The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-25

OF 1t in the newspapers, and at once took
the view that the transfer made the land
the same as any other part of the pubic
domain. and he Immediately set out for
the TOP Of the Peak, for the purpose of
taking It as a claim. The mountain at
that time of the year was covered deep
with snow. and Lewis was two days in
making the summit he reaching there
on Jan. 30. He at once occupied the
abandoned government building, as II af-
forded the only means of safety from the
cold. on the night of the 18th he slept
in it. letting the snow beat in upon him
through It's broken windows and doors
The place at this time had been aban-
doned several months and all the gov
eminent instruments used at the signal
station had been removed. Lewis at
once posted notices that he had taken
the claim, and upon the door of the build
ing he tackled the following. 81 hereby
take possession and claim 100 acres Of
land on top Of Pixies Peak" After spend
ing the night upon the peak he. in the
early morning, began to retrace his steps
down the mountain, and on Feb. was at
the government land office In Pueblo
where he made application to file a sol
dier's homestead. The land Office, on ac-
count OF the transfer by the President, re.
fused to accept the Doctors application
for filing. Lewis at once filed a declara-
tory statement and appealed TO the gen.
eral land Office at Washington, where tho
same answer was given him, and the de-
cision Of the Pueblo land Office was az
frmed.
Lewis then took his case TO Secretary
John II. Noble Of the department Of the
interior. In the meantime, however, the
Pixies Peak cog road began 10 build on
top OF the peak, ana al the request Of iis
president, Lewis called upon the MAN.
agement OF the road and entered into an
agreement concerning the right-Of-way on
the peak. In this interview Lewis agreed
10 give the company free OF cost all space
necessary for strictly railroad PURPOSES
The doctor. satisfied with the arrange.
monts, went back upon the peak.
The action taken by the doctor was soon
noised about Manitou and Colorado
Springs, and members Of the Meteorolog-
zeal Society wrote long letters 10 him. in
which they are said 20 have threatened
him with arrest u he continued his resi-
dcnce on the Peak. To these letters the
doctor paid no attention Numerous tele-
grams were sent 20 Washington advising
the President Of the action taken By
Lewis. ana in the latter part OF February
scarcely three weeks from his original
proclamation. President Cleveland trans.
forred the reservation back 20 the war de-
partment.
When President Harrison took his seat
OF the war department, giving him the his.
tory Of his claim. The .etter 10 Secretary
Proctor was accompanied by number OF
aiiidavlis OF citizens Of Manitou. la which
were given sworn statements Of tho course
pursued by the doctor ana other matters
tending 10 strengthen his claim 10 the
summit OF the Peak
Secretary Proctor at once transferred
the land back 10 the department OF the I'M.
terror and Lewis returned IN bla ,t.t..
and built log cabin near the lower
edge OF Il and just above the timber line
This cabin was built IN a Euloh where some
protection from the weather was afforded
Here a little later he took burros ana a
horse ana began 20 make his actual resi-
dence Shortly after the doctor had erect.
cd his cabin the department ~ Washing.
ton deemed best 10 appoint "a custodian 10
look after The abandoned government aiR-
nal station on The Peak. Lewis. hearing
Of this, applied for the appointment. and