Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-01-30
accomplished by state troops, indepen-
dent of the regulars.

dent Of the regulars.
On the day Of the battle Of Sand Creek
Lieut.. Graham. much to his regret. was
sent with few men to Col. Bent's ranch
to relieve a lieutenant OF the regular army
who could not be trusted He corralled
everybody in sight, including several Of
the Bent family and some Indians. This
was to prevent the carrying Of news Of
the intended attack on the Indians at
Sand Greek.
When COL Shops regiment arrived at
Fort Wise the officers in command were
relieved Of duty and guard put around
the fort to prevent anyone leaving camp.
Sand Creek, 40 miles distant. was reach
cd by a night march and the camp Of
900 Indians surprised about sunrise. The
attack was made under the direct COM
mand Of Col. Chivington and but few
prisoners were taken. The battle has
been denounced as . massacre. but the
settlers Of Colorado who had suffered SO
greatly from Indian raids. murder and
robbery being frequent, claim that such
radical treatment Of tie hostile Indians
was necessary II white people were to
try to remain in the territory. Many Of
the volunteers who had lost friends and
relatives at the hands C! tho Indians re-
fused to obey tho orders Of tho officers
and made an indiscrimina;e slaughter.
Tho day after tho attack on the stage
station Mr.. Graham went down tho river
In log canoe TO carry tho news. A
messenger was also sent on tho only horse
not killed by tho Indians. Il was . very
dangerous trip but was made in safety.
In 1862 before the sdven. Of tho stage
limo tho principal bill Of faro was boar
meat and corn bread. Bacon was worth
so cents par pound. Some people lived
wholly on antslops. turkey and bear
meat- Mr.. Graham has seen herd Of
at isas: 10000 antsIope near tho stage
station. They driftsd In during tho win
tor and were In very thin flesh.
Mr.. Graham says tha, his las, buffalo
hunt was in company with Jim Beatty
in 1862. They were on horseback and
rode In tho midst Of tho Big herd. select
ing tho buffalo wanted ard shooting them
In tho loin with large pistols.
Tho first tme Mr.. Graham saw Col.
Chiving;oa was At Methodist watch
meeting In 1861. A. one ,irne chiving-
ton was = preacher. ons Of tho Cart
wright type.
Tne stages used In those days were
Concord coaches. the btdo. tho coach bo-
ing suspended on huge leather straps
which allowed L TO roll back and forth
whom passing over EUagh ffoads. tho
straps taking the place o. tho springs Of
today. Trips were made ;ri-~eekiy and
tho coaches ran day and night. drawn by
four horses.
In those days piet .u-o,an keps . ferry
near La JuniA whien ses utilized by an
east and west trafie when tho river was
high.
Among tho distinguished mon whom
Mr.. Graham entertained al the stage
station was Gen. Phil Sheridan. who
greatly enjoyed the high-srade meals
provided. BY way o. paren;hesss L may
Be remarked that. while Uncle Joe
claims To b as skilltgl = cook as IN tho
pioneer days. he Is row ike young lady
pianist whom asked 10 play for company
out Of practice.
Among Uncle Josis early reeolisesions
is that the frs, srii. uees planted in
tho valley were SO. eg; by Or. Sisar near
Las Aninas Tho nsT; pioneer IN ffui,
culture was Nose Sn0~den who planted
small orchard on tho Cave ranch. cas-,
Of Rocky Ford. Tho ness year Mr..
Graham planted an orchard where he
now lives. and that vas rs years ago.
Some Of the trees are ret living. ba, are
in the sere and yellow leaf"
Tho length Of tine Mr.. Graham has
been in tho valley will be moro impress
ively stated BY saying that Hon. @. w.
S~ins. tho Po.;ers and the Bessys all
came TO the ptessn; territory Of otsfo
county after he did. The Beatty brothers
and the Pos,ers were engaged in freight
ing in those early days.