History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 115

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

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horn breed is the stock for this country. The experiments he carried on during the winter of 1880-81, in feeding different kinds of cattle, were highly satisfactory, convincing him that his opinion is correct. To accom- plish this end, he bought, in 1877, four thor- oughbred cows. In February, 1878, one of them dropped a bull calf that weighed, when thirteen months old, nearly 1,200 pounds; when two years old, 1,650 pounds; and when three years of age, he tipped the scales at 2,000 pounds. This animal is a favorite with Mr. Jones, and justly so, for through him he is rapidly im- proving his stock, getting larger frames, for which there is a demand among Kansas cattle feeders. Mr. Jones is a hard-working man, and has been eminently prosperous in his en- terprises, and owes his success to the thorough apprenticeship he served before entering bus- iness for himself.

JOHN H. JAY.

Mr. Jay is a direct descendant of the Jay family of Revolutionary fame. He was born March 30, 1820, in Otsego County, N. Y. His grandfathers were in the Revolutionary war. His father's father was killed in the army. John Jay, a signer of the Declara- tion of Independence, and second Minister to England, was his grandfather's brother. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents in Otsego County most of the time until he was fourteen years of age, when they removed to Cattaraugus County, remaining three years. At this time, they settled in Erie County, Penn., where he lived until 1842. Before moving West to reside permanently, he took a trip through the then Western States; was in Chicago in 1834. From this time until 1839, he was employed on merchant vessels on the lakes. Before leaving Erie County. Penn., in 1843, he learned blacksmithing. It was during this year that he removed to Michigan and worked at his trade. Mr. Jay resided in the latter State nine years. A por- tion of this time, he cultivated a farm. In 1852, he removed to Ogle County, Ill., where he was engaged in grading for the Illinois Central Railroad. Then he was employed in the hotel business until 1863, when he went to Denver, Colo. He crossed the plains with a wagon train of twelve horses and mules.

There were three families in the company, and he made the distance from Omaha, Neb., to Denver, Colo., in sixteen days, and was complimented by the people of the latter- place as having the best looking outfit that had arrived after so long a journey. He es- tablished a restaurant on F street, what is now Fifteenth street, where he remained some time before removing to Larimer street. His home was in Denver until 1869, when he re- moved his family to Sheridan, Kan. It was in 1867, that he was employd by the Union Pacific Railroad in grading, and continued with the road until it united with the Central Pacific. After leaving this employment, he returned to Sheridan, Kan., where he bought a blacksmith-shop and worked at his trade. At this he continued until he removed to Kit Carson, on the Kansas Pacific Railroad, in the spring of 1870. While a resident of Kit Car- son, Mr. Jay was Sheriff of the county two years, and County Judge until the county of Greenwood was discontinued. He came to West Las Animas in October, 1873, at the time a branch of the Kansas Pacific Railroad was completed to the place, where he has re- mined until the present time. In 1877, Mr. Jay was elected County Judge, which office he held three years. While residing in Den- ver, he was Chief of Police in 1864 and 1865. Since coming to West Las Animas, he has been employed at his trade and in stock-rais- ing. In both of these branches of industry he is now engaged.

PEYTON SMITH JONES.

Mr. Jones is one of the largest cattle-raisers in Bent County. At present, his herd num- bers 15,000 head or more of cattle, and 250 head of horses. His ranches are on the Pur- gatoire Creek, and composed of many thou- sands of acres of land. He was born in Can- non County, Middle Tennessee, October 28, 1829, and resided in his native State until he was twenty-one years of age, attending school and working on a farm. In 1850, he removed with his parents to Red River County, Texas. In 1852, he was employed as an overseer on a large plantation, which occupation he fol- lowed for five years. At the expiration of - this time, he bought a bunch of cattle and re-

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moved to Palo Pinto County, Texas, where he remained until the civil war broke out, when he entered the Confederate service in 1862, and continued in it until the close of the war. In 1865, in company with three brothers, he engaged in stock-raising at Fort Chadbourne, Texas, and remained there until 1869, when he removed to Bent County, camping, the first night, December 12, near where the Higbee Post Office now stands. Since coming to Colo- rado, Mr. Jones has at times been associated with his brothers in the cattle business. At present, he is alone. During his early settle- ment here, he farmed some, but discontinued it, believing his grain was costing as much as he could obtain for it, though he was raising twenty bushels of wheat to the acre. He has some fine blooded stock, and is endeavoring to improve his herds by the best of crosses.

HENRY KELLOGG.

Mr. Kellogg is a native of Troy, N. Y., born in 1829; he resided in his native place thirteen years. His parents died when he was quite young. Not having naturally that robust constitution that has proved a fortune to so many young men, he was not able to carry out some of his early plans of life. He prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and entered the class of 1846, at Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. His health failing him, he left college, and spent a year in studying medicine. In 1848, not gaining in physical strength as fast as he would like, he took passage in a sailing vessel from New York City for China, where he was absent eleven months. In 1849, he sought the hills of Vermont in quest of health, and resided there six years on a farm. Then he was obliged to move again on account of pul- monary troubles, to another climate, and found his way to Waukesha, Wis., living there on a farm six years. After leaving Wisconsin he went to Chicago and resided two years; from there to Kansas City, Mo. Before entering upon his present occupation, Mr. Kellogg was a suc- cessful commercial traveler for seventeen years, working for a New York City firm four years, and thirteen years for Keith Bros., of Chica- go. In 1879, he abandoned the road, and has since resided on his ranch, where he moved +

in 1875. His place is known as the "Old Kit Carson " ranch of 640 acres, on which is the largest cottonwood tree in the State, its branches covering a space of ninety feet in diameter. Since Mr. Kellogg has turned his attention to stock-raising, it has been his aim to produce as fine a quality of cattle or sheep as possible, rather than for mere numbers. To this end, he is breeding a high grade of Merino sheep, seeking to obtain a choice flock, and not a large one; and for cattle, he strongly favors the Hereford stock, believing it to be the kind to raise in this portion of Colorado. In 1850, Mr. Kellegg was married to Miss Sarah C. May, of Westminster, Vt. He has three children-one girl and two boys. The oldest is engaged with his father in rais- ing cattle, and the youngest in raising sheep.

ROBERT L. LAMBERT.

When a boy, Mr. Lambert did not have the advantages many boys have. His father died when he was two years old, and many a day has he spent in the field, dropping corn for 5 cents per day. He never attended school but one year. He was employed, when only a boy, by a liveryman, living thirty miles from Roch- ester, N. Y., and, although only ten years of age, he drove a pair of horses and a large family carriage to Rochester three times a week. He would return at night. After driv- ing out of the city a few miles, he would fasten the lines and go to sleep on the back seat of the carriage, and the horses would return the remainder of the distance, twenty- five miles, unguided and alone. This he did many times. After he left the livery stable, he went to Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill., where he clerked four years in a hardware store, for his brother-in-law. In company with two young men, Mr. Lambert went to Pike's Peak in 1859. He stopped in Denver a week be- fore going to the mountains. He went beyond Golden City to Ralston and camped. Mr. Lambert's two companions returned East, but he went to Russell's Gulch and bought a claim, and mined about four months. The following winter he spent in Golden City. While there, he got out timber for a store. Very early in the spring, he went back to the mines and took along a stock of goods, but was obliged to con-

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struct a log store in which to put them. He also opened a meat market. He sold his claim for $1,100, and sent his partner to California Gulch. This was in. 1861. In May, Mr. Lambert went to the Gulch. After re- maining there during the summer, he sold out and went to Buckskin Gulch. For a time, he freighted from Denver to the Gulch, and at the same time bought and sold goods. In the winter of 1862, he went to Fort Lyon, and was agent for the mail company four years. Mr. Lambert kept the station and ran the stages to Fort Larned, a distance of 240 miles. There was no station between the two forts. The stages would make a run of twenty or thirty miles and then camp. While at the fort, he had a train of wagons on the plain, in charge of Frank Smith. In 1866, Mr. Lambert went onto the Purgatoire Creek and worked a ranch. He is interested in the herds of H. B. Cartter, both cattle and sheep. He has been employed for many months by Jones & Weil, as clerk, at West Las Animas. In 1862, Mr. Lambert was married to Miss Julia S. Brinsmade, by the Chaplain at Fort Lyon. They have four children-three girls and one boy.

JOHN M. McCLAIN.

In the western portion of Bent County, Colo., on the banks of the Arkansas River, is located the ranch of the McClain Brothers. The firm consists of John M., James W. and Robert O. McClain. The first two named are brothers. Robert O. is their cousin. These three young men were born in Carroll County, Mo., where they lived and worked on farms until they came West and became interested in stock-raising and ranching. James came to Colorado in 1872, and worked on cattle ranches for several years, as did also the other members of the firm, before buying land for themselves. John M. and Robert O. came in 1873. Neither one of the firm had but a few dollars at the time they arrived. They saved their earnings and bought cattle. James W. made the first purchase, buying ten head in 1873. In 1874, they added to their stock thirty more, making a bunch of forty head. They started out with the determination not to run in debt unless they knew where the

money was coming from to cancel it. By hard work and close attention to business, they were enabled, July 17, 1878, to buy a hay ranch of 600 acres. In 1880, they bought an adjoining tract of land, making a ranch of 776 acres, all in one body and under fence. From year to year they have been buying cat- tle until, 1881, by purchases and natural in- crease, they have a herd of 900 head. Until 1880, they had their cattle on the Apishapa and Temps Creeks, when they moved them, in company with a herd belonging to the Beaty brothers, to the Cimarron and Bear Creeks, adjoining the Pan Handle district in the Indian nation. In the winter, their stock ranges on the Canadian River. Their object is to raise beef, and they are improving their stock, shipping bulls from Missouri that are three-fourths and seven-eighths pure blood, of the short-horn breed. In addition to their hay and cattle interests, they are raising horses, having a bunch of thirty head, besides their saddle stock. They raise all the horses they employ in their business, and are improv- ing their herd by introducing the stock of a high-graded stallion, brought from Missouri. They also believe that the Arkansas Valley is specially adapted to hog growing and poultry culture, which interests they will add to their already rapidly increasing business. John M. McClain was married to Miss Beaty January 12, 1881.

JOHN L. MITCH.

Mr. Mitch was born of Prussian parents, in America, in 1847. His boyhood was passed in Ohio and Kentucky. He attended common schools in Ohio, though none after he was thirteen years of age. He had one sister. Mr. Mitch was obliged to rely on his own re- sources early in life for a livelihood. At the commencement of the war, he was in Ken- tucky, and entered the army, and was asso- ciated with Gen. John T. Croxton. Though too young to be a commissioned officer, in a general way he performed staff duties. Mr. Mitch was wounded in the battle of Chicka- mauga. He received three shots, and was left on the field three days. He was taken to a hospital, where he remained for a long time. But his friend, Gen. Croxton, did not forget

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him. He hunted up Mr. Mitch, and, after the General was wounded, they were together at his rooms. Mr. Mitch attributes his re- covery to the kindness of Gen. Croxton, in ad- dition to the attention and assistance of Col. Hunt. After the defeat of Gen. Croxton at Lovejoy Station, south of Atlanta, Ga., Mr. Mitch was the only man of his staff who re- mained with him. A good portion of the troops were captured, and the command cut off. Three-the General, Mr. Mitch and an- other soldier-started out for a place of safety. The third party was killed the first night out. For fourteen days and nights, the remaining two of the party were alone, living on berries and melons. They finally reached a place of security unharmed. After the war closed, Mr. Mitch attended Kentucky University at Lex- ington nearly four years, and would have graduated had his health not failed him. Again he became indebted to his friend, Gen. Croxton, who was instrumental in procuring a situation in the revenue service in Kentucky. In this position he remained until after the fall elections of 1867, when he resigned, as he had different political views from the incom- ing administration. In 1868, Mr. Mitch came to Kansas and Colorado, and remained a year before returning to his old home, on account of wounds he received during the war. After his return, he was associated with the Farm- ers' Home Journal, published at Lexington, subsequently at Louisville, and corresponded with a number of other journals. He was obliged to relinquish this labor on account of ill health, and seek out-door employment. Mr. Mitch then engaged in shipping stock, in company with W. E. Oldham, from different points in Kentucky and Ohio, to New York City and Boston. He was thus employed until 1877, when he came to El Paso County, Colo., and engaged in wool-growing for one year. In 1878, he removed to Bent County and continued the business, where he took up land, and, together with purchases, he now has two sets of ranches-one for summer and one for winter. In 1880, Mr. Mitch vis- ited his old home in Kentucky, when his friend and former partner joined him in his Colorado enterprises. They now have about three thousand five hundred head of sheep. They

lost many during the severe winter of 1880-81. Although they consider they have been reason- ably successful, they are making efforts to im- prove their stock to as high a degree as the country and climate will admit. Too fine stock will not bear the rough handling used in Colorado. Mr. Mitch is enthusiastic in his chosen work, and is deserving of success.

BENJAMIN F. MIXON.

Mr. Mixon was a native of Alabama. He was born in Marion County April 17, 1845. He was nineteen years of age when he went to the frontier of Texas. During his boy- hood, he attended school and worked on a farm. After he arrived in Texas, he became interested in a herd of cattle, and attended stock for various men until 1870. Then, for one year, he drove cattle from Texas to Mex- ico. From this time until 1876, he was on a ranch in Mexico, attending stock. He then went to the San Juan country; engaged in freighting for four months. In 1864, Mr. Mixon joined the Southern army, and re- mained until the close of the war. During this time, he had a good deal of trouble with the Indians, and also, when crossing the plains, he had many narrow escapes. In 1876, he came to La Junta and worked for the Kansas Pacific Railroad Company in their transfer department. At this work he was employed for two years. At the expiration of this time, he returned to the Pan Handle dis- trict of Texas, and remained one year. In July, 1879, Mr. Mixon returned to La Junta, where he has remained until the present time. For a year, Mr. Mixon worked at bridge-build- ing and repairing for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. In the fall of 1879, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff for Bent County. When La Junta took on a city organ- ization, Mr. Mixon was elected Councilman for one year, and also member of the School Board, of which he is Secretary. In 1880, he was elected Constable. He was married, in July, 1879, to Miss Jennie Job.

R. M. MOORE.

Among those who sought an early resi- dence in Bent County, the name of R. M. Moore stands prominently. In June, 1860,

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he settled within twenty-five miles of Fort Wise, afterward changed to Fort Lyon. He was born in New Haven, Huron Co., Ohio, August 26, 1833, where he spent his early boyhood. He is a direct descendant from Sir John Moore, of Glasgow, Scotland, for a long term of years the only Moore family in that country. At the age of fourteen, he went to Fredricktown, Knox Co., Ohio, as a clerk in a country store. A portion of the time dur- ing the following few years he spent at school at Ashland and Norwalk, Ohio. In 1853, he went to Cleveland, where he entered and graduated the same year from the Cleveland Commercial College, one of the oldest com- mercial colleges in the United States. For two years after his graduation, he was em- ployed by the Great Western Indian Company at Niagara Falls, a company that dealt largely in Indian goods. Tiring of the life of a clerk, he sought other fields of occupation, which he found in the town of Hastings, Minn., twenty-five miles south of St. Paul. It was at a time when land speculation ran high, and capital and capitalists were pouring in by the boat-loads from the East, eager to invest. Mr. Moore, with many others, was ready to assist them. By strict attention to business during the three years he remained in Hastings, he accumulated a small fortune for a young man at that time, having started with only a mea- ger capital. In 1858, he removed from Hast- ings, with the full determination of visiting Oregon, but circumstances changed his plans, and for the following two years was engaged in business in Kansas City, Mo. In April, 1860, he was married to Miss Mary E. Bent, the only daughter of Col. William Bent, for whom the county of Bent, Colorado, was named. Col. Van Horn, the editor of the Kansas City Journal of Commerce, speaking of the wedding, says: " It was such a wedding as could only be given on the western frontier of Missouri, and at the mansion of Col. Bent." The following incident of the occasion is worthy of quotation: "For the first time in years, the host was surrounded by a party of his old companions and sharers of the toils and dangers of mountain life, and, to bring back the reminiscences of early years, they met in solemn Indian council, and, passing

around the pipe of friendship, renewed once more the common perils, and cemented again the bonds of long life friendships." Mrs. Moore spent most of her early life in the family of Col. Albert G. Boone, a descendant of Daniel Boone, of Kentucky. The follow- ing two years were spent between what is now Bent County, Colo., and Jackson County, Mo., Mrs. Moore passing much of the time with her father, near Fort Lyon. During an early period of the war, their old home in Jackson County, Mo., was raided by the Sev- enth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, carrying away horses, mules and jewelry, though a portion of the live-stock was subsequently regained. In August, 1862, Mr. Moore and family, then consisting of wife and two children, the youngest only three weeks old, started in an ambulance across the country for Fort Lyon. There they remained until the close of the war, when once more they made the trip to Missouri. But the fall of 1866 found him and his family again near their old Colorado home, where he has remained ever since. His wife died May 6, 1878, leaving him six chil- dren-four girls and two boys-who are now living. In 1870, Mr. Moore was appointed Probate Judge, by Gov. Evans, for Bent County, which office he held until the follow- ing general election, when he was elected to that position for two years. Immediately after the organization of the county, he was appointed County Superintendent of Schools, and was afterward elected for two terms, serv- ing in all about five years. At present, he holds no office. Judge Moore is one of the large stock-raisers of the county. He owns 6,000 acres of land, and occupies 2,200 acres more, the title of which is in dispute. He has 2,200 head of cattle, and to this industry he is adding sheep-raising, for which purposes he has admirable facilities. By the inhabit- ants of Bent County, Judge Moore is regarded as one of its solid and reliable men.

JESSE NELSON.

To fully understand the trials and hard- ships of frontier life, one must either experi- ence them, or listen to their narration by actual sufferers. Mr. Jesse Nelson, the com- panion and relative by marriage of Kit Car-

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son, has incidents to relate that would fill a volume were they all written. He was born in Boonesboro, Madison Co., Ky., in 1827, where he resided during his early boyhood. When ten years of age, his parents moved to Mis- souri, and he remained there until he was twenty-one years old. It was at a time when passengers and freight were transported across the plains in wagons, and freighting was one of the chief occupations for young men. From Wayne City, on the Missouri River, to Santa Fé, N. M., wagon trains were constantly pass- ing, and young Nelson was in charge of some of them, being employed by Mr. Aubrey, who

distinguished himself as a fast rider. At one time, he rode from Santa Fé, N. M., to Inde- pendence, Mo., in five days and sixteen hours. In 1848, in company with Kit Carson and a party of men, Mr. Nelson went from Santa Fé to Fort Leavenworth, Kan, with the United States mail, it being packed on mules. The journey was through a territory occupied by Indians, who were exceedingly troublesome. But, through the management of Kit, who was in charge of the party, they arrived safely at the fort. When passing through the most dangerous portion of their journey, they would build a fire at night, by which they would get their evening meal, then, leaving the fire burning briskly, the party would move on eight or ten miles and camp for the night.

The journey occupied twenty-five days. In 1851, Mr. Nelson went to Rio, N. M., and was employed by Kit Carson in farming and rais- ing cattle on shares. Here he remained for some time, then returned for a visit to Mis- souri. A few months afterward, he again made a trip to Santa Fé. On this journey, the train was attacked by Indians. In a party who were bringing relief were a Mr. White, wife and child. All were killed except Mrs. White, though it was believed by some the child was not destroyed. But Kit, who after- ward was on friendly terms with the Indians, could never learn just its fate. Mrs. White was finally killed by the savages when an at- tempt was made to rescue her. Maj. Grier, who was in command of the rescuing party, was struck by a ball in making a charge upon the Indians, and ordered a halt. Had he not done so, Mr. Nelson believes she would have

been saved. The halt gave the Indians an opportunity to slay and scalp her, which they did. The train was on its way to Texas, loaded in part with Government stores. In 1851, Mr. Nelson married Miss Susan Carson, a niece of Kit Carson. In the spring of the same year, in company with a number of others, Mr. Nelson and Kit started from the Missouri River for New Mexico. Mrs. Nelson was one of the party, and also a daughter of Carson's. They were the only ladies in the company. The journey was up the Arkansas Valley, and, just above what is known as the old Santa Fe crossing, the train was suddenly attacked by Indians. At the onslaught, an exciting tableau was formed. Kit was set upon, in a helpless condition, by an Indian, notwithstanding he was well armed with a long-handled tomahawk. Mr. Nelson, who was armed with a musket, placed the muzzle of it at the side of the Indian, while another savage covered Mr. Nelson with a bow and ar- row. In this position they stood until calmer councils prevailed, and no one was injured. The Indians were Cheyennes; a part of whom were - friendly, and through them the party were saved. After reaching Rio, N. M., the point set out for, Mr. Nelson was employed in ranching and stock-raising from 1851 till 1862. Then he removed to the vicinity of Trinidad, where he remained till the fall of 1866, when he went to Nine Mile Bottom, on the Purgatoire Creek, where he now resides, farming and stock-raising. In 1868, the In- dians were on the war-path, and all 'the resi- dents in Nine Mile Bottom were obliged to leave their homes, which they did in Septem- ber, and moved to Boggsville. From there Mr. Nelson went as a scout into the Pan Han- dle district, and was absent four months. In the spring of 1869, he moved back to his pres- ent home. Since residing in Nine Mile Bot- tom, the grasshoppers have destroyed his crops several times. Mr. Nelson has four children living-three boys and one girl. While living on a ranch on the Cimarron, one evening, after Mrs. Nelson had milked the cows, the Indians ran off twelve head from the corral, which was only fifty yards from the house. Mrs. Nelson and a Mexican woman were the only persons at home. At the time

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History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 115

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