The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1910-08-13
twenty-five Years Ago Today

white mans country, being In charge
NJ Frank Morgan's road house when
we (ye prospective editor) came in In
1895 to look the country over. He wax
the first subscriber to THE HERALD
and is still on the list. Jack Dever-
eaux is still with us. May his stay
with us be II long one; and when he
passes over the Great Divide, may
bliss be his.
1t was reported that Charley Wer-
denhotf, carpenter and bear hunter,
was busy man at that time. Sure!
Charley was n genial soul. He was
the boss carpenter and builder of the
early days, and good one. He built
the present HERALD Office. He was
also the greatest bear hunter on the
White River. But he couldn't stand
effete civilization, which was rush
ing in on us. SO he shouldered his
trusty rifle and set out In the direc-
tion of the setting sun. We presume
he landed in Alaska-or Siberia.
George s. Allsebrook was one Of
the first settlers in the White River
valley. He was here when THE
HERALD came, and number of years
but eventually sold his
interests in this community and
moved to Fort Lupton, where he and
his family now reside. He is a pros
porous and prominent citizen at Lup-
ton. Mr.. Allsebrook was an English-
man; n man of culture and refine
ment. While he resided in Meeker
he took leading part in all move
ments looking to the community
welfare and advancement.
Among the advertisers appearing
in the first number OF THE HERALD
were J. w. Hugus & Co. CIV. Hugus
and N. Major.) Notice the ad Of the
Hugus company of the present day
In this issue. The Meeker Hotel,
Mrs. S. g. Burke, proprietress; w. S.
Laurie, books and stationery ;the Mil
Ter House, Mrs. s. NJ. Miller, prop
rietress, the Mediation & Sheridan
saw mill and lumber yard; Attix &
Bergh, blacksmiths and wagon max
ers; the Meeker bakery, Mrs. J. Jubb.
George 8. Hazen, notary public; w.
H. Clark, civil engineer:. Mediation
& Dreifuss, the famous Bari horse
brand; and some outside ads.
On Piceance Creek, which was one
of the first settled sections of what is
now Rio Blanco county, were then
located Frank Morgan, on the head
of the creek. Frank is still living in
that vicinity.
Next came John G. Schultz, Reub-
Ell Oldland, Pete Stewart, the Linn
berg and Patrick outfit, A. J. Ryan.
Jack Chrissinger, A. b. Critchlow,
J. NJ. Cole, the Reigan boys, Metz,
Fairchild: and o. p. Y. Burch, and
several others whose names we can-
not now recall.
On Thurman creek were the Hayes
boys.
In the Rangely country Charley
Hill was one of the first settlers.
Henry Stadtman was located in the
Angora District.
Dunk Blair, one of the most unique
characters in the White River val
ley, was located about seven miles
below the mouth Of Piceance. He
had as II neighbor Captain" Mike
ter. Dunk died years ago, and Mike
is supposed to have argued his case
with st. Peter some time in the re-
mote past.
In the Powell Park district Henry
J. and John +. t"Fletch'D Hay had
located long before 1885. Among the
other early settlers there were Owen
o. Jones, the Edgar boys, Jack Nc
Cracken, John Campbell, Lou and
p. A. Johnson (who came in about
the same time as the Hay boys),
John p. Thomas tdeceased,) Tommy
Thomas, his son, who. with his
brother, Evan g., is still in the Park,
Joe Ralston, Jack Burnes, George
Wagner, and others whom we cannot
remember.
Thomas Baker now county COM
missiOner) came in with Mr.. Allse-
brook in 'S3. In 80 Mr.. Baker had
located on the fine farm he now owns
and he piloted THE HERALD outfit
through the river at a ford about Op-
poslte where his residence is now
located.
w. F. Morton was located almost
opposite on the north side of the
river (the Smith ranch). Mr.. Nor
ton is still with us.
In the Oakridge Park section, the
first settler was the late w. II. Card
boI tho sifo of Moolor ,,,us G, M,