The Bessemer indicator., 1894-01-27
THE WESTERN REGION,
DEATH OF A PIONEER.
E1.0evsrssr willian 0iipia Passss
Away At the Age Of Eighty.

E1.0evsrssr willian Gupia Passes
Away At tn. Age Of Eighty.
Ex-Governor William Gilpin died
at his home in Denver on the morning
Of the Goth. He died while asleep,
probably of heart disease. He had
been In his usual health, and his sud-
den demise was not looked for SO soon.
Although he was eighty years old
he did not show it, and up to two
years ago, when he was run over by
horse and buggy, was extremely ener-
getic. Since that time, although not
so active, he has been able to get about
and attend to his business affairs.
Governor Gilpin's life has been un-
usually full of stir and excitement. In
1886 he graduated from West Point
and got his first taste of war in the
Seminole war in Florida.
After editing paper and studying
law for several years he accompanied
John c. Fremont across the plains to
Oregon. On his way back in 1874 he
crossed Utah and passed through
Southern Colorado.
He went to Washington and in let
ters, lectures and official reports, he
kept before the public his ideas of the
resources Of the Far West, making a
wide reputation for himself and at
tracting attention to the resources OF
the West. He urged transcontinental
mail route and the necessity in the
future growth of this great section.
At that time it had great influence 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
the front and Gilpin served as major
under Colonel Doniphan in that ia
nous expedition into Mexico, and was
in many battles, being present at the
taking of the city of chihuahua.
In lS47 at the request of President
Polk he raised regiment Of $50 men
to subdue the Indians who had begun
war in Colorado. In this expedition
he was entirely successful.
From ls49 till 1861 Colonel Gilpin
oscillated between St Louis, Phila-
delphia, Washington and Indepen-
dence, practicing his profession part
of the time, but always by lectures,
newspaper articles and personal letters,
urging upon the people of the country
the value of the great empire lying al
their door
When, in 1861, the act creating the
territory of Colorado was passed, Col
onel Gilpin was selected AS the one
above all others, who, owing to his
experience and military training, wa:
competent to save this section of the
West to the Union.
The position Of war governor in
Colorado was not an easy one, but
Colonel Gilpin showed himself equaI
to the trust imposed in him.
Governor Gilpin came to Colorado
and Immediately organized the First
regiment. 1t was reported that the
Confederates were preparing to make
raid from Texas, and this regiment
marched sixty-four miles in twenty
four hours, one of the greatest feats
on record, and saved Colorado and
New Mexico. He defeated Sibley'
army in New Mexico. The action ol
Governor Gilpin proved to be of the
utmost importance to the Union, fol
had the confederacy secured an en-
trance into the West no one could
have predicted the outcome of the cam
paign.
After the war Governor Gilpin made
good deal of money by extensive
land deals in Colorado and New Mexi-
In 1874 Governor Gilpin married
Mrs. Julia Pratt Dickerson, widow ol
Captain Dickerson of St. Louis. From
that union there have been three
children, William and Mary, twins
born May IL, 1875, and Louis, Jul,
10, 1877. William was accidental,
killed by a fall in Platte canon las
summer.
In late years Governor Gilpin ha
devoted much time and thought to th
elaboration of scheme for railwa.
system connecting North Americ
with Asia by way of the Aleutial
Islands.