History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 114

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080

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cattle of S. M. Hays, of Council Grove, Kan. The herd was in the Arkansas Valley, where he kept them until the spring of 1869, when he traded them to Tom Patterson, a well known Texas drover, for a herd of steers, and then went to Missouri. In June, 1869, Mr. G. was married to Miss Virginia Switzer. He now resides in Catlin, Bent Co., Colo., engaged in stock-raising.

HENRY S. GILMAN.

Immediately after the close of the war in 1865, Mr. Gilman came to Colorado, arriving in Denver in September of the same year. Here he found employment for two years, working most of the time for J. J. Reithman and Mr. Charpiot. From Denver he went to Pueblo, where he remained until May 7, 1869. Leaving the latter place he took up his resi- dence in the old town of Las Animas. His family was the second one in the place. There they remained until September 1, 1877. He then moved his family to the Meadows, a tract of territory west of Granada, Bent County, where he had a ranch. Selling his property to Mr. John W. Prowers, he removed to his present location on the Arkansas River, southeast of Granada, February 26, 1879. He has a homestead of a 160 acres. His principal crop is hay, though he cultivates a few acres, raising grain and vegetables. He was married, March 1, 1869, to Miss Nancy Williams, of Pueblo. They have three chil- dren-Fannie E., born January 9, 1870; Eli F., born June 14, 1872; John Arthur, born February 9, 1874. Mr. Gilman is a native of Massachusetts, born January 1, 1830, at Fra- mingham, where he lived until he was twenty- one years of age. He did not have the school advantages he would have liked, for he was set at work driving a freight wagon when only nine years old, from his native town into. Boston, and this he followed until he became of age. At this time he removed to Boston and commenced business for himself, opening a restaurant on the corner of Harvard and Washington streets, in which location he remained eight years. Having disposed of his business he went to New York City, and remained there until September, 1861, and then enlisted in the First Massachusetts Cav-

alry, Company B. He was injured by falling from his horse at Hilton Head, S. C., in 1862. He was sent to Washington and from there to Chestnut Hill Hospital, Philadelphia. As soon as he was able, he was detailed to take charge of convalescents and deserters, and returned with them to Washington. He was engaged in this duty for eight months. He was discharged from the army September, 1864, having served three years. Returning to Boston, he remained there until he came West.

S. J. GRAHAM.

Mr. Graham has resided in Bent County for many years, and has passed through experiences common to early settlers in a territory occupied by Indians. Mr. G. was born in Adair County, Ky., October, 1834. He attended school but very little. In 1854, he went to Carroll County, Mo., as an overseer for a large farmer, where he remained four years. In 1858, he went to Salt Lake as wagonmaster for the gentleman he had been employed by in Missouri. He was seven months on the journey. After a short stay in Missouri he returned to Denver, arriving there in March, 1860. During the following summer and fall he prospected in South Park. He went to Central City for the winter. In the spring of 1861, he went to the Tarryall Mines in the edge of the Park. They were rich gulch mines; here he remained until fall and then went to Canon City. In the spring of 1862, he removed tu Booneville, Pueblo Co., Colo., and put in a crop of corn and potatoes, but in July the river suddenly rose and washed away everything he had planted. In the fol- lowing September, Mr. Graham went to Spring Bottom, on the Arkansas River, and built a mail station for Sanderson & Co., and kept the same for ten years. August 13, 1864, the station was attacked by Indians. The inmates of the station consisted of Mr. Graham, a hired man, a female cook and two children. The cook's husband was away at the Indian Agency, which was in the process of construc- tion at Point of Rocks, but it was never com- pleted, as the Indians ran off the stock and stole everything they could find. At the time of the attack, the savages appeared on the night of the 12th. A few hours previous,

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Mr. Graham had returned from Fort Lyon, being obliged to travel mostly by night in order to escape danger from the Indians. The attack was made early in the morning. Late in the evening before, Mr. Graham dis- covered one Indian in the stock corral attempt- ing to run off the horses. Mr. G. drove him out and as he (Mr. Graham) jumped over the fence, he landed in the midst of a dozen In- dians who were waiting an opportunity to attack the station. As the Indian leaped the fence, Mr. G. fired at him with his pistol, but he escaped unharmed. The whole band then fled, Mr. Graham discharging his pistol at them. During the remainder of the night, he stood guard in company with Mr. Monkers, his hired man. In the morning, Mr. G. went out to see if the Indians had departed. He had proceeded only 250 yards, when suddenly twenty mounted Indians appeared and gave him chase. He ran and succeeded in reach- ing the station in safety, but when within fifteen steps of the house he turned and fired his pistol at them, wounding one, which had the effect of stopping the whole band. One time Mr. G. was telling this experience to a Government officer. The officer inquired how he escaped, when he was on foot and they mounted. Mr. G. replied that he had on a pair of "Government shoes." Soon after this, the savages again appeared, attempt- ing to surround the station, but were pre- vented. He kept them at bay for several hours. During the fight, the Indians killed four horses belonging to the stage company, and four mules belonging to Mr. G. Mr. Monkers killed one Indian. The savages then departed and did not appear again. The same day, the Indians went up the river, and, meeting a train of Government wagons, killed three men, took one woman prisoner, and ran off the stock. That night the woman committed suicide by hanging. This occurred at Antelope Springs, about fifteen miles from the river. The Indians left Mr. G. one young horse, this he took into the house, and after saddling him he sent his hired man to the fort to inform the commander what had taken place, while he (Mr. G.), took his cook and her two children in a boat down the river. Ten miles below the station, they met

the husband and a few soldiers. Mr. G. returned with them to the station. During the fight the Indians had killed sixteen head of cattle on their retreat. He took- the remainder of his stock to Booneville, where he remained a short period. At this time, the Indians were causing a good deal of trouble in Southern Colorado, and there was a call for 100-day men. Mr. G. enlisted and was elected First Lieutenant of Company G of his regiment, and served his time. He had charge of a squad of men at the Mail Station. The main portion of the company was encamped east of Pueblo. At the time of the Sand Creek fight, the command was ordered there, and Mr. G. joined them on their way. He did not participate in the engagement, as he was placed in charge of twenty men to watch prisoners at the mouth of Purgatoire Creek. When the regiment returned, he joined them and proceeded to Denver, where he was mus- tered out of service. Most of the time from 1865 to 1868, Mr. Graham was at the Mail Station. In 1860, he removed to his present location on the south side of the Arkansas River, near Catlin, where he is engaged in ranching and stock-raising. He has a small bunch of good graded animals, and a few head of pure blooded cattle. He is improv- ing his stock by introducing pure blood. Mr. Graham is a firm believer in alfalfa, and will engage in the future in raising it, as well as all kinds of fruit, having taken out a ditch for that purpose. In 1869, he was married to Mrs. Hattie Tedling, and they have one child. He has 700 acres of land, 300 of which is bottom and timbered land. Mr. Graham has the first wagon ever built in Pueblo, which, in 1881, was in good repair.

RICHARD GRUBB.

Mr. Grubb was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, July 11, 1837. At the age of fifteen, he went to Australia, and, in company with a relative, he was handling cattle for ten years, when he branched out into business for himself, buying and selling cattle on commis- sion, which occupation he followed for eight years before returning to his native country. He left Australia in 1871, and spent three years traveling in Europe. In the spring of

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1874, he left Ireland with the intention of re- turning to Australia via San Francisco. In Denver he met parties who induced him to visit Southern Colorado and New Mexico. Here he found a section of country that pleased him, and would have made it his per- manent home had the Indians left him unmo- lested. He resided in Denver until the fall of 1876, when he took a herd of 100 milch cows to Huerfano Park, on the south side of Wet Mountain Valley, but was obliged to re- move on account of the high altitude, it being 8,100 feet. In 1879, he came to West Las Animas, where he has resided until the pres- ent time. Within a few years, cattle men west of the Missouri River have been much interested in the subject of spaying cows, and many extensive dealers are having large num- bers operated upon, learning that, when the operation is skillfully performed, the losses are but a small per cent, and the advantages gained are great. The opinion among cat- tle men is growing in favor of the treat- ment. By this means, they are enabled to turn to beef much earlier in the season than they otherwise would be, many of their cows, and also to weed out their inferior stock. The art of spaying Mr. Grubb learned in 1855, but did not follow it as a profession until 1874, when he was the first gentleman west of the Missouri River who successfully operated on large herds. The late Mr. Iliff, of Denver, during the year 1874, after a con- sultation with Mr. Grubb, engaged him to spay a large number for him. Since then, he has made it a profession, operating in var- ious portions of Colorado and New Mexico with eminent success.

URIEL HIGBEE.

Mr. Higbee was one who early ventured to settle in the West. His first trip was in the spring of 1850. He came with three Roube- doux brothers. Mr. Higbee was born October 12, 1834, in Mansfield, Ohio. He went to Berrien County, Mich., when quite young. Soon afterward, his parents moved to Platte County, Mo. His father died when he was thirteen years of age. He attended school only a short time. St. Joseph, Mo., was the place he started from to come West, and

Scott's Bluff, on the North l'latte River, was where he landed. This was a trading-point. From there he went out for hundreds of miles around, trading with the Indians. Buffalo robes and tongues, and elk-skins, horses and mules were the articles he dealt in principally. In the spring of 1857, he took them to St. Jo- seph, Mo. From 1851 till 1853, he was em- ployed by Campbell, Choteau & Co. in the same business. For the following two years, Mr. Higbee was engaged in running a train of freight wagons from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., to Fort Laramie and Fort Bridger. He made two trips a year. Mr. Higbee was present during the big Indian treaty of 1852. A long train of wagons loaded with Government goods, in charge of Fitzpatrick, came to Horse Creek and distributed them to the var- ious tribes. There were 30,000 Indians pres- ent, composed of Cheyennes, Sioux, Arapa- hoes, Crows, Blackfeet, Snakes and Flat Heads. One evening, the Indians killed 250 oxen belonging to the train. July 2, 1855, Mr. Higbee stood guard, with 300 others, around Fort Leavenworth. The morning of the 3d, he started, with a train of twenty-six wagons, for Albuquerque, N. M., for Majors, Russell & Co. From this point, he went to Tucson with thirty-six wagons. The train was escorted by Maj. Newell, with 200 dra- goons. The goods belonged to the Government. After he delivered them, he sold out his teams and returned to Albuquerque. On his way to the latter place, he had a fight with Indians, and came near starving. In November of the same year, he was employed by the Govern- ment in running trains with supplies to differ- ent posts. In the spring of 1856, Mr. Hig- bee went to Salt Lake City, at the time of the Mormon outbreak, Col. Lovering command- ing, joining Gen. Johnson at Fort Bridger. The command was 9,000 strong. The Mor- mons had abandoned the city and strongholds, and there was no fighting. Only about thirty persons could be found. All had gone to Provost City. Mr. Higbee went out to Salt Lake, passing over the ground where Denver now stands, but returned over the Gunnison trail, with Le Daux as guide, to Fort Union, N. M., in the fall of 1858. In the winter of 1858-59, there was serious trouble in New

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Mexico, and all were ordered out of Fort Union to Fort Burquin. About this time, he left Government employ, and was engaged with citizens in filling Government contracts. In the spring of 1860, Fort Burquin was abandoned He then settled, with' three others, on Purgatoire Creek, about where Trin- idad now is situated, where he remained until 1866, ranching and cattle-raising. He then removed to Nine Mile Bottom, where he has remained until the present. Higbee Post Office and the precinct of Higbee were named for him. Since residing in Nine Mile Bottom, Mr. Higbee has held the offices of Sheriff and Constable for ten years. In com- mon with others who lived there, he suffered from Indian and grasshopper incursions.

THOMAS J. HICKMAN.

Thomas J. Hickman came to Bent County, Colo., in 1873. He was born in Randolph County, Mo., in May, 1832, where he lived the first eighteen years of his life. Then he moved with his father to Macon County. He received his education from the ungraded common schools prevalent in that part of that country. After locating in Macon County, he divided his time between the farm and store which his father owned until 1856. In 1857, having spent a few months in Adair County, he went to Salt Lake, where he resided but a short time. After a trip back to Macon County, he again made a journey across the plains, and became one of Denver's "fifty- niners." But even Denver had not sufficient attractions to hold him, and Missouri became once more his stamping-ground. After serv- ing in the Confederate army from 1861 to 1864, he went to Plattsmouth, Neb., but re- mained there only a year. Atchison, Kan., claimed him for a citizen from 1865 to 1869, when he commenced selling goods for himself in Platte City, Mo., remaining there until 1873. Leaving Platte City, he came imme- diately to Las Animas, and received the ap- pointment of Sheriff for Bent County from the County Commissioners, to fill an unexpired term of Sheriff Spiers, who had resigned. Having given entire satisfaction in the per- formance of his official duties, he has since been twice elected to the office at general

elections. March 11, 1881, he received a severe injury in a railroad accident on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road, which will necessitate his resigning the office of Sheriff. Mr. Hickman enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens.

HIRAM S. HOLLY.

At the eastern portion of Bent County, ex- tending to the Kansas line, is situated the home ranch of H. S. Holly & Co. The loca- tion is admirably adapted to carry on the ex- tensive operations in which they are engaged. Having a river frontage of thirty miles on the Arkansas, and the same on Sand Creek, it gives them an immense territory for grazing pur- poses and hay-fields. To obtain a correct idea of their haying operations, a few figures may be well employed. During the haying season, which commences between the 20th of June and the 1st of July, and continues for three months or more, they employ from ten to fourteen mowing machines. They cut 3,000 tons of hay from 2,500 acres of grass land. Four wagons are constantly employed in gathering the hay into stacks; one horse- rake for every two mowing machines; one or more "go-devils" (a large rake holding a ton or more of hay), to assist in gathering the hay; a hay-loader, and a horse-fork for un- loading the wagons, and a hay-press for bail- ing the crop preparatory to market. From forty to sixty men are employed during this busy season, and from seven to thirteen men are engaged the year round. The company are also among the largest cattle-raisers and dealers in the State. In the summer of 1881, their herd, which had been gathered from their ranges, together with what they had under contract, numbered 15,000 head In the fall, they ship 2,000 beeves. Their stock is a mixed one, but they are improving it by crossing with thoroughbred short-horn and the Hereford stock. To carry on this branch of their business, they have a complete set of cattle-pens, corrals and scales at the home ranch, where they make their shipments. Their object is to raise beef, and not thorough- bred cattle, though they are constantly in- creasing their stock of thoroughbred bulls. Mr. Holly is manager of the enterprise, and

Carl Walters.

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on whom depends the success or failure. He was born in Stanford, Fairfield Co., Conn., July 13, 1843, where he attended school and worked on a farm until he was fifteen years of age. After one year's experience in the army, in the Twenty-eighth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, he was discharged, and went to New York City, where he remained six months. At the expiration of this time, he was em- ployed in the Quartermaster's Department in Tennessee for one year. After a short visit home, he came to Colorado. He left the cars at St. Joseph, Mo., then the terminus of rail- roads in the West, and came by boat to Neb- raska City, and then with ox teams up the Platte River Valley. He found his first em- ployment in Colorado at North Empire, where he was engineer in a quartz-mill. For six months, he took charge of it for other parties, and then ran it for himself. During this time, he had men out prospecting. In 1868, he started for Arizona, with the intention of mining, but remained only a brief period, as the Indians were exceedingly troublesome. He then returned to Gilpin County, Colo. Again Mr. Holly found employment in a quartz-mill. He had charge of Whitcomb's mill before leasing the New Bedford, in Ne- vada Gulch. In company with a Mr. Potter, he erected a mill costing $11,000, at the head of the same gulch, which he ran until 1870, when he sold out to his partner. After dis- posing of this property, Mr. Holly went to Black Hawk and leased a fifty-five-stamp mill in company with a Mr. Wheeler, which he managed until the spring of 1871. He then abandoned the mining and milling business and sought other fields of employment. Un- able to find such a herd as he wanted in Colo rado, he made a visit to Texas, and bought a bunch of 1,300 head of mixed cattle, and drove them to his present location, arriving there October 5, 1871. Since then, Mr. Holly has been buying and selling, and shipping in im- proved heifers and thoroughbred bulls, until his herd is fast becoming a most satisfactory one. It requires 175 head of horses to run the business, but he raises only enough for his own `use. His improvements at the home ranch are of the most substantial order. His dwelling, horse-barn and spring-house are of

stone. His hay-barn was erected in 1877, 125x36 feet, and will contain 400 tons of hay. He has forty miles of fence-cedar posts and wire. Mr. Holly was married, January I, 1877, to Miss Sarah F. Jones, of Stamford, Conn., and they have two children living.

NATHAN HUGHES.

On the north side of the Arkansas River, two miles from La Junta, is situated the home ranch of Nathan Hughes. Here he has 943 acres, in one body, of as good land as there is in the Arkansas Valley. It is peculiarly adapted for sheep-raising, having the natural protection of high bluffs. Mr. Hughes has 640 acres under ditch, and sixty acres of fine grass land, and also 300 acres of timber. His stock consists of graded animals, but believes the Hereford stock is best adapted for the plains. Mr. Hughes was born in Macon County, Mo., in 1841, where he lived sixteen years, working on a farm and attending school. A portion of the time from 1862 till 1865, he was freighting across the plains. Afterward, he lived nine years in Missouri, engaged in farming. He then tried his fortune on the Cimarron Creek in stock-raising, where he had 400 head of cattle. From the Cimarron he removed to San Luis Valley, engaged in stock-raising and in the grocery business. Here he remained two years. He was Under Sheriff in Conejos County. In 1878, Mr. Hughes came to his present home. He mar- ried, September 5, 1865, Miss Mary J. Har- rison, of La Fayette County, Mo. Their son, Thomas Hughes, was accidentally killed by being thrown from a horse, May 31, 1881, eight miles north of West Las Animas. Though only twelve years and eight months old, he had worked on the range three years with cattle men, and understood herding thor- oughly. He would stand night guard, and perform the duties of old and experienced herdsmen.

RAYMOND B. HOLLINGSWORTH.

Mr. Hollingsworth was born in Henderson County, Ill., in October, 1853. During his early life, he attended school and worked on a farm. The handling of cattle was a prom- inent feature of the work. The raising and

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feeding and buying and selling stock was car- ried on extensively. At the age of fourteen, he removed with his parents to Tecumseh, Shawnee Co., four miles east of Topeka, Kan. There he farmed until the spring of 1870, then removed with his parents to Lindsey, in Salmon Valley, in Ottawa County. There he clerked in a country store for three years. At this time, his health failed him, and he came to Colorado. He visited Denver and George- town. After a brief illness at the latter place, he returned home In August of 1874, he went to Salina, Saline Co., Kan , and clerked for Litowick & Wittmann in a dry goods store. He commenced as a boy, and in two years was chief clerk. Again his health failed him. He traveled 750 miles by wagon to Salt Lake City, where he spent a summer. In the fall of 1877, he went back to Salina and worked for the same firm until May 1, 1878. He then went to West Las Animas, Bent Co., Colo., and was employed as book-keeper for Jones & Weil for three years. Though not of a strong constitution, yet Mr. Hollingsworth has performed much hard work. For six years, he did not lose a day when able to be on duty. Mr. Hollingsworth went to La Junta about the 1st of April, 1881. On the 15th of the same month, he opened a store, stocked with groceries and men's furnishing goods. May 1, 1881, he was elected Coun- cilman at the first municipal election in La Junta. In July of the same year, he was ap- pointed Postmaster. He is doing business in the old Russell building; is the oldest in the town.

JAMES C. JONES.

The name of James C. Jones is familiar to the stock-raising men of Colorado and Texas, Mr. Jones having spent much of his life in the latter State. He was born in Cannon County, in Middle Tennessee, August 12, 1841, where he lived with his parents until he was ten years of age. He attended school in his native town, when it was in session, and his physical condition would allow; for, when a boy, Mr. Jones had the misfortune not to appear entirely engrossed in storing up useful knowledge, and the schoolmaster spared not the rod. His father's name was Erasmus Jones, born in Virginia in 1799.

His mother, before her marriage, was Miss Kiddie Bond, a native of North Carolina, and born in 1805. From this union thirteen chil- dren were born, and the subject of this sketch was the fifth son and eleventh child. While Mr. Erasmus Jones resided in Tennessee, his house was always a hospitable one, and many a poorly paid minister was filled to repletion at his table, while frequently the meatless backbone of the chicken found its way to James' plate. In 1851, his parents moved to Red River County, Texas. He resided there six years, attending school and working on a farm, preparing himself for the hard but suc- cessful life he has since followed. From Red River County his family moved to Park County, on the frontier of Texas. When the war of the rebellion broke out, he joined the Confederate army, serving under Gen. Tom Green until the close of the war. At this time, he was without a dollar, and none too many clothes. But the experience he had had in early life served him to a good advantage. He had become familiar with the stock-raising business. In company with three brothers, he commenced raising cattle on shares in Texas, where he remained until 1870, though, in 1869, they brought a portion of their herd, at this time numbering 4,200 head, into Nine Mile Bottom, on the Purgatoire Creek, where he has remained until the present time. With pains- taking care and watchfulness, together with purchases, he has increased his stock, until they now number 15,000 head or more. His ranches comprise 8,000 acres of land. In 1875, he came to West Las Animas, where a brother had opened a store in company with Mr. Weil. In 1878, he traded a farm in Kansas for his brother's interest, and has since then continued a partner in the firm. In 1868, he married Miss Lizzie Ham, a daughter of B. L. Ham, a man well known throughout Texas, having taken an active part in the war with Mexico, under Col. Ford. Mr. Jones has four children-three boys and one girl-all living. For several years, it has been his aim to im- prove his stock by crossing it with thorough- bred short-horn cattle. His original stock came from Texas. He has every prospect of being successful in his undertaking, and is very decided in his opinion that the short-

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History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 114

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 1080

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080