RIO BLANCO COLORADO - "The White River Country" (1885) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 August 22, 2000 *********************************************************************** >From "The Meeker Herald" Vol. 1 -- No. 1. Meeker, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 15, 1885 Price, Ten Cents. THE WHITE RIVER COUNTRY ---------------- A Brief Historical Sketch of One of the Finest Sections in Colorado. --------------- CATTLE AND OTHER INTERESTS --------------- Meeker, the Metropolis of the White River Valley--Its Location and Future Prospects. -------------- Very little was known of the beautiful valley prior to the unfortunate Thornburgh affair, when, on September 29, 1879, that gallant officer was killed and his little army narrowly escaped annihilation by the Ute Indians. The battle was fought on Milk creek, about twenty miles northeast of Meeker. A monument, inscribed with the names of those who fell, has been erected on the battlefield by the government. The town--the embryo metropolis of the White River valley--was named after "Father Meeker," who was Indan agent here, and who, with all the white male employes at the agency ) four miles down the river from the present town site) were butchered by the victorious and infuriated Indans after the Thornburgh battle. General Wesley Merritt soon arrived on the scene, however , and a large force of soldiers, at one time as many as thrity-six companies, was kept here, and the military establishment known as "Camp on White River," was maintained till August, 1883, when the troops were withdrawn and the buildings and other government property sold. Quarters and barracks for ten companies had been built, at a cost of some two hundred thousand dollars. These were purchased by citizens, and the Meeker Town Site company was formed. The original members of the company embraced some of Colorado's and Wyoming's most enterprising citizens. The town now contains a population of some three hundred people, and bids fair, in our judgment, and at no distant day, to become a point of considerable importance. It is beautifully situated on the banks of White river, and in the center of a fine stock country. Two years ago there were no cattle in this valley, and it is now estimated that at least twenty-five to thrity thousand head are grazing upon its abundant and nutritious grasses. Several farms have been opened up and it is fully demonstrated that all kinds of grain and produce will yield bounteous returns to the husbandman. The Allen colony, from Ohio, consisting of forty-two persons, arrived here in July, and are now actively engaged in opening up farms and making permanent homes. The climate is delightful and healthful, and it is a remarkable fact that duringthe nearly four years' occupancy of the country by the troops not single officer or soldier died from disease. The altitude at Meeker is 6,100 feet, somewhat less than that of Rawlins, Wyoming. Game is very abundant, especially the black-tail deer, and the crystal waters of White river furnish an unfailing supply of the most delicious trout, weighing often from two to three pounds. Timber and coal are abundant and of easy access. The quality of the lumber now make here will compare favorably with the Eastern article, and is reasonably low in price. The county authorities are about having two bridges constructed over White river, and roads have been laid out in nearly every direction. Glen wood Springs, our county seat, is sizty miles southeast of Meeker. We are 144 miles south of Rawlins, Wyoming, and are connected with that lively town by a telegraph line and a triweekly stage and mail line. The principal industry on the White river is stock raising. Stockmen have hertofore met with considerable success in that branch of business. The only danger to they business now is a tendency to overstock the range. Amony the prominent cattlemen interested in stock in the neighborhood of Meeker and Pice-ance are " Gregory & Fleming, White River Land and Cattle company, Latham & Richards, Loring & Co., Brasher & Co., Niblock Bros., Bloomfield & Keller, Edger Bros., Attex & Bergli, Duncan Blair, Ed Bellow, W.H. Miller and others. On Pice-ance creek are located the following gentlemen engaged in the stock and ranch business: Messrs. Morgan, Schutte, Oldland, Stewart, McKee, Breene, Taylor, Ryan, Freund, Hatch, Cos, Cole, Metz, Fairchild Burch, Hilton, Ball, Galloway, Limberg & Patrick, Crichlow & Ayer, Faw, Morrisey, Reagan Bros., and several other gentlemen whose names we could not learn. There are several fine ranches and herds on Douglass creek. Bryant Bros., of Philadelphia, have lately put in 1,000 head. Pice-ance creek is one of the garden spots in Colorado. Every foot of land in this favored section is taken up. Some of the stockmen above noted own herds runing up in the thousands, mostly blooded stock. McHatton & Dreifuss have a very fine herd of horses on Upper White all picked stock. The White River Land and Horse company are located on Miller creek. This company have 400 head of Norman-Percheron mares on the way in. Mr. T.B. Skelton is in charge of the affairs fo the company. Mr. John Harvey of Leadville, is intrested in a large bunch of heavy draught horses. The white River country and northwestern Colorado generally, is coming to the front fast, and in point of wealth and populaton will soon assume a position amond the most favored and prosperous sections of the "Centennial State."