Omaha daily bee., 1911-02-05
HORACE GREELEY OUT WEST
Reoollections Of the Journey Made
Fifty Years Ago.
DAVID ANDERSON TELLS STORY
south Omaha Pioneer Met the Great
Editor In Philadelphia. on the
plains and Last Time In
neuver.

SOUTH OMAHA. Jan. a.-To the Editor
Of The Bee: Viewing the picture and au-
toEraph OF Horace Greeley and Edward
Rosewater as published in The Bee on Sun
day. my recollections Of Mr. Greeley. that
grand old man. Journalist. statesman and
politician, were wildly revived. because his
great newspaper, the New York Tribune
was a welcome educational friend In my
fathers domicile FOR many years. notwith-
standing It was a whlg and abolition sheet
while my father was a staunch Jacksonian
democrat.
I first met Mr.. Greeley in the first ma
tionsl republican convention. that convened
in the old Musical Fund hall In Philadel-
phia. IN June 1856 Tie was one Of the
most active and notable figures in that
great historical body The next meeting
was in May. 1859. on the broad, wild prair-
les Of the west. about half way between
Leavenworth and Denver. It was at a
stage station on the Overland route, and the
the Sabbath day. Our OK train was camped
on a small stream near the station. Mr..
Greeley and A. D. Richardson, an assistant
editor. were enroute by stage to the newly
discovered gold mines. called pixies Peak"
although eighty miles distant from that
kIGdL UiOunNhAls anu hbohb AoANa
from Denver We visited and conversed
with those gentlemen while they sat in the
stage about an hour Their mission to the
mines was 70 personally investigate az to
the truthfulness or falslty OF the re-
ported discovery Of gold at Gregory and
Russell gplehes. t-.
Denver Not AllurinE.
Denver at that time could boast Of about
a t,..rNa
The immigrants were scattered around in
canyon colonies living in the tents they
had used while crossing the plains MIR.
Greeley's arrival there created intense in
terest and Increased confidence in the ul-
innate success OF the mining prospects in
the New EIdorado Of the west. Aged as he
was. however, he mounted 4nule the only
available mode of scaling the precipitous
and rough ranges OF mountains lying be
tween the foot hills and the Gregory mines
where he landed after two days, strenuous
labor to get there MIR. Greeley spent sew.
eraI days with Green Russell and Other
pioneer miners and It was said they sailed
the mines, so as to mislead and deceive him
but he as was characteristic of the man
formed his own opinions and conclusion
as to the future stability and richness mo-
only OF the new NiFtuNFiitFs bhA VI AhN ~
ture mines that were later developed and
wrote copious letters for publication tina
started thousands OF new adyenturers t.
that far distant land in search of the pre-
cious metal
Faith In the West.
My third and last Interview with AIR
Greeley took place in the old Denver fall
after his return from the mines. Till
building was the most pretentious Of an!
at that time In Denver. and thus gaine'
the dignified title OF Denver Hall" 1t wa
long. rude log structure. used principal.
as a gambling hall and as a rendezvous 70
the mountaineers He occupied a yer,
small room. containing homemade cotton
wood bedstead two three-legged stools. an
a drygoods box that answered for a writ
ing desk. He occupied one stool and tn
other Mr. Greeley asserted his belief tina
the whole range OF mountains were Eener
ously underlaid with gold silver, copper
etc. and that in future years the prairie
and valleys of that vast region would be
come productive OF ali kinds Of cereals
fruits and vegetables, and to show hi
great faith In the future growth and mat
ural productlveness of the country, afte
his return home he sent Colonel Meeker.
valued friend and associate to Colorado
who laid out and established the preser
beautiful city of Greeley.
Visit 90 the COnat.
When Mr.. Greeley quilted Denver, h
went with an OK team that carried sth
mail from Fort Laramie. and thence b
stage TO the Pacific coast II was peri
Gus trip for an old person to make, as a
Ute Indians were then on the war patti
but his lndomitable will power carried hi
safely through.
Edward Rosewater. when looking for
competent and worthy newspaper man
edit and conduct successfully republica
paper In Omaha and Nebraska, consultC
MIR. Greeley first OF all. because Of his e.
perlence and good judgment Mr.. Creole
in his day, in might and influence wit
the American people resembled Edwal
Rosewater's connection with the republics
party and the people of Omaha and N
braska In later Vears