The Greeley tribune., 1910-06-16
NY PROBLEMS FACED HERE FORTY YEARS AGO
RARE OLD DOCUMENT SHOWS
HOW SPIRIT OF PIONEERS
WORKED IN DOUBTFUL DAYS

There is probably no document in
existence concerning the early days
OF Union Colony SO rare, and at the
same time speaking with such
voice of authority as the first annual
report OF the colony which was made
in 1871.
And taken from that report is the
following on the prospect for the
colony and the then present condi-
tion:
From the month Of May down to
the present date, the growth of Gree
ley has been steadily progressive.
Scarcely day has passed but some
member of the colony has arrived
on the grounu, selected his lots and
lands, and set about erecting home
I for himself and his family. Some,
unable at present to remain, have
located their claim and gone east, in
tending to return in the spring with
their families. BY May, 1871, there
is not doubt but that the full num-
ber of colonists holding certificates
of membership will be on the
ground, their present and their flu
ture interests all fully identified
with Greeley. Success. therefore.
seems assured. We have no soil to
| "subdue" in the sense generally used
by western pioneers. We have but
to ask. and the fruitful earth. wait
ing this call for centuries. yields
from her abundance more than we
ask. The wand of Fortunatus is at
our command. We have but to wave
1t, and gather in "the abundant har-
vest OF reward.
AS can easily be imagined, the
current Of our prosperity has not al
ways run smooth. Twice have the
waters been troubled by the spirits
of discomfort, disaffection and doubt.
But the deep under current Of popu-
lar sentiment dormant so long as
danger did not menace. has ever
proven able to guide the good ship
Union through the storm that swept
around her.
Late in the month Of May last. the
first disaffection came to the surface
in motion requesting the then act
ing officer to resign. Prompt came
the response. and on June 18th, an
election was held for new execu-
tive committee. 1t resulted in the
choice of n majority of the old board
to serve in the new, including the
old president, vice president and
secretary by vote SO decisive that
the growlers were completely routed.
horse. foot and dragoons". The
strength of the colonial organization
was tested. and II resulted in show
ing by conclusive proof that we were
not myth" only. but had "a local
habitation and name.
During the month CT June a board
of education was appointed at col
ony meeting. to provide for the edu-
cational needs of the town. 1t con-
sisted of Nathan C. Meeker, ]. H.
Pinkerton. William f. Pabor. A. s:
Wilbur and John r. Long. sub
scription list was at once started, as
is was found that the school. for the
summer session at least. must be
supported by voluntary contribu-
tions Early in July small build
ing. furnished by the colony, and
capable of holding about fifty schol-
ars. was formally opened, with Mrs.
V. R. Quincy. of Urbano. Ohio. as
teacher. Her report submitted to
the board o. education at the close
Of the summer session ending Sep
tember 30. showed as follows:
Number of scholars enrolled. fifty
four; average daily attendance.
thirty-seven: number of days taught,
sixty-two. Branches taught: Read
ing. writing. spelling. geography.
arithmetic. English. grammar. OBJ
iect lessons. mental exercises. We
quote: 1T will be seen by this
statement that the daily attendance
was large We labored under many
difficulties in organizing school.
FROM the fact that the children were
strangers. bringing a variety of text
books and for weeks VIC had but two
speilers. six different series of read
ers. and as many different arithme-
tics ard English grammars. From
such medley of confusion. we sue
rcrfed in establishing order and
good feeling among the children.
nnd we trust also in obtaining the
approval of the parents.
On the first OF September two
~r'zes for the best improvement in
reading were offered by w. +. PaD-
or. of the board of education. One,
Il COPY OF the Swiss Family Robin
SON. In words of one syllable. to be
awarded to the best reader under
eirht years of age. The otlrer, a
copy of Webster's high school die
ticnary. to the best reader over eight