Editoiral Correspondence.
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Editoiral Correspondence.

Editoiral Correspondence.

                                                                DENVER, September 28th 1864.
    Dear Journal:--Your correspondent has just returned from a short visit in the country, and gives it as his opinion that the crop raised the past season is sufficient to sustain the people of the Territory for six months. So that there need be no fear of a famine, whether the Indian blockade be raised or not. Mr. Douty on the Boulder, has his flouring mill nearly ready for operation; it only awaits the completion of a few castings. He has the name of making an excellent article of flour; the best manufactured in the Territory. Mr. Smith of this place has removed his mill from the bottom to the acequia on the plateau, between town and Camp Weld, and it is now run by water power. Another large flouring mill is being erected in that vicinity. Mr. D. Barnes, formerly of Russell Gulch, has a flouring mill on Bear Creek, said to be now turning out 100 sacks of flour per day. Dave made a sale on the Clay County, last winter. The old institution of Colorado City is playing successfully, the wheat crop is good, though it brings ten cents per pound, and I do not think an excessive price for of flour need be feared during the Winter. Corn was nearly consumed by the grasshoppers, who have now gone over the Range, where it is to be hoped they will freeze dead.
    I passed the furnace at Belmont on South Boulder, belonging to Messrs. Langford & Co. They are now firing it for the third time, the hearth being constructed of fire clay. Strong hopes are entertained of success at last. If they are again defeated, 'tis the intention to bring material for a hearth from America. The parties engaged in the enterprise deserve to succeed as a reward for their perseverance. The location is elegant, about four miles from the base of the mountains, among the foot-hills where coal and iron ore abound. Enough iron was run out in the Summer to prove its quality, and, if iron maintains its present high figures in the States, this is bound to be a paying institution in the end. As one of the most important bases of the material greatness of any country, all will rejoice to see it developed in Colorado.
    The most interesting item of news in town, is the arrival of Major Wynkoop with seven or eight Cheyenne and Arapahoe chiefs, and four white prisoners, whom they had captured from trains on the Platte. The way of it in brief was this: Lt. Hawkins, coming up from Ft. Larned with some discharged soldiers of the "First," brought into Lyon three Indians having in their possession letters from the chiefs of the Arapahoe and Cheyenne tribes, directed to Major Colley and Col. Bent, which letters stated that the Indians wished to turn their white prisoners over to their friends, and to make peace. Major Wynkoop in command of the Post, together with the officers and men, concluded to go to the Indian village with such force as they could muster, and endeavor to secure the prisoners. About 120 men were collected, and they reached the Indian camp in four days' travel. The Indian braves outnumbered our men at least four to one, and it was only by the firmest bearing that our troops were carried through and the desired result obtained, without collission. A very stormy Council occurred, and continued off and on for two or three days; finally the Indians gave up these four white prisoners, and agreed to go with our force to hold a conference with Gov. Evans, in relation to concluding peace. Maj. Wynkoop merely assured them of safe conduct to the Governor and back to their tribes should their efforts for peace prove ineffectual. The Indians claimed that they had not sought the war--that some of their uncontrollable young men had run off some stock, whereupon their squaws and children had been murdered by Major Downing at Cedar Canyon and their chiefs killed under a flag of truce by Lieut. Eayres on the Smoky Hill--that then they went for revenge and had taken it, etc., etcetera. The chiefs will be here to-morrow under escort.
    A very handsome Regimental flag and guidons for the companies were presented to the 3d Regiment, yesterday, by Colonel Chivington, in the name of the ladies of Denver. Col. Shoup replied in a neat, appropriate speech, thanking the ladies for the interest they had manifested, promising never to surrender the colors into the hands of foes of any color or race, and then, he explained to the men the difficulty in procuring an outfit, and assured them they would not be detained in camp a moment after that outfit was obtained, etc. With three cheers for the ladies, three for the Governor and Colonel commanding, and three for their Regimental Colonel, the boys marched back to camp, very like some other boys I remember did, three years ago.
    I met "Dornick" this morning and he gave me the following election news from the Park. Park County polled 179 votes, 77 for the constitution, and 100 against. The Park County soldier vote (3d Regiment,) was almost unanimously anti-State. Summit County gave a majority of 23 against the constitution. The Representatives elect are Hopkins, (anti,) and Lynch, (State.)
    Lynch was supported by both parties. Lake county gives a majority of 50 against the constitution. "Corduroy" is quiet; so is "Miner in the Cap." Nothing is heard of Major Lindslay's laying a Spanish Grant, or a Revolutionary Pension, or a wet blanket on the Southern mines to take them, or even of taking the country with the ace of clubs. O tempore!
    I have seen officers from the South. At Larned, many refused to vote entirely. There were about 500 votes cast there and at Lyon, a great majority of which was undoubtedly for the constitution. There is nothing authentic from the 2d Regiment. Coaches are starting regularly from both ends of the route. Tyler's Company will be in tomorrow, and will probably be disbanded. Did you observe "Jehosaphat" in the News? A heavy and pointed "individual," is he not? Such is my private opinion. Truly yours,
                                                                                        OVANDO.


Source:

Hollister, Ovando, "Editoiral Correspondence," Daily Mining Journal, Black Hawk City, Gilpin County, Colorado, Thursday, 29 September, 1864, page 1.

Created March 24, 2007; Revised March 24, 2007
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