History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 22

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

USA > Colorado > History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV > Part 22

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The town of Tomichi was located two miles above White Pine, where some extraordinarily rich ores are found in the Sleeping Pet and Lewiston lodes. The usual excitement and inrush of crowds of prospectors followed, creating a lively settlement. In 1882 the Eureka, owned by D). H. Moffat and associates, came into market with large quantities of ore. It has been almost continuously productive to the present time. In 1883 a newspaper called the White Pine "Cone" was established and has struggled along through all depressions and changes to the present, an earnest advocate and a helpful friend to the people settled there. At present writing the May-Mazeppa, largely owned by Col. Chas. E. Taylor, the father of the Denver Mining Exchange, is the principal property at White Pine. It is very productive and the ores very valuable. The Beta, Denver City and Morning Star are also quite productive. In 1891 the Magna Charta became a conspicuous factor in the list. Granite mountain, in which this and many other lodes are' located, has been developed by a cross-cut tunnel, 3,500 feet in length. Contact mountain, as already stated, contains vast deposits of rich iron ore. Tomichi was platted by the Tomichi Mining company, and the plat filed June 18th, 1881. Among its early promoters were W. C. Wynkoop, Herman Beckurts, owner of the Denver "Tribune," and E. Il. Eastman.

Gothic was surveyed and platted in May, 1880. It is the center of mining in the Elk mountains, and during its short period of prosperity contained about 1,500 people. It is 35 miles from Gunnison and 8 miles from Crested Butte. It was in- corporated July 17th. 1879, and became one of the more important towns of the county. llere were the mines of Copper creek, East river and Gothic mountain, the settlement being at the foot of the latter where Copper creek empties into East river. Numerous mines contributed to its support, veins carrying gold, silver and copper, some of them very rich. The Sylvanite on Copper creek attracted great attention because of the quantity of native silver taken from it. Several smelters for the district were projected and one built, but none were operated.

Crested Butte, so named from a remarkable lone mountain or butte in its vicinity, is one of the strong coal mining and coke producing towns of the state.

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not so productive, however, as many others, but important from the fact that it is the only section where anthracite and the better class of bituminous coals are in conjunction. It is situated at the confluence of Coal and Slate rivers, or creeks, 28 miles north of Gunnison, from which extends a branch of the Denver & Rio Grande R. R. to this point and 7 miles beyond to the Anthracite breaker. Wagon roads lead thence to Gothic and Irwin. The only anthracite coals broken west of Pennsylvania are mined at the point seven miles beyond Crested Butte, distributed to the larger towns of the state, and as far east as the Missouri river, where they are sold in competition with the Pennsylvania products. These deposits are owned by Col. George T. Holt and associates, but operated under lease by the Colorado Fuel company under the name, "Anthracite Mesa Coal Mining Co." These were discovered by the earlier prospectors long anterior to the general settlement of the county.

The plat of Crested Butte was filed May Ist, 1880, and the town incorporated June 29th, 1880. In describing the extent and character of the coal measures, Mr. R. C. Hills says: "Beginning at the southern extremity of the Grand river field near Crested Butte, where valuable beds of anthracite and coking coal are worked, the outcropping measures can be traced with but little interruption around Mount Carbon to the mines of domestic coal at Baldwin, and thence westward to Mount Gunnison where, on Coal creek, large seams of semi-coking coal are exposed. From Mount Gunnison the outcrop continues westward across the North Fork of Gunnison river and around Grand Mesa to Hogback Cañon on Grand river, about 16 miles above Grand Junction," and so on to the Utah line. "Along the opposite margin of the field, the outcropping coal seams are also readily traceable. Sweep- ing westerly from Crested Butte, they skirt the western slope of the Anthracite range, the southern base of the Ragged mountains, and appearing for a short distance on Crystal river, again trend westward into Coal Basin. From Coal Basin northwesterly the measures outcrop along the Huntsman's Hills, through Jerome Park and on to Pinon Basin and New Castle The Anthracite Range and Ragged mountain coal, as also a part of what is contained in the limited area on Crystal river and on Slate river near Crested Butte, is anthracite and semi-anthracite of excellent quality but variable in thickness, and contained in beds much broken and fractured. On the North Fork of the Gunnison, the aggregate thickness of workable beds is known to be as much as 50 feet." For further descriptions see Chapter II of Volume II of our general history. The Colorado Coal & Iron com- pany own and operate the bituminous and coking coal banks at Crested Butte, where they have 154 coking ovens.

The Baldwin Mine, operated by the Union Coal Co., is located on the Denver & South Park R. R., 18 miles from Gunnison, north. To reach the coal a shaft 150 feet deep was sunk. The vein is about four feet six inches thick. For domestic uses it is regarded as among the best in Colorado, being bituminous, bright, clear and lustrous, burning with a bright flame and emitting intense heat. It is exten- sively used in household grates at Denver, Pueblo and elsewhere.

The Anthracite Mesa mine is located at the terminus of the Crested Butte branch of the D. & R. G. R. R. The vein is five feet thick and yields an excellent quality of anthracite.

It is the general opinion that the anthracite beds, some four miles southwest of Irwin on Anthracite creek, though of limited extent, are superior to those operated above Crested Butte. From the fact that they are remote from any line of rail- way and can not be operated until reached by iron thoroughfares, none of these deposits have been opened beyond the prospecting stage, yet the various analyses made show these coals to be among the best in the world. The operation of those above Crested Butte affords the people of Colorado an ample supply of good hard coal for domestic and manufacturing purposes, and, as already set forth, thousands

ROBERTSON & DOLL.

The ROBERTSON & DOLL CARRIAGE REPOSITORY, DENVER

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of tons are conveyed by the railways to various larger towns in Kansas and Nebraska, and west to Salt Lake and Ogden.

Iron .- In immediate proximity to these valuable coal fields are immense deposits of iron ores, in all varieties required for the manufacture of merchantable iron and steel. In 1888 Prof. Regis Chauvenet, president of the state school of mines, made a thorough examination of the deposits at Cebolla and elsewhere, and as he bears a distinguished reputation for knowledge of the subject his report invited profound consideration. After setting forth the result of his observations with the chemical tests applied, he says: "Whatever may be the future of this industry in the Gunnison region, there can be no reasonable doubt of the existence of good ore in great quantity. Nor do I think are the other conditions lacking for the establishment in the valley of the Gunnison of iron industries of great magnitude and importance."

After some further preliminary observations the report proceeds to an enumeration of the prerequisites to success in the manufacture of cheap pig metal, namely: "First, abundant ore running above 55 per cent. of metal, at a low cost of mining; second, coal low in ash and sulphur, minable in large quantities; third, pure limestone; fourth, reasonable proximity of all mined products to the furnace site; and, fifth, a scale of wages which will bring the item of labor per ton well inside of two dollars. Given such conditions and a market, only the most blunder- ing mismanagement could fail." In all these respects he argues, "Gunnison county seems to be favored far beyond the majority of furnace sites in the United States."

Having considered the conditions cautiously and front large experience in the business of iron manufacture in St. Louis and elsewhere, Prof. Chauvenet believes that pig iron can be produced as cheaply in the section named as in the most favored region of Alabama. Again, the pig iron of Alabama "is of a quality which unfits it for all such uses as require a non-phosphatic composition, which is pre- ciscly what can be guaranteed at Gunnison."

In 1800 J. W. Nesmith, president and manager of the Colorado Iron Works in Denver, with Mr. Henry M. Porter, made a similar investigation of these iron fields and contiguous advantages, and with like results. This enterprise was under- taken by them with a view to the erection of great iron and steel works in Denver, the iron to be smelted in Gunnison and the pig shipped out for manufacture. The enterprise is not yet consummated but undoubtedly will be at an early day.

Elko is on Rock creek near Gothic. The site was surveyed and platted by Samuel Blachtell and laid off by D. F. MeGlothlin, R. J. Walter, John Engstrom and W. A. MeGlothlin, October ist, 1881.

Kesar was surveyed by F. R. Lockling and the plat filed August 16th, 1881, by Gardner H. Kezar. It is located on the Gunnison river and the D. & R. G. R. R. west of Gunnison, in a grazing and agricultural section. Mr. Kezar filed an amended plat June 24th, 1882, as president of the Kezar Town & Land company.

Anthracite was surveyed by S. G. Rhoads July 29th, 1882, and the plat filed August 2nd. It is about seven miles southwest of Pitkin on Little Ohio creek.

Castleton was laid off by Henry Payton, acting for a town company, November Ist, 1882. It is on the South Park R. R., five miles southeast of Baldwin.

Sapinero, in the western part of the county, and named for one of the Ute chiefs, was laid off by A. A. Ralston and K. Montgomery; surveyed by Ira Brown December 22nd, 1888. It is on the Gunnison river just above the Black Canon, at the junction of the main narrow gauge line of the D. & R. G. R. R., and the branch extending up the Lake Fork to Lake City, 35 miles.

At Aberdeen are the fine granite quarries from which the state capitol was built. There are near Gunnison vast ledges of beautiful white and colored sand- stones, with limitless abundance of statuary and colored marbles on Yule creek, which are now being opened by a Denver company.

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Schools. - By the census of 1890 the county had a school population of 944. There were 20 school districts and 18 buildings, with 1,245 sittings; valuation $42,850. The average daily attendance was 296.

The total assessed valuation of taxable property in the county for 1890 was $2,383,702. In the list were 24,214 acres of agricultural land, 19,314 acres of grazing and 12,295 acres of coal land. Of live stock there were 177 mules, 14,759 cattle and 3,636 sheep.

The output of coal for 1890 was 238,139 tons, and of coke 44,521 tons.

Gunnison has six churches, the Presbyterian, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian and Christian.

The Free Masons have a blue lodge, Royal Arch chapter and commandery of Knights Templar; the Odd Fellows have three ranks, two of which are represented by the Encampment and Patriarchs Militant; the Modern Woodmen, G. A. R., Women's Relief Corps and Knights of Honor constitute the other organizations.

There are three school buildings of brick and stone, built between 1880 and 1883. The county court house cost $20,000, the jail $10,000 and the hospital $5,000. It has also a good volunteer fire department.

Journalism .- Excepting Denver, Pueblo and Leadville, no town in the state has been so thoroughly represented by progressive newspapers. The first paper in the county was the "Occident," established in May, 1879, at Hillerton, by Henry C. Olney. Lack of space forbids a detailed account of the many enterprises of this nature. The "Tribune," successor to the "Review-Press," and the "News," which succeeded the "News-Democrat," are all that remain of the large number founded.

The United States Land Office at Gunnison was opened for business April 13th, 1883, John J. Thomas register, and Fred J. Leonard receiver. Frank P. Tanner succeeded Thomas, and M. L. Allison displaced Leonard. Mr. Henry C. Olney became register June Ist, 1890, and Henry F. Lake receiver June 10th following.

Banks .- The first bank started in the county was by Edwin Hiller at Hillerton. The next was the Bank of Gunnison, organized by Sam G. Gill, H. A. W. Tabor, Col. E. P. Jacobson, Mrs. Augusta Tabor and others in March, 1880, opening for business in April. This was the first incorporated bank west of the Continental Divide. Tabor became president; Col. Jacobson, vice-president; Sam G. Gill, eashier, and J. H. Fesler, assistant. The capital stock was $30,000. The safe was brought in by wagon from Saguache, Mr. Gill accompanying it incognito as cook and general hielp. They were ten days in making the trip. The safe contained $25,000 in cash, hence Mr. Gill's anxiety to accompany it. The boss freighter was profoundly astonished when, on arriving at Gunnison, he discovered the name and standing of his quondam hired man and cook. The Bank of Gunnison was changed to the Iron National in July, 1883, Sam G. Gill, president, vice Tabor, resigned. Mr. D. H. Moffat and others of Denver were stockholders. The bank went into voluntary liquidation in December, 1884, some of the principal owners purchasing a controlling interest in the First National, when Mr. Gill became president, Alonzo Hartman vice-president, and E. P. Shove cashier. The second bank organized in the county, aside from a private banking company in Pitkin, was the Miner's Ex- change, started in July, 1881, Lewis Cheney, president; M. Coppinger, cashier, and C. E. McConnell, assistant. In May, 1882, this became the First National, retain- ing the same officers. In January, 1884, the officers were: Lewis Cheney, presi- dent : F. C. Johnson, vice-president, and E. P. Shove, cashier. In December follow- ing, Mr. Gill was made president, Alonzo Hartman vice-president, with the same cashier as before. This bank has a capital of $50.000, a surplus and profit of $32,000. In August, 1881, Hon. H. A. W. Tabor, Sam G. Gill, J. H. Fesler and J. B. Thompson organized the private bank of Crested Butte. They afterward sold out to Carlisle & Thompson, who in turn sold to Metzler Bros. The Pitkin

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Bank of Pitkin, was organized in 1881, and is still in successful operation; R. R. Williams, president, and H. L. Curtis, cashier. In 1881 a private bank was founded at Irwin by Coppinger and Metzler, but from lack of business was discontinued. There was also a bank at Tin Cup in the same year, opened by Cochran & Devenish, but was long since discontinued. For a short time in 1884 there was a bank at Tomichi, by A. T. Nathan, but that, too, passed away.

In conclusion, we are among the many conservative observers of the situation in Gunnison county, from the basis of its great and diversified resources and extra- ordinary advantages already epitomized, who believe that it will soon undergo a wonderful transformation, and that the new era will far surpass any former period in population and general prosperity.

HINSDALE COUNTY.

ORIGINAL EXPLORERS-OTTO MEARS AND ENOS HOTCHKISS-FIRST MINES DISCOVERED -LAKE CITY-SPLENDID SCENERY-ORGANIZATION-THE PACKER MURDERS-LAKE SAN CHRISTOVAL-TRUE ACCOUNT OF ITS DISCOVERY AND CHRISTENING-THE SLUMGULLION STAGE ROBBERY IN 1879-CAPTURE AND LYNCHING OF BILLY LEROY.

The territorial legislature in 1874 established three new counties in the great mountainous region then commonly known as the "San Juan," namely, Hinsdale, Rio Grande and La Plata. The first was named in honor of George A. Hinsdale, then a distinguished lawyer residing in Pueblo. At present writing it is bounded on the north by Gunnison, east by Saguache and Rio Grande, south by Archuleta, and west by La Plata and San Juan. By the national census report of 1890 its area was 1,400 square miles, and its population 862, a decrease of 625 from the census of 1880, which is hereinafter explained. The first explorers of that region of whom we have any authentic record were Joel K. Mullen, Albert Mead and Henry Henson, who passed through it in 1871 and located the Ute and Ule mines, but made no improvements thereon, indeed left no other sign or trace. The next was Enos Hotchkiss, a wagon road builder, who, in connection with Otto Mears and others, constructed a thoroughfare from Saguache to Lake City in 1874, and in the course of his pioneering reached the spot on which Lake City now stands, dis- covered and staked a great lode which took his name, gathered some samples of the surface ore and departed. A further account of this early pilgrimage will be found on page 205, Volume II, of our general history.

Lake City, so named from the series of lakes in the near vicinity, is situated very much like Georgetown in Clear Creek county. The site is one of the most attractive in the San Juan mountains at the confluence of the Gunnison and Henson creeks. The approach thereto by rail via the Lake Fork of the Gunnison river is indescribably grand and beautiful. The visitor is lost in wonder at the variety and general magnificence of the scenery, the fantastic rock formations, the marvelously picturesque contour of the ranges on either side, and the loveliness of the entire valley. In many respects it surpasses any other section traversed by the Rio Grande railway, deservedly called the "scenic line of the world." There are pictures here well calculated to set a great landscape painter wild with desire to reproduce them on canvas.

The town under consideration is prettily nestled in a broad amphitheater of the mountains, is well laid out with wide, shaded streets, and quite substantially

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built of frame, brick and stone. It is favored with unlimited water power for all uses to which it can be applied, and is especially adapted to the movement of reduction works-mills, smelters, concentrators and factories. Down to 1877 most of the houses were of logs, with here and there a frame dwelling and business structure, small and hurriedly erected. Some were of adobe in the Mexican style, a few of more enduring materials. At that period the population numbered about 1,500, with a considerable float or migratory contingent common to the early stages of mining districts, when hundreds drift in with hopes of mines or other advantages, but drift out again after discovering that there is no place for any but honest workers. There were several hotels and all were crowded. In that year building was very active, pushing the brickmakers and wood-working mechanics to their utmost, upon larger and more pretentious stores, residences, schools and churches. The streets stretched long distances up the Lake Fork and Henson creeks. Banks were founded upon the great promise of the mines; indeed, all the customary accessories of a new metropolis were to be found there; many stores, some carrying large and well assorted stocks suited to the wants of the community; fine churches, excellent schools, with here and there a saloon, billiard room, dance hall, etc. In 1877 a land office was established at Lake City, of which Mr. Henry C. Olney, formerly business manager of the Rocky Mountain "News," under Wm. N. Byers, was appointed register, and C. B. Hick- man, also of Denver, receiver. This enabled the locators of lands and mining claims to secure a government title to them. The first really great enterprise upon which the people chicfly relied for the future growth of the town, however, was that of the Crooke Bros., who established a market for ores about a mile above on the Lake Fork, where a small suburb grew up. Their reduction works were started in August, 1876. They built a fifteen stamp mill, added two Blake crushers, two pairs of steel faced rolls for pulverizing, twelve Krom concentrators and four Frue Vanners; later on smelters and chlorination works. There being no coal in the neighborhood, coal and coke were brought over from Crested Butte in Gunni- son county by wagon transportation. Some of the mines on Henson creek and at other points were large and rich, but the Ute and Ule overtopped all the rest in extent and steadiness of production. They were first discovered in 1871 by Joel K. Mullen and Albert (or Alfred) Mead. Henry Henson and Charles Goodwin were equally interested with them in the ownership. The Crooke Bros. bought them in 1876. According to the report of the state geologist, the general forma- tion of the mining region is eruptive, although there are remarkable exceptions; for example, the curious deposit found in 1882 in the Frank Hough mine, which for a time was very productive and a puzzle to geologists. The Hotchkiss, the original discovery that led to the population of this district (now the Golden Fleece), acquired a marked reputation for the richness of its surface ores. The Palmetto, located on Engineer mountain about 16 miles west of Lake City, was also a famous mine in the early period.

In 1875 the assessed valuation of taxable property in Hinsdale county was $18,349.50. In 1881 it was $757,265. During 1881 the bullion product amounted to $187,395, but in 1882 it was $275,000. Great expectations were formed for the new county, but they were doomed to disappointment as will be discovered in the course of onr narrative ; also that a grand regenerative revival ensued in due course, which seems destined to far outstrip all previous anticipations.

As a matter of fact, Lake City is the only town of any consequence in the county. As already stated it is a beautiful place, with the promise of greater strength and importance in the fullness of time. Among other points are Henson, Capitol City, Rose's Cabin, Carson, White Cross, Sherman, Lost Trial, San Juan City, Antelope Springs, Sunnyside and Belford. The Lake Fork of the Gunnison and its tribu- taries, and the Cebolla, or White Earth creek, flow to the north. The Rio Grande

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and its tributaries have their sources in the southeastern part of the county. The whole region is mountainous and not adapted to general agriculture.

Organization .- The first meeting of the county commissioners for organiza- tion, as we learn from the records, was held at San Juan City June 5th, 1874. The board consisted of B. A. Taft, A. R. Thompson and B. Hattick, Mr. Taft being made chairman. The official bonds presented by J. M. Swiney, sheriff, W. H. Green, clerk and recorder, and J. J. Gainey, justice of the peace, were approved and filed. It was then ordered "that the building owned by W. H. Green shall be known and used as a court house." O. A. Messler, now residing on the Lake Fork, was the deputy clerk. August 4th, 1874, the commissioners declared vacant the offices of county treasurer and justice of the peace. Henry Franklin was thereupon appointed treasurer, and O. A. Messler justice of the peace. On the 25th of July the county was divided into precincts for election purposes: No I at the court house in San Juan City; No. 2 at the house of Harry Franklin, and No. 3 in Lake district, at the house of J. D. Bartholf. Judges were appointed and an election held the next fall, when the following officers were chosen: County commissioners, Harry Franklin, Enos Hotchkiss and J. J. Holbrook. The latter failing to qualify, the office was declared vacant and the Governor petitioned to appoint James Wade, which was done. Mr. Hotchkiss was made chairman of the board. At an election held February 23rd, 1875, the county seat was changed to Lake City, where it still remains. April 3rd following, the office of county assessor being declared vacant, Henry H. Wilcox was appointed.

In Volume INI, pages 245 to 254, will be found an account of five horrible murders committed near Lake City by one Alfred Packer, Among the records of Hinsdale county we find as a sequel the following entry among the expense bills: "To W. T. Ring, on account of fees in the matter of inquest and burial of five men found dead, $37." These were the mutilated remains of Packer's victims, given final rest on Gold Hill Bar about a mile above Lake City, in what is known as Dead Man's Gulch, the last act in that awful tragedy.

Lake City was incorporated as a town August 16th, 1875, by the county commissioners, who appointed as trustees Henry Finley, John D. Bartholf, Warren T. Ring, William C. Lewman and F. N. Bogue. November 2nd, 1875. a town site of 260 acres was laid out by Henry Finley, president of the town company, to whom a patent was issued in trust July 5th, 1878. A deed of relinquishment of the patent was given August 23rd, 1883, by the town, and an amended patent issued to Henry Finley, trustee, February 12th, 1884. An official plat was drawn and adopted June 25th, 1879, by John W. Kraft, George Ferguson, D. S. Hoffman, J. W. Brockett and H. A. Avery, trustees, and the same was filed July 3rd, 1879. Samuel Wade laid off Wade's addition to Lake City June 6th, 1877. Lake San Christoval and other but smaller sheets of water beyond the town gave it its name.

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History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 22

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