EXCERPTS FROM COLORADO NEWSPAPERS' [ITEMS ON THE VISIT OF MEEKER TO COLORADO.] 2The excursion party with which is Cyrus W. Field left Pueblo yesterday morning for Colorado City, and will be at Denver to-night or to-morrow. Among the party is Cyrus W. Field, A. D. Richardson, and N. C. Meeker, of the New York Tribune, Morris K. Jessup, a New York banker connected with the negotiation of the loan for the Kansas and Denver Pacific roads, Mr. Archer, of the Kansas Pacific, who was here in the interest of that road two years ago, and several others. DISTINGUISHED ARRIVALS. 8 Mr. Cyrus W. Field, C. N. Meeker, one of the editors of the New York Tribune, Gen. W. J. Palmer, Dr. C. C. Parry, Jas. Archer, and Gen. Carr, were among our noticeable arrivals yesterday. They are here to make an inspection of our Territory, and see if its wonders have been exaggerated. Most of the party, including Mr. Field, go to Georgetown to-day, and will return Saturday night, Mr. F. desiring to leave the next morning for the East, as it is likely he will be present at the opening of the Suez Canal in less than a month from now. Mr. Archer and probably Mr. Meeker, will remain here for a week or two, and will endeavor to become better acquainted with our people and resources. We bid them all welcome. The following excerpts from the newspapers of Colorado are not intended as a complete reprint of all the articles appearing. In the case of The Greeley Tribune such a course would be impracticable. In the other newspapers a number of articles duplicate information. All articles which throw light upon the conditions in the colony are, it is believed, here reprinted. 2The Daily Colorado Tribune, October 20, 1869, p. 4. 1The storm prevented our distinguished visitors from proceeding to the mountains as they intended and desired. They consequently will leave this morning for Cheyenne. Mr. Meeker of the New York Tribune will stay awhile. 2Mr. Field, Gens. Palmer and Carr, Mr. Archer and Gov. Evans, leave this morning for Cheyenne, via the Denver Pacific railway. They will reach the end of the track tonight, where they will take the cars. Gov. Evans goes as far as Omaha and then returns. Yesterday Mr. Field, Gen. Palmer and Mr. Archer visited Golden City and Murphy's coal mine, returning in the evening. [ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FORMATION OF THE UNION COLONY.] 3 Mr. N. C. Meeker, of the New York Tribune, has formed his colony for settling in this Territory. We understand that it consists of about eight hundred persons, who have a regular organization. Horace Greeley himself is President of it, but of course the Philosopher will not come himself; Mr. Meeker is Treasurer. The locating committee is to start for Colorado at once to select the site for their town. THE UNION COLONY." Our people are interested in everything pertaining to the colony which Mr. N. C. Meeker is organizing for Colorado. For this reason, and because it contains hints useful to all emigrants to this territory, we copy the following article of Mr. Meeker, from the N. Y. Tribune: "In giving to the public the constitution and by laws of this colony, as adopted, I wish to make some statements in regard to what is supposed to be the greatest difficulty—irrigation. 1The Daily Colorado Tribune, October 23, 1869, p. 4. What is suited for a small colony is not so for a large one. The healthfulness and purity of the atmosphere of Colorado are due to the fact that rain seldom falls, hence there must be artificial supply. Now, to make a selection that shall include also, rich soil, coal, stone, and iron ore, and be in a vicinity where timber can be had, is the work of the Locating Committee. Such a combination as this is rare, even in the old states, and wherever it exists real estate is of great value. There is scarcely a doubt that such a combination can be had in a territory so large as Colorado, and which has not been culled as other western states have been. Irrigation is cheap or dear according to the amount of land to be watered and the distance the water is to be brought. It is an improvement which corresponds to what must be made in every new country that it may be habitable; it is no greater than must be made in any new state where rain falls—perhaps it is not so great-since the colony, besides manufacturing, will largely engage in growing stock, which is to be cared for by herdsmen, as is everywhere practiced in Colorado, and no fencing will be needed, at least at present. Every good farmer who settles in a new country goes into the stock business as soon as he can, and he ceases to grow grain except for his own use. The cost of irrigation is perhaps equal to fencing, and it is a work that is to be extended from year to year. During the first year gardens can be plowed and some vegetables raised, and a few acres for each member prepared for growing breadstuffs the next year. A new settler needs at least eighteen months in which to grow bread, wherever he may locate, hence the actual condition in Colorado is the same as in the state of Iowa, but the preparation is of a different kind. That this system requires work is true, but there is no place on the face of the earth where work is not required, and there ought to be none. A colony which can control water in that country will be master of the situation for all time. Some look upon irrigation as an alarming thing, but they do not consider that by this means the growth and yield of fruit, vegetables and grain is enormous, as is proved by the productions of California, now in the front rank of food-producing states; while in Colorado, where there are many good farms, there is a similar exhibit, and its wheat is superior to the finest Genesee. Nor is irrigation a new thing at all. It is practiced in southern Europe, particularly in the valley of the Po, which is the garden of Italy, and it has been established in a large part of Asia for so many ages that it is seldom mentioned. That a country where irrigation is a necessity, is favorable for health and human development, would seem evident from the fact that the first human pair-precious in the sight of their Creator-were placed in the garden of Eden, which was watered by a river. [CAPITALISTS TO BE INVITED TO PURCHASE LAND FOR THE COLONY.] 1The executive committee of Mr. Meeker's Union colony for Colorado held a meeting in New York, a few days since, and voted to "make arrangements with capitalists friendly to the movement to purchase large quantities of land adjoining the colony land proper, to be held in trust by the treasurer for two years, that accessions may be made during this period, and that the colony may control the surrounding country. Such capitalists as buy this land are to be allowed 50 per cent. for the use of their money until the land is sold, and if not sold, they are to possess it in fee simple." A soliciting committee was appointed, and the enterprise is being vigorously pushed. It promises a large and valuable addition to our population this year. [THE LOCATING COMMITTEE TO GO WEST IN FEBRUARY.] 2The locating committee of the Meeker union colony will start westward early in February. They will visit Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado, before they return, although the preference is already given in substance to Colorado. The committee consists of Mr. N. C. Meeker; W. C. Fisk, of Toledo, Ohio; and Gen. Cameron, of Elmira, N. Y. 1Daily Rocky Mountain News, January 24, 1870, p. 1. See the minutes of the executive committee for January 3, 1870. 2Daily Rocky Mountain News, January 29, 1870, p. 1. By telegraph from N. Y.1 The committee of the Union colony with N. C Meeker as chief, left today for Colorado, to select lands for the colony [THE LOCATING COMMITTEE REACHES DENVER.] UNION COLONY.2 The locating committee of the Union Colony, lately organized in New York for settlement on lands in Colorado, arrived yesterday evening at the Broadwell House, where they have taken rooms. The committee consists of N. C. Meeker, Esq., of the New York Tribune; Gen. R. A. Cameron of Elmira, N. Y.; W. C. Fisk, Esq., of Toledo, O.; and H. T. West, Esq., of Chicago, Ill. Mr. Meeker is accompanied by an invalid son. The committee stopped at Evans for examination of the Cache-ala-Poudre valley, but were obliged to suspend the examination by reason of not being able to get full information in regard to the unoccupied lands of that section, so they came on to Denver to get a look at the plats, etc., in the land office here. The committee will establish headquarters and radiate from here in selecting a location for the colony. We give them welcome and hope their mission will be crowned with a full measure of success. [ITEMS ON THE INVESTIGATIONS OF THE LOCATING COMMITTEE IN COLORADO.] 3The Locating Committee, Messrs. Meeker, Cameron, West and Fisk, of Union Colony, spent most of the day yesterday at the Land Office in the examination of township plats. They were assisted by several gentlemen who are well posted in land matters. The Committee leave this morning on an extended tour of observation in the south. They will first stop at Colorado City; one of the party will make a detour up the Platte Daily Central City Register, February 3, 1870, p. 1. |