La Junta tribune., 1909-03-27

to see some property. for which l
was on trade.
The legislature had been in session
several days when arrived in Den
yer. The new county bills had been
introduced. La Junta and Rocky
named Chilco,t. after ex-senator Chill
cott. and the latter named Teller.
Chiicott county had the same boun-
daries as the present Otero county.
save one tier of townships off the
north. which went to Lincoln coun-
ty. and three townships off the east
side at the north end, which went TO
kiowa county. The Teller county
bills. as remember IL. comprised
the west end OF Bent county. its
east line just west Of La Junta, thus
excluding La Junta. The battle was
on and the forces were lining mp.
About the first thing l did. to use
q slang phrase. was Ito put my foot
In it, The La Junta leaders were
on the ground and had been making
combinations and laying their plans.
They were Kilgore, who is real
ly entitled to the credit OF laying the
preliminary foundation and organizing
for the fight. McNeen. Frank Foley,
Seeley. Benton and others. They
had formed an alliance with the
Baca county men. The Windsor Ho-
tel was the Waldorf Astoria Of Den
yer. and being Just across the street
from the building used as the state
house, It's lobby was thronged and
crowded with the members Of the
three houses Of the Legislature. The
third house was well represented and
was the largest. My first evening I
fell in with several representatives
from what is now Baca county. who
were there In opposition to county
division. Knowing the country well.
and believing 1t was too dry and
arid to become farming country.
/ was very free to express my con-
victions. was overheard by some
of La Junta's allies from this terri
tory who were working for the new
county of Baca. They reported my
position to the La Junta leaders and
read the riot act to them After chat
l deemed 1t best to keep my hands
out of their fight. II proved to be
a wise thing to do. for they proved
to be our most valuable allies. You
see, a man must know what he is
talking about and to whom he Is
talking when he is a member Of the
third house" This was my first
experience.
La Junta's most effective weapon
was political. Rocky Ford's fatal
blunder was political. The legisla-
ture was overwhelmingly republican
In both houses. La Junta supported
the republican ticket and refused to
enter into the combination TO elect
Swift, the democratic nominee. while
Rocky Ford entered into this deal.
voted for Swift and elected him, We
had cards printed. showing La Jun
tx's and Rocky Ford's vote for sew
eral years. BY which it was shown
that Rocky Ford had. prior to this
election, voted republican. but. In
this last election. gave large ma
jority for Swift, the democratic rep
The same card showed
La Junta being republican and Civ
ing q majority for DIR. Cummings.
the republican nominee. These fig
ures showed that Swift was elected
by Rocky Ford's vote. Rocky Ford's
electing him. These cards
we worked effectually. We distrib-
uted them among all the republican
officers and politicians.
and we carried them In our pockets
to use on every occasion offered.
This gave us a favorable hearing and
often was the only argument re-
quired.
AS usual, the bills were intrOduc-
ed in both the house and senate. We
had strong champions in the sem
ate in Senator McCreery. who was
the owner of what is now North La
Junta. and Senator Belts. Of Pueblo,
whom we won through personal and
political friendships. Senator Bailey.
who represented Bent county. but
lived In Elbert county, gave US but
little favor, at first. but later took
up our cause. In this way we con-
trolIed the senate from the start.
and our bill met no serious opposi-
ton in the senate. We Also secur-