La Junta tribune., 1905-04-29

TRIBUNE was 1ounueu ABOUT
the middle of the year 1880.
by James c. Denny. who issued the
first numbers from an old Army
press set up in the Santa Fe
freight depot, which at that time
occupied quarters in side door
Pullman The first copy was pur-
chased by Judge John 7. Russell.
who moved from Rocky Ford To La
Junta about the same time. residing
here continuously since. The first
copy has been lost. About the only
permanent residents at that time
were Judge Russell and family.
George Spane and family and James
Monroe Powell. familiarly known as
Roe" the latter remaining in La
Junta until his death. Frank Nixon,
We are informed. was in Las Animas
at that time. but he is entitled, We
believe. To the claim of being the
oldest resident of La Junta.
After few months Mr.. Denny
suspended. but in the fall Of 1882 the
paper was revived short time by
some party whose name seems to
have been forgotten. On September
Il. 1888. Mr.. Nelson H. Bowman
took charge. as he frankly informs
us. at the instance of T. j. Hickman
and J. c. Jones. holders of the prop
erty by mortgage, and for the pur-
pose of boosting the former gentle
man and his friends into office. This
year the first stone school house was
built. In March. 1884. Mr.. Bowman
purchased and added to what then
composed the TRIBUNE plant. and
continued its publication through
the years 1885 So. During these
years several additional company
houses were built. railroad library
and reading room. Santa Fe hospital.
and the La Junta and Lamar canal
from Point of Rocks to Horse Creek,
following partly the route of the old
government reservation canal.
Mr. Bowman sold out to G.. ID.
Phillips about April |. 1886. the lat
ter purchasing the paper. material
and subscription list for 1920 with
money borrowed. temporarily. from
NJ. c. Stephens. The first of the
files accessible at the present time
begins with April Is, 1886. This
office contains complete bound files
of the TRIBUNE since that date
On April y. G ID. Phillips pub
lished his salutatory and MIR. N. II.
Bowman. his "Adios." Mr.. Bow
mans private advice to his successor
was to boom" the bitches and the
agricultural resources of the valley.
This advice was quite in accordance
with the views and inclinations of
the new proprietor and was faith
fully followed. as the files bear am
pie testimony. In fact he never
missed an opportunity to set forth
the natural advantages Of the Arkan-
sas Valley, its fertile soil. irrigating
resources. abundant sunshine and
pure air conditions 70 favorable to
health) and its comparative freedom
from destructive storms and cy-
clones. The first issue with Mr..
Phillips at the helm acknowledged a
call from Mr.. A. NJ. Hill, formerly
of Pittsburg. Pa, but more recently
of Colorado Springs. who was look
ing up farm localities for himself
and friends. The same issue. in
commenting upon some cyclone WIS.,
itations in Nebraska. which had
necessitated the frequent using Of
storm caves. remarked that lat the
present rate the people Of Nebraska
will have to purrow like prairie
dogs" A perusal of the columns Of
the TRIBUNE files affords a trust
worthy account of the advancement
Of the lower Arkansas Valley in Colo
RADIO. Irrigation products, business
enterprises. schools and churches
come in for their respective shares
in the general growth and develop
ment. all faithfully recorded by the
TRIBUNE.
In the issue of April 18th appears
the roll of honor for the La Junta
public schools. with F. E. Irwin in
charge Of the principals depart
ment and NJ. E. Norton. now Mrs
Rufus Phillips. of the primary de-
partment.