 — Dr. Herbert B. Whitney, Denver.
1908— Dr. Peter J. McHugh, Fort Collins.
1909 — Dr. Leonard Freeman, Denver.
1910 — Dr. Dill H. Swan, Colorado Springs.
1911 — Dr. Walter A. Jayne, Denver.
1912 — Dr. John A. Black, Pueblo.
1913— Dr. O. M. Gilbert, Boulder.
1914 — Dr. Walter A. Jayne, Denver.
1915 — Dr. George B. Packard, Denver.
1916 — Dr. John R. Espey, Trinidad.
1917 — Dr. Alexander C. Magruder, Colorado Springs.
1918 — Dr. Edward Jackson, Denver.
There are now twenty-four constituent societies which send delegates to the
State Medical Society meetings. These organizations are: Boulder County, 47
members; Crowley County, 4; Delta County, 16; Denver County, 339; El Paso
County, 86; Fremont County, 23; Garfield County, 12; Huerfano County, 12;
Lake County, 20 ; Larimer County, 32 ; Las Animas County, 25 ; Montrose Coun-
ty, 12; Morgan County, 8; Northeast Colorado, 15; Otero County, 18; Prowers
County, 13; Pueblo County, 62; Routt County, 4; San Juan County, 23; San
Luis Valley, 23; Teller County, 10; Tri-County (eastern), not given; Weld
County, 29.
The total membership in the State Medical Association January i, 1918,
was 833.
EARLY MIGRATIONS
The migrations of the physicians of the early period of Colorado's history
make interesting reading. Thus when early in May, 1877, the population of
Fairplay, sick and well, had gone to the new camp at Leadville, Dr. John Law
was among the human driftwood, the first physician to locate in what is now
770 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the City of Leadville. He was made coroner, and as the cases were numerous
his income from this source was about as profitable as a gold mine. Doctor Law
later founded St. Luke's Hospital in Leadville. When Georgetown sent much
of its population to Leadville Dr. J. Ernest Meiere went along to divide business
with Doctor Law. He never got over the migrating fever, and in 1896 landed
in Cripple Creek. Among the early practitioners in the Leadville district were
Dr. Azar A. Smith, Dr. D. H. Dougan, Dr. J. H. Heron, Dr. W. N. Burdick,
Dr. F. F. D'Avignon, Dr. O. H. Simons, Dr. J. J. Crook, Dr. Addison Hawkins,
Dr. A. W. Eyer, Drs. A. C. and A. M. McClean. Dr. H. Steinau was the first
president of the Lake County Medical Association, which was founded De-
cember 30, 1880.
CONDITIONS IN 1864
Dr. Henly W. Allen, of Boulder, in a paper written for Colorado Medicine in
1906, gave a vivid description of the conditions under which medicine was prac-
ticed in Colorado in 1864. He writes:
"There were very few doctors at that time in Colorado — at least in proportion
to other lines of professional men. Among these was Governor John Evans. I
presume we all know he was at one time a member of our profession. He re-
mained always in sympathy with us — even long after he left the chair of obstetrics
in the Rush Medical College, Chicago, and moved to Evanston. Our Doctor King,
now superannuated, Doctors Buckingham, Stedman, Treat, McClelland, Eisner,
Smith, and a number of others whose names I do not just now recall, were in
Denver. At Blackhawk and Central City were Doctor Reed, the Indian mis-
sionary, with his little drug store, and a band of Ute Indians always in evidence
about his place. Doctor Lincoln was just across the street from him. Dr. H. W.
Allen was there conducting a drug store and practicing medicine. Doctors Judd
and Toll were further up the gulch above Gregory Point. I must not forget to
say that that winter Harper Orahood conducted a drug store next to me in the
same block. Henry M. Teller was mining and practicing law in Central City.
In Golden City, then the capital of the territory, Doctor Kelly was holding the
fort. I used to meet him occasionally for consultation, in Boulder County. Colo-
rado Springs, Pueblo, Tarryall, Trinidad, and some other small settlements in the
southern part of the territory, mostly peopled by Mexicans and half -breeds,, and
greasers, had one or more medicine men who were more or less qualified to prac-
tice medicine. Having made this hasty review of what was then in sight in
Colorado at large, let us return to Boulder County for a more detailed account of
what was here, and by what stages we have grown to our present stature. In
the spring of 1865 I moved from Blackhawk to Boulder County, locating at the
confluence of north and south Boulder creeks, where Valmont afterward stood,
for several years a rival of this city, both in population and wealth.
"Doctor Hubbard was living in Boulder and doing what practice there was to
do in Boulder County from this city. There was also here a Doctor Cluster, but
he did little or no business ; also an eclectic, Doctor Bard, lived just east of town.
About this time or soon after Doctor Yates (father of the Yates boys) did a
little business as a cancer doctor in and about Boulder. Doctor Goodwin at this
time lived on the St. Vrain, a little above old Burlington, and a mile south of
HISTORY OF COLORADO 771
where Longmont now stands. He practiced from his home on his ranch. Doctor
Gurney was a kind of peripatetic, or traveling caravansery, making his home
wherever night overtook him. He had quite a large practice, counting square
miles, over the whole of northern Colorado. He will be remembered by old-
timers as the brother-in-law of Judd Terrel, the druggist of Longmont. In the
eastern part of this county or in western Weld County lived Doctor Jones. He
was then teaching school in the "Plum and Baily" district. He afterward mar-
ried one of the Baily girls and opened up an office in Longmont, where he prac-
ticed many years till his death in that place. It was a pleasure to me in those
days to meet Doctor Jones, as I frequently did in consultation; also Doctor
McLeon, Doctor Bowker, '77; Doctor Chase, '77; Doctor Thrailkill, '80 ; Doctor
W. S. Dyer, '75 ; Doctor Hall, '77 ; Doctor Shute, '73 ; and Doctor Youtsey.
"In the summer of 1866 I well remember being a witness for the people in a
poisoning case, which was taken to Denver, on a change of venue from the district
court of Boulder County. I had made an analysis of the stomach contents and
found strychnia. I was stopping at the old Planters' House. In the morning,
when the overland stage came in from Omaha, a very striking character alighted
from the coach. He was a large, heavy-set man, wearing a linen duster and low
plug hat, both of which were begrimed and covered with dust, so that it would
keep one guessing to tell the nationality of this newcomer. This was Dr. F. J.
Bancroft as he was first seen in Denver. He accompanied me to the court room
that afternoon to hear the evidence in that case.
"Ever afterward until Doctor Bancroft retired from professional life we were
friends. If he had an interesting case he would invite me to Denver to see and
assist in any operation which might be required. Do not forget that a trip to
Denver then meant a horseback ride of fifty miles, with about even chances of
losing your scalp. It was no pleasure trip of an hour in a comfortable railroad
coach.
"No further change in the personnel of our fraternity in the northern part of
Colorado occurred until the latter part of '67 or the first of '68.
"Then came Doctor Groesbeck, who later joined the Mormons, struck it rich,
and disappeared somewhere in the great State of Texas. Then came Doctors
Bond and Barclay, with the Greeley Colony. Bond came to Boulder and Barclay
settled on a farm near where Hygiene is now located. Later came Doctors Dodge,
Ambrook and Clark, of the regulars ; Brace and Clarke, homeopaths ; Aerhart,
Deering, Rice, homeopaths; Bock, eclectic; McGraw, from the placer mines of
California; Stradley, physio-medical; Mayfleld, the unctuous; Bardill, of Long-
mont ; Smith, formerly a druggist in Boulder, now in California ; and perhaps
a few others down to 1880. Last but not least of this list, in 1882, came Dr. L. M.
Giffin, whose history in this country is sufficiently known to all of us."
FIRST MEDICAL LEGISLATION
In 1881 the first act controlling the right to practice medicine was passed by the
state legislature. It provided for the creation of a Board of Medical Examiners
to consist of nine medical men representing the three schools of medicine, and it
further provided for an examination "that should be without prejudice or par-
tiality to any school and which should not include materia medica and thera-
772 HISTORY OF COLORADO
peutics." The applicant was to be examined by number so that his identity might
not be known to the examiner, and no questions were to be asked on treatment,
the answers to which might disclose the school of practice of the applicant. All
applicants to practice the healing art were required to appear before the board,
and no one of good moral character could be refused an examination, whether a
graduate in medicine or a blacksmith.
LEGISLATION RELATIVE TO OSTEOPATHY
These general principles with one exception held from that time to 1915, the
exception being that in 1905 the Legislature provided that "Nothing in this act shall
be construed to prohibit . . . the practice of osteopathy when net prescribing
medicine, or administering drugs." This has been known as the osteopathic ex-
emption clause, and by virtue of it the osteopath has maintained an office and
treated the sick. Under decision of the Supreme Court he is permitted to employ
the term "Doctor" if used in connection with the word "osteopath." Thus the
form, "Doctor Smith, osteopath," becomes legal.
At every meeting of the Legislature there was a determined effort to strike out
the exemption clause, but to no avail. During this period strenuous efforts by
the osteopaths to establish a separate osteopathic board of examiners have likewise
met with defeat.
CHIROPRACTIC
In 1915 the Medical Practice Act was again amended providing for the licens-
ing of chiropractors, whose practice was denned to mean "the treatment of disease
or morbid conditions of human beings by palpation, nerve tracing and adjustment
of vertebrae by hand." The amendment further provided that "such license shall
not confer upon licentiates the right to practice surgery or obstetrics, or to pre-
scribe drugs or to administer anaesthetics." "Any person holding a license to
practice chiropractic who shall practice medicine otherwise than is included in
the practice of chiropractic, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor."
In the act as finally passed, provisions were made for a license to practice
chiropractic, based upon the length of time the person had been practicing in
Colorado, and upon the amount of schooling he had had in preparation therefor,
which preparation includes "proving to the satisfaction of the board that he is a
graduate of a school chartered by the state in which it is located to teach chiro-
practic, which school requires the applicant to be in actual attendance for not less
than two years of nine months each, and to take not less than 1,000 hours of
instruction work in each of those years, in order to graduate."
OTHER LEGISLATION
The bill as passed in 1915 provided for the licensing of midwives by examina-
tion, penalizing those who practice midwifery without a license, and defining what
may be legitimately done by midwives ; provided for licensing of chiropodists by
examination, defining what may legitimately be done by them ; defines the practice
of medicine on broader general lines than had ever theretofore been laid down,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 773
and gave the Board of Examiners wider discretion in refusing and revoking
licenses, such discretion applying to all forms of license.
In 1917 the law forbidding the splitting of fees was passed by the legislature.
This merely prohibits what amounts in fact to a commission for referring patients
to a physician.
COLORADO MEDICAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
Dr. Henry Sewall may be termed the father of the Colorado Medical Library
Association, which was formed April 27, 1893, when, at the request of Doctor
Sewall, seven physicians and one layman met in the office of Dr. J. T. Eskridge
and began the work. In the first nine years of its existence the association
gathered approximately $10,000 in valuable medical books. When the new build-
ing on Court Place was officially opened November 29, 1916, the library had
become one of the great medical institutions of the state.
It has to-day the complete catalogue of the library of the Surgeon General,
so far as it has been published, containing in round numbers 225,000 volumes and
340,000 pamphlets. These can now be obtained for reference purposes by any
member physician of the state association. It contains every medical journal
published in the world, and these, too, are accessible to members of the state
association. The library has 16,000 volumes of its own. A large assembly hall
for meetings of the state association and of constituent bodies takes up the large
space in the rear of the library.
WOMEN PRACTITIONERS
Prior to 1881 when the registration of women practitioners was authorized by
legislative enactment in Colorado there were but three or four who had come to
the West to earn a living in the profession. Doctor Avery, who had come early
in the '705, was the pioneer. At the meeting of the state association in 1877
the first effort was made to admit women to membership. It was not, however,
until 1 88 1 that Doctors Mary Barker Bates, Root, Anderson and Avery were
admitted to the county society. Dr. Eleanor Lawney was the first woman graduate
from the medical department of Penver University, in 1877. In 1888 Doctor
Marquette was graduated from Gross Medical, and Dr. Rilla Hay, of Pueblo,
was admitted to membership in the State Medical Association.
What was the first public recognition of woman in the practice of medicine
in the state was the appointment of Dr. Mary Barker Bates to the staff of the
Women's and Children's Hospital, about 1885.
Since this time honors have come thick and fast, and most of the hospitals
of the state have women in staff positions. The State Medical Society has further-
more made amends for its early coolness by repeatedly electing women to im-
portant offices in the organization.
A woman's clinical society, organized in 1896, still exists with a considerable
membership.
NATIONAL AND STATE HONORS
Since 1906 the American Medical Association has honored many Colorado
physicians with appointments to its various boards. Notable among these are:
774 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Dr. W. W. Grant, chairman board of trustees ; Dr. H. T. Pershing, executive com-
mittee, section on nervous and mental diseases Dr. Hubert Work, member judicial
council; Dr. F. P. Gengenbach, secretary, section on diseases of children; Dr.
G. A. Moleen, secretary and later chairman, section on nervous and mental dis-
eases ; Dr. J. R. Arneill, vice chairman, section on pharmacology and therapeutics ;
Dr. Hubert Work, chairman of the house of delegates.
In 1914 Dr. Henry Sewall was elected president of the American Climat-
ological Association and vice president of the Association of American Phys-
icians. Dr. G. B. Packard was chosen president of the American Orthopedic
Association, and Dr. Robert Levy president of the Laryngological, Rhinological
and Otological Society. Dr. Leonard Freeman was in 1914 elected vice president
of the Western Surgical Association, and Dr. Gerald Webb president of the
American Association of Immunologists.
In 1916, for the first time in the history of Colorado, the organized medical
profession was consulted in the choice of appointments to the State Board of
Health. Governor Gunter asked the county and state bodies to present twelve
names, six republicans and six democrats, from which choice could be made.
In May, 1898, the American Medical Association held its meeting in Denver,
the first the association ever held in this region of the Rockies.
The Colorado State Committee of National Defense (Medical Section) ap-
pointed in 1917 is as follows :
Dr. W. W. Grant, chairman ; O. M. Shere, secretary ; A. C. McGruder, Crum
Epler, John W. Amesse, Thomas E. Carmody, R. W. Corwin, Leonard Freeman,
Josiah N. Hall, Edward Jackson, Cuthbert Powell, Henry Sewall, David A.
Strickler, H. G. Wetherill, S. Poulterer Morris, E. F. Dunlevy, G. W. Holden,
E. E. Kennedy, C. F. Meader.
GENERAL HOSPITALS
The general hospitals in the state in 1918 are as follows:
TOWN NAME ESTABLISHED BEDS
Alamosa, Red Cross 15
Alamosa, Alamosa Hospital 1911 15
Aspen, Citizens' 1890 20
Breckenridge, Summit County Hospital 10
Boulder, Boulder Sanitarium 1896 100
Boulder, U. of C. Hospital . 1898 75
Canon City, Fremont County Hospital 1885 52
Canon City, Dr. Graves' Hospital 1900 35
Canon City, Goodloe 1908 20
Colorado Springs, Beth-El 1904 75
Colorado Springs, Isolater 1905 25
Colorado Springs, St. Francis 1887 150
Cripple Creek, Teller County Hospital 1901 29
Cripple Creek, St. Nicholas 1895 20
Denver, County Hospital 1879 500
Denver, Children's Hospital 1910 35
HISTORY OF COLORADO 775
TOWN NAME ESTABLISHED BEDS
Denver, Cottage Home 1886 15
Denver, Dr. McKay's Hospital
Denver, Mercy 1900 150
Denver, Mount Airy 1903 20
Denver, Park Avenue .• 1898 25
Denver, Sand Creek
Denver, St. Anthony's 1892 250
Denver, Steele Memorial 1885 75
Denver, St. Joseph's 1873 234
Denver, St. Luke's 1881 140
Denver, White Cross 1902 10
Del Norte, St. Joseph's 1907 30
Delta, Delta Hospital 1912 10
Durango, Mercy 1884 54
Englewood, Molkery 1901 18
Fairplay, Park County Hospital 1880 10
Florence, Sheridan ...
Fort Collins, Fort Collins Hospital 1903 25
Fort Collins, Larimer County Hospital 1895 15
Georgetown, St. Joseph's 1880 15
Grand Junction, St. Mary's 1895 35
Glenwood Springs, Garfield County Hospital *9O4 30
Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Springs Sanatorium 1905 40
Greeley, Weld County Hospital 1904 26
Greeley, Greeley Hospital 1904 30
Gunnison, Gunnison County Hospital 8
Lamar, Friends' 1908 50
La Junta, City Hospital 1906 30
La Junta, La Junta Sanatorium 1908 67
La Junta, Santa Fe Hospital 1884 45
La Junta, Valley Hospital 1909 12
La Jara, La Jara Hospital 1912 4
Leadville, St. Luke's 1905 15
Leadville, St. Vincent's 1879 100
Littleton, Littleton Hospital 1912 15
Longmont, Longmont Hospital 1907 25
Loveland, Sutherland's 1.898 40
Monte Vista, Monte Vista Hospital 1913 15
Montrose, 'Montrose Hospital (private) 1911 10
Ouray, St. Joseph's 1884 24
Paonia, Paonia Private Hospital 1914 5
Pueblo, Pueblo County Hospital 1906 25
Pueblo, General I91 1 8°
Pueblo, Minnequa 1880 216
Pueblo, Fairmount (general) 1913 3°
Pueblo, Quarantine 1903 16
Pueblo, Sacred Heart 1903 2O°
776 HISTORY OF COLORADO
TOWN NAME ESTABLISHED BEDS
Pueblo, St. Mary's 1882 125
Pueblo, Woodcraft 1896 150
Rifle, Rifle Sanatorium 1907 10
Rocky Ford, Pollock 1906 12
Rye, Idylwild 1904 12
Salida, Denver & Rio Grande R. R. Co 1883 50
Salida, Red Cross 1901 65
Silverton, Miners' 1909 22
Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs Hospital 1905 15
Telluride, Telluride Hospital 1890 30
Trinidad, St. Raphael's f. 1888 125
Victor, Red Cross 1902 21
Windsor, Windsor Hospital 19&9 10
STATE SANATORIA
These are the Sanatoria for tubercular patients in Colorado :
NAME LOCATION SUPERINTENDENT ESTABLISHED BEDS
Boulder Tubercular, Boulder, Dr. H. A. Green 1896 100
Eben-Ezer Merch, Brush, Rev. J. Madsen 1904 45
Phoenix Lodge, Canon City, Mrs. Nettie G. Sheldon 1911 3
Cragmore Sanatorium, Colorado Springs, M. L. Whitney 1905 55
Glockner Sanatorium, Colorado Springs, Sister Rose Alexius 1889 200
Idlewild Sanatorium, Colorado Springs, L. L. Shardlow 1912 10
Nob Hill Lodge Sanatorium, Colorado Springs, Florence E.
Standish 20
Star Ranch in the Pines, Colorado Springs, Alice L. Witkind. . . . 1903 60
Sunnyrest Sanatorium, Colorado Springs, Sister Ida Tobschell. . . 1911 24
Union Printers' Home, Colorado Springs, John C. Daley 1892 210
Crawford, Colo. Pinons, Crawford, R. W. Southworth 1913
Agnes Memorial, Denver, Dr. G. W. Holden 1904 150
Mrs. Lare's Tent Sanitarium, Denver, Mrs. M. W. Lare 1901 33
National Jewish Hospital, Denver, Dr. S. Simon l&99 150
Oakes Home, Denver, Rev. F. W. Oakes 1894 160
Sunlight Sanatorium, Denver, M. W. Page 1902 24
Swedish National Sanatorium, Denver, Dr. C. A. Bundsen 1908 37
Jewish Consumptives Relief Society, Denver, Hermann Schwatt. . 1904 140
U. S. Naval Hospital, Las Animas, George H. Barber 1907 250
Mount Calm Sanatorium, Manitou, Sister Mary Clare 1890 50
Evangelical Lutheran Sanatorium, Wheatridge, Rev. John Schlerf 1905 36
Modern Woodmen Sanatorium, Colorado Springs, J. S. Rutledge 1909 230
COLORADO AS A HEALTH RESORT
It is to the medical fraternity that Colorado owes the continued exploitation
of its wonderful climate as a remedy for tuberculosis and kindred diseases.
Among the most important developments along these lines are the humidity charts
HISTORY OF COLORADO 777
of the late Doctor Denison. The following is a condensation of these important
contributions to the curative powers of the Colorado climate: •
Winter Denver St. Louis Chicago x Cincinnati Phila. New York
Relative humidity 57 85 72 78 81 77
Absolute humidity 10 16 10 20 17 20
1 Isotherm about 5° lower than that of Denver.
Spring Denver St. Louis Chicago 2 Cincinnati Phila. New York
Relative humidity 56 81 64 67 75 68
Absolute humidity ... 20 35 20 30 31 24
2 Isotherm about 5° lower than that of Denver.
Summer Denver St. Louis 3 Chicago Cincinnati 4 Phila. New York
Relative humidity .... 51 75 71 64 83 69
Absolute humidity ... 37 66 52 59 75 57
3 4 Seasonal temperature about 5° higher than that of Denver.
Autumn Denver St. Louis 5 Chicago Cincinnati 6 Phila. 7 New York
Relative humidity .... 50 71 69 64 83 69
Absolute humidity ... 19 37 29 37 39 33
567 Seasonal temperature 5 to 7° higher than that of Denver.
Dr. C. T. Williams on "Aero-therapeutics," in the Lumleian Lectures in 1893,
says concerning Colorado : "With regard to the actual results of the climate it
undoubtedly produces great improvement in 75 per cent of the cases of phthisis
generally, and in 43 per cent it causes more or less complete arrest of the tuber-
culous process."
MILITARY RECUPERATION CAMP
Colorado was during 1918 selected by the federal government as the location
for a "recuperation" camp, and a total of nearly a million dollars is to be expended
in its establishment. The site selected is on what is known as the Gutheil farm
at Aurora, a suburb lying just east of Denver. To this point all soldiers who,
during service, become afflicted with tuberculosis or can be benefited by the climate
are to be sent for restoration. The citizens of Denver subscribed the sum of
$150,000 in order to purchase the land for the government. At this writing it is
believed that the government will depart from its original purpose of making
this a hospital of 1,000 beds for strictly tubercular patients and erect the hospital
to accommodate 5,000 beds, the plan being to make the institution of reconstructive
character, where new and interesting processes will be used to rehabilitate wounded
soldiers and make them fit for civilian callings.
COLORADO DOCTORS IN WORLD WAR
The following is a complete roster up to March I, 1918, of all Colorado
physicians who have volunteered for medical service in the army of the United
States :
Canon City — Hart Goodlee.
Cedaredge — Louis Clifton Belton.
Colorado Springs — Lloyd Raymond Allen, George Wm. Bancroft, James
7Y8 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Horace Brown, Brunett A. Filmer, Alexius Mador Forster, Henry Williamson
Hoagland, Torn* Ray Knowles, Philip Albert Loomis, Alexander C. Magruder,
Homer Clifton Moses, George Laird Sharp, Charles F. Stough, Gerald Nertram
Webb.
Delagua — Edwin Dalp Burkhard.
Del Norte— Arthur Blaine Gjellum, Harry C. Miller.
Delta— Winfield Scott Clelland.
Denver — James Rae Arneil, Wm. Mathews Bane, Amos L. Beagler, Wm.
Calvin Kennerdell, Mordecai R. Bren, Alpha J. Campbell, Fred Howard Car-
penter, Phillips Maurice Chase, Charles Bernard Dorset, William Edmundson,
Ray Lawrence Drinkwater, Charles Arthur Ellis, William Chris Finnoff, Harmon
Lonzo Fowler, Harold Gould Garwood, William W. Grant, Josiah Newhall Hall,
Eugene Hattis, John Claudius Herrick, Arthur Junius Holmquist, Thomas Mayes
Hopkins, Louis Hough, Clarence B. Ingram, Jr., Walter Addison Jayne, Samuel
Fosdick Jones, William Wiley Jones, Robert Lapinski Kae'gel, Wallace Gaw Kent,
Robert Levy, Arthur Jackson Markley, Henry Richardson McGraw, Francis
Hector McNaught, Bert Menser, George Kingsley Olmsted, Robert C. Packard,
Cyrus Long Pershing, Cuthbert Powell, Charles Andrew Powers, Miller E. Pres-
ton, William Alexander Sedwick, Harry Summers Shafer, Carl Wilson Slusser,
Arthur William Stahl, Chauncey Eugene Tennant, Thomas John West, William
W. Williams.
Durango — Aleck Franklin Hutchinson.
Englewood — Hubert Greiger.
Floresta — Fred Foster Stocking.
Fort Collins — Curtis Atkinson, Albery Whipple Rew.
Fort Logan — John William Amesse, John R. Hall.
Fort Morgan — Elwyn Ray Clarke.
Frederick — James Harold Leyda.
Gibsonburg — Albert Griffith Eyestone.
Golden— John P. Kelly, Earl Wallace Kemble.
Glenwood Springs — William W. Frank.
Grand Junction — James Melville Shields, Arthur George Taylor.
Greeley — Oscar F. Broman, Edwin Winslow Knowles.
Hayward — Charles John Harbeck.
Henderson— Albert West Metcalf, Jr.
Hotchkiss — W. Claude Copeland, Walter Haines Lewis.
Ideal — Jesse Daniel Wilson.
Ignacio — Gerry Sanger Driver.
Kremmling — Justin John Young.
La Junta — Ernest G. Edwards.
Grand Junction — Frank Noble Stiles.
Ludlow — Walter Leigh Barbotir.
Billiken — Carl Campbell Fuson.
Olathe — Charles Edwin Lackwood.
Ouray — Lawrence Clark Cook.
Pyrolite — William Benjamin Lewis.
Pueblo— Elridge Stevens Adams, Charles Walker Streamer, Charles Wm.
Thompson, Philip Work.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 779
Rocky Ford— Gary R. Pollock.
Somerset — James Richard Earle.
Sopris — Arthur Ernest Gill.
Stoneham — Floyd Clinton Turner.
Strong — Aubert Durnell.
Telluride — James Willboarn Sylvester Cross.
Trinidad— John R. Espey, Caleb W. Presnall.
Walden— Charles H. Fiecher.
Windsor — Paul S. Wagner.
Woodmen — Harry Toulmin Lay.
Boulder— Cyrus Watt Poley.
Colorado Springs — Lewis Hugh McKinnie.
Denver — Alexander Bismark Terrell, Leonard Green Crosby, Samuel F. Jones,
Nicholas Anderson Wood.
Fort Morgan — Robery Craig Bowie.
Golden — Joseph Robinson Hood.
Paonia— Augustus Frederick Erich.
Denver — Edward Francis Dean, Ranulph Hudston, Oliver Lyons, Harold
George Macomber, Lewis Marshall Van Meter.
Grand Junction — Charles Wesley Reed.
Johnstown — Orien Asbury Grantham.
Lamar — Clyde Thomas Knuckley.
Silver Plume— William Elizabeth Drisdale.
Steamboat Springs — Frank Joy Blackmer.
Victor— Charles Edward Elliott.
Trinidad — Frederick Joseph Peiree.
Buena Vista — Victor B. Ayers, Angus Alexander MacLennen.
Cheyenne Wells— Carleton Orr Booth.
Craig — Morrow Duncan Brown.
Crawford — Oscar Allen Duncan.
Denver — George Wm. Bancroft, Benjamin William Carlson, Harold Gould
Garwood, William Arthur McGugan, William Roberts.
Grand Valley — Fred Henry Miller.
Hotchkiss— W. Claude Copeland.
La Junta — Harvey Ellsworth Hall.
Ordway — Charles Alexander Roberts.
Pueblo — Eugene Harold Brown.
Segundo — Ortus Fuller Adams.
Colorado Springs — Omer Rand Gillett, Edgar Marcella Marbourg.
Delta- — Earlscourt Grant Shaffer.
Florence — Vardney Amon Hutton.
Denver — Albert Warner Dewey, William Donaldson Fleming, Horace G.
Wetherill. Augustine Santini Cecchini, George Bennette Lewis, Joseph Brenald
Salberg, Elbert Byron Swerdfeger.
McClave — Edward King Lawrence.
Oak Creek — Joseph Aloysius Kelly, Julian C. Kennedy.
Ordway — James Edgar Jeffery.
Plateau Citv — William Victor Watson.
780 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Pueblo — John Frederick Howard.
Trinidad — Archibald Joseph Chisholm.
Colorado Springs — Louis Gordon Brown, Will Howard Swan.
Denver — Harold Emerson Farnwt>rth.
Longmont — Samuel Byrd McFarland, Vivian Russel Pennock, Willard Justin
White.
Pueblo — Thomas A. Stoddard.
Salida — Charles Stephen Phalen.
Sugar City — Charles Waxham.
Denver — Raymond Earl Feebler, Arthur James Offerman, Harry Silsby
Finney.
Central City — Clarence Mauritz Froid.
Colorado Springs — Louis Gordon Brown.
Lamar — Lanning Elbridge Likes.
Pueblo — Thomas A. Stoddard.
Salida— C. Rex Fuller.
Steamboat Springs — William Kernaghan.
CHAPTER XXXIX
THE PRESS OF COLORADO
BRINGING THE FIRST PRINTING PRESS TO THE NEW GOLD REGION GREELEY VISITS
THE CAMP — THE FIRST EXTRA BYERS SECURES CONTROL OF THE NEWS —
CHANGES IN CONTROL — PATTERSO-N BECOMES EDITOR — THE TIMES IS FOUNDED
THE REPUBLICAN THE TRIBUNE PIONEER PUBLICATIONS IN THE MINING
CAMPS FOUNDING THE CHIEFTAIN AT PUEBLO THE STAR-JOURNAL THE BE-
GINNING OF COLORADO SPRINGS NEWSPAPERS ON THE WESTERN SLOPE — IN THE
SAN LUIS VALLEY IN THE ARKANSAS VALLEY — NEWSPAPERS OF THE PLAINS —
GREELEY TRIBUNE FORT COLLINS PUBLICATIONS GUNNISON^S PAPERS OTHER
COUNTY AND CITY PUBLICATIONS.
FIRST PRINTING PRESS IN GOLD REGION
Gold dust and little nuggets carried in goose quills by miners returning from
Colorado by way of Omaha to the East were the inspiration for Denver's first
newspaper.
W. N. Byers, then a resident of the little village of Omaha, saw the gold,
talked with the miners and became impressed with the importance of the Rocky
Mountain region. In 1858 he had heard the reports from the Pike's Peak country
and had decided to set out for the new Eldorado at once, but was prevented by
an accidental gunshot wound that almost proved fatal. In the meantime, being
familiar with the Platte River route to the West, and having encountered several
men who had returned from Pike's Peak, in the autumn of 1858 he prepared and
published his Pike's Peak Guide.
One day in the winter of 1858 someone who entered Byers' office in Omaha
suggested that it would be a good idea to take a printing press to the new coun-
try and print the news of the discoveries at the point where the discoveries
were made.
Byers was instructed to purchase the press and the necessary material. Al-
though he was wholly inexperienced as a newspaper editor and publisher, Byers
resolved to join in the enterprise. He went to the Town of Bellevue, nine miles
south of Omaha, and at that time larger than Omaha, and there bought a print-
ing press. Carting it to Omaha, he made a test of it and found that it worked
satisfactorily. Some of the type was set up and two pages were printed. Every-
thing was in shape so that a paper could be "printed without difficulty when the
proprietors had selected a settlement in which to publish their paper.
Associated with Byers in the enterprise was Thomas Gibson. They were ac-
companied by John L. Dailey, an experienced practical printer, who afterward
became one of the proprietors. Dr. George C. Monell of Omaha had an interest
781
782 , HISTORY OF COLORADO
in the venture, but he disposed of it before the party arrived in Denver. He
returned to Omaha, while all the others proceeded toward the goal of their am-
bition.
Thomas Gibson, the active partner of Byers, was from Fontanelle, Nebraska.
Those who accompanied the outfit were W. N. Byers, Thomas Gibson, John L.
Dailey, Robert L. Sumner, Edward C. Sumner, I. Sansom/P. W. Case, L. A.
Curtice, James Creighton and his brother, Harry Creighton, Harry Gibson, H.
E. Turner and "Pap" Hoyt.
BYERS' JOURNEY WEST
In an address delivered at a meeting of the Colorado pioneers in 1899 Byers
gave the following account of the journey:
"We left Omaha on the eighth of March about the time the frost had begun
coming out of the ground. We encountered a great many difficulties, but on the
last day of March we reached the banks of the Platte River, opposite Fort Kear-
ney.
"I was wagon boss, and I used a little ingenuity in distributing my train along
the road, apprehending that my party might object to crossing the stream, which
was then running high, if an opportunity to confer was given. So I got the first
wagon into the water before the drivers of the others had a chance to protest.
I had learned never to camp on the near side of a stream. The others were
very indignant, but I pushed them all in successfully without giving them a chance
to compromise; whereupon each became still more opposed to the proceedings.
"The heaviest wagon got into a sink-hole of quicksand and we did not reach
the other bank until dark. There was no road on the other side, but we man-
aged to get through the night. If we had not crossed the river that evening we
would have been, as matters turned out, delayed several days, for the next morn-
ing the river was full of floating ice that did not disappear for nearly a week.
"We located a camp at St. Vrain so as to give some of the men a chance to
prospect. I then went on in advance and reached Denver April I7th, finding the
people were a good deal more anxious about the arrival of the newspaper than
had been reported.
"At the beginning of the second day I sent a messenger on horseback to hurry
up the train, and two days later it arrived. One of the wagons stuck in Cherry
Creek at Blake Street, so we did not get across until after nightfall. I immedi-
ately drove over to the little office I had secured. Old Uncle Dick Wooton had
built a log cabin which contained a little attic, and this he had offered to me.
There we set up our press and began setting type.
FIRST PAPER IN TERRITORY
"We improvised a shelter under the roof to protect the press. This was a
sort of tent. The clapboard roof o*f the building was covered with snow, which,
as it melted, ran through upon us. Before the first issue of the paper was made
a little dodger was struck off for a man who had lost a horse and a dog.
"This was the first printing done in this territory.
"Now, there was another paper came out that same evening called the Cherry
HISTORY OF COLORADO 783
Creek Pioneer ! When I was at Fort Kearney I heard that a man named Mer-
rick had preceded us by some days. He did nothing until we arrived and then
he became very anxious to print a paper, too. He got a log cabin and started to
work. The result was to get out a paper the same evening. The citizens con-
stituted themselves a committee to see which of us got out the first.
"The consensus of opinion was that we came out twenty minutes ahead of
the other. This paper of Merrick's was issued only once. The next day he
hunted up my partner and seld his outfit for some flour and bacon."
It was the news of another enterprise that prompted Byers to such haste from
Fort Kearney to Denver. Someone who had come up from the South told of an
outfit bound for Denver from St. Joseph. After that it was a race for the goal,
and J. L. Merrick won the race without knowing it. He arrived in Denver on
April 1 3th, and rested on his laurels until rudely awakened on the morning of
April i/th by the information that rival publishers had entered the settlement.
Again a race began,- but this time Merrick was the loser. An interesting fea-
ture of the contest was the posting of bets among the gamblers on the outcome.
From Uncle Dick Wooton's "palatial" store building they hurried to Merrick's
cabin and back again. They urged on the contestants to accelerate their work,
jested, drank "Taos lightning," and enjoyed the affair immensely.
When Byers rode into Auraria, on the west bank of Cherry Creek, he en-
countered discouragements that would have daunted a less determined pioneer.
Hard times had come upon the settlement. Easterners who had 'rushed to Colo-
rado, consumed with the gold fever, became disheartened when they found what
mining meant. The result was an exodus almost as large as had been the influx
of gold-seekers a few months before.
The enterprise had been launched for the purpose of apprising the world
of the new discoveries. The returning Easterners told pitiful tales of woe, and
were so blue that they represented conditions much worse than they really were.
Byers, however, had seen the gold in the goose quills, and had heard the other
side of the story from miners who had succeeded.
In spite of the business depression he founded his paper, and it succeeded
from the start, although it passed through strenuous times in its early career.
THE FIRST EXTRA
Colorado's first and most important extra edition of a newspaper advertised
authoritatively to the world Colorado's gold discoveries. It was issued soon after
the founding of The News, and was one of the most notable events in the
history of Colorado up to that time.
Horace Greeley, the celebrated editor of the New York Tribune; Henry Vil-
lard of the Cincinnati Commercial, and A. D. Richardson, the noted correspon-
dent, who afterward wrote "Beyond the Mississippi," and who worked for a
time on The Rocky Mountain News, visited Denver and the gold camps and
signed a statement verifying the reports, then greatly discredited in the East, that
substantial gold strikes had been made in Colorado.
The statement appeared in an extra edition of The Rocky Mountain News
published on Saturday, June n, 1859. ^ appeared on brown wrapping paper
for lack of news print.
GENERAL WILLIAM LARIMER'S CABIN. BUILT IN THE CLOSING DAYS OF
NOVEMBER, 1858
A BUILDING ERECTED IN NOVEMBER, 1859, BY THE OWNERS OF THE ROCKY
MOUNTAIN NEWS, AND WHICH WAS THE HOME OF THAT
NEWSPAPER UNTIL LATE IN AUGUST, 1860
From a photograph made in 1900.
(Reproductions from pictures of some of Denver's pioneer buildings.)
HISTORY OF COLORADO 785
Describing the trip to the gold region that resulted in the famous extra, Rich-
ardson says :
"From Denver to the foot of the range seemed only a stone's throw, but we
found it fifteen miles. The only well-defined spur is Table Mountain, which
rises 500 or 600 feet from the valley with symmetric stone walls. It looked down
upon two little tents, then the only dwellings for miles; but in the intervening
years it has seen a thriving and promising manufacturing town under the broad
mountain shadow.
"At its base we found Clear Creek, greatly swollen, so we left the coach,
saddled the mules and rode them through the stream amid a crowd of emigrants,
who sent up three hearty cheers for Horace Greeley. The road was swarming
with travelers. In the distance they were clambering right up a hill as abrupt as
the roof of a cottage.
"It seemed incredible that any animal less agile than a mountain goat could
reach the summit ; yet this road, only five weeks old, was beaten like a turnpike ;
and far above us toiled men, mules and cattle, pigmies upon the Alps. Wagons
carrying less than half a ton were drawn up by twenty oxen, while those de-
scending dragged huge trees in full branch and leaf behind them as brakes.
"We all dismounted to ascend, except Mr. Greeley, still so lame that his over-
taxed mule was compelled to carry him.
"Mr. Greeley, Henry Villard and myself spent two days in examining the
gulches and in conversing with the workmen engaged in running the sluices.
Most of the companies reported to us that they were operating successfully.
Then we joined in a detailed report, naming the members of each company and
their former places of residence in 'the states' (that any who desired might learn
their reputation for truthfulness), and added their statements. to the number of
men they were employing and the average yield of their sluices per day. We
endeavored to give the shadows as well as the lights of the picture, recounting the
hardship and perils of the long journey, and the bitter disappointment experienced
by the unsuccessful many ; and earnestly warning the public against another gen-
eral and ill-advised rush to the mines. Little time is required to learn the great
truth that digging gold is about the hardest way upon earth to obtain it ; that in
this, as in other pursuits, great success is very rare.
"The report was widely copied throughout the country as the first specific, dis-
interested and trustworthy account of the newly-discovered placers."
It was this that received its first publication in Colorado's first extra. The
statement was published to the exclusion of almost everything else with the fol-
lowing prefatory note by Mr. Byers :
. "We are indebted to the kindness of Mr. Williams of the Leavenworth and
Pike's Peak Express for the following report from Messrs. Greeley, Richardson
and Villard, which will give satisfaction to the public mind, and at once set at
rest the cry of 'humbug' reiterated by the returning emigration from this region.
The names of the gentlemen signed to this report are sufficient to give it credence
without further comment from us, and the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Wil-
liams to get it before the public are commendable."
The printer who set up this statement for the extra was Gen. George West,
who later became proprietor of the Golden Transcript. Concerning its publication,
General West wrote to Curator Ferril of the Colorado State Historical Society :
Vol. I 50
786 HISTORY OF COLORADO
''According to my recollection, it was June loth (Saturday) that it was printed,
but it might have been dated the next day. My party had just arrived from across
the plains, and about noon were pulling through the sand of Cherry Creek at the
Blake Street crossing, twenty or thirty teams of us, when we heard a shout from
a man, standing on a little foot-bridge which crossed the creek at that point. It
proved to be old man Gibson of The News. .'Hey, there !' he ejaculated, 'are there
any printers in this crowd?'
"I told him there were two or three of us. He then asked us to go into camp
and come up and set up an extra for him.
"As we were uncertain about what we were going to do, even now that we had
reached Pike's Peak, we concluded to do as he requested. Bill Summers, Mark
Blunt, late of Pueblo, and I went to the office, then located in a one and a half-
story log cabin on Ferry Street, now Eleventh Street, where we found Horace
Greeley, A. D. Richardson and Henry Villard, who had just returned from the
mountains, and The News wanted to publish their report in an extra. We then
buckled to, set it up and worked off, I believe, 500 copies on the old Washington
hand press. For this we received five pennyweight of gold dust."
The difficulties in obtaining news, even for a weekly paper, in 1859, can well
be imagined. The telegraph lines ended at St. Joseph, Missouri, and the mails
were transmitted to Denver by stage with exasperating irregularity. Moreover,
the private stage company at one time charged as much as twenty-five cents for
the transportation of every letter. Reference has been made to the difficulty of
obtaining white paper and to the fact that the famous Greeley extra was printed
on brown wrapping paper.
When the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express Company began operations
the postmaster at Leavenworth received instructions from Washington to deliver
all the mail matter from the Pike's Peak region to the company as long as the
coaches would carry it across the plains free of expense to the Government. This
gave the express company and its successor a monopoly in handling the mail that
continued until midsummer of 1860.
NEWS BECOMES A DAILY
On August 27, 1860, The Rocky Mountain News became a daily paper. Early
in November it began publishing telegraphic news, the first newspaper service of
that kind received in Denver. These dispatches did not come all the way through
by wire, for, as has been stated, no telegraph wires were nearer Denver than 500
miles.
The first dispatch with the news of Lincoln's election left St. Joseph by pony
express on the afternoon of November 8th, and was published in The News No-
vember I3th.
This service was continued in 1861 from the westward-moving terminus of
the overland telegraph until the wires connected Denver with the outside world.
The difficulties of conducting a newspaper were principally those incident to
the delays in getting supplies and news from the outside world in the days of
the stage coach and pony express. In 1859 the nearest postoffice was at Fort
Laramie, 220 miles to the north, and mails from that point arrived in Denver but
once or twice a month.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 787
On May i, 1859, the founders of The News sent a special messenger to Fort
Laramie and after many hardships and much suffering he returned with a mule
that carried a heavy load of messages, letters and newspapers. Thus were the
first "exchanges" brought to the News office and they supplied all the important
news of the great world beyond.
Frank A. Root, author of "The Overland Stage to California," who was mes-
senger in charge of the express business and an agent of the postoffice department
in the '6os to look after the transportation of the mails across the plains to the
mountains and to California, recalls some interesting facts concerning The News
in war times. In his book he writes :
"I was a regular subscriber to The News during the most of 1864 and remem-
ber the paper as plainly as if it were only yesterday. A few times it came out
printed on tissue, with only a few short columns. This was after the Indians had
placed an embargo on all commerce of the plains over the Platte Valley route for
300 miles, and for at least two or three weeks business of every kind along the
line was at a standstill — practically paralyzed.
"When The News was being regularly issued as a daily and the Pacific tele-
graph had reached a point one hundred miles west of Fort Kearney, the reports
were taken off at Cottonwood Springs ; and still later, at old Julesburg, one hun-
dred miles farther west, and still two hundred miles east of Denver, but for a.
time the nearest point where news was received by wire — nearly forty-eight hours
away."
On July 12, 1860, a series of murders and outrages began in Denver. The
first act of violence, the one that led directly to the historic attack on The News
office, was the shooting of Stark, a Mexican negro, by Charles Harrison, a noto-
rious gambler and desperado. No arrest was made. The negro died of his wounds
on July 2 1 st.
The next act in the sanguinary drama was that of James A. Gordon, who shot
Frank O'Neill, a barkeeper. A few days afterward the desperado fired at one
of his own kind, but missed. A few hours later Gordon set upon John Gantz,
another barkeeper, knocked him down, held him by the hair, and shot him through
the head after snapping his revolver ineffectually four times.
The Law and Order League got into action immediately, but Gordon escaped
to New Mexico. A month later he was arrested by Sheriff Middaugh, brought
back to Denver, tried by a people's court and hanged.
The Rocky Mountain News, in its issue of July 25th, denounced these and
other outrages and was especially trenchant in its condemnation of Harrison for
his unprovoked murder of Stark.
For several days the outlaws and thugs brooded in rage over the excoriation.
On July 3ist, headed by the notorious Carroll Wood, they attacked The News
office, fully armed. Being wholly unprepared for the assault, the employes were
unable to resist and the desperadoes seized Byers and took him to the Criterion
saloon to account to Harrison.
The ringleader, despite his vicious character, was a man of more prudence
than his associates, and his intelligence probably forewarned him of the doom that
awaited the outlaw band. At one time he had been a Mason and he recognized
Byers as a member of the society.
Leading the editor away from the furious desperadoes, who were flourishing
788 HISTORY OF COLORADO
revolvers and making terrible threats, he conducted him to a rear room of the
saloon on the pretense of settling with him alone. As quickly as possible Harrison
let Byers out of a back door and a few minutes later raised a hue and cry that his
prisoner had escaped.
When The News became a daily paper, a lively journalistic contest was in-
augurated. Thomas Gibson had established the Rocky Mountain Herald. The
war of the rebellion soon began ; news was exciting, and the mining communities
were eager to receive information as quickly as possible. Both newspapers, at
great cost, established and maintained pony express lines to Central City, Black-
hawk and other points, and employed many agents and carriers. To sustain such
a service it was necessary to charge a high price for the paper, which was sold to
the subscribers for $24 a year.
Daily, weekly and frequently tri-weekly papers were issued to catch the moun-
tain mails.
The News scarcely had weathered the financial storm caused by the fire of
1863, which swept away a large part of its patronage, when a new disaster befell
it. The Cherry Creek flood of May 19, 1864, washed away The News building,
which had been constructed in the bed of the creek so as to cause no ill feeling
among the people of the rival towns of Auraria and Denver.
After the flood no paper was printed by the News for more than a month, but
on June 27, 1864, publication was resumed, Byers and Dailey having bought the
Commonwealth newspaper and plant.
In 1866 a new building was erected for the News at 369 Larimer Street, and
in 1870 with the advent of the railroad it became a morning newspaper, the first
issue run off on new presses and with new equipment appearing early in June of
that year. In this year also Mr. Byers became sole proprietor, having bought out
the interest of John L. Dailey. In 1876 the Rocky Mountain News Printing Com-
pany was organized, Mr. Byers owning practically all of the stock.
In May, 1878, the town and state were surprised to learn of the sale of the
entire plant to W. A. H. Loveland, who at once changed it from a republican to
a democratic daily, enlarging it in July, 1879, to an eight page form. On January
i, 1880, the new company began the publication of the Leadville Democrat, Love-
land having been persuaded to undertake the new venture by John Arkins, then
his managing editor in Denver. In 1881 the Democrat was sold by Loveland. In
June, 1880, John Arkins bought a third interest in the News, and on March 15,
1886, the entire Loveland holding was taken over by John Arkins, James M. Bur-
nell and Maurice Arkins.
PATTERSON BECOMES EDITOR
On August 9, 1890, Thomas M. Patterson, a leader in the party, and one of
the most prominent attorneys in the state, bought a third interest in the News,
securing the Burnell third interest in 1892 and control of the paper. John Arkins
remained as managing editor of the paper until his death in 1894. In this venture
Mr. Patterson was soon associated with Richard Campbell, his son-in-law, and in
1902 they purchased the Denver Times from David H. Moffat and associates, Mrs.
John Arkins for a time retaining the old Arkins interest in the company. This
was later purchased by Senator Patterson and Mr. Campbell.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 789
In 1910 the Times was sold to a new corporation of local capitalists.
On October 23, 1913, the News and Times and Republican were sold to Jokn
C. Shaffer, owner of the Chicago Evening Post, the Indianapolis Star, the Terre
Haute (Ind.) Star, the Muncie (Ind.) Star and the Louisville Herald. Mr.
Shaffer discontinued publication of the Denver Republican, merging it into the
Denver Times and Rocky Mountain News, of which he is" still in 1918 the owner.
While the Rocky Mountain News was the first permanent newspaper publi-
cation in what is now Colorado, it was soon followed by other journals, most of
which had but a fleeting existence. The pioneer newspaper of the Gregory dig-
gings was The Rocky Mountain Gold Reporter and Mountain City Herald, a small
folio which Thomas Gibson, later a prominent Omaha newspaper man, and who
came to the mountains with the Byers party, issued August 8, 1859, near what is
now Central City. This was discontinued during the winter, but resumed publi-
cation in the spring in Denver, its long and sonorous name having been curtailed
to The Daily Rocky Mountain Herald, the first daily newspaper in the Rocky
Mountain country. This in 1862 became the Daily Commonwealth and Republi-
can, of which Mr. Gibson and Governor Gilpin were owners and Lewis Ledyard
Weld and O. J. Hollister, editors. As already stated, it was merged with the
News a month or more after the big flood of May, 1864. Gibson had, however,
sold out on January i, 1864, to representatives of Governor John Evans, and he
in turn sold to Mr. Byers.
SECOND DENVER DAILY
On August 25, 1860, the second Denver daily appeared as The Daily and
Weekly Mountaineer and owned by James T. Coleman and John C. Moore, then
mayor of Denver. It was both democratic and Southern in its policy, and early
in 1861 its proprietors sold out to the News and joined the Confederate army.
On August 27, 1860, the News began its daily and this made the third six-
days-a-week publication in the metropolis of the "Diggings." The Herald and
News became keen competitors, spending large sums in pony express service
and in the organization of mining camp branches, which were in turn served by
swift riders.
The Denver Daily Gazette, owned and published by Frederick J. Stanton, ap-
peared on May 13, 1865, and remained active in the field until 1869, when it was
sold to E. H. Saltiel and George Barnett, who called it The Denver Daily Times.
It lasted only a few months under their management.
O. J. Goldrick, the first school teacher of Denver, revived The Rocky Moun-
tain Herald as a weekly in 1868, and remained its editor until his death in 1886.
While Merrick printed but one issue of the Cherry Creek Pioneer, the press
he brought overland from St. Joseph later was used to print the first issues of
Golden's Western Mountaineer. This was printed in 1860 and 1861 by A. D.
Richardson and Thomas W. Knox, who later achieved fame as war correspon-
dents and authors. In 1861 it printed the Canon City Times, a short-lived pub-
lication, and later, in 1862, a still shorter-lived paper at Buckskin Joe in South
Park. In 1866 it was used to print the Valmont Bulletin, which later became the
Boulder Valley Herald. It was then sent outside of the state, where it is prob-
ably still doing service.
790 HISTORY OF COLORADO
THE DENVER TIMES
The Denver Times began as a theatrical program August n, 1870, and was
known as The Lorgnette, with Clarence E. Hagar, an ambitious compositor on
the News, as owner and editor. In 1872 this small program was enlarged to a
six column folio, its name was changed to The Daily City Item, and it was issued
regularly as an afternoon paper. When S. T. Sopris, another News employe,
purchased an interest, the paper was called The Daily Evening Times, and its
first issue under this name appeared April 8, 1872. A. J. Boyer, during the next
few months purchased the interests of both Hagar and Sopris. This was in the
midst of the Greeley campaign, and Boyer was an ardent supporter of the editor
of the New York Tribune. On June 24th Edward Bliss, one of the members of
the first Byers newspaper company, bought it and changed it from a "Greeley"
to a "Grant" paper. On August iQth of that same year it became the property
of Roger W. Woodbury, an able newspaper man, who enlarged it to a seven
column folio and in June. 1874, moved it into its own building — an old structure
— on Lawrence Street, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth streets. Some years
later the Times Building was erected on what is now the western portion of the
Golden Eagle Building. Its first home had been in the rear of Grant's bookstore
on Larimer Street, moving later to the corner of Fifteenth and Lawrence, and
then into the building bought by Mr. Woodbury. In 1903 it moved into the
Charles Block, corner Fifteenth and Curtis streets, and there it remained until
purchased by the Rocky Mountain News Company. Later when bought by
local capitalists it was moved to the building owned by Herbert George, on
Champa, between Seventeenth and Eighteenth, and when bought by John C.
Shaffer was again published from the Rocky Mountain News Building on Welton
Street.
Frank Hall, the historian of Colorado, was its editor in 1878. In 1880 Judge
Albion. W. Tourgee. the great novelist, was in editorial charge for a brief period.
On May 20, 1882. when the new building on Lawrence Street had been occupied,
the paper was sold to a company consisting of F. S. Woodbury, son of R. W.
Woodbury, Thomas F. Dawson, later the biographer of Edward O. Wolcott, and
Capt. R. G. Dill.
F. S. Woodbury soon became sole proprietor, and on May 28, 1888, sold the
paper and plant to \Yilliam H. Griffith, a young and ambitious Denver attorney,
who had been associated with E. O. Wolcott. Mr. Griffith took personal charge,
and, with Hal Gaylord. now publisher of the Kansas City Journal, as business
manager, achieved a substantial success. On January i, 1891, Mr. Griffith sold
the Time's to H. W. Hawley and W. E. Brownlee, and in a few weeks established
The Colorado Sun. a new morning paper, printing it from 1224 Fifteenth Street.
Early in the spring of 1893 ^ came mto tne possession of Earl B. Coe, who
changed it to an evening paper. In July, 1894, Mr. Coe and associates bought
the Denver Times and consolidated it with the Sun, printing the paper under
the title The Denver Times.
In the course of the- next few years the paper became the property of David
H. Moffat and associates, and remained under their management until it was
sold to the Rocky Mountain News.
In 1910 the Water Company controversy assumed alarming proportions. A
HISTORY OF COLORADO 791
group of capitalists, in August of that year, purchased the paper from the News
Company, having in view a newspaper representation for the interests which
were then contesting with the city over the valuation and sale of the water com-
pany properties.
As stated before, the Times, on October 23, 1913, became the property of
John C. Shaffer.
THE REPUBLICAN
The Denver Republican for years one of the leading republican papers of
the* country, and which was merged with the News when both papers were pur-
chased by John C. Shaffer, had its origin in 1874 not alone as a democratic paper
but under the title Colorado Democrat.
In the spring of that year Thomas G. Anderson began its publication, on
the east side of Sixteenth Street between Larimer and Lawrence streets, both
as a daily and weekly. Within six months it became the property of Frederick
J. Stanton, who in 1876, when it was printed from 322 Blake Street, again
turned it over to its founder^ Thomas G. Anderson, and to his associates, Joseph
Farmer and Benjamin D. Spencer. The latter soon dropped out, and "Farmer &
Anderson, Proprietors." was the sign put up at 371 Larimer Street, which had
become its publication office. About this time W. A. H. Loveland purchased
the News and made it a democratic paper. This apparently was the democrat's
opportunity, and Thomas G. Anderson and the Farmer heirs sold the property
to a group of ardent republicans, W. G. Brown, Henry Ward and W. H. Price,
and these at once, in June, 1879, began its publication as The Denver Republican,
a morning paper. Three months later the property was sold to Charles B.
Wilkinson, of St. Joseph, Missouri. Local men, however, again secured control,
and on November i, 1880, the Republican Publishing Company was organized by
Gen. Joseph C. Wilson, George T. Clarke and Amos Steck. On June 20, 1881,
it became the property of Senator N. P. Hill and associates. In 1887 Senator
Hill acquired control. It remained in the possession of the Hill heirs until its
sale to John C. Shaffer in 1913. The Denver Republican under the Hill owner-
ship and the editorial management of William Stapleton became one of the most
influential republican journals in the country.
On August 12, 1884, the famous Denver Tribune was merged with the Repub-
lican, and thus there passed out of existence, if not the most celebrated, surely
the most picturesque of the many dailies that 'have occupied this field. This
was founded in 1867 as The Denver Daily by L. M. Koons, from one of the
group of structures on what was later the Times Building, 1547-51 Lawrence
Street. On May 15, 1867, it first appeared as The Daily Colorado Tribune.
Gen. R. W. Woodbury and John Walker bought into the publication in January,
1868. On December 29, 1871, The Tribune Association was organized by E. P.
Hollister, E. G. Bond and associates, and purchased the paper, when it was re-
moved to Sixteenth and Market streets. Henry C. Brown became its proprietor
in 1872, and sold it to Herman Beckurts. In 1880 it passed into the possession
of Herman Silver, G. B. Robinson and associates. This was the period in which
it had on its staff Eugene Field, whose "Tribune Primer" made both him and
792 HISTORY OF COLORADO
his paper famous. Frederick J. Skiff, now at the head of the Field Columbian
Museum in Chicago, was on its staff.
In 1881 Wilson A. Hamill bought the paper and within two years sold it to
T. C. Henry, who was then conducting immense colonization projects for eastern
capitalists. Mr. Henry finally merged the paper with the Denver Republican.
THE DENVER POST
The Denver Post began publication August 8, 1892, having been incorpo-
rated as The Post Publishing Company by Hugh Butler, George D. Herbert,
Caldwell Yeaman, R. G. McNeal, M. C. Jackson, I. C. Crose and M. J. Mctfa-
mara. The directors included W. P. Carruthers, A. B. McKinley, Charles J.
Hughes, Jr., and Platt Rogers. The publication office was at 1744 Curtis Street.
In that and the following year it had but a small following, for its owners and
friends were Cleveland democrats, and that political species was under the ban
in this "silver and Bryan" country. On August 29, 1893, it suspended publica-
tion, but was revived in 1894, by The Post Printing Company, which incorpo-
rated for $100,000 with H. J. Anderson, William Kavanaugh and Frank J. Me-
dina, Jr., as incorporators. The directors included E. E. Dorsey, S. W. Shephard
and J. J. Cronan.
On October 28, 1895, it was purchased by Frederick G. Bonfils, of Kansas
City, and Harry H. Tammen, who have made it one of the most successful news-
paper publications between the Missouri River and the Pacific Coast.
THE DENVER EXPRESS
The Denver Express, a Scripps-McRae paper, was started April 26, 1906.
For over a year it was printed from the Western Newspaper Union offices. It
now occupies a fully-equipped building next to the mint on Cherokee Street.
FOUNDING THE CHIEFTAIN AT PUEBLO
When the Times at Canon City died early in the '6os there was for some time
no newspaper published between Denver and Santa Fe, and Dr. M. Beshoar, who
had had some newspaper experience in the South, found the field open for his
Colorado Chieftain, in 1868. He canvassed Pueblo thoroughly and obtained some
assistance for his venture. At Golden he closed an arrangement with Sam Mc-
Bride, a practical printer, working on The Transcript, to take charge of the
mechanical part of the publication. Judge Wilbur F. Stone, later on the supreme
bench of the state, was given editorial charge, and under him was George A.
Hinsdale, later lieutenant governor of the state.
In the Vicker's "History of Pueblo County" there is this comment on the
editorial beginning of The Chieftain : "The first issue of the paper made its ap-
pearance June i, 1868. Governor Hinsdale was one of the finest writers in the
western country. His solid argument and sonorous sentences will long be re-
membered by the old readers of the Chieftain, while the sparkling wit and biting
sarcasm of Judge Stone gave a spice to the sheet that rendered it popular wher-
ever read."
HISTORY OF COLORADO 793
The building from which the paper was then printed stood on the north side
of Fourth Street, between Santa Fe Avenue and Summit, on the site of its
present structure. It was frame, one story in height, and originally was occu-
pied as an office for a lumber yard. A small addition was made to the building,
and in these limited quarters The Chieftain began its career. Bunks were erected
in one end of the building, and a few of the employes slept in these. One Wash-
ington hand press did both the newspaper and job work. Samuel McBride, who
had been given a small interest, sold this to Doctor Beshoar, but soon after the
latter sold the entire plant to McBride. ^Within a few months the paper became
the property of Capt. John J. Lambert, under whose management it became
one of the most substantial newspaper properties in the state. In 1903 I. N.
Stevens, of Denver, purchased a controlling interest in the paper, and continues
to conduct it as a republican journal, a policy which it has pursued for many
years.
In the early days the Chieftain was often compelled to issue on Manila wrap-
ping paper, the overland supply of white paper having been delayed by floods,
accidents or Indians.
In 1872 the Chieftain became a daily, and in 1874 it bought The Pueblo
People, a paper started in 1871 by a stock company.
THE STAR-JOURNAL
The Star- Journal was established in 1901, when a stock company purchased
for consolidation two local newspapers, The Evening Star and The Pueblo Press.
The former was owned by W. J. Jackson and was conducted in the rear of the
Board of Trade Building. The Pueblo Press in West D Street, was owned by
W. B. McKinney.
The company which established The Star-Journal was composed of John F.
Vail, Former Governor Alva Adams, George J. Dunbaugh, Hume Lewis, Samuel
D. Trimble, E. G. Middlekamp and the late Judge J. C. Coulter. At present the
entire stock of the paper is owned by John F. Vail and Frank S. Hoag.
Frederick W. W'hite, Jr., of Denver, was the first business manager of the
paper. He came to Pueblo in -1901 and remained manager until his death in
1903. He was succeeded by Htime Lewis, who acted as manager for about fif-
teen months. After that Frank S. Hoag assumed the management, which- he "has
retained ever since.
A pony Associated Press service was secured from the Evening Star, but the
full service was acquired by Mr. White in October, 1902. The paper has been
operated in its present building at Grand and Union avenues since 1903. Before
that time it was located in the old Armory Building just south of the Arkansas
River.
The politics of the paper has always been democratic. Mr. Vail is president
of the Star-Journal Publishing Company, Mr. Hoag is vice president and general
manager, and John R. Shea is editor.
The Sun was established in Pueblo in 1907 by the Scripps-McRae syndicate
of Cincinnati. It ran as an independent evening newspaper for about two years
and was then suspended.
794 HISTORY OF COLORADO
In 1910 Andrew McClelland and a company of prominent Puebloans bought
the Sun plant and started the Leader. Roy McClintock was manager and editor.
Congressman Edward Keating purchased the paper from McClelland in 1911
and ran it as a democratic organ until after he was elected to Congress. Shortly
after Keating went to Washington Fred Marvin and George Habrich took pos-
session, later consolidating it with the Chieftain, which they* had leased for a
brief period.
The Pueblo Sunday Opinion, formerly the Saturday Opinion, was first issued
in June, 1882, by J. A. Wayland and Lon Hoding. The latter sold his interest
in the paper in 1883. The late Ernest Osgood, assistant postmaster, joined Way-
land during 1884 and later in that year A. W. Mahan bought Wayland's interest,
and it was run as an independent paper, Osgood being an ardent republican while
Mahan was an equally enthusiastic democrat.
In September, 1885. John W. Lockin bought Mahan's interest and the name
of the paper was changed to the Pueblo Sunday Opinion. For a short time it
was issued Saturday night for Sunday morning circulation, but after a few weeks
it was dated Saturday but retained the name Sunday Opinion.
Lockin and Osgood maintained their partnership for over twenty years. The
paper is now owned by Lockin. It is a republican paper in national politics and
independent in state, county and city affairs.
The Indicator, a Pueblo weekly newspaper, has been published in Bessemer
since its organization in 1890. The paper was established by Patrick Byrnes, its
present owner, at 307 Northern Avenue. In 1901 the press was moved across
the street to 312 Northern Avenue, where it has been operated ever since.
COLORADO SPRINGS NEWSPAPERS
Journalism in El I'aso County began in 1861, with the Colorado City Journal,
a weekly paper printed in Denver and owned and circulated by Benjamin F.
Crowell. Its life was brief. But with the creation of Colorado Springs there
sprang up at once a group of influential papers. The first of these was Out
West, published by the Town Company, and edited by J. E. Liller, a Philadel-
phia newspaper man. It ran from March 23, '1872, to 1873, and was one of
the best-printed and best-edited papers in the country, its correspondents includ-
ing some of the world's greatest writers.
Out of this grew the Colorado Springs Gazette. Mr. Liller was owner and
editor until 1876, when he sold the paper to General Palmer, who placed Ben-,
jamin Steele in charge, as editor. Mr. Steele continued as editor until his death
in 1891, when H. A. Risley took charge under the same ownership. In 1893
General Palmer sold to a syndicate headed by Henry Russell Wray and C. Van-
derbilt Barton, with William Alexander Platt as editor. In 1898 the Gazette
was sold to Charles M. MacNeill, now president of the Utah Copper Company,
and Kurnal R. Babbitt, now of New York City, general attorney for the MacNeill-
Guggenheim copper syndicate. State Senator David Elliot, then editor of the
Evening Telegraph, was made editor, and in 1899 tne paper was sold to George
Knox McKane of Philadelphia, who became editor in chief, with Senator Elliot
as managing editor. In 1902 The Gazette was sold to Clarence P. Dodge of New
HISTORY OF COLORADO 795
York, who placed Charles T. Wilder in charge as managing editor, a position
which he held until July i, 1916, when Mr. Dodge assumed that title, which he
still holds.
For thirty years The Gazette was republican, and in the silver campaign
against Bryan was the only daily in Colorado supporting McKinley. In 1912 it
became progressive, and is now known as progressive republican.
The Colorado Springs Evening Telegraph came into existence in 1873,
originally as a weekly paper called The Republic, founded by J. M. Bolton and
W. H. Gowdy, veteran printers. It passed through several hands, and had a
precarious career until 1891, when it was merged with the Evening Telegraph
and became a daily paper, with H. H. Eddy as editor and Charles S. Sprague,
now a Nevada mining man, as owner. Mr. Sprague sold in 1893 to W. S. Strat-
ton, millionaire mining man, who later sold it back to Mr. Sprague. The latter
disposed of the paper to Lewis W. Gaylord of Philadelphia in 1898. During
these periods the paper was edited first by H. S. Rogers and later by David El-
liot. In 1900 Mr. Gaylord sold to a syndicate composed chiefly of Congressman
Franklin E. Brooks and D. B. Fairley, state chairman of the republican party.
William A. Platt, who died in 1910, was editor in chief, with David Elliot as
managing editor. In 1901 the Telegraph was sold to C. P. Dodge, with E. E.
Rittenhouse as editor. In 1903 it was sold to Clarence C. Hamlin and C. Y.
Yeager, with David Elliot as editor. In 1908 Mr. Dodge started the Herald to
compete with The Telegraph in the evening field. In August, 1909, he sold the
Herald to Clarence C. Hamlin, who combined it with The Telegraph under the
editorship of David Elliot. In 1916 Senator Elliot withdrew as editor, and since
that time the paper has been conducted under the sole ownership of Clarence C.
Hamlin, president, T. E. Nowels as manager. The paper is and always has been
republican in politics.
CANON CITY PAPERS
As early as 1861 H. S. Millet and Matt Riddlebarger had bought the plant
of the Western Mountaineer in Golden and transferred it to Canon City, where
they began publication of the Times. The paper was short-lived, for new "dig-
gings" soon attracted practically the entire population from their temporary
halting places in and about Canon City.
The Canon City Record, W. B. Felton, proprietor, was established in 1874,
followed in 1887 by the Fremont County News, with Ho well Brothers, pro-
prietors, and in 1888 by the Canon City Clipper, Frank P. Shaeffer, proprietor.
The Record, for many years a daily is now published and edited by Guy U.
Hardy.
PAPERS IN FREMONT COUNTY
The Fremont County Leader, now edited by Lois H. Allen, is the successor
of a group of papers which followed the News and the Clipper of the earlier
days. In 1917 the Florence Daily Citizen, the weekly Paradox and the weekly
Citizen Democrat were Florence publications, all of them created late in the
history of Fremont County.
796 HISTORY OF COLORADO
IN GILPIN COUNTY
Journalism became active in Gilpin County soon after the first papers ap-
peared in Denver. The Rocky Mountain Gold Reporter and Mountain City
Herald, as already stated, was circulated in Central City as early as August, 1859,
but in the following-year became The Rocky Mountain Herald and was published
in and circulated from Denver. But in 1862 Alfred Thompson came with an
entire printing outfit from Glenwood, Iowa, to Central City and on July 2Oth
started the Miners' Register. .In April, 1863, the paper was sold to D. C. Collier,
George A. Wells and Hugh Glenn. When the Register Block, a fine stone struc-
ture, was erected, the owners were Frank Hall and W. W. Whipple, the latter
in turn selling his interest to Frank Hall. In 1877 it was sold to James A. Smith
and Dan Marlow, and in 1878 it was leased to Halsey Rhoads. Laird & Marlow,
who in 1878 started the Evening Call, later secured possession, and the paper
became known as The Register-Call, the name it sails under today, with G. M.
Laird in editorial and publishing control.
W. T. Muir started the Colorado Miner early in 1863 a* Blackhawk. When
O. J. Hollister, the historian, bought it late in 1863 he called it the Blackhawk
Mining Journal. In 1866 it was moved to Central, and its name was again
changed to The Times by the new publishers and editors, O. J. Goldrick, Den-
ver's first school teacher, and Henry Garbonati.
Frank Fossett, another of Colorado's early historians, owned it in 1870, when
its name was The Colorado Daily Herald. In 1886 a man named Cresson es-
tablished the Weekly Gilpin County Observer at Blackhawk. In 1887 Alex
McLeod and associates moved it to Central City. There have been a number of
changes since then in ownership, but it is today known as The Gilpin Observer,
and is owned and edited by W. J. Stull.
LEADVILLE NEWSPAPERS
Leadville in 1878 became the Mecca not alone of miners but of traders and
newspaper men. Richard S. Allen was the first to come into the field with a
weekly called The Reveille. He had established a plant at Fairplay, where he
was the first publisher and editor of the Sentinel, and this he transferred bodily
to the new camp, issuing the first number in August, 1878. The success of his
venture inspired W. F. Hogan to transfer his News from Alma to Leadville.
His success with the Eclipse, as he called the weekly, induced him to try out a
daily a few weeks after he appeared on the scene.
In the meantime Denver newspaper men, John Arkins, Carlyle C. Davis and
James Burnell, had their eyes on the new camp, and purchasing an outfit in St.
Louis, started the Daily Chronicle on January 29, 1879. It was an immediate
success. The price of the paper was 10 cents per copy, and the circulation began
at 300 and within a month was over 2,500. Before the end of the year it had
reached 5,000 daily. On Sunday morning when the miners came to town a
weekly, consisting of six daily issues, was put on sale. This reached a circula-
tion of 7,000. The presses were kept running until nine each evening to accom-
modate the subscribers/
Burnell sold his interest for a substantial profit, and Arkins, for whom the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 797
high altitude meant ill-health, also retired, Davis becoming sole owner on April
i,' 1880.
The success continued. But on October 21, 1879, Capt. R. G. Dill, a well-
known and excellent newspaper man of Denver, organized a company and began
publishing the Leadville Daily Herald. On January i, 1880, the Rocky Moun-
tain News began its branch publication the Daily Democrat. Naturally this divi-
sion of patronage cut into profits, but within eighteen months Davis had consoli-
dated the three papers and was issuing the Leadville Herald-Democrat. Only
the Dispatch, founded by P. A. Leonard, continued for a time as a competing
daily. Davis also kept up the weekly, calling it The Carbonate Chronicle. While
there have been many changes in management, the papers are still under one own-
ership, the Herald-Democrat being the daily, and The Carbonate Chronicle the
weekly. The Leadville Publishing and Printing Company, of which Henry C.
Butler is president and Frank E. Vaughn manager, owns and conducts the two
papers.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
George West was Jefferson County's pioneer publisher, his venture, the
Western Mountaineer, appearing in December, 1859, from the press on which
Thomas Gibson had printed the Rocky Mountain Gold Reporter at Central City
a few months prior to this. He soon surrendered his lease, went to Boston, sold
out his interests there, bought a plant and brought it back to Golden. With the
aid of Albert D. Richardson and Thomas W. Knox, famous newspaper men,
he resumed publication of his Western Mountaineer, but on December 20, 1860,
sold the entire plant to H. S. Millett and Watt Riddlebarger, who moved it to
Canon City. George West in 1866 established the Golden Transcript, which he
edited for over a quarter of a century. The paper is now conducted by H. D.
West. Ed. Howe, the famous Atchison, Kansas, editor was for a time employed
in newspaper work in Golden.
AT BUENA VISTA
Buena Vista's incorporation in 1879 was followed, February 6, 1880, by the
publication of the Chaffee County Times owned and edited by P. A. Leonard,
whose sister, Mrs. Agnes Leonard Hill, did much to make the paper entertain-
ing and popular. W. R. Logan and George Newland were for a time partners in
the enterprise, but Mr. Leonard kept control for some years. In 1881 W. R.
Logan and George C. Hickey started the Buena Vista Herald. Later it was
bought by A. R. Kennedy, and in 1891 became the property of D. M. Jones.
The Democrat, established in 1881 by John Cheeley, in 1884 became the prop-
erty of W. R. Logan. The Chaffee County Democrat is today the property of
Charles S. Logan. The various papers started in Buena Vista during the past
three decades were merged either with the Democrat or with the Chaffee County
Republican, now owned and edited by Edward S. Gregg.
PAPERS AT SALIDA
At Salida the Mail began publication June 5, 1880, the Cleora Journal plant
having been purchased and shipped over. M. R. Moore, who with Henry C.
798 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Olney started the venture, soon became sole proprietor. In 1884 the Mail merged
with the Sentinel, which had been started in 1882 by J. S. Painter with the Mays-
ville Miner plant. From 1882 to 1885 the Mail was a daily, later changing to
a semi-weekly. In 1883 W. B. McKinney started the Daily News, selling it to
A. R. Pelton, who in turn disposed of it to Howard T. Lee. The Call was founded
in 1889, and the Apex in 1890. Other ventures followed, and speedily failed.
In 1917 there remained only the Salida Mail, a semi- weekly, owned and edited
by John M. O'Connell, and the Salida Record, a weekly owned and edited by
O. R. Meacham.
ALAMOSA
The Colorado Independent, which later became the Independent Journal, had
followed the Denver & Rio Grande track layers from point to point until they
reached Alamosa, where it permanently anchored. Its owners and editors were
Hamm and Finley. The Alamosa News was founded the same year, 1878, by
Matthews & Custers. In 1917 there were four papers in the new county, the
Alamosa Journal, the successor of the pioneer publication, owned and edited by
John M. Stuart; the Alamosa Leader, Middleton & Middleton, proprietors; the
Alamosa Empire, Frank M. Hartman, editor; and the Alamosa Courier, Clifton
H. Wilder, editor.
BOULDER
The Valmont Bulletin began publication at Valmont in 1866, but was soon
transferred to Boulder, where it was issued April 3, 1867, by W. C. Chamber-
lain. Dr. J. E. Wharton, its next owner, changed its name to the Boulder County
Pioneer, and when Robert H. Tilney secured it in 1868 it became known as the
Boulder County News. There were many changes, but in 1878 Amos Bixby,
who with Eugene Wilder had bought it in 1874, sold his interest to William G.
Shadd. The latter had printed a paper in the Sunshine mining district, later
moving it to Boulder and in 1878 consolidating it with the News under the name
Boulder News and Courier. Later it was consolidated with another small weekly,
the Banner, and became the News and Banner. In 1888 C. Ricketts, a new own-
er, called it The Boulder News.
Wangelin & Tilney in 1873 purchased the press and material of a paper called
the Rocky Mountain Eagle, which had been published for a few months, and
founded the Banner, which was, as stated, consolidated with the News. On
February 18, 1880, Mr. Wangelin started the Boulder Herald, changing it to a
daily on April 17, 1880. Mr. Wangelin is today (1918) still in charge of one
of the best-edited dailies in the state, this journal which he established in 1880.
L. C. Paddock founded the Boulder Sentinel with George Newland in 1884.
Mr. Paddock within a few months became sole proprietor and in October, 1888,
sold it to Clarence H. Pease. In that year Mr. Paddock established the Boulder
Tribune, merging it in 1890 into the Boulder Camera, of which he has since that
time been sole proprietor. This has for many years been an evening paper, and
is counted among the most influential of the newspapers of the state.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 799
GEORGETOWN
The Colorado Miner edited by Dr. J. E. Wharton and A. W. Barnard, began
publication on May i, 1867, in Georgetown, the first of Clear Creek's newspaper
ventures. E. H. N. Patterson later bought the paper, but it lapsed with the
changes in mining conditions. In October, 1890, it was reestablished by Wirt &
Davis. J. S. Randall founded the Georgetown Courier in 1877, with Samuel
Cushman as editor.
IDAHO SPRINGS
The first newspaper was established in Idaho Springs in 1873 by Halsey M.
Rhoads, but its publication office was at Central City. The second venture was
the Iris, published by E. A. Benedict, in 1879 later appearing as the Idaho Springs
News.
Late in the "eighties" Fred Miner established the Standard at Silver Plume.
Today (1918), after many newspaper vicissitudes, the leading papers in Clear
Creek County are the Idaho Springs Mining Gazette, A. G. Dobbins, editor;
Idaho Springs Siftings-News, I. G. Stafford, editor; Georgetown Courier, J. S.
Randall, publisher.
PARK COUNTY
Park County's first paper was The Sentinel. When this was discontinued at
Fairplay and moved by its owner, Richard S. Allen, to Leadville, there was no
publication for some time. On February 20, 1879, Hawkins & Bruner printed
the first issue of the Fairglay Flume. It has gone through many hands, its owners
of the past including E. S. Cleghorn, George A. Miller, Bob Richardson, D. H.
Tobey, J. R. Ballinger, Celsus P. Link, P. W. O'Brien, A. W. Brent, Ed. N. Bar-
low and M. E. Dodd. On January 26, 1917, it was bought by Sadie G. Barlow,
who is still its editor in 1918. In politics it is democratic.
A. F. Wilmarth owns the Park County Republican, which was established by
a group of republicans in 1912.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
The first newspaper to appear in Douglas County was the News-Letter,
printed at Frankstown, and established in 1874, and continued there until the fight
with Castle Rock over the county seat grew warm. In 1878 when Castle Rock
was still an unincorporated town, but when enough of its lots had been sold and
built upon to assure its permanency, the Castle Rock Journal was established, the
plant having been moved up from Monument by George B. Armstrong. It
changed hands seven times in a period of twelve years. The Douglas County
News was started in February, 1890. Early in the '8os the entire plant of the
Frankstown News-Letter, which was conducted for a time at Castle Rock by
C. E. Parkinson, was shipped to Buena Vista. In 1918 the Record- Journal, owned
by C. A. Bent and V. A. Case, is one of the leading country weeklies of the state,
and the successor of a host of newspaper wrecks.
800 HISTORY OF COLORADO
LARIMER COUNTY
Joseph S. McClelland founded the Larimer County Express April 26, 1873,
having sold out his newspaper interests at Galesburg, 111., and brought an outfit
to the new metropolis of Larimer County. In 1880 he sold out to Craft Broth-
ers and retired to a farm which he had pre-empted soon after his arrival in the
county. An evening edition started in 1880 was discontinued in 1884. 'There
were a number of changes in ownership, W. D. Junkins finally selling his half
interest to George C. McCormick. Later James G. McCormick was associated
with him and the paper has since been published by McCormick Brothers, who
now have one of the finest printing concerns in the state. On May 28, 1907, they
began printing a morning paper, but this has since been discontinued. The
Weekly Express is among the leading journals of the state.
In 1873, some months alter McClelland founded the Express, Clark Bough-
ton started the Standard. His untimely death was followed in a few months
by the suspension of the publication and the transfer of the plant to Blackhawk.
In June, 1878, Ansel Watrous, the historian of Larimer County, and who in
1918 was still active in newspaper work, founded the Courier, together with
Elmer E. Pelton. In 1882 their evening daily, which had been running for a
year, suspended. Carl Anderson bought a controlling interest in the company
February 16, 1899, and was soon printing an afternoon daily, which he had
begun in 1892, the weekly Courier and the Courier Farmer. The Courier plant
under Mr. Anderson's management became one of the largest, if not the largest,
printing properties in northern Colorado. Two years ago Morris Emmerson
and associates purchased it and are conducting the newspaper with great success.
The Bee, started in 1885 in Fort Collins by S. W. Teagarden, had only a brief
existence. The Larimer County Republican, started in 1889, the Fort Collins
Gazette, started in 1892, the Argus, founded in 1899, the Evening Star, estab-
lished in 1903, had brief existences, although the Argus was later merged into
the Fort Collins Review, an influential democratic weekly owned for many years
by E. D. Foster.
The Loveland Daily Herald, now (1918) owned by Ellison & Smith and
managed by Mark A. Ellison, was founded by the latter in 1907. Its predecessor
was the Loveland Register, founded by Earl Harbaugh early in the '905 and dis-
continued in 1908. The Loveland Reporter, a tri-weekly and weekly, owned
and edited by A. W. Barnes, is a valuable newspaper addition of the past few
years.
Only the Berthoud Bulletin, owned and edited by J. Y. Munson, remains of
that town's early newspapers. The News was issued but a few years.
The Wellington Sun, founded in 1907, became the property of its present
owner and editor, John E. Pope, soon after its first issue. The Wellington News
had only a brief existence.
The Beacon, a meritorious literary weekly, started by Mr. and Mrs. B. F.
Evans in 1906, suspended publication in 1909!
LOGAN COUNTY
The Logan County Advocate was started at Atwood by John W. Wilson in
October, 1885, and was removed to Sterling two years later. It is today pub-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 801
lished both as an evening paper and a weekly with J. J. Woodring, an efficient
newspaper man, as general manager. The Republican, which was founded by
A. F. Spoar, January 19, 1890, has been merged in other properties. The Sterling
Enterprise, a later publication, now owned and edited by C. E. Fisher, has both
a morning and a weekly issue. J. A. Campbell owns and edits the Sterling Demo-
crat, a weekly. The Merino Breese, of which M. M. Thompson is publisher, is
one of a few weeklies which have succeeded, of Logan County's former publi-
cations, the Fleming Herald, founded by Reed Brothers, the Le Roy Republican,
established by Mark Little, the Rockford Times and the Wemple Optic, all of
which have dropped by the wayside.
MESA COUNTY
Mesa County's first paper was the News, founded October 28, 1882, by Ed-
win Price. This became the property of Darwin P. Kingsley, later one of the
powers of the country in the insurance field. In 1886 Edwin Price again became
publisher. Since that time the News has passed into many hands, later becom-
ing the property of Verner Z. Reed and associates, who leased it in 1914 to
Barclay and Swan. It was sold in March 1918 to C. E. Adams, of Montrose.
The Grand Junction Democrat was established in 1883 by Charles W. Has-
kell and C. F. Coleman. This was succeeded by the Mesa County Democrat,
which later consolidated with The Inter- State, founded by A. J. Cutting, G. W.
Frame and D. A. Nunnelly, the joint publication being edited by W. E. Pabor.
Later Mr. Pabor founded the Fruita Star, which suspended in a few years.
The Mesa County Mail, of which H. M. Phillips is publisher, succeeded to the
newspaper business of the Star. Of the outside weeklies the Mail and the
Palisade Tribune, owned and edited by E. S. Sherman, are ranked among the
best and most influential publications in the state.
The Grand Junction Star, founded upon the wreck of the Democrat and the
Inter-State, was soon succeeded by what has become the most successful news-
paper on the Western Slope, the Daily Sentinel, founded by I. N. Bunting. In
1913 the death of Mr. Bunting occurred, and the present efficient manager and
editor, Walter Walker, who had been trained in the work under Mr. Bunting,
was placed in charge.
TRINIDAD
There are today in Trinidad two dailies and six weeklies, the latter with two
exceptions being Spanish or Italian publications. The Chronicle-News, daily
except Sunday, and weekly, is managed and edited by R. E. McClung. The
Evening Picketwire and the Weekly Picketwire have A. W. Wright as president
and manager, and Frank J. Rose as editor. Three of the other weeklies are
Spanish publications : El Anunciador, El Progreso and El Faro ; and the fourth
is Italian : the Corriere di Trinidad.
The Free Press was published as a daily during the strike, then later as a
weekly, with John M. O'Neill as editor, but has lately been discontinued.
None of the earlier papers remains. In 1870 J. P. Smith was running the
Trinidad Enterprise, on Commercial Street, between Front and Convent streets.
802 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Santa Fe supplied the Spanish-speaking population with its newspapers at this
time. In 1879 the Chronicle was the weekly and the Enterprise the daily. The
News was issuing both a daily and a weekly. A few years later the Daily Ad-
vertiser was established and ran not only a successful morning paper, but a weekly
Cattlemen's Advertiser, and a Spanish weekly, El Anunciador, which still sur-
vives.
In 1885 De Busk and Sheils were running the daily and weekly Citizen. The
Trinidad Review was conducted by John Roosa; and Olney Newell was propri-
etor and editor of the News, now a weekly. In 1890 Edwin O. Blair was pub-
lishing the News as a daily, the Citizen was conducted both as a daily and a
weekly, and J. L. Fulkerson was issuing a tri-weekly Times. F. D. Goodall was
publishing the daily and weekly Advertiser. In 1893 Trinidad had four dailies,
Blair's paper, the Evening Daily News, the Evening Chronicle, owned by D. W.
Stone, the Citizen, owned by W. A. De Busk, and the Advertiser, run by M.
Beshoar, editor and F. D. Goodall manager. El Progreso was started in 1892.
In 1893 the newspaper heyday for Trinidad ceased, and from that time on, while
there were many ventures there were few successes and gradually the consoli-
dated publications came into existence.
In 1911 the Chronicle-News was published by a company of which D. W.
Stone was president and J. H. English business manager. C. L. Copeland man-
aged the advertising.
CREEDE
When in 1891 the railroad reached the boom mining camp at Creede it brought
two newspaper outfits. In 1892 the Creede Chronicle was printed as a daily by
Vaughan & Adams, the Sunnyside Sentinel was managed and edited by C. O.
Sprenger and published by C. M. Morrison. The weekly Creede News was pub-
lished by W. L. Siegmund and edited by Jesse H. Lewis. L. H. Johnson owned
and edited the Creede Candle. All the newspaper glory of this period is gone.
Today only the Creede Candle glimmers. It is owned and edited by one of the
ablest newspaper men in the state, M. R. McLaughlin.
MONTEZUMA COUNTY
Montezuma County has a group of five weeklies, all founded in recent years.
These are : The Cortez Herald, of which J. E. Brown is proprietor, the Monte-
zuma Journal, published at Cortez by C. A. Frederick, the Mancos Times-Trib-
une, I. S. Freeman, publisher, and the Dolores Star, edited by Charles Bean.
MONTROSE
Montrose today has two successful newspaper properties, the semi-weekly
Montrose Enterprise, of which Lynn Monroe is editor, and the Montrose Press,
owned and edited by C. E. Adams, and issued as a daily and weekly. These
have been built upon the ruins of a long list of newspaper ventures. The Mont-
rose Messenger was the beginning of journalism in the county. This was started,
in 1882, by Abe Roberts. In 1886 F. J. Land and W. A. Cassell bought it, later
HISTORY OF COLORADO 803
absorbing the Republican, which C. S. Nichols had started. Tony Monell, now
one of the far-famed officials of the Western Slope, was for a time one of its
owners. It finally merged into the Industrial-Union, a Farmers' Alliance paper
owned by J. G. Barry and J. W. Galloway, which has also gone to its long rest.
The Enterprise, which still thrives, was founded by Matt L. Kappin in Janu-
ary, 1899, and was later merged by him with the Register, a paper established by
J. F. Downey and Mark W. Atkins. The Champion, founded by Doctor John-
son, Rev. E. B. Read and Professor Condit, had a brief existence, as did F. J.
Land's Farmer and Fruit-Grower.
There have been further efforts alonp- newspaper lines in recent years, but
today only two publications survive.
MORGAN COUNTY
The leading papers of Morgan County today are the Fort Morgan Times,
evening and weekly, owned and edited by R. B. Spencer, the weekly Morgan
County Herald, owned and edited by Ballard & Sanford, the Brush Tribune, Ed-
ward H. Mathison, publisher, and the Morgan County Republican, D. P. Saun-
ders, editor and manager. The Times was established September 4, 1884, by
L. C. Baker and G. W. Warner. Lute H. Johnson, the well-known Denver news-
paper man was for some years a part owner of the paper. The Morgan County
News, established in 1888 by E. E. Pettengill, and the Eagle, founded by Ferrel
and Groves, were some years ago discontinued and succeeded by the publica-
tions of today.
LAS ANIMAS
In 1873 a printing press was brought to Las Animas by C. W. Bowman and
on May 23d the first number of the Las Animas Leader was issued. It is still
published and is at present the property of John A. Murphy. The Bent County
Democrat, now owned by George B. Wick and H. Harbin Clark, is the successor
to a number of short-lived weeklies which have come and gone with the years.
OTERO COUNTY
Otero County is proud of its splendid newspapers, which are nearly all the
result of the development of the valley in the past few decades. The oldest of
course are those at La Junta, which had a phenomenal growth in 1875 but a sud-
den drop in population in 1878 when the Kit Carson branch of the Kansas Pacific
was torn up. But shortly after this the Santa Fe made it a division point and
with new prosperity came success for its newspapers. Within a decade there
were three newspapers running, the Tribune, the Otero County Democrat and
the La Junta Watermelon. In 1918 there are in existence the Democrat, a daily,
of which James A. Sevitz is editor; the weekly La Junta Tribune, Fred B. Mason,
proprietor; and the weekly Otero County Press, I. B. Johnson, proprietor.
At Rocky Ford the Gazette-Topic, a weekly published by J. B. Lacy, the
Rocky Ford Enterprise, of which Will R. Monkman is publisher, the first of
Rocky Ford's publications, and the Rocky Ford Tribune, Stanley & Sons, pro-
EBENEZER ARCHIBALD
TRINIDAD PIONEERS
S. W. De Busk
Jacob Beard D. L. Taylor E. J. Hubbard A. W. Archibald
HISTORY OF COLORADO 805
prietors, are high-class progressive newspapers which have constantly helped in
the upbuilding of the Arkansas Valley.
At Fowler, the Advertiser, owned and edited by W. I. Silvey, and the Trib-
une, of which C. W. Buck is the publisher, are doing excellent work in advertis-
ing their town as well as the valley. At Manzanola the Sun, owned and edited
by G. E. Bicknell, is another strong county weekly.
OURAY
Journalism began comparatively early in the San Juan country, for the San
Juan Sentinel was founded at Ouray by Bowling & McKinney in 1877, but was
discontinued in 1878. William and Henry Ripley established the Ouray Times
in 1877, and this later was merged with C. A. Ward's Budget, established July
6, 1886. When L. N. White bought it a few years later he called it the Plain-
dealer, the name it still retains, with John J. McCarthy as publisher. Chauncey
L. Hali, a famous Colorado newspaper man, was for years its editor. The
Miner, founded by John R. Curry ; the Review, by R. W. Morrison ; the Argus,
a publication started in 1891, and a group of weeklies in the following decades,
have all been discontinued, and there remain only the Plaindealer and the
Ouray Herald. The Red Mountain Journal, founded by George Seaman, has
also gone into history.
LA PLATA COUNTY
The beginnings of journalism in La Plata County go back to early Ouray
days, however, for on September 5, 1879, David F. Day, one of the unique
characters of Colorado journalism and known even then as the "humorist of the
San Juan," began at Ouray, the publication of a paper called the Solid Muldocn.
During the campaign it appeared as a daily, but for many years it scintillated
as a weekly and circulated far beyond the boundaries of the state. In March,
1892, Mr. Day moved the Solid Muldoon to Durango, where for four months
it was published as a daily, when it was taken over by Raymond Brothers, as
business managers. It was also published as a weekly and was edited by David
F. Day. In the fall of 1893 this publication became the Weekly Democrat,
which later in the same year was. made a daily paper, Dave Day continuing as
owner and editor.
In 1900 Thomas Tully, son-in-law of David F. Day, who had been publish-
ing the Silverton Standard at Silverton, came to Durango as publisher of the
Durango Democrat. He continued as publisher until 1912, when the manage-
ment went back to David F. Day, who in connection with his son Rod S. Day
continued its publication until his death three years ago. Since that time the
paper has been published by the Democrat Printing Company, with Rod S.
Day as manager and editor.
The Durango Evening Herald was established in the fall of 1882. At that
time the Record was being published by Mrs. Bromley, having been established
in 1881. George A. Marsh, the founder of the Herald, in the fall of 1882 pur-
chased the Record and combined it with the Herald, discontinuing the Record.
The Herald has been published both as weekly and daily since that time, having
many subscribers who have taken it for more than thirty-five years.
806 HISTORY OF COLORADO
August i, 1887, George N. Raymond and Sol W. Raymond purchased the
Herald from George Marsh and continued it as a daily. In 1911 the Herald
Printing Company was formed, the Raymond Brothers temporarily retiring
from the active management. In 1912 the Raymond Brothers again secured
the Herald and dissolved the Herald Printing Company, and in partnership
continued the publication until February, 1916, when they sold it to J. H.
McDevitt, Jr., the present owner and publisher. I. J. Bradford is editor. The
Herald enjoys a wide circulation in southwest Colorado and northwestern New
Mexico and has been closely identified with the settlement and development of
this section of the country.
In 1893 the Southwest appeared in Durango as a daily, but within a few
months after the first issue it was purchased by the Herald publishers and com-
bined with it as the Durango Evening Herald.
HOLYOKE
There are today two newspapers in Holyoke, the Holyoke Enterprise, pub-
lished by R. N. White, and the State Herald, published by J. H. Painter. At
Haxtum, Vance C. Monroe issues the Herald. These comprise the leading
papers of Phillips County.
The State Herald was founded in 1887 by C. W. Painter and W. N. Jordan.
Later Mr. Painter acquired it all and sold it in 1889 to A. A. Spahr, who in
1890 or thereabouts sold it to J. H. Painter, the present owner. Jordan founded
the Holyoke Tribune, removing it to Nebraska in 1890. V. F. Williams &
Company started the News in 1889, and this was discontinued early in the
'gos. Quite a number of journalistic ventures preceded the Enterprise which
is now a permanent journalistic fixture of Phillips County.
ASPEN
The daily Aspen Democrat-Times, published in 1918 by Charles Dailey, is
what remains of a long list of journalistic aspirants to favor. The first venture
was the Aspen Times, of which B. Clark Wheeler, who became Aspen's largest
mine owner, was the manager, with O. J. Wheeter, proprietor. Mackey and
Mason ran the Rocky Mountain Sun. These were the only papers issued in
Aspen in 1885.
In 1890 B. Clark Wheeler was publishing the daily and weekly Times ;
The Aspen Chronicle was also a daily and weekly; the Rocky Mountain Sun
was still shining as a weekly; and F. H. Ellis was publishing the weekly Mining
Record. In 1893 when the panic came the two dailies were still struggling
along, and of the weeklies only the Sun remained. B. Clark Wheeler was con-
ducting both the Chronicle and the Times.
There came a few venturesome spirits later who started the Democrat, but
in the end only the one paper remained.
PROWERS COUNTY
Lamar, the county seat of Prowers County, has a group of finely edited and
progressive newspapers. The Daily and the Weekly Prowers County News is
HISTORY OF COLORADO 807
the property of S. A. Crary. J. T. Lawless still ably edits Lamar Sparks, and
George B. Merrill conducts the weekly Register. The latter was the first of
Lamar's papers, having been established in March, 1877. The Sparks was
founded in the following year, by G. W. Butler, and its first editor was its
present owner, Joe T. Lawless. For a brief period it was published by Mrs. M.
A. Metcalf.
In 1889 F. B. Sloen started the Times-Irrigator, which was soon discon-
tinued.
In 1892 Ford & Merrill owned the Register, Mr. Merrill later becoming
sole owner.
RIO BLANCO COUNTY
Meeker, Colorado, the metropolis and county seat of Rio Blanco County,
now has two successful newspapers, the Herald, owned and edited by James
Lyttle ; and the White River Review, published by James L. Riland. The town
was incorporated in 1885, and shortly after this the Herald, was established by
its present owner. H. A. Wild in 1890 was publishing the Rio Blanco News,
which was discontinued within the next two years.
DEL NORTE
The San Juan Prospector was established at Del Norte February 7, 1874,
by N. M. Lambert, a brother of Captain Lambert of the Pueblo Chieftain.
Adair Wilson, later one of the great jurists of the state, was its first editor.
In 1879 Abe Roberts and W. H. Cochran bought it. W. S. Alexander, J. M.
Cochran, a brother of W. H. Cochran, George A. Scibird and John C. Glover
succeeded each other in ownership of the paper, which during this time ab-
sorbed the Cactus, the paper founded by Stivers & Hill. By 1885 the Sentinel,
the Democrat and the Nugget, published at Summitville by Elmer Thompson,
had suspended, and only the San Juan Prospector remained. In 1890 the
newspaper situation was unchanged. In 1892 the Del Norte daily and weekly
Enquirer had entered the field, with John H. Bloom as manager. Today again,
although there have been more newspaper ventures, the San Juan Prospector
still lives, and its owners and editors are W. H. Cochran & Son.
MONTE VISTA
The Monte Vista Graphic was founded by Knox Burton late in the '8os,
and was soon after purchased by C. S. Aldrich, who was for a long time its
editor. The Monte Vista Journal was established in 1890 by C. S. Conant.
In that year the Sun was also published by Colthar & Magill but this was out of the
running in 1892. To-day there are in Monte Vista the Journal, still owned
and edited by C. S. Conant, the Tribune, published by L. E. Bigelow, and the
San Luis Valley Graphic, of which Statton Tohill is editor.
The Middle Park Times, established in, 1892 at Hot Sulphur Springs, is still
in existence in 1918 under the able editorial management of Lew Wallace.
808 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ROUTT AND MOFFAT COUNTIES
Routt and Moffat counties have a group of excellent papers. At Steamboat
Springs the Steamboat Pilot, published by Leckenby & Gee, is one of the best
edited and most perfectly printed papers in the state. Mr. Leckenby is now,
1918, state auditor, and Mr. Gee looks after both editorial and business manage-
ment. The Routt County Sentinel, of which H. C. Wood is editor and W. W.
Morgan manager, is one of the high class weeklies of the state. At Craig the
Empire and the Great Divide Sentinel are published by George M. Kimball,
one of the ablest newspaper men in the state. Julian E. Duvall publishes the
Moffat County Courier, and W. H. Godfrey the Yampa Leader.
The Pilot was first published in the late '8os, with J. Hoyle as owner and
editor, and at the same time J. R. Godsmark was printing the Inter-Mountain
at Steamboat Springs. A little later C. H. Bronaugh founded the Craig Pan-
tagraph. These were the beginnings of journalism in the two counties. In
1893 the Pilot was still published by J. Hoyle, and the Inter-Mountain had
been sold to Daniei Hillman,
The newspapers of the two counties, however, assumed importance only
after the advent of the railroad in the last decade.
SAGUACHE
The Saguache Crescent, Charles W. Ogden, owner and editor, and the
Moffat Home and Farm, edited and published by Ralph E. Littler, are in 1918
the leading papers of Saguache County, the successors to the usual number of
unfortunate newspaper ventures.
In 1878 W. B. Felton was publishing the Saguache Chronicle, which was
sold in 1884 to Dr. D. Heimberger, whose nephew later became prominent in
Leadville newspaper circles. J. E. Nelson had started the Saguache Advance,
which soon ceased publication. H. H. Mingay merged the papers first into the
Democrat and later into the Crescent, which still exists. R. C. Jones in 1892
started the Saguache Herald, which was discontinued after a few years.
SILVERTON
Silverton's two excellent papers, the Standard, owned and edited by Jack
T. Joyce, and the Miner, published by the Silverton Miner Publishing Com-
pany, remain to testify to the soundness of the newspaper foundation laid
many decades ago. Alfred lies founded the Miner in 1874, and C. W. Snowden
started the Standard in 1889. While there have been many changes in owner-
ship, the policies have always been of a character to command the respect and
support of the district.
TELLURIDE
The Telluride Journal, daily and weekly, owned and edited by George R.
Painter, was founded July i, 1881, by E. F. Curry at San Miguel, but removed
almost at once to Telluride. Within a brief time he sold it to Charles F. Painter
and A. M. Reed. Mr. Painter built up the paper to a commanding position
HISTORY OF COLORADO 809
in the Southwest, and George R. Painter is keeping up the journalistic pace
set by his predecessor in the editorial chair. The Republican, which waa
started in the early '905 by Gideon R. Proper, was later sold to L. L. Nunn,
at which time the present publisher and editor of its successor, the Examiner,
E. D. McKown, was given editorial charge. He has remained with the pub-
lication since its inception.
JULESBURG
The Grit-Advocate, of Julesburg, published by the Grit Publishing Company,
is the only paper of a long list of ventures to remain in the field in Sedgwick
County. The Denver Junction Gazette, founded in 1885 by Charles Callahan,
was the beginning of newspaper life in the county. It was bought by Michael
McGinnis, but did not exist long. The Sedgwick County Sentinel, started by
H. C. McNew, ran for some years. The Grit-Advocate is the combination and
merging of a long group of successors to the Sentinel.
SUMMIT COUNTY
The Summit County Journal, of which J. A. Theobold is editor, is all that
remains of many newspaper undertakings in and about Breckenridge, the county
seat. The town government was organized in April, 1880, and by 1884 J. C.
Fincher had made a considerable success not alone of his weekly, but of a daily
Journal. Charles E. Hardy had established the Summit County Leader, and
was sharing in the prosperity of the new community. The Daily Journal was,
however, discontinued, and in 1890 both Fincher and Hardy were still isruing
their excellent weeklies. The Leader was discontinued in 1892, and Sam W.
Jones started the Bi-Metallic, which had only a brief existence. In 1893 J. W.
Swisher had bought the Journal. Since this time it has changed hands several
times, and is now ably edited by J. A. Theobold.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Washington County has a group of excellent newspapers to-day, of which
the leading ones are the Akron News, D. O. Thomas, editor ; the Akron Re-
porter, F. C. and R. M. Wester, owners ; the Pioneer Press, Chalkley A. Wilson,
publisher; and the Otis Independent, R. B. Copley, publisher. D. W. Irwin
founded the Pioneer Press November i, 1885. In T886 C. W. Ballard and E.
A. Eaton founded the Star. The Colorado Topics was printed first at Hyde,
then at Burdette, Mark Little buying the property from Forbes & Powers. In
these early years Dr. W. D. Otis established the Otis Enterprise, and at Hyde
the Weld County Argus was the first publication in that section. In 1893 the
only papers at Akron were the Pioneer Press, D. W. Irwin, proprietor, and the
Washington County Republican, W. E. Smith, publisher. In 1896 H. G. Pickett,
who had been editor of the Pioneer Press, became its publisher, and for a year
cr two this was the only paper printed in Washington County. In 1898 D. F.
Foos started the Washington County Leader, which was soon merged with
810 HISTORY OF COLORADO
later publications. The present publications aside from the Pioneer Press,
were founded in recent years.
GREELEY
The first issue of the Greeley Tribune was issued November 16, 1870, by
N. C. Meeker, who had founded the colony. Its objects were "to give full
particulars of whatever relates to the Union Colony, of which the town of
Greeley is the center, and to show the advantage of colonization on our plan.
Second, to call attention to the attractions and wonderful resources of the
Rocky Mountain country, of which little is yet known by the American people.
Third, to teach that the highest power that man can exhibit grows out of mental
culture, and, at the same time, out of well-established habits of industry con-
nected either with the cultivation of the soil or with some mechanical pursuit.
Fourth, to enforce the doctrine that the foundations of all prosperity, whether
of nations or individuals, is based on the family relation as maintained in
civilized countries, and that the highest ambition of a family should be to
have a comfortable and, if possible, an elegant home surrounded by orchards,
and ornamental grounds, on lands of its own." When in 1872 the opposition
to Meeker determined to establish a new paper, Horace Greeley advised selling
out the Tribune, but this the owner declined to do. In 1875, however, Meeker
sold a half interest to E. J. Carver, who became the editor after the tragic
death of the founder of Union Colony. W. C. Packard, H. L. Dunning, J. J.
Stevens and J. Max Clark were identified with the publication from 1875 to
1890.
Vickers & Painter established the Greeley Sun in 1872. Later H. A. French
became interested. T. T. Wilson, George B. Graham, Ed. D. Donnell and W.
G. Nicholson were interested in it at various times up to 1890.
In January, 1887, Ward D. Harrington established a third paper, the Demo-
crat, in Greeley. This in 1890 became the property of A. M. Hubert and H. A.
Wells.
In 1893 the Greeley Sun was published by J. B. Patton, while E. J. Carver
was still manager of the Tribune. The Weld County Democrat had become
the property of George Jacobs and associates.
Greeley during the next decade saw many newspaper beginnings and end-
ings. The Greeley Herald, a semi-weekly, was begun about 1896, and Thomp-
son Brothers founded a weekly Times. The Democrat had been discontinued.
Both the Herald and the Times were not long-lived. In 1898 the Weld County
Republican was started, with H. F. Currier as president of the company and
L. A. Thompson business manager.
These -were practically the conditions at the beginning of the new century.
The Tribune soon passed into the hands of C. H. Wolfe, one of the ablest news-
paper men in the state, and he placed both the daily and the weekly Tribune
on a money-making basis. During the past decade there have been many un-
successful efforts to establish both daily and weekly papers in Greeley. The
competition in the daily field between the Tribune and the Republican finally
ended in a consolidation of interests. In 1918 the Daily Tribune-Republican
HISTORY OF COLORADO 811
is in editorial charge of Charles Hansen, who was for many years publisher
and editor of the Republican. The Weld County News, a Democratic weekly,
is the property of Edward D. Foster.
OTHER WELD COUNTY PAPERS
In 1918 the Evans Courier-Messenger is the property of J. C. Downes.
The Platteville Herald is owned by E. S. Bayers. At Fort Lupton the Press
is owned by H. R. Waring. The New Raymer Enterprise is published by C.
R. Graves. The Windsor Poudre Valley is the property of Roy Ray. J. A.
Digerness owns the Hudson Headlight. D. H. Williams owns and edits the
Pawnee Press at Grover. The Ault Advertiser is owned by G. A. Hill; the
Briggsdale Banner is owned by W. F. Shelton; the Eaton Herald, by H. E.
Hogue ; the Kersey News is owned by B. F. and L. C. McMillen ; the La Salle
Optimist is owned by J. C. Downes; the Nunn News is owned by U. E. Mad-
den; thePierce Leader is owned by C. H. Reed.
The first paper established at Evans was the Journal, which was conducted
by James Torrens. It was founded in 1878.
In 1890 the Evans Courier was started by S. J. McAfee. In 1888 the
Progress at Platteville was conducted by A. N. Elliott and McConley Brothers
ran the Record. In this period the Cyclone was started at Fort Lupton by
John H. Farrar. At Erie Jones Brothers had established the Independent.
At Raymer, Shirley, Abbott & Shoemaker ran the Herald. At Windsor McCauley
Brothers owned the weekly Windsor Star.
By 1900 there had been many changes. The Eaton Herald was issued by
H. E. Hogue. C. C. Huffsmith was publishing the Courier at Evans, the only
paper there at that time, and J. A. Cheeley was printing the Platte Valley Post
at Fort Lupton. Most of the others in existence in 1890 had been discontinued.
In 1911 the Ault Advertiser was published by E. P. Hubbell; the Eaton
Herald by Hogue & Snook ; the Evans Courier by E. P. Shaffner ; the Fort
Lupton Press by R. F. Davis ; the Grover Tri-City Press by D. H. Williamson ;
the Hudson Headlight by J. A. Digerness \ the Hudson Herald by L. C. Grove ;
the Kersey Enterprise by Marshall E. De Wolfe; the La Salle Observer by S.
R. and P. E. Smith; the New Raymer Enterprise by S. P. Majors; the Nunn
News by U. E. Madden; the Pierce Record by H. R. Waring; the Platteville
Herald by H. F. Bedford; the Platteville News by M. B. Royer; the Windsor
Poudre Valley by Roy Ray; the Windsor Optimist by James Donovan.
YUMA
F. C. Brobst founded the Yuma Pioneer Christmas day, 1886. Later he
established the Sun, which he sold to W. J. Goodspeed in 1888. Later owners
changed the name to Republican, but on July 12, 1890, the two papers were
consolidated and published as the Yuma Pioneer by Jesse A. Williams. In
1900 E. J. Pickard was editor and owner of the Pioneer, the only paper of the
town at that time. In 1911 A. Burt Jessop was publisher of the Pioneer.
In 1918 the Pioneer is published by T. H. Woodbury, with H. J. Woodbury
812 HISTORY OF COLORADO
as editor. B. R. Coffman is publishing the Yuma County Times, a recently
established paper. The Eckley Record is the property of C. E. McKimson.
The Wray Rattler was founded by B. C. C. Condon early in the '8os.
Later the Wray Republican was established by J. E. Pettingill, who sold it to
W. C. Emmons. John Griffin later moved it to Eckley. In 1900 the Wray
Rattler was alone in its field, and was conducted by J. N. Counter.
In 1911 Simon S. Dow was publishing the Gazette and C. L. Will, the Wray
Rattler. In 1918 the Gazette is published by C. E. McKimson, and the Rattler
by W. M. Scott.
CRIPPLE CREEK
The Cripple Creek Times and Victor Daily Record, known as the Times-
Record, is published every morning except Monday, by the Cripple Creek Times
Company, and is the only paper published at this date in Teller County. The
Cripple Creek Times Company owns the Associated Press franchise.
The Times-Record was originally published as the Morning Times in 1892
by Thomas M. Howell, publisher and editor. A weekly edition was first pub-
lished in 1896, and its publication has been maintained to this date. In the
year of the Cripple Creek fire the files were destroyed (1896). T. M. Howell
continued in charge until 1897 when the Morning Times was sold to the Morn-
ing Times Publishing Company, G. S. Hoag manager, F. J. Arkins, editor. In
1900 the name was changed to the Morning Times-Citizen, the Citizen, an
afternoon paper, having passed into the possession of the Morning Times
Publishing Company. In 1902, on April ist, the paper was sold to John S.
Irby, and on April ist made its appearance as the Cripple Creek Times, with
W. H. Griffith as manager and editor. On April 4, 1903, the paper again
changed ownership, passing to the Cripple Creek Times Publishing Company,
with George W. Shepherd as manager, C. V. Woodard as editor. It remained
under this management until 1908, when the Times was purchased by the late
George E. Kyner. J. P. Hughes was editor under the Kyner management in
1911, and on November 9, 1912, Percy Kyner was named general manager,
during the illness of his brother. On April i, 1913, the Victor Record passed
into possession of the Cripple Creek Times Company, and the paper appeared
on that date under the name of the Cripple Creek Times and Victor Daily
Record. Huse Taylor was manager of the publication from April, 1913, until
January i, 1914, with A. F. Francis as editor, the latter remaining with the
paper until his death late that year. On January i, 1914, William A. Kyner
became general manager, and still holds that position. The present editor is
G. J. Tipton. The politics of the paper has varied with the management,
passing from democratic to republican, Teller Silver republican, and independent.
At present it is an independent publication.
HINSDALE COUNTY
In all the mining camps of the state the newspaper press came with the
first rush of prospectors. In Hinsdale County the old Silver World, established
HISTORY OF COLORADO 813
by Harry Woods and Clark L. Peyton in 1875, began with three subscribers.
The material had been hauled over from Saguache, and was delayed in arrival.
The circulation of the Silver World covered a route of no miles to subscribers
and to the nearest postoffice at Saguache. It changed hands in 1876, again
in 1878, again in 1885, and then it quietly passed away as The Sentinel. Its
last editor was F. E. Dacon. The San Juan Crescent started in 1877 by Harry
Woods, the Phonograph, established by Walter Mendenhall, and the Lake
City Mining Register, owned by J. F. Downey, had short existences.
LAKE CITY
The Lake City Times, now owned by William C. Blair, was established
January 15, 1891, by D. S. Hoffman and A. R. Arbuckle.
GARFIELD COUNTY
The leading papers of Garfield County in 1918 are the Avalanche-Echo, a
weekly, and the Daily Avalanche, of Glenwood Springs, H. J. Holmes, one of
the oldest and most influential of western slope newspaper men, owner and
editor; and the weekly Glenwood Post, A. J. Dickson, publisher and editor;
the Rifle Telegram- Reveille, Clarkson & Swartz, publishers ; the Carbondale
Item, V. A. Moore, editor; and the Grand Valley News, Elmer E. Wheatley,
editor.
J. S. Swan and W. J. Reid were the pioneer newspaper men of the county,
with the famous Ute Chief which they started in the fall of 1885. B. Clark
Wheeler, who had made a big stake at Aspen, was the backer of James L.
Riland in the publication of the Glenwood Echo in 1888. H. J. Holmes had,
however, come into the county in 1887, and at once pre-empted the daily field
with the Daily News of which the first copy was printed in December of that
year. The Ute Chief followed his example, and its daily appeared early in
1888. By fall both had enough of competition and joined issues in the Daily
Ute Chief-News. In the next two years the paper changed hands four times,
and names twice, being known as The New Empire and then as the Glenwood
Springs Republican. In 1891 it was discontinued as a daily, and in 1892 it
became the People's Herald. This after many further vicissitudes is now the
Avalanche and in able editorial hands.
CARBONDALE
The Avalanche was started at Carbondale by Frank P. Bestin, a blind editor
from Red Cliff, in 1888, and soon after became the property of H. J. Holmes,
who in 1891 brought it to Glenwood Springs, where within a month he began
publishing it as a daily. Later he absorbed the Echo, and changed the name of
his weekly issue to the Avalanche-Echo, which it still retains.
In 1889 Mr. Holmes saw an opening at Rifle, and started the Reveille. This
he sold in 1890 to H. B. Swartz and J. W. Armstrong, who later absorbed the
Telegram, another short-lived venture. It is to-day published as the Telegram-
Reveille. New Castle has no paper to-day, but in 1888 George West, of the
814 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Golden Transcript, started the Nonpareil. This was later the Cactus and then
the News, under which 'name it is now published at Grand Valley by Elmer
E. Wheatley.
DELTA COUNTY
The newspapers of Delta County comprise to-day one of the most influential
groups in the state. These include the Delta County Tribune, E. E. Watts,
publisher and editor; the Delta Independent, A. M. Anderson, publisher; the
West Slope, of Cedaredge, George O. Blake, editor; and the Surface Creek
Champion, of Cedaredge, C. W. Brewer, publisher; the Hotchkiss Herald,
Arthur L. Perry, owner; and the Hotchkiss North Fork Times, Thomas L.
Blackwell, editor; and the Paonian, Arthur L. Craig, publisher.
Of these the oldest is the Independent, which was founded as the Delta
Chief, March 7, 1883, by Robert D. Blair. Later the Delta County Advertiser
was established by Charles W. Russell, both papers being consolidated into the
Independent by C. G. Downing. On November 22, 1887, Harry Wilson and
J. H. Woodgate owned it, later selling it to J. A. Curtis. The Laborer, founded
in 1890 by R. J. Coffey and C. M. Snyder, had but a brief existence.
CUSTER COUNTY
Custer County in the days of its mining boom had both weeklies and dailies.
In 1918 only the memory of these publications at Rosita and Silver Cliff is
left, but over at Westcliffe the old Wet Mountain Tribune, first published at
Rosita, still thrives and is a power for good in the able hands of Philip Doyle.
In 1890 while at Rosita it was the property of Alex H. Lacy. In September,
1874, Charles Baker, a Colorado Springs newspaper man, and Ben L. Posey
began to publish the Index at Rosita. In 1879 Charles F. Johnson bought it
and called it the Sierra Journal. The Silver Cliff Prospect, started in 1879,
blossomed out as a daily in June of that year. On April i, 1880, Dr. G. W. B.
Lewis started the Silver Cliff Weekly Republican, and in November 1886 C. E.
Hunter and H. W. Comstock began publishing the Mining Gazette. All have
gone to the limbo of "things-that-were." In 1878 W. L. Stevens began the
Miner at Silver Cliff.
In 1882 Will C. Ferril, C. W. Bony and S. B. Coates began the Daily Herald,
which lived nearly a year.
GUNNISON
In the spring of 1880 Root & Olney, printers, brought a new printing press
to Gunnison. The first paper, however, in Gunnison County, had been estab-
lished in May, 1879, at Hillerton by Henry C. Olney. Its existence was brief.
The Gunnison Review, Root & Olney's paper, began publication on May 15,
1880, and the first issue off the press sold for $100 at a public auction on the day
of publication. On October n, 1881, it appeared as a daily. The Free Press,
which in the meantime had been started as a competitor, was merged with the
Review, which after August 5, 1882, became the Review-Press. On November
HISTORY OF COLORADO 815
22, 1886, with Henry C. Olney as publisher, it became a tri-weekly, and in 1889
was again published as a weekly.
H. F. Lake bought out the three papers : The Gunnison News in December,
1900; the People's Champion in January, 1901; and the Tribune in July, 1904,
and combined them to make the News-Champion. On November i, 1911, C.
F. Roehrig bought the News-Champion and published it fourteen months,
when he sold it to Judge Clifford H. Stone; on July 14, 1914, the paper was
purchased by the News-Champion Printing and Publishing Company, and H.
F. Lake, Jr., became editor and manager of the paper.
The Gunnison News was the initial journalistic effort in Gunnison. The
first issue appeared April 17, 1880, about a month before the Review, with the
name of Col. W. H. F. Hall heading the editorial column. Colonel Hall dis-
posed of a three-fourths interest in the paper to J. H. Haverly, C. H. Boutcher,
formerly editor of a paper in Pennsylvania; and E. A. Buck, editor of the
New York Spirit of the Times. In August, 1880, Frank McMaster and Frank
T. Southerland launched the Gunnison Democrat. In June, 1881, Mr. Buck
consolidated the two papers into what was known as the News-Democrat. In
the fall of the same year, the paper became a daily* and remained so until the
decline in the fortunes of the town. Mr. N. P. Babcock was the first editor
and Frank P. Tanner the business manager. Joseph Heiner was a later editor.
In 1891, the paper was sold to the Gunnison News Publishing and Printing
Company, and Mr. C. T. Rawalt was one of the editors.
During the "hard times" of 1893, and the violent financial and political dis-
turbances that accompanied them, the People's Champion, a weekly paper,
was started in Gunnison by George C. Rhode, one of the populist leaders, and for
seven years it flourished as the stormy petrel of newspaperdom on the Western
Slope. Mr. Rawalt was also among its editors.
The Gunnison Republican was started in 1900 by C. T. Sills, and is strongly
of the republican persuasion.
The Pitkin Miner, now owned by W. J. Williamson, is another of the
old-time Gunnison County publications.
CHAPTER XL
.STATE INSTITUTIONS— CORRECTIONAL AND ELEEMOSYNARY
THE COLORADO STATE PENITENTIARY MODERN METHODS — ROAD BUILDING BOARD
OF PARDONS THE COLORADO STATE HOSPITAL AT PUEBLO THE COLORADO
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND — HOW IT HAS DEVELOPED INTO A
NATIONALLY-FAMED INSTITUTION — THE COLORADO SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS'
HOME AT MONTE VISTA COLORADO STATE REFORMATORY THE STATE HOME
CARING FOR DEPENDENT AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN STATE INDUSTRIAL
SCHOOL FOR BOYS STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS — INDUSTRIAL WORK-
SHOP FOR THE BLIND SCHOOL FOR MENTAL DEFECTIVES — MOTHERS' COMPEN-
SATION ACT.
The State Home, formerly known as the State Home for Dependent and
Neglected Children, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, the Industrial Workshop
for the Blind, the Colorado Insane Asylum, now known as the Colorado State
Hospital, the State Home and Training School for Mental Defectives, the Colo-
rado State Reformatory and the Colorado State Penitentiary comprise the list
of state institutions under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Charities and
Correction.
THE COLORADO STATE PENITENTIARY
The Territorial Legislature, on January 7, 1868, established a penitentiary
at Canon City. The Federal authorities built the first cell house on a twenty-
five acre site selected for this purpose and donated by Anson Rudd. The first
building contained forty-two cells, entirely inadequate under the frontier con-
ditions of that period. This first cell house was opened June i, 1871, with Mark
A. Shaffenberg, U. S. Marshal for Colorado, in charge and in April, 1874, was
officially transferred to the territorial authorities. The General Assembly, on
March 15, 1877, provided for its enlargement and maintenance. The enabling
act had also set aside a land grant from which the institution has, by leasing and
sale, derived a constantly growing income. Improvement and enlargements were
made from year to year, until 1900, when three cell houses with a total of 444
cells for men and a separate prison for women comprised the prison buildings.
The following table covers the expenditures, maintenance and earnings for
biennial periods, January i, 1883, to 1900.
Total expended Maintenance Earnings
1883-1884 $223,154.89 $167,464.23 $50,405.83
1885-1886 226,486.44 175,456.70 70,067.28
816
VIEW OF CANON CITY SHOWING THE EXTENT OF THE CITY IN THE
SPRING OF 1879
State Penitentiary in the left foreground.
(Reproduced from a photographic enlargement of a wood engraving.)
CANON CITY ABOUT 1885
State Penitentiary in foreground.
(Reproduced from an enlargement of a photographic view.)
818 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Total expended Maintenance Earnings
1887-1888 219,841-48 171,653.14 80,676.17
1889-1890 235,847.87 166,098.84 53,836.61
1891-1892 232,810.44 168,880.60 59,238.47
1893-1894 267,823.05 179,892.30 36,724.62
1895-1896 196,192.53 169,578.14 22,982.39
1897-1898 192,354.45 165,193.57 16,378.91
1899-1900 221,798.89 158,157.45 27,362.89
The total expenditure for the biennial period 1907-8 was $254,943.99. The
earnings were $54,943-99, bringing it up to the old figures. But to this should
now be added the money saved the state in road building, which brings actual
earnings for these first periods up to nearly if not in every case more than the
amount of the entire maintenance expense.
In 1911 and 1912 the institution earned in cash $33,144.24, and in ranch and
garden products $21,017.23. Two new buildings were constructed by the convicts
and with improvements to existing buildings this amounted to $76,320.36. The
road work done during this period amounted to $223,479.56. So that the total
earnings were $353,961.39, and the appropriation from the state was $237,000,
practically no increase over previous years.
In 1915-16 the value of this road work done by the prisoners is placed at
$465,000, while the maintenance expense was kept at practically the same figures
as in the period of 1913-14, $207,000.
In the earlier years the prisoners were employed in the quarries, in dressing
stone, making brick and lime, building walls, repairing prison buildings, and in
farm and garden work. In the biennial period of 1899-1900 about 2,200,000
pounds of farm produce raised by prisoners was weighed in at the prison sides.
In August, 1899, the indeterminate sentence and parole law went into effect.
Under this prisoners can now by good behavior and by work on the highways cut
their terms nearly in half. With life prisoners also there has now come into ef-
fect a policy of commuting the sentence to a term of years, if the conduct of the
prisoner warrants. There is also now a policy of adjusting sentences by means
of commutations. For instance, in one district a prisoner found guilty of ore
thefts will be given a very short sentence. On the other hand his companion for
a similar crime in another district will be given an unusually severe sentence. The
power of commutation is now justly used to adjust these irregularities in penal-
ties.
In 1900 the General Assembly began to encourage the use of prisoners in the
construction of state highways. In that year about seventy miles of road was
thus improved under legislative enactment between Pueblo and Leadville. Under
the methods first adopted the prisoners were turned over to a road superintendent
and there was constant dissension between the latter and the prison authorities.
Finally the work was placed in direct charge of the prison officials and the results
were in every way satisfactory.
In 1903 the three cell houses were entirely inadequate and cells were in many
instances occupied by two prisoners. In 1904 a new cell house provided quarters
for an additional hundred prisoners. In 1907 the hospital and insane ward and
HISTORY OF COLORADO 819
the new bakery plant were constructed, the labor coming nearly altogether from
prisoners.
In 1906 the Legislature appropriated funds for the construction of a north
and south highway across the state, beginning at Trinidad. This work was done
largely by prison labor, and is one of the best constructed highways in the state.
Under what was known as the Lewis law much work was done by convicts on
county roads.
In 1910 Thomas J. Tynan, the present warden, made his first biennial re-
port, and two paragraphs taken from this give some conception of the reforms
introduced by him : "The present system of handling prisoners is an incentive
to the preservation of self-respect. Instead of sending broken revengeful men
back into the world — in no wise reformed but simply trained to greater cunning
— there are being restored mended men, eager and willing to be made of such
use as society will permit. By removing the continual threat of arms, by elimi-
nating oppression and brutalities, by establishing a system of graded rewards for
cheerfulness and industry, the penitentiary has been given a wholesome, helpful
atmosphere. Beginning with the first of the year, 1911, no striped clothing is to
be in use in this prison, the present system permitting the change from 'stripes'
to blue after a probationary period of ninety days."
The prisoners on parole December i, 1908, numbered 676; paroled in 1909
and 1910, 544 ; of this total number only sixty-two were returned either for vio-
lation of parole or for crimes committed while on parole.
It is now estimated that 80 per cent of those placed on parole are making
good.
In the biennial period, 1911 and 1912, the daily average of prisoners contained
in the penitentiary was 768, compared with 724 in 1909-1910. Of these 334, or
52 per cent, were daily employed on trust and honor. The prisoners built in this
period 157 miles of road. In 1914-15 this mileage was 149. In 1915-16 the
institution worked 1,085 prisoners on road and farm work.
In 1907-8 there were 1,243 individual prisoners handled; in 1909-10 this fig-
ure grew to 1,402; in 1911-12 this figure was 1,462; in 1913-14, it was 1,603.
Appropriations for these periods were: 1907-8, $216,000; 1909-10, $240,000;
1911-12, $237,000; 1913-14, $208,000; 1915-16, $207,000.
The new administration building, the appropriation for which was made from
earnings of land owned by the institution, was completed and is now occupied.
The old administration building has been razed. During this and the previous
biennial period the cell houses were enlarged and made thoroughly sanitary. The
Colorado penitentiary is today considered one of the model institutions of its
kind in the country.
The State Board of Corrections, which has supervision of the state peni-
tentiary, consisted January i, 1918, of E. B. Wicks, of Pueblo, president; L. C.
Paddock, of Boulder; and I. B. Allen, of Denver, secretary. Thomas J. Tynan
continues as warden. The last Board of Penitentiary Commissioners consisted
of Joseph H. Maupin, of Canon City, president; E. W. McDaniel, of La Junta;
and Mrs. Helen L. Grenfell, of Denver, secretary.
The work of Thomas J. Tynan is thus epitomized by a. newspaper student of
his methods: "Fifteen life-termers are among the 300 convicts who in khaki-clad
gangs of about sixty are blasting out good roads through the Rockies. They
820 HISTORY OF COLORADO
work under unarmed overseers, with no stockades, no barbed wire, no ball and
chain, no growl of guns. Nine o'clock at night sees a roll-call at each road camp-.
Then the gang climbs into its tented bunks and the camp's solitary rifle is shoul-
dered by the night guard-convict, who keeps a keen lookout for coyotes. Less
than one-half of one per cent of the convicts so trusted have escaped since Colo-
rado's first road camp was pitched, May 12, 1908. Special legislation gives in ad-
dition to a liberal good-behavior allowance a ten-day reduction of term for every
thirty days in a road camp. Thus a Colorado convict sentenced to between ten
and twenty years is enabled to earn his release in four years and three months.
When the State Board of Pardons met, December, 1912, at Denver, Bud Parrott,
murderer and life term convict and who had been one of the most desperate
characters in the state, in answer to a telegram from his warden, left the road
camp alone and in citizen clothes, boarded a train at Fort Collins, rode alone
seventy-seven miles to Denver, talked unattended to Governor Shafroth, pleaded
his own case before the board, and then quietly returned to camp. He was par-
doned in 1913. When the famous Sky Line Drive, at Canon City, the road to
the top of the Royal Gorge, was completed, the 700 convicts who had built it
were the reception committee along the drive to welcome the governor and
staff. Convicts built this famous highway for $6,400. When Mr. Tynan was
appointed in March, 1909, he found 500 idle convicts, seventeen of whom were
insane. There were guards who swore at convicts, spies who peeped into cells
at night, whips for flogging men, a final substitute for the paddle which was used
for years, and unsanitary conditions generally. He changed all that. This is
what the convicts did in 1909 and 1910, exclusive of road building: Built for
$16,059.45 a modern $75,000 hospital building, measuring 138x48 ft., contain-
ing every hospital necessity from sun-parlor to morgue, and designed by Fran-
cisco, No. 6,515, a life termer, who had learned all his architecture at the peni-
tentiary; laid 8,539 square feet of cement floor in the prison, and 42,775 square
feet of cement sidewalk outside ; installed a complete duplicate electric-lighting
system, throughout the penitentiary, installed a complete new heating sys-
tem, laid 19,014 fire-brick; built a railroad spur to the penitentiary quarry,
enabling him to sell $17,000 worth of stone a year; screened every door
and window ; planted ivy vines around all of the stone buildings ; drove a tunnel
far into the Royal Gorge, obtaining the purest mountain water for Canon City
and the penitentiary; dug and operated twenty acres of irrigation ditches; worked
four ranches, including 500 acres of rented land, and earned from these farms
$12,000 for the prison."
BOARD OF PARDONS
The Board of Pardons, created in 1893 by the General Assembly, consisted
for the next biennial period of the members of the State Board of Charities and
Correction. In 1895, by enactment, a distinctive Board of Pardons, with the
secretary of the state board of charities and correction, acting in this capacity for
both bodies, was created. The term of ofHce is four years, the governor presiding
over its deliberations. . Its duties are to investigate all applications for executive
clemency and lay the facts before the governor with its recommendations. The
first state board of pardons under the act comprised : Albert W. Mclntire, gov-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 821
ernor; Dr. Ida Noyes Beaver, of Denver; Robert W. Bonynge, of Denver; Wil-
liam F. Slocum, Jr., of Colorado Springs ; Dr. Eugene A. Wheeler, and John H.
Gabriel, of Denver.
THE COLORADO STATE HOSPITAL
The second institution established in the state was the State Insane Asylum
at Pueblo. The General Assembly approved the act establishing the institution
February 8, 1879. Up to that time, and even up to recent years, the counties were
compelled to house their insane in jails and private hospitals. A few were pro-
vided for outside the state. The larger cities of the state, particularly Denver,
have been in continuous dispute over the housing of the insane. This is largely,
however, due to the lack of room in the asylum at Pueblo, which is only now
reaching a point at which its capacity covers the demand for space.
In 1879 a fann of forty acres, including the residence of former United
States Senator George M. Chilcott, was purchased for $22,308.80. The first ap-
propriation was $8,000, and this with the one-fifth mill tax, which has always
been its chief source of revenue, made it possible to open the institution October
23, 1879, using the old Chilcott residence for housing the twelve patients who
had been boarded by the state at the Jacksonville, 111., hospital.
In 1881 the Legislature voted a fund for a new building, and for the purchase
of forty acres adjoining the old Chilcott property. This was completed in 1883,
and in 1887 the west wing was partially constructed and the building for women
was begun. The demand for space from all sections of a fast-growing state
made new construction necessary every year. In 1898-99 additional capacity was
found by removing abandoned stairways, rearranging storage rooms, and by
utilizing unused dining rooms in the women's building. In that year the new
cottage for men was completed. The growth of the institution from 1879 to
1900 is best shown by figures:
Admitted Cost of
Males Females Buildings
1879-1880 55 19 $22,308.80
1881-1882 71 21 60,911.21
1883-1884 56 40 83,146.90
1885-1886 143 22 25,718.00
1887-1888 152 55 53,643-61
1889-1890 198 72 46,248.69
1891-1892 158 66 60,000.00
1893-1894 I98 106 21,210.00
1895-1896 243 38 40,818.57
1897-1898 200 29 18,726.44
1899-1900 225 92 19,467.92
In 1904 two additional cottages, costing $98,000, accommodated 200 men pa-
tients.
In 1908 the cottage for 100 women cost $50,000.
In 1909-10 three cottages, costing $150,000, provided for 200 men and 100
women.
822 HISTORY OF COLORADO
In 1915-16 the building expense was approximately $100,000, and 200 addi-
tional patients were provided for.
In 1900 the property of the institution consisted of eighty acres of land, one
hundred shares in the Pueblo ditch, cultivating twenty acres, with twenty acres
available under a new water right; three buildings with wings valued at $340,-
ooo; furnishings, etc., bringing total value of property up to $468,700.
In the report for 1900 the following paragraph gives some conception of the
need for immediate increase in capacity : "By a wise administration of the parole
law available space for hospital treatment has been found as occasion arises, yet
there remain outside the hospital fully two hundred patients rightfully entitled
to care and treatment by the state. These are at the present time being cared
for in the county hospital at Denver, at Dr. Hubert Work's private sanitarium in
Pueblo, and a very small number temporarily confined in county jails and court-
houses. It is safe to estimate that the state will, within the next two years, be
required to arrange to accommodate 600 patients."
The new lunacy law passed at the suggestion of the State Board of Charities
in 1899 provided for a new lunacy commission. Dr. P. R. Thombs, who had been
superintendent from 1879 to 1899, retired, and Dr. A. P. Busey, for twenty years
engaged in hospital work at St. Joseph, Missouri, was engaged to take his place.
Later Dr. Anna Williams was appointed physician in the women's department.
By the end of 1904 there were 737 patients as compared with 503 at the be-
ginning of the biennial period. The completion of two cottages and one wing to
the women's building made room for 300 additional patients who had been await-
ing admission for more than two years.
By the end of 1906 there were in the hospital 787 patients. On November
30, 1908, this had increased to 902, 525 men and 377 women. The new cottage
for women opened August 12, 1908, was filled at once. By November 30, 1910,
the patients numbered 1,131, and the need of additional buildings was impera-
tive. By the end of this biennial period three additional cottages had been erected,
accommodating 300, 200 men and 100 women. Eighty-eight lots adjoining the
hospital grounds were purchased, and for the first time, in the report for 1911-12
the General Assembly was asked to change the name of the institution to "State
Hospital."
The law passed in 1893 provided that "all new or additional buildings erected
upon the asylum grounds must be of modern size and on the cottage plan ; each
building to be designed to accommodate not less than fifty and not more than
one hundred." This provision has been carefully carried out.
On December 31, 1912, Dr. A. P. Busey resigned to take charge of the State
Home and Training School for Mental Defectives, and was succeeded by the
present superintendent, Dr. H. A. La Moure, who had for some years been
Doctor Busey's assistant.
The General Assemblies of 1911 and 1913 failed to provide for additional
housing facilities and the result was the citation of the superintendent on the
charge of contempt of court, for refusing to receive Denver patients. This case
was eventually dismissed.
The number of patients in the institution June 30, 1916, was 1,189, which
provided for nearly all of those on the waiting list.
The General Assembly in 1917 changed its name from Colorado Insane Asy-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 823
lum to Colorado State Hospital, and provided a two-tenths of a mill levy for its
maintenance. The State Board of Corrections now supervises the operation of
the institution in place of the former Board of Lunacy ' Commissioners. The
last board consisted of A. T. Stewart, of Pueblo, president; Dr. Louis Hough,
of Denver, secretary; W. E. Furrow, of Pagosa Springs.
THE COLORADO SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND •
The Colorado School for the Deaf, to which was subsequently added a de-
partment for the blind, was organized in the territorial days during the early
months of 1874.
The founder of the school, Jonathan Kennedy, came to Colorado from Kan-
sas in January, 1874, and located with his family in Denver in the following
month. He had been for several years steward of the Kansas School for the
Deaf at Olathe, where three children of his own were pupils and he was there-
fore in a position not only to realize the great need of a special school for the
deaf, but also to bring an ample fund of experience and an intimate knowledge
of the character and necessities of such a school into the field when it came to
securing friends and convincing the uninformed and skeptical that such a school
cbuld and should be established.
The first person whose sympathies he enlisted in the cause was Dr. Richard
G. Buckingham, one of the most prominent citizens and a leading physician of
Denver and a member of the Territorial Legislature. Governor McCook of the
territory was also won over, and the leading members of the Legislature, the,
tenth, then in session, were soon convinced of the humanity and practicability of
the scheme. Mr. Kennedy exhibiting the attainments of his own children who
had had several years instruction at the Kansas school, and the striking and
painful contrast shown in the mental darkness and helplessness of two or three
uneducated deaf children whom he also presented before the Legislature. Under
such favorable auspices the work was easy. Hardly a voice was heard in op-
position when the bill creating the school under the title of the "Colorado Insti-
tute for the Education of Mutes," with an appropriation of $5,000 and authoriz-
ing a special tax of one-fifth of one mill to be levied annually for its support
came up for discussion.
The bill provided for a Board of Trustees to consist of seven members, and
the following gentlemen were appointed by the governor and duly qualified as
prescribed by law : Dr. R. G. Buckingham of Denver, Matt France, J. S. Wolfe
and A. Z. Sheldon of Colorado Springs, Wilbur F. Stone of Pueblo, James P.
Maxwell of Boulder and Joseph A. Thatcher of Central City. The board thus
constituted held a meeting on the 3d of March, 1874, at which all were present
except Messrs. Maxwell and Thatcher, and organized by electing Doctor Buck-
ingham president, Mr. Sheldon secretary and Mr. Wolfe treasurer. By-laws
and regulations for the new school were proposed and adopted and Messrs.
France, Wolfe and Sheldon appointed an executive committee. At a meeting
of the board on the following day Mr. James P. Ralstin, a teacher of some ex-
perience in the Kansas school, was elected principal, while for the positions of
superintendent and matron the choice naturally fell upon J. R. Kennedy and his
wife, Mrs. Mary E. Kennedy.
824 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Colorado Springs had been fixed upon as the site for the new school, and at
the first meeting of the board the Colorado Springs Land Company submitted
an offer to donate a tract of ten acres of land forming a gentle eminence just
east of the city, provided the buildings for the school should be erected thereon.
It is hardly necessary to say that this generous offer was accepted. The same
company about ten years later added three acres to its original grant, and again,
in 1888, a strip of about one and a half acres along Pike's Peak Avenue. Further
additions to the holdings of the school were made later through the generosity
of Gen. W. J. Palmer, founder of the city and president of the land company
alluded to, whereby ample room for the expansion of the school -was rendered
possible. A part of the land thus secured is now utilized in a large athletic field
named in honor of the donor, Palmer Field, where football, baseball and other
out-of-door sports are indulged in in season. The south half of the area is de-
voted to experimental gardening. A number of cottages are located in the south-
west corner and the income from renting these yields quite a respectable sum
which is devoted to the use and benefit of the school library.
Meanwhile, pending the erection of suitable buildings on the original site, a
frame house on Cucharas Street was secured, and on the 8th of April, 1874, the
Colorado School for the Deaf was formally opened.
The school during the first week of its existence numbered seven pupils,
though in the course of the year six more were added. The first names entered
on the records are those of M. S. Kennedy, E. A. Kennedy and O. H. J. Ken-
nedy, children of the superintendent, William and James Webb of Central City,
John C. Simmons of Golden, and Mary E. Walker of Nevada, Gilpin County.
The frame building on Cucharas Street was occupied for nearly two years
at a monthly rent of $50, but recognizing its total unfitness for the purposes of
the school, and the necessity of taking steps to permanently secure the land
donated by the Colorado Springs Company, the board at a meeting held April 7,
1875, empowered the executive committee to take steps toward the erection of a
suitable building not to cost more than five thousand dollars, and instructed the
committee to negotiate a loan of this amount. The main, or middle structure of
the original building, now used as a dormitory, was the outcome. It is of white
sandstone, with red sandstone trimmings, and is of substantial construction.
The school was removed to its new quarters with appropriate ceremonies and
rejoicing early in 1876, and was thus able to hail the Centennial of the Republic
and the admission of Colorado to the sisterhood of states securely housed and
well equipped.
In 1879 the Legislature made a special appropriation of $5,500 for the erec-
tion of the south wing of the original building and two years later another of
$20,000 for the north wing, furnaces and other needed improvements. In 1883
a laundry and a barn built of stone were added to the list pf buildings. In 1889
the Legislature appropriated $80,000 for a new school building, boiler house and
annex to the main building. The Eighth Legislature, recognizing the pressing
need for increased room, appropriated $31,500 for a girls' hall, hospital cottage
and other improvements. An appropriation of $25,000 was made by the General
Assembly of 1892 for an industrial building with the necessary power and ma-
chinery, an electric light plant, a superintendent's cottage, a fully equipped bakery,
books for the library and other additions and improvements required by the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 825
growth and necessities of the school. The present administration building, Argo
Hall (the boys' dormitory), the remodeling of the industrial building erected in
1894, adapting it as a separate department for the younger pupils, with dormi-
tories, school rooms, play rooms, etc., and the enlargement and remodeling of
the boiler house providing adequate quarters under one roof for the various in-
dustries of the school except that of domestic science, which is provided for in
one of the frame cottages on the school grounds, summarizes the building pro-
gram up to the spring of 1917. In the spring of last year (1917), contracts were
let for remodeling thoroughly the girls' hall, bringing it up to date in every pos-
sible way at a minimum of expense and an addition built at the south end pro-
vides an excellent sleeping porch for fifteen of the girls, a beautiful sitting room
for the older deaf girls and a bright sunny playroom for the younger ones.
All the buildings are heated by steam and lighted by electricity throughout,
and the most improved and advanced labor and time-saving appliances and de-
vices that characterize progressive institutions of the kind are employed. Of
late years the grounds have had attention under the direction of a competent
landscape architect, and a comprehensive plan for future development was
adopted which will insure a sightly whole when carried out. The total value of
buildings, grounds and furnishing is $480,000. This includes the ranch of 120
acres east of the city and the live-stock thereon.
During the first few months of the school the number of pupils was so small
that the principal, Mr. Ralstin, required no assistance in the schoolroom. Less
than a year after the opening the increase necessitated the employment of an
assistant, and Oliver J. Kennedy, a son of the superintendent, was appointed
in January, 1875. Industrial education in the school dates from this period.
Printing was made a regular trade, with O. J. Kennedy as teacher, and a small
paper, The Deaf Mute Index, was started, the first number being issued on the
3 ist of January, 1875. Since then the paper has been a regular feature of the
school work and has proven a potent factor in bringing the school and its methods
and aims to the notice of the public throughout the state. Incidentally the trade
of printing has been of considerable value to the school in furnishing it at a
minimum of cost a great amount of printed matter necessary in the various
departments. The office is now well equipped with the necessary material and
machinery, the latest addition thereto being the most improved model linotype.
Other industries were added from time to time, carpentry, joiner work and
wood carving in 1883, baking in the fall of 1891, and chair-caning in 1888, mat-
tress making and broom making in 1890, the last three trades being for the
blind pupils. Sewing and dressmaking had been taught the girls ever since the
school started and became a regular occupation with a salaried instructor late
in the '703. In 1890 a sewing class for the blind girls was started and has been
continued as a regular feature of their instruction, supplemented by bead and
fancy work.
Returning to the personnel of the officers after the organization, Mr. Ralstin
continued at the head of the educational department for six years. He retired
in 1880 and Mr. R. H. Kinney of Ohio, took his place. Mr. Kinney remained
but one year, however, being succeeded by Mr. Robert P. McGregor, also of
Ohio. An attempt was made during his term to introduce articulation and lip
reading, and a teacher was employed, but circumstances of an unfavorable nature
826 HISTORY OF COLORADO
intervened and the attempt proved abortive. Mr. McGregor remained as princi-
pal but one year, his successor being Fender W. Downing of Minnesota. By
that time, 1882-3, the enrollment of pupils had reached forty-seven, and there
were three assistant teachers. Mr. Downing retired at the close of the sessiort
of 1882-3 ; Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, the superintendent and matron respectively
since the organization of the school, also retiring at the same time. Mr. Ken-
nedy's health had failed during the term, and he died in the following November.
The vacancies caused by the resignations of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy and Mr.
Downing were filled by the appointment in August, 1883, of Mr. and Mrs. George
Failor, of Colorado Springs, as superintendent and matron respectively, and Mr.
S. T. Walker of Illinois as principal. At the time of their appointment the
board of trustees of the school, realizing that the previous troubles of the school
were due to a lack of harmony and cooperation between the educational and
domestic departments, demanded an agreement to certain conditions calculated
to eliminate friction, and reserving to itself the supreme authority in both de-
partments. The result was disastrous. Mr. Walker resigned three months after
identifying himself with the school, while Mr. Failor was forced to retire in
the following February, with the charge of attempting to kill one of the pupils
hanging over his head.
After considerable difficulty and some delay the board of trustees secured
the services of Mr. J. W. Blattner, a wideawake and energetic young teacher
from the Iowa school at Council Bluffs, to take the principal's place, and Mrs.
Anna O. Whitcomb, the articulation teacher appointed at the opening of the
term, was appointed matron. She also assumed the duties of superintendent.
Mr. Blattner held the position but eleven months, resigning in November,
1884. He resigned on condition that the board should appoint as his successor
Mr. D. C. Dudley, an experienced and capable teacher of the deaf from Ken-
tucky, whose failing health forced him to seek the climate of Colorado to re-
cuperate. He entered upon his duties as principal November 18, 1884.
Mr. Walker's brief administration was marked by the opening of the blind
department. The Legislature had passed a law as early as 1877 admitting the
blind to the school, but had failed to make proper provision for the increased ex-'
pense necessary, but in 1883 the resources of the state had increased to such an
extent that it was decided to make the venture. Accordingly an experienced
teacher was engaged, the necessary books and appliances purchased, and the de-
partment formally opened with three pupils in attendance. They were Hugh Mc-
Cabe, of Clear Creek County, Jennie Prout, of Jefferson County, and Roland
Griffin, of Pueblo County.
At the same time the blind were admitted to the privileges of the school in
1877 the title of the school was changed to "Colorado School for the Deaf and
the Blind," by which it has since been known.
By this time it had become evident that a change in the law eliminating the
"divided authority" feature of the original enactment was necessary to assure the
future prosperity of the school, and its best friends proceeded to bring that de-
sirable change about. A new law was carefully drafted and submitted to the
General Assembly in January, 1885, by Senator Irving Howbert of Colorado
Springs. It passed without difficulty, and with its enactment a new era dawned
for the school. The law provided that the board of trustees should consist of
HISTORY OF COLORADO 827
five members, whose terms of office should expire at different times, so that no
more than two members could be appointed at any one time. It specified that
the direct management of the school be vested in a superintendent experienced
in the education of the deaf and blind and of demonstrated executive ability and
other qualifications essential to inspire confidence as a man and as an educator
in this special field. He was to nominate all of his subordinate officers, and
was to be immune from removal except for cause.
The gentlemen to constitute the new board under the law were as follows:
Daniel Hawks of Greeley, Henry Bowman of Idaho Springs, Henri R. Foster
of Denver, Charles E. Noble and Andrew L. Lawton of Colorado Springs. The
board organized in April, 1885, by the election of Mr. Foster as president, Mr.
Lawton as secretary and Mr. Noble as treasurer. Mr. D. C. Dudley was elected
superintendent of the school, and upon his recommendation all the officers and
employes of the school at that time were retained with few exceptions.
Within a few short years, however, Mr. Dudley's health failed and he was
compelled to relinquish his position and retire to recuperate. Fortunately there
was a competent successor at hand to assume the work reluctantly laid down by
Mr. Dudley, in the person of John E. Ray, who had been elected head teacher
in the deaf department the year before. He had had years of experience in the
North Carolina school for the deaf and the blind, and was therefore so well
equipped that the board immediately elected him to succeed Mr. Dudley.
After a period of almost seven years as superintendent Mr. Ray resigned to
become superintendent of the Kentucky school. This period was marked by an
extraordinary expansion of the school in buildings, improvements, attendance
and efficiency. It could hardly have been otherwise with so able and energetic
a head. In the meantime Mr. Dudley, having in a measure regained his health,
had been appointed head teacher in the school, and, upon Mr. Ray's retirement,
again became superintendent. He continued in office until 1899, when ill-health
once more forced him to relinquish the position, and his death occurred some
months later. W. J. Argo, also from the Kentucky school, succeeded to the
superintendency in March, 1899.
The nineteen years following this have been marked by an uninterrupted growth
of the school and an increase in efficiency in every department. New buildings
of the most modern design and construction have been erected when needed,
remodeling of those already built along most approved lines whenever possible,
has been done, provision for health-promoting outdoor recreation for the pupils
made, a well stocked library for the use of both pupils and officers secured with
funds for its care and maintenance assured. In fact every facility and appli-
ance that makes for efficiency in an educational way has been provided for every
department of the school.
The board of trustees of the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind,
January i, 1918, comprised: Joseph F. Humphrey, president, Colorado Springs;
Dr. Hubert Work, of Pueblo ; Mrs. Jane E. Pettepier, of Arvada ; A. J. Lawton,
treasurer, Colorado Springs; Charles J. Schrader, secretary, Limon. Dr. W. P.
Argo is superintendent. Dr. B. P. Anderson is the physician in charge.
The enrollment for the session of 1914-15 was 200, 102 deaf and 98 blind;
for 1915-16 the enrollment was 209, 165 deaf and 44 blind.
828 HISTORY OF COLORADO
THE COLORADO SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HOME
In 1887 the General Assembly made it compulsory for county commissioners
to defray the funeral expenses of indigent Union soldiers, sailors or mariners,
stipulating that ''the expense of such burial shall not exceed the sum of $50."
This legislative enactment, however, called attention to the need of providing
for the living and indigent Union soldiers as well as for those who died too
poor to provide for burial.
Finally, on March 15, 1889, the act establishing a Soldiers' and Sailors' Home
was approved. This gave the governor power to appoint a commission of six
men "to establish and maintain at some convenient point in the San Luis Park,
in the State of Colorado, a Soldiers and Sailors' Home for the care and treat-
ment of honorably discharged soldiers, sailors and mariners, who served in the
Union armies between the I2th day of April, 1861, and the Qth day of April,
1865, and those dependent upon them, who have been bona fide residents of this
state at least one year prior to application."
The first appropriation was $40,000, and the home was located three miles
east of Monte Vista on land donated by citizens of that town. This was an
eighty acre tract used for farming, and forty acres upon which the buildings were
erected. This latter portion includes a lake and a ten acre garden tract. The
first structures were opened October i, 1891.
By 1900 the commander's residence had been erected, following the con-
struction of the main building two stories in height with two one story wings.
In addition there had been erected a commissary building, a hospital, a power
house, kitchen and dining room, all of stone, and a frame assembly hall. One
hundred acres of the donated tract were by 1900 all under cultivation.
The first commissioners comprised: John A. Coulter, of Clear Creek, presi-
dent; Col. P. Stanley, of San Juan; John W. Browning, of Arapahoe; John D.
Lewis, of Monte Vista ; George W. Cook, of Denver ; Orlando Bonner, of Rio
Grande. The General Assembly in 1893 made the commander of the Colorado
and Wyoming G. A. R., when a citizen of Colorado, an ex-officio member of
the board.
The General Assembly in 1895 retained the latter provision but reduced the
board to three members, and authorized this body "to appoint a commander,
adjutant, commissary quartermaster, physician and bookkeeper" for the home.
It limited the admission to those whose pensions were $12 a month or less, except
for hospital treatment. In 1899 the Spanish war veterans were made eligible
for admission to the home, and in 1911 the home was also thrown open to Con-
federate veterans.
The record of the first decade follows :
Admitted Discharged Deaths
1891-2 97 48 5
i893-4 45 56 5
1895-6 69 64 9
1897-8 56 38 9
1899-1900 79 52 27
HISTORY OF COLORADO 829
By the end of 1906 the daily average attendance had grown to 157. During
1905, seventy-six were admitted and fifty-nine was the record of discharges and
deaths. The number in the home at the end of 1906 was 249. In that year the
new stone dining hall was built, the stone morgue was erected, and a beautiful
conservatory was added to the home.
Until 1906 all but $5 of the monthly pension money of residents was col-
lected from them. The act of Congress prohibiting this practice on the part of
the State Homes, has been carefully adhered to since that year.
In 1907 the daily average attendance was 157; in 1908 it was 168. The mem-
bership on November 30, 1910, was 209; absent on furlough, 37; total, 246. The
daily average attendance in 1912 was 191; in 1913 it was 167; in 1915 it was
179; in 1916, 178.
The Eighteenth General Assembly, in 1911, appropriated $15,000 for the
erection of cottages to accommodate soldiers' wives when admitted. Eight
four-room cottages were therefore at once erected, and these were nicely fur-
nished by the G. A. R. and W. R. C. of the state. In 1914 six additional cot-
tages were erected and furnished. All of these are now occupied by veterans
and their wives. In 1917 the General Assembly amended the act providing for
a board of four commissioners, three of whom must be honorably discharged
soldiers, sailors or mariners, and one a woman.
In addition to the above the home receives from the Federal Government
$100 yearly for each man. The veterans not alone have their pensions, but the
state allows each of them $25 for clothing.
The commanders in charge of the home have been : John H. Shaw, C. S. Ai-
drich, A. J. Woodside, Thomas F. Foote, Austin Hogle. The board in 1918
consisted of James Moynihan, Denver; W. H. McDonald, Grand Junction; John
Conkie, Trinidad.
COLORADO STATE REFORMATORY
The Colorado State Reformatory was created on April 19, 1889, the site to
-be in Chaffee County, and the purpose clearly stated to be "the care, education
and training of offenders of the law who may be found just starting upon a
criminal career." All persons convicted who are between the ages of sixteen and
thirty years may be committed under an indeterminate sentence. The term of
incarceration as well as the term of parole is left to the Board of Control, al-
though final discharge is due when he shall have reached the age limit.
A special committee selected a tract of 480 acres of land lying one mile south
of Buena Vista, and the Board of Penitentiary Commissioners, authorized by
law to manage the reformatory, proceeded to establish the institution.
Prisoners of the "trusty" class were taken from the penitentiary at Canon
City to the reformatory to clear the land, build fences, stockades and temporary
buildings. The wing of one of the stone cell houses was completed in 1896, and
104 cells were then available. In 1900 approximately seventy thousand dollars
had been expended on buildings, all of which are of modern construction.
In 1891-2 temporary quarters were found for 107 youthful prisoners trans-
ferred from the state penitentiary. In 1893-4 ninety-two were committed, and
ninety were transferred from Canon City. In 1899-1900 the number committed
830 HISTORY OF COLORADO
was 234. In that period 206 had been paroled. During its first decade the board
of control paroled 757 of these youthful prisoners.
In this first period A. A. Dutcher was warden, and in his report for 1903-4
says that 65 per cent of the 145 inmates were learning a trade. He abolished the
prison garb, substituting a neat cadet suit of gray. In 1908 the large two-story
granite building, 217 feet by 50, with its one-story addition was completed, and
was put into use for dining room, kitchen, bakery, chapel and schoolroom. To
this was added in 1910 and 1912 additional cell rooms, a sanitary dairy barn, a
cement chicken house and a hog yard of concrete.
With the parole law effective the number in the institution does not grow
much beyond capacity. On November 30, 1912, there were 161 inmates. While
518 were received during that year, 598 were discharged. In the next biennial
period 391 were committed and 351 were paroled. On November 30, 1914, the
inmates numbered 143.
During the last biennial period 223 boys were employed on near-by farms
and ranches, and earned $3,534.18, which goes to their families. These working
permits are given prior to parole. For the last three biennial periods the pris-
oners have constructed several hundred miles of state roads.
The Colorado State Reformatory, like the penitentiary, is now under control
of the Board of Corrections. The warden, January i, 1918, was M. P. Capp.
. THE STATE HOME
The State Home, at its inception known as the State Home for Dependent
and Neglected Children, was created April 10, 1895. It is designed to be a
home for such children as have been found by the county and juvenile courts of
the state to be dependent, neglected, maltreated or kept in evil environment. The
state thus takes charge of such children as would by reason of parentage and
environment grow up lacking education, sell -respect and all ideals necessary to
make them good and respected citizens. Any child under sixteen may be com-
mitted by either the juvenile or county courts. In March, 1896, a remodeled
church building in Denver was rented, and the home was started with less than
twenty children. By the end of the first biennial period the attendance had
reached eighty. At this time a state agent was engaged to find suitable homes
for the children and this is now helping materially to reduce the attendance.
But no child from this home can be placed in a home on trial or by adoption unless
this shall be approved by the superintendent, agent or board of county visitors,
or by the county commissioners, or by the agent of the State Board of Charities
and Correction.
In 1902 forty acres on South Clarkson and South Washington streets, in
Arapahoe County, adjoining Denver, were purchased as the site for the new
State Home. A number of tents, together with the stone residence already on
the grounds, furnished shelter until the new buildings were completed. Four
buildings were erected, all in the Mission style of architecture. The school build-
ing, two stories and a basement, contained four school rooms. There was in
addition a domestic building, a boys' cottage with large play room, dormitories,
baths, etc., a hospital building, with four wards and a boiler house and laundry.
In 1908 a new administration building was put up.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 831
The new girls' building was completed in 1914, and in the same year the
nursery was completely remodeled.
The first resolution of the Board of Control declaring boys self-supporting
was passed September 14, 1903, and by 1905 twenty boys between fifteen and
eighteen years old had been discharged and have all become self-supporting in-
dustrious citizens of Colorado.
For the girls a domestic science class was established in 1906, and this has
been one of the most effective improvements made since the State Home was
opened. In 1907 the superintendents of the Denver schools took charge of the
school arrangement and provided teachers for all the home classes. The aver-
age number of pupils in attendance during 1910 was 175.
On November 30, 1908, there were in the home 131 boys and 72 girls, a total
of 203; on November 30, 1910, the school enlarged: girls, 82; boys, 133. During
the biennial period 69 were adopted. On November 30, 1912, there were in the
home 157 boys and 95 girls; 75 boys and one girl were declared self-supporting;
46 boys and 43 girls were adopted; 35 boys and 33 girls were indentured. On.
November 30, 1914, the number in the home was 236; on November 30, 1916, it
was 230. The home received from March, 1896, to November 30, 1912, 1,530
children, of whom 46 were in homes on trial; 117 in homes on indenture; 357
have been adopted ; 149 restored to parents ; 306 have become self-supporting ;
145 died.
On January n, 1918, the Board of Control for the State Home consists of:
Mrs. Clara L. Hunter, president ; Mrs. Margaret Patterson Campbell, Mrs. Par-
meter Curtis Porter, Mrs. Anna Reynolds Morse, and William V. Hodges. The
superintendent is C. A. Donnelly.
THE STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS
The General Assembly established the State Industrial School for Boys, May
13, 1881, and on July 16, 1881, with three pupils sent from Custer County, the
school was opened in what had been Jarvis Hall, in Golden. When important
building changes were made at the State School of Mines, the Industrial School
occupied the large building left vacant and added an extension. The grounds
comprised five acres, giving ample room for additional buildings. When a sec-
ond building was needed Governor Pitkin, with fifty-two other citizens, signed
a note to meet the added expenses of enlarging the institution. Four brick build-
ings were erected in 1883, and the main building was remodeled. In November,
1882, by loan subscriptions, a shop was erected, a foreman engaged and a broom
factory started, but with little success. In 1890 the first cottage was erected, and
in 1891 the brickyard was established, the boys making 200,000 brick that year.
In 1893-4 they made 465,000 brick. By 1900 a new administration building to
replace a burned structure, two cottages and a hospital building had been
erected, and with the Sloyd department the entire manual training feature
of the school was reorganized. In 1912 the school owned 519 acres of land, a
good part of which is under cultivation. The pupils are now assigned to classes
in typewriting and bookkeeping, printing, woodworking, gardening, mason and
cement work, shoe and harness-making, tailoring, florist's work, boiler and ma-
chine work, farming, baking, laundry and culinary work.
832 HISTORY OF COLORADO
The additional cottages have barely kept up with the need for housing room.
In 1 88 1 and 1882, 80 were admitted and 5 discharged. In 1899 and 1900, 200
were admitted and 136 discharged. On July I, 1910, there were 362 inmates. At
the end of 1912 there was an average attendance of 367.10. In 1916 the average
daily attendance for the biennial period was 295.
The Board of Control for the Industrial School for Boys consists of Otis A.
Rooney, of Morrison, president ; Mrs. A. G. Rhoads, of Denver, and D. R. Hatch,
of Golden, secretary. Its first superintendent was W. C. Sampson, of Plainfield,
Indiana, who served from June, 1881, to April, 1889. Fred L. Padelford as-
sumed the office of superintendent August, 1912, and is still in charge. His work
has attracted the attention of students along industrial correction lines all over
the country.
THE STATE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
On April 4, 1887, the General Assembly created what is now known as the
State Industrial School for Girls. Under the act girls convicted of offenses under
the law were sentenced to the Golden Reformatory School, as it was then gen-
erally called. This was soon stopped for obvious reasons, and the convicted girls
were committed to the care of the Sisters of the House of the Good Shepherd in
Denver, the county committing bearing the expense of maintenance.
On June 20, 1895, a Board of Control was appointed by the governor and an
independent state institution was established under the act of 1887, a^ what had
been known as the St. Cloud Hotel on St. Charles Street near City Park. The
women of the state raised sufficient funds to operate the school at this place.
On September i, 1895, a medical force was organized with four male physi-
cians, each appointed to serve three months. These, with a consulting surgeon
and a dentist completed the staff.
On March 10, 1898, a committee was appointed and a group of buildings
leased, five cottages of six and eight rooms each, with plenty of playground, for
a term of one year, in Aurora, a suburb of Denver. At the end of four months
the school was in discouraging condition, practically without funds, little credit
and an outstanding indebtedness of more than fifteen thousand dollars. Five
months later after a most careful and painstaking effort they paid off their debt
and had on hand sufficient funds to. run the school the following four months.
Day school was organized at this time and was doing good work. The popula-
tion December 30, 1898, was thirty-two girls.
The lease of the buildings at Aurora expired March, 1900, and after several
months the present home was located on what was then known as the Henry
Estate at Henry, on the Morrison branch of the C. & S. Railroad, three miles
due west of Fort Logan. The purchase price, including the twelve room house
and forty acres of land was $8,000.
The move was made August 2, 1900, with thirty-six girls and six officers.
Accommodations were generally so inadequate that some of the girls were com-
pelled to sleep in the cellar for a time. By the time winter set in arrangements
were made for them and a temporary schoolhouse was built. On December I,
1900, there were seventy-one girls.
The first new cottage was opened May, 1902, at a cost of $16,572, thoroughly
HISTORY OF COLORADO 833
well equipped with its own heating plant, electricity, splendid bathing facilities
including tubs and showers and accommodated forty girls.
December i, 1902, found more improvements and a population of 108 girls.
In 1904, music was given a place of more importance for the school at this time
had three pianos and one of the teachers gave half time to instruction in both
voice and piano.
In 1906, the Board of Control secured the services of Miss Marian B. Rud-
gers, an institutional woman of experience and ability, from New York, who dur-
ing the next five years worked wonders for the school, bringing it up to the
present high standard. Her death on January 29, 1912, was a great loss to both
the girls and the school.
Under the leadership of Miss Rudgers an honor cottage was instituted where
new commitments were placed and kept on their honor unless by some act they
were alone responsible for, they were degraded, which rarely happened.
At that time girls who had earned the right to be paroled were kept at the
executive building and were given many privileges and liberties. Dancing classes
were now being formed, meeting at the class rooms on Saturday afternoons,
the assistant superintendent teaching them.
The nurse at this time conducted a class weekly in hygiene and physiology.
In 1908, the disciplinarian cottage was built which was a wonderful help in
segregating the troublesome girls as constant association with the better girls
had a tendency to affect them.
The Woman's Club of Colorado Springs has for several years made indi-
vidual gifts to the girls at Christmas. The Denver Woman's Club has always
been much interested in the general welfare of the school and contributes enter-
tainments occasionally, many of its members making frequent visits.
In 1910, a cottage was built for the superintendent which includes in it the
office for all executive work, the original cottage, the Louisa M. Alcott, having
been rebuilt with dormitories upstairs. The same year an orchestra was formed
of seventeen pieces which has done and is continuing to do splendid work.
Physical culture has been developed and is helping materially in building up
the physical condition of the girls. Out-of-door games are enjoyed, especially
baseball, during the summer months. Under the direction of officers the girls
have made and laid cement walks.
April 7, 1913, the Marian Rudgers cottage was opened, a model building in
every detail. The assembly hall was opened Thanksgiving Day, 1912, and re-
ligious services are held there every Sunday
At present the home has three day school rooms with two sessions daily, and
competent teachers in dressmaking, model sewing, basketry, arts, music, domes-
tic science, etc. There is now a class of thirty-four meeting daily at Red Cross
work.
The population in 1918 is 132 girls.
During the summer the girls work in the gardens the aim being to raise all
the vegetables used during the year.
The Board of Controlfor the Industrial School for Girls at Morrison, con-
sists of Edward C. Stimson, of Denver, President, Mrs. John Atkins, Mrs. James
D. Whitmore, Mrs. Henry Van Kleek, secretary, all of Denver, Mrs. Mary A.
Anderson of Morrison. The present superintendent is Elizabeth Purcell. In
834 HISTORY OF COLORADO
the last biennial period there were 105 new commitments, the number placed on
parole was 118. The number discharged after a year's test on parole was 91.
THE INDUSTRIAL WORKSHOP FOR THE BLIND
The blind people of Colorado began the agitation for a state workshop in
1905, when the Colorado Association of the Adult Blind enlisted the aid of Rev.
John W. Huston of the Fifth Avenue Church. He not alone aided in drafting
the bill but secured Senator Wm. M. Robertson to introduce and sponsor the
measure. In the House of Representatives J. J. Laton presented the measure.
The first appropriation which the act carried was $10,000, and on April 18, 1907,
the first Board of Control was appointed consisting of Rev. John W. Huston,
Robert Morris and Samuel W. Mohler. They were succeeded by Thomas Drake,
E. P. Gallup and B. M. Webster, all of Denver.
The building rented and occupied was at the corner of Jason Street and
West Eleventh Avenue, Denver, and the shop was opened August 13, 1907. A
donation of $500 by Senator James C. Burger, together with the state fund,
sufficed to buy a complete outfit for broom-making.
During the first biennial period it taught fifteen men and seven women and
furnished employment to thirty-two people. During this time it sold $2,389.83
worth of its finished product. During the biennial period ending November 30,
1910, fourteen men and six women were given instruction and employment. The
average wage earned by the blind employes for the period was $1.02 per day.
This average was slightly reduced in the biennial period ending November 30,
1912, but the usefulness of the workshop was made clear and a building was
erected in 1913, at 618 E. Arizona Avenue. This contains three separate depart-
ments, and the output was nearly doubled by reason of the additional facilities.
The Board of Control of the Colorado Industrial Workshop for the Blind
at Denver consists of B. M. Webster, of Denver, president ; Albert A. Reed, of
Denver, secretary; C. W. Hall, of Denver, treasurer. The superintendent is
R. M. Winston. During the last biennial period twenty-two blind men and women
were given work.
The employes made 72,141 brooms during 1916, and with the surplus on hand,
sold in all 82,894 brooms for which the workshop received $19,934.75. In addi-
tion to the inmates four blind men now make a living selling the brooms made
in the workshop.
THE COLORADO STATE HOME AND TRAINING SCHOOL FOR MENTAL DEFECTIVES
The great work of caring for mental defectives in the United States began
in 1848 when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts opened an experimental school
for this class, and was followed by New York in 1851. From this small begin-
ning has grown the vast work now being carried on by fully three-fourths of
all the states of the Union.
In Colorado the need of an institution for this class was first mentioned
among the recommendations in the report of the State Board of Charities and
Correction in 1892. In nearly all the reports of this board, up to and including
that made in 1908, this recommendation was repeated, and during this time
HISTORY OF COLORADO 835
papers, showing its need, were read at several of the conferences, as well as
before medical and other societies. In 1905, and again in 1907, bills to establish
this institution were introduced, but failed of passage. In 1907, Governor Buch-
tel urged the need of an institution in his inaugural address and in his message
to the Legislature.
In 1908, after an investigation into the number of cases and cost of their sup-
port in each county, the matter was taken up by Mrs. James Williams, of Den-
ver, who visited each hold-over member of the Legislature and laid before him
the urgent need of an institution for the care and training of these, unfortunates.
Following the election of 1908, Mrs. Williams also visited all new members.
The bill was introduced in the Seventeenth General Assembly by Senator
John S. Irby, and through the efforts of Senators James C. Burger and Thomas
J. Ehrhart was brought out of committee and finally passed, and was approved
by Governor Shafroth May 5, 1909.
An application for land on which to locate the institution was made to the
State Board of Land Commissioners and, after many sites were considered, the
choice fell upon one consisting of 310 acres, situated in Jefferson County, about
two miles west of Aravada.
Thomas F. Daly and Charles D. Griffith, of Denver, and Benjamin F. Lowell,
of Colorado Springs, were appointed on the first Board of Control. Under their
supervision the erection of the building was begun in April, 1910, the center and
one wing of the main building being completed that year. In 1911, with the
appropriation granted by the Eighteenth General Assembly, the remaining wing
of the building was built, as well as the powerhouse and laundry building.
The Home and Training School was opened for the reception of inmates
in July, 1912. Because of the lack of facilities for receiving and properly classi-
fying cases of all ages, and also in order to emphasize the school feature of the
Home and Training School, the Board of Control decided to admit only cases
between the ages of five and fourteen years. This limit was later raised to
twenty years.
As the name implies, this institution has two chief purposes : the first, to offer
a home to these unfortunates who cannot be properly cared for in their own
homes, and when grown cannot cope with the world ; and, second, to intelligently
train those capable of receiving instruction, that they may be made happier by
being kept busy as well as partially self-supporting.
Dr. A. P. Busey, who had been head of the Colorado State Hospital, was
made medical superintendent. On November 30, 1912, there were 25 males and
20 females in the home. On November 30, 1914, this had grown to 80, the
capacity of the institution. On July i, 1916, the number had grown to 82 with a
considerable waiting list. This, however, has been provided for by an appro-
priation of $30,000 for additional colleges.
A little over half of the inmates are capable of mental and manual training;
for these ample provision is made, there being kindergarten, elementary English,
manual and industrial classes.
Many of the boys work on the farm, in the garden, in the laundry and in
the kitchen. Boys and girls alike assist in the house work.
The State Board of Commissioners in charge of the State Home and Training
School for Mental Defectives on January i, 1918, consisted of Benjamin F.
836 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Lowell, of Colorado Springs, president; Charles D. Griffith, of Denver, and
Gustav Anderson, of Denver, secretary. Dr. A. P. Busey continues as medical
superintendent.
MOTHERS' COMPENSATION ACT
During the twelve months ending June 30, 1915, the Boards of County Com-
missioners of eleven counties : Arapahoe, Boulder, Conejos, Denver, Douglas,
Fremont, Gar-field, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Morgan, and Pueblo, established funds
to carry out, in part, the provisions of the Mothers' Compensation Act. El Paso,
Jefferson, Mesa, Weld and Yuma honored court requisitions made under the law.
The total expended by these sixteen counties was $27,163.20. The total num-
ber of families aided from July I, 1914, to June 30, 1915, was 148, including 489
children. In the past two years this record has been greatly improved upon.
Records, however, are not available until the end of the biennial period.
Under the Mothers' Compensation Act assistance was given to 205 heads of
families and 675 children in the twenty-four months ending November 30, 1916.
CHAPTER XLI
LABOR WARS OF HALF A CENTURY
FIRST ORGANIZATION OF METALLIFEROUS MINERS IN COLORADO THE LEADVILLE
STRIKES OF l88o AND 1896 REDUCTION MILL EMPLOYES' STRIKE SYMPA-
THETIC STRIKE AT CRIPPLE CREEK THE "EIGHT-HOUR^ STRIKE OF 1903 THE
TROUBLE IN IDAHO SPRINGS TROUBLE AT TELLURIDE — STRIKES AT CRIPPLE
CREEK, 1903-4 — THE STRIKES IN THE COAL SECTIONS OF COLORADO.
(Compiled direct from official reports of the U. S. Department of Labor.)
A history of the labor wars of Colorado is a difficult task in view of the
conflicting statements from the two sides of the controversy. It is the purpose
of this narrative, however, to allow no bias of any kind to creep into its pages,
and the following record follows in its details the official reports made to the
Government at Washington.
Some form of organization among the metalliferous miners in Colorado,
has been in existence since 1879. The first union composed of hard-rock miners
in this state of which there is any record was organized at Leadville. It was
publicly known as the Miners' Co-operative Union, but in reality it was a
Knights of Labor assembly, working in secret. It was chartered in January,
1879, as is shown by the records of the general office of the Knights of Labor.
It was the second Knights of Labor assembly organized in Colorado. The
first one was composed of coal miners at Erie, and its charter was issued in
August, 1878. The Co-operative Miners' Union, as it was called was involved
in the strike at Leadville in 1880. The membership of this union largely
increased during the progress of the strike, and at its close included nearly all
the miners in that camp.
A miners' union, with 85 chartered members, was organized at Leadville in
May, 1885. Within two years it reached a membership of about 600, and in
1889 it was chartered as an assembly of the Knights of Labor. From 1885
to 1890 several miners' unions were organized in the different mining camps
in Colorado. They were entirely local. There was no affiliation between
them, not even any arrangement for the exchange of working cards. Some of
them became assemblies of the Knights of Labor, some went out of existence,
while about four maintained a more or less active organization. In the spring
of 1893, with the exception of the few local unions referred to, having a very
small membership, the only organizations of miners in Colorado were Knights
of Labor assemblies that were composed exclusively of miners, of which assem-
blies there were several. There were, however, other metalliferous miners who
837
838 HISTORY OF COLORADO
belonged to Knights of Labor assemblies that were composed of workingmen
of various trades.
The Western Federation of Miners was organized at a convention held
May 15, 1893, at Butte, Montana.
The delegates represented 15 unions of miners, as follows: Aspen, Creede,
Ouray, and Rico, Colorado; Butte, Bannock, Barker, Belt Mountain, and Gran-
ite, Montana; Burke, Gem, and Mullan, Idaho; Central City and Lead City,
South Dakota; Eureka, Utah.
A sketch of the organization in the report of the bureau of labor statistics
of the State of Colorado for 1902 says that the federation had grown "from
the small beginning of 14 unions, which took out charters when the organization
was formed in 1893, to 165 unions, and the membership had increased from
something like 2,000, to 2,500 at most, to about 48,000 in good standing."
In 1902, Charles H. Moyer was elected president; in the previous year
Wm. D. Haywood had been chosen secretary. Both held these positions at the
time of the strike of 1903.
Until 1901 the headquarters of the Federation were at Butte, Montana.
In that year they were moved to Denver.
The following-named local unions were in existence in the Cripple Creek
district when the strike began, August 10, 1903 :
Free Coinage Miners' Union, No. 19, Altman, Colorado ; Anaconda Miners'
Union, No. 21, Anaconda, Colorado; Victor Miners, Union, No. 32, Victor,
Colorado; Cripple Creek Miners' Union, No. 40, Cripple Creek, Colorado; Inde-
pendence Engineers' Union, No. 75, Independence, Colorado; Excelsior Engi-
neers' Union, No. 80, Victor, Colorado ; Cripple Creek Engineers' Union, No. 82,
Cripple Creek, Colorado; Banner Mill and Smeltermen's Union, No. 106, Victor,
Colorado. There was also a District Union, No. I, composed of 13 members,
representing these 8 unions.
The statement that the strikes at Cripple Creek in 1903 were called by the
executive board of the Federation, with headquarters at Denver, has been widely
published, but it is a mistake. The strike of March 17, 1003, was called by
District Union No. i, after the eight local unions in the district had delegated
to it such power. However, the strike order was signed by two general officers
of the Federation, as well as two of the district officials, one of the general
officers being President Charles H. Moyer.
The second strike in 1903 in the Cripple Creek district was called by Dis-
trict Union No. I on August 8, to take effect August 10, the power to call a
strike having been given to the district union by a vote of the eight local unions.
THE LEADVILLE STRIKE OF l88o
A strike for higher wages and fewer working hours took place in 1880 at
Leadville, Lake County, Colorado. At that time the railroad was not completed
to Leadville. Trains were running only as far as Buena Vista, about 40 miles
distant. The prevailing rate of wages for miners was $3 per day though a
few who worked in wet mines and men engaged in timbering received $3.50
per day. There was no regularity as to hours of labor, the men in some
mines working eight hours, while those in others worked ten. The miners
HISTORY OF COLORADO 839
demanded an increase of wages of $i per day, and that the hours of labor
should be eight per day for men working above as well as for those working
below the surface. These demands the mine owners refused.
The strike was declared by the Miners' Co-operative Union, which was
really a local assembly of the Knights of Labor. Michael Mooney was presi-
dent of the union and the principal leader of the strikers.
Dissatisfaction had existed for several months previous to May 26, 1880,
and when the strike began in the Chrysolite mine, of which W. S. Keyes was
the manager. The men at this mine worked only eight hours, but they struck
for an increase of wages, and also because they objected to an order by the
manager which prohibited smoking and unnecessary talking during working
hours.
When the day-shift men went to work at the Chrysolite at 7 a. m. on May 26
they were informed by the night-shift men, numbering 300, that the long-
expected strike was inaugurated. The two shifts united and compelled the
carpenters to quit work. Then they marched to the Little Chief mine, and were
about to send a committee below to induce the miners to co-operate with them.
At the mouth of the shaft they were met by George Daley, manager of the mine.
Michael Mooney informed him that the union demanded that he should increase
the wages of his men from $3 to $4 per day, also that he should discharge his
shift boss and that the men should have the privilege of choosing their own,
shift boss. A parley ensued which resulted in Manager Daley calling the
men up from below and closing the mine. He also closed several other mines
which were in his charge. Other mines were shut down by their managers,
while the strikers compelled the men in some mines to quit work. By noon
Leadville's splendid industry was paralyzed. The only exceptions were the
El Paso and the Olive Branch mines, which had paid $4 per day for some
time as a precautionary measure.
The number of men who quit or were thrown out of work was about
3,000.
Several fruitless efforts at arbitration were made. On June 10 the strikers
offered to compromise on -the basis of $3.50 per day with eight-hour shifts,
but the managers rejected the proposition.
A semi-military organization of citizens was formed to preserve order,
over 2,000 being enrolled.
On June 12, six hundred or more men, many of them armed, formed an
imposing semi-military procession, marching through the streets of Leadville.
They did not come in conflict with the strikers, but the latter, instead of
being overawed, were greatly irritated by what they considered an attempt to
force them to accept the managers' terms.
Sheriff Tucker and several prominent citizens of Leadville sent telegrams to
Governor Pitkin, representing the condition of affairs as alarming, declaring
there was danger of bloodshed and of destruction of property, and calling upon
him to declare martial law. The governor received these messages about
i o'clock on the morning of June 13, 1880.
Maj. Gen. David J. Cook of the State Militia, arrived at Leadville on
June 14, and enrolled sixteen companies of volunteer soldiers on that day.
Several of the strikers and their sympathizers received orders from the citizens'
840 HISTORY OF COLORADO
committee to quit the county, and they left on the afternoon of June 14. In
this number were both the editor and the publisher of the Crisis, the local organ
of the miners, and also a deputy assessor and three members of the typographical
union.
A representative of the miners' union asked permission of the military
officers to hold another meeting of the union, with a view to effecting a settle-
ment of the strike. General Cook granted this permission and on June 17 a
meeting was held which was attended by the strikers, military officers, mine
managers, and other citizens. The resolutions, in which the miners' union pro-
posed to resume work upon the terms on which they had been employed before
the strike began, were adopted. However, Manager Keyes, of the Chrysolite
mine, and Manager Daley, of the Little Chief and other mines, assured the
miners that they would recognize the eight-hour system in the future, as they
had in the past, and pledged themselves that they would use their personal
influence to have the system adopted generally throughout the camp. It was
distinctly understood that the miners were to return to work at the former
wages wherever they could get employment, and that no strike would be ordered
or permitted against the managers who insisted upon ten-hour shifts. Further,
it was agreed that the leaders of the strike should be granted exemption from
punishment, and permission to work if they could obtain it, but those who
were known to have counseled or resorted to violence or intimidation would not
be re-employed. It was not required that the union should disband, but the
miners were made to promise that the union would make no public demonstra-
tion of a threatening character. On this basis of settlement the strike was
declared off on June 17, and the strikers resumed work the next day.
THE CRIPPLE CREEK STRIKE OF 1894
The Western Federation of Miners, organized in 1893, had a large number
of members in the Cripple Creek district when the strike of 1894 began. In
January, 1894, 40 mines and prospects were working under the eight-hour
schedule and 9 under the nine-hour system. The union scale called for a mini-
mum wage of $3 per day of eight hours' work, although many union men,
under contract or other conditions, were permitted to work nine hours per
day. All of the mines of larger production were paying $3 per eight hours'
work, excepting the Independence, which was working nine-hour shifts at $3.25.
On January 17, 1894, a notice was posted at the Pharmacist mine to the
effect that all miners who desired to continue working on that property would
be required to work ten hours a day and lunch on their own time, or work eight
hours for $2.50 per day. A few days later similar notices were posted at the
mines of the Isabella property, owned by J. J. Hagerman, and at the Victor
and Anaconda mines, owned chiefly by D. H. Moffat and Eben Smith. These
mines were the largest producers, employing nearly one-third of all the miners
at work in the district for wages. No reason for the reduction was assigned
other than that the production of the properties did not warrant the wages
then paid. The miners, referring to the fact that the latest quarterly state-
ments of the respective properties showed that large dividends had been paid,
took the position that there was no cause for a reduction of wages. The mine
HISTORY OF COLORADO ' 841
owners held that the mines, having but a slight development, were not steadily
producing a large profit and that they were worked at great expense for trans-
portation of supplies and for hauling ores over the mountain roads to the
railway terminals.
On February 2 a mass meeting of miners was held at Anaconda, at which
John Calderwood, a prominent union miner, advocated that all mine managers
working their men nine hours be given notice to comply with the rules of the
union that eight hours should constitute a day's work at a minimum of $3 a
day, and that if they failed to comply with this rule within ten days the union
should call out all men working nine hours. This measure was adopted and put
into execution. Among the principal mines which continued at $3 for eight
hours were the Pike's Peak, Garfield, Grouse, and C. O. D. By special arrange-
ment with the union the Independence and Portland mines continued operations,
paying $3.25 for nine hours a day and $3 for the night shift of eight hours,
and this agreement continued in force for two years thereafter.
The mines against which the strike was directed were picketed by members
of the miners' union, but during the latter half of February and the first half
of March some of the mine managers secured enough nonunion miners to
operate their properties. Some of the miners who were working contrary tb
union rules were maltreated and severely dealt with by union miners.
On the evening of March 16 six deputy sheriffs, while on their way to the
Victor mine to protect that property from threatened injury, were surrounded
' near Altman by a force of miners and arrested. One of the deputies was
wounded by a pistol shot ; another was struck on the back with a club. The
deputies were disarmed, taken to Altman, and arraigned before the police
magistrate, who was a union miner, on the charge of carrying concealed weapons,
but, being released, returned to Cripple Creek. The rioting miners visited
various mines and drove away the men who were objectionable to them.
On the same night the sheriff of El Paso County, M. F. Bowers, appealed
to Governor Davis H. Waite for troops to preserve order. The governor
responded by dispatching three companies, the signal corps and a battery of
artillery from Denver and a company from Colorado Springs. A force of
fifty deputy sheriffs was sworn in at Colorado Springs to serve in the Cripple
Creek district. The troops, under command of Brig. Gen. E. J. Brooks, arrived at
Cripple Creek on the morning of March 18.
On the evening of March 18 prominent union men from Altman met General
Brooks and General Tarsney, by invitation, in Cripple Creek, to discuss the
situation. These union officials affirmed, to quote from General Tarsney's report,
"that no resistance to constituted authority had been offered by anyone in the
mining districts, and that no disturbance of any kind had occurred beyond
the ordinary small offenses that are constantly occurring in mining camps."
These facts being telephoned to the governor he ordered the withdrawal of the
troops on March 20.
About May 10 a committee of seven miners met, by invitation, a like number
of mine owners in conference at Colorado Springs. In an endeavor to adjust
their differences the mine owners submitted an ultimatum of $2.75 for eight
hours' work. The miners unanimously rejected this proposition. The mine
owners determined to put a force of men of their own selection into the mines.
842 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Sheriff Bowers enlisted a force of several hundred special deputies to protect
the men who were willing to go to work in the mines which had been closed.
The union miners apprehended that this large force of deputies was intended
to drive them from the county. They also knew that the sheriff held a large
number of warrants for their arrest on charges of lawless conduct. These
circumstances aroused them to defiance. Anticipating an attack from the
deputies the strikers armed themselves, established headquarters, and intrenched
themselves on Bull Hill and enforced military discipline. Men who sought
work or who were suspected of disloyalty to the union were ordered out of the
camp and in some cases severely beaten.
One hundred deputies, under command of Capt. J. C. Veatch, left Denver on
May 24 for Cripple Creek, and were joined at Colorado Springs by about 50
more, arriving near Victor on the following morning. The number of deputies
under command of Sheriff Bowers then numbered about 1,200.
The miners marched down Bull Hill in force to meet the deputies and took
position near the mines on Battle Mountain, just above Victor. They attacked
and captured the Strong mine, where non-union men were working. This mine
had been guarded by a squad Of deputies. These were captured and their arms
and ammunition confiscated. Not content with this bloodless victory, some of
the hotheads among the strikers injured their cause by wanton destruction of
the shaft house and machinery of the Strong mine by an explosion of giant
powder. The superintendent, Sam McDonald, the foreman, and the engineer
were caught below the wreck and imprisoned in the mine for thirty-six hours.
The deputies, realizing that an assault upon Bull Hill would be fatal to many
of them, withdrew down the line of the Florence and Cripple Creek Railway to
Wilber station, where they encamped for the night. On the morning of May
25 a force of 300 strikers started out to attack the camp of the deputies. Fifty
men sent in advance unexpectedly ran close upon the outposts of the deputies.
Both sides opened fire. Harman Crawley, the leader of the strikers, was killed,
two men were wounded, and six taken prisoners. Frank Robideau, one of the
deputies, was killed. The captured strikers were taken to jail at Colorado
Springs. The three men who had been imprisoned by the explosion of the
Strong mine were liberated, taken to camp of the strikers on Bull Hill, and
held as hostages for the six prisoners taken by the deputies. Later an exchange
of prisoners was made.
On May 26 Governor Waite issued a proclamation, in which he called upon
the strikers to lay down their arms, to cease resistance to the law, and to desist
from assembling in unlawful bodies. He also declared that the assembly of a
great number of deputy sheriffs, many of them recruited from other counties,
was illegal, and he demanded that they immediately disperse.
Governor Waite left Denver by special train on the night of May 27. The
next morning he appeared on Bull Hill, where he met the strikers and assured
them that they should not be ill-used by the deputies. On the afternoon of
May 28 he held a conference with the strikers at Altman, the result of which
was that they appointed him their sole arbitrator, with power, if possible, to
settle all the differences between them and mine owners.
At Colorado Springs on June 2 Governor Waite met J. J. Hagerman, one of
the largest mine operators', to consider upon what terms existing differences
HISTORY OF COLORADO 843
might be settled, so as to avert a conflict at arms. The governor and Mr. Hager-
man agreed upon terms, but, other parties interfering, no settlement was then
effected.
At this time bands of armed men were assembling in many mining camps
in the state and preparing to march to aid the strikers at Cripple Creek. At
Rico, in the southwestern part of the state, one hundred men, fully armed,
under the leadership of Capt. William Simpson, had seized a train on the Rio
Grande Southern and had proceeded as far as Montrose, over one hundred miles,
when a telegram from the governor reached them, commanding them to return
to their homes and advising them that efforts to effect a settlement would be
continued.
Another arbitration conference was arranged and was held in Denver
June 4. The mine owners were represented by J. J. Hagerman and D. H.
Moffat, the governor appearing as sole arbitrator for the strikers, E. T. Jeffery
and J. F. Vaile as neutral parties, and Eben Smith and J. B. Grant as witnesses.
The governor and Messrs. Hagerman and Moffat agreed upon the following
terms of settlement:
For the purpose of settling the serious differences between employers and
employes in Cripple Creek mining district, El Paso County, Colorado, it is agreed
by and between Governor Davis H. Waite, appointed by and representing the Free
Coinage Miners' Union, No. 19, W. F. M. A., its members and other miners of
said district, on the one part, and J. J. Hagerman and D. H. Moffat, for them-
selves as mine owners, and employers of mining labor in said district, on the
other part, as follows :
1. That eight hours' actual work shall constitute "a day," divided as follows:
Four hours' work, then twenty minutes for lunch, then four hours' work, for
which said eight hours of labor there shall be paid three ($3) dollars.
2. In the employment of men there shall be no discrimination against union
men or against nonunion men.
3. The undersigned, J. J. Hagerman and David H. Moffat, earnestly urge
upon other mine owners and employers of mining labor in said Cripple Creek
mining district to accede to and act upon the foregoing agreement.
On the same day the people of Cripple Creek, rejoicing in the belief that the
agreement made in Denver meant permanent peace in the camp, decorated
the city and paraded the streets with bands. The strikers, were mollified and
relaxed their vigilance. For the first time in many days they came into town
and freely mingled with the people. But there was a sudden change when it
was learned that the army of deputies, 1,200 strong, under Sheriff Bowers,
had advanced from Divide and were on a forced march to Bull Hill. Being
informed of this movement, Governor Waite, on the evening of the same day,
June 4, ordered the entire National Guard to the scene of disturbance.
June 6, the deputies, led by Sheriff Bowers, came within range of Bull Hill,
and exchanged shots with the pickets of the striking miners. Sheriff Bowers
received orders from Governor Waite to observe a truce until the troops should
arrive. The force of deputies went into camp at Grassy. On June 7, there
were several skirmishes incident to the reconnoissances of the pickets on both
sides. Owing to heavy rains and washouts the militia did not arrive until the
844 HISTORY OF COLORADO
afternoon of June 7. The militia, commanded by Brig. Gen. E. J. Brooks, took
position between the opposing forces.
On the morning of June 8 the entire force of deputies left their camp in
three columns, moving toward the miners' camp on Bull Hill. General Brooks
and his staff pursued the deputies, overtaking a column led by Sheriff Bowers,
from whom he demanded to know the meaning of this movement. The sheriff
pleaded that he had no control over the men. The other columns were inter-
cepted and informed that the National Guard would open fire upon them if
they did not return. The deputies heeded the warning, turned about face, and
marched back to their camp in Beaver Park.
The adjutant general, on receipt of a telegram from the governor authorizing
him to receive the surrender of the strikers, gave the order to Brigadier General
Brooks, who put the militia in motion. Without opposition the militia entered
the camp of the strikers, where the strikers peaceably surrendered.
On the following day, June 9, the deputies, to the number of 1,100, broke
camp at Beaver Park, marched to Cripple Creek, and made a demonstra-
tion through the principal streets, still maintaining a threatening attitude.
They made numerous arrests of citizens and indulged in outrageous acts toward
other citizens, many of whom, for no offense at all, were clubbed and kicked,
dragged from the sidewalks, and forced to march between the lines of deputies.
Toward evening the deputies took up the line of march, with the intention, as
stated by them, of going into camp at the Independence mine.
At the instance of Adjutant General Tarsney, a conference of military officers
and prominent mine owners was held at Altman on June 10. At this conference
a settlement was agreed to, providing for the immediate withdrawal of the
deputies from the Cripple Creek district. The next day the deputies moved
to Colorado Springs, the county seat, where they were paid and discharged.
Under the terms of the agreement portions of the National Guard were sta-
tioned at different, places in the district for thirty days, the remainder having
been relieved from duty. Peace was established in the district, all of the prop-
erties were restored to the control of their respective owners, and the mines
resumed operations at wages and hours in accordance with the agreement signed
by Governor Waite and Messrs. Hagerman and Moffat on June 4. The agree-
ment provided that ordinary miners should be paid $3 for eight hours' work,
and these wages and hours continued to be observed in the district until recent
years.
Indictments were found against thirty-seven of the striking miners, charg-
ing them with various acts of violence. All of the cases were dismissed except
three. One of the three men tried was convicted of stage robbery, but vtfas
released by the supreme court. Two were convicted of blowing up the Strong
mine, and each was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, but both were par-
doned before their terms expired.
Adjt. Gen T. J. Tarsney, by profession a lawyer, was attorney for some of
the arrested miners when they were placed on trial at Colorado Springs. Public
sentiment in Colorado Springs had been strongly opposed to the strikers, and
was strongly opposed to the populist administration of Governor Waite. About
midnight of June 23, during trial, a band of about fifteen masked men entered
the office of the Alamo Hotel and induced the clerk to call General Tarsney
HISTORY OF COLORADO 845
from his room. When he made his appearance he was seized by the men, struck
on the head with a revolver and hurried into a carriage at the door. He was
driven to a lonely spot on the prairie, five miles from the city, then stripped of
his clothing, and tarred and feathered. In this condition he was left to grope
his way in the darkness through a rough country, and wandered about for
hours, until he reached a farmhouse, where he was taken in and relieved of his
torture. Who the perpetrators were was never definitely proved. Several
people were arrested and confined for some time in jail, but their cases never
came to trial.
THE LEADVILLE STRIKE OF 1896-7
From about 1882 until the financial crisis of 1893 the wage of miners in
the Leadville district was $3 per day. A wage scale of $3 per day means that
$3 is the minimum wage paid to all persons employed in or about a mine, except
laborers on the surface who are not engineers or cagemen. On the $3 scale,
engineers receive $4 per day; pumpmen, $3.50 per day; timbermen $3.50 to $4
per day; shift bosses, $4 per day; and where the work of the miner is more
than ordinarily onerous, as in sinking shafts or working in wet places, he receives
$3.50 per day. These figures are not absolutely uniform, but approximately so.
After the great and sudden depression of business in the summer oi 1893
and after the mines and smelters at Leadville had closed down and all were
uncertain of the future, the mine managers, and miners and business men and
mechaircs and laborers of the district all united in a friendly effort to resume
work, and as a result an agreement was made to reduce the wages of miners
from $3 to $2:50. At that time the Knights of Labor was the only labor union
to which any miners in the Leadville district belonged, but many of the miners
had already left that organization. On September 14, 1893, a committee rep-
resenting the miners as a whole agreed with the principal mine owners upon
a wage scale, which provided that all miners and men employed under ground
should be paid $2.50 per day for all calendar months in which the average quo-
tation of silver should be less than 83^2 cents an ounce, and $3 per day for
all calendar months in which the average quotation should be S3//2 cents or over.
Miners working in shafts or wet places to be paid 50 cents a day additional. At
that time silver was quoted at 73^ cents per ounce, a greater price than was
quoted for it at any time from then until the strike of 1896.
The Knights of Labor was succeeded after a time by the Western Federation
of Miners, a local union of which, established at Leadville, in May, 1895, grew
rapidly in membership. They made systematic efforts to get every mine worker
in the district to join this union. Men were warned to join it by certain dates
or else get out of town; further they were told that they would not be allowed
to work in Leadville or elsewhere in the West unless they should become union
men promptly.
Preceding this strike of 1896, as admitted by the union itself, 65 per cent
of the miners, trammers, topmen, and laborers employed in mining in the Lead-
ville district received $3 per day. The mine owners claimed 70 to 75 per cent
received $3 per day, but the federation declared that this was too high an esti-
mate. The higher rate of wages had come about gradually after the agreement
of 1893, under the natural law of supply and demand.
846 HISTORY OF COLORADO
On May 25, 1896, a committee of federation officials waited upon the man-
agers of several mines and made a verbal request for an increase of 50 cents a
day to miners, topmen, engineers, and all others except miners already receiving
$3 per day. All the managers approached refused this request.
The fact that the mine managers had agreed not to deal with any labor
organization and to take no action without the consent of the majority of the
parties to the agreement was not then publicly known, and indeed remained a
secret until it was disclosed by the investigations of a joint special legislative com-
mittee early in 1897.
Within three days after June 19 all the larger mines in the district were
closed, throwing nearly 1,300 additional men out of work, making a total of
about 2,250 men idle in consequence of the strike. Governor Albert W. Mcln-
tire directed the deputy commissioner of labor, William H. Klett, to visit Lead-
ville for the purpose of conciliation and of effecting a settlement if possible.
Mr. Klett succeeded in bringing about a meeting of mine managers and a com-
mittee of the miners.
But both sides were obdurate and the meeting proved a failure.
Shortly after the commencement of the strike the mine owners began to.
negotiate for the importation of miners from places outside of Colorado with
whom to work their mines. On August 19, some of the mine managers gave
notice that unless union men should return to work on or before August 22
miners would be imported -from elsewhere. The union men not returning to
work, some of the managers made arrangements to get miners from Joplin,
Missouri, but the first lot of these did not arrive until about the fourth day
after the destruction of the Coronado property on September 21. Knowledge
that labor was about to be imported, which would probably break the strike,
had an aggravating effect on the strikers, and undoubtedly was the main reason
for the attack upon Coronado.
The first attempt to resume work at any mine was made at the Coronado
where «n inside fence was built around the surface working, and arms were
obtained for the use of employes. The manager explained that he took these
precautions because of reports that an attempt would be made to prevent the
reopening of the mine, while abuse and threats had been directed against him
personally. About August 17, underground work in the Coronado began with
a force of about 17 men, all of them residents and miners of Leadville, which
force was increased to about 20 by September 20. The Emmet property also
had been fenced with boards, and mining there was resumed with a force of
40 men, of whom 35 were in the mine on the night of September 20-21. The
men who took the places of the strikers were threatened, some of them beaten,
and several of them shot at. The city police force seemed inadequate to pre-
vent such violences and the offenders were not arrested. Reports that the re-
opened mines would be destroyed were circulated.
About 12:30 A. M., September 21, people living near the Coronado mine
were aroused and told to leave their homes, as trouble might be expected.
At i A. M. a mob of one hundred to one hundred and fifty men, among whom
were unquestionably many of the strikers, made an attack upon the Coronado
mine. Three dynamite bombs were thrown to destroy the large oil tank within
the inside enclosure, which tank supplied fuel for the boilers. The contents
HISTORY OF COLORADO 847
of the tank escaped, spread over the ground, and set fire to the buildings. All
of the buildings except the shaft house and all of the machinery on the surface
were destroyed, causing a loss of about $25,000.
At the time of the attack the employes about the mine consisted of 17 men
and one boy. They made a vigorous resistance with firearms. The attacking
party, also was fully armed, and immediately after the first bomb explosion a
general fusillade commenced, which continued for half an hour. Three of the
attacking party identified as members of the federation, were killed. The de-
fenders of the mine escaped from both the bullets and the conflagration. Many
citizens of Leadville seized arms and hurried to the scene. The city fire depart-
ment arrived promptly, but the firemen were threatened with death and impeded
in every attempt to stay the flames. One of them, Jerry O'Keefe, while holding
a nozzle, was fatally shot — the fourth man to meet his death in this riot.
About three A. M., when the buildings of the Coronado mine were ablaze, the
rioters made a rush toward the Emmet mine, half a mile distant. Bombs were
thrown, destroying a portion of the fence around it. An improvised cannon, which
had been made out of steampipe re-enforced with babbitt metal, was discharged
at the shaft house. The rioters rushed at the opening in the fence, but were
driven back by a terrible fire of buckshot and rifle bullets. They renewed the
charge, but were again repulsed. They then retreated without inflicting further
damage to the property or any of its defenders; but another of the mob, also
a member of the federation, was killed. By the evening of September 2ist
the number of troops that had arrived at Leadville was 230; by the next evening
it was 653.
The presence of the troops had a quieting effect immediately upon the com-
munity and there were no further outrages or breaches of the peace worthy
of mention.
Governor Albert W. Mclntire was succeeded by Governor Alva Adams in
January, 1897. In January the number of troops at Leadville was considerably
reduced; in February it was reduced below 100; on March loth the remainder
of the National Guard on duty at Leadville were relieved from duty.
By February, 1897, most of the union miners had returned to work on the
mine owners' terms.
THE STRIKE OF MINERS AT LAKE CITY IN 1899
On March 14, 1899, a strike of miners began at Lake City, Hinsdale County,
Colorado, or, to be more exact, at the Village of Henson which is three miles
from Lake City. Two mines were affected — the Ute and Ulay and the Hidden
Treasure. The Aulic Mining Company leased and operated the Ute and Ulay
mine and mill, in which about one hundred men were employed, of whom about
forty were Italians. The Hidden Treasure Mining and Milling Company em-
ployed about the same number of men, with about the same proportion of
Americans and foreigners. The Italians were members of a local union of the
Western Federation of Miners, which had been organized only a few months
previously. Some Americans also were members of this organization.
The cause of the strike was a requirement of the companies that all single
men in their employ should board at company boarding houses. The Italians
848 HISTORY OF COLORADO
refused to comply with this order. They sought to induce the Americans to
strike, but the latter continued to work. The Americans were unaware of any
disturbance until the day shifts started to work on the morning of March I4th,
when they were met by the Italians armed with rifles. Not a man was allowed
to enter the mines. The Americans having been driven away from the mines, a
few returned to go to work but they were beaten by the Italians, who threatened
to shoot them if they should return.
The discovery was made that the state armory at Lake City had been broken
open and that the arms and ammunition therein, fifty Springfield rifles and 1,000
rounds of ammunition, had been removed. Investigation showed also that within
a few days the Italians had purchased nearly all the Winchester rifles and other
firearms on sale in the town.
Governor Charles S. Thomas on March i6th ordered four companies of in-
fantry and two companies of cavalry to the scene of the disturbance, and whole-
sale arrests followed.
The military officers, civil officers, mine managers, citizens, and the Italian
consul reached an agreement on March 2Oth under which the prisoners should
be released upon the understanding that the single men should leave the county
within three days and the married men within sixty days. The agreement further
provided that employes of the companies might board wherever they pleased.
This settlement was received with general approval except by the Italian consul
and the Italian strikers, but as the managers of the companies had already re-
solved not to employ Italians, the foreigners really had no inducement to remain
in Hinsdale County, so that they, too, acquiesced in the settlement.
On March 20, 1899, the troops were withdrawn from the county.
STRIKE OF MINERS AT TELLURIDE IN IQOI
The strike of gold miners which began at Telluride, San Miguel County,
Colorado, on May 2, 1901, led to a serious disturbance two months later. The
object of the strike was to abolish the fathom or contract system of work. This
system was an innovation in Colorado. It is an old Cornish system, and was
introduced in the Smuggler-Union mine about 1899, up to which time compara-
tively few of the miners in Colorado had ever heard of it. As applied to mining,
the fathom means six feet high, six feet long, and as wide as the vein, whatever
it may be. If a miner happened to get into a wide vein of ore his earnings would
be very small. The work was not even let by contract which the miner helped
to make. The management simply fixed a given price per fathom and the miners
could accept it or go without work.
Under this system the earnings of the miners as a whole had been materially
reduced. The system was really a violation of the spirit of the eight-hour day.
Many of the miners worked more than eight hours a day, and yet were unable
to earn the current wages in the district — viz., $3 per day. The miners claimed
also that the contract work made the mine more dangerous and greatly increased
the liability to accident.
The Smuggler-Union Company refused to abandon the fathom system, and
the strike was simply a contest to decide between two methods of employing labor.
Just after the strike was declared the local union of Western Federation of
HISTORY OF COLORADO 849
Miners proposed to Arthur L. Collins, the assistant manager of the company, that
the question in dispute be submitted to the State Board of Arbitration and that
both sides should be governed by its decision. Mr. Collins rejected this propo-
sition, insisting that there was nothing to arbitrate.
After the Smuggler-Union mine had been closed for about six weeks, work
was resumed there on June 17, 1901, with about fifty miners, which number was
increased within two weeks to about ninety. In addition, about sixty men were
employed in the concentrating mill. The miners were employed, not in accord-
ance with the fathom system, but by the day, receiving the regular wages of the
district. In short, the mine resumed operations with non-union men upon exactly
the same terms upon which the union miners were willing to declare the strike
off and return to work.
At daybreak, July 3, 1901, about two hundred and fifty union miners, armed
with rifles, shotguns, and revolvers took positions behind rocks, trees, and other ob-
structions near the mine buildings. When the night shift was coming off and
the morning shift was about to go on, a committee of the strikers came within
hailing distance of the non-union men and notified them that if they should quit
work immediately they would not be molested, but if they did not do so there
would be trouble. The non-union men were in charge of William Jordan, a
foreman, and were armed. A fusillade of shots commenced, with the result that
John Barthella, a union miner, was instantly killed. This inflamed the blood
of the strikers, and they opened fire upon the company's buildings, in which non-
union men were supposed to be sheltered. These men took refuge in the bullion
tunnel and returned the fire of the strikers, but without effect. The firing be-
tween the contending forces continued until about ten o'clock when the non-
union men capitulated and surrendered their arms. When the battle was over it
was found that three men were dead and six wounded. All of the killed were .
employes of the company, except Barthella ; all of the wounded were employes
of the company save one, who had been accidentally wounded by one of his
striking comrades.
In the afternoon the strikers lined up eighty-eight of them, all who had es-
caped, escorted them up the trail to the top of the range, saw them heading into
Ouray County, and cautioned them never to return to Telluride. In spite of
the understanding that they would be allowed to leave unmolested, many of
them were outrageously beaten ; one was beaten into insensibility ; another was
shot through both arms.
By order of the governor, one troop and four companies were mobilized at
Denver. But the governer did not deem it wise to send a force of soldiers to
the distant scene of trouble without first being convinced that such action was
necessary for the preservation of order. He desired further information before
acting, and placed himself in communication with citizens of Telluride.
During most of the day on July 6th, a conference was held between Manager
A. L. Collins, a committee from the miners' union, citizens of Telluride, and
commissioners from Denver, and a settlement of the strike was effected.
The troops mobilized at Denver were relieved from duty. In conformity
with the agreement, the strike was declared off, the Smuggler-Union mine and
mill resumed operations, and peace was restored in the Telluride district. After
July 6th, the non-union men who had been deported were permitted by union
Vol. I— 54
850 HISTORY OF COLORADO
men to return to the camp. Many of them did return and some worked in the
same mines with union men without interference.
On November 28, 1901, the mine managers and the miners' union agreed
upon a scale of wages and hours for the Telluride district. The wage scale, fixed
upon at the termination of the strike of the Smuggler-Union miners, the preced-
ing summer, was rather uncertain and indefinite. There had been misunder-
standing and confusion over the wages of several classes of workmen employed
in and about the mines. The new agreement was made permanent for a peiiod
of three years. It practically abolished the contract or fathom system which
was so objectionable to the miners. It fixed eight hours as a day's work for all
men working underground.
On November 19, 1902, over a year after the strike was settled, Manager
Arthur L. Collins was killed in his house, by a shot fired by an assassin from
the outside. This murder has never been cleared up.
THE STRIKE OF THE REDUCTION MILL EMPLOYES AT COLORADO CITY IN 1903
Until 1902 the Western Federation of Miners had few members among the
employes of the smelters and reduction plants in Colorado. The organization was
very strong in the various mining camps. A very large proportion of the miners
belonged to the federation, especially in the Cripple Creek district.
In 1902 efforts were made to unionize the men working in the various smelters
and ore-reduction plants. These efforts were not successful at Denver, Pueblo,
Leadville, or Durango, where smelters were located, but a union was formed at
Colorado City August 14, 1902. It was called the Mill and Smeltermen's Union,
No. 125, of the Western Federation of Miners.
The federation claimed that the managers discharged union men as soon as
they were apprised that the men belonged to the union. It claimed that the
United States Reduction and Refining Company had discharged forty-two men
for that reason.
A committee of the Western Federation of Miners waited upon the managers
and demanded that discrimination against federation men be discontinued. A
demand was made also for an increased scale of wages.
On February 28, 1903. Mill and Smeltermen's Union, No. 125, declared the
Portland and Telluride mills unfair and ordered a strike at both. The strike
at these mills began on the evening of that day. In the Portland mill there were
about one hundred and seventy-five employes, of whom about one hundred went
out. The Telluride mill usually gave employment to about one hundred and fifty
men, but it was shut down for construction work. The strikers composed about
one hundred and fifty men who had worked in the mill. Federation pickets were
stationed about the Portland and Telluride mills, as they had been about the
Standard mill, and tents were erected for their accommodation. Notwithstand-
ing the pickets, a number of new men were employed by the Portland mill, and
it continued in operation. More deputy sheriffs were sworn in by Sheriff Gilbert,
the number reaching sixty-five. Several cases of disorder occurred. The strikers
were accused of violence toward strike-breakers and the deputy sheriffs were
accused of brutal treatment of the strikers.
The troops were ordered out and arrived at Colorado City March 3, 1903.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 851
Finally a conference was held in the governor's office from 2 P. M. March /4th
to 3 A. M. March I5th. The results were that agreements were signed by Presi-
dent Moyer and the managers of the Portland and Telluride mills. The terms
of the agreement with the manager of the Portland mill were as follows :
First. That eight hours shall constitute a day's work in and around the
mills, with the exception of the sampling department, which may extend to ten
hours per day.
Second. That in the employment of men by this company there shall be no
discrimination between union and non-union labor, and that no person shall be
discharged for reason of membership in any labor organization.
Third. That all men now on strike shall be reinstated within twenty days
from Monday, the i6th day of March, A. D. 1903, who shall have made appli-
cation for work within five days from said date.
Fourth. That the management of the Portland Gold Mining Company will
receive and confer with any committee of the Colorado City Mill and Smelter-
men's Union, No. 125, at any time within said twenty days upon the subject of
a scale of wages.
The first, second and fourth clauses of the agreement with the manager of
the Telluride mill were practically identical with the agreement signed by the
manager of the Portland mill, but the Telluride mill being shut down for con-
struction work, the third clause was somewhat different binding the manager of
the Telluride to reinstate all former employes in the same positions they had
formerly occupied as soon as operations should be resumed, and a fifth clause
bound him to employ, during the period of construction, as many of the old em-
ployes as practicable.
During the first part of the conference in Governor Peabody's office Manager
MacNeill, of the United States Reduction and Refining Company, was present
with his attorney. They withdrew from the conference on March 14, 1903, but
the next day, at the governor's invitation, they met Messrs. Moyer and Haywood
in the governor's office. Manager MacNeill agreed to accept the terms of the
first two clauses in the agreement with the managers of the Portland and Tel-
luride mills, but refused to agree to discharge men who had been employed since
the strike began in order to reinstate the strikers. On this point he would only
agree not to discriminate against federation men when he needed more men.
He refused to treat on the subject of an advance in wages, and refused to recog-
nize the federation. The results of these conferences were that the strikes at
the Portland and Telluride mills were called off, while the strike at the Standard
mill of the United States Reduction and Refining Company continued.
Troops were withdrawn from Colorado City on March ipth.
THE SYMPATHETIC STRIKE AT CRIPPLE CREEK, 1903
A strike of gold miners in the Cripple Creek district was inaugurated in
March, 1903, to support the mill men who had struck at Colorado City the pre-
vious month. The sympathetic strike was ordered by District Union No. i, and
was indorsed by the executive board composed of national officers of the Western
Federation of Miners. District Union No. I was composed of thirteen members,
representing the eight local unions in the Cripple Creek district and one at Colora-
852 HISTORY OF COLORADO
do City. All of these local unions had voted to give the district union full power
to act in the matters at issue, and to call a strike if necessary.
At a meeting held at Cripple Creek on March 16, 1903, which was attended
by President Charles H. Moyer, District Union No. i, decided to request the
owners of such mines as were shipping ore to the Standard mill at Colorado City
and to the mills at Florence, owned and operated by the United States Reduction
and Refining Company, to cease making such shipments.
In the conference which was finally brought about, but few concessions were
made by Manager C. M. MacNeill, for the settlement proposed covered the strike
at the Standard mill as well as the sympathetic strike at Cripple Creek.
While Manager MacNeill consented to receiving any of his employes, or a
committee from them, to consider any grievances they might have at any time,
he declined to promise, as desired by President Moyer, that he would receive
committees from the Mill and Smeltermen's Union.
President Moyer waived the demand for an increase of wages, which was
made before the strike began. He waived the demand that, when grievances were
to be presented, the company would receive them through a committee from the
union. He waived the demand that Manager MacNeill should give a written
agreement, and the demand that a guaranty be given that the strikers should
be reinstated within a certain time, thirty or sixty days. Manager MacNeill
stated that he expected that the Colorado mill, which had been shut down for
some time before the strike began, would begin operations again within a short
time, and that in such case he would soon be able to re-employ practically all
the strikers. President Moyer accepted Manager MacNeill's assurance that he
would re-employ the company's former employes as rapidly as circumstances
would permit, and that he would give preference to the union men who had
been discharged and to the union men who had struck. He, however, acquiesced
in the refusal of the manager to re-employ fourteen men who were specially ob-
jectionable to the company.
The strike of employes in the Standard reduction mill at Colorado City, which
began- February 14, 1903, and the sympathetic strike of miners in the Cripple
Creek district, which began March 17, 1903, were settled on the above-mentioned
terms March 3ist.
THE "EIGHT-HOUR" STRIKES OF 1903
The Colorado General Assembly having failed to enact an eight-hour law in
compliance with the constitutional amendment adopted in 1902, the Western
Federation of Miners decided to demand that smelting and reduction companies
should grant an eight-hour working day, and, in case of a refusal, to enter upon
a strike to secure an eight-hour day for all employes in smelting and reduction
plants. All of the reduction companies in Colorado except the smelters had eight-
hour shifts for men actually engaged in extracting ores.
During the first six months of 1903, the American Smelting and Refining
Company (commonly called the "smelter trust"), operated seven smelters in
Colorado — the Grant and Globe plants, at Denver ;. the Pueblo, Eiler and Phila-
delphia plants, at Pueblo ; and Arkansas Valley plant, at Leadville, and the Du-
rango plant, at Durango.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 853
Besides ,its smelters in Colorado, this company had smelters in Montana,
Utah, New Mexico, New Jersey, and elsewhere, in all, about twenty plants.
The only independent smelters in Colorado were the Boston and Colorado
Smelting Company's plant at Argo, a suburb of Denver, and the Ohio and Colo-
rado Smelting Company's plant at Salida.
In the spring of 1903 the Western Federation of Miners organized the Den-
ver Mill and Smeltermen's Union, No. 93. At Pueblo a mill and smeltermen's
union was formed, but only a small proportion of the employes of the American
Smelting and Refining Company in its three plants there belong to the union. In
the smelters of this company at Leadville and Durango the federation had only
a few members.
The Grant and Globe plants, at Denver, handled 35,000 tons of ore a month,
while the other five smelters of the American Smelting and Refining Company
in Colorado handled 125,000 tons a month.
In two of the smelters of this company, the Pueblo and Durango plants, em-
ployes who were actually engaged in extracting metals from the ores worked
eight-hour shifts. With these exceptions, the employes of the company worked
ten or twelve hours per day. Engineers, firemen, furnace-men, tappers, and
roster men worked twelve hours. All other labor about the smelters and in the
sampling works, the shoveling of ore from cars and delivering the same on the
smelter beds, and work of like nature, was performed by laborers working ten
hours a day.
The request for a reduction of hours having been refused, Mill and Smelter-
men's Union, No. 93 held a meeting in Elyria town hall on the night of July 3d
and voted to begin a strike at the Grant and Globe smelters of the American
Smelting and Refining Company at Denver.
This meeting was attended by Charles H. Moyer, president, and William D.
Hay wood, secretary-treasurer, of the Western Federation of Miners. The
meeting having adjourned shortly before midnight, a crowd of about three hun-
dred men entered the Grant smelter, which was not enclosed, and ordered the
workmen there to quit. The crowd was composed partly of day-shift men and
partly of men who were not employes of the company.
After stopping all work at the Grant smelter the crowd went to the Globe
smelter, broke in the gates of the enclosure, and drove away all employes work-
ing there, about one hundred and fifty in number. Five or six of the employes
of the Globe smelter were beaten and kicked. The engineer especially was mal-
treated, scalp wounds being inflicted upon him. The strikers extinguished the
fires in the furnaces of both smelters.
On July 7th there were no men working at the Grant smelter and at the
Globe smelter only about twenty men were employed in repair work. The
smeltermen's union had placed pickets about the two plants. They were in-
structed to use only moral suasion to prevent men from going to work in the
smelters. The plants were guarded by thirty-one policemen. No disorder was
reported, and on July loth the force of special policemen was reduced to twelve.
An application for a writ of injunction was made by Franklin Guiterman,
manager of the American Smelting and Refining Company. The application
was signed by the attorneys of the company and the attorneys of the Citizens'
Alliance. It was granted July 7th by Judge N. Walter Dixon, of Pueblo, in
854 HISTORY OF COLORADO
chambers at Denver. It was directed against Mill and Smeltermen's Union, No.
93, of the Western Federation of Miners, the American Labor Union, the West-
ern Federation of Miners, the Denver Trade and Labor Assembly, the Colorado
State Federation of Labor and against the individual officers of these organiza-
tions. The injunction prohibited the defendants from interfering in any way
with the business of the complainant, prohibited picketing the premises of the
complainant, and prohibited "publishing any order, statements, rules, or direc-
tions by the officers of said defendant association," commanding those who wish
to continue their work or return to work not to do so.
On August 5th Judge Dixon, upholding his jurisdiction in the premises,
sentenced a member of the smeltermen's union to two months in the county jail
for contempt of court in disobeying the injunction.
The American Smelting and Refining Company decided not to reopen the
Grant smelter, the equipment of which was antiquated. By the middle of August,
six weeks after the strike began, the company had enough employes to operate
successfully the Globe smelter, and after that it continued in operation without
interruption. Former employes who went on strike were re-employed only after
making a declaration that they had severed their connection with the Western
Federation of Miners.
An extra session of the Legislature to enact an "eight-hour" law was called
to meet July 20, 1903, but it was in session only six days, the governor finding
that "no agreement on the terms of such a bill could be reached."
On September 1st, 1903, the federation men in San Miguel County struck for
an eight-hour day and a new scale of wages. By September 6th, 700 men had
left the camp. The strike closed six mills— the Tom Boy, Liberty Bell, Nellie,
Columbia, Menona and one of the Smuggler-Union mills.
Afterward the managers of several mills agreed to reduce the working hours
from twelve to- eight hours, the mill men to accept a reduction of 50 cents a day
— those receiving $4 to get $3.50 and those receiving $3.50 to get $3.
THE IDAHO SPRINGS STRIKE OF 1903
In the spring of 1903, there was a strike of gold miners at Idaho Springs in
Clear Creek County. The minimum wage of miners was $2.75 for a day's work
of nine hours. They struck for a working day of eight hours, with no reduction
in wages.
The demand being refused, there was a strike on May i, 1903. The strikers,
who numbered about two hundred and fifty, had been employed in the Sun and
Moon, Arizona, Teller, Gum Tree, Brighton and Shatter mines, all of which
properties were closed by the walk-out.
On May i8th, the Arizona and the Teller mines resumed operations with non-
union men, but paying $2.75 for eight hours' work, as had been demanded by
the union. On June ist the Shafter mine resumed operation with non-union men.
The managers of the Arizona, Teller and Gum Tree mines, having agreed to pay
a minimum of $2.75 for eight hours' work, and not to discriminate against union
miners, the union on June loth, declared off the strike against them. This left
only three mines which the union considered unfair, the Sun and Moon, Brighton
and Shafter. The Sun and Moon, which had employed about one hundred and
HISTORY OF COLORADO 855
twenty-five men before the strike, resumed operations, on June 8th, with a small
non-union force, and by July ist had about seventy employes.
Shortly after n o'clock on the night of July 28th there was a terrific explo-
sion at the Sun and Moon mine. It was caused by kegs of powder or dynamite,
which, being rolled down the hillside, wrecked the transformer house. The
night watchman, E. A. Powell, had seen two or three men on the hillside and
noticed there a fire like the striking of a match or the lighting of a fuse. When
he called to them to know their business a shot was fired in his direction, where-
upon he fired two shots at them. Almost instantly two kegs of powder or dyna-
mite were rolled down the hill. It was supposed that one of the kegs was in-
tended to destroy the compressor house and the other perhaps was intended to
wreck the shaft and boiler house, but that the men were frightened by the
watchman just as they lighted the fuses, and they suddenly rolled both kegs down-
hill striking the nearest building, the transformer house.
As it happened, the only life lost was that of one of the dynamiters, named
Philip Fire, an Italian and a union man.
Deputy sheriffs began scouring the hills for the other dynamiter or dynamiters.
Meanwhile other deputy sheriffs visited the homes of officers and members of
the miners' union, placed them under arrest and confined them in jail. Thirteen
were arrested during the night and others the next day.
An indignation meeting to denounce the crime was called by the Citizens'
Protective League. This was an association of mine owners and business men,
which had been organized since the beginning of the strike at Idaho Springs. It
was allied with the Citizens' Alliance, with headquarters in Denver. The ring-
ing of the fire-alarm bell on the evening of July 29th was the signal for the
meeting, which was held in the Idaho Springs Opera House.
At this gathering deportation of federation men was decided upon, and to
the number of 500 the league marched to the jail. The three guards were re-
quired to give up the keys and the door was unlocked. Fourteen of the twenty-
three men in the jail were ordered out. All of these men were members of the
Western Federation of Miners.
With the fourteen union men in advance the crowd moved down the main
street to the extreme eastern end of the city, more than a mile away. At that
point Lafayette Hanchette told the fourteen men that the citizens of Idaho Springs
would not countenance violence ; that they were satisfied that at least some of
the men had instigated the plot to dynamite the Sun and Moon mine, and also
planned to assassinate certain mine managers. He said that the citizens had
decided that these men must leave and never return. "Never show your faces in
Clear Creek County again," he said, "for if you do we will not be responsible
for what may happen to you. A very considerable element here has been for
hanging you men, but the conservative citizens have prevailed. They expect
you to keep moving until you get out of the state. Don't stop in Denver except
long enough to get aid from your federation."
The men were asked whether they had anything to say, but none offered a
defense or uttered a protest. Several asked whether they might send for their
families or their effects, and they were assured that no objection would be made,
and that their families would be supported until they should be sent for. Lafay-
856 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ette Hanchette and others in the crowd gave some of the men small sums of
money to provide for their immediate necessities.
On application of the attorney of the deported men, on August 10, 1903,
Judge Frank W. Owers, sitting in the District Court at Georgetown, granted an
injunction restraining each and every member of the Citizens' Protective League
from interfering with the deported men or preventing their return to their homes
and business. Commenting on the complaint of the plaintiffs Judge Owers said :
"The action of 'the Idaho Springs mob, I take pains to use the accurate term,
in running out of town, with threats of violence, the officials of the miners' union
was sheer anarchy, an outrageous violation of the rights guaranteed by the Con-
stitution to the humblest person."
Eight of the deported men returned to Idaho Springs on August nth.
Arrests followed on both sides but no conviction was obtained.
After the union miners were deported from Idaho Springs the camp allowed
only non-union men to work there.
THE CRIPPLE CREEK STRIKE OF 1903-4
The strike of 1894 in the Cripple Creek district was settled favorably to the
miners. For nine years, from 1894 to 1903, the miners maintained a strong or-
ganization in the larger gold-mining camps of the state. The federation was
strong especially in the Cripple Creek district, which included the towns of Crip-
ple Creek, Victor, Goldfield, Independence, Anaconda, and Altman. In electing
officers for these towns and for Teller County, in which the towns are situated,
the members of the Western Federation of Miners cast the deciding votes, and
in many cases the town and county officers were members of the federation.
The strong organization of the Western Federation of Miners enabled it to
keep many non-unionists away from the mining camps. They were denounced
as "scabs," and in many cases residence in the mining camps was made very dis-
agreeable for them. The following notice was posted all over the Cripple Creek
district on August 6, 1901 :
"Take notice, that on and after September 15, 1901, anyone working in and
around the mines, mills, or power plants of the Cripple Creek district, who can-
not show a card of membership in good standing of some local union of the
Western Federation of Miners, will be considered a scab and an enemy to us,
himself, and the community at large, and will be treated as such. By order of
the Cripple Creek Executive Board of the Western Federation of Miners."
By means of the boycott, slugging, and other acts of personal violence, many
non-union miners were driven away from the various camps at different times.
No large bodies of non-unionists were deported, but in many individual cases
they were compelled to leave. However, none of the camps was completely
unionized. Some non-union men were permitted to remain, and in many mines
unionists and non-unionists worked side by side. This was the case notably in
the big Portland mine. James F. Burns, president of the Portland Gold Mining
Company, was considered by the union men as one of their best friends, yet he
operated the mine on the "open-shop" principle.
On July 27, 1903, five Austrian miners from Butte, Montana, were escorted
to the edge of the town and ordered to leave the district.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 857
On March 31, 1903, when a settlement of strikes at the Portland and Telluride
reduction plants at Colorado City was effected, the managers agreed to confer
with a committee of the Colorado City Mill and Smeltermen's Union, No. 125,
of the Western Federation of Miners, to consider a new scale of wages. The
result was an increase of wages at these plants, the minimum wage being in-
creased from $1.80 to $2.25 per day of eight working hours. This scale went
into effect May ist, the understanding being that it would be enforced also in com-
peting establishments. The Standard mill at Colorado City, owned by the
United States Reduction and Refining Company, continued to pay the old scale,
the minimum wage being $1.80 per day of eight working hours. .
The inequality of wages caused dissatisfaction among the union employes of
the Standard mill, and also caused the managers of the Portland and Telluride
mills to be dissatisfied. Manager Hugh Fullerton, of the Telluride Reduction
Company, posted a notice on July 1st, to the effect that after July 5th wages
would be reduced and the minimum would be $2 a day.
At a regular meeting oT the Mill and Smeltermen's Union of Colorado City
on July 3, 1903, the members voted to strike against the United States Reduction
and Refining Company. There were two causes for this strike: First, the re-
fusal of Manager C. M. MacNeill to consider the wage scale ; second, the failure
to reinstate the men who had been engaged in the strike, which began February
14, 1903, and continued until March 3ist, according to an agreement made on the
latter date.
District Union No. i, at a meeting held at Cripple Creek on the evening of
August 8, 1903, ordered all employes in and about the mines in the district to
cease work on the morning of Monday, August roth, except employes who were
working on properties shipping ore to the Economic mill at Victor, the Dorcas
rnill at Florence, and the cyanide mills of the district. These mills which were
excepted were independent plants, not connected with the American Smelting
and Refining Company, (the "smelter trust") or the United States Reduction
and Refining Company.
The reason assigned by members of the district union for making the order
to strike so sweeping in character was that, during the strike earlier in the year,
when only the known shippers to the Standard mill at Colorado City were shut
down, others helped that plant by shipping to other places ores which were then
re-shipped to the mill that was under ban.
This sympathetic strike of miners, like their sympathetic strike of five months
earlier, was ordered by the district union, which was composed of thirteen repre-
sentatives from the eight local unions in the Cripple Creek district and the local
union at Colorado City. These local unions had voted to refer the matters at
issue to the district union for settlement, giving it full power to call a strike, if
necessary. The action of the district union at Cripple Creek was indorsed by
the executive board of the Western Federation of Miners at Denver.
On August n, 1903, the number of men on strike in the district was 3,552.
The sympathetic strike of miners on August loth, was caused by the refusal
of the United States Reduction Company at Colorado City to advance the wages
of mill men, and by the discrimination which that company had exercised against
its employes who were members of the federation. The strike of the miners
had little if any connection with the strike for an eight-hour working day, which
858 HISTORY OF COLORADO
commenced July 3d, at the two smelters of the American Smelting and Refining
Company at Denver. The reduction plants reduced low-grade ores and the
smelters finer grades. Most of the ores from the Cripple Creek district are of
low grade, hence most of the tonnage from that district goes to the reduction
plants instead of the smelters. Only about 10 per cent of the ores treated by
the smelters of the American Smelting and Refining Company at Pueblo, Lead-
ville, and Durango came from the Cripple Creek district, and practically none
of the ores treated by the two smelters of this company at Denver came from
there; hence the strike of the miners had but little effect on the plants of this
company.
The first break in the ranks of the strikers was at the El Paso mine on August
i8th, when work was resumed with about seventy-five men, of whom about twelve
were union men. The mine was guarded by seventeen armed men, and a barri-
cade, a fence ten feet high, was built around the shaft house. Some of these
guards were deputies, appointed by Sheriff H. M. Robertson, and all of them
were paid by the mining company.
On August 22d, officers of the federation made a satisfactory settlement with
James F. Burns, president of the Portland Gold Mining Company. The former
employes, numbering about five hundred, were notified to resume work at the
mine on August 26th.
On August 25th the federation ordered a strike against the Telluride Re-
duction Company, at Colorado City, which earlier in 1903 had increased wages
and granted every other demand of the federation. The federation demanded
the discharge of the head precipitator, Walter Keene.
On September 2d, the Standard reduction mill, at Colorado City, closed down
on account of lack of ores for treatment, a result of the strike of Cripple Creek
miners. About one hundred and fifty men were thrown out of employment, but
the management announced that they would be paid one-third of the regular
wages for an indefinite period.
On the night of August 29th, the shaft house of the Sunset-Eclipse mine
near Cripple Creek was destroyed by fire. The fire was supposed to be of in-
cendiary origin and was attributed by some persons to members of the federation.
On September ist John T. Hawkins, justice of the peace at Anaconda, while
walking down the main street of Altman, was suddenly set upon, knocked down,
and wounded. On the previous day two guards at the El Paso mine, who were
arrested at the instance of the union officials for carrying concealed weapons,
were brought before Justice Hawkins for examination. He discharged one of
the men on the ground that he had not carried his revolver concealed. The other
man pleaded guilty and was fined $25 and costs.
On the night of September I, 1903, an atrocious assault wasl committed on
Thomas M. Stewart, at Independence. He was about fifty years old, a paper-
hanger by trade, and a non-union man. Not having work at his trade he applied
for any kind of work at the Golden Cycle mine. He was given a job as carpenter
and on the morning of September ist began building a fence around the mine.
On September 2d, the Cripple Creek Mine Owners and Operators' Associa-
tion offered a reward of $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and convic-
tion of the person or persons who had set fire to the Sunset-Eclipse shaft house ;
a reward of $300 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 859
person who had assaulted Justice Hawkins; a reward of $1,000 for information
leading to the arrest and conviction of the persons who had assaulted and shot
Thomas M. Stewart. The Golden Cycle Mining Company, in addition, offered
$500 for the arrest of Stewart's assailants.
The communications which Governor Peabody received from the Cripple
Creek district decided him to appoint a commission to proceed to that place to
investigate conditions, and report whether there was need for troops. On Sep-
tember 3d, he appointed a commission composed of Brig. Gen. John Chase,
Atty. Gen. N. C. Miller, and Lieut. T. M. McClelland, who proceeded at once
to Victor.
After receiving the report of the commission the governor ordered out the
National Guard.
On September 8, 1903, work was resumed in a number of mines. On Sep-
tember Qth, twelve mines were being operated and 376 men were employed. Sev-
eral members of the Mine Owners and Operators' Association announced that
in the future they would refuse to treat with anyone belonging to the Western
Federation of Miners unless he would renounce further connection with the as-
sociation.
By September 10, 1903, guards of soldiers were stationed practically all over
the district at all large mines where union men were out on strike and on the
public highways.
The first arrests by the militia were made on September 10, 1903, when
Charles Campbell, H. H. Kinney, and three other men were confined in the
old jail at Goldfield. This jail was an old wooden building, with a high stockade
about it, and when used as a military prison was known as the "bull pen." The
rive men were held on the ground of military necessity. No charges were filed
against them, but they were alleged to have made threats against the militia and
individual citizens. On September nth, James Lafferty, one of the union lead-
ers, was also arrested by the militia.
About i A. M. on September I2th, a squad of seven soldiers visited the home
of Sherman Parker, secretary of Free Coinage Miners' Union, No. 19, entered
his house, presented their guns, and compelled him to dress and to accompany
them to Goldfield, where he was placed in the "bull-pen."
On September I4th, Judge Seeds granted writs, directing Adjutant-General
Bell and Brigadier-General Chase to produce the four prisoners in court or give
reasons why they should not do so.
On September I4th, twenty-two militiamen visited the home of P. J. Lynch,
chairman of the board of county commissioners, arrested him and brought him
to Camp 'Goldfield. General Chase charged him with making speeches against
the militia and advising the strikers not to return to work.
On the afternoon of September 2ist, about ninety cavalrymen marched
through Cripple Creek, surrounded the courthouse and picketed it, permitting no
person to pass through the lines unless he was an officer of the court, a member
of the bar, a county official, or a press representative. A company of infantry-
men escorted the four habeas corpus petitioners to the courthouse, and fourteen
soldiers entered the building and with loaded guns and fixed bayonets guarded
the petitioners.
On September 23d, a large number of soldiers, cavalry and infantry, again
860 HISTORY OF COLORADO
surrounded the courthouse. A Catling gun was placed in position near the
courthouse, and a detail of sharpshooters was stationed on the roof of the
National Hotel, commanding streets leading to the courthouse. Thirty-four
armed soldiers brought the prisoners into court.
On September 24th, the militia was again stationed about the courthouse and
thirty soldiers, under the command of General Chase, entered the building.
The court ordered that Sherman Parker, James Lafferty, H. H. McKinney,
and Charles Campbell, relators, "be discharged from custody, as in their re-
spective petitions prayed." General Chase arose and, saluting the court, said:
"Acting under the orders of the commander-in-chief, I must at this time decline
to obey the order of the court." The court adjourned and the prisoners were
taken back to the "bull pen," but later in the day, General Chase, acting on in-
structions telegraphed by Governor Peabody, released the four prisoners.
On the night of September 29th, the militia arrested the working force of
the Victor Record. The Record was a morning paper and was the local organ
of the Western Federation of Miners. It had published the official statements
of the federation and had criticized the actions of the militia. The specific charge
on which the arrests were made was the statement in the paper that one of the
members of one of the military companies was an ex-convict. A detail of
twenty-five infantrymen and twenty cavalrymen marched to the printing office
and arrested the editor, George E. Kyner, and four employes.
On October ist, capiases were issued from the District Court for the arrest
of Generals Bell and Chase, upon information filed by the district attorney, Henry
Trowbridge, charging them with making unlawful arrests in arresting Sherman
Parker and others. A deputy sheriff attempted to serve the capiases, but Gen-
eral Bell refused to accept service, and announced that no civil officer would be
allowed to serve any civil process from any court in the state upon any officer of
the National Guard while on duty under order of the governor.. This position
in regard to the immunity of military officers from arrest while on military duty
was sustained in an opinion given out by the attorney-general of the state, N. C.
Miller.
By October roth, the estimated number of men employed in all departments
of the mines in the Cripple Creek district was estimated at twenty-nine hundred.
This included about five hundred union men at work at the big Portland mine
and about seven hundred men, union, working at other mines that were con-
sidered fair.
On October i3th, soldiers to the number of 716, men and officers, were on
duty in the Cripple Creek district, 430 having been relieved from duty since the
beginning of the strike. On that date Governor Peabody ordered the withdrawal
of all in excess of 525. On October 29th, the governor ordered a further reduc-
tion, and after that date only about two hundred soldiers remained in the district.
Charles H. McCormick, superintendent of the Vindicator mine, and Melvin
Beck, a shift boss, while on the cage descending the shaft of the mine on the
morning of November 21, 1903, were almost instantly killed by an explosion at
the 6oo-foot level, where no work was being done. The executive committee of
the Mine Owners' Association issued a statement charging the crime against
the Western Federation of Miners, and offering a reward of $5,000 for evidence
leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. The executive committee
HISTORY OF COLORADO 861
of the district union of the Western Federation of Miners issued a statement
attributing the explosion to an accident.
After a conference with a number of citizens of Cripple Creek, including
S. D. Crump, C. C. Hamlin, A. E. Carlton, and E. J. Campbell, Governor James
H. Peabody on December 4, 1903, proclaimed Teller County in a state of insur-
rection and rebellion. The proclamation referred to attempts at train wrecking
and to the explosion at the Vindicator mine.
The military forces patrolled the streets of Cripple Creek and other cities in
the district, taking the places of the local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Gam-
bling houses were ordered closed, saloons to be closed at midnight. The militia
continued to arrest people keeping them in the "bull pen" varying lengths of
time, without filing charges against them. On December 8th, the military offi-
cers in Cripple Creek had registered about eight hundred arms of different kinds.
The owners of all except about fifteen revolvers and shotguns were allowed to
retain their arms.
On January 26, 1904, as the night-shift miners on Stratton's Independence
mine at Victor were leaving the mine, the cage containing sixteen men was vio-
lently drawn into the sheave wheel at the top of the shaft. The cage then
dropped, and all but one of these men were instantly killed, their bodies being
dashed down into the sump, 1,500 feet below. The Independence had become a
non-union mine.
On February i/th, Governor Peabody visited Victor and was given a recep-
tion at the headquarters of Company L, a local military company. Replying to
an address from C. C. Hamlin, secretary of the Mine Owners' Association, the
governor said:
"I think I have done my duty in bringing about law and order in the Cripple
Creek district, and now it is up to you gentlemen. I will take the burden from
my shoulders and place it on yours, and I think that you will be able to carry
it. But in doing this I would suggest that the olive branch, the hand of friend-
ship, should be extended to the striking miners, and that harmony between the
employer and employe should be brought about."
On April nth, an order was issued withdrawing the troops from Teller
County. This action was taken by Governor Peabody in compliance with a re-
quest signed by civil officers and many citizens and mine owners of the county,
declaring that peaceable conditions prevailed and that troops were no longer
necessary. The troops left the district on the next day.
The members of the Mine Owners' Association having decided, as announced
in their notice of September 17, 1903, and their statement of March 10, 1904,
to blacklist all members of the Western Federation of Miners, employes and all
applicants for work were required to answer questions on a blank form.
If the answers of the applicant were satisfactory, the secretary of the Mine
Owners' Association issued a card authorizing his employment by members of
the association. He kept this card while seeking employment but on obtaining
employment he surrendered the card to his employer, who returned it to the
secretary of the association, and the secretary filed it, all cards being numbered
consecutively. When the man was again out of employment he was again given
his card, so that he could seek new employment ; but, if he was considered an
agitator, if he had been found to be a union sympathizer, or if his services had
862 HISTORY OF COLORADO
been unsatisfactory, the card would not be reissued to him. This card system
continues in the Cripple Creek district.
The mine owners at Telluride, Idaho Springs, and other places adopted
methods similar to those enforced by the Cripple Creek Mine Owners' Associa-
tion, with the object of preventing any member of the Western Federation of
Miners from obtaining employment in the mining camps. On October i, 1904.
the mine owners in the Leadville district introduced the card system.
On September 30, 1904, after the Leadville District Mining Association had
issued recommendation cards to nearly two thousand employes, Judge Frank W.
Owers, of the State District Court, issued an injunction.
Charles H. Moyer, president of the Western Federation of Miners, was ar-
rested at Ouray on March 26, 1904, by Sheriff Maurice Corbett, of Ouray
County, upon instructions from Sheriff J. C. Rutan, of San Miguel County. The
charge against him was desecration of the American flag, by having copies of
the flag printed with inscriptions on them. Copies of the flag printed in proper
colors, with the inscriptions in black ink on the stripes had been widely distrib-
uted through the State of Colorado and elsewhere.
While President Moyer was arrested on the charge of flag desecration it was
commonly known that his arrest was ordered largely for other reasons. On the
day of his arrest at Ouray, President Moyer was taken to Telluride. His bail
was fixed at $500 by Justice of the Peace P. A. Lilley, but security for bail was
not then offered. He was confined to the city jail.
On March 3ist, District Judge Theron Stevens granted a writ for the release
of President Moyer, making it returnable on April nth. On the latter date
Adjutant-General Bell and Captain Wells failed to produce Moyer in court at
Ouray, as the judge had ordered. The respondents were not present and re-
fused by their legal representatives to produce Moyer, giving as reasons" that
he was in custody of Governor Peabody as commanding officer of the State
Militia.
On April I5th, the State Supreme Court issued a writ of habeas corpus
directed against General Bell and Captain Wells ordering them to produce the
body of Charles H. Moyer in the Supreme Court at Denver on April 2ist. As-
sistant Attorney-General Hersey stated to the court that the state and military
authorities had no objection to the issuance of the writ.
On June 6, 1904, the Supreme Court handed down its decision. Associate
Justice Robert W. Steele dissenting. The court did not pass specifically upon
the questions relating to the right of the governor to declare martial law or to
suspend the writ of habeas corpus. The point mainly considered by the court
was: Were the arrest and detention of the petitioner, under the facts recited il-
legal ? The decision being in the negative, its practical effect was that Mr. Moyer
should remain as the military prisoner at Telluride until Governor Peabody
should abolish military rule there.
On June I5th when Meyer's attorney went into the Federal Court for relief
the governor issued an order ending martial law in the Telluride district.
This brought about the release of all military prisoners, including Moyer,
who, however, was at once rearrested on the charge of insurrection and con-
spiracy, based on the fatal explosion in the shaft of the Vindicator mine in
November.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 863
At Independence station on June 6, 1904, about twenty-five of the night-shift
men from the Findley mine and two from the Deadwood property, all non-union
men, having quit work about 2 A. M., went to the station of the Florence and
Cripple Creek Railroad, on the south slope of Bull Hill, to take a suburban
train due at 2:15 A. M., to convey them to their homes. Most of them were in
the waiting room or on the platform of the station when the whistle of the
engine of the approaching train was heard. Immediately following there was a
tremendous explosion beneath the depot. The building was badly wrecked,
though not entirely demolished. Thirteen men were killed. In some cases the
bodies were so badly mutilated that it was difficult to identify them. Arms,
legs, and other portions of bodies were thrown several hundred feet. In addi-
tion, six men were badly wounded. The explosion was caused by probably one
hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds of dynamite, which had been placed
beneath the platform of the station. This explosion was undoubtedly set off by
some person at the end of a wire about one hundred yards from the depot. About
seventy-five yards of wire were found, and the end farthest from the depot was
wound aroung the rung of a chair, which the dynamiter doubtless used for a
purchase in pulling the wire to set off the infernal machine. Near the depot was
found a portion of a revolver. It is believed that the wire was attached to the
trigger of the revolver, and that when it was pulled a bullet was discharged which
struck the dynamite and exploded it. No other clues have ever been found.
The news of the dynamite outrage at Independence early on the morning of
June 6, 1904, caused great indignation when it became known throughout the
Cripple Creek district. The managers of the mines and samplers ordered them
closed. All of the larger mines closed, except the Portland. The idle miners,
many of them bearing arms, congregated in the streets of Victor, or visited the
scene oi the explosion at Independence. Sheriff Robertson ordered that all
saloons in Cripple Creek, Victor, and Goldfield be closed. Shortly after i P. M.
a meeting of mine managers was held at the Military Club in the Armory Build-
ing at Victor, and drastic measures were decided on. A committee of mine
owners left the club rooms, found Sheriff Robertson, and informed him that the
mine owners desired to have a meeting with him. Robertson accompanied them,
and when he was inside the club rooms his resignation was demanded. He re-
fused to tender it, whereupon guns were produced, a coiled rope was dandled
before him, and on the outside several shots were fired. He was told that un-
less he resigned the mob outside would be admitted, and he would be taken out
and hanged. He then signed a written resignation which had been prepared by
the committee. On the demand of this committee of mine owners the three
county commissioners, after some demur, appointed as sheriff, Edward Bell, the
first assessor of the county, and a member of the Mine Owners' Association.
Under-Sheriff J. Knox Burton reported to Sheriff Bell, who informed him that
he had no use for his services and relieved him of his star. The newly appointed
sheriff appointed his own under-sheriff and about one hundred deputies. The
new under-sheriff was L. F. Parsons, who was secretary of the Citizens' Alliance
and continued to be after his appointment, which was made on June Qth.
A crowd of several thousand persons, including some women and children,
assembled at the corner of Fourth and Victor avenues. C. C. Hamlin, secretary
of the Mine Owners' Association, attended by Sheriff Bell and S. D. Crump,
864 HISTORY OF COLORADO
attorney of the Mine Owners' Association, went to that place. Mr. Hamlin
climbed upon a wagon and began making a speech. Among other things he said :
"The badge of the Western Federation of Miners is a badge of murder, and
everyone who is responsible for the outrage at Independence should be driven
from this district."
At this juncture, Alfred Miller, a union miner, armed with a rifle, inter-
rupted Mr. Hamlin and asked him to whom he referred. A brother of the union
man, Christopher Miller, who had been a deputy sheriff under Robertson was
standing near, and, fearing trouble, seized Alfred Miller's gun and tried to wrest
it from him. This act was misinterpreted by the crowd, and instantly a riot
started. Twenty or more shots were fired, and the crowd scattered, seeking
places of safety. When the firing ceased it was found that seven men had been
shot, two of them fatally.
Squads of soldiers, deputy sheriffs, and armed citizens scattered over the
district and arrested union members. About one hundred and seventy-five were
captured and taken to "bull pens" at Victor, Independence and Goldfield. Among
them was Michael O'Connell, the deposed city marshal, and the managers and
clerks of the union stores at Victor, Cripple Creek, Goldfield, and Anaconda. All
of these stores were closed and many of the goods in the stores at Victor and
Cripple Creek and all goods in the smaller stores at Goldfield and Anaconda were
taken or destroyed. The office of the Victor Record was visited and the whole
force, including the editor, George E. Kyner, was arrested, but later released.
The banks kept their doors closed, and business generally was suspended in
Victor. Even in Cripple Creek the proprietors of many stores closed them,
fearing further rioting, while, by order of Sheriff Bell, all saloons in the whole
district were kept closed until the morning of June I3th, one week after the
explosion.
Adjt.-Gen. Sherman M. Bell and his escort arrived at Victor at midnight,
June 7th. He immediately ordered the two local companies of the Second In-
fantry, Colorado National Guard, Company L of Victor, and Company H. of
Cripple Creek, to report to him for duty. From that time the military authori-
ties were in complete control of the Cripple Creek district. Sheriff Edward Bell
acted under the direction of Adjt. Gen. Sherman M. Bell. The number of mili-
tary companies in the district was soon increased.
At 5 P. M., June 7th, twenty-eight union men were deported from Cripple
Creek on a train which reached Denver about midnight. Seven deputy sheriffs
accompanied them to Denver, where they were set at liberty. One of the de-
ported men was T. H. Parfet, manager of the union store at Cripple Creek. No
criminal charge had been brought against any of these men. Most of them
had been informed that they might remain in the district if they would take out
cards from the Mine Owners' Association, but this they refused to do.
A new mining camp had been opened at Dunnville, fourteen miles south of
Victor. It is in Fremont County, just across the line from Teller. A number
of the miners from the Cripple Creek district had gone there and begun work.
On June 8th, a force of thirty soldiers and a hundred deputies, led by Adjutant-
General Bell, went there to arrest union miners. General Bell claimed that, under
a general order, he was authorized to make arrests, not only in Teller County
but in territory "adjacent thereto." About sixty-five miners were stationed on
HISTORY OF COLORADO 865
the hillsides at Dunnville when the deputies and soldiers entered a gulch below.
A shot from above was answered by a dozen from below, and then there was
active firing for about seven minutes. One man, a union miner, was killed and
fourteen others were made prisoners. These men had been armed with two
rifles, a single-barreled shotgun, two double-barreled shotguns, and five revolvers.
It may be mentioned here that John H. Carley, the victim in this battle, was
the only man killed by the soldiers in Colorado during any of the military cam-
paigns in 1903, or 1904.
On June 8th, the Victor Record published an editorial asking the Western
Federation of Miners to call off the strike.
About 1 1 o'clock that night eight men entered the printing office of the Record
and, with rifles and drawn revolvers, ordered the printers and pressmen, five in
all, to hold up their hands. Then two men by turns, using sledge hammers,
smashed the machinery in the office, doing much damage to two linotype ma-
chines, a power press, a job press, a folding machine, and a paper cutter. The
forms also were pied. The proprietor and editor of the Record, George B. Kyner3
made efforts to continue publication. W. Robert Carr, proprietor of the Cripple
Creek Star, tendered him the use of the Star plant. He accepted this offer, but
it was withdrawn later by Mr. Carr, because a committee of citizens had waited
upon him and warned him that the Star would be boycotted if its plant should
be used for issuing the Record. Editor Kyner then interviewed Adjutant-Gen-
eral Bell, who promised him military protection if he should issue his paper at
the Star plant. One sheet issues of the Record were printed for about ten days,
regular editions then being resumed.
Seven men were authorized to act as a commission to decide who should be
deported from the Cripple Creek district. This commission, established June
8th, was composed of Mayor F. D. French, of Victor; former Mayor Nelson
Franklin, of Victor; Postmaster F. M. Reardon, of Victor; Judge H. McGury,
J. B. Cunningham, G. E. Copeland, and T. J. Dalzell. They held sessions and
examined witnesses in the rear room of the mine owners' headquarters in Victor.
Soldiers guarded the door and all proceedings were secret. On June loth, Adju-
tant-General Bell issued the following deportation order:
Headquarters, Teller Co. Military District, National Guard of Colorado,
Victor, Colorado, June 10, 1904.
To Colonel Leo W. Kennedy: You will proceed by Colorado Springs, and
Cripple Creek District Railway to 'Colorado Springs, thence via the Atchison,
Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to the east line of the State of Colorado, taking
with you the parties on list herewith attached, and there deposit them without
the State of Colorado, returning at once to these headquarters and make due
report to me.
By command of SHERMAN BELL,
Brig.-Gen., Comdg. Teller County Military District
The attached list contained seventy-three names. General Bell being inter-
viewed and asked why these men were ordered deported, replied : "It is a military
necessity. They are men against whom crimes cannot be specified, but their
presence is regarded as dangerous to law and order."
866 HISTORY OF COLORADO
A special train bearing seventy-nine men, selected for deportation, left Victor
about 2 P. M., June loth. Many of these men had families in the Cripple Creek
district. A crowd of two thousand people witnessed their departure from the
Victor station. The deported men were guarded on the train by soldiers in charge
of Col. L. W. Kennedy and deputies in charge of Deputy Sheriff H. D. Benton.
About five o'clock on the morning of June nth, the train reached a point on the
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway half a mile west of the Kansas-Colorado
state line, and there stopped. For a few minutes it seemed that there would be
a riot between the militia and the train crew. The militia insisted that in ac-
cordance with Adjutant-General Bell's order the train should cross the state line,
so that the miners might be deposited in Kansas, but the train conductor declared
they should leave the train where it had stopped in Colorado, and this course was
finally adopted. The miners were ordered by the military officers to move east-
ward and never to return to the Cripple Creek district, on pain of being re-
arrested and severely handled. The militia fired a volley over their heads to
accelerate their movements.
About six of the miners were allowed to cross the line, but the remainder
who attempted to do so were prevented by Sheriff John Brady, of Hamilton
County, Kansas, and his posse. The region was sparsely settled, and the de-
ported men were without means or food. They walked back to Holly, Colorado,
about four miles west of the state line. They informed the city marshal how
they had been deported, and promised that they would create no trouble in Holly,
and would leave as soon as possible. The citizens of Holly gave them food;
and at a meeting, held on the streets in the afternoon, the exiles tendered to the
citizens a vote of thanks.
Telegrams were sent to the headquarters of the Western Federation of
Miners at Denver, and the federation officials telegraphed funds for the de-
ported men. Sheriff John Brady telegraphed Governor W. J. Bailey at Topeka
concerning what had happened at the state line on the morning of June loth, the
attorney-general advising that no further aggressive action be taken against the
Colorado miners so long as they conducted themselves properly.
With funds telegraphed by federation officials at Denver, about thirty-five of
the deported men left for Denver, Colorado Springs, or Pueblo, on the night of
June nth. The others, being provided with federation funds, remained at Holly
a day or two. Some then took trains for various points in Colorado, and some
sought work in the harvest fields of Kansas.
On June i4th, thirty-three men were deported to the New Mexico line.
A special train bearing thirty-nine men selected for deportation, with a
strong military guard, left Victor at 6:30 P. M., June 28th, and arrived at Colo-
rado Springs at 9 :2O the same evening. The chief of police of Colorado Springs
refused to permit the men to be unloaded there. Captain Moore communicated
by telephone with General Bell at Cripple Creek, and the latter ordered that
the men be unloaded at Palmer Lake, several miles north of Colorado Springs,
which was done.
On July 2d, five men and on July 3d, nine men who had been passed upon by
the military commission as being undesirable residents were deported from
Victor to Colorado Springs. One of the party of nine men was John Harper.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 867
former president of the Victor miners' union, and until June 6th manager of the
union store at Victor, which had been closed and looted during the riot.
In addition to the parties of men who were deported from the Cripple Creek
district during the last three weeks in June and the first week in July, not a few
persons left the district by order of the military authorities without being com-
pelled to go on special trains. They were simply told to go, and did so. In
addition, at least five hundred other persons left the district during that time
without giving the military authorities an opportunity to arrest them.
On the night of July 6th, five men were driven from Victor by a mob, first
having been beaten, robbed, and otherwise mistreated.
On July 26, 1904, Governor Peabody suspended military occupancy.
The strikes of 1903-4 in Colorado were disastrous for the Western Federa-
tion of Miners, especially in the Cripple Creek district.
On account of these strikes all of the eight unions, as well as the district
union, were broken up, and owing to the card system inaugurated by the Mine
Owners' Association in 1904 it became impossible for a known member of the
federation to secure work in any of the mines in the district.
On January 6, 1905, District Attorney S. D. Crump dismissed the cases
charging conspiracy to murder against Charles H. Moyer, president; John C.
Williams, vice president; William D. Haywood, secretary-treasurer; James
Kirwan and James A. Baker, members of the executive board of the Western
Federation of Miners; John M. O'Neill, editor of the Miner's Magazine; D. C.
Copely, and Fred Minster, leaving only nine persons charged with the conspir-
acy to murder in connection with the Victor street riots.
THE STRIKE OF 1903-4 AT TELLURIDE
On October 31, 1903, about one hundred miners in the Tom Boy mine struck
because the manager of the mine had started its mill with nonunion men. On
November 5th, several members of the Mine Owners' Association called upon
Governor Peabody and1 requested him to send troops to Telluride. They de-
clared that they could reopen their mines and mills with nonunion men if they
were given military protection from attacks by union men. On November i7th,
other members of the Mine Owners' Association called on the governor and
requested that troops be sent there. They admitted that the situation was peace-
ful but declared that they intended to open their mines shortly, and insisted that
when the mines were reopened with nonunion miners trouble would be sure
to begin immediately.
At the request of the governor, Att.-Gen. N. C. Miller, Asst. Atty.-Gen.
H. C. Melville, Maj. C. F. Randolph, C. F. Hagar, and S. D. Crump visited
Telluride to investigate the situation. They reported to the governor that troops
ought to be sent there to preserve order.
On November i8th, Governor Peabody appealed to President Roosevelt
for troops. On acount of a strike of coal miners at Trinidad, the governor
apprehended that troops would be needed there as well as at Telluride. He
asked him for from two hundred and fifty to three hundred regulars. In an
interview he said that his request was based on the fact that the state was without
the necessary funds to pay for militia. The president declined the governor's
868 HISTORY OF COLORADO
request, but at the same time he detailed Gen. John C. Bates to visit Colorado and
report upon the strike situation.
He submitted a report, dated Denver, November 29, 1903, and addressed to
Lieut.-Gen. S. B. M. Young. The report said in part :
"I find that the disturbances at both Cripple Creek and Telluride amounted
to insurrection against the State of Colorado, and in that mining, milling and
other business was suspended there by reason of intimidation, threats and vio-
lence, and that the civil officers were not able to, or did not, maintain order.
"The militia of the state has been employed, and is now employed at both
Cripple Creek and Telluride. I think the employment of the state troops nec-
essary at both these points, and that they are now giving proper protection to
life and property. At Cripple Creek work has been resumed at the mines, and
at Telluride one mine has resumed operations, and owners inform me they pro-
pose to open other mines as rapidly as they can secure workmen. At this time
United States troops are not needed.
"There is an unsettled condition at the coal mines, both in the Trinidad or
southern district and the new or northern district, which may develop into such
disorder as to require the use of troops. Should this occur while the whole
available force of State Troops is employed at Cripple Creek and Telluride,
which is now the case, I think Federal troops will then be needed."
On January 3, 1904, the militia arrested twenty-two men and imprisoned
them in the county jail. These included Eugene Engley, a former attorney-
general of Colorado and attorney for the Western Federation of Miners; J. C.
Williams, vice-president of the Federation; Guy E. Miller, president of the
local union, and Henry Mainke, a prominent union leader. Williams had come
from California to direct the strike at Telluride. On the same evening Maj. Z.
T. Hill, in command of the troops at Telluride, announced to newspaper corre-
spondents that the state of affairs rendered it necessary that all press reports
should be censored ; that the telegraph and telephone lines were under his control,
and no reports could be sent by such means without his sanction.
The twenty-two men were deported to Ridgway, forty-five miles distant, by
the militia on the next day and there ordered not to come back to Telluride.
Thirteen men arrested January 4th, four arrested January 8th, and six arrested
January I5th were deported to Ridgway. One man who returned to Telluride
was rearrested by the militia and imprisoned January 6th. By February 2d,
the number of men deported was eighty-three.
On the night of March I4th, about one hundred members of the Citizen's
Alliance held a meeting at Red Men's hall, after which they armed themselves,
searched the town, and took into custody about sixty union men and sympathizers.
In some instances the doors of residences were forced open. The men who were
captured were brought to a vacant store and about i :3O o'clock in the morn-
ing were marched to the depot and loaded into two coaches. Fifteen members
of the mob accompanied the train to Ridgway, where the prisoners were
ordered to get off, and further ordered never to return to Telluride.
On April 5th, the Telluride Mine Owners' Association issued the following
statement :
"We do not propose to enter into negotiations of any nature with the West-
ern Federation of Miners. We do not recognize a union in Telluride. There
HISTORY OF COLORADO 869
is no strike in Telluride. All our mines are working with a full force of men
and we do not know what kind of a settlement can be made. With us there is
absolutely nothing to settle."
On April 8th, seventy-four men, who had been deported from Telluride by
the military authorities and citizens, returned on the train arriving at 7:30
o'clock in the evening. They were met at the depot by Adjt.-Gen. Sherman
M. Bell with about one hundred soldiers and about two hundred armed citizens.
They were marched to the opera house, where their baggage was searched for
firearms and other weapons. After being given supper, they were put on the
train and again deported, General Bell, Capt. Bulkeley Wells, and a detail of
thirty soldiers accompanying them to the county line.
On June 15, Governor Peabody suspended military authority in the Telluride
district and troops were relieved from duty. In November the mine owners
granted, voluntarily, eight-hour shifts to all employes to go into effect Decem-
ber i, 1904.
At a special meeting of San Juan District Union No. 3, of the Western
Federation of Miners, held at Ouray on November 29, 1904, the strike which
had been called on September i, 1903, was declared off. The meeting attended
by Charles H. Moyer, president of the Federation, who, in an interview on
November 29, said :
"We have called the strike off because we take the position that the issues
involved have been conceded by the mine owners and operators in the Telluride
district, in that they recently posted notices to the effect that after December ist
they would grant an eight-hour work day, both for their mills and smelters, and
a minimum wage scale of $3. These were the demands we made over one
year ago."
THE FIRST STRIKES IN THE COAL SECTIONS OP COLORADO
On August 14, 1903, an open letter, headed "A Manifesto" and addressed to
Governor James H. Peabody and the public generally was issued by District
No. 15, of the United Mine Workers of America. The letter was signed by
William Howells, president of District No. 15, embracing Colorado, Utah,
southern Wyoming, and New Mexico. The letter specified the grievances which
the coal miners had against the coal operators.
For some time previous the officials of the United Mine Workers of America
had been making efforts to extend that organization in Colorado, but they met
with strong opposition from the coal companies, and in some cases men had
been discharged because they had joined the union. Many of the coal miners in
the state were foreigners — Italians, Austrians, and Slavs.
On September 4, Governor Peabody received a committee of officials of the
United Mine Workers of America, who called upon him to enlist his influence
in securing concessions from the coal operators. The governor attempted to
bring about a conference of the coal operators and the officials of -the union,
and appointed September nth, as the date for such a meeting. On that day the
union officials were present, but the representatives of only three coal com-
panies appeared. Most of the operators refused to enter the conference. The
largest companies were the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company and the Victor
870 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Fuel Company, both of which were controlled by the Rockefeller-Gould interests.
Neither of these companies being represented at the conference, W. H. Mont-
gomery, deputy commissioner of labor, telephoned to the office of the Colorado
Fuel and Iron Company and was told that the manager declined to send a rep-
resentative to the conference, that he would willingly confer at any time with
a committee of the company's workmen, but would not recognize representa-
tives of the union.
An annual convention of District Union, No. 15, of the United Mine Work-
ers of America began at Pueblo, Colorado, on September 24th. On the follow-
ing day the convention was addressed by Charles H. Moyer, president of the
Western Federation of Miners, who spoke in regard to the pending strikes at
Colorado City, Denver. Idaho Springs, Cripple Creek, and Telluride. The
United Mine Workers of America and the Western Federation of Miners are
entirely separate organizations, the former being composed of coal miners,
the latter of metalliferous miners. On the same day, September 25th, the
convention formulated and adopted the following demands upon the operators
in District No. 15:
Clause i. That eight hours shall constitute a day's work.
Clause 2. That all wages shall be paid semi-monthly, and in lawful money
of the United States, and the scrip system be. entirely abolished.
Clause 3. An increase of 20 per cent on contract and tonnage prices, and
2,000 pounds shall constitute a ton.
Clause 4. That all underground men, top men and trappers receive the same
wages for eight hours as they are now receiving for nine, nine and one-half and
ten hours or over for a day.
Clause 5. For the better preservation of the health and lives of our crafts-
men we demand a more adequate supply of pure air as prescribed by the laws of
the state.
At this time the coal miners were working from nine to ten hours a day, the
demand being^Tor eight. Those who worked on the contract basis were required
to mine 2,400 pounds per ton. It was demanded that 2,000 pounds should
make a ton. Section i of chapter 55 of the Session Laws of 1901 provide.* as
follows :
All private corporations doing business within the state, except railroad cor-
porations, shall pay their employes, the wages earned each and every fifteen days,
ir\ lawful money of the United States, or checks on banks convertible into cash
on demand at full face value thereof, and all such wages shall be due and pay-
able, and shall be paid by such corporations, on the 5th and 2Oth day of each
calendar month for all such wages earned up to and within five days of the
date of such payment.
In the camps of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company and of the Victor
Fuel Company the scrip system operated as follows : When a miner desired
to buy goods previous to the regttlay pay day, he obtained from the mine office
an order on the company's store for such a valuation of merchandise as he
might desire. If, upon the conclusion of his purchase, he did not wish to use
the entire order, 'he was given the change in scrip. With this scrip he could
buy what he might desire at any other time. At the end of the month the
HISTORY OF COLORADO 871
orders issued were deducted from the monthly wage and the balance was paid
him in cash.
The miners claimed that higher prices were charged in the company stores
than in other places. They also had other grievances. They objected to being
forced to live in the houses of the coal companies. They protested against the
discharge of men for having joined the union. They desired, not only that
2,000 pounds of coal should be counted as a ton, but also that they should have
their own check weighman, one who would be a member of the union.
Employes of the Victor Fuel Company objected to deductions made from
every man's wages, $i a month for medical attention and 25 cents a month for
a school fund. They claimed the privilege of employing their own physicians,
practitioners who were not distasteful to them and whom they did not consider
incompetent. They alleged that while the company deducted from their total
wages $1,800 to $2,000 monthly for medical attendance the cost to the company
for such service did not exceed $700 a month.
The Victor Fuel Company owned all the property in the towns of Hastings
and Delagua, Las Animas County. A special school tax is levied by the state
on property in the cities and towns in the state. The Victor Fuel Company paid
this tax for the towns of Hastings and Delagua out of the 25 cents a month
deducted from the wages of every employe, whether he was a married or single
man.
On October 26, 1903, John Mitchell, national president, addressed an official
letter to William Howells, of Trinidad, Colorado, president of district No. 15
in which letter he said :
"Information reaching us from the various mining camps indicates a grow-
ing restlessness and impatience upon the part of miners and mine workers, whose
conditions of employment, especially under the two companies referred to, have
grown to be intolerable. These reports are fully confirmed by the official state-
ments sent to us by our representatives, and are repeated by special officials sent
to Colorado to investigate.
"In view of these circumstances, we have decided to authorize the inaugura-
tion of a strike in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and southern Wyoming, to take
effect Monday morning, November 9, provided an adjustment has not been
reached in the interval, or negotiations are not then pending which would jus-
tify us in believing that a settlement would be secured.
"You are, therefore, advised to issue an official order to the mine workers of
District No. 15 to discontinue work and remain in idleness on and after Novem-
ber gth, unless they receive instructions to the contrary from this office.
"You are authorized to inform all mine workers, union .and nonunion, that
the national organization of the United Mine Workers of America will render
all possible assistance in conducting the strike and prosecuting it to a successful
issue."
Several national organizers of the United Mine Workers of America were
ordered to Colorado to organize the unions more thoroughly in that state. Las
Animas and Huerfano counties embrace what are called the southern Colorado
coal fields. There are extensive coal mines in Fremont County, which is near
the middle of the state, and there are coal mines in Garfield County in the west-
872 HISTORY OF COLORADO
ern end of the state. Boulder County embraces most of what is known as the
northern Colorado coal fields.
The strike went into effect on November 9, 1903. In Las Animas County
about 6,500 miners struck; in Huerfano County, about 450; in Fremont County
about 1,700; in Boulder County, about 1,500; in Garfield County, about 300.
At various mines in New Mexico about 500 miners struck. The number who
struck in southern Wyoming was small. In Utah there was none.
The strike in the northern field was settled on November 28th.
President John Mitchell arrived at Trinidad on December 2d, and the next
day addressed a public meeting of 3,000 people. He urged the strikers to stand
firm.
On December 3d, the Victor Fuel Company filed suit against the United
Mine Workers of America ; its president, John Mitchell ; its vice-president T. L.
Lewis ; its secretary-treasurer, W. B. Wilson, and all its national and district
officials who were in Colorado. The defendants were charged with interfering
with the conduct of the business of the company, and with intimidation of its
employes, and also with shipping miners and employes of the company out of
the state. The plaintiff alleged that the profit lost on the coal which the com-
pany would have marketed since the strike began, and which could not be mar-
keted because of the strike, was $50,000; that the cost to the company for armed
guards, made necessary by the strike, was $25,000; and that other damages
amounted to $10,000, making a total of $85,000.
The southern mine operators having declared unanimously that they would
not confer with the national president or any other officials of the United Mine
Workers of America, Mr. Mitchell made no effort to meet them.
The first cases of assault during the strike of coal miners took place in Las
Animas County on December 7th. In the forenoon Marshal Milton Hightower
was superintending the tearing down of some of the shanties of the Victor
Fuel Company at Hastings, in which the miners had formerly lived. He was
set upon by a mob of Italian women, one of whom struck him with a cleaver.
Thomas Jennings, an employe of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, and
a brother of the superintendent of the company's mine at Berwind, had con-
ducted several parties of men from Berwind to Primero. He was conducting
a party of four on the afternoon of December 7th, when they were fired upon
by unknown men.
On the night of the same day a fight occurred at the coke ovens of the
Colorado Fuel and Iron Company at Segundo. The division superintendent,
learning of the attack upon the Jennings party, telephoned to the superintendent
of the coke ovens, asking him to request the deputy sheriffs who were guarding
the property of the company to allow no one to enter Segundo without satisfying
themselves that they were all right. About 8 o'clock in the evening the deputies
halted six Italians near the ovens. Almost immediately shooting began, each
side claiming afterward that the other fired first. About a hundred shots were
fired. None of the deputies was hurt, but one of the strikers was killed and
three others were wounded, one fatally.
The governor sent troops to Trinidad on March 23d, four hundred of the
National Guard arriving there on that date in charge of Maj. Zeph T. Hill.
A press censorship was established and members of the signal corps were sta-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 873
tioned at the telegraph and telephone offices to enforce it. No messages were
transmitted Avithout the "O. K." of Major Hill.'
Detachments of troops were sent to Engleville, Hastings, Segundo, Berwind,
Sopris, and Starkville. For sometime mining had been done at the first four
camps. None had been done at Sopris and Starkville since the strike began,
but the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company had announced that these two camps
. would be reopened as soon as the men could be secured, and had further an-
nounced that while some of the strikers who had been particularly obnoxious in
their actions and utterances would not be re-employed most of the old employes
would be taken back to work should they apply for work.
The first deportations by the militia at Trinidad occurred on the night of
March 26th, when Josef Paganni and Adolf o Bartolli, William M. Ward j on, and
"Mother" Jones were deported. Six militiamen accompanied them from Trini-
dad to La Junta, and warned them never to return. Paganni was the editor and
Bartolli was the publisher of II Lavatore Italiano, Wardjon was a national organ-
izer of the United Mine Workers of America, and "Mother" Jones was employed
by that organization.
On April 2d, eight men were deported from the state. They had been ar-
rested at the several coal camps during the previous two weeks and had been
confined in the county jail. They were placed on a Colorado and Southern
train, conducted by a detail of soldiers to the line between Colorado and New
Mexico and warned not to return.
Further deportations occurred on April 9th, May I9th, and May 22d.
On June nth, the troops were withdrawn. An effort to induce the men
who had returned to work to strike again on September 7th, failed.
The annual convention of District No. 15, which met at Pueblo, voted on
September i6th to continue the strike and officially it lasted about a month longer.
All those who were on strike up to October I2th, were given union clearance
cards and allowed to return to work, a privilege of which all who could obtain
employment availed themselves.
In the state district court at Trinidad, on December 7th, 1904, the Victor
Fuel Company filed suit against the United Mine Workers of America and
various national and district officers of that organization. The company charged
the persons named in the complaint with conspiracy to ruin its business, and
asked for damages in the sum of $491,000 as a result of the strike; $75,000
because since the strike began that amount had been expended for guards to
protect the company's properties ; $50,000 for the loss of old employes, whom the
strikers were alleged to have coerced and intimidated until they quit work;
$19,000 because of printing, legal expenses and court costs; $320,000 for dam-
ages to mines through disuse and the company's inability to fulfill contracts for
coal and coke. This suit was in addition to the suit for $85,000 damages which
had been filed several months previously.
These cases were not pressed to an issue.
THE COAL STRIKES OF 19 IO, AND 1913
In 1910 a strike of coal miners was declared in Boulder County. This con-
tinued through 1911 and 1912, and finally became a part of the big strike in
the Southern field in 1913.
874 HISTORY OF COLORADO
There were spasmodic outbreaks in the northern field, but at no time did
the governor feel called upon to order troops into the district. The mines were,
however, worked with nonunion and returning miners' help, often to full capacity,
but generally to within half or three-quarter capacity.
At one time a district judge incarcerated for a period of several months
sixteen strike leaders whom he adjudged in contempt of court for flagrantly
violating an injunction against picketing.
The controversy entered largely into political contests and seriously affected
the independence of the judiciary.
When Vice-president Hays of the United Mine Workers of America came to
Colorado in August, 1913, the conditions in all coal camps except in a part
of the northern fields appeared to be satisfactory and the relations between
employer and employes were not strained.
In that month in 1913 there were employed in and around all the coal mines
of the state 12,089 men, about 60 per cent or 7,235 of these men were engaged
in actually mining coal ; 40 per cent or 4,823, were otherwise engaged in the in-
dustry.
The eight-hour law which had been enacted in 1911 was in force in this
field.
While there were and are many coal companies operating in the state the
three largest, controlling 95 per cent of the coal production of the state were
the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, which also operated steel mills at Pueblo,
the Victor-American Fuel Company, and the Rocky Mountain Fuel Company.
The Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, controlled by the Rockefeller interests,
owns and leases about 30x5,000 acres of coal and other lands. The Victor
American Fuel Company owns and controls about 50,000 acres in the Colorado
fields, having in addition leases on large tracts of coal lands in New Mexico.
The Rocky Mountain Fuel Company owns and controls approximately 31,000
acres.
On September 15, 1913, in a convention held at Trinidad, the demands of the
miners in the southern fields were announced. These were: Recognition of the
union ; an increase of 10 per cent in wages ; an eight-hour work day for all
classes of labor in or around coal mines and at coke ovens ; payment for narrow
and for dead work ; check weighmen ; the right of the miners to trade wherever
they pleased ; the right to choose their own boarding place and their own doctor ;
the enforcement of the Colorado mining laws.
The effort of the governor and others to prevent the strike failed, and on
September 23d the men walked out.
Almost at the outset the strikers established tent colonies in the district.
The mine owners employed guards to protect the mines. The House Com-
mittee on Mines and Mining in its report (document 1630 — page 6) says
"Large quantities of ammunition were purchased for use among the guards and
deputies. The militia on going into the strike region had orders from the gov-
ernor to take all firearms, ammunition, and explosives from the strikers and
guards and proceeded to do so. It was stated that neither side gave up all the
guns or ammunition in their possession, and such may have been and probably
was the case."
The state military occupation began October 29, 1913, one camp being estab-
HISTORY OF COLORADO 875
lished on the outskirts of Trinidad, and another base camp being placed at Wal-
senburg, the whole district in the two counties, Las Animas and Huerfano, pre-
senting a front of many miles.
The House committee then, further summarizes the situation: "From the
time the strike was called until the Federal troops were sent into the field
by the President of the United States there were series of battles which seemed
to be fierce while they lasted and a number of people were killed and wounded
on both sides. The most severe of these battles were called the Berwind,
Seventh Street in Walsenburg, La Veta, and Ludlow, culminating in the great-
est and most destructive of all, the last battle of Ludlow April 20, 1914. Ludlow
was the place near which the families of the miners lived in tents after they left
the coal camps.
The Ludlow tent colony consisted of 178 tents and housed nine hundred
men, women and children. This colony was eighteen miles north of Trinidad,
on a direct road to Walsenburg. In a way, it was in strategic position for it
was in full view of the railroad station at which strike-breakers detrained.
On April 20 the camp was attacked by state militia and many perished from
the flames started during the engagement and from the bullets of machine guns.
Women and children who had crept into holes dug to keep them out of the line
of gunfire, were suffocated when the camp was burned.
The House committee report says : "The attack on the Berwind camp by
strikers was inexcusable. The attack on the Forbes tent colony by guards
fully armed and using a machine gun was equally unjustifiable from any stand-
point."
While the strike was in progress, state troops were also sent into Routt
County, where an outbreak was imminent in the Oak Creek coal camp, and into
Fremont County where disturbances were assuming alarming proportions. Peace
was quickly established in these two sections.
The Federal troops arrived on the southern field in May and from this time
on the camps returned gradually to normal conditions.
At Trinidad a grand jury on August 28, 1914, indicted John R. Lawson for
murder, asserting that many of the crimes were due to his leadership. A jury
found him guilty, but the Supreme Court of the state reversed the decision for
error and set aside the verdict.
About four hundred indictments were found against strikers in the two coun-
ties but the feeling in 1915 was one of mutual cooperation and practically all
of the strikers returned to work under much more satisfactory conditions.
The State of Colorado passed three laws which have an important bearing
upon the situation as it exists today : First, a law creating an industrial commis-
sion with large powers of mediation and investigation in relation to all indus-
trial disputes ; second, a workmen's compensation law ; third, a law allowing the
formation of mutual insurance companies for the purpose of insuring under
the workmen's compensation act. The amended Colorado mining laws also
provide for check weighmen to be selected and paid by the men mining coal.
The Colorado Fuel and Iron Company has taken a step toward the definite
adjustment of grievances on the part of employes, and the essential features of
the plan as now in effect are : First, that the relations between the company
and its employes as a body are defined by contract; second, that every employe
876 HISTORY OF COLORADO
is guaranteed the right to belong to a labor union or not as he pleases; third,
that the men in each mine under this contract are entitled to choose their own
representatives, these representatives being protected against abuse by the com-
pany by a clause in the contract which entitles them to appeal any supposed
grievance to the industrial commission of the state. Its decision is binding on
both the individual and company.
The plan now in fact provides further for the selection of joint committees
of employer and employes on industrial co-operation and conciliation, on safety
and accidents, on sanitation, health and housing, and on recreation and educa-
tion.
CHAPTER XLII
COLORADO LITERATURE
By Eugene Parsons
During the last sixty years Coloradoans have produced a voluminous liter-
ature in prose and verse. The desire for self-expression was insistent in some
of the gold seekers of '58 and '59. By reading their diaries we get an idea
of the strivings and doings of pioneer men and women.
The beginnings of Colorado literature date back to the early '6os. Governor
William Gilpin (1822-94) was Colorado's first author of distinction. He had
a master mind, and he read widely. Among the books that are monuments to
his originality and erudition are "The Central Gold Region" (1860), "Notes
on Colorado" (1870), "The Mission of the North American People" (1874) and
"The Cosmopolitan Railway" (1890).
James Burns Belford (1837-1910), who came to Colorado in 1870, was for
many years a prominent figure, first as a judge in the Territorial Supreme Court
of Colorado, then as a member of Congress and afterward as a lawyer. The
volume of his "Writings and Speeches" (1897) abounds in flashes of eloquence
along with sympathetic observations on great men and scholarly interpretations
of historical events.
Governor Samuel Hitt Elbert (1833-99), wno had a remarkable career, was
a scholar and thinker. When governor of Colorado Territory (1873-4) and
afterward he was much interested in irrigation problems and wrote a treatise on
the reclamation of the arid lands of Colorado.
The veteran journalist, Frank Hall (1836-1918), who crossed the plains to
Denver in 1860, spent several years in the preparation of his " History of
Colorado" (4 vols., 1889-95), a monumental undertaking. The supplementary
chapters in Vol. IV (2d ed.), pp. 360-476, were added by Joseph Granville
Brown (1884- ), who also wrote the "History of Equal Suffrage in Colo-
rado" (1898).
William Newton Byers (1831-1903), who founded the Rocky Mountain
News in 1859, wrote the "History of Colorado" in the Encyclopedia of- Biog-
raphy (1901). The narrative is an important contribution to Colorado's annals.
None of his contemporaries, not even Frank Hall, had a greater familiarity
with the events connected with the beginning and development of Colorado.
Jerome Constant Smiley, who for many years has been Curator of the State
Museum and probably knows more about Colorado, past and present, than any
other living man, is the author of a ponderous "History of Denver" (1901) and
the "Semi-Centennial History of the State of Colorado" (2 vols., 1913). The
877
878 HISTORY OF COLORADO
latter work is more comprehensive and more accurate than H. H. Bancroft's
history of Colorado.
An old-time resident of Denver, William B. Vickers, with infinite patience
gathered the materials for three bulky volumes — "History of Denver and Colo-
rado" (1880), "History of Clear Creek and Boulder Valleys" (1880) and "His-
tory of the Arkansas Valley" (1881). After the lapse of nearly forty years
these histories may be read with profit and interest.
Some of the striking incidents of the past of this mountain realm have been
described in captivating style by F. C. Grable in "Colorado — the Bright Romance
of American History" (1911). The volume is made more attractive by the
illustrations of Allen True.
In the "Making of Colorado" (1908) Eugene Parsons presents some of the
salient features of Colorado's past. A still briefer narrative is his "History of
Colorado" (1917), bound with Dorus Reuben Hatch's "Civil Government of
Colorado" (i7th ed.). While these historical writings were intended to be
serviceable to eighth-grade pupils in the public schools, the writer tried to
say things that would appeal to the general reader. In his monograph on the
Arapahoe Indians Mr. Parsons sympathetically sketched the history of this
plains tribe and concisely described the present condition of the tribesmen on
their reservations in Wyoming and Oklahoma, with special reference to the
progress the Arapahoes have made during the last half century. This part
may be called a chapter in the history of civilization.
Another view of the red men of eastern Colorado is taken by Irving Howbert
(1846- ) in his "Indians of the Pike's Peak Region" (1914). He is pains-
taking, if not always impartial.
A painful story is that of "The Ute War; a History of the White River
Massacre" (1879), as told by Thomas Fulton Dawson (collaborating with F. J
V. Skiff).
David Boyd industriously collected many of the facts relating to the found-
ing of Union Colony and the subsequent growth of Greeley. James Max Clark,
in his "Colonial Days" (1902), has given the world some vivid pen-pictures of
Greeley in early days. Professor James Field Willard (1876- ), in his
"Records of Union Colony" (1918), presents much documentary material of
interest to those who wish to learn something about the beginnings of this
unique enterprise. The book is a scholarly piece of work in the field of historical
research.
"Tales of the Colorado Pioneers" (1884) and "Colorado Pioneers in Picture
and Story" (1915), by Mrs. Alice Polk Hill (1854- ), are charming books.
Robert Gordon Dill (1840-1914), who had a long experience as a newspaper
man in Leadville and Denver, wrote "Political Campaigns of Colorado" (1895),
in which he gives a readable account of the political history of this common-
wealth.
A number of frontiersmen and early settlers kept diaries or dictated remi-
niscences, and these narratives are in a sense contributions to history. Works of
this character are: "Uncle Dick" Woottin's autobiography, Alexander Majors'
"Seventy Years on the Frontier" (1893), David J. Cook's "Hands Up" (1897),
Robert McReynolds' "Thirty Years on the Frontier" (1906), Michael Hendrick
Fitch's "Ranch Life and Other Sketches" (1914) and Dean Henry Martyn
HISTORY OF COLORADO 879
Hart's "Recollections and Reflections" (1917). Sidney Jocknick's "Early
Days on the Western Slope of Colorado and Campfire Chats with Otto Mears,
the Pathfinder" (1913) is a lively narration of the author's varied experiences
in the '705 and the '8os. Carlyle Channing Davis told the history of the Lead-
ville district, and Milo L. Whittaker wrote an entertaining volume, "Pathbreak-
ers and Pioneers of the Pueblo Region" (1917). The instructive narratives of
Frank Crissy Young (1844- ), though not very pretentious affairs, afford
sidelights of a transition era in the history of the trans-Missouri West. His
recollections of Central City cover a period of about fifteen years (1865-80).
Ansel Watrous wrote "The History of Larimer County" (1911). Peter Winne,
William Smedley, Alonzo Merritt Welles, Mrs. Emma Shepard Hill, John Lewis
Dyer, George M. Darley and other old-timers related some of their pioneer ex-
periences. Space is lacking to speak of short things, such as the articles by
James H. Pierce, John D. Miller and others in the Trail, also the fugitive writ-
ings of Judge Wilbur Fisk Stone, Alva Adams, Benton Canon, C. A. Cooper,
William Weston, Jay Porter Treat and Edward F. Cragin.
One can make only bare mention of some writers who lived a longer or
shorter period in our state and while here engaged in historical investigation —
Frederic Logan Paxson, George Bird Grinnell, William M. McGuire, Elliott
Cones, H. H. Bancroft, W. C. Whitford, Clyde Lyndon King, Charles Ernest
Chadsey, Charles Hartsell, etc. Dr. Jesse Hawes, of Greeley, weaves a good
deal of Civil war history into the touching narrative — "Cahaba : a Story of Cap-
tive Boys in Blue" (1888). Maj. M. H. Fitch told the story of Wisconsin soldiers
in the War of Secession.
Numerous collections of biographical sketches of well-known Coloradoans
have appeared. Joseph G. Brown wrote many of the sketches in Hall's "His-
tory," Vol. IV, and a large number of the sketches in the Encyclopedia of Biog-
raphy (1901). Other works worthy of mention are: "Sketches of Colorado"
(1911), by William Columbus Ferril (1855- ); "Political Portraits" (1888), by
James MacCarthy ("Fitz-Mac"), and "Representative Women of Colorado"
(1911), by James Alexander Semple. A notable contribution to Colorado biog-
raphy is "Robert Wilbur Steele, Defender of Liberty" (1913), by Walter Law-
son Wilder (1860- ). T. F. Dawson wrote "Life and Character of Edward
Oliver Wolcott" (2 vols., 1911). The first volume of this elaborate biography
contains a portrayal of the man and his characteristics with special reference to
his lifework as a lawyer and statesman; the second volume sketches Wolcott's
career in the.U. S. Senate, some of his speeches being reprinted in full, along
with a number of the public addresses of this brilliant orator. Eugene Parsons
is the author of "Tennyson's Life and Poetry" (1892) and a character sketch of
George Washington. William O'Ryan and Thomas H. Malone outlined the
church activities of Father Joseph Projectus Machebeuf in Colorado. A larger
life of the first bishop of Denver was written by Rev. William Joseph Howlett
(1848- ).
Descriptive works on Colorado have appeared without number — railroad
folders, tourist booklets and souvenir volumes prepared for "convention meets"
in Denver. Rather ambitious writeups are Shadrach Kemp Hooper's "Story of
Manitou" (.1885), George Rex Buckman's "Colorado Springs and its Scenic
Environs" (1892) and W. G. M. Stone's "Handbook of Colorado," also pam-
880 HISTORY OF COLORADO
phlets galore on Leadville, Cripple Creek, Glenwood Springs, San Luis Valley,
etc.
Ovando James Hollister, editor of the Blackhawk Mining Journal in the '6os,
wrote "Mines of Colorado" (1867), which contains a mass of historical and
descriptive matter, for the most part accurate. A pamphlet on Colorado Terri-
tory was issued by the Board of Immigration in 1872, and the following year
J. A. Blake and F. C. Willett brought out their "Handbook of Colorado for Citi-
zen and Tourist." Frank Fossett's "Colorado" (1876; 2d ed. 1879) served a
useful purpose in its day.
Joseph G. Brown wrote three booklets on Colorado (published by the Union
Pacific Railroad, 1888, 1902 and 1906), giving descriptions of the attractions, re-
sources and industries of the Centennial State, also a "Report on the Resources
and Industrial Development of Colorado" (1893), a paper-covered volume, of
196 pages, printed for free distribution at the Columbian Exposition held in
Chicago, 1893. Mr. Brown did his work well. Less valuable is "The Colorado
Blue Book" (1891), edited by F. W. Kroenke, a miscellany of rather common-
place prose and verse on Colorado and Colorado characters of note, there being
a sketch of Otto Mears. Works much more comprehensive in scope are Stanley
Wood's "Over the Range" (1906), Eugene Parsons' "Guidebook to Colorado"
(1911) and Thomas Tonge's "All About Colorado" (1913). Librarian John
Cotton Dana (1856- ) furnished the historical sketch of Denver in Powell's
"Historic Towns of the Western States" ( 1901 ) ; it is a finished production.
Very enjoyable books of sport and outdoor life are "With Rod and Line in
Colorado" (1884) and "Mountain Trails" (1887), by Lewis Browne France
(1833-1907). Enos Abijah Mills (1870- ) may be called a combination of natu-
ralist and prose-poet. He ranks with John Muir and John Burroughs. In his
"Story of Estes Park" (1905), "Wild Life on the Rockies" (1911), "Rocky
Mountain Wonderland" (1915), "Your National Parks" (1917), and "In Beaver
World" (1913), Mr. Mills has reached a high plane of literary merit. Dr. William
Abraham Bell (1841- ) wrote "New Tracks in North America" (1869), a jour-
nal of travel and adventure in the Southwest. A well-written book is "Trees and
Peaks" (1911), by Eva Bird Bosworth. Dr. William N. Beggs compiled an
excellent "Souvenir Book of Colorado" (1908). It sets forth Colorado's climatic
advantages for those who are afflicted with tuberculosis, asthma, etc. Various
writers give facts about Colorado's scenery, agriculture, mines, etc.
Here may be mentioned the superb volumes by Allen Grant Wallihan and his
wife — "Camera Shots at Big Game" (1901) and "Hoofs, Claws and Antlers of
the Rocky Mountains" (1902).
The flood of publicity literature goes on. A handsome work — "Colorado :
The Queen Jewel of the Rockies" (1918), by Mrs. Mae Lacy Baggs, is one of
the "See America First" series. The book is written in a pleasing style and has
many beautiful illustrations. A multitude of other authors from various parts
of our country and from Europe have visfted Colorado and produced books deal-
ing with one phase or another of the Centennial State and its wonders. Inger-
soll's "Crest of the Continent" and Nordenskjold's sumptuous volume on the
Cliff Dwellers are admirable examples of works of the sort. These are not
Colorado writers, however, and do not fall within the scope of this conspectus,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 881
although they have rendered a valuable service in depicting the enchanting love-
liness and the rugged grandeur of the "Switzerland of America."
In a hurried survey like this, one can give only a very inadequate notion of
the literary activities of Colorado educators. The publications of the University
of Colorado, including pamphlets and public addresses as well as books and
periodical articles by professors, are numbered by thousands, to say nothing
about "learned theses" of graduate students. Other state institutions — the School
of Mines, the Agricultural College and the Teachers' College — have their myriad
publications — books and bulletins, some of them technical and others semi-
popular. The professors in Denver University and Colorado College have given
the world the fruits of their studies in the shape of books or extended mono-
graphs. Some of our high school teachers and others engaged in educational
work of some sort have devoted a part of their leisure to writing books or sci-
entific papers. So it may be said that a multitude of Colorado educators have
done something more than teach the pupils in their classrooms ; they have made
the bounds of knowledge wider by means of the printed page.
By their writings the learned men in the University of Colorado have en-
riched the intellectual life of the community and the commonwealth. Their
influence is felt throughout the length and breadth of the republic, for the scho-
lastic publications issued at Boulder are found in all of the leading libraries of
the country. Some of the Colorado educators have real literary ability. James
Hutchins Baker (1848- ), who for many years was president of the University
of Colorado, easily heads the list, with "Education and Life" (1900) and sev-
eral other scholarly books to his credit. Professor Francis Ramaley (1870- )
did a fine piece of work in his book, "Wild Flowers and Trees of Colorado"
(1909), although it is not equal to the magnificent volume on "Flowers of Moun-
tain and Plain," by Professor Clements of the University of Minnesota. Pro-
fessors Sewall, Hale, Libby, Osborn, Hellems, Norlin, Cockerell and others of
the faculty who have made Boulder famous as a seat of culture wrote things
of high literary value, if not classics. The geological publications of Prof.
Russell D. George (1866- ), if not exactly literature, are extremely useful, notably
the volume on "Minerals and Rocks" (1913).
The literary output of the men in the School of Mines, while technical, is
none the less valuable to those who are interested in minerals and mining. Prof.
Arthur Lakes (1844-1917) wrote "Geology of Western Ore Deposits" (1905),
"Prospecting for- Gold and Silver" (1895) and other scientific works that are
helpful to miners and mining men. "Popular Oil Geology" (1918), written by
Prof. Victor Ziegler, is exceedingly timely. Arthur Hoskin (1869- ), who was
at one time editor of Mining American, wrote a valuable book on "The Business
of Mining" (1912).
The Agricultural College has published hundreds of bulletins on scientific
farming, gardening, orcharding, home making, the care of stock, etc. Such
matters as botany and irrigation fall within the scope of some of the Fort Col-
lins publications. Two titles will give the reader an idea of the books in this
882 HISTORY OF COLORADO
field of investigation — "Botany of Crop Plants" (1917), by Wilfred William
Robbins, and "Law of Irrigation" (1915), by Charles F. Davis (1856- ).
Style cuts but little figure in the educational writings of the professors in
the Teachers' College at Greeley. Such works as the "Short Story" by Ethan
Allen Cross, and the textbooks of George Bruce Halsted represent, however,
results of much labor. The author of school books gains no renown, but he
has the satisfaction of knowing that he is helping the rising generation.
Some other educator-authors may be mentioned. Arthur John Fynn (1859- )>
who wrote the State Song, is the author of a stimulating book on "The American
Indian as a Product of Environment" (1907). Miss Katherine Lee Craig, former
superintendent of public instruction, wrote a Primary Geography (1906). The
work of Miss Eleanor Davidson, a teacher in the Wyman School, Denver, is
worthy of special mention. Her pageant-drama, "Civilization" (1917), belongs
to the literature of power. This instructive playlet was presented by upper-
grade pupils in thousands of public schools in the country west of the Mississippi
in the autumn of 1917. The spectacle was an inspiring object-lesson ; it staged
many striking scenes in American history. In the East Side High School of
Denver several teachers of literary tastes may be named. Ellen M. Mitchell
(1842- ), in her "Study of Greek Philosophy" (1891), gives a concise, simple
exposition of the teachings of the great thinkers of ancient Greece. Frederick
T. Clark's stories will be spoken of in the section on fiction. D. R. Hatch (1858- )
has for many years edited the Colorado School Journal. Alice Eastwood (1859- )
is the author of "Popular Flora of Denver" (1893). George Lyman Cannon
(1860- ) prepared a lecture on "Geology of Denver and Vicinity" (1894), which
is a fine bit of scientific writing that may be appreciated by the average reader.
The botanical writings of Ellsworth Bethel deserve high praise.
The University of Denver is, comparatively speaking, a young institution,
and yet it has made its power felt all over the world wherever its graduates have
gone. It is a cultural agency ; it has done much to broaden and deepen the mental
life of the city and state. A number of its professors have widened the area
of their influence by writing books, viz.: "A Study of the Sky" (1896), by Her-
bert Alonzo Howe (1859- ) ; "Elementary Psychology" (1913), by Daniel Ed-
ward Phillips (1865- ), who gives suggestions for the interpretation of human
life; and "Monopolies, Past and Present" (1901). Frank Hunt Kurd Roberts
( 1869- ) , when professor in Denver University, prepared the article on Colorado
for the Encyclopedia Americana, and he edited the Constitution of Colorado
for Hatch's "Civil Government of Colorado." Chancellor McDowell will be men-
tioned later. Space is lacking to speak of Dr. Ammi Hyde as an intellectual
force in the community, and the influence of many another professor of Denver
University is far-reaching; he speaks to larger audiences than his classes in
printed articles and other writings.
Dr. William James Sly, who was at one time lecturer on Religious Education
in Colorado Woman's College, wrote "World Stories Retold for Modern Boys
and Girls" (1914). The book covers a wide field, ancient and medieval legends
and fairy tales.
Dr. Duren James Henderson Ward (1851- ), lecturer on Anthropology and
Psychology and editor of Up the Divide magazine, wrote "Biographical History
of Modern Sciences" (1914) and other erudite works.
HISTORY OF COLORADO 883
Notwithstanding the proverbial neglect of authorship in the Rocky Mountain
country, a great deal of which is still wilderness, there is something of a literary
atmosphere pervading the Pike's Peak region, whose picturesque nooks and
recesses were loved by Helen Hunt Jackson. As might be expected in a city
that was for many years the home of this gifted lady and later became the abid-
ing place of choice spirits like Virginia Donaghe McClurg, Agnes K. Gibbs, Sara
R. Schlesinger, Anna Twitchell Spencer, Andy Adams, William M. Strit kler,
Walter L. Wilder and other pen workers, the production of literature is encour-
aged here. Professors and students of Colorado College have high standards of
literary excellence. Professor Florian Cajori (1859- ), who has the reputation
of being one of the greatest mathematicians in the world, varies class work with
the writing of mathematical treatises, one of his books being "A History of
Elementary Mathematics, with Hints on Methods of Teaching" (1916). Elijah
Clarence Hills (1867- ) compiled an anthology, "Pike's Peak Region in Song
and Myth" (1913) and wrote a number of Spanish textbooks. John Carl Parish
(1881- ) has taken Iowa history as his province and presented the results of his
investigations in several entertaining volumes. Edward Smith Parsons (1863- )
edited Milton's Minor Poems and wrote "The Social Message of Jesus" (1911).
Work of a different order, but exact and painstaking, is that of the eminent nat-
uralist, Edward Royal Warren (1860- ), in "The Mammals of Colorado" (1910).
George Irving Finlay (1876- ) wrote "Introduction to the Study of Igneous
Rocks" (1913), also a guidebook to Colorado Springs, describing the rock forma-
tions in the vicinity. George Hapgood Stone (1841-1914) prepared a solid work
on "World Money" (1909), discussing world problems of stable money. The
former curator of Colorado College Museum, William Lutley Sclater (1863- ),
with an ornithologist's enthusiasm described 392 species of our birds in an elabo-
rate tome, "The Birds of Colorado" (1912).
Brief reference may be made here to Dr. William H. Bergtold's bird studies
and to the geological writings of Richard Charles Hills (1846- ), also to Lucius
Merle Wilcox's "Irrigation Farming" (1902) and Eustace Robert Parsons' "Dry
Farming" (1913). Examples of technical writing in another field are Harmon
Howard Rice's "Concrete Block Manufacture" (1901) and Frank Eugene Kid-
der's "Handbook for Architects and Builders" (nth ed., 1893). In the realm of
medical literature is Edward Curtis Hill's "Pain and Its Indications" (1904).
Dr. Sherman Grant Bonney wrote "Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Its Complica-
tions" (1908). A really meritorious performance is Dr. Howell T. Pershing's
"Disorders of Speech" (1897). Dr. John Henry Tilden's book on food and
dieting gives sensible advice to those who are addicted to overeating ; his language
is easy to understand. Space is lacking to comment on the writings of Hall,
Hines, Williams, Grant, etc.
HI
While Colorado has had no great philosophers, it has had its share of thinkers,
men who have been seriously occupied with problems of time and eternity, men
who have dipped into the occult and the mystical, men who have made excursions
into the domain of esthetics. Among the citizens of Colorado there have been
men who have loved the truth and sought knowledge for its own sake. The
884 HISTORY OF COLORADO
books written by Colorado's spiritual leaders, dreamers and idealists would, if
gathered together, fill a good-sized bookcase. There have been men and women,
too, among us who have agitated reforms. They have cared for the higher life.
They have helped make Colorado a better state to live in.
In "The Physical Basis of Mind and Morals" (1906; 2d ed., 1908) Michael
Hendrick Fitch, of Pueblo, gives a lucid exposition of the principles of evolution-
ary ethics.
John Franklin Spalding (1828-1902), who was for a long while bishop of
the Protestant Episcopal Church in Colorado, is to be ranked among the fore-
most of Colorado's religious and theological writers. "The Church and Its
Apostolic Ministry" (1887) is in his best vein. Dean Henry Martyn Hart
(1838- ) made a searching examination of the claims of Christian Science in
"Way That Seemeth Right" (1897). Another of his volumes is "Ten Com-
mandments in the Twentieth Century" (1905).
Rev. Rosselle Theodore Cross was a popular Congregational preacher of
Denver in the '8os. He gathered a series of his talks to young folks into a book,
"Clear as Crystal" (1887), and brought out other writings on religious subjects.
William Fraser McDowell (1858- ) is remembered for his distinguished serv-
ices to Methodism, when Chancellor of Denver University and later. Among his
religious writings is "In the School of Christ" (1910).
The versatile Dr. Louis Albert Banks (1855- ), who was pastor of Trinity
M. E. Church in Denver, poured forth a stream of homiletical writings, one of
them being entitled "Great Saints of the Bible" (1901). Another Methodist
minister, Christian Fichthorne Reisner (1870- ), became known for his resource-
ful leadership as pastor of Grace M. E. Church in Denver, especially for novel-
ties in advertising church services. Among his writings are "Workable Plans
for Wideawake Churches" (1906) and "Social Plans for Young People" (1908).
The eloquent pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Denver, Robert Fran-
cis Coyle (18501917). published two volumes of his intellectual discourses, "The
Church and the Times" (1905) and "Rocks and Flowers" (1910).
Rev. Richard Montague, a scholarly Baptist minister of Colorado Springs,
gave the world a selection of his pulpit efforts in the book entitled "Chancel
Sermons." Kerr Boyce Tupper, J. Harvey Gunn, J. B. Harl and other Baptist
ministers are to be numbered among Colorado authors.
Charles Edgar Prather, in "Divine Science" (1916), is a forceful expounder
of Mrs. Eddy's teachings.
Space is lacking to comment on the religious writings of Robert Casy, J. L.
Brandt, I. H. Beardsley. F. T. Bayley and other Colorado clergymen.
Sarah Stanley Grimke, Alexander J. Mclvor Tyndall and others have writ-
ten of ghosts and other strange phenomena.
"Christianity and Infallibility" (1891) is a noteworthy book on Papal Infal-
libility by Daniel Lyons, a Denver priest of some learning.
One of Denver's most popular preachers in the '8os and '905, Rev. Myron
Winslow Reed (1836-99), published "Temple Talks" (1898), a collection of
liberal addresses that make appeal to all sorts and conditions of men. The
nobility of the man shines forth in his incisive utterances; his memory lives on
after his death. Mrs. Reed wrote a religious book, "One life ; One Law" (1890).
HISTORY OF COLORADO 885
Paul Tyner gained a temporary prominence when he edited The Temple,
published in Denver. Some of his books are: "Through the Invisible" (1897),
"Bodily Immortality" (1897) and "Living Christ" (1897).
Another expounder of occult philosophy and mysticism is Grace Mann Brown,
author of "Studies in Spiritual Harmony" (1903) and "Soul Songs" (1907).
Agnes Leonard Hill (1842-1917) was a woman of journalistic ability who
occasionally occupied a pulpit. One of her forgotten books has the title, "Divine
Law of Divorce."
Celia Baldwin Whitehead is well known for her leadership in movements
looking toward the spiritual uplift of Denver. Her little volume, "What's the
Matter?" is a protest against some of the absurdities of women's fashions.
Elsa Denison deals with a large subject in a large way in a thoughtful volume
on "Helping School Children" (1913).
Another social reformer is Edwin A. Brown, author of that extraordinary
book, "Broke: The Man without a Dime" (1913).
A Denver writer who has a vein of philosophy "in him is Harmon Howard
Rice (1870 ), author of "The Life That Now Is" (1907).
Literature is to be classed as one of the wants and needs of an advanced
civilization, along with the other fine arts. Now and then the Colorado product
runs to intellectuality. Wilbur Fisk Stone, Jr. (1867- ), is a man of keen mind
who in "Questions on the Philosophy of Art" (1897) made a suggestive study of
art-works, including architecture, sculpture, painting, music, literature and the
drama. His "Richard Wagner and the Style of the Music-Drama" (1897) is a
thoroughgoing discussion of Wagner's works and ideas. His mother, Mrs.
Wilbur F. Stone, wrote "A Colorado Woman in Italy" (1888) and a number
of other volumes.
"Essays on Human Nature" (1906), by Dr. William Mayberry Strickler
(1838-1908), belongs to the realm of literature.
Generally speaking, the writings of newspaper workers are not to be placed
in the category of literature. A brilliant exception to the rule was Frederick
William White (1849-1917), who for a quarter of a century was dramatic critic
on the Denver Post or on the staff of the News. His page in the Sunday Post
contained many comments on literature and life. A reviewer superior to the
average was Helen Ring Robinson, so long connected with the News.
Space is lacking for mention of magazine writers of Denver, some of whom
have done very clever work. It would be considerable of a task to tell of the
rise and fall of the magazines of Denver — the Great Divide, Western World, the
Great Southwest, etc. The Student-Writer still goes on. Its talented editor,
Willard Hawkins (1887- ), in his masterful book, "Helps for Student-Writers"
(1917), writes crisply and illuminatingly of literary technique. Eugene Parsons,
who was formerly associate editor of the World To-Day magazine in Chicago,
edited the Farringford Tennyson (10 vols.), furnishing introductions and notes.
William Sterne Friedman and Charles David Spivak have by their occasional
writings made noteworthy contributions to the intellectual life of Denver. Doctor
Spivak collaborated with Solomon Bloomgarden in the preparation of a Yiddish-
English dictionary (1910). "The Navajo and his Blanket" (1903), by Gen.
Uriah S. Hollister (1838- ), is a fascinating volume, artistically illustrated with
colored plates and many engravings.
886 HISTORY OF COLORADO
IV
Ever since the coming of the. Green Russell expedition Colorado has been a
land of romance. Gold seekers, miners, stage drivers, cowboys, sheepherders,
trappers, Indians, Mexicans — what more romantic characters than these? The
lives of frontiersmen and pioneers were full of adventures. Fiction writers have
found here abundant material for short stories and novels. Wolcott Balestier,
Emma Homan Thayer, Hamlin Garland, Frank Spearman, Francis Lynde and
other story writers have come to Colorado for color and thrilling incidents. Fic-
tion has flourished in Colorado from the time of Mrs. Helen Hunt Jackson to
that of present-day romancers. Although Colorado has produced no Bret Harte,.
the tale tellers of this Rocky Mountain country have made a creditable showing.
Cy Warman (1855-1914) knocked about Colorado a good deal in the '8os,
and the experiences and observations of this clever man were utilized by him in
"The Express Messenger and Other Stories of the Rail" (1897), "Tales of an
Engineer," "Frontier Stories" (1898), etc. In these well-told tales one may
find humor, pathos, bravery, love, tragedy and other elements out of which the
romancer weaves vivid pictures and touching episodes. There is plenty of action
in them, and they are popular with novel readers.
Frederick Thickstun Clark's "Mexican Girl" (1888), "In the Valley of
Havilah" (1890) and "On Cloud Mountain" (1894) have had considerable of a
vogue with those who enjoy romance in mild doses. The scenes are laid in Colo-
rado ("Collyraydo" the name was pronounced a quarter of a century ago), and
Mr. Clark puts in fine bits of description here and there.
James Edward Le Rossignol (1866- ), who was for many years a professor
in Denver University, is the author of "Jean Baptiste : a Story of French Que-
bec" (1915), a narrative of unusual power and charm.
The stories of William MacLeod Raine (1871- ) are "wildly popular — they
are hardly ever in," says an attendant in the Denver Public Library. For more
than a dozen years Mr. Raine has been turning out well-constructed narratives
of cowboys, rangers, highgraders, mavericks, trails and other features of life in
Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. He goes in for the
romantic, as is evident from such titles as "Pirate of Panama ; a Tale of the
Fight for Buried Treasure" (1914), "The Yukon Trail; a Tale of the North"
(1917). Raine is the Colorado Cooper, modernized. His romances have been
criticised on the ground of improbability. Mr. Raine knows parts of our state
pretty well, and yet the question arises, Are his characters true Coloradoans?
A literary atmosphere pervades and suffuses the novels by Robert Ames Ben-
net (1870- ), the son of an honored pioneer. Bennet's best-known novels are:
"For the White Christ; a Story of the Days of Charlemagne" (1905) and "Into
the Primitive" (1908). His books are successful, some of them having passed
through many editions, and two or three of them have some historical value.
Hattie Horner Louthan (1865- ) has written three novels — "In Passion's
Dragnet" (1904), "This Was a Man" (1907), and "A Rocky Mountain Feud"
(1910) — which are distinct additions to Colorado literature, although they are
not to be characterized as "thrillers." There is power in "A Rocky Mountain
Feud," the story of a man who marries the sister of his mortal foe. "This Was
HISTORY OF COLORADO 887
a Man" (1906) is a romance of extraordinary interest. It tells of the victory of
a character over circumstances. The scene is laid in Colorado.
Andy Adams (1859- ) is a realistic storywriter whose "Log of a Cowboy"
(1903), "Reed Anthony, Cowman" (1907), and other novels of cattlemen are
much read and are well worth reading. His characters are true to life. He
wrote of ''the palmy days of the Golden West, with its indefinable charm, now
past and gone and never to return."
Verner Zevola Reed (1863- ) writes things that are more lurid, and he
makes no pretensions to historical accuracy. His "Lo-To-Kah" (1895) and
"Adobeland Stories" (1899) are imaginative narrations, intended merely to
amuse and entertain.
Emma Ghent Curtis (1860-1918) wrote many poems and short stories. One
of her novelettes, "The Administratrix" (1891) is a story of cowboy life, highly
colored and exaggerated.
A Montrose attorney and politician, John C. Bell (1851- ), put forth a volume,
"The Pilgrim and Pioneer" (1906), which may be described as fiction based
upon fact ; it deals with social and material conditions in western Colorado in
the '8os and '903.
Josiah Mason Ward (1858- ) wrote "Come With Me Into Babylon" (1902),
a fascinating narrative of ancient Nineveh.
George Leonard Knapp (1872- ), who used to be on the editorial staff of
the Rocky Mountain News, tossed off in intervals of leisure "The Scales of
Justice" (1910), a sensational story of newspaper men and financial schemers.
Space is lacking to comment here on the mining tales of Dennis H. Stovall
and the novels of Helen H. Jackson, John Harbottle, Isaac Newton Stevens,
Edwin Le Grand Sabin, Richard Linthicum, Patience Stapleton, Winifred Black,
Ellis Meredith Clements, Lelah Palmer Morath, Lewis B. France, Robert Mc-
Reynolds, Robert B. H. Bell, Marion Reid Girardot and Benjamin Barr Lindsay,
also of the short stories written by Edward Fayette Eldridge, Clara Evangeline
Srrritch, Catherine H. Brady, Marguerite Zearing, Chauncey Thomas and Willard
Hawkins, and Wilbur D. Steele.
Scores of Colorado's verse-writers have published books or booklets of
poems, and hundreds of other Coloradoans, both men and women, have the
dower of minstrelsy — they have composed occasional lyrics or sonnets possessing
real poetical merit.
Even in the '6os some of the stalwart settlers in the Pike's Peak gold country
scribbled rhymes. On the memorable occasion of the Centennial Celebration of
the 4th of July, 1876, Denver's patriotic citizens gathered and listened to a "Cen-
tennial Poem," written by Laurence Nichols Greenleaf (1838- ).
T. O. Bigney's "Month with the Muses" (1875) contains crude metrical nar-
ratives of territorial happenings. His verses have some 'historical interest, if not
much literary finish.
Another Puebloan of the long ago, William B. Ebbert, published a booklet
of poems, "On Colorado's Fair Mesas" (1897), in which may be found happy
conceits in rhyme.
888 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Among the amusing things in "Landscapes and Waterscapes" (1908), by
Mrs. Lottie Schoolcraft Felter, of Canon City, one finds moralizing strains
chanted by a woman who has in her some real greatness of spirit. The longest
poem in the collection is "The Sigh of the Civilized Navajo."
"Hours at Home" (1895), published anonymously at Cripple Creek, is a small
volume of very ordinary poems.
One of Colorado's humbler poets, the Rev. B. F. Lawler, was for twenty
years pastor of the Baptist Church in Trinidad. Betweenwhiles, when not pre-
paring sermons or making pastoral calls, he penciled little poems, which were
gathered into the booklets, "Joy and Crown" and "Domain of Grace" (1909).
The poetical impulse asserts itself here and there in the booklets of verse
written by Rev. Howard Goldie, of La Junta, and Dr. McKendrie De Mott, of
Pagosa Springs.
Henry Pelham Holmes Bromwell (1823-1903), a man who had in him some-
thing of the Spartan spirit, came to Denver in 1870 and for a third of a century
was one of its foremost citizens. Some of his lyrics written in Colorado are
much admired. "The Song of the Wahbeek" ( 1909) displays literary workman-
ship of a high order.
Harriet L. Wason, who lived many years at Del Norte or nearby, vividly de-
scribed places of the San Juan country in a popular volume of poems, "Letters
from Colorado" (1887), and in "A Tale of the Santa Rita Mountains" (1904).
This remarkable woman wrote musical stanzas of wondrous loveliness.
Mary Elizabeth Steele (1854- ), the daughter of a well-known pioneer, in
"Stray Bits of Song" (1902), graphically poetized of the mountain world that
was so familiar to her from long residence in the Rockies.
Mrs. Marion Muir Richardson Ryan (1857- ) published "Border Memories"
(1903), the lyrical records of what she saw and felt in primitive Colorado. Some
of her poems reach a high level of poetic merit.
The most distinguished of Colorado's early-day singers was Mrs. Helen Maria
Fiske Jackson (1831-85), who wrote many beautiful and highly original poems
here.
Pike's Peak has sheltered in its- shadow some lesser bards — Thomas Nelson
Haskell, J. Ernest Whitney, Virginia Donaghe McClurg, Mrs. D. S. Person and
Agues K. Gibbs, author of "Songs of Colorado" (1916), in which she sings of
the mighty hopes and the longings of the human spirit. Sara R. Schlesinger's
dainty booklet, "Legends of Manitou" (1910), reveals a taste for romantic In-
dian tales, and there is a philosophic vein in this cultured woman. Paul Hunter
Dodge practiced law in the City of Sunshine in the years 1908-10 and in hours
of leisure wooed the Muse. He produced a volume of poetic studies entitled
"Songs of Chivalry" (1914). Here are historic fancies clothed in strong, sinewy
verse, poems of "Fire and Air," poems of travel and "Poems of Pleasure."
That rare troubadour of American letters, Eugene Field (1850-95) favored
Denver with his presence two years, 1881-3, writing some exquisite poems while
here — "Babyland," "A Trip to Toyland," etc.
Cy Warman (1855-1914) came to Denver in 1880 and put in some years at
railroading, being for a while an engineer on the Denver and Rio Grande lines
in the mountains. In his "Mountain Melodies" (1892), which passed through
HISTORY OF COLORADO 889
many editions, and in other fine poems he gave glowing word-paintings of locali-
ties renowned for beauty and sublimity.
The heart of a man beat in the bosom of George Salmon Phelps (1847-1904),
who gathered a sheaf of his finest poems into a volume, "Cloud City Chimes"
(1903). He was known as the Poet Laureate of Leadville.
In 1880 Leadville became the home of Sophronia Maria Westcott Talbot
(1840-1909), who spent her final years in Denver. This lovable woman wrote
many lyrics that are favorites with poetry lovers, but the rich humor in "Little
Boy Philosophy" (1912) is simply irresistible.
Almira Louisa Corey Frink (1836-1903) came to Denver in 1887, and from
time to time printed some of her choicest lyrics under the title, "Wild-Bird's
Souvenir Series." The poems in "Baby-Land" (1911) rapturously express the
intense interest this clever woman felt in the sayings, and doings of her little
children.
Harriet Homer Louthan, in the intervals of editorial work and teaching, has
devoted herself assiduously to poesy, her "Thoughts Adrift" (1912) having won
commendation for chaste diction and refined fancy. Her "Hill Rhymes" express
her joy in Nature and the golden sunshine. Mrs. Louthan is the Colorado Sap-
pho.
Robert Mclntyre (1851-1914), when pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in
Denver, dashed off many pretty lyrics, some of them relating to Colorado. An
elegant volume of his shorter efforts, "At Early Candle Light" (1899), has passed
through several editions. His poems are brimful of human interest.
Alfred Damon Runyon (1884- ) may be called a Colorado product. He was
born in Pueblo, and, when a mere lad, gathered news items for the Chieftain
and the Journal. Then he saw service in the Philippines and had some adven-
tures, meanwhile accumulating a mass of incidents and impressions afterward
versified in "Tents of Trouble" (1911) and "'Rhymes of the Firing Line" (1912).
Some of his poems appeared in the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post
when he was connected with those newspapers. Runyon is a lyrist of exceptional
talent.
Charles Julian Downey (1873-1918) came to Colorado when a boy and at-
tended the public schools in Durango, then in Pueblo, afterward studying in
De Pauw University. He settled down in Denver in 1897 and was for many
years editor of the Mining Record, then of Mining Science and afterward of
Mining American. He gathered a number of his rhythmical productions info a
thin volume — "The Maestro; Portraits and Other Poems" (1900), adding a sup-
plement of spirited pieces in 1902. Three years 'later he published his most am-
bitious performance, "The Last of the Stuarts," a historical drama founded upon
the career of the exiled Pretender, Charles Edward Stuart, who led the ill-starred
invasion of England in 1745. Bancroft Library
Enough has been said to show that the poetic art has 'been widely practiced
in the Centennial State and that some of our minstrels have made important
contributions to American literature. Space is lacking for comments on Arthur
Chapman, Howard Vigne Sutherland, James Arthur Edgerton, Barton O. Ayls-
worth, Crie Bower, Hannah M. Bryan, Leila Peabody, Fannie Isabel Sherrick
Wardell, Robert V. Carr, Jean Hooper Page, Alfred Castner King, John Edward
Morgan, William E. Pabor, James Barton Adams, Norris Clarion Sprigg, Elsie
890 HISTORY OF COLORADO
Elizabeth Johnson, Wilber Thomas, Naphtali Herz Imber, Solomon Bloom-
garden, Katherine Lee Chambers, Anna Wilson Simmons, Lyman H. Sproull,
Charles William Cuno, Caroline M. Butterfield, D. A. Stebbins (Nitsud), Ethel
Shackelford, Addie Viola Hudson, George L. McDermott, Alice Carry Verner,
Lydia H. Walker, Frances Stanton Brewster, Horace Castle and others of Colo-
rado's tuneful choir.
Literature is a tremendous force in our mountain commonwealth and should
be encouraged. The writer renders a valuable service. The historian helps us
to know how to live. The thinker imparts instruction and ethical uplift. The
essayist widens our outlook and strengthens our hold on the ideal. The romancer
affords entertainment, and the novel with a purpose may lead to reforms. The
poet gives us intellectual intoxication and a philosophy of life. The high-minded
minstrel, with his exhortation to courage and chivalrous conduct, makes a con-
tribution to the spiritual life of a people; his songs make for justice and brother-
hood. Literature is an aid to culture. It fosters in us the love of the good, the
true, the beautiful. It nourishes the highest emotions and aspirations, to the
end that our lives may be dominated by the noble triad — God, Duty, Immortality.
CHAPTER XLIII
SPANISH NAMES
By Wilbur F. Stone
All of that part of Colorado lying south of the Arkansas River, which stream
was the boundary line between the United States and Mexico prior to the cession
by the latter Government to the United States under the treaty of Guadaloupe
Hidalgo in 1848, and became a part of Colorado when the territory was created
by Congress in 1861, is dotted over with towns and settlements of Mexican popu-
lation, and the names of such towns and counties as well as names of mountains,
streams and other natural objects being in Spanish, have become so perverted
in the spelling and pronunciation by the present English-speaking population,
owing to their ignorance of the Spanish language, that it is deemed fitting by
the editor of this work to make some mention explanatory of the meaning and
pronunciation of some of the most important of these names, whether Spanish,
Indian, or trapper French.
COLORADO — The name of the state is Spanish and means red colored, so called
from the prevailing red sandstone rocks which outcrop in the foothills of the
mountain ranges all over the state and color red all its streams after heavy rains.
The word is properly pronounced in the Spanish Cole-o-rah-do; since, in that
language every vowel has one sound — the long sound. A has the broad sound,
like the sound of "o" in the English word "on," or the German "ahn.** E has the
long sound of a in English ; for example, "mes" is pronounced mace. The letter
i has the sound of double "c" in English, as the sound of the i in the word
marine (mareen). O has the long sound of "o" in English. U has the sound
of double "o" in English as in "fool," "tool" ; and the letter y has the sound as the
"i" in Spanish. Every vowel makes a syllable, and every pure Spanish word
ends with a vowel or one of the four liquid consonants, I, m, n and r; and words
of two syllables when ending with one of the four liquid consonants, have the
accent on the final syllable, as Raton, altar, pronounced Rah-tone, ahltar. Hence
the Spanish is the most liquid and mellifluous of all languages. And when it is
remembered that every vowel must be pronounced and that each vowel has only
one sound, then when anyone hears a word spoken, one knows how to spell it,
and when a word is seen in print or writing one knows how it is to be pronounced.
In speaking the Spanish, lay stress on the vowels — the consonants take care
of themselves — and the accented syllables are accented strongly and distinctly
in enunciation.
PUEBLO — This word, the name of the largest city in the state except Denver,
means literally people, hence also a town, village or collected settlement of people.
Its proper pronunciation in Academic Spanish is Poo-a-blo, but in rapid or
conversational use the letter u is given the sound of the English w and the word
891
892 HISTORY OF COLORADO
condensed into two syllables, pronounced "'Pzvay-blo" as "fuego" (fire) —
"foo-a-go," is pronounced fway-go.
LA JUNTA — This town, at the junction of the Santa Fe Railroad, with its
line to Pueblo, means "junction," and the letter / in Spanish has the hard sound
of "h" in English (the letter h in Spanish being silent), the word "juntd' is
pronounced hoontah, and the name La Junta, Lah Hoon-tah, as the island and
city of Cuba are pronounced Coo-bah.
LA VETA — The town and mountain pass of the name means "the vein," and is
pronounced Lah Vdy-tah.
LAS ANIMAS — This name of the river, on which is situated the City of Trini-
dad, near its source, and the Town of Las Animas near its mouth at the Arkansas
River, has three names, Las Animas, Purgatoire and Picketwire. The full name,
El Rio de las Animas, given to it by the early Catholic explorers— no one knows
why — means "The River of Spirits." The French trappers and fur traders
called it the Purgatory, as their idea of the proper place of spirits of souls, and
the American trappers being unable to pronounce the name Purgatoire, perverted
it to "Picketwire" by which name it was called by the first settlers of Colorado
for many years.
RATON — The mountain range south of Trinidad, forming the boundary line
between Colorado and New Mexico, the pass over the range and the town on the
New Mexican side, each named Raton, take the name from the great number of
little bob-tailed animals, somewhat resembling a large rat, which inhabit the
high ranges, and "bark" at passers-by, like the prairie ground squirrels, miscalled
"prairie dogs." Raton means, in Spanish, a large rat, but is a species of the
rabbit family — Spanish for rabbit is "conejo" pronounced co-nay-ho — and the
Raton is a coney, living on grass and roots and making its bed in the holes and
crevices of the rocks at an altitude near timber line, and recalling the words of
the Psalmist : "The rocks are a shelter for the conies."
SANGRE DE CRISTO — The name given by the Spaniards to the lofty range of
mountains, separating the Arkansas River from the Rio Grande River, means
"The Blood of Christ.''
Rio GRANDE — This large and long river, having its source in the San Juan
Mountains and emptying into the Gulf of Mexico, was named "El Rio Grande del
Norte," the Great River of the North, because there was at the time a river
called the "Rio Grande" in old Mexico and also in South America. The name
is shortened by the Mexicans to "Rio Grande," and also to "Del Norte." English
speaking people call it the "Ryo Grand." The proper Spanish pronunciation
of El Rio Grande del Xorte is Ale Reeo Grahnday dale Nore-tay.
COUNTY NAMES
The Rio Grande River, after debouching from the mountains, flows through
a level valley, once the bed of a .lake, seventy-five miles long, and forty miles
wide, about eight thousand feet above sea level, surrounded by a wall of timbered
mountains, and has a fertile soil, and almost every square mile of this great
valley, named the San Luis Park, is fit for cultivation, and produces all kinds of
grain except corn, while vegetables, especially potatoes, are shipped by the
thousands of carloads. This valley is divided into four counties, Saguache,
HISTORY OF COLORADO 893
Alamosa, Conejos and Costilla; the first named from a tribe of the Ute Indians;
the second from the town of that name, which means a place where cotton wood
trees grow — Alamo being the Spanish name for the cottonwood tree. Conejos,
pronounced Co-nay-hoce, the plural for Conejo, rabbit, an animal which abounds
in that region.
COSTILLA — Costilla, pronounced Cose-teel-yah, meaning a little rib, from the
Latin costa a rib, or side, and takes its name from a stream whose course is
curved like a rib.
DOLORES — Dolores is the name of a county in the southwest of the state, mean-
ing sorrow or grief.
SAN JUAN is a name given to a river, a range of mountains, and a county
which is one of the richest mining regions on the "western slope" of the state.
The name means St. John, and is pronounced San Whahn, or Whon.
OURAY— Ouray is the name of a town and county in the San Juan region, and
named after a famous Ute Indian chief, although the name is a perversion by
mispronunciation of the name Ule, pronounced in Spanish Oo-lay.
MESA is the name of a county of which Grand Junction (so named from the
junction at that point of the Grand and the Gunnison rivers), and Mesa, pro-
nounced May-sah, is the Spanish for table, and given to the great tableland forma-
tion adjoining the town, on the northwest side of the Grand River.
GREENHORN
The front range, lying southwest of Pueblo, named the Sierra Mohada, or
Wet Mountain Range, enclosing the Wet Mountain Valley between it and the
high Sangre de Cristo Range, which beautiful valley was once the "Happy Hunt-
ing ground" of the Ute Indians, terminates at the south end in a high wooded
mountain peak named the Greenhorn. From its eastern side flows a stream
named the Greenhorn River. This name has a curious origin. Many years
before the settlement of white men there was a noted Ute Indian chief who was
given a name which signified "Greenhorn," which in Spanish is Cuerno Verde —
pronounced, Quare-no Vare-day, and by the Americans Greenhorn. This name
was assumed by the Indians to denote that the chief was vigorous and brave like
a buck elk or deer when his horns, after shedding during his growth, come out
with an added prong and green, covered with short, furry hair, in that condi-
tion which hunters call "in the velvet."
^The name was then given to the mountain peak which stands as a sentinel
overlooking the favorite hunting grounds of the chief, and also given to the stream
which flows from the side of the mountain.
THE SPANISH PEAKS
Jutting out from the Sangre de Cristo Range, at a right angle to the east-
ward and ending abruptly on the plain, a few miles north of the City of Trinidad,
stand the two beautiful Spanish peaks, joined together at the base and separated
at their tops by a smooth depression, the most symmetrical and striking of all
the Rocky Mountains and a landmark from the East and North, like Pike's
Peak. They can be seen from Montclair and Fairmount (Denver) in the light of
894 HISTORY OF COLORADO
a full moon on a clear night, as clear-cut against the sky line as a cameo profile,
and at a distance from Denver of 200 miles. The name of these twin peaks in
the Arapahoe Indian tongue is "Wah-hah-to-yas," meaning twins, or twinlike.
More than fifty years ago I asked an old trapper, who came to the Rocky
Mountains in 1835, what was the Indian name of these peaks and the meaning.
He told me that different tribes had different names, but a chief of the Arapahoes,
which tribe possessed this part of the country, had given these peaks the name of
his favorite wife, "Wah-hah-to-ya," and that the name means "woman's breasts."
The old trapper added that this was the only bit of poetical imagery he ever4
heard an Indian express.
THE HUERFANO ROCK
On the south bank of the Huerfano River, in the County of Huerfano, at a
place called St. Mary, where the old wagon road from Pueblo to Santa Fe via
the Raton Pass crosses, there stands a lone black rock over two hundred feet in
height, tapering from its base to a point like a church spire and rising from the
level ground as though it had been pushed up through the earth from below ; an
eruptive, metamorphic kind of rock, with no other rocks of the same character
in its vicinity, and can be seen as a landmark many miles distant. The name of
this rock is the Huerfano, which is the Spanish word for orphan, and is properly
pronounced Wayr-fah-no, with the accent on the first syllable.
The river that flows by its base is named Huerfano, and is a tributary of
the Arkansas River. The old Spanish wagon road leading up from the Arkansas
River and crossing the Sangre de Cristo Pass to Fort Garland, Taos and Santa
Fe, passes this rock, about a dozen miles east of the mountain range, and the
rock is surrounded by fine farms and ranches. Col. John C. Fremont, recom-
mended this road over the Sangre de Cristo Pass as a feasible route for a
Pacific railway.
In the beautiful little park named Lafayette Park in St. Louis, which was the
first park in that city, there stands a bronze statue of Senator Thomas H. Benton.
The statue is of gigantic size and shows the famous statesman garbed in the
classic toga of a Roman senator, facing the west, in an erect pose, his right
arm is stretched to full length with the hand and index finger pointing toward
the setting sun. On the pedestal of the statue is engraved this inscription:
"There is the East: there are the Indies."
It was many years after I had first seen that statue, and after I had seen
the Huerfano rock in Colorado, when I learned the history of the occasion and
meaning of that inscription ; and it is fitting that the historic incident, which I
think has never heretofore been published, should have a place in the history
of the state in which stands the orphan rock — as imperishable as the bronze
statue of the prophetic statesman whom it inspired.
Senator Benton, who served thirty years in the Senate of the United States,
spent the last years of his service in trying to induce the Government to build
a railroad to the Pacific Coast. During the time he had familiarized himself
with the reports and descriptions of the several routes for such a national high-
way, and the fact that Colonel Fremont became his son-in-law added a personal
interest to Mr. Benton's efforts. Among the last of his eloquent and forceful
HISTORY OF COLORADO 895
speeches in the Senate on the subject of the Pacific Railway, he drew a word
picture of the route which he preferred, and said:
"This great national highway should start at St. Louis, where it would con-
nect with the commerce of the waterways of the Missouri, the Ohio and the
Mississippi rivers, midway between the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico,
then I should have it run to Independence, thence to the Arkansas River and on
up to Bent's Fort and on to the mouth of the Huerfano River and up that stream
to the Sangre de Cristo Pass, over to the Rio Grande and then over the Con-
tinental Divide to the Pacific Coast. And on this route, at the base of the Rocky
Mountains, on the bank of the Huerfano River this railroad would pass a lofty
solitary rock rising like a pinnacle and seeming a god-created sentinel guarding
the gateway of the snow-capped mountain walls, and the summit of that monu-
mental pinnacle I would have carved into a titanic figure of Christopher Colum-
bus, who discovered this continent in his search for the East Indies by sailing
west, and that figure of Columbus would have an outstretched arm with the hand
pointing toward the Pacific as though his voice was proclaiming to the world:
'There is the East: there are the Indies!'"
INDEX
Acreage and yield, sugar beets, 537
Acreage to corn in 1917, 488
"Across the Continent," 479
Adair, Isaac, 518
Adams, Alva, 432, 442, 445, 722, 847, 879
Adams, Andy, 887
Adams, D., 52
Adams, E. D., 363
Adams, James B., 889
Adams, J. F., 207
Adams, John T., 318
Additions to Colorado College, 626
Administration building at penitentiary, 819
Adriance, Rev. Jacob, 661: cabin occupied by.
659
Advent of automobile, the, 579
Advent of General Palmer, 338
Advent of railroad in 1870, 586
Affair at Sand Creek, the, 93
Aftermath, the (Sand Creek), 94
Agreement in Cripple Creek strike of 1894,
844
Agricultural districts, 480
Agricultural interests, 565
Agriculture in Colorado, 478
Agriculture taught in high school, 488
Aid requested, 335
Aikins, Captain Thomas, 272
Akron papers, 809
Alamosa, origin of name of, 893
Alamosa newspapers, 798
Alarm in Denver, 89
Allen, George W., 447
Allen, Henry, 418, 497
Allen, H. W., Reminiscences of, 770
Allen, Jack, 152
Allen, John, 154
Allen, J. S., 418
Allen, L. A., 520
Allencaster, General, 47
Ailing, E. B., 286
Allison, A. J., 417
American Beet Sugar Company, the, 542
American Cattle Growers' Association, 532
American exploration, Period of, 37
American Fur Company, 122
American Indian, the, 74
American Medical Association, Colorado hon-
ors in, 773-4
American Sahara, 55
American Smelting & Refining Company, 853
American Sugar Refining Company, 540
Ames, Oliver, 333
Ammons, Elias M., 446
Amory, Copley, 317
Ancient and modern Indian tribes, 65
Anderson, A. P., 207 .
Anderson, Thomas G., 791
Angora goat industry, 520
Vol. 1—57
Annual bedt sugar production, 536
Antelope, bear, etc., 120
Anthony, Captain S. J., 704
Anthony, Major, 94
Anthracite, where it occurs, 451
Apache Canon, 713, 714
Appellate courts, 733, 736
Apples, staple crop, 490
Appropriations for Deaf and Blind School,
824
Arapahoe, Jefferson & South Park Railroad
Company, 337
Arbitration conference (1894), 843
Arbitration unsuccessful in Leadville strike,
839
Archer, Colonel James, 335
Archibald, Ebenezer, 804
Archuleta county, 13
Area of state, 7
Areas of national forests, 568
Argo, Dr. W. P., 827
Argo Hall, 825
Arkansas Valley Railway, Light & Power
Company, 321; directors, 321; officers, 321
Arkins, John and Maurice, 788
Armour, C. Lee, 419, 734
Arnett, W. D., 418
Arrests in Cripple Creek strike, 859
Arrival of first trains in Denver, 340
Arthur, President, 429
Asbestos, 558
Ashley, Eli M., 420
Ashton, T. H., 521
Aspen publications, 806
Assaults in Cripple Creek strike (1904), 858
Assessed valuation, 1878 and 1918, 485
Assessed valuation, total, 486
Association, Colorado Equal Suffrage, 691
Asuncion, Juan de la, 22
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe built, 126, 370
Atkinson, Colonel Henry, 52
A trip to gold region in '59, 785
Attack on Thornburgh, 104
Attack at the agency, the, 106
Attendance at Agricultural College, 616
Attendance at University in 1892, 606
Attorneys general, 194
Auditors of state, 193
Ault Advertiser, 811
Auraria, 765
Auraria Town Company, 136
Auraria Town Company, by-laws of, 139
Authors, Colorado, 877-890
Autobees, Charles, 478, 520
Automobile registration, 581
Auto road, Crystal Park, 9
Avalanche-Echo, 813
Avery, Dr., 773
INDEX
A very, Jesse W., 376
Aylsworth, B. O., 889
Bachelder, W. N., 517
Bailey, H. A., 154
Baird, James, 125
Baird, John, 154
Baggs, Mrs. Mae L., 880
Baker, Charles, 271
Baker expedition, the, 271
Baker, James H., 881
Baker, Lt. John, 714, 715
Baker Park, 271
Balcony House, 69
Baldwin, George O., 286
Baldwin, Lt. H. W., 719
Bancroft, Dr. F. J., 766
Bancroft, H. H., 879
Banking frauds in Denver, 402
Bank organizers and directors, 404-408
Banks and Banking, 392
Banks, Dr. Louis A., 884
Banks now defunct, 396-399
Banks of Colorado, 1918, 408-416
Banks, other, 401
Baptist church data, 1917, 640
Baptist churches, when organized, 639
Baptist "Dugout," the, 635
Baptists of Colorado, 636
Baptiste, John, 146'
Bar Association, Colorado, 763
Barker, William J., 320
Barlow, S. L. M., 329
Barnard, Peter, 52
Barnes, S. D., 438
Barney, A. H., 329
Barthella, John, 849
Barry, Dr. Mary F., 697
Bascom, D. C., 488
Bassick, E. C., 282
Bastin, E. S., 249
Bates, Dr. Mary B., 773
Bates, Gen. J. C., report of, 868
Bates, J. E., 336
Battle Mountain, 842
Baxter, O. H. P., 371
Bayley, F. T., 884
Baylor, Lt. Col. J. E., 706, 710
Bayou Salado, 120
Beaman, C. C., 362
Beardsley, I. H., 884
Bear Eiver Mountains, 12
Bears, elk, deer, etc., 120
Beck, B«v. John, 233
Beckwith, Lieut. E. G., 326
Beckwourth, James P., 118
Beecher, Lieut. F. H., 99
Beecher's death, 100
Beet sugar factories, 536
Beet sugar industry by states, 536
Beet sugar statistics, 544
Beggs, Dr. William N., 880
Beginning of colonization, 158
Beginning of Colorado politics, 417
Beginning of depredations, 84
Beginning of Fort Collins, 166
Beginning of improved cultivation, 479
Beginning of miners' organizations, 837
Beginning of smelter industry, 310
Beginning of wagon freighting, 325
Beginning of water right laws, 497
Beginnings of El Paso county mining, 285
Beginnings of government, 168
Beginnings of mining history, 228
Begole, A. W., 157, 295
Belden, D. D., 285
Bell, John C., 887
Bell, J. E., 52
Bell, Bobert B. H., 887
Bell, Adj.-Gen. S. M., 859, 864
Bell, Dr. W. A., 154, 164, 349, 880
Belford, Judge J. B., 422, 428, 734, 735, 742,
877
Belford-Patterson congressional fight, 428
Belt, Dr. George, 152
Bench and Bar, 732-764
Benkelman, G. A., 521
Bennet, H. P., 156, 172, 394, 420
Bennet, Bobert A., 886
"Bennett," 103
Bennett, E. J., 518
Bennett, I. W., 518
Bent & St. Vrain, 116
Bent, Charles, 116
Bent County Democrat, 803
Bent, George, 116
Bent, John, 117
Bent, Bobert, 116
Bent, St. Vrain & Co., 116
Bent, Silas, 116
Bent, William W., 116, 126, 229, 479, 702
Benton, Hon. Thomas H.,.894
Beuton, Thomas M., 326
Bent's Fort, 59, 116
Bents, the, 116
Bercaw, Albert, 152
Bercaw, Bobert, 149
Berger, W. B., 404
Bergtold, Dr. William H., 883
Berroth, O. D., 376
Berthoud Bulletin, 800
Berthoud, E. L., 147
Bessey, Sheriff, 103
Bethel, Ellsworth, 882
Bieler and Button's horse ranch, 518
Bienville, Governor, 34
Big Elk, 78 '
Bigney, T. O., 887
Big storm of December, 1878, 510
Billings-Denver line, mileage of the, 369
Bishops of diocese of Colorado, 648
Bissell, C. B., 417
Bissell, Judge Julius, 736
Bird's-eye view of Pueblo, 1888, 119
Bitter lessons of rain-belt failure, 484
Black, Winifred, 887
Black Hawk, 40
Black Kettle, 93
Elaine, J. G., 423
Blair, Frank P., 419
Blake & Williams, 143
Blake, Charles H., 143, 149
Blake, I. E., 286
Blake, J. A., 880
Blake, John, 156
Blanco, the Ute chief, 121
Blind, Industrial Workshop for the, 834
Blind, State School for the, 823
Bliss, L. W., 417
Bliss, Bev. T. E., 655
Bloomgarden, Solomon, 885, 890
Blunt, Gen. J. G., 718
INDEX
in
Board of Agriculture serves in varied capaci
ties, 617
Board of Control of State Home, 831
Board of Deaf & Blind School created, 827
Board of Eegents, 610
Board of Stock Inspection Commissioners,
208
Board of Trade Annual, 550
Board of Trade report, 1867, 333
Boettcher, C. S., 375
Bonfils. F. G., 792
Bonilla 's expedition, 25
Bonney, Dr. S. G., 883
Bonynge, R. W., 442
Books by Colorado authors, 877-890
Boston & Colorado smelting works, 343
Bosworth, Eva Bird, 880
Boulder Camera, 798
Boulder City Town Company, 144
Boulder City, views of, 145
Boulder County's Argonauts, 272
Boulder Herald, 798
Boulder News, 798
Boulder newspapers, 798
Boulder Sentinel, 798
Bourgmont's second appearance, 32
Bowen and Tabor go to senate, 432
Bowen, Gabriel, 285
Bower, Crie, 889
Bowers, Sheriff, 842
Bowles, J. W., 521
Bowles, Samuel, 165, 479
Boyd, David, 878
Boyd, Capt. E. D., 152, 718
Boyd, James R., 403
Boyer, A. J., 790
Boyer, William J., 134
Boys at Clayton College, duties of, 630
Boys, Industrial School for, 831
Bradford, Judge A. A., 420, 734, 744
Bradford, Mary C. C., 446, 695, 696
Bradford City, 150
Bradley, G. T., 207
Bradshaw, Lucius F., 268
Brady, Catherine H., 887
Brady, Sheriff John, 866
Branches of D. & R. G., with dates built, 361
Brandt, J. L., 884
Brantner ditch, 220
Brazee, A. W., 422
Breckenridge, 150
Breckenridge newspapers, 809
Breeding of horses, 517
Brewster, Frances S., 890
Bridget, "Jim," 124
Briggsdale Banner, 811
Bristol, J. L., 518
Broadwell House, the, 347
Bromley, C. C., 320
Bromwell, H. P. H., 422, 689, 888
Brookfield, Alfred A., 144
Brooks, F. E., 442, 795
Brooks, Gen. E. J., 844
Brown, Edwin A., 885
Brown, E. L., 363
Brown, Frank M., 286
Brown, George W., 393
Brown, Grace M., 885
Brown, Henry C., 396
Brown, Jasper, 282
Brown, Joseph G., 877, 879, 880
Brown, J. H., 435
Brown, Samuel, 393
Browne, Samuel E., 90, 349
Brown's Hole, 130
Brown's, generosity of the, 655
Brunton, D. W., 157, 272
Brush Tribune, 803
Bruyere, Fabree de la, 34
Bryan, Hannah M., 889
Bryan, William J., 445
Bublo's Fort, 131
Buchanan, President, 419
Buchtel, Governor, 207, 444
Buck, E. A., 376
Buckingham, Dr. R. G., 823
Bucklin, J. W., 154
Buckman, George Rex, 317, 879
Buckner, General, 428
Buckskin Charley, 78
Buckskin Joe, 150, 264
Buddenbock, Earl von, 292
Buell, George B., 152
Buena Vista 's newspapers, 797
Buffalo, antelope, etc., 120
Buffalo Billy, Chief, 76
Buffalo meat plentiful, 478
"Buffalo Soldiers," 103
Building expenses of State Hospital, 822
Building homes in reserves, 564
Building of City ditch, 498
Buildings, with cost, U. of C., 611
Bull Hill, 842
Bureau of Child and Animal Protection, 209
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 215
Bureau of Plant Industry, 488
Burghout, H. T., 285
Burlington & Colorado R. R. Co., 370
B. & M. R, in Nebraska, 370
Burlington road, The, 370
Burnell, James M., 788
Burns, James F., 279
Burr, Aaron, 49
Burroughs, J. C., 425
Busey, Dr. A. P., 835
Bush, Benjamin F., 363
Butler, Mrs. Olive, 697
Butte convention of union miners, 838
Butterfield, Caroline M., 890
Butterfield, D. A., 574
Butterfield Overland Dispatch, 329
Butters, Alfred, 521
Buying broken-down freighting oxen, 507
Byers, William N., 229, 418, 498, 781, 877
Byers' journey west, 782
Byllesby, H. M. & Co., 318
Byers & Dailey, 230
Cabin erected by Russell Expedition, 231
Cable, R, R,, 377
Cache a la Poudre River, 53
Cajori, Professor Florian, 883
Calderwood, John, 841
California Gulch, 267
C. O. C. & P. P. Express, 329
Calloway, Trowbridge, 378
Cameron, General R. A., 159
Camp Adams, 722
Campaign of 1912, 446
Campaign of 1914, 446
Campbell, Captain L. E., 292
Campbell, Mrs. Mary G., 691
INDEX
Campbell, Richard, 788
Campbell, Eobert, 124
Campbell, W. L., 521, 576
Camp Bird mine, 296
Camp Bird yield, 296
Camp Elbert, 719
Camp Hale, 723
Camp Weld, 718
Canals, corporation built, 494
Canals, earliest, 492
Canby, Colonel E. R. S., 706, 710, 711
Canby, General, 709, 715, 716
Candidates for governor, 1880, 431
Cannon, George L., 882
Canon, Benton, 879
Canon City, 149
Canon City & San Juan Railroad, 352, 371
Canon City field, 469
Canon City newspapers, 795
Canon City, penitentiary established at, 816
Canon City Record, 795
Cantrell, John, 230
Capacity, hydro-electric developments, 318
Capacity of coal mines, 456-462
Capacity of smelters, 1910, 316
Capacity of reservoirs, 497
Capital at Golden, the, 174
Capital goes from Golden to Denver, 174
Capital of Colorado banks, 408-416
Capital stock, all banks, 1918, 416
Capitol building, Denver, 197
Capitol managers, state board of, 218
Cappell, Arthur, 362
Cappell, George, 361
Captain Jack, Chief, 77
Carbondale Item, 813
Carey act, the, 495
Carlisle, J. N., 371, 435
Carlson, G. A., 446
Carney & Stevens, 396
Carpenter, F. R., 313
Carr, R. E., 344
Carr, R. V., 889
Carroll, Fred, 218
Carroll, Fred, 1916 report, 256
Carson, Kit, 710
Carter-Colton, F. L., 518
Carter, Eli, 418
Carter, Thomas J., 335
Case, F. M., 336, 419
Cass, Joseph B., 396
Cass, Dr. O. D., 395
Cassady, Thomas, 262
Cassidy, A. M., 285
Castle, Horace, 890
Castle Rock Journal, 799
Casualties at Telluride strike, 849
Casualties in strike at Cripple Creek (1894),
842
Casy, Robert, 884
Catholic church in Boulder, 680
Catholic church in Colorado, 677
Catterson, Wesley, 152
Catterson, Doctor, 152
Cattle and sheep, value and number, 1879, 511
Cattle and their value, 531
Cattle raising, chief occupation, 484
"Cattle Raising on the Plains," 508
Cattle shipments, 1872, 342
Cattle shipments, 510
Cattle thieves, 509
Causes of Cripple Creek strike (1893), 840
Causes of Lake City strike, 847
Cement materials, 557
Census of 1870, Denver 4,800; 1872, 15,000,
350
Census statistics 1890-1914, 550
Central City, 150
Central City, early views of, 151
Central City newspaper, 796
Cereals and fruit crops, 480
Chadsey, Charles E., 879
Chaffee, Jerome B., 332, 421, 422
Chaffee, S. B., 518
Chaffee and Teller go to senate, 429
Chaffee county, 11
Chaffee County Democrat, 797
Chaffee county mining history, 299
Chaffee county newspapers, 797
Chaffee County Republican, 797
Chaffee Light Artillery, 722 .
Chalk Creek Hot Springs, 11
Chamber of Commerce endorses beet sugar
movement, 539
Chamberlin, F. K., 207
Chambers, Clark, 262, 715
Chambers, Katherine Lee, 890
( 'hiunbers, Samuel, 125
Changing election laws, 447
Chant, Mrs. L. O., 694
Chapman, Arthur, 889
Chapman, Mrs. Carrie Lane, 693
Character of the trapper, the, 108
Charities and correction, board of, 209
Charter members, First Congregational church
of Denver, 654
Chase, Brigadier-General, 859
Cheese made in Larimer county, 547
Cheesman, Walter S., 338, 361, 373, 396
Cheever, D. A., 149
Cherry 'Creek Pioneer, 782
Chestnut street, Leadville, 1880, 269
Cheyenne & Northern Railroad, 368
Cheyenne Menace, the, 334
Cheyenne Springs, 21
Chicago & Northwestern road, 336
Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railway, 369,
370
Chicago-Colorado Colony, 160
Chicago, or German Colony, 158
Chicago, Rock Island & Pa'cific Railway, 377
Chief events of Cripple Creek camp, 279-281
Chief Ouray, 295
"Chieftain" of Pueblo, the, 792
Chilcott, G. M., 371, 420, 429, 821
Chilcott, G. W., 428
Children, State Home for Dependent, 830
"Chinaman," 103
Chiropractic legislation, 772
Chivington, Colonel J. M., 90, 95, 420, 509,
663, 703, 712, 714
Chouteau and De Munn, 112
Chouteau, Auguste Pierre, 112
Chouteau, Pratte & Company, 128
Chouteau 's Landing, 58
Christian church, the, 641
Christian churches, with memberships, 642
Christian Science in Colorado, 652
Christman, Fred, 518
Christopher "Kit" Carson, 109
Chrysolite mine, unrest at, 839
Church families in state, 648
INDEX
Church of St. John's in the Wilderness, 642
Church of the Immaculate Conception, Den-
ver, 679
Churches, denominations of, 633
Churches, history of, 632
Churchill, John A., 134
Cibola, City of; 23
Cimarron Crossing, 125
Cimarron Pass, 125
Citizens' Alliance, 855
Citizens' Guard, 839
Citizens ' Protective League, 855
Civil Service Commission, 209
Clark, Austin M., 393
Clark, Frederick T., 882, 886
Clark, General George Eogers, 39
Clark, George T., & Company, 394
Clark, Gruber & Company, 393
Clark, James M., 620, 878
Clark, John A., 497
Clark, Milton E., 393
Clark, Captain William, 39, 113
Classes at State Home for Children, 831
Clay deposits, 557
Clayton College, 628
Clayton, George W., 628
Clayton, W. L., 376
Clayton, W. M., 336
Clear Creek production, 238
Clements, Ellis M., 887
Cleveland, Preside'nt, acts, 513
Cliff Canon, 69
Cliff Dweller ruins, view of, 71
Cliff Dwellers, the, 65, 478
Cliff Palace, 66, 69
Climate and topography, 1
Cline, M. W., 157, 295
Closing Westminster University, 673
"Cloud City," 270
Clouser, Charles, 272
Coal, activity in mining, in 1887, 451
Coal discovered in southern Colorado in 1860,
449
Coal fields at Ruby open, 360
Coal fields, Colorado, 466
Coal in the Dakota formation, 475
Coal in the United States, 449
Coal mined in northern Colorado in 1864,
449
Coal mined in Weld county in 1872, 449
Coal mines by counties, 456-462
Coal mines, 1888, location and kind, 452
Coal mines, inspection of, 212
Coal mines, men employed in, 456-462
Coal mines, table of, 1916, 456-462
Coal operatives, chief, in 1883, 451
Coal product of state by years, 462
Coal production in leading counties, 464
Coal statistics, miscellaneous, 464
Coal $10.00 to $15.00, 343
Cobb, E. W., 396
Cobb, Frank M., 134
Cobb, Lieutenant, 714
Cockerell, Professor. 881
Cochran, Mrs. A. M., 695
Coe, Earl B., 790
Coe, William, 509
"Cog" road, the, 377
Cog road up Pike 's Peak, 575
Coke industry, the, 476
Coke ovens and plants, 476
Coke statistics, 1880-1917, 476
Cole, Allyn, 376
Coleman, James T., 789
Colfax, 159
Collins, Arthur L., 849, 850
Collins, Col. W. O., 166
Colly er, Robert, 160
Colonization in Colorado, 158
Colorado & New Mexico Railway, 370
Colorado & Southern Railway Company, 369
Colorado, as health resort, 776
Colorado Auto Club, 579
Colorado banks in 1918, 408-416
Colorado Battery, 726
Colorado carnotite enriches world, 293
Colorado Central & Pacific Railroad, 332
Colorado Central & Pacific starts building, 342
Colorado Chieftain, 792
Colorado City, 149
Colorado City strike of reduction mill work-
ers, in 1903, 850
Colorado coal fields, 466
Colorado coal production, 449
Colorado College, 623
Colorado declared a state, 427
Colorado factory output, 1917, 554
Colorado Fair Rates Association, 556
"Colorado," Fossett's, 510
Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, 869, 870,
874, 875
Colorado Fuel & Iron Company, 1916-17, 552
Colorado Good Roads Association, 579
Colorado Industrial Workshop for the Blind,
834
Colorado labor wars, 837
Colorado land, 485
Colorado literature, 877
Colorado Manufacturers' Association, 556
Colorado Midland Railway, 369, 371
Colorado mining by sections, 262
Colorado National Bank, 400
Colorado Power Company, 318
Colorado power plants, 317
Colorado press, the, 781
Colorado Railroad, the, 369
Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind,
823
Colorado School of Agriculture, 617
Colorado School of Mines, 612
Colorado Seminary, 611
Colorado Smelting Company, 312
Colorado Soldiers' & Sailors' Home, 828
Colorado Springs & Cripple Creek District
Railway, 369
Colorado Springs Evening Telegraph, 795
Colorado Springs Gazette, 795
Colorado Springs Land Company, 824
Colorado Springs Light, Heat & Power Com-
pany, 322; directors, 322; officers, 322
Colorado Springs newspapers, 794
Colorado State Home, 830
Colorado State Home and School for Men-
tal Defectives, 834
Colorado State Hospital, 821
Colorado State Industrial School for Boys,
831
Colorado State Industrial School for Girls,
832
Colorado State Normal School opens, 621
Colorado State Penitentiary, 816
Colorado State Reformatory, 829
INDEX
Colorado State Teachers' College, 620
Colorado Sugar Manufacturing Company, 539
Colorado Sun, the, 790
Colorado Traveling Library, 223
Colorado, what it means, 891
Colorado Woman's College, 627
Colorado Woman 's College Auxiliary Asso-
ciation, 628
Colorado's first delegate to congress, 394
Colorado's four mining epochs, 248
Colorado 's gold output, 1892-1900, 278
Colorado's greatest struggle, 555
Colorado's metal output, 302-309
Colorado's mountain parks, 563
Colorado's national forests, 563
Colorado's political campaigns, 417
Colorado 's rank as coal producer, 454
Colorado's wool clip, 531
Colorow, Chief, 78
Colton, Gustavus A., 498
Columbus, Christopher, 895
Coming of the Hereford, the, 524
Commanders in charge of Soldiers' and
Sailors' Home, 829
Commissioners of Soldiers' and Sailors'
Home, 828
Commissioners, State Board Stock Inspection,
208
Community effort, 493
Como field, 471
Condition of cattle industry in 1866, 508
Conditions at Cripple Creek mines in 1894,
841
Conditions for eligibility, Clayton College, 629
Conditions leading to miners' strikes, 839
"Conejo, " meaning of, 892
Conejos, 893
Cones, Elliott, 50, 879
Confederate designs on Colorado, 708
Confederate flag raising, 702
Conferences on Cripple Creek strike (1894),
841
Congregational church, the, 653
Congregational churches, dates organized
and erected, 657-660
Congregational conference of Colorado, 660
Congregational school, trustees of, 624
Congress creates Colorado Territory, 172
Congress takes up massacre, 94
Congressional representatives, 194
Conine, Mrs. M. A. B., 697
Consonants, Spanish pronunciation of, 891
Conspiracy cases of, to murder, dismissed
(Cripple Creek, 1904), 867
Constitution, congress provides for, 176
Constitution, how amended, 201
Constitution of Auraria Town Company,
138
Constitutional conventions, 180, 183
Construction proves expensive, 363
Continental Trust Company, 376
Converse, Jesse, 377
Convict labor, 817-820
Cook, C. A., & Company, 395
Cook, Maj.-Gen. David J., 839, 878
Cook, G. W., 417
Cook, Captan S. H., 703, 704, 715
Coon, John, 286
Cooper, C. A., 879
Cooper, Isaac, 156
Co-operative fencing plans, 517
Co-operative Miners' Union, 837
Corn crop, 1917, 10,600,000 bushels, 488
Corn 12% cents, 165
Coronado mine, troubles at, 846
Coronado's expedition, 23
Corporation effort, 494
Correct Spanish pronunciation, 891
Correctional institutions, 816
Corriere di Trinidad, 801
Cost of early railroad construction, 382
Costigan, E. P., 446
Costilla, pronunciation and meaning of, 893
Cottages at Girls' School, 832
Cottages at Industrial School, 831
Cottages at State Hospital, 821
Council at Denver, 92
Counties, 8
Counties created, new, 198
Counties, creating the first, 173
Counties, distribution of minerals by, 304-309
County agents, 488
County names, 892
Courthouse at Cripple Creek defended by
sharpshooters and machine gun, 860
Court of appeals, 736
Courts, appellate, 733
Courts, organization of, 732
Courts, territorial, 734
Courts, United States, for Colorado, 733
Cowboys and Stockman Taylor die in storm,
519
Coy, Dr. N. B., 435
Coyle, Rev. J. P., 656
Coyle, Robert F., 884
Cozzens, Ed, 152
Crabbe, John Grant, 622
Cragin, Edward F., 879
Craig, John H., 519
Craig, Katherine Lee, 882
Craig, Captain William, 420, 520
Crawford, George A., 154
Creameries, mills, elevators, 486
Creating first counties, 173
Creating new counties, 198
Creede, N. C., 292
Creede newspapers, 802
Creighton, Edward, 383
Cressingham, Mrs. Clara, 695, 697
Cripple Creek a world-wonder, 275
Cripple Creek camp, chief events of, 279-281
Cripple Creek mines (views), 277, 283
Cripple Creek newspapers, 812
Cripple Creek's gold production, 281
Cripple Creek strike of 1894, 838, 840
Cripple Creek strike of 1903-04, 851, 856
Cripple Creek sympathetic strike (1903), 851
Cripple Creek Times, 812
Crook Brothers, 271
Crook smelter, the, 578
Cross, Ethan A., 882
Cross, Rev. Roselle T., 884
Crossley, W. F., 320
Crozat, Francisco, 36
Crystal Park, 9
Culbertson, T. H., 156
Cumenge, E., 293
Cuno, Charles W., 890
Cummings, Alexander, 421
Curly Bear (portrait), 105
Curry, J. O., 5 76
Curtice, W. J., 262
INDEX
VII
Curtice, W., 586
Curtis, Emma G., 887
Curtis, L. E., 317
Curtis, Lieut.-Col. S. S., 719, 720
Curtis, Gen. S. K., 89
Cushman, Samuel, 653
Ouster county, 10
Custer county press, 814
Custer county's mining history, 282
Customs of legislature, 176
Da Costa, Charles M., 361
Dailey, John L., 781
Daily and Weekly Mountaineer, 789
Daily Commonwealth, 789
Daily Rocky Mountain Herald, 789
Dale, Catesby, 262
Dalzell, T. J., 255
Dana, John Cotton, 880
Danforth, A. H., 286
Daniels, Mrs. W. C., 723
Darley, George M., 879
Dates of early and late frosts, 6
Dates of organization of Colorado banks, 408-
416
Davidson, Eleanor, 882
Davidson, William, 147, 418
Davis, Carlyle Channing, 879
Davis, C. E., 377
Davis, Charles F., 882
Dawson, C. C., 445
Dawson, Lewis, 114
Dawson, Thomas Fulton, 878, 879
Day, C. M., 376
Day, David F., 805
Deaf Mute Index, the, 825
Deaf, State School for the, 823
Deer, elk, bears, etc., 120
Dearborn, Gen. Henry, 50
Defeat of statehood, 420
De France, Judge M., 689
Degrees by years, U. of C., 609
Delegates to constitutional convention, 183
Delegates to silver conventions, 436
Delegates to various conventions, 440
Delisle's map, 76
Del Norte papers, 807
Delta, 154
Delta county, 16
Delta county press, 813
Democratic National Convention, 1908, 445
De Mott, Dr. McK., 888
De Munn, Jules, 112
Denison, Elsa, 885
Denman, A. A., 404
Dentists, Denver, 1866, 767
Denver & Intermountain Ry. Co., 377
Denver & New Orleans Ry. Co., 366
Denver & Northwestern, the, 372
D. & R. G. crew too late, 359
D. & R. G. earnings, expenses, mileage, 359
D. & R, G. goes into receiver's hands, 364
D. & R. G. mileage, 1911, 1918, 363
D. & R. G. restored, 256
Denver & Rio Grande, the, 369
Denver & Salt Lake R. R., directors, 375
Denver & South Park R. R., the, 365
Denver becomes capital, 195
Denver City Company, board of directors, 142
Denver City ditch, 493
Denver City Town Company, 140
Denver Clearing House, 404
Denver Daily Gazette, 789
Denver, early views, 211
Denver editors, 788
Denver Express, 792
Denver Fat Stock and Feeder Show, 525
Denver, Gen. James W., 141, 236
Denver Junction Gazette, 809
Denver Ladies' College Society, 627
Denver, Lakewood & Golden Ry. Co., 377
Denver, Laramie & Northwestern Ry. Co., 376
Denver, Leadville & Gunnison R. R., 368
Denver, Marshall & Boulder R. R., 368
Denver National Bank, 401
Denver, Northwestern & Pacific, the, 372
Denver Pacific Ry. and Telegraph Co., 336
Denver Pacific, officers and directors, 340
Denver Paper Mills, 435
Denver Post, 792
Denver Railway Securities Co., 375
Denver Republican, 789, 791
Denver's mountain parks, 569
Denver Steel Co., 435
Denver, Texas & Ft. Worth R. R., 368
Denver Times, 789
Denver Tribune, 791
Denver Union Depot & Ry. Co., 378
Denver, Utah & Pacific R. R., 370
Denver, Western & Pacific R. R., 368
Denver Woman's Club, 833
Department of Medicine, 606
Departments of U. of Denver, 612
Dependent and neglected children, 830
Deportations of miners, 865, 873
Deposits of all Colorado banks, 416
De Soto, 25
Desperadoes of 1860, 787
De Vaca's explorations, 22
Developing the highways, 573
Development of irrigation, 491
Dewey, Admiral George, 518
Dewey, Henry, 518
Dickson, T. C., 134
Difficulties of pack-saddling, 128
Dill, Robert Gordon, 878
Dillon, Sidney, 333
Directors and officers, Denver Pacific, 340
Directors, Colorado Power Co., 320
Directors, Denver & South Park R. R., 366
Directors of D. & R. G., 1918, 363
Directors of Western Light & Power Co., 321
Discovery of the field pea, 530
Discovery of grazing values, 508
Discovery of ruins, 66
Distinguished visitors, 165
Distribution of minerals in Colorado, 304, 309
Disturbances at Telluride, 848
Ditches constructed in 1860, 491
Dixon, Hon. N. Walter, 853
Doctors, List of, in World's war, 777, 778,
779, 780
Doctors, Pioneer, 766
Dodd, Lieutenant-Colonel, 719, 720
Dodd, Capt. T. H., 718
Dodge, Clarence P., 794
Dodge, D. C., 154, 336, 358
Dodge, F. S., 103
Dodge, Gen. G. M., 96, 333
Dodge, Paul H., 888
Dodge's expedition, 78
Doll, Frank, 520
VH1
INDEX
Dolores county, 12
Dolores, meaning of, 893
Dominguez, Francisco, 228
Doolittle, T. B., 388
Dotson, P. K., 371
Dougherty, H., 52
Dougherty, Major, 78
Douglas, Chief, 77
Douglas county newspapers, 799
Douglas County Eecord-Journal, 799
Downey, Charles J., 889
Downing, Captain, 704, 714
Downing, Maj. Jacob, 99
Dows, David, 377
Doyle, James, 279
Doyle, Joseph B., 520
Drake, Lieut. E. P., 510
Dresser, Frank, 106
Dresser, Henry, 106
Dry farming of chief interest, 485
Dudley, J. H., 136
Duncan J., 52, 285
Duncan, Robert, 285
Dunraven, Lord, 512
Durango, 157
Durango papers, 805
Durango Herald Printing Co., 805
Durant, Thomas C., 333
Durbin, C. K., 373
Du Tisne, 31
Dwelling, the, 68
Dwyer, E. H., 376
Dyer, John L., 633, 879
Dynamite bombs, 846
Dynamiters in Idaho Springs strike, 855
Eagle county, 18
Eagle county's mining history, 284
Earliest canals 492
Early banking in Denver, 392
Early big herds, 529
Early Catholic priests, 678
Early Colorado printers, 731
Early data of Boulder county mining, 274
Early Denver buildings, 331, 784
Early Metholist preachers, 663, 665
Early newspaper competitors, 783
Early newspapers, 781
Early newspaper subscription rates, 788
Early news service, 786
Early school history of counties, 588
Early school laws, 585
Early settlement in Colorado, 134
Early settlers in Roaring Fork valley, 523
Early stock-raising methods, 512
Early Trinidad newspapers, 801
Early views in Denver, 379
Easter, John, 236
Eastern Colorado, 484
Eastwood, Alice, 882
Eaton, George, 106
Eaton Herald, 811
Earnings of Moffat Road, 375
Earnings of penitentiary, 816
Eayre, Lt. G. S., 719
Ebbert, William B., 887
Eckles, Jack, 295
Eckles, John, 157
Eclipse, the Leadville, 796
Eddy, H. H., 435
Edgerton, James A, 889
Editors and writers, 790
Editors of Rocky Mountain News, 788
Education in Colorado, 585-603
Edwards, A. J., 418
Edwards, R. S., 282
Effect (of massacre) on Indians, 95
"Eight-Hour" strikes, 852
Eilers, Anton, 314
Elbert, Acting Governor, 92
Elbert, Gov. Samuel, 421, 428, 719, 877
Eldridge, E. F., 887
Election of 1894, 439
Elevators, flour mills, etc., 486
Elk, bears, deer, etc., 120
Elkins, Senator, 422
Ellett, J. A., 435
Elliott, David, 795
Elliott murder, the, 103
Ellis, D. P., 286
Ellison, R. S., 320
Ellsworth, Col. L. C., 358
Elmer, Capt. E. P., 719
El Paso City, 146
El Pueblo, or Fort Pueblo, 121
Emmerson, James, 418
Empire City, 150
England declares war on Spain, 35
Engler, Adolph, 361
Engineering building, University, 607
Enrollment at Girls' Industrial School, 833
Enrollment in Agricultural College, 620
Enrollment in State School for Deaf and
Blind, 827
Enunciation, Spanish, 891
Euzeusperger, Frank, 156
Erb, Newman, 375
Erecting the State House, 196
Erie Independent, 811
Ernest, F. P., 521
Escalante, Francisco, 228
Escalante 'a exploration, 28
Eskridge, E. W., 106
Estevauico (Stephen), 22
Evans, Governor John, 88, 156, 334, 372, 420,
688, 704 717
Evans Courier, 811
Evans Courier-Messenger, 811
Evans papers, 811
Evans, William G., 373
Evening and Weekly Picketwire, 801
Evening Telegraph, Colorado Springs, 795
Exchange Bank, the, 395
Expenditure, maintenance and earnings of
penitentiary, 816
"Extra," an early, 786
Eyster, Judge C. S., 735
Faculty, University of Colorado, 609
Failure of First State Constitution, 170
Failure of statehood bills by veto, 421
Failure of state management, 496
Fairley, D. B., 795
Fairplay, 264
Fairplay Flume, 799
Fallon, John, 300
Famous editors, 788
Fare from Kansas City to Santa Fe $250.00,
328
Fargo, James C., 329
Fargo, William G., 329
Farnham, Professor, on water rights, 502
INDEX
Farrar, Fred, 446
Father Padilla's fate, 24
Fathom system, 848
Faulkner, Mrs. A. W. 695
Federal effort under reclamation act, 496
Fellows, Doctor, 78
Felt, Z. C., 376
Felter, Lottie S., 888
Fenneman, N. M., 286
Fernandez, Don Bartholomew, 47
Ferrell, J. M., 147
Ferril, William C., 879
Fewkes, J. Walter, 72
Ficklin, B. F., 330
Field, Eugene, 791, 888
Field, E. B., 389
'Fifty eighters to Pike's Peak region, 272
Fight for Raton Pass, the, 358
Figures on acreage and production, 486
Fillmore, J. S., 702
Finances of the state, 200
Finding transcontinental railway route, 326
Finlay, George I., 883
Firebrick, pottery, etc., 547
First actual settlers, 478
First agriculturists, 478
First artesian wells, 529
First ascent of Pike's Peak, 54
First banking outside Denver, 404
First board of trustees, State Normal, 622
First business at Cherry Creek, 143
First buyers of gold dust from miners, 393
First cabin in Oro, 269
First capitol of Colorado, 175
First cell house, the, 816
First Church of Christ, organizers of, 641
First coach leaves Leavenworth, 329
First Colorado Conference (Methodist), ap-
pointments of, 666
First Colorado, History of, 722-725
First Colorado list of casualties, 725
First Colorado newspaper, the, 781
First Colorado Regiment, 717
First daily newspaper, 786
First educational charter, 611
First efforts to harness state water power.
317
First election poll by counties, 182
First gold discoveries, 229
First governor arrives, 420
First ineorporators of stock yards, 526
First iron foundry, 548
First irrigation, 491
First issue of "The News," 783
First Jewish congregation, 681
First legislation, 499
First meeting with the Spanish, 46
First miners' union organized, 837
First Mining Review, 240
First National Bank of Denver, 394, 399
First officers of Colorado National Bank, 400
First paper in territory, 782
First pony express leaves St. .foe, 330
First post on South Platte, 122
First presidential electors, 431
First printing press, 781
First Regiment Colorado Infantry, organiza-
tion of, 722
First sawmill in Larimer county, 548
First sermon in Colorado, 632
First smelter company organized, 312
First state election, 427
First stockholders, First National Bank, 400
First territorial officers, 419
First traders, the, 109
First Unitarian Society, officers of, 674
First (Unitarian) Sunday school, 675
First vestry of St. John's, 642
First view of the mountains, 43
Fisher, M. C., 702
Fisher, Rev. W. G., 632, 663
Fisk, A. C., 159
Fitch, Michael H., 878, 884
Fitzgerald, E., 417
Fitzpatrick, Sublette & Bridger, 124
Five million cattle from Texas, 508
Five periods of canal building, 492
Flarheiler, Joe, 284
Fletcher, Charles, 150
Floods in Humboldt Valley, 363
Florence & Cripple Creek District Railway
Co., 369
Florence Daily Citizen, 795
Florence field oil output, 286, 287
Florence newspapers, 795
Flour mills, creameries, etc., 486
Flower, Roswell P., 377
Fluorspar, 558
Ford, Capt. J. H., 718
Foreign investments, 512
Forsyfh, Col. George A., 99
Forsyth 's battle, 99
Fort Craig, 706, 707, 711, 717
Fort Collins Review, 800
Fort Collins publications, 800
Fort Collins, view of, in 1865, 167
Fort Crockett (or Davy Crockett), 124
Fort Fillmore, 706
Fort Garland, 701
Fort John, 124
Fort Lancaster, 122
Fort Laramie, 123
Fort Logan, 730
"Fort Lupton," 122
Fort Lupton Cyclone, 811
Fort Lupton Press, 811
Fort Lyon, 702
Fort Morgan Times, 803
Fort St. Vrain, 58, 123 -
Fort Uintah, 124
Fort Union, 712
Fort Wise, 126, 701, 712
Fort Worth & Denver City Ry. Co., 368
Fosdick, H. M., 149
Fossett, Frank, 510, 880
Fossett's "Colorado," 260
Foster, Edward D-, 485
Foster, Robert, 52
Founding of a great industry, the, 519
Fountain City, 152
Fountain City Town Company, 146
$400,000,000 in metallic wealth, 267
Four million dollars in potatoes, 482
Fonts, William, 242
Fowler, Jacob, 114
Fowler publications, 805
Fowler's diary, 114, 116
Fox, Dr. J. M., 329
Fraeb, Henry, 124
France, Capt. Matt, 165
France, Lewis B., 880, 887
Franklin, L. B., 378
INDEX
Fraser, Walter B., 223
Frear, D. W., 488
Fredericks, Leonard, 282
Freeman, W. B., 375
Free Methodists, 669
Freight rates and manufacturers, 355
Fremont, John C., 56, 326, 894
Fremont county, 8
Fremont county, its oils and minerals, 285
Fremont County Leader, 795
Fremont's last expedition, 64
Fremont's second expedition, 58
Fremont's third and fourth expeditions, 60
French, Adnah, 134
French menace, the, 26
French, the, 30
French Revolution, 35
Friedel, C., 293
Friedman, William S., 885
Frink, Almira L. C., 889
From range days to the thoroughbred era,
506
Frost, W. E., 520
Frosts, 5
Fruit Growing, 488
Fruit Growing in its infancy, 489
Fuller 's earth, 558
Fynn, Arthur J., 882
Gage, T. A., 518
Gaines, Maj. Gen. Edmund P., 83
Gale, Judge W. H., 735
Gallagher, Charles, 270
Gallagher, Patrick, 270
Gantt, Captain, 78
Gantz, Jacob, 172
Garbert, W. H., reminiscences by, 754
Garden of the Gods, gateway to, 15
Garfield county, 14
Garfield county press, 813
Garfield, James A., 432
Garrison, A. F., 147
Gaylord, Hal, 790
Gaylord, Lewis W., 795
Gazette, Colorado Springs, 795
Gelder, William, 156
Gem stones, 558
Gems and precious stones mined, 287
"Gentleman Charley," 740
George, Professor Russell D., 881
"George Washington," 103
Georgetown Courier, 799
German (Chicago) Colony, 158
German Lutherans, 651
Geronimo (portrait), 101
Gerry, Elbridge, 146
Gibbs, Agnes K., 888
Gibson, F. B., 373
Gibson, Thomas, 781, 789
Gillespie, H. B., 521
Gilpin, Lieut.-Col. and Gov. William, 84, 172,
419, 586, 701, 703, 704, 877
Gilpin county and John H. Gregory, 245
Gilpin county newspapers, 796
Gilpin Observer, the, 796
Gilpin Railroad, the, 369
Gilpin Tramway Company, 369
Girardot, Marion R., 887
Girls, State Industrial School for, 832
Glascoe, Charles S., 207
Glenn-Fowler expedition, the, 114
Glenn, Hugh, 114
Glenwood Post, 813
Glenwood Springs, 156
Glenwood Springs papers, 813
Globe smelter, disturbances at, 853
Godoy, Manuel, 35
Godfrey, Holon, 96
Gold and silver production, 260
Gold camp railroads, 378
Gold production, Cripple Creek's, 281
Golden, Thomas L., 150, 236
Golden, T. S.,*418
Golden City, 147
Golden Reformatory School, 832
Golden Transcript, 785, 797
Goldie, Rev. Howard, 888
Goldstein, Carl, 106
Goode, Rev. W. H., 661
Goodnight, Cresswell & Company, 520
Goodwin, Alma, 518
Goodwin, B., 146
Gordon, James, 172
Gordon, Tom, 507
Gorsline, Judge W. R., 735, 742
Goudy, F. C., 443, 445
Gould, Edwin, 363
Gould, George J., 362
Gould, George, 363
Gould, Jay, 358
Gould, Kingdon, 363
Government, beginnings and development, 168
Government regulation of grazing, 514
Government aspects, 34
Governor De Allande, 112
Governor Gilpin, 702
Governor Elbert, 96
Governor Maynez, 112
Governor Osborn, 371
Governor Pitkin, 103
Governors agitate for Normal School, 620
Governors of Colorado (state), 192
' ' Graball ' ' or Tarryall, 264
Grable, F. C., 878
Graduates of School of Mines, 614
Graham, H. J., 169, 417
Gramm, Otto, 377
Grand county, 17
Grand county mining history, 288
Grand Junction, 154
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, 801
Grand Junction Democrat, 801
Grand Junction Star, 801
"Grand Peak," the, 43
Grand River field, 473
Grand Valley News, 813
Granger, Rev. Francis, 644
Granger, Ralph, 292
Granites, 559
Grant, James B., 314, 843
Grant, President, 422
Grant smelter, disturbances at, 853
Grass, man-high, 132
Gratiot, Charles H., 497
Gray, Dr. E. C., 286
Gray, George H., 251
Gray, J. A., 418
"Great National Highway," 895
Great packing concerns, 554
Great Plains section, 19
Great Western Sugar Company, 376, 540
INDEX
Greeley, Horace, 159, 240, 329, 516, 783. 785,
810
Greeley, 160
Greeley Colony, 493
Greeley Democrat, 810
Greeley Herald, 810
Greeley publications, 810
Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific project, 369
Greeley Sun, 810
Greeley Times, 810
Greeley Tribune, 160
Greeley Tribune-Republican, 810
Green, D. S., 162
Green, Duke, 507
Green, W. E., 376, 378
Green, Col. William H., 152, 718
Greenback-labor party, 432
"Greenhorn"; origin and derivation of, 893
Greenleaf, Laurence N., 887
Greenwood, W. H., 349
Gregg, Josiah, 325
Gregory, John H., 238, 245
Griffith, Benjamin, 445
Grimke, Sarah S., 884
Grinnell, George B., 879
Grit Publishing Company, 809
Grover Tri-City Press, 811
Growth of churches, 633
Growth of manufacturing in Colorado, 549
Growth of Presbyterianism, 673
Growth of Protestant churches, 632
Growth of smelter industry, 314
Growth of state departments, 206
Growth of state government, 190
Gruber, E. H., 393
Grundel, A. F., 520
Guadaloupe Hildalgo, treaty of, 891
Guards, Denver, 701
Guggenheim, Benjamin, 315
Guggenheim, Meyer, 315
Guggenheim, Simon, 440, 446, 622
Guiterman, Franklin, 853
Gumaer, A. R., 286
Gunn, J. Harvey, 884
Gunnison, Captain J. W., 156, 326
Gunnison expedition, the, 62
Gunnison, 156
Gunnison county, 18
Gunnison county mining history, 287
Gunnison News-Champion, 815
Gunnison papers and editors, 814
Gunnison Republican, 815
Gunter, Julius C., 446, 727
Guzman, Nuno de, 22
Gwin, Senator W. M., 330
Gypsum, 558
Gypsum valley, 29
Hackett, Wallace, 377
Hagar, Rev. Isaac A., 644
Hagerman, J. J., 842
Haggerty, Col. J. C., 284
Hahns Peak gold placers, 298
Hale, Col. Irving, 722
Hale, Professor, 881
Hale Science Building, Boulder, 605
Hall, B. F., 419, 734
Hall, Capt. J. C. W., 728
Hall, C. P., 418
Hall, Frank, 229, 421, 790, 877
Hall, Mrs. Frank, 695
Hall, H. C., 521
Hall, W. H. F., 815
Halleck, E. H., 377
Hallett, Moses, 302, 352, 358, 361, 422 733
735, 742, 745
Halloek, J. N., 418
Hall's History of Colorado, 240
Halsted, George B., 882
Hambleton, Capt. J. W., 704
Hamilton City, 150
Hamilton, Earl, 262
Hamilton, Rev. L., 632, 669
Hamlin, C. C., 795, 832
Hance's ranch, 518
Hanchette, Lafayette, 855
Hanna, J. R., 404
Hanna, J. W., 435
Hanscom, T. P., 317
Harbottle, John, 887
Harbour, Capt. R. R., 719
Hardscrabble post, the, 118
Harding, Judge S. H., 734-5
Harding, T. M., 286
Harding, Russell, 362
Harl, J. B., 884
Harlan, Justice, reviews case, 351
Harnan, John, 279
Harper's Magazine on "Roman Nose," 100
Harriman, E. H., 362
Harris, W. H., 521
Hart, Henry Martyn, 648, 878, 884
Hartley, William, 134
Hart man, Alonzo, 156
Hartsel, Samuel, 507
Hartsel's importations, 511
Hartsell, Charles 879
Haskell, Thomas N., 883
Hatch, Dorus Reuben, 878, 882
Hatcheries, 222
Hawes, Dr. Jesse, 620, 879
Hawkins, Willard, 885, 887
Hawley, Mrs. A. A., 697
Hawley, C. A., 435
Hawley, Edwin, 369
Hawley, H. S., 150
Hay, Colorado's chief crop, 487
Hay crop of $42,517,800, 488
Hay, the staple crop, 483
Hayden's Geographical party, 276
Hayes, J. A., 317
Hayner, J. P., 377
Haywood, William D., 838
Head, Lafayette, 428
Health Board, State, 208
Health resort, Colorado as, 776
Heartz, Mrs. E., 697
Heft, N. H., 376
Heilman, Rev. P. A., 650
Hellems, Professor, 881
Hempstead, Dr., 765
Henderson, C. W., 249
Hennepin, Father, 449
Henry, J. J., 320
Henry, T. C., 494
Herbert, J. M., 517
Hermage, Henry, 520
Herr, T. W., 403
Herriek, M. T., 317
Hersey, H. J., 377
Hicklin, Alexander, 479
Hicks, George, 233
INDEX
Hickman, M. D., 418
Higginbottom, Joseph, 264
High cost of transporting -ores, 301
Highway officials, 1918, 582
Highways, development of, 573
Hill, Agnes L., 885
Hill, Mrs. Alice Polk, 878
Hill, D. H., 264
Hill, Mrs. Emma Shepard, 879
Hill, Miss Isabel, 694
Hill, J. M., 249
Hill, N. P., 286, 310, 430, 431
Hill, Maj. Zeph T., 872
Hills, Edward C., 883
Hills, Elijah C., 883
Hills, Kichard C., 883
Hilton, Rev. J. V., 655
Hilts, Hiram E., 218
Hinckley & Company, 395
Hindman, Miss Matilda, 691
Hine, Henry, 317
Hinman, Josiah, 134
Hinsdale county, 12
Hinsdale county press, 812
Hinsdale, George A., 792
Hinsdale in the San Juan country, 290
Historical Society, Colorado State, 707
History of labor in Colorado, 837
History of Montezuma's mines, 293
History of Ouray's famous mines, 295
History of mining in Pitkin county, 301
History of mining in Rio Grande county,
298
History of mining in Routt and Moffat coun-
ties, 298
Hitchcock woolen mills, 435
Hoback, John, 110
Hobson, George H., 520
Hogs and their value, 531
Hohman, W. J., 262
Holcomb, H. B., 376
Hol.len, Edward R., 315
Holladay, Ben, 329, 574
Holladay Overland Mail and Express Com-
pany, 329
Hollister, Gen. U. S., 885
Hollister, O. J., 229, 880
Hollister 's "The Mines of Colorado," 246
Holly, Mrs. C. C., 695, 697
Holly, Judge C. F., 735
Holly, H. S., 522
Holly Sugar Corporation, the, 543
Holmes, Charles, 519
Holmes, W. H., 65
Holt, H. J., 377
Holyoke journals, 806
Hood, A. G., 387
Hooper, Shadrach K., 879
Horse breeding, 517
Horses and mules, and value of, 530
Hoskin, Arthur, 881
Hospital at penitentiary, 818
Hospital, first, 766
Hospital, First municipal, 766
Hospitals, general list of, 774-5-6
Housing the insane, 821
How Colorado won beet sugar leadership,
533
How constitution has been' amended, 201
Howard, J. L., 520
Howbert, Irving, 878
Howe, A. S., 377
Howe, Herbert A., 882
Howe, S., 489
Howells, William, manifesto by, 869
Howland, Captain, 715
Howlett, Eev. William J., 879
Hudson, Addie V., 890
Hudson Headlight, 811
Hudson Herald, 811
Huerfano county, 10
Huerfano, meaning of the word, 894
Huerfano Rock, 894
Hughes, Charles J., Jr., 302, 373, 445
Hughes, Gen. Bela M., 329, 336
Hulbert, Maj. John, 377
Humane treatment of convicts, 820
Humidity, 2
Hunsaker, Capt. I. L., 728
Hunt, A. C., 349, 356, 421, 497
Hunt, Ex-Governor, 163
Hunting out the buffalo, 506
Huntsville, 150
Hussey, Warren, 395
Hutching, C., 378
Hutchinson, Wallace I., 563
Hyde, Dr. Ammi, 882
Hydro-electric developments, 318
Idaho Springs Mining Gazette, 799
Idaho Springs strike (1903), 854
Idaho Springs Siftings-News, 799
Iddings, Oapt. J. W., 705
Tgnario, Chief, 77
Iliff, .John W., 521
Iliff, William H., ,265
Imber, X. H., 890
Immigration, State board of, 215
Improvement at penitentiary, 819
Income from penitentiary, 816
Incorporation of Capitol Hydraulic Com-
pany, 497
Incorporators of Denver & N. 0. Ry. Co.,
366
Incorporators of Denver & South Park R.
R., 365
Independence claim, 276
Independence mine, troubles at, 863
Indeterminate sentence and parole law, 818
Indictment in Cripple Creek strike of 1894,
844
Industrial School for Boys, 613
Ingram, J. B., 300
Inheritance tax collectors by years, 208
Inmates at State Hospital, 821
In prosperous Mineral county, 292
Insane asylum at Pueblo, 821
Insane ward at penitentiary, 818
Inspection of coal mines, 212
Inspiring immigration, 162
Insurance department, 214
International Trust Company, 402
Interstate rights, 502
Interest in beef cattle, 515
In the mines of Saguaehe, 300
In the region of Rico, 282
In the Roaring Fork valley, 523
In the Uncompahgre, 522
Irrigation known to ancient peoples, 500
Irrigation laws, later, 499
Irrigation offers big opportunities, 487
Irwin, Richard, 282
INDEX
Island Grove Park, 160
Italians in Lake City strike, 847
Italian publications at Trinidad, 801
Jackson and Larimer counties, mining his-
tory, 291
Jackson Bar, 238
Jackson county, 16
Jackson, George A., 236, 293
Jackson, Helen Hunt, 886
Jackson, Mrs. H. M. F., 888
Jackson, W. H., 65
Jackson, W. S., 361, 429
Jackson, Z., 418
Jackson's discoveries on Clear Creek, 236
Jacobs, E. C., 396
James, Edwin, 52, 418, 765
James, N. H., 314
James' Peak, 55
Janise, Antoine, 146
Janise, Nicholas, 146
Jaramillo, Juan, 23
Jarvis Hall, 831
Jefferson, President, 37
Jefferson City, Missouri, 32, 150
Jefferson county publications, 797
Jefferson rangers, 701
Jefferson 's early mining history, 290
Jeffery, Edward T., 362, 843
Jenkins, J. W., 421
Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society, 686,
687
Jewish congregations, 681, 683, 684
Jocknick, Sidney, 879
Joliet, LaSalle and Marquette, 30
Jones, J. C., 522
Jones, John S., 329
Johnson, C. S., 376
Johnson, Elsie E., 890
Johnson, Jack, 519
' ' Johnson ' ', medicine man, 104
Johnson, Sylvanus, 520
Johnson, W. E., 286
Johnson, W. F., 336
Jones Brothers, 515
Jones, Rev. E. R., 660
Jones, Gordon, 507
Jones, Mrs. L. U., 698
Jones, ' ' Mother ' ', 873
Jones, W. P., 267
Josephi, S., 286
Journalism in Colorado, 781
Judges Hallett, Belford and Wells, 499
Julesburg publications, 809
Julesburg, view in, 1908, 535
Julien, Stephen, 52
Junction City, Kansas, 24
Kansas Territory, 143
Kansas Pacific Railroad, 334
Kansas Pacific in financial straits, 344
Kaolin deposits, 558
Kaskaskia to Fort Riley, 31
Kassler, George W., 393
Kearney, Stephen W., 83
Kearney expedition, the, 83
Kearns, John, 152
Keely, Thomas, 320
Kehler, Rev. John, 644
Kellogg, S. B., 418
Kelly's Bar, 267
Kendall, S. L., 207
Kendrick, W. F., 222
Kennedy, Jonathan, 823
Kennedy, J. L., 87
Kennedy, Mary E., 823
Kent, S. J., 376
Kerber, Captain, 714
Kersey News, 811
Kerwin, Mrs. Louise M., 698
Kidder, Frank E., 883
Kincaid, Mrs. M. H., 696
King, Alfred C., 889
King, Clyde L., 879
Kingsbury, Capt. E. W., 719
Kingsbury, Lieutenant, 78
Kingsley, Charles, 165
Kinna & Nye, 144
Kirby, J. C., 147
Kit Carson, 58
Klett, W. H., 846
Klock, Mrs. F. S., 695, 697
Knapp, George L., 887
Knights of Labor, 837, 845
Kountze, Augustus, 396
Kountze Brothers' Bank, 396
Kountze, C. B., 315, 396
Kountze, Herman, 396
Kountze, Luther, 336, 396
Kozlowski, M., 712, 713
Kroenig, William, 149, 520
Kroenke, F. W., 880
Kyner, George E., 812
Kyiier, William A., 812
Labor Statistics, Bureau of, 215
Labor war of 1894, 438
Labor wars of half a century, 837
La Bruyere, Fabree de, 34
Lafferty, Mrs. A. V., 698
La Glorieta Pass, first battle of, 712
La Glorieta Pass, second battle of, 713
La Harpe, Benard de, 32
La Junta, meaning and pronunciation of, 892
La Junta newspapers, 803
Lake City strike in '99, 847
Lake City Times, 813
Lake county, 14, 18
Lake Okoboji, Iowa, 88
Lakes, Prof. Arthur, 881
La Lande, Baptiste, 125
Lamar newspapers, 806
Lamb, Joseph, 285
Lambert, John J., 793
Lamb feeding industry, 518
Lamborn, R, Henry, 349
Lambs fed alfalfa, 519
Lambs fed in 1889-1901, 519
LaMoure, Dr. H. A., 822
Lance, A. H., 377
Land commissioners pay treasurer, biennial
receipts, 219
Land, Gordon, 221
Land sales, acreage and price, 219
Langford, Dick, 278
La Plata county, 13
La Plata county papers, 805
La Plata field, 474
La Porte, 146
Laramee, Jacques, 124
Laramie, Hahns Peak & Pacific, the, 377
Large producers, 279
INDEX
Larimer and Johnson counties, mining his-
tory of, 291
Larimer county, 16
Larimer County Courier, 800
Larimer County Express, 800
Larimer county newspapers, 800
Larimer, Gen. William, 419, 547, 719, 784
Larimer, William, Jr., 143
Larimer's early sheep industry, 517
Larimer street, Denver (1859), 217
La Salle, Joliet and Marquette, 30
La Salle-Julesburg ''Cut-off", 369
La Salle Optimist, 811
Las Animas county, 10
Las Animas county ranked first in coal pro-
duction, 1891, 454
Las Animas Leader, 803
Las Animas, meaning and pronunciation of,
892
Last mule train to cross plains to Denver, 327
Last Spanish expedition, 29
Last trader, the, 126
Later irrigation laws, 499
Lauver, William, 521
Lava stone, 560
La Veta, meaning of word and as pronounced,
892
Law, Dr. John, 769
Law Building, University, 607
Lawler, Rev. B. F., 888
Lawson, Captain, 104
Lawson, John R., 875
Lawyers, Territorial, 743
Leadville, 154
Leadville Chronicle, 796
Leadville Democrat, the, 788
Leadville gold output, 1898-1907, 270
Leadville Herald-Democrat, 797
Leadville makes world history, 267
Leadville newspapers, 796
Leadville Reveille, the, 796
Leadville strike of 1880, 838
Leadville strike of 1896-97, 845
Leadville, views in, 155
Leavenworth, Col. J. H., 717, 718
Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express, 329
Lebeau, Antoine, 146
Le?kenby & Gee, 808
Le Doux, M., 117
Lee, Abe, 267
Lee, Mrs. F. 8., 697
Lee, Harry A., 252
Left Hand, Chief, 76
Legislation,
First Medical, 771
Osteopathic, 772
Chiropractic, 772
Miscellaneous medical, 772-3
Women medical practitioners, 773
Length of sessions and number of members,
territorial organization, 180
LeRossignol, James E., 886
Letter, half-ounce, $5.00, 330
Letter postage, 50 cents, 328
Letters of General Palmer, 353
Lewis and Clark, 39
Lewis law, the, 819
Lewis, Capt. Meriwether, 39
Lewis, Judge R. E., 733
Libby, Professor, 881
Limestone, 560
Lincoln county cattle war, 529
Lincoln, President, 419
Lindsey, Judge Ben B., 444, 887
Link, Celsus P., 207
Linthicum, Richard, 887
Liptrap, William, 519
List of delegates to constitutional conven-
tion, 183
Littlefield (LIT) herd, the, 516
Little Raven, Chief, 76
Live stock on hand, 530
Live stock statistics, 530
Livingston, Robert R., 37
Livingston, W. W., 520
Loans, Total of all banks, 1918, 416
Lobach, Ed., 286
Location and character of coal mines, 1888,
452
Logan, Capt. Samuel M., 702, 704
Logan County Advocate, 800
Logan county papers, 800
Londoner, Wolfe, 268
Long, R, F., 157, 295
Long's exploring expedition, 50
' ' Longhorns, ' ' 510
Long silver fight, the, 436
Look, J. M., 620
Loop at Georgetown, 369
Lore, Dr. Minnie C. T., 693
Loramie, Jacques, 124
Lorgnette, the, 790
Loring, Col. W. W., 706
Loss at Leadville strike of 1896, 847
Lottes, Fred, 287
Louisiana Purchase, the, 37
Louthan, Harriet H., 886, 889
Lontzenheiser, O. D., 156
Lovejoy, Frederick, 361
Loveland Daily Herald, 800
Loveland Reporter, 800
Loveland, W. A. H., 147, 329, 420, 429, 788
Lowest point in state, 1
Lucksinger Brothers, 521
Ludlow Tent Colony, 875
Lunacy law, the new, 822
Lunt, H. G., 317
Lupton, Lancaster P., 122
Lutheran church organizers, 650
Lutheran congregations, 1918, 650
Lynde, Maj. Isaac, 706
Lyon, Gen.' Nathaniel, 702
Lyons, Daniel, 884
McAfee, H. H., 417
McAllister, Henry, 163
McClure, G. W., 393
McClure, W. P., 149, 418
McClurg, Virginia D., 888
McCook, Gen. E. M., 421
McCook, Governor, 587, 688, 689, 823
McCormick Bros., 800
McCormick, Charles H., 860
McCormick, R. R., 344
McCoy, Harley. 435
McCreery. J. W., 620
McCue, Thomas, 445
McDermott, G. L.. 890
McDonald, Jesse F., 444
McDonnell, J. A., 498
McDowell, William F., 884
McFadden, A., 418
INDEX
McFadding, William, 136
McGaa, William, 134
McGee, W. B., 286
McGinley, William, 154
McGuire, William M., 879
Melntire, Hon. Albert W., 846
Mclntyre, Kobert, 889
McKee, J. E., 317
McKinley, President William, 721
McKnight, John, 116
McKnight, Robert, 125
McLachlin, George, 445
McLain, W. D., 719
McLean, Samuel, 417
McLeod, Rev. Norman, 654
McMillan, M. J., 521
McMinn, T. J., 508
McReynolds, Robert, 878, 887
MacCarthy, James, 879
Macky Auditorium, Boulder, 605
MacNeill, Charles A., 317
MacNeill, C. M., 850, 851, 852
Macon, Thomas, 429, 736
Macon, Mrs. M. B., 696
Madal, Pedro, 22
Madden, W. M., 375
Mailie, Capt. Charles, 704
Maintenance of penitentiary, 816
Maisonneuve, and Preneloupe, 109
Majors, Alexander, 878
Making timber profitable, 564
Mallet brothers, 32
Malone, Thomas H., 879
Manitou & Pike's Peak Ry., 377
Manitou, view of, 21
Mansfield, E. L., 106
Mansfield, William, 518
Manufacturing, building up, 546
Manzanola, 805
Marbles, 559
Marbois, Marquis de, 38
Marion, Capt. C. P., 704
Marquette, LaSalle and Joliet, 30
Marsh, Alvin, 428
Marston, E. L., 363
Martha Washington claim, 276
Martin, D. J., 438
Martins, Oscar and Kelley, 518
Mason, Charley, 66
Masterful leadership wins, 334
Masterson, Bat, 356
Matteson, Mrs. Nellie E., 695
Matthews Hall, 646
Matthews, Robert, 520
Maupin, J. H., 435
"Maverick" legislation, 509
Maxwell, L. B., 520
Mayer, William, 320
Maynard, J. S., 511, 517
Mobley, R. D., 154
Mears, Otto, 218
Medary, S., 498
Medical Association, Denver, 767
Medical Association, Territorial, 766
Medical Association, Territorial officers, 766
Medical Convention, Territorial, 767
Medical Legislation, First, 771
Medical Library Association, 773
Medical organizations,
List of, 769
Membership, 769
Medical practitioners, First women, 773
Medical profession, 765-780
Medical Society, Territorial organization of,
767
Medical Society, Territorial
Officers of, 767
Charter members, 768
Roster of presidents, 768
Meeker, Nathan C., 103, 159, 516, 810
Meeker, Mrs., 107
Melgares, Lieut. Facundo, 29
Mellen, William P., 349
Members, board of agriculture, 1877, 615
Membership of first Baptist organization, 636
Mendoza, Antonio de, 22
Men initiating Woman's College, 627
Merino Breese, 801
Merriam, Col. H. C., 731
Merrick, J. L., 417
Merritt, General, 106
Mesereau, J. P., 349
Mertens, William, 362
Mesa county, 16
Mesa county and its mines, 291
Mesa county journals, 801
Mesa county mail, 801
Mesa, meaning of, 893
Mesa Verde, the, 66
Metal output of Colorado, 302, 309
Methodist church property, 667
Methodist Episcopal church, South, 669
Methodist Episcopal church, 661
Methodist membership, 1871, 666
Meyer, G. R., 315
Meyer, L. H., 361
Middaugh, W. H., 172
Middle Park Times, 807
Middleton, Robert, 149
Miege, Rt. Rev. J. B., 677
Mileage and names of railroads operating in
Colorado, 1918, 380
Military, 701
Military recuperation camp, 777
Militia at strikes, 840
Miller, George W., 428
Miller, H. I., 375
Miller, John D., 879
Miller, Joseph, 110
Miller, J. P., 320
Milliken, J. D., 376
Mills, D. V., 329
Mills, Enos A., 880
Mills' Irrigation Manual, 501
Mine fatalities, 1882-1917, 464
Mine operators' reports, 1859, 241
Mine Owners' Association at Cripple Creek,
position of, in 1904, 861
Mine Owners' Association, 867
Mine production up to 1880, 260
Mineral county, 11
Mineral county, In prosperous, 292
Mineral distribution, 304
Mineral Springs, 13
Miners' courts, 171
Miners' organizations, 837
Miners' Register, the. 796
Miners' unions in 1903, 838
Mines (coal), Table of, 1916, 456-462
Mines in 1888, location, and kind of coal, 452
Mines of Mesa county, 291
Mines of Park county, 262
XVI
INDEX
Mines of the San Juan, 271
Mining by early explorers, 228
Mining by sections, 262
Mining engineers, prominent, 278
Mining history, beginnings, 228
Mining history of Chaffee county, 299
Mining history of Grand county, 288
Mining history of Gunnison county, 287
Mining history of Larimer and Jackson
counties, 291
Mining superintendents, prominent, 278
Mint asked for Colorado, 394
Minturn, B. B., 361
Miscellaneous coal statistics, 464
Missouri City, 147
Missouri Pacific Railway, 371
Mitchell, Ellen M., 882
Mitchell, James, 265
Mitchell, John, 871; strike order address by,
872; sued, 872
Moer, Samuel, 702
Moffat and Routt counties, mining history,
298
Moffat county, 17
Moffat County Courier, 808
Moffat, David H., 292, 317, 336, 344, 361,
373, 377, 383, 404, 788, 843
Moffat, David H., death of, 374
Moffat, David H., postmaster, 330
Moffat, F. G., 373
Moffat Road, the, 288, 372
Monell, T. W., 522
Monroe, James, 38
Montague, Rev. Richard, 884
Montana City, 134
Monte Vista papers, 807
Montezuma county, 13
Mon>tezuma county weeklies, 802
Montezuma ;s mine history, 293
Montgomery, 150
Montrose, 154
Montrose newspapers, 802
Monument Valley Park, 203
Mooers J. H., 99
Moonlight, Col. Thomas, 96
Moore, J. C., 418
Moore, John C., 789
Moore, Julius, 106
Moore, M. A., 418
Moore, Dr. R. B., 294
Moore, R. M., 522
Moorehouse, C. J., 216
Morath, Lelah P., 887
Morgan County Herald, 803
Morgan County News, 803
Morgan county papers, 803
Morgan County Republican, 803
Morgan, E. B., 207
Morgan, John E., 889
Morisette, Oliver, 146
Morley, W. R., 352
Morning Times Publishing Company, 812
Morrissey, W. L. 216
Morse, Harley B., 428
Morton, Capt. G. W., 719
Moscosco's march, 25
Moses, Capt. Thomas, Jr., 719
Mother Jones, 873
Mother Maggart 's Hotel, 174
Mother's compensation act, 836
Mount Massive, 3
Mount Sneffels, 296
Mountain City, 146
Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co.,
384
Mountain parks, 483, 568
Mountains, 1
Moving the Capital to Colorado City, 174
Moyer, Charles H., 838, 852; arrested, 862
Muilin, Louden, 156
Mullins, Dennis, 438
Mulnix, H. E., 446
Multifarious small life, 572
Munroe, John, 157
Murders and outrages of 1860, 787
Myers, Charles, 52
Names of delegates to constitutional con-
vention, 183
Naming the new territory, 418
Names and mileage of roads operating in
Colorado, Jan. 1, 1918, 380
Napoleon, 35
Nash, E. W., 314
National forests in Colorado, 568
National Good Roads Association, 579
National Guard of Colorado, 728
National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives,
684
National Live Stock Association, 514
National Live Stock Show, 524
National monuments, 569
National Radium Institute, 294
National radium property, 294
National Sugar Company, 543
National Western Horse Show, 525
National Western Poultry Show, 526
Need of transportation, 333
New Century Power & Light Company, 374
New counties created, 198
Newell, F. H., 514
Newell, W., 521
New Mexico joins confederacy, 706
New Raymer enterprise, 811
Newspapers of Colorado, 781
News sold to Loveland, 431
Newspaper rates in the '60s, 788
News, The, becomes daily, 786
Nichols, Charles, 134
Nickerson, Joseph, 371
Nizza, Marcos de, 22
Non-metals that enter into manufacturing
history of Colorado, 557
Non-Partisan Equal Suffrage Association,
693
Nordenskiold, Baron Gustav, 65
Norlin, Professor, 881
Norris, J. C., 435
North Cheyenne Canon, 203
Northern Colorado, home of potato, 481
Northern Colorado Power Company, 320
North Park field, 471
Northwestern Colorado, 483
Northwestern Terminal Railway, 376
Novelists, 887
Nowland, Mordecai, 52
Number of national banks, 1918, 416
Number of savings banks, 1918, 416
Number of state banks, 1918, 416
Nunn News, 811
INDEX
XVII
Oak Tree (Willow) House, 72
Oakes, D. C., 135
Oakley, J., 52
Oats and barley yield well, 482
O'Bannion & Company, 282
Occupation of deaf mute and blind at State
Institution, 825
O'Connell, Thomas, 521
Odell, John M., 417
O'Donnell, T. J., 434, 445; reminiscences by,
749
Officials at State Hospital, 822
Officers and directors, Denver Pacific, 340
Officers, Denver Sheltering House for Jewish
Children, 687
Officers of banks, 401
Officers of banks outside of Denver, 404-08
Officers of Colorado Midland, 1918, 372
Officers of Colorado Power Company, 318
Officers of Denver National Bank, 401
Officers of gold camp railroads, 378
Officers of State School for Deaf and Blind,
825
Officers of Western Light & Power Company,
320
Officers of United States National Bank,
401
Oil fields, 560
Oil flotation, 258
Oil production of Colorado, 560
Oil shales, 561
Oldest bank in Denver, 400
Old fence laws, the, 516
Olive, J. P., 521
Olney, Henry C., 156
Onate's expedition, 25
Onate's second expedition, 26
On the White Biver and on the Bear, 527
Open to mining, 565
Opportunity schools, 588
Organized at Westport, 62
Organizers of Christian Science Church, 652
Origin of the Cliff Dwellers, 74
Orman, W. B., 371
Oro City, 150
Orr, Jackson, 438
O 'Eyan, William, 879
Osborn, Professor, 881
Osteopathy, legislation, 772
Otero county newspapers, 803
Other power plants, 323
Other towns of 1859, 150
Otis papers, 809
Ouray, 157
Ouray, Chief, 77
Ouray county, 14
Ouray intervenes, 107
Ouray journals, 805
Ouray, named for chief, 893
Ouray Plaindealer, 295
Ouray 's famous mines, 295
Outcome, the (Indian battle), 102
Output of petroleum, 562
Overland Cotton Mills, 435
Overland Express, 328
Owen, Carl M., 378
Owens, F. W., 442
Pabor, William E., 488, 889
Pacific Railroad bill in congress, 332
Packing industry, 526
Vol. 1—58
Paddock, Lieut. J. V. S., 104
Padoucas, the, 76
Paganni, Josef, 873
Page, Jean H., 889
Pagosa Springs, 13
Paine, Col. W. H., 229
Painted House, 72
Palisade Tribune, 801
Palmer field, 824
Palmer, Gen. William J., 163-166, 338, 346
358, 361, 794, 824
Palmer, General William J., on cattle raising
possibilities, 520
Panic hits banks, 438
Panic of 1873 stops construction, 343
Paper mills, 554
Parish, John C., 883
Parish, William, 52
Park County Republican, 799
Park county journals, 799
Parkman, Francis, 118, 479
Park Point, 68
Parks, 2
Parks, C. C., 446
Parole law, 818
Parsons, Dr. John, 394
Parsons, Edward S., 883
Parsons, Eugene, 230, 877, 878, 879, 880, 885
Parsons, Eustace R., 883
Parsons, John, 156
Passenger fares in 1871, 342
Passing of last great herd, the, 515
Pastors of First Congregational Church, 656
Patients at State Hospital, 821
Patterson, Miss Margaret, 694
Patterson, Miss Mary E., 694
Patterson, Thomas M., 302, 422, 445, 788
Patton, Miles, 418
Pawnee Press, 811
Paxson, F. L., 879
Payne, Capt. J. S., 104
Payne, Prof. J. E., 512
Peabody-Adams contest, the, 444
Peabody, D. G., 286
Peabody, Governor, at Victor, in 1904, ad-
dresses mine owners, 861
Peabody, Gov. J. H., 442, 867, 869
Peabody, Leila, 889
Peabody, Maj. W. S., 730
Peaks, Spanish, 893
Peale, T. R., 52
Pearce's improved ore treatment, 312
Pearce's, Richard, work, 312
Pearson, Dr. F. S., 375
Peck, Charles D., 149
Penitentitary commissioners, 819
Penitentiary site, 816
Penitentiary, the, 816
People's and Miners' courts, 171
People's champion, 815
Period of American exploration, 37
Period of greatest development, 495
Pershing, Dr. H. T., 883
Person, Mrs. D. S., 888
Perry, J. D., 344
Perry, S. M., 373
Petroleum output, 562
Pettis, S. Newton, 419, 734
Phelps, George S., 889
Phelps, J. J., 286
Philips, Judge J. F., reminiscences of, 755
INDEX
" Phillebert 's company," 110
Phillips, Daniel E., 882
Phillips, J. B., 207, 355
Phipps, L. C., 375
'Phones in Colorado in 1893, 390
Physicians, Denver, 1866, 767
Piedmont, 150
Pierce, J. H., 232, 879
Pierce, John, 336
Pierce Leader, 811
Pierce, W. S., 362
Piernas, Pedro, 35
Piero, Don Pedro, 114
Pierson, Ward E., 375
Pike, Lieut. Zebulon M., 229, 325, 491
Pike describes trip, 44
Pike's first and second expeditions, 40
Pike's journal, 45
Pike's Peak auto highway, 575
Pike's Peak express, 785
Pike's Peak Guide, 781
Pike's sincerity, 49
Pinchot, Gifford, 514
Pinto beans, 485
Pioneer banking business, 394
Pioneer bench and bar, 739
Pioneers in cattle industry, 528
Pitkin county, 18
Pitkin county mining, 301
Pitkin, Governor, 432, 839
Pitkin Miner, the, 815
Plants operated by steam, Colorado Power
Company, 318
Platte Valley Post, 811
Platteville News, 811
Platteville Progress, 811
Platteville Herald, 811
Point Lookout, 68
Political conventions 1892, 437
Politics of 1884-96, 432-434
Politics of 1895-96, 440
Pollock, Thomas, 497
Pony Associated Press, 793
' ' Pony Bob ' ' carries Lincoln message, 332
Pony Express, the, 329-330
Pope, Gen. John, 103
Porter, H. H., 377
Porter, Henry M., 383
Porter, J. E., 521
Portland and Telluride mills declared unfair
by union, 850
Position of Colorado, 1
Post, C. C., 418
Post Publishing Company, 792
Post, William H., 106
Postage, letters, 50c; newspapers, lOc, 328
Potatoes worthless, 165
Pottery, tiles, etc., 547
Power plants of Colorado, 317
Prairie Cattle Company, the, 515
"Prairie Schooners," 126
Prather, Charles E., 884
Precious metal mining in Montrose county,
295
Precipitation, 6
Preneloupe and Maisonneuve, 109
Preparatory school, the, 606
Presbyterian church, the. 669
Presbyterian ministers. 670
Presidential veto of statehood bills, 421
Presidents of Colorado National Bank, 400
Presidents of First National Bank, 400
Press of Colorado, the, 781
Preston, W. G., 150
Price, E., 106
Price, Lieut. Butler D., 104
Price, M. P., 522
Price, Mrs., 107
Price paid farmers for beets, 541
Prices paid by Blackhawk smelter before 1870,
314
Primary law passed, 447
Prince & Co., F. H., 375
Printing press, the first, 781
Prison labor, 817, 819
Prison life and rules, 820
Prisoners at penitentiary, 818
Pritchard, Maj. J. L., 720
Private banks, number of, 416
Privately hung, 510
Proclamation, Civil War, 705
Production of big mine properties up to 1880,
260
Production of 1917, 487
Production of smelters, 1917, 316
Production of sugar, 542
Progress of immigration, 487
Prompt action by President Cleveland, 513
Pronunciation of name Colorado, 891
Pronunciation of vowels in Spanish, 891
Proposed Cody monument, 571
Provisional government, 418
Protected range, 565
Protecting the timber, 563
Protestant Episcopal church, 642
Prowers county papers, 806
Prowers, J. W., 520, 522
Public Lauds Commission, 514
Public Utilities Commission, 206, 556
Publishing telegraphic news in 1860, 786
Pueblo & Arkansas Valley R. R. Co., 371
Pueblo, and State Hospital, 821
Pueblo Chieftain, 792
Pueblo City, 152
Pueblo, meaning of the word and pronuncia-
tion, 891
Pueblo newspapers, 794
Pueblo Press, 793
Pueblo Sun, 793
Pueblo Sunday Opinion, 794
Pueblo, the, 118
Pueblo uprising, 26
Pueblo, views in, 153
Pumphrey, A., 156
Purcell, James, 110, 125, 229
Purgatoire and Picketwire, 892
Pyron, Major, 713
Quinn, William, 295
Quivira, City of, 24
Rabbis of Denver, 683
Raine, W. M., 886
Railroads operating in Colorado, Jan. 1, 1918,
380
Ramage. J. D., 144
Ramaley, Prof. Francis, 881
Randall, Rt. Rev. G. M., 645
Randall, John, 265
Randall, Samuel J., 424
Range conditions in 1879, 511
Ransome, F. L., 293
INDEX
Eaton; what it means and how to pronounce,
892
Baton field, 467
Eathvon, S. F., 286
Eawalt, C. T., 622
Raynolds, J., 371
Reaction (Sand Creek massacre), 95
' ' Recall, ' ' the, adopted, 448
Eeceipts of state land commissioners' board,
paid to treasurer, 219
Reclamation act of 1902, 496
' ' Recollections and Reflections, ' ' 648
Record of largest mills using chlorination
process, 252
Record of smelters for fifty years, 310
Recreation centers, 567
Recruiting, First for Civil War, 703
Recuperation camp, 777
Bed Cloud (portrait), 101
Red Mountain & Silverton R. R., 272
Red River sought, 48
Redford, A. J., 521
Reduction mill workers strike in 1903, 850
Reed, Judge G. B., 736
Reed, G. C., 620
Reed, Rev. Myron, 656, 884
Reed, Verner Z., 801, 887
Reese, Dempsey, 157
Reformatory, the State, 829
Reformed church in U. S., 640
Register-Call, the, 796
Reiff, J. C., 361
Reign of terror, 90
Reisner, Christian F., 884
Religious history of Colorado, 632
Removal of Governor Gilpin, 420
Renniger, Theodore, 292
Report, 1916, of mining bureau commissioner,
256
Report of director of extension, 619
Report of state engineer, 1913-14, 502, 504
Republic of Texas, 30
Republican factions in riot, 435
Republican Publishing Company, 791
Requirements of standardization, 588
Reservoirs, 496
Reynolds, James, 721
Reynolds, Miss H. M., 693
Reynolds, Miss Minnie J., 694
Rezner, Jacob, 110
Ribera, Don Juan de, 228
Rice, Harmon H., 883, 885
Richards, D. M., 688, 689
Richards, W. A., 514
Richardson, Andy, 296
Richardson, A. D., 240, 632, 783
Richardson, Sylvester, 156
Richmond, Judge G. Q., 736
Richthofen, W. B., 508
Rieker, W. H., 152
Rico ("Bear River") mountains, 12
Riddle, Mrs. A. L., 698
Riddle, H. C., 376
Ridgway, Amos C., 362, 373
Rio Blanco county, 14
Rio Blanco county papers, 807
Rio Grande & Western, the, 360
Rio Grande county, 8
Eio Grande county mining history, 298
Eio Grande; how it was named and how to
pronounce it, 892
Eio Mancos, 29
Eioters deported from Cripple Creek and Vic-
tor (1904), 865, 866
Riots at Cripple Creek and Victor (1904),
864
Riots at Leadville (1896), 846
Riparian rights, 501
Rising, A. J., 736
Ritter, H. L., 207
Rivera, Juan Maria, 28
Road building and telephone lines, 566
Road metal, 558
Road work done by prisoners, 818
Robbins, Capt. S. H., 704, 715
Robbins, Wilfred W., 882
Roberts, C. E., 518
Roberts, Ellis H., 422
Roberts, F. H. H., 882
Roberts, L. F., 521
Robertson, Sheriff, 863
Robinson, A. A., 358
Robinson, Edward, 110
Robinson, Mrs. H. R., 698
Robinson, Helen R., 885
Robinson, Dr. J. H., 765
Rock Island road, the, 377
Rocky Ford's publications, 803
Rocky Mountain Baptist Association, 637
Rocky Mountain Highway Association, 579
Rocky Mountain Gold Reporter, 789, 796
Rocky Mountain News, 783
Rocky Mountain News, early issues of, 787
Rocky Mountain News in refutation, 480
Rocky Mountain News Printing Company, 788
Rogers, A. N., 250
Rogers, J. S., 150
Roman Nose, Chief, 90, 99
Romance of mining in Summit county, 265
Rood, H. E., 154
Roof, E. O., 445
Rooker, S. M., 136
Rooms at School for the Deaf and Blind, 825
Roosevelt, Theodore, 446, 514, 867
Roosevelt drainage tunnel, 255
Root, Frank A., 787
Ross-Lewin, G. E., 373
Roubideau, Antoine, 123
"Roundups" important occasions, 510
Routes of territorial roads, 577
Routt, Col. J. L., 422, 435
Routt, John L., wins governorship, 428
Routt, Mrs. John L., 694, 695
Routt chosen governor, 434
Routt and Moffat counties journals, 808
Routt and Moffat counties mining history, 298
Routt county, 17
Routt County Sentinel, 808
Rowell, Capt. L. D., 718
Ruble, Mrs. A. M., 697
Rudd, Anson, 816
Rudgers, Marian, 833
Ruin Canon, 69
Runyon, Charles D., 889
Russell and McFadden, 230
Russell arrives at Central City, 246
Russell Brothers, 230
Russell expedition, the, 230
Russell, John E., 329
Russell, Joseph O., 233
Russell, L. J., 136
Russell, Dr. Levi J., 235, 765
XX
INDEX
Eussell, Majors & Waddell, 329, 393
Russell, William Green, 158, 231
Eussell, William H., 393
Ruxton, Frederick, 120
Ryan, Mrs. Marion M. R., 888
Ryan, R., 377
St. Ange, Captain, 35
St. Charles Town Association, 134
St. Joe to Denver, 2 days, 21 hours, 330
St. John's cathedral, 643
St. Louis- Western colony, 162
St. Luke 's Hospital, Denver, 648
St. Peter's Episcopal church, Pueblo, 650
St. Vrain, Ceran, 116
San Juan, pronounced, 893
San Juan county, 11
San Juan Crescent, 813
San Juan output, gold and silver, 271
San Juan Prospector, 807
San Luis Park named, 892
San Luis valley, 11, 482
San Luis Valley Graphic, 807
San Miguel and its famous mines, 300
San Miguel county, 12
Santa F6 holds Raton Pass, 351
Santa F6 Railway, 370
Santa Fe Trail, the, 125, 370, 573
Santa Fe Trail becomes a thing of the past,
126
Sabin, E., Le Grand, 887
Saddle tree manufacturing plant, 554
Sage, Rufus B., 229
Sagendorf, A., 498
Saguache, origin of name of, 892, 893
Saguache county mines, 300
Saguache publications, 808
Salida papers, 797
Salomon F. Z., 384, 498
Saltelo, Don Ignatio, 47
Salter, Rev. C. C., 655
Sanatoria, list of, 776
Sanborn, B. D., 620
Sanborn, Capt. G. L., 704
Sanborn, Col. John B., 87
Sanchez, Alonzo, 25
Sanders, James, 236
Sanderson, Henry, 378
Sands, Valuable, 558
Sandstone, 559
Sanford, J. B., 443
Sangre de Cristo, meaning of, 892
Sargent, Nelson, 329
Sarpy, John B., 124
Sarpy, Peter A., 122
Saxton, Mrs. H. S., 692
Say, Dr. Thomas, 52
Saylor, Charles F., 533
Sayre, Hal, 492
Scale of miners' wages in Leadville, 845
Schiff, Jacob H., 362
Schlacks, C. H., 363
Schlesinger, Sara R., 888
School buildings, 589, 602
School districts in 1880, 589
School districts organized, 589-602
School enrollment, 589-602
School for the Deaf and Blind, 823
School libraries, 589
Schools by counties, 589-602
Schools of Agriculture, 617, 618
Schumm, Casper, 521
Schuyler, Howard, 349
Schuylerare, W. S., 320
Schlater, William L., 883
Scott, Bishop, 661
Scott, W. L., 361
Scoville, H. H., Jr., 498
Scudder, Edwin, 421
Scurry, Col. W. R., 713
Searight, T. B., 421
Sears, Jasper, 395
Second Colorado Cavalry Regiment, 719
Second Colorado Cavalry, Career of, 720
Second Colorado Infantry Regiment, 717
Second Denver daily, 789
Second effort for statehood, 420
Secretaries of state, 193
Sedgwick County Sentinel, 809
Selling timber at cost, 564
Sells, C. W., 377
Semple, James A., 879
Senatorial candidates, 1879, 431
Separate school for colored children, 588
Serra, Junipero, 28
Service flag of the U. of Denver, 612
Settlement on Denver site, 134
Settlement of Colorado Springs, 163
Settlement of miners' and employers' differ-
ences (1894), 843
Settlements in Cripple Creek strike (1904),
857
Seven Years' War, 35
Seventh Day Adventists, 660
Sewall, Dr. Henry, 773, 881
Sewell, Burton, 314
Seymour, Samuel, 52
Shackelford, Ethel, 896
Shafer, D., 418
Shafer, J. M., 146
Shafer, Sheldon, 284
Shaffeuberg, M. A., 371, 816
Shaffer, John C., 789
Shafroth, John F., 445
Shank, J. L., 87
Shaw, N. B., 265
Sheedy, Dennis, 315, 521
Sheep and cattle, value and number, 1879, 511
Sheep and their value, 531
Sheep raising in early years, 528
Sheppard, Frederick, 106
Sheridan, Mrs. Marion, 695
Sheridan, Gen. Phil, 731
Sheridan, W. C., 403
Sherwood, R, M., 520
Shook, Ed, 507
Shoup, George L., 92
Sibley, Gen. H. H., 707, 710, 711
Sierra Journal, 814
Silver and gold production, 260
Silver convention, 436
Silver fight, the long, 436
Silver production in Boulder county, 274
Silver republicans desert, 442
Silver World, 813
Silverton, 156
Silverton Standard, 805
Silverton 's two papers, 808
Silvestre, Francisco, 28
Simmons, Anna W., 890
Simmons, J. E., 362
Simmons, Z. G., 377
INDEX
XXI
Simms, Mr,s. Mary, 152
Simon Guggenheim Hall, 622
Simpson, George, 118
Simpson, George S., 478
Simpson, Capt. William, 843
Site for penitentiary donated, 816
Sitting Bull (portrait), 105
Situation in Cripple Creek strike (1894), 841
Situation (E. E.) in 1868, 336
Six mills closed by strike in 1903, 854
Sixteen beet sugar factories, 544
66,500,000 acres of land, 480
Skiff, F. J. V., 878
Skiff, F. M., 520
Skinner, A. C., 445
Skinner, W. E., 376
Sky Line Drive built by convicts, 820
Slaughter, William M., 87, 418, 497
Slaymaker, N. E., 157
Slough, Colonel, 712-716
Slough, J. P., 703
Sly, Dr. William J., 882
Smedley, William, 879
Smelters, other, 313
Smelters, Eecords of, for fifty years, 310
Smiley, Jerome C., 109, 122, 149, 224, 632,
707, 877
Smitch, Clara E., 887
Smith, Asa, 418
Smith, A. J., 136, 417
Smith, Clinton, 376
Smith, Eben, 292, 394, 843
Smith, Edmund, 362
Smith, J. Alden, 248, 264
Smith, J. F., 149
Smith, Maj. J. Nelson, 718, 720
Smith, John S., 134
Smith, John W., 336
Smith, Marshall B., 218, 376
Smith, S. G., 373
Smith, Stephen, 149
Smith, Sylvester T., 292
Smith, William N., 134
"Smoky Hill" Trail, 573
Smuggler -Union, strike at, 848
Snow storm blocks railroad, 518
Snowden, Francis M., 157
Snyder, Mrs., 92
Snyder, Z. X., 621
Soap manufacturing in Denver, 549
So-called "headless" ballot, 447
Soldiers ' and Sailors ' Home, 828
"Solid Muidoon," the, 805
Some early figures, 549
Some passenger fares, 1871, 342
Sons of American Eevolution, 723
Sopris, Henderson & Co., 245
Sopris, Miss Indiana, 653
Sopris, Capt. Eichard, 170, 497, 704
Sopris, S. T., 790
Sounding vowels in Spanish, 891
South Park, 120
South Park, Eaid of, 721
South Plattefield, 470
South Pueblo, 166
Southern Colorado Stock Growers' Associa-
tion, 532
Southwestern Colony, the, 162
Spalding, John F., 884
Spalding, E. J., 265
Spanish-American War, 721
Spanish and French periods of exploration,
20
Spanish consonants, 891
Spanish county names, 892
Spanish jurisdiction, 20
Spanish names, 891
Spanish names bestowed, 218
Spanish newspapers, 801
Spanish peaks, 893
Spanish vowels pronounced, 891
Speed of pony express, 330
Speer, E. W., 445
Spencer, Dr. A. C., 293
Spencer, F. J., 518
Spencer, J. Berger, & Co., 512
Spengel, A. J., 376
Spivak, Charles D., 885
Spotted Tail (portrait), 101
vSpriggs, Norris C., 889
Sproull, Lyman H., 890
Spruce Tree Canon, 69
Spruce Tree House, 66, 69
Square System, the, 630
Stadiger, J. J., 361
Stage route, Leavenworth to Denver, 328
Stages follow freighters, 328
Stalcup, J. C., 736
Staley, A. J., 157, 295
Standard school, a, 587
Standardization of schools, 587
Standing Bear (portrait), 101
Stansbury, Mrs. H. S., 693, 694, 695
Stanton, Fred J., 789
Stapleton, Patience, 694, 887
Star-Journal, 793
Starkweather, J. W., 377
Stars and Stripes raised at New Orleans, 39
State Agricultural College, 614
State Bank Commissioner, 216
State Board of Agriculture, 615
State Board of Capitol Managers, 218
State Board of Charities, 822
State Board of Charities and Correction, 209
State Board of Correction, 819
State Board of Equalization, 207
State Board of Health, 208
State Board of Immigration, 215
State Board of Pardons, 820
State Bureau, Child and Animal Protection,
209
State Bureau of Mines report, 274
State Cattle Growers' Association, 531
State Department of Safety, 221
State Engineer, 220
State Engineer 'a report, 1883-4, 492
State examining boards, 224
State Game and Fish Commission, 221
State governors, 192
State finances, 200
State highways, work of prisoners on, 818
State Historical and Natural History Society,
213
State Home, the, 830
State Hospital, 821
State House, Erecting the, 196
State Industrial Commission, 212
State Industrial School for Boys, 831
State Industrial School for Girls, 832
State Industrial Workshop for the Blind, 834
State inheritance tax, 207
State institutions, 816
INDEX
State Land Board, the, 218
State Medical Society, roster of presidents,
768, 769
State penitentiary, 816
State prisoners, 818
State reformatory, 829
State roads, 582
State Seal, 224
State Silver League Convention, 1892, 437
State Utilities Commission, 376
Statler, G. D., 620
Steamboat Pilot, 808
Steam plants operated by Colorado Power Co.,
318
Stebbins, Charles M., 383
Stebbins, D. A., 890
Steck, Amos, 384, 422, 689
Steele, Mary E., 888
Steele, R. W., 171, 417
Steele, Wilbur D., 887
Steen, Lieutenant, 78
Stephen, 23
Stephen, John B., 445
Sterling Enterprise, 801
Stevens, I. N., 887
Stevens, Judge Theron, 862
Stevens, W. J., 268
Stevenson, A. M., 622
Stewart, P. B., 443
Stewart, Thomas H., 858
Stilwell, Jack, scout, 102
Stimson, Edward C., 442
Stock Inspection Commissioners, 208
Stock raising in San Luis valley, 528
Stock Yards and packing industry, 526
Stocker, Allison, 446
Stockman and cowboys are storm victims, 519
Stone, Judge A. W., 344, 735
Stone, C. B., 520
Stone, George H., 883
Stone, J. S., 418
Stone, Judge W. F., 174, 349, 428, 733, 739,
792, 823, 879, 891
Stone, Mrs. Wilbur F., 885
Stone, Wilbur Fisk, Jr., 885
Stone, W. G. M., 879
Stone quarries of state, 559
Storrs, L. S., 466
Stoughton, William L., 419
Stout, E. P., 149
Stovall, Dennis H., 887
Stratton, Winfield Scott, 276, 795
Stratton Monument, 33
Street, David, 329
Strike at Telluride, 867
Strike called March 17, 1903, 838
Strike of 1894, 840
Strikes, Coal, 1910 and 1913, 873, 876
Strikes, First coal miners', 869, 873
Strikes, Miners', 837
Strickler, Dr. William M., 885
Strong, W. B., 352
Strong mine captured by miners, 842
Struggle for mining output, 341
Struggle to build up manufacturing, 546
Stuart, W. A., 403
Sturtevant, Jr., Rev. J. M., 655
Sublette, William, 122
Sublette, William L., 124
Suffrage City League of Denver, 693
Suffrage, election of 1893, 694
Suffrage, first effort, 688
Suffrage, first state campaign, 690
Suffrage leaders, 1893, 698, 700
Suffrage resolutions, 689
Suffrage resolutions to submit, 692
Suffrage Territorial Society, 689
Suffrage Young Women 's League, 694
Sugar beets chief money crop, 481
Sugar factories, creameries, etc., 486
Sulphur, 558
Summary of the constitution, 185
Summit county, 14, 18
Summit County Journal, 809
Summit county papers, 809
Summit county's gold field, 266
Sumner, H. A., 374
Sun, the, 793
Sun & Moon mine explosion in 1903, 855
Sun Temple, the, 69, 72
Sunday Opinion, the, 794
Superintendents of Industrial School for
Boys, 832
Superintendents of public instruction, 194
Superintendents of State School for Deaf and
Blind, 825
"Supplies" for Kansas Conference, 663
Supreme court (state), 194
Supreme court commission, 736
Supreme court decision in Cripple Creek
strike (1904), 862
Supreme court decision in oil flotation case,
258
Sutherland, H. V., 889
Swedish Lutheran church, 651
Sweeney, John, 52
Swift, Lieutenant, 54
Swine and their value, 531
Symes, G. G., 432
Sympathetic strike at Cripple Creek, 1903, 851
Tabor, Mrs. Elizabeth, 693
Tabor, H. A. W., 299, 388
Talbot, Bishop, 644
Talbot, Sophronia M. W., 889
Talleyrand, 35
Tammen, Harry H., 792
' ' Taos Lightning, ' ' 144, 783
Tappan, L. N., 149
Tappan, S. F., 703
Tarryall, 150
Tarsney, General, 841
Taylor, Jim, 268
Taylor Park, 268
Tedford, Mrs. M. J., 694
Tedrow, Harry B., 49
Telegraph and Telephone, the, 383
Telegraph news dispatches, Early, 786
Telephone in Colorado, the, 385
Teller county, 7
Teller county proclaimed in "rebellion," 861
Teller, Henry M., 89, 92, 302, 344, 420, 435
Teller, James H., 446
Teller, Willard, 689
Teller School of Agriculture and Mechanic
Arts, 617
Telluride, 157
Telluride newspapers, 808
Telluride strikes, 848, 867
Temperature, 4
Terms of agreement in 1903, Colorado City
strike, 851
INDEX
Terrett, Lieutenant, 78
Territorial governors, 178
Auditors, 178
Delegates to congress, 179
Judges, supreme court, 179
Secretaries, 178
Superintendents of public instruction, 179
Treasurers, 178
Territory of Jefferson, 170
Tevis, Lloyd, 329
Thatcher, Henry C., 428
Thatcher, John A., 282, 404
Thatcher, Joseph A., 395, 823
Thatcher, M. D., 371
"The Inter-State," 801
"The News," 783
"The Oregon Trail," 118
"There is the East; there are the Indies,"
894
"The Turk," 23
Third Colorado Infantry Kegiment, 719
Three cents an acre, 39
Three million acre land grant, 371
Three names for Las Animas, 892
Thomas, Charles S., Senator, 302, 445, 446,
749, 848
Thomas, Chauncey, 887
Thomas, W. G., 373
Thomas, Wilber, 895
Thompson, C. D., 521
Thompson, Maj. J. B., 103
Thompson, L. W., 377
Thompson, W. H., 106
Thompson, Maj. S. T., 22
Thornburg, Maj. T. T., 77, 104
Thurman, Allen G., 424
Times-Record, the, 812
Times, the Denver, 788, 790
Tilden, Dr. John H., 883
Tipton, G. J., 812
Tobin, Tom, 126
Todd, A. C., 162
Todd, W. D., 404
Tonge, Thomas, 880
Tongue Mesa field, 475
Topography and climate, 1 (<
Topography of the counties, 6
Total number of banks, 19.18, 416
Totten, O. B., 417
Tourgee, A. W., 790
Towns of 1859, 150
Townsend, Copeland, 419
Townsend, Hosea, 434
Traders and Trappers, 108
Train, George Francis, 336
Training School for Mental Defectives, 834
Traits of range cattle, 508
Transfer of water, 504
Transportation — Denver & Eio Grande, 346
Transportation, from mule pack to railway,
325
Transportation — other state and trunk lines,
365
Traveling library officers, 223
Treasurers, State, 193
Treat, Prof. Jay Porter, 628, 879
Treatment of prisoners, 820
Trinidad Chronicle-News, 801
Trinidad dailies and weeklies, 801
Trinidad Electric Transmission Railway &
Gas Co., 323; directors, 323; officers, 323
Trinidad gets railroad, 360
Trinidad pioneers, 804
Trinity church, Denver, 668
Tripp, G. B., 317
Tritch, George, 404
Tromp, T. H. A., 361
Troop A, Colorado Cavalry, 726
Troop B, Colorado Cavalry, 726
Troops withdrawn from Teller county in 1904
strike, 861
Troubles at Stratton Independence in 1904,
861
Trudeau, Pierre, scout, 102
True, John W., 282
Trumbull, Frank, 368
Trustees of School for Deaf and Blind (1918),
827
Tucker, S. E., 207
Tucker, Sheriff, 839
Tunnel House, 69
Tupper, Kerr Boyce, 884
Turner & Hobbs, 393
Turner, Robert B., 251
Twenty million for irrigated and dry land
crops, 481
Two problems, settlement and transportation,
486
Tyler, Mrs. Louisa M., 692
Tyler, President, 60
Tynan, Thomas, Jr., 819
Tyndall, A. J. Mclvor, 884
Tyner, Paul, 885
Uncle Dick Wooten, 121, 782
Underwood, Clark & Co., 515
Union Colony, the, 159, 516, 810
Unions, miners', in 1903, 838
Union Pacific controls other roads, 345
U. P., Denver & Gulf R. R., 368
Union scale for miners in '93, 840
Unions lose out in 1904 strike, 867
Unitarian church, the, 674
Unitarian ministers, 675
United Danish church, 651
United States attorneys for Colorado, 180
United States and Mexico Telegraph Co., 337
United Mine workers, demand of, 869-70
United States Mint, Denver, 191
United States National Bank, 401
United Reduction & Refining Company's
strike, 850-852
United States senators of Colorado, 192
University of Colorado, the, 603
University of Colorado buildings, with cost,
611
University of Colorado, degrees by years, 609
University of Denver, 611
University of Denver, Departments of, 612
Unseating of Alva Adams, 444
Updegraff, W. W., 498
Uprising of 1864, 87
Utah, Nebraska, Kansas and New Mexico,
land transferred, 168
Ute Chief-News, 813
Utes, the, 77
Ute uprising of 1879, 103
Utley, A. A., 373
Vaile, Joel F., 362, 445, 843
Vaile'(Wolcott), Mrs. J. F., 647
Vaille, F. A., 389
XXIV
INDEX
Vaille, Howard T., 389
Vallery, G. W., 372
Valmont Bulletin, the, 798
Value and number of cattle and sheep, 1879,
511
Value of Baptist churches, 1885, 638
Value of coke, produced by years, 476
Value of live stock, 1872, 342
Value of school buildings, 589-602
Value of State School for the Deaf and the
Blind, 825
Valverde's expedition, 26
Vandeventer, M. C., 154
Vanwoerts, James and Ellen, 403
Vargas, Diego de, 26
Vasquez, A. P., 497
Vasquez Fork, 122
Vasquez, "Pike," 229
Veatch, Capt. J. C., 842
Vegetables yield abundantly, 483
Verner, Alice C., 890
Verplank, Joseph, 52
Veteran Colorado Springs publishers, 795
Vickers, William B., 878
Victor-American Fuel Co., 874
Victor Daily Record, 812
Victor Fuel Company, 870-71
Victor Eecord, the, 860, 865
Vigil, Agapita, 689
View of Blackhawk, 1865, 239
View of Fort Morgan, 1908, 339
View of Golden, about 1874, 289
View in Gregory's Gulch, 1860, 247
View of Gulch, Idaho Springs, 1867, 253
View of Nevada, 1865, 253
View in pioneer town of Montgomery, 263
View of Yuma, 1885, 319
Views in Colorado Springs, 357
Views in Denver, 1863, 1865, 305
Views of Central City and Blackhawk, 311
Views of Denver streets, 1865-6, 297
Views of Georgetown, 243
Views of Trinidad, 1869, 1881, 259
Villard, Henry, 240, 783, 785
Villasur, Pedro, 28
Vindicator mine, strike at, 860
Vivian, J. F., 443
Vote for senator, 1901, 442
Wage earners, by cities, 552
Wages of miners, 839
Wages of miners, 1896-97, 845
Wagner, William, 361
Wagon freighting, 325
Wagon road, Boulder to Central City, 577
Wagon Wheel Gap gets road, 360
Wagoner, S. W., 149, 718
"Wah-hah-to-yas," 894
Waite, Governor, 437, 439, 694, 841
Waite's proclamation, 842
Wakely, E., 428
Walker, Lydia H., 890
Walker, W. S., 586
Wall, D. J., 246
Wall, David K., 147, 418, 479
Wallace, J., 286
Wallace, Judge J. M., 620
Wallihan, Allen G., 880
Walsh, Thomas F., 296
Ward, Charles B., 445
Ward, Dr. Duren J. H., 882
Ward, J. D., 423
Ward Josiah M., 887
Wardell, Fa'hnie I. S., 889
Wardens of reformatory, 830
Warman, Cy, 886, 888
Warner, M. B,, 154
Warren, Edward E., 883
Warren, F. E., 320
Warren, Silas, 152
Washington county papers, 809
Wason, Harriet L., 888
Water Company controversy in 1910, 790
Water on both sides of streets, 498
Water power in reserves, 565
Watson, Miss G. E., 691
Watrous, Ansel, 800, 879
Watrous, Samuel, 520
Weaver, Balce, 265
Weaver carries Colorado, 437
Weber, Wilhelm, 128
Webster, R. G., 521
Weekly Paradox, the, 795
Weitbree, R. F., 154, 358
Weld, Acting Governor, 712
Weld, Camp, 712
Weld county papers, 810-11
Weld County Democrat, 810
Weld County News, 811
Weld County Republican, 810
Weld, Lewis Ledyard, 419
Welles, Alonzo M., 879
Wellington Sun, 800
Wells, Bulkeley, 207
Wells, Fargo & Co., 329
Wells, Fargo & Co. Express, 330
Wells, Judge E. T., 422, 428, 735, 742, 758
Welsh, John L., 361
West, Capt. George, 718
West, Gen. George, 785
West, Joseph T., 376
West, Miss Carrie, 695
West, W. R., 376
Western Chemical Mfg. Co., 552
Western Colorado Powder Co., 322
Directors, 322
Officers, 322
Western Engineer, the, 52
Western Federation of Miners, 838, 840, 856
Western Light & Power Co., 320
Western Pacific announced, 362
Western Slope, the, 480
Western Stock Show Association, 525
Western Sugar Land Co., 540
Westinghouse, Kerr Co., 318
Weston, William, 879
Wetherill, Richard and Alfred, 66
Wet mountains, 10
Wet Mountain Tribune, 814
Wetzel, Samuel E., 521
Wharton, J. E., 230
What suffrage has accomplished, 688-700
Wheeler, Maj. J. B., 377
Wheelock, Lieutenant, 78
Whitcomb, E. W., 517
White, Allison, 154
White, C. M., 520
White, Frederick W., 885
White, Jesse, 435
White River Plateau timberland reserve, 564
Whitehead, Celia B., 885
Whitford, W. C., 879
INDEX
Whitlock, Logan, 157, 295
Whitney, J. E., 888
Whitsitt, E. E., 147, 702
Whittaker, Milo Lee, 120, 879
Whittemore, C. A., 420
Wightman, James L., 298
Wilcocks, Sir William, 501
Wileox, G. H., 396
Wilcox, Judge P. P., 519
Wileox, Lucius M., 883
Wileox, O. B., 317
Wilcox, P. P. & Co., 396
Wildcat Point, 572
Wilder, Capt, W. F., 704, 714
Wilder, Walter L., 879
Wilkinson, Gen. James, 40, 49
Willard, W. B., 377
Willard, Prof. J. Field, 878
Willett, F. C., 880
Willey, Thomas, 286
Williams, Andrew J., 143
Williams, B. D., 328, 418
Williams, Ezekiel, 110
Williams, James, 218
Williams, L. J., 207
Williams, Mrs. James, 835
Williams, "Old Bill," 60
Williams, 8. P., 521
Wilson, Eichard T., 361
Wilson, Woodrow, 446
Wilson, Zacharia, 52
Winchester, L. J., 149
Windsor Optimist, 811
Windsor Poudre Valley, 811
Windsor Star, 811
Wind Wagon, the, 574
Wing, J. H., 498
Winne, Peter, 879
Winston, E. M., 834
Wislizenus, Dr. F. A., 116, 122, 765
Wislizenus as a prophet, 133
Wislizenus' journey, 126
Witter, Daniel, 420
Wixson, Helen M., 445
Woerishoffer, C. F., 361
Wolcott Vaile, Mrs. Anna, 647
Wolcott, Senator E. O., 286, 292, 362, 430
Wolfe Hall, 646
Wolff, Joseph, 489
Womack, Eobert, 275
Woman Suffrage Association, 690
Woman's Clinical Society, 773
Woman's Club of Colorado Springs, 833
Woman's Industrial Legion, 695
Woman's Populist League, 695
Women's Colorado Democratic Club, 695
Women, first physicians, 773
Women in legislature, 696
Women members, legislature, 698
Wood, Alvinus B., 268
Wood, J. M., 418
Wood, S. N., 404
Wood, Stanley, 880
Woodbury, F. S., 790
Woodbury, Gen. E. W., 404, 790
Woods, H. E., 377
Woodward, B. F., 384
Wool clip of 1891 in Elbert county, 521
Wool shipments from state, 512
Wooten, Eiehens L., 144
Wooten's "palatial" store, 783
Wooten, Uncle Dick, 121, 878
Work done by prisoners, 818
Work of the field district, 568
Work on the "Sky Line," 581
Working day of eight hours demanded, 852
World war activities, 728
World war, Colorado in, 727
Woy, G. W., 432
Wray publications, 812
Wright, A. C., and Mrs. A. C., 152
Wright, E. P., 404
Wright, Mrs. H. G. E., 697
Wrigley, Mrs., 694
Writers of Colorado, 877-890
Wulsten, Carl, 159
Wyatt, N. G., 418
Wynkoop, Capt. E. W., 704
Yampa field, 472
Yampa Leader, 808
Yak tunnel, 256
Yeaman, Caldwell, 434
Yearly rates for grazing, 515
Yellowstone expedition of 1818, 50
Young, Frank Crissy, 879
Young, William H., 149
Yuma newspapers, 811
Zearing, Marguerite, 887
Zebulon M. Pike, 40
Zeigler, Spain & Co., 245
Ziegelmuller, Capt. Joseph, 705
Ziegler, Prof. Victor, 881