History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 66

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

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each street occupied has an irrigating ditch on one, and on the principal street, on both sides, making possible the growth of shade trees, of which a large number have been set out, adding greatly to the natural advantages of the town site. In the center of the town several blocks have been reserved for a park, through which flows the Cottonwood Creek, the banks of which are lined with cottonwood and aspen trees of large growth, and the smaller willow and alder bushes.

During the time that Buena Vista was the terminus of the railroad, and prior to the extension of the line to Leadville by the Den- ver & Rio Grande Company, the town was made the headquarters of gamblers, bunko men and desperadoes, who put in jeopardy both life and property, and by reason of which it gained an unenviable reputation abroad that hindered its growth, while those resident here suffered from the actions of a lawless minority; but a different class hold sway here now, and Buena Vista has become a prosperous, quiet town, having a large pop- ulation of cultivated and refined people, whose influence is directing public sentiment and firmly establishing a government of law and order. There are three churches here. The Catholic, Congregational and Methodist, hav- ing neat and commodious houses of worship. The public schools are graded, and parents will find here that their children can have the same course of study, and under as efficient and competent instructors, as in any of the schools in the State. Rooms for the schools are at present rented, but a contract has been made for a school building of ample dimen- sions, costing some $12,000, and all the mod- ern and improved school furniture will be provided, for the use of the scholars, the Buena Vista Land Company donating all grounds required for school purposes.

Buena Vista has two weekly newspapers, the Chaffee County Times, the first established, and the Buena Vista Herald. Both papers are ably edited and conducted, and are Repub- lican in politics.

THE CHAFFEE COUNTY TIMES.

The first issue of the paper was dated Feb- ruary 6, 1880, published by P. A. Leonard

490

HISTORY OF CHAFFEE COUNTY.

and George Newland, and continued under their management until September, 1880, when Leonard purchased Newland's interest in the paper, and continued to publish the paper until January 31, 1881, when W. R. Logan purchased an interest in the business, the partnership continuing until March 31, 1881, when W. R. Logan retired, and since that date the paper has been under the sole management and control of P. A. Leonard.

In July, 1880, Mrs. Agnes L. Hill, a sister of Mr. Leonard, and a lady who wields a sharp and trenchant pen, that at once brought the paper more into public notice, became asso- ciate editor, which position she held until April, 1881, when ill health compelled her to retire. From the first issue, the paper has been well and ably conducted. Great care has been taken to give reliable news from the different mining camps in the county, as well as items of general interest throughout the State. In politics, it is Republican-a point on which one can have no doubt who has read the paper. It has a large circulation in the county and State, and faithfully represents the interests of the town and county in which it is published.

THE BUENA VISTA HERALD.

This paper was started in 1881, published by W. R. Logan and George C. Hickey until in June, when Mr. Hickey sold his interest in the office to W. R. Logan, who continued the publication of the paper alone until in July, when Mr. A. R. Kennedy became associated with him in the management of the paper.

The paper was well received from the first, starting with a good circulation, which it has increased both at home and abroad.

Republican in politics, it is managed with skill and ability, and is devoted more particu- larly to the interests of the mining camps, of which Buena Vista is the center.

BANKING.

Hiller, Hallock & Co., take care of the bank- ing interests, which are ably managed by Mr. E. H. Hiller, for many years with the Colo- rado National Bank at Denver, and who enjoys a high reputation and has the confidence of the business men and banking institutions throughout the State.

THE COTTONWOOD HOT SPRINGS.

The Cottonwood Hot Springs are worthy of especial mention, and are located six miles west from Buena Vista, at the very entrance of the Cottonwood Canon, in one of the most delightful places that one can imagine. The drive from Buena Vista to the springs is over a smooth and hard road, having an easy as- cending grade, but so deceptive are appear- ances that only in looking back is one con- vinced that he is rapidly gaining in elevation. This continues nearly to the springs, when, descending a steep bank, the valley of the Cot- tonwood Creek is reached. A hundred yards beyond is the Cottonwood Hot Springs Hotel and Sanitarium. This edifice rests on a solid stone foundation, is built of frame, lathed and plastered, painted white, and its super- structure rises one story and a half. Gothic dormer windows peer through the roof, and a spacious piazza is in front. The dimensions of the main edifice are 80x40 feet, the two outside wings 40x16 feet, while the center wing is 56x30 feet. The building is one of the best-built hotels in the State, as well as best arranged. The reception room is large and commodious. On the right is the office, with a well-selected library and the daily pa- pers. Beyond this, the private rooms of the medical attendant, richly and elaborately fur- nished; on the left, the ladies' parlor, with Brussels carpet and elegant furniture; beyond this, the bridal chamber, sumptuously and ar- tistically furnished, and an adjoining room, also richly furnished. Back of the general reception room is the dining hall, and back of this the kitchen. The two outside wings are for sleeping apartments and for bathing pur- poses-those overhead only for the former. The bathing rooms are large, well arranged, carpeted, and have hot and cold water. Out- side of the hotel proper are several cottages, for sleeping rooms, storehouses and laundry, which, on account of the nature of the water used, renders everything washed therein per- fectly clean-linen, particularly, white as the driven snow. This leads to the consideration of these wonderful springs. The first or lower spring is close to the house. The water, which flows from the interior of the mountain is al- ways hot-not warm-and is used in the treat-

493

HISTORY OF CHAFFEE COUNTY.

ment of catarrh, for which it is considered a specific, and for drinking purposes. The upper spring, always hot, flows from the interior of the mountain, and is conveyed to the house by pipes; is used for bathing purposes, and is a specific for rheumatism and dyspepsia. The analysis of water in each spring is as follows:

SOLIDS.

GRAINS TO A PINT.

UPPER

LOWER

SPRING.

Carbonate of soda.

.4.7

4.8

Carbonate of lithia.

Trace.

Carbonate of lime.

2.0

Carbonate of magnesia.

Sulphate of soda. .

2.3

Chloride of sodium.

2.5

Trace.

Silicia.

Iodine.

Trace

Trace.

Bromide.

Trace

Trace.

Ammonia muriate.

Ammonia combined.

.Trace.

GASES.

Upper Spring-Free carbonic acid, hydrogen sup- plied. Lower Spring-Free carbonic acid.

There are other springs hereabouts, but these two have only been utilized. The Hot Springs were taken up by A. A. Waite, and, in November, 1878, sold to the Rev. J. A. Adams and Mrs. J. A. D. Adams, M. D., and soon after a one-half interest was conveyed by them to George K. Hartenstein. At this time, no improvements had been made beyond the building of log cabins, and the rudest accom- modations for bathing. Since it came into the possession of the present proprietors, nearly $50,000 have been expended in the erection of this elegant and commodious hotel, built before there was any railroad into the county, and when all the materials and fur- niture had to be brought by freight teams from Colorado Springs, a distance of 100 miles.

Mrs. J. A. D. Adams, M. D., is a physician of thorough education, rare ability and long experience, and under her care aided by these life-giving waters, almost certain restoration to health is assured to the invalid, and a longer and happier life to those who visit here and need no physician.

TROUT CREEK MINING DISTRICT.

It was not until after the discovery of car- bonates at Leadville, that mineral was discov-

ered here. The settlement had for years been familiarly known as "Chubb's" ranch, and being within the carbonate belt as indicated on Hayden's map. Mr. R. B. Newitt, the pro- prietors of the ranch, with others began pros- pecting, and finding good indications located several claims, which have since proved val- uable properties. The Iron Chest at a depth of a little more than one hundred feet struck pay mineral, which has improved and the pay streak widened in the level run from the bottom of the shaft. The ore is a sand car- bonate, with galena, from which high assays have been obtained. This claim, with the Iron Mask and the Iron Heart, have been put into a stock corporation, with a capital of $1,000,000, but, owing to some disagreement in the management, no shipment of ore, of which they have a large quantity on the dump, except a test lot, has been made. A large number of locations have been made in this district, but, with few exceptions, only the as- sessment work required has been done. In some of the claims, carbonates have been struck at a depth of eight or ten feet, and in others, mineral has been found from the sur- face down, carbonates having been found only in a lime formation, and, this being a lime formation, with porphyry and iron in regu- lar horizontal strata, and, the existence of car- bonates having already been demonstrated, it is only in the results obtained from further and more extensive developments that the value of the district as a mining camp can be determined.

The locations made extend from the Buffalo Peaks on the north, about twelve miles to the south, having a width of from four to six miles. The group of mines, six in number, owned by the Free Gold Mining and Milling Company, are located on the western slope of the Arkansas Hills, just above the mouth of Trout Creek. An extensive vein of gold-bear- ing quartz has been opened, and a stamp-mill was erected near the Arkansas River, about one mile from the lode, for the reduction of the ore, which did not prove a success, except in the treatment of ores from near the surface, and work was suspended. The ores are very similar in character to the gold ores about Granite, and will undoubtedly require the

Trace.

494

HISTORY OF CHAFFEE COUNTY.

same treatment. The company have a large quantity of ore on the dump, and are now waiting for the completion of the sampling and reduction works at Buena Vista prior to resuming work on their claims, which are lo- cated within two miles of the town.

NATHROP.

Nathrop is a station on the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, eight miles below Buena Vista, and the junction of this road with the Gunnison Extension of the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad. The town is located on the plains above Chalk Creek, about one mile from the old Chalk Creek Post Office, and residence of Charles Nachtrieb, who, with the two railway companies, own the site of the new town. Connection is here made with trains to Hortense, Alpine, St. Elmo and Han- cock. An elegant and commodious stone de- pot has been built by the railroad company, and a large hotel convenient to the station, and commanding a magnificent view of the valley of the Arkansas River and the sur- rounding mountains, has been nearly com- pleted by Mr. Charles Nachtrieb.

HORTENSE.

Hortense, a station on the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad, thirteen miles from Buena Vista, and formerly known as the Chalk Creek Hot Springs. In early days, Dr.' J. G. Stuart 'took up the lower spring, building a log cabin, and the Rev. W. Dyer -- " Father Dyer " -- located a claim, taking in the upper spring, which he transferred to D. H. Hey- wood, the present proprietor. In June, 1872, J. A. Merriam and E. W. Keyes located here, and in July discovered and located the Hor- tense Mining Claim on Mount Princeton, and soon after let a contract to sink fifty feet on the claim. Dr. A. E. Wright, with Merriam and Keyes, this season built a substantial log cabin about one mile from the upper spring. The next spring, Keyes and Merriam built a neat and commodious log cabin near the upper spring, Mr. Keyes having brought his family from the States. They continued work on the Hortense, which constantly improved as depth was gained. Several new discoveries were made in the district, but nothing more than

the assessment work on them was done. In the fall of this year, the Chalk Creek Mining District was organized, embracing all the ter- ritory drained by Chalk Creek, and the fol- lowing season E. W. Keyes was elected Re- corder of the district. Maj. G. D. Merriam this season bought a one-third interest in the Hortense Mine, which was steadily worked dur- ing the summer. During 1875 and 1876, but little work was done, but in 1877, a lease on the Hortense was made to Brown & Ray, they shipping the ore to St. Louis for treatment, and receiving satisfactory returns, demonstrat- ing that the mine was "paying property." During this year, a post office was established here, and called Hortense. Maj. George D. Merriam was appointed Postmaster, which position he still holds. The following year, Maj. Merriam sold the Hortense Mine to the Hortense Mining Company, of New York, of which Col. Henry Altman is Managing Director, and E. H. Teats, Superintendent. The company have erected a neat and com- modious residence for their Manager and Superintendent; also stables and ore houses, on the mesa, above Hortense, where the trail from the mill connects with the wagon road. The ore is brought here from the mine, over a well-built trail, by "burros," and sorted for shipment to the smelters. The mine has been systematically worked, and a large amount of development work done, exposing large bodies of ore, from which the daily output of ore can at any time be largely increased. The country rock is granite, with quartz gangue, and the ore, free milling, carries brittle silver and sulphurets. The springs at this place are noted for being the hottest in the county, and are considered a specific for rheumatism and in diseases af- fecting the kidneys 'the waters are reputed es- pecially beneficial. There are two hotels, affording ample accommodations for visitors.

ALPINE.

Alpine, a station on the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad, twenty-two miles from Buena Vista, is located in the canon of Chalk Creek, about twelve miles from the Arkansas River, and in a location so hemmed in by lofty peaks-Mount Princeton on the northeast, and

495

HISTORY OF CHAFFEE COUNTY.

on the south and west, Mount Antero and Boulder Mountain-that, during the short days of midwinter, the sun is not visible until nearly 9 o'clock in the morning, and, before 3 o'clock in the afternoon, has hidden behind the snowy range; but so sheltered is the town by these towering peaks that it is not severely cold even in the winter. The first discoveries of mineral were made in Chalk Creek District as early as 1872, but it was not until 1875 that it became of importance as a mining camp, and had become sufficiently populous to be declared an election precinct. The dis- covery of the Murphy Mines, on a spur of Chrysolite Mountain, in this year, by John Royal and others, attracted the attention of Eastern capitalists, and Col. J. A. J. Chapman and Mr. B. L. Riggins, recognizing the possi- bilities of the camp, organized the Kansas City Mining and Smelting Company, and, at great expense, brought in and set up a smelter, which, however, owing to the difficulty of pro- curing at that time proper fluxes for the ores, and the indifference or inability of the miners to develop their claims, was not successful. The discovery of the Tilden lode on Boulder Mountain in 1876, and the rich ores obtained, created considerable excitement for a time, and the prospects of the camp were most en- couraging. The mine was sold for a large sum, but, owing to difficulties among the owners, the mine is now idle. It is developed by a shaft 200 feet in depth, and has drifts at different levels, each of which discloses a good body of ore. There are a number of good properties situated on this mountain, which, when developed, will add largely to the output of ore in the district. In the summer of 1880, the Foster Smelting Company pur- chased the old smelter of the Kansas City Smelting Company, which they have remod- eled for sampling and concentration works, and are meeting with good success. About two miles above town is the Iron City Smelter, with a capacity of about forty tons per day, not yet in operation. The town has several hotels, stores and saloons, and is a delightful resort during the summer season. F. A. Rey- nolds has a bank here, which is ably managed by his courteous and affable Cashier, Mr. J. C. Cross.

ST. ELMO.

St. Elmo, four miles above Alpine, and a station on the Denver, South Park & Pacific Railroad, situated at the junction of Grizzly and Pomeroy Gulches and the North and South Forks of Chalk Creek, in the center of an ex- ceedingly rich mineral district, one year ago had no existence as a town, but is to-day one of the busiest and most thriving towns in the county. It is the starting-point of the Vir- ginia, Hillerton & Pitkin and Gunnison Toll Roads.

In Grizzly Gulch, lying between Mamma and Chrysolite Mountains, are located the noted Brittenstein group of mines, owned by New York capitalists, and now considered among the richest mines in the State. The Chrysolite Tunnel, in Chrysolite Mountain, intended to cross-cut a number of lodes that have been discovered and opened on che sur- face sufficient to demonstrate their value. The tunnel has already penetrated the mountain 600 feet, and will cut the veins in a short dis- tance farther, the first of which is an extension north of the Quincy, one of the Brittenstein group. The Lake View Tunnel is another cross-cut to strike the Minnehaha and St. Louis lodes, owned by an Eastern company. The Morrison Tunnel is intended to cut a group of mines believed to be an extension south of the Brittenstein group. Other valuable properties in the gulch, among which will be noted the Alamo and Kaskaskia, owned by T. I. Briscoe -the popular Mayor of St. Elmo-and others. The Lulu, the Comstock and Idlewild and the Norway Bay, are promising to be heavy ore- producers during the coming season. The Mary and Pat Murphy Mines, located on a spur of Chrysolite Mountain, west of the town, discovered by John Royal and Dr. A. E. Wright in September, 1875, and sold in 1880 to a St. Louis company, have been vigorously worked during the past year, and are now the largest producers of ore in the district. The mines are developed by shafts and levels, opening sufficient grounds to produce by stop- ing from seventy-five to one hundred tons of ore per day. The vein is about five feet in width, the ore, consisting of galena and iron, averaging a value of $125 in gold and silver per ton. The Black Hawk, one of the early

496

HISTORY OF CHAFFEE COUNTY

discoveries, is supposed to be an extension north of the Mary Murphy, and on the same mountain are the Livingston, another exten- sion of the Mary Murphy; the Iron Chest, the Mollie and Pinafore-all good properties, showing large bodies of ore, and certain to add to the bullion product of this section, and, being near, to pay tribute to St. Elmo.

Six miles above St. Elmo, on the line of Den- ver, South Park & Pacific Railroad, is the new town of Hancock. Several very promising discoveries have been made near town, and, with the advent of the railroad, will become large producers of mineral. This town is only about two and a half miles from the mouth of the tunnel which pierces the Con- tinental Divide and opens the way for the rail- road into Gunnison County. The completion of the railroad to this point this season will give easy access to a district rich in mineral wealth, and of wonderful beauty and mag- nificence of mountain scenery.

THE ST. ELMO MOUNTAINEER.

This paper was established at St. Elmo, then Forest City, August 21, 1880, under the name of the St. Elmo Rustler, edited by How- ard Russell and published by H. Russell and J. E. Curran, under the firm name of Howard, Russell & Co. After the first issue, the name was changed to the Mountaineer. Up to No- vember 6, 1880, it was a four-column folio, when it was enlarged to five columns. February 24, 1881, Hon. R. W. Evans purchased J. E. Curran's interest in the office; the business, however, was conducted under the old firm name.

March 19, 1881, W. C. Shinn, founder of the Dodge City Times, Kansas, purchased Mr. Evans' interest in the office, and the firm name was changed to Russell & Shinn. On the 15th of April, 1881, the publishers purchased a nine-column hand-press, and, on the 23d of April, the paper was enlarged to six columns. Previous to this, it had been printed on a half- medium job press. July 16, the paper was again enlarged, this time to seven columns. Since then, the old dress of the paper has been sold, and an' entire new outfit of type has been procured, and the paper will appear in August in a complete new dress. The pa-

per is devoted particularly to the interests of the rich mineral district in which it is pub- lished. St. Elmo having an altitude of about 10,400 feet, the paper may fairly be claimed to be edited in the clouds, at the highest point of any paper in the county, and, with perhaps one exception, the highest altitude in the United States.

CLEORA.

In the summer of 1878, parties connected with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fé Rail- road, in anticipation of the building of that road through the Grand Canon of the Arkan- sas and to Leadville, secured the necessary ground and laid out a town about one mile below the mouth of the South Arkansas, which they named Cleora, in honor of the daughter of William Bale, Esq., one of the oldest resi- dents in this section of the county, and the proprietor of the stage house just above the site of the new town.

The town, located on a delightful little park, through which the Arkansas has cut its way, and with high mountains on either side, grew rapidly during the season of 1879, and was the supply point for the newly discovered mineral camps about the head-waters of the South Arkansas River, and the Tomichi Dis- trict, in Gunnison County; but, when the difficulties between this road and the Denver & Rio Grande were adjusted, and the latter road came into possession of the right of way along the river to Leadville, Cleora, which had been active in supporting the claims of the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fé road, was denied any assistance, and existence, even. A new town was laid out by the officers of the Denver & Rio Grande Company, about two miles above, to which, in a short time, the residents of Cleora, with merchandise and buildings as well, moved en masse, and Cleora became a town of the past. The new town was called

SALIDA.

^It is 217 miles from Denver, and twenty- eight miles south from Buena Vista, and be- ing the railway station and distributing point for Gunnison County, increased in population and business rapidly, until the building of the branch to Gunnison City had reached Poncha Springs, when the removal of the offices and

Edwin Lowback

497

HISTORY OF CHAFFEE COUNTY.

business of the stage company, and of the for- warding and freight houses, to this point, somewhat checked the growth of the town. The railway company occupy all the space on the eastern side of the river back to the bluffs, a distance of about two hundred feet. An elegant stone depot and a commodious round-house for the engines of the Gunnison Extension have been built, and the company are intending to build machine and repair shops for the Western Division of the road at this point. A large and well-conducted hotel affords excellent accommodations to the traveling public.

The business portion of the town is situated on the west side of the river, on a broad plain, that extends for miles along the South Ar- kansas. Ditches for water, of which there is an abundant supply, border the streets, and some progress has been made in setting out shade trees. . Excellent hotels for business men and for tourists, a neat and commodious church, several stores-carrying large and well-selected stocks of merchandise, that have a profitable and extensive trade with the sur- rounding towns and mining camps-the Bank of South Arkansas, Dewalt, Hartzell & Co., and the ever-present saloon -- in fact, there are several-make up the thriving town.

THE MOUNTAIN MAIL.

This paper, published at Salida, was estab- lished June 5, 1880, Moore & Olney, publish- ers, M. R. Moore, editor. The paper was started simultaneously with the town of Salida, the first issue coming out when not more than a dozen buildings were completed, and is a seven-column folio, all home print. The pa- per is ably edited and conducted, its columns well filled with matters of national and State interest, as well as of town and county, and clearly and forcibly inculcates the principles of the Republican party, to which, in politics, it is devoted. It has a large and increasing circulation, and exerts an important influence in all circles where circulated.

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History of the Arkansas Valley, Colorado, Part 66

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