USA > Colorado > History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888 > Part 65
USA > Nevada > History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888 > Part 65
USA > Wyoming > History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888 > Part 65
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N. C. Hickman, born in Mo. in 1844, was the son of a physician, and left Davenport, Iowa, with his father in 1859 for Colorado. In the following year his father died at Central City, and young Hickman returned to Iowa
623
LA PLATA.
La Plata county is the south-west division of the state, organized in 1874, but its development has not
college to complete his education, after which he came once more to this state and located at Central as merchant and miner. In 1867 he sold out and spent several years in Kan. and N. M., but returned in 1879 to settle at Leadville, where he became a merchant and miner again on a larger scale than before. He was elected alderman in 1880, serving for two years.
Irving J. Pollock, born in Sterling, Scotland, in 1829, removed to America at the age of three years. He received a university education, and travelled extensively. In 1858 he came to Colorado, mined in Russell gulch, and afterward in California gulch. He was elected vice-president of the territorial medical society in 1873, and was chosen a delegate to the U. S. medical convention at St Louis in 1874.
Nelson Hallock, born near Albany, N. Y., in 1840, came to Colorado in 1859. He engaged in mining both here and in Montana, In 1865 he left mining for lumbering, and ran a saw-mill for 12 years in Jefferson and Park counties, and finally erected a mill in Lake co. on the site of Leadville. When that town came into existence he went into the livery business and teaming. In 1877 he sent out some prospectors, who discovered the Carbon- ate mine, which he sold in 1879 for $175,000. He then purchased an inter- est in the Colorado coal and iron works, of which he became president. He is a director and vice-president of the First National bank of Leadville.
John Riling, born in Canton, Ohio, in 1836, migrated to Pike's peak in 1859, mining at several points. He discovered and located the placers of Lost cañon, and followed the rush to California gulch. He returned east in 1861, remaining at Leavenworth until 1878, when he yielded to the desire to revisit the scenes of his mining adventures and removed to Leadville, where he makes wagons and does a general blacksmithing business.
George W. Huston, born in Pa in 1839, learned book-keeping, and was employed in Iowa and Kansas at his profession, In 1859 he came to Colorado, mining in Gilpin co. during summer, but returning to Leavenworth to winter. In 1860 he came again, and this time went to California gulch, where he was elected sheriff. Afterward he served in the civil war, and was register of deeds at Leavenworth, but returned to Leadville in 1878, where he engaged in real estate transactions.
Robert Berry was born in Ohio in 1830. In 1859 he came to Colorado and ereeted the second saw-mill in the territory on Plum creek for D. C. Oakes & Co. the same year. From this he went to mining at Gold Dirt diggings, Rus- sell gulch, California gulch, and Frying Pan or Colorado gulch. In the lat- ter locality Berry and his partner, Walters, obtained a patent for 140 acres of placer ground, which they worked for many years. Berry was U. S. mar- shal and int. rev. collector in the early territorial times; member of the leg- islative council in 1864 and 1865, being elected sec. in the latter year; was county clerk and recorder in 1862; and was appointed county judge to fill a vacancy.
Charles F. Wilson was born in Ky in 1830, and was engaged in a grocery business when attracted to Pike's peak in 1859. After working by the day in Russell gulch for a time, he set out prospecting, and was one of the discov- erers of California gulch. He settled eventually in the cattle-raising busi- ness, 20 miles from Cañon City.
Charles L. Hall, born in N. Y. in 1836, and brought up in Iowa, left lowa college in 1859, and after a short experience of milling grain, came to Colo- rado and started a stock-farm, but gave it up and began prospecting for mines in California gulch. He was one of Baker's party, which explored the San Juan country in the winter of 1860-1, and in attempting to return by a shorter route was lost 14 days without food. He was finally rescued when unable to walk. In 1862 he was operating salt-works 20 miles from Fair Play, and raising stock in South park. In 1865 and 1866 he was a mem-
.
624
COUNTIES OF COLORADO
been rapid. In the south-west corner of the county are found many of the cliff dwellings, whose history
ber of the lower house of the legislature. For three years he was county commissioner of Park co. He removed to Leadville in 1878, where he organ- ized a gas company and engaged in mining operations. He also owned con- siderable railroad stock.
Men of the later period, or the renaissance, of California gulch whom I may mention are: F. A. Wheeler, born in Weld co., Colorado, August 21, 1863, educated at the common schools of his native state, and appointed dep- uty clerk of the 5th judicial district court at the age of 19 years, which posi- tion he long occupied.
William R. Kennedy, born in Pa in 1844, migrated to Colorado in 1865. He located at Central City, where he practised his profession of law, and was elected probate judge in 1868, serving two terms. Subsequently he spent some time at Georgetown and in the San Juan country. He was twice elected prosecuting attorney of Hinsdale co., and chosen a delegate to the constitu- tional convention in 1875. He came to Leadville in 1878, being elected city attorney within a month of his arrival. He secured an interest in the Home- Stake and other valuable mines.
Peter Becker, born in Germany in 1848, immigrated to America in 1853 with his parents, who settled in Iowa. Remaining there until 1870, he then came to Colorado, and when the town of Colorado Springs was started, began business there as a harness-maker. He was elected sheriff of El Paso county in 1875, and reelected in 1877. When Leadville was at the height of mining excitement he removed to this place, and again was elected sheriff in 1881, and reelected in 1883. He interested himself in mining, and secured a large rancho in Lake co.
R. H. Stanley, born in Mo. in 1843, entered the union army as a private, serving through the war, a part of the time as lieut-col of the 19th Ill. infan- try. He migrated to Colorado in 1870, remaining 6 years in Denver. In 1876 he visited the San Juan mines, coming to Leadville in 1877. In 1879 he was elected county treasurer, and was the republican candidate for mayor in 1SS4, but was beaten. He was interested in mines, and secured a section of land near Leadville for a home.
John Harvey, born in Scotland in 1844, came to Colorado in 1870, residing in Denver until 1879, when he removed to Leadville.
A. T. Gunnell, born in Mo. in 1848, and educated at Bethany college, Va, admitted to practise law in 1872; being apparently far gone in a decline, came to Colorado in 1873, where in a few months he recovered his health, and where he determined to remain. He was elected to the legislature from Hinsdale co. in 1878. In the following year he removed to Leadville, and was elected county judge in 1880, and again in 1883.
John Law, born in Iowa in 1844, studied medicine at the Chicago medical college, graduating in 1868. He came to Colorado and settled in Park co. in 1873, and was elected judge of the county court in 1876. In 1878 he re- moved to Leadville, where he was elected coroner the following year. He held the office two years, during which time there were over 300 inquests upon persons who had died from other than natural causes. He was elected city physician in 1879, and county physician in 1881. He never heard of a case of consumption originating in the altitude of Leadville, but knew of many wonderful cures.
David May, born in Germany in 1848, immigrated to the U. S. in 1863, and graduated from the commercial college of Cincinnati in 1865. He after- ward resided in Ind., where he was in business, removing to Colorado on ac- count of health, and settling at Leadville, where he resumed business as a clothing merchant. He was appointed county treasurer in 1884.
Joseph H. Playter, born in Canada in 1854, removed to Kansas in 1873, and to Colorado in 1878, living at Leadville, where he engaged in mining.
625
LARIMER.
must be relegated to the indeterminate and unrecorded past. 11
Larimer county was organized in 1861, with the county seat temporarily at Laporte, and belongs to
In 1883 he was appointed clerk of the district court, and also elected a mem- ber of the city council. In 1885 he was the democratic nominee for mayor, but was defeated by the republican candidate, Irwin.
Jeremiah Irwin, born in Pa in 1834, and brought up in Ohio, was edu- cated in Cincinnati. He came to Leadville in 1879, and commenced ınaking brick, being contractor for most of the brick buildings in the city, finding it a profitable business. He was elected mayor in 1885.
J. H. Monheimer, born in Germany in 1844, came to the U. S. in infancy, and resided in New York city, where he was in the dry-goods business. He removed to Leadville in 1880, purchased a prominent corner lot, erected a handsome brick store, and commenced business as a retail merchant. In 1882 he erected Union block, the finest in the city.
B. S. Galloway, born in Ontario, C. W., in 1854, entered the medical col- lege at Ann Arbor, Mich., and on graduating, in 1880, came at once to Lead- ville to practise his profession.
Charles F. Lee, born in Iowa in 1855, removed from Des Moines to Chicago in 1875, and travelled for a mercantile house until 1880, when he came to Colorado, stopping first at Kokomo, where he was postmaster, but soon settling in Leadville, where he engaged in mining operations and fire insurance.
Charles H. Wenzell, born in Louisville, Ky, in 1855, came to Colorado in 1877, and commenced the practice of the law at Georgetown, having been admitted to the bar a few months previous at Pittsburgh, Pa. On the dis- covery of silver carbonates, he removed to Leadville, where he formed a part- nership with R. S. Morrison, and was employed by the Leadville Improve- ment company in their contest with squatters from 1878 to 1882. In 1884 he was elected city attorney.
11 See Tenny, Colorado and Homes in the New West,49-61; Hayden, Great West, 6, 8, 129-34; Denver Tribune, Dec. 16, 1879; Tice, Over the Plains, 211-12; Crofutt, Grip-sack Guide, 165-9; Stone's General View, MS., 24-7; Meagher's Observations, MS., 3. Although rich in agricultural and mineral resources, the county had in 1880 not more than 1,110 inhabitants. In 1883 the population had increased to 6,000; 234,000 acres of land were under improvement; there were 60,000 cattle and 20,000 sheep on its pastures; its coal mines produced 12,000 tons of semi-anthracite, and the bullion output was $128,688. The assessed valuation of the county, not including mining property or crops, was $2,243,481. The county seat was at Parrott, a small town situated on the Rio de la Plata, where it leaves the mountains. It is a mining-town, named after a banker of San Francisco, and with a promising future, the ores by which it is surrounded carrying tellurium and free gold. But about 1880 Durango was laid off and became the county seat. It is situated in the midst of a region of natural wealth in mines, timber, coal, agriculture, and stock-farming. The San Juan and New York Smelting company erected the first smelter at Duraago in 1880, and a company with A. C. Hunt at its head erected a hotel costing $100,000, on the most approved plan. No pio- neer cabins for corporations. The population in 1883 was less than while the terminus of the railroad was here, amounting only to 3,500; but it is still a thriving business centre. The towns and settlements of La Plata county are Animas City, Animas Park, Arboles, Bocea, Carboneria, Colina, Dolores, Elbert, Florida, Fort Lewis, Hermosa, Ignacio, La Boca, Mancos, Merritts, Nic Cora, Pegasus Spring, Pine River, P. P. Divide, Rockwood, Serape, Solidad, Southern Ute, Vallejo.
HIST. NEV. 40
626
COUNTIES OF COLORADO.
the agricultural divisions, although it has mines of copper, silver, and gold in its mountainous parts. Its facilities for irrigation from the Cache-la-Poudre and Big Thompson rivers are gradually extending the cultivable area. 12
12 The principal productions are hay, wheat, oats, barley, rye, corn, roots, melons, and vegetables, which grow to great perfection, and with cattle and sheep form the wealth of the county, which in 1878 was assessed at $1,502, - 330, but which increased after the irrigation canals were completed to $3,012, 040, in 1883. The population in 1880 was 5,000; in 1883, 7,500. Fort Collins, the county seat, is situated on Cache-la-Poudre river, thirty miles above its junction. It has some small manufactures, several churches, good schools, two local newspapers, and about 1,300 inhabitants. The buildings of the State Agricultural society and college are located here. There are no important towns besides, the population being widely scattered on farms.
Abner Loomis, born in N. Y. in 1829, and brought up in Iowa, crossed the plains in 1850, and remained in the mines of Cal. until 1859, when, after a brief visit to Iowa, he came to Colorado, and mined for a season, but soon engaged in freighting. In 1864 he began stock-raising with 100 head of cat- tle, but sold out every autumn for several seasons, fearing to trust his herd to the winter climate. Having ventured to do so for one winter, and finding that the loss was insignificant, the rapid increase of his herd followed upon keeping them on the range throughout the year, until, with two partners, he became owner of 6,000 head.
James B. Arthur, born in Ireland, in 1833, migrated to the U. S. in 1848, and to Colorado in 1860, settling near Fort Collins, and making hay for freighters, the money from which he put into cattle. He believed in the fertility of the lands about him, which was obtained from the government for $1.25 an acre, and in a short time became worth from $40 to $60 per acre.
William B. Osborn, born in Yates co., N. Y., in 1824, at the age of 21 years removed to Ohio, where he taught school, removing in 1852 to Ind. and teaching at South Bend until 1860, when he came to Colorado. He was recorder of Gold Dirt mining district for the first year, after which he settled on a farm in Larimer co. near Loveland. He was elected county judge in 1864, county treasurer in 1866, and again in 1868, after which he declined office. He, with H. M. Teller, signed a call for the first republican meeting ever held in Gilpin co., and organized the first ever held in Lari- mer. His wife was the second white woman resident in the co .; the first died in 1885.
John J. Ryan, born in Ireland in 1837, migrated with his parents to the U. S. in 1841, and residing in St Louis. He came to Colorado in 1860, and after mining a short time, took a land claim near Loveland, engaging in farm- ing and stock-raising, borrowing money to make the first purchase. In 1882 with Mr Herzinger, he built the wheat elevator at Loveland. He also estab- lished the Bank of Loveland the same year. He has owned 5,000 cattle at one time, and now raises choice breeds.
John L. Herzinger, born in Germany in 1834, migrated with his parents in 1838, and was brought up in Mo. Coming to Colorado in 1871, he engaged in merchandising at Boulder, where he remained 7 years, when he removed to Loveland, where he erected the first house in 1878.
Arthur H. Patterson, born in Pa in 1884, came to Colorado from Kansas in 1868 in company with William F. Cody, or Buffalo Bill, driving an ox- team. He had no regular occupation for several years, but in 1866 started a saw-mill at Fort Collins for government contractors, remaining in their ser- vice until 1869, when he purchased their supply-store and began business for himself, He sold out on being elected connty clerk in 1870, in which office
627
LAS ANIMAS, MESA, MONTROSE.
Las Animas county was organized in 1866, and comprises a large extent of country in the south and south-eastern part of the territory. It is an agricul- tural and coal-producing district, and excellent in both.1 13
he remained three years, resigning on account of ill health, and returning to the out-door life of freighting until 1876. He then opened an agricultural- implement and feed store. He has been for several terms a member of the city council.
Jay H. Boughton, a prominent man, was educated for the bar, began practice in 1870 at Cortland, but removed to Colorado and settled at Fort Collins in 1872. He was elected county attorney in 1874, and county judge in 1876, 1878, and 1880; president of the school board in 1879, 1882, and 1885; and for several years was member of the city council.
Andrew Armstrong, born in Ireland in 1825, immigrated to the U. S. in 1839, residing in New York city until 1873, when he came to Colorado on account of failing health. He settled at Fort Collins, which at that time had 200 inhabitants, bought real estate, and realized satisfactory returns.
Charles P. Miller, born in Mich. in 1853, graduated from the medical de- partment of the state university as a homeopathic physician in 1877, and re- inuved to Colorado the following year, there to practise his profession. The towns and settlements are as follows: Ada Spring, Berthoud, Box Elder, Branch Cañon, Buckhorn, Burns Station, Chambers, Colorado Junction, Cow Creek, Crescent, Elkhorn, Elkhorn Rancho, Estes Park, Fall River, Farrar House, Ferguson Rancho, Fossil Creek, Home, Horse-shoe Lake, Hupp's Rancho, Lamb's House, Laporte, Lily Lake, Little Thompson, Livermore, Lone Pine, Loveland, McGregor Hotel, Mclaughlin Rancho, Michigan, Moraine, Mugen Gulch, Namaqua, North Fork, Otis, Pinkhamton, Pinewood, Pollock's, Raw House, Round Butte, Rustic, Sprague's House, Spring Cañon, Spring Gulch, St Louis, Taylor, Timber Creek, Tyner, Virginia Dale, Wal- den, Wheatland, Whyte Rancho, Willow Park, and Winonac.
13 The wheat yield exceeds 150,000 bushels annually, corn 110,000, and oats 200,000 bushels. It has 60,000 head of cattle, 142,762 sheep, 6,210 horses and inules, the value of which exceeds one million dollars. The county was assessed in 1883 on $3,654,987, without its mines, mining land, and crops. Its coal-field is 50 miles square, and the coal of the best quality for heating or cooking purposes. As much of the coal found in other parts of the state does not coke, this is in demand, and the coke-ovens of El Moro and Trinidad furnish large quantities to the smelters of Pueblo, Denver, and Leadville. The production of the mines in 1883 was 370,680 tons, worth about $833,000. There were produced 136,000 tons of coke, and 20,000 tons of iron ore, which is worked by the Colorado Coal and Iron company at Pueblo. Limestone, hydraulic lime, building stone, cement, grind-stones, and silica are among the mineral deposits of the county. The population is 10,000. Trinidad, with 3,500 inhabitants, is the county seat. Its altitude is 6,005 feet. It is an old Mexican town, but much modernized. The business houses are of stone and brick; it has schools, churches, secret orders, hotels, banks, and newspapers like any American city. El Moro, five miles from Trinidad, has a few hundred inhabitants. Barela and Starkville have each 400, and Apishapa 200.
Casimero Barela, a member of the mercantile house of Barela and Wilcox at El Moro, and of the house of C. Barela & Co. at Trinidad, is a man of note in Las Animas county. Born at El Embuda, Rio Arriba co., N. M., in 1847, he received his education from Bishop Salpointe of Mora, and at the age of 20 years camo to Colorado in search of something to do, having already married Josefa Ortiz. He began life as a freighter. In 1870 he was elected assessor of Las Animas county; in 1872 and 1874 he represented the county
628
COUNTIES OF COLORADO.
Mesa county was organized in 1883, from the west- ern portion of Gunnison, bordering on Utah. It is for the most part an agricultural and grazing country, with large beds of coal. As a fruit-growing region it is likely to surpass the counties east of the Rockv mountains, and has already extensive nurseries. Grand valley, supplied with water from the Grand river, in irrigating ditches, is an extraordinarily rich region, 70,000 acres of which were made cultivable by irri- gation in 1882-83. The climate is delightful, the alti- tude being 4,500 feet. Large herds of cattle and , sheep are pastured in the county, which had a popu- lation of about 3,000 when organized.1
Montrose county, organized at the same time, out of the south-west corner of Gunnison, is drained by the Rio Dolores, San Miguel, and other affluents of the Grand and Gunnison rivers. Its eastern portion contains extensive beds of coal, and probably other minerals and metals. The Uncompahgre valley is a fine agricultural district, bordered by the lofty mesas which are a distinctive feature of western Colorado. The valuation of property in this county in 1883 was estimated at $575,448, and its population at about 2,800. Montrose, the county seat, had then 300 inhabitants, Cimarron 100, Brown 100; and there in the territorial legislature, being also elected sheriff in the latter year. In 1875 he was chosen a member of the constitutional convention, and in the following year was elected to the first state senate, drawing the long term. Being a democrat in politics, he was chosen delegate at large to the demo- cratic national convention at Cincinnati in ISSO, and again elected to the state senate. In 1SS1 he was elected treasurer of Las Animas county. He became a member of one of the largest stock companies in the state, with the largest herds and the best breeds. The minor settlements are Alfalfa, Apishpa Station, Barnes, Bent Cañon, Carriso, Chilelila, Cordova, Davis, Dodsonville, Earle, Eagle, Gonzales, Grinnell, Hoehne's, Hog Back, Hole in Prairie, Hole in Rock, Las Tijeras, Linwood, Lucero, Morley, North Siding, Pedros Coloradus, Placita, Purgatoire, Pulaski, Raton, Red Rock, San Fran- cisco, San Isidro, San José, San Pedro, Spring Valley, Stockville, Stonewall, Strange, Tejara, Terrichero, Thatcher, Toll Gate, Tyrone, and Vigil.
14 The county seat is at Grand Junction, which has had a rapid growth, and is destined to be an important railroad centre. In 1SS3 it had 2,000 in- habitants, two weekly newspapers, five churches, three schools, and other features of advanced society. The use of brick in building gives an air of permanency to the improvements. The assessable property of the county in 1883 was $965,144. Fruita had between 300 and 400inhabitants, Mesa 150, Arlington 100. Whitewater, Kahuah, and Bridgeport were railroad stations.
629
OURAY, PARK, PITKIN,
were a few other incipient towns, but the population is chiefly bucolic.
Ouray county, organized in 1877, at which time it comprised a large extent of territory, has been cut down, and had its boundaries changed, until it now occupies a small portion of the eastern part of its former domain. In 1881 Dolores was set off. In 1882 Uncompahgre was taken, partly from the east- ern side of Ouray, and partly from Gunnison.
Park county, organized in 1861, covers nearly 1,000 square miles in the geographical and metal-producing centre of the state. South park, which it includes, has an elevation of 8,842 feet, and the average alti- tude of the whole county, which embraces a number of high peaks, is 10,000 feet. It contains ten or more mining districts, each differing from the other, some containing fissure veins, some contact lodes, others blanket or bedded deposits. The mineral belt is twenty-five miles long by five in width. Placer min- ing has not failed in this county, where the hydraulic process has yet to be applied to placer ground. Besides gold and silver, copper, lead, iron, coal, and salt are produced. 16
15 In 1883 Uncompahgre county was changed to Ouray, and Ouray to San Miguel. Ouray is altogether a mining county. The population in 1883 was 2,800, and assessable valuation $482,993; but in 1884 the local newspapers predicted a bullion output of $5,000,000. Red Mountain district produced $1,000,000 in 1883, about one third of which was gold, and the greater por- tion of which was from one mine, the Yankee girl. The districts of Pough- keepsie Gulch, Mount Sneffles, Uncompahgre, and Imogene Basin were also largely productive. Coal mining had only begun about this time. Ouray was the county seat, with 500 inhabitants. It is named after the Ute chief, for whose friendship the white people were grateful, at a time when his word might have precipitated war. Its situation, at the western end of the Uncompahgre cañon, is on the Pacific slope of the continent, at an elevation of 7,640 feet, in a round park, with rocky heights all about it of exceeding grandeur and startling wildness. Three miles below Ouray the valley is cul- tivable. In all respects this mountain-walled town is like the cities of the plains, with stores, churches, schools, newspapers, quartz-mills, smelters, sampling-works, and concentrators. It is reached by a branch from the . Denver and Rio Grande from Montrose. There are hot sulphur springs a few miles from Ouray. About one mile south is the famous mineral farm, which has already been mentioned, discovered in 1875. Red Mountain City had about the same population in 1883 that Ouray had; Ophir 200, Ironton 150, Portland 100, Mount Sneffles 100; Aurora, Hoffman, Windham, and half a dozen hamlets, less.
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