The silver star., 1897-07-22
Dolores Valley.

The Dolores valley is one Of the most
valuable and fertile agricultural valleys
in southwestern Colorado. In 1916 in
was uninhabited except by an occasional
encampment. OF the Ute Indians in the
summer season. But in the latter part
of that year the advance guard OF the
cattlemen who were looking for broader
fields for their fast increasing herds.
came to this beautiful valley of tho Do
lores, and finding it the centre OF one of
the grandest pasture and grazing ranges
for stock. They said here we will make
our homes. 1t is our "Eldorado" for
stock raising. and 30 began the eettlc.
ment OF tho beautiful little valley OF the
Dolores, and the settlers had no easy
time or r"picnir' either. 1t was rather Il
picnic for the Indian, for from that time
to this day, whenever they wanted fresh
beef they helped themselves to the white
mans cattle. In 1876 and 1877 there
were only q few settlers, William M.
May and his brothers. George and Rich
ard, and three or four others, and they
had to be constantly on the watch to
keep the Indians stealing their cattle
and horses. The nearest postoffice and
supply point at that time was Animas
City, distance of 60 miles. But with
all the inconviences and hardships the
pioneer settler enjoyed their wild free
life; their stock thrived and increased
and all kind Of wild game was plentiful.
In 1878 came more cattle men came and
few farmers and prospectors. and the
little log cabin could be seen here and
there. and then began the clearing and
cultivating of the soil in the valley. On
ly enough was raised though for home
consumption, there being no market. In
the fall Of 1878 Billy Hudson came in
with his large. herd of cattle. But he
moved on farther west and located on (he
mesa land between Dolores and the Hue
mountains. That was help to the
stockmen of Dolores valley, as they could
look after Hudson's cattle ut this end of
the range and Hudson and his men
could take care Of the stray cattle OF the
Dolores stockmeD, and in that way they
could protect them from the depreda
tions of the thieving Indian. In 1879
came the large L. c. herd of 5000 head.
in charge OF Henry Goodman, the cattl,
belonging to Mr.. Lacy of New Mexico.
This large herd was located in Montizu
ma valley with headquarters on the Do
lores. The same year came Quick Bros
with their herd, and King Bros. and the
q. p. herd. in charge Of George Phelps.
The King Bros and Quick Bros. located
on the Dolores. but George Phelps with
the G. p. located on Lost canon creek.
The great grazing mesas around Do.
lores and the Montezuma valleys were
now pretty well stocked with cattle and
horses. the stock being held on the high
country in the summer and driven to
the lower land for winter. The winter
ranges were carefully looked after and
all stock kept off OF it in summers In
the fall OF 1879 came an event which
proved great boon to the stockmen and
farmers of Dolores and Montezuma
valleys. 1t was the discovery Of gold
and silver at Rico, in the mountains al
tho headwaters OF the Dolores river.
The opening und developing of these
mines created a market for all products
OF both stockmen and farmers, Then
rapidly began the settling up of the Do
lores valley from Rico to the Utah line.
The building of homes and the fencing,
clearing and cultivating of tho land, the
making OF bitches for irrigation. During
the years of 1880 and 1881 every aero OF
land in the Dolores valley was taken up
by settlers, and at tho town of Rico the
farmers had a ready market for every.
thing they raised ON their farms. BY
hauling the produce to Rico they were
paid cents per pound for potatoes and
all other vegetables. and from 5 to Z
cents sor grain. and $50 per ton for hay.
The stockmcn had market for their
beef aud the little valley OF Dolores took
it's place in the ranks Of agriculture.
The first postoiilcc was established IN
1881 ut Cromley's ranch, about tho cea.
ter of the valley, with Mr.. Cromley us
postmaster. During all these years the
Ute kept up his thieving aud .lcpreda-
tions and in the month Of June, 1851, il
lot of them attacked the cabin OF Rich
ard May and Mr.. Thurmou. near Dove
creek, between Cross canot and Blue
mountains, and murdered both Muy and
Thnrmon and run sir all their horses.
Az soon us II became known the settler,
OF Dolores and Mancos gallantly re.
eronded to the appeal OF the Muy broth
ers for help, ana together with com
pnny Ok Hiao miners, pursued the In
dians and overlook them in the La Sal
All.