USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume II > Part 19
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to more favored lands, and under which the Centennial State was ushered into the Union, a subject soon to be treated at length. Hence the introduction of our trials with the locust plague, of whose horrors none could conceive unless they have had a personal experience here or elsewhere, would seem to require no apology.
Another cause of more than ordinary importance which operated to the diversion of our own and other migratory peoples, and conse- quently to the disadvantage of Colorado in 1874, was the reported dis- covery of very rich gold mines in the Black Hills of Dakota. The impelling cause of the interest excited, and which soon induced an · extensive movement in that direction, was a report made by Gen. George A. Custer, who, by order of the government, traversed and examined the country in 1874, and gave a glowing report of its resources in gold, timber, etc., which was emphasized and made infinitely more attractive by the floating rumor that the famous old mountaineer, trapper and hunter, Jim Bridger, had found gold there in 1859, while acting as guide and interpreter to a military exploring party commanded by Capt. Reynolds. As the story ran, he discovered it in a brook where he stopped to slake his thirst, and carried the specimens to the officer in charge, who ordered him to conceal or throw them away, as, if the story came to the knowledge of the soldiers, it would cause a stampede. At that time Bridger was an old man, but still hearty and vigorous, residing on a farm in Jackson County, Missouri. Traced to its source, it was found that Capt. Reynolds' expedition had been ordered to explore the headwaters of the Yellowstone, Missouri and Columbia Rivers, and passing through the Black Hills en route, one day after having traveled a long distance, Bridger dismounted from his horse at a small clear stream and stooped to drink of its crystal water. While in this position his attention was attracted by the curious appearance of what seemed to be a lot of small yellow pebbles. Though familiar with the color of gold, it had never occurred to him that the precious metal existed in that locality; but his curiosity impelled him to scoop out a handful of the stuff, which he exhibited to Dr. Hayden and Capt. Rey-
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nolds. Both at once pronounced it pure gold, and inquired where he found it. When told, Reynolds became greatly excited, and fcaring the effect upon his men, insisted that Bridger should throw it away and under no circumstances permit the discovery to be known, as the knowledge that gold existed there in such abundance and so easy of access, would cause the soldiers to desert. Bridger, in relating the cir- cumstance, stated that since his first discovery of the yellow metal in the Black Hills, he had found it at other places in the same region. But he cautioned people against going there except in strong, well armed parties for defense against, the Sioux, to whom the Hills belonged, and who were very numerous and would naturally resist the invasion of their territory.
But the fires had been lighted, and all warnings of danger pro- duced no other effect than to stimulate emigration. One might as well attempt to check the force of a tornado by willing it, as to stop a tide of gold hunters when once set in motion. Soon after the publication of Custer's report, and the interview with Bridger, the columns began to march from the North, East, South and West toward the new Eldo- rado. The newspapers all along the borders teemed with all manner of exaggerated statements. Small parties entered the hills and began their explorations. Some of them endured fearful suffering, but it did not appal thousands of others who had resolved to follow. One of the first was a party from Sioux City, who found gold there in the winter of 1874-75. The title to the region still remained in the Indians, and the authorities apprehending a serious conflict, took measures to keep out intruders, but to no effect. The panic of 1873 had cut loose an enormous drift of poverty-stricken, restless and discontented people, who were out of employment and prepared to take desperate chances for the recuperation of their broken fortunes.
Though Professor Winchell, the geologist who accompanied Custer, denied the existence of gold, Custer was equally pronounced in asserting that it was there in paying quantities, and the people preferred his opinion to the other. The assumed hostility of the Indians deterred no
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one who had decided to take the chances. Sheridan ordered the army to keep them out, but it could not be done. They continued to pour in, despite orders and restrictions. The more fortunate of the advance guard had discovered valuable mines and worked them, notwith- standing military inhibitions, the severity of the winter and danger of Indian attacks. These men sent back glittering accounts of the treasures found there, and they spread all over the land through the newspapers. Some returned to their homes in the spring, and by the stories they told, added fresh fuel to the flames of excitement. Com- panies were forming throughout the West, and in many parts of the East and South, and soon they appeared at Cheyenne, Fort Laramie and the Red Cloud Agency, organized and equipped for the final stage of the long journey.
On the 25th of March, Gen. Sheridan, in a letter to Sherman, said his first knowledge of the Black Hills and the existence of gold in them, had been obtained many years before from Father De Smet, a noted Catholic missionary, whom he met on the Columbia River. De Smet lived with the Sioux Indians, who showed him nuggets of gold which they informed him had been found by them in various parts of the Black Hills of Dakota, and told him also that there was a mountain of it, but it proved to be only a mountain covered with yellow mica. Custer had been sent there to establish a military post for the protection of settlers in Nebraska from raids by the Sioux.
This confirmation, "strong as Holy Writ," on being published set new columns in motion and rendered all attempts to stop the immi- gration wholly abortive. A great rush took place in the spring of 1875, hundreds going from Colorado and Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois.
On the 29th of March, Columbus Delano, Secretary of the Interior, issued an order citing the fact that a competent geologist had been sent by the President to explore the region, and if it should be discovered that the precious metals existed in large quantities, an effort would be made to extinguish the Indian title, and open the country to
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settlers. Meanwhile, no trespassers would be allowed to go in. Those already there, would be expelled by military force. The War Depart- ment issued orders to the same effect. Professor Walter P. Janney, a mining geologist, with a corps of experts escorted by six companies of cavalry, soon afterward began his examination. Wherever parties of miners were found, the troops expelled them. Janney's report proved unfavorable, when the press, giving full credence to his conclusions, began to denounce the reported discoveries as wicked canards without foundation in truth, which caused some of the companies to abandon their contemplated enterprises. The troops on the ground forbade people from entering. Meanwhile, hundreds were at different points on the border anxiously awaiting the issue, for they refused to accept the unfavorable accounts, nor did they believe the military seriously intended to keep them out. But some of those who had established camps in the gold regions,-for it was a fact that gold had been found in paying quantities,-had been driven out and their property destroyed.
In August, 1875, Richard Irwin, an old Colorado prospector, who was among the first to enter the Hills, wrote back to his friends here, that he had made a prospecting trip from the south and southeast, to the north and back again, covering the region examined by Professor Janney ; had assisted in the organization of a mining district and located several claims in one of the paying gulches, where more than a hundred miners had settled. Another district had been organized at the point subse- quently designated " Rapid City." He believed it would prove a rich and extensive mining region. Returning to Colorado, Irwin organized a strong party for the Black Hills.
In spite of all orders and in defiance of all obstructions, thousands pushed their way into the new gold region. In the early spring, indeed, as early as January and February, 1876, they began to gather at Chey- enne, prepared to force their way, if necessary. They came from all points of the compass, and among them were many women and children. Seeing the drift of events, some enterprising people established a stage line from Cheyenne to the center of attraction,-Custer City. The
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principal discoveries then made were on French, Spring, Castle, Rabbit, Iron, Whitewood and Deadwood Creeks, the last two seventy-five to eighty miles northwest of Custer. The Sioux had raided some of the camps, but were driven off without serious loss. By this time about four thousand people had located in the different sections. On the 4th of March, 1876, a large band of Sioux attacked the settlers at Custer City, driving off their loose stock. At about the same time they swooped down upon an emigrant train and killed two men. The settlers formed in mounted companies and pursued the Indians with the usual result,- the latter escaped.
The first newspaper was established by A. W. Merrick and W. A. Laughlin, two well known Colorado printers, and the paper then founded is still one of the leading journals of that country. During 1876 most of the discoveries which gave the region its fame, and out of which grew the State which was but recently admitted into the Union, and where have been located and partially opened the only group of workable deposits of tin ore yet found upon this continent, were made. Several of the wealthy citizens of Denver, notably Mr. S. N. Wood, cashier of the First National Bank, accumulated comfortable fortunes at the town of Deadwood, where were developed the greater part of the more val- uable deposits of the precious metals.
The foregoing incidents have been narrated for the purpose of fur- ther exemplifying the trials, discouragements and losses which befel the people of Colorado during 1874, '75, '76, and which gave rise to grave doubts in many minds as to the wisdom of abandoning the Territorial system for the more expensive luxury of statehood upon which we had just entered. The rush to the Black Hills occurred just after the whole- sale destruction of crops for two successive years, and in one of the darkest periods of our history, when we could ill afford the heavy drain of population from our own industries, or the diversion of our commerce to a rival point to the northward.
15 II.
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CHAPTER XI.
SOME OLD REMINISCENCES OF THE FOUNDING OF DENVER-UNCLE DICK WOOTTEN AND HIS EXPLOITS ON THE FRONTIER- GENERAL WILLIAM LARIMER-LUCIEN B. MAX- WELL-AN IDYL OF BLUE LIZARD GULCH.
It is proper to preface the series of reminiscences subjoined, by the statement that in the course of my extended researches through old books, pamphlets, records and files of newspapers in pursuit of data for this work, much valuable material relating to the history of Colorado in primitive times has been collected which should have been incorporated with the chapters relating to that era in the first volume, but was not then available. Again, within the last six months a number of old manuscripts, notes and diaries, scrap books, etc., have been supplied by friends and correspondents in various parts of the country which contain material that is not only historically valuable but extremely interesting. The opening sketch of the series is taken from an address delivered by Mr. O. J. Goldrick July 4th, 1876, a paper of which I had frequently been apprised, almost at the outset, by numerous friends, but not one of them could suggest where it was to be found. This address, accidentally discovered last summer, embraces certain facts which may lead to the settlement of controversies that are constantly arising among the original residents of Denver respecting the actual first founders of the town. Mr. Goldrick was an experienced journalist and a consci- entious compiler of primitive chronicles, and in this instance took especial pains to discover and set down the truth. . If it shall become my duty at a future time to publish a second edition of the History of Colorado, the incidents following will be placed in chronological order among appropriate chapters of the first volume. If not, my successor is
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hereby advised, if he shall consider them of sufficient value, to make a similar arrangement of them.
The Green Russell party left the State of Georgia for Cherry Creek February 9th, 1858, arriving, with its friends, the Cherokees, at Independence, Missouri, early in May, and at the head of Cherry Creek June Ist. Soon after they had passed through Missouri and Kansas, companies were formed in those States to follow the trail of the Georgians, whose purpose in the expedition had become known, and if possible head them off before they should have staked out and occupied all the richer gold mines. The first company of Kansans left Lawrence in May, 1858, and having reached the Arkansas River where Pueblo now stands, celebrated the Fourth of July, the first observed as a great national anniversary on that remote frontier.
The Russell party prospected Cherry Creek from its source to its confluence with the Platte River, but with only moderate success. Next they examined the auriferous sands and gravels of the Platte for six or seven miles south to the mouth of the Little Dry Creek. Dissat- isfied with the results and restless for richer diggings, they crossed the river near the mouth of Cherry Creek June 24th in the year named above, and struck out for the North Platte and Green River regions, but returned to the present site of Denver neither wiser nor richer for their journey, but more than ever determined to examine Dry Creek more thoroughly before proceeding further south. As a consequence, in a very few days they washed out several hundred dollars' worth of gold. In the meantime, some of the Kansas company had arrived from beyond the "divide" (Colorado City) and located on the banks of the Platte near what is now known as Jason Younker's ranch. They and others who appeared soon after, concluded to build a lot of log cabins near that point, which they did to the number of twenty during the months of October and November, and then christened their fledgling "Montana City." Here they spent the winter of 1858-59, and in the spring abandoned it for the later settlements springing up on Cherry Creek.
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By this time fifty to sixty people had located on the creek named, chiefly Georgians, Kansans and Missourians, with some from Fort Kearney, Fort Laramie, Camp Floyd and the New Mexican frontier, who appear to have wandered in this direction more as the result of accident than design. They had been drifting about here and there on the plains, neither knowing nor caring whither they went. Some of this drift arrived here as early as July, 1858; others came in August, September and October. One of the interminable Smith family who had lived among the Indians for years and kept a trading post in a tent at the Cache-la-Poudre, moved up to the crossing of the old Cherokee trail, now the mouth of Cherry Creek, and became the first "fixture" who ever claimed a pre-emption right to this section of country. He had held a monopoly of the Platte Valley market on Mexican flour, whisky, tobacco, beads and blankets, which were exchanged for beaver skins, buffalo robes and overland bound live stock.
The first attempt at establishing a town on the present site of Denver is found recorded in a small memorandum book in these words:
"Upper waters of the South Platte River at the mouth of Cherry Creek, Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory, Sept. 24tl1, 1858.
"This article of agreement witnesseth: That T. C. Dickinson, Wm. McGaa, J. A. Churchill, William Smith, Frank M. Cobb and Charles Nichols, have entered into the following agreement, which they bind themselves, their heirs and administrators, execu- tors, assigns, etc., forever to well and truly carry out the same.
"ARTICLE FIRST. Whereas, the aforesaid parties as above, have agreed to lay out 640 acres of land for town purposes, etc., etc."
Then follow a series of by-laws, and a provision for the election of town officers to be held on the 28th of the same month. Each of the members was to own several hundred lots, the remainder to be sold to defray the cost of surveys and improvements. In their agreement there was a proviso that in case the country ever amounted to anything, Smith and McGaa should separately claim the fractional, or west side of the creek, and use their influence to see that it eventually became a part of the property of the company.
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The St. Charles town site thus established, remained chalked out on paper for five or six weeks without as much as a single shanty being erected upon it, save a few logs crossed together, with an old wagon cover for a roof, which had been built by one Henry (Hank) Way, near the Cherry Creek terminus of Wazee street, in the latter part of October. This was the first house erected on the site of Denver.
In the meantime, other parties, principally Georgians, including some Kansas men from the Montana settlement who were not taken into the St. Charles town company, concluded to locate a town of their own on the west side of Cherry Creek. Three log cabins with mud roofs were commenced about October 20th, close to the bank of the Platte, almost simultaneously by Rosswell C. Hutchins, old John Smith and A. H. Barker, and soon a street called "Indian Row" gave the settle- ment a "local habitation and a name." Another cabin was commenced October 26th by one S. M. Rooker, a renegade Mormon who had arrived with one wife and family August 30th, and had lived in a tent during the two months previous. On the 29th of October, during a severe snowstorm, Blake and Williams' train of wagons laden with groceries and provisions, arrived from Iowa, and the owners built the fourth cabin in the west side settlement which had been named "Auraria," where they opened a store and thereby gave that side of the creek its first important commercial enterprise. Mr. A. J. Williams of this firm, is still a resident of Denver. A few days later, Messrs. Kinna and Nye arrived from Nebraska, located in Auraria and opened the first tinware and stove store. The next train of goods, flour and groceries, and the first assortment of drygoods was brought in by Uncle Dick Wootten from New Mexico, arriving on Christmas day. Wootten's storeroom twenty by thirty, with clapboard roof and a four light glass window, was then the largest building in the country.
About the middle of October, old John Smith relinquished his claim to the west side for a nominal consideration, and a town was pro- jected by the Georgians and others to be called "Auraria," after a small mining town in Georgia. A man named Foster began surveying the
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same on the 8th of November. Eight cabins had been built before the town was laid out. The prospect for Auraria grew more and more brilliant from day to day, while that of Montana and St. Charles became correspondingly discouraging.
Up to this time no one could be induced to complete the first roofless cabin in St. Charles, much less to con- struct a second, notwithstanding an offer by Mr. Nichols to donate one hundred lots to the person who should erect a log tenement on his town site. Finding his enterprise a failure, since every one who came joined the colony on the west side, scorning St. Charles, Nichols left for the States in disgust during the first week in November.
The permanent settlement or organization of Denver, occurred under the following circumstances: A party of Kansas men, led by Gen. William Larimer and Richard E. Whitsitt, arrived in Auraria November 16th, 1858, and on the following day observing that a town company had been organized on the west side, they crossed the creek and determined to locate a town of their own on the abandoned site of St. Charles. Some of the members of this company thought the site too far from the Platte River to justify locating on such a high and dry position, but by the persuasion of Mr. Whitsitt all agreed to the enter- prise, he obligating himself to haul water in buckets for temporary use until wells could be sunk.
From November 17th when the Larimer-Whitsitt Company took possession and christened it Denver,-in honor of the then acting Gov- ernor of Kansas,-until November 22d, the members were actively engaged in preparations for building cabins in order to secure their pre- emption. Few, if any except McGaa and John Smith of the original St. Charles Company, were then in the neighborhood. A constitution was adopted November 22d and an election of officers for the Denver City Town Company took place, with the following result : President, E. P. Stout ; Treasurer, Wm. Larimer, Jr .; Secretary, H. P. A. Smith ; Recorder, Peleg T. Bassett.
The trustees chosen were E. P. Stout, William Larimer, Jr.,
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Richard E. Whitsitt, William McGaa, C. A. Lawrence, Hickory Rogers, William Clancy and Peleg T. Bassett.
On the 30th of November a contract was made with a firm of engineers,-Curtis & Lowry,-to survey a site of six hundred and forty acres, and to lay out the main streets. The town company, consisting of forty-one members (of whom only two, J. H. Dudley and A. J. Williams remain at this writing, 1889) each claimed a share of one hun- dred and forty-six lots. In the summer of 1859, 1,460 lots were set apart to the Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Company, as an inducement to locate their offices on the East side (Denver) which the company rather reluctantly accepted, as most of the inhabitants and busi- ness were on the West side. Prior to this, Mr. William N. Byers had declined an offer of twenty lots tendered him to establish his Rocky Mountain "News" office in the new town. Nevertheless, Whitsitt, Larimer and the other active members of the company resolved to make Denver the future great city of the plains and mountains, and entertained great confidence in their ability to bring about this result. But it was not accomplished without incessant energy and much shrewd manœuvering. Auraria kept well in advance of them until 1861. Whitsitt was a man of marvelous activity and fertility of resource, pos- sessing great sagacity and in time of danger, the bravest of the brave ; true to his friends, and a terror to his enemies, who soon learned that he was always prepared to fight with any weapon which came first to hand, and that he was a dangerous adversary to trifle with, yet no man of his time had more or warmer friends.
Each of the forty-one shareholders was compelled by the terms of the compact to erect at least one building within the ninety days next after the organization. From the 17th to the 30th of November several cabins dotted the town site, the first four located as follows : One by Gen. Larimer on the rear portion of the lots now occupied by the Clay- ton Block, corner of Fifteenth and Larimer streets ; the second by C. A. Lawrence, on the corner now occupied by the Pioneer Building, diag- onally opposite that first named ; the third by P. T. Bassett near the
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corner of Fourteenth and Larimer, and the fourth by Moyn & Rice on the southeast corner of Larimer and Fifteenth, opposite the Pioneer and Clayton blocks. In after years Mr. Rice claimed that his building was commenced November 12th, 1858, and prior to either of those named, but Gen. Larimer insisted that his was the first to be finished and occu- pied. It may be well to interpolate here as a matter of some interest, that in a letter to Mr. Will C. Ferril of this city, dated September 24th, 1889, Mr. W. H. H. Larimer of Kansas City, eldest son of Gen. Lar- imer, makes the following statement in response to an inquiry on the subject : " My father and myself were members of the original Denver town company, and built the first cabin there. My father organized the company, and was donating agent and treasurer. He gave two lots to any person who would build a cabin sixteen feet square. I chopped the logs for our cabin, of which I have a sketch drawn by Gen. F. M. Case, first Surveyor General of Colorado. I was eighteen years old when we settled on Cherry Creek."
It is sufficient to say, that after the first few houses were started in Auraria and Denver, the work was enlarged simultaneously by scores of others in order to fortify their holdings against the rapacity of the con- stantly increasing immigration. And so the rivalry between the towns continued, until on New Year day, 1859, there were over twenty cabins in Denver, and at least fifty in Auraria. Up to this time there were only three white women in this cheerless country, namely, Mrs. Henry Murat, from Kansas, who arrived at the Montana settlement November 2d, 1858, and was sheltered in the only cabin then completed at that point ; Mrs. S. M. Rooker from Utah, who reached Auraria August 30th, and Mrs. Dick Wootten, from New Mexico, who arrived in Auraria on Christmas day. Everything here was uncertain and unstable, with a long winter ahead, and, with plenty of nothing but poverty and privation, the pioneers had to make hope the main anchor of their souls. Without sawmills, not even a whip-saw to cut lumber, with neither nails nor glass, destitute of tools for constructing the conveniences of life, these early settlers suffered countless hardships during the first year of
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