The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-07-28
An Author in Close Quarters.

Early in 1859 Charles Collins wrote a
book about the then unknown country
Colorado, and Pixies Peak, in which he
gave a glowing picture of the whole
region. This book had a good deal to
do with stimulating emigration. After
the rush to Fixes Peak had been going
on for some time, Collins, with the late
A. D. Richardson, set out for that place.
Collins kept distributing his book all
along the route and collecting his SUBJ
scriptions at the ranches previously
canvassed, until after some days OF
travel both began to be aware OF the tact
that q great many of the emigrants, who
had gone out weeks before, seemed to be
returning. Their wagons no longer
bore the bold inscription pixies Peak
or Bust" but it was trans: ormed to this
effect, "Pike's Peak Busted" The two
travellers unaware of the depth OF chag-
rim and significance behind this thought
little of it until they had traversed about
one-half the route, 300 miles from st.
Joseph. Here was a famous stopping
place, know as Jack Morrow's ranch, a
place where Collins and Richardson had
determined to put up at that night. Col
Inns, who was well acquainted with
Morrow, got some distance ahead of
Richardson, in whose wagon, beside
hin self and the driver, were :. number
Of e%migrants, also bent on trying The
new county.
Collins, as he drove up to Mor1ow's
ranch, was considerably surprised at
the sight. The place was everywhere
swarming with miners and emigrants,
all excited and savage about something
or another. There was loud talking
| everywhere, and loud threats against
somebody who in every breath came IN
for the most violent and bitter eXecra-
ton. Collins was about to toss one Of
his books to Morrow, who came for
ward hastily when he saw him, and get
ting up close to him he said, in a voice
husky with suppressed excitement:
collins, git!"
What do YOU meanp" said Collins
excited.
"Git out O. here quick" said the ex-
| cited ranchman, as he waved his hand
and disappeared.
Collins, now thoroughly aroused.
thrust his book back under his seat and
babe his driver get out and mingle with
the crowd ana find what was the mat
ter. In a few minutes the driver re-
turned with a face white Is a ghost,
and told Collins that the miners were
offering q reward ofS2, 600 for the bodies
of Collins and Richardson, dead or alive.
Having heard that they would be along
that way they had come to a stop at
Morrow's ranch and secured a courle
of ropes, intending to hang them.
Collins quietly slid down ron his
buggy and sauntered out to the edge OF
the crowd. Here he heard himself and
Richardson denounced in the most un-
sparing manner. Seeing there was no
time to lose, he instructed his driver to
strike another route, while he himself
circled around the crowd until ne
reached some tall grass, when he took
to his heels. After running for more
than a mile he stopped. Like a flash
the question crossed his mind, where
was Richardson He turned around
and struck across diagonally for the old
route, in reaching which, some distance
from Morrow's ranch, he presently
met Richardson's team moving along
leisurely. 1. required but an instant
for Collins to inform him of the true
state of affairs, hearing which he was
not less frightened than Collins himself.
The result was that they struck off on a
new route, and finally reached Denver
without further adventure. Denver was
then q settlement of about one thousand
inhabitants, all living in tents. Soon
alter their arrival there the two pre-
empted 100 acres of land each. Becom-
ing disguised afterwar |, they threw up
the land again. To this day Collins
brings his fist down on his knee and
says with an emphatic air Of comic
regret: And fools that we were, this
land is now the heart of the town land
sold in less than ten years afterward for
q thousand dollars an acre."