EAST OF THE GREAT MOUNTAIN - 1873

Post copyright by Doris McCraw/Angela Raines-author


East of the Great Mountain and West of the Sun
Helen’s Colorado Springs 1873

Helen Hunt Jackson

In 1873 Helen Hunt arrived in Colorado Springs. This was ten years after the death of her husband in 1863 followed by her two children in 1854 and 1865 respectively. That arrival and subsequent observations became part and parcel of her essay “Colorado Springs” published in August of 1874 in the New York Independent approximately nine months after her arrival in town.

So what was really happening in this town that she wrote about?

At the time Colorado was still a territory with S. H Elbert as the territorial governor and M.A. Shaffenburg as the United States Marshall.

We know the town had a population of around three thousand. The town was “governed by the following trustees.”: Matt. France, W. H. Macomber, C.T. Barton, A. H. Weir and J. T. Wilson. They even had a town herder by the name of Thomas Hughes.

As Helen says in her essay “it might be said that three years ago the town of Colorado Springs did not exist….that it is also known as “The Fountain Colony””…. Helen felt that The Fountain Colony was a better name for, “ there is not a spring of any sort whatever in the town...” The trustees of the Fountain Colony as she stated in the essay, were “men of means, position, and great executive ability.” (It should be noted the city and the Fountain Colony trustees were separate entities) The Fountain Colony Board consisted of: Gen. Wm. J. Palmer, President, Henry McAlister, Jr., Executive Director, Gerald De Coursey, Secretary, Wm. P. Mellen, Treasurer, M.L. DeCoursey, Assistant Treasurer. The Trustees: Wm. J. Palmer, Dr. Robert H. Lamborn, Col. Josiah C. Reiff, Col. W. H. Greenwood, Wm. P. Mellen and the Chief Engineer, E. S. Nettleton. Furthermore she states these men are, “enthusiasts in their determination to exert their controlling power in the right direction.”

One of those directions was in the “contest of wills” between them and the liquor dealers/manufacturers. This contest appears to have gone on for some time and in 1873 at the time of Helen’s arrival the town was trying yet again to deal with the liquor issues. .

This is the only mention of the growth pangs of the town. She then moves onto a description of the scenery in and around the town. But there was so much more going on in the area.

View of Garden of the Gods and Glen Eyrie (Palmer's Home)

In August of that year there was discussion and later voting on whether to retain Colorado City as the county seat or move it to Colorado Springs. The results of the voting: Colorado Springs became the new county seat of the county of El Paso, in the territory of Colorado. This change would eventually help fulfill the vision of men like Gen. Palmer and others who were called by Helen, “enthusiasts in their faith in the future of the region.”

The financial crisis of 1873 also touched Colorado Springs. At the end of October of that year the bank of Wm. B Young & Co. had to suspend operations due to the drains on the deposits of the bank. This was the result of the financial panic in part caused by the failure of Henry Crews and Company of New York. At the same time the “El Paso County Bank” was opened. The men who formed this banking house were: W. S. Jackson, who was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Denver & Rio Grande Railway as well as Mr. Wolfe, Mr. White and Mr. Goodrich. (This is the same W. S. Jackson that became Helen’s second husband.)

Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region received a boost with the Signal Corps deciding to place a signal station on the top of Pikes Peak. The local paper would print the readings that were taken at the top of the mountain. The Colorado Springs Company also purchased from a Mr. Nat Colby the entrance to Cheyenne Canyon, so that “the enjoyment of its beauties may be assured to visitors for all time.”

Although not mentioned directly in the Colorado Springs essay Helen would speak at length about Cheyenne Canyon.

North Cheyenne Canyon

One of the last events that happened that year was the death of Judge Baldwin. His death on November 3 created a mystery that is still unsolved to this day. (His body was found in a well and the circumstances were not conclusive as to whether it was foul play or accident.) This may have occurred just before or around the time Helen arrived in Colorado Springs.

Regardless of the events, both positive and negative, as Helen stated in her essay “for those alone whom I might possibly win to love Colorado Springs as I love it, I repeat that it is a town lying east of the Great Mountain and west of the sun." Helen continued to experience and love this city at the foot of Pikes Peak as a place of both beauty and growth for the remainder of her life.

Updated reprint from a copyrighted post in 2010 by Doris A. McCraw

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Doris also writes haiku posted five days a week at :http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com (fourteen short of one thousand posted haikus as of 11/1/2015)

DEVIL, ANGEL, HEAVEN, HELL? and a GIVEAWAY BY DORIS MCCRAW/ANGELA RAINES

I confess, I'm not a fan of Halloween or horror, unless it's the film "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte" or the television show "Supernatural". I've been called names because I don't like chocolate, so go ahead and say I'm a bit strange. You will not get any argument there. I know I'm strange because when I was about six, I saw a tiger lying across from my bed. The family was adding to the house and there was company. My parents were showing off the new addition and my brother and I were in the bunk beds in the kitchen and there was this tiger lying there looking at me. Later, after the addition was done, I had a robed person stand at the end of my bed. I will point out, at no time was I frightened. Go figure!



I also grew up with books and stories of miracles, angels and choices. So when the story "Angel of Salvation Valley" popped into my head I ran with it. To explain how the pieces fit together, that's a bit harder. Let's just say, the stories of my youth and years spent working in the judicial system (think lock up) all conspired to play a part. So I hope you all will enjoy "Angel of Salvation Valley". Below is a bit of Halloween candy (I had to do that**GRIN**).Be sure to comment by October 20 for a chance to win a copy.

Excerpt: 

Luke had come at twilight and he'd missed dinner. His stomach was beginning to complain about the lost meal. As Harold walked in, Drew backed away, fearful the whole talk of getting out had been a set-up, and he was in for more punishment—torture, really. The look in Old Harold's eyes signaled to Drew he'd been correct in his assumption. The blood stain on the wall was a testimony to the reason for his apprehension. He waited for the other two to join Harold, but they were nowhere in sight.

"Here ya go boy. Knowed you missed your meal," Harold said.

Drew just stared, sure it had to be a trick.

 "Come on boy, it's a-gettin’ cold," Harold chided. "I he'ted it up fer ya."

"Just set it down, I'm not really hungry," Drew said, staring at the old man. Despite his hunger, this uneasiness he couldn't ignore.

 "Suit yerself, boy, I'll be back in a bit to get the dishes," Harold said as he left the cell, locking the door behind him.

Drew stared at the food, fearful of what might happen if he ate it. He didn't trust Harold. His whole world was being turned upside down. He stared out the window, just catching a glimpse of the first star. The window was the worst torture. He could see out, but the world was just beyond reach. It was cold in winter and hot in summer, but it had helped him to see the outside. Finally, hunger won out and he turned from the window. Taking his first bite, he knew he'd made a mistake.

Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Doris also writes haiku posted five days a week at (coming up on one thousand haikus):
http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com

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