All Entries Tagged With: "stories from the san Juan 1889"
DISPATCHES FROM THE SAN JUAN
(Late 19th Century tidbits and teasers)
Mears Accused of Bribery
(Lake City) Local entrepreneur, Otto Mears, was formally charged today with bribery in connection with an alleged buy-off of more than 150 Ute chiefs and assorted braves. The action was taken by representatives of the federal government.
According to the allegations Mears offered the Utes $2 each for the release of some 150,000 acres of land on the east side of the Continental Divide from the Gunnison River to New Mexico territory. The two dollar payments were to act as a substitute for more than $100,000 offered by the government, at a later date.
Said Mears: The Utes would rather have the small cash allotment now than wait for the larger amount later. He added that he had saved the United States $900,700 and that he should be thanked rather than punished.
The Russian immigrant/railroad builder has been under the scrutiny of the authorities before due to questionable dealings with the Red Mountain Toll Road and the Ophir Loop. His close friendship with Chief Ouray and his position as negotiator with the Utes may have won him release in the past but the current charges are being pressed by Mears’ detractors at the state and federal level. A trial date has not been set.
Mears has reportedly been in hiding at the King Solomon Mine grooming his herd of Rocky Mountain canaries for the spring assault.
CAVIAR, FAKE PALMS GREET ROYALTY
(Telluride) When the Duke of Marlboro and the Duchess of Kent arrive in Telluride next week they will experience red carpet treatment San Juan style. In addition to feasts and mining exhibitions planned for the stay, the two will be put up at the lavish Sheridan Hotel which boasts the only indoor plumbing facilities in the county.
According to the greeting committee made up exclusively of mine owner’s wives, the comfort facilities, which froze up last week, have been thawed out and are ready for the duke and duchess. In addition a measles quarantine, affecting most of the valley to San Miguel City, has been lifted.
Chinese and Irish populations in the town will be restricted to Catholic Hill and kept away from the royal couple. The authorities fear Fenian activity among the Irish miners and “just don’t want the Orientals around.” The Duke, British born, has vast holdings in Ireland.
“We will fetch the royal couple from Montrose and accompany them into town on the Galloping Goose,” said one committee member. “It’s the first time anyone like this has visited Telluride since the troubles started at the Smuggler last spring.
Meanwhile most of the men and several of the women in town are busy growing mustaches in apprehension of the event.
“Even though we’d rather have a king and queen of someplace we’ll take these two,” said local banker Charles Waggoner. “It’s all sort of a dry run for the summer anyway,” he smiled, “when we’ve invited 4000 Texas tourists for the Fourth of July celebration.”
Day Wins Dozen Libel Suits in Three Hours
(Ouray) David Frakes Day, editor of the controversial Ouray Solid Muldoon. was acquitted on all charges stemming from 12 separate libel suits filed since last February. The happy editor left the courthouse smiling and immediately returned to work on this week’s issue.
Winning in court is nothing new for Day who has faced legal challenges from the beginning of his illustrious career.
“He doesn’t like Republicans, nor mine owners, nor Utes, not upwardly mobile women,” said his attorney. “That doesn’t leave to many people around these parts. I expect to be busy with his legal representation into the next century.”
BULLY SHOT, KILLER SOUGHT
(Telluride) Marshal Jim Clark, arguably the most hated and feared man in town, was shot in the back last night while patrolling Colorado Avenue.
For years known as a sadistic gunman who beat up miners and harassed citizens for his own enjoyment Clark will be missed by his horse. Although the killer is at large, leaders in the town say they will begin a thorough search for same just as soon as they are finished celebrating.
Clark will be buried in the third shaft from the right at the Butterfly-Terrible Mine. No service has been scheduled.
Bunco Artist Barred From Town
(Silverton) Convicted con man, Soapy Smith, was kicked out of town Friday and warned never to return. The slippery crook was this time accused to bilking miners and watering down whiskey at his makeshift gambling hall.
Readers will remember Smith’s antics over in Creede (another town from which he is banned from visiting) last year. According to eye witnesses there Smith claimed to have unearthed what he called The Cardiff Giant, which he claimed was a petrified corpse, from the Commodore Mine. After charging residents to see the thing Smith sold it to a traveling carnival.
This most recent infraction reportedly had to do with Smith’s attempts to sell rare Indian head nickels, graced by the image of George Custer on the flip side.
“The only reason we don’t hang that scalawag is because he gave out free turkeys to the needy last Christmas,” said one marshal, “and he’s nice to his mother.”
Indians Raid Rico Again
(Rico) Bands of Ute warriors attacked this remote gold camp again last night, raising hell and stealing horses. No one was injured as residents boarded themselves up and the Utes seemed satisfied with starting a few small fires and making a lot of noise.
This is the third time this month the town has fallen under siege.
“It’s getting to be a regular Saturday night ordeal,” said Walen Marks, mayor of Rico. “Next time we’ll be ready for them.”
The residents of Rico have been careful not to overreact to the attacks. Many are concerned that if they anger the Utes the tribe will put a curse on their valley like they have already done to the San Miguel, the Uncompahgre, the South Fork and the Gunnison Valleys.
“We don’t need that kind of publicity,” said Marks.
compiled fom various local news sources 1887 – 1891
