La Junta tribune., 1917-05-03
TWENTY YEARS AGO
Corner Stone Of Otero COunty's Court
House Laid BY MasOns-Big
Day in La Junta

Junta, the occasion being the laying
of the corner stone OF the new court
house of Otero county. The weather
was perfect, the day being one OF
those mild, balmy days. when not a
cloud to mar the beauty Of the ether
ial blue sky.
The ceremonies incident to laying
the corner stone took place during
the morning hours and were In
charge of Grand Master C. w. Roe,
OF Pueblo. Col. r. G. Dalton was the
grand marshal Of the day, and was
in charge OF the parade which in
cluded the Uniform Rank OF the
Knights of Pythias. Redmen, Wood
men OF the World. Odd Fellows, A.
o, U. W. Grand Army OF the Repub-
lie, County Commissioners. City
Council. Fire Department. and A. F.
& A. NJ.
After the parade 100 people par
took of q bountiful barbecue dinner
served In the court house park. and
in the afternoon there were various
sports. including a number OF bicycle
races.
In his address OF welcome Mayor
Haskins gave an interesting bit Of
history relative to the growth and
development Of La Junta, prepared
by T. r. Woodruff, which will be OF
interest at this time. and is herewith
given:
La Junta was founded In 1875 by
Major James NJ. Rice. of Trinidad.
formerly Of Quincy, ILL.,. In conjunc-
tion with Edward c. Smith. whose
homestead was used in part In lay
ing off the town. Mr.. Smiths house
stood west Of Smithland avenue, and
Just south OF the railroad. II has
been moved . time or two. and IL
still In use. facing the court house
During the brief interval when
La Junta was the terminal OF the
puGScut oautd tattoous thV W."
flourished: when the railroad was
extended. most OF the town went with
It, as was customary In those days
when I first knew II, In 1879 and
1850. II barely existed. C. p. Treat.
a real estate dealer OF Trinidad. told
me that he once offered the entire
townsite for $50. and he did not
think II worth the money.
with the decline OF the town. fell
also the fortunes OF the former own
ers. both OF whom died insolvent.
Major Rice was a man OF energy and
Intelligence. but he was over-enter-
prising. and was dragged down by
debt and disease.
Later. the needs OF the railroad
company led to their purchase OF
l?5 acres. north OF the track. includ-
ing = considerable part Of the town
site. They paid for this at the rate
OF $50 per acre. This purchase re-
vived Interest In the town. which
soon took on new life. though its
growth was slow for many years.
The first school house was erected
where the Catholic church now
stands. In the west end Of town. II
was supposed to be on the land OF
Mr.. Anderson. until a rc-survey
showed II to be n part OF the town
site.
The first church. the Presbyter-
ian. was erected on lots donated by
the then owners. facing the court
house site.
The interest Of the railroad was
strengthened. and tho growth Of the
town promoted by the selection Of
Ia Junta for the location Of q rail-
road hospital. This was brought
about through the donation Of tract
OF land. about ten acres. favorabiy
situated. Just east Of the townsite.
The doaation Of block Of ground
for the first school house. and later.
of-s half block for the Columbian
high school. Indicate the policy pur.
susd b. the owners IN sacounsina
the Drevailing tendency 10 make The
town sn educational csatsr. II lins
with this teadeacy. aiso. waa the -
tabilshmsat II 1858. Of . library oi
$50 veiumss for the young people,
which has sines grown into . euasi
public library Of sbout 5000 vol.
uDss. with . rsadiag room attached,
housed n ~ eva building. on lota
centsally located.