Gilpin observer., 1911-03-09

"a ou' cilui SIS WHO leileu tHe pine
treos at the bottom of the gulct
and made room for the log cabins ant
winding road that are there today
His good genius was i hard working
spirit and never fo-sook his charge.
1t required the towering Rocky
Mountains to form a fit perspective
for big-boned, rugged, square-jawed,
square-brained James b. Belford.
Any other background would have
been out OF proportion ani ridicu-
lous. In this Gregory sulch hall of
fame the Red-Headed Rooster of the
Rockies" was the only one who occu-
pied q place in the lower house o.
congress. AS young man he prac-
ticed law until his free utteranc IS
on the curse of slavery compelled him
to leave Missouri and seek moro
congenial habitat in Indiana. There
ne was elected to the legislature,
where he met, among other noted
men, Schuyler Colfax and Oliver P.
Morton, leading the fight for the lat
ter when he was elocted to the
United States senate.
With such friends it was not diff
cult to get from Grant the appoint
ment of judge of the Colorado terri
torial supreme court, and he went
direct to Gregory gulch, making his
home in Central City for 13 years.
In those days Colorado was divided
into judicial districts and three
judges Of the court Travelled from one
court town to another on horseback
apd in stages, much as the old Meth
odist circuit riders used to do.
1t was his custom to devote GER
tain period of time every day to
study and he took up mining law be-
cause it had a mysterious fascina-
tion for him.
His friends laughed at him for
wasting his time, but his wife. who
was his good genius long before he
encountered the real but impalpable
Jim in GHNBory gulch. encouraged
him in his fad. Evidently she had had
visions of the career that was just
beginning. AS she expressed, her hus-
band had never stored up any knowl-
edge that had not como into good
use some time. 1t was the knowledge
gained at this time that enabled
Judge Belford to deliver sound op-
inions and decisions on the bench
and later to take a prominent and
wise part in shaping the mining laws
Of the nation.
To re-enter politics was an easy
matter for Belford. He was elected
a delegate to the constitutional con-
vention when Colorado began to have
statehood ambitions. Then he be-
came the Republican candidate for
congress-. with Thomas NJ. Patterson
still alive. hearty and powerful-as
an opponent. Both men were orators
and they adopted the Joint debate
style OF campaigning. 1t was Lincoln
and Douglas over again. On one side
master of rhetoric and elocution.
on the other a man who made up
in forcefulness what he may have
lacked in eloquence. Together
they went over the state, congenial
friends in the stage coaches, lam
basting and lampooning each other
without mercy. When the votes were
counted Belford was returned win
ner by a decisive majority. but right
there his good genius's foot slipped
a little and he never took his seat.
Local historians say that when the
Joint debate was decided on it was
realized that the snow blockaded
mountain passes Of October would
interfere with the campaigning, so it
was agreed between the two parties
that the election for representative
in congress should be advanced ono
month-to the first week in October
instead OF the corresponding week
in November-when the rest Of the
ticket was balloted for. 1t was irreg'
ular, but mutually agreed to. When
the result OF the October balloting
was announced the Democrats demur
red. Friends of Mr.. Patterson pro
tested against the illegality OF the
election and when the November ell
ection came around they quietly went
about,ucasting their ballot for theil
candidate. Belford's friends took nj
such precautions. The rest was easy
The contest was carried to congress
and the October election, of course
declared contrary to the constitu
ton.
Mr.. Patterson took his seat as thu
first representative from Colorado
Never mind" said Belford. "ther'
will be another election in tw'
years" There was. The jinnee pu
spikes in his shoes to prevent slip
I..I Ill IN