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Gc 978.8 H14h v.3 1186743
M. L ..
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01066 9478
Alva Adams,
HISTORY
OF THE
STATE OF COLORADO
EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE
PRE-HISTORIC RACES AND THEIR REMAINS : THE EARLIEST SPANISH, FRENCH AND AMERICAN EXPLORATIONS; THE LIVES 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 THE VARIOUS PHASES OF INDUSTRIAL AND POLITICAL TRANSITION, FROM 1858 TO 1890.
IN FOUR VOLUMES.
ILLUSTRATED.
978.8
VOLUME III.
U.3
BY FRANK HALL, FOR THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN IHISTORICAL COMPANY
CHICAGO : THE BLAKELY PRINTING COMPANY, 1891.
Entered According to Act of Congress, in the Year 1891, by THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN HISTORICAL CO., In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
PREFATORY. 1186743
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 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 purposes, 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
iii
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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 Cañon 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 POLITICAL EVENTS FROM 1861 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. - -
CHAPTER II.
POLITICAL EVENTS FROM 1882 TO 1886-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 RIVER. - 33
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. - 62
CHAPTER IV.
VARIOUS LOCATIONS OF THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT IN COLORADO FROM 1861 to 1881 -HISTORY OF THE SEVERAL MOVEMENTS-CONTESTS IN THE COURTS OVER THE 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. 103
CHAPTER VI.
JOURNALISM IN DENVER-ANNALS OF FOUR GREAT DAILY PAPERS-THE NEWS, TRIBUNE, TIMES AND REPUBLICAN - BRIEF REVIEW OF THEIR EDITORS AND
- 130 MANAGERS.
CHAPTER VII.
FOUNDATION OF OUR PRESENT BANKING SYSTEM-EARLY BANKERS AND GOLD BROKERS -CLARK & GRUBER'S MINT AND ITS COINAGES-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES BRANCH MINT - THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, ITS PRESIDENTS AND ( ASHIER . 156
CHAPTER VIII.
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 BLOODY ADVENTURES-EDWARD KELLY AND HIS ROMANTIC ESCAPE FROM THE GALLOWS. - 234
vii
CONTENTS.
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- LVING SUBURBS AND FARMING SETTLEMENTS. 265
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-FOUNDING THE STATE UNIVERSITY - NEWSPAPERS-CHURCHES-BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES- BANKS AND BANKERS-GENERAL DEVELOPMENT-LONGMONT AND OTHER TOWNS -COAL, GOLD AND SILVER MINING. 288
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 AI 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 TIIE PIONEERS-THE OLD SANTA FE STAGE LINE-CASTLE ROCK -- PRESENT INDUSTRIES. -
- 332
EL PASO COUNTY.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-MOUNTAIN PEAKS AND STREAMS-FAUNA AND FLORA-FOSSIL REMAINS-LIST OF MINERALS-COAL MINES-FIRST SETTLERS-COLORADO CITY- MASSACRES BY INDIANS-COLORADO SPRINGS-ITS DEVELOPMENT TO 1881-THE FIRST THEATER-COLORADO COLLEGE. 333
CONTENTS.
EL PASO COUNTY.
(CONTINUED).
THE COLORADO SPRINGS OF THE PRESENT-HOTELS-CHURCHES-LOLORADO 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. 355
EL PASO COUNTY.
(CONTINUED).
MOUNTAIN RESORTS-TOWNS AND SETTLEMENTS-MONUMENT-PALMER LAKE-FOUN- TAIN-FALCON -- FLORISSANT -- JOURNALISM-STATISTICS. 379
FREMONT COUNTY.
BOUNDARIES AND RESOURCES-ORGANIZATION-VISIT OF ZEBULON PIKE -FIRST SET- TLERS-MODERN SETTLEMENTS-FOUNDING OF CANON 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. - 388
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. BUELL-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, AREA-THE UPPER ARKANSAS VALLEY-LEADVILLE AND ITS EX- 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
ix
CONTENTS.
PUEBLO COUNTY.
GEOLOGICAL FEATURES -- WATER COURSES-THE ARKANSAS VALLEY-AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE-PRIMITIVE EXPLORERS AND SETTLERS-A SCRAP OF ORIG- INAL HISTORY-OLD NEPESTA FORT-FOUNTAIN CITY AND PUEBLO-COUNTY ORGANIZATION-JOHN A. THATCHER-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-NEWSPAPERS- INTERESTING STATISTICS. 444
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
JEFFERSON 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.
PAGE.
ALVA ADAMS (Frontispiece)
H. C. THATCHER.
12
F. D. WIGHT ..
20
CHAS. STOCKBRIDGE
350
R. A. MEIER.
358
W. A. BURNETT
34
G. W. SNIDER.
370
J. F. HUMPHREY.
378
D. B. FAIRLEY 380
WM. LENNOX. 386
T. S. WELLS. 392
W. R. FOWLER.
396
406
GEO. L. SANBORN
100
JOHN ATKINSON IIO
C. C. HOLBROOK. I18
J. N. CARLILE. 122
G. E. BRAGDON
I30
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
J. & J. T. HUGHES
454
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. OSBISTON
314
H. M. GRIFFIN.
316
R. O. OLD
3IS
F. C. KEENEY 322
C. R. FISH
324
JOHN WOLFE.
342
E. B. SOPRIS
28
B. H. EATON.
40
DAVID BOYI
52
S. P. BLISS 58
E. R. HOLDEN
66
E. H. KEABLES 70
M. V. B. BENSON 80
J. P. SNYDER
90
J. H. WELLS.
406
J. C. MCSHANE 410
BELA S. BUELL. 414
H. J. KRUSE.
418
H. W. LAKE
420
JOHN HARVEY
424
A BRISBOIS
428
J. N. PIERCE
436
J. IRWIN.
442
A. MCCLELLAND
FERD BARNDOLLAR. 118
W. J BARNDOLLAR. 450
A. T STEWART.
456
COL. M. H. FITCH.
464
J. B. ORMAN.
466
I. W. STANTON.
468
DR. P. R. THOMBS
472
J. D. MILLER
476
C. E. GAST.
478
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
44
SILAS BERTENSHAW
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
CHAPTER I.
HASTY REVIEW OF POLITICAL EVENTS FROM 1861 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
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HISTORY OF COLORADO.
it is prepared for admission, and although he may 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 definitely overthrown. Its majorities during the first sixteen years were never large. The votes at all general elections when the lines were rigidly 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 efficient 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, the 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
13
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
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 military 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 mio- mentous questions arising out of the turmoil of our civil war; the luster of some great and good works begun and successfully performed; for example, the founding and completion of an asylum for the insane in
14
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
Indiana; the editorship of a widely 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-
15
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
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 made 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 1864 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 affairs.
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