USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume III > Part 50
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"The copper strikes in Southern Colorado, along the foothills and in the Sangre de Cristo, will soon compel us to add to our list of metallurgical establishments large copper works. In fact, here in Pueblo we receive more copper ores than lead ores, and in a few months our supply will be such that we will leave Lake Superior far behind, as we have already beaten Nevada, California, and are forging ahead of Old Mexico, in the race for the silver leadership."
Pueblo is situated in the midst of the largest and best coal region west of the Mis- souri River. Anthracite in abundance is found at Crested Butte, 160 miles west; while the bituminous coals, for coking fuel and steam purposes, are within from thirty to eighty miles in all directions except to the eastward, and coal for steam purposes is delivered in Pueblo for from fifty cents to a dollar and a quarter per ton, and the coun- ties adjoining Pueblo are the largest producers of coal in Colorado. The lime for flux is procured three miles from town, and costs only one dollar per ton. In addition to the Pueblo Smelting and Refining Works, established in 1880, and the Colorado Smelt- ing Works established in 1883, a third smelter of the precious metals, the Phila- delphia Works, were erected in 1888 through the influence of Mr. E. R. Holden of Pueblo, and M. Guggenheim of Philadelphia. These in the aggregate have (in 1890) twenty-four blast furnaces and a capacity for treating 1,050 tons daily.
The smelters in Pueblo now require the services of about 1,200 men when the works are running full, and the pay rolls amount to over $85,000 monthly. During 1889 the Pueblo Company put in copper reduction works at an expense of $225,000, giving Pueblo the first plant of the kind west of the Mississippi River. These works produce refined copper equal to that of Lake Superior, and the company also manu- factures lead pipe and bar lead.
SMELTER OUTPUT FOR 1889.
SMELTERS.
Silver-ozs.
Gold-ozs.
Lead-Ibs.
Copper-1bs.
Pueblo Smelting and Refining Co.
1, 182,345
4,223
5,300,000
1,408,568
Colorado Smelting Co. ..
1,019,234
4,093
14,020,000
Philadelphia Smelting and Refining Co ..
2,381,009
19, III
16,332,520
44,034
Total.
4.582,588
27,427
35 652 520
1.452,602
The value of above output at the average prices of the various metals named would be over $6,200,000.
Jay Gould once said of Pueblo : "It holds the key to the railroad situation in the West," and soon afterward (December, 1887), in a practical manner he asserted the force
IRVING W. STANTON.
469
HISTORY OF PUEBLO COUNTY.
of his saying by making Pueblo the terminal of the Missouri Pacific Railway, thus giving St. Louis and Kansas City direct connection with Pueblo. In this year the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth Railroad gave Pueblo direct access to Texas and the Gulf.
The mercantile part of the community, while admitting the vast benefits of the iron and coal, and steel and gold and silver industries of the Pueblos, also began a great progressive movement, and claimed credit in the building up of the metropolis of Southern Colorado. As railroads extended branches into the surrounding camps and villages, wholesale houses began to multiply here which were able to compete with the longer established houses of Denver and Kansas City.
Pueblo, though one in practical force, really consisted of two cities divided by the Arkansas, each with its own waterworks and civic institutions. From some reclaimed land in the old river bed a new tract known as Central Pueblo was laid out about 1883, and for a number of years there were three mayors and three boards of aldermen in Pueblo. Finally the citizens realized the disadvantages of this factional situation, and by a popular majority the city of Pueblo was organized, in 1886, by the unification of the three towns of Pueblo, South Pueblo and Central Pueblo. Following this important event, a better and consolidated sentiment and vigor have induced a wonderful progress and growth. New coal fields were developed ; new irrigating canals made immense valleys fertile ; new manufacturing industries were established ; artificial lakes built ; avenues improved ; and a general building up of permanent forces ensued. The mu- nicipal affairs of the city are now directed (1890) by Mayor Charles Henkel and a board of fourteen aldermen, and all the city officers are salaried. At the time of the city's consolidation the property of the former town of South Pueblo was sold, and all its debts paid. The property of the former town of Pueblo-valuable real estate, city hall, hose houses and the Holly Waterworks' system-is managed by its aldermen as trustees.
Fire limits are now established, and during the past four years excellent bridges have been built, substantial levees,-many miles of water and sewer pipe laid, streets leveled and graded, and a fine city hall erected. A commensurate police force under direction of a marshal insures peace and order. The fire department is efficient, and owns a telephone alarm as well as the Gamewell fire alarm system. The city is lighted by gas and arc electric lights. Telephonic communication is held as far north as Den- ver, and also to Cañon City and Leadville.
The Pueblo "Chieftain " owns the exclusive franchise of the Associated Press, and there are two evening papers, the " Press " and the "Star,"-the latter recently founded. The "Press" was established in 1885, and its manager and editor is Mr. W. B. Mckinney. The Germans publish a weekly paper, the "Frei Presse." " The Iron Hand," as its name suggests, is published at Bessemer. Of recent origin is the Colorado "Ore and Metal Review." Other papers here published are the Colorado "Workman," Pueblo " Democrat," "Sunday Opinion," and the "Live Stock Review."
The original town site of Pueblo, one hundred and twenty miles south of Denver, and at an elevation of 4,667 feet above sea level, along the north bank of the Arkansas River, was laid out with the compass, having avenues eighty feet wide, running north and south, and streets of the same width, designated by numbers, running east and west. The area between the present corporate limits is an irregular tract three miles north and south, and two and one-half miles east and west. North of the river the land rises
470
HISTORY OF PUEBLO COUNTY.
gradually, interrupted by the Fountain, running due south. On the higher grounds on either side of this river are situated many handsome residences. Beautiful suburban additions have been laid out, extending northward, and to the east over an area of about three miles square, have been platted without the city on every side. South Pueblo on the bottom lands south of the Arkansas and on the mesa back of the river, is laid out in streets of eighty feet width, paralleled to the river and bluffs, and are designated by letters. These bottom lands are occupied by business houses, railroad yards, ware- houses and factories. A viaduct leads to the mesa, sixty feet above these bottom lands, which is a favorite residence tract of the city. Fronting on the bluffs is Corona Park, laid out in irregular blocks and with serpentine avenues. Separated from this park by a boulevard 150 feet in width shaded by double rows of trees on either side, the balance of the mesa offers handsome home sites. Back from this tableland is a second and higher plateau upon which is situated the town of Bessemer, where are located two smelters and the steel works, smaller factories, shops and the homes of the em- ployes. The town of Bessemer, born of the Colorado Coal & Iron Company, was incorporated in April, 1885, and its first mayor was J. S. Stewart, who was succeeded by the present incumbent, Mr. James K. Dempsey. The population of Bessemer, as given by the census of 1890, is 3,681 souls.
The same enumeration gives Pueblo a population of 28,500, giving this city the second rank in the State-the place occupied by the county which contains about 34,000 souls.
Union and Santa Fé are Pueblo's chief retail business avenues ; the depots are near the river, and street cars traverse the main residence and business sections of the city. Old Pueblo is handsomely laid out with an abundance of water and ornamental and shade trees.
In 1888 the first really metropolitan business blocks were erected in Pueblo, and the epoch of four and five storied structures, with passenger elevators, was inaugurated. In 1889-'90, the magnificent Central Block and the Swift Block were built, costing respectively $200,000 and $80,000. The Wells-Chilcott Block, costing about $50,000, and several other handsome buildings costing from $20,000 to $75,000, have been erected during the past two years, giving evidence of the faith of the citizens in their bustling home.
The Arkansas River supplies Pueblo with water. That part of the city north of the river is the owner of public waterworks, the capacity of which is 10,000,000 gallons per day. That part of the city south of the river is supplied by the South Pueblo Water Company, whose works have a capacity of 4,000,000 per day. It is estimated that there are eighty miles of mains laid in Pueblo and Bessemer. The works are upon the Holly system.
The North waterworks property in 1889 was valued at $200,000, and its bonded indebtedness was $120,000, bearing interest at 7 per cent. In that year both systems were greatly improved and enlarged by the building of reservoirs and ditches, and the purchase of new pumping machinery. Three artesian wells in Pueblo,-the Clark, Fariss and Mineral Park, and one Bessemer-sunk about 1, 100 feet each, yield copiously. From the Bessemer well, pure artesian water is delivered to citizens for drinking pur- poses, at a charge of about five cents per gallon. The medicinal properties of the
471
HISTORY OF PUEBLO COUNTY.
Pueblo wells are valuable, containing iron, magnesia, potassium, bromides and chlorides. The Bessemer well flows pure water without mineral ingredients.
In addition to the beautiful parks in the city proper, and broad and long driveways, the Puebloans have charming recreation grounds-at Lake Minnequa, a short drive south of the city, and prospectively at Fountain Lake in the opposite direction. Lake Minnequa, of natural origin, covers nearly three hundred acres in area, and is situated on an immense table land, and surrounded by shade trees. A driveway encircles the lake ; on its bosom are row boats and a steam launch, and on its shores a dancing pavilion. The street cars reach this resort, and a thousand shade trees embower the lake and the bordering hotel, while from its surrounding driveways and walks on its shores fine mountain and valley views are obtained. Along the river the soil is alluvial, the slopes a black shale, and on the tablelands is found a fertile, gravelly and sandy soil. Ditches irrigate the long lines of trees on the residence avenues, and there is an abundance of water for irrigation purposes -- which makes beautiful lawns possible every- where. The noted sanitary engineer, George E. Waring, Jr., prepared the city's plan of drainage and mains, and laterals have been placed according to his design wherever demanded. The streets are not as yet paved. A paid fire department was organized in 1889. And now the Arkansas River at Pueblo is spanned by four fine iron bridges, built by the city, as well as by one of wood, and a monstrous iron viaduct and bridge combined. Besides these, the river is crossed by three railroad bridges built by the Denver & Rio Grande, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the Missouri Pacific Companies. Across the Fountain the city has erected two iron bridges and an iron viaduct and bridge combined. The Denver, Texas & Fort Worth crosses the Fountain with two railroad bridges, and the Santa Fé Company with one.
The State ditch which is being built by convict labor, through the efforts of Mr. C. H. Small before the Board of Trade Association, is now aided by various private county subscriptions which are returned in water rights. A survey of the ditch's pro- posed course has been made from Cañon City to Piñon on the Fountain (twelve miles from Pueblo), thence crossing the Fountain to Burk Hill and to Chico. This new great canal will add greatly to the fertility of Pueblo's surrounding country.
The business area of the city comprises over fifty squares, and to solidify the busi- ness center the "Pueblo Board of Trade Association" in 1889 decided to erect a Cham- ber of Commerce building in the middle of this district. In 1869 was organized the "Board of Trade of Southern Colorado," M. D. Thatcher, president, and George A. Hinsdale, vice-president. A second board was organized in 1873, with James Rice as president, and Wilbur F. Stone vice-president, and it is probable this organization was instrumental in extending the Santa Fé Road to Pueblo. Neither of these boards was incorporated, but in 1884 "The Board of Trade of the Pueblos" was incorporated "for the general promotion of trade in said cities," and its successive presidents were: Alva Adams (two years), Charles Henkel, W. A. L. Cooper, Josiah Hughes and Irving W. Stanton. This board encouraged the location here of the Colorado Smelter and the Pueblo extension of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. In 1888 the board was reorganized as a stock company with capital of $50,000, and the name adopted "The Pueblo Board of Trade Association." Its presidents in succession have been John D. Miller and D. L. Holden, the present incumbent being Andrew McClelland. It is composed of 242
472
HISTORY OF PUEBLO COUNTY.
members, owns a building site valued at $50,000, and has just erected a handsome four story stone building costing nearly $100,000.
The church organizations have multiplied in proportion with the general growth, and they enliven the social as well as the moral life of the Puebloans. Harmony among the various sects is effected by a system of Protestant weekly meetings. The following table, obtained directly from the pastors, shows the condition of the churches at the beginning of the present year:
DENOMINATION.
Local Designation.
No. Houses of Wors p
No. of Set: tings.
Value Church and Parsonage Property.
Total Expense Maintenance per year.
-
No. of Commu- nicants.
African Methodist Episcopal.
1
250
$3,800
$1,500
73
Baptist
First.
T
400
23,000
1,800
160
Mesa.
I
200
7,500
1,200
35
Catholic
St. Ignatius.
I
300
22,000
1,500
600
..
St. Patrick's.
I
400
22,000
2,600
600
St. Joseph's.
I
150
1,700
200
100
Christian.
First.
I
300
15,000
3,000
225
Congregational.
First.
I
310
17,000
2,000
107
Grove.
I
200
1,800
Free Methodist ... .
Granger Chapel.
I
100
500
7
German Evangelical Lutheran
600
63
German Evangelical Protestant .
1,200
50
Missionary Baptist.
First.
I
650
35,000
3,250
197
..
Mesa.
I
450
10,000
1,800
210
Methodist Episcopal, South
Corona Chapel.
I
175
10,000
1,175
12.1
I
200
5 000
First.
2
725
55,000
4,000
200
Mesa .
1
160
12,000
2,000
154
Protestant Episcopal
St. Peter's.
1
250
30,000
2,500
130
Holy . Trinity
1
120
10,000
1,600
96
St. Andrew's Mission ..
I
350
Total.
22
5.615 $295,200
$36.375
3,295
I
75
400
300
20
Methodist Episcopal.
Pilgrim.
8,000
2,600
Cumberland Presbyterian
Mesa.
I
200
3.500
12
South Side.
1,200
45
Presbyterian.
East Pueblo.
Washington in his farewell address said, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports," and Pueblo, at least so far as public sanctuaries is concerned, presents a promising outlook, according to this sentiment.
The Pueblo Club is the leading social organization, and was founded in 1886. It has recently given up its old quarters over the Stock Growers' Bank to enjoy more spacious rooms, which have been handsomely furnished in the new Grand Opera House Block. Its membership, now about one hundred strong, embraces many of the most prominent citizens. The president is J. A. Joy; vice-president, Samuel H. Abbey, secretary, Captain J. J. Lambert; treasurer, A. J. McQuaid. In the directory we find, O. H. P. Baxter, M. D. Crow, J. A. Joy, J. D. Henry, W. B. Hamilton, R. F. Lytle; W. H. McDonald, T. T. Player, H. S. VanKewren, N. B. Wescott, W. W. Palmer, Robert Gibson and S. A. Abbey.
The society of Elks in Pueblo numbers about one hundred and twenty-five members. Dr. R. H. Dunn is "Exalted Ruler," and Frank Spratlin secretary. Within this society is the Elk Club, sixty strong, with D. L. Holden president and Frank
P. R. Thumbs
473
HISTORY OF PUEBLO COUNTY.
Spratlin, secretary. The Elk Club now occupies the rooms over the Stock Growers' Bank, formerly owned by the Pueblo Club.
The G. A. R. is represented here by D. L. Holden and R. H. Dunn, who are, respectively, commander and assistant adjutant-general for the department of Colorado and Wyoming.
The public schools of Pueblo, including Bessemer, on the Ist of January, 1890, numbered ten, the school property was valued at $235,000, and the average attendance of pupils was 1,595, while the children of school age in the district numbered 2,901. Seven new schoolhouses were built in the county in 1889, numbering a total of forty- six, and nearly all of these are supplied with suitable apparatus. The county's school enrollment is 3,010, and eighty-five teachers are employed. The schools of South Pueblo are most prosperous.
In the fall of 1888 the Southern Methodist College had erected one wing of its proposed institution on the mesa. Its property is valued at $35,000, and under a corps of seven professors began its career with sixty-nine students.
The Loretto Academy established in 1876 on Tenth and Elizabeth streets, is excel- lently conducted by the Sisters of Loretto. It occupies a three storied brick structure. The property is valued at $50,000. One hundred and ten girls and young women are in attendance. St. Patrick's is a free day school established in connection with St. Patrick's church built on the mesa, and under direction of the Sisters of Charity. Its property is valued at $50,000, and four teachers instruct one hundred and ninety pupils.
Recently established is Pueblo's Business College, which enrolls over one hundred pupils.
New public schools are now in course of erection and during the past year $191,000 in bonds were voted by the people for new buildings, and improvements.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Pueblo was formed in February, 1889, as the result of a movement instituted by the city churches, and directed by Mr. Sunley of the Denver Association. Mr. O. H. P. Baxter provided the society with temporary quarters at the corner of Fourth and Main streets. Mr. Rankin is the secretary, who, with Mr. W. L. Graham, one of the directors, directs the affairs of the association. Per- manent headquarters were secured in July, 1889, in the second and third floors of the new building at the corner of D street and Union avenue. In the year and a half of its existence the association has increased its membership from 150 to 375.
The State Asylum for the Insane was established in 1879, and its earlier history is given in foregoing pages. The large Chilcott edifice first occupied by this institution, became too limited for its requirements in a few years, and the State erected two hand- some additional structures. More room becoming necessary, additional accommodations were secured in 1889, and during the past year more than two hundred patients were constantly treated in the asylum, while those cured and discharged amounted to fifty per cent. of those admitted. Dr. P. R. Thombs, who has been its superintendent from the beginning, has earned an enviable reputation throughout the West for his human- itarian and successful directorate. The present board of commissioners are Dr. A. Y. Hull of Pueblo, Jose B. Romero of Conejos, and Dr. L. E. Lemen of Denver.
The State Fair Association was incorporated in November, 1886, and fifty acres of ground on the mesa near Mineral Park were purchased for $3,000, and $5,000 was
474
HISTORY OF PUEBLO COUNTY.
expended in improvements, the first fair being held in the fall of 1887. However, a successful race meeting was held here in May of that year. In 1888 a fair was held, but proved a financial failure, but the exhibition of 1889 was in every way successful, and many improvements had been made. In January, 1890, the association sold its grounds alone at an advance of $45,000, and a little later located upon 100 acres near Lake Minnequa, south of the city, at $300 per acre, where a mile race track was made costing $8,000, and a successful race meeting was held here in May of the present year. The officers of the Pueblo Racing Association are W. W. Palmer, president; A. T. Stewart, vice-president ; W. J. Barndollar, treasurer, and J. K. Shireman, secretary. The State Fair, with its exposition building and agricultural, horticultural and ma- chinery halls, and arrangements for the care of horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, etc., is a complete institution. The present officers are A. McClelland, president ; J. A. Wayland, vice-president ; W. A. Moses, treasurer, and J. K. Shireman, secretary.
At the current epoch five trunk lines run into Pueblo. We have already chronicled the coming of the Denver & Rio Grande ; the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fé ; the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth (absorbed by the Union Pacific); the Missouri Pacific. And the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific began running its trains into Pueblo in 1889. A magnificent Union depot of fine red sandstone has been erected during the past year, and cost, including changes of track, about $400,000. During 1889 forty-two passenger trains ran in and out of Pueblo daily, and 60,000 tickets were sold aggregating $400,000, while 120,000 pieces of baggage were handled ; 30,000 car loads of freight were received by the various lines in Pueblo during the year past, and 4,000 carloads were exported by the manufacturers and wholesale merchants.
The Pueblo Union Stock Yards were opened for business in June, 1889. These are located south of the city, and have facilities for handling 12,000 head of live stock. All the railroad lines centering at Pueblo run tracks into the yards, and nearly 175,000 head of animals were received here during the past year.
The city has two electric light companies, the older one of which was organized in 1880 as a gas company, but in 1887 an electric light plant was put in and the company was reorganized as the Pueblo Gas & Electric Light Company. Its capital stock is $300,000, and the works are valued at about this figure. The company is at present running 1,400 sixteen-candle power incandescent lights, and 299 2,000-candle power Thomson-Houston arc lights. Improvements which will cost upward of $5,000 are now in progress at the works. The officers are : O. H. P. Baxter, president ; C. E. Gast, vice-president ; J. A. Thatcher, treasurer ; L. M. Hovey, secretary, and D. E. Mc- Cartney, superintendent. It now employs twenty-eight men, and has a pay roll of $1,800 a month.
The Pueblo Light, Heat & Power Company was organized in 1888, and has a paid up capital of $100,000. It runs the Schuyler system of arc lights and the Westinghouse system of incandescent lights. Its equipment consists of four 35-arc light dynamos ; four 650-light incandescent dynamos ; six boilers aggregating 560-horse power, and six engines aggregating -- horse power. This company is prepared to furnish electric power for mechanical purposes, and is now engaged in the work of doubling the capacity of its plant at an expense of twenty-five thousand dollars.
Fourteen men are employed, and the running expenses are twelve hundred dollars
475
HISTORY OF PUEBLO COUNTY.
per month. The officers are : J. D. Miller, president ; J. H. Bennett, vice-president ; J. O. Albert, secretary and treasurer, and Charles M. Davis, superintendent.
The Pueblo postoffice during the year 1889 received from sales of stamps, box rent, etc., over $36,000. It employed nine regular carriers who delivered over 1,600,000 letters, cards and newspapers, while the general delivery distributed over 1,800,000 letters, circulars, packages, papers, etc. The postoffice during the year yielded a net profit to the government of nearly $20,000.
The Pueblo Street Railway Company was reorganized in 1889, and became the Pueblo City Railway Company, capitalized at half a million dollars, one-half of which was paid in. James B. Orman is president, and Mr. J. F. Vail secretary. The city granted this company franchises for constructing and operating an electric railway along the principal streets, and over twenty miles of the electric line were constructed during 1890, where thirteen miles of horse cars were operated previously, which are continued where not supplanted by electric cars. The electric cars began running in the summer of 1890, and one can now go in a few minutes from Twenty-ninth street on the north to Lake Minnequa and Bessemer on the south. The added rapid transit facil- ities have added wonderfully to the activity and extension of the city, promoting home building, noticeably. The number of buildings erected and in course of construction in the past year was over 1,250, and their cost approximated $4,000,000. During the past two years innumerable additions and subdivisions have been filed and the country on either side is platted. During 1889 nearly sixty plats were filed by the city clerk. The real estate transfers were enormous. During this period 7,853 instruments were filed, the consideration being $11,207,438. The United States Land office for the same year makes the following showing:
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