USA > Colorado > Colorado pioneers in picture and story > Part 10
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NEWSPAPERS
In the pioneer history of Denver, nothing of any im- portance was consummated without the personal partici- pation of William N. Byers.
From that April day in 1859, when the News was established, to the day of its sale to W. A. H. Loveland, he used its columns to point out the great natural re- sources of the country, and to urge their development. He gave to the outside world, through his reports, the earliest and best intelligence of the growth of Denver. No man has done nobler and more unselfish work for the upbuilding of Colorado.
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"The pioneer newspapers of Denver," said Mr. Byers, a short time before his death, "were the Rocky Mountain News and the Cherry Creek Pioneer. The question as to which came from the press first has been often dis- cussed and disputed, but our information at the time was that the News had priority by about twenty minutes.
"My printing outfit was located in an attic over Uncle Dick Wooton's saloon. Naturally, this saloon saw
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS OFFICE 1859
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NUITS
PRINTING
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WM. N. BYERS
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS 1859
a good deal of roughness, and many of its frequenters were 'mighty handy with their pistols.' Stray shots were frequent, and we, of the printing office overhead, soon learned that an inch JOHN L. DAILEY pine board wouldn't stop a Colt's navy bullet, so we got more boards and doubled the floor under our beds. None were killed in that campaign.
"The Pioneer outfit was brought from St. Joseph, Missouri, by Jack Merrick. He was a 'jolly, good fel- low,' and he wanted to get acquainted before he settled down to work. He was mighty busy at that before we came, and then he set to and gave us a very close race. The extraordinary event of a newspaper in the Rocky Mountain region, and the race, enlisted the interest of the people, and all afternoon there was a continuous pro- cession of people over the 'log walk' across Cherry creek
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to see the process of making the first newspaper, and, more particularly, to determine which one was first to appear.
"Merrick got out the first number of the Pioneer. and then he took a rest. Two or three days later, my partner, Mr. Gibson, went around and traded an armful of 'grub' for the outfit. and carried it back with him to the News office. That ended the Pioneer. and marked the first newspaper death in Colorado. Jack took his 'grub' and went prospecting. Early in the spring of 1860, a third printing press reached Denver. It was brought out by H. E. Rounds and Edward Bliss of Chi- cago, but, without starting into business, it was consoli- dated with the News, and the four proprietors became jointly and equally the News Printing Company. In 1863. Rounds and Bliss were bought out by Byers and Dailey.
"In the spring of 1860. Thomas Gibson. who had sold his interest in the News to John L. Dailey, returned to Denver with another printing office, and. May 1st. issued the first number of the Daily Rocky Mountain Herald, which was the first daily paper published. A few weeks later. the News issued a daily, and. soon after. published another edition called The Bulletin. Late in that year, another paper was established in Denver, by Moore and Coleman, called The Mountaineer. Early in 1861, it was bought out by Byers & Dailey. I believe there were no other newspaper changes in Denver until 1864, when the News office was destroyed by the Cherry creek flood, and the Herald was purchased by Byers & Dailey. For several years following, the News had the field entirely to itself.
"I think this covers briefly the pioneer press history of Denver. In common with the fortune of all other pio- neer enterprises," he continued, "the press met with great trials, difficulties and misfortunes. Our paper sold at
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twenty-five cents a copy. I sent to Fort Leavenworth for paper and had to pay a dollar a pound for freight. We got along as best we could, printing on wrapping paper. druggists' paper, tissue paper-in fact, any kind of paper that we could get, and we missed several issues in the summer of 1859 because there was nothing to print on.
"My memories in connection with the business are varied, generally pleasant, and always interesting. There were trials and many disappointments. There were times when I found it prudent to disguise myself or to vary my route homeward when I left the office after night. because of threats against my life. The office was often threatened. Once only was it attacked. For years it was the rule to keep arms always in reach; the composi- tor stood at his case with a gun leaning against his stand. The cause for such precaution was the outspoken tone of the paper against lawlessness and disorder."
John L. Dailey came to Colorado with W. N. Byers. in 1859. In July of the same year he became one of the owners of the News. He took charge of the business de- partment, contributed to its columns. and became a factor in the success of the paper.
The big flood in 1864 swept the News building. with all its material and fixtures, away.
Parts of the press were recovered from the sands at bedrock, in 1872, and are among the curiosities of the State Historical Society at the capitol. Another building was erected for the News on Market street. This build- ing Mr. Dailey took down piece by piece in 1900. and presented it to the city for restoration at the City park. there to stand. one of the most interesting relics of pio- neer days.
Mr. Dailey was connected. in many ways, with the building of Denver. He was straightforward and up- right in all his dealings with his fellow man, widely
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known and highly respected. His daughter, Miss Annie Dailey, is one of Denver's most gifted artists.
In 1870 the Rocky Mountain Herald passed into the hands of O. J. Goldrick, who became its editor, with Halsey M. Rhoads as business manager. Mr. William Ferrill is the present publisher of the paper.
The following is the list of Denver newspapers in the order of their establishment: The Rocky Mountain News, the Denver Times, the Denver Tribune, the Denver Republican, the Denver Herald (German), the Denver World, the Denver Sun, the Denver Post.
The newspapers of Denver today have the mechan- ical equipment and the talented working force that place them on a level with any city in this country or Europe.
PIONEER PRINTERS
In response to a call issued by Angelo Noce, twenty- one old-time printers assembled and effected a temporary organi- zation of what is now known as the Colorado Pioneer Printers. A permanent organization was ef- fected July 22, 1912, with Clar- ence E. Hagar, president ; Angelo Noce, first vice-president ; Sam S. Landon, treasurer, and Joseph G. Brown, secretary.
The charter members were as follows: Angelo Noce, Clarence E. Hagar, Joseph G. Brown, Au- gust Koester, Sigmond Frieden- thal, Charles F. Hynes. Halsey M. Rhoads, Samuel S. Landon, T. B. Chas. S. Semper Caswell, Azel R. Logan, John B. O'Connell, Al G. Dobbins, Byrd L. Wilson, John Fred- eric. John Henderson, Frank Zern, John J. Bucher,
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Frank Kratzer, T. J. Kendrick, Frank C. Birdsall, Charles S. Semper.
Today, the society has an active membership of one hundred and forty. The nature of this association is fraternal and social. All printers, editors, writers or others who were practic- ally connected with the printing or publishing business in Colorado twenty-five years ago, or prior thereto, are eligible to membership. The of- ficers are elected annually. Mr. O. L. Smith is now president.
Charles S. Semper is, at this writing, the sole survivor of those who is- sued the first copy of the Rocky Mountain News, in 1859. The aged printer is a Confederate veteran. He came to Denver in 1858, joined the South in the Civil war, and took part in most of the great battles.
Edward Keating
Mr. Semper and his wife are living on a farm near the town of Semper. The aged couple say that they ask nothing more than to be allowed to end their lives on the homestead taken up many years ago.
THE DENVER PRESS CLUB
The Denver Press Club bears a double distinction. It is the only organization of its kind in the country that is composed entirely of bona fide newspaper men-writ-
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ers. It has been in existence almost eleven years. The Gridiron Club, made up of Washington, D. C., corre- spondents and writers, is the only similar organization that approaches the Denver newspaper men's club.
The Denver Press Club was organized in March, 1905. Its vicissi- tudes since that time have been numerous, but it sur- mounted all obstacles, and today stands as a model. the country over, of the ideal newspaper man's or- ganization.
The membership of the club is about one hun- dred and fifty. Its asso- ciate membership list in- cludes some of the most prominent men of the country - senators. finan- ciers and others of large affairs. The honorary list Geo. E. Lewis is confined to President Wilson and ex-Presidents Roosevelt and Taft.
Edward JJ. Keating. now United States Congress- man from the First District. Colorado, was the first presi- dent of the Denver Press Club. He served two terms. George E. Lewis is the present head of the organization.
An organization formed by Gene Field. "Bill" Nye. Wolfe Londoner-one of Denver's first mayors-and others of the old-time "scribes" furnished the inspiration for the present club.
The club quarters are in the Denham building, and the place is the mecca for most of the writers who visit Denver.
CHAPTER XI SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
DENVER A CULTURE CENTER .1. E. Pierce
Mr. A. E. Pierce, a fifty-eighter, has linked his name with history by being the first to make Denver a culture center.
Mr. Pierce said to me recently: "When we walk down Sixteenth street today and see the new skyscrapers rising up around us, it is hard for us to appreciate what Denver was in 1858. I have wit- nessed this transformation from 'grass roots.' It was my fortune to have been one of that little band of argonauts who crossed the 'Great American Desert.' as it was called in our old school atlas, to the new Eldorado, in 1858. I was in Omaha when a prospector re- turned and showed a few flakes of precious metal in a goose quill. This was enough. A. caravan to cross the plains was at once A. E. Pierce formed. With it I cast my lot. We took the North Platte route. It was midwinter when, one day, we crossed Clear creek, drove over the hills of what is now North Denver. and came in sight of the little settlement on Cherry creek and South Platte. Small as the camp was. it was a wel- come sight to us. We had tramped beside our patient
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oxen over eight hundred miles. We never rode; the load was sufficient without.
"When Gregory discovered gold in the gulches and lodes at Black Hawk, there was a stampede for the new camp. My partner and I were among the first. In a brief time the hills and gulches swarmed with prospect- ors.
"At this time there were no mail facilities, except via Fort Laramie, a government post two hundred miles to the north. The Auraria-Denver camp appointed one Henry Allen postmaster, and employed a man to carry the mail to and from the fort. He was paid twenty-five cents for each letter. Letters forwarded to camps in the mountains were taxed an additional twenty-five cents. I well remember receiving one in Russell Gulch for which I paid fifty cents in gold dust. It contained about two lines from an old chum. saying : 'Let me know where you are so I can write to you.
THE CIRCULATING LIBRARY
"On my return from Russell Gulch in the fall of '59, I found the two towns had grown apace, but there was a great dearth of reading matter. Not a book, mag- azine or eastern paper could be bought. Although I was down and out financially, I managed to scrape together enough gold dust to send to St. Joe for a supply of pic- torial and other papers and paper-bound novels. In course of time the stock arrived, in two large packages, by the Pike's Peak Express, with $10 express charges. I had enough money to get one of these packages out of the office and opened it up on a work bench under a big cottonwood tree. I soon sold the stock out to the men- tally hungry pilgrims. Then I had money to take out the other package. This stock vanished with equal rap- idity, but I now had money to do business and ordered
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a larger stock, and also got together a number of bound books. From the work bench I moved into the little room where mails were received and given out. I then ordered a supply of bound books and started a circulating library, which became a popular and well-patronized institution. I had labels printed and pasted on the cover, 'A. E. Pierce Circulating Library.'
"I very soon found that in providing the new town with reading matter I had struck a 'pay streak.'
"Of course, Denver was envious that Auraria should have the only literary depot, so I opened a branch on the east side in William Graham's drug store. A little later on I consolidated the two news depots and moved into a new store. I built up a large trade, supplying not only the local demand, but all the mining camps, with the latest papers from the East. I had papers on my counter from all over the United States and was able to give every newcomer the latest news from his own State. for which he was always glad to pay a quarter. The stand- ard price for a newspaper, regardless of age, was twenty- five cents. In 1860 I sold out to Woolworth & Moffat. as I desired to take a trip back East.
FIRST READING ROOM AND LIBRARY
"February 10, 1860, I organized a reading room as- sociation. The rooms of the library were in a building near the bed of Cherry creek, below the site of the pres- ent city hall. The original officers were: President. Major R. B. Bradford; vice-president, Captain C. P. Marion; secretary, O. J. Goldrick; treasurer, A. E. Pierce; librarian, James Kime; directors, R. B. Brad- ford, O. J. Goldrick, C. H. Blake, G. W. Bark. T. H. Warren, W. M. Slaughter, William Graham.
"The association was known as the Denver City and Auraria Reading Room and Library Association. Each
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member paid into the treasury fifty cents at the begin- ning of every month. We had one hundred members. Their names were in a book, together with the constitu- tion and by-laws and a list of officers. which book I pre- sented to the present city library when the late R. W. Woodbury was its president. It is an interesting relic.
"I thank God." continued Mr. Pierce, "that I have been permitted to live and have some part in so important an era of western life and history. There was a joy in pioneering. The pioneer lived 'the simple life.' close to nature. He was care free; he rolled himself up in his blankets and slept on the ground; his menu was limited- bread and meat and coffee for breakfast. the same for dinner, and likewise for supper. There was usually a pot of boiled beans, and. as a dessert, stewed dried ap- ples, or pie from the same filling. The first ripe apples that appeared on the streets of Denver in 1860 sold read- ily for twenty-five cents apiece."
THE SOCIETY OF COLORADO PIONEERS
Mr. Pierce said: "To be entitled to membership in the Society of Colorado Pioneers. one must have arrived in Colorado and resided here prior to January. 1861. Efforts have frequently been made to extend this time to a later date, but the old pioneers have resolutely stood against it.
"There is a reason for this. The years 1858, '59 and '60 were, in a peculiar sense, pioneer years. Especial recognition has always been accorded those who came as early as '58. It was the 'picket line.' or advance guard. The number coming that early was quite limited. But during the years '59 and '60 thousands came. These were the pioneers who scattered all through the mountains. opened the mines, built towns and located ranches in the
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valleys. They laid foundations upon which those coming later built.
"The early pioneer came to a silent wilderness. He took hold of the territory 'in the raw.' He had nothing but his hands. his energy and his courage to start a new civilization in the wilderness. Within two years he had so far advanced that he was ready to ask his 'Uncle Sam- uel' to take him right into his family circle. Those com- ing to the Territory later found a well-organized con- munity, all the comforts of home, as it were. a place to sleep and a place to eat. Doubt had given way to cer- tainty. Instead of prospectors washing out a few flakes of gold from the sands of Cherry creek. or some other still less auriferous stream, stamp mills were pounding out the real stuff in Clear creek and other canyons, and a private mint coining genuine golden eagles. while the poorest man had some of the 'stuff' in his buckskin sack.
"Yes, it was different after 1860. and. no matter what may happen to the Society of Colorado Pioneers in after years, the fact must ever remain the same-the real pio- neer was the one who first turned the sod. I accord all credit to those who came a little later. or even some years later. Some of these have been empire builders, but. even so, they found the trenches dug. the trail blazed. the foundation laid, and all the evidences of civilization- the press, the school. the church and society, as well as the dance hall, gambling hall and brothel-ves. all these adjuncts to modern civilization. while the real pioneer had-all these things to get.
"Probably, some day. the doors of the pioneer society will be opened, and those who came at a later date will be enrolled: but not until most of the 'real stock' have passed over the range and become extinct. as the buffalo of the plains."
The society numbers several hundred members at the present time. and Mr. William R. Beatty is the president.
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MRS. MARTHA HAGAR CHICOTT
MRS FANNIE HARDINE
HARRY RUFFNER
MRS ELITCH LONG
MRS D.D.MAYO
MRS OLIVE M· OAKES
MRS HARRY N. SALES
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PIONEER LADIES' AID SOCIETY
This society has for its special object the care of the unfortunate pioneers. It was organized as an auxiliary to the Society of Colorado Pioneers in September, 1889. by the following women: Mrs. William N. Byers, Mrs. Birks Cornforth, Mrs. L. W. Cutler, Mrs. J. F. Hender- son, Mrs. Alvin McCune, Mrs. C. H. Mclaughlin, Mrs. H. W. Michael, Mrs. D. Mitchell. Mrs. R. Moseley, Mrs. A. G. Rhoads, Mrs. Andrew Sagendorf, Mrs. Richard Sopris, Mrs. Augusta Tabor and Mrs. Justina Trankle. In 1894, when it was incorporated, the society had a mem- bership of one hundred and fifty. From the time of its organization this society has held the regard, sympathy and good will of the people.
THE PIONEERS' PICNIC
The far-famed Elitch's Gardens became a beauty spot in pioneer days. Mrs. Martha Hagar, with her hus- band and sons, came to Colorado in the early times and settled at Empire, where they were constantly in dread of Indians. The town was then a distributing point of rations for the Utes. They passed through a period of merciless Indian savageries and butcheries, and finally, after the death of her husband, Mrs. Hagar moved to Denver.
Here she married William Chilcott, and for many years the couple made their home on the property now known as Elitch's Gardens.
Mrs. Chilcott, with her own hands. planted many of the shade trees that adorn the gardens today. Through her continued labor and care the dreary desert place was changed into a pleasant ranch, which soon became famed for its beauty. The many fine reports of it caught the attention of John Elitch, who bought the property and made it one of the beauty spots of Denver.
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To the pioneers, the resort, even in its modern altered condition, is always a reminder of the gentle lady who planted the first trees.
On the twentieth day of every June the men and women of the Colorado Pioneer Society, with ribbons and badges on their coats and dresses. enjoy a reunion at Elitch's Gardens.
Early in the afternoon they begin to crowd through the gate with great bulging baskets of "goodies."
Pioneer Day at Elitch's is an important event, and several hundred from far and near usually gather amid the flowers and trees and song birds of the beautiful spot to live over again, in memory and reminiscences. the days when Colorado was new.
It is with feelings of admiration and gratitude that I mingle with the men and women who helped to blaze the path of civilization westward. I have seen faces whose seams began when danger and privations were daily companions beam in recognition of an old-time friend, and hands which helped to hew out the founda- tions of an empire clasp in warm remembrance.
I have listened to men who were among the first to find gold in the mountains talk of the days when, to be a prospector, with all a prospector's hopes, was greater than to be the crowned head of a kingdom.
The gathering always presents to me a scene of mixed festivity and sadness. I remember the picnic last year. The day was superb with the radiance and charm of early spring; the gardens never looked prettier, with every flower bed a riotous mass of color: all the amusements were going in full blast, to the delight of hundreds of children, who were boastful of their pioneer lineage.
I heard one lady say in plaintive tones: "I have been coming to these reunions vear after year. and my sister and her husband have been with me. but this year
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I am alone-both have gone over the Great Divide since last June."
I turned to converse with Mrs. D. C. Oakes, the widow of D. C. Oakes, a sweet faced lady, who sat at one side and wore a badge labeled Honorary President of the Pioneer Ladies' Aid Society.
"In the days of Indian raids," said Mrs. Oakes, "my husband built a fort for the refuge of people. It was formed of square hewed logs, with a well in the center. and was termed 'Major Oakes' Folly' by those who did not realize the danger. We lived there six months. The Indians kept close watch, and it was only under the cover of darkness that the men got out to buy provisions. Our cooking utensils and furniture were limited, but it was a comfort to feel that we were safe from the tomahawk of the red man. After the Indians left, the people went to look for their former homes, and they found only heaps of ashes."
Mrs. Oakes came to Denver in 1859. and has seen it grow from a village of log cabins, with its stirring scenes of ox teams, scouts, trappers, Indians and prospectors. to skyscrapers, automobiles and flying machines-truly a wonderful period of history-making.
She has given a building site to the Territorial Daughters for the construction of a home for Colorado pioneers.
I was introduced to two of the "boys"-Eugene La Velle, ninety-seven years old. and A. J. Randall. ninety- two, who seemed to be entering into the pleasures of the day with all the enthusiasm of boys.
"I remember the first hanging," said W. T. Eubank. another pioneer. "He was an old Dutchman, and when the rope was placed around his neck he took off his shoes and handed them over to the man who had defended him. saying : 'It's all I got to give yer ; take 'em." "
Mr. James H. Pierce of Morrison remarked proudly : 7
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"I am the only survivor in Colorado of the Green Russell expedition. I often live over in memory the day we pitched our tents under the cottonwood trees on the Platte."
And there was handsome Major Boutwell, who has watched Colorado grow from "infancy to manhood." The distinction of which he is proudest is that he is a pioneer.
Harry Ruffner. with his smile that never comes off. was posing for a picture. He was born at Fourteenth and Blake in the old Colorado house. which his father owned, and is now secretary of the Sons of Colorado, a society of native sons. He talked of the playgrounds of the town in the early days along the banks of the Platte river, and the old swimming hole at a spot just north of the present Union depot, where all the kids in town gath- ered and swam in the water on summer afternoons, pro- tected from public gaze by the willows on the banks.
"Many a time." said Mr. Ruffner, "have I watched the cowboys, surrounded now by a golden and romantic haze. driving the great herds over the plains. I could tell them miles distant. because of the cloud of dust that preceded them and rose to the high heavens.
"I have seen the patch of ground in Henry C. Brown's ranch transformed from a pasture lot to a million dollar hotel site in thirty-five years, and I am ever ready to honor the brave men and women who have made Colorado a great and glorious commonwealth."
The tones of a violin drew me to where the dancers moved through the quadrille, the Varsouviana and the Virginia reel, a little more stately, but with just as much enjoyment as in the early days. It is surprising how the sturdy old pillars of the State retain their nimbleness.
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