USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume III > Part 28
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The First National was chartered June 17th, 1885, and opened for business Sep- tember Ist, following, with a capital of $50,000. George Wyman, president; Charles H. Stickney, vice-president and Thomas Butler, cashier. Eben White, the then assistant cashier, has been the cashier since 1886. Mr. Wyman is still president, with Daniel Ransom as vice-president.
The board of trade was formed in 1886: George Wyman, president; F. H. Stick- ney, first vice-president ; O. A. McFarland, second vice-president ; A. L. Williams, recording secretary; Seth Terry, corresponding secretary, and C. E. Day, treasurer.
About ten years ago half of the business part of the town was destroyed by fire, when the old frame buildings were replaced by substantial brick houses. The water- works were built about eight years ago at a cost of $70,000, the water being brought from the cañon of the St. Vrain, a distance of about twelve miles, giving a good natural pressure. The Walter A. Buckingham Hook and Ladder and the Longmont Hose No. I have for many years constituted the fire department. A fine two-story brick city hall
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HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY.
was built in 1884. There are three large flouring mills; a creamery, canning factory, an electric light plant and other enterprises which indicate business thrift and progres- siveness. The streets are bordered with large shade trees, which with three parks, make Longmont a beautiful town.
The valley of the St. Vrain, traversed by the stream of that name, comprises broad and rich bottom lands, than which none in the State are more fertile or productive. Settlers were attracted to them as early as 1859, and some of them have not only maintained their footing to the present era, but have also become wealthy by the fruitage of the soil. Among those who located there in the earlier years were George, Fred. C. and Lawson Beckwith, Wm. Baker, Thomas McCall, Perry White, Wm. R. Blore, Junius Berkley, the Coffmans, Pennocks, Allens, Hamlin Affalter, Thomas Peck, Isaac Runyon, B. F. Franklin, John C. Carter, Lyman Smead, David Taylor, Dr. Harrison Goodwin, the three Wiese Brothers, Thomas McCall, C. C. True, Geo. W. Webster, the Cushman Brothers, Dr. Powell, Judge Ripley, Dickens, Manners, Masons and others.
Ni Wot is the Indian name for Left Hand Creek, the latter designation being in honor of Left Hand, chief of a band of Arapahoe Indians, who was much esteemed by the settlers because of his honesty and steadfast friendliness toward them, while the majority of his race were hostile and caused them much annoyance. This creek is a branch of the St. Vrain, uniting with it near the town of Longmont. It also waters a very fertile valley where a number of farmers settled in 1859-60-61, among them P. T. Hinman and sons, C. W. Caywood and sons, and Sylvester Budd. Ni Wot was platted by Porter M. Hinman and Ambrose S. Murray, Jr., by Alpheus Wright, attorney-in-fact, and filed March 30th, 1875.
Near the mouth of Left Hand Canon is the little hamlet called Altona. The town company was incorporated by legislative act approved November 8th, 1861, by Thos. J. Graham, Joseph M. Holt, Wm. DeBoise, W. R. Blore, Robert Culver, Peter A. Lyner, and Byron A. Sanford. George Bader and Samuel Arbuthnot were among the pioneer settlers and farmers in that section, which is not only valuable for agri- culture, but one of the finest fruit regions of the county also. Many years ago the town of
Valmont, situated at the confluence of the North and South Boulders, aspired to be the chief town and county seat of Boulder County. It was laid off in 1865 by Judge A. P. Allen and his sons, Rev. G. S. Allen and Dr. H. W. Allen, with Holden Eldred. It flourished for two years, and the hopes of its projectors were stimulated by the marked advances made. But the electors, when the proposition to change the seat of government came to them, refusing to ratify, the scheme ended in disappointment. January Ist, 1866, they established a newspaper called the "Valmont Bulletin," edited by Dr. Allen and D. G. Scouten. April Ist of the following year it was removed to Boulder. Valmont is located on the Boulder Valley Railway, and the center of a very superior farming region, whose prosperity has been continuously maintained from the early years to the present.
The towns of Louisville, Marshall, Davidson and Canfield, although surrounded by excellent farming lands, are more especially mining towns, the centers of the lignite coal beds, where the major part of the supplies of lighter fuel for Boulder, Fort
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HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY.
Collins, Greeley, Evans and Denver, and for railway purposes are produced. Louisville and Lafayette are about twelve miles southeast, and Canfield some twelve miles east of Boulder, Marshall four miles south. Immense quantities of coal are taken from these extensive deposits, as well as from Erie, thirteen miles east in Weld County. Louis Nawatny platted the town of Louisville, and filed the same October 24th, 1878. Can- field was platted by Charles F. Wallis, William O. Wise, B. M. Williams, and J. O. V. Wise, December 27th, 1875, the survey for the site having been made by John S. Tit- comb. The plat was filed December 30th.
The town site of Davidson was platted July 29th, 1874, by the Davidson Coal and Iron Mining Company, through Wm. A. Davidson, its president, and Wm. B. Berger, secretary and treasurer. It was filed July 31st, 1874.
Lafayette was first platted by Mary E. Miller, February 3d, 1888, and then re- platted by her, and the same filed January 5th, 1889. The survey was made by C. A. Russell.
In the region occupied in part by the towns named, are situated all the principal developed coal mines of Northern Colorado. It is a bright, clear fuel, quite dense,* "generally jet black, with high luster, and as a rule, destitute of fibrous or woody structure. Specific gravity from 1.28 to 1.40, averaging about 1.33; rarely contains one per cent. of sulphur and usually less than .04 per cent ; ash residue comparatively slight, ranging between two and seven per cent. averaging about four and a half; heat- ing power high, igniting readily, burning freely until the last fragment is con- sumed; are in general use for domestic purposes, roasting pyritons ores, for making steam in stationary and locomotive boilers, blacksmithing, etc., etc. The principal veins are from five to sixteen feet thick, averaging eight to nine feet."
The discovery of coal at Marshall is ascribed to Joseph M. Marshall, from whom the mines at that place take their name. Near at hand are large deposits of brown hematite iron ores, from which many tons of excellent pig iron were produced in 1864 by a rude blast furnace erected by Marshall and his associates, A. G. Langford, William and Milo Lee.
At Louisville the discovery was made by boring, under direction of Mr. C. C. Welch of Golden, the operator being a Polander named Louis Nawatny, who began sinking a well there in August, 1877. These are known as the Welch mines, and are owned by the Union Pacific Railway Company.
The bottom lands of the lower Boulder, eight miles from the mountains, were occupied during the very early period of settlement in the county. Among the pioneers were W. R. Howell, John Rothrock, Hiram Buck, P. A. Lyner, Wm. A. Davidson, H. B. Ludlow, J. J. Beasley, Jeremiah Leggett, Edgar Sawdey, Hiram Prince, E. Leeds, J. C. Bailey, Stephen H. Green and George C. Green.
The Davidson Coal Mining Company was formed in 1873 with a capital stock of $160,000, the corporators being Wm. A. Davidson, Jonathan S. Smith, Geo. W. Smiley. Charles. B. Kountze and Wm. B. Berger. Their lands comprised 8,000 acres, mainly coal and iron.
It would appear to a casual observer that a county containing so many towns, such
*Prof. J. Alden Smith's Report, 1883.
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HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY.
a diversity of resources and industries as have been mentioned in the foregoing rapid epitome, must necessarily become very rich and prosperous without the aid of gold and silver mining; that with such vast reserves of coal and iron, a greater area of splendid farms than any other except Larimer, and with all industries planted upon solid foun- dations, nothing more could be desired, nothing more needed to insure a radiant future. But nature implanted even greater treasures in the mountains above than have been found in the valleys below. As already mentioned, the mining town of Gold Hill was thickly populated in 1859-60, and it was then that many who have since been principal actors in the fortunes of the county made their first ventures in the Rocky Mountain region. After the first excitement subsided and the district fell into "innocuous desuetude," comparative silence prevailed until the spring of 1869, when the Caribou silver mine was discovered by Samuel Conger, who took unto himself as partners and sharers in the property Wm. Martin, George Lytle, Hugh McCammon, John H. Pickel and Samuel Mishler. This lode proved in succeeding years one of the richest silver mines in Colorado. Other discoveries followed until a great belt of silver bearing veins (but none of gold) was opened, and Caribou became one of the lively centers of mining industry. A considerable town sprang up. Caribou City was platted September 26th, 1870, by Samuel Mishler, Wm. F. Sears, John H. Pickel, George Lytle, Wm. Martin and Samuel Conger, and filed on that day.
The outpouring of silver bullion was large and continuous. Its effect upon the town of Boulder and neighboring regions was highly beneficial, for it furnished a new and profitable market for their produce and merchandise stores. It brought a large increase of population, of money and property. A. D. Breed, a Cincinnati capi- talist, bought a half interest in the Caribou mine for $125,000, operated it upon close business principles, and gathered material harvests of profit therefrom. In 1873 the mine was sold to Dutch capitalists for a sum far exceeding its true value. After some years of unfortunate management the company became embarrassed, and the property was sold under foreclosure, Jerome B. Chaffee being the purchaser. After a season of prosperity under the new owner it was closed. In 1879 the greater part of Caribou was destroyed by fire and was not wholly rebuilt. The town of Nederland, four miles below, was built in 1871, Mr. A. D. Breed forming the nucleus with his quite extensive silver mills, about which people settled until a town resulted. Its first title was Middle Boulder. Carrie F. Morse, owner of the tract, caused the town site to be surveyed and platted by John D. Peregrine, surveyor, in May, 1877. The plat was filed June 12th following. Notwithstanding the value of the mines, it has not prospered during later years. At the present writing the only mining done is by leasers, and the product insignificant compared with former years.
W'ard District, largely devoted to gold mining, is situated in Indiana Gulch, a branch of Left Hand Creek, eighteen miles northwest of Boulder. It took its name from Cal- vin W. Ward, who discovered the Ward lode there in 1860, during which year many other prospectors made valuable discoveries, the most important being the Columbia, by Cyrus W. Deardoff, which includes the famous Ni Wot property. From Claim No. Io West on this lode, the owners, Messrs. Davidson & Breath, took about $100,000 in gold from surface ores reduced in a rude stamp mill. The increment of population was rapid during 1865-66-67. Many reduction mills were built, some of them very
Robert A Duncan
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HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY.
costly. It is stated that the Ni Wot mines yielded nearly $700,000 in those years. The usual fate befell the district after the decline of its pristine glory, and though operated in a desultory fashion at various times, no satisfactory results accrued until 1888, when the Ni Wot mines came under the control and management of the Tabor Investment Company of Denver. They repaired the mills, of which there are two of fifty stamps each, added Bertenshaw concentrators and made other improvements. The mills crush and amalgamate the gangues, the sulphurets and concentrates being sold to the smelters, exactly the same methods as are employed in Gilpin County, since the ores are almost identically the same, and require the same treatment. As a result of this introduction of new capital and enterprise, the Tabor Company was followed by many others, and all being successful, the district is now one of the most productive in the State. From a deserted village of two or three years ago it has become a brisk center of population and profitable industry. It illustrates the value of new blood, new methods and persistent determination applied to the redemption of long aban- doned mines. Here is a section upon which great sums had been expended in a mis- guided way, ending in disappointment and failure for the want of proper direction. There are millions of treasure in these mines, which, being true fissure veins, are prac- tically inexhaustible; yet from the first years when they gave forth abundantly they were unprofitable until 1888, when the right men came into possession and made them equal to the best in the land. Like results will one day be witnessed in those of Car- ibou, Gold Hill, and in other virtually deserted camps in this and other counties where the opportunities are equally ample and inviting. The years will prove Boulder County to be one of the grandest in the State for gold and silver mining. Only a small fraction of its wealth in these metals has been brought to light, and this but feebly developed. The mining section which is producing but a few hundred thousand now, ought to produce millions annually from its vast reserves of incomparable ores. I venture the prophecy that before the close of the current century it will take its place among the greatest in the Rocky Mountain region.
Jamestown has been a mining center of some importance for more than twenty-five years, yet like Caribou, Gold Hill, Ward and other sections it has been greatly neg -. lected. It is situate in a beautiful park near the mountains, about thirteen miles north- west of Boulder on James Creek. The first settler there was George Zweck, who made it a grazing ground for his considerable herd of cattle taken there in 1860. Although the hillsides were prospected thus early, nothing of great value was found until 1864, when some galena bearing veins were discovered but not opened, for the reason that there was no market for that class of ores. They were then no better than iron or stone for commercial purposes. The only really great lode yet opened, in that section is the Golden Age, and even this owing to perfunctory operation, is noted only for the extent, beauty and richness of the gold quartz taken from one of its veins, the most valuable and beautiful ever found in Colorado.
Here is another vastly rich mine that has been simply played with by its owners, who fear to develop through the apprehension that it will be spoiled. There is no doubt in the minds of experts who have given it careful examination, that it is an extra- ordinary vein and might be yielding very large returns above the cost of development, yet has done almost nothing for the county and country. Boulder has suffered more
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HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY.
deeply from that class of men and that unpardonable course of mining than any other in the list.
Owing to periodical outbursts of excitement produced by reputed great discoveries, but which when investigated came to naught, Jamestown has at times been largely populated for a few weeks, only to be almost wholly abandoned when the fever passed. It is simply a pretty hamlet now. The wrecks of numerous mills and processes, with groups of shallow prospect holes on the mountain slopes, attest its former activity.
Jamestown was platted July 25th, 1883, by Sylvester S. Downer, County Judge, as trustee for the inhabitants, nearly all of whom long ago disappeared. But we have not yet witnessed the last nor the best of this camp. A time will come when it will be one of the largest and most prosperous in the county.
Balarat, four miles northwest of Jamestown, made somewhat noted by the Smuggler mine; Camp Providence, three miles southwest of the point first named; Sunshine, eight miles from Boulder westerly; Camp Salina and Sugar Loaf, bear Gold Hill; Magnolia, eight miles from the county seat, and Orodelfan, at the junction of Boulder and Four Mile Creeks, were lively mining towns in their time from 1872 to 1876, brought into existence by the discovery of unprecedentedly rich tellurium ores, the most extensive and valuable ever known. Of these Sunshine was the chief, the center of discovery and productiveness. According to Bixby, the first discovery of these marvelous ores was in the Little Miami lode in the fall of 1873 by D. C. Pat- terson. In the spring of 1874 it was found in the Sunshine lode. But the larger vein and richer ores were found in the American by Hiram Fullen May 22d, 1874. It was this that gave the region its fame. Prof. J. Alden Smith, Territorial geologist, who at that time conducted an extensive laboratory in Central City, was the first to ascertain the true character and extraordinary richness of this rare mineral. His assays, giving wonderful results, led to the purchase of the American while yet only a prospect-by Hiram Hitchcock of New York. The first class ores yielded $5,000 to $10,000 per ton in gold, the second class $800, and the third class $200, as taken from the shaft and assorted for smelting. Samples were taken from the richer part of the vein that assayed from $20,000 to $100,000 per ton, in gold. It was the richest gold mine ever discovered in the Rocky Mountains, or the world. Up to that period tellurium ores had been found in only three localities of the globe, and this was the largest and richest ever known. The vein was two feet thick, of which seven to eight inches carried min- eral of almost fabulous value. Much the same class of mineral was exposed in the Smuggler at Balarat, in the Keystone at Magnolia, in the Melvina near Salina, and in some other mines. But excepting a few now operated, the production of these high grade minerals has ceased, and the camps founded upon them have lost their once enviable prestige. The gross product of gold and silver bullion in the county for 1889 was $801,966.
Notwithstanding present inactivity, the existence of great mineral resources is un- mistakably manifest in various parts of the mountains contiguous to the farming towns. As a matter of fact the business of mining for the precious metals is still within the primary stage. The generation of men that succeeds the present will work lodes and placers at a profit which are now deserted, because they will not yield to crude efforts the vast sums demanded of them.
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HISTORY OF BOULDER COUNTY.
One of the dominant industries of the county is the quarrying and preparation for market of superior sandstones for the better classes of dwellings and business blocks in Denver and other towns. The principal quarries at present are at Lyons, which is growing to be a town of considerable importance, by reason of the numbers of men employed there. The town site was platted July 25th, 1882, by the Lyons Town Site & Quarry Company. Another plat was made by Thomas G. Putnam, March 29th, 1890, and filed April ist. It has one weekly newspaper, the "News," edited by Mrs. Carrie Lyons.
The assessed valuation of property in the county, returned in 1890, shows 99,277 acres of agricultural land valued at $984,835; 92,610 acres of grazing land valued at $178,425; 1,579 acres of coal lands valued at $28,070 and 1,444 of stone-at $14,300.
It will be understood that these figures are merely nominal, and do not represent the actual values of either class. The improvements on farming lands are placed at $425,580, and on public lands at $43,625; town lots with improvements $1,214,735; assessment on 99.43 miles of railroad within the county at $768,321. The live stock interests are represented by 7,027 horses valued at $242,000, and 16,781 cattle, $151,935. These, with other property, make a total assessed valuation of $4.964,- 026.56. As a rule, property in Colorado is assessed at 30 to 50 per cent. of its cash value, and a considerable part of the live stock is not assessed at all.
From this review of the resources of Boulder County it will be seen that they present unusual diversity and very great extent. Its farming lands are very extensive and are not surpassed in fertility nor in harvests gathered by any in the world. It has boundless extent of coal, gold, silver and building stone, a great number of towns, is more abundantly watered than any in the northern division of the State, has ample rail- way facilities, is one of the principal seats of education, intelligence and wealth. It is so near the city of Denver its farm produce finds a ready market there for home con- sumption and export. It possesses within itself all the elements of prosperity. No people could be more advantageously situated nor more lavishly provided by nature for a great destiny. They have only to reach out and broaden their enterprises to reap harvests of wealth on every side. It is difficult to see what more any people on earth could desire than is here furnished in extravagant profusion, unless it be navigable streams and endless shipping.
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HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY.
CLEAR CREEK COUNTY.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION-EARLY GOLD MINING-IDAHO AND ITS MINERAL SPRINGS- PIONEER SETTLERS-ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY -SPANISH BAR, TRAIL RUN -FALL RIVER, DUMONT, LAWSON, RED ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN-THE GOLD MINES AT EMPIRE-GEORGETOWN, THE FIRST CENTER OF SILVER MINING-GREEN LAKE, GRAY'S PEAK, THE LOUP, SILVER PLUME.
This county, also, was one of the original seventeen, organized by an act of the first Territorial legislature, approved November Ist, 1861. The county seat was first known as Idaho Bar, later as Idaho, and still later, when it had become a somewhat noted watering place, as Idaho Springs. It retained that distinction until 1867, when, by a vote of the people, a large majority of whom had collected in the extreme upper end of the. valley, all county records and offices were removed to Georgetown, the present seat. The boundaries first established have not been changed. It is bounded on the north by Gilpin, east by Jefferson, south by Park, and west by Summit and Grand. Excepting the smooth open plateaus occupied by the towns of Idaho Springs, Dumont, Empire and Georgetown, the valley of Clear Creek is a narrow rocky gorge, or series of gorges, plowed and chiseled out, first by glacial action, through centuries of slow but steady movement, finally by the splendid stream which occupied the channel and by ages of polishing, and by ages of tempests and torrents as auxiliaries in the work of disintegration of rocks and soils and their deposition along the lines of the vast furrows, have produced the sublime effects now witnessed all along that beau- tiful and very charming region. Save here and there a small garden patch, there are no evidences of agricultural industry within its boundaries. Originally, the slopes of the mountains were timbered with pines and spruces, but frequently recurring forest fires and the ravages of woodmen's axes have denuded them, except upon the lofty crests and summits. Everywhere the tremendous hills are cleft with ravines, arroyas and cañons, from pinnacle to base, moulded into fantastic forms by uncounted centuries of depositions, fringed with dwarfed and gnarled trees and bushes, the whole prospect rus- set brown, storm swept and weather beaten, yet presenting certain graceful lines and curves, mighty promontories and peaks, the higher of which to the westward are capped and crowned with everlasting snows, the deltas of the brooks and rivulets carpeted with emerald verdure. The entire valley is traversed by South Clear Creek, originally Vas- quez Fork, a stream of clear cold water that takes its rise in the Snowy Range, and, enlarged in its course by numerous affluents, plunges down through clefts and gorges to the plains in Jefferson County, and thence to final delivery in the Platte River.
GuyBall
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HISTORY OF CLEAR CREEK COUNTY.
From Idaho to the base of the main range of mountains, it has sufficient volume for innumerable water powers that ought to be, but are not, save in few instances, utilized in propelling all sorts of machinery for the reduction of gold and silver ores, manu- factures, etc.
From a point five to six miles below Idaho Springs, on to Georgetown and Empire, may still be seen the evidences of mining and prospecting carried on there twenty- five to thirty years ago; the wreckage of log buildings and manifold rude appliances for raising water into long lines of sluices; quartz mills and various "processes" for the extraction of precious metals from quartz; mining slides, chutes and tramways long ago fallen into disuse.
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