Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-08-21
LIFE ON THE BORDER.
Rem In nisrences of Early ColOra 10
frrnu fhe pfopccr Herald

Eighteen years ago this very month a
series OF murders and outrages was inau-
guratcd ia Denver. First, one Charlie
Harrison shot one Stark, who died July
2lst. No arrest was made whatever, be-
cause Harrison was '' high-toned bully"
The next unproyoked murder was that Of
John GRANTEE, by Jim Gordon. in Blake
street saloon. For this Gordon was hanged
here, by vigilance committee. shortly
aiterward. On the 2jth Of July. 1860, the
Rocky Mountain Ne,rs denounced Denver
despcradoes in general, and it so exas-
pcratcd them that they made al attack on
the Ar,cs Office and fired several shots into
it. The ringleader George Steele, was fol-
loved by posse Of citizens aad shot from
his horse at the corner Of Blake and Six
fcenth streets. Carol Wood and his con-
federaics He'd the country for Texas soon
afterwards.
The first United States mail arrived in
Denver on the 10th OF August, 1860, and
was hailed with delight by the sixty thou
sand citizens Of Colorado at that day.
Previously the stage lines charged two
bits " on all letters, and a dime on each
newspaper for transportation across the
plains.
In the month OF July. 1864, another
series Of ontrases WAS inaugurated here
and elsewhere throughout the Territory
(thcn called JcflersOnl. Indian troubles
began upon the Platte route abont the
middle Of July, and eontinued with in
cr.a,iny lawltssncss and devastation down
the road, until the ranches from Denver to
Fort kearney were most of them destroyed.
many p rsons murdered by the ruthless
s,vagcs, and the base II supplies for Colo
IA 10 almost entirely cut on. Very few
trains. and those only strong and well
armed. dared to venture over the danger
GUS roufs. tiius virtually putting a stop to
t,e great overland trade, aud cansing an
exorbitant rise in provisions, that was Sc
vcrely felt by tho miners and the unfortu-
nate poor.
party Of glerriiIas organized them
ssivos in South Park and proceeded
toward Denver, robbing the mails,
Stealing stock from the ranches, and
waylAying transient travellers. They ex-
pressed a determination to come tu Denver
a1d pillagc the city, saying that they were
& be reinforced by a large party at the foot
of the mountains. This band uf robbers
who claimed to be rebel soldiers, some OF
whom boosted of having taken part in the
Lawrence, Kansas. massacre. by the nOto-
rious Quantrcl, were under the leadership
of notorious desperate, named Reynolds.
They were surprised in camp in Platte
canyon. on the evening Of July 80. by
party from Gold Run, under command of
jack Sparks, and retrcated without firing
gun, leaving all their plunder and the dead
bpdy Of one of their number, killed in the
attack in the hsnls Of their victors. Dur
IN; the expected appearance of this band.
the citizens Of Denver laborcd under great
excitement, owing to the suspense and
anxiety as to the whereabouts and doings
Of the maranders.
Shortly after their dispersal Ave OF the
band were captured aud met their deserved
death at the hands Of their captors. Among
their number was brother Of their leader,
Reynolds. Quite number Of small bands
OF gucrrillas and bandits were operating at
this time in Southern Colorado. Promi-
nent among these was that OF Espinosa,
one of the worst, il not the greatest and
most cruel murderer ever known in Amer
lea. He was hunted down and killed by
party Of miners organized for that pur-
pose. His skull is in possession of per-
son in this city. The history Of the cruel
exploits Of this celebrated bandit does not
belong to sketch Of this kind.
During the last half Of the month Of Au-
gust, 1864, Denver was the theater of
great Indian excitement. The constantly
accumulating hostilities and murders by
savages Of the plains having cut of COM
munication with the States, kept the citi-
zens in a state Of suspense bordering on
distraction. Colonel Chivington was then
in command Of the military district Of Col
orado, and at the urgent request Of the
prominent business men OF the city, pro-
claimed martial law, forhidding the open
ing OF any houses Of trade, except tho dis
pensaries Of medicine for the sick, and al
lowing grocery and provision stores to be
open three hours each day. All trains and
wagons were prohibited from leaving the
Territory. This strenuous measure was
resorted to in order to secure sufficient
enlistment Of mon for protection against
the Indians, whose marauding and devas-
tation had already made tho country al
most uninhabitablc, and who were expect
cd in sight Of the city almost every day.
Every able-b0died male citizen of the city
and country, over tho age Of I6 years, was
obliged to enroll himself in the militia for
the common defense, and many OF these
were employed in the construction OF
block houses on the outer lines of the city,
To be used as a cover in the event Of an
attack. At the time the foregoing events
were taking place, the Third Regiment
Colorado Cavalry" was rapidly being filed
mp and made ready for the field. The reg
iment was enlisted to serve only 100 days
In o campaign against the Indians. In
deed, It was for the purpose of filling up
this regiment with tho requisite number Of
men. perhaps more than anything else.
that caused the proclamation Of martial
law. Tho recruiting for service against
the Indians absorbed most Of the popula-
ton OF the city and country. This made
great scarcity OF laborers. and the farm
ers, for want OF help, were quite late in
harvesting their crops, Of which there was
great yield, considering the number of
acres cultivated.