See other formats

Full text of "History of the State of Colorado, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races and their remains; the earliest Spanish, French and American explorations ... the first American settlements founded; the original discoveries of gold in the Rocky Mountains; the development of cities and towns, with the various phases of industrial and political transition, from 1858 to 1890 .."

M. L. 
Gc 

978.8 

H14h 

V.3 

1186743 



GENEALCGY CC ELECTION 



/ 



LEN COUNTY PUBUC.UBI 



llillli 

3 1833 01066 9478 




-^T^^^^Oa-'^J-^^.-z^ 



HISTORY 

OF THE 

STATE OF COLORADO 



EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE 

= RE-HISTORlC RACES AND THEIR REMAINS; THE EARLIEST SPANISH, FRENCH AND 
AMERICAN explorations; THE I.IVES OF THE PRIMITIVE HUNTERS, TRAP- 
PERS AND traders; the COMMERCE OF THE PRAIRIES; THE FIRST 
AMERICAN SETTLEMENTS FOUNDED ; THE ORIGINAL DISCOVERIES 
OF GOLD IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS; THE DEVELOPMENT 
OF CITIES AND TOWNS, WITH THF. VARIOUS PHASES 
• OF INDUSTRIAL AND POLITICAL TRANSITION, 

FROM 1858 TO 1890. 



IN F'CDJJR. ^OX^XJIwIBS. 






ILLUSTRATED. 



A'OI.U.MK III. 



FKANK HALL , 

FOR THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN llIsTORICAL COMPANY 



CHICAGO: 

THE P.LAKELY PRINTING COMPANY, 
1891. 



Entered According to Act of Congress, in the Year 1S91, by 

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN HISTOKICAI. CO., 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, 1). C. 



PREFATORY. 11 867|.3 

This volume brings the historic political annals of Colorado to the 
year 1887. Some further matters prepared for it have necessarily been 
^ deferred to the fourth and last of the series, from lack of space. The 
t latter half is devoted to the chronicles of twelve of the original sixteen 
\ counties organized by acts of the first Territorial Legislative Assembly, 
and those of the remainder then, and since instituted down to 1889 
inclusive, will appear in our next. It will be comprehended that these 
sketches have been written without reference to advertising purpo.ses, 
with no thought of unduly inflating or exaggerating their advantages, 
or other intent than to truthfully record the incidents attending their 
inception, and the material stages of progress from the beginning of 
settlement to the year 1890, a period of about thirty-one years. This 
purpose is best served when the actual conditions are stated. There is 
so much excellence, such lavish abundance of natural resources in each 
section epitomized, it is only essential to set them forth as they stand, 
under such development as may have been given them during the 
period in which intelligent effort has been engaged in shaping the 
various channels of industry and commerce. Nothing further seems to 
be required than to provide a basis for such elaboration in other forms 
of public presentation as contemporaneous and future writers may 
desire. It will be understood also, that in passing through the primary 
and formatory processes of settlement, much of the flotsam and jetsam 
cast up by passing events, and retained as reminiscences in the minds of 
the pioneers, belon grather to the domain of romance than that of the 
historian, as they are the invariable accompaniments of growth without 
special value or importance, except, as memories. Most of the facts 
worthy of preservation in a work of this character have been related, as 
far as possible in chronological order, through the several periods to the 
concrete results of the current epoch. In the compilation of these data, 
I have been effectively aided by the following contributors and critics: 
In the sketch of Boulder County by Amos Bixby and Eugene Wilder; 
Costilla County by Mr. E. C. van Diest, son of the eminent engineer and 



iv PREFATORY. 

scientist, Prof. Ph. van Diest of Denver; Douglas County by P. P. 
Wilcox, Hon. J. F. Gardner and other of the original settlers in that 
region ; El Paso County by Gilbert McClurg and others of Colorado 
Springs ; Fremont by B. F. Rockafellow, Anson Rudd and Willard B. 
Felton of Canon City; Gilpin by Jesse P. Waterman of Central City ; 
Lake by Carlyle C. Davis, Bela S. Buell, Charles Mater and Dr. D. H. 
Dougan of Leadville ; Pueblo by Judge Wilbur F. Stone, Gilbert 
McClurg, — Captain J. J. Lambert, General R. M. Stevenson of the 
"Chieftain," and others; Huerfano by Hon. D. J. Hayden ; Jefferson 
by Captain E. L. Berthoud and Gen. George West, to all of whom and 
to many not more particularly enumerated, acknowledgments are due 
for courtesies extended. Old records of counties, cities and towns, 
newspaper files, etc., have been diligently consulted, authentic sketches 
previously uttered, searched and not infrequently quoted. 

These reviews of the Great Interior of Colorado which form so 
large a part of past and current history, will amply reward careful 
perusal, for they embrace matters of value to the earnest student which 
could not well be incorporated in a general account such as comprised 
the design of the preceding volumes. 

The statements relating to population of counties and towns where 
given are the best obtainable at this writing, pending the official proc- 
lamation of the census of 1890. The correct figures of each county and 
town in the State, will appear in the appendices to our fourth volume. 
To accord the annals mentioned due space and prominence, it was found 
expedient to reduce the size of the type, which, as will be seen, serves 
the object, without detracting from the standard of typographical excel- 
lence. While the number of pages is less than in preceding volumes, 
the amount of matter inserted is at least one-third greater. 

The next volume will contain a general review of events political and 
otherwise from 1887 to 1890, the history of all the counties not enum- 
erated in this, and a department devoted to biographies and reviews of 
prominent men. The history of the Territory and State is in no small 
measure that of the men who built it, and such as have taken honorable 
part in this mighty undertaking have fairly earned honorable mention 
therein. 

In conclusion, the author expresses profound gratitude for the kindly 
favor with which his efforts have been accepted by the press and people. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

Hasty review of politicai, events from i86i to 1880 — analysis of the sev- 
eral EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATIONS FROM GILPIN TO PITKIN — TURBULENT 

UPRISING AGAINST THE CHINESE IN DENVER JUDGE W. S. DECKER AS U. S. 

DISTRICT ATTORNEY EVILS OF THE FEE SYSTEM H. M. TELLER APPOINTED 

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR SUCCEEDED IN THE SENATE BY GEORGE M. 

CHILCOTT. --------- II 

CHAPTER n. 

Political events from 18S2 to 18S6 — administrations of grant, eaton and 
ADAMS — MR. Chaffee's last appearance in Colorado politics — re-election 

of H. M. teller to THE SENATE TELLER'S EULOGY OF MR. CHAFFEE THE GREAT 

MILITARY EXPEDITION TO WHITE klVER. - - - - - 33 

CHAPTER HI. 

Politics and statesmanship — analysis of some lawyers and politicians — 
henry m. teller — n. p. hill t. m. patterson, c. s. thomas, major e. l. 

smith, W. F. JOHNSON, HUGH BUTLER, HELA M. HUGHES, JAMES B. BELFORD, AND 
GEORGE G. SYMES. -------- 62 

CHAPTER lY. 

Various locations of the se.'Yt of government in Colorado from 1861 to 1881 

HISTORY OF the SEVERAL MOVEMENTS — CONTESTS IN THE COURTS OVER THF, 

CAPITOL SITE HENRY C. BROWN's SPLENDID GIFT AND ITS ATTEMPTED REVO- 
CATION BUILDING THE PRESENT CAPITOL. " - " " 85 



vi CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 

The DENVER & RIO GRANDE RAILROAD GENERAL W. J. PALMER AND HIS ASSOCIATES 

HISTORY OF THE ROAD COMPLETED — ITS INFLUENCE ON THE COUNTRY LOVEJOY, 

JACKSON, MOFFAT, SMITH AND HUGHES — PRESENT STATUS OF THE ENTERPRISE. I03 

CHAPTER VI. 

Journalism in Denver — .a.nnals of four great daily papers — the news, 

tribune, times and republican brief review of their editors and 

managers. -.----..---- 130 

CHAPTER Vn. 

Foundation of our present banking system — early bankers and gold brokers 

CLARK & GRUBEr's mint AND ITS COINAGES — ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED 

SI'ATES r.RANTH MINT THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, ITS PRESIDENTS AND 

c:ashier - 156 

CHAPTER VHT 

The COLORADO national — the KOUNTZE BROTHERS AND THEIR ANTECEDENTS WM. 

B. BERGER THE CITY, UNION AND GERMAN NATIONAL BANKS AND THEIR OFFI- 
CERS — THE FAMOUS FORGER SHERIDAN ALIAS STUART, AND HIS MARVELOUS 
CAREER. - 180 

CHAPTER IX. 
Banks and bankers continued — the state, denver, people's, American — 

various savings institutions, commerce, COMMERCIAL AND OTHER BANKS- 
TRAGIC death of JACOB SNIDER — THE ROLLINS INVESTMENT COMPANY. 207 

CHAPTER X. 

Leaves from the criminal calendar — horrible revelations of blood and 

MASSACRE — FIENDISH ATROCITIES BY A BAND OF ITALIAN CUT-THROATS — THE 

STORY OF ALFRED PACKER, THE MAN EATER BILLY THE KID AND HIS BLOODV 

ADVENTURES— EDWARD KELLY AND HIS ROMANTIC ESCAPE FROM THE GALL.)WS. 
" ■ - 234 



CONTENTS. vii 

ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

Early organization and government — courts and vigilance committees — 
schedule of officers from 1859 to 1890 — building of schools. hospitals, 
jails and court house commendable work of the commissioners — out- 
lying suburbs and farming settlements. 265 

BOULDER COUNTY. 

A GLANCE AT ITS RESOURCES AND SURROUNDINGS EARLY SETTLERS — THE DISCOV- 
ERY OF GOLD IN 1859 ORGANIZAI'ION FOUNDING OF BOULDER CITY ESTAB- 

LISH.MENT OF SCHOOLS — BEGINNING OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDING 

THE STATE UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPERS CHURCHES BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES — 

BANKS AND BANKERS GENERAL DEVELOPMENT LONGMONT AND OTHER TOWNS 

— COAL, GOLD AND SILVER MINING, - - - - - - - 788 

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 
General description — early gold mining — ^idaho and its mineral springs — 

PIONEER settlers ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY — SPANISH BAR, TRAIL RUN 

FALL RIVER, DUMONT, LAWSON, RED ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN THE GOLD MINES 

AT EMPIRE — GEORGETOWN, THE FIRST CENTER OF SILVER MINING — GREEN LAKE, 
gray's PEAK, THE LOUP, SILVER PLUME. 310 

COSTILLA COUNTY. 

Boundaries and mountain peaks — agricultural lands — geological features 

.MINERAL deposits FIRST SETTLERS IN THAT REGION HISTORY OF THE 

SANGRE DE CRISTO grant VALUATION OF TAXABLE PROPERTY A FEW NOTED 

CITIZENS PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE. ------- 326 

DOUGLAS COUNTY. 

Original and present boundaries — the birthplace of Colorado — green 
russell's original camp — some old settlers — lumbering in the pineries — 

first county organization — trials of the "pioneers the old SANTA Ft. 

STAGE LINE CASTLE ROCK PRESENT INDUSTRIES. 332 

EL PASO COUNTY. 

General description — mountain peaks and si'reams — -fauna and flora — fossil 

re.mains — list of minerals — ^coal mines — first settlers colorado city 

massacres by indians — colorado springs its development to 1881 the 

first theater — -colorado college. - ..... j^s 



viii CONTENTS. 

EL PASO COUNTY. 

(coxtixued). 

The COLORADO springs of the PRESENl- — HOTELS— CHURCHES — COLORADO COLLEGE 
DEAF MUTE INSTITUTE SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION WATER SUPPLY SEWER- 
AGE — BANKS ORGANIZATIONS DAIRY RANCHES— COLORADO CIT V— M ANITOU 

pike's peak RAILWAY — CAVERNS GARDEN OF THE GODS. - - - 355 

EL PASO COUNTY. 

(CONTINUEU). 

Mountain resorts — towns and seitlements — monument — palmer lake— foun- 
tain falcon FLORISSANT .lOU K N ALISM STATISTICS. - - - 379 

FREMONT COUNTY. 

Boundaries and resources — organization — visit of zebulon pike — first set- 
tlers — modern settlements — founding of ca5;on CITY— people's courts 

industrial improvements discovery of petroleum UNION flag RAISING 

THE TOWN ABANDONED REVIVAL IN 1865 CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS STATE 

PEMTENTIARV^RAILROADS DEATH OF COLONEL GREENWOOD PRESENT CON- 
DITION NEWSPAPERS OIL FIELDS AT FLORENCE. - . . . . jS8 

GILPIN COUNTY. 

The CRADLE OF COLORADO — BLACK HAWK AND CENTRAL CITY EARLY POLITICAL 

POWER VANISHED GLORIES A REMARKABLE TRAGEDY SOME OF THE PIONEERS 

THE OLD GREGORY LODE — BELA S. BUEI.L COUNTY ORGANIZATION NEWSPAPERS 

MIXSELL'S TELEGRAPH SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES SECRET SOCIETIES BANKS 

LAND OFFICE RAILROADS NEVADA AND OTHER TOWNS MINES AND MILLS 

BUSINESS MEN WATER SYSTEMS, ETC. 405 

LAKE COUNTY. 

Immense original are.a — the upper Arkansas valley — leadville and its en- 
virons present status OF the city CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, CIVIC SOCIETIES 

STATISTICS— NEWSPAPERS THE MINING INTEREST PROF. EMMONS' REPORTS — 

BULLION YIELDS— -TWO GREAT MINES THE SMELTERS FISH HATCHERY EVER- 
GREEN LAKES — SODA SPRINGS — BANKS AND BANKERS. - - - - ■ 423 



CONTENTS. ix 

PUEBLO COUNTY. 

Geological features — water courses^the Arkansas valley — agriculture 

AND horticulture — PRIMITIVE EXPLORERS AND SETTLERS A SCRAP OF ORIG- 
INAL HISTORV — OLD NEPESTA FORT FOUNTAIN CITY AND PUEBLO COUNTY 

ORGANIZATION JOHN A. THATCHER SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES NEWSPAPERS 

INTERESTING STATISTICS. 4.^4 

PUEBLO COUNTY. 

(CONTINUED.) 

Steady march of improvements — incorporation — old staging days — expansion 

BY rapid transit DEVELOPMENT OF ITS WATER SYSTEM SOUTH PUEBLO 

BANKS NEWSPAPERS— THEATERS — IRON AND STEEL WORKS INSANE ASYLUM 

GRAND HOTEL. 457 

PUEBLO COUNTY. 

(continued.) 

The pueblos' unification — bessemer — Colorado coal and iron company — 
improvements mineral palace — opera house statistics county set- 
tlements, etc. - - ... 466 

HUERFANO COUNTY. 

Boundaries — first settlers — orphan butte — primitive organization — peaks 

AND ranges natural RESOURCES IMMENSE AREA OF COAL LANDS TOWNS- 
WATER SUPPLY MINERALS JOHN D. ALBERT D. J. HAYDEN C. O. UNFUG. 487 



JEFFER.SON COUNTY. 



Boundaries — golden city — first miners and settlers— founding^ the town — 

EARLY development GEORGE WEST BERTHOUD AND HIS RAILWAY PROJECTS 

CAPITAL OF THE TERRITORY SECRET SOCIETIES — CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS — 

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL— VALUE OF PROPERTY OTHER TOWNS IN THE COUNTY. -499 



List of Illustrations. 



VOLUME, III. 



PAGE. 

Alva Adams (Frontispiece) 

H. C. Thatcher 12 

F. D. Wight 20 

E. B. SopRis 28 

\V. A. Burnett 34 

B. H. Eaton 40 

David Boyd 52 

S. P. Bliss 58 

E. R. HoLDEN 66 

E. H. Keables 70 

M. V. B. Benson 80 

J. P. Snyder 90 

Geo. L. Sanborn 100 

John Atkinson no 

C. C. IIolbrook 118 

J. N. Carlile 122 

G. E. Bragdon 130 

Geo. H. Adams 134 

H. L. Acker 140 

M. J. Galligan 150 

O. L. Wiley 160 

A. N. Crowell 166 

B. F. Klee 170 

J. S.Stewart 180 

M. L. Blunt 190 

M. Y. Woods 200 

C. S. Watson 210 

Geo. L. Fisher 220 

J. J. Thomas 230 

O. A. Borden 240 

M. Breen 248 

P. Stanley 260 

A. C. Goodhue 288 

R. Ellingham 292 

R. A. Duncan 306 

G. W. Hall 310 

F. F. Osbjston 314 

H. M. Griffin 316 

R. O. Old 31S 

F. C. Kekney 322 



PAGE. 

■ 324 

■ 342 

■ 350 

• 358 

• 370 



C. R. Fish 

John Wolfe 

Chas. Stockbridge 

R. A. Meier 

G. W. Snider 

J. F. Humphrey 378 

D. B. Fairley 380 

Wm. Lenno.x 386 

T. S. Wells 392 

W. R. Fowler 396 

Silas Bertenshaw 406 

J. H. Wells 406 

J. C. McShane 410 

Bela S. Buell 414 

H. J. Kruse 418 

H. W. Lake 420 

John Harvey 424 

A Briseois 428 

J. N. Pierce 436 

J. Irwin 442 

A. McClelland 444 

Feri) Barndollar 448 

W. J Barndollar 450 

J. & J. T. Hughes 454 

A. T. Stewart 456 

Col. M. H. Fitch 464 

J. B. Orman 466 

I. W. Stanton 468 

Dr. p. R. Thomhs 472 

J. D.Miller... 476 

C. E. Cast 47S 

J. R. Fariss 480 

O. H. P. Baxter 484 

E. H. Martin 486 

D. L. Smith. 488 

C. O. Unfug 490 

R. C. Wells 500 

W. G. Smith 506 

G, W Harriman 510 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 



CHAPTER I. 

Hasty review of political events from i86i to 1880 — analysis of the sev- 
eral EXECUTIVE administrations FROM GILPIN TO PITKIN TURBULENT 

UPRISING against the CHINESE IN DENVER JUDGE W. S. DECKER AS U. S. 

DISTRICT ATTORNEY EVILS OF THE FEE SYSTEM H. M. TELLER APPOINTED 

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR SUCCEEDED IN THE SENATE BY GEORGE M. 

CHILCOTT. 

In all the experience of Republican government, as exemplified in 
the region west of the Missouri River, there has been nothing more 
tempestuous, venal and demoralizing, than Territorial politics. To begin 
with, the people were denied the right of self-government. The Terri- 
tories when organized were scarcely more than mere colonial depend- 
encies, — in a state of political serfdom. The governors, secretaries, 
judges and all other important officers were the result of presidential 
appointment, often selected from the proteges, in other words, servitors 
attached to the chariots of Senators and Congressmen, people who, 
having no other visible means of support, are pensioned off and main- 
tained at the public expense. Such men are no sooner launched upon 
their errands than they begin plotting for further advancement. It may 
safely be asserted that every Territorial governor when appointed, 
anticipates as one of the consequences his elevation to the Senate of the 
United States, provided there is even a ray of hope for the admission of 
the Territory as a State. It is made one of his chief duties to see that 
11 



12 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

it is prepared for admission, and althougli he nia)- fail, the hope until 
blasted, is ever present. 

Fortunately, Colorado by virtue of its prominence, received but few 
objectionable appointees to the higher places, from the class named. 
Nevertheless, there was almost constant dissension. Party organizations, 
whether in the majority or minority, were torn by jealousies and factional 
disturbances. While the Republican party has maintained its ascend- 
ancy for thirty years, it is marvelous that it was not long ago definitel)- 
overthrown. Its majorities during the first si.\teen years were never 
large. The votes at all general elections when the lines were rigidh' 
drawn, were remarkably close, the result indicating rather the power of 
money and stratagem adroitly employed, than a legitimate majority. Had 
it not been led and directed by a singularly forceful and sagacious cap- 
tain, it must many times have suffered defeat. Until Mr. Thomas M. 
Patterson entered the arena in 1874 and became its standard bearer, the 
Democratic party possessed no efificient leader. Prior to that time its 
greatest impediment was too many leaders without one fitted for skillful 
direction. The use of money being a prime necessity under the system 
in vogue, the Republicans had both the larger purse and the man who 
knew how to employ funds and strategy to the best advantage. He had, 
as additional helps, the fierce animosities awakened by the Rebellion, 
which created, and in a large degree maintained, the supremacy of his 
party. The Democrats were kept alive and alert by the perennial 
expectation that victory for their principles lay somewhere in the chapter 
of accidents, and by incessant fighting and constantly persevering, th^ 
battle would at last be won. Its strength lay mainly in the counties 
south of the Divide, reinforced by an active minority in those of the 
northern division. It closely watched and stood ever ready to avail 
itself of any serious division in the ranks of its adversary, and in 1874, 
from this cause, scored its first important triumph in the election of Mr. 
Patterson to Congress. 

After the war, political lines were more distinctly defined. It is only 
within recent years that the Independent vote which defies discipline 




^..r.. 



/^•■r. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 13 

caring more for principles and honest government than for party, has 
been a conspicuous element in our elections. During the last decade 
the two organizations have been gradually drawing more closely together. 
The principal difference between them has been reduced to a degrading- 
contest for*patronage and spoils. 

Dropping minor details, that while provocative of much disorder, 
really amounted to very little, hence are scarcely worth considering, let us 
review briefly the character of the several Territorial administrations in 
their order, and the relations of each to the public welfare. 

Governor Gilpin served but little more than a year, but that short 
interval was filled with storms and tempests. He had only time to 
organize civil government here, and to launch the thunderbolt which 
finally put an end to rebellion in Colorado and New Mexico, before he 
was supplanted by Dr. John Evans of Chicago. While not well 
equipped for the conduct of civil affairs, owing to the scholastic tendency 
of his thoughts, studies and habits, he was essentially patriotic and 
sincere, performing his duties with unselfish devotion. He was a great 
explorer, geographer, map maker, a student of the abstruse sciences 
rather than a well balanced executive officer; a fine soldier as well. In 
battle he was brave and fearless, frequently very skillful. No man in 
Colonel Doniphan's command was so worthily fitted to undertake the 
terrible campaigns he made in the wildernesses of the mountains. This 
was the effect of his mijitary training. Civil government, however, 
requires something of statesmanship, and this he did not possess. 

Governor John Evans came to us from the State of Illinois, bear- 
ing considerable wealth, and the prestige of high distinction through 
the long pursuit of literary and scientific study. He had been the 
occupant of a chair in Rush Medical College, at whose birth he offi- 
ciated, and which he assisted in fitting for its extraordinary career. He 
had acquired the reputation of an able controversialist upon the mo- 
mentous questions arising out of the turmoil of our civil war; the luster 
of some great and good works begun and successfully performed; for 
e.xample, the founding and completion of an asylum for the insane in 



14 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Indiana; the editorship of a widel)- circulated and influential medical 
journal; the institution of measures while a member of the City Council 
of Chicago, for the proper organization of public schools in that city; 
the establishment of one of the most beautiful towns in the State, and 
the Northwestern University therein. From memoranda of his early 
life before us, he seems to have been a man of tireless energy, con- 
stantly devising with rare prescience new and important measures, all 
tending toward public education, but taking strong participation also in 
the higher planes of political advancement, .as indicated by his ready 
championship of the movement which resulted in the national organ- 
ization of the Republican party, and the election of Abraham Lincoln 
to the presidency. By virtue of his activity in all fields of public enter- 
prise, he naturally became both a political and an economic force in the 
young metropolis that since has outstripped all competitors for second 
place among American cities. 

In the autumn of 1861, President Lincoln tendered him the Gov- 
ernorship of Washington Territory, but it was declined. In 1862 he 
was appointed Governor of Colorado, and at once accepted the dual 
trust of Executive and Superintendent of Indian affairs, the latter by 
far the most vexatious, difficult and exacting, for it involved the man- 
agement of thousands of wild red men, impatient of control. It 
involved also the enlistment of troops for the war then distracting the 
Union, a task likewise onerous, owing to the sparcity of population, 
and the demand for willing hands to carry on the work of internal 
development. The effect of these endeavors has been related. 

No man has occupied the office of chief magistrate without being 
subjected to much adverse criticism, which is ascribable to the pecu- 
liarities of local and national politics, which are never harmonious, but 
eternally moved by divisions of public sentiment and the raging thirst 
for patronage and power. The severest charge brought against Gov- 
ernor Evans was that of inordinate ambition to represent this people in 
the Senate of the United States, which was true in the main. But 
after making this admission, let us credit him also with the better im- 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 15 

pulse which unquestionably governed some of his motives, of a strong 
desire to advance Colorado to a higher place in the national regard 
through its evolution to statehood, than it could or ever did occupy as 
an unregenerate political eunuch. In every enterprise that has ser- 
iously engaged his attention from the time he entered public life in 
1842, two incentives have impelled him to action, — first, the honorable 
acquisition of wealth; next, the institution of projects for general im- 
provement. It is not shown, nor has it ever been charged to his 
account to my knowledge, that he m.ade the execution of a public or 
private trust a vehicle for adding to his fortune, but it is a fact, that he 
never has lost sight of the maxim that "wealth as well as knowledge is 
power." By fortunate investments in realty at a time when Chicago 
was young, that in a few years became the heart of that phe- 
nomenal city, he acquired large means, many thousands of which were 
employed in building schools and the Chicago and Fort Wayne Railway. 
He is essentially a financier, a money getter, a sharp, shrewd, successful 
operator in large fields, as all men are who are similarly constituted. 
He was wise enough to discover that to make money, things must be 
made to move, and grow and flourish on every hand; that when the 
currents are sluggish, to disturb them deeply with irresistible force and 
compel them to flow rapidly, fructifying, enriching, adding and accumu- 
lating by every artery that is open or may be opened, thus creating 
large measures of benefit for those acute enough to seize presented 
opportunities. 

The State movement of 1 864 which failed, was an outgrowth, not 
alone of his aspiration to be a senator, but of a conviction that with 
statehood, independent representation in Congress, the investment of 
the people with all the rights and privileges that belonged to them ; with 
perfected laws, that should afford ample protection to property, and the 
deeper prestige thereby acquired, capital and immigration, industry and 
commerce would be rapidly supplied, and results accomplished in five 
years which, under prevailing conditions, could not be consummated in 
twenty. It was fully elaborated and advertised through the press and 



16 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

in other forms of expression, but the people seeing only the first prop- 
osition — his candidacy, rejected the other as a mere pretext, overthrew 
the entire scheme, and trampled it under foot. Henry M. Teller was to 
be his colleague in the great council of the nation, and the chief di- 
rection of the campaign lay in the hands of Colonel John M. Chiv- 
ington. After the latter had accomplished his mission in New Mexico, 
there was little for him to do but engage in politics. As com- 
mander of the military district, the head and heart and soul of the 
military power, his insatiable hunger for fame, the poison of which it is 
so difficult to resist, rendered him arrogant, avaricious and unwar- 
rantedly vain. "Rude in pen as in speech," possessed of a desire to rule 
and dominate everything, he seized everything and became, or assumed 
to be, both civil and military dictator. Denied the promotion in the 
army he so diligently sought, he took up politics, the only other 
resource in view, in the hope of a seat in Congress. He, also, would 
have aspired to the Senate had not both places been previously allotted. 
The Governor, as indicated by his letters and speeches, was inspired by 
the hope of stimulating and enlarging the vast natural resources of the 
country, while it is doubted if Chivington cared a rap for these high 
and honorable sentiments, if only he could accomplish his aims. Then 
came the battle of Sand Creek, and soon afterward his practical elimin- 
ation from any part in our alTairs. 

Failing to secure the admission of the State, Governor Evans 
drifted out of politics forever, and turned his attention to matters of 
public improvement in Colorado, — principally the building of railways, 
an account of which appears elsewhere. If, as alleged, he added some 
hundreds of thousands to his already large fortune from the profits, by 
turning to the next page of the ledger we shall find that the advantages 
to the State have brought millions in the ultimate enhancement of 
values. We cannot discover that he robbed or plundered any one. He 
was simply one of the largest stockholders, making the larger use of his 
own means, and consequently was fairly entitled to larger dividends 
when the time came for making dividends. Such matters are subject 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 17 

to devices and intrigues no less than tlie sciences of politics and war. 
Each leader of men has his own methods. Governor Evans had his 
way of doing things, that was not always accepted as the better way, but 
in contemplating the final effect, we cannot avoid the conclusion that 
"his name is the symbol of a vast activity" in planning, scheming antl 
building the railways that now are so important an element of our 
internal economy, our wealth and high standing among the States of the 
Union. 

From these beginnings sprung countless others. Although relent- 
lessly assailed by vilest slanders, his character and motives blackened, 
measureless censure visited upon him, when the storm passed and the 
results were seen, it was found that a great stride had been taken, a new 
link forged in the endless chain of human progression. During all those 
years he was the foremost citizen, without whose efforts the record 
would have been materially modified. He is an old man now, finally 
retired from active pursuits, resting upon the laurels he has won, but he 
was then, though well advanced in years, in the full vigor of manhood, 
in the very flower of his mental and physical strength. His name and 
works will cause him to be remembered as the most useful man of his 
time. 

It would be a waste of space to set down even a hasty resume of 
the administration of his successor, Ale.xander Cumniings. The account 
already given in a preceding volume may stand as a fair epitome. He 
too, would have been an aggressive aspirant for the Senatorship could 
he have framed the political structure to his liking. Since he could not 
he became a bold iconoclast, directing his time and capabilities to the 
destruction of the e.xisting order. After a brief and extremely turbulent 
reign he passed out of history, leaving no good deeds behind him worthy 
of even a paragraph in the annals of that period. 

Governor A. Cameron Hunt lacked every essential element of a wise 
politician. Possessing marvelous energy, it was generally misdirected 
when dealing with matters of state, and led him finally into the deep 
waters of political and financial ruin. His superior capabilities lay with 



18 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

his mastery of the Indian character. The greater part of his Executive 
term was devoted to the settlement of questions relating to the aborigines, 
the conclusion of treaties, and in devising means for their engagement 
in civilized pursuits. The savages knew him better, respected him more 
profoundly, and obeyed his orders more implicitly than any man ever 
given to them as a leader, and there is no doubt that had he been 
permitted to complete his plans for their regeneration, they would have 
been more successful than any others ever inaugurated for them. But 
at the very beginning of his endeavors to ameliorate their condition he 
was relieved by Edward M. McCook, whose appointment under the 
circumstances and the pledges made to Hunt that he should be retained 
for the purpose of executing his projects in behalf of the Utes, cannot 
be regarded in any other light than as an act of treachery to a faithful 
and serviceable offtcer. McCook had no just claim to the succession. 
As events proved, he demanded it chiefly because of the large appro- 
priations to be expended in the purchase of supplies for the very tribes 
for whom Hunt had negotiated them. The use he finally made of 
them, has been recounted. It was a scheme of rascality and plunder 
without a parallel in our annals. 

Next came Samuel H. Elbert, who immediately instituted a series 
of great beneficent measures for the reclamation of our arid lands, by the 
widest possible distribution of the waters of all available streams for 
their fructification. While engaged in this wholl)- commendable 
endeavor, McCook was plotting a conspiracy for his overthrow, which, 
after a struggle that became national in its character, succeeded, when 
there began a new reign of discord that spread discontent throughout 
the populace, and checked their progress. It was this more than an\- 
other influence exerted, which brought general acceptance of Statehood 
in 1876. 

John L. Routt came as pacificator, to work out and prepare the 
evolution from dependence to independence. Through his well con- 
ceived policy, harmony was at length restored, and the commonwealth 
ushered into the family of the Union. This opened a new era. It set 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 19 

in motion the wheels of progress. New industries sprang up on every 
side. Although not a statesman in any sense or degree, except that 
he was a sagacious politician, an honest manager according to the best 
lights afforded by his somewhat extended experience, he succeeded in 
launching the new State under the most favorable auspices. For the 
first time contentment prevailed, and with it all material things began to 
assume more favorable aspects. With earnest and capable represen- 
tation in Congress, the influence brought to bear upon every department 
of government, with a munificent heritage in the form of land grants for 
the endowment of colleges and public schools, for buildings and internal 
improvements, the people found themselves, together with sovereignty, 
invested with the elements of great future wealth, which, rightly cared 
for and protected by proper laws and honorable administration, v.'ould 
result in incalculable benefit to their children. 

Routt's management of State affairs was in most respects 
admirable and satisfactory. Some of his more important acts were of 
far reaching effect. We cannot look back upon this beginning without 
sincere congratulations upon the patent fact, that it was a wise and 
most excellent revolution. The discordant elements that had so long 
loaded the air with maledictions against misgovernment, were hushed, 
peace and prosperity installed, orderly development begun, for the 
people were emancipated from odious vassalage. 

Frederick W. Pitkin was perhaps the ablest man that has held the 
chief magistracy of our State. None have possessed more fervid am- 
bitions, or been guided by keener prescience than he. All he lacked of 
the powers which impel men of genius to consummate the measure of 
great aspirations, was physical strength to support and push forward the 
plans of his richly cultivated mental powers. He possessed in an emi- 
nent degree, the mind to plot and plan, to see things at a great distance, 
to forecast the future, the effect of his policy upon the public mind, the 
consequences of every important measure, but was frequently bent and 
broken by weakness of body which interrupted the regular course, and 
sometimes deflected his projects into unfortunate, not to say dangerous 



20 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

channels. He was an accomplished lawyer, an acute political manager, 
who kept somewhat ostentatiously to the fore the cause of the people ; 
courted the popularity of the masses, more especially the voting masses, 
rather than that of the professional politicians, for whom he had a dis- 
tinct course of treatment that kept them also well in hand. He made 
sacrifices to his policy which, like Andrew Johnson's, was made too much 
the guiding principle of his leadership, and in time produced violent 
reaction. But no man has been intrusted with the helm of state who 
gave deeper watchfulness to the public finances. He treated the State 
Treasury, the officers charged with the collection of revenue and its 
expenditure, exactly as if he were personally responsible for their 
acts. Legislative appropriation bills were carefully scanned, and if 
improper, promptly vetoed ; all laws were rigidly examined by the 
light of his profound knowledge of the effect of statutes, their con- 
stitutionality, and their influence upon the general weal. He was inces- 
santly hovering about the ofifices of the Auditor and Treasurer, requiring 
statements from them as to receipts and expenditures, examining bills, 
and to the full extent of his ability protecting the treasury from improper 
encroachments. During his first term, State warrants rose to a premium 
of one or two per cent. Possessed of a moderate fortune which yielded 
him a sufficient income for his private needs, his salary was given to 
charitable works. Pitkin was a fine conversationalist, an easy, fluent, 
entertaining talker, well informed on many subjects, a good reasoner. 
and an interesting public speaker. He, too, aspired to a seat in the 
United States Senate as the possible issue of his entree into politics, and 
when the next turn of the wheel came round and there was a vacancy to 
be filled, after the expiration of his second term and just before his death, 
he became an active candidate for that office. At the outset in the pre- 
liminary caucuses of his party, he controlled more votes than any of his 
numerous competitors, but not a majority. After a long struggle he 
was defeated, and thus closed his political career. 

Governor Pitkin died in Pueblo, December i8th, 1886. No other 
of our prominent men has achieved so conspicuous a place in Colorado 





^;^- 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 21 

politics in so short a time. In 1S74 he came to us a physical wreck, seeking 
the far famed climate of the mountains as a last resort, locating in the 
pure and bracing atmosphere of the San Juan region, which soon raised 
him from the stretcher to his feet, with a new lease of life scarcely hoped 
for by himself or friends. When nominated for the Governorship, those 
who knew him best believed he would grace the office with honor and 
intelligence, in which no One was disappointed. The same conviction 
induced them to put him forward for the Senate. After this contest his 
health failed rapidly and in a few months ended his life, just at its prime. 
The remains were brought to Denver, exposed in state at the executive 
rooms, and followed by a large concourse of people, he was laid to final 
rest at Riverside. 

The hasty review foregoing, brings our chronicles to the close of 
the second volume. It is now thought proper to recall very briefly some 
of the salient points in subsequent events. 

On the 1 6th of April, 1880, public announcement was made that 
Westbrook S. Decker, one of the ablest, most conscientious and efficient 
prosecutors the Federal government had selected for the management of ' 
its legal cases in Colorado, had resigned his office to re-engage in the 
regular practice of law. It is a noteworthy instance of official integrity, 
combined with indefatigable industry, for when the acts of this officer are 
compared with those of a majority of his predecessors, they shine out, if 
not lustrousl)' — for there is little in such an office to create marked 
attention, certainly few opportunities for the attainment of great dis- 
tinction, — in strong contrast against many dark shadows. F"amiliarity 
with the conduct of the office of public prosecutor in the United States 
Court, and in those of the districts under the Territorial regime, teaches 
us that for the most part the multiplication of fees was the paramount 
consideration and the controlling incentive. We have seen scores of 
men brought to these courts upon charges, that when investigated, could 
not be sustained ; poor men to whom the costs meant impoverishment, 
arrested for petty violations of the revenue laws ; for cutting timber 
upon the public domain, for trespasses of the most insignificant character, 



22 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

and in most cases the officers were inspired by the sole purpose of 
increasing their fees. At length the judges, who were honest and wisely 
discriminating in their judgments, took emphatic cognizance of the 
wrongs committed by these greedy cormorants, reprimanded them from 
the bench, dismissed the causes that could not be sustained, and warned 
them against repetitions of the offense. This, if no others could be 
cited, although the instances are almost innumerable, bears testimony 
which should awaken every good citizen to the gigantic evils of the fee 
system in our courts and public offices. It is a rank injustice to the 
people that should never have been permitted to stand one hour after 
its pernicious effects were made known, yet we find it engrafted upon 
our State Constitution, and so firmly entrenched in law as to be almost 
ineradicable. Why it has not been made a matter of more emphatic 
remonstrance by the taxpayers who are annually plundered of large sums 
for the support and often for the unrighteous enrichment of professional 
politicians who are interested only in the spoils, passes understanding. 

The two great evils of our political system are the surrender by the 
people of their rights to the caucus and the more damnable primary, 
and the enormous burdens entailed by the feed offices. By general 
acquiescence they have become stronger than the people, since every 
effort thus far made to expunge them from oui methods has been over- 
come by the pestiferous activity of the few who are interested in main- 
taining them. Although the practice was instituted and is still upheld 
by the national government, and the curse attached had been, prior to 
the incoming of the State, one of which all decent people felt the shame 
and the burden. Judge Decker, as the first United States District 
Attorney, established an honorable precedent for the guidance of his 
successors, all of whom I believe have honorably executed their trusts. 
Nevertheless the system can never be accepted as a sound or wise prin- 
ciple of government, and it cannot be too quickly uprooted. 

Judge Thomas M. Bowen, of the Fourth Judicial District of the 
State, resigned his office May 25th, 1880, and was succeeded by T. A. 
McMorris of Colorado Springs, by appointment, to serve until the 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 23 

election of his successor. On the date just named the Repubhcan 
State convention assembled in Denver to select delegates to the 
national convention of that party to be held in the city of Chicago. It 
named as such delegates, John L. Routt, Lafayette Head, Amos Steck, 
George T. Clark and Colonel John A. Ellet of Boulder. This was. the 
convention that nominated James A. Garfield for president, and 
Chester A. Arthur for vice-president. 

On the 3d of June, the Democratic State convention met in 
Denver and elected Alva Adams, John F. Humphreys, Charles S. 
Thomas and .Samuel E. Browne as delegates to the national convention 
of that party to be held in Cincinnati, which in due course, nominated 
General Winfield S. Hancock for president, and William H. English 
for vice-president. 

For the selection of candidates for State officers and for repre- 
sentative, the Greenback party came first into the field June 17th, 1880, 
and nominated: 

For Governor. — Rev. A. J. Chittenden of Boulder. 

For Lic2itcnant Governor. — Albert Campbell. 

For Secretary of State. — G. W. King of Clear Creek. 

For Treasurer of State. — John H. Pickel of Arapahoe. 

For Attorney General. — L. F. HoUingsworth of San Juan. 

For Representative in Congress. — Joseph Murray of Larimer. 

July I2th, 1880, Amos Steck resigned the office of County Judge, 
for Arapahoe County which he had filled with signal ability, when the 
county commissioners appointed Hon. H. P. H. Bromwell, who 
qualified, and was about to enter upon the discharge of its duties when 
it was discovered that under the statutes Bromwell was rendered 
ineligible by his membership in the State Legislature, and could not 
take another of^ce during the term for which he had been elected. 
His resignation of the first would not permit him to accept the second, 
therefore the Board appointed B. F. Harrington to the vacancy, who 
was subsequently elected by the people, holding the office for six years, 
and was noted as a very honest and capable jurist. 



2i HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

The regular Democratic State convention this year was held at 
Leadville, August i8th, Charles S. Thomas, chairman. The following 
nominations were made: 

Ffl7' Representative in Congress. — Robert S. Morrison of Clear 
Creek. 

For Governor. — John S. Hough of Hinsdale. 

For Lieutenant Governor. — \\^ C. Stover of Larimer. 

For Seeretary of State. — Charles O. Unfug of Huerfano. 

For Treasurer of State.— Dr. A. Y. Hull of Pueblo. 

For Auditor of State. — R. G. Bray of I^io Grande. 

For Attoj'iicy General. — John C. Stallcup of Arapahoe. 

Foj- Superintendent of Public Instruction. — Dr. Crook of I^ake. 

For Regent State University. — Max Herman of Boulder. 

For Presidential Fleetors. — S. S. Wallace of Las Animas; John 
S. Wheeler of Summit; N. Nathan of Costilla. 

The Republicans held their convention in the same city August 
26th, Charles W. Tankersley chairman, W. B. Felton secretar)-. The 
following nominations were made: 

For Representative in Congress. — James B. Belford. 

For Governor. — T^rcderick W. l-*itkin bv acclamation. 

For Lieutenant Governor. — George B. I^obinson of Summit. 

For Seeretary of State. — Norman H. Meldrum of Larimer. 

For Treasurer of State. — W. C. Saunders of Weld. 

For Auditor of State. — Joseph A. Davis of Custer. 

For Attorney General. — Charles H. Toll of Arapahoe. 

For Superintendent of Public Instruction. — Leonidas S. Cornell of 
Boulder. 

For Regents of the University.—]. C. Shattuck of Weld, and 
James Rice of I^ueblo. 

For Presidential Fleetors. — Ebenezer T. Wells, A. C. Hunt and 
William A. Hamill. 

The delegates for the F"ourth Judicial District nominated J. C. 
Helm to succeed T. A. McMorris. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 25 

The campaign was briskly contested on both sides, until the 
night of the 27th of October, when the Republicans organized a great 
procession in Denver, which was followed by the opposite party on the 
night of the 30th. Through these exhibitions and the fiery eloquence 
of orators on both sides, much excitement was created. On Sunda)-, 
the 31st, a disgraceful riot occurred, beginning shortly after noon and 
increasing in violence throughout the day, producing uproar and con- 
fusion until after midnight. In the Democratic procession of the 
previous evening were borne a number of transparencies, expressive of 
the contempt of the bearers for the Chinese, stating that because of 
their presence here, American women were robbed of support, conse- 
quently had been reduced to a state of starvation; that the "Chinese 
must go," etc., all calculated as supplementary inflammation to the intense 
hostility aroused by indiscreet public speakers, who took their cues 
from that celebrated and infamous forgery known all over the nation as 
the "Morey letter." The exact cause of the outbreak is not known, 
but the following details have been gathered by the author from the best 
informed sources. On Wazee street in the lower part of the city, then 
known as the "Chinese quarter," was a drinking saloon with billiard 
tables, kept by a white man, but made the resort of Chinamen, some of 
whom were present and engaged in a game, when two rough looking 
men, both intoxicated, rushed in with wild shouts for Hancock, and 
crying, " Down with the Chinese!" they seized the players, threw the 
billiard balls about the table, and finally struck their submissive victims 
in the face, which incited one of them to draw a revolver for defense 
against further attacks, whereupon he was again struck or slapped in the 
face. Breaking loose from their assailants, they retreated toward the 
back door, when just as he reached it the one with the pistol raised it 
and fired, but without doing any damage. As usual in such cases, a 
large number of street gamins collected about the place, and added to 
the excitement by reiterating the popular cry, " Down with the Chinese !" 
It was not long before bricks and stones began to fly, and a general 
assault precipitated upon all the Cliinese houses and laundries in the 



26 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

vicinity. This brought the poHce upon the ground, but by this time the 
crowd became so great as to block all the streets, and they were powerless 
to control the turbulent spirits then waging a frantic and destructive war 
upon every place in the quarter. They broke down doors, smashed 
windows, fired upon every celestial who showed his head, and incited the 
most destructive and alarming riot ever witnessed in Colorado. Intel- 
ligence of these proceedings being conveyed to the mayor, — Richard 
.Sopris, — he drove to the spot and attempted to restore order by com- 
manding the crowd to disperse, but his voice was drowned b)- infuriate 
hootings and bowlings. He then ordered out the fire department, which 
drenched the rioters with water, but produced only a temporary cessation 
of hostilities. The liquor saloons throughout the city were closed, but 
it did not check the demonstrations. From Chinatown the clamor 
spread to all parts of the city occupied by Chinese, who as soon as found, 
were beaten, outrageously abused, their places ransacked, property des- 
troyed, and the entire brotherhood forced to hide themselves wherever 
a safe refuge could be found. One poor creature was caught, terribly 
beaten, dragged by the neck with a rope, and died the same evening 
from injuries thus inflicted. Several others were severely injured. The 
excited mob raged through the city like bands of demons, uttering loud 
threats to kill and burn. The police force being very small and without 
a chief to manage, that officer (Hickey) having been suspended upon 
charges then awaiting trial, it was of little use in repressing the wild dis- 
order. The city council met at six o'clock, and appointed General 
David J. Cook chief for the emergency, empowering him to employ as 
many special officers as might be necessary. Cook had already secured 
the valuable cooperation of Captain Albert H. Jones, Commander of the 
Chaffee Light Artillery, with whom he had ridden over the disturbed 
sections, and having observed the general course of things, had formed 
definite plans of action. The battery was then ordered to be in read- 
iness for immediate duty, supported by Captain Paddock's company of 
infantry (the Governor's Guard). The sheriff of the county (Mr. M. 
Spangler) had taken the field with all his deputies, and these officers 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 27 

acting in conjunction, began effective measures for quelling the riot, 
arresting the leaders, and rescuing the persecuted victims from further 
assaults and cruelties. 

After sacking a number of laundries and dwellings in the lower part 
of the city, the mob began searching for the isolated places in the upper 
portion. They attacked Sing Lee at the corner of Nineteenth and 
Lawrence streets, battered down the doors, smashed the windows, and 
demolished everything breakable that was to be found. They seized 
Sing Lee and his co-laborer, dragged them out into the darkness and 
brutally pounded them with clubs. Another was seized, a rope tied 
about his neck and he was dragged through the streets. Every laundry 
they could find was plundered and destroyed. At one of these places 
they were confronted by a notorious gambler and desperado named 
"Jim Moon,'' who stood in front with a cocked revolver in each hand, 
resolved to protect that house, single handed and alone. As the crowd 
advanced he raised his pistols and commanded a halt, saying, "This 
Chinaman does my washing, and ' By the Eternal!' you shall not harm a 
hair of his head." The leaders knowing the man, wisely left that house 
to its protector, and surged on in pursuit of other prey. They swept 
over Cherry Creek into West Denver, attacking and destroying as they 
went. Meanwhile, Cook and Spangler were collecting all the Chinese 
discoverable and taking them in squads to the county jail as the only 
place of safety. The shrieking mob raged through the streets until 
midnight, when the frenzy subsided. 

The troops, though under arms, were not brought into service. 
Had these forces been effectively employed at the earlier stages, it would 
have done much toward quelling the disorder and dispersing the rioters. 
As it was, by the direction of the commander-in-chief, who seems to have 
been in sympathy with the effort to expel the Chinese from the city, they 
were kept in concealment the greater part of that tempestuous night, 
without opportunity to aid the civil authorities. 

The following Monday a large number of citizens met at Sheriff 
Spangler's office. Business had been suspended for the day for the 



28 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

consideration of measures looking to the public safety. While all danger 
had passed with the passion that caused it, the public mind was by no 
means free from apprehension that the outbreak of Sunday would be 
renewed, unless vigorous efforts were made to prevent a recurrence. At 
this meeting a committee of control was appointed, and immediately 
began its work. In the afternoon a special meeting of the city council 
was held, and resolutions adopted authorizing Chief Cook to muster a 
force of one hundred men to patrol the streets and guard the election 
polls next day. Sheriff Spangler also organized a posse of 500 men for 
the same purpose. While the public fear of a renewal of the disturb- 
ances at some of the polling places was great, owing to the many alarming 
rumors set afloat, the day passed quietly and without incidents of more 
than ordinary import. On Monday evening the largest popular demon- 
stration ever witnessed in the city attested the condemnation by the 
people of every unlawful attempt to interfere with the orderly course of 
government. Although instituted by the Republican party, its purpose 
was rather to give emphatic expression to the abhorrence by all good 
citizens of the disgraceful scenes recently enacted, than for mere politi- 
cal effect. As a consequence, the State and national tickets of that 
party received overwhelming majorities of the popular vote, much 
greater perhaps than would have been cast but for the violent occur- 
rences just mentioned. 

Very soon after the election of General Garfield, the Republican 
leaders in Colorado began a strong movement to secure for ex-Go\- 
ernor Routt a place in his cabinet — that of Postmaster General — for 
which he had been well fitted b)- an experience of some years in the 
Postoffice Department. In Januar\-, Senators Teller and Hill, with 
Congressman Belford, Judge Jasper D. Ward and others proceeded to 
the home of General Garfield at Mentor, Ohio, and there urgentl)- pre- 
sented their errand. They were heartily seconded by ex-Senator Chaf- 
fee, General Grant and many other influential Republicans, and while 
the president elect listened patiently and attentively to their appeal, and 
perhaps was inclined to gratify them, the exigencies of the situation 




(S, Q. 6r7H(i^^ 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 29 

ultimately compelled him to make another selection. Routt's friends 
here and elsewhere were exceedingly active in his behalf, and he Avas 
heartily sustained by the press of Denver, but without avail. 

The legislature of 1881 created a new judicial district comprising 
the counties of Lake, Pitkin and -Summit, one of the most important in 
the State, by reason of the enormous amount of litigation arising from 
mining and other land contests, and requiring a high order of talent for 
their adjudication. It devolved upon Governor Pitkin the dut\' of 
selecting from numerous candidates a man who, by virtue of his legal 
attainments and integrit\', would preside over this court in a manner 
most acceptable to the people, and having in addition to his intimate 
knowledge of Mr. Jasper D. Ward's eminent capabilities as a lawyer, a 
strong personal attachment for him. at once elevated him to the bench 
of this district. He had served as a judge in Illinois, in the Senate of 
that State, as district attorney for the northern division, and as a 
member of Congress. The appointment was tendered and accepted 
March 5th, 1881. Mr. Ward served out his term, but declined all over- 
tures made to him for continuance upon the bench by popular election. 

The same assembly also created a district composed of Hinsdale, 
Gunnison, San Juan, Ouray, La Plata and Dolores Counties, for which 
Hon. C. W. Burris was appointed presiding judge. 

The most stubbornly contested legislation that appeared at this 
session, which occupied more time and excited deeper public interest 
than any other, was a proposition known as the Jacobson bill, designed 
for the regulation of railways by a board of three commissioners to be 
appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate. Colonel E. P. Jacobson, a distinguished lawyer and politician, 
led the forces for this measure which he had framed with infinite care, 
and Edward O. Wolcott those who were opposed to some of its pro- 
visions. It was a long and animated contest, which resulted finally in 
the defeat of this and all other measures of a like character. 

The chief seat of popular discontent against extortionate railway 
charges and the exasperating indifference of the managers to the public 



30 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

interests has always been in Gilpin, Clear Creek and Boulder Counties, 
where the traffic has been controlled by the Union Pacific, whose offi- 
cers, while holding absolute monopoly, have paid little heed to the fre- 
quent remonstrances advanced, and done much to alienate the regard of 
the people dependent upon it for the transportation of ores and sup- 
plies. Hence most of the numerous attempts to regulate such corpo- 
rations by legislative enactments have had their origin with the repre- 
sentatives from those counties. But as no bill could be passed to con- 
trol the Union Pacific without embracing all the others, and as the 
Denver & Rio Grande Company had always been popular through its 
efforts to furnish isolated towns within the territory over which it claims 
exclusive jurisdiction with rapid transit, without which they could not 
prosper, its interests were protected by the larger number of represent- 
atives who did not desire to have its work impeded. This influence, 
combined with the powerful co-operation of all the roads against 
restrictive measures, has always been sufficient for their defeat. In the 
meantime many of the grievances have been adjusted b)' competition, 
others by modification of the iron rules. 

President Garfield was assassinated July 2d, 18S1, an act that 
shocked all Christendom, and convulsed our rej^ublic from center to cir- 
cumference. Vice-President Chester A. Arthur succeeded him, and in 
reconstructing the cabinet in March, 1882, Senator Henry M. Teller of 
Colorado was offered the portfolio of the Interior Department, which, 
after some hesitancy and delay, was formally accepted. Then arose the 
important question of his successor in the .Senate, which in the recess of 
the legislature fell to Go\ernor Pitkin for decision. The matter of 
selection would not ha\'e been difficult had he not been persistently har- 
rassed by numerous applicants for the honor. 

Teller was appointed and confirmed April 6th. His elevation to a 
seat among the confidential advisers of the president, and to the most 
important of the departments, was hailed with universal satisfaction. It 
was regarded as an honor conferred upon every citizen of Colorado 
without reference to political affiliations, therefore men of both parties 



HISTORV OF COLORADO. 31 

united as one in rejoicing- over the selection, and shared alike the dis- 
tinction it reflected upon the State at large. It was all the more cause 
for general congratulation, from the fact that the appointee was not 
only the first lawyer of the commonwealth, but pre-eminentl)- qualified 
to adjust the many complex questions relating to public lands in the 
West, more especially such as related to the mineral lands. It was 
believed that some of the inconsiderate rulings of the Interior Depart- 
ment and of the General Land Office would be revised and errors cor- 
rected, that the various problems with which he was more broadly 
familiar than any of his predecessors had been, would receive intelligent 
hearing, prompt and proper determination. It is sufficient to say these 
high expectations were fully realized. Notwithstanding the fact that he 
was sharply assailed by interested parties toward the last, for some of 
his rulings upon railway land grants, none of them have been set aside 
by the courts, and Teller's record stands practically unquestioned as one 
of the most efficient that has been made in that office. 

Adverting to the original subject, after this brief digression. 
Lieutenant Governor Tabor, who, only a few months before had 
reached, as he supposed, a distinct and unchangeable determination not 
to again become a candidate for any political office, but to devote his 
time and talents to the vast business interests that had come to him 
with great wealth, became suddenly inspired with feverish ambition to 
succeed Mr. Teller in the Senate, and pushed his aspiration with vehe- 
ment insistence. His appeals were brought to Governor Pitkin's at- 
tention by every influence that could be devised. He listened patientl)-, 
but made no pledges. When the time came for definite action, he 
acted prompth'. 

Mr. Teller's letter of resignation reached the executive office in the 
evening of April loth, and on the nth George M. Chilcott of Pueblo 
was appointed to the vacancy, probably the wisest selection then avail- 
able, and as satisfactory to all interests. It was hailed with profound 
gratification in the southern part of the State, which now for the first 
time, since Allen A. Bradford's election as Territorial Delegate, had 



32 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

been accorded a representative in tlie national legislature. Chilcott was 
near to the hearts of that people, besides possessing thousands of warm 
admirers in the northern division. He had represented the Territory 
in Congress, from 1S65 to 1868, making an enviable record there, and 
it was believed that in the higher council he would be useful to the 
fullest measure of his fine capabilities. He was seated in the Senate 
April 17th, and throughout his brief term met every expectation that 
had been formed of him. 

On the 2 2d of July, there came a report by associated press, from 
Washington, that Secretary Teller had recommended Judge Westbrook 
S. Decker of Denver, for the office of Assistant Secretary of the 
Interior; that it had been approved by the president, and his name 
transmitted to the Senate for confirmation. At that time, however, 
judge Decker was an aspirant for the more independent office of Rep- 
resentative in Congress, with hopes of a nomination, therefore would 
have declined the tender of the Assistant .Secretaryship, had it been 
made, but as a matter of fact, the report was without foundation. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 33 



CHAPTER II. 

Political events from 18S2 to 1S86 — administrations of grant, eaton and 
ADAMS — JIR. Chaffee's last appearance in Colorado politics — re-election 

OF H. M. teller to THE SENATE TELLER'S EULOGY OF MR, CHAFFEE THE GREAT 

military EXPEDITION TO WHITE RIVER. 

Preparation for the fall campaign of 1882, began sometime in 
aclvance of the nominating conventions, giving early promise of being 
the most virulent in local history. Ex-Senator Chaffee arrived upon the 
field at the inceptive stage, to assume the direction of the canvass, from 
the selection of candidates through the various ramifications of the 
primaries, to nomination and election. Long prior to the time for 
decisive action, it was understood that Senator X. P. Hill would 
advance Mr. Henry R. Wolcott as his candidate for Governor, and also 
that it would be done in the interest of his own re-election to the Senate. 
The main incentive of Mr. Chaffee's part in the conflict, was his desire 
to return Henry M. Teller to the office he had vacated for the Interior 
Department, at the expiration of his term in the cabinet. Naturally 
enough, much excitement resulted from the stirring rumors growing out 
of those preparations for a mighty wrestle in the political arena, which 
spread to all parts of the State, inspiring the partisans of each leader to 
secure as many delegates as possible for the coming general convention. 
Wolcott carried the primaries in Denver, Gilpin, Clear Creek, and at a 
few other points, but failed to secure a m^ajority in the final count. It 
was not opposition to him personal!)- that caused his defeat, but rather 
to the universal understanding that the Senatorship lay back of his can- 
didacy. The party being divided between Hill and Chaffee, the latter 
was still sufficiently potential as a leader to control the field. But in 



34 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

this instance as in some prior contentions, the two great parties did not 
have the field to themselves, a third composite organization, called the 
Greenback Labor Party, entering as a disturbing factor of considerable 
force, without power, lacking numerical strength to decide anything for 
itself, but nevertheless capable of effecting serious divisions in the 
ranks of both Republicans and Democrats. 

It was the first to hold its convention, which assembled in Denver, 
September 9th, and put forth the ticket which follows: 

For Representative in Congress. — L. W. Greene of Lake. 

For Governor. — Dr. R. G. Buckingham of Arapahoe. 

For Lieutenant-Governor. — T. O. Sanders of Custer. 

For Secretary of State. — W. N. Batchelder of . 

For Treasurer. — L. J. Herzinger of Larimer. 

For Auditor. — Aaron K. Frost of El Paso. 

For Attornev General. — A. H. Boreman of .Summit. 

For Superintendent of Pnblie Instruction. — Mrs. Mar)- Ellis of 
Lake. 

For Justice of tlie Supreme Court. — L. C. Hollingsworth. 

For Chairman of tJie State Central Committee. — Dr. H. B. Button 
of Arapahoe. 

Dr. Buckingham refusing to accept the nomination for Governor, 
Mr. George W. Woy of Longmont was substituted. 

On the 14th of the same month, the Republicans held their con- 
vention in the Tabor Opera House, Denver, when as anticipated, there 
was hot contention for the mastery, with the odds materially favorable 
to Mr. Chaffee and his supporters. The Lake County delegation, 
strong and aggressive, demanded the right to name the head of the 
ticket, presenting the name of Mr. E. L. Campbell, one of its citizens. 
Mr. Chaffee's choice was Norman H. Meldrum, but he acquiesced in 
the demand for Campbell in order to secure control. Mr. Wolcott's 
friends advanced his claims, and wrought pertinaciously for him, but 
unavailingly. It was seen early in the struggle that he could not be 
chosen, although by far the fittest of the candidates presented. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 35 

By pre-arrangement, Charles W. Tankersley was made the chair- 
man and George T. Clark, secretary. After a great deal of preliminary 
skirmishing and speech making, the following ticket was nominated: 

For Representative in Congress. — James B. Belford. 

For Governor. — E. L. Campbell of Lake. 

For Lieutenant Governor. — William H. iVlejer of Costilla. 

For Secretary of State. — Melvin Edwards of Summit. 

For Treasurer. — Fred Walsen of Huerfano. 

For Auditor. — John C. Abbott of Larimer. 

For Attorney General. — D. F. Urmy of Pueblo. 

For Superintendent of Public Instruction. — Joseph C. Shattuck of 

Weld. 1186743 

For Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. — Joseph C. Helm of 
El Paso. 

For Regent of the State University. — James Rice of Pueblo. 

For Chairman of the State Central Committee.- — Jerome B. Chaffee. 

The delegates from the judicial districts made the following 
nominations : 

For Judge of the Second District. — Victor A. Elliott (renominated). 

For Jttdge of the First District. — C. C. Carpenter of Jefferson. 

For Judge oj the Fourth District. — -P. J. Coster of Chaffee. 

For Judge of the Fifth District.—]. B. Bissell of Lake. 

A week later (the 21st), the Democratic party held its convention 
in Denver. It had been for some time conceded that James B. Grant 
would be nominated to fhe headship of the ticket, provided he could be 
induced to make the sacrifice of his great business affairs as the presi- 
dent and director of the Grant Smelting Company, a matter kn®wn to 
be difficult of accomplishment. He did not seek this nor any other 
form of political preferment, and it was only after long and persistent 
importunity that he finally consented to the use of his name. 

Mr. Charles S. Thomas of Lake, was made chairman, and in due 
time the following selections were made : 

For Representative in Congress. — S. S. Wallace of Las Animas. 



36 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

For Governor. — James B. Grant of Arapahoe. 

For Lieutenant Governor. — John W. Prowers of Bent. 

For Secretary of State. — Frank C. Johnson of Gunnison. 

For Treasurer. — Dennis Sulhvan of Arapahoe. 

'For Auditor. — Ansel Watrous of Larimer. 

For Attorney General. — B. P'. Montgomery of Custer. 

For Superintendent of Public Instruction. — P'rancis 1\P Brown of 
Boulder. 

For Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. — Vincent D. JNIark- 
ham of Arapahoe. 

For Regent of the University. — Jared Van Auken of Clear Creek. 

For Chairman of the State Central Committee. — Thomas M. 
Patterson. 

The delegates from the judicial districts named : 

For Judge of the Second District. — Victor A. Elliott (the Repub- 
lican candidate indorsed). 

For Judge of the Third District. — Caldwell Yeaman of Las 
Animas. 

For Judge of the Fourth District. — William Harrison of El Paso. 

For Judge of the Fifth District. — L. M. Goddard of Lake. 

For Jtidge of the Sixth District. — J. F. Co.\ of Fremont. 

The campaign being now fairly opened, with the two great party 
leaders, Chaffee and Patterson, once more pitted against one another, 
it was prosecuted with e.xtraerdinary vigor to the end. The Repub- 
lican convention adjourned with the feeling everywhere prevalent that 
it had narrowly escaped a fatal division, and that it had made its stand- 
ard bearer a man who possessed neither magnetism, personal popularit\- 
nor any superior qualification for the place. Moreover, he was strongl}- 
suspected of being a Democrat, as he had many times supported that 
party. The balance of the nominees were accepted, and would prob- 
ably be elected, since there was no organized opposition. The leading 
organ of the party — the " Tribune," edited by O. H. Rothacker, having 
strenuously advocated the nomination of Mr. Wolcott, revolted openly 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 37 

against Campbell, and the " Republican," espousing- Senator Hill's 
cause, did likewise. Besides, the party at large stubbornly refused to 
accept him. Unquestionably had Henry R. Wolcott been chosen 
instead, as he would have been but for the interjection of the Sena- 
torial succession as the one vital element in the campaign, he would have 
swept the held to a great majority, as he was deservedly popular with 
the masses, and in all respects highly endowed for a vigorous adminis- 
tration of the affairs of government. Indeed, he possessed all the 
requisites of popularity, a generous nature, winning manners, superior 
capabilities for business, an extensive acquaintance with the people, 
commanding their respect. 

On the other hand, James B. Grant was the most attractive candi- 
date in every respect that had ever been put forward by the Democratic 
party. The contrast of his personal standing and character, his stain- 
less integrity and the exalted esteem in which he was held by all classes, 
with the contempt openly expressed for his adversary, was so marked 
there appeared to be but one alternative for Republicans and Demo- 
crats alike, and that was to vote for Grant. This impulse grew stronger 
with each da)- of the campaign. Although Mr. Chaffee exhausted 
every resource to stem the tide, it could not be restrained. It burst 
over all bounds, anci elected Grant by a sweeping majority, but he was 
the only .State officer of his part)' chosen. His administration w^as one 
of the most satisfactory in the history of that office. There was a note- 
worthy absence of strife and confusion. It was a quiet, strong, tran- 
quil government, almost without striking incident for the reason chiefly 
that the business was conducted without ostentatious display, and 
without straining to convert every trifling event into a means for the 
creation of political capital for himself or his party. He had no desire 
for re-election, or ambition for further preferment. Unlike some of his 
predecessors and successors, he had no Senatorial bees in his bonnet. 

The bane of our political system is the eternal and almost frantic 
craze that possesses nearly every politician who assumes to be a leader, 
and which has governed the majority of our Governors, to fill a seat in 



3-8 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

the Senate. Time was when the chief magistracy of a State was a dis- 
tinguished position, held only by great men, scholars and statesmen, a 
place to which only the great dared aspire. Eminence in statecraft 
rendered them eligible for high places in the nation, in the cabinets of 
Presidents, to be Ministers Plenipotentiary in the courts of Europe, but 
that day has gone b)-. 

Governor Grant is the only man except Alva Adams who has been 
called to the ofifice, not self-nominated. .Says one of our noted limners 
of political portraits: " He is not much of a statesman, and he is still 
less of a politician ; but he is what all statesmen, and all politicians, 
desire to be, — an influence. He is not a political leader, and he has 
never displayed any political genius ; but there is not a political leader, 
whatever his genius, in the Democratic party who could at a crisis carry 
the mass of the party in Colorado against him." 

He was inaugurated January gth, 1883. The Eourth General As- 
sembly convened on the 3d, when arose the troublesome question of 
the Senatorship, which disturbed all the factions until the 26th, pre- 
venting any useful legislative work. Caucuses without number w-ere 
held. Lobby members swarmed about the chambers, the committee 
rooms and the rotunda and parlors of the principal hotel, where the 
candidates had opened their respective headquarters, all engaged in or 
with combinations " warranted to insure success." Pitkin entered the 
lists with a strong and faithful following, but Tabor, Bowen and others 
divided the vote into small fractions, so that no majority could be 
secured. Caucus after caucus was held, but there was no agreement. 
At length the balloting was taken before the Assembly, but for a long 
time no definite result was attained. At last, on the ninety-second 
ballot, Thomas M. Bowen, a member of the House of Representatives, 
was chosen to be the successor of Nathaniel P. Hill, and Horace A. W. 
Tabor to fill out the short remainder of Mr. Teller's unexpired term of 
about thirty days. Many believed, and justly, that Mr. Chilcott should 
have been permitted to remain during the brief interval extending 
beyond the period for which he had been appointed, but the politicians 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 39 

Avho were indebted to Tabor for weighty favors in tlie past, and prob- 
ably expected further benefits from his generous hand in the future, 
seized this opportunity to cancel the debt, and, regardless of other con- 
siderations, sent him to the Senate, both as a satisfaction of his claims 
upon them, and of his ambition. 

The next political event of importance was the general campaign 
of 1883, when it became necessary to so manage affairs as to insure the 
return of Henry M. Teller to the Senate on the expiration of his term 
as Secretary of the Interior. Here again, the factions so long opposed 
to each other were arrayed in bitterest hostility, creating dissensions 
and ciivisions which threatened to disrupt the Republican organization 
and give the Democrats the ascendancy. Yet strangely enough, that 
result did not follow. Mr. Chaffee reappeared as the leader of the 
party — for the last time — and arranged his canvass in Arapahoe County 
by fixing upon Mr. George H. Graham, a ward politician of some note, 
as his candidate for sheriff, with a view to securing the most effective aid 
from that source in this stronghold of Republicanism. The Democrats 
named Mr. J. \V. Shackelford as their candidate for the same office. 
In the battle that ensued Mr. Chaffee won, and Mr. Graham was 
elected. Much the same preparation was made in the other counties of 
the State. The main contest, however, did not occur until 1884, which 
was also a presidential year, but the groundwork for it had been laid. 

The Republican State Convention of 18S4 was held at Colorado 
Springs, September loth, when the principal contestants were the can- 
didates for Representative in Congress, and for the office of Governor. 
William A. Hamill of Clear Creek, was made chairman. After spirited 
caucusing and the employment of various devices to defeat certain 
aspirants and advance others, the following ticket was chosen : 

For Representative in Co n£^r ess.— George G. Symes of Arapahoe. 

For Governor. — Benjamin H. Eaton of Weld. 

For Lieutenant Governor. — Peter W. Breene of Lake. 

For Secretary of State. — Melvin Edwards of Eagle, re-nominated. 

For Treasurer. — George R. Swallow of Las Animas. 



40 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

For Auditor. — H. A. Spruance of Clear Creek. 

For Attorney General. — -Theodore H. Thomas of Gunnison. 

For Superintendent of Public Instruction. — Leonidas S. Cornell of 
Boulder. 

For Regents of the University. — Roger W. Woodbury of Ara- 
pahoe, Clinton M. Tyler of Boulder, and J. C. Shattuck of Weld. 

For Presidential Electors. — F. F. Osbiston of Clear Creek, Benja- 
min V . Crowell of El Paso and Frank C. Goudy of Ouray. 

For Chairman of the State Central Committee. — Wilbur C. 
Lothrop of Arapahoe. 

For the first time since the admission of the State in 1876, the 
part}- chose another candidate for Representative than James B. 
Belford. Mr. Symes had served in the Federal army from the 
beginning- to the close, first as a private, subsequently rising through 
various grades to the rank of colonel of the Forty-fourth Wisconsin 
Infantry, and was twice severely wounded. Educated for the legal pro- 
fession, after the collapse of the rebellion he practiced law in Paducah, 
Kentucky, for a time, and was then appointed Associate Justice of the 
Supreme Court of Montana Territory. He came to Colorado in 1874, 
opened an office in Denver, and soon acquired a very large practice, 
through which in the course of a few years he became enriched. 

Benjamin H. Eaton was one of the oldest and most respected of our 
citizens, an extensive farmer, builder of great irrigating canals, essen- 
tially a man of the people, who had pushed his way by earnest labor 
and honest devotion to the cause of agriculture, and the development 
of that industry upon the higher planes, to the headship of the guild. 
Possessed of only a limited education, derived from brief experience in 
the public schools, too hard worked in early life, and well on toward the 
latter half, for study and mental culture, the want of scholastic training 
was filled by sound common sense, which led to orderly management, 
and the expansion of his original small farm in W^eld County to one of 
the largest landed and most extensively cultivated estates in Colorado. 
Becoming interested in the Greeley or Union Colony at the inception 




n. 




HISTORY OF COLORADO. 41 

of that beneficent enterprise, he was the first to engage in the con- 
struction of the series of great waterways which have made the colony 
lands so fruitful in all kinds of produce. He is renowned as the great 
canal builder of Northern Colorado, and its largest producer of cereals. 
He is a man of great force and decision of character, but lacks the 
power to gi\'e eloquent public utterance to his views ; he ne\'er was and 
never will be an interesting speech maker, for he has not the slightest 
qualification that fits men for such displays, but as his success in the 
fields for which he was eminently fitted, shows, he is a plain, practical, 
energetic and unusually progressive granger, possessing a wide in- 
fluence in that domain. He Boated westward from beyond the I\Iis- 
sissij)pi with the first waxes of the Pike's Peak immigration in 1S59, '^^'^'-^ 
after engagement in various pursuits, mining, freighting, etc., finally 
settled down to the vocation in which he had been schooled, taking up 
a ranch claim on the Cache la Poudre in 1864, at a point twelve miles 
abo\e the present town of Greele)'. In 1S70 he joined Union Colon\', 
and thereafter became prominently identified with the measures that 
insured its success. Having a multitude of friends, and the agricultural 
interest demanding better representation in State affairs than had here- 
tofore been accorded it by the politicians, he was brought forward as 
its candidate for Governor, and was chosen, — not only nominated but 
triumphantly elected, and in the course of his administration proved 
himself in many respects one of the strong representative men of the 
State. Said a local writer of the period, "The politicians do not like 
him., they find him an inconvenient and intractable figure. He gets in 
the way when they 'want to do things.' His presence embarrasses the 
schemers, they are afraid of him, and being afraid, they hate him. But 
he has the confidence of the people, and his rugged common sense and 
sturdy honesty have made an impression on the public mind which 
gives him a very considerable power." 

To return to the original subject, the Greenback party came to the 
front again at an early stage, holding its convention September 17th. 



42 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

George W. Woy of Longmont, presiding. The following nominations 
were made : 

For Representative in Congress. — George W. Woy. 

For Governor. — ^Dr. R. G. Buckingham of Arapahoe. 

For Lieutenant Governor. — Dr. McK. Whyte of Lake. 

For Secretary of State. — INI. C. Dunn of Pueblo. 

For Treasurer .^^ x-s,n\i Church of Arapahoe. 

For Auditor. — Peter Adamson of Fremont. 

For Attorney General. — A. J. Miller of Gunnisor. 

For Superintendent of Public Instruction. — O. L. Smith of 
Arapahoe. 

For Regents of the University. — Warren Bl)'nn of Larimer, and J. 
K. Mills of Jefferson. 

Again Dr. Buckingham declined the nomination, and John E. 
Washburne of Larimer was substituted. 

For Chairman of the State Central Committee. — J. R. Buchanan. 

The delegates of the Democratic party met in Denver, September 
24th, 1884, B. F. Montgomery chairman, when the ticket subjoined was 
proclaimed: 

For Representative in Congress. — Charles S. Thomas of Lake. 

For Governor. — Alva Adams of Pueblo. 

For Lieutenant Governor. — Andrew D. Wilson of Arapahoe. 

For Secretary ^y ^'Ar/r.^Charles O. Unfug of Huerfano. 

For Treasurer. — Thomas J. Maloney of Gunnison. 

For Auditor. — Ansel B. Watrous of Larimer. 

For Attorney General. ■ . 

For Superintendent of Public Instruction. — S. B. Carroll of Chaffee. 

For Regents of the University. — George W. Rusk, W. W. Cooley 
and George Tritch. 

For Presidential Flectors. — Casimiro Barela, James B. Grant and 
Joseph Doyle. 

For Chairman of the State Central Committee. — A. J. Bean of 
Gunnison. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 43 

At the election following, as on all previous occasions, the Repub- 
licans were victorious by considerable majorities. Mr. Blaine's plurality 
was 8,650, and the average Republican majority 5,934. Judge Symes' 
plurality was 6,726, but that of Mr. Melvin Edwards for Secretary of 
State exceeded all others, being 9,234. 

At the meeting of presidential electors, Mr. F. C. Goudy was 
chosen messenger to convey the vote of Colorado to Washington. 

The Fifth General Assembly convened January 7th, 1885, when 
the choice of United States Senator again became the absorbing topic 
of political discussion, and, as usual, each of the principal contestants 
figured for every attainable advantage in the organization of the lower 
House. Mr. Chaffee opened headquarters in the Windsor Hotel, and 
began his canvass in behalf of H. M. Teller, on whose election all his 
plans had been based. But Mr. Teller was rather averse to accepting 
any further political honors, from the fact that he was a poor man ; that 
the law business of the firm of which he was the head, had suffered for 
the want of his personal attention, and it was the urgent desire of his 
brother and Mr. Orahood that he should abandon public life and give 
them the aid they needed in their very large and growing practice. 
But the desire of the leading politicians to defeat Ex-Senator Hill's 
efforts for re-election to the Senate, toward which all his energies were 
bent, and it being discovered after a count that Teller was the only man 
who could accomplish this result, he was induced to stand. But it had 
been previously arranged that ex-Governor Routt should make the 
attempt. When the caucus met and voted, however, it was found that 
he could not be chosen, although he received nearly enough to nom- 
mate. Therefore, as the main purpose was to overthrow ex-Senator 
Hill's chances, Mr. Teller was brought forward. 

The Senate organized by the election of James Moynahan of Park 
County as presiding ofificer. For speaker, the House elected T. B. 
Stuart of Arapahoe. Governor Grant delivered his final message to 
the Assembly, but no effective work was attempted until after the 
installation of his successor. 



ii HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Governor-elect Eaton was inaugurated January 13th. His address 
was a brief and well considered document devoted largely, as expected, 
to matters relating to agriculture, irrigation, public land questions and 
kindred subjects, which he conceived to lie at the base of our stability 
and wealth. He was assured in advance of the hearty good will of the 
people, who believed he would be honest and sincere, if not brilliant and 
showy. These preliminaries concluded, and the new administration 
launched, the fight for the Senatorship began with renewed vigor. The 
struggle for supremacy on this occasion was the mightiest in our his- 
tory. Tabor came in as a third party between Hill and Teller, but 
causing no material diversion, as it was seen at the outset that this was 
to be a battle of giants, and the members had no stomach for side 
issues. Tabor's hopes were based upon a not very astute political cal- 
culation that neither Hill nor Teller could be elected, and that the 
choice would fall to him as a compromise. 

The Republican caucus was held on the 1 7th, when some \er)- 
heated discussions ensued, during which the adherents of Mr. Hill, fail- 
ing to secure his nomination or any concession to their demands, with- 
drew, refusing to be governed by the action of the majorit}- which had 
voted for Mr. Teller. Personal and partisan feeling ran high, fierce 
disputes arose, and in such a state of disorder no agreement could be 
reached. 

The Democrats on the contrar)-, had a serene and peaceful session, 
because, being in a hopeless minority, they had no differences to 
arrange only complimentary votes to bestow. They fixed upon Mr. 
Dennis Sullivan as their candidate with absolute unanimity, and re- 
mained faithful unto the end. 

On the 20th the question came before the Assembly for action, each 
house voting separately. In the Senate Mr. Teller received 13, Hill 5, 
Sullivan 8. In the lower branch, Teller received 22, Hill 12, Tabor i, 
Sullivan 14. The houses met in joint convention at noon the following- 
day, but before a ballot could be taken, a letter from Senator Hill was 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 45 

read, withdrawing his name from the Hst of candidates. The final vote 
stood: Teller 50, Sullivan 20, Moses Hallett 3, N. P. Hill i. 

Thus ended this exciting and acrimonious contest, after which the 
legislators settled down to the work of framing and passing bills. One 
of the more prominent measures introduced was a bill for the regulation 
of railways, which as passed, provided for the appointment of one com- 
missioner. All the better provisions had been eliminated during its 
course, leaving it at the last weak and ill-fitted to serve any good purpose 
whatever. Governor Eaton sent to the Senate the name of Roger \V. 
Woodbury, President of the Chamber of Commerce, for the office of 
commissioner, but owing to the objections raised that he was a stock- 
holder in the Denver & New Orleans Railway, then engaged in a war 
with all other roads in the State, it was withdrawn, and that of W. B. 
Felker substituted, who was immediately confirmed. The attempt to 
enforce this law proved only a burden of expense without accomplishing 
anything of value to the people. 

We now pass to the consideration of political events in 1886. The 
Republicans convened in Denver September 28th, H. M. Teller tem- 
porary chairman, H. A. W. Tabor succeeding him as permanent 
chairman. 

This was termed Edward O. Wolcott's convention, for the reason 
that it was composed largely of delegates who had been chosen in the 
interest of his budding aspirations to a seat in the United .States 
Senate, to be consummated at a future date, when Senator Bowen's 
term should expire. Mr. Wolcott was the master spirit of this body, 
having directed the election of its members and its final organization. 
That he was ably seconded b)' man\- strong men of the part)' who fully 
comprehended the main purpose in view, was manifest in the success 
achieved. It was called to order by Wilbur C. Lothrop, chairman of 
the Central Committee, one of the shrewdest of our political managers. 
The following ticket was evolved : 

For Representative in Congress. — George G. Symes, renominated. 

For Governor. — William H. Meyer of Costilla. 



4f5 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

For Lieutenant Governor. — Norman H. Meldrum of Larimer. 

For Secretary of State. — James Rice of Pueblo. 

For Treasurer. — Peter W. Breene of Lake. 

For Auditor. — D. P. Kingsley of Montrose. 

For Attorney General. — Alvin Marsh of Gilpin. 

For Superintendent of Public Instruction. — Leonidas S. Cornell of 
Boulder. 

For Regents of the University. — Wolfe Londoner, Daniel E. New- 
comb and E. J. Temple. 

For Chairman of the State Central Committee. — H. A. \V. Tabor. 

During the proceedings, Senator Teller offered the following : 

JifSD/zrd, That, submitting humbly to the All Wise and inscrutable Providence who 
has removed from our midst, since the last State Convention, the late Honorable Jerome 
B. Chaffee, we notwithstanding, sincerely deplore his death, and here attest our appre- 
ciation of his character.* 

" Although he was continuously engaged in mining for a quarter of a 
century, he was always active in advocating the interests of the State 
and country. By patient, strenuous and persistent effort, he, more than 
any man now living, contributed to the admission of our State into the 
National Union. In analyzing his character it can be said with entire 
truthfulness, that he was a just man, a correct thinker and an energetic 
actor. He was never ostentatious nor boastful; was a leader of men, 
and one of the foremost of his party in the State and nation ; unaffect- 
edly simple in manner, without conceit in himself or deceit toward others ; 
a true and lasting friend, and not an implacable enemy ; modest in all his 
pretensions, but firm of purpose and formidable as an antagonist ; of a 
kind and forgiving nature ; in religion always tolerant, in political faith 
an ardent Republican. In his demise the party of the State and nation 
has lost a wise and able counsellor, and a steadfast supporter; yet his 
personal and political friends, those who knew him best and loved him 
most, as well as his rivals, all of whom he equaled and most of whom he 
excelled, as they recall to mind his kindly greetings and cordial friend- 

*E.N-Senator Cliaffee died .March Qtli, iSS6. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 47 

ship, are apt to forget their admiration of his sterHng quaUties of mind 
and character in their personal affection for the virtues of the man." 

Having read the foregoing, pending action upon it, Mr. Teller gave 
a rapid resume of Mr. Chaffee's life. " It was my fortune," he said, " to 
be associated with him in political and social relations for more than 
twenty-five years. I was a member of the first convention in the Ter- 
ritory that nominated him for the legislature. An active, conscientious, 
persistent worker in legislative measures, with a degree of common sense 
rarely allotted to men, he assisted in forming the State and in directing 
its destiny. Mr. Chaffee's father and my own had been bosom friends 
in the State of New York, seventy years ago ; his relations intermarried 
with mine, therefore some of his relatives are also mine. I first met him 
in Lake Gulch, Gilpin County, where he was engaged in mining and 
milling in the early days. At a subsequent period, as both were deeply 
immersed in politics, events transpired which served to separate us for 
a time, but there never was an hour during all the time that this rivalry 
existed, in which our personal relations were not cordial. The party 
endowed him with honors which I may say were far more beneficial to 
the State than to himself. He did more than any other man living to 
secure our admission as a State. Had it not been accomplished in 1876, 
it probably would not have been to this day. He was chosen first sen- 
ator. The universal sentiment of the Republican party in Colorado was 
that Mr. Chaffee should be its first senator, for by his herculean en- 
deavors in that behalf he had fully earned the distinction, therefore he 
was elected without controversy or division. For two years and three 
months I sat with him in the national councils without dissension or 
disagreement. The opportunity thus afforded him by his State, enabled 
him to reach out more extendedly in political affairs, and I speak ad- 
visedly when I say that I do not believe that when Jerome B. Chaffee 
was in the full strength of his vigor in 1S84, there was a man in civil life, 
not a candidate for office, anywhere in the United States who was more 
potential in national politics than himself, and it is the judgment of many 
intelligent men of the party all over the country, that but for his unfor- 



48 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

tunatc illness which took him out of the national campaign for six weeks, 
Mr. Blaine would have been elected President of the United States. 

"As a citizen he was patriotic, progressiv^e, enterprising and honest. 
As a politician he was wise, vigorous, far seeing and a master of combi- 
nations. I trust that the State he has done so much to honor will take 
some appropriate measures to perpetuate the name and fame of this man, 
who with his own hands laid its foundation." 

The resolution was adopted by a rising vote. Although delivered 
with characteristic dignity and calmness, without a quiver of the voice 
and without pathos, it is undoubtedly true that Senator Teller felt much 
more than was expressed in his resolution and the after panegyric. He was 
very largely indebted to Mr. Chaffee's efforts for his third election, and 
in great degree for the first. Whilst he alluded briefly to the early sev- 
erance of their relations in Territorial times, it is a matter of history that 
they came into open conflict that raged with extreme rancor during the 
State campaign of 1865, in which during the absence of Teller, 
Chaffee combined with Governor Evans, and both were elected to 
the Senate. Teller and Evans had been the candidates in 1864, and 
it was the new movement and the change of combination that brought 
about the rivalry of which he speaks. It was fierce and stormy for some 
years, causing many divisions, but passed with the ever moving current 
of events, and finally there came a day freighted with momentous issues 
when they were drawn together in perfect concord and the most attached 
friendship, that continued until death broke the links. It was most 
unfortunate that they and Senator Hill should have so radically disa- 
greed upon personal and political grounds, as to make reconciliation 
impossible, for it fomented disorders in the ranks of their party which 
may not be healed during the lifetime of the surviving principals. In 
Mr. Chaffee's death Teller lost the friend and ally who was foremost in 
advancing his political fortunes, and while he has hewn his way to a 
lofty station in the Senate, taking rank among the most eminent men of 
his time, his party at home has fared badly through the lack of a safe 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 49 

counsellor and guide. Mr. Teller, though skilled in the science of itqv- 
ernment, is not a skillful politician. 

But let us return to the Convention. The ticket nominated, 
especially its head, was coldly received, indicating unmistakably, premo- 
nition of disaster. It was met with harsh criticism on all sides, and pre- 
dictions of defeat. Mr. Meyer, although an estimable citizen, intelligent, 
experienced in matters pertaining to legislation through his frequ'ent 
election to the legislature, and his term as Lieutenant-Governor, a 
thorough-going man of business, earnest, vigorous in action, of blameless 
private life, the first citizen of the southwestern counties, a keen poli- 
tician, still lacked the indefinable elements of presence, so to speak, 
which go far toward making up the popular ideal of an executive head 
of government. And it is indisputable that the ideal has as large a part 
as the real in filling our conceptions of fitness for high places. We can 
tolerate the ordinary and commonplace in the subordinate offices, bu>t 
not often in the headship. Meyer was as well educated, as moral, respect- 
able and dignified in bearing as many who had filled that office, but in 
some inexplicable way was wanting in the small shades of ideality that 
are too often mistakenly regarded as essential attributes of worth. He 
was not a statesman in the general sense, yet he was a noted politician 
who had rendered distinguished service to many of his compeers, yet he 
was rejected, chiefly for the reasons given. 

The Democrats held their convention in the Chamber of Commerce 
at Denver, October 5th, and chose Thomas M. Patterson for presiding 
officer. He arranged their programme, considered every question and 
governed with consummate ability. This ticket \\'as nominated : 

For Representative in Congress. — Re\'. Myron W. Reed of 
Arapahoe. 

For Governor.— AXvdi Adams of Pueblo, renominated. 

For Lieutenant-Governor. — H. B. Gillespie of Pitkin. 

For Secretary of State. — Jerry Mahone)' of Lake. 

For Treasurer. — -James A. Benedict of Weld. 

For Auditor. — Casimiro Barela of Las Animas. 



50 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

For AttoDicy General. — E. J. Stirman of Ouray. 

For Superintendent of Public Instruction, no nomination. 

For Regents of the University. — -Fred. Lockwood, — Bertschej- of 
Saguache. 

For Cliairnian of the State Ccjitral Committee. — James F. Mathews 
of Arapahoe. 

While Mr. Reed hoped and expected to defeat Mr. Symes for 
Congress, it is quite certain that Alva Adams had little expectation of 
being elected. He had been defeated in 1884, and it does not often 
occur in politics that the same candidate is successful in a second venture 
against equal odds. But he was exceedingly popular with his party and 
with all others who knew him. There was hope, however, in the pros- 
pect that the disaffection toward the opposing candidate would result, as 
in the case of Campbell, in throwing a large Republican vote to him. 

In his speech of acceptance he said, that when chosen two years 
before,- the nomination was reluctantly taken. His reluctance was even 
greater now than it had been on that occasion. He was poor, and 
strongly disinclined to make a business of politics and self-seeking. To 
take up the canvass and carry it on, every personal feeling and interest 
must be sacrificed ; all his desires were in opposition, and it was solel\- 
because of the unanimously expressed desire and vote of the convention 
that he accepted the grave responsibility. He had neither the time nor 
the means to stump the .State in his own behalf, therefore should not 
attempt it. If he was to be elected, the party and not its nominee for 
Governor must take care of the details. He warned them, moreover, 
that he would not accept the office if it could only be secured by fraud, 
and corruption of the elective franchise. It must be a fair and honorable 
canvass, an honest ballot antl an honest count, " I believe," said he, ' 
"that truth, honesty and integrity In politics are just as essential as they 
are in the government of our individual lives, and these principles must 
be observed, or I cannot approve.'' 

Now all this may have been, and undoubtedly was regarded by the 
multitude as mere political declamation ; that this campaign, like all 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 51 

others, would be conducted with especial reference to the maxim that 
" the end justifies the means." But it so happened that in this particular 
canvass, Adams was elected, and there is nothing to show that any but 
fair and legitimate measures were used to secure that result. 

There was great and exuberant rejoicing in the Southern division 
of the State, manifested most emphatically, however, in Pueblo, the 
home of the governor elect, where all men without distinction of party 
or creed were his friends. Much powder was burned and uproar created 
when the intelligence flashed to them over the electric wires. A great 
procession of people marched to his residence, to the exhilarating strains 
of martial music, took him captive and carried him off to the De Remer 
Opera House, where a joyful reception was held, and congratulations 
exchanged. It was a memorable day for Pueblo, an historic day for 
Alva Adams. 

As the career of this man has been somewhat exceptional, let us 
review it. He was born May 14th, 1850, consequently at this writing 
is but 40 years of age ; his birthplace an humble farmhouse in Iowa 
County, Wisconsin. His father a Kentuckian, and his mother a native 
of New York, were pioneers in the lead mining districts of the North- 
west. The rudiments of his education were obtained in the most ordi- 
nary of country district schools, where he learned to read, write and 
cipher, nothing more. His brother being an invalid, for his benefit the 
family decided in 1S71 to seek the famous climate of Colorado; there- 
fore, with a horse team and a "grasshopper wagon," they crossed the 
plains in the spring of the year mentioned, stopping in the then 
recently established town of Greeley. They soon after moved on to 
Denver, when young Alva needing employment for the earnings it would 
bring, took the first that offered, that of hauling ties from the mountains 
south of the city — the first that were used in the construction of the 
Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. In July of the same year he went to 
Colorado Springs in the employ of Mr. C. VV. Sanborn, proprietor of a 
small retail supply of lumber and hardware. Colorado Springs was 
then but the germ of a small colony with material distances between 



52 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

its fixed inhabitants. On the 7th of August Mr. Adams had completed 
a small frame house and store of two rooms, that served for the display 
of Mr. Sanborn's stock of hardware, for a lumber office and living 
apartment. This rude little building was located on South Cascade 
Avenue, nearly opposite the present Antler's Hotel. 

In October Mr. Adams purchased the entire business for $4,100, 
giving his note at two per cent, per month for that amount. This was 
his first business venture, the beginning of his independent career in 
Colorado, an humble one, to be sure, but productive of consequences. 
The lumber was sold at a good profit, and, in the following year and 
ever afterward his sole attention was given to the hardware interest. 
In 1872 Joseph, C. Wilson was admitted to partnership, conducting the 
store in Colorado Springs, while Aciams went to Pueblo and there 
established a branch house. Later the partnership was dissolved, 
Wilson taking the business at Colorado Springs. 

In 1873 Mr. Adams became one of the trustees of South Pueblo. 
In the meantime he had established branch hardware stores in the San 
Juan country. In 1S76 he was elected to the first State legislature, 
where he made an excellent record. In 1SS4, as already related, he 
was nominated for the office of Governor, and again in 1SS6, when he 
was elected by about 2,400 majority. He arrived in Colorado at the 
age of twenty-one. Fifteen years later the emigrant and tie hauler sat 
at the head of the State directing its destiny. The ceremony of his 
inauguration took place with unprecedented display January iith fol- 
lowing, a large delegation from Pueblo being present. The inaug- 
uration ball given in the Opera House that evening was the most elab- 
orate and largely attended ever witnessed in the capital city. 

I cannot recall an executive term which gave more general satis- 
faction than this. Governor Adams entered upon the office at thirty- 
six attended by the fullest confidence of the people, regardless of party 
affiliations or prejudices. This esteem arose from the profoundest 
reliance upon his integrity. His duties were discharged with scrupulous 
regard for the public welfare. All appointments to office were made 




i^zy^^^^^tJ^ ^^^^:3^^^^-,^::^ 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 53 

in the same spirit. Every appropriation bill was scrutinized with the 
greatest care, within the province of the Executive ; no money expended 
that was not essential to the proper maintenance of the government. 
A true anah'sis of the finances of this term establishes the fact that the 
fiduciary trusts of the .State were administered with prudence and 
economy. The estimates of receipts and expenditures were more or 
less deranged and embarrassed by the military expedition to White 
River, by the worthlessness of a large amount of delinciuent taxes that 
had come down from previous administrations as available assets, and 
from the decision of the -Supreme Court upon Section 3 of Article II of 
the Constitution, which reduced the rate of tax levy for the general 
fund from four to two and thirteen-thirtieth mills, and held the original 
levy of four mills to be illegal. Under this decision the Attorney Gen- 
eral instructed the Auditor to give credit to the various counties on the 
taxes of 1 886 amounting to $194,689.21. The effect of this proceeding 
was to add a like amount to the net indebtedness of the State, and to 
render a large part of the taxes delinquent November 30th, 1886, and 
other years, of no value. Although Governor Adams was in no wise 
responsible for these large amounts, they appear in the footings for the 
fiscal years 1887 and 18S8. Taking due cognizance of the constantly 
increasing demands for the support of State institutions, and the 
growing necessities of a rapidly expanding commonwealth, the expend- 
itures of his term were within reasonable limits. While no just or 
necessary claim was denied, the executive approval was withheld from 
every expenditure of money that was not demanded by an imperative 
emergency. In this spirit of economy, and in behalf of the State's 
credit he vetoed numerous bills appropriating very large sums for the 
construction of bridges over various streams, and for other purposes. 

When a member of the legislature in 1876 he was noted as one of 
the most strenuous in his efforts against the passage of special appro- 
priations. He kept close watch of the treasury, and did everything in 
his power to keep down expenses. He carried the same spirit Into the 
executive office, holding to it tenaciously throughout. 



54 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

The most striking event of his term grew out of an alleged uprising 
of Ute Indians under Chief Colorow, early in August. 18S7. It was 
very costly, and in some of its aspects supremely ludicrous. There 
were many wlio believed the military expedition sent to White River 
for the repression of the reported disturbance there was without justi- 
fication. But most of these opinions, unhappily for the participants, 
were formed after, not before, the facts were developed. It was but 
one of numerous instances, however, that have marked the history 
of Indian outbreaks in Colorado, beginning with 1863 and coursing 
down through the years to 1879, when the removal of the disturbing 
causes brought an interval of peace and quietude to the isolated ranches. 

In the case under consideration it was the charge of horse stealing- 
preferred against two Indians of Colorow's band which precipitated the 
train of expensive and somewhat bloody consequences about to be 
related. In tracing its course we follow the official reports and cor- 
respondence. These reports furnish all essential particulars, from 
which, after careful reading, the conclusions subjoined have been 
formed. 

To reach an intelligent comprehension of this last conflict with the 
aborigines, it is necessary to advert briefly to the horrible tragedy of 
1879, when Major Thornburg and many of his men were massacred by 
the Utes under command of Captain Jack, and to the subsequent 
slaughter of Agent Meeker and his employes, which eventuated in the 
removal of the White River Indians out of Colorado to a reservation 
provided for them in Utah. Colorow and his small band of followers 
were never reconciled to the change. They were herded with the rest, 
however, and taken across the border despite their remonstrances, but 
soon escaped and wandered back again. For a long tmie they were 
peaceful, committing no depredations. The country being well watered, 
the lands extremely desirable for farming and grazing purposes, settlers 
poured in and occupied them. The town of Meeker was established, 
and a considerable settlement formed, which subsequently (in 1889) 
became the seat of a new county carved out of Garfield, and called Rio 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 55 

Blanco. Stockgrowers brought in herds of cattle, horses and sheep. 
Ranches were pre-empted and the pursuit of agriculture begun, so that 
in due course the valley came to be quite populous. Without inquiring 
into the philanthropic or the humanitarian aspects of the case, we pro- 
ceed directly to the fact that in the treaty effected by an act of Congress 
and the Interior Department at Washington subsequent to the Meeker 
massacre, the Indians surrendered all their rights to that section of 
country, and all but Colorow's insignificant band accepted the con- 
ditions and remained upon the new reservation. At a later date Fort 
Duchesne was established near the Uintah reservation, and garrisoned 
by Federal troops to hold the Indians in check. An agent was 
appointed to care for them, therefore the United States exercised 
supreme control over them. Colorow was a stubborn, ill-tempered, 
insolent old reprobate, but by those who knew his real character he was 
regarded as harmless because cowardly, a man whom the really brave 
warriors of his race held in contempt as an unmitigated nuisance, with 
scarcely a redeeming quality. P'rom time immemorial, at least since the 
first lodgment of white settlers upon the soil of Colorado, it had been 
his practice to wander about among them like a professional tramp 
demanding food, which he frightened the women into preparing for him 
by threatening them with instant death if they refused. This was the 
extent of his bravery, for he was never known to kill or seriously harm 
any one, although sometimes when hungry, — a chronic condition with 
him, — he killed beef cattle for immediate consumption. Now the 
settlers on White River, scattered and isolated, came in time to be sub- 
jected to Colorow's bulldozing tactics, since he hovered about them, 
bragging and bullying, levying tribute from them in various forms, 
going to the reservation agency only when annuities were to be 
distributed. 

We come now to the cause of the disturbances that brought the 
.State troops upon him. As near as can be ascertained, some of his 
Indians were engaged in gambling with a party of cowboys at Meeker, 
to which place they frequently resorted as a trading point for their 



5(5 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

peltries and furs. All Indians are excessively fond of gaming and 
horse racing, and are as reckless in both as the most ardent gamesters 
of the Caucasian race, but lacking their shrewdness. Having staked 
and lost all they had, but unwilling to surrender without another effort, 
two of them went out and stole two horses from the white men's herd, 
which they also staked and lost in the same manner. They were 
accused of horse stealing, in the courts of Garfield County, indicted for 
the offense by the grand jury, warrants for their arrest were issued and 
placed in the hands of J. C. Kendall, sheriff, for service. Kendall 
gathered a strong posse of cowboys, rode roughl)- into Colorow's camp 
and undertook to serve the writs, which was resisted. Hard words, 
threats and warlike demonstrations ensued on both sides. Finally a gun 
was discharged by an Indian, whether accidentally or purposely does 
not appear, but no damage was done. Kendall's posse immediately 
opened fire upon the Indians, and a number of shots were exchanged, 
but the savages soon disappeared in the mountains by swift retreat. 
Upon this needless and ill directed expedition, hinged all subsequent 
reports and movements, resulting in claims against the State amounting 
in the aggregate to about $100,000, and in the loss of several lives. 
Rumors of war spread on every side, reaching all towns and 
ranches, causing general excitement and alarm among the settlers who dis- 
covered in these proceedings the beginning of a general massacre. A 
thousand exciting tales were told; all the dreadful particulars of the 
slaughter of Agent Meeker and his employes in 1879, with the seizure 
and inhuman treatment of the women then made captives, were 
rehearsed over and over again until a universal panic was created. 
When such reports take wings it is impossible to check them. It may 
be likened to a cry of "Fire" in a crowded theater. Reason gives way 
to fear, and the people become ungovernable. The ranchmen hurried 
their families out of their homes into the principal town, and put guards 
about them. Demands for immediate assistance were made upon the 
Governor, who reported the matter to the authorities at Washington, 
and to the commander of this military department, asking that Colorow 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 57 

and his Indians be compelled to return to their reservation. Had these 
appeals been rightly considered and promptly acted upon, the entire 
difficulty could have been adjusted in twenty hours without the loss of 
life or property. But, as usual, action was not taken until too late, 
when measureless censure was visited upon the Governor and the 
militia of the State, for taking the matter into their own hands. It is 
an old story; the records of Colorado are full of similar cases. 

Says Governor Adams in his well considered summary, "So 
alarming became the reports, so urgent the demands for assistance from 
the officials and citizens of Garfield County, so imperative seemed the 
necessity of State aid to enforce the law and protect citizens and 
property, in the opinion of the Adjutant General, and others in whom 
I had confidence, that it seemed my clear and bounden duty to use 
the power of tlie .State to sustain the majesty of the law, and prevent 
the massacre of settlers in the White and Bear River country, which would 
no doubt have been the result of Sheriff Kendall's campaign, had not the 
State sent troops to enforce peace and protect the people." As a 
matter of fact his office was literally deluged with telegrams, letters and 
petitions, and however reluctant he may have been to act upon them 
without more definite assurance of adequate reason, finding the Federal 
authorities so indifferent that no assistance could be hoped for from 
that quarter, he was compelled to move promptly and decisively. What- 
ever his private opinion of Sheriff Kendall's rash and possibly un- 
warranted raid among the mountains may have been, apprehensions of 
war and massacre had been incited, and the people demanded protection. 
This fact was potent, and could not be ignored. The same Indians had 
been engaged in the slaughter of 1879 o'"" '^'"'^ same spot, and there was 
reason to fear a repetition of that awful tragedy. His first step was to 
dispatch .Adjutant General George West to Glenwood Springs, with 
instructions to penetrate the root of the difficulty, and report his 
findings. This officer, after measuring the situation, concluded from the 
reports that a war with the Utes was inevitable and, supported by all 
county and town officials, recommended that the State troops be 



58 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

ordered to White River, which was done. Three troops of cavalry and 
one company of infantry took the field under command of Brigadier 
General Frank M. Reardon, arriving at Meeker August 2 2d, where 
headquarters were established. Kendall and his cowboys were still 
ranging through the country in search of the Indians, but without find- 
ing them. Reardon began by dividing Major Jesse L. Pritchard's 
company of scouts into two detachments, sending one to the north- 
ward in search of Sheriff Kendall, and the other to the southward to 
ascertain if possible, where the Indians were secreted. On the 23d 
Major Gavin Leslie was directed to take three troops of cavalry and 
proceed to the Blue Mountains where it was assumed that Colorow 
might be found, and if found to hold the Indians until the arrival of 
Kendall. In the meantime, be it remembered, not a human being had 
been killed, shot at or threatened, except in the first instance when Ken- 
dall attempted to serve his writs, long prior to the events now being 
traced, not a settler molested, not a solitary indication of war upon the 
horizon save the possibilities of such an outbreak lying in the course of 
Kendall's wild raiding. 

At the outset General Reardon and all the officers under him had 
been explicitly instructed by the Governor that they were not there to 
make war, but simply to aid the Sheriff of Garfield County in e.xecuting 
the writs he held against the two Indians charged with horse stealing; 
to protect life and propert)-, nothing more. If attacked they were to 
defend themselves, but to give no cause for attack. They were to dis- 
regard all importunities and schemes on th^ part of settlers who might 
desire a war, and hold strictly to the letter of their orders from the 
Commander-in-Chief. 

On the 24th Reardon was advised by dispatches from INIajor Leslie 
and Captain Pray of Pritchard's scouts that they had encountered Col- 
orow's band near the mouth of Fox Creek, and that Pray, after skir- 
mishing with them for position, whatever this may mean, had nego- 
tiated for a truce in the hope of being reinforced, and then capturing 
the entire band without a fight. Pray, it will be seen, was a masterful 




c/ 



jO 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 59 

strategist rather than a soldier. But a terrific storm arose soon after- 
ward, during which the Indians broke the truce and decamped. When 
the storm had passed LesHe and Pray followed in pursuit, having in 
the meantime been joined by Kendall, who took the supreme direction 
of affairs and at length came upon Colorow's camp, which they charged. 
The Indians fled to the bluffs, and commenced firing. In the so-called 
battle that ensued, Lieutenant Folsom of Aspen, Private Caffrey of 
Leadville, Dr. DuMont of Glenwood and Private Stuart were wounded 
and their horses killed. Jasper Ward of Kendall's posse was slain. 
Bullets flew about briskly for a time, but these were the casu- 
alties on our side. It is said that seven Indians were killed, and 
some wounded. They lost also a large number of horses and other 
live stock captured and stolen. Reinforcements arriving, the Indians 
fled, and nothing more was seen of them until their arrival at the 
Uintah reservation. The troops retreated to the small town of 
Rangely, where the wounded were cared for and the dead interred. 
Here Lieutenant Folsom passed away, and was buried on the field. 

On the 25th, General Reardon upon the approval of Adjutant Gen- 
eral West, telegraphed Governor Adams asking him to come to Meeker 
at once, as Major Leslie had met Colorow, who refused to confer or 
treat with any one but the Governor himself. Adams wired the acting 
Secretary of the Interior that the old chief had signified a desire for a 
meeting, and that he was going to Meeker for that purpose. Answer 
was returned that Indian agent Byrnes 'and General George Crook 
would meet the Governor at the point indicated. Adams, accompanied 
by Hon. G. G. Symes, Member of Congress, Attorney General Alvin 
Marsh, and Wm. N. Byers proceeded to the battle ground, where they 
met General Crook and the agent, but did not see Colorow nor any of 
his band. General Crook ordered U. S. troops from Fort Duchesne. 
The -State troops were immediately withdrawn by the Governor's orders, 
and thus terminated this very extraordinary episode in border warfare. 
The story, omitting unimportant details has been told, and the reader 
is left to form his own conclusions. It is unquestionable that the State 



60 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

forces were well handled by their officers, that they endured great hard- 
ships and fought as bravely as the most experienced veterans could have 
done, under like circumstances. They obeyed orders. There seemed 
to be no good reason for believing that any of them would have been 
injured by the Indians had not Sheriff Kendall been unjustifiably rash 
and reckless. As to the primary cause, it is not established that any 
well grounded reason existed for indicting the Indians, nor for the rough 
attempt made by the sheriff to serve the writs. That Colorow ought to 
have been expelled from the valley is not disputed, but he should have 
been removed by the government in whose charge he was, when his escape 
from the reservation was made known. That Governor Adams acted 
judiciously upon the facts presented to him is indisputable, for although 
in the sequel it appeared that no reasonable cause for the expedition 
existed, had a single murder been committed, he would have been held 
accountable for neglect to furnish protection. 

Next came the expense bills. There being no funds in the treas- 
ury applicable to such purposes, they had to be met by the issue of 
"certificates of indebtedness." Claims accumulated in ever increasing 
volume. The military board met and audited vouchers to the amount 
of $80,314.72. We have the statement from the Governor that "the 
board exercised the greatest vigilance in passing upon claims, denying 
some entirely, cutting down others. While every caution was observed, 
I have no doubt that many claims were passed at inflated values. As 
this expense was made necessary by the neglect and failure of the 
general government to keep the Indians upon their reservation, and 
through its delay in responding to our demand that the Indians be 
driven from Colorado, the general government should repay the outlay, 
and a demand should be made accordingly." 

To the credit of the National Guard it may be stated that when the 
order came to march, the officers in command moved with commendable 
celerit)-. The first detachment of troops left Denver at 8:30 P. JNI. 
of the same day, were joined by one company of cavalry at Colorado 
Springs en route, by a company of mounted infantry at Canon City and 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 61 

a second of cavalry at Leadville. Leaving the uncompleted Rio Grande 
Railway at Gypsum, they marched thence sixty miles to Glenwood 
Springs, arriving there the morning of the third day. Here their 
equipments were completed, wagon transportation supplied, and they left 
at 1 :30 next morning for Meeker, sixty miles from Glenwood, arriving 
there as hereinbefore related. While the whole affair may be termed a 
ridiculous fiasco, it nevertheless cleared that country once for all of these 
very troublesome Indians, and permitted its extensive development, 
which may be said to have compensated for the cost. 

Chief Colorow died at his camp at the mouth of the White River 
near the Uintah Reservation, December nth, 1888, — regretted by 
nobodv. 



62 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 



CHAPTER III. 

Politics and statesmanship — analysis of some lawyers and politicians — 

henry m. teller n. p. hill t. m. patterson, c. s. thomas, major e. l. 

smith, w. f. johnson, hugh butler, bela m. hughes, james b. belford, and 
george g. symes. 

With one or two exceptions, the Executive Chair has been filled 
worthily, by men zealously devoted to the public interests. The State 
is much too young to have developed the higher order of statesmanship, 
which involves not only political genius in the better sense, but intimate 
familiarity with the science of government, the art of governing not too 
much nor too little, but well, — the preservation of peace, order and 
safety ; the augmentation of its strength, the largest possible utilization 
of its resources, the protection of its people, the maintenance of its credit, 
the enforcement of its laws and intelligent watchfulness of the works of 
its law makers to the end that no unwise measures may become ^xed 
statutes. 

In the matter of age, Colorado is only an admirably constituted, 
well knit, remarkably precocious and virile youngster of fourteen years, 
still under the guidance of its tutelary goddess. In the fifteen years of 
Territorial vassalage it had no opportunity to develop statesmen, no use 
for them. Broad statesmanship is not merely inborn fitness to govern, 
but the result of mature experience in conditions that enlighten, expand 
and render useful innate forces of character, chiefly from long acquaint- 
ance with congresses, parliaments and cabinets which nationalizes them. 
One man may be endowed with all the requisite craft of the politician, 
and yet be wanting in capacity to govern a State or a nation ; another 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 63 

may attain lofty rank among statesmen without the abiHty to conduct a 
poHtical canvass in his own State or county. For example, it will hardly 
be questioned that Jerome B. Chaffee was the most accomplished organ- 
izer and manager we have known, but it is doubted if he would have 
been equally noted as a legislator, even though the remainder of his life 
from the expiration of his term in the Senate had been passed in that 
august council. Henry M. Teller, on the contrary, possessing a gen- 
eral knowledge of politics, but lacking the power which his colleague 
displayed in such eminent degree as to bring him national renown, has 
by years of experience in the Senate and the Cabinet become one of the 
leading statesmen of the country. Nathaniel P. Hill, a business man- 
ager of extraordinary ability,- learned in the sciences, a financier of the 
first rank, a conspicuous figure among men, but an unsuccessful poli- 
tician, during his term of six years in the Senate delivered some of the 
ablest addresses suggesting advanced reforms in important national 
questions that have lately been presented there. His speeches, always 
read from manuscript, because like so many others he has not acquired 
the habit of thinking consecutively or arguing clearly upon his feet, 
evinced great care in preparation, great mastery of details, a natural 
avidity for statistical data, accuracy of narration, succinct and logical 
deduction. These are more than ordinary evidences of statesmanship. 
It is a singular fact, but nevertheless a fact, that in the entire period 
of our political existence, while we have produced many distinguished 
financiers, lawyers, doctors, preachers, scientists and business men, with 
perhaps a greater number of millionaires who have carved vast fortunes 
from local enterprise than any other State between the Missouri River and 
the Pacific slope, only two eminent political chieftains have been evolved, — 
Jerome B. Chaffee and Thomas M. Patterson. In all the campaigns 
from 1S74 down to 1886, these two v/ere periodically arrayed against 
each other in the most animated political warfare, and with a single ex- 
ception the former was triumphant. Notwithstanding, they were for the 
most part warm personal friends. Mr. Chaffee's life, character and works 



64 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

have been portrayed in the course of our history, and it is now proper 
to dispassionately analyze those of his contemporary. 

It may be said, not to the disparagement but rather to the credit of 
both, that they have been the subjects of more abuse and villification 
than any others of their time. But, said Edmund Burke to Fox, "Ob- 
loquy is a necessary ingredient of all true glory; calumny and abuse are 
essential parts of triumph." It has been written also that " men's weak- 
nesses and faults are known from their enemies, their virtues and abilities 
from their friends, their customs and lives from their servants." 

Thomas M. Patterson sprang from County Carlow, Ireland, No- 
vember 4th, 1840, therefore at this writing he has just reached the 
meridian of life, and possibly the zenith of his fame. He was brought 
to New York by his parents in 1849, attended the public schools for a 
time, and at the age of fourteen became a clerk in a business house. In 
1855 he, with the family, removed to Crawfordsville, Indiana, where he 
served two years in a printing office, after which, his father being a 
jeweler, he began an apprenticeship to that trade under paternal 
direction. At the outbreak of the civil war in 1861, when regiments of 
ninety days' men were called for, young Patterson enlisted, served his 
time and then was discharged on account of physical disability for the 
service. Returning to his father's shop he worked with him until 1863, 
when, strongly imbued with desire for the study of law. he left the work- 
shop to begin a course of instruction, first in Asbury University at 
Greencastle, and next in Wabash College at Crawfordsville, At the 
end of two years he entered the law ofifice of M. D. White as a student, 
remaining until the fall of 1867, when he was admitted to practice in the 
Circuit and Supreme Courts of Indiana. Thenceforward until 1S72, he 
ardently pursued the new profession and acquired a large and lucrative 
business. In December of that year he located in Denver, opened an 
office, and soon became prominent at the bar, and in local politics. In 
the spring of 1874 he was elected City Attorney, and in the summer 
following was nominated for Delegate in Congress by the Democratic 
party, in which he had within two years from the date of his arrival in 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 65 

the Territory, become a prominent manager. The circumstances at- 
tending his nomination and election have been quite fully set forth in 
the preceding volume. Some of the pioneers of his party, dissatisfied 
with the selection of so late a comer and so young a man, prevailed upon 
the venerable Colonel Albert G. Boone to announce himself as an 
independent candidate for the same office, but sometime prior to the 
election Boone withdrew, leaving Mr. Patterson a clear field, and he 
was elected by a majority of 2,163, over his opponent Hon. H. P. H. 
Bromw-ell, the Republican nomin&e. In the spring of 1875 he went to 
Washington, and there co-operated with Mr. Chaffee for the passage of 
our Enabling Act. During the session of the Forty-Fourth Congress 
he was active in prosecuting various measures for the benefit of 
Colorado, and succeeded in passing several bills, among them, one 
permitting all qualified electors of the Territory to vote upon the ratifi- 
cation of the constitution, the Enabling Act as passed, limiting the vote 
to those qualified at the date of its adoption, March 3d, 1S75; another 
after much opposition, providing an appropriation to defray the 
expenses and per diem of the members of the constitutional convention; 
and still another providing for the organization of federal courts in the 
new State. The convention accorded him a vote of thanks for his 
services in its behalf, caused the same to be engrossed and forwarded to 
him at Washington. When in 1S76 the National Democratic Com- 
mittee met in Washington to prepare the call for its convention, Mr. 
Patterson appeared before it and secured for the party in his State, 
although not yet admitted, an equal standing with established States in 
the national convention. He was elected as the first member of the 
National Democratic Committee from Colorado, subsequently ap- 
pointed a delegate, and elected chairman of the Colorado delegation to 
the convention which met in St. Louis and nominated Samuel |. Tilden 
for the presidency. 

The State having been admitted August ist, 1876, by proclamation 
of President Grant, Mr. Patterson was unanimously nominated for 
Representative in Congress for the unexpired term of the Forty-Fourth, 



66 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

and the full term of the Forty-Fifth, at the State convention of his 
party, the particulars of which, and also the subsequent contests before 
the people, and in the House of Representatives, have been given 
in chapters XV-XVI, Vol. II. Having been duly seated in the 
Forty-Fifth Congress, he originated and secured the passage of the 
following measures: An act authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury I 
to purchase bullion directly from the miners at the branch mint in 
Denver, which was an important concession to the producers of 
bullion; an act providing for terms of the United States Court at 
Pueblo and Del Norte; an act donating block 143, East Denver, known 
as "Government Square" to the city for educational purposes, now 
occupied by the East Denver High School building; and an act to 
provide for the erection of a military post in Southwestern Colorado. 
He was instrumental also in pushing to final passage the following bills, 
which originated in the Senate: "Allowing timber to be cut in the 
mountains without charge, for mining, manufacturing, and domestic 
uses," and creating a commission to treat with the Ute Indians for the 1 
cession of a part of their reservation within this State, whereb)- the ' 
mineral region known as the San Juan mining districts was opened to 
settlement. The record shows that he was a very active member of 
the House. In 1878 he was again unanimously renominated, made a 
somewhat brilliant canvass, but was defeated. Thence to the present 
he has been engaged in the practice of his profession in the various 
higher courts. 

Such are the outlines only, rapidly etched, of a life that has been 
filled with earnest work, lightened with manifold triumphs, covering 
in few words years of study and toil in preparation for battles legal 
and political, of many sacrifices, and of devotion to the interests of his 
large clientage, which, but for a singularly robust constitution preserved 
by rigidly temperate habits, must have wrecked his health. J\Ir. 
Patterson is one of the most industrious and persistent of workers, and 
has been for the past twenty years. 

Notwithstanding our familiarity with his fame as a political 




■tf-tft a ^ w 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 67 

manager, lawyer and public speaker, there is a large portion of the 
community that but imperfectly comprehends the effort he has made to 
attain the position to which he has risen. There are some in his pro- 
fession and out of it, more especially those not friendly to him, who 
declare that many of his verdicts in the courts have been secured by the 
use of tricks and stratagems, by the remarkable gift which all admit he 
possesses, of dissecting evidence and leading juries to conclusions by 
torrents of eloquence, long and ingenious addresses, rather than by 
legitimate methods, or a profound acquaintance with law. There are 
those also, comprising a majority of the Republican party, and many in 
his own, who stigmatize his stump speeches as arrant demagogism, full 
of cunningly manufactured phrases and deceptive argument, with 
many other objections partly born of antagonism to the man himself, 
but mainly of political differences. It has been charged that his 
achievements in the criminal courts have resulted, not from any 
superior skill as a lawyer, but generally by reason of forensic displays 
which, bristling with sophistries, have overcome the better judgments 
of jurors, and thereby prevented the just punishment of criminals, 
against the riper experience and more estimable methods of opposing 
counsel. There are members of the political organization, which he 
perhaps, more than any other man, has labored to harmonize, strengthen 
and preserve intact for the trial of conclusions with an adversary that 
has always held the ascendancy, Imparting to it whatever of prestige it 
has gained, who stoutly contest his right to leadership, nevertheless he 
has preserved its autonomy by preventing violent dissensions. Every 
battle the Democratic party has entered upon in this State has been in 
the capacity, so to speak, of a forlorn hope. Thirty years of defeat, for 
of itself it has won no victories, would have shattered and disintegrated 
the organization, had it not been held together by firm hands. After 
each discomfiture we have seen it arise serene and confident, ready to 
enter the lists again in solid phalanx for the next encounter. Now with 
due deference to Mr. Patterson's critics, it would be quite as reasonable 
to assume that such things can be done by a headless trunk, without 



68 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

skillful direction, simply by the indestructibility of faith in, and adherence 
to Democratic principles, as that its machinery has been kept in 
constant motion without the efforts of this efficient engineer. It is a 
fact which every one must acknowledge that Mr. Patterson's head has 
been seen above all others as the guiding force of his party, through 
good and evil report, the one influence that has stubbornly refused to be 
crushed and overcome by avalanche after avalanche of disaster, who be- 
lieves in the justice of his cause, and that it finally will triumph. 

It has been proclaimed far and wide that the dominating aim of his 
efforts, and the only one, both at the bar and in politics, is to represent 
his State in the .Senate ; that he is supremely selfish, ambitious, arro- 
gant, domineering, impatient of control, ready to give but never to 
accept counsel, training every resource of his quick and fertile brain to 
the consummation of his own schemes regardless of others, with multi- 
farious other allegations which it is unnecessary to recapitulate. But there 
is nothing more transparent than that throughout all the storms of 
aspersion, he has maintained his supremacy, and is more firmly fi.xed in 
his leadership to-day than ever before. The blows leveled at him are 
the same which every man who attempts to rise above mediocrity must 
expect at every stage of his advancement. Whatever the guiding im- 
pulse may have been, it is beyond questioning that as a lawyer he has 
been exceptionally successful in a very large number of desperate cases. 
Now such a career as stands to Mr. Patterson's credit cannot be made to 
stand upon mere trickery, inordinate selfishness and buncombe. There 
is too much of it, and our people, our courts, juries and politicians are 
much too far advanced in experience with public men to be hoodwinked 
for sixteen years by a mere pretender, a rank charlatan, a man with but 
one attribute, the gift of oratory, reinforced by extraordinary deceptive 
power. It cannot be claimed that Mr. Patterson is o.nly an empiric, 
without disgraceful impeachment of our own intelligence. When he is 
on our side in a public controversy, pleading our cause, putting forth his 
best abilities in our behalf, we applaud him to the echo, feel proud of 
our advocate, rely upon him as our tower of strength, wrestle with him 



HISTORY OF COLORx^DO. tl9 

against our enemies, confident of winning because he is with us. It is 
only when we are in colhsion with him that he is denounced. Mr. 
Chaffee in his hfetime, as every other great leader in his, has been sub- 
jected to malevolent criticism. When he passed awa)' we charitably 
buried his faults and all our objections in the same tomb, remembering 
only his virtues, cherishing his good works, building them into a monu- 
ment to his memory. Years hence — and may it be many — we shall do 
the same by Mr. Patterson. At present he is much too important a 
figure to be carelessly analyzed, and the fact is self-evident to every right 
minded person that his critics are often unjustifiably caustic and severe. 
It is the fate of every aggressive, forceful and successful character, for 
the reason that they are constantly dealing, and by the force of circum- 
stances compelled to deal with conflicting interests and influences which 
bring them to public notice, and into endless differences with their com- 
peers. It is probable that but for his extraordinary powers as an advo- 
cate and manager, pleading the class of causes that excite great comment 
and attract great throngs to the tribunals of justice, more criminals might 
have been convicted and duly punished, more civil suits determined 
otherwise than they have been, the Democratic party less thoroughly 
organized and sustained in its discouraging combats, and possibly less 
good accomplished than if he had not taken part in these matters, but 
who will contend that, taken all in all, the community would be bettered 
by his elimination ? 

When announced to address the people upon any subject, a multi- 
tude is on hand to listen. When engaged in the defense of a peculiarly 
atrocious criminal, the court room is packed, especially when he rises to 
address the jury at the close. The success which attends him in such 
causes is ascribable, not to the reasons assigned by some of his detractors, 
but chiefly to his acute understanding of human nature, and his ability 
to reach the secret depths of the souls of witnesses ; to his fidelity to his 
clients, to unwearying industry in preparing for trial, and in his skillful 
management. Every speech is the result, not so much of inborn gifts 
which give orators their fame, as of ceaseless work, close study, careful 



70 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

preparation in advance of the need. He makes use, it is true, of every 
permissible device and stratagem to secure advantages of position, and 
to prevent opposing counsel from scoring any dangerous invasion of his 
own plans. In these matters and in the cross-examination of witnesses, 
the selection of jurors, he is incomparable. It is probable that no other 
man in the State has conducted so many prominent causes, civil and 
criminal, in our courts. He is resourceful in expedients, quick, bold, 
audacious and far-seeing, contesting every step vigilantly, and at the 
close deluging the court with an exhaustive summary that testifies both 
to the intensity of his convictions and his determination to leave nothing 
unsaid or undone that will affect in his favor the judgment of the twelve 
who are to pronounce the verdict.^ This is a part, and a considerable part 
too, of the law)-er's duty to his client. While his fees are large, he earns 
them by prodigious labor, tireless research, loyal attention to details, the 
discovery and exposure of every strong point in his own case, and the 
weaknesses of his opponents. Said one of his clients, defendant in one 
of the greatest civil suits that has been tried in Denver, "The labor 
this man performs is amazing, his resources illimitable, his friendship and 
faithfulness the wonder of all who employ him. But for the hope and 
encouragement with which he inspires me, I should despair." He works 
not only with constant application by day, but frequently days and nights 
together, refreshing himself with an hour or two of sleep in a chair or 
upon his office lounge. Thus it will be seen that those who attribute his 
success to his power in discussion and sagacious generalship alone, have 
but imperfect knowledge of his methods. Only a few of his verdicts 
have been reversed by the higher courts. Of fine personal apjaearance, 
attractive manners and address, he is also a clear thinker, a profound 
student, a ready debater, incisive if not always strictly logical ; he has, 
in addition, the very useful faculty of humorous and pertinent illus- 
tration. As a pleader and campaigner it is within the liounds of justice 
to say he has no superior among the public men of our day. While in 
Congress he attracted marked attention as a sharp controversialist and 
a forceful speaker. There were men in that body perhaps, capable of 




/' V 



-€^ 



.^.< 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 71 

profounder argument in fewer words, but none that surpassed him in 
active labor for his constituents. His aspirations to a seat in the United 
States Senate are as rightfully his and as laudable as those of any other 
candidate, and may be gratified in the future evolutions of politics, but 
his capabilities fit him more especially for the broader and more exciting 
arena of the lower House, where there are endless opportunities for 
the fullest exercise of his better powers. 

It is much too early to predict the end of Mr. Patterson's career. 
At fifty he is as strong, well preserved and vigorous as he was at thirty, 
with ripened experience of the later years, which augments his usefulness. 
If his party ever reaches the ascendancy in Colorado during his lifetime, 
it will be largely due to his devotion to it. If he is ever rewarded with 
a seat in the Senate, it will have been honestly earned. During the 
preparation of this volume, he has publicly announced his intention to 
retire altogether from the practice of law, and devote the remainder of 
his life to the editorial management of the " Rocky Mountain News," 
having purchased a controlling interest in that paper, which has become 
the organ and law-giver of the Democratic party. The outcome of this 
departure necessarily must be left to the historian of the future, but the 
belief is justified that in this field as in that of the law, he will add new 
luster to his fame. Fortunately for him he has amassed a considerable 
fortune, and being a close financier, has no longer to struggle for 
support. 

Mr. Charles S. Thomas, his law partner, confidential friend and 
coadjutor in politics, was Ijorn in Darien, Georgia, partly educated in 
the public schools of that State. Immediately after the war he moved 
North and entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, whence he 
was graduated in April, 1871, and in the fall of that year became a res- 
ident of Denver. In 1873 the partnership with Mr. Patterson was 
formed; dissolved when the latter went to Congress in 1875, and again 
resumed in 1879. ^^ ^^'''^ year Mr. Thomas took up his residence in 
Leadville as manager of the firm's large business in that city, where he 
remained five years, during which it acquired an extensive practice in 



72 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

the more important mining cases. This was the beginning of prosperity 
for both. Prior to this, Mr. Thomas especially, had passed through 
most disheartening vicissitudes, sharpened by the pinchings of poverty, 
lack of recognition, lack of everything in fact, which holds out promise 
to the deserving. Although a good lawyer, he had been financially 
unsuccessful. But once given the advantages he coveted and sought 
earnestly to earn, he quickly developed the qualities that have led to the 
position he now holds in the esteem of his fellows. As a politician his 
influence is constantly widening by the intelligent study he gives to 
public issues, and the force with which his views are presented. Ex- 
cepting Mr. Patterson, there is no man in the Democratic party who has 
exerted himself more diligently to the enhancement of its fortunes, nor 
one that has made so many speeches and campaigns in its behalf during 
the last five years. 

Like Mr. Patterson, he k an indefatigable worker, true to the 
performance of duty to clients and party, and while frequently engaged 
with him in the prosecution or defense of criminal cases, his practice has 
been in the main confined to the conduct of mining and other civil suits 
involving large interests before the higher courts. While credited with 
less ability as an orator, the public which judges accords him equal, and 
some with superior force in argument. He was elected city attorney in 
1875, the only public office he has filled. He was nominated for Con- 
gress in 1884, but the fates were against him. Li social life there are 
few men in the community more highly esteemed than Mr. Thomas. 

Lulisputably, I think all will agree, the most finished orator, the 
profoundest thinker and most pleasing and impressive speaker at the 
bar of Colorado in his time was Major Edmund L. Smith. He was not 
a politician ; though in principle an ardent Democrat, he seldom took 
part in the campaigns of that party, rarely made speeches in that behalf, 
but when announced to speak either in court or on the platform, he was 
sure of an audience. He was fluent, argumentati\e, profound and 
incomparably brilliant, exciting the liveliest and most respectful attention 
to every word that fell from his lips. In the highest degree he was 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 73 

strong^, eloquent, delightful, logical, incisive and convincing. He was of 
the material that always inspires deep but not explosive enthusiasm. 
No man that ever stood upon a platform in this State excited so much 
admiration. He despised and never employed the petty shams and 
tricks, the diffusive and showy, but empty devices of the mere rhetorician. 
He was dignity, grace, eloquence, profundity of thought and rarest 
beauty of diction personified, wholly without an equal, and without a 
critic. When Major Smith was on his feet addressing a court, he elicited 
a degree of attention from bench and bar and jury and audience, accorded 
to no other man. His voice w^as clear, smooth and melodious in its 
tones, his delivery deliberate, luminous, energetic and highly effective. 
We may never look upon his equal, we certainly shall not find his 
superior. 

Among the old guard of pioneers, there are a few and only a few, 
who remember with delightful emotions the impressions made upon 
them by Major W. F. Johnson, second president of the original Denver 
Pacific Railway Compan)-, whenever he could be persuaded to address 
the public in behalf of that highly important corporation, which built our 
first iron thoroughfare, and thereby laid one of the corner stones of sub- 
sequent progress. Although a Democrat, and in Cincinnati whence he 
came, had been an active politician, he held entirely aloof from political 
plans and movements here, his heart and soul being given to the work 
of salvation in which he had engaged. Less than half a dozen speeches 
were made by him, and none more than twenty minutes long, but they 
evinced a power, depth and masterly eloquence unparalleled in those 
days. 

Though not often engaged upon political platforms, Hon. Hugh 
Butler possesses somewhat remarkable qualities as a public speaker, and 
though devoted to its creed is inclined to be a conservative, high minded 
Democrat. His career in his profession — the law — has given him en- 
viable distinction. Excepting vocal expression which, though clear, is 
low and inflexible, he possesses a very considerable degree of oratorical 
ability. There is but one tone and that a distinct monotone, that but 



74 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

for the profundity and clear cut analysis of his subjects which hold and 
continue the attention of his listeners, would become tiresome. There 
is nothing of the customary froth and pyrotechnic display in his addresses, 
but each word is carefully chosen, each sentence carefully framed, each 
thought thoroughly defined. When reported, they can be printed with- 
out change of a word. He is a sound counsellor, a learned and 
successful lawyer. 

In his day General Bela JNT. Hughes was a strong light among his 
fellow men, in the leadership of great enterprises, at the bar and on the 
platform, an honest, scholarly, high-toned, lofty figure, a talented 
orator, the incarnation of aggressive energy. In his later years, almost 
wholly retired from public life, he is an extremely attractive type of the 
old style Kentucky aristocrat, to whom all manner of littlenesses, all 
uncleanness of heart, body and soul, is as foreign as if such things never 
existed, — a m.an whom all admire and reverence for the exalted probity 
of his life, no less than for his learning. 

From 1876, more correctly from January, 1877, when admitted to 
his seat, to 1884, James B. Belford was with the exception of one term, 
our sole representative in the House of Representatives in Wash- 
ington. Although one of our ablest lawyers and public speakers, in 
some respects well fitted for active engagement in politics, but 
lamentably deficient in the qualities of which leaders are made, he 
never was and never will be a guiding political force here or elsewhere, 
for the reason just given. He has but one attribute that is calculatetl 
to move the spirits of men in his favor. — that of political speecli 
making, and even this force has lost much of its pristine vigor. When 
he entered the Grant and Colfax campaign in 1868, and in 1876 when he 
became the candidate of the Republican party of Colorado for Congress, 
he had few superiors on the rostrum. Notwithstanding his rather shrill 
and unpleasant manner of delivery, his extensive knowledge and mas- 
terful grasp of national issues, his remarkable memory and faculty for the 
quick absorption of facts, figures and the entire breadth of subjects to 
be discussed before the people, and his fiery, sweeping energy in pro- 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 75 

nouncing them, gave him a position very near the head of the cohunn of 
Western stump orators. As a judge on the bench, he was disposed to 
be fair, just and impartial, but impetuous and willful as the impulse 
seized him, nevertheless willing to change a ruling when its rashness 
was made clear to his mind. Lawyers agree that he was a just and 
upright jurist, against whom no graver comment was made than that he 
sometimes ruled and decided without sufficient consideration of the 
point involved, but when shown to be in error, promptly rectifying the 
mistake, that full and exact justice might be done. He was what the 
better practitioners most admire, a thorough lawyer and a thoroughly 
honest judge. 

Mr. Belford was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, September 
aSth, 1837. All the education he received outside of the public schools 
and his own researches, was obtained from a term of two )ears in 
Dickinson College, that State. But he was an apt scholar, an earnest 
student, far in advance of his classmates, absorbing knowledge as a 
sponge water, penetrating at a glance the intricacies of problems that 
were impenetrable to others without long and earnest study, one of the 
phenomenons always met with in schools, who are the envy of plodders. 
He informs me that he mastered Latin, Greek and French by liimself, 
almost without any other aid than his own quick intuitions, in his room 
at home before entering college. With this basis of intellectual 
culture, he began the study of law in the office of David W. Woods at 
Lewistown, and in due time was admitted to the bar, after which he 
moved westward to the little town of Moniteau, Missouri, and there 
began to practice. A year later he removed to Indiana, locating first 
in Monticello, and subsequently in Laporte (1863), when began his 
actual engagement in the law with an imperative leaning toward 
politics. He is one of those whose nerves keep them in a fever of 
unrest, who can permit no public excitement to proceed w^ithout taking 
part in it. He drifted from the court to the political rostrum as 
naturally as a newly fledged duckling to the nearest water. He had 
scarcely been settled in Laporte before he began to plunge into State 



76 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

politics. When the first State campaign came round he mounted the 
platform. He was a ready speaker, and passionately fond of the 
pastime. But for his habit of raising his voice to the highest pitch at 
the outset and keeping it there until the unnatural strain brings hoarse- 
ness and exhaustion, he would be a most admirable forensic orator, for 
he possesses all the other essential conditions. Belford is never a dry 
or tedious speaker. He has always something to say which enchains 
the attention of his auditors, and says it with great effectiveness. 

In 1864 he was one of the presidential electors of Indiana, for 
Abraham Lincoln. In 1S67 he was elected to the lower house of the 
legislature, and took a leading part in Governor Morton's fight for the 
United States Senate. By this time he had won considerable renown. 
To speak to the people he would sacrifice every other consideration. 
When General Grant was first nominated he sought, and -through the 
intercession of Schuyler Colfax, obtained from the national Republican 
committee, assignments to stump certain districts of New York, New 
Jersey and Pennsylvania. The great speech of his life, for which he 
made diligent preparation, was delivered to a crowded audience in 
Cooper Institute, New York, over which Edwards Pierrepont presided, 
in connection with some of the ablest men of that day. He was at his 
best, and spoke with extraordinary force and eftect upon the issues of 
the war, reconstruction and kindred topics, then paramount questions. 
He haci studied them all, and made the most of his knowledge. He 
had schooled himself for a mighty effort, and the effect anticipated was 
produced. The vast audience wildly applauded his glowing periods, 
and at the close he stirred the uttermost depths by a magnificent 
peroration. As he retired, A. T. Stewart, the merchant prince 
stepped forward, and presented him his personal check for three 
hundred dollars, as an evidence of his appreciation of the speech. No 
event of his life is remembered with so much pride and satisfaction 
as this. 

All the political aid and encouragement Belford received before 
coming to Colorado, resulted from the friendly offices of Mr. Colfax, by 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 77 

whom he was made acquainted with the leading men of that epoch, and 
through whom he was appointed associate justice of the Supreme 
Court of Colorado, in June, 1870. The incidents of his subsequent 
career are well known. 

He has read much of ancient and modern history, and the better 
literature of all ages; has written a number of fine essays and lectures, 
upon various subjects. He is one of the few who can read a book and 
literally absorb and retain every great thought, argument an.d sen- 
timent between its covers. When he sits down to write, his thoughts are 
far in advance of his pen. The utmost skill of the most accomplished 
stenographer cannot outstrip the rapidity of his dictation. He is never 
equal to a ten or twenty minute speech, but must have hours for the full 
expression of his views. He is a splendid campaigner, but not a safe 
leader or guide. Every canvass he has made in Colorado has been 
from plans and specifications furnished by Jerome B. Chaffee, for whom 
he cherished almost worshipful adoration. 

In Congress he introduced the first bill looking to an appropriation 
to provide a system of reservoirs for the storage of water to supplement 
the natural streams, and extend the limit of irrigation. It asked for 
$50,000 to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of War in 
making topographical surveys for such reservoirs in the valleys of the 
Platte, Arkansas and Cache la Poudre in Colorado, supporting it by an 
elaborate speech, showing the importance of the measure for the recla- 
mation of countless millions of acres of arid lands in the West. It 
was immediately denounced by the Atlantic press as visionary, uncalled 
for, and extravagant. The New York "Times" derisively crucified it, 
by declaring that Belford was urging Congress to build a great series 
of expensive artificial lakes and ponds, and that at the next session he 
would go still further and demand the construction of a navy to Hoat 
upon these still waters. Notwithstanding, this very project in modified 
form but with the main ideas retained, is now being perfected by 
Congress, widened to embrace all the States and Territories where the 



78 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

natural rainfall is insufficient for the growth of crops. In our particular 
section, it is the most consequential enterprise of the times. 

The same year he introduced a bill authorizing- the president to 
investigate the feasibility of enlarging the commerce of the United 
States with Brazil, the South American and Argentine Republics, b)- 
co-operating with those States in constructing an international railway, 
with a view to more general reciprocity of trade. But it met with only 
slight favor, being referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, 
which reported adversely. At the next session, however, he reintro- 
duced the bill, and having prepared himself with an array of statistical 
data from the records, delivered a well digested speech on the subject. 
The bill passed both Houses, and a commission was appointed by 
President Cleveland, which made the requisite examination and report. 
Out of this action grew the late Pan-American Congress. 

Acting upon one of his sudden and not always discreet impulses, 
he delivered a fiery speech on the silver question, in which he warned 
the Eastern States that if they continued their hostility to the remon- 
etization of silver, and refused to aid the West and South in their 
efforts to better their condition by protecting their interests in this 
matter, which clearly demanded the free coinage and free circulation of 
silver, the West and South would confederate and in future devote 
themselves to the advancement of their especial industries, regardless of 
those of New York, Pennsylvania and New England. For this he was 
mercilessly scored as a revolutionist. Yet to-day this is one of the 
paramount national issues. Belford was simply in advance of his time 
on each of the questions above enumerated. He introduced a bill pro- 
viding appropriations for sinking artesian wells on the plains of 
Colorado, which passed and was carried through the upper House In" 
Senator N. P. Hill. Several experimental wells were sunk, but the 
scheme ended in failure. He secured the passage of the bill for a 
Federal Postoffice building in Denver, — since erected, — and a number of 
other measures of value to the .State, but much of his time was given to 
I^articipation in the stormy political debates in the House. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 79 

Belford has scarcely a particle of grace or dignity of manner, 
neither refinement of speech, dress nor address. He delights in speech 
making, but detests laborious study and detail. That he has remarkable 
talent is true; that he does not make the best use of the gift is equally 
true. 

Colonel George G. Symes, a gallant soldier, an experienced lawyer 
and jurist, was the third Representative in Congress from this State, 
succeeding Belford, nominated b\- the Republican Convention at 
Colorado Springs in 1884. His Democratic opponent was Mr. Charles 
S. Thomas, each in his party the especial exponent of its particular 
views on the tariff, then, and for six years afterward the predominating 
national question. 

Both advocates had made earnest study of it from opposite sides, 
Symes of the advantages of Protection; Thomas of its disadvantages, 
therefore, each argued the case according to personal conviction and in 
support of the positive stand taken by his party on the great complex 
problem, which nobody seems to fully comprehend in all its details and 
bearings. Symes is a studious man, and while declared to be pre-emi- 
nently egotistical, probably possesses no larger share of self-sufficiency 
than many of his compeers, but is less successful in hiding it from public 
view, indeed, making no effort to do so. It impels him to appear well 
in argument and debate, and to do this among thinking men he must 
put ideas, his best thoughts to the front, dive deep into facts, and 
culling the best, weave them into his discussions. This he invariably 
does, and it is the basis of his standing in court and with the people. 
He is not a popular, though a forcible speaker. He is not wholly 
popular with the masses, yet he is respected for his integrity, his earn- 
estness, the purity of his morals, for his industry and perseverance, his 
skill as a lawyer, the inherent qualities of his nature which now and then 
break through and shine lustrously above the upper crust of personal 
vanity, giving testimony to his worth. His majority in this hotly con- 
tested election was unexpectedly large. 

His first notable essay in Congress was a speech on the silver 



80 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

question, in January, iS86, for which he had prepared himself before 
leaving Colorado, and as this, conjointly with the tariff, was the leading 
question, more especially with his constituents, he threw the strongest 
lights upon it, taking advanced ground not only in opposition to the 
proposed repeal of the Bland bill, but in favor of the free coinage of 
silver and its full restoration as a money metal. The President (Cleve- 
land), it will be remembered, some time before his installation in the 
White House, and again in his inaugural message, virtually demanded 
the absolute demonetization of silver. His Secretary of the Treasury, 
Mr. Manning, his cabinet and the majority of his party, affected by this 
demand, were disposed to cooperate with him to that end. A favorable 
opportunity being presented, Symes fired his well-shotted artillery at this 
target, and speaking from a profound comprehension of the subject with 
characteristic energy, produced an impression. But he did not stop to 
rest upon his laurels. Discovering the advantage he had gained both 
for himself and party, he soon appeared with another and still more 
elaborate digest, which was delivered in the general debate that took 
place in April, in support of the minority report submitted to the House 
by Representative Bland from the Committee on the Coinage. In this 
effort he attempted to demonstrate that none but beneficial results would 
accrue from the elevation of the white metal to a parity with gold ; that 
the gloomy forebodings and predictions of the monometalists, their pro- 
phetic warnings of disaster proclaimed when the Bland bill became a 
law, had all proven mere phantoms of the imagination ; that their fore- 
casts of dangerous inflation and the expulsion of gold from the country 
by the continuance of silver coinage were absolutely fallacious, as shown 
by the logic of events, and the effect upon the nation at large had been 
exactly the reverse. He threshed over much old straw, undoubtedly, 
but he likewise developed some new and interesting facts from his 
knowledge of history. Large numbers of prominent men on both sides 
who actually desired free coinage, but were afraid to antagonize the 
single standard advocates for fear their views might after all be correct, 
and would be verified to the detriment of the country, remained neutral 





^p 




€.'^3 /Q-CA^ 



C-il^t^h 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 81 

and inactive. Like a majority of the people throughout the land they 
did not understand the question, but as arguments from the well advised 
brought forth the hidden truths, light dawned upon their ignorance, and 
they began to take sides. They, as well as the people, had to be edu- 
cated up to the real importance of the issue through intelligent exposition 
of the various phases of the currency problem. The publication and 
general distribution of these debates set everybody to thinking, and i i 
the first session of the F"ifty-first Congress developed results which, 
though not the best conceivable, proved a marked advance toward the 
main object. 

Aside from the consideration of matters of national importance, no 
inexperienced member of Congress can possiblj' realize before he gets to 
Washington, the immensity of the responsibilities involved in the accept- 
ance of that office. Appeals from his constituents for all manner of 
appropriations; appeals for numberless intercessions with the govern- 
mental departments; with the President, the Secretaries of State, War, 
Agriculture, Interior; the Generals of the Army; the presentation of 
memorials and petitions ; applications for pension ; for the settlement of 
long neglected claims ; for concessions and grants ; for the passage of 
new laws and the" amendment of existing statutes; for reservoirs and 
canals ; appeals for every conceivable thing that enters the minds of those 
he represents; applications innumerable for office ; for contributions to 
campaign funds; for speeches and letters, indorsements and pledges; 
for interference with this, that, or the other faction of his party, until he 
is driven well nigh crazy. He must work early and late, answer bags- 
ful of letters, be constantly alive and alert, dancing attendance upon a 
thousand calls every day of his official life, and be ready to rise up on 
every occasion to advocate or oppose bills which affect the interests of 
his State, or some part of it. He is expected to secure, no matter what 
the opposition or attending circumstances, the passage and approval of 
every bill introduced in their behalf, damned if he fails, and sometimes 
if he succeeds. Acting under these conditions, it is a matter of wonder 

to the disinterested observer who has no political ambitions, that any 
6 HI. 



82 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

man should wish to sacrifice the peace and profit attaching to a well- 
directed profession at home, for the shreds of fame attachint;- to a mem- 
bership in Congress. These are only an indication, however, of the 
major burdens and responsibilities that come to him. The thousands of 
minor perplexities, cares, anxieties and aimoyances that fret the soul and 
wear out the body, have not been taken into the account. Sj'mes met 
with all these and more. Two terms satisfieci his keenest aspirations. 

In the Fiftieth Congress, he charged into the tarifT debate, for which 
he was also well prepared by studious investigation, setting forth his 
views in a lengthy speech, demonstrating the necessity of a strong 
national, in contra-distinction to the proposed international policy for 
the collection of Internal Revenue, and the enlargement of our commerce 
with foreign nations ; assuming the impracticability of the theory of free 
trade advanced by the President (Cleveland) because if Congress should 
attempt to institute the policy of trying to build up a foreign market for 
American manufactures and other products beyond the existing limit 
by opening our ports upon the plan of unrestricted reciprocity, it must 
inevitably lead to our being shut out of those ports by tariff and other 
regulations so soon as the competition became too sharp for them, giving 
in illustration the history of the so-called Inspection 'laws of German}' 
and France, whereb)' American meats were excluded when they cann- 
into dangerous competition with their home productions. He contended 
also with much force, that a judicious protective tariff would in future 
be of far greater benefit to the West and South than to New York, 
Pennsylvania and New England, for the reason that those States with 
their extensive and firmly established industries, supported by vast 
aggregations of capital, might dis^Dense with the tariff altogether, but 
that it was needed in the West and South as an aid to the full develop- 
ment of the multifarious industries recently established there. 

It is no part of my purpose to pursue this discussion any further 
than this brief epitome, except to note its conclusion in the final 
passage of the McKinley Tariff bill in the summer of iSqo, under 
which we are now operating, the ultimate effects of which remain 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. S3 

to be seen when the commerce of the country shall have adjusted itself 
to its provisions. 

Judge Symes managed in the House, and was influential by 
speeches and in personal conferences with members in passing the bill 
that provided for the survey of the arid lands of the West, and the 
selection of storage reservoirs to aid their reclamation by increasing the 
quantity of water for their irrigation. He argued that out of the 
millions annually appropriated for the improvement of rivers, harbors, 
brooks, creeks and channels, the people of the vast region west of the 
Missouri received not one penny, to assist them in the redemption of 
that important part of the public domain. The cultivators of such 
lands would be the producers of material wealth, of commerce for the 
railroads and the country, the builders of homes for millions of 
emigrants. Without water they were and would always be worthless. 

The bill passed, over strenuous opposition however, and the first 
steps toward practical solution have been taken. 

As a member of the Committee on Territories, having resided some 
years in Montana, and in Colorado while it was still a Territory, he was 
in full sympathy with all measures looking to their development. He 
earnestly seconded the movement that finally resulted in the admission 
of North and South Dakota, Montana and Washington as sov- 
ereign States. Notwithstanding that a majority of the committee 
reported adversely upon these Enabling Acts, the minority, of which he 
was a member, beat them on the floor, securing their admission by 
proclamation of the president. 

When the bill to admit Utah came up, he took strong ground in 
opposition. Until the Mormons should renounce and forever put away 
the doctrine of polygamous marriages and practices, there would be no 
safety in giving them the independence of Statehood, for once acquired, 
and they In control of the political government, it would be reaffirmed, 
when Federal authority would be powerless to interfere. He favored 
the organization of Oklahoma Territory, both in committee and on the 
floor. 



84 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

The State has thus far had no more efficient representative in 
Congress than George G. Symes. Upon this point I speak from 
personal knowledge. Although he may not have been equal to all the 
demands upon him, he certainly was able, influential, zealous and 
faithful to every important trust. At the end of his second term he 
voluntarily retired from active engagement in politics for personal ends, 
to re-engage in the practice of law and the supervision of his large 
business investments. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 85 



CHAPTER IV. 

Various locations of the seat of government in Colorado from i86i to 1881 

history of the several movements — CONTESTS IN THE COURTS OVER THE 

CAPITOL SITE HENRY C. BROWNS SPLENDID GIFT AND ITS ATTEMPTED REVO- 
CATION BUILDING THE PRESENT CAPITOL. 

The location of the permanent capital, or seat of government is in 
every State a question of such importance as to make it the subject of 
much animated, and not infrequently of bitter contention between the 
various cities and towns that aspire to that distinction. The manifold 
phases of the contests which have preceded the actual or final location 
are interesting parts of their history, and the annals of Colorado con- 
tain, as every old settler comprehends, some facts in that connection 
that are worthy of more than mere incidental attention. 

By direction of Governor Gilpin, under authority given him in the 
act of Congress providing for the organization of the Territory 
approved February 28th, 1861, the first legislative assembly convened 
at Denver, .September 9th, of that year. In the primitive condition of 
settlement at this time only the rudest accommodations for such a body 
were procurable, and the best at command of the Secretary who was 
charged with that duty was, for the House of Representatives, a small 
frame building on the corner of Larimer and G streets, where the 
McClintock Block now stands, and for the council, the first floor of a 
brick building on the same street next the old People's Theater between 
E and F streets (now Fourteenth and Fifteenth), The Executive 
offices occupied by Governor Gilpin, Secretary Weld and others were 
in the building which is still standing on the southeasterly corner of 



86 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Larimer and Fifteenth streets. East Denver, opposite the Pioneer 
building. 

The Council or Senate organized by the election of E. A. Arnold 
president, and the House, after a spirited contest, chose Charles F. Holl)- 
speaker. The judiciary committees under whose auspices our first laws 
were framed, were for the council, Amos Steck, Samuel M. Robbins 
and Charles W. Mather, and for the House, George F. Crocker, 
Jerome B. Chaffee and Captain Edwin Scudder. But as a matter of 
fact, Mr. L. B. France, now an attorney of Denver, and for many years 
reporter of the decisions of the .Supreme Court of the State, was 
employed as clerk by the Judiciary Committee of the House to draft 
bills for that body, and actually prepared the greater part of the more 
important bills passed by the first legislative assembly, from the statutes 
of Illinois and those of other States, adapting them to the requirements 
of the Territory. The laws thus enacted were arranged for publication 
and indexed by Frederick J. Stanton, by authority of Lewis Ledyard 
Weld, first Secretary of Colorado. 

Section 12 of the organic act empowered the Assembly to locate 
and establish the seat of government. By an act approved November 
5th, 1861, it was located at "the town of Colorado," then and ever since 
designated "Colorado City," situated on the east bank of the Fountain- 
qui-Bouille at the mouth of Camp Creek. The site was to be fixed 
within the surveyed limits of the town, and to be selected by three 
commissioners, namely: S. L. Baker of Central City, E. B. Cozzens of 
Pueblo, and M. Holt of Gold Hill, who were required to perfect a title 
for the same at a cost of not more than one hundred dollars. The 
commissioners were allowed the sum of three dollars each per da)- while 
engaged in this service, and fifteen cents per mile for traveling- 
expenses. All the civil officers of the Territory were commanded to 
establish their offices there. This extraordinary proceeding excited 
universal comment, and not a little indignation, as Colorado City was 
known to be simpl)- a paper town site without accommodations for capital 
jjurposes, and with but shadowy prospects for the future. But Mr. A. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. S7 

Z. Sheldon, the early historian of El Paso County, informs us in his 
admirable sketch, how it was brought about. The county having been 
organized, measures were at once taken to elect to the legislature a 
majority known to be favorable to the location of the capital at 
Colorado City. "It was customary every spring with a majority of the 
population to go to the mountains for the purpose of mining, and on 
this occasion every such person became an emissary in a common cause, 
and labored in season and out of season by word and deed, successfully 
to shape and guide the contest. Every legislative candidate was inter- 
viev.-ed and pledged, and every mining camp so leavened that the 
election of the pledged candidate should be rendered sure. El Paso, 
Pueblo and Fremont Counties constituted one electoral district, from 
which were sent Colonel John M. Francisco to the council, and R. B. 
Willis and George M. Chilcott to the House of Representatives. 
Willis, a citizen of El Paso County, proved to be one of the most efificient 
workers in the legislature. Adroit to plan, and prompt and vigorous 
to act, he so managed his material, favorable and indifferent, to the 
interest of Colorado City, that when the question was brought to issue, 
the partisans of Denver were paralyzed with astonishment to find that 
the matter was already virtually disposed of." 

But it proved a fruitless victory, for not one of the public offices 
was ever removed to the new capital, nor was it ever officially 
recognized as the seat of government by the Federal appointees. 
Nevertheless, the Second Assembly convened there July "th, 1862, 
organized, wrestled with the rude conditions a few days, — the House of 
Representatives wrangled most of the time over the election of a 
speaker, Charles F. Holly and Daniel Witter being the principal can- 
didates, — and then adjourned to Denver on the iith, where the 
remainder of the session was held. 

By an act approved August 14th, 1862, the capital was established 
at Golden City, Jefferson County. The Third legislative assembly 
convened there February ist, 1864, but as the town was new, thinly 
populated and the accommodations indifferently suited to the purpose, 



88 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

it adjourned to Denver three days afterward. The Fourth and Sixtli 
sessions were continuously held in Golden, but only three days of the 
Fifth were passed in that place ; the Seventh convened there December 
2d, 1 86 7, but by the provisions of an act passed and approved on the 
9th, the capital was transferred to Denver. Notwithstanding the fact 
that the capital remained in Jefferson County from 1S62 to 1867, it was 
only during- a part of the administration of Governor Alexander Cum- 
mings, October, 1866, to the appointment of Governor A. C. Hunt in 
1867, — that the Territorial offices were established there. 

The act mentioned above, changing the seat of government, pro- 
vided that the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the 
legislative council, should appoint three commissioners on behalf of the 
Territory to select a site within the city of Denver for the capitol of 
said Territory, and that such commissioners should within sixty days 
from the date of their appointment, proceed to select a site, to contain 
not less than ten acres of land; that the land should be conveyed 
to the Territory without charge, and the title thereto vested absolutely 
in the Territory, for the purpose of erecting a capitol and other public 
buildings thereon. The commissioners so appointed were Joseph M. 
Marshall of Boulder, William I\I. Roworth of Gilpin, and Allen A. 
Bradford of Pueblo. 

The site of ten acres comprising blocks 27 and 28 in Henry C. 
Brown's addition to Denver was chosen, and conveyed as required by 
law, and is the ground on which the present magnificent edifice is now 
being erected. To create the nucleus of a fund for building purposes, 
as the Territory was in rather indigent circumstances and could not 
therefore make a fitting appropriation to assist the enterprise, certain 
citizens donated lots and lands as follows : 

Samuel E. and Mary E. Browne, one acre in Browne's addition ; 
Alfred H. Clements, lots one to sixteen in block 320, in Clements' 
addition. 

fohn Evans and Simeon Whitely, the west half of block 24 in 
Whitely's addition. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 89 

Henn' M. Porter, block yS in Brown, Smith and Porter's addition. 
John \\\ Smith, block Si, in Brown, Smith and Porter's addition. 
Daniel Witter, lots 26 to 35 inclusive in block 56, in Witter's addition. 

Here the matter rested without further definite action until 1S74, 
when by authority of an act appro\ied February [3th in that year, the 
Governor appointed three commissioners, M. Benedict of Denver, J. H. 
Pinkerton of Evans, and J. H. Blume of Trinidad, to examine all the 
titles for lots and parcels of (ground theretofore donated to the 
Territory for capitol purposes, and if any should be found defective to 
perfect them; to take and have control of the capitol site and capitol 
fund propert)-; to have the custody of and expend on the improvement 
of the capitol g-rounds and in the erection of capitol buildings thereon, 
any money that might be appropriated by the Territory, the county of 
Arapahoe, the city of Denver, or by any person or persons for that pur- 
pose. On and after the ist of April, 1S75, they were authorized to sell 
at public auction and convey, after due advertisement in the public 
press, any or all of the lots and lands so donated except the capitol site, 
and then proceed to expend the money so realized in the erection of a 
capitol building, provided the cost of the same when completed should 
not exceed the amount of money actuall\- then on hand, or to be 
realized within the year 1875, from the sale of lots or from other 
sources, — the building to be completed, paid for, and delivered to the 
Territory on or before January 1st, 1876. 

The commissioners were required to give bonds in the sum of 
$5,000 each, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the trust com- 
mitted to them, and enjoined to make report to the next ensuing as- 
sembly, as to the manner in which it had been executed. 

On the evening of April i6th, 1875, they, together with Hon. \V. 
J. Barker, mayor of the city, and others interested, met at the office of 
Benedict & Phelps to confer respecting ways and means for beginning 
and prosecuting work upon a building for legislative and of^cial uses. 
They were absolutely destitute of public funds, and the highest rational 
estimate of the value of the lots and lands, provided the titles were 



•90 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

good, did not exceed $32,000. The subject was discussed, its various 
phases deHberately considered, and an earnest effort made to discover 
whether or not a building of any kind was feasible under the circum- 
stances jDresented. The urgenc)' of the need was apparent to all. At 
each recurring session of the assembly great difficulty in procuring .suit- 
able rooms was experienced, and it not infrequently happened that the 
two branches were widely separated, the Council being established in 
one quarter of the town and the House of Representatives in another 
several blocks distant, the committee rooms wherever they could be 
found, but entirely disconnected from either. There were occasions also, 
when legislative apartments had to be secured sometime in advance of 
the sessions in order to get them at all, and the inconvenience was great 
to all concerned. In addition, Congress never appropriated more than 
twenty thousand dollars for legislative expenses, which included per 
diem and mileage, salaries, rent, stationery, printing, etc., and therefore 
compelled the most rigid economy of expenditure in every department. 
The various Territorial and Federal offices were scattered over the 
city, no two being in the same building. It was seen that at the best 
only a temporary structure could be provided from the sale of lots, 
even if the highest expectations of their value were realized. Some 
suggested the construction of a wing that might be used as part of a 
permanent capitol to be added at a future time when the State should 
develop and acquire the means for a costly and imposing edifice. At 
last, after debating the question in all its aspects, a motion was adopted 
to appoint a committee of three to solicit subscriptions to the capitol 
fund, and Mr. Daniel Witter proposed that the commissioners be also 
empowered to receive donations of real estate in lieu of cash, when pre- 
ferred by the subscriber. 

Messrs. Witter, George W. Kassler, John W. Smith, Charles B. 
Kountze and Henry Crow were appointed to draft a subscription paper 
and circulate the same. The county commissioners and the city 
council were requested to provide means fur grading and fencing the 
capitol site, and to adorn the grounds by planting shade trees thereon. 






^" ^^ 




r'^^ 





HISTORY OF COLORADO. 91 

Mr. Witter proposed also that the tract be embeUished and converted 
into a pubhc park for the enjoyment of the people. Messrs. Scott J. 
Anthony, Daniel Witter and Richard E. Whitsitt were authorized to 
perfect the titles to lots donated. 

Had the e.xcellent recommendations advanced at this meeting been 
carefully executed, even to the extent permitted by the limited means at 
the disposal of the board, it might, and in all probability would have 
prevented much expensive litigation that arose in after years from Mr. 
Henry C. Brown's just demand that his munificent donation should be 
formally accepted, and appropriated to the purpose for which it was 
designed, by the addition of proper improvements, even though no 
building were provided. It would at least have been an acknowledg- 
ment of his splendid gift, and prepared the way for the next great 
proceeding subsequently instituted under State auspices. 

At a later meeting of the commissioners and others held May 3d, 
Ex-Governor Evans, who was present, stated his objections to taking 
any definite action toward a capitol building until the paramount question 
of the permanent location of the seat of government should have been 
determined by a vote of the people. The present location at Denver 
was but temporary, subject to change by the action of any future assem- 
bly. An Enabling Act had been passed by Congress, and there was 
good reason for believing that the Territory would be admitted into the 
Union as a State, when it would come into possession of large grants of 
land, from the proceeds of which, aided by liberal appropriations, funds 
would be furnished for such a building as the State should have. Fore- 
casting the future, he saw the folly of adopting, plans that could only 
result in a shabby temporary structure, and the sacrifice of properties for 
insignificant sums, that in due course of the cit)''s growth would become 
extremely valuable. Events proved the correctness of his views. 

A committee that had been appointed to confer with Mr. H. C. 
Brown relative to his donation of the site, in view of a reported declaration 
by him that if it were not soon formally accepted and appropriated to 
State uses, he would revoke his deed of gift and enter suit for restitution 



92 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

of the property, reported substantially as follows : That if $50,000 or 
more should be judiciously expended thereon by the commissioners, and 
if the capital should be removed to another town and thereby cause the 
property to revert to him, the city of Denver and himself should be 
equal owners in the ten acres of land designed for a capitol site. 

Without needless waste of words, the proceedings taken by the 
commissioners ended with this meeting. Comprehending that the means 
at their disposal were wholly inadequate to the purpose ; that they could 
not be augmented by popular subscriptions, and that while the question 
of permanent location remained undetermined, w^th the possibility that 
when submitted to vote another town might be chosen, they wisely con- 
cluded to proceed no further. They made no report to the legislature, 
nor was anything further done until May 9th, 1879, when jNIr. Brown, 
the donor, filed with the county clerk a deed of revocation, on the ground 
that the site had not been formally accepted nor improved by Territorial 
or State authority, that the State did not succeed to the rights of the 
Territory in this land, etc., etc., and immediately proceeded to reclaim it 
by erecting a board fence around the entire tract. Charles W. Wright, 
then Attorney-General, brought an action in ejectment for the State, and 
obtained judgment. Under the statute Mr. Brown was granted a new 
trial, which he brought before Judge Thomas M. Bowen, and secured 
judgment in his favor, the court holding that the land was dedicated on 
a condition subsequent, viz., its improvement for capitol purposes, and 
there was a breach of this condition. The State paid the costs and was 
granted a new trial by Judge Elliott, but a change of venue was taken 
and the cause heard by Judge Mitchell in Jefferson County, when the State 
was again victorious. Mr. Brown appealed to the Supreme Court of the 
State, when the judgment of the court below was affirmed. The case 
was next taken to the Supreme Court of the United States, on a writ of 
error. Meantime, Mr. Charles H. Toll, one of the more brilliant of our 
rising young attorneys, had been elected Attorney-General, who filed a 
motion with the court to dismiss the writ of error for want of jurisdiction ; 
also to advance the cause on the docket in the event of failure to dismiss. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 93 

October i ith, iSSi, General Toll went clown to Washington to secure a 
hearing on these motions, and at length succeeded in confirming the 
State title to the much contested capitol site. Mr. James H. Brown, 
son of the claimant, then scarcely past his majority, but already rated as 
one of the brightest and most earnest students of law, began the liti- 
gation anew in the United States Circuit Court for the District of Col- 
orado, before Judge Hallett, where judgment was rendered against him. 
He appealed to the court of last resort at Washington. In January, 
1885, when Theodore H. Thomas assumed the duties of Attorney-Gen- 
eral, he found the case of Henry C. Brown I's. J. B. Grant, Governor 
r/ a/ pending in the United States Supreme Court. Under the circum- 
stances already mentioned (measures for building a capitol), it became a 
matter of great importance to secure an early adjudication of the title. 
The board of capitol managers thereupon employed Mr. Thornton H. 
Thomas, brother of the Attorney-General, as special counsel to assist 
the latter in the case. A motion to advance the cause on the docket 
was successfully made in person by the Attorney-General. Briefs were 
then prepared, and December 14th, 18S5, the case was orally argued by 
his brother before the court. In January, 1886, a decision was rendered 
whereby the title to the capitol site of ten acres was adjudged to be 
absolutely and finally in the State of Colorado. 

It is a fact worthy of note in this connection, that the attorne\-s on 
both sides were very young men, Mr. James H. . Brown being only 
twenty-one years of age when he engaged in it, and the Thomas 
Brothers (twins) only thirty, Mr. Toll also being of the latter age 
when he made his argument and secured confirmation of title in the first 
instance. Mr. Brown, it was universally admitted, prepared his case 
with unusual ability, and argued it to the close in a manner to bring him 
great prestige, even though unsuccessful. 

Our State Constitution, Section 2, Article VIII, provided that the 
legislature at its first session subsequent to the year 1880, should provide 
by law for submitting the question of the permanent location of the seat 
of government to the qualified electors at the general election then next 



94 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

ensuing, and in Section 4 of the same article, that the Assembly should 
make no appropriation or expenditure for capitol building's or grounds 
until the seat of government should be permanently located. Action 
was taken as required, and on Tuesda)*, November 8th, 1881, the 
question was submitted to popular vote with the result subjoined • 

Denver received 30,248 votes. 

Pueblo received 6,047 votes. 

Colorado Springs received 4-790 votes. 

Canon City received 2,788 votes. 

Salida received 695 votes. 

Scattering 929 votes. 

This action determined the question in favor of the city of Denver, 
and prepared the way for the erection of a capitol in consonance with 
the dignity of a large and prosperous commonwealth. 

In 1881 the legislature appropriated $5,000 to be e.xpended in 
grading the capitol site, fencing the same, and in the purchase and 
planting of maple and elm trees; in plowing and seeding the land; for 
the use of water thereon for two years ; for laying water pipes, the 
erection of a temporary frame house to be occupied by an overseer ; the 
purchase of tools for repairs and other incidental expenses. But those 
things were not to be done until after the decision of the United States 
Supreme Court confirming the title to the State. 

By a subsequent act, approved February nth, 1883, to provide for 
the erection of a State capitol building and creating a Board of " Di- 
rection and Supervision," the sum of $150,000 was appropriated for the 
construction of "a wing to what is now or may hereafter be the capitol 
building of the State of Colorado, in the city of Denver, to be expended 
under the control and supervision of a board of seven managers ; the 
Governor to be a member and chairman, the remaining six to be John 
L. Routt, Dennis Sulliv^an, George W. Kassler, Alfred Butters, E. S. 
Nettleton and W. W. Webster." They were to serve without compen- 
sation, except that each member, save the Governor, should receive four 
dollars per day for each day necessarily emplo)-ed in his duties, and 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 95 

actual traveling expenses. The)- were authorized to employ a clerk and 
to pay him a reasonable compensation. Within thirty days after the 
taking effect of this act they were to advertise in certain newspapers in 
Colorado, and one each in Chicago and St. Louis, inviting architects to 
furnish plans and specifications. One wing of the building to be con- 
structed at a cost not to exceed $200,000, and to be ready for occupancy 
by December ist, 1884. 

At the same session a bill to provide for the creation of a bonded 
indebtedness on behalf of the .State to the amount of $300,000, and for 
the submission of this proposition to a vote of the qualified electors at 
the next general election in November of that year was passed, the 
bonds to run fifteen years at six per cent., and to be sold at par value. 

The capitol commissioners qualified and entered upon their duties 
as prescribed by law. Their first meeting was held February 24th, 18S3, 
when George T. Clark was elected secretary. One of the first move- 
ments was to invite by advertisement and circular letters, the owners of 
stone quarries within the State to furnish samples of building stone for 
inspection, on or before March 30th proximo. In response, a large col- 
lection of really beautiful specimens of sandstone, granite, marble, etc.. 
representing quarries in different parts of the State were received, making 
a remarkably fine exhibit, and for the first time demonstrating by such 
concentrated effort the extraordinary excellence and diversity of our 
resources in that line. Chemical and mechanical tests followed under 
the direction of the Denver Society of Civil Engineers, to whom they 
were intrusted by the board. They were assisted in making the tests 
by Prof. Regis Chauvenet, President of the State .School of Mines, Prof. 
J. A. Sewall of the Colorado University, and Prof. P. H. Van Diest. 

That the commissioners might be more fully advised in their duties, 
and also of the various styles of architecture and internal arrangement 
of such edifices, they visited and carefully inspected the capitols of Iowa, 
Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Kansas, where they acquired much val- 
uable data relating to the material used, manner of constructing, and the 
cost of such buildings, and thereby reached the wise conclusion that a 



Kt5 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

statehouse for Colorado should not be built piecemeal, but as a whole, 
and that it could not be erected under existing laws relating to that sub- 
ject. Meanwhile, their advertisements to the architects brought nine 
sets of plans, but as the impracticability of constructing a wing became 
more and more manifest, they decided to take no further action until 
after their report should be submitted to the legislature, and its further 
will expressed. To hasten the matter, the board recommended an extra 
session of the assembly. Governor Grant in reply (June 19th, 1884), 
deemed it inadvisable to call an extra session. They had started out, he 
said, to build a million dollar capitol with $So,ooo cash and an appeal to 
the people for permission to borrow $300,000 additional, which might 
be refused when the vote came to be taken, and this would leave the 
board in a very embarrassing position. The upshot of the matter was 
the board resolved to reject all plans submitted, and await the regular 
meeting of the General Assembly for the perfection of measures that 
would meet the desires of the people. 

In the interim, incidental matters pertaining to titles for lots and 
lands contributed to the building fund, were examined by direction of 
the Attorney General, and by authority of law purchased from \V. S. 
Cheesman and George W. Kassler the block of ground adjoining and 
fronting the capitol site for $100,000, which extended the grounds from 
Grant avenue to Broadway. The Attorney General called to his aid 
V. D. Markham and Hugh Butler. After much delay and many vex- 
atious complications the matter of titles was arranged, and the properties 
rightfully held by the State sold. Meanwhile the capitol site was sur- 
veyed by Mr. W. H. Graves, a map thereof drawn, and the grading 
executed as required by the act of February 11, 1 88 1 . 

In the execution of these preparatory efforts, which included an 
indefinite number of analyses and tests of building stone, the time 
passed until the meeting of the Assembly in 1885. Governor Grant 
had been succeeded in office by Benjamin H. Eaton, to whom the 
board rendered a full report of their transactions and proceedings. 

From the plans submitted by architects — twenty-one sets — -the 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 97 

board, by the aid of a committee of experts, had accepted three, viz.: 
The first, drawn by E. E. Myers, of Detroit, Michigan ; the second, by 
F. E. Edbrooke & Co. of Denver ; and the third, by H. B. Seeley of 
Denver. This done, they decided that no money should be paid for 
any plan until a contract should be let for a building whose total cost 
should not exceed one million dollars, and if found impracticable to let a 
contract on any one of the three plans selected, with such modifications 
as might be agreed upon, for the amount named, then such plans were 
to be rejected. 

Architect Myers asked for and was granted two to three months' 
time for the completion of detail drawings and specifications for con- 
tractors to bid from, but owing to his illness they were not furnished 
until Januar)- 2d, 1886. After certain changes had been made in con- 
formity to the latest legislative action, proposals were advertised for. 
February 20th, 1S86, the board opened the proposals, but every bid was 
in excess of the limit of cost, therefore much cutting and trimming of 
details was rendered necessary. At last the contract was awarded to 
Mr. W. D, Richardson for $930,483, upon the reduced plans by E. E. 
Myers. Mr. Edbrooke received $1,000 for his plans, and H. B. Seeley 
$800 for his. Peter Gumry was made superintendent of construction 
at a salary of $2,500 per annum, and Thomas Mullen assistant at $1,500 
per annum. It is unnecessary to follow the perplexing incidents at- 
tending this work. The material for the superstructure. — Fort Collins 
sandstone having been selected for the foundation, — became a matter of 
vital importance; therefore, in March, 1886, the board entered upon a 
tour of investigation which embraced all the prominent quarries in the 
Rocky Mountains. They were accompanied by the supervising ar- 
chitect Myers, the contractor, and the superintendent of construction. 
At a later time Messrs. Nettleton and Gumry were constituted a special 
sub-committee to examine a certain deposit of fine white sandstone in 
Gunnison county, on which a favorable report was rendered, whereupon 
the board made an inspection of the same, and on the 31st of July 
ordered the superstructure to be built of that material. 



98 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

The contract with Richardson was executed April ist, 1886, and he 
soon afterward left for the East to purchase and forward machinery 
and appliances, but was taken dangerously ill, so that nothing of im- 
portance was done until July 6th, when the excavations for the sub- 
structure began and were completed September 15th. The concrete 
base was finished November loth following. 

In the meantime Hon. Theodore H. Thomas, Attorney General, 
had brought the main question of title to the capitol site to a conclusion 
before the Supreme Court at Washington, by final decision rendered 
Januar\- 4th, 18S6, and had instituted suits in the State courts against 
various parties to recover certain lots and lands under deeds of do- 
nation. The lots that had been sold brought $93,23*3 to the capitol 
fund. The act of April ist, 1885, continued the board of managers as 
originally constituted, for six years, increased their compensation to five 
dollars per diem, prohibited them from taking any interest whatever in 
any contract relating to the building, and advanced the salary of the 
secretary to $2,000 a year. The extreme limit of expenditure on the 
capitol was fixed at one million dollars, and divided as follows : For 
1885, $200,000; for 1886, 1S87, 1888 and 1889 the same, dividing it 
into five equal portions, and requiring that the edifice be completed b}' 
January ist, 1890. 

But "the best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley." In 
excavating for the foundation it was found necessary to go deeper than 
was calculated in the original estimates in order to reach a secure base, 
Avhich necessarily enhanced the cost. Certain other alterations were 
made in the building plans ; therefore, in May, 1888, the contract was 
amended and relet. Next ensued vexatious complications with Mr. 
Richardson, who had exceeded his estimates and involved unwarranted 
exjsenditures, an account of which was rendered', and the board re- 
quested to provide for them. A meeting was held, the matter rigidl)- 
investigated, and an order issued to suspend work. Richardson became 
heavily involved with creditors who had furnished materials, and they 
filed suits against him, The board measured up the work performed, 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 99 

and submitted a well digested report thereon. A bitter controversy 
followed. All the material on the ground was attached. The case 
went to the courts on an action commenced by Richardson to recover 
the sum of $72,066.05 alleged to be due him on the contract. The 
commissioners instructed Attorney General Alvin Marsh to defend the 
suit, and retained Piatt Rogers as assistant counsel. They sent notices 
to Richardson's bondsmen notifying them that unless they should 
appear and show cause to the contrary at a meeting of the board to be 
held February 9th, 1888, work under the contract would be declared 
abandoned, and they would proceed to complete or relet the same, 
holding Richard-son and his sureties liable for any and all damages. 

This evoked a response from Frank W. Tracy and George M. 
Brinkerhoff of Springfield, Illinois, the contractors' sureties, saying that 
Richardson had expended his entire fortune on the work, and would 
have continued had not the board declined to pay him the amounts due 
under the terms of the contract. They denied that there had been any 
such abandonment of the work as to call for a forfeiture of the contract; 
or that they themselves had incurred any liability under the bond, con- 
cluding with the observation that if the board would pay Richardson 
his just claim they would be willing to aid him to finish his contract. 

February 9th, 1888, Richardson's attorney, Theodore H. Thomas, 
e.x-Attorney General, appeared before the board and in his behalf 
stated that he was willing to proceed with the work as soon as the 
board should pay what it owed him. The commissioners after duly 
considering the answer, promptly adopted a resolution declaring the 
contract abandoned, and then requested Attorney-General Marsh and 
his co-counsel Rogers, to prepare a legal opinion defining the proper 
course to be pursued in reletting the work. 

Reviewing the case, these attorneys found that the board had acted 
wisely in annulling the contract; they could now go on and complete 
the building, holding Richardson and his bondsmen liable; suggested 
tlie propriety of readvertising for proposals, etc. The board accepting 
t ic opinion, acted upon its suggestions without delay, and to secure 



100 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

expfedition, decided to call for two sets of proposals, one for the com- 
pletion of the substructure to the grade line, and another for the super- 
structure. Five bids were received for the foundation, and that of 
Messrs. Geddes and Seerie accepted for the sum of $59,730. The 
contract was executed March 27th, 188S. 

May 1st following, the board assembled to consider proposals for 
the superstructure, took the same under advisement, and meanwhile 
asked an opinion from their counsel as to their legal right to award a 
contract at that time, if with the amount already expended, the bids 
should exceed the limit of $1,000,000. May 7th counsel made answer 
that while it had been ascertained that contracts could not be entered 
into for a completed building for any sum within the legislative limit, 
inasmuch as it was contemplated by our lawgivers that the work 
should be actively and continuously prosecuted, they might proceed 
under that construction of the statute. Whereupon the contract was 
awarded to Geddes & Seerie for the brick and stone work for the sum 
of $700,000. 

It will be remembered that white sandstone from a quarry 
inspected in Gunnison County had been selected by the commissioners, 
but neither Richardson nor any one else had developed it. The 
decision to use it had been held in suspense without definite action, but 
the contractors being urgent to have the matter brought to a conclusion 
in order that they might proceed understandingly, Mr. D. W. Campbell, 
the engineer of the board, with a sub-committee made a final inves- 
tigation of this quarry, and finding some of the principal conditions 
unfavorable, so reported. Meanwhile objections to sandstone, and peti- 
tions strongly favoring the use of granite instead, poured in upon the 
commissioners from all parts of the State. .The sentiment seemed to 
be universal that inasmuch as the capitol was to be a costly edifice, and 
as granite was even more abundant than sandstone, infinitely more 
substantial and on every account preferable to any other material, it 
should be employed, even though the cost were greater. The State was 
developing into great strength and prosperity, and with it the pride of 





<^c^ 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 101 

the people in having a structure that would be a joy forever; that 
could be pointed out with gratification to all strangers within our gates, 
as a product of our native resources and native skill. Therefore the 
commissioners being of like opinion, and as the contractors could carry 
on the work until the incoming of the next General Assembly without 
materially delaying the time of completion, or in any way impairing the 
strength of the structure or involving any change of plans, decided to 
report their best conclusions to the assembly and ask for an increase of 
appropriation to meet the enhanced cost of granite. 

December 4th, 18S7, W. W. Webster resigned from the board, and 
Mr. M. Spangler was elected to the vacancy. November 6th, 1888, the 
office of Secretary was vacated by the death of George T. Clark, when 
Donald W. Campbell was chosen. Campbell resigned September ist, 
1889, when Herman Leuders became his successor. 

By an act approved April 8th, 1889, the commissioners were 
authorized and directed to lay out, ornament and beautify the capitol 
grounds in such manner as to present an attractive appearance in con- 
formity with the building to be erected thereon, and the sum of $20,000, 
was appropriated to this purpose. Simultaneously it was provided that 
a proposition be submitted to a vote of the people at the general 
election in November of that year, to create an additional bonded 
indebtedness to the amount of $250,000, the bonds to run fifteen years 
at 6 per cent, per annum. By an act approved April ist, it was pro- 
vided that the board of managers should be reduced to five members, 
the Governor, chairman as before. John L. Routt, Otto Mears, Ben- 
jamin F. Crowell and Charles J. Hughes, Jr., were appointed by 
Governor Cooper, and confirmed by the Senate. They were authorized 
to contract for the completion of the building, using such material as in 
their judgment might be wise and proper, but the limit of cost was 
extended from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000. Section 8 of this act provides 
that it shall be constructed of granite, brick and iron, and as far as prac- 
ticable of Colorado productions; also that the interior finish shall be 
hard wood, the whole to be completed by January ist, 1893. To meet 



102 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

the new emergency a tax of one-half of one mill was levied. At the same 
time the entire sums then standing to the credit of the public building 
income fund, and the public building land permanent fund, together with 
such further sums of money as might during i88g and 1890 be paid to 
the credit of said several funds, were transferred to the capitol building 
fund. 

At the general election of that year the proposition to create a 
further bonded debt of $250,000 was rejected by the people, but it did 
not materially affect the progress of the work, the funds on hand being- 
sufficient to insure all but the interior finishing. The contract with 
Geddes & Seerie for building with granite, was $1,171,396.75 ; the con- 
tract for 122 cast iron columns being separate and awarded to W. J. 
Godfrey & Co. of Denver, for $13,450. The rolled steel beams and 
girders were awarded to the Lane Bridge & Iron Works of Chicago, for 
$32,878. The quarry from which the granite is obtained is situated on 
Beaver Creek, ten miles from the town of Gunnison, and named the 
Zugelder quarry. 

At this writing the magnificent proportions of our granite capitol, 
in color a delicate shade of gray, are beginning to be seen. From pres- 
ent appearances, however, it will not be fully completed and ready for 
occupancy at the date specified in the contract. The State board are 
eminently well satisfied with the progress of the work, and with the in- 
tegrity and skill of Messrs. Geddes & Seerie, two young men who have 
won a distinguished place in general esteem. That the building will 
when finished be a credit to them and to the State at large, is a foregone 
conclusion. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 



CHAPTER V. 

The DENVER & RIO GRANDE RAILROAD — GENERAL W. J. PALMER AND HIS ASSOCIATES 

HISTORY OF THE ROAD COMPLETED ITS INFLUENCE ON THE COUNTRY — LOVEJOV, 

JACKSON, MOFFAT, SMITH AND HUGHES PRESENT STATUS OF THE ENTERPRISE. 

The system of railways that has exerted greatest uifluence upon the 
internal economy of our State, especially the Southern and Western 
divisions, is that which was conceived, and for the most part executed 
by General William J. Palmer, seconded, and faithfully supported from 
first to last by a corps of young and able coadjutors, as D. C. Dodge, 
W. S. Jackson, Wm. Wagner, R. F. Weitbrec, A. C. Hunt, Col. W. H. 
Greenwood and J. A. McMurtrie. The all pervading and controlling 
spirit of this stupendous enterprise, however, was its originator, who 
broadly comprehended, and laudably aspired to master, all the latitudes 
and longitudes of the intricate problems that were at the beginning and 
at every stage presented to his mind. As his purposes unfolded to 
public view, and as their beneficent influence upon the settlement and 
progress of the barren and uninviting country traversed came to be un- 
derstood, the people at large interestedly overlooking the scenes of his 
operations, and the procession of great consequences that followed in 
the wake of his engineers and tracklayers through deep canons and 
gorges; penetrating valleys and plains; surmounting what had been 
deemed impracticable grades ; mounting to heights theretofore unat- 
tempted ; regenerating and fructifying the waste places ; opening mines 
of coal and iron, great quarries of stone, lime, and other merchantable 
supplies ; building cities and towns, and revivifying those already estab- 
lished but perishing of inanition, began to see that a new and prodigious 
force had come among them for the universal good. They saw in hin. 



10-t HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

a splendid epitome of progressive vitality, who raised millions abroad 
and expended them here in a time when markets were stagnant and con- 
fidence in the far West nearing its lowest stage, and winning success 
with an untried experiment which the orthodox builders of the time 
regarded with doubt and suspicion, because it was a radical innovation 
of established usage, having no part in their education and experience. 
He mapped out the foundation, and planned the construction of the 
most elaborate and useful system of its class in the known world, and at 
the same time created a precedent that excited the wonder and admi- 
ration of mankind. His original design was to construct a base line 
from Denver to El Paso, Texas, and from it to send out distributing 
lines to all parts of the Rocky Mountains, a bold and broad conception 
based upon his comprehension of the value of the region. Only the 
residents of the Territory at the period of its inception, can fully appre- 
ciate the magnitude of the undertaking, or realize the daring of the 
mind that met and mastered all the difficulties that lay in the path of his 
ambition. To comprehend even approximately, the surface conditions 
ujDon which he entered when the Denver & Rio Grande Railway was 
incorporated, we must advert to the original state of the country in 1871, 
and accept the fact that between Denver and Pueblo, and west and 
south of the latter point there was little beside open, uncultivated, unde- 
veloped plains and mountains; no Colorado Springs, no Manitou ; not a 
town nor hamlet save a few straggling cabins at Colorado City, and 
Fountain ; no evidence of remarkable resources ; Pueblo, but a village of 
a few hundred inhabitants, without commercial importance ; no Bessemer, 
or El Moro; no coal or iron mines opened; Trinidad and Walsenburg, 
small Mexican settlements; Caiion City scarcely more than an aban- 
doned town site ; the wonderful resources of Leadville undiscovered ; 
Durango, Buena Vista, Salida, Grand Junction, Montrose, Glenwood 
Springs and Aspen unoccupied ; the rich valleys beyond the Marshall 
Pass, a part of the Ute Indian Reservation; the San Juan region, 
though known, comparatively unsettled ; the San Luis \'a!ley with the 
exception of the Mexican towns of Conejos and Costilla in its primitive 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 105 

state.' ; Santa Fe as remote and unapproachable by our lines of commerce 
as the Cit)- of jNIexico itself. Yet General Palmer's "doubtful experi- 
ment" in less than two decades of time produced the extraordinary, the 
almost bewildering contrast between the situation just defined and the 
.present, a country now dotted with brisk, most of them beautiful and 
prosperous towns, the greater part presenting scenes of industry in man- 
ifold forms, creating commerce from the soil, and wealth for the people. 
Witness the thrift and beauty of Colorado Springs and its incomparable 
adjunct, Manitou ; compare the Pueblo of to-day with its rude condition 
in 1S70; mark the development of El Moro, Trinidad, the San Luis 
valle}', the numerous well Iniilt and progressive towns that have sprung 
up along the lines of this little narrow gauge road ; the rich and well 
opened mines of the Upper Arkansas; the Eagle and the San Juan ; the 
productiveness of Leadville and Aspen ; the immense bodies of coal, 
iron and precious ores brought to light on every side, to all of which, 
and to many others not enumerated, these lines of iron track led the 
way, and provided for their entree into the more populous resorts of the 
State and the nation. 

Projects like this require indomitable perseverance, unfaltering 
courage ; great resources of brain and capital, for they involve battles 
against great odds, and we are prone to believe that few men of his time 
would have dared attempt them, or attempting, would have accomplished 
so much in so short a time. 

Then came, as we have seen, paralyzing financial embarrassments, 
that even Palmer's versatile genius and exhaustless energy could not 
overcome ; the enforced surrender to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe ; 
a prolonged struggle with tliat power ; the desperate strife for possession 
of the grand canon of the Arkansas, and at last, victory; the res- 
toration of the road, a new era of building and extension, a second sub- 
mission to the inevitable, and the final severance of his connection with 
the company. 

Though beset by tremendous difficulties and sometimes checked, 
always however by the lack of funds to keep pace with his designs, he 



106 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

was nex^er prostrated by defeat. He was constant!)' devising new pro- 
jects of a magnitude greater than his purse. Faikire in one direction 
only energized his faculties for success in another. He aimed at the 
conquest, not of Colorado alone, but of Utah, Nevada and the republic 
of Mexico as well, and had all these undertakings in hand and under. 
prosecution at one time, involving in their cost sums of money that only 
boundless resources could supply. Given ample funds, with liberty to 
draw at pleasure, he would have ribbed Colorado, Utah, New and Old 
Mexico with steel anci iron, and launched ventures of larger scope than 
have ever been accomplished by man. 

General Palmer's career exhibits the activity of a creative mind, a 
genius capable of conceiving and executing vast schemes, wonderful 
fertility of resource, remarkable bravery, foresight, and administrative 
skill. He was one of the most renowned railway builders of his time, 
and a striking figure also in the money centers of the world, a man 
possessed of clear and intense imaginations of the ends to be attained. 

When he came to us in 1870, he was young and virile, inspired by 
splendid asjairations, crowned with laurels nobly won in the fields of war 
and engineering. Uniting with Ex-Governor A. C. Hunt, then in the 
prime of his physical and mental powers, possessing equal energy with 
himself, and though lacking the wise discretion of a safe leader, was an 
admirable avant courier, pilot and guide, knowing every trail and 
practicable pass leading to the better resources of the region, they 
mapped out a system of lines which in its later perfection became the 
delight of all beholders, and the controlling factor in our affairs. 

Palmer began his work with boundless faith in the extent and 
diversity of our native resources. He saw that they required but the 
quickening of rapid transit to bring forth measureless commerce, and 
consequent prosperity to the road and the people. He noted points 
where cities and towns might be advantageously erected, countless acres 
of arid lands put under tillage, hundreds of miles of irrigating canals 
constructed, innumerable sources of revenue opened, and his plans em- 
braced them all. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 107 

In his career of arms he developed high quahties for command in 
the cavalry service. General George H. Thomas is said to have 
observed that Palmer had few superiors as a commander, uniting the 
qualities of daring, caution and skill that won victories and rarely met 
with defeat. One of his comrades spoke of him as a man possessing 
extraordinary knowledge of roads, trails and byways, a lexicon of useful 
information respecting the geography of the country, that was of inval- 
uable service in the movement of troops. 

At the close of the war he threw off the trappings of a soldier and 
resumed his former position of confidential secretary to J. Edgar 
Thompson, president and the controlling power of the great Pennsyl- 
vania Railroad, under whose training and patronage he was disciplined 
and fitted for the great work of his life. .Soon afterward he was made 
secretary of the Kansas Pacific Railway, through the influence of his 
patron, who held large interests in that enterprise, and later a director, 
then managing director in charge of its construction from Kit Carson to 
Denver. At the time he assumed the management, the company had 
neither ties nor iron for this division, nor had any grading been done, 
yet he accomplished the unprecedented feat of grading, bridging and 
tracking the one hundred and fifty mile interval between the two points 
mentioned in the brief space of one hundred and fifty working days. 

His first visit to Denver occurred in 1867 after his return from 
completing, with Col. L. H. Eicholtz, his chief engineer, the survey 
of the thirty-second parallel route to the coast on which the Kansas 
Pacific first intended building. While constructing that road to this 
city, he and General R. E. Carr often came here, and in these visits he 
made the acquaintance of Ex-Governor A. C. Hunt who presented to 
him the advantages of building a road from Denver to El Paso, Texas, 
with a series of branches into the mountains of Colorado, practically as 
now constructed. 

That General Palmer w^as one of the most brilliant men who has 
joined his fortunes with the builders of our State, will not be questioned 
by any of his contemporaries. We have the testimony of his more inti- 



108 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

mate associates, that his pre-eminent abihties were especially dis- 
played in financiering his railways, and in the rapidity of their 
construction. In the general direction of the financial affairs of his 
company, in planning main lines and extensions and in pushing them to 
speedy completion, he had no equal among those who have achieved 
enviable fame as railway managers. He had no patience for the exe- 
cution of the details. It was sufficient for him to draft the plans down 
to the minutest particulars; the execution was left to trusted subordinates 
while he wrestled with the money markets for funds to carry on the 
work. With such able and faithful coadjutors as Colonel Greenwood, 
W. .S. Jackson, Dodge, McMurtrie and Weitbrec, and with the incom- 
parable Hunt to blaze the trails so to speak, in advance of the 
engineers, the combination was complete. 

In devising the Rio Grande system his intrepidity and skill were 
newly manifested in the impetuosity of his attacks upon intricate and 
apparently impossible problems of engineering, which were made per- 
fectly feasible by the invention of strategic devices then for the first 
time employed in building legitimate commercial thoroughfares, over- 
coming thereby conditions which the existing school of surveyors and 
builders had pronounced impossible. At the head of his troopers he 
had long been accustomed to charging sword in hand, and winning by 
adroit direction of his forces, and the same spirit animated him in meet- 
ing by dash and daring the obstructions that lay between his starting- 
point and the end he had determined to attain. Never before had 
there been such mad plunging through well nigh impenetrable canons 
and gorges, or such marvelous scaling of mountain heights and their 
conversion into thoroughfares for the passage of traffic and the enjoy- 
ment of the people. Experienced men of the old school cautioned him 
that certain of his projected lines could not be operated if built, neverthe- 
less the inipracticable places were carried, and the roads successfully 
maintained. As a consequence, there are many divisions of the Rio 
Grande Railway that are miracles of engineering. Although to other 
hands was left the work of perfecting his colossal designs in Colorado, 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 109 

the triumphs he achieved in Mexico, and the strilcing transformations he 
effectively aided in producing there, which within twenty years caused it 
to be uplifted from a power almost without recognition or standing 
among nations to one of the more progressive of the South American 
States, bear testimony to the brilliancy of his conceptions and the un- 
quenchable fire of his nature. What matters it if in the tide of his for- 
tunes he was sometimes wrecked and stranded, compelled to stand and 
deliver to overwhelming adversities, the people of Colorado, who have 
reaped an imposing harvest of benefits from his endeavors here, can 
richly afford to be generous and credit him with the honor that before 
giving way, he placed their State upon a plane of development that 
without him might not have been reached in our day and generation. 
Another and less forceful pioneer would have been crushed by the 
mighty agencies he had to contend against, and as we have seen by the 
events narrated in our second volume, but for his superior fighting 
qualities they would have changed the arteries of trade from their pres- 
ent base to the line of the Missouri River, and maintained them there 
for years, if not permanently. The grand cafion of the Arkansas for 
whose possession he so stoutly contended, was the very throat of com- 
merce, the one great avenue to all that lay beyond, and in winning that 
fight he accomplished for himself and his successors and for all the 
people of the commonwealth, the contest that has shaped its destiny 
for all time. If he spent money lavishly in speeding his lines faster 
than the conditions of the country traversed would justify, and thus 
brought financial disaster, let us not forget that his locomotives as they 
passed through valleys and over the mountain tops, proclaimed to 
waiting thousands the opening of fields where lay some of the richest 
treasures of the mineral kingdom, and that millions of acres of fine agri- 
cultural lands were thereby rendered habitable, nor that they promptly 
accepted the invitation to enter in and occupy them, to the upbuilding 
of the State and the perpetuation of its legitimate industries. 

There is no charge against General Palmer's name or fame than 
that his towering ambition outstripped his means. It has been said 



no HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

that some of his extensions in the Southwest, notably that from Antn- 
nito, in the San Luis Valley, to Durango, and thence to Silverton, were 
many years in advance of the need ; that they were unnecessarily Ioul, 
and expensive, and might have been avoided and better results attained 
— admitting the necessity — by taking more favorable routes, which i-^ 
true. But on the other hand, it is maintained that in these cases, a^ 
also in the expediency of the branch to Westcliffe, his personal con- 
victions against those extensions were overborne by Governor Hunt, 
who strenuously urged their construction, predicting highly profitable 
returns from the mining regions, and insisting that these lines were as 
important and as practicable as any of the others. Palmer, in yielding 
to Hunt's enthusiastic prophecies, though against his better judgment, 
was no doubt responsible for the aftermath of unfortunate consequences 
to his compan)^ While the Durango and Silverton branches were 
operated at a loss "for years, and under ordinary circumstances could not 
be justified, it is only fair to assume that had the small and struggling 
communities then established in La Plata and San Juan Counties been 
left to work out their own salvation unaided by rapid transit, they 
could not have risen to the important positions they now occupy in 
our industrial economy during our time, owing to their remoteness 
from central markets. 

The grand basis of Palmer's plans was to embrace and forever 
dominate the entire commerce of the Rocky Mountains in the West and 
Southwest — the Lhiion Pacific having already appropriated the north- 
erly division — to build branches to every town whose neighboring mines 
or other resources gave promise of richness and permanency ; to build 
so rapidly as to deter ambitious rivals from invading this field, and to 
make the Rio Grande Railway the controlling factor, not in local affairs 
alone, but ultimately of transcontinental traffic and travel also. There 
was something sublime in the bold comprehensiveness, and the calm 
courage of this magnificent invasion of the solitudes of the wilderness 
at such a time, and but for the crash of 1873 and the unhappy dis- 
sensions in his company soon to be related, it is probable he would 




■m 






^0^%^^^, 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. Ill 

have accomplished the full measure of his purposes. The design, 
viewed in the more lustrous light of the present epoch, was a stu- 
pendous undertaking, transcending in its scope and importance any 
other that has been projected for the redemption of the West. But 
Palmer was then in the meridian of his manly strength and vigor. He 
was essentially the Rio Grande Company, directing, and, when neces- 
sary, imperiously controlling the entire organization. 

The more interesting events in the early history of this railway 
have been set forth in the preceding volumes. We will now take up 
the new order and trace it by regular stages to the present, wherein we 
shall discover still further evidence of the wise forecasts of the original 
chief, as also those of his successors who are completing the details. 

Our previous account closed — (Vol. II. page 391), with the cancel- 
lation of the lease and the adjustment of its principal difficulties with 
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. There remained in the courts, how- 
ever, certain legal matters to be disposed of. On the ist of April, 
1S80, the Supreme Court at Washington issued its final decree upon 
the matters before it, which eventuated in the complete transfer of the 
property to Palmer and his company. On the 4th Receiver Ellsworth 
surrendered his office, turned over the road, General Palmer resumed 
control as president, and D. C. Dodge as general manager, when there 
began a series of improvements and extensions necessary to place the 
system in communication with the more important points not yet con- 
nected, whose resources had meanwhile been developed. The short 
branch of six miles from the main trunk at Colorado Springs to Man- 
itou was completed July 26th, 1880, and the extension from Durango to 
Silverton July iith, 18S2. Certain other connections were made, and 
affairs moved on without material conflict until some time in 1883, v/hen 
threatening contentions arose between the directors and the officers of 
the railroad company and the Colorado Coal & Iron Company. 
During the period of its greatest embarrassment, associated with its 
battle against the Santa Fe, Jay Gould and others put forth strenuous 
efforts to secure control of the property, but failing through the 



112 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

watchful activity of Palmer, they wrought even more earnestly to ruin 
its credit by breakino- down its securities and wrecking its reputation 
in the money markets, in which, though more successful, they again 
failed to obtain control of the road. Nevertheless, as a part of the 
consequences, bitter antagonisms were created in the company, and, in 
due course, the faction opposed to Palmer being the stronger, forced 
him out. In August, 1883, he resigned the presidency and was suc- 
ceeded by Frederick Lovejoy, whereupon Palmer turned his attention 
to the completion of the lines he had laid in INIexico. In January, 
1884, Edward O. Wolcott (now United States Senator) was appointed 
general counsel for the company, vice Lyman K. Bass resigned. 

The change of i:)residents, and the change of policy instituted by 
Lovejoy, soon gave rise to discord in the Colorado management. Mr. 
Dodge could not, or would not, adjust himself to some of the measures 
proposed by the new head, therefore on the ist of April, 1884, Lovejoy 
issued an order peremptorily removing Dodge from his office of gen- 
eral manager, not only of the Rio Grande but of the Rio Grande 
Western in Utah also (then under lease to the former), and appointing 
Mr. R. E. Ricker general superintendent. In the same order Mr. B. 
F. Woodward, superintendent of the telegraph service, and J. A. Mc- 
Murtrie, chief engineer, were displaced. Mr. Andrew S. Hughes, who 
had held the position of general freight agent, was promoted to that of 
general traffic manager. 

But Dodge was not a man calculated to submit meekl}- and grace- 
fully to such an order. Mr. Lovejoy might manage the Rio Grande 
proper as he pleased under the authority given him, but could not be 
permitted the same license in directing the affairs of the Rio Grande 
Western, since by the stipulations of the lease, it was expressly provided 
that Mr. Dodge should be manager of that road. Therefore, on the 
4th of April the latter published an order to the ofificers and employes 
of the Western which sharply apprised them of -the fact that he was in 
control, and proposed to maintain it, and instructing them to pay no 
heed whatever to Lovejoy's manifestoes. Here then, was an explicit 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 113 

declaration of war, which, combined with other causes, ultimately 
brought disastrous consequences to both roads. 

On the 15th General Palmer obtained from one of the courts of 
Utah, a writ of injunction restraining the Denver & Rio Grande Com- 
pany from interfering with Mr. Dodge as manager. A legal contest 
ensued, which resulted in the confirmation of Dodge's right to exercise 
the powers given him by the lease. There was no man in the company 
for whom Palmer entertained more profound regard, or in whom he 
reposed greater confidence than Mr. Dodge. He was a faithful, keen- 
sighted and thoroughly trusted agent, to whom all things were made 
known, and into whose hands the administration of government was 
placed. He was devotedly loyal to his chief at all times and under all 
circumstances, watched every movement, anticipated every need, and 
supervised the detail work of management and construction. The 
amount of labor he performed was enormous, and to his work the com- 
pany and the country are indebted for a large share of the success then 
achieved. In former times it was freely circulated that Palmer, Dodge, 
Hunt, Weitbrec, McMurtrie, Wagner and others immediately associated 
with the building, derived large gains from construction contracts, but 
the facts are against that assumption. I have it from an officer of the 
present company, Mr. J. W. Gilluly, its treasurer, who, perhaps more 
than any other is intimately conversant with the expenditures made from 
1872 to 1890, having received and disbursed the funds, that such state- 
ments are not true. Hunt, as we know, came out literally impoverished 
and suffered his home, with all his valuable property in Denver, to be 
sold under mortgage because he was unable to pay his creditors. The 
greater part of all that Dodge, Weitbrec, Wagner and McMurtrie have 
acquired in the way of money or property to-day, is largely the result of 
fortunate ventures in enterprises disconnected with the Rio Grande 
Road. But for the advance in price of the railwa)- securities held by him 
I am assured that Palmer would have derived no very important pecu- 
niary benefit from this enterprise. Those who retained their original 
holdings through all the vicissitudes of litigation and misfortune, have 



n-t HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

realized satisfactory rewards for their faith in the ultimate issue. The 
speculators in the common stock suffered of course by the frequent, 
sudden, and sharp depreciations. When Palmer built, the cost of iron 
and other material was at a high stage, and to secure money for this 
new and somewhat hazardous venture, the stocks and bonds had to be 
sold for what they would bring, a large bonus in stock being given as 
an inducement to the purchase of bonds. 

By the displacement of Dodge and the appointment of Mr. Hughe-^ 
as trafific manager, the more onerous duties and responsibilities of man- 
agement fell to the latter. His primary lessons in the conduct of freight 
transportation began with the overland stage and express business in 
1861. In July, 1874, he was made station agent of the Denver & South 
Park Railway, and later general freight and passenger agent of the 
same road, combining with these duties for a time that of general super- 
intendent. When the road passed into the hands of the Union Pacific, 
and thus became a part of its Colorado system, he was made general 
claim agent of the latter company in Colorado, which he held until 
April of that year, when he was appointed assistant general freight 
agent of the Denver & Rio Grande under D. C. Dodge ; was promoted 
to general freight agent in February, 1882, and to general traffic man- 
ager by Lovejoy in 1884, which post he has retained to the present 
(1890), and in the discharge of its duties has justly earned the credit 
universally accorded him of being one of the most industrious and con- 
scientious officers in the service, devoted to the best interests alike of 
his employers and their patrons. 

At the annual meeting of the stockholders, held in Denver, April 
7th, 1884, Lovejoy was present, and voted a majority of the stock. The 
vacancy in the directorate caused by the withdrawal of Mr. Dodge, was 
filled by the election of David H. Moffat. In May, Col. S. K. Hooper, 
a gentleman of large experience in railroading, was appointed general 
passenger agent, vice F. C. Nims resigned. Here again, as in the case 
of Mr. Hughes, the road secured a valuable acquisition. Not the com- 
pany alone, but the entire State has been materially benefited by the 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 115 

system of well devised and extensive advertising then instituted, and to 
this time maintained by Col. Hooper. It is not extravagant to say, that 
this has been an important agency in attracting the attention of people 
in other States and in foreign lands to the sublimity of our rare scenic 
possessions and to the State at large, whereby great numbers have been 
persuaded to settle here, and others to invest their capital in our local 
enterprises. The amount of interesting and well illustrated literature he 
has published and scattered broadcast over the world, and the facts set 
forth, have been potential in promoting the later development of the 
country. The rapid multiplication of his ingenious devices for the in- 
crease of patronage to his road, and the success attending them, com- 
pelled the agents of other roads to employ similar methods, and as a 
result the State that had never before been so widely proclaimed, nor so 
invitingly set forth in print, began to experience a marked revival of 
interest from all sides, and some at least of the remarkable changes that 
have taken place in the past six years may be ascribed to this departure. 
For two years after the Rio Grande Western was built from Grand 
Junction to Salt Lake and Ogden, and the present line took its tre- 
mendous leap across the Continental Divide and united with it, thus 
opening a competing line with the Union Pacific to California, it was but 
little patronized by the traveling public, for the reason, chiefly, that its 
advantages were not sufficiently known, hence more than ordinary effort 
was required to effect a diversion of travel from a rather monotonous 
and for the most part unattracti\e route — the Union Pacific — to this the 
most inviting of scenic lines. To consummate this aim, Hooper poured 
out reams of beautifully illustrated literature. Every point worthy of 
mention was graphically described, every old legend of Indian and trap- 
pers' lore reproduced, to rivet the attention of the reader. Between 
Hooper and his competitors who were likewise engaged, within two 
years it became known of all mankind that no tour of Western America 
should be contemplated without including a trip to Denver and the 
Rocky Mountains over these marvelous railways. 

While it is true that other influences have borne their part toward 



116 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

inducing immigration and tourist travel to take this direction, this Httle 
band of industrious workers are justly entitled to a liberal share of the 
credit; they have also been influential in causing all the railways that 
have come to us from the Missouri River since 1S84 to extend their 
lines across the plains, and it is a question worth considering, whether 
or not the standing of our city to-day as the terminal point for the ex- 
change of business between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific coast, 
and the constant deflection of commerce to and through Denver from 
the East and West is not in some degree attributable to the same 
agency. In traveling, whether for business or pleasure, people like to 
be entertained, and it is very widely conceded that no railways offer 
more delightful entertainment than ours. The Rio Grande, moreover, 
is the only road that crosses the grand chain of the Rocky Mountains 
from east to west. The transcontinental traffic brought to Colorado by 
the Burlington & Missouri River Road, the Omaha Short Line of the 
Union Pacific, the Kansas Pacific, Missouri Pacific, the Chicago & Rock 
Island and the Denver & Fort Worth, is delivered to that road, making 
this city the center of arrival and departure, affording it greater prestige 
and patronage than any other single line to the Pacific. Its competitors 
on the north are the Union Pacific main line, the Canadian Pacific and 
the Northern Pacific, and on the south the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe, and the Texas Pacific. 

During 1884, beginning with heavy snow falls in the mountains and 
entailing misfortunes all through the spring and summer from destructive 
washouts, the Rio Grande suffered great damage. Being in close finan- 
cial straits before these disasters befell, seriously crippled by its prolonged 
and expensive contest with the Santa Fe ; involved by the enormous 
cost of some of its extensions ; its credit fiercely assailed in New York 
and elsewhere, it seemed as if the constantly increasing weight must 
soon bring about another crisis in its affairs. And it was not long in 
coming. 

On the 1st of July its interest coupons were defaulted. This 
result had been predicted. There was no doubt of its having overbuilt. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 117 

It had also done much costly engineering- and grading upon lines that 
could not be ironed nor operated for years, but calculated to hold those 
points against the time when they might be needed. Avalanches 
plunged down upon certain divisions, burying them beyond recovery for 
months. At last the blow which could no longer be averted, fell. On 
the 2d of July the Denver & Rio Grande Western filed in the United 
States Court of Utah a petition asking for the appointment of a 
receiver for the Denver & Rio Grande Company, alleging non-pay- 
ment of its indebtedness to the petitioners ; that the company had been 
sued for supplies of coal furnished it, and was more than two months in 
arrears of payment to its employes ; that the earnings of the road had 
been misappropriated, etc., etc. Soon afterward, connection between 
the two roads v/as broken by Lovejoy's orders to tear up the track 
between the borders of Colorado and Utah, an act which subsequently 
threw the Rio Grande Western into the hands of a Receiver, and 
brought both companies to a judicial determination. 

On the 7th of July, in the United States Circuit Court at Denver, 
application was filed for the appointment of a Receiver, by the holders 
of the consolidated mortgage. The complaint was voluminous, setting 
forth all the facts on which it was based. At this time the company was 
operating 1,317 miles of road. For years it had been laboring under 
severe financial stress, and compelled to borrow money to meet its 
expenses. The rolling stock in use had been purchased on conditional 
contracts, and the company had no title to such stock. Its value was 
$5,400,000, on which only $2,000,000 had been paid. The contract pro- 
vided that if the payments were not made when due, the rolling stock 
would revert to the makers. It was not deemed advisable, however, to 
foreclose the mortgage, but rather to appoint a Receiver, and give him 
an opportunity to redeem its credit under the direction of the court 
which was asked to make such provision as would enable the Receiver 
to procure funds for the repair of damages, to cancel floating indebted- 
ness, and meet existing contracts. 

At first the application was contested, though not very strenuously. 



118 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

by C. J. Hughes and Hugh Butler, each representing some of the 
larger bondholders, but finally was made the subject of agreement by 
all concerned, and as the major part of the creditors favored the selec- 
tion of Mr. W. S. Jackson, he was recommended to the court for the 
position. He was, moreover, the personal choice of the court itself, 
therefore on the 9th of July Judge Hallett granted the application and 
named Mr. Jackson as the Receiver, observing as he did so, that he was 
an old resident of the State, connected with the road as treasurer from 
1871 to 1876, and entirely familiar with the country it traversed. "A 
gentleman of recognized ability and integrity, no doubt exists of his 
capacity to manage the property in a manner satisfactory to its patrons 
and owners, and as he is also the choice of a majority in interest of 
the creditors of the company, I am inclined to accept their judgment." 

The appointment was received with general gratification as the 
presage of a cautious and conservative management, the payment of its 
debts, and the settlement of strife between contending factions. Mr. 
Jackson having accepted the onerous duty of reducing disorder to 
order, filed his bond in the sum of $500,000 and immediately set about 
reconstructing the badly damaged lines. He was given full control and 
directed by the court to make e.xamination and report upon the 
property. He assumed charge July 12th, 1884. His first steps were 
to make needed repairs, pay off the employes, replenish the well nigh 
exhausted supplies and relay the track destroyed by Lovejoy, thereby 
restoring connection with the Denver & Rio Grande Western. During 
the entire period of his management Mr. Jackson did not issue a 
Receiver's receipt, but borrowed sul^cient funds on his own account as 
Receiver to meet the pressing demands of the workmen, and afterward 
liquidated the other indebtedness as rapidly as the earnings would per- 
mit. He cooperated with the officers of his road and with those of the 
Rio Grande Western for the best interests of the company and the 
public, and very soon a change for the better appeared in augmented 
and more profitable traffic. 

Matters proceeded without material friction for a year. On the 






w 



^^ ^1?x 



i 'r 





CX^^r^ /^U^, 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 119 

25th of February. 1S85, at a meeting of the directors in New York 
Mr. Lovejoy resigned and David H. Moffat was elected to the presi- 
dency. Renowned for his great success as banker and financier, identi- 
fied with every raihvay thus far constructed in Northern Colorado, hav- 
ing taken part in all these projects, but more conspicuously in the 
adjustment of their monetary difificulties, he was well equipped for the 
new duties thus devolved upon him by unanimous vote of the Board. 
At his suggestion Mr. \V. S. Cheesman was chosen a director in place 
of Lovejoy. The chief responsibility which confronted him at the 
beginning was the formulation of a project that should be efficacious in 
rescuing the property through some well digested and acceptable plan 
of reorganization, just and equitable to all its creditors, restore its van- 
ishing prestige, place it upon a footing calculated to meet its heavy obli- 
gations, and in time pay reasonable dividends on its capital stock. This 
movement gave the practical direction of the road into the hands of 
Colorado men. It was the beginning of a well ordered plan for a 
happy issue out of its embarrassments and the enlargement of its useful- 
ness to the country. 

A majority of its bonds were held by English and Dutch capitalists. 
Representatives of both interests had made personal inspection of the 
road, taking elaborate notes of its condition and prospects, and a full 
report had been rendered to their associates. Of course a transaction 
of such magnitude, involving millions of money and manifold interests, 
required ample time for negotiation. 

Mr. Moffat returned to Denver from New York, March loth, 1885. 
The bondholders were to meet in April, when plans for reorganization 
would be submitted ; at this meeting a committee was appointed to con- 
sider and perfect an equitable scheme. The road was doing well under 
the Receiver, and confidence in its future had been measurably restored 
and strengthened. In the meantime, as no extensions could be built 
by the company while its affairs were in charge of the court, and as the 
great mining district of Aspen had been discovered, and the miners were 
loudly demanding a railway for the conveyance of their valuable ores to 



120 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

market, an organization, called the " Denver, Aspen & Grand River 
Railway Company," was created (April 30th, 1885) with a capital stock 
of $5,000,000 to build from Rock Creek near Red Cliff, down the Eagle 
and Grand to Glenwood Springs, thence up the Roaring Fork to Aspen, 
and from Glenwood to Grand Junction. The road was not constructed 
by this corporation, however, but by another subsequently formed. 

No incident of importance occurred until the early part of Ma\-, 
when a formidable strike among the employes in the machine shops at 
Burnham station was precipitated by the introduction of two or three 
non-union mechanics, against whose presence the union men protested. 
The affair taking a turbulent and highly sensational turn, much alarm 
was created, and some damage inflicted upon the company's property by 
the use of dynamite, employed by the leaders in a spirit of revenge for 
the non-acceptance of their demands. Large bodies of men paraded 
the streets, making boisterous and threatening demonstrations. Mr. 
Jackson, assured of the support of the United States authorities, was 
not seriously disturbed by these noisy ebullitions. He proceeded to 
fill the places of the malcontents with new men, and in a short time the 
works resumed their wonted activity. By the prompt action of Mayor 
Bates, and the wise orders issued by Judge Hallett to the United States 
Marshal, more serious damage was prevented. Bates armed the police 
with rifles, caused them to be publicly drilled in military tactics on the 
streets, and by his outspoken determination to suppress riotous acts at all 
hazards, held the strikers well in hand, yet under cover of darkness they 
succeeded in wrecking one or two passenger cars by placing nitro- 
glycerine upon the tracks. Fortunately however, their aims at the des- 
truction of life were frustrated, though plans had been laid to blow up 
one or more of the outgoing or incoming trains. Thus a feeling of 
terror prevailed for some time, but as the purposes of the more violent 
failed of accomplishment, the spirit died out. As only a few of the 
old employes were taken back into the shops, several hundreds, some of 
whom had families and had built homes in and near Burnham, were 
compelled to sacrifice everything and seek employment elsewhere. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 121 

On the 27th of May, President jNIoffat, ex-senator J. B. Chaffee 
and others with Colonel L. H. Eicholtz as advisory engineer, began a 
preliminary survey of the proposed railway from Red Cliff to Aspen. 
The winter of 1884-S5 was marked by many serious blockades of the 
mountain railwa)s, and the spring and summer of 1S85 by heavy rains 
and freshets, that proved e.xceedingly destructive to parts of those 
thoroughfares. The most disastrous flood that ever visited the people 
of Black Hawk and Central City occurred on the 30th of June, in that 
year, whereby both towns and their tributary gulches were inundated. 
The Colorado Central and the Rio Grande roads were torn and 
wrecked, their grades and bridges swept away by resistless torrents. 
On the night of July 26th there was another great flood in the channel 
of Cherry Creek, and had it been obstructed as it was in 1S64, even 
more disastrous results than befellthe residents of West Denver on that 
occasion, must have ensued. As it was, all temporary bridges were 
carried away, the permanent structures undermined, and the substructure 
of the City Hall threatened witli demolition. Colorado Springs and 
vicinity suffered from like visitations. 

During the year the board of directors of the Rio Grande and its 
committees made some progress toward reorganization. Mr. Jackson's 
management gave satisfactory proof that the road, wdien placed upon a 
proper basis, would be a profitable investment. He had accomplished 
much under trying circumstances, the net earnings for the first 
year, after deducting $286,293 expended in betterments, amountd to 
$1,480,000, a sum equal to the interest on the first mortgage bonds, on 
the car trust certificates, and four per cent, on the consolidated mort- 
gage bonds. The floating debt had been wholly extinguished, the road 
put in good order. The business paralysis that characterized the last 
half of 1884, and the first of 18S5, superinduced by the failure of Grant 
& Ward and other firms, had passed, and a new epoch of progress began. 
In the last half of 1S85 there was a marked increase of activity in all 
lines of business, which has been continuous for five years. 

In July, 1886, nothing beyond the preliminary surveys having been 



122 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

done upon the proposed road to Aspen, still another company, called the 
Grand River Railroad, was organized at the suggestion of the Receiver 
by Andrew S. Hughes, Joseph W. Gilluly, William Hastings, R. F. 
Weitbrec, and Daniel Selover, with a capital stock of $2,500,000, upon 
plans similar to those of its immediate predecessor, but also contem- 
plating several branches, and under rights acquired from this corpo- 
ration, the Denver & Rio Grande Company, after its reorganization, 
constructed the extension from a point about five miles below Rock 
Creek to Glenwood Springs. The five miles named were constructed 
by the Receiver as the only concession the court would grant, and 
January 7th, 1887, he put the entire distance of sixty miles under 
contract. 

In the meantime, July 12th, 1886, the property of the company was 
sold under foreclosure proceedings at Burnham station, the principal 
creditors being the purchasers, after which a new company was organ- 
ized with the following directors: W. S. Jackson and David H. Moffat 
of Colorado ; George Coppell, Robert B. Minturn, Adolph Engler and R. 
T. Wilson of New York ; J. J. Stadiger and John L. Welsh of Phila- 
delphia, and T. H. A. Tromp of the Hague, Holland. The new capital 
stock was placed at $73,500,000 — of which $45,500,000 was common, 
and $28,000,000 preferred stock. The company issued, however, only 
$38,000,000 common, and $23,650,000 preferred; $7,500,000 common, 
$4,350,000 preferred being reserved in the compan)-'s treasury for the 
purpose of buying the Rio Grande Western, or building a new line from 
the border of Utah to Ogden, as should appear to be most feasible. 
The sale was confirmed by Judge Hallett, the Receiver discharged, the 
new company took possession, and immediately set on foot the improve- 
ments and extensions that are now being completed by Mr. Moffat. 
Jackson surrendered the road fully repaired, its floating debt paid, with 
the extraordinary legacy of a million dollars in cash in the treasury. 

The directors elected the following officers : President, W. S. 
Jackson ; V'ice-President, George Coppell ; Secretar\-, Wm. Wagner : 
Treasurer, Joseph W. Gilluly ; General Counsel Edward O. Wolcott. 




a^y^^^yK^ y^ 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 123 

On the 30th of July the Denver & Rio Grande Western, that for some 
time had been in the hands of a Receiver (W. H. Bancroft), was 
restored to General Palmer, and D. C. Dodge reassumed the manage- 
ment. On the 1st of April, 1887, Mr. Jackson gave notice of his inten- 
tion to retire, in order that he might give personal attention to his large 
and increasing private business. The stockholders met in Denver May 
2d. His letter of declination was read, accepted, and a series of very 
complimentary resolutions expressing the confidence of the company 
in and tendering its thanks to the retiring president for the honesty and 
efficiency of his management, were framed and adopted. He found it a 
wreck ; he surrendered it in excellent condition. He had handled more 
than $18,000,000 of the company's funds and not a dollar had been 
squandered or misapplied. Mr. R. F. Weitbrec, during the first five 
years of the organization had been his confidential clerk and assistant. 
When in 1875 ^^- Jackson resigned as vice-president and treasurer, 
Mr. Weitbrec succeeded him as treasurer, which position he retained 
until i8Si,whenhe resigned to assume the more responsible post of 
manager of construction, then actively in progress. He remained with 
the company until its financial embarrassments compelled a suspension 
of construction. When Mr. Jackson was appointed Receiver in 1884, 
he again became his clerical assistant, remaining with him until the final 
act of reorganization. Mr. Weitbrec is a young man of sterling worth, 
of great energy and executive capacity, as evinced in his long cow- 
nection with this enterprise. He is now a member of the contracting 
firm of J. N. Carlile & Co., at present constructing the Rio Grande 
Southern from Dallas to Durango. 

Mr. W. S. Cheesman was chosen director in place of Mr. Jackson, 
and the following officers were elected : President, David H. Moffat ; 
Vice-President, Robert B. Minturn ; Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, 
Wm. Wagner ; Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, Joseph W. Gilluly ; 
General Manager, Sylvester T. Smith (late General Superintendent of 
the Union Pacific); General Superintendent, R. E. Ricker; General 



124 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Passenger Agent, Col. S. K. Hooper; Auditor, E. R. Murphy; Gen- 
eral Traffic Manager, Andrew S. Hughes. 

In his annual report Mr. Jackson stated that the Aspen extension 
had been finished to a point five miles below Rock Creek, and that a 
contract for completing the grade to Glen wood had been let. He 
urged activity in building the requisite lines, to prevent encroachments 
of rivals upon its trade territory. On the 3d the officers and directors 
went to Colorado Springs, and there arranged for building the additions 
for which there was immediate demand. 

It being one of the conditions of Mr. Moffat's elevation to the 
presidency, that he should not be required to relinquish the presidency 
of the First National Bank, the office of General Manager was revived, 
and at his desire Mr. S. T. Smith was persuaded to resign the superin- 
tendency of the Union Pacific Road, and accept this position on the 
Rio Grande. He had developed superior capabilities for railway direc- 
tion, and moreover, a strong personal attachment had subsisted between 
Mr. M. and himself for many years. Smith entered the Federal army 
in April, 1S61, and was mustered out of the service at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, in 1S63 ; February ist, 1864, became general accountant 
and cashier of the Eastern Division, or Kansas Pacific Railway, which 
position he retained until February, 1S67 ; thence to October 22d, 
1878, was its Auditor ; from the date last named to June 14th, 1879, was 
Receiver of that road; thence to October 14th, 1SS4, General Super- 
intendent; and from October 15th, 18S4, to April 30th, 1887, Gen- 
eral Superintendent of the entire Union Pacific system. He was then 
and still is regarded as one of the most accomplished of railwa_\- 
managers. 

Pending the events just recited, a formidable rival — the Colorado 
Midland, a corporation composed of Colorado and New York capitalists, 
was organized, evidently upon the opportunity afforded by the prostrate 
condition of the Rio Grande, and had begun the difficult and highly 
expensive enterprise of building a standard gauge road from Colorado 
Springs northwest across the mountains to Leadville and Aspen, thus 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 125 

invading some of the richest and most productive sections of Rio Grande 
territory. Other corporations, — the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, the 
Missouri Pacific and the Rock Island had similar plans under contem- 
plation, hence it behooved Mr. Moffat on assuming control to so rush 
his forces as to secure every possible advantage in advance of his com- 
petitors. The Midland, however, was the only one in a position to be 
immediately dangerous, for it was being energetically prosecuted. For 
its connection with Denver and Pueblo it formed an early alliance with 
the Santa Fe, whose president had begun extending his road from 
Pueblo to Denver, because, as stated by him, Mr. Jackson had refused 
to grant him certain concessions for the use of the Rio Grande tracks 
between those cities. Mr. Moffat, to check this new danger to his road, 
offered Mr. Strong very liberal terms for joint trackage, but his blood 
was up, and he stubbornly refused to abandon his purpose. Hence it 
will be seen that the recently rehabilitated Rio Grande was threatened 
with a second parallel from Pueblo to Denver (the Denver, Texas & 
Fort Worth being the first), by the Colorado Midland into the very 
heart of the Western mining regions, and inferentially by two Eastern 
trunk lines, the one from Central and the other from Southern Kansas. 
Confronted by these problems at the outset, he at once resolved upon 
aggressive action, and advised his company that ample funds to meet 
the emergency must be provided. He would take care of the interest 
on the bonds, but stock dividends must be postponed until the road 
should be in a condition to earn them. The directorate reposing im- 
plicit confidence in his judgment, complied. Before leaving Colorado 
Springs, he had employed Mr. J. A. McMurtrie, late chief engineer, to 
lay the iron on the grade from Red Cliff to Glenwood, and contracted 
with McMurtrie & .Streeter to build the line from the latter point up the 
Roaring Fork, forty- five miles to Aspen. 

At a later stage it was decided to lay a third rail and provide a 
standard gauge equipment between Pueblo and Trinidad, and from 
Pueblo to Grand Junction via Leadville and Glenwood, the first to com- 
pete with the Santa Fe, and the second with a view to making the latter 



126 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

the main line to Salt Lake City and Ogden, the Rio Grande Western 
having also decided upon a standard gauge. 

Almost simultaneously with the projection of these enterprises, Mr. 
Jay Gould made preparations to extend the Missouri Pacific from its 
western terminal at Kingman, Kansas, northwesterly to Pueblo ; the 
Santa Fe had purchased the Denver Circle or Belt Railway with its 
franchise and real estate, expecting to use that line as its right of way 
into Denver, but finding this strenuously resisted by the people, arranged 
for trackage over the Texas & Fort Worth ; the Rock Island was sur- 
veying a route from Central Kansas with the view of invading the coal 
fields of Southern Colorado, and ultimately of extending it on to the 
Pacific Coast by a southerly route. The Burlington & Missouri River 
Company began overtures for purchasing the Denver, Utah & Pacific 
narrow gauge between Denver and Longmont ; the Denver, Texas & 
Fort Worth had been purchased by a New York syndicate, and its ex- 
tension from Pueblo, which had long been its southern terminal, across 
the Texas Panhandle to Fort W^orth, determined upon, therefore it will 
be seen that unprecedented activity in railway building in Colorado had 
begun, and that some extraordinary changes were being made in the 
progress of our young commonwealbh. 

In conjunction with his rapid advance westward, that soon became 
an exciting race for the rich traffic of Aspen, against the Colorado Mid- 
land which endeavored and expected to outstrip him, Mr. MofTat, 
yielding to an urgent demand by the citizens of Ouray, effected arrange- 
ments whereby the Rio Grande was extended from Montrose southeast- 
wardly to that town, thus affording an outlet for the mining products of 
that prolific section. In due time also a branch was built from El Moro 
to Trinidad. In 1889 a narrow gauge thirty-six miles long was thrown 
up the Lake fork of the Gunnison from Sapinero to Lake City, and 
thereby the mines of that region were given rail transportation to market. 
The Aspen line was completed and opened for business November 2d, 
1887, three months in advance of its adversary. Many improvements 
were made along the main line and branches, by straightening curves, 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 127 

reducing heavy grades, replacing wooden bridges with iron, building 
stone culverts, by the substitution of heavy steel for light iron rails. 
The Rifle Creek extension from Glenwood Springs down the Grand 
River to a connection with the Rio Grande Junction Railway at the 
mouth of Rifle Creek, twenty-six miles, at first a narrow gauge, was con- 
verted into a standard gauge by the laying of a third rail, and is used as 
part of the main line to Grand Junction and Salt Lake City. During 
1889 the company decided, in order to reduce the distance between 
Denver, Grand Junction and Salt Lake, to build a cut-off, commencing 
at a point called Acequia, seventeen miles south of Denver on the main 
line, and running southwesterly across the South Park to a point known 
as Lidderdale, there connecting with the Colorado Midland, and using 
its track to Buena Vista on the Arkansas River. At present the dis- 
tance between Denver and Leadville via Pueblo and Canon City is 277 
miles. The proposed direct line was expected to reduce the distance to 
166 miles, which, together with a reduction of thirty miles recently made 
in rebuilding and standard gauging the Rio Grande Western, would 
make the new Denver & Rio Grande route to Salt Lake about twenty 
miles shorter than the Unioa Pacific, which is 120 miles shorter than the 
present line of the Rio Grande. These plans, however, have since been 
changed, but are not at this writing very distinctly defined. 

The Rio Grande Southern from Dallas on the Montrose-Ouray 
branch, and running thence southwesterly to Mt. SnefTels mining dis- 
trict, through San Miguel, Dolores and La Plata Counties to Rico, 
Telluride and Durango, i 75 miles in length now under rapid construc- 
tion by Otto Mears, but really a part of the Rio Grande system backed 
by its capital, will open very rich and productive agricultural, pastoral 
and mining regions. 

In addition, arrangements were made whereby the Rock Island 
uses the Rio Grande tracks from Colorado Springs north to Denver and 
south to Pueblo ; the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth from Pueblo to 
Trinidad, and the Missouri Pacific from Pueblo to Denver, and the car 



128 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

and repair shops at Burnham have been enlarged to accommodate the 
two Hnes last named. 

Fort Logan has been supplied with a branch, as also the granite 
stone quarries at Aberdeen, from the junction of that name near Gun- 
nison, whence the magnificent stone for the State capitol is produced. 
All parts of the road have been ballasted and put in thorough repair 
throughout, superb equipments of rolling stock provided of both narrow 
and standard gauges. During the current year (1890), standard gauge 
trains will be run from Denver straight south to Trinidad ; from South 
Pueblo through the Arkansas Valley to Leadville, and thence down 
the Eagle and Grand to Grand Junction, with a branch line from 
Glenwood Springs to Aspen. 

These are the more important improvements that have been insti- 
tuted by Mr. Moffat, and while the aggregate cost has been great, the 
earnings have been rapidly augmented by the economical and skillful 
management of the road in all its multifarious details. There have 
been no wars or cut rates, no violent convulsions anywhere. The 
commerce of the country has been fairly and justly treated, the road 
made one of the best in the country, and the territory naturally belong- 
ing to, or assumed to be its own, has suffered no invasion except by the 
Midland. Indisputably, in its present perfection and prospective future, 
it is one of the most desirable of railway properties. What it has done 
and is doing for the internal development of the State, has been con- 
sidered elsewhere. 

At each successive election of officers, Mr. Moffat has been 
re-elected president, and all his superior staff retained. So great is the 
satisfaction of his company with what he has accomplished, they readily 
concede whatever he may recommend for the betterment of the 
property, and the extension of its usefulness to them and to the people 
of the State. 

By virtue of his position as president of the First National Bank of 
Denver, and as the chief director of the Rio Grande Railway, Mr. Mof- 
fat is recognized as the first civilian of the State. Though often 



1 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 129 

tempted with the proffer of poHtical honors, they have invariably been 
declined with thanks. Though charged with great responsibilities and 
cares, they neither wear upon nor worry him. He is one of the few 
who, in the midst of great affairs knows "exactl)' what to do next," is 
never confused, rarely perplexed, penetrating every proposition and 
plan for vast enterprises with unerring sagacity and deciding promptly 
upon the course to be pursued. In addition to being the first banker, 
and first railway president, he is also the most extensive miner in 
Colorado, and one of the chief owners and directors of a water com- 
pany whose plant now in construction will cost nearly two millions of 
dollars. 

9 HI. 



130 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 



CHAPTER VT 

Journalism in denver — annals of four great daily papers — the news, 

tribune, times and republican brief review of their editors and 

managers. 

The history of the "Rocky Mountain News" is not only that of the 
first newspaper, but of the first and most influential public institution 
planted in the Pike's Peak region. The facts subjoined hav'e been com- 
piled from notes by the founder of the paper, and from a more 
elaborate sketch written by one of its present editors. In summarizing 
the more, important events in its career, reference will be made to cer- 
tain other journals of contemporary times. 

In February, 1859, Dr. George C. Monell, and Wm. N. Byers of 
Omaha, and Thomas Gibson of Fontanelle, Nebraska, in view of the 
favorable reports received from the gold mines, resolved to establish a 
newspaper in Den\er. At Bellevue, a few miles below Omaha, was 
such a printing' oflice as they desired, which they purchased. On the 
8th of March it was loaded into wagons drawn by oxen, and started 
toward its destination. Accompanying those named above were Robert 
L.> Sumner, Edward C. Sumner, P. \V. Case, I. Sanson, John L. 
Dailey, L. A. and W. J. Curtice, James and Harry Creighton, H. E. 
Turner, Henry Gibson and one called "Pap" Hoyt. Owing to the ' 
terrible condition of the roads, but eight miles was made the first day. 
The streams were all flooded, the mud bottomless, snow and rain 
storms frequent, therefore it was not until the last day of March that 
the procession of somewhat disgusted emigrants arrived at Fort 
Kearney, 185 miles from the initial point. There they were informed 



I 



. ''"^•^'^^^^ 




"^^-u^<^ CA-^ 



•(/ 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 131 

that another printing office had passed westward only a few days before. 
At Fort St. Vrain, Mr. Byers came on in advance of his train, arriving 
in Denver on horseback April 17th. On the 20th, the press and 
material arrived, and two days later, in the midst of a driving snow- 
storm, the first number of the "Rocky Mountain News" was issued. 

The press of which they had been advised at Fort Kearney 
belonged to John Merrick, a printer, and had been brought from St. 
Joseph, Missouri, and reached the Cherry Creek settlement a few days 
in advance of their coming. Says Mr. Byers, "When we began work 
he did the same, and there ensued a close and spirited race for prece- 
dence in the first issue. Both papers were printed the same evening, 
but a self-constituted committee that vibrated actively between the two 
offices decided that the 'News' was victorious by about twenty minutes." 
Merrick's fledgling was named "The Cherry Creek Pioneer," but only 
one number was printed. Its publisher rested a few days, then caught 
the gold fever and tramped up to the Gregory diggings. To procure 
an outfit he traded his office to Mr. Gibson of the "News" for about 
thirty dollars' worth of provisions. Merrick's new venture proving un- 
fortunate, he returned and "took a case" on his successful rival. At the 
first outbreak of the war in 1861 he hastened back to the States and en- 
listed in an Illinois regiment, served his term, and when mustered out 
sought his former home in Leavenworth, secured a commission in one 
of the regiments of Kansas veterans, and toward the close of the 
rebellion was made Provost Marshal in that city. While in the dis- 
charge of his duties he was shot and killed in a street riot. 

The weekly publication of the "News" was continued with tolerable 
regularity during the summer of 1859, sometimes on white paper, again 
upon common wrapping material, when legitimate supplies failed. The 
nearest postoffice was Fort Laramie, 220 miles to the northward, where 
mail was delivered once or twice a month. 

In July Mr. Gibson conveyed the "Pioneer" office to Gregory 
Gulch and there established the "Gold Reporter," the first journal to 
appear in that region. In the meantime Gibson's interest in the 



132 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

"News" had been purchased by John L. Dailey. The third partner, 
Monell, never came west of Julesburg, his share being sold to Mr. 
Byers. About the first of November the "Gold Reporter" was disposed 
of to a Boston company then establishing the town of Golden, and with 
it they founded thereupon the "Western Mountaineer," under the man- 
agement of George West. 

Early in the spring of i860, H. E. Rounds and Edward Bliss 
brought an office from Chicago but it was immediately consolidated 
"with the "News," and a printing company formed to include these 
gentlemen. On the first of May, Mr. Thomas Gibson began pub- 
lishing the "Rocky Mountain Herald," the first daily to appear in the 
embryonic metropolis. This compelled Mr. Byers to issue daily, and 
soon after a second, called "The Bulletin" designed for circulation among 
immigrants, but this was shortly discontinued. Competition between 
the rivals for public favor became intense, and many bitter personal 
invectives were exchanged. Both established pony express lines to the 
principal mining camps, and their daily editions were delivered to sub- 
.scribers in Black Hawk, Central, Nevada, Missouri City and along 
many miles of tributary gulches, in from three to four hours after leav- 
ing the press. Each had an office and a corps of carriers in Central 
City. The subscription price for the daily was twenty-four dollars per 
annum, the retail price twenty-five cents per copy, "payable in gold dust, 
down weight." In 1861, the telegraph was extended from the Missouri 
River to Fort Kearney, Kansas, where it rested nearly two years. The 
Denver papers began immediately taking press dispatches which were 
forwarded by stage, but the more important intelligence was dispatched 
by pony express at heavy cost. Late in i860, a third daily, "The 
Mountaineer" was established by Moore & Coleman. In the spring of 
1 86 1 it was purchased by Byers & Dailey, the paper discontinued, and 
its material moved into the "News" building. About the same time the 
"Western Mountaineer" at Golden suspended, and the office was 
removed to Canon City, where the pioneer newspaper of Southern 
Colorado was founded. In the spring of 1862 it was again transferred. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 133 

— to Buckskin Joe in Park County, where it flourished during the 
mining excitement of that period. But it was not the first in 
the Park region. The "Miner's Record" was pubUshed by Byers 
& Dailey at Tarryall about half a mile from the present town of 
Como, during July, August and September, 1861. It was simply a 
campaign journal in the interest of the first Territorial election, and 
became a conspicuous factor in determining the political result. 

In 1862 Alfred Thomson started the "Miner's Register" at Central 
City, which was the first attempt in legitimate journalism there. A 
short time previous a weekly had been established by L. M. Amala, a 
native of the .Sandwich Islands, but it was neither reputable nor calcu- 
lated in any respect to meet the wants of the great numbers of intelli- 
gent miners assembled in the mining districts. 

After its brief service at Mountain City in 1859, at Golden and 
elsewhere, the Merrick press returned to Denver where it remained 
unused until 1S63, when it was purchased by the Valmont Town Com- 
pany who produced at Valmont the "Boulder Valley News," the pioneer^ 
journal of Northern Colorado. Its next resting place was at Boulder 
City. Soon after the discovery of the Moreno gold mines in Northern 
New Mexico the office was taken to Elizabethtown, where probably it 
still remains. 

The years 1862-3-4, were trying ones for the two daily newspapers 
that remained in Denver. Rounds & Bliss retired from the "News" in 
1863. The " Herald" underwent many changes of proprietorship and 
editorial management. The disastrous flood of 1864 in Cherry Creek 
swept away the "News" office and its contents, leaving not a vestige to 
build upon. Three or four weeks later, Byers & Dailey bought the 
"Herald" and with its limited material resumed publication of their 
paper. The Indian wars which began this year and practically severed 
communication with the "States," deprived them of mails and white 
paper. P'or weeks at a time there were no mails, and they were finally 
sent around by Panama and San Francisco, reaching Denver in from 
seven to ten weeks. Meanwhile the merchants' stores were ransacked 



134 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

for wrapping, tissue, tea papers, and even writing papers were brouglit 
into requisition to maintain the daily issues. In August martial law was 
proclaimed, and citizen soldiers marshaled to chastise the Indians, 
Then followed the battle of Sand Creek, as elsewhere narrated. For 
the succeeding two or three years the "News" was practically sole mas- 
ter of the field. Then new enterprises of like nature came and multi- 
plied rapidly, some destined to be permanent fixtures, others to perish 
and be forgotten. 

In looking over the time-stained and musty files of the original 
newspapers, one is profoundly impressed by the strong nervous vitality 
of their editors and managers, the prodigious efforts put forth for fresh 
and important intelligence under incredible difficulties, their enthusiastic 
devotion to the new land upon which they had embarked their fortunes, 
their sturdy endeavors to reclaim an inhospitable and uninviting wilder- 
ness. It is a beautiful and prosperous region now — but thirty years 
ago it was a cheerless desolation. All through their discolored and 
sometimes torn and tattered pages may be seen the substantial, forceful, 
conquering work of young, determined and masterful men. This is 
more especially true of the " News," the first to begin, the only one to 
survive the mutations of time and change — the Plymouth Rock of the 
Pilgrims, the rallying point of the saviours of the Union, the guidon of 
well ordered citizenship. It is here that the splendid work of Mr. 
Bj'ers is most clearly seen, and we are reminded of the impress that 
Horace Greeley stamped upon the pages of the " New York Tribune" 
in the prime of his great manhood. Byers, less able, perhaps, but surely 
no less resolute and patriotic, will stand in history as the leading expo- 
nent of principles, and all that belongs to the material progress of the 
time in which he lived and wrought, the first citizen and the most zeal- 
ous director of the destinies of Colorado through its most perilous era. 
Except in the heat of political combat, when personalities flew about in 
whirlwinds, and the claims and reputations of opponents were shredded, 
his editorial utterances were marked by careful thought and studious 
preparation. He always possessed sound opinions upon public ques- 




/ 



-^ //,oy^^a,t^, 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 133 

tions, and expressed them in vigorous Saxon. It was this which gave 
the paper its control in political and other affairs, made it the leader of 
men. Though in the first turbulent years filled with crime and law- 
lessness he was in constant danger of the assassin's knife or pistol, his 
words were never moderated by fear, nor .did he abate one particle of 
their force because of the appalling threats uttered against him by 
thugs and outlaws. His paper stood all the tempests unterrified and 
unpurchasable. No man dared approach him with a bribe to advocate 
or denounce any policy or scheme. When he attacked the evils of gov- 
ernment, county, city or Territorial it was for cause, and the battle was 
maintained until the evil was checked or overthrown. In politics he 
was a relentless partisan. So also were his opponents. It was a time 
of war, when the heart of the nation was stirred to its depths by the 
cruelest, bloodiest conflict of the age. Its blood was up, all masks 
dropped, an epoch filled with" carnage, the rush and roar and destruction 
of tramping armies. The spirit of hell was abroad in all the land, and 
its waves dashed fiercely even against the eternal walls of the Rocky 
Mountains. Men were not handled tenderly with gloved and delicate 
hands, but with bayonets and sabres. 

Byers was an indefatigable, traveler and explorer, penetrating and 
describing every part of the Territory, epitomizing its geography, 
topography and general features with a view to the proper direction of 
the tireless prospector for .hidden secrets that might be discovered and 
transmuted into commerce, wealth and enduring strength. He was 
wonderfully observant, accurate in his accounts, entering no quarter 
without recording its resources, principal streams and available treas- 
ures. No man living has seen so much of our country as he, nor has 
any one described it so fully. O. J. Goldrick, for many years local edi- 
tor and traveling correspondent of the " News," was an extensive trav- 
eler also, but his letters were volatile, of the breezy, descriptive order, 
relating to humorous incidents by the way sufficient for the day, but 
leaving no lasting impression. Next to its chief proprietor the most 
valuable contributor to the columns of the paper was W. R. Thomas, 



136 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

who in the course of his long connection with it as reporter, corre- 
spondent, city editor and editor-in-chief, visited and gave accounts of 
every county, town and hamlet, with admirable precision. A collection 
of these well digested articles would make a very complete history of 
the early stages of the country. 

Up to the completion of the Denver Pacific Railroad in June, 1870, 
the "News" had been an evening paper; after that time and to the 
present a* morning edition has appeared with uninterrupted regularit\-. 
In the autumn of 1870, Mr. Byers purchased the interest of his partner, 
Mr. John L. Dailey, and became sole proprietor. The remainder is 
related in the second volume of this history, page 481. 

William N. Byers was born February 22d, 1831, in Madison County, 
Ohio, descended from an old Scottish family who, becoming radically 
identified with the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century 
were driven to the borders of Ireland, and then took part in the historic 
siege of Londonderry. They subsequently emigrated to America and 
settled in the wilderness of Western Pennsylvania, where his father was 
born. At a later date the family located in the Scioto Valley, Ohio. 
His mother was of the old German Brandenburg stock. The • early 
years of the subject of this sketch were passed upon a farm. In 1850 
his parents moved to Iowa, where in 1851 William engaged in govern- 
ment surveying, and in 1852 went to Oregon, where, and in Washington 
Territory, he pursued that calling for a time, and then passed on to 
California. In 1854 he returned to the "States" and settled in Omaha, 
in which but a single house had then been erected. Resuming his pro- 
fession, he surveyed a large part of Eastern Nebraska, and laid oH into 
lots a considerable portion of the city of Omaha. He was for several 
years a member of its Board of Aldermen, and was also a member of 
the first Territorial legislature of Nebraska. In 1859, as already 
related, he came to Denver. He was a member and Chairman of the 
first convention for the organization of a State government here in 1S59: 
also a member of tlie Constitutional con\-ention of 1S64. In this year 
he was appointed postmaster of Denver, holding the position two years. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO 137 

when his numerous business engagements compelled him to resign. In 
February, 1S79, he was again tendered the same jjosition, which was 
accepted, and its duties discharged throughout the term of four years. 
There were many who believed he had justly earned the distinction of 
first Governor of the State of Colorado which he had done so much to 
build, but the exigencies of party politics determined otherwise. 
Happily he has lived to witness the fulfillment of the greater part of his 
enthusiastic predictions respecting the development of the city and 
State of his adoption, and the accumulation of a handsome fortune 
enables him to view with serene placidity the rapid growth of all ele- 
ments of industrial and commercial advantage that he so clearly foresaw 
as among the possibilities 'of the future. 

John L. Dailey, born November 19th, 1833, in Seneca County, 
Ohio. In 184S, when a lad of fifteen, he was apprenticed to the 
printer's trade in b'ort Wa\-ne. Indiana. In 1S55 located in Omaha and 
there pursued his trade in the office of the Omaha "Nebraskian," pub- 
lished by Hon. Bird Chapman, the first Territorial Delegate to Congress 
from that Territory. For a time he was the only compositor on the 
paper. He afterward published the Dakota City "Herald" for nearly 
three years. Came to Denver in 1S59. His career in that city has 
been epitomized in Chapter XXIII, Vol. II, and in the annals of Ara- 
pahoe County, this volume, to which the reader is referred. 

John Arkins. present editor and manager, was born in Fayette 
County, Pennsylvania, educated in the public schools, and ifi 1857 began 
his apprenticeship as a printer in the " Republican" office at Red Wing, 
Minnesota. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fifth Minnesota Infantry, and 
served three years in the Western army under Grant and Sherman ; 
came to Denver in 1873, and became foreman in the office of the "Sun- 
day Mirror," established by .Stanle)' G. Fowler. F"rom thence he went 
to the " Dail)- Tribune" as foreman and manager of its typographical 
department, and thence to Leadville as chief proprietor and editor of the 
" Leadville Chronicle," the further history of which will be found in Vol. 
II, page 472. As therein set forth, he purchased an interest in the 



138 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

"Rocky Mountain News," in i8So, and from that time until September, 
J 890, was its principal editor and manager. The journal was then issued 
from a single cylinder Potter press, capable, under high pressure, of 
printing 800 to 1,000 sheets an hour. About six months later he pur- 
chased a double cylinder Hoe press, then deemed wasteful extravagance 
far beyond the needs of the office. This machine produced about 2,000 
sheets an hour, a remarkable advance of enterprise. But with the con- 
tinued growth of the city and the multiplication of subscribers, it soon 
became essential to make still further enlargement of printing facilities, 
therefore, in 1886, the old "marvel of speed" was supplanted by the 
Hoe web perfecting press, of a capacity of 10,000 an hour. This in 
due course (1890) was superseded by a Goss web perfecting machine 
equal to 12,000 an hour. In the meantime the size had been enlarged 
from seven to nine columns, making it the largest daily in the country. 
As a further radical improvement for the collection and distribution of 
telegraphic intelligence, the firm of Arkins & Burnell, secured by arrange- 
ment with the Western Union Telegraph Company, the stretching of an 
independent press wire from Kansas City directly to the editorial rooms 
of the "News" for its exclusive use under lease, a method long before 
adopted by the press of the larger cities east of the Missouri River. 
Prior to this important innovation, the Denver offices were receiving an 
average condensed report of about 29,000 words of news matter weekly. 
Under the leased wire about the same amount is received each day. No 
other city in-the Union of the same size and population has the advant- 
ages of so great a report. The office is at this time one of the finest 
models of its class in the entire West. 

That Mr. Arkins is a man of acute perceptions, of quick, nervous 
energy and indomitable perseverance, is manifest to all who know him ; 
that he is capable of producing excellent editorial matter when moved to 
it, is a part of his record ; that he is a steadfast, helpful friend to his 
friends, is proverbial ; that he is almost extravagantly generous, kind 
hearted, sympathetic and charitable, hundreds will attest ; that he is 
always just or intensely scrupulous in politics, will not be claimed; that 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 139 

he is prone to lash his enemies with whips of scorpions, and exalt his 
adherents, is the natural outgrowth of an ardent, impulsive temperament. 
Strong, impetuous, bold and daring, he is fond of leading, directing, 
dominating, yet he is one of the most captivating and companionable of 
comrades in social intercourse, known and admired throughout the broad 
field of journalism from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. His capa- 
bilities as a manager are seen in the phenomenal augmentation of value 
in the "News" property from $150,000 in March, 1886, to nearly $400,- 
000 in 1890. As the successor of Mr. Byers in the "New Era," he 
became the potential force of the paper. From the poor and humble 
printer of 1879, he has risen to affluence, and to a conspicuous position 
among the strong influences of his time. 

James M. Burnell, the junior partner, was born in Davenport, Iowa, 
in 1 85 1 ; came to Denver May 23d, 1862, and soon afterward went to 
Central City, and on December 2d, 1869, entered the printing office of 
Collier & Hall, owners of the "Miners' Register." In February, 1S71, 
he returned to Denver, taking a situation as compositor on the " News," 
where he remained three months and then entered the office of the 
"Daily Tribune," finishing his apprenticeship at the trade in 1874. The 
balance of his career to the present date is related in Chapter XXII, 
Vol. II. That the great prestige which the paper enjoys and the com- 
fortable fortunes Messrs. Arkins & Burnell have achieved from its 
business, are directly ascribable to their genius for management, is well 
known. 

W. R. Thomas was born in Barryville, Sullivan County, New York, 
September 12th, 1843. Seven years later the family moved to Penn- 
sylvania. William R. was educated at Monticello Academy, New York ; 
entered Williams College (Mass.) in 1861, and graduated in the class of 
1S65. His mind tending toward journalism, and his uncle, Lieut. Gov- 
ernor Wm. Bross, being one of the proprietors of the "Chicago 
Tribune," he was assigned to a reporter's position on that paper in 1865, 
where he remained until June, 1866, and then settled in Denver. His 
first newspaper work in Colorado was on the "Miners' Register" at 



140 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Central City, where he remained as associate editor from October, iS66. 
to May, 1S67, when he entered the office of the " I^ocky Mountain 
News," and during the nine years of continuous service on that journal, 
held every position from reporter and correspondent to managing editor. 
In March, 1875, owing to impaired health, he retired and worked on a 
farm until Ma)-, 1877, when he returned to the "News" and remained 
until it was sold to Mr. Loveland in 1878. In January, 18S0, he became 
city editor of the "Evening Times," remaining until May, iS8i,when 
he again took up the life of a farmer, continuing until September, 1886, 
when the " News" again demanded his services as city editor and edito- 
rial writer, a pursuit which he has followed continuously to the present 
date (1890). His work is that of an accomplished and thoroughly con- 
scientious journalist, eager to reach the truth of things and to set forth 
his facts in a manner not to be controverted. His mind is a veritable 
le.xicon of information concerning the development of the Territory and 
State, for there is scarcely an event which he has not recorded among 
its annals since 1S66. He has witnessed the inception and the advances 
made by all subsequent settlements, the movements of political parties, 
the building of railways, the founding of manufactures, in short every 
transition that has left an enduring impression upon the face of nature. 
In 1873, while editor of the "News," he was appointed Adjutant Gen- 
eral of territorial militia by Governor S. H. Elbert. During the stormy 
controversy with Acting Governor Jenkins and Governor McCook in 
1874, an attempt was made to remove him from the office, but Mr. Thomas 
secured an opinion from the Attorney General at Washington which 
denied the power of the Governor to vacate the appointment, and after 
a caustic public expose of the transaction, having won his battle, he 
resigned. Mr. Thomas has enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all 
the more prominent of our public men, for in the years of his e.xercise of 
the duties of chief editorship of the leading journal which made and 
unmade public servants at will, he wielded vast influence. While as 
may be truly spoken of all editors, he was not always right in his argu- 
ments and conclusions, and left many a deep and bitter sting through 




Oj^t'-i^^y^ 



<€ .4>A^ 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 141 

his trenchant reviews of men and affairs, he aimed to be right, and in 
the main was right. He was a true and devoted friend to those he 
admired, and a relentless pursuer of those who incited him to wrath. 
While in his present calling of an impersonal writer, his handiwork is 
not identified by the general public, it is nevertheless an important fea- 
ture of the pages of that paper. 

Capt. James T. Smith, a gentleman who has been so long and 
intimately associated with the " News" as to seem an indispensable part 
of its editorial force, was born in Rosscommon, in the West of Ireland, 
•May 4th, 1849, of English and Scotch parentage, English by the father's 
side. At an early age he immigrated to America and was educated in 
Hartford and New Haven, Coiinecticut. At the outbreak of our civil 
war, although but a mere boy, he enlisted in the First Regiment of Vol- 
unteers as drill master and color sergeant ; was promoted to Lieutenant 
in 1862, and served until the close of the rebellion ; commanded a com- 
pany, "a forlorn hope." in his brigade at the storming of Port Hudson, 
Louisiana, in June, 1863; served in the regular arm)- from the end of 
the war to 1870, in September of which )-car he came to Colorado, and 
was engaged as editor of the Golden "Transcript" until 1876; was 
elected secretary of the last Territorial Council, and entered the 
"News" office in 1877. The same year he took charge of the Colorado 
"Democrat" in Denver. July 21st, 1878, he was instrumental in pur- 
chasing the "News" for W. A. H. Loveland, and remained as chief 
editorial writer until 1879, when he returned to Golden. In the fall of 
that year he came back to the "News." In 1881 he was elected City 
Clerk of Denver, serving two years, then re-engaged with the "News" 
until 1886; then went to the Evening "Times" as city editor, re- 
maining four months ; then back to the " News" again, continuing until 
April 30th, 1890, when he retired to engage in the purchase and sale of 
real estate ; a few months later he again went to the " News." His only 
engagement in politics was as the candidate of the Democratic party 
for the office of Secretary of State in 1876 ; was elected .Secretary of the 



142 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

State School of Mines at Golden in 1876, which position he has held to 
the present time. 

E. H. Rounds was one of the editors in i86o-'62. Edward Bliss, 
during- the same period; O. J. Goldrick during 1863-4-5 ; Capt. George 
West in iS65-'66; Dr. J. E. Wharton in i866-'67; W. R. Thomas, with 
one or two brief intervals, from 186; to 1S90. O. J. Hollister was asso- 
ciate editor in 1868-69; J. E. Hood in 1 869-^70; Chas. E. Harrington 
city editor from 1870 to 1S74; M. E. Ward occupied a position on the 
paper during the same period. W. B. Vickers, one of the brightest of 
its writers, was managing editor from 1875 to 1878; Deacon John 
Walker, city editor in 1867, and Michael J. Gavisk during the last year 
of Mr. Byers' proprietorship. 

The "Denver Times." The original base of what is now one of the 
largest and most enterprising evening journals in the West, was laid 
August I St, 1870, as a theatrical programme, or advertising sheet called 
"The Lorgnette," established by Mr. Clarence E. Hagar, a compositor 
in the ofifice of "The Rocky Mountain News." At that time the 
principal, indeed the only reputable Opera House in the city was Guard 
Hall, which had some years previous been erected by a stock company 
for the use of the Governor's Guard, but afterward converted into a 
theater. In 1872 the "Lorgnette" was enlarged to a six column folio, 
and the name changed to the "Daily City Item,'' when it became a 
medium for commercial advertising. Some months later, Mr. S. T. 
Sopris, another employe of the "News," purchased an interest in the 
paper, and April 8th of that year the title was again changed to the 
"Daily Evening Times," under the management of C. E. Hagar and S. 
T. Sopris, editors and proprietors. It was printed by John L. Dailej- 
& Co., who owned and operated a commercial printing office, with the 
first presses propelled by steam power within the city of Denver. It 
was a small sheet, containing well compacted epitomes of current events 
transpiring in a metropolis of about 4,500 souls, just emerging from a 
long period of stagnation by the stimulus of its first railway, the 
Denver Pacific. It continued under such direction until April 23d, 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 143 

1S72, when Mr. A. J. Boyer purchased Hagar's Interest. During that 
year Horace Greek)- was nominated for president, and the "Times" 
espoused his cause. June 5th, following, it was enlarged. On the loth 
Sopris retired, selling out to Boyer, who ardently supported Mr. 
Greeley's candidacy. On the 24th the paper was bought by Edward 
Bliss who had been one of the members of the old "News" printing 
company, who took down the Greeley ticket. August 19th it passed 
into the hands of the "Times" printing company, Roger W. Woodbury, 
president, editor and manager, Mr. J. A. Blake taking charge of the 
business department. September 2d, following, it was still further 
enlarged, and November 25th, it was furnished a "new dress," R. W. 
Woodbury, sole editor and proprietor. May 25th, 1S73, it was again 
enlarged, to a seven column sheet; and January 2d, 1875, the columns 
were widened to admit more news matter. In June, 1874, Mr. Wood- 
bury purchased an old and ugly brick building on Lawrence street, 
which then contained but one or two business houses, since it was the 
extreme limit of commercial thoroughfares in that direction, mainl)- 
occupied by private residences, moved his presses and material into it, 
and resumed publication. The "Times" had its birthplace in the rear 
part of Grant's bookstore on Larimer street on the southeast side 
between Fifteenth and Sixteenth; was moved thence to the corner of 
Fifteenth and Lawrence, and finally to the site now occupied by the 
"Times" building, erected some years afterward by its proprietor. 
Under his management, though small, everything being reduced to 
the minimum degree of condensation, it was brisk, enterprising and 
reliable. Its columns were singularly free from sensationalism, its 
editor striving to make it an honest, truthful and trustworthy exponent 
of public opinion upon leading topics, abhorring the prevalent empiri- 
cism, the shams and tricks so ef^ciently employed by some of his 
contemporaries, hence it soon came to be respected as a clean, upright 
and worthy representative of the better elements of society. Mr. 
Woodbury was the embodiment of energy, laboring early and late, 
collecting most of the news and preparing it for publication, and at the 



U4 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

same time conducting the business affairs with tireless fidelity. No 
man in the community wrought more zealously than he for the advance- 
ment of the public welfare. The "Times" became one of the most 
ardent advocates of the admission of Colorado into the Union, and when 
this was happily consummated, of the election of Chaffee and Teller to 
the United States Senate. When the author of this history assumed 
the editorial management about June ist, 187S, the business of the 
office had become so great as to demand the entire time of the 
proprietor. Accuracy, with brevity of statement was enjoined upon 
the new editor at the outset, the avoidance of Quixotism, and above 
and beyond all, incessant activity in promoting every enterprise calcu- 
lated to advance the growth of Denver, was exacted. Woodbury was 
inspired with unbounded faith in the resources of the country, and con- 
sidered it the first duty of good citizenship to encourage their develop- 
ment, to the end that the city might grow and prosper. 

When in 1878 Senator Chaffee declined a reelection to the senate, 
and it devolved upon the Republican party to select a new leader, the 
"Times" promptly advocated the choice of Nathaniel P. Hill, who in 
that year had removed the Boston & Colorado Smelting Works from 
Black Hawk to the near vicinity of Denver, thereby adding a very- 
prominent new industry to its progressive forces. It was this influence 
probably more than any other, that induced Woodbury to champion 
his candidacy for the senatorial succession. The legislature elected 
that fall, being favorable to Mr. Hill, he was chosen, without material 
opposition. 

When the great mines at Leadville began to attract attention in 
1878-79, the " Times" became one of the staunchest supporters of the 
mining interest, giving the latest and best intelligence procurable from 
all the numerous fields then opening. It strenuously advocated the 
election of Frederick W. Pitkin to the chief magistracy of the State in 
1878, constantly urged the founding of new manufactures, the building 
of new railways, the extension of commerce, and instantly took up every 
cause which promised the advancement of the public welfare. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 145 

In December, 1879, the author resigned, to engage in other pur- 
suits, when Mr. Woodbury resumed the editorship, continuing until the 
spring of 1880, when Judge Albion W. Tourgee — already famous as the 
author of "A Fool's Errand," a book that had excited deeper interest in 
social and political centers than any publication of its time — became the 
editor. Tourgee, although an estimable man, a clear and forcible writer 
of books, was not remarkably well fitted for the management of a daily 
newspaper in a cit)- where he was almost a stranger. He was then 
devoting his leisure to the preparation of " Bricks without .Straw," a 
work that brought him still further renown. He was succeeded on the 
paper by W. R. Thomas, and he by J. D. Dillenback, Capt. L. W. Cut- 
ler and others. 

May 20th, 1882, soon after the completion of his new build- 
ing, Mr. Woodbury disposed of his printing business to a company, 
composed of his son, F. S. Woodbury, Thomas F. Dawson and Cap- 
tain R. G. Dill, who conducted it under the name of " The Times 
Printing Company." Sometime later both Dill and Dawson sold their 
interests to Mr. F. .S. Woodbury, who managed the concern in his 
own name until May 28th, 1888, when it was purchased by Mr. W. 
H. Griffith, the present proprietor and manager, who immediately 
selected Richard Linthicum, then a reporter on the staff of the Den- 
ver " Republican," as managing editor. When the transfer was made 
the paper enjoyed only a very small circulation of about 2,500 copies. 
It had been declining in influence for some time, until the greater 
part of its power and value lay in its possession of an exclusive 
i telegraphic press franchise for an evening journal. Its editions found 
I no sale outside of the city. They were printed upon a single cyl- 
inder Campbell press of an obsolete pattern, at a speed of about 
1,500 an hour, directly from the types, having no stereotyping appa- 
, ratus. Mr. Griffith made no considerable changes until October of that 
year, when, abandoning his law practice he took personal direction of 
the editorial and business affairs of his new venture, enlarged it to eight 
pages, refurnished with new type and supplanted the Campbell with a 



146 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Scott perfecting machine equal to the discharge of 15,000 copies an 
hour. Simultaneously the force of editorial and local writers was 
increased, and the paper filled with the freshest of current intelligence, 
well digested and arranged. The work was pushed with surprising 
energy. The circulation multiplied, and within a year had advanced 
from 2,tOO to 9,000 copies, and the advertising patronage in corre- 
sponding ratio. It has since advanced to alaout 16,000 coj^ies daily. 

The progress of this journal is wholly without precedent in the 
annals of Colorado journalism, if indeed, it has been surpassed by an\ 
such enterprise in the Western country. The result was due to the 
marvelous energy manifested in every department by a corps of young, 
ambitious and fervent workers, the institution of sprightly methods and 
keenest vigor. It is not usual for an evening paper to outstrip its morn- 
ing contemporaries in the matter of circulation, yet it was in this instance 
accomplished. Instead of being confined to the city of Denver it spread 
to all outlying towns upon the plains and in the mountain regions, a 
daring and almost unparalleled 'innovation. Mr. Griffith is a young- 
man, well educated in the schools of Pennsylvania, his native State, and 
in the legal profession, having also had considerable experience with 
newspaper work before changing his residence to Colorado. He pos- 
sesses great physical and mental activity, is ner^•ous, restless, con- 
tinually plotting and planning to speed his own fortunes and to aug- 
ment the commercial and political influence of his journal. No evens. 
worthy of record escaped the vigilance of the reportorial force, and 
although they were sometimes hasty in forming and printing con- 
clusions, as a rule their efforts were commendable. Instead of the 
indifferent, perfunctory part in politics that controlled the old regime, 
the "Times" began to aspire to leadership in the Republican organ-' 
ization with somewhat arrogant assumptions of superior rights over its 
morning contemporary. This pronounced infringement incited angry 
collisions that augured ill for the party itself. The " Times " has 
been as honest as newspapers of the current era generally are in pro- 
moting good government. .Strictly speaking, no partisan newspaper is 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 147 

unselfishly devoted to the public weal. It seems impossible for two 
papers of the same part)- to agree and cooperate in perfect accord in 
the much needed warfare upon the evils of local government. If one 
takes positive ground in favor of reforms, the other in its rivalry, stimu- 
lated by the fear that the prestige of its competitor will overshadow 
and dwarf its own, feels called to denounce it, and by setting up a dif- 
ferent code of political and moral ethics, seeks to compel its accept- 
ance in preference to the other. It is to be regretted that there can be 
no agreement anywhere for the general benefit, and in this lamentable 
division of counsels, the men against whom there is constant outcry con- 
tinue to flourish and fatten upon corruption, robbery and the spoils of 
office, because the representatives, in other words, the organs or mouth- 
pieces of the people, cannot unite upon any plan for a better state of 
things. It is not a matter of doubt but an indisputable truth that if the 
press would cooperate in harmony for the overthrow of bad govern- 
ment and pernicious systems, they could not exist. But it is not done 
here nor anywhere. It is our party, or our faction of the party that 
must be sustained, right or wrong, hence the people, remonstrate in vain. 
Mr. Griffith's part in the history of Colorado is scarcel)' past the 
inceptive plane. He has just passed the threshold of a promising 
career, but it is an extremely bright beginning, presaging a future filled 
with effective work and gratifying achievements. This is the promise, 
yet it is seen of all men that the work he performs is overtaxing his 
slight physique, which frequently breaks under the excessive strain. 
He works too hard and rests too little. If continued, disastrous effects 
may be anticipated. He is an apt student of the world and its methods, 
has learned early many of its useful lessons, but he has yet much to 
learn en route to the pinnacle of his lofty aspirations. Men do not 
leap from the foot to the topmost rung of the ladder at a single bound. 
It is too soon to write his biography or his epitaph. His record is only 
in the initial chapter, his many gifts struggling for expression, his plans 
but imperfectly outlined. Upon what has already developed we pred- 
icate our hope of a brilliant unfolding. 



148 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Mr. Richard Linthicum, managing editor of the "Times," has been 
an efificient instrumentality in the growth of the paper to its present 
dimensions. Though young, his experience has been gained in manv 
peculiar phases of Hfe. He was born March 30th, 1859, in Libertytown, 
Frederick County, Maryland. On the father's side his relatives were 
Democrats and slaveholding aristocrats; on the mother's, abolitionists 
and radical Republicans. When he was eight years old, his father died, 
Avhen he imbibed from the mother her abhorrence of the institution of 
slavery. He was educated at Liberty Academy, graduating in 1874. 
His first employment was that of bookkeeper in a wholesale house in 
the city of Washington. Having a fondness for literary composition, 
the taste was developed in letters addressed to his home newspaper. At 
length he ventured upon a serial story for the same publication that, 
being well received, impelled him to write others for the " New York 
Weekly" and the " Waverly Magazine." In 1876 he enlisted in the 
United States Signal Corps, taking the usual course in meteorology, 
electrical science and signaling at the School of Instruction at Fort 
Whipple, Virginia. This completed, he was stationed at Philadelphia. 
It was then comparatively, a new department. This office had the only 
line extending down the Atlantic Coast. In 1878 he was ordered to 
Santa Fe, New Mexico, as chief operator of the United States Military 
telegraph for that Territory. While in this vocation he wrote a serial 
for the Rocky Mountain "Sentinel" of Santa Fe., From this point he 
was transferred to Albuquerque. In 1879 he left the service, and pur- 
chasing an interest in a weekly paper, published one half in Spanish and 
the other half in English, made his first essay in journalism. In 1881 
he sold out and came to Colorado, taking employment as train dis- 
patcher on the South Park, and subsequently on the Denver & Rio 
Grande Railways. In 1883 he established the "Como Headlight" 
which he conducted four years, taking part in the politics of Park 
County and of the State. While thus engaged he was elected assessor 
for that county, serving one term. In 1887 he disposed of the "Head- 
light," moved to Denver and became associate editor of the "Colorado 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 149 

Graphic," shifting thence to the "Times" as reporter and city editor. 
In the fall of 1887 he left the "Times" and did special writing for the 
"Graphic," until December of that year, then became attached to the 
reportorial staff of the "Daily Republican," where he remained until June 
iith, 1S88, when he was appointed managing editor of the "Times." 
Here he has exhibited fine organizing power, in the employment of 
local writers, and in the important business of news gathering. His 
conduct of this force is characterized by nervous energy that decides 
quickly and moves with swift celerity into every channel where news 
may be found. As a consequence the columns of the paper bristle with 
the latest happenings of the day. As an editorial writer he is not 
excelled by any of his contemporaries. 

"The Denver Republican" was founded upon the old daily "Dem- 
ocrat," established in 1876 by Joseph P. Farmer, Thomas G. Anderson 
and Benjamin D. Spencer, who purchased as a basis the " Independent," 
a small paper that had been started by a few printers but had acquired 
no considerable position. Soon afterward, Mr. Spencer retired, when 
Farmer and Anderson became sole proprietors. Farmer had risen to 
affluence through fortunate ventures in stockgrowing ; Anderson was a 
noted contractor. The paper was published in a one story building 
then standing on part of the site now occupied by the Railroad Block on 
Larimer street. Mr. Farmer remained with the "Democrat" until his 
death, when it was managed by his partner. Mr. Farmer was born in 
Fermanagh County, Ireland, and came to Denver in i860. He took 
part in politics, was one of the founders of the German National Bank, 
and in 1877 was chosen president of the Colorado Cattle Growers' Asso- 
ciation. At his death he left a large fortune to his family. Mr. An- 
derson was one of the argonauts of 1859, born in Clark County, Illinois, 
in 1832. An ardent Democrat, he took a deep interest in advancing 
the cause of that party, and while not a very brilliant editor, he was an 
industrious worker in the general field. He, too, crowned his life with 
an ample competence by legitimate methods and constant endeavor. 
Champion Vaughan, Charles Whitehead, Capt. James T. Smith and 



150 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

William Havner were in the order named, managing editors of the 
journal. ^I. J. Gavisk and Benjamin F. Zalinger were the city editors. 

In June, 1879, Major Henry Ward, W. G. Brown and W. H. 
Price purchased the "Democrat" from Mr. Anderson and the Farmer 
estate, and organized a stock company with Price as president, Brown 
secretary and treasurer, and Major Ward editor. Zalinger remained as 
city editor. It then became a morning daily, but the name was changed 
to the " Republican," in accordance with the political creed of its new 
proprietors. In September, 1879, the concern was sold to Charles B. 
Wilkinson of St. Joseph Missouri, who assumed editorial control, with 
Major Ward as associate. Zalinger, Fred C. Schrader, Charles ¥. 
Wilson, Halsey M. Rhoads and C. O. Ziegenfuss were, successively, city 
editors under Wilkinson's management. Wilkinson was an experienced 
journalist and a very brilliant paragrapher, which soon gave him much 
local celebrity. But the enterprise did not prosper. November ist, 
1880, he sold the "Republican" to a syndicate represented by Joseph 
C. Wilson, George T. Clark and Amos .Steck. On the 12th following, 
the " Republican " Publishing Company was incorporated, with a capital 
stock of $50,000 : President, Joseph C. Wilson ; Secretary and Manager, 
George T. Clark. Major Ward again became political editor, and 
Arthur Kellogg business manager. Mr. Ward, who has been quite 
prominent in the profession for many years, was born in Mansville, New 
York, and after graduating from Hamilton College, enlisted in the 
Tenth Artillery of that State, July 28th, 1S62. In 1863 he was pro- 
moted to a captaincy in the First Regiment United States Colored 
troops, making a gallant record as a soldier thence to the close of the 
Rebellion. Under the new management, Mr. C. O. Ziegenfuss was made 
city editor, and with Henry L. Feldwisch, F. O. Dickensheets and E. D. 
Cowen on the local staff, the paper seemed destined to take a position 
of equal rank with the "News" and "Tribune," then the principal 
organs. 

June 2 1 St, 1 88 1, it was transferred to a company represented by 
Kemp G. Cooper, who, from that time to the present, has been its 



^ 




HISTORY OF COLORADO. 151 

general manager. The capital stock was increased to $100,000, the 
ground now occupied by the " Republican " office was purchased, and 
the building erected. Meantime, the paper was issued from a small 
building on Lawrence street, near the present Chamber of Commerce. 

Hitherto, although conducted by competent writers, it had failed in 
the prime essential of business direction. In Mr. Cooper these con- 
ditions precedent to all success were found, and fully exercised. To him 
the remarkable growth and financial standing of the " Republican " is 
due. When the collapsed Denver "Tribune" was purchased and the 
two papers combined under the hyphenated title, "Tribune-Republican," 
the following officers were elected : President, Henry R. \\"olcott ; Gen- 
eral Manager and Treasurer, K. G. Cooper; Secretary, T. C. Henry, 
who respectively held their offices until December, 1887, when the entire 
stock of the company was transferred to Ex-Senator N. P. Hill and 
K. G. Cooper, the latter taking one-fifth of the stock, and Mr. Hill, who 
had been a large holder since June 21st, i88i, the remainder. In 1889, 
the directorate was changed, and the following elected : President and 
Manager, K. G. Cooper; Secretary, Crawford Hill; Treasurer. W'm. F. 
Robinson. 

At the time of the consolidation mentioned above, the capital stock 
was increased to $200,000. The obsolete title, "Tribune," was dropped 
January ist, 1887. When purchased in 1881, the circulation of the 
"Republican" did not exceed 2,200, but from that date it increased 
rapidly until at the present writing (1890) it amounts to an average of 
16,000 daily, and the gross business to about $450,000 a year. In 
December, 18S4, a perfecting press supplanted the more primitive ma- 
chinery, and in 1888 it was duplicated, the two being required to insure 
prompt and early issue of the greatly augmented circulation. In 1890 
a fourth story was added to the building, to furnish more room for the 
mechanical department. 

Mr. Cooper was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 14th, 1838. 
In 1855 he went to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he learned the 
printer's trade in the " Examiner" office. In 1862 he was part owner 



15-i HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

of that paper, and in 1865 became sole proprietor; came to Denver in 
1871; purchased the "News" in 1878, and the same year sold it to 
W. A. H. Loveland. He was a member of the Denver school board 
(District No. i) from 1877 to 1882, the last three years president of the 
board, and thus assisted in building the present school system. 

Major Ward continued as managing editor of the " Republican " 
until August, 1 88 1, when he retired to assume a like position on the 
Leadville "Chronicle." He was succeeded by C. O. Ziegenfuss, with 
Henry L. Feldwisch as associate. Excepting O. H. Rothacker, Mr. 
Feldwisch was the most facile and interesting writer in the Denver guild. 
He was a graduate of the Woodward High School, Cincinnati, and had 
been trained in his profession on the " Gazette " of that city. Mr. E. D. 
Cowen who succeeded Ziegenfuss as city editor, was followed by George 
E. Allen, and he by F. O. Dickensheets in the fall of 1881. George D. 
Eastin and Cowen respectively held that post until the summer of 18S3, 
when Mr. Dickensheets again resumed it. In August, 1883, Ziegenfuss 
resigned, when C. F. R. Hayward became editor, who remained until 
his death, four and a half years later. Although only 25 years of age, 
he proved equal to the great responsibility. He was, in the better sense. 
a self-made man. When but a mere boy he was a reporter on the Phil- 
adelphia "Times," and subsequently edited papers at Pottsville and 
Chester, in the same State. Prior to his last appointment he had been 
city editor of both "Times" and "Tribune." He proved not only a 
very capable political editor, and manager of the news department, but 
in time grew to be one of the finest of dramatic critics, a branch of which 
he was extremely fond. His place in that line has not since been filled, 
and it will be long before we find his equal. His one work of fiction 
"The Mentons," written to Illustrate the mysteries of hypnotism, was 
received with unusual favor. He was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, 
October 25th, 1858, and died in Denver, March 19th, 1S88. 

Robert Gauss was appointed associate editor in 1885, which position 
he has acceptably filled to the present date. He was born in St. 
Charles, Missouri, September ist, 1851, came to Colorado in 1880, and 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 153 

engaged as editorial writer on the " Herald," and later on the " Chron- 
icle," at Leadville. Will C. Ferril was appointed city editor of the 
"Republican" in the spring of 1885, and held it until succeeded by Mr. 
Dickensheets in March, 1887. He was city editor of the "News" 
during a part of i887-'8S, and of the "Times" during a part of 1890. 

A few days prior to Mr. Hayward's death, the office of news 
and night editor had been created, and Mr. Dickensheets appointed to 
that position. He has been associated with various departments of the 
paper for ten years, and is accounted one of the most competent of news 
collectors and compilers. For eight years he has been the Denver cor- 
respondent of the St. Louis "Globe-Democrat." 

William .Stapleton, who for five years previous had been managing 
editor of the " News," succeeded Mr. Hayward on the " Republican." 
He was born in Milwaukee in 1S47, and for five years was professor of 
mathematics and English literature in the German and English academy 
of that city. During several years he acted as city editor of the Mil- 
waukee "Sentinel," and later was attached to the staff of the Chicago 
"Times." In 1878 he was associate editor of the St. Louis "Globe- 
Democrat," and also served that paper as Washington correspondent. 
He came to Denver in 1881. During the administration of President 
Cleveland, and while yet editor of the " News," he was appointed Melter 
and Refiner of gold at the Denver branch mint. 

The consolidation of the "Tribune" and "Republican" in 1S84, 
makes the history of the former a part of the latter. The "Tribune" 
was founded by L. M. Koons, who published the first issue February 
6th, 1867, under the title of "The Denver Daily," at an office on Law- 
rence street near Sixteenth, known as the Christian Building. It 
appeared every morning except Mondays, and had for its motto, "In- 
dustry, Virtue and Truth." S. H. Hastings acted as city editor until 
March, when R. W. Woodbur)' was appointed to that place. May 15th, 
1867, the name was changed to the "Daily Colorado Tribune." June 
7th, R. W. Woodbury became associate editor, and John Walker city 
editor. January 4th, 1868, the names of L. M. Koons, R. W. Wood- 



154 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

bury and John Walker appeared as editors and proprietors, with this 
editorial comment upon the change : " The editors of the 'Tribune' 
are glad to announce that they have made such arrangements as admit 
them to be equal partners in the enterprise on which they have hereto- 
fore labored as employes, and they hope the change will be as satis- 
factory to the readers of the paper as to those most interested." 

Soon afterward, Woodbury & Walker purchased Mr. Koons' 
interest, and thus became sole proprietors. December 31st, 1871, they 
sold to H. G. Bond, E. P. Hollister and others, the latter taking the 
editorial chair. At that time the office was located on Fifteenth, between 
Holladay and Blake streets, but on July 29th, 1872, it was moved to the 
building erected by Mr. Henry C. Brown at the corner of Holladay and 
Si.\teenth. December 9th of that year, Champion Vaughan succeeded 
E. P. Hollister as editor. Henry C. Brown, who had held the stock of 
the " Tribune " Company as security for money loaned, was compelled to 
foreclose and take possession of the property. December 4th, 1874, 
Major Henry Ward was made editor, and on the same day changed the 
time of issue from evening to morning. Newton and Howell were the 
city editors, and were followed by Capt. James T. Smith, and he in due 
course by Thomas F. Dawson. Mr. Brown sold the paper to Herman 
Beckurts, November 15th, 1875. Major Ward retained the editorship 
until 1S78, when he resigned, and William B. Vickers was appointed. 
Mr. Vickers became private secretary to Governor Pitkin in 1879, and 
his place on the paper was filled by Henry Sparnick until the arrival of 
O. H. Rothacker from Louisville, Kentucky, who exercised the control 
until it was merged into the " Republican." 

A company headed by George B. Robinson bought the "Tribune" 
in 18S0, when Herman Silver was chosen president and manager. In 
1 88 1 it was transferred to General Wm. A. Hamill, F. J. V. Skiff 
assuming control of the business department. About this time Eugene 
Field, now somewhat famous as a poet and humorist, was employed 
upon the paper. With Rothacker, Field, Edgar W. Nye, Will Vischer, 
Patience Thornton (now Mrs. Wm. Stapleton), Stanley Wood, James 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 155 

McCarthy (Fitz Mac) and numerous other- gifted contributors to its 
columns, the "Tribune" should have been successful beyond any of its 
contemporaries, but owing to the various causes that need no expla- 
nation to the readers of the present era, it declined rapidly, and finally 
passed out of existence. In 1883 Mr. T. C. Henry purchased the stock, 
and imported Mr. Charles Gleed from Topeka, Kansas, to be its editor. 
After it left Herman Silver's hands, its career was downward, steadily 
to its fall; By its absorption by the "Republican" in '84, this excellent 
journal, that should have been a largely profitable enterprise, lost its 
identity. Under Mr. Cooper's careful management, for he is a superior 
financier, its rival and successor has attained the first position in 
Western journalism, with a very large net increase for dividends at the 
close of each year. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Foundation of our present banking system — early bankers and gold brokers 
— CLARK & G'Ruber's mint and its coinages — establishment of the united 
states branch mint — the first national bank, its presidents and 
cashiers. 

There were no capitalists among the early settlers in the Pike's 
Peak region, no aristocrats. The assemblage on the borders of Cherry 
Creek was both heterogeneous and cosmopolitan. Starting from a 
common level of poverty, one class progressed according to its innate 
convictions of the value of industry, order and thrift, rising to eminence 
in commerce, finance, or politics, as its tastes inclined and opportunities 
afforded ; another remained practically stationary, making no advance- 
ments, and still another, yielding to unholy temptations, fell by the wa)- 
side and perished, leaving no trace but an unmarked grave. Most of 
them possessed youthful virility, ardor and strength to meet the rude 
conditions of the long journey, and the aftermath of settlement. There 
were few greybeards in the long procession, and only now and then a 
weakling, for these, if ailing at the outset, became robust by the free 
indulgence of pure air, vigorous exercise, and camp life that brouglit 
healing by the enforced assertion of the powers within them. 

It is a noteworthy fact, that a majority of our most distinguished 
merchants, bankers, miners, manufacturers and capitalists of the current 
epoch, sprang from the obscurity of country villages, and were educated 
in the common schools of thirty to fifty years ago, when the cause of 
public education was just beginning to develop into the magnificent 
institutions now seen, that are not excelled, scarcely equaled by those 
of any other nation on the globe after centuries of effort. This is espe- 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 157 

cially true of our bankers, the pioneers and supreme directors of our 
monetary affairs. 

It is the main purpose of the chronicles subjoined to illustrate 
briefly, the ease and rapidity with which men of marked inborn capa- 
bilities cast off the fetters of circumstance, and become moulders of the 
destinies of cities, states and nations, for it will not be questioned that 
well ordered finance is at the bottom of human affairs, and has been 
throughout the ages. In one sense our financiers are a distinct class of 
society, operating upon a well regulated code of ethics, the repositories 
of public trusts, the most precious and costly of human possessions. To 
the average perception, our banks and bankers stand out clear and 
distinct from the masses, as the sheeted peaks of our majestic Sierras 
tower above the reinforcing ranges. Nevertheless, they are your ser- 
vants and mine, the custodians of our safety, the sources from which the 
discharge of the highest duties is expected, and more exact accounta- 
bility than is demanded of any other class. The measure of their 
success is the measure of public confidence in their honesty and ability. 
Banks rarely fail, "except from mismanagement and dishonesty on the 
part of their officers, unless caught in the whirlwind of some great finan- 
cial revulsion." Commerce may totter to its foundation, but if the banks 
stand firm, the base is unshaken, and regeneration is speedy and sure. 

Legitimate banking in Colorado began after the adoption by Con- 
gress of the act establishing a national system, which was an outgrowth, 
so to speak, of the Legal Tender Act of February 25th, 1S62, — "born 
of the agonies and perils of a great civil war." The beneficent offices of 
the new method, however, the most perfect and salutary that has ever 
been devised, were not introduced here until 1865. In the meantime 
the principal circulating medium was gold dust, supplemented after 
1862-63 by national treasury notes, and those of Eastern national banks, 
and after July, i860, by coin derived from Clark & Gruber's mint. 
Some of the more opulent immigrants brought a few dollars in gold and 
silver from the States, which soon found its way back again and was 
hoarded up as too precious for use, until about the time of the general 



158 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

resumption of specie payments, January ist, 1879. The greater part of 
our gold dust was impure, much of that taken from the stamp mills, 
debased by the crudeness of the "retorting" process employed. No 
merchantable silver was produced until 1865, and but little until 1868. 
As a primitive substitute for banking, there were many brokers in gold 
dust, generally the agents of bankers in towns along the Missouri River, 
as St. Joseph, Atchison, Omaha and Leavenworth, who bought the 
products of the miners at various prices, ranging between twelve and 
sixteen dollars an ounce, according to fineness. The value of dust from 
the placer mines was, to some extent, determined by the locality from 
which it came. Cherry Creek, the borders of the Platte River and its 
usually dry tributaries, produced the finest and purest gold in the 
market, and there were a few " diggings " along the bars of South Clear 
Creek (V'asquez Fork), that yielded results almost equally desirable. 
The express charges on gold from the mines to the Missouri River in 
early times, was five per cent, of its value, therefore to avoid these 
exactions, many shipped by East bound passengers, trusted friends of the 
brokers, upon such agreements as could be made with them in the way 
of compensation. 

The value of retort and nugget dust was ascertained by rubbing it 
upon the smooth polished surface of an iron stone, — brought into requi- 
sition for the purpose, — according to the shade of the trace left thereon. 
Bright yellow indicated the degree of purity, the darker shades showing 
the amalgamation of base metal, as copper, iron, etc. There were times, 
too, when gross deceptions were practiced by counterfeiters, who manu- 
factured "retort nuggets" from brass filings, spelter and the like, with 
a certain admixture of gold, but only a few of these devices succeeded. 

The first broker'^ office established in Denver, was that of Samuel 
and George W. Brown in 1859, situate on Larimer street. The elder 
brother remained but a short time, after which the business was con- 
ducted by the junior partner, in connection with his appointment as 
Collector of Internal Revenue. The next was opened the same year by 
Turner & Hobbs. who occupied a brick building on the southeast corner 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 159 

of Larimer and Ferry streets, West Denver, the second floor of which 
was for some time used by Governor Evans for executive offices. 
George W. Kassler, who had acquired his experience in an Omaha bank, 
took charge as cashier, continuing until 1861, when tlie concern closed, 
and the proprietors returned East. 

Clark, Gruber & Co. established the first, greatest, most extensive 
and useful of all the institutions known as banks, between 1859 and 
1865, and their ojjerations were of the most honorable nature. It sprang 
from a house organized in Leavenworth by Milton E. and Austin JM. 
Clark, and E. H. Gruber in 1858. The Clarks were from Ripley, Ohio. 
They emigrated to Kansas in 1857, and at Leavenworth engaged in the 
grocery trade. Mr. Gruber in the same year entered the bank of Isett, 
Kerr & Co. In 1858 the firm changed to Scott, Kerr & Co., when Mr. 
Gruber, in connection with the Clarks, opened the banking house of 
Clark, Gruber & Co., in that city, and in 1859 purchased considerable 
quantities of gold from the Rocky Mountains, and as trustworthy advices 
from that quarter were highly favorable, they conceived the idea of 
placing a coining mint in Denver. They were paying live per cent, 
express charges on the dust brought in, and equal cost on the coin and 
currency returned, beside the expense of messengers or guards each wa)\ 
To avoid these excessive charges, the expediency of coinage on the 
ground, and payments for gold dust in their own coin was advanced, but 
the first point to be considered was whether or not the laws of the 
United States were in opposition. They did not purpose to counterfeit, 
but to strike an original coin of full weight and value. Their attorneys 
investigated but discovered no obstacle to the issuance of such coins, as 
neither fraud nor deception was intended. Mr. M. E. Clark proceeded 
to Boston, purchased the necessary machinery, dies, etc., and it was 
shipped to Denver, arriving in February or March of i860. In the 
meantime, work had begun upon a building. While this was in prog- 
ress, Mr. George W. McClure arrived from Iowa, and being an exper- 
ienced mechanic and assayer, was employed to put the plant in place, 
after which he was appointed assayer and minter. The mint was opened 



160 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

July 20th, i860. The first coins struck were ten and twenty dollar 
pieces, bearing on one side a rude representation of Pike's Peak, and on 
theobverse, "Clark, Gruber & Co." They were coined from the native 
dust, but without alloy. They passed into general circulation at par, 
but being soft, soon began to show abrasion from excessive use, there- 
fore in 1 86 1 the firm ordered a complete set of dies for denominations 
of $2.50, $5, $10 and $20, that were close fac similes of the United 
States coins of like denominations, the only difference being that upon 
the cap of "Liberty," they inserted the words "Pike's Peak," and on 
theobverse instead of "The United States of America," they substituted 
"Clark, Gruber & Co." These pieces bore the same percentage of 
alloy, and were of the same color as those issued at the Government 
mints, but contained one per cent, more gold than the standard coin, for 
the express purpose of protecting the holders against loss, the additional 
weight covering the cost of transportation to Philadelphia and recoining. 
These issues passed current throughout Colorado, and all bankers of the 
country to whom they were known, offered a premium for them. The 
coinage continued about two and one-half years, and in that time, as we 
are informed by Mr. Gruber, about $3,000,000 worth had been struck. 
To assist the miners and brokers, they coined dust for them at a 
maximum charge of five per cent., but this was soon discontinued. 
Having abundant funds at command, they carried on an extensive busi- 
ness. They bought gold one day and coined it the next, and the money 
went immediately into use among the people, which gave the mint and 
its owners a decided advantage over their competitors in the trade, and 
it proved a very great convenience to the masses. In i860 a branch 
agency was established in Central City, opposite the office of Lyon, 
Pullman & Co., where gold was purchased as it came from the mills and 
gulches, payment being made in coin, checks, currency or drafts, as the 
seller might elect ; made advances on bullion, in some cases before its 
delivery. For the further convenience of the public, they issued from 
well engraved steel plates five dollar notes, redeemable in Clark & 
Gruber's coin at their banking house in Denver, and this, like all other 




(^^Jkj^^ 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 161 

pledges given by this firm, was faithfully kept. In uttering coins that 
closely resembled those of the government, they may have evaded a 
law, but it was neither counterfeiting nor any deception, for every piece 
was worth more in gold than the standard. It was done in the first 
instance in Indian Territory, over which there was no jurisdiction of law. 
Precedents were found in the earl)- jears of California where all the 
coinage for some time was of private manufacture. It was a blessing 
to the miners and to traders, for it gave them full value for their dust. 
There was no waste, such as attended the exchange of the raw material. 
It was an honest and popular coin, accepted without hesitation, and no 
man lost a dollar by any of the varied transactions in which the house 
engaged. Nevertheless, the, Clarks realized, after the organization of 
the Territory, that in continuing the coinage the\' were, to say the least, 
infringing upon the rights of the government and its laws, and being 
loyal and honorable men, they began to seek a proper way out of it and 
at the same time afford the miners, as heretofore, the best attainable 
facilities for the disposal of their products without loss or excessive 
transportation charges. The first Republican convention held in 
Golden, July 2d, 1S61, inserted in its platform an appeal to Congress for 
the establishment of a branch mint at Denver. When the government 
suspended specie payments and, as the war progressed gold became a 
speculative commodity, and in consequence the products of our mines 
came into speculative demand, bullion was more valuable than coin. 
M. E. Clark, the manager here, heartily seconded the project for a 
United States mint. Laying his plans before the prominent men of 
Denver, he obtained letters from them to the .Secretary of the Treasury, 
Salmon P. Chase, urging its importance. Mr. Austin M. Clark went to 
Washington, and with Hon. H. P. Bennett, our delegate, laid the sub- 
ject before the head of the treasury with a candid statement of what 
his firm had been doing in Denver, together with specimens of their 
coinage. Mr. Chase submitted them to the director of the mint in Phil- 
adelphia, who pronounced them creditable, of full weight and value with 
authorized coins. Mr. Chase referred the matter to the Attorney Gen- 



162 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

eral, who returned his opinion in substance that no existing law had been 
violated. In his next report to Congress the Secretary strongly recom- 
mended the enactment of a law prohibiting the utterance of coins by any 
other than the established mints, and that he be empowered to purchase 
the building of Clark, Gruber & Co. and put a government mint in its 
place. 

The first bill introduced by Hon. H. P. Bennett, our first Delegate 
after the organization of the Territory, was for the establishment of a 
branch mint in Denver in accordance with public expression in Colorado, 
and the recommendations of the Secretary. He was actively supported 
in his efforts to secure its passage by the Clarks and Gruber. George 
W. Brown brought from Denver a handful of large gold nuggets which 
were broadly displayed to the members as substantial evidence of the 
richness of the mines, and the necessity for a mint. Thaddeus Stevens 
of Pennsylvania, was the leader of the House. To intensify his interest 
in the bill, a handsome gold snuff box was ordered from Tiffany of New 
York, and presented to him. The bill passed the House, and when it 
went to the Senate was put in charge of Senator Fessenden, who piloted 
it through that body. As soon as approved, the Clarks returned to 
Denver and arranged for the transfer. They were paid $25,000 for their 
building and lands. It was the purpose of the act, of the Secretary of 
the Treasury, and all concerned, to have a coining mint, but owing to 
the greater influence of Pacific Coast senators and representatives, who 
demanded a mint for Carson City, Nevada, they captured the prize that 
should have been freely given to Colorado. Some years afterward the 
concern in this city, which was of no value whatever to the public, 
except as a depository for public funds, was reduced to an assay ofhce, 
where it still remains. 

Mr. George T. Clark, who was for a time associated with the orig- 
inal mint, was in no way related to the Clarks who established it, but 
acted as their agent in buying gold, and in conducting the business here. 

\Yhen Mr. George W. Lane became superintendent of the mint in 
1863, — appointed by President Lincoln in December, 1S62, — Mr. l\Ic- 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 163 

Clure was appointed inelter, and subsequently cashier. Until after the 
organization of the P'irst National Bank and its designation as a depos- 
itory for the United States funds, the accounts of disbursing officers for 
the government were kept there. Paymaster Fillmore of the army 
drew his supplies of currency for the payment of troops in his depart- 
ment, from the same source. Secretaries Weld and Elbert in paying 
the expenses of the legislative department, drew checks on the mint, a 
practice continued for a short time by the writer after he became Sec- 
retary, though his account was soon transferred to the First National. 
Mr. McClure was an active business man, took earnest part in the 
development of the city, erected several buildings, and at one time was 
considered quite wealthy. His homestead was a part of the site on 
which the Federal postoffice is being erected, and the little yellow 
painted battened frame building occupied as an office by the super- 
intendent of that beautiful edifice, is the one in which he lived and died. 
The first coin struck from Clark & Gruber's machinery — a ten dollar 
gold piece — is owned by Charles Y. McClure, his son, who has also some 
of the later issues under the improved dies. 

Mr. E. Henry Gruber, now a resident of Denver, was born in 
Hagerstown, Maryland, March 25th, 1833; received a common school 
education, and at the age of sixteen took a course of instruction at 
Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio ; removed to St. Louis, and from 
1 85 1 to 1857 was cashier for McLelland, Scruggs & Co. In the year 
last named, he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, and entered the bank of 
Isett, Kerr & Co. In connection with M. E. and Austin M. Clark, he 
opened the banking house of Clark, Gruber & Co., the material facts of 
which enterprise have been related. In 1S64 he returned to Leaven- 
worth, where he continued in banking until 1S66. In July, 1878, he 
returned to Colorado, locating in Leadville, and engaged in mining; 
was one of the original owners of the Pendery mine, from the sale of 
which he realized a moderate fortune ; erected the Gruber block on 
Harrison avenue, and was identified with several important mining 
enterprises. 



164 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

C. A. Cook & Co. (Jasper P. Sears and Charles A. Cook, members 
of the firm so designated), arrived in Denver from the city of Leaven- 
worth, September 5th, 1S59, bringing a large stock of merchandise, 
which was exposed for sale on Blake street between Fourteenth and 
Fifteenth streets, near the present site of the Palace Theater. Their 
business was largely wholesale. As gold dust from the mines became 
more and more abundant, and a feature of speculative' interest to all 
who possessed capital, they set off one corner of their store as a 
broker's ofifice. Some time later, in accordance with the expressed 
desires of the merchants, they opened a banking house, and as all 
traders experienced much difficulty in making change, they procured 
steel plates and issued a fractional paper currency of the denominations 
of ten, twenty-five and fifty cents and one dollar notes, redeemable at 
their counters in lawful currency. These "shinplasters" as they were 
called, entered into general use, and in the absence of anything better, 
served the purpose of their creation. Much of the volume was 
consumed here, but portions found their way to the mining camps, 
where they were accepted without question upon confidence in the 
financial strength of the firm issuing them. Although the principal 
business of C. A. Cook & Co. was merchandizing, the purchase and 
sale of gold, they soon added freight contracting for the United .States 
to and from the Western military posts, and the results of all these 
transactions were highly profitable. The conflagration of 1863, which 
swept over the greater part of Blake, Wazee and lower Fifteenth 
streets, left most of the sufferers without insurance, and as a majority 
held considerable amounts of Cook's fractional paper, it soon appeared 
for redemption. At the risk of his life, Mr. Sears had saved the cash 
in his burning store, amounting to about $83,000, and when redemption 
of his paper was demanded, he discharged the obligations in coin or 
lawful funds, and immediately burned them. Enraged by the apparent 
lack of confidence, they resolved to issue no more, and adhered to the 
resolution. Soon afterward they abandoned merchandizing and con- 
fined their operations to banking and freight contracting. Mr. Cook 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 165 

died at Hot Springs, Arkansas, March iSth, iS;8. lli^ partner Sears, is 
still a resident of Denver. 

Dr. O. D. Cass was born at Lyman on the Connecticut River, 
State of New Hampshire, August 2d, 1823. His primary education 
was obtained in the common schools of Vermont, reinforced by a course 
at Fairfield Academy, New York ; studied medicine at Whitesboro, in 
the latter State, and attended medical lectures at Vermont Medical 
College in Castleton, where he was graduated June iSth, 1845; 
practiced his profession in Lewis County, New York, for a time, and 
was then appointed surgeon to one of the steamships plying between 
New Orleans and Panama. After making a number of trips, he took 
up his residence in California, practiced there some years, and then 
returned to "the States," settling in Muscatine, Iowa. In 1859 he 
went to Leavenworth and early in i860 crossed the plains to Denver, 
arriving here May 13th. Here he resumed his practice, continuing 
until the following November. In connection with Dr. Hamilton (sub- 
sequently surgeon of the First Regiment Colorado Volunteers) he 
established a small hospital, but it did not endure. Dr. Cass' expe- 
rience in California had given him a general knowledge of gold dust, its 
grades and value as a speculative commodity, and having arranged his 
exchanges in Leavenworth, decided to abandon medicine and open a 
broker's office. His first location was in the room occupied by 
Hinckley's express, on Blake street, the chief business thoroughfare of 
the embryonic metropolis. Shortly afterward he was joined by his 
brother Joseph B. Cass, who came on from Leavenworth. As their 
gains multiplied from the profitable traffic, they concluded to erect a 
building of their own, and to this end they contracted with Mr. Henry 
C. Brown (one of the millionaires of the present epoch, but then only 
a carpenter) to build it, on the corner of Sixteenth and Holladay streets, 
(then G and McGaa). When completed they began a regular banking 
business, buying dust and shipping it to Carney & Stevens, bankers in 
Leavenworth (in whose house Mr. Joseph B. Cass had been cashier), 
drew drafts, loaned money at frightful rates of interest, — five to twenty 



166 ■ HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

per cent, per month, — and as another profitable adjunct, engaged in the 
transportation of goods by mule trains, from the Missouri River to the 
Rocky Mountains. As a natural consequence they made money 
rapidly, largely however, from the advance of gold during the war. 
They bought $15,000 to $20,000 each week, and their books indicated 
a net profit of about $1000 a day during the height of their traffic. It 
happened not infrequently that the price of gold which they had bought 
at thirteen to sixteen dollars per ounce, would advance fifteen, twenty 
and even thirty per cent, while in their hands or in transit to New 
York. They opened a branch office in Central City, and were the 
agents of Ben Holladay's stage line. In 1865 they sold out their 
business and building to Holladay. 

Dr. Cass relates the following as one of his experiences as a 
physician in 1S60 : 

"One evening while sitting in my office, the door opened, and in 
stalked a man about five feet nine inches in height, 'bearded like a 
pard,' trousers in boot legs, his dark hair covered by a black slouch 
hat, beneath which I saw a pair of glittering black eyes. 

" 'Are you the Doctor ?' 

"'Yes sir.' 

" 'Well, I want you to go and attend my woman who's sick.' 

" 'What's the matter with her ?' 

" 'I don't know, but I want you to go and see her.' 

" 'Well, my fee is twenty-five dollars, which must be paid 
before I go.' 

"The words had scarcely passed my lips before the stranger 
whipped out an ugly looking six-shooter, and thrusting it in my 
face, said: 

" ' D — n your fee ! follow me, sir, and be quick about it.' 

"Thus positively adjured, I stood not upon the order of my going, 
but went at once. He led me to the door of his cabin, opened it, pointed 
out the patient, and immediately disappeared in the darkness. I attended 
her for a week, and cured her. I did not in the meantime see nor hear 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 167 

of my conductor. The woman having recovered, he came again. 
Striding up to my desk with the air of a cavalry brigadier, he said, — 

" ' You cured her, cUd you ?' 

" 'Yes. I think she is all right now.' 

" Laying five twenty dollar gold pieces of Clark & Gruber's mintage 
on the desk, he added in a milder tone, — 

" ' Will that pay you for your services ? ' 

" • Yes sir, abundantly, and I'm very much obliged.' 

"'See here, doctor. I've taken a notion to you. There's a good 
many rough fellows about town, who drink and fight and make trouble 
for honest people. If any of 'em ever interfere with you, you send for 
me. J/j' names Charlie Harrisony 

And it was a magical n'ame here then. No man so bold, daring 
and reckless, or so steeped in crime as not to bow down before this chief 
of desperadoes, who could draw more swiftly and shoot more accurately 
than any man of his time, and who had already killed half a score of 
men. Yet to his credit be it said, he, like all brave but reckless men 
possessed many virtues, and his word, whether for good or evil, was 
always executed to the letter. 

Warren Hussey came in 1861 and established a broker's office in 
one corner of a grocery store, the further history of which will appear in 
connection with the annals of the City National Bank. 

The first attempt to establish banks under the laws of the Territory 
occurred in 1861, by special act of the legislature of that year, which 
decreed that a bank to be denominated "The Bank of Colorado" be 
established in the city of Denver. Its capital stock was placed at $150,- 
000, and it was to be organized by P. P. Wilcox, E. W. Cobb and E. C. 
Jacobs. Subscriptions to the stock were required to be paid in gold and 
silver e.xclusively, and it was inhibited from issuing its own paper notes 
until after fifty per cent, of the stock subscribed for should have been 
actually paid in gold and silver, the remainder to be secured by bond ; 
the institution subject to inspection and approval by the territorial ex- 



1(38 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

ecutive, who was required to make public proclamation of its status 
before opening for business. 

While this charter was drawn, or at least inspired by P. P. Wilcox, 
with the view of organizing under its provisions, he did not avail himself 
of the privileges thereby extended, but in connection with one Rogers, 
under the firm name of P. P. Wilcox & Co., proceeded to issue and cir- 
culate fractional currency of the denominations of ten, twenty-five and 
fift)- cents, the volume of such utterances amounting to about $3,000. 
The scrip was not engraved, but rudely printed on cheap paper by 
Thomas Gibson. While the greater part was subsequently redeemed, 
some six or eight hundred dollars became widely distributed and lost, 
never appearing for cancellation, which was clear profit to the projectors. 
Much of it was destroyed by the fire of 1863. As far as known, no one 
ever took advantage of the banking act mentioned above. 

Thus we find that prior to 1865 three kinds of circulating notes of 
home manufacture came into more or less general use, — those of C. A. 
Cook & Co., Clark, Gruber & Co., and P. P. Wilcox & Co. Amos 
Steck, agent for the Overland Express Co., also drew drafts for general 
accommodation. Immediately after the issuance of Treasury notes by 
the United States, a limited quantity found their way to this region, and 
were sold or exchanged for gold dust at a premium of ten to fifteen per 
cent. I myself paid fifteen per cent, in dust for the first of these notes 
that came into my possession, at the banking house or broker's office of 
Lyon, Pullman & Co. at Central City. From 1862 to 1865 most of the 
operators of gold mines in Gilpin County paid their employes in green- 
backs, and the premium on the gold extracted and marketed in New 
York, was sufficient to pay the entire cost of its production. 

By an act of the legislative assembly, approved November 5th, 
1 86 1, individuals and corporations, "without special leave from the leg- 
islature," were prohibited from emitting or uttering any bill of credit, 
commanded not to "make, sign, draw or indorse any bond, promissory 
note or writing, bill of exchange or order to be used as a general circu- 
lating medium, as or in lieu of monej- or other currency, under penalty 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 169 

of fine or imprisonment." But it appears that the law had no terrors 
for the firms who did issue such currency without special permission of 
the assembly, for nearly all that was printed and distributed was created 
in defiance of this act, only Wilcox & Co. being indicted for it, and they 
were not punished. 

On the I "th of April, 1S65, the Comptroller of the Treasur)- au- 
thorized the organization of the F"irst National Bank of Denver, and it 
was opened for business May 9th following. Its original stockholders 
and directors were Austin M. and Milton E. Clark (of Clark, Gruber & 
Co.), Bela S. Buell (now assistant superintendent of the Maid of Erin 
and Henrietta mines at Leadville), Jerome B. ChafYee, Henry J. Rogers, 
George T. Clark, Charles A. Cook and Eben Smith. 

Its ofificers were, president, J. B. Chaffee ; vice-president, H. J. 
Rogers ; cashier, George T. Clark. 

The private banking house of George T. Clark & Co. was merged 
in, and its available assets became a part of, the new institution. It was 
located on Blake street, then the chief center of commercial traffic. 
Notwithstanding its fine opportunities, its prosperity was of brief 
duration, owing to the somewhat improvident manner in which its affairs 
were conducted, therefore at the meeting of the directors held in 1867, 
it was decided to effect a change of management. At this meeting Mr. 
David H. Moffat, Jr., was elected cashier, and therewith began not only 
the enviable prestige and supremacy of this house over all others of its 
class in the city and Territory, but the second epoch of an extraordinary 
career. It is at this time very widely conceded that Mr. Moffat is the 
first civilian of the State, and excepting Ex-Governor John Evans with 
whom he has been intimately associated in building some of the most 
important of our public enterprises, its wealthiest citizen. It will be 
interesting to note the source from which he sprang, and his remarkable 
progress in the domain of finance. 

Mr. Moffat was born in Orange Count)-, New York, July 22d, 1839. 
He had few advantages of earlj- education. His training came by exper- 
ience. When only twelve years of age, stimulated by an uncontrollable 



170 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

desire to hew out his own destiny and to beyin at once, he left the 
parental roof and entered the great metropolis of the nation, which had 
long been the object of his budding ambition, but without any other 
hop^ or prospect, than that on his arrival he would be able to make his 
way among the jostling thousands. As his governing impulse inclined 
toward banking, he finally secured a place as runner or messenger in 
the New York Exchange Bank, and forthwith began its duties. This 
was his Alma Mater. There were no telegraphs or telephones, no 
district messenger service in those days, therefore the position upon 
which he entered was an extremely arduous one, and being also intrusted 
with large sums of money to meet its exchanges with other institutions 
of like character — now managed through the Clearing House — it was 
not only fatiguing, but oftentimes dangerous. It is sufificient proof of 
his earnestness and the strong tenacity of his will, as well as of his deter- 
mination to build to a finish what he had undertaken, to say that he 
remained with the bank until 1S55, giving eminent satisfaction, and 
winning promotion to the then very important and responsible post of 
assistant teller, equivalent under present methods, to that of assistant 
cashier. 

In the meantime an elder brother had emigrated to the then new 
State of Iowa, toward which the tide of emigration was strongly drifting, 
and at the date mentioned wrote David H. to join him there, where a 
place as teller in the bank of A. J. Stevens & Co., had been secured for 
him. Accepting the invitation, he turned his face westward toward the 
wilderness of the border, and in due time assumed the new duties 
assigned him in the city of Des Moines. While there the keenness of 
his perceptions and his distinctly well ordered methods attracted the 
attention of Mr. B. F. Allen, a prominent capitalist, who, having in 
1856 decided to open a bank in Omaha, tendered young Moffat the 
position of cashier, which was promptly accepted. Thus at the age of 
seventeen, five years after yielding to the impulse of his boyhood, we 
find this aspiring youth installed as cashier and manager of Allen's bank 
in Omaha, intrusted with large sums of money, and invested with cares 




1y<L^^ 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 171 

and responsibilities, which at the present day are not placed upon tender 
years. He retained this position four years, during which his mind 
rapidly expanded ; he grew in experience and knowledge, and mastered 
the details of the system of State banks then in vogue. In 1S59 the 
bank went into liquidation, settling with all its creditors in full. 

In the spring of 1S60, when the tumultuous tide of Pike's Peak 
emigration began to impel thousands toward the Rocky Mountains, 
Mr. Moffat, inspired by the conviction that his further destiny lay in the 
same direction, formed a partnership with Mr. C. C. Woolworth, of .St. 
Joseph, Missouri, in the book and stationery trade, and loading an 
assorted stock of such goods into a wagon, with two or three companions 
he crossed the plains, driving his team, and on March i 7th of the year 
mentioned, opened the house of Woolworth & Moffat on Ferry street, 
Auraria. These goods being in great demand, they were soon disposed 
of at extravagant prices. Woolworth renewed the supplies from his 
base on the Missouri River as often as required, and afterward estab- 
lished a much larger and stronger house in New York. 

Printing paper for the "Rocky. Mountain News," the "Miner's 
Register" at Central City and other daily and weekly journals was 
added to the stock, and for some years nearly all such publications 
derived their supplies of "print" from this establishment. I have in my 
private library a number of volumes of books that were brought across 
the plains in the "early sixties," by this firm. In a few years this 
modest beginning grew into one of the largest and most profitable 
mercantile institutions of the city. 

Not content, however, with the rapidly multiplying gains of this 
particular trade, but restlessly seeking new channels for the broader 
exercise of his talents, he began to study the extensive commerce of the 
plains, when he soon discovered that by purchasing certain staples, as 
sugar, coffee, bacon and the like in large quantities during periods of 
scarcity, considerable sums could be made. In these transactions which 
sometimes involved the entire stocks of such supplies in transit, his 
sagacity found ample fields for development, and the fruitage thereof 



172 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

added some thousands to his capital. He bought and sold at exactl\ 
the right time, and was never caught at a disadvantage but once, aiiJ 
that was when the Indians attacked one of his trains and burned it. A 
claim against the government was entered, but it has not been paid. 

The stalwart and robust figure of the present era, president of the 
First National Bank, and also of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, 
and the supreme director of both, was, in the years we are considering, 
but a fragile stripling, slender as an aspen, pale and emaciated, almost 
cadaverous, and while enjoying excellent health, bore the outward 
appearance of one whose life would be of brief duration. During the 
first ten years of his residence in Denver his weight did not at any time 
exceed one hundred and ten pounds, and for the greater part was onh- 
ninety-six pounds, but his constant activity indicated a man of exhaust- 
less energy and the keenest foresight in the direction of his business 
affairs. He was universally known, and as widely admired for the 
uniform amiability of his disposition, pleasing manners, his kindness and 
charitableness, traits which the great success of after years has in no wise 
impaired. 

The United States postoffice was given space in his store, and he 
ofificiated as assistant to the Postmaster, Mr. S. S. Curtis ; acted also as 
local agent for the Western Union Telegraph Co., receiving and trans- 
mitting by stage, messages from and to Julesburg, before the extension 
of its line to Denver. In iS68 Mr. Clarence J. Clarke became a 
partner in the firm, which continued in business until 1870, when it was 
sold to other parties. 

Mr. Moffat, in addition to his duties as cashier of the First 
National, was actively associated with the construction of the Denver 
Pacific, Kansas Pacific (Colorado division), the Boulder Valley, the 
Denver & South Park, the Golden Boulder & Caribou, and the Denver 
& New Orleans (now Denver, Texas & Fort Worth) Railways, and one 
of the principal financiers in all those enterprises. During the Indian 
wars occurring under the administration of Governor Evans, he was 
appointed Adjutant-General of Territorial militia, aided in dispatching 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 173 

troops to the field, and in supplying them with military stores. He was 
appointed Territorial Treasurer in 1874 by Governor Elbert,* serving 
two years, which, by the way, is the onl)- political office he has ever 
sought or held; was one of the projectors of the Denver Water Com- 
pany in which he was a director down to 1 8S9, and is now president of 
the Citizens' Water Company. 

While he is interested with others in farming lands and city real 
estate, he has never been a speculator in either, and but to a small 
extent an individual holder of such property. Not from any lack of 
faith in realty, but because his inclinations do not take that direction. 
While for the past eleven years he has been one of the largest owners 
and operators of gold and silver mines in the State, down to 1879, 
when he became associated with Mr. Chaffee in the Little Pittsburgh 
mines at Leadville, he had not been identified with any such ventures 
here or elsewhere. Since that time, however, he has been more exten- 
sively interested than any other person in the development of mineral 
deposits on Fryer and Carbonate Hills, and later a prominent factor in 
the great mines of Aspen, giving each much personal supervision. 
Having taken up the pursuit more from the force of circumstances 
than desire, he brought to bear upon this as upon every other branch 
of business in which he has seriously engaged, the methods that made 
it successful, therefore his pecuniary rewards from these sources have 
been commensurate with the effort. What he has done toward the 
regeneration of the Rio Grande Railroad, and the splendid results of 
his masterly designs in that direction, are fully set forth in the chapter 
relating to that subject. 

The cardinal virtues of his character are generosity, amiability, 
charitableness, and a natural desire to aid the advancement of worthy 
purposes. The list of his unpublished benevolences will never be 
known. While in yielding to the^e admirable impulses he has some- 
times met with disappointment and ingratitude, many of the rich and 
prosperous men of to-day unreservedly acknowledge that but for the 

*One of the more important events in our Territorial history. See Vol. II., page 159. 



174 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

aid he rendered them in important crises when success or failure hung 
trembling in the balance, they must inevitably have gone down under 
the pressure. I think the same is true of most of our bankers, yet one 
hears more frequently of the instances wherein Mr. Moffat and Mr. 
Kountze have granted such favors, because of the many dark and 
gloomy periods through which the older of the business houses have 
passed. At this time capital is abundant, the lines of trade are firmly 
established, values enlarged, property rights and titles rendered secure 
by perfected laws, banking regulated by Congress and the State, but 
twenty years ago there were but two national depositories, only a few 
merchants, scarcely any manufacturers, all things immature and un- 
certain, hence the credits extended were rather more upon confidence in 
the personal integrity of the borrowers than the extent and value of 
their securities. 

Mr. Moffat's success as a banker lies in his instinctive aptitude for 
the profession. The impulse that led him to the foot of the right 
ladder when only twelve years of age, was strong enough to force him 
to the topmost round, and when most boys were taking their primary 
lessons in school, he had mounted to the middle. There is little doubt 
that had his tastes inclined to trade, the same prevision would have 
led to equally eminent ends. One can scarcely imagine that he would 
have failed in anything to which his native skill was positively turned. 
When he entered the great metropolis, crowded with seekers for 
positions, his instincts pointed in but one direction. He had no 
thought of engaging in a store or a factory, but went immediately to the 
center of finance, and having secured a foothold, he made his way 
unerringly. 

When chosen cashier of the First National, every merchant 
knew that the institution upon which so much depended was in safe 
hands, for he was known to be a prudent man ; that every detail would 
receive personal supervision and direction ; that no serious losses would 
be sustained. From the day he assumed its management, its power 
increased. He kept aloof from political intrigue, from speculation and 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 175 

hazardous ventures. He knew every entry in the ponderous ledgers, 
the value of each piece of paper discounted, the standing of every 
patron. The transparent clearness of his mind, his sharp, unhesitating 
conceptions struck at once to the root of every proposition presented, 
leading to the easy dispatch of business without irritableness or friction. 
Polite and agreeable, even when refusing concessions that could not be 
granted, the disappointed applicant was not depressed by the feeling 
that he had been snubbed and humiliated. 

Many times since 1880 he has been urgently importuned to become 
a candidate for political honors. In 1886, while in New York, when the 
politics of Colorado were being animatedly discussed by the press of that 
city, he was approached by a representative of one of the leading journals, 
with the remark that great pressure would be brought upon him to 
become an aspirant for the office of United States Senator to succeed 
Thomas M. Bowen. He replied, "Nothing is further from my ambition 
than political preferment. I have not been bred in a line of life that 
would fit me for the duties of a public man or legislator. I have another 
ambition that I intend to follow undeviatingly, which is to be successful 

I in business. All my experience and inclinations are in that direction, 
and I shall not be induced to sacrifice it for the pursuit of politics. On 
this point my mind would not be changed, even if a certificate of election 
to the United States Senate were to be tendered me on a gold platter, 
f. which I am not conceited enough to count among the possibilities of the 

! present or future." 
Although an interested spectator of political combinations, he has 
rarely taken an active part in them. Great financial trusts have been 
placed in his hands, and it is to these his energies are conscientiously 
devoted. The pinnacle of his aspirations stands above and beyond the 
wild tumult of place seeking. In all the years he has lived in this com- 
munity, no tarnish has dimmed the luster of his fame. He is neither 
sordid nor selfish, but innately generous and sympathetic. For his 
friends he will make great sacrifices, of which there are many illustrations 
! of a characteristic rare amone" men of affluence. Toward his enemies 



176 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

he may be bitter, but is not implacable. In such a life as he has led 
there have been irreconcilable differences with men, but no fierce 
quarrels. While commanding scores and hundreds of subordinates in 
banking, railroading, mining and other enterprises, he has their esteem 
and respect, for he is never imperious, unjust or domineering, hence no 
man is served more faithfully than he. Nature equipped him munifi- 
cently for dealing with great problems involving millions of money, with 
mental faculties for penetrating the subtlest details, and with the nerve 
to execute them, and though rapid, he is. never rash or precipitate. 
Though wealthy, he has never been charged with covetousness. His 
habits are as simple and unassuming as when he had nothing. He does 
not accumulate millions from inordinate love of gain. It is an inspi- 
ration that impels him to master any undertaking worthy of his engage- 
ment in it, and in later years has been more of a pastime than the impulse 
of acquisitiveness. His record is of his own making. "He coins 
fortune like a magician, and spends it like a man of heart." No man 
has been heard to say, '" I made him," a conceit often coarsely ventilated 
in public when the lights of politics and finance are under discussion 
between drinks. He is distinctly and pre-eminently the author of his 
own destiny, a fact at once patent and incontestible. It is extraordinary 
that he should have achieved so much with so little of public criticism. 
" Wealth too often breeds avarice and suspicion," envy, jealousy and all 
uncharitableness. 

Though widely popular, he has become so without artifice or effort. 
He does nothing for effect. The influence it may have upon the public 
mind or upon the press is never considered, for he is never on "dress 
parade." While he has given great sums to charity, no brass bands or 
reporters have been summoned to proclaim the beneficence. There are 
no " sandwiches of two blessings with a curse hidden between them." Al- 
though well advanced, unless he shall " fade suddenly from the ranks of 
men," his career is yet far from its zenith. He is only fifty-one at this 
writing, and his robust physique indicates many years of reserx'e power. 
When we consider the place from which he started, and the height to 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 177 

which he has risen, we find both a lesson and an example for the growing 
generation of young men. In drawing the portraiture it may be said 
that the blemishes, the little scars and weaknesses which are a part of every 
human life have been omitted. It is the business of the prudent artist 
to leave them out. He may do so, and yet produce a faithful likeness. 
Had Mr. Moffat been so unwise as to enter the slimy pool of politics, it 
would have been the province of the opposition to throw calcium lights 
upon them, to multiply, exaggerate and manufacture a new character for 
him, such a portrait as might be held up to public detestation, a distorted 
abortion, a hideous caricature in which there is neither truth nor decency. 
That which is here defined is an epitome simply of the estimation in 
which he is held by a very large majority of his fellow beings. It is the 
judgment of the people as they have weighed and determined. It is not 
a romance, there is not a shade of heroism in it, j'et it is the magnificent 
record of a boy who made up his mind to succeed by the conscientious 
expenditure of the qualities within him upon honorable purposes 
which while it has rendered him illustrious, has neither cheated noi 
v/ronged others. 

The first assistant cashier of the First National, was a bright and 
capable young man named George W. Wells. He died in April, 1874, 
and was succeeded by 

George W. Kassler. This estimable gentleman, one of the noblest 
of the guild, was born September 12th, 1836, in Canajoharie, New York, 
one of the old Dutch towns on the West Shore Railroad ; was educated 
in the public schools, and at the age of eleven became a clerk in a store; 
at fifteen he went to Cooperstown, and there served a year in a like 
capacity ; subsequently entered the postoffice in that town, remaining 
until 1857, when he came west to Omaha, taking a position in the 
banking house of L. R. Tuttle and A. U. Wyman, both of whom were 
afterward treasurers of the United States at Washington. It was here 
that the acquaintance and lasting friendship between himself and Mr. 
Moffat began, an attachment deep seated and devoted, that has endured 
all the tests of time and intimate personal contact, and here that he 



ITS HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

became familiar witli the profession to which his maturer years were 
given. Earl)- in iS6o he came to Denver, arriving in April, and imme- 
diately entered the bank of Turner & Hobbs as cashier. The hrni 
continued in business but a little time after the outbreak of our civil war, 
when they closed the house and returned East to look after their affairs 
there. Mr. Kassler was then offered, and accepted the position of 
accountant and general assistant to Major John S. Fillmore, paymaster 
in the United States Army for this department, and was frequently 
employed in paying off troops. In 1862 he was appointed assistant 
cashier of the United States branch mint in this city. Two years later 
he resigned and opened a book and stationery house on Blake street, to 
which was added fire insurance. After the death of Mr. Wells in 1S74, 
he became assistant cashier of the First National Bank. When Mr. 
Moffat was elected to the presidency in 1880, after the retirement of 
Mr. Chaffee, Kassler was chosen cashier, a post for which he was admi- 
rably fitted. No bank or other depository of public trusts ever possessed 
a more faithful or self-sacrificing officer. In general characteristics he 
closely resembled the late Wm. B. Berger of the Colorado National, 
rigidly upright, unremittingly industrious, affable to all, universally 
beloved. When in iS/Q-'So his chief began to interest himself in 
mining and other vast projects that frequently called him from the cit^■, 
the entire charge of the bank fell to Mr. Kassler. He was elected cit\- 
treasurer in 1873, but retired at the close of his term. The long con- 
tinued strain at length so undermined his health as to compel surrender 
and retirement. When the Merchants' National was consolidated with 
the First, the long sought opportunity was afforded. Thus the bank 
lost one of its noblest servants, whose life is one of the brightest and 
best examples of unselfish duty of which we have any record. Mr. 
Kassler, by the fortunate investment of his savings in real estate and 
other valuable securities, realized a comfortable fortune. He was an 
earnest admirer of our public schools, was for many years a member of 
the Board of Education for School District No. i, and aided to the 
extent of hi ; ability their rapid progression to the proud position they 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 179 

have attained. After a long- illness, he departed this lite Sunday 
morning, July 20th, 1890. 

Samuel N. Wood was born hear the village of Jordan, Western 
New York, in May, 1844; was educated in the public schools, and at 
an early age entered the great drygoods house of Price & Wheeler in 
the city of Syracuse. At the age of twenty so great was the confidence 
of the firm in his capabilities for business, he was appointed cashier 
and intrusted with the care of its funds. He was quick, active and 
alert, evincing somewhat remarkable qualities for accuracy and swiftness 
in the dispatch of whatever he had to do. Two years afterward he 
removed to Madison, Wisconsin, and was appointed teller in the First 
National Bank of that city, where he remained three years. In 1870 
he came to Denver, with the view of making this city his permanent 
abiding place, and as a beginning was elected assistant cashier of 
the Colorado National, discharging its duties until 1877, when he 
went to the then recently established mining town of Deadwood, 
Dakota, as resident partner of the firm of Stebbins, Wood & Post, 
whose extensive interests he managed with marked success for a single 
year and then organized the First National Bank at that place, 
becoming its cashier and manager. In 1881 he returned to Denver 
and organized the Merchants' National, with the following directors: 
Henry R. Wolcott, A. W. Waters, D. C. Dodge, William M. Bliss, 
and S. N. W^ood. Mr. Wolcott was elected president, and Mr. Wood 
cashier. This bank was consolidated with the First National at the 
beginning of 1882, when he became cashier by the resignation of 
Mr. Kassler, a position he has continuously occupied to the present 
date. He is recognized as one of the most accomplished men in his 
profession. 

George E. Ross-Lewen, present assistant cashier, was born in 
Rochester, New York, March 28th, 1857; educated in the common 
schools; began his apprenticeship in a bank in 1875 ; came to Colorado 
June 19th, 1881, and has been with the First National up to date; was 
elected to his present position May ist, 1886. 



180 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 



CHAPTER VOL 

The COLORADO national — the kountze brothers and their antecedents — wm. 

B. BERGER THE CITY, UNION AND GERMAN NATIONAL BANKS AND THEIR OFFI- 
CERS — THE FAMOUS FORGER SHERIDAN ALIAS STUART, AND HIS MARVELOUS 
CAREER. 

The Colorado National Bank was organized in August, 1866, by 
the Kountze Brothers. Its first officers were, Luther Kountze, pres- 
ident, Joseph Goodspeed vice-president, and Charles B. Kountze 
cashier. The history of this enterprise, first in the amount of capital it 
now commands and in the extent of its vital force by reason of its con- 
nections, though second in the order of its inception, contains elements 
that entitle it to something more than mere incidental reference. 

It was the second of five private banks founded by four brothers, — 
Augustus, Herman, Luther and Charles, whose capabilities for the 
acquisition of fortune, its concentration under their joint control, and 
the measures adopted for its retention in the family undivided and 
unimpaired, are not infrequently suggested as in some degree a counter- 
part to the early beginnings of the renowned Rothschilds, and who 
seem ciestined to achieve something at least of the fame on this con- 
tinent that is accorded to those imperial financiers in Europe. 

The record of their embarkation in life, and the magnitude of their 
accumulations, is an interesting illustration of what has been accom- 
plished through the wise admonitions of a noble father, who taught 
"equally by example and in word," the soundest maxims of morals and 
of trade, and personally enforced the acceptance and practice of the 
system which he had impressed upon their plastic minds as essential 
pre-requisites to the attainment of the highest aims. 





/^^^^-^^tX::::!!? 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 181 

Christian Kountze was a native of Saxony, now a part of the 
German Empire, but when he left it, while yet a young man, an inde- 
pendent principalit)-. He was an earnest and consistent Lutheran, as 
his ancestors had been before him, from the establishment of the 
Reformation in 1524. He was a plain, but eminently practical man, 
profoundly learned withal, a deeply cultured student of mankind, of 
ancient and modern history, of the arts and sciences, and the various 
schools of philosophy; credited with the most exalted character, whose 
word once passed, or whose pledge given, was adhered to with resolute 
fidelity, whatever the sacrifice involved. He had a genuine love for 
goodness, for purity of mind and heart, and his life was a signal man- 
ifestation of these virtues. He was admired, loved and revered by his 
fellow men for the grand qualities of his nature, his integrity, unvarying 
kindness, candor and truthfulness. Such is the testimony that has 
come down to us from those who knew him. 

Although not himself a seeker after riches, he imparted to his sons 
as the governing aim of his declining years, cultivation in the axiom-s 
which he had fully mastered, that prepared them to grapple with the 
higher problems of existence and enabled them to gain the enviable 
prestige they now enjoy. Twelve children were born to him, sev^en boys 
and five daughters. Two of the males died in infancy, another — Wil- 
liam, emigrated to Nebraska and at the age of twenty died there. He 
owned a country store in the little town of Osnaburg, Eastern Ohio. 
The surviving sons were given substantial education, the best afforded 
by the public schools, supplemented by personal tuition. At the age of 
sixteen, Augustus and Herman were taken into partnership, and under 
his watchful guidance were held responsible for the proper conduct of 
the trade. When each had thus been fitted for a wider sphere of action, 
he took his share of the profits for his capital, not a large sum, and went 
into the world to carve out an inheritance for himself. They were 
enjoined to be honest and truthful, to keep every engagement to the 
letter; to buy and sell and manage upon the principles he had incul- 
cated ; to exact every dollar due to them, and pay every dollar due from 



182 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

them ; to be upright in all things, temperate and religiously moral ; to 
preserve their names and his untainted, to win esteem and confidence by 
faithful observance of these aphorisms. They determined among them- 
selves that their business transactions should be established and con- 
ducted in the name of the Kountze Brothers, and when all were perma- 
nently located, to share and share alike in the profits acquired. 

Augustus first proceeded to Iowa, in 1855, but not discovering 
suitable opportunities there, he continued on to Omaha, then a small 
village at the eastern border of the "American Desert," now filled with 
glorified cities and towns, where he opened a small banking or loan 
office, which, with the passing years, has developed into the first and 
strongest national bank in Nebraska. When Herman had finished his- 
course of instruction under the parental eye, he joined his elder brother, 
mastered the intricacies of banking, and on the attainment of his ma- 
jority was made a partner. Luther did not enter the store, but at the 
age of sixteen united with Augustus and Herman at Omaha, serving an 
apprenticeship with them; and in 1862 he came to Denver, and in one 
corner of Walter S. Cheesman's drugstore,* on Blake street, opened the 
second banking house of Kountze Brothers, where he purchased gold, 
received deposits, drew drafts on Omaha, discounted commercial paper, 
loaned money, etc., etc. After the conflagration of April 19th, 1863, 
which destroyed the drugstore, he procured similar quarters in the mer- 
cantile house of Tootle & Leach, and there remained, enlarging the 
scope of his dealings until the completion of a two story brick building 
erected by the firm at the corner of Holladay and Fifteenth streets, 
where all the details of legitimate banking were thenceforward carried 
on. He was elected treasurer of the city in 1865, and served one year. 

At the age of sixteen, Charles B., the youngest of the quartette, 
began his primary course as a partner in his father's store, as Augustus 
and Herman had done, and proved no less apt a pupil. The next )-ear 
he was dispatched to Philadelphia to select, purchase and ship to his 
native town an assorted stock of merchandise, the first and most trying, 

* Erroneously stated in Vol. I, page 397. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 183 

yet one of the most salutary lessons of his life. His mission having been 
accomplished he returned home, and when the consignments arrived, 
marked and exposed them for sale. In 1S64, when only nineteen, he 
joined Luther in Denver, and here began his career in the new and 
strange domain of banking that was to be his permanent vocation. In 
1866 he became a partner in all the banking business of the firm, and 
aided in organizing the Colorado National, and the Rocky Mountain 
National at Central City. In that year Luther went to Europe, traveled 
over the continent for twelve months, returned to Denver, and after a 
short time here went to 'New York, where in 1868 he founded upon 
Wall street, one of the mightiest arteries of commerce on the globe, 
the third great house of Kountze Brothers, a venture that has withstood 
all revulsions unshaken, breasting every tempest of the intervening years 
without a quiver of weakness, and has become one of the financial bul- 
warks of that city. 

From 1 866, Charles B., a mere youth, scarcely old enough to vote, 
assumed general charge of the two banks in Colorado. In 1867 a branch 
of the Omaha house was established at Cheyenne, managed by Augustus 
and Herman. Charles was regularly elected to and retained the ofiice 
of cashier until 1S71, when he was made president, and Wm. B. Berger 
cashier. Therefore, at the age of forty-six (present writing) he is the 
controlling power of the Colorado National, an equal sharer in the First 
National at Omaha and that of Kountze Brothers in New York, the 
branches at Central City and Cheyenne, having been disposed of to other 
parties. He has acquired in the name of the firm, immense landed inter- 
ests in Colorado, Nebraska and Texas ; indeed, there is scarcely a Western 
State or Territory in which they have not large possessions ; was treas- 
urer of the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth Railway, and a member of its 
directorate, and is one of the principal owners of the Globe Smelting 
Works near Denver. He was heavil)' interested in the construction of 
the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railway, from the sale of whicli to 
the Union Pacific in 1879, he derived material benefits; owns the most 
beautiful residence in the city, and a large amount of extremely valuable 



184 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

real estate therein. He has witnessed the accretion of deposits in his 
bank from $189,101.96 in 1S66, to a total of $3,600,000 in 1890, and the 
development of the city from a village of less than 4,000 souls to one 
of 126,000. He was its treasurer from 1868 to 1871, inclusive. The 
deposits of the three banks of the Kountze Brothers now aggregate 
nearly fifteen millions of dollars. 

That the subjects of this rapid sketch have achieved enviable 
success, each upon the line he has chosen and marked out for himself, 
and have acquired great possessions by the observance of the maxims 
in which they were, so to speak matriculated, is well known, and they 
take infinite satisfaction in ascribing all they have gathered of the 
flowers of fortune to the advice and disciplinary training of the father, 
whose memory they cherish in fathomless love and veneration. In less 
than ten years after Charles B. assumed charge of the Denver bank, 
and Luther that in New York, the firm became so firmly entrenched in 
public esteem as to render it impregnable against all the assaults of 
adverse tides. I know of no better examples for the rising generation 
of boys to consider, and for their parents to emulate, than is here briefly 
epitomized. While the Kountze Brothers might have won equally 
gratifying prestige without the early education they received is 
probable, for others have made their names illustrious without such 
instruction by the sheer force of inherent qualities, but who, notwith- 
standing, will deny the value of such scholarship? 

William B. Berger, late cashier of the Colorado National, who 
bore a material part in its later triumphs, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., 
May 31st, 1839; was educated in the common schools, and at the age 
of thirteen entered a mercantile house in that city as a clerk, 
remaining there three years. While there he contracted the irritating 
and extremely distressing disease of asthma, which rapidly grew into a 
chronic affection, causing him great suffering and finally impelled him 
to seek relief in the town of Marquette on the border of Lake Superior, 
where, finding improvement, he remained several years, employing the 
time in clerical work in \-arious public ofifices. When twenty-one he 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 185 

went to Europe and in Carlsruhe, Germany, and subsequently in Nancy, 
France, he studied and acquired a knowledge of the German and 
French languages, and at the same time recuperated his health. A 
year later he returned to his nati\-e land, and again settled in the 
Lake Superior region. At the outbreak of our civil war, inspired by 
ardent love for the Union and its cause, he enlisted, but was rejected 
by the medical examiners on account of his asthmatic tendencies, which 
they knew would incapacitate him for active service. 

Shortly afterward he became interested with his father in the iron 
manufacturing trade at Newcastle, Pennsylvania, but as the condition 
of his health forbade his locating in that climate, he assumed the duties 
of commercial traveler for the firm, and in this capacit\' visited every 
State, and every important city and town in the North and West. 
Possessing superior talents for commercial affairs, he soon laid the lines 
of a very large traffic, but the malady that had afflicted all his years 
still clung to him, and while there were intervals of immunit)' from its 
tortures, it could not be sul^dued in the lower altitudes, therefore in 
1867 he sought the less humid atmosphere of the Rock)' Mountains, 
stopping temporaril}- at Che)-enne, \V)'oming, where he secured a 
clerical position in the bank of Kountze Brothers. Two years later he 
moved on to Denver, where his tormentor was in time effectually 
subdued. Having decided to adopt the pursuit of banking, he was 
offered and accepted the duties of collection clerk in the Colorado 
National, whence he rose step by step through the several grades to 
that of cashier in 1S71. Me purchased stock in the bank, and thence- 
forward assumed an important part in its management. No man was 
more highly esteemed, no one bore his honors and the wealth that 
came to him in due course, more modestly. Quiet, reticent and 
zealoush' industrious, a master of detail, firm and unyielding when the 
interests of the institution required it, he came to be respected as much 
for his method of doing business as for his kindly disposition and the 
geniality of his manners in social intercourse. The few who were 
fortunate enough to reach his heart, found him gentle, charitable and 



186 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

sympathetic, an excellent conversationalist, well informed, broad and 
generous in his views, progressive and public spirited. He was one of 
the founders, and larger stockholders in the mercantile house of 
Struby, Estabrook & Co.; a considerable stockholder and a director in 
the Globe Smelting Company, one of the largest concerns of its class in 
the country ; was for sixteen years treasurer of Denver School District, 
No. I, and always unselfishly devoted to the advancement of education; 
was a stockholder in the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth Railway, and 
for a time its treasurer. He never aspired to or held a political office. 
Mr. Kountze, who knew him more intimately and valued him more 
highly than any one except his family, says of him, — "He was uniformly 
kind and pleasant, possessing wonderful self-control, unusual sagacity 
and foresight in business, fine administrative ability, and was ever ready- 
to assist worthy applicants for aid, never passionate or ill-tempered, 
honest, candid and manly." 

About the ist of March, 1890, realizing the need of a short 
vacation, he visited the Pacific Coast, and on the loth of April following, 
while playing with his children on the beach at Montere)', the pulsations 
of his heart suddenly ceased, he fell, and in a few moments expired. 
The remains were brought to Denver, and followed to Riverside cem- 
etery by a very large concourse of sincere mourners, representing the 
city at large. 

Afr. Berger's connection with the Colorado National formed an 
essential feature of its prominence. The great enterprises with which 
his capital and influence were associated are conspicuous factors in the 
growth of the city. The schools in which our citizens take exalted 
pride, because of their excellence, have been benefited by his counsel. 
To his family he left the splendid legacy of an untarnished name, and a 
substantial fortune. He was an honest, forceful and good man in the 
fullest measure of the expression. His life was a revelation of upright- 
ness, of unfaltering fidelity to the trusts confided to his care. What 
prouder monument can be erected to his memory, even though it were 
made of gold incrusted with precious stones ? 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 187 

Mr. Thomas H. Woodleton, for many years assistant cashier, was 
chosen his successor, and the two sons of Mr. Berger, Charles B., aged 24, 
a graduate of Yale College, made assistant, and George B., aged 21, 
second assistant. They have exhibited marked aptitude for the business 
and bid fair to perpetuate the fame of their distinguished parent. 
Since the foregoing was written, ill health compelled the retirement of 
Mr. Woodleton, when Mr, Charles Berger became his successor as 
cashier by election. 

The City National. One of the originators of this bank, the third of 
the series to be considered, was Mr. Frank Palmer, a pioneer of the 
early gold mining epoch, when everything was new and strange, Denver 
but a small collection of rude cabins, bearing the appearance of a tented 
held, rather than a fixed settlement. He was a native of New York, 
born December 9th. 1S32; educated in the common schools. At the 
age of nineteen he joined the surging tide of emigration to California, 
where he took up the hard and but too often precarious search for 
gold in the placers and gravel beds, which he prosecuted with indifferent 
success during three years, when he returned to the ".States," locating in 
Des Moines, Iowa, and engaged in the purchase and sale of real estate. 
His next change of residence was to the young settlement of Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, just at the beginning of the boisterous rush to Pike's 
Peak, which prompted him to join it. Having a small capital on his 
arrival in Denver, he opened an office and began buying gold. In 1861 
he was joined by Warren Hussey, who subsequently became one of the 
most active business men of the city, when the firm of Warren 
Hussey & Co., bankers, was founded, and a branch established at 
Central City, of which Mr. Hussey assumed personal charge. For a 
time both were conducted as purchasing agencies, but developed into 
legitimate banking as their means augmented and facilities for exchange 
were supplied. The record of these houses was much the same as 
those already described. Palmer was elected city treasurer in 1867, 
serving one year. In 1S63 Mr. Joseph A. Thatcher took the manage- 
ment of the Central City branch. Both he and Palmer being cautious, 



188 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

conservative and prudent men, they made money rapidly, while Hussey, 
being somewhat inclined to speculation, engaged in real estate, mining 
and other ventures. 

Palmer, more especially, threw his whole mind and strength into 
the enterprise, and ultimately destroyed his mental and physical powers 
by overwork. He was one of tiie most genial, companionable and 
popular of the young men of his day. He was made a partner, in 1865. 
Hussey went to Salt Lake Cit)-, and in that hotbed of murderous Mor- 
monism, dominated by Brigham Young, "Prophet and Revelator of the 
Church of Latter Day Saints," obtained permission to establish a bank. 
During the construction of the L^nion Pacific Railway through LJtah, he 
handled its business. 

Warren Hussey was born on a farm near Terre Haute, Indiana, in 
1835 ; educated in a country school. At the age of seventeen he obtained 
a clerkship in a drugstore at Terre Haute, where he remained two years, 
then went to Leavenworth, Kansas, and joined one of Russell, Majors 
& WaddelPs supply trains bound for Salt Lake City, with stores for 
General Joseph Johnston's army, but left it at Fort Kearney and went to 
Des Moines, Iowa, where he took a clerkship in the drugstore of Dr. 
Alexander Shaw (now a resident of Denver). This occurred in 1S55; 
remained one year and then entered the private bank of B. F. Allen 
(the same for whom D. H. Moffat was cashier in Omaha), where his 
primary lessons in banking were taken; came to Denver in 1S61 ; 
opened an office for the purchase of gold, in a corner of Wm. Graham's 
drugstore on Blake and I'ifteenth streets; January ist, 1S63, removed 
to Ford Brothers' store, corner of Holladay and Fifteenth; opened a 
branch in Central City in the summer of 1863. In 1S65 he went to Salt 
Lake City and established a branch there. At this time Frank Palmer 
became a partner, remaining only two years, however, when he sold his 
interest to Husse}'. Before and after the years named, he was Hussey's 
manager. 

He was a man of very genial and attractive manners, great nervous 
energy, enthusiastic and sanguine, disposed to push the development of 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 189 

the country, ready and earnest in cooperating with every effort to estab- 
Hsh schools, churches and other pubHc institutions, engaged quite 
extensively in mining on Quartz Hill, Gilpin County, made money 
rapidly, and spent it lavishly. The crash of 1873 closed his bank in 
Salt Lake. At this writing he is cashier of the Spokane National Bank 
at Spokane Falls, Washington. 

The Denver house flourished and prospered under Palmer's prudent 
management, and in 1872 was chartered as a national by the Comptroller 
of the Treasury. Its capital was $100,000, and opened its doors to the 
public June loth. The first directors were Henry Crow, Frank Palmer, 
J. Sidney Brown, John R. Hanna and William Barth. Officers, Henry 
Crow, president; Frank Palmer, vice-president, and John R. Hanna, 
cashier. Soon afterward Palmer had become so weakened by excessive 
application, he was compelled to yield and retire to private life. He 
traveled for a time, but without material benefit. The seeds of decay 
had undermined his constitution, and he wasted gradually until December 
3d, 1877, when he passed away at his home in Herkimer, New York, in 
his 45th year. 

Henry Crow was born in Wisconsin, and at an early ^ge went to 
Chatham, Canada, remaining there until he was eighteen, then returned 
to the "States" and attended school at Princeton, Illinois, for three 
years; subsequently embarked in the drj'goods trade at Marietta, Iowa; 
in 1859 emigrated to the Rocky Mountains, and began mining in Gilpin 
County. In the spring of i860 he returned East and brought his 
family. The fickle goddess did not smile upon his endeavors until 1865, 
when he became interested in the Terrible mines at Georgetown, Clear 
Creek County, then at the beginning of a marvelous prosperity induced 
by the discovery of valuable silver mines, which for two or three years 
following made it the principal center of activity. Soon after the pur- 
chase of the mines in question, he persuaded Mr. F". A. Clark to join 
him, and they together developed these holdings into properties of great 
value. In 1870 they were sold to an English syndicate or company in 
London for $500,000, after which both Crow and Clark erected homes 



190 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

in Denver, and the block on ?^Iarket street Avhich still bears their names. 
In 1876 Mr. Crow resigned the presidency of the bank, and was suc- 
ceeded by \Vm. Barth, since which time he has been engaged in mining. 
William Barth was born at Dietz, Nassau, Germany, December 8th, 
1829, emigrated to America in 1S50, landing in the city of New Orleans. 
Having learned the shoemaker's trade in the fatherland, he soon found 
employment which he sorely needed, as he was well nigh penniless. The 
climate disagreeing with him, failing health obliged him to seek a 
Northern State, and he settled temporarily in the town of Belleville, 
Illinois. A year later he located in Glasgow, Missouri, and afterward 
at Platteville, in the same State, when in connection with his brother 
Moritz, Avho had preceded him to this country, they engaged in the man- 
ufacture of boots and shoes. When the war broke out, the brothers 
instantly espoused the Union cause, which rendered them offensive to 
the prevailing sentiment in Missouri. Finding that they could no longer 
reside there in peace and safety, on the 2d of June, 1861, they crossed 
the plains, and made their way to California Gulch, but remained there 
only a few months. Thereafter until 1862 they manufactured boots in 
St. Louis for the Colorado trade. In the year last named they came 
again to the mountains. William settled in Fairplay, and Moritz in 
Montgomery, at the very head of the South Park. In May, 1863, they 
opened a shop in Denver and resumed their profession. Being indus- 
trious and economical, they built up a profitable trade. For many years 
they conducted a large store on Fifteenth street, between Holladay and 
Blake. As their means augmented they purchased real estate, from 
which in after years they realized handsome fortunes. When the City 
National was organized, William became one of its principal stock- 
holders, and was also one of the large holders of stock in the Bank of 
San Juan, at Del Norte, and in two others established, one at Alamosa 
and the other at Durango. He was one of the moving spirits in the 
Denver & South Park Railway, and in some other notable enterprises. 
The Barth Brothers are among the wealthier citizens of the city and 
State. 





^>W(V\Kt- '^ ^\^jLM./wt-. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 191 

John R. Hanna was born at Cadiz, Ohio, October 17th, 1836; took 
a primar)' course in the public schools, which was supplemented b)' a 
course of studj- in Franklin College at New Athens, in the same State ; 
at the age of eighteen removed to Mercer, Pennsylvania, and there 
entered a bank, remaining until October, 1869, when the impairment of 
his health brought him to Colorado. After a year spent in outdoor 
exercise on a ranch near the metropolis, having regained his wonted 
strength and vigor, he came to this city and aided in the organization 
of the City National, of which he was elected a director and cashier, 
which positions he still retains. He is credited with being one of the 
most conservative bankers in the city, careful, strictly attentive to 
business, easy, good-tem.pered and affable, strong with its patrons, and 
enjoying the confidence of all his associates. He is an ardent supporter 
of education, of religion and good morals, clear headed, quiet, unas- 
suming and effective, having no ambition to make a noise in the world, 
but to execute every duty in justice, to advance the worthy causes with 
which he may be connected, with scrupulous regard to the benefits to 
accrue to his fellow beings. He is thoroughly devoted to the up- 
building of all educational institutions, to works of charity and the 
amelioration of the poor and distressed, but it is done so unostenta- 
tiously as to escape public notice. The bank of which he is the 
manager finds in him a man of sedulous industry, of large and valuable 
experience, a safe counselor, one who makes no serious mistakes, 
because of his ability to see all sides, and to reach the depth of every 
question requiring prompt and proper decision. 

Union Bank, Incorporated under the laws of the Territory, was 
organized in May, 1874, with the title of "The Denver Safe-Deposit & 
Savings' Bank," by General John Pierce, who became president, Daniel 
Witter treasurer, and William D. Todd secretary and cashier. Its 
authorized capital was $60,000, of which fifty per cent, was paid. It 
opened for business in July, 1874. At that time no city in the Union 
having no greater population than ours possessed among its fixed insti- 
tutions a well built safe deposit vault for public uses. 



192 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

The office was opened in Dr. \V. F. McClelland's building at the 
southeast corner of Fifteenth and Lawrence streets. The officers and 
stockholders remained unchanged excepting Mr. Witter, who in 1S77 
was succeeded by D. H. Moffat, Jr., and he by Samuel S. Landon. In 
1 88 1 the owners, in connection with P. Gottesleben, John J. Reithmann, 
and the proprietors of the "Denver Daily Republican," purchased the 
southwest corner of .Sixteenth and Arapahoe streets, for $50,000, each 
owning parts thereof, and conjointly erected a fine lava stone building 
thereon, to which the bank was removed August 26th, 18S2. Simul- 
taneously with this change of quarters, the stockholders increased the 
capital to $100,000 and entered upon a general banking business, dis- 
pensing with the savings department. The new organization com- 
prised John Pierce president, Cyrus W. F"isher vice-president, S. S. 
Landon treasurer, \V. D. Todd cashier, and Charles R. Pierce assistant 
cashier. J. V. Dexter, R. W. Woodbury, M. Spangler and George 
W. Currier were among the stockholders. A much larger safe deposit 
vault was constructed in the basement, and well patronized. In the 
autumn of 18S6 R. W. Woodbury purchased a controlling interest in 
the bank; and January ist, 1887, was elected president and became in 
fact its manager and directing head ; M. Spangler was made vice- 
president, \\'. D. Todd cashier, and R. C. Lockwood assistant cashier. 
During the same year the building and safe deposit were sold to Mr. 
Dexter who organized the Union .Safe Deposit & Trust Company, with 
a capital of $50,000, and it has ever since been conducted under the 
management then instituted. When Mr. Woodbury assumed charge, 
the deposits were about $250,000. At the beginning of 1890 they had 
increased to $1,250,000. In the summer of 1889 the interior of the 
bank was entirely remodeled and refitted at an expense of $12,000, and 
is now one of the most attractive in the city. Mr. Woodbury being an 
enthusiastic and thoroughly patriotic promoter of the progress of our 
city and State, discovering the National Banking Association to be 
uncompromisingly antagonistic to the use of silver as money, thereby 
constantly depreciating the value of that metal, the production of which 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 193 

forms one of the leading industries of the Western country, promptly 
withdrew from the association, giving his reasons therefor, and 
vehemently denouncing a polic\- that could lead only to disastrous 
results upon the nation at large. Mr. Woodbury held and proclaimed 
that the bank in his charge could not consistently retain its membership 
in the National Association in its attitude of persistent action against 
one of the higher interests of the State. 

In i8S8 the stockholders, to still further establish the confidence of 
the public in the onl)- State bank of its magnitude in the city, sub- 
scribed sufificient funds to augment its surplus to $100,000, thereby 
increasing its cash capital to $200,000, in recognition of the importance 
of having a large surplus in case of financial revulsions, events that 
sooner or later befall every city. Instead of waiting for the accumu- 
lation of profits to effect that result, it was at once supplied from their 
own funds. June 17th, 1890, a charter was obtained, and the Union 
National Bank of Denver organized, with an authorized capital of 
$1,000,000. The entire capital stock was taken in less than one week 
after the books were o.pened for subscriptions. The change of 
character and the large augmentation of capital was impelled bv the 
realization of its officers that it must be kept abreast of the great pro- 
gressive movement of the city and State. 

General John Pierce, president and manager from the date of its 
organization as above set forth, until December, 1887, was born in 
Harwinton, Connecticut, May loth, 1829; educated at the Western 
Reserve College, in Hudson, Ohio (his father Rev. George E. Pierce 
D. D., being its president), was graduated in the class of 1850; entered 
the engineering department of Harx'ard College and also received 
private instruction in the sciences from the famous master. Professor 
Louis Agassiz. In the spring of 185 1 he accepted a position with a 
corps of engineers that made the first survey of the Hoosac Tunnel. 
Some time later he was engaged in surveying the line of the Lake Shore 
Railroad, remaining two years. During the succeeding six years was 
employed in surveying various great railway lines, the Wabash, Cleve- 



194 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

land, Medina and Tuscarawas and others. In 1856 and for four jears 
thereafter, was engaged in the kimber trade. Came to Denver in 1S61, 
and by virtue of his knowledge and skill, was employed upon the public 
surveys of Colorado Territory, continuing the same until the spring of 
1863, when, without application or solicitation on his part, he was b)- 
President Lincoln appointed Surveyor General of Colorado and Utah. 
He accepted the commission and served four years. He then became 
prominently identified with the general movement for the construction 
of the Denver Pacific Railway, the annals of which appear in our first 
volume. In 1S73 he was elected president of the Denver & Boulder 
Valley Railway Company. In 1876 was appointed assistant commissioner 
for the selection of lands donated to the State of Colorado by the terms 
of our Enabling Act. In 1874 he was made chief engineer of the 
Denver Water Company, and under his direction the basis of its present 
extensive system was built. For several years he was a director in the 
First National Bank. Was appointed fish commissioner for Colorado 
by Governor B. H. Eaton and during his term established the excellent 
system now employed in that department of our .State institutions. 
General Pierce is tall, statel)- and veneral)lc, in appearance rather in ad- 
vance of his years. He is one of the most experienced engineers in the 
State, a man of broad enlightenment, an extensive reader and a superior 
conversationalist. Since his retirement from the bank he has devoted 
his time to private interests, enjoying the competence he has gained. 

William D. Todd, born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 14th, 1846; ] 
parents removed to Greensburg, that State, where soon after the father 
died. William went to Washington, D. C, and obtained the basis of his 
education in the common schools of that city. In 1857, at the age of 
eleven, was appointed page in the National House of Representatives. 
When Schuyler Colfax was chosen speaker in December, 1863, young 
Todd was made his clerk, and later confidential secretary, continuing in 
that capacity in the House, and in the Senate over which Mr. Colfax 
presided as vice-president, until the close of his official life in 1873. In 
the meantime, instead of wastiuLT his interxals from dut\' in frivolous 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 195 

pleasures, after the manner of most bo\-s of his years, he employed them 
in an earnest course of instruction, the completion of the initial lessons 
of earlier years, including the study of law. In 1S63 he had made such 
advancement as to entitle him to enter Columbia College Law School, 
from which he graduated in June, 1867. During congressional vacations 
he practiced law in Pennsylvania, and in 1872 was admitted to practice 
before the Supreme Court of the LInited States. In 1868 his first visit 
to Colorado was made, in company with Mr. Colfax, with whom he 
made a tour of the principal mountain resorts. May 8th, 1873, fixed 
his permanent residence here, entering the office of Daniel Witter as 
law partner, in business before the United States Land offices, which 
vocation he pursued until 1874, when he effectively aided in organizing 
the Denver .Safe Deposit and Savings Bank, of which he was made 
secretary and treasurer. 

Widely popular, and probabh' the most accomplished parliament- 
arian of the time through his extended experience in congress, he was 
elected to the lower branch of the State legislature in 1879, when on 
account of the accomplishments named he was solicited to be a candi- 
date for speaker, but declined ; nevertheless, during the sessions of that 
body he was more frequently than any other member called to preside 
over its deliberations in Committee of the Whole because of his skill in 
the rapid and accurate dispatch of business. In the senatorial canvass 
of that winter he took a leading part in the election of Hon. N. P. Hill 
to the Senate of the United .States. In the Republican State Con- 
vention held at Leadville in August, 1 880, he was somewhat strongly 
urged as a candidate for the office of Lieutenant Governor, but as Lake 
and adjacent counties, then in the height of their prosperity and polit- 
ical power, demanded the nomination of George B. Robinson, the latter 
was chosen. 

Mr. Todd served as secretary of School District No. i, East Denver, 
from May, 1876, to December, 1889, when he resigned, after thirteen 
years of close attention to the responsible duties of that important office. 
While connected with the Union Bank he was elected treasurer of a 



196 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

great number of societies and moneyed corporations, more perhaps than 
any other person in the State ; was cashier of the bank named, from its 
inception in 1874 to April, 1889, when he resigned to engage in partner- 
ship with Donald Fletcher in the purchase and sale of real estate. He 
was one of the founders of the State Historical and Natural History 
Society, of which he has been the treasurer to the present time ; has 
been an active member of the Masonic Order during the period of his 
residence here ; was advanced through the several grades to the com- 
manding position of Grand Master in 1889, and has been Grand 
Treasurer of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons and of the Grand 
Commandery Knights Templar, since 1876. In 1881 he negotiated in 
Chicago the sale of $100,000 worth of city bonds at five percent., up to 
that time the most successful transaction of the kind in the history of 
the State. 

Roger W. Woodbury, president and manager of the present Union 
National Bank, was born in Francestown, New Hampshire, March 3d, 
1 84 1. The first five years of his life were passed upon a farm. In 
1S46 his parents moved to the manufacturing city of Manchester, where 
he received a common school education, working in the cotton mills and 
attending school in alternate years. When quite a young man he 
learned the printer's trade. At the age of twenty, just after the first 
battle of Bull Run, he enlisted as a private in the Third New Hampshire 
Infantry, remaining in the service until the final surrender of the ^Confed- 
erate armies at Appomattox. He was successively promoted to second 
and first lieutenant, and then to the captaincy of his company ; took 
part in the expedition to Port Royal, South Carolina, and served in the 
department of the .South — including the capture of Morris Island in 
Charleston harbor and the demolition of Fort .Sumter, until the spring 
of 1S64; was subsequently transferred to Florida and thence to General 
B. F. Butler's Army of the James, participating in the series of great 
battles around Petersburg, Fort Darling and north of the James River 
near R.ichmond, during that year; was wound'^d by a spherical case ball 
at tlie famous "battle of the mine" in front of Petersburg; joined 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 197 

Butler's expedition to Fort Fisher at tlie mouth of Cape Fear River, and 
took part in the reduction of that formidable fortress. In the second 
expedition to that place he served as chief of ordnance with the rank 
of captain on the staf¥ of General Terry, which position he retained until 
the close of the war. On retiring from the army, August 2d, 1865, he 
entered the office of the "Mirror," at Manchester, as local reporter, con- 
tinuing until the spring of 1866, when he emigrated to Colorado. For 
some three months he "worked a rocker" in the gold bearing gulches 
of Summit County, then returned to the plains and began as a compos- 
itor on the Golden "Transcript," and later took a case on the Denver 
"Tribune," the history of which, and of his further career in journalism, 
appears elsewhere. 

Mr. Woodbury has neither aspired to nor held any public office, 
except that of Regent of the State University at Boulder, to which he 
was elected in 18S4. During the second administration of Governor 
F. W. Pitkin, he was appointed Brigadier General in the Colorado Na- 
tional Guard, and was assigned to duty on the Executive staff. For 
many years he took a conspicuous part in the affairs of the Masonic 
fraternity ; for twelve years as presiding officer, including the offices of 
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, Grand High Priest of the Grand 
Royal Arch Chapter, and Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery 
of Knights Templar. For many years he was chairman of the com- 
mittees on jurisprudence in all those bodies ; was made president of the 
Masonic Temple Association, and laid the financial foundation which 
eventuated in the beautiful Masonic Temple recently completed. 

As already stated in our chronicles of Denver journalism, until 
1882 his time and abilities were given to the successful management of 
his newspapers, the "Tribune" and the "Times." His rare gift for 
the management of' business affairs caused him to be elected president 
of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade, when that 
body came to be organized in the spring of 1884, a position to which he 
was thrice elected by the Board of Directors. His record there will be 
given in connection with the history of that large and influential body of 



198 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

leading- citizens. The Union Bank and its successor, the Union Na- 
tional, owe a very large share of their enviable prestige to his skill and 
discreet direction. 

The German National. This institution is an outgrowth of the 
"German Bank," organized under the laws of Colorado, March 3d, 
1874, at which time the stockholders met and elected the following 
directors : 

John J. Reithmann, C. F. Bartels, J. M. Eckhart, John Good, Con- 
rad Walbrach, Jos. L. Bailey, M. D. Clifford, George Tritch and Walter 
A. Stuart, who subsequently chose the following officers : 

President, John J. Reithmann ; vice-president, George Tritch ; 
cashier, C. F. A. Fischer. The capital was $100,000, and the bank 
opened May 4th in the Fink building near the corner of Fifteenth and 
Holladay streets. Something of remarkable romance attaches to this 
organization, and although out of the usual order, and originally designed 
for incorporation with our budget of interesting reminiscences, on re- 
flection, it has been made a part of the annals of banking. The history 
of the German bank would scarcely be complete without it. 

At the risk of being charged with precipitancy in producing the 
climax at the beginning instead of at the close of our narrative, it may 
be stated that Walter C. .Sheridan, alias Walter A. Stuart, whose name 
appears upon the records among the directors, of which the foregoing is. 
an abstract, was ultimately discovered to be one of the most noted bank 
robbers and forgers of the age. He came to Denver in 1873, bringing 
numerous letters of introduction to prominent citizens, and some letters 
of credit also, all of them his own forgeries. But this was not brought 
to light until long afterward, when a very full epitome of his crimes ap- 
peared through the various detective agencies that had been in pursuit 
of him. He was a man of rather striking personality, of elegant man- 
ners, charming address, evidently well endowed with all the accomplish- 
ments of good society, and for exerting marked influence upon men. 
His age at the period we are considering, was about thirty-eight, his 
height five feet seven or eight inches ; complexion light and fair, blue 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 199 

eyes, light hair, sandy beard and moustache, general deportment courtly 
and attractive. His alleged wife was pretty, stylish, and well calculated to 
• win her way in social circles. They had one child, a boy of rather ten- 
' >vdeF years, which may have been borrowed or adopted. Stuart's fortune, 
though not large, was assumed to be ample for his moderate needs. He 
purchased from Henry C. Brown a block of choice ground on Grant 
avenue, built a small but rather stj-lish house thereon, which he said was 
only for temporary use ; that he would soon surprise the people with 
another to cost $30,000 to $40,000, something unique in architecture 
and interior finish, when the original structure would be moved back and 
used as a porter's lodge. He rented a pew in one of the aristocratic 
churches, and became a regular attendant upon divine service. He was 
a man of magnificent schemes. To have an occupation and to conceal 
his real identity he built propagating houses, raised vegetables and, in 
their season, drove down town and personally sold them in open mar- 
ket. His neighbors observed that he rose early, worked diligently, and 
appeared to be a very earnest and useful citizen. He at no time 
attempted to apply any of his "professional" methods here. He bought 
stock in the German bank, was elected one of its directors, and took 
vigorous interest in its affairs. 

Now Theodore \V. Herr owned one-half of the then great Poca- 
hontas silver mine at Rosita, now a part of Custer County, and made 
the German bank his depository. Stuart observed that it was a large 
account, and that the mine was yielding heavily. He made the ac- 
quaintance of Mr. Herr, elicited much valuable information from him 
respecting the mine, and then proposed to start a bank at Rosita foi 
the better accommodation of the miners, and to this end accompanied 
Mr. Herr on his return to that place. There he met as if by accident, 
but really by preconcerted arrangement one James R. Boyd, a con 
federate, who represented himself to be a capitalist, making greaV 
displays of wealth in the forn? of bonds, cash, etc. He had a satchel 
full of them, wliich were ostentatiously exhibited. The two soon 
established a bank, fitted it up handsomel)-, and begai) business. fhey 



200 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

became familiar with the foreman of the mine, its yields, etc., and con- 
cocted a scheme for possessing themselves of it. By fraud and forct- 
they succeeded, a riot ensued, one man was killed, others badly injured. 
Herr obtained a writ of injunction restraining- them from shipping and 
selling the ores. They got all they could, refusing to pay their 
employes, and finally decamped with all the funds of the bank. 
Meanwhile, Stuart had disposed of all his interests in Denver. The 
next heard of him was from Kansas City where he endeavored to 
secure $10,000 on a certificate of deposit drawn by himself on the 
Rosita bank, but was disappointed. These events occurred in the 
autumn of 1875. 

In 1872 a select cabal of expert forgers and thieves of the higher 
class in London and New York, devised an ingenious plot for a colossal 
raid on the Bank of England by means of cleverly forged bonds and 
other securities. Walter Sheridan was the instigator and governing- 
head of this bold enterprise, and had associated with him Andrew J. 
Roberts, George Wilkes and Frank Gleason. Sheridan and one of his 
confederates crossed the Atlantic and met in London those with whom 
they were to cooperate there, but disliking their manners and methods 
they abandoned the scheme and returned to New York. The others 
subsequently executed the plot, were detected, arrested and imprisoned. 

After his arrival in New York this dauntless and skillful criminal 
formed a new combination ; had plates engraved by the best counter- 
feiters in the guild, producing exact fac-similes of the mortgage bonds 
of the New York Central, Buffalo & Erie, Chicago & Northwestern, 
and some other railway corporations, and issued them to the extent of 
two and a half millions, some of which were successfully placed on the 
market before their fraudulent character was discovered. Sheridan's 
confederates being less slippery than he, were captured and punished, 
but their leader effected his escape, changed his name to Stuart, and 
after a time appeared in Denver as a capitalist, gardener and general 
speculator. 

According to the chronicles of the period, he had been depredating 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 201 

upon other people's property from boyhood, indeed, had never followed 
any honest vocation, beginning as a horse thief, passing to that of 
general thief and confidence operator, and graduating as a robber of 
bank vaults. Having robbed a bank in Chicago he was captured and 
sent to Joliet for five years. At the expiration of his term, he with two 
confederates robbed the First National of Springfield, Illinois. He 
engaged and fully occupied the attention of the teller in front, while his 
accomplices slipped into the vault, seized and escaped with $35,000 in 
current funds. Out of this boot}' Sheridan secured $22,000. He was 
arrested, but having the means to employ a noted criminal lawyer was 
acquitted. Later he with one or two assistants stole $120,000 in 
bonds of the Maryland Fire Insurance Company; robbed a bank in 
Scranton, Pennsylvania, another in Cleveland, Ohio, and several others. 

To illustrate some of his methods, it may be stated that after per- 
fecting the bond forgeries just enumerated, he applied for and was 
admitted to membership in the New York Produce Exchange, under 
the name of Ralston ; fitted up an elegant office and became a vigorous 
broker in wheat and other speculative commodities. He adroitly 
secured a loan of $70,000 on the forged bonds, from the Guarantee & 
Indemnity Company by placing $102,000 of these false securities with 
them. A day or two later he managed to obtain $30,000 additional 
upon another bundle. The fraud soon became public, as anticipated, 
but as he was prepared at all points, the next outgoing steamer carried 
him to Europe. He was followed by detectives whom he eluded, and 
after amusing himself for some time in foreign lands, returned to the 
United States, finally locating in Denver. 

.After leaving Colorado, by the use of numerous disguises and the 
skillful obliteration of his tracks, he proceeded to New York City, where 
he was discovered by one of Pinkerton's detectives on Cortlandt street^ 
en route to Broadway. When arrested he exhibited great astonishment 
and indignation, declared himself to be a wealthy and influential citizen 
of Colorado, the president of a bank in Rosita, with large possessions in 
Denver, etc., etc. Nevertheless, he was tried for the bond forgeries, 



202 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

convicted and imprisoned. Soon after the expiration of his term he 
reappeared in Denver, December 13th, 1888, with a famous bank robber 
known to the poHce as "Horace Hovan," or "little Horace," who 
entered the cash vault of the People's Bank, on Arapahoe street in broad 
daylight, shod with noiseless felt shoes, but was detected and captured 
by the employes of the bank, just as he was leaving the vault empty 
handed. Sheridan remained outside, and on discovering that his accom- 
plice had failed, disappeared. Hovan was held in custody until the 20th, 
when he was released on straw bail by one of our astute justices of the 
peace, and he too passed out of sight. Sheridan, after committing 
several other robberies, the last in Montreal, Canada, was arrested and 
incarcerated. He died in the jail of that city in January, 1S90. 

The German Bank secured a charter for a National, with a paid up 
capital of $100,000, was organized in March, and commenced business In 
April, 1877. Its board of directors consisted of George Tritch, M. D. 
Clifford, John Good, J. M. Eckhart, Conrad Walbrach, Joseph L. Bailey, 
P. Gottesleben, John J. Reithmann and G. G. Symes. 

The following officers were elected : President, George Tritch ; 
vice-president, John Good; cashier, Job A. Cooper. 

The first quarterly statement rendered June 22d, 1S77, showed 
deposits, $168,704.13; loans and discounts, $197,233.31. At the be- 
ginning of 1890, the deposit account was $3,036,372.83; loans and 
discounts, $1,880,021.30. The present officers are ]. J. Reithmann, 
president; D. C. Dodge, vice-president; Chas. M. Clinton, cashier; 
Chas. Kunsemelleo, assistant cashier. 

John J. Reithmann was born in Lausanne, .Switzerland, November 
20th, 183S; ten years afterward he, with his parents, emigrated to 
America, locating at Indianapolis, Indiana, where John was educated In 
the public schools ; soon after was emplo)-ed in the " Bank of the Capitol." 
In the spring of 1858 the family moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and in 
the fall of that year he, in company with his brother, L. D. Reithmann 
and one companion, crossed the plains to the Rocky Mountains, reacliing 
the present site of Denver, October 20th. They built a cabin at or near 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 203 

the point where the Grant Smelting Worlcs are now situated, in which 
L. D. passed the following winter. It is claimed, and perhaps justly, 
that this was the first house built on the east side of Cherry Creek, 
though a long way from the original site of Denver. After remaining 
about two weeks, and having ascertained the results of Green Russell's 
various prospecting expeditions, John decided to return to the Missouri 
River, and took with him such letters as the few prospectors and settlers 
desired to send, and with them a small package of gold dust, that when 
exhibited in the border towns intensified the rapidly growing interest in 
the newly discovered mines. At the time of his arrival here in October, 
the only white persons in the region were Green Russell's explorers, 
John Smith, trapper and trader, and \Vm. McGaa (alias Jack Jones). 
The merchandise train of A. J. Williams, accompanied by E. A. Wil- 
loughby (both residents of the present era), arrived just as he was about 
starting on his return to Council Bluffs. Mr. Reithmann claims the 
honor of having been not only the original mail carrier between this 
region and the borders of civilization in 183S, but the first bearer of 
golden treasure, with accurate intelligence from the first gold hunters. 
In March. 1859, he came a second time, taking up the manufacture of 
crackers and other bakery products, which he personally disposed of to 
the people. This enterprise, that yielded steady profits and developed 
an extensive trade, engaged his attention until 1870. In 1868 he pur- 
chased the drugstore and stock established by William Graham, the 
pioneer druggist. When the need demonstrated itself, he added a 
wholesale department. The two branches have been carried on with 
constantly expanding volume to the present time. He purchased when 
the city was only a village, some corners and inside lots in the center of 
town, that have since become extremely valuable, the greater part of 
which he still retains. Between the bakery business, the drugstore, 
real estate, the bank, some other highly successful ventures, and the 
practice of economy, he has accumulated a large fortune. In 1876 he 
resigned the presidency of the bank, revisited his native land, and made 
a general tour of Europe. He was succeeded by Mr. George Tritch, 



204 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

who retained the headship until the regular annual meeting of the 
directors in 1S90, when iNIr. Reithmann was again chosen. 

George Tritch was born in Baden, Germany, April 26th, 1829, and 
in the same year was brought to New York by his parents, who moved 
west and settled in Chillicothe, Ohio. He remained at home, acquiring 
such education as the place afforded until fifteen years of age, when 
(1844) he went to Cincinnati and, inclining toward the tinner's trade, 
entered a shop and served an apprenticeship. In 1847 removed to 
Pittsburgh, where he was married in 1849. Four years afterward he 
moved west to Muscatine, where and at Tipton, Iowa, he was engaged 
in his chosen vocation until May 27th, i860, when he became a resident 
of Denver. Having brought his tools and a small stock, he opened a 
shop for the manufacture and repair of tin goods, which proved most 
fortunate, for the early immigrants, settlers and miners were somewhat 
extravagantly partial to such wares for table use, disdaining for obvious 
reasons the more delicate queensware, dainty French porcelains and the 
like. Trade prospered, and grew to very gratifying proportions with 
increased population. General hardware was added, next all manner of 
farming implements, the first introduced here, which greatly facilitated 
the progress of agriculture. The original building becoming too limited 
for the expanding business, a large brick store and warehouse was 
erected by Mr. Tritch on one of the corners of Fifteenth and Wazee 
streets. At this point the principal traffic in hardware, etc., was concen- 
tered until 1884, when a much larger and finer structure was built on 
Arapahoe between Sixteenth and Seventeenth streets, and is now the 
largest concern of its class in Colorado. He was a member of the 
Board of Aldermen from 1863 to 1865. Mr. Tritch is an extensive 
holder of real property and some valuable buildings, notably that on the 
corner of Sixteenth and Curtis streets, and another recently built at the 
corner of Seventeenth and Arapahoe, and is very wealthy. In all his 
career in this country, more especially during the past two decades he 
has been a close and extremely sagacious observer of events in trade, is 
a firm believer in and has guided all his business affairs upon the theory 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 205 

which has now become an established axiom, that all lines rise and fall 
during cycles or periods of eight to ten )'ears, very much as the com- 
mercial prophet, Benner, has defined it in his book of prophecies issued 
in 1875 and again in 1885, with diagrams exhibiting the fluctuations in 
staple products of the country at different times during the past sixty 
years. He has traveled somewhat extensively in Europe and is at this 
time virtually retired from the active pursuit of traf^c, occupying his 
time in supervising his very large estate. In 1S84, when the hardware 
trade was shaken to its foundations by the financial distress of that year, 
and two of his contemporary houses in Denver went down under the 
strain, his passed the crisis unscathed, because it had been anticipated, 
and preparations made in ample time to meet the revulsion. 

Mr. Cooper, first cashier, was succeeded by W. I. Jenkins, who 
continued some years and was then succeeded by Cooper. Soon after 
the election of the latter as Governor of the State in 1888, he resigned 
and subsequently sold out his interests. 

Charles M. Clinton was born at Arapahoe Bar near Denver, No- 
vember 24th, 1862 ; was educated in the public schools of the latter city 
and graduated from the high school, June loth, 1880. His first employ- 
ment was as a messenger in the State senate, session of i88o-'Si. In 
February of the year last named, he entered the office of the Denver 
Safe Deposit & Savings Bank, as a clerk under W. D. Todd, cashier, 
remaining four months, when that officer secured a place for him in the 
German National. He began as collection clerk and sturdily made his 
way through the several grades until August 3d, 1889, when he was 
elected cashier. Here is the example of a penniless boy, born on one 
of the mining bars of the early period, acquiring an education by hard 
earnest work ; plucky, resolute and persevering, with an ambition to 
become a lawyer, but diverted from this purpose by the necessity of 
earning his own living b\- such labor as he could find, working his wa}- 
through trials and difficulties, with no leisure for the joys and pastimes 
of boyhood, from an humble clerkship with a small salary to the proud 
position of chief manager of one of our principal banks, in the short 



206 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

space of eight years. He is the youngest person in the city and prol)- 
ably in the State, to occupy such a position. Thus far he has been 
successful. The quahties that have won for him the station he fills, will 
undoubtedly carry him forward to a career of further honors. While 
in the high school he took great interest in the debates, and won the 
Woodbury medal for declamation ; was president of various societies, 
and since graduation has been president of the high school alumni. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 207 



CHAPTER IX. 
Banks and bankers continued — -the state, Denver, people's, American — 

VARIOUS savings INSTITUTIONS, COMMERCE, COMMERCIAL AND OTHER BANKS — 
TRAGIC DEATH OF JACOB SNIDER— THE ROLLINS INVESTMENT COMPANY. 

The State National. This bank opened in a small apartment on 
Sixteenth street in the rear portion of McClintock Block, about the first 
of May, 1882, with a capital of $120,000 and the following directors: 
J. A. Chain, Charles Hallack, George N. Wheeler, Julius C. Lewis, 
Charles F. Hendrie, Elias R. Barton, C. E. Billings and E. P. Wright. 
George N. Wheeler became president, C. F. Hendrie vice-president, 
and E. P. Wright cashier. All were prominent business men of 
Denver, engaged in various mercantile pursuits, most of them wealth)'. 
When the First National, which then occupied the corner of the same 
building was transferred to the Tabor Block across Larimer street, the 
institution we are considering took its place. One of the projectors was 
Mr. E. P. Wright, a native of Massachusetts. As so many of our sterling 
business men have done, he came to Colorado to test the virtues of its 
climate as a restorer of wasted energy. His first introduction to the 
pursuit to which the best years of his life were given, was at the age of 
sixteen in the Suffolk Bank of Boston, where he remained two years 
and then went to the Redemption Bank, serving there an equal time. 
Next he vcas bookkeeper for a year in the Market Bank of Brighton, — 
then a suburb of the city, now incorporated with it, — which in 1864 he 
organized as a national, and was chOsen cashier. In the meantime, how- 
ever, at the age of twenty-two, he enlisted in a regiment of nine months' 
men, served his time as a soldier, and received honorable dischara;e. 



208 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

He continued as cashier until 1879, when broken heaUh, never very 
robust, induced him to visit the Rocky Mountains. His first abiding 
place was Colorado Springs, from whence he removed to Denver in 
1 88 1, and soon after the wholesale jobbing firm of Lang & Wright 
was organized for the boot and shoe trade. The partnership was dis- 
solved at the end of the year, Mr. Wright selling his interest to Mr. 
Lang. In the spring of 1882, as stated, the State National took its 
place among the banks of the city. 

But it soon became apparent that he had undertaken too much ; 
that instead of the cares and responsibilities for which he had been 
chosen he should have sought active occupation on a ranch, or in 
some vocation outside the close atmosphere of an office, for his physical 
vitality began to wane, and there was danger ahead for him ; but im- 
pelled by the strong sense of duty that governs all his acts, he 
discharged the obligations faithfully until March, 1S88, when he 
tendered his resignation. It was not finally accepted, however, until 
May, when the bank was reorganized by John L. McNeil, Fred C. 
Kilham and Edward L. Raymond. Mr. Wright had been trained for 
his profession in one of the best schools of modern finance, is a 
gentleman of exemplary character, filled with laudable aspirations, but 
unfortunately lacking physical strength to execute them. Retiring 
from the office he filled so worthily, he has since taken up occupations 
that afford exercise, and it is hoped will soon restore perfect health. 

The young and vigorous blood infused into the bank under its re- 
organization, the increase of its paid up capital to $300,000 with a 
surplus of $45,000, gave it a marked influence for the better from 
the outset. Most of the old stockholders remained, and other strong 
men were added to the list. 

Mr. McNeil was elected president, Raymond vice-president, and 
Kilham cashier. 

Mr. McNeil is a native of Owego, New York; born May 8th, 
1 849 ; educated at the Owego Academy ; afterward took a clerkship 
in a hardware store, remaining four years; came to Denver May ist, 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 209 

1870, and needing employment, accepted the first position that offered, 
that of clerk in a shoe store ; two months later entered the office of the 
Denver Pacific Railway Company as chief clerk; February ist, 1S71, 
was appointed collection clerk in the Colorado National ; advanced to 
teller July ist, which he retained until 1876, when in association with 
A. B. Daniels, J. S. Brown and brother, William and Moritz Earth, 
he established and conducted in the youny and very prosperous town of 
Del Norte, the banking house of Daniels, Brown & Company, or the 
bank of San Juan. This was an unlimited partnership, supported by 
some of the heaviest capitalists of the State, probably the strongest 
bank of its class in the West, and was favored with a very large 
business. About two years after the Rio Grande Railway crossed Veta 
Pass, and the town of Alamosa was founded as its terminal in the San 
Luis Valley (July, 1878), they closed the Del Norte house, moving it to 
that town, and subsequently opened another at Animas City, which was 
moved to Durango on the completion of the road to that place. 

In 1883, when every bank in the city of Leadville went down under 
the financial congestion of that year, Mr. McNeil, recognizing the oppor- 
tunity, went there, and a few days later the Carbonate Bank was 
organized under .State laws, with a strong board of directors, comprising 
H. I. Higgins, W. Arens. Dr. D. H. Dougan, J. W. Smith, Timothy 
Foley, Walter H. Jones and himself. Dr. Dougan was made president, 
and McNeil cashier. It was an office requiring not only experience, 
but great strength of character, unremitting caution and the constant 
e.xercise of the keenest skill to breast the tempest that had been raised 
by the general and demoralizing crash just preceding the opening of its 
doors. Confidence in banks had been almost wholly destroyed, and 
nothing but steady persistence in well doing would restore it. The 
people who had been stricken, crippled and broken by the series of 
disasters until their last hope was destro)-ed, were loth to renew their 
confidence in such enterprises, notwithstantling the moral and financial 
character of the men behind it. In such a state of feeling the bank 
opened. Its progress was slow for some months, but as time passed. 



210 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

and it was seen that it was formed to endure, was in safe and able hands, 
doubts were dispelled, and prosperity returned. Toward the close of 
1884, Dr. Dougan resigned. January ist, 1885, Mr. McNeil was made 
president, and John C. Mitchell cashier. For sometime it was the only 
bank in the city. The nervous strain, together with the depressing 
effects of the altitude, soon caused serious inroads upon the health of 
the newly chosen president, but pride held him to his work until Jan- 
uary 1st, 1887, when he was compelled to surrender. He came to 
Denver, spent the year in comparative idleness for rest and recuperation, 
taking an otiice in the Windsor block ; he was made purchasing agent 
for the Pennsylvania Lead Company, and bought millions of dollars 
worth of bullion for it. He still acts in that capacity. The collection 
clerk of 1871 had risen to cashier and manager in 1876, to president in 
1885 ; is the trusted agent of a mighty corporation in 1S87, and mounts 
again to headship in 188S, — striking advancement that only a few make 
and maintain. Tracing his footsteps, we find the natural outgrowths of 
strength, manliness, indomitable energy manifest in pursuing every 
undertaking to its proper ending, that in all ages have led to distinction. 
His years, like those of all who succeed, have been years of struggle. 
Men of his calling sleep not upon beds of roses with brains undisturbed 
by thoughts that burn. It is hard, wearing work to make money for 
ourselves or others, still harder to retain it; to have the care of millions, 
the deposits of the rich, the middle classes and the poor ; to resist 
temptation, to overcome and thwart innumerable efforts to cheat and 
defraud ; to maintain exact balances, to follow reams of ledger paper 
drenched with figures, that represent weal or woe to thousands. Its 
tendency is to make men irritable, nervous, dyspeptic, cranky. 

The amount standing to the credit of depositors when the reorgan-' 
ization took place was only $376,483. Two years later it was more 
than two millions, and constantly increasing by augmented confidence 
in the management, and the general growth of business in the com- 
munity. Mr. McNeil has every reason for honest pride in the record 
he has made. If his strength holds out, it will be still furtlier Lilorihed. 




^-f^cc^e-. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 211 

Edward L. Raymond, born in Rochester, New York, in 1S53; 
educated in the schools of that city and prepared for Yale College, but 
the death of his father prevented its consummation. Therefore, he en- 
tered the Rochester .Savings Bank, one of the largest in the State outside 
of New York City, where he remained six years, being in the meantime 
promoted to assistant paying teller, and then to teller ; came to Denver 
in 1878 ; served as paying teller in the Colorado National for two years, 
when he accepted a like position in the German National, retaining it 
three years. In the meantime the Denver National was organized 
(December, 1884), when he accepted the post of assistant cashier in that 
bank ; was one of the organizers and became one of the principal share- 
holders in the State National, and was chosen vice-president. Like the 
other officers he is quite young, has had much experience in banking, and 
applies himself with praiseworthy earnestness to its prosperity. 

Frederick C. Kilham, born in Martinsburgh, New York, March 22d, 
1858; educated in Cazenovia, that State; came to Colorado in Sep- 
tember, 1876, entered the Bank of Clear Creek County, as bookkeeper 
and collection clerk, remaining two years ; came to Denver in the fall of 
187S, and took the post of collection clerk in the Colorado National, 
rising by rapid promotion to paying teller two years thereafter. Served 
eight years with the German National, entering in December, 1880, first 
as teller, and in the fall of 1885 was made assistant cashier. When the 
State National was reorganized, in which he took an active part, he 
became one of the chief owners, and was elected cashier. 

The Denver National, opened for business in Barclay block, corner 
of Larimer and Eighteenth streets, December 8th, 1884. Authorized 
capital, $500,000, fifty per cent, paid in, and the remainder subsequently 
added. Directors, Joseph A. Thatcher, Joseph Standley, James B. 
Grant, James Duff, Edward Eddy, W. S. Jackson, Dennis Sullivan, 
Otto Sauer and George W. Trimble. Thatcher, president ; Grant, 
vice-president; A. A. Denman, cashier; all of whom have been annu- 
ally re-elected from the outset to the present time. 

Joseph A. Thatcher, son of John Pemberton Thatcher, a soldier in 



212 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

the war of 1S12, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, in 1S38; ecki- 
cated in a country school ; took a course of study in commercial law, 
bookkeeping- and banking in Jones' commercial college, St. Louis, Mis- 
souri. In 1S49 ^''i^ parents settled at Independence, Missouri, where 
he took a clerkship in his uncle's store, and remained two years; emi- 
grated to Colorado in the spring of i860, and engaged in mercantile 
business at Central City, with occasional indulgence in mining ventures. 
In 1863 was appointed cashier and manager of Warren Hussey & Co.'s 
banking house In that place, which he conducted until 1870, when he 
purchased the business, and in connection with Mr. Joseph Standley, a 
successful gold miner, established the house of Thatcher, Standley & 
Co. in that city, with a capital of $50,000. Thatcher became president, 
and Frank C. Young cashier. January ist, 1874, it was converted into 
the First National of Central City, with the same officers, Otto Sauer 
being vice-president. It flourished and grew strong under competent 
direction. Thatcher resigned the presidency in 1882 (but still retains 
his Interest therein), came to Denver, and for a time did no business. 
The greater part of 1883-84 he spent in Europe, making a leisurely 
tour of Great Britain and the Continent. In December, 1884, the Den- 
ver National was opened. Its deposits at the close of the first year 
were $1,081,500. At the close of 1SS9 they had mounted to $2,320,700. 
Outside of banking, Mr. Thatcher has been largely interested in stock- 
growing with Messrs. Dennis Sullivan and W. S. Holly; aided in 
establishing the Union Stockyards in one of the northern suburbs of this 
city ; the Colorado Packing Company ; the Denver Electric Light, Heat 
and Power Company, and is a director in the Omaha & Grant Smelting 
Company. Mr. Thatcher is one of the oldest bankers of Colorado. 

A. A. Denman is a native of New York City, educated In the public 
schools; engaged In various mercantile pursuits until 1871, when he 
came to Denver and entered the bank of Warren Hussey & Co. In 
June, 1872, when it was merged Into the City National, he was made 
receiving teller, continuing until May, 1881, when he took charge of the 
private bank of Hiller, Hallock & Co. at Aspen. In December of that 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 213 

year he returned to Denver, re-entered the City National as assistant 
cashier, and in December, 1884, was elected cashier of the Denver Na- 
tional, which position he still retains. 

The People's National. Organized as the " People's Deposit and 
Savings Bank," under the laws of Colorado, and opened on Arapahoe 
street between Sixteenth and Seventeenth, July 9th, 1888; capital, $150,- 
000; Mortimer J. Lawrence, president; Charles A. Raymond, vice- 
president; Charles Y. McClure, cashier; was converted into a national 
bank August ist, 1S89; directors, M. J. Lawrence, C, A. Raymond, 
J. R. Hicks, James H. Clemes, Wm, W. Porter, Thos. M Patterson, 
Chas. S. Thomas, J. J. Joslin, Edward F. Bishop, Frank A. Knight, F. L. 
Rohlfing, Geo. W. Skinner and E. L. Scholtz. 

Mortimer J. Lawrence, born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, December 
8th, 1844; educated at Oberlin, Ohio; worked on a farm in Huron 
County, that State, until eighteen; served four years in Company B, 
Third Ohio Cavalry. At the close of the war went to Cleveland, and 
for the ensuing five years was connected with the "Herald" of that 
city; purchased the Ohio "Farmer" in 1872, and conducted it fifteen 
years; came to Denver in October, 1887; organized the People's 
Savings and Deposit Bank, and became its president, to which he was 
re-elected under the reorganization. Mr. Lawrence is a man of remark- 
able energy, of varied experience and essentially a money making power, 
which has brought him large wealth. He has brought the People's 
National to a high stage of prosperity, pushing it to the front rank of 
the chief institutions of the city. This is amply proven by the rapid 
advance it has made in the two years of his control. He is a prominent 
member of the Masonic order, and was one of the promoters of the 
splendid Masonic Temple completed and dedicated July 3d, 1890. The 
large and extremely attractive People's Bank building lately erected at 
the corner of Sixteenth and Lawrence streets, is also one of his business 
projects. 

John C. Mitchell, born in Freeport, Illinois, February 28th, i860; 
educated in the public schools ; at sixteen entered his father's — the Ste- 



214 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

venson County — Bank, in the place of his nativity, remainint; four 
years; came to Colorado in the spring of iSSo, by inducement of ex- 
Governor A. C. Hunt, and was employed as bookkeeper in the mer- 
cantile and forwarding- house of Field & Hill, at Alamosa, and subse- 
quently entered the Bank of San Juan, under J. L. McNeil, in the same 
town. When the branch at Durango was opened he became its assistant 
cashier. When the Carbonate Bank was organized at Leadville, he was 
appointed assistant cashier of that, and when Mr. McNeil was made 
president he succeeded him as cashier, retaining the position until Feb- 
ruary 1st, 1890, when he was chosen cashier of the People's National, 
succeeding Charles Y. McClure. 

Fred C. Schrader, born in Utica, New York, February iith, i860; 
educated in the public schools of that city; came to Denver in the fall 
of 1878, and in 1879 was employed in the grocery store of Salomon 
Brothers as bookkeeper; remained five years. In the fall of 1884 took 
a like position in the German National Bank. At the end of nine 
months was promoted to receiving teller, and then to paying teller, which 
he retained until April 4th, 1889, when he was elected assistant cashier 
of the People's National Bank. 

The American National commenced business in the Clayton 
building, corner of Larimer and Fifteenth streets, December 2d, 1889; 
capital $250,000, fully paid. A few months later it was increased to 
$1,000,000. Directors, I. B. Porter, Frank Church, W. C. Walker, 
J. W. Nesmith, S. P. Haines, L. F. Liebhardt, F. J. Bancroft, N. B. 
McCrary, J. J. Hagus, T. J. O'Donnell, A. D. Wilson, Ph. Zang, C. S. 
Owens; I. B. Porter, president; Frank Church, first vice-president; 
W. C. Walker, second vice-president; Howard Evans, cashier. 

I. B. Porter, the chief promoter, was born on a farm in INIonroe 
County, Missouri, August 14th, 1842; educated in a country .school; 
studied law, practiced a short time and then engaged in the real estate 
business at Moberly, same State, continuing therein until 1S75, when he 
emigrated to Helena, Montana, where he practiced law and took a num- 
ber of ventures in mining, but was not successful in the latter ; came to 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 215 

Denver in February, 1883, and organized the firm of Porter, Raymond 
& Co., real estate and fire insurance agents. At first their efforts were 
confined to the commission line in real estate. Having opened just at 
the decline of interest in that class of property, trade was dull until about 
the beginning of 18S6, when a great revival in realty set in and has con- 
tinued uninterruptedly to the present. They accumulated money very 
rapidly by reason of the wonderful activity of the epoch between 1886 
and iSgo, and are now wealthy. Mr. Porter is a man well fitted by ex- 
perience in business affairs to conceive and execute large enterprises. 
It is believed he will be successful in that recently established. At the 
annual election of the Denver Chamber of Commerce and Board of 
Trade, held in January, 1890, he was elected president of that institution. 
The remainder of his history will appear in the chapters relating to that 
organization and the phenomenal growth of Denver during the past 
few years of its progress. 

Howard Evans was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 2d, 1858; 
recei\"ed his primary education in the public schools of that cit)% and 
afterward took a course of instruction in the Institute of Technology, at 
Boston, Massachusetts, graduating as a civil engineer. He arrived in 
Denver in March, 1879, was a bookkeeper in the City National Bank 
until the organization of the Denver National, when, after the 
retirement of Edward L. Raymond he was elected assistant cashier of 
that bank, remaining until the organization of the American National, of 
which he was made cashier. 

R. H. McMann & Co., Bankers. Mr. McMann was born at 
Mansfield, Ohio, October 22d, 1847; educated in the public schools; 
in March, 1864, took a commercial course at Eastman's national busi- 
ness college, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and shortly after (November, 1864, 
when only seventeen years of age) entered the Richland National 
Bank at Mansfield as bookkeeper where he remained until December, 
1868, when he took alike position in the First National of the same 
place ; was promoted to teller, and again to cashier, continuing in that 
capacity until September, 1873, when it closed under the great financial 



216 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

crash of that year, during which so man\- banks went down. In this 
crisis Mr. McMann lost every dollar he had in the world, but remained 
until its affairs were finally adjusted, then came to Denver bringing his 
family, and in February, 1876, formed a partnership with Peter Winne 
in the business of fire insurance and loans. Subsequently a new com- 
pany was organized consisting of C. D. Cobb, Peter Winne, R. H. 
McMann and Charles F. Wilson, under the firm name of Cobb, 
McMann & Co. January ist, 18S2, Mr. McMann withdrew and 
established the business of loaning money for Eastern capitalists, which 
developed into the present banking business. 

The Colorado Savings Bank was incorporated under the laws of 
Colorado, June 8th, 1887; capital $50,000 fully paid, John A. Clough 
president, F. K. Atkins vice-president, Walter J. Wildman cashier, the 
latter succeeded by C. O. Atkins present cashier ; directors, B. Lom- 
bard, Jr., James L. Lombard, F. K. Atkins, J. G. Benkelman, John A. 
Clough, Wm. G. Evans, Jacob Scherrer, W. J. Wildman, W. B. Mills, 
C. S. Howard and E. M. Battis; opened on the historic corner of 
Larimer and Fifteenth streets, one of the first business blocks erected 
in Denver, on the second floor of which Governor Gilpin had his 
executive offices in 1861, where many stirring scenes transpired in the 
early days of the Tcrritor\-. At the close of 1888, its deposit account, 
principally small savings, was $56,089.62 ; at the close of 1889 it had 
increased to $201,402.71. It has loaned for the Lombard Investment 
Company of which it is the resident agent, about $2,000,000. It is 
the first bank of its class that has gained any considerable degree of 
public confidence in this city, all its predecessors save one, the LInion 
Safe Deposit and .Savings Bank, having closed. The statements ren- 
dered show- a gratifying prosperit)-. 

John A. Clough was born in Carolina County, Maryland, No- 
vember 26th, 1826; educated in the common schools of that region, not 
highly scholastic institutes perhaps, but sufficient for their day, and 
afterward taught school with, it is assumed, the orthodox birchen rod 
to enforce the golden rules, for a period of three years, then gave his 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 217 

undivided attention to the more congenial pursuit of farming- and stock- 
growing, until 1872, when he turned his face toward the land of the 
setting sun. locating in Denver May 19th of that year. 

Although not crowned with the imperishable laurels of those who 
came earlier, the elect of the pioneers, he may nevertheless properly be 
classed with that other less aristocratic but more numerous tribe of 
"barnacles," so called from their pertinacity in clinging to well directed 
enterprises. Here as one possessed of knowledge, through years of 
experience in stockgrowing, though acquired in a region that furnishes 
few parallels or precedents for like pursuits in this altitude, he resumed 
the business of dealing in live stock, and in a short time founded the 
Union stockyards ; the first of the regular slaughtering and packing- 
houses that endured, and demonstrated the practicability of both ; the 
importance also of making this city the Colorado headquarters for such 
transactions. The first papers on the subject read before the Chamber 
of Commerce, when in 1S84, that bod)- put forth strenuous efforts for 
the permanent establishment of large stockyards and packing houses, 
were from his pen. His was one of the beginnings, if not the original 
attempt, whence has developed all the prestige the city enjoys in the 
way of a cattle market on an extensive scale. He was a zealous 
worker in the cause, accpiiring a large and valuable property, just at the 
northern boundary of the cit)- where the greater part of such traffic is 
now concentrated under the management of an opulent corporation, to 
which these possessions were sold in December, 1S85. Having a com- 
fortable fortune, and his occupation being gone, Mr. Clough concluded 
to go back to the old homestead in Maryland, and spend the remainder 
of his days among the scenes of his boyhood, but found that the mu- 
tations of time had so changed all things he was almost a stranger in a 
strange land. He had become so inured to active life in the Far West, 
its w-idely differing waj's and manners and methods, the old time idyls 
all destroyed, his days there became intolerable, and so after a year he 
came back to the more inviting and more familiar shadows of the Rocky 
Mountains. In 18S7 he seconded the efforts being made to establish 



218 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

the Colorado Savings Bank, purchased stock, and was made its pres- 
ident. A Hfelong Methodist, he has taken earnest part in the 
upbuilding and progress of its fine educational institutions, notably in 
reorganizing the Colorado Seminary (now University), the Manual 
Training and Medical School that has since been munificently endowed, 
and a large and complete structure erected by Mr. Haish of DeKalb, 
Illinois; in the beautiful suburb known as University Park, where the 
permanent Universit\- is to be erected, and in that incomparably superb 
church edifice (Trinity M. E. church), on Broadway. Thus it will be 
seen that this respected veteran has borne a somewhat distinguished 
part in the development of the city of his adoption, and in that of some 
of its more useful public institutions. 

C. O. Atkins, the cashier of the Colorado Savings Bank, born in 
Guernsey County, Ohio, July 29th, 1846; was educated in the public 
schools, and afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits from 1S6S to 
1872, in the State of Iowa. From 1S72 to 18S8 was in the grain busi- 
ness in both Iowa and Nebraska. He came to Denver August ist, 
188S, and from that time forward was connected as above with the 
Savings Bank. 

Mcintosh & Mygatt established their banking house at 1615 Curtis 
street, July ist, 1S87, capital $100,000; it was converted into the Na- 
tional Bank of Commerce and opened July 15th, 1890; capital $500,000. 
Directors: J. A. Cooper, William R. Mygatt, L. L. Higgins, Charles 
Boettcher, P. L. Bockfinger, J. W. Graham, Philip Feldhauser, C. L. 
Mcintosh, D. D. Streeter, Benn Brewer, F. C. Goudy, Frank B. Hill, 
L. Anfenger, J. F. Hopkins, W. L. Graham. Officers: ]. A. Cooper, 
president; W. R. Mygatt, vice-president; C. L. Mcintosh, cashier; W. 
B. Morrison, assistant cashier. 

Job A. Cooper. Born on his father's farm, Bond County, Illinois, 
November 6th, 1843; attended school at Kno.wille, Illinois, remaining 
there five years; thence to Knox College, Galesburg, until 1864, when 
he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry. 
When his regiment was mustered out of the service at the close of 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 219 

the war, he returned to Knox College, completed his studies and was 
gratluated in 1865. He then began the study of law in Greenville, 
Illinois, and was admitted to practice in 1867. In 1868 was elected 
clerk of the Circuit Court of Bond County, retaining the office four 
years. In May, 1872, came to Denver and formed a law partnership 
with A. C. Phelps which endured for only one year when he gave up 
the practice of law to engage in the fire insurance business with Peter 
Winne, the firm being Winne & Cooper. In April, 1876, was elected 
vice-president of the German National Bank and in December of that 
year, chosen cashier, in which position he remained most of the time 
until elected Governor of the State in the fall of 1888. 

Was elected to the city council in 1S76, re-elected the following 
year and served as president of the council. He was for some time 
president of the Colorado Cattle Growers' Association. 

Charles L. Mcintosh Avas born in Columbia, Connecticut, No- 
vember 2 I St, 1850; educated jn one of the select schools of that place;- 
worked on a farm for a time and then entered a country store as clerk ; 
next took a like position in Hartford, where he remained five years, 
after which he was appointed private secretary to Governor Jewell, then 
at the head of the Jewell Belting Company. When his employer pur- 
chased a controlling interest in the Denver Circle Railway and its large 
landed estate, Mr. Mcintosh, having manifested superior abilities for 
the management of business affairs, came to Denver and assumed the 
direction of that interest; remained with it until finally disposed of 
after the death of his patron. Shortly afterward the bank of Mcintosh 
& Mygatt was established. WHien converted into the National Bank of 
Commerce, he was elected cashier. Mr. Mcintosh is just at the begin- 
ning of what promises to be an active and useful career, having passed 
the period when a desperate struggle for maintenance sharpens the 
faculties and calls for the expenditure of all the vital forces in reaching 
and securing a foothold, and with a comfortable competence assured, 
with experience as a guide, it may be anticipated that he will one day 
be ranked among the very wealthy of this city and State. 



220 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Collins, Snider & Co. A banking- partnership, composed of Jacol) 
Snider, Samuel G. Collins, Frederick J. Ebert, Jacob F. L. Schirmer, 
Hiram Witter and J. Harvey Jones; established in June, 1S73, with a 
capital of $90,000. S. G. Collins was the managing partner or cashier. 
Opened temporarily on Larimer between Fourteenth and Fifteenth 
streets, pending the completion of the Fink building at the corner of 
Fifteenth and Holladay, to which when finished in the winter of i873-'74 
the bank was remo\-ecl. 

Public interest in this organization was intensified by the frightful 
tragedy that befell its actual head. Jacob Snider was also one of the 
principal owners of the then famous Pelican silver mine near Georgetown, 
Clear Creek County. He was assassinated May 20th, 1875, as one of tin- 
deplorable results — of which we have had too many examples, — of fierc- 
personal and legal contests between the company he represented, and 
the claimants of the Dives adjoining, and alleged to be on the same 
vein. Both were extremely valuable, and each party resolutely deter- 
mined to dislodge and overcome its adversary, whatever the cost of blood 
and treasure. Therefore, each employed armed and fighting mercenaries 
in and about the mines to keep out intruders. Numerous suits were 
instituted, the ablest legal talent retained. J. H. Mc^^Iurdy, a brave but 
rash and reckless man, led the Dives clans. The war became general, 
affecting the entire community, at that time the largest and most active 
mining town in Colorado. Conflicts of one kind and another were of 
frequent occurrence. On the morning of the day mentioned, Mr. Snider, 
who was a man of medium stature and rather slight physique, left George- 
town on horseback, intending to visit the mines in dispute. While en 
route he met a desperado named Jack Bishop, a large and powerful man 
who had espoused McMurdy's cause, — given to wild indulgence in force, 
whisky and lurid profanity, coming down from the mines. Both halted, 
but what passed between them will never be known, although the conse- 
quences made it but too apparent that a fearful quarrel ensued. Snider 
suddenly wheeled and rushed madly back, Bishop both- pursuing. The 
latter drew his revolver and fired, but in the e.xcitement missed his aim. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 221 

He soon came up with Snider, however, struck hini a tremendous blow 
on the head with the butt of the revolver, and immediately reversing 
the weapon fired, killing him instantly. . Having accomplished his pur- 
pose, the assassin fled back over the road toward Silver Plume, and 
thence across the mountains into Middle Park, none daring to inter- 
cept him. Though large rewards for his apprehension were offered, he 
was never captured, and what became of him is not definitely known. 

In January, 1876, the house of Collins, Snider & Co. was sold, 
reorganized and incorporated under the name of the Exchange Bank, 
A. J. Williams, president; F. J. Ebert, vice-president; S. G. Collins, 
cashier, and removed to the quarters at the corner of Fifteenth and 
Blake, then lately vacated by the Fn-st National. The directors were 
the three persons named above, J. F. L. Schirmer, J. H. Jones, C. A. 
Brooks and Rufus H. Snider. The capital stock was increased to 
$200,000, of which $125,000 was paid. It continued under the same 
management until January 30th, 1879, when J. M. Strickler was made 
cashier. The bank failed in 1S83, and went into liquidation. 

The Bank of Denver, a private institution, founded by Henry C. 
Brown and C. D. Gurley ; opened January ist, 1873. ^'^ year later it was 
merged into the private bank of Hager, Sons & Co., which continued 
until January ist, 1S76, when its affairs were adjusted, and the Hagers 
left the city. 

The original Colorado Savings Bank opened July 20th, 1872, John 
\V. Smith president and manager, W. U. Johnston cashier, Charles H. 
Smith assistant cashier. There is no data at hand to indicate its 
capital. John \V. Smith's name, however, was sufficient. Its affairs 
were finally wound up in January, 1880, for the reason that it was not 
adequately profitable. All depositors and claims of every kind were 
paid in full. 

During his long residence in Denver, Mr. Smith was one of the 
strongest men in public and private enterprises. He built many of the 
important fixed institutions that have survived the changes of the )-ears. 
His arrival as an immigrant bears date of June 3d, i860. Possessed of 



222 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

ample means, he loaded a train of wayons with merchandise for a general 
store, adding the machinery for a planing mill, a small flouring mill and 
quartz mill. The planer was sold to Henry Allen after its arrival, and 
set up in West Denver. The grist mill was of the French portable class, 
with buri^^^nes twenty inches diameter, in which sugar, coffee, salt, 
etc., were ground. The first wheat was brought to it by Morton C. 
Fisher, from a ranch on Clear Creek. The quartz mill was planted on 
Left Hand Creek in Boulder County. 

When established, the savings bank was considered a public 
blessing. April 9th, 1S82, Smith's chapel, a small but very fine edifice 
of stone, was completed in Smith's Addition, West Denver, at a cost of 
$10,000, and by him presented to the United Brethren, though he was 
not a member of that church, nor any other. Prior to this he had built 
and also presented another fine chapel to one of the religious sects. He 
Avas the first to introduce the process of steam heating from a common 
center. He built several fine flouring mills, a woolen mill, two largt; 
and well appointed hotels ; was prominently associated with the con- 
struction of the Denver Pacific and South Park Railways, and several 
large irrigating canals; originated and built the Denver, Utah & Pacific 
narrow gauge railway now owned by the Burlington & Missouri River 
Company ; in short, was connected with nearly every great enterprise of 
a public and private nature. He was a man of great force of character, 
marvelous energy, public spirited, an incomparable financier, and accu- 
mulated large wealth. Something of the part he took in the affairs of 
the city and State has been set forth in preceding volumes. For the 
past seven years he has been a resident of California. 

His son, Charles H. Smith, was born in Newton-Hamilton, Miftlin 
County, Penns)lvania, September 4th, 1857, brought to Denver in 
1 86 1, and ealucated in the public schools, graduating at the high school 
in 1875. He then went East with the intention of entering Cornell 
University, but this purpose being changed he went to Williamsport, 
Pennsylvania, and there took a complete course of instruction in a com- 
mercial college, where he eraduated. His evening's were ijiven to 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 223 

clerical work in the office of the Recorder's court, where he wrote up 
the dockets, drew legal papers, made out fee bills, etc., for a small com- 
pensation. After leaving- the high school in Denver, he acted as 
cashier, bookkeeper and general utility man in his father's savings' 
bank ; had charge of the accounts in the flouring mills, and assisted his 
l^rogenitor in building the mill ditch. Mr. Smith, Sr., allowed no idlers 
about him, and kept the son incessantl)- employed, hence he had no 
leisure for play or foolishness. Completing his commercial course at 
Williamsport, Charles returned to Denver early in 1876, remained with 
his father for a time and then entered the office of D. C. Dodge, man- 
ager of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, as clerk and telegraph 
operator. In 1878 he became chief ticket clerk; acted as city ticket 
agent of that road and of the Atchison, Topeka & .Santa Fe until 
October, 1S79, '^^'litn he resigned, then returned to his father's office, 
assisting him in the conduct of his large business aflairs, and when the 
former became manager of construction of the Denver & South Park 
Railroad, performed the clerical work. In April, 1880, he took charge 
of the American House, conducting both that and the Inter-Ocean 
hotels until March, i88g, when the latter was sold, but continued to 
manage the American until January, 1S90, when it was leased to other 
parties. 

When in February, 1883, his father left Denver to reside in Cal- 
ifornia, he was possessed of real and personal property then valued at 
about $500,000. This has advanced with the constant growth of the 
city to an approximate value of $1,000,000. He gave the members of 
his family about $250,000, and the remainder of his real estate not 
included in these gifts, was transferred to his son Charles, who executed 
trust deeds upon the same, amounting to nearly $300,000. The son 
has so managed affairs as to clear off this indebtedness, and is now sole 
owner of this valuable property, the final payment of $55,000 having 
been made in luly, 1S89, wherefrom, it appears that he has inherited 
very much of his sire's superb financiering skill, and is now one of the 
wealthiest young men in the metropolis. 



224 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

While managing the American House, Mr. Smith, Jr. was elected 
president of the Colorado Humane Society, an office which he held two 
years, and during that time prosecuted many cases of cruelty to 
animals. He was succeeded by Mr. W. S. Cheesman. In February, 
18S9, at the request of the large stockholders in the Colorado Electric 
Company, he was made president and general manager of that corpo- 
ration, and when afterward this concern was merged into the Denver 
Consolidated Electric Company with a capital of $1,000,000, he was 
elected to the same position. He is also a director in the Denver 
Savings Bank, in the Denver National Bank, and in several building 
and loan associations; likewise largely interested with Henry M. Porter 
and others in the Panama Cattle Company, of which he is secretary and 
treasurer. A creditable record for a Denver high school graduate, 
now but thirty-three years of age. 

The Commercial National opened for business September 12th, 
1889; paid in capital $250,000; C. H. Dow president; Charles D. 
Cobb vice-president; Frank H. Dunlevy assistant cashier; directors, 
Jacob Scherrer, C. D. Cobb, E. F. Bishop, W. F. Callaway, C. L. 
Burpee, Alfred Wolff, A B. Sullivan, E. W. Merritt, Frank Latcham, 
H. W. Hobson, C. M. Kittredge, G. W. Sheldon, T. D. Wayne, S. H. 
Hastings, C. H. Dow. 

C. H. Dow was born in Concord, New Hampshire, December 
1 8th, 1850; educated in the public schools, and subsequently entered 
the Douglas University at Chicago. While there the war of the 
Rebellion occurred, when i\Ir. Dow left his studies to enlist in the One 
Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry; returned to Chicago in 1863, 
and engaged in the wholesale grain and commission business. In 1867 
removed to Davenport, Iowa, and became a bookkeeper in the First 
National Bank of that city, but remained only a few months, then 
established the banking, grain and stock business at Wilton Junction, 
same State, which continued four years. Next he went into the grain 
trade at Bedford, Iowa, adding branches in Burr Oak and Mankato, 
Kansas. In 1885 closed out and opened two banking houses, one at 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 225 

Hoxie, the other at Grainfield, Kansas. In March, 1S89, he came to 
Denver, organized the Commercial National, and was elected its 
president. 

F"rank H. Dunlev)-, born in Granville, Ohio, May 17th, 1859. 
After attending the public schools, passed his junior year in Denison 
University of that place. Came to Colorado in April, 1S79, and entered 
the City National Bank as collection clerk. Two years later was pro- 
moted to receiving teller, and then to paying teller. He served eight 
years in this bank, and when the Commercial National was organized 
was elected assistant cashier. 

The Denver Savings Bank, opened February 9th, 1890. Capital 
$250,000, fully paid ; authorized capital $1,000,000. Comprises among 
its stockholders a majority of the presidents and cashiers of the National 
and State Banks of the city, with representatives of many large cor- 
porations and business houses. Officers; H. B. Chamberlin, president; 
D. H. Ferguson, vice-president and manager; Isaac E. Blake, second 
vice-president; Charles Y. McClure, cashier. Directors : S. N. Wood, 
John L. McNeil, I. B. Porter, Joseph W. Gilluly, Dr. F. J. Bancroft, 
Charles H. Smith, S. H. Hastings, J. A. Ferguson, A. W. Chamberlin. 
C. Y. McClure. The deposit of savings for the first three months 
amounted to $165,000, representing 469 open accounts. 

H. B. Chamberlin. The biography of this gentleman will appear 
in connection with the history of the Chamber of Commerce and real 
estate enterprises in Denver. 

D. H. Ferguson, born in Scotland in the year 1836; parents emi- 
grated to America and settled in Rockford, Illinois, in 1839; educated 
in the public schools, after which, until 1S60, was engaged in loaning 
money. In 1861 entered the Union Army as assistant commissary of 
subsistence, serving three years. In 1865 was appointed assessor of 
Internal Revenue for Rockford District, serving two years, then organ- 
ized the Rockford National Bank, of which he v.'as elected cashier. 
Retaining the position a number of years, he at the same time had a 
private loan office, which business increased to so large an extent as to 



226 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

demand his exclusive attention, therefore he resigned as cashier and 
gave his entire time to tliat department. In this connection he, in 1S75. 
organized and conducted the People's Savings Bank of that city, both 
being still in existence and prosperous. Mr. Ferguson came to Den\"er 
in October, 1S85, for the recuperation of his failing health, and while here 
was appointed local manager of the Equitable Loan & Trust Company. 
When the Denver Savings Bank was organized, he became its manager. 
Charles Y. McClure was born in Havana, Schuyler County, New 
York, July 20th, 1849; educated in the common schools; came to Den- 
ver in October, 1862. In March, 1863, returned East and entered the 
Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin, New York, and there took a 
preparatory course particular!)- relating to commercial business, mathe- 
matics and engineering. In July, 1866, he returned to Denver, whithii- 
his father had come in i860. In the fall of that year entered the United 
States Branch mint as assistant assayer, remaining one year, when he 
resigned for the purpose of engaging in the book and stationery business 
with his brother Frank, under the firm name of McClure Brothers, 
which was conducted until 1870. In March of that year failing health 
caused by overwork, induced him to adopt out door employment, there- 
fore he purchased a herd of cattle and "rode the range" until fully 
recovered, when, in September, 1870, he again took up his residence in 
Denver. November 7th following, he was appointed teller in the bank 
of Warren Hussey & Co. In 1872 Hussey sold to the organizers of 
the City National and McClure continued as teller. He has in his 
possession the first note issued by this bank, denomination "one dollar" 
stamped "Letter A No. i," dated April 15th, 1872, signed Henry Crow, 
president, John R. Hanna, cashier; also the first coin struck by Clark, 
Gruber & Co. in i860. He resigned from the bank December 3d, 1S81,* 
to engage with Messrs. Knight & Waterbury in the music business — 
afterward the Knight, McClure Music Company; remained until Jul\- 
9th, 1888, when he was elected cashier of the People's Deposit and 
Savings Bank, retaining this position until January, 1890, when he 
became cashier of the Denver .Savinys Bank. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 227 

The Rollins Investment Company. Although not a banking- 
institution, it is no less legitimate. Its importance rests in its 
exceptional character and the magnitude of its transactions, together 
with the facilities it affords the various municipal corporations of this 
State, and neighboring States from the Gulf Coast throiigh to Puget 
Sound, to negotiate their public securities upon advantageous terms, 
and to Eastern investors for placing their surplus cash in such paper at 
more profitable rates than may there be obtained. These facts entitle it 
to a place among the prominent financial institutions of the city. This 
house was originally established by Edward W. Rollins, in the autumn 
o? 1876. He occupied a small office on Lawrence street between 
Sixteenth and Seventeenth, proceeding cautiously, limiting his purchases 
to his own means, that were not large. On the 9th of March, iSSi, the 
firm of Rollins and Young was announced. In the meantime the 
business had demonstrated its value to the projector and to the public, 
forcing enlargement. When Mr. Young entered with some thousands 
of fresh capital, and his superior faculties for systematizing its details, 
the collection and orderly compilation of statistical data, it took a much 
broader range, extending over the State to every school district, city, 
county and town. In 1S82 the office was removed to Union Bank 
building on Arapahoe street; In 1885, to the Barclay Block on 
Eighteenth; January ist, 1888, to the Patterson and Thomas Block, 
and January ist, 1891, to its present quarters in the Ernest and 
Cranmer Block on Curtis street. During these years the growth was 
large, and came in due course to embrace all the territory west of 
Kansas and Nebraska, from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific. 

By January ist, 1888, it had become so extensive as to require 
corporate direction, further means and influence, therefore the Rollins 
Investment Company was formed, with E. W. Rollins president; 
N. P. Seeley vice-president; F. C. Young treasurer; and J. H. 
Morris secretary. In November following Mr. Seeley died, when Mr. 
Thomas P. Dunbar was made treasurer and Mr. Young vice-president. 
Its principal business is the purchase of the warrants and bonds of 



228 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

cities, towns, counties and school districts, and otlier lawful securities 
issued by such corporate bodies. A vast amount of statistical infor- 
mation relating to every community issuing securities of that nature, 
has been gathered and carefully arranged in volumes. In addition, all 
laws, State, Territorial and municipal have been studied and annotated 
for ready reference. By this method they have made their office a 
central bureau of information, that is at once complete and author- 
itative, and a concentrating point for that class of negotiations and 
investments. At this time they employ a cash capital of more than 
$400,000, and in 1889, the volume of their business exceeded three 
millions of dollars. They are connected with a similar house in Boston, 
and another in Concord, New Hampshire, both conducted in the name 
of E. H. Rollins & Son, employing a large capital, and through which 
its Eastern investments are negotiated. 

Edward W. Rollins was born in Concord, New Hampshire, No- 
vember 25th, 1850; is the son of the late E. H. Rollins who served 
three terms, — 1860 to 1866, — in Congress, and was then elected 
treasurer of the Union Pacific Railway Company ; was elected to the 
United States Senate in 1876, serving six years. He departed this life 
July 31st, 1889, leaving a large fortune to his family. Edward attended 
the public schools, and in the fall of 1867 entered the Massachusetts 
Institute of Technology at Boston, graduating as a mining engineer in 
the class of 1871 ; came with his class to Colorado immediately after- 
ward, and with it made a pedestrian tour of the Territory. His first 
professional engagement after graduation, was with a corps of engineers 
to locate a branch of the Colorado Central Railway from Golden to 
Pine BlufY, Wyoming, on the completion of which, he returned to 
Boston and spent the winter as an assistant instructor in the Institute 
of Technology. His next appearance in Colorado was in the spring of 
1S72, as a civil engineer on the Colorado Central; was soon after 
appointed division engineer, and in 1873 became resident engineer, 
retaining the same until 1876. In the meantime the line from Golden 
to Longmont was constructed, and. that from Longmont to Julesburg 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 229 

partly graded. During the last two years he held also the positions of 
cashier and treasurer of the construction company. When the road 
passed into the hands of W. A. H. Loveland under the sensational pro- 
ceedings related in Volume II., pages 408, 409, Mr. Rollins left its 
employ and went East, returning to Denver in the fall of 1876, and 
then opened an otifice for purposes heretofore recited. From this time 
until 1 88 1, he negotiated the greater part of all county, city, town and 
school district securities in Colorado. In March, 1881, Mr. F. C. 
Young became a partner. Rollins & Young conducted the partnership 
until January ist, 1888, when the Rollins Investment Company 
succeeded. 

In 1S80 Mr. Rollins was one of the chief projectors of the 
Colorado Electric Company, the first to introduce arc lights in the city 
of Denver. The business expanded so rapidly in 1887, another and 
stronger organization, known as the Denver Light, Heat & Power 
Company was perfected for the addition of incandescent lights and for 
other purposes. In 1889 both these companies were merged into 
the Denver Consolidated Electric Company with a capital of $1,000,- 
000. Its plant is said to be the largest in the United States, most of 
the money for its construction being furnished by Mr. Rollins. He 
was also one of the charter members of the "Denver Club," was 
prominent in its original organization and a member of the committee 
charged with the construction of its really magnificent building at the 
corner of Seventeenth and Glenarm streets. In 1888 he was made 
president of the Denver Athletic Club, an extremely useful institution, 
and in 1889 suggested the idea of purchasing ground and erecting a 
building that would accommodate its rapidly increasing membership. 
His plans were approved and steps were taken to raise the large sum 
required to erect the present splendid club on Glenarm street, an edifice 
equaled by but few of its class in the American Union. Thus at the 
age of forty he is well entered upon a career that places him in the 
front rank of the successful business men of the city and State, having 
founded one of the largest and strongest institutions of its kind in the 



230 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

West, aided the construction of some of its more important railways 
and been instrumental in building the two great club houses of Denver. 
While in later years he has been materially aided by foreign, that is to 
say, the capital of strong Eastern connections, the beginning was with 
his own, the conception his own, and the management that caused his 
enterprise to assume the standing it has always enjoyed, must also be 
placed to his credit. 

Frank C. Young, born in the city of New York, January 28th, 
1844. The basis of his education, laid in the public schools, was 
rounded out and completed in the office of John F. Trow, printer for 
the Appletons, the Putnams, Scribners, indeed all the great publishing- 
houses of that epoch, issuing only the higher classes of American and 
English literature, and in a style that has never been excelled in this 
countr)-. In this school Mr. Young acquired, while at the case, a 
thorough knowledge of "the art preservative of all arts," graduating at 
the end of the five years for which he had been regularly indentured, a 
master of his trade, and I may add from personal experience with him 
and his work, the most accurate and intelligent compositor it has ever 
been my fortune to write copy for. It was a joy to read his proofs, for 
they were almost entirely without errors, perfectly punctuated, correctly 
capitalized, and in all respects, models. In the years of his well earned 
affluence, he has collected a modest library, superbly cased, of rare and 
beautifully printed books, that it is a pleasure to read because of 
their typographical i>erfection, paper, press work and elegance of style. 
Shortly after his apprenticeship, during which he found leisure for care- 
ful and extended study of mathematics and bookkeeping, commercial 
accounts and banking, he accepted the tender of a clerkship in the main 
office of Adams' Express Company where he remained until 1865, when 
his health failing, he was induced by relatives located in the mountains 
of Colorado to join them. Therefore, with six companions, all young 
enthusiasts, in P'ebruary of that year he left New York en route to new 
homes in a strange land. Arriving at Atchison, the general shipping 
point, they joined a wagon train and with it marched over the long 





H^^M\ 



{, 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 231 

desert, consuming six weeks on the journey. The routine of camp Hfe, 
the steady tramp over ten to twenty miles each da)-, in the pure trans- 
parent atmosphere, under radiant sunshine, brought sunburn, heahng 
and strength, rounded out and reinvigorated their physical powers, and 
made hardy men of them. 

If the hundreds of invalids who now come in palace cars, whirling 
over the sharp incline of six hundred miles at the rate of thirty to forty 
miles an hour, landing at an altitude of 5,000 feet in a single day, 
enervating and enfeebling instead of recuperating their wasted energies 
by the too rapid transit, would adopt this course, the effect would in 
very many cases be prolongation of their years with recovered health 
for enjoyment and for work, instead of early death and reshij^ment 
back to their homes by the undertakers. 

After a brief rest at Denver, Mr. Young passed into the mountains 
via the Clear Creek Valley, and arriving at Mill City, — now Dumont — 
took employment with the Downieville Mining Company, in turning a 
windlass, the primitive appliance for hoisting rock, dirt and ore from a 
"prospect." On the 27th of May following, Schuyler Colfax, then 
speaker of the National House of Representatives, arrived in Colorado 
with a party of distinguished men, and shortly afterward delivered Presi- 
dent Lincoln's last message to the miners of the West at Central City. 
This address was reported for the Black Hawk " Mining Journal" by 
Ovando J. Hollister, its editor. At this meeting he met a relative of 
Mr. Young, and being in need of a compositor on the paper, it trans- 
pired during the conversation that Mr. P""rank C. Young was probably 
the very man to fill the place. He was accordingly sent for, and on or 
about the first of June, was assigned to cases on the "Journal." His 
first "take" of copy was a column editorial by Hollister. When the 
proof came to him for reading, it contained but one error, a "turned t." 
I shall never forget his transports of joy over the excellence of the work 
when he handed it to me, as the first experiment of our "tramp printer." 
Here was such perfection of typography as no man in that gulch had 
ever been accustomed to. With the single exception noted, it was with- 



232 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

out blemish, and without any attempt to improve (?) the editor's 
thoughts, by additions or eHminations. It was a revelation, a delight, 
cause for devout thanksgiving and praise, and it was fervently rendered. 
Like results marked all his work. During an experience of more than 
twenty-five years in and about printing establishments, I have never 
known his equal. To-day he is among our ablest financiers, and most 
estimable citizens, an admirable writer and editor, though his facility in 
these lines is known to but few. 

In the autumn of 1865, the writer dissolved his partnership with 
■ Hollister, and purchased an interest in the " Miner's Register," at 
Central City, to which ofifice Mr. Young was transferred in the following- 
winter and placed in charge of book work (the journals and session 
laws of Colorado Territory). In June, 1866, he severed his connection 
with the printing business and entered the bank of Warren Hussey & 
Co., at that place, as bookkeeper and general accountant. When the 
bank of Thatcher, Standley & Co., succeeded Hussey & Co. he became 
chief bookkeeper and acting cashier for that firm, and when it was 
merged into the First National he was elected cashier, retaining th'- 
position until May, 1880, when he resigned, came to Denver and became 
a partner with Mr. E. W. Rollins, taking personal charge of the statis- 
tical department, correspondence, bookkeeping and the general details. 
He still retains his interest in the bank at Central, as also his partner- 
ship in the large and profitable quartz mill managed by Job V. Kimber, 
at Black Hawk ; is treasurer of the Consolidated Electric Company, and 
for many years was bookkeeper and accountant for the great Gunnell 
Gold Mining Company of Gilpin County. He has made several trips 
to Europe, and traveled quite extensively over the Continent. 

The Denver Savings Bank. Toward the close of 187 1 a man 
known as B. Erlanger, real name Abel Endelman, a native of Poland, 
who first opened a pawnbroker's office and then a savings bank, with a 
branch at Black Hawk, began to advertise extensively for the deposit of 
savings, and received a large number for that period. He kept his 
private account, which included a considerable share of his deposits, with 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 233 

the City National. He was smooth, affable and polite, and evidently 
prosperous. On Saturday night, November 2d, 1872, he took all his 
movable property, including the funds of both savings banks and disap- 
peared. The sum of v>'hich he robbed the people who intrusted their 
hard earned savings to him, was variously estimated at from $40,000 
to $50,000. What became of him is a mystery never solved. 

Another savings bank established on Fifteenth street, by Judge 
Blackburn and others some years later, proved a disastrous failure. It 
will be discovered that until recent years these institutions have been 
almost uniformly unfortunate to the projectors, stockholders and 
depositors. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 



CHAPTER X. 

Leaves froji the criminal calendar — horrible revelations of blood and 

massacre fiendish atrocities by a band of italian cut-throats the 

story of alfred packer, the man eater — billy the kid and his bloody 
adventures edward kelly and his romantic escape fr(.)m the gallows. 

The recital that follows is one of the most revolting and dreadful 
in the history of mankind. It is doubted if among any people, however 
uncivilized and barbarous in any land under the sun, it has been exceeded 
in ferocity, cruelty and incarnate fiendishness. But for the fact that the 
ghastly particulars are spread upon the records of our courts, upon the 
pages of our newspapers ; that it was perpetrated but a few years ago 
and some of the witnesses are still living, it would appear incredible that 
any human beings could have possessed natures so savage, bloodthirsty 
and venomous; that they could have executed their designs unmoved by 
the least feeling of pity, or been impelled to wholesale massacre of their 
own brethren with whom they were in daily association, fraternizing in 
amity and concord, bound together by ties of race and kindred sympa- 
thies, for no other object than to rob them of their money. The nearest 
approach to it in modern annals is the Bender horror committed near 
Cherryvale, Kansas, many years ago, but even this is overshadowed and 
rendered almost insignificant by comparison. Our history is crimson 
with slaughters committed by Indians; that of Utah by a long list of 
murders and assassinations under the iron rule of Brigham Young and his 
destroying angels, but in the most devilish that have been told, the 
slayers were less demoniacal than those who were .guilty of the inexpiable 
deeds about to be narrated, and that fill tlie soul with unutterable disma\-. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 235 

Only the outlines will be given, for my pen is not equal to all the fright- 
ful details. 

The killing occurred on Friday, October 15th, 1875, beginning just 
after one o'clock, p. m. Premeditated murder is usually done under 
cover of darkness, but these butchers chose by pre-arrangenient, the 
glaring light of midday, yet strange to relate, no trace of their ghastly 
work was discovered until the 21st, six days afterward, and in the interval 
the monsters had ample time in which to effect their escape. For some 
days prior to the actual discovery, residents in the neighborhood of No. 
634 Lawrence street (under the old method of numbering houses), be- 
tween Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth streets, then near the limits of 
settlement in that direction, had been conscious of rank and extremely 
offensive odors that filled the air. As time passed and the effluvia be- 
came almost stifling, Mr. \V. M. Failing, who resided opposite the house 
from whence it proceeded, determined to make an investigation of the 
cause. Calling a policeman, the premises in question were examined 
from the outside. Though known to have been recently occupied by a 
band of Italian musicians, no person had been seen for several days ; 
the window shades were lowered, and the front door was locked. Re- 
solved upon exploring the interior, an entrance was effected from the 
rear, when they immediately discovered abundant evidence of a mon- 
strous crime. Pools of blood were upon the floor, crimson splashes and 
prints of blood-stained hands upon the walls. The building contained 
but three small rooms, and all bore the ensanguined marks of having 
been converted into shambles. All along the hallway leading to the 
back room used as a kitchen, the same horrible traces appeared, showing 
beyond peradventure that murder had been done in all the rooms, and 
that some of the helpless victims had been dragged from one to another. 
On every side were sickening evidences of diabolical atrocity. 

In the course of their search the investigators were led to a small 
trap door, which on being raised, disclosed a sort of pit beneath that 
may have been used as a cellar by some of the former occupants. It 
was a foul, black, weird and uncanny place, and the stench arising there- 



236 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

from appalling. Procuring lighted candles they descended into the 
depths, onh' to find piled in a heap beneath the rickety stairway, the 
bodies of four men in the last stages of decomposition; cut, hacked, 
stabbed and mangled, covered with filthy blankets and filthier mattresses. 
Near by were three large harps, two violins, a scissors grinding machine, 
a hatchet, hammer and several dirk knives, all smeared and splashed 
with gore. Words cannot portray the awfulness of the scene. The 
throats of all had been cut from ear to ear, and knife wounds were 
visible upon other parts of the bodies. 

Mr. Failing and the officer quickly informed the county coroner. 
Dr. Charles Denison, who hastened to the spot. The report soon 
spread over the city and some hundreds of people collected there. The 
remains were hurried into express wagons, conveyed to "potters' field" 
and buried out of sight. The next step was to discover the assassins 
and bring them to justice. To Gen. D. J. Cook, then sheriff of the 
county, fell the arduous task of tracing out the slight clues presented, 
and afterward of apprehending the miscreants. An inquest was held, 
but only the faintest light was obtained from the testimony elicited. 
However, the sheriff engaged his most experienced detectives in hunting 
obscure trails, and at last, after diligent search, persons were found to 
identify the remains, and who informed the officers that certain Italians 
named Filomeno Gallotti, iMichiele Ballotti, one Arratta and others had 
been the associates of these victims, and that they had fled the cit)-. 
One of the corpses was that of an aged man, known as "Old Joe," a 
scissors grinder, the other three those of boys, supposed to be his chil- 
dren or nephews, and were strolling musicians, who played about the 
streets and in drinking saloons, for such largess as might be thrown 
to them. 

Filomeno Gallotti, subsequently proved to be the leader of the 
killing, who plotted and directed it, and was himself the principal actor 
with his accomplices in the crime had occupied a shanty on lower Fif- 
teenth street, where he conducted a small tin shop. Omitting the details 
of the pursuit, it is sufficient to relate that Cook's deputies, R. Y. Force 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. '237 

and \V. Frank Smith, were put upon tlie trails of the fugitives as soon 
as discovered, and in due time captured three of them in an ItaHan 
drinking saloon at the town of Trinidad, in Southern Colorado. 
Anxious to discover the whereabouts of the others, they lodged their 
prisoners in jail and frightened them into confessing the particulars of 
the assassination, implicating their confederates, and disclosing the 
direction they had taken. From this source it was ascertained that the 
band intended to continue their flight into old Mexico, where they had 
planned to engage in farming as a cloak for the further contemplated 
scheme of extensive plunder and brigandage. 

These prisoners were conveyed to Denver and locked up. Mean- 
while two other suspects named "Old Joe" and Deodatta, had been 
arrested by SherilY Cook, near Sloan's Lake, beyond North Denver, 
from whom it was discovered where a part of the money taken from the 
murdered men was secreted. The chief villain and two of his red-handed 
comrades were still at large, having thus far eluded the officers. It was 
finally ascertained by extensive telegraphing, that they were in the San 
Luis Valley rapidly making their way southward. Force and Smith 
pursued, and after a long and arduous chase succeeded in capturing them 
at Taos, New Mexico, whence they also were brought back and placed 
behind the bars in Denver. 

Cook and his aids won universal commendation for the extremely 
clever detective work exhibited in this remarkable case, the chief bearing 
the greater part of the expense from his private purse. With only the 
faintest traces for a beginning, the whole plot was unraveled with con- 
summate skill as he proceeded, which led to the apprehension of the 
entire band. The chase was long, trying and costl)-, but it was never 
for an instant abandoned, nor did these brave men at any time despair 
of finally caging the fugitives. They did hope, however, to see them 
punished by the extreme penalty of the law, but in this, as we shall see, 
not only they but everybody was sorely disappointed. 

For many years, dating about the close of our civil war. Cook had 
been an important, and at times a dominating figure in the police gov- 



238 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

ernment of the city and county. He was the controlHng spirit of all citv 
and county elections, and frequentl)- in those of the Territory as well. 
A native of Laporte, Indiana, born in 1840, he came to Colorado in 
1859, engaged in the desultory prospecting and mining of that early 
period for a season, then returned to the " States," and in i86r engaged 
in government transportation service, on the Western frontier. In 1863 
he wandered back to the Rocky Mountains and enlisted in the First 
Colorado Cavalry, whose term of service. was by that, time well nigh 
ended. In 1864 he became a detective in the employ of the Quartermaster 
at Denver, serving till 1866. From 1866 to 1869 he was marshal of the 
city of Denver, and in the year last named was elected sheriff of Ara- 
pahoe County, being re-elected at the close of his term. Thenceforward 
to 1875 he devoted his attention to detective work, as the organizer and 
chief of the Rocky Mountain Detective Association, formed many years 
before, and which still e.xists. In 1875 he was again elected sherifT, 
serving out his term, that expired in 1880. In 1873, Governor Elbert 
appointed him Major General of Militia (whence his military title), an 
office to which he was re-appointed by Governor Routt, and again by 
Governor Pitkin. Under the two latter administrations he was repeat- 
edly engaged in organizing, arming and protecting the border settlers 
from threatened incursions by hostile Indians. In June, 1880, Governor 
Pitkin ordered him to Leadville to aid in suppressing the riot of striking 
miners there, which at one time endangered the peace and safety of that 
city. In October of the same year, the police of Denver, being without 
a leader, he was made chief for the emergency in the midst of the Chi- 
nese riots that occurred on the eve of the presidential election, an account 
of which is given elsewhere. A short time afterward he was made chief 
of police for the ensuing regular term, since which time he has pursued 
his favorite calling noted above. 

Several attempts to lynch the Italian murderers were made by the 
excited populace while they were being conveyed from the Rio Grande 
trains to the county jail, but they were adroitly prevented. The reporters 
for the press, eager to secure the awful details from living witnesses, and 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 239 

believing they could extort them from the younger members of the 
band, entered their cells and began their reportorial inquisition. As 
they were eminentl)' successful, and as the reports then rendered con- 
tain all the facts brought out on the subsequent trials, we shall make use 
of them in following this frightful narrative to its conclusion. 

One of the boys named Leonardo Allessandri, on being questioned 
readily yielded, and recited the story from beginning to end, and his tes- 
timony in court was substantially the same. 

It appeared that the man called "Old Joe Pecorra," was a padrone 
in Italy, and had stolen the boys who played harps and violins, com- 
pelling them to earn money by any means, no matter how, so they 
obtained it, and deliver everything to him. They were cruelly treated 
and forced to work day and night to satisfy his greed. As it cost them 
but little to live, and as they were quite successful, the gains were con- 
siderable. It was reported by some of the frightened prisoners that 
Filomeno Gallotti, chief of the cut-throats, while in Italy had been a 
member of a band of brigands which robbed and murdered travelers on 
lonely roads, or held them for ransom, as best suited their purposes. In 
due time he became chief of the band, but finally was compelled to flee 
the country. He came to America, drifted to New Orleans, and at last 
to Denver. 

Having skillfully laid his plans to secure "Old Joe's" money and 
for the general massacre, by collecting his confederates and their 
intended victims at the house on Lawrence street, the plot was ripe for 
execution. Allessandri played his harp, the old man and his boys with 
one or two others were playing cards in the front room. Gallotti stood 
like a death watch behind Joe, apparently interested in the game, but 
actually awaiting an opportunity to strike. Suddenl)-, and without the 
slightest warning, he drew from his coat a long, keen-edged butcher 
knife, and seizing the old man by the hair, drew back his head and with 
one stroke nearly severed it from the body. This was the signal for 
the rest to begin. The blood spurted upon the table, and into the 
faces of the players. Not content with this, as the quivering form fell 



240 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

to the floor, Gallotti jumped upon it and with fiendish glee plunged his 
knife into it as if it were a most delightful pastime to hack and 
mutilate. One of the others simultaneously seized the larger of the 
boys and endeavored to kill him in like manner, but he fought desper- 
ately for his life. At last Gallotti having satiated his appetite upon 
his first victim, arose and seeing the blundering work of his assistants, 
grabbed the boy and instantly slew him. Said Allessandri, in his con- 
fession, "I kept on playing my harp, for I dared not stop, but I was so 
frightened I trembled all over. Once I did stop playing, but Gallotti 
shook me, and drawing his knife across my throat said he would cut my 

d d head off if I did not play on. so I started up again. They let 

the bodies lay where they had fallen, and some one threw blankets over 
them." 

Two other boys who had been out in the city, and for whom the 
murderous wretches now lay in wait, soon came into the yard bearing 
their harps. "Gallotti watched the front door, and Ballotti stood guard 
at the rear. The smaller one came in first, carrying a violin under his 
arm. Gallotti seized him, and drawing a knife plunged it to the hilt 
just under the boy's right ear, cutting his throat. The little boy who 
played the harp came to the back door, but catching a glimpse of the 
blood took alarm and tried to retreat, but Ballotti caught and dragged 
him into the house. As he did not succeed in cutting his throat, 
Aratta went to his aid, but the boy escaped them and ran crying and 
bleeding into the front room where Gallotti, the hell-born, caught him 
around the neck with one hand and with the boy's head under his arm 
slashed his throat from ear to ear. I was still playing my harp, but the 
sight of the dead bodies and the blood running on the floor made me 
sick. Filomeno made me lick his knife and ordered me to drink some 
of the blood. He scooped up a handful of blood running from the big 
boys' throat and drank it, the others doing likewise as a pledge of 
fidelity. They then threw the bodies into the cellar." 

After taking what money they had and dividing it, Filomeno re- 
taining the larger portion by virtue of his right as chief assassin, they 





'cr^clfi^-^i^^^ 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 241 

washed the blood from their hands and faces, and throwing- their gory 
clothing- into the cellar, locked the doors and went to Gallotti's tin 
shop on Fifteenth street, where plans for flight were considered. 
About nine o'clock that night the monsters revisited the scene of their 
infernal butchery, for what purpose no man can tell. The same night 
they walked to Littleton twelve miles distant, where they boarded a Rio 
Grande freight train and went to Pueblo, thence southward to Trinidad 
where three of the band stopped off for a time and were apprehended as 
already narrated. They obtained quite a large sum of money, twelve 
to fourteen hundred dollars from old man Joe, according to Allessandri's 
account, and this was the impelling cause for the horrible slaughter; the 
rest has been told. 

When it is clearly understood that this unparalleled massacre was 
deliberately planned and executed in cold blood as set forth by the 
witnesses and perpetrators, for all confessed, the mind is stricken dumb 
with amazement that it could have been permitted by an All Wise 
Providence, and it is still more astounding that these foul and 
monstrous anomalies made up of rank depravities, should have escaped 
the extreme penalty of the law. But such was the fact, and it forms the 
most extraordinary phase of the tragedy. 

The preliminary examination took place December 4th, 1875, 
before Justices O. A. Whittemore and Daniel Sayre (the latter now a 
resident of Leadville), ex-District Judge Christian S. Eyster being the 
prosecuting attorney. It is needless to epitomize the evidence, for it 
was substantially as heretofore recited. Suffice it that the prisoners 
were held for trial at the District Court, Judge A. W. Brazee (now 
United .States Commissioner) presiding. 

On the 29th of January, 1876, they were ushered into a densely 
crowded court room, and arraigned for trial. Nearly all the members 
of the Denver bar were present. E. L. Johnson, one of the most 
learned and accomplished linguists of our time, interpreted for the 
court. The accused not having employed counsel, the court assigned J. 
F. Welborn, E. L. Johnson, H. C. Dillon, B. F. Harrington, ^L B. 



242 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Carpenter, W. W. Cook and D. B. Graham to defend them, C. S. 
Thomas appearing as special counsel for Filomeno Gallotti. 

The Grand Jury had indicted nine of the confederates jointly in 
eight indictments, numbered from S6i to 868 inclusive. After nunierous 
dilatory motions and pleas in abatement had been disposed of and the 
indictments sustained, on the 7th of February the defendants plead not 
guilty to indictments 861 and 868. Subsequently motions were made to 
allow the defendants to withdraw their pleas of " not guilty " and to 
plead "guilty," but they were denied by the court. Afterward, and at 
the April term, two new indictments, numbered 915 and 916 were pre- 
ferred for murder, based upon the same facts. Number 915 was 
quashed. To 916 Gallotti plead "guilty." Thereupon Judge Braze*- 
invited discussion by counsel respecting the proper construction of the 
legislative act of 1870, amending the 20th section of the criminal code 
as to the penalty which the law authorized to be inflicted under a con- 
viction on a plea of guilty in such case. Judge Eyster, H. P. Bennett, 
A. P. Hereford for the prosecution, and E. L. Johnson for the defense, 
addressed the court, defining their opinions, and at the close Judgr 
Brazee gave his decision that under this plea the defendant could not 
legally be condemned to death under the statute. 

Under the highly excited state of public feeling, this e.\traordinar\- 
and wholly unexpected turn of affairs, which it was seen opened wide 
the doors of escape for the worst criminals that ever cursed the world. 
Judge Brazee was sharply criticised and fiercely condemned for hi> 
ruling. He was not moved, however, by public clamor, but proceeded 
to administer justice in the premises according to the law as he found it, 
and not as he or others thought the law ought to have been. He had 
the satisfaction, if any there could be, of seeing under a similar statute,' 
his decision followed by the courts of Minnesota in the case of the 
infamous Younger Brothers, who murdered a cashier in the attempt tn 
rob a bank, and who escaped the gallows under a plea of guilty. His 
views of the law referred to, were also accepted by his associates on the 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 243 

bench in Colorado in. like cases. The section of the statute on which 
his decision was based, read as follows: 

Section" i. That Section 20 of Chapter 22, Revised Statutes of 
Colorado Territory shall hereafter be construed so that the death penalty 
for the crime of murder shall not be ordered inflicted by the courts of 
the Territory, unless the jury trying the case, shall in their verdict of 
guilty also find that the killing was deliberate or premeditated, or was 
done in the perpetration or attempt to perpetrate some felony. 

Under this section it was entirely clear that any criminal, no 
matter what the enormity of his offence, had only to enter a plea of 
guilty to save his neck from the halter, for courts and juries were power- 
less to order otherwise. The peculiar wording of the law left no 
alternative. The legislative will was supreme. Representatives of the 
people had so enacted, and there was no right to deny the plea. Sec- 
tion 211 of the same statute read as follows: 

"In all cases when the part)' indicted shall plead guilty, such plea 
shall not be entered until the court shall have fully explained to the 
accused the consequences of entering such plea, after which if the party 
indicted persists in pleading guilty, said plea shall be received and 
recorded, and the court proceed to render judgment and execution 
thereon, as if he or she had been found guilty by a jury." But section 
20 previously quoted was the latest expression of the legislative will, 
and therefore as far as the two sections conflicted, governed the case. 

Ballotti was tried on indictment 861. In the course of this trial, 
Hon. George W. Miller was employed by the State to assist the dis- 
trict attorney, and lent powerful aid in prosecuting the case. At the 
close, in reviewing the testimony, he delivered a masterly address which 
resulted in the conviction of Ballotti. The jury rendered a verdict of 
guilty as charged, that the murder was committed with deliberation and 
premeditation, and in the perpetration of a felony. Motions to set aside 
the verdict, for a new trial, and in arrest of judgment, were filed and 
argued. After due consideration all were denied by the court, where- 
upon Ballotti's attorney's, with the consent of the district attorney, 



244 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

were allowed six months in which to tender a bill of exceptions. On 
motion of the district attorney the sentence upon Ballotti on the verdict 
was suspended. Subsequently however, Ballotti plead guilty to indict- 
ment 868, and thereupon was sentenced to the State penitentiarj- for 
life. The district attorney never moved for sentence against him on 
the verdict. Probably the reason was that he did not desire to see the 
death penalty inflicted on one of Gallotti's followers, while Gallotti him- 
self, the prime instigator and chief actor, who poured out blood like 
water, reveled in it, and drank it fresh from the gaping wounds of the 
slaughtered, escaped with his life. 

Deodatta was tried on indictment 868, and was acquitted by the 
jury, as he was simply an accomplice after the fact, and had naught to 
do with the murders. Arratta and Allessandri, who were mere boys, 
were probably frightened into taking part by the older members. They 
were, therefore, allowed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter, and 
sentenced each to ten years' imprisonment. 

After Filomeno Gallotti plead guilty to indictment 916, which 
charged the same offences as the other bills brought in, it was clear that 
under the ruling of the presiding judge as to the punishment that must 
follow his plea of guilty, the other defendants ought to be allowed, and 
with the consent of the district attorney, were allowed to withdraw their 
pleas of not guilty, and plead guilty. These were sentenced to imprison- 
ment for life. The curious will find the record of these cases in journal 
ten (10) of the Territorial district court for Arapahoe County, indexed 
under the title of "The People vs. Filomeno Gallotti et al." 

To comment further upon the diabolical murders, would be need- 
less waste of words. The details have been set down in all their Stygian 
blackness. It is impossible for tongue or pen to exaggerate the horror 
of the scenes that have been portrayed as fully as mere words can 
picture them. But there will always remain in the public mind a feeling 
of resentment against the legislative assembly for having so amended the 
criminal code as to open the way for the tender of mercy and life to such 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 245 

self-confessed demons as Gallotti, Campagna and Ballotti. It only 
remains to relate the sequel, which may be briefly told. 

Arratta and Allessandri served out their terms and were discharged. 
What became of them is not known. Ballotti died in prison. Cam- 
pagna was released by limitation of his life sentence. Only one, — Val- 
entini, — now remains. Gallotti, the chief, was pardoned by Governor 
Eaton, February i8th, 1SS5, by intercession of the prison authorities 
and others. He had been in the hospital for two years, suffering, as 
alleged, from an incurable disease, varicose, or" preternaturally enlarged 
veins in his legs, and the medical advisers pronounced him be)-ond their 
aid and skill ; that he was slowly dying, and must soon pass away. 
A woman who claimed to be his mother, came from Italy to supplicate 
for the release of her son that she might soothe and console him in 
his last moments. The pardon was issued ; the woman took him to 
New York, and thence to Italy. She was well supplied with money. I 
am informed by General Cook that some of the Italians now here 
received letters from Gallotti saying he had recovered, and that the 
brigands of whom he had formerly been the leader, furnished the money 
and sent the woman to procure his release. 

CANNIBAL PACKER. 

The details of the awful tragedy subjoined, also form a part of our 
history, and therefore are given a place therein. It is almost incredible 
that it could have been enacted in the light of our civilization, and in a 
land where resort to wholesale massacre can never be justified by any of 
the exigencies of self-defense, or any other event within the range of 
human experience. The account following is the result of personal 
interviews with General Charles Adams (late minister to Bolivia, under 
President Arthur), Hon. Otto Mears, a member of the State Board of 
capitol commissioners, and Mr. Herman Lenders, all of whom were 
familiar with the incidents related, and bore prominent parts in them as 
will appear, as we proceed. 

Late in the autumn of 1873, ^ company of men, about twenty in 
number, having resolved to prospect for gold and silver mines in the San 



246 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado, left Utah for that purpose. 
In due time they reached the Uncompahgre River at a point near where 
the present town of Montrose is situated, though there were no white 
inhabitants in the country at that time. Here was located. the encamp- 
ment of the famous Ute chief Ouray, who received and gave them a 
cordial welcome. This occurred about the iiiiddle of December fol- 
lowing. They were weary and footsore from their long and dif^cult 
journey, and destitute of provisions. 

Their mission having been announced, Ouray apprised them of the 
great danger of attempting such an expedition at that season, and 
endeavored to dissuade them from it, generously offering to subsist them 
at his camp until spring, as game was quite abundant in that region. 
He warned them against crossing the higher ranges of mountains where 
lay the treasure of which they were in search, saying it could be accom- 
plished only at the risk of their lives, as everything indicated a very 
severe winter, with extraordinary snowfalls. But his friendly admo- 
nitions, though accepted by the majority, were not heeded by others, 
who seemed determined upon entering upon the promised land notwith- 
standing its perils, in order that they might secure the richer prizes in 
advance of the crowd that w^ould be certain to come in the spring, and 
although they might suffer great hardships, they were prepared for the 
undertaking. Having exhausted his resources of argument without 
effect, Ouray, finding six of them resolved upon going, furnished the 
remainder with a small stock of provisions, and directed them to follow 
up the Gunnison River on the ice until they should come to the govern- 
ment cattle camp, where they probably could obtain further supplies. 
They proceeded as directed, and after a time nine of them safely arrived 
at the town of Saguache in the San Luis Valley, the others having 
made their way to other points. A few days later the more venturous 
six, named Miller, Bell, Humphreys, Swan, Noon and Packer, undertook 
to cross by the same route, but on reaching the mouth of the Lake Fork 
of the Gunnison, they by mistake took the right fork leading to Lake 
City, or the spot where that town was founded some two years later. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 5i47 

Packer assuming intimate knowledge of the country, acted as their guide. 

To these men Ouray gave as much food as they could well carry, 
saying as he did so, that he never expected to see them again alive, as 
it was certain death to go where they purposed going. The prediction 
of the grand old chieftain was verified, though not in the manner he 
anticipated. He never saw them again in the living state. 

.Six weeks later. Packer made his way alone to the old Las Pinos 
agency, located on the Cochetopa Creek about seventy-five miles from 
Lake City. On arriving there he related his adventures to Mr. 
Stephen A. Dole (private secretary to General Adams the agent, who 
was then absent from the post), stating that he (Packer) had started 
out from Ouray's camp with five others, but after a few days' traveling 
he was lamed and unable to walk ; that his companions and himself 
disagreeing as to which way the)- should go, they had deserted him, 
taking a southerly direction, while he, after resting a few days and then 
being able to resume his journey, had slowly and laboriously found his 
way to the agency, subsisting on roots and berries, and an occasional 
squirrel or rabbit he managed to kill. He told Dole and others he had 
no doubt that his comrades had reached Silverton or Animas Valley. 
His appearance however, did not indicate any such suffering as was_ 
claimed, for he looked hale, hearty and well fed, though somewhat 
fatigued from his long tramp. Instead of asking for food, his first 
demand was for a drink of whisky. 

Mr. Dole sympathizing with Packer from the pitiful tale he told, 
said no doubt General Adams would give him employment about the 
agency for a time, but he seemed strongly disinclined to accept the 
offer if made. After a few days of rest and recuperation Packer 
departed, saying he would go down to Saguache (forty-five miles 
distant), and thence return to his family and friends in Pennsylvania. 
At this time, according to his own account, he was wholly without 
money, and to procure some, sold his Winchester rifle for ten dollars, to 
one of the agency employes. 

The next heard of him was at Saguache, where he snent most of 



24S HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

his time in drinking, carousing and playing poker. At times he 
exhibited considerable sums of money. A few days after leaving the 
agency, some Indians discovered and brought in strips of flesh, which 
the agency physician declared must have been cut from a human bod)-. 
As they were found on Packer's trail, it was at once surmised that 
Packer had killed his companions and subsisted on their flesh, instead 
of roots, berries and rabbits, as he had narrated to them. 

The members of the original party of twenty, who had preceded 
him to Saguache, on meeting Packer there inquired of him what had 
become of the other five. He told them, as he had Mr. Dole, they wen- 
in Silverton or in the Animas Valley, as on leaving him they went in 
that direction. During his stay he went to the store of Mears & Gotthelf 
and asked if they had a horse they would sell, as he wanted to buy 
one. Mr. Mears sold him a horse for seventy dollars, for which Packer 
paid in bank notes, but Mears believing one of them to be counter- 
feit (he had been told by one of the original Utah party that Packer 
had been in jail at Salt Lake for passing counterfeit money), asked him 
for another. Packer then produced a different pocketbook than that 
from which the first had been drawn, and opening it took out another 
bill, giving it to Mears in place of the note that had been rejected, and 
in doing so displayed a red printed draft, such as were then used by the 
Wells-Fargo Express Company, which attracted the attention of Mr. 
Mears, though he said nothing. About this time General Adams, who 
had come from Denver, arrived at Saguache en route back to the 
agency, to whom Mears related the strange circumstances connected 
with Packer's arrival there, and his suspicions that he had murdered 
and robbed his companions in the mountains. Conferences with the 
members of the original Utah party who had reached the same con- 
clusion, as they knew that Packer had little or no money when they 
left him, brought a proposition from Adams that if Packer could be 
induced to go back to the agency where he (Adams) had full juris- 
diction, he would either force a confession from him or hold him a 
prisoner until an investigation could be made as to the fate of his 






'^' '^-^i^.:^ 




J^n. 8/Lej-^^^ 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 249 

companions. He then informed Packer that if he would go as guide, 
he would outfit a party to hunt for the missing men. After much 
reluctance and numberless e.xcuses, he agreed to go if Adams would 
bear all the expenses, and in this manner Packer was brought to the 
agenc)', accompanied by Mears and two or three of the Utah men. 
On the way thither, in crossing Cochetopa Creek, Packer was seen to 
throw something into the stream, and when asked what it was, he 
replied it was some trash for which he had no use. They reached the 
agency at dark that evening, when Adams sent for Packer to come to 
his office. He said to him, "Packer, Mr. Mears informs me you had 
two pocketbooks at .Saguache, both containing money ; I want to see 
them." He denied having any, whereupon Adams requested Mears to 
search Packer, but nothing further than a knife about nine inches long, 
was found. Then both came to the conclusion that it w^as the pocket- 
books Packer had thrown into the Cochetopa. 

By this time it became known that none of the party with whom 
Packer hail entered the mountains had reached .Silverton or the Animas 
Valley, and the circumstances foregoing convinced Adams and all con- 
cerned that they had perished in the deep snows, or had been killed 
and robbed by Packer, the latter suspicion being very strong, as some 
of them were known to have possessed considerable money in notes 
and drafts. In addition, in one of his fits of into.xication at Saguache, 
he had exhibited a pipe, a pocket knife and some other small articles 
known to ha\e belonged to the missing men. General Adams had 
carefully noted all these suspicious circumstances, and having Packer 
in his power, resolved to force the facts from him. All who were 
interested in the proceedings, more especially the Utah men, were so 
deeply incensed against Packer, threats to lynch him were freely 
indulged. Packer, in reply to Adams' question, "Where did you get 
the large sums of money shown at .Saguache, as )'Ou had but ten 
dollars on leaving here ?" said he had borrowed it from a friend. Said 
Adams, "What you have told me is false ; now I want to know, and 
loill know what became of your comrades whom j'ou left in the 



250 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

mountains. You have lied to me! I believe those men are dead, and 
that )'ou know who killed them, and I am determined to know the 
truth." Packer, now thoroughly alarmed, related the following in 
substance: 

"After four or five days the provisions gave out, and old man 
Swan died of starvation. They cut off pieces of his flesh and ate 
them. A few days later Humphreys died, and he was treated the same 
way. Later when they had camped, he ( Packer) went out to get some 
fire-wood and when he returned Miller had been killed by the others. 
Several days after. Bell shot Noon, and they both ate his flesh. Then 
only himself and Bell remained, and they agreed between themselves 
to spare each other's life. Packer had Swan's gun, Bell had a ritlc 
They decided to make their way out of the mountains to some settle- 
ment, believing they could kill rabbits and other small game enough to 
maintain them." 

But according to this remarkable confession, the compact did not 
endure. Packer proceeded to relate how Bell, the last of the five, was 
disposed of. He said, "Whenever a man was killed, after cutting off 
the flesh, the bones were gathered and buried in his blankets." One 
day while in a grove of spruce trees, Packer stooped to take up some 
faggots for their camp fire, when Bell struck at him with the butt of his 
rifle, but the gun striking a tree missed its aim. and was broken. 
Thereupon, to save his own life he shot Bell, and subsisted upon his 
flesh until he arrived in sight of the agency, when the strips he had 
brought along for food were thrown away, and this explained how the 
Indians came to find them on his trail. The killing of Bell, he said, 
occurred near Lake San Christoval. He cut from the body all the 
flesh he could conveniently carry, and, the sole survivor of the party 
of six, made his way in pain and suffering to the agency. 

This horrible story, though carefully narrated, was not fully 
credited by any one, but General Adams said, if the facts were as had 
been stated, Packer was not to blame, but to prove its truthfulness, he 
must accompany a part)' next da)- and show where the bodies were 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 'iol 

buried. So a party of si.\ was organized under command of H. F. 
Lauter, for an immediate investigation of the borders of Lake San 
Christoval for the remains of the unfortunate Bell, supposed to have 
fallen there. Packer was forced to accompany it as guide. They 
were absent two weeks. Instead of taking the direction of the 
lake ho-.vever, Packer led the party in the opposite course, and when 
they came down on the lake fork of the Gunnison, near Indian Creek, 
he declared that he had no knowledge of the country whatever, and 
was wholly lost. The fourth day out he had made an attempt to kill 
Lauter with a large knife, but was seized by Lauter and disarmed. 
When he declared himself to be bewildered and lost, a man named 
Nutter of the original Utah party, who accompanied the expe- 
dition, said to Packer, "I am satisfied now that )ou killed those men, 
and ought to be hanged for it." He replied. "If you are satisfied that 
I killed the men, yon find them." The search therefore ended in 
complete failure, and there was nothing to do but go back to the 
agency and report. Lauter, being a constable, then took charge of 
Packer, and deputizing Nutter to accompany him, went to .Saguache, 
and turned the prisoner over to the sheriff of that county. The search 
was kept up however, and at various times, articles of clothing and 
other things were discovered, which still further confirmed the 
suspicions that the men had been killed. 

In June the greater part of the heavy snows had disappeared, and 
prospectors began to go into the mountains, many of whom passed the 
agenc)- en route. General Adams related to them what had occurred, 
and requested them to lo()k for the bodies of the men who had gone 
to the mining fields with Packer the previous winter. 

Among the first that went to Lake City that spring was a pho- 
tographer named Reynolds, who made views and sketches for 
"Harper's Weekly." While passing through a spruce grove, Reynolds 
came upon the bodies of five men, four lying in a row, each showing 
that his head had been crushed with a hatchet or an ax, and that 
they had all been killed v/hile sleeping. The bodies were covered with 



252 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

blankets, and were in an advanced state of decomposition. The fifth 
man, Bell, lay some distance from the others ; examination proved that 
he had been shot with a rifle, and the head had been cut clean from 
the trunk. There were abundant si^ns of a sharp, fierce struggle, 
indicating unmistakably that Bell had fought desperately for his life. 
Most of the flesh had been cut from his body, but the others were less 
extensively mutilated, which seemed to prove that the party was not 
destitute of food when killed, and that Packer had slain them for their 
money and property. Another circumstance which indicated the 
desperateness of the fight with Bell, was that when Packer arrived at 
the agency two of his front teeth were missing. A rude shanty or 
cabin was found near the spot, and leading from it to the battle ground 
was a well worn trail, showing that Packer had occupied the cabin for 
some time, making frequent visits to the victims and subsisting upon 
their flesh. 

Intelligence of this frightful discovery soon spread to all thi- 
settlements. Officers of the law were summoned, an inquest held and 
a verdict returned that these men met their death at the hands of 
Alfred Packer. A warrant for his arrest on the charge of murder was 
issued, but before it could be served. Packer made his escape from the 
sheriff' of Saguache, and nothing more was heard of him until March, 
1883, nearly ten years afterward, when one of the original Utah party 
named "Frenchy," being in a house at Fort Fetterman, Wyoming 
Territory, heard voices of men through a thin partition which separated 
the rooms, and at once recognized one of them as 'Packer's. Keeping 
his own counsel, he communicated the fact to General Adams, then 
holding the position of United States Postoffice Inspector, that Packer 
was at Fort Fetterman, under the assumed name of John Schwartze. 
He was soon arrested by the sheriff of that county, and held for 
Adams, who immediately went to the post, and brought him back to 
Denver, where he was lodged in the jail of Arapahoe County. Here 
Packer made to Adams another rambling confession, that was not 
credited. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 253 

Packer was taken from Denver by the sheriff of Hinsdale County. 
On arriving at Gunnison he was lodged in the jail of that town by 
order of Judge M. B. Gerry, because of its greater security. On the 
28th of March, 1883, he was taken to Lake City for trial at the April 
term of the district court. The testimony against him was ver\- full 
and conclusive, and on the 13th of April, the jury returned a verdict of 

premeditated murder. Counsel for the defense Mr. Heims and A. 

J. Miller (counsel for the State being Messrs. J. C. Bell and J. \V. 
Mills), gave notice of a motion for a new trial, but it was overruled. 
They then asked for an order to the clerk to prepare a transcript of 
the record, that it might be taken to the Supreme Court, which was 
granted. Judge Gerry sentenced Packer to be hanged on the 19th of 
May following. 

This desperate criminal, the perpetrator of five murders, was only 
thirty-four years of age, and notwithstanding the enormity of his crime 
still lives, owing to the blunders of our State legislature in amending 
certain sections of the criminal code. 

On the 7th of May his counsel carried the case to the Supreme 
Court. On the nth, Chief-Justice \V. E. Beck handed down a 
decision, upon another appeal, which in effect wrought a stay of pro- 
ceedings in Packer's case, and prevented the e.xecution of Judge 
Gerry's righteous sentence. The cause was that of ".Albert Garvey, 
plaintiff in error, vs. the people of Colorado, defendants in error," 
which came to the court on an appeal for reversal of a decision by 
Victor A. EUiott, Judge of the District Court, who had sentenced 
Garvey to imprisonment for life on the charge of having murdered 
George Wolf in Weld County, May 23d, 18S0. Counsel for the 
prisoner, Messrs. Wells, Smith and Macon, argued that the law under 
which Garvey was tried and convicted, that went into effect March ist, 
iS8r, was ex post facto ^ inasmuch as it curtailed the privilege of the old 
law relating to murders, that was in effect when the crime was com- 
mitted, and that the new law had no saving clause covering crimes 
committed while the old law was in effect, and during which Garvey's 



254 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

crime was committed. Judge Beck's opinion, in substance, was that any 
murder committed prior to taking effect of the provision of the penal 
code March ist, iSSi, was not amenable under the new section, li\ 
which the privilege of the accused to enter a plea of "guilty" and thu^ 
escape the hazard of being convicted of murder in the first degree, had 
been annulled. 

Not only Packer, but several other assassins thereby escaped tlu- 
penalty which they justly deserved. 

On reading this opinion, Packer's attorne)-s immediately applied for 
and were granted a writ of supersedeas, made returnable in December, 
Intelligence of the fact having reached Lake City, some apprehension 
was entertained by' the authorities that the indignation of the people 
would result in the lynching of the jDrisoner. The gallows for the legal 
execution had been erected and preparations made for that event, and 
it would not have been difficult had they been so inclined, to take 
Packer out and hang him, but the good sense and law abiding spirit of 
the community restrained it from taking any violent measures. It is 
not often, however, that frontier ideas of justice are thwarted by sen- 
timents of this nature, and it is greatly to the credit of the people that 
respect for even ill considered law was allowed to overcome their 
desire for unlawful vengeance. 

The case was not reached b)- the Supreme Court until October, 
18S5, Meanwhile, Packer had lain in jail awaiting the result. He 
was broken in body and mind by the long confinement. A nevv- 
trial was had at Gunnison, August 2d, 1886, and a verdict of guilty 
returned on each count in the indictment, and he was sentenced to fort)- 
years' imprisonment in the State Penitentiary at Canon City, and is 
there now. 

BILLV THE KID AND EDWARD KELLV. 

During the administration of General Lew Wallace as Governor 
of New Mexico, in the leisure of which it is said that he wrote the nov,^ 
celebrated, certainly the very widely circulated book "Ben-Hur, a Tale 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 255 

of the Christ," the people of the Territory, especially the inhabitants of 
Lincoln County, were kept in constant turmoil by the acts of large 
bands of thieves, cut-throats and outlaws, chief of whom was a remark- 
able character known all over the border as "Billy the Kid." In the 
broad annals of frontier life, filled as they are with the outrages of 
lawless men perpetrated in Colorado and elsewhere, there was not one 
whose deeds of blood and successful evasion of punishment, attracted 
so much interest and horror as the short but marvelous career of the 
mere youth who forms the subject of this sketch. Although a part of 
the annals of New Mexico, I am persuaded to attach an outline here 
because it was said at the time, although perhaps without foundation in 
truth, that "the Kid" had been a resident of Denver, and for the 
further reason which is well established, that one of the prominent 
criminal lawyers of that city was engaged as his counsel. In the course 
of our narrative it will appear that this boy of twenty-six — at the time 
of his death, — drenched his trails with gore, and for a long time eluded 
all attempts to capture him, and finally met a singularly tragic fate. 

"Billy the Kid," whose real name was William Bonney, was born 
in New York City, bred in the streets of that metropolis as a newsboy, 
bootblack, and irreclaimable young desperado from the time he could 
range its busy avenues. How he acquired even the rudiments of an 
education, is not explained, but it is a fact that he somehow and some- 
where learned to read, write and cipher, and, possessed of a bright 
intellect, seems to have made good use of his opportunities. An 
autograph letter before me as these sheets are penned, shows a clear, 
round, steady hand, perfect orthography and faultless grammar, with a 
readiness of expression, correctness of punctuation, and conservative 
thought which is surprising in one who led the life which he pursued. 
Of its authenticity there is no manner of doubt. 

Notwithstanding his cruel and murderous nature, there were 
evidences of much finer and better instincts, that under happier 
influences of moral training and association might have developed a 
bright and useful citizen. < 



256 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

Shortly after his birth, his father died, and a few years later his 
widowed mother settled in Kansas, where she at length married a man 
named Antrim. In due course they moved to Lincoln County, New- 
Mexico, where Billy took employment as a cowboy herder for one of 
the large owners of range cattle. When he had reached maturity his 
stepfather died, when the mother, widowed a second time, went back tn 
her old home in Kansas, leaving Billy, who had become one of tin- 
rough and tough wild riders of the cattle ranges, with all that the term 
implies, that repressed the good, and developed all the devilishness of 
his nature. When the Lincoln County war broke out which caused the 
authorities so much trouble and resulted in the wanton sacrifice of 
many lives, he became the chief of a faction of outlaws. He could ride 
the wildest horses, and shoot with unerring accuracy. Bold, brave, 
desperate and fearless, he, though but a slender stripling, became the 
most dangerous leader of the most dreaded gang in the Territory. 
Even after the troubles subsided, he still carried the spirit of revenge 
against a prominent cattle baron named Chisum, whom he hated with 
fierce malignity, seeking an opportunity to take his life. Though 
several times arrested he always contrived to escape. The Denver 
lawyer already mentioned, then practicing in Santa Fe, who had 
defended him in court on several occasions, was one of the few for 
whom he cherished a devoted attachment. At length he with several 
others was "run to earth" by Pat Garrett, sheriff of Lincoln County, in 
a mud house near Stinking Springs. Garrett with a strong posse sur- 
rounded the hut, laid siege to it, and finally starved them out. They 
were apprehended and taken to Santa Fe for safe keeping in the jail at 
that place. The rougher element of Santa Fe threatened to lynch 
them. The attorney appealed to the authorities for a strong guard to 
be put about the jail, but it was denied, whereupon he collected a 
number of volunteers and placing himself at their head took the matter 
of safe keeping into his own hands. His posse remained until mid- 
night when, discovering no signs of an attack, they went home. They 
had no sooner disappeared, than the lynchers appeared upon the scene. 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 257 

The attorney stood there alone with his Winchester rifle, reinforced by 
thirty-five cartridges, threatening to shoot any and all intruders. The 
lynchers retreated to a safe distance and opened fire, but being pro- 
tected by the thick walls he was not harmed. The exchange of shots 
was kept up until morning, when the mob dispersed. 

Shortly afterward "the Kid" was removed to Lincoln County, where 
he was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree. From his 
cell he wrote this letter to his defender, under date Messilla, April 25th, 
1881: 

"1 would have written before this, but I could get no paper. My United States 
case was thrown out of court, and I was rushed to trial on my Territorial charge ; was 
convicted of murder in the first degree, and am to be hanged on the 13th of May. Mr. 
A. J. Fountain was appointed to defend me, and has done the best he could for me. 
He is willing to carry the case further if I can raise the money to bear his expenses. 
The mare is about all I can depend on at present, so I hope you will settle that case 
right away and give him the money you get for her. If you do not settle the matter 
with Scott Moore, and have to go to court about it, either give him the mare or sell her 
at auction and give him the money. Please do as he wishes you to do in the matter. I 
know you will do the best you can for me in this. I shall be taken to Lincoln to-mor- 
row. Please write and direct care of Garrett, sheriff. Excuse bad writing. I have my 
handcuffs on. I remain as ever, Yours respectfully, 

William Bonnkv." 

During his subsequent confinement in jail, by his quiet, resigned 
and submissive demeanor, he gained the confidence of his guards to 
such an e.xtent that in order to pass the time they indulged in card 
playing for mutual amusement. Billy was securely handcuffed and one 
of his legs fastened to a heavy iron ball by a stout chain. After a time 
he induced the guard to release one of his hands from the bracelets, to 
facilitate handling the cards. This concession was granted, and the 
game proceeded. The guard had a navy six-shooter in his belt, and a 
double barreled shot gun within reach, hence there could be no danger. 
This overweening confidence proved fatal. At tlie noon hour when all 
the attaches of the prison were at dinner, and just as Billy and his 
keeper had finished a game, the latter carelessly turned his head to look 
out the window when, swift as a lightning flash, Billy felled him to the 
floor, and before he could recover, jerked the pistol from his belt and 



258 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

shot him through the head. He then seized the shot gun and cooll\- 
awaited the coming of the deputy sheriff, Bob OHnger, who, attracted 
by the explosion, rushed to the spot. The cell was in the second stor\ 
of the jail, and Billy had meantime reached the head of the stairwaw 
As dinger was about to ascend, he shouted, "Look out there, Bob!" 
and instantly discharged both barrels of the gun into his breast, killing 
him instantly. He then rushed down the stairway, and seizing the 
Winchester borne by the dead officer, clubbed it and broke it over his 
head, saying, "That is the gun you rounded me up with at Stinking 
Springs, but you'll never round up anybody else with it, for I am even 
with you and your gun." 

Mexican guards rushed to the spot, but finding "the Kid" at 
liberty, well armed and desperate, so great was their terror of him, he 
had but to command to secure immediate obedience. He ordered one 
to bring a horse, and another to remove his ball and chain. The horse 
was saddled and led to the door, the chain taken off his leg. Mounting, 
he commanded the gates to be opened, then bidding them a polite 
adios, he darted away. Just as he reached the gate, however, the 
broncho bucked and threw him. Tearing off the saddle he mounted 
bareback, and digging his heels into the animal's side, quickly dis- 
appeared. He made directly for Pete Maxwell's ranch ; en route he 
dashed into a camp of Mexican herders employed by his deadly enemy 
Chisum; there were five of them. KilHng four, he commanded the 
fifth to take this message to his master; "You owe me $5,000; I havt- 
killed four of your men, and credited you with $50 each on account. 
I'll kill you next, when the account will be squared and I'll stand pat 
with the world." 

He then rode on to Maxwell's where he had a sweetheart, a half- 
breed. He was quickly followed by Pat Garrett, the sheriff, who, with 
a large posse surrounded the house. Entering the unlighted building by 
a window, Garrett asked Maxwell if Billy was there. Answered in the 
affirmative, he secreted himself at the foot of a bed and awaited the 
next scene. Billy from an adjoining room hearing voices, seized his 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 259 

rifle and entered, asking his host, "Who is it?" A ra)- of moonhght 
entered the window and revealed his presence unmistakably to the 
crouching sheriff. Knowing with whom he had to deal, he instantly 
took aim and fired, when the terror of the frontier fell dead, a bullet 
through his heart. 

Thus ended the life, at twenty-six years of age, of the most 
desperate and bloody minded civilized white man that ever cursed the 
border with his crimes, fit ending of a lawless and altogether dreadful 
career. He was wont to observe that he had lived but twenty-six 
years, and had killed a man for every year. The earth was well 
rid of him. 

A less tragic but scarcely less interesting episode in which our 
young attorney figured, that also achieved national prominence, and is 
a very extraordinary example in its way of the small incidents that 
sometimes govern momentous events, is found in the killing of Jack 
Reardon by Edward M. Kelly at the Cerillos mining camp, eighteen 
miles from Santa Fe. By the singular combination of circumstances 
attending this tragedy, in New Mexico, at Washington and in the 
public journals throughout the country, it is placed among the notable 
occurrences of criminal life, and the devious courses not infrequently 
taken by justice under the manipulation of resolute lawyers, who never 
abandon their clients until the scaffold or the prison claims its own, 
and holds on with relentless grip. 

These two miners quarreled, and each went for his gun to kill the 
other. Kelly being the quicker, slew his adversary. Engaging our 
attorney to defend him, the cause came on for trial in the Territorial 
court, but not until the last half of the last day of the current term, 
when, being without requisite witnesses, the attorney to make time and 
carry it over, consumed all the remaining hours by various motions, 
preliminary skirmishes and long winded arguments. 

At the next term that was held at Las Vegas, it was again post- 
poned until the last day. At the noon recess the prosecutor turned 
the hands of the court clock back twenL\- minutes. The cause came on, 



260 HISTORY OF COLORADO. 

testimony was taken, and at five minutes to twelve, midnight, the jur)' 
returned a verdict of murder in the first degree. The counsel for tin- 
prisoner bringing the fact of the turning back of the clock, to the notice 
of the court, argued that no legal judgment could be rendered, as the 
term had expired by limitation. It was overruled, and Kelly sen- 
tenced to death. An appeal to the Governor was made, to commute the 
sentence to imprisonment for life, but without avail. Notwithstanding 
the failure of all other expedients, the attorney for Kelly sent a lengthy 
telegram to Honorable Ben Brewster, Attorney-General of the United 
States, setting forth the main particulars, and asking for a respite of 
thirty days until a complete record could be prepared and forwarded by 
mail. 

Now the Attorney-General's heart was bound up in his son Bennie, 
a remarkably bright and precocious little fellow, to whom, when absent 
from home he invariably sent affectionate messages by wire. On this 
occasion he happened to be at the White House in conference with the 
president. The telegram from New Mexico was sent to his house, it 
being long after office hours, and being addressed to Ben Brewster, it 
was opened by Bennie and his mother, under the impression that, as 
usual the fond father had transmitted loving greetings to his adored 
son. Reading it, and, his childish heart imbued with the spirit of 
mercy, he took a pencil and wrote at the bottom, "Papa, please give 
this poor fellow a chance," and reinclosing it, sent it to his father. On 
its receipt the Attorney-General glanced hastily over its contents, till 
his eye lighted upon little Bennie's postscript, when the stern dignity of 
the official and cabinet officer melted into sympathetic charity for the 
condemned. The result was an order by telegraph next day to New 
Mexico granting a respite for the time applied for, which reached the 
sheriff of Santa Fe just as he was about to lead his prisoner to the 
scaffold for execution. A large concourse of people had gathered 
about the gallows to witness the awful proceedings, but they were 
disappointed. The story of how it was brought about, was spread all 
over the land through the newspapers, creating intense interest. The 



HISTORY OF COLORADO. 261 

outcome of the matter? Kelly's sentence was finally commuted to 
imprisonment for life in the United States prison at Fort Leavenworth. 
He is there now, and should he live eight years longer, will be a free 
man, under deductions of time for good behavior. 

In the four cases set forth in this chapter there is well authen- 
ticated material for half a dozen thrilling romances, with truths at the 
bottom that need no florid coloring to stir the depths of the most 
imaginative writer. 

The attorney in the two cases last recited, was Mr. Edgar 
Caypless, a criminal lawyer of Denver. 



CHRONICLES 



Great Interior of Colorado. 



EPITOMIZING THE 



ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE IN THE COUNTIES 

OF ARAPAHOE, BOULDER, CLEAR CREEK, COSTILLA, DOUGLAS, EL PASO, 

FREMONT, GILPIN, LAKE, PUEBLO, HUERFANO AND JEFFERSON. 



THE RECORD OF THIRTY YEARS— 18^9 TO 1890. 



TO BE CONCLUDED IN VOLUME IV. 



ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

Early organization and government— coi-rts and vigilance committees— schedule of offi- 
cers FROM 1859 to 1S9O— building OF SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, JAILS AND COURT HOUSE — COM- 
MENDABLE WORK OF THE COMMISSIONERS— OUTLYING SUBURBS AND FARMING SETTLEMENTS. 

It is deemed advisable to state at the outset, that this sketch is not designed to 
include the annals of the city of Denver, the capital of Arapahoe Count)', and of the 
State. That has been reserved for more elaborate treatment in our Fourth Volume. 
However, the city is so great a part of the county, it is difficult to wholly separate 
them. The main object is to present the early beginnings of government here, under 
the different and often conflicting authorities claiming exclusive jurisdiction, together 
with a consecutive list of county officers from 1859 to 1890, the places where its busi- 
ness was transacted, the initiation and consummation of measures for the erection of 
public buildings — jails, hospitals and court house, with brief mention of outlying towns 
and settlements. So far as I am advised, no such connected account as is here given 
has previously been compiled, and it will be useful for reference if nothing else. To 
reach the facts, long and diligent search has been made of the old and almost forgotten 
records, but even here it has not been possible to obtain all the data required. When 
those failed, resort was had to those who either held office in early times, when such 
matters as we were in quest of were not fully set forth, or possessed memoranda to 
supply the missing links. 

The history of Arapahoe is that of a remarkably well ordered and, for the most 
part, an honestly administered government. As a rule our commissioners have been 
guided by laudable resolves to eschew jobbery, extravagance and corrupt practices; 
paying out the public revenues only for legitimate purposes, avoiding unnecessary 
expenses, keeping the credit up to the highest standard, maintaining their warrants at 
■ par, borrowing no money, and permitting no rascality in the execution of contracts. It 
is entirely safe to assume that no county of its population anywhere in the American 
Union has had less cause to complain of mal-administration than this. In confirmation 
we shall present certain facts and figures. 

Arapahoe County takes its name from the tribe of Indians, that for the last hundred 
years before our epoch roamed over and claimed as its,own property, the greater part 
of its area. As one of the alleged counties of Kansas Territory in i858-'59 it 
embraced nearly all of the present State of Colorado. By the government survey in 
1861, its boundary lines were restricted to a tract thirty miles in width by one hundred 
and sixty in length, thus forming a right angled parallelogram. It extends from the 
265 



266 HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

Kansas line on the east, to within twelve miles of the Ijase of the Rocky Mountains on 
the west. Under the changes made in 1889 it is bounded as follows: North by Weld, 
Morgan, Washington and Yuma Counties, east by Kansas, south by Kit Carson, Lincoln, 
Elbert and Douglas, and west by Jefferson and Boulder. With an area of 4,800 square 
miles, Arapahoe is nearly four times larger than Rhode Island, more than twice as large 
as Delaware, and has about the same area as Connecticut. It is watered by the South 
Platte River, Cherry Creek, the Box Elder, Kiowa, Bijou and their tributaries in the 
west, by the Badger and Beaver in the center and the Arickaree or Middle Fork of the 
Republican and South Fork of the Republican in the eastern part. It is chiefly an 
agricultural and pastoral region, stockgrowing having been its principal industry until 
a few years ago, when most of those therein engaged were compelled by the rapid influx 
of farming settlers to seek more distant ranges for their stock. By the census of 1890 
the population of this county was 131,802, beingan increase of 93,158 over that of 1880. 
This population is mainly grouped near the western boundary, where Denver, the 
county seat, and also the State Capital, has 126,000 inhabitants. This includes, of 
course, the environs, several of which have separate municipal organizations, but are 
virtually integral parts of the metropolis, and will be undoubtedly, at some time in the 
not remote future, incorporated within its limits. 

The first county officers were Edward W. Wynkoop, Hickory Rogers and H. P. A. 
Smith, commissioners appointed by Governor J. W. Denver of Kansas Territory in the 
fall of 1858, to institute local government in the county of Arapahoe over which Kansas 
claimed jurisdiction. While en route to Cherry Creek, these commissioners fell in with 
Richard E. Whitsitt, General William Larimer, William H. H. Larimer, Jr., Charles A. 
Lawrence, M. M. Jewett and Folsom Dorsett, at the Arkansas Crossing, where now 
stands the city of Pueblo. The Whitsitt party had left Leavenworth October 3d, 1858. 
The meeting of these travelers proved an event of great historical importance. They 
journeyed together to the banks of Cherry Creek, reaching the town of Auraria, located 
on the west side, in November, when, finding a town organization already established, 
they moved over to the east side, founded the Denver Town Company and proceeded 
to lay out the present city on the practically abandoned site of St. Charles. 

The first election held by the people of Arapahoe County, occurred November 6th, 
when A. J. Smith was chosen to represent them in the Kansas Legislature, and H. J. 
Graham in Congress. The county then presented the unique anomaly of submission to 
Kansas law on the one hand, and of independence on the other. Graham was sent to 
Washington as a delegate from the people to secure a separate organization, but as nar- 
rated in our first volume, failed to secure such recognition. 

Governor Denver also commissioned H. P. A. Smith to be Probate Judge of the 
county, and with A. J. Smith representing it in the Kansas legislature the political alle- 
giance to that Territory was so far complete, but was soon superseded (1859) by the pro- 
visional government of Jefferson Territory. However, March 28, 1859, the first election 
was held for officers of Arapahoe County, Kansas, with the following result: Probate 
Judge, S. W. Waggoner; Sheriff, D. D. Cook; Treasurer, John L. Hiffner; Register of 
Deeds, J. S. Lowrie; Supervisors, L. J. Winchester, Hickory Rogers and R. L. Wootten; 
Clerk to the Board of Supervisors, Levi Ferguson; Prosecuting Attorney, Marshal 
Cook; Auditor, W. W. Hooper; Assessor, Ross Hutchins; Coroner, C. M. Steinberger ; 



HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 267 

Justices of the Peace, Swigart and B. Hieatt for Denver precinct, and F. F. 

Brune for Auraria precinct; Constables, William Wilson and G. S. Abbie for Denver; 
S. M. Rocker and W. G. Taylor for Auraria. 

The institution of provisional government caused a new election to be held in 
October, 1S59, under the self-constituted jurisdiction of Jefferson Territory, with this 
result: Probate Judge, C. R. Bissell; Sheriff, John H. Kehler; Register of Deeds, 
E. F. Clewell; Treasurer, L. W. Bliss; Attorney, David C. Collier; Supervisors, R. L. 
Wootten, C. A. Lawrence and J. W. Farrell. 

At this time also, B. D. Williams was chosen to succeed H. J. Graham as lobby 
member in Congress. The Kansas officials were by no means pleased with this new 
turn of events and attempted to subvert it, but the people had spoken, and had no in- 
tention of receding from the action taken. The first provisional legislative assembly 
convened at Denver, November 7th, 1859. Arapahoe County was represented by the 
following: Councilman, Henry Allen of the second council district which included 
Denver and Auraria ; Representatives, John C. Moore and W. P. McClure for the 
first representative district (Denver); Wm. M. Slaughter and M. D. Hickman for the 
second (Auraria). 

The masses were left in a quandary as to which authority they really ought to 
recognize and support. Those favorable to the Kansas regime, elected Richard Sopris 
to the legislature of that Territory. In i860 Edward M. McCook — who was appointed 
governor in 1869 — was sent down to Topeka. In addition to the conflict of Territorial 
authority, there was a third lawmaking body that exercised a quasi county power — the 
legislative council of Denver which, together with courts of common pleas and appel- 
late courts wielded a greater influence than either Kansas or Jefferson Territories. 
This state of things constituted a triple array of lawgivers, claiming some things in 
common. There were people's courts, also, in other words vigilance committees, that 
took charge of criminal cases, and the Arapahoe County claim club which increased the 
perplexity. But as a matter of fact very little attention was given to either government. 
For two years or more the Territorial, county and city affairs were so intermingled it 
was difficult to draw the distinctions between them. 

By an act approved December 7th, 1859, the Jefferson legislature confirmed the 
election of Jack Kehler as sheriff of Arapahoe County, but with this proviso: "That 
the said Kehler shall not exercise the duties of sheriff in .\rapahoe unless he reside in 
the same, and act as the principal sheriff therein." He was given authority over the 
first judicial district, in which he was to appoint competent deputies for each county in 
the district. Jefferson County and Arapahoe each demanded a resident sheriff, and the 
act already quoted from also provided that Kehler's jurisdiction should not extend 
over the former county unless he should make Jefferson his place of residence and per- 
form the duties of his office in person. Under the laws of Jefferson Territory the 
county courts executed the work of county commissioners in laying out roads and 
highways. 

The first murder trial to come before the People's Court was that of John Stofel, 
for shooting his brother-in-law, Thomas Biencroff. Stofel, his victim, and three sons of 
the latter came in 1858, and engaged in mining on Clear Creek near the present town 
of Arvada. April 7th, 1859, 0"e of the sons of Biencroff was killed and the body con- 



26S HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

cealed behind a log. Suspicion pointing to Stofel, he was arrested, and when examined 
before Judge H. P. A. Smith admitted that he had followed Biencroff to the West with 
the intention of killing him. A People's Court was organized, the murderer tried and 
sentenced to death. The condemned man was placed in a wagon, taken to Tenth 
street on the west side and there hanged, the executioner being "Noisy Tom," a well- 
known frontiersman. 

In March, i860, Moses Young was tried by the same kind of a court, organized in 
Denver Hall, convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of William West. The 
execution took place in front of the murdered man's house, situated about 200 feet 
below the Larimer street bridge on the west bank of Cherry Creek. The court con- 
sisted of a president or chief-justice, two associates, a sheriff, secretary and a jury of 
twelve. Young was escorted to the scaffold by a company of armed men known as 
" The Jefferson Rangers." 

The next event of this nature occurred June isth, i860, when Marcus Gredler was 
swung from a scaffold at the foot of a bluff on the east side of Cherry Creek where 
Curtis street enters it. Jacob Roeder and family, Frank Pampuch and Gredler from 
Leavenworth passed through Denver, June 12th, en route to the South Park. When 
near Bear Creek Gredler and Roeder had a dispute, and that night the former cut off 
Roeder's head with an ax. The assassin was brought to Denver and tried in Apollo 
Hall, where on June 14th, the people organized a court with W. M. Slaughter as chief 
judge, and C. P. Marion and John W. Kerr associates ; J. H. Kehler, sheriff. The jury 
consisted of George A. Gaunt, L. Mayer, James Arthur, L. McLaughlin, A. J. Dury, J. 
H Berry, J. B. Ashard, James O'Banyon, O. M. Hollister, A. Kimball, W. H. Grafton, 
and James Perry, who found him guilty of murder. 

William Hadley was sentenced to be hanged June 25th, i860, but escaped from 
prison. June 20th, he stabbed J. B. Card to death with a butcher knife, at a point 
some three miles below Denver on the Platte River, where they with other freighters 
en route to the States, had camped. On the 23d, Hadley was tried. by a People's 
Court, convened under some Cottonwood trees below Wazee street. William Person. 
George Wynkoop and A. B. Babcock were the judges, and the jury comprised A. Stine, 
J. N. Hiitchins, H. S. Merrick, George Turner, J. Wheeler, J. P. McKinney, S. H. 
Hough, John B. Rogers, J. G. White, Charles Robinson, W. Alexander and Lewis 
N. Tappan. The prisoner was defended by G. W. Purkins, and the case was pros- 
ecuted by John H. Sherman and H. R. Hunt. Hadley was convicted and sentenced, 
but escaped from his guard as already related. 

The killing of Jacob Gantz by Jim Gordon, and the memorable events following 
that awful tragedy, have been related in our first volume. 

The last execution by a People's Court in Arapahoe County was that of Patrick 
Waters who killed Thomas R. Freeman, December 7th, i860. Waters, while out with 
Freeman buying hay, shot him in the wagon near Fort Lupton. Concealing the body 
in a thicket he mounted a horse and fled to Nebraska where he was captured by W. T. 
Shortridge, who brought him to Denver. Three days later he was tried in Criterion 
Hall, then standing on the site now occupied by the railroad building — Larimer street. 
On this occasion William Person. General Marshall and E. H. Hart were the judges; 
H. P. Bennett, J. Bright Smith, and Leavitt L. Bowen were the prosecutor.';, while J. C. 



HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 209 

W. Hall and C. C. Carpenter appeared for the defense. The jury was composed of 
"Count" Murat, William Clayton, M. A. Hines, George T. Clark, Lawrence N. Green- 
leaf, J. S. Travilla, Cyrus H. McLaughlin, J. B. Carter, George Wakely, E. McLaugh- 
lin, John Herman and James Stewart. The prisoner was found guilty, admitted the 
crime, and was hanged December 21st, near the Fifteenth street bridge.* 

The administration of justice by those popular tribunals was never precipitate or 
ill considered. Everything was conducted decorously and with an eye single to the 
revelation of truth, the protection of the innocent, the punishment of the guilty. As 
we have seen by the foregoing examples, the prisoners were allowed three competent 
judges, proper counsel and a jury of twelve ; accorded all the privileges except dilatory 
motions and strategic devices, that are permitted under present statutes,' but e.\ecution 
followed swiftly after judgment. 

Such courts were dispensed with after the formal organization of Colorado Terri- 
tory, but from 1859 to 1861 they exercised jurisdiction only over capital cases- Civil 
suits took their regular course before the judges elected under provisional laws, but 
owing to the multiplicity of courts and conflicting authorities, never were very highly 
respected. November 27th, i860, Mr. James M. Broadwell, a member of the Legisla- 
tive council of Denver, introduced a resolution which forcibly illustrates the conflicting 
interests, and also the efforts made^by thinking men to simplify matters and widen the 
influence of such courts. It provided "that all judgments, decrees and proceedings now 
had and obtained before the Arapahoe County Claim Club, the courts of Kansas, the 
Probate Court of Arapahoe County so-called, and the Provisional Government Courts 
within the jurisdiction of the government, which have been obtained according to the 
rules, regulations and usual practices of said respective tribunals shall be, and the same 
are hereby declared to be good and valid and binding, as judgments obtained in the 
Courts of Common Pleas, upon filing in said Court of Common Pleas a duly 
authenticated transcript of the same." What effect was produced by the resolution does 
not appear, but with the arrival of Governor Gilpin and the institution of authorized 
orders, the history of Denver and the county which had had so many interests in com- 
mon, and were so inextricably combined, became separated and subject to distinct 
methods of operation. 

Dr. J. H. Morrison, E. W. Cobb and George W. Clayton having been appointed 
county commissioners by Gilpin, held a meeting November 27th, 1S61, divided the 
county into precincts, and appointed judges of election therefor as follows: 

Island Prciinct — Polling place, Goodrich's house, Henderson's Island. Judges, H. 
O. Goodrich, Samuel Brantner and George Hazard. 

Platte Precinct — Polling place, McLaughlin's on the Platte. Judges, John Kerr, 
F. R. Ford and E. McLaughlin. 

Clear Creek Precinct — Polling place at James Baker's ; Judges O. Wadsworth, 
John Wells and James Baker. 

Box Elder Precinct — Polling place at J. B. Conant's ; Judges, J. B. Conant, P. C. 
Lowe and A. W. Murphy. 



*Wm. N. Byers in an article entitled ''Thirty Years .\go," published in the "Commonwealth Maga- 
June, iSSg, gives an extended and very interesting account of murder trials by the People's Courts. 



270 HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

Bijou Prccimt — Polling place at the Express station; Judges, S. A. Hackley. M. 
M. High and H. Roland. 

Upper Cherry Creek Precinct — Polling place at Steele's ranch; Judges, WUliam 
Steele, Cyrus H. McLaughlin and Moore. 

Bear Creek Precinct — Polling place at Brown's ranch; Judges, Joseph M. Brown, 
R. S. Little and John McBroom. 

Highland Precinct — Polling place at .\. Chaplain's house; Judges, A. Chaplain, J. 
W. Weir and G. S. Allen. 

West Denver Precinct — Polling place at A. C. Hunt's place; Judges, AL P. Cas- 
siday, Fred Z. Salomon and J. G. Vawter. 

Camp Weld Precinct — Polling place at the officers' mess rooms; Judges, William 
Larimer, J. A. Fenton and N. G. Wyatt. 

At a meeting of the Board two days later, Augustus Wildman was appointed Clerk 
pro tempore to the commissioners, and the house of A. H. Mallory selected as the poll- 
ing place in Platte precinct, and Sloan's name substituted for McLaughlin's, the 

latter not being a resident. With this preliminary work accomplished, the commis- 
sioners prepared for the first duly authorized election of officers for the county of 
Arapahoe under the new regime. The following were chosen: 

Sheriff, Samuel Howe;* Clerk and Recorder, Charles G. Cheever; Probate Judge, 
J. N. Odell; Treasurer, C. L. Bartlett; County Attorney, Lewis B. France; Assessor, 
W. T. Shortridge; Coroner, Freeman B. Crocker; Superintendent of Schools, O. J. 
Goldrick; Surveyor, Geo. L. Moody; County Commissioners, Samuel T. Hawkins, Jas. 
Brantner and Jas. W. Weir; Justices of the Peace, Philip P. Wilcox and John Wanlefes. 

December 13th, 1861, the newly elected Board of Commissioners met and elected 
James W. Weir, chairman. 

Charles G. Cheever, who held the office of Recorder for the ensuing si.x years, had 
been a pioneer in California in 1849, and ten years later in Colorado or "Pike's Peak." 
Li later years by virtue of the large landed interests acquired and the splendid im- 
provements he erected thereon, he became distinguished as one of the more progressive 
builders of the metropolis. In examining the musty old records of his time, and of the 
years antedating his incumbency, very little seems to have been done by the Register 
of Deeds for Arapahoe, by the rival administrations of Kansas and Jefferson Terri- 
tories. The more valuable were handed down through Peleg T. Bassett and Richard 
E. Whitsitt, the first and second recorders for the old Denver Town Company. E. P. 
Stout's name appears here and there as Deputy Register of Deeds, some of which were 
acknowledged before David C. Collier as Clerk of the Probate Court in 1859. Bassett 
was killed by John Scudder, and although he kept the records of the earlier transfers of 
town property, Richard E. Whitsitt who followed him, must be regarded as the first 
clerk and recorder of Arapahoe County. 

The first important survey was made by E. D. Boyd, ever since designated the 
"Boyd Survey of Denver," which was filed .August 20th, 1859, in the office of "Richard 
E. Whitsitt, Recorder of Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory." 



*Sometimes confounded with Samuel Howe, for many years attached to the Denv 
but a different person. 



HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 271 

Mr. L. B. France, the first county attorney, in assuming tlie office took upon himself 
grave cares and responsibiUties, for he had to deal with many difficult and complex 
problems. His duties were extended to cover those now performed by the District 
Attorney. In the absence of laws, statutes had to be framed to meet the new condi- 
tions of organization. All manner of questions arose for determination. The land was 
filled with offenders against the peace, order and safety of society, and he had to deal 
with these with a strong hand. Appointed clerk to the judiciary committee of the 
House in the first legislature, he framed the practice act and other laws adopted at that 
session, which form the basis of the practice of the present day. Many years later he 
became reporter to the Supreme Court, whose decisions from Volume III to XI inclu- 
sive, appear therein as the result of his careful compilation. The Albany (New York) 
Law Journal and other standard legal publications bear testimony to the excellence of 
his work. He held the office of county attorney for five years, discharging its onerous 
duties forcibly, justly, and to the general satisfaction. 

Freeman B. Crocker, the first coroner, later superintendent of schools, member of 
the city council of Denver, chairman of the board of county commissioners, member 
of the Denver school board, and finally president of the board of public works, was one 
of the most conscientious and useful men that has ever been placed in charge of our 
local government, city or county. He was unselfishly and untiringly devoted to the 
honorable discharge of every duty intrusted to him by the people. In all the long years 
of his stewardship there was not a blemish against his name or acts. He was in very 
truth, and in its most exalted sense a faithful servant, a just and upright man, who car- 
ried his burdens manfully, dealt firmly and impartially with all, looked well to the 
expenditure of the public moneys, allowing no leakages from the treasury. The excel- 
lence of our county government is very largely due to the precedents he established 
while in control of its affairs. The records are filled with evidences of his paternal care, 
with evidence of his honesty, with the most overwhelming testimony to his zeal for the 
common welfare. His administrations of the several offices to which he was elected 
and appointed, were of the highest order, showing in every act spotless integrity, inces- 
sant industry and the purest motives in all that he did or suggested. He was a grand 
figure in our affairs, a man worthy of boundless confidence, who never shirked a 
responsibility however onerous or exacting, and was unfalteringly true to every mission 
given him by the people. 

William T. Shortridge, the first assessor, is now a resident of Fort Collins, Larimer 
County. Resigning his office before the expiration of his term, Harry A. E. Pickard, 
who later became a deputy U. S. Marshal under A. C. Hunt, was appointed assessor 
for the unexpired term. O. J. Goldrick, the first teacher of youth, was the founder of 
the public school system. President W. H. Pierce of District No. i (East Denver), in 
his report for 1879, '^hus refers to the beginning of education in the county: "The first 
schoolhouse in Denver was built of logs, and with its dirt floor and roof, was situated 
on the west bank of Cherry Creek, near the crossing of Larimer street. On the morn- 
ing of October 3d, 1859, eleven children, part of them half breeds, Mexican and 
Indian, were gathered together, and the stern schoolmaster was personated by the 
genial professor Goldrick." This was a private school, as were also those of Miss Ring 
and Miss Indiana Sopris, established the year following. The building committee for 



272 HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

District No. 2 (West Denver), in a report rendered to President A. D. Shepard in 1887, 
said: "The early history is chiefly gathered from interviews and verbal statements 
made by men who took part in or were active promoters of the cause of education at 
the time. In the fall of 1861, pursuant to a call made through a newspaper, a meeting 
of prominent citizens was held for the purpose of organizing a school district and 
appointing school officers. The deliberations were conducted on a drygoods box in 
front of a store opposite the present Lindell Hotel. The men present were General 
John Pierce, O. J. Goldrick, General Frank M. Case, €apt. Edwin Scudder and Baxter 
B. Stiles. A board 'of school officers was chosen from this number. The first school - 
house owned by any district in Denver was purchased in the latter part of the year, 
1865, by this district. It was a two-story brick store, having a single room on each 
floor and known as the Giddings building, from its owner. It was erected in 1861 and 
had been used as a general store until 1863. The next two years the United States 
government used it as a warehouse for ammunition and arms, and on this account it was 
called 'The .Arsenal' The district paid $700 for it, the funds being raised by 
subscription." 

Proceeding with our notes taken from the county records, we find that John 
Wanless, a justice of the peace, resigned October 8th, 1862, and was succeeded by J. 
H. Noteware. 

December 13th, 1861, the county commissioners leased from R. E. Whitsitt a 
building, situate on the corner of Sixteenth and Larimer streets, at a rental of $40 per 
month for the use of county offices, and on the i8th, the sheriff was instructed "to fix 
up a jail." For this purpose a-building was rented from W. H. Middaugh. Joseph D. 
Bailey, the first jailor under Sheriff Howe, was also a deputy under Sheriffs Wilson, 
Kent, Sopris and Cook. Bailey first confined his prisoners in a log cabin just over the 
Market street bridge in an alley on the west side. Sometime later the prison was estab- 
lished on the south side of Larimer, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, near the 
corner of Fourteenth. June 19th, 1862, the county clerk was directed to draw a lease 
for the buildings on lots 19 and 20, block 49, East Denver, for county uses, for the 
term of one year from July ist, at a rental of $450, but on the 19th of July the com- 
missioners concluded to remain longer in their present quarters, and Mr. Whitsitt was 
paid $100 a month for the county offices they occupied. September 27th, 1862, Mr. 
John A. Nye succeeded J. W. Weir as a member of the board of commissioners. 
October 9th the building rented from Mr. Whitsitt was again leased for six months, for 
the use of the county clerk, sheriff and surveyor, but in the meantime the lease had 
been transferred to Major John S. Fillmore. 

Messrs. Hawkins, Brantner and Edwin Scudder, the latter being the new member, 
constituted the board of county commissioners October i8th, 1862. The first note- 
worthy contest by the board was against the attempt of District Judge B. F. Hall, in 
the summer of 1863, to compel them to accept James McDonald as county attorney, 
which they refused to do. Mr. Brantner conferred with Moses Hallett and Amos 
Steck, attorneys at law, made his report of their opinion on the question at issue, when 
the board resolved to retain Mr. L. B. France in that office, and rigidly adhered to 
that purpose. 

The expenses of the county for the first fiscal year ending September ist, 1862, 



HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 273 

were $10,842.39. The total assessed valuation of property in the county the same 
year,. amounted to §1,047,370, on which the total tax was $17,491. 

In 1863 the valuation was $1,365,054, and the tax $22,080. In the election for 
1S63, Charles G. Cheever was continued as county clerk, and L. B. France county 
attorney. Samuel Howe, sheriff, was succeeded by Robert S. Wilson. George T. 
Clark became treasurer, and O. J. Goldrick coroner. The latter failing to qualify, Mr. 
J. M. Broadwell was appointed to that office February 5th, 1864. James Hall, who 
became Probate Judge, executed new deeds for many of the town lots, as the records 
of Judge Odell's office were lost in the Cherry Creek flood of that year. M. M. De 
Lano, the new assessor, had been Territorial auditor under Governor Gilpin's adminis- 
tration. Later, he was chosen mayor of the city, and in 1869 was appointed consul to 
Foo Chow, China, by President Grant. He was succeeded as assessor by D. H. Soggs 
who filled out his unexpired term when Alex. W. Atkins was duly elected. In 1863, 
Freeman B. Crocker became superintendent of schools, and F. J. Ebert, surveyor. 

In October, 1863, the board of commissioners comprised Jonas Brantner, Edwin 
Scudder and Joseph M. Brown. Mr. Brown served more than fifteen years as a mem- 
ber of the Board, and at this writing is still a member, though his occupancy of the 
office has not been continuous. During several terms he was its chairman. He is a 
native of Baltimore, and went with Walker on his famous Nicaraguan filibustering expe- 
dition back in the fifties. He came to Colorado in May, 1859. 

The assessed valuation of property for 1864 was $2,007,298, and the tax levy 
$31,277.11. The expenses for the fiscal year ending September i, 1864, were $i8,- 
338.92. In the fall of that year Mr. Brantner retired,. when the board consisted of 
Edwin Scudder, Joseph M. Brown and Cyrus H. McLaughlin. The Indian wars of 
1864-65 and the necessity of raising and maintaining volunteer troops in the field, 
caused heavy drains upon the carefully guarded treasury. Special taxes were levied 
and collected to the amount of $31,090.33 for that purpose. Col. Thomas Moonlight 
commanding this military district after Chivington, in order to hasten the dispatch of 
volunteers to the front, declared martial law, and compelled the county to furnish both 
men and supplies. 

In 1864 the commissioners purchased the record books kept by Richard E. 
Whitsitt, which also contained those of the original town company. February 14th, 1865, 
Amos Steck was appointed County Attorney, succeeding L. B. France. 

R. S. Wilson resigned the office of sheriff February 21st, 1865, and a few days after 
Omer O. Kent, who had been a justice of the peace, probate judge and superintendent 
of schools, was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. In the fall of 1865 the fol- 
lowing officers were elected: Sheriff, Richard Sopris; Clerk and Recorder, Charles G. 
Cheever; Probate Judge, Omer O. Kent; Treasurer, Webster D. Anthony; Attorney, 
Amos Steck; Coroner, R. L. Hatten; Assessor, D. H. Soggs; Surveyor, F. J. Ebert; 
Superintendent of Schools, Walter McD. Potter; County Commissioners, James M. 
AVilson and E. N. Harvey. 

January 20th, i866, the office of county attorney being declared vacant, Mr. John 
Q. Charles was appointed to fill the vacancy. The resignation of Dexter H. Soggs 
having been accepted April 7th, 1866, O. W. Shackelton was appointed assessor, and 
soon after Allen B. Sopris was chosen to the same office. During the summer of the 



274 HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

same year G. V. Boutelle was made county surveyor. For the year 1865 the valuatidii 
of property was $2,804,402; the tax levy $44,309.22. The county expenses were 
$22,051.30. In 1866 the valuation increased to $3,991,151; tlie tax levy was 
$58>5 15-75. and the county expenses were $39,861.05. 

In the year last named Freeman B. Crocker and Peter Magnes were elected to the 
board of commissioners, the third member being James !M. Wilson. Allen B. Sopris 
was chosen assessor, and J. E. Wharton superintendent of schools. Mr. Magnes was a 
native of Sweden; came to Colorado in 1859 and for more than thirty years has be 
a successful farmer. He laid out the town of Petersburg. In October, 1S66, he \>'r 
chased a " Poor Farm " for the county, the price being $300. This tract was suli-i ■ 
quently sold to the National Mining and Industrial Exposition. 

In the fall of 1867 the following officers were elected: Sheriff, Richard Sopia^: 
Clerk and Recorder, AVebster D. Anthony; Treasurer, Clarence J. Clark: Probate 
Judge, Major Jacob Downing; Assessor, Allen B. Sopris; Coroner, R. L. Hatten; 
Superintendent of Schools, Omer O. Kent; Surveyor, Redwood Fisher; County Com- 
missioners, James M. Wilson, who with Crocker and Magnes constituted the board. 
Vincent D. Markham was made County Attorney. 

For this year the valuation of property was $3,823,668. In September, Frank W. 
Cram succeeded F. B. Crocker as commissioner, and it may as well be stated here, that 
it proved an unfortunate exchange for the county. J. M. Wilson was elected chairman. 

The officers chosen in September, i86g, were: Sheriff, David J. Cook; Clerk and 
Recorder, Webster D. Anthony; Treasurer, Abram R. Lincoln; Assessor, Eli Dough- 
erty; Probate Judge, Henry A. Clough; Surveyor, Redwood Fisher; Coroner, R. L. 
Hatten; Superintendent of Schools, Wilbur C. Lothrop : Commissioner, Joseph AV. 
Bowles. 

In September, 1870, the following were elected: Surveyor, Cecil A. Deane; Asses- 
sor, L. A. Curtice; Commissioner, David A. Cheever. 

Mr. Bowles succeeded Peter Magnes in 1869, and on October 4th of that year, 
Frank W. Cram was made chairman of the board. October 24th Cheever came in as 
the new member. 

In 1S71 Cook was re-elected sheriff, Clough, probate judge, Lincoln, treasurer, and 
Cram, commissioner; Frank Church was made superintendent of schools. Dr. M. 
Mayer Marix, coroner; E. H, Starrett, assessor, and B. M. Whittemore, surveyor. Mr. 
Church held the office of superintendent four years; was a member of the school board 
for District No. i, State Senator in 1879, and for three terms county treasurer. He 
and his predecessor, Mr. Lothrop, effected a very thorough organization of the school 
system, which in its later development is a matter of immeasurable pride to every citi- 
zen of Denver. 

Mr. Merrick A. Rogers, who had been elected district attorney in 1870, was now 
appointed county attorney. A native of Jefferson County, New York, he came to 
Colorado in i860, and from that time to the present has been identified with its judicial 
affairs. In March, 1872, Charles W. Wright was appointed to the office vacated by Mr. 
Rogers, and served about three years. 

In 1871 the assessed valuation of property in Arapahoe County was $9,058,405, 
and in 1872, $12,115,347. The large increase in those two years was brought about by 



HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 275 

the introduction of two railways, the Denver Pacific and Kansas Pacific, and the build- 
ing of the first link in the Denver & Rio Grande. 

In September, 1872, Fred. J. Stanton was elected county survej^or, and Joseph W. 
Bowles and E. H. Starrett were respectively re-elected county commissioner and asses- 
sor. The board of commissioners then stood — Frank W. Cram, J. W. Bowdes and 
David A. Cheever. Mr. Cram was re-elected chairman. 

October loth, 1872, a petition was presented requesting them to call an election by 
the people to vote upon the question of subscribing ^200,000 to the Denver, George- 
town & Utah Railway Company, and at an election ordered November nth for that 
purpose a majority of 520 was given in favor of the proposition. By consent of the 
company the bonds issued in accordance with the vote were canceled. June i8th, 1873, 
the board was petitioned to submit a proposition for $300,000 in aid of the Denver, 
South Park & Pacific Road, but the following day the petition was withdrawn, only to 
be resubmitted June 25th. At the election held on the 28th of July, a majority of 
1,302 was given in favor of the subscription. 

The county now began to consider the' expediency of building a jail and poor- 
house. Emmett Anthony submitted plans for the latter institution, which were adopted, 
and May 5th George W. Smith was awarded the contract to build the same for $4,900. 
Additional ground amounting to 2.69 acres was purchased of R. E. Whitsitt for $1^250. 
June 3d the Commissioners issued a call for an election to vote upon the proposition to 
issue $50,000 in bonds for the erection of a county jail, which was defeated. The 
question was resubmitted July 28th, when it received a majority of 1,527. The plans 
drawn by P. J. Pauley & Bro. of St. Louis, were accepted, and September 13th, 1873, the 
contract for building the jail was awarded to George W. Smith for $26,023, with Emmett 
Anthony as superintendent of construction. Smith assigned his contract to Hallack & 
Brother, by whom the building was completed. 

In September, 1873, the following county officers were chosen: Sheriff, E. A. Wil- 
loughby; Probate Judge, W. C. Kingsley; Treasurer, J. M. Strickler; Clerk and 
Recorder, W. D. Anthony; Assessor, George C. Roberts; Surveyor, E. J. Hall; Cor- 
oner, H. Stein; Superintendent of Schools, Frank Church; Commissioner, Freeman 
B. Crocker, who with Bowles and Cram constituted the board, the latter re-elected 
chairman. The courtrooms and various county offices had been for some time located 
in the second story of the building at the corner of Fifteenth and Lawrence streets, 
owned by John Hughes & Co., where they remained until removed to the new court- 
house. 

In 1873, a year of great financial disaster throughout the land, the shock was felt 
here in a general shrinkage of values, made apparent to all minds, not only in the reg- 
ular channels of business, but in the assessment returns, which receded from a total of 
$12,115,347 in 1S72 to $11,871,908. 

December ist, 1873, E. H. Kellogg was appointed County Surveyor, vice E.J. Hall, 
resigned. February 3d, 1874, a contract was entered into with Joseph K. Wilson, who 
purchased the $50,000 in bonds issued for jail purposes. On the 14th block i, A. C. 
Hunt's addition, was bought for a site, the price paid being $8,500. September 5th the 
building was completed and accepted by the Commissioners. 

Frank W. Cram resigned from the board, and on June 12th, 1874, Joseph W. Bowles 



276 HISTORV OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

was elected to the vacancy. In September following, at the general election, these 
officers were chosen: Assessor, George C. Roberts: Survej'or, S. H. Gilson; Commis- 
sioners, A. J. Williams and H. D. Steele, each for three years, I. H. Batchellor- for 
two years, and A. M. Stanbury for one year. These four, with Freeman B. Crocker 
and Joseph W. Bowles, constituted the board — six in all under an amendment to the 
law. But this was soon changed, and the number reduced to five. Mr. Crocker was 
elected chairman October 5th. 

Charles W. Wright resigned, and December ryth, 1874, Wm. B. Mills was elected 
county attorney, who served twelve years in that position, a competent, vigilant and 
faithful adviser, in a period involving great responsibility and the expenditure of 
large sums, especially in building the present superb courthouse and in the settlement 
of riiany important financial questions. He was industrious and methodical, a wise 
counselor and guide. He was born near Syracuse, New York, and became a resident 
of Denver in 1873. 

The question of purchasing a site for a courthouse caused much heated discussion 
in and outside the conferences of the board, whose members were evenly divided, pro- 
ducing a long deadlock. May sth, 1875, it was agreed to purchase lots, one to eight, in 
block 44, East Denver, from George W. Brown and John J. Reithmann for $10,000. 
The owners demanded $13,250 for the property, but a few days later accepted an offer 
of $10,000. ■ Real e.state owners and dealers throughout the city then rose up in rebel- 
lion against the proposed location. Remonstrances and petitions poured in from all 
quarters. The newspapers were fairly lurid with. protests, and suggestions of sites in 
other places. Lots 25 to 32, in block 158, Clement's addition, were offered for $3,200. 
The site chosen was at the corner of Fourteenth and Larimer. The agitation became 
general. The action of the board was furiously assailed. All sorts of propositions 
flowed in. The board found itself in a predicament, from which extrication seemed 
impossible, owing to the wide division of public sentiment, though a vast majority were 
vehemently opposed to the location fixed upon. The holders of lands in other sections, 
recognizing the importance of the final location, moved with all their energies to secure 
the coveted prize near their own possessions. It became a veritable tempest of self- 
seeking, and every man interested eagerly took part in spreading dissension. Thirty- 
seven citizens appealed for the selection of block 208 (the present site), supporting 
their petition with a subscription of $1,925 toward the purchase price. May 7th, 1875^ 
Commissioner H. D. Steele offered a resolution looking to the withdrawal of the offer 
made to Brown and Reithmann, which A. J. Williams moved to lay on the table. Both 
were lost by a tie vote — three to three — Steele, Crocker and Batchellor voting for the 
resolution, Bowles, Williams and Stanbury against. Other petitions came in. H. G. 
Bond and eighty others petitioned for the purchase of the Arapahoe street school 
building and its conversion into a courthouse. July 9th D. Hurd and Wilbur C. 
Lothrop, who had been appointed by the board of education to confer with the com- 
missioners, reported that the school building and grounds could be bought for 
$60,000, but the price being considered too high, nothing came of it. The problem 
did not reach solution until September 7th, when Steele's motion to withdraw from the 
proposed purchase on Larimer street was adopted, and block 208 was taken for 
$16,000. Since the owner. Bishop Machebcef of the Catholic Church, refused to 



HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 277 

accept less than §iS,ooo, the extra §2,000 was raised by subscription among adjacent 
lot owners, whereupon the ground was duly transferred. The final selection was far 
from satisfactory, however, a majority regarding it as much too remote from the 
business center, which was then between Larimer and Blake streets, with a tendency to 
develop along the north and south parallels. At that time, indeed until long after H. 
A. AV. Tabor began the erection of his beautiful buildings on Si.xteenth street, no one 
dreamed of its taking a different course. It was the action of the commissioners and 
the enterprise and foresight of Mr. Tabor which changed the destiny of the city, and 
not the natural growth of business arteries. It was not until Tabor had built his mag- 
nificent opera house, and by herculean endeavors and financial sacrifices secured the 
fcuilding of the Federal postoffice on Si.xteenth street, that the people at large became 
reconciled to their courthouse site, for prior to that time the entire trend of commerce 
was in the other direction, northward. 

In September, 1875, the follovi'ing county officers were elected: Sheriff, David J. 
Cook; Clerk and Recorder, Wilbur C. Lothrop; Probate Judge, Amos Steck; Treas- 
urer, James M. Strickler; Assessor, George C. Roberts; Coroner, Dr. Charles Denison; 
Superintendent of Schools, W. A. Donaldson; County Commissioners, Joseph M. 
Brown and A. M. Stanbury. 

In October, 1876, at the first election held under the new State organization, the 
following were chosen: Assessor, Waldo Corbett; Surveyor, E. H. Kellogg; Coroner, 
O. D. F. Webb; Commissioner, Freeman B. Crocker. 

In the fall of 1875, the board of commissioners was composed of .\ J. Williams, 
Henry D. Steele, I. H. Batchellor, A. M. Stanbury, J. AI. Brown and F. B. Crocker, the 
latter chairman. November 17th in that year. Dr. Denison resigned the office of coro- 
ner and O. D. F. Webb was appointed to fill the unexpired term, and at the ensuing 
election was chosen for the full term. 

.\pril 6th, 1876, David M. Richards was appointed agent for .\rapahoe County to 
collect and forward exhibits to the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia. November 
6th, Freeman B. Crocker was again chosen county commissioner, and immediately made 
chairman of the board, which, under the amended statute was again reduced to five 
members — Crocker, Steele, Williams, Stanbury and Brown. 

In 1877 the following were chosen: Sheriff, David J. Cook; County Judge, Amos 
Steck; Clerk and Recorder, Wilbur C. Lothrop; Treasurer, John L. Dailey; Coroner, 
Charles K. McHatton; Assessor, Henry A. Terpenning; Superintendent of Schools, W. 
A. Donaldson; Surveyor, E. H. Kellogg; Commissioners, H. D. Steele and W. B. 
Palmer. 

At a meeting of the new board — Steele, Stanbury, Brown, Palmer and Crocker — 
held January 8th, 1S78, Mr. Crocker was again made chairman. In October of that 
year John C. Kuner and Joseph M. Brown were elected, qualifying February 3d, 1879, 
Crocker re-elected chairman. 

In the year last named (October), the following officers were chosen: Sheriff, 
Michael Spangler: Clerk and Recorder, Wilbur C. Lothrop; Treasurer, John L. Dailey; 
Assessor, George C. Roberts; Coroner, Thomas Linton; Superintendent of Schools, 
William T. Bennecke; Surveyor, John K. Ashley; Commissioner, Freeman B. Crocker. 



278 HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

la this term the followuig in substance was adopted by the board: 

Whereas, In 1868 the county of Arapahoe issued bonds to the amount of 
$500,000 in payment for stock in the Denver Pacific Railway & Telegraph Company, of 
which the county now holds 10,000 shares of the par value of $1,000,000; and, 

Whereas, In 1873 the county issued bonds to the amount of $300,000 in payment 
for stock in the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad Company, of which the county 
holds 3,000 shares. 

Resolved, That the county sell its interest in the Denver Pacific for $100,000, and 
in the Denver & South Park for $150,000. 

The resolution was adopted and subsequently ratified by the people. The transfer 
of the stock was made to Jay Gould, December 9th, 1879, through Walter S. Chees- 
man, his agent. Thus the county which had at one time been seriously embarrassed, 
e.xtricated itself, and thenceforward kept its finances in excellent condition. On the 
i6th following, County Treasurer John L. Dailey was instructed to invest the amount 
received from Mr. Gould ($250,000) in United States four per cent, bonds, which was 
done. It is estimated that the interest on these bonds, together with their increase in 
value, effected a saving to the county of about $80,000. 

In 1880 Mr. Crocker was again made chairman of the board. Next arose the 
expediency of building a courthouse. After some time occupied in examining plans 
and specifications, those of E. E. Myers were adopted March 31st, 1880, and August 
30th following the contract was awarded to George H. Kunmacker for $178,112. He 
failing to furnish a satisfactory bond, the contract was awarded to Peter Gumry and 
Lester Fillmore for $185,000. These men filed their bond September 22A, and the work 
began soon thereafter. 

The corner stone was laid June 24th, 1881, by the Colorado Grand Lodge of 
Masons, L. N. Greenleaf, Grand Master. Henry D. Steele was chairman of the board 
at the time. Governor F. W. Pitkin was orator of the day, and delivered a fine address. 
The courthouse was completed (the stone used for the superstructure a greenish 
tinted fine-grained sandstone from the Brandford quarry near Caiion City), and formally 
dedicated on Tuesday, April 17, 1883, when a number of speeches were made by dis- 
tinguished citizens. In the evening it was brilliantly illuminated, and a vast multitude 
of people gathered there to inspect and admire the beautiful edifice. It was a source 
of extreme gratification that this superb structure had been built upon the wisest plans 
of economy, not a dollar of the public money being unlawfully abstracted or wasted. 
From a report to the commissioners prepared by Mr. W. H. Salisbury, their clerk, the 
following abstract of its cost completed and delivered, is taken: 

Building $236,313.00 

Steam heating fixtures 16,564.00 

Furniture 20,546.00 

Granite coping about the grounds 7,640.00 

Sidewalks 14,157.00 

Two bronze fountains 4,450.00 

$299,670.00 
The $18,000 paid for the site, $2,000 of which w-as met by outside subscriptions, 
advances the total to $317,670. From a subsequent report by Mr. Salisbury to County 



HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 279 

Attorney W. B. Mills, certain other items of expenditure appear as extras for furniture, 
steam heating apparatus, fees of architect, superintendent and other details, making the 
grand total §327,602.74. But even at the latter figure all agree that the people received 
full equivalent for their money. The building was well constructed in all its parts, 
handsomely but not extravagantly furnished, the grounds adorned in fastidious taste, 
the principal rooms tastefully decorated, all needful conveniences provided. The 
taxpayers, who have been so accustomed to robbery in public places, felt almost extrav- 
agantly proud of the county commissioners for this exceptional display of honorable 
and economical management, thoroughly satisfied that those officers had discharged 
their duties faithfully and well. It was a source of- amazement to them, indeed to 
nearly all observers, that such a building should have been produced for the sum 
expended. It is a matter for universal gratification to this day that they are able to 
exhibit its beauties to strangers from other cities and States, name the price, and say, 
" Here is at least one public building in which there was no stealing, no rascally 
contracts, no jobbery of any kind, no money borrowed for its erection, no com- 
plaints from the public, nothing to cause the blush of shame to mantle their cheeks." 
When we come to consider the City Hall by and by, erected by the municipal gov- 
ernment, we shall have a different tale to tell. We do not exhibit that building in the 
same spirit. However, even that was not so bad as it might have been. 

November 9th, 1880, Mr. Crocker, who had been so long chairman of the board of 
commissioners, and to whom all the people were profoundly attached for the distin- 
guished service he had rendered them throughout the many years of his membership in 
that body, resigned to engage in business in another part of the State. Mr. H. D. 
Steele, whose term was near its expiration, also resigned, but was almost immediately 
appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancy caused by the withdrawal of Mr. Crocker. 

On the 23d of November Wolfe Londoner was appointed by the Governor to the 
unexpired term of Mr. Steele. The latter was made chairman. In the fall of the 
same year Mr. B. F. Harrington was elected to the office of county judge. Londoner 
and J. A. Shreve, who in the meantime had been elected commissioners by the people, 
filed their respective oaths January nth, 1881. The board now consisted of Joseph M. 
Brown, John C. Kuner, James A. Shreve, Wolfe Londoner and H. D. Steele, the latter 
chairman. November 19th, 1882, Peter Winne, who had been chosen to fill the unex- 
pired term of F. B. Crocker, qualified as a member, and Londoner was elected chair- 
man, but declined, owing to the demands of his private business, when Mr. Shreve was 
elected. 

In 1881 the following county officers were chosen: Sheriff, Michael Spangler; 
Clerk and Recorder, Wilbur C. Lothrop; Treasurer, John L. Dailey; Assessor, George 
C. Roberts; Coroner, Charles K. McHatton; Surveyor, John K. Ashley; Superin- 
tendent of Schools, John L. Fetzer; Commissioners, Joseph M. Brown, J. C. Kuner and 
Peter Winne. In November, 1882, Joseph E. Bates was elected commissioner and 
qualified January gth^ 1883, succeeding Mr. Winne. 

The officers chosen in 1883, were: Sheriff, George H. Graham; County Judge, 
Benj. F. Harrington; Clerk and Recorder, Charles H. Scott; Treasurer, Frank Church; 
-Assessor, Warren W. Whipple; Coroner, Charles W. Miller; Surveyor, Peter O'Brian; 
Superintendent of Schools, John L. Fetzer: Commissioners, George L. Aggers and 



280 HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

Jacob Scherrer. The board then consisted of those just named, with J. C. Kun^r and 
Joseph M. Brown. January 8th, 1884, Mr. Bates was made chairman. In the fall of 
that year Christopher C. Gird and F. W. Gromm were elected, succeeding Brown and 
Kuner, Bates re-elected chairman. April 14th, 1885, Mr. Bates resigned and was 
elected mayor of Denver, when Levi Booth was appointed to the vacancy. April 20th. 
C. C. Gird was made chairman. 

At the election held in November, 18S5, the following were chosen: Sheriff, 
Frederick Cramer; Clerk and Recorder, Charles H. Scott; Treasurer, Frank Church; 
Coroner, Charles K. McHatton; Assessor, Isaac Brinker; Superintendent of Schools, 
John L. Fetzer; Surveyor, Peter O'Brian; Commissioner, Emil Reithmann in place of 
Levi Booth. 

In 1 886, Elias R. Barton and John G. Lilley were elected members of the board, 
which was now composed of the two last named, F. \V. Gromm, Emil Reithmann and 

C. C. Gird, the latter made chairman. George W. Miller was elected county judge in 
place of Harrington, and re-elected in i88g. 

In 1887 the following were elected: Sheriff, Albert H. Weber; Clerk and Recorder, 
Joseph H. Smith; Treasurer, Frank Church; Assessor, Isaac Brinker; Coroner, I. N. 
Rogers; Surveyor, Peter O'Brian; Superintendent of Schools, A. D. Shepard; Commis- 
sioners, Joseph M. Brown and Dr. AV. M. Robertson. 

These with Reithmann, Barton and Lilley, now constituted the board, with E. R. 
Barton chairman. In 1888 John C. Twombley was elected, succeeding Mr. Reithmann, 
when Joseph M. Brown was made chairman. 

Now for the first time in many years a change was made in the office of deputy 
county clerk. Recorder Smith appointing Colonel E. J. Brooks in place of W. H. 
Salisbury. 

In February, 1887, William B. Mills was succeeded as county attorney by Lafe 
Pence, who in 1889 was succeeded by Earl M. Cranston. 

In the year last named the following officers were elected: Sheriff, Elias R. 
Barton; County Judge, George W. Miller; Clerk and Recorder, Joseph H. Smith; 
Treasurer, David W. Hart; Assessor, Isaac Brinker; Superintendent of Schools, A. 

D. Shepard; Coroner, J. J. Walley; Surveyor, Peter O'Brian; Commissioners, Peter 
Magnes and Thomas Nicholl, in place of Barton and Lilley. Mr. J. C. Twombley 
was elected chairman of the new board, and Mr. O. E. LeFevre appointed county 
attorney to succeed Earl M. Cranston. 

Politically the county offices have for the most part been filled by Republicans. 
The county is now completing a new jail with criminal courtrooms and offices 
attached. This structure, erected on the west side of Cherry Creek, is very large and 
rather imposing, built at a cost of about $300,000, from plans furnished by F. C. 
Eberley, architect, the construction superintended by Mr. R. C. Greiner. The contract 
was awarded to the E. F. Hallack Lumber and ^Manufacturing Company. 

From the earliest times the county has been liberal and tender with its poor and 
afflicted. In the years anterior to the building of the poorhouse and hospital, these 
indigent classes were cared for very largely by popular subscriptions. The city and 
county hospital charities were combined in those days. November 21st, 1S60, Dr. J. T. 
Hamilton was elected city physician by the legislative council of Denver, to serve 



HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 281 

without salary, and at the same meeting Mr. Lewis N. Tappan offered a resolution 
recommending a course of lyceum lectures for the purpose of raising funds for char- 
itable purposes. December 4th, the same year, Richard Sopris, William Bell and Will- 
iam N. Byers were appointed overseers for the poor by the same body. In 1862, Mrs. 
E. Smith had charge of the poorhouse, caring for both county and city patients. 
Thomas McGavran and J. J. Walley were the public undertakers. Several buildings in 
"West Denver were used as hospitals until the county erected its own buildings. The 
last of these was built in 1889 at a cost of about $30,000. Drs. J. M. Clark, W. F. 
McClelland and others were the hospital physicians early in the si.xties, and at times the 
patients who were scattered in different parts of the city, were assigned to special phy- 
sicians, as were sick prisoners also. Dr. W. F. McClelland was also surgeon at the 
Camp Weld military hospital in 1864. He was president of the Colorado Medical 
Society in 1873, and of the Denver Medical Society in 1876. Dr. R. G. Buckingham, 
who was a member of the Territorial council in 1874, mayor of Denver in 1875-76, and 
president of the Denver school board from 1868 to 1872, also assisted in the early hos- 
pital service. Dr. F. J. Bancroft, an experienced army surgeon during the war, who 
had been post surgeon at Fortress Monroe, was one of the early physicians at the 
county hospital. V\' hile at Fortress Monroe the captive president of the Southern Con- 
federacy was brought there. The fallen chieftain being in ill health, objected to being 
treated by Dr. Bancroft for the sole reason that he was a native of Connecticut and a 
Republican, therefore another less objectionable practitioner was detailed to attend his 
royal highness. However, at a later time he consented to allow Bancroft to prescribe 
for him. 

Dr. Bancroft many years ago had a small hospital near Eleventh and W'azee 
streets. Sometime later he was a second time elected county physician. He has been 
appointed surgeon for several of the Western railroads, notably the Union Pacific; 
president of the Denver ^ledical Society, president of the State Board of Health, city 
physician, president of the State Historical Society, and to many other positions. 
Years ago he published several important papers on the climatology of Colorado. 

In 1870 Dr. John Eisner was appointed county physician. He is a native of 
Vienna, Austria, and in his youth was a soldier under the Hungarian patriot, Kossuth; 
was educated for his profession in the leading schools and hospitals of Europe and 
America. It was this gentleman who instituted the movement which led to the con- 
centration of all the county patients under one roof, where they could be seen and 
properly cared for in detail, and where supplies could be collected. For the small sum 
of $250 he furnished a general hospital in a rented building near Tenth and Stout 
streets. Ne.xt he impressed upon the county commissioners the urgent need of a large 
and commodious building upon the later improved plans for such institutions, and out 
of it grew the first of the present structures. He served three years as county 
physician, and was then followed by Dr. D. Heimberger, who had been his assistant. 
October 25th, 1873, Dr. S. H. Boone succeeded Heimberger. Dr. H. A. Lemen was 
appointed May loth, 1876, and had charge of the work until 1881. During his five 
years' service Dr. Lemen made many radical improvements in the previously existing 
order, raising the work to a stage of much greater efficiency. With a well organized 
staff of night and day nurses, there was a faithful and effective discharge of duties by 



2S2 HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

all. Drs. Bancroft, Ambrose S. Everett, George Cox antl Noland followed successively 
until 1886, when Dr. H. VV. McLauthlin, the present county physician, was appointed. 
Mr. Everett (homoeopathic) was an army surgeon during the war of the rebellion, and 
is one of the best known practitioners of that school in the West. Dr. McLauthlin was 
for some years city physician, at the head of its board of health. 

At the county poor farm of 240 acres, just below the city on Platte River, most of 
the indigent poor are maintained. The produce of the farm materially assists in 
reducing the cost of their maintenance, and that of the county hospital. 

The judicial district of which Arapahoe is a part has been presided over by the 
following district judges, the various other counties having been served by two asso- 
ciate justices under the territorial regime: 

1861— Judge, B. F. Hall; Clerk, B. B, Stiles. 

1863— Judge, B. F. Hall; Clerk, W. D. Anthony. 

April, 1864— Judge, S. S. Harding; Clerk, W. D, Anthony. 

December, 1864— Judge, S. S. Harding; Clerk, A. L. Harding. 

December, 1865 — Judge, William H. Gale; Clerk, Henry A. Clough. 

December, 1866— Judge, C. S. Eyster; Clerk, Henry A. Clough. 

January, 1870 — Judge, C. S. Eyster; Clerk, O. A. Whittemore. 

April, 1871— Judge, E. T. Wells; Clerk, G. H. Mills. 

April, 1874— Judge, E. T. Wells; Clerk, E. F. Bishop. 

April, 1875— Judge, A. W. Brazee; Clerk, E. F. Bishop. 

Mr. Bishop became clerk of the United States District Court in 1876. 

On the admittance of Colorado as a State, the Judicial District was changed in 
name from the " First" to the "Second" Judicial District of the State of Colorado. 

November, 1876— Judge, V. A. Elliott; Clerk, Robert Chalfant. 

January, 1878— Judge, V. A. Elliott; Clerk, A. C. Fisk. 

September, 1880— Judge, V. A. Elliott; Clerk, Henry Sparnick. 

July, 1881 — Judge, V. A. Elliott; Clerk, Henry Sparnick; Deputy Clerk, G. S. 
Richards. 

November 30, 1885 — Judge.V. A. Elliott; Clerk, H. Sparnick (deceased), A. S. Miller. 

April, 1886— Judge, V. A. Elliott; Clerk, William Newell. 

In 1887 Arapahoe was made a separate Judicial District; the District Court was 
divided into two divisions, with two judges, as follows: 

April, 1887— Judges, V. A. Elliott, Piatt Rogers; Clerk, William Newell. 

August, 1887 — Judges, V. A. Elliott, Piatt Rogers; Clerk, William T. Jenison. 

December, 1887 — Judges, W. S. Decker, succeeding Piatt Rogers; V. A. Elliott; 
Clerk, W. T. Jenison. 

January, 1888 — Judges, W. S. Decker, George W. .Vllen, succeeding V. A. Elliott; 
Clerk, William T. Jenison. 

In April, 1889, the District Court was divided into four divisions, with four judges, 
as follows: 

April, 1889— Judges, W. S. Decker, George W. .\llen, O. B. Liddell, T. B. Stuart; 
Clerk, William T. Jenison. 

June, i88g— Judges, W. S. Decker, George W. Allen, O. B. Liddell, T. B. Stuart; 
Clerk, Matt Adams. 



HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 'i83 

November, 18S9— Judges, W. S. Decker, George W. Allen, A. J. Rising, D. B. Gra- 
ham; Clerk, Matt Adams. 

Miss G. S. Richards has been deputy clerk of the district court since her appoint- 
ment in 1881. Henry Sparnick (deceased), a journalist and politician of note had been 
a prominent factor in the Republican party. Matt Adams, the present clerk, was born 
in Reading, Mass.; enlisted in the Fourth New Hampshire Infantry, August, i86r, and 
was mustered out in September, 1865, with the rank of captain. His brevet commis- 
sions were major, lieutenant colonel and colonel. After the war he settled in Port- 
land, Maine; from 1867 to 1878 was deputy sheriff, and later sheriff in Cumberland 
County, and deputy United States marshal for the district of Maine; moved to Colo- 
rado in 1S78 and located in Silver Cliff. In 1879 removed to Leadville where he was 
made under sheriff to Sheriff L. R. Tucker; came to Denver in 1S82, and for several 
years was bailiff in the Supreme Court. His profession is that of a lawyer. 

W. R. Perry was appointed clerk of the county court by Judge Miller when the 
latter first assumed that office. His predecessors under Judge Harrington were E. F. 
Dunlevy, now clerk of the criminal division of the district court, and Robert W. Steele. 
Miss Kate Mace has been deputy clerk of this court for the past nine years. 

Merrick A. Rogers, the successor of Vincent D. Markham as district attorney, 
was succeeded by Christian S. Eyster, and he by D. B. Graham, whose deputies were 
successively I. E. Barnum, John F. Shaffroth and Charles McCord. 

Herman Luthe was the next in order, with John F. Shaffroth as deputy. L. R. 
Rhodes succeeded Luthe, and appointed Ralph Talbot, George A. Corbin and S. L. 
( arpenter his deputies. 

Isaac N. Stevens, the present incumbent, has Thomas Ward. Jr., S. S. Abbott, L. 
A. Willis and O. W. Jackson as deputies. Mr. Stevens was born in Ohio, and located 
in Colorado in 1880, since which time he has been one of the more active of the 
younger politicians. Though a g6od lawyer, he is an indefatigable devotee of politics, 
with unquenchable aspirations for the loftiest prizes in that field. If he lives and takes 
care of himself, he may reach some of them. One thing is certain, he will not lose 
them for want of diligent effort. He was chairman of the Republican central com- 
mittee in Denver for four years, and an organizer of great force — generally very suc- 
cessful. He also served as deputy United States district attorney for some time, and 
as secretary of the Republican State Central Committee during the chairmanship of 
e.x-Senator Tabor. Mr. Stevens is well calculated to make his way in politics, even 
against very powerful opposition. 

A criminal court for Arapahoe County was established in 1881, with Charles W. 
Wright as judge, but the law was declared unconstitutional, and the court therefore 
abolished. The next legislative assembly rectified the error in the original act and 
such courts were created in Arapahoe, Pueblo and Lake Counties. Piatt Rogers was 
appointed judge of the Denver court by Governor Grant. No better officer ever pre- 
sided over such tribunal. He was succeeded by Wilbur F. Stone who served until that 
court was abolished in 1889, simultaneously with the superior court of the city of Den- 
ver of which General James A. Dawson was the first judge, and Merrick A. Rogers the 
second and last. 

Of the outlying towns in the county of Arapahoe, Littleton and Brighton are the 



281 HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

most popular and progressive. The first was named for Richard S. Little, who estab- 
lished it June 3d, 1S72. Brighton was platted by D. F. Carmichael February i6th, 
iSSi. Both are surrounded by rich agricultural lands, cultivated by thrifty farmers. 

Littleton is situated near the Platte River, ten miles south of Denver, and Brighton 
on the same stream some twelve miles north of the capital city. Richard S. Little was 
born in Grafton, New Hampshire, May 12th, 1829. In early life he adopted the profes- 
sion of a civil engineer and assisted in the surveys and construction of several railroads 
in the Western States, as will more fully appear in our fourth volume. He came to 
Colorado in i860, engaging in farming and ditch building on the place that now bears 
his name. Li 1867, in company with Mr. John G. Lilley, he erected the Rough and 
Ready Flouring Mills. The town had a small population before it was platted by him. 
He was elected to the Territorial legislature, and took prominent part in the consider- 
ation of bills on the subject of irrigation, to which he had given close practical study. 
The little village maintained its position, acquiring new residents from time to time, but 
until after the great capital city began to send its suburban offshoots in that direction a 
few years ago, was scarcely more than an agricultural hamlet of small dimensions, yet it is 
one of the most inviting spots in the Platte "Valley, surrounded by productive farms and 
possessing sublime scenic attractions. The South Park Railway passes its western mar- 
gin, and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, the Denver and Rio Grande, and the trains 
of the Rock Island its southern. At the present rate of progress it will soon be one of 
■the near suburbs of Denver. Some of its wealthier residents have already settled and 
built costly houses near the town. All farming lands thereabouts are very valuable. 

Brighton was laid out by D. F. Carmichael, who was born in Canada, but claims 
New York as his rightful birthplace, the family having located temporarily in Canada, 
while his father was constructing the Welland Canal. The son, when arrived at maturity, 
moved West, and assisted in building the Union Pacific Railway. Later on he was 
placed in charge of the construction of the great bridge across the Missouri River 
between Council Bluffs and Omaha. Still later he was connected with the construction 
of the road from Julesburg to Greeley, now part of the Omaha Short Line; next with 
the management of the Colorado Central, Denver Pacific and Boulder Valley Railroads, 
in their freight and passenger departments. The village of Brighton is prettily situ- 
ated on the east bank of the Platte at the intersection of the Omaha and Boulder Valley 
Railways. It has been regularly platted, the streets bordered with shade trees, many 
handsome residences built, and it bears all the evidences of a rich and prosperous 
town. Mr. Carmichael has erected an opera house at a cost of $3,000; there are fine 
tastefully built schoolhouses and churches; a few stores, and a large creamery whose 
products are marketed in Denver. Its founder and all residents here have every 
reason to feel proud of what has been accomplished, for Brighton is one of the village 
gems of the State. The town of 

Elyria was laid out by .\. C. Fisk, president, and C. F. Leimer, secretary of the 
Denver Land and Improvement Company, March 29th, 1881. C. Nickerson, John Otto, 
G. W. Haight, T. Bates and William Brandt were appointed commissioners or trustees. 
At an election held July 2rst, 1890, it was voted to incorporate. It is one of the fine 
suburbs of Denver, though not within its corporate limits, quite populous, well built and 
progressive. 



HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 285 

Valvcrdc, on the west bank of the Platte River, some three miles south of the heart 
of Denver, was platted by Edward A. Reser, July 17th, 1882. June 4th, 1888, Judge 
George W. Miller appointed John E. Fletcher, J. H. Kinney, Adam Bender, L. S. Head 
and William Johnson, trustees, who called an election July 2d, at which time it was 
resolved to incorporate. It also is one of the suburbs of the capital city, growing quite 
rapidly. A number of important manufacturing establishments are located there. 

Alontclair was laid out by Matthew P. Cochran May 29th, 1885, who became its first 
mayor, over an almost untenanted town site. It lies on the elevated plateau east of 
Wyman's addition to Denver, and will one day be one of its loveliest suburbs. Large 
sums have been expended in advertising this tract, prodigious efforts made to attract 
the better class of settlers upon it. The animating spirit of this enterprise is Baron W. 
B. Van Richthofen, a descendant of the ancient nobility of Germany, one of the most 
energetic men that has ever made "Western America his home. He has erected a 
splendid German castle there, of fine stone, adorned with picturesque towers, that 
remind one of the ancient castles of the Fatherland. John E. Leet, Hayden & Dick- 
inson, Porter, Raymond & Co., Milo A. Smith, Donald Fletcher, and other of the 
great real estate operators in Denver have been very earnest and successful in building 
up the various tracts lying between Denver and Montclair, hence a continuous line of 
settlement of the best class has been formed. Every foot of land in that direction has 
been taken in the form of building lots, a great number of splendid homes erected, and 
in the next five years it is anticipated that Montclair and its immediate environs will be 
equally prosperous and beautiful. The trend of the wealthier class is in that direction. 
The town of 

SIteridan was founded by Isaac E. McBroom, November i6th, 1S87; second filing 
by Peter McCourt, Thomas L. Wiswall, and G. Oscar Scott in February, 188S. Janu- 
ary 24th, 1890, Judge Miller appointed Jacob Puff, C. E. Wyman, Adolph Chandler, 
Peter Olson ar.d C. E. Curran, trustees. It was duly incorporated at an election held 
February i8th, 1890. This addition is near South Denver and Fort Logan. 

Harman was founded by L. B. Harman, March 2d, 1882. In 1886 J. H. Riddle, 
John McElroy, Frank Boot, James Conroy and G. O. Scott, trustees, called an election 
for October 28th of that year to submit the question of its incorporation, which was 
then adopted. Like all the others foregoing except Littleton and Brighton, it is vir- 
tually one of the additions to the capital city. 

Baruiim was duly incorporated as the result of an election held July 23d, 18S7. 
Here the famous P. T. Barnum several years ago, when land in that quarter — adjoining 
North Denver — was cheap, purchased a large tract which was subsequently transferred 
to his daughter, Mrs. \V\ H. Buchtel. It is largely occupied by settlers and rapidly 
growing into a very beautiful town. 

Petersburg was laid but by Peter Magnes, September 13th, 1873. It adjoins South 
Denver, is well situated near the Platte River, and a prominent station on the Denver 
& Rio Grande Railway. 

Argo was established in 1879 under the direction of ex-Senator X. P. Hill as the 
basis of the Boston & Colorado Smelting Works. It is situated on the north side of 
the Platte River about three miles from Denver. Its first commissioners or trustees 
were Henry R. Wolcott, Edward O'Neill, Josiah Burgess, Oren F, Hutchinson, and J. 



286 HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 

H. Morrison. The town was incorporated as the result of an election held November 
22d, 1879. 

South Denver and Highlands, the latter situated on the north side of the Platte 
upon the elevated lands overlooking the city, have distinct municipal governments, with 
superior schools, churches, light and water plants, and both have made great strides in 
settlement during the past ten years. 

Ilig/ilands was incorporated April Sth, 1875, with Horatio B. Bearce, Frederick D. 
Hager, Patrick McGowan, O. E. LeFevre and James H. Newcomb, trustees. The 
cable, electric and horse car lines from Denver penetrate every part of that very popu- 
lous and interesting section. 

South Denver was incorporated for self protection in 1886. The town was laid out 
by William Hodson, Joseph H. Hodson, Susan E. Poole, Theodore W. Poole, Francis 
M. Hawes and William J. Morgan March i8th, 1874. It is situated on the south side of 
Cherry Creek immediately adjoining the principal city and traversed by cable and elec- 
tric lines, lighted by electricity, has an independent water system, and is the most beau- 
tiful and compactly built of any of Denver's suburbs. 

The exterior towns of Magnolia, Watkins, Bennett, Byers and Deer Trail have 
long been stations on the line of the Kansas Pacific Railway, now a part of the Union 
Pacific system. Watkins was platted by John L. Fetzer, Judson Gardiner and J. Wylie 
Anderson, March 12th, 1888, and Byers by John L. Fetzer and L. McDonald May 
ist, 1889. These are outlying agricultural towns and shipping points. 

Bair City, east of Denver on the Kansas Pacific Railroad, was laid out by W. E. 
Alexander, O. A. Anthony, M. Schwartz, H. Roeschlaub, H. H. Tanner and H. Menke. 
As yet it is chiefly a paper town, with more or less prospects for the future. 

During the last six years there has been a considerable lodgment of population 
upon the eastern border of Arapahoe County, where several small towns have been 
established as shipping and trading centers for the farmers and stockgrowers in their 
vicinage. This is what has been termed the rain belt, where many fine crops have been 
raised without other irrigation than natural rainfalls. In the Beaver Creek region, near 
the center of the county, are settlements known as Abbott, Harrisburg and Lincoln. 
.\bbott was platted by Albert F. Abbott May 21st, 1882; Harrisburg by W. H. Carring- 
ton November loth, 1888. Lincoln was surveyed by A. Capporn in September, 1887, 
and resurveyed by the Linbeck Brothers, May 27th, 1888. 

Thtinnaii, near the southern line, in the center, was platted as Stone City by 
William Dunstan May 7, 1888. 

Arickaree City, known in the early days of the cattle trails as Duck Springs, is situ- 
ated a little to the eastward of Thurman. It was laid off by James W. Minnich 
December 5th, 1877. 

Between the Arickaree, or Middle Fork of the Republican, and the South Fork of 
that stream are situated the little towns called Friend, Idalia, Logan, Lansing, Rogers, 
Alva, Cope and other settlements. 

Cope was founded by Jonathan Cope, September 6th, 1888. Idalia by Oscar Cal- 
lihan, November 30th, 1888; Logan by I. N. Foster, E. M. Thurber, J. M. Abbott, 
Frank Kee, B. F. Leed, F. M. Adams, J. N. Pollard, W. E. Vandeman, and A. W. 



HISTORV OF ARAPAHOE COUNTY. 287 

Vandeman, Januan* 7th, 1S88; Friend by R. R. Decker, James Dugeon and Sylvester 
Andrew in July, 1SS7. 

Liinsiiig was first known as Kingsley or Kingston. Landsman and Kirk are in the 
same section. 

Located in the northeastern division are Condon and Wales. In the eastern part 
the farmers depend upon the natural rainfalls for the growth of crops, which is not 
always a safe reliance. When the seasons are favorable the fruitage is abundant, but 
when otherwise there is liable to be a disastrous failure. In the western part the farm- 
ers rely upon irrigation, and are always sure of excellent harvests. 

Educational advantages are widely distributed throughout the county. By the 
official reports we find that in 1890 there were ninety-five school districts, 28,100 per- 
sons^ of school age, 122 schoolhouses, and school property valued at $2,500,910. This 
of course includes the city of Denver. 

The rapid growth of the principal city which is the chief market place for farm 
produce, has induced hundreds of the agricultural class to locate upon the border lands 
where perhaps a majority have been prosperous. The assessed valuation of the county 
in 1889 was $68,057,980, which included 1,122,193 acres of farming land valued at 
§7,184,690. The improvements on these lands were valued at $526,610, and improve- 
ments on public lands at $50,625; town and city lots, $37,520,090, and improvements 
on the same at $13,539,145. 

The total assessment for 1890, not completed at this writing, will be about 
$86,000,000, on a basis of about forty per cent, of the actual valuation. 

If the eastern j)art of Arapahoe could have been widely irrigated, the population 
would be very large, exceeding that of any other outside the cities and towns. It so 
happens that all of the mountain streams from which the larger irrigating canals are 
taken empty their waters into the Platte River, near the western boundary of the 
county. If, therefore, the isolated section is ever placed under extensive tillage, it 
will be from artesian wells or artificial reservoirs. 



288 HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 



BOULDER COUNTY. 

A GLANCE AT ITS RESOURCES AND SURROUNDINGS EARLY SETTLERS — THE DISCOV- 
ERY OF GOLD IN 1859 ORGANIZATION FOUNDING OF BOULDER CITY ESTAB- 
LISHMENT OF SCHOOLS — BEGINNING OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT FOUNrklXl, 

THE STATE UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPERS CHURCHES BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES 

BANKS AND BANKERS GENERAL DEVELOPMENT LONGMONT AND OTHER TOWNS 

COAL, GOLD AND SILVER MINING. 

This count}^ was organized in 1861. It is bounded on the north by Larimer, south 
by Jefferson and Gilpin, west by Grand, and east by Weld and Arapahoe. It is about 
thirty miles in length from east to west and twenty-four miles wide, three-fifths moun- 
tainous containing many mines of gold and silver, the remainder as fine agricultural 
land as ever the sun shone upon, as demonstrated by thirty years of cultivation and 
exceptionally bountiful harvests. Intermingled with productive farms are vast deposits 
of superior lignite coals, whence are derived the principal supplies of fuel for railway, 
domestic and manufacturing uses. The plains at the base of the mountains are watered 
by four considerable streams, whose origin is in the snows that cling changelessly to the 
crests of the great Sierra Madre Range, viz.: The North and South Boulder, the St. 
Vrain and Left Hand. The counties of Jefferson, Boulder, Larimer and AVeld, com- 
prising what may be termed the northern tier along the base of the lower range of 
mountains, or the northwestern section of the Platte Valley, embrace within their 
ample boundaries the most fertile and highly cultivated portions of Colorado, dotted 
with fruitful farms, occupied by an industrious, enlightened and prosperous people. 
Boulder in the central position, is endowed also with immense stores of coal and iron ; 
many of her mountain slopes ribbed with veins of gold and silver bearing ores. The iron 
ores, although at this epoch undeveloped, have been defined and located, and are held in 
reserve, as it were, among the latent forces to be utilized when the exigencies of the 
future shall demand their employment for the further expansion of local industry. No 
other division of the State is more favorably situated for all purposes of mining, manu- 
facturing and husbandry. The plains slope gently to the eastward from the main 
range of foothills from whence flow abundant waters for ditches and canals, that are so 
constructed as to convey them oyer most of the ranches, thus insuring large and never 
failing crops. The landscape is wondrously attractive. The town of Boulder, the 
county seat, is advantageously situated upon the delta of Boulder Creek, just at the 
point of its emergence from the caiion. 

The local historian, Amos Bixby, very accurately describes it by saying, "This 
little county embraces all the attractions of sunny climate, clear and exhilarating air, 




^ 



HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 289 

pure waters, magnificent waterfalls and majestic scenery. Its foothills are high and 
graceful in outline, its peaks lofty, near and accessible. Between are mountain lakes, 
glades and parks, with numberless streams and springs of cold and crystal waters. 
The mineral springs near Jamestown are, as shown by analysis, almost identical with 
the celebrated Seltzer Springs in Germany." 

The scenic grandeur which glorifies the stupendous background to the broad 
sweep of plains country lying to the eastward, presents a series of pictures that are 
well calculated to set inspired painters wild with desire to transfer them to canvas, and 
for descriptive writers to dilate upon until the measure of panegyric is exhausted, yet 
still with all their efforts the better part would remain untouched by brush or pen. 

Let us consider briefly the impulse that led to settlement in this enchanting spot, 
the initial scene of its reclamation from the dominion of aborigines who neither toiled 
nor spun. The first immigrants arrived October 17th, 1858, fifteen or twenty in number, 
whose first view of Boulder Valley was obtained by climbing the walls of Old Fort St. 
Vrain where their wagon train and its attendants had halted for rest and refreshment. 
Here the party, which was a large one, divided, Captain Thomas Aikins, his son and a 
nephew, A. A. Brookfield, Charles Clouser, Captain A. K. Yount, W. Moore, W. Dick- 
ens, Daniel Gordon and brother, John Rothrock, Theodore Squires, Thomas Lorton, 
the Wheelock brothers, and others whose names have not been preserved, taking the 
direction of their" morning vision, finally halted and fixed their camp just below the 
mouth of Boulder Canon, while the others, presumably, though the record is silent on 
that point, continued on to Denver. The encampment was fixed at Red Rock, just 
above the present town. These pioneers were not then inspired by any other motive 
than gold mining. It was this, and this alone which caused them to cross the plains. 
The fact of their lodgment here, and of the numerous other rude camps formed then and 
in the ensuing year, had no further significance than the execution of that purpose. 
Nevertheless, they could not fail to be impressed by the natural beauty of the region and 
its advantages for permanent occupation, for they were given to thoughtful consider- 
ation of all matters worthy of it, and they saw what might be accomplished by such as 
were inclined to break the virgin soil with plows. 

The season being well advanced toward winter, and having reason to anticipate 
heavy frosts and snowfalls, their energies were soon turned to the building of log cabins 
for shelter. Not one among them entertained a thought of turning back to escape the 
anticipated perils. They were unanimous in the conviction that here their several des- 
tinies were to be shaped; that having planted their tents, nothing but the absolute 
refusal of the country to maintain them should compel its abandonment. They had 
faith also that the object of their search would be found. Rather heroic figures these, 
reminding one of the sturdy old Puritans who established on the bleak and dreary 
shores of the Atlantic coast the mightiest of modern nations, giving birth to a civili- 
zation that has revolutionized the world. 

Contrary to expectation, the winter was mild and benignant, permitting the con- 
tinuance of building and exploration. Well supplied with staple provisions, and game 
being abundant, there was no danger of famine. They built their cabins, laid the foun- 
dations of their town, and on the 15th of January, 1S59, penetrated the adjacent canon 
a distance of twelve miles, where they found gold and named the point Gold Hill. 



290 HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 

This exploring party consisted of Charles Clouser, Colonel I. S. Bull, William 
Huey, W. W. Jones, James Aikins and David Wooley. There was snow upon the 
ground, and the deep frost in the soil prevented extended operations at that time, but 
they made sure of the fact that a considerable deposit of gold had been found before 
proclaiming it abroad. It proved a happy accident which led them to this particular 
place, for it was the richest part of the county, and though long since practically 
deserted, still remains the center of a very extensive belt of imperfectly developed min- 
eral vems. It is a part of the history of all the great mining districts of this State tliat 
the earlier prospects, usually the very first discoveries made, are the most valuable and 
productive. It was so in this instance. When every individual in all the regions from 
the Cache-la-Poudre to Cherry Creek stood anxiously watching for signs of great 
promise, eager to move wherever they might lead, it was only natural that the reports 
immediately sent out from Gold Hill should cause a rush of adventurers to that point, 
for at that time none but Jackson had found gold in the mountains, and his lips were 
sealed. 

As a matter of simple justice, it should be placed upon the record of that epoch 
that here in the first range, twelve miles above Boulder, a handful of brave and per- 
sistent pioneers, not one of whom possessed even the crudest experience in pros- 
pecting or mining, established and heralded the fact to the well nigh disheartened rem- 
nant of Green Russell's party that to find the object of their search in 'paying quantities 
they must abandon the lower valleys and explore the mountain slopes and gulches. 
Four months before Jack.son's discovery on Chicago Creek became generally known, 
rich placers and lodes had been located and opened in Gold Hill District. As an inev- 
itable consequence hundreds poured in, many cabins were built, the various forms of 
mining and sluicing begun; mills were shipped in over almost impassable roads and 
trails, and a brisk community formed, all before the snows of the first winter had dis- 
appeared. This sudden and large immigration imparted new life to the little town situ- 
ated at the base of the hills, and it became a market place for the incoming and out- 
going tides, and out of it grew the permanent foundation of the present well-ordered 
picturesque and inviting town of Boulder. 

The placers, although not very extensive, paid handsomely for a year or two, when 
their treasures were exhausted by the multitude of diggers. But these were not the 
only nor the chief resource of that section. Extremely valuable quartz veins were soon 
found and some of them opened, the surface quartz yielding well in sluices. The first 
was named the "Scott," from its discoverer, J. D. Scott, and later in the spring {1S59) 
the greatest of all — the Horsfal — a discovery made by Wm. R. Blore, M. L. McCaslin 
and David Horsfal, June 13th, which took the latter's name, and during that and the 
following seasons yielded about $10,000 gold. In the autumn of i860 the Gold Hill 
Mining Company was organized, with Mr. Blore president, who states that in the 
ensuing two years the Horsfal yielded something over $300,000. 

Some of the names of the early miners and residents in Gold Hill have been pre- 
served in the annals of the period, as follows: E. H. N. Patterson, subsequently some- 
what noted as an editor and press correspondent; Hiram Buck, Alfred A. Brookfield, 
one of the first discoverers of gold in Gold Run; George W. Chambers, Lewis H. 
Dickson, who in 1S59 assisted in sinking the first shaft at Gold Hill; Charles Dabney, 



HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 291 

Judge P. M. House!, John H. Hager, John M. Hevves, Thomas J. Jones, A. J. Macky, 
Matthew L. McCasHn, John Rothrock, John J. Wallace and George Zweck. 

The first stamp mill, a small, rude affair, compared with the more finished ma- 
chinery of later times, was introduced by Thomas J. Graham in the fall of 1859, and 
located on Left Hand Creek, near Gold Hill. Soon afterward Robert Culver brought 
the second. Benjamin F. Pine also brought a mill to Boulder, but it was not set up, 
being transferred to Nevada, in Gilpin County. John W. Smith writes me from his 
present home in California, that he "brought a six-stamp mill from the States in June, 
i860, and set it up on Left Hand Creek, and in July following crushed two cords of 
nice quartz; got Samuel Graham to clean up for me and got a good 'color'; they said 
it was worth about one dollar. I did not even look at it, but never started up the mill 
again at that place." 

Several others were established, but all subsequently removed to other parts of the 
mountains, or permitted to fall into ruin from the lack of profitable employment. The 
first successful milling done there, as we learn from Bi.xby, was brought about in the 
spring of i860, by M. L. McCaslin and Wm. R. Blore, upon surface quartz from the 
Horsfal lode, these men having persuaded Robert and Cary Culver and John Mahoney, 
who had imported a mill with the intention of taking it to the Gregory mines, to change 
their plan and convey it to Gold Hill instead. Although not largely profitable, it dem- 
onstrated the value of the ores in that region. 

July 23d, 1859, Gold Hill district was organized by the people in mass convention. 
A code of laws was drafted in brief but comprehensive form, according to the manner 
of men who had little time to waste in legislating, but whose mandates were meant to 
be obeyed. A musty, time-stained little book of thirty-seven pages, still extant, on the 
cover of which is pasted the inscription, "Gold Hill District — Laws of 1859," is one of 
the historic records of Boulder County. It begins as follows: " Miners' meeting of 
Mountain District No. i, Nebraska. Meeting of the Assembly of D. No. i, Saturdaj', 
July 23d, 1859. Meeting according to order of the President." E. S. Glotfelter was 
secretary pro tem. 

A committee consisting of P. M. Housel, Mr. Weeks, E. S. Glotfelter, J. D. Scott 
and Wiley Bunch was appointed to revise the present laws and make such amendments 
as were deemed expedient. Some of the old records of miners' meetings are dated 
Nebraska, and others Kansas Territory. The base line was the fortieth parallel, 
between Kansas and Nebraska, which ran about one and a half miles south of Boulder. 
Thus, according to their calculations, the southern part of the existing county lay in 
Kansas, and the greater part of the northern in Nebraska. 

The act of the legislature of Jefferson Territory which defines the boundaries of 
counties (only nine were thus defined), designates Boulder as the county seat of Jackson 
County. We find in the county recorder's office a book on the title page of which is 
the following: "Boulder City, January 14th, i860. Records of the Great Western 
Land Claim Association." At the annual meeting of the members of the association, 
the permanent officers being absent, Dr. J. Whitney was made chairman, and George 
Nichols, secretary pro tem. On January 21st Dr. Whitney was duly elected president, 
and A. H. Sockman, secretary. Several suits at law were heard and determined at 



29i HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 

these meetings, and the docket sometimes refers to the sessions of the "Court of the 
Jackson Claim Association." 

Great activity prevailed from the spring of 1859 to that of 1S61, when the placers 
were mostly worked out, and all but one of the lodes— the Horsfal — failed to respond 
to the ignorance of the inexperienced operators. Many veins had been located, but 
none knew how to work them. The excitement passed with the extinguishment of the 
flame that produced it, general desertion ensued, some passing on to other fields, others 
disposed to farming, taking up ranch claims along the North and South Boulder 
Creeks, Left Hand and the St. Vrain, where some of them have ever since remained, 
and where are to be found some of the most valuable farms in all Colorado. 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 Caribou. 

We now advert to the original town of Boulder for the purpose of tracing its 
further development, and that of the farming, coal mining and other natural resources, 
after the retrocession of the first tide of gold hunters from the mountain sides. It was 
first named Boulder City, the latter pendant being retained until recent years, when it 
was dropped as a ludicrous superfluity. The town was platted and mapped in the 
spring of 1859 by two surveyors, G. W. Gregg and T. W. Fisher. Within thirty days 
after the opening of the mines at Gold Hill, its future as the permanent abiding place 
of a large number of people was no longer problematical, and there were some among 
the founders who cherished the hope that it would easily distance all competitors. A 
town company was formed February 10, 1859, with fifty shareholders, whose plans 
embraced a site of 1,240 acres. At the height of the mining fever some 2,000 people 
dwelt or camped on and about the site. At an early stage, however, two factions aro.se, 
one favoring high prices for lots, the other, and more sensible, inclined to be liberal 
toward all who were disposed to become fixed residents, and would agree to improve 
their holdings by the erection of houses thereon. The latter being overborne by 
numbers, the prices were raised to a pitch that excited disgust among intending 
settlers, who turned away without investing at all, leaving the too ambitious scalpers to 
their own devices. The minority held firmly to the belief that enterprise manifested in 
dwellings and business houses, the construction of wagon roads and bridges, and 
unified effort for the diversion of travel from the Platte River route to their own par- 
ticular settlement, would bring more abundant and enduring rewards than a brief era 
of mere speculative undertakings, and they were correct. Not discouraged by this 
rebuff, many schemes of road building and stream bridging were devised. One of the 
more advanced among them, Henry Clay Norton, actually bridged the Platte River at 
old Fort St. Vrain, opened a fair roadway thence to Boulder, and made heroic efforts 
to change the drift of emigration, but in vain. The columns marched on up the valley 
to Cherry Creek, and thence into more popular channels via Golden City and the 
South Park routes. 

Until toward the close of 1859, the residents of Boulder possessed no lumber for 
their houses — neither sash, nails nor glass. Seventy or more log cabins dotted the 
spacious town site, crowned with roofs of splints, twigs and dirt, with the native soil 
for floors. In i860 a firm named Tarbox & Donnelly built a sawmill at the mouth of 








FIRST BOULDER COUNTY COURT HOUSE, ERECTED, I860. 






HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 29::? 

Boulder Canon. During the same season Dr. P. J. G. Lea planted another on Left 
Hand Creek, and in 1S62 Tourtellotte & Squires produced lumber from a mill of their 
own within the town limits. In 1863 Samuel Copeland built the first steam mill in 
Four Mile Caiion. These and others added from time to time, soon furnished ample 
supplies for all purposes of building, and thenceforward much better, more com- 
modious and comfortable quarters were provided for such as had families, giving the 
place a more inviting aspect. The first frame dwelling was erected by A. J. Macky 
in the year i860. He was also the first to build a business block of brick, when such 
pretentious improvements came to be added somewhat later. Daniel Pound put up a 
frame business house and filled it with merchandise. A. R. Brown, D. H. Nichols, J. 
H. Decker, A. A. Brookfield, Jonas Anderson & Sons, T. J. Graham, W. G. Pell, M. G. 
Smith and others not now recalled, were exceedingly patriotic and loyally devoted to the 
upbuilding of the place. Says Bi.xby in his chronicles of the time, "The reaction in the 
mining camps during the winter of 1860-61, drove off the drifting population, but 
stimulated settlement of the choice valley lands by the more stable and intelligent class 
— men, and a few noble women among them — who were appreciators of education, and 
have since carried forward the public schools to the most advanced standards." It is 
asserted, without denial by any other community, that the first schoolhouse built in the 
Territory exclusively for educational purposes, had its origin in Boulder in i860, a 
frame structure that cost $1,200, the amount being raised by subscription among the 
citizens, each contributing according to the measure of his means. This building was 
destroyed by fire on the morning of Sept. nth, 1890. The amount subscribed for this 
school would be but an insignificant trifle at the present day, but thirty years ago it 
took the form of heroic sacrifice by the parents, that their progeny might enjoy its bene- 
fits. A majority were very poor, scarcely able to maintain themselves, utterly incapable 
of extravagant outlay. The school thus instituted was maintained until 1872, when the 
Central, a very large and si.iperior edifice of brick and stone succeeded, at a cost of 
$15,000. In 1876 more room being required, an addition equal to double the capacity 
was provided. Amos Widner, the first superintendent of public instruction, divided the 
county into nine districts. He retained the position from 1863 to 1865 when the Rev. 
C. M. Campbell took charge. Boulder has at this time three fine school buildings. In 
addition to the one named above, that on Pine street was built some time later, and the 
Mapleton of stone in 1889. County Superintendent, W. V. Casey, in his report of Sep- 
tember ist, 1890, shows that Boulder County has fifty-five schoolhouses, which, with sites 
and furniture, are valued at $102,979.75. Of these four are log, thirty-three frame and 
eighteen of stone and brick. The three buildings in Boulder are valued at $40,000, 
have eighteen rooms and 900 sittings. There are 3,881 persons of school age in the 
county and the average attendance during the year was 1,885. 

The incident following, of the manner in which some of the early settlers lived, is 
related by Bixby: " Tourtellotte & Squires occupied a double Jog building, in the front 
part of which they sold groceries and mining supplies, and the rear portion was used as 
a hotel, kept by their wives, Maria and Miranda, twin sisters, fair types of the better 
class of New England women. The first thing after their arrival, they with their own 
hands cut willows and wove them into brooms for sweeping the dirt floors of their 
cabin hotel." And they were fond of relating how delighted they were to see the 



294 HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 

unaff righted herds of antelope come down to the creek to drink; how it rained every 
afternoon, and how awfully their mud roof leaked, compelling them to cover every- 
thing inside with rubber horse blankets; how they had no tables but a couple of boards 
they had brought with them from the East, and their chairs and bedsteads were hewn 
out of logs, etc. No severe stretch of the imagination is required to portray in vivid 
colors the hardships and privations that fell to the lot of pioneer settlers here or else- 
where. It was much the same everywhere, and the experience in one part of the 
desert might be applied to every other, with only the changes incident to differing con- 
ditions. The attention of those who came to gather gold, but were disappointed, for 
the reason that the area was so contracted that only a few of the first comers could be 
accommodated, was early turned to farming by the great prices paid for flour, feed, 
hay, grain and vegetables. In the winter of 1 860-61 times were extremely hard; flour 
brought $30 per sack, hay $80 to $100 per ton, vegetables and other farm produce in 
like proportion, owing to scarcity. 

Here as elsewhere, only the bottom lands along the streams were tilled, and those 
only in small garden patches. For two years the little settlement struggled with mani- 
fold adversities, making little or no progress; accessions to its members were few and 
far between. But for the tenacity of the fathers who resolved to win or perish, the 
place would have been abandoned; but for the promise held out by the agriculturists 
and the discovery and extended operation of coal mines in the near vicinity, general 
despair would have caused a general exodus. Says Bixby, "The first to test the cajxi- 
bilities of Boulder soil and climate for vegetable and fruit gardening, were Marinus <; 
Smith and William G. Pell. Mr. Smith pitched his tent in the beautiful grove that still 
bears his name, close by the town of Boulder on the isth day of June, 1859. In Septem- 
ber of that year, Mr. Pell, then occupying the adjoining place, joined Mr. Smith in plow- 
ing a garden patch. In November following they dug an irrigating ditch for this plowed 
land, the first constructed in the county. The next season they proved that any kind 
of seeds planted would grow and bring forth abundantly — that only a proper applica- 
tion of water was required to make the 'desert rejoice and blossom as the rose.' " The 
original experiments in broader farming — wheat culture, etc., are given elsewhere. 

Having planted the germs of local education for their own children, the people 
began to move unitedly for the consummation of a project long contemplated, to create 
a center of higher education, and thus attract to their community the better class of 
immigrants — people of intelligence — learned scholastics, exalted types of men and 
women who might be seeking health and prosperity in this new land, with a dominating 
preference for kindred social conditions. Therefore they took measures before the 
first legislature of 1861 to secure the passage of a law providing for the establishment of 
"The University of Colorado" at Boulder. The active spirit in this enterprise was 
Robert Culver. Chas. F. Holly, then a resident of Gold Hill (some years later a justice 
of the Territorial Supreme Court) being ambitious to represent the county in the first 
legislature, was induced by Culver to pledge himself to procure the enactment of such a 
law, then set about his nomination and election. Holly framed the bill and procured its 
adoption. It provided that a fund to support a Territorial university for the promotion 
of literature and of the arts and sciences should be created, and denominated the 
Seminary Fund, "which shall consist of all moneys arising from the sale of all lands 



HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 295 

which may be donated by the Congress of the United States for seminary purposes," 
etc.* The following were named as original corporators and governors of the insti- 
tution: D. P. Walling, J. Feld, A. O. Patterson, Allen A. Bradford, William Gilpin, 
Edwin Scudder, C. Dominguez, Byron M. Sanford, William Hamind, J. B. Chaffee, 
Chief- Justice B. F. Hall, Amos Steck, Jesus M. Barela, George F. Crocker, John S. 
Jones and M. Goss. 

Section 13 provides that "as soon as the necessary funds can be raised by donation 
from Congress, the Territory, or individuals or otherwise as will justify * * a com- 
mencement, they may then proceed to erect buildings," etc. January 25th, 1870, an 
amendatory act passed naming as trustees for the University at Boulder John H. Wells, 
Granville Berkley, Thomas J. Graham, James M. Smith and Amos Widner. Up to 
that time, although the main purpose had been kept in view, very little else had been 
accomplished. Immediately after the adoption of the amendment noted above (Jan- 
uary 29th) the trustees thus designated met in Boulder and organized the university 
board. While no funds had been provided for buildings, the public spirited citizens 
donated fifty-two acres of land upon a fine promontory overlooking the town on the 
south side of Boulder Creek, estimating its value at $10,000. A suitable building site 
having thus been secured, the trustees applied to the legislature of 1872 for an appro- 
priation of funds for buildings, which was refused, owing to a political complication. 
In 1874, however, the request was renewed and an appropriation of $15,000 granted 
on the condition that the citizens of Boulder donate an equal sum for the like purpose, 
which was acceded to, and the amount raised by subscription. In due course a 
contract was let; the corner stone was laid by the Grand Lodge A. F. and A. M. of 
Colorado, September 20th, 1875, but as a violent storm prevailed at the time, only the 
few necessary to lay the stone were on the grounds. About the 1st of January fol- 
lowing, the resident members of the board of trustees, viz.: Clinton M. Tyler, Ira E. 
Leonard, Amos Widner and Thomas J. Graham, together with the town board of trus- 
tees and citizens, invited the legislature to inspect the building, which was done. In 
1876 the Territorial assembly made a further appropriation of $15,000, to be expended 
in completing the building, and also provided for the election of regents by the electors 
of the State, then upon the eve of admission into the Union. The first board of regents 
was composed of L. W. Dolloff and Junius Berkley of Boulder; George Tritch and F. 
J. Ebert of Denver; W. H. Van Gieson of Del Norte, and C. Valdez of Conejos. The 
presidency was tendered Prof. Joseph A. Sewall, who for sixteen years had been pro- 
fessor of chemistry in the State Normal University of Illinois, a gentleman renowned 
for his scientific attainments, and accepted. Under his supervision preparatory 
and normal, departments were instituted, and opened for the reception of students 
September 5th, 1877. The regular collegiate course was begun in 1878 with a 
freshman class of twelve. The nucleus of a fine library was founded by a donation of 
$2,000 from Charles G. Buckingham, one of the bankers of Boulder, and in his honor it 
was named the " Buckingham Library." It has expanded to very liberal dimensions in 
the fullness of years, by contributions from the citizens and the addition of many useful 
reference books from the various departments of State at Washington. Prof. J. Alden 

* Laws of Colorado, ist session, page 144. 



296 HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 

Smith, a resident of tlie town, for many years State geologist, gave a large cabinet of 
rare and valuable minerals, about 4,000 in number, which has since been augmented 
by other specimens gathered in the course of his scientific researches. A fine chemical 
laboratory, selected with great care by Prof. Sewall, was added soon after he assumed 
control. The grounds have been adorned with shade trees, and otherwise beautified. 

A special tax levy by the State which yielded about $40,000 was used in the erec- 
tion of the president's residence, a young ladies' dormitory and boarding house, a dor- 
mitory for young men, a hospital for the medical department and other improvements. 

Dr. Sewall remained in charge until July, 1887, when he was succeeded by President 
Horace M. Hale, who had superintended the public schools of Central City for fifteen 
years and served two terms as Territorial superintendent of public instruction. The 
university has been greatly prospered under his administration. The attendance w-as 
150 in 1889-90 — and in the fall of the latter year the university opened with seventy 
new students. The medical hall was built in 1888 at a cost of $2,500. In 1890 Wood- 
bury Hall, a dormitory for male students, named in honor of R. W. Woodbury, one of 
the board of regents, was added at a cost of $25,000. It is of red and grey sandstone, 
well furnished, and by far the handsomest structure on the grounds. The young 
ladies' dormitory has been doubled in capacity at a cost of $4,000 during 1890. The 
library has more than 10,000 volumes. Since 1887 the regents have purchased 3,000 
volumes, most of them very valuable, obtained in Europe. A biological chair was 
established in 1889, and a fine nucleus started for a museum and biological labora- 
tory. The chemical, mineralogical and geological, physical and biological laboratories 
with cabinets, give this institute a superior equipment for scientific study and inves- 
tigation. 

The effect of this seat of learning at Boulder, while perhaps not equal to the antici- 
pations of those who inspired it, nor their desires, has notwithstanding, produced results 
commensurate with the effort. Boulder is a moral and upright community, steadily pro- 
gressive, delightfully attractive, given to intelligent analysis of public questions, 
sturdily upholding the right and suppressing wrong; a conspicuous factor in State poli- 
tics, and an element of the first importance in substantial v/ealth-producing industries. 

The county organization was perfected November 15th, 1861. Governor Gilpin 
appointed Thomas J. Graham county commissioner, authorizing him to select two 
others. He chose D. P. Walling and G. W. Chambers, and their first meeting was held 
on the date just named. The county was divided into precincts, and arrangements for 
a general election perfected. At this election the following were chosen: Sheriff, W. 
A. Corson; Clerk and Recorder, A. Barker; Treasurer, G. W. Chambers; Assessor, E. 
S. Glotfelter; Commissioners, D. P. Walling, T. J. Graham and H. N. Coffey; Probate 
Judge, P. M. Housel; Superintendent of Schools, J. M. Holt; Coroner, J. R. Edick; 
Surveyor, D. Ripley; Attorney, Charles F. Holly. 

The first newspaper, called the "Valley News," originally located at Valmont, a rival 
town, was removed to and issued in Boulder, April 3d, 1867, under the management of 
W. C. Chamberlain, who conducted it until the fall of 1868, when it gave place to the 
Boulder County " Pioneer," edited by Dr. J. E. Wharton, whose egotism ran away with 
his better judgment, and soon brought about irreconcilable antagonisms to himself and 
his paper. It passed into the hands of Robert H. Tilney, who changed the title to the 



HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 29: 

'■ Ijouldei- County News." The establishment passed from hand to hand until May, 
1S74, when Amos Bixby and Eugene Wilder, two men of sterling worth, clear-headed, 
able, well intentioned, animated by the single desire and purpose of meeting the 
public demand for an honest, useful and enterprising representative of all that was good 
and highest in public estimation, succeeded to the management. In November, 187S, 
Mr. Bi.xby sold his interest to Wm. G. Shedd, owner of the Boulder "Courier," pub- 
lished in Sunshine mining district, which paper had been removed to Boulder shortly 
tjefure the purchase, when the two were consolidated under the title, "Boulder News 
and Courier," with Dr. T. H. Everts as editor. Some years later it was taken by a 
stock company known as the "News and Courier Publishing Co.," and was afterward 
consolidated with the "Banner." The word "Courier" was dropped, and the title became 
"The News and Banner," with Robert H. Tilney editor. In June, 18S8, Mr. C. Ricketts 
purchased a half interest. The word "Banner" was dropped. In .\ugust, 1889, Mr. 
Ricketts became sole editor and proprietor. 

'I'he Rocky Mountain " Eagle" was established in September, 1873, by W. Morris, 
but the paper did not survive long, and the material was sold to Wangelin & Tilney, 
who then founded the "Colorado Banner." In January, 18S0, Wangelin retired, pur- 
chased a new office, and, on the i8th of February, issued the Boulder "Herald." All 
these ventures were hebdomadals. On the 17th of April, 1880, Wangelin, to the 
surprise of the public, began publishing a daily. It was a daring and rather dangerous 
departure, in view of the limited field, and the additional labor and expense involved. 
The impression prevailed that it could not be sustained, but it was sustained without 
break or pause, and has continued its regular issues from that day to this. Wangelin's 
well edited journal has become one of the potent factors of the county, due to his 
indomitable energy and good management. The Boulder " Sentinel" was founded by 
George Newland and L. C. Paddock in July, 1884. Newland retiring the same year, 
Paddock ran it until October, 1888, when he sold to Clarence H. Pease, who, a few 
months after, sold to the "Sentinel Publishing Company," with C. Edgar Smith as 
editor. The " Miner" was started in 1888 by L. L. Gray, who conducted it until 1889^ 
when the material was sold to L. C. Paddock, who established the Boulder "Tribune." 
Since the foregoing was prepared a new paper called the " Camera " has begun publi- 
cation. The press of the town, with a few exceptions, has been eminently respectable, 
in consonance with the character of the people, and has exercised an influence for the 
general good. 

In the matter of churches, which, with public schools. He at the foundation of 
social order, the Methodists were the Christian pioneers, first in the field, and per- 
sistently active in advancing their cause. The Rev. Jacob Adriance, one of the first 
bearers of the cross and expounders of the gospel in the Rocky Mountain region, 
divided his efforts between Denver, Golden and Boulder. From the manuscript of an 
address delivered at Valmont in 1 881 by Charles M. Campbell, now county attorne)', 
the following statement is taken: "The Boulder Valley Presbyterian Church (old school) 
was organized September 6th, 1863, at the house of A. A. Brookfield, near the junction 
of the North and South Boulder Creeks, with the following members: Peter M. 
Housel, Eliza J. Housel, Samuel F. Runnels, Amanda Barker, Jane A. C. Barker, 
George W. Chambers, and Eliza Chambers, at which time the Rev. Alanson R. Day, 



298 HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 

the officiating minister, preached from Acts .\vi:3i. * * Until March iSth, iS66, we 
had no house of worship; meetings were held in private dwellings and out of doors, 
very frequently in Wallace's grove, in Mr. Housel's mill, and Mr. Coulson's store." 

The Congregational Church was organized in a grove near Valmont, July 17th, 
1864, by Rev. Wm. Crawford. Its permanent edifice was begun in 1866-67 by the Rev. 
Nathan Thompson, and was the first church built in Boulder. Mrs. H. D. Harlow, 
Mrs. Thompson's sister, now residing in the town, has in her possession the old 
records of this church. The first reference is made to the meeting of July 17th, 1864, 
containing minutes of the organization in the grove near the Butte. It was very slow 
in building from lack of means, the pastor, Mr. Thompson, assisting the work by car- 
rying bricks and mortar to the workmen. For a long time the basement was used for 
the place of worship. The building was finally dedicated July loth, 1870. It was 
about this time that the Methodists began their house of worship. 

The Presbyterian Church was organized November 8th, 1872, Rev. J. E. Anderson, 
pastor, and soon built a church. The Episcopalians followed in 1873, Rev. Henry 
Baum rector. St. John's Church was built in 1879, T. V. Wilson rector. The Re- 
formed Episcopals built in October, 1874, Rev. James Pratt, pastor. This church has 
since been purchased by the "Christians." The Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart 
was built in the fall of 1876, by Rev. A. J. Abel; the Baptist society organized October 
13th, 1872, with six members, Rev. J. G. Maver, pastor, and built a church in 1875-76, 
Rev. Ross Ward, pastor. At a more recent period a considerable colony of Seventh 
Day Adventists located there, and in 1880 built a church. Rev. J. O. Corliss, pastor. 
A Swedish mission has recently been erected. The African M. E. Church recently lost 
their building through financial embarrassment. At present Boulder has nine church 
buildings. 

No town in these days can be well organized without civic and benevolent societies. 
Such orders which are very numerous, with vast collective memberships are scattered 
over the world in this latter half of the nineteenth century, comprising essential features 
of modern civilization. 

Columbia Lodge A. F. & A. M. was organized January 3d, 1867, in Ward mining 
district, A. J. VanDeren, master, but was moved to Boulder in October, 1868. It was 
granted a charter October 8th, 1862. 

Boulder Chapter No. 7, Royal Arch Masons, was chartered September 23d, 1875; 
Oren H. Henry, H. P., Daniel A. Robinson, K., and George C. Corning, Scribe. 

Boulder Lodge No. 45, A. F. & A. M., was chartered September 21st, 1881. 

Mount Sinai Commandery No. 7, Knights Templar, was chartered September 22d, 
1882, with James P. Ma.xwell, E. C; Ivers Phillips, G., and Geo. M. Neikirk, C. G. 

Boulder Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F., was chartered July loth, 1869; J. E. Wharton, 
Joseph Wolff, Thos. J. Jones and James H. Decker, charter members. 

Unity Encampment No. 13, I. O. O. F., chartered October 18th, 1877 ; James 
H. Decker, Geo. C. Smith, Anthony Hernandez, Samuel Bader, Lafayette Miller, Chas. 
L. Wood and M. A. Rowen, charter members. 

The Grand Army of the Republic, has Nathaniel Lyon Post No. 5, chartered 
March 30th, 1881; Nathaniel Lyon Relief Corps No. 27, each with a numerous 
membership. 



HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 299 

The Centennial State Lodge No. S, A. O. U. W., was instituted November nth, 
iSSi, and chartered October loth, 1882. 

Tellurium Camp No. 1310, Modern Woodmen of America, was chartered February 
Sth, 1S90. 

Ignacio Tribe No. 15, I. O. R. M., was organized in November, 18S9. The Grange 
also has a large association. 

The Knights of Pythias organized in June, 1880, and the Good Templars in 1868. 

The Water System and service is superior to that of most Western towns, and is 
ample for domestic purposes, the extinguishment of fires, and the irrigation of lawns. 
October 31st, 1874, the qualified electors voted $18,000 for the construction of these 
W'Orks, and the contract was awarded May i8th, 1875. Pending their completion, 
Phoenix Hook & Ladder Company No. i was organized (February 19th), with Eugene 
Wilder, foreman, and 100 members; Boulder Hose No. i (July 13th). The A. J. 
Macky Hose No. 2, came into line in February, 1877. These companies still constitute 
the fire department. 

Banks and Bankers. — George C. Corning established the Bank of Boulder, the first 
financial institution in the town in May, 1871. The proprietor, owing to over-indul- 
gence in outside speculative enterprises, chiefly mining ventures, exhausted its cap- 
ital, and February 21st, 1877, the doors were closed and the bank went into liquidation. 

The National State Bank was founded April 20th, 1874, by Charles G. and W. A. 
Buckingham; conducted in their name as a private bank until May, 1S77, when it was 
nationalized with a paid up capital of $50,000. The capital stock was increased to 
$55,000 in 1882. The present officers are; C. G. Buckingham, president; Henry Nei- 
kirk, vice president, and J. H. Nicholson, cashier. 

The First National opened for business May loth, 1877, with a capital of $50,000; 
president, Lewis Cheney; cashier, L M. Smith. Its capital stock was increased to 
$100,000 March ist, 1886. The present officers are J. G. Cope, president; A. J. 
-Macky, vice-president, and W. H. Thompson, cashier. 

The Boulder National began business October ist, 1S84; capital stock, $50,000; 
president, H. N. Bradley; vice-president. Dr. L L. Bond; cashier, Charles L. Spencer. 
George R, Williamson has been president since 18S7, and Dr. L L. Bond cashier 
since 1889. 

General Development. — -Notwithstanding its attractiveness and its numerous ad- 
vantages, its picturesque environment and its exalted position in the midst of the agri- 
cultural garden of Colorado, the town struggled almost desperately through the first, 
and well on through the second decade of its existence without material recognition 
from the outside world. Li 1870 it began to excite some attention, and some addi- 
tional residents were gained. In 1872, with a view to accelerating the movement, an 
immigration society was incorporated with J. P. Maxwell president, and D. H. Nichols 
secretary, admirable men for the purpose. This proved an effective instrumentality, 
but the better results attained came through the settlement of people from other 
points in Colorado, Gilpin County furnishing some of the more prominent. From 1870 
to 1880 the population increased from a few hundreds to 3,060. Much of this increase 
was due to the construction of the Colorado Central and Boulder Valley Railways — 
both now parts of the Union Pacific system — the first being completed and opened to 



300 HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 

traffic April 22d. 1S73, and the latter September 2d of the same year. The county 
voted aid to the Colorado Central in the sum of $200,000. To gain the Boulder Valley 
road the citizens subscribed $45,000 and expended it in grading and tieing the road- 
bed from the Erie coal mines to the town, the owners putting in the bridges, laying 
the iron and providing the rolling stock, as more fully set forth in Vol. II, page 96. 
The Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific, a narrow gauge under the control of the Union 
Pacific, has since been built from Boulder into the mountains to a point called Sunset. 

The to-Li.<ii i>f Boulder was incorporated November 4th, 1S71. The first city offi- 
cials after this event were: Trustees, Frederick A. Squires (presiding officer), Anthon}' 
Arnett, James P. Maxwell, Marinus G. Smith, and Alpheus Wright; Town Attorney, 
Major Henry Ward; Town Clerk, W. C. Wynkoop; Constable, Oscar Allen; Supervisor 
of Streets, Geo. F. Chase. The terms of these officers expired April 9th, 1872. 

The town was reincorporated in February, 1878, with enlarged boundaries, and a 
more efficient form of municipal government. At a special election, the following 
officers were chosen, who qualified February 19th: Mayor, Jacob Ellison; Recorder, 
Wm. H. Laws; Trustees, John H. O'Brien, Robert B. Potter, De Kalb Sternberg, and 
Richard H. Whitely. Their successors went into office April 6th following (187S), with 
James P. Maxwell, Mayor. 

April 17th, 1882, Boulder became a city of the second class, and under the new 
organization Col. J. A. EUet was chosen Mayor, A. J. Macky Treasurer, and J. £. 
Beiiiis City Clerk. It was divided into four wards. The first Aldermen elected were: 
First Ward — H. R. Sackett (one year), E. Williams (two years). Second Ward — W. H. 
Thompson (one year), B. F. Pine (two years). Third Ward — E. J. Perren (one year), 
W. H. Laws (two years). Fourth Ward — J. C. Coulehan (one year), D. J. Hutchinson 
(two years). 

A board of trade was formed in 1882^ with W. R. Earhart, president, Isaac Berlin, 
first, and Charles Dabney second vice-president; A. J. Macky treasurer, and Col. John 
A. Ellet, secretary. This board made arrangements for the wide advertisement of the 
town and county to induce immigration, and to that end appointed Stanley Stokes to 
collect mining, agricultural and other statistical data. The board now has a mem- 
bership of about 100. 

In 18S2 a handsome courthouse was built at a cost of .$100,000. The site is a 
block of ground in the center of the city. 

The Boulder brewery was established in 1875 by Mr. Frank Weisenhorn and 
Charles Voegtle. Among the other institutions of the place are the iron foundry and 
machine shops started in 1876 by J. W. Develine; the Sternberg Milling and Elevator 
Company Mills in 18S9; the Boulder agency of the Boston & Colorado Smelting Com- 
pany, for the sampling and purchase of gold and silver ores, of which Mr. E. Williams 
has had the management for the past twelve years. There is considerable activity in 
the lumber and planing business; the Preston Reduction Works, recently erected; the 
Franklin machine and repair shops; the creamery and cheese factory, etc., are among 
the industrial institutions. At Valmont the working of fine rock quarries, the manu- 
facture of superior pressed bricks, and other useful products illustrate the diversified 
interests and the possibilities of the future. 

Boulder is lighted by electricity, and with its shaded streets, fine site and beautiful 



HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 301 

prospect of mountain and plain, is one of the most desirable residence towns in the 
State. By the census of 1890 its population was 4,100, showing an increase since 1880 
'f 1,040. While the county has a number of small towns below the mountains, the 
kuj^rer, and to some e.xtent a rival to the county seat, is the colony town of 

Lons;mont, preliminary mention of which appears in Vol, I, page 546. And here 
we take occasion to correct an error there made, by substituting the name of Robert 
CoUyer for Vincent CoUyer as the first president of that colony. It was organized in 
Chicago February 22d, 1870, christened the Chicago-Colorado Colony, Col. C. N. Pratt 
chosen secretary, and e.x-Lieutenant Governor Wm. Bross treasurer. Thirty thousand 
acres of land were purchased, and a town site located on the St. Vrain, Judge Seth 
Terry, .\ndrew Kelley and Wm. N. Byers selecting the lands. Their names appear in 
the certificate of incorporation filed with the Territorial Secretary. Seth Kelley, pres- 
ident of the colony, pursuant to an order and in behalf of the board of trustees, Jan- 
uary 30th, 1872, authorized the map of Longmont to be filed as the ofiicial plat, and 
the records show that the same was filed with A. E. Lea, County Clerk and Recorder, 
February 26th following. 

The old town of Burlington, founded many years previous, but which had only a 
small population, and no distinct hope of maintaining a separate existence with a brisk 
rival so near at hand, was merged into Longmont. Lots were set apart for schools, 
churches and public buildings, and held in reserve against the time when they should 
be needed. During the first three months about $50,000 had been expended upon 
buildings. The plan of Union Colony — that is to say, its better features — was adopted, 
but owing to early dissension it was not fully executed. All original deeds to lots and 
lands contained a prohibitory liquor clause, but in less than three years prohibition dis- 
appeared. A number of large irrigating canals were projected but not then completed. 
The more important of these canals was that known as the Highland Lake Ditch, built, 
not by the colony but by a few farmers, led by L. C. Mead. The cause of most of the 
early troubles in this colony lay in the fact that its chief promoters resided in Chicago, 
and took no active part in pushing and regulating matters at this end of the line. Mr. 
Terry explains to the writer that some of the promoters were heavy losers by the great 
fire in that city in the fall of 1871, hence were unable to give the colony the aid they 
otherwise would have done. 

Unlike its successful exemplar, Greeley, it lacked the important force of well- 
directed leadership, therefore many errors were committed that might under proper con- 
ditions have been avoided, and the original plan carried to better conclusions. Never- 
theless the colony prospered and grew strong after those who resolved to remain with it 
had fully mastered the situation. The town of Longmont was incorporated January 
7th, 1873. November 8th, 1881, by a vote of 195 for, to thirteen against, the people 
decided to organize the town under the municipal act of the general incorporation laws, 
approved April 4th, 1877. The town election was held December 7th, 18S1, to elect a 
mayor, recorder and trustees, who were duly installed on the 19th following. 

The Colorado Central Railway came to its aid April 17th, 1873, where it remained 
—owing to a check put upon all railway building by the panic of that year — until 
November 4th, 1877, when its extension to Cheyenne was completed and opened. The 
much needed stimulus was afforded by these connections, and together with the 



302 HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 

enlarged experience in dealing with the pecuHarities of the soil, cUmate and irrigation, 
soon enabled them to establish a footing not reached by other and less favored com- 
munities until after ten or fifteen years of incessant struggle and countless disasters, 
had passed over them. At the present time Longmont has a population of 1,646; 
about sixty business houses, five churches, one public school, and Longmont College 
under the control of the Presbyterian Church. It is the center and market place for 
the great, highly cultivated and prosperous farming region roundabout; has three 
hotels, and many artistic dwellings, the homes of thrifty, intelligent people. The greater 
part of the land is arable, capable of producing abundantly from any kind of seeds 
planted therein. In addition to vast crops of cereals and esculents, the progress made 
in horticulture is very marked. All the small fruits and many standard fruits are grown 
in great profusion. 

Besides the Colorado Central, the Denver, Utah & Pacific narrow gauge railway, 
built by capitalists of Denver and New York, extends from the capital of the State 
directly to the town, and thence on to Lyons eleven miles, where are situated fine sand- 
stone quarries of great extent and excellence. Within recent years it has been owned 
and operated by the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company, and is now a 
standard gauge road. 

Longmont is fourteen miles north of Boulder, and fifty-five from Denver, Most of 
the original colonists and later acquisitions were educated people of broad enlighten- 
ment and liberal ideas, hence it is not strange that the standards of public instruction 
established there should be of a superior character. It is noted for the high intellectual 
and moral standing of its inhabitants. 

The first newspaper, the "Sentinel," was founded by Lowe & Hall, in July, 1S71. 
It was changed in 1872 to the Longmont " Press," E. F. Beckwith proprietor. The 
" Post " appeared in May, 1877, under the auspices of the Longmont Printing Com- 
pany, W. L. Condit, editor. Later on it was changed to the " Valley Home and Farm," 
W. E. Pabor, editor, and again to the " Ledger," issued by the Ledger Printing Com- 
pany. The press is now well represented by the " Ledger " and the " Times." 

Col. Byron L. Carr edited the "Ledger." In January, 1881, he was succeeded by 
Henry L. Hayward, present editor. The " Times " was purchased October ist, 188S, 
by L. S. and C. B. Smith from George B. McFadden, who established it in April, 18S8. 

Churches. — The Methodist Church, which was instituted by Presiding Elder B. T. 
Vincent, and the pastor, F. C. MilHngton, July 9th, i87i,builta church in 1872, the 
first in the town. The Congregationalists built in 1874, Rev. R. J. Williams, pastor. 
The Presbyterian house of worship was dedicated November 17th, 1876; the St. 
Stephen's Episcopal in 1S81, and the Catholic in 1882. Several other denominations 
hold services, but own no buildings. The United Brethren have four country churches 
in the St. Vrain farming section. 

The first schoolhouse in Longmont was built in 187 1, and the old frame building 
is now used by the fire department. A brick building took its place, to which several 
additions have been made, with a large campus and fine grounds. 

In 1885 the Presbyterian synod of Colorado began the erection of a college, putting 
up one wing of the building. During i88g it was vacant, but in 1890 it was opened as 
an academy. The society began to lay the foundations for a great college, but the 



HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 308 

question whether or not the church shall found a college in Denver while undetermined 
but threatening, retards the growth of the college at Longmont. In its early days, the 
town found a noble friend in Elizabeth Thompson, who in 187 1, built Library Hall 
which was used by the various church denominations until they were able to provide 
houses of their own. In this hall she has placed a library of 400 volumes. 

Here, as in Boulder, and in all other towns of any consequence, civic societies are 
numerous, but lack of space forbids their enumeration beyond the more important 
details. 

St. Vrain Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., was chartered September 2d, 1S72, with E. 
B. Newman, W. M.; W. R. Blore, S. W., and E. J. Coffman, J. W. 

Longmont Chapter No. 8, Royal Arch Masons, chartered September 17th, 1879; 
E. B. Newman, H. P.; Lewis H. Dickson, K., and Conrad Bardell, S. 

Long's Peak Commandery No. 12, Knights Templar, chartered September 19th. 
1884; George Wyman, E. C; L. H. Dickson, G., and Thomas Butler, C. G. 

Longmont Lodge No. 29, I. O. O. F., chartered October i6th, 1878; Thomas I. 
Ash, C. Heise, J. A. Eraser, A. J. Donaldson, John C. Wells, H. E. Washburn and J. 
Q. Grant, charter members. 

McPherson Post G. A. R., chartered May 9th, 1881; McPherson Woman's Relief 
Corps 32, chartered June 17th, 1890. 

Longmont Lodge No. 9, A. O. U. W., chartered October nth, 1882. 

Excelsior Lodge No. 54, Knights of Pythias, chartered September, 1890, was organ- 
ized December loth, 1889. 

Banks ami Bankers. — The first bank was opened in April, 1S71, by C. Emerson 
and W. A. Buckingham. On the death of the latter, his widow, Mrs. M. E. Bucking- 
ham succeeded to his interest, and the firm name still remains the same — Emerson &: 
Buckingham, bankers; C. E. Day, cashier, which position he has held for about fifteen 
years. 

In 18S0 F. H. and C. H. Stickney organized a private bank. Subsequently F. H. 
bought his partner's interest, and in 1885 established the Bank of Longmont, taking in 
as partners W. H. Dickens, Rienzi Streeter, John Kitely and S. H. Dobbins. Mr. F. H. 
Stickney is the cashier. 

The First National was chartered June 17th, 18S5, and opened for business Sep- 
tember I St, following, with a capital of $50,000. George Wyman, president; Charles 
H. Stickney, vice-president and Thomas Butler, cashier. Eben White, the then assistant 
cashier, has been the cashier since 1886. Mr. Wyman is still president, with Daniel 
Ransom as vice-president. 

The board of trade was formed in 1886: George Wyman, president; F. H. Stick- 
ney, first vice-president ; O. A. McFarland, second vice-president ; A. L. Williams, 
recording secretary; Seth Terry, corresponding secretary, and C. E. Day, treasurer. 

About ten years ago half of the business part of the town was destroyed by fire, 
when the old frame buildings were replaced by substantial brick houses. The water- 
works were built about eight years ago at a cost of $70,000, the water being brought 
from the canon of the St. Vrain, a distance of about twelve miles, giving a good natural 
pressure. The Walter A. Buckingham Hook and Ladder and the Longmont Hose No, 
I have for many years constituted the fire department. A fine two-story brick city hall 



304 HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 

was built in 18S4. There are three large flouring mills; a creamery, canning factory, 
an electric light plant and other enterprises which indicate business thrift and progres- 
siveness. The streets are bordered with large shade trees, which with three parks, make 
Longmont a beautiful town. 

The valley of the St. Vrain, traversed by the stream of that name, comprises broad 
and rich bottom lands, than which none in the State are more fertile or productive. 
Settlers were attracted to them as early as 1859, and some of them have not only 
maintained their footing to the present era, but have also become wealthy by the 
fruitage of the soil. Among those who located there in the earlier 3'ears were George, 
Fred. C. and Lawson Beckwith, Wm. Baker, Thomas McCall, Perry AVhite, Wm. R. 
Blore, Junius Berkley, the Coffmans, Pennocks, Aliens, Hamlin Affalter, Thomas 
Peck, Isaac Runyon, B. F. Franklin, John C. Carter, Lyman Smead, David Taylor, 
Dr. Harrison Goodwin, the three Wiese Brothers, Thomas McCall, C. C. True, Geo. 
W. Webster, the Cushman Brothers, Dr. Powell, Judge Ripley, Dickens, Manners, 
Masons and others. 

Ni Wot is the Indian name for Left Hand Creek, the latter designation being 
in honor of Left Hand, chief of a band of Arapahoe Indians, who was much esteemed 
by the settlers because of his honesty and steadfast friendliness toward them, while the 
majority of his race were hostile and caused them much annoyance. This creek is a 
branch of the St. Vrain, uniting with it near the town of Longmont. It also waters a 
very fertile valley where a number of farmers settled in 1859-60-61, among them P. T. 
Hinman and sons, C. W. Caywood and sons, and Sylvester Budd. Ni Wot was platted 
by Porter M. Hinman and Ambrose S. Murray, Jr., by Alpheus Wright, attorney-in-fact, 
and filed March 30th, 1875. 

Near the mouth of Left Hand Caiion is the little hamlet called Altona. The town 
company was incorporated by legislative act approved November 8th, 1S61, by Thos. 
J. Graham, Joseph M. Holt, Wm. DeBoise, W. R. Blore, Robert Culver, Peter A. 
Lyner, and Byron A. Sanford. George Bader and Samuel Arbuthnot were among 
the pioneer settlers and farmers in that section, which is not only valuable for agri- 
culture, but one of the finest fruit regions of the county also. Many years ago the 
town of 

Valmont, situated at the confluence of the North and South Boulders, aspired to be 
the chief town and county seat of Boulder County. It was laid off in 1865 by Judge 
A. P. Allen and his sons, Rev. G. S. Allen and Dr. H. W. Allen, with Holden Eldred. 
It flourished for two years, and the hopes of its projectors were stimulated by the 
marked advances made. But the electors, when the proposition to change the seat of 
government came to them, refusing to ratify, the scheme ended in disappointment. 
January ist, 1866, they established a newspaper called the "Valmont Bulletin," edited 
by Dr. Allen and D. G. Scouten. April ist of the following year it was removed to 
Boulder. Valmont is located on the Boulder Valley Railway, and the center of a very 
superior farming region, whose prosperity has been continuously maintained from the 
early years to the present. 

The towns of Louisville, Marshall, Davidson and Canfield, although surrounded 
by excellent farming lands, are more especially mining towns, the centers of the lignite 
coal beds, where the major part of the supplies of lighter fuel for Boulder, Fort 



HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 305 

Collins, Greeley, Eva'is and Denver, and for railway purposes are produced. Louisville 
and Lafayette are about twelve miles southeast, and Canfield some twelve miles east of 
iJoulder, Marshall four miles south. Immense quantities of coal are taken from these 
L'xteiisive deposits, as well as from Erie, thirteen miles east in Weld County. Louis 
Xawatny platted the town of Louisville, and filed the same October 24th, 1878. Can- 
field was platted by Charles F. Wallis, William O. Wise, B. M. Williams, and J. O. V. 
Wise, December 27th, 1875, the survey for the site having been made by John S. Tit- 
comb. The plat was filed December 30th. 

The town site of Davidson was platted July 29th, 1S74, by the Davidson Coal and 
Iron Mining Company, through Wm. A. Davidson, its president, and Wm. B. Berger, 
secretary and treasurer. It was filed July 31st, 1874. 

Lafayette was first platted by Mary E. Miller, February 3d, 1888. and then re- 
platted by her, and the same filed January 5th, 1889. The survey was made by C. A. 
Russell. 

In the region occupied in part by the towns named, are situated all the principal 
developed coal mines of Northern Colorado. It is a bright, clear fuel, quite dense,* 
"generally jet black, with high luster, and as a rule, destitute of fibrous or woody 
structure. Specific gravity from 1.28 to 1.40, averaging about 1.33; rarely contains one 
per cent, of sulphur and usually less than .04 per cent ; ash residue comparatively 
slight, ranging between two and seven per cent, averaging about four and a half; heat- 
ing power high, igniting readily, burning freely until the last fragment is con- 
sumed; are in general use for domestic purposes, roasting pyritous ores, for making 
steam in stationary and locomotive boilers, blacksmithing, etc., etc. The principal 
veins are from five to sixteen feet thick, averaging eight to nine feet." 

The discovery of coal at Marshall is ascribed to Joseph M. Marshall, from whom 
the mines at that place take their name. Near at hand are large deposits of brown 
hematite iron ores, from whicli many tons of excellent pig iron were produced in 1864 
by a rude blast furnace erected by Marshall and his associates. A. G. Langford, William 
and Milo Lee. 

At Louisville the discovery was made by boring, under direction of Mr. C. C. 
'Welch of Golden, the operator being a Polander named Louis Nawatny, who began 
sinking a well there in August, 1877. These are known as the Welch mines, and are 
owned by the Union Pacific Railway Company. 

The bottom lands of the lower Boulder, eight miles from the mountains, were 
occupied during the very early period of settlement in the county. Among the pioneers 
were W. R. Howell, John Rothrock, Hiram Buck, P. A. Lyner, Wm. A. Davidson, H. 
B. Ludlow, J. J. Beasley, Jeremiah Leggett, Edgar Sawder, Hiram Prince, E. Leeds, 
J. C. Bailey, Stephen H. Green and George C. Green. 

The Davidson Coal Mining Company was formed in 1873 with a capital stock of 
$160,000, the corporators being Wm. A. Davidson, Jonathan S. Smith, Geo. W. Smiley, 
Charles. B. Kountze and Wm. B. Berger. Their lands comprised 8,000 acres, mainly 
coal and iron. 

It would appear to a casual observer that a county containing so many towns, such 



*Prof. J. Alden Smith's Report, 1S83. 



'306 HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 

a diversity of resources and industries as have been mentioned in the foregoing rapid 
epitome, must necessarily become very rich and prosperous without the aid of gold and 
silver mining; that with such vast reserves of coal and iron, a greater area of splendid 
farms than any other except Larimer, and with all industries planted upon solid foun- 
dations, nothing more could be desired, nothing more needed to insure a radiant 
future. But nature implanted even greater treasures in the mountains above than 
have been found in the valleys below. As already mentioned, the mining town of 
Gold Hill was thickly populated in 1859-60, and it was then that many who have since 
been principal actors in the fortunes of the county made their first ventures in the 
Rocky Mountain region. After the first excitement subsided and the district fell into 
"innocuous desuetude," comparative silence prevailed until the spring of 1S69, when the 
Caribou silver mine was discovered by Samuel Conger, who took unto himself as 
partners and sharers in the property Wm. Martin, George Lytle, Hugh McCammon, 
John H. Pickel and Samuel Mishler. This lode proved in succeeding years one of the 
richest silver mines in Colorado. Other discoveries followed until a great belt of silver 
bearing veins (but none of gold) was opened, and Caribou became one of the lively 
centers of mining industry. A considerable town sprang up. Caribou City was platted 
September 26th, 1870, by Samuel Mishler, Wm. F. Sears, John H. Pickel, George Lytle, 
Wm. Martin and Samuel Conger, and filed on that day. 

The outpouring of silver bullion was large and continuous. Its effect upon the 
town of Boulder and neighboring regions was highly beneficial, for it furnished a 
new and profitable market for their produce and merchandise stores. It brought a 
large increase of population, of money and property. A. D. Breed, a Cincinnati capi- 
talist, bought a half interest in the Caribou mine for $125,000, operated it upon c\o»- 
business principles, and gathered material harvests of profit therefrom. In 1873 the 
mine was sold to Dutch capitalists for a sum far exceeding its true value. After some 
years of unfortunate management the company became embarrassed, and the property 
was sold under foreclosure, Jerome B. Chaffee being the purchaser. After a season 
of prosperity under the new owner it was closed. In 1879 the greater part of Caribou 
was destroyed by fire and was not wholly rebuilt. The town of Nederland, four miles 
below, was built in 1871, Mr. A. D. Breed forming the nucleus with his quite extensive 
silver mills, about which people settled until a town resulted. Its first title was Middle 
Boulder. Carrie F. Morse, owner of the tract, caused the town site to be surveyed and 
platted by John D. Peregrine, surveyor, in May, 1877. The plat was filed June 12th 
following. Notwithstanding the value of the mines, it has not prospered during later 
years. At the present writing the only mining done is by leasers, and the product 
insignificant compared with former years. 

IVtird District, largely devoted to gold mining, is situated in Indiana Gulch, a branch 
of Left Hand Creek, eighteen miles northwest of Boulder. It took its name from Cal- 
vin W. Ward, ^yho discovered the Ward lode there in i860, during which year mauv 
other prospectors made valuable discoveries, the most important being the Colunibi 1, 
by Cyrus W. Deardoff, which includes the famous Ni Wot property. From Claim Nm 
10 West on this lode, the owners, Messrs. Davidson & Breath, took about $100,000 i: 
gold from surface ores reduced in a rude stamp mill. The increment of population 
was rapid during 1865-66-67. Many reduction mills were built, some of them very 




1 



I 



HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 807 

costly. It is stated that the Ni "Wot mines yielded nearly §700,000 in those years.' 
The usual fate befell the district after the decline of its pristine glory, and though 
operated in a desultory fashion at various time.';, no satisfactory results accrued until 
iSScS, when the Ni Wot mines came under the control and management of the Tabor- 
Investment Company of Denver. They repaired the mills, of which there are two of 
fifty stamps each, added Bertenshaw concentrators and made other improvements. The 
mills crush and amalgamate the gangues, the sulphurets and concentrates being sold to' 
the smelters, exactly the same methods as are employed in Gilpin County, since the 
ores are almost identically the same, and require the same treatment. As a result of 
this introduction of new capital and enterprise, the Tabor Company was followed by 
many others, and all being successful, the district is now one of the most productive in 
the State. From a deserted village of two or three years ago it has become a brisk 
center of population and profitable industry. It illustrates the value of new blood, 
new methods and persistent determination applied to the redemption of long aban- 
doned mmes. Here is a section upon which great sums had been expended in a mis- 
guided way, ending in disappointment and failure for the want of proper direction. 
There are millions of treasure in these mines, which, being true fissure veins, are prac- 
tically inexhaustible; yet from the first years when they gave forth abundantly they 
were unprofitable until 1S88, when the right men came into possession and made them 
equal to the best in the land. Like results will one day be witnessed in those of Car- 
ibou, Gold Hill, and in other virtually deserted camps in this and other counties where 
the opportunities are equally ample and inviting. The years will prove Boulder 
County to be one of the grandest in the State for gold and silver mining. Only a 
small fraction of its wealth in these metals has been brought to light, and this but 
feebly developed. The mining section which is producing but a few hundred thousand 
now, ought to produce millions annually from its vast reserves of incomparable ores. 
I venture the prophecy that before the close of the current century it will take its place 
among the greatest in the Rocky Mountain region. 

jFamcstoivii has been a mining center of some importance for more than twenty-five, 
years, yet like Caribou, Gold Hill, Ward and other sections it has been greatly neg-. 
lected. It is situate in a beautiful park near the mountains, about thirteen miles north- 
west of Boulder on James Creek. The first settler there was George Zweck, who made 
It a grazing ground for his considerable herd of cattle taken there in i860. Although 
the hillsides were prospected thus early, nothing of great value was found until 1S64, 
when some galena bearing veins were discovered but not opened, for the reason that 
there was no market for that class of ores. They were then no better than iron or 
stone for commercial purposes. The only really great lode yet opened, in that section 
is the Golden Age, and even this owing to perfunctory operation, is noted only for the 
extent, beauty and richness of the gold quartz taken from one of its veins, the most 
valuable and beautiful ever found in Colorado. 

Here is another vastly rich mine that has been simply played with by its owners,: 
who fear to develop through the apprehension that it will be spoiled. There is no 
doubt in the minds of experts who have given it careful examination, that it is an extra- 
ordinary vein and might be yielding very large returns above the cost of development, 
yet has done almost nothing for the county and country. Boulder has suffered more 



;^08 HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 

deeply from that class of men and that unpardonable course of mining than any other 
in the list. 

Owing to periodical outbursts of excitement produced by reputed great discoveries, 
but which when investigated came to naught, Jamestown has at times been largely 
populated for a few weeks, only to be almost wholly abandoned when the fever passed. 
It is simply a pretty hamlet now. The wrecks of numerous mills and processes, with 
groups of shallow prospect holes on the mountain slopes, attest its former activity. 

Jamestown was platted July 25th, 1S83, by Sylvester S. Uowner, County Judge, as 
trustee for the inhabitants, nearly all of whom long ago disappeared. But we have not 
yet witnessed the last nor the best of this camp. A time will come when it will be 
one of the largest and most prosperous in the county. 

Balarat, four miles northwest of Jamestown, made somewhat noted by the 
Smuggler mine; Camp Providence, three miles southwest of the point first named; 
Sunshme, eight miles from Boulder westerly; Camp Salina and Sugar Loaf, near Gold 
Hill; Magnolia, eight miles from the county seat, and Orodelfan, at the junction of 
Boulder and Four Mile Creeks, were lively mining towns in their time from 1872 to 
1876, brought into existence by the discovery of unprecedentedly rich tellurium ores, 
the most extensive and valuable ever known. Of these Sunshine was the chief, the 
center of discovery and productiveness. According to Bixby, the first discovery of 
these marvelous ores was in the Little Miami lode in the fall of 1873 by D. C. Pat- 
terson. In the spring of 1874 it was found in the Sunshine lode. But the larger vein 
and richer ores were found in the American by Hiram FuUen May 2 2d, 1874. It was 
this that gave the region its fame. Prof. J. Alden Smith, Territorial geologist, who at 
that time conducted an extensive laboratory in Central City, was the first to ascertain 
the true character and extraordinary richness of this rare mineral. His assays, giving 
wonderful results, led to the purchase of the American while yet only a prospect — by 
Hiram Hitchcock of New York. The first class ores yielded $5,000 to $10,000 per 
ton in gold, the second class $800, and the third class $200, as taken from the shaft 
and assorted for smelting. Samples were taken from the richer part of the vein that 
assayed from $20,000 to $100,000 per ton in gold. It was the richest gold mine ever 
discovered in the Rocky Mountains, or the world. Up to that period tellurium ores had 
been found in only three localities of the globe, and this was the largest and richest 
ever known. The vein was two feet thick, of which seven to eight inches carried min- 
eral of almost fabulous value. Much the same class of mineral was exposed in the 
Smuggler at Balarat, in the Keystone at Magnolia, in the Melvina near Salina, and in 
some other mines. But excepting a few now operated, the production of these high 
grade minerals has ceased, and the camps founded upon them have lost their once 
enviable prestige. The gross product of gold and silver bullion in the county for 18S9 
was $801,966. 

Notwithstanding present inactivity, the existence of great mineral resources is un- 
mistakably manifest in various parts of the mountains contiguous to the farming towns. 
As a matter of fact the business of mining for the precious metals is still within the 
primary stage. The generation of men that succeeds the present will work lodes and 
placers at a profit which are now deserted, because they will not yield to crude efforts 
the vast sums demanded of them. 



HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY. 309 

One of the dominant industries of the county is the quarrying and preparation for 
market of superior sandstones for the better classes of dwellings and business blocks in 
Denver and other towns. The principal quarries at present are at Lyons, which is 
growing to be a town of considerable importance, by reason of the numbers of men 
employed there. The town site was platted July 25th, 1SS2, by the Lyons Town Site 
& Quarry Company. Another plat was made by Thomas G, Putnam, March 29th, 
1S90, and filed April ist. It has one weekly newspaper, the "News,"' edited by Mrs. 
Carrie Lyons. 

The assessed valuation of property in the county, returned in 1890, shows 99,277 
acres of agricultural land valued at $984,835; 92,610 acres of grazing land valued at 
$178,425; 1,579 acres of coal lands valued at $28,070 and 1,444 of stone — at $14,300. 

It will be understood that these figures are merely nominal, and do not represent 
the actual values of either class. The improvements on farming lands are placed at 
$425,580, and on public lands at $43,625; town lots with improvements $1,214,735; 
assessment on 9943 miles of railroad within the county at $768,321. The live stock 
interests are represented by 7,027 horses valued at $242,000, and 16,781 cattle, 
$'Si'935- These, with other property, make a total assessed valuation of $4,964,- 
026.56. As a rule, property in Colorado is assessed at 30 to 50 per cent, of its cash 
value, and a considerable part of the live stock is not assessed at all. 

From this review of the resources of Boulder County it will be seen that they 
present unusual diversity and very great e.Ktent. Its farming lands are very extensive 
and are not surpassed in fertility nor in harvests gathered by any in the world. It has 
boundless e.\tent of coal, gold, silver and building stone, a great number of towns, is 
more abundantly watered than any in the northern division of the State, has ample rail- 
way facilities, is one of the principal seats of education, intelligence and wealth. It is 
so near the city of Denver its farm produce finds a ready market there for home con- 
sumption and e.xport. It possesses within itself all the elements of prosperity. No 
people could be more advantageously situated nor more lavishly provided by nature for 
a great destiny. They have only to reach out and broaden their enterprises to reap 
harvests of wealth on every side. It is difficult to see what more any people on earth 
could desire than is here furnished in e.xtravagant profusion, unless it be navigable 
streams and endless shipping. 



310 HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 



CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 

General description — early gold mining — idaho and its mineral springs — 

PIONEER settlers ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY — SPANISH BAR, TRAIL RUN 

FALL RIVER, DUMONT, LAWSON, RED ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN THE GOLD MINES 

AT EMPIRE GEORGETOWN, THE FIRST CENTER OF SILVER MINING — GREEN LAKE, 

gray's PEAK, THE LOUP, SILVER PLUME. 

This county, also, was one of the original seventeen, organized by an act of the 
first Territorial legislature, approved November ist, 1861. The county seat was first 
known as Idaho Bar, later as Idaho, and still later, when it had become a somewhat 
noted watering place, as Idaho Springs. It retained that distinction until 1867, when, 
by a vote of the people, a large majority of whom had collected in the extreme upper 
end of the. valley, all county records and offices were removed to Georgetown, the 
present seat. The boundaries first established have not been changed. It is bounded 
on the north by Gilpin, east by Jefferson, south by Park, and west by Summit and 
Grand. Excepting the smooth open plateaus occupied by the towns of Idaho Springs, 
Dumont, Empire and Georgetown, the valley of Clear Creek is a narrow rocky gorge, 
or series of gorges, plowed and chiseled out, first by glacial action, through centuries 
of slow but steady movement, finally by the splendid stream which occupied the 
channel and by ages of polishing, and by ages of tempests and torrents as auxiliaries 
in the work of disintegration of rocks and soils and their deposition along the lines of 
the vast furrows, have produced the sublime effects now witnessed all along that beau- 
tiful and very charming region. Save here and there a small garden patch, there are 
no evidences of agricultural industry within its boundaries. Originally, the slopes of the 
mountains were timbered with pines and spruces, but frequently recurring forest fires 
and the ravages of woodmen's axes have denuded them, except upon the lofty crests 
and summits. Everywhere the tremendous hills are cleft with ravines, arroyas and 
canons, from pinnacle to base, moulded into fantastic forms by uncounted centuries of 
depositions, fringed with dwarfed and gnarled trees and bushes, the whole prospect rus- 
set brown, storm swept and weather beaten, yet presenting certain graceful lines and 
curves, mighty promontories and peaks, the higher of which to the westward are capped 
and crowned with everlasting snows, the deltas of the brooks and rivulets carpeted with 
emerald verdure. The entire valley is traversed by South Clear Creek, originally Vas- 
quez Fork, a stream of clear cold water that takes its rise in the Snowy Range, and, 
enlarged in its course by numerous affluents, plunges down through clefts and gorges 
to the plains in Jefferson County, and thence to final delivery in the Platte River. 




S'/t/^^^z/ 



HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 311 

From Idaho to the base of the main range of mountains, it has sufficient volume for 
innumerable water powers that ought to be, but are not, save in few instances, utilized 
in propelling all sorts of machinery for the reduction of gold and silver ores, manu- 
factures, etc. 

From a point five to six miles below Idaho Springs, on to Georgetown and Empire, 
may still be seen the evidences of mining and prospecting carried on there twenty- 
live to thirty years ago; the wreckage of log buildings and manifold rude appliances 
for raising water into long lines of sluices; quartz mills and various "processes" for the 
extraction of precious metals from quartz; mining slides, chutes and tramways long ago' 
fallen into disuse. 

As already related in previous volumes, the first discovery of gold-bearing placers 
in the Rocky Mountauis occurred near the mouth of Chicago Creek, directly opposite 
the town of Idaho Springs, January 7th, 1859, which gives that spot more than ordinary 
iiistorical importance, for it was one of the beginnings of our greatness as a common- 
wealth. This discovery brought a multitude of zealous diggers, who opened other 
deposits on Illinois, Grass Valley, Soda Creek, Payne's and Spanish Bars, which col- 
lectively yielded some millions of the yellow metal. Many lodes bearing like and other 
metals — silver, lead and copper — were found upon the adjacent hillsides. 

The county possesses illimitable mineral resources, but contributes nothing else of 
material value to the channels of commerce. The tourist who takes passage on the 
Colorado Central narrow gauge train at Denver, for a trip to Georgetown and Silver 
Plume, will find no settlements from the time he enters the wonderful canon above 
Golden until he arrives at the now famous summer resort, Idaho Springs, thirty-five miles 
west of Denver, and fourteen east of Georgetown, where his eyes will be charmed by the 
novel and picturesque array of mountain, valley and town. But to see the latter at its 
best he must leave the cars and walk two or three squares to the principal hotel, where 
will be presented a series of most entrancing pictures; broad, smooth streets, well shaded; 
rows of attractive cottages, some pretty churches, lawns and banks of flowers, and be- 
yond, wherever the gaze may turn, majestic hazy purple hills, in all manner of fantastic 
configurations, that are a never ending delight, never wearisome or monotonous, never 
exactly the same, but constantly changing with the radiant sunny lights and shadows 
cast by swiftly rising and moving clouds. 

The lower margins of Idaho and Payne's Bars on which the town is located, were 
once torn up and tunneled by hordes of gold diggers, none of whom, however, found 
there any adequate compensation for the prodigious labor they performed. But just 
below, on the comparatively level spot christened Illinois Bar, and opposite on Grass 
Valley Bar and along the slope of Soda Hill, large quantities of dust were obtained, for 
there the deposits were rich and easily found. It was there that the author spent a 
season — 1861-62 — in the pursuit of fortune, gathering a few hundreds, but not the 
coveted thousands of dollars from the delusive sands and gravels. 

The altitude of these bars and of the town itself is about 8,000 feet above the sea, 
and the stranger would naturally anticipate a rigorous climate in winter, from the 
position, for by casting his eyes toward the Snowy Range he observes that it is crowned 
with snow and ice even in midsummer, and will be told, if he inquires, that snow falls 
there nearly every day in the year. Notwithstanding its proximity to those storm 



312 HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 

centers, the climate of the valley is singularly mild and free from severe visitations all thr 
year round, but especially genial between May and January. Indeed, there is no more 
hospitable chmate than this in all the E.ocky Mountain region, nor a more inviting 
dwelling place for such as prefer a quiet, peaceful resort. 

The Mineral Springs that form the attraction for invalids and tourists in summer, 
are situated on a small tributary of the principal stream, called Soda Creek, a stone's 
throw above its mouth, within easy walking distance from the town. We have related 
in our first volume, how Jackson, the first discoverer of gold in that region, happened 
upon these springs early in January, 1859, when the whole face of the country was 
buried in snow, the streams frozen; hundreds of "big horns" or mountain sheep were 
gathered about them, nibbling the scant herbage from which the warm vapors had 
melted the white covering. They were not utilized for bathing purposes, however, until 
1863, when Dr. E. S. Cummings put a small, cheaply constructed bathhouse over them. 
He retained possession, and was sparingly patronized until 1866, when the title passed 
to the present owner — Harrison Montague, who made some further improvements, but 
by no means commensurate with the importance of his acquisition or the public demand. 
These delicious thermal waters are worthy of better appreciation, more distinguished 
improvements, than have been placed about them ; worthy of splendid buildings, lu.xu- 
rious bathing rooms with the finest of modern appliances; worthy the patronage of 
kings and princes, for there are no better of their class under the sun. Had General 
Palmer and his cooperators, instead of the Union Pacific managers, built the little narrow 
gauge thoroughfare that unites them with the plains and all the exterior world, Idaho 
would have been made one of the most celebrated of Ainerican resorts, a veritable 
mountain elysium, and these springs, with their beautiful environs, the rivals of the best 
in Europe, or in Christendom. The waters are chiefly mild solutions of carbonate and 
sulphate of soda, varying in temperature from 75 degrees to 120 degrees. The supply 
is ample for any demand present or future, for tubs and swimming pools, and are much 
sought for the cure of rheumatic and cutaneous ailments. 

From 1859 until 1865, the region round about was a mining region, nothing more. 
Idaho did not become a popular summer resort until after 1870, when the batlis 
brought it into prominence among travelers. Though the site was an extremely 
attractive one, it was thinly sprinkled with rough log cabins indicating temporary occu- 
pancy, feeble growth, and not sanguine hopes for the future. The placer mines created 
no excitement after 1862, but the discovery and desultory operation of a few mineral 
veins in Virginia Canon, where a wagon road connects it with the great gold mining 
towns of Gilpin County, contributed small sums for its support. For a year or two 
Jimmy Hamilton and Bob Diefendorf kept a saloon in a log cabin opposite the Beebee 
House, where the miners congregated and squandered their hard earned dust in fier}- 
liquids, suggestive of insanity and murder. 

Among the early residents were Robert H. Gilson, Dennis Faivre, R. B. Griswold, 
F. W. Beebee, W. L. Campbell, Mr. Kelso, the Masons, and their families; M. O. Cod- 
dington, H. Plummer, George Patten, P. P. Schafter, Dr. Noxon, Dr. Seaton, S. Womack, 
Dr. Holland, P. Theobold, Theodore Lowe, John Iverson, Gilbert B. Reed, Wm. Hobbs, 
S. S. Cook, O. J. Hollister, Mike Dougherty and others, whose names are not recalled. 

The Rock Island House was built in 1861 by \Villiam Hunter, a primitive hostelry 



HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 813 

of logs, with tliree rooms — most of its contemporaries hcid but one — ^and is still one of 
the old landmarks. The place was remarkably free from romantic and e.xcitmg 
adventures, notwithstanding its identity as a mining camp. 

In i860, F, W. Beebee and wife came and housed themselves in an unpretentious 
dirt roofed, floorless cabin on Illinois Bar, where the sluices glistened with gold and 
heaps of boulders everywhere attested the discovery of its hiding places in pay streaks 
above and on the shaly bed rock. .Soon after, they moved up to Idaho, just above Vir- 
ginia Canon, antl there in a somewhat larger cabin opened a hotel, the Beebee House, a 
name as familiar as Colorado to all the pioneers. The price of day board was ^30 a 
week, — the bill of fare the best the market afforded, principally bacon, beans, hominy, 
bread, dried apples, tea and coffee, with butter and milk when such lu-^iuries were obtain- 
able. At length a sort of postoffice was established — in a candle bo.\ partitioned off 
into little pigeon holes, and set up where most convenient. Mrs. R. B. Griswold was 
the first postmistress, and the office sat bolt upright upon her parlor table, calm if not 
regal, dignified and inviting to such of those lonely dwellers as ever e.xpected any mail 
from distant friends. In 1868 a stage line between Denver and Georgetown was estab- 
lished, when George Patten was invested with the dignities and responsibilities of 
receiving and dispatching Uncle Sam's mails. 

The first stamp mill was built by Dr. Seaton of Louisville, Kentucky, about the 
year 1861, just below Idaho near the head of Grass Valley Bar, and designed for 
reducing the ores of the Seaton Lode, discovered by him. 

The first newspaper was established by Halsey M. Rhoads, — printed in Central City, 
but bearing date Idaho Springs. This was in 1873. The enterprise survived but a 
short time. The ne.xt was the "Iris," published by E. A. Benedict in 1879. It was 
succeeded by the Idaho Springs "News." The present population is about 1,500. It 
has made rapid advances in the last decade, both in population and the number and 
architectural beauty of its homes. 

Fifteen miles to the southwanl near the summit of the range which divides Clear 
Creek from Park County, are three beautiful freshwater lakes, perched 11,500 feet 
above the sea, clear as crystal, cold as the frosts of winter, swarming with speckled 
trout. The larger covers an area of about 100 acres; the second is about half as large, 
and the third covers some twenty acres. It is here that Chicago and Bear Creeks are 
born, just under the shadows of mountain peaks, some of them more than 14,000 feet 
high, — Mount Evans, the Chief, Squaw and Pappoose. Numerous other small sheets of 
water are found in secluded nooks here and there in the same chain, but these are 
.seldom visited. 

Organization of the County. — Soon after his arrival in the Territory, Governor 
Gilpin appointed John A. Meredith, S. Edwards and E. F. Cross commissioners to 
organize civil government in the county of Clear Creek. This board met at Idaho, 
November 15th, 1861, when Mr. Edwards was elected chairman, and Meredith clerk. 
The general business connected with their appointment was considered, but no definite 
action taken until the i8th, when they met at the house of \\'illiani Spruance and pro- 
ceeded to subdivide the county into seven voting precincts, as follows: Independent, 
Idaho, Fall River, Trail Creek, Silver City, Mill City and Empire. Polling places were 



3U HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 

designated and judges of election appointed, but the records do not contain a full list of 
the names of such ofificers. 

December 4th following, the votes having been cast for county officers, and duly 
returned to the board, they were canvassed and the following declared elected: 

Sheriff, Thomas Moses, Jr.; clerk and recorder, George C. Bowen ; treasurer, 
Robert R. Peters: assessor, W. B. Lawrence; county attorney, Gilbert B. Reed (now 
Supreme Court commissioner); surveyor, Eugene F. Holland; coroner, D. W. King; 
superintendent of schools, P. C. Hale; probate judge, George H. Perrin ; commis- 
sioners, W. W. Ware (three years), W. C. M. "Jones (two years), and George F. Griffith 
(one year). 

Spanish Bar, a mile west of Idaho Springs, still bears the marks of having been 
scarred and torn by the early vandals in their mad search for golden secrets hidden 
away beneath vast depositions of boulders and gravel in the channels of the creek, new 
and old, and in the fissure veins that outcrop upon the hillsides. It was at this partic- 
ular point, in the midst of a multitude of diggers, rockers and sluicers, gathered from 
many States and climes, that I took my first lessons in the science of mining, a rough 
but healthful and strengthening experience, full of knocks and bruises, of trials and 
disappointments, yet not wholly without profit, for in the six months of digging, wheeling, 
tunneling and timbering, after consuming all the provisions and clothing we had brought 
from the States, we gathered not less than ten dollars' worth of shining metal, with a 
harvest of knowledge that has lasted the better part of a lifetime. Happily the workers 
of other clamis were more fortunate. Andrew Sagendorf, O. E. Lehow, E. F. Shindel, 
M. B. Graeff, S. V. Thompson, D. B. Myers, — Davis, A. S. Bennett, a party of Mex- 
icans, another from Iowa, still another from Illinois, were among the original locators of 
claims on this Bar. N. S. Hurd, present state commissioner of insurance, resided with 
his father, mother and sister, at the mouth of Trail Creek. During i860 large quanti- 
ties of gold were taken out, but the operations ceased with 186 1. A number of lodes 
were prospected, but none thoroughly opened until some years, later. The veins were 
narrow, the inclosing country rock, hard and tough. The first stamp mill in this 
region, and the first of any consequence in the county, was erected by an aristocratic 
and somewhat eccentric person named Colonel Hart, representing the Silver Spring 
Mining Company (George L. Nicholls manager), a twenty stamper, inclosed in a large 
and substantial frame building, the machinery operated by. water power. He erected 
also a small stone house for his private residence and business ofifice. Such surface 
ores as were produced in the neighborhood were reduced in this mill, but the results 
were not profitable, and both mill and mines were soon abandoned. The Whale lode, 
discovered by Dr. and Roland Carleton in 1S61, was opened to a greater extent than 
any other on the Bar. The surface quartz contained some gold, but silver predominated. 
After exhausting their resources in ineffectual endeavors to make it pay, they deserted 
the mine and the region, Roland going East, and his brother, the doctor, to Empire. 
Some years afterward, the Whale and Hukill lodes, the latter an extension of the Whale 
on the north side of the creek, fell into the hands of Mr. John M. Dumont, who devel- 
oped both, found very rich silver ores, marketed them at a profit, and finally sold both 
properties to a California company, F. F. Osbiston, manager. Messrs. Thatch & Kin- 



^fe 




316 HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 

struck a vein of extraordinary ricinness, and named it the " Free America." He ex- 
tracted a quantity of ore, sent it to tine nearest market, and received surprising returns. 
Reports of his find soon spread abroad and brought a multitude of prospectors to the 
spot. 

Dulaney sold to General J. I. Gilbert and W H. Moore for $25,000 cash, and they 
for a much larger sum to " Diamond Joe " Reynolds of Chicago, James IM. Daly, man- 
ager. Many other discoveries followed ; the town of Lawson was built, a small town 
to be sure, but densely populated in its palmy days, when the mines were at their best 
and richest, when hundreds of thousands rewarded diligent effort. The "Free 
America," "Boulder Nest," " White," and a few others, being very large producers, 
gave the new camp great prestige and their owners gratifying profits. It was a sort of 
supplement to the wild whirl of excitement previously witnessed in Georgetown, but 
which had begun to wane owing to litigation and other causes affecting the principal 
operators, the failure of "processes," etc. The district, for some undefinable reason, 
was christened "Red Elephant." Although its fame is now but a memory of departed 
years, by virtue of the exhaustion of the richer deposits that contributed to its prom- 
inence, it is still a considerable producer of valuable ores, and maintains a large number 
of miners. 

Empire is a beautiful, grass covered, delightfully shadetl and abundantly watered 
hamlet, four miles from Georgetown, on the west fork of Clear Creek, a few miles below 
its source in the lofty ranges which divide Clear Creek Valley from Middle Park. It 
IS one mile from the Colorado Central Railway on its course to Georgetown and Silver 
Plume. It is one of the loveliest spots in the county. The scenery is grand beyond 
the power of pen to describe. Hollister, who wrote in 1866, says: "Of all the town-- 
brought into existence by the fame of Cherry Creek sands. Empire bears away the palm 
for a pretty location and picturesque surroundings. Imagine a lively stream, tumbliii^ 
and rushing toward sunrise forever, at the bottom of an open canon two to fmr; 
thousand feet in depth. Formed by innumerable rivulets from a thousand heavy snuw 
wreaths in sight, it is pure and clear and cool. Two brooks, Lyons' from the north 
and Bard's from the south, flow into the main stream opposite each other, their deltas 
with the natural bars of the creek forming the town plat. Four mountains, Lincoln. . 
Douglas, Covode and Eureka, constitute bold promontories, perhaps a thousand feet in 
altitude, between the creeks. The scenery is Alpine, and the elevation being 8,871 
feet above the sea level, the climate, summer and winter, is salubrious and tonic." 

The bar is broad and smooth, adorned with pines, spruces and firs, the water 
courses fringed with indigenous shrubs. It has never been excoriated and renderd 
hideous by the relentless diggers for gold, as no valuable veins or placer deposits e.\;-- 
there. The trees and shrubbery have been spared, the lavish beauties of nature left j- 
the original settlers found them. 

Empire is within the boundaries of Union Mining District, organized in the spriii- 
of i860 by a band of prospectors from Spanish Bar, George Merrill, Joseph Musser, 
George L. Nicholls and D. C. Skinner. The first cabin on the site was built by Merrill 
and Musser. Dr. Bard, whose name was given to one of the creeks, is said to have 
driven the first wagon to that point. Says Aaron Frost:* " It was about the first da}- 



History of Clear Creek, O. L. Baskin lS: Co., Chicago, 



i 





''^d^c^^^e^..^ ^;^iH'0^^^^,^^ 



HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 317 

of August, iS6o, that P^dgar Freeman and H. C. Cowles, two of the most persistent 
prospectors that ever shouldered a pick, climbed over the mountains from the diggings 
about Central City, and dropped down into the valley of Empire. They prospected 
and found two minute bits of wire gold in Eureka Mountain." Farther research dis- 
closed the presence of gold in large quantities. Their secret soon became an open 
proclamation, when the usual crowds began to pour in. Valuable lodes were added to 
the placers. The number of people was so great, organization and laws became 
imperative for government, so the district came into being. Henry Hill was made 
president, H. C. Cowles judge of the Miners" Court; David J. Ball, clerk and re- 
corder; James Ross, sheriff, and George L. Nicholls, surveyor. Laws were drafted, 
boundaries defined, and proper records made. During the winter, spring and summer 
of 1861, the population steadily increased, and a great many cabins were built. All 
these tran.sactions, be it remembered, were mainly designed to cover the mines at North 
Empire, on the mountain sides a mile or two above the town first located and herein 
described. The placers were situated in Silver Mountain, and found e.xtremely rich in 
gold, the claims taken covering nearly the entire southeastern e.xposure of that slope. 
The faces of the neighboring hills were quickly despoiled of their timber, and pitted 
with prospect holes, shafts, tunnels and adits. The miners dug and sluiced away down 
to the bed rock all the soil that covered this mountain side, leaving it bare and for- 
bidding. Within a few months the region round about looked as if the besom of 
destruction had passed that way. Quartz mills were built and some of them success- 
fully operated. Many shafts were sunk upon quartz lodes and a few tunnels begun. 
For a year or two, while the yields were satisfactorj', it fairly outstripped any other point 
in the county. Then it was abandoned, and remained practically unproductive until 
very recent years, when John Dumont came in, and, as at Mill City and Freeland, at- 
tempted a general resurrection. 

The town of Lower Empire was surveyed and platted by George L. Nicholls, 
Henry Hill, H. C. Cowles, David J. Ball and Edgar Freeman. They took infinite 
pride in this enterprise, yet it never progressed beyond the restricted dimensions of a 
pretty mountain hamlet, a bewitching resort in summer, yet appreciated by only a few. 
The attraction for capital and labor was in its rival. Upper Empire, the old time pres- 
tige of which, it is hoped, Mr. Dumont will be able to restore. 

Gcorgetoivn. — No one contests the assertion that George F. and his brother D. T. 
Griffith, were the first to discover silver mines, near the spot where Georgetown was 
built. They had been miners on Spanish Bar, were young, intelligent, filled with 
enthusiasm. One of them, George F., if I remember correctly, had studied law, and 
for a time was attached to Judge Turnley's court on the Bar just named, where all the 
records of the district were kept. The office was in a large log cabin that stood upon 
a point on the west side of Clear Creek, just opposite the great mill erected twenty 
years later by Mr. Osbiston. I think he acted as counsel in some of the civil cases 
heard by Turnley in i860. I am writing from remembrances of thirty years ago, and 
they have become indistinct. 

.\11 the miners of that period were given to exploring the hills. The Griffith 
brothers, in the course of their wanderings, explored the creek to its head, in quest of 
gold mines. The great number of outcroppings soon attracted their attention. The 



:!18 HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 

first encountered was christened the Griffith lude. They extracted some of the quart', 
pulverized and panned it, obtaining excellent results. They built a stamp mill, but tin- 
enterprise was a failure. Others followed upon their trail and made some discoverii- 
Griffith District was formed, James Burrell, president; George Griffith, recorder (■: 
claims. 

It is related by Frost that the Ida silver mine was found by D. C. Daley in Se|) 
tember, i860, on Silver Mountain, near Empire; that the mineral was assayed in Cen- 
tral City and found to contain 723 ounces of silver per cord, or 100 ounces per ton. 
Prior to the introduction of smelters, all surface and other ores were measured by thi 
cord — eight tons' average. 

The next record is that of the discovery of silver-bearing veins in Upper I'ai 
River, where E. H. N. Patterson, afterward editor of the "Colorado Miner," labored. 
and in his intervals of leisure, wrote spicy letters to the Rocky Mountain "News," and 
the Western "Mountaineer," all laden of course with the glories of this particular 
district. 

The actual era of silver mining was not opened, however, until some years later. 
In the month of September, 1864, R. \V. Steele, ex-Provisional Governor of Jefferson 
■Territory — at this lime a resident of Georgetown — in company with James Huff and 
Robert Layton, while wandering over the mountains in what is now East Argentine dis- 
trict, discovered and partially opened a vein which they called the "Belmont," (subse- 
quently renamed the Johnson). These men were led in that direction by the belief 
that silver mines existed, "in and around the range, near the heads of the southwestern 
branches of Clear Creek where the same interlock with the heads of the Snake." Hol- 
lister, who obtained his account from a member of the party, states in substance, that 
after two or three days, they encamped in Huff Gulch where the first cabin in Argen- 
tine was built. "Next morning Huff went directly up the long eastern slope of 
McClellan Mountain, Steele and Layton going up Huff Gulch, to the right, and all 
intending to meet somewhere on the summit, and should nothing be found, seek a pass 
through to the Snakes. It happened that Huff passed over the outcropping of what 
was afterward designated the Belmont lode." He picked up some of the croppings 
and upon exhibiting them to his comrades, all agreed that it was silver ore or blossom, 
and they need go no further. Opening the ground slightly, they got a few pounds 
from the vein in place, took it to Central City and had it assayed, with results varying 
from $200 to $500 per ton. 

Some of their friends were apprised of the find, given shares in it, and the Sun Sil- 
ver Mining Company arose from these proceedings. The following winter six accurate 
assays were made, one each by Prof. N. P. Hill of Providence, Rhode Island, Behr iV 
Keith at Black Hawk, F. T. Sherman of Central, and George W. McClureof the Denver 
Branch Mint, and two by Professor Dibben of New York, the average result being 
$827.48 per ton, gold and silver, the latter predominating. 

The 'locality is about eight miles above Georgetown, and this discovery, which 
began the first chapter of chronicles in silver mining and production in the Rocky 
Mountains, was made September 14th, 1864. During 1865 there was a tumultuons 
rush to the spot. The newspapers of the day blazed with accounts of the marvelous rev 
elation. It was opportune, for the confidence of men in the stability of the country 




^.. 



<#^,.^^^^ s^ 



HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 319 

had begun to wane. Gilpin County liad sold all her better mines in New York, and 
the new owners had made lamentable failures of them. This was about the only 
productive region we had. Gulch and placer mining had reached the final stage, hence 
the revival of interest at the head of Clear Creek created a mighty sensation. 

A district embracing the sources of the south fork of South Clear Creek, and the 
north branch of the Xorth Platte was defined, and called Argentine. The lodes gen- 
erally assayed high in silver, and during the winter of 1865-66 several Eastern and 
some local companies were formed. 

In the autumn of 1865 the fame of the new region, from the great value of the 
surface ores, as demonstrated by numerous assays, spread to all quarters, causing 
hundreds of prospectors and the miscellaneous class that always embraces such oppor- 
tunities, to flock to the scene. The town plat below was covered with tents and other 
temporary habitations, and the hillsides above with homes of prospectors. As a con- 
sequence, the events enacted there were such as are the natural outgrowths of sudden 
and widespread excitement. While the tumult was not so great as that which followed 
the discovery of carbonate mines at Leadville thirteen years later, much the same order 
of things prevailed, but on a smaller scale. 

C. S. Stowell is credited with the honor of having erected the first mill designed 
for the treatment of argentiferous ores. It was an ordinary blast furnace, built without 
much scientific knowledge of the requirements, hence proved a failure. Neither the 
owner nor the self-constituted experts called to his aid could bring out bullion from it 
in proper form. At last after repeated trials the problem was solved and the first bul- 
lion made to issue from this furnace, by the skill of a colored man named Lorenzo M. 
Bowman, who had gained experience from long service among the lead mines and 
smelter.? in Missouri. This event transpired in 1866, and was an important episode, 
watched with keenest anxiety by the people, for upon the success of this experiment all 
their hopes depended, and measurably their future. Smelting by any method was a 
wide departure from the old process of stamping and amalgamating. 

It will be understood without elaborate explanation, that in the first flush of 
prospecting hundreds of claims were recorded, but very little practical mining done 
upon intelligent and effectual methods; very little ore produced. They were busy and 
remunerative times for the recorder, who reaped a golden harvest from his fees. We 
cannot undertake to enumerate even the more important of the locations taken and 
worked, for many that were famous through their yields, long ago passed out of the list 
of celebrities, while scores that then and for years after were simply prospects without 
marketable value, have since risen to the head of the corner. It is interesting, however, 
to look over the writings of Hollister, Fossett, Cushman and Frost who compiled and 
published vi'hen the districts about Georgetown were in their prime, and compare the 
conditions of that epoch with those of the present. We find in the interval whole ceme- 
teries of crushed, ruined and buried hopes, millions of capital squandered in sinking, 
drifting, tunneling; millions more in the launching of ill-digested inventions for 
extracting the precious metals; still other millions in legal contests, with here and there 
crimson stains, the record of fortunes made and dissipated. Georgetown was a mighty 
camp in its day, but of the many who assisted in the revelation of its marvels, only a 
small remnant remains. Yet in many respects its mines are in better condition to-day 



320 HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 

than ever before, through the adjustment of titles, the settlement of a thousand 
|iroblems, the institution of economic methods, the application of the best principles of 
science to the business of mining and concentration. All human effort has been sys- 
tematized, and the results achieved are more certain and profitable. 

Having explored the present site of Georgetown long in advance of the vandals 
who destroyed its pristine beauty in their reckless haste to make room for a metropolis, 
I haije a lively remembrance of its original charm. Clear Creek had not then been pol- 
luted by the sewage from a score of mills and sluices, streams of offal that flow from 
numberless human habitations. Its waters were almost transparent, and every pebble 
in its depths could be seen. Its banks were adorned with nature's loveliest mantle, 
shaded by little forests of evergreens. It was as rural and peaceful a spot as the most 
devoted lover of the picturesque could desire. When the deluge of immigration came 
in 1865-66, on its mission to redeem the wilderness, the greater part of its splendor dis- 
appeared before the relentless front of the newer civilization. 

The original town site was surveyed and platted by the Griffith Brothers. Two 
distinct plats were made prior to the era we have been considering, half a mile apart — 
Georgetown just below the forks of the creek, and Elizabethtown above. The second 
survey and platting occurred in 1867, executed by Charles Hoyt, when the two were 
united under the title of Georgetown, covering an area of 637 acres. These men were 
modest. They did not include the whole of Clear Creek County in their calculations. 
January loth, 1868, a town charter was procured from the Territorial legislature. The 
county seat was removed from Idaho to this place in 1867. The first organization of 
two wards was as follows: Councilmen from the First Ward — W. W. Ware and Charles 
Whitner. From the Second Ward, H. K. Pearson and John Scott. Police judL;r, 
Frank Dibben. The sheriff of the county took supervision of the public morals ami 
offences against the laws. 

On the ist of May, 1867, appeared the first edition of the Colorado " Miner," a 
neat and respectable weekly paper, edited by Dr. J. E. Wharton and A. W. Barnard, 
which gave special attention to mining new.s. They were succeeded by E. H. N. Pat- 
terson. The next was the Georgetown "Courier," by J. S. Randall, established m 
1877, Samuel Cushman editor. Both were excellent representatives of mountain jour- 
nalism. Only the "Courier" survived all the changes and vicissitudes of the time. Mr. 
Randall is still its editor and proprietor. Mr. Frank J. Hood, formerly of the "Miner," 
is now mining reporter for the ''Courier." The mineral cabinet found in this office is 
one of the finest in the State. 

After some years of suspension, the "Miner" was re-established in October, 1S90, 
by Messrs. Wirt & Davis. Idaho Springs has two newspapers — the "News," John 1) 
Douglas, editor and proprietor, and the Colorado "Mining Gazette," R. D. Blair, owner 
and editor. Silver Plume, two miles above Georgetown, is represented by the "Stand- 
ard," edited by Fred Miner. 

Soon after the great influx of 1S65-66, came the foundation of schools, churches, 
civic and benevolent orders, the invariable accompaniments of modern civilization. 
The first school was instituted by Miss L. H. Lander in the spring of 1867. This lady 
lost her life in the waters of Clear Creek. In 1874 one of the finest school L^^iildings 
in the Territory was erected, with Frank R. Carpenter as principal in charge. 



HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 321 

Georgetown has at this epoch (1890), five church edifices: Grace Episcopal, the 
Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, the Catholic and Swedish Lutheran. 

The Methodists were the Christian pioneers in this, as in most other of the early 
fields. Their organization was formed in 1864, by the Rev. B. T. Vincent. In 1868 
Bishop George M. Randall founded the Episcopal Church, with Rev. F. VV. Winslow 
rector. The Presbyterians organized in 1869, and in 1874 built a stone church. The 
Catholics formed the basis of their church, named for "Our Lady of Lourdes." when 
the first town was laid out. Rev. .Thomas Foley pastor. The Congregationalists and 
the Society of Christians also had places of worship. 

The Barton House, which is now and has been from the beginning one of the 
finest hostelries in the county, was built by William Barton in 1867. This building was 
destroyed by fire in 1871, but immediately rebuilt. Mr. Charles W. Pollard is the pres- 
ent proprietor. A superior system of waterworks conveys in pipes from Clear Lake 
pure cold water supplied from a series of springs situated on one of the mountains above 
the town where a large reservoir has been constructed, which furnishes the inhabitants 
with abundant supplies for domestic purposes, and for the extinguishment of fires. 
The descent being 270 feet, gives a pressure of 50 to 120 pounds to the square inch. 
No town on earth is more completely blessed in this respect than Georgetown, for it is 
the coldest and most delicious water conceivable. 

The town is lighted by gas. In 1870 the town of Silver Plume was built; situated 
about two miles by wagon road distance, west of the county seat, near the terminus of 
that marvel of railway engineering called the "Loop," whose tortuous windings up and 
down the intervening gulch is the wonder of all beholders, attracting thousands of visi- 
tors every season, and e.xciting universal admiration for the genius that conceived and 
built it. It is one of the remarkable achievements of the age. It cannot well be 
described. Like many other signal triumphs of the nineteenth century, " it must be 
seen to be appreciated." Silver Plume is the most productive mining camp in Clear 
Creek County, a town built mostly of wood, and occupied by mining operatives and 
their families; perched just under the shadows of mighty mountains, upon whose crests 
snow falls every month in the year, yet strange as it may seem, the inhabitants are rarely 
visited by heavy snowfalls even in the midst of winter, the regular course of mining and 
other industrial economies seldom impeded. Here are some of the deeper shafts and 
tunnels, the larger and richer mineral veins, the most extensive development. 

Says Frost, "For several years succeeding the discovery of the great mines of that 
district, the most productive of which were the Pelican and Dives, they yielded enor- 
mously." But litigation ensued, costly and protracted, which threw everything into 
confusion, checking development, and bringing stagnation in its course. In short, the 
title to nearly every prominent claim in the district was contested. Nevertheless, capi- 
tal flowed in with almost reckless prodigality. Most of the leading properties were 
sold to eastern and foreign capitalists. "Numberless processes for the reduction and 
concentration of ores were introduced, tried, found wanting, and abandoned. Mills 
were built all over the county, and scarcely any two of the processes were alike. 
The great Pelican-Dives and Hercules-Roe mining contests, involving many hun- 
dreds of thousands, were in progress. So fierce did this conflict become, one of the 



322 HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 

owners of the Pelican — Jacob Snider — was killed in the public streets of Georgetown. 
Fortunes were made in a few days or weeks, and nearly as speedily squandered." 

Stimulated by the tremendous activity in the mines, the town grew rapidly, but 
only a few brick or stone houses were built. Merchants brought in large stocks of 
goods and sold them quickly at great profit. Banks and opera houses were opened. 
Saloons multiplied on every hand; gamblers plied their pernicious trade, fleecing 
hundreds of the' innocent and unwary. Notwithstanding the great numbers of rough 
and idle men and their tendency to lawlessness, the better element never lost the 
supreme control. 

The Colorado Central Railway (narrow gauge) was completed to Georgetown 
August 14th, 1877, when the happy event was duly celebrated. Gradually all lines of 
commerce were readjusted to the new conditions, from wagon to rail transportation. 
Many mills and reduction works of various kinds were built along Clear Creek, but 
unable to contend against the standard process of smelting established elsewhere, they 
one by one went down and are mostly in ruins now. 

.\11 the adjacent mountains have been christened, as McClellan, Kelso, Brown, 
Sherman. Republican, Dem&crat, Columbia, Leavenworth, Griffith, Saxon, Douglas, 
Columbia. The precious ores are found in "true fissure" veins, usually narrow but well 
defined, and rich in silver and lead, with occasional large deposits of zinc. The State 
geologist, J. Alden Smith, says: "The geology of this region is simple; the rocks gen- 
erally are granitic, with occasional patches and dikes of the eruptive varieties, here and 
there in different sections. The granitic series embrace all the diversified forms, from 
the true massive granite, running through all gneissic grades, down to highly stratified 
mica schists. The veins are true fissures." 

Following is a list of the active mills and reduction works in Clear Creek County, 
at this writing: The concentrating works of the Colorado Silver Mining Company (Ter- 
rible Group), at Brownville near Silver Plume; Pay Rock concentrating works at Silver 
Plume; the old Clear Creek mill now run as a concentrator by John H. Woodward; G. 
W. Hall's sampling works at Georgetown ; W. S. Duncan and M. A. Wheeler, public 
.sampling works at the same place ; C. E. Dewey's concentrating works, formerly known 
as the Farwell mill, Georgetown. 

At Idaho Springs and vicinity, W. J. Chamberlain & Co., sampling works; The 
Kohinoor & Donaldson concentrators and stamp mill ; the Oneida stamp mill; I'ree- 
iand concentrating works; Plutus concentrator; The Mixsell stamp mill, owned by 
Philip Mixsell; The Idaho stamp mill by Pettit & Holmes; The Silver Age concen- 
trating works; Salisbury concentrating works and stamp mill; the Dove's Nest concen- 
trating works; the Mattie concentrating works; the Kittie Clyde mill, and the Mans- . 
field mill at Dumont. 

Among the paying mines in the vicinity of Georgetown and Silver Plume are the 
Terrible group, the Dives-Pelican, the Seven-Thirty, Cora City, Pay Rock, Colorado 
Central, Aliunda, Silver Glance, Stevens, Mineral Chief, Mendoia, Backbone, Virginia 
City, Mammoth, Park, Centennial, Saxton, Extension west, Belleview, Burrell, Inde- 
pendence, Paymaster, Commonwealth, Belmont, Magnet, Sequel, Equator, the Everett 
group, Kirtley, Troy, McClellan, Dunderberg, Comet, Polar Star, Junction, Emma, 



:^ 







HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 323 

Fred Rogers, Pickwick, Sunburst, Wliite Pine, Bonanza Tunnel, Wide West, Black 
Prince, Baltimore and Duncan. 

In the neighborhood of Idaho Springs, and generally tributary to that point for 
treatment or shipping, are the Freeland, Plutus, Lamartine, Pulitzer, Dove's Nest, 
Little Mattie, Silver Age, Brazil, Lucerne, Little Albert, Little Casino, Financier, Kittie 
Clyde, Mary Foster, Lexington, Champion, Cleveland, the Foxhall group, Salisbury, 
Metropolitan, and others. 

At Lawson and vicinity are the Joe Reynolds group. Orient, Tabor, Franklin, 
Boulder Nest, Moose, Free America, Red Elephant Group, American Sisters and 
some others of lesser importance. At and near Dumont, the Albro, West Albro, Syn- 
dicate and Senator. 

Georgetown and Idaho Springs are the two points in the county around which 
there is greatest activity and greatest productiveness. The output of valuable ores in 
this county is estimated at one hundred and fifty carloads per month, the larger part 
marketed at the smelters in Denver. 

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 material wealth of the world, the 
greater part during the last two decades. The annual product is from two to two and 
a half millions per annum. 

The total population, according to the census of 1890, was 7,157, a decrease of 
666 during the decade. 

Banks mid Bankers. — The pioneer banking house was that of George T. Clark & 
Co., opened in the first years of Georgetown's prominence as a great mining center. 
The business was transferred to J. B. Chaffee & Co., and finally to W. H. Cushman and 
associates, who established the First National. This bank failed in 1876. Then the 
Miners' National came into being, and after a time failed also. It was succeeded by 
the Merchants' National, which was changed to a private bank, and later closed out. 

At the present time there are two State institutions — the Bank of Clear Creek 
County, established in 1876 by Charles R. Fish & Co. Charles Renter was its first 
cashier, and was succeeded by A. H. Boreman, and he by J. M. Copeland, who has 
held the position since January, 1880. Fred. C. Dewey has been assistant cashier 
since 1879. 

The Bank of CJeorgetown was founded in 1882 by Henry Seifried, J. F. Tucker, 
Col. C. P. Baldwin and others. Mr. Tucker has been its president, and Henry Seifried 
cashier from the beginning. 

Idaho Springs has one bank, the First National, conducted by Henry Plummet, 
president, and George McClelland, cashier. 

Georgetown has a number of strong business houses, among them the Clear Creek 
foundry, A. Blackman, superintendent ; S. Strousse, clothing; Wilson & Henderson, 
lumber dealers; Henry Kneisel, grocer; J. M. Lesser, clothing; W. S. Brown, the same; 
Carlson & Hancock, grocers; Forbes & Stromberg, druggists; C. B. Bullock, grain; E. 
Curtis, hardware; Henry Morganthau, C. W. Pollard and George Pease, grocers; E. S. 
Wright, drugs; Frank Wood, books and stationery; A. R. Kinney and D. F. Milleham, 
livery; S. Rachofsky, clothing. 



324 HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 

The Hotel de Paris is managed by Louis Dupuy: the Ennis House by Miss K. 
Ennis, and the City Hotel by J. D. Griffith. 

Secret Societies. — Washington Lodge No. 12 A. F. & A. M. was organized October 
7th, 1867; Georgetown Chapter No. 4 Royal Arch Masons May nth, 1875. 

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Good Templars, Modern Woodmen, 
Patriotic Order Sons of America, Knights of Pythias and others are well organized 
with large memberships. 

Schools. — Henry Bowman, superintendent for Clear Creek County, in his report for 
1890 shows that there are thirteen school buildings; three of logs, eight frame, and two 
of stone. The value of public school property is $40,932. There are eighteen school 
districts, with sittings for 1,303 pupils, and an enrollment of 1,314, with an average 
daily attendance of 853. 

Valuation of Property. — The assessment roll of taxable property for 1890 gave a 
total of $2,013,429.40. The mines, which form so large a part of the actual value, are 
not ta.xed, and but a slight revenue is obtained from the net output of bullion. Of the 
gross amount Georgetown is credited with $542,218; Idaho Springs, $396,899; Silver 
Plume, $132,945, and Empire, $16,175. I' must be understood that most of the 
buildings and other improvements in this county are of wood, and that the exhibit of 
$2,013,429.40 represents only a small part of the richer resources, for unlike the valley 
counties, there are no agricultural lands, and but little live stock. 

Green and Clear Lakes. — These are the magnificent suburbs, so to speak, which 
attract hundreds of touri.sts to Georgetown each year. I cannot do better than adopt 
the eloquent tribute paid to them by the editor of the Georgetown "Courier," who 
writes as follows: 

"Facing to the south, Leavenworth Mountain seems to point thus far and no 
farther; but a noisy, rushing stream invites you to the left, and around the sharp point 
that Leavenworth and Alpine Mountains have thrown over the way, as though jealous 
of the beauties they still held unrevealed, opens a magnificent roadway that leads to 
the summit of the range. Up, through the broad slopes where the mountains join, 
now, close to the cliffs, and again, on the level ground, bending and conforming to the 
way of the hills, the majesty of the nearing range holds the. view. But there are 
beauties that the impetuous, tell-tale stream is trying loudly to proclaim, and impatient 
lest, on the way to the range, the lovely lakes that give it birth should be passed over, 
it frets and foams and rushes by the immense boulders that impede its way and break 
it into continuous cataracts and cascades of sparkling water, too full and excessive not 
to be noticed, until the road- leads to the left. With sharp grades and quick turns, over 
the wooded knoll, through an avenue of heavy pine trees, Green Lake spreads before 
you in all its mystic beauty and soundless calm, secure in its height of ten thousand 
feet over and above the stream of fret and worry of the work-a-day world — a picture of 
exquisite loveliness, which words have no compass to describe, caught up and held by 
the rugged majesty of the mountains, its beauty subdues and softens the great heart 
of the Rockies, and gives a touch of tenderness and watchfulness to the great peaks 
that guard its loveliness. 

"On the near shore stand comfortable and convenient houses, a good wharf well 



"« 






Sw .'f^^^ 




Q. F(. FISH 



* 






HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY. 325 

supplied with boats, while its serene and untroubled depths give a home to thousands 
of the mountain trout. 

" While the lake is clear and translucent, clearer than any simile of crystal can 
express, the basin that holds it is green, the sand is green, the moss that clings to the 
rocks or idly floats to the sport of the ripples, is green, and even the tiny drops that fall 
from the feathering oar bear the same, unexplainable tinge that has given this wondrous 
lake its name. 

"Just beyond the further shore of the lake is the Battle Ground of the Gods, where 
great boulders, cast down from the surrounding peaks, lay as though hurled by the 
wrath of warring powers. 

"Always beautiful, yet it is only in the declining hours of the day that Green Lake 
gives a gleam of its spectral and wondrous depths. Then, through its clear waters, is 
seen the buried forest, with its stately trees turned to stone, still erect, but the tall 
heads and branches that once bended only to the mountain breeze, now lie in the 
depths of the lake in the unutterable stillness of the dead. 

"Only a few rods to the south, across the Battle Ground of the Gods, is Clear 
Lake, the contrast and antithesis of Green Lake. Its icy cold waters, so white and 
clear, give no suggestion of the marvelous play and change of color of its neighbor on 
the north. 

"As was said, from Clear Lake comes the city supply of water. Lying just below 
timber line, fed by the snows of the peaks on the range, it is a reservoir that the 
greatest engineer could not better have conceived or located." 

This with the famous " Loop" which connects Georgetown with Silver Plume, one 
of the most wonderful exemplifications of highly scientific railway engineering in the 
world, is well worth a day's journey to behold, for the traveler will find nothing in all 
the tours of the old or the new continents to eclipse them. Beyond the Loop stands 
Gray's Peak, named for Professor Asa Gray, the celebrated botanist of Massachusetts, 
rising to the height of 14,441 feet above tide water, its summit covered with everlasting 
snow, the highest peak in Colorado, save the Sierra Blanca in the San Luis Valley. 
Hundreds have mounted the long sinuous trail that leads to its apex to behold the 
marvelous view there afforded of the larger part of the stupendous and far-reaching 
sweep of the Rocky Mountain chain. To the westward, approached through Berthoud 
Pass, lies the vast basin called Middle Park, once undoubtedly the bed of an inland 
lake or sea, in area about 4,000 square miles, encircled by a tremendous range, "the sur- 
face diversified by gently rolling hills, with alternate stretches of grass covered valleys." 
This park is watered by Grand and Fraser Rivers, and contains a larger number of 
mineral springs than any other one section of the State. 

Some further notes of Georgetown, with illustrations of three or four of its more 
productive mines, will appear in a subsequent volume, owing to our inability from lack, 
of space and some important data, to include them in this chapter. 



HISTORY OF COSTILLA COUNTY. 



COSTILLA COUNTY. 

Boundaries and mountain peaks — agricultural lands — geological features 

mineral deposits first settlers in that region HISTORY OF THE 

SANGRE DE CRISTO grant valuation of TAXABLE PROPERTY A FEW NOTED 

CITIZENS PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE. 

Costilla County having a general altitude of 7,600 feet, is situated in the Southern 
Central portion of Colorado — its eastern boundary being the summit of the Sangre de 
Cristo Range, its southern the southern boundary line of the State of Colorado, its west- 
ern .the Rio Grande River, to a point a few miles northwest of Alamosa, thence north 
along a township line, for a distance of twelve miles, its northern boundary being a 
township line and the tenth correction line north, N. M. Mer., extending east and 
west. This county is located in the southern portion of the far famed San Luis Valley, 
and embraces 1,800 square miles or 1,152,500 acres, of which about one-third are moun- 
tain lands, the remaining two-thirds being prairie lands. 

Within its limits are some of the highest peaks in Colorado, the Sierra Blanca, 
almost isolated from the main range, stands unrivaled among the promontories of the 
great range for grandeur and beauty, while its summit, usually capped #vith snow, pro- 
jects into the clouds, higher than any other, with an altitude of 14.464 feet. Among 
the others worthy of mention is the Culebra Peak 14,049 feet in height, the fifth highest 
in the State, while the range itself is over 6,000 feet in general altitude above the 
prairie lands west of it, abounding in beautiful valleys, parks and picturesque caiions, 
make a part of Costilla County, the fairest of the San Luis Valley. The section de- 
voted to agriculture up to the present time, consists only of the river and creek bottoms, 
e.xcept in the northern portion where the whole prairie has been taken up, under home- 
stead or pre-emption claims, and part of each claim cultivated by means of the exten- 
sions of the Farmer's Union Canal, the San Luis Valley Canal and others. The culti- 
vated area of the county embraces nearly 19,000 acres, planted in almost every crop; 
wheat, oats and potatoes taking the lead in the northern and southern portions, Mexican 
beans being the most profitable crop in the southern. Besides the above, barley, rye, 
cabbage, onions, corn, etc., all sorts of small vegetables yield very good results, an 
inferior class of tobacco being also grown by the Mexicans. The soil over the entire 
southern part was produced by the disintegration of basalt and trachyte, forming a very 
rich land, covered everywhere by a growth of sagebrush, more or less dense and high, 
according to the accessibility of water. 

Geology. — The geological history of the county has been but little investigated, the 



HISTORY OF COSTILLA COUNTY. 327 

most complete review being found in Hayden's United States Geological Survey, 
report of 1875, and in a pamphlet by Prof. Stevenson. Without going into details it 
may be reviewed as follows: The whole of this division of the valley was once covered 
with basalt and trachyte outflows from the Ute and San Antonio Mountains. This was 
partly eroded, and all of Costilla County in a post-basaltic period, e.xcept the northern 
was covered by water, forming the southern of what has been called for convenience, 
"Coronado's Lake." The presence of .this vast mass of water facilitated, if it was not 
the cause, of the formation of extensive glaciers in the mountains. Owing to the 
presence of the volcanic hills between the Culebra and Trinchera Creeks, the Rio 
Grande River poured its waters into this lake, finding an outlet below the Ute 
Mountain. Glacial action forming by erosion a channel through these hills, the present 
channel of the Rio Grande River was created, which, subject to the erosions of those 
waters, has attained a depth of over two hundred feet in places, the walls of the cafion 
being entirely of basalt, and exhibiting in many places a columnar structure. Evi- 
dences of the basaltic outflow are found in the San Pedro Mesa, its continuation the 
San Luis Mesa, the Fort Garland Mesa, and the hills along the Rio Grande River, near 
the confluence of the Culebra River and the Rio Grande, and the range of hills 
extending from this point northward. Just south of the mouth of the Culebra River is . 
found a small hill rising to a height of perhaps seventy feet above the surrounding 
prairie, the ground in its immediate vicinity being covered with scoriae, the top of the 
hill presenting the appearance of a perfect little volcano, the basin filled with scoriae 
and soil resulting from the decomposition of the walls, the basin having at present an 
extreme depth of about seven feet, with a diameter of about one hundred feet. 

The mountain region shows everywhere evidences of an extensive and long-con- 
tinued metamorphosis. Small outcrops of the carboniferous have been found in the 
Sierra Blanca group, near the Mosco Pass, in Greyback Gulch, and on the Ute Creek, 
the red carboniferous sandstone forming, according to Hayden, "a large portion of the 
Sangre de Cristo Range, * * flanking its metamorphic center on either side, dipping 
with the slope of the mountains, and extending as far south as the Costilla Peak, in 
isolated patches beyond the Trinchera Peak, its southern exposures being accompanied 
by gray shales containing inoceramfe and ostrse." Some outcrops of limited extent of 
sandstones and limestones are found along the entire length of the range, probably 
detached fragments of the carboniferous beds, that escaped the metamorphosis of the 
main portion of the beds, changing them to granites, and gneisses, and schists. 

The fact of no cretaceous or Jurassic beds having been found on the western slope 
of the range, may be explained on the hypothesis that the main range had already, 
previous to the Jurassic period, been uplifted to a sufficient altitude to prevent the over- 
flow of waters on its western slope. 

fjeds of drift are found, very extensive south of Fort Garland, and the foot of the 
mountains between the Seco Creek and the Ballejos Creek, consisting of a succession of 
low gravel hills, having in every respect the appearance of moraines, or glacier terminal 
deposits. , 

In regard to mineral deposits, in Costilla County, but little can be said. At one 
time the finding of some veins of mineral in Greyback Gulch, caused considerable 
excitement; also on the eastern slope of the Culebra Peak, though this was east of the 



328 HISTORY OF COSTILLA COUNTY. 

county line. Along the slopes of Sierra Blanca, the finding of veins has been reported 
on numerous occasions. Along the entire range, the gravel bf the stream beds will 
show several "colors." South of Costilla County in Colfa.-c County^ New Me.\ico, 
extensive placer mines are found in the. Moreno Valley. Some seven miles from San 
Luis, on the Rito Seco, the El Plomo mine is to-day being worked. The ore is a 
galena, associated with different forms of copper ore, and iron pyrites. No regular 
vein is found there, the ore occurring as a deposit. Its extent has not yet been deter- 
mined. Just below the mine at a distance of some eight hundred yards or more, are 
found outcrops of a very fine grained quartzite. The county has been but little pros- 
pected, and so far as the prospect for future mining developments is concerned, that 
will depend upon the skill and perseverance of the coming prospector, every indication 
tending to show that the mountains contain the mineral wealth so anxiously sought 
after. This short review of Costilla's future mineral developments may be fittingly 
closed by quoting the language of Mr. Hayden in the report just referred to: "The 
conclusion was reached that in case the existence of ore of a paying quality and quan- 
tity should be established in those veins, their geological character will warrant their 
persistency, to any depth that may be reached by mining operations." 

History. — There is no evidence obtainable of any settlement in the county previous 
to 1849. The larger half consists of a grant, the southern half, embracing some 
300,000 acres, is in Costilla County, extends also into Taos County, New Mexico, and i> 
known as the Costilla estate. The northern half, embracing about 450,000 acres, lies 
entfrely within the limits of Costilla, and is known as the Trinchera estate; the whole 
tract embracing nearly a million acres in Colorado and New Mexico, is known and was 
deeded by the Mexican government in 1844, confirmed in i860, and patented in 1871, 
by the United States government under the title of the "Sangre de Cristo Grant." A 
brief history of this grant, as the cause of the first settlements in Costilla County, as an 
important item also in its future development, and as misrepresented in Bancroft's 
(Hubert Howe) Works, and confounded with the Miranda & Beaubien grant located on 
the eastern slope of the range, in Las Animas County, this State, and Colfax County, 
New Mexico, in a footnote on page 594, Vol. XXV, will not be inappropriate. 

The tract was granted on the petition of Luis Lee and Narciso Beaubien, residents 
of Taos, Taos County, New Mexico, by Manuel Armijo, then political and military 
governor of the northern department, on the 30th of December, 1843, with instructions 
to Juan Andres Archuleta to give possession to the petitioners. The prefect referred 
the act of giving possession to Miguel Sanchez, justice of the peace of the third demar- 
cation, in which demarcation the land lay, and on the 12th day of January, 1844, pro- 
ceeded to the land petitioned for, with the petitioners, and as witnesses, having with 
him Ceran St. Vrain, Manuel Antonio Martin, Juan Ortega, Juan Ramon Valdez and 
Pedro Valdez. The act of giving possession, in the words of the justice of the peace, 
was as follows: "After the erection of the fifth and last mound I took them (petitioners) 
by the hand, walked with them, and caused them to throw up earth, pull up weeds and 
other evidences of possession. ' The land so granted included the rivers Costilla, 
Cuiebra and Trinchera. The land was granted under provisions of the Mexican gov- 
ernment for colonization purposes. Nothing was done in the matter of colonization 
however — both Luis Lee, and Narciso Beaubien, having been killed in the Taos mas- 



HISTORY OF COSTILLA COUNTY. • 329 

sacre of January 19th, 1847 — until, in 1848, after the signing of tlie treaty of Guade- 
lupe Hidalgo, when one George Gold attempted to start a colony on the Costilla 
River. This enterprise failed, partly on account of insufficient energy, and largely on 
account of the land being the possession of Charles Beaubien, who inherited the posses- 
sion of one-half interest at the death of his son Narciso, and who bought the remaining 
half from the administrator of the estate of Luis Lee. In the ne.xt year the first actual 
colony was started by Charles Beaubien, locating on the Costilla River, almost on the 
site where the house and store of Mr. Ferd Meyer now stands, about half a mile 
south of the southern boundary line of the State, but at one time, before the establish- 
ment of the boundary line on the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude, and since 
the territorial organization of Colorado in the limits of Costilla County. The colony 
starting with but a few cabins was reinforced the ne.xt year by additional colonists, all 
of them Mexicans, with the exception of three or four Americans or foreigners who 
established stores. In the next few years colonies were established at San Luis, in the 
fall of 1 85 1, the original site being about three-fourths of a mile below the present site 
of the county seat, and in 1852 and 1853 settlements at San Pedro on the Trinchera 
and in San Acacio. In 1854-55, further settlements were started at San Francisco and 
at Chama. Among the earliest settlers were Faustin Medina, Ramon Rivera, Mariano 
Pacheco and others. The first store was established in 1851 in Costilla by Moritz 
Bielshowski and William Koenig, this store passing into the hands of Mr. F. W. Post- 
hoff, and after him becoming the property of Mr. Ferdinand Meyer, who has been one 
of the most earnest workers for the good of the county. 

In 1867 another store was established in Costilla, in the Colorado portion of the 
town, by Mr. Louis Cohn, — who later on in 1871 or 1S72, located his business in San 
Luis. In 1869 or '70, the mining excitement on Greyback Mountain led to the for- 
mation of a town near there, called Placer. This town has passed through three periods 
of activity; first, when the original mining excitement formed it; later on when the 
Denver & Rio Grande Railway built through the Caiion of the Sangre de Cristo, and 
stopped work during the winter of i877-'78, at Placer; and later still at the revival of 
the mining excitement, but has now become reduced to a population of about sixty, 
chiefly maintained by the railroad. The round houses of the Denver &: Rio Grande 
were located there. In 1878 the road named above was completed to Alamosa. Ever 
since the organization of the county, in 1S63, San Luis has been the county seat. The 
original settlers soon after the formation of the first settlements, met with many draw- 
backs and troubles on account of the Indians, when they united for mutual protection, 
,a portion being delegated to the watching and care of the crops, a portion to the manu- 
facture of bows and arrows, as in 1854 the settlements of San Luis, then known as La 
Culebra, only enjoyed the possession of two guns, one of which was a musket, and still 
another portion caring for the stock, consisting mainly of sheep and goats, a few oxen, 
perhaps a few cows, and one or two horses. Plowing was done with the primitive Mex- 
ican crooked stick. When the Indian disturbances reached their worst stage, the 
United States government established a military post at Fort Massachusetts, on Ute 
Creek, a short distance north of Fort Garland. Shortly after the post was moved to 
Fort Garland, and for a number of years subsequent to the disappearance of Indian 
troubles, it was maintained, indeed until 1SS3, when it was abandoned and the buildings, 



330 HISTORY OF COSTILLA COUNTY. 

site, etc., reverted back to the Trinchera Estate Company. From two to four companies 
of troops were stationed there. The coming of the soldiers and the distribution of the 
large amount of money required for their maintenance, brought a period of general 
prosperity throughout the county. Nothing of historical interest transpired between 
1856 and 1886, beyond the building of a flour mill at San Luis, by Messrs. St. Vrain 
and Harvey E. Easterday. This mill, after becoming the property of Mr. Easterday, 
was bought by a Mormon association, who sold it a few years later to Messrs. Cohn & 
Salazar. The mill has been improved somewhat, so as to run by steam. Originally it 
could only be run by water power. It is not large enough for grinding the wheat that 
is raised here. The winter of 1885-1886, was very severe, nearly one-half of the stock, 
sheep, cattle and horses, died; in many instances the loss exceeded seventy per cent. 
Since then, favorable seasons have added to stock so that growers are now again on thr 
same footing as regards numbers, that they were in 1885. The northern portion of ' 
county being only government land, has been entirely taken up within the last tli 
years, the postofifices of Coryell, Streator, Japato and Garnett, resulting from such sett.. 
ment. This year the Denver & Rio Grande has built a cut-off, shortening the distaii. 
to Denver by fifty or more miles. On this cut-off there is a tangent of fifty-six mih - 
Previous to 1886 there were but few American farmers in the county. Since the seti',- 
ment of the northern portion, the Trinchera Estate Company has been introducii , 
settlers, having placed their lands on the market. Owing to the fact that on the C.i- 
tilla estate, there are still a number of land questions to be decided, which will soon 1.'- 
concluded, there have been no attempts made to colonize that portion. The lands ai\-, 
however, on the market. A colony of Mormons bought a tract on the Costilla Rivci-, 
and have just laid out a town site, which has been called East Dale. They have con- 
structed a large dam, which has a rise of sixteen feet, and forms a reservoir covering 
over eighty acres, with a storage capacity of 13,000,000 cubic feet, or over 112,000,000 
gallons. On the Trinchera estate two large canals have been constructed, for the irri- 
gation of some 18,000 acres of the arable lands of the estate. 

Political. — The political history of the county since its organization, can be briefly- 
recounted. With the exception of the years i88i-'82, when small Democratic ma- 
jorities were returned, it has given Republican majorities varying from 100 to 300, out 
of a total, varying from 400 when the county was organized, and almost entirely Mex- 
ican, to a present vote of over 850, in which the Mexican and American voting 
elements are very nearly balanced. 

Valuation of Property, etc. — The present assessed valuation of the county amounts 
to $[,250,000, while the debt slightly exceeds $21,000. This amount has accumulated 
from the building of bridges, a well-arranged and commodious as well as attractive 
courthouse, and other improvements. The administration of the county has always been 
very conservative, so that the present rate of taxation only amounts to nineteen mills on 
the dollar, making it one of the best in the State as regards amount of debt and rate 'if 
taxation. 

Among those who have exercised the control necessary to the proper adminis- 
tration of county affairs, and therefore in local politics, Mr. Wm. H. Meyer stands at 
the head. While he came to the county in 1867, as a young man, he has since interested 
himself in all matters relating to its progress, and has assumed the leadership of the 



HISTORY OF COSTILLA COUNTY. 331 

Republican part_v. He has assisted in tlie real work of administration by liolding office, 
first in the Territorial legislature; then as a member of the Constitutional Convention, 
a member of the legislature of the State (both as representative and senator), filled the 
office of lieutenant governor and ran for governor the next year, but was defeated. 

j Among others prominent in the political affairs are Mr. C. F. Meyer, for a long time 
county clerk; Mr. A. A. Salazar, who has represented the county in the State legislature, 
and is one of the most prominent merchants; Mr. Charles John, who filled the office of 

1 Clerk and Recorder four terms, and Mr. Manuel Sanchez, all Republicans. Messrs. 
Louis Cohn and N. Nathan have upheld the Democracy of the county with unabated 
energy, and have also represented it in the capacity of State legislators. Some of the 
older and more active of the early settlers have passed away. Among them, David 
Gallegos, Juan Miguel Vijil, Harvey E. Easterday, Juan Ygnacio Jaquez, and others. 
The future development of the county depends largely upon the discovery of min- 
eral in paying quantities. The fact of coal not teing found in this region, is naturally 
a great drawback. The rainfall varies from seven to twelve inches on the prairie 
portion, and from twelve to twenty inches in the mountain portion. All cultivation is 
carried on by means of irrigation, the number of irrigations varying with the season. 
In the southern portion the canals and ditches so far constructed are capable of carrying 
from ten to twenty cubic feet of water per second, and the total area of the land thus 
rendered irrigable amounts to about 50,000 acres, while the northern portion is covered 
by many canals, together with e.xtensions of the largest in the valley, rendering fully 
120,000 acres of land irrigable. This, in connection with about 20,000 acres or more of 
natural meadow, and nearly 10,000 acres of mountain valleys, where crops can be 
raised, gives us a total of 200,000 acres, that are, with the facilities for irrigation now 
existing, susceptible of occupation and cultivation. But few experiments, and those 
within recent years, have been made in fruit raising, but give every indication of future 
success, while in the matter of hay, alfalfa will largely constitute the future hay crop. 

j By storage reservoirs, and a system of canals, together with the economical distri- 

bution and application of water, every aCre of prairie land could be brought under 
cultivation, and this will be, undoubtedly, one of the features of development within the 
next few years, and will make Costilla, on account of its superior soil, one of the best if 
not the best agricultural county in the San Luis Valley. 



Notes. — 1st. For earlier county boundaries, see General Laws Cjlorado, 1864, 161-52-7; lS6S-g. 

2d. The contract for the survey of the Southern boundary of Colorado, was given to Governor Gilpin, 
who, then owning the Sangre de Cristo grant, intended to include the southern portion of the grant now 
included in Taos County, New Me.tico. Gilpin failed to comply with his contract, so that the matter of 
the Grant Line failed to affect the southern boundary, the survey being made in 1S67, by Captain Darling 
and Colonel Tfeiffer. 

3d. The Sangre de Cristo grant was sold by Charles Beaubien to Governor Gilpin in 1S64; he sold it 
to an English company, retaining an interest, they disposing of the southern portion to a Dutch syndicate, 
hence the division of the grant into the Costilla estate and the Trinchera estate. 



332 HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY 



DOUGLAS COUNTY. 

Original axd present boundaries — the birthplace of Colorado — green 
Russell's original camp — some old settlers — lumbering in the pineries — 

first COUNTV organization — trials of the pioneers THE old SANTA FE 

stage line — CASTLE ROCK PRESENT INDUSTRIES. 

This county lies between .\rapahoe on the north, Elbert on the east, El Paso south, 
and Jefferson on the west. It is thirty miles wide from north to south. The Platte 
River, by its irregular course, shortens the northern boundary line about two townships 
over the southern, but the average width from east to west, is not far from thirty miles. 
This area of about 900 square miles is well watered by the Platte and by Plum and 
Cherry Creeks, with their affluents. It was organized in 1861, and named for the 
famous statesman, Hon. Stephen A. Douglas. Originally it extended to the Kansas line, 
its boundaries being defined as follows: " Commencing at a point where the range 
line between ranges 68 and 69 intersects the first correction line south; thence east on 
said correction line to the eastern boundary of the Territory; thence south on said 
boundary line to the second correction line south; thence west on said correction line to 
where the said line intersects the line of the Indian Reserve; thence along the boundary 
of said reserve to the point where the western boundary of said reserve intersects the 
second correction line south; thence west on said line to the Platte River; thence down 
the center of said river to the point where it intersects the first correction line south; 
thence east to the place of beginning." 

Frankstown, named for Hon. J. Frank Gardner, was made the county seat. .\ 
map of the Territory corrected from the public surveys of 1866 to accompany Hol- 
lister's history of the mines of Colorado, shows that the "Indian Reserve " was the 
home of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians, including what at a later time was 
known as Bent, and the southern part of Elbert Counties. A part of the southern 
boundary of the original Douglas, was the Big Sandy above the second correction line. 
Douglas was the mother of several counties, Elbert being the first, segregated by the 
legislative act of February 2d, 1874, with Middle Kiowa as the county seat; later 
Castle Rock became the capital of Douglas, instead of Frankstown. Elbert then 
included all the territory between the eastern boundary of Douglas to the Kansas line 
and a part of the Indian Reserve, down to the northern boundary of Bent County. In 
1887 Elbert was divided. Kit Carson County being established on the east and the 
remainder not included in the present area of Elbert, forming the northern part of 
Lincoln and Cheyenne Counties. Although Cheyenne County obtained a part of its 



I 



HISTORY (3F DOUGLAS COlXTV. ;i83 

area from Elbert, no part of it was included in the original boundaries of Douglas as 
fixed in 1861. 

We come now to some interesting primitive history, compiled from notes furnished 
by Mr. J. F. Gardner, one of the oldest and most respected residents of the county, by 
which it appears that Green Russell and the Cherokees first discovered gold near the 
head of the east branch of Cherry Creek in June, 1858, at a point which since has been 
known as Russellville, five miles southeast of the present Frankstown, on the old Santa 
Fe trail, from Denver to Pueblo and Santa F^. There is nothing now to indicate their 
camp but some old foundations of cabins that have rotted down or been removed. 
There are the remnants of a house that was built some years afterward, and kept as a 
hotel and stage station for the Santa Fe line, operated b)' Barlow, Sanderson & Co., and 
later by Mr. A. Jacobs of Denver. In the early summer of 1859 there was a sawmill at 
Russellville, built, it is believed, by Wilhite & Rogers. 

The first settler to remain any length of time, was a German named Jacob Bower, 
and near by were two others of the same nationality named Jacob and Benedict Schultz. 
The first of these still resides there, but Benedict is a resident of Frankstown. The 
next settler between Russellville and Denver at that period was Matthew Steel, at what 
is now known as Melvin's. Mr. Gardner states that in the autumn of 1859, he went 
with a company employed by Thomas Bayaud, to work in a sawmill, located four miles 
east of Frankstown, remaining there until June, i860, when George M. Chilcott and 
himself purchased a shingle mill, on Cherry Creek. Chilcott remained only part of the 
summer. In the summer of 1862 a large band of Arapahoe Indians camped near his 
cabin. They had been out on the plains, and while there had a battle with their ancient 
enemies, the Utes, from whom they captured a squaw and an Indian buck, whom they 
brought with them. " They were there a week or ten days when Kit Carson came out 
and camped with me. He called in a number of the head men and held council with 
them, demanding the captives, but for a long time they refused to give them up. He 
finally told them that unless they complied with his demands, there would be a great 
war, which immediately settled the controversy in Carson's favor. The captives were 
surrendered, and they accompanied Carson to Denver." 

The first county commissioners of Douglas were John L. Boggs, Sylvester Rich- 
ardson and Jo.seph Hipley; sheriff, Charles Parkinson; clerk and recorder, J. F. 
Gardner; treasurer, Noel Webber, all appointed in the spring of 1862. When the 
county was created by the legislature in 1861, Mr. G. M. Chilcott, who was a member 
of that body, caused the capital to be located at Frankstown, where the county business 
was transacted for three years; then the records were taken to the old California Ranch 
about four miles south. The business was executed there for a few years, when it was 
decided to erect some county buildings. They were scarcely begun however, when the 
discovery was made, that these improvements were not situated at the actual county 
seat. The Territorial legislature being then in session, a bill was passed changing the 
seat to Frank.stown — and legalizing all that previously had been done. The California 
Ranch building was erected in the winter of i86i-'62 by Charles Parkhurst. 

We find in this brief narrative, historic facts of the first importance, the very begin- 
ning of gold mining in Colorado, and the beginning of settlement as well, for it was 
here at Russellville of which only a trace remains, that the first yellow metal was panned 



33-4 HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY. 

and the first houses built, and while the immediate results to these original explorers 
were of no material significance, it was from this slender thread that grew the mighty 
consequences developed in the last thirty years of our annals. 

The fact that no official records of this county prior to 1S64, can be found at this 
time, is explained by the following report accepted by the county commissioners — Syl- 
vester Richardson and John L. Boggs— at a meeting held January 28th, 1864: 

"On the 31st day of December, 1863, all the records pertaining to my office, as 
also all the records of the county commissioners; also all the books and papers belonging 
to the county, and all the official bonds of the different officers in and for the county of 
Douglas, were destroyed by fire. I do submit the above as a true report. 

".Signed, James F. Gardner, County CUik." 

Notwithstanding this unfortunate loss, we have Mr. Gardner's memories of the 
intervening years as briefly sketched on a previous page, together with many incidents 
relating principally to difficulties with Indians, hairbreadth escapes, battles and depri- 
vations common to the early settlers on the border, for which we are unable to find 
space. 

John H. Craig, Jack Johnson and Charles Holmes settled in Happy Canon, eight or 
ten miles north of Castle Rock in 1859, where they engaged in mining and in stock- 
raising. "We had no flour most of the winter," said Mr. Craig, while relating the 
details of these early events, "nor had we any money with which to purchase it had 
there been any, for flour was worth $40 a sack, and bacon twenty-five cents a pound. 
Therefore we subsisted mainly on wild game which was abundant. When our clothes 
wore out, we began to wear buckskin. We next moved up near the Oakes sawmill 
that had been placed in Riley's Gulch by Major D. C. Oakes, one of the first lumber 
mills brought to the county. About twenty-five or thirty men were there, and John 
Nash who came out in 1859, died there that winter." Others arrived the same year and 
began to settle in the pineries and along the streams, but Mr. Craig regards the settle- 
ment at Oakes' Mill about the second of any importance that occurred in the county. 
The present town of Sedalia, Mr. Craig avers, he located as the "Round Corral" in 1865, 
which he owned until about 1870, when he sold it to Jonathan House; a little later it 
was known as Plum Station. One of the most prominent citizens of the county from 
first to last, is J. F. Gardner. As we have seen by his narrative, he was early joined 
by George M. Chilcott (Ex-Senator, now of Pueblo), where they conducted the business 
of making shingles, at a point a few miles north of the present Castle Rock. Mr. 
Gardner has represented the county in Territorial and State legislatures without number, 
and it never was and could not be represented by a better man. 

Every old resident of Colorado remembers Major D. C. Oakes, who brought out 
the mill to which reference has been made. He was not only a pioneer in the Pike's 
Peak region, but was one of the vast procession of emigrants to California in 1847. He 
engaged in mining on Feather River, having for a partner A. R. Colton, who had been 
a member of Congress from Iowa. Oakes returned to the latter State in 1853, and 
resided at Glenwood until 1858. In September (14th) of that year, he, in company with 
Abram Walrod, H. J. Graham, Charles Mills and George Pancoast, started for the 
Rocky Mountains, and October loth arrived at the mouth of Cherry Creek. He pros- 
pected until November, when he went back to Iowa, and together with Captain Smith 



HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY. 335 

began publishing the " Pike's Peak Guide and Journal," at Pacific City. In the spring 
of 1859 he started from Iowa with his sawmill, which was finally located in the pineries 
of Douglas County. He sold it in i^'65, when he was appointed Indian Agent by Pres- 
ident Andrew Johnson, which position he retained until 1S69, when he took up the 
profession of United States Land Surveyor. 

In November, i860. Judge P. P. Wilcox of Denver, as he relates it, together with 
William Liptrap and son, established a cow ranch about two miles above Frankstown, 
which they owned and managed until 1874, when the herd becoming much larger, they 
moved over to Big Sandy, near River Bend, some seventy miles to the eastward. 

Among the others who came in 1859, and the following year, were John A. Koontz, 
Charles Parkhurst, George Engle, Wm. Van Andert, George W. Hertel, John H. Jones, 
John Jones, Jack Piatt, Matt Crawford; Judge D. H. Goodwin, a veteran of the war of 
1S12, who became Probate Judge; Wm. Garrison, J. C. IngersoU, L. N. Wells, Ben- 
jamin Quick, M. L. Jones, Peter Brannon, George Ratchffe, John Tallman; Mr. and 
Mrs. Sylvester Richardson, whose place was known as " Pretty Woman's Ranch," for it 
was decided that Mrs. Richardson was the handsomest woman in the Territory; Mr. 
and Mrs. Coberly, the latter said to have been the first white woman to locate in the 
Pike's Peak country; Mr. and Mrs. John L. Boggs, Edward Van Endert, I. P. Van 
A\'ormer, N. T. Webber, Rev. John L. Dyer, the pioneer Methodist preacher; W. F. 
Carey, Jacob and Benedict Schultz, David Gregory, Wm. Crull, John Iron, Presley 
Talbot, Dean Holden, Elias Gibbs, George Redman, Joseph Huber, Jacob Frick, John 
Russell, W. W. Cantril, Travilla Wilhite, the Hungates and Deitermans (killed by 
Indians), John Gilliland, George Frainey, S. P. Butler, D. N. Boggs, F. C. Johnson, 
and many others. 

As no valuable mines were found in Douglas County, the early settlers turned their 
attention to ranching, raising cattle and to the wood and lumber business, which have 
ever since been prominent features of industry and commerce. When the settlers in 
Denver had consumed all the available timber in that vicinity, along the Platte and Cherry 
Creek, the greater part of their fuel supply came from the pine woods of Douglas, for 
which they paid $16 to $18 a cord. Most of the frame houses built in Denver were of 
lumber obtained in the same region, but the early discovery of coal in Boulder and 
Jefferson Counties soon destroyed the wood market, at least greatly restricted the traffic. 
Nevertheless, those pineries have ever since furnished a great deal of sawed lumber, and 
at the present day this pursuit supports from 300 to 500 people in the county. 

Many of the early ranch houses also became country hotels, where the traveler 
could pass the night and feed his stock in the ample corrals. These primitive people 
had old-fashioned, hospitable ways of entertaining their guests. Every respectable 
|xrson was made royally welcome in these isolated, infrequently visited farmhouses, 
!i)i ated along the stage road between Denver and Pueblo. The small herds of cattle 
began to increase, the stockraising industry grew into great prominence, and many of 
those who came in poverty found themselves enriched as the years passed by, and 
almost without serious effort. In 1889 it was estimated that Douglas County possessed 
40,000, and Elbert, its neighbor, 90,000 head of cattle. Again, sheep raising was added, 
and their numbers multiplied, affording another source of rapid accumulation. But in 
recent years the settlement of the public domain has divided the great ranges into 



336 HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY. 

farms, and agriculture is now the predominant business, stockraising falling back to a 
mere incidental auxiliary. 

Although deposits of coal have been discovered, none have been systematically 
opened and worked as yet. The quarrying and shipment to Denver and other points of 
immense quantities of lava rock for fine buildings, has become one of the leading pur- 
suits. To some of the quarries branch railways have been extended, notably from the 
Denver & Rio Grande main line. There are four quarries on Seller's Creek, near 
Castle Rock. The same class of stone is also quarried at Douglas Plateau and other 
places. The average shipments are about twenty-five cars a day. 

The Denver & Rio Grande, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the Denver, 
Texas & Fort Worth lines of railway traverse the county from north to south. 

The contest between Frankstown and Castle Rock for possession of the county seat, 
forms a memorable event in the annals of the county. By an act approved February 
13th, 1874, the county commissioners were granted full power to provide for laying off 
the county seat, and for selling lots to the highest bidder, the funds so realized to be 
used for the construction of a courthouse and jail. The town plat of Castle Rock was 
filed April 25th, 1874, as drawn by J. D. Mclntyre. Jeremiah M. Gould, P. P. AVilcox 
and John H. Craig, laid out the site of 120 acres, and placed a deed in escrow to re- 
convey to the people when Castle Rock should be ofiicially proclaimed the county seat. 
The latter won over its several competitors, when an auction sale of lots ensued, from 
■which several thousand dollars were realized. The town was named for the castellated 
promontory near at hand. The town of Douglas, about three miles south of Castlt- 
Rock, was platted by the National Land & Improvement Company, July 28th, 18S0, 
through its vice-president, Charles B. Lamborn, and the secretary, W. B. Gaskell. 
Greenland, some fifteen miles south of Castle Rock, was located by Mr. Fred Z. Salo- 
mon of Denver, in September, 1875. .\cequia, near the line of Arapahoe County,- was 
platted June 28th, 1881, by the National Land & Improvement Company. The same 
company also platted Sedalia, formerly called Plum Station. May 15th, 1882. 

The town of New Memphis, which was formed March 27th, 1874 (two miles from 
Castle Rock), is now a cornfield, the houses having been moved to the county seat. 

The town of Castle Rock was incorporated June ist, 1881; Irving S. Morse, mayor, 
George A. Triplett recorder, and Dr. A. Johnson, Thomas J. King, David Owens and 
John G. Baldwin trustees. Its population is about 500. A fine stone courthouse was 
completed in 1890, at a cost of $24,000. The Castle Rock "Journal," now in its 
twelfth volume, is its newspaper representative. The office was removed from Monu- 
ment, by George B. Armstrong. It was at different times owned by C. C. Holbrook, 
A. B. Johnson, W. F. Waller, Keith Pierce, R. N. Hancock, Willis A. Brainard, and at 
last by its present owner, W. I. Whittier. 

The Douglas County "News" was instituted in February, 1890, by John A. 
Cheely, who sold in July to the Douglas County Publishing Company, H. L. Barter, 
editor. The old " News Letter," brought from Frankstown many 3'ears ago, succumbed 
to fate, and the material was taken to Buena Vista. 

Of secret societies, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Patriotic Order 
Sons of .\merica, and J. G. Blunt Post G. A. R., form the entire list. 



HISTORY OF DOUGLAS COUNTY. 337 

The Methodist society built a church some three years ago; the Catholics in 18S9. 
The EpiscopaUans have an edifice on West Plum Creek, 

Among other points in the county are Larkspur, Hill Top and Rock Ridge. The 
population of the county is 3,002, being an increase of 516 over the census of 1880. 

County Superintendent P. H. Hammond reports thirty organized school districts 
for iSSg-'go, with twenty-eight schoolhouses, two of logs, twenty-three frame, two of 
brick and one of stone, the whole valued at $19,700. The school population was 835, 
with an enrollment of 612, and an average attendance of 420. 

The total assessed valuation of taxable property in the county for 1890, is $2,003,- 
434, thus divided: Agricultural lands, 12,955 acres, valued at $56,135; grazing lands, 
275,096, valued at $421,504; land improvements, $161,944; and on public lands, $26,- 
723; town and city lots, $21,238, improvements thereon, $35,535. The 108.3 miles of 
railroad are assessed at $905,692; horses, 3,844, at $114,151; cattle, 13,928, at $126,380. 

"Many years ago," says Mr. Gardner, "the farmers turned their attention to 
dairying, and finding it profitable, that industry has continued to grow in advance of 
the increase of population. Large numbers engaged in butter and cheese making, 
which has continued to the present day, until Douglas is looked upon as one of the 
foremost dairy counties in the State. Aside from this, many excellent crops are pro- 
duced along the divide, which is especially favorable for the growth of potatoes, where 
the yields are very large, and the quality unsurpassed." 

While this county is situated in what is termed the plains country, it is traversed by 
a spur of the Rocky Mountain Range which separates the head waters of the tributaries 
of the South Platte and the Arkansas Rivers. This divide is an elevated range lying 
in northern El Paso, southeastern Douglas and southwestern Elbert, having an average 
altitude of about 7,000 feet and embracing an area of 500 to 600 square miles. 

The pioneers of Douglas County were among the truest and bravest that came to 
Colorado ; none were so frequently e.xposed to Indian depredations, horse and cattle 
thieves. Widely scattered, they became an easy prey to both. But they were generally 
equal to the emergency. For defense against savages they built forts and stockades 
for the protection of their women and children, and with trusty rifles themselves drove 
their enemies across the border. As for the white desperadoes, they were pursued and 
shot, or if captured, hanged to the nearest tree. 

In the fullness of time all these harassments have disappeared, and the people 
have laid the foundations broad and deep for an enduring prosperity. 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 



EL PASO COUNTY. 

General descrii=tion — mountain peaks and streams — fauna and flora — fossil 

remains — list of minerals — coal mines— first settlers — colorado city 

massacres kv indians colorado springs its development to 1881 the 

first theater colorado college. 

El Paso County received its name from nature's highway, Ute Pass — The Pass of 
the region. One of the central counties, it lies west of longitude 103° 57', and east of 
longitude 105" 13' 40", and between the parallels of 38" 31' 18", and 39° 7' 49" north 
latitude, save that seven townships in the southwest belong to Fremont County. Its 
area is 2,646 square miles, of which 1,890 miles are east of the mountains, 567 miles are 
mountainous, 189 square miles pasture and farm lands in mountain valleys and table 
lands, and the remaining 546 miles are timber lands.* 

The general altitude of the county varies from five to seven thousand feet above 
sea level, while its peaks rank from 10,000 feet in height to the monarch Pike's Peak, 
with an elevation of 14,147 feet. In El Paso, the great plains and mountains meet, 
thus combining lowland and lofty beauties. Where the lowlands join the mesas, the 
picturesque boundaries of the plain, they break into buttes or bluffs, and in these 
ridges are found fantastic formations of rock, worn by erosion and set in clusters of 
pine. The southwest is occupied by a group of mountains, commonly known as tlie 
"Cheyenne Spur." In the center Pike's Peak lifts its lofty head; Monte Rosa, Red 
Mountain, Mount Garfield, Pisgah and other inferior peaks cluster about the knees 
of their king to do him honor. The southern boundary of this range is Chey- 
enne, rising in scorn from the lowly plain without intervention of bluff or foothill — the 
" broadest mass of blue and purple shadow that ever lay on the easel of nature." The 
northern boundary of El Paso is the purplish green line of the pineries of the divide, 
separating the tributaries of the Arkansas and Platte. "Crystal Peak" and "Slim Jim," 
are the well-known summits of this elevated region. The county contributes its quota 
of those high, level tracts of land, hill-surrounded, which are known as parks. Manitou, 
and Hayden Park are representative of these. In considering the topography of El 
Paso, invalids in especial should recall the fact that the eastern portion of the district is 
tilted to the south, with an angle of two degrees, so it receives rays of the sun with less 
obliquity in winter. This is thought to make a difference in temperature, equal to two 
degrees south latitude. 

El Paso has a fair supply of water, though none of its streams are large. The 

*See Judge .\. Z. Sheldon's History of El Paso. 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 339 

South Platte River flows through its northwestern corner and receives as tributaries 
Twin Creek, West Creek, Rule Creek and Trout Creek. Four Mile Creek, which has its 
source amid Pike's Peak snows, after describing a very irregular course, empties into 
the Arkansas. But the chief tributary which the Arkansas receives from this section is 
the •■Fontaine-qui-Bouille" (thus christened by French missionaries), with its boiling 
bubbling, foaming waters, the clearest and most picturesque of El Paso streams, and 
the most valuable to agricultural interests. The Fontaine's sources are 14,000 feet 
above the sea, and at Pueblo it joins the Arkansas. Ruxton Creek and the "iVIuddy 
Monument" are its important tributary streams. 

The intermittent streams are the Big Sandy, Horse Creek, Black Squirrel Creek, 
Chico, Jimmy's Camp and Sand Creeks. These are tributaries of the Arkansas. A 
chain of seven small glacial lakes is to be found near timber line on the flank of Pike's 
Peak. Their outlet is Beaver Creek, which flows to the Arkansas. 

Lake Moraine of glacial formation covers some ten acres in area, and lies to the 
east of Pike's Peak at an altitude of about io,ooo feet, and is eight miles from Colorado 
Springs — this and Palmer Lake on the divide's crest are spoken of on another page. 
Several artificial lakes have been recently constructed, notably those at Cascade Caiion, 
the Ute Pass Park, and Cheyenne Lake, near the canons of that name. 

This county, like the rest of the State, has lost almost all its game. Colorado 
Springs extends over the old feeding ground of the antelope of eighteen years ago, and 
Manitou's cottages are perched where Ruxton saw the Rocky Mountain big horn on 
the heights, and sheep pasture on the buffalo plains, rabbits and prairie dogs, coyotes 
and swifts continue to people these last, but antelope on the plains, and deer and elk in 
the mountains are rare, and rarer still when a brown, black, or silver tipped bear, or a 
mountain lion — even a lynx or wild cat, ventures down from the peaks. 

Hayden's Survey printed in 1S74 a synopsis of the "Flora of Colorado," by T. C. 
Porter and John W. Coulter. The latter in 1885 issued a manual of the botany of the 
Rocky Mountain region. From the earliest lilac anemone to the late gentian, the 
" procession of flowers in Colorado" has been painted in glowing word pictures by a 
writer whose home was in El Paso County, but whose fame is world-wide. The artist, 
Alice Stewart Hill of Colorado Springs, was the first to make a complete series of water 
color sketches of the Colorado flowers. 

The mesas of El Paso are dotted with a plant of historic interest, the bristling 
yucca, commonly known as the "soap weed," or Spanish bayonet. Aside from the 
beauty of its stately cream white blossoms, it furnishes an excellent soap, and its fibre, 
resembling hemp, can be manufactured into paper. The Pueblo Lidians were used to 
register dates by knots in the yucca. The aboriginal race of Colorado employed it for 
rope, sandals and cloth. The yucca is supposed to be the " Fusang" of the ancient 
Chinese books, which tell the legend of the "Empire of the Fusang" far to the 
westward. 

The indigenous trees of El Paso are the yellow pine, foxtail pine, pinon, Engle- 
mann's or white spruce, Douglas spruce, blue or silver spruce, white fir, balsam, red 
cedar, junipers, dwarf maple, scrub oak, willow, diamond willow, sandbar willow, 
wild plum, Chickasaw plum, wild red cherry, thorn, black birch, speckled alder, cotton- 
wood, white Cottonwood, narrow-leaved cottonwood, and aspens. In Ute Pass, the red- 



MO HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

hearted and white-hearted cedar, the oriental and the occidental, found respectively 
on the Atlantic and Pacific slopes, here meet and are seen growing side by side. 

The grasses which feed the stock include buffalo grass, bunch grass, sand grass 
and gramma grass. 

Said Professor Hayden: "Around Colorado Springs is a tract of ten miles square, 
containing more materials of geological interest than any other area of equal extent in 
the West." This region is rich in fossils, particularly in saurian, baculites and insects. 
Here learned professors may chase e.xtinct lepidoptera, hymenoptera, as boys do butter- 
flies. The rampart or front range of the Rocky Mountains extends north and south 
through the center of the county with a gradual slope toward the eastern boundary. 
The mountains are of metamorphic granite formation, with the exception of Mount Pis- 
gah and Rhyolite Peak in the southwestern corner, which are eruptive rocks of rhyolite. 
In the northeast we find the tertiary formation and from the center to its eastern boun- 
dary, according to Hayden's survey, extensive beds of Laramie shales or coal formation, 
and to the south of these beds is a Colorado cretaceous area, triangular in shape, the 
upper angle including Colorado City and Colorado -Springs. In the southern part is a 
small Silurian area, red beds, of the jura-triassic and the Dakota groups of the creta- 
ceous. By far the most interesting geological formations are found about Pike"s Peak. 
Here from the cretaceous we come to the jura-triassic. Then the upper and lower car- 
boniferous, and an area of about nine square miles of the silurian. Manitou is situated 
upon these last three formations. The quaternary cenozoic is seen in Lake Moraine, 
and Seven Lakes. Thermal springs are found at Manitou. At Florissant we see the 
tertiary formation. Seven of the sixteen known fossil butterflies have come from 
Florissant. 

Remarkable specimens of smoked quartz are found in Crystal Park, Cameron's 
Cone, and on Crystal Peak on the Divide. 

In an opal bed at Austin's Bluffs several opals large as beans have been taken 
out. There is another opal bed near Florissant. 

In the Bijou Basin are beautiful specimens of wood jasper, and opalized and agat- 
ized woods. A "petrified forest" exists near Florissant, — sequoia trees turned in the 
tertiary to stone. In a sunny morning of the by-gone world nature took some photo- 
graphs, prepared her negatives, and then forgot about them. Near the " Petrified 
Stumps" they are stowed away in thin, laminated plates. They can be drawn out 
from the crumbling shale, marked with some odd leaf, never more to dance with its 
fellows in the morning breeze, or a bug, fly, or fish, with bony frontlet and fan- 
shaped fins. 

About fifteen miles from Falcon are curious colored shales of the uppermost Lar- 
amie formation, known as the " Paint Rocks," or " Pink Rocks," — iceberg-like pin- 
nacles of rose, gray or salmon, fringed with stalactitic points, rising from a depressed 
area of white sand to the smooth green level of the prairie. These have been worked 
for mineral paint. 

Near Colorado City are found large gypsum beds, and quarries of red and gray 
sandstone. Also beds of green and gray magnesian limestone, and lithographic 
stone is found at .Manitou. The stones (semi precious and precious) found in El 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 



341 



Paso are chalcedony, topaz, chrysolite, garnet, Amazon stone, fluorite, phenacite, 
sardonyx. 

Columbite is found near Pike's Peak. There have been discovered on Cheyenne 
Mountain the minerals astrophylUte, arfvedsonite, bastnasite, tysonite, thomsenolite, 
and cryolite, which have never before been found save in limited areas in Norway, 
Sweden and Greenland. 

The following full list of minerals that are of any note, found in El Paso County, 
has been supplied through the courtesy of Mr. J. G. Hiestand of Manitou: 



1 Amazon stone. 

2 White feldspar. 

3 Smoky quartz. 

4 Topaz. 

5 Columbite. 

6 Cassiterite. 

7 Phenacite. 

8 Florite. 

g Gadolinite. 

10 Epidote. 

11 Mica. 

12 Zircon. 

13 Astrophyllite. 

14 Tysonite. 

15 Bastnasite. 
i6 Arfvedsonite. 

17 Cryolite. 

18 Thomsenolite. 

19 Elpasolite. 

20 Ralstonite. 

21 Aragonite. 

22 Barite. 

23 Celestite. 

24 Strontianite. 

25 .\gate. 



26 .\gatized wood. 

27 Opalized wood. 
2S jasperized wood. 
2Q Silicilied wood. 

30 Clear quartz. 

31 Gypsum var. alabaste 

32 Gypsum var. satin sp 

33 Gypsum var. selenite 

34 Miiliy opal. 

35 Hyacinth. 

36 Hornblend. 

37 Albite. 

38 Galenite. 

39 Pyrite. 

40 Chalcopyrite. 

41 Azurite. 

42 ChrysocoUa. 

43 Stilbite. 

44 Gothite. 

45 Hematite. 

46 Simonite. 

47 JVIagnetite. 
4S Titanic iron. 
49 .Amethyst. 



50 Hornblend in quartz. 

51 Gothite in quartz. 

52 Calcite var. dog tooth spar. 

53 Calcite var. Iceland spar. 

54 Calcite var. nailhead spar. 

55 Calcite var. stalactite. 

56 Calcite var. stalagmite. 

57 Calcite var. Travertine. 

58 Jet 

59 .Argentiferous galenite. 

60 Xenotime. 

61 Tourmaline. 

62 Pachnolite. 

63 Chalcedony. 

64 Dendrite. 

65 Moss agate. 

66 Milky quartz. 

67 Sphalerite. 

6S Bituminous coal. 

69 Sardonyx. 

70 Fayolite. 

71 Gearksutite. 

72 Molvbdenite. 

73 Ma ' 



.•\t Franceville and McFerran are mines of lignite coal, which are extensively 
worked, and much of this coal is consumed in the county. Their limitations are unde- 
fined, but it has been stated by experts that they extend from the southern part of the 
county northward for some sixty miles. These beds were discovered by Matt France, 
from six to fourteen feet below the surface. Hayden's last survey reported over one- 
third of El Paso as a coal area. Such are manifestations of the varied development of 
the region, from laurentian granite in Ute Pass, to glacial boulders on the Fontaine's 
banks. 

The first white inhabitant in El Paso County was Jimmy Hayes, from whom 
Jimmy's Camp takes its name. Here in 1833, Jimmy established himself as trader. A 
small and lonely cabin was Jimmy's, on the bank of a river of sand. A grove of cotton- 
wood fringed its edges, and in their branches the eagles built nests undisturbed. A 
spring supplied Jimmy with water, and his grain was ground between two mealing 
stones — Indian fashion. The Indians would not harm Jimmy, for when they saw from 
afar his bonfire, they knew it meant beads, axes, arms, and fire water! Once a year 
Jimmy departed with his pelts, collected from Indian customers, and toiled across the 
plains, returning with fresh supplies. 

One night eleven wandering Mexicans came to Jimmy's cabin. They saw pros- 
pective booty and murdered him, his body falling across the bloodstained threshold. 



842 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

When a party of Indians came to the post their rage and grief knew no bounds. The 
link binding to civilization and whiskey had been severed. They interred Jimmy within 
his cabin walls below the earthen floor. Stealthily they dogged the Me.xicans' trail, 
till, as the latter were one night slumbering beneath a Cottonwood, the avengers 
pounced upon them, and the eleven were hung to as many limbs of the big tree. So 
perished the first white man who had a home in El Paso. 

A Kansas party of 1858 camped on the rivulet east of the Garden of the Gods, 
which has since been known as "Camp Creek." Their camp was submerged in a flood, 
when they took refuge in the cave at the gateway. Here the curious may find their 
names scratched on the rock, also the blackened traces of their campfire. 

Certain of these searchers arrived from Kansas in July, 1858, under the leadership 
of John Tierney. Certain stragglers in their wake, under command of O'Donnell, 
mapped out on paper the magnificent town of El Paso. It never existed off the map, 
but it should have covered the town site of Colorado Springs. The sole actuality at 
the time was one log cabin, a number of tents, and some wagons collected near the 
Monument, on the present site of Roswell, and then called Red Rock Ranch. The 
tents and wagons eventually drifted over to Colorado City. William Parsons, one of 
these Kansas pioneers, returning there in the autumn, had much to tell of plains, 
peaks, climate, mines, etc., and his glowing narratives sent fresh recruits to El Paso. 
Many lots in the visionary town were sold even before they were platted. In the mean- 
time another enterprise was being organized, and Colorado City, the first actual town of 
El Paso, was surveyed. This township occupied a tract one mile wide and two miles 
long, extending from the neighborhood of Camp Creek toward the Monument. The 
men prominently connected with the inception of the new city were S. W. Waggoner, 
L. J. Winchester, R. E. Whitsitt, M. S. Beach, W. P. McClure, Lewis N. Tappan, T. H. 
Warren and E. P. Stout. In the earliest recorded deed of El Paso County, the Colo- 
rado City Company claims 1,280 acres as a town site, dated August 13th, 1859. 

Colorado City sprang into being on the ist of November, 1859. In less than one 
year it contained three hundred dwellings, and all the stream margins, canons and 
springs in the neighborhood bristled with stakes of locators and homeseekers. Messrs. 
William Campbell, Hubbell Talcott, and John Bley built cabins along the Fontaine, and 
first turned its waters to the aid of the farmers — the beginning of those "water rights" 
now so highly prized. Claims, however, could not be legally held in the then unsettled 
state of the Pike's Peak region, and a primitive and local attempt at government was 
made in the El Paso Claim Club. It had its president, secretary, etc., a district re- 
corder (H. T. Burghardt), and was empowered to empanel jurors in cases of dispute 
or crime. There were, as in all frontier settlements, occasional appeals to Judge 
Lynch, but on the whole, law, order and decency were respected in El Paso. 

The Rev. Mr. Howbert, coming into Colorado City to preach one Sunday, found a 
culprit about to suffer death for horse stealing. His doom had been decided by vote, 
every man in favor of death standing on a certain spot of ground, those inclined to 
mercy on another. A solid phalanx lined the guilty side, while that devoted to 
clemency was empty space. Here Mr. Howbert ensconced himself, begging his hearers 
not to break the law. "."Vt least," he said, "hear me preach before you commit this 
illegal deed." " Oh, no," exclaimed a choice spirit, who voiced the crowd, "business 




^. 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 343 

before pleasure. We'll hang the man first and hear you afterward," which they did. 
When the Territory of Colorado had been duly organized by Congress and Governor 
Gilpin duly installed in 1861, El Paso County was recognized as an established fact, 
becoming one of the original seventeen counties of Colorado. Governor Gilpin had 
appointed M. S. Beach, Henry S. Clark and A. B. Sprague as commissioners to appoint 
precincts and arrange for the election of commissioners. November 1 6th, i86i,B. F. 
Crowell, A. B. Sprague and John Bley were elected county commissioners, and pro- 
ceeded with the county organization. George A. Bute was the first clerk. 

Colorado City was later declared the Territorial capital of Colorado, and the old 
frame council building is still standing in the town in a state of serene dilapidation. 
Tradition says the primitive law-makers met in one of its three rooms for official busi- 
ness, slept in the second, and kept a bar in the third. In serious remembrance, how- 
ever, these men are recalled as earnest, practical law-makers, to whom is due the grate- 
ful recognition of those coming after. They were the first to evolve order out of chaos, 
and law out of license. 

The civil war had rendered the Arkansas or southern "trail" to Colorado unsafe for 
emigrants, as the border country was infested by bands of raiders and guerillas, so by 
the South Platte route immigration flowed northward, and business and enterprise 
were focused in the neighborhood of Denver. As a facetious pioneer of Denver put it 
in discussing the capital question: "Denver had more wagons and more mules and most 
whiskey, and so we carried the day." 

El Paso contributed her quota to the Union side in the civil war, in the First Colo-' 
rado Battery which was recruited in Colorado City, and served in Missouri. The offi- 
cers were: Captain, S. W. Waggoner (the first judge elected in Denver); First Lieu- 
tenant Ayres, and Second Lieutenant Spencer. Some fifty or si.xty men from Denver, 
desirous to ally themselves with the Southern cause, crept southward, and supplying 
themselves with horses from El Paso, continued their flight along the Arkansas. They 
were eventually captured and brought back. 

The capital gone. El Paso withdrew in itself. In 1862 provisions were scarce, 
famine seemed imminent, and more than one unsuccessful miner sought to harvest 
golden grain, vegetable in lieu of mineral. In 1863 when surveys were made and farm- 
ers began to feel sure of plentiful water supply, and unassailable boundaries, agriculture 
became the important interest, and great tracts of land were cultivated. Between this 
lieriod and 186S three flouring mills were in active operation. 

In November, 1863, the First Colorado Regiment, returning victorious from New 
Mexico encamped at Colorado City, and the slight stimulus afforded by the presence of 
these soldiers, their purchases of food, forage and horses, brought a semblance of 
renewed activity to the young settlement. 

The plains Indians, whose near and nearer approaches caused a feeling of inse- 
curity in all the Colorado settlements, were frequently seen hovering about the settlers' 
homes, and in order to intimidate the savages, a party of ten volunteers surprised certain 
.Arapahoes prowling near the Monument, took their weapons and ponies, and carried 
them away prisoners. In the darkness of the return march the Indians slipped away 
and made their escape, deprived, however, of all that which had made them forxni- 



■3U HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

dable. A volley was fired in the direction of their retreat, which, according to the sub- 
sequent testimony of a squaw, left none of them unwounded. 

In 1864 a party of Indians stampeded the horses of a company of soldiers en- 
camped on the Santa Fe trail. The crops of that year were harvested under the pro- 
tection of armed men. Company G, mounted guards of the Third Colorado Regiment, 
under command of Captain O. H. P. Ba.xter, were sent out to bear their part in the 
battle of Sand Creek. 

In addition to Indian alarms, the year 1864 witnessed a terrific cloud burst on 
(Uieyenne Creek, the Monument, etc. Thirteen persons perished in the wave, and 
much property was destroyed, A steamboat might have plied in the waters of Sand 
Creek. 

The year 1865 was "grasshopper year." The scourge is dreadful enough in nat- 
urally fertile districts, but here where the "stubborn glebe" had just yielded its harvests 
after months of assiduous toil and irrigation, — harvests valued in proportion to the 
difficulty of cultivation, — the calamity was dire indeed. 

Such was the public depression e.xperienced after the inroads of the grasshopper, that 
work on the Ute Pass road was suspended. The earliest colonists had felt the import- 
ance of a highway between the mining and producing districts, and a road had been 
opened for wagons along the Utes' trail as early as i860. The pioneers gave their 
time and strength to the work, and later about $ro,ooo was expended in improvements 
on this road. 

In 1868 occurred the most serious Indian outbreak in the annals of the county. 
About eighty Cheyennes and Arapahoes bearing credentials as friendly Indians 
appeared in the county, and began to make their presence felt by the murder of some 
Utes in the mountains. Sheltering themselves in the pine woods, they crept back 
toward the settlement and began operations by stampeding a hundred or so of horses 
belonging to Mr. Teachout of Edgerton. The whites at scattered points flocked to the 
settlements for safety, and a stockade fort left standing since the alarm in 1S64, was 
strengthened and repaired. A party of local scouts consisting of less than fifty men, 
were surrounded by some five hundred Indians. The whites defended themselves on a 
mound where they threw up hasty earthworks. This was not far from Bijou Basin, 
where, on Fremont's Peak, Fremont had in former years been similarly surrounded, and 
like him, these were without water. "Texas Bill" bravely volunteered to ride through 
the enemy's lines to summon aid, and succeeded in escaping, though pursued by innum- 
erable bullets. The hostiles, aware that help was coming, grew uneasy and departed 
hastily, just in time to escape a scouting party from Denver. 

Not again did the Indians meet the El Paso pioneers in open combat. The red 
men continued to hover in the vicinity of Colorado City through the month of Sep- 
tember, and watched their opportunity to drive off stock and kill the defenseless. 
Charles Everhart and the two Robbins boys were killed and scalped — the last before 
their mother's eyes. Almost a victim was Judge Baldwin, who had left his scalp with 
other savages in South America. The old gentleman defended himself valiantly, 
dealing vigorous blows with his boot, which he had drawn over his right arm. The 
Indian seized him by his remaining hairs, the knife was lifted — but the scalp was 
already gone! .\fter his two bouts with bloodthirsty Indians Judge Baldwin eventually 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. S45 

met his death by accidental drowning in a well. The murders were all committed on 
the mesa which has since become the site of Colorado Springs. On the Divide the 
victims were more numerous, much stock was driven off, and a fine farmhouse (that of 
iSIr. Walker) was burned, including his stores and valuables. During the summer 
about twenty people were killed in El Paso, and five hundred cattle were driven off. 
So far as known, not an Indian perished. The settlers were not provided with long 
range rifles as were the Indians. 

As cool weather warned the Indians to establish winter quarters, the people crept 
back to their deserted homes, overgrown gardens and rotting grain fields, and the 
phantoms of danger faded away. This was the last Indian raid of note, though the 
region was visited by huntmg parties for years. As late as 1878 a large number of 
Utes made their summer encampment in the Garden of the Gods. — their last appearance 
in El Paso County. 

Colorado Springs. — It was the shining steel magnet of a railroad which eventually 
drew prosperity to El Paso County. A partial account of the inception and building of 
the pioneer railway is to be found in the first volume of this history, and its completion 
in the current volume. In company with ex-Governor Hunt and another friend. Gen- 
eral Palmer rode down from Denver to inspect the country south of the "Divide," that 
he might select a site for a new colony to be founded on the line of his projected rail- 
way. E.x-Governor Hunt, familiar with the region, had proposed the stream-bounded 
mesa, south of the "Divide," sloping gently to the south from a line of yellow, pine- 
clothed bluffs to the Fontaine. But as snow-capped mountain-spur, sparkling streams 
and fantastic bluffs came into near view, in the still blue clearness of a Colorado autumn 
day, our pioneers were chagrined to find the tableland blackened over with the devas- 
tation a prairie fire leaves in its wake. This temporary disfigurement could not veil the 
many advantages presented by this town site, and it was definitely decided that a new 
city should nestle at the foot of Pike's great "Mexican Mountain." A number of 
Philadelphians had substantially aided the new enterprise with subscriptions and pur- 
chases of stock, and to this were added large investments of foreign capital, obtained 
through an English friend and fellow explorer of General Palmer's. Next in order to 
the incorporation of the railway company, came that of the Mountain Base Investment 
('(jmpany — later and better known as the National Land & Improvement Company. 
This company purchased ten thousand acres of land in El Paso County, on the Monu- 
ment, and five hundred villa sites on the Fontaine. Some of this land was bought from 
the government at a dollar and a quarter per acre, and the remainder from settlers who 
had already pre-empted it. These purchases were intended to include all the valuable 
mineral and agricultural lands of this vicinity, and those suitable for town sites along 
the proposed railroad, all mineral springs, etc. 

A Colorado Springs Company was organized in May, 187 i, which purchased these 
lands, and a sub-organization, the "Fountain Colony of Colorado" came before the 
public with a prospectus, its officers as follows: (President not selected); vice-presi- 
dent. General Robert A. Cameron; secretary, William E. Pabor; treasurer, William P. 
Mellen; assistant treasurer, Maurice Kingsley; chief engineer, E. S. Nettleton. The 
trustees were General Wm. J. Palmer, Dr. Robert H. Lamborn, Josiah C. Reiff, General 
R. A. Cameron, Colonel W. H. Greenwood, and William P. Mellen. The following 



346 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUXTY. 

selections from the first circular of the Fountain Colony will give an idea of its regula- 
tions, aims and resources: "By arrangements with the Colorado Springs Company, the 
Fountain Colony is to have two-thirds of all the town lots and lands owned by said 
company; also two-thirds of all the villa sites on four hundred and eighty acres about 
the famous mineral springs, with the exception, of one hundred acres, reserved for the 
springs proper. A town is being laid out in the center of the larger tract, under the 
name of Colorado Springs, which will be the present terminus of the Denver Sz Rio Grande 
Railway. The town will be subdivided into business and residence lots, varying in 
price from fifty to one hundred dollars. The adjoining lands next to the town will be 
cut into small subdivisions for gardening and fruit growing, at an average price of two 
hundred dollars for each tract. The profits arising from the sale of lots and small sub- 
tiivisions of land, will be devoted exclusively to general and public improvements, such 
as building irrigating canals, ornamenting public parks, improving streets, building 
bridges, erecting a town ball and schoolhouses, construction of roads to mountain 
scenery, with the payment of surveying and necessary current expenses. 

"Any person may become a member of the Fountain Colony of Colorado, who is 
possessed of a good moral character and is of strict temperance habits, by the payment 
tn the treasurer or assistant treasurer of one hundred dollars, which will be credited to 
him in the selection of such lots and lands as he may desire. 

"As fast as the lands are surveyed, one-fourth of the lots and lands will be opened 
for selection- by members actually on the ground. A second fourth will be open for a 
drawing on the first Tuesday in September, 1871; the third fourth at a drawing on the 
first Tuesday in March, 1872; and the remainder to be open for a drawing on the first 
Tuesday in May, 1872: Provided no selections shall be made except by persons actually 
present. Each certificate of membership will entitle the holder to select either a 
business and residence lot, or a residence lot and a piece of outlying gardening or 
farming land under the colony canals; or, in lieu of the above named selections, a villa 
site at La Font, in the immediate neighborhood of the Springs. 

"Within four months from the date of selection every member will be obliged to 
make such improvements, on some portion of his land, as his means will justify, such 
improvements to be satisfactory to the board of trustees, or an executive council here- 
after to be chosen from among the members of the colony. If such improvements are 
not made at the expiration of four months, the locations will be considered abandoned; 
but the member may have the privilege of making a new location, subject to the same 
conditions as before; and if on the third location, at the end of a year from the first 
location said member makes no improvements, his or her money will be returned, with- 
out interest, if demanded." Then follows a general account of the resources and 
advantages of the country. 

At the foot of Nineteenth street, Denver, July 27th, 1871, the first rails of the 
Denver & Rio Grande Road were laid. By the 21st of October the seventy-six miles of 
track between Denver and Colorado Springs had been completed, and the first narrow 
gauge train swept into Col jr,-\do Springs, three months after the first town' stake was 
driven (July 31st, 1871), in a piece of ground now occupied by the Antler's Annex. The 
town an established fact, no pains were spared to make it attractive and prosperous. 

Colorado Springs occupies the center of an amphitheater of mountain and mesa. 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 347 

pine and plain, six thousand feet above the levei of the sea. The town proper was 
laid out in rectangular shape on the line of Monument Creek, one and a half miles long 
and about one-half mile wide. Avenues of one hundred and forty feet in width alter- 
nate with streets one hundred feet wide, sidewalks sixteen feet wide. Visitors jokingly 
declare they "feel lost upon a boundless prairie" when crossing the streets. The lots 
were subdivided into business lots 25x190 feet and residence lots 50x190, 100x190, 
200x190, according to the distance from the center of the town. Forty-eight blocks 400 
feet square were first laid out, and thirty-two additional blocks were laid out two months 
later, making seventy blocks in the town proper. 

Seven thousand cottonwood trees were bought by the founders at a cost of $15,000, 
and were planted along the streets twenty-five feet apart. A canal six miles long was 
dug, bringing water from the Fontaine to the northern limit of thetown, and in narrow 
channels this supply flowed along both sides of each street. Miles of these ditches 
ramify the town and cost nearly $50,000. An experiifiental garden was laid out (now 
the hotel Antler s Park) to test the agricultural possibilities of the place; and in the first 
five years $272,000 were expended upon the site by the colony company. In an early 
number of "Out West" may be found a "Special Request" from the colony company 
begging that "straw, papers and shavings may be burned and not allowed to collect in 
the acequias, also that no one shall 'hitch' horses to trees, and above all that tin cans 
shall be buried in pits dug for the purpose." That the last request was not heeded we 
know from ocular demonstration, for one ingenious settler flattened out the tins, and 
covered his house with them, roof and sides. It formerly glittered in the steady sun- 
shine near the Denver & Rio Grande depot. 

The church and the school early took precedence over other institutions. Land 
was donated to each Christian denomination, and gifts of money were added. When it 
was proposed to issue $20,000 in bonds for the purpose of erecting a public school- 
house, there were ninety-eight affirmative votes and but one negative. 

From the foregoing facts it will be seen how Colorado Springs in three respects 
differed from the typical frontier town. First it offered inducements to persons of high 
moral status, in lieu of the riff-raff, the disreputable camp followers who straggle after 
the army of pioneers. Secondly, its prohibition clauses were stringent, while the usual 
new camp has its saloon before it is fairly surveyed. Thirdly, it was not compelled to 
wait in embryo till the railway came to develop it, but was the creation of the road, and 
expanded as the latter grew. Such have been important factors in the unparalleled 
development of Colorado Springs.* 

"Happy," says the proverb, "is the nation which has no history." The annals of 
Colorado Springs' nineteen years of existence are "short and simple," though they could 
scarcely be called "of the poor." In fact, they teem with statistics of steady growth and 
material prosperity. But from the very character of the settlement the "blood and 
thunder" incidents which light the lurid pages of dime novels said to portray frontier 
life — are conspicuously absent. 

In 1871 an Episcopal Church was organized in Colorado Springs. The first relig- 
ious service held in the town was in "Foote's Building" on the southeast corner of Huer- 

*See Vol. I of History, pajres 523-525. 



348 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

fano street and Cascade avenue. The place had no resident pastor then, nor for some 
time afterward, and Rev. J. E. Edwards, rector of the Pueblo Church, conducted the 
initial services. 

July 31st, 1871, the first frame house in Colorado Springs was begun b}' James P. 
True. Governor Alva Adams built a house in August of this year. At Christmas of 
this year there were but few women in the colony; among whom are remembered Mrs. 
Giltner, Mrs. Palmer and Miss Rosa Kingsley, daughter of Canon Charles Kingsley, 
who with her brother Maurice occupied a fiimsy board shanty during this exceptionally 
cold winter. It is from Miss Kingsley, the first woman to ascend it. that Monte Rosa 
derives its name. 

In August, 1872. Capt. M. L. DeCoursey erected the structure commonly called 
the "Gazette" building. It was the office of "Out West," the pioneer weekly. An 
addition to its height made it the first two-story building in town, and the upper hall 
might be called the first public center of the city. The Episcopalians held their 
services there, and the editor of " Out West, " J. E. Liller, an accomplished 
Englishman, after his journalistic labors of si.K days were ended, was often called upon 
to officiate the seventh day as lay reader. This hall was used as a meeting place for 
an early historical society, as a free reading room, and for the debates of the local 
lyceum, such as the trial of Judge Conklin for being "found sober." As participant in 
these last, it is saiti Hon. Alva Adams learned and practiced that fluent speech which 
eventually placed him in the governor's chair. This hall was courthouse and also 
schoolroom, and drill room for the Pike's Peak rangers. (Mrs. General Palmer inter- 
ested herself in establishing the first school in Colorado Springs and taught and sup- 
ported it in its first feeble session). License advocates and prohibitionists held their 
meetings in this same structure, and plotted one against the other at rival sessions. 
Here the fire department (Volunteer Fire Company Xo. i) was organized, and the first 
town officers were nominated. 

In 1877 the El Paso club leased the old public hall, but in a year the "Gazette" 
which had succeeded "Out West" in 1S73, and had become a daily, took possession of 
the entire building. In September of 1872, at a meeting of the El Paso County com- 
missioners, Colorado Springs was incorporated as a town, with the following board of 
trustees: W. B. Young, Edward Copley, John Potter, R. A. Cameron and Matt France. 

The Colony Company intended Nevada avenue for the principal residence street in 
Colorado Springs. AVith this end in view, the center of the wide street was improved 
by a double row of trees; Cascade avenue was to be the business street. But in the 
year 1876 a disastrous fire originating in a liv.ery stable swept away all the buildings on 
Cascade avenue and Huerfano street, and business retired precipitately to Tejon street, 
where it has ever since remained. Cascade avenue later became the favorite site for 
handsome residences because of its uninterrupted view of the mountains and magnifi- 
cent driveway. 

The early expenditures in church edifices were liberal. In 1872-73 a Presbyterian 
church was built at a cost of $8,000. The Methodist Episcopal organization which had 
originally belonged to Colorado City was also organized, and built a $1,500 building at 
the corner of Huerfano street in eight weeks. In 1874 Grace Episcopal Church was 
constructed, costing $12,000, an artistic building of sandstone. Canon Charles Kings- 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 349 

ley preached the first sermon on July 12th. 1874. Colossians, Chap. iii:i5, "And let the 
peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be 
ye thankful." Miss Kingsley presided at the organ. Charles Kingsley also delivered 
in the town hall a fine lecture on Westminster Abbey. 

The author of "Water Babies" could not fail to be an enthusiastic naturalist. 
When Kingsley was in the midst of an eloquent period, a rare moth flitted by. Without 
a moment's hesitation or change of countenance the lecturer seized the prize. He con- 
tinued his lecture, while examining its beauties and kept it clutched tightly in his hand 
till his last sentence left him free to devote himself to his treasure. 

A Baptist society was organized in 1872, and built a brick edifice in 1874. Daring 
the same year a Cumberland Presbyterian Church was erected, costing $2,000, and a 
Southern Methodist for $1,500. This year also witnessed the organization of a Congre- 
gational society. 

In 1873 there was an Indian panic and Colorado Springs organized and armed two 
companies. One was not called to the field. The other, joined by Denver forces, sur- 
rounded the hostiles at nightfall. Brilliant plans were made for the attack ne.xt day, 
but morning disclosed an abandoned camp, and the military were obliged to return 
without other spoils than the arrows, water bottles, etc., the Indians had left behind. 
The only death was that of George Trimble's horse which was shot accidentally by its 
owner. In this year was effected the removal of the county seat from Colorado City to 
Colorado Springs. 

Prohibition could not be said, like religion, to be "walking in her silver slippers" 
at this time, even with the help afforded by the colony's stringent regulations. A 
strong anti-prohibition party was very active in trying to defeat them. The Wanless 
Block was, in 1873, the scene of tempestuous meetings, at which more than one revolver 
was drawn. J. E. Liller, rising one evening to speak in behalf of prohibition, was 
greeted with a storm of hisses, missiles, etc. "Do not disturb yourselves, gentlemen," 
he said coolly — -"all the evening is before me; I am in no hurry, and will wait till you 
have quite finished." 

In the report of the National Land & Improvement Co. for 1874, it was said that 
Colorado was comparatively unaffected by the panic then felt in the East, and the fol- 
lowing improvements had taken place in Colorado Springs; "Within three years ground 
was broken for the Colorado Springs Hotel, since which 427 business lots, 515 residence 
lots and 2,252 acres of outlaving land have been sold. The city has now a fixed popu- 
lation of 3,200, and S50 buildings, many of them costly stone and brick stores and 
dwellings." 

This year witnessed the inauguration at Colorado Springs of Colorado College; the 
Territorial legislature provided for the establishment here of an institute for the deaf 
and dumb. 

In 1875 the effects of the Eastern panic reached the West, and a depression of 
Colorado real estate followed. There were three consecutive visitations of locusts or 
"grasshoppers," and general discouragement was felt. In 1876 silver mine claims were 
staked out upon Cheyenne Mountain but have since been abandoned. The Centennial 
e.xhibition at Philadelphia drew all travel thitherward, and the great new West was 
neglected. 



3r,u HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

In 1877 Colorado Springs was agitated by one of the most m\'sterious events of its 
history. Mr. Schlesinger, private secretary to General Palmer, belonging to a well 
known Eastern family of German extraction, was a temporary resident of the city during 
1877, and prominent in the little society gathered here. One bright September Sunday 
young Schlesinger rode on horseback out of the city, face turned eastward and was 
never seen alive again. When his body was found on the Lawson Ranch, there was 
a bullet hole in his breast, and over his heart a woman's lace handkerchief soaked in 
his blood. Paces were marked off as for a duel. The marks of carriage wheels were 
traced on the plain, to and from the fatal spot, but no light has ever been shed upon 
the mystery. 

Gradually El Paso felt the reaction of brightening prospects. The small low 
houses, thus built because of the costliness of material, or possibly because the early 
settlers were not quite sure whether or no they were in the cyclone belt, were replaced 
by more imposing structures. At this time, D. Russ Wood's "Woodside," with its 
large rooms, facilities for domestic comfort, a lawn, and a flower-filled conservatory 
was the "show" residence of Colorado Springs. Mr. Wood was a citizen of Montreal, 
Canada, who came to Colorado for his health in 1873, bringing his wife and family with 
him, and in 1874 his home, appointed with all the luxuries possible to obtain in those 
days, was a center of social refinement. Mr. Wood was largely interested in church 
and city advancement. He died in 1880. 

Life was attractive from its simplicity Bright people were as individual as they 
chose to be, without dread of Mrs. Grundy. With ''low living" there was "high thinking." 
A story is told of an ancient settler who stood on a bluff near Colorado Springs, and 
warned a comrade against entering the place. "Don't you never go thar' pard," said he. 
"Don't never set foot in that ar town. Why ther' aint a place whar you can get a smile 
in the hull camp, and they keep six Shakespere clubs runnin' all the year 'roun' !" 

A Colorado Springs woman wished to broil a steak for her husband, and had neither 
gridiron nor broiler. So she rushed to her piano, severed a string, and with it manu- 
factured so excellent a broiler that, as her veracious chronicler averred, " She thus 
proved her fitness to wrestle with the difficulties of pioneer life." The inference is that 
the practical dominated the jesthetic. 

Much cheap-John wit has been leveled at the town because of these tendencies; 
derisively rather than in good faith, it is dubbed the " Athens," or the new " Hub." It 
has ever been singularly free from those unsavory manifestations which have often 
accompanied settlement on the frontier. As a health resort with a population embracing 
many enforced residents, its places are filled by men who would be wanted at the great 
centers, if they could exist outside the boundaries of Colorado. Lawyers, doctors,, 
teachers and clergymen stay in self-defense. For his health's sake, a man preached 
here for years on a starvation salary, who had refused to stand in Theodore Parker's 
pulpit in Boston. 

Colorado Springs offered the virgin delights of an .Ircadia. The ditches meandered 
through the place like so many rivulets, their edges in summer embossed with flowers. 
Ditch water was carried in tubs to the houses of those who had no wells, for domestic 
purposes, and clear cold drinking water was peddled about the streets for twenty-five 
cents per barrel. This came from Riggs' Ranch (now Colonel De La Vergne's resi- 




/c< 



Uc^ c/r2^ 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 351 

deuce). Cows wandered through the thoroughfares, and it was a sight by no means 
rare, when a spirited damsel picketed her own horse to graze in the overgrown and fence- 
less plats, which the ever provident Colony Company had set aside for public parks — the 
Acacia Place and Alamo Square of to-day, with lawns and beds of foliage plants. 

Vegetables grew chiefly in cans, and stream-beds and canons glittered with these 
omnipresent signs of civilization. The market in fall and winter was crowded with 
game — herds of silly antelope, bewildered b)' snow, would permit the plains ranchmen 
to slaughter them, without attempt at flight. The market was supplied with them by 
" Antelope Jim Hamlin," a nephew of Vice-President Hamlin. 

Staples were costly; luxuries extravagant. In winter the citizens had their Fort- 
nightly clubs and afternoon teas, with perhaps a Christmas ball at Glen Eyrie, and 
dances in some store building, where coffee and cakes were served on stoneware, and 
dim kerosene lamps lighted the charming Eastern costumes of the ladies — always a 
minority in early days. The fashionable afternoon promenade was to the postofhce 
which occupied one side of a bookstore on Tejon street. No one could doubt that 
Colorado Springs was a " community of broken families," who saw the anxious faces 
behind the grille which separated office from store. The one mail was often irregular, 
and as one of the exiles said: 

■ " Of all sad words of woe or wail. 
The saddest are these: No Eastern mail.'' 

In summer society played croquet on bare places of hard ground (grass was too 
expensive a luxury to be trodden under foot), ate strawberries at $i.oo a box, or pears 
at forty cents per pound, camped in the mountains, or took overland excursions in the 
parks, and all the year round every one rode or drove in a perpetual picnic under the 
blue, sunlit sky. 

The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad having reached Pueblo in 1876, gave 
El Paso another highway to the East, and colony reports of iSj-j-yS spoke hopefully of 
the condition of the stock raising interest, and of the numbers of "health seekers.'" 
El Paso returned for assessment in 1878, 24,208 head of cattle valued at $286,985, and 
sheep, 109,177 head valued at $206,015. The hotel registers of Colorado Springs show- 
over 13,000 arrivals in 1878. 

.\ factor in the revival of public interest and confidence was the mining excitement 
at the " ("arbonate Camp " of Leadville, from 1S77 to 1880. Now the wisdom which 
directed the building of the Ute Pass road became manifest. It was the highway to the 
mines. Freight was carried at four cents per pound, and white covered wagons dotted 
every mile between Ute Pass and South Park, carrying provisions and returning with 
ore. Fortunes were made by freighters, trade flourished and the grocery stores in par- 
ticular bourgeoned out as to quantities and qualities. Several citizens of Colorado 
Springs were successful in their investments in Leadville mines. Hon. Irving Howbert, 
B. F. Crowell and J. h\ Humphrey were fortunate owners of the " Robert E. Lee," as 
described in Vol. II, page 441, of this history. 

Many and diverse were the hopes which those interested had entertained of El Paso, 
but at this stage of her progress, two phases of her development had clearly defined 
themselves — she was the " banner sheep county," and she was the favorite health resort. 



352 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

Sheep and cattle men waged war over the grassy plains, but the sheep came to stay, and 
the cowboy, with fluttering buckskins, sombrero and " chaps " is only an occasional 
figure, though a picturesque one in the El Paso landscape. 

But looking eastward, where sky and plain meet, imagination defines the herder 
against the horizon — his slouching figure, flapping sombrero, garments of uniform dingi- 
ness by grace of wind and weather, his alert collie at his side, and his grimy merinos 
or thinner-wooled " Me.xicans " feeding in contented monotony. From lambing to 
shearing and dipping — such was the even tenor of the shepherd's way. From solitary 
days (an unwilling contemplation of "the everlasting, face to face with God" between 
vacant plain and empty sky) he passed at evening to dug-out or log cabin, with squalor, 
baking powder biscuit, bacon and bunk. Such was the unvarnished picture, though 
sundry young Englishmen with ample means, large tracts of land and ideal ranch 
houses, formed poetic exceptions that proved the rule. 

Storm and circumstance occasionally developed a hero in the quiet herder. In the 
blizzard of March, 1878, when thousands of sheep perished in eleven feet of snow, there 
were Spartan endurance and painstaking rescue of the foolish victims, which would have 
been heroic in a less prosaic cause. During that storm at the " Big Corral" near Col- 
orado Springs, more than a thousand sheep drifted one by one over the precipice, and 
plunging into the same abyss, the Mexican herder also perished. 

In 1878, Colorado Springs erected a courthouse, and a city waterworks system was 
inaugurated. 

In 1878 the hall for public amusements in Colorado Springs was a very small and 
inconvenient building on Huerfano street, approached by the narrowest of stairways. 
Handbills were posted over the city, giving in addition to a gorgeous lithograph of 
Harfleur, the information that on the 29th and 30th of May, 1878, George Rignold and 
his company would perform Henry V, in the Colorado Springs town hall, with the 
original scenery. As Henry V was the spectacular drama of the time, and as the scenes 
were fitted to Booth's theater. New York, it seemed doubtful if it could be performed 
upon a stage somewhat larger than a pocket handkerchief, where the ceiling was about 
twelve feet high. In the course of the day, the " Grand Opera House Company" was 
seen wandering through the streets, and was heard to demand of a ranchman (who had 
probably not been within the city limits for months before): "Can you tell us where 
your Opera House is ?" 

A good play was a rare pleasure in those days, and the hall was crowded to its 
utmost capacity. Eight o'clock (the hour announced) came — half-past eight — quarter 
to nine. It was then stated that the dressing room was so small that only one character 
at a time could make a toilet. " Forty speaking characters were advertised on the 
programmes." Eventually the curtain rose, disclosing a very small part of one large 
scene; the " forty speaking characters" ranged at the sides behind inadequate calico 
curtains, and deluding themselves like the ostrich, with the fallacy that they were invis- 
ible. The " famous white horse Crispin " was there, too, though it was never known 
how he ascended the stairs, and objecting to his confined quarters, he pawed and 
fretted, sending the company scurrying in affright to the center of the stage, regardless 
of dramatic unities. When Crispin appeared on the scene, his tail touched the back of 
the stage, and his forefeet were firmly planted among the footlights. The climax was 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 353 

reached when King Henry, animating his dispirited troops with hot, impassioned words, 
waved above his head the royal standard. The spear head on the staff became im-. 
planted in the low ceiling, and could not be disentangled. Rignold stopped, completely 
overcome, saying: " This is really too ridiculous, ladies and gentlemen. You must be 
content simply with the beautiful words of Shakespeare, for I've nothing more to offer 
you." An under current of mirth ran through actors and audience, which sometimes 
broke out into open laughter. " Begone!" the king said sternly to the herald Montjoy, 
— and then sotto voce, " But I don't knoiv where the devil you'll go to." 

In the year 1879 the "Forfeiture Liquor Clause," contained in all deeds given by 
the Colorado Springs Company, was confirmed in a decision of the Supreme Court of 
the United States. Suit had been brought by the company in 1874, for violation of 
the clause against the sale of intoxicating liquor as a beverage. By the decision, the 
company obtained one of the most valuable lots in the city, at the southeast corner of 
Tejon street and Pike's Peak avenue. This year also witnessed the building of two 
new public schoolhouses, and the lighting of the city b\' gas. 

In the spring of 1879 much excitement was felt in regard to the contest between 
the Santa Fe and the Denver & Rio Grande Roads for the occupancy of the Grand 
Canon. (Chapter XVII, Volume II.) 

The baggage room at the station was attacked, the local militia under Major Ma- 
comber, was called out. The State cavalry was ordered to Colorado Springs to preserve 
order. Sheriff Becker took possession of the depot, and then relinquished it to the 
Denver & Rio Grande authorities. 

The year 1880 opened prosperously for all the State. The population of Colorado 
Springs had increased to 5,000, and the assessed value of property was $2,082,740, an 
increase of 33 per cent, over 1879. The improvements amounted to $400,000, and 
included a fine business block, which cost $25,000. In July the Denver & Rio Grande 
completed the five miles of track connecting Manilou & Colorado Springs, an incom- 
parable benefit to the three towns on the line. 

In 1881 two wings costing $11,000 were :idded to the college, and the amount 
represented in the real estate transfers was more than $1,000,000. The construction of 
the Hotel Antlers was begun. The first and only execution in El Paso County, under 
the laws of the State of Colorado, tocik place during this year. The' criminal was 
"Canty" (so called from his "/ can't," whenever a demand was made upon him). He 
was hung for the murder of Policeman Perkins, at Buena Vista. 

The year 1882 was a period of general business depression, and Colorado Springs 
did not fail to feel the paralysis. With a view to opening the coal mines at Franceville 
a railroad was begun chiefiy through the instrumentality of Hon. Matt France. This 
was the incipiency of the Denver & New Orleans Railroad (later Denver, Texas & Fort 
Worth) organized under the direction of ex-Governor Evans, with a view to open the 
highway for Southern trade and travel. 

On the September day of 1881, when memorial services were held in commemo- 
ration of the death of President Garfield, a party of young men from the college scaled 
an unnamed peak in the range, and planting a flag on the summit, named it Mount Gar- 
field. The summit bears a resemblance somewhat fanciful, to a man's figure reclined 
at full length — the profile is outlined against the sky, and pines form the heavy beard. 



354 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

In 18S3, December 31st, Colorado College lost its students' boarding house by fire, 
and in 18S5 a fire on Pike's Peak avenue between Tejon and Cascade, swept away 
many stores, etc., of early date. 

Colorado Springs was visited by a destructive cloud-burst in the summer of 1S84. 
The wave divided in two branches, one sweeping down the Monument, the other 
passing over Shook's Run. Much property was destroyed, and Mrs. B. A. P. Eaton, 
wife of the county superintendent of schools, was swept away and drowned. 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 



EL PASO COUNTY. 

(continued.) 

The COLORADO springs of the present HOTELS — CHURCHES COLORADO COLLEGE 

DEAF MUTE INSTITUTE — SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION WATER SUPPLY SEWER- 
AGE BANKS ORGANIZATIONS DAIRY RANCHES — COLORADO CITY MANITOU 

pike's PEAK RAILWAY — -CAVERNS GARDEN OF THE GODS. 

Present History. — The years 1886-1887 marked an era of railroad building for EI 
Paso. The Colorado Midland located its offices at Colorado Springs, and its lines 
through this region set the quiet mountain glens buzzing with new settlements. In 
1888 the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific began to build to this point — another great 
stimulus to business interests. In 1889, with no such impetus from without, the growth 
of the town was greater than in any preceding year. Railroad business increased one- 
third over the preceding year. A million dollars worth of building was done and the 
census report gives it a population of 11,200, making it the third in rank of Colorado's 
cities, as El Paso is the third in the list of the counties. 

The isolated improvement, or single happening, which made a year's history for 
the tiny colony nestled under the shadow of the mighty mountain, would be lost in the 
rush of railways, the clink of chisel, and grate of plane on hundreds of structures — 
would be merged in the mighty march of material progress. And together with the 
growth in things material, the conditions already dwelt upon will convince the reader 
that the opportunities for the higher life, devotional, educational, social, artistic and 
musical — have kept pace with the former, and have fulfilled the early promise of the 
Fountain Colony. 

We close our sketch with a statistical mention of the extent and riches of the place 
to-day. The traveler may enter it by one of the six great railway lines. The east and 
west ends of Pike's Peak avenue are closed by two handsome stone depots, the 
western structure erected by the Rio Grande Road in 1877, at a cost of $26,000, and 
the other lately built by the Santa Fe company. If he enters by the western approach 
he sees long avenues of trees, stretching north and south; the original 7,000 cotton- 
woods have been supplemented by the maple, box-elder, acacia, ash, etc. The green 
city stands forth like an oasis of the plains. The original boulevards, picturesquely 
named after streams and mountains of the new West, form but the nucleus in the mazes 
of some forty "additions" to the original town. 

Land has long since grown too valuable to leave large tracts of it to "range cattle" 



356 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

and grazing sheep. Where the latter nibbled, the feeding grounds are platted and 
planted, and the cattle are now Holsteins or Jerseys securely stalled. 

The first building which is conspicuous on the north is the Albeit CUockner Memo- 
rial Sanitarium, erected in memory of Mr. Glockner by his widow, at a cost of $27,000. 
It is built of pressed brick, trimmed with red sandstone; is three stories in height, and 
has wide piazzas and glass-covered sun porches. It is heated by steam, has all modern 
conveniences, and is designed to supply invalids of restricted means with home, prop- 
erly-cooked food, medical attendance and nursing at a nominal rate. South of the 
Glockner Home are seen some of the finest residences of the city, notably those of J. J. 
Hagerman, the late Edmonston Gwynne and Louis R.'Ehrich, and Colorado College 
with its dormitory and president's house. At the rear of the residence of Mr. Hager- 
man, low on the west bank of the Monument, and often choked by its shifting sands, is 
Colorado Springs' sole mineral spring, impregnated with soda and sulphur. Some day 
it may be developed, if only for the reason that the city may verify its name. 

On Cascade avenue the Sisters of Loretto have a brick academy, accommodating 
one hundred pupils. Adjacent to it, is the site of the new Roman Catholic church, 
upon which work is begun. This edifice is to cost when completed, from $65,000 to 
$75,000. 

In a park terraced up from the Denver & Rio Clrande depot, stands the Antler-. 
Hotel. The hotel company was incorporated May i6th, 1881, with General Palmer as 
president, and in June, 1883, opened the hotel to the public. Three stories are of 
quarry-faced lava stone with Manitou stone trimmings; the remaining two of wood. .\ 
formal reception was given during the month of June, and visitors averred there "was no 
such hotel west of the Missouri River." But times change and hotels change with 
them, and the Antlers is undergoing additions and improvements, which will bring its 
cost up to date to more than $250,000. 

Hotels. — The Alamo is second in size of Colorado Springs' hostelries. It is four 
stories in height, of red Kansas City pressed brick, trimmed with sandstone and is 
situated near Alamo Square on Tejon street. From the central tower 109 feet in height. 
a fine view is obtained. Additions and improvements to this hotel in 1890 cost $35,000. 

Other hotels accommodating from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty guests are 
the Alta Vista, The Elk, Depot Hotel, Grand View and Spaulding House. 

The handsomest business block in the city, is the First National Bank Block on the 
corner of Pike's Peak avenue and Tejon street. It was completed in 1890, of rough 
pink sandstone, at a cost of $135,000, exclusive of the site. Another costly block 
erected within the year is the Hagerman building of pressed brick, for stores and 
offices, worth $90,000. The Durkee Block, to cost $30,000, is now being constructed on 
Pike's Peak avenue. 

Colorado Springs' Opera House, costing over $80,000, was erected in 1880 by three 
public-spirited citizens, B. F. Crowell, J. F. Humphrey and Hon. Irving Howbert. It 
was opened to the public in i88i, by Maude Granger in "Camille." Souvenir pro- 
grammes were distributed. Mesdames Janauschek and Modjeska, Robson and Crane, 
Frederick Warde, Sheridan, Md'lie Rhea, Charlotte Thompson, Lawrence Barrett, the 
Knights, the Dalys, Oscar Wilde, Remenji, Joseffy, the Mendelssohn Quintette Club, 
Henry Ward Beecher and John B. Gough as lecturers, have all given entertainments 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 357 

on its boards. It was the scene of D. L. Moody's labors and is the arena of the large 
political meetings of the county. The State convention was held there in 1884. 

The heights to the east of Colorado Springs are no less thriftily covered with 
buildings. St. Francis' Hospital, in the care- of ten sisters, was built in 1887, at a cost 
of $40,000, and admits the sick at a low rate, with a ward for free patients. The 
hospital IS situated near the Deaf Mute Institute, as is the large Colonial building of the 
Bellevue Sanitarium. This contains twenty memorial rooms, and had its origin in the 
desire of benevolent ladies of the city to care for invalids of moderate means by sup- 
plementing their resources with home and medical attendance at nominal cost. The 
building cost $12,000 and was erected uj'jon a tract of si.v acres donated by General 
Palmer. It was opened February 20th, 1889. 

Eighty acres of land lying east of the city have been donated by Messrs F. L. 
Martin, A. A. McGovney and E. J- Eaton of this city, to the Typographical Union, and 
on this ground will be erected the Childs-Drexel Home for indigent printers. 

Churches. — The list of church organizations includes two Congregational; Baptist; 
Episcopal; Presbyterian; Methodist Episcopal; Christian; Methodist Episcopal South; 
United Presbyterian; Cumberland Presbyterian; Roman Catholic; Free Methodist; 
Lutheran; and African Methodist Episcopal, and Baptist.* 

The Baptists, having given up their $7,000 church built in 1874, are now con- 
structing a new one to cost $35,000. It is built of pressed brick with sandstone trim- 
mings, e.xterior Romanesque architecture, interior Gothic. Its auditorium seats 600; 
the Sunday school rooms 400. 

\\\ 1889 the Congregational body dedicated and opened a handsome stone church 
which cost about $40,000, and will seat 550. The pians were reduced and modified from 
those of Trinity Church, Boston. 

In 1888 the Presbyterians left their frame edifice (which cost $9,000 in 1S73), and 
began to worship in a stone church, corner Nevada avenue and Bijou street, which 
cost about $50,000. Its beautiful ^ell tower recalls in outline that of the new Old 
South Church, Boston. 

The United Presbyterians have completed a brick church which cost $10,000, and 
will seat 400. The Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1881, at an expenditure of 
$12,000. In 1889 it was enlarged at a cost of several thousand dollars. Grace Epis- 
copal Church has been enlarged and improved by a much needed addition costing 
$3,000. 

The Southern Methodist Church congregation have occupied two buildings since 
their organization in 1874; the first was a small wooden structure with a seating capacity 
of about 100, costing $1,500. They afterward in 1885 built a brick church of about 
twice the size of the first, which cost $5,000. 

The Roman Catholics built a church in 1882, worth $5,000. The African 
Methodist body owns a church building on South Weber street. 

Colorado College. — When Colorado Springs was platted in 1871 the colony selected 
a tract of twenty acres for college reservation. In course of time this grant was gener- 
ously increased so that Colorado College now possesses nearly one hundred acres of 
land. In 1886 much of this property was sold to settle outstanding claims, so that at 
the present time the college owns about fifty-six acres surrounding the buildings. 



358 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

In 1S74 the enterprise took shape and eighteen trustees inaugurated the estabhsh- 
ment of a college under New England Congregational auspices. Among the trustees 
were General W. J. Palmer, Dr. William A. Bell, W. S. Jackson, General R. A. 
Cameron, Major Henry McAllister and Professor T. N. Haskell, who as financial agent 
secured subscriptions for the institution to the amount of several thousand dollars, ami 
was extremely active in advancing the cause. The preparatory department was opened 
in May, and the Rev. Jonathan Edwards, a graduate of Yale, was appointed principal. 
Sessions were first held in rooms rented in the Wanless block, and later in a three room 
wooden building erected for the purpose on North Tejon street, which was occupied 
until 1880. In 1877 building of the college proper began on North Cascade avenue 
— a fine structure of pink volcanic limestone, whose Gothic windows and pointed 
arches are edged with white. It is surmounted with a cupola, and is flanked by two 
wings, one extending north and the other southward. When completed it had Cdst 
$60,000. 

The college for several years was financially embarrassed, but this now is happily 
but a thing of the past. During the days of test and trial the faculty and friends ni 
the college guarded its interests zealously, and to their efforts at home and abroad may 
be ascribed the future of widff usefulness which seems to open before it. 

In 1875 Rev. James G. Dougherty was elected president of the college, but in the 
reorganization which took place in 1876, he resigned, and the Rev. E. P. 'rejiiuy 
became president and remained with the college until 1885. 

For some years Colorado College was without a president, but in the autumn nf 
1888 this office was accepted by the Rev. W. F. Slocum of Boston, an Amherst 
graduate. Under his fostering administration the revival of its fortunes is secure. 
During 1889, a dormitory, Hagerman Hall, was erected, costing $20,000, and half the 
amount necessary to build a Girls' Hall has been secured.- All the indebtedness of the 
college has been liquidated and an endowment fund of $150,000 has already been 
subscribed. 

The property of the institution is now valued at over $400,000. This consists of 
the two stone buildings already mentioned, the president's residence also of stone, a 
geological collection, scientific apparatus and collections, complete outfit for assaying 
and metallurgical work. It possesses a library of 8,000 volumes — embracing the com- 
plete Strittill collection of modern French authors, and a special department of works 
upon the late civil war. The courses of instruction are divided into four departments, 
/". e., preparatory schooling either classical or scientific; and the college courses proper, 
consisting of four years of regular academic study leading to the degree either of 
Bachelor of Arts or of Philosophy. In addition there are special instructions given in 
chemistry and assaying. 

In the present year, "Colorado College -Studies" — its first annual publication — 
appeared, containing several papers of individual research written by various members 
of the faculty, and which had been read before the college scientific society. 

Measures are now on foot which it is intended shall institute a historical depart- 
ment in connection with the college library with the special purpose in view of col- 
lecting all statistics and biographical sketches possible which bear upon local events 
and Colorado's history in general. And it is hoped that a collection of manuscript may 





^£J^ 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 359 

be obtained which will become invaluable to future students of pioneer history in 
the State. 

Colorado College rendered important services in the observation of the transit of 
Mercury, and later in the total eclipse of the sun in July, 1S78. During the same year 
the college was made a voluntary station of the United States Signal Service, with Prof. 
Loud in charge. The moulding influence of Colorado College upon the plastic mate- 
rial of the new West, will be a potent power in the Republic in years to come. The 
work will be in part of a missionary character amid the Mexicans and Indians who 
stand at its gates. To the lawlessness, the laxity of morals and manners which prevail 
in a new land where waifs from all sorts of civilization are cast up, Colorado College 
will oppose its power to educate and elevate. It is a beacon light amid the uncertain 
mists which shroud tbe future of the countries near us. 

Deaf Mute Institute. — In 1874 the Territorial legislature of Colorado provided by 
statute for an institute to be established in Colorado Springs for the instruction of the 
deaf and dumb, largely by the influence of Dr. R. G. Buckingham of Denver, who by 
virtue of his constant devotion to it, is fairly entitled to the honor of being its founder 
and father. An appropriation of $5,000 was made, and a permanent fund constituted 
by assessment of a Territorial tax of one-fifth of a mill. The institution was opened in 
a temporary edifice, and the Colony Company donated ten acres of land east of town, 
for a permanent site. Two subsequent appropriations were made by the legislature of 
$7,000 and of $20,000, and the functions of the institute were extended to include the 
blind in 1883. With increased population, more extended accommodations were 
needed, arid the legislature of 1S89 appropriated $80,000 for this purpose. By this aid 
two hundred pupils may be accommodated. A new building one hundred and ninety- 
nine and a half feet long, three stories high and basement, containing fourteen class 
rooms, art room, assembly hall and apartments for the industrial departments, has just 
been completed. The material used is white Castle Rock, lava stone. The old struc- 
ture will be used for living purposes. Two other buildings of pressed brick, two stories 
high, for dining, kitchen and heating plant and laundry, have also been erected within 
the past two years. The Deaf Mute Institute is free to Coloradoans between the ages 
of four and twenty-two. Those from other States who would receive its benefits, 
must pay $250 per annum. 

Instruction is given in the ordinary departments of education and in the specialties 
of carpentry, printing, dressmaking and housework — and for the blind, lessons in brush, 
broom, mattress making and chair-seating. For the deaf mutes three methods of 
instruction are in vogue — the sign system, training in articulation and aural develop- 
ment. It will be interesting in the future to remember that the carpentry on the new 
building has been largely done by the deaf mute pupils. Mr. John E. Ray is the pres- 
ent superintendent. The institute property is now valued at $155,000. 

Schools. — To the credit of the new West, be it spoken, that the schoolmaster is 
abroad at a very early date in history. "School District No. II," was organized in 1872. 
Each ward now has a schoolhouse. There are three fine brick buildings, the Garfield, 
Liller, Lincoln Schools, which cost in the aggregate $140,000, and several frame 
structures. The High School, built of stone, the former pride of the place, and a 



360 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

conspicuous landmark, was burned January 13th, 1S90. The land on which it stood 
has been sold for $24,500. 

The one teacher of the first year with forty-two pupils is succeeded by a corps of 
thirty-five, giving instruction to more than sixteen hundred children. The first teacher 
was Mrs. General Palmer. Miss Allen, now Mrs. Weitbrec, Mrs. Liller, Mrs. Asahel 
Sutton will be remembered as early engaged in the work of teaching. At Christmas, 
1S71, Colorado Springs' first Christmas tree was decorated for the school children in a 
building at the corner of Cascade avenue and Bijou street, where the first school 
sessions were held. This was a free school, though prior to the organization of the 
school district. Prof. P. K. Pattison is the present superintendent of schools. A 
graded course of study was entered upon in 1874. The high school proffers a four years' 
course preparatory to college. The classics, modern languages, special courses in 
literature and science are offered in its curriculum. The school had a physical 
laboratory valued at $2,000, destroyed in the recent fire. The enrollment for 1889-90 
was 1,700. 

Transportation. — On September 20th, 18S1, Colorado Springs was supplied by 
Messrs. Stevens & Rouse with a system of Herdic coaches, which ran for about three 
)-ears,and were followed by the Colorado Springs and Manitou street railroad which went 
into operation in 1887 and ran its cars north and south on Tejon street, north Nevada 
avenue, and east and west from Pike's Peak avenue to Colorado City. In 1889 the El 
Paso Rapid Transit Company was formed and Mr. F. L. Martin was chosen president; 
A. L. Lawton secretary and treasurer; A. A. McGovney, auditor. The gentlemen 
named, with vice-president Mr. E. J. Eaton, Mr. M. A. Leddy of Manitou, became the 
principal stockholders in the new company. 

The company's name was afterward changed to the Colorado Springs Rapid 
Transit Railway Company, which having bought the stock, equipment and franchises 
of the street railroad and having obtained franchises through the principal streets and 
on certain county roads, proceeded to enmesh the city and vicinity with some twenty- 
two miles of track. At the present time (1890) the cars run without the city limits to 
Austin's Bluffs and Roswell on the north, to Cheyenne Canons on the south, and to 
Colorado City on the east. In the fall of the year they will reach Manitou, and will 
also bring into quick communication with the business center, all the outlying 
additions. The Sprague system of electric cars is used, operated by an overhead 
cable. Two 175 -horse power Corliss engines, and four 80-horse power Edison 
dynamos are used in generating the electricity. Two Murphy smoke consuming 
furnaces are employed to do away with the smoke nuisance. The cars are made by 
the P. P. Car Company. 

Light. — Colorado Springs and Colorado City are supplied with arc and incan- 
descent electric lights by the El Paso Electric Light Company (organized in 18S6) 
which has its plant in the former city; $128,000 has been expanded in perfecting its 
system. The company uses seven Westinghouse engines, and has a boiler capacity of 
eight hundred horse power. 

The Colorado Springs Gas and Coke Company which has supplied the city with 
gas since 1879, and owns seven miles of mains, was bought during the past year by the 
Lowe Gas and Electric Company. Gas is now produced by the Lowe water system. 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 361 

Water Supply. — The original waterworks system was built in 187S, when the popu- 
lation was little more than three thousand. Pure drinking water had been before this 
time a crying public want, and it was all the more necessary now that the city had 
become a health resort. The present system has cost about $400,000 to develop, but 
the city is to be congratulated that she owns the works, thereby deriving a benefit of 
revenues, above interest on bonds and operating expenses, amounting to about $8,000 
per annum. In 1S78 the supply head was located seven miles from the city, and above 
Manitou in Ru.xton Creek, a clear mountain stream whose source is in the snows of 
Pike's Peak. The water passed first into a settler, twelve hundred feet higher than the 
city, and then was conveyed to reservoirs situated upon a mesa, west, and two hundred 
feet above Colorado Springs. One of these reservoirs was made in 1878, holding 
2,000,000 gallons; the second, constructed in 1886, has a capacity of 15,000,000 gallons. 
The pipe line from Ruxton Creek, ten and eight inches in diameter froze, and burst in 
1S80-1881. The council, therefore, voted $25,000 in bonds and a new eight inch main 
was put four feet below the surface to prevent the recurrence of such a calamity. 

In 1883 the head of the system was extended more than half a mile further up the 
Ruxton and at this time the water question was thought solved for years to come; yet, 
only four years later, the rapidly increasing population made it necessary for the 
community to vote $35,000 more bonds to run mains from a new storage reservoir 
built in 1886 at an additional cost of $ro,ooo. In 1889 this new main did not suffice, 
and the city issued bonds in the sum of $85,000, laying a sixteen inch main. Bonds 
to the amount of $So,ooo were also issued, to acquire additional water rights, and an 
attempt was made to bring water from Bear Creek. Mains were run to irrigation 
reservoirs which receive, thereby, the overflow of the city water system, and a dam and 
pipe have been put in Lake Moraine which drain its waters into Ruxton Creek. 

The council also proceeded directly to utilize the supply of this lake of glacial 
formation, which lies about three miles east of Pike's Peak, and at an altitude of 11,000 
feet. Steps were taken to secure from government, grants for the perpetual use of 
Lake Moraine's waters, and for an adjoining reservoir site, which were granted the city 
in 1889-1890. 

Lake Moraine has a surface area of ten acres and a depth of thirty feet, with a 
capacity of 36,000,000 gallons. It is fed by lively springs — rains and snows; its waters 
are cold and limpid. Immediately south of the lake is a natural reservoir of 
170,000,000 gallons' capacity. It is framed by the granite mountains, and through it 
Ruxton flows. It is now proposed to build a dam at the valley opening of the 
, reservoir, some 385 feet in width, and to drain the lake into the reservoir. The dam at 
the base will be 195 feet thick, and at the top twenty feet, while its height will be 
thirty-five feet. The plan is not unlike that of the celebrated Sweetwater engineering 
near San Diego, California. The material of the dam is to be a mixture of clay and 
sand, well packed, with wide trenches of cement and stone sunk fourteen feet below 
the base from the top, the inner slope to be well riprapped with stone. A twenty 
inch steel discharge pipe is to be laid in the reservoir's natural bank. When the 
reservoir is filled to a depth of twenty-eight feet. Lake Moraine itself will be wholly 
submerged but the top of the dam will yet be seven feet above the surface water. At 
this high mark water will not escape through the dam but by a natural "spill-way" to 



362 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

the north. City engineer Reid, who has advocated -the Moraine plan for years, 
estimates that the cost of the dam will be $15,000, and at the present writing this work 
is under construction. State engmeer Maxwell also reports the plan practicable and 
safe. Water is distributed by means of nearly forty-five miles of pipe varying from 
sixteen to three inches in diameter. The city possesses seventy-five fire plugs and four 
public drinliing fountains; two more fountains are to be erected during the present 
year. 

During 1889 there were some 2,000 consumers of water paying water rents to the 
city, amounting to $26,000 annually. Provided no unfavorable accident or litigation 
occurs, it will be seen therefore, that Colorado Springs has planned a water system, 
commensurate with her future wants, unsurpassed in quality, and from which she 
derives substantial revenue. 

Sewerage. — For many years the peculiar and fortunate character and configuration 
of the soil in Colorado Springs rendered any system of drainage, beyond the cesspool, 
unnecessary. In 1888, as demanded by an increasing population, a system of sewerage 
was constructed, costing $50,000. This is technically known as the Separate System, 
and is composed of seven lines of tile pipe running north and south through the city 
at a grade of eleven inches every hundred feet. There are 140 manholes for cleansing 
the sewers by rodding and flushing. The flushing is done twice every twenty-four 
hours from six tanks at the upper end of the system. The outlet is in the Fountain 
Creek, and the refuse matter is disposed of by "sewer farming." Two hundred and 
fifty private drains are connected with the sewer system. The city council in iSgo 
voted $25,000 in bonds to be expended in the extension of the sewage system. 

Postoffice. — At the close of 1889 the Colorado Springs office had larger gross 
receipts than any office in the great States of Mississippi, North or South Carolina, 
North or South Dakota. There are thirty-six of the four hundred and one free 
delivery offices in the country, that are self-supporting, that is where the receipts 
from local postage are in excess of the cost of the carrier service. Colorado Springs 
is one of these. There are two postal deliveries per diem. A new postoffice 
building is greatly needed. 

El Paso's Banks. — Previous to 1872 there were no banks in El Paso. The bank- 
ing facilities of Denver were too far removed for the new city's needs, and in 1872 a 
bank was established in Colorado Springs by W. H. Young with an alleged capital of 
$25,000. Young failed through the insolvency of Henry Clews & Co., of New York, 
and in 1873 he was bought out by Wm. S. Jackson, C. H. White and J. S. Wolfe, who 
founded the El Paso Bank which has continued its business to the present day almost 
without change of officers or directors, save that J. H. Harlow soon after the bank's 
organization became identified with it. 

W. H. Young in 1874 had settled his debts, brought about by the bank failure, 
and organized the First National Bank of Colorado Springs, associated with Eastern 
capitalists. A little later this bank was strengthened and reorganized by B. F. Crowell, 
G. H. Stewart, F. L. Martin and others, and at present its stockholders are among the 
best known and wealthiest men of the city, J. J- Hagerman, Irving Howbert, B. F. 
Crowell, Louis R. Ehrich, A. A. McGovney, E. J. Eaton, Charles Thurlow and 
J. A. Hayes, Jr. 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 363 

In 1876 J. H. B. McFerran organized the People's Bank, and after eleven vears' 
business, settled all accounts and retired. 

The E.xchange National Bank was established in 1S8S. Its directors were, 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 capital of the bank is ;$ioo,ooo. Mr. D. M. Holden is president; I). H. 
Heron is cashier, and Colonel De La Vergne, vice-president. 

In 1889 Jerome B. Wheeler, of New York, founded banks at Colorado Citv and at 
Manitou. Each bank has a separate organization, and capital of $25,000. 

Mercantile Interests. — Although the wholesale trade is limited, and but one ex- 
clusively wholesale house is in the county, the volume of retail trade is notable. 
Although no official statistics are obtainable, conservative merchants estimate the aggre- 
gate of merchandise sales, for 1889, in Colorado Springs alone, at $6,000,000, and the 
capital here invested in trade at about $1,500,000. 

Politics. — In national and State elections El Paso County has always been strongly 
Republican. The present Republican majority varies from five to seven hundred. 
Colorado Springs' mayors of late years have been elected through personal popularity 
rather than by party means. Mayor Stillman, now in office, is a Democrat, as was his 
predecessor. 

City Organization. — The city is governed by a mayor and board of aldermen. The 
first town officers were nominated by a convention of all the people, exclusive of party 
considerations. These officers were as follows: 

Trustees. — Matt France, president; W. H. Macomber, A. H. Weir, C. T. Barton, 
Jas. F. Wilson. 

Clerk and Treasurer. — .\. H. Barrett. 

Constable. — C. P. Downing. 

Street Commissioner. — R. C. Lyon. 

The police department is directed by a marshal, with a corps of officers. The fire 
department is volunteer, the chiefs and first assistants alone drawing salaries. The first 
hose companies, organized in 187S, are known as the Matt France Hose, No. i, and 
Jackson Hose Company, No. 2. Other companies are: B. F. Crowell, Hose No. 3; 
College Hose, No. 4, and C. B. Ferrin Hose N<i. 5. There is also a Hook and Ladder 
Company which was organized prior to the hose companies. 

In 1889 the Gamewell Electric Fire Alarm System was adopted at a cost of about 
$3,000, and nine alarm boxes were distributed through the city. The central alarm 
system is sounded in the City Hall where all but two of the volunteer hose companies 
make their headquarters. W. H. D. Merrill is at present chief of the Fire Department. 
The City Hall cost $11,000, a commodious building when erected in 1883, but now 
hardly commensurate with the municipal needs. The jail is small, inconvenient, and a 
disgrace to the city. 

The Board of Trade was founded in 18S2. The directors for the first year were: 
D. J. Martin, E. E. Hooker, A. Sagendorf, C. H. White and Asahel Sutton. The board 
shared in that period of depression, but revived in 1886, and has since been prominent 
in advertising this region in the East and abroad. The president is Mr. Louis R. 
Ehrich. 



364 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

The secret and benevolent organizations are as follows: El Paso Lodge No. 13, 
A. F. and A. M; Colorado Springs Ro_val Arch Chapter; Pikes Peak Commandery 
Knights Templar, No. 6; Catholic Knights of America, branch 433; Pike's Peak Lodge 
No. 38, I. O. O. F.; Phoenix Encampment No. 21, I. O. O. F.; Colfax Canton No. 2, 
L O. O. F.; Washington Camp, No. 35; Tejon Lodge, 2765, Knights of Honor; Badito 
Lodge, No. 24; Badito Lodge Legion 16, Select Knights A. O. U. W. ; Myrtle Lodge 
No. 34, K. of P.; Colored Masofiic Lodge; Colorado Springs Post No. 22, G. A. R. ; 
Colorado Springs Typographical Union, No. 32; Colorado Springs Lodge L O. G. T. ; 
El Paso Lodge No. 2771, L O. W.; Woman's Aid Society; Colorado Springs W. C. T. U. 

Colorado Springs boasts in her militia, the olde.st permanent organization in the 
State, and the second company formed in the National Guard. Her compan}- is known 
as "A, troop," and was formed in July, 1876, by Captain T. H. Burnham. During the 
Ute war of 1887, this company assisted in driving the Indians out of the State. Troop 
A occupies an armory built for the company, and Captain Wm. Saxton has been in com- 
mand for the past six years. 

The Social Union rooms, on Nevada, just north of Pike's Peak avenue, are sup- 
ported by the different church organizations as a free reading room and library. The 
Union receives over thirty papers weekly, and seven monthly magazines. In 1889 
25,550 people visited these rooms, an average of seventy per diem. 

Grace Episcopal Church reading room contains a library of 500 volumes, and news- 
papers and serials are supplied. In connection with the library is a parlor furnished 
^with piano, games, etc. 

A Woman's Exchange was established in 1887. A well-selected circulating library 
has been established by Mrs. M. A. Garstin. 

Clubs, Lodg-es, Militia, .ff/r.— The El Paso Club was formed October 23d, 1877, the 
objects of which were "to furnish billiard, card and reading rooms, for the purpose of 
social enjoyment among its members," the original membership of which was limited to 
thirty. Its original officers were Major William Wagner, president; Dr. Jacob Reed, 
vice-president; C. E. Wellesley, secretary and treasurer, and Messrs. E. P. Stephenson 
and Charles Clark, committeemen. Rooms were rented over the "Gazette" office. 
1'he club was reorganized September 30th, 1878, fifty-nine new members were admitted, 
and it was decided to accept a proposition made by Charles Walker to erect a club- 
house, which was occupied from 1S79 to 1882, when a larger building was especially 
erected by Mr. A. F. Carpenter, which, during the past eight years, El Paso Club has 
occupied, prospering beyond expectation. In September, 1890, the club bought the 
Kerr property (northwest corner of Tejon street and Platte avenue) for $25,000, upon 
which it proposes to remodel the present large brick edifice and make additions costing 
several thousand dollars. Its present officers are, president, S. E. Solly; vice president, 
George Rex Buckman; treasurer, C. H. White. 

The Colorado Springs Club, similar in purpose, was founded in 1888, with A. D. 
Craigue as president, and occupies the main portion of the second floor in the Opera 
House Block. Dr. B. P. Anderson was elected president in 1890, and the club's mem- 
bership now includes some eighty names. 

Other clubs are the University Club, and the Colorado Springs, organized in 1S8S, 
tennis and polo organizations. The Colorado Springs Athletic Club, organized in 1888, 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 365 

has nearl}' one hundred members, a large g3'mnasium, and directs semi-annual sports 
and games for which it offers prizes and medals. John Scott is its president. 

Dairy Ranches. — At the north and at the south of the city are situated two dairy 
ranches, from which the city largely is supplied. That longer established is the Broad- 
moor Dairy and Live Stock Company, lying two and one-half miles south. This com- 
pany owns two thousand six hundred acres of land on the Fountain and has five hundred 
and twenty-five acres under cultivation, also possesses valuable water-rights. Large 
crops of alfalfa are harvested. Broadmoor owns a herd of three hundred cows and a 
large and complete equipment for cheese and butter making. 

At the foot of Austin's Bluff, where was the " Merriam Ranch " in early days, has 
been established by Messrs. L. R. Ehrich and Frank White, the Colorado Springs 
Garden Ranch, comprising three thousand acres of fertile land. The fine stock con- 
sists of Holsteins and Jerseys of purest breeds, and some two hundred fine graded cows. 
Their Lady Baker (Holstem-Friesian) has a record of thirty-four pounds six ounces of 
butter made in seven days, from five hundred and twenty-four pounds thirteen ounces 
of milk. In addition to its stock interests Garden Ranch will devote large tracts of 
land to cultivation of vegetables and small fruits. 

Colorado Spriii;^s Resorts. — Seven short miles south lies Cheyenne Mountain. This 
was named after the tribe of Indians, the Cheyennes (in the original form Chiciiiics.) 
The French title was early bestowed by some horrified spectators of their Baked Dog 
Festival. The mountain's name early found its way into print as Chiann, Shyann, 
Chiaun, etc., but the spelling at present accepted is Cheyenne. Over this mountain is 
built a toll road, and from it are to be obtained some of the most sublime views in El 
Paso. Helen Hunt Jackson has described these in that most charming of her Colorado 
sketches— "Our New Road." In Pine Hill Forest, on Cheyenne's northeastern slope 
she lies buried. The mountain is seamed by two canons, North and South Cheyenne. 
The latter cleaves the mountain to its base with a narrow ravine cut down thirteen hun- 
dred feet in the solid red rock, by the mighty hand of the centuries. The caiion is 
thickly wooded, and terminates in an amphitheater of rocks, down which leaps Chey- 
enne Creek in a succession of seven falls, from a height of seven hundred feet. North 
Cheyenne's rock walls are more widely severed; its stream is broader and more sunny, 
and the awe melts with which one has glanced up at the lofty buttresses of South 
Cheyenne. This canon, too, has pillars, towers and pyramids, but they alternate with 
grassed slopes. It imprisons falls in its darker cloisters, broken and foaming as they 
dash over boulders and crags. Beyond, the Cheyenne widens out of the limits of an 
orthodox canon, and falls in with its neighbor of Bear Creek. 

On the southern slopes of Cheyenne is a pine clad, purple spur christened by Helen 
Hunt Jackson " My Garden." Here is to be found the " Procession of Colorado 
Flowers." 

To the south of Cheyenne Mountain is situated " Dead Men's Caiion," the scene 
of Fitz Mac's thrilling story of the phantom man, horse and dog of Dead Man's Caiion. 

Mount Washington, a rounded knoll lying east of Colorado Springs, over which a 
horse may gallop with ease, is the same height above sea level as Mount Washington in 
.the White Mountains. 

Colorado City. — The early records of this city were the history of El Paso County, 



3B6 HISTORY OF EL PASO COL'NTY. 

up to the founding of Colorado Springs in 1870. On the 27th of October, 187 1, when 
the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad was completed to Colorado Springs, the settlers of 
Colorado City feared that " old town " was doomed to experience a Rip Van Winkle- 
like lethargy, from which it did not awaken until the Colorado Midland Railroad entered 
the sleepy hollow in 1886. One factor which paralyzed competition with Colorado 
Springs, was the difficulty of obtaining clear titles to land in Colorado City. Otherwise, 
it is not unlikely the towns would have grown side by side in common prosperity. 

There was a slight stir and bustle felt when Leadville's mines were opened from 1877 
to 18S0, for freighters en ?-outc through Ute Pass frequently purchased liquor and other 
supplies at Colorado City. But with the radiated depression of 1882, the old Territorial 
capital remained unmindful of the activity displayed by her younger and more fortunate 
neighbors, and was not thoroughly aroused until the iron horse brought in the new era 
of steam connection with civilization. 

In 1872 the question of removal of the county seat to Colorado Springs agitated the 
community, and a remarkable address was circulated by Anthony Bott, C. J. Aerchinvole, 
postmaster, W. H. Robbins, W. H. Johnson, John Lauder, G. N Barlow, C. W. Meyer, 
and some dozen other residents of Colorado City, calling upon the voters of El Paso to 
stand by the old town " which has struggled hard against Indians, grasshoppers, drouth, 
hard times and adversities of all kinds for the last thirteen years," rather than to vote 
for Colorado Springs, " the recently started point of operation of a speculating railroad 
company, the lottery stake at which this company wants to enrich itself at the expense 
of poor humbugged emigrants." The circular goes on to advance Colorado City's claims, 
saying, " It is a place chosen by the pioneers of 1858, who, after prospecting both places, 
found the one an efficient spot to dwell in during life, and the other only fit to be buried 
in after this world's troubles are over," and again, "Colorado City is a free-lawed 
place, where one can engage in any business he chooses as long as it is an honorable 
one, even selling liquor," and "those who are of good temperate habits will have a 
better chance to prove their virtue by abstaining from drink, when it can be obtained 
openly, than by not taking any there, where it can only be obtained by telling a false- 
hood to a druggist." Colorado Springs replied with figures and satire and promise to 
build a courthouse, gaining a victory in 1873, the second year of the county vote on 
this question. 

The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad built a branch line from Colorado Springs to 
Colorado City and on to Manitou in 1880, giving the village all benefits of the through 
lines. 

In 1886 the Colorado Midland ran its cars through here, on the way up Ute Pass 
to the mountain mines. Inducements were offered this railroad, in the way of special 
privileges and land, which brought about the location of the Midland shops at Colorado 
City, and from this time the town, which had within the foregoing ten years fallen away 
to a village of one hundred and fifty souls and two stores, has sprung with renewed life 
into a busy little city of about two thousand, five hundred people. It is now the first 
city in El Paso County in manufacturing importance, and second in population. There 
being no public debt of importance, taxation here is low. Besides two railroads, it has 
electric street car communication with Colorado Springs and Manitou. Telephone 
wires run from here to Denver, and an electric light plant has brought its lines from 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 367 

Colorado Springs. Its location is happily at the outlet of Ute Pass — the highway to 
the mountains and their precious stores. In addition, Colorado City has abundant 
natural resources, — rich deposits of material suitable for the manufacture of glass, of 
white gypsum, of marl, and splendid and inexhaustible building stone of red and gray 
sandstone. 

The Fountain Creek flows through the city; and its water supply is obtained by the 
mere tapping of the mains which were built by Colorado Springs to fetch its hydrant 
supply from the pure mountain stream above. An addition to the city in 1877, induced 
Mr. Anthony Bott to add to this supply, and waterworks costing $30,000, bring through 
iron pipes the melted snows of Sutherland Creek. 

For years school was held in the old courthouse building, but the sudden growth 
of 1886 naturally made these quarters too small, and in 1S88, Colorado City erected, at 
a cost of $17,000, one of the best schoolhouses in the county. It is heated by steam, 
well lighted and ventilated, and it now has an attendance of some two hundred pupils. 

During 1889 its number of churches was increased from the one Methodist edifice 
to four, so that now the Roman Catholic, Episcopalians and Baptists, have houses of 
prayer. 

Early in 1886 business lots could be bought here for $50, and residence lots for 
$10, which properties, four years later, are worth from f 1,000 to $3,500. It is most 
fortunate for Colorado City that her sister cities, Colorado Springs and Manitou, feel 
no jealousy because of her rapid growth as a manufacturing center. These resorts 
realize tfliat local establishment of large manufactories would harm their reputations as 
health homes, and therefore encourage such enterprises there. 

The Midland Railroad shops, built here in 1877, at a cost of over one hundred 
thousand dollars, employ one hundred and eighty-five hands, and the pay rolls amount 
to more than ten thousand dollars pet month. 

The quarrying of stone is the most important enterprise, perhaps, and is carried on 
near the city's limits. In Red Rock Cafion is a ledge of beautiful red sandstone which 
is popular not alone in Colorado, but as well East and South. The board of trade 
building of Fort Worth, Texas, and the Union depot at Des Moines, Iowa, are con- 
structed of this material. Four firms are now engaged in taking out this stone — blocks 
have been quarried weighing twenty-five tons. The pay rolls at the quarries exceed 
$6,000 per month during a portion of the year. 

Glass works put up at a cost of $40,000, began the manufacture of bottles in the 
spring of 1889. This establishment produces over a million gross of bottles per annum, 
employs one hundred hands, and its pay roll exceeds seven thousand dollars per 
month. Adolph Busch of St. Louis, is president of the company, and the other stock- 
holders are men of local prominence — Louis R. Ehrich and J. A. Hayes, Jr. of Colorado 
Springs, General Charles Adams of Colorado City, W. F. Modes and Jerome B. Wheeler 
of Manitou. 

A company was recently established, using native products, and manufactures a 
superior cement; and a mineral paint plant has been erected at a cost of $20,000, 
grinding, and mixing mineral paint ores which the Midland Road brings down the pass. 

Manitou. — For how many years the Indians had resorted to the Springs which 
seemed to them the visible manifestation and beneficent gift of the Good Spirit, no 



3(38 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

historian will affirm. To these " medicine waters " they brought their aged and sick 
for cure, and the earliest explorers found their arrow heads in the rocky basins, and 
their votive offerings of wampum hung in the trees. Their council fires blazed in the 
close-crowding mountains, and in the cottonwood groves they camped with exceeding 
delight. 

Zebulon Pike and Major Long were not far from these natural wonders, but left 
no description of them. The first white man's camp of which mention is made, is that 
of Colonel A. G Boone, who sojourned at Manitou during the winter of 1S33, for the 
health of his two sons. He had good right to a stake in the wilderness, being a 
grandson of Daniel Boone. During this time he was unmolested by Indians, but had 
ample opportunity to observe the reverential rites by which they approached the sacred 
waters. In 1843 Fremont came, drank of the springs, made an analysis and departed, 
leaving them to be known as Fremont's Soda Springs for many years thereafter. In 
1S47 George F. Ruxton, an Englishman, and member of the Royal Geographical 
Society, journeyed up alone from Mexico, and wrote the first graphic account of 
Manitou, published in " Life and Adventures in Mexico," some account of which ap- 
pears in our first volume. 

Fitz Hugh Ludlow, fifteen years later, wrote a glowing and imaginative picture of 
Manitou, given in an earlier volume of this history. The residents of to-day felicitate 
themselves that Ludlow's prophecy has been more than realized. In 1871 the Fountain 
Colony purchased two-thirds of the "villa sites," on four hundred and eighty acres 
near the mineral springs, with the exception of one hundred acres reserved for the 
springs proper. In the general drawing of lots, these were included. The Soda 
Springs were originally pre-empted by N. G. Wyatt & Co., in the early history of Col- 
orado City. The new town was named "Villa La Font," an artificial title, which 
happily fell speedily into disuse. 

General R. A. Cameron was vice-president and superintendent of the Fountain 
Colony. Born in Illinois, and successively physician, politician and soldier, he brought 
back from the war immense energy to be directed into the quieter channels of coloni- 
zation. He was largely interested in the Greeley Colony, and it was now his mission 
to lecture on " Colorado and Colonization " through the East. The fame of the 
springs and the climate spread afar; the latter being favorably contrasted with " Cuba 
and Florida," the health resorts of the day, instead of the present comparisons with the 
Engadine. 

We have already spoken of the strenuous efforts made by the pioneers to open a 
road to the mining country through Ute Pass. Now there were three prospective cities 
to be benefited by such a highway, and in June, 187 1, the commissioners were autho- 
rized, by the people's vote, to issue bonds for $15,000, to build the road. Judge E. T. 
Stone had fathered the project, and to his efforts were due the success of its preliminary 
organization. 

E. T. Colton was the contractor for the road-building, — a much more formidable 
work than it at first promised to be, owing to the difficulty of removing the tremendous 
masses of syenite rock. Ute Pass road crippled Mr. Colton financially, but was an 
immeasurable benefit to the towns of E! Paso. 

In the meantime, Manitou Springs were being developed, and under the charge of 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 369 

Mr. Blair, a Scotch landscape gardener, the natural and picturesque features of the 
place were brought out, without an appearance of artificiality. Indian trails became 
"Lover's Lanes;" rustic bridges spanned the streams, rustic pagodas rose over the 
mineral basins, gnarled tree trunks became rural seats; and the clematis vines, whose 
unstinted wealth is one of Manitou's beauties, were trained to embower every nook. 

Li the winter of iS7i-'72 the iVIanitou House was completed. Before this, how- 
ever, Manitou had entertained its first party of distinguished guests. In the autumn of 
1871 the " press of the Territory"' was tendered an excursion to "La Font." The 
party arrived in time for a midday dinner at Captain Dick Sopris' eating house, cele- 
brated under his management, and also under that of Mrs. McDowell, and were 
afterward driven through the Garden of the Gods to La Font, where they were 
accommodated for the night in "the temporary hotel." ■ 

From the reports of the colony company we cull the following notices, which make 
up (officially) the early history of Manitou: 

" 1877. — Manitou has a population of 350. It can scarcely receive any additional 
aid from man, since nature has done so much for it. It can, and doubtless will become 
the watering place to which all who visit Colorado will gravitate, as a matter of course. 

" 1878.— Manitou had 5,05 i hdtcl arrivals between May ist and September ist. Col- 
orado Springs and Manitou are to-day provided with an abundance of excellent water. 
The water is taken from Ruxton's Creek above Manitou. The Manitou Hotel has been 
repainted, repaired and leased for four years. The bathhouse l-.as recently been leased 
for a term of five years, for a net rental of $400 the first year, and $500 for each suc- 
ceeding year. 

" 1879. — Durmg the year the company has sold two lots at Manitou for $625. The 
three hotels have been well filled with guests during the summer months. One of these 
hotels has remained open throughout the winter. Plans are now being made by the 
owner for adding about one hundred rooms to one of the hotels, and it is hoped that 
arrangements may be perfected during the coming year to build the five miles of railroad 
needed to allow the cars of the Rio Grande Company to run directly into Manitou. 

" 1880. — In July last, the Denver & Rio Grande Company completed a short line of 
railroad connecting Manitou with Colorado Springs, and five passenger trains are now 
run each way daily. The Colorado Springs company sold the Manitou hotel in June 
last for $30,000. Since this sale the purchaser has built a large addition thereto, nearly 
doubling the capacity of the house. The other hotels at Manitou have been enlarged 
and improved, and several stores, cottages and residences have been built. The total 
cost of new buildings erected and improvements on hotels at Manitou during 1880. is 
estimated at $100,000. 

"1881. — The hotels at Manitou have enjoyed a very profitable season. They are 
now four in number. A handsome stone station house has been erected by the railway 
company. It is estimated that the cost of new buildings erected at Manitou in 18S1, 
was $70,000. The Cave of the AVinds has been supplied with ladders, and made acces- 
sible. The town plat of Manitou has been thoroughly re-surveyed. 

" 1882. — Several new stores have been opened, a town hall built, and a weekly 
newspaper started. A company has been organized to utilize and improve the mineral 
springs, and to bottle and ship the soda water. Their plans include a new and larger 



370 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

bathhouse and a park, with paviHoiis and walks, surrounding the springs, which will be 
enlarged and developed. Capitalists from the East have purchased a large tract of 
land adjoining Manitou, and will enter largely into bottling the Iron Spring water fur 
shipment to the East. On July 2d, 1882, a very destructive cloud burst occurred at 
Manitou, sweeping light buildings from their foundations, destroying vegetation, anil 
killing the little son of C. L. Gillingham, who was swept away by the torrent in Wil- 
liam's Caiion. 

'• 1883. — Manitou has enjoyed a season of unprecedented prosperity. One-third 
more people were accommodated at the hotels and boarding houses than ever before. 
Real estate has increased twenty-five to fifty per cent, in value. The Colorado Springs 
Company has leased to the Manitou Mineral Bath, Water and Park Company, all the 
mineral springs at Manitou and the park around them, for a rental of $500 per year, 
and a royalty of one cent for every quart of mineral water sold. This bath company 
has erected during the year a large bathhouse. It contains twenty bathrooms for 
mineral baths, and a large swimming bath. It was erected at a cost of $21,000. Ar- 
rangements have been made to bottle and ship the mineral water. 

During the past year surveys were completed for a railroad from Manitou to the 
summit of Pike's Peak, etc. 

The town authorities have completed a substantial irrigating ditch for the purpose 
of furnishing water to trees which will be planted along the streets and other public 
places. 

In 1883 the National Land & Improvement Co., ceased to e.xist as a Pennsylvania 
corporation, in order to reorganize in Colorado. It had previously been subject to the 
laws of Pennsylvania. It had lived long enough to see Manitou in the heyday of its 
prosperity; the new enterprises well under way; even to that of bottling the water, 
concerning which, the first Fountain Colony circular had prophesied twelve years 
before as to the establishment of a "bottling business." 

Manitou lies as in a cradled nest, in a cup-shaped glen which is properly the open- 
ing of Ute Pass, at an elevation of 6,123 feet above sea level. The town is shut away 
from winds by a mountain wall, whose precipitous sides rise almost from her streets. 
Pike's Peak trending westward, and just visible above the crowded summits, gleams 
like a silver hem to the blue mantle of the sky. To this tract of land Colonel Chiv- 
ington of Sand Creek notoriety laid claim, which was not sustained. Before the 
railway came, the town followed the course of the Fontaine in a straggling, 
irregular street. 

The Manitou House, Manitou Mansions (or Beebee House) the Cliff, and the old 
Iron Springs Hotel (long since burned) were the principal hotels. A lumbering stage- 
coach plied between the town and Colorado Springs, and a horse from Manitou was* 
thrown into convulsions of terror if he heard the shriek of his iron brother at the 
Colorado Springs depot. Deer and big horn were occasionally shot from the hotel 
piazzas, and bears wandered down into the cafions. A resident wears upon his watch 
chain a sharp and significant claw, a token of a victorious tussle with a bear found in 
his garden patch, bright and early one autumn morning. 

In summer the life was that of a mimic and primitive Saratoga ; in the winter, — 
when a single hotel, or later, two, would decide "to remain open for the 




.-^--z;— 1--W' 



r^ 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 



371 



the winter visitors donned mountain suits, and with the aid of stout alpen stocks, 
explored glens and hills, or lingered through sunny days on the rocks near the Springs. 
The amusements were horseback and burro riding, and the small gayeties which 
cluster about a hotel center. 

Manitou's groups of soda springs lie along the banks of the Fontaine. It is well 
that a more picturesque nomenclature has replaced the old. The Indians called the 
Navajo by a name signifying the "Beast," but it was Prof. Hayden, who had at his 
command a vocabulary more than aboriginal, who named a spring the "Galen," or the 
"Doctor." The Indian tradition of these springs, dating back to "long, long ago," 
when the cottonwoods on the Big River were no higher than an arrow, is given at the 
close of Volume I. The visitor may determine by the aid of his own palate, which 
spring is sweet, and which is embittered by that primal crime. These springs belong 
to the general group of carbonated soda waters, their temperature varies 
from 43° to 56°. 

The famous Iron Ute lies about a mile from the heart of Manitou in Englemann's 
Canon; a short distance further in the pine grove, is the round basin of the Little 
Chief. We give in general terms the cases benefited by Manitou mineral water, as 
stated in a pamphlet written by Dr. S. E, .Solly. The springs may be divided into 
three groups as follows: 

I. Carbonate Soda proper — Navajo, Manitou, Minnehaha. 
II. Purging Carbonated Soda — Little Chief, Shoshone. 

III. Ferruginous Carbonated Soda — Iron Ute, Little Chief. 

The Navajo is beneficial in cases of enlargement of the liver, spleen, corpulence 
and similar conditions, chronic bronchial catarrh, gout, chronic dyspepsia, incipient 
phthisis and chronic Bright's disease. Bathing in it is good for skin diseases and 
muscular rheumatism. 

THE MINERAL SPRINGS AT MANITOU. 

IN A PINT ARE CONTAINED GRAINS AS FOLLOWS: 



OF 


Navajo. 


Manitou. 


Minne- 
haha. 


Sho- 
shone. 


Iron 

Ute. 


Little 
Chief. 


Spa. 


Carbonate of Soda 


S 3-4 

1-50 
9 1-17 
2 1-5 


3 1-4 

1-67 

7 3-4 

trace. 

1 1-3 

2 2-3 


1 2-3 
trace. 

2 4-5 

I-IO 

trace. 
3-4 


6 1-5 

7 3-5 

1-3 
2 3-5 
3 
trace. 


4 1-7 

4 i-'s 

1 1-50 
2-5 
1-2 

2 1-5 
2 1-5 

1-5 


I 1-17 
5 1-4 

i-S 

1-2 

3 3-5 

3 1-3 

1-7 


3-5 


Carbonate of Lithia. .. 




Carbonate of Lime 


I 2 








1-3 
1-14 

1-25 


Sulphate of Potassa 

Sulphate of Soda 


I 1-7 

1 1-4 

2 3-4 

I-IO 












25 1-3 


Free.'' 
56° 


Carbonic 


19 2-5 
Acid. 
48° 3 


14 3-4 


15 


3 1-50 


Gases 


Degree of Fahrenheit 


50' 2 


44° 3 


43" 





A safe remedy is found in the Shoshone for most cases of functional derangement 
of the liver. The Little Chief is best adapted for treatment of those cases in which 
the administration of iron is indicated, and at the same time some disturbance of the 
functions of the liver is a pressing symptom. Chlorosis and anaemia are benefited by 



372 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

use of the Iron Ute. The popular Apollinaris water closely resembles the Navajo 
soda, and the Ems and Neuenhaur are almost identically the same in composition. 
The Shoshone is a good substitute for Hunyadi Janos, and as chalybeate waters do 
their work more effectually at a high elevation, the value of the Iron Ute, at an 
altitude greater than any European mineral spring, is enhanced. 

A newly discovered, or re-discovered group of mineral springs has recently been 
opened in Englemann's Canon, by Mr. Norman Jones. These springs are alleged to be 
twelve in number and of different chemical combinations. The group (in iSgo) was 
claimed by the Iron Springs Company, and is now in litigation. 

The town of Manitou, in 1890, had from twelve to fifteen hundred permanent 
residents, — a population increased in the past year by 100,000 visitors, brought to her 
gates by the Denver & Rio Grande, and the Colorado Midland. The streets have 
spread up the cailon highways, and are lighted by electricity (the electric light 
company was formed in 1887 by Dr. William A. Bell. The plant is of Houston- 
Thomson make, and cost $15,000. Both the arc and incandescent lights are 
supplied.) During the same year Manitou put in an independent system of waterworks, 
having till then used the Ruxton system in connection with Colorado Springs. The 
water is taken from French Creek, one of the Fontaine's tributaries. A settler was 
built thirteen hundred feet above the town and four miles distant. A si.x inch main 
was laid to a reservoir on Capitol Hill. This natural pressure system cost $47,000. 
Since, $25,000 worth of bonds have been voted to lay an additional twelve inch main to 
the reservoir. There are sixteen public hydrants. The city is supplied with a fine 
brick schoolhouse, built in 1888, at a cost of $25,000. It offers a graded course of 
study, ending in the high school, which gives a preparatory collegiate course of. three 
years. The school attendance averages one hundred and sixty pupils. The second 
story of the school building is occupied by a public hall, seating three hundred. 

The first church at Manitou was Congregational, organized in 1879. The pastor. 
Rev. W. D. Westervelt, worked with members of his flock in helping to quarry the 
stone for this edifice, in Williams' Caiion. St. Andrew's Episcopal church was estab- 
lished in 1880, by Rev. D. C. Pattee as a mission. It has been self supporting since 
1888, and now owns $30,000 worth of property. Roman Catholic and Methodist 
Episcopal churches were organized in 1889. 

Besides the pioneer hotels, the principal hotels are the "Barker," "Sunnyside," 
"Ruxton" and "Devere." The new Iron Spring hotel erected by capitalists from 
Alton, Illinois, was bought in 1890 by Major John Hulbert, Dr. William A. Bell, 
Donald Fletcher and H. B. Chamberlin, incorporated as "The Iron Springs Company," 
together with three hundred and twenty acres of ground, the Iron Springs pavilions, 
complete water system and electric light plant. 

A fire company was organized at Manitou in 1S79. The first of the ensuing year 
it took the name of the W. A. Bell Hose, Hook & Ladder Co. The Masons and Odd- 
Fellows have lodges in Manitou, and there is a post of the G. A. R. The Y. M. C. A. 
have a free reading room established here. Jerome B. Wheeler of New York is at the 
head of a company which established a bank in Manitou in May, 1889. A board of trade 
was organized in September, 1889. The present officers are J. B. Wheeler, president; 
Major John Hulbert, first vice-president; Mr. W. D. Sawin, second vice-president; Mr. 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 373 

M. A. Leddy, third vice-president; Honorable K. H. Grafton, secretary; Mr. J- B- 
Glasser, treasurer; Messrs. D. L. Stirling, E. E. Nichols, and Charles A. Grant, board 
of directors. The present membership numbers si.xty-nine. 

Manitou postoffice, which was a fourth class ofifice in 1S85, is now raised to a presi- 
dential office. 

The Manitou Mineral Water Co., of which mention has been made in the colony 
reports, purchased the park where the soda springs are situated, in October, 1889. 
The company in 1890 constructed a fine building for bottling works, at a cost of 
$32,000, with machinery which will bottle twenty thousand quarts per day. Besides 
bottling the mineral water, the company also manufactures from it, the widely known 
"Manitou Ginger Champagne." During 18S9, nine hundred thousand bottles of soda 
and iron water, and ginger champagne were sold, and the first half of 1890 has shown 
an increase of 125 per cent, over this business. Forty hands are employed, and the pay 
roll during the past year amounted to $22,000. General Charles Adams, originator of 
this enterprise, is vice-president of the company, whose stock is $200,000. Jerome B. 
Wheeler is president; J. B. Glasser, secretary and treasurer; and D. L. Stirling 
(formerly of Waukesha) manager; Louis R. Ehrich and J- A. Hayes, Jr., also are 
prominent stockholders. 

The broken, diversified g-round in the neighborhood of Manitou is admirably 
adapted to picturesque buildings, and such are perched everywhere on the heights, 
from the Swiss chalet to the mansion of red sandstone. A cottage once belonging to 
Grace Greenwood is situated on the principal street. Agate Hill is the residence of 
Major John Hulbert, Jerome B. Wheeler has a cottage on the high ground near the 
Cliff House; Briarhurst, the home of Dr. W. A. Bell, was burned several years ago, 
and has since been rebuilt and enlarged. It is a typical English home, built of rosy 
stone, with rambling porches and picturesque gables. Dr. Bell is the owner of Moran's 
picture, the "Mount of the Holy Cross." At the time of the conflagration, the 
gardener had the presence of mind to cut the canvas from the frame, and thus the 
painting was saved. Between Manitou and Colorado City, in a beautiful glen, is 
situated the home of General Charles Adams, the saviour of the Meeker women. The 
house is a museum of curious and artistic objects collected by General and Mrs. 
Adams among the Indians and in South America. 

The Manitou Social Club was formed in 1S90, and fitted up billiard, reading and 
writing rooms and parlors in the Soda Bath Building. It has enrolled forty-five mem- 
bers among the most influential men of the city. The president is Mr. D. L. Stirling; 
Rev. J. C. S. Weills is treasurer, and Mr. C. H. Grant secretary. 

Pikes Peak. — Dr. E. James, serving in Long's e.xpedition in the three-fold 
capacity of doctor, botanist and historian, made himself famous as the first man known 
to have ascended Pike's Peak. Tradition for years has had it that Grace Greenwood, 
riding her white donkey, Daisy, was the first woman to stand upon the summit, but the 
following account taken from the "Kansas Magazine" seems to prove the contrary. A 
member of a party which had camped on the site of Colorado City, writes as follows: 
".\ party of four left camp early in the morning, and reached the highest point at 
sunset. Time about twelve hours. I have seen several later ascensions recorded in 
Colorado papers as the first, and one of the ladies was named as the first woman who 



374 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

ever stood upon the summit of Pike's Peak. I am sorry to deprive said lady of her 
laurels, but the plain fact is, that one of our before mentioned ladies ascended the 
mountain in question during the last week in July, 1858. She remained up there two 
days and nights, slept upon the eternal snow, and wrote letters to the Eastern press 
dated at the summit. She did not claim to be a heroine, but if a record is to be made 
at all, it should be accurate, and I therefore register our woman's name, Mrs. Julia 
Archibald Holmes, then a resident of Kansas, but latterly of Washington, D. C, and 
secretary of some national organization of women." 

On the Fourth of July, 1872, Pike's Peak became patriotic. It was arranged to 
have a grand bonfire, followed by fireworks, and signal communication with Colorado 
Springs. People from Denver and all the country round flocked to the mountain's foot, 
only to find a wet blanket of cloud, which hung there persistently all the evening. 
The United States established a signal service bureau on the summit in 1873-74, and 
constructed a trail thereto, through the beautiful Bear Creek Canon. A stone house 
was built (24x30 feet) of the red rocks scattered on the summit, — the highest human 
habitation. This was afterward abandoned for a larger house (30x55 feet). Three 
signal service officers alternated in staying there during the year, and experienced a 
storm every day, out of the three hundred and sixty-five. Observations were 
made five times a day by means of a barometer, hygrometer, self-registering ther- 
mometers (which took the maximum and minimum temperature), anemometer and 
anemoscope. A heliograph and flag signals were employed to communicate with the 
base station. Three daily reports were made, also monthly, quarterly and annual 
reports, which were sent to Washington from the haunt of "Old Probs." In the winter 
of 1883-84 there were very heavy snows on the trail, which rendered the ascent 
impracticable. One officer, Mr. Ramsay, was there alone, and it was rumored that 
signals of distress were seen flying on the Peak, probably provisions were exhausted, 
and the officer was starving. The story flew like wild fire as weeks went by; Eastern 
paragraphers wrote their most pathetic periods about "the young life perishing amid 
the eternal snows." Sums of money were proffered to organize a relief party. On 
April 30th, Sergeant Hall with two companions, set out upon the heroic work of rescue, 
equipped with snow shoes, and carrying a supply of provisions. After suffering 
incredible hardships, spending fifteen hours in crossing a slope, usually passed in one 
and a half, the men reached the summit, snowblind, frostbitten, and staggered into the 
station, expecting to be ushered into the very presence of King Death. There sat the 
object of their hopes and fears, gaily performing upon his banjo: the unconscious 
recipient of the sympathy of a world. "A little fresh meat would be relishing, but he 
had canned goods enough to last for two months." 

On the summit of Pike's Peak is a pile of rocks left by Hayden as a landmark. 
This is embellished with a wooden slab inscribed: 

"Fair Cynthia with her starry train. 

Shall miss thee in thy silent rest. 

And waft one sweet, one speric strain, 

To Erin dear, among the blest." 

Erected by Sergeant John and Norah O'Keef, to the Memory of their infant daughter Erin O'Keef, 

who was destroyed by mountain rats. May 25th, A. D., 1S76." 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 375 

Erin O'Keef is the phantasm of the sole joke which the imagination of man has 
been able to evoke from that dreary solitude. The late Judge Price of the 
"Mountaineer," the author, was the Jules Verne of El Paso. The officers of the 
bureau were never married men, and there was not the slightest foundation for the 
story, which was copied all over the United States as a matter of fact as follows: 

"The vast number of rats inhabiting the rocky crevices and cavernous passages at 
the summit of Pike's Peak, Colorado, have recently become formidable and dangerous. 
These animals are known to feed upon a saccharine gum that percolates through the 
pores of the rocks, apparently upheaved by that volcanic action which at irregular 
intervals of a few days gives to the mountain crest that vibratory motion which has 
been detected by the instruments used in the office of the United States Signal 
Station. Since the establishment of the station, at an altitude of nearly 15,000 feet 
these animals have acquired a voracious appetite for raw meat, the scent of which 
seems to impart to them a ferocity rivaling the starved Siberian wolf. The most 
singular trait in the character of these animals is that they are never seen in the day- 
time. When the moon pours down her queenly light upon the summit, they are 
visible in countless numbers, hopping among the rocky boulders that crown this 
barren waste, and during the summer months they may be seen swimming and sporting 
in the waters of the lake, a short distance between the crest of the Peak, and on a dark, 
cloudy night their trail in the water exhibits a glowing, sparkling light, giving to the 
waters of the lake a flickering, silvery appearance. A few days since, Mr. John 
O'Keef, one of the government operators at the signal station, returned to his post 
from Colorado Springs, taking with him a quarter of beef. It being late in the after- 
noon, his colleague, Mr. Hobbs, immediately left with the pack animal for the Springs. 
Soon after dark, while Mr. O'Keef was engaged in the office, forwarding night 
dispatches to Washington, he was startled by a loud scream from Mrs. O'Keef, who 
had retired for the night in an adjoining bedroom, and who came rushing into the 
office screaming, 'The rats! the rats!' Mr. O'Keef with great presence of mind, 
immediately girdled his wife with a scroll of zinc plating, such as had been used in the 
roofing of the station, which prevented the animals from climbing upon her person, and 
although his own person was almost literally covered with them, he succeeded in encas- 
ing his legs each in a joint of stovepipe, when he commenced a fierce and desperate 
struggle for his life with a heavy war club preserved at the station among other Indian 
relics captured at the battle of Sand Creek. Notwithstanding hundreds were destroyed 
on every side they seemed to pour (with increasing numbers) from the bedroom, the 
door of which had been left open. The entire quarter of beef was eaten in less than 
five minutes, which seemed only to sharpen their appetite for an attack on Mrs. 
O'Keef, whose face, hands and neck were terribly lacerated. In the midst of the war- 
fare, Mrs. O'Keef managed to reach a coil of electric wire hanging near the battery, 
and being a mountain girl, familiar with the throwing of a lariat, she hurled it through 
the air causing it to encircle her husband, and spring out from its loosened fastenings, 
making innumerable spiral traps, along which she poured the electric fluid from the 
heavily charged battery. In a moment the room was ablaze with electric light and 
whenever the rats came in contact with the wire they were hurled to an almost instant 
death. The appearance of daylight, made such by the corruscation of the heavily 



376 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

charged wire, caused them to take refuge among the crevices and caverns of the 
mountains, by way of the bedroom window, through which they had forced their way. 
But the saddest part of this night attacic upon the Peak is the destroying of their 
infant child, which Mrs. O'Keef thought she had made secure by a heavy covering of 
bed clothing, but the rats had found their way to the infant (only two months old), 
and had left nothing of it but the peeled and mumbled skull." 

In 18S2-1883 the idea of a railway to the summit of the Peak was projected, and was 
afterward abandoned. About si.\ miles of road were graded, making now a favorite 
trail for horseback excursions to Crystal Park, a sky-perched basin south of Cameron's 
Cone, with an altitude of 8,450 feet. 

At the summit is one of the most magnificent views of the Rocky Mountain region. 
Rocky buttresses form long aisles below, and their projections are duplicated in shadows 
which sweep over the valleys. The depths of these unroofed cathedrals are unfathomed 
craters of desolation. From the summit the eye loses itself in seeing. Colorado 
Springs lies below like a chess board, with geometrical squares; beyond the faint smoke 
of the Pueblo smelters, the ocean of the plains upbears snowy cloud sails. , Northward 
beyond the crowding peaks lies Denver; westward the horizon closes in with mountains, 
seemingly turned by the share of some gigantic plow, driven by a mighty hand with 
a thunderous roll over the face of the patient earth — slope beyond slope, range beyond 
range, with the tints where blue and violet meet in the solar spectrum. 

For the last decade, during the summers, throngs of tourists have visited the Peak, 
by the horseback trails through Englemann's and Bear Creek Canons; the toll-road 
over Cheyenne Mountain, via Seven Lakes; or by the new wagon road at Cascade 
Canon. The Signal Service was abandoned in January, 1889, as not justifyuig its 
expenses, and the buildings were turned over to the Pike's Peak Railroad Company. 

The Pike's Peak Railv.'ay. — Major John Hulbert became possessor in 1889 of the 
mental conviction that Manitou needed a railroad to the summit of Pike's Peak. It 
was not long after that this conviction took sole possession of the man. He was wont 
to look up to its snowclad summits, from his handsome home at the mountain's base, 
and the man was a casualty until the conviction became fact. First he whispered the 
project to Jerome B. Wheeler, who readily sympathized with it. 

Henry Watson (the then principal owner of the Iron Springs property) was next 
interested in the novel project and with him it was arranged that the Iron Springs should 
be made a terminal station. To build the road a company must be organized — with 
half a million capital. In July Major Hulbert, Jerome B. Wheeler, and President D. H, 
Moffat of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, subscribed for $90,000 worth of this 
stock, and it was decided that Mr. Wheeler and Major Hulbert should go to New York 
City to place the balance — Mr. Wheeler to go on at once. In September as Major 
Hulbert placidly traveled Chicagoward, he met and interested in the road, Mr. Z. G. 
Simmons, of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Instead of going on to New York, Major Hulbert 
went to Kenosha with his new acquaintance and from there telegraphed to Mr. Wheeler 
that he had sold the $410,000 of stock in the Pike's Peak Railroad to Mr. Simmons 
and his friends — Roswell P. Flower of New York, and R. R. Cable, H. H. Porter and 
David Dows of Chicago. 

A company was formed in the fall, composed of Major Hulbert: R. R. Cable, pres- 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 377 

ident of the Rock Island Road; David H. Moffat, president of tlie Rio Grande Road, 
and First National Bank of Denver; Major Jerome B. Wheeler of New York (whose 
summer home is in Manitou), and J. B. Glasser of Manitou. The following are (1890) 
officers of the road: Major Hulbert, president; R. R. Cable, vice-president; J- B. Glasser, 
secretary and treasurer; and Thomas F. Richards, engineer. 

Theterminalsof the road are at Iron Springs, Manitou, and at the Old Government 
Signal Station — the very top of Pike's Peak. Nearly a thousand men have been 
employed since the company's organization when work immediately began, grading and 
e.Kcavating, and in August, 1890, trains were driven to the half way station. It is offi- 
cially asserted that the road will be in running order, from end to end, before the 
expiration of 1890. The road is termed "a rack railroad" built on the Swiss "Abt 
system." Its e.xact length is ..(6,158 feet, very nearly eight and three-fourths miles. Its 
altitude at Manitou is 6,600 feet, at the summit 14,200 feet above sea level. Thus the 
average ascent is 846 feet in the mile, and it is expected the engines going up will 
average a speed of eight miles per hour. The track is of ordinary steel rails, standard 
gauge, and the rack rail in which the cog-wheel of the engine drives is securely fastened 
to the ties in the center of the track, thus consolidating the rails. The passenger cars 
are not tilted or unlike ordinary day coaches, but are so constructed that passengers 
will have a level footing on the incline. 

This railway is the highest in the world and affords one of the grandest views on 
the globe, while the scenes en route are nobly inspiring as one passes from canon to prec- 
ipice, from mountain cascades to fields of snow, and from long vistas of foothills and 
plains, to the eagle's eyrie, and above timber line or clouds. 

In the center of Manitou, near the Cliff House, is the entrance to Williams or more 
properly, Manitou Caiion, remarkable for its varied geological formations; its "Nar- 
rows," and "Bridal Veil Falls." In June, 1880, John and George Pickett were in the 
caiion taking a lesson in practical geology under the guidance of Rev. R. T. Cross of 
Denver. Some objection was made to their entrance by the proprietor of an insignifi- 
cant cavern on the mountain side. "Never mind, boys," said their teacher, "we will 
go and try to find a cave for ourselves," — and in fact they did, climbing up the caiion 
wall. Here was the entrance to the Cave of the Winds, through a formation resembling 
the Natural Bridge of Virginia. There are one hundred rooms, mainly on three general 
levels; in the lowest are fossilized skeletons of animals and fish. The principal rooms 
are named Cascade Hall, Canopy, .\labaster Hall, etc. 

It is an enormous system of caverns which extends for an unknown distance under- 
, ground. The formation is Upper Silurian, the same geologically as that of Luray, in 
Virginia. 

The Manitou (irand Caverns, [lart of the same .system, were discovered by George 
Snider, in the winter of 18S3. His attention was attracted to a vapor issuing from 
crevices in the ground. These caverns are approached by Ute Pass road, beyond the 
Rainbow Falls of the Fontaine, and near the point where looms Tim Bunker's " Pulpit " 
of red rocks. This rock was so christened in 1871, by a party of Eastern editors in 
honor of the Rev. Mr. Clift, whose twm de plume was Tim Bunker. The most notable 
rooms in Manitou Grand Caverns are the Opera House (500 feet long by 60 feet high), 



378 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

and the Bridal Chamber. The Grand Organ has a compass of two octaves, and many 
tunes can be played by striking the stalactites which form it. 

Garden of the Gods and Glen Eyrie. — Nearly three miles from Manitou lies this 
famous tract of ground. Louis N. Tappan and some friends were exploring the tract 
in 1859, and as these visitors were standing on a neighboring height, one of the number 
exclaimed; "What a garden it would make." " Yes, but of the gods" was the rejoinder, 
and thus it was named. The enormous red rocks of the Gateway (the " Beautiful 
Gates," as the early colonists termed it), three hundred and thirty feet high, are a con- 
spicuous feature of the landscape for miles, and the "Balanced Rock," another enor- 
mous mass, weighs four hundred tons. In the intervening area, the rocks have formed 
themselves into cathedral spires, ruined temples, gigantic mushrooms, gargoyle 
sarcophagi, prows of ships, peering faces and stone giants, birds or beasts — according 
to the visitor's fancy, and all of the crimson sandstone. The gods had Titanic sport 
in this, their garden. 

In 187 1 Gen. Palmer selected a site for a home in a romantic caiion near the Gate 
way, in a tract called the " Little Garden of the Gods," christening it " Glen Eyrie," 
from the eagles' nests perched in the green and orange crags. The General began to 
beautify the place without altering its wild natural beauties, and the finest house which 
El Paso had seen was constructed there, at a cost of $30,000. It was the scene of the 
semi-official hospitality of the colony, and center of the social life. A picturesque 
canon, opening at the rear of the house, and ending in a natural basin called the 
" Devil's Punch Bowl," — was named " Queen's Canon " in honor of Mrs. Palmer — the 
queen of the little colony. In 1882 Glen Eyrie was remodeled, and its grounds were 
further beautified at a cost of $30,000. 

In a cleft of the Hog Back, one mile north of Glen Eyrie, lies Blair Athol. Mr. 
Blair, its first owner, gave it this name, though Scottish glens, clad in purple heather, 
are dull by gorgeous Blair Athol. Its rocks vary from cream to orange, from rose to 
carmine. There is no water in Blair Athol, but its action is everywhere visible in the 
curiously twisted columns; in the great slabs which bar the portals of some rocky tomb. 



I 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 379 



EL PASO COUNTY. 

(continued.) 

Mountain resorts — towns and settlements — monument — paljier lake — foun- 
tain falcon FLORISSANT^JOUKNALISM STATISTICS. 

Utt Pass Resorts. — Where a few years ago the Indian on his tough little mustang 
came down from the mountain parks to drinic from the Manitou Springs, — and later a 
handful of hunters encamped, — now glide the Colorado Midland trains carrying thou- 
sands who make this pass the Mecca of their summer saunterings. While Manitou two 
years ago was the only celebrated resort in this vicinity, the building of the Midland 
Railroad has created several mountain resorts above these world-famous springs, where 
the air is yet more bracing, the scenery primitive and wilder, the flora more luxuriant 
and where one can nearer commune with Mother Nature — and she lures us higher and 
deeper among the mountain recesses. 

Cascade Cafwn is five miles above Manitou, near the base of Pike's Peak. Sur- 
rounded with crystal falls and beautiful glens, lovely parks and health-giving springs, 
it is a romantic spot. From this point in 1889, the Pike's Peak carriage road was built, 
by Hundley and Carlisle. One by this road may reach the summit within six hours, 
and enjoy one of the most picturesque drives in the world. 

For a score of years Bob Correy, in the pioneer days, hunted, fished and prospected, 
here enjoying nature's plenteousness, and happiness, until as civilization's limits came 
near he sought more distant wilds, and sold his squatter claim to Mrs. E. N. Hewlitt, 
who, with her son, here started a small cattle ranch. In the summer of 1S86 Mr. D. 
Severy, a Kansas capitalist, recognized the place's prospects, knew the railroad soon 
would be built through it, and opened negotiations with Mrs. Hewlitt. This resulted in 
the organization of " The Cascade Town Company," with Mr. Severy as president, and 
Mrs. Hewlitt and several wealthy Kansas men as directors. Within a year a town site was 
platted, cottages built, waterworks put in and sewer pipes laid through the main streets. 
A large hotel costing $65,000, has been built, and has received successful patronage. 

Ute Park, Green Mountain Falls, and Woodland Park (which is also the station for 
Manitou Park), are on the Midland Railroad, as it darts up Ute Pass, and their history 
is similar to that of Cascade Caiion. Green Mountain Falls is nine miles from Manitou, 
while Woodland Park lies five miles still farther up the pass, and is twenty miles from 
Colorado Springs. 

Ute Park is a new resort, and its hotel (W. J. Douglas architect) was christened 
the Ute in August, 1S90, when a magnificent banquet was tendered by its proprietors 



380 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

to the press and railroads of the State. Back of the hotel extend twenty-three miles of 
mountain boulevards, through the pines, and in the valley is a pretty lake with a foun- 
tain jet spurting one hundred and thirty-five feet heavenward. Ute Park is a creation 
of the summer of 1890, combined with natural attractions and capital and energy 
directed by Louis R. Ehrich, Frank White, J. J. Hagerman and Dr. N. S. Culver of 
Colorado Springs. The company includes several New York men who are erecting 
cottages here. 

Green Alountain Falls, as well as the other resorts in the pass, may also be reachetl 
by carriage road from Manitou. Numerous beautiful waterfalls are in the vicinity of 
this resort, and a $25,000 hotel was erected in 18S9 by a Colorado Springs company, of 
which F. E. Dow is president, and I. J. Woodworth secretary, treasurer and attorney. 

Woodland Park is situated on a high, broad plateau, 8,484 feet above sea level, and 
has a protected and sheltered situation. It affords a fine view of Pike's Peak, and near 
by are Iron and Sulphur Springs, almost hidden by native shrubbery and wild flowers. 
During the past year a hotel and several cottages and stores have been erected as well 
as a church and school. Here is also a good-sized lake. The town company is headed 
by W. J. Foster of Colorado Springs. From this station one can make a delightful 
coaching trip to Manitou Park, formerly Bergen Park, where, in the old days, when its 
hotel was kept by Mrs. Lyman K. Bass, lovers of hunting and fishing were wont to pass 
the summer months. But the old hotel was accidentally burned down by the rolling out 
of a blazing log from the fireplace, in 1887. Dr. Wm. A. Bell of Manitou, laid claim 
for the credit of this happening. " I just idled about all that day," he said, " and 
didn't accomplish anything to speak of. I merely went up to Manitou Park and burned 
down the hotel." But a new and better hostelry was erected here in 1889, and many 
tents dot the picturesque surroundings. Its lakes have been plentifully stocked with 
trout, and form a regular supply for the neighboring markets. 

Florissant. — The Castello family may justly be regarded as the pioneers of Florissant. 
In fact, the town site was once the Castello Ranch, which occupied a picturesque 
valley in the northwestern part of El Paso Count}^, thirty-five miles from Colorado 
Springs, at an elevation of 8,096 feet. The valley is watered by excellent springs, and 
in the neighborhood are opal beds, fossiliferous shales, and the great sequoia stumps of 
the Petrified Forest. Here in the month of June, 1870, Judge James Castello came to 
settle, naming the tract Florissant, after his old home in Missouri. During the month 
of November following, he brought his wife and two sons from Fairplay. Mrs. Catherine 
Castello came to Colorado in 1863, crossing the plains in a wagon drawn by oxen, 
despite the rigors of winter, to join her husband in the wilderness which is now Park 
County. Mrs. Castello was one of the brave women of those dauntless days. She kept 
the home for husband and children in the utter solitude (her nearest neighbor eleven 
miles away), and often remained alone with her boys for days at a time in that Indian- 
haunted region, when her husband was absent for supplies. Now, at the age of three- 
score and ten, she has lived to see that wilderness blossom into scores of homes, where 
hers once stood alone. 

In 1868 an early Indian encounter is remembered, when a band of forty Arapahoe 
Indians came from the plains to South Park on a raid. On Twin Creek near Floris- 
sant, they met Surveyor General Lessig and party, who were returning to Denver via 




CP^^r^^^j^^^^^'H^ 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 381 

Colorado City. The hostiles took possession of the horses of Lessig's party, but after 
e.Kamination concluded they were too poor to serve their purpose, and returned them. 
They possessed themselves, however, of General Lessig's fine Navajo blanket, the 
provisions, and even the horse feed. 

Among other early settlers who were "neighbors" were E. J. Smith, five miles 
distant on the Platte Crossing, IVIilton Pulver, eleven miles west (who came in 1867). 
R. Marcott and family, John Westal, and M. Riggs were settled on Four Mile Creek, 
having come there in the autumn of 1870. 

.\ postofifice was established at Florissant in 1873. Before that, any traveler who 
chanced to come from Fairplay, fifty miles away, was impressed as mail carrier. 

In the winter of i874-'75 Ouray with a band of si.x hundred Utes camped at Floris- 
sant for several months. One day, Mr. Marksberry, a ranchman living on Tarryall 
Creek, rode up to the postofifice, tethered his horse, and went within the building. The 
pony attracted the attention of an Indian named Antelope, who claimed the animal as 
his own. slipped off saddle and bridle, and jumping on its back, rode away. 

Marksberry and a friend determined to recover the -pony, followed the band to 
their new camp, in Beaver Park, south of Pike's Peak. Marksberry found his pony 
with the Indian herd, caught it, and was turning away, when Antelope, hidden behind a 
tree, shot and instantly killed him. Chief Ouray, always ready to "travel the white 
man's road," gave up Antelope to justice. He was afterward acquitted by Denver 
authorities. 

For a number of years the Castello Ranch was a stopping place for travelers to 
South Park and many tourists sought the neighborhood because of the mineral wonders 
in the vicinity. Such gathered round the Castellos' hospitable board, graced with the 
famous silver and Bohemian glass caster — a well known heirloom. But with the advent 
of the Midland Railroad. Florissant became a town (though not yet incorporated.) It 
has a population of two hundred persons, a good school with two teachers and eighty 
scholars. Florissant has two hotels, two general merchandise stores, two drugstores, 
two meat markets, two feedstores, one shoe shop, three blacksmith and wagon shops, 
two livery stables, one restaurant and several boarding houses, one barber shop, two 
doctors and one lawyer. The Order of Modern Woodmen of America has been estab- 
lished recently with a membership of twenty-five. The Odd Fellows have also organized, 
with forty member* 

The M. E. Church is the only one in town at present, and the school building is 
used as a place of worship. The Crystal Park "Beacon," a weekly newspaper, has been 
started. 

Situated in a lumber district, Florissant has several sawmills in operation, shipping 
an average of 20,000 feet of lumber each. Florissant is now the Midland's principal 
town, between Manitou and Buena Vista. 

EJgcrton has always been the halting spot for tourists who visit Monument Park. 
The park formations were d*;scribed by Fitz Hugh Ludlow, better possibly, than by the 
innumerable pens which have followed him. He says: "I found the formation to con- 
sist of peculiar friable conglomerate. Some of the pillars were nearly cylindrical, 
others were long cones, and a number were spindle shaped, or like a berry set on end. 
They were surmounted by capitals of remarkable projection beyond their base. The 



382 HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 

conglomeration of the shafts was an irregular mixture of fragments from all the 
hypogene rocks of the range, including quartzose pebbles, pure crystals of silex, 
various crystalline sandstone, gneiss, solitary hornblend and feldspar, nodular iron 
stones, rude agates and gun flint, the whole loosely cemented in a matrix, composed 
of clay, lime, and red oxide of iron. The disk which formed the largely projecting 
capital seemed to represent the original diameter of the pillair, and apparently retained 
its proportions in virtue of a much closer texture and larger per cent, of iron in its 
composition." The park occupies a tract nine miles long and about two miles wide. A 
similar formation is found at Austin Bluffs. The monuments are from fourteen to 
twenty feet high, and appear like yellowish white statues; a troop of soldiers forms a 
guard round a ruined temple. Here is an anvil, and a priest with attendant men. 
At the "Quaker Wedding," hatted preacher weds hatted groom to a bride with a 
crumbling coiffure, and friends in broad brims throng near. 

A ranch near Edgerton was the scene of the most terrible and mysterious 
murder ever committed in El Paso. In 1886 lived there an elderly lady, Mrs. 
Kearney and her six-year old grandson, James Hand. His widowed mother left him 
with his grandmother, while she was studying for the stage in Boston. The two lived 
quietly together, and occasionally Mrs. Kearney took her grandson to Denver, and the 
ranch was closed. So its air of desertion created no comment, until it was noticed by 
the scattered neighbors that Mrs. Kearney came no more to buy eggs, etc. The house 
was searched, and found vacant. The seekers proceeded to the barn; it was observed 
that the door, which had been secured inside, had been burst in from without. Inside 
the door lay the body of Mrs. Kearney, her skull cleft with an ax. In a grain box 
beyond was found the mutilated body of the child. It was supposed the murderer had 
attacked his victims in the house, and that they had vainly sought safety in the barn, 
but were there pursued and killed. 

A table spread for a meal in the house was set for three. The murderer has never 
been traced, and it is a discreditable fact in El Paso's annals that no public reward was 
offered for his apprehension (the Hand family offered five hundred dollars reward), 
and that such a crime has heretofore gone unpunished. 

In early days Edgerton suffered much from Indian depredations. A small 
fortified house was constructed there as a refuge for women and children. 

Monumetit.— The first settlement was made at this agricultural town, which now 
ranks fourth in the county and is situated twenty miles north of Colorado Springs, in 
1869, by a party of surveyors, prominent among whom were Henry Limbach and 
Charles Adams. The earliest settlers of Monument were David McShane and family; 
Colonel F. E. Ford and family; David, Henry and J. M.- Guire, Simpson Brothers 
and C. S. Agnew. They endured many pioneer hardships, and were at various times 
driven from their homes by the Indians, their houses plundered, and their lives 
threatened. Monument was incorporated as a town in 1873, and depends mainly for 
its life upon the potato crop which is grown without irrigation. It is the main shipping 
point for the "Divide" country for a radius of fifteen miles, between Denver and Colo- 
rado Springs. The Denver & Rio Grande, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, Missouri 
Pacific, Colorado Midland and the Rock Island Railroads run through the town. 
During 1889 Monument exported one hundred and twenty-eight carloads of potatoes, 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 383 

one hundred of lumber, seventy-five of wood, and sixteen of miscellaneous produce. 
Hiisted and Pring sidings which are tributary to Monument, shipped in the same year, 
one hundred and ninety-nine and two hundred and twenty-three carloads of agricul- 
tural produce, respectively. The Monument "Mentor" was published here, weekly, so 
far back as 1878, but was discontinued in 1880, the editor, A. T. Blackly removing to 
Gunnison. The government geological survey of 1889 reported favorably on two 
locations in this region where water could be stored and a vast area thereby irrigated. 
During 1889 indications of coal and oil were here discovered. Monument has a 
good school system, a Presbyterian church, a weekly paper, the "El Paso Register" 
founded in 1S86, and some twenty business buildings. The population is about three 
hundred. 

SM.ALLER TOWNS .'VND SETTLEMENTS. 

Roswell and Ros7i'ell City sprang up in a day, born in 1889 of the junction of the 
Rock Island and Rio Grande Railroads, on the Monument Creek two and a half miles 
north of Colorado Springs. At Roswell City is situated the Rock Island's round house 
and shops. Roswell is a suburban residence site. The city is an addition to ('olorado 
.Springs and is a prohibition railroad town, and although but little more than a year old 
now boasts handsome residences, stores and a hotel. Roswell was named after 
Honorable Roswell P. Flower of New York. 

Franceville is a coal mining town in the eastern part of El Paso, named in honor 
of Honorable Matt France of Colorado Springs, who has large interests here. 

McFerran, five miles northwest of Franceville, is another busy coal mining town, 
where besides stores, hotels, etc., are well conducted schools. 

Settlements of lesser note in El Paso are, Aroways, Bassett's Hill, Big Sandy, 
Bijou Basin, Cheyenne Peak, Chico Basin, Colorado House, Crystal Peak Park, Easton, 
Elsmere, El Paso, Divide, Four Mile, Granger, Gwillemville, Highland, Hursleys, 
Husted, Jimmy Camp, Lake Station, Little Buttes, McConnellsville, "O. Z." Peyton, 
Petrified Stumps, Quarry, Sidney, South Water, Suffolk, Summit Park, Sun View, 
Table Rock, Turkey Creek, Twin Rocks, Weissport, AVheatland, Widefield, Winfield 
and Wigwam. 

Palmer Lake.— On the summit of the watershed which divides Platte and the 
Arkansas Rivers, fifty-two miles south of Denver, and on the Rio Grande & Santa Fe 
Railroads, is a beautiful natural lake, close shut in by mountains on either side. It is 
some ten acres in area, and its altitude is 7,238 feet above sea level. Not miny years 
ago this sheet of water was known as Loch Katrine, but out of compliment to General 
Palmer, the lake and site were christened (by Kate Field) "Palmero," in the presence 
of prominent officials of the Rio Grande Railroad, and others. To the ears of Colo- 
radoans this must have carried an unpleasant foreign twang, for custom since has 
altered the appellation to plain Palmer Lake. 

Along the shores of the lake, stone approaches and walls have been built, a lively 
fountain jet plays from its center, tempting little boats invite the tourist as well as 
the prairie schooner voyageur, and the many eyes which peer from countless passing 
cars shine forth a thankful, gratified expression as they admire the beauties of the 
waters and the reflections of the everlasting hills. 



384 HISTORY OF EL PASO COCNTY. 

Close by the lake is Glen Park, well known as the meeting place of the Colorado 
Chautauqua Association which first assembled here in 1887. The association in 1889 
erected an auditorium which seats nearly 1,000 people (at an expense of $100,000). 
Many cottages and a large hotel have been built, and surrounding sites are dotted with 
tents during the hot months. It is estimated that 20,000 tourists visited Palmer Lake 
in 1889, for its cliiBate and beautiful features have made it a popular resort. 

Dr. W. Finley was appointed the first Mayor, and the town was incorporated in 
1889. The town plat contains about six hundred acres, and the real estate transfers of 
1889 aggregated $100,000. Ice houses have been erected at the south end of the lake. 
The railroads have erected handsome eating houses here, and during the past year 
many improvements have been made. 

Fountain. — In a fertile and well watered valley, twelve miles southeast of Colorado 
Springs, early in El Paso County's history, was the little Quaker hamlet of Fountain 
founded, taking its name from the Fontaine-qui-Bouille. It has prospered, for not only 
does the surrounding country produce good crops of grains and vegetables, but dairying 
is a profitable interest here. The wool clip is large, and small fruits, peaches, apples 
and pears are being grown to good advantage. During 1888 this happy village was 
almost completely destroyed by the explosion of a car of giant powder, but through the 
generous settlement of all claims by the railroad on which the awful accident hap- 
pened, Fountain was enabled completely to rebuild herself. The Denver & Rio Grande, 
the Santa Fe, the Missouri Pacific & Rock Island Railroads reach this point, which now 
has a population of two hundred. 

Falcon. — -Falcon is a baby town not yet two years old, with a population of some- 
thing less than two hundred. It is situated fifteen miles east of Colorado Springs, near 
the summit of the divide between the Platte and the Arkansas Rivers, — seventy miles 
south of Denver — and at the junction of the Rock Island & Fort Worth Railroads, is 
attracting the shipping business of the near country. It is surrounded by good agri- 
Cultural and grazing land, is only three miles from a large tract of timber land, and less 
than five miles from the Franceville and McFerran coal mines. There are many living 
springs in and about Falcon, and water is found at a depth of from ten to twenty feet. 
The Falcon Town & Land Company was organized and incorporated September, 1887, 
with Louis R. Ehrich of Colorado Springs as president; F. H. Russell, vice-president; 
L. Falkenau, secretary and treasurer; and these officers, together with J. A. Hayes, Jr., 
Henry Vietell, Robert Moreheimer and R. F. Kavenaugh, constituted the board of 
directors.- The capital stock of this company is $100,000, in one hundred equal shares. 
Falcon now boasts over two hundred inhabitants, a weekly paper, a $6,000 hotel and 
over forty substantial buildings. 

yoiirnalisin in El Paso. — This county, being one of the earliest settled in Colorado, 
has a respectable newspaper record. Even in 1S72, "Out West," published by J. E. 
Liller, had for correspondents men widely known in church, literature and politics, as 
Rev. Charles Kingsley and Hon. Wm. D. Kelley. " Out West " was a model of style, 
editorially and typographically; it was devoted to Western interests. In December, 
1872, it announced that a local paper had become necessary, and that it would also 
publish "The Gazette and El Paso County News," beginning early in 1873, in order 
that " Out West's " pages might entirely be given to Territorial information. It there- 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 385 

after soon died, but the " Gazette " grew to be a respected force throughout the country. 
In 1S74 Judge Price became celebrated all over Colorado for his humorous hoaxes upon 
Eastern residents in the columns of his " Mountaineer," also issued at Colorado 
Springs, and an able paper popularly circulated among the people of the county. The 
pioneer El Paso journal, though printed in Denver, was the short lived " Colorado City 
Journal," which made its appearance in 186 [, under the direction of Benjamin F. 
Crovvell, now a citizen of Colorado Springs. May ist, 1858, Mr. Crowell came from 
Boston, a boy of nineteen, in company with A. Z. Sheldon and others. The party had 
varied experiences in crossing the plains, one of their chief dilemmas being to ascertain 
each morning before harnessing which was the "nigh" and which the "off" ox. 
From the days of the El Paso " Journal "' till the present, Mr. Crowell has been con- 
nected with every important movement, political or otherwise, in El Paso. 

Colorado Springs "Gazette" inaugurated the county's record in daily journalism, 
and ever has been a prominent factor in the building up of this region. It is one of the 
six papers of the State owning associated press dispatches, prints daily over five thou- 
sand words of telegraphic news, and is a four page eight column paper. It has a large 
job department, fifty men on its pay roll of $600 per week, and is erecting a fine block 
on a principal avenue. The chief stockowners are B. W. Steele, Hon. W. S. Jackson 
and Dr. B. F. D. Adams. Mr. Steele has been editor of the " Gazette " for the past 
several years, and came to Colorado in 1877, from Providence, Rhode Island. He is a 
graduate of Brown University. Mr. Steele's policy in conducting the " Gazette " has 
been fearless and judicial. His editorials show a remarkably sympathetic compre- 
hension and prevision of public feeling. 

The "Gazette" is about to build a fine new edifice on Pike's Peak avenue, a 
sharp contrast to its present dilapidated structure of historic fame. The material is to 
be St. Louis pressed brick with stone trimmings, and basement of stone. Besides the 
rooms used in the printing and binding departments of the journal, there will be 
eighteen offices. The building is supplied with fire-proof vaults and a Crane elevator. 

The Colorado Springs "Republic" is the second paper of the county, and was 
first issued in 18S0 (being the regular successor of the " Free Press " and the " Mount- 
aineer,") as a daily evening journal, after as a weekly, and again as a daily under its 
present direction by Mr. L H. Gowdy. Its interests are mainly local, and together 
with an excellent job department, it has become a successful property. 

E'I Paso's growth may well be shown by an enumeration of the papers now pub- 
lished. While the county boasted but ten papers in 1888, in 1890 we find the list 
swelled to double the number. The El Paso "Register" is the representative paper 
of the Divide region, and is published at Monument. The Manitou "Journal" is 
issued four months of the year as a daily, and began its career in 1886. The Colorado 
City "News," under the able direction of J. Addison Cochran — present postmaster of that 
city — achieved, two years since, first place among the papers of El Paso's manufacturing 
center. Other papers issued in the county are: "Pike's Peak Herald," "Saturday 
Mail," the " Methodist," the " Lever," and " Deaf Mute Index," at Colorado Springs, 
— the last two named being school papers, — Colorado City "Chieftain," Colorado 
City " Iris," Palmer Lake " Herald," Green Mountain Falls " Echo," Fountain " Dis- 
patch," Woodland Park " News," and Crystal Peak " Beacon " (at Florissant). 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 



To the Colorado Springs "Gazette" and "Republic," both of which publish 
weekly as well as daily editions^we are indebted for valuable reports which have freely 
been used in this sketch. 

Railroad Connections. — El Paso County's railroad connections reach in every 
direction. They are remarkable in that she has five great lines connecting her with 
Denver and Pueblo, Colorado's largest cities, and these lines make El Paso their center 
of trade between these points, and Colorado Springs the third city in the State. The 
Denver & Rio Grande gives her connections with the Pacinc Coast as well as through- 
out Colorado. The Midland Road closely allies her with the Aspen and Leadville 
mines, and the mountain resorts. The Rock Island affords direct through connection 
with Chicago, and combining with the Rio Grande forms a through overland route 
from Atlantic to Pacific. The Denver, Texas & Fort Worth is a direct outlet to Te.xas 
and the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, via Pueblo, also reaches 
to the East, and gives the county a southern route to California. The Missouri Pacific 
brings El Paso in line with St. Louis, and the Pike's Peak Railroad, highest in the 
world, will, it is thought, swell the tide of tourist travel. 

Some County Statistics. — El Paso County's material progress is proven by compar- 
isons. Her assessed acres and their valuation were in 1870, 66,649 acres valued at 
$156,206. In 1880, 250,434 acres, $828,525, and in 1889, 458,750, valued at $1,473,135, 
while in 1889, 80,000 acres were reclaimed and added to the taxable acreage. 

Its property was assessed in 1870 at less than half a million, while in 1880 it was 
$4,320,000, and in 1889, $9,908,500. The total assessed valuation for 1890, shows an 
'.ncrease over 1888 of over one million dollars. 

The agricultural statistics for 1888 (the last prepared up to the time of this writing) 
are not so encouraging peThaps, as those of earlier years, for the crops of 18S8 were 
seriously affected by drouth and early frost, and no fruits were harvested that year 
except in the Fountain Valley where irrigation was possible. The table shows that 
on land without irrigation in many parts, the following cereals can be raised in this 
county which in former times had been thought only suitable for grazing purposes: 



Number of 



Number of acres pasture land. 

Wheat, 

Oats, 

Barley, ' ' 

Rye. 

Corn, 
Potatoes, 

Timothy, 
Clover. 
Alfalfa, 
Orchard — Apple 



nder irrigation 22,835 



1804, 
552, 
164, 



401,621 
2,333 
24,619 



620 

159 

4.241 



Small fruits — Blackberries, quarts 150 

Currants, " 5,795 

Gooseberries. " 3.635 

Raspberries. " 2,170 

Strawberries. " S90 

Forest trees, acres 59^ 

Pounds cheese manufactured 90.500 

Pounds butter " 83,655 

No. beehives 132 

Honey, pounds 4.125 

Wool shorn, pounds 496,600 



In 1886, from 2,665 acres 65,805 bushels were harvested; from 1,021 acres over 
30,000 bushels of corn; and in that year were grown 18,495 quarts of strawberries; 
27,645 quarts of currants; and four tons of grapes. 

El Paso's Progress. — The material progress of El Paso County has been regular 
and rapid. The following table aptly illustrates this, and gives the number of acres of 
land assessed, with their valuation, for a majority of years since 1S70: 



HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY. 



387 



$ 156,206 
395.095 
478,886 
874,205 
753,715 



18S5. 



Acr 



310,142 

IS86 333.679 

1887 3^4,732 

1888 379346 

1889 458,750 



g66,40o 
1,132,160 
1. 329, '95 
1.473. 135 



1870 66 649 

1871 94,320 

1872 129,920 

1S73 147,760 

1879 214,790 

18S0 250,434 

and it will be seen from the above table that nearly So,ooo acres were reclaimed and 
added to the taxable acreage during 1S89, 

We here append a table which shows the valuation of El Paso's property for a 
majority of years since 1S70: 



1S70 $524,905 

1871 869,810 

1872 1,289,756 

1873 2,108,045 

1874 3,160,323 

1877 3,141,250 

'878 4.076,395 



1880 14,320,320 

1882 4,879,375 

i38s 4,960,935 

1886 5,262,270 

18S7 6,55 1,920 

1888 8,624,840 

1889 9,908,500 

The county's total assessed valuation for 1890 (which is given below) shows an 
increase over the preceding year of over $1,000,000, as have the annual reports since 
1886. 



Agricultural Lands, 41 235 acres $ 387,405 

Grazing Lands, 390,270 acres 697,815 

Improvements on Lands 349,150 

Improvements on Public Lands 56,050 

Town and City Lots 2,959.200 

Improvements on Lots 2,262,240 

Horses, 8,224 234,795 

Mules, 432 14.155 

Cattle, 37,573 331.890 

Sheep, 58,831 58,885 

Swine, 707. 2,380 

Other Animals, 51 470 

Clocks and Watches, i ,072 20. 1 20 

M usical I nstruments, 534 39, 560 



Vehicles, 2,308 $ 70,065 

Money and Credits 211,570 

Capital in Manufacture 48,055 

Merchandise 430,835 

Stocks and Shares 118,425 

Household Furniture 99340 

Jewelry, gold and silver plate 7,080 

Pullman Cars 20,855 

Telegraph and Telephone Lines 14,400 

Railroads, 2,486, 6-100 2,404,995 

All Other Property 70,460 

Grand Total $10,910,195 

Number of Military Polls 2,542 



The water commissioner's report for 1890 gives the number of coinpleted reservoirs 
in El Paso County as thirty-one, constructed at an estimated cost of $100,000, and four 
partially completed reservoirs which will have cost $31,100. Sixty irrigating canals are 
reported of one hundred and seventy-eight miles' total length, by which means 3,000 
acres of alfalfa; 4,867 acres of natural grass; 779 of seeded grass, and 3,366 acres of 
crops are grown. 

The county assessor gives the following table as the assessed valuations (for 1890) 
of the incorporated cities and towns of El Paso County: 

Colorado Springs $4,926,930 1 Palmer Lake. . . I151.530 

Manitou 667,000 Green Mountain Falls 55. 410 

Colorado City 288,105 Monument 48,815 



HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY. 



FREMONT COUNTY. 

Boundaries and resources — organization — visit of zebulon pike— first set- 
tlers — modern settlements — founding of caSon city — people's courts — 
industrial improvements — discovery of petroleum — union flag raising 
— the town abandoned — revival in 1865 — churches and schools — state 

penitentiary— railroads death of colonel greenwood PRESENT CON- 
DITION NEWSPAPERS OIL FIELDS AT FLORENCE. 

As originally instituted by the legislature of 1861, this county embraced, out- 
side of its present boundaries, all the territory now covered by the county of Custer, 
and Caiion City — which then aspired to headship of all towns in the Pike's Peak region, 
by virtue of its position at the mouth of the great and wonderful Caiion of the Ar- 
kansas River, as the gateway of the principal route to the rich placer mines of the 
Upper Arkansas and the sources of the Platte River in the South Park, or Bayou Salado, 
was designated the county seat. It was named in honor of Colonel John C. Fremont, 
and now has an area of 1,559 square miles. It is bounded on the east by Pueblo, south by 
Custer, west by Chaffee and Saguache, on the northwest by Park, and north by El Paso. 
According to the census of 1890, its population was 9,148. It is divided near the mid- 
dle from east to west by the Arkansas River, which furnishes an ample supply of water 
for irrigating and for manufacturing uses. On the north side are Tallahassee, Cotton- 
wood, Currant, Wilson, Sand, Four or Oil, Eight jVIile and Beaver Creeks, all small 
streams; and on the south, Te.\as, Grape, Oak, Coal, Newland, Adobe and Hardscrabble 
Creeks. Along the course of the great river mentioned, and on most of its affluents 
just enumerated, are settlements of farmers and stockgrowers. It is also the most 
advanced in fruit raising of any county in the State. .\s will appea'r in the course of 
our narrative, these industries are in a very high stage of development and prosperity. 
In the midst of the agricultural zone lie vast deposits of coal and petroleum, well devel- 
oped, and very profitable. Added to these sources of wealth, are in neighboring 
mountains mines of gold, silver, lead, copper, iron, zinc, with illimitable quarries of 
granite, variously colored sandstones, limestones, marble, with ochre and potter's clay, 
paint and cement, and near the principal town, hot and cold mineral springs, and 
immense beds of fossil remains of extinct animals and reptiles, fine specimens of which 
are to be found in the various archa;ological museums of the United States, a large 
number in Yale College. 

To perfect the organization of the county and afford it a legal government. Gov- 
ernor William Gilpin appointed J. B. Cooper, Louis Conley and Anson Rudd Commis- 
sioners. Mr. Rudd was the first sheriff, and David Powell County Clerk and Recorder. 



HISTORY OF FREiMONT COUNTY. 389 

In the spring of 1863 the People's Court was superseded by a regularly authorized 
tribunal, or District Court, with Justice B. F. Hall presiding. He was succeeded at a 
later time by Allen A, Bradford. 

The annals of Fremont County, made up of loose fragments, extend back to the 
time when Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike encamped upon the site of Canon City in 1806, 
while in the earnest and somewhat perilous execution of his orders from Thomas 
Jefferson "to acquire such geographical knowledge of the southwestern boundary of 
Louisiana as to enable the government to enter into a definite arrangement for a line of 
demarkation between that territory and North New Mexico." He was also especially 
enjoined to discover and definitely locate the sources of the Arkansas and Red Rivers, 
taking careful note of everything worthy of record pertaining to the trackless wilds he 
was instructed to traverse. He discovered the sources of the Platte and Arkansas in 
midwinter when snow and ice encompassed the land, but the fearful journey came near 
costing him and his little band of soldiers their lives. Red River he failed to find, for 
the reason that it lay far to the southward, out of the line of his calculations, although 
at that early epoch before any accurate maps of the western part of the "Louisiana 
purchase" had been drawn, it was believed to take its rise in the central part of the 
Rocky Mountains. 

The site on which Canon City of the present day stands, was the base of his explo- 
rations in search of the headwaters of all those streams. From this spot he passed into 
the snow bound Sierras, and to it he returned. Thence he journeyed, presumably, the 
e.xact route not being known, to the Wet Mountain Valley, via the beautiful Caiion of 
Grape Creek, and thence across the Sangre de Cristo Range into the San Luis Valley 
where, his diary tells us, he was captured by Spanish troops and conveyed a prisoner 
to the city of Santa Fe. 

From the date of the first modern settlement to the present epoch, the inhabitants 
of Fremont County have taken infinite pride in pointing out to the strangers within 
their gates, Pike's original encampment near the mineral springs which form so inviting 
and valuable a feature of their domestic institutions, and his route to the southward. 

The main subject under consideration, however, is that which relates to the era of 
actual settlement, beginning with the first recorded evidence, and tracing the various 
lines onward stage by stage, down to 1890 and for this purpose we shall take advantage 
of the facts that have been set forth by our predecessors in that field of inquiry. It 
has been ascertained from authentic sources, that the first locators were a French 
trapper and some Mexicans, whose abiding place was upon a small affluent of the 
Arkansas called Adobe Creek. This occurred in the year 1830, shortly after the Bents 
and their followers built their mud forts and trading stations on the Arkansas River, as 
related in our first volume. The chief actor in the enterprise was a Canadian voyageur, 
named Maurice. Having fixed his post at the point named, there sprang up about it a 
small colony from New Mexico, some of whose members engaged in rude cultivation of 
the soil, raising a few vegetables. Game being abundant, their efforts were neither 
arduous nor long continued. The country being infested by Indians, when danger 
threatened the Mexicans found a refuge with Maurice. They remained a number of 
years, probably until about 1847, when, owing to the frequency of incursions by evil 
minded red skins, it was dispersed. 



390 HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY. 

It will be readily comprehended by those who have followed the events related in 
our two preceding volumes that at this time, and for more than thirty years after, the 
Arapahoes, Cheyennes, Kiowas and Comanches swarmed over the plains below, and 
the Utes in the mountain parks above, and that between these races there had existed 
from time immemorial the deadliest hatred, that burst forth in bloody wars whenever 
the antagonistic elements came together. They fought, robbed and plundered each 
other with relentless ferocity. There was never even a temporary truce between them, 
nor any form of reconciliation. It was war to the knife and knife to the hilt, and when 
unable to prey upon one another, they assaulted the Mexican settlers over the border 
and stole everything of movable property they could find. This will explain why the 
Spanish conquerors and colonizers of New Mexico never founded any settlements north 
of the Rio Grande. 

Next after Maurice, according to Captain Rockafellow's account, came the Bents, 
St. Vrain, Lucien B. Maxwell, Lupton and the Beaubiens, with their hunters and trappers 
about the year 1840; the record is not clear as to date, and established a temporary 
trading post on Adobe Creek, whence they sent out their employes to rob the peaceful, 
industrious and altogether commendable beaver of his beautiful hide for the adornment 
of the human species. The climate was and is a perennial joy, the surroundings 
sublimely picturesque. Possibly these rude invaders took no adequate note of any other 
advantages than those especially connected with their calling, the commercial aspect, 
the enrichment of the principals from the valuable consignments to be gathered there 
and marketed at the headquarters of the American Fur Company a thousand miles 
distant, and if so, we who came later with better trained appreciation of the splendors 
here so lavishly dispensed, can but commiserate them for their want of taste. 

Next came a steady inflow of settlers to the Arkansas, the Fontaine-qui-Bouille, 
the Huerfano and the Greenhorn, the building of Fountain City and Pueblo; the dis- 
covery of golden treasures in the lofty altitudes of the mountains, in the South Park, on 
Cherry Creek and Vasquez Forks, which, excepting the tremendous hegira to California 
in 1849, was the most tumultuous and numerous migration of people from east to west 
that has occurred in this generation, whence followed the conquest of the .Vmerican 
Desert and its almost magical transformation into populous and prosperous States. The 
richest placers thus far discovered in Colorado, lay near the headwaters of the Arkansas 
and Platte Rivers. The heaviest columns of immigration in i859-'6o-'6i, pursued the 
Platte River route from the Missouri, but there was still another wave from the latter 
base which took the more southerly line along the old Santa Fe trail that led them to 
the same destination via the passes above Cafion City, and it was this which gave the 
founders of Fountain City and Pueblo the conviction that the arc of the splendid 
amphitheater, near the debouchure of the great river from the Grand Canon, might he 
made a formidable rival to if not the superior of the embryonic metropolis then planted 
upon the banks of Cherry Creek. In October, 1859, therefore, Josiah F. Smith, his 
brother Stephen, William H. Young, Robert Bercaw, Charles D. Peck and William 
Kroenig, who no doubt entertained serious misgivings of the future greatness of the 
town they had begun at the mouth of the Fontaine, resolved to catch and hold th-- 
rapidly increasing immigration at the point last indicated, where Pike had made a 
temporary bivouac fifty-three years before, .\cting upon the suggestion, they planned 



HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY. 391 

an imposing city, but built only a single log house therein, into which, when completecl, 
moved the family of Robert Middleton, the first to occupy the site. 

The next movement of importance was to effect the preliminary survey of a wagon 
road thence to Tarryall in South Park, seventy-nine miles distant. With these indefinite 
and inconsequential efforts the first lesson in the chronicles of Canon closed. It is brief 
and of no further importance than to serve as a beginning of its annals. 

In the spring of iS6o, when the current of people, attracted by reported discoveries 
in California, Georgia, French and tributary gulches became much stronger than that of 
the previous year, the town site of Canon was jumped, otherwise relocated by another 
company, which, by the aid of a Denver firm of civil engineers, named Buell and Boyd, 
who had just previously located the modern Pueblo, surveyed and platted 1,280 acres. 
The new possessors, or claimants were, William Kroenig, A. Mayhood, W. H. Young, 
Dold & Co., J. B. Doyle, A. Thomas, W. H. Green, Buell and Boyd, J. D. Ramage, 
Henry Youngblood, W. W. Ramage, Alvord & Co., St. Vrain and Easterday, J. Graham 
and M. T. Green. As an earnest of their intentions, a number of log cabins were 
built. This exhausted their means, their enthusiasm perished with the failure of their 
hopes, for no further accessions occurred, the columns of marching men passed by with- 
out halting, and a second time the e.xistence of the place was seriously threatened. A 
fevv farmers settled upon ranch claims, and undertook the e.\periment of agriculture. 

It was one of the most eligible situations for a permanent town in all Southern 
Colorado, in latitude 28° 28' north, and longitude 105° 12' west, on the Arkansas, 
forty miles west of Pueblo, at the base of the Rocky Mountains at the mouth of one of 
its grandest canons, and 5,280 feet above the level of the sea; protected on three sides 
by broken foothills, with a climate unexcelled, and all the requisite treasures of nature 
spread out in immeasurable generosity; with a soil rich in all the elements essential to 
the production of boundless harvests of grain and fruit, now the garden spot of the 
State, a very paradise for invalids, and a restful home for all classes. With such an 
array of advantages and resources, it is almost surprising that it did not at once outstrip 
every other, and become what its founders designed it to be, the metropolis of the South. 
But matters of such moment are not adjusted according to individual taste or choice, 
but rather by the higher laws which control and mould the destinies of towns and 
cities. 

The first successful farmer was Jesse Frazer who in April, i860, located a claim 
along the river about eight miles below Caiion City, and in process of time became 
famous as the owner of the finest and most productive fruit orchard in all the Rocky 
Mountain region, and who still resides there, a venerable and highly respected citizen. 
In connection with Hosea Hoopengarner, Clark Harrington and John W. Leland he 
was the first to discover and mine coal, on Coal Creek, during the same month and year. 
Frazer took his supplies for domestic uses from the outcroppings. It is now the 
property of the Colorado Coal & Iron Company. It may be noted in passing, that 
these deposits were not systematically opened and operated until 1872. His first 
attempts to break up the hard adobe soil for planting were by the employment of the 
crotch of a Cottonwood tree, using one prong for the beam and the other for a plow- 
share, after the fashion of the crude implements still used by the natives of Mexico. 

The next claim below Frazer's was taken by William Ash, his stepson, the same 



392 HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY. 

j^ear; next came three brothers named Antoine who engaged in sunilar pursuits. 
Others followed from time to time, until that portion of the valley gave evidence of 
substantial and permanent occupancy. 

The years 1860-61 witnessed the only considerable burst of activity that occurred 
between the date of the original location and 1864. In the years first indicated, many 
settled there, and during the winters when work ceased in the mines, hundreds came 
trooping down from the elevated park regions, and made winter quarters in this genial 
spot, sheltered from the extreme rigors of winter. Among them were George A. Hins- 
dale and Wilbur F. Stone, men educated to the legal profession, who subsequently 
became conspicuous members of the Territorial bar, the latter a chief-justice of the 
Supreme Court of the State, the former, chosen Lieutenant-Governor under the con- 
stitution that was rejected by President Johnson in 1866. There being no laws for the 
protection of life and property, the regulation of offenders civil and criminal, in April, 
i860, a meeting of citizens was held, and Messrs. Hinsdale and Stone invited to prepare 
a code suited to the anomalous condition of affairs, which was done, and the draft 
accepted and ratified in mass convention, and afterward adopted by popular vote at 
the polls, notwithstanding the persistent efforts of certain parties to defeat it. This 
code conferred on the People's Court, criminal and civil jurisdiction over the entire 
region, from Cafton City to Beaver Creek, and from the oil fields of our day to Hard- 
scrabble. At that time the population numbered about nine hundred, principally men. 
W. R. Fowler was elevated to the chief magistracy of this august tribunal; the police 
power being vested in a committee of six reputable citizens who undertook to see that 
its decrees were enforced. The judge was to preside over meetings of the people for 
the adjustment of difficulties between parties and individuals. Mr. Fowler in addition 
exerted himself manfully for the preservation of peace, order and good fellowship, and 
for the inculcation of religious and moral principles among the heterogeneous populace. 
He took a prominent part in every movement and measure having for its object the 
moral and religious advancement of the community, taking advantage of every 
opportunity afforded for the elevation and well being of his fellow men, not by the free 
use of rope and shot gun, but by the gentler exercise of a noble Christian example. 
Notwithstanding the difficulties in his path he persevered, and it was to his conscien- 
tiously and wisely directed endeavors both as the representative of the law and as 
missionary, that much lawle.ssness and crime was prevented. 

By the stimulus of increased population, buildings multiplied rapidly until some 
two hundred dwellings and stores were completed. Large stocks of merchandise 
were brought in, among the more extensive that of Alex. Majors, representing the 
renowned freighting and contracting firm of Russell, Majors & Waddell. Another 
element of progress in the form of a weekly newspaper, christened the "Cafion City 
Times," was introduced in September by H. S. Millett and Matt Riddlebarger, but its 
life was of- but brief duration. Then came a man named Calkins, whose original 
venture took the shape of a whisky shop. Being inspired with ambition for leader- 
ship, the performance of surprising deeds that would send his name "thundering down 
the ages" as the builder of a city in this part of the wilderness, he began the erection 
of two modest dwellings of stone, not large nor ornate, but substantial, and rather 
aristocratic looking when compared with their unassuming neighbors of logs. These 




^ 






^V.:-: \ 









4? 



V i 



fXESlDEf-iCE OF THOMAS S.V/ELLS^ CAfslO^ CITY. 



HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY. 393 

completed, he began a number of two-story cut stone edifices designed for business 
purposes, but having exceeded the limits of his available resources, financial embar- 
rassments compelled their abandonment, and his abrupt departure from the town. 
Tiiese structures were finished at a later period, giving the place an appearance of 
solidity and durability, which, followed by new acquisitions who built for the future 
and not for the day, imparts to it something of the prestige it enjoys at this time. 

To Mr. Anson Rudd, one of the original settlers, and one of the few who has 
retained his faith and residence from the beginning, was born the first child, a son, who 
in his growth to manhood has been an honor to his universally honored progenitor. 

The first flouring mill in the county was built by Louis Conley, who became the 
first mayor or president of the Board of Trustees of Pueblo when that town came to 
be incorporated in 1870. It was a small, rude affair, to be sure, but well adapted to the 
needs of a small community, and much better than no mill at all, though it ground but 
six bushels of wheat a day, the owner taking one-fourth as toll. Wheat in 1S60 was 
worth ten to twelve cents a pound. 

Lumber being in great demand with no supplies, as an inducement for some one 
to fill the want by the introduction of a sawmill, an "original share" in the town was 
offered as a premium, which prize J. B. Cooper, J. C. Moore, A. Cj Chandler and a 
man named Harkins took by planting a mill near the mouth of Sand Creek. As a 
necessary adjunct, R. R. Kirkpatrick attached thereto a shingle machine, hence in a 
short time the wants of the public were supplied with such building materials. 

In the autumn of i860 Gabriel Bowen discovered the existence of oil springs, six 
miles above the town on Oil Creek, but nothing came of it until years afterward. 
This subject is treated at some length later on. 

The first store of any importance was opened by Dold & Co., an assorted stock 
adapted to the modest requirements of the time, Wolfe Londoner — at this writing 
mayor of Denver — being its manager and chief salesman. Then followed J. B. Doyle 
& Co., represented by H. Z. and Fred Z. Salomon, with a considerable stock of 
general merchandise. C. W. Kitchen & Brother, and Stevens & Curtis also opened 
stores. Majors, Russell and Waddell erected a large stone building and filled it from 
cellar to attic with all itianner of goods. Robert O. Old, now a prosperous miner at 
Georgetown, located in a log cabin. J. A. Draper, James Gormly, James Kitchen, G. 
D. Jenks, Paul Brothers, Harrison and Mason, D. P. Wilson and others arrived with 
stocks, therefore it will be seen that Caiion was abundantly equipped for an extensive 
trade — greater than was ever realized. As a matter of fact it was more bountifully 
furnished than any other town in the Territory, and its people firmly believed and built 
upon the belief that it would be the most important. 

The first brickyard was established, and the first bricks were produced by W. C. 
Catlin. There are houses in the town to-day that were built of these bricks. The first 
hotel was opened and conducted by G. D. Jenks, but although admirable in every 
other respect, it proved a financial disaster to its proprietor. 

James Alfred, and George H. Toof came in April, i860, mined in Georgia Gulch 
that season, and at its close located farms on Adobe Creek. Captain William H. 
Green, Judge Piatt, and many others, some of whom are dead and others now residing 
in various parts of the State, were among the primitive settlers. 



394 HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY. 

The first drugstore was opened by Dr. J. Reid in the summer of iS6o. He was 
an excellent physician, and during his lifetime, profoundly esteemed by all who 
knew him. 

The improvements made during 1S60-1861, were, as already related, of an unpre- 
tentious character. In the latter year the war broke out, and as in all other com- 
munities, each side of the issue that brought about the marshaling of hosts and the 
long and terrible clash of arms, had its representatives here. As one of the stirring 
incidents of the time, Mr. R. O. Old relates the following: 

"About the middle of June, i'S6i, the loyal and patriotic element, on being advised 
that the then newly appointed Governor — William Gilpin — was about to visit Caiion 
City, resolved to accord him a reception. The population was nine hundred to one 
thousand, the rougher element and the more demonstrative being for the most part 
sympathizers with the Southern confederacy. At a meeting of citizens called to 
arrange the preliminaries for the reception, a committee of citizens was appointed of 
whom I was made chairman, and in that capacity it became my duty to receive His 
Excellency in the name of the people. The committee decided to signalize the erent 
by a Union flag raising, therefore a large United States banner was procured, and the 
word 'Welcome' emblazoned in large letters across its ample folds. Speeches were 
to be made of course, and some one suggested that a poem would be a good thing; so 
I was requested to prepare the effusion and read it at the moment when the flag was 
about to be hoisted to its place on the staff by the Governor. Everything being in 
readiness, on the morning after Gilpin's arrival (June 24th) the crowd gathered at the 
appointed spot. After some preliminary remarks by Mr. Findlay, Gilpin raised the 
banner amid the plaudits of the multitude." Mr. Old recited his poem, of which a copy 
is before us, but too lengthy for reproduction here. Short speeches by the Governor, 
Secretary Weld and United States Marshal Townsend, followed, and were loudly 
cheered; the meeting closed in a blaze of glory, and the distinguished guests departed 
for the next town. 

In 1863 the place was almost wholly deserted. The town record of the second and 
only legitimate town company, was placed in the hands of Anson Rudd by the last 
member of the company, he (Rudd) being the only one who had determined to stay 
and fight out the battle single handed. At the time of my first visit to the place in 
July, 1864, his was the only family in it. It was a town of stone, brick and logs, with 
but a single occupant. He alone of all the hundreds was imbued with unshakable 
confidence in its destiny, an abiding conviction that the day was not far distant when 
the abandoned homes and stores and warehouses would be reoccupied, by people of his 
own mind, and would yet build an imposing city. Only a few of the original dwellers 
ever returned, but other and perhaps better men took their places in the fullness of 
time. To quote from the chronicles of the period, probably written by Rudd himself: 
"An oppressive silence hung over the once busy town; there was scarcely a ripple of 
visible life to disturb the solitude. The strife and turmoil of men had ceased. The 
once active occupants had gathered what little they possessed, folded their tents and 
stolen away in search of more populous and prosperous towns." 

In 1864 came a revival, a sort of physical resurrection, not an indiscriminate horde, 
but numbers of "real folks " who saw the opportunities and seized them. On the i6th 



HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY. 395 

of September, 1864, appeared the first installment of the new epoch, men with families, 
bringing their household goods and gods, possessed of nerve, intelligence, force and 
power, who, in looking over the situation quickly penetrated its advantages, realized 
what could be made of them; men fitted to take vigorous grasp of things, incited 
to build for themselves and posterity enduring monuments of enterprise ; to plow and 
plant, and harvest, year by year, and by the fruits thereof, by the example set forth 
attract to their small nucleus hundreds and thousands of similar strength and like pur- 
poses. On the date mentioned came Thomas Macon, who was to prove a mighty mover 
in public affairs; Mrs. Ann Harrison and her three sons; Mrs. George and family; John 
Wilson, Joseph Macon, Mr. Fletcher and wife; Augustus Sartor; Zach Irwin and others, 
twenty in all, from different parts of the Union. Mr. Thomas Macon, an educated 
lawyer, a natural orator and vigorous director of men, did much for the general advance- 
ment. Three years afterward he was elected to the popular branch of the Territorial 
legislature, and soon grew to be one of its most influential members. At that session 
(i867-'68) the politicians and wealthy citizens of Denver formed a sort of cabal to effect 
the removal of the Territorial seat of government from Golden to their own city. Fre- 
mont County demanded the location of the Territorial Penitentiary at its county seat. 
Macon adroitly stepped into the breach between the contending factions, and by 
pledging his own vote and those of other members from the southern division which he 
had secured, to the removal of the capital, upon the proviso that the Northern members 
should cast their votes for his bill, fixing the penitentiary at Cafion, secured it. Not 
much of a concession it is true, one that few communities would consider a desirable 
acquisition, yet it was something permanent, a nucleus of patronage and power which 
that particular community coveted. Its effect will appear as we proceed. 

With the new era begun in 1864, came the introduction of schools and churches, 
the organization of society, the institution of the higher and better elements of moral 
and social progress. With the new status, the people were encouraged to develop the 
wide diversity of resources; coal mining, fruit growing, floriculture, the broadening of 
local commerce and manufactures, the opening of roadways; of veins of gold, silver and 
copper. By the efforts of a few leading citizens inspired by W. R. Fowler, a religious 
revival took place. The first church society in the county was the Methodist, organized 
by Rev. Mr. Johnson of Kansas, with a membership of only eight or ten persons, but its 
numbers multiplied with the increase of religious fervor. Rev. George Murray then 
took up the work, and carried it forward with great effectiveness. In the beginning 
meetings were held wherever rooms could be found, but in due course churches were 
built, the first by the Methodists. The Baptists emulated their example and built in 
1865, the movement led by Rev. B. M. Adams, who established a number of churches 
of that denomination in Colorado during his extended missionary labors. 

The Cumberland Presbyterian society was organized in 1867, by Rev. B. F. Brown, 
with Steven Frazier and Dr. J. Blanchard as presiding elders. These public spirited 
men erected the largest and finest religious edifice in Southern Colorado at that time. 

Christ Church— Protestant Episcopal, was instituted in 1S72, by the efforts of 
-hop George M. Randall, Rev. Samuel Edwards, rector. The First Presbyterian in 
7 J. by Rev. Sheldon Jackson, assisted by J. K. Brewster, ruling elder, and the pastor, 
. . George W. Partridge. 



396 HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY. 

Secret Societies. — Mount Moriah Lodge No. 15, Ancient Free an'^ Accepted Masons, 
was opened under a dispensation granted by G. M. Henry M. Teller, November 8th. 
1867, and a charter was obtained in 1868 from the Grand Lodge of that year. 

Canon City Lodge L O. O. F. was established November :oth, 1868. 

June 2Sth, 1881, a lodge of A. O. V . W . was instituted, and all have been well 
maintained. 

The town of Canon was incorporated April ist, 1872. December 17th, 1879, the 
people realizing the need of a water system for domestic purposes, and the extinguish- 
ment of fires, a stock company was formed by the more wealthy residents, who, after an 
abortive effort to sell their stock and bonds, withdrew their propositions to that end, 
raised the funds themselves — about $50,000, and provided the present system. The 
stockholders were James Clelland, J. H. Peabody, George R. Shaeffer, Ira Mulock, 
August Heckscher, Wilbur K. Johnson, David Caird and O. G. Stanley. The organi- 
zation of a fire department of two companies followed. 

The Colorado Penitentiary was located and established by an act of the Territorial 
legislature, approved January 7th, 1868. By its provisions the acting Governor 
appointed three commissioners on behalf of the Territory, to select a site not more than 
one-half mile from the business center of Caiion City, and to contain not less than 
twenty-five acres of land, to be conveyed to the Territory by the person or persons 
holding title thereto in fee simple without charge. The site was donated by Anson 
Rudd, and soon afterward the work of building began. It was built by the United 
States, and placed in charge of Mark A. Shaffenburg, marshal for Colorado. The 
Territory paid the cost of feeding, guarding, maintaining and clothing its own prisoners, 
the Governor, Auditor and the District Attorney for the Third Judicial District being 
named as commissioners to contract with the United States for the same. 

The original building was opened for the reception of convicts June ist, 187 i. It 
consisted of forty-two cells. In April, 1874, it was turned over to the Territory by the 
Federal authorities. Up to 1877 its growth was gradual, but since that time it has 
repeatedly been enlarged and improved, to meet the ever increasing demands. The 
State owns thirty-si.x acres of land for prison uses, on which immense quarries of sand- 
stone and limestone have been opened, and the products thereof extensively utilized. 
About five acres are inclosed by a stone wall twenty feet high and four feet thick. 
Anson Rudd was the first Territorial Warden. He was succeeded by David Prosser, 
and he by B. F. Allen; M. N. Megrue was the first appointed under the State govern- 
ment. He resigned in 1880, and Willard B. Felton, then one of the Board of Peniten- 
tiary Commissioners, was chosen to the vacancy. In February, 1881, he was appointed 
for two years. Although charges of delinquency, neglect of prisoners and of official 
duties, breach of trust, etc., etc., have been preferred, mostly without sufficient foun- 
dation, however, against some of these- officials before and since. Felton's adminis- 
tration was free from taint or reproach. 

The executive management is vested in a board of three commissioners appointed 
by the Governor, and confirmed by the Senate. This Penitentiary is one of the model 
penal institutions of the country, in cleanliness, healthfulness and discipline. There are 
at this time, about five hundred inmates, who are employed in quarrying and burning 
lime, in quarrying and cutting sandstone, in brick making, manufacturing clothing, etc., 




<^y<^j^ ^^r/^-T^^ 




RESIDENCE OF WARREN R. FOWLER, -J^ M.FfAOM CANON CITY 



HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY. 397 

needed for the use of the convicts. No convict labor is leased out to manufacturers, 
as is the case in most of the Eastern prisons. At present quite a number of convicts 
are employed in the construction of a ditch taken from the Arkansas River about si.x 
miles above the town, designed to water the arid lands between Canon City and Pueblo. 
This canal is the property of the State. 

In 1890 the officers were Joseph A. Lamping, warden; Charles Boettcher, David 
H. Nichols and F. A. Raynolds, commissioners; George E. Dudley deputy warden, and 
Dr. E. C. Gray, physician. 

T//e Postmasters oi Caiion have been, M. G. Pratt, to 1863; J. .\. Draper, i863-'64; 
.\nson Rudd and W. R. Fowler, 1864 to 1865; Samuel M. Cox, to 1869; B. F. Rock- 
afellow, to 1879; A. D. Cooper, to 18S2; J. S. Bowlby, to 1886; George G, Sharer, to 
1890, and A. D. Cooper, present incumbent. 

Railroads. — Soon after the beginning of the new era in i864-'65, the principal 
citizens realizing the advantage of rapid transit to the development of towns, united 
with the spirit then prevailing at Denver, which was e.xerting its utmost power to induce 
the Union Pacific and Kansas Pacific Railway companies to build their main lines 
through Colorado. A meeting was held in Caiion, and after free discussion, B. M. 
Adams, B. F. Rockafellow and Thomas Macon were appointed a committee to confer 
with Colonel A. G. Boone then about to visit his old friend John D. Perry, president 
of the Kansas Pacific Company, and present to him the feasibility of a line via the 
.\rkansas Valley through the mountains to the westward. The message thus intrusted 
to him was by Colonel Boone delivered to President Perry, who promised to investigate. 
In due course a party of engineers was sent out by him, who after examination 
rendered a favorable report; this occurred in 1868. It was next examined by Colonel 
W. H. Greenwood, who urged the Kansas Pacific Directorate to adopt it, but for 
reasons explained in our first volume, other plans were formed. 

Then came General W. J. Palmer, soon after the incorporation of the Denver & 
Rio Grande Railroad, who gave assurances that he would occupy the pass. Relying 
upon this assurance, the people of the county voted a subscription of $50,000 to the 
stock of that road, but owing to some legal technicality, the bonds were not issued. 

Meantime Palmer built from Denver to Pueblo, with a branch along the Arkansas 
to Labran, a coal mining camp or town eight miles below Caiion, which was completed 
October 30th, 1872. There his operations in that direction ceased, and he began 
developing the coal deposits at that point, the first regularly opened in the southern 
division of the Territory. The people of Canon appealed in vain for the extension of 
this branch to their town. At length in sheer desperation they held a public meeting 
(January 6th, 1873), and resolved to cast their fortunes with the Atchison, Topeka &: 
Santa Fe. A committee composed of B. F. Rockafellow, James Clelland and B. F. 
.\llen, was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the general sentiment. These 
set forth the great advantages of the route to and through the treasure laden 
mountains, and invited the managers to consider them. This last resort failed also, as 
the Santa Fe had then other projects in view, and besides was laboring under financial 
embarrassment. Finally negotiations with the Rio Grande were reopened. Palmer 
seeing his opportunity, demanded $100,000 in bonds. The people reluctantly ac- 
cepted the ultimatum and voted the aid, but only by a bare majority, for the opposition 



398 HISTORY OF FREMONT COUNTY. 

was extremely alert and bitter. The Board of County Commissioners, imbued with the 
popular prejudice, refused to issue the bonds. The quiet of despair ensued. 

Thus matters stood until August 6th, 1874, when anew proposition to subscribe 
$50,000 to the stock of the Rio Grande was submitted and carried. In addition the 
citizens donated a certain tract for depot grounds. The extension from Labran 
was completed, — not to the town as it should have been, but as if directed in a spirit of 
malicious obstinacy, — to a point some distance below, — July ist, 1875. The ill feeling 
thus engendered, instead of being allayed by the connection was simply intensified, for 
the railroad company withheld its cooperation, accorded no privileges and maintained 
an attitude of sullen opposition to local enterprises. 

February 15th, 1877, the citizens organized the Canon City & San Juan Railway 
Company, and immediately took measures to improve their franchise by surveying, 
locating and platting the Grand Caiion, filing the result with the Secretary of the 
Interior at Washington, as required by the Act of Congress under which they were 
operating. The officers of this company — which caused the Rio Grande almost endless 
difficulty and expense a year or two later, — were, president, Ebenezer T. Ailing; 
secretary, B. F. Rockafellow ; treasurer, James Clelland ; chief engineer, H. R. 
Holbrook. Ailing soon after withdrew, and was succeeded by F. A. Raynolds. 

If it was in the minds of the people to revenge them.selves upon the Rio Grande 
for its persistent contumacy, the results growing out of this enterprise filled the 
measure of retaliation to the brim. By this time General Palmer had become engaged 
in a deadly grapple with the Santa Fe. The new company eagerly turned to the latter 
and immediately obtained the fullest recognition. Almost simultaneously the Santa Fe 
people seized and forcibly occupied the Raton Pass, and soon thereafter by a bold and 
rather brilliant manoeuvre, took possession of the Grand Canon of the Arkansas. The 
people of Canon City united as one in aiding by every means in their power the steps 
taken by the Santa Fe Company to forestall, defeat and harass its narrow gauge 
adversary, gladly furnishing guides, scouts, working and fighting forces, and supplies. 
As a consequence, the particulars of which are given in our second volume, the battle 
that ensued became a veritable contest of giants, and by the force injected into it by 
local influence, it was rendered so costly and generally damaging to the Rio Grande 
interest, as to well nigh cripple it beyond redemption. 

Colonel W. H. Greenwood, one of the proprietors of the Rio Grande system, who, 
differing with Palmer in 1874, left its employ and joined the Santa Fe, was in August, 
1880, assassinated near the City of Mexico, while engaged in surveying a railway line 
for the Palmer-Sullivan combination. His remains were taken to the capital city of the 
Republic and there interred, the funeral attended by all the leading foreigners, and 
many prominent jNIexicans. Although a vigorous effort to hunt down and apprehend 
his murderers was made by President Diaz, they were not discovered. At the time of 
his death he was only forty-eight years of age, just in the prime of his manhood. 

The town or city of Caiion as it stands to-day is remarkably well built of brick and 
stone, clean and neat, the expansive plats of its many pretty homes embellished with all 
manner of shade and fruit trees, reminding the visitor of the "City of the Saints," at 
Salt Lake, minus its objectionable domestic institutions. It is not a great city, but it 
certainly is inviting, prosperous and sturdily progressive. Its streets are broad, 



HISTORY OF FREMONT. COUNTY. 399 

regular, well shaded and well kept. The mineral springs that have been tastefully and 
somewhat expensively improved, one of iron and the other soda, furnish delicious 
waters for drinking and bathing. The sewer system, and waterworks are ample for all 
present purposes; the streets are illuminated by electric arc lights. Telegraph and 
telephone lines are among its modern conveniences. The Fremont County courthouse 
is an imposing structure of brick and stone, built at a cost of $30,000. It has an 
elegant school building, an opera house, six churches, a bank and a considerable 
number of manufacturing establishments. 

The fruit crop of the county for iSSg was valued at $75,000. Among its principal 
citizens are B. F. Rockafellow, Henry Earle, T. M. Harding, James H. Peabody, J. J. 
Fhelps, R. S. Lewis, W. P. Cook, W. B. Felton, A. D. Cooper, J. J. Cone, L. L. Hard- 
ing, W. B. McGee, S. W. Humphrey, A. H. Davis, H. N. Beecher, W. T. Lester, 
Thomas S. Wells, George W. Bethel, W. T. Bridewell, George R. Cassidy, George R. 
-Shaeffer, Anson Rudd, Fred H. Whipple, J. B. Cooper, Frank L. Smith, J. T. Reed, 
C. M. Cross, James Clelland, Robert Savage, J. E. Brown. Its lawyers are C. E. 
Waldo, S. P. Dale, C. D. Bradley, S. A. Bentley, W. H. Edmunds, C. C. Dawson, J. H. 
Maupin, James L. Cooper, A. Macon, D. M. Lock. Physicians, J. W. Dawson, T. H. 
Craven, E. C. Gray, A. E. Rogers, J. M. Bradbury, C Q. Nelson, J. L. Prentice, F. P. 
Blake. 

The other towns in the county are Coal Oeek with a population of twelve 
hundred, Rockvale nine hundred, Williamsburgh five hundred, Brookside five hundred, 
all coal mining settlements; Florence eight hundred, whose principal industries are the 
production of oil, agriculture and fruits. 

Its newspapers are the Canon Cit\' "Record," W. B. Felton proprietor, established 
in 1S74, the official paper of the county and town; the Fremont County "News" estab- 
lished in 1887, Howell Brothers proprietors; Caiion City "Clipper," Frank P. Shaeffer 
proprietor, established in 1888. 

As we write the American Zinc-lead Company are erecting large smelting works in 
south Caiion, to manufacture from the native ores, zinc-lead, pigment, copper matte, 
litharge and metallic zinc. The zinc mines in the canons above the town have been 
very productive of that metal, and will now become even more useful than at any former 
time. 

OIL WELLS AT FLORE.\XE. 

HISTORY OF THEIR DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT — 1859 TO iSgO. 

At Florence, nine miles below Canon City, in the center of a fine agricultural and 
fruit growing region, are the only oil wells thus far developed in the Rocky Mountains 
South of Wyoming. Notwithstanding the fact that indications of petroleum have been 
found at many points in our State, none has been elsewhere produced in quantity, and 
but few explorations for it made below shallow prospecting. It appears at the surface 
near Littleton, in Arapahoe, Morrison in Jefferson, in Pueblo, and El Paso Counties, and 
in the South, Middle and North Parks, showing very wide distribution, and indicating 
enormous undeveloped fields in reserve for future prospecting. No great amount of 
searching is required to discover abundant evidences of its existence at all the points 
named and at others not more particularly enumerated, for its presence is made knowr 



400 HISTORY OF FREMCJNT COUNTY. 

in unmistakable films upon streams, pools, shattered rocks and springs. In the very 
earliest time of settlement when the Ute Indians mingled freely with our people, they 
and their white or half breed interpreters frequently related extravagant stories of enor- 
mous quantities of such oil to be found over in the distant parks. The savages used it 
in mixing their war paints, and for the cure of rheumatic and other ills. 

At the very outset of our inquiries respecting the original discovery and practical 
development of the product in Fremont County, where it has in recent years become 
one of the prominent industries of the county, we are confronted by so many conflicting 
accounts as to render it extremely difficult to present an entirely accurate narrative. We 
have taken the utmost pains to arrive at a true and continuous chain of testimony, and 
while that which follows is not wholly in accord with some other published accounts, 
we believe it to be in the main more nearly correct than any hitherto furnished. The 
facts have been obtained through interviews with some of the principals, and from 
authentic records, and every effort put forth to ascertain