USA > Colorado > Colorado pioneers in picture and story > Part 27
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"Another historic building is one at the corner of State and Harrison avenue, known as Washerwoman's block. Mrs. Sarah Ray located the lots early in 1878, on which she built a slab shanty and put out a sign, 'laun- dry.' She did a 'land-office' business and in a short time erected a two-story brick building. Many a time she stood guard all night to protect her land from lot jump- ers, and her only weapon was an old broom.
BROKEN NOSE SCOTTY
"As you are seeking stories," Mr. Owen continued, "I will tell you one that is characteristic of the times, about James Ellis, better known as 'Broken Nose Scotty.' He
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was a prospector and was lucky beyond the average pros- pector, but his besetting sin was drink. One night he was arrested and placed in jail for being drunk, not having the money to pay the fine. While he was in jail a gen- tleman called and asked for James Ellis. The jailer said he had no such boarder, and when told that the man he wanted had a broken nose, the jailer at once brought out 'Scotty.' 'You own a claim on Carbonate hill,' said the stranger. 'Yes, sir.' 'How much will you take for it?' 'Thirty thousand,' 'Scotty' replied. 'Come with me to my lawyer, who will make out the papers and the money is yours.'
" 'The pleasant gentleman whom I first met when I entered this building,' explained 'Scotty,' 'thinks so much of me that he will not let me out of his sight unless I give him some money; as I have none, I will have to remain here.' The stranger paid the fine and 'Scotty' went with him.
"The next morning, when the bank opened 'Scotty' got $30,000 in cash. His first act was to go to the jail, where he paid the fine of all the chain gang, took them up town, bought each a complete new outfit of clothes from shoes to hat, took them to the Tontine restaurant, ordered the best meal the house could set up and before midnight every one of them was again in jail.
"A few weeks later 'Scotty' left for Scotland to visit his old mother. He gave her enough to keep her comfort- ably the remainder of her life, spent several months in the old country and returned to Colorado.
"One morning he appeared on the avenue without a penny in his pocket. He soon got a grub stake and was off to the hills and before the year was out sold several prospect holes for a good sum of money. Well," said Mr. Owen, after a little pause, "Leadville is still on the map, not having the same life and excitement as in her youthful days, but standing on a more solid foundation.
.
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Four hundred million dollars have been taken out of these mines in the past, and it is my opinion that all previous records in production will be surpassed in the future."
Mr. Owen is now general manager and vice-president of the Denver Dry Goods Company, a man of fine business ability, who has been a factor in the success of that great mercantile house.
We decided to ring a change on the scene, and so we started back to the city, around which circled vast wreaths of furnace smoke, that looked as if it had been belched from the crater of a volcano. On reaching the hotel we found that we, like the dyer's hand, had taken our color from our surroundings. Indeed, during the whole of our stay there we were continually reminded of the sentence, "dust thou art." But while the lower world was shrouded in smoke and dust, the sky was a perpetual delight. The clouds were always experimenting and always getting up fine effects. The sunsets were superb.
TWIN LAKES
The next morning our party visited "Twin Lakes," a pair of crystal beauties nestled among the peaks-a de- lightful resort for tourists, who camp and boat and fish there. The snowy sails that float over the silvery waters are nine thousand feet nearer the sky than those that fly the ocean. It cost me considerable of a pang not to go, but I had made a contract with myself to gather stories, and I could not fritter my time away in other pleasures. A woman is very conscientious about breaking an engage- ment-with herself! But one is always rewarded for re- sisting temptation. They had scarcely started when I was summoned to the parlor to meet a number of pio- neers a friend had kindly brought to see me. They were a jovial set, and from them I gathered many stories.
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JOHN A. EWING
John A. Ewing arrived in Leadville in 1881, from Pennsylvania, his native State, where he had been ad- mitted to the bar.
He said, while on his way west, he stopped at Fort Wallace, Kansas; he was young, his resources were lim- ited and he felt himself a stranger in a strange land. As he was about to enter an eating house at Fort Wallace, he noticed a sign which was in large letters, and which read :
"To trust is bust; To bust is hell; No trust, no bust; No bust, no hell."
which was impressed upon his memory and was cal- culated to prepare him for many things which he en- countered when he went to , Leadville and began the practice of law.
John A. Ewing
He has continued in the practice of law, without in- terruption, in Leadville and in Denver. up to the pres- ent time.
He has never held any public office, although, as a Republican, he has always taken an interest in politics.
While following the practice of his profession he has found time to take an active interest in the development of mining enterprises. He backed with his credit R. R. Moore, who made the first shipment of zinc ore from Leadville to Antwerp, in June. 1899, which was, in fact. the beginning of the zinc ore business in Colorado.
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From his advent in Leadville, in 1881, to the present time, he has been identified with the camp and its people, its enterprises, and is familiar and well acquainted with all the noted people which that wonderful camp has pro- duced; he can recount many pleasant things, as well as tragedies, which have occurred in Leadville.
He is an active and enthusiastic citizen and is con- nected with numerous public movements for the State's welfare.
Mr. Samuel D. Nicholson located in Leadville in 1881. He had nothing but his own pluck and en- ergy to rely upon, and soon obtained employment. He had been brought up on a farm and was entirely un- used to the wild and strenuous life of the west. It can readily be imag- ined how a stir- ring mining camp appeared to a green country boy. When in Lead- ville only a few days, he was one evening invited to dine with a Geor- gia gentleman, who found fault with the manner in which dinner was
Samuel D. Nicholson
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being served by the colored waiter. The waiter pro- tested, telling the host that if not satisfied, he could get another waiter; whereupon the host stood up and shot the colored waiter dead. Needless to say this ended the dinner. This incident was Mr. Nicholson's introduction. so to speak, to the far West.
In telling of his first mining experience, Mr. Nich- olson said: "A Mr. Percival, of Texas, and myself lo- cated two mining claims in Little French Gulch, about eight miles from Leadville, and proceeded to sink a shaft regardless of formations. As time went on we discovered that we were sinking in solid granite, the only indication of ore being the mica contained in the granite. When we encountered a large bunch of mica, we thought that we were in close proximity to ore. We sunk the shaft about seventy-five feet in the solid granite, and it goes without saying that the venture was a complete failure. From this experience, however, we gathered a knowledge which became useful in future years."
From that time until the present Mr. Nicholson has been actively engaged in mining in the State of Colorado. His business instincts were keen. his judgment good, and he soon forged his way to the front. He has been con- nected with some of the largest mining and milling enter- prises which have been carried on in the State. Mr. Nicholson is also interested in a number of other busi- ness enterprises in the State, including banking and the sugar industry.
Mr. Nicholson was twice elected mayor of Leadville. and was also a Republican candidate for governor of the State of Colorado in the primaries in the year 1914.
As a citizen, he is generous, patriotic, enterprising and honest, and participates in all measures designed for the advancement of the State. In his enterprising push and business ability he is one of the men needed for the prosperity of Colorado.
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The leading journalists of the early Leadville days were : John Arkins. C. C. Davis, James M. Burness, R. G. Dill, Major Henry Ward and G. A. Leonard. These men wielded a strong power in shaping the destiny of the State.
While going from Leadville to Buena Vista, a news- paper man told me the following story :
STARTING A WESTERN PAPER
"In 1878, when excitement ran high in Leadville, and fortunes were made with almost magical rapidity, Arkins. then foreman of the Denver Tribune, was struck, as he relates it, 'all of a heap,' with the idea of starting a paper in the Carbonate city. Friends advised him to let 'well enough' alone, and not go careering after the uncertainties of life. But he laughed at their arguments and ultimately invested every dollar he had in a printing press, which he shipped to the great mining camp.
"In those days the only railroad in that direction ter- minated at Webster. the rest of the journey being made in stages.
"So great was the rush of travel, only those who were in favor with the management could obtain a seat in the stage unless ordered long in advance. But our journalist, having an eye single to comfort. took the necessary pre- caution and secured it.
"While at Webster he saw the wagon trains heavily laden with bullion toiling on their way to the depot. He stepped around to see his freight safely transferred. The type had been packed in boxes, which, of course, were as 'heavy as lead.' A great, burly teamster, who seemed to possess Herculean strength. swooped down on a box, ex- pecting to toss it with careless ease into the wagon, but somewhat baffled. he lifted it slowly. with a puff and pant. and said. 'Bullion both ways. by jingo"
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"There was but one of the gentler sex in the coach, and she carried a canary bird, a pet squirrel and a gera - nium in a pot; all of which she unhesitatingly deposited in the laps of the gentlemen that had not been previously converted into chairs for some one.
"They expected to arrive at Fairplay in time for sup- per, but before they reached the middle of South Park the wind and snow commenced a tussle, which was fol- lowed by a battle of the elements that was appalling. Arkins soon realized that the path to glory, like true love, seldom runs smoothly. He didn't more than half like the thought of having the snow for a winding sheet, even though it might be typical of purity; and had no notion of filling a grave far above the common world.
"When they reached the top of Red Hill, all above, beyond, and about was enveloped in Egyptian darkness. The snow didn't come down in eddying flakes that the poet talks about, but fell in blinding sheets.
"The driver said it was impossible to go on. The horses were bewildered by the darkness and the raging tempest. The leaders. as if thrust around by some irre- sistible power, doubled back on the wheel horses. There was no time to meditate; no time to be tender and com- forting to the woman. who tearfully inquired if her household pets were in danger. They simply had to string their nerves to the highest tension and act promptly, or be frozen to death in that houseless solitude.
"There were a few scattering trees on the hill. but there was no ax; no way of kindling a fire. They dared not separate for fear of being lost in the darkness. So they joined hands and formed two lines, the first man in each line holding to the bits of the leaders, and made their way as best they could down the hill. the snow con- tinuing to pelt them with relentless fury.
"They arrived in Fairplay at 2 o'clock in the morn- ing. A crowd had assembled at the hotel and were vigor-
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ously discussing the feasibility of sending for the belated coach. They were received with a fever-heat of excite- ment, which so strongly resembled the stir and finish of a play that each particular man imagined himself the 'star actor on the stage.'
"Their moustaches and eyebrows supported little rifts of snow, and their limbs were rigid with cold; but, par- taking freely of liquid refreshments, rapidly dispelled the freezing sensations, and early that morning they left for Leadville over the Weston pass.
"In process of time the Chronicle was established. with our hero in charge, in a little six by eight room, with a washstand for his editorial desk.
"All being in readiness for the first edition of the paper, Mr. A. seized a note-book and went in pursuit of items; when, attracted by a number of persons gathered around a little shanty, he bent his steps in that direction, walked in without leave or license and soon discovered the cause of the commotion in front. The air was stifling with chloroform. A woman lay stretched on a bed and a physician stood over her making active use of a stom- ach pump. The facts ascertained, he returned to his sanctum and dashed off an account of it.
"The next morning a large man with flushed face and bloodshot eyes entered his office accompanied by a woman. He demanded in stentorian tones to see the man who wrote 'that article in yesterday's paper about his lady,' and with a little frescoed swearing announced his intention to blow him into the warmest place in Luci- fer's domains.
"The editor said meekly the reporter had stepped out, but if an untrue statement had been made, he, being the editor, would be pleased to correct it. He couldn't understand how it happened, for the merest glance at the lady was sufficient to establish her character, and. stepping forward with great suavity of manner, declared
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that she seemed to be the 'flour of sulphur and the cream of tartar.'
"The caustic sarcasm of the apology passed unper- ceived by the enraged couple, and was received as the editor intended it should be. The woman smiled and bowed thanks; the man seized his hand, saying, 'Your head is level;' both united in an urgent invitation to 'Come, take a drink,' when all three waltzed into a neigh- boring saloon and-smiled unctuously."
Arkins later sold the Chronicle and bought an inter- est in the Rocky Mountain News, at Denver.
THE ALPINE TUNNEL
The ride from Buena Vista to Gunnison is a wonder- ful, and in most respects, a delightful experience; there is nothing meek or humble about it, the clouds and moun- tains flirt and kiss each other right before our eyes. We continue to rise higher and higher until the Continental Divide, with its icy coro- net, appears clear-cut and glistening against a back- ground of blue sky. The railroad, in its effort to outdo all rivals in feats of mountain climbing, has. in this instance, mounted to an altitude of 11,500 feet above the sea, at which point the trains plunge into the Alpine tunnel, and the next view we get of the light of day is on the Pacific slope.
About a mile farther on the engine dashes
Hell Gate
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around a curve and stops at the "palisades," which rise almost perpendicular to a height of nearly five hundred feet. These towering rocks were beautifully embellished with beds of gauzy ferns. Graceful vines twined about their heads, and the ropes on which the men were sus- pended to carve out a roadway for the iron horse are still dangling there.
Quartz Creek, with its numerous tributaries, sparkles through a valley two thousand feet below. Raising one's eyes from this profound abyss, the range of vision extends over one hundred and seventy-five miles to the San Juan country, where the Uncompahgre peaks stand with haughty crests, and, lying between, softened by the light blue tint of this lofty atmosphere, are hill and dale in wavy line and sleepy rest. The eye drinks in such beauty as intoxicates the soul, then we are whirled away and the lovely valley, like all life's charms, slips from us, leaving a steel engraving in the picture book of memory, bearing the inscription, "Glorietta View"-yet it is called "Quartz Valley," which is, "of the earth, earthy."
And now we are carried swiftly through wonder after wonder of grand scenery. Keeping company with such lofty peaks makes one feel so insignificant; there arises an overpowering consciousness of being only a speck, an atom, an infinitesimal part of the great scheme of Creation. Such contemplations are not pleasant; I was glad when the neighing of the iron horse announced our arrival at Gunnison.
CHAPTER XXV GUNNISON
FRONTIER BANKING
The city of Gunnison was founded in the fall of 1879. by Professor S. Richardson, and now it has massive brick and stone blocks that seem to have sprung up with the swift and easy architecture of Aladdin's Palace. The La Veta hotel, a superb building, with accommodations equal to any in eastern cities, is entirely a native struc- ture. The foundation rock and ornamental stone were all quarried at the edge of Gunnison; the brick was made there, likewise the woodwork. The iron castings are the product of their foundries; the lime for mortar and plas- ter of native manufacture. Adding to these products the gold and silver in the surrounding mountains, and we have the resources which are to maintain a constant growth.
How the Gunnison bank was established is a charac- teristic story of frontier life. In '79 Sam G. Gill, then living in Denver, conceived the idea that a bank would pay in Gunnison. Not until the spring of '80, however, was he able to organize it, then succeeded through the help of Governor Tabor and the late Colonel Jacobson. At this time the Rio Grande road was completed to Ala- mosa in Conejos County, Gunnison being distant one hun- dred and fifty miles. All freighting had to be done by mule and ox teams across Cochetopa Pass, a long, tedious haul.
When Gill left Denver he locked up the greater part
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of his bank capital ($30,000) in his safe, and shipped it to Alamosa. Upon reaching that place he found such a vast quantity of freight en route to Gunnison that it was a week before the forwarding merchant could ship his furniture and safe.
All this time the latter, with its precious contents, stood upon the platform of the forwarding houses, passed daily by all the hard characters of a mining camp, who, had they known its value, would soon have wrecked it. Gill had it marked Alonzo Hartman, Gunnison, Colorado (the name of one of his partners), then pur- chased a suit of overalls and loafed around with the freighters so as to keep an eye on his treasure.
At length the valuable freight S. G. Gill was loaded, and when ready to start, Gill stepped up to the driver and asked if he could secure passage with him. After some parleying the man said, "Yes, if you will do half the cooking, and buy all the supplies, tobacco and whisky, wash the dishes, hitch and unhitch the mules. you may go." Gill consented.
The fourth day out they were compelled to build a corduroy road, and were subsequently delayed a day by high water. In all, they were fifteen days en route. Gill performed his part of the contract to the satisfaction of his "boss." But it was rather a novel role for a bank cashier to assume.
Arriving in Gunnison, and having paid the freighter. he dropped his disguise and assumed his proper char-
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acter, greatly to the astonishment of the latter, who then, for the first time, discovered the identity of his "cook and helper."
ADOPTING A WESTERN BOY
The polite and obliging clerk brought the pioneers from the byways and highways to talk to me. One gen- tleman said: "Among the fellows who gathered around the camp fire and spun yarns in the early days was Dick Irwin. He was at once jovial, bright and witty, of large and varied experience, though his violet eyes did not speak of adventure, and his smoothly shaven face and small, graceful stature gave him the appearance of adolescent youth.
"Once upon a time he went to Philadelphia on a visit with Mr. Joe Watson. and while there was invited to a large and rather fashionable party.
"Out of courtesy to his host, rather than inclination. he went, but it had been many years since he attended a gathering of that kind, and he felt like a fish out of water. He took a seat in a retired corner and was en- joying the gay scene in his peculiar way. when the two beautiful daughters of the host timidly approached him and asked why he didn't dance.
"He told them that his early education in that direc- tion had been somewhat neglected : indeed. he had never had any education ; he was brought up by the rude sav- ages, was stolen away from his parents when a child four years old. He was skilled in all the arts of the red man; could ride like a Centaur, dance the war dance and pitch the tomahawk, but was entirely ignorant of the graces of civilization. He related thrilling incidents. how he was stood up by a tree and the warriors shot their arrows around his head to see how near they could shoot and miss him: how he longed to be with his people. and
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in his effort to escape was apprehended and forced to travel, half-starved and foot-sore, over a rugged, moun- tainous country. He was finally sold to good Mr. Watson for a red blanket, a plug of tobacco and a jug of whisky.
"Their hearts and eyes were brimful of pity and sympathy for the poor young man, and before retiring that evening they related the sorrowful story to their mother, and begged of her to adopt him; they had no brother and they thought he would fill the bill to a fraction.
"The mother said she would sleep on the matter, but there came neither 'sleep to her eyes or slumber to her eyelids.' Like Miss Murdstone, 'generally speaking, she didn't like boys,' but this story harrowed up her soul, and her interest in this young fellow began to assume mam- moth proportions.
"The next morning she called on Mrs. Watson and expressed her desire to adopt the young western boy. Imagine her astonishment when Mrs. Watson informed her that the 'boy' was the Honorable Richard Irwin. known throughout Colorado as a daring and adventurous explorer, that he was a leading member of the Colorado Legislature, and had a wife and four children !" Just as he finished the story a form darkened the door, and he exclaimed : "Dick Irwin-as true as I live! ‘Speak of the angels and you hear their wings.' Where did you come from. old boy? We are having a sort of old- fashioned love-feast : sit down and give us a bit of your experience."
He declared he felt as embarrassed as if he had been called upon to speak in meeting, nevertheless his perfect repose of manner gave the contrary impression. His voice was low and his articulation so perfect as to ren- der every word distinctly audible, which gave a peculiar charm to his conversation.
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"Modesty forbids me to speak of myself," said he. "but I will tell you a funny thing that happened in the early days on the Huerfano.
How HE WOOED HER
"A justice of the peace had been called upon to marry a poor Mexican to the object of his affections. The jus- tice elevated his eyebrows in surprise to see such a hand- some girl willing to link her destiny with the poor, shift- less fellow before him, but proceeded to declare them husband and wife according to law, and then demanded his fee-$5.00.
"The astonished Mexican exclaimed: 'Por Dios. I haven't it, Senor Judge.'
"'Well. then,' said the justice, 'I annul the legal con- tract until you get it.'
"While the fellow was hunting up his compadres and amigos (partners and friends) to raise the funds neces- sary to make him the happiest man on the creek, the justice said to the girl, 'Marcelina, couldn't you marry a more worthy fellow than that? He can't even pay the marriage fee.'
"'Por Dios,' she replied, 'it seemed the best I could do, and how miserable a poor girl feels away from her friends, without either home or husband. So when he asked me to marry him I couldn't say no, as I didn't know of anybody else who wanted me for a wife.'
"'Why, Marcelina, you could have done much better if you had only known it.'
""'Por Dios. I'd like to; who could it be?'
"'Why, you could have me, and as the fellow has not paid the $5.00, stand up and I'll marry you myself.' And he did so, thereby annulling the previous ceremony and clinching the final one."
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Mr. Irwin then took his hat and bowed gracefully out of the room, saving :
" 'Was ever woman in this humor woo'd? Was ever woman in this humor won?'"
Later we were invited to see Dr. Jennings' large and handsome collection of specimens. He has specimens of the iron, coal, silver, gold, etc., produced in this region. Somewhat astonished at his list of the precious and use- ful, I asked, "Is that all ?"
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