, 1925-08-20

ritory in 1868, but Fort Laramie, the
first known settlement, dates back
to 1894. The southern part ~ the
state owe its settlement to the con-
struction of the Union Pacific rail
road across the state during the
years 1868 and 1869. and although
I am unable to find any data as to the
exact date OF the birth of Rawlins.
I assume II to be about the year 1868.
Rawlings Springs. as 1t was known
for some time after that, was evil
IDENTIFY named after General John A.
Rawlins. OF whom l have heard said
was with the army at the time the
Union Pacific railroad was built. and
assisted in guarding against the In
dians.
Three or four graves just east of
the old Rawiins Spring are there yet
and one OF them within the past
year or two had a board at its head
which had the date 1867 on it. show
ing that the spring vas not unknown
at that time.
my father came from Boone. Ia.
TO Rawlins in 1872 and was employ
ed by the Union Pacific, and the fam
lily reached Rawlins in September.
1873. There were some scattered
buildings on the north side of the
railroad tracks, but the principle part
of the town was on the south side OF
the tracks and consisted of about
three short blocks OF residence and
business buildings extending on the
west from the old bridge which
crosses the creek. eastward to about
two hundred feet west of the Union
Pacific roundhouse-
Afraid OF Indians
"Just south of the roundhouse was
n double row of one-story red paint
ed buildings known as the Bee Hive
in which families OF railroad employ
ees lived. The Bee Hive had been
40 placed that when there was dan
ger from Indians the families and
employees could quickly seek the
shelter OF the roundhouse. The In
dams previous to 1878 Mt various
times would ride up and down the
Tia Just south OF the creek and dare
the Inhabitants to come out ana
fight.
I'm the second block from the west
was the old log house at that time
used ~ a court house and jail. the
next was a store. that OF william
Granger: then the Rawlins Hotel. be-
Ing three small onc-story buildings
operated by Lawrence Hays. Close
TO this was a small building. n meat
market owned by Perry L.. Smith
were a number of saloons. then n
store owned by Isaac c. Miller and
and william Baiers. Following TINS
Little Van" whose name ! do not
recall. mt finally at the end OF tho
last block n restaurant and bakery
owned by William J. Smith.
Primitive Water supply
AT the west end of the street and
adjoining the railroad tracks was n
one-story building used as n pump
house by the Union Pacific ana
through which they pumped water
from tho spring Just across the creek.
and Also through q wooden p'pc
from old Cherokee Springs about
three miles northwest OF Rnwlins'
Some of this pipe In still In use be-
tween the spring and the Cherokee
ranch about u half mile below the
spring.
''The Union Pacific Hotel was To-
Gated on tho south side of tho track
opposite tho east end OF the second
block. and at tho time was In charge
OF \ Captain Lang. and one OF the
star attractions was a two year old
brown bear who oamc nj large
under tho hotel. When an cmigrant
train came from the east Into Raw
Inns. tho bear wns brought out on
the depot platform by one OF the
frontierHmcn. Captain Jack and
made TO climb a pole and do such
othcr tricks a. Captain Jack had
taught him. The outcome OF those
performances vas that one day the
AAA. .-.--A " ---.a. a.. eAA ~nV
hs had been taught. and be grabbed
tbs captain by the arm with his
tseth. and bruiu waa then and therc
shot. =
Moth a thc Tracks
sna eA~ AosSh stAa ~ eha tracks