Chronological Timeline of Stout History

Who was Stout named for?

What buildings remain, which were demolished, and which were removed (and where are they now?).

Maps of the area.

Geology of Stout Area

USGS Geological Survey Map – 1978 (large pdf)

USGS Geological Survey Map – 2018 (large pdf)

Chronological Timeline of Stout History

Pre-Recorded-History

“The Spring Canyon site (5LR205) is a multicomponent prehistoric campsite located in a foothills valley within Fort Collins, Colorado. It is one of the largest, most diverse sites in the northern Colorado foothills, possessing over 1,700 artifacts spanning Folsom to Late Prehistoric times. This study is a synthesis of existing research at the site that combines several informal and formal investigations starting in the late 1930s. These investigations document the presence of a diverse array of chipped and ground stone tools, diagnostic projectile points, obsidian from the northern Plains and Southwest, ceramics, and buried artifacts and features. It is concluded that the Spring Canyon site served as an important residential base camp for much of prehistory, and that further excavation would likely reveal buried archaeological deposits. The case is made that the Spring Canyon site, though heavily impacted by historic practices, remains a valuable asset for its archaeological merit and its potential focus for public outreach.” (“THE SPRING CANYON SITE: PREHISTORIC OCCUPATION OF A HOGBACK WATER GAP IN THE FOOTHILLS OF LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO,” SOUTHWESTERN LORE Oicial Publication, The Colorado Archaeological Society Vol. 82, No. 1, Spring 2016. Page 1.)

“The Spring Canyon site contains one of the largest, most diverse known archaeological assemblages in the foothills of the Colorado Front Range. It not only includes a large number of artifacts when compared to other sites in the region, but also possesses a diversity of tool types and projectile point styles spanning Folsom to Late Prehistoric times. These artifacts have been recovered from a mixed surface assemblage that emerged from a plowed field over a period of more than 75 years.”  “A diversity of subsistence and production activities occurred at the Spring Canyon site. These activities include hide processing with scrapers and edgeground cobbles, the production of projectile shafts with spokeshaves and shaft abraders, seed grinding with manos and grinding slabs, primary reduction of lithic materials from large bifacial cores, hunting with projectile points, preparing food with rock-filled hearths and ceramics, and a variety of other tasks performed with modified flake tools. In sum, the Spring Canyon site served as a large, residential base camp from which prehistoric foragers staged numerous tasks and maintained contact with distant people to the north and south.” (“THE SPRING CANYON SITE: PREHISTORIC OCCUPATION OF A HOGBACK WATER GAP IN THE FOOTHILLS OF LARIMER COUNTY, COLORADO,” SOUTHWESTERN LORE Oicial Publication, The Colorado Archaeological Society Vol. 82, No. 1, Spring 2016. Page 16.)

1862

In July, 1862, there was an Indian scare where a band of Utes snuck down from the hills and attempted to make off with several of the Sherwood brothers horses. This set everyone on edge and a short while later, as the Native wives of settlers in Laporte were picking berries, they were mistaken for Utes and set off another alarm. News spread quickly and Friday and his band set off immediately through Spring Canyon to battle the (non-existent) invaders. Unfortunately Friday’s band was also mistaken for Utes at that point. The next day they figured out what had happened (that the women had been misidentified) and everyone settled down. But the incident shows that the Spring Creek Canyon provided quick passage between the Fort Collins/Timnath area and the land where the Utes were residing.  (Story paraphrased from Ansel Watrous’s telling in the History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 47.) A similar, but different, story is told by Watrous on page 90 of his book. In this version, oxen were grazed in Spring Creek Canyon.

1867

“In 1867 he [Abner Loomis] gave up general farming and turned his attention to cattle raising, having already accumulated a herd of 200 head. That year he established a ranch at Spring canon and thenceforward for about 15 years he devoted the most of his time and attention to the cattle business.” (Watrous, Ansel. History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 405.)

1871

“In 1871 William N. Bachelder settled at Spring Canon with a bunch of sheep and he did so well with them that others engaged in the business….” (Watrous, Ansel. History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 135.)

“In the fall of 1871 I left my native state, Vermont, and came to Colorado to engage in wool growing. Larimer county was the first place I struck and when I settled I asked my host, Harry Conley, who then kept the hotel afterwards known as the Blake House, if he could show me a sheep ranch. ‘What do you want he replied?’ I said plenty of grass and water. He then pointed Spring Canon out to me. I drove out to Spring Canon that evening and laid the foundation for a house and sheep ranch. There were two bunches of sheep in the county at that time, one owned by Thomas Weldon on the Big Thompson, and one owned by E. W. Whitcomb on the Boxelder. I sold my brook washed wool the following spring for 60 cents a pound, and my unwashed wool for 40 cents a pound.” (William N. Bachelder as quoted by Watrous, Ansel in History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 135.)

Bachelder lived in Spring Canyon for about 20 years. (Watrous, Ansel. History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 338.)

1872

“In 1872 he [Jerry Thornton Beach] married Nellie Hewitt and shortly afterwards started for Fort Collins, which has since, with the exception of a few years spent in Wyoming, been his home. He stocked a ranch near Spring canon with sheep and laid the foundation for a competence, but in 1877 sold his ranch and sheep to Rogers & Moore and engaged in farming in Pleasant valley.” (Watrous, Ansel. History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 437.)

Herbert C. Beach, son of Jerry and Nellie, also worked on the ranch for seven years. (Watrous, page 438.)

1876

“William Mabel was born in December, 1858, in a log house in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; came to Fort Collins in 1876, spending first three years in Spring Canon as cow puncher; has since lived on Stover street ; brickmason ; married Annie Carroll, January 2nd, 1885, in Fort Collins; four children, Harriet, Laura G., Eva V. and Jessie C. Mabel; worked in oil fields of Pennsylvania before coming to Colorado; has invented a number of useful mechanical appliances.” (Watrous, Ansel. History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 289.)

1877

“Stephen A. Wathen has been In the stock business in Spring canon ever since making his home in Larimer county in 1877. He is a native of Kentucky, born in Hardin county in 1860. He married Lydia L. Bardwell July 15th, 1885, in Fort Collins. A daughter, Miss Norah, is their only child. He has a fine ranch in Spring canon and a choice bunch of cattle.” (Watrous, Ansel. History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 342.)

1879

“Messrs. Bradley, Custer & Co. of Denver, opened stone quarries at Dixon canon.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 14, 1879)

 1880

“With our magnificent water power and railway facilities; with a productive and fast developing farming country around us; with our inexhaustible quarries of valuable building stone; and with our unexcelled educational facilities, it depends upon ourselves only whether we shall stride forward to take our place among the leading cities of Colorado. Less than this should not content a citizen of Fort Collins.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 25, 1880)

“COLLINS’ QUARRIES What the Architects Say–The Stone the Best in the Country. A new and important enterprise has of late been developed in Collins, and one which promises to add materially to the commercial prosperity of the place. The Collins’ quarries are now making such a well deserved reputation that the following items which have been gleaned by a COURIER reporter will prove of interest to the public.
The quarries are situated about six miles from Collins, near the mouth of Spring Canyon, and about four miles from the Colorado Central track. There are at present three different kind of stone being got out, red and white sand stone and flagging. Of these the white sand stone, the latest discovery, promises to prove the most valuable, as it has been pronounced by Denver architects to be of a very superior quality. The firm of Hedderman Bond & Co. have at present about 50 men employed in getting out white sand stone and flagging. The white sand stone is used for trimmings and in some instances where buildings of an imposingappearances are required the whole front is built of this stone. The stone is of a creamy white color, easily worked, and by exposure attains a great impenetrability. The fine residence of Mr. Washburn, on Capitol Hill, Denver, is being built of this stone. The Tabor Opera house and the new Union depot will, in all probability, use the same, also several new blocks in Collins. The English Mortgage & Investment Co., under the management of Mr. Duff, are using large quantities and it is affirmed will shortly use no other. The red sand stone was used in the Windsor hotel, and by Mr. Avery in his handsome private residence on Mountain avenue. The flagging is also of a very superior description. The kitchen of the Windsor house has been paved with it, also large quantities have been shipped for street purposes. Hedderman Bond & Co. will increase their force of men as soon as they can acquire greater facilities for shipping. The side track used at present is about four miles from the quarries and requires enlarging in order to accomodate the increase of business. A very superior deposit of lime stone has been discovered in the same neighborhood and will be shortly worked by the firm of Miles & Co. These gentlemen intend producing about 100 bushels of lime per day, which they will be able to put down in Collins at 25 cents per bushel. In the course of the next month these firms will have from 75 to 100 men employed, all drawing their supplies from Collins, thus proving and important factor in our commercial advancement. This fine quality of stone and the great demand existing for it has induced further search and a number of claims are being taken up every week. There is no doubt that Collins has in these quarries a permanent bonanza.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 8, 1880)

“Notice to Sidewalk Builders. The undersigned will lay stone flagging sidewalk for 25 cents per square foot complete; this to include grading. The stone used are taken from the Eureka quarries. All dimensions of stone furnished on short notice and at reasonable rates. Leave orders with Pierre Bernard or with the subscriber. John G. Wirsching, 94-tf Fort Collins, Colo.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 15, 1880)

“It is claimed that Loveland stone is the best in the state, and that the new opera house at Denver will be built of stone front these quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 15, 1880)

“J. A. Clark, Esq., has opened a new stone quarry in the hills west of Dixon canon.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 29, 1880)

“–J. P. Campbell, Esq., went to Denver, on Tuesday, in the interest of his extensive stone quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 26, 1880)

“Several new barns are being built, and Mr. Flowers is hauling stone for a new stone residence.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 16, 1880)

1881

“W. N. Bachelder, S A. Miller, R. W. Bradley and J. J. Bradley, have formed a company to be known as the Fort Collins Flagstone Company, which purposes to engage in the quarrying and shipping of building and flaging stone. The company’s quarry is situated on the mountain three quarters of a mile west of Spring canon, and is reached by a double track tramway some five hundred feet in length. Two cars operated by windlass and wire rope will be used in transferring stone from the quarry to the foot of the mountain. This is an important enterprise, and we trust will prove highly successful.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 24, 1881)

“…. It is located in the midst of an excellent farming country, with apparently inexhaustible quarries of the best quality of building stone within six miles of the town, and a class of business men who have forgotten how to spell the word “fail.”….” (Fort Collins Courier, April 21, 1881)

“Application has been made to the town board by the Greely, Salt Lake and Western railway company for the right of way through town. The line of the railway as staked out enters town from the east by the way of Riverside avenue, leaving the same just east of the foundary; thence it winds around on the bluff to Willow street at Mason & Hottel’s mill, crossing Lincoln avenue between H. C. Peterson’s residence and the bridge; thence up the centre of Willow street and across College avenue and through between the residences of Mr. Jones and Mr. Secord to an intersection with the line of the Colorado Central railway, a little north of the elevator. From there it takes a north-westerly course, by way of LaPorte, to the canon. The line west of town, we understand, is not definitely located yet.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 19, 1881)

“The stone quarries in the vicinity of Collins are of sufficient extent to give employment to one thousand laborers for a long time. With a railroad on a water grade leading east there is no reason why Kansas and Nebraska should not draw largely on our quarries for building material.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 26, 1881)

“Mr. Wm. Cleborne, of the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific road, is in town with a party of engineers, who will at once cross section the lines recently run from town, east and west, and also the lines running to the extensive stone quarries west of town.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 23, 1881)

“The stone quarries near Fort Collins arc of sufficient extent to warrant the employment of thousands of dollars of capital and hundreds of laborers.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 7, 1881)

“Tbe Situation.
Tuesday evening Senator Rhodes received a telegram from General Manager Kimball stating that Mr. Newman, the right-of-way man for the Union Pacific railway company, would be in Fort Collins Thurday evening, and directing Mr. Rhodes to defer all further action relative to right of way through town for the Greeley, Salt Lake and Pacific railway, until his, Newman’s arrival. When Mr. Newman arrives the right of way question will, in all probability, be definitely settled without further difficulty or trouble. All the company asks of the town is just simply the right of way through the corporation. Certainly, not an unreasonable demand, and we feel assured that when the people fully understand the matter in its true light this fair and reasonable proposition will be readily conceded. The town cannot afford to refuse to grant this much and there is no disposition on the part of any citizen, so far as we can learn, to do so. All, without exception, favor it, and when Mr. Newman arrives the details will most likely be satisforily arranged. There are some sixty teams camped west of the depot, and about forty just east of town, together with a large force of men, all ready to commence work the moment the right of way question is settled. Men and teams are already at work along the line east of town, and Mr. Skeahan, the contractor, has a large force at work in the glade between Spring and Soldier canons, on the branch leading to the quarries. It is to be hoped that nothing will intervene to prevent active operations along the whole line, or to retard the work so auspiciously begun.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 4, 1881)

“The Eclipse Stone Quarry Company of Spring canon, is a new business firm recently organized for carrying on the business of quarrying all kinds of building and flagging stone. The company has one of the best quarries in this vicinity and, we are glad to learn, are rushed with orders from home and abroad for stone. The affairs of the company at the quarry are managed by our old friend, James Landells, who has entirely recovered his health and is making things fly in the foot hills.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 4, 1881)

Fort Collins Courier, October 13, 1881

“The New Railroad a Dead Sure Thing
The right of way through town for the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific Railway has been settled at last, some score or more of our most substantial citizens having given a written guarantee to pay all damages to property owners, together with cost of condemnation where the latter course had to be resorted to. A fund of nearly $5,000 was raised by subscription in a few hours, out of which the damages and expenses are to be paid. Contractors get their men and teams at work Saturday, both above and below town, and at this writing are making the dirt fly in dead earnest. Gangs of men and teams are scattered all along the line from Greeley to the canon, and in the glade leading from Pleasant Valley to the stone quarries. Sub-contracts covering about about three miles of the road have been let, and work is being pushed on each section. The foreman of the gang at work west of town told our reporter Tuesday, that he expected to finish his section in about six weeks. If all of them do as well, the cars of the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific railway company will be running through Fort Collins by the first of November. The committee, Messrs. A. F. Howes, A. L. Emigh, and T. J. Montgomery, selected by the citizens to arrange a settlement with damaged property owners, is having but little difficulty and the prospects are that in not more than one or two instances at most will the property have to be condemned. The enterprise of the citizens in so promptly taking hold of the matter and raising the sum necessary to secure the right of way, thereby securing the road, which cannot help proving an important adjunct to Fort Collins’ prosperity, is truly commendable.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 11, 1881)

“During the past week Batchelder & Co. have shipped eleven car-loads of stone, and the Buckhorn quarry has shipped three. There has been nine or ten shipped from Collins.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 25, 1881)

“A flagging and building-stone quarry upon the switch railroad for sale cheap. James W. Norvell.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 1, 1881)

“Agriculture not Alone the Source of Collins’ Prosperity. There’s Riches in the Quarries.
The question is often asked, by strangers, “What have you to support a town the size of Collins? and what do you rely on for future growth?” This thought is apparently uppermost in the minds of nearly all who visit this locality for the first time; and it is a thought that naturally recurs to one unacquainted with Colorado’s boundless resources. A stranger from the populous agricultural communities of the eastern states comes here and finds a lively, bustling town possessing undoubted evidence of thrift and prosperity, apparently depending upon a strip of country only some ten or twelve miles in width by a little more than that in length, settled by a community devoted to agricultural pursuits. He looks about him an dwith reason argues that a few hundred farmers occupying this narrow extent of country can not be sufficient to support a twon with Collins’ present population, to say nothing of the evidences of future growth everywhere apparent. At the west he discovers an unbroken line of precipitous mountains extending north and south as far as the eye can reach. Their rock ribbed sides and forbiding looks offer no solution to the problem that puzzles him, especially if he is a native of either of the northwestern states. His wonder and astonishment perceptibly increases as he looks through our extensive mercantile establishments and notes the stocks carried and the business transacted from day to day. Finally he gives it up and begins the drawing out process in true Yankee style. When told that hte mountain west of town are teeming with an industrious, well to-do population engaged in dairying, wool growing, stock raising and other profitable pursuits, to say nothing of those employed in manufacturing lumber, hewing ties, etc.; of the extensive flagging and building stone quarries just insid ethe first line of “hog backs”, which are now employing scores of laborers and teams and thousands of dollars of capital, he beings to open his eyes and to think a solution of the question that has puzzled him, is not so difficult after all. To be sure the farming interests surrouding Fort Collins are the main stays of the town; still there are other interest but little less important which are the means of concentrating a great deal of capital and giving employment to a large number of people. Referring to the quarries, there are not many of our own people who are fully aware of the extnt of the wealth that lies hidden in the hills west of town. Until last Friday we had but little conception ourselves of the magnitude … about to become so important a feature of Fort Collins future prosperity. Knowing that the Greeley, Salt Lake and Pacific railway company were engaged in building a branch at an expense of nearly $200,000 to connect with their main line at or near Point of rocks, above La Porte, and extending south some ten miles through the glad between the first and second tier of “hog backs”; and that the Union Pacific railway company had made several heavy purchases of quarry property and were preparing to open them up and work them to their fullest capacity, we had a strong desire to see what it all meant. The drive across the country to Spring canon behind one of Earnest & Branner’s spanking teams was indeed a pleasant one. Our route took us past several new farms under the Pleasant Valley canal. There is not a poor piece of land on the road and all of the farms are being improved and brought under an excellent state of cultvation. Just west of Spring canon on the left hand side of the Buckhorn road on the east slope of the second row of “hogbacks”, we found Capt. John Cliff with a force of men getting out flagging in one of the Eclipse Company’s quarries. This is an extensive and very valuable quarry. The ledge is from ten to fifteen feet in thickness the layers ranging from two to eight inches, in thickness, and can be taken out in almost any desired dimensions. The layers are smooth, true and of uniform thickness and color and require but little dressing to fit them for use. The Eclipse Compaany is working two other quarries, one on the Buckhorn and one farther south, near Loveland. The products of these quarries are hauled a distance of four miles to the switch south of town, and shipped to Denver to fill an order for $10,000 worth. The company consists of Capt John Cliff, of Fort Collins, and P. T. Hughes, of Denver. The business affairs of the company are managed by James Landells, who attends to the measurement and shipping of the stone. J. A. C. Kissock acts as the agent of the company here in town and takes orders for delivery of stone to Fort Collins customers. These quarries are located about seven miles from town by the wagon road. Mr. Brown has a very fine quarry of building and flagging stone a short distance south of Eclipse Company’s on the same ridge. Some of the finest dimensions stone delivered in Collins came from this quarry. We did not hav etime to visit these quarries and can give no idea of their extent and capacity. The Fort Collins Stone Quarry Company control some ten or twelve very fine quarries on this ridge, all of which are being worked to quite an extent. This company employs some fifty men and a large number of teams and ship from ten to fifteen carloads a day, the shipments being made from Loveland and from the “switch.” The company is at presentat work on a *** (0) contract for flag and curb stone for the city of Denver to be used in sidewalks. The company consists of Wm. N. Bachelder, Thomas Bradley and Mr. Cramer, the business affairs of the company bein gin charge of Mr. Backelder. The railroad company’s quarries are not being worked at present but it is said that from 600 to 1000 men will be put to work on them as soon as the railroad is finished. The principal product of these quarries will be shipped east into Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa. This industry enough attention or con*** the importance in a business point of view, is yet in its infancy; and the capacity of the quarries is only limited by the amount of capital that can be interested in their development. The quality of the building stone taken from these quarries is unsurpassed and the character just such as is required in first-class buildings, consisting of a very fine quality of white, gray and red tinted sand stone. Some of the handsomest buildings in Denver are constructed of stone taken from these quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 1, 1881)

“The Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific.
The grading between Greeley and Fort Collins is virtually done. Graders are at work on the bluffs near the foundry. Work is progressing finely west of of town. The stone quarry branch is rapidly assuming the appearance of a railway. Mr. Wm. Fitch has twenty-five men and seventeen teams at work on sections 6 and 7, and expects twenty-one more teams and their complement of men the present week from off the main line. He is now engaged on a 22-foot fill just west of Dixon canon, for which he has to borrow all the dirt. The work is heavy, and the material, a good portion of it, of the very hardest kind, resembling a cemented sand, very hard to plow. Wm. Shehan, on section 5, has 12 men and 8 teams at work in a cut south of Soldier canon. Mr. A. H. Colley is the contractor on sections 2 and 3. He has 32 men and 21 teams at work on a big fill north of Soldier canon, with Eb Stephenson an old railroad, in charge. The line here runs close to the mountains, and the work is principally rock.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 8, 1881)

“There is employment in the quarries tributary to Fort Collins for three thousand men.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 8, 1881)

“The Eclipse Stone Quarry company are furnishing the stone for the Jefferson street block. They have opened up a new flagging quarry, where stone of any dimensions can be had.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 22, 1881)

“Capt. Reed informed our reporter the other evening that tracklaying will commence on the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific railroad, west of Collins as soon as the track is laid on the Julesburg cut-off to Evans. The track will be laid just to the stone quarries, and then the force will return and lay track between here and Greeley. The company has bought the Jones property, in the north end of town, and will put in their Y on that property.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 22, 1881)

“The Eclipse Stone Quarry company is building a good substantial dwelling house at the quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 29, 1881)

“Chas. Smith, proprietor of the Highland stone quarry, was in town last week. He reports business just booming at the quarries, and not enough of teams to haul the stone to the track.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 29, 1881)

“Capt. Budd has forwarded samples of stone taken from the Eclipse quarries to the headquarters of the Union Pacific Railway company at Omaha. The samples were beautifully worked and tooled off by Mr. Joseph Bains, who is contractor for the stone work on the Jefferson street block.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 29, 1881)

“A train load of men passed through town on Sunday for Collins. It is said they will lay the iron to the stone quarries and then begin the track laying this way on the main line.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 13, 1881 — This was a report coming in from Greeley.)

“Mr. Charles Smith of the Highland stone quarries, is taking out and shipping some very fine building and flagging stone. He delivered Thursday, a handsome white sandstone, three feet eight inches square by twenty inches in thickness, for the base of the monument to be erected over Ex-Sheriff Mason’s grave.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 13, 1881)

“Immense quantities of stone are being weekly shipped from the quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 13, 1881)

“Mrs. Mary Copley, who, with her husband, was in the employ of the Fort Collins stone quarry company, at Spring canon, swallowed a dose of strychnine Tuesday night, from the effects of which she died about 7 o c’lock Wednesday morning. She was about 31 years old. All sorts of stories are in circulation concerning the affair, but it is generally believed that the rash act was committed in consequence of unhappy domestic relations. She is reported to have been addicted to the use of alcoholic stimulants, and to have been a confirmed opium eater. Coroner Fisk was immediately sent for, and an inquest will probably be held to-day (Thursday.) She left no children.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 20, 1881)

“Seckner Brothers have laid in front of their store a nice, substantial flagging pavement from C. Smith’s Highland Quarries. Mr. Smith is now pre-pared-to- do just such jobs on short notice.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 20, 1881)

“A trip up the new railroad into the canon, though a rather cold one at this time of year, amply repays the reporter. The section of country between here and the mountains is going ahead so fast and the farms show such evidences of a prosperous harvest, that one is sure their owners are happy. The road has been finished nearly to the quarry, being in one of the finest valleys in the mountains. Our representative, who was up there Saturday, says the road bed is a good one, too, and well ballasted. On coming back we came through the tunnels of the Pleasant Valley and Lake Canal company. These tunnels reflect great credit on the grit of the farmers who dared attempt this work. The ditch has been put in fine repair here and is ready for next year’s irrigating.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 24, 1881)

“It is thought the railroad will be completed to the quarries this week.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 1, 1881)

“The track is laid and cars are running to Spring canyon, on the quarry branch. Switches are being put in at the different quarries, and matters are assuming shape for an active shipping business.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 15, 1881)

“Large quantities of building stone are being shipped to La Salle on the Denver short line from the Collins quarries. They go via Cheyenne and Denver junction.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 22, 1881)

Maison Bonfils, photographer. Petra d’Juokune. Petra Extinct City. [Between 1867 and 1899] https://www.loc.gov/item/2004670437

1882

“Larimer county contains an inexhaustable supply of the very best building, paving and curbing stone and flagging for sidewalks, including white, gray and red sand stone, granite and mottled marble. The quarries are located at Bellvue, Stout and Arkins and at one time between 1882 and 1890 more than one thousand men were employed in them getting out building stone, paving blocks, curbings and flaggings and many of the finest buildings in Denver, Omaha and Kansas City, were constructed of white, gray and red sand stone taken from these quarries. The Union Pacific Railroad company built a spur in 1882 from Fort Collins to Stout, a distance of fourteen miles, over which thousands of carloads of stone have been shipped to Denver, Omaha, Cheyenne, Greeley and Fort Collins. The railroad company constructed a branch line from Loveland to the quarries at Arkins, which has been in operation for more than twenty years and over which immense quantities of building and paving stone have been shipped. These quarries are still being worked and a large force of men is constantly employed in them. The Stout and Bellvue quarries have been lying practically dormant the past few years and about two years ago the railroad track from Stout to Bellvue was taken up. The Union Pacific Railroad company owned and operated the quarries at Stout for several years. There are still a number of private quarries near Stout that are being worked to a greater or less extent by their owners, but the product is now hauled by teams to Fort Collins.” (Watrous, Ansel. History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 152.)

“Captain John Cliff, of the Eclipse stone quarry company, came down from Petra, and spent a few hours in town.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 5, 1882)

“It is said that the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific will be completed and opened for traffic between Greeley and the quarries by the first of March next.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 26, 1882)

“The telegraph company is putting up its wire on the quarry branch, through Pleasant Valley this week.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 2, 1882)

“It is estimated that there will be five hundred men working in the quarries next summer.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 2, 1882)

“Messrs. Bachelder & Miller have purchased the interest of all other parties in the business of the Fort Collins Flagstone company and will hereafter conduct the business themselves. As heretofore Mr. Miller will manage the business of the company in Denver.–Republican.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 2, 1882)

“Last Friday evening Charles Smith came down from the quarries and gave himself up to Marshal Morgan, stating that he had killed a man who was endeavoring to break into his house. He was locked up, but as no one appeared against him next day, was released. Careful inquiries developed the following facts: Smith owned a stone quarry, and had five men working for him, among them a man named Isaac Berry. A short time since Smith was taken sick, and, being unable then to pay his hands, allowed them to take stone from his quarry. When Smith got well again, the men informed him that they had jumped his claim. Legal actions followed, and on Friday writs were served on Berry and his companions. Berry and Smith had had some trouble before, and the best of feeling did not prevail. At between seven and eight o’clock on Friday evening, after Smith had retired to bed, Berry came to his door and demanded admission. Smith told him to go away, as he was in bed. Berry then proceeded to kick the door in, but paused on receiving three shots from Smith’s revolver, two grazing his ribs and one through the palm of his right hand. Smith came to town as above related, and Berry disappeared. Although it is not definitely known where he has gone, the latter is supposed to be in Cheyenne.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 9, 1882)

“W. H. B. Stout, from Lincoln, Neb., lessee of the stone quarries, will commence putting up buildings for store and boarding houses by March next.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 16, 1882)

“Advices have come to the stone quarries that the demand for stone is only limited by the supply. The railroad company will soon commence shipping east, and then the quarries will be a great source of revenue to town.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 23, 1882)

“Stone is being shipped on the quarry branch at the rate of about thirty cars per week. New quarries are being opened up, and as the supply and demand are alike permanent, this industry will continue to be a great factor in our business interests.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 6, 1882)

“Nine of every ten cars that come to Colorado return to the Missouri river empty. When the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific is completed these empty cars will be loaded with stone at the Fort Collins quarries. An engine can handle thirty loaded cars to the Missouri river, and stone can be delivered in Omaha as cheap as in Denver. At $20 a car a train-load would pay the railroad $600-while now the empty cars are returned at a dead loss so far as transportation is concerned. When the G., S. L. & P. is completed to North Park the bringing of coal to Ft. Collins is but a question of brakes. Then manufactures will be started. Verily the man who says Fort Collins will not become a city, readeth not the times aright.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 6, 1882)

“The U. P. will soon begin to work on their stone quarries. They intend to ship fifty car loads of stone per day until the road is finished between this place and Greeley, when their facilities for shipping will be largely increased, and they will put on a larger force of men.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 13, 1882)

“Rates of fare have been established on the G., S. L. & P. road as follows: To Laporte, twenty cents; to Stout, the new station at the quarries, fifty cents.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 20, 1882)

“Mr. W. N. Bachelder is putting up a store at the stone quarry.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 27, 1882)

“Last week, through the kindness of the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific road, we visited the stone quarries; the line extends nearly to the didide and accommodates all the quarries on the Poudre slope. From the terminus commences a system of switches and back runs by which cars can be placed ready for loading, hundreds of feet above the valley proper. There is stone enough along the line to build a halfdozen Chinese walls and demand enough east of the base of the mountains to require it.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 27, 1882)

“Stone can be shipped to Collins from the quarries for ten dollars per car.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 27, 1882)

“The Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific.
There are some who still insist that this road will never be built as its name implies “Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific,” but that it should properly be designated the “Greeley, Fort Collins & Stone Quarry road. When the road is completed to Greeley, four miles will connect it with the Julesburg Short Line, then there is a direct and continuous line from Omaha to Fort Collins. The road now extends from Fort Collins to the quarry switch, fives miles west of Collins. The line is ready for ties a distance of five miles beyond the switch, or ten miles west of Collins. Ten thousand dollars has been paid for right of way alone beyong the quarry switch, while the money expended in grading, rock-work and surveying will exceed $150,000. The Union Pacific is not a company which starts out without knowing what it is going to do, and the termination of its enterprises. This road will be pushed on into North park, from thence through Muddy pass, and on to Utah, where it will connect with a system of railroads belonging to the Union Pacific which will connect it with the Pacific; thus in fact as well as name becoming “The Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific.” Now as to the effect this road will have upon the future prosperity of Fort Collins, at some point between Julesberg and the mountains it will become necessary for the road to transact certain business, which must necessarily benefit the town where transacted. Greeley is thirty-five miles from the mountains; it has no natural advantages except that it is surrounded by a farming country. Fort Collins has this to even a greater extent and many other advantages. It must become the termination of the mountain division as well as of the plains division. It will require heavier engines to move trains up the Poudre canon than on the plains; the change will be made at this place; round houses will have to be built; connected with these machine and repair shops will be a necessity. If constructed at all their operations will not be confined to mere division work, but extend to all work north of Denver and into Wyoming. Coal can be brought to Collins from the park as cheap as it can be procured in Denver. We are closer to iron ore, and if the park coal is a coking coal we see no reason why steel rails should not be manufactured in Fort Collins as cheaply as in Pueblo. Iron mountain is not as far from Collins as Leadville is from Pueblo; nor the North park as far as El Moro, yet the iron used in the works at Pueblo comes from Seadville and the coke from El Moro.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 4, 1882)

“It is rumored that indications of an oil deposit have been discovereed in the immediate vicinity of Highland quarry.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 25, 1882)

“A. Constable, general superintendent of the U. P. stone quarries, has his headquarters at the Tedmon house.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 15, 1882)

“Three car loads of stone were received to-day at the depot for Mr. Frank Stover’s new building. These make a total of ten car loads already received. The stone came from Stout’s quarry.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 22, 1882)

“A party consisting of W. H. B. Stout, of Lincoln, Neb., lessee of the Stout stone quarry, V. M. Came, general agent freight department, Denver, and Mr. A. H. Garfield, made a visit of inspection to the Stout quarry this morning. The party returned to Denver this afternoon.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 29, 1882)

“Supt. A. A. Egbert and C. W. Burgdorf, road master of the D. P. and U. P., are registered at the Tedmon. They went on a visit of inspection to the quarries this afternoon. They will remain in the city until to-morrow.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 29, 1882)

“The building materials for the new station at Stout, went to that point yesterday on the freight.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 6, 1882)

“George S. Brown, Senator Rhodes, Superintendent Egbert, B. F. Hottel and Carter Cotton went out to the stone quarries yesterday, over the G. S. L. & P. R. R. Many improvements are being made. Mr. Stout is building a stone house and boarding hall. These, when completed, will cost in the neighborhood of $12,000. A new depot is also being built, and a pair of Fairbank scales being put in. The railroad company are putting in a water tank and will obtain water from a spring one-half mile distant, with a fall of seventy-five feet. There are 100 men employed at present, but the force will be increased to 300 soon.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 13, 1882)

“A couple of pugilists from the stone quarries, settled a dispute this afternoon by knocking each other down several times. This is the shortest and sometimes the best way in which to settle an argument.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 13, 1882)

“The petroleum strikes near the quarries speaks well for Collins.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 13, 1882)

“The buildings at the Stout quarries were finished Saturday….” (Fort Collins Courier, July 20, 1882)

“The rain last evening did considerable damage. It flooded meadows and fields, washed out bridges and railroad tracks. The rain at Box Elder, about fifteen miles north of this city, washed out a cut thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide, and the freight train from the north was unable to reach Collins. Conductor Roberts walked into the city and telegraphed Superintendent Egbert at Denver, but received no reply. The general opinion is that it will take two days to fix the track at Bristol. On the G., S. L. & P., there are four washouts between Collins and Stout, and the rails were badly warped, thereby doing considerable damage. The freight was unable to go to the quarries, and an extra was sent up to Laporte, but returned. About two miles of track was also washed out on that branch. The Box Elder banks at Brandis’ ranch are full of water, and the stream is half a mile wide. The banks of the ditches all broke and did considerable damage. Oscar Mason loses about thirty tons of hay, and a number of other farmers in proportion. The turnpikes are in a bad condition, and it will take considerable time and work to put them in shape. The passenger from Denver arrived on time this morning, and was held here until 3:30 o’clock, when it returned to Denver. This is the most destructive rain storms that this vicinity has known for some time.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 27, 1882)

“Senator Max Beer returned from Stout station yesterday evening. His “rolling”interests there were full as good as he expected to find them.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 3, 1882)

“One red sandstone quarry, about one quarter of a mile from the quarry branch of the G. S. L & P. R. R. Best stone in the county-same quarry that the Collins city hall is trimmed with. Price low, and terms easy.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 10, 1882)

“Geo. S. Brown, Esq. has received from the stone quarry two square heavy blocks of stone in each of which is securely sunk an iron ring. They make excellent hitching posts.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 10, 1882)

“Several cars of lumber left Collins this afternoon for Stout’s hotel.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 10, 1882)

A voting precinct was created around the Stout area and the Stout boarding house was to be the place of voting. (Fort Collins Courier, August 26, 1882)

“The conductor on the quarry branch informs us that the flat car that was precipitated one hundred feet down an almost perpendicular ravine, owing to the parting of a brake rod, at Stout on Saturday last, was tackled to-day and pulled back on the track.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 9, 1882)

“After to-day, Conductor Wood’s train will resume its regular runs on the quarry branch, it having for some time been running alternate days with the construction train on the irons of the G., S. L. & P.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 30, 1882)

“Mr. and Mrs. Constable, of Stout, are at the Windsor. Mr. Constable informs us that he could very easily give employment to thirty additional men at the quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 30, 1882)

“Mr. Constable, of the Stout quarries, has contracts for thirty or forty days ahead. He has orders from Cheyenne alone for forty cars of curb stones. Mr. Constable’s hotel at Stout has a capacity of one hundred and fifty men, and he will try to give employment to all it will hold.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 30, 1882)

“Conductor Wood informs us that the quarry train will not, in all probability, make regular daily trips, as with the present force at the quarries, the stone cannot be got out fast enough to justify them. There is little economy in hauling three or four car loads of stone, when thirteen cars is a load.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 30, 1882)

“Mr. David Thoms and Mr J. T. Smith, formerly of the Stout quarries but lately from the Endomile mine, Teller, North Park, started from Collins, yesterday, for Denver.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 30, 1882)

“Conductor Wood tells us that the work at the quarries has received a new impetus, a large number of la borers from Nebraska having very recently arrived. He hauled fourteen cars of curbing down to-day, all for Omaha. More men are wanted, and the output will be increased as fast as they are secured. As the management have a large number of contracts ahead, regular daily trips by the quarry train will doubtless be in order.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 7, 1882)

“The stone quarries are verily booming.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 14, 1882)

“This morning at 3 a. m., a special train of two cars left Denver. It contained Sidney Dillon, president of the U. P. R. R.; Oliver Ames, one of the heaviest stockholders; Charles Francis Adams, U. S. railroad commissioners; S. H. H. Clark, general manager: Superintendent Egbert; Robert Law, of the Cheyenne division; Mr. Williams, attorney of the road; Master Mechanic Condon, and various other magnates and notables. It ran down to Greeley, and from thence to Collins, over the G., S. L. P., visited the Stout quarries, and passed onto Cheyenne. All were much pleased with the condition of the roads, especially the line between here and Greeley, which President Dillon pronounced to be above reproach. Mr. Dillon was also gratified at the extent and character of the Stout quarries, and expressed a pleased surprise at the rapid growth of Collins since his last visit here, four years ago.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 21, 1882)

“Mr. J. L. Branner, a brother of Mr. Tod Branner, who has been at Mr. Branner’s North Park ranch, came down the other day and accepted the position of book keeper at the Stout quarries, tendered him by Mr. Constable.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 28, 1882)

“Mr. Joe Branner has severed his connection with the Stout quarries. He is in the city at present.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 4, 1882)

“The stones that are being furnished by the Stout quarries for the sidewalk in front of the building of Messrs. Loomis & Andrews, on both Linden and Walnut streets, are truly magnificent; some of them are twelve feet in length, and eight feet in width. The quarry company furnishes them at the same rates as smaller stone, in order to show what the quarries are capable of.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 11, 1882)

“The extension of the Stout branch of the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific to Crystal City is not an improbability, judging from remarks heard on the street.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 2, 1882)

“A slight accident occurred near the Stout quarries yesterday morning. A car ran down a short grade and colided with other cars on the same track –only injury one or two damaged bumpers and a general jar.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 2, 1882)

“Mr. G. W. Chambers, a prominent contractor of Boulder, is in the city to-day to secure flagging from the Collins quarries to fill a contract in his city. Boulder has quarries, but Mr. Chambers says he can get no stone of sufficient size. He examined those around the Loomis & Andrews block with surprise and satisfaction.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 2, 1882)

“Messrs. Fred Drexel and D. L. Sham, of Omaha, and Charles A. Pfeiffer, of St. Joseph, all prominent stone contractors, arrived in Collins on Saturday evening’s train, and yesterday visited the Stout quarries. They spent the better part of the day in company with Mr. A. Constable, of Stout, in inspecting and examining specimens of stone and stone work in and about town, and took the afternoon train for Georgetown.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 7, 1882)

“The morning train from Denver, which arrives in this city at 12:05 p.m., brought the following gentlemen of the U. P. road: A. A. Egbert, general superintentent; P. Tuchy, assistant superintendent, and R. A. Boardman, roadmaster. They were accompanied by four of the five commissioners of Arapahoe county, and Mr. Letz, general agent of the Stone quarry company; also, by invitation Mr. E. S. Alexander joined the party. Immediately after the passengers had left the cars, the baggage and first coach were run on the side track and the engine, with the rear coach, containing the gentlemen named, and also Mr. A. Constable and Conductor Graham, pulled out for the stone quarries, where they arrived about 12:30. Here the party partook of a most excellent dinner at the table of Mr. A. Constable, consisting of oysters, roast elk and other delicacies, cooked and prepared in the highest style of the culinary art. They then began the examination of the quarry rock, which was the object of their trip, being guided and attended by Mr. Constable of the Stout quarries. At 3:15 o’clock the special returned to Collins, and the visitors returned to Denver. It is rumored that the true object of their visit is the inspection of our quarry building stone, with a view to its use in the construction of the state capitol at Denver. The expressed cause of their trip, however, is to procure flagging stone to pave around the court house in Denver, of which they will want about 16,000 feet. The commissioners expressed the highest praise of the stone in our quarries, and will probably have the contract filled here.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 14, 1882)

“An average of ten car loads of stone a day, was shipped from the quarries last month.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 14, 1882)

“A. Constable, of the Stout quarries, expresses the opinion that if Crystal mountain boomed (as it now promises to do) the Stout branch of the G., S. L. & P. would be extended as near as possible to the mines.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 21, 1882)

“The commission for the Stout post office arrived this week. D. H. Stout is postmaster.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 21, 1882)

“The quarries west of town carry a bigger streak of pay rock than any mine in the state.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 21, 1882)

“The flagging and building stone quarries west of town are becoming important and very profitable adjuncts to the industries of Larimer county.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 21, 1882)

“Twelve cars per day are being shipped from the Stout stone quarries, and they are still 100 cars behind their orders. Flagging is being taken out in any size, dressed, and from two to eight inches in thickness.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 21, 1882)

“Marshal Shortridge returned this morning from the Stout quarries, whence he went to make the arrest of J. Frank Howard, who is wanted, in company with Dick Moran, to answer a charge of grand larceny in the stealing of three watches and fifteen dollars in Loveland about a month since. As mentioned in the Courier yesterday, Sam. Brainard has made the arrest of Moran at Idaho Springs, and is expected in Collins to-night or tomorrow with his prisoner. Howard is now in the cooler, and the two will probably have a hearing Monday before Justice Courtney. When the marshal came to make his arrest, Howard was at work in the quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 21, 1882)

1883

“The railroad company has ordered slx carloads of stone from the Stout quarries. Destination unknown” “—Yesterday at the Windsor hotel Rev. S. A. Winsor united in the holy bonds of wedlock Mr. Charles H. J. Payson, book-keeper at the Stout quarries, to Miss Clara D. Martin, of Sarpy, Nebraska.” –Mr. C. E. Angove, of the Erie office, will take the position vacated by Mr. Will Bush at this station. Mr. Angove was the agent at Stout formerly, and is an efficient operator and a genial official. We venture the prediction that he will speedily make himself as popular with Fort Collins people as was his immediate predecessor, Mr. Bush. Mr. F. R. Byrnes, who has temporarily filled the position, will take Mr. Angove’s place at Erie. (Fort Collins Courier, January 11, 1883)

“A. Constable, of the Stout quarries, returned last evening from an absence of several days. Mrs. Constable and daughter stopped at Denver, and Mr. Constable went down to Pueblo to see about filling flagging contracts in that city. Two cars of Collins stone are already there, and the prospects are that the “Pittsburg of the west” will become a regular customer of our quarries. Mr. Constable says there is scarcely two hundred feet of flagging in the whole place, and that had to be split from large masses of rock, after being quarried. The Grand hotel, one of the finest houses in the state, will use flagging from the Fort Collins quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 11, 1883)

“The rumor that the wages at the Stout quarries have been reduced can be traced to no reliable source. The railroad company has ordered six carloads of stone from the Stout quarries. Destination unknown.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 11, 1883)

“Captain Budd was in town this morning making purchases for a larger force of men on the railroad grade. He says the grade is finished ready for iron fifteen miles up the canon, or nine miles above the quarry branch. He has at present thirty men at work, and is in daily expectation of orders from Omaha to enlarge the force. The captain stated confidently that he believed the work would be vigorously pushed this spring towards the park.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 18, 1883)

“A New Penitentiary. Special Dispatch to the Evening Courier. Denver, Jan. 26,–A bill has been introduced in the legislature, providing for the building of a penitentiary in the northern part of the state. By proper effort the location of this institution can be secured at the stone quarries, near Fort Collins. Your citizens should immediately call a meeting for the purpose of making an organized effort to secure its location there. The railway company will cooperate.” “It is confidently believed the location of the Northern penitentiary could be secured for Stout by a united effort on the part of our citizens in that direction. The prize is certainly worth the effort. Shall we have it?” “Will our business men take any steps to secure the location of the Northern Colorado penitentiary at Stout?” (Fort Collins Courier, February 1, 1883 — Three different mentions in various places within the same newspaper.)

“–Noah Constable, son of the Stout quarries manager, is brakesman on the G., S. L. & P. freight train.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 15, 1883)

“The tri-weekly allowance of 300 loaves of bread and half a beef was sent to Stout this morning.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 1, 1883)

“One hundred and thirteen car-loads of stone were shipped from the Stout quarries during the month of February.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 8, 1883)

“The following railroad officials came up on last evening’s train; and went to the Tedmon house: H. C. Newman and E. Lane, Omaha; Pr. Touhy, J. Parks, A. A. Egbert, Chas. Burgdorf, and F. Murcheimer, Denver. They were accompanied by S. S. Mallison, of Kansas City, who comes to buy stone at the Stout quarries, and Hon. James Freeman, of Greeley, attorney of the U. P. company. The object of the visit of the railroad gentlemen wasa to establish suitable indemnity for the right of way of the water power ditch of the water works through the farm recently purchased by the U. P. company known as the Webb ranch. At 9 o’clock the party above named, accompanied by the town mayor and council, started on the freight. Stopping at the water power ditch, they examined its course and condition, visiting the reservoir and pump house; then visited the Stout quarries. Returning they arrive about 1:30, and shortly after the town council held a special session. Here Mr. Newman offered to receive in exchange for the right of way mentioned two permits to tap and perpetually use water from the system. The city fathers pointed over the left shoulder and offered $450; this was declined, and the board adjourned. The recorder was afterward empowered by Mr. Newman to place the amount of damage at $1,000. As the ditch passes through about nine acres of land, it is probable appraisers will be appointed to decide the matter.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 29, 1883)

“Messrs. McEwen & Evans are laying a sidewalk in front of their new building on College avenue. The walk will be made of five pieces of flagging, each piece being five feet wide and twelve feet long. They are very fine specimens of what the Collins quarries can produce.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 29, 1883)

“Mesrs. Strait, Curtis & Co., of which firm Mr. C. H. Marsh, of this city, is a member, have the contract for supplying the flagging and laying a wide side walk on three sides of the block in which is situated the Boulder county court house, at Boulder city. The flagging is being taken out of the company’s quarries and shipped from Berthoud.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 19, 1883)

“Educating the Indians. We find the following letter from Secretary Teller to Hon. J. J. Ryan, secretary of the state board of agriculture, in relation to educating a certain number of Ute Indians at the Agricultural college, in the Loveland Reporter of this week:
Department of the Interior Washington, April 2, 1883. John J. Ryan:—Dear Sir: I have your letter of February 24th, concerning the Ute children. I find it very diflicult to secure the childre; the agent of the southern Utes reports but ten. I have telegraphed him to make it thirty, if possilble. I do not have much hope of any from the other two Ute agencies. I think your prices not unreasonable if I fully understood you; $3.50 per week, board and schooling, although the amount is considerably in excess of that allowed by law for the Indians put in state schools. I shall for this purpose use the money belonging to the Indians. You enquire if the government will erect buildings. That we cannot do, for we have no authority to erect buildings except on land belonging to the government. I will allow you increased price per scholar, to compensate you for the rent you may pay, or the rental of buildings you may erect. I think if you can start with a few of the Indian children, another year I can supply you with fifty additional ones. I do not think it will hurt your school, but on the contrary will do it good. If you cannot see your way clear to take the Indians if I get them, I think I shall try a school in the southern part of the state. But you have so many advantages at Fort Collins not found in other places I prefer to start there to anywhere else. You have a good farming country, stone quarries, etc., in which the Indian boys, when properly instructed, can be employed. I do not, however, wish you to attempt this unless you feel confident of success. Very respectfully, Henry M. Teller.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 19, 1883)

“The reputation of the stone from the Stout quarries, near this place, is constantly increasing. To-day Judge Dundee, of Omaha, accompanied by his private secretary, Mr. E. D. Frank, by special train, visited the quarries under Manager Constable’s guidance. The judge intends to erect a magnificent mansion in Omaha, and it is highly probable that Fort Collins stone will be used in its construction.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 3, 1883)

“Stretching along the foothills at the edge of the plains are the wonderful flagstone quarries whose product is beautifying and improving our own cities, and challenging, with its rare qualities, the attention of cities hundreds of miles east of us. The supply seems inexhaustible, and there is now a branch of the Union Pacific broad gauge railroad system built for and in operation along the line of these quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 3, 1883)

“Affairs at the stone quarries arc running smoothly as ever. A new foreman has been secured, and some changes in agencies have been made. A large new cooking range has been provided for the boarding house and other improvements are being made.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 3, 1883)

“Joseph Baines, the stone cutter, has his force of men at work on the stone for Prof. Blount’s new residence. He yesterday completed and put into the Episcopal church a fine new font for baptismal purposes. It is square at the base and octagonal at the top. It is three feet five inches high, and two feet four inches in diameter, and was made from white sandstone from quarries near this city.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 10, 1883)

“The population of Fort Collins is over 2,000, and is continually growing. The business of the place is principally supplying the agricultural population with what is needed, and shipping the produce of the farms. The new railroad from Denver, via Greeley, is a great help; more particularly as it comes as far as Stout–fifteen miles above here-to the stone quarries. These quarries are getting quite a name for themselves, and I learn that stone from them is being shipped as far east as Chicago. Several fine buildings here show the quality of the stone and it certainly is hard to beat. People here think it probable that the state commissioners will decide to build the capitol with this stone, and if they should do so it will make Collins a busy place.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 10, 1883)

“Mr. Hugh Murphy, an extensive contractor of Omaha, was shown through the Stout quarries by Manager Constable, who took him up on a special train. Mr. Murphy will contract for stone from our quarries for the building of about three miles of sidewalk.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 17, 1883)

“We find the following in the Denver News: Says the Kansas City Times, of Saturday.: “City Engineer Knight was in his office yesterday, having returned from Colorado, to which state he went to examine into the quality of some stone proposed to be used upon the streets here. Accompanied by Mr. D. Bontecon he visited the quarries at Stout, 150 miles northwest of Denver, just beyond Fort Collins, and there found a suitable quality of stone for sidewalks, flagging and curbing. It is pure sand stone and is stratified in such a way that it comes out in fine shape to be used in paving, as Medina stone is employed. The quarries belong to the Union Pacific Railway company, but are leased to a man named Constable, and Mr. Knight is of the opinion that the stone can be brought here and put down at a figure about the same as that obtained in the case of putting down brick sidewalk work. Mr. Constable is going to make a bid upon the paving of Delaware, from Fifth to Sixth street. The granite quarries near Georgetown were also visited, and it was found that the quality of stone was excellent. This granite is equal to the New England grantie. Granite, however, is considered to be too expensive for the city at present. It costs too much for curbing and flagging, but may at some time be used for street paving. Messers Knight and bontecon were absent from the city ninety-two hours, eighty of which were spent on the cars.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 24, 1883)

“Ten new men came in on last evening’s train to go to work at the quarries. They went out on the late accommodation train to Stout.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 24, 1883)

“Mr. John Newman, of Stout, met with a painful accident this morning which, if it does not cost him two fingers, will lay him up for some time. While loading a car at the quarry, two fingers on his right hand were caught between two large rocks and literally mashed into a pulp. He was brought to this city and is being treated by Dr. Van Wagner, who will do his best to save the fingers.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 31, 1883)

“Kemoe & Thomas have a contract to build a family vault in the Fort Collins cemetery, for Mr. Frank Dewalt, of Leadville, brother-in-law of Mr. F. W. Sherwood. The vault will be 11×13 feet in size, and nine feet high. A single flagstone will be lined for the floor, and another for the roof. These are the finest specimens of flag rock ever taken from the Stout quarries, measuring 11’6’x8′ and 10’6″ x8′, and five inches thick.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 31, 1883)

It was suggested that people should take the train out to see the Stout quarries as part of their Fourth of July celebration before returning to the city for pyrotechnics. “Next in order might appropriately come a visit to the Stout quarries on a special train, chartered for the day.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 14, 1883)

“The most extensive flag and building stone quarries west of the Missouri river.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 14, 1883)

“Aldermen J. N. Patterson and A. K. Sweet, of the Kansas City council, made a visit to the Stout stone quarries on Tuesday. They were accompanied by Hon. Judge Graves and Hon. L. A. Willard, of Kansas City, and D. T. Camp, proprietor of the Camp process of paving, and Ex-alderman McGilvray, of Denver, who also has a large contract. After visiting the Stout quarries, where the visitors expressed great surprise and praise on behalf of the quality and quantity of the stone, the party left for Boulder by their special train to inspect the quarries of the latter place.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 28, 1883)

“UNPROVOKED ASSAULT
A peaceable German Shoemaker Struck by a Huge Cobble on the Head, with Serious Results. — The Wrong Man. Herbert Baird, who has been engaged at the Stout quarries, completed his labors on Thursday last, and came to this city. Shortly after his departure, some of his companions at the quarry missed some of their blankets, and hurrying to town found they had been left at the depot by Baird. The same afternoon he entered the kitchen of the Collins house, where he was stopping, and began the use of improper language to the girl employed there. The clerk, Mr. O’Neil, advised him to leave, and Mr. George Rogers, son of the proprietor, also remarked, “Yes, you had better get out of here before the old man comes, or you will get thrown out.” Baird is reported to have turned to young Rogers at this, and said: “I’ll go, — —- you, but I’ll kill you before three days.” He went out the back door, and about fifteen minutes later walked slowly up Jefferson street toward the front of the house. When in front of the shoe shop of Mr. V. Demmel, which adjoins the hotel, he hurled a rock through the door, striking Mr. Fritz Shiess, a well known German employe of Mr. Denmel, over the left eye, inflicting a severe wound. Though not breaking the skin, it made a deep indenture in the skull. As he threw the stone, Baird exclaimed: “There, you’ve got it now.” ending with an appendix of aoths and obscenity. It is believed that in the comparative gloom of Mr. Demmel’s shop, he mistook Fritz for George Rogers, for as he passed Jesse Young’s saloon he saw the young man within, and threw another stone at him. By this time Mrs. Demmel, who was in the shp, called from the door to some men standing near to “stop him!” At this Baird started on a run through the block next to Young’s saloon, by the city cooler, and to the premises of Capt. McIntyre, followed by the crowd. He entered the stable in which G. R. Strauss keeps his team, unharnessed one of the horses and was about to fly, but the crowd prevented t until the arrival of officer Buck, who arrested and lodged Baird in the cooler. The following morning the prisoner had a hearing before Justice Gunn, but, owing to the extremely dangerous state of Fritz’s wound, and the fears entertained for his recovery, Baird was committed for hearing without bail. Under the constant care of Dr. Lee, Mr. Shiess is slowly recovering, but is still, however, subject to severe spasma. Should he be declared out of danger, the assailant will be allowed to bail. At the quarries, Baird was considered a quiet peaceable fellow, and his sudden change is ascribed to the influence of liquor, which he freely imbibed on the day of the attack. He denies remembrance of having committed the act, but is said, nevertheless, to await with great anxiety the announcement that his victim is out of danger. He is confined in the county jail.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 5, 1883)

“After dinner the “box act” was witnessed by a large crowd at the Poudre Valley Bank corner. For some time, no one would make the trial, which consisted in carrying a box about two by three feet in size, against an inch stream from a city hydrant, but finally a plucky young man named John Lamb, of Lamb and Son’s stone quarry, west of town, started out, and was followed by Frank Collamer. After several trials Frank was awarded the prize, $5 in cash.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 12, 1883 — This was at the General Gala day.)

“Precinct No. 15, Stout–Wm. Batchelder, H. D. Stout, Chas. Smith.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 19, 1883)

“Cheyenne is to have a new U. P. depot. It is to be built of Stout quarry stone. A similar structure would add greatly to the company’s facilities in this city. They could have plenty of ground, either near the site of the present depot, or on Willow street.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 6, 1883)

“As several of the Stout quarry employees were returning to that place from this city, on Friday evening last, considerably under the influence, one of them is reported to have fallen from the wagon and broken a leg and rib.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 6, 1883)

“Wm Dunham, of Stout, commenced digging a well at that place last spring. He went to a depth of sixty-five feet, and found no water, but discovered traces of coal and also promising indications of oil. Nothing has been done since, but Mr. Dunham has concluded to go down to a depth of at least 100 feet, in the hopes of encountering an oil deposit. Mr. Roth will probably undertake the work as the initiative of his new well boring machine.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 6, 1883)

“The management of the Stout stone quarries has reverted to the owners, the Union Pacific railroad company. The cause of the surrender of the lease by W. H. B. Stout is the large amount of stone required by the railroad company for their buildings, bridges, etc., and the consequent inability of the lessees to get out material for their cash customers, the contractors. The efficient manager, Mr. Constable, still retains his position and is increasing the force of workmen. It is the intent of the new owners to employ thirty stone cutters, and this will necessitate enlarging the force of quarrymen about 100 men. This increase in force is due to extensive improvements being made on the Oregon short line.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 20, 1883)

“Engineer Stanton went up to the Stout quarries on Friday to do some preliminary surveying, preparatory to an extensive change in the quarry loading track. The switch will be extended further up the glade, and mount the side of the hill sooner, in order that a larger area may be worked.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 11, 1883)

“Mr. R. L. Weaving, of Stout, passed Sunday in the city. From him we learn that there are now employed at Stout thirty-four stone cutters and seven laborers in the yards and 115 men in the quarries. The stone cutters are at work on material for a round house for the railway company at Shoshone Falls on the Oregon short line.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 1, 1883)

“Stout indignantly rebuked the bosses for throwing its chosen representatives out of the republican convention. Brave Stout.” “The echoes from the stone quarries made the Stoutest friends of the bosses quake with fear. Right grandly did the horny handed sons of Stout rebuke chicanery and unfairness.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 8, 1883)

“Mr. John Williamson, the gentlemanly and efficient operator at the Stout quarries, was the victim of a genuine but none the less happy surprise on Tuesday last. He was made the recipient of an elegant reclinging chair, the gift of the stone cutters employed by the Union Pacific railway company at that station, for his kind and gentlemanly conduct toward them. The presentation speech was made by Mr. E. Brown, foreman of the stone cutters, in which an elegant expression of the sentiments entertained for Mr. Williamson by his generous fellow employes was given. it is needless to say that Mr. Williamson heartily thanked the donors for their handsome gift.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 20, 1883)

1884

“Sad Accident
Jesse B. Tate a brakeman on Conductor Fred. Brandis train, which runs from Stout to Greeley, was the victim Tuesday evening, of a very serious if not fatal accident. While the train on its flown trip was engaged in switching at Windsor station, Tate slipped and fell under the wheels. Sixteen heavily laden freight cars passed over him cutting off his left arm just below the shoulder and his rifht leg below the knee. The toes were also severed from the left foot. Tate was taken up and carried to Greeley and the resident railway surgeon called to his aid. The doctor advised that the injured man be taken to the U. P. hospital at Denver, for treatment where he arrived at 10 o’clock Tuesday evening. His injuries are probably fatal. Mr. Tate is unmarried, twenty-seven years old, and a sober, industrious man. His relatives all live in the east.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 24, 1884)

“Married.
Smith–Mayland,–At the residence of the groom, Highland Quarries, Monday evening February 4, 1884, by William N. Bachelder, Esq., Mr. Charles Smith and Miss Almina B. Mayland, of Seward, Nebraska.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 7, 1884)

“Stout’s Sociability
Highland school house was enlivened by a scene of more than ordinary interest on Saturday afternoon and evening a replevin suit having been brought before Justice Wm N. Bachelder, the interested parties being Chas. Smith plaintiff and Pucket Bros. Defendants. The evidence was ail taken but the decision of the judge was withheld. After adjournment the matter was compromised. The Lyceum called together a large audience the house being crowded. Vice president John Linden occupied the chair. The first business of the evening being the election of a president, a vote was taken resulting in the unanimous selection of Mr. Wm. N. Bacheldor. There being no further business the subject of debate—Resolved: That the Indian has suffered more than the negro at the hands of the white man in America.–was taken up by Mr. T. Kane opening the argument for the affirmative and delivering an interesting and well rendered address. Mr. Chas. Smith accompanied Mr. Kane on the affirmative, while Messrs. McKinley, Lord, Olison and Middleton argued the negative side of the question. The committee after a brief discussion reported in favor of the negative side. The debate was followed by a few selections of songs, which were well rendered and highly appreciated. Miss Reed read the regular paper which contained many little local hits interesting only to the parties concerned. The school house is built of stone and is situated very pleasantly on a high piece of ground so that one is enabled to overlook all the surrounding country, and certainly reflects great credit on the community. We regret that lack of space forbids making a more extended report of the meeting. [ED COURIER.]” (Fort Collins Courier, February 7, 1884)

“A FRIGHTFUL RECORD. Three Very Serious Railroad Accidents During the Past Week. Two Men Lose Their Lives and a Third Seriously Injured.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 14, 1884 — It’s a very long and gruesome description of all three accidents that aren’t included here.)

“Last Saturday a larger portion of the workmen at the Stout quarries were discharged, there being not sufficient work for them.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 28, 1884 )

“A. B. Van Wagner administrator, &c. H. D. Stout, deceased vs. E. L. Stout. Davidson & Clar for plff. Ballard & Robinson for def’t.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 6, 1884 — I don’t think this was W. H. B. Stout’s son that was deceased. Stout’s son was Harry B. Stout. He drowned in Chicago in 1893.)

“Orders were received last week from Omaha, to resume work at the Stout quarries with a strong force of stonecutters and laborers. Four months work for all the quarrymen and stonecutters that can work to advantage has already been engaged and much more is expected. The derricks were sent out Monday and were followed Tuesday by nearly all of the old force of stone-cutters, besides several new ones, and active operations were commenced at once. This is indeed good news, as the resumption of work at Stout, means employment for a good many who would otherwise remain idle or go elsewhere to seek work.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 13, 1884)

“Several weeks ago a notice appeared in the Courier to the effect that a great number of the men employed at the Stout quarries had been discharged on account of there being no work. During a visit to the quarries last week a representative of this paper was informed by Mr. Gray, the superintendent of the quarries, that such was not a fact, there never having been a man discharged from his department on this account. The item should have read stone cutters instead of quarrymen.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 20, 1884)

“A Visit to Stout
Last Friday a Courier representative made a flying visit to the bustling little hamlet of Stout, and while there enjoyed the pleasure of seeing the ever busy throng of workmen at the quarries and in the stone cutters yard. The forces at present are much larger than they have been for some weeks, the stone cutting forces having again resumed work, and being at present engaged getting out stone for a large bridge over Snake River on the Oregon Short Line. Mr. Campbell informed us that he anticipated a lively spring and summer at tbe quarries and that he thought it very likely that he would shortly increase his force of stone cutters, though he knew nothing definite as yet. The Lyceum meetings are attracting no little attention and prove to be a very entertaining and beneficial source of amusement for the residents. The society has among its members some excellent debating material and their debates each week are one of the principle features of the society. Mr. Briggs, the genial proprietor of the company boarding house, and hist assistant Mr. Clinton placed ye Courier man under obligation for favors shown during his short sojourn. Mr. Thos. Gary was called upon and through his efforts assisted by his estimable wife a few pleasant moments were passed. There are about one hundred and twenty-five men boarding at the company boarding house, and probably seventy-five stopping at different places, all being employed in the quarries and stone cutting yards.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 20, 1884)

“Mr. H. C. Lett who is general manager of the Union Pacific quarries at Stout, is a Nebraskian and in 1872 was the democratic candidate for governor of his state. He was defeated by the counting out process so familiar to republicans generally, and only then by a very small majority. Mr. Lett is a townsman and an acquaintance of Justice Kilburn of this city.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 27, 1884)

“The Union Pacific folks have orders for stone ahead that will justify them in putting a thousand men at work in their quarries at Stout the present spring. The side track which skirts the hog-back in the rear of the boarding house is to be extended nearly half a mile north to new ground which it is the company’s intention to open up right away. Such active operations on the part of the company will give employment to a great many men which cannot help adding to the prosperity of this city.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 27, 1884)

“Killed while Blasting Rocks.
Samuel Y. Redd who, as foreman of a force of men, has been engaged in grading for an extension of the quarry track northward from the boarding house at Stout, was instantly killed Monday morning by a flying rock thrown by a discharge of a blast. The men attempted to touch off five charges at once, and Mr. Redd instead of getting out of the way, lingered to see it done until the first fuse gave warning of danger, when he started on the run to escape flying rocks. When about 100 feet away, a fragment weighing fully fifty pounds, struck him in the back of the head and killed him instantly. Mr. Evan, who was firing the fuse was only a very few feet away when the discharge took place, by keeping a sharp look out, managed to dodge the flying rocks and thus escaped injury. Coroner Marsh was immediately notified of the fatal accident to Mr. Redd by telegraph, and proceeded at once to hold an inquest over the remains. The jury consisting of Messrs. Jacob Flowers, Eli Brown, Thos. Valentine, Geo. Thompson, John Lincoln and Peter Brogan, after a careful inquiry brought in a verdict in accordance with above facts. The body was taken in charge by the railroad company and prepared for burial. From a letter found on the body, it was learned that Mr. Redd had a wife and children at Leadville. They have been notified of the unfortunate event.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 24, 1884)

“Sam Reed, the man who was killed by an explosion at Fort Collins last week, was from Louisville, Kentucky. About five years ago, while a contractor there, he attempted the assassination of Mayor John G. Baxter. For this offense he was indicted. While on bail he made a quick trip to Colorado. His first stopping-place was Leadville. A few weeks afterward he came to Denver and obtained employment as a sub-contractor on the Union Pacific railroad. Later he was engaged in the stonework department in the construction of tue Union depot at Denver. For the past two years he has been a contractor at the stone quarries of the Union Pacific railroad. —Denver Opinion.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 1, 1884)

“The Stout train arrives from the east at 10:30 a. m. and departs for Stout at 11:00 a.m. Returning, arrives in Collins at 3:45 p. m. and leaves for Greeley at 4:15 p. m.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 1, 1884)

“Thirty men came down from Denver Monday to go to work in the quarries. Mr. Lett, the superintendent, we are informed, will give employment to 100 more if he can get them. A pleasant party was given at Stout, last week at the Cliff residence. Some twenty couple were present and dancing was continued until the wee sma’ hours.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 1, 1884)

“Mr. C. N. Oleson, of Stout, made this office a pleasant call last Monday. He reports business booming at the quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 1, 1884)

“Immense train loads of stone in the quarries owned by the Union Pacific railway are daily shipped to all parts of the west.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 12, 1884)

“The Fourth at Stout
Editor Courier:–Stout has been attractinst so much attention the last year that we have concluded to invite the public to come and see us on the coming Fourth, and we will entertain them right royally. Hon. Joe Murray will deliver the address, a band of music will be on hand, a large hall, (now under course of erection) will be devoted to the dance. Athletic games will be indulged in–foot races, wheelbarrow races, hammer throwing, trials of strength, etc., and a display of fire-works will close the programme. Refreshments will be provided, and portions of quarry work will be put in operation to show the methods used in our peculiar industry. Messrs. Gray, Jones, Briggs, and Olson have already provided for the above, and a committee on programme is yet to be appointed to make the arrangements perfect. The Union Pacific will run excursion trains from Cheyenne and Denver, and at least a thousand visitors are expected. The glades are already putting on their summer decorations, being a literal garden of wild flowers. No better time could be selected to visit your little sister town of 300 voters, and we will be pleased to see Fort Collins and all Larimer county out to see us. H. J. M. M. Stout, June 14, 1884.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 26, 1884)

“A Day on Horsetooth. Ft. Collins, Colo., July 19, 1884. Dear Courier:–According to promise I will try to give you a sketch of our trip to “Horsetooth” which important event took place Wednesday last. We made a start from Collins about 7 o’clock a. m., the weather looking cloudy and foreboding rain, but by the time we reached the foothills, the clouds had disappeared and the sun shone out beautifully, its rays tempered by a gentle and very acceptable breeze. The crops between our city and the foothills never looked better the wheat is “im mense,” and we saw some fields of very fine corn, notwithstanding the long cold spring we had this year. A few farmers to whom we spoke, said that all they needed now was good prices for their crops to make this a white letter year for them, and to this we added, amen! for the farmers are the feeders, after all, and ought, in our opinion, to make more money than they generally do. Passing through Spring cdanon and by “Petr..” (Bachelder’s new town) we saw one of the prettiest, and best built country school houses that it has ever been our lot to come across. It is built of the cream colored sandstone found at Stout and besides being put up in a very neat manner, is situated on an eminence which adds still further to its general appearance. It is used frequently as a Lyceum by the inhabitants of the precinct which includes Stout, and I have been given to understand that the political, social and literary questions of the day are there discussed with great fervor. Many of the horny handed [calloused hands] sons of toil from the quarries take a hand, and we all know when that class of men gets into a discussion, they say what they mean and don’t mince matters. Passing under the high track at this point of the quarry branch, and going through another canon, we go by Lippert’s (formerly) Jno. Davis’ old ranch) adn are surprised to find two or three other small, but neat and comfortable ranches with good corrals and neat, gardens and fences, where the writer, who knows the locality for ten years past, never expected to see anything in the shape of vegetables growing luxuriantly–“but in Colorado, wherever there is water, etc. etc.” After leaving Lippert’s we went through the divide which brings us into the glade leading to the “Redstone” and that divide,–talk of the “Rocky Road to Dublin.” I’m sure that that same Dublin road can’t hold a candle to it. It carries out the doctor’s prescription “to be well shaken before taken” to a dot. After getting through here, instead of taking the road south to the Redstone, we turn off to the right, and drive up a steep hill and come to a piece of table land, which we followed till we cdame to the foot of “Horsetooth” where wheeling ceases. Here we got out, picketed our horses and start on a trail for the top of the mountains. The trail is called a mile and a half long, and it takes about an hour and a half to do it. Progress is slow, and frequent stoppoages for breathing purposes have to be made, but at length we reach the very topmost pinnacle and grand is the result. The view is sublime. Collins and Loveland are perfectly plain to be seen with the naked eye. You can trace the course of the Poudre till it rounds a bluff, shutting out of view Greeley, which but for that could be easily seen. The smoke of the Argo works, at Denver, can be seeu without a glass, and our guide tells us that on a perfectly clear day, with a good glass, an excellent view of Denver can be obtained. Using a glass the view of the plains, dotted with farm houses. lakes and small towns, the river marked by a dark line of cotton woods, and a dim blue haze caused, I suppose by the heat, is a picture that will long be retained in our mind’s eye. The view westward is perhaps grander. From the great height, you see an endless succession of hill and dale, covered with what looks like a velvety green carpet, and which from its immensity puts one in mind of the sea. We got down old “Horsetooth’s grim side with almost as much difficulty as the going up, but somewhat quicker and with less fatigue. We got into camp near running water, and near a cool Rocky Mountain spring, by a little after two o’clock, p. m. and as we had not broken our fast since 6:30, a. m., you can imagine the justice done to the good things then and there provided. If you don’t believe me ask John Deaver, who, by the way, is one of the best mountain guides in this neck of the woods. Our party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Driscoll, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Conroy and their two children, Miss McConnell, Mr. Wm. Driscoll and Mr. T. M. Roberts, of the Missouri Pacific railway. We had a good long nooning and reached Collins about five p. m. happy, dusty and tired. Yours for Colorado, Yornoc.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 24, 1884)

“Stout quarries an shipping immense *es of building and flagging stone.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 24, 1884)

“Among the curiosities of the picturesque regions in the foothills, around Stout quarries, are petrified mosses and moss stones of most interesting shades and formations.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 31, 1884)

“Religious service will be conducted in *all at the Stout quarries every Sunday starting at 11 o’clock.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 21, 1884)

“We learn from Mr. R L. Weaving of Stout, that Mr. Lett, manager of the Stout quarries has just secured a contract for furnishing 1,300 yards of paving stone for the city of Omaha.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 11, 1884)

“Yesterday the quarry men at Stout to the number of three hundred, organized a crusade against a saloon recently started in their midst. It seems that ever since the last payday, several of the best men on the works have been on a regular debauch, resulting Thursday morning in their discharge from employment and the workmen, becoming incensed at the cause, resolved to compel the saloon keeper to close his establishment. Immediately after dinner yesterday they marched in a body about three hundred strong and gave the vender of liquids notice to quit, with what effect is yet to be determined. Our informant, who was an eye witness, thought that unless he obeyed the order his shanty would be pulled down over his head as the men were in dead earnest and would not stand any foolishness in the matter.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 2, 1884)

“The Union Pacific railroad company have a surveyor’s force engaged this week in surveying an extension of their branch road in the glade west of this place, just behind the first hogbacks, from the Stout stone quarries to the A. Straight quarries, which lie about twelve miles apart. The company does this for the reason that the Stout quarries are insufficient to meet the heavy demands they are constantly receiving for stone. The Straight quarries are said to be the best in the state.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 23, 1884)

1885

“Mr. Orestes Lord is putting up a substantial looking barn; dimensions 25×30. It is being built of sandstone from the quarry near by. It will present a fine appearance when finished.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 8, 1885)

“SPRING CANON. Farmers are plowing. John Walters is furnishing parties in Col lins with hay. Mrs. J. J. Bradley entertained friends Tuesday afternoon. The quarries are in full operation at Stout, a full quota of men being employed. Mrssrs Gifford and Haynes, of Loveland, were looking up cattle in this vicinity Monday. The evening spent with the Lyceum at Pleasant Valley last Friday evening was an enjoyable one. The Knights of Labor will organize at this place Saturday night March 14th. Let the workingmen come together. John Delaney has commenced work on his land near the Akin ranch. He has secured the service of T. Andrew for a short time. An invitation has been extended to the society to visit the Lyceum at this place March 21, ad the invitation has been accepted. The school house now presents a fine apappearance with the additional building which has just been completed by Dawley and Lord.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 12, 1885)

“Mr. E. W. Campbell, formerly connected with the Stout quarries, and quite well known in this city, will leave next week for Omaha, to accept a position in the U. P. surveyor’s office. Mr. Campbell has been in State Engineer Nettleton’s office during the past winter and has proved himself careful and precise in his duties. The good wishes of many friends of Mr. Campbell go with him.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 14, 1885)

“W. N. Bachelder is filling an order for flagging for sidewalk in front of C. R. Welch’s block.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 6, 1885)

“Nearly two hundred men are at work in the Stout quarries, and business is booming in good shap . There are orders ahead for large quantities of dimension and paving stone.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 22, 1885)

“George Kelly has the contract for laying pavement in front of the county offices, *ngs the stone from the quarries of * Lescher.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 19, 1885)

1886

“A five-foot sidewalk of selected flagging from the quarries of Lord & Loescher, in size from five feet square upward, surrounds the house on north and east (about 4, 000 feet of flagging is used in and about the house).” (Fort Collins Courier, March 11, 1886 — included with the description of Abner Loomis’s grand new house.)

“A private letter from L. P. Kemoe, dated at Grand Junction, March 14th, to a friend in this city, says: “Arrived here a week ago last Thursday, and have begun cutting stone. The stone is not so good here as we have at the Stout quarries, but it’s not so hard. We have a derrick placed at the quarry that can raise a cubic yard or more, so we can handle a good-sized stone. A snow storm is going over the valley to-day, so we can’t see across the street.”” (Fort Collins Courier, March 18, 1886)

“Stout Stone for the Capitol.
Tribune Republican, March 23rd. The board of capitol commissioners paid a visit to the Stout stone quarries yesterday, leaving the city in the morning and returning at 9 o’clock at night. The party was composed of Governor Eaton, ex-Governor John L. Routt, Hon. Dennis Sullivan and Messrs. Kassler, Webster, Butters and Nettleton, of the capitol commission; Mr. Richardson, the contractor; Architect Meyers; Superintendent Gumry; Secretary Clark; Mr. H. C. Lett, superintendent of the stone department of the Union Pacific railway; Mr. W. H. Lett, agent of the Stout quarries in Denver; ex-County commissioner H. D. Steele, Mr. John M. Gabathuler, Mr. J. D. McGilvray, of the stone contracting firm of Hayes & McGilvray; Mr. W. Harvey, a stone contractor, and a Tribune-Re-publican representative. A special car, which was placed at the disposal of the party by the Union Pacific railway, carried the party to Stout by way of Greeley and Fort Collins. The chief question with the capitol commissioners now is as to what stone shall be used in the superstructure of the building. They will probably visit other quarries before coming to a determination.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 1, 1886)

“Montgomery has discovered a quarry to be of fine marble, in the second glade, six miles west of this city. Samples *t will be shown at the board of trace meeting to-morrow evening.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 15, 1886 — not sure where this is.)

“The Redstone quarry commenced shipping stone last week. This company has the contract for the stone for the ashler and trimmings for a handsome residence to be erected on Capitol hill, Denver, by E. F. Halleck, the well known lumber man.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 22, 1886)

“A BED STONE QUARRY. –+–
The Property of the Fort Collins Red Stone Company. –+– A MOUNTAIN OF BUILDING ROCK.
One Month’s Work Shows a Fortune in Sight–A Large Forced to be Worked. In company with Mr. George F. Wilson, general superintendent and one of the owners, a COURIER reporter rode out to the new redstone quarry Tuesday. The owners of the property, besides Mr. Wilson, are John P. Lower, the pioneer dealer in guns and sportings goods, of Denver, and A. H. Garfield, formerly connected with the quarries at Morrison. These three gentlemen are associated under the corporate title of the Fort Collins Red Stone company, with a capital stock of $15,000. The papers of the company were filed with the secretary of state March 17th, and the first drill was struck the 25th of last month; so it was at the risk of being premature that a visit was made to the scene of their work. The property of the company lies just across the Poudre from Bellvue, and comprises about 110 acres, including the whole of the red hill facing Pleasant Valley, the sharp cliff of which may be seen from nearly any point in the vicinity of this city. Work was commenced on the south end of the hill, where at present efforts are being directed to “getting a face” on the quarry. The rock is a fine red sandstone of the bright, uniform color at present so fashionable, especially as trimming stone in business blocks and fine residences, and is, so far as the extend of teh work enables the owners to judge, by far the most beautiful material for build ing purposes in the state. Unlike the red sandstone in most localities, this shows no disposition to crumble or break. When the exposed layer is removed it can be taken out in blocks of any size desired, of a thickness up to five feet, by six feet wide, and any reasonable length required. The face is to be 150 feet long, on the south, and 100 feet wide on the end. About sixty feet is thus far exposed showing its entire length in clear, smooth red rock. At the centre of the quarry stands a huge derrick of mountain spruce twenty-two inches in diameter at the base, forty-seven feet high, with a thirtyfour foot boom; it is capable of elevating a “bebple” weighing ten tons (20,000 pounds.) The largest block thus far removed is a cube of about five feet of the uniform handsome terracotta colo., weighing seven and one-half tons. emoval of refuse rock is greatly facilitated by means of a small car, running on a miniature railroad track from the quarry to the dump.
Blasting is at present the method employed to get into the rock and expose the quality. Two blasts were made during the reporter’s visit, one heaving out huge boulders weighing hundreds of pounds to a height of fifty to seventy-five feet; the other, from a drilling in the very base of the quarry in the solid rock. After each explosion, the same bright, even colored stone was seen exposed by the shot. Mr. Wilson–who is a quarry superintendent of long experience, and thoroughly acquainted with stone and the proper means of handling and shipping it on a large scale to advantage and profit–disapproves the use of giant powder in taking out dimension stone, as it not only breaks it up, outright, but frequently impairs its strength by straining it, although this defect is difficult to detect. The power of resistance of this red sand-stone is estimated at from 11,000 to 15,000 pounds to the square inch, and the most improved methods of handling will be adopted to preserve its excellence. It is therefore proposed to use the plug and feather process as soon as a face is gotton on the quarry. This process is by the introduction ot wedges in the drill holes, by which means the rock is forced apart. At present, shipping is done by hauling on wagons to the U. P. track at Bellvue, but the quarry company have the assurance of the railroad officials of a switch–which will only need to be about 1,500 feet in length–en-abling the cars to be speedily loaded from the derrick. Two or three carloads of ashler were Tuesday awaiting shipment to Denver, for use on E. F. Halleck’s mansion. When the side track is laid and the quarry is opened the length desired–150 feet–the laboring force, at present numbering fourteen men, will be increased to about 150. Mr. Wilson expects this will be about the first of June.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 29, 1886)

“John F. Coots, the leading stone contractor of Omaha, accompanied by Fred Drexel, an experienced stone cutter, visited Fort Collins Tuesday of this week. Mr. Coots has the contract for building the new depot at Cheyenne, and while here arranged with Superintendent Wilson for the purchase of all the trimming stone for that large and handsome building from the quarries of the Fort Collins Redstone company. Mr. Coots pronounces this the best stone for the purpose he has been able to find, and predicts that when it once becomes sufficiently introduced to advertise its merits, the demand for it will be immense.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 20, 1886)

“Communication. To the Editor of the Courier. I have learned through different sources that there is a great deal of blow about a claim that was given to H. L. Akard, about four years ago, to a portion of the red sandstone quarry. At that time the proposition was made to sell him an interest in the quarry; he did not wish to purchase, but said if an interest was given him he would have the papers fixed up properly and recorded at his own expense. But, by the record, it appears that the business was neglected and not attended to as it should have been, thus leaving a chance for litigation. Now, to avoid litigation, it has beens suggested to leave the whole matter to three disinterested person to find out who the injured party is. Mr. Akard is claiming damages, thought it looks as if the shoe would fit better on the other foot. I never received a cent, either directly or indirectly, for the land he claims. John Minkler Hastings, Neb., Mary 16, 1886.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 27, 1886)

“Pleasant Valley. From our special correspondent. The force of men at the Red Stone quarry is rather small this week. Mrs. Runyan has moved back to the valley to remain all Summer.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 3, 1886)

“U. P. railroad company employees have commenced work on the sidetrack from Bellvue to the Redstone quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 3, 1886 — Redstone was in Pleasant Valley.)

“On Monday evening Hon. Joseph Murray made one of his characteristic speeches before the Joe Murray Assembly, Knights of Labor, at Stout, Almost the entire quarry force was in attendance; the school house was crowded and standing room was obtained outside, where there was also a gathering. Mr. Murray spoke of the advantages of the organization and its benefits to members and argued in favor of every wage-worker becoming a Knight of Labor. His arguments were sound and convincing. This particular assembly has been of great benefit to the workmen at the Stout quarries. Since it was instituted, the number of saloons there has been reduced from six to one, and that is poorly patronized at present. There are 134 members, and the assembly proposes to build a hall to replace one that was blown down some time since.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 15, 1886)

“The Redstone quarry has quite a force of men at work.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 12, 1886 – Pleasant Valley)

“William Sauer, a young man employed at the Stout quarries, broke his left forearm, on Saturday last, while trying to raise a heavy piece of stone. Dr. Lee splinted the arm, and Sauer was sent to the U. P. hospital at Denver, Monday afternoon.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 19, 1886)

“There are two hundred men employed at the Stout quarries and the weekly shipmen of stone aggregates nearly 150 carloads. Not withstanding the large force employed the manager is behind on his orders, and forty or fifty men could find employment there.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 2, 1886)

“It is expected that work will begin soon on the branch railroad from here to the Buckhorn quarries. A force of Rochester fifteen men came in on a special car, last Friday, and immediately began a locating survey. The road will connect with the main line immediately north of the elevator.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 14, 1886)

“J. Mattison, an employe at the Stout quarries, was so badly injured on Saturday last by a stone falling on and crushing his hand as to need the services of Dr. Lee in repairing the injury.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 21, 1886)

“GOV. ROUTT’s marble quarries are attracting wide attention. The sample of marble from these quarries that was on exhibition at the Denver exposition was greatly praised and by some pronounced superior to the Tennessee marble. The opening of these quarries will be another important addition to the profitable industries of Larimer county.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 4, 1886)

“marble is pure in quality, capable of exceptional polish and easily obtainable. It will be worth more than the cost price in the market, and on this account we are assured of the continued working of the quarries when they are once opened. We have seen no adequate definition of this marble. It certainly does not belong to the same class that the Tennessee marble belongs to, for it is different in color, and finer in grain and far more beautiful than the Tennessee product. We are inclined to the belief that the marble from the Routt quarry will prove to be a pure Broeatello. This is a marble that has never before been found in America, and has been supposed to exist only in Spain. It also partakes largely of the character of the Lamachello marble, which is fossiliferous, and which owes its capacity for high polishing to the enclosed fragments of shells retaining their nacre and irridescence. This is a very rare marble also, and one of great value because of its beauty when polished.

“The New Colorado Marble/ From the Denver Journal of Commerce. It is just possible that Governor Routt has struck something in the marble bed which he has discovered in Pleasant Valley which will prove to be more profitable than his Polled Angus ranch or even than the Evening Star mine, which in days gone by did so much for him. At any rate, the indications are equal to the best. The Governor Routt’s quarries would probably never produce marble for the most artistic sculpture, but there has so far been no marble found in the United States which would make such beautiful memorial monuments or could be used to such advantage in the interior decorations of buildings, in the construction of fountains or in the making of table tops and mantels. For that matter it is a superior marble for use in all the channels in wnieh marble is used outside of pure art. Having found three distinct veins of the marble, each of which varies from seven to twenty five feet in width, it would seem that the supply would be illimitable, and the fact that the governor has been able to extract such specimens as that shown at the exposition from a point so near the surface is the best possible evidence of the fine character of the bed as a whole. There is but little doubt that the quarry can be opened cheaply and that when opened it will produce large quantities of excellent stones. At any rate there is quite sufficient justification for the opening up of the quarry which the governor promises, and for the expression of the belief that if it be opened the output will justify the expense and lead to the development of a new industry in the state which will attract general attention and grow in importance. If given a fair show, and it the present promise should prove to be not deceiving, there is every reason to believe that Governor Routt’s marble would ultimately crowd the Tennessee product out of the markets of the world.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 4, 1886)

“On Saturday we received a pleasant call from young Mr. Smith, of Smith & Son, the boarding house men at the new Buckhorn quarries. Mr. Smith tells us the company will put about one hundred men at work at once and keep that number and more constantly at work.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 4, 1886 – news from Loveland.)

“The U. P. railroad is now working on a branch track from Loveland to the Buckhorn quarries, and gives plenty of work to all who care for railroading.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 16, 1886)

1887

“Mr. Jacob Flowers, while developing a sand stone quarry near Claymore lake, run on to a four-foot vein of coal, a sample of which, from very near the surface, he has placed on exhibition at this office. This sample is somewhat decomposed and crumbles easily but it is coal nevertheless. It has been known for some time that coal existed in that locality but it has not been supposed that so thick a vein of it could be found. If Uncle Jake has found, or can find, a four-foot vein of good coal so near town, his fortune is made. Claymore lake is about five miles west of Fort Collins.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 27, 1887)

“The people of Larimer county are prepared to build a new court house and the commissioners give the assurance that all the material will be of Larimer county production, so far as practicable. The brick will be made in Fort Collins, the stone for the foundation from the Stout quarries, and the stone for the trimmings from quarries in the county, if a suitable quality can be obtained. This is right. —Golden Transcript.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 3, 1887)

“The derrick rope on which Peter Bengston, a quarry laborer, was pulling, Monday, suddenly parted and Benston fell over a cliff down some seventeen feet on the railway track, sustaining severe injuries. His right arm was broken and his head and chest were badly bruised. It is a wonder he escaped with his life. Dr. Lee, Union Pacific surgeon, was called the same evening and reduced the facture of Bengston’s arm and dressed his other injuries. Bengston was sent to the U. P. hospital at Denver, on Tuesday.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 17, 1887)

“Mr. A. L. Sutherland, of Chicago, who is looking over Colorado in the interest of the Chicago Building association, inspecting the Colorado quarries with a view of finding out the capacity and character of the various quarries along the line of the Rocky Mountain range, visited the Stout, Red Stone and Buckhorn quarries, this week, and took specimens from each of them to be submitted to the association for tests, etc. He is very favorably impressed with the Larimer county quarries, and thinks they have a great future.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 31, 1887)

“Shipping rock has commenced at the quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 7, 1887)

“Fully one thousand men are finding steady, profitable employment in the stone quarries of Larimer county. Of this number over one-half are employed in quarries owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railway company. The Union Pacific leaves a big roll of money in this county every month.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 21, 1887)

“Larimer county’s stone product is increasing every day. Larimer county’s accomplishment in this direction is merely a specimen of what can he done in many other portions of the state. Indeed, Colorado can, if given a fair opportunity, supply the whole country with stone for the next hundred years. In no other state in the Union can such varieties of stone for building purposes be found, and there is no other locality in the world at which it can be quarried at such light cost. We have stone of all colors and of all grades of texture suitable for building. As for flagging, there is none equal to that found in the Collins quarries. The immense limestone slabs which are occasionally on sidewalks used in some cities in the east are just as durable, but they wear slick, and besides it would bankrupt most cities to make their side walks of limestone. — Denver Times.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 9, 1887)

“The Stout quarries employ about 250 men this summer.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 23, 1887)

“Building stone needs to be exposed to the drying influences of the sun and weather for some time after being taken from the quarry before it is fit to be placed in a wall.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 14, 1887)

“The court house corner stone will be a handsome block of red sandstone, three feet square and two feet thick, and is a gift to the county by Messrs. Lower & Wilson, the enterprising proprietors of the Red Sandstone quarries The stone will be handsomely dressed, and a panel, bearing a suitable inscription, cut in each outward face.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 21, 1887)

“Capt. J. T. Cliff is uncovering a large body *e rock at his quarry near Spring canon.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 1, 1887)

“Frank Routt has discovered a quarry of excellent marble on his farm two miles above Bellvue. The stone is hard and firm, and of the color of dry chocolate. It exists near the surface in stratas varying from one inch to three feet in thickness, and is easily quarried. It takes on a beautiful polish when dressed, and we think will prove a valuable discovery.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 17, 1887)

“Messrs. Saul & Weaving have leased Mr. Geo. Bear’s white sandstone quarries, near Bellvue, and expect to open and operate them on a big scale next spring. These quarries yield almost a pure white sandstone of firm texsture and the stone can be taken out in blocks of any size. It cannot be surpassed as a trimming stone. Capt. J. T. Cliff has contracted with the city to put in the street crossings all over the city, wherever new sidewalks are being laid. For the information of some of our citizens the Courier will state that the captain is ready to fulfill his contract whenever notified that sidwalks have been completed to the block corners entitled to crossings.” ( (Fort Collins Courier, December 15, 1887)

1888

“Q—What are the principal towns of the county? A–Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Stout, Livermore, Arkins and Timnath. … Q.—What we the resources and industries of the county? A—Our resources consist in a healthful climate, productive soil, exhaustless quarries of red, gray and white sand stone, marble paving, curbing, and flagging stone;

millions of timber, rich gold and copper mines and boundless manufacturing possibilities. … About 500 men are constantly employed in the Stout, Arkins and Bellevue quarries getting out flagging, curbing for streets, red, gray and white sandstone for building purposes and there seems to be no end to the demand for these products. Immense quantities of stone from these quarries are yearly shipped to Denver, Cheyenne, Omaha, Kansas City, Topeka, Leavenworth, Lawrence and Lincoln.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 5, 1888)

“Messrs. A. C. Beckwith, of Evanston, Wyoming, and James O’Reilly, of Joliet Illinois, registered at the Tedmon on Tuesday last. These gentlemen visited Stout Tuesday afternoon and the Buckhorn quarries Wednesday for the purpose of informing themselves of the condition of the quarries owned by the Union Pacific. Mr. O’Reilly is an expert in the stone business, having beeu for many years engaged in quarrying at Joliet. Should his investigations of the railroad companie’s quarries in this county prove to be satisfactory it is the intention of Messrs. Beckwith & Quinn, who are now operating, under a lease, all of the Union Pacific company’s coal mines in Wyoming, to take a lease of the quarries and hereafter work them. While in this city Mr. Beckwith met several old-time friends whom he had not seen beofre in from twenty to twenty-five years. Among them were A. H. Patterson, Hon. W. C. Stover and N. C. Alford. ….” (Fort Collins Courier, January 19, 1888)

“Some idea of the magnitude of the quarrying industry of Larimer county will be gained by a knowledge of the quantity of stone quarried and shipped out of the county during the past year. The Stout quarries, by far the largest producers in the county, shipped by rail about 6,000 car-loads. A careful estimate of the products of the Bellvue and Buckhorn quarries shows that their shipments were about 4,000 car-loads, making altogether 10,000 car-loads of stone quarried in and sent out of the county during the year 1887. These estimates do not include the large quantities quarried by private owners and delivered by wagons in Fort Collins and Loveland for building and sidewalk purposes, amounting in the aggregate to several hundrcd car-loads. The estimated average value per car-load on track at the quarries is $60. At this rate the aggregate value of the entire product of the quarries of this county for 1887 is not far from $700,000. When we consider that but a small per cent of the available producing quarries have been opened and operated in the past year and not one of these to its full capacity, a faint idea of the extent and importance of this industry, when fully developed, and its effect on the properity of the county may be gained. What effect the leasing of the Union Pacific quarries to Messrs. Beckwith & Quinn will have on the industry is yet to be determined but the impression largely prevails that it will be beneficial, as it is understood that the railroad company will refuse to grant them any advantages in the matter of transportation and rates over other quarrymen.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 19, 1888)

“The force at the quarries was in creased last week by the arrival of a party of Swedes. A new bunk house has been erected for their accommodation.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 19, 1888)

“J. F. Smith, a resident and school director here is at present sinking an artesian well at the Stout quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 19, 1888)

“Messrs. Beckwith & Quinn, of Evanston Wyoming, who have leased the Union Pacific quarries in this county, took posession on Wednesday and the quarries at Stout and Arkins will be operated under their management in the future. No change has as yet been made at Stout but it is expected that there will be soon.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 2, 1888)

“George Bohn, an employe in the quarries at Stout, had his four fingers on his right hand smashed by a heavy stone on Saturday last. He was taken to the Union Pacific hospital at Denver where he will remain until he recovers the use of his hand.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 9, 1888)

“The Stone Business. Hon. H. C. Lett, late superintendent of the stone department of the Union Pacific railway company, has furnished the Denver News with the following statement showing the volume of business done in his department at the Stout quarries in this county since 1885. It makes a good showing.
Number of cars shipped during the year 1887………..6,260
Amount of sales at quarry. $305,761 71
Number of cars shipped to Denver stone yard ……….. 2,533
Amount of sales 90,153 58
Freight earnings for 1887…….. 157, 915 58 (This does not include freight on stone for company’s use)
Number of cars shipped by the stone department during the past four years, up to December 31,1887…………… 18,267
– The total amount of business during these four years is $1,148,530.93, of which $427,803.09 is freight earnings on commercial business. In this showing no account is taken of freight on material shipped for company use. Most of this work has been done in three years, as in 1885 but little was done and no effort made, as it was a year of great stagnation all over the country.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 9, 1888)

“W. K. Ure has accepted a position as foreman at the Stout quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 8, 1888)

“DISTRESSING CASUALTY. Chas. W. Van Brunt Dies from Injuries Received in a Railroad Accident at Stout. One of those distressing disasters which frequently shock the sensibilities of people in these days of railroads, occurred on Tuesday last, at Stout, in this county, by which Charles W. Van Brunt a promising young man of Fort Collins, received injuries from which death ensued a few hours afterward. The details of this terrible affair, as we learned them from Charile’s own lips after he was brought to his mother’s home in this city, are as follow: Not feeling very well he took a run up to Stout on the morning train intending to return in the afternoon. While the train was switching cars on to the quarry side track the flat car which he was on jumped the track in a narrow rock cut. Seeing that he could not cling to the car, which stood at a sharp angle, he attempted to jump to the bank but missing his foothold slipped back and fell between the moving car and a cliff of rocks. His right leg was caught near the hip joint and the flesh crushed to pulp and the bones broken into splinters. He was tenderly taken up and carried to the depot and thence brought home in the caboose as soon as the train men could get orders from the despatcher’s office in Denver. On the arrival of the injured man at his mother’s home Drs. Lee and Bristol, who were in waiting, after an examination, decided that amputation was necessary, but that it could not be undertaken until he revived from the effects of the shock and gained sufficient strength to undergo the operation. Everything that could possibly be done to restore circulation and increase his vitality was done but without avail. Towards evening he began to sink, but lingered along until 10 o’clock p.m., when he quietly and peacefully passed away. Charles W. Van Brunt, son of Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Van Brunt, was born April 12, 1866, and was therefore nearly 22 years old. He had a great many friends in this city, where he has lived the past six or seven years, and his untimely death is sincerely mourned. He was an efficient memer of the Fort Collins Fire department, under the auspices of which the funderal will be conducted to-day at 10 o’clock a. m., at the Presbyterian church. Much sympathy is expressed for his widowed mother so suddenly bereft of a loving and dutiful son on whom she bestowed the wealth of a mother’s affection.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 15, 1888)

“Speaking of Mr. A. C. Beckwith who, as lessee of the Stout quarries, has become largely interested in Larimer county, the Laramie Sentinel says: “We have known Mr. Beckwith for more than twenty years and we never heard him charged with a mean, dishonest or dishonorable act. He is one of the most liberal and charitable, whole-souled and public spirited men we ever knew. No worthy object ever appeals to him for help in vain, and thousands ‘will rise up and call him blessed’ long after Barrow is dead and forgotten.”” (Fort Collins Courier, March 15, 1888)

“A large number of quarry men came down from Denver, Tuesday evening, to go to work in the Stout quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 22, 1888)

“On Tuesday last two carloads of stone shaping machinery arrived for the Red Stone company’s extensive quarry works at Bellvue. It will be set up immediately and put in operation, sawing and shaping blocks of stone to fill orders.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 26, 1888)

Long article about the splendors of the Fort Collins area, including mines full of stone, copper, coal, gold and silver. (Fort Collins Courier, May 3, 1888)

“H. C. Lett, former manager of the Stout quarries, arrived from Denver on Monday evening’s train, accompanied by a number of Lincoln, Nebraska, people who are looking this country over.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 24, 1888)

“On Monday last a Finlander named A. Peterson, employed at the Stout quarries, received injuries that will likely lay him up for some time. While hoisting rock from the quarry with a derrick the crank in some way slipped from his grasp and went whirling back, the handle striking Peterson on the head and cutting a gash in the scalp fully three inches long and slightly fracturing the skull. He was immediately brought to this city and placed in charge of Dr. Lee, local surgeon for the Union Pacific, who dressed the wound and made the man as comfortable as possible.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 28, 1888)

“The county commissioners of Arapahoe county came down from Denver Tuesday, to examine the various qualities of stone to be found in the Stout and Bellvue quarries, with a view to using it in the construction of a new $200,000 jail for that county.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 28, 1888)

“The Department of the Union Pacific *d a comparative statement of the * quarries at Stout and Buckhorn, *sy, for the past eight months, as with a similar period of last year, *as that the output this year is was compared to $141,849.42 for an increase of $49,769.06; total cars year, 3,979, as against 4,005 last twenty-six less; pay-rolls this year, as compared with $127.320.20 last excess of $23,089.53; Denver bus6.06, as against $50,152.01 last increase of $11,714.59 in this year The pay-rolls for the past show an average of 450 men at the two quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 13, 1888 — there’s gaps. Not everything was visible.)

“* Sickman, a first class accountant *r one gentleman, has accepted the * bookkeeper at the Stout quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, September 20, 1888)

“The COURIER is called upon this week to record the death of Mr. Frank B. Lord, one of Larimer county’s most estimable citizens, which occurred at Spring Canon, on Saturday, the 13th inst., after a short illness from typhoid fever. His body was embalmed by Ralph and shipped to his parents’ home, Union Village, New Hampshire, for burial. Mr. Orestes Lord, brother of the deceased, accompanied the remains. Mr. Lord was twentyseven years and five months old. He has been engaged with his brother in operating in extensive stone quarry for a number of years.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 18, 1888)

“On and after December 1st the boarding houses and stores at the Stout and Buckhorn quarries will be operated and managed by Messrs. Evans, Thomas & Co., of this city, who have entered into a contract with the railway company to furnish all the supplies and board the wen for a term of years. There are at present about 160 men employed at Stout and about 125 at Buckhorn.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 29, 1888)

1889

“Evans, Thoman & Co., who operate the boarding houses and store at Stout and Arkins, report about three hundred hands at work in the quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 7, 1889)

H. C. Kranker, from Denmark, was employed at Stout in the Blacksmith shop. He had recently learned that his fiance in Denmark was marrying someone else and he killed himself on the road to Loveland. His cousin, who worked as a cook at Stout, had to come and identify his body. (Fort Collins Courier, March 21, 1889)

“Arkins. From our special correspondent. J. C. Evans, the mayor of Fort Collins, is the boss of this camp. Some of the Stout boys are opening a quarry on Cooper hill. Mr. Shirley has sold his quarry to Mr. hartford and retired from the stone business. Miss Mary Fertig, Mrs. T. L. Trittipo and D. B. Cooper paid a flying visit to Collins last week. John Pigney has sold his interest in the Cooper quarry to John Loco. It will now be Loeo & Johnson. George Porter and crew are doing the best of any one on the creek. With five men working they are averaging $4.25 per day to the man. The U. P. company have put in an immense stone crusher here. Capacity twenty cars per day. This crushed stone is for macadamizing the streets of Denver. M. C. Johnson, formerly of this place but late of Liberty, Missouri, is with us again. Mr. Johnson went east last fall to get married and work in the Cleveland campaign. He says it is easier hammering stone in Colorado than beating republicans in Illinois.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 4, 1889)

“Ex-County Commissioner Wm. P. Bosworth is this week getting out a car load of marble from Gov. Routt’s quarry to fill an order sent in by Mr. G. Rett, the Italian consul at Denver.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 16, 1889)

“The U. P. quarries at Arkins are working about 150 men. The private quarries are not shipping much stone at present.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 27, 1889)

“Kinney, who for many years was overseer at the Stout quarries, has * located at Colorado City,….” (Fort Collins Courier, December 19, 1889)

1890

“The board look a recess to visit a bridge on Spring creek, also road above the Redstone quarries, which need repairing. Road overseer instructed to make necessary repairs.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 13, 1890)

There was a big bru-ha-ha over the fact that Denver was apparently going to purchase stone for paving from somewhere outside of Colorado. This was seen not only as a slight to the Northern Colorado quarrying industry, but also a marketing nightmare as it would indicate that there was stone better and cheaper out there than what Northern Colorado had to sell. It was believed that Denver needed to support the rural communities by purchasing their products. And if they didn’t, then the rural communities were under no obligation to support Denver businesses. Included in this discussion was mention that the World’s Fair should be in Chicago. Not entirely sure how that played into the discussion, but it clearly had to do with the marketing of the stone. There was also mention that when the train company first came in, they were promising a route through the mountains. But then they only put in a line as far as the quarries. And the train line also throttled business by charging less for their own freight than that of others. (Fort Collins Courier, February 20, 1890)

There was a long article on how Denver should purchase flagging from nearby quarries rather than ordering from the West Indies. That it was important that the city of 200,000 should support neighboring industries, especially as the city had grown in part due to those nearby industries. (Fort Collins Courier, May 29, 1890)

1891

“Work is dull at the quarries, now. The company turned off thirty-five men on Monday. Private quarry men find trouble in getting cars for their stone.” (Loveland Reporter, Volume XI, Number 27, January 1, 1891 — This was an Arkins report, but might be indicative of private vs. U. P. quarries.)

“The stone men are about the busiest people these days. The private quarries are having a show since the inauguration of the new staff of the Union Pacific railway.” (Loveland Reporter, Volume XI, Number 28, January 8, 1891)

“About 115 men are now emploped at the quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 26, 1891)

“In accordance with orders from Omaha, received last week, the working force at the Stout and Arkins quarries was reduced one-half, 40 men being discharged at Stout and 45 men at Arkins. The reason for this reduction is known only to those in authority.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 16, 1891)

“Mr. Bergman got a position as brakeman on the freight train which runs from Greeley to the Stout stone quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 16, 1891)

“Some fifty of the Swedes working at the Arkins quarries left on Thursday to seek work elsewhere.” (Loveland Reporter, April 16, 1891)

“STATE STONE ASSOCIATION.
Call For a Meeting at the Chamber of Commerce The following call for a state stone convention was issued Tuesday: Denver, April 28, 1891. —Pursuant to constitutional provisions, the Colorado Stone Association is hereby called to meet in annual session in the Chamber of Commerce, at Denver, on Thursday, May 14, 1891, at 10 o clock a. m., for the purpose of electing a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and an executive committee, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the convention. All persons interested in the quarry business, the uses of stone or the promotion of the growing stone industry, are cordially invited. The newspapers of the state are respectfully requested to publish this call. John D. McGilvray, President Colorado Stone Association. G. E. Tbowbridge, Secretary Colorado Stone Association.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 30, 1891)

“For some reason a majority of the quarry hands have been discharged. Private parties have almost given up quarrying for the present, but it is hoped that a demand for stone will come later in the season.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 30, 1891 — This was in Arkins, but was likely indicative of the local industry.)

“The Union Pacific railroad company has leased its stone quarries in this county, including those at Stout and Akins, to Messrs Greenlee & Co., of Colorado Springs, and orders came Wednesday to discharge all of the U. P. quarrymen. The deal was closed up on Wednesday and the policy of the lessees respecting future operations is not known in Fort Collins at this writing. The change of management will probably result in letting Messrs. Evans, Thoman & Co. out at Stout and Arkins.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 30, 1891)

“Greenlee and Son were about last week arranging affairs at the quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 28, 1891)

1892

“John W. Greenlee, who has interests in Arkins and Stout quarries, passed through town yesterday on his way to those places.” (The Leader, January 29, 1892)
Denver started ordering stone again and things seemed to be bouncing back in Arkins. (The Leader, April 15, 1892)

1893

“The Panic of 1893 was an economic depression in the United States that began in [May] 1893 and ended in 1897.” Wikipedia.

“A Big Enterprise. Another big quarry is about to be opened at Spring canon, one and a half miles north of Stout, which will furnish employment for a large number of men. The quarry is located on top of the first ridge north of the railroad bridge crossing Spring canon creek, some 800 feet above the railroad track. It is owned by Mr. William Harvey, of Denver, who is making extensive preparations for successfully working it. A tramway is being built from the railroad track to the quarry on the summit of the ridge, to facilitate the handling of the stone, the tramway cars to be hauled up and let down by means of a wire cable working over a drum driven by an 80-horse power engine. The track of the tramway has been graded and the ties and the iron are now being laid. The power house, 40×46, which is being built of stone, is located a few feet below the railroad track. It will contain the engine and boilers and other machinery for operating the tramway and the huge derricks that will be used in lifting the stones from the quarry and loading them on the cars. Two sidetracks, each 500 feet in length, one on the upper and the other on the lower side of the main track are being put in by the railroad company for the use of these quarries. A big stone boarding house will also be erected near the power house for the accommodation of employes, besides a number of other buildings to be used for offices, store, postoffice, tool houses, etc. and a townsite to be known as Braidwood will be laid off on the property. Mr. Harvey will expend over $30,000 in getting ready to operate his quarries, which are among the best in the glade. A large amount of stripping has already been done, exposing huge layers of the finest of building stone. The improvements are being made under the direction of Mr. H. H. McIlwraith, hydraulic and scientific engineer of Denver, Mr. McBride, his assistant, being in charge of the work. Messrs. James Farrar and Guy Russell, of Denver, are the contractors doing the stone work on the power house. Work was begun on the improvements about the middle of April and have steadily progressed ever since, and Mr . McBride informs us that it will require from four to six weeks time yet to get everything in readiness for work in the quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 18, 1893)

“Braidwood is the name given the new town recently started at Spring canon.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 18, 1893)

“Several carloads of machinery for the new quarries at Braidwood , passed through town on Saturday last.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 25, 1893)

Around this time only 25 men were working at the quarry in Arkins. No mention of anyone working in Stout.

“The stone quarries are nearly all shut down, the railroad companies are laying off train crews by the score, the foundries are nearly all out of orders, the farmers and fruit growers will be barely paid for the cost of saving their crops, the merchants are countermanding their eastern orders, the traveling men for eastern houses seek almost in vain for customers.” (The Leader, July 21, 1893)

“The closeness of money has caused the Braidwood quarries to suspend operations for the present.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 3, 1893)

“The accommodation train on the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific, from Greeley to Stout, has been hauled off, pending better times. But very little work is being done now at the Stout quarries and the business did not warrant a continuance of train service.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 3, 1893)

“The American Red Stone quarries started Monday with a small force of men. Elmore Willis was employed as engineer. The quarry has long been laying in idleness and it is hoped it may now have a steady run.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 23, 1893)

1894

“There are pleasing indications of a revival of the stone industry once so prominent in this county. The Braidwood quarries at Spring canon have been started up and a strong force of men it employed in them getting out a superior article of building stone tor some large buildings in Denver and Pueblo and it is rumored that the Stout quarries will soon revert to the railroad company, which proposes to operate them with old time vigor. Mr. John J. Bradley, a former well known citizen of Fort Collins, has recently returned from Denver where he has been engaged in contracting for several years, and is opening a quarry of beautiful pink sandstone near Soldier canon for the product of which he has already several large orders. It is also reported that the marble quarries on Gov. Routt’s place, above Laporte, will be opened and extensively worked this season and that large quantities of the marble will be used on the interior finish of the state capitol building. The opening of new quarries and a resumption of vigorous operations in the old quarries in which many men will be steadily employed, augurs well for an early revival of business and increased prosperity in this section.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 10, 1894)

“After a long period of enforced idleness , resulting from the panic, the Braid wood quarries at Spring canon have resumed operations and are already shipping large quantities of dimension and ruble stone to till orders from Denver, Golden and Pueblo. These quarries are among the very best gray sandstone quarries in the state and the plant erected last season to facilitate the lifting of the huge blocks from their beds, moving and loading them upon the cars is first class in every respect and proves that Mr. Harvey, the proprietor, understands his business. The force of men at present employed will be augmented as the season advances and the demand for building stone increases.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 17, 1894)

“W. H. Harvey proprietor of the Braidwood quarries, spent the 4th in Fort Collins.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 5, 1894)

“W. H. Harvey & Co., of the Braidwood quarries, has the contract for putting in the stone foundations for the engine and boilers.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 19, 1894 – This was at the Lindell Mill. They were supplementing the water power with steam power.)

“A. P. Goodwin of this city has the contract for building a large stone creamery at Platteville. The stone will be shipped from his quarry in the glade west of the city. A. P. is a rustler.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 22, 1894)

1896

“STONE QUARRIES At one time–only a few years ago—Larimer county led the state in the extent and value of its ex ports of building, paving and flagging stone. It was then an ini portant and profitable industry, employing a large amount of capital. The quarries at Stout, Arkins, and Bellvuew gave wok to more than 600 men, and the value of yearly output of stone of different grades exceeded half a million of dollars. The panic of ’93 and the break down in silver resulted in a break down of the stone business, so that for the past two years but little has been done at the quarries. The value of the stone quarried and shipped away this year will not exceed $50,000. This industry is not dead, however, by any means. It sleepeth. There is yet an inexhaustible supply of granite, marble sandstone and flagging in the adjacent bills, which only waits the revivifying influence of good times to make available as an article of trade and commerce. Let us hope the day is not far off.” (The Loveland Register, Volume II, Number 5, January 14, 1896)

“Five cars of stone from the Arkins quarries and three from Stout have been used in the foundation of the new school buiding which is rapidly nearing completion. William Metcalf of Fort Collins, is the subcontractor in that part of the work.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 9, 1896 – which school was this? Stove Prairie?)

“Jos. L. Gray has secured a contract for about 500 carloads of curbing to be used in Denver. This is the largest stone contract that has been let in Colorado for ten years and will furnish employment at the Stout and Arkins quarries for fifty or sixty men for the next year.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 20, 1896)

“The American Red Stone quarry has shut down for awhile.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 27, 1896)

The Stone Mountain Railroad & Quarry Co. was listed as having delinquent taxes. (Loveland Reporter, Volume XVII, Number 23, October 29, 1896)

1897

“A large force of men is at work in the Stout stone quarries, getting out curbing for a Denver paving job.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 25, 1897)

“Jos. L. Gray is working fifty men in the Stout and Arkins quarries. His shipments of stone run from twenty-five to thirty cars per week.” (Fort Collins Courier, March 18, 1897)

“The increased demand for building tone, curbing and flagging and the reopening of the Stout quarries have been the means of prompting the railroad company to make some needed repairs on the track and bridges of the Stout branch. The construction train and pile driver with a force of men are now at work on this branch and the purpose is to put it in thorough repair.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 1, 1897)

“The whistle of the American Red Stone quarry again echoes through the valley . Mr. Metcalf came up last Thursday and put a larger force of men to work in his quarry.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 15, 1897 — Pleasant Valley)

“There are 75 men at work in the Stout and Arkins quarries and those places are beginning to assume their old time business activity. A train load of seventeen cars of stone came down from Stout on Friday and passed on south to Denver.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 22, 1897)

“Mr. Metcalfe is shipping a large quantity of stone from his quarries.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 22, 1897)

“Joe Gray, the quarryman, is having some difficulty with the Denver authorities with reference to his contract for furnishing curbing stone. Last winter he took a contract to furnish the city with 170,000 feet of curbing and had delivered 45,000 feet when Mayor McMurray declined to sign warrants for the amount due on contract. The consequence is that Mr. Gray has been compelled to shut down both the quarries at Stout and Arkins, throwing about 100 men out of employment. Mr. McMurray’s excuse for refusing to pay for the stone is that it is of inferior quality. The whole trouble, however, is attributed to the jealousies of the Lyons quarrymen, who were disappointed in not securing the contract for furnishing the stone. A protest is being signed by the citizens of this city and county against the action of the Denver authorities.” (Fort Collins Courier, June 24, 1897)

“Stout. From our special correspondent. Mrs. Simmons and Miss Etta Cliff of Fort Collins, were visiting Mrs. Cliff of this glade, last Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb are rejoicing over a young baby girl. Joe Gray put his men to work last week in the Stout quarries. Mr. Watrous and his neice, Anna Brose, were welcome visitors to this glade on Friday of last week. Mr. Geary commenced cutting his oats last week. P. F. Kane has a force of men at work in his quarry, getting out dimension stone.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 12, 1897)

“Stout. From our special correspondent. Mr. and Mrs. Brown and daughter Mabel, were visiting at Mr. Lamb’s Friday evening. Cherry gatherers are still passing through the glade, bound for the Redstone adn the Buckhorn. Miss Etta Simmons, who has been visiting with her cousin, Roy Cliff, the past two weeks, returned to her home in Fort Collins on Saturday. The Geary family went to the pole patch Friday. Mrs. Wathen was visiting the Goldens and Blacks, of Fort Collins, last Friday. Business in the stone quarry is not very rushing, very little work going on at present.” (Fort Collins Courier, August 26, 1897)

“Joe Gray has commenced shipping curbing from his quarry again.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 21, 1897)

“Mr. Metcalf was in the valley last Saturday transferring his force of men from his red stone quarry to his new quarry near Soldier canon.” (Fort Collins Courier, December 30, 1897)

1898

“The stone quarry work is picking up again.” (Fort Collins Courier, May 19, 1898)

“Stone Quarries AMONG the most important industries of Larimer county is stone quarrying. There are vast quantities of different kinds of stone, marble and gypsum in the county. As an illustration of the superior quality of granite found in Larimer county, it is well to cite the contract recently secured by John Chambers, of Loveland, for furnishing the granite to be used in constructing the new United States coinage mint at Denver. This stone is the very finest submitted to the United States authorities, and its acceptance will serve as an impetus to the stone industry. While there are many private quarries in the county, the two largest and most important are at Stout and Arkins. The former is reached by a Gulf spur from Fort Collins, and the latter by a spur from Loveland. Most of the flagging, curbing and paving blocks used on Denver streets and sidewalks are obtained at Stout and Arkins. It is a gray sandstone and in addition to paving purposes is used extensively for foundations and heavy masonr . At present a huge quantity of stone is being shipped from the quarries for use in bridge building on the main line of the Union Pacific railroad west of Cheyenne.
The following data relative to the Stout and Arkins quarries was furnished the Courier by the lessee, J. L. Gray. Last year there were shipped 1,218 cars of stone. There was paid for labor $17,382 and for stone from other quarries $3,340. At present forty-five men are employed and seventv-five cars of stone are shipped each week. Shipments are made to Omaha and Kansas City and many portions of the west.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 28, 1898)

“Wm. Metcalfe has resumed work in his red stone quarry.” (Fort Collins Courier, November 17, 1898)

1899

“P. G. Regan, who has been employed the past year by Mr. Metcalf as foreman in his stone quarry, has accepted a position as foreman at Joliet, Illinois.” (The Weekly Courier, February 16, 1899)

“Fred Truesdale has moved his family from Loveland to Masonville. Mr. Truesdale is working in the granite quarries. Surely times are better. The Arkins quarries have started up again with a force of fifteen or twenty men, and the granite quarries are working about thirty men. This granite quarry has just been opened up this winter on John Chambers’ place, for the purpose of getting stone for the government mint at Denver.” (The Weekly Courier, March 30, 1899)

“NEW COPPER CAMP OPENED
Promising Outlook For the Deposits West of Fort Collins. Geo. R. Caldwell, traveling corresponent of the Rocky Mountain News, who last week visited and made a thorough examination of some of the copper properties now being developed eight miles west of the city, sums up his conclusions as follows in a letter published in last Friday’s News: I have just returned from a visit to the new, or rather, the renewed copper district of which fact and fame are beginning loudly to speak. The district lies nine miles west of Fort
Collins, and is at lease sixty miles in length and ten miles in width. The district shows a veritable network of veins, the ore being a sulphide and occurring in large bodies. The locality has long been known for its copper deposits, the Empire mine being opened twenty-five years ago. This mine mine was bonded and leased in March 1898, to E. G. Bettis of Fort Collins. The property now has a tunnel of 135 feet, an eighty-foot shaft and a forty-two-foot shaft, all of which are in mineral on the vein. During development Mr. Bettis has shipped to Denver 160 tons of ore netting 10 per cent. copper and from 82 to 84 in gold. While cross-cutting lately at the extremity of the tunnel in a ninefoot ore body, a “horse” was encountered and on breaking through the obstruction an additional and rich ore deposit was found. Three feet have already been added to the tunnel breast, giving a solid ore width of twelve feet, and the end is not yet. It would surprise no one if the new discovery resulted in uncovering a permanent ore vein of from twentyfive to thirty feet in width. The new ore also shows marked improvement in values, and makes it perfectly safe to say that the Empire output can be classed as $22 ore.
NEW COMPANY ORGANIZED. A company known as the Boston and Colorado Copper Mining company has now been organized by Mr. Bettis, eastern capital being largely interested, for the development of the Empire and five adjacent properties. Hoisting and air drilling machinery will be put in the Empire at once/ The eighty-foot shaft, showing four and a half feet of ore at the bottom, will be put down twenty-five or thirty feet more and a drift started. Active shipping will begin in about six weeks. The Stout quarry railroad line from Fort Collins runs within two miles of the Empire and a good wagon road is to be constructed at once from the mine to the railway. Owing to its sulphide
character, 25 or 30 per cent. fluxing iron, this ore is only burdened with smelting charges of $3 per ton, while the steady rise in the price of copper, nearly doubling in the past five months, is constantly adding to its market worth and demand.” (The Weekly Courier, May 4, 1899)

“The Fort Collins building trades were never better employed than today. The brick yards and stone quarries are full of orders and buildings are going up in every part of the city. Probably no town in the state and possibly in the entire west, of the same size, has had such a steady growth as Fort Collins in the last ten years. The panic of 93 did not appear to affect the building boom; in fact, that year and a year or two succeeding were the busiest in all of our history. The pressed brick business has not been quite so active as during the years when Mr. E. A. Plummer was building so much in the city, but there has been no diminution in the steady progress of the town. The buildings have been divided among stone, brick and frame. In fact, no matter who is asked —the brickmaker, lumber dealer or stone quarryman—the universal reply is that business is good. The stone quarry men say that business is better this summer than in any year since the Union Pacific railroad company quit quarrying at Stout. Yet in spite of all the building renting houses are scarce and rents high, showing that the building movement is not at all overdone.” (The Weekly Courier, July 20, 1899)

“Hon John . Bradley of Denver, member of the 12th general assembly from Arapahoe county, was in the city on Thursday of last week. Mr. Bradley is a former resident of Fort Collins, and is still the owner of valuable stone quarries near Stout, which he is working this summer.” (The Weekly Courier, August 3, 1899)

“Stone is now being shipped out at the rate of about twenty cars per day Quarry managers are all behind with their orders and the indications are that the run this fall will be a heavy one . — Lyons Herald.” (The Weekly Courier, August 31, 1899)

“Hon. J. J. Bradley came down from Denver last Tuesday to superintend the placing of machinery for sawing stone at his quarry just west of town. The plant will cost, completed, about $3,000. Mr. Bradley is a former Fort Collins citizen, and still has large interests here. He says the demand for building stone of the best character is steadily increasing, and that he has orders for white sandstone from Omaha, Kansas City and other large eastern cities.” (The Weekly Courier, November 9, 1899)

“Hon. J. J. Bradley of Denver, was in town last Saturday looking after his quarry interests near Dixon canon.” (The Weekly Courier, December 14, 1899)

J. J. Bradley became a legislator in Colorado. He also inherited an estate in England. He helped open the Stout quarries and was involved in laying flagging and doing stonework throughout Fort Collins. (The Weekly Courier, December 21, 1899)

1900

“RESIDENCE OF T. A. GAGE. This handsome and very attractive home is built of pure white sandstone taken from a new quarry opened last year by Wm. Metcalf , and used for the first time in this building.” (The Weekly Courier, January 4, 1900) According to the archive (and our postcard book), Gage’s house stood at 413 S. College Avenue, next to Welch’s house.

“Jos. Gray filled orders at Stout and Arkins for 1176 carloads of stone in 1899, He expects to double the shipments this year, which goes to show that the stone business is picking up as well as all other kinds of business.” (The Weekly Courier, January 11, 1900)

“The Stout quarries opened and about 50 men were employed getting out building stone.” (The Weekly Courier, April 19, 1900)

“Many new tenants of state lands were enrolled yesterday. The charge of 10 cents a ton on coal and quarry land was increased to an additional $100 a year rental.” (The Weekly Courier, May 10, 1900)

“Frank Mauser had an arm severely hurt on Wednesday last in the Bradley quarries.” (The Weekly Courier, July 26, 1900)

“W. B. Burgess of Stout, crossed palms with numerous Fort collins friends last Saturday. Mr. Burgess is operating a blacksmith shop at the Stout quarries.” (The Weekly Courier, August 9, 1900)

“Messrs. James Ross and James Nichol are engaged in hauling rock from the quarries.” (The Weekly Courier, November 1, 1900)

1901

“The stone quarries at Bellvue, Stout and Arkins have broken out and shipped to distant points more than 3,000 car loads of flagging , curbing , building stone and granite, and have yet practically inexhaustible stores to draw upon.” (The Weekly Courier, January 3, 1901)

James C. Evans — “In 1880 he came to Colorado and spent one year on a ranch in the northern part of Larimer county , locating in Fort Collins in 1881 . From 1881 to 1891 he was a member of the firm of Evans, Thoman & Co. engaged in the market busines, which firm also had charge of the boarding houses and stores at the stone quarries in Arkins and Stout. In partnership with this son he also invested in ranch land and planted orchards, owning owe of the largest cherry farms in the world.” (The Weekly Courier, February 28, 1901)

1902

“Wanted. Forty men to quarry stone by the ton J. Finger, Fort Collins, Colo.” (The Weekly Courier, January 30, 1902)

“Wanted. Forty men to quarry stone by the ton Fifty good teams with good wagons stone racks and brakes; make $4.50 to $5.00 per day. J. Finger, Fort Collins, Colo.” (The Weekly Courier, February 6, 1902)

“One hundred teams are employed in hauling stone from the Stout quarries to the Fossil creek dam.” (The Weekly Courier, February 20, 1902)

“General Superintendent Dyer, Chief Engineer Cowan and Division Superintendent Sears of the C. & S. passed through town on Tuesday on their way to Stout to examine the condition of the company’s quarries at that place. Jos. L. Gray wants either to buy or lease the quarries and the visiting gentlemen came down from Denver to examine and report upon the situation.” (The Weekly Courier, March 13, 1902)

“The Big Reservoir. Greeley Republican. The magnitude of the great reservoir that is now in course of construction on Fossil creek may be better appreciated by pondering the following cold facts and figures about it: There are now about 100 teams and 125 men at work on the building of the dam, and 140 teams hauling stone from the quarries west of Fort Collins to the grounds. At the end of this week, when it is expected that the hauling will be finished, there will be 17,000 tons of stone on the grounds. The dam will be faced with stone from bottom to top, as a pro tection against the action of the waves. It will be 210 feet in depth, 2,600 feet in length and 50 feet in width at high water mark. The dirt for the embankment alone will cost $50,000, and the conduit and rip-rap $35,000. Right of way for reservoir and inlet ditch from the Cache la Poudre will bring up the total cost to about $150,000. It is calculated to afford 550,000,000 cubic feet of water for irrigating purposes twice each y ear; that is, it is expected to fill in the spring from the snow on the lower lands and from spring rains, and again about the first of June from floods caused by the melting of snows in the mountains. This gigantic enterprise, that is to mean so much to the farmers in this section, is expected to be finished in time to catch the spring floods.” (The Weekly Courier, March 20, 1902)

“Larimer’s Wealth in Ledge and Quarry. The return of prosperity, the general resumption of business, the rapid growth in population and the increased activity in the building trades have sufficed to stimulate a largely increased demand for the products of Larimer county’s extensive ledges of sandstone and exhaustless quarries, which has resulted in promoting, in a marked degree, the development of an important wealth producing industry—that of stone quarrying. Years ago, after the quarries at Stout and Arkins passed into the possession of the Union Pacific railroad company, the points named were the scenes of unusual activity. The demand for dimension stone, rubble, paving, curbing and flagging assumed large proportions and three or four hundred men were profitably employed in the Stout and Arkins quarries lifting and fitting their products for market. Long trains laden with stone passed through Fort Collins every day, destined for Denver, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, to many Missouri river points, and even as far east as Chicago. There seemed to be no end to the demand and the railroad company was put to its wits ends to provide cars for the transportation of Btone taken from Larimer county quarries . But the hard times came on and the panic of 93 checked the demand and almost broke up the business , except in a small way for local uses . The ledges and quarries remained however , with their immense supplies of the best building and paving stone in the state . For years the derricks were, for the most part idle, blasts were infrequent, and the drills, picks and wedges were silent. Of late however a revival has taken place in the demand for the products of these quarries and they are again assuming something of their old time activity. Not only has the demand for building stone and flagging for local uses greatly increased, but the call for quarry products of all kinds from distant points is assuming large proportions. Big shipments are being made every day to Denver, Cheyenne and other outside points. Mr. Joseph L. Gray, who has been operating the quarries for several years, informed the Courier on Thursday that, on account of the lack of cars, he found it impossible to fill his orders on time. He had just opened orders, received that day for fifty car loads of rubble for the Union Pacific railroad company, and had over sixty car loads of building stone ready for shipment to fill orders for Denver and elsewhere which he could not forward for the want of cars. He is filling an order for 6,000 tons of stone to be used in the construction of Denver’s new packing plant, but is delayed in doing it for the same reason—want of cars. Mr. Gray is now giving steady employment to sixty-five men and has work for more it he could be certain of transportation facilities. His pay roll amounts to $3,000 a month and is an indication of the importance of the stone quarrying industry. All this money is paid out to workingmen and goes directly into local channels of trade.” (The Weekly Courier, April 23, 1902)

“School District No.29. Mrs. A. M. Smith has returned to Stout after a year’s absence and will be at home to her friends on Fridays. Business is rushing in this glade nowadays. With the booming of the blasts in the rock quarries and the whistle of the engines, one can scarcely think.
. . . . . Our school is in a flourishing condition. There is not room for another pupil. It held appropriate exercises on Arbor day. I visited the Stout school twenty years ago and found it in a little rock hut, 10 by 12. Then we planned our present school house and built on a hill where “others might see our good works.” But, alas! nothing will grow there but rocks, so the children had to plant trees on Mr. Wathen’s farm.” (The Weekly Courier, April 30, 1902)

“Quarry Men Wanted. Twenty-five quarry men wanted at the J. Fred Roberts stone quarries at Noland, Colo. Wages 2.50 per day. Board $4.00 per week.” (The Weekly Courier, May 21, 1902)

1903

“The Fort Collins Quarry & Construction Company has had plans drawn by Architect Fuller for a ten tenant terrace, which the company will erect at once at the corner of Whitcombe avenue and Cherry street.” (The Weekly Courier, January 14, 1903)

“Loveland & Garbutt, the architects, are preparing plans for a $ 4,000 brown stown front residence, containing nine rooms, which will be built for Jonas Finger on S. Howes street, directly north of Judge Norvell’s. The stone will come from Mr. Finger’s own quarries.” (The Weekly Courier, February 11, 1903)

“The structural steel is being manufactured, framed and made readto set up at the Kilby company’s extensive works in Ohio and the stone is being quarried and fitted at Metcalf’s quarries near town. The pressed brick is being manufactured at J. J. Cook & Co’s new plant near Soldier canon.” (The Weekly Courier, March 4, 1903 — This was all regarding the construction of the new sugar factory in Fort Collins. )

“An attempt was made last Sunday to clear the track of snow to the Stout quarries, in order that shipments of stone for the sugar factory might be resumed. At Bellvue the crew ran into a big drift and the engine and tender were derailed. A wrecking crew came down from Denver and replaced the derailed snow bucker on the track.” (The Weekly Courier, March 4, 1903)

“Gus Lindholm is at Stout helping in a stone quarry. The Empire mine has stopped work for this winter.” (The Weekly Courier, October 14, 1903)

“Surveyors spent two days last week locating a route from Wild’s spur to an old stone quarry in Langston’s glade, a distance of about three miles. Here was at one time quarried the best flagging ever sent to Denver. A company from Denver will begin to operate these quarries as soon as a branch of the Colorado * Southern can be extended to this place, which line has now been lcoated by the surveyors.” (The Weekly Courier, December 16, 1903)

“Quite a number of new extensions are under contemplation, including one from Fort Collins to Stout, to connect up the stone quarries and a number of ranches. There will be six quarry telephones to start with. This extension will be put in within the next few months.” (The Weekly Courier, December 30, 1903 )

1904

“The Omaha Bee, speaking of the selection by congress of Fort Collins as a feeding experiment station sapiently remarks: Why congress should have designated Fort Collins, Colo., as a federal feeding experiment station is a mystery. Fort Collins is nothing but a stone quarry, noted for its excellent nagging and building and paving stone. What the author of that brilliant remark doesn’t know about Fort Collins would till a corn crib. The Bee should start a school of instruction and teach its young men something about the places they are required to write about.” (The Weekly Courier, February 24, 1904)

1905

“The completion of the basement and foundation walls of several new buildings has been delayed somewhat on account of bad roads. The roads to the quarries have been so bad that haulers could not fill their contracts. They are at work again now, however, and building rock is being delivered in quite liberal quantites, so that the stone masons have been able -to resume operatons.” (The Weekly Courier, November 15, 1905)

1906

“E. L. Salladin of the Marble works, has just put up a beautiful granite cottage monument in Grandview on Martin Vandewark’s lot. The granite was procured from Pat Butler’s quarry near Stout, and the workmanship on the stone is very fine. Mr. Salladin says Larimer county granite is as good as the best and that there is an abundance of it.” (The Weekly Courier, January 31, 1906)

1907

“Again taking up the route to the setting sun, March, 1905, found Mr. Williams in Colorado, at Wellington. Looking about for a permanent location he was struck by the superior advantages of the Spring Canon ranch, then owned by Henry T. Miller, of whom he purchased in 1907. This is a fine ranch and is now in the hands of a competent and energetic farmer, who may be depended upon to keep up its fertility and productiveness. Mr. Williams has a willing helpmate, whose maiden name was Miss Ella Westberg, whom he married March 27th, 1910.” (Regarding Benjamin F. Williams as found in Ansel Watrous’s History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 309.)

“Charles Smith shot and wounded Isaac Berry in a quarrel over a stone quarry claim at Stout. Smith surrendered himself to Marshal Morgan, but Berry skipped out. Smith was discharged.” (Fort Collins Courier, February 13, 1907)

1908

“FOR SALE OR TRADE I have 40 acres of good quarry, or grazing land, near Fort Collins, for sale or trade for Fort Collins property. Jefferson McAnelly, 122 Linden street.” (The Weekly Courier, August 26, 1908)

1909

“RED AND WHTTE STONE QUARRY land for sale; also land for chicken ranches at Soldier canon, 4 1/2 miles west of town. Address Ed. McCabe. City.” (The Weekly Courier, January 20, 1909)

Article on a quarry that needs funding. It’s the “the stone quarries of the Hale-Brunton Quarries company, located five miles west of Fort Collins in Soldier canon.” The article states, “Here at home the Carnegie library, Laporte avenue school, Express building, Avery block, Masonic temple and a great many private dwellings have used it, either in whole of for trimmings. So investors can rest assured that the stone is very well advertised already and needs only pushing to make it very popular.” (The Weekly Courier, March 17, 1909)

Mexicans were being brought in to work the quarries at this time. There’s evidence in the paper that the quarry workers in Ingleside were Mexican and Japanese.

1910

“The Giller & Kiff offices will be used as headquarters of the company until work is started, which will be in about nintey days. At present they are awaiting the arrival of the rails with which to build the spur to the quarry from the old Bellvue-Stout line. ” (The Weekly Courier, June 2, 1910)

“OFFICERS ARE ELECTED BY SANDSTONE CO.

(From Saturday’s Daily) At an election of officers held last night in the offices of Glller & Klff. 122 West Mountain avenue, the directors of the Fort Collins Red Sandstone company, which was recently incorporated for the purpose of developing the immense deposits of red sandatone in the foothills west of the city, elected the following: President—S . H . Clammer. Vice-Presldent—Col. R. A. Eaton, Second , Vice-President and General Manager—B F. Flowers. Secretary—T. E. Giller. Treasurer 1 —C. D. Klff. General Sales Agent—W. O. Bolt General Counsel—Nell F. Oraham. The Giller & Kiff offices will be used as headquarters of the company until work is started, which will be in about ninety ays. At present they are awaiting the arrival of the rails with which to build the spur to the quarry from the old Bellvue-Stout line. To show the value of the property that has been acquired by the company, Mr. Gller announced this morning that henry Josephson, who owns a small corner of the hill which forma the chief part of the land on which the new company will work, was offered $10,000 by the Fort Collins Red Sandstone company, which he refused. The idea of developing the undoubted possibilities of this locality for sandstone is no longer a dream, but a reality. Work will soon be commenced in earnest in the development of what experts pronounce the fininest building stone in America.” (The Weekly Courier, June 2, 1910)

1911

Watrous mentions a reservoir in Spring Canyon in his history of the county. It had a carrying capacity of 2,700,000 cubic feet of water. (Watrous, Ansel. History of Larimer County, Colorado. Page 133.)

Colorado Red Sandstone Company to be created. Not sure on the location. Based out of Denver. (The Weekly Courier, March 7, 1911 )

Tried to get the Federal Government to change the materials order for the new post office to include local red sandstone. (The Weekly Courier, June 16, 1911)

1912

“The Brunton stone quarry will open for work Feb. 20.” (The Weekly Courier, February 16, 1912)

1913

“A GROWING AND VALUABLE INDUSTRY The Josefson Red Sandstone Quarry Near Bellvue A Great Wealth Producer.
Through the courtesy of Judge McAnelly, a representative of the Courier was enabed to visit the Josefson red sandstone quarries a little northwest of Soldier canon, on the Fourth of July. The drive to Bellvue and thence to the quarries in the judge’s car was richly enjoyed, as the route over which we traveled took us through a section of the finest farming and fruit growing portion of the Cache la Poudre valley. The splendid condition of the growing crops in addition to a view of the heavily laden fruit trees in the orchards passed on the route afforded cheering signs of the prosperity in store for the husbandmen, but it Is not of these that we wish to write at this time.
Arriving at Bellvue we took Mr. Henry Josefson aboard the car and drove thence to his quarry, situated in the hogbacks about two miles southwest of Bellvue. To say that we were amazed over the extent and value of these quarries is to express only about one-half the truth. They are simply immense and a view of them will go far to prove that few peopl , generally speaking, have much of a conception of the real value of the natural resources of Larimer county particularly as regards the quarrying industry. There are literally mountains of granite, marble and red, gray, and white sandstone that have never been opened nor worked and those which have been opened are only partially developed. The Josefson quarry was opened fourteen years ago and though thousands of carloads of red sandstone have been taken out of it, only a beginning has been made is the work of exhausting the supply. His ledge Is 200 feet in length by 40 feet in depth and extends far back into the mountains. It can be made to yield the finest kind of redstone enough for the building of a city. When the demand for the output of his quarry is good he gives employment to twen-ty-five or thirty men and teams and has just finished filling a contract for the stone used in the First National bank building of Pueblo, a magnificent twelve story structure.” (The Weekly Courier, July 11, 1913) 

1921

“Finger and Hendrickson were awarded the contract of laying the outside foundation walls and cement work up to grade. Their bid was $4,990. The contract on this part of the work was let early in order to allow the contractors time to get the red sandstone from the quarry in the hills which has been closed down for some time and is only opened up at times when a definite amount of stone is needed. Finger and Hendrickson will begin work at the quarray immediately in order to have the stone ready for work as soon as the excavation is completed.” (Fort Collins Courier, April 6, 1921 — This was for an addition to the high school on Meldrum.)

“John Josephson is moving rock from his quarry at Soldier Canon to Bellvue with a steam engine.” (Fort Collins Courier, July 11, 1921)

1946

“The Bureau of Reclamation began construction of the reservoir in 1946 as part of the larger Colorado–Big Thompson Project, which provided additional irrigation water for the northern Front Range. Horsetooth Reservoir was completed in 1949 and has since developed into a popular recreation destination.” (Horsetooth Reservoir, Colorado Encyclopedia)

Who Was Stout Named For?

“The Union Pacific Railroad established a line that ran from Fort Collins to Bellvue then south to the quarries, connecting them to Denver and the wider United States. In 1882 a Nebraskan named William Stout took over the quarries, established a new post office, and renamed the town Stout.” (Horsetooth Reservoir, Colorado Encyclopedia)

Characters of the Stout Area

William Newton Bachelder

“Bachelder, Bristol & Co., of Fort Collins, have just shipped from Addison County, Vermont, one hundred Spanish Merino ewes, and one hundred and twelve Spanish Merino rams, selected from some of the best stock there. The sheep came through in National Dispatch cars, and were not taken off until they arrived at Cheyenne last Tuesday morning, having been eleven days on the road. Good judges say they are the best sheep they ever saw of the kind. They will be taken to the Vermont sheep ranch, at Fort Collins, owned by W. N. Bachelder. The firm, Bachelder Bristol & Co., only, own the sheep, and intend to have a flock of sheep second to none west of the Missouri River, or, in fact, in the world. –News.” (Fort Collins Standard, April 15, 1874)

“Wm. N. Bachelder has sold his Pine Grove ranch, together with 1000. sheep and lamps, to Geo. S. Thompson of Wisconsin, for the sum of $3,500.00. We understand Mr. Thompson will take possession right away.” (Fort Collins Courier, October 19, 1878)

“The Misses Bachelder, of Spring Canon, attended the Benefit on New Year’s Eve.” (Fort Collins Courier, January 4, 1879)

Article on raising sheep for wool in the “New West.” Bachelder was considered the local expert. He ran his sheep on 11,000 acres of land. (Fort Collins Courier, January 30, 1879)

Article about how George Thompson came to Colorado due to consumption, recovered, and learned sheep ranching from Bachelder. He’s the one that bought Pine Grove from Bachelder. (Fort Collins Courier, March 6, 1879)

Wife, Agnes, died — 3 April 1878.
Daughter, Eva C., died of consumption — 30 May 1879.
Daughter, Mary Curtis Bachelder, married Byron Allen – 25 Nov 1879.

Wm. Bachelder was involved in petitioning the county (along with neighbors) for several of the roads leading between Fort Collins and Spring Canon, including sections of what is now Overland Trail Rd, Taft Hill Rd., and Prospect Rd.

Bachelder gets involved in quarrying. (See article listed above from Fort Collins Courier, February 24, 1881.)

Bachelder presides over court cases in the Spring Canon area. 

August 1886 – Bachelder starts getting into real estate and live stock sales. He has an office in the Opera House Block.

1887 – Bachelder moves to Weld county. Runs Orchard Ranch. 

“WM. N. BACHELDER JOINS SILENT MAJORITY
Death Ends Sufferings of a Former Well-known Citizen of Fort Collins. A special to the Denver Republican, dated Red Lodge , Montana, October 21st, says: At Gebo, this morning, death ended the sufferings of William N. Bachelder, at one time one of the most prominent men of Colorado. Mr. Bachelder had reached the advanced age of 70 years and had long been a sufferer from Bright’s disease. Last week he suffered a stroke of paralysis, from which he did not rally. The end came at 11:15 this morning. Mr. Bachelder was formerly a leading politician of Colorado and held a number of public offices, the last being that of irrigation superintendent under Gov. Waite, but failing health compelled him to discontinue work. Four years ago he came to Montana and has since lived on the ranch of his son, Fred S. Bachelder, near Gebo. The following sketch of Mr. Bachelder’s life and public service was prepared by Frank A. McClelland, telegraph editor of the Republican, who spent his boyhood in Fort Collins and was intimately acquainted with the deceased.
“William N. Bachelder bought a ranch near Fort Collins in 1871, moving a large bunch of sheep to that place. His ranch house was directly at the mouth of Spring canon, six or seven miles from Fort Collins. At that time the country about Fort Collins was nearly all open, so that the sheep had an almost uninterrupted range, and the cattlemen kept their animals farther out on the plains, or inside the mountains. With the settlement of the country, both about Fort Collins and about Stout, the sheep range was obliterated almost entirely. Then, too, came the continual trouble between the cattlemen and sheepmen. Mr. Bachelder gradually grew out of the sheep business and went into other enterprises, finally leaving Colorado. Before coming to this state he had been a sheep owner in California. At one time he was a candidate from Larimer county for the state legislature, but was defeated. Mr. Bachelder was married three times, his first wife dying many years ago. By her he had two sons and three daughters. One daughter is Mrs. Dr. Ida Thorpe, residing in Denver. About 18 years ago he married Miss Dawley of Greeley, from whom he was divorced. One child was born of this union, and is now in school. His third matrimonial venture was about seven years ago.” (The Weekly Courier, October 28, 1903)

Quarries of the Stout Area

Isaac A. Brown Quarry

First mention: Dec. 1881.

Proprietor: Isaac A. Brown

May have been the quarry furthest south. 

Andrew Brown Quarry

First mention: Dec. 1881.

Proprietor: Andrew Brown

Just north of the end of the track. 

Mrs. Young Quarry

First mention: Dec. 1881.

Proprietor: Mrs. Yount

Opposite Andrew Brown’s quarry. 

UPRR Company

First mention: Dec. 1881.

This was north of Brown and Yount’s quarries.