USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Vol. I > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
In September a subscription paper was circulated through the streets of Auraria, and in a short time two hundred and fifty dollars were raised to build a schoolhouse. The Denver Town Company donated several building lots to the enterprise. Goldrick published a card in the "News," announcing to the people of both cities that on the 3d of October he would open a day school.
While no churches were built, there were zealous missionaries in the field ; the first being the Rev. G. W. Fisher, of the Methodist denomination, and Rev. Jacob Adriance, of the Presbyterian.
It will be remembered that the project of constructing a transconti- nental railway had been under consideration in and out of Congress, more especially in St. Louis, where it was persistently urged, from the date of John C. Fremont's explorations in 1842. In the session begin- ning in December it was anticipated that some definite action would be taken. In expectation that a bill would then be passed, Mr. Byers pub-
231
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
lished an editorial on the 24th of November, in which it was assumed that the route selected must necessarily pass from the Missouri River through the South Platte gold fields, and consequently through Denver. This point being determined, he proceeds to map out a feasible line to the westward, thus :
"From here westward the route may deflect a little to the north- ward, passing through the Cache la Poudre Pass of the Black Hills, crossing the Laramie plains and entering the great basin through Bridger's Pass ; or it may continue from here directly westward, enter- ing the mountains by the Platte Canon, following up that stream to the junction of the North and South Forks; thence up the North Fork to the South Park, cross a low mountain summit, and thence down the waters of the Colorado into the heart of the great basin. This route we consider entirely practicable, presenting less obstacles-if we except the first fifteen miles after entering the Platte Canon, and even they are not at all insurmountable-than have been overcome on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and traversing the gold field in the exact direction of the great leads, and its greatest known length, for a distance of not less than five hundred miles." He contends that even at this early stage a single track railway between the river and Denver would secure the immense traffic of this region, and the cost of construction being insig- nificant in comparison with the ordinary expense of building through the States east of that stream, it would be largely profitable. But it was not to be. Before this gigantic enterprise could be undertaken, the country was to pass through the deluge of a stupendous war. Even while he wrote, fires were being lighted in the South that were to spread over the continent. It was only at the end of this mighty strug- gle that the government had time to contemplate any other matters than its own salvation. The route suggested by Mr. Byers was then examined, but not chosen.
Thus we close our account of the year 1859, and prepare to con- sider the next series of developments, industrial and political. It has been seen that with a mere handful of determined men, results that
233
HISTORY OF COLORADO).
shaped the destiny of all this great region were accomplished. In this brief interval of time events which led to revelations of supreme import- ance to the nation were evolved. Our lodgment here unquestionably influenced in no slight degree the construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. Our soldiers prevented the conquest of New Mexico, and the occupation of this region by the Southern Confederacy ; our miners have contributed more than three hundred millions toward the extinc- tion of the national debt, leaving millions more in reserve for the wants of commerce.
Moreover, a great central station has been established upon the Western plains, supported, enlivened and constantly expanded by sys- tems of railway whose lines, after penetrating in their ramifications the widely diffused mining settlements of the Rocky Mountains, shoot west- ward to the Pacific Sea, southward to the Gulf of Mexico, eastward to the great water courses, and northward to the Territories founded there. A splendid commonwealth covers the desert of thirty years ago; the aboriginal inhabitants and their titles have been extinguished, their hunting grounds covered with cities and blossoming farms. The multi- plied industries of progressive communities have supplanted the buffalo and the dusky warrior, peace and plenty dwell on every side, and the guiding hand of Providence is over all.
233
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
CHAPTER XVI.
1860-PROGRESS OF DENVER-CRYSTALIZATION OF BUSINESS-A CHAPTER OF HOR- RORS-DUEL BETWEEN LEW BLISS AND DR. STONE-ROMANTIC TRAGEDY IN FAIRPLAY-TOM WARREN CHALLENGES W. N. BYERS-CHARLEY HARRISON-JOHN SCUDDER KILLS P. T. BASSETT -- BLOODY CAREER OF JAMES A. GORDON-FEARFUL RIOT IN LEAVENWORTH-TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF GORDON-CARROLL WOOD'S ATTACK ON THE "NEWS" OFFICE-KILLING OF STEELE-EXPATRIATION OF THE GANG OF OUTLAWS.
In the early part of 1860, indeed, until midsummer, the main por- tion of the embryonic metropolis was limited to Blake and Wazee streets, with a few business houses and dwellings scattered along McGaa-(now Holladay), Fifteenth and Sixteenth (then F and G) Larimer, Lawrence and Arapahoe, the latter being the exterior boundary line in that direction. Auraria contained a much larger population, was more substantially built, and carried the wholesale, with a material part of the retail traffic. The principal resort on the east side was a large frame building, originally of logs, known far and wide as Denver Hall, later known as the Elephant Corral, and just west of the build- ing now occupied by the Palace Theater (a standing menace to society, of a character more dangerous and polluting if possible than the primitive gambling hell), where thousands of immigrants were attracted to their demoralization and ruin. It was here that Horace Greeley delivered his fatherly address to the people of "Pike's Peak," standing behind a table from which the cards and other devices had been tem- porarily removed to afford him the opportunity. Saloons were on every side, the favorite haunts of desperadoes and abandoned women,
234
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
from whose doors crime stalked with a bold front to spread death and destruction upon the streets.
Larimer assumed a degree of importance from the fact that James M. Broadwell had built upon the corner now occupied by the Tabor Block, the largest hotel in the city, which became the headquarters of the better element. On F and Larimer, where now stands in tasteful majesty the "Pioneer Block," stood a row of cheaply built one-story frame houses, occupied in part as gambling dens, the principal one devoted to Spanish monte. Tents and covered wagons filled all the available places, lined the banks of Cherry Creek, and stretched far down the Platte, where at night hundreds of campfires gleamed among the cottonwoods. The "News" office stood near the center of Cherry Creek at the McGaa street crossing.
On the 5th of March a man named Conklin gave a dinner at the Broadwell House to a large number of his friends, Dr. J. S. Stone, a member of the Provisional Legislature, being one of the guests. When the hour for toasts arrived, Lew Bliss, Secretary, and in the absence of Mr. Steele, acting Governor of the Territory, intentionally but in exe- crable taste, offered one which cast serious reflections upon the fair fame of Dr. Stone, whereupon, calling Capt. W. H. Bates to.his side, he arose and left the room. The effect of this ghastly specter upon the company can be more easily imagined than described. Bliss, antici- pating the result, selected Edward W. Wynkoop as his second. The challenge came promptly, and was immediately accepted. At three o'clock on Wednesday the combatants met on the ground chosen, oppo- site the city on the north side of the Platte. A great crowd assembled to witness the bloody proceeding. Drake McDowell, son of the cele- brated Dr. Alexander McDowell, of St. Louis, acting as master of cer- emonies, read the articles of agreement framed by the seconds and adopted by the principals, whereby the weapons were to be shot guns, and the distance thirty paces. At the word of command Stone fired an instant in advance of his adversary, at the discharge of whose gun
235
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
he fell to the ground mortally wounded, the ball having entered his left thigh, penetrating the bladder, and passing through his body.
The victim of this unholy practice lingered in great agony until the 10th of October, and then passed to his account.
The records of Park County contain the details of a duel in which a just retribution overtook the principal offender. Two Texans named respectively Pemly and Sanford, who had been playmates in boyhood, classmates in college and firm friends after graduation, met there in mortal combat. It appears that Sanford won the affections of Pemly's only sister, then ruined and deserted her. Knowing the consequences, he fled to Australia. Pemly discovered his trail and followed it, but when he arrived his enemy had shipped to New Zealand. Still the pursuer kept close upon his track, tracing him to Frazier River, to Cal- ifornia and finally to Fairplay. Here the fugitive no doubt considered himself so entirely secluded as to be beyond the reach of vengeance, but he was mistaken. One morning while at work in a gravel pit, he looked up and there stood Pemly, with rifle to shoulder, prepared to kill. Sanford, recognizing his doom, shouted, "Give me a chance !" which was granted. He came up out of the pit when the preliminaries were soon arranged. The weapons used were rifles at the distance of thirty paces. At the first fire both fell, Sanford shot through the heart, Pemly falling from the shock of a scalp wound. The miners assembled in court, Pemly explained the circumstances, and was instantly acquitted.
November 17th, 1859, Thomas Warren, one of the noted men of Denver, challenged William N. Byers to meet him on the "field of honor," incited by a notice which had appeared in the " News," and which he deemed offensive, though it had no reference to him, but attacked one of his friends. Those were turbulent times, when the editor, if true to his conviction of duty, fully expected and rarely failed to be called to account for the publication of unwelcome truths. Byers had been frequently threatened with assassination, and the utter demolition of his office. In declining the challenge to step out and be
236
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
slain, he wrote : "To any one who may feel like calling us out, we have only to remark that you are wasting your time in sending us chal- lenges or other belligerent epistles. You may murder us, but never on the so-called field of honor, under the dignified name of a duel." In common with the supporters of order, he regarded the practice with horror as a relic of barbarism from the dark ages, and, in conclusion, declared that the man who upheld it was more fit to live among sav- ages than under a government controlled by law. The message was not repeated.
The entire summer of 1860 was marked by trails of blood. A wild frenzy seemed to pervade the brutalized class, stimulated by the villainous compounds dealt out from the bars. Such scenes became so frequent as to attract little attention, except when especially atrocious. The crack of pistols and rifles was heard at nearly all hours of the day and night. A powerful vigilance committee, composed of the bet- ter citizens had been formed, and in the absence of courts assumed the power of a People's Tribunal, hearing testimony, and pronouncing judgment. The recognized leader of the desperate crew was a young man named Charley Harrison, a Southerner by birth. The day after the author's arrival, meeting an acquaintance whom he had known in Central New York, and who claimed some intimacy with Harrison, he was shown a revolver with which it was asserted Harrison had killed five men, here and elsewhere, and he was then only at the beginning of his career. July 12th he shot a Mexican negro named Stark, for which he was tried, but acquitted on the plea of self-defense.
On the 13th of March William Young, of Leavenworth, deliber- ately killed his friend and companion, Moses West, with a shotgun loaded with buckshot. The murderer was arrested by William E. Sisty, deputy Sheriff, tried by the Vigilantes, convicted and hanged the next day.
At the close of the same month Jack O'Neill, of Auraria, was killed by John Rooker. The first proposition by O'Neill, after the quarrel which they felt could only be settled by the death of one or
237
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
both, was, that they lock themselves up in a dark room and fight it out with knives. Rooker declined, which only increased the bitterness, and terminated in the assassination of his adversary.
On the 16th of April, 1859, John Scudder shot and killed Peleg T. Bassett. Bad blood had existed between them for some time, and Bassett lost no opportunity to traduce his enemy. Reports of his slanders were conveyed to Scudder, whereupon he went to Bassett's cabin after nightfall, knocked at the door, and Bassett appearing, he was asked if he had circulated the statements, which he at first denied, but his anger rising, finally admitted. He then, according to the testi- mony, raised a billet of wood and advanced upon Scudder, whereupon the latter fired and inflicted a mortal wound. The immediate cause of the difficulty grew out of bitter contentions between the rival towns, Denver and Auraria. By the advice of friends, who apprehended mob violence, Scudder fled to Salt Lake City. Some months later, when the excitement had passed and the incident was forgotten in the still more violent scenes which ensued, Scudder returned and voluntarily surrendered himself for trial. The prosecution was represented by W. P. McClure and the defendant by H. P. Bennett, A. C. Ford and John C. Moore. The prisoner was acquitted on the plea of self-defense, clearly established.
But perhaps the most remarkable incident in the long train of horrors that disgraced this or any other era, was a tragedy in several acts by James A. Gordon, commonly known as "Jim Gordon," a bright and rather handsome young man, with light flaxen hair, a clear and fresh complexion, deep blue eyes, tall and well proportioned frame, and just arrived at the threshold of manhood. This description fitted him when sober. Under the influence of liquor he became a crazy fiend, capable of devilish crimes, and utterly uncontrollable. He belonged to the class known as sporting men, and was part owner of the Cibola drinking saloon. On the evening of July 18th he began a protracted spree, and being heavily armed proceeded to create disturb- ances wherever he went. His first adventure of consequence was the
1
238
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
shooting of a harmless young man whom he met in a disreputable house on Arapahoe street. During that night and the two days fol- lowing he instituted a veritable reign of terror. On Friday night he was unusually quarrelsome, visiting all the saloons and drinking reck- lessly. In Denver Hall, crowded as usual with gamesters, he began firing his pistol at whatever or whomsoever attracted his attention. From thence he entered a neighboring saloon, where his first act was to shoot a dog that crouched by his master's side. He then crossed into Auraria, visiting a bar-room and calling for whisky for himself and two companions, which was no sooner swallowed than the glasses were hurled upon the floor as a prelude to another scene of blasphemy and boisterous demonstration. The inmates, frightened by the unprece- dented exhibition, fled from the room. A German named John Gantz stood at one corner of the bar. Gordon, in his blind rage, struck him in the face, knocking him down. He rose and rushed to the street. Gordon followed, caught and dragged him back, beating him about the head with his revolver. Then seizing him by the hair with his left hand, while Gantz lay upon the floor, he shot and killed him. Sobered by the awful deed the trio fled, Gordon going in the direction of Fort Lupton. The next day an armed posse led by a man named Babcock, started in pursuit. Arriving at the fort and learning that the fugitive was within, it was put under guard and a messenger sent to Denver for reinforcements, but before their arrival the gates were thrown open, when Gordon, mounted on a fleet horse, dashed out, his belt filled with firearms. Brandishing a revolver about his head he plunged through the guard, defying them to shoot or follow him. As he galloped away several shots were fired after him, but without effect. Three men, among them Babcock, pursued on horseback. The latter, after a chase of ten miles, came within shooting distance and fired, disabling Gor- don's horse, and it was thought severely injuring the rider. Dis- mounted, he pushed toward the Indian Territory on foot. Another party with fresh horses kept the trail for some distance, but were unable to overtake him.
239
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
On Monday evening the Vigilance Committee met, and after hearing the reports from the field, dispatched W. H. Middaugh, who volunteered for the undertaking, after the assassin. He went to Leav- enworth, procured a warrant, was appointed a deputy sheriff, and, with a regular deputy named Armstrong, started again upon the trail, track- ing the fugitive from point to point through the wilds of Indian Ter- ritory, and finally captured him. He was taken to Leavenworth and turned over to the authorities for trial.
Court convened, the cause was heard and the prisoner released on the flimsy pretext of no jurisdiction. This astounding result created intense excitement among the large class of Germans who were famil- iar with the crime.
A turbulent mob surrounded the building and filled the court room, and when the decision was made known their anger passed all bounds. From a shouting crowd it became a body of frantic rioters. Yells of " Kill him !" "Hang him !" "Shoot him !" were heard on every side. The mayor summoned a posse, surrounded the prisoner, and marched him to the city prison for safety. Down into the surging tempest they went and slowly made their way, but resisted at every step. The pris- oner was no sooner landed in jail than the rioters surrounded it, beat- ing upon the doors for admission. Meantime, combustibles had been collected, and soon the red light of a great bonfire burst upon the scene. The crowd danced, howled, and loaded the air with impreca- tions against the authorities who had robbed them of their vengeance. Reinforcements, armed with muskets, carbines, shotguns, knives and clubs, flocked to the grounds. Others brought hempen ropes with nooses fixed for lynching. The mayor, appalled by the turn of events endeavored to pacify them by conciliatory speeches, but without avail. He might as well have attempted to calm a raging sea lashed by a cyclone. It was finally agreed between himself and the leaders that if he would turn the prisoner over to Middaugh the tumult should cease. Gordon was brought out and delivered to the officer who captured him. Now the tempest broke forth with a violence that could not be
240
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
restrained. The mob rushed upon Gordon, with cries of "Kill him !"' "Hang him !" But the officers, Armstrong and another deputy who joined Middaugh, were equal to the responsibility. Several times halt- ers were thrown over the prisoner's head, but each time the rope was cut. A fierce struggle ensued in which Gordon's clothes were ripped clean from his body, leaving him entirely nude, and the officers were severely injured. At length they succeeded in reaching the Planter's House, and paused there a moment, but it was instantly surrounded, and the demands for the prisoner renewed. At this point a company of United States troops appeared, demanded the prisoner, and received him. He was then taken to the military prison. The officers refusing to surrender Gordon to Middaugh, the latter took coach for Denver, where letters and testimony showing the appalling nature of his crime were at once prepared, and with these Middaugh returned to Leaven- worth, and after a show of reluctance Gordon was given into his cus- tody. He returned with him to Denver, and surrendered him to Sheriff Kehler. The next step was the organization of a court for the trial. Meanwhile Gordon was placed under a strong guard of deputies, and lodged in a building on G street near Holladay. He was heavily ironed, hands and feet, with a log chain about his waist. A meeting of citizens to discuss the case was held upon a pile of lumber under a large cottonwood tree on G street just below Wazee.
One of the hardest characters in the town, Tom Warren, the same who challenged Byers, became Gordon's champion, exerting himself unremittingly in his cause. As Dick Whitsitt was equally zealous on the side of law and order, a collision occurred between them, when Warren challenged Whitsitt. He accepted at once, but through the intervention of Mr. Sagendorf and other friends, the fight was prevented.
The court convened in front of the Tremont House, being in readiness, with A. C. Hunt as presiding judge, Charles Bartlett and Charles Pierson as associates; the prisoner with his counsel, J. H. Sherman, Ham. R. Hunt, S. W. Waggoner, W. P. McClure and John
E. 111. Beck
241
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
C. Moore were summoned before it. H. P. Bennett, James T. Cole- man and Jacob Downing conducted the prosecution. After a long and impartial examination, the case was submitted to the jury and a ver- dict of guilty returned. The judges stood upon the balcony of the Tremont House and announced the result to Gordon, who stood upon the ground below. Judge Hunt then sentenced him to be hanged the following Saturday afternoon. The cause for this unusual leniency was a statement that Gordon's mother was on the way to be with her erring son in his last hours, and would arrive before that time.
Was there ever a case of this nature which did not elicit the ten- derest sympathy of womankind ? Apparently the more atrocious the crime the more profoundly sympathetic the feminine soul, and the more active its efforts to secure mercy for the culprit. In the present case the few that were here immediately circulated a petition for a reprieve, which, though unsuccessful, gave rise to much bitterness of feeling.
As a last resort, a meeting of Gordon's friends assembled. Judge Bennett being present, and called upon for an expression of his views, rehearsed the crime in all its enormity, the facts of the trial, the pur- suit and capture, the testimony, etc., and admonished his hearers against any attempt to interfere with the course of justice, which put an end to further efforts for clemency.
Gordon was executed according to the sentence pronounced upon him, Middaugh at his request being the executioner. But this was not the finale of these tragic events.
Two or three years later, Middaugh, while on his way to the States, was shot and killed from an ambush near Julesburg by an enemy said to have been one of Gordon's friends who had sworn to avenge him.
The "News" as the advocate of the people, severely denounced the outrages so frequently perpetrated. There was no mincing of words, no ambiguous phrases designed to soften the effect of its blows. The language employed, though tempered by discretion, was unmistakable. A crisis had arrived, and measures must be taken to terminate the reign of disorder and bloodshed. Its attack upon Harrison for the
242
HISTORY OF COLORADO.
killing of Stark was especially pronounced. A mob of Harrison's friends, habitues of the notorious Criterion saloon, led by the desperado Carroll Wood, assembled, and having fortified their valor by frequent draughts of liquor, marched over to the "News" office, and entered. Wood, flourishing a pistol and uttering a volley of oaths, seized Mr. Byers by the collar, and thrusting the weapon into his face demanded that he go with them, and meet Harrison. Meanwhile, the employes of the office seized their fire arms, and calmly awaited the issue. Byers was taken to the . Criterion, accompanied by his partners. Harrison was sent for and soon arrived, but manifested no signs of ill feeling; on the contrary, rather deprecated what had been done. After conversing pleasantly for a moment, Harrison motioned Byers toward the back door, as if for a private conference, but immediately opened it and told him to go. When Wood and his comrades discovered the ruse and the escape of their intended victim, they mounted horses and, armed with shot guns, galloped toward the "News" office, but prudently halted and concealed themselves behind a large cabin some two rods distant. A crowd assembled on the banks of Cherry Creek, attracted by the strange pro- ceeding. One of Wood's lieutenants named George Steele, advanced to the door but did not enter, suspecting no doubt that the inmates, warned by the previous visit, were prepared to give him a warm recep- tion. Returning to his chief, a hurried conference was held, after which Steele advanced a second time, mounted on Wood's horse. Pass- ing the office to the bridge he turned suddenly and fired into the build- ing, the ball entering the business office but without doing any damage. A moment later he fired a second time, the missile shattering a window pane. The printers returned the fire, sending two shots, one of which being well aimed, struck Steele in the shoulder, inflicting a severe wound. The desperado reeled under the shock, but retained his seat. Riding swiftly in the direction of Platte River, followed by a crowd, he shortly after reappeared in town and when at Bradford's Corner was shot and killed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.