USA > Colorado > Sketches of Colorado: being an analytical summary and biographical history of the State of Colorado as portrayed in the lives of the pioneers, the founders, the builders, the statesmen, and the prominent and progressive citizens Vol. 1 > Part 11
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of Simon Cameron of Pennsylvania. Bills to admit Colorado were twice vetoed by Presi- dent Johnson, thus preventing the seating of former Governor John Evans and Jerome B. Chaffee, who, under the expectation that Col- orado would become a state, had been elected to the United States senate.
In issuing his Thanksgiving proclamation, Governor Cummings advised the people to
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"assemble at their places of worship and ren- der to God devout thanksgiving for the riches of his grace, manifested through His Son, Jesus Christ." This act alienated from him the Hebrew influence, those of that faith claiming that he had excluded them from taking any part in the thanksgiving exer- cises, and all attempts made to have Gover- nor Cummings modify the proclamation were without effect, he explaining that he had not intended any discourtesy or to exclude them.
Samuel H. Elbert, later governor and chief justice of Colorado, was then territorial secretary. Governor Cummings took from him the great seal, and, later, the former re- signed. General Frank Hall, not wishing the place, was finally induced to accept the office of secretary of the territory, and later Gov- ernor Cummings made a successful fight to have him removed. There was trouble over election returns and other publie matters, and the territory kept in constant turmoil by the contending political factions, until the governor finally resigned.
Outside of political matters, Governor Cummings attempted to promote the develop- ment of the material resources of the terri- tory, having great faith in the future growth and richness of Colorado. He encouraged in- vestment in mines, when that industry was at a low ebb. At this time, the placer mines not yielding so large a product, and silver mining not yet made a prominent feature, many thousands were returning to the east declared that Colorado was a fraud and that Pike's Peak had "busted." Governor Cum- mings attempted to allay this excitement and stem the reaction that had set in. He en- couraged the building of the railroads, and made a special study of this feature. In his message to the legislature, January 5, 1866, he discussed at some length the freight ques- tion, and the necessity for railroads, as all the necessaries of life were then hauled across the plains by wagons. Commenting on this he said :
"Probably no data could be collected which would show accurately the immense
amount of traffie between the east and the west. I am informed that a keeper of a toll bridge on the Santa Fe road, which traverses southern Colorado 200 miles, kept a register of the number of men, wagons and animals, employed in the transportation of freight on the road for the six months ending November 20, 1865, and reports as follows :
Number of men employed. 5,197
Number of animals employed 45,350
Pounds of freight carried. 26,123,400
"From a single house of the Overland Dispatch Company was shipped to Denver City, during the seven months ending De- cember 1, 1865, 3,076,000 pounds, and through Colorado to Salt Lake the additional amount of 2,871,000 pounds. Besides this, a very large amount of freight has been shipped by the forwarding houses from At- chison, St. Joseph, Omaha, Nebraska City. Plattsmouth, Leavenworth, Kansas City and Independence, so that it is estimated that with railroad transportation it would require forty cars a day to remove the amount of freight that would be required to supply the present demand."
These are interesting figures to compare with the railway traffic, of which Denver is now the center. Governor Cummings then discusses the exorbitant freight costs of that period. He comments in this same message on the statement of J. T. Herrick, the engi- neer appointed to survey a railroad route a distance of less than twenty-five miles from Golden to Black Hawk, who stated that upon inquiry, the merchants of Central (City), Ne- vada, and Black Hawk, had paid during the past year, principally during the summer and autumn, for freight for supplies taken over this distance between Golden and those towns, more than $650,000. This is also interesting data, considered in the light of the freight questions of today.
After his resignation, Governor Cum- mings was appointed collector of internal revenue for the Fourth district of Pennsyl- vania.
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ALEXANDER CAMERON HUNT
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ALEXANDER CAMERON HUNT.
HUNT, ALEXANDER CAMERON, Ter- ritorial Governor of Colorado (1867- 69) was born Dec. 25, 1825. He was edu- cated in the public schools in Freeport, Ill., where his father had removed in 1836. Leav- ing home at the age of sixteen, to make his own way in the world, he went to California, returning to Freeport a rich man, in 1850. Then he engaged in the grain and commis- sion business, and in 1856, was elected mayor of Freeport. Losing all in the financial crash of 1857, he followed the Pike's Peak excite- ment in 1859, crossing the plains with his wife and child in an ox wagon. Locating in Auraria (West Denver) in a cabin without a door or window, he opened a restaurant, but as he was too generous with his provisions, the enterprise proved a failure. Engaging in the lumber business, he met with better success. He was elected president of the Peoples' Courts in 1860, and was U. S. mar- shal, 1862-66. He was a member of the anti- state faction, and supported Gov. Cummings in the latter's opposition to the admission of Colorado as a state, thus becoming one of the central figures in the heated political strife then waged in Colorado. He ran for congress as an independent against Geo. M. Chilcott, the nominee of the Union repub- licans. It was a campaign waged with great bitterness, the vote was close, but after much wrangling over the election returns, and the matter brought up in congress, Chilcott was seated.
In 1867, he was appointed Territorial Governor of Colorado by President Johnson, as well as superintendent ex officio of In- dian affairs. No executive possessed to a greater extent the confidence and good will of the Indians of this region, and he was suc- cessful in maintaining these friendly relations, which resulted in the treaty of 1868, by which the Utes ceded to the United States all their
lands east of the 107th meridian. On being removed by President Grant in 1869, he turned his attention to railroad building and construction, becoming associated with Gen. W. J. Palmer, who was in charge of the old Kansas Pacific, then being pushed across the plains to Denver. They originated the Den- ver & Rio Grande system, of which Gov. Hunt later became one of the directors. In his investigation of new routes, laying out town sites, and other enterprises, he began and encouraged a development of Colorado's resources, that materially aided in the found- ing of a great state. In 1871, Gen. Palmer and Gov. Hunt, were joined by Dr. William A. Bell, and their combined efforts saved the road from threatened bankruptcy.
While a resident of Freeport, Ill., he mar- ried Ellen E. Kellogg, of White Pigeon, Mich- igan. In 1880, he lost his wife, a daughter and two sons. Prostrated with grief, he left Colorado, and followed Gen. Palmer to Mex- ico, where the latter was again engaged in in- vestigating railway possibilities in that re- gion. Gov. Hunt's home and mansion was one of the most imposing residences in the early history of Denver, and was a noted place in the suburbs of the city. The result of the investigations by Palmer and Hunt, was the construction of the International Railroad. Hunt, after having accumulated a fortune of half a million dollars, dissolved with Palmer in 1883. Then engaging in coal mining and railway enterprises in Texas, he lost heavily, and with failing fortune, came loss of health. In 1891, while in Chicago, en route to Denver, Gov. Hunt was stricken with paralysis, and for two years and nine months lay helpless and speechless. He died May 14, 1894, in Washington, D. C., and was buried in the Congressional Cemetery. A son and daughter survive him.
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EDWARD MOODY McCOOK
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EDWARD MOODY McCOOK
McC OOK, EDWARD MOODY, soldier, territorial governor of Colorado, son of Dr. John and Catharine Julia (Sheldon) McCook, was born in Steubenville, Ohio, June 15, 1833. His grandfather, George Me- Cook, was an Irishman of Scotch descent, who becoming involved with the United Irishmen in 1780, fled to the United States. His sons, John (father of Governor McCook) and Daniel were known as the "fighting Me- Cooks," distinguished as the "Tribe of John and the Tribe of Dan."
Edward M. McCook was educated in the public schools, settled in Minnesota at the age of sixteen, and later followed the Pike's Peak excitement, reaching Denver August 6, 1859. He was a member of the Kansas legislature in 1860, where he was known as "the Gentleman from Arapahoe." At this time there was a provisional government in what is now Colorado, known as "Jefferson Territory" which had executive offices, a legislature, a judiciary and also miners' courts. Some claimed that this region was still "Arapahoe county, Kansas," which formed the basis of electing MeCook a mem- ber of that legislature. McCook engaged in mining and the practice of the law, with more or less success, but when Sumter was fired on he hastened to Washington. Before entering the field in a recognized capacity, he became a member of Jim Lane's "Kansas Legion," which with the "Kentucky Le- gion" were the only commands then in the city, loyal to the government. He was one of those especially detailed to guard the white house and President Lincoln. Mc- Cook volunteered to carry dispatches to Gen- eral Scott, communication having been cut off by the Maryland state troops. Although Baltimore was in a state of insurrection, he succeeded in returning with dispatches, walking all the way back on the railway track. He made a gallant record in the civil war; entered the Union army, second lieu- tenant, First United States cavalry, May 8, 1861, first lieutenant, July 17, 1862; in vol- unteer service as major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel, second Indiana volunteer caval- ry ; brigadier general volunteers, April 27, 1864; mustered out of volunteer service, January 15, 1866. General MeCook was breveted : first lieutenant, April 7, 1862, for
battle of Shiloh; captain, October 8, 1862, for battle of Perryville; major, September 20,1863, for battle of Chickamaugua ; lieuten- ant Colonel, January 27, 1864, for cavalry operations in eastern Tennessee; colonel, March 13, 1865, for capture of Selma, Ala- bama ; Brigadier general, March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services in the field during the war; major general volunteers, March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services, etc.
Resigning from the regular army, May 9, 1866, he was minister to Hawaii, 1866-69, where, during his term, he negotiated a treaty of commercial reciprocity. In 1869, he was appointed by President Grant terri- torial governor of Colorado. He strength- ened the public school system, established a board of immigration, encouraged the build- ing of railroads, was identified with the or- ganization of the Denver water works, and other important enterprises, and became one of the largest taxpayers in the city. It is now interesting to note that he advocated woman's suffrage. MeCook had supplanted Hunt as governor, the latter having been during his term, ex-officio superintendent of Indian affairs. Hunt had been the friend and champion for Cummings, his predecessor as governor, and their administrations had been all interspersed with bitter factional fights and partizanship. Feuds again broke out, and Hunt's friends, with others, made trouble over alleged irregularities in the con- duct of Indian affairs, in 1873. Samuel H. Elbert was appointed March 9, that year, territorial governor. Then ensued the stormy incidents of the MeCook-Elbert controversy, resulting in the re-appointment of MeCook as governor, January 27, 1874, who served until the beginning of the administration of Governor John L. Routt, who was appointed governor, March 29, 1875.
Governor MeCook then engaged in various large business and commercial enterprises. He was largely interested in a European tele- phone syndicate, and at one time was one of the purchasers of the Batopilos, the rich silver mines of Mexico. He was a well- known orator, and was selected to deliver the funeral oration of General Thomas. He married twice; first, Mary Thompson; sec- ond, Mary McKenna. He died in 1909.
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SAMUEL HITT ELBERT
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SAMUEL HITT ELBERT.
A LBERT, SAMUEL HITT, Governor of Colorado, born in Logan county, Ohio, April 3, 1833, died November 27, 1899
His first American ancestor emmigrated from Devonshire, England, and settled prior to 1683, on the eastern shore of Maryland. He there became the proprietor of a large plantation, which is still owned by his de- scendants. Dr. John Lodman Elbert, his paternal great grandfather was a surgeon in the American Revolution, and for his ser- vices in that war was voted a large tract of land by the Maryland legislature. He was a member of the Order of the Cincinnati. His mother, of Huguenot origin, was descended from a Virginia colonial ancestry. His father, Dr. John Downs Elbert, was eminent as a physician and surgeon, who held honorary degrees from Cincinnati and Philadelphia medical colleges. In 1840, the family removed to Iowa.
Samuel H. Elbert, the son, returned to Ohio in 1848, and was graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1854. During the next two years, he studied law in Dayton, Ohio, and was there admitted to the bar. He came west in the spring of 1857, and opened a law office in Plattsmouth, Nebraska, build- ing up an extensive practice in that state and Iowa. In 1860, he was a delegate from Neb- raska, to the republican convention that nominated Lincoln for president, and the same year he was elected to the Nebraska legislature. In 1862, he was appointed by President Lincoln, Secretary of Colorado Territory, serving in that position under Governor John Evans. As secretary of the territory, he was frequently acting gover- nor, and promoted the mobilization of the 2nd and 3rd Colorado regiments for the civil war, and was a prominent figure in dealing with the Indian hostilities, then prevailing on the plains. In 1864, he was a delegate to the national republican convention that re-nominated Lincoln for president. After serving four years as secretary of the terri- tory, he resumed the practice of the law, forming a partnership with J. Q. Charles, under the firm name of Charles & Elbert.
In 1869 Judge Elbert was elected to the ter- ritorial legislature. In 1870, he was the sec- retary, and in 1872, the chairman of the re- publican central committee of the territory. Upon the urgent request and the petition of the citizens, Judge Elbert was appointed governor of Colorado Territory in 1873. The territory was then a hot bed of political in- trigue, and torn by wrangling and partisan politics, and notwithstanding the ability with which Judge Elbert administered the affairs of the territory, he was superceded in that office in 1874.
During his short term as governor, he be- gan an agitation that still continues-the question of the reclamation of the arid lands. He called a meeting of delegates from the western states and territories, in the summer of 1873, at which he delivered an address on this then, and now, great western question: It was the first large convention on the publi and arid land problem, to be followed by others, even up to the present time. After Gov. Elbert's removal, the whole matter was explained to President Grant, that he had been misinformed as to conditions in Colo- rado. After leaving the governor's chair, Judge Elbert visited Europe, spending a year abroad, in the study of social and political conditions.
When Colorado became a state, in 1876, Judge Elbert was elected on the republican ticket to the Colorado Supreme Court, in which he drew the six year tenure, and later assumed the duties of chief justice. On the expiration of his term in 1882, he refused to accept a re-nomination, owing to ill health. He afterwards consented to become a can- didate, was elected, and again became a mem- ber of the Colorado Supreme Court in Jan- uary, 1886, but owing to failing health, he withdrew in 1888.
His alma mater conferred upon him the degree of LL. B.
In June, 1865, he married, at Evanston, Ill., Miss Josephine, daughter of Governor John Evans of Colorado, whose death with their only child in 1868, was his greatest be- reavement.
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JOHN LONG ROUTT
JOHN LONG ROUTT
ROUTT, JOHN LONG, Governor of Colo- rado, born in Eddyville, Caldwell county, Kentucky, April 25, 1826, and died in Denver, was the son of John and Martha (Haggard) Routt. The family is of Welch origin. Dan-
iel, son of the founder of the family in this country, was a pioneer in Kentucky, making his home about three miles from Boonville, where he died at the age of 85. John, son of Daniel was born in Clark County, Ken-
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tucky, and engaged in farming in Caldwell county, that state, where he died at the age of 34. During the war of 1812, he was a mem- ber of Captain Long's company. Martha Haggard, his wife, was born in Clark County. Her father, David Haggard, of Welch descent, but native of Virginia, enlisted at the age of 17, in the army in the American Revolution, serving until its close, and then became a pioneer settler in Clark county, Kentucky. In after years he cultivated a farm in Trigg county, that state, but spent his last days with relatives in Bloomington, Ill., where he died at the age of 85. About 1885, Martha( Hag- gard), widow of John Routt, and the mother of the future governor of Colorado, removed with her family to Bloomington, Ill, having in the meantime married Henry Newton of Kentucky. After a residence of two years in Hancock county, that state, she removed to McDonough county, and later to McLean county, where she died at the age of 77. Her family consisted of two sons and two daugh- ters, two surviving her, John L. Routt, and Mrs. Elizabeth Newton.
John L. Routt was an infant at the time of his father's death, and was about ten years of age when his mother removed to Ill. He was educated in the public schools, and was then apprenticed to a builder and machinist, to learn that trade, and continued in that busi- ness until 1851, when he began to deal in town property and public lands, with varied success. After holding some minor offices, in 1860, he was elected sheriff of McLean county, that then ranked second in popula- tion and importance in III. He entered the United States military service in 1862, as captain of Company E, 94th Ill. Volunteers, his first year's service being spent in Mis- souri and Arkansas. At the battle of Prairie Grove, he was in the thickest of the fight, three bullets passing through his clothing in one day. Next, he served with his regi- ment under Gen. Grant, before Vicksburg, remaining until the surrender of that city. His bravery in this campaign and his gallant record, coming under the personal notice of Grant, there began that strong friendship, that developed with the years following, which bound him and the great commander with the closest ties. Routt was at Port Hudson and served in Texas, but returned to Baton Rouge after the defeat of Gen. Banks. Returning from the war to Bloomington in 1865, he found that he had already been elected during his absence, treasurer of Mc- Lean County, so great was his popularity. After serving two terms in that office, and re- fusing a third election, he became Chief Clerk
of the Bureau of the 2nd Assistant Postmaster General, in 1869. The following spring, President Grant appointed him U. S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ill. When holding this office, he conducted the taking of the 9th U. S. census in that district .. Then as 2nd Assistant Postmaster General, he made a splendid record, handling about $20,000,000 a year in his department. In 1875, he was appointed Governor of Colorado, by Presi- dent Grant, and began at once to cement the wrangling factions of the republican party that then agitated the territory, and push the statehood idea. Colorado was admitted by proclamation of the President, Aug. 1, 1876, and he was elected governor on the repub- lican ticket. Thus, he was the last terri- torial and the first state governor of Colorado. He was later elected and served as governor of the state for the term of 1891-93, making the longest record of any one up to the present time, in that office.
As Colorado began statehood under his administration, he helped to lay the founda- tion for the future greatness of this common- wealth. His hitherto large experience, both in Ill. and with national affairs, in conducting public business, as well as his ability to com- mand and direct, as displayed in the army, eminently fitted and qualified him to fill the position of governor, during a critical period in the state's history. He showed great skill and prudence in directing the early land policy and finances of the state. During his ad- ministration, one of the most exciting as well as bitter struggles occurred in the legis- lature, in which he was urged to send troops into the legislative halls to maintain order. He called both factions in counsel, and as an old soldier, explained the bad precedent of such action, advised moderation, and refused to send in the troops. At critical times, he always brought order out of chaos, He show- ed the same marked ability as mayor of Den- ver. He was a prominent figure in state and national politics, and was one of those who amassed a fortune in the Leadville mines.
He married first, in 1845, Esther A. (daughter of J. Woodson), born in Spring- field, and died in Washington, D. C., 1872. They had the following children: Minnie (wife of state senator, Charles Hartzell), who died in Denver; Birdie, wife of attorney W. H. Bryant of Denver; Frank; John H .; and Mrs. Emma Butler of Denver. He mar- ried second, Miss Eliza Pickrell of Springfield, Ill. now dead, who was one of the most be- loved women of Colorado. They had one child, Leila Elkin.
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FREDERICK WALTER PITKIN
FREDERICK WALTER PITKIN.
PITKIN, FREDERICK WALTER, Gov- ernor of Colorado, born in Manchester, Conn., Aug. 31, 1837, died in Pueblo, Colo- rado, Dec. 18, 1886, was the son of Eli and Hannah (Torrey) Pitkin. He was descended
from the Pitkins and Griswolds of Connecti- cut, where for many generations his ancestors had been highly honored, both in public and private life. His father, a prominent citi- Zen of Manchester, was descended from Wil-
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liam Pitkin, born near London, 1635, settled in Hartford, 1659, who was a member of the General Court and the Colonial Council. His grandson, William Pitkin, was governor of Connecticut, 1766-69.
Frederick W. Pitkin was prepared for college under careful instruction, and was matriculated at Wesleyan University, Min- dletown, Conn. in 1854, from which he was graduated with high honors in 1858. Then enter- ing the Albany Law School and completing the course in 1859, he located in 1860 in Mil- waukee, where he soon established himself in a lucrative law business and became a member of the firm of Palmer, Hooker & Pitkin. Owing to failing health, and follow- ing the advice of his physicians, in 1873, he went to Europe, where he became worse, and during two months in Switzerland little hope was entertained for his recovery. Returning to his native land, he visited Florida, spend- ing the winter there, but without recuper- ating his health. In 1874 he came west and spent three years of camp life in Colorado with beneficial results, roughing it in summer and residing in the towns during the winter. He made his home in southwestern Colorado, and through the practice of the law and by mining investments in the San Juan region, he became identified with that section of the state and one of its most popular citizens. From the San Juan came an earnest demand for his nomination in the gubernatorial race. He was nominated by acclimation by the republican state convention in 1878 and elect- ed by a majority of nearly 3,000 in a total vote of less than 30,000. His successful ad- ministration, during which there were diffi- cult Indian and labor questions and troubles to be solved, met with the hearty approval of his party and the people generally. Ap- preciative of his faithful services, he was nomi- nated by the republicans for a second guber- natorial term and was elected by an increased majority.
Soon after Governor Pitkin entered upon the duties of his first term, there came severe tests of his executive strength, but he handled all these public affairs with marked ability. In the summer of 1879 came the railway war between the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Denver & Rio Grande, when both companies with armed bodies of men were fighting for the right-of-way through the
royal gorge of the Arkansas. In the fall of that year followed the Ute War, the defeat of Maj. T. T. Thornburg and other compli- cations with the Meeker massacre. It was also the period of the great carbonate and mining excitement at Leadville where ser- ious labor troubles arose in 1880. No gover- nor of Colorado had such varied and momen- tous questions so rapidly thrust upon him, yet Gov. Pitkin ever remained the master of the situation, amid the excitement of In- dian war, labor and railway troubles. His firmness, timely orders, and the tone of his dispatches, both to state and national leaders, brought quiet and peace out of the Ute war. At the time of the great Leadville strike in 1880, when armed and threatening bands of excited men were parading the streets, and the civil authorities were powerless, he promptly declared martial law, thus saving both life and property. The settlement of the railway war in the royal gorge, has re- mained undisturbed to this day. His second term as governor was more peaceful, and he was given more time in this administration to foster and build up the real interests of the state.
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