Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-01-25
IMPORTANT COLORADO NEWS.
DEATH OF WILLIAM oILPiN.
The Venerable Soldier. Pioneer and First
Executive of Colorado Passes
Psacsfuliy Away.

The Venerable Soldier. Pioneer and First
Executive of Colorado Passes
Peacefully Away.
Ex-Governor William Gilpin died at his
home In De nver on the morning Of tho Goth.
He died while asleep, probably Of heart dis
ease. He had been In bis usual health, and
his sudden demise was not looked for 30 soon.
Although he was elghty-one years old he did
not show It, and up to two years ago when he
was run over by horse and buggy, was ex-
tremely energetic. Since that time, although
not so active, he has been able to get about
and attend to his business affairs.
Governor GilpIn's life had been unusually
full Of stir and excitement In 1886 he grad
uated from West Point and get his first taste
Of war In the Seminole war In Florida.
After the Florida war Lieutenant Gupin
went to Van Buren,, then President, and
asked that ho be put Mt the head Of q company
of explorers to investigate that little-known
country beyond Missouri which comprises
Tho West. Van Burcn refused and Gilpin
resigned from the army. Ho removed to St.
Louis, edited tho Missouri argus through u
hot political campaign, and next became NC
| rotary Of the legislature. Tho fever of ex-
ploration still burned, but he took time to
I
| sylvauia for q diploma.
The fever Of exploration was SO strong up
on him that he soon sold his law books and
started for Oregon In company with John q.
Fremont. He reached his destination and
explored the country to the mouth OF the
Columbia river. On his way back In 1874 he
crossed Utah and passed through Southern
| Colorado.
He went TO Washington and In letters, lec-
tures and official reports, ne kept before the
public his ideas Of the resources Of tho Far
West, making Wide reputation for himself
and attracting attention to the resources Of
the West. Hc urged transcontinental mall
route and the necessity In the future growth Of
thlsgreat section AT that time 1t had great In
luenco in shaping sentiment on the Mexican
war and the acquisition. of California.
When the Mexican war did break out the
military instinct was again to tho front and
| Gilpin served as major under Colonel Doni-
phan In that famous expedition into Mexico,
and was in many battles, being present at tho
taking Of the city Of chihuahua.
In lS47 ut tho request oi President Polk he
raised regiment of $50 men to subdue tho
Indians who had begun war in
Colorado. In this expedition he was entirely
successful.
From ls40 till 1861 Colonel Gilpin oscillatcd
between st. Louis, Philadelphia, Washington
and Independence, practicing his profession
part of the time, but always, by lectures,
newspaper articles and personal letters, urg-
Ing upon the people Of the country the value
of the great empire lying at their door.
When, in 1861, the act creating the terri
tory Of Colorado was passed, Colonel Gilpin
was selected as the one man above all others,
who, owing to his experience and military
training, was competent to save this section
Of tho West to the Union. Tho name Of
Colorado, by tho way was selected by Colonel
Gilpln to replace that of Jeficrson, which
was In the bill introduced by Representative
Green, a strong scccsslonist.
i Tho position Of war governor In Colorado
was net an easy one, but Colonel Gllpin
showed himsef equal 10 the trust imposed in
him.
Governor GIlpin came to Colorado and i'm
medately organized the First regiment. It
was reported that the Confedcrates were pre-
pairing to make q raid from Texas, and this
regiment marched sixty-four miles in twenty
four hours, one Of tho greatest feats on record
and saved Colorado and New Mexico. lie de-
feated Slbley's army in New Mexico.
He had no money but this was not an OBJ
stacle to the determined governor, for he
| very promptly on his own authority, Issued
scrip on the secretary of the treasury for all
expenses incurred. These drafts, amounting
to the enormous sum Of 1876, 600 were repudi-
ated by Salmon b. Chase, then secretary of
the treasury, and ruin stared the Western
merchants In the face, for they had chcerfully
accepted these orders on the treasury for
arms and stores supplied to the standing
army. The whole affair was irregular and
Governor Gilpin was severely censured, and
finally was removed from Office by tho govern
ment at Washington, and John Evans Of
| Evanston, Illinois, appointed his successor.
But Notwithstanding this irrcguarlty tho
the action Of Governor Gilpin proved TO be Of
the utmost importance to the Union, for had
| the confcderacy secured an entrance into the
| West no one could have predicted the out
| come of the campaign.
| After the war Governor Gilpin made good
deal of money by extensive land deals in
| Colorado and New Mexico. .T...
| In 1874 Governor Gilpin married Mrs. Julia
Pratt DIckerson OF ct. Louis, widow Of Cap
there have been three children, William and
Mary, twins, born May .12, 1875, and Louis,
July 10, 1877. William was accidentally
killed by fall In Plato canon last summer.
In late years Governor Gilpin has devoted
much time and thought to the elaboration Of
n scheme for a railway system connecting
North America with Asia by way the Aleu-
tian Islands.
This Poultry Show.
The poultry show held at Denver last week
was great success In point Of number and
q, the Ano nofnfs of the fowls exhibited,