The Greeley tribune., 1912-12-12

colonist. is still living in the house
he erected on the corner of Sixth
street and Twelfth avenue in 1871.
Just one block west of me and on
the same side of the street lives s.
II. Brewer, wife and son. in the
same house he erected with his own
hands in 1882. Here grew up the
daughter. Gerta. now Mrs. w. X.
Clark of Eaton, and Cameron, who
or years in the past has served ef-
ficiently and faithfully Uncle Sam
uel and the people OF Greeley as an
assistant in our post office. In the
second house east of me also re-
sides B. F. Woodruff. one of the
colonists. who, with his father, who
died only few years since at his
residence. just west of me, came to
Greeley in 1870. In fact, | might
well designate the four corners of
Fifth street and Eleventh avenue
Old Settler Corners. for just
across the avenue from me on the
east lives Mrs. Benton. the widow
OF our former representative, Hon.
p. II. Benton, and just across from
her place on the south side of the
street lives Willis Hill. who. with
his parents. came to Greeley to
grow up with the country in 1880.
A few years ago as l was moving
the park lawn just outside my fence
a gentleman ding by in his car
riage and glancing at my premises
with some apparent interest as he
did so, suddenly stopped and turn
ing back to meet me as l passed up
the swath, said. Good morning,
sir; can you tell me who owns this
| place?"; and | answered, Il GER
tainly can, for | am the man."
We'll" he proceeded, II do not live
here, but | have admired your place
as l have frequently passed it on
my way back and FORTH and If you
would sell me fifty feet off your
corner-(that was before l put up
the new house)-I would be in
clined to build on 1t and come down
and live in Greeley what would
you ask me for it?"
And l did not hesitate minute
to reply, Il would not sell it, sir,
for any price you might offer me-"
What" said he. why man!
never had piece of property in
my life that l would not sell If
could get my price for it," THAT
might very we'll be the case with
you and many Others" l replied
tuN Sou nave mt uP WIN ahoIhOA
sort of person altogether and
with a different actuating theory
have lived on this corner a long
time and unless l break up in busi-
ness and am sold out by the sheriff
shall own it and be living here
when l die" That seemed to super
induce new idea with the man and
he then asked, Did you set out
these evergreens?" Il did," said
l.. bringing them down from the
mountains in five different trips ]
made up there after them from
thirty to thirty-six years ago." "Ah
l see! l see now how it Is with
YOU" said he. as he slowly turned
his horse about and passed on his
way. And so l trust others may
see how it is with many of us old
settlers. For Colorado is the best
all around climate in the world.
and Greeley is one of the most
cities in it. We helped make it,
grew with its growth; became
part of it, and while many of uf
may very appropriately occasionally
dream of mansions beyond the
skies, yet we are too old, the ma
ority of us, to successfully migrate
! and make new connections and ac
auaintances in other cities or climes
were there any such better in any
respect than our own. Our feet
have taken hold on the very streets
and sidewalks leading down to the
business part of the city. Our
hearts are in the homes we subdueo
from the desert we found when We
came here and with the friends We
have gathered around us in the as
sociations of more than half an
average life time. And so l spoke
not for myself only when l inform
ed the stranger that unless l broke
up in business and the sheriff solo
me out should be here when ]
! died. Without doubt, unless mis-
fortune or other necessity drives III
| hence, large majority of the ole
settlers now living will remain here
until the end of our earthly pilgrim.
age and be buried at last among oul
| friends of bygone days.
Very respectfully submitted,
CTApK