The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1915-02-04
EVENTS IN
PIONEER
DAYS OF
CANON CITY
IN WHICH THE LATE D. P. WILSON
OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
TOOK PART

days of Canon City will be found y
teresting to our readers. Mr., WI
son died at Steamboat Springs jan
rary 21st. and brief notice of his
death was published in these columns
on Tuesday of this week.
Mr.. Wilson. was born of Quaker
parents in Ohio in 1888. He ca ne
with his wife and daughter to Canon
City in September. 1852. Mrs. VIII
son was most estimable woman and
a very helpful friend to the few wom-
en- then living in this community.
In the History of the Arkansas Val
ley is given an account Of the depre-
dations of horse thieves in this part
of the country from 1861 to '65 and
of the losses sustained by the people
Of this locality in consequence Of
their raids. Mr.. Wilson and Wolfe
Londoner each had their horses stolen
and Anson Rudd span Of mules.
Early in 1884. guerilIas. claiming to
bs recruiting agents for the Confed-
crate army. appeared here ON their
way to the mines. Overtalring Mr.
Wilson. a Mr Cassidy and lothian
A Draper, the latter OF whom was
on his way east to buy goods. just
as they were starting over Canon
Park. conversation was held be
tween them. but no trouble ensued.
The guerillas did not molest them,
but hurried on TO South Park where
hey robbed the Denver and FaIrplay
coach; taking. the express matter.
United States mail and horses. They
made their escape. but were pursued
by miners and two Of the robbers were
killed Three others were captured
at the Al Toof ranch on Lower Bea-
YER creek; Mrs. Toof rendering i'm
portant assistance In their capture.
While in Denver Mr.. Wilson secured
contract from the government for
supplying Fort Union with corn 1t
Efteen dollars q hundred; the price Of
corn at Canon City at that time being
ten cents q pound. On the strength
Of this contract Mr.. Wilson procured
a stock OF goods to trade with the
settlers for corn His store was in
the stone bnilding next to the Catlin
corner 1t Third and Main streets.
II was reported that Mr.. Wilson clean
up from thirteen to fifteen thousand
dollars. and. for the time being. was
considered very lucky and welI-to-
do person
Being Of very decided character
the leading men of Affairs in the state.
whether they admired Mr.. Wilson or
not, were amused by his wit, irony
and originality and always gave him
audience. It required but little pat
ting ON the back to convince Mr.. VIII
SON that he should go to Washington
and use his influence to get Colora-
do admitted as state to the Union.
1t is said that his little fortune soon
dissipated in Washington and that ne
created quite a sensation there, but
failed In his efforts to secure the de-
sired recognition from congress-. As|
q reward for his work In washington
the district composed Of what Il now
Pueblo. 81 Paso. Fremont and Huer-
I. no counties In the autumn Of 1866.
elected Mr.. Wilson as delegate to|
the Territorial legislature Of that
year. Later Fremont county made
HIM Its delegate to the nrst congregA-
t.onal convention. which, drafted 81
constitution. but which the people
tailed to ratify. The constitution rec
emmended by the convention Of 1875.
in which Hon. 4. D. Cooper Of this
county and Judge ". ,. FELTON, Of
IAke county sAt = representative,
was adoptsd ~ vote d The psoDlsI
~ the following year Colorado wss|