USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume III > Part 55
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Moved by the force of rapid transit, Golden and Jefferson put on new habiliments adapted to the revolution. Improvements sprang up on every side. An era of progress had come, long vacant buildings were peopled, the value of lots and lands advanced. Everything in the northern division of the Territory leaped forward under the splendid impulse. Two large flouring mills and a paper mill had been built, coal mines were opened within the town limits, a brewery, the invariable accompaniment of better conditions everywhere, furnished both a market for grain and refreshment to the parched and thirsty who give preference to beer over the fluid supplied by nature, a number of other useful industries were established, among them fire brick, drain tile and pottery works.
The town was incorporated January 2d, 1871, and the following officers were appointed to serve until the municipal election in April following:
Trustees-S. W. Fisher, president; George West, A. H. DeFrance, S. M. Baird and E. T. Osborne. Clerk and treasurer, C. A. Clark; constable, J. R. Ward; street commissioner, Perry Kenson. By the legislative act approved January 22d, 1872, the corporate name was changed from Golden City to Golden. The town became a city of the second class in 1879, the following officers being elected for the term beginning April 21st: Mayor, Robert Milliken. Aldermen first ward, W. J. Sapp; second ward, J. M. Thomas; third ward, Julius Schultz; fourth ward, George K. Kimball. City clerk, E. F. Duff; treasurer, John A. Hoagland; marshal, C. W. Lake; street commis- sioner, Jamcs Morse.
The first railway having been secured, the next great movement was to execute the original design of extending the rails to Black Hawk and Georgetown, the details of which have been set forth in our second volume. Then followed the location of smelting works. Five large plants were built and put in operation immediately along- side the railway below the station and warehouses, but all are in ruins now. For nearly ten years Golden was the center of the Colorado Central Railway system. All trains were made up there, all changes and transfers made, all books and accounts kept at headquarters. The town assumed an importance and manifested a degree of activity in those years, never before or since exhibited. A number of new manu- factures were founded and flourished quite profitably until headquarters were moved in the general transformation of things about 1880.
Golden is a beautiful town of 2,640 inhabitants, well built, admirably situated, endowed with fine schools and churches, and with two large and flourishing State insti- tutions to be mentioned later on. The Holly system of waterworks was built in 1879, at a cost of $52,000, distributing pure water throughout the community. Its fire department consists of the F. E. Everett Hook & Ladder, and the W. A. H. Loveland, and the Excelsior Hose Companies.
Its Free and Accepted Masons claim the honor of having established the first lodge in Colorado. Their meetings at first were of a social character, held in the old town hall. Toward the close of 1859 a petition for a Dispensation was made to the Grand Lodge of Kansas, signed by I. E. Hardy, Eli Carter, James A. Dawson and
506
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
others, to whom a Dispensation was granted January 16th, 1860, signed by Richard R. Rees, Grand Master, and countersigned by Charles Munder, Grand Secretary. It was surrendered October 16th, 1860, and a charter issued by the Grand Lodge of Kansas. The brethren worked under this until August 2d, 1861, when the Grand Lodge of Colorado was organized at Golden. At this meeting, Golden City Lodge, No. 34 of Kansas, was represented by Eli Carter, W. M., Isaac E. Hardy, for the Senior Warden, and John A. Moore, J. W. Golden City Lodge, No. 1, was then chartered. The old document now hanging in the lodge room recites, that "Whereas on December IIth, 1861, a warrant of constitution was granted to the Golden City Lodge, signed by John M. Chivington, G. M .; and, whereas, the G. S. was authorized by resolution adopted November 4th, 1862, to exchange parchment for paper charters, this warrant of constitution is given in exchange for the paper one, March 25th, 1863, signed by Allyn Weston, G. M., and O. A. Whittemore, G. S."
Golden Royal Arch Chapter No. 5, was chartered May 11th, 1875, F. E. Everett, H. P., M. Cook, K., and M. C. Kirby, S.
Notwithstanding Golden Lodge is No. I on the list of such Masonic bodies, its claim to priority is contested by the heirs of old Auraria Lodge, opened October 1st, 1859, under a Dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Kansas, and this assumption has been successfully maintained.
Golden Lodge I. O. O. F., No. 13, was chartered October 18th, 1871, with the following members: Joseph Mann, Harpin Davis, James Collins, J. W. Hansbrough, G. W. Dollison and John G. Hendrickson.
Jefferson Encampment No. 16, was chartered October 21st, 1879, with the following members: Alexander D. Jameson, Alonzo A. Tuttle, Charles Davis, John Koenig, Rocliff Bennett, W. J. Sapp, R. Penalema, J. A. McGee and John B. Bryant.
The charter to Degree Lodge, No. 8, Daughters of Rebekah, was granted October 19th, 1883, to J. H. Lubben, R. Lichtenheld, M. Cook, Joseph Mann, John Treffeison, T. J. Larkin, William Spencer, C. E. Day, J. A. McGee, and sisters C. Lubben, M. Lichtenheld, E. E. Cook, Mary E. Mann, Theresa Treffeison, Louise Treffeison, S. S. Larkins, Emma L. Kay and Margaret Nichols.
Golden Lodge No. 10 Knights of Pythias, was chartered September 18th, 1879, with Joseph Anderson, Al. Townsend, R. Lichtenheld, J. W. Belcher, James M. Morris, R. T. Carey, P. O. Gaynor, J. Bass, John McEachern, Carlos W. Lake, A. Holmes, J. E. Benjamin, Payne Pettibone, Frank E. Trumbull, John Nichols, James A. McGee, J. A. Baker, James L. Martin, J. H. Corrick, H. R. Robinson, H. Sumner, C. Garborino, William Tillery, J. R. Valentine, W. J. Sapp, J. P. Mallon and J. A. Hoagland members.
T. H. Dodd Post, No. 3, G. A. R. was chartered May 7th, 1879, with the following members: L. W. Kimball, E. L. Berthoud, George West, George H. Kimball, A. D. Jameson, Thomas Capps, Robert Stewart, George K. Kimball, Thomas McCabe, N. H. Chapman, M. P. Ogden, M. M. Marshall, George H. Brown, William A. Brown, J. D. Babcock, J. T. King, S. W. Hanakan, Joseph D. Boyd, and S. Long.
Dodd Relief Corps No. 5, chartered May 3d, 1884, to Mary M. Boyd, Adelia Babcock, Jennie Milner, C. D. Parker, Emily M. Wheeler, Ella Deaver, Calista M. Johnson, Marion Jackson, Sara Larkin, Gertrude Doolittle, Sarah Reed, Mina Simpson,
Commessuinto
507
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Nettie Clark, Mary Reynolds, Mary Hinds, Eliza West, Mary Mann, Louisa Meade, Ida Snyder, Kate Johnson, Mary Eldridge, Martha Hendricks, Marie Galbaugh, Marguerita West and Belle Kimball.
Golden Camp No. 1299 Modern Woodmen of America, was chartered January 20th, 1890; F. D. Bartlett, V. C .; J. H. Zisch, W. A .; J. W. Luman, E. B .; Frank D. Hines, C .; John Nichols, E .; S. V. Stiers, W .; A. J. Franks, S .; F. D. Bartlett, L. P., J. F. Lyman, J. W. Walker and W. H. Carter, managers.
The Good Templars have a Lodge, and the Patrons of Husbandry several strongly organized Granges in the county.
Churches .- The first records of the M. E. Society in Golden, bear date July 14th, 1860, at which time was held the first quarterly conference for that year. The society was therefore organized either in the fall of 1859 or more probably in the summer of 1860. This conference was held just three years prior to the organization of the Colo- rado Conference, and belonged to the Rocky Mountain District of the Kansas conference. The Rev. Jacob Adriance who figures so conspicuously in the early history of our churches in Denver, Boulder and Central City, was sent to the Golden and Boulder mission's circuit, and Rev. John M. Chivington was the presiding elder. There appear to have been seven places where divine services were held, viz., Golden, Boulder, Golden Gate, Gold Hill, Mount Vernon, Millersburg and Arapahoe. Mr. Adriance, the pastor, received as compensation, $678.75 of which amount $600 came from the Mission Fund, the remainder collected in the circuit. The official board as formed during 1860-61 consisted of Benjamin Dunnegan, local preacher, J. A. Sanderson, exhorter, C. J. Goss, class leader. Stewards, James Decker, James Stickel, Arthur Raynor. Among other members, we find the names of William B. Edson, G. G. Norton, E. A. Southworth, and A. R. Brown, but it is not known in what part of the circuit these members lived. The Sunday School at Golden was organized in the summer of 1860. At the first quarterly conference, Father Adriance made the following report: "There is one Sunday School just organized in Golden City with six teachers and officers, twelve scholars and one Bible class." November ist, 1868, a church edifice was begun, and January 17th, 1867, it was dedicated, the Rev. B. T. Vincent being both Presiding Elder and Pastor. In 1882 the church was enlarged.
The Baptist Society of Golden claim that theirs is the oldest of that denomination in the State, the first services having been held in Loveland's Hall, conducted by Elder William Whitehead. August Ist, 1863, he organized a Baptist church on which the assumption of precedence is based, with fifteen members. The following year they began the erection of a church which was completed in 1866. Subsequently this building was quite seriously damaged by a storm, and the present structure was rebuilt from the ruins. The old church bell that was freighted across the plains by wagon still swings in the steeple.
The Episcopalians also were among the early workers in the Christian cause. Calvary Episcopal Church was built about the year 1869, Rev. William Lynn, Rector, during the administration of Bishop G. M. Randall.
The first person invited to labor "in word and doctrine" among the Presbyterians of Golden was Mr. J. Gibson Lowrie, a student and licentiate, who began January Ist, 1871. Their church was dedicated June 16th, 1872. September 11th of that year
508
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Rev. J. S. Smith, father of the present Lieutenant-Governor of the State-a worthy son of a distinguished sire-was called to the pastorate and installed October 27th, 1872. At this time Miss Mary L. Cort united with the church, and since has become famous as a missionary in Asia, where she is still laboring in the cause.
The first Presbyterian Church was organized March 7th, 1876, by Rev. Sheldon Jackson, D. D, assisted by Elder Simon Cort. At this time and for years after, Dr. Jackson was the efficient synodical missionary of the Rocky Mountain region.
The Catholics have been established in the town since early times, and have a fine church. The Rev. Thomas McGrath was the first priest, taking charge in 1871.
The Christian Church was built in 1873, Rev. Bird Stover first pastor. Some of the lady members assisted the pastor in breaking ground for the building.
The Swedish Lutherans also have a church, erected during the pastorate of Rev. C. P. Rydholm about 1873.
Schools .- There are two very superior school buildings, the South Golden, built in 1873, and the North Golden in 1879. The report of the County Superintendent, James Eagleton, for 1890 shows the school population of Jefferson County to be 2, 195 with an enrollment of 1,548, and an average attendance of 1,031. There are forty- three school districts, with a total of forty-five schoolhouses, nine of logs, twenty-eight frame, and eight of brick and stone. The public school property of the county is valued at $72,000. The two buildings in Golden are valued at $22,000, and have sittings for five hundred and fifty pupils. The enrollment at Golden in 1889 was five hundred and thirty-two, with an average attendance of three hundred and seventy-one. The High School department had an attendance of fifty-seven. The school library has six hundred volumes.
The State Industrial School .- On the old site of Jarvis Hall and the State School of Mines, one mile south of Golden, the Colorado State Industrial, commonly known as the "Reform School" was opened in 1881 with W. C. Sampson, superintendent, and Rachel B. Sampson, matron, who held these positions for eight years when they were superseded by D. R. Hatch and Emma McNeal in 1889. The first board of control was composed of A. L. Emigh of Fort Collins, president; J. F. Gardner of Frankstown, secretary, and S. W. Fisher of Golden, treasurer. Mr. Sampson took charge in June, 1881. The property then consisted of five acres of rough, unfenced and wholly uncul- tivated land, and one two-storied and an attic brick house 30x40 feet, sadly out of repair. A new wing 30x40, two stories high, was added, the whole equal to the accom- modation of forty pupils. The first persons received there were three boys from Custer County, July 11th, 1881. Five days later the school was formally opened although the building was not completed until August 10th. The grounds were improved and graded, and one hundred and twenty-five shade trees planted. The institution grew rapidly, and soon it became imperatively necessary to erect a one and a half storied brick 10x20, together with a small one storied brick for the watchman and teacher. The appropriation being insufficient, Governor Pitkin and fifty-two others signed a note upon which F. E. Everett, the local banker, advanced the requisite funds to carry on the needed work. The first biennial report of the superintendent showed that eighty children had been received and five discharged up to November, 1882. The second biennial statement exhibited a record of one hundred and sixteen
509
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
received since November Ist, 1882, making a total of one hundred and ninety-six, since the institution of the school, of which one hundred and twenty-three had been apprenticed and discharged, leaving seventy-three on hand. Governor James B. Grant also was compelled to place a note for $20,000 to carry on the school until 1885. Fifteen acres of land were purchased and four new buildings begun in March, 1883. three being for family and school purposes, and the fourth for officers' quarters. These buildings cost $15,223.71, and the furniture $3,658.43. The legislature appropriated $200, for purchasing the nucleus of a library.
During 1885-'86, one hundred and fifteen new pupils were received, and in the third biennial report, M. N. Megrue, president of the board of control, states, that "at the time of our last report November 10th, 1884, there existed a deficiency in the fiscal affairs of the school to the amount of $17,980.90," and by the end of the fiscal term April 30th, 1885, at which time the next appropriation became available, it amounted to $30,685.69.
The legislature came to the rescue with an appropriation of $70,000, "from which it is seen that after paying the deficiency, $39,313-31 remained for the maintenance and support of the establishment for the two years ending April 30th, 1887." For this reason the number of pupils was reduced, and none admitted beyond a certain limit, in order to keep the expenses within the means provided. Of the $54,000 appropriated for the years 1887-'88, $4,000 was used for the purchase of forty acres of ground. The gross appropriations for the first seven and a half years were $204,000. The value of the school property had increased to $58,684.14, which with an unexpended balance of $6,498.77, and $4,034.70 turned back January Ist, 1887, made a total of $69,217.61, showing the net cost to the State for those years to have been $134,78.239.
The importance and extreme necessity of this institution to the State at large has been abundantly demonstrated in the last ten years. It has passed the experi- mental period, the stage of trials and misfortunes, and is now upon a sound and very useful footing. That its effect has been and will continue to be the thorough reclamation of scores and hundreds of misguided children, redeeming their lives from the pathway of sin and crime toward which they were tending, and thereby relieving well ordered society from that many law breakers and pernicious influences, in later years is beyond all question, and this being true, the school is worth much more than its cost. September 22d, 1890, it contained one hundred and forty-seven pupils.
The Assessed Valuation of Property in Jefferson County for 1890 was $4,984,384.73. There were 122,519 acres of agricultural land, valued at $1,791,978 ; 132,060 acres of grazing lands, valued at $470,299 ; town and city lots, valued at $867,083 ; 92.49 miles of railroad were assessed at $491,093.73 ; 5,142 horses, at $247,644, and 15,412 cattle at $219,604. These figures are loose approximates simply, about as trustworthy as the average assessment, which in no case represents the actual status.
The agricultural report for the same year gives the number of acres under irrigation, at 21,128, and pasture lands at 27,196.
The Jefferson County Bank, with a capital stock of $30,000, W. H. Whitehead president, and Lee Larison cashier, is the only bank in the town.
510
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
We have already presented on a previous page the beginning of journalism in Golden. In 1872, John Sarell established a weekly, called the "Golden Eagle," which existed about one year. Then followed the "Golden Globe," in March, 1873, by Ed. W. Howe and a man named. Dorsey. In June of that year Howe purchased Dorsey's interest, and in November, 1884, sold it to W. G. Smith. In March, 1876, Smith became sole pro- prietor, and conducted the paper until April, 1890, when he sold to Clarence H. Pease.
Industries .- Farming, stock growing, market gardening, butter and cheese making, are quite extensively carried on throughout the county, that is to say in that portion which lies below the mountains. It has a bonded debt of $68,000, and a floating debt of $50,000. Its courthouse at Golden is a large, well constructed and beautiful edifice, excepting the one at Denver, the finest in Northern Colorado. It has one paper mill, three large manufactories of fire and pressed brick, tile and vitrified sewer pipe works, two brick yards where common house brick are made, a number of stone quarries, lime kilns, coal mines, etc., etc. In the vicinity are vast deposits of fire clays that are not excelled in the world.
Other Settlements .- The second town in size and importance is Morrison, near the Platte Canon, which was instituted by the original builders of the Denver & South Park Railroad, A. B. Robbins being president, and Horace A. Gray secretary of the "Mor- rison Stone, Lime & Town Company." The plat was signed by those officers November 21, 1874, and the same filed on the 28th following. Morrison furnishes a fine quality of white and red sandstone for buildings, excellent lime, gypsum and other stone products of much commercial valne. Indications of oil and natural gas exist in the region round- about, which are being explored, but no definite results thus far secured, except great encouragement to proceed. The town has a handsome public school building, erected in 1875, at a cost of $6,000. The enrollment for 1889 was ninety-five, with an average attendance of sixty-seven. The Odd Fellows and Good Templars have each a lodge in the town. The Methodists built a church, but it was recently destroyed by fire. One newspaper, the "Bud," established in 1888 by W. H. Phelps, is its only journalistic representative, located just at the base of the mighty towering hills. Morrison is the center of many and varied industries, and a charming summer resort. The little hamlet of Mount Vernon, five miles south of Golden, just at the entrance of what many years ago was a favorite pass into the mountains, and through which a wagon road was built to Idaho Springs, was established in July, 1860, by the Mount Vernon Town Site Com- pany. A plat was filed in the United States Land Office, March 6th, 1866, and with the recorder of Jefferson County, September 19th, 1867, by George W. Charles for the company, who also filed a statement therewith that the place had several dwellings, two hotels, a store, blacksmith shop and other buildings. Its present glory is in its traditions, when it was a watering station for the stages passing en route to Idaho and Georgetown.
Buffalo was laid off by John W. Smith, president of the Denver & South Park Construction Company. The plat was filed January 27th, 1881. It is merely a station on that road with a name, and possibly a water tank and station buildings.
Buffalo Creek Park, now a popular summer resort for Denver people, was first platted by John .1. Jamieson, September 11th, 1888, but was again platted by him in company with Wm. G. Jamieson and Catherine Main, and the same filed June 10th, 1889.
GWHarriman
511
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Arvada, a pretty rural station on the Colorado Central Railroad, about five miles northwest of Denver, surrounded by an excellent farming region, was platted by Lewis A. Reno and B. F. Wadsworth, in November, 1880. The Patrons of Husbandry and Good Templars have organizations, and a hall for their meetings. The village has a brick schoolhouse with sittings for one hundred and twenty-five children. The average attendance in 1889 was sixty, out of an enrollment of eighty-two.
Semper was laid out by John A. Witter and Benn Brewer, in February, 1886, and Pine Grove by C. W. Drake, in August the same year. Evergreen, Ralston, and Hutch- inson, are among the smaller points which are yet to be built into towns.
Wheat Ridge is the designation of a very rich and productive agricultural and fruit growing district, and although situated in Jefferson County, is so closely approached by the suburbs of Denver, as to be reckoned a part of that city. It is the seat of the farming aristocracy, a beautiful place, dotted with splendid farms, orchards and costly dwellings, giving every evidence of wealth and prosperity.
It has been predicted that if the present growth of Denver, or rather of North Denver toward Golden is maintained during the next ten to fifteen years, the two points will be united. Indeed, at the present epoch, the line of settlement is almost continuous, in small ranches and gardens.
In a subsequent volume a complete history of the State School of Mines, established at Golden, will appear.
INDEX TO GENERAL HISTORY.
A PAGE.
Adams, Alva-Nomination or. 42
renomination of.
49
speech of acceptance.
50
biography of.
5I
administration of ..
52
sends troops to White River. 54
Adams, Gen. Charles.
2.47
Administrations, Executive-1861-1880. 13
Anderson, T. G .- Brief sketch of. 149
Arkins, John-Biography of.
I37
Atkins, C. O .- Biography of.
218
B
Banks and Bankers-History of. I56
gold brokers and bankers. 158
Bank of Colorado. 167
First National.
169
Colorado National.
ISO
City National.
207
German National.
198
Union National.
I91
State National.
207
Denver National.
21I
American National.
211
People's National.
213
R. H. McMann & Co. 215
Colorado Savings.
216, 221
National Bank of Commerce. 218
Collins, Snider & Co. 220
Bank of Denver.
221
Commercial National
22.1
Denver Savings
225, 232
Rollins Investment Co
227
Barth, Wm .- Biography of.
190
Belford, James B.
74
biography of. 75 purchase of additional ground by. 97
great speech by. 76 services of in Congress. 77
Berger, Wm B .- Biography of. 184
Billy the Kid, awful crimes of
254
death of. 259
51:
l'AGF.
Bowen, T. M .- Resignation ot. 22
elected U. S. Senator .. 38
Branch Mint-Founding of . 162
Brazee, Judge A. W 212
Bromwell, H. P. H. 23
Brown, H. C .-- Donation of. buys Denver "Tribune" 154
Brown, James H.
94
Buckingham, Dr. R. G. . 34
Burnell, James M .- Biography of. 139
Burris, C. W. - District Judge. 29
Butler, Hugh.
73
Byers, Wm. N .- Early influence of.
134
biography of.
136
C
Campbell, E. L .- Nominated for Governor 35
public opposition to.
36
Capital of State -Various locations of.
S5
at Colorado City. 86
at Golden City 57
transfer of to Denver S3
Capitol-First attempts to build.
failure of movement.
92
Capitol Site-Donated by H. C. Brown.
SS
deed of gift revoked.
92
title confirmed to State. 94
Capital of State-Final location of.
94
popular vote upon.
95
Capitol Building-Appropriations for.
95
to be built of granite.
102
contract awarded.
103
Capitol Commissioners-First State.
95
appointment of a Secretary
96
samples of stone received by. 96
plans accepted by.
contract awarded by.
sale of donated lots. . . 99
Richardson's contract annulled.
100
new board appointed
102
514
INDEX TO VOLUME III.
PAGE.
Cass, Dr. O. D .- Biography of. 165
Caypless, Edgar. 261
Chaffee, J. B .- In campaign of '82
33
final part of in politics
43
death of.
46
eulogy of by Senator Teller. 47
political genius of . 63
Cheesman, W. S .- Director Denver & Rio Grande. 119
Chilcott, George M. - Appointed Senator
3I
Clark, Gruber & Co .- Coinage Mint of. 159
Clinton, Charles M .- Biography of, 205
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