USA > Colorado > Colorado pioneers in picture and story > Part 29
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When asked for three hundred words about Pueblo. the governor sent the following : "If need be, the superiority of Pueblo could be written in three words-climate, transporta- tion, manufacturing. This poten- tial trinity built Palmyra, Bagdad and Damascus in the desert, and it will surely build a great city at the junction of the Arkansas and the Fountain. Nature pro- vides the location where a great city may rise. The Almighty planted the stake and made clear to man the command, 'Here a metropolis shall be.' Water and Mrs. Alva Adams sunshine and industry are the elements of life-all are in Pueblo in a superlative de- gree. The Rocky Mountains are a treasure house-all of the passes point to Pueblo. Before the white man came with roads of steel all the trails of trapper, hunter, soldier and Indian led to Pueblo. The ways of least resistance. the easiest roads, all met and crossed at Pueblo. It was the cross-roads of a virgin, primitive, savage land, as it is today the cross-road of the nation. Here is the center of a network of great railroad systems. It is their trans- fer point of a nation's commerce and travel. Its climate and transportation facilities have made Pueblo the manu- facturing center of the West. An unsurpassed if not an unequaled system of public schools, fifty-nine church or- ganizations, our parks. clubs, societies and modest but sincere hospitality of the people makes Pueblo a happy home city for the many thousands of intelligent, pros- perous employes of railroads, factories, mills. shops and the hundred industries of every kind.
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"Without disparagement of the splendid climate of all Colorado, it is a fact that in mildness, in evenness of temperature, in sunshine, in cure-laden air, in comfort, in healthfulness, in all the attributes of a perfect climate, the average, all-the-year climate of Pueblo surpasses that of any spot within the forty-eight States of the Union. One unexploited resource it is due to humanity to mention : In Pueblo there are wells of magnetic and lithia waters that are the only known panacea for diabetes and kindred complaints. If the curative attributes of Pueblo's cli- mate, air, altitude and waters were known and believed there would come a flood of sufferers surpassing the mul- titude of faithful that each year migrate to Mecca to say their prayers at the cradle of their prophet and to kiss the black stone of salvation."
THE ESPINOSAS
In this city I met Thomas T. Tobin, an old govern- ment scout. He was rather uncertain about his age, but from the incidents he cited, his wrinkled visage and mum- bled words, I placed him at seventy. But there was not a gray hair in his head, and his eye was clear and sharp. He had just made his first journey on a railway, and was as timid as a child about getting on a street car, but when once fairly seated, he spent hours riding, just to see the city. He declared that he felt much safer on the broad prairies with his horse and rifle than among so many houses, where he was in constant fear of being taken in by sharpers or knocked down by robbers. Yet he is a man of undaunted courage, as the killing of the Espinosas. Colorado's greatest assassins, will show.
The Espinosas were two brutal, ignorant and super- stitious Mexicans, accused of horse stealing at first, and who killed one of a posse of soldiers, sent from Fort Gar- land to their house at Servietta, on the Conejos river, to
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arrest them. After which they seemed to be under the impression that if they killed a great many Americans and became formidable in their ferocity they would se- cure a pardon from the governor, and perhaps a commis- sion in the United States army, as sometimes is the result of successful brigandage in Old Mexico.
Men were found dead at one point today, at another tomorrow, and the day following at another, forty or fifty miles or more apart; being invariably shot through the head, and left to lie as they fell, without being robbed of their valuables.
Mystery shrouded it all, for, from their secure hiding places by the roadside, they shot the lone, unsuspecting traveler, and their shot was always certain death; no maimed or wounded ever escaped to inform as to their appearance or whereabouts.
So it continued for a while, and the greatest excite- ment prevailed, when a company of miners organized to rid the region of this mysterious, unseen terror.
Their rendezvous was at length discovered. Like all cowardly murderers, they fled; the pursuers gained upon them, and finally succeeded in shooting one from his horse, but the leader of the two made his escape.
For a time nothing was heard of him. At last the outlaw addressed a letter in Spanish to Governor Evans, stating, that in revenge for mistreatment he had received from the government, he had killed no less than fifteen Americans. He demanded full pardon for these murders, which, being granted, he would return to his home and be a good citizen; but if the demand was not complied with by the 15th of the coming September the killing would be resumed.
This strange proposition drew no response, and Espi- nosa resumed hostilities.
Soon afterward a man and woman were traveling through the mountains in a wagon, and when within a
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short distance of Fort Garland, a military post, they were attacked by this monstrous highwayman. The man es- caped, but the woman was carried to the camp of the as- sassin. In the darkness of the following night she eluded her captor and found her way to the fort, where she told her story, when a party under the guidance of the noted mountaineer, Tom Tobin (who had the reputation of being able to trail grasshoppers through sagebrush), was at once dispatched to arrest or kill the criminal.
Upon reaching the vicinity, Tom ordered his soldiers to halt, while he proceeded quietly on foot, crawling when occasion required it on his hands and knees through the dense undergrowth. While thus cautiously feeling the way, he discovered the bandit's hiding-place, in a dense part of the forest on the mountain side. The bandit, quick to detect the slightest sound, turned his head in a listen- ing attitude, and while thus poised, the scout's bullet did its work, and the career of the assassin was ended. Tobin leaped upon him with the swiftness of a tiger, severed his head from his body, and galloped into Fort Garland with the bloody trophy tied to his saddle's pommel.
Ten years later the Legislature of Colorado ordered a reward of five hundred dollars paid to Mr. Tobin.
COLORADO SPRINGS
At Colorado Springs we found another immense hotel, "The Antlers," one of the finest and most pictur- esque structures in the West. The rush of travel has made these huge establishments necessary in every attractive spot in this country.
The broad avenue and wide streets, shaded by trees, make this "a city beautiful." The Colorado Springs Com- pany was organized in 1871 under the leadership of Gen- eral W. J. Palmer. A school and a church were the first institutions of the town, which gave Colorado Springs
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from the very beginning religious and educational advan- tages. Its artistic, social and musical development have kept pace with its material growth, and it is now called the "Little Lunnon," the "Colorado Athens." A refined
S
21
PIKES PEAK AVE , COLORADO SPRINGS
HOWBERTWIN
WINFIELD S STRATTON
W.F. SLOCUM
and wealthy population demands improvements and fa- cilities which have made this city famous.
The Colorado Springs park system includes the Gar- den of the Gods, North Cheyenne canon, the High Drive and Palmer park.
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Not far from the residential suburb of Broadmoor is the Stratton home for the poor and aged. W. S. Strat- ton left the money for this institution, and in all the coun- try there is nothing like this picturesque village, with its red tiled roofs, sheltering aged couples.
Colorado Springs has 32,500 inhabitants; it has opera houses, numerous churches, hospitals, sanitariums, two libraries, two country clubs; men's clubs, one of which has an elegant club building; the state institution for the deaf and blind, the Modern Woodmen sanitarium, the Union Printers' home, all of which prove that it is a live city, even if one can't get a "smile."
Colorado College
The pioneer institution of higher learning is located here. General Palmer laid the foundation in 1874. It passed through a dark and distressing period; in 1888 even the campus was sold for taxes. In that year Dr. William Frederick Slocum accepted the presidency. He entered upon his duties with the enthusiasm born of deep investigation and earnest thought. His noble and cul- tured wife devoted her tact and wisdom to the service of the college. The enrollment of students today is 700. The college has a faculty of seventy-six members, twenty- seven departments of instruction and seventeen fine build- ings. It is co-educational and non-sectarian. Its prop- erty is valued at $1,365,540 and it has an endowment fund of $1,043,000. It ranks among the first colleges in the United States.
The Honorable Irving Howbert crossed the plains with an ox-team in 1860, and in 1862 settled in Colorado Springs. During the Civil War he served in the Third Cavalry of Colorado. When peace was declared, he re- turned at the age of twenty-one and accepted any useful employment that was offered him. He clerked in a gen-
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eral store, was a cowboy, a farmer, a freighter ; possessing keen judgment, quick decision and untiring energy, he forged his way to the front, and became a vital factor in the upbuilding of Colorado Springs.
His industry and ability marked him for political favor, and in 1869 he was elected clerk of El Paso county. and re-elected until he served ten years, when he refused to accept the position again. He was then chosen cashier of the First National Bank of Colorado Springs, and in two years was elected president. This institution, which was at that time weak and struggling, he established on a sure foundation. The constant work of protecting, en- larging and upbuilding the interest of the bank for ten years, impaired his health to a degree, that a resignation was necessary.
He was one of the projectors and original incorpora- tors of the Colorado Midland railroad: one of the own- ers of the Robert E. Lee mine of Leadville. which under his judicious management entered the list of the big pro- ducers in that famous district. He was active and con- spicuous in the development of Cripple Creek : a promoter and builder of the Colorado Southern and Cripple Creek railroad. His masterful executive ability in directing these enterprises proved him to be a man of genius. skill and determination.
As a Republican he was elected to the State Senate in 1882. and in this position he served the State faith- fully : he has also served his party in many State con- ventions.
Mr. Howbert is a friend and patron of education. for many years on the board of trustees of Colorado College. His private library is one of the finest in the State and around his home life is an atmosphere of culture and re- finement. He has written a book on "The Indians of the Pike's Peak Region," which is a valuable contribution to the literature of Colorado.
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In the upbuilding of Colorado Springs and the State he stands pre-eminently as one of the men who planned and wrought.
WILLIAM JACKSON PALMER
I went to view the grounds of Glen Eyrie, so-called from the eagles' nest perched in crags. Colorado has many reasons to bless the name of the owner of this mag- nificent estate.
William Jackson Palmer was brevetted brigadier general at the age of twenty-eight in recognition of heroic service. When he was mustered out of serv- ice at the close of the war, he went from the battle field to be secretary of the Kansas Pacific Railroad Company.
From this position he came to know Colorado. His line ran from Kansas City to Denver, and he knew every mile of it.
In 1869 he conceived the idea of building a road from Denver south to the Rio Grande and Gen. W. J. Palmer Mexico. Colonel W. H. Greenwood, Governor A. C. Hunt, Colonel D. C. Dodge are some of the men who backed General Palmer in the enterprise.
His confidence in the future of this city inspired men of means to subscribe the funds needed for the project. He built the road; the first narrow-gauge in the West, and became its president.
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He built lines and branches of railroad to the Rio Grande river and down its course as far south as Santa Fe, New Mexico, all over southwestern Colorado, and extended the main broad-gauge line from Pueblo west. across the Continental range, to Salt Lake City. The Rio Grande and Pacific Company extended this line from Salt Lake City to San Francisco, so that now the Rio Grande road, in connection with the Missouri Pacific. under one management, forms a through trunk railway line from St. Louis, by way of Kansas City, Pueblo and Salt Lake, direct to San Francisco, as the resultant fruit of the foresight and persistent labor of General Palmer. Colorado's great railroad builder.
Brilliant as was General Palmer's war record, it was the constructive work in the time of peace which gives him rank among the nation's greatest citizens.
While building the Rio Grande, the idea of a town grew and took form in his mind, and he became the mov- ing spirit of the company, which owned the first in- corporated town, now Colorado Springs. Going farther south, he bought the land south of the Arkansas river opposite Pueblo, and laid out the town of South Pueblo, on the outskirts of which was later built the great steel plant of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, covering forty acres and costing $40,000,000.
He made his home in Denver for a while. and then moved to Colorado Springs. A system of public grounds and driveways, at an expenditure of $1,000,000, was Gen- eral Palmer's donation to the town. He was one of the founders of Colorado College. An individual owned a part of Cheyenne canon, and exacted a toll of twenty-five cents from each one who desired to see the "Seven Falls." To defeat this avarice, General Palmer purchased Cutter mountain and built a trail over it, from which there is a fine view of the falls. He also, in connection with Dr. William A. Bell, built the magnificent Antlers hotel.
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His antipathy to publicity was the dominant note in his life. Two years after he gave $100,000 to the Tuskegee Institute the fact became known to the public. Booker T. Washington made reference to it in a report. which was sent over the country, and bitterly repented the oversight, for General Palmer donated the money on the solemn understanding that it was to be silently ac- cepted.
The crowning act of his railroad career, from a phil- anthropic point of view, was his disbursement of $1,000,- 000 to the railroad employes, when he retired from the Rio Grande Western. Not only were the forty-four officers of the road remembered, but every employe, from section hand up, received his quota of the disbursements. according to the length of service.
His broad charity, gentleness and courtesy, his aim to improve everything around him, and help those less blessed with the world's goods than himself. made him one of Colorado's best loved citizens.
The day before his death his old friend, Colonel D. C. Dodge of Denver, was hastily summoned. The presence of the colonel, who had stood with him in the great work of railway building, acted as a stimulant upon him; the effect was marvelous. Immediately upon his arrival Gen- eral Palmer decided on a daring auto ride.
"It is impossible." remonstrated Colonel Dodge, "for the snow of last night has broken the record of thirty- five years, and Glen Eyrie is walled with snow three feet deep; great icicles hang from the eaves of the castle."
"We will ride," said the master of Glen Evrie. Noth- ing could stay him: physicians were waved aside; the counsel of friends were silenced. "My old friend, we will ride." he reiterated.
"The car cannot run through the deep drifts," ar- gued Colonel Dodge.
"Nonsense : we shall go," laughed the general.
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The chauffeur was called from his lodge and ordered to bring the car around. There was an instant response to the general's command. Men went to work on all sides, clearing the roads. What seemed an impossibility soon shaped itself to the general's requirements. Drifts were cut with shovels, snow plows were put to work, and in a short time the general and Colonel Dodge were mak- ing a circuit of Glen Eyrie in a big touring car.
"I now believe that the grip of death was upon him." said Colonel Dodge. "as he rode through this storm, fight- ing fiercely as in the old days, gritting his teeth in the face of the biting winds, laughing to rout the snow that could not baffle him."
The next day he lapsed into unconsciousness. from which he never rallied, and passed away lulled to a great peace before the spirit left his body.
So passed a philanthropist. a soldier and an empire builder, a man who helped to build a State and helped to save a nation.
He will be remembered for many things, among them, and the most important, the founding at the foot of the Great Peak. Colorado Springs-the beautiful city of homes.
THE COG ROAD
In 1889 Major John Hurlbut of Colorado Springs conceived the idea of building a railroad from Manitou to the summit of Pike's Peak. Jerome B. Wheeler. Henry Watson and D. H. Moffat endorsed the feasibility of the project, and subscribed for $90.000 worth of stock.
Mr. Hurlbut went to New York to place the re- mainder of the stock to a half million. While on his way he met Z. G. Simmons of Kenosha, Wisconsin. and through him sold the stock, amounting to $410,000, the purchasers being Z. G. Simmons, Roswell P. Flower of
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New York. R. R. Cable, H. H. Porter and David Downs of Chicago.
A company was formed, with Major John Hurlbut president, and the work of grading from Manitou began. for a "rack" railroad on the Swiss Abt system. The trains were running to the half-way station in August. 1890. The first passenger train ran to the summit in 1891.
The exact length of the road is 46,158 feet, nearly eight and three-fourths miles. The altitude of Manitou is 6,600 feet; the summit 14,200; a grade of twenty-five per cent.
This is the highest railroad in the world, and a "trip to the clouds" on the Pike's Peak cog road is the greatest novelty of travel in the Rocky mountains.
In this year of 1915 a motor road to the top of Pike's Peak is in process of construction. A new highway has been built to the celebrated "Cave of the Winds." It climbs Agate mountain by a series of loops, runs along Williams canyon. making a drive that is the delight of motorists.
The Colorado-to-the-Gulf highway and the Pike's Peak Ocean-to-Ocean highway intersect at the foot of Pike's Peak, and good roads connect with the National Lincoln highway and the Santa Fe trail; thus the famous peak that was a "land-mark" to the pioneer is a "motor marker" in this hustling twentieth century.
The Garden of the Gods covers five hundred acres, and contains some of the most remarkable rock forma- tions in the world. The two immense slabs of red sand- stone forming the gateway are three hundred feet high. This tract of land at the foot of the historic mountain was deeded to Colorado Springs by the children of the late Charles Elliot Perkins, in compliance with a note found among Mr. Perkins' papers. The terms of the
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gift specify that this spot shall forever be kept free to the world.
Here are tall cathedral spires, stone giants, gigantic mushrooms and, wonder of wonders, the Balanced rock. poised on a point that looks as if it might be "knocked over with a feather." Surely the gods had a "high old time" in this garden.
COLORADO CITY
The three cities, Colorado Springs, Colorado City and Manitou, are now almost joined together by a con- tinuous settlement.
In 1858 a party from Denver and Auraria went to Pike's Peak to build a town near that land-mark. They organized a company and laid out Colorado City. It was never a mining camp. From the beginning it was intended to be. a commercial city. This was the first time "Colorado" had been used to designate a place in this region. It became the sensational nucleus for popu- lation, and during the first twelve months over a thou- sand people settled there.
When Governor Gilpin was authorized in 1861 to organize a territorial government. the first legislature met in Denver September 9 of that year. When the assembly came to locate a seat of government. it was decided to make the town of Colorado City, on the east bank of the Fountain-Qui-Bouille, at the mouth of Camp creek, the capital. This occasioned a great deal of indig- nation, as Colorado City was at that time but a paper city. None of the capital offices were ever moved there, al- though the Second Assembly convened there July 7. 1862. elected a speaker and then adjourned to Denver. Today Colorado City, with the Portland and Golden Cycle re- duction works. is a point of interest.
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The discovery of gold in the Pike's Peak region was reserved for a later day. Now the great peak looks over
ST PETERS DOME
the wonder- ful golden empire of Cripple Creek, which was once an open cattle range. The hills within the really productive area of Cripple Creek were fenced in by Bennett and Myers of Denver, who owned a large part of the terri- torv. devoted ex- clusively to pasture for cattle. Bob Womack was the mining pioneer of the district. He sank a shaft in Pov- erty Gulch in 1891. and found good ore. Then began the fame of the great gold camp. W. S. Stratton, once a poor carpenter, made his location July 4. 1891, and became a multi-millionaire.
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MANITOU
Manitou is connected with Colorado Springs by a branch of the Denver and Rio Grande railway and nu- merous motor ways. It is situated near the base of Pike's Peak, where mineral springs of iron and soda abound. and is called the Saratoga of the West. These waters are peculiar; some people say they like them. I think they speak truthfully, judging from the crowds that gather around the various springs. The tin cups attached to the curbs of these springs would not supply a fraction of the thirsty souls who rush to these fountains of health. Tin cans, wash pitchers and "little brown jugs" are pressed into service to meet the greedy demand.
The crowded hotels, which are calculated to surprise the tourists at first, cease to excite wonder after one has visited the Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds. Glen Eyrie, Rainbow Falls, Pike's Peak and other natural attractions near this place.
A LEGEND OF MANITOU
In a time, far back in the past, the Indians of all tribes assembled at Manitou Springs. They knew that the effervescent water contained almost every mineral ingredient beneficial to man. They believed the springs were placed there for a divine purpose, and said the water was good medicine.
Manitou means the "Place of God." or the Great Spirit. From time immemorial, away out upon the plains, and into the mountains, for a distance of a day's journey, in all directions, from Manitou Springs, stakes were driven into the ground, or stones were piled to mark the limits of neutral ground. The tribes of mountains and plains were continually at war with each other. The law was that no battle should be fought, no personal
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grievance avenged, within the sacred ground of Manitou, and the law was so severe that if any man transgressed in the way of violence against an enemy, the chief of the tribe ordered that the transgressor be at once put to death, and the order was obeyed.
MANITOU THE SPA OF THE ROCKIES
GARDEN OF THE GODS
The savages would fight and kill each other -even up to the line marked by stakes or piles of stone, but within the sa- cred precincts of Manitou all was safety and peace. Such is the legend of Manitou.
A CAMPING PARTY
Here we met
a
camping party
who had been some weeks in the mountains and were returning to Denver by way of Manitou. They were
dreadfully sunburnt, but happy.
"The only pleasure in camping," said Dick Harwell. his black eyes sparkling with humor, "is the fun you can get out of it. Fully equipped with an ample 'grub-box,' a forest of fishing poles, two or three revolvers and shot guns, we felt equal to any emergency, and set out with light hearts and joyful anticipations. The first night out we were lost, having taken the wrong road. While winding about in a dismal canyon, trying to find our way out, night overtook us, and when we pitched our tents it was so dark we could not see an inch from our noses.
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