History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 102

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company
Publication date: 1889-95
Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co.
Number of Pages: 791

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of Geddis & Seerie was formed. From that time to the present it has been one of the excellent citizen, and stands high in the esti- strongest in the trade. They built the great mation of the bench and bar of the state, as well as high in the esteem of the people. railroad building on Larimer street, Denver, the Wyoming university, at Laramie City. the high school at Rawlins, Grace M. E. church, Trinity M. E. church, the People's National Bank, and a number of fine stone residences on Capitol hill in Denver. When the original contractor-Richardson-was dis- placed by the state board of capitol commis- sioners. Geddis & Seerie were awarded the contract for building onr magnificent state capitol, upon which over two million dollars have been expended. At the same time they had Mr. Henry C. Brown's splendid hotel building (Palace) under contract, built of Ari- zona brown-stone, which they forwarded to completion. The marks of their excellent handiwork are seen in many of the finest stone dwellings and edifices of the city. Strictly honorable, faithful in the perform- ance of their pledges, this firm has risen in a few years to a supreme position. Both are young men who realize the responsibilities attaching to the contracts assumed by then. and have executed them to the best of their ability, thus gaining and retaining the con- fidence and respect of the community.

SAYER, Daniel, soklier and lawyer, was born in Westtown. Orange county, N. Y .. April 1. 1810. Six years later the family removed to Goshen county, samo state, where he attended the high school.

SCHWARZ, T. E., mining engineer, was born in Boston, Mass,, in 1855. De gradu- ated at the English high school in that city, in 1872, and the same year entered the Massa- chusetts institute of technology, where he studied mining engineering for a life pro- fession, graduating in 1876. In the follow- ing year Mr. Charles Burleigh of Fitchburg, Mass,, offered him employment as mining en- gineer at the Burleigh tunnel, which was then being driven into Sherman mountain, near Georgetown. Clear Creek county, Colo. This was one of the first enterprises of its class in the Colorado mines, and the Burleigh ma- chine drill the first introduced here. Accept- ing the position, Mr. Schwarz acquired vali- able experience in tunnel work with air drills as well as in practical mining. In 1878 he closed his connection with this enterprise. and, with a partner, engaged in developing a prospect in Silver creek, near Lawson, where he gained some further knowledge of the pa- tience and hard labor required to create a mine. In the fall of that year he became in- terested in a lease on the White lode, in the district called Red Elephant, back of Lawson, where he sunk the first 250 feet of what has since been known as the "Schwarz shaft." developing the property and operating it for

When sixteen two years, during which time he shipped con-

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HISTORY OF COLORADO.

siderable ore. At a later period, and until present working shaft and sunk it to a depth ISS2, he prospected in Cascade district, Clear of 300 feet. In Mareb. 1590, the health of his family having suffered from long exposure to the high altitudes, he resigned his manage- ment of the New Guston company, receiving a formal vote of thanks from the directors and stockholders of the company in London in ap- preciation of his services. At the Colorado meeting of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, in 1559, Mr. Schwarz presented the first comprehensive paper that had ap- peared, descriptive of the geology and ore de- posits of the Red Mountain district. He is now located in Denver, having opened an office there as consulting mining engineer, making a specialty of mine management. and having in charge the development of several prominent properties, including a number of important undertakings in the San Juan country. Creek county, and from time to time examined and reported upon properties for Boston and New York investors. In 1882 he ac- cepted the management of the Santa Rita copper and iron mines near Silver City, New Mexico. Here he erected extensive improve- ments, including a very successful concen- trating mill of 100 tons' daily capacity and developed the extensive native copper de- posits of the property. The decline in the price of copper in 1883 caused the works to be closed at a time when, by thorough en- gineering and economical management, he had brought them to a self-sustaining con- dition. In Aug., 1884, he was appointed su- perintendent of the Yankee Girl mine, Red Mountain district, Ouray county, which had then been but crudely opened to a depth of 100 feet. During the five years of his manage- SMITH, Sylvester T., late general manager of the Denver & Rio Grande railroad, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., June 20, 1840, the eld- est son of Emery W. and Louisa Smith, both also natives of that eity and of English origin. The family resided in Buffalo until Sylvester was about eighteen years old, and he was educated in the public schools of that place. In 1858 they removed to Kansas. When the civil war began, in 1861, Sylvester, then about twenty-one years of age, enlisted as a private in company B. 1st Kan. volunteers. Six months later he was promoted to a lienten- ancy and subsequently appointed captain. During the last year of his service he was made assistant adjutant-general, on the staff of Brigadier-General George W. Dietzler. In the fall of 1863 he resigned from the army, and Feb. 1, 1864, took the position of general accountant and eashier of the Kansas Pa- cifie railroad. the construction of which was then just commenced at Wyandotte, which he retained until Feb., IN67; thence to Oct. 22, ISTS, was its auditor. Nov. 1, 1875, he was appointed receiver by the U. S. court, super- seding Charles S. Greeley and Henry Villard. receivers. In March. IST9. Mr. T. F. Oakes having tendered his resignation as general superintendent, Mr. Smith assumed the duties of that office in addition to those of the re- ceivership. Jan. 14. IST9. by order of the U. S. court. he delivered the railway and other property back to the Kansas Pacific railway company and June 16 was appointed general superintendent of the road. From Oet. 15, 1881. to April 30, 1867. he was general super- intendent of the entire Union Pacific system. May 2nd, following, the board of directors of the Denver & Rio Grande railroad unani- monsly elected him general manager of that road, when he left the l'uion Paritie to as- sume the duties of his new position. It would be repeating widely accepted truths to dilate upon Mr. Smith's qualifications for the offices ment he developed it to a depth of about 1,000 feet, opened new and productive ore chimneys, erected the large hoisting plant and all sur- face improvements, and worked it at such profit that the company was able to pay divi- dends amounting to nearly $1,000,000. The development of the Robinson mine adjoining, and a part of the property to the point of pro- ductiveness, was accomplished by him in the spring of ISS9. It has since continued to be one of the most productive of Red Mountain ore bodies. In June. 1SSS, while conducting the Yankee Girl, he was engaged to superin- tend the Guston mine, also, an adjoining prop- erty owned by the New Guston company (Limited) of London. It had acquired a heavy indebtedness and been shut down full of water during the previous year. By his knowledge of the Red Mountain formation. which he had made a subject of careful study. he was able to place this mine on a dividend-paying basis within a few months after taking charge. In consequence the fl shares of the company soon increased in value. on the London market, from £0 28 to $3. and for some time the company paid larger dividends in proportion to its capital- ization than any other mine in the United States, He induced the company to lease and bond the Little Annie and Smuggler claims, adjoining the Gustou workings, for about $80,000, believing the ground to be valuable, although no pay ore was then showing on either claim. During the winter of 1889-90 he succeeded In opening a large body of fine ore on the Smuggler. It was purchased and became a profitable mine. While in charge of the New Gaston, the mine was operated at a net profit of $100,000, while ore reserves of vast richness were opened and a large hoisting plant erected. Ile was, also, in the period of his residence in the district, con- nected with the development of several other properties, among them the National Belle, he has so worthily filled, since they are recog- now belonging to the American Belle nized by all the prominent railway men of the Mines Co. (Limited, on which he located the country. His experience has been broad and

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varied, extending over a period of twenty- cable road out Colfax avenue, eastward. IIe five years and embracing intimate knowledge of every department. Some of his better qualities, and some of the most useful to the companies he represented, were manifest in his ready mastery of any situation that might arise in the operating department. After leav- ing the Rio Grande, some three years ago, he has not been actively engaged in railroading, fortunate investments in mining at Creede and elsewhere having rendered him inde- pendent of such service.

SMITH, Milo A., builder and real estate operator, was born in Newark, Ohio, Oet. 24. 1844. He was partially educated at Kenyon college, where he remained until the war of the rebellion precipitated its close, and then entered a military school at Fulton, Ill., whence he was graduated in due course with the rank of 1st lieutenant. Shortly after- ward he became a student in the Polytechnic institute of Troy, N. Y., whence he was grad- uated as a civil engineer in 1867. He was employed on the lake coast survey as assist- ant engineer under General Crane, and had charge of the Huron river and harbor survey. At the completion of this work he resigned to accept the office of secretary of the De- troit (Mich.) chair factory. At a subsequent time he was made a director and treasurer in the company. About this time, also, he be- gan operating in the real estate business, taking his first lessons in a profession which afterward became the principal feature of

was one of the projectors of the Colfax avenue and University Park electrie lines, and for two years was president of both; earnestly promoted the Sand Creek water scheme; was one of the original members of the East Den- ver Water Works company; and aided to the full extent of his ability the founding of the Kebler stove works, an important mannfae- tory. In 1883 be was quite extensively con- nected with the live stock trade in New Mexico and Arizona, and has been. and is still, identified with many other prominent corporations, for example, the Denver Build- ing and Investment company, the Colorado lee and Storage Co., the Deer Park associa- tion, the High Line Reservoir company, the Chamber of Commerce and the Real Estate Exchange, etc., etc. He is also one of the board of managers of St. Luke's hospital. To summarize, any careful observer of eur- rent events which have marked the extraor- dinary development of the capital of Colo- rado, during the past six years, must have noticed that Milo A. Smith's name has been associated with nearly all the movements which have given Denver its remarkable pres- tige as one of the really great centers of the continent. As we have seen, his education and experience in the East fitted him for the pursuit of fortune in Colorado, where some, if not all, of his lofty aspirations have been sig- nally realized.

SNIDER, George W., discoverer of the his life-work. These early transactions prov- "Grand Caverns," near Maniton, was born in

ing successful. he gradually extended his efforts in that line, and also engaged in build- ing. Up to 1880 he had erected and sold some forty houses. His activity, and the financial gains accruing, brought him into much promi- nonee in that city, where he received a num- ber of offers from the owners of large landed estates to handle their property as he had his own. In May, 1880, soon after the beginning of the enormous activity in real estate and building in Denver, as the result of a very large immigration, he decided to investigate the opportunities offered for men of his eapabili- ties and experience. As a consequence he opened an office here and within 30 days there- after had eight houses under construction, all of which were sold before their completion. From that time to the present he has been one of the more noted operators in real estate and building affairs, confining his attention chiefly to property on Colfax avenue and its near vicinity. His first large purchase was a tract of 200 acres, now known as "East Capitol hill subdivision," which he caused to be platted, and then improved by planting trees, the eon- Cleveland, Ohio, March 27, 1851, and was edu- cated in the public schools. As the discov- erer of two of the more interesting attrae- tions in the vicinage of Manitou, the "Grand Caverns" and the principal chambers of the "Cave of the Winds," and also by virtue of his moral worth, Mr. Snider ocenpies a promi- nent place among the leading men of that re- nowned summer resort. Therefore a brief sketch of his life, and of the eirenmstances attending these discoveries, will be found in- teresting. In 1856 the family removed to New Portage, Summit county, Ohio, and, in 1862, to Akron. in that state, where George at- tended the public schools, remaining until the fall of 1879. Meanwhile he learned the trade of a stone cutter, which he followed there and in other states. In the fall of 1879 he came to Colorado, and in December follow- ing engaged with the Denver & Rio Grande railroad company, in the construction of their stone work on the branch from Antonito to Espanola, N. M. Feb. 2. 1SS0, he located in Manitou, and there resumed contracting and building in stone work, on his own account. structionof water works, and the extension of On the 22nd of Jan., 1881, he, with Charles one of the electric car lines to that point. He llunter, Charles Rienhart and II. W. Snider was among the first to agitate the building (his brother) visited what then was known of cable railways to supplant the horse car as "Picket's Cave." in Williams Canon, which lines, and, to accomplish that object, headed had been previously discovered by the Rev. a subscription list with $5,000 to secure the R. T. Cross, and his Sunday-school class, from building of the Denver Tramway company's Colorado Springs. At this time, however,

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HISTORY OF COLORADO.

only the first three or four rooms had been ex- public until the spring of ISS5, though the plored or known, the least important of the "Cave of the Winds" was opened in the spring of 1851. The latter is owned by his mother and Charles Rieuhart, the caverns by himself. From ten to fifteen thousand people visit these caverns each season. They are not only a very great attraction to visit- ors, but a large source of revenue to the owner. Mr. Snider was married Nov. 20. 1554, to Miss Vera M. Johnson, daughter of Theron W. Johnson of Denver. He has spent much time in prospecting (from 1879 to 1884) about Aspen, Ashcroft. Crested Butte and the Elk mountains. He is also interested in the quarrying and manufacturing of lime, and in contracting for building stone, etc. present series. Mr. Snider and his com- panions went there on the day mentioned, for the purpose of collecting some specimens to send their friends in the East. But In climbing about in the rooms Mr. C. W. Snider discovered a small and apparently hitherto unnoticed aperture leading from the end of one of the rooms, and, enlarging it. eut his way up ward under a large flat rock or chim- ney. and after two or three hours of hard work, passing through, found himself in a magnificent chamber, now known as "Canopy Hall." Continuing his explorations for two or three days thereafter, he discovered and opened all the remaining rooms which now SOPRIS, Elbridge B., was born in Aurora. Ind., July 21, 1843; son of Richard and Elizabeth R. Nopris, who for more than thirty-five years have been residents of Den- ver. His paternal ancestors emigrated from Germany early in the 17th century, 1His mother's forefathers, the Allens, came to America from England shortly after the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth. See biography of Capt. Richard Sopris, this vol- ume.) Elbridge, though naturally wild and wayward, fonder of playing truant than of study. succeeded by the alertness of his in- telligence in obtaining a fair education in the publie schools of Michigan City, Ind., which he attended until his fifteenth year. llis father came to Colorado in IS58, and a year later came Elbridge, who joined his sire in prospecting the Pike's Peak region for goldl. In the spring of 1860 the remainder of the family followed and settled in Denver. At the outbreak of the civil war Elbridge enlisted in the 1st regiment Colo. volunteers un- der Col. J. P. Slough, and took part in its various battles with the Texans in New Mexico. When but a few months in the ser- vice he was made quartermaster-sergeant of the regiment, which he retained until his discharge in 1863. He then returned to Den- ver, and in the fall of 1864, the Indians hay- ing taken the warpath, he immediately en- listed in the 3rd regiment Colo. cavalry for a term of one hundred days, and was commissioned 2nd lieutenant of company .1. Hle was soon afterward promoted to a Ist lientenancy, and was in command of his company in the memorable battle of Sand Creek. For gallantry in this desperate ac- tion, he was publicly complimented by Colonel Geo. L. Shoup. lle remained with the regiment until it was finally mustered out. In 1865 ho engaged in the commission busi- ness at Denver. continuing until 1866, when he retired and engaged in public land surveys. In June. 1867, he settled in Trinidad, where he has ever since resided, engaged In the purchase and sale of real estate, the erection of bulld- ings, coal mining, etc. He had not been long In Trinidad before his natural Instincts for po- litical adventure and intrigue began to de- constitute the "Cave of the Winds." There are no less than 40 rooms and avenues in this marvelous combination of underground won- ders. Canopy Hall is over 300 feet long by 40 high, and 30 feet wide, filled with interest- ing formations, called "Stalactite Niche," "Folded Blanket." "Frescoed Ceiling." "Cas- eade." "Prairie Dog Village." the "Bat's Wing" and the "Enchanted Scene." Music Hall is 80 feet long. 10 feet wide and 12 feet high, beautifully ornamented by stalaetites, sparkling bouquets and fantastie wreaths. The Hall of Beauty, or nature's art gallery, is literally studded with all manner of extraor- dinary configurations formed in the mys- terions laboratory of nature, through cen- turies of chemical action. Those various chambers constitute a combination of fea- tures which are at once startling and wonder- ful beyond human conception. The Manitou Grand Caverns, situated upon the same mountain, but upon the opposite slope, were found by Mr. George W. Snider in Dec .. ESSO. He had filed a pre-emption on the tract with- out any knowledge of what it contained, or any idea of the fortune there concealed. While hunting deer on a very cold, frosty morning in December, he had wounded a large stag, who ran down across the present entrance to the Grand Caverns. At this point Mr. Snider saw a small spray of vapor issu- ing from a crevice in the ground. It had collected upon, and completely crystallized in ice a small tree standing near. But the weather was so cold he made no attempt to explore its source, but drew from his neck a red bandana scarf and tied it around the tree to mark the spot. When the weather moderated he took suitable tools, returned to the place, began excavating, and after a time succeeded in opening the entrance to these remarkable caves. Fearing litigation, he con- cealed the work by cutting brush and replac- ing the rocks and dirt, said nothing to any one of what he had found, and patiently awaited the arrival of his patent to the land from Washington. When thus secured, he built a wagon road and instituted the other Improvements necessary to its use as a ro- sort. The caverns were not opened to the velop themselves, but it was not until the

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campaign of 1872, when Jerome B. Chaffee and streets, and of a large area of valuable coal lands in the county. In ISS6 he sold a tract of 3,000 acres of such lands to eastern parties, realizing a handsome profit. While he has been signally successinl in the whirlpool of polities, it is but just to state that it has al- ways been in the interest of the leaders of his party, rather than any particular ambi- tion on his part to seek or hold office. That he has been highly serviceable to his friends is universally acknowledged. George W. Miller were opposing candidates for the office of delegate in Congress, that he took any very conspicuous part in territorial politics. In this canvass. however, be assumed the management of the republican forces in Las Animas county. a democratic strong- hold, and succeeded in carrying it by a ma- jority of 32 votes for Mr. Chaffee. Thence- forward he has been regarded as the chief factor of his party in that county, and in the state conventions and legislatures a formid- SOPRIS, William R., lawyer and legis- lator, was born at Trinidad in the year 1869. Ile received his education in that place, and deciding to follow the legal profession took a three years' course of law at Columbia eol- lege in New York City. After being admitted to the bar he began his legal career with the well-known firm of Wells. Macon and Fur- man of Denver. and subsequently associated himself with Mr. Charles Hartzell. In Oct .. 1803. he removed to Trinidad, where he has since practiced on his own account. Ile is a member of the Elks and of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and was a delegate from Co- lumbia college to the conventions of the fra- ternity at Pittsburg and Philadelphia. In polities he is a republican. Hle stumped the state of New York in the Fassett and Flower campaign of 1891, was a member of the re- publican central committee of Trinidad, and chairman of the judicial convention for the 3rd judicial district. With the exception of his father, he was the first republican ever sent to the House of Representatives from Las Animas county. able influence in suggesting and execut- ing combinations for the nomination and election of republican candidates, including United States Senators. At the beginning of Samuel H. Elbert's term as governor, in IST3. Mr. Sopris was appointed inspector-general of the territorial militia, now known as the Colorado National Guard. le was also an officer on the military staff of Governor John L. Routt from 1876 to ISTS inclusive, with the rank of colonel, and by Governor Pitkin in 1879 was again appointed inspector-general. In 1882 he was elected to represent Las Animas county, in the House of the Fourth General Assembly, by a majority of 20 votes, the only republican elected in that county, all the others being defeated by an average ma- jority of about 1,200. This legislature met in Jan., 1883, and elected two U. S. Senators- JIon. II. A. W. Tabor to fill out the unexpired term of llon. 1I. M. Teller, and Hon. Thomas M. Bowen for a full term of six years. This was one of the most noted political events in the history of the state (as set forth in Vol- ume III), prolonged, complicated and exeit- ing. In this session Gen. Sopris was ap- SOUTH, Dr. Wilson Lee, was born in Hard- in county, Ky., Sept. 29, 1829. His ancestors were English and emigrated to Kentucky abont a century ago. The Doctor lived on a farm until he was eighteen years of age, pointed chairman of the committee on ways and means, and of that on military and In- dian affairs. . Ile was also a member of the committee on counties and county lines, and in each was instrumental in the passage of and then went to Paradise, Ill .. where he much needed measures. In 1884 he was re- studied medicine with Dr. Newton W. elected to the Assembly, and despite the fact Chapman for three years. In 1852 be on- tered the Louisville medical college. re- maining one year, and then attended the Kentucky school of medicine one term. Because of protracted illness he did not re- turn to finish bis medical education. Ile lo- rated at Paradise and practiced his profes- of registrars, and took the election returns to New Orleans, and delivered them to Gen- Hancock. "He practiced medicine at Stevens-

of there being two republican tickets in the field against one democratie, and that the latter party still had the ascendeney, he was returned by a majority of 348. In the ses- sion following (th) occurred the senatorial election. wherein the combined forces of Routt. Teller and Chaffee were allied against sion from 1854 till 1859, and then traveled a Senator N. P. IJill. Here Gen. Sopris became year in Texas and Mexico. In 1861 he was one of the strongest political managers in appointed surgeon of a state cavalry company the field. one of the master spirits which in the Indian department in Texas. remain- finally secured the triumphant election of ing with the company until the close of the Henry M. Teller, on the first ballot. For war. He was a member of the state board twelve years he held the office of deputy county elerk in Las Animas, under a demo- cratie recorder. Ilo also served two terms, of three years each, as county surveyor. He ville, Texas, about a year, and then engaged is a member of A. Lincoln post. G. A. R., Den- in mercantile business. Aug. 21, 1869, he mar- ver. and of the association of Colorado ried Mrs. Louisa Langston of Stevensville. pioneers. During his residence in Trinidad In 1871-72 he operated a sawmill and culti- he has acquired much improved property in vated a farm in Hood county, Texas, on the that city. is the owner of several brick and Brazos river, then embarked in the cattle stone business blocks on one of the principal business in Colfax county, N. M. In 1874 he

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 102

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company Publication date: 1889-95 Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co. Number of Pages: 791

Author: Hall, Frank, 1836-1917. cn; Rocky Mountain Historical Company
Publication date: 1889-95
Publisher: Chicago, Blakely print. Co.
Number of Pages: 791