New-York tribune., 1885-07-06
THE COLONISTs or GREELEY.
PIONEERS or COLORADO CELEBRATING THE
FOURTH OF JULY.
far rELE0R APu TRIBUNE

GREELEY, Col, July 5.-What Plymouth
Rock Is TO Greeley Colony is TO Colorado
Fifteen years aud two months ago, one hundred and
nifty families gathered here at the Ford Of Poudrc River
near its junction with the south Platte. just where the
old and well worn salt Lake trail leaving the course Of
the latter strikes norhward for tic pass across
the Rocky Mountains Here they meant TO try the ex-
pertinent Of cooperative oaori. without communism IN
founding an agricultural colony.
Yesterday the survivors OF that band Of pii-
grms gathered tn reunion to recount the trials,
the hopes aud crPctuatc the brave anu tender
memories OF the past. II has been memorable occa'
sion Greeley. l:ke Plymouth has been proihc mother
OF colonies. Like Plymouth. too. she has shaped the
history and will leave tho rosistess Impress OF her
moral tone Oh the future Of Colorado. The pioneers
found the Wild cacuscoyercd plain raincss. ,reelcss
and measurecss save that the Rocky Mountains rose
like gian, wall 10 the west. Under the shadow OF hat
wall they drew up and put their cleaning pougsh"ie'
TO the soil Yesterday thousands were gathered from
the settlements Of the Platte the Upper Poudc the Big
Thompson rivers from that centre OF fashion ana pleas
ure Colorado sprng and from her youngest ana dearest
Offering In the River Waller the Utah border.
and all feased and reoced In the outrageous groves
and tasteful lawns Of Greeley The history OF their
struggles cannot ecountcd Let II suffice 10 say that
the blood brains and energy OF that pilgrim colony
dominates the destiny OF Colorado They constitute mo-
where the majority but every whore the indispensable
and Grand Counties may fairly he said TO be dominated
by the Greeley dea while its influence pcrmeates In di-
minished strength the fabric Of the Common wealth. The
beauty OF the town oi Greeley Is unsurpassed IN the
United States. II Is surrounded for miles by thrifty
farms that are half market gardens. IL is sub
stanay and asefuly built Its streets and paris are
studded with large and widespreading cottonwood trees,
It's gardens and lawns watered by irrigalng channels
that line the streets conveying the cool water from
,n"rnialus north and south. schools and churches,
nul.l lie mn
gress OF society The history OIL community IL often
perfectly epltonzod Ia The lie OF an indVdnaL INC
most prominent citizen Of Greeley Is GoyernOr or the
Common wealth. rugged, pain. scnsiblc' strong un-
pretending man. himself an ea.ler pioneer. working
small farm the Poudre River. he was first to wei
come the colOnsts and syapathize with their designs
poor ONO farmers son. "A school teacher accom-
pshcd In tho spelling book, writing II good
OF Three" he his lot with the Pixies Peak pilgrims
In 1859 Driving bull team across the plains, he gave
the helping hand To the colOnists. lie WAS Ioor they
were poor Of indomitablc energy, " resstless
pluck OF inhcxbe integrity. OF that tendency toward
refined culture that marks the Yankee blood. he Is To-
day the largest farmer In Colorado ting looo acres
his home here mansion of noble proportions. one OF
the In the state one that would be hno III any oi
the suburban parks about Ncw-ioTk. Though hardly
Greeley idea and last fall lie was elected Governor
The growth OF political morality In the Republican
party made his reelection necessity IN his career
Is epltomizcd the history Of the Greeley colony Hcamc
up IRON the capital Friday with many dstnsnishcd
Iaoplc and yesterday mingled with the companions Oh
hs early struggles simply ana coTdiaiIy .ine nats
trickled down iuany faded check Of man and woman
he shook their hands. kindly recalling old days Iney
agitaIOr who fought with Garabaid ut s0lferino /;
William Pabor the old Harlem postmaster and thc irst
To Join the colony Max Clark Tue ioca OF ,
frat Cooper Institute meeting; David Boyd the scholar
OF the colony Mrs Brownell, Professor shattuck OF
the Denver University; Mrs Gibson, Mr west ana the
Rev MIR Baxter among the Old colonsts who par
ticlpated Ia the exercises VI the dhy'