FIRST
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
UNION COLONY OF COLORADO,
INCLUDING A
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GREELEY,
FROM ITS DATE OF SETTLEMENT TO THE PRESENT TIME;
WITH
D ESCRIPTIVE CHAPTERS
ON
Agriculture, Irrigation, Climate, Mountain Scenery, Flora,
Churches, Schools, Societies, &c.
Price 25 Cents;
WITH MAP OF GREELEY AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY, 75 CENTS.
TRADE SUPPLIED BY AMERICAN NEWS CO., 119 & 121 NASSAU STREET.
NEW-YORK;
GEORGE W. SOUTHWICK, 2277 THIRD AVENUE.
1871.




1^r ~trlmn (901on  of (9010VA O.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
NATHAN C. MEEKER,       ROBERT A. CAMERON,
E. C. MONK,             W.W. WILCOX.
J. H. PINKEB rON.
OFFICERS.
Preaident:-NATHAN C. MEEKER,
Vice President:-GEN. ROBERT A. CAMERON
Treasurer:-DR. CHAS. EMERSON,
Secretary: — RANK M. BABCOCK.
Engineer:-E. S. NETTLE' ON.
Secret fry Bureau of Statistics and It fbrmation,
WILLIAM E. PABOR.
EXEC UTIVE COUNCIL.
E. A. -ItLLISTIR, Chairman.
N. HOLMES.             O. PLUMB.
J. C. SHATTUCK.        F. L. CHILLS.
E. W. GURLEY.          E. NYE.
L. VON GOHREN.         ELI HALL.
B. S. LAGRANGE.        JOHN LEVY.
E. C. ALPHW NSE.
SPECIAL NOT. CE.
For information concerning passage.ickets, special rates
for freight, routes of travel, etc., addr ss the Bureau of
Statistics and Information, Greeley, Coloi ado.




UNION COLONY OF COLORADO.
CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION OF UNION COLONY.
In the early part of December, 1869, an article, entitled
"A   Western  Colony,"  appeared in the  New-York Daily
Tribune.  We  quote  the  essential paragraphs from  it, as
follows:
"I propose to unite with proper persons in the establishment of a Colony in
Colorado Territory.
" The persons with whom I would be willing to associate must be Temperance men, and ambitious to establish good society.
" My plan would be to make the settlement almost wholly in a village; all the
lots of the village should be sold, that funds may be obtained for making
improvements for the common good, such as the building of a church, a town
hall, a school-house, and for the establishment of a library. Adjoining the
village, the outlying tracts could be apportioned, by lot or otherwise, in size
according to distance from tihe village center. Some of the advantages of settling in a village will be easy access to schools and public places, meetings,
lectures, and the like, and society can be had at once.
" Farmers will be wanted; nurserymen, florists, and almost all kinds of mechanics, as well as capitalists, to use the coal and water-power in running
machinery. The first settlers, must of course, be pioneers, fer houses, mills
and mechanic shops are to be built, that families may come with few privations.
Whatever professions and occupations enter into the formation of an intelligent,
educated and thrifty community should be embraced by this Colony, and it
should be the object to exhibit all that is best m mqdern civilization. In particular, should moral and religious sentiments prevail, for without these
qualities man is nothing. At the same time, tolerance and liberality should
also prevail. One thing more is equally important-happiness, wealth and the
glory of a State spring fiom  the family-and it should be an aim and a high
ambition to preserve the family pure in all its relations, and to labor with the
best efforts life and strength can give to make the home comfortable, to beautify and adorn it, and to supply it with whatever will make it attractive and
loved.
"I make the point that two important objects will be gained by such a
colony. First, schools, refined society, and all the advantages of an old country, will be secured in a few years; while, on the contrary, where settlements
are made by the old methods, people are obliged to wait twenty, forty or more
years. Second, with free homesteads as a basis, with the sale of reserved lots for
the general good, the greatly increased values of real estate, will be for the
benefit of all the people. not for schemers and speculators. In the success of
this Colony, a model will be presented for settling the remainder of the vast
territory of our country.
"Persons wishing to unite in such a colony, will please address me at the
Tribune office, stating their occupation, end the value of the property which
they could take with them.           (Signed)            N.. a. EEKER."
It is probable that, on the morning the above call appeared, its writer had no idea the seed thus sown would
spring up rapidly under the genial influence of the  7Tribune,
and bring forth an hundred-fold return. But as day follow



4
ed day, and each incoming mail brought scores of responses from persons in all parts of the country and of every
condition in life, it became necessary to plan a realization of
the idea thus introduced to the community at large. Accordingly, a meeting was called for December 23d, in
Room No. 24, Cooper Institute, New-York city-a room
made famous by the weekly discussions of the Farmers'
Club, and therefore very appropriately chosen for the proposed organization. It was the writer's good fortune to
be present on that occasion; the room was comfortably
full, and individuals were present from every Eastern
State, from Western New-York, from  New-Jersey and
Pennsylvania. The Hon. Horace Greeley was appointed
to preside, and, on taking the chair, made a few remarks
pertinent to the object before the meeting. He believed
that there ought to be, not only one, but one thousand
colonies-there were multitudes of men working for wages
who ought to emigrate. He disliked to see men in advanced life working for salaries in places where, perhaps,
they were ordered about by boys. He would like to see
them working for themselves.
Mr. N. C. Meeker followed.  He had received over
eight hundred letters-their writers represented all trades,
professions and pursuits; many educated; the majority
farmers, and fully one-half church members. It was necessary that a committee be appointed to go and search
for a location that will be suited to the greatest variety of
pursuits. The plan is certainly an experiment, and for a
first colony more natural advantages will be required than
for other colonies, having for a guide the experience of a
pioneer colony. He named, in the order of their importance, what should be sought: healthfulness; a varied and
rich soil; timber; coal; iron ore; adaptation to fruit;
water-power; beauty of scenery.  The interests of so
many families, with the earnings of their lives and the
comforts of home, the interests of so many industrious,
skillful, intelligent and well-to-do people should not be
put in jeopardy for want of thorough investigation.
Mr. Meeker was followed by various other gentlemen,




5
all expressing themselves favorable to a plan of organization, among them Gen. Robt. A. Cameron, of Elmira, who
said he had gone to Indiana when it was a wilderness, and
to Chicago when it was a mud-hole, and now he wanted to
go to Colorado, for no where in the globe is there such
another country as the west. The great mining region was
to be developed, and to do this would create a market that
could not be over-stocked.
It was finally decided to organize as the " Union Colony,"
with the following named officers: N. C. Meeker, President; Gen. R. A. Cameron, Vice President; Horace
Greeley, Treasurer. An Executive Committee of five was
also chosen, and this resolution adopted:'; That each member pay $5 for current expenses, and also hold subject to
the call of the Treasurer $150, for a purchase fund for the land to be bought,
and that said money shall be refunded if the land is not settled within a reasonable period, to be prescribed by the Executive Committee."
Fifty-nine members enrolled their names-paid their
initiation fee of five dollars, and then, amid the greatest
enthusiasm  and the most perfect harmony, the meeting
adjourned, to allow the Executive Committee to prepare
the Constitution and By-Law-s of the Union  Colony.
These, in a few days, were printed in circular form, and
distributed. The salient features were as follows:
The object of the Colony shall be to settle on Government or other cheap land, to the end that men may engage
in various industries and pursuits; have homes of their
own; and that churches and schools may be convenient.
Persons wishing to become members, must be temperance men, and of good moral character.
A Locating Committee to report a suitable location;
when found, the Treasurer to purchase and hold the same
in trust for the-Colony; said lands to be be deeded in
designated parcels to the members, as the Executive
Committee shall direct; deeds for the same to be executed, whenever a member, in good faith, enters upon his
land to make improvements.
Four quarter sections or six hundred and forty acres
to be located centrally, and divided into business and
residence lots; grounds to be reserved for a plaza, schools,




6
churches, and other public institutions. The business and
residence lots so laid out to be sold, one of each to each
member of the Colony, at a fixed valuation, and the proceeds devoted to improvements for the common wellfare.
Lands adjoining the town plot to be divided into lots of
five, ten, twenty, forty and eighty acres, according to their
distance from the town center, and deeded one to each
member as they may choose or the Committee shall decide.
It will be seen that in no way is the Colony organized
as a "community," in the sense of the term as used in
connection with the Oneida community. The impression
seems to have gone abroad that such is.the case, but
nothing is further from the fact. We are an organization
for the sole purpose of controlling, by purchase and sale,
a large body of land; all other interests are separate, distinct and entire-as much so as in any town or city in the
land. The plot of ground chosen, once deeded to a member of the Colony, belongs to him, and he has the sole
right to its disposal. He chooses his own business and
minds it, or neglects it, without interference. His family
affairs are as private as they were in his eastern home.
His accumulations are his own-to squander or to save,
as he may elect. We desire, therefore, that our social
position may not be misunderstood, since no element of
communism enters into it. We are a Union Colony, in so
far as matters relate to our mutual interests, and no
further.
Coupled with the Constitution and By-Laws; were paragraphs on irrigation, showing that by this means the
growth and yield of fruit, vegetables and grain are enormous; tha. its cost is but trifling, and, after the system has
been once established, farmers need be dependent no longer upon rain falls, as "seed-time and harvest " are sure.
So was launched the good ship UNION COLONY OF COLORADO, freighted with the fresh hopes, the re-awakened
ambitions, the newly kindled desires of hundreds of souls.
From near and far they came; the inlets of Maine sent
representatives to join hands with those who came from
the lagoons of Florida; the hardy men of Minnesota stood




7
shoulder to shoulder with those who grew up under the
shadow of the Alleghany Range; and the New-Yorker
kept pace with the Virginian, on the broad deck of the,
good ship, plowing her way westward.
Twenty-seven States of our glorious Union, sent gallant
sons to serve under a gallant leader. Surely, with the
successful ventures from the time Cecrops led forth his
Egyptian Colony to found Athens, down to the settlement
of Virginia by the London Company, this should take
honored rank. Strangers all, yet bound by kindred ties;
each with a past checkered by sad experiences and glad
mementoes, yet each looking forward to a future full of
promise, each and all centering their hopes upon one
object, and that located afar off, at the foot of the Shining
Mountains, on the slopes of the Everlasting Hills. Well
may we pause to wonder and while we wonder to adnmire"Sail on, sail on, oh ship of state!
Sail on, oh UNIoN, strong and great;
Humanity with all its fears,
With all its hopes of future years
Is hanging breathless on thy fate."
CHAPTER II.
LOCATION.-TOWN SITE,-FIRST ARRIVALS.
On the third day of February the Locating Committee,
consisting of N. C. Meeker, R. A. Cameron, and H. T. West,
set out in search of the promised land. Of these three, one
had resided for thirty-five, another for twenty-five and the
third for ten years in the West, and during these periods
had visited every Western State from Canada to the Gulf.
They were therefore well qualified for the important trust
confided to them by the Executive Committee.
During this trip the Committee carefully explored parts
of Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, New  Mexico, Wyoming
and Utah. But it was difficult to select so large a tract
of land as the Colony required in one body, and one cause
with another operated to decide against locating in any
one of these States or Territories.




8
Nebraska's great want was a market for its productions. Arkansas had its enervating climate, and New
Mexico sadly needed suitable railroad accommodation.
During their journeyings through Utah and Wyoming the
Committee were particularly impressed with the beauty of
Bear Valley in the vicinity of Evanston, on the Union
Pacific Railroad.  Here are many and rare advantages
for a Colonial settlement of perhaps an hundred families;
coal, iron and wood abound in the neighborhood. This
Valley still lies open for settlement, presenting advantages
that need only to be seen to be properly appreciated.
But Union Colony, with six hundred families and the promise of four hundred more, needed more room than could
be found in Bear Valley, and so the Committee reluctantly
turned their faces from it, and, crossing the Border, entered the Territory of Colorado. With great care they
explored the Lower Platte, the Great Bend of the Platte,
the Platte Canyon, Box Elder Creek emptying into the
La Poudre River, near the base of the mountains, the
Thompson and the St. Vrains. Box Elder Valley was
found to be one of the finest agricultural valleys in the
Territory. It has wood within six miles, with water of excellent quality and sufficient quantity from the Poudre,
and lies within easy reach. Crossing the Divide South of
Denver they explored Monument Valley, the Fontaine qui
Bouille and the Arkansas. It was also their intention to
visit Sani Luis Park, but snow in the Sangre de Christo
Pass prevented. They found the scenery of Monument
Valley very fine and for a few families presented favorable
inducements for settlement. But the insufficient supply
of water for a large tract of land forbade its selection for
Union Colony.
At last, after a month of journeying in the wilderness
they were enabled to send, on the wings of the lightning,
the tidings east, that on the 5th day of April, "Union
Colony, No. 1, N. C. Meeker, President, and Horace
Greeley, Treasurer, located in Colorado Territory, on the
delta formed by the junction of the Cache-la-poudre and
the Platte Rivers, and on the Denver Pacific Railway,




midway between Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The new town has been named Greeley. Houses,
mills, stores, churches, and schools are to be erected the,
coming season.
So, after mature deliberation, careful examination,
and a thorough canvass of the advantages and disadvantages of this, in comparison with other locations, the
final choice was made.
Of the Cache-la-poudre, in whose valley was chosen the
site of the future "City of the Plains,"  Fitz Hugh Ludlow thus wrote in his "Heart of the Continent:"-"This
stream is one of the most beautiful torrents which we saw
on our entire journey. It comes from  the Everlasting
Snow Line of the Peaks about Cheyenne Pass, and its
entire course to the Platte is broken by no great fall, with
a tolerably even grade and considerable winding of direction. It swarms with fine fish and is the most mysteriously seductive of streams."
Mr. E. S. Nettleton, Engineer of Union Colony, gives
the fall of the river near the Foot Hills, as the first range
to the west of the town is called, at twenty feet to the mile
gradually decreasing until immediately opposite Greeley
it has but a fall of about eleven feet to the mile.
It has been truly said that "a city never becomes the
leading one of a section unless in addition its geographical position is such that it can become a centre of travel
and a point of distribution." In examining the new town of
Greeley in this light a glance at the map published in connection with this report, shows it to be located at the outlet of a wide agricultural country, which naturally is
tributary to it, as it lies opposite the Platte, where it comes
to receive the Cache-la-Poudre, while the valleys of the Big
and Little Thompson and of St. Vrain open full upon it
and from them radiate tributary valleys. In addition to
this the Platte Valley, from two to seven miles wide, will
be open to it in the days to come by settlements pushed
out, from the Missouri river on the East, by the Kansas
Pacific on the South, and by the settlements along the
Rocky Mountains on the West.




10
The Rocky Mountain News in commenting upon the location selected, said:
"The town site will be in every respect desirable; Eastward the outlook is
down the plain that stretches unbroken to the Missouri River, six hundred
miles away, relieved by the groves and fringes of timbers that skirt the Poudre
and Platte Rivers and Crow Creek. North and South are rolling prairies, and
Westward, the same to the Mountain foot, twenty-one miles distant but plainly
distinct and in the wonderfully clear, rarified atmosphere, seeming scarce half
a dozen miles away. Beyond that line rises the great Rocky Mountain chain,
massive and dark with pine forests, rising ridge beyond and above ridge until
they culminate in the lofty, snowy range, sixty miles away and with a sweep of
at least a hundred and fifty miles. Long's Peak is the nearest and seems the
loftiest in sight. It bears southwest by west and is over fourteen thousand
feet high., Snow is always visible on the main range."
The Executive Committee soon officially announced the
location to the members of the Colony, giving all particulars of the site and the country surrounding it. The town
site is in Latitude 40 deg. 25 min., North, Longitude 27 deg.
48 min. west of Washington, at an elevation of 4779 feet
above the sea.
It was found necessary to organize under the Territorial
Law of Colorado, before the land could be secured and
held in trust, and for this purpose an Act of Incorporation
of Union Colony of Colorado was framed, entered upon
record and a Board of Trustees chosen to represent the
interests of the members.  Under this charter the Colony
holds the exclusive right to construct ditches within the
lands possessed, to build roads, to purchase and convey
lands, and has other powers usually vested in corporate
bodies.  This movement, rendered necessary by the peculiar circumstances of the case, in a measure abrogated
the powers held by the Executive Committee appointed in
New-York.  But the power of the latter body was virtually recognized by the new Board of Trustees and the two
organizations worked in harmony with each other.
On the twenty-fifth day of April, the first sod was turned
in the new town of Greeley. Mr. Meeker, in the interests
of the Colony at once returned to New-York, to supervise
the transportation of members to their new  home, while
General Cameron, as superintendent of the Colony remained on the ground to receive them  as they  arrived.
Arrangements, an1 very satisfactory ones, were made with
Col. John S. Loomis, President of the National Land Company, in reference to the forwardance of freight for Col



11
onists and passage tickets were issued at greatly reduced
rates; the agents of the company at all the principal cities
in the East and West, and on the lines of the leading railroads were instructed to look after the interests and care
for the comfort of those travelling under these tickets.  It
gives us great pleasure to place upon record our grateful
appreciation of the attentions and courtesies of the officers
and  agents of the  Land Company, from  its  active and
efficient President down to its lowest agent. At Chicago,
as the central point for Colonists, Mr. C. N. Pratt, general
agent of the Company, was ever at his post of duty, imparting information, looking after the interests of the travellers, and cheering them  forward on their way.  Agents
at all points on the route stood ready to receive and
forward Colonists travelling under the protection of the
company; and to strangers in a strange land  (and  some
of them  ladies travelling alone or with young  children,)
these attentions were particularly welcome and valuable.
In the early part of May a statement was published
showing  the  quantity of land bought,-who  from,-the
amount paid, and the proposed division of land.
We quote from  this circular, as follows:"PPurchased from the Denver Pacific Railway Company, through the National Land Company, nine thousand three hundred and twenty-four and six
hundreth's acres, at a cost of thirty-one thousand and fifty-eight dollars
and fifty-eight cents.
"Purchased from individuals two thousand five hundred and ninety-two and
twenty-three hundreths acres, at an expense of twenty-seven thousand nine
hundred and eighty-two dollars and thirty cents."
"Paid preliminary fees for the occupation of sixty thousand acres of Government Land to the amount of nine hundred and thirty dollars.
"In addition to the above the Colony holds a contract with the Denver Pacific Railway to purchase at any time within three years, from May 1st, 1870,
fifty thousand acres of land at prices varying fiom $3 to $4 per acre, with interest from date of contract. It will thus be observed that, though actually owning but about twelve thousand acres of land, the Coiony controls, in addition,
one hundred and eleven thousand acres of land, acknowledged to be the best
in the Territory. with charters for ditches covering the entire area."
An apportionment of lands was also made as follows:
Town lots:-For business, 520, size, 25x190; for residence,
673, ranging in size from  50x190 to 200x190. Beside these
there were reserved for Schools, Churches, Town  Hall,
Court House, Seminary  and other public purposes, 277
lots. Members to be allowed to purchase a town lot for
residence or business purposes, either or both, at the minimum  price of fifty dollars for corner and twenty-five dollars for inside lots.




12
Farm lands were divided into plots from five to forty
acres, and as high as 120 acres on certain conditions, according to distance from the town centre, each member to
be entitled to one of these plots as he might select, for his
colony certificate. The land to be furnished with water
for irrigation and only liable to assessment for the cost of
keeping the irrigating ditches in repair. The lands thus
subdivided lying up and down the Cache-la-Poudre, on
both sides of the river for several miles.
A contract was at once given out for Ditch No. 3, ten
miles long, and capable of being extended two miles further; fifteen inches deep; average width, eight feet; carrying twenty-five hundred inches of water, and capable of
irrigating five thousand acres, including the town site.
By the 10th of June, this ditch was completed and water
running through all the streets of the town. A Plaza or
Square of ten acres was laid out in the centre of the town
and two miniature lakes, one called Lunar and the other
Auricular, from their respective shapes, constructed and
filled with water. Trees, brought from the Phoenix Nurseries, at Bloomington, Illinois, were set out in the Plaza
and through the public streets, and orders issued for the
construction of a School House suitable for a primary
school. To the north west of the town an island in the
river gave ample ground for a public park, and this land,
comprising about forty-eight acres was reserved and denominated "Island Grove Park."
Meanwhile families and heads of families were arriving
on the ground. The first member who slept on colony
ground was Mr. J. F. Sanborn, who pitched his tent on
the river bank east of the town, on April 18th; on the 19th
of April, Mrs. Agnes A. G. Benson, the first lady member
of the Colony, stepped on the soil of Greeley. On the 30th
of the same month Mr. L. W. Teller of Mt. Kisco, N. Y.
with a family of wife and five children arrived. At this
time there was but one house on the ground, and from
data kept we find that ii a few days forty-two persons, of
whom twelve were women, found lodgings in six small
rooms in this one house.




13
But comfortable shelter was soon provided. Six tents
were borrowed from Fort Russell, three purchased at
Cheyenne, and a building, costing thirteen hundred and'
fifty dollars, was moved from Cheyenne and placed just
west of the depot. It was dubbed Hotel de Comfort, and
though now it is irrevently termed the Barracks, Castle
Garden, and Hotel dis Comfort, at that time it. was as an
Elim with its palm trees and wells of water to the traveller over the Arabian Desert. It was an ark of refuge, a
sure and safe abiding place, and never a day but there
was room for one more, no matter how crowded its condition. Early in May the stream of active emigration set in;
with some discouragements, it is true, for many and various were the difficulties to be contended with, and there
were days when the shadows from the mountains to the
west of the site of the town, seemed to rest upon the hopes,
the hearts, the ambitions of the new comers. One can
easily imagine the situation; the ground was perfectly
unbroken for miles, and the winds of unnumbered centuries had blown off the light soil, leaving a gravelly coating
over the surface not covered by grass or cacti. The grass
was short and brown and presented to the eye none of its
nutritious qualities. And the cacti, at that time had not
its variegated blossoms to commend it to the eye, while
its prickly armor in no way commended it to the touch.
General Cameron who was constantly on the ground
looking after the welfare of the colonists, and whose broad
shoulders bore without bending the weight of odium
placed upon them by the dissatisfied, reports that one day
sixty-two persons arrived, and two days thereafter eightythree additional presented themselves. Hardly any of
these brought with them provisions, tents, blankets or any
of the necessaries of life. They could not be protected
from the cold winds or the colder night air. No ditches
had been dug, no water was running and in all the town
of Greeley there was but one well, and two unfinished,
rough and impromptu buildings.
These were Greeley's dark days. Some there were who
forgetting that it was the work of the colony to create a




14
city, expected one already built, with houses and stores,
mills and factories, and all the adjuncts of a settled civilization. Disappointment set their teeth upon edge,nd
kindled bitter feelings of animosity in their bosoms.
Tongues wagged and not wisely nor well. Accusations of
fraud, deception, were freely bruited about. The vocabulary of crime was ransacked, and no criminal whose
heart was of the blackest type, received more opprobium
than the leaders of the colony movement, from the lips of
these disappointed and dissatisfied ones. They came to
colonize, but without waiting to investigate-to examine
the location-to test the capabilities of the soil-they
remained to curse only so long as the next train east delayed its coming. Then, shaking the dust of Greeley from
their feet, they " went to their own place."
Time passed; a survey was soon made, and locations
chosen by those who, having ventured thus far, had sufficient wisdom to see that the experiment was but at its beginning, and that success lay at its ending. The top of
the ladder was not to be reached at one bound, even in
Colorado. One by one the rounds were to be trodden,
and by feet made weary by the upward way.
But soon Ditch No. 3 was completed, and the water
came dancing through the flumes like a ministering angel,
(as indeed it was,) scattering blessings all along its path.
It ran over the parched land, and blade and blossom
awoke to a new beauty, and the. birds sang their welcome
early and late to the new-comers whose destiny had
brought them to these late desolate but now blooming
prairies.  Trees were planted, and active, earnest, truehearted men, women and children went to work with a
spirit that deserved and achieved success.  The cloud
passed away; the sunshine took its place, and thenceforward cheered, warmed and lighted the hearts of all.
But before tracing further the history of the Colony, or
presenting statistics of its present condition, it may be well
to present a chapter upon the agricultural resources of
the valley in which we have found a home, and to which
we invite the attention of all who contemplate creating
new homes on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains.




15
CHAPTER III.
AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION.
Time was when these plains were designated the Great
American Desert. There are books of geography yet in
use in the schools of this territory, in which they are so
described. And so they were to those who, having eyes,
saw not.
But, as in the poem of the Sleeping Princess in theWoods,
who waited but the coming of the Fortunate Prince,
whose passionate kiss should awake her to life, and all
about her to activity, so the slumbering Princess of the
Plains but waited the coming of the Fairy Prince, the
touch of whose magic wand should kindle into a beauty
unknown before the charms lying hidden in her veiled bosom. And at the magic touch of water, lo! the powers
lying dormant for unnumbered ages suddenly awoke, and
from out the lap of nature flowed abundant evidence that
these were fertile instead of sterile plains.
Irrigation is no new thing. To those accustomed to the
rain-falls east of the Missouri river, it may become, at
first, a power misapplied, because unknown; but adaptation to circumstances is one of the peculiarities of the
American mind, and not for any length of time is there
any " new thing under the sun."
Old in theory and practice, in the lands of the East, to
this source must we trace the wonderful fertility of the
valley of the Nile, whose narrow belt of 3,000 miles, extending through six degrees of latitude, for centuries supported a population so vast, that even China's countless
hordes dwindle into insignificance. Not Egypt alone, nor
China, but nearly all the lands of the Orient have availed
themselves of this all-powerful adjunct to agriculture, and
thus supported a population that would otherwise have
depended upon distant countries for the necessities of existence, and so lost their main source of growth and
strength; for agriculture is the true mother of the nations,
and from her exhaustless bosom they receive the nourishment that sustains their life.




16
Before giving special information connected with the
results of irrigation in and about Greeley this last summer, we desire to group together certain facts of general
interest. We are indebted in the main for them to Wm.
N. Byers, Esq., of the News, whose heart has been these
many years in these highlands, whose home for twelve
years past has been here, and whose able pen has done
so much to develop its resources, encourage its settlement and cheer the hearts of those who come thousands of miles to build up new homes. Some very important statistics have also been culled from the able
and exhaustive address of William  R. Thomas, Esq.,
of the News, before the Territorial Agricultural Fair of
1869; and we also acknowledge our indebtedness to Gov.
McCook's address in September of this year.
The agricultural area of Colorado is a little less than
18,000 square miles, comprising about 11,500,000 acres, all
highly productive, but in the main requiring irrigation" a savings bank crammed with riches since Noah's flood"
-and ready, therefore, to honor drafts to an unlimited
amount; for " irrigated land never wears out," as the experience of eastern nations testifies.'I here are three
main sections.of this agricultural area, each well supplied
— one by the Arkansas, one by the Platte, and the third
by the Rio Grande-with water; and from their tributaries branch valleys, whose fertility Eastern farmers may
dream of, but never realize, in the sterile, overworked soils
of the Atlantic coast.
Colorado vegetables are now sold east of the Missouri
river, and flour and grain reach all the States. The crops
of the current year have been carefully estimated as follows: Wheat, 750,000 bushels; corn, 700,000 bushels;
oats and barley, 650,000 bushels; vegetables and potatoes, 500,000 bushels;-while the hay and dairy product
will have a market value of not less than four millions of
dollars. Ninety-seven bushels of wheat have been raised
on one acre of land on the South Platte, within forty miles
of Greeley. Oats have reached the same number of bushels to the acre; and Governor McCook is our authority for




17
the statement that 250 bushels of onions have been raised
on half an acre. These, of course, are exceptional cases
and the result of high cultivation; but the average of
crops may thus be stated: Wheat, 30 bushels; oats, 55;
corn, 30; potatoes, 250; onions, 300; beans, 30; Ruta
Baga turnips, 30 tons; beets, 30 tons. These figures may
be relied upon as being, if anything, below the average.
In this connection, we may observe that farmers here
have no difficulty in turning the soil. Two horses or a
pair of cattle plow the ground with the greatest ease, and
two acres can be plowed by one man in a single day.
A few words in relation to beets. The growth ofsugar
beets here is simply enormous. The soil seems peculiarly
adapted to their cultivation, and hundreds of acres could
be profitably grown if some far-seeing and enterprising
capitalist would but invest a few spare thousands of dollars in the erection of a beet sugar mill. Here we have
all the essential elements of success. Soil and climate are
favorable; there would be an abundance of supply, and a
home market ready to absorb all that could be produced.
What seems to have been a failure at Chatworth, Illinois,
in Greeley would be'a magnificent success!
At the Denver Fair, this year, turnips were on exhibition, and curiosity impelled us to measure the largest; it
was forty-two inches in circumference. Cabbages weighing fifty pounds were too common for especial mention;
Cnd we could easily credit the story of the prudent housekeeper, who sent her child to market for the smallest head
he could find, and he came home bending under the
weight of a fourteen-pounder, having searched vainly for
one of less weight.
That grapes will thrive, we had evidence-some choice
Isabellas were on exhibition —and that small fruits will
flourish is beyond a doubt. We have seen with our own
eyes an acre of Wilson strawberries yielding eighteen
hundred quarts of the largest and finest quality of fruit.
The time will come, and that in the not far-distant future,
when vast establishments for canning fruit will be scattered over the Territory; and the berries of Colorado
2




18
be the delight of the epicure and the never-failing resource
of the careful housewife, whose " sweetmeat" days will be
among the events of the past.
Farming, of course, on account of the lateness of arrival,
could not be extensively carried on about Greeley. Even
vegetable gardening, to a great extent, was impeded and
delayed by the late supply of water.  But the result of
rough turning the prairie sod, even under these discouraging circumstances, was surprising. We have seen radishes
allowed to grow. as specimens on the town lot of E. W.
Gurley, Esq., measuring twenty-eight inches in circumference. and thirty-one inches long.  Potatoes have been
grown fifty tubers to one stalk of a size that might be
termed medium, having been planted late in July. Potatoes on the lot of Captain David Boyd have yielded an
average of one hundred and forty bushels to the acre.
Beets, carrots, salads, cabbages, tomatoes, turnips, squashes, corn (as sweet and'toothsome, tender and succulent as
any ever eaten in the east), beans-in fact, in our wonderfully prolific soil there is no vegetable that will not grow
and yield an hundred fold as a reward for tle labors of
the agriculturist. Sweet potatoes, too, can be grown here,
as we know, having, through the courtesy of Mr. J. H.
Pinkerton, eaten some very fine ones raised on the St.
Vrain, a few miles back of Greeley.
But even irrigation is not a necessity in our fertile valley.
There are bottom lands that have been cultivated this year
by ranchemen, in the vicinity of the town, where no water,
save what has fallen from the heavens, has been used;
and vegetables of all kinds, and of infinite productiveness,
have'een raised. Early in the summer season our entire
supply came from this source, and it is an undeniable fact,
that the small grains can be grown here successfully without one inch of irrigating water being used.
Thousands of strawberry plants have been set this fall,
and after next season this luscious iruit, averaging seventy-five cents peT quart in Denver this present season, will
be within the reach of all, while hundreds of crates will
find ready market along the line of the Union Pacific and




19
the Kansas Pacific, reaching even the St. Louis and the
Omaha markets; and we have faith that the day is not far
distant when we shall rival California in our grapes, plums,
cherries, apricots and pears.
Of stock raising, we have but space to touch briefly.
The vast ranges are too well known. This and the neighboring territories of Wyoming, Montana and Utah must,
for generations to come, supply and control the beef, mutton, wool, hide, cheese, butter and horse markets of the
United States, and simply because they can produce these
articles cheaper and better than any other portion of our
country. The percentage of loss is less than wintering in
the States on corn and hay, and here we feed nothing,
herding stock on the dry gama or bunch grass of the
plains; the air is so fine that these grasses cure on
the ground, losing none of their nourishment, and the
climate is so mild and genial-a very Italian climatethat stock can' range and feed all the winter,\ and
keep in excellent condition.   Alexander Majors, of
Nebraska City, late of the freighting firm  of Majors,
Russell & Waddell, giving his experience, sums up the
whole matter as follows: "I say, without hesitation,
all the country west of the Missouri river is one vast
pasture, affording unequalled summer and winter pasturage, where sheep, horses and cattle can be raised with
only the cost of herding."
CHAPTER IV.
MOUNTAIN SCENERY, CLIMATOLOGY, FLORA, *&C., &C.
We are indebted to Mr. E. Fussell, artist, for the accompanying graphic description of Estes Park, and the
mountain scenery in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Fussell
has executed some very fine pictures this present season,
and during the winter will finish some mountain scenes,
sketches of which were taken during one of the journeys
described in his letter.




20
To the tourist who wishes to start from Greeley to
view the beauties of the mountains there are two places
that offer great advantages, Estes Park and the Great
Canyon of the Big Thompson. There is not at present
much accommodation for such, but those will not be found
wanting to supply it when needed.
A line of stages is projected from Greeley to Estes
Park next summer, but for the trip to the Big Canyon
private conveyances must yet be depended upon. The
distance is some fifty-five miles; the first part of the
route lies in the Valley of the Cache-la-Poudre with its
picturesque groves of cottonwood. Seen near sunset on
such days as are frequent during the summer season, this
part of the drive brings forcibly to mind those lines of
Burns:
"The winds blew hollow frae the hill,
By fits the sun's departing beam
Shone brightly on the yellow woods
That waved by Sugar's winding stream."
And it is well to take a' last, long, lingering look" at these
yellow woods that their image may remain upon the mind
to relieve the tedium of the long drive across the plains.
These treeless plains are the thorns to the roses that are to 
come. Here, too, we are struck with the deceptive appearances of distances. You are willing to assert upon oath, if
needs be, that yon bluff is but half a mile off, but unfortunately you find that many undreamed of little valleys, gullies
and mounds intervene; but steady-jogging horseflesh in
good time overcome all these and bring us to the foothillsthose peculiar abrupt upheavals of stratified rock, on all
prominent points of -which may be found old Indian hiding places or lookouts; now, since " poor Lo!" has been
forced to search for pastures new, of no use save as matters of curiosity.  These foothills have a gradual slope
towards the east; but towards the west are very abrupt,
especially near the top, where there is generally a perpendicular cliff, ranging from a few feet to two or three hundred.  They give ample opportunity for those who wish
to prepare themselves for the sterner duties of climbing
steeper grades, and also of learning something of the




21
power there is in gravitation by the simple process of prying huge boulders from their place and letting them roll
thundering into the valley below.  This for pleasure,
seekers; but for seekers after the truths of geology, these
bluffy heights offer rare and peculiar advantages. Here
are to be seen strata upon strata broken off by some strong
convulsion of nature, exposing the layers that the mighty
sea of the olden time has made to the view of roving mortals so plainly that it scarcely needs an Agazziz to read
them.
The old red sandstone is the most conspicuous to the
casual observer, giving its hue to all the country round.
There are two Canyons on the Big Thompson, separated
by a narrow, picturesque valley; the lower and lesser one
is peculiar, inasmuch as it runs through a cleft in granite
rock, which overlies red sandstone. The sides are steep
and abrupt, in many cases being perpendicular from the
the water's edge.  The adventurous climber may from
either end reach to nearly the same point, but there he
will find his onward way checked, and be forced to climb
to the top.  Rocky forms of the grandest description,
checkered and stained by the exposures of many centuries
are on all sides, while whistling eddying little rapids make
the place one in a thousand for those who enjoy the beautiful in nature.
The larger canyon is longer, with sides steeper and
higher, and in many places impassable, except in winter,
when the frozen cascades make the granduer grander, and
at the same time a secure bridge by which to round the
otherwise impassable promontories. All parts of the canyon may be seen in summer by climbing over the mountains on either side and down; a rather severe ordeal for
one who is not used to it, but one that is amply repaid by
ever varying and ever new forms of rock and rippling,
dashing water, with here and there rugged pine or spruce
set in some rocky crevice and adding greatly to the picturesqueness of the whole.
Those who come here expecting to see the picturesque
nooks, the overhanging trees, the verdure that makes the




22
charm of the eastern mountain scenery will be disappointed.  The Rocky Mountain scenery has a character
peculiarly its own; it is of the rocks, rocky. There are
trees, it is true, but the mountain sides are steep, and the
trees generally not of the largest, so that the top of the
lower scarcely reaches the root of the higher; thus a mass
of foliage is not seen, except on the brow of hills and
level places between. But the rocks themselves are of so
many forms and so many colors that this want is not
scarcely felt.
In the rocks near the water's edge is seen the power
of rushing water in the smooth polished surfaces, in the
wearing away of the softer portions, leaving many furrows.
In manyplaces you mark the course of on old-time eddy
in a semi-circular abrasion in the solid rock. In one place
these water-marks are to be seen thirty or forty feet above
the present water-level, showing that at some time there
has been some obstruction in the narrow gap below. From
the mountain to the light of the Canyon, a fine view
can be had of the valley below, and to the westward, of
Bald Mountain with its dreamy ghosts of forests that
are no more, of Storm  Peak rearing its rocky front
before the snowy range, of James Peak its snowy head
towards the clouds as if asserting its right to be considered one of the chosen ones-and indeed it lacks
but little of being as high as its better known rival, Long's
Peak, while in the massiveness of its surroundings, the
mountain cannot surpass it.
Fishermen and hunters have followed up the creek to
Estes Park, but at present the only available route to that
place is by a trail running from St. Vrain's Canyon. Up
hill and down hill the road leads, but not as the old roads
wind "Now to the church and now to the mill"-such
things are left far behind; it is rather a blind following
of the old deer trails, for now we are entering upon the
favorite haunts of the Great Elk, whose branching horns
may be seen on every side whitened by rain and Sun.
Ebtes Park is situated at the base of Long's Peak, from
which it extends in a northeasterly direction about ten




23
miles. The Park is divided by a mountain that is waiting
for a name into two sections; through the northermost
one the Big Thompson finds its way; this stream is said,
to abound in that finest of fish, the speckled trout, but
like all our wild western creations, his education has been
a little neglected. He won't bite an artificial fly. Fortunately a substitute and the one that he understands is
generally near at hand in the shape of a grasshopper.
The tracks of elk and deer may also be seen on every
side, which generally is as exciting as if the animal itself
were there, for it is the old question answered here-the
pursuit is nearly as pleasant as the possession.
Here are opportunities for any one desirous of naming
points, lakes and canyons innumerable. There is Mount
Olympus with its rocky front looking as sternly severe as
Jove himself might have looked, almost a solid rock whose
summit is eight thousand feet above the sea's level. There
to the right is Black Canyon, with its sombre shading of
trees and its bold sharp sentinels of iock guarding its entrance..To the left is seen Lily Mountain, twelve thousand feet high, with its bold face looking frowningly at
Long's Peak, as if angry because that mountain dared to
hold its head six thousand feet higher. And then at the
foot of Long's Peak is a wonderful chasm with a perpendicular side running clear up to nearly the top of the
Peak. Then there are the lakes that duplicate the mountains and rocks on either side.  There is the little mountain brook half hidden among the massive rocks it tumbles
over, offering a cool retreat from the heats of summer, and
at every step a pleasing picture. There are valleys branching off from the main park that would undoubtedly amply
repay exploration in the many new and varied forms they
might present; there are detached rocks of huge size up
and down which the Rocky Mountain sheep jumps and
runs with a'swiftness that forbids pursuit.
There are many other points that might be enumerated,
but these must suffice. A word to the wise is sufficient,
and all these charms of scenery and beauties of nature
are within two days drive of Greeley. "These we have
always,with us," and they will remain " a joy forever,"




24
Touching the flora of the Valley of the Cache-la-Poudre,
we present the accompanying article from  the accomplished pen of A. J. WILBER, ESQ.:
In the early days of Greeley, when cattle paths were all
the paths we had, ahd we could shoot antelope and rabbit
from our cabin- doors, the new comer's first impressions
were most certain to be of the flora; and the conclusion
was quite as certainly reached that the cactus was at
least the tyrant if not the type of this flora.
Later, the splendor of their bloom went far to compensate for their former ugliness.  The cacti have all the
brilliant colors, though none of the more delicate. The
round one is the most beautiful, with scarlet blossoms,
sometimes a dozen clustered in one mass and lasting a
long time; finally succeeded by the fruit, which, with the
form of the plant, make it as interesting as before. When
the fruit ripens, it has a close relation to the' gooseberry
in taste. Not so with the prickly pear cactus. The fruit
of this species is so poor one must be very hungry to eat
it, but its flowers are more various and equally beautiful.
Long ere the cacti begin to show their beauty there are
little gems that rival anything to be seen in the east, in
garden or out, and would no doubt-produce a pleasant
sensation there. Two of the overgracae, or evening primrose family are delightful for their sweetness and modesty.
One is the delicate pink flower which chooses the dryest situations, and by its fragrance puts to flight the supposition
that the flowers of the plains are without odor. The other
is the lovely white flower that borders all the ditches. It
sprang up early, and when irrigation began in June had
nearly finished blossoming, but at the advent of water on
our streets, they welcomed it with a new shower of blossoms which they have renewed daily ever since; while
their comrades on the dry plain have long been sleeping.
I am sure one' plant has borne over four hundred blossoms
this year. The seed pods are hidden under the leaves by
the ever-recovering stems. The malvacea has a representive more beautiful than the hollyhock, though only four
or five inches high. It is found along the edge of the




25
overland stage route, but rejoices in cultivation. There
are several evergreen herbs of rare beauty; one with its
delicate flower is beautiful for borders. The euphorbiacece
i: represented by several species; the most noticeable is
the " snow on the mountain," with its broad white leaves.
A portalacacece resembles a huge purslain, and has a bunch
of white blossoms resembling the snow-ball.  Another
with white tiny blossoms has seed-pods that look at a distance like a pink rose. Two species of spider-flowercleone —cultivated in the gardens east of the Mississippi,
grow everywhere, sometimes six feet high. The Spanish
bayonet is the most conspicuous plant.
All these and many more flowering plants have their
home on " the barren plains," and grow as if they love to
dot it with their freshness and beauty.
My acquaintance with the flora of this vicinity is by no
means so complete as I wish it to be.  So far, all the
plants with which I have become familiar find a place in
the orders, and even the genii of the flora east of the Mississippi; the difference being confined entirely to the
species. A text-book on botany. for our schools here
would require, then, merely an addition to the species of
the Manual used in the schools and colleges east of the
Mississippi.
I do not know that there is a text-book suited to this
region. Though not embodied in a work, the plants probably have all been examined by scientific men. Their
classification and names could, doubtless, be gathered
from the United States Survey of the Pacific Railroad,
Fremont's Explorations and other sources.
In May, the river bottoms became bright with fresh
soft grass. The cottonwood put on the richest green that
nature has in her dye room. The air was filled with fragrance, the breath of the bursting leaf and flower-buds of
the sweet briar; later they were resplendent with bloom,
and now with bright red buds, which, mingled with the
white wax berry, produce a fine contrast, and the clumps
of green ash and soft maple make the whole seem a garden of rare richness. Near by, the wild plum and cherry,




26
with hazel and willow, compose thickets over which the
virgin's bower-clematis-loves to throw its beautiful white
spray; all having a fine background in the small cottonwoods whose leaves show all of autumn's tints. The wild
hop and many other vines tangle the whole into a mass in
which the rabbits hide. Thickets of wild sunflower furnish shelter and food for grouse. Among the open growth
the' beaver has made his mark, and gone where he may
live with the savage, the white man being too grasping for
him. Here are the stumps of many trees he has cut-one
over two feet in diameter.
But this wildness is the exception, the rule of this flora
being to produce the effect of a great landscape garden,
where the outlines of the hills are toned down, and reduced to rule and beauty by the gray, the brown and the
green of the everywhere prevailing grass-the rich grass
of the plain, at present its most valuable production.
This will please the reflective, loving soft beauty; but
if the mind is attuned to wildness, seek the mountains,
where the small plants, the vines, the deciduous and evergreen trees cluster and cling around the huge rocks and
make fitting home for mountain lion or panther, or anon
leave mountains of stone in desolate grandeur.
In reference to the climate, mineral productions, and
other minor matters, we extract the following from an article on the colony, published early in April in the Rocky
Mountain News:
The temperature in the warm days of summer ranges
from eighty-four to ninety-six degrees above zero in the
shade. The sun shines very warm some days, but in the
shade the air is always pleasant, fresh and cool. Sultry,
hot nights are unknown. In winter, the common range of
the theremometer is from thirty to sixty degrees above
zero, but in most winters the temperature at two or three
periods and for one, two or three nights at each time, falls.
below zero.  The prevailing winds, the year round, are
from the northwest, ranging all the way between north
and west. Northeast winds bring snow in winter and rain




27.in spring and summer. There are occasional wind storms,
but no tornadoes. Fogs are unknown. The average fall
of rain in spring and summer, from the most reliable data
at hand is six inches; of snow in winter and spring, from
twenty-five to thirty inches, giving five inches of water,
and a total for the year of eleven inches. The first snow
usually comes in October (this year October 16th), and the
last in April or the first of May. There is seldom more
than three or four inches on the ground at-a time,, though
two or three falls of ten inches each have occurred in the
last eleven years. Rain comes in showers through April,
May and June, and occasionally in July and August, after
which there is seldom any rain until spring. Rain never falls
in the winter months. Owing to the firmness of the surface soils, roads seldom get unpleasantly muddy or dusty.
For natural excellence as highways they are doubtless the
best in the world. The best evidence that late spring
frosts do not kill fruits is the fact that the native wild
fruits never fail to produce full crops.
As regards health, Colorado is far above the average of
"healthful countries," so called.  The invigorating air
gives remarkable tone and elasticity to the nervous system. In that respect none other is known to excel it.
Agues and other miasmatic diseases are unknown. Asthma
is quickly cured.  Pulmonary diseases and bronchitis
never originate here, and unless firmly seated are greatly
relieved or entirely cured by a change hither. A long list
of diseases, to which females are peculiarly liable, are
greatly mitigated in their severity. There is nothing that
can be termed a "prevailing disease of the country."
Touching mineral productions-sandstone may be found
in the vicinity.' Lime or plaster is found in the higher lands
adjacent to the town and has been used for building. Coal
has not been developed as yet in veins of sufficient depth
to justify the working, but the new road in contemplation
to Boulder will bring us in direct communication with the
mining district. Along the foot of the mountains, twenty
miles west of Greeley, and bordering on the lands belonging to the colony, there is abundance of iron-consisting




28
of hematite, bog and magnetic ores —coal, gypsum, limestone, freestone and granite, are in close proximity. It is
also well known that the mountains pierced by the Cachela-Poudre abound in rich mines of copper and silver.
Specimens have been on exhibition in the Colony office
during the summer, furnished by Judge Sherwood, of
Fort Collins.
As regards timber, there are inexhaustible supplies from
thirty to sixty miles west along the Cache-la-Poudre in
the mountains. It consists of white, yellow, black and
pitch pine, white, yellow and red fir, spruce and cedar. It
can be flated down the stream, and Ditch No. 1 is to be
so constructed as to allow the floating of millions of logs
down into the interior of the farming lands of the colony.
Of beasts, birds and fishes there are native to the country and upon the plains, antelope, deer, foxes, badgers,
prairie dogs, rabbits and a number of smaller animals. To
the mountains, elk, white and black tail deer, antelope,
grizzly, cinnamon and black bear, mountain sheep, mountain lions, wolves, foxes, martins, mink, mountain badger,
beaver, weasel, cony, &c., &c. Birds are' abundant-all
the water fowls, four or five variety of grouse, including
the prairie hen, sage hen and ptarmigan and a great variety
of, singing birds, including lark, robin, mocking-bird, bluebird, oriole, thrush and blackbird. Quails have been introduced the past winter. Of fish there are trout, river
whitefish, suckers and a number of others, and there are
wholesome territorial laws protecting at certain seasons
fishes, birds and game animals.
We might add that our immediate markets will be
Denver, fifty-two miles south; Cheyenne, fifty-four miles
north; both reached by the Denver Pacific Railway, and
the mining regions and towns of Gilpin, Clear Creek, and
Boulder counties, from fifty to one hundred miles distant,
over good wagon roads or by rail to Denver, and thence by.
wagon for thirty-five,to fifty miles; as well as all the towns
on the line of the Union Pacific Railroad. The development of the gold, silver and other mines-as yet in their
infancy-will always secure a reliable and a growing




29
market, which will doubtless test to its lteapacity, if not
entirely outstrip, not only the agricultUtLcilities of the
Colony, but of the entire territory.
CHAPTER V.
PRESENT CONDITION OF UNION COLONY.
From the month of May down to the present date, the
growth of Greeley has been steadily progressive. Scarcely
a day has passed but some member of the colony has arrived on the ground, selected his lots and lands, and set
about erecting a home for himself and his family. Some,
unable at present to remain, have located their claim and
gone East, intending to return in the spring with their
families. By May, 1871, there is not a doubt but that the
full number of colonists holding certificates of membership will be on the ground, their present and their future
interests all fully identified with Greeley. Success, therefore, seems assured. We have no soil to "subdue" in the
sense generally used by Western pioneers. We have but
to ask, and the fruitful earth, waiting this call for centuries, yields from her abundance more than we ask. The
wand of Fortunatus is at our command. We have but to
wave it, and gather in "the abundant harvest of reward."
As can easily be imagined, the current of our prosperity
has not always run smooth. Twice have the waters been
troubled by the spirits of discontent, disaffection and
doubt. But the deep under-current of popular sentiment
dormant so long as danger did not menace, has ever
proven able to guide the good ship UNION through the
storm that swept around it.
Late in the' month of May last, the first disaffection
came to the surface in a motion requesting the then acting ofiees to resign, Prompt came the response, and on




30
June 13th, an election was held for a new Executive Committee. It resulted in the choice of a majority of the old
board to serve in the new, including the old President,
Vice-President and Secretary, by a vote so decisive that
the growlers were completely routed, " horse, foot and dragoons."  The strength of the colonial organization was
tested, and it resulted in showing by conclusive proof that
we were not a " myth" only, but had " a local habitation
and a name."
During the month of June a Board of Education was
appointed at a colony meeting, to provide for the educational needs of tLe town.  It consisted of Nathan C.
Meeker, J. H. Pinkerton, William E. Pabor, A. J. Wilber,
John R. Long. A subscription list was at once started,
as it was found that the school, for the summer session at
least, must be supported by voluntary, contributions.
Early in July a small building, furnished by the colony,
and capable of holding about fifty scholars, was formally
opened, with Mrs. V. R. Guiney, of Urbano, Ohio, as
teacher. Her report, submitted to the Board of Education at the close of the summer session ending September
29th, showed as follows: Number of scholars enrolled, fifty-four; averag6 daily attendance, thirty-seven; number
of days taught, sixty-two. Branches taught: Reading,
Writing, Spelling, Geography, Arithmetic, English Grammar, Object Lessons, MIental Exercises. We quote:  " It
will be seen by this statement that the daily attendance
was large. We labored under many difficulties in organizing a school, from the fact that the children were strangers, bringing a variety of text books, and for weeks we had
but two Spellers, six different series of Readers,'and as
many different Arithmetics and English Grammars. From
such a medley of confusion, we succeeded in establishing
order and good feeling among the children, and we trust
also in obtaining the approval of the parents."
On the first of September two prizes for the best improvement in reading were'offered by Wm. E. Pabor, of
the Board of Education. One, a copy of the "Swiss
Family Robinson," in words of one syllable, to be awarded




31
to the best reader under eight years of ago. I The other, a
copy of Webster's High School Dictionary, to the best
reader over eight and under fourteen years of age. At the
close of the session the first prize was awarded to Miss
Nellie Ruthven, and the second to Master Charles W.
Pinkerton.
As regards educational facilities during the winter season, we can state that arrangements have been made for
the establishment of three schools, to be supported by a
county school fund. These will come under the supervision of the regular District School Board of Weld County,
assisted by an advisory board selected by the Executive
Council of the colony, and will amply supply the needs of
the town during the winter, A private school for youth
of both sexes has been established by Mr. Edgar Strunk,
late a principal of one of the public schools in New
York City. In the spring we shall probably be formed
into a separate school district, and will then elect our
own board of directors. An enumeration taken October
1st showed one hundred and seventy-nine children in
Greeley between the ages of five and twentyone years.
We add in this connection that there are three reserved
plots of land set aside for school buildings, in addition to plots for seminary and other educational purposes.
June 18th, 1870, will be memorable as the natal day of
the first child born in the new settlement. The happy parents were Herbert and Agnes Dickinson, and the child
was appropriately named HORACE GREELEY DICKINSON. It
is understood that the Board of Trustees, who stood sponsors to the young babe, deeded a town residence lot
in trust to his parents, for the benefit and use of the new
comer.
The first Fourth of July in Greeley, of course, was appropriately celebrated. Every heart beat high and fast
with enthusiasm. A committee of arrangements prepared
the following programme:
OPFICERS OF THE DAY —President: N. C. Meeker. Grand Marshal: General
B. A. Cameron.
At sunrise the National flag to be floated from the pole on the town plaza.
On the arrival of the excursion trains from Denver and Cheyenne a proces



32
sion to be formed, headed by the Ninth Infantry Band from Fort Russell, and
marched to Island Grove Park, where the following exercises are t take place:
Opening Prayer by Rev. Wm. Baxter.
Singing, " My country,'tie of thee," by the Greeley Glee Club.
Reading Declaiation of Independence by Hon. E. C. Monk.
Music by the Band.
National Ode, written by William E. Pabor. Read by James G. Cooper.
Singing, " Star-Spanrgled Banner," by the Glee Club.
Oration by General E. M. Lee, of the Wyoming Iribune.
Music by the Band.
Doxology by the entire company.
Benediction by Rev. Wm. H. Schell.
The above programme was very generally carried out.
Large numbers of visitors were with u's, and the day was
truly a gala day'for Greeley.  In the evening there was a
gorgeous display of fireworks, and a ball concluded the
entertainment.
Through July and August an era of quiet enabled the
officers of the colony to conduct their business in good order and to the satisfaction of all concerned. Colonists
generally engaged in cultivating the soil and constructing
houses for themselves and their families. But early in
September some' discontent arose in reference to the nonappearance of a report upon the finances of the colony;
and&at a meeting held for that purpose, a Committee of
Examination was appointed to audit all the accounts of
the colony, and report in full its financial condition. The
meeting named as such committee: William E. Pabor, E.
T. Nichols, David Boyd, James H. Johnson, William
Foote.  One week of careful and thorough research enable'd the committee to present a detailed statement of
the affairs of the colony. The accounts were found to be
substantially correct; exhibits were prepared, showing
the amounts paid for specific purposes, and a very satisfactory report presented. We quote: Cash assets to date,
of examination, $100,160.14. Cash payments: Original
cost of land, $61,882.68; survey of land, $1,804.15; cost of
Ditch No. 3, $5,966.24; cost of bridges, $263.59; survey
of Ditch No. 2, $453.67; fuel, shelter and  sundries,
$3,125.31; expense account to July 9th, $1,198.39; cost
of town survey, $762.45; town improvements, $2,557.05;




33
tree account, $1,490.90; Town Hall, $1500; New-York
general expense account, $2,595.41; Greeley general expense account, $3,819.38; sundries, $395.65. An inventory
of colony property, aside from  the lands still owned,
showed in favor of the colony to the amount of $3,640.00.
The finances of the colony at the date of this writing (October 25th) show a balance in the hands of the Treasurer
of $9,038.66. Amount due from colonists for town lots
and water rights attached to eighty acre tracts, and payable between date and April 5th, 1871, $34.985. From this
must be deducted the cost of building Ditch No. 2, the
contract for which, in thirteen sections, amounting to
twenty-six miles; was given out about August 27th, at an
estimated cost of $20,000. This ditch, capable of irrigating some fifty thousand acres of land, is progressing
rapidly, and under contract to be finished by January 1st,
1871.
During the month of September, the second "upheaving of the waters" occurred in the history of the colony.
A movement, originally organized to place the Board of
Trustees in possession of its legal rights, as defined by the
Act of Incorporation, and make the Executive Committee
an advisory and initiatory body, passed out of the hands of
those initiating it, and during a period of excitement resulted in the passage of resolutions calling upon the Board
of Trustees and the members of the Executive Committee
both to resign. This each promptly did, and a new election, held October 5th, resulted in the choice of the present Board of Trustees and the Executive Council of
twelve; four of the latter body sitting in joint session with
the former. These now act in harmony with each other.
The statistics that follow are compiled from the official
records of the colony, and therefore, at this date (October
25th), are authentic and reliable. Persons abroad who design visiting or locating here will see at a glance the
prospect before them, and can act accordingly.
Business lots in town................ 520
Resident    "................. 673
3




34
Reserved for churches, schools, town hall, seminary,
court house and other public purposes, 277.
Of business lots, none remain unlocated. That is to
say, they are all held on certificates by members of the
colony. All claims not improved by April 5th, 1871, lapse
back to the colony on refunding the amount originally
paid for membership. On some of these a business lot
may have been taken, and eventually be thrown open to
those who have not secured one.
Of resident lots, sixty-three are unlocated, and therefore open to new comers. These comprise all the lots
proper in the town of Greeley not taken up. They are
mainly in the east and north section of the town, and are
desirable locations for residence.
Of outlying tracts yet open for selection, there are as
follows:
13 blocks of about 41 acres each.
56 plots of 5 acres each.
85   "   10    "
23   "  20    "
21   "   40    "
to be taken, one:on each certificate of membership.
Of government and railroad lands under Ditch No. 2,
now in process of construction, there are open to colonists
under certain specified conditions the following:
6 lots of 10 acresreach.
21   "  20      "
59   "  40 
101   "  80 
We desire to call the special attention of all who contemplate casting in their future lot with us, to the desirableness of ithe lands to be irrigated by this ditch. So
many thousands of acres of a quality unsurpassed in the
world in one location, present an opportunity seldom offered to farmers. A town market at home, and quick railroad communication east and west, these farming lands
can be made the homes of hundreds of thriving families.




385
Stock, too, can run at large and have an unlimited range
of pasture over and outside this ditch.
In addition to the above, the Board of Trustees hold a
charter for Ditch No. 1 capable of irrigating over 200,000
acres. These lands are government and railroad lands,
and are actually controlled by the colony.
If other evidences of growth are needed than those we
have already given, we call attention to facts and figures
such as these.
There are built, or in process of building, in the town
and immediate vicinity, three hundred and fifty-two
houses, from one-story adobe, or humble frame, to the more
pretentious cottage or mansion, including several blocks of
adobe, with brick fronts. A bank building of concrete is
occupied by a firm doing a successful business, and there
are seventeen stores of various kinds; also three blacksmith and wagon shops, three lumber yards, one printing
office and one livery stable.  November 16th the first
number of the Greeley Tribune, edited and published by
N. C. Meeker, made its appearance.
The amount of freight received here from May 6th to
October 15th foots up nine million eight hundred and fifty-three thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight pounds,
on which has been paid $25,925.82. The number of cars
average, both unloaded and despatched, fifty per month.
For these statistics we are indebtea to E. H. Abbott, Esq.,
freight agent of the Denver Pacific Railway at this place.
The two lumber yards transacting business in this place
show an exhibit of sales of lumber amounting to one million one hundred and ninety-two thousand feet. To this
must be added a large amount of lumber brought from the
mountains by private parties.
The colony hall is in Exchange Place, and was projected
during the turbulent times of the month of May; it is one
of the best structures in the town, and the upper part of
the building, by a contract between its owner and the
Board of Trustees, is held by them for the sole use of the
colony for two years, when it reverts back to the owner
under certain specified conditions.




There are in thetown of Greeley two of the best water
powers in the country-one of them capable of driving
both a woolen and a grist mill or a paper mill; the otter,
one of either; while above the town there are innumerable water powers only awaiting the advent of enterprise,
ability and capital to set the wheels of industry in motion.
All along the banks of the Cache-la-Poudre we hope soon
to see the evidence that our internal resources are in active
development, and to hear the hum of traffic resounding
up and down the mountain road.
As an evidence of the literary tendencies of our community, we record the fact that 115 New York Weekly
Tribunes are taken; 63 Rocky Mountain News, 35 Colorado Tribunes, and over 200 miscellaneous papers, published
all over the country. The highest number of letters sent
out from the post-office in any one day was 253, and $312
worth of stamps were sold during the quarter ending Oct.
1st. This would give about ten thousand dollars for that
period. We have a post-office that would put to the blush
towns that number thrice the years that we do months. It
has 350 private boxes, of which two-thirds are rented.
Two mails are received and sent each day in the week to
all points of he country.
Our railroad communication with the East, now that
the Kansas Pacific is completed to Denver, is now complete. We have choice of a northern and southern route
to and from the East, and a person can step in the cars
here, and in four days land in New-York city, making but
three changes of cars on the route. The Denver Pacific,
connecting at one end with the Union Pacific, and at the
other with the Kansas Pacific, thus gives us ready and
prompt communication with all points. We will also soon
be a junction town, the new road projected from Pine
Bluffs to Ralston, six miles below Golden City, being a
continuation of the Colorado Central, striking Greeley on
the south. This road will be of immense advantage to us,
giving us close connection with the coal mines at Boulder
and also a market in the mining regions for the agricultural products of our glorious valley.




37
As may not be generally known to the public, the Union
Colony was founded on temperance principles. The first
call of Mr. Meeker stated that those with whom he would
be willing to associate must be temperance men. Experience has shown us how difficult it is to wholly ward off
the insidious wiles of the tempter; we have had some
trouble, but the policy of the colony has been so determined, and its members have been so prompt and efficient in carrying out the principles embodied in our constitution, that we fear no danger; the town of Greeley is
now and is to be a temperance town. In each and every
deed given for land there is inserted this clause, " that it
is expressly agreed between the parties hereto, that intoxicating liquors shall never be manufactured, sold or given
away in any place of public resort as a beverage, on said
premises; and that in case any one of these shall be broken or violated, this conveyance, and everything herein
contained shall be null and void."
A stringent policy has been adopted in reference to the
sale of liquors for medicinal purposes, and no druggist is
allowed to dispense such as medicine without authority
and under strict regulations. The Executive Council appoints such agents as seem desirable, and none are allowed to keep even the "bitters" so popular for medicinal
purposes elsewhere. These are wholly interdicted.
CHAPTER VI.
CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, SOCIETIES, &C., &C.
Of societies, churches and kindred organizations, there
are no lack, as will be seen from the lists we append:
METHODIST CHURCH.-Thirty-five members. Organized
August. Dr. J. S. Scott, Class leader: E. Annise, Steward. Regular services in Colony Hall. Rev. Mr. Brooks,
Circuit Preacher. Church lot 100x190, located on Pine




38
street, between Jackson and Grant streets, donated by
the colony.
BAPTIST CHURCH.-Society only, organized July 24th.
E. J. Nichols, Russell Fisk, J. F. Sanborn, Trustees. Rev.
Samuel Brown, of Loda, Ill., to assume pastoral charge in
the spring of 1871. Church lot 100x190, located on Chestnut street, between Monroe and Adams streets, donated
by the colony.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.-Ten members. Organized August 21st. L. W. Teller, Presiding Elder. L. Hanna, J.
Lemmon, Harvey Platt, Deacons. Services in Colony
Hall.  Church lot, 100x190, located on Spruce street,
between Monroe and Adams streets, donated by the
colony.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.-Thirty-seven members. Organized September 1st. J. L. Dunham, Moderator. C. L.
Nettleton, Stephen Spencer, Deacons. William E. Pabor,
Clerk and Treasurer. Services in Colony Hall. Church
lot, 100x190, located on Chestnut street, between Monroe
and Adams, donated by the colony.
FIRST COVENANTER SOCIETY OF GREELEY.-Organized in
September, 1870. Members of the Society, 40. J. H. Pinkerton, Samuel Ferris, John Adams, Charles McElvey, J.
S. Simmon, Trustees. Church lot, 100x190 on Spruce
street, between Jefferson and Madison, deeded by the colony.
OCCIDENTAL LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.-Fifty members. Preliminary arrangements have been made
for obtaining a charter and organizing a lodge. A hall
has been leased for a lodge room, and a city lot donated
by John R. Long, Esq., on which to erect a masonic temple. F. L. Child has been elected Master. E. W. Gurley,
senior Warden. Henry Lee, Junior Warden.




39
UNION CHOIR.-Organized June 20th.  27 members.
Leader, J. L. Dunham; Organist, E. L. Dunham. Twelve
lady members; ten sopranos, two altos, ten bass and
five tenors. The choir meets weekly for practice, use
the Jubilate of Dr. Emerson, and conduct the choral
services for the three denominations, holding regular meetings-Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian.
GOOD TEMPLARS.-La Poudre Lodge No. 29, of Greeley
Independent Order of Good Templars, instituted August
22d. P. S. Milliner, Special Deputy. Eighty-four members. Meets weekly with the following officers: F. L.
Childs, W. C. T.; Mrs. E. B. Annis, W. V. T.; W. W.
Prugh, W. S.; F. M. Babcock, W. F. S.; Miss Amanda
Hanna, W. T.; S. B. Wright, W. M; Jno. Clark, W. C.;
Miss Mattie Baxter, W. I. G.; James Lackey, W. A. G.;
Miss Fanny Guiney, W. A. S.; Mrs. B. F. Childs, W. D.
M.; Mrs. Emma Hall, W. R. S.; Miss Gussie Nichols, W.
L. S.; J. Herbert Jones, W. W. C. S.
THE GREELEY UNION SUNDAY ScHooL.-Organized on
the third Sunday in May, 1870. A temporary board of
officers served until the last Sunday in June, when an
election was held and the following persons chosen:
Superintendent, J. Herbert Jones; Assistant Superintendent, E. B. Annis; Secretary, A. L. Wait; Treasurer,
Fred. Feezer; Librarian, L. W. Teller; Teachers, H. M.
Law; C. L. Nettleton; L. W. Teller; E. B. Annis; Mrs.
Mary F. Wright; Mrs. Mattison; Miss Mary Meeker;
Miss Ella Fisk; Miss West. Present membership one
hundred; average attendance eighty.
GREELEY SILVER CORNET BAND.-C. W. Sanborn, LeaderThirteen pieces-two drums-two cymbals. Cost $775.
Bought of Lyon and Healey, Chicago; made originally
for their show case window. The finest set of instruments
outside of the manufactory at Boston,




40
GREELEY LYCEUM —Organized October 22d, E.W. Gurley,
President; A. J. Wilber, Vice President; W. Edgar
Strunk, Secretary; N. C. Meeker, Treasurer. First public discussion on the evening of October 27th, in Colony
Hall.