Here is another installment of news from Baca County July 23, 1897. More perspective on 1897 news in Baca County. The storm discussed in Minneapolis must have been doozy. Check out the price of bicycles and the Article on War Balloons. Again there was only local news on the last page with Homsher’s store being the only local ad. The Hires Root Beer ad sounds cold and tasty…but I had no idea it”tones the stomach.” There was a note on there being six Revolutionary War widows still alive and maybe the most interesting to me an ad for the University of Notre Dame.
Minneapolis Items.
By the government rain gauge at Minneapolis station, 3.16 inches of rain fell in 1 hr. 30 min., last Saturday evening. The rain was accompanied by wind and hail which did much damage to crops, gardens, window glass, chickens and turkeys. Stock was well peppered but none that we have learned of was killed. The prairie looked like a sea for quite a while after the storm ceased. The wind broke the surface into waves which were made beautiful by the setting sun. Twenty four hours after the storm was over drifts of hail still remained in which were hailstones large as walnuts. The largest hail fell on Minneapolis, Herbert ranch, Crill ranch and south east to the Henneberg ranch and the Falk crop on the north side of Horse Creek. Also on the Minter place occupied by W. J. White.The windmill was blown down. East of the area the hail was smaller, although in great abundance and falling for an hour did not accomplish such destruction. Many prairie dogs lie dead on “dog town prairie.” All over the prairie are dead birds, rabbits, and snakes. The big rain of one week previous followed by this down pour has so thoroughly saturated the ground! that farmers anticipate a rapid recovery and growth of crop and a good harvest. Some are planting more garden.
While Theme Bayley had little or no hail, Buffalo creek raged through his place carrying away his garden fence and left no trace of his garden.
Ashcraft Bros, are hauling their broom corn to Syracuse this week. Numerous loads of cedar posts passed here this week on the way to Kansas. Some of the men are hauling them to their homes m Grant county.
Lewis Brooks has about recovered from injuries received by being thrown from his cart a month or more ago. Occasional. Miss Effie Yowell, of Stonington Colo, visited in our city several days this week.—Johnson Journal.
Mr. Jessup and his force of men were in from the Carriso mining district this week after provisions, returning Tuesday. They are going down on one of the claims and brought in some nice ore. — Las Animas Democrat.
The following preamble and resolution was adopted by the county commissioners at July meeting That whereas it appears from the present assessment that the taxable property of Baca county has very materially decreased in the total amount, and that the floating debt (outstanding warrants), of the county is now $500 greater than at this time last year, showing conclusively that if same salaries of officers be continued, the indebtedness of the county will be still greater in comparison in another year, and ultimately end in the dissolution of our organization, (which we consider would be a calamity) now therefore: Be it resolved, by the board of county commissioners on this the 10th day of July ’97, that from and after July 1st, 1897, we agree to work for said county in our official capacity for $3.00 per day and mileage, and will continue to perform our work for said amount until the revenue of the county shall be such that no deficiency shall exist by receiving the full amount allowed by law, or until recinded or otherwise changed, and we request all officers of the county and others who perform work for it, to make a like reduction from their fees and salaries till the receipts of the county will meet the expenditures, without materially raising the rate of taxation. Signed, Thos. H. Godwin, E. Hall.
L. F. Mathews with his wife, baby and mother returned from Colorado Springs Monday noon. Their many friends in Baca county are glad to see them back.
Local and Personal.
Frank Dober of Vilas, was in town Wednesday.
Chas. F. Copeland went to Lamar, this morning. N. I Bray brought in a load of freight from Lamar, this week. W. H. Denney went to Syracuse Kansas, this week alter a load of freight. A. C. Curtis of Horse creek was attending to business in town yesterday.
Lewis Brooks has been appointed postmaster at Minneapolis, vice Mary. Herbert, resigned.
The school board in the Springfield district held a meeting Monday and decided to employ Erving Konkel to teach the school the coming winter.
Felix Cain of Butte Creek was was in town Wednesday. While here he rented a house of E. F. Martin, and will move his family to town this fall in order to send his children to school. The harvest of cedar wood is on Emil Lepel, W. J. Konkel and R. D. Nance from the southeast part of the county.
Stegelman, Thomas and Ward of this vicinity all got in loads this week.
Jas. W. Wilson returned Saturday. coming from his eastern trip. While away he spent his time principally in Eastern Kansas, Western Missouri and Pennsylvania. The one thing he chiefly comments on is the complaint of hard times that he heard. The farmers in the neighborhood where he was raised are three-fourths of them heavily mortgaged, with no prospects of ever liquidating their debts.
Rev. J. Copeland was 80 years old Monday. He is spry and active and can do a full day’s work at many kinds of labor. He still continues to carry the mail from here to Minneapolis, and knocks off 150 miles each week on these trips, using a one horse cart to ride in. He uses no spectacles, although a great reader, and never indulges in tobacco nor liquor, and little if any tea and coffee, he bids fair to reach the century mark.
A hail, rain and wind storm in the southeastern part of the county last Saturday afternoon destroyed the Plymouth church house a building of S. J. Konkel’s, part ot the stable, and windmill belonging to R. D. Nance, and the crops of Jake Haney and Charles Gaskill.
One man caught out in the storm says the water and hail were knee deep on the level prairie. He had probably been hit in the eye with a hailstone.
Springfield, Colo., July 19th ’97. I am instructed by the W. R. C. to make the following statement: That any sick person not having competent care taken may apply to the Relief Committed of that order and they will be cared for. It matters not whether they be men or women; whether they have money or otherwise. If they are able and willing to pay it will be received by the Corps and used benevolently, if not able the care will be free. They have a room which can speedily be made ready, and the applicant will be removed to it and taken good care of as long as necessary. Mrs. Cole and Mrs. Allen are Committee for Springfield, Mrs. Smart and Mrs. Oxenreider for the north district, Mrs. North for the south east and Mrs. Wardell for the south west. C. C. Copeland, Press Correspondent.
