USA > Colorado > History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888 > Part 68
USA > Nevada > History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888 > Part 68
USA > Wyoming > History of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming, 1540-1888 > Part 68
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out east over a vast expanse of gently sloping savan- nas. Behind her rise the majestic heights of the great continental range. All about her are bright landscapes, over her are skies of summer azure. In her lap is wealth, on her brow peace and honor. Let no one dispute her royal right to preside over and re- ceive the homage of her sister municipalities. Young, beautiful, strong, worthy of all praise, let her be called Queen.
The election campaign of 1886 was a hardly con- tested one, the democratic party throughout the United States having a revival, and the republicans being divided by the "mugwump " faction and the prohibitionists. Three tickets were in the field in Colorado, the prohibitionists drawing their strength mainly from the republicans.9 However, all the re- publican candidates for state officers were elected, except the governor, Alva Adams, who from being a hardware merchant of Pueblo came to be elected chief of his noble young state by a plurality of 2,418, his competitors in the race being William H. Myers, formerly lieutenant-governor, and W. H. Fishback, prohibitionist. His predecessor was Benjamin H. Eaton. N. H. Meldrum, formerly secretary of state, was elected lieutenant-governor, succeeding P. W. Breene, elected state treasurer; and James Rice became secretary in place of Melvin Edwards, or,
9 James A. Dawson died Jan. 16, 1887, at his residence in Denver. He was born in April 1834 near Mumfordville, in Hart co., Ky. He married Mary Connelly, daughter of Dr Connelly of that place. In 1860 he was elected clerk of the county court of Hart co. On the breaking out of the civil war he entered the Union army as a member of the 33d Kentucky vols, and attained the office of adjutant, fighting in the battle of Mumfordville, between the advance guards of Bragg's and Buell's armies. He held several civil offices in Ky, and founded the Louisville Daily Ledger in 1870, and came to Colorado in 1880, where he practised law at Denver, and edited the Col. Law Journal, being part of the time city attorney, and subsequently superior judge. In 1884 he published Dawson's Code, and in 1885 was appointed sur- veyor-general of Colorado by President Cleveland. Oney Castrophan, of Custer co., came to Colorado from Palmyra, Mo. He had filled the office of prosecuting attorney at Hannibal, and, after his removal to Colo, was mayor of Silver Cliff, after which he was chief clerk in the office of the surveyor- general until he was promoted to fill that place.
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more correctly, after Edward R. Hanley, appointed in place of Edwards, resigned. D. P. Kingsley was elected state auditor, and L. S. Cornell state school superintendent. Attorney-general Charles Thomas was succeeded by Alvin Marsh, and George G. Symes was elected congressman, running against Myron Reed democrat, and Murray prohibitionist, beating them by a plurality of 866. On the organization of the legislature, in January 1887, George M. Chilcott was chosen president of the senate, and T. B. Stuart speaker of the lower house. The republican majority in the senate was ten, in the assembly one.19
The legislation of Colorado has never been disgraced by violence, by wanton waste of the people's money, or by disrespect of the constituted authorities. If its statutes are not perfect, neither were they for whom they were made, nor the makers themselves.11 It is enough that an effort at excellence in statutory regu- lations, as in institutional and social affairs,12 is a feat-
10 Mention was made by the president of the senate of the death of two state senators since the last session-Tilford and Elkins; and Gov. Eaton in his farewell message regrets the demise of ex-U. S. Representative Jerome B. Chaffee, and ex-Gov. Frederick W. Pitkin.
11 There was, in 1887, when the legislature met, some embarrassment from the financial condition of the state. The total amount in the treasury at the close of Gov. Eaton's term of office was, in cash and securities, $834,579.05, out of which to make the various appropriations for the support of state institutions, and to pay salaries to state officers. This deficiency was not the result of bad management, or extravagant outlay, but came from the too common practice of assessing property below its value. For instance, the property of the state was actually worth $400,000,000, yet was assessed at $120,000,000, whereas the railroads alone were selling in the market at a valuation greater than that, although they were assessed at only $23,696,666. The constitution required that the property of the state should be rated for taxation at its true value, and it was manifest that a low tax on a full valuation should be more satisfactory than a high tax on a low esti- mate. The legislature took up this subject in 1887, and provided for the taxation of mining property, the opinion of the courts having first been obtained as to the constitutionality of the bills offered. All mines producing more than $1,000 per annum in mineral were made assessable, and in case of a mine which was not patented being sold for taxes, the title, under the laws of Colorado, should be good and valid. A list of all the producing mines was to be furnished by the county clerk to the county assessor. An attempt was made to correct railroad abuses and encroachments by statute, and a law was enacted creating a supreme court commission. The persons appointed under the act were Atty-gen. Marsh, Ex-senator Rising of Custer co., and Thomas Macon of Fremont co.
12 The new county of Archuleta, which had not more than 150 voters, rebelled against the authority of the county commissioners (republican) in
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ure of the centennial state. Notable, not notorious, the character of her public men is an example to the younger states,13 and blends harmoniously with her many charms, material, natural, and inspired by art. Colorado is the flower of a peculiarly western civili- zation, in which is mingled the best blood of the north and the south, the virile sap of New England and the Carolinas -- a truly American state.
July 1887, being led by one E. T. Walker and the sheriff, Height (democrats). The rioters burned the property, and threatened the life of one of the com- missioners, Charles D. Scase. The others were intimidated, and forced to resign, and anarchy for a time held sway. The population of this region was Mexican, and two, at least, of the commissioners were Mexican, but were men of wealth and standing. That they should be such appears to have been too much for the democracy to bear, and their ukase was issued as follows: 'If you don't resign, we will kill you and destroy your property.' The legislature sent a committee to inquire into the cause of the terrorism, as it was bound to do, when it appeared that one of the mob which had broken up a meeting of the commissioners had enunciated the doctrine that ' this is a democratic administration, and it shall be run on democratic prin- ciples.' Accordingly the ballot-box was stolen, and other democratic prac- tices resorted to, and when the commissioners met to open court they were prevented. The legislature then attached Archuleta co. to La Plata co. for judicial purposes, and the matter was brought before the grand jury; but in the meantime Walker had disappeared. A race war of another sort was the outbreak of the reservation Utes, August 1887, by which some blood was spilled on both sides, ending by the Indians returning to their homes. The trouble arose from the ruling of a new agent that the band must come to the agency to draw their annuities, be counted, and placed on the list. The Utes refused, and went one year without their annuities. The agent then required the sheriff to return them to the reservation; hence the conflict.
13 Leadville elected a democratic mayor in the spring of 1888, who sur- prised his constituents by ordering the gambling saloons closed, and closed they were within a month. Colorado had two, if not more, towns where the public sale of intoxicating drinks was prohibited. But to prohibit by agree- ment from the start is quite different from saying to a whole community of gamblers, 'depart,' and enforcing the command. Mayor Roche of Leadville might have been a martyr in the days of the inquisition, and yet have died profitlessly, like many another martyr.
George Zweck discovered the famous Prussian mine in April 1861, while prospecting alone in the Gold Hill district. He recognized the value of the ore at once, and taking with him A. D. Gifford and David Besler, went to work upon it as equal partners. They carried their provisions a distance of 35 miles strapped on their backs, but the mine paid for the effort, averaging down to the present time $260 per ton. The vein has a general width of 3 feet. Out of it has been taken $375,000, and it would bring $250,000 to sell. It is tunnelled 1,700 feet into the mountain. Zweck has other mining inter- ests, in which Gifford and Besler are partners, and has made more clear money out of cattle than out of his mines. Zweck was born in Germany in 1829, migrated to Iowa in 1854, and to Colorado in 1860. He began with nothing, and has made and saved $300,000.
George W. McCoy born in Pa in 1834, and educated in the common schools of Ohio and Ill. He began life by marrying Rebecca May in Ill. and going to farming in 1853. In 1863 he came to Colorado, where he first
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tried mining, but soon returned to an occupation of which he knew some- thing, renting a farm of 160 acres in Jefferson co. He made $2,000 the first year, and the next year removed to Boulder co., renting a farm near Bur- lington, and keeping the Burlington hotel. He soon purchased 320 acres paying $5 per acre. On this he cleared $1,000 per year for 5 years, and after 1880 made money much more rapidly. He owns 400 acres well stocked and other valuable property, and his family of seven children are also pros- perous.
W. J. Kitcly came to Greeley, Colorado, in 1871, but after a short stay removed to Longmont, earning a living by pick and shovel. He entered first SO acres of land, and has now 480 acres in 3 different farms, all well improved, and worth $50 per acre. He deals in graded cattle, and calls Boulder co. the best farming country in the world.
John H. Wells, born in Ill. in 1842, received a common school education supplemented by an academic course, a term or two at Knox college, and some law studies in Galaburg. In 1886 he came to Denver and commenced practise. He held the office of postmaster for a short time, was vice- president of the Colorado Central railway in 1867, and was elected member of the territorial legislature on the independent ticket in 1871. In 1878-81 he built the D. L. M. and N. W. R. R. to Mitchell junction and in 1885 was appointed county judge of Boulder co. His home is at Longmont, with whose interests he is thoroughly identified.
W. H. Dickens came to Colorado in the spring of 1859, and commenced farming in Boulder co., selling his produce to miners. In 1864 he enlisted in the 3d Colo cavalry, and was in the battle of Sand creek. He has suc- ceeded as a farmer and stock-raiser, being worth $50,000 or $60,000.
George L. Beckwith came to Colorado in 1860, settling within a mile of Longmont. At that time there was one house only in the vicinity, that of Dickens and Allen; but several at the mouth of the cañon. Beckwith com- menced farming in 1861, and has not failed of a crop any year since. While some suffered by grasshoppers, he trapped them all at the rate of a bushel a day for 20 days. He served with the 3d Colo regt.
L. H. Dickson arrived May 22, 1859, at Denver, and a few days later came to Boulder co. for the purpose of finding mines, going at once into the mountains, and into Middle park, being the pioneer in that region. Pro- ceeding to California gulch he mined there 1 year, when he came the second time to Boulder and took up some farming land 4 miles east from Longmont, where he was living through the Indian troubles of 1863-4. He enlisted in 3d Colo. regt, and was with Chivington through the 100 days campaign. He was a successful farmer until 1869, when he went with his family to Oregon City, Or., where he remained until 1873, and returned to settle at Longmont. He was elected to the legislature in 1880 and again in 1884, and was mayor of Longmont from 1881 to 1883. He owns 700 acres of land worth $35 per acre, a § interest in a flouring mill, some live stock, and min- ing interests, all the result of his own industry.
Rienzi Streeter, born in Pa in 1838, received an academic education. In IS60 he was admitted to the practise of law. In 1862 he migrated to Neb. to take the position of U. S. dist clerk, under his brother, Joseph E. Streeter, who had been appointed U. S. justice. He remained in the office until 1867 and in 1868 went to Cheyenne. Afterwards he became president of the Chicago colony in Colorado, held the position several years. In 1879 he was elected to the lower house of legislature and chosen speaker; in 1881 he was elected to the senate, the second term being chosen president. When he first arrived in Colorado he purchased an interest in the land on which Manitou, El Paso co., is located, out of which he made considerable money. He is now asst cashier of the bank of Longmont, and cashier of the Branch bank at Berthoud.
E. J. Coffman, born in Ohio in 1837, and brought up in Ill., was gradu- ated at Rock River seminary in 1858. He went to Iowa, teaching a school near Cedar Rapids. In 1862 he came to Colorado, and engaged in farming
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on land in Boulder co., a part of which he gave to the Longmont colony in 1871, which is known as Coffman's Addition to Longmont. He has been an officer of the Colony company from the commencement, and a dealer in real estate; owns mining property in Gold Hill district; named the Tellurium mines and owns stock in them; also in the Lord Byron and Ranchman's Luck.
Carlton C. Calkins came to Longmont as one of the original colonists in 1870, and was not favorably impressed with the agricultural capacities of the county. He entered a small quantity of land, but now ownes 400 acres, worth $40 per acre, and a dairy, and raises thoroughbred cattle, mixed hus- bandry being his business. He prefers Boulder co. to any part of the U. S.
B. Clark Wheeler, born in Pa in 1849, studied at Wellsborough academy and the university of Pa, and afterward read the law with Sherwood & Mitchell of Phila. He joined the army as a drummer boy, but was taken home by his father. In 1864 he went to Iowa, and in 1868 came to Colorado, but again went home, finished his studies, and returned here in 1876, being admitted to the bar in Denver. Soon he went to the Black hills, practising there for two years. His active disposition caused him to make a prospect- ing tour through Colo, N. M., and Ariz., after which he once more returned to Colorado, and settled permanently at Aspen in Pitkin co., where he fol- lowed law, mining, and newspaper publishing. Pitkin Mining News, d. & w. From 1879 to 1882 he lectured frequently in different parts of the state upon the mineral wealth of the country, and went as a comm'r to the cotton ex- position at Atlanta, to represent the resources of Colo, lecturing before the Bullion club of New York on the same subject during this tour. He labored industriously to attract attention to the region about Aspen, and finally suc- ceeded in getting capital interested in the person of David M. Hyman of Cincinnati. In 1885 there was shipped from Aspen about $4,000,000 worth of ore and bullion. The place has only 1 smelter with a capacity of 60 tons per day. Wheeler surveyed and located the town of Aspen, and named the streets. The present pop. is 5,000.
P. J. Pauly, a native of St Louis, was born in 1854, and received the advantages of the puplic schools, remaining in his native city until 20 years of age. He was apprenticed 3 years to an architectural draughtsinan, and on coming to Denver engaged in this calling, but soon returned to St Louis to work for the firm of Pauly & Bro., pail manufacturers. At the end of 3 years he was admitted to a partnership, which interest he still retains, the firm having invested $200,000. In 1882 he came to Colorado for his health, and having married the year previous Sarah Crissy of Mich., determined to settle here. He purchased 3 cattle ranchos in or near Estes park, and en- tered upon the lucrative business of raising graded stock, being regarded as one of the foremost men in northern Colorado.
Jacob Downing, born at Albany, N. Y., 1830, came to Denver in April 1859. He raised company D of the Ist Colorado regt in 1861, and was mus- tered out in 1865 as major on Col Chivington's staff. He was elected pro- bate judge of Arapahoe co. in 1867, serving 2 years. In 1866 he purchased a tract of land containing 2,000 acres in Jefferson co., 5 miles from Denver; and subsequently 300 acres 3 miles from Denver court-house, worth in 1886 over $60,000. The value of his lands has steadily advanced year by year, and is still going up, for which reason he thinks real estate in Arapahoe a good investment.
James A. Dawson, born in Hart co., Ky, 1834, and educated there. At the age of 21 years he was elected county clerk, and remained in that office until the commencement of the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted in the union army. After serving out the term of his enlistment he was appointed register of the land-office, holding that position 8 years. In 1871 he was appointed adjutant-general of Ky for 4 years. He came to Colorado in 1880, and opened a law-office. In 1882 he was appointed by the governor judge of the superior court, and served one term, after which he was ap. pointed surveyor-general of Colorado. He is a eulogist of his adopted state.
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Henry H. Metcalf, born in Providence, R. I., in 1842, came to Colorado in 1872. He purchased a section of land in Elbert co., and 52 head of cat- tle, and had $1,200 in cash. He was worth in 1886, $450,000, the result of judicious management of the cattle-raising business in this state. He re- sides at Denver.
Westbrook S. Decker was born in Seneca, N. Y., in 1839, his father, Albert Decker, being a farmer and a merchant, of Dutch stock, as was also his mother, Gertrude Shoemaker. He worked on his father's farm, and for a short period was clerk in the store. In 1856 he entered Brockport collegi- ate institute for one year, and this, with whathe had learned at winter sessions of the public schools, constituted his educational training. In 1857 he went to Ill., working in a sorghum mill and teaching school until 1861, when he returned home and enlisted in the 12th N. Y. infantry, being captured at Harper's Ferry, paroled and exchanged. He was afterward twice seriously wounded. After Gettysburg he was promoted to the rank of 2d lieut, and later to Ist lieut in the 19th U. S. colored troops, and was assigned to the staff of Gen. Ferrero, as ordnance officer. He was ordnance officer on the staff of Hartsuff at Bermuda Hundreds, Va, and in the district of Nottoway, after the evacuation of Petersburg. Subsequently he was transferred to the command of Gen. Giles A. Smith, and went to Tex., where he served as provost marshal until Aug. 1865, when he returned home. In Oct. of that year he entered the law school of Mich. university, graduating in 1867, and locating at Kankakee, Ill. He was elected city attorney in 1868 and 1869, and elected county judge the same year, which position he held until 1873. The following year he came to Colorado for his health, and remained to practise his profession. He was appointed by President Grant U. S. dis- trict attorney in 1877, in which office he was retained several years.
Gilbert De La Martyr, born in 1825 in New York, and educated there, was ordained a minister of the m. e. church in 1848, and preached until 1862, when he was appointed chaplain of the 129th N. Y. infantry, serving until January 1865, when he resigned. He had charge of the Sand street church in Brooklyn from 1865 to 1870, at which time he was transferred to Omaha, remaining there until 1873, when he was sent to Kansas City, Mo., and remained 3 years, after which he went to Indianapolis to take charge of a large church. He was elected to congress from Indianapolis in 1878, serv- ing one term. After that he lectured extensively on labor organizations and political economy, and being in Denver in 1882 was solicited to take charge of the methodist church, which invitation he accepted, with the determina- tion to remain permanently in the healthful climate of Colorado.
Posey S. Wilson was born at Wappato Indian agency in 1845, his father being an army officer, and was educated at St Louis. He came to Colorado in 1863, remaining but a short time when he went to Montana. In 1867 he removed to Cheyenne and engaged in banking until 1879, when he returned to Colorado and purchased a cattle farm in Larimer co. near Fort Collins. While in Wyoming he was a member of the legislature of 1876. He remained on his Larimer co. farm until 1885, when he was appointed by the president, assayer of the Denver mint. He retained his stock interests and is settled permanently in Colorado.
William A. Hover, born in Wis., in 1856, was educated at the university of that state, graduating in 1877, and remaining one year afterwards engaged in the study of chemistry. In 1878 he came to Colorado, opening an assay office in Lake City, removing the same year to Denver, where he purchased part of a retail drug business, completing the purchase of the establishment in 1880. He is settled here permanently.
R. A. Long, born in Ohio in 1851, and brought up on a farm, commenced educating himself at the age of 19, earning the money to pay his tuition. He graduated from the law school of the Mich. university in 1879, coming at once to Denver. In six years he had paid some debts, married, and accu- mulated $20,000, which may be considered great success in professional life.
L. B. France, born in Washington city in 1833, and educated at George-
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town, studied law in Chicago, where he was admitted to the bar in 1858, practising in Ill. and Iowa until 1861, when he came to Denver. In the autumn of the same year he was elected prosecuting attorney of Arapahoe co .- the first pros. atty elected in Colo-for one year. From that time he has steadily labored at his profession, not engaging in politics.
John W. Jenkins, born in Va in 1837, and educated in Ind. In 1874 he was appointed territorial secretary, and Gov. McCook's appointment being contested, became acting gov., serving the greater part of McCook's term. After the expiration of his term of office he commenced the practise of the law, and acquired some important mining interests. He was prosecuting attorney in Lake co. in 1881-2, and held office in the Masonic order, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is deeply attached to the country and climate of the centennial state.
Frank Church, born in St Lawrence co. N. Y. in 1844, and educated there, came to Denver in 1869, to take charge of a seminary, and in 1871 married in this city. While teaching, he studied law, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar. He was elected county supt. of schools in 1871, holding the office four years. In 1879 he was elected state senator for four years. In 1883 he was elected treasurer of Arapahoe co., and reelected in 1885. His experience of mining investments leads him to prefer Denver real estate.
Byron A. Wheeler, born in Wis. in 1842, and was educated at Fon-du- lac. In 1863 he enlisted in the 1st Wis. regt, serving until the close of the war, when he entered the Hahnemann Medical college of Chicago, and grad- uated in 1867. After practising in Wis. and Iowa until 1870, he came to Colorado for health, locating permanently in Denver. He married, in Wis., Frances A. Noyes, and has seven children. He owns considerable real estate in Denver.
William B. Craig, born in Mo. in 1855, and educated at De Kalb and St Joseph High school, studied medicine subsequently, graduating from the St Louis Medical college in 1876, and subsequently from Bellevue hospital, N. Y. Returning to St Joseph he practised there until 1882, when he removed to Denver on account of his mother's failing health, and finding her restora- tion complete, owing entirely to the climate, determined to remain in Denver.
W. W. Anderson, born at Fergus, Canada, in 1850, and educated there. His diplomas and degrees from the best medical colleges of Montreal and Quebec made him an A. M., M. D., P. H., and M. R. C. S. In 1876 he came to the U. S. as demonstrator of anatomy, and asst surgeon of Mich. university, and in 1878 to Denver, where he has since practised his profes- sion. He was appointed city physician in 1883, and re-appointed in 1885. He became largely interested in mining and real estate, and is located per- manently in Denver.
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