USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume III > Part 43
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The first telephone line from Denver was built by the Western Union in September, 1879, and called the Colorado-Edison Telephone. F. O. Vaille managing the Bell patent, soon followed with another line. In February, 1880, the two were made the property of the Colorado Telephone Company.
The fire of 1874 having swept away their only place of amusement,-the Montana Theater,-in 1877 certain wealthy citizens organized a company or club and built the present fine, substantial, stone opera house on Eureka street just above the Teller House.
Public Schools .- In October, 1862, David C. Collier, editor of the "Miner's Register," and during his long residence, one of the most active citizens in all matters of public improvement, was elected superintendent of county schools. Being an enthusiast on the subject, with the quick, nervous energy that marked all his move- ments, inspired by the authority delegated to him, he began the work of dividing his territory into districts. The records show that Collier, Hiram A. Johnson, and A. Jacobs constituted the first Board of Education; that they began by levying a tax of six hundred dollars on the citizens, and with this insignificant sum began active operations. In the winter of 1862-1863, a school was opened in Lawrence Hall, with Thomas J. Campbell as principal, and Miss Ellen F. Kendall assistant. James C. Scott succeeded Campbell after the first term. In 1864 Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Arnold, W. F. Richardson and John L. Schellinger were the teachers. In the spring of 1868 a school was begun in a wooden building opposite the Register Block,-that had been a
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whisky den and a bowling alley,-with Horace M. Hale and Mrs. James Burrell teachers. At the city election in April, 1869, the city of Central voted bonds to the amount of fifteen thousand dollars, and with this sum began the present fine stone building, N. D. Owen contractor, M. H. Root executing the stone work. It was com- pleted in September, 1870, at a total cost of twenty thousand dollars. H. M. Hale became the principal, continuing with the exception of one term, until 1873, when he was appointed Territorial superintendent of public instruction, with headquarters in Denver. During the next two years John L. Jerome was the principal. In 1878 Mr. Hale was again chosen, remaining until January, 1888, when he was elected president of the State University at Boulder. It has been, and is still one of the most admirable of the public educational institutes of the State.
Schools were opened in Nevada in 1862, J. H. Gest (the founder of the Masonic Order of Knights Templar in Colorado), president, John W. Ratliff treasurer, and John Bird secretary. The board erected its own building in 1872.
Alvin Marsh, late attorney general of the State, and for many years one of the leading lawyers of Black Hawk, was the first to inaugurate the school system in that city, the organization occurring at his law office, November 7th, 1862, when Henry P. Cowenhoven was made president; Alvin Marsh, secretary; J. C. Bruce, treasurer. The other citizens present were, Judge S. H. Bradley, William Germain, Joseph E. Bates, W. Fitzpatrick, Albert Selak, W. Graham, G. B. Backus and John Maroney. The board levied a tax of one mill on the estimated valuation of taxable property, and with the funds thus collected established their schools, which have been well maintained.
Churches .- The pioneer cross-bearer and expounder of the gospel in this region, whom all the older settlers remember with great respect and veneration, was the Rev. Lewis Hamilton, who entered upon his work soon after the discovery of gold, holding service in the open air and wherever he could gather an audience. He was welcomed everywhere by the sturdy and rugged miners, and his labors lightened by the respectful aid afforded by them. Though an ardent Presbyterian, he wisely refrained from awak- ening denominational differences by instituting a Union Church, sufficiently broad and catholic to embrace all creeds. At length there came a time when the spirit of sec- tarianism asserted itself. The Methodists were the beginners, under the leadership of Rev. G. W. Fisher and Jacob Adriance. In 1862, the society purchased the site in Central City upon which the St. James M. E. Church now stands, although the building was not completed until 1867. The same association established churches in Black Hawk and Nevada.
Bishop Machebof instituted Catholicism in Central, at a very early date, which was maintained and continuously developed by the Rev. J. B. Raverdy and other priests. Their fine church on Pine street was erected in 1872, and their academy on Gunnell Hill in 1874.
The Presbyterians organized January 26th, 1862, under the direction of Rev. Lewis Hamilton. February 15th, 1863, the Rev. George W. Warner began the work in Black Hawk, which eventuated in the little White Church on the Hill, the first institution erected by human hands that is seen by the visitor on approaching the city.
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in Central, was built in 1873. It is a fine stone structure. Rev. Thomas B. Newby was the first rector.
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The M. E. Church building, at Black Hawk, which was destroyed by the great flood, a few years ago, has been replaced by a new brick edifice near the Presbyterian Church.
The Congregational Church was organized June 28th, 1863, by Rev. William Craw- ford, and its edifice completed February 17th, 1867.
The Rocky Mountain National Bank was established by the Kountze Brothers May Ist, 1866. Paid up capital, $60,000. Authorized capital, $200,000. It was based upon the private bank instituted by those gentlemen in 1862, which for some years was conducted by J. B. Zerbe, and afterward by Joseph H. Goodspeed. Joshua S. Reynolds succeeded Goodspeed as cashier, and Reynolds by T. H. Potter in 1882, who since that time has been the cashier. Henry M. Teller was at one time the president of this bank. Fred Kruse is now president of the bank, succeeding Hal Sayr in that position in 1889.
The First National Bank was opened January Ist, 1874, capital $50,000, succeeding the private banking house of Thatcher, Standley & Co., which succeeded that of Warren Hussey & Co. The incorporators were J. A. Thatcher, Joseph Standley, Frank C. Young, Otto Sauer, Samuel Mishler, William Martin and Hugh McCammon. Frank C. Young was cashier from January Ist, 1874, to May Ist, 1880. Frank H. Messinger became cashier in January, 1881, which position he still holds. Otto Sauer succeeded J. A. Thatcher as president in 1883.
Hanington & Mellor, bankers, organized January Ist, 1875, by Henry Hanington and John Mellor. It was a private bank. The owners voluntarily closed out their business about two years ago.
The United States Land Office for the adjustment of mining and other land claims, was established at Central City December 27th, 1867; Irving W. Stanton, register, and Guy M. Hulett receiver. It was formally opened for business May 18th, 1868, the first application for patent being filed on that day by General Frank J. Marshall of George- town, for the Compass and Square lode in Griffith Mining District, Clear Creek County.
Registers-Irving W. Stanton, 1868; Samuel P. Lathrop, November, 1871; Joseph MI. Marshall, 1873; Richard Harvey, September, 1879; J. A. Van Auken, April, 1888; Anton Mehrlich, July, 1890.
Receivers .- Guy M. Hulett, 1868; W. A. Arnold, May, 1869; E. W. Henderson, 1873; S. I. Lorah, May, 1886; S. V. Newell, June, 1890.
The Colorado Central Railroad, narrow gauge, of which a general history is related elsewhere, was extended from Golden along South Clear Creek to the North Fork, and up the latter to Black Hawk in 1872, where it remained until extended on to Central City, May 21st, 1878.
The Gilpin Tramway Company was incorporated August 4th, 1886, by Andrew N. Rogers, Henry C. Bolsinger, Bradford H. Locke and Henry J. Hawley of Gilpin County, and Robert A. Campbell of Arapahoe County. Henry C. Bolsinger, the first president, was succeeded by Robert A. Campbell, who is still the president. Joseph W. Bostwick is vice-president, and Fred Kruse secretary, treasurer and general manager. This tramway, constructed for the purpose of bringing down the ores from many of the heavy producing mines, is twenty miles in length, has three locomotives and one hundred and twenty-five cars. The gauge is two feet. The capital stock is $200,000, and the
27 III.
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HISTORY OF GILPIN COUNTY.
bonded debt $25,000. This tramway, begun in 1886, was finished in 1887-'88, and is the only one of its class in Colorado. It is a great convenience to the miners and ship- pers of ores, a material saving of expense over the former method of wagon transpor- tation. The adoption of this plan at Leadville, and by other mining regions of the State, would effect a saving of its entire cost in a year or two. It is so radical an improvement over the primitive way for the conveyance of ores, fuel and other supplies, it is surprising that the lead taken by Gilpin has not been generally followed.
Secret Societies .- At no point in Colorado have the orders of Masonry and Odd Fellowship been instituted and conducted with greater zeal, or carried to a higher stage of perfection than in Gilpin. Its Masonic lodges were among the first regularly estab- lished. The brethren wrought together in harmony to that end, and with enthusiastic devotion bringing their work to the most exalted planes of excellence. It was in Central City that the first lodge room was built, the members of Chivington Lodge No. 6, uniting with Collier & Wells, who, in 1864-'65 erected the Register Block, and from their own means added the third story to this building, thereby securing large and well arranged quarters, in which their meetings have since been held.
It is claimed by the fraternity there that Nevada Lodge No. 4 was the first organ- ized in Colorado (December 22d, 1860), but it is not sustained by the records, Denver Lodge taking precedence, the latter dating back to October Ist, 1859, under a dispen- sation granted by the Grand Master of Kansas Territory. Nevada Lodge was formally opened January 12th, 1861, Andrew Mason, W. M .; Ira H. Morton, S. W .; James Dyke, J. W. Chivington Lodge, No. 6 of Central City, was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Colorado, December 11th, 1861. Its first officers were Allyn Weston, W. M .; Thomas J. Brower, S. W .; and Henry M. Teller, J. W. The name was changed by the Grand Lodge in 1866, to Central Lodge, No. 6.
Central City Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons, received its charter from the Grand Chapter of the United States, September 9th, 1865. The first officers were A. J. Van Deren, H. P .; James T. White, K. and Aaron M. Jones, S.
Central City Council, No. 54, Royal and Select Masters, was chartered by the Grand Council of Illinois, October 23d, 1872. First officers, James V. Dexter, Th. S. G. M .; A. J. Van Deren, Dep. S. G. M., and B. W. Wisebart, P. C. of W.
Central City Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar, was instituted November 8th, 1866, receiving its charter from the Grand Encampment K. T. U. S., October 24th, 1868, Sir Henry M. Teller E. C.
Black Hawk Lodge, No. 11, was instituted February 17th, 1866. U. D. from the Grand Lodge of Colorado; Chase Withrow, W. M .; Harper M. Orahood, S. W., and J. W. Nesmith, J. W.
Odd Fellows .- Rocky Mountain Lodge, No. 2, of Black Hawk, instituted June 14th, 1865; charter members, A. C. Marvin, Barnett Dodd, John W. Ratliff and H. H. Heiser.
Colorado Encampment, No. 1, instituted May 22d, 1867. Charter members, Dr. L. L. Bedell, John W. Ratliff, Columbus Nuckolls, John L. Schellinger, Wm. T. Ellis, John Day and David M. Richards.
Colorado Lodge, No. 3, of Black Hawk, instituted May 16th, 1866; charter mem- bers, Herman H. Heiser, Charles Leitzman, James Mills, Henry B. Snyder and John S. Adelman.
Po. J. Kruse.
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Nevada Lodge, No. 6, instituted September 23d, 1868, by Henry E. Hyatt, Deputy G. M. G. L. of Colorado ; charter members, Henry E. Hyatt, James M. Fowler, J. W. Ratliff, S. T. Hale and Frederick Stoermer.
Bald Mountain Encampment, No. 3, instituted at Nevada, March 18th, 1871, by J. W. Ratliff, Special D. D. Grand Sire, G. L. U. S .; charter members, Henry E. Hyatt, J. W. Ratliff, W. W. Sherrick, D. C .. Grant, George Wirth and George W. Brunk.
Knights of Honor .- Excelsior Lodge, No. 1202, of Central City, installed September 19th, 1878; charter members, Mitchell Dawes, H. M. Hale, R. A. Campbell, P. G. Shanstrom, Wm. M. Brown, B. E. Seymour, Alexander McLeod, Alexander W. Mc- Morran, E. H. Teats, I. J. Sprague, E. H. Lindsay, M. B. Hyndman, J. W. Smith, J. B. Morgan, James Davidson, A. F. Parker, J. B. Elrod and G. F. Elrod.
Knights of Pythias. - Gilpin Lodge, No. 5, Central City, organized under a dispen- sation granted April 5th, 1875, by S. S. Davis, Grand Chancellor Commander, charter members, L. Alexander, Edward Tippett, John Rice, Philip Edwards, James H. Thompson, William Mitchell, Levi Rachofsky, James Hambly, John O. Williams, John Trothen, Henry Attwater, Wm. Lemkuhl and Daniel Haas.
Grand Camp of the Knights of the New World .- Warren Camp, No. 2. Installed June 29th, 1876; charter members, J. J. Sprague, John Kruse, Joseph Earnst, Claus Schlopskold, Christopher Uric, Wm. M. Jones, Joseph S. Beaman, George Lutz, J. B. Elrod, Jacob C. Franks, Eugene Traupel, George Hemsaker, Hugh Bailey, Aug. C. Cabel and Edward Lindsay.
The town of Nevada, situated a mile above Central City, was for several years after 1859, quite densely populated by miners on Quartz Hill in the near vicinity, then the principal seat of lode or quartz mining, but is now diminished to a small hamlet. It, like Black Hawk, has its postoffice-designated Bald Mountain. The belt of min- eral veins thereabouts is the most important in the county; they have been worked to greater depths than any others, and are still the chief producers of valuable ore. One or two quartz mills are operated there.
Russell Gulch, just over to the south of Quartz Hill, Missouri Flats below, and Lake Valley its continuation, were the chief centers of placer mining in early times, where scenes of great activity prevailed, but for many years have been but sparsely settled.
Rollinsville, founded by John Q. A. Rollins, and chiefly occupied by the buildings erected by him for ranching purposes, with a quartz mill added for the reduction of ores from the mines of Gold Dirt District near by, is situated very near the northeast corner of Gilpin County. In 1860-'61-'62, the mining section just named was a large producer of gold from placers, and the decomposed outcroppings of the Gold Dirt and Perigo lodes, and many people dwelt there. The streams were lined with arastras, stamp mills and sluices. After long idleness and utter depopulation, some years since Mr. Rollins resumed operations on the Perigo lode, which again became prominent for its yields of the precious metals.
Hughesville is the seat of the silver belt, on the ranch claim of Patrick Hughes, some distance above Black Hawk. Here is the Hard Money mine, discovered by Locke Brothers and Hundeman in September, 1878. Many other silver bearing lodes have been discovered in that vicinity, but none except the Hard Money has been very productive or largely developed. .
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HISTORY OF GILPIN COUNTY.
The principal mines of this county are grouped together in a space of less than four miles diameter, with Central City, the county seat, as the base. To all depths thus far penetrated-the deepest shaft being about 2,000 feet sunk on the California mine, the greater part by Joseph Standley, its original owner-the quantity and quality of the vein matter have been maintained. Mr. Standley and his successors upon this mine, have made the most extensive and important test of the yields and value of these fissure veins to great depths that have marked the history of that class of mining in the Rocky Mountain region. They solved the many perplexing questions which for years agitated the entire guild of miners by demonstrating their permanency, and also exploded the theory that they become richer as depth is attained. In this, as in all others where the records have been preserved, it is shown that the average value of the mineral for the first five hundred feet is maintained to all depths; that they become neither richer nor poorer, but preserve a steady general average, with occasional streaks, or pockets of higher and lower grades, which however, do not upset the rule. At times also the pro- ductive matter is closed or pinched out by excessive gangues, but it is never wholly lost. By sinking or drifting it will reappear and continue until again temporarily inter- rupted by like or similar causes.
The State geologist, J. Alden Smith, in his report published in 1883, the last but one that has been printed, and the only one in which these mines have been considered at length by a State authority, states that the average assay value of the stamp rock, i. e. the class which is assorted for the stamp mills, as indicated by the results of some thousands of assays by himself and others during the preceding eighteen years, was about one ounce, or twenty dollars per ton in gold, and about six ounces silver. At that time also, it was reported that the average amount extracted by the mills was about sixty per cent. of the gold and seven per cent. of the silver, or $12.50 per ton coin value. The silver saved is only that which is in alloy with the gold, and the per cent. varies quite perceptibly in the ores. of different mines. There is a further saving by concentrating the tailings from the mills, which are sold to the smelters and used as fluxes. The sulphuret, or smelting class, comprising the sulphides of iron, zinc, copper, lead, etc., is usually separated by hand picking and cobbing. The value of this ore ranges between $20 and $100 per ton, with occasional lots somewhat above these fig- ures. All the later improved systems of mining, milling and smelting are employed to cheapen and save. By constant experimenting, and the addition of improvements thereby suggested, the business of quartz milling and saving by amalgamation and con- centration has been brought to the most advanced stage, so that in mills that are skill- fully managed, nearly all the precious contents of the ores are secured. The chief agent in these advances was the late Andrew N. Rogers, first superintendent, and later president of the Bobtail Gold Mining Company, through whose genius, tireless industry and skill, the science has been brought to the high stage of perfection that now obtains. There are now in operation the following mills: The New York Mill, 75 stamps; Ran- dolph Mill, 50; Gregory Bobtail Mill, 75 out of 125 a part of the year; Mead Mill, 40; Polar Star, 40; Hidden Treasure, sometimes designated as the California Mill, 75: Humphrey Concentration Works, 20, but double issue; Fullerton Mill, but not run since spring.
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Among the prominent producing mines in Gilpin County are the Frontenac, Adud- dle, Saratoga, Decatur, Chase, Gaston, Topeka, Alps, California, San Juan, Gregory- Bobtail, Hecla, Columbia, Hubert, Gunnell, Ellery, Furnald, Fisk, Clay County, Carr, Bates-Hunter, McCallister, Rialto, Boodle, Hillhouse, Emerson, Hill, Belden Tunnel, Running Lode, Mascot, Cleveland, Mary Miller, Victoria, Hidden Treasure, Lone Star, Belmont, Paul, Kokomo, Searle, Clifton, Connolly, Burroughs, Climax, Kansas, Pyrennes, Egyptian, Ivanhoe, Bates and others. The great Gregory-Bobtail is at present only being worked enough to keep the water out, and the Gunnell has recently been shut down, owing to litigation. The output is from 11,000 to 15,000 tons per month, one- half of which, and sometimes more, is shipped by the Tramway Company. It being mostly gold bearing ore, it is handled by the cord at the mills. As the greater part of the output is first treated in the local mills, the shipments in bulk from the county are greatly reduced.
The Eureka Foundry at Central was established by the Hendrie Bros. in 1864. The firm later became Hendrie & Bolthoff, who in 1882 sold to McFarlane & Co., the new firm consisting of W. O. and Peter McFarlane. They manufacture mining and milling machinery, and build mills not only for local trade, but for Old Mexico, Mon- tana, Arizona, Nevada and other Western States and Territories.
The Black Hawk foundry and machine shops are owned by Silas Bertenshaw. These works, built early in the sixties, were sold to A. G. Langford and Joseph M. Mar- shall, who sold them later to three machinists; the same at a later period, were resold. to Mr. Bertenshaw (in 1878), the latter having conducted the works on a lease from 1876. Mr. Bertenshaw had managed a foundry in Golden from 1868 until he went to Black Hawk in 1876. He manufactures mining and milling machinery, and is also the inven- tor and manufacturer of the Gilpin County Gilt Edge Iron Concentrator, of which he has made about three hundred, selling many to local operators, and shipping others to Old Mexico and various Southern and Western States and Territories.
Among the prominent business men in Central City are W. B. Sherick, proprietor of the Teller House; C. F. Barker, jeweler; J. S. Beaman, bottling works; W. Benna- loch, grocer ; John Best, druggist; Fred Davis, grocer, the Golden Queen drygoods house; Morrison, Harris & Co., furniture, livery and undertakers; Hawley Merchan- dise Co .; M. B. Hyndman, stationer; Jenkins, Mckay & Co., hardware; A. H. Jones, auctioneer; Kruse & Co., grocers; W. M. Lemkuhl, brewery; A. Lintz, cigars and sta- tionery; W. M. Mclaughlin, harness and saddles; Miller & Koch, bakery; J. Polglase, boots and shoes; A. C. Richey, confectionery; Sauer, McShane & Co., grocers; J. Seidler, clothing; The A. Westman Mercantile Co., E. Manson, manager; Charles Trenoweth, clothing; A. H. Day, druggist; A. Rachofsky, the Golden Queen drygoods house; R. Morris, grocer; Charles Swaney, the Eureka House; Leonard Schafnit, the Washington House; Enos Loughran, the American House; John Jordan, the Central House, and others.
At Black Hawk are W. Bennaloch grocer, P. J. Murphy, the Colorado House, Preston Holbrook, boots and shoes; Kimball & Fullerton, millers; Lowell & Clark, hardware; Miller & Koch, grocers; P. B. Wright, Mountain House; T. J. Oyler, grocer; Mrs. Walter Feehan, Pacific House; Rohling Brothers, dry goods; Sleep & Metcalf, grocers; J. H. Reed, druggist; John B. Ballard, millwright and carpenter;
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George Stroehle, boiler works; Boellert & Fick, manufacturers of wagons and black- smiths, and others.
The Central City Waterworks are now nearly completed. The water is conveyed from the springs of the Toinby, Tascher and Thompson ranches, about four miles from the city. There are thirty-five hydrants and 23, 150 feet of mains in the city limits. The winter supply is 38,7127/2 gallons every twenty-four hours. There is one large reservoir that holds 16,800 barrels, and a service reservoir with a capacity of 5,000 barrels. The cost of these waterworks is between $80,000 and $90,000.
The Central City Fire Company, No. 1, was organized December 6th, 1869, with a membership of seventy-eight. M. H. Root was the first foreman of the company; P. Layden first assistant foreman, Robert S. Wilson second assistant foreman, James Mills treasurer, and Foster Nichols secretary. After the fire, the department was reorganized October 8th, 1874. The Rescue Fire and Hose Company, No. 1, with N. H. McCall foreman, was then organized. The Rough and Ready Hook and Ladder Company, No. I of Central, was organized March 30th, 1875, with M. H. Root, foreman, and the Alert Fire and Hose Company, No. 2 of Central, January 2d, 1878, with Richard Harvey, foreman.
Black Hawk also has a fine system of waterworks, the water being brought from springs about four miles distant. A reservoir near the town has a capacity of 2,600 barrels. There are eight fire hydrants. The Black Hawk Fire and Hose Com- pany No. I was organized May Ist, 1879, with W. O. Logue, foreman; Thomas Avery, first assistant foreman; E. F. Hichings, second assistant foreman; B. S. Greathouse, treasurer, and W. S. Swain, secretary. The department now has three hose carts and about fifteen hundred feet of hose.
Central has a fine opera house, erected by a stock company at a cost of about $30,000. It has a seating capacity of 900. The stage is 27x46 feet. The Central Athletic Club, with one hundred and twenty-five members, is now one of the most pop- ular organizations in the town. This club has a lease of Armory Hall for one year.
Gilpin County is making good progress in educational matters. The report of F. B. McLeod, county superintendent for 1890, shows there are twelve schoolhouses, as follows: Two log, eight frame, and two brick and stone. The value of the school property of the county is $47,526. There are eleven school districts, with sittings for 1,153. The enrollment was 1, 184, with an average attendance of 792. At the writing of this chapter, the totals of the assessed valuation of the county for 1890, were not quite finished, but will be about $2,000,000.
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