Gilpin observer., 1900-09-13
COLORADO NOTES.

weston flood sufferers.
The Democratic factions of Arapa-
noe county, after a prolonged struggle,
have buried the hatchet and united on
a ticket.
Professional thieves are working the
railroad trains in Colorado and have
recently secured much valuable booty
III money and hand baggage.
Eight thousand people are reported
to have enjoyed the delights of Water
melon Day at Rocky Ford. They alb
sorbed the usual vast quantity of mel
ons and enjoyed the sports that We're
provided.
september 10th n rural free delivery
route will be established to begin at
Monte Vista. Rio Grande county, with
Max Iyron rs carrier. The new route
Is thlrty-three mile long and will sup
ply 40 patrons scattered over an area
of siNty-two square miles.
An electric railroad from Denver to
Boulder and the northern Colorado
coal fields. financed by J. Brisben
Walker of New York. is a probability
of the near future. Mr.. Walker is in
Denver to look over the ground. River
Front park will be turned into terminal
grounds If the present plan goes
tllt ltTpe uOlulllSS Oh MI.
Walker will be utilized in connection
with the railroad. The scheme, which
is one of the largest which has been
conceived for the benefit of the rich
northern territory adjacent to Denver,
will be decided upon when Mr.. Walker
returns to New York.
''It all depends on the railroads
whether the next national encampment
of the G.. \. X. comes to Denver or
not" said Harper NJ. Orahood, COM
mander of the Colorado and Wyoming
department of the Grand Army, upon
his return from Chicago. There is no
halfway business about it, neither will
there be any compromise. They must
grant a rate of one cent a mile. which
will make the price of round trip
from Chicago about sd, or the en-
campment will go to some other place
to point where this kind of rate can
be made. If they will not furnish this
rate to any place no reunion of the
Grand Army will be held in 1901"
Friday afternoon while three loco
motives and n cabooSe We're coming
down the hill from Boreas the middle
engine, No. 63. with n caboose ran
away. Sevety-one, which was ahead.
managed to catch it when No. 6S piled
driven up into No. II. smashing the
caboose and Nos. 63 and 6S piled up in
a wreck which will probably take most
of the night to clear away. Rudolph
Morganfield, the engineer of No. 6S.
stayed with this engine to the last, but
a broken tank rod prevented him stop
ping it. He was tished out of the
wreck and taken to Breckenridge,
where his injuries, a broken and twist
ed left ankle. bent right rib and sew
eral scalp cuts, were dressed.
Two campers, scared almost beyond
recognition, came into Walsenburg
from the Medina river country with
the skin of a gigantic mountain lion,
slashed by knife cuts, and as thrilling
a tale of adventure as ever graced the
pages of South Africa history A. C.
White and Oscar Heareau. both prom
inent in Rocky Ford. had a terrific
hand hand combat with nine foot
mountain lion. They fought for three
quarters of an hour. White was struck
down many times. but each time he
cut at the huge cat with Il small pock-
etknife, until. weak from loss of blood.
White tainted, while the lion. dying
from knife thrusts. lay down by his
side and started to chew at his shoul-
ders. His partner. taking advantage
of the situation. rushed back to camp,
secured rifle and killed the animal.
Judge j. l.. Russell has rendered an
important decision in the District
Court at Durango that not only affects
La Plata county, but every county in
the state. 1t was the case of the state
of Colorado versus La Plata county,
wherein plaintiff sought to recover in
terest on delinquent taxes collected by
the county. the decision being in favor
of defendant. Last spring. or winter.
the city and school districts brought
suit for delinquent interest and recov-
cred by decision of Judge Russell. the
same course being followed by Judge
johnson in Arapahoe county. The
state suit was brought at the instance
of the Thomas state officials. Had the
decision been favorable. similar suits
would have been s.arted in every coun-
ty in the state. and the sum thus col
lected would add several hundred thou
sand dollars to the state treasury. as
La Plata's share would have been ST.
500. The attorneys for the plaintiff
took an appeal to the Supreme Court.
The annual lion hunt of the Western
Slope Hunting Association will be
great one this year mt Debeque. Gen
eral Passenger Agent Bailey of the Col
orado Midland said yesterday that the
hunt would come off November list, 2d
and 3D.. He is making great prepara-
tions for the time. There are all
kinds of wild animals to shoot around
Debeque. There are mountain lions.
bear, deer, elk, wild eats. coyotes and
mountain grouse. OF course 1t takes
hunters to get this kind OF game. but
there are hunters of all sorts and con
ditions in Denver. Mr.. Bailey said II
would hardly be necessary for n hunt
er so take more than his gun and
hunting suit on this trip. so perfect are
the accommodations of the road.
Teams and wagons Will be furnished
to carry the hunters to the places
where the big game Is to be found