USA > Louisiana > The province and the states, a history of the province of Louisiana under France and Spain, and of the territories and states of the United States formed therefrom, Vol. IV > Part 47
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484
THE PROVINCE AND THE STATES.
Rich veins of coal underlie one-fourth of the state, while in vari- ous sections are to be found large bodies of iron ores, the greatest being in Routt, Saguache, Park, Chaffee, Las Animas and Gunni- son counties. But there are other, and perhaps richer, resources than those of the mines. The soil is of such a composition, and the different elevations offer such climatic conditions, that almost any kind of crops can be successfully grown. While the farmer in most of the other states of the Union must be dependent upon the natural rainfall for his supply of moisture, not so with the farmer of Colorado. Late in the spring and during the early summer there is a rainy season that is of great benefit to the farms and pastures, but the farmer does not rely upon these to mature his crops. Irrigation has been reduced to a scientific basis in Colorado. In 1900 there were in successful operation more than ten thousand miles of irrigating ditches, moistening and fertilizing the soil of millions of acres, thus rendering certain the production of standard crops year after year.
As a fruit growing state Colorado is destined to rank second only to California. Some idea of the progress in this direction may be gained from the fact that in 1892 there were shipped into the city of Denver one thousand one hundred car loads of Cali- fornia fruit, for local consumption and distribution, while in 1900 the orchards and vineyards of Colorado supplied not only the local demand but yielded hundreds of tons of choice fruits for shipment outside the state. Besides the mining, agricultural and horticultural interests the live stock industry is one of considerable magnitude. All over the broad plains of Eastern Colorado and in the mountain parks the "cattle king" still finds a range, and thousands of cattle are annually shipped to eastern markets. Manufacturing is also carried on extensively, Denver and Pueblo being the manufacturing centers. The state is divided into sixty counties. A little study of the following tables will show the movements of population and progress of settlement since the organization of the territory in 1861.
485
COLORADO, COMMENTS AND STATISTICS.
TABLE SHOWING THE POPULATION OF COLORADO, BY COUNTIES, AT EACH UNITED STATES CENSUS SINCE 1870.
Counties.
1870.
1880.
1890.
1900.
Arapahoe
6,829
38,644
132,135
153,017
Archuleta
826
2,117
Baca.
1,479
759
Bent.
592
1,654
1,313
3,049
Boulder
1,939
9,723
14,0:2
21,544
Chaffee
6,512
6,612
7,085
Cheyenne
534
501
Clear Creek
1,596
7,823
7,184
7,082
Conejos
2,504
5,605
7,193
8,794
Costilla
1,799
2,879
3,491
4,632
Custer
8,050
2,970
2,937
Delta
2,534
5,487
Dolores
1,388
2,486
3,006
3,120
Eagle
3,725
3,008
Elbert
1,708
1,856
3,101
El Paso
987
7,949
21,239
31,602
Fremont
1,061
1,735
9,156
Garfield
4,478
5,835
Gilpin
5,490
6,489
5,867
6,690
Grand.
417
601
741
Green wood
510
8,235
4,359
5,331
Hinsdale.
1,487
862
1,608
Huerfano
2,250
4,124
6, 882
8,395
Jefferson
2,390
9,80J
8,450
9,306
Kiowa
1,243
701
Kit Carson.
2,472
1,580
Lake .
522
23,560
14, 663
18,054
La Plata
1,110
5,5.09
7,016
Larimer.
632
4.892
9,712
12, 168
Las Animas ..
4,275
8,903
17,20%
21,842
Lincoln
6.59
926
Logan
3,070
3,292
Mesi .
4,200
9,267
Mineral
1,918
Montozuma
1,529
3,058
Montrosu
3, 980
4,535
Morgan
1,601
3, 265
Otero.
4,192
11,522
Ouray
2,269
6,510
4,731
Park
417
3,970
3,515
2,998
Phillips
2,642
1,583
Pitkin
8,929
7,020
Prowers
1,929
3, 768
Pueblo .
2,293
7,017
31,491
31,448
Rio Blanco
1,200
1,690
Rio Grande
,140
2,369
3,661
Routt
1,914
3,451
4,080
Saguache
301
1,933
3,313
3,853
San Juan
1,087
1,572
2,312
San Miguel
2,909
5,379
Sedgwick
1,293
971
Summit
258
5,459
1, 906
2,744
Teller
29,002
Washington
2,301
1.241
Wohl
1,636
5,616
11,736
16,808
Yuma
2,596
1,729
Total .
39, 861
191,327
412, 195
539, 700
1,498
1,131
Douglas
15,636
Gunnison
486
THE PROVINCE AND THE STATES.
TABLE SHOWING THE DATE OF ESTABLISHMENT OF EACH COUNTY IN COLORADO AND THE PRESENT COUNTY SEAT.
Counties.
Organized.
County seat.
Adams
Apr. 15, 1:01
Arapahoe.
Nov. 1, 1-81
Archuleta
Apr. 11, 1-53
Pagosa Springs.
Baca ..
Apr 16, 1859
Springlicht.
Beut.
-Nov .. 1, 1-61
Las Animas.
Boulder
Nov. 1, 1911
Boulder.
Carbonate.
Feb. 8, 1879
Chatloo
Feb. 10, 1579
Buona Vista.
Cheyenne.
Mar. 25, 1889
Cheyenne Wells.
Clear Creek
Nov. 1, 1561
Georgetown.
Conejos.
Nov. 7, 1-61
Conejos.
Costilla
Nov. 1, 1561
Custer
Mar. 9, 1577
Delta
Feb. 11, 1-53
Delta.
Dolores
Feb. 19, 13-1
Donglas
Nov. 1, 1xb1
Eagle
Feb. 11, 18\3
Red Cliff.
Elbort
Feb. 2, 18.4
Kiowa.
El Paso
Nov. 1, 1560
Colorado Springs.
Fremont
Nov. 1, 1861
Canon City.
Garfield
Feb. 10, 15-3
Glenwood Springs.
Gilpin ..
Nov. 1, 191 Fob. 2, 15il
Sulphur Springs.
Green wood
Gunnison
Gunnison.
Guadaloupe
Nov. 1, 1sol
Wal-enburg.
Jefferson
Nov. 1, 1-01
Kiowa
Apr. 11, 1:89
Kit Carson
Burlington.
Lake. . ..
Leadville.
La Plata
Feb. 10, 1871 Nov. 1, 1-51
Fort Collins.
Las Animas
Feb. 9, 1566
Trinidad.
Lincoln ..
Apr. 11, 1850
Hago.
Logan .
Fab. 25, 1897
Storting.
Mosa
Grand Junction.
Minoral
t'reeda.
Montezuma
Apr. 16, 18
Vortra.
Mintroso
Feb 11, 13
Morgan
Feb. 19, 1599
Otero
Mar. 25, 1889
La Junta.
Ouray
Jan. 18, 1877
Park.
Nov. 1, 1-61
Philips Pitkin
Mar. 21, 1-89 Feb. 23, 1-1
Platto
Feb 9, 1972 Apr. 11, 1-33 Nov 1, 1:61 .
Pueblo
Pueblo.
Rio Blanco
Mar. 23, 1-89
Meeker.
Rio Grande
Feb. 10, 174
Del Norte.
Routt ..
Jan. 29, 1877
Hahn's Peak.
Sagnache
Saguache.
San Juan
Dec. 29, 1866 Jan. 31, 1976
San Miguel.
Sedgwick
Summit
Mar. 2, 18-3 1pr. 9, 18 9 Nov. 1, 1:61 Apr. 15, 1900
South Arapahoe
Teller ....
Mar. 23, 1-99
Cripple Crook .
Uncompaligre Washington
Feb 27, 13 Feb. 9, 1>87
Weld.
Nov. 1, 1561
Yuma
Mar. 15, 1889
Akron. Greeley. Yuma
NOTE-The counties of Carbonato, Greenwood, Guadaloupe, Platto and Uncom- palgro, have cithor boon absorbed by the formation of ofhor coutdios or the names have been changed.
Central City
Grand
Feb 11, 1570 Mar. 9, 1577 Nov. 1, 1.61 Feb. 10, 1874
Hinsdale
Lake City,
Huerfano
Gulden. Sheridan Lake.
Apr. 11, 189 Nov. 1, 1861
Durango.
Larimor .
11. 1-51 Mar. 27, 1590
Montro.0, Fort Morgan.
Ouray Fur Play.
Holyoke.
Aspen.
Prowers
I .Lamar.
Silverton. Telluride. Julesburg. Breckenridge.
Denver
San Luis. Silver Cliff.
Rico. Castle Rock.
487
COLORADO, COMMENTS AND STATISTICS.
Colorado has been fortunate in having for her officials men of ability and probity. From the earliest organization of the terri- tory to the present time there have been no defalcations, nor no malfeasance, of any kind, in office that is worthy of special notice. Following is a list of the principal territorial and elective state officers, with the date of their appointment or election :
Governors of the Territory: William Gilpin, 1861; John Evans, 1862; A. Cummings, 1865; A. C. Hunt, 1867; Edward M. McCook, 1869; S. II. Elbert, 1873; Edward M. McCook, 1874; John L. Routt, 1875.
Territorial Secretaries: Lewis L. Weld, 1861; Samuel H. Elbert, 1862; Frank Hall, 1866; John W. Jenkins, 1874; John Taffe, 1875.
Chief Justices : Benjamin F. Hall, 1861 ; Stephen S. Harding, 1863; Moses Hallett, 1866. (Judge Hallet served until the admis- sion of the state in 1876.)
Associate Justices: C. L. Armour and S. N. Pettis, 1861 ; A. A. Bradford, 1862; Charles F. Holly, 1865; William H. Gale, 1865; William R. Gorsline, 1866; C. S. Eyster, 1866; James B. Belford, 1870; E. T. Wells, 1871; A. W. Brazee, 1875; A. W. Stone, 1875.
United States Attorneys: William L. Stoughton, 1861 ; James E. Dalliba, 1861; Samuel E. Browne, 1862; George W. Chamberlain, 1865; Henry C. Thatcher, 1868; Lewis C. Rockwell, 1869; II. C. Alleman, 1873; C. D. Bradley, 1875.
Governors of the State: John 1. Routt, 18;6; F. W. Pitkin, 1878; James B. Grant, 1882; Benjamin 11. Eaton, 1884; Alva Adams, 1886; Job A. Cooper, 1888; John L. Routt, 1890; Davis II. Waite, 1892; Albert W. MeIntire, 1894, Alva Adams, 1896; Charles S. Thomas, 1898; James B. Orman, 1900; James H. Peabody, 1902.
Lieutenant-Governors: Lafayette Head, 1876; H. A. W. Tabor, 1878; William Meyer, 1882; P. W. Breene, 1884; N. H. Meldrum, 1886; W. G. Smith, 1888; W. W. Story, 1800; D. H. Nichols, 1892; Jared 1. Brush, 1804; Jared L. Brush, 1896; Francis Carney, 1898; David C. Coates, 1900; W. A. Haggott, 1902.
Secretaries of State: William M. Clark, 1876; N. H. Mel- drum, 1878; Melvin Edwards, 1882; James Rice, 1886; Edwin J. Eaton, 1800; N. O. MeClees, 1892; A. B. McGaffey, 1804; C. H. S. Whipple, 1806; Elmer Beckwith, 1808; D. A. Mills, 1900; James Cowie, 1902.
Auditors: David C. Crawford, 1876; E. K. Stimson, 1878;
488
THE PROVINCE AND THE STATES.
Joseph A. Davis, 1880; Jolin C. Abbott, 1882; II. A. Spruance, 1884; D. P. Kingsley, 1886; L. B. Schwanbeck, 1888; John M. Henderson, 1890; F. M. Goodykoontz, 1892; C. C. Parks, 1804; John W. Lowell, 1896; George W. Temple, 1898; C. W. Crouter, 1900; J. A. Holmberg, 1902.
Treasurers: George C. Corning, 1876; N. S. Culver, 1878; W. C. Sanders, 1880; Frederick Walsen, 1882; George R. Swal- low, 1884; P. W. Breene, 1886; W. H. Brisbane, 1888; John S. Fesler, 1800; Albert Nance, 1892; Harry E. Mulnix, 1894; George W. Kephart, 1896; John F. Fenter, 1898; J. N. Chipley, 1900; Whitney Newton, 1902.
Attorneys-General: Archibald J. Sampson, 1876; C. W. Wright, 1878; D. F. Urmy, 1882; Theo. HI. Thomas, 1884 ; Alvin Marsh, 1886; Samuel W. Jones, 1888; Joseph II. Maupin, 1890; Eugene Engley, 1892; Byron L. Carr, 1894; E. C. Campbell, 1898; C. C. Post, 1900; N. C. Miller, 1902.
Superintendents of Public Instruction: Joseph C. Shattuck, 1876; L. S. Cornell, 1884; Frederick Dick, 1888; Nathan B. Coy, 1890; James F. Murray, 1892; Mrs. A. J. Peavey, 1894; Grace E. Patton, 1896; Helen L. Grenfell, 1898-1900-1902.
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court: Henry C. Thatcher, 1876; S. H. Elbert, 1879 ; William E. Beck, 1883 ; Joseph C. Helm, 1888; Charles D. Hayt, 1892; John Campbell, 1898-1902.
Associate Justices: S. H. Elbert, 1876; E. T. Wells, 1876 (resigned in September, 1877, and Wilbur F. Stone was elected to fill the vacancy ) ; William E. Beck, 1878; Joseph C. Helm, 1880; S. 11. Elbert, 1884; M. B. Gerry, 1888 (elected to fill a vacancy caused by Judge Elbert's resignation ) ; Victor A. Elliott, 1890; Charles D. Hayt, 1890; Joseph C. Helm, 1892 (resigned in December, 1902, and L. M. Goddard appointed) ; John Camp- bell, 1894; William H. Gabbert, 1898; R. W. Steele, 1900.
United States Senators: J. B. Chaffee, 1877; Nathaniel P. Hill, 1879; Henry M. Teller, 1877; Thomas M. Brown, 1883 (for the long term) ; H. A. W. Tabor, 1883 ( for the short term) ; Edward O. Wolcott, 1889; Thomas M. Patterson, 1901. Senator Teller resigned before the expiration of his first term to accept a position in President Arthur's cabinet. He succeeded Senator Hill in 1885 and was re-elected in 1891, 1807, and 1903. Senator Wolcott served two terms.
The educational system of Colorado is unsurpassed. By the grant of two sections of land in each township, more than three million acres of fine mineral and agricultural lands became the property of the state, the proceeds from the sale of which formed
480
COLORADO, COMMENTS AND STATISTICS.
the basis of a permanent fund for the endowment of the common schools. During the first fifteen years of statehood Colorado expended more than a million dollars a year in the maintenance of her common schools alone. Ample provision has been made for higher education in the establishment of the State university, at Boulder; the Agricultural college, at Fort Collins; the School of Mines, at Golden ; and the State Normal school at Greeley. Besides these institutions, all of which are supported at the pub- lic expense, there are several private colleges controlled and sup- ported by various religious denominations. The schools of Den . ver rank as high in the comprehensiveness of the course of study and the character of the teachers employed as those of any city in the country. Her school buildings are architectural models. Several of the ward bniklings cost from sixty thousand to seventy- five thousand dollars each, and her magnificent high school build- ing was erected at a cost of three hundred and twenty-five thou- sand dollars. What is true of Denver is true, in a lesser degree, of every city and town in the state. The people believe in edu- cation, and proceed on the theory that money spent for the mainte- nance of educational institutions is more than saved by the reduction of criminal and pauper expenses.
The growth and development of Colorado have been phenom- inal. Within the memory of many now living the transformation, from a trackless wilderness to one of the really great states of the American republic, has taken place. Before the skill and industry of the husbandman desert lands have disappeared, and what was once considered an uninhabitable region is now dotted over with happy and prosperous homes. Towns and cities have sprung up as at the touch of the magician's wand; herds of cattle have taken the places of the herds of buffalo that once roamed over the arid wastes; the railway has superseded the Indian trail; the smoke from the factory chimney is now seen instead of the smoke from the council fire, and civilization has supplanted savagery. That first straggling settlement, made in the late autumn of 1858, at the mouth or Cherry creek, has grown into the beautiful and progressive city of Denver, the capital, metropolis, and principal railroad center of the state: Located, as it is, fifteen miles from the base of the Rocky mountains, upon a broad plateau five thousand three hundred and seventy-five feet above the sea, it commands an open view of the broad plains to the cast which justly entitles it to the name of the "Queen City of the Plains." Its population in 1900 was 133,859, which did not include the population of several suburbs that were really part of the city.
490
THIE PROVINCE AND THE STATES.
The other large cities are Pueblo, with a population of 28,157; Colorado Springs, with 21,085; Leadville, with 12,455; and Crip- ple Creek, with 10,147. Then there are Florence, Boulder, Fort Collins, Central City, Aspen, Idaho Springs, Victor, Ouray, Greeley, Rocky Ford, Grand Junction, Salida, and a num- ber of others that, while they do not number their population with five figures, are all thriving towns.
A few years ago an editorial writer on one of the Denver papers drew the following pen picture of the state that, in the light of subsequent events, seems almost prophetic: "We stand almost on the threshold of a new century. The work of nearly four decades looms up against the background of the past, clear and distinct, even as you have seen the mountain peaks outlined against the amber light of evening. Soon a new century will dawn. Beyond the veil which hides the future I see a great state rising into prominence-far famed for her wealth of natural resources, for her industries as varied as human skill, for her com- merce penetrating all portions of the continent, for her laws in which are reflected the intelligence, the justice, the humanity of her people. Firm as the granite bases of her mountains are the foundations of her social and industrial systems. Down deep beneath the peak and mountain range sturdy men are mining for precious ore, for iron and for coal; at heated furnaces they stand, pouring out the molten streams of metal; at loom and spindle and forge they are fashioning the crude material into articles of use and commerce. Across the plain, through the val- leys, threading narrow canons, clinging to the precipitous cliffs, surmounting dangerous mountain passes are shining rails of steel which carry the travel and traffic of an enterprising, prosperous and industrious people. Highly cultivated and productive farms and gardens and orchards lend to the landscape an air of thrift and beauty, and illustrate the beneficent results of an intelligent system of irrigation. Everywhere within her broad domain exist the evidences of a refined, cultured, progressive civilization. This is the Colorado of the future, which shall be peerless among com- monwealths, the renown of whose prosperity shall fill the whole earth, and whose proud people shall sway the destinies of the republic even to the remotest generation."
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