History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 58

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

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of the place, than this untoward discovery. The sudden announcement of all the plagues to which humanity is liable, could not have served more effectually to scatter the recent accretions than the announcement that to perfect the title to a lot in the town, the signatures of twenty- six persons were requisite, and that less than half of these persons were residents ; in other words, that the land embracing the town site, had been blunderingly conveyed to twenty-six persons, jointly and severally, instead of deed- ing to the town company in its corporate capacity. Although appeal was at once made to the court for relief in the matter, it was some . two years before anything was accomplished, and thus, with that peculiar fatality which had been so manifest in the past, the law's delay became as potent to wither, as had been the civil war, and, in the meantime, the rival town, under the fostering ministrations of powerful corporations, had made too much progress to be outstripped in the race. A futile struggle to remove the county seat to Colorado Springs, was made in 1872, and, with the aid of the county, but mainly by its citizens, a court house was built at Colorado City ; but, the following year, a removal of the county seat was effected, and with this removal waned the last rational hope for the "Old Town."

Colorado Springs had, probably, been more thoroughly advertised throughout the East and in Europe than any former budding city, and the effects of this became at once apparent. Large numbers gathered there, some as tran- sient visitors, attracted by the fame of the sur- rounding scenery ; but the major part for per- manent settlement, until the means for their accommodation were exhausted, and hundreds were compelled to find shelter in tents and wagons on the adjacent grounds. Some three hundred were camped along the banks of Monument Creek, and the harmless penchant for unem- barrassed titles was here amusingly illustrated. In the latter part of the summer of 1871, Lewis N. Tappan, as agent for Parker, Cobb & Co., of Boston, ostensively began the survey of a rival town on the grounds now known as Parrish's Addition, and each day, as the work idly pro- gressed, the surveying party was followed by a procession of campers, as if it were expected that lots, as fast as they were surveyed, were to be turned over to their occupation. The atten- tion of the Colorado Springs' people was soon

diverted to this independent enterprise, and a conference was had at once to learn its signifi- cance. Tappan was told that, if the thing was persisted in, the Springs Company would build a high, tight-board fence on their line, and shut off all connection with the interloping town. "Very well," coolly replied Tappan; "I will also build a higher fence, and shut off all com- munication with your town." The failure to extinguish Tappan's enterprise by prospective fencing, was followed by the more rational method of negotiation, which resulted in the sale of the threatened town site to the friends of the colony company, greatly to the disgust of the procession of campers, who in a few days dispersed to other localities more satisfactory to them.

The growth of Colorado Springs was thence- forth uninterrupted. Trees were planted throughout its streets ; churches and schools kept pace with the growth of business houses and residences ; and, generally, the spirit and letter of the promises of the company were being fulfilled, though murmurs were occasion- ally heard, and it would become necessary for Gen. Cameron to mount a dry-goods box and harangue the disaffected to appeasement.

No better commentary, however, on the gen- eral policy of the colony company, and the enterprising spirit of co-operating citizens, can be offered than the present appearance of the beautiful town which they have added to civili- zation. Its broad, neatly kept and umbra- geously adorned avenues, its unique and cosy residences, its substantial business houses, its numerous churches, its sparkling fountains, its dramatic temple, its school edifices, college and asylum, are justly held in proud esteem by every citizen of the county, and with equal justness challenges the admiration of the stranger within its gates.

The Territorial Legislature of 1874, with that philanthropic tendency and provident fore- thought which have given character to the State, provided by statute for the location, at Colorado Springs, of an institute for the edu- cation of deaf mutes, and appropriated $5,000 for immediate application to that end, and further provided a permanent fund for its sup- port, by instituting a tax of five-tenths of a mill per cent on all the assessed property of the Territory.

The institute was duly opened, in a building

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rented for that purpose, during the following summer, with twelve or thirteen pupils in at- tendance. Prof. Ralstin was installed as Prin- cipal, and Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Kennedy were ap- pointed, respectively, Steward and Matron. With the large experience. which these officials brought to aid the enterprise, the institute be- came at once so prosperous as favorably to challenge public attention. The colony company, having liberally donated twelve acres of land for its use, provided that in a reasonable time suitable buildings should be erected thereon, the Trustees, on their own responsibility, bor- rowed $5,000, and began at once the work of construction. A very neat edifice resulted from this comparatively moderate expenditure, but still inadequate to meet the growing ne- cessities of the institute, and as the tax was tardily realized, it became necessary to call 'on the Legislature for further aid. This call was liberally responded to, and an appropriation of $7,000, for building purposes, was added to the general fund. This served to increase the building to about double its former capacity, and rendered it thoroughly commodious.

By subsequent legislative action, the func- tions of the institute were extended by a de- partment for the education of the blind, and $20,000 were appropriated for additional build- ings, thus rendering it a very important State institution, and an essential feature in the growth of Colorado Springs.

That it has been the policy of the colony company, and the citizens, to render Colorado Springs as attractive through its educational facilities as by its social refinement and pictur- esque environment, will appear in the follow- ing exhibit, from the pen of Prof. W. D. Sheldon.

COLORADO COLLEGE.

When the town of Colorado Springs was laid out, in 1871, the colony company set apart a tract of twenty acres as a college reservation, with the idea that this action might lead ulti- mately to the founding of a college at that place. At that early period in the history of Colorado, and indeed for some years before, the minds of many in different parts of the then Territory were impressed with the thought that something should be done to furnish here in our own midst the facilities for a thorough liberal education. This feeling showed itself at the annual meeting of the Colorado Association of

Congregational Churches in 1873, when a com- mittee was appointed to make inquiries in dif- ferent parts of the Territory as to the popular interest in the higher education, and to con- sider the feasibility of establishing a college at some eligible point. After due investigation, this committee made its report at an adjourned meeting of the association, January 20, 1874, recommending that a movement be made at once to found a college upon the general plan of the institutions of New England, with such modifications as the requirements of the new West might demand. This recommendation was adopted, and after carefully considering the advantages and offers of different localities, Colorado Springs was selected as the most suit- able site, and its propositions were accepted, namely : To give to the new enterprise the twenty acres already referred to, and to contrib- ute $10,000 to the building fund. A board of eighteen trustees was elected, including some of the leading citizens of different sections of the Territory. Among them Gen. W. J, Palmer, Dr. William A. Bell, W. S. Jackson. Esq., Gen. R. A. Cameron, Prof. T. M. Haskell. Maj. Henry McAllister. Jr., Rev. J. M. Sturte- vant, Jr., and Hon. H. W. Austin, of Chicago, The trustees proceeded at once to the work be- fore them and appointed Prof. T. N. Haskell, formerly an instructor in the State University of Wisconsin, as financial agent of the college, who entered energetically upon the work of gathering the necessary funds with which to carry forward the enterprise. Arrangements were also made to open the preparatory depart- ment in May, 1874, and Rev. Jonathan Ed- wards, a graduate of Yale College, was elected principal of this department and authorized to employ such assistance as he might need. The sessions of the school were, for the time being, held in the hall in Wanless Block. Meanwhile during the summer, a small one-story wooden building, 22x54 feet and containing three rooms, was erected upon the lot, north of the Cumberland Church, to be occupied until the contemplated permanent edifice should be built upon the college grounds. This humble struc- ture continued to be used for the recitations of the students until the winter of 1880. It was soon after sold to Mr. A. D. Davis, who moved it a few feet further north and turned it into a dwelling house.

Prof. Haskell remained in the service of

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the college during the year 1874, obtaining subscriptions to the amount of some thousands of dollars, in Colorado and at the East. Prof. Edwards retired from the work in the spring of 1875, after a faithful service of one year. In the following May, Rev. James G. Dougherty, a graduate of Brown University, was chosen President, and held the office until the spring of 1876. Profs. E. N. Bartlett, J. H. Kerr and S. T. French were associated with him in the work of instruction. Notwith- standing the diligent labors of the President, comparatively little progress was made in se- curing funds, in consequence of the coming on of the hard times, which continued for several years to hinder the work. During these early days, a society of ladies residing in Colorado Springs, in various ways rendered efficient aid.

On the resignation of Mr. Dougherty, Rev. E. P. Tenney, who some years before had been a citizen of Central City, Colo., was elected Presi- dent in the summer of 1876, and Prof. Winthrop D. Sheldon, a graduate of Yale, and formerly an instructor at Western Reserve College, Hudson, Ohio, was appointed Professor of Latin and Greek, and placed temporarily in charge of the work of instruction. In the summer of 1877, a successful effort was made to complete the sub- scription of $10,000, as a building fund, by the citizens of Colorado Springs, and the colony company again came generously to the aid of the enterprise, by increasing their original gift of land, so that the whole amount donated has now reached almost one hundred acres. In the fall of 1877, the new building now occupied by the college, was begun according to plans pre- pared by Messrs. Peabody & Stearns, archi- tects, of Boston, Mass., and under contracts with Messrs. Clement & Russell for the stone work, and with Mr. Joseph Dozier for the in- side finish.

At this time, also, Miss Emma Bump, an ex- perienced instructor, from Chicago, and Prof. Frank H. Loud, a graduate of Amherst Col- lege, and formerly Walker Instructor in Mathe- matics in that institution, were added to the faculty. A noteworthy incident in the history of the college was the service rendered by Prof. Loud and others under his direction, in the ob- servation of the transit of the planet Mercury, and, later, the total eclipse of the sun in July, 1878, which excited such general interest among men of science everywhere. In the same

year, the college was made a voluntary station of the United States Signal Service, with Prof. Loud in charge. An organization of students under the name of the Signal Service Corps of Colorado College, was formed to aid in the duties of the station, and for some time a sum- mary of the daily observations was published weekly in the Colorado Springs Gazette.

In view of the importance of the mining interests of the State, the trustees determined to establish as soon as possible a department of mining and metallurgy. For several years instruction was given to students in these branches, by Prof. J. H. Kerr, in his private laboratory. In the fall of 1880, the basement of the college building was furnished with all the needful appliances for thorough work, and Prof. William Strieby, M. E., a graduate of Columbia College School of Mines, was placed in charge of the Department of Mining and Metallurgy. The demand for instruction had proved so great, that the north wing now being added to the college building, through the liberality of Gen. W. J. Palmer, will be devoted to this department. The same donor is also erecting the south wing, in accordance with a promise conditioned upon the raising of a sufficient sum to free the college from debt. The generons action of a number of friends of the institution has enabled the trustees to meet this condition. With the completion of the wings, the building will present a handsome front of a little over one hundred feet. The fine-toned bell, weighing about eight hundred pounds, which hangs above the center of the building, is the gift of the Hon. Henry W. Austin, of Chicago.

In the spring of 1881, two additional pro- fessors were appointed-George H. Stone, a graduate of Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., as Professor of Geology, and George N. Marden, as Professor of History and Political Science. The Faculty, as now constituted, con- sists, besides the President, of a Professor of Mathematics and Physics ; one of Metallurgy and Chemistry ; one of History and Political Science ; one of French, who instructs also in English Literature ; one of Geology ; and one of Greek and Latin, who instructs also in Anglo-Saxon and German. The plan of in- struction comprises the college course of four years, corresponding in general to the academic course of Eastern institutions, but with con-

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HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY.

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siderable liberty in the choice of studies-the Department of Mining and Metallurgy-and the academy with two courses of studies, each of three years ; first, the classical, which fur- nishes a preparation for the college course ; and second, the normal course. A library of about six thousand volumes, including one thousand donated in 1881 by the El Paso County Library Association, has been provided for the use of the students and of the people of the Colorado Springs.

In the departments of Natural Science, the college has made an excellent beginning toward the formation of collections. The herbarium illustrating the botany of the State, and pur- chased of M. E. Jones, A. M., contains about twelve hundred specimens. The zoological and mineralogical cabinets have recently received

valuable gifts from Mrs. Rice, Mrs. Fowler, Prof. J. H. Kerr and others.

The following gentlemen constitute the Board of Trustees :

His Excellency Frederick W. Pitkin, Gen. William J. Palmer, Hon. Nathaniel P. Hill, Col. George De LaVergne, William H. Willcox, D. D., John R. Hanna, Esq., William A. Bell, M. D., Charles B. Rice, Irving Howbert, Esq., Joseph F. Humphrey, Esq., Hon. Henry W. Aus- tin, James H. Kerr, A. M., Henry Cutler, Esq., Secretary I. N. Tarbox, F. L. Martin, Esq., Rev. Richard C. Bristol, Edwin S. Nettleton, Esq., Hon. Matthew France.

Officers : E. P. Tenney, President ; J. F. Humphrey, Vice President; Franc O. Wood, Esq., Secretary ; Hon. William S. Jackson, Treasurer.

CHAPTER IV.

THE UTE PASS ROAD.

T HE project of constructing a practicable road to the mountains through the Ute Pass had virtually slumbered since the de- vastating grasshopper raid of 1865. Sev- eral futile attempts had, indeed, been made to induce the County Commissioners to favor the submission of the question of issuing county bonds for its construction to a vote of the people, but some of them were inimical to the enterprise, and those who moved in the matter had not sufficient confidence in the dis- position of the people to feel warranted in cir- culating a petition for it. This state of som- nolence had continued until the winter of 1870- 71, when the necessity for the road had become too apparent to be longer ignored. To Judge E. T. Stone more than to any other man is due the credit of perceiving the ripeness of the occasion, and of stepping forward as its expo- nent. He was of the country ; was in no way identified with any town interest, and enjoyed the reputation of forming his conclusions from careful deliberation. Through his efforts, aided by those of the hitherto friends of the road, the subject was brought before the peo- ple, and, on the 20th day of June, 1871, author- ity was given the County Commissioners, by a

liberal majority, to issue the bonds of the county for $15,000. Surveys were at once made, and the contract for the work was awarded to E. T. Colton, at $12,000 in bonds, at their par value.

Colton began his work with vigor, but labor was high and money was scarce, and the most he could realize on his bonds was 65 to 75 cents on the dollar. Indeed, much of his money was raised by hypothecation of the bonds at a ruin- ous rate of interest. As the work progressed, it became apparent that, at even the full face of the bonds, he had taken his contract at much too low a figure, and the County Commissioners very justly awarded him the remaining $3,000. The rock work proved to be much more diffi- cult than had been anticipated, and the uncov- ering of the earth developed the fact that there was more of it, yet, with characteristic persist- ence, the contractor pushed it forward to com- pletion, and surrendered the result of his labor to the county, his private means exhausted, and himself a bankrupt.

The road, when completed, fully justified the faith of its advocates, and became one of the most important thoroughfares in the county. The traffic between Colorado Springs and Lead-

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ville became so immense that, at one time, it was estimated that there were twelve thousand horses and mules employed in the transporta- tion of freight over it.

In view of its great utility, it would seem that some means should have been found for the compensation of Mr. Colton, if not to the extent that he had been a benefactor, at least sufficiently to relieve his embarrassment. But

no one seemed sufficiently interested to move in the matter, and the old gentleman was suffered to go to his final rest without recompense, and almost without recognition.

The completion of the railway to Leadville has detracted to a considerable extent from the importance of this road, yet it is still indispen- sable, and constitutes one of the most fascinat- ing drives in the county.

CHAPTER V.

MANITOU.

TNTIMATELY associated with the Ute Pass Wagon Road is the delightful watering place of Manitou. We have already mentioned the interest taken by the early settlers in the springs which constitute a leading feature in the attractions of this locality, and to detail the facts of the visitation of Vasquez Coronado, in 1540-42, of Pike in 1806, of Fremont in 1844 and of Ruxton, in 1847, would he but to repeat history.

These springs seemed to appeal effectually, to the superstitious nature of the various tribes of Indians visiting them, and the Cheyennes and Arapahoes never permitted themselves to pass them without the observance of some religious ceremonial in the form of characteristic medi- cine dances, and casting various votive offer- ings and discharging quaintly decorated arrows into their waters.

The following curious legend, related by Capt. Ruxton, and said by him to have been current at the time of his visit among the Shoshones and Comanches, seems to be pecul- iarly fitting in this connection. He says :

The Indians regard with awe the "medicine" waters of these fountains as the abode of a spirit who breathes through the transparent water, and thus, by his exhalations, causes the perturbation of its surface. The Arapahoes, especially, attribute to this water-god the power of ordaining the success or miscarriage of their war expeditions ; and as their braves pass often by the mysterious springs when in search of their hereditary enemies, the Yutas, in the "Valley of Salt," they never fail to bestow their votive offerings upon the water-sprite in order to pro- pitiate the "Manitou " of the fountain and insure a fortunate issue to their "path of war."

Thus at the time of my visit the basin of the

spring was filled with beads and wampum, and pieces of red cloth and knives, while the surround- ing trees were hung with strips of deer skins, cloth and moccasins.

The Snakes, who, in common with all Indians, possess hereditary legends to account for all natural phenomena or any extraordinary occurrences which are beyond their ken or comprehension, have, of course, their legendary version of the causes which created, in the midst of their hunting-grounds, these two springs of sweet and bitter water, which are also intimately connected with the cause of separation between the tribes of the Comanche and the Snake. Thus runs the legend:

Many hundreds of winters ago, when the cotton- woods on the Big River were no higher than an ar- row, and the red men who hunted the buffalo on the plains all spoke the same language, and the pipe of peace breathed its social cloud of Kinnick-Kinnick whenever two parties of hunters met on the bound- less plains-when, with hunting-grounds and game of every kind in the greatest abundance, no nation dug up the hatchet with another because one of its hunters followed the game into their bounds, but, on the contrary, loaded for him his back with choice and fattest meat, and ever proffered the soothing pipe before the stranger, with well-filled belly, left the village-it happened that two hunters of different nations met one day on a small rivulet, where both had repaired to quench their thirst. A little stream of water rising from a spring on a rock within a few feet of the bank, trickled over it, and fell splashing into the river. To this the hunters repaired; and while one sought the spring itself, where the water, cold and clear, reflected on its surface the image of the surrounding scenery, the other tired hy the exertions of the chase, threw himself at once on the ground and plunged his face into the run- ning stream.

The latter had been unsuccessful in the chase, and perhaps his bad fortune, and the sight of the fat deer which the other threw from his back, before he drank of the crystal spring, caused a deep feeling of jealousy and ill-humor to take possession of his mind.

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The other, on the contrary, before he satisfied his thirst, raised in the hollow of his hand a portion of the water. and lifting it toward the sun, reversed his hand, and allowed it to fall to the ground-a libation to the Great Spirit who had vouchsafed him a suc- cessful hunt, and the blessing of the refreshing water with which he was about to quench his thirst.

Seeing this, and being reminded that he had neg- lected the usual offering, only increased the feeling of envy and annoyance which the unsuccessful hunter permitted to get the mastery of his heart ; and the Evil Spirit at that moment entering his body, his temper fairly flew away, and sought some pre- tense by which to provoke a quarrel with the stranger Indian at the spring.

"Why does a stranger," he asked, rising from the stream at the same time, "drink at the spring-head, when one to whom the fountain belongs contents himself with the water that runs from it."

"The Great Spirit places the cool water at the spring," answered the hunter, "that his children may drink it pure and undefiled. The running water is for the beasts which scour the plains. Au-sa-qua is a chief of the Shoshones ; he drinks at the head- water."

"The Shoshone is but a tribe of the Comanche," returned the other ; "Waco-mish leads the grand nation. Why does a Shoshone dare to drink above him?"

" He has said it. The Shoshone drinks at the spring-head; other nations of the stream which runs in the fields. Au-sa-qua is chief of his nation. The Comanche are brotliers. Let them drink of the same water."

"The Shoshone pays tribute to the Comanche ; Waco-mish leads that nation to war; Waco-mish is chief of the Shos-Shone, as he is of his own peo- ple."

"Waco-mish lies; his tongue is forked like the rattlesnakes; his heart is blank as the Misho-tunga (Bad Spirit). When the Manitou made his children, Shoshone or Comanche, Arapahoe, Shian, or Paine, he gave them buffalo to eat, and the pure water of the fountain to quench their thirst. He said not to one, 'Drink here;" and to another, 'Drink there;' but gave the crystal spring to all, that all might drink."

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History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 58

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