USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume III > Part 13
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The progress of this journal is wholly without precedent in the annals of Colorado journalism, if indeed, it has been surpassed by any such enterprise in the Western country. The result was due to the marvelous energy manifested in every department by a corps of young, ambitious and fervent workers, the institution of sprightly methods and keenest vigor. It is not usual for an evening paper to outstrip its morn- ing contemporaries in the matter of circulation, yet it was in this instance accomplished. Instead of being confined to the city of Denver it spread to all outlying towns upon the plains and in the mountain regions, a daring and almost unparalleled innovation. Mr. Griffith is a young man, well educated in the schools of Pennsylvania, his native State, and in the legal profession, having also had considerable experience with newspaper work before changing his residence to Colorado. He pos- sesses great physical and mental activity, is nervous, restless, con- tinually plotting and planning to speed his own fortunes and to aug- ment the commercial and political influence of his journal. No event worthy of record escaped the vigilance of the reportorial force, and although they were sometimes hasty in forming and printing con- clusions, as a rule their efforts were commendable. Instead of the indifferent, perfunctory part in politics that controlled the old regime, the "Times" began to aspire to leadership in the Republican organ- ization with somewhat arrogant assumptions of superior rights over its morning contemporary. This pronounced infringement incited angry collisions that augured ill for the party itself. The "Times " has been as honest as newspapers of the current era generally are in pro- moting good government. Strictly speaking, no partisan newspaper is
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unselfishly devoted to the public weal. It seems impossible for two papers of the same party to agree and cooperate in perfect accord in the much needed warfare upon the evils of local government. If one takes positive ground in favor of reforms, the other in its rivalry, stimu- lated by the fear that the prestige of its competitor will overshadow and dwarf its own, feels called to denounce it, and by setting up a dif- ferent code of political and moral ethics, seeks to compel its accept- ance in preference to the other. It is to be regretted that there can be no agreement anywhere for the general benefit, and in this lamentable division of counsels, the men against whom there is constant outcry con- tinue to flourish and fatten upon corruption, robbery and the spoils of office, because the representatives, in other words, the organs or mouth- pieces of the people, cannot unite upon any plan for a better state of things. It is not a matter of doubt but an indisputable truth that if the press would cooperate in harmony for the overthrow of bad govern- ment and pernicious systems, they could not exist. But it is not done here nor anywhere. It is our party, or our faction of the party that must be sustained, right or wrong, hence the people. remonstrate in vain.
Mr. Griffith's part in the history of Colorado is scarcely past the inceptive plane. He has just passed the threshold of a promising career, but it is an extremely bright beginning, presaging a future filled with effective work and gratifying achievements. This is the promise, yet it is seen of all men that the work he performs is overtaxing his slight physique, which frequently breaks under the excessive strain. He works too hard and rests too little. If continued, disastrous effects may be anticipated. He is an apt student of the world and its methods, has learned early many of its useful lessons, but he has yet much to learn en route to the pinnacle of his lofty aspirations. Men do not leap from the foot to the topmost rung of the ladder at a single bound. It is too soon to write his biography or his epitaph. His record is only in the initial chapter, his many gifts struggling for expression, his plans but imperfectly outlined. Upon what has already developed we pred- icate our hope of a brilliant unfolding.
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Mr. Richard Linthicum, managing editor of the "Times," has been an efficient instrumentality in the growth of the paper to its present dimensions. Though young, his experience has been gained in many peculiar phases of life. He was born March 30th, 1859, in Libertytown, Frederick County, Maryland. On the father's side his relatives were Democrats and slaveholding aristocrats; on the mother's, abolitionists and radical Republicans. When he was eight years old, his father died, when he imbibed from the mother her abhorrence of the institution of slavery. He was educated at Liberty Academy, graduating in 1874. His first employment was that of bookkeeper in a wholesale house in the city of Washington. Having a fondness for literary composition, the taste was developed in letters addressed to his home newspaper. At length he ventured upon a serial story for the same publication that, being well received, impelled him to write others for the "New York Weekly" and the "Waverly Magazine." In 1876 he enlisted in the United States Signal Corps, taking the usual course in meteorology, electrical science and signaling at the School of Instruction at Fort Whipple, Virginia. This completed, he was stationed at Philadelphia. It was then comparatively, a new department. This office had the only line extending down the Atlantic Coast. In 1878 he was ordered to Santa Fé, New Mexico, as chief operator of the United States Military telegraph for that Territory. While in this vocation he wrote a serial for the Rocky Mountain "Sentinel" of Santa Fé. From this point he was transferred to Albuquerque. In 1879 he left the service, and pur- chasing an interest in a weekly paper, published one half in Spanish and the other half in English, made his first essay in journalism. In 1881 he sold out and came to Colorado, taking employment as train dis- patcher on the South Park, and subsequently on the Denver & Rio Grande Railways. In 1883 he established the "Como Headlight" which he conducted four years, taking part in the politics of Park County and of the State. While thus engaged he was elected assessor for that county, serving one term. In 1887 he disposed of the "Head- light," moved to Denver and became associate editor of the "Colorado
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Graphic," shifting thence to the "Times" as reporter and city editor. In the fall of 1887 he left the "Times" and did special writing for the "Graphic," until December of that year, then became attached to the reportorial staff of the "Daily Republican," where he remained until June IIth, 1888, when he was appointed managing editor of the "Times." Here he has exhibited fine organizing power, in the employment of local writers, and in the important business of news gathering. His conduct of this force is characterized by nervous energy that decides quickly and moves with swift celerity into every channel where news may be found. As a consequence the columns of the paper bristle with the latest happenings of the day. As an editorial writer he is not excelled by any of his contemporaries.
"The Denver Republican" was founded upon the old daily " Dem- ocrat," established in 1876 by Joseph P. Farmer, Thomas G. Anderson and Benjamin D. Spencer, who purchased as a basis the "Independent," a small paper that had been started by a few printers but had acquired no considerable position. Soon afterward, Mr. Spencer retired, when Farmer and Anderson became sole proprietors. Farmer had risen to affluence through fortunate ventures in stockgrowing ; Anderson was a noted contractor. The paper was published in a one story building then standing on part of the site now occupied by the Railroad Block on Larimer street. Mr. Farmer remained with the "Democrat" until his death, when it was managed by his partner. Mr. Farmer was born in Fermanagh County, Ireland, and came to Denver in 1860. He took part in politics, was one of the founders of the German National Bank, and in 1877 was chosen president of the Colorado Cattle Growers' Asso- ciation. At his death he left a large fortune to his family. Mr. An- derson was one of the argonauts of 1859, born in Clark County, Illinois, in 1832. An ardent Democrat, he took a deep interest in advancing the cause of that party, and while not a very brilliant editor, he was an industrious worker in the general field. He, too, crowned his life with an ample competence by legitimate methods and constant endeavor. Champion Vaughan, Charles Whitehead, Capt. James T. Smith and
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William Havner were in the order named, managing editors of the journal. M. J. Gavisk and Benjamin F. Zalinger were the city editors.
In June, 1879, Major Henry Ward, W. G. Brown and W. H. Price purchased the "Democrat" from Mr. Anderson and the Farmer estate, and organized a stock company with Price as president, Brown secretary and treasurer, and Major Ward editor. Zalinger remained as city editor. It then became a morning daily, but the name was changed to the "Republican," in accordance with the political creed of its new proprietors. In September, 1879, the concern was sold to Charles B. Wilkinson of St. Joseph Missouri, who assumed editorial control, with Major Ward as associate. Zalinger, Fred C. Schrader, Charles F. Wilson, Halsey M. Rhoads and C. O. Ziegenfuss were, successively, city editors under Wilkinson's management. Wilkinson was an experienced journalist and a very brilliant paragrapher, which soon gave him much local celebrity. But the enterprise did not prosper. November Ist, 1880, he sold the "Republican" to a syndicate represented by Joseph C. Wilson, George T. Clark and Amos Steck. On the 12th following, the "Republican " Publishing Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $50,000 : President, Joseph C. Wilson ; Secretary and Manager, George T. Clark. Major Ward again became political editor, and Arthur Kellogg business manager. Mr. Ward, who has been quite prominent in the profession for many years, was born in Mansville, New York, and after graduating from Hamilton College, enlisted in the Tenth Artillery of that State, July 28th, 1862. In 1863 he was pro- moted to a captaincy in the First Regiment United States Colored troops, making a gallant record as a soldier thence to the close of the Rebellion. Under the new management, Mr. C. O. Ziegenfuss was made city editor, and with Henry L. Feldwisch, F. O. Dickensheets and E. D. Cowen on the local staff, the paper seemed destined to take a position of equal rank with the "News" and "Tribune," then the principal organs.
June 21st, 1881, it was transferred to a company represented by Kemp G. Cooper, who, from that time to the present, has been its
Malleya
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general manager. The capital stock was increased to $100,000, the ground now occupied by the "Republican " office was purchased, and the building erected. Meantime, the paper was issued from a small building on Lawrence street, near the present Chamber of Commerce.
Hitherto, although conducted by competent writers, it had failed in the prime essential of business direction. In Mr. Cooper these con- ditions precedent to all success were found, and fully exercised. To him the remarkable growth and financial standing of the " Republican" is due. When the collapsed Denver "Tribune" was purchased and the two papers combined under the hyphenated title, "Tribune-Republican," the following officers were elected : President, Henry R. Wolcott; Gen- eral Manager and Treasurer, K. G. Cooper; Secretary, T. C. Henry, who respectively held their offices until December, 1887, when the entire stock of the company was transferred to Ex-Senator N. P. Hill and K. G. Cooper, the latter taking one-fifth of the stock, and Mr. Hill, who had been a large holder since June 21st, 1881, the remainder. In 1889, the directorate was changed, and the following elected : President and Manager, K. G. Cooper ; Secretary, Crawford Hill; Treasurer. Wm. F. Robinson.
At the time of the consolidation mentioned above, the capital stock was increased to $200,000. The obsolete title, "Tribune," was dropped January Ist, 1887. When purchased in 1881, the circulation of the "Republican" did not exceed 2,200, but from that date it increased rapidly until at the present writing (1890) it amounts to an average of 16,000 daily, and the gross business to about $450,000 a year. In December, 1884, a perfecting press supplanted the more primitive ma- chinery, and in 1888 it was duplicated, the two being required to insure prompt and early issue of the greatly augmented circulation. In 1890 a fourth story was added to the building, to furnish more room for the mechanical department.
Mr. Cooper was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 14th, 1838. In 1855 he went to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he learned the printer's trade in the " Examiner" office. In 1862 he was part owner
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of that paper, and in 1865 became sole proprietor ; came to Denver in 1871 ; purchased the "News" in 1878, and the same year sold it to W. A. H. Loveland. He was a member of the Denver school board (District No. 1) from 1877 to 1882, the last three years president of the board, and thus assisted in building the present school system.
Major Ward continued as managing editor of the "Republican " until August, 1881, when he retired to assume a like position on the Leadville "Chronicle." He was succeeded by C. O. Ziegenfuss, with Henry L. Feldwisch as associate. Excepting O. H. Rothacker, Mr. Feldwisch was the most facile and interesting writer in the Denver guild. He was a graduate of the Woodward High School, Cincinnati, and had been trained in his profession on the "Gazette " of that city. Mr. E. D. Cowen who succeeded Ziegenfuss as city editor, was followed by George E. Allen, and he by F. O. Dickensheets in the fall of 1881. George D. Eastin and Cowen respectively held that post until the summer of 1883, when Mr. Dickensheets again resumed it. In August, 1883, Ziegenfuss resigned, when C. F. R. Hayward became editor, who remained until his death, four and a half years later. Although only 25 years of age, he proved equal to the great responsibility. He was, in the better sense, a self-made man. When but a mere boy he was a reporter on the Phil- adelphia "Times," and subsequently edited papers at Pottsville and Chester, in the same State. Prior to his last appointment he had been city editor of both " Times" and " Tribune." He proved not only a very capable political editor, and manager of the news department, but in time grew to be one of the finest of dramatic critics, a branch of which he was extremely fond. His place in that line has not since been filled, and it will be long before we find his equal. His one work of fiction "The Mentons," written to illustrate the mysteries of hypnotism, was received with unusual favor. . He was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, October 25th, 1858, and died in Denver, March 19th, 1888.
Robert Gauss was appointed associate editor in 1885, which position he has acceptably filled to the present date. He was born in St. Charles, Missouri, September Ist, 1851, came to Colorado in 1880, and
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engaged as editorial writer on the "Herald," and later on the " Chron- icle," at Leadville. Will C. Ferril was appointed city editor of the " Republican" in the spring of 1885, and held it until succeeded by Mr. Dickensheets in March, 1887. He was city editor of the "News" during a part of 1887-'88, and of the "Times" during a part of 1890.
A few days prior to Mr. Hayward's death, the office of news and night editor had been created, and Mr. Dickensheets appointed to that position. He has been associated with various departments of the paper for ten years, and is accounted one of the most competent of news collectors and compilers. For eight years he has been the Denver cor- respondent of the St. Louis "Globe-Democrat."
William Stapleton, who for five years previous had been managing editor of the "News," succeeded Mr. Hayward on the "Republican." He was born in Milwaukee in 1847, and for five years was professor of mathematics and English literature in the German and English academy of that city. During several years he acted as city editor of the Mil- waukee "Sentinel," and later was attached to the staff of the Chicago "Times." In 1878 he was associate editor of the St. Louis "Globe- Democrat," and also served that paper as Washington correspondent. He came to Denver in 1881. During the administration of President Cleveland, and while yet editor of the " News," he was appointed Melter and Refiner of gold at the Denver branch mint.
The consolidation of the "Tribune" and "Republican" in 1884, makes the history of the former a part of the latter. The "Tribune" was founded by L. M. Koons, who published the first issue February 6th, 1867, under the title of "The Denver Daily," at an office on Law: rence street near Sixteenth, known as the Christian Building. It appeared every morning except Mondays, and had for its motto, "In- dustry, Virtue and Truth." S. H. Hastings acted as city editor until March, when R. W. Woodbury was appointed to that place. May 15th, 1867, the name was changed to the "Daily Colorado Tribune." June 7th, R. W. Woodbury became associate editor, and John Walker city editor. January 4th, 1868, the names of L. M. Koons, R. W. Wood-
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bury and John Walker appeared as editors and proprietors, with this editorial comment upon the change : "The editors of the 'Tribune' are glad to announce that they have made such arrangements as admit them to be equal partners in the enterprise on which they have hereto- fore labored as employes, and they hope the change will be as satis- factory to the readers of the paper as to those most interested."
Soon afterward, Woodbury & Walker purchased Mr. Koons' interest, and thus became sole proprietors. December 31st, 1871, they sold to H. G. Bond, E. P. Hollister and others, the latter taking the editorial chair. At that time the office was located on Fifteenth, between Holladay and Blake streets, but on July 29th, 1872, it was moved to the building erected by Mr. Henry C. Brown at the corner of Holladay and Sixteenth. December 9th of that year, Champion Vaughan succeeded E. P. Hollister as editor. Henry C. Brown, who had held the stock of the "Tribune " Company as security for money loaned, was compelled to foreclose and take possession of the property. December 4th, 1874, Major Henry Ward was made editor, and on the same day changed the time of issue from evening to morning. Newton and Howell were the city editors, and were followed by Capt. James T. Smith, and he in due course by Thomas F. Dawson. Mr. Brown sold the paper to Herman Beckurts, November 15th, 1875. Major Ward retained the editorship until 1878, when he resigned, and William B. Vickers was appointed. Mr. Vickers became private secretary to Governor Pitkin in 1879, and his place on the paper was filled by Henry Sparnick until the arrival of O. H. Rothacker from Louisville, Kentucky, who exercised the control until it was merged into the "Republican."
A company headed by George B. Robinson bought the "Tribune" in 1880, when Herman Silver was chosen president and manager. In 1881 it was transferred to General Wm. A. Hamill, F. J. V. Skiff assuming control of the business department. About this time Eugene Field, now somewhat famous as a poet and humorist, was employed upon the paper. With Rothacker, Field, Edgar W. Nye, Will Vischer, Patience Thornton (now Mrs. Wm. Stapleton), Stanley Wood, James
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McCarthy (Fitz Mac) and numerous other gifted contributors to its columns, the "Tribune" should have been successful beyond any of its contemporaries, but owing to the various causes that need no expla- nation to the readers of the present era, it declined rapidly, and finally passed out of existence. In 1883 Mr. T. C. Henry purchased the stock, and imported Mr. Charles Gleed from Topeka, Kansas, to be its editor. After it left Herman Silver's hands, its career was downward, steadily to its fall: By its absorption by the "Republican" in '84, this excellent journal, that should have been a largely profitable enterprise, lost its identity. Under Mr. Cooper's careful management, for he is a superior financier, its rival and successor has attained the first position in Western journalism, with a very large net increase for dividends at the close of each year.
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CHAPTER VII.
FOUNDATION OF OUR PRESENT BANKING SYSTEM-EARLY BANKERS AND GOLD BROKERS -CLARK & GRUBER'S MINT AND ITS COINAGES-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES BRANCH MINT - THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, ITS PRESIDENTS AND CASHIERS.
There were no capitalists among the early settlers in the Pike's Peak region, no aristocrats. The assemblage on the borders of Cherry Creek was both heterogeneous and cosmopolitan. Starting from a common level of poverty, one class progressed according to its innate convictions of the value of industry, order and thrift, rising to eminence in commerce, finance, or politics, as its tastes inclined and opportunities afforded; another remained practically stationary, making no advance- inents, and still another, yielding to unholy temptations, fell by the way- side and perished, leaving no trace but an unmarked grave. Most of them possessed youthful virility, ardor and strength to meet the rude conditions of the long journey, and the aftermath of settlement. There were few greybeards in the long procession, and only now and then a weakling, for these, if ailing at the outset, became robust by the free indulgence of pure air, vigorous exercise, and camp life that brought healing by the enforced assertion of the powers within them.
It is a noteworthy fact, that a majority of our most distinguished merchants, bankers, miners, manufacturers and capitalists of the current epoch, sprang from the obscurity of country villages, and were educated in the common schools of thirty to fifty years ago, when the cause of public education was just beginning to develop into the magnificent . institutions now seen, that are not excelled, scarcely equaled by those of any other nation on the globe after centuries of effort. This is espe-
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cially true of our bankers, the pioneers and supreme directors of our monetary affairs.
It is the main purpose of the chronicles subjoined to illustrate briefly, the ease and rapidity with which men of marked inborn capa- bilities cast off the fetters of circumstance, and become moulders of the destinies of cities, states and nations, for it will not be questioned that well ordered finance is at the bottom of human affairs, and has been throughout the ages. In one sense our financiers are a distinct class of society, operating upon a well regulated code of ethics, the repositories of public trusts, the most precious and costly of human possessions. To the average perception, our banks and bankers stand out clear and distinct from the masses, as the sheeted peaks of our majestic Sierras tower above the reinforcing ranges. Nevertheless, they are your ser- vants and mine, the custodians of our safety, the sources from which the discharge of the highest duties is expected, and more exact accounta- bility than is demanded of any other class. The measure of their success is the measure of public confidence in their honesty and ability. Banks rarely fail, "except from mismanagement and dishonesty on the part of their officers, unless caught in the whirlwind of some great finan- cial revulsion." Commerce may totter to its foundation, but if the banks stand firm, the base is unshaken, and regeneration is speedy and sure.
Legitimate banking in Colorado began after the adoption by Con- gress of the act establishing a national system, which was an outgrowth, so to speak, of the Legal Tender Act of February 25th, 1862, -- " born of the agonies and perils of a great civil war." The beneficent offices of the new method, however, the most perfect and salutary that has ever been devised, were not introduced here until 1865. In the meantime the principal circulating medium was gold dust, supplemented after 1862-'63 by national treasury notes, and those of Eastern national banks, and after July, 1860, by coin derived from Clark & Gruber's mint. Some of the more opulent immigrants brought a few dollars in gold and silver from the States, which soon found its way back again and was hoarded up as too precious for use, until about the time of the general
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resumption of specie payments, January Ist, 1879. The greater part of our gold dust was impure, much of that taken from the stamp mills, debased by the crudeness of the "retorting " process employed. No merchantable silver was produced until 1865, and but little until 1868. As a primitive substitute for banking, there were many brokers in gold dust, generally the agents of bankers in towns along the Missouri River, as St. Joseph, Atchison, Omaha and Leavenworth, who bought the products of the miners at various prices, ranging between twelve and sixteen dollars an ounce, according to fineness. The value of dust from the placer mines was, to some extent, determined by the locality from which it came. Cherry Creek, the borders of the Platte River and its usually dry tributaries, produced the finest and purest gold in the market, and there were a few "diggings" along the bars of South Clear Creek (Vasquez Fork), that yielded results almost equally desirable. The express charges on gold from the mines to the Missouri River in early times, was five per cent. of its value, therefore to avoid these exactions, many shipped by East bound passengers, trusted friends of the brokers, upon such agreements as could be made with them in the way of compensation.
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