Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-08-23
CENTENNIAL OF PIXIES PEAK
Historic Event to he Fittingly OBJ
served By COloradO-The
Program.

Colorado is trying to make the Pixies
Peak centennial the biggest memorial event
ever held in the state. II not in the west.
1t is now only few months short Of leo
years since the gallant young explorer,
zebulon Pike, first laid eyes on the tower
ing mountain that has added so much to
the fame of Colorado.
Not ungrateful for the discovery of her
magnificent snow-crowned mountain, Colo
RADIO is going to pay fitting tribute to the
daring explorer, and will devote the week
of September q to % TO a remarkable civic
and military celebration. 1t will mark also
a century of progress, for some features OF
the display will show what has been accom-
plished in the golden west since Pike first
forced his way through an unknown coun-
try. o,
Pike never reached the summit Of the
peak. He saw Il only from a neighboring
height and did not hesitate to make the
prediction that mo human being will ever
reach Its summit" t- Zee,
II Pike could return on anniversary day
he would find a marvel being accomplished
Not only will hundreds % persons make the
ascent on foot and by train, but also in
automobiles a form Of looomotion that had
not even been dreamed Of in his day.
Inc autOmODlief IDFIn OF the celeDrAuOn
will be an endurance run of twelve hours
to height OF three miles.
The plan OF celebration was conceived
ten years ago, when the monument associa-
ton was formed. The ninetieth anniversary
was signalized by banquet. at which
plans were laid for the big event of this
year.
President Roosevelt, deeply interested in
| all that pertains to the pioneers of the
west, is expected to be present. but, even
should he fail, the United States govern
| ment will not lack representation.
| Secretary Taft bearing in mind that Pike
was In the United States army when he
discovered the peak, has promised to send
| 1000 soldiers. These will hold maneuvers.
including a sham battle, and 1t win be the
| first occasion when all three branches of
the army-infantry, artillery and cavalry
| have been maneuvered together. Nor has
1t ever happened before that maneuvers
have been held in the mountains.
The program is arranged as an allegorical
history Of the past 100 years in Colorado.
The name pike Peak was never off,
cially sanctioned by the government, but
was informally adopted after the early set
tiers had refused to designate the noun
| tain as James Peak, the title first con-
| IeTTeQ Dy In6 war department. 1ho carly
maps never alluded to the sentinel of the
Rockies as Pixies Peak. and It was not un-
til years after that the government finally
followed the lead OF the trappers and sc-
cepted Pixies Peak. s.i
! Pike was lieutenant ,of q years when
he was chosen TO head two exploring expo
ditions, the fret to discover the head
waters of the Mississippi. and the second
to report on the territory of louisiana,
which the United States government at the
time contemplated buying from Spain.
| His first trip successfully accomplished,
IN July, 1906 he set out from St Louis on
the sperilous journey? which ended In his
capture by the spanfards, but perpetuated
his name and fame. 'nt'>fa
| Pike was expected 10 ally the Indian
tribes encountered with the United States
| government TO avoid international compli-
cations with the British and French trad
ers in the north and to avert any clash
with the Spaniards In the south He was
| TO make maps Of the country, report on its
fauna and flora and topography and report
to his government the desirability Of buy
ing the vast territory Of Louisiana,
Pike was the son Of General 2ebulon
Pike Of revolutionary fame, and entered his
fathers regiment a cadet at the age of
Is years. He was rapidly promoted for
meritorious and distinguished service and
was but "a years Of age when. as a briga-
der general he commanded the forces that
attacked York, Canada, April q. 1873
The explosion of a powder magazine NOR
tally wounded the young commander. who
died as the cheers of his soldiers told of
victory The captured rag of the British
was placed under his head to ease his dying
agony. '-