The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-10-30
LETTER FROM COLORADO.
Iico, Col, Oct. 10Th, 1879.

Rico, Coli oct. 10Th, 1917.
Editor Democrat
As nothing is pressing on my time at present
shall endeavor to give you a weeks experience In
the Rockies. Tuesday, Oct 7th, myself and pard
woke up wigL IL rl'ias between us and camp. We
were in good spirits, as game was In abundance,
But 1t did not take us long nor close scru tiny to
tell that Indians were also the nelghborhood.
We came to conclusions at once and vamOOsed for
camp on forced march and came to Rico at
O'Clock, The State election was being carried on,
246 votes being poled, But to change the monot-
ony Of the election and cause the excitement TO
increase there was an occasional Runner or
Governors warning brought In. "Look out for
Indians was the main thing. An order was Issued
to form military company; 76 men were enroll.
ed, then armed with every make Of gan In the
land.
October Sth, the settlements on the Mankno
were In danger. A squad of men were dispatched
to that locality to protect the families there. men
were sent from here to outside places for arms
but came back with empty hands. Here we were
five men to one gun, ammunition short, Indians
within three miles of u.s. The day passed, moth
ing important occurred but the suspense Of wait
ing for battle. PlcketS were placed around the
town.
About o'clock October 9th, a. M, firing was
heard; soon the pckets came yelling "Indians'' at
the top Of their voices. Everybody was aroused
the night was cold with several inches Of snow on
the ground; all hocked to the place designated as
q safe place the night before, when we awaited
the dawn Of day when the ball would open. The
day dawned, but the Indians had passed out Of
sight again, perhaps owing to our vigilance and
strength In numbers.
October 10th, weather fine, nobody working;
prospectors and hunters all coming In with bad
news; men sent out again to the surrounding
towns for arms and ammunitlon; no Indians in
sight.
October 11th election for Incorporation was the
only excitement for the day, with few false
alarms OF Indians.
October 12th as the mail was two days late, and
none Of us had heard from the outside world for q
week past and traveller brought word that the
carrier would be in, all hands concluded to pass
the day in waiting and watching for the mail
which arrived at p. m, Ny portion in that line
was a copy Of the DEMOCRAT, but when l opened
1t was soon convinced that had already receiv-
ed three copies of that date so had to look else
where for news.
October 13th raining all day; every passer by
greeting you with does your roof leak" as the
majority of the houses with few exceptions are
covered with dirt, and as the soil here is poor
article to be used for that purpose Of course the
roof leaked, 80 did everybody else's 1t rained all
night.
October 14th dawned, but relief for u.s. still 1t
rsined, our cabins were flooded, our blankets
saturated, our clothes dripping, fine community;
the poorest one ever seen for jokes Three p m.
the weather changed, not to our comfort assure
you as 1t became colder and snow relieved forty
hour rain; axes were turned lose. camp fires were
again Int and one side was kept warm at least.
October 18TH still raining, plenty of snow, cabin
roofs covered. p M, Old Sol came forth strong
enough for hay field when another shower bath
followed and we were again drenched to the skin;
how sad every one looked although the joke was
forced one; snow again commenced to fall at
pm.
October 10th, snow covering the land, the sun
comes forth again; everybody is awake TO the
times as everybody busily scoops off the snow
from the cabin roof, every fence, post and limb is
clothed with robe or blanket. A stranger com
ing to town would think it decorated how differ,
ent every one appears, all seem to be happy, and
it is nothing to see a man who few days ago
looked sour, pass yOulwhistling, 81 have Kid in
K" or captain Jlnks" everybody is happy. 1
should not be surprised to see horse race before
an hour when hundreds OF dollars always change
hands. 1 myself notice the change, How re-
freshing 1t seems to hear the the tuneful voice Of
the burro and the bass notes Of the COW bell. I
tell you this is the country for me- II any Of you
fellows think you can exchange your present
trials for our comforts why this country is big
enough for all. Au Revoir, H.