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 8
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This constitution was adopted by a vote of the people, and on August 1, 1876, Presi- dent Grant issued his proclamation declaring that Colorado was admitted as a state. Ow- ing to the date of its admission, it is known as the "Centennial" state. The columbine has been adopted as the state flower, and the blue spruce as the state tree.
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CHAPTER IX.
Colorado as a State-The Period from Governor Routt to Governor Waite.
HE political history of Colo- rado during the statehood period, as at present de- veloped, naturally divides it- self into two parts.
1. From Gov. John L. Routt to Gov. Davis H. Waite.
2. From Gov. Waite to the present time, (1911.)
During the period, from the administration of Gov. Routt, the first chief executive of Colorado as a state, up to that of Gov. Waite, there were seven gubernatorial administra- tions, of which five were republican and two democratic, as follows:
Republicans-Governors John L. Routt, Frederick W. Pitkin (two terms in succession,) Benjamin H. Eaton, Job A. Cooper, and John L. Routt.
Democrats-James B. Grant, whose ad- ministration came between that of Pitkin and Eaton, and Alva Adams, between that of Eaton and Cooper.
During this first period, party lines were drawn on republican and democratic issues, and campaigns were conducted and fought out on that alignment, during which time two democrats were elected governor, in what was then a republican state. The greenback, prohibition, socialist, and farmers' alliance, had not yet developed more than a scatter- ing vote.
With the election of Gov. Waite, there followed a new alignment, or more strictly speaking, a breaking up of old party lines. With and since his administration there have been populist, republican, democratic, citi- zens, silver republican, socialist, prohibition, and fusion tickets. The voters have swung from one party to another, through restless political conditions, which even now are marked with more or less instability.
ernor, John L. Routt; Lieutenant Governor, Layfayette Head; Secretary of State, Wil- liam Clark; Auditor of State, David C. Craw- ford; Treasurer of State, George C. Corning; Attorney General, Archibald J. Sampson; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Joseph C. Shattuck; Justices of the Supreme Court, Henry C. Thatcher, Ebenezer T. Wells, and Samuel H. Elbert. At the same time, James B. Belford was elected to fill the unexpired term of the 44th congress, and the full term of the 45th. Gen. Bela M. Hughes, the democratic candidate for governor, though defeated, made a gallant fight. A disputed question complicated the political situation, as to the exact date for holding the congres- sional election for the 45th congress, and the secretary of state issued a notice for another election on November 7th, for that purpose. The republicans paid no attention to this notice, although inclined at first to enter the canvass. Belford had already been declared elected to the 44th congress by a majority of 437 votes, and 988 for the 45th. Thomas M. Patterson, who had been the democratic nominee against Judge Belford, had his name placed on the ballots for the election of Nov- ember 7th, but Belford claiming to have been legally chosen, refused to participate therein. A light vote was polled, Patterson receiving 3,580; Belford, 172; and, scattering, 77. There was no doubt as to Belford's election to the 44th congress, but the Hayes-Tilden contest presented new obstacles. The claim was made that congress had the right to pass upon the question as to whether a state had been legally admitted, notwithstanding the presi- dent's proclamation. After a prolonged fight, Judge Belford was seated, serving hardly more than a month in the 44th congress. Mr. Pat- terson successfully contested Judge Belford's seat in the 45th congress, on the ground that under the enabling act, the election for con- gressman should have been held on the 7th of November.
Political activity was aroused, now that Colorado was a state, and both the old parties placed in nomination exceptionally strong The first general assembly of the State of Colorado was convened on Nov. 1, 1876, in which the republicans had a large majority. W. W. Webster of Summit county was elected tickets for the election, which was held Oct. 3, 1876. After a thorough canvass and an exciting campaign, the republicans carried the state, electing the following ticket: Gov- president pro tempore of the senate, and
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George T. Clark of Arapahoe, secretary. In the house, Webster D. Anthony of Arapahoe was chosen speaker, and W. B. Felton of Saguache, chief clerk. The first bill in- troduced, provided that on Nov. 7th, the sen- ate and house in joint session, should pro- ceed to the selection of three presidential electors, and on that date Herman Beckurts, Otto Mears, and Willian L. Hadley, were elected. The republican majority of the legislature elected Jerome B. Chaffee and Henry M. Teller to the United States Senate, while the democratic minority, in caucus, agreed to cast their votes for W. A. H. Love- land and Thomas Macon. Chaffee and Tel- ler were seated Dec. 4, 1876, Chaffee drawing the longer and Teller the shorter term. On Dec. 9, 1876, Mr. Teller was elected for the full term of six years from March 3, 1877.
About this time discoveries were being made, that a little later developed the great Leadville mining excitement. It was in this locality, that the Colorado miners in 1859 and 1860, had panned out gold in California Gulch, without a thought as to the richness of the carbonates of that district. In 1876, some few prospects were developed, followed by a little more activity in 1877, when that sec- tion began to attract attention. In 1878, the big boom was on which continued for several years, and Leadville became the great mining camp of the world, making H. A. W. Tabor, and others millionaires. Silver Cliff in Cus- ter county also flourished for a time, second only to Leadville. These discoveries were fol- lowed by a rush into the Gunnison country, where Aspen, Pitkin, and other camps were afterward established. There was also activity in the San Juan region. Del Norte and Durango began to flourish as centers for the trade of that region, where had been estab- lished at different intervals, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City, Rico, Ophir, Telluride, and other mining towns. Some parts of the San Juan were almost deserted at the time of the Lead- ville boom, but when the lull came, many re- turning to that rich section, put new life into the old camps, or started new ones.
In January 1877, the President appointed Moses Hallett, U. S. District Judge for Colo- rado. This eminent jurist held that position until he retired from the bench in 1906, and was succeeded by Judge Robert E. Lewis. Judge Westbrook S. Decker was also ap- pointed U. S. District Attorney, and William L. Campbell, Surveyor of Colorado, also in January, 1877.
In 1878, the "greenbackers" entered the political field with the republicans and demo- erats, nominating a full state ticket with Dr. R. G. Buckingham at the head for gov- ernor. Both the old parties still main-
tained their ascendency, and made strong nominations. James B. Belford, republican, defeated Thomas M. Patterson for congress. The republican state ticket was also elected, Frederick W. Pitkin making a successful race against W. A. H. Loveland, democrat, and Dr. Buckingham, greenbacker.
Frederick W. Pitkin, Governor (1879- 1883) of Colorado, was one of the purest and ablest men who has held official position in this state, serving four consecutive years as chief executive, and later making a very close contest for the U. S. Senate. Owing to ill health, Senator Chaffee announced that he would not be a candidate for re-election, al- though afterward he was urged to make the race. In the meantime, Prof. N. P. Hill, who had established the extensive plant of the Boston & Colorado Smelting Company, en- tered the senatorial field on the statement that Chaffee was not a candidate. William A. Hammill, chairman of the republican state central committee, Henry and Edward O. Wolcott, and Charles H. Toll, were the leaders that effected a combination which resulted in the nomination of Prof. Hill in the repub- lican caucus. The democratic minority sup- ported W. A. H. Loveland. In January, 1879, N. P. Hill was elected U. S. Senator, to succeed Mr. Chaffee. Senator Hill was one of the strongest and most influential men in the history of the state, and ably represented Colorado at Washington during a term of six years. In addition to his large smelting and mining interests, Senator Hill was also the proprietor of the Denver Republican, which is still owned by his heirs.
Gov. Pitkin's administration was soon con- fronted by an outbreak of the Utes, and the Meeker massacre on White river followed in 1879. Subsequent to the treaty of 1868, still another treaty was made in 1873 by which the Utes ceded the San Juan region, in which prospectors had made rich discoveries of the precious metals. The Indians now claimed the government had not fulfilled its agreements, and especially in the payment of annuities. Another source of irritation was the overflow of the Leadville rush, into the Gunnison country, which resulted in much friction be- tween the whites and the Indians. Here was a vast unexplored region, inhabited by a few Indian tribes, but which, if opened to settle- ment, would become productive of great mineral and agricultural wealth. N. C. Meeker, who bore a prominent part in the founding of the Union colony at Greeley, Colorado, was appointed, early in 1878, agent for the White River Utes. He was accom- panied to the agency by his wife, daughter Josephine, and a few others. The Indians were in a resentful and irritable mood. They
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not only complained of the failure to supply them with their annuities, but tribal jealousies also complicated the situation. Douglas, Colorow, Jack, Johnson, Antelope, and others had looked unkindly upon the supremacy that had been given Ouray. Meeker was a philanthropist and it was his hearty wish to civilize the Utes, but they looked with dis- favor on his humanitarian plans. He but little understood Indian character, and the Utes reluctantly at first yielded to his irri- gating and farming schemes at the agency. In January, 1879, the Colorado legislature memorialized congress to remove the Indians and open their reservation for settlement. The memorial set forth that but 3,000 Utes occupied 12,000,000 acres of valuable lands, and the slogan in Colorado was, "The Utes must go." In the meantime, the Indians would not submit to agent Meeker's discipline, and, in the friction that followed, were almost constantly off their reservation, causing much annoyance to the whites. Later Captain Jack and other chiefs visited Denver and laid their complaints before Gov. Pitkin, also de- manding Meeker's removal. The governor at once warned the departments at Wash- ington of the danger of an outbreak, but it was not then heeded. After further cor- respondence, a company of negro cavalry was dispatched on a scouting expedition in Middle Park.
During his temporary absence from home, two Utes burned the house of Maj. James B. Thompson, on Bear river, whereupon the latter secured warrants for their arrest. Meeker, in his effort although futile, to assist the sheriff's posse in their attempt to serve these warrants, but increased the enmity of the Utes. A crisis was now imminent, and Gen Sheridan dispatched Maj. Thomas T. Thornburg with a command of three com- panies of cavalry from Fort Steele, Wyoming, to the scene of the threatened outbreak. Thornburg's command was attacked Sep. 29, by Captain Jack and the Utes on Milk river, about 25 miles from the agency. In attempt- ing to reach his wagon train, Maj. Thornburg and thirteen men were killed, and the com- mand now devolved upon Captain Payne, who was besieged by the Indians. In the night, a scout named Rankin, stole his way through the hostiles, and rode a distance of 160 miles to Rawlins, in 28 hours, giving warning of the direful straits in which Thorn- burg's command had been placed. Captain Dodge with his negro company, who had been scouting in Middle Park, was reached, and at once hastened to the relief of his com- rades, but it was deemed unwise for him to attack the bluffs and fight a hidden foe. In the meantime, Gen. Wesley Merritt with
several hundred men, was hurrying to the rescue, and relieved the beleaguered troops, who during six days of intense suffering and hard fighting had been able to maintain a successful resistance, in their hastily con- structed entrenchments. Their loss was 14 killed and 43 wounded. Thirty-five Indians are known to have been killed. The same day that Captain Jack attacked Thornburg, Douglas and his band, aided by Persune, carried out their terrible work at the agency. Meeker and eleven employes, all men, were massacred and their bodies horribly mutilated and disfigured. Mrs. Meeker, her daughter Josephine, Mrs. Price, the wife of the black- smith, and her little daughter, three years of age, were made prisoners. In the meantime Ouray had sent word to the settlers of his inability to control the Indians, and also dispatched couriers to the White River Utes requesting them to cease fighting. Gen. Dave Cook was placed in command of the state forces at Lake City, and Gen. Hatch was hurrying regulars to the southwest. Special agent, Charles Adams of the Indian department, and a personal friend of Ouray, was intrusted with the task of rescuing the captive women, which he ac- complished, when he found them at the In- dian camp, on Grand river. The arrival of troops, and the friendly assistance of Ouray, who was a distinguished Indian statesman and friend of the whites, resulted in the restora- tion of peace. In 1880, the White River Utes were removed to Utah. During all this time, Gov. Pitkin was besieged with cor- respondence and telegrams, and kept the situation well in hand. Colorado had barely recovered from the Ute war excitement, when in the spring of 1880, followed the miner's strike in Leadville, over the question of wages. Riots being imminent, Gov. Pitkin declared martial law, and quiet was soon restored. In October, 1880, an anti-Chinese riot broke out in Denver, and before it ended, two Chinese had been killed and several injured.
At the election, held in the fall of 1880, Garfield carried the state for the presidency. Judge Belford was re-elected to congress, and Pitkin, Governor with the entire republican state ticket. George B. Robinson, who had been elected lieutenant governor, was killed Nov. 29, by a guard at his own mine, who mistook him for a mine jumper. Through his death, Lieutenant Gov. Horace A. W. Tabor, held that position for another term. In April, 1882, Senator Teller resigned his seat in the United States Senate, to accept the portfolio of Secretary of the Interior, in President Arthur's cabinet. This placed Gov. Pitkin in an embarrassing position, for the duty devolved upon him to appoint a suc- cessor to Teller in the Senate, until the meet-
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ing of the legislature. Former Gov. Routt, Lt. Gov. Tabor, Judge Thomas M. Bowen, George M. Chilcott, and other republican leaders were applicants for the position. The governor appointed Chilcott, which aroused the opposition of the unsuccessful candidates, and later resulted in the defeat of Gov. Pit- kin for the senate.
Henry R. Wolcott was the choice of the great mass of republicans for the guberna- torial nomination in 1882, but through the combined efforts of Senator Chaffee and his friends, Mr. Wolcott was defeated for that nomination in the state convention, and Ernest L. Campbell was placed at the head of the ticket. The democrats named an ex- ceptionally popular man when they nomi- nated James B. Grant for governor. The defection of republicans, because of the re- jection of the nomination of Henry R. Wol- cott in the state convention, and the personal strength of James B. Grant, resulted in the election of the latter as governor, but the re- mainder of the republican ticket won out, together with James B. Belford, for congress. Gov. Grant was the first democrat who has held that office in Colorado, and his party was elated in this first breach that was made in a state, that had been accustomed to roll up republican majorities. Gov. Grant was a business man and gave the state a safe and popular administration, in a quiet and unos- tentatious way. There had been so much of war and strikes, and general turmoil and strife, that the people welcomed the respite. The political situation now centered on the election of two U. S. Senators by the legisla- ture, which had convened in January 1883, one for the few weeks remaining of Senator Teller's term, and one for the full period of six years, beginning March 4, 1883. H. A. W. Tabor was elected to fill the unexpired term, to which Gov. Pitkin had temporarily appointed Senator Chilcott. Pitkin was now a candidate for the long term, but the party leaders, whom he ignored in Chilcott's ap- pointment, now combined against him. Al- though Pitkin came within two votes of the nomination, the choice finally fell to Judge Thomas M. Bowen of Del Norte. The ex- pediency of erecting a state capitol building was revived at this session. A bill was passed to that effect, and the following commission- ers were named to carry out the provisions of the act: John L. Routt, Dennis Sullivan, George W. Kassler, Alfred Butters, E. S. Nettleton, and W. W. Webster. An ap- propriation of $150,000 was provided for the erection of the first wing. In the fall of 1881, by a popular vote, Denver had been selected as the capital city, and that troublesome question having been eliminated, the erection
of a building could be planned with certainty. What had been formerly known in general terms as the "Gunnison Country," had re- ceived an immense immigration, since the removal of the Utes, and the new counties of Delta, Mesa, and Montrose, were established at this session, and Eagle and Garfield conn- ties in the northwest. Democrats, repub- licans, and greenbackers, all placed candidates in the field for the fall election in 1884, which was also the presidential year, with Cleve- land, Blaine, and Gen. Butler, respectively heading these national tickets. The repub- licans carried the election, state and national, George G. Symes being elected to congress, and Benjamin H. Eaton defeated Alva Adams for governor. The legislature was convened in January, 1885, and the Hill- Teller senatorial fight at once became the pivotal question. Senator Hill, who was a candidate for re-election, was bitterly op- posed by Senator Chaffee and his friends, the latter supporting Senator Teller, who was soon to retire from the cabinet. Senator Teller was re-elected after one of the bitterest and most acrimonious partisan contests in the history of the republican party in Colo- rado. Dennis Sullivan received the compli- mentary vote of the democratic minority for U. S. Senator
Benjamin H. Eaton, the new governor (1885-1887) was a Colorado pioneer, and early interested himself in irrigation problems. He was one of the most extensive ranchmen and farmers in the state. In May, 1885, the Knights of Labor struck at the Burnham shops of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway. Trouble was precipitated by the employment of non- union men. The strikers armed themselves, and for a time violence was threatened. Some of the leaders were arrested, tried for contempt in violating the orders of the court, and imprisoned for several months, causing much ill will among those favoring labor unions. During Gov. Eaton's administra- tion, there was a large immigration to the agricultural portions of the state, and es- pecially in the so called "arid" regions. In 1886, George G. Symes was re-elected to congress, defeating the Rev. Myron W. Reed, and the entire republican state ticket proved a winner with the exception of the head, Alva Adams, democrat, being elected governor, the second of his party to be thus honored in this state. In the preceding election, Adams had been defeated by Eaton, but that did not deter him from making another trial, after receiving the honor of a nomination from his party, with which he was not only very strong, but had a large personal following in the state. He was soon confronted with one of those in- termittent outbreaks of the Utes. Colorow
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was accustomed to revisit Colorado on hunt- ing expeditions, and often terrorized the set- tlers by his threats and bulldozing methods. In August, 1887, on one of these expeditions near Meeker, two of his band were accused of stealing horses, and when Sheriff Kendall of Garfield county, attempted their arrest, a fight ensued. From this, a general alarm was sounded along the western border of the state, and after urgent appeals from those on the frontier, the governor sent General George W. West to investigate these rumors. On his recommendation, Brig. Gen. Frank M. Reardon was dispatched with troops to the scene of the troubles. A fight ensued near Rangeley, in which Jasper Ward of the sher- iff's posse was killed, three of the militia were wounded and several Indians were reported slain.
Four tickets were nominated for the state campaign of 1888, democratic, republican, greenbacker, and prohibitionist. The entire republican ticket was elected, with Job A. Cooper for governor, who received 44,490, as against 39,197 for Thomas M. Patterson, democrat, 2,248 for W. C. Stover, prohi- bitionist, and 1,085 for Rev. Gilbert De La Mater, greenbacker. Hosea Townsend, re- publican was the successful competitor against Thomas Macon for congress.
Job A. Cooper, Governor (1889-1891) was a banker, who gave thestate a good business ad- ministration, which was not disturbed by un- toward events. The legislature, which wasre- publican, met in January, 1889, and Edward O. Wolcott was elected to the U. S. Senate, to succeed Thomas M.Bowen. Charles S. Thomas was honored with the complimentary vote of the democratic members, for that high office. At this session of the legislature, the new counties established were: Baca, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Montezuma, Morgan, Otero, Phillips, Prowers, Rio Blanco, Sedgwick, and Yuma. The rapid growth of the state, especially in the agricultural dis- tricts, is shown in this large number of sub- divisions from the old counties. A compul- sory school law was also enacted. Among the appropriations were: $100,000 for a reforma- tory in Chaffee county; $20,000 for an or- phan's home in Denver, and $10,000 for a normal school at Greeley.
The republicans carried the state in 1890, with the exception of two minor nominations on the state ticket, John L. Routt winning over Judge Caldwell Yeaman, the demo-
cratic nominee, and Hosea Townsend, over his competitor, T. J. O'Donnell. J. G. Coy, the Farmer's Alliance and Trades Union nominee for governor received 5,199, and J. A. Ellet, prohibition, 1,058. This was the third time that Gov. Routt was called upon to fill the chair of the chief executive of this state. When the legislature assembled in January, 1891, the democrats, who were in the minority, cast their vote for Caldwell Yeaman for U. S. Senator, and the republi- cans re-elected Henry M. Teller. During this session, the house of representatives of the legislature was the scene of tumult, and almost a riot for several days. James W. Hanna was elected speaker, but not satisfied with his conduct as the presiding officer, a combination was effected between a faction of the republicans and the democrats, who declared the speakership vacant, and chose Jesse White for speaker. For some time, there were two presiding officers. Gov. Routt, to whom an appeal had been made to send in troops to prevent a riot, complied only so far as to have them in readiness at the armory, should he be finally justified in the use of so extreme a measure. The matter was referred to the supreme court, and under its decision, White became the regular speak- er. The question that brought on the strife, was the contention of the opposition that it was the prerogative of the house, and not the speaker, to appoint the standing com -. mittees, and Mr. Hanna refusing to make this concession, the successful combination was made against him, that resulted in his dis- comfiture. Although not a part of the speakership controversy, yet incidental to it, Harley McCoy shot and killed Police In- spector Charles A. Hawley, on the street near the assembly chamber.
Preliminary to the work of preparing for the Columbian exposition at Chicago, Gov. Routt appointed commissioners for that pur- pose. In 1892, both Creede and Cripple Creek were coming into prominence as the new mining camps of the state. During all this time, the silver question was developing more and more into the great issue which it was soon to become, and in which Colorado was to play a prominent part. Up to the present time, the old parties had held the field almost exclusively, but populism, the silver question, the panic of 1893, strikes in the mining camps, presented new issues, and the first of a new alignment came in the coming campaign, resulting in the election of Gov. Waite.
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