South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-09-15

illdht Soult dEllCQlluEai experiments.
assented TO this proposition and in
duced his cousin, j. r. Wall. TO re-
main in the valley with him.-this
creating temporary but friendly
separation in the ranks Of the com
pany. Mr.. Wallis experiment subse-
Quently proved 20 be of such import
ance 10 Colorado and the whole
country that an explanation Of how
il was brought about and it's final
results might be interesting 10 the
present generation"
Tn 1852 Mr.. Wall had been in a
stampede to the gold fields of cali
fornia, and when crossing the plains
and mountains in the vicinity of the
present site Of Cheyenne. Wyo.. he
had observed that the lands border
ing on the streams running out from
the foothills seemed to be exceed
lngly fertile So. when he decided
to go TO the Pixies Peak count1x. he
secured supply of garden seeds and
field grain. which proved to be an
exceedingly fortunate circumstance.
beneficial alike 10 himself and the
new country, as the seeds and grains
that he planted on the banks Of
Clear Greek were the first that had
ever been laid in the virgin soil of
the great American desert. The
yield was enormous and not only
proved very profitable but brought
great distinction to Mr. Wall as the
pioneer farmer In the Rocky noun
tain region. What he accomplished
added another link in the chain that
binds South Bend so closely in his
torical relations to pioneer days in
Colorado and brought renown to his
home town. So important was this
event that Mr.. Wallis name is held
in grateful and affectionate remem-
brance by the present generation of
the centennial state. and he is and
Will ever remain one of the honored
and conspicuous figures in its early
history. Well may he be,as these
paintings on Clear Creek nearly 90
years ago were the beginning and
real foundation of agricultural pur-
suits Of the great Rocky mountain
section of America. which. as time
vent on, developed into a vast farm
ing industry that has added many
millions TO IA fabulous mineral
wealth OF the beautiful mountain
state.
on the morning following the con-
ference with Mr.. Gregory the two
De Freeses. two Ziglers. Chess.
Spain and Dewey started with him
up the mountains through the un-
known. unfathOmable Clear Creek
canyon. and there began "A terrible
journey of privation and hardship.
The height and abrupt elevation of
the mountains standing in close
formation on both sides of Clear
Greek prevented the rays of the sun
penetrating far into the deep cav
erns. which. with the thick standing
pine forests, gave a dark and gloomy
appearance TO the situation that
made the route OF travel a most
gruesome and fOrbidding prospect,
discOuraging enough indeed TO have
driven back in despair less deter
mined spirits than our intrepid
South Benders, but their unbound
ed. uncOnquerable ambition held
them with grim courage To their
chosen task, aud, as they proceeded
up the canyon without the slightest
knowledge of what lay before them,
their difficulties and hardships be
came more acute each day. Their
troubles were further increased by
| hugh boulders that had broken off
and rolled down the steep sides of
the mighty mountains and piled up
| in great confusion in the bed and on
the banks of the stream they were
| following. In many instances the
rush of these immense boulders car
ried with them thousands of trees
growing on the mountain side and
added 10 the prCniscuous piles in
! the bottom of the gulch. These OBJ
structiOns seriously impeded their
progress and added To the fatiguing
labors Of prospecting. and in some
! instances actually compelled the eN-
/ plOrers TO cut and pry their way
/ through with picks and axes. These
/ awful conditions rendered progress
very slow. 10 an extent indeed that
they proceeded less than half a mile
on some days and at the end OF three
! weeks had advanced only about 10
/ miles into the heart of the mountain.
/ At this point. however. great
change in the topography OF the
country suddenly appeared TO their
/ vision, which. in some measure. gave
relief from the terrible trials and
/ discomfitures they had endured IL
was a beautiful little park or valley
| in the heart of the mountains that
/ opened before them at the confiu-
ence Of the north and south forks
/ of Clear Greek with an abundance
/ of much needed grass for their tired
horses. After day Of rest they re-
sumed their prospecting activities,
and within two days found rich re
ward for their suferingS by the dis
! covery OF the fountainhead OF the
vast wealth that has since enriched
I the entire world.
Reports of the new find soon
spread into the valley around Den
YER and another great rush set m
that eclipsed all former gold STAN
pedes and continued undated dur
4 ing the balance OF the summer
I Among these stampedes was Horace
+ Greeley. the famous editor of the
New York Tribune Mr.. Greeley
happened 10 be crossing the plains
lust AZ that time on his way TO Cali
fornia. and hearing of the new