Gunnison news-champion., 1916-06-09
HISTORICAL COLLECTION BY
NORMAL Of GREAT INTEREST

There comes from the press this week
a bulletin Of the Colorado State Normal
School devoted to historical sketches Of
early Gunnison. The sketches appear
ing in this historical bulletin were per-
pared by members of the English COM
position class of the Normal School
here. under the direction Of Miss Lois
Borland. head of the English depart
ment, Those composing the committee
having the work in charge are Edel-
weiss Miller. Irene Porges. Gladys PEN
berthy. Vera Beauvais and lbba Saylor.
In introducing their work, they express
themselves as indebted to the old resi-
dents Of Gunnison county ''who have
patiently and courteously given US their
time; to Miss Florence Uglow. of the
Colorado State Normal School. who ha.
assisted largely; to Miss Lucy Spicer, Of
the Colorado State Normal School. who
has read the manuscript; and to Miss
Agnes Walker. II, and Miss Aria
Tufy, Is. who have contributed
sketches.
1t is stated in the preface that these
sketches make no pretense to COM
pleteness; but in SO far as we can as
certain the truth. they are authentic
They are an appreciation, by the class
of 1916. of history at once vital and
interesting.
Much has been written concerning the
events of the early times in the Gunni-
son valley and surrounding mountains,
but this work is undoubtedly the most
valuable contribution to the history Of
early Gunnison which has appeared.
ANY newspaper story or review of this
pamphlet. prepared by the Normal Eng
glish department. cannot express an ade-
quate appreciation of the many who are
20 vitality interested in any recounting
Of men and affairs Of the pioneer days
in locality which is SO rich in early
history. Not only has the history Of the
early days in Gunnison been interesting
to those who have in any way or At any
time Identified themselves with the for
tunes Of the county. but also 70 any
who finds iatsxest in unusual historical
events. Thoss who know the prosper
Gus Gunnison Of today, can read with
pleasure the story Of early struggles Of
men who first came here to find home
and prosperity.
So to the members of this class and
to those who have advised them, there
is due the great appreciation Of all who
will read with profit and pleasure these
sketches. 1t is largely through the in
spiration and efforts of Miss Lois Bor-
land. head of the Colorado State Nor
NAL English department. who has inter-
ested herself in the early history Of
Gunnisoa, that this bulletin has appear
ed. and under her leadership time may
see q completed history Of Gunnson
prepared.
Tie frontispiece is portrait II John
w. Gunnison, and the first sketch Of
BoAetin concerns his life and his exRior-
alton expeditions into the Cunnison
valley. A character sketch Of Sylvester
Richardson follows. This man 20 iden-
titled himself with thu early life OF
Gunnison that any story Of his life end
deeds is story Of many Of the most
important and interesting events Of
those times. The sketch introduces the
reader to q most interesting character,
and . man who had great dreams o(
wealth and empire building in Tie Gun
nison valley. He did much for the early
growth of the community. and . later
people owe much to hin for devotion to
the taak Of pioneer building. ''Ho, for
Gunnisoa!'' 10 the title of the STORY Of
the comiAg Of the capitalists. 1t tells
of early sehemes for making great
wealth in the Gunnison valley and e.
tablishing here . metropolis where
millions wooA be spent in various enter
prises. How the railroads overeane
great difficulties in the construction of
the iron trail'' over the mountain
ranges and Though the canyons, is told
in the sketch entitled. THE Faith that
Removes Mountains. - Early history Of
the ranching industry which il now 20
prosperous. is outlined in one Of the
articles which contains the names Of
many Of the leading ranches Of today.
There II also . historical sketch concern
ing the Moffat Smelter; another which
has to do with the newspapers Of Gun
nison; and still another which tells how
Mount Aackintosh was named.
All Of the sketches are well written,
and lend literary touch which has not
been evidenced BY previous historical
writings concerning the history Of the
county. There are in the pamphlet Il
number Of beautiful cuts, and the bulle-
Tin - whole p neat and well planned.
From time to time Nsws-C ChampionNI
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