Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-03-11

river drainage by use of ropes. snub-
bling from tree to tree. Until after
1875 few people tried to remain in
any OF the mountain sections during
winter. going out before the shows
were too deep for them TO get out,
and spending the winters at Del Norto.
The first election was held at Del
Norte in the willows near the Rio
Grande river. in 1871, to select q
temporary municipal organization. The
first county election for Rio Grande
county was held In the spring OF 1874.
Fred @. Sherwin was elected clerk,
Sam C. Townsend sheriff and o. p.
Posey, treasurer. The trst repressn-
tatives were Adair Wilson to the up
per and T. NJ. Trippe and r J. Nc
Mutt to the lower house OF the terri
torial legislature. The first newspaper
published between Pueblo and SIT
Lake was the Prospector at Del Norte,
by Nicholas N. Lambert, the first en-
ployes being Adalr Wilson. John
Hughes and Frank Hartman. The type
and press were unloaded in December,
1873, and the first wood to warm the
cabin selected for the printery wNs
borrowed from an Italian restaurant
under protest. George M. Bfnckiey, a
lVirginian, one Of the old school of
printers, who came to Colorado from
Iowa, was the first newspaper CORE
spondent who ever came west to the
San Juan region. After sending ouA
numerous letters to Pueblo and Denr
yer papers. he and DR.. r. NJ. Steven
son, the editor OF the Pueblo Chief
tain, decided. 10 establish . newspaper
at Del Norte, and money was raised
by subscription to buy . plant; tie
promoters dropped out and Mr.. LAM
bert started the paper. naming II the
San Juan Prospector. The first court OF
justice held here was in 1872. J. Carey
French was appointed Judge to hear
a dispute between two cattle men, his
decision to be Anal. Judge Hallett
who retired from the United States
court In 1905 held the first territorial
district court at Del Norte In the spring
of 1874. Mrs. John H. Shaw was the
first white woman to take up her resi-
dence at Del Norte. Efne Tower was
the first white child born In the coun-
ty. In 1873.
First Saw Mill IL San Juan.
The frst saw mill was taken to Sil-
verton by H. F. Tower In the fall Of
1873. The machinery was purchased
at Denver, shipped to Colorado
Springs. and there . contract was
made to haul 1t to Howardsville by
wagon at 16 cents per pound. They
went through Ute pass into South
Park. over Poncha pass. via Salt
Works and on south through San Luis
valley to Del Norte. and west yin
Antelope Springs. over Grassy FIJI
and down Cunningham to Howsrds-
vile, where they had to wait for
building road four miles to Silver
ton. They forded the Rio Grsnde
river ffty-seven times. There were
three teams, ten persons and 5000
pounds of freight At Colorado
Springs John W. Wingate. now OF
Durango. Joined the party. John PAx.
, ton. who was In the party was aftst.
ward killed with q man named Car
son in snowslide near Animas Forks
!, in '76. Mrs. Tower was then . bride
g OF 10 and had Just come on from Chi
/ cago. and she was the first white
:. woman to set foot in Bakers park
!. Marshall. among the nrst freightsrs
5 In the country, hauled part OF the
$ machinery for the Little Giant mtns
: into that section that year.
}. The first town board OF Silvorton waS
l. appointed by the county commissions
e ers and was composed OF F. u. Snow.
den. II. L. BrokkI, T. n Bowman,
George Swan. and Nicholas Brain:
Fred w. Gardener. killed by snOw
s. slide. below yIrginius mine. In Ouraj
h county. In 1877. being the nrst =
r. torney. The first meeting was hsli
n November 16. 1876.
l. Otto Mears begun In 1876 TO lay ou
It wagon toll roads to Animas Forks
10 to the ophir range and to the ssn Nj
e guel river. which he afterward built
a. Later he built roads to Red Mountaii
& and from the Animas valley into Rico
!, building the Rainbow railroad frou
2 Siiverton to Red Mountain In 1ssl
% Later he built . railway from ellvss
20 ton TO Eureka and Animas y1sAl
u north Of SiIvsrtou.
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