YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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Sixty
Years in Colorado
REMINISCENCES AND REFLECTIONS
OF
A PIONEER OF 1860

BY
IRVING W. STANTON

WITH INTRODUCTION BY
THOMAS F. DAWSON

DENVER, COLORADO
1922

CONTENTS Page
By Way of Introduction  9
Youth and Early Manhood
Growing Up in Pennsylvania  21
Pioneering in Kansas and Iowa  27
Four Years in Iowa  31
Pikes Peak or Bust  35
Traveling the Old Trails
Pawnee City, First Capital of Kansas  43
Colorado in i860  49
A Kindness Repaid  69
Roadside Reminiscences  73
Chance Acquaintances  85
In the Civil War
On the Way to the Front  :  95
Campaigning in Missouri  103
Fighting Price and the Bushwhackers  109
Guarding the Frontier  123
In Colorado Again
To Pueblo via Washington and Central City  133
Teller and Chaffee and their Statehood Fight  143
The Early Bench and Bar  157
Public Utilities
The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad  177
How the Missouri Pacific Came  189
More About the Missouri Pacific  197
Address at Banquet to President Bush  209
Pueblo's Union Depot and Post Office  215
Colorado's Soldier Monument  223
Political Papers
The Campaign of 1918  231
The Republican Party  239
The Silver Republican Party  245
Carlson-Gunter Contest  253

CONTENTS— Cont'd Paee
Freemasonry To Young Masons  259
Conclave in Pueblo  265
The Mason's Christmas  269
Patriotism Colorado in Three Wars  281
George Washington  291
After the World War  303
Tribute to Pennsylvania  3°5
Finis Personal Tributes  315

BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION
I am a believer in the preservation in writing of all
facts bearing upon Western history, and as history is little
more than a record of the experiences of individuals, I never
lose an opportunity to impress upon my Colorado friends
the desirability of committing to paper accounts of all im
portant transactions with which they may have been con
nected either as witnesses or participants, for the benefit
of future investigators. I am especially insistent when I
meet representatives of our pioneer period, because I think
that all Coloradoans are coming to recognize that there was
very little that was done by the men who laid the founda
tions here that is not worth preserving. They were partici
pants in the founding of an empire, and no act which had
the least part in that enterprise was inconsequential. Colonel
Irving Wallace Stanton of Pueblo is a pioneer on whose
trail I have been camping.
Colonel Stanton has been identified with Colorado from
its infancy. He came to Denver in i860, when mining was
just beginning and when extensive agriculture was believed
an impossibility. A lawyer by profession, he first chose
the career of a gold-seeker and went prospecting, following
not only the beaten paths to the established camps but
joining in many rushes to untested fields. He was thus
employed when the Civil War broke, whereupon with other
patriotic Colorado boys he dropped pick and pan and went
to the front to do his share toward preserving the Union.
Although he was a very young man, the close of hostilities

10 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
found him wearing the shoulder straps of a First Lieutenant.
Going then to Washington with excellent credentials, he
was given a responsible clerical position in the General
Land Office, from which he soon graduated into outside
work in his own Territory. He became the first Register
of the land office at Central City, a responsible place in
view of Central's distinction as the leading mining camp
in the then Territory. From Central he was transferred to
the Pueblo office, and this latter move resulted in his find
ing in the Southern metropolis his permanent place of
residence. Both in Central and Pueblo he soon took rank
with the foremost citizens. During all the intervening
years since his first arrival in Pueblo he has been identified
with every important movement for the advancement and
improvement of the city, and in many such movements has
been the original and prime factor, as I chance to know.
But, while Pueblo has been the center it has not
be.en by any means the circumference of his activities. Al
though he is wedded to his home town he still never has for
gotten that he is also a citizen of the Centennial State, and
in a broader sense has been just as loyal and helpful to his
State as to his city.
With a brief deviation in 1896 with thousands of other
members of his party, he has been constantly identified with
the Republican party and has done much toward shaping the
policy of that organization in Colorado. More than once
he has been pressed by friends to enter the race for
Governor, but being of a domestic disposition, he has shrunk
from such preferment and has not permitted himself to be
drawn into active politics when it took the shape of office
seeking. In 1890 the Pueblo Republicans made his endorse
ment a part of their platform in the following language :
Resolved, That our delegates to the State Convention
be instructed to present the name of Hon. Irving W.

BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION 11
Stanton to the Convention as a candidate for Governor and
that they will give him their earnest and undivided support
in all matters touching his candidacy for that office.
In the body of this volume frequent reference will be
found to the fact that Mr. Stanton occupied the responsible
offices of Register of the Central City Land Office and of the
same office in Pueblo, but no mention is made of other posi
tions of trust and honor which he has filled. He was Deputy
Postmaster of Denver in 1862 and was Postmaster of
Pueblo under President Garfield and President Arthur.
He was at one time President of the Pueblo Board of Trade
and is now President of the Pueblo Bar Association. He
has been a Free Mason since 1857. In addition he is a
member of the Colorado Pioneers' Association, of the Order
of the Sons of Colorado, of the Southern Colorado Pioneers'
Association, of the Colorado Commandery, of the Loyal
Legion, of the Colorado and Wyoming Department
of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Commerce
Club of Pueblo. He also is an honorary member of the
Pioneer Ladies' Aid Society of Colorado. In addition he
was at one time aide on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief
of the Grand Army. He was a member of the School
Board of Pueblo from 1875 to 1881 and was largely instru
mental in establishing the excellent graded school system
of that city.
A man of genial disposition, sociable inclination and re
fined taste, Colonel Stanton has sought and enjoyed inter
course with his fellow men, always exercising, however,
the privilege of choosing his friends. He has been thrown
with many men, from Presidents down to the ordinary walks
of life, and has been able to command the friendship of all
with whom he has come in contact. He has known all of
our Governors, both State and Territorial, as he also has
known all of our Representatives in Congress, including

12 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Delegates in the Territorial days and Senators and Members
since our admission to Statehood. With most of these he
has been on terms of confidential intimacy. None were
nearer to Henry M. Teller and Jerome B. Chaffee, our first
senators. Indeed, he was among the very few who were
able to remain on good terms with both of them during their
estrangement in the seventies. He went through their fight
over Statehood as the confidential friend of both and ulti
mately was the direct means of bringing them together on
terms of amity and even close affiliation.
In short, Colonel Stanton's history is the history of
Colorado. His experience has been wide and varied and of
long duration. He has been identified with this geograph
ical subdivision almost ever since it had a name, whether
as lawyer, prospector, soldier, federal office holder, prop
erty owner or general industrial booster, and in all these
relations has made good. And this is true not of his
relationship to Colorado alone, but to a certain extent of
his connection with the affairs of his native state of Penn
sylvania and with the early life in Iowa and Illinois in
both of which States he resided when they were mere infants.
He was an original settler in Kansas and saw the first
capital at Pawnee City dedicated. Thus he is a pioneer of
pioneers. Think of letting such a man escape the printer !
Not only has Mr. Stanton been part of the life
of a wide frontier — he has ever been a careful observer
and a capable narrator of his observations. Moreover, he
has a marvelous memory, as all must agree who read these
sketches. Now, when far more than an octogenarian, he
talks and writes with absolute certainty as to detail regard
ing events now almost a century old. I verily believe that
he could write a fairly full history of Colorado without
resort to authorities. But that he will not do — not even
his own life. In lieu of such pretentious effort we are

BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION 13
fortunate to have what he is willing to give, a series of
fragments. It was in chance conversation that I discovered that
Colonel Stanton would consent to take any step looking to
the preservation of facts within his knowledge. He had
come to Denver at the beginning of the recent session of
the State Legislature on public business and we met at the
Shirley Hotel. I soon drifted onto my hobby, and to my
delight found that he, too, believed in keeping the records
clear. He then confided to me the fact that from time to
time during his life he had put on paper accounts of oc
currences with which he had been familiar, together with
comments of his own. Some of these, he said, had been pub
lished, while others had never seen the light of public print.
He had thought somewhat of collecting these compositions
and consequently was easily influenced to that course.
He would not agree to writing anything regarding his
early life, but was willing to answer questions and permit
me to write the story. The result was an extended inter
view, the fruits of which cover the first pages of this volume.
Some of the material does not touch Colorado, but Mr.
Stanton has so many friends and acquaintances here that
I am sure it will be found entertaining. Moreover, it is a
story of earnest striving on the part of an ambitious and
energetic young American, and as such should be generally
appreciated. It is also a story of adventure which should
appeal to all. One would have to travel far before find
ing so many "thrillers" as are contained in these brief
pages. It is fitting that the following, written especially for
this work by Colonel Stanton, should be inserted here :
"After some consideration and much hesitation I have
decided to publish these sketches and recollections of a long

14 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
and somewhat active life. Induced by the urgent request
of friends — one of whom, my long time valued friend, Mr.
Thomas F. Dawson, has generously given his experienced
service in superintending the work necessary — I have con
cluded to have printed a few copies for my friends and
those interested in the incidents and events narrated. In
taking this step I am influenced by the belief that the narra
tive may have some value in the history of Colorado, which
I have seen grow since i860 from a barren plain and com
parative wilderness occupied by roving bands of half-clad,
half-starved Indians, to the great Commonwealth it now is,
with her million of prosperous, happy people, and the proud
position she has attained in the Sisterhood of States. With
in her borders three-fourths of a long life of varied ex
periences has been lived.
"In addition, much of personal history is told in these
pages, the value of which must be determined by the reader.
"I have had a fair share of the troubles and ills that
come to all in active life. My great sorrow came in Oc
tober, 1894, when my wife, my companion and counsellor,
after an illness of several months' duration, was taken away ;
I have no words to express her loss to me. Only those
called upon under like circumstances to bear this affliction
can fully realize and understand it. Broken in health, al
most a wreck and ready to give up, I drifted for a time.
But to "give up' is not my disposition, and I have gone on.
"My daughter, our only child, Helen Mary Stanton,
then a young lady just through school, was my comfort
and care. Some two years later she was married to Mr.
Harlan J. Smith, now and for a number of years past,
Cashier of the First National Bank of Pueblo. When they
were married I had a comfortable home, where we have

BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION 15
all lived to the present time. Three children have been
born to them, two of whom are living.
"Irving Stanton Smith, the first born, now in his 24th
year, was a student in the State University when the United
States entered the world war, and he enlisted for service.
He was made First Sergeant of Company D, First Colorado
Cavalry, National Guard, which Company was largely com
posed of university students. In 1917, this regiment was
ordered to Camp Kearney and merged in the 147th Infantry,
Colonel Hamrock commanding. Irving also was made
First Sergeant of Company D of this Regiment. Not liking
infantry service he applied for and was transferred to the
aerial branch of service, was sent to the Field at San Diego,
thence to San Francisco and from there to March Field at
Riverside, where he graduated in 1919 and was assigned to
the Officers' Reserve Corps. He then resumed his studies
in the University at Boulder and will graduate at the com
mencement exercises in June.
"Mary Margaret Smith, named for her two grand
mothers, now in her seventeenth year, is a student in the
Centennial High School of Pueblo and will graduate at the
close of the school year in June. She is a fine student, prac
tical, and handles her father's automobile like an expert.
Her grandfather is very fond of her.
"Harlan J. Smith, Jr., "little Harlan" as he was called,
was attacked with scarlet fever and diphtheria combined,
which proved fatal some thirteen years ago when he was
eight years of age. He was an active, manly little fellow
and was beloved by all who knew him. His loss was a
severe blow for all the family, but most severe for his
mother, who almost idolized him.

l6 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
"I know there is some sentiment expressed in thesepages,
but I believe it to be sane and healthy sentiment, of which
there is never too much. I am well aware that the expres
sion is very imperfect, but it should be remembered that it
is written for the family and friends, and I am confident
they will overlook all shortcomings. Irving Wallace Stanton.
"Pueblo, May, 192 1." The Final Scene
The above sketch was written in June, 1921. Soon
afterward arrangements were made for the publication of
the book, but unforeseen obstacles prevented immediate ac
tion. Then came the Pueblo flood, which caused further de
lay and resulted indirectly in a trip east for recuperation,
from which Mr. Stanton was destined not to return alive.
The end came October 18, 1921, while he was visiting a
sister and her daughter in Ithaca, N. Y. If he had lived
until January 6th, 1922, he would have been 87 years old.
Among the last wishes expressed by Colonel Stanton was one
that his book should be published, and his faithful daughter,
Mrs. Harlan J. Smith of Pueblo, has undertaken to carry
out his desire.
The story of Colonel Stanton's last days on earth and
of his death is best told by Mrs. Smith, in a letter to the
writer. She says :
"You have asked me for some of the details of my
father's last illness. The devastating flood of June third
was the real breaking point. After that disaster, from
which he suffered severely, he carried his head high and
talked cheerfully and courageously ; but we knew that the
destruction of the town and valley grieved his very soul.
So we urged him to carry out a plan for an Eastern trip
which he had made in the spring, and the last of July he

BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION I7
went to Connecticut to visit a niece. He had a very happy
time there, calling on and visiting Grand Army and Masonic
friends in the vicinity; but early in September he suffered
a severe attack of stomach trouble.
"As soon after this attack as he was able to travel he
went to New York City, whence, after resting for a few
days, he proceeded to Ithaca, where a sister lived. His
heart was set on getting to this sister. For a few days
after his arrival in Ithaca he seemed to improve, but a recur
rence of the stomach trouble together with an ailment of the
heart put him in bed again. Then down through the Valley
of the Shadow he went, sinking constantly, but happy to
be with his sister and in her daughter's home, where every
thing was done for his comfort. He suffered very little
pain, but constantly complained of being dreadfully tired.
"It was in the early evening of October 18th that he
left us. He had heard the chimes of Cornell University,
and his expressions of pleasure in the sound were almost his
last words. Later in the night he fell into a quiet sleep
and we hardly knew when he passed on.
"We laid him to rest in Roselawn Cemetery in Pueblo
beside my mother just twenty-seven years from the day
of her burial. The Masonic services were unusually beauti
ful and impressive. The Knights Templar, Masons and
old friends in the golden October sunshine, with a bugler
blowing taps with an echo from far away, made a beautiful
closing of his long day. That his spirit and influence will
be felt for a long time to come I sincerely believe.''
Thus passed from the scene of earthly action one of
the staunchest and most loyal of Colorado's founders, and
this book, which was intended only as a reminiscence, be
comes also a memorial.
THOMAS F. DAWSON.
Denver, March, 1922.

l8 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
NOTE — There will be found some repetition of state
ment in the course of this volume. This occurs in con
nection with letters or speeches by Colonel Stanton, and in
each instance the matter is essential to complete expression
in the connection in which it is used. It has been found
necessary, therefore, either to repeat or to omit entirely. The
former course is pursued.

YOUTH AND EARLY MANHOOD

GROWING UP IN PENNSYLVANIA
(From data supplied by Colonel Stanton.)
Born January 6, 1835, in Wayne County, Pennsylvania,
which lies in the beautiful and romantic Lackawaxen Valley,
Colonel Stanton at this writing is still "going strong" al
though in his 87th year. The exact place of his birth was
a house of almost Revolutionary War origin in the region
then known as The Beechwoods, near where the village of
Waymart now stands. The house was of the Colonial type
and was built by Colonel Stanton's grandfather, Colonel
Asa Stanton, who was one of the first settlers in that region.
Here the boy continued to live with his mother and grand
mother Stanton through his early youth, and amid these
romantic surroundings and under the tutelage of these two
good women, he formed ideals of character and an apprecia
tion of the beautiful in nature which have remained with him
throughout his long life.
According to old letters and other data young Stanton
was a precocious child. He vows that he remembers some
simple occurrences of his babyhood days, and anyone who
has tested his marvelous memory since he has attained to
greater maturity of years cannot fail to be convinced of
the accuracy of the statement. Moreover, he was scarcely
more than four years of age before his mother had taught
him his letters, and it was not long before he was reciting
"pieces" at the country school "exhibitions" of the district.
A little later he was reading "Robinson Crusoe," "The

22 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Swiss Family Robinson" and Sir Walter Scott's "Lady of
the Lake," and finding edification in these thrilling narra
tives, in which pastime one may discover an explanation of
the venturesome disposition which the following pages show
was a characteristic of his early manhood.
And then there was the usual first visit to the circus
— the usual visit, but with an unusual circumstance which
while the source of much amusement, came near resulting
disastrously. This occurred when the big performing
elephant while stepping over the prostrate body of his
trainer treated the trainer in a most distressing and
humiliating manner, but without any intention of miscon
duct on the part of the animal. The incident was so mirth-
provoking to the multitude that the demonstration greatly
fexcited all the show animals, and there came near being a
general stampede. The occasion was so thrilling that it
made a fixed impression on the youthful mind of our sub
ject, and he still recalls all the harrowing incidents, although
they occurred more than fourscore years ago.
The only schooling received outside of that gained in
the home circle was that given in the district school, which
generally was doing business for six months in the year,
three months in the winter, when a man teacher presided,
and three months in the summer, when a lady guided the
destinies of the Waymart youth. Under these auspices
young Stanton progressed rapidly, and by the time he at
tained his "teens" he was found taking off many of the
'honors. When he was fourteen he was awarded the prize
for the term as the best speller and definer of his class of
fifteen. This reward consisted of a big round silver dollar.
The bestowal of this mark of efficiency was very pleasing
to the ambitious youngster, but when, after he reached home
with the trophy in his trousers' pocket, his mother and his
grandmother added each another piece of the same dimen-

GROWING UP IN PENNSYLVANIA 23
sions, he felt rich indeed; and, what is more, he still feels
that he then began to be a man of substance.
For the most part, however, his early life was one of
toil, and it was not long after he had performed his spelling
exploit that, because conditions were not to his liking, he left
home not to return again as a resident. For a time he
worked in the old neighborhood for relatives, but in the
spring of 1852, when he had just passed his seventeenth
birthday, he decided to seek his fortune in other fields. He
did not venture far at first — only a few miles, but he went
outside the family neighborhood and sought employment
on a railroad, such employment as he never before had
known, and which introduced him to a new world ana to
many strangers. And strangely enough the road on which
he found work was the old Gravity line of the Delaware and
Hudson Canal Company running from Carbondale to
Honesdale, via Waymart. This road had been constructed
in 1826 and was one of the first rail lines laid in the
United States, built to accommodate the anthracite coal
miners at Carbondale, where the first anthracite was taken
out of the ground. Thus, while he was not himself a pio
neer in this work, he became associated with pioneer enter
prises, a fitting beginning for a business life which was to
be so generally made up of frontier experiences.
But suppose we let Mr. Stanton tell this little story, as
he does in a private letter of recent date.
"In the spring of 1852, when seventeen years of age,"
he says, " I went to work running coal cars from Waymart
ten miles to Honesdale, the head of the Delaware and Hud
son Canal Company's canal. This railroad, then exclusively
used for freighting coal, was called the Gravity road. The
ambition of most boys of that vicinity was to become a
railroader on the Gravity.
"The loaded cars ran by grade from Waymart ten

24 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
miles to Honesdale, the head or basin of the Delaware and
Hudson Canal, and there dumped into canal boats, by which
the coal was conveyed to Rodout, the terminus of the canal ;
thence down the Hudson River to New York.
"The cars on the Gravity road were run or controlled
in about ten trains of thirty cars each, by a crew of three
young men or boys for each train. One of these men was
known as runner or boss, who received the sum of
sixteen dollars and board per month; another as second
hand, who was assistant to the runner, and the third as
foreman, whose place on the loaded train was on a board
some six feet in length inserted in the front of the forward
car, whose duty it was to watch the track and signal the boss
and second hand if danger appeared. The foreman and
second hand were paid $10.00 each.
"The running time for the ten miles was about fifty
minutes. The light or empty cars were returned to Way-
mart by five stationary engines, one at Honesdale, which
was operated by steam, while the others were operated by
water wheels. The light cars were drawn up inclined planes
of a quarter of a mile or more in length in trains of five cars
each, thence run by gravity, requiring a much greater per
centage of down grade for the light cars to the foot of the
plains and to Waymart; thence over the mountain by sta
tionary engines to the mines at Carbondale.
"My position was that of foreman on the train which
was run by Charley Meyers, Asa Stanton, youngest son of
Uncle Charles Stanton, being second hand. About mid
summer Asa resigned and I was made second hand.
"That winter on one occasion the foreman laid off for
a trip and Meyers and I were running the train. We started
from the heart of the plane at Honesdale with 29 cars.
A return train came up just as we moved out. The head

GROWING UP IN PENNSYLVANIA 25
of the empty train disconnected the forward car of our train,
and I was in front pulling it. Meyers had slackened the
speed of the train and when near it I jumped onto the
the truck of the rear car of the train. There was snow on
the ground and my foot slipped. I lost my hold on the
car and fell and I tried to throw myself clear of the track,
but was caught by the car of which two wheels of the for
ward truck ran over my left leg at the ankle. This threw
the forward truck off the rails and the car stopped with
one wheel resting on my foot.
"Meyers, who was watching, saw the accident, set the
brakes and came to my relief. I tried to have him go for
(assistance, because he was a very small man and I did not
want him to try to extricate me without help. He refused
and taking hold of the truck he raised it sufficiently to re
lease me. He then nearly carried me back to the head of
the train, from where I was taken to the company's board
ing house, not far distant. No bone was broken, but I
was compelled to use crutches for some time.
"That winter a man named McMinn, who ran a train
which laid over night at Prompton, was injured in a wreck
and laid off for a couple of months and I was assigned to
run his train during the time. The next spring I was given
a regular train at Waymart and I ran until the spring
fcf 1855, when I resigned to join a party of men going to
Kansas Territory."

PIONEERING IN KANSAS AND IOWA
(From Data Supplied by Colonel Stanton May, 1921.)
In other articles printed herewith, Colonel Stanton has
given details concerning his trip to and brief stay in Kansas
in 1855- Kansas was then a Territory and "strictly on the
map" because of the slavery contest of which it was the
storm center, and which gave the Territory the name of
"Bleeding Kansas." He went to the Territory because he
had no strong home ties and because others of his relatives
and friends were going. Early in life he had manifested a
disposition to seek adventure, and his imagination was
stirred by the reports which had reached the neighborhood
of the vast extent and wild life of the prairie frontier.
Moreover, the then Chief Executive of the Territory was
Governor Reeder, himself a Pennsylvanian, and he was the
author of more than one report in which the natural ad
vantages of the new land were pictured in enticing language.
And there was still another reason. The lad's mother had
instilled many ideas of human equality and universal
brotherhood in his mind. He knew that Kansas was a battle
ground on which these ideals were in peril. He formed the
thought in his boyish mind of helping to frame a free com
monwealth where, without adequate opposing effort, there
was danger of setting up a slave state.
The means of travel of the day were crude and varied,
and the trip from Wayne County to the far-away frontier
settlement at Fort Riley, which was the destination chosen
because Governor Reeder was there, was long and weari-

28

SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO

some. He was the youngest in the party composed entirely
of Wayne County men, and two of whom were
cousins. They took train at the old station of
Susquehanna on the Erie Railroad, which carried
them to Chicago, and there they changed to the
Chicago and Alton road, by which they traveled to Alton,
Illinois, which, in a way, was the "jumping off place." Be
yond this there were no trains running to the west. Con
sequently at Alton they changed to a steamboat, the "Rein
deer," which, conveying them down the Mississippi to St.
Louis, transferred them to the "Polar Star" on the Missouri,
which in the course of six days of tedious pulling, landed
them a few hundred miles above, at what was then called
Kansas City Landing, near Westport. From Kansas City
Landing the trip was made by slow wagons to Fort Riley,
or Pawnee City, 140 miles further west. The party ar
rived there in March, 1855. The first election in Kansas
was held a few days later, but because he was not yet 21,
Stanton did not vote although urged to do so by the "Free
Soilers," who felt that they needed his ballot.
Pawnee City was only a mile distant from the Fort. It
had been planned to be the Capital and probably was located
there for protection against possible Indian raids. Here,
at any rate, was the seat of territorial government, and here
resided the Chief Executive, head of the territorial organiza
tion and representative of the national administration.
Pawnee City, long since deserted and become a mere mem
ory, if even that, bore the proud title of "Capital" notwith
standing that it consisted of only a very few straggling and
cheaply constructed buildings. There were few living con
veniences and conditions that were conducive either to com
fort or good health.
Stanton had not been there long when he was attacked
by typhoid fever, and but for the careful and skillful minis-

PIONEERING IN KANSAS AND IOWA 29
trations of Dr. William Hammond, a post surgeon at Fort
Riley, probably would have proved a permanent "settler,"
But of that elsewhere. He retained his health long enough,
however, to become a witness of the first meeting of the Ter
ritorial Legislature in the only building of dimensions in the
"city," and is now probably the only survivor of that
memorable occasion. He also heard much of the political
controversy of the day and saw some of the brutal bulldoz
ing practiced by the thugs imported from Missouri River
points in the interest of the extension of negro slavery to
the coming State. That also is another story, and fortunate
ly it has been told by Mr. Stanton. While the stay was
brief, the occurrences which he witnessed left impressions
which never have been effaced.
The brevity of the sojourn at Pawnee City is due
largely to Mr. Stanton's serious illness. His companions,
including a cousin, George W. Hubbell, had tired of the
place before the boy recovered from his illness, and even
before he was fully restored, made plans to retrace their
steps to their home in the old Keystone State. Stanton did
not want to go, and Dr. Hammond said he must not go;
but Hubbell was insistent, and he made the start on the
return during the month of August, about five months after
his arrival. Irving, however, had formed a fondness for
the free life of the frontier, and he had no thought of quit
ting it entirely. His destination was Chicago, even though
others should go on eastward. At Chicago he had an uncle
who was a contractor for the Chicago and Rock Island
Railway, and to him Irving meant to appeal for shelter and
employment. The journey out was full of hardships and came near
resulting disastrously. The boy was scarcely convalescent
after his long siege with typhoid. He began the trip in
the face of admonitions from Dr. Hammond and would not

3° SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
have started but for the fact that his cousin would not con
sent to go without him, saying that if he remained he was
sure to die there. The long jolting pull by wagon to West-
port came near forcing the same disaster on the road.
(When that point was reached he was taken from the vehicle
nearer dead than alive and indifferent as to his fate. At
Westport, however, he found a capable physician, and after
a stay of two weeks at the hotel there, was able to resume
the journey, which was made from there to Chicago by boat
and by rail. Ultimately he recovered, and when he was
strong enough his uncle put him to work.

FOUR YEARS IN IOWA
(From data supplied by Col. Stanton in May, 1921)
The first employment under his uncle was in Illinois,
but soon young Stanton crossed the Mississippi into Iowa
with the uncle. The Mississippi and Missouri railroad, as
then called, now the Chicago and Rock Island, was com
pleted from Davenport to Iowa City in the winter of 1855
and 1856, and on the first day of January of the latter year
the road ran an excursion train into Iowa City. His uncle
built a brick roundhouse at Iowa City that winter, and in this
work Stanton assisted.
When the structure was completed he found himself
out of employment, a circumstance which resulted in his
quitting railroading for all and for good and taking up
picture-making — an occupation with which I will venture
to say not a Colorado acquaintance suspects his connection
at any time in his life.
The new effort came about through connections at his
boarding house. It was in the old days of daguerreotypes
and traveling galleries. The proprietor, a man named
Hartsock, who took an interest in him, owned and operated
one of these galleries and taught the young man to make
daguerreotypes and ambrotypes. It was not long until
Stanton had formed a partnership with an Ohio boy named
Miller, who also had learned the art. The two had be
come the joint proprietors of a gallery on wheels with which
they immediately began to "do" the neighboring towns.
In his peregrinations in Iowa young Stanton had his
first romance, and it is worth telling because, as he says, it

32 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
had an important bearing on his future in that it caused him
to reach a realization that he was not taking life sufficiently
seriously. He met the young lady in question, who was
handsome and accomplished, while she was visiting in the
town of Legrand, and the acquaintance was renewed when
shortly afterward he set up in business at Marshalltown,
where she lived and was the daughter of the proprietor
of the hotel at which the young artist made his headquarters.
Mutually attracted, there is no wonder that the two
young people were much together. Little wonder also that
there arose much jealousy among the town's gallants. So
intense was the feeling that they brought the situation to
the attention of the girl's father, who had been absent dur
ing the first weeks of Stanton's presence, representing to
him that Stanton was unknown and probably an adventurer,
with the consequence that the young woman was forbidden
to see her admirer. But this was not all. One especial
friend of the girl, a lawyer, was on the eve of challenging
the picture man to mortal combat. At least he said he was,
but his ardor cooled when another Marshalltown man in
formed the zealous gentleman that the stranger was a dead
ly shot. "Why, he makes nothing of shooting off the heads
of squirrels at a hundred yards," said the cautious one ;
"you'd better let him alone." It was true that Stanton was
a fine shot, but how the fact became known does not appear.
At any rate, the challenge never was sent, and Stanton was
not called out.
He was not so fortunate in dealing with the lady's
father. He was obdurate, and while her admirer remained
in Marshalltown kept a careful eye upon her every move
ment. They scarcely saw each other for weeks, and when
ultimately business called him back to Iowa City, he felt
that he must give her up. Not so necessarily, however.
In time the girl and her parents came to Iowa City. They

PIONEERING IN KANSAS AND IOWA 33
were on their way to Missouri, where they had decided to
locate. By this time the father had come to think better of
Mr. Stanton, and he sought out the young man at the latter's
place of business, where he still was making pictures, and
himself invited him to call at the hotel at which his wife and
daughter were staying, saying that both desired to see him
there. As may well be supposed, the young fellow lost
no time in accepting the invitation. He found the young
lady as pleased to see him as he was to see her ; had a happy
time over the changed conditions, and might have pressed
his suit to a successful culmination had he followed his
inclinations. This, however, he felt that he would not be
justified in doing because of his financial status. Her
family were people of property and position in the world
and he believed it would be unfair to ask her to share his
poor fortune. So, he allowed her to go her way. They
maintained a correspondence for a period, but ultimately
the letters ceased and in time she married a suitor in her
new home.
Stanton did not engage in another serious romance for
many years — not until after his removal to Colorado; not
indeed, until he entered the army, during which experience
he met the young lady who later became Mrs. Stanton, con
cerning which he tells the particulars in his Civil War
chapter. The Iowa incident brought forcibly to his mind that
he was permitting himself to be too much of a drifter. He
had thought enough of the Marshalltown lady to offer her
his hand, but had felt that he could not conscientiously do
so because of the disparity in their circumstances. "I re
solved then and there," he said in commenting upon the
matter, "that I would mend my ways and devote myself to
a more serious attention to business, and thenceforth I be
came more attentive to my mode of living. On this account

34 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
I always have felt that the Marshalltown romance had an
important bearing on my life."
It was during Mr. Stanton's first year in Iowa that the
first Republican campaign was made, with General John
C. Fremont as the candidate for the Presidency and slavery
as the issue. Stanton was a Fremont man. His candidate
was defeated, but this was not due to any neglect of loyalty
on the part of the young Pennsylvanian. He cast his first
vote for the General.

PIKE'S PEAK OR BUST
(From data supplied by Col. Stanton in May, 1921)
After another year of picture making Stanton changed
his vocation to that of hotel proprietor, in which line he set
up at Washington, the seat of Washington County, Iowa,
with Dr. Benjamin Crabb as partner in the proprietorship
of the Washington House. But expenses were heavy and
travel light and the hotel venture did not prove a success
and was abandoned for the study of the law. Stanton's
first preceptor in the law was an Ohio man named
McJunkin. But, as he practically stepped from McJunkin's
office into a vehicle bound for Pike's Peak, and as we, there
fore, are getting very near home we will let him tell the
story from this time forward.
Speaking of McJunkin, Mr. Stanton said to the writer :
"A young lawyer from Ohio named J. C. McJunkin
located in Washington in 1859 and he and I became warm
friends. He urged me to read law and proposed that as
soon as I was admitted to the bar he would take me in as
an equal partner in the practice. Under his instruction I
read for a year. Then something else happened."
Proceeding, he said :
"In 1859 the Pike's Peak gold fever attacked many
young men of Iowa and other western States. Another
friend named Samuel M. Cox, whose term as County Treas
urer expired that fall, induced me to join him in the spring
of i860 to make our fortunes in the new Eldorado. It
was much against the will and advice of my good friend
McJunkin that I gave up the law to seek for gold.

36 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
"Cox owned three fine horses. About the 1st of Febru
ary, i860, he left Washington driving a pair and buggy to
Council Bluffs, where he was to visit friends until the grass
on the plains should be good, and where I was to join him.
He left one horse and a buckboard for me to drive through
to Council Bluffs. Meantime, temporarily I lapsed back
into the business of taking pictures for those who knew I
was going to leave, and for a time was very prosperous.
The receipts the last day were about twenty-five dollars,
but I have never made pictures since.
"About the first of May I joined Cox in Council Bluffs
after a pleasant trip across the state of Iowa.
"We remained in Council Bluffs until about the middle
of May, when with a lumber wagon loaded with pro
visions enough to last us a year, we started for Pikes Peak.
We made short drives, taking good care of the horses.
"We had a finely bred setter dog about eight months
old with us. He had been trained for hunting prairie
chickens before we left Iowa. When we reached Fremont,
Nebraska, we camped west of the town and near a large
slough mostly covered with weeds and grass, but with a
small open sheet of water in the center. While we were
making camp two ducks lighted in the water. At the sug
gestion of my partner I took the shotgun and dog and
went after the birds. When they raised I brought both of
them down with one shot. Just then I heard the signal
of a rattlesnake and looking down near the muzzle of my
gun I saw the snake coiled ready to spring. I brought the
gun to bear, pulled the trigger and blew his head off.
"The dog saw the birds fall in the slough and was wait
ing to be told to go for them, some one hundred and fifty
feet from where we were. I sent him in, but when about
half way to the ducks be became so entangled in weeds
that he turned around and came back and lay down and

PIKE S PEAK OR BUST 37
rested a few moments. He had, however, broken the
road in the water and on the second trial he reached and
brought but one duck. Then resting a little he went in and
brought out the other. They were fine birds, and we had
a feast the next day. This was the most intelligent dog
I ever knew. He was a splendid watch dog, but didn't like
Indians. "Our trip was enjoyable and we took it leisurely. We
had a wall tent which we put up when we desired and our
wagon was so covered that it would be enclosed except for
air space and so arranged inside as to be fairly comfort
able. "When about midway between Omaha and Denver we
overtook two families from Brighton, a town twelve miles
south from Washington, Iowa, who were on their way to
Pikes Peak, each traveling with a two-horse team. In one
was a Mr. Harris and wife, elderly people, who had a
milk cow tied to the rear of their wagon. A son of Mrs.
Harris by a former husband, named Willard Parker, a shoe
maker, had come out the year before, in 1859, and was to
meet them in Denver on their arrival. The other family was
Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Hyatt and two children, a boy
some eight years and a girl about five years of age. We
camped and traveled with these good people to Denver ; but
our progress was slow, as the cow could not be driven fast.
"We also met and traveled in company with the wife
and two daughters of Carver J. Goss, who had come the
year previous and was located at Boulder. They parted
company with us at St. Vrain, going direct to Boulder. The
eldest daughter, Miss Fannie Goss, later became the wife
of George T. Clark, a prominent citizen.
"We reached Denver in the last days of June and there
we spent the Fourth of July. Here the son of Mrs. Harris
joined us. The Hyatts decided to locate in Denver.

3§ SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
"On July 5th our party, composed of Mr. and Mrs.
Harris, Parker, Cox, and myself, with two teams, started
for the mountains on a prospecting expedition, going to
Golden City and up the Apex road on to Bergen's Junction.
Near Bergen's Ranch, well known in the early days, we
made camp and from there Parker, Cox and myself started
to prospect the headwaters of Clear Creek and Empire Fork
under Parker's direction, Mr. and Mrs. Harris remaining
to take care of the camp.
"At this camp we lost our fine dog. A man had a small
stock of groceries and provisions in a log cabin nearby.
The chipmunks, or ground squirrels, were numerous and
destructive The grocery man put out poison to destroy
them, which resulted in the destruction of our dog, to our
great sorrow and regret. This occurred while Parker, Cox
and myself were away on our first prospecting trip.
"It was not long until I was drifting about the Territory
generally, in a search for the precious metals. I visited
most of the known camps and struck my pick wherever
there seemed the least chance of turning up anything. In
a word, I joined the vast army of prospectors which then
covered the land, only deserting finally when there was a
call to join the nobler army which was enlisted to save the
Union from disintegration. These experiences are related
elsewhere and are only mentioned here to preserve the con
tinuity of the narrative.
"After leaving the Territory with the troops in 1863 I
did not see it again until 1868, when I returned to remain
permanently."

TRAVELING THE OLD TRAILS

PAWNEE CITY, FIRST CAPITAL
OF KANSAS
(From the Topeka (Kansas) State Journal, September
13, 1902.)
My attention was called recently to an article from
the State Journal concerning "Kansas' Lost Towns," and
mentioning "Pawnee City," which was located on the mili
tary reservation on the left bank of the Kansas River, one
mile below Fort Riley.
Having been among the early settlers and residents
of Pawnee, which in the expectation of its founders was
destined to become the capital and an important commercial
center of the future great State of Kansas, I have some
knowledge of its early history.
The writer is a native of Wayne County, Pennsyl
vania, and in the spring of 185^1 when twenty years of
age, with a view to profit by the advice of Horace Greeley,
whom he saw for the first time on the train on which he
started west, (Mr. Greeley being on his way to deliver a
lecture in some town of northern Ohio), joined a party
mostly of Wayne County men attracted by the favorable
reports made by the then Governor of the Territory, An
drew H. Reeder, of Easton, Pa. I wanted to become a pio
neer settler and assist to make Kansas a free State.
Our party left Susquehanna depot and Great Bend,
Pa., on the 2nd day of March, 1855, via the Erie railroad,
stopping in Chicago a couple of days ; thence via Chicago
& Alton railroad to Alton, where we took the steamboat

44 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Reindeer for St. Louis. Here we were compelled to re
main for a few days, waiting on the Missouri River boat,
the Polar Star.
Finally we got started. The boat was loaded down
with freight and passengers ; staterooms were not to be
had, and at night the cabin floor and all available space
were covered with mattresses. These beds were very com
fortable, and the only complaints I heard were on account
of being compelled to rise at dawn. This, however, was
compensated for in a measure by each one being served with
a cup of hot coffee upon rising.
After a five days' trip by boat we arrived at Kansas
City Landing, as it was then called. From there we went
out to Westport, four miles, where we hired teams to take
the party and their baggage to Pawnee City — Fort Riley —
reaching our destination in time for the March election of
1855- I do not remember the date of this election, but
think it near the close of the month. As I was not of
age I did not vote, but Pawnee precinct gave a majority for
the Free State candidates for the Legislature.
Pawnee City was laid out in the fall of 1854 by
Governor Reeder, Major Montgomery, then in command of
Fort Riley ; Bob Wilson, sutler of the post ; a Pennsylvania
lawyer named Albright, who had a farm on Three Mile;
Robert Klutz, of Mauch Chunk, Pa., and a lawyer named
McClure — and perhaps others I did not know.
In the spring and early summer of 1855 there were
some half a dozen buildings in Pawnee City, one log house,
the others frame structures. In the latter part of March,
Bob Klutz, who had a pretty wife, finished a large build
ing for a hotel. It contained a large office and dining room
with rough board floors. This hotel was opened in due
form with a "stag" dance. In our party was a left-handed

PAWNEE CITY 45
fiddler. The officers at the Post were invited, and the
ceremonies of opening the hotel were, I think, properly
performed. Among the officers then stationed at Fort Riley
and present on that occasion were Capt. Nathaniel Lyon,
afterwards General Lyon, killed at Wilson Creek; Lieut.
Stewart (I do not know what Stewart, but think he was
Lieutenant in Capt. Lyon's company), Dr. W. A. Ham
mond, Post Surgeon, afterwards Surgeon General of the
United States Army in the War of the Rebellion. Other
officers were present whose names I do not recall.
Pawnee City being located on the Fort Riley reserva
tion it was expected that the character and influence of its
founders would be sufficient to secure through the War De
partment, the consent and approval of the Government. I
think, however, this object was never accomplished. Gov
ernor Reeder issued his proclamation calling the Legisla
ture to meet at Pawnee City, about 140 miles from Mis
souri River points.
During that summer a large two-story stone building
was erected by the town company for the use of the Legis
lature and territorial officials, and here on the 2nd day
of July, 1855, the first Legislature of Kansas Territory
assembled. I was present on that occasion and saw this
body of law makers in session. It was Missouri legislat
ing for Kansas.
During the short stay of this Legislature, Pawnee City
had many more in population than ever before or since in
its history. The accommodations were exceedingly limited.
Many of the members camped out, and after a few days the
body adjourned to Shawnee Mission.
Among the members and others present at Pawnee I
remember Dock Stringfellow, who assaulted Governor
Reeder in his office, bruising the Governor's face ; Dr. John-

46 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
ston of Shawnee Mission, who was President of the Legisla
tive Council; Bill Barber of Fort Scott, whom everyone
knew or soon became acquainted with. When under the
influence of whiskey it was Barber's delight to make sport
of the Kansas River and call it "that miserable ditch, a
feeder to the River of Sticks" (Styx). I remember Judge
Wakefield, a gray-haired, benevolent-looking gentleman, an
ardent Free State man.
One day Stringfellow in an argument with him, took
offense at something said, and spat in the Judge's face,
and then drawing a pair of revolvers from his belt held them
out saying to the old gentlemen : "Make your choice and
take satisfaction." The judge was no border ruffian and
quietly walked away.
These were the only difficulties of a serious nature
which occurred on that occasion within my knowledge.
The town of Manhattan, at the mouth of the Blue,
twenty miles below Fort Riley, was laid out in the summer
of 1855. Early in the month of May I was employed by Bob
Wilson to make a trip to Fort Leavenworth with two teams
— a small boy driving one of them — for sutler stores. Col.
Rich who was, I think, an uncle of Wilson, was sutler at
Fort Leavenworth. At that time there were perhaps twenty-
five houses in Leavenworth City. On our return to Fort
Riley we passed through where Topeka now stands, and
surveyors were at work laying out that city.
There were a number of cases of cholera that year at
Pawnee City and Fort Riley, but nothing like an epidemic,
as I have seen stated in the public press.
In July I was taken sick with fever and about the
middle of August had so far recovered as to be able to
travel, and left Pawnee City and Fort Riley for Illinois

PAWNEE CITY 47
and Iowa. I did not see that portion of country again until
ten years later.
In the summer of 1865 my regiment, the Second Colo
rado Cavalry volunteers, was ordered to duty in the Dis
trict of the Upper Arkansas under command of General
John B. Sanborn, with headquarters at Fort Riley, where
I was stationed, being on duty as assistant Provost Marshal
on General Sanborn's staff. The only man I met who was
there ten years before, was Judge McClure. Many changes
had taken place at the Fort and in the surrounding country.
Junction City, just outside the reservation, was a thriving
town of several hundred people, but nothing was left to
mark the site of Pawnee City, save the old stone building
I have before spoken of. In the end of the building look
ing toward the fort was a large hole said to have been
made by a cannon ball fired by the artillery in practice
at the Fort. I confess that something_ of a feeling of sad
ness came over me when I saw this mutilation of the old
building. I do not know if the structure still stands, but if it
does, it would seem that it is of sufficient historical import
ance to justify its preservation by the State. Standing as
it does, on the military reservation, it might, with the con
sent of the general Government, be used for some public
purpose, charitable or educational, thus preserving what ap
pears to me an important landmark in the early history of
Kansas. Irving W. Stanton.
Pueblo, Colo., August 17, 1902.

COLORADO IN 1860
(Address by Mr. Stanton, delivered in Denver before the
Colorado Commandery of the Loyal Legion,
December 7, 1909.)
To understand the conditions existing in Denver and
what is now the State of Colorado in the early summer of
i860, when my experience in the region began, it must
j- be remembered that the discovery of placer gold along the
South Platte River and its tributaries, from which the settle
ment of the country takes its date, was made in the years
I 1858 and 1859.
Whether the discovery was made by the Cherokee
Indians, George A. Jackson of Missouri, or Green Russell
of Georgia, I shall not attempt to determine ; but, by whom
soever made, it was the incentive or inducement which
brought together here at that time a curious mixture of
peoples. Men of all professions, trades, and callings, from
most of the states and territories and many different na
tionalities, sought this new Eldorado to make or improve
their fortunes.
The nativity of the people who came in those days is,
I think, fairly shown from a table of statistics in my pos
session prepared from the descriptive rolls of the regiment
in which I had the honor to serve, the Second Colorado
Cavalry volunteers. This regiment became twelve hundred
strong at the time of its organization in the winter of 1863
and 1864, at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, by the

5° SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
consolidation of the Second and Third regiments of Colo
rado Infantry. From this table it appears that twenty-
five States, two Territories and nineteen foreign nations
were represented in its ranks.
f~ Comparatively few of the immigrants then had any
idea of permanent settlement or of building homes here.
It was thought that the country was not adapted to the
. pursuit of agriculture. Irrigation was little understood, and
no one believed that raising crops by that method could ever
L compete with cheap products of the Western States.
It was known that this system of farming was carried
on in the valleys of New Mexico and particularly in the
vicinity of Taos, whence some supplies of flour and grain
were received. This flour contained a large amount of sand
— necessary in its place, but not desirable in bread. This
was caused by the primitive method of thrashing with
horses tramping out the grain on the ground and the pro
cess of cleaning or winnowing. When ground and the
flour made into bread the sand was evidenced to such an
extent that New Mexico flour was not considered first
quality, although there was a time when we were glad to
get it at $5.00 per sack. Another product of New Mexico
early found its way here. This was called "Taos Light
ning," a peculiar kind of whisky manufactured there, and
I think properly called "fighting whisky," judging from
its effect upon those who used it.
r Little was known of the country and climate. Many
' different stories were told, but the impression prevailed that
the winters were long and severe ; that snow fell to great
depths, especially in the mountains, and that during the
long winter all mining operations must be suspended. It
was generally understood that this region as a mining
country was similar in character to California, and that

COLORADO IN i860 51
I the gold must be obtained from gulch and placer mining.
The great majority indulged the hope that by enduring
the hardships and deprivations incident to a miner's life
in a new country for a limited period, they would acquire
a fortune, or at least a competency, when they could re
turn to family and friends in "God's country," as they
termed their homes in the States, and enjoy the fruit of
I their labor.
Among these were many rough and reckless characters,
gamblers and sporting men from border states and terri
tories, with some desperate men who, upon invitation of
vigilance committees, had left other localities for their own
safety and the good of the community. All sorts and con
ditions of men hastened to the Pike's Peak gold fields.
Denver became headquarters for all business incident to a
gold mining country, and mining for gold was the only pur
pose for which this region was then deemed valuable. The
large freighting firms of Majors, Russell and Waddell,
Jones and Cartwright and J. B. Doyle and company, had
warehouses in Denver with supplies.
Exploring parties were outfitting daily and prospectors
were scouring the mountains in search of placer diggings
with a pay streak. Many were coming from the States and
about an equal number were going home disgusted with
the country, declaring it a fraud and humbug. Some who
were willing to work found employment in Denver. Late
in June lumber came from the sawmills on Cherry Creek,
and in the first days of July there were more frame build
ings being erected, more handsaws and hammers in active
operation on Blake Street between F. and G., now Fifteenth
and Sixteenth Streets, than I had ever before seen within so
limited a space. Laboring men, especially mechanics, were
in demand at high wages. Any one who could use a saw

52 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
and drive a nail was a carpenter and even the Irishman who
could do "rough carpenter work, like mortising holes in the
ground" found ready employment.
Gambling flourished extensively. Denver Hall, lo
cated on Blake near Fifteenth street, was the principal
gambling house of the time. This was a large log build
ing with double doors opening on the street. Here nightly
all sorts of games were carried on. Crowds of people filled
the place nearly to suffocation. Many were there to take
part, but far the larger number went there from curiosity
Ho see the sights. When revolvers were drawn and the
cry "don't shoot" was raised the wildly excited throng in
the rush for the exit wanted the building made all of doors
opening outward. The danger of injury from the strug
gling mass of men was as great as from flying bullets.
My own experience prospecting and mining in the sum
mer of i860 may be taken perhaps as an example of the
great majority of those who without knowledge or expe
rience in mining for gold, engaged in the business, and I
venture to relate it briefly, trusting it may prove of some in
terest. The Search for Gold
On the fifth day of July of that year I was one of
a party of four men who left Denver on a prospecting
expedition. Our first camp in the mountains was made
at Bergen's Junction, some twelve or fourteen miles from
the Gregory diggings and the point of intersection of the
road leading from Denver to Gregory with the road to
the South Park.
Leaving one of the party in charge of the camp, the
others with two pack horses loaded with blankets and pro
visions, provided with pick, shovel and pan, started up
South Clear Creek. At Spanish Bar, now the town of

COLORADO IN i860 53
Idaho Springs, we found many men at work. Some had
rockers ; others were sluicing and putting in sluices ; all were
at work. Among them was George A. Jackson, who the
year previous had made the discovery of gold in that
locality.. The reports here were not sufficiently encouraging. We
were looking for a rich placer, or, as one of our party ex
pressed it, diggings that would pay "an ounce and a half
per day to the man, with now and then a specimen." We
continued our explorations up Clear Creek to Empire
Fork and up that stream for some distance and spent two
or three days in what we called prospecting, which consisted
in scratching the ground here and there and occasionally
washing a pan of dirt and gravel. But we found nothing,
and when I recall our utter lack of knowledge of prospect
ing I do not wonder that we failed. Rich deposits were dis
covered subsequently in that locality.
We returned to camp at Bergen's with our ardor some
what dampened, but we were not discouraged.
On the evening of our return John H. Gregory, the
discoverer of the famous Gregory lode, with three other
Georgians camped near us. They were very friendly and
told us they were on their way to a new discovery on the
west side of the Arkansas River below the Twin Lakes,
and invited us to join them. But they said they could not
insure us a claim. The chances, however, were favorable
and they also said that that was a good country to prospect.
The next morning, bright and early, we mounted our
horses and accompanied them. Soon after leaving camp
we overtook Green Russell, who with one man, was on the
way to the new gulch. Gregory introduced us to Russell
and his companion, but they did not join us. It was said
that Gregory and Russell were not on the most friendly
terms, but I do not speak advisedly of this.

54 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
The following morning we reached the South Park.
Our trail led through a quaking asp grove, and as we
came out on the high open plateau, a most beautiful land
scape burst upon us, in all its grandeur, as if by magic.
The entire party with one accord halted to admire it. The
morning sun shone in all its glory and the scene was one
not soon to be forgotten. I am unable fittingly to describe
it, but have a distinct recollection of my first view of the
South Park from Kenosha Hill.
The next day we reached the vicinity of the new "find,"
but were unable to locate it until the day following, when
a man came to guide Gregory to the gulch. We found it
near the summit of the range at the head of Cache Creek
and called "Lost Canon Gulch." When we reached there
it was full of Georgians. Everything was staked and there
was no chance for a claim except by purchase. This we
declined to consider in a country so extensive with so many
unprospected gulches. We bade our Georgia friends good
bye and made our way to California gulch, where we arrived
the next day. The Lost Canon diggings did not prove a
great bonanza ; but two or three claims paid for working.
It was soon abandoned by all save the fortunate few. I
never met John H. Gregory again, and think he returned
to Georgia that fall or winter. He appeared to me a gen
erous, kindly disposed man, but was very profane, talked
loud and a great deal. Green Russell was the opposite
of Gregory, mild and gentle in manner and speech. These
two men were so closely identified and connected with the
discovery of gold here that we thought ourselves fortunate
to meet them. Whatever doubt may exist as to whom the
credit belongs for the discovery of placer gold in the Pike's
Peak region, John H. Gregory was beyond question the
discoverer of gold bearing lodes.

COLORADO IN i860 ^
California Gulch at the time of our visit was the live
liest camp in the mountains. It was claimed that there
were five thousand people there. Mining and prospecting
was going on along the gulch for two or three miles ; a
large number of men were employed, and the time to quit
work at night was heralded by the cry of "Oh Joe," start
ing at the lower part of the gulch, which was repeated all
the way along. How it originated I have forgotten, but
all seemed to join in it, and the effect was somewhat weird
and peculiar. This was the richest and most extensive placer ever
found in the country and claims were held at fabulous
prices ; but no one dreamed of the silver deposits there, which
have since made Leadville famous. Our financial condition
would not permit us to secure a claim here and we made
our own further trail over the mountain to Fairplay.
From here my partners went to prospect at the head
of Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Platte east of Fairplay
Branch, and I returned to the camp at Bergen's. A few
days later one of the prospectors came in reporting a rich
discovery at the head of the Beaver. Our hopes were thus
exalted, and no time was lost in moving camp to the new
gulch. News of the discovery preceded us, and when we
arrived we found a large number of men there.
A miners' meeting was held and a new district or
ganized under the name of Australia gulch. A code of laws
was adopted and officers — President and a Recorder — were
elected. These offices with all the honors and emoluments
were conceded to the discoverers. The simple machinery of
a mining district was put in operation for business. No
work worthy of note was done by our party. Their find
was only a good "color" in the grass roots, and some of the
old prospectors, a little cautious of new discoveries, com-

56 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
menced to prospect the gulch for themselves. The result
was that in a few days we were left, Robinson Crusoe
like, monarchs of all we surveyed, sole claimants, in un
disputed possession of all the hidden treasure of Aus
tralia gulch and it still remains hidden there to this day.
For we could not find it and no one since has tried.
One of our party who came here in 1859, and of
course knew a great deal about mining, insisted that where
such excellent prospects could be obtained in the grass, a
rich pay streak must exist somewhere in the gulch. Gov
erned by his judgment we decided to prospect it thoroughly,
and to this end we commenced sinking a shaft. When the
water drove us out we went down the gulch about 150
feet and ran a drain to strike bed rock in the shaft. We
put in sluices ; then cross-cut to the slope of the mountain
on each side, worked faithfully early and late with pick
and shovel until cold weather came, and in the final clean
up took out the magnificent sum of $80. It was beautiful
gold but mixed with a large amount of dirt and gravel,
about 16 to 1 I think, sixteen tons of gravel to one grain
of gold. We became satisfied that no pay streak existed
there for us, abandoned Australia Gulch and left the
mountains before the deep snows should come. Thus ended
my experience as a practical miner. The prospecting and
mining association was dissolved by mutual consent. My
partners went to the Missouri River to winter their stock
and I became a citizen of Denver.
In and Around Denver
In the summer of 1861 I was deputy postmaster for a
time. The postoffice was then located in a two-story brick
building on the westerly side of Larimer near Fifteenth
Street, occupying one-half of a large store room while

COLORADO IN i860 57
Woolworth and Moffat's book and stationery store occu
pied the other half. When David H. Moffat went to New
York State in the fall of 1861 to see Miss Fannie Buckhout
and returned with her as his wife, I was employed by him
as clerk in his store, and continued in his employ until the
spring of 1862. I then went to Buckskin Joe, Park County,
and engaged in the book and stationery business until Oc
tober, when I enlisted in the Third Colorado Infantry vol
unteers. During my residence in Denver I became acquainted
with many of the leading men. Being an ardent Union
man, a Republican in politics, I knew well the prominent
loyal men and was familiar with the incidents and events
of that time.
A large number of Indians assembled here in Denver
in the late fall of i860, belonging to the Arapahoe, Chey
enne and Sioux Tribes. The Cheyennes were fine looking
Indians, tall, straight as arrows, well proportioned and
noted for bravery and daring. The Sioux also were fine
looking physically and ranked next to the Cheyennes for
bravery. The Arapahoes were smaller in stature and were
regarded inferior to the Cheyennes and Sioux, but they
were the most numerous. Between these tribes and the
Utes or Mountain Indians, a deadly hatred existed and the
tug of war came whenever and wherever they met.
In the fall a party of braves from the tribes at Denver
went on the warpath toward the South Park. When a
short distance in the mountains they surprised a small party
of Utes and killed a squaw and captured three or four boys.
The Utes being reinforced, attacked them in return, killed
several and drove them out of the mountains. The cap
tive boys were brought to Denver and were taken
in charge by the citizens. One of them was adopted

58 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
by R. E. Whitsitt. The others, I think, were subsequently
returned to the Utes. When the Plains braves returned
here they proceeded to hold a grand pow-wow or scalp
dance. With the scalp of the squaw tied to a spear or
pole they paraded the streets stopping at different places
to perform their dance with a peculiar sing-song accom
paniment and kept this up the greater part of two days
and nights. I never became entirely satisfied whether this
performance was an occasion of rejoicing or mourning, but
concluded it partook somewhat of the character of both.
In February, 1861, the Arapahoes, among whom were
many half breeds, were taken down to the Arkansas Val
ley by Colonel A. G. Boone, who attempted to settle them
on what are known as Indian claims situated on the north
side of the Arkansas River between Nepesta and Fort Lyon.
Few of them remained any length of time and finally all
joined the tribes of Plains Indians, became openly hostile,
and Colorado later suffered from their outrages and dep
redations. Schools and churches were early organized in Denver
and exerted an influence for good that was recognized gen
erally. Too much credit cannot be given the good men
and noble women of Denver in those days for their untiring
efforts in support of law and order and good morals. Never
were women, though few in numbers, comparatively, more
honored and respected than were the good women of the
country at that time. Their influence was wonderful. The
roughest characters were awed and respectful in their pres
ence. There is no humanizing power on earth among
men comparable to the influence of women. My firm belief
is that whatever degree of success men attain in life they
owe largely to the lessons of truth, honor and integrity im
pressed upon their youthful minds by noble and patriotic

COLORADO IN i860 59
mothers and the counsel of loving Christian wives ; the
¦wife, that one of all the world who knows us as no other
can and understands the motives by which we are con
trolled, who with unfaltering trust in God, unquestioned
faith in the final success of the right, when misfortunes come,
looks through the dark clouds of sorrow and trouble which
at times threaten to overwhelm us, into the clear, bright
sunlight of peace and triumph beyond, sustaining, animat
ing, and encouraging us to higher and nobler deeds of use
fulness. Organized Government Versus Secession
The rough element before mentioned was held in check
by the fear of speedy punishment for crime by the People's
or Miners' courts. But the chances for immunity from
punishment were better under miners' law than under law
fully constituted government, and when Congress enacted
the law creating the Territory of Colorado the good people
were gratified and gladly accepted and welcomed the change.
The Act of Congress providing for the organization of
the Territory was approved by President James Buchanan
on the last day of February, 1861. On the fourth day of
March, 1861, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated President
of the United States. Soon thereafter he appointed William
Gilpin of Missouri, Governor of the new Territory and
Lewis Ledyard Weld of Massachusetts, Secretary, with a
full complement of territorial officers. Sam S. Curtis, a
member of the Denver Town Company, a son of General
Samuel R. Curtis, then a member of Congress for the
Second District of Iowa, was appointed Postmaster of
Denver, succeeding William P. McClure, or "Park" Mc
Clure," as familiarly known, who held office under Presi
dent Buchanan and was a rank Confederate.

6o

SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO

Governor Gilpin arrived in Denver the latter part of
May and was warmly welcomed by the people. Within a
short time the various appointees arrived, assumed the duties
of office and the machinery of a territorial government
was in active operation. Courts were organized taking
the place of the People's Courts, which hitherto had dis
pensed justice, and lawfully constituted authority was duly
established. During the summer a census was taken under
the supervision of Copeland Townsend, the United States
Marshal, who returned a population of 25,331. Of this
number 18,136 were white males over 21 years of age,
2,622 under 21 years, 4,484 females and 89 negroes. Den
ver at that time had less than three thousand population.
Under this census a legislative apportionment was made,
districts formed, an election held and a Legislature elected,
which met in Denver on the ninth day of September, 1861.
Governor Gilpin delivered his message which was able and
patriotic. After a brief but heated discussion both branches
of the Legislature passed resolutions of loyalty to the Gov
ernment, adopted substantially the Illinois statutes and
adjourned, the session lasting about two months.
The firing on Sumter, the beginning of actual Civil
War, created much excitement in Denver, and throughout
the Territory. So large a number of the people were from
the southern and border slave States at the time that it
was a question whether the Union men or Confederates were
in the majority.
The Overland Stage Company with its tri-weekly line
of coaches brought the mail from the States. The news
papers giving account of the progress of the rebellion were
eagerly sought and partisan feeling became intense. The
St. Louis Republican, Democratic in politics, with secession
proclivities, and the Missouri Democrat, a staunch sup-

COLORADO IN i860 6l
porter of the Government, each published a tri-weekly edi
tion for Colorado. Woolworth and Moffat, agents for the
sale of these editions, received and disposed of them in about
equal numbers to the towns and mining camps. However,
this equal distribution was not a correct indication of the
sentiment of the readers. Many Union Democrats, loath
to give up their party paper, continued to take the Repub
lican while condemning its disloyal sentiments. There was
for a time some hesitation with these Democrats as to the
proper course to pursue. They were patriotic and desired
the success of the Government. The terms of reproach ap
plied by secessionists to all Union men of "Black Repub
lican" and "nigger worshipper" were extremely offensive.
But when it was realized that the contest was for national
existence, and when the "Little Giant," Stephen A. Douglas,
true patriot and their political idol, declared for the Union
and the enforcement of laws, their duty became clear to
them and the obnoxious epithets ceased to prevent their
support of the Union cause.
In the summer a rebel flag was raised and floated for
a time over Wallingford & Murphy's store on the corner
of Larimer and G., now Sixteenth Street. The public dis
play of this emblem of disloyalty increased the excitement,
and caused great indignation among the loyal people. Fears
were entertained that it would result in violence and blood
shed, but wise and discreet counsels of good men of both
sides prevailed and the flag was taken down without serious
consequence. The Union men were in the majority in Den
ver, but there were times when our rebel friends made the
most noise, especially when reports came of reverses to the
Union arms, which in the early part of the war were al
together too frequent.
Governor Gilpin was an optimist, a seer and a prophet,

62

SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO

with unbounded faith in the future greatness of Colorado,
her store of wealth and the development that her vast and
varied resources would produce. His vision and prophecies
have in a large measure been realized, and yet, the process
of development is still in its infancy and but begun. His
fondness and admiration for her magnificent mountain
chains, the "majestic Cordilleras" as he was wont to term
them, with their lofty snow-capped peaks, lovely valleys
and crystal streams, he wis ever ready in glowing terms
to proclaim. His delight in them was evidence of his
love of the grand and beautiful in nature. True, he was
called a dreamer and visionary and his theories and
predictions declared impractical, but with all his peculiarities
he was an educated man of great ability, a true patriot, an
experienced soldier, and when occasion demanded thoroughly
practical in the administration of public affairs.
Through the loyal men of Denver the Governor soon
became informed of the condition of affairs throughout
the Territory and the necessity for prompt and vigorous
action to maintain his authority. In July he called for
two companies of volunteers, which were quickly raised, one
company in Denver by John P. Slough and one company
in Gregory and Black Hawk by Sam F. Tappan. A little
later a full regiment, the First Colorado Infantry volun
teers, was recruited and organized, with officers as follows :
John P. Slough, Colonel.
Sam F. Tappan, Lieutenant Colonel.
John M. Chivington, Major.
An incident connected with the appointment of Major
related at the time, will serve to show the spirit of patriot
ism and loyalty which actuated the Union men of Colorado
in those perilous times. Chivington was a Methodist minister
but an outspoken loyal man. When the officers for the First

COLORADO IN i860 63
Regiment were to be named the Governor sent for and ten
dered him the appointment of Chaplain. For a moment Chiv
ington was silent. Then in his emphatic way he said:
"Governor, for years I have been praying for these dis-
unionists without avail; they are now in armed rebellion
against my Government and the flag. Sir, the time for ac
tion has come. I will accept a commission from you, but
it must be a fighting commission." Thereupon the Governor
made him Major. No one who knew John M. Chiving
ton ever doubted his courage and loyalty to the cause of the
Union. The important task before the Governor was to main
tain the authority of the general Government and protect
the lives and property of the people of this then far off
region. The Indians, here in numbers, were restless and
insolent, threatening serious trouble. The attention of the
authorities had urgently and repeatedly been called to the
remote and exposed condition. Earnest appeals were made
for aid, but all appeals were without avail, and the facts
were that the authorities in Washington were at that time
fully occupied with affairs of grave concern very near the
seat of government and Colorado did not receive the con
sideration her geographical importance deserved.
To meet the expense of raising the regiment of volun
teers under the circumstances and provide necessary quarters
at Camp Weld required a large sum of money. How to
obtain it was the question to be solved. The situation was
critical; funds must be had, and as the most feasible plan
the Governor caused to be issued drafts on the treasury of
the United States for some $375,000, which were known as
Gilpin's drafts. At the time it was understood here that
he had some authority from the general Government for
this action, but when the drafts were presented at the Treas-

64 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
ury, payment was refused, and then commenced serious
trouble for the Governor, which continued and increased
until May, 1862, when he was removed from office and Dr.
John Evans of Illinois was appointed to succeed him, and
Sam H. Elbert of Iowa was appointed Secretary.
Governor Evans made David H. Moffat Adjutant
General and continued the policy of raising troops for the
suppression of the rebellion, with great vigor, with the re
sult that under the administration of her two war Gover
nors, Colorado with a large percentage of her people from
the South, without a draft, or a dollar in bounty, local,
State, or National, furnished to the Union cause in the
war of the rebellion and was credited by the Governor with
4,993 men. This was a greater proportion of her popula
tion according to the census before referred to than was
furnished by any state of the Union. Her record in the
war is a noble heritage in which her people all have cause
for just pride.
Colorado as a Territory and as a State has been won
derfully favored and preserved. While occasions have
arisen when she came perilously near disgrace and disaster,
that divine Providence who presides over the destinies of
states as of nations, has safely led her onward and upward
step by step, as "when empire in its childhood first appears,
a watchful fate o'ersees its tender years," until today, pos
sessing more of the elements and resources of empire than
any sister State, she stands among the most prosperous States
of the Nation.
The refusal of the Treasury Department to honor the
Gilpin drafts caused trouble for the business men of Denver
and serious financial embarrassment to those of limited
means, who included a large proportion of the business men
of that day. Consequently the Governor was severely cen-

COLORADO IN i860 65
sured, condemned and abused by those who suffered loss by
reason, as claimed by them, of his unauthorized and un
warranted action. No words were too severe to express
their indignation, and threats of personal violence were
heard. Fortunately nothing of this kind occurred or was
attempted. The ill feeling softened and was pacified in
the auditing of the claims by Captain Charles B. Alley,
Assistant Quartermaster for the regular Army sent here
for that purpose, and the drafts were then paid.
The authority assumed and action taken by the Gov
ernor could not under ordinary conditions be defended and
justified, but the exigency was extreme. Civil war raged and
the future of the Territory was at stake. No troops were
to be had for her protection ; she had to rely upon her own
resources and defend herself from Indian attack, or attack
from any quarter, and Governor Gilpin possessed the wis
dom and sagacity to understand the necessity for prompt and
decisive action, and the courage to make efficient preparation
to meet the exigency. He was equal to the emergency.
The severe criticisms of his administration and all the
serious trouble for him resulted from his action in raising
the First Regiment of Colorado Volunteers. The glorious
achievement of "Gilpin's Pet Lambs," as they were called, is
the perfect vindication of his patriotic, wise and timely ac
tion. The efficient service performed by that regiment in
the important engagements with the forces of the Confed
erate General Sibley at Pigeon Ranch and Apache Canon
and the capture and destruction of his train of supplies and
the ammunition near the mouth of the canon by a detach
ment under the command of the gallant Chivington com
pelled that hitherto successful invader of New Mexico to
abandon his plans for the capture of Denver and with his
half starved, demoralized army, to retreat to Texas. Thus

66

SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO -

were saved to the Union the Territories of New Mexico .and
Colorado. Sibley's plan of campaign was known to include in ad
dition to the capture of New Mexico and Colorado, the
occupation of the Territory of Utah and the State of Cali
fornia. Had he succeeded in capturing Denver in the spring
of 1862 what would have been its effect upon the progress
and, perhaps, result of the war *? From the large number
of men in the Territory at that time sympathizing with the
South in the great struggle, his force would have been large
ly augmented and strengthened. Denver, with her store of
supplies, his base of operations, would have enabled him
to occupy Utah, where Confederate agents were then en
gaged fomenting strife and discord among the Mormons,
who, smarting under what they termed the indignities of
the Floyd campaign, were ready to cast their fortunes with
the Confederacy, and Sibley, furnished with the reinforce
ments and supplies of Utah, would have been provided with
an army with which, in the unprotected condition of that
country, to capture and hold California and the Pacific
coast. What influence would this accomplishment have had
with the governments of England and France then consid
ering the very important question to us of recognizing the
Confederacy *? Pioneers of the Pioneers
Much is said and written in these days in praise and
commendation of the early explorers of the "great American
desert," and the "unexplored regions" of the Rocky Moun
tains, Pike and Long and Fremont, the pathfinders of the
wilderness, who endured the hardships and deprivations inci
dent to explorations in their time. Their deeds of heroism
and valuable services to the country are familiar to Colo-
radoans who gladly accord to them the honor and credit

COLORADO IN i860 67
to which they are so justly entitled. Of these Lieutenant
Pike was first to explore thfs region in 1806. He discov
ered the "great white peak" which today bears his name.
In 1820 came Major Long who found this majestic monarch
of the still uninhabited plains standing as Pike left it, in
all its glory, the silent sentinel of the world, a beacon to
guide the oncoming army of civilization in its westward
march. Pike and Long and Fremont were the scouts sent
ahead to blaze the trail and report the favorable camping
grounds for this resistless army of occupation.
Then came a small army, the hunters, the trappers, the
traders. Among these intrepid venturesome men, were Wil
liam and Charles Bent, Ceran St. Vrain, Kit Carson, Dick
Wootten, J. B. Doyle, Jim Beckwourth and others who dem
onstrated that the so-called great American desert was habit
able by civilized men and instituted measures to develop
some of the resources of this barren looking region.
After these came another and larger army led by
George A. Jackson, Green Russell, John H. Gregory and
other practical miners and gold seekers, who with their
comrades and followers, discovered and brought to light
the long buried treasures of the Rocky Mountains. All
these brave men are entitled to a full meed of praise and
credit for valuable services.
No Coloradoan ¦ will detract from their well-earned
fame. But when all has been said, if the true standard of
greatness for men is the motive and deeds accomplished in
defense of the country and the purpose to promote the wel
fare and happiness of his fellow man, then the name of
Colorado's first Governor should stand at the head of the
roll of her great men. His distinguished services for his
country have not been recognized and are not appreciated.
The Government of these United States and all its

68

SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO

loyal, liberty loving people owe to his memory a lasting debt
of gratitude, and Colorado, his pride and glory, can never
too highly honor his name. Some day, not far distant I
trust, when the animosities of the war and the envy and
jealousy, which create the trouble that is always more or
less mixed with success, are buried and forgotten, then,
grateful, generous Colorado will, here in the beautiful city
of Denver he loved so well, where his great work was ac
complished, fittingly commemorate the life and services of
her pioneer Governor, William Gilpin.

A KINDNESS REPAID
In another connection I have referred to my severe
illness with typhoid fever during my residence in Kansas
in 1855, but I desire to go into more detail concerning it
because of the great kindness shown me by Dr. William A.
Hammond, then post surgeon at Fort Riley, but afterward
Surgeon General of the army during the Civil War.
I was attacked by typhoid while I lived at the hotel
at Pawnee soon after I witnessed the convening of the
Kansas Legislature. Dr. Hammond was the only physician
in the vicinity. He was summoned to my bedside, and,
responding cheerfully, he walked down from the fort daily
for a week or ten days to attend me. Under his treatment
in due course, I recovered sufficiently to be up and go out.
While I was ill my cousin, George Hubbell and three
other members of our party had decided to return to Penn
sylvania. Hubbell insisted that I should go to an uncle in
Chicago, then a contractor for the Chicago and Rock Island
Railroad Company, contending that I would never get well
where I was. I consented to follow his advice, and the
morning before we were to leave Pawnee for Westport
in a two-horse lumber wagon, I walked up to the fort with
difficulty, a limited amount olf money in my purse and a
large amount of anxiety of mind, to see Dr. Hammond
and pay his bill for professional service if I had funds
sufficient. I called on the doctor and told him I was
going to leave with the party who were to start the next
morning. He said : "You can't go ; you are not able to go.

70 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
I forbid it." I replied: "Doctor, my cousin is going. He
says I will never get well here. He insists that I go to
my uncle in Chicago, and thinks, with proper care I can
stand the trip."
I finally gained a reluctant consent, but he warned
me of the risk I was taking, and the necessity for great
care. I then said: "Doctor, I want to pay your bill for
medical service. Taking a small memorandum book from
his coat pocket and looking it over for a moment he said:
"The medicines I have used for you cost two dollars and
fifty cents ; that is the amount of your bill."
My feelings at that moment may be imagined. I
tried to express my gratitude, bade Dr. Hammond a heart
felt good-bye and did not see him again until 1877, some
twelve years after the close of the Civil War.
Now for the sequel. Brilliant man and great surgeon
that he was, Dr. Hammond rose rapidly in rank and dur
ing the war became Surgeon General of the United States
Army. A brother-in-law who had charge of his business
affairs did something that got the doctor into trouble.
Charges were preferred. He was court martialed and dis
honorably dismissed from the service in the year 1878.
I saw in the newspapers notice of the intro
duction of a bill in Congress authorizing the Secretary of
War to review the court martial proceedings and findings
in the case of General Hammond. I wrote both Senators
Teller and Chaffee and Representative Belford, of Colorado,
all of whom had become my personal and political friends,
telling them what I knew of Dr. Hammond, and asking
them to support the measure, which soon after became a law.
I then wrote Dr. Hammond saying that I did not ex
pect him to remember the boy with typhoid fever at Pawnee
City in 1855, to whom he rendered professional services,

A KINDNESS REPAID 71
walking down from the fort a mile each morning to attend
him, but that the boy of that occasion had a lively and
grateful recollection of him, and told him what I had asked
of my friends. He wrote me a beautiful letter in reply
and asked me when I came to New York to let him know.
In 1877 I was in New York on my way to Washing
ton and sent my card to Dr. Hammond. A day or two
later upon returning from downtown Mr. Hitchcock, one
of the proprietors of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, met me and
said : "Dr. Hammond was here a short time ago inquiring
for you and left a note." He then inquired : "How do you
chance to know Dr. Hammond'?"
I replied : "Twenty-two years ago, when a boy, I had
typhoid fever near Fort Riley, Kansas. Dr. Hammond was
Post Surgeon and the only physician in that vicinity at the
time. He attended me professionally. I have not seen
him since, but want to see him."
The note was a pressing invitation to dinner the fol
lowing evening. I had a delightful evening with the Doc
tor and Mrs. Hammond.
The Doctor told me of his troubles on being dismissed.
He said he did not have a dollar. He borrowed some
money from a friend and went to New York. Soon after
ward, one of the young Astors in failing health was ordered
by his physician to spend a year abroad and through a
friend Dr. Hammond was employed to attend him and re
ceived for his services ten thousand dollars in gold. Then
his fortune was assured.
When I was leaving, Dr. Hammond said what he then
desired was to have the Secretary of War take up and
review the court martial proceedings. I said I was going
to Washington and would see what could be done. After
reaching the Capitol, Senators Teller and Chaffee, Judge

72 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Belford and myself called upon the Secretary of War to
gether. I told the Secretary what I knew of Dr. Hammond
and what he had done for me. When I had finished he
gave me his hand and said : "You may write your friend
Doctor Hammond that I will take up his matter at once."
This he did, with the result that Doctor Hammond was
restored to his rank and honorably discharged from the
service. Thus I tried to repay the service which the doctor
had rendered me when I was young, sick and friendless —
a stranger in a strange land.
I. W. STANTON.
Pueblo, May, 1921.

ROADSIDE REMINISCENCES
(Pueblo Chieftain, September 2, 1917)
Nantucket, Mass., Aug. 27.
For some weeks I had not been sleeping quite well, and,
acting upon the advice of friends to seek a lower altitude,
Saturday, the 11th inst., I took passage on the Colorado
Flyer of the Santa Fe road bound for the New England
coast. Desiring to see the progress made in development of
the resources of the Arkansas Valley in the past few years,
I took a seat in the observation car, which afforded a fine
view of the productive farms and prosperous towns of this
garden spot of Colorado, of which Pueblo, with the steel
plant of the Colorado Fuel and Iron company, which I
think we do not fully appreciate, the smelters, machine shops
and various manufacturing industries, is the commercial and
financial center, and in addition, is the gateway to the Rocky
Mountains. When Mr. A. A. Robinson was in charge
of the Santa Fe road he told me he had made careful exami
nation of the country, and no line could be found for two
hundred miles north or south from Pueblo to compete with
the Denver and Rio Grande route up the Arkansas.
As the train flew eastward I saw with delight the great
fields of grain and alfalfa covering the entire valley, and
could but contrast its appearance today with that of nearly
threescore years ago. Then all of what is now the State
of Colorado east of the Rocky Mountains was part of "The
Great American Desert," as described in Olney's geography

74 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
and atlas which I studied when a schoolboy, and in which
the great Salt Lake country was designated "Unexplored
Region." Iowa City, Iowa, and Little Rock, Arkansas, were
conspicuously marked on the map as the limit of civiliza
tion, all west of these points being "wilderness and occupied
only by bands of roving Indians."
But the star of empire has steadily and rapidly taken
its way westward, until today there is no wilderness and
no limit to civilization in this country of ours.
As we passed down the valley the water in the river
became notably less in volume wherever the river was in
view, and when we crossed it at Holly, only a bed of sand
marked its course, and we saw no more the waters of the
Arkansas. At Syracuse the train stopped twenty-five minutes for
supper, giving ample time to partake of an excellent meal.
Leaving Syracuse on time, we reached Dodge City about
nine p. m. Here I was reminded of the closing year of the
Civil War and the time the post of Fort Dodge was es
tablished. The Second Colorado Cavalry volunteers, the
regiment in which I had the honor to serve after the Price
campaign in Missouri of 1864, was ordered to the district
of the Upper Arkansas to guard against Indian depredations
on the Arkansas route. District and regimental head
quarters were at Fort Riley. Detachments of troops were
stationed at different points along the Santa Fe trail as
far west, as Fort Lamed.
The Kiowa Indians under Satanta, the notorious head
chief of the tribe, had committed murders and outrages up
on small parties traveling without escort, and had killed
several soldiers carrying dispatches, horribly mutilating
their bodies. A campaign under the command of Colonel

ROADSIDE REMINISCENCES 75
James H. Ford of the Second Colorado, was organized to
find and punish them.
Before the expedition was ready to move Satanta with
his entire band had crossed the river and was somewhere
in southwestern Kansas. The latter part of June, 1865,
the regiment was assembled at a point on the river some
sixty miles west of Fort Larned with the view of crossing
the river there and proceeding with the campaign, but before
the plans could be put in execution the spring or summer
rise in the river came and crossing with necessary equi
page was out of the question. It was then decided to build
boats for the purpose. Lumber was procured and one or two
boats were completed and the others well under way, when
the camp awoke one morning to find the boats had disap
peared. It was not possible for the Indians to have cap
tured them, for they could not cross the river, especially
in the night, but what had become of them was a mystery
that was never solved. The campaign was abandoned.
The post of Fort Dodge named for Major General
Granville M. Dodge, then commanding the Department of
Kansas, gallant soldier, distinguished railroad builder,
known to many Pueblo citizens, was established at that time.
The idea of an Indian campaign was not given up by
the Colonel of the Second, who determined that his regi
ment with one company of the Second Wisconsin Cavalry
then on duty in the district should make an Indian cam
paign. It was generally understood that there were no hos
tile Indians north of the river, but the regiment was ordered
to scout the headwaters of the Smoky Hill ; thence down
that river to Ellsworth, where the Santa Fe Trail crosses
that stream; thence to Fort Zarah on Walnut Creek and
thence to Fort Larned.
The Colonel with his staff started with the command,
but when a few miles out, "got tired" and with a number

76 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
of the older officers turned back to go to Fort Larned
where comfortable quarters were to be had, which was more
desirable than scouting for Indians on the Smoky. Besides,
a game of poker, quite popular in those days, could be had
there, which was an additional inducement.
It so happened that when the Colonel and party left,
the highest officers of the Colorado Regiment in rank were
First Lieutenants. This gave Captain C, of the Wisconsin
Company, command of the force, which was seriously ob
jected to by men of the Second Colorado. A short time
after the Colonel started back the column came to a halt,
and the Orderly Sergeant of the company in advance came
back to the two ranking Lieutenants, who were riding side
by side, and reported that the men refused to go farther
under command of Captain C. ; that if either of these Colo
rado officers was in command the men would go willingly.
One of the officers said: "Sergeant, have you en
couraged this 1"
He replied, "No, Lieutenant, I have not, but the men
are angry and determined not to go."
The Lieutenant then said : "Sergeant, you know what
this means if persisted in ; the men do not realize that dis
grace, dishonor, shame, follows, and the good name and fair
fame of our regiment are ruined."
Then drawing his sabre he galloped to the front,
wheeled his horse to face the column, indignation manifest
in every movement. He gave the command, "Forward,
march !"
It was obeyed. The column moved, and what threat
ened to be serious revolt was ended.*
When the command returned to Ford Larned, this

*The Colorado Lieutenant who took this position and thus saved the
situation was Mr. Stanton.

ROADSIDE REMINISCENCES 77
incident was reported to the Colonel, who was very angry
and came to the quarters of the officers mentioned, dis
posed to hold them responsible for the affair and threatening
them with arrest. He was requested to appoint a board of
officers to investigate the matter, and was informed that
the men had said the expedition was made to benefit the
Quartermaster, who had the requisitions for forage for the
month, and corn was worth four dollars per bushel. The
Colonel a little later apologized, saying he was misin
formed, and the incident was closed. I have never men
tioned it publicly, but was an active participant and fully
realized its importance. There are members of the regi
ment living who remember it.
The second day out, scouts reported Indians a short dis
tance in advance. They had not seen the Indians, but their
ponies were grazing in a valley beyond. The line was
formed for a charge, but when we reached a point where a
view of the valley could be had no Indians were to be
seen; but a band of wild horses was flying up the valley.
The following day while we were resting and grazing
the horses, a herd of buffalo, which the hunters for the com
mand were following, ran thru one side of the camp, threat
ening to stampede the horses. Fortunately they were seen
in time for the men to reach their horses, and no harm was
done. Several buffalo were killed, and the soldiers fared
sumptuously. No Indians were seen on the scout.
In April several companies stationed at Fort Zarah
were being inspected by Captain E. D. Boyd of Company
G of our regiment, when messengers came with dispatches
announcing the assassination of President Lincoln. I do not
remember distinctly but think this was the third day after
it occurred. The dispatch was read, and a pall of gloom
fell upon the command ; tears were shed and sorrow pre-

78 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
vailed. The soldiers loved Mr. Lincoln as no other man
was loved. The Second Colorado Cavalry remained on duty in the
district of the Upper Arkansas until about the middle of
September, when it was ordered to Leavenworth, Kansas,
where on the 23d day of September, 1865, it was mustered
out of the United States service, with a record that forms
one of the brightest pages of the history of Colorado. Few
of its members are left, but some are living who will re
member the incidents herein related by an active participant.
In Old Wayne County
The Colorado Flyer arrived in Kansas City at 7 130
Sunday morning. Thus far the trip was delightful, the
weather comfortable. Here the Colorado passengers for
Chicago were put in a Pullman sleeper, which had come
from Los Angeles and was apparently well filled without
them. At 8 30 a. m., when the train pulled out for Chicago,
nearly every section was occupied by four persons, each of
whom appeared to have a suitcase and traveling bag. For
myself I do not complain ; Agent Nikirk had made reser
vation and I was comfortable, altho shortly after leaving
Kansas City a man with his wife claimed my seat and in
sisted that I vacate. This I declined to do, and he went
away to find the Pullman conductor, a very efficient officer,
who soothed his ruffled feelings and I suppose found seats
for him. I was not further disturbed.
The ride to Chicago was uneventful, the day pleasantly
cool. At Fort Madison, Iowa, the road crosses the Missis
sippi River, which appeared to be at floodtide. We reached
Chicago at 9 p. m., promptly on time, where I found com
fortable quarters at the Auditorium and enjoyed a good
night's rest.
Monday at 1 1 o'clock I occupied the reservation made
for me on the Pullman for New York over the Erie line,

ROADSIDE REMINISCENCES 79
which is not a standard line for passenger traffic, and the
running time between the two cities is some three or four
hours longer than by the fast trains for the standard lines ;
but the cars are not crowded and for comfort when travel
ing I much prefer the Erie. Besides this, the Susquehanna
division of the Erie was a section of country familiar in
boyhood. The day was hot when we left Chicago, but soon we
became very comfortable. When in Ohio late in the after
noon and until late at night we were continuously in an
electric storm, at times of great severity.
Tuesday morning when I arose we were in western
New York and it was cloudy, with light showers. When
the train reached Corning, the river had overflowed its
banks. Water was running in the streets of the town, the
result of a cloudburst in that vicinity, it was said. No
great damage was done, however.
About 10 a. m. the train stopped at Susquehanna,
some 30 miles north of the little village of Waymart in
Wayne County, Pennsylvania, near which I was born.
Susquehanna is the place where, on the 2nd day of March,
1885, a party of Wayne County men and boys, of which I
was the junior member, took passage on the Erie Railroad
bound for Kansas Territory. But that is another story.
A little spur of the Appalachian Chain called the
Moosic Mountains, extends thru the western part of Wayne
County, the waters from which flow eastwardly, forming the
Lackawaxen River, which unites with the Delaware at the
town of Lackawaxen. Westwardly the waters form the
Lakawanna, which unites with the north branch of the
Susquehanna River in the Wyoming Valley.
The scenery in this part of the old Keystone State
is wonderfully picturesque, and in the month of June, when
the laurel and rhododendron are in bloom at the base and

80 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
the chestnut trees which dot the mountain sides are ar
rayed in their graceful garb of white, the beautiful land
scapes are unsurpassed. Thomas Buchanan Reed, one of
Pennsylvania's gifted sons, the Painter Poet, must have
had in mind this section of the State when he wrote the
following :
"Fair Pennsylvania, thru thy midland vales, lying 'twixt
hills of green and bound afar by billowy mountains
rolling in the blue,
No fairer landscapes meet the traveler's eye."
Carbondale, where the first anthracite coal was dis
covered and mined, is situated in the Lackawanna Valley
six miles from Waymart, which is at the eastern base of
the mountains. Honesdale, the county seat of Wayne
County, is on the Lackawaxen, ten miles east of Waymart.
The Delaware and Hudson Canal Company became the
owner of the coal fields at Carbondale, and in 1826, if I re
member correctly — and I write from memory entirely — built
one of the first railroads ever constructed in the United
States, extending from Carbondale via Waymart to Hones
dale, sixteen miles. Cars holding some five tons each carried
the coal from the mines to Honesdale, where it was dumped
into canal boats which conveyed it to Rodout on the north
River and thence by the river to New York. To get
the loaded cars over the mountain from Carbondale to
Waymart five inclined planes were constructed and
stationary steam engines with hempen ropes hauled five
loaded cars up these inclines, at the same time letting down
a like number of empty cars. Two planes only were re
quired to let the loaded cars down the mountain to Way-
mart. Here they were made up into trains of thirty cars
each.

ROADSIDE REMINISCENCES 8l
For many years horses were used to haul the light cars
back to Waymart and were carried down in cars built for
the purpose with each loaded train. In the late 30's the
Delaware and Hudson Company procured a locomotive (my
impression is they got two), built by Stephenson in England,
to haul the light cars up to Waymart. There were a
number of trestles on the line. It was found the road con
struction would not stand the weight of the locomotive, and
it was a failure for the purpose intended. I remember
well of first seeing this locomotive when a boy of eight or
ten years, as it stood on a siding at the dock In Honesdale
with just a covering of boards over it. For many years
it has been in possession of the Smithsonian Institution and
on exhibition at all the expositions I have been permitted
to attend. Leaving Susquehanna the train soon reached Starucca,
where the famous 100-foot-high trestle stood when the Erie
road was first constructed and was then considered a won
derful feat in engineering. The old trestle, abandoned long
ago, has given place to a splendid stone viaduct that arches
Starucca Creek.
As the train moved up the divide between the Susque
hanna and the Delaware, a gentleman connected with the
road, with whom I was talking, called my attention, as we
passed it, to one of the two largest locomotives in the
world, built expressly for the Erie Railroad, and gave me
the following figures : The locomotive is called "The
Centipede" ; weight 453,000 pounds ; has three cylinders ;
24 drive wheels ; can push 604 cars, a train 4V2 miles long,
up this divide, and I thought Stephenson's locomotive a
toy in comparison with this mammoth. This illustrates the
wonderful advancement of a century in locomotive building.

82 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
The ride down the Delaware to Port Jervis I enjoyed.
The day was cool and pleasant. At Goshen we saw a large
corral full of horses and mules for the French army. Thru-
out my entire trip to the coast I observed but little evi
dence to show that our country is engaged in the greatest
war in history. Lack of patriotic enthusiasm was notice
able. The people generally do not appear to look upon it as
our war, but seem to regard it as a business matter. I
think the Government made a serious mistake in refusing
to let Colonel Roosevelt raise a volunteer army, as he pro
posed. Nothing arouses true patriotic sentiment and comes
home to all the people like the raising of volunteers, and
while I think the draft the fair and just plan to raise an
army in a republic such as ours, I believe both plans may
be used wisely with great advantage to the country. A
healthy, patriotic public sentiment is necessary for success.
Of this there is never too much. Heroes are born — not
made by the position, however exalted, they are called
to fill. But while want of enthusiasm for the great cause
in which our country is engaged seems to me apparent, some
way will be presented to stimulate and arouse it. I have un
bounded faith in the patriotism and love of justice of
my countrymen and the ability of our Government to sur
mount all obstacles to success.
We reached New York at 5 p. m., Tuesday, and I
secured quarters at the Hotel Belmont. Thursday evening
I took passage on the steamer Maine of the New York and
New Bedford line for New Bedford, arriving there at 5 130.
Friday morning at 8 30, I took passage on the steamer for
Nantucket, arriving there at 1 115 p. m. Nantucket Island,
some 20 miles long, with an average width of 3J/2 miles,
lies southerly from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and has a popu-

ROADSIDE REMINISCENCES 83
lation of 3,100. In the height of the summer season there
are 1 0,000 or 12,000 visitors, who come from all portions
of the country, though mostly from the New England and
Middle States, a substantial class of people who come to
enjoy the sea air, sea bathing, quiet, restful life of this
quaint old-fashioned New England town.
Many peculiar customs were in vogue here until a few
years ago. One was a town crier, who met the boat on its
arrival and obtained the important news of the day. Then
ringing his bell, he would proceed thru the town, stopping
at various points to proclaim the news. This custom ceased
with the passing of Billy Clark, the last of the town criers,
a few years since.
This is the only town I know where the people do not
lock their doors ; but there are no thieves or thugs here.
The town has a jail which is one of the points of interest,
but there are no prisoners. Some years ago a man built
a large house on the eastern side of the island, but became
involved financially and was arrested upon some charge
and put in jail. His friends went daily to visit and play
cards with him.
Automobiles are prohibited by law from coming here.
Horses and carriages are used to convey visitors about the
island. It is something of a pleasure to have a drive with
a fine horse in these days of automobiles.
Fish and sea foods of all kinds are abundant and of ex
cellent quality. These are some reasons why I am fond
of Nantucket.
Irving W. Stanton.

CHANCE ACQUAINTANCES
The fall and winter of 1878 and 1879, and the
fall and winter of 1879 and 1880 I spent in New York
living at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. The State election
at which Hon. J. B. Cornell was elected Governor oc
curred in 1878. Honorable Chester A. Arthur was Chair
man of the Republican State Committee and Thomas C.
Piatt, Secretary, with Republican headquarters in the Fifth
Avenue Hotel. With ex-Senator Jerome B. Chaffee, I met
these gentlemen several times and was deeply impressed
with what I saw of Mr. Arthur.
When by the assassination of President Garfield, Ar
thur became President and had his headquarters in the
Butler Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, I was
there and with Senator Teller, called upon him. He re
membered me and referred to meeting me with Mr. Chaffee
during the Cornell campaign. I said I did not then know
I was meeting a future President of the United States.
In reply he said he had no thought of the Presidency then,
but it was understood that he should be the next United
States Senator from New York, a position he regarded the
height of any American citizen's ambition.
Chester A. Arthur was one of our great men. Taking
the high office of President with a divided, disorganized
party, by his wise and eminently able administration of the
government he made possible the nomination of Honorable
James G. Blaine with a fair prospect for his election.

86 sixty years in colorado
Governor Tilden on the Stand
In 1878, or 1879 — I am not positive concerning the
date — a sub-committee of the Committee of the National
House of Representatives appointed to investigate the
Hays-Tilden election for President in 1876, was held in the
Fifth Avenue Hotel at which I was present when Gover
nor Tilden was examined by Thomas B. Reed of Maine,
Chairman of the sub-committee. The other members of
this committee were Reuben E. Fenton of New York and
Eppa Hunton of Virginia.
Governor Tilden in replying to a question asked by
Mr. Reed, rose to his feet, threw up his hands and ex
claimed : "I declare before God and my Country I believe
the Presidency was purchased."
Mr. Reed said : "Governor Tilden, why do you say
that? What evidence have you"?"
Mr. Tilden replied that the evidence was that taken
by the committee of some prominent man of South Caro
lina, to which Mr. Reed responded : "Governor, you are
mistaken; Mr.  did not say that." The Governor
was positive that he had, when Mr. Reed quoted the evi
dence in question and appealed to Mr. Hunton to corrob
orate, which he did in effect, but with the addition of some
qualification. It was a dramatic incident. My seat was
directly in front of Governor Tilden, not more than ten
feet distant. When he arose his frame shook with excite
ment and his voice was tremulous. The distinguished men,
the scene, the occasion made a lasting impression on my
mind.
The Yorktown Centennial
While in New York in the winter of 1879, I think,
Ex-Senator Chaffee and I were in his room at the Fifth

chance acquaintances 87
Avenue Hotel one day, when he said : "Stanton, I am
going to have you appointed to represent Colorado at the
Yorktown Centennial celebration. Governor Pitkin has
requested me to accept the position or name some one who
will accept. I do not want it and am going to name you."
I replied that I did not want an appointment that way.
He said: "Oh! That is all right; your name has been
mentioned." I urged him to accept the place himself, but
he refused and I was appointed.
After my return home I met Governor Pitkin and
we talked the matter over. I proposed to ask the Legis
lature for a small appropriation to defray the expense nec
essary to enable the Governor and one or two of his official
family to attend the celebration. I was in New York
when the Legislature met, but friends prepared a bill ap
propriating a thousand dollars for this purpose, which was
introduced in and passed by the House of Representatives,
but for political reasons failed to pass the Senate. In
some way the bill was reported to have been passed by the
Senate and become a law. When I learned that the action
had not been regular, I refused to use the appropriation.
Some years later I saw in the public press an item saying
the amount of this appropriation had been covered back
into the Treasury.
As the representative of Colorado, I attended the
Yorktown Centennial celebration, paying my own expenses.
It was a most interesting historical occasion. The pro
gram of exercises at Yorktown commenced on Thursday,
the 15th of October and closed on Friday the 2 1st.
I went to Washington and there met the Senate Com
mittee. Senator Johnston of Virginia was Chairman.
Other members were: Senators Benjamin Harrison of
Indiana, Philetus Sawyer of Wisconsin and McDill of

88 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Iowa. A small party composed of Senators Sawyer and
McDill, ex-Congressman Kellogg and Lieutenant Gover
nor Bulkeley of Connecticut and myself were much to
gether and had quarters on the boat from Washington,
which was furnished and bountifully supplied by the com
mittee. The boat was to leave Washington the after
noon of the 12th, but before the hour named to sail, it was
learned by the officers in charge that a number of thieves
and pickpockets were among the waiters employed for the
occasion and they were all discharged and others employed.
A sufficient number could not be obtained ; consequently
there was a shortage of waiters. Everything was free to
those who had quarters on the boat. After leaving Wash
ington, dinner was served when the scarcity of waiters
became apparent and there was some delay occasioned. One
Virginia gentleman who had imbibed a little too freely,
stopping one of the waiters passing, said : "Waiter, please
wait on this friend of mine; don't mind me; I can wait;
I've waited twenty years for this." He was a loud talk
ing, jolly fellow and caused much amusement.
The next morning we were at Yorktown. I with the
gentlemen before named took in the sights and we remained
much together. Senator Harrison, who was always pleasant
and affable when we met, did not join and become one
with us. One Monday morning when the party were to
gether, he came by, stopped a moment, pleasantly passed
the time of day and went on. Senator Sawyer and I were
standing near each other, and when the Senator from In
diana passed he said to me : "That man will be President
some day." When he became President I recalled Senator
Sawyer's prediction and calling upon him when President,
with Senator Teller, I told him the prophetic words of the
Senator from Wisconsin. I was a great admirer of Presi-

CHANCE ACQUAINTANCES 89
dent Harrison, who in my opinion was among the truly
great and good men of our Country.
The Yorktown Centennial celebration was a great
historical occasion, a marked event, and my attendance as
the representative of Colorado is a continuing pleasant
memory. I think the program of the Yorktown Centennial cele
bration will be of interest and therefore I insert it here.
This celebration was intended to commemorate on October
19, 1781, the surrender of Lord Cornwallis to the Ameri
cans and the French and continued from October 13 to
October 21, 1881. The program of exercises was as fol
lows : Program
Thursday, October 13. — The formal opening of the
Moore House (the scene of the capitulation) and in the in
auguration of the Celebration by an address from the Presi
dent of the Association, with a re-union of the descendants
of officers and soldiers of the Revolution.
Friday, October 14. — Addresses by the Honorable Carl
Schurz, Frederick R. Coudert and Prof. Elie Charlier. A
Grand Ball in the Pavilion. #•
Saturday, October 15. — A Grand National Regatta,
with Yorktown Centennial Silver Prizes to winning crews.
Pyrotechnical displays and illuminations.
Sunday, October 16. — Religious services in the Grand
Pavilion, conducted by the Rt. Rev. Bishop J. J. Keane,
of the Catholic Diocese of Virginia, assisted by His Grace,
the Archbishop, Gibbons, of Maryland, and in the after
noon by the Rev. Dr. John Hall of New York.
Monday, October 17. — Anniversary of the sending out
of a Flag of Truce by Lord Cornwallis, asking a cessa
tion of hostilities; also the Anniversary of the Surrender

90 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
of General Burgoyne at Saratoga; meeting of Commer
cial, Financial and Industrial Associations, Benevolent Or
ganizations, etc., etc., with appropriate addresses by Hon
orable William Windom, Secretary of the Treasury of the
United States, Honorable Hamilton Fish, President of the
General Society of Cincinnati, and others.
Tuesday, October 18. — An opening address by the
Chairman of the Congressional Commission, and an Ad
dress of Welcome, by His Excellency, the Governor of Vir
ginia. The laying of the Cornerstone of the Centennial
Monument, with appropriate ceremonies and addresses, by
the Grand Lodge of Masons of Virginia and invited Ma
sonic Orders of the United States.
Wednesday, October 19. — An Address from His Ex
cellency the President of the United States. An Oration by
the Honorable Robert C. Winthrop, of Massachusetts. A
Poem by James Barron Hope, of Virginia. An Ode, writ
ten by Paul H. Hayne of South Carolina, and rendered
by a mammoth Choir and Chorus under the direction of
Professor Charles Seigel of Richmond.
Thursday, October 20 — Grand Military Review, par
ticipated in by the citizen soldiery from all portions of the
United States. *
Friday, October 21. — A Grand Naval Review, partici
pated in by all classes of vessels in the United States Navy.
This general program, as outlined, was so en
livened for each day's entertainment, by Grand Promenade
Concerts and Military Displays, either of general parades
and reviews or competitive drills, as to assure attractiveness
and novelty therein.
Emerson, Holmes and Ole Bull
The winter of 1879, and 1880, I spent in New York,
making occasional trips to Boston on business. I left New

CHANCE ACQUAINTANCES 91
York on the morning of the 29th of January, 1880, arriv
ing in Boston the afternoon of the same day. I carried a
letter of introduction from Hitchcock, Darling and Co., pro
prietors of the Fifth Avenue Hotel to the Manager of the
Tremont House, Boston, where I proposed to make my
headquarters during my sojourn there. This famous hos
telry, it will be remembered, was for many years the pride
of Boston, holding the same important place there and
through the New England States that the Astor House
occupied in New York and in the country generally.
On my arrival at the hotel I presented my letter to
the Manager whose name I do not now recall ; was cor
dially received, provided with comfortable quarters and after
partaking of a good dinner, was invited to the Manager's
private office to enjoy a cigar. I found him a pleasant
and agreeable gentleman.
In reply to my inquiry for the entertainments of the
evening the Manager said : "You are most fortunate. The
ladies of the Old South Church, who are engaged in the
work of raising funds to purchase the property, give an
entertainment at the Old Church this evening in which
Ralph Waldo Emerson and Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes
will recite some of their productions, Ole Bull will play
the violin and the Fisk Jubilee Singers will appear in con
cert. You may never have an opportunity to see and hear
these distinguished men again." In addition he expressed his
regrets at not being able to accompany me, which he was
unable to do because of the fact that his wife had another
engagement for him for the evening.
I thanked him, expressed regret that he could not go
with me, and at the proper time repaired to the Old South
Church Building. Upon entering the church a gentlemanly
usher met me, to whom I said : "I am from Colorado, a

92 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
stranger in Boston, and will esteem it a favor if you can
give me a seat where I can see and hear these distinguished
gentlemen." He kindly gave me an excellent seat.
The entertainment commenced with a piano solo by
Mr. Strauss, followed by the "Battle Hymn of the Re
public," by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Then "Dorothy Q"
(with portrait as illustrative) by Dr. Holmes.
Dorothy Quincy was the grandmother of Dr. Holmes.
The poem relates an incident which occurred in the War
of the Revolution, when Boston was occupied by the British
Army. An English officer, to show his gallantry, ran his
sword through the portrait and the mark could be seen on
the canvas. Dr. Holmes was loudly applauded and recited another
of his poems, the name of which I do not now remember.
After which came "The Mother's Prayer" composed and
performed by Ole Bull, who played in his matchless style.
Then came the Sage of Concord, Ralph Waldo Emerson,
ivho recited, "The Concord Hymn."
Each of these noted men was greeted with rapturous ap
plause and with the exception of Mr. Emerson, responded
to encore. He appeared feeble and his voice was very
weak. Dr. Holmes appeared to be in the prime of life and
at his best, and Ole Bull had lost nothing of his artistic
skill to make the violin talk. I can now see the benevolent
smile that lit up his classic face and the flushes which came
with the applause that greeted him.
The Fisk Jubilee singers were at their best, but my
thoughts were centered upon Emerson, Holmes and Ole
Bull, whom to have seen and heard under such circum
stances was worth a trip to Boston, something to remember
while memory holds her sway, through time and eternity.
„ , , T Irving W. Stanton.
Pueblo, June 30, 1914.

IN THE CIVIL WAR

ON THE WAY TO THE FRONT
The Act of Congress creating the Territory of Colo
rado was signed by President James Buchanan on the
last day of February, 1861. Four days later, on the fourth
day of March, Abraham Lincoln was inaugurated Presi
dent of the United States. Soon thereafter he appointed
officers for the New Territory, and organized government
was a reality in the Pike's Peak country.
Governor Gilpin soon became fully informed of the
conditions existing throughout the Territory and the neces
sity for prompt action to maintain lawful authority and
security for life and property. He called for State troops
and two companies responded immediately, and these were
the nucleus of the splendid force which Colorado sent
against the enemy.
It is not my purpose to give in detail here, the history
of Colorado in the Civil War. The story of the
First Regiment has been well told by Prof. William
Clark Whitford and others. Its timely and valuable service
was rendered in New Mexico and Colorado. This service
saved these Territories to the Government in the war. But
Colorado also had other soldiers than those embraced in the
First Regiment. I propose to give especial account of
the service rendered the Government in Missouri, Arkansas
and the Indian Nation by the Second and Third Colorado
Infantry, which in the winter of 1863 and 1864 were con-

96 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
solidated and formed the Second Colorado Cavalry, and of
McLain's Colorado Battery.
In the late winter of 1861, Jesse H. Leavenworth, a
pioneer prospector of the Pike's Peak gold region, dis
coverer of a placer mining gulch in the Central City mining
district named for him, and an ex-officer of the Regular
Army, received authority from the War Department to raise
six companies of Colorado volunteers, which, with the two
independent companies of Captains Ford and Dodd, which
were enlisted in the summer and fall of 1861 and were en
gaged with the First Regiment in the campaign in New
Mexico, and two other companies then being enlisted, were
to compose the Second Colorado Infantry volunteers. It
was understood that the command when filled would be
ordered to one of the eastern armories for active service,
which understanding greatly aided enlistments.
Colonel Leavenworth also commenced to raise a light
battery at this time, it was claimed, without proper
authority. Complaint was made and charges against him
filed, which resulted in his being dismissed from the service.
Subsequently he was restored to his rank, but at once re
signed. He was an efficient organizer and beloved and
highly respected by officers and men of his command.
At the close of the New Mexico campaign in 1862
the First Colorado Infantry was made the First Colorado
Cavalry and two companies from the Second Colorado In
fantry were transferred to the First to make up the twelve
company regiments of cavalry. This transfer left six full
companies to the Second Infantry. In the spring of 1863,
this battalion was assembled at Fort Lyon and on the 5th
day of April under command of Lieutenant Colonel Theo
dore H. Dodd, commenced the march for the "States" by

ON THE WAY TO THE FRONT 97
way of Fort Larned to Fort Riley, whence it was ordered
to Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Near this place on the second day of July, 1863,
it took an active part in the engagement at Cabin Creek,
where a force of Confederates under the command of the In
dian, Colonel Standwaite, was repulsed with heavy loss. Our
loss was small. On the 17th of July following, the battalion
with the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, two regiments of Kansas
Cavalry, with the First Kansas Colored Infantry and part
of the First and Second and Third Indiana, in all about
twenty-four hundred men, under the command of General
Blunt, had an engagement with and defeated the rebel
General Cooper with a force of six thousand men at Honey
Springs, near Fort Blunt. The loss on our side was four
teen killed and thirty wounded.
The Colorado battalion lost five men, killed in the
thickest of the fight. The rebel loss, from their own re
ports, was four hundred in killed, wounded and missing,
of whom eighty were made prisoners.
In this engagement the Colorado battalion was being
hotly pressed when the First Kansas Colored Infantry was
ordered to its support. It was necessary for the colored
Regiment to cross a small stream, the water in which was
waist deep. This it did in gallant style, holding arms
and cartridge boxes above the water. When across the
creek the regiment reformed and with the Colorado bat
talion, eharged the rebel line. We captured one gun and
a number of prisoners and the fight was won.
After this exploit no one could tell the Second Colorado
boys that "darkies" wouldn't fight. Under such circum
stances relief is gratefully accepted without inquiry as to
the color of the skin of those from whom it comes.

98 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
The battalion remained in this locality under the com
mand of General Blunt until November, when it was
ordered to Benton Barracks at St. Louis, Missouri, to be
consolidated with the Third Colorado Infantry volunteers,
arriving at Benton Barracks in December, 1863.
Recruiting for the Third Regiment of Colorado In
fantry volunteers began in the early Spring of 1862. Gen
eral William Larimer, a member of the Denver Town Com
pany, for whom Larimer Street, Denver, is named, received
authority from the War Department to raise a regiment in
Colorado, and some one hundred and fifty or two hundred
men were enlisted under him. Governor John Evans, having
succeeded Governor Gilpin in the office of Governor, claimed
the authority to raise this regiment. General Larimer re
signed, went east to Pittsburgh and again entered the ser
vice. General Larimer was a noble and patriotic man, who
was loved and respected by all who knew him.
Governor Evans appointed recruiting officers with the
rank of Second Lieutenant and renewed efforts were put
forth to procure enlistments, but the First and Second
Regiments had taken most of those who from patriotic
motives were ready to enlist or to leave lucrative positions
to defend the Government. Wages were high and labor
scarce. Those in sympathy with the Confederacy did all in
their power to discourage enlistment. When, however, it
became understood that when organized, the regiment would
go to the States for active service, recruiting became active,
with headquarters in the City of Denver.
About the middle of December, 1862, all troops
in the city were ordered to Camp Weld, situated on the
Platte River some two and a half miles above Denver.
There, on the 27th day of January, 1863, the First Bat
talion of the Third Colorado Infantry volunteers con
sisting of five companies, viz. A, B, C, D, and E, was

ON THE WAY TO THE FRONT 99
mustered into the United States service by Colonel John
M. Chivington, with Samuel S. Curtis, a member of the
original Denver Town Company, for whom Curtis Street
of that city is named, and a son of Major General Samuel
R. Curtis of Iowa, then in command of the Department
of Missouri, as Lieutenant Colonel. Announcement was
made of the officers of the regiment when the offices were
filled as follows : Colonel, James H. Ford ; Lieutenant
Colonel, Samuel S. Curtis; Major, Jesse L. Pritchard ;
Surgeon, Irving J. Pollock; Assistant Surgeon, S. P.
Thompson ; Second Assistant Surgeon, Duncan M. Vance ;
Adjutant, George Baldy; Quartermaster, J. S. Cook.
On the 5th day of March, 1863, this battalion left Den
ver, via the Platte River route, under command of Lieu
tenant Colonel Curtis, with Irving W. Stanton, Second
Lieutenant, as Acting Adjutant. The Adjutant, Lieu
tenant Baldy, was left in hospital with smallpox, but he
recovered and overtook the command some three weeks later.
A few days before we were to March, an incident occurred
which shows the spirit that actuated young Americans in
those days. Colonel Ford sent for me and when I re
sponded, said : "Lieutenant Stanton, I want you to stay
here and help me fill the regiment. It won't take long to
do it, and when accomplished you shall be Adjutant." I
thought a moment and then said : "Colonel, I appreciate
this mark of your esteem, but I must go where active service
is needed." I thanked him and declined.
The second day after leaving Denver, smallpox
broke out in the command and Surgeon Pollock established
a smallpox hospital which camped near the command.
Under the care and attention of the Surgeon no serious
cases resulted.
Just before the command reached Jack Morrow's
Ranch, Colonel Curtis received a message from Morrow

100 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
asking him not to march past or allow the men to come
to the house, which was a somewhat noted place in the early
day rush to the Pike's Peak gold region. Some members
of the battalion had lost stock — horses or cattle — on their
trip to the gold fields, and it was said Morrow and his
gang had a hiding place for stray stock in the bluffs south of
his place. Morrow was afraid of the men who had suf
fered loss. He fairly begged the Colonel not to let them
come to the house, which, as I remember, was a half mile
or more south of the Platte River. By the Colonel's order,
the command marched straight down the river bank and
camped some three miles east of Morrow's.
Strict orders were issued that none of the men should
go to the house, but one mischief leader from Company B,
named Hank Heycus, slipped away and got to the house,
which was closed. The only thing he could find and was
able to carry away was a hay knife. This he appropriated
and took to camp. By order of the Colonel I marched him
back to the ranch, and made him leave the hay knife
where he found it. After which he returned to camp. He
had an extra tramp of six miles and I had an extra horse
back ride for the same distance. This man was always
in some mischief, not ugly or vicious, but merely full of
deviltry. Some years after the war he came to Pueblo to see
me. The existence of the smallpox in the command became
known generally along the route and caused much alarm to
people at the stations. On the first of April the battalion
reached Fort Kearny. When within a few miles of the Post,
the officer in command sent an order for us to march directly
down the river and camp not less than two miles distant,
on account of the epidemic. In compliance with this order,

ON THE WAY TO THE FRONT 101
the battalion marched past the fort without unfurling the
flag and camped two miles below. On learning the true
conditions and discovering that there was no danger to be
apprehended, officers and men were permitted to visit the
fort and were courteously received.
Leaving the Platte River route at Fort Kearny we
marched by way of Marysville and Atchison to Leaven
worth, arriving there on the 26th of April. The smallpox
had been eradicated and the command was in good health
and spirits after a march of more than six hundred and
fifty miles. Most of the officers and enlisted men had been
in the mountains for from two to four years and were
glad to be in the States again. Our camp was located be
tween the city and the fort.
A good theatrical troupe was playing at the leading
theater, and the second night after our arrival a large num
ber of the command received permission to go to the city and
most of them attended the theater. Here an incident took
place which I have not forgotten. I do not remember the
play or the actors, but between the first and second acts
a woman bearing a regimental flag came on the stage and
sang the song entitled, "The Battle Cry of Freedom". This
song, I think, had just been published, and it was entirely
new to the Colorado boys, who formed a large part of the
audience in the packed theater, and took them by storm.
When the singer came to the verse, "We are coming,
Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more," the entire
audience was on its feet shouting the Battle Cry of Free
dom and the enthusiasm was unbounded. Five times she
responded to encores, singing the chorus, in which the
audience joined. It was wonderfully inspiring. I never
saw an audience so entirely carried away. There is some
thing about that patriotic song that appeals to everyone, and

102 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
I think it exerted a greater influence upon the boys in blue
than any other patriotic song of the Civil War.
After a short rest in Leavenworth the command was
ordered to St. Louis, going by boat to latan, a small
town on the Missouri side of the river and then the terminal
of the Hannibal and St. Joe Railroad, situated a short dis
tance above Leavenworth, and from there by rail by way
of St. Joe to Hannibal, where, near Macon City, our
train was wrecked, the wreck being caused by a spreading
track and the bad condition of the road. One car containing
some forty men turned over an embankment, injuring
Private Moore of Company D so severely that he died a few
hours afterward. Several others were hurt but not seriously.
At Hannibal the command boarded a steamboat for
St. Louis, where it arrived in due time. After one day
in St. Louis the battalion was ordered to Sulphur Springs,
Missouri, a station on the Iron Mountain Road and sit
uated on the river twenty miles below St. Louis.
General Curtis had been succeeded in command of the
Department of the Missouri by Major General Schofield.
This change of commanders interfered with the expected
disposition of the Colorado Battalion. After two weeks at
Sulphur Springs it was ordered to Pilot Knob and assigned
to General Vandiver's brigade of the Army of the Frontier,
under the command of Major General Heron.

CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI
When Gen. Heron was ordered to Vicksburg the latter
part of May, our battalion, much to the regret of officers
and enlisted men, was assigned to post duty at Pilot Knob
and put to guarding the Iron Mountain Railroad. Com
pany C, in charge of Captain E. P. Elmer, was ordered to
Big River bridge, where company headquarters was main
tained. I was Second Lieutenant of this company and
with twenty men was stationed at the old lead mining town
of Potosi, the county seat of Washington County, Missouri,
as Acting Provost Marshal. There were a number of
slaveholders here, among them descendants of the early
French settlers, and it was reported they were harboring
spies and giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Nothing
like this occurred while I remained there.
I boarded during my stay in Potosi with the family
of Mr. Samuel Singer and met the daughter, Miss Mary
Augusta, who later became my wife. Mr. Singer and wife,
Mrs. Mary Prowell Singer, were Pennsylvanians and were
among the few Union families of Potosi. Mr. Singer and
Colonel Thomas Dawson of Arcadia, Missouri, built the
Iron Mountain Railroad from St. Louis to Pilot Knob, and
Mr. Singer had the contract and built the branch from
the main line at Mineral Point to Potosi, some four miles in
extent, after which he settled in Potosi and engaged ex
tensively in the lumber trade. He purchased the standing
pine timber on a large tract of land ten or twelve miles
west from Potosi and when the Civil War began he had

104 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
three saw mills producing lumber, which he hauled to
(Potosi and shipped by rail to St. Louis. He was doing
a large and profitable business. The rebels were largely in
the majority in that part of Missouri and during the first
year of the war his mills were destroyed, his lumber burned,
and his business ruined. Such, however, was the expe
rience of many Union business men in the border slave
States. I had an amusing experience while on duty at Potosi.
A wealthy slave holder named Mcllvane owned a large
farm or plantation some four miles from Potosi and had
two young daughters whom I met on a social occasion in
Potosi. I was invited out to the plantation one evening and
soon after, with a young man named Wallace, a resident
of Potosi, rode out to the Mcllvane mansion, arriving there
about dusk. I noticed a large number of negroes of all
ages and sizes. We tied our horses securely, entered the
large building, met the young ladies, who were very cordial,
and for an hour we were doing our best to interest them.
Then a great uproar was heard outside. The darkies
were shouting and laughing and the young ladies began
to laugh, knowing what had occurred. We soon learned
that our horses had broken loose and gone. Later I learned
it was a trick of the Mcllvane darkies to frighten the horses
of young men who came to call upon the ladies, make them
break loose and run away, compelling the riders to walk
to town. Our call ended rather abruptly. We bade the
young ladies a hurried good night and walked to town on a
very dark night. This was not the funny part of it. Next
day our horses were returned to the livery man showing
but little damage. I never went back.
In October the battalion was assembled at Pilot Knob
and ordered to Rolla, Missouri. Marching across the
country, it did post duty at Rolla under the command of

CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI 105
Brigadier General Davies until near the 1st of December,
when it was ordered to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, to
be consolidated with the Second Colorado Infantry.
Special Order No. 278, Department of the Missouri,
directed the consolidation of the Second and Third Colorado
Infantry Volunteers, to form the Second Colorado Cavalry.
On the 26th day of November, 1863, Special Order No.
323, Department Headquarters, announced the consolida
tion, with officers as follows :
Colonel, James H. Ford.
Lieutenant Colonel, Theodore H. Dodd.
First Major, Sam S. Curtis.
Second Major, J. Nelson Smith.
Third Major, Jesse S. Pritchard.
Surgeon, Irving J. Pollock.
First Assistant Surgeon, George D. Aiken.
Second Assistant Surgeon, D. M. Vance.
Adjutant, Robert S. Roe.
Quartermaster, J. S. Cook.
Commissary, James Burrell.
Chaplain, L. Hamilton.
About the middle of December horses for the regiment
were received at Benton Barracks and distributed to the five
companies of the Third, but it was late in the month when
the battalion of the Second arrived. The horses for the
regiment were fine and were said to be the best lot of horses
ever received at the barracks. On arrival of the Second In
fantry the organization of the cavalry regiment was per
fected. Company "K" of the Second and Companies "F,"
"G," and "H" of the Third were broken up and the enlisted
men assigned to other companies. Captain George K.
Kimble of Company "C," and First Lieutenant Howard of

106 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Company "G," Second Regiment, resigned. Assistant Sur
geon Thompson, Lieutenant Hambleton of Company "A,"
Lieutenant Wright of Company "F," Lieutenant Allen of
Company "G," of the Third Regiment, rendered super
numerary, were honorably mustered out.
The regiment was armed with Starr's carbines, Starr's
revolvers and government sabres ; two companies, "H" and
"I," were mounted on black horses, while companies "E" and
"K" had all grey horses. In the Price raid of 1864, the
rebels called the second Colorado Cavalry the Grey Horse
Regiment. An incident of personal interest to me occurred while
at Benton Barracks. Miss Singer, the young lady I met
while on duty in Potosi, was a student in Bonham's Female
Seminary in St. Louis, presided over by Mrs. Boggs as
Principal, who was a cousin of Mrs. U. S. Grant, who with
her children spent the winter with Mrs. Boggs. Miss
Singer, with three other young lady out-of-town students,
had rooms and lived with Mrs. Boggs. I received an in
vitation to spend the holidays with the Singer family, and to
accompany the young lady home. I applied for ten days
leave of absence, which was approved, and forwarded by the
regimental commander, to post headquarters, then under
the command of General B. E. Bonneville, a noted
Piegular Army officer. There it was held up or laid aside.
I became anxious as the time grew shorter and went
to post headquarters, where I met General Bonneville and
told my story. He approved my application for leave and
gave it to me, saying I might get it approved at department
headquarters by personal application, but I did not think the
prospect favorable and consulted my Colonel, who said :
"Put your application for leave, approved and signed by
General Bonneville, in your pocket and go home with the

CAMPAIGNING IN MISSOURI IO7
young lady." This I did and greatly enjoyed the holiday
season. The first part of January, 1864, the regiment was
ordered to sub-command No. 4 of the District of Central
Missouri, commanded by General E. B. Brown, with head
quarters at Warrenburg. On the 16th of that month the
regiment left St. Louis, going by way of the Missouri Pacific
Railroad to Dresden, twelve miles west from Sedalia, and
then the terminal of this line. There it went into camp and
a month was spent in drill.
A court martial was ordered at Sedalia and several of
ficers of our regiment, myself among them, were detailed
for this duty. Here I met Colonel Phillips and Lieutenant
Colonel Crittenden of the Missouri State Militia. Both
of these gentlemen became prominent citizens of Missouri
after the war. Colonel Phillips, a lawyer of distinction, was
appointed United States Judge of the Kansas City District
by President Cleveland, while Colonel Crittenden was elected
Governor of Missouri.

FIGHTING PRICE AND THE
BUSHWACKERS
About the middle of February, the regiment left
Dresden for the fourth sub-district, which was composed of
the counties of Jackson, Cass and Bates, and part of Vernon
County, and was the headquarters and favorite haunt of
notorious bands of bushwhackers led by George Todd, Dick
Yeager and other outlaws whose outrages had called forth
General Tom Ewing's "Special Order No. 11," issued while
in command of that district the year before. This order
required all people living on farms in the district to move
into the towns, for the reason that, regardless of their
political sentiments, they were compelled to furnish aid and
supplies to the bushwhackers. January 14, 1864, General
Brown issued General Order No. 2, District of Central
Missouri, permitting "all loyal disposed persons driven from
their homes by Order No. 11 to return on condition that
they be ready to assist the Government in putting down the
Rebellion." The same order assigned Colonel James H. Ford to
the command of the fourth sub-district with headquarters at
Kansas City, with Captain E. L. Berthoud as Assistant
Adjutant General. While the regiment's headquarters were
at Kansas City, the troops were distributed throughout the
sub-district. Companies or detachments were stationed at
Kansas City, Westport, Independence, Sun Bar, Hickman's
Mills, Pleasant Hill and Harrisonville to protect and guard
against raids of the bushwhackers. Company "K," Captain
E. P. Elmer, commanding the company, First Lieutenant

1 10 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
George F. Crocker, an able lawyer, on court martial duty,
and Second Lieutenant Irving W. Stanton, was stationed at
Pleasant Hill. I was detailed as Acting Assistant Quarter
master and Post Commissary.
Pleasant Hill was a prominent point on the main
traveled road between Kansas City and Warrensburg, the
only station on the route where supplies could be obtained.
Large cribs of corn were on the farms and my wagon train
was kept busy hauling corn under escort to the post. In
the summer I put up several thousand tons of hay, partly
under contracts authorized by Colonel Theodore F. Case,
District Quartermaster, and partly by the work of the
soldiers, who were glad to get out in the fields and make
hay. They were protected by escorts.
The bushwhackers were active and ambushed a number
of our men carrying dispatches. The most serious attack of
this kind occurred near Independence, July 6, 1864, when
Captain S. W. Waggoner of Company H, with a detach
ment of his company, was ambushed, and he with nine of his
men killed. Captain Waggoner was an able lawyer of Den
ver in the early days, a brave and gallant soldier and a
splendid gentleman. A monument in his memory, erected by
the Grand Army Post at Independence, marks the place in
the cemetery there where he and his comrades are buried.
Campaign Against Price
About the middle of October it became known that
General Sterling Price, with his rebel army 28,000 strong,
which had been encamped at Waverly, twelve miles souther
ly from Lexington, was preparing to resume his march for
Leavenworth, where, it was reported, he intended to winter.
The Second Colorado Cavalry was ordered to assemble at
Independence to aid in repelling his advance. I received
orders to send my wagon train with movable quartermaster

FIGHTING PRICE AND THE BUSHWHACKERS 111
stores to Kansas City and turn it over to the Assistant
Quartermaster and report to my company for duty.
At dusk on the evening of the 17th of October, a de
tachment of six companies of our regiment under the com
mand of Major J. Nelson Smith, of which I was appointed
Adjutant, left Independence on the river road leading to
Lexington, 40 miles distant. No one knew our destination
but the Major. Soon after the command started he said to
me : "We are going to Lexington and want to reach there
just as the town is full of bushwhackers. We are going into
the town on a charge regardless of the number of rebel
troops there. Repeat this to each company commander."
This I did.
Though the night was very dark and the ride long
we reached Lexington just as the rays of the morning sun
began to appear. The command, led by the gallant Major
Smith, charged up the hill street and through the town. The
bushwhackers who were in possession went out without
firing a shot.
As we neared the business center of the town, a little
woman on the sidewalk ran along shouting, "Are you
Federals? Are you Federals'?"
"Yes," I said.
Raising her hands, she jumped up and down crying,
"Thank God, thank God!"
I learned later that she was the wife of the telegraph
operator at Lexington, whose name I regret I cannot recall.
We took possession of the courthouse, from the cupola
of which we could see the tents of Price's army encamped
at Waverly. Acting as Provost Marshal, I had the pleasure to
administer the oath of allegiance to a number of citizens of

112 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Lexington brought in by the guards for disloyalty, but I
kept no record and do not remember their names.
The command remained in Lexington until about 4
p. m., when Major Smith deemed it prudent to leave on our
return. We took a different road and camped for the night
about half way between Lexington and Independence, re
turning to permanent camp the following morning.
The first battle in which the Second Colorado Cavalry
as a regiment was engaged, was fought at Little Blue, eight
miles southerly from Independence, on the 21st of October
1864, by the Army of the Border, commanded by Major
General Samuel R. Curtis, with General James Blunt second
in command. The First Brigade, composed of the Second
Colorado Cavalry, the Fifteenth Kansas Cavalry, a battalion
of the Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry and McLain's Colorado
Battery, under command of Colonel James H. Ford, opened
the engagement. Captain George West of Company F was in command
of a battalion. I received orders to take command of his
company, which I did and retained it throughout the cam
paign. My first order was to support a colored battery
attached to General Curtis's bodyguard, but before the com
pany was in position an order to join the regiment came and
was promptly obeyed.
The regiment dismounted. Most of the officers kept
their horses, myself among them. A charge was ordered.
The brigade went forward with a wild shout. The rebel line
gave way, but the brave and loved Major was killed in the
charge. The brigade halted at the brow of the hill overlooking
the valley, where the main line of the enemy was in view.
The small force of the Army of the Border, between 4,000
and 5>000> could only hope to delay the advance of Price.

FIGHTING PRICE AND THE BUSHWHACKERS 1 13
As fast as his troops could cross the Little Blue, our army
was flanked and had to fall back.
On the road from Independence about a mile and a
half from the crossing of the Blue, where the road turned
to the left, stood a church or schoolhouse, or both, with an
open field to the south and a high board fence some 150
feet in length. As we fell back to this point I was met by
Lieutenant Colonel Hoyt of the Fifteenth Kansas Cavalry,
who, swinging his sabre, was rallying men behind the fence
to repel an attack from a regiment of bushwhackers led by
George Todd, forming in the field some 150 yards distant.
He urged me to stop with my men to assist him. At this
moment Colonel Ford rode up and ordered me to mount
my company, as the Second Colorado was to form the
rear guard in the retreat. We stayed long enough, however,
to give this rebel regiment a volley and see saddles emptied
as never before seen by me.
We then joined the regiment, which in the retreat
formed nine times in the seven miles to Independence. The
rebels followed us for a few miles. As they came up we
gave them a volley and did not wait to see its effect. They
soon gave up the chase.
On arriving in Independence we halted and men and
women with buckets and tin cups passed along the line giv
ing the men a drink. The men being very thirsty and
supposing the liquid to be water, took a big swallow before
they found it was whiskey. The command passed Indepen
dence and camped that night on Big Blue.
The engagement the next day at Big Blue consisted of
skirmishes except at Byram's Ford, where a regiment of
Kansas Militia was attacked by a greatly superior force
of rebels and though fighting bravely suffered a heavy loss.
The battle of Westport, on the following day,

114 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
was Price's last effort to carry out his plan of
campaign and was hotly contested. The Second
Colorado Cavalry and McLain's Battery were in
the thickest of the fight, which began in the early morning,
and they held their line against repeated charges of double
their number. About 2 P. M. General Rosecranz's army,
under General Pleasanton, which had been following Price,
came to our relief, struck the right flank of Price's army and
rolled it up. The battle was won. The rebels were soon in
full retreat with our regiment in the lead in pursuit.
A few miles from Little Santa Fe the rebel rear
guard, about four times our number, with two pieces of
artillery, made a stand, and when our column came in sight
fired several rounds which passed over our heads. We fell
back a couple of miles and encamped for the night. Early
next morning we resumed pursuit, continuing in the ad
vance, but the retreating army did not make a stand that
day. That evening in a storm of rain our command was
halted to allow General Pleasanton, who ranked General
Blunt, to take the advance with his army. At Marias de
Cygnes, some forty miles from Westport, an engagement
was fought, the rebels retreating after a sharp encounter.
Five miles further on, at Mine Creek, they made another
stand, when Colonel Benteen's brigade made a charge and
captured Major General Marmaduke and Brigadier Gen
eral Cobbell, with five hundred other prisoners.
From here the line of retreat was strewn with arms
and abandoned camp equipage. The enemy did not call at
Fort Scott, passing some miles to the eastward. Our com
mand spent the night there and worn out men and horses
were sent back to Kansas City.
At daylight the next morning we were on the road

FIGHTING PRICE AND THE BUSHWHACKERS 1 15
pursuing the fleeing rebels, passing through Granby and
Carthage. No stand was made by the enemy until the 28th.
The Army of the Border again in the advance, with the
Second Colorado in the lead, about 3 :30 p. m. reached
the hill overlooking the town of Newtonia, some three-
fourths of a mile distant. The rebels were to be seen
in two lines of battle between the town and the
river. Our line was formed for a charge, the Fifteenth
Kansas on our right, the battalion of the Sixteenth on our
left. The battery, taking position, opened the ball and was
firing shells into the town.
General Blunt ordered the charge and away we went
over the mile of prairie between us and the first line enemy.
In our immediate front a large force of the rebels was post
ed behind a rail fence. They did not run and we lost many
men killed and wounded. Captain Thomas Moses of Com
pany "M," on the right of Company "F," was wounded
severely in the neck. His men seeing him fall, for a moment
faltered. Lieutenant W. H. Pierce, who was very slow of
speech, took command of the company, and to cheer it on,
said: "Never mind, boys, Captain Moses is only wounded,
give 'em hell ; their powder ain't worth a d — n." I was
near Lieutenant Pierce and heard his encouraging words.
The battle raged fiercely. When General Blunt
ordered the charge he supposed General Sanborn's brigade
of General Pleasanton's army was in supporting distance,
but General Sanborn had halted at a cornfield some eight
miles back to feed his horses with the result that the
little band, about one thousand in number, facing the entire
available force of Price's army, seven or eight times larger,
was about to be taken in by the rebels under the command
of General Joe Shelby, when General Sanborn at the head of

Il6 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
his splendid brigade swept down on the right flank on the
enemy, which gave way, and the field was won.
The wounded of both armies were cared for, and
the dead buried. Two noble women of Newtonia, Mrs. Cole
and Mrs. Horton, rendered great service procuring delicacies
for the wounded and articles needed for their comfort.
It was understood that General Pleasanton had orders
from General Rosecranz to abandon further pursuit of the
rebel army, and return. The morning after the battle
Major Pitchard said to me: "Lieutenant, you are appointed
Acting Regimental Quartermaster and Regimental Commis
sary." That afternoon we marched up the river twelve miles
to the town of Neosho, where we encamped and the same
evening messengers arrived with orders from General Grant
for General Curtis to continue the pursuit and drive Price's
army across the Arkansas River.
At daylight the next morning the command was on
the march. We retraced our footsteps of the day before,
passed through Newtonia and were following Price one day
behind. From Newtonia all dismounted men and those un
able for duty were sent back to Kansas City. But few com
missioned officers remained with the regiment and the rem
nants of companies were consolidated. I had command of
what was left of four companies.
The officers I remember who made the entire cam
paign were, Major Jesse L. Pritchard, in command of the
regiment, Lieutenant Henry D. Jones, Acting Adjutant, and
Captain George West. We were on short rations. I had
three men foraging, but there was little of food to be had,
as the rebels had taken almost everything.
As we approached Fayetteville we heard the reports of
cannon firing. This was an attack of the rebel General Fagin
on the fort at Fayetteville, which was defended by the First

FIGHTING PRICE AND THE BUSHWHACKERS 1 17
Arkansas Federals, as they were called. They were fighters
and Fagin's attack failed. From an officer on duty I secured
a small supply of double loaves of bread and had it placed
in one of the wagons of my small train, and covered with
hay. Our stay here was short.
On the day we reached the Arkansas River I was in
command of the advance of two hundred and fifty men.
Price's rear guard disappeared just as we got to the river.
The advance halted. Generals Curtis and Blunt, with their
staff officers, rode up and all watered their horses in the
Arkansas River. McLain's battery took position and fired
some thirty-five or forty rounds into the heavy timber on the
opposite side, but we neither saw nor heard anything more
of Price's army.
Our camp here was named Camp Arkansas. Here I
sent for the company commanders and distributed the
bread obtained at Fayetteville ; the ration was short but
was gladly received.
Before getting into the wagon to divide the bread 1
took off my overcoat and hung it on a bush near by.
When I came to look for it it had disappeared. The men
said the teamsters had taken it and a squad went through
every wagon, but it could not be found. Captain West had
a raincoat which he loaned me and it answered very well
until we reached Fort Scott.
A severe thunder storm came up late in the evening
and many of the command were drenched. This was on
the 8th of November if I remember correctly. The next
day we marched up the river road for Fort Gibson on our
return. There we expected to get supplies and rations, but
on arriving there ive learned that the only food to be
had was beans and what they called bread, which was made
by boiling the beans until soft, mashing them and then bak-

Il8 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
ing in a Dutch oven or bake kettle. It would do pretty well
for a meal or two, but on learning the condition of the
commissary here, I dispatched two messengers to Fort Scott
with a request to the commissary to load two ambulances
with hard tack and send them with all haste to meet the
command. When I was about to take my ration of bean bread, a
Sergeant, whose name I cannot recall, but who was one of
my foragers, came to my tent and said : "Wait a little while
before eating. I will bring your supper and you may invite
all the officers." About a half hour later the officers
assembled at my tent. The Sergeant came with a poncho
load of warm biscuits, accompanied by a comrade with a
camp kettle of hot coffee, and with the bean bread we had
a feast. I asked the Sergeant how he got the biscuits. He said
that in one of the wagons he discovered a lot of green
coffee covered with hay and took care of it. Finding no
rations could be obtained at Fort Gibson, he called at a
house, found a pleasant lady, and asked her if she had flour
and could make some hot bread. She assured him she had
no coffee. He then said to her : "If I could furnish
you coffee, could you find flour and make some hot bread,"
showing her the coffee. She then removed some article of
furniture, raised a trap door and found a sack of flour.
He browned the coffee and furnished us a good supper.
Our stay in Fort Gibson was limited, but long enough
under existing conditions.
The second morning after leaving Fort Gibson, two
ambulances loaded with hard tack met us. The command
halted and I distributed the food. In due time we reached
Fort Scott, where supplies were abundant, and where we
remained one day for the command to draw clothing and

FIGHTING PRICE AND THE BUSHWHACKERS Iig
to obtain needed supplies. When the regiment left Fort
Scott, I was detained a short time making out papers and
receipting for quartermaster stores.
When with my Quartermaster Sergeant and a small
escort on our way to overtake the regiment some eight or ten
rniles north of Fort Scott, we saw several men by the road
side some distance in advance of us. On reaching them I was
glad to meet a boyhood friend, Mr. Robert A. Williams, a
farmer and for many years a business man in Fort Scott,
who, learning from the command that I was detained, was
waiting to see me. Mr. Williams was for many years in
the fifties the Chief Clerk for Mr. Roswell P. Patterson,
a prominent lawyer, capitalist and business man of north
eastern Pennsylvania, who was engaged in trading and
merchandising with his headquarters store at Carbondale.
He and his wife, who was my cousin, were my good friends
when I was a boy and in need of friends. Three of Mr.
Patterson's sons, Augustus L., George H. and Levi A. Pat
terson, compose the firm of R. P. Patterson's Sons, promi
nent wholesale grocers of Carbondale and the Lackawanna
Valley. Another son, Mr. Roswell H. Patterson, is a lead
ing lawyer of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Two daughters,
Mrs. Clarence E. Spencer of Carbondale and Mrs. Nettie
P. Walter of Scranton, are among the most highly respected
ladies of those cities. Mrs. Spencer's husband is a retired
banker, capitalist and business man.
The regiment arrived in Leavenworth on the 28th of
November, 1864, and halted at department headquarters,
Major General Curtis commanding. General Curtis ap
peared and welcomed us with a speech, in which he said:
"The Second Colorado Cavalry and the Colorado Battery
have done more to drive Price from Missouri and keep
him out of Kansas than any other same number of troops

120 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
engaged in the campaign." There are a few comrades left
who remember the applause that greeted the veteran Gen
eral's tribute to Colorado.
The following order was issued by General Curtis
from his camp on the Arkansas River above Fort Smith :
"Headquarters Army of the Border,
Camp Arkansas, November 8, 1864.
General Order, No.
"The object of this organization and campaign is ac
complished. The rebel army under General Sterling Price,
has been confronted, beaten in several conflicts, pursued and
driven over three hundred and fifty miles, from the Missouri
to the Arkansas. This has been the work of fourteen days.
"Your marches have been incessant, sometimes for days
and nights, in rain and snow, and generally on short ra
tions gathered from the herds lost by the enemy.
"Your privations, toil and gallantry deserve the highest
commendation, and the success of the campaign in which you
have so gloriously participated, most of you from the begin
ning to the end, must entitle you to the thanks of
your Government, and the gratitude of the loyal people of
our Country. "Your losses are considerable, but nothing in compari
son with those of the enemy, who admits a loss in killed,
wounded and missing of eight to ten thousand.
"All of his cannon but two, a large portion of his small
arms, his vast wagon train loaded with spoils, and herds of
cattle and horses have been left, burned and scattered in the
way of your pursuit. But the greatest achievements of this
campaign are the driving of a desperate class of vagrant as
sociates of the rebels so far from your homes and the States
you defend. Besides this, your stern resistance and close

FIGHTING PRICE AND THE BUSHWHACKERS 12l
pursuit saved the towns and garrisons of Kansas City,
Olathe, Paola, Fort Scott, Fayetteville, Fort Gibson, and
Fort Smith, and the valuable public stores at these places ;
besides checking ulterior purposes of slaughter and desola
tion contemplated by the invasion in Kansas. But it would
tarnish the brilliancy of your achievements to claim this for
yourselves alone, without acknowledging with gratitude the
share borne in the brunt of the contest by the troops of
Missouri and the Militia of Kansas, who shared our
dangers, and because of their greater numbers especially
deserve more of the honors due the conflicts of the twenty-
fourth, twenty-fifth and twenty-eighth of October. But
to you, including the Brigade of Col. Benteen, who have
shared in most of these battles, and continued throughout
the long, weary pursuit to the dark and turbid waters of
the Arkansas, where your guns thundered in the rear of the
starving, terrified enemy, must be accorded the special com
mendation of the Commanding General and the generous
approval of your Country.
"The special honors due distinguished comrades in the
campaign will be carefully presented by the commanding
General in his report to headquarters at Washington, and
to secure the most exact justice to so many deserving com
mendation. Commanders of divisions, brigades, detach
ments, and staff officers, will make full reports, directed to
headquarters, Fort Leavenworth, at their earliest conven
ience. "In parting the General tenders his thanks to the officers
and soldiers for their generous support and prompt obe
dience to orders and to his staff for their unceasing efforts
to share the toil incident to the campaign.
"The pursuit of Price in 1864 and the battles of Lex
ington, Little Blue, Big Blue, Westport, Marias de Cygnes,

122 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Osage and Newtonia, will be borne on the banners of regi
ments who shared in them ; and the States of Missouri,
Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and
Arkansas may glory in the achievements of their sons in
this short but eventful campaign.
"By command of Major General Samuel R. Curtis,
Chariot, Adjutant General."

GUARDING THE FRONTIER
Early in December the regiment was ordered to the
District of the Upper Arkansas, with Colonel James H. Ford
in command of the district and Major Pritchard command
ing the regiment. Our troops were distributed and stationed
along the Arkansas route to Colorado and the West, to
protect the travel from Indian depredations. Several com
panies were stationed at Fort Larned and others at Fort
Zarah on Walnut Creek.
On the 3rd of December I received orders to go to
Pleasant Hill, Missouri, with my clerk, J. A. Woodmancy of
Company C, to make up my quartermaster reports and ac
counts and went there, stopping at Kansas City on the
way to consult the District Quartermaster, Colonel Theo
dore S. Case.
The holiday season was approaching and I had an
invitation to spend Christmas in Potosi, which I greatly
desired to do. Consulting Colonel Case on the subject he
said: "Under the conditions I would put on a citizen's
suit, and go to Potosi." At the proper time I acted upon
this suggestion and went by coach to the Missouri Pacific
terminal, thence by rail to St. Louis. In St. Louis I stopped
at Barnum's Hotel on Third Street. I had received no
pay for six months and needed funds and the morning after
reaching St. Louis, I put on my uniform, went to the office
of General Brown, Paymaster of the Department of the
Missouri, presented my order and asked for pay. He took

124 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
the order and examined it a moment and then asked : "How
did you get here on that order?"
I replied : "General, the bushwhackers are active up
there, and this was a safe way to come."
"Well, I can't pay you anything."
"But, General, I have just returned from the Price
campaign and need money for Christmas."
"Then I'll give you one month's pay."
"All right, General ; that will answer."
I went to Potosi, enjoyed the holidays with Miss Singer
and her family, returned to Pleasant Hill, finished my duties
there, and reported to department headquarters, where I
received notice of my promotion to be First Lieutenant of
the Second Colorado Cavalry. I was mustered out as
Second Lieutenant and mustered in as First Lieutenant by
Major Gould, chief mustering officer.
As First Lieutenant, I was assigned to Company L,
Second Colorado, and ordered to join my company, which
I found in camp at the crossing of the Smoky Hill on the
Arkansas Overland trail, where Fort Ellsworth was estab
lished that spring. The company did not care to build a
fort or post and we were ordered to Fort Zarah.
At Fort Zarah we learned of the assassination of Presi
dent Lincoln a few days after its occurrence. Several com
panies stationed there were being inspected by the Detail
Inspector, Captain E. D. Boyd, when the messengers, carry
ing the sad intelligence arrived and the dispatches were read
to the detachment. It was a terrible shock and general
sorrow prevailed throughout the ranks of the command. A
little later I was ordered with my company to Fort Larned.
In July I was appointed Acting Provost Marshal on
the staff of General John B. Sanborn, who succeeded
Colonel Ford in command of the district, and had my com-

GUARDING THE FRONTIER 1 25
pany detailed for provost guard duty, with company head
quarters at Council Grove, Second Lieutenant Jack Mason
commanding the company. Camps were established at
Wichita Falls and on the Little Arkansas, near where the
present city of Wichita now stands.
A part of my duty as Provost Marshal was to prevent
rustlers from driving cattle out of the Indian Nation and
these camps were made for that purpose.
An incident occurred at the camp on the Little Ar
kansas, that I will not forget. About the last of July,
we received notice that the paymaster would come to Fort
Riley on the 15th of August to pay the regiment, which
had, I think, six months' pay due, so that the men were
anxious for their money. Our company could not well be
assembled at any point to be reached by the paymaster and
I consulted General Sanborn, who advised that I send the
payroll to the different camps, have it signed by the
men, then have the paymaster pay me the amount due in
bulk and that I go to each camp and pay them.
Accordingly when the paymaster, Major Fletcher, came,
he paid me the money, amounting to between eight and
nine thousand dollars, as I remember. I had two non
commissioned officers, Sergeant Rufus Edwards and Cor
poral William Spence, to come to Fort Riley and with them
went to Council Grove, some thirty miles from Riley. Here
I procured a light spring wagon and a set of double har
ness, and, taking two of the company horses, started on
my mission. Going first to the camp on the Little Arkansas, I found
that heavy rains had fallen for some days, with the result
that the small streams and dry creeks were flooded, some
of them requiring us to wait until the water subsided. At
one point the swift current carried the horses off their feet

126 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
and we went down stream some fifty yards, losing a
revolver and some provisions and being compelled to get
out on the same side. There was nothing left but to wait
for the water to run down. We finally reached a point
near our destination, however, without serious trouble.
The camp was made on the opposite or southern side
of the Arkansas and we were on the north or east side.
The river was very high at that point, the first bottom
land overflowed, and water running through the cottonwood
groves like a mill race.
Sergeant Egbert Wills in command of the camp with a
number of men came, swimming the stream diagonally. Af
ter a short time they went back to camp for dinner, leav
ing me alone, with the understanding that I should wait
until they should bring my dinner. I watched them care
fully. Going in well up-stream and then swimming
slantingly across to a point where a sand bar extended into
the stream, they struck bottom with the water a little
more than waist deep.
After they left me I decided I would go over and sur
prise them. My first thought was to wrap the money in
my underclothing, tie it on rny head and swim across and
pay the men at camp. But I decided not to attempt to take
the money with me — very wisely as it turned out.
Removing my clothing I made a roll of my underwear,
a suit of heavy woolens, fastened it on top of my head by
tying the sleeves of the shirt under my chin, and plunged
in, aiming for the point where the Sergeant and his men
found bottom. But the swift current carried me beyond
that point and when I tried to stand there was no bottom.
My roll of clothing became soaked and shrinking and was
choking me. The knot I could not loosen. The situation was
fast becoming serious. I called loudly for assistance and was

GUARDING THE FRONTIER 127
heard by Sergeant Wills, who, with several men ran down
the river bank to head me off. In the meantime I had man
aged to get rid of the underclothing, which I never saw
again, but I was so exhausted that I could barely keep my
head above water in the current, which was running at a
rapid rate. My helpless condition may be realized when
what seemed a ray of hope failed. I saw some distance
before me the end of a small log a few inches above the
surface of the water and a little to the left side of the
channel, but was unable to exert myself sufficiently to
grasp it, although passing within a few feet. This was
discouraging. The river now appeared to be running
amidst the trees, and I seemed to be whirling around among
them, when, looking ahead I saw what proved to be a dry
cottonwood log lodged against some standing trees on what
was an island in the ordinary stage of the river. Exerting
every ounce of remaining strength I was able to put my
hands against the end of the log, which was in midstream.
My feet were touching bottom but the water was up to
my neck. Just at that moment Sergeant Wills, coming in from
the bank, ran along the old log and caught me and, with the
aid of others, got me on it. There they rubbed me for
some minutes until I became somewhat restored. Then,
tying a lariat around my breast under the arms, the end
in the hands of several men in advance, with Sergeant
Wills on one side of me and Corporal Spence on the other,
they took me to land and to the camp, where I soon re
covered. It was a narrow escape, and I have never ceased to
be thankful that I did not take the money with me as I ever
have been, also, to my comrades for their timely service.
Crossing back, this time with the men, I paid them there,

128 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
and visiting the other camps paid the entire company with
out making an error and without any further serious ex
periences. The three years' term of service of Companies A, B
and C of the regiment, expired in the spring of 1865, when
these companies were mustered out.
About the middle of September, the war being over and
the three years' service of the entire regiment being ended, it
was ordered to Leavenworth, Kansas, where, on the 23rd
day of September, 1865, the Second Regiment of Colorado
Cavalry volunteers was mustered out of the Military serv
ice of the United States, with a record for loyal, efficient
service to the Country which is a proud heritage for all
Coloradoans. Closing this section I quote from an address delivered
by me at a banquet tendered the old soldiers of Colorado
by some old-time friends, at the Savoy Hotel, September
4, 1905, as follows:
"Colorado, amid all the trials and tribulations she was
called upon to endure, including the financial difficulties
consequent upon the non-payment of the drafts which Gov
ernor Gilpin issued to meet the necessary expenditures in
raising the First Regiment, remained loyal and true to the
Union, furnishing more men in proportion to population
than any other State of the Union.
"With a population of 25,331 in the fall of 1861, when
the first census was taken, a large percentage of whom were
in open sympathy with the South, without a draft or a dol
lar paid in bounty, National, State or local, Colorado
furnished to the Government and received credit for in the
War of the Rebellion, 4903 men, and her unswerving loy
alty and fidelity to the cause of the Union throughout the
great struggle for national existence, with the record of

GUARDING THE FRONTIER I29
her three regiments and battery of volunteers, is the crown
of her glory in history.
"The honor of Colorado was in jeopardy in 1861 and
on at least one occasion since then, her good name and fair
fame have been perilously near the danger point; but that
divine Providence which presides over the destiny of nations
has safely led her steps along as,
"When empire in her childhood first appears,
A watchful fate o'ersees her tender years,"
until today peace and harmony with that prosperity which
comes with a faithful and an honest enforcement of the law
prevail everywhere within the borders of our beloved State."

IN COLORADO AGAIN

TO PUEBLO VIA WASHINGTON AND
CENTRAL CITY
Receiving my discharge from the military service,
September 23, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kansas, in company
with First Lieutenant Fred A. Spencer, of Company G, I
went East to my boyhood home in Waymart, and he to his
old home in Waterbury, Conn.
We made a leisurely trip, stopping at Kansas City,
where each had friends, St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Niagara
Falls, then New York, where we spent some ten days or
two weeks, taking in the sights. New York was a small
city then compared with its present proportions ; the busi
ness center was still on lower Broadway, and the City Hall
and the Astor House were prominent places. The travel on
Broadway was by stage or omnibus lines, and the sidewalks
were crowded with people on foot, pushing their way along.
Above and along the west side of Central Park was open
country, except Shanty town or Kerry Patch, occupied by
foreigners, mostly Irish laboring people with a fondness for
goats that had free access to the roofs of the shanties.
Harlem Lane was the speedway and favorite drive for the
fine turnouts with liveried servants. Now and for many
years past, that open country has been covered with fine
apartments, great hotels and large business blocks and
Harlem Lane is but a memory. Mr. Spencer and I had
rooms at the St. Nicholas Hotel, then headquarters for
Colorado people in New York.

134 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
At the close of our visit here, Spencer went to Water
bury, Connecticut, and engaged in the brass foundry business
which he carried on successfully until a few years since,
when he was summoned to the final roll call on the other
side of the silent river. He was a brave, efficient soldier and
a gentleman. On returning to his native State he became
active in the Connecticut National Guard and as an officer
of the guard, rendered valuable service to his State. I spent
the winter at my old home in Pennsylvania, visiting rela
tives there, and in New York State.
In the spring of 1866, I made my first visit to
Washington, D. C, expecting to return to Colorado after
a short stay. I met a number of Colorado men, among
them, Hon. Henry M. Teller, Ex-Governor John Evans,
Hon. Jerome B. Chaffee and Hon. George M. Chilcott, all
of whom had been called there on public business connected
with Statehood for Colorado.
I also met some Iowa friends and acquaintances, among
these being General Norton P. Chipman of Washington,
Iowa, who was Adjutant General on the staff of Major
General Samuel R. Curtis of Iowa in the Civil war, and
Adjutant General on the staff of Major General John A.
Logan of Illinois when he was Commander-in-Chief of the
Grand Army of the Republic in 1868. From General
Chipman I received the appointment of Inspector on Gen
eral Logan's staff with the rank of Colonel, which is the
source of my title of Colonel. General Chipman is now
and for years past has been presiding Judge of the Appellate
Court at Sacramento, California, an honored and highly dis
tinguished citizen.
Other Iowans met were William E. Reynolds, William
Penn Clark of Iowa City, General Hedrick of Ottumwa,
General Rice of Oskaloosa, General Belknap, who later

TO PUEBLO VIA WASHINGTON AND CENTRAL CITY 135
became Secretary of War in President Grant's cabinet ; Hon.
J. B. Grinnell, member of Congress, and others whose
names I do not now recall.
All of these gentlemen, Micawber-like, were waiting
for something to turn up. I was waiting for the passage
of the bill admitting Colorado as a State under the Consti
tution framed in 1864.
Under this Constitution, Ex-Governor John Evans,
of Denver and Hon. Jerome B. Chaffee of Central City,
were elected United States Senators, and Hon. George M.
Chilcott, of Pueblo, was elected member of Congress, for
the provisional State of Colorado. At the same election
Mr. Chilcott also was elected Delegate in Congress for the
Territory of Colorado, the intention of the people being
that if the action looking to statehood was not recognized,
Colorado would not be wholly deprived of representation
in Congress. I knew these gentlemen. I had been promoted and
commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company C, Third Col
orado Infantry, by Governor Evans, and after the Price raid
of 1864, again promoted by him to be First Lieutenant of
the Second Colorado Cavalry. With Mr. Chaffee and Mr.
Chilcott, I became acquainted when they were members
of the first Territorial Legislature and I was Deputy Post
master of Denver, under the late Colonel Sam S. Curtis,
Postmaster by appointment of President Lincoln. I cannot
resist the temptation here to say a word for Colonel Curtis.
He was a son of General Samuel R. Curtis of Iowa, a
member of the Denver Town Company. For him Curtis
Street is named and he was one of the settlers and builders
of the City of Denver, a highly respected citizen, a good
soldier and a fine gentleman.

136 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
The defeat of Statehood at that time induced me to
change my plan for return to Colorado, and I accepted a
temporary clerkship in the Interior Department, then pre
sided over by Hon. James Harlan of Iowa and was assigned
to the General Land Office. Judge Edmonds was then
Commissioner, but a little later he was succeeded by Hon.
Joseph S. Wilson, who from messenger boy in the General
Land Office through successive stages, reached the posi
tion of Commissioner. He was a supporter of President
Johnson, and his policy, like that class of men at that time,
was to support the party in power to retain official position
in the departments.
At the Territorial election of 1866, in Colorado, Judge
Allen A. Bradford was elected Delegate to Congress, suc
ceeding Mr. Chilcott. I did some clerical work for
each of these gentlemen during their respective terms of
office, directing public documents to their constituents, and
thus became fairly well acquainted with them. In Decem
ber, 1866, I obtained leave of absence, went to Potosi,
Missouri to spend the holidays, and on the first day of
January, 1867, was married to Miss Mary Augusta Singer,
daughter of Mr. Samuel Singer of Potosi. We went to
live in Washington.
As I have told elsewhere, while a clerk in the General
Land Office, I had the pleasure to meet General J. W.
Denver, for whom the City of Denver is named. I have
related my experience in meeting General Denver in an
other connection and will only say here that I formed a
good opinion of him. Back to Colorado
On the first day of December, 1867, the Commissioner
of the General Land Office issued an order by direction of
the President, and in accordance with Congressional enact-

TO PUEBLO VIA WASHINGTON AND CENTRAL CITY I37
ment, creating a new land district in the Territory of Colo
rado, to be composed of the Counties of Clear Creek and
Gilpin and all that part of the Counties of Boulder and
Jefferson which lies west of the range line between town
ships 70 and 71, with a Land Office to be located at Cen
tral City. Through the influence of Hon. Jerome B. Chaffee, then
in Washington, I was recommended for the position of
Register of the new Land Office. The Hon. James Harlan
had been succeeded as Secretary of the Interior by Hon.
¦O. H. Browning of Illinois, whose Private Secretary, named
Thompson, I knew. Mr. Thompson came to the room
where I was employed one day, and said to me : "Mr.
Secretary Browning desires to see you in his office."
I did not know what was wanted but went with him,
met the Secretary and had a pleasant interview. He said
to me : "You have been recommended for appointment as
Register of the new Land Office in Colorado, and I want
to talk with you." He asked where I was born and raised
and then requested me to tell him something of my history,
which I did, including my three years' service as a Colo
rado soldier in the Civil War. He listened attentively and
when I had finished said, "I would not like to appoint to
office a bitter enemy of the President."
In reply I said : "Mr. Secretary, I am not a bitter
enemy of President Johnson. I have admired him because
he is a self-made man and deserves the success he has
attained. I am an unqualified Union man, but I would
not accept appointment from you, then go out and abuse
the President." At the close of the interview the Secretary gave me
his hand and said : "Mr. Stanton, your appointment will
be perfectly satisfactory to me." I said good-bye to him.

I38 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
He was one of the most perfect gentlemen and distinguished-
looking men it has been my good fortune to meet.
Guy M. Hulett, a friend of Mr. Chaffee, had been
appointed Receiver, and the land office was ready for busi
ness when the books came. This business consisted mostly
in securing title or Government patents for mining claims
as there was but little that could be called agricultural land
in the district. To obtain a Government patent for a min
ing claim was quite expensive, including, as it did, the cost
of surveying, publishing notices and paying attorney's fees
in conflicting claims, which were numerous. I received the
appointment of Register at Central City, February, 1868,
and my wife and I left Washington soon thereafter, going
to Potosi, Missouri, she to remain with her parents for a
time and I, after a few days' stay, going on to Colorado.
The Union Pacific Railroad over which I had trans
portation from Omaha to Cheyenne, was then completed to
the latter place, and passenger trains were running regularly.
On my arrival in Cheyenne I met a number of Denver
men whom I had known before leaving Colorado as a
soldier, among them, General John Pierce, Surveyor Gen
eral of Colorado. I was invited and joined a party going on
the supply train to the end of the Union Pacific track, then
at or near Sherman, and the trip was interesting. We saw
the fastest railroad building or track laying ever done
in this country up to that time, as we were then told.
After a few days in Cheyenne, I took passage on the
coach for Denver, arriving there in due time, glad to be
back in Colorado again, after an absence of more than
four years of varied but interesting experience. There was
no railroad at that time between Denver and Cheyenne, the
travel between these points being by coach or private con
veyance. The first railroad between these cities was com-

TO PUEBLO VIA WASHINGTON AND CENTRAL CITY 139
pleted that year, I think, through the efforts of David
H. Moffat and Governor John Evans, the two greatest of
Denver builders.
There was no reason for haste to reach Central City
as the land office could do no business until the tract
books, which were being made up in the General Land
Office, were received. This, I was advised before leaving
Washington, would require at least two months. I, there
fore, spent some time in Denver, visiting old friends, then
going by coach to Central City, where I arrived late in
March, 1868. Residence in Central and Pueblo
At that time Central City was the center of the great
gold mining district of Colorado, and of the country. The
noted lode mines, the Gregory, the Bob Tail, the Bates,
the Gunnell and many others were being developed and pro
ducing a large quantity of valuable ore, which was being
treated in the camp mills and in the smelting and refining
works of the Boston and Colorado Company, under man
agement of Professor N. P. Hill, who later was elected
United States Senator. The narrow streets of Central and
Black Hawk were crowded with teams hauling ore to the
mills and the plants for treatment and Central City District
was a live mining camp. It was May before the tract books
came. The holders of claims were slow to avail them
selves of the benefits of the mining law. Consequently the
business of the office was not heavy. The minimum salary
was five hundred dollars per year each for the Register and
Receiver, each with authority to retain the fees of the office
until the maximum of three thousand dollars each was
reached, all above that amount to be turned into the Gov-

140 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
ernment. The fees did not, however, pay half the salary
in either case.
In June my wife came and we commenced keeping
house in a small new building situated on the hill back of
the residence of Mr. Henry M. Teller.
While we lived in Central City, 1868 to 1871, my wife,
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was active
in church work. She played the organ and had charge of
Sunday School music. Mrs. Teller was the leading lady
member of the church and she and Mrs. Stanton did much
church work together. A friendship between the families
was then formed which has lasted through the years and
still continues between the members living.
I had much leisure and again took up reading law,
having devoted one year to it before leaving Iowa for Pike's
Peak in i860. I made land law a specialty and became
fairly well informed on this subject.
Judge Bradford was renominated by the Republican
Territorial Convention for Delegate in Congress in 1868,
and visited Central City in August. The Teller and Chaffee
fight was still on, and bitter. The Republicans of Gilpin
County were apathetic and the two factions opposed each
other more strongly than they did the Democrats, who with
a united Republican party, were largely in the minority.
On account of this situation, but little attention was paid
Judge Bradford. Having known him in Washington, I
went with him to some of the big mines and to Prof. Hill's
works at Black Hawk, but I had been there only a short
time and my acquaintance was limited. However, there
seemed none other to go. The election in Gilpin County went
by default. With the Republican party divided the Demo
cratic Candidate for Delegate, Mr. D. D. Belden, carried
the county by a majority of 53 out of a total vote of 1567-

TO PUEBLO VIA WASHINGTON AND CENTRAL CITY 141
Judge Bradford had better success in the State at large,
however, and was elected Delegate by a majority of 17
votes. In the factional contest between Mr. Teller and Mr.
Chaffee I took no part. My appointment as Register was
due to Mr. Chaffee while with Mr. Teller I was personally
very friendly. Many supporters of each became my per
sonal friends. I endeavored to pursue a straightforward
course and tried to deserve the respect and esteem of all.
The business of the land office did not increase as we
had hoped it would, and in 1869, at Mr. Teller's suggestion,
we moved the office to rooms in the basement of the Metho
dist Episcopal Church occupied by the city library and, in
addition to my duties as Register, I was made Librarian.
By this change we saved paying rent, which then must be
paid by the Register and Receiver.
The years 1869 and 1870, were prosperous years in
the Central City mining district. The discovery and de
velopment of the silver mines at Georgetown and in Boulder
County gave encouragement to prospectors, who were out in
force. The Central City Register, the morning daily paper
owned and edited by D. C. Collier and Frank Hall, gave
glowing accounts of new silver discoveries in the George
town District and in Boulder County. The mining industry
was flourishing in these districts but this fact did not affect
the business of the Land Office materially. The Receiver,
Mr. Hewlett, committed suicide, and was succeeded by
Colonel William A. Arnold, a veteran of the Civil War and
an officer of Colonel George E. Randolph's Rhode Island
Battery. To live on the salary derived from the office, the
Register and Receiver could not indulge in extravagant
habits, but found it necessary to practice economy.

142 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
In my article detailing the facts concerning the es
trangement of Messrs, Chaffee and Teller I have narrated
the particulars of the campaign of 1870 in which the breach
was partially healed, as it was finally a short time after
ward. This campaign, in which I was an active participant,
resulted in. a Republican victory in Gilpin County to my
great delight, but this result, pleasing as it was, did not
result in any great enhancement of business in the land
office. As may be readily inferred, I was on the constant
lookout for something better. I held on, however, until late
in the summer of 1871, when, on the death of the Register
of the Pueblo Land Office, Mr. Wheeler, a gentleman from
Wisconsin, through the influence of Mr. Chaffee, I was
transferred from the office of Register of the Central City
Land Office to be Register of the Pueblo Land Office and
took charge of and opened the office with Charles A. Cook,
Receiver. This occurred on the 10th day of November,
1871, and since that time I have been a resident of Pueblo.
{I have seen it grow from a village of six hundred or eight
hundred people to the great and prosperous city that it
now is, rejoicing in its every triumph and confident of its
future glory.

TELLER AND CHAFFEE AND
THEIR STATEHOOD FIGHT
In previous connections I have made reference to the
strained relations which existed during Colorado's terri
torial days between Hon. Henry M. Teller and Hon.
Jerome B. Chaffee, but on account of the later prominence
of those gentlemen and because of my intimate knowledge
of the relationship between them, I have reached the con
clusion that the matter is deserving of more extended notice
and have concluded to devote a separate chapter to the two
men, covering their personal estrangement and their fight
over Statehood and in politics.
Teller and Chaffee were both natives of the State of
New York. Chaffee came to Colorado in i860 and soon
became identified with mining, a pursuit in which he was
eminently successful. He located first at Central City, but
after a time removed to Denver and entered upon a banking
career, in which he also prospered. Teller came a year
later. He also selected Central as his place of residence,
remaining there much longer than did Chaffee. He, too, took
an interest in mining, but he gave his principal attention to
the practice of law, in which profession he immediately took
first place in the Territory.
Both men were then Republican in politics and from
the time of their arrival in Colorado both took a leading
part in the direction of public affairs in the Territory. Their
estrangement grew out of conditions arising in connection
with the effort to bring Colorado into the Union as a state

144 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
in 1864, twelve years before the accomplishment of that re
sult. I was not in Colorado when the feud began, but I
was in Washington from the time, soon after, it was trans
ferred to the National Capital, and as the Statehood con
test was so closely connected with their disagreement and is
an imporant bit of history in itself, I have thought it well
also to record here what I then learned about the reasons
for keeping Colorado out at that time. There were some
happenings in both connections concerning which I am the
only person who has knowledge, and I think I owe it to his
tory to give the facts as they came to me.
As I have told elsewhere I went to Washington in 1866,
soon after leaving the army. The Statehood fight was in
progress when I reached the Capital and I was there when
it finally ended in defeat by a veto by the then President,
Andrew Johnson of Tennessee. Soon after this occurrence
I returned to Colorado as Register of the newly created land
office at Central City. Under the Constitution of 1864
Mr. Chaffee and Hon. John Evans were elected to the
United States Senate, conditional upon favorable action by
Congress on the Admission bill. I found these two gentle
men there vigorously pressing the bill, while Mr. Teller
was on the ground just as strongly opposing it. I had
known all three men before leaving Colorado and naturally
kept in close touch with the situation. Teller based his
opposition on the contention that the people were unprepared
for and did not want Statehood, while Chaffee and Evans
contended that it was just what Colorado needed and
wanted. When I arrived in Washington the bill had passed
the House of Representatives and was pending in the Senate.
I soon discovered the strained relationship. Indeed, the
circumstances were such that I am justified in saying that

TELLER AND CHAFFEE AND THEIR STATEHOOD FIGHT 145
the feeling was extremely bitter. Evans and Chaffee
claimed that Teller had favored Statehood until the Sena
torial election resulted in his defeat for Senator, when, they
asserted, he changed his position and from that time be
came its opponent.
Having been born in western New York, where he was
educated, studied law and was admitted to the bar and be
gan the practice of his profession, Mr. Teller easily secured
the influence of Hon. Roscoe Conkling, then a member of
Congress from that State, in opposition to the admission of
Colorado. But in spite of this strong opposition, the bill
passed the Senate and went to the President for his ap
proval. The breach beween President Johnson and the Repub
lican Congress was growing wider and becoming serious be
cause of Mr. Johnson's alleged leaning toward the South.
The President was using his influence and power to estab
lish what he termed, "My Policy." When the bill only need
ed his signature to become a law, he sent for Messrs. Evans
and Chaffee and told them frankly he would sign the
Statehood bill if they would agree to support him and his
administration. This they could not and, would not do.
Both were leading Republicans of the Territory and they
flatly refused to accept his terms. Thereupon he vetoed the
bill. The necessary two-thirds vote to pass the measure
over the veto could not be obtained, and the bill failed.
In the winter of 1867 and 1868, another attempt was
made by Messrs. Evans and Chaffee to pass the State bill,
but Mr. Teller continued his opposition. A protest signed
by him setting forth that the population of the Territory
was decreasing, the people opposed to Statehood, etc., etc.,
was filed in the Senate, February 20, 1868, and was
ordered to lie on the table and be printed. On the 29th

I46 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
of the same month a memorial of citizens of Colorado was
filed in the Senate setting forth a desire to correct the mis
representations in disparagement of the Territory of Colo
rado, which were alleged to have been made by Mr. Teller
in his protest against the admission of the State, which
was signed by the following citizens : Chas. A. Cook, mem
ber of the Territorial Council ; A. M. Cassiday, J. H.
Martin, Amos Bissell, L. M. Black, A. J. Gill, A. G. Boone,
Lafayette Head, United States Indian Agent ; Wm. J.
Godfrey, Wm. Shafer, N. H. Owings, Register of the U. S.
Land Office at Fairplay; D. C. Oakes, United States Indian
Agent; A. M. Curtis and I. W. Stanton, Register U. S.
Land Office, Central City.
This effort for Statehood was defeated as its predecessor
had been and no further attempt to procure admission of
the State under the Constitution of 1864 was made.
In the meantime things were popping in Colorado. The
Teller-Chaffee fight had the effect of causing the Repub
lican party throughout the State to split into factions. Feel
ing was especially intense in Gilpin County, in "The King
dom of Gilpin," where Teller lived, and where, until very
recently, Chaffee also had made his residence. One heard
little in politics beyond the pros and cons of the feud, and
it began to look as if the breach would be permanent. Al
though greatly in the minority in Gilpin the Democrats car
ried that county by a considerable majority in 1868, and
they came within a scratch of electing their candidates
throughout the Territory.
However, the feud reached its climax during that year,
and by the beginning of 1870, the year of the next general
election, the feeling appeared less bitter. Leaders on both
sides began to evidence a desire to harmonize.
A Delegate in Congress to succeed Judge Bradford

TELLER AND CHAFFEE AND THEIR STATEHOOD FIGHT 147
was to be elected this year. I knew Mr. Chaffee would like
to be elected Delegate with a view to paving the way foi
the admission of the State, and I wanted to assist him.
Mr. Teller and I had become warm personal friends and
we had had many conversations on political affairs, say
ing little, however, of the contest between himself and Mr.
Chaffee. He knew that I was in favor of the nomination
of Mr. Chaffee for Delegate, and in our talks on political
affairs he always said the Republicans of Gilpin, if united,
were largely in the majority. This fact was conceded by
the Democrats, whose only chance for success was in the
continuance of the factional fights.
As the time for the Republican primary and the County
Convention approached, more than usual interest was ap
parent. At the County Convention held in Central City on
Saturday, July 9, 1870, harmony prevailed and a get-to
gether feeling was manifested. Candidates for county
offices were nominated and the following were elected Dele
gates to the Territorial Convention to be held in Denver, on
July 13 : Wm. M. Roworth, D. M. Richards, L. C. Snyder,
M. H. Root, J. R. Cleveland, J. F. Hall, Willard Teller,
F. O. Sawin, J. Clark, C. W. Mather, J. R. Conant, S. P.
Lathrop, J. D. Wood, I. W. Stanton, G. R. Mitchell,
O. F. Barnes.
A meeting of the delegation was held and I was made
Chairman and the following County Executive Committee,
elected: J. D. Wood, Chairman; B. C. Watterman, S. P.
Lathrop, James Lowden and Chandler Freeman. The dele
gation to the Territorial Convention was fairly representa
tive of the friends of both Teller and Chaffee.
The Denver Convention of 1870 was an important one
for the Republicans of Gilpin County at that time and I
give the proceedings somewhat in detail. The convention

I48 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
met at the time appointed. Cyrus H. McLaughlin of Den
ver, a friend of Mr. Chaffee, was elected temporary Chair
man and John R. Cleveland of Gilpin County, a friend
of Mr. Teller, was elected Secretary.
After the Committee on Credentials had been appointed,
and its report adopted on my motion, the temporary organi
zation was made permanent and the convention soon got to
work. The following were appointed a committee to select
the Territorial Republican Executive Committee : Hoyt of
Arapahoe County, Stanton of Gilpin County, Wilcox of
Douglas County, Byington of Weld County, Coulter of
Clear Creek County.
An informal ballot for Delegate to Congress was had
with the following result : Henry Crowe, 32 ; Baxter B.
Stiles, 24; Willard Teller, 15; N. H. Owings, 14; E. T.
Wells, 3 ; Scattering, 3.
When the result of the ballot was announced Mr. Tel
ler arose, and saying he was not a candidate for the nomi
nation, withdrew his name. A formal ballot resulted as
follows : Crowe, 39 ; Stiles, 28 ; Owings, 32.
There was but little change in the vote until the
seventh ballot, when Jerome B. Chaffee received a few
votes. On the eighth ballot he had 19 votes, and on the
ninth he was nominated for Delegate. On motion of
B. B. Stiles the nomination was made unanimous.
Mr. Chaffee was in New York when this convention
was held. Those opposed to his nomination had said he
would not accept, if nominated, but before the ninth ballot
was taken, Hon. Hiram P. Bennett of Denver read an
extract from a letter from Mr. Chaffee saying he would
accept the nomination if he was the choice of the conven
tion. The committee to select the Republican Executive Com-

TELLER AND CHAFFEE AND THEIR STATEHOOD FIGHT 149
mittee met at once. I was named Chairman of this com
mittee, whose duty now was of great importance. Upon
consultation it was found a majority were in favor of Sam
H. Elbert for Chairman of the Executive Committee. I
was in favor of Willard Teller for Chairman. Elbert was
a personal friend whom I would gladly have supported for
any place he wanted. But Mr. Chaffee had been nominated.
To insure his election the Teller-Chaffee fight must be har
monized, or at least not be made an issue of the campaign.
I believed that the selection of Willard Teller, a brother
of Henry M., as Chairman, would go far toward placating
the Teller faction and I refused to agree to report Mr.
Elbert for Chairman. The convention which had been
entertained with speeches of congratulation by members,
were calling for the report of the committee. Two mem
bers, Hoyt and Coulter, tired or out of patience, left Wil
cox, Penington and myself to make the report. Finally I
made the proposition to report the names for members of
the committee and ask the Convention to name the Chair
man. This suggestion was accepted, and the following
names reported :
Sam H. Elbert, Arapahoe County; Willard Teller, Gil
pin County, A. J. Lumry, Weld County; P. P. Wilcox,
Douglas County; B. B. Field, Pueblo County; J. Costello,
Park County ; A. A. Rudd, Fremont County ; Victor Garcia,
Conejos County; George B. Allen, Jefferson County; E.
Pound, Boulder County.
Sam H. Elbert and Willard Teller were placed in
nomination for Chairman. The first ballot resulted in a tie
between them, but on the second ballot, Teller was elected
Chairman by five majority and the convention adjourned.
July 29th the committee met in Denver and August
1st issued an address to the voters of Colorado, signed by

150 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Willard Teller, Chairman, from which I quote the clos
ing paragraph : "With his political party in his favor, with
an intimate acquaintance with a large number of public men
at the Capital, with his record of success in private life, as
well as in public office, we think we offer you sufficient
guarantee that if the interests of the people of the Terri
tory at Washington are entrusted to Mr. Chaffee they will
be placed in the hands of one who will attend to them
properly and well, and for these reasons we ask of you one
and all to unite with us in an earnest effort to secure his
election. By order of the Republican Central Committee,
Willard Teller, Chairman."
After issuing the address, Mr. Teller went East to
visit friends in New York and Mr. Elbert, who had been
elected Secretary of the Committee, managed the campaign
as acting Chairman.
I had taken an active part in the convention as a friend
of Mr. Chaffee, and incurred the displeasure of some of
his friends by my action in support of Willard Teller for
Chairman of the Central Committee. I was pleased with
the result, but went home to Central City with 6ome anxiety.
I did not know what course H. M. Teller would pursue,
but knew him well enough to feel quite sure he would do
the right thing. I confess that it appeared to me there was
but one sensible thing to do and I had great confidence in his
j udgment. The evening after reaching home I spent with him in
his law office. It was an interesting occasion for me. I
wanted his influence and active support if possible for Mr.
Chaffee, but he was not favorable to my plan for harmony ;
the feeling between them was still bitter on both sides, and
I soon discovered that I had undertaken a difficult matter.
After much discussion pro and con, I said there could be

TELLER AND CHAFFEE AND THEIR STATEHOOD FIGHT 151
no success for either of them while the fight and ill-feeling
continued ; that every reasonable argument to be made must
be for peace and harmony, and that the present seemed the
proper time to effect it. It was late when our conference
was brought to an end by Mr. Teller's saying, "I will
agree to make three Republican speeches in the campaign,
one in Georgetown, one in Boulder and one here ; but I
will not mention Chaffee's name." I said in reply. "I don't
care whether you mention Chaffee's name or not; all I ask
is that you make the Republican speeches."
I went home in high spirits and told my wife, my
counsellor, what Mr. Teller had agreed to do, which she
appreciated. But my trouble was not over, as I soon learned. Mr.
Chaffee soon after the convention, returned to Denver from
New York and came up to Central City and to my office.
He was very angry and he proceeded to give me a severe
scoring. He said I was responsible for his nomination and
had him nominated to beat and ruin him politically. I
did not get angry, but I was surprised and hurt. I tried
to tell him I had not brought about his nomination, but he
gave no heed and insisted that I was responsible, declaring
the Convention had been controlled by me, which was not
true, of course.
He would not listen to my explanations and continued
to talk to me as no man ever before had talked, abusing
me roundly, but I kept my head and remained calm. When
he cooled down somewhat, I said: "Mr. Chaffee, you give
me too much credit; you had other friends in the Conven
tion with greater influence who deserve the credit. I did all
I knew how to do, to honorably promote your nomination
and regret that you do not approve my action, but under
like conditions I would do the same again."

152 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
I did not tell him what Mr. Teller had agreed to do,
which I might have done had he come in a different frame
of mind, and I said: "Mr. Chaffee, you do me great in
justice, but since you hold me responsible for your nomina
tion, I want to say that you will be elected. All I ask is,
that you do your part. Then if you should be defeated
lay the blame upon me and I will bear the burden."
He left me still very resentful and I saw but little
of him during the campaign.
Only my wife knew of this meeting between Mr.
Chaffee and myself for many years.
Much interest in the campaign began soon to manifest
itself among the Republicans of Gilpin County. A Den
ver lawyer named George W. Miller, was the Democratic
Candidate for Delegate, and the leaders of his party were
elated with the prospect for success, thinking the Teller
and Chaffee fight would result in a big Democratic majority
in Gilpin County. The defeat of Judge Bradford in the
county two years before made them confident of success.
The first of Mr. Teller's speeches was made in
Georgetown. L. C. Rockwell, a lawyer of Central City,
friend of Mr. Chaffee, and I went to hear it. There was
a large attendance, and Teller made a good speech. But he
did not mention Chaffee's name. Rockwell and I returned,
well pleased with the speech and with the prospects for
success. I could not go to Boulder to hear the speech there,
but there also was a fine crowd at the meeting in that town,
much interest being shown. But again Chaffee's name was
not mentioned. The last of the three speeches was made
by Mr. Teller, on the Saturday evening preceding the elec
tion to a large and enthusiastic audience of Central City
people. Still, however, Chaffee's name was omitted. Teller
had kept his promise, but with all its limitations. The

TELLER AND CHAFFEE AND THEIR STATEHOOD FIGHT 153
Republicans were aroused, however, and a feeling of con
fidence was manifest. The election was held September
13, 1870, and. Gilpin County, which, two years before, had
given a Democratic majority of 52, gave Mr. Chaffee a
majority of 282 votes. The official canvass of the vote
of the Territory follows :
Jerome B. Chaffee    6,450
George W. Miller  _  5>058
Chaffee's Majority   i»392
Under existing conditions it was a Republican victory
of very great importance, and I breathed more freely when
my judgment was approved by the Republicans of Gilpin
County. When the result of the election was definitely known,
Mr. Chaffee came again to Central City, and, coming to my
office said : "Stanton, I came up to apoligize to you, take
back everything I said and tell you that you know a d  d
sight more about politics than I do."
He was earnest and generously gave me more credit
than was my due. In reply I said : "I don't claim to be
a politician, but I do claim to possess a fair amount of
common-sense, and I tried to use it in your interest and
for the success of the Republican party of Gilpin County."
The friendly relations between us, which had been inter
rupted, were restored and mutually increased.
Mr. Chaffee was a man of fine ability, a great politician
and a successful business man, a true friend and a dis
tinguished citizen who rendered valuable service to Colo
rado as a Territory. He was the leader in bringing about
State Government. In the campaign of 1870, he did his
part and did it well. No one could have done better.
He came to Central City by coach on the visit after the

154 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
election. He insisted that I must go to Denver with him.
I got Mrs. Lake, a neighbor, to stay with my wife until
I should return, sent for Tom Pollock, the liveryman,
ordered the best team in his stable, and we started for
Denver. Arriving at the Guy House, half way to Golden,
about dinner time, we had our team cared for and Mr.
Chaffee and I stood on the steps of the hotel, waiting for
dinner to be served. When the coach from Denver drove
up, on the seat with the driver, Hank Hawk, was Mr.
H. M. Teller, who got down and shook hands with me.
He then offered his hand to Mr. Chaffee, who accepted it,
and there and then these men, who for years had been
political enemies, talked with each other for some minutes.
Teller told Chaffee of meeting in Denver, Miss Minnie
Overton, a cousin of both of them, who had just come from
Wisconsin to accept a position in the Denver public schools,
and who later became the wife of J. Sidney Brown of
Brown Brothers, Denver.
I confess that I was anxious when I saw Mr. Teller
on the coach, but the way in which he and Chaffee met
showed their true manhood and I was greatly pleased to
have them again on friendly terms. I was pleased also to
have had some part in bringing about the reconciliation.
After dinner Mr. Chaffee and I went on to Denver,
where I remained a few days and then drove home to Cen
tral and told my wife of the meeting, the importance of
which she fully appreciated.
These men became good friends and were elected to the
United States Senate on the admission of the State in 1876.
When as a result of the assassination of President Garfield,
Hon. Chester A. Arthur, Vice President, became President,
Mr. Teller asked him to appoint Mr. Chaffee, Secretary
of the Interior. The President said he could not give the

TELLER AND CHAFFEE AND THEIR STATEHOOD FIGHT 155
place to Mr. Chaffee but would appoint him, Teller, to
that position. When Mr. Chaffee learned this he went to
Mr. Arthur and asked him to appoint Senator Teller. So
it was that Hon. Henry M. Teller became Secretary of the
Interior under the administration of President Chester A.
Arthur. The history of Henry M. Teller is an important part
of the history of Colorado Territory and State. Future
historians will tell the story of his life work for the people
of Colorado and his country.

THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR
An Invitation December 14, 1912.
Hon. I. W. Stanton,
Pueblo, Colorado.
Dear Colonel Stanton :
The Colorado State Bar Association is taking steps
to gather information about the early history of the Bench
and Bar in Colorado, and in this connection it is asking
the best advised men in each County to aid in the work
by preparing sketches relative to their own localities. You
are so thoroughly familiar with the early history of the
Bench and Bar of Pueblo County and of the Arkansas Val
ley, that I have suggested that it would be highly desirable
to get your aid in perpetuating the matter. It is not the
intention to ask that the information be submitted in such
shape as to imply formal presentation to the association,
unless the contributor should so desire, but it is desired that
the association collect what it can relative to the comings
and goings of early lawyers and judges, their characteristics,
etc., so that these contributions may be gathered together
as a basis for some more general presentation.
I do not want to impose upon you, but I know that you
are interested in these general matters, and I want to ask
whether without burdening yourself too much, you cannot
take sufficient time within the next two months to write out
for us a sketch of the subject, based on the many things
you know personally, and the things that you have learned

158 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
from reliable sources. If you can find the opportunity to
do this, I know that it will make very interesting reading,
and that we will all be under obligations to you.
Very truly yours,
Henry A. Dubbs.
The Address
My recollection of, and my experience with, the Bench
and Bar of Colorado in early days dates from the fall and
winter of i860. In order to explain why I was particularly
interested in the law and the lawyers, I must be permitted
to give something of my personal history from my arrival
in Denver, the latter part of June of that year ; coming
from Washington, Iowa, where I lived for three years
prior thereto.
Some time after I went to Washington to live, a young
lawyer from Ohio, named McJunkin, came there and
opened an office for the practice of law. He was a man
of excellent habits and sterling qualities and soon gained
the respect and esteem of the good people of that community.
He and I became warm friends, and by his advice and under
his direction I commenced the study of law, or rather I
should say, reading law, with his promise that as soon as
I was admitted to practice he would take me into full part
nership. This was in the latter part of the year, 1858.
The following year, 1859, the Pike's Peak gold-fever at
tacked many young men of Iowa, and another friend in
duced me to join him in the early spring in i860, to seek
our fortunes in the new Eldorado ; and in opposition to the
protest of my lawyer friend and against the advice of other
good friends, I abandoned the law to become a gold seeker
in the Rocky Mountains.
McJunkin became a successful lawyer, acquired a

THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR 159
lucrative practice and a State-wide reputation and later was
elected to the office of Attorney General of the State of
Iowa. The summer of i860 I spent mining in Park County,
and on the approach of winter came down to Denver. The
attempted government under the name of Jefferson Terri
tory was then struggling for existence under the adminis
tration of Governor R. W. Steele. A court had been or
ganized in Denver, under this authority, with William
M. Slaughter as Judge.
Of the lawyers practicing before this Court were J.
Bright Smith, Hiram P. Bennett, "Ham" Hunt, a brother
of A. C. Hunt, who became Governor in 1867, by appoint
ment of Andrew Johnson ; S. W. Waggoner, who became
Captain of Company C of the Second Colorado Cavalry,
and on the 6th day of July, 1864, while scouting with part
of his company, was ambushed by a largely superior force
of bushwhackers near Independence, Missouri, and, with
nine of his men, was killed. Waggoner was a good lawyer
and a brave and gallant soldier.
A well known lawyer of the time was General L. L.
Bowen, who gained his title in Nebraska, where he was a
General of Militia. He was a sound lawyer, but his habits
were convivial, by reason of which his business was neg
lected. General Bowen served as Lieutenant Colonel of the
Third Colorado Cavalry, the hundred-day regiment en
listed in 1864 to protect the people of Denver and of the
Territory from Indian outrages.
The Territorial government was organized early in
1861. That summer courts were established with the fol
lowing named Judges :
Chief Justice, B. F. Hall of New York.
Associate Justice, S. Newton Pettis of Pennsylvania.

i6o

SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO

Associate Justice, Charles Lee Armour of Ohio.
At that time I was employed as Deputy Postmaster of
Denver, and formed the acquaintance of the Territorial
officials and many members of the Denver Bar. The
People's Courts, which from the first occupancy of the
country had given protection to life and property, were
now dispensed with, and the practice of the law became
regularly established in Colorado.
Among the lawyers of the time whom I remember well,
in addition to those before named, were Baxter B. Stiles,
who was appointed the first Clerk of the Court for Denver
District, and George F. Crocker, a member of the first Terri
torial Legislature, who was elected Speaker of the House in
the Legislature of 1862. In August of that year, Governor
John Evans appointed Crocker recruiting officer for the
Third Colorado Infantry volunteers, then being enlisted.
He served with that regiment and its successor, the Second
Colorado Cavalry, for three years. At the close of the war
he was mustered out of service with the regiment at Leaven
worth, Kansas, when, returning to Colorado, he resumed
the practice of law in Denver, where he died late in the
seventies. Amos Steck was so intimately known to the legal fra
ternity, not only of Denver but throughout the State, that
it is not necessary to speak at length of his long and faithful
service as lawyer and citizen. He was a man of wonderful
memory, calling people by their full name the second time
he saw them, and of strong convictions, with courage and
ability to defend them. That he was many times elected
to the Legislature of the Territory and State, and in the
later years of his life elected Judge of Arapahoe County,
is evidence of the confidence and esteem of his fellow-
citizens.

THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR l6l
John P. Slough, a lawyer from Cincinnati, Ohio, in the
summer of 1861, under authority of Governor Gilpin
raised the first company of volunteers in Colorado, which
became Company A of the First Regiment. Upon the
organization of the regiment he was appointed Colonel, and
commanded the Union forces in the battles of Pigeon's
Ranche and Apache Canon. Shortly after these engage
ments in the spring of 1862 he resigned as Colonel and
went to Washington, when he was appointed Brigadier
General by President Lincoln.
Jacob Downing, a lawyer of the early days, well known
to many members of the Bar of Denver of the present
time, served with distinction as Captain and Major of the
First Regiment of Colorado volunteers. At the close of
the war he was mustered out of service with his regiment,
resumed the practice of his profession in Denver and ac
quired a fortune. He passed over the silent river a few
years since.
Alfred Sayre, another young lawyer in the early days,
and later of the well known legal firm of Sayre, Wright
and Butler, was a leading member of the Denver Bar for
many years. He was an able lawyer, and an honorable
and upright man, who in the later years of his life became
his own worst enemy.
A lawyer of Denver in 1861, well known then, was
James M. Cavanaugh, or as familiarly known, "Jim"
Cavanaugh. He was a generous, whole-souled Irishman of
fair legal ability and with political ambition ; but his merits
in that direction were not properly appreciated in Colorado,
as he thought, and he joined the early settlers of Montana,
where he was more successful, and was elected Delegate to
Congress. I met him in the Capitol at Washington while
he was a Delegate, and he informed me that his political

l62 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
success in Montana was assured. "And" said he, "I will
never rest until I seat myself in the Senate end of this
Capitol." But, like many other aspiring men, he failed to
realize the object of his ambition. He died before Mon
tana was admitted as a State.
The history of Hon. Moses Hallett is an important
part of the history of our State. Appointed Chief Justice
by President Andrew Johnson in 1866, re-appointed for
each successive term until the admission of the State in
1876, then appointed United States District Judge for the
District of Colorado, serving Colorado as Judge for some
forty years, is a record made by few, and is a monument
to his character and ability of which the people of the State
have reason to feel justly proud.
Hon. Hiram P. Bennett was the first Delegate to Con
gress under the Territorial organization, elected in the fall
of 1861, and re-elected in the fall of 1862. For many years
he was one of Denver's most prominent lawyers. He and
Judge Hallett are the only members of the Denver Bar of
1861 now left, within my knowledge, and both are residents
of Denver. Early in February, 1862, I went to Buckskin Joe, Park
County, to collect a debt of several hundred dollars for
D. H. Moffat, or rather for the firm of Woolworth &
Moffat, from a man named Lewis, who had a small stock
of books and stationery, with a newspaper agency for that
part of the Territory. Unable to collect the debt in any
other way, I purchased Lewis' stock as directed to do by Mr.
Moffat, and carried on the business until I had paid Wool-
worth & Moffat the amount due them. Then on the 1st
of October, 1862, I sold the stock to a man named Robinson,
receiving in payment one hundred dollars cash and notes
for the balance, — several hundred dollars in amount — which

THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR 163
notes were never paid. Then I enlisted for three years or
during the war, with Lieutenant George F. Crocker.
During my stay in Buckskin Joe, a term of court for
Park County was held there. Among the lawyers in at
tendance were H. P. Bennett, L. L. Bowen and George F.
Crocker. I remember but one lawyer living in Buckskin
at that time, a man named MacMahan, who had practiced
in Ohio a number of years before coming to Colorado. He
and I were good friends, but did not agree on politics, he
being a Buchanan Democrat.
During my temporary residence in Washington, I
made the acquaintance of General John W. Denver, for
whom the City of Denver was named, who was then en
gaged in the practice of law in Washington, and espe
cially in the collection of claims against the Government.
He never practiced law in Colorado, but he did have many
Colorado clients and I have thought it not out of the way to
include him in the list.
He called to see me in the matter of a claim of Mr.
John W. Iliff of Denver, for damages on account of his
failure to fulfill a contract to furnish beef cattle to the
Government at Fort Union, New Mexico, in the summer of
1865. At the time of the occurrence out of which this
claim arose, I was Assistant Provost Marshal on
the staff of General John B. Sanborn, commanding the
District of the Upper Arkansas, with headquarters at Fort
Riley. It was a part of my duty to prevent the running
of cattle out of the Indian Territory by rustlers or non-
owners, and for this purpose I had guards stationed near
\the borderline between Kansas and the Territory. One
camp was on the Little Arkansas near where the City of
Wichita now stands, and another camp was at Cottonwood
Falls. On one occasion these guards captured and took

164 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
possession of a large herd of cattle claimed by Mr. Iliff,
and detained them a number of days and until he secured
an order from headquarters for their release. It was claimed
by Mr. Iliff that the delay so caused prevented him from
fulfilling his contract, by reason of which he sustained heavy
damages. I was called upon to give evidence of the facts
in the matter within my knowledge.
I met General Denver frequently after this. He was a
courteous gentleman and an earnest friend of Colorado and
of the City of Denver.
Returning to Colorado and to Central City in February,
1868, with Mr. Guy M. Hulett, a young lawyer friend
of Mr. Chaffee as Receiver, we opened the land office there.
The business of the office was very light in the commence
ment, and confined almost exclusively to applications for
titles for mining claims. The mode of procedure was not
definitely established nor fully understood. Time was re
quired before claimants of mines were ready to avail them
selves of the benefits of the mining law; therefore the new
office at Central City did not do "a land office business"
in the general acceptation of the term. Hence the Register
and Receiver had much leisure. I again took up the law,
informing myself on land and mining law especially. The
lawyers of Central City very generally were considering
the provisions of the act of July, 1866. At that time the
Gilpin County Bar included the Teller brothers, Henry
M. and Willard, Hon. William R. Gorsline, Ebenezer T.
Wells, one of the early Judges of the Supreme Court, Hugh
Butler, Gilbert B. Reed, John Remine, Charles C. Post,
Lewis C. Rockwell, Clinton Reed, Ellsworth Wakely, Har-
ley B. Morse and Alvin Marsh. When James B. Belford
was appointed Judge in 1870, he became a resident of Cen
tral City.

THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR 165
In point of ability the Bar of Gilpin County in those
days was unsurpassed, if not unequaled, in the Territory.
Most of those named later became members of the Denver
Bar, and their standing as lawyers is known to members
of the bar generally. The record made by some of them
in the upbuilding of the State and its institutions and the
development of its vast and varied resources forms bright
pages in the history of the State.
At the head, not only of the Gilpin County Bar, but of
the Bar of the Territory, was Henry M. Teller, a large
owner of mines, who took much interest in the practical
application of the mining law, and obtained many patents.
To him I was indebted for valuable advice in the discharge
of my official duties, and a friendship was then formed for
all time. The Honorable Henry M. Teller, lawyer, statesman,
was six times elected United States Senator for Colorado
and was called to the Cabinet of President Arthur as Secre
tary of the Interior. The more than thirty years of public
service rendered by him entitle him to first place in the list
of empire builders of the West.
In October, 1871, I was appointed Register of the
Land Office at Pueblo by President Grant, and in November
following, with Charles A. Cook, Receiver, opened the
office. The following named lawyers composed the Pueblo
County Bar at that time : Judge Allen A. Bradford, Hon.
George M. Chilcott, and James Macdonald, under the
firm name of Bradford, Chilcott & Macdonald; Henry C.
Thatcher, brother of John A. and Mahlon D. Thatcher,
the Pueblo bankers; George A. Hinsdale, George Q. Rich
mond, Wilbur F. Stone, John W. Henry, E. C. Holmes.
Each of these men held important office and all were promi-

l66 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
nently identified with the history of the Territory and later
with the history of the State.
Hon. Allen A. Bradford was appointed Judge by Presi
dent Lincoln in 1862, served as such until elected Dele
gate to Congress in 1864, and was again elected Delegate
in 1868. He was a man of many peculiarities, of great
natural ability, strong convictions, remarkable memory, and
never forgot the failings and indiscretions of those whom he
disliked. Many amusing incidents were related of him.
Perhaps the one most generally known was the story of the
loss of his mules.
On one occasion he started for Denver in his buggy
drawn by a span of mules, carrying with him light equipage
for camping out. The first night he made camp on
Jimmie's Camp Creek, a few miles from its junction with
the Fountaine. Before lying down he tied the mules se
curely, as he thought. When he awoke in the morning the
mules were gone, and deciding that they had taken the
road for home, he started after them in great haste on
foot. When he reached the Fountaine he found a man with
a team just breaking camp, and inquired if he had seen a
pair of stray mules, saying his mules had run off and he
couldn't find them. The Judge being out of breath from
his exertion, with tears on his face and his thin voice, the
man thought him crying, and consolingly said, "Old man,
you'll find your mules ; don't cry about it." The Judge
indignantly replied, "D  n yer soul, I ain't crying — it's
the way I talk."
Joe Chaffee told this story to a number of Congress
men assembled in his rooms at Willard's in Washington,
the Judge being present. He sat with folded hands, twirl
ing his thumbs, looking up. at the ceiling, and occasionally
ejaculating, "Yes, yes!" All present enjoyed the story with

THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR 167
the possible exception of the Judge. It was not certain
that he appreciated it.
In the winter of 1870, during the session of the Legis
lature, a Third House was organized and Judge Bradford
was elected Speaker. Exceptions were taken to his rulings,
and the House voted to investigate the Speaker, ascertain
where he came from and why he left. In response to a
question in his examination he said "/ escaped from Maine!"
This brought down the house. Further investigation was
dispensed with and a vote of confidence was passed unani
mously. The people of Pueblo County have reason to hold in
grateful remembrance the name of Allen A. Bradford,
whose knowledge and services secured the tract of land
known as the "County Addition," now near the heart of
the City of Pueblo, under the provisions of an act of Con
gress authorizing the entry of a quarter section of land at
^county seats for county purposes. It is very doubtful if
any other man in the Territory at that time knew that
such a law was in existence, and it is very certain that no
man in Pueblo was aware of it.
The first court house erected in Pueblo County, com
pleted and occupied by the county officers in the spring of
1872, was paid for in part with money received from the
sale of lots in the County Addition, and the beautiful new
Court House just finished, furnished and occupied by the
present county officials, stands on the block of land re
served for that purpose, a memorial to the Honorable Allen
A. Bradford. Hon. George M. Chilcott was admitted to the Bar of
the Supreme Court in Washington, but did not actively
engage in the practice. He was a man of fine natural
ability, popular with the people and especially well liked

l68 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
in southern Colorado ; always in the advance to promote
the welfare and interests of the State and the growth and
prosperity of Pueblo, in the future of which he had un
bounded faith. In that city's early history and during his
lifetime he spent his time and money to promote its wel
fare and interest, doing more to that end than any other of
her citizens. He was elected a member of Congress under
the State constitution of 1864, elected Territorial Delegate
the same year, and re-elected Delegate in 1866. When, in
1881, Senator Henry M. Teller was called by President
Arthur to be Secretary of the Interior, Mr. Chilcott was ap
pointed by Governor Pitkin to fill the vacancy and held the
position of Senator until the winter of 1882, when the Legis
lature elected H. A. W. Tabor, Senator for one month.
Henry C. Thatcher was an educated lawyer and a
gentleman of fine attainments and high character, whom it
was a delight to know professionally and socially. He
was appointed United States District Attorney by President
Johnson in 1868, but resigned to devote his time to private
practice. He was elected a member of the Constitutional
Convention in 1875, and took a leading part in the forma
tion of the Constitution. At the first State election he was
elected to the Supreme Court and became the first Chief
Justice of Colorado. On the expiration of his three-year
term, he returned to Pueblo and resumed the practice of
law. The legal firm of Thatcher & Gast was established, I
think, in 1873. Charles E. Gast then an industrious young
man, soon attained prominence as an able and successful
lawyer. This partnership continued until the death of
Judge Thatcher in 1886, when Mr. Gast succeeded to the
large and important business of the firm, which he carried
on without a partner until his son, Robert S. Gast, admitted

THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR 169
to the bar in 1905, became his associate and partner. Charles
E. Gast was a leading member of the Pueblo County Bar
for more than thirty years. He died in 1908, his loss
regretted by a large circle of friends.
Several lawyers were located at Canon City in the early
seventies. Of these were William Locke and Thomas and
Augustus Macon, or as familiarly known, "Tom" Macon
and "Gus" Macon. Tom Macon was a very able lawyer,
with a state-wide reputation. He located in Denver in
1874 or 1875, I think, where he acquired a large practice.
Gus Macon continued the practice in Canon City. William
Locke was elected prosecuting attorney of the Canon City
Judicial District.
A rather amusing incident occurred in the summer of
1876, at Coal Creek, when Gus Macon and I were oppos
ing lawyers in a case before a Justice of the Peace. George
Madden, Superintendent of Mines for the Colorado Coal
and Iron Company, sent for me to come to Coal Creek on
a day named to defend his mother-in-law in a suit brought
by her husband's brother to dispossess her of the house in
which she lived and kept boarders, claiming to have fur
nished the money to build the house, which, as I remember,
stood on the company's land.
The woman, whose name I do not now recall, with sev
eral children partly grown, had been doing the house work,
keeping up the table and boarding the brother, until she
and her husband had trouble and separated, and both men
left. Then the suit was brought for possession of the prem
ises. The Justice had practiced law somewhere in the East.
I informed myself of the facts in the case, then said to
Madden: "George, this is a case for a jury to determine."
We demanded a jury, which was summoned, the case tried
and verdict rendered in favor of my client, who with her

170 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
friends was highly elated. Macon and his clients were
greatly disappointed. Beer flowed freely for a time, and
the little town was exceedingly lively for a few hours.
Macon had driven over from Canon City in a buggy,
with a span of bronchos, intending to return that evening.
About the time he was ready to start for home, a terrific
thunder storm came up, lasting until well along in the
evening. The night was pitchy dark, the roads in bad
condition, and Macon was afraid to drive his bronchos.
There was no hotel at Coal Creek at that time, and Madden
had secured the only vacant bed in the town for me. This
bed stood in the back part of a shoemaker's shop with cur
tains around it. Macon, who when the verdict was rendered
was angry and would not speak to me, cooled down and
came and told me the situation he was in, and I shared my
bed with him.
I was not surprised at the verdict, but have always
thought that that jury was necessary for the success of my
client. George A. Hinsdale and Wilbur F. Stone in February,
1861, when I first met them, were practicing law in Canon
City, before a People's court, presided over by a lawyer
named John Howard. There were other lawyers in the
town at the time, but the gentlemen named had the lion's
share of the legal business, and they were not overworked.
Judge Howard was a character, and well known at
that time. He had a nervous affection of the face which
caused a constant twitching, and in conversation he appeared
to be making faces at you. Some amusing stories were
told of him on account of this infirmity. He had a wife
living in Denver, who left him for another man. Learning
of her conduct, he executed a quitclaim deed to the party,
of "all right, title and interest in and to the premises, to-

THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR 171
gether with all improvements, etc., etc." This deed was
published in "the Drawer" of Harper's Magazine, subse
quently. It was understood that Wilbur F. Stone was the
conveyancer. George A. Hinsdale was elected Lieutenant Governor
under the State Constitution of 1864, and in 1870 was
elected a member of the Legislative Council for the district
composed of the counties of Pueblo, El Paso, Huerfano
and Fremont. Wilbur F. Stone, an able lawyer, was a prominent
member of the Pueblo County Bar for many years. He
represented Park County in the Territorial Legislature of
1865, and was elected to the Constitutional Convention from
Pueblo County in 1875, with Henry C. Thatcher for his
colleague. These gentlemen were of different political faiths
— Thatcher a Republican, Stone a Democrat. Members of
both parties agreed to lay aside partisan politics in this
election, believing that character and ability were the neces
sary qualifications for the work of forming a State consti
tution. It was generally conceded that they were eminently
qualified for the duty. They were elected, and each was
assigned to an important committee as chairman, and both
took prominent part in the formation of the Constitution.
No county of the State was more ably represented in that
Convention. Wilbur F. Stone was elected a member of the Supreme
Court at the second State election, without opposition, I
think, having received the endorsement of a non-partisan
convention of lawyers held at Manitou, and served one
term. When the court to settle land titles under grants
from Mexico, was created by Congress, Judge Stone was
appointed one of the Judges, was re-appointed and sr.rved
until the work of the court was finished. He now resides
in Denver.

I72 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
George Q. Richmond was a member of the Pueblo
County Bar for twenty years. The law firm of Richmond
& Stanton was formed in 1875, and continued until 1881,
when the junior member was appointed Postmaster of
Pueblo by President Garfield. In 1876, Governor Routt
appointed George Q. Richmond of Pueblo, and Commo
dore Stephen Decatur of Georgetown, Commissioners for
Colorado to the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia.
At the close of Governor Pitkin's second term as Gov
ernor, he returned to Pueblo and entered into partnership
with George Q. Richmond. This partnership continued
until the death of the Governor in 1884.
In 1889, Governor Cooper appointed George Q. Rich
mond Judge of the Court of Appeals, which position he
held for one term, at the close of which he located in Denver
where he has since resided and been engaged in the practice
of his profession.
Frederick W. Pitkin came to Colorado with his family,
in 1874 I think, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was
a member of the law firm of Palmer, Carter & Pitkin. His
health impaired, he spent a large part of the first two years
here traveling and camping in the mountains. In 1876
or 1877, he became a resident of Pueblo and engaged in
the practice of law for a time. He was a member of the
Pueblo County Bar Association in January, 1878, and that
year was elected Governor of the State and was re-elected
in 1880. At the close of the second term as Governor, he
returned to Pueblo with his family, and resumed the prac
tice. Frederick W. Pitkin was a man of high character
and standing, a careful and able lawyer, with a sense of
honor too keen arftl pure to successfully contend with the
class of scheming politicians who prevented his election to
the United States Senate. No man in public life in Colo-

THE EARLY BENCH AND BAR I73
rado possessed the confidence and esteem of the people in a
greater degree than Governor Pitkin.
A number of lawyers located in Pueblo in the seventies,
some of whom attained positions of prominence.
The following is a list of members of the Pueblo
County Bar Association in January, 1878, as the names
appear on the fee bill, a copy of which is in my possession :
G. Q. Richmond, A. B. Patton, Jas. Macdonald, F. Voll-
rath, N. P. Richards, Thos. T. Player, F. W. Pitkin, Irving
W. Stanton, Chas. E. Gast, A. A. Bradford, S. Alex
ander, Jos. McMurtry, C. W. Ellis, Thos. A. Bradford,
Benj. Mattice, T. A. Sloane, Henry Richardson.
Several lawyers of distinction, graduates of the Pueblo
County Bar Association, are now among the members of the
Denver Bar. Of these are Judges Wilbur F. Stone, George
Q. Richmond, John R. and N. Walter Dixon, John M.
Waldron, Esq., and Henry A. Dubbs, Esq., a very able
representation of the Pueblo County Bar.
Approval July 25, 1913.
Hon. I. W. Stanton,
Pueblo, Colorado.
Dear Colonel :
Your address on The Early Bench and Bar of Colo
rado, was read at the Bar Association meeting at Colorado
Springs, and was greatly enjoyed. I think you would have
been very much pleased if you had heard the many fa
vorable comments upon it. It is to be published in the forth
coming report of the association, and this report is now in
the printer's hands. In connection with it we desire to
publish a portrait of yourself, and I shall be under obli-

174 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
gation if by early mail you can send me a photograph which
can be used for this purpose.
With kind regards, I am,
Very truly yours,
Henry A. Dubbs.

PUBLIC UTILITIES

THE DENVER AND RIO GRANDE
RAILROAD
The closing days of the month of June, 1872, witnessed
the completion of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad to
Pueblo, and being the first railroad in the Arkansas Valley,
its coming was hailed with delight by the people, not only
of Pueblo, but of the entire surrounding and tributary
country. It was a red letter event in the history of Southern
Colorado and on the 3rd day of July of that year the
people gathered to celebrate this important accomplishment.
The railroad company ran an excursion train from
Denver carrying a large number of prominent citizens and
business men of that city. The train arrived in Pueblo
about noon and was met at the depot by a committee ap
pointed for the purpose and by the citizens generally, who
escorted our visitors to the courthouse, which had just been
completed. There a bountiful banquet was spread and
speeches of welcome made by Honorable George M. Chil
cott, Wilbur F. Stone, George Q. Richmond and others,
which were responded to by Ex-Governor Hunt, of the Rio
Grande Railroad, Wm. N. Byers, Editor of the Rocky
Mountain News, General Sam Browne, Grace Greenwood
and others. A general interchange of good feeling was
freely indulged in and late in the afternoon after a carriage
drive, our guests departed, sounding praises for Pueblo
and her hospitable people.
The depot at that time was located near the point
where Seventeenth Street, extending east through the Mineral

178 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Palace Park, would intersect the right of way of the Denver
and Rio Grande Railroad Company. To insure the loca
tion of the depot in this locality the people of Pueblo
County voted bonds in the sum of $100,000 under and by
virtue of an agreement with the railroad company to main
tain the depot in this location permanently.
Shortly after the completion of the railroad to Pueblo,
in 1872, General William J. Palmer, then President of
of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company, with
other officers and friends of the company, purchased from
Charles Goodnight, Peter K. Dotson and Charles H. Blake,
the large tract of land on the south side of the Arkansas
River opposite Pueblo, known as the "Nolan Grant." This
was a grant of land by the government of Mexico to
Gervacio Nolan, covering the valley of the St. Charles
River, described as follows : "Beginning at a point one
and a half leagues below the mouth of the River St. Charles
on the Arkansas River at a monument No. 1, on the south
bank of said river ; thence up said river to a point five
leagues above the junction of the St. Charles with the Ar
kansas River, where is placed the second monument; thence
running towards and half way up the brow of the mountain,
where is placed the third monument; thence following the
brow of the said mountain to a point opposite the first
monument, where is placed the fourth and last monument."
Under this description the grantees claimed several
hundred thousand acres of land. By act of Congress ap
proved July 1, 1870, this grant was confirmed to the extent
of eleven square leagues amounting to some 42,000 acres.
The act of Congress provided that all actual settlers on
the grant at date of confirmation should have the right to
obtain title to their lands to the extent of one hundred and
sixty acres under the provisions of the Preemption and Home-

THE DENVER AND RIO GRANDE RAILROAD 179
stead acts, and the grantee or his representatives should
have the right to select other lands in lieu of such tracts
within the limits of the boundary as originally claimed.
At the time of the purchase of the grant by General
Palmer and his associates there were no improvements on
the south side of the Arkansas River, opposite Pueblo, or in
tthis vicinity except the ranch buildings of Klass Wildeboor,
which were located about where his present residence stands,
near Clarke's artesian well.
Soon after the transfer was effected the Rio Grande
Depot was moved to its present location on the south side
of the river, the town of South Pueblo was laid out, and
the influence of the railroad company under the direction of
General Palmer was exerted to the fullest extent in build
ing up the new town.
When the provision of the agreement under which
the $100,000 in bonds voted by the people of the county
was violated and the depot removed to the south side of
the river the authorities of the county refused to issue and
deliver the bonds so voted and suit was instituted to com
pel their issuance and delivery, the termination of which
resulted in favor of the county. Consequently the bonds
were not issued.
The plans of the management of the railroad company
to continue the construction of the line to the south and west
were carried on as speedily as circumstances would permit,
but financing a narrow gauge railroad from Denver to the
Gulf of Mexico, as then contemplated, was a difficult under
taking and proceeded with varying degrees of success and
change of plans until 1884, when, in July of that year, the
road went into the hands of Mr. William S. Jackson of
Colorado Springs as Receiver, by whom it was operated

l80 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
until July 1886, when he was made President of the com
pany, serving until the close of that year.
About the 1st of January, 1887, Mr. David H. Moffat
was elected President of the Denver and Rio Grande Rail
road company, and under his administration of its affairs an
era of prosperity and general improvement of the system fol
lowed. The main line to the west was completed from
Rock Creek, west of Leadville, to Glenwood Springs and
also the branch line from Glenwood Springs to Aspen. The
lines west and south of Pueblo were standard gauged and
the road put in good condition, with new and up-to-date
rolling stock.
The Denver morning papers of August 26, 1891, con
tained the announcement that D. H. Moffat, had resigned
the Presidency of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Com
pany. Thereupon I wrote to Mr. George Coppell, Chair
man of the Board of Directors of the company, a letter of
which the following is a copy:
Pueblo, Colorado, August 27, 1891.
Mr. George Coppell,
Chairman Board of Directors,
Denver and Rio Grande Railroad,
New York.
My dear Sir :
The Denver morning journals of this date contain the
information of the resignation of Mr. Moffat as President
of the Denver and Rio Grande, with various comments
thereon, the import of which is, that a great misfortune has
befallen Colorado, which in this case means Denver.
Mr. Moffat is an old and valued friend of mine, one
of the most successful business men of Denver and the
State. I have known him well for thirty years, admire and
respect him, and of all the prominent men of Denver who

THE DENVER AND RIO GRANDE RAILROAD l8l
have been identified with her material progress and pros
perity I regard him as one of the most capable of that re
markable city of capable men, with broad, liberal and com
prehensive views, which, if he could devote his entire time
and efforts to the duties of his office as President, would
enable your company to more materially assist in the de
velopment of the wonderful resources of the State through
which your lines extend. But the business of banking, to
which he has devoted the greater part of his life and in
which he has built up the first institution of the State and of
the West, is more to his taste, and I have known for some
time that he contemplated retiring from the position in the
near future. Personally I regret his resignation, but I am
not one of those who think any man absolutely necessary to
the success of a great enterprise of this character. Nor is a
Colorado man absolutely essential to successful management.
Still, a Colorado man broad enough to see and comprehend
the wonderful resources of that part of the State which your
line covers and who appreciates the importance of a liberal
policy to develop those resources would, I think, give better
satisfaction and be more cordially sustained by our people
than an eastern man, a stranger.
In the present condition of affairs it seems next to
impossible for a Denver man to manage this corporation
in the interest of the men whose money it represents, espe
cially where the local interests of Denver are concerned.
Denver thinks she is the State and we frankly admit that
she is a large and important part of it; but the Denver
and Rio Grande Railroad cannot rely on Denver alone for
success. It is peculiarly and distinctively a Colorado rail
road, the pride and favorite of her people and more espe
cially of the people of the southern half of the State,
which furnishes the road with the great bulk of its business,

l82 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
in coal, ores, and freight of various kinds, and deserves con
sideration upon its own merits without regard to the interests
of any particular community. In other words, all
points along your line should be given the benefits to which
they are entitled by reason of location and rapidly increas
ing importance and especially so when such a policy will
promote the best interests of this great corporation.
No argument is required to show that the Denver and
Rio Grande Railroad has been managed in the interest of
Denver and opposed to the interests of other points deemed
competitors of Denver, or which it was feared might become
such. I ask no special favor for Pueblo. She is prosperous
and growing in substantial importance in spite of all ob
stacles with which she has to contend, and will continue
so to prosper. I only desire to express the hope that the
future management will recognize the fact that Pueblo is
the local center from which the Denver and Rio Grande
system radiates to the north, south, west and southwest,
and with the rapidly increasing importance of her commer
cial and manufacturing enterprises she will soon be in posi
tion to demand a fair and just consideration, to which she
is entitled by reason of location. I do not forget the bene
fit we have received in the way of an elegant Union depot,
and that we are indebted to you therefor. I assure you our
people appreciate the faithful performance of the promise
you made them and will be glad to show that appreciation
when you again visit our city.
What Pueblo really needs is a little of that moral sup
port and encouragement that come from a management
favorably disposed to her prosperity and ready to extend her
manufacturing enterprises, assistance she has the right to
ask by reason of her position as the center of the Rio Grande
system.

THE DENVER AND RIO GRANDE RAILROAD 183
In my judgment the best interests of this road would
be promoted by operating it from Pueblo, and I think the
trunk lines centering here, the Missouri Pacific, the Atchi
son, Topeka and Santa Fe and the Rock Island, might be
induced to co-operate "and make up all through trains for
California here, the lines running to Denver, also meet
ing here for connection therewith.
The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad holds the key
to the Rocky Mountains for several hundred miles north
and south from Pueblo, and in the judgment of the best
engineers no road can be constructed within that limit which
for cheapness of operation can compete with it, and it would
seem to be good policy to utilize its advantages to the fullest
extent. I have hoped to see a line of railroad connecting with
the Denver and Rio Grande on the west line of Colorado,
thence running directly west by way of the Yosemite Valley
to San Francisco, and I am reliably informed that such a
line is practicable. If so, and if constructed, it would become
a popular short line to the Pacific Coast.
You will pardon the liberty I take. I have written you
hurriedly and for your personal consideration. As I close
a report comes to me that at an informal meeting of your
Board, the Presidency was tendered to Mr. M. D. Thatcher
of this City. I do not give credence to this rumor, but as
his name is mentioned I desire to say that Mr. Thatcher
has, in my opinion, the essential qualifications for such a
position, and if he could be induced to accept it, his superior
for the place could not be found in the State or elsewhere.
With assurances of high regard, I remain,
Very sincerely yours,
Irving W. Stanton.

184 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
In response to the above letter I received the following
reply : New York, September 2, 1891.
Irving W. Stanton, Esq.,
Pueblo.
Dear Sir :
I have to acknowledge receipt of your very interesting
letter of the 27th ultimo, and I need scarcely say that all
you tell me has my best attention, as it deserves. I cannot
say anything to you yet about a new President for the
Denver and Rio Grande Road, but you may rest assured of
one thing, that the man, whoever he may be, will be broad
enough to have no local prejudices, but will do justice to
every part of the State served by the Road.
I hope to be in Colorado about the 9th instant, and
I trust I may have the pleasure of seeing you and my other
friends in Pueblo. I remain, Dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
George Coppell, Chairman.
When Mr. George Gould and his friends obtained
control of the Denver and Rio Grande, the good people and
friends of Pueblo rejoiced at the change which seemed to
indicate a different policy on the part of management of
the railroad for the future. It was believed that the time
had come when Pueblo would receive the consideration to
which she is entitled by reason of location, as suggested
to me by Mr. Jay Gould on the occasion of his last visit
to our city.
When this policy is put into operation, Pueblo, the
local center of the Gould system in the West, will become
the business, industrial and commercial metropolis of the
greatest and best part of our State and will enter upon the

THE DENVER AND RIO GRANDE RAILROAD 185
high road to equality in wealth and influence with Denver,
the Queen City of the Plains. September 15th, following,
I received the following telegram from Mr. Coppell:
Denver, September 15, 1891.
To Irving W. Stanton, Pueblo.
I expect arrive Pueblo eleven-forty-five this morning
and shall be glad to see you a few minutes. G. Coppell.
In response I met him at the depot on his way west over
his lines. He told me he would return in three days, when
he wanted to see and talk with me. On the 18th, the follow
ing telegram was received :
Cedar Creek, September 18, 1891.
I. W. Stanton, Pueblo.
I expect to arrive at Pueblo at nine o'clock tomorrow
morning and shall be glad to see you if not too early for you.
Geo. Coppell, Chairman.
I met him on the arrival of his train on time, was
introduced to the new President, Mr. E. T. Jeffery and
was invited by Mr. Coppell to accompany them to Denver ;
but an important business engagement for that day re
quired my attention here, and prevented acceptance. He
then asked me to come to Denver next morning, which I did,
and met him in the Rio Grande offices there.
We had a conversation of some length on the subject
of the Rio Grande Railroad, its future in regard to the
development of the resources of the southern part of the
State, and its policy with regard to Pueblo as the point of
greatest importance to the future of the road. With a
pencil I made a rough sketch of the Rio Grande lines from
Denver to Pueblo, thence west, southwest and south, and
said : "Mr. Coppell, here is your railroad in the shape of
a dog. The body lies west, south and southwest from
Pueblo. The tail extends from Pueblo to Denver, and

l86 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
this tail has wagged the Denver and Rio Grande dog from
its inception to the present time."
He laughed and said: "Now, Stanton, what do you
want for Pueblo?"
I told him I wanted something for Pueblo that would
greatly benefit his railroad and save a large sum of money
to his company annually, adding: "In your railroad yards
at Pueblo this morning, there are more than seven hundred
crippled cars, without adequate facilities for repairing them.
The men employed in this service are compelled to work
out-of-doors, without the necessary machinery and ap
pliances required for the purpose, and for these reasons a
large number of these cars must be hauled one hundred and
twenty miles over a high divide to be repaired in the Denver
shops. Good business management would save this great
expense. Pueblo is the lowest point on your lines and the
center from which your railroad system radiates." I wanted
him to build shops there.
He listened attentively and when I had finished, said in
these words : "I'll do it ; you are right. I do not know
just what we have in the way of land suitable for the pur
pose; we may need more."
I said I thought they had land reserved for this pur
pose, but if they needed more I would undertake to procure
it without cost to the company. He then said I must be
mistaken about the number of crippled cars in their
Pueblo yards. I replied that my information was from
a most reliable source, and there could be no mistake. I
did not tell him that Mr. Kelker, foreman of the repair
work in Pueblo, had given me the statement that morning,
which was the fact.
Mr. Coppell then sent upstairs for a report, which
came down, giving the number three hundred seventy or

THE DENVER AND RIO GRANDE RAILROAD 187
about one-half the actual number. I told him I would
not give the name of my informant, but I knew my figures
were correct.
I was desirous of having him visit Pueblo before he
returned to New York and invited him to visit us with
his wife and daughters, which he promised to do.
I left Denver that evening with the assurance that
shops would be built in Pueblo without delay. On my
return home I told some of my friends what Mr. Coppell
had promised, but found some of them were not as sanguine
of success as I was.
Mr. Coppell, his wife and daughters remained in Den
ver some two weeks. On the morning of September 25th,
I received a telegram as follows :
Denver, Colorado, September 25, 1891.
I. W. Stanton.
I expect to be in Pueblo tomorrow, Saturday afternoon,
at three o'clock if that hour will be agreeable to you.
George Coppell.
Later that day I received the following:
Denver, 1 156 p. m., September 25, 1891.
Irving W. Stanton, Pueblo.
I shall be accompanied by Mrs. Coppell and three of
my daughters and our stay, I am sorry to say, cannot be
longer than an hour and a half or two hours, as I shall have
to return north immediately. Geo. Coppell.
Mr. Coppell with his wife and daughters arrived at
three o'clock and was met at the depot by a number of
prominent citizens with carriages and the party taken for a
drive over the city, stopping at my residence, where a short
informal reception was held and light refreshments served,
after which Mr. Coppell and his party were escorted to
the Union depot and left for Denver expressing delight
with their brief visit to Pueblo.

l88 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
The building of shops was the important subject in the
minds of the citizens who met Mr. Coppell on that occa
sion, but it was only briefly alluded to. For myself I con
sidered the question settled with the promise made by Mr.
Coppell. But I was mistaken and greatly disappointed. I had
;not reckoned on the power and influence of Denver for
Denver. The work of building shops for the Denver and
Rio Grande Railroad at Pueblo has not yet ccommenced.
I was told later that Denver men learning Mr. Coppell's
intention with regard to shops in Pueblo, went to work to
frustrate his plans. I never learned the particulars, but
the very cordial relations existing between Mr. Coppell
and myself up to that time were a little strained thereafter.

HOW THE MISSOURI PACIFIC CAME
(Pueblo Chieftain, April 27, 1887)
The Pueblo opera house at 4 o'clock yesterday was
filled with the representative citizens of Pueblo. The mo
mentous question of the decision of a crisis in the history
of the city was to be made. It was one of the important
occasions which seldom occur. The object of the meeting
was to hear the report of the committee appointed at a pre
vious meeting to find what arrangements can be made for the
purchase of land for the erection of shops and the estab
lishment of terminal facilities of the Missouri Pacific rail
road. President I. W. Stanton, of the Board of Trade, under
whose auspices the meeting was held, presided, with Frank
E. Baldwin as Secretary.
In opening the meeting, the committee not being ready
to report, Mr. Stanton made an address of which the follow
ing is the part relating to the location of the terminus of
the Missouri Pacific :
"In September last I was in Denver, and met a promi
nent gentleman — one destined to be more prominent soon.
He remarked to me : 'I was in New York a short time ago,
and saw in Mr. Jay Gould's office a map of Colorado and
Kansas, with two lines for the extension of the Missouri
Pacific from the Kansas line, marked one to Pueblo, the
other to Colorado Springs. You Pueblo people should send
a man to see Mr. Gould without delay.' I came home and

190 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
reported to Mr. Hughes and Mr. Small, President and
Secretary of the Board of Trade.
"Through their efforts, assisted by a number of others,
I was sent to interview Mr. Gould on this subject. I met
him, after waiting two weeks, on the 28th of October last,
and in the course of the interview he stated to me that his
Missouri Pacific line would be completed to Pueblo or
Colorado Springs in August next ; that he had not fully
decided on the place; that he wanted to go where the busi
ness was. I did my best to represent the advantage of
Pueblo in agricultural possibilities, soil, climate, her iron
and coal, the amount of railroad business done, etc. I asked
him what would induce him to decide in favor of Pueblo.
"He asked what Pueblo would do for him in the way
of terminal facilities. I replied that Pueblo would do all
that could reasonably be expected. He said he did not
know what arrangements he could make for connecting with
the Denver & Rio Grande. I told him I had been told
by one in authority that if Mr. Gould built his Missouri
Pacific to Pueblo he could make as favorable arrangements
with the Rio Grande for connection as any other railroad
could. "He suggested that a local company could secure more
favorable terminal facilities. I replied that I was of a dif
ferent opinion ; that if he was prepared to say to Pueblo
that he would build his line here, and commence work from
Pueblo east, our people would do everything possible to
attain the end desired. He said he was not prepared to do
that at present; he procured his materials over his own line,
etc. "I had three interviews with Mr. Gould, but the above
is the substance briefly. I told him he would have the
good wishes and business of our people. He said that was

HOW THE MISSOURI PACIFIC CAME 191
all right, but that it would not amount to as much as termi
nal facilities, as he would have to work for the business
anyway. "I gave him a map of Pueblo and explained the situa
tion. He put his finger on a certain location on the map
and jokingly said: T suppose Pueblo would donate me
that land if I desired to build there.' I said I doubted if
he would want it for terminal facilities.
"I returned to Pueblo and reported the substance of
my interview with Mr. Gould to the Board of Directors of
the Board of Trade, at a meeting at which Governor Adams
was present. It was decided that nothing would be gained
by making the matter public and we could but wait. Mr.
Gould requested me to write if I had anything of impor
tance. I wrote him of the Pueblo and Eastern Railroad, of
the importance of Pueblo as a railroad center, of securing an
option on a tract of land of twenty acres, and of efforts to
secure other tracts deemed desirable.
"This is, briefly stated, my connection with the matter,
except, as stated at the first meeting we held here, with
reference to the visit of Mr. Gould and party to Pueblo."
Now ensued a considerable wait, and the crowd mani
fested some impatience. At last the committee, consisting
of Messrs. McClelland, Fitch, Bragdon, Newton and King,
made their appearance from a rear room, and Chairman
McClelland proceeded to give the once postponed and long
expected report, which he said had not been made ready
without much tribulation and hard work.
The first item of the report was as to the land owned
by President W. S. Jackson. The committee had just
received a telegram from him stating that he would let the
committee have the land at $1,500 an acre, toward which he

192 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
would donate $400 an acre, making the net price $1,100 an
acre. (Slight applause.)
The next item was as to the land owned by J. N.
Carlile and Mrs. J. K. Moore. Theirs could be had for
double the amount placed by the arbitrating committee upon
J. W. O. Snyder's fourth interest in land adjoining. As
subsequently shown, Mr. Snyder's fourth was rated at $250
an acre. Double this amount would be $500, or half the
value of the land.
Now came the report concerning Mr. Stanton's three-
fourths interest in a large tract, concerning which trouble
had been anticipated and ill feeling had been shown. It
was as follows :
"I will sell my interest in the lands desired for terminal
facilities for the Missouri Pacific railroad, for the purposes
named in the letter of Mr. S. H. H. Clark to Mr. A. H.
Danforth, at the rate of $500 per acre, and will donate
at the rate of $200 per acre of that amount, making the
net price $300; reserving the right to so adjust the west and
south lines as to conform to the streets and alleys as nearly
as possible, as shown on a plot of said property in my
possession." "Irving W. Stanton."
Before Mr. McClelland had finished reading this liberal
and unexpected proposition the crowd was on its feet, cheer
ing wildly. Hats were thrown in air, and deafening calls
and enthusiastic applause drowned all other sounds for a
number of minutes. Then some began shouting "Stanton!
Stanton !" and the tumult broke out afresh.
Mr. Stanton rose and said :
"Gentlemen : I had hardly expected this. For seven
teen years I have been a resident of Pueblo. My pride has
been in her prosperity, and in my humble way I have
always tried to contribute toward that end. Of course, a

HOW THE MISSOURI PACIFIC CAME 193
man's motives cannot be understood except by his near or
personal friends. The acts of any man who is brought be
fore the public are apt to be misconstrued. But when his
conscience approves, he can rest well content, no matter what
others may say. I am always as ready to do as much in
my power as any other man, but I did not think that one or
two persons ought to bear all this burden. No one looks
at landed property as money. Right across from my prop
erty is land consisting entirely of bluffs which sold for
$1,000 an acre. I desire it distinctly understood that I
would not sell this land at any price for any other purpose.
But my desire is to do all I can toward making this city
a metropolis, and I only regret that I cannot do more."
(Renewed applause.)
Mr. McClelland resumed his report, giving next the
report of M. B. Price, N. B. Wescott and J. D. Miller
as to their valuation of J. W. O. Snyder's fourth interest.
Mr. Snyder had met the committee manfully, proposing to
name one man, and let the committee name another, the two
to choose a third. This arbitration had resulted in fixing
his interest at $250 an acre.
Lots 1 and 2 in block 180 were held by C. F. Bough
ton at $1,600, and he gave an option of thirty days.
Block 201, south side, was offered for the purpose by
H. R. Holbrook for $250. (Loud cheers.) Mr. McClel
land said he considered the land worth fully $1,000.
Lots 29 and 30 in block 170, owned by Alva Adams
and A. McClelland, were held at $450, with the further
statement that if the money was to be raised by subscrip
tion they would donate that amount as part of their sub
scription. (Cheers and applause.)
Lots 21, 22, 23 and 24 in block 190 were held by John
Brennan at $1,500, and he would give an option of sixty
days.

194 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
This, Mr. McClelland said, was all but the land held
by the Colorado Coal and Iron Company and the Denver and
Rio Grande Company, with the exception of six lots. Four
of these are owned by parties in Cincinnati and two by-
people in New York. The committee was in correspondence
with them, and expected to have heard from them before.
The amounts involved would probably be $2,000 to $2,500.
The committee recommended the acceptance of all these
propositions except that of Mr. Jackson, concerning which
it would hold further negotiations. The total amount re
quired for the purchase of all the land in question was in
round numbers, $24,000. The committee then asked to
be discharged. The report of the committee was received, with a vote
of thanks, but it was requested to continue and complete
the work so well begun.
On motion of Mr. Danforth a vote of thanks to I. W.
Stanton, J. W. O. Snyder, J. N. Carlile, A. McClelland,
Alva Adams, J. R. Holbrook and Mrs. Josephine K. Moore,
was adopted unanimously.
After considerable discussion, on motion of Mr. Hughes
a committee of five was appointed to solicit subscriptions
and raise the $24,000 required. The committee consisted of
Mayor Charles Henkel, W. L. Graham, George A. Newton,
J. J. Stanchfield and George J. Dunbaugh.
A. H. Danforth and I. W. Stanton were appointed
as a committee to notify the Missouri Pacific officials that
the Pueblo people accepted their propositions. They subse
quently sent the following dispatch:
To S. H. H. Clark, Vice President Missouri Pacific Rail
way, St. Louis :
At a citizens' meeting to-day it was unanimously voted

HOW THE MISSOURI PACIFIC CAME I95
to accept your proposition, and committees were appointed
to arrange details with your attorney. Everything can be
put into definite shape in a short time, and we shall expect
to see your engineers and graders at work.
I. W. Stanton,
A. H. Danforth.

MORE ABOUT THE MISSOURI PACIFIC
(Pueblo Chieftain, April 28, 1912.)
In view of the interest centered in the Missouri Pacific
Railroad and Denver and Rio Grande today by reason of
the visit here of President B. F. Bush of the two lines and
other officials, a brief history of how the Missouri Pacific
was brought to Pueblo seems appropriate. It is here told
by one who because of his part played in the proceedings
which brought about the extension probably is more familiar
than anyone else here. He is Colonel I. W. Stanton.
By I. W. Stanton
All who are familiar with the situation at the time when
the Missouri Pacific Railroad was extended to Pueblo, in
1887, will concede that this event was the most important
in the history of our city. Having knowledge of the cir
cumstances and the efforts put forth by our people to
accomplish this object so greatly desired, I propose to give
here a history and statement of facts, which led to the
consummation of this result.
¦ In the latter part of the month of September, 1886, I
was summoned to Denver on business. While there I
called upon my friend, David H. Moffat, who in the course
of a conversation said to me : "Stanton, I can tell you
something for the benefit of Pueblo." I said it would be
a pleasure to hear anything that would be of benefit to the
interests of Pueblo. He then said: "Cheesman and I were

198 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
in New York last week and called upon Mr. Jay Gould
at his office in the Western Union Building. He told us
that he was about to commence work on the extension of the
Missouri Pacific railway from the west line of Kansas to
Colorado; that he had not fully decided upon his terminal
point, but the people of Colorado Springs were strongly urg
ing him to build to that city, and connect with the Midland ;
that he showed them a map upon which were drawn two
lines westward, one of these a heavy blue line directly
west from Ness City, Kans., to Colorado Springs, the other
a pencil line running southwest to Pueblo."
Mr. Moffat, continuing, said : "This is the most im
portant railroad line building to Colorado, and the location
of his terminal, is of great public interest. I think by
reason of location Pueblo should be the place. Your people
should send some one to interview Mr. Gould without de
lay, and you have no time to lose."
I had not finished my business in Denver, but realizing
the importance of this information and the necessity for
prompt action, I took the first train for Pueblo. When I
reached home, I called upon the President of the Board of
Trade, Mr. Josiah Hughes, and told him what I had
learned. A meeting of the Directors was held at once and
I was selected to go to New York, meet Mr. Gould and
represent the advantages Pueblo offered for his terminal
point in Colorado.
Preparations were immediately commenced for the trip.
Authentic statements were procured of the business of
Pueblo, its importance as a distributing center ; its various
industries, etc., etc. From Mr. H. R. Holbrook, I obtained
reliable information of the character of the country east
of Pueblo and north of the Arkansas River for one hundred
miles, its adaptability for agricultural purposes when sup-

MORE ABOUT THE MISSOURI PACIFIC 199
plied with water by construction of irrigation systems. I
found that it would furnish a large local traffic to a railroad
constructed on that line. I had letters from Senator Teller,
David H. Moffat and others personally acquainted with Mr.
Gould, and a personal letter from Mr. Moffat to Mr. A. H.
Caleff, treasurer of the Gould system of railroads, which
was of inestimable value in securing for me his interest and
attention. I left for New York via Denver on the 8th of October,
1886, and reached my destination on the 12th. The morn
ing of the 13th I called upon Mr. Caleff at his office in
the Western Union Building, presented my letter from
Mr. Moffat and was cordially received by Mr. Caleff, who
read the letter and then said : "I am sorry you did not come
before. Mr. Gould is now west and meets Mr. Hagerman
of Colorado Springs at Salina, Kas., today, on this subject.
Mr. Hagerman and his friends want Colorado Springs to
be made the terminal for the Missouri Pacific. Mr. Gould
is going over his southern lines before he returns, and will
be gone two weeks."
This was something not anticipated and very discour
aging. For a moment I was undecided. Then I said I would
take the first train for St. Louis and meet Mr. Gould there.
He said : "No, you have no certainty of meeting him there.
No immediate haste is necessary, for this question will not
be decided definitely until he returns. You had best remain
here. I will arrange for you to meet Mr. Gould as soon as
he returns. In the meantime I will introduce you to Messrs.
Sage and Huntington and you can talk with them."
I went from Mr. Caleff's office to the office of Mr.
George Coppell, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company, explained to

200 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
him my business in New York, and the effort being made to
make Colorado Springs the terminal for the Missouri Pacific
in Colorado, and to connect with the Midland. I asked if
any proposition had been made to connect with his lines at
that or any other point in Colorado. He said no proposi
tion had been made and he had heard nothing about the
matter. I then said the interests of his railroad would, in
my opinion be promoted if Pueblo was made the terminal
for the Gould lines. At Pueblo would be only the Denver
and Rio Grande to connect with, while Colorado Springs
was endeavoring to make special arrangements for connec
tion with the Midland. He listened attentively to what I
had to say.
When I had finished he assured me that he was in
favor of Pueblo, in full sympathy with me and would do
what he could to assist me. I asked what arrangements
could be made for connection with the Rio Grande at Pueblo.
He said, "I am on two or three boards with Mr. Gould
and know him slightly, but if he decides to build to Pueblo,
you may say to him that he can make as satisfactory ar
rangements for connection with our lines there as any other
railroad can make, or as he can make at any point on our
lines." I met Mr. Coppell frequently while in New York on
this business, and consulted him freely. After my meet
ings with Mr. Gould, I reported the result to Mr. Coppell,
who complimented me highly, and later, when the Missouri
Pacific was completed to Pueblo, I called upon him in his
office in New York. He introduced me to several distin
guished gentlemen as the man who secured the Missouri
Pacific Railway for Pueblo. I have not claimed that dis
tinction for the reason that Mr. Jay Gould whom I regard
as the greatest financier and railroad man of his time, would,

MORE ABOUT THE MISSOURI PACIFIC 201
before deciding a matter of such importance to the future
success of his great railroad system, have been fully in
formed with regard to the point selected for his terminal,
and being so advised, could not in my opinion have selected
any other place in Colorado. The only claim I think I
am fairly entitled to make is that by reason of influential
friends I was enabled to bring the matter to the attention
of Mr. Gould at the proper time and in such manner as
to command his favorable consideration.
On the evening of October 27 I received a note from
Mr. Caleff, saying : "Mr. Gould returned today and will
see you at the Western Union Building tomorrow morning
at 10 o'clock."
At the appointed time and place I was met by Mr.
Caleff and introduced to Mr. Gould, who received me cor
dially. I stated my business. He gave me a small table
upon which to exhibit my maps and papers, saying he
wanted to talk with me about Pueblo but could give me only
a short time then, as a meeting of his Board of Directors was
called for 1 1 o'clock. I explained briefly the location of
Pueblo, pointed out its advantages as the business center of
southern Colorado, and said that in the nature of things
it must become to the south half of the state what Denver
was to the northern portion of Colorado. He gave me close
attention while I presented the merits of Pueblo for his
consideration until Mr. Sage, Mr. Huntington and other
members of the Board coming in, he asked me to excuse
him, and come again next morning at the same hour, and
before I could fold my papers and leave the room his Board
was in session doing business.
The next morning I was on hand promptly and was
admitted by Mr. Caleff. I found Mr. Gould busily en
gaged, but he soon gave me his attention. I produced a map

202 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
of Pueblo, in which he manifested much interest, asked many
questions, and asked if he could procure a copy of this map
in New York. I said I thought not, but this one was at
his service if he would accept it, which he did, offering to
pay for it, which offer was declined. He then took me
into a small room opening from his main office, and pulling
down a map of the United States showing the lines men
tioned by Mr. Moffat, said: "If I should decide to build
to Pueblo, I do not know what arrangement I could make
for connection with the Denver &. Rio Grande railroad
there, but I do know what I can do with the Midland rail
way at Colorado Springs."
Then I told him what Mr. Coppell, as Chairman of the
Board of Directors of the Denver and Rio Grande, had
authorized me to say, and added : "Mr. Gould, you should
control the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad." He quietly
said : "It would take a good deal of money to control the
Denver and Rio Grande." I said that was true, but I knew
of no one who could manage affairs of that magnitude bet
ter than Mr. Gould. To this he made no reply.
He said some parties had advised him to build to Easton
on the line of the Denver and New Orleans. I replied that
such a plan seemed hardly worthy of serious consideration,
as at Easton his terminal would be in the air, and he must
go north to Denver and south to Colorado Springs and
Pueblo, the business centers of Colorado. Besides, practical
railroad men had informed me that it was waste of money
to raise freight above a point where it was to be used or
distributed. From his manner I felt assured Easton was
not seriously thought of for his terminal.
Mr. Gould then said that as no bonds could be issued
in Colorado to aid the building of railroads he would ex
pect assistance to procure terminal facilities, and asked what

MORE ABOUT THE MISSOURI PACIFIC 203
Pueblo would do in this direction. I replied that I could
not say just what she would do, but if he built to Pueblo,
she would do all he could expect, and if he commenced
building from Pueblo east she would do anything he could
ask of her in reason. He said he was not prepared to com
mence at Pueblo as he received his material and supplies
over his own line. To begin building at Pueblo east would
greatly increase the cost, and the advantage gained by
hastening the completion of the line would not justify the
increased expenditure and that his lines would be completed
to Ness City, Kansas., within the next twenty days and to
Colorado Springs or Pueblo by August next.
Then showing me another map of his lines in Kansas,
he pointed out the three lines which would unite and come
to Colorado. One line from the south would connect with
the main line at the southeast corner of Ellsworth County,
while another line from the south would connect at some
point farther west and when completed to Colorado would
be one of the most important lines across the plains.
A part of each of three days was spent in the office
of Mr. Gould. I was impressed with his calm, quiet man
ner and his clear and comprehensive understanding of all
matters under consideration. He did not tell me in so
many words that he would build the Missouri Pacific to
Pueblo, but he did tell me to have a company organized
to secure the right of way east to the Kansas State line,
to see what could be done to secure suitable terminal facili
ties and to keep him advised by letter of everything im
portant. I bade him good-bye with a firm conviction that Pueblo
would be the terminal of the Gould lines in Colorado and
came home and reported the result of my mission to the
President and Directors of the Board of Trade. Having

204 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
received intimation that it would be as well not to publish
the result of the trip, little was said in the papers at that
time. The following year my conviction was confirmed by
the completion of the Gould lines to Pueblo.
At the time of my visit to New York I had the pleasure
to meet Mr. George J. Gould. To Mr. A. H. Caleff I was
greatly indebted for courtesies extended. Through his kind
ness and counsel I was enabled to meet Mr. Gould prompt
ly on his return from the West and present the claims of
Pueblo in time for his favorable consideration. Mr. Gould
appreciated the importance of the location of Pueblo and
had a high opinion of its future greatness, which increased
as he became fully advised of the vast and varied resources
of the great extent of country surrounding and tributary
to it. On the occasion of his last visit to our city, not long
before his death, I called upon him and was told from his
own lips of his confidence in Pueblo's future, which state
ment was accompanied by the declaration that he had no
regrets concerning the location of the Missouri Pacific ter
minal here. Then he said : "You Pueblo people should in
sist upon treatment by the Denver and Rio Grande to which
your location entitles you."
To this last remark I replied that Pueblo had been
asking for this since the extension of the line south and
west from here, and when a meeting of the Board of Direc
tors of the Rio Grande Company was to be held in Denver,
a committee from our Board of Trade was sent to urge
our claims, but would return and report that nothing could
be done. Later, it would appear that some concession had
been made to wholesale merchants who composed or con
trolled the committee. He said : "Those are not the men
to send to meet the directors; you should send men inter-

MORE ABOUT THE MISSOURI PACIFIC 20 J
ested in the upbuilding of your city." I replied it was
difficult to send the men best fitted to secure the object
in view, and after so many failures I had reached the
conclusion that Pueblo would not receive the benefit entitled
to by reason of location until the Denver and Rio Grande
Railroad is managed and operated for the benefit of the
men whose money it represents.
I shall not forget this interview with Mr. Gould and
the earnest manner in which he expressed his views. In
another part of the car I could see his young lady daughters
conversing with the physician rather anxiously I thought,
and, fearing I was overtaxing his strength, I said good-bye
to the prince of railroad men of the day.
When Mr. George J. Gould and his friends obtained
control of the Denver and Rio Grande Company I recalled
the conversation with his father and rejoiced with our people
that the time seemed near when Pueblo would receive some
thing of the benefit she so justly deserved, but added that
our Denver friends have such enticing ways ; they take
everything in sight for the benefit of Denver, and are always
on the alert lest something escape their notice.
Denver's singleness of purpose and generous lib
erality (for Denver) are a mighty and almost resistless power
to contend with, and Pueblo should profit by her example.
In confirmation of the efforts exerted by prominent
citizens of Colorado Springs to induce Mr. Gould to build
to that city and connect with the Midland, I have the state
ment of Hon. Irving Howbert, made to me a few years
ago on a train going from Colorado Springs to Denver.
He said : "Some ten days or two weeks before you went to
see Mr. Gould, Mr. Hagerman and I were in New York
on this question and spent an evening at the residence of
Mr. Gould, discussing the subject of his terminal and urg-

206 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
ing him to build to Colorado Springs and connect with the
Midland. There were present on the occasion, Mr. Gould,
Mr. Sage, Mr. Huntington and Mr. George Gould. We
spent the evening talking the matter over and left with
the positive promise that Colorado Springs should be the
terminal of the Gould lines in Colorado."
In conclusion I desire to say that some years ago I
called upon Mr. Caleff and when talking of the occasion of
my visit to aid in securing for Pueblo the terminal of the
Gould lines in Colorado I referred to the fact that when
there I said to Mr. Gould that he should control the Denver
and Rio Grande Railroad Company. Mr. Caleff said :
"I will tell you something. Shortly after you were here
Mr. George Gould offered eleven millions of dollars for
the control of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad."
There are several reasons why I think the history of
the coming of the Missouri Pacific Railroad to Pueblo
should be made public, but the chief reason is, that it is
generally thought the Missouri Pacific came here first be
cause it could come with little or no effort on the part of
our citizens. This view is expressed in an editorial in The
Chieftain which appeared soon after the paper was pur
chased by Mr. I. N. Stevens, from which I quote :
"The great steel plant and its allied industries, the
new smelters that promise to revolutionize that industry in
Colorado and the centralization here of the western Gould
railway interests are all matters in which Pueblo has had
little share and for which our people deserve comparatively
little credit."
On the contrary, nothing came without effort, as Mr.
Stevens would have known if he had been longer in the city,
and as I think I have demonstrated. Pueblo's advantages
are such that they should appeal to everyone ; but it is not

MORE ABOUT THE MISSOURI PACIFIC 207
everyone who knows about them, and each has to be shown.
As a matter of fact nothing came to Pueblo without earnest,
persistent effort on the part of her citizens. In this con
nection I want to say that the credit for bringing in the
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad which placed
Pueblo on the map for an eastern railroad connection, one
of the most important events in her history, is due to
Messrs. Mahlon D., John A. and Henry C. Thatcher and
Honorable George M. Chilcott, ably supported by the
"Pueblo Chieftain," owned by Captain John J. Lambert,
and for many years edited by Mr. G. G. Withers, who is
now one of the proprietors and the business manager of
that ably edited and conducted Colorado newspaper.

ADDRESS AT BANQUET TO
PRESIDENT BUSH
(Pueblo Star-Journal, April 28, 1912.)
Following Mr. Henkel, Col. I. W. Stanton, another
pioneer town builder to whom Pueblo owes much, responded
to the toast, "The Missouri Pacific Railroad." Col. Stanton
spoke as follows :
"It is a pleasure to be present and join in the welcom
ing to our city the new President of the Missouri Pacific
and of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroads and some
of his official associates.
"It has been some time since we were favored with a
visit by the President of either of these roads, and we are
twice honored on this occasion with opportunity to greet
Mr. B. F. Bush, President of the combined Gould system
of railroads in Colorado. We assure him that Pueblo, the
terminal of one and the local center from which radiates
to the west, the south and southwest, Colorado's pet railroad,
the Denver and Rio Grande, extends to him a cordial wel
come. "I may say, sir, that your presence dispels a little anx
iety entertained by some of us who know by past experience
the winning and enticing ways of our Denver friends, lest by
their blandishments they impress the new President with
the opinion every Denver man religiously holds, viz: that
Denver is Colorado. We frankly admit that Denver is a
large part of the State. Denver is both progressive and
aggressive ; she wants everything in sight and retains what

210 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
she gets. Denver's singleness of purpose and generous
liberality — for Denver — are well-nigh resistless.
"Notwithstanding this, every Coloradoan is proud of
Denver and willingly pays tribute to her greatness and
beauty. I yield to no one in just pride for Denver, and in
early days I was a resident of that city. I have witnessed
its wonderful progress from a small town, with buildings
mostly of log and frame, to the beautiful city of today, with
her two hundred and twenty thousand people. But Pueblo
ii on the map and in the race today, with her sixty thousand
people and will not always be content with second place.
"I do not forget that to one of Denver's foremost citi
zens and greatest benefactors, the late David H. Moffat,
Pueblo is indebted for the information and advice which
led to her selection for the Missouri Pacific terminal. Had
I time and you patience and interest, it would be a pleasure
to give the history of that important event and show how
near another city came to capturing this terminal. It is
sufficient to say, that when a representative of Pueblo went
to interview Mr. Jay Gould on this subject, the representa
tives of another city were sure they had secured the termi
nal to connect with another line westward.
"But the past is secure and will take care of itself and
is useful as a guide for the future. Pueblo is now con
cerned for the present and the future.
"What is in store for her from these great enterprises
from which she feels she has just reason to expect much?
She has waited long and patiently but has lost nothing of
faith and hope for the future.
"I wish to call attention to a few facts which seem
worthy of consideration. Pueblo is the lowest point on the
line of the Denver and Rio Grande system, her altitude,
4,653 feet. Going north 48 miles we reach Colorado

ADDRESS AT BANQUET TO PRESIDENT BUSH 211
Springs, altitude 5,978 feet, a rise of 1,315 feet; 20 miles
further north we reach Palmer Lake, altitude 7,222 feet, a
rise of nearly 3,000 feet in 68 miles. Thence we go north
52 miles, and descend about 2,000 feet to mile-high Denver.
"From these figures it appears that 52 miles of the line
is tributary to Denver, while the entire system in the Ar
kansas basin is tributary to Pueblo.
"To an ordinary mind it would seem that the business
of a great railroad constructed on the line described, such
as construction and repair of its rolling stock, should be
done at the point where naturally collected.
"I am not advised of the number of crippled cars in
the yards here today, but I do know a time when there were
more than 700 cripples in the Denver and Rio Grande yards
here, with a small force of men working in the open air
to make such minor repairs as were practicable. When this
fact was brought to the attention of the then head of the
Rio Grande System, he said, 'Shops shall be built in Pueblo
without delay.' That was more than 20 years ago, and the
shops haven't materialized yet.
"Another reason for the construction of shops is that
here are located the great steel works of the Colorado Fuel
and Iron Company, which furnish immense traffic to trie
Denver and Rio Grande lines and whose products are neces
sary to the construction and repair of rolling stock. This
great enterprise, the pride of the people of Pueblo, now
controlled and managed by practical and experienced men,
is more prosperous than ever before in its history. The
steel rails manufactured here are pronounced superior in
quality to rails produced by other plants, and its various
products equal, if they do not exceed in quality, the pro
ducts of other manufacturers.

212 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
"The success attained by this great industrial estab
lishment shows what can be accomplished in Pueblo by com
petent men with necessary financial support. Our smelt
ing industries are among the best managed and most pros
perous in the country, and all the industries of Pueblo are
in a flourishing condition.
"Now, here is what the great projector of the Missouri
Pacific system thought of Pueblo and its location :
"On the occasion of the late Mr. Jay Gould's last visit
to our city in his private car, when he was accompanied by
his daughters and his physician, I called to see him. He
stood in the door of his car as I approached. After greet
ings were over I said :
" 'Mr. Gould, I have come to pay my respects. Know
ing that you are not in good health, I do not want to
worry you.'
"He said, 'Oh, come in; I want to talk with you.'
"I walked in and spent some little time. He talked of
Pueblo and its future. In the course of the conversation
he said in these words : 'I want to say to you that I have
never regretted the building of the Missouri Pacific into
Pueblo.' "I responded, 'Mr Gould, I am exceedingly glad to
hear you say this, for the reason that some of our Denver
friends have said recently that Mr. Gould regretted that
he did not build direct to Denver.'
"He replied, 'That is not true. I am perfectly satis
fied. I have been driving over Pueblo today; it is going
to be a great city, but there is one thing you Pueblo people
should insist upon. That is treatment by the Denver and
Rio Grande Railroad which you deserve by reason of loca
tion.'

ADDRESS AT BANQUET TO PRESIDENT BUSH 213
"I said that we had been asking for this ever since
the line was extended south and west, without avail, and
after so many failures I had reached the conclusion that
Pueblo would not receive the treatment she deserves until
the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad was operated for the
benefit of the men whose money it represents.
"Through an open door leading to another part of the
car I saw his young lady daughters conversing anxiously,
it seemed, with his physician, and fearing his strength was
being overtaxed I said goodbye to the greatest railroad man
of the age.
"Mr. Henkel has spoken of a banquet given to the
Missouri Pacific officials by the Board of Trade of Pueblo.
That was given in honor of the completion of the line,
nearly 25 years ago. The banquet on that occasion was
only half as large as this in some respects. The reason for
that, I suppose, is that Pueblo has grown since that and re
quires large things.
"I have here an invitation issued for that banquet and
call attention to the cut illustrating 'The Great Central
Route Through the Rocky Mountains and Pueblo its Portal.'
"Wonderful changes have been wrought since then in
developing the resources of this great region by utilizing the
waters of the Arkansas River and its tributaries for the
purpose of irrigation, but while these great enterprises for
the welfare and happiness of mankind are being developed
the immutable laws of nature endure, and water continues
to flow downward.
"The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad today occupies
nature's pathway through the mountains, with no compet
ing route for 300 miles north or south, and the gateway is
Pueblo."

PUEBLO'S UNION DEPOT AND
POST OFFICE
It was my good fortune to be identified with the
movements looking to the erection of a suitable post office
building and a Union depot in Pueblo. Both are still
creditable structures and I am pleased to have had a part
in influencing their construction. Union Depot
When the annual meeting of the Board of Directors of
the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Company was held in
Denver in 1885, I was in that city, and prior to the meet
ing was informed that Mr. D. H. Moffat was to be elected
a member of the board. I had opportunity to see and talk
with him daily, and urged the neecssity for a suitable Union
depot in Pueblo, telling him that my Denver friends were
continually joking me about our Pueblo "furnace" as they
called the acre of planking around the old depot; that it
gave the traveling people a wrong impression of Pueblo
and its climate ; and that while in hot weather it was very
disagreeable at that point, the difference in temperature
between Denver and Pueblo was scarcely appreciable, be
ing not more than three or four degrees, except at the
depot ; that Pueblo by reason of location and business im
portance was entitled to a first-class depot, and obtained
from him a promise to assist in securing the end desired.
He informed me that the directors would leave Denver the
day following the annual meeting and suggested that per
haps they could be induced to stop in Pueblo an hour or

2l6 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
two. Arrangements were made by him accordingly to do
so, and I was invited to accompany them in their private
car. On the way down, Mr. Moffat, Mr. Coppell and I
were talking together when Moffat said: "Mr. Coppell,
Stanton wants you to do something for Pueblo."
Turning to me, Mr. Coppell said : "What do you want
that we can do for Pueblo?"
I replied : "We want a Union depot," and gave the
reasons I had urged upon Mr. Moffat for its necessity. He
said in reply, that to build a Union depot would require
the consent and cooperation of the other railroads running
into Pueblo, but as the Denver and Rio Grande owned
the ground he supposed it was incumbent upon his com
pany to take the initiative and he would take the matter up
with the other companies and see what could be done.
On the arrival of the train in Pueblo we were met by
the transportation committee of the Pueblo Club headed by
its Chairman, Honorable Charles Henkel, with carriages,
and after a drive about the city, were taken to the club rooms
in the Fitch Building, corner Third Street and Santa
Fe Avenue, and the visitors welcomed with a speech by
Mr. Henkel, who forcibly urged the necessity for a Union
depot in Pueblo.
Mr. Coppell replied and promised the people of Pueblo
to use his efforts to secure the desired end as speedily as
circumstances would permit. Mr. Moffat being loudly
called for endorsed the movement, promising his hearty
support. This was the begnning of active effort on the part of
Pueblo people which resulted in the building of the splendid
Union depot that adorns our city to-day and for which we
are indebted to Mr. George Coppell, Chairman of the Board

Pueblo's union depot and post office 217
of Directors of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad Com
pany and Mr. David Moffat of Denver.
Some little time after the completion of the depot I
had the pleasure of dining with Mr. Coppell and family
at his residence in New York, when he related the history
of the Pueblo depot at the table and told Mrs. Coppell
that I was entitled to the credit of securing for Pueblo, two
important enterprises, the first of which was the terminal
for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and the second the Union
depot. When I insisted the credit for the Union depot
belonged to him, he said I induced him to take the matter
up when he did and encouraged him to build a more expen
sive depot than th'e importance of Pueblo warranted. I
replied that nothing was too good for Pueblo ; that she was
the focal center from which his railroad system radiated
and would be a ministering angel to his company when
Denver had transferred her affections and influence to other
and competing lines of railroads. At this he laughed
heartily and said Pueblo had a warm advocate and supporter
in me. The occasion was most enjoyable and continues a pleas
ant memory with me. Irving W. Stanton.
Pueblo, May, 1921. The Post Office
(Pueblo Chieftain, April 15, 1920.)
Irving W. Stanton of Pueblo is visiting points of
interest in Florida. In a recent letter to The Chieftain,
he tells of his trip. On the way to Leesburg, Florida, from
which place he wrote, he passed through Jasper, Ala., the
same day on which the body of the late Senator John H.
Bankhead arrived there for burial. It was Senator Bank-
head who helped Pueblo obtain the present federal building.
Mr. Stanton relates the story of how the building was

2l8 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
obtained and how Senator Bankhead assisted. The part of
the letter relating to the building is as follows :
"In the morning of March 4, (1920) some forty miles
before reaching Birmingham, the train stopped at the small
town of Jasper, the home of the late United States Senator
from Alabama, Hon. John H. Bankhead, who died in Wash
ington, D. C, on the 1st inst., whose body arrived there
that morning in a heavy downpour of rain, when funeral
services were held. I had the pleasure and honor of a
personal acquaintance with this distinguished statesman,
and have very kind memories of him. Senator Bankhead
as member of the House of Representatives from the Bir
mingham district rendered valuable, timely service in aid
of the Pueblo public building.
"The winter of 1889, the last session of Judge Symes'
term as representative of Colorado in Congress, I spent with
my wife in Washington, our daughter attending Mrs.
Somers' school, Mount Vernon Seminary. I was there work
ing to secure a public building for Pueblo. A bill for this
purpose had been passed by the Senate twice, first by the
efforts of Senator Teller, again by Senator Chilcott, when
serving the unexpired term of Mr. Teller, who was called
to be Secretary of the Interior under President Arthur ; but it
had never been favorably reported by the House Committee
on Public Buildings and Grounds. This was necessary to
give it place on the House calendar.
"The House of Representatives was Democratic at that
time. Mr. Dibble of South Carolina was Chairman of the
full committee which was divided into sub-committees to
which were assigned the different States or Congressional
districts. Representative Bankhead was Chairman of the
committee having Colorado in charge. Judge Symes and
all friends of Pueblo realizing the bill's importance were

PUEBLOS UNION DEPOT AND POST OFFICE 219
earnestly at work to secure a favorable report and the pas
sage of the bill. The Judge would bring the members of
the committee to the anteroom of the House, introduce me
and I would talk Pueblo, her steel works, smelters, foun
dries, machine shops, importance as railroad center and
natural advantages for a great city, to the best of my ability.
In this way I met nearly all members of the committee, and
it was finally agreed to report the Pueblo Bill favorably.
"This was in the fore part of the week. Judge Symes
was highly elated, as were all Pueblo's friends, and he said
to me, 'There is nothing more to do ; you can go home.
With a favorable report I can get unanimous consent and
pass the bill.' I replied that I would remain a little longer.
"On Friday following a meeting of the full House
committee, it was found that the sub-committee had promised
to report favorably bills aggregating twice or three times
the amount agreed should be appropriated for public build
ings at the beginning of the session. To meet this condi
tion a resolution providing that no appropriation for public
buildings should be made in districts where there was an
uncompleted public building and unexpended balance. This
let Pueblo out. Denver's public building was not completed.
The next morning I met Judge Symes at the Capitol. He
was greatly disappointed and discouraged, and said further
effort was useless. I conceded the chances were not fa
vorable, but did not intend to give up.
"When the Judge left me I sent my card to Judge Mil-
likin of Maine, the ranking Republican member of the com
mittee, who came immediately. I told him the resolution
of the committee ought not to apply to Colorado, explained
that the Sate had more than sufficient population to e-ntitle
her to two Representatives and that Denver and Pueblo
could not be in the same Representative district. He said :

220 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
'If you could get some influential member to go to Mr.
Dibble and Mr. Bankhead with your statement he will get
it reported.' I asked, how would Senator Teller do? He
replied : 'Just the man. If Senator Teller will go to them
he can get your bill reported.'
"I thanked him and went immediately to the Senator's
rooms on North Capitol Street, my wife and I having a room
in the same house. I found him hard at work at his desk,
as was his custom when the Senate was not in session. I
reported what Judge Millikin said. Laying aside his work
without a word, he took his hat and together we walked
over to the Capitol. Neither of the gentlemen we wanted
to see was in his committee room. We then returned to the
Senator's committee room in the Senate wing where he dic
tated to the clerk of his committee, Mr. Thomas F. Dawson,
a letter to Mr. Bankhead, setting forth the facts as stated.
This letter I have at home.
"Later that day we met both Chairmen, who upon the
Senator's statement agreed to report the Pueblo Bill fa
vorably at the next call of the Committee. This was done
after Judge Symes had given the matter up as hopeless and
without his knowledge.
"I met Mr. Bankhead a number of times thereafter and
discussed the somewhat similar conditions existing in Bir
mingham and Pueblo. He assured me he would report our
bill and assist us all he could.
"The morning his Committee was called for report I
had a seat in the reserve gallery, where I could see and hear
distinctly. When it came to Mr. Bankhead's time to report
he arose and reported a bill for some other city. I was
surprised and thought the Pueblo Bill consigned to the scrap
heap after all. Rushing down to the House floor, I sent my
card to Mr. Bankhead who came at once. I confess I was

PUEBLOS UNION DEPOT AND POST OFFICE 221
on the anxious seat and I said : 'Mr. Bankhead, you
promised to report the Pueblo Bill.' Laying his hand
kindly on my shoulders he said: 'Mr. Stanton, don't be
excited; I am going to report your bill. I have the privi
lege to make an additional report at the close of the Com
mittee's call. I saw you in the gallery and know how
greatly interested you are. Go back to your seat. I will
report the Pueblo Bill.'
"I went back and he reported the bill favorably, which
was an important event in its history. Judge Symes was
surprised, but greatly pleased with the success attained and
soon asked unanimous consent to take up the bill for pas
sage ; but objection was made in accordance with the policy
of the Democrats to cut down the appropriations and the
bill failed to pass. But an important point had been gained
largely through the efforts of the Honorable John H. Bank-
head, whose service in her interest Pueblo has cause to
gratefully remember. With the bill once reported and the
importance of Pueblo thus recognized, it was comparatively
easy in the future to get another report and to get the bill
through. "The events I have related occurred at the close of
Judge Symes' service in Congress. He was succeeded by
Hosea Townsend of Custer County, who, visiting Pueblo,
promised ex-Senator Chilcott and myself if nominated and
elected to Congress from Colorado, he would secure the pas
sage of the Pueblo public building bill, which promise he
fulfilled, and the fine substantial structure at Main and
Fifth streets in the prosperous City of Pueblo, is a monu
ment to the efforts set forth, and finally accomplished by
the late Judge Hosea Townsend."

COLORADO'S SOLDIER MONUMENT
The Colorado Veterans' Association, composed of mem
bers of the First, Second and Third Colorado Cavalry and
McLain's Colorado Battery volunteers, which included all
her troops engaged in the Civil War, was formed at a
largely attended meeting of representatives of all of these
organizations, held in the City of Pueblo in 1883. When
organized, the Association took up and discussed the mat
ter of a monument to be erected by the State in memory
of our fallen comrades. A committee was named to in
terview the State authorities and urge the Legislature to
pass a bill for this purpose. Accordingly the Seventh Gen
eral Assembly passed an act appropriating the sum of
twenty-five thousand dollars, I believe, to erect a monument.
This bill, with others enacted by that Legislature, failed
In its purpose by reason of over-appropriation and lack of
funds. Some years later — I do not remember the date — the
Legislature passed an act appropriating the sum of fifteen
thousand dollars for a monument to Colorado soldiers
in the Civil War. The work was begun under the ad
ministration of Governor McDonald. Designs were asked
for and several were submitted, two of which I saw in
the Governor's office on a visit to Denver. They were
artistic, I suppose, but did not appeal to me as suitable and
appropriate for a monument to soldiers, and this opinion
I expressed.

224 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Shortly after returning home I received a letter from
the Governor asking rny idea of a suitable design for the
monument to which I replied : "The structure should be
substantial, enduring, well proportioned," and suggested a
square granite base surmounted by a mounted cavalryman
in uniform — Colorado troops were all cavalry at the close
of the war — with bronze tablets set in on each of the four
sides, upon one of which should appear the names and
dates of battles and engagements in which Colorado troops
took part, and upon the others the name of every Colorado
soldier who was killed or died in service in the Civil War.
The monument which stands at the west front of the
Capitol Building in Denver, was completed and dedicated,
during the administration of Governor Buchtel, the Gov
ernor making the dedication address.
At the close of the ceremonies, a largely attended meet
ing of the Colorado Veterans' Association was held in the
State house and attention was called to the historical errors
in the inscription on the bronze tablets of the monument.
It was pointed out, for instance, that the name, "Sabin
Creek," appears as the place of a battle, whereas, there
is no such place. Marias des Cygnes, the place where
Price on his raid in Missouri in 1864, made his first stand
after his defeat in the battle of Westport and where his
retreat began, appears, the last name inscribed on the tab
lets, as Marias Des Cygner. In this engagement and in all
the battles with Price from Little Blue to Newtonia, the
Second Colorado Cavalry, in which I had the honor to
serve, was engaged and bore a conspicuous part. Skirmishes
and engagements with the Indians are mixed with battles,
without regard for date and some erroneous inscription
appears upon each of the four tablets.
In the Denver meeting of the Veterans' Association

COLORADO S SOLDIER MONUMENT 225
the statement was made that the history of Colorado in
the Civil War had not been preserved and also that the
muster-out rolls, which should disclose the military history
of every enlisted man and every commissioned officer, were
missing and were not on file in the archives of the State.
This was given as a reason why the names of our com
rades, who died or were killed in the service, did not ap
pear on the tablets. Another reason stated was the want
of room for all the names.
Upon inquiry we were informed officially that the record
of Colorado and her soldiers in the Civil War had not been
preserved. We knew where they were preserved and applied
to the Honorable Henry M. Teller, then in Washington,
to obtain copies thereof from the War Department. Re
plying to the Senator's application for them, the Adju
tant General of the Army stated in substance, that the
work would be considerable and the clerical force allowed
by law was not sufficient for this purpose.
Honorable John A. Martin, when a member of Con
gress from the Pueblo District, applied for copies of this
record and later Senator John F. Shafroth made application
for them. Both of them received substantially the same
reply that had been made to Mr. Teller.
In April, 1916, returning from a visit with friends
in Florida, I came home to Colorado by way of Wash
ington to learn if anything could be gained by personal
application. Arriving there I called upon Senator Shaf
roth and talked the matter over. He then dictated a letter
to the Adjutant General, W. P. McCain, making an
earnest request for copies of the records. On the following
day he received a reply to the same effect as those before
mentioned. Taking the Adjutant General's reply, I called upon

226 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Congressman Ed. Taylor, who read the letter and then
said : "Let us get Senator Shaf roth and go up and see
the Adjutant General." To this proposition I heartily
assented. He then called Senator Shafroth, who was ready
to go. They called up General McCain, who replied that
he had just put on his overcoat to go to a dentist and asked
them to postpone their call until morning. Mr. Taylor
had a meeting of his committee in the morning and could
not go, but Senator Shafroth and I met the Adjutant Gen
eral. By request of the Senator I made a statement of
our plan; its aim and object, saying that the record of
Colorado in the war had not been preserved by the State.
To my presentation he listened attentively, and when I had
finished he took my hand and said :
"Mr Stanton, the object you have in view is a worthy
one. I will do all I can to assist you. The Department
has permitted some responsible photographers to make pho
tographic copies of records. I will give you the name of
one ; go and see him, perhaps you can get what you want ;
if not, come back."
I give this statement in detail, because it shows how
ready all Colorado officials were to aid in carrying out the
plan in view, and also, because I think General McCain
had in mind some way to aid us, if this plan failed.
Senator Shafroth and I went to Leet Brothers, photo
graphers, where he left me to attend a committee meeting.
The photographers informed me that it would require some
time to make an estimate of the cost of this work, but they
would do so and advise me by mail. I did not go back,
which I now greatly regret.
Some weeks later I received a letter from Leet Brothers,
saying there were some eleven hundred or twelve hundred

Colorado's soldier monument

227

of the records and the cost would approximate a thousand
dollars. Our association had no funds; so that nothing
came of this effort.
At the session of the State Legislature in 1917, a bill
providing for the correction of the inscription on the monu
ment and for the preservation of the record of Colorado in
the Civil War and appropriating the sum of five thousand
dollars was introduced in the House by Mr. M. Studzinski
and Mr. Hills. Through their efforts, assisted by Mr.
Hugh R. Steele, Secretary of the Colorado Pioneers, and
others, it passed the House, but it failed to receive the ap
proval of the Senate, as then constituted.
At the last session of the Legislature, a bill for the
purpose named was introduced in the House by Mr. Frank
A. Mortenson of Pueblo, and referred to the Committee on
Appropriations, Mr. A. M. Wilson, Chairman. Through
Mr. Wilson's courtesy I was given opportunity to appear
before the committee and state the aim and object in view.
In due time the bill was passed by the House, went to
the Senate, and was passed unanimously, I believe, ulti
mately receiving the signature of Governor Shoup. Sena
tors W. O. Peterson of Pueblo and Hugh R. Steele of
Denver were active in support of the bill and deserve much
credit for the favorable result.
The estimate for the appropriation of five thousand
asked for, which was based upon pre-war prices, was re
duced to three thousand dollars. It is doubtful whether
the entire plan contemplated can be carried out, but the
historical errors of the inscription can be corrected.
Governor Shoup has taken an interest in this matter
and has appointed the following named Civil War veterans

228 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
of Colorado to carry it into effect: Irving Howbert of
Colorado Springs, Robert S. Roe, Denver, W. R. Beatty,
Denver, Irving W. Stanton, Pueblo.*
Pueblo, May, 1921.
*It should be added that of this Commission Colonel Stanton was
made Chairman. He entered heartily into the work of correcting the roll,
but had not proceeded far when he died. Following his death came that
of Mr. Beatty, leaving only Mr. Howbert and Mr. Roe. Recently (March,
1922) the Commission has been filled by the selection of E. B. Sopris and
T. C. Brewster, Mr, Roe succeeding Mr. Stanton as chairman. In a
letter dated February 24 Mr. Howbert says that the Commission plans to
proceed with its work.

POLITICAL PAPERS

THE CAMPAIGN OF 1918
(Pueblo Chieftain, Oct., 1918.)
Born and reared on the sunny side of the Moosic
Mountains in the northeastern county of the grand old Com
monwealth of Pennsylvania, I was taught by a noble,
patriotic mother of New England stock, to worship God, to
love liberty, my country, and the flag, to honor the name of
Washington, to speak the truth, to be honest and honor
able, to respect women, to hate human slavery, oppression
and wrong and to despise traitors and Tories. These pre
cepts, so impressed in childhood and youth, strengthened
with the years, have been the rule and guide for my faith
and practice in life.
In the early spring of 1855, when a boy of twenty
years, I joined a party of men, citizens of my native county
of Wayne, went to Kansas Territory and located at Pawnee
City, the first capital of the Territory, situated on the
government reservation one mile east of Fort Riley, and
was there for the March election held that year for members
of the Territorial Legislature, but could not vote on account
of age. I was present and saw the first Legislature of
Kansas Territory organized and in session at Pawnee City
on the 2nd day of July, 1855. The Legislature was com
posed of pro-slavery Missourians, "border ruffians," deter
mined to make Kansas a slave State at any cost.
Drinking and gambling were the rule among them.
Free-State men were insulted and assaulted. I saw one of
these desperate men spit in the face of Judge Wakefield, an

232 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
elderly, gray-haired Free-State man from Wisconsin. Then
drawing two Colt revolvers from his holster he told the
Judge to make his choice and take satisfaction. I saw
Governor Andrew H. Reeder, the first governor of Kansas
Territory, a few moments after he had been assaulted and
his face bruised by Dock Stringfellow, one of the prominent
Pro-Slavery leaders. Other outrages and indignities were
perpetrated upon the few known Free-State men there at
that time.
This Legislature, after some days spent in expelling a
few Free-State men, elected from the interior portion of the
Territory not easily accessible to the Missourians, and in
seating their Pro-Slavery opponents, who had received few
or no votes at the election, adjourned to Shawnee Mission, in
Kansas, but near Westport, Missouri.
In August of that year, on partial recovery from an
attack of typhoid fever, I went to an uncle who was then
a contractor for the Rock Island Railroad Company in
Illinois and Iowa, and I was as strong and uncompromising
an anti-slavery and anti-Democratic party boy as could be
found in the country. And I have kept faith through all
the years. I attended the convention composed of Old-Line Whigs,
Know Nothings and Free-Soilers which formed the Re
publican party of the State of Iowa, at Iowa City, in the
winter of 1855 and 1856. The basic principle of the party
then and there organized was "equal and exact justice for
all mankind before the law, without regard for race, color,
sect or creed, or previous condition of servitude, with special
privileges for none." These are the fundamental principles
of the Republican party today, which appeal to me. My
first vote was cast for John C. Fremont for President, at
Iowa City, in 1856. The rallying slogan of the Republican

THE CAMPAIGN OF I918 233
party then was "Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Press, Free
Men and Fremont."
I have been a Republican in what is now the State
of Colorado since June, i860, at all times supporting its
principles, and with one exception its candidates. I voted
for William Jennings Bryan in 1896, and have been doing
penance ever since. But I am not infallible even in politics,
I am a Republican because I believe the principles of
that party carried into effect will best promote the welfare
and happiness of all the people of my country, and the
reason for this belief is the record of the party from
Abraham Lincoln down to Woodrow Wilson.
During that time, the principles of the Democratic
party have been opposition to the measures devised and car
ried into effect under Republican administration of the
Government, and now it assumes a monopoly of the term
Democracy. This democratic republic of ours, however, is
governed by representatives elected by popular vote, and
in the language of Mr. Lincoln, is a government of the
people by the people, and for the people.
For forty years I had a somewhat active part in
Republican politics, Territorial and State ; for a number of
years past, I have been little in evidence actively. This
does not mean, however, that I have lost interest in the suc
cess of Republican principles, or in the practical affairs and
duties of life. I am nearing the 84th milestone in
life's journey. My activities are somewhat Impaired. I
do not see as clearly, or hear so acutely as ten or twenty
years ago. But my earnest desire is to render some service
to my country and to my fellowmen, and my heart beats
as loyally and warmly for my "country, the flag, and its
brave defenders as when a Colorado soldier for three
years in the Civil War I wore the army blue and followed

234 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
"Old Glory" to victory for the Union, the Constitution and
enforcement of the law.
I am unable to understand just what is meant by
"partisan politics adjourned."* So far as my observation ex
tends this injunction in practice is intended to apply only to
the Republican party, and it appears to be expected we will
all be Democrats until peace reigns supreme. Then possibly
the Indian's idea of what he is fighting for may be realized
and "the whole world be made safe for the Democratic
party." If we admit that partisan politics should stand ad
journed until the war is won, who, of all Americans, should
lead the way, and by noble action set the example for
his countrymen ? There can be but one reply, tmt what does
the record show? Let the people of the States of Wis
consin, Michigan and Illinois answer.
We are told by our partisan Democratic friends that
under present conditions of our country in the World War,
criticism of the President is disloyal and treasonable. For
one who remembers the criticisms and abuse "heaped upon
Abraham Lincoln while President of the United States
in the Civil War, the charge of disloyalty for criticism of
the acts of the President or his failure to act, has no terrors.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy of the
United States he will have my loyal support, whether I agree
with him or not, and I freely accord to him as President the
honor and respect due the highest office within the gift of
mankind. But fair and just criticism of those in authority
is the American citizen's privilege, of which no official,
no servant of the people, has a right to complain. It is only
when criticism descends to falsehood and abuse that it be
comes intolerable. I am not a hero worshiper and know

*Referring to an expression by President Woodrow Wilson during
the World War.

THE CAMPAIGN OF 1918 235
how very human even great men are. I try to judge them
fairly and impartially, am loth to attribute unworthy mo
tives for their actions ; but "by their acts shall ye know
them." I reject the doctrine of "Divinity of Kings," that
"the King can do no wrong ;" am a free-born American
citizen who will not bow to Gesler's cap or kneel to Gesler's
self. My fellow Republicans, remember that on the 5th day
of November next a new Congress is to be elected. The
record shows that there have been more pacifists among the
Democrats than among Republicans in Congress. The
National Security League selected eight measures of the
last two Congresses regarded by it most vital to the success
ful conduct of the war, and found that seven members voted
wrong on all these measures. Of these seven one was a
Republican and six were Democrats. Forty-seven members
voted right on all these measures, of whom forty-three were
Republicans and four were Democrats. In a speech made
in the United States Senate in March last, Senator
Curtis of Kansas said. "I have in my hand the
record of every vote cast in the Senate during the War
Congress, and of the votes cast on the Republican side 76
per cent plus, were for war propositions, while on the
Democratic side the votes cast for the same war measures
were 75 per cent minus. That is the best record upon which
Republicans stand. It is the best evidence of our loyalty."
Will any intelligent American think the country in
danger if a Republican Congress shall be elected in Novem
ber and, on the 4th of March next, assembled in the Capitol
Building in Washington1? No certificate of loyalty will
be required. There are no copperheads in the Republican
party, thank God ! And the President can rest assured of the
united support of the great loyal party that saved the

236 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Union in all his measures for successful conduct of the
war in Congress and in the coming peace council, soon to
be inaugurated, we hope and believe.
Since the close of the Civil War there has never been
a time when the success of Republican principles was so
essential to the future welfare and permanency of this great
Republic of ours. We must not be lulled to security by
the cry of "partisan politics adjourned." It is on a par
with those catchy, will-o-the-wisp phrases, "Watchful Wait
ing," which was drifting without compass or rudder, ana
"He's kept us out of war," which wasn't true. The sink
ing of the Lusitania was the foulest outrage ever per
petrated upon innocent men, women and children, by a
nation claiming to be civilized, and was an open declaration
of war by Germany against the United States. In my
opinion it should have been so regarded and accepted at the
time. In this broad land of ours there was one American
beyond all others, who, knowing the German Emperor and
his militaristic government by experience, realized the grave
importance of this dastardly act, who had the courage to
denounce it, as deserved, and to demand prompt action to
meet the resulting emergency which he foresaw was inevi
table. There is but one Theodore Roosevelt. There he
stands ! Behold him at the head of the Army of the Lord
on the Plain of Esdraelon, fighting the battle of righteous
ness for the people.
Oh, ye mistaken, peace-loving Americans, men and
women, what toll we are paying today in blood of the
bravest and best youth of our land for failure to act when
the action that speaks louder than words was demanded!
I admire frank, out-spoken, manly men, with opinions
and convictions upon all questions involving the welfare

THE CAMPAIGN OF 1918 237
and happiness of their fellowmen, who have the ability
to express and defend them; men who possess that lofty
courage that will assail the wrong, however panoplied in
power, and defend the weak and the oppressed, however
poor and humble they may be. I hate artifice and pretense.
And now, "with firmness to do the right as we are
given to see the right" let us loyally support the principles
of our party and its candidates in the coming election.
I. W. Stanton.
After the above letter was printed a copy of The Chief
tain containing it was sent to Colonel Roosevelt, with a
letter and he, acknowledging its receipt, wrote :
Office of Theodore Roosevelt
347 Madison Ave., New York, Nov. 13, 1918.
My Dear Mr. Stanton:
That's a mighty nice letter of yours. I thank you for
it and I thank you for letting me see the enclosure.
,- T . -,r _ Faithfully yours,
Mr. Irving W. Stanton, _ _
„ . ,° . , T. Roosevelt.
Pueblo, Colorado.
Colonel Stanton's old friend, General N. P. Chipman,
wrote from Sacramento, under date of October 1 :
"I received copy of the Pueblo Chieftain containing
your explanation of why you are a Republican. I think
you make out a pretty clear case. Like myself, you grew
up in the right atmosphere for sane political development,
and you have kept in the right path.
"I presume you are eagerly watching the western front
in France and are proud of the splendid work the armies
of democracy are doing. If President Wilson will keep his
hands off they will finish up the job in the right way and
make the world safe. Unconditional surrender should be
the slogan and full and complete indemnity for all the
damage done."

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
(Pueblo Chieftain, February 4, 1912.)
"Your party in Colorado has a safe majority of 3,000
or more votes in a straight political contest. Since the
silver question ceased to be an issue there has not been a time
when with united effort and the exercise of practical common-
sense you could not have carried the State. Why don't
you came together as old-time Republicans, carry the
State at the coming election and send two United States
Senators to Washington?"
This was said to me recently by a distinguished, highly
honored and influential citizen of Colorado. I said in
reply that I fully endorsed his views, but for a number
of years past I had not taken an active part in political
affairs ; that having been a Colorado Republican for half
a century, too many winters have whitened my hair to per
mit me to think of actively engaging in politics again, and
besides this I am not in the counsels of the present party
leaders. While I have no personal ambitions to subserve I
have lost nothing of my love and devotion for the great
principles upon which the party was founded, and as firmly
believe that faithfully carrying into practical effect these
principles will best promote the welfare, happiness and
prosperity of all the people of our State and country.
The Republican party, however, has made mistakes,
and has not at all times kept strict faith with the people.

24O SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
But when it has failed to do this it has accepted defeat as
deserved punishment and profited by the experience.
To the failure of a Republican Congress to revise the
tariff as promised in the last national platform must be
attributed the defeat of the party in the last State and Con
gressional elections.
The promised revision of the tariff, if not expressly
so stated in words, was understood by the rank and file
of the party to be a revision downward, and this construc
tion was given by party speakers and party leaders thru-
out the country in the national campaign. When the Payne-
Aldrich bill became a law the able discussion of its
provisions in the Senate had clearly established the fact
that it was not such revision as was promised, and a crush
ing defeat of the party in the States where elections were held
followed, with the election of a Democratic majority in the
House of Representatives. The people have been educated
on the tariff question in the past few years, with the result
that it has lost much of terror to them as a party issue ;
they can no longer be fooled or frightened with it. All
parties concede that the great proportion of the revenue re
quired to meet the expenses of the General Government
must be derived from a tax levied upon imports and it
matters little whether it is called a "tariff for revenue" or
"a protective tariff" ; it is the same practically in effect.
Another question of public importance, for the defeat
of which the party is held responsible, is the Pension Bill
passed by the last Republican House of Representatives
and defeated by the Republican Senate under the leader
ship of the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts, Mr.
Henry Cabot Lodge, the close friend of the President, who,
it was charged by our Democratic friends when the bill was
under discussion in the Senate, reflected the views of the

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY 241
Administration. I am aware that the Secretary to the Pres
ident has recently denied this. I think, however, this
denial would have been more effective at the time the
Democratic charge was made.
It is not necessary to defend the proposed pension legis
lation. Were we to concede all that Senator Lodge and
those who think and act with him claim — which we do not
for a moment — that the men who saved the Government in
the war of the Rebellion have been liberally and bounti
fully provided for; that the pension system has become a
great burden and drain upon the resources of the country ;
that the demands of the pensioners are unreasonable and
unjust and it is time to call a halt in pension legislation — if
this were all true, who, I ask, is responsible for these con
ditions and this sentiment among the veterans ? The
answer is written in the record of the Republican party.
Every page of its glorious history since the close of the
war is illuminated with pledges and promises to the brave
men who saved the Government ; they are assured over and
over that a grateful people can never compensate them for
the hardships endured and invaluable services rendered in
the great struggle for national existence.
There are on the pension ' rolls today approximately
five hundred and twenty thousand names of survivors of the
war, whose average age is 70 years ; this number is being
depleted at the rate of three thousand each month. Those
whose names are still on the rolls are asking Congress for
a service pension of practically a dollar a day for the
limited time which, in the nature of things, is left them,
and are told in effect that they are being fully compensated
for their services and that pensions are a gratuity. As a Col
orado soldier for three years in the War of the Rebellion,
proud of the record of my comrades and sensitive of their

242 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
honor, I indignantly resent the imputation that "the soldiers
are beggars and pensions a gratuity." This Government
justly owes to every man who was mustered into the United
States service during the war and honorably discharged
therefrom, a pension sufficient in amount to enable him to
live comfortably the remainder of his days.
I do not forget that every ninety days the Government
disburses a large amount of money through the pension
agencies to the veterans of the war, a great majority of
whom are poor men. This money so disbursed is not
hoarded, but does money duty in every city, town and hamlet
thruout our land, and its benefits cannot be estimated.
When it is remembered that seventy per cent of the
revenue collected by the General Government goes to defray
the expenditures of the army and navy of the United States ;
the country at peace with all the world, and the President
urging the arbitration of all questions arising between
nations, it should not be surprising if not only the soldiers,
but the people generally think the expenditure of this im
mense sum is the great drain upon our resources and that re
trenchment is demanded here rather than in withholding de
served pensions from the men who saved the country.
A service pension bill known as the Sherwood Bill
passed the Democratic House recently and is now before
the Republican Senate for consideration. Early and favor
able action upon this question will promote the interests of
the Republican party.
No important public question divides the people of our
country today. At no time since the close of the war have
the party ties rested so lightly upon the people. The result
of the approaching elections, both State and National, will
depend more largely than ever before upon the personal
character and standing of men who shall be nominated for

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY 243
the various offices to be filled. With this in view it be
comes the duty of all Republicans to lay aside personal
aspirations and unite to reconcile conflicting views and
opinions. Nominate men who deserve and possess the con
fidence of the people. A party of leaders self-appointed
will answer for parade and display, but for actual service
and to carry elections the votes of the people, "the common
people," Mr. Lincoln called them, are necessary.
Why not all be in fact Lincoln Republicans; meet to
gether with something of the spirit which always character
ized this greatest of men; agree to submit all factional dif
ferences to the party for determination and abide by the
fairly expressed will of the majority? The party thus
united will be invincible.
I have abiding faith in the patriotism and love of
justice of my fellow countrymen and am glad to believe
that the great majority are for law and lawfully constituted
authority, ready to uphold and defend the right when as
sailed, and equally ready to condemn and oppose the wrong.
The commission form of government may be left for their
determination and it matters not what great men may think
of its provisions, the question will be thoroughly tested and
if found defective in some respects it will be amended or
changed. No fear need be entertained that the rights and •
liberties of the people will be jeopardized.
We love and are proud of the Grand Old Party, with
all its mistakes. Its record from the first election of Mr.
Lincoln to the present time is the history of our country.
Under its wise and historic administration of public affairs
we have rapidly and steadily advanced to first place in the
rank of nations, and have the greatest country and the best
government on earth.
I. W. Stanton.

THE SILVER REPUBLICAN PARTY
(Pueblo Chieftain, Sept. 22, 1898.)
Colonel I. W. Stanton is in receipt of a letter from
A. M. Stevenson saying :
"This morning at Pueblo I asked you for your resig
nation as Chairman of the Silver Republican County Cen
tral Committee for Pueblo County, and you said you would
consider the matter." The other parts of the letter are
largely of a personal nature, but the writer states that he
has removed Mr. Stanton and appointed Dr. Chipley. The
letter was dated at Denver, Sunday, September 18, after
Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Teller had been in Pueblo and
spoken at Board of Trade hall and several days after Dr.
J. N. Chipley of this city had received a telegraphic ap
pointment as County Chairman from Mr. Stevenson. To
this Mr. Stanton sent a reply last evening, and it is in the
form of an open letter. The letter appears below :
Headquarters, Silver Republican Committee of Pueblo
County, Colorado.
I. W. Stanton, Chairman.
Hon. A. M. Stevenson, Denver, Colo. :
Dear Sir — I have received by the hand of Dr. J. N.
Chipley, your communication of the 18th instant, by which
you assume to remove me from the position of Chairman
of the Silver Republican County Central Committee for
Pueblo County.

246 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
You are informed that I received my appointment as
Chairman from Hon. Richard Broad, Jr., the legally chosen
Chairman of the Silver Republican State Central Committee,
and accepted the position at the solicitation of leading Silver
Republicans of Pueblo. I am now and at all times have
been in full accord with the great mass of Silver Republi
cans of this county on the position we should take in the
present campaign. I am not desirous of retaining the posi
tion of Chairman, and will cheerfully give place to my
legally authorized successor. I must, however, refuse to
recognize you as a Silver Republican, or your authority to
remove me from the position I hold. It would appear that
you exercised all the power and authority you possess when
you appointed Dr. Chipley Chairman of your party in this
county, as announced in the public press several days since.
You refer complainingly to the call for a mass con
vention of the Silver Republican party called and signed by
Mr. E. E. Hubbell and "presume he claims authority from
me," etc. In this you are correct. Mr. Hubbell is Vice
Chairman by my appointment, and was duly authorized to
call the mass convention as he did. You say: "Mr. Hub
bell is well known to be one of those Silver Republicans who
believe in delivering our party to the Administration Re
publican party." If this be true, the difference between Mr.
Hubbell and yourself is, that you believe in and propose to
deliver — so far as is in your power — the Silver Republican
party to the life-long opponent of Republican principles,
the Democratic party.
With some knowledge of the people of Pueblo County,
gained by a twenty-seven years' residence and association
with them, I may assure you that the Silver Republicans
of Pueblo do not intend longer to be used as a Democratic
annex, nor will they follow you or any other person into

THE SILVER REPUBLICAN PARTY 247
the Democratic party. Appreciating the sentiments ex
pressed for me personally, I am,
Very truly yours,
Irving W. Stanton,
Chairman, Silver Republican County Central Committee for
Pueblo County, Colorado.
(Pueblo Chieftain, October 3, 1898.)
Colonel I. W. Stanton of this city, replies to an at
tack made upon him through the press of Denver by A. M.
Stevenson in the following letter, which needs no com
ment: Pueblo, Colorado, October 1, 1898.
Hon. A. M. Stevenson, Denver, Colo. :
Dear Sir: My attention has been called to your com
munication in the issue of the Denver Republican of Sep
tember 27th, addressed to me, which appears to have been
called forth by my letter of September 20th, mailed to you
on that date, refusing to recognize you as a Silver Repub
lican or your authority to remove me from the position of
Chairman of the Silver Republican County Central Commit
tee for Pueblo County.
In the condition of affairs now existing I deem it
proper to state the circumstances connected with my appoint
ment and under which I accepted the position of Chairman
of the Silver Republican Committee for this county. In
the month of May last, I received a call from some Denver
gentlemen who informed me that they came from the Hon.
Richard Broad, jr., Chairman of the Silver Republican
State Central Committee and Hon. A. M. Stevenson, who
desired to organize the Silver Republican party in this
county ; that by reason of all Republicans uniting on our
county ticket last year there was no separate and distinct
Silver Republican organization here; that some of my

248 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
friends were urging the appointment of myself as Chairman,
etc. I was assured the appointment would be made at once
if I would agree to accept the place.
At the solicitation of friends I reluctantly consented
to do so, with, however, a distinct understanding that I
would not do or consent to the doing by others of any act
that would have a tendency to divide the Republicans of
Pueblo County on local issues ; that for good and sufficient
reasons I was in favor of a united Republican party on our
County ticket. With this understanding I accepted the posi
tion of Chairman. My views on this question have been
outspoken and well known to the Republicans of Pueblo,
with the great majority of whom I am in full accord.
You think proper in your communication to refer to my
action in the State Republican Convention, held in this city
two years ago. It is true, that I had the honor to be made
Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions at that time and
reported them to the convention. Those resolutions ex
pressed the views of that convention on the questions then
before the country. With the sentiments expressed by the
resolutions I was fully in accord. I believed then and now
believe they were right and in the interest of the people
of my country. My action would be the same today under
like or similar circumstances.
In the national campaign of 1896, believing the finan
cial question before the country paramount in importance
to all others and that an opportunity presented to rightly
settle this great question for all time, I, with a large ma
jority of the Republicans of Pueblo county did my part in
affiliation and declared in favor of the free coinage of silver
at the ratio of 16 to 1 without regard to the action of foreign
nations and voted for William J. Bryan. On the great
question of free coinage of silver, my opinion has not

THE SILVER REPUBLICAN PARTY 249
changed ; I am this day as strongly in favor of such action
by this country of ours alone, as any man in the State,
and in this position am in accord with the great majority
of the people of Colorado. I am, however, unable to see any
immediate prospect for the accomplishment of that object.
Other important questions have arisen which more nearly
concern the future welfare of our government.
I have not been in favor of fusion with the Demo
cratic party in the present campaign. My position on this
question has been no secret, but well known to my friends
here and elsewhere in the State. The experience gained
by Silver Republicans in the fusion two years ago, when
a thoroughly equipped Silver Republican party represent
ing a majority of the voters of the State was swallowed by
the Democratic party with less than 9,000 votes, is not cal
culated to inspire Silver Republicans with unbounded en
thusiasm for fusion with the Democrats.
I have favored united action by the Republicans of
Pueblo on the County ticket. A majority of the candidates
nominated are Silver Republicans.
I am in favor of the election of that ticket and pro
pose to do all I can honorably to that end. I claim and
shall exercise the same right to support this ticket as a Silver
Republican, that I concede to other Silver Republicans to
support a ticket headed by a Democrat.
I do not recognize you as authority to prescribe the
qualifications of a Silver Republican. That power rests
with a convention of the Silver Republican party. You
never asked me for my resignation as Chairman. On Sun
day morning, September 18, several days after you had
appointed the Chairman of your committee in this county,
you approached me in the Grand Hotel of this city and
asked the following question : "Don't you think you ought

2^0 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
to resign the Chairmanship of the Silver Republican Com
mittee?" I replied: "I will think about it." This was
all that was said on that occasion. The next day I received
your communication, whereby you assumed to remove me.
Has it occurred to you that if you claimed authority
over me as Chairman, a high sense of honor would have
prompted you to ask for my resignation before appointing
my successor, as you claim your appointee to be?
You still have a grievance against Mr. Hubbell, al
though you state that I assumed responsibility for his action,
which you say was to defraud the Silver Republicans of this
county out of their just claim to the emblem of their party.
In this, as in most of your assertions, you are mistaken.
The Silver Republicans who took part in the mass con
vention called by Mr. Hubbell, represent a very large
majority of the Silver Republicans of Pueblo County.
Your statement that Mr. Hubbell was a delegate to the
McKinley conventions, both State and county, is also a
mistake. The County Convention you are pleased to call
the McKinley Convention was composed of more than two-
thirds of Silver Republicans. Mr. Hubbell was not "a dele
gate to a convention of a party to which he did not belong."
You say you do not know Mr. Hubbell. I can assure
you that this is your loss. It shows that you know little
of Pueblo and her people. You say and reiterate that you
are not a Democrat and do not propose to go into the Demo
cratic party, etc. I did not charge you with being a Demo
crat, but your political action in the present campaign is
intended to establish that party in power in this State, a
party that has always been the opponent of every principle
advocated by the Republican party to promote the interests
and welfare of the people of our country.
You may feel comfortable in your continued alliance
with the Democratic party. I should not. I yield to no

THE SILVER REPUBLICAN PARTY 25 1
man in love, respect and veneration for my country and her
institutions, or in just pride for Colorado, the Centennial
State, which I have seen grow and develop from almost a
wilderness occupied by roving bands of half-naked, half-
starved savages, to a great commonwealth, the home of
more than half a million prosperous, happy people. My
Americanism was shown by three years' service during the
war as a Colorado soldier in defense of the Government and
the flag. I have been a member of the Republican party from its
formation in the State of Iowa in the winter of 1856, and
as a resident of Colorado for the past 38 years, at all times,
under all circumstances, with the exception before men
tioned, supporting its principles and candidates, sincerely
believing that in so doing I was assisting to promote the best
interests of my fellow countrymen.
And now, Mr. Stevenson, a last word with you. After
you had appointed a Chairman of your committee in this
county, you wrote me a letter assuming authority to re
move me from the position of Chairman of the Silver Re
publican County Committee. I replied to you in a re
spectful manner refusing to recognize your authority in
the premises. You have made no reply but instead have
taken my letter as the pretext for a tirade of false accusa
tion, misrepresentation and abuse. I must conclude that
this production exhibits your standard of political ethics,
and if so, I have nothing further to say to you. We are
both known to the people of Colorado, and they shall judge
who has acted honorably in the matter, you or I.
Very truly yours,
Irving W. Stanton,
Chairman of the Silver Republican Committee for Pueblo
County.

CARLSON-GUNTER CONTEST
(Letter to Mr. Lewis.)
"Pueblo, October 27, 1916.
Mr Lawrence Lewis, Equitable Building, Denver, Colo. :
My Dear Sir : — I am in receipt of your letter of the
25th inst., enclosing Mrs. Elizabeth Cass Goddard's "Ar
raignment of the Republican Governor," and a circular
giving the history and public service of the Hon. Julius
C. Gunter during his 36 years' residence in Colorado, and
asking me to support him for Governor of the State in the
coming election.
In reply I have to say that I have known Judge Gunter
as an honorable, high-minded gentleman since his election
to the office of Judge of the Third Judicial District of
Colorado, and do not doubt all that you say of his high
character and ability is true ; but I have had some knowl
edge and long experience in public affairs and of public
men in Colorado, which has been my home since June, i860.
I was. deputy postmaster of Denver in the summer of
1861, and was a Colorado soldier in the Union Army for
three years, enlisting 1862 and being discharged with my
regiment, the Second Colorado Cavalary volunteers, in Sep
tember, 1865, at the close of the Civil War. I have known
every Governor of the Territory and State personally, from
William Gilpin, first Governor of the Territory, down to
the present incumbent, most of them intimately, and while
they all rendered valuable, patriotic service to the people
of the State and several were rewarded by election for a

254 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
second term, in my opinion, no one of them deserved this
high honor more than George A. Carlson.
When we contrast present conditions with those of the
past it seems to me an unanswerable argument for the re
election of Governor Carlson.
In Judge Gunter's circular, "For Governor, Julius C.
Gunter," it is stated that he was born in Fayette, Arkansas,
October 31, 1858. His father 'was for years colonel
of a cavalry regiment in General William L. Cabell's
brigade of the Confederate army, etc., etc' I was in
Fayette, or as it then was called Fayetville, in November,
1864, with my regiment, the Second Colorado Cavalry.
Colonel Gunter and his regiment were not there at that time.
General Fagan ef the Confederate Arm1' made an unsuc
cessful attack upon the front there defended by the First
Arkansas Union regiment or "Mountain Feds," as they were
called, but left the night before the Second Colorado reached
there. Our regiment made a short stay in Fayetville. As
acting Regiment Quartermaster and Commissary, I secured
some 120 large or double loaves of bread there, and owing
to the condition of our commissary supply at the time have
reason to remember Fayetville. From there our regiment
followed the retreating and demoralized army of the
Rebel General Sterling Price, driving him across the
Arkansas River, some miles above Fort Smith. I had
the pleasure to see General Cabell and General Marmaduke
at Mine Creek, Mo., in which engagement both were taken
prisoners. Now, I have no desire to keep alive any unpleasant
memories of the war, but if it is considered a great honor
and recommendation for the office of Governor of Colorado
for Judge Gunter that his father was a Confederate officer
of the Civil War, I want it known that I was a Colorado

CARLSON-GUNTER CONTEST 2^5
Union soldier fighting Colonel Gunter and his comrades,
and the proudest legacy I shall leave my descendants is the
honorable record, humble though it may be, of a Colorado
soldier for three years in the War of the Rebellion.
Having passed the four-score mile-stone in life's jour
ney, my activities are somewhat lessened, but I have lost
nothing of my interest in the practical affairs and duties
of life, and my great desire is to promote in every way
possible the welfare, prosperity and best interests of my
fellowmen. With this end in view, I am for George A.
Carlson for governor. Very sincerely yours,
Irving W. Stanton.

FREEMASONRY

TO YOUNG MASONS
CDelivered before Pueblo Lodge No. 17,
November 1, 1901.)
If we would intelligently understand the aim and ob
ject of Free Masonry and appreciate the beauty and value
of its teachings, we must devote some time and considera
tion to the subject, that we may obtain correct and com
prehensive views of its principles and history.
It is the duty of the young Mason to become familiar
with the ritual and proficient in the lectures, but the im
portant duty is to put in practice in our daily intercourse
with each other and with our fellowmen the lessons we are
here taught. If on this occasion I shall be able to say
something to assist and encourage a brother to high and
noble effort in this direction it will afford me sincere grati
fication. It will hardly be expected that I shall say any
thing especially new on this subject, but I will ask your
attention while we briefly consider some of the teachings
and our duty as Free Masons.
To the earnest and sincere Mason the subject never
grows stale or uninteresting. Nor can we too often be re
minded of the principles upon which the Institution is
founded or recall its time-honored lessons of truth and
honor, virtue and integrity, which we have here pledged
ourselves faithfully to observe and practice, as the rule and
guide for our faith and conduct in life.
Free Masonry is not a reformatory institution, nor
does it profess to be such. It is preeminently conservative

260 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
in its character, and seeks only good men for membership
with a view to assist and enable them to become better and
more useful to their fellow-men.
Free Masonry is not a religion as the term is gener
ally understood, and yet, from our first entrance into the
lodge, in all the forms and ceremonies through which we
are required to pass, the intelligent candidate cannot fail
to be deeply impressed with the solemnity and sacredness
of its teachings. If not so impressed then the beautiful
lessons of truth, honor, integrity and devotion to duty
are not understood and appreciated.
Free Masonry is a system of morals, a code of ethics,
for the observance of all who assume its obligations. And,
my brothers, these duties each of us has voluntarily as
sumed and given a solemn promise faithfully to practice.
Then let us strive to keep sacred and inviolate our en
gagements, ever remembering that if we keep our passions
and desires within due bounds, limited by the circle and the
two parallel lines, with the Holy Scriptures at the top, it
will be impossible that we materially err.
The Blue Lodge is the foundation of all Free Masonry,
the chief cornerstone upon which each member of the fra
ternity must erect his own Masonic edifice. The value and
beauty of the structure depends entirely upon himself. The
zeal and effective efforts made to understand its aim and
object will best show his appreciation of its sublime teach
ings, and his intercourse with his brethren, and his fellow
men will measure the extent of its influence upon his life
and character.The professions we here make, the engagements entered
into, are not mere formal words, but, as we are instructed,
are intended to make deep and lasting impressions upon our
minds. Important duties are imposed upon us in our rela
tions with one another, and with our fellowmen.

TO YOUNG MASONS 26l
As Masons are we in our daily intercourse with our
associations living up to the high standard our engage
ments demand? Are we keeping in mind the promises here
made? Have any of us supplanted a brother in any laud
able undertaking, or failed to support a falling brother in
his need or to whisper good counsel and warn him of ap
proaching danger? These are questions we should ask our
selves and be able to answer with an approving conscience.
As Masons we are not to seek or decline an office in
the lodge. Ambition to fill the various stations within the
gift of our brethren is right and proper, but the highest
recommendation we can present for the honor and distinc
tion desired, is the zeal and effort manifested to qualify our
selves for the intelligent discharge of these responsible
duties. It should be the aim of every young Mason to
qualify himself for the responsible position of Worshipful
/plaster of his lodge.
While, as before said, Free Masonry is primarily not a
reformatory institution, yet, we must not forget the duty
We owe to our brother who may stray from the paths of
rectitude which requires us to admonish, advise and, by good
counsel and all means in our power, seek to restrain and
reclaim him. We are not to condemn a brother or accept
as true criticism or accusation without investigation. Every
man accused is entitled to be heard in his own defense.
In the practical experience of life, we too often find the
best of men and Masons severely criticised and at times
abused and villified.
If by reason of circumstances some man in a commu
nity is enabled to render the public a service above and be
yond the ordinary he becomes a target for attack from the
envious and jealous. His motives are impugned, misun
derstood or wilfully misrepresented, and he is made the sub-

262 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
ject for ridicule and abuse. James Whitcomb Riley, hav
ing in mind such men, says,
"I've always noticed that success
Is mixed with trouble, more or less,
And it's the man who does the best
That gets more kicks than all the rest."
Fair and truthful criticism of men and of their lives
and conduct in their relations with the public is right and
proper. To this no one can make reasonable objection, but
when criticism descends to villification and personal abuse
it becomes almost unbearable to a sensitive nature. Under
such circumstances we must remember that it is the truth
only that wounds and leaves a scar. Conscious of our own
integrity of purpose, determined to do the right as God
gives us power to see the right, it matters little what the
world may say. The highest reward for good actions here
is the approval of an unsullied conscience. Horace says :
"True conscious honor is to feel no sin;
He's armed without that's innocent within."
Only he who has been misrepresented, abused, and
placed in a false light before his fellowmen can fully under
stand how perfectly invulnerable one feels when thus
wrongfully assailed and is so armed. Conscious of his own
integrity, he can proudly face the world.
Young Masons should have high ideals, a high stan
dard for men, but our estimate of men should be formed
with care and consideration. Popularity is not always a
correct guide for our judgment of men. Some have the
faculty of pushing themselves forward and of winning
public applause with little of real merit, and such men rarely
fail to improve their own fortunes without having a grain
of true greatness and goodness about them, and may be
utterly without sympathy for their fellowmen. In form-

TO YOUNG MASONS 263
ing our estimate of a man we should ascertain what he has
done for others rather than what he has done for him
self, learning if he has exerted whatever power and influ
ence he may posses to promote the welfare and best inter
ests of the community in which he lives. If so, he deserves
the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. But if his
own personal interests have been subserved at the expense
of some important enterprise in his power to create and
establish for the benefit of an entire community then he is
unworthy the good opinion of his fellowmen and should not
be pointed to as a model citizen.
Nor should young Masons be greatly disappointed if
some of their models fail to meet their expectations in emer
gencies. In such cases they must remember that mankind
is very weak, very human. None are without fault, and
all need the shielding folds of the broad mantel of Ma
sonic charity to cover their frailties and short-comings. I
have abiding faith in my fellowmen, and am glad to be
lieve that the vast majority would rather do right than do
wrong, and that none are wholly bad.
Select for your models the highest types of Christian
manhood, and of these our own country furnishes the most
illustrious examples. Be honest with yourself and you will
be honest with your brothers and fellows. Cultivate a high
and keen sense of honor and under all circumstances faith
fully keep its laws.
A belief in God is necessary to become a Mason, not the
mere acceptance of creeds or dogmas, but a firm belief in a
Divine Providence, who presides over the destinies of men
as of nations, and the faithful practice of the Golden Rule
in our intercourse with mankind. A belief in God is ac
cepted generally by the young, especially by those taught
and trained by Christian mothers. As we grow in years

264 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
and experience and give thought and consideration to this
important subject we are apt to be led astray on some minor
question, some non-essential, and find ourselves wandering
from the faith of our fathers and mothers and in danger
of shipwreck on the breakers of unbelief. But if we calmly
reflect and consider what the Christian religion has accom
plished to promote the welfare and happiness of mankind we
must concede its power and influence for the uplift of the
race. For myself I believe that a Divine Providence presides
over and governs the universe and each human life; that
the practice of the principles and precepts taught by the
lowly Nazarene, the Prince of Peace, is the only safeguard
for life, liberty and happiness in the life that now is and
in the life that is to come.
After all is said, my brothers, nothing lives and lasts
save character. Character is what a man really is; reputa
tion is what others think him to be. Character speaks for
itself, needs no endorser, is the all-in-all of this life, and
prepares us for all life.
The Grand Master of Ohio, in his address some two
years ago, stated something on this subject worth remem
bering. I quote :
"During the past year or possibly a little more, over
eighteen hundred men have been convicted in Adams County
for selling their votes, and these men have been dis
franchised. In this same county we have five active lodges,
but of the eighteen hundred men who were convicted not
one is a Mason, and not a Mason was indicted by the grand
jury investigating these cases. If Masonry could maintain
this record it would be a mighty power aiding in the solu
tion of the many great problems which confront us as a
nation."

CONCLAVE IN PUEBLO
The following letter of regret from R. E. Sir Irving
W. Stanton, Past Grand Commander, was read as a part of
the Proceedings of the Grand Commandery, Knights Tem
plar of Colorado, at Pueblo, August 26, 1908:
Nantucket, Mass., August 7, 1908.
Mr. Jethro C. Sanford, Grand Commander, Knights
Templar. Right Eminent Sir and Dear Frater : — It is with sin
cere regret that I am compelled to deny myself the great
pleasure of being at home and with my Fraters of Pueblo
Commandery to greet and welcome you, the officers and
members of the Grand Commandery and the officers, mem
bers and friends of the constituent Commanderies who will
be in attendance on this important occasion in the history of
Templar Masonry in Colorado ; but for a few months
past I have not been in my usual health, and early in July
came to this quiet, quaint old town to enjoy for a time the
sea air and salt water bathing. A sojourn for a few weeks
on this little island far out at sea is much like an ocean
voyage without the discomforts of a vessel, and I am glad
to say that I am being benefited by my 'stay and feel it a
duty to remain as long as my personal affairs will permit.
I have, I believe, missed attendance on but one Grand
Conclave since the organization of our Grand Commandery
in 1876, and was then absent from the State.
Will you kindly present my fraternal greeting and re
gards to the Grand Commandery, with assurances of sincere

266 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
regret that I am unable to be present at this Grand Conclave
in my home city, a Grand Conclave to which I have looked
forward with much pleasure and interest and which will,
I trust and believe, inaugurate a new epoch in Templar
Masonry in Colorado.
The plan of holding the Annual Grand Conclave in
different cities of a number of our Sister Grand Jurisdic
tions has been practiced for some years past. Notably in
the Grand Jurisdiction of Indiana whose Representative I
have the honor to be near the Grand Commandery of Colo
rado. I have a letter from Very Eminent Sir Prather,
Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery Knights
Templar of the State of Indiana, which I regret is
not accessible, giving a brief history of its successful
working there. I see no reason why it shall not prove
equally successful in Colorado, and will, I trust, stimulate
the Sir Knights of each subordinate Commandery to re
newed exertions to promote the welfare and prosperity of
Templar Masonry in our State.
As the years roll on I realize and appreciate more
fully the influence of Free Masonry for good upon the life
and character of men, not only upon its membership, but
upon the public in general. And especially is this true of
Templar Masonry. There is no organization among men
comparable with the order of Christian Knighthood. One
hundred and seventy-five thousand Fraters in this country of
ours have taken upon themselves the vows of our Order.
What an army of men, each of whom has solemnly promised
to take the life and character of the lowly Nazarene as the
rule and guide for his faith and practice in life, and to in
culcate the principles and lessons taught and practiced by
Him! Who shall estimate the power and influence exerted
by this Grand Army of Christian men, with high resolve,

CONCLAVE IN PUEBLO 267
lofty ideals, acts of character and deeds of usefulness, in
support of our Christian civilization? Its influence for the
good, the true, is felt through widening circles and is be
yond compute.
The Blue Lodge, the Chapter and the Commandery are
sometimes called American Masonry. Well, I know of
no foreign Masonic Bodies to fill their places, and I am so
thoroughly American in sentiment that I prefer this
Masonry to any other, and whatever of influence for good
is exercised upon the public by Free Masonry or by the
exalted Masonic character of eminent Masons, belongs to
these Institutions. Our duty, then, as Free and Accepted
Masons on proper occasion is to renew our pledge of
loyalty to the Lodge, the Chapter and the Commandery, an
Order founded upon the Christian religion and the practice
of the Christian virtues, the acme of American Masonry.
A belief in the Christian religion as a necessary qualifi
cation for admission to our ranks, not a belief in creeds or
dogmas, but a firm belief in the principles taught and prac
ticed by our great Commander, the Prince of Peace — this be
lief is generally accepted by the young, especially by those
taught and trained by Christian mothers. But as we grow in
years and mingle with our fellowmen, doubts arise ; we
wander from the faith of our fathers and mothers, and
soon, like a vessel at sea without chart or compass, are in
danger of shipwreck. But when we calmly reflect and con
sider what this Christian civilization has accomplished for
the uplift and the welfare and happiness of mankind, the
clouds of doubt which for a time obscured the horizon of
our faith disappear and we behold the majesty and glory
and concede the power and humanizing influence of
the Christian religion upon the race. My faith, my belief,
increase with the years. Having passed the threescore

268 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
and ten years allotted to man and having been a member
of the Masonic Fraternity for more than half a century, I
am glad to bear testimony of my belief in the Christian
religion as the only sure anchor and safeguard for life,
liberty and happiness among men, both in the life that
now is, and in the life which is to come.
Again thanking you for the courtesy extended and wish
ing for each and all who attend the Grand Conclave at
Pueblo a happy and joyous occasion, I am, with fraternal
regard, Courteously and sincerely yours,
Irving W. Stanton.

THE MASON'S CHRISTMAS
(Address to Pueblo Knights)
Pueblo, December 25, 1914.
Eminent Commander, Sir Knights and Friends of Pueblo
Commandery No. 3, Knights Templar:
Another eventful year is numbered with the past, and
once more we are permitted to meet and engage in our de
lightful Christmas services.
It is eminently fitting that this Order of ours, founded
upon the Christian religion and practice of the Christian
virtues, should commemorate the birth, life and sacrifice of
our Supreme Commander on this, the joyous day of all the
year. I like to look into the happy faces of young and old
on Christmas morning and see reflected something of the
spirit of love that characterized Him, the one only perfect
man. Born in the humble walks of life, in a country town,
He learned the trade of a carpenter. He made friends
of peasants and fishermen. He loved the hills, the fields,
the flowers. He comforted the sick and sorrowing, relieved
the necessities of the poor and distressed, and bound up the
wounds of the afflicted. He despised artifice and pretense.
His life was the perfect simple life. He went about doing
good, teaching men to love one another as He loved all
mankind. As this eventful year in the world's history is nearing
its close we come with grateful hearts to thank that Divine

27O SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Providence who presides over the destinies of nations, that
this country of ours is at peace with all the world, and our
beloved State that during the past fifteen months has been
shamed and disgraced by lawless men and lawless leaders,
is again able to take her proper place in the Union of States
and protect the life and property of her citizens ; and these
defiant leaders, recognizing the handwriting on the wall of
public opinion expressed at the ballot box by the good people
of Colorado, regardless of party, in the recent election, have
called the war off, and peace reigns supreme.
When we reflect that the deadliest war. in the world's
history is now raging in all its fury between the great
nations of the earth, we are appalled at the wholesale de
struction of men, and our hearts are filled with sorrow for
the resultant destitute widows and helpless children. We
wonder how civilized men can be led to such slaughter for
nothing and if these warring nations, with their Christian
civilization, are not lapsing into barbarism.
I have a word to say of the order of Christian Knight
hood, its origin, aim and object.
American Free Masonry is composed of the Blue
Lodge, the Chapter and the Commandery. Templar
Masonry is the acme of American Free Masonry. Its aim
is high and noble living, its mission is to win men to the
Prince of Peace.
For something of what I shall say upon its origin I
am indebted to that distinguished citizen and eminent
Mason, our late Grand Master, James Herron Hopkins, of
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
The life and practices of Knights Templar today are in
marked contrast with the life and practice of the founders
of the Order under whose banners we now assemble ; but
we must remember that their civilization was but a glimmer

THE MASONS CHRISTMAS 27 1
of light in the gloom of the Dark Ages, while we live in
a civilization that dispenses universal light and warmth
and gladness. We honor the stern and rugged virtues of
those grim old anchorites, who, finding no congeniality in
the society of their day, separated themselves from the
world, its vanities and vexations, and devoted their lives
to the unselfish service of their fellowmen and the quiet
but devout worship of their God. The fasts and penances,
the prayers and exercises, the inexorable statutes and severe
discipline made them zealots in religion and heroic in battle.
When duty called they would endure any hardship, suffer
any sacrifice, without a murmur and without a tremor.
They would gladly suffer martyrdom for their faith and
eagerly rush upon barbed lance or glittering battleaxe
to avenge another's wrongs.
In defense of woman they would dare all, suffer all, and
freely shed their heart's blood in her cause, and yet they
took no pleasure in her sweet companionship. If the old
statutes were still in force forbidding us to enjoy the rap
ture of woman's smile, I fear our Sir Knights would sheathe
their swords and renounce the Order as barbarous and
tyrannical. But happily the iron age of the Order has
passed away, and we may justly claim that its principles
have lost nothing, but rather have gained much by the
higher and purer civilization of our day. Social pleasures
have been engrafted in response to the rational cravings
of men's nature.
We should not forget, however, that such pleasures
are but the drapery which hides somewhat, but does not
weaken, the plated armor of the Knight. The waving
plume, the glittering display, are but the flowering vines
which cover the walls of a temple builded some nine hundred
years ago, hiding some of its sharp angles, but destroying

272 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
nothing of the wisdom, strength and beauty of the structure.
He who supposes this outward display the all in all of
Templar Free Masonry, dishonors his profession, and is
unworthy of his rank; but he who looks upon it as incident
to a life of activity and earnest effort to promote the wel
fare and happiness of his fellowmen and considers it the
rest and refreshment in this pilgrimage of life, that we may
the better withstand the trials and perils of the way, will
under all circumstances find occasion to manifest his truth
and purity and valor, and be made better and nobler
thereby. The true Knight Templar is a true patriot, a true
friend, a true man, sensitive of his honor, seeking in his
intercourse with his fellowmen to elevate, to uplift, and ap
preciating the importance of the duties he assumes. Re
membering his vows, he will never seek to build himself
up in fame or fortune at a brother's expense, or by pulling
others down. He is in truth and fact a Christian gentle
man, and no higher title can be attained by man in this
country of ours, or elsewhere on the earth.
All our teachings, all our ceremonies, are calculated
and intended to make us better and braver citizens. We are
taught to illustrate the power and greatness of truth, not
only with our lips, but in our lives. We are taught to
deal justly, love mercy, practice charity, and aspire to that
diviner trait, magnanimity. We are taught to comfort the
poor and the weary, traveling from afar, to feed the hungry,
to clothe the naked and bind up the wounds of the afflicted.
We wage war against vice and immorality, oppression and
wrong; against the enemies of innocent maidens, destitute
widows, helpless orphans, and the Christian religion. We
are taught a sense of honor so keen and pure that suspicion
should be odious and a taint intolerable. We are taught

THE MASON'S CHRISTMAS 273
a manly and lofty courage that will assail the wrong, how
ever panoplied in power, and defend the weak and the op
pressed, however poor and humble they may be.
These, my brothers, are duties we assume when on
bended knee, voluntarily, we accept an unanimous selection
to take part in the glorious work instituted by our Divine
Exemplar while on earth. A faithful observance and careful
practice of these precepts will promote the welfare and
happiness of our fellowmen and insure our own happiness in
the life that now is and in the life that is to come, and
will assist the coming of that day of which the poet, sing
ing to future man of future men, says :
"They shall build their new romances,
New dreams of the world to be,
Conceive a sublimer outcome than the end of the world
we see ;
And their maids shall be pure as morning,
And their youth shall be taught no lie,
But all shall be smooth and open,
To all men beneath the sky.
And the shadows shall pass that we dwell in,
Till under the selfsame sun
The names of the myriad nations
Are writ in the name of one."
Not writ with the sword in blood, by force and fraud,
for greed and gain, but writ in love, the love of the Christ,
filling the hearts of mankind. Then the universe shall be
filled with the glad music of that grand laudation, Hosanna
to God in the Highest, Peace on Earth, Good Will to Man.

274 sixty years in colorado
Second Christmas Address
Delivered, December 25, 1915.
Eminent Commander, Members of Pueblo Commandery,
and Friends :
It is a great pleasure to be present and greet you this
lovely Christmas morning.
As the years follow each other in rapid succession I
have higher and clearer appreciation of the influence exerted
by our observance of this, the gladsome day of all the
year. Members of an order founded upon the Christian
religion and the practice of the Christian virtues, we come
today, devoutly thankful to that Divine Providence who
presides over the destinies of nations that this country of
ours is at peace with the world ; that life and property are
secure, and that law and order, peace and prosperity pre
vail throughout the bounds of our beloved State.
My friends, do we realize that we live in a very won
derful and very practical age? It is said that old people
live largely in the past, and I think this true as a rule. I
know the old soldier is fond of recalling his experiences in
army life, the battles, sieges, marches and severe service
endured in the cause of his country, but this does not mean
that he has lost interest in the affairs of practical every-day
life. While his ability to engage actively in public affairs
may be impaired, which, if he has reached four-score years,
is quite probable, yet, speaking from experience, he loses
nothing of interest and desire to be of service to the com
munity in which he lives, and in all ways possible to promote
the welfare and prosperity of his fellow-citizens.
I had the pleasure and good fortune to listen to the
interesting, instructive and forceful address on the duties
of citizenship delivered before the Pueblo Commerce Club
recently by Mr. Trefz, secretary of the National Commer-

THE MASON S CHRISTMAS 275
cial organization, and while I do not fully coincide with all
his views, I heartily approve what he said of organization
and the necessity for getting together and pulling together
to make Pueblo the great model city she should be.
To those who realize what might have been secured for
Pueblo had this spirit obtained in the past this advice will
commend itself.
On the question of Socialism, Mr. Trefz said, in effect,
if individualism were to give place today to Socialism, the
great captains of industry, so-called, would dominate so
ciety. This view I have long entertained. I am not a
Socialist. I believe in individual effort. I believe in the
sanctity of the marriage relation. I believe in the home as
the sacred place of earth. I believe in the family as the
moulder and builder of the highest and best type of Amer
ican citizenship. I believe that every man and every woman
is entitled to have and enjoy the fruits of his or her own
labor, honestly and honorably obtained, with due regard for
the rights and welfare of his fellow citizens. These are
fundamental principles upon which our republican form of
government is established, and these are the principles the
Order of Christian Knighthood seeks to inculcate and per
petuate. There are occasions in the life of most men when some
restraining power, some kindly influence, is necessary to hold
them in the true course. What influences most strongly
appeal to men and shape and control their lives? I think
the lessons learned beside a good mother's knee and the
wise and safe counsel of a devoted Christian wife are never
effaced from our memory.
A noble, patriotic mother, of New England parentage,
taught me to worship God, to love liberty and my country
and her flag, and to honor the name of Washington, to

276 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
speak the truth, to be honest and honorable, and to respect
women; to hate tyranny, oppression and wrong, and de
spise traitors and Tories.
Then, in our manhood, the wife, that one of all the
world, knowing us as no other can, understands the mo
tives by which we are controlled, with unfaltering trust in
God, unquestioned faith in the final triumph of the right,
looks through the dark clouds of sorrow and trouble, which
at times threaten to' overwhelm us, into the clear, bright sun
light of peace and joy beyond, sustaining, animating and
encouraging us to deeds of higher and nobler influence.
Then the influence of the lessons taught in Free
Masonry and the Commandery. No man who appreciates
the good and true can receive the Orders of Christian
Knighthood and not be made better and nobler thereby.
What is the strength, the power of this American in
stitution of ours, with its two hundred and fifty thousand
members under the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment
of the United States of America? Why is the badge of a
Knight Templar an open sesame to the hearts and homes
of the people of every city where the Grand Encampment
meets? i 1
Those who witnessed the grand parade in Chicago in
1910, and the welcome given the fifteen thousand uniformed
Knights with more than sixty bands of music marching in
review before the Grand Master on Michigan Avenue to the
inspiring strains of "Onward, Christian Soldier," realize
that the people know and understand what Templar Free
Masonry stands for and that it is founded upon the Chris
tian religion. In the words of that good old Methodist
hymn: "On Christ, the solid rock, we stand;
All other ground is shifting sand."

THE MASON S CHRISTMAS 277
This, my brothers, is the power and strength of our
beloved Order.
I thank the Giver of all good gifts that there is im
planted in my breast something of love for the good and
the beautiful, both in nature and in art. I love the hills,
the fields, the flowers; all these teach lessons to me, and
While I am not a connoisseur of art, I admire fine paintings
that I can understand and appreciate ; a beautiful land
scape or a domestic scene appeals to me.
In the Art Gallery of the Columbian Exposition in
Chicago in 1893, hung a painting by Von Hoovenden,
called "Breaking Home Ties," before which there was al
ways a crowd of admirers. I do not know that the pic
ture possessed great artistic merit. In the fine effects with
which highly cultivated art-lovers become enraptured it
may have been deficient, but it depicted an incident in
every-day life which ordinary mortals could understand
and appreciate. It represented a family — father, mother,
son and daughter, with the old watch dog by the open
fire. The family has just risen from the breakfast table.
The mother is saying goodbye to her boy, who is leaving
home to begin the battle of life for himself. In the half-
open door stands the driver, whip in hand, waiting to bear
him away. I have a distinct recollection only of the mother and
the boy, her son. The intelligent face of the latter glows
with ambition and determination to succeed, tinged with
a shade of sadness at the parting, while in the calm, quiet
dignity and grace of the mother is portrayed hope for the
safety and success of her beloved boy, with faith and trust
that in all the trials and temptations of life he will not
forget the lessons of truth, honor and integrity she has
impressed upon his mind from his infancy.

278 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
As with my daughter and her lady friend, Miss Laura
Hope Smith, I stood before this, to me, fine conception, I
thought I could appreciate the feelings and emotions that
filled the breast of the young man on this, to him, im
portant occasion, and the mother's prayer for her boy
seems echoed in the following lines, which I repeated :
"What shall I wish for thee, ask for thee, sweet?
Skies that are peaceful and calm,
Seas that are stormless and winds that are soft
As the low breath of a Psalm?
No! As I love thee I ask not that life
Be from all bitterness free ;
Something of sadness, something of strife,
Dear one, is better for thee.
Yet would I ask for thee out of my love
More of the sunshine than storm,
With just enough of life's sorrow and care
To keep the heart tender and warm;
Faith to look upward in sadness and gloom,
Hope in the direst defeat,
Courage to battle 'gainst folly and wrong, —
These would I ask for thee, sweet ;
And may the kind angels who watch o'er the good
Guide thy dear feet as they roam,
And in Immanuel's land, the beyond,
Give thee forever a home."

PATRIOTISM

COLORADO IN THREE WARS
(Pueblo Chieftain, June 15, 1919)
A resident and a citizen of what is now the State of
Colorado since June, i860, a Colorado soldier for three
years in the Civil War, well informed of the condition
of public affairs at that time in Denver and throughout
the Territory ; proud of her record in the war for the Union
and solicitous for her good name and fame for loyalty and
devotion to the Government and the flag, I am led to
consider and compare the record made by Colorado in the
Civil War with her record in the war with Germany, and
to that end, make the following statement of service ren
dered by her soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, which
forms one of the brightest pages of her history.
Organized a territory in the spring and early sum
mer of 1861, at the beginning of the war, with a popula
tion of 25,331, when the first census was taken in the
late summer of that year, a large proportion of whom were
from the southern and border slave states and sympathized
with the Confederates, without a draft, or a dollar in
bounty, local, state, or national, Colorado, "Loyal Colo
rado," furnished the Government and received credit for
4,903 men, a larger percentage of her people than was
furnished by any other State of the Union. The services
rendered by these pioneer soldiers, is unsurpassed by the
service of soldiers of any sister State, and is a proud heri
tage of all loyal Coloradoans.

282 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
The first regiment of Colorado volunteers (infantry)
was organized by Governor William Gilpin in the fall
and winter of 1861, with officers as follows:
John P. Slough, Colonel; Sam F. Tappan, Lieutenant
Colonel; John M. Chivington, Major.
In the winter of 1861-62, the rebel General, H. H.
Sibley, organized an army of some three thousand Texans
at San Antonio, to capture the Territories of New Mexico
and Colorado, and commenced his campaign, meeting with
but little opposition from the small, widely scattered num
ber of government troops in the department of New Mexico
under the command of Major General E. R. S. Canby.
Sibley captured the Government forts and towns of New
Mexico, including Albuquerque and Santa Fe, the capital,
and his victorious march was practically unobstructed until
on his way from Santa Fe to Fort Union, he met the
First Colorado volunteers and the battle of Apache Canon
and Pigeon's Ranch were fought and won, and the rebel
train of supplies and ammunition captured and destroyed
by a detachment of the First Colorado under the command
of Major Chivington, compelling this hitherto victorious
Confederate General to beat a hasty retreat to Texas with
his starving, demoralized army. Thus were saved to the
Union the two territories.
It may well be doubted if any single regiment engaged
in the war for the Union did so timely, important and,
in effect, far-reaching service for the Government as the
First Colorado. Had General Sibley succeeded in his cam
paign, captured Denver with its store of supplies, rein
forced his army with the rebel element in the Territory ;
imarched to Utah where Confederate agents were engaged
sowing discord among the Mormons, who, smarting under
what they termed indignities from the Floyd campaign, were

COLORADO IN THREE WARS 283
ready to cast their fortunes with the Confederacy ; and thus
reinforced with abundant supplies, had he crossed the Sierras
and captured the Pacific Coast, who can say what effect
it would have had upon the result of the war? It might
have furnished the pretext England and France were wait
ing for to recognize the Southern Confederacy.
The Second and Third Colorado volunteers were not
completed as infantry regiments. Colonel Jesse H. Leaven
worth, an ex-regular army officer, came from Wisconsin to
Colorado in i860, and discovered Leavenworth Gulch, a
rich placer near Central City and named for him. In the
winter of 1861 and 1862, he received authority from the
War Department to raise a regiment or battalion for service
in one of the eastern armies. The First Battalion — six com
panies — were enlisted and assembled at Fort Lyon, in the
spring of 1863. The First Battalion was ordered to the
states, and early in April, under the command of Lieu
tenant Colonel Theodore H. Dodd, marched from Fort
Lyon by way of the Arkansas route to Fort Riley, thence
to Fort Scott, and from there to Arkansas and the Indian
Nation, where it joined the army of General Blunt and
was engaged in the battles of Cabin Creek and Honey
Springs, where it performed distinguished service, receiv
ing the commendation of the commanding General. It
remained there on duty until the winter of 1863 and 1864,
when it was ordered to Saint Louis, Mo., for consolidation
with the Third Regiment.
In the late spring of 1862, General William Larimer,
for whom Larimer street, Denver, is named, received author
ity, as was then understood, from the War Department
to raise the Third Regiment of Colorado Infantry, of which
he was to be Colonel. When the regiment was filled, some
150 or 200 men were enlisted under his authority. When
Hon. John Evans was appointed and assumed the duties

284 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
of governor in the early summer of 1862, General Larimer
was superseded by recruiting officers appointed by the
Governor, with the rank of Second Lieutenant, one for
each company, to raise the Third Regiment. The latter
part of January, 1863, five full companies had enlisted
and were mustered into the United States service at Camp
Weld by Colonel John M. Chivington. In February fol
lowing, this battalion was ordered to the States and under
the command of Lieutenant Colonel Sam S. Curtis, for
whom Curtis Street, Denver, is named, left Denver for St.
Louis. These troops went straight to the scene of activities
in Missouri and there remained as long as there were any
Confederates left in the region.
This section was the hot-bed and headquarters of Mis
souri bushwhackers. Among the noted leaders of these out
laws was one George Todd, who organized a regiment of
them in the Price campaign of 1864, and was killed in the
battle of Little Blue.
The regiment was engaged hunting and fighting these
guerillas until the raid into Missouri of the rebel General
Sterling Price, in 1864, when about the 10th of October
it was assembled at Independence, Mo., to oppose the ad
vance of Price's army. It took .a prominent part in the
campaign, starting in twelve hundred strong. It was en
gaged in every battle with Price from Little Blue to New
tonia, thence following and driving what was left of his
demoralized army across the Arkansas River some distance
above Fort Smith.
The following is a list of the battles and engage
ments in the Price raid of 1864, in Missouri: Little Blue,
Big Blue, Westport, Marias des Cygnes, Mine Creek —
where the rebel Generals Marmaduke and Cobbell, with a
large number of Confederates were made prisoners — Osage
and Newtonia.

COLORADO IN THREE WARS 285
In the fall of 1862, W. D. McLain received authority
and recruited a four-gun battery which was known as Mc
Lain's battery. In the winter of 1863 and 1864, it joined
the Second Colorado Cavalry in northwest Missouri and
was with that regiment thruout the Price campaign, and
was engaged in every battle with Price, doing splendid
service. The third regiment of Colorado Volunteer Cavalry,
"One hundred day men," was organized by Governor John
Evans, under authority of the War Department to protect
the people of the Territory from Indian depredations, in
1863 and 1864.
George L. Shoup, Colonel.
Leavitt S. Bowen, Lieutenant Colonel.
Hal Sayre, Major.
Presley Talbot, Major.
The regiment was composed largely of prominent citi
zens and business men, representing all parts of the Terri
tory, and did efficient service, saving the lives and property
of the settlers and punishing the Indians.
So much for Colorado in the Civil War. I know full
well that this brief review does not do the subject justice,
but for the purpose in view must answer.
In the Spanish-American War the First Regiment of the
Colorado National Guard was accepted by the Government
and ordered to the Philippines, where it did efficient ser
vice to the honor and credit of the State.
I confess that my knowledge of Colorado in the war
with Germany is limited. I know of but one complete
organization of Colorado troops, viz: the 157th Infantry.
This regiment was made up of several parts of the regi
ments of the National Guard of Colorado, among them
the First Colorado Cavalry, which was ordered to Camp

286 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Kearney, California, about the 1st of October, 1917, and
there made part of the 157th Infantry to the great dissatis
faction and disappointment of these Colorado boys, who
enlisted for cavalry service, and without protest from the
State authority, so far as I have learned.
The battalion of volunteers raised by the Honorable
John A. Martin in Pueblo was assigned to this regiment,
which became a part of the 40th division assembled at Camp
Kearney in the winter of 1917 and 1918, under the com
mand of that distinguished organizer, American soldier and
gentleman, Major General Frederick S. Strong. It was my
pleasure and good fortune to witness the grand review of
this division at Camp Kearney in March, 1918, a splendid
army fully equipped in all branches of the service, and
composed of the flower of the youth of California, Colorado,
Utah, New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona. As I watched
this grand army of western boys, led by the 157th Infantry
under the gallant Colonel Hamrock, march past the re
viewing officers, my heart thrilled with patriotic pride and
I wished I could be with them. The 157th Infantry was
a Colorado regiment then and I felt assured the honor
and fame of the State were in safe hands, should oppor
tunity be given to show their worth, as then seemed prob
able, for it was thought this splendid division was to be
ordered to the front without delay. Soon thereafter, how
ever, large numbers of these disciplined, well-trained men
were selected and sent to fill depleted organizations "over
there," or going over, and their places were filled with
drafted men from New Mexico and other western States.
True, the boys who succeeded in getting over there won
honor and glory and distinguished themselves wherever
they had a chance. But a Colorado regiment or organiza
tion was given no opportunity to make a record in action.

COLORADO IN THREE WARS 287
The famous 89th division, trained under General
Leonard Wood, contained many Colorado boys. They
were trained at Funston and Camp Mills and sailed for
France early in 1918. They went to the front shortly after
arriving there and on the 18th of September, 1918, the first
gun was fired by this division, and from that time until the
armistice was signed they were in many battles where they
won honor an renown, especially the 341st and 342nd Field
Artillery, which was composed largely of Pueblo young
men, most of whom are now home.
The 49th Division went across last year and has recently
returned. No mention is made of it having been engaged in
the great battles at the close of the war, and it seems
evident that it continued to be used as a replacement division
to the end.
It is said to be the policy and aim of the General Staff
to do away with the National Guard, discourage state
pride in her citizen soldiery and have all military organiza
tions directly under its orders and control. If this be true,
as would appear from the manner in which the Guard was
disposed of when our country entered the war, for one, I
want to enter a vigorous protest. It smacks of militarism,
is un-American and undemocratic and does not reflect the
sentiment of the people of our country. Autocratic methods
may be necessary in time of war, but should be dispensed
with when necessity no longer exists. And this leads me to
say that no man in this republic of ours is great enough,
wise enough and unselfish enough to be entrusted with un
limited autocratic power.
The regular army belongs to the nation. Its members,
as such, owe no service or duty to the States of which
they are citizens. Not so the National Guard, who are
the volunteer soldiers of our nation, American first — imbued

288 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
with the spirit of loyalty to the General Government and
the flag, in defense of which, when assailed, they freely
offer their services and their lives, but they do not surrender
their love and pride for the home State, a fair degree of
which is commendable.
Sentiment, yes, but healthy sentiment, of which there
is never too much.
I am in favor of the volunteer system for raising an
army in this country of ours, and while we may concede
a draft justly enforced without favoritism is the fair way
to secure the military service of its citizens, the word "draft"
is repugnant to the average American, and the privilege to
volunteer should be accorded to every drafted man. In my
opinion, every able-bodied man connected with the army in
any capacity in time of war, from the commanding general
down, should be a volunteer.
The 157th infantry on its way to Fort Russell to be
demobilized received a royal welcome from the loyal people
of Colorado, as it deserved, even though, as reported in the
press dispatches, there were but sixty Colorado boys left
in the regiment.
The people of Colorado, soldiers and civilians alike,
were not fairly and justly treated by the authorities, State
and National, in the World War. Nor did the State re
ceive the consideration to which she was entitled by reason
of her geographical position, climate and natural resources.
And when it is remembered that the State authorities, both
United States Senators and three of the four members of
Congress, were of the same political faith as the President
and his Congress, we wonder why, and upon what principle
the favors of this Administration are distributed.
I am aware that in these days of new standards of
"right and justice" the Civil War and the issues involved

COLORADO IN THREE WARS 289
in the life and death struggle for national existence are
deemed ancient history and of little consequence by the
converts and adherents of the new order of things ; but two
and two continue to make four, and the Golden Rule remains
unchanged and unchangeable. The American people will
never forget that Lincoln and the Boys in Blue under him
in 1861 to 1865, saved this Government of ours from de
struction and paved the way for it to become the greatest
nation of earth, win the war with Germany, and dictate the
terms of world peace.
Irving W. Stanton,
President Colorado Veterans' Association.

GEORGE WASHINGTON
(Paper read before Upton Post No. 8, G. A. R., Pueblo,
Feb. 21, 1901.)
For more than a century George Washington occupied
the most important place in the hearts of the people of his
country. Identified closely as he was from the beginning
with the efforts of the Colonists to obtain right and justice
under British rule, and foremost in the great struggle for
independent self-government as Commander-in-Chief of the
American forces in the war of the Revolution and by
reason of his high character, patriotic and unselfish de
votion to the cause, he became the embodiment of the great
principles of liberty, justice, and human rights to the
common people of the civilized world.
It will not be expected that I shall say anything new
of Washington, and my remarks must necessarily be
limited; but in these times, and in the present condition of
affairs of our country, it may be profitable to recall briefly
something of the life, character, and teaching of the man
who attained and so fully deserved the proud title of
"Father of his Country."
George Washington was born in Westmoreland County,
Virginia, February 22, 1732, and died at Mount Vernon,
December 14, 1799. He was the son of Augustine Wash
ington, a Virginia planter, and his second wife, Mary Ball,
a woman of strong and vigorous character, and of indomi
table will. By her he was trained in habits of frugality

292 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
and industry, taught to obey rightful authority, to speak
the truth and to respect woman. Thus was founded a
character for justice, veracity, and true and conscious
honor, which under the most trying circumstances he sus
tained through life, and which so eminently equipped him
for the discharge of the responsible duties which devolved
upon him in the service of his country. He received only
the instruction of the schools of the neighborhood, reading,
writing and arithmetic, with the addition of bookkeeping
and surveying. He early developed great physical strength
and was foremost in athletic sports and the exercises of the
day among his companions ; he was six feet two inches high,
and in early life of spare and agile frame, well developed,
capable of great endurance, remarkably strong in the arms,
and a bold and graceful rider.
The struggle of the French and English for possession
of the American continent was the event of great importance
of the middle of the 18th century. France established forts
on the St. Lawrence and at the mouth of the Mississippi,
and by a line of posts through the interior endeavored to
confine the English to the comparatively narrow strip
occupied by the colonies along the eastern coast. The ter
ritory watered by the Ohio River was unsettled, but oc
cupied by Indians, except a settlement on the Monongahela
River of twelve Virginia families headed by one Captain
Gist. In the winter of 1753 Washington was sent by
Governor Dinwiddie with dispatches to the French command
ant at the fort on French Creek, about fifteen miles south of
Lake Erie. At the settlement on the Monongahela he was
joined by Gist, with whom he visited the French post, de
livered his dispatches, received a reply and started for
home. His return was accompanied by great dangers from

GEORGE WASHINGTON 293
Indians and frozen rivers. He narrowly escaped assassina
tion by a treacherous guide, and came near drowning in cross
ing Alleghany River. His journal of this expedition was
sent by Governor Dinwiddie to England, where it was re
garded as a document of such importance in showing the de
signs of the French government respecting the interior of this
continent, that it was published. No doubt was left in
the mind of Governor Dinwiddie that all attempts to ex
tend the settlements toward the Ohio would be forcibly re
sisted by the Canadian government.
This was the first important public service rendered
by Washington. On his report Virginia raised a regiment
for service on the frontier, of which he was made Lieutenant-
Colonel, and on the death of Colonel Foy, which occurred
shortly afterward, he was made Colonel, and thus began
his military career in the Colonial service, which continued
for five years. Under his direction the first attempt was
made to build a fort at the confluence of the Alleghany and
Monongahela Rivers, the present site of Pittsburgh, but
the small force that could be spared for the purpose was
compelled to abandon the work by a superior force of
French and Indians, who completed the work and called
it Fort Duquesne.
His first engagement occurred in this campaign, when
with fifty of his own regiment and a band of friendly
Indians, he attacked a force of the enemy and killed ten,
including the Commander, Jumonville, taking 22 prisoners.
Only one of the enemy escaped. In the memorable event of
July 9th, 1755, known as Braddock's defeat, Washington
was an aide on the staff of General Braddock, and appears
to have been almost the only officer of distinction who
escaped the misfortunes of that day with life and honor.
In 1758 he commanded the Virginia contingent in the

294 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
ill-conducted campaign of General Forbes, where all the
faults of Braddock's expedition were repeated, with but a
narrow escape from the same results. The great difficulties
and hardships of the service ; the impatience of military
forces raised by drafting and impressment, unpaid and poor
ly clad ; frauds of Contractors ; contradicting orders from the
Governor ; intrigues of rivals seeking to supplant him ; the
arrogant pretensions of a subordinate, and desertions on
approach of danger, were some of the obstacles with which
he had to contend. This practical experience was, however,
of great benefit to him when called upon to command the
American forces in the war of the Revolution.
After five years' experience of military life, having
vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he resigned his
commission, and on the fall of Fort Duquesne and the ex
pulsion of the French from the Ohio Valley, retired to pri
vate life. On January 17, 1759, he married Mrs. Martha
Custis, the wealthy widow of John Parke Custis.
His eldest brother, Lawrence, inherited the estate on the
Potomac known as Hunting Creek, and called it Mount
Vernon, in honor of his friend, Admiral Vernon of the
British Navy. Lawrence died in 1752, leaving a large
estate to his infant daughter, who did not long survive
him. By his will the Mount Vernon estate on the demise of
his daughter fell to his brother George, who was one of
the executors of the will. He early assumed active manage
ment of the property and added to it materially by pur
chase, so that in the latter years of his life the estate com
prised about eight thousand acres.
Inheriting a plantation cultivated by slaves, he was
as a matter of course, a slave owner, but in a letter written
in 1786 to Mr. Morris, he said: "There is not a man living
who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted

GEORGE WASHINGTON 295
for the abolition of slavery ; but there is only one proper
and efficient mode by which it can be accomplished, and that
is by legislative authority, and this, so far as my suffrage
will go, will never be wanting." This sentiment was ex
pressed repeatedly in his correcpondence, and in accordance
with the views so long entertained by him, he provided for
the freedom of his slaves on the decease of his wife.
Washington was a member of the Virginia House of
Burgesses during the period of popular agitation and re
sistance of the Colonies preceding the appeal to arms. His
experience, military education, great property interests,
and his respect for lawful authority led him to deprecate
a rupture with the Mother Country, but when it became
evident that this connection could be maintained only by the
sacrifice of the principle that representation and taxation
should go hand in hand, he placed himself in the front
rank of the patriots. The principles by which he was guided
are clearly expressed in a letter written in the fall of 1774,
when a member of the first Continental Congress, to Captain
McKinzie in Boston, in which he said : "I think I can an
nounce it as a fact that it is not the intention nor the in
terest of the government of Massachusetts, or any other
government upon this continent, separately or collectively,
to set up for independence; but this you may rely upon,
that none of them will even submit to the loss of their
valuable rights and privileges which are essential to the
inhabitants of every free State, and without which life,
liberty, and property are rendered totally insecure."
The appeal to arms against the tyranny and oppres
sion of England was made on the 19th of April 1775, and
the Continental Congress, which in October preceding
had declared eternal loyalty to George III, on the 15th
day of June following, unanimously elected George Wash-

296 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
ington Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the Revolu
tion, and on the 3rd of July following he assumed the com
mand at Cambridge.
I would be glad, had I the time and you the patience
to listen, to speak at length of Washington's services in
the seven years' war that followed, but I must be brief. The
war was conducted by him under every possible disadvan
tage. He engaged in it without experience in handling large
bodies of men. The Continental Congress, under whose
authority the war was waged, was destitute of all necessary
equipment, and the country as destitute of the materials
of war as it was of the means of procuring them; but his
persistent and able efforts were finally crowned with success,
and on December 23, 1783, he resigned his commission as
Commander-in-Chief, and, retiring to Mount Vernon, re
sumed his occupation as a farmer and planter.
He was a member of the convention which met at
Philadelphia in May, 1789, and formed the Constitution,
and was unanimously chosen its President. On the ratifica
tion of the Constitution he was unanimously chosen Pres
ident of the United States. After four years' service as
President he desired to retire from public life, but was dis
suaded from his purpose by influential friends of all parties,
and in 1792 he was unanimously re-elected President. He
served his country as Commander-in-Chief of the army
and as President without compensation.
In 1796 he formed his irrevocable purpose to retire and
took counsel with Hamilton as to the preparation of his Fare
well Address. This was issued to the country September 17,
1796, and at the close of the next session of Congress he
retired, forever, as he thought, from public service. Scarcely
a year elapsed, however, before our long controversy with
the Director of France culminated in preparation, military

GEORGE WASHINGTON 297
and naval, by Congress for war, and Washington was ap
pointed Lieutenant-General of the armies of the United
States. He never believed that the Government of France
would force the controversy to the arbitrament of war, but
did not live to see the threatening cloud dispersed.
I quote a few paragraphs from his Farewell Address:
"The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign
nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have
with them as little political connection as possible." * * *
"Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have
none or a very remote relation ; hence she must be engaged
in frequent controversies the causes of which are essentially
foreign to our concerns. * * * * Therefore it must
be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in
the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary
combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.
* * * If we remain one people under an efficient govern
ment, the period is not far off when we may defy material
injury from external annoyances; when we may take such
an attitude as will cause the neutrality we may at any time
resolve upon, to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent
nations under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon
us will not hazard the giving us provocation, when we
may choose peace or war, as our interests guided by justice
shall counsel. Why forego the advantages of so peculiar
a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign
ground? Why by interweaving with that of any part of
Europe entangle our peace and prosperity in the coils of
European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice?
It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances
with any portion of the foreign world. * * * Against
the insidious wiles of foreign influence the jealousy of a
free people ought to be constantly awake; since history and

298 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most
baneful foes of Republican government."
This address is a master effort, and will live and last
while our Republic endures.
His State papers breathe an air of the loftiest patriotism
and of firm reliance on that Divine Providence who presides
,over the destinies of nations, as of individuals. Washing
ton possessed a high temper, but had it always under
wonderful control. He was exceedingly modest; nothing so
greatly embarrassed him as praise. When the Continental
Congress was discussing the question of a General for the
army, John Adams, on behalf of the New England mem
bers, proposed Washington, who, hearing his name men
tioned, actuated by his usual modesty, hastily retired from
the hall. He was not an orator, and in public speaking was
subject to great timidity, which he never overcame. As a
member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and of the
Continental Congress he spoke only when there was real
necessity. He believed that when there was need to speak
only the truth should be spoken. This brave, self-sufficient
man in affairs of great moment, who, with undaunted for
titude could fearlessly face the trained armies of England on
the battle field, was timid and embarrassed in the presence
of his colleagues in debate.
He was never an active partisan leader, but under all
circumstances exercised a permanent influence by sound
judgment, wise discretion, and weight of character; he was
always what he pretended to be — genuine, earnest, sincere.
He was endowed with the highest sense of honor and fidelity
to the trusts reposed in him. His word was his bond. He
would not lie — only cowards lie. No change of conditions
could induce him to violate a promise. These are character
istics essential to the permanent success of every man. No

GEORGE WASHINGTON 299
man ever recovers in the estimate of all good people from
the stain a broken promise leaves upon his character and
reputation. In this cold-blooded age of what is now called "Com
mercialism," I regret to say that it appears to be considered
by some persons to be out of date and "sentimental non
sense" to recall and dwell upon the life and character of
the founders of our republic, and it is not an uncommon
occurrence for some of the public press to speak slightingly
of the efforts of patriotic citizens who endeavor to place
before the young, for their emulation and as models of the
highest type of American citizenship, the lives and example
of Washington and Lincoln, these two greatest of man
kind. In 1776, our forefathers placed a higher value upon
sentiment. It was sentiment that pledged their "lives, their
fortunes, and their sacred honor" to the cause in which they
were engaged.
In 1861 the sentiment of the patriotic people of our
country for the integrity of the Union was greater than all
else beside. God help this great republic of ours if ever
the sentiment of love of liberty and of our country and its
flag shall cease to occupy first place in the hearts of
its sons and daughters.
As I study the life of Washington I am more and more
impressed with his greatness, his true nobility of soul. To
me he seems to have possessed a perfectly educated will, and
that is character. After all, nothing lives and lasts save
character. My comrades, when you and I were boys, the Declara
tion of Independence, the great preamble of our Constitu
tion, was read, and the history of our country was taught
in the common schools and by patriotic parents. A noble

300 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
patriotic mother, of New England parentage, taught me
to revere the name of Washington; to love liberty, my
country, and the flag; to hate tyranny, oppression and
wrong, and to despise traitors and Tories. From her I first
heard the story of the Revolution; of the first patriot
blood shed at Lexington and Concord; of the mid
night ride of Paul Revere to warn the Minute-Men of the
approach of the British ; of the battle of Bunker Hill, where
the brave Warren fell ; of the disasters of Long Island and
Fort Washington, and the retreat through the Jerseys;
the victories of Trenton and Princeton; the reverses at
Brandywine and Germantown; the victory at Saratoga; the
treachery of Benedict Arnold; the capture and execution
of Major Andre, the spy; the suffering and hardships of
Washington and his barefooted men at Valley Forge;
and, finally, the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown,
when independence was won. These lessons of heroic deeds
and great accomplishments of our forefathers, taught by
noble mothers, made a deep impression on our youthful
minds, and are never forgotten. They should serve to
stimulate us to deeds of greater usefulness.
Since our Government became a World Power, by
reason of the circumstances and conditions which have de
volved upon it in the past three years, and by which it has
been forced to engage in the wild race of nations for com
mercial supremacy, notes of warning have been heard
from some prominent citizens of our country, who fear
that we are departing from the rules and teachings of the
founders of our Republic, and are adopting methods and
policies of monarchial governments. Only a few days
since Mr. Justice Brewer, of the Supreme Court, in an ad
dress to the students of Yale University, said : "If the
people of the United States ever believe or come to believe
that commercialism controls politics, they will rise and rid

GEORGE WASHINGTON 301
themselves by forcing aside all those whom they believe re
sponsible for these conditions."
I have abiding faith in the intelligence of the people
of my country and their love of liberty, the Government
and the flag; and if sometimes the Ship of State may seem
to deviate from the course laid down by the founders of
our republic, should conditions ever demand, the brave,
}oyal descendants of the heroes of the Revolution and of
the War of the Rebellion, will "rally round the flag," and
direct the good vessel on the true course in the advance of
the nations of the earth; and, with the old watchwords of
"Liberty and Union" emblazoned on her banners, her mis
sion shall ever be the uplifting of the race, the welfare and
happiness of all people — with "Peace on Earth, Good Will
to Man."

AFTER THE WORLD WAR
What will the harvest be? The world seems frantic.
The people have lost their heads. All shades of pacifists
are calling loudly for the immediate ratification of the
Treaty of Versailles, with its League of Nations cove
nant. The combined wisdom of the Five Great Powers
is devising a plan as a panacea for the ills of the turbulent
world, while in the daily press we read that eighteen wars
are being waged today between the nations of the earth.
Selfishness is rampant and the epidemic of greed is
raging in our own land and appears to be increasing among
all grades of working people. Strikes are the order of
the day. The policemen of our large cities, the guardians
and protectors of the life and property of the citizens, re
fuse to perform their sworn duty, leaving the public at
the mercy of the anarchistic, lawless element.
The employees of the great railroads demand legisla
tion by Congress for their especial benefit as a class, which,
carried into effect is confiscation of property to the use
of those who operate it supposedly in the lawful interest
of the public.
Blind indeed are they who do not see the logical result
of this demand carried into effect. In plain English, it
is the first step of the anarchistic, socialistic demand for
the distribution of wealth under the form of law. The
[next, not long, step is the division of wealth, and the final
contention will be that the producer is entitled to all he pro
duces. The disregard for law and lawfully constituted

304 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
authority encouraged by those in high places is a matter
for serious consideration of all good citizens. Respect for
the rights of others, equal and exact justice for all mankind
before the law is no longer the first essential of our govern
ment. The wise maxims and advice of the Fathers of our
Republic, are set at naught and cast into the scrap heap
by those in authority, who have in their wisdom discovered
that they are no longer applicable under the new standard
of right and justice discovered and developed by the Presi
dent of our Country, who insists upon its adoption by the
American people without amendment to become the policy of
the United States Government in the future.
I think it apparent to all thoughtful Americans in
these tumultuous times that a cool head and steady hand
are required at the head of the Nation to guide and direct
it in a safe and wise course. In this mad rush of selfish
ness and greed, the National train is "running wild." The
engineer has pulled the throttle wide open and taken his
hand from the safety valve. The red light of danger
gleams in the distance. But the warning is heeded. The
brakes of aroused sanity are being set. No wreck will
occur. The sober second thought of the people, which is
always sane and safe, is manifest and the great loyal ma
jority, who are American first, will, when opportunity comes,
render their verdict. An "open covenant openly arrived
at," and the new standard of right and justice, untried
theories, and visionary schemes to advance the personal am
bition of aspiring statesmen, will be expunged from the
record and the wise counsels of the founders of our Re
public, under whose guidance and direction this Country of
ours has become the greatest Nation of earth, will again
prevail and righteous peace will reign throughout our be
loved land.
Pueblo, 1919. I. W. Stanton.

TRIBUTE TO PENNSYLVANIA
Address Prepared at the Request of the Pennsylvania
Committee and Delivered at the Celebration of States,
Held in Pueblo, July 4, 1897.
One hundred one and twenty years ago, the founders
of this Republic set forth and proclaimed to all the world
the causes which impelled them to separate from Great Brit
ain and form among the nations of the earth an inde
pendent government based upon the principles of civil and
religious liberty and equal rights for man. On each re
curring anniversary of that important event in our National
history, it is fitting and proper that we, with our fellow
citizens throughout our beloved Country, pay due respect,
express our gratitude and recall something of the sacri
fice made, hardships endured and true heroism displayed
by the patriots of the Revolution, refresh in our memory,
with that unparalleled arraignment of the British Crown
set forth in the Declaration of Independence. With this
end in view, I quote the closing sentences of that unequaled
production, which will live and last while our form of gov
ernment endures : —
"We, therefore, the representatives of the United
States of America, in general Congress assembled, appeal
ing to the supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude
of our intentions, do in the name and by the authority of
the good people of these colonies solemnly publish and de
clare that these United States are, and of right ought to

306 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
be, free and independent States. That they are absolved
from all allegiance to the British Crown and that all politi
cal connection between them and the State of Great Britain
is and ought to be totally dissolved, and that as free and
independent States they have full power to levy war, con
clude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce and do
other acts and things which independent States may of
right do. And for the support of this declaration with a
firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we
mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes and
our sacred honor."
The War of the Revolution, the long and arduous
struggle with Great Britain, terminated with the success of
the colonies ; and the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at York-
town compelled her to acknowledge the independence of the
States. Thereupon, the Fathers of our Republic, in the
language of Mr. Lincoln, established "a government of the
people, by the people, and for the people."
In commemoration of that event in the history of na
tions and in the interest and for the welfare of mankind,
we, among their descendants and representatives through
out our country, assemble today without regard to race,
color, sect, or creed to pledge anew our faith in and loyalty
to the government and the flag, and solemnly engage to
support, maintain and perpetuate while life lasts, this, the
greatest, freest Government of earth.
By courtesy of the Mayor and city authorities on this
occasion we native Pennsylvanians are permitted to
meet in this pleasant Royal Park, but there are no wor
shipers of royalty here, no one owing allegiance to England
or to any foreign prince or potentate. All are American
freemen, citizens of this Democratic Republic.
But I am expected to say something of our native
State, the grand old commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

TRIBUTE TO PENNSYLVANIA 307
The Keystone State, so called because she was seventh
in geographical order of the original thirteen, was seventh
to sign the Declaration of Independence; therefore, the
number seven should have some significance for Pennsyl
vanians. As school boys and girls, you were taught that the
Territory comprising the State was granted by King
Charles II of England to the Quaker, William Penn, on
the fealty of the annual payment of two beaver skins, which
vested in him and his heirs the perpetual proprietorship of
this vast region, together with the Territory of the State
of Delaware which was included in the original Charter. It
is said of William Penn that he was the only person who
formed treaties with the Indians which were never sworn to
and never broken.
It is claimed that Pennsylvania was the founder of
the public school system of the United States. The form
of government prepared by Penn in 1682 provided that the
Governor and Council should erect and order all public
schools. The provisional Constitution of 1776 provided for
the establishment of a school in each county, and in 1786,
sixty thousand acres of land were set apart for public
schools. The Constitution of 1790 required the. Legislature
to provide by law for the establishment of schools through
out the State, "in such a manner that the poor may be
taught gratis." In 1819, an act was passed for the open
ing of free schools to indigent children between six and
twelve years of age, and in 1834, the foundation of the
present school system was laid by the law, providing free
education for all persons between the ages of six and twenty-
one years, and today the State's educational facilities are
unsurpassed by those of any State of the Union. Her
Universities, Colleges, Scientific, Medical and Theological
institutions are among the best of our country.

308 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
I need only to mention the wonderful resources with
which Pennsylvania is so generously endowed by nature.
Her vast deposits of coal and iron, her oil fields, her ex
tensive manufactories and varied industries are known
throughout the world. The praises of her lovely land
scapes and beautiful rivers are sung by one of her gifted
sons, the painter-poet Thomas Buchanan Reed, who says :
"Fair Pennsylvania, than thy midland vales, lying twixt
hills of green and bound afar by billowy mountains, rolling
in the blue, no lovelier landscape meets the traveler's eye."
Then after visiting the Danube, the Po and the Seine he
says none of these, "is half so fair as the broad stream
whose breast is gemmed with many isles and whose proud
name shall yet become among the names of rivers, a syn
onym of beauty, Susquehanna."
Upon Pennsylvania's soil in the beautiful City of
Brotherly Love, stands that historic structure, Independence
Hall, so dear to the heart of every patriotic American, and
in its keeping is Independence Bell from which on the
4th day of July, 1776, rang out the first full notes of
American Independence, proclaiming to the people of the
earth the birth of a new nation founded upon the principle
of equal rights for man.
On her soil, too, nearly a century later was fought the
battle of Gettysburg, the great battle of the War of the
Rebellion, which marked the decline and fall of the Con
federacy. The principles declared in 1776 were again
baptised in blood, and the supremacy of the Nation was
established for all time, we trust. It was fitting that in
this decisive struggle one of Pennsylvania's gallant sons,
Major General George G. Meade, should command the
Union Army. The hallowed ground of Gettysburg, made
more sacred by the immortal Lincoln, in his unparalleled

TRIBUTE TO PENNSYLVANIA 309
address at the dedication of the cemetery, November 10,
1863, is now the property of the Nation. Thirty-four years
have passed since that titanic struggle and thirty-two years
since the close of the war.
With the lapse of time the sectional feeling of bitter
ness and hatred engendered by the war is passing away
and ere long will be forgotten. When Lee surrendered to
Grant and Johnston surrendered to Sherman the war was
over with the rank and file of both armies. Four years of
bitter warfare had taught them to respect each other. They
had discovered that, for bravery, courage and true manhood
they were equal, and now Federal and Confederate, Union
and Rebel, rejoice in the preservation of one Country and
one flag, and the great body of the people of the States
which were in rebellion are today loyal to the government
and its free institutions. With our Country united, we are
invincible. The native sons and daughters of Pennsylvania are
true patriots, proud of the Grand Old Commonwealth,
proud of her soldiers, statesmen, scholars ; but prouder far
are they of her noble women, who as sweethearts, wives,
mothers, are unsurrpassed, if not unequaled. Possessing
the true womanly graces, they are model homemakers and
homekeepers. Our mothers of blessed memory, endeavored
to store our minds with the principles of truth, honor and
integrity, and these lessons can never be forgotten. With
men and women so taught and trained throughout this
broad land rests the security, the permanency, of this great
Nation. While its patriotic peace-loving citizens favor the prin
ciple of arbitration between nations of all questions, proper
to be arbitrated, they are not greatly alarmed by the fail
ure of a general Arbitration Treaty with Great Britain.

310 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
They remember that that government at all times under
all circumstances, has been opposed to our Republic, openly
or secretly, and know that in her intercourses with the
nations she is controlled by her own selfish interests and
has little in common with us. And while the American
people are opposed to war and in favor of peace with all
the world, they are "opposed to all entangling alliances"
with Great Britain or any other foreign power. When our
Anglo-American friends inform us that the same blood
flows in our veins and we speak the same language, and
argue that, therefore, we should form an alliance with
the mother country, we may remind them, that the blood
was closer and the language more nearly the same in the
days of the war of 1812, when the British burned our Na
tional Capitol and valuable historical records. This fact
may well be recognized: There is no sympathy among the
patriotic, liberty-loving people of our country for England
and her method of national selfishness.
As loyal American citizens we are proud of our country
and the flag, and justly proud of our native State. But the
pride and devotion of our manhood and womanhood we
bring to thee, Colorado, the "Centennial State," which
today attains her majority in the sisterhood of States.
Those who remember the conditions existing here thirty-
seven years ago and have witnessed the growth from a
comparative wilderness occupied by roving bands of half-
clad, half-starved Indians, can thoroughly appreciate the
wonderful progress made with her half million prosperous,
happy people. And yet, the development of her vast and
varied resources has but begun. Her deposits of coal and
iron and fields of oil rival those of Pennsylvania. Her
mines of gold, silver, copper and lead equal if not surpass,
those of any other State. Her agricultural and horticul-

TRIBUTE TO PENNSYLVANIA 31 1
tural resources are in their infancy. The storage of water
and its utilization for irrigation purposes are now receiving
the practical consideration and attention their great import
ance demands and which insures that henceforth Colorado
will keep pace with the onward march of progress. Colo
rado, with her patriotic loyal citizens, is moving steadily
onward and upward to her place in the front rank of States
of the Union.

FINIS

PERSONAL TRIBUTES
Of the many sketches of Colonel Stanton written after
his death, the following from The Denver Trail, organ of
the Sons of Colorado, for November, 1921, has been se
lected :
Colorado lost a real citizen when Colonel Irving W.
Stanton of Pueblo died on the 18th of October last. He
had been a resident for more than sixty years except when
absent in the public service, and during that entire time
was engaged constantly in efforts to promote the public
welfare. He was a man of wide acquaintance and broad
experience, and with these added to his public spirit was
able to be of great service. He was a pioneer, not in Colo
rado alone, but in Kansas and Iowa as well.
Colonel Stanton's death took place at Ithaca, N. Y.
The Pueblo floods of last June had a depressing influence
upon him and soon after their subsidence he accepted an
invitation from friends to spend the summer on the New
England coast. He never returned to Colorado, but dur
ing a visit in Ithaca was taken ill and died within a week.
His daughter, Mrs. Harlan J. Smith of Pueblo, who is his
only surviving near relative, except her children, was with
him at the end.
A native of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, where he
was born on the 6th of January, 1835, Mr. Stanton early
turned his face toward the West. After a brief experience

316 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
in running one of the old gravity trains of the Delaware
and Hudson Canal Company, he came to Kansas and was
present at the first meeting of the Kansas Territorial Legis
lature at Pawnee City in the fall of 1855. Those were
turbulent times in Kansas, and he did not like the atmos
phere. He next tried Iowa, but when the gold excitement
in the Pike's Peak country broke out he embraced the first
opportunity to change base again. He arrived at the mouth
of Cherry Creek in the spring of i860, and immediately
joined the throng of gold seekers in the mountains. He ex
perienced many hardships, but he enjoyed the life and he
always looked back to it with pleasure. After a year or
so in the mining camps he returned to Denver, where he
became deputy postmaster. In 1862 he responded to the
call for the organization of the Third Colorado Infantry
and became a Second Lieutenant and Assistant Adjutant
in that command. He remained in the service until the
end of the war, participating in the campaign against Price
in Missouri and then in the active work along the western
frontier. After peace was declared he spent a brief period in the
General Land Office in Washington and in 1866 returned
to Colorado as Register of the newly created land office at
Central City. In 1871 he was transferred to Pueblo, where
another land office had been set up.
He held this position until 1874, when he and George
Q. Richmond formed a law partnership, which continued
until 1881, when he was appointed postmaster of Pueblo.
Colonel Stanton was president of the Pueblo Gas
Company and of the Board of Trade. He was instrumental
in bringing the Missouri Pacific railroad to Pueblo and in
helping to have a Union station built there. To his efforts
also was largely due the erection of Pueblo's elegant Post

PERSONAL TRIBUTES 317
Office building. In 1883 Governor Pitkin appointed him to
represent Colorado at the celebration of the anniversary of
the Battle of Yorktown.
With Colonel M. H. Fitch and H. M. Morse, Colonel
Stanton organized Pueblo Commandery No. 3, Knights
Templar, of which he was Eminent Commander for six
years. He was also Past Junior Vice Commander of the
Commandery of the Loyal Legion of Colorado, which or
ganization is composed of officers of the Civil War. In Cen
tral City in 1869 he established the first Grand Army Post
in the State and was its first Commander. He held a
position on the staff of General John A. Logan when he
was Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Re
public, and to this connection owed his title of Colonel.
January 1, 1867, Colonel Stanton was married to
Mary A. Singer in Potosi, Missouri. His wife died October
19, 1894. He was a staunch Republican, and his counsel was con
stantly sought by the party leaders, with all of whom, as
with all other public men of the State, he was on terms
of intimacy. Senators Teller and Chaffee were his especial
associates and friends. He also had a wide acquaintance
throughout the country, which included several Presidents
of the United States.
He was greatly interested in preserving the record of
the War of the Rebellion in correct form and his last public
act was to promote the passage of a bill by the State Legis
lature, making an appropriation for the correction of names
of soldiers and of places on the Soldiers' Monument in the
Capitol grounds. He was made Chairman of the correc
tion commission, but was not able to complete the work.
A short time before his death Colonel Stanton pre
pared a small volume relating some of his experiences and

3l8 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
impressions, but it had not reached the stage of publication.
Such a compilation by a man of Colonel Stanton's age,
experience and discrimination would be an invaluable ad
dition to our State history, and it is to be hoped that a way
may yet be found for its publication.
Masonic Testimonial
An extended biography was published by the Grand
Commandery of the Knights Templar of the State after
Mr. Stanton's demise, and from this is taken his Masonic
record, as follows :
He received the Degree of Entered Apprentice on May
7, 1857; Fellow Craft on May 18, 1857; Master Mason
on May 23, 1857; all in Iowa City Lodge No. 4, A. F. and
A. M., at Iowa City, Iowa. He demitted from this Lodge
in 1861 to assist in organizing King Solomon Lodge at
West Denver, Colorado Territory. On November 12, 1874,
he affiliated with Pueblo Lodge No. 17, A. F. and A. M.,
at Pueblo, Colorado. In December, 1875, he was elected
Junior Warden; in 1876 Worshipful Master, and re-elected
in 1877. He attended the Grand Lodge of Colorado in 1875
as the representative of the Worshipful Master. When the
first ballot was taken for the election of Grand Master, he
received a majority of the votes cast; but before the result
was announced, he arose and stated that he was ineligible
to the office by reason of the fact that he had never been
elected and installed Master of a Lodge. After a discussion
that was participated in by that great Masonic authority,
Albert G. Mackey, it was decided that much as his brethren
might wish to have him for their Grand Master, technically,
he was not eligible. He was appointed Grand Marshal of
the Grand Lodge of Colorado in 1875 and Grand Orator in
1880.

PERSONAL TRIBUTES 319
In the Chapter he received the degrees of Mark Master
and Past Master on April 27, 1859, and the Degrees of
Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch on July 15, 1859, in
Cyrus Royal Arch Chapter No. 13, at Washington, Iowa.
He demitted from this Chapter in 1867 to assist in organiz
ing Lafayette Royal Arch Chapter No. 5, at Washington,
District of Columbia. On May 26, 1871, he affiliated with
Pueblo Chapter No. 3, at Pueblo, Colorado.
He served as Captain of the Host of Pueblo Chapter
No. 3, in 1872 and 1873; King in 1874, and High Priest
in 1875 and 1876. He was Captain of the Host in 1881,
and Royal Arch Captain in 1882.
As High Priest he represented Pueblo Chapter No. 3
at a meeting held in Denver on May 11, 1875 to organize
the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Colorado, and on the
same day he was elected and installed Deputy Grand High
Priest of the newly-formed Grand Chapter. On September
21, 1876, he was elected and installed Grand High Priest
of Colorado and served as such for one year. Since then
he had attended nearly every annual convocation of the
Grand Chapter, being always ready to assist in carrying on
the work of Capitular Masonry.
He received the Degrees of the Cryptic Rite in the
Council at Washington, District of Columbia, in 1872.
He received the Orders of Christian Knighthood in
Washington Commandery No. 1, at Washington, District
of Columbia, on February 26 1868. Soon after he affiliated
with Central City Commandery No. 2, at Central City, Colo
rado, from which he demitted in 1873 to assist in organizing
Pueblo Commandery No. 3, at Pueblo, Colorado. He was
Eminent Commander of Pueblo Commandery No. 3 in 1874,
1875, 1876, 1877, 1878 and 1881.
He took an active part in the organization of the Grand

320 SIXTY YEARS IN COLORADO
Commandery of Colorado on March 14, 1876, and on that
date was elected Grand Generalissimo. The Seal of the
Grand Commandery of Colorado was designed by him. He
was elected Deputy Grand Commander in 1877, and on Sep
tember 20, 1878, he was elected and installed Grand Com
mander. In August, 1877, he attended the Twentieth Trien
nial Conclave of the Grand Encampment held at Cleveland,
Ohio, being the only representative from Colorado. At this
Triennial Conclave, he was appointed chairman of the com
mittee to fix the time and place of the next Triennial Con
clave. He attended many of the Triennial Conclaves
of the Grand Encampment, and had a wide acquaintance
among the Templars of the United States.
He left Pueblo on July 22, 1921, for a visit to rela
tives and friends in the East. After spending a few weeks
in New Haven, Connecticut he went to Ithaca, New York,
to visit his sister. While in Ithaca he became ill, and passed
away on October 18, 1921.
His funeral was held at Pueblo, Colorado, on October
21, 1921. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev
erend Fred H. Zimmerman, Pastor of the First Methodist
Episcopal Church of Pueblo, after which Pueblo Lodge No.
17, A. F. and A. M., took charge of the body, and escorted
by Pueblo Commandery No. 3, Knights Templar, proceeded
to Roselawn Cemetery, where it was consigned to its last
resting place on earth in due and ancient form.
As a mark of respect to our departed Frater it is ordered
that this memorial be read in every Commandery in this
Grand Jurisdiction at the first stated Conclave after its
receipt. (Signed) James P. Barnes,
Attest: Grand Commander.
William W. Cooper,
Grand Recorder.