History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 29

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 29

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Apishapa

Fruita .

June. .62.8 July 70.8 68.6 75.6 73.1 68.6 73.2 73.9

August. 73.4

Rocky Ford

It will be seen from the foregoing that our mean temperature is but a few (legrees lower than in the two greatest and warmest valleys of the state.

"Peach Culture .- To the surprise of all, the peach and apricot trees, a few lingering ones, representing a forlorn hope, about many residences both in the city and country, bore well and matured their fruit in the season of 1891. An almond tree planted by ex-State Treasurer Geo. R. Swallow at his okl home in Trinidad bears well. Isolated cases of fruitful peach trees have been observed through a number of years. Last spring was exempt from late frosts. Possibly we may in time learn to grow the peach as we have learned how to do other things."

In conclusion, Mr. De Busk gives the following result of fruit culture upon his own farm at Downing, on the Las Animas river, a few miles northeast of Trinidad :

"In 1874 I planted a small orchard on low bottom land, but lost all the trees. In 1881 I began planting again on higher ground, a northern slope. Of apples, the following fruited heavily this season: Tetofsky, Red Astrachan, Cooper's Early

196

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

White, Fall Spitzenburg, Whitney No. 20, Ben Davis, Missouri Pippin, Rawles" Janet, Gideon, Winesap, Hyslop, Transcendent, Chicago, Shields and large Red Siberian Crabs. It is safe to say that the hardy and half-hardy varieties find a congenial home in Las Animas county.

"An Acre of Grapes .- E. J. Hubbard stated to the State Horticultural society, in 1884, that to plant and care for an acre six years cost $300. The sales of fruit during that period amounted to $600, the family supplies being furnished in addi- tion to the sales."

As indicated by Mr. De Busk, and confirmed by other trustworthy authorities, all the available water of the several streams has been exhausted by the many canals already constructed. Any enlargement of the supply must come from the reservoir storage system, or from some of the rain-compelling inventions. Little or no grain is grown for export. It is quite clear that these valleys, however extensive and fertile, can not at present be converted into grain fields, in competition with the more favored localities which are nearer, and therefore have command of the markets. This branch of industry, together with its auxiliary, horticulture, has been so in- telligently summarized in the foregoing pages we need not dwell longer upon it.

We will now turn to the one basic industry of coal mining, which has been very extensively developed and is a source of great revenue to the county and its capital city. Coal is literally king of the region. A few years ago the chief element of wealth was stock growing, when tens of thousands of cattle and sheep fed upon the hills and plains. The coal miners are now producing and shipping from 6,000 to 7,000 tons daily. Great numbers of men are employed in the several fuel fields, among them many Mexicans and negroes, and of course great activity prevails, for the reason that much of the supply for state consumption and for export to Texas, Kansas and other states is there produced. The primal discovery, at least the first of which we have any record, was made by Major W. H. Emery of the U. S. Topographical Engineers, attached to the military command which passed through this valley in 1846. Dismounting under the shade of a fine cottonwood, Emery noticed that the ants were constantly bringing to the surface little black particles which they heaped about their homes. On examining he discovered it to be a fair bituminous coal, lumps of which were afterward found thickly strewn over the plain. These fragments were erosions from the outcrops of the great coal measures, some of which are now extensively operated. Mr. R. C. Hills, the most eminent authority in the state, estimates that what are known as the Raton coal fields will embrace a total of 1,300 square miles. "In the Trinidad district there are usually two workable seams present, occasionally three, belonging to the lower series; and always one, and often two, belonging to the upper Cañon de Aqua series, outcropping from 800 to 1,000 feet higher in the measures. None of these seams maintain a con- tinuous workable thickness over large areas, but as there are quite a number in the section, at least twenty-seven being known, one or more in a given locality will be found of workable size, though not correspondingly to the thick coal developed in the adjoining ground. At Engleville the coal is won from the lowest bed in the measures, while at the Starkville, Sopris and Valley mines it is some one of the higher seams of the lower series that has the greatest productive capacity. Up to the present time nearly all the coal extracted from the mines of the district has been taken from seams ranging from six to nine feet in thickness, usually about five and a half to seven feet of this amount being available. Trinidad coal produces a hard, extremely dense coke and is much used as fuel for locomotives and for smelt- ing ores. Adjoining the Trinidad district on the west is the Purgatoire district in which the lower series of seams do not outcrop. This district may be defined as a strip about twenty miles long, of varying width, extending up the valley of the Purgatoire and including several of its lateral branches. Here the nearly horizon- tal measures have been deeply eroded, so that both from the valley itself and the

197

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

principal side cañons the lower series of seams can be easily reached through shafts, while the upper series can be mined directly from the outcrop. By this means a large area of land, probably as much as 135 square miles, will eventually be made available."

In his biennial report for 1890 the state inspector of coal mines, Mr. John McNeil, gives a general review of the several prominent mines, from which we con- dense the following data: The Sopris mine is located five miles in a southerly direction from Trinidad, and is owned and operated by the Denver Fuel company. This is the largest producer in the state, 2,000 tons having passed over its single tipple in less than ten hours. The daily capacity is about 1,750 tons. A portion of the product is converted into coke at the company's ovens in proximity to the mines. The vein is from five to six feet in thickness and dips to the south at an angle of three to five degrees. The output for 1890 was 301,225 tons. The Valley mine was abandoned during 1890. It was opened in 1888 by the Raton Coal & Coke company in the interest of the Denver, Texas & Fort Worth railroad company. The mine was extensively worked, yielding above 500 tons a day; the vein is four feet five inches thick and is interstratified with four to eight inches of slate near the center, besides other impurities.

The El Moro mine up to 1890 was the largest producer in Colorado, but has been surpassed by the Sopris. It is a drift opening. The coal seam is six to eight feet thick, and its capacity 1,200 tons a day. It is owned by the Colorado Coal & Iron company.

The Chicosa mine is owned and operated by the Trinidad Fuel company. It consists of two separate drift openings, having parallel entries from the crop of the coal. The vein is seven feet thick. Its capacity is about 750 tons a day.

The Grey Creek mine is located about six miles east of Trinidad and opened by drifts. The coal seam is about seven feet in thickness, but is interstratified with a seam of shale 10 inches to two feet thick. The Victor is comparatively a new mine situate some sixteen miles north of Trinidad, on a branch of the Fort Worth R. R. It consists of three separate openings. Its capacity is about 1,000 tons a day. The vein is seven feet thick. Near the mines are 100 coke ovens.

There are two Starkville mines-No. 1 and No. 2. The first is located at Starkville station on the A. T. & S. F. R. R. The coal seam is six feet thick, and its capacity 100 tons a day. This mine has been practically abandoned. Stark- ville No. 2 is an extensive mine, having a capacity of 600 tons a day. The vein is about six feet thick, with a gentle dip of two to three degrees. The coal is hauled by a small locomotive from the mine entrance to the company's tipple and ovens, 86 in number, which are situated near No. I mine.

The Road Canon mine is situated three miles south of the Victor. The vein is six feet thick, and is opened by three separate drifts with parallel air courses. The capacity is about 1,000 tons a day.

The Bloom mine is two miles south of Trinidad opened by a drift. The coal is six feet thick, and its capacity 25 tons a day; most of the output is sold to the local trade.

The Butler & Spencer is two and a half miles south of Trinidad, has a drift opening; coal seam six feet thick ; capacity 30 tons daily.

The oldest mine operated in the district is the Engleville, nearly two miles southeast of Trinidad. This mine was opened in 1877, and it has been very exten- sively developed. Its capacity is about 1,500 tons daily. The output for 1890 was 323,326 tons. There are 635 coke ovens in the county. Inspector McNeil places the total output of coal in this county for 1890 at 1, 134,845 tons, an in- crease of 234,320 tons over 1889; and of coke 149,503 tons, an increase of 30,067 tons. The coal being so near Trinidad, customers in town are supplied with a superior screened product at $2 per ton, and they offer to manufacturers a fine coal

198

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

at one dollar a ton. One of the local statisticians estimates the value of the coal of the Trinidad district for 1890, on the cars ready for shipment, at $2,340,676.50; coke $522,550.50, or $2,863,227 for both products. The coke produced for 1888 was 120,736 tons; for 1889, 119,436; 1890, 149,503 tons. The coal produces about 66 per cent. of coke, at a cost of about $1. 15 per ton, loaded into cars for shipment. In the northern part of the field, the sulphur increases and the coal is unfit for coking.

The Sopris mine had, in 1891, 100 coke ovens; the Starkville, 85; the El Moro, 250; the Victor, 200; which, when all in operation, produced 1, 125 tons daily. The Sopris people were contemplating an addition of 100 ovens to their plant.

I found some diversity of opinion respecting the extent and value of the iron ore deposits. Mr. J. W. Shryock, the accepted authority, informs me that it is simply an undemonstrated problem as yet. The county has not been thoroughly prospected for iron, yet, from the examinations thus far made, none except banded seams, mostly limonite, too thin for working, have been discovered. But at several points, 50 to 80 miles south of Trinidad, near Elizabethtown, in New Mexico, there are large beds of superior steel ores, as well as high grades of manganese. The list dis- covered there includes hematite, specular, magnetic and bog iron. The first three are in veins from three to seven feet thick, but there is no railway connection nearer than 12 to 15 miles. Only one of the veins appears to have been opened. This shows seven feet of solid ore. If Trinidad is to achieve her highest ambition, which is to be a large center of iron and steel manufacture, the deposit just mentioned must be her main dependence. It seems to me, however, that Pueblo is too near, with its im- mense iron and steel plant, and the influence of the Colorado Coal and Iron con- pany too great to permit a rival to be successfully established at Trinidad, or any- where else in the state, if it can be prevented.

Stock Growing .- A few years ago Las Animas county was the center of a vast cattle trade. Some of the largest and wealthiest dealers in live stock resided at her capital, built elegant residences there and accumulated large fortunes from the traffic. Of all the tens of thousands of cattle that once fed upon the ranges, scarcely more than twenty-five per cent. remain. That is to say, according to the testimony of many prominent owners with whom I personally conversed on the subject, fully seventy-five per cent. of the great hierds have disappeared. Hard winters destroyed thousands, other thousands have been sold, and still others moved further south into New Mexico, Indian Territory and Texas. The ranges formerly well grassed, forming excellent feeding grounds, have been exhausted by cattle and sheep. Un- satisfactory prices have driven many out of the trade. Such as remain are only waiting for the long anticipated rise, when they, too, will sell out. It is clearly apparent that the range stock industry is gradually approaching extinction. Since 1891, owing to the unusually abundant rains, the ranges have been greatly improved, but the main fact just stated has not been materially changed. There are still some breeders of fine stock, but they are in the minority. Many of the principal business men of the county have been deeply interested in stock growing, and nearly all have suffered from it during the past three or four years from the reasons given. The abstract of assessment returned to the state auditor for 1890 placed the number of cattle in this county at 49,219, the sheep at 54,552, and the horses at 7.716, which still leaves a pretty large remnant. It is probable that the county contains not less than 120,000 animals of the different classes, which shows the extent of the ranges, after a long period of decimation. The total assessed valuation of all taxable property in the county for 1890 was $6,990,910.21, less than fifty per cent. of the actual valua- tion. For example, the return gives 53.405 acres of coal land, valued at $421,462. or a little less than eight dollars an acre. The actual wealth of the county can not be far from $12,000,000.

Trinidad, piously designated "the city of the Holy Trinity," is somewhat

199

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

romantically situated on the Purgatoire, or Las Animas river, occupying both banks, in the southeastern part of the county, and near the base of a spur of the Rocky Mountains, flanked on either side by lofty hills that are studded with cedar and piñon trees, resembling in some degree, at least conveying a suggestion or re- minder of Santa Fé, New Mexico, but much more compact, populous and substan- tial. When I first saw it in 1868, it was a large Mexican village, built of adobes, pickets and logs, with scarcely more than twenty-five American inhabitants. This state of things prevailed, with occasional introduction of modern improvements through the gradual acquisition of Caucasian immigrants, until after the arrival of railways in 1878. The actual beginning of progressive development was in 1883. It is now a strong and substantial center of trade. The business streets, Main and Commercial, the first running northeast and southwest, and the second nearly north and south, are compactly built of stone and brick, on either side, and traversed by a not very creditable line of horse cars, which later on, in the fall of 1891, was supplanted by an electric road; at least such a change had been provided for. Many of the stores are stocked with fine goods, and there is an air of briskness which indicates an active commerce. The city is environed by foot- hills, and on either side are castellated promontories, much like those near Castle Rock, in Douglas, and east of Golden, in Jefferson county. Through the center of the valley runs the river which takes its rise in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The valley is from one to two and a half miles wide "decreasing toward the west and in- creasing toward the east." The city was incorporated by act of the territorial legislature, approved February 10th, 1876. The limits were one mile in all direc- tions from the intersection of Main and Commercial streets. There are two strangely formed and very conspicuous peaks on either side of the city, that on the north called "Simpson's Rest," on the very pinnacle of which lie the remains of George S. Simpson, one of the historic pioneers of the county, and that on the south, "Fisher's Peak." To the northwest are the magnificent Spanish Peaks, upon which many writers have exhausted panegyric, in attempting to portray their grandeur. Back of these sweep the apparently interminable Sangre de Cristo mountains.

The first board of trustees of the newly incorporated town was composed of Abner Rowland, Jesus Maria Garcia, Dr. M. Beshoar, Sam Jaffa and Thomas C. Stevens, who met February 14th, 1876, and elected Mr. Jaffa chairman, and Mr. Stevens clerk. These were appointed by the county commissioners to serve until the next ensuing municipal election, at which time the following were chosen :

Charles P'. Treat, T. C. Stevens, Thos. E. Owen, Isaac Levy, Abe Mansbach and W. De la Warren, trustees; officers: Thos. E. Owen, president; clerk, Julius H. Clark ; constable, John J. Selles; street commissioner, David Henry. The town site was entered at the Pueblo land office, April 16th, 1878. From 1878 to Decem- ber 13th, 1879, Joseph Davis was president of the board. On the date last named. it was made a eity of the second class, by proclamation of the governor, and, in 1880, Mr. Thos. E. Owens was elected first mayor.

The mean elevation of Trinidad is somewhat above 6,000 feet. It is a dis- tributing point for all the region round about, and for many years, long anterior to the building of railways, enjoyed a considerable trade with Santa Fe and other points in New Mexico, the greater part of which was supplied by the strong mercan- tile firm of Davis & Barraclough. There are many small settlements in the agri- cultural districts which do their marketing here. Its position is favorable for steady development, being connected with all exterior towns by three great railways, the Denver & Rio Grande, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Union Pacific, Texas & Gulf. The Santa Fé road crosses the Raton Pass (which is 12 to 13 miles south of the town) into New Mexico. The first passage was made by an ingenions "switch-back," November 30th, 1878, but this was subsequently displaced by a tun- nel through the range. Excepting Pueblo, Trinidad is the largest and most im-

200

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

portant town in southeastern Colorado. The production of coal and coke in its immediate vicinity is about one-third of the total produet of the state. Its public institutions, city and county buildings, schools, churches, banks and mercantile houses impress the observer by their solidity and evident prosperity. It is ex- pected that the Chicago & Rock Island railroad will, in the early future, be extended from Colorado Springs to this great center of coal mining, as its line has already been surveyed, and, besides, one of its main objeets in coming to Colorado was to obtain supplies of fuel from these and the Huerfano fields for its own use, and to supply the many towns along its line in Kansas.

The water supply of Trinidad is now ample for all purposes. The first system of water works was built in 1879 by Delos A. Chappell, and consisted of a large res- ervoir and pumping machinery near the river. In 1890 the company in control adopted the gravity system, with greater supply and pressure. They tapped the Las Animas, 15 miles above, conveyed the water some three miles by ditch to a settling and filtering reservoir, thence to a distributing reservoir located on Reser- voir hill, just south of the city and 250 feet above the level of the river, whence it is distributed by conduits to consumers. The original plant is retained for emer- gencies.

Gas works were built by a company organized April 14th, 1881. Recently an electric light plant has been added. Hon. F. D. Wight is the president, who or- ganized the Trinidad Electric Light, Heat and Power company and con- solidated the gas company therewith, furnishing both arc and incandescent lamps.

Many elegant briek, stone and frame residences, with ample lawns embellished by shrubbery, ornamental shade trees and flowers, dot the slopes on either side. On the south those of Delos A. Chappell, a beautiful palace of stone, a large and elaborate mansion of brick, formerly the home of Mrs. Lacey, widow of a wealthy cat- tle baron, Dr. W. L. South and Mr. Frank J. Bloom are especially noticeable. In James' addition are the handsome homes of Morris James and J. O. Packer. On the north side of the river, away from the noise and dust of the city, upon the elevated hillsides, are those of Hampton Layton, Judge Caldwell Yeaman, W. E. Howlett and others, in the midst of hundreds of neat cottage homes, with many groves of ornamental trees. This struck me as being the more desirable residence quarter of the city.

The Mexican population, which for many years predominated, has been over- whelmed by the influx of Americans. While many still have homes there, only a fraction of the old settlers remain. They, like the Indians, are disappearing before the march of civilization to which only a few have readily adapted themselves. They are not progressive, hence can not compete in any direction with the swift mov- ing Americans. Most of their homes are gone, their lands have been absorbed by the new generation and hundreds have emigrated. The farmers can not plow with crooked sticks, raise and harvest crops by their primitive methods, against the im- proved machinery which the white race uses. They are therefore giving way, and, in a few years, Las Animas will be wholly occupied by their successful antagonists.

Banks. - The Trinidad National was organized in 1874 as the Bank of Southern Colorado, but, in 1886, was nationalized. Its capital is $100,000; surplus and un- divided profits, $12,000. James L. Lombard, president; Caldwell Yeaman, vice- president; II. K. Holloway, cashier.

The First National was established in 1875, capital, $100,000, and in July, 1891, its surplus was $62,500. M. D. Thatcher, president; D. A. Chappell, vice-president; H. J. Alexander, cashier.

The American Savings Bank was incorporated February Ist, 1889, with a paid- np capital of $25,000, James Lynch, president; H. F. Moore, vice-president; W. H. Robinson, cashier.

At the time of my visit in August, 1891, the First National was building a

し

201

HISTORY OF COLORADO.

splendid structure of cut stone, on Main street, five stories high and of admirable architecture, at a cost of $100,000. This is the handsomest building in the city.

Churches. - The Catholic church was established here at a very early date. Its people have progressed with the years until they now have a large and very fine establishment, consisting of a stone church, convent and hospital. They have exerted themselves to improve the condition of the Mexicans, and toward educating their children In the English language, manners, customs and sentiments. The M. E. church was organized by the Rev. E. J. Rice toward the close of 1868, and has a fine edifice. The M. E. Church South was organized in 1872, and has made its way to a successful establishment through many trials and discouragements. The Presbyterians organized under the leadership of Rev. Sheldon Jackson, September 7th, 1873; the Baptists by Rev. W. B. Johnson, in January, 1879; the Christians in September, 1879, by Rev. Mr. Spencer; the Episcopalians about 1880. The Con- gregationalists, German Lutherans and Hebrews also have strong organizations and fine houses of worship. Strange as it may seem, there are two churches erected by the very large colored population, the Methodists and the Baptists. Many negroes are employed in and about the coal mines.

Schools .- There are three superior public school buildings, each two stories high, of brick with stone trimmings, and fitted with all modern conveniences. The schools are graded, and the most competent teachers are employed. The people are lavishly generous in providing the best facilities for education. Besides there is the Tillotson Academy, an excellent institute established eleven years ago, and a com- mercial college, near the center of town.

By the census of 1890 the total public school population of Las Animas county was 4,765, with a total enrollment of 1,844. There were 33 school houses, but out- side of Trinidad mostly cheap structures or rented buildings. The Catholic private schools control the Mexican clement.

Of hotels there are three very good ones, the Grand Union, built in 1881-82, the first large brick building erected in Trinidad, at the corner of Main and Com- mercial streets; the Trinidad hotel built in 1879, of sandstone, and the Southern in 1882. The old United States hotel, formerly conducted by Davis & Sherman, is now practically obsolete.

There are two smelters, a rolling mill, two iron foundries, flouring mills, planing mills, grindstone works, cement works and a large brewery; a modern telephone sys- tem, telegraph lines, express offices, an opera house, etc. The Trinidad Gentlemen's club has a membership of 100, and elegantly furnished rooms.

The Daily "Advertiser" is the only morning journal, but there are three even- ing papers.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the State of Colorado, Volume IV, Part 29

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