Excerpts from: CASTLE ROCK RECORD JOURNAL Call #MF 978.886 CAS

Douglas County Public Library – Castle Rock, Colorado

Compiled by Ginny Anderson Suelzle

Reel #1 July 13, 1881 to April 9, 1884

November 2, 1881 –

The following named persons were drawn to serve as Grand and Petit Jurors for the December term of the District Court of Douglas county, commencing Monday, December 8, 1881. Hugh Taylor, Clerk

Grand, W.H. Howerton, Fred Doepke, Marquis Victor, G.M. Reynolds, J. P. Riggs, Philip Crashaw, John Harris, W.E. Carver, F. W. Kroeger, Dan’l Burkart, C. T. Newmarch, Jesse Knowles.

Petit, John Bihlmeyer, Geo. S. McCracken, James R. Starks, Albert E. Day, George Upton, Harrison Bucks, John L. Miller, Samuel L. Griffin, Wm. J. Thompson, Jacob Geiger, John H. Craig, Mathew D. Morehead, Charles Doepke, Philip Rouse, William McDown, J. Alderman, Alex Bird, Thomas S. Harris, Robert Cann, C. Schalermeyer, T. L. Stealey, J. M. Gimmerick Sr., William Garrison, Benjamin Freedendall.

Obituary

DIED – On the morning of Oct. 28^th M. W. Ellis, aged 39 years.

Mr. Ellis was born in Buread county, Illinois, where he resided all his life until 19 months ago. For the last nine years had been a constant sufferer from asthma. In March 1880, he came to Colorado. At that time he was barely able to walk. After coming here his health was very much improved for a time. But for several months past he had been growing worse and a few weeks ago, feeling that the end was near, requested that he might be buried here. He rested well all through the night and in the early morning passed away so quietly that none suspected the change was so near until he was gone.

December 7, 1881 –

Our Boys and Girls

Mrs. Elizabeth Oakes Smith has recently published a letter in the Springfield (Mass.) Republican in which she argues that such cases as that of Jennie Cramer might be prevented by calling a halt and returning to the manners and customs which prevailed in this country when she was young – some fifty years ago. At that time it was recognized as necessary to keep young girls more in the house than now, and it was deemed highly immoral and imprudent to allow them even to sit alone with young men who chanced to visit them, and much more so to go out driving with them unaccompanied by one of their parents. Girls were taught that honorable marriage was the goal of their earthly existence, whereas in these days flirtation merely for flirtation’s sake is the rule rather than the exception, and is not looked upon as specially disgraceful, though its inevitable result is to deaden pure affection and render the hart callous, while it also arouses the passions. Fifty years ago the average American girl was a quiet, modest and retiring maiden, content to live at home in the station of life to which she was called, to be obedient to her parents, and to aid them cheerfully in the management of the household.

December 7, 1881 (Continued)

If she had dreams they were not of escaping from a modest home to find excitement in the whirl of society, but of leaving her parents’ rooftree to become the wife of some

honest, handsome and industrious young man, of whom she was to be the partner in prosperity and the stay and support in adversity. She had her one lover, to whom she gave her whole heart without thought of wishing for ‘other strings to her bow,’ and when

she became a wife she was single-hearted and her mind was not full of vagrant fancies and half regrets for what "might have been." In a word, although she may have been a trifle dull, she was bright and good enough for human nature’s daily food and made an excellent domestic wife and mother. Divorce, which is not now looked upon as specially disgraceful, was then considered wholly shameful and was thought of only with a shudder.

As regards the boys of that golden age of America, they were not the intractable, self-assertive, swaggering beings that their descendants are. They were brought up under rule and strict discipline: when they deserved a flogging they received it roundly where it would do the most good, and then did not go out and hang themselves, as we now

continually read that boys do because they are too proud and sullen to bear the disgrace of the rod. They worked hard and did not early learn to drink and smoke, and what reading they did was wholesome and instructive, or innocently amusing, their books of fiction being "Robinson Crusoe" and "Sanford and Merton." Such trash as "The Boy Detective," "Buffalo Bill," and the whole dime novel sort of literature not being then in existence. In a word, both boys and girls were then reared with greater regard to religion and morality than they now are, and Mrs. Smith insists that a return to the sort of training given to them is absolutely necessary if we are not content to see them go from bad to worse until reformation shall be out of the question.

February 1, 1882 -

M. E. Boone passed through town last week on his way to Denver. He intends locating in the Uncomphagre country in a few weeks

Levi Sleaper, who once live at Castle Rock, but for a few years past has resided at Georgetown, has moved back here to make this his home.

Jacob Schultz, of Frankstown, while on his return from Denver yesterday, stopped in and renewed his subscription for ’82, for which our thanks are extended.

We see by the Silver Plume items in the Georgetown Courier that Rev. J. A. Smith, formerly of Castle Rock, was the recipient of a surprise party and a number of valuable presents last week.

Miss Wreck is teaching a private school at Douglas. The school consists of the quarrymen who are working for Madge, mostly Swedes. She has about twenty pupils and great interest is being manifested by the industrious foreigners.

 February 15, 1882

Notice for Publication

Land Office At Denver Colorado, January 31^st 1882

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim and that said proof will be made before the

County Judge of Douglas county, at Castle Rock, Colo. On Saturday, March 11^th 1882. viz; Andrew O. Oetzel, Homestead No 3263, for the e hf se qr se qr ne qr of sec 1, and sw qr nw qr sec 6 twp 8 s r 66 west.

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon and cultivation of said land. viz: August Metzler, Herman Metzler and Alexander Kain all of Franktown Colo. Louis Dugal, Register Feb 8.

Notice for Publication

Land Office At Denver Colorado, January 31^st 1882

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim and that said proof will be made before the County Judge of Douglas county, at Castle Rock, Colo. On Saturday, March 11^th 1882. viz; August Metzler, Homestead No. 32?? For the n hf se qr and n hf sw qr sec 17 twp 8 south of range 65 west.

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon, and cultivation of said lad, viz:

Alexander Kain, Charles Lipps and Andrew O. Oetzel, all of FrankstownColo. Louis Dugal, Register Feb 8.

LOCAL

- Hon. Geo Engl was in Denver last week.

- John Bihlmeyer, Frank Hagg and Michael Misner were in town on Friday.

- Born – On Feb. 11, 1882 to A. C. Smith and wife, of West Plum Creek, a son.

- Mr. Burton has completed his contract on the new store. He did a good job, as the work itself will testify.

- Hon. M. D. Moorhead, of Greenland, was in town last week. He called around and renewed his subscription for 1882.

- We learn that Sheriff Clay thinks of moving to Castle Rock soon. Come, we have lots of room for just such citizens as Mr. Clay.

- Mr. E. C. Hatch of Buffalo Creek, was in town a few days last week. He thinks of moving over to this part of the county soon.

-David Meyer, of Lake Gulch, came over on Friday to meet some friends from Denver, whom he took home with him for a few days visit.

May 3, 1882

Born – April 25, to Mr. And Mrs. C. Barker, of West Plum Creek, a daughter.

Mrs. Anderson’s children have the measles.

John Harris’ children are down with the scarlet fever.

July 5, 1882

The procession for the Fourth will start from Castle Rock to the Park at 7:30 a.m. promptly going by way of Harry Jone’s ranche and Mr. Nickson’s. Every one is requested to be on hand promptly and cause no delay.

The German band which plays in the opera at Denver was the guest of Hon. Geo. Engl and other Lake Gulch ranchmen last week. They brought their instruments and favored our citizens with some excellent music.

July 12, 1882

Walt Houser has sold his ranch north of town to Mrs. Martengal, a relative of Mr. Butts, who has charge of the tank engines on this road.

Dan Davison of Monument has the contract for carrying the mail from Monument to a point on the Big Sandy, a distance of about fifty miles.

John Hillburger, one of the enterprising German ranchmen of Lake Gulch, informs us that it was from the JOURNAL he learned to read English. That when he began to take our paper he could not read it at all, but now he can read all the local news and holds his teacher, the JOURNAL, in high estimation.

There was a heavy frost in Lake Gulch last Sunday morning. Mr. Seidensticker informs us there was considerable ice in his troughs. The frost was still heavier near the divide. Venmor’s prediction for this state was true.

E. Bowen and C. Manhart of Sedalia were at the county seat last week presenting the matter of the Sedalia bridge to the county commissioners.

We are sorry to have to announce that O. P. Jackson, of Monument, met with an accident last week which resulted in a broken collar bone. He is getting along reasonably well.

THE FOURTH

A LARGE ASSEMBLAGE OF DOUGLAS COUNTY CITIZENS CELEBRATE AT PERRY PARK "A THORN AMONG ROSES’

As had been previously announced through the columns of the JOURNAL, Douglas county citizens met at not read it at all, but now he can read all the local news and holds his teacher, The JOURNAL, in high estimation.

July 12, 1882 (Continued)

Perry Park to commemorate the anniversary of our nation’s birth. Monument people met with us, and taking into consideration the beauty of the morning and the romantic spot where the ceremonies of the day were to be held, everything bid fair to be a gala to Douglas county.

Early in the morning teams began to pour into the park from every direction. The orator of the day, Mr. Bentley, formerly commissioner of pensions, in Washington, was on the ground early and inspired by the beauty of the natural scenery, was gully equal to the occasion. At 11 o’clock the crowd assembled in the large hall on the ground, and after

the usual preliminaries on such an occasion, listened to an eloquent oration from Mr. Bentley. The speaker is not a passionate declaimer nor one who permits his imagination to carry him away. His speech was rather noted for its logical arrangement and depth of

thought. He spoke but thirty-five minutes, but held the close attention of all. It did not consist of a rehash of the speech of a century, but rather of topics of interest to every thinking man of the day.

Following this came the usual intermission for dinner in which the American people have indulged between the hours of twelve and two, for a hundred years, and still on each return of the occasion thinking a picnic dinner never "tasted so well as it does to-day." Those who took their dinners with them that day hand down the same judgment to those yet to come, while those who obtained their repast on the grounds hand down to posterity a different verdict.

In the afternoon came the toasts which consisted of several short terse speeches which passed off very pleasantly. At a little after 3o’clock the ball began and was continued until near 8 o’clock in the evening, when an intermission of an hour was taken for another nominal "super." The music for the ball was furnished by Mr. Metzler, Judge Farrell, T.S. Harris, W.F. Waller and Mr. Butts. It was first-class and added much to the pleasure of the occasion. Mr. Roach, of Sedalia was floor manager, which always guarantees smoothly running balls, as Phil permits nothing to mar a ball of which he has charge. The day passed of very pleasantly and the exercises were a credit to those who participated.

We have said this much for the general appearance of the day’s doing, with which we believe all will agree, but there are a few little things connected with the day of which the JOURNAL to justify itself must make a few statements. It was through the JOURNAL that the citizens of Douglas county were induced to meet at the Park. It was the general idea of the leading citizens that it was to be in recognition of the efforts of the present

proprioter to open the park as a summer resort. It has been intimated by some that the JOURNAL must have received good pay for advertising the matter and working up the

case which was only intended as it take in. We think it will remove all doubt when we state publicly that so far from receiving one cent for all that the JOURNAL did for that occasion, including several trips to the Park, bulls for advertising and three fourths of the expenses of the speaker and his wife from Denver, we in addition to that paid for every meal we ate at the Park. This ought to remove the unjust charge made against the JOURNAL. For if it is not true our columns are open for a public denial. The dance bore its own expense with the exception of a dollar or two. Inducements were held out by the

July 12, 1882 (Continued)

JOURNAL for the celebration at the Park in good faith. The disappointments which were met in the way of a mock dinner and a worse supper were more to our chagrin than it possibly could have been to any visitor that day. It was not uncommon to hear the older citizens contrasting the reception of yesterday week with that they used to receive at the hands of the gentlemanly Perry boys, when they met there every summer for picnics in

years gone by. It probably is not necessary to say more on this subject at the present, but less could not be said. Douglas county may contain thousands of dummies and numskulls, but when the wind is right, they can tell a hawk from a band-saw

Frightful Accident in Garber Canon

About 9 o’clock a.m. on Wednesday, June 28^th, Mr. James Russell Lansden left E. Bowen’s mill, in Garber canon, with a mule team and a load of over 1000 feet of lumber. Coming down the steep pitch a quarter of a mile from the mill, his brake block slipped

out of its socket, running the wagon onto his spike team of three mules, and mules, lumber and driver went headlong down from the grade to the gulch on the right, breaking

the tongue and reach of the wagon. Mr. Lansden had his foot in the brake rope and being unable to free himself he was thrown under the load and was so badly injured that he died at 9 p.m. the same day, and was buried Thursday at Bear Canon chruchyard. He had four ribs on the left side broken and was internally mashed almost in a jelly. He was, however, conscious and able to talk up to the last moment. It was one of those accidents due to men becoming so familiarized with danger that they grow careless. Mr. Lansden has been hauling lumber the past two years over mountain roads. Your correspondent came down from the Rock to Sedalia with him on the previous Monday. He intended going to Buffalo Creek via Denver, but being told of Bowen’s Mill went there. This was his first trip down from the mill, and to those acquainted with the road it is not surprising that he did not appreciate fully how steep the road really is. The boys at the mill came down in a body and did all that was possible to alleviate his terrible sufferings with the proverbial tenderness of our rough Western boys, but he was past all human aid from the first moment of the smashup. They also chipped in and paid all the funeral expenses. Mr. Lansden was from Missouri, but had been about Colorado Springs the past two years. He leaves a young wife and three prattling babes, (the eldest but eight years old) to mourn his departure. "Tis ever thus. Man knoweth not in what manner of time his hour cometh. In the midst of life we are in death." Veritas.

August 2, 1882

Charley Riggs is stocking up his store for fall trade.

Lake Gulch has an abundant crop of grass on the ranges.

Mr. Langel, who is teaching the Rock Ridge school, was in town Saturday.

Hon. Geo. Engl was in town Saturday and purchased a new reaper and mower combined.

Born – July 25 to Mr. And Mrs. N. S. Grout, a daughter. Mother and child are doing well.

Geo. A. Tiplett has been appointed to take charge of the Madge quarry and has moved to Douglas for that purpose.

August 30, 1882

Lake Gulch

One day during the past week we made it convenient to cross to the head of Lake Gulch and pass down the entire valley to Cherry creek, viewing on route most of the hay ranches and stock farms of that locality. We found harvesting almost done and many of the ranchmen about through their summer work. They have but little now to attend to save their herds of cattle.

Mr. William Nash, an old resident of the gulch, has a very fine crop of barley and hay in the sacks. He had several tons of baled hay left over from last year, which is well stowed away under shelter waiting for a better market. On the south and west of Mr.

Nash’s is the large ranche belonging to Castle Rock’s hotel proprietor, Mr. D. Owens. There are two houses on this ranche and excellent pasture for stock as well as a large field of hay. Mr. Owens has the place rented to Chas. Smith who is milking a number of cows and packing butter for winter market.

The adjoining ranche below this belongs to D. Meyrs, an enterprising German who has his wheat and barley in the stack and most of his hay up. There we saw a second effort which has met our observation in the county, to raise fruit. He has a few apple and pear trees which look very well. Below this is the stock farms of the Doepke brothers and Frank Hagg, where haying is the order of the day from early morn till late of night. Considering that these are dry ranches the crops are good. It was at Mr. Doepke’s that the JOURNAL chronicler met his Waterloo. He received an invitation to dine with Mr. D. and having been acting in the veranda a short time before entering the house one editorial hat was left there. There are three dogs there, too. ** We borrowed a hat of a friend to shade our eyes the rest of our Journey.

Mr Misner and Seidensticker are also well along with their work. The best ranch in this valley is that of the Hon. Geo. Engl, which owing to the number of springs which line the bluffs on either side of the narrow valley make it almost as productive as if it were under a good irrigating ditche. Mr Engl has a very heavy crop of oats, wheat and potatoes this year. He has been on his place nearly twenty years and has everything so well arranged about his premises that he has ceased to worry much ???????

The ranche below Mr. Engel’s, belonging to Mr. Hilburger is also very productive under a ?? crop of Hay.

March 14, 1883

Born - in Castle Rock, on March 11, 1883, to Mr. and Mrs. S.B. Smith, a daughter.

Married – March 10^th 1883 by Judge Hugh Taylor, in Castle Rock, Colo., Mr. James W. Palmer and Alta C. Waller, both of Douglas county. The JOURNAL’s best wishes are extended to the happy pair.

Our friend, S.B. Smith, is the happiest man in town since the advent of a little daughter at their house. He now carries around with him a box of fine cigars, but when the box was ushered into our sanctum, it had the appearance of having recently been struck by thunder and before it was withdrawn, our devil struck it one of his affectionate blows, and Sam backed out the front door holding the box behind him.

March 28, 1883

The lunch room, opposite the depot, is doing a land office business. Mrs. Anderson gives good meals, and should be well patronized.

May 16, 1883

Married – CURTIS—CRAMER—At the residence of the bride’s parents on West Plum creek, by Rev. J.L. Dyer, on the 14^th inst. Mr. Fredrick Curtis and Miss Lydia A. Cramer, both of Douglas county.

The union of this happy couple was attended by only the families of the parties, and was necessarily a quiet affair. Fred is the promising son of Capt. H.H. Curtis, who will start for California this week. He is naturally quiet and a young man of talent and good judgment, good disposition and is a man inclined to win friends wherever he is known. They came to Castle Rock and took the Thunderbolt for Denver, where they will remain for a few days in the enjoyment of the new embark, after which they will return and settle down to house keeping on the old homestead. The ??? certainly wishes the happy pair a long and prosperous journey through the pleasant trials and toils of wedded life.

May 23, 1883

Mr. Griggs, an old settler in this county, died on Saturday from injuries received during the day. While driving some cattle with his horses while attached to a wagon in which he was riding, one of the cattle made a sudden turn and the horses being cattle horses, on seeing the cow turn, made a sudden wheel, which caused the wagon to overturn throwing Mr. Griggs out upon the ground in such a shape as to break his back, and death ensued a few hours later.

N.S. Grout, on Saturday evening, while corraling his cows was thrown from his horse by a quick turn of the animal in attempting to head one of the cattle. He was hurled to the ground with such force that is collar bone was broken. The wound was very painful, but the timely arrival of Dr. Elliott proved a great relief. The broken bone was set to place and the patient is getting along as well as the circumstances of the case will permit.

June 6, 1883

We acknowledge a call from John Hilburger, of Frankstown, on Monday. He reports considerable damage done by the recent frost.

Mrs. Anderson has removed into her own house again. For some time past she has been conducting the lunch counter near the depot.

June 20, 1883

Two young ladies, direct from Germany, arrived here last week. They are relatives of Hon. George Engl.

August 15, 1883

In discussing the question of marriage only as a civil contract, the Republican thus arises to a point of explanation: "There is a growing tendency in America to regard marriage solely as a civil contract. It is a dangerous sentiment. It strikes insidiously at the very foundation of our society. If you destroy the sanctity of the American home, you take

August 15, 1883 (Continued)

away that which, more than any other cause, has made this country prosperous, and its people high-minded and intelligent. What commerce can the holy love which should

exist between man and wife have with civil contracts? Marriage is not a business partnership, to be broken at will. And yet a man must regard it as either of God or of man. If one admits that it is purely a civil contract, must not one also admit that the man and woman who feel that they are bound together by the law only, are, in the sight of God, no better than the man an woman who cohabit with no other covenant than that which they themselves have made without having asked either the clergyman or the magistrate to unite them in matrimony? To regard marriage as a civil institution is an

Atheistic doctrine, and it may well strike terror to the thinking people of America. The Americans are a God loving people. There is less superstition and bigotry in their religions than in those of the people of other nations. They are perhaps too liberal in their views, too easy a prey to the foreign innovations in both society and religion. It would be a fatal day for us if the social customs of Continental Europe should ever gain

the ascendency on the side of the Atlantic. The alarming increase of divorce is an indication that the most sacred of all institutions is in danger. Legal men have furnished

evidence that marriage is more than a civil contract. Legislators should be taught this and petitioned to make their laws accordingly. An eminent authority says on the subject:

"Marriage is a civil status, existing in one man and one woman legally united for life for those civil and social purposes which are based in the distinction of sex. Its source is the law of nature, whence it has flowed into the municipal law of every civilized country and into the general law of nations. And since it can only exist in pairs, and since no persons are compelled to, bat all who are capable are permitted to assume it, marriage may be said to proceed from a civil contract between one man and one woman of the needful physical and civil capacity. While the contract remains executory – that is, an agreement to marry – it differs in no essential particulars from other civil contracts. But when the contract becomes executed in what the law regards as a valid marriage, its nature as a contract is merged in the higher nature of the status. And though the now relation may retain some similitudes to remind us of its origin, the contract does in truth no longer exist, but the parties are governed by the law of husband and wife.

September 5, 1883

One of the most forsaken and debauched creatures whose foul and stinking breath was ever permitted to disturb God'’ pure atmosphere came into town last week and remained the greater part of two days, drinking and carousing around at night. It was a woman, or at least it was thinly clad in that attire which would make a half natural allowance of self-respect, of which it didn’t posses a shadow, teach the people to call it a woman. Ragged and slouchy, drunk and greasy, and in her debauched and fallen condition a hog would

have refused her the courtesy of rubbing against her. Way down, she was so

degradedly low that not a person stooped to inquire her name. This creature had doubtless been shipped out of Denver for the purpose of getting rid of her, but she stopped off at the wrong place when she landed in Castle Rock. While we have few branching out into similar cases yet the last attempted accession was not by any means a god send. The people at home are watching the town symptoms and should there appear a more degraded nature to things in general the JOURNAL does not propose to allow its mouth to be muzzled with silence and thus permit the society and youth of the town to suffer stagnation and grow up with nefarious and corrupted passions. We are

September 5, 1883 (Continued)

not inclined to the opinion that our friends in Denver intended that this old "hag" should

stop short of some point in New Mexico as there is where she held a ticket for. In compliance with pressing invitation from Marshal Brazil and other citizens she fired

herself out of town Thursday morning. We pity the people of the neighborhood in which she locates.

G.D. Hook has grown the largest and mealiest potatoes we have yet seen in Douglas county this year.

September 19, 1883

Woman’s Brains – The Cause of Her Emotional Rather Than Intellectual Nature

The female brain, however, is not only smaller than that of man, but it is different in structure, and this fact involves much more as regards the character of the mental faculties than does the element of size. Thus, accurate measurements show that the anterior portion of the brain comprising the frontal lobes, in which the highest intellectual faculties reside, is much more developed in man than in woman, and this not only as regards its size, but its convolutions also. Taking 100 as representing the entire length of the brain, the frontal development in man will be expressed by the figures 43.9, while in woman it will be indicated by the figures 31.3. Now, the part of the brain which is especially concerned in the evolution of mind is the gray matter constituting the cortex and this is increased or diminished in accordance with the number and complexity of the convolutions. The frontal lobes contain a greater amount of gray cortical matter than any other part of the brain, and they are, as we have seen, larger in man than in woman.

Again, it is only necessary to compare an average male with an average female brain to perceive at once how numerous and striking are the differences existing between them. Not only is the former longer, but its vertical and transverse diameters are greater proportionally than those of the latter, and hence the shape is quite different. Moreover, its convolutions are more intricate, the sulci are deeper, the secondary features (?) more numerous, and there is some reason for believing - the observations on this point are not perhaps sufficiently numerous to warrant the positive assertion - that the gray matter of the corresponding parts of the brain in the two sexes is decidedly thicker in man than it is

in woman. It is quite certain, as the observations of the writer show, that the specific gravity of both the white and the gray substance of the brain is greater in man than it is in woman. It is not necessary, therefore, in order to the advancement of the view to be presented in this connection, that we should insist upon the fact that as a man has more brain than women he must possess more mind. The question we design to submit is not so much

one of quantity as it is of quality. The brain of woman is as we have seen, different from that of man, and difference of structure necessarily involves difference of function. Doubtless it is perfectly adapted to the proper status of woman in the established plan of Nature, and for that very reason it is not suited to the work which is required of man’s brain. It is a brain from which emotion rather than intellect is evolved, and this circumstance, while it constitutes one of the strongest factors among those which are concerned in the preservation and happiness of the human species is at the same time one which thoroughly disqualifies her in whom it is manifested for those smarter duties which must be performed through the exercise of the intellectual faculties. The best wife, the best mother, the best sister would inevitably……………

September 26, 1883

A young lady, relative of David Myers, just from Germany, was in town one day last week having stopped off here to await the arrival of friends from the country. She was accompanied home by Mr. Myers Wednesday evening.

December 12, 1883

BORN – On December 8^th 1883, to George Stewart and wife, of West Plum creek, a rousing 12-pound boy. Mr. Stewart was in town on Saturday all covered with fatherly smiles and making various purchases at the store, and when asked the cause of all this expenditure, he informed us that it was a boy. His countenance was highly expressive of great joy, and considering the immense size and portliness of the new arrival at their house the JOURNAL is glad to extend its heartiest congratulations to the parents as well as to the object of their present joy.

January 2, 1884

August Metzler and wife and the old gentleman, of Frankstown, were over to the Christmas doings.

Judge Taylor was in Greenland on Tuesday and performed the marriage ceremonies of Mr. Joseph Ross and Miss Minnie Gile

February 13, 1884

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION - Land Office at Denver, Colo – January 24, 1884

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim, and that said proof will be made before the County Judge of Douglas county, at Castle Rock, Colo. On Saturday, March 8, 1884, vix: John Bihlmeyer. Homestead No. 3750 for the sw qr sw qr sec 31 twp8, and n hf nw qr and se qr nw qr sec 6 twp 9, s? 64 w.

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon and cultivation of said land, vis: Frank Haag, Castle Rock, John Hillburger, Fred Rinker and Charles Herbzog of Frankstown, Colo. Louis Dugal, Register jan 30

Excerpts from: CASTLE ROCK RECORD JOURNAL Call #MF 978.886 CAS

Douglas County Public Library – Castle Rock, Colorado

Compiled by Ginny Anderson Suelzle

Reel #2 April 16, 1884 to September 24, 1890

April 23, 1884

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Divide Grange Co-operative Association ceases to do business from date having sold its entire interest in Divide Grange store to Jacob Geiger, who will continue the store at the old stand, pay all claims against Divide Grange Co-operative Association, also collect all outstanding accounts.

Jacob Geiger

L. Leppert Spring Valley

John Prock, Directors April 1^st, 1884

May 28, 1884

Miss Ida Miller is teaching the Quick school again.

Miss Mary Stevens has returned home to spend the summer.

Miss Mary Howerton is teaching at Sedalia.

Mrs. S. Morrison was married a few days ago to a Mr. Francheo.

Robert Grout, the noted bachelor killed another mountain lion with his pistol, it measured seven feet.

June 4, 1884

A gentleman claiming kinship to the Doepke boys and who arrived here last week, showed us two very beautiful gold nuggets, of perhaps a half ounce each in weight, which, he said, he found in a stream on the divide a short distance south of here. Being, he claimed, unfamiliar with the lay of the country he was unable to definitely "locate the location." We ad hour opinion of the significant sparkle in ‘is hoff heya, ‘owever, and we would hadvise the farmers to himprove beach shining beuer.

July 23, 1884

Married – July 22d, 1884, at the residence of the bride’s father at Acequia, Colo., Judge Hugh Taylor officiating, Mr. John Pollock and Miss Jessie, daughter of A. S. Babcock. John and his bride went up to their home at Spring Valley yesterday evening and will settle down to active housekeeping. When they arrived here John received a valuable express package, for which he paid quite liberally, the ?? all taking cigars for their interest in the arrangements. The JOURNAL joins his many friends in wishing them a long and properous married life.

The Swedes of this place and vicinity had an enjoyable picnic in the beautiful grove on Peter Anderson’s place west of town, on Sunday last. Swings, rustic houses and tables

contributed largely to the enjoyment and convenience of the crowd. Fifty or sixty persons participated in the amusements of the day. The necessary refreshments were served and the grounds were cleared of the monotony of underbrush. The floral decorations of the magnificent pavilion were artistic in the extreme, which presented convincing evidences of the lavish expenditure of taste on the part of the committee on arrangement. The day was pleasant and well spent and the picnicers returned in the evening feeling the better of their day’s enjoyment.

September 3, 1884

FARM FLASHES - A Pleasant Visit to the Farm of David Meyer

The writer, while in the country last Sunday, took occasion to call at the ranch of David Meyer, which is beautifully situated in the midst of the fertile country known as Lake Gulch. We here found everything comfortable. Like the ambitious German that he is, Mr. Meyer turns his attention to the raising of fine horses and cattle. There are a great many who are engaged in the same business, but we have a pride in mentioning these after an examination. We are not a farmer, but we believe that we are able to distinguish the difference between a properly kept farm and one which is otherwise conducted. Unlike in this respect to others we passed on the way, Mr. Meyer has got his fences all in good repair; corralls, barns, sheds, roads and watering places are all made convenient and easy of access. The same can be said of Messrs. Smith and Nash. Mr. Meyer has not finished his harvest yet, owing to the enormous crops with which he has to deal, and the scarcity of hands. He has one of the best hay ranches that we have ever visited, over which it is a pleasure to stroll. The stock is all big and healthy, and in another year or so the raising of horses of the broncho race will be an experiment of the past. American stock finds a hearty welcome in the ambitious desires of the Germans of our land. The cows are large, noble-looking animals, but being no "crack cowyer," we are more competent to judge on the quantity than the quality of the bovine genus of animals, in which respect Mr. Meyer, it seems, has struck the key note to success.

When we look about and see the fine farms and fragrant meadows which surround us, our utter abhorence of the insignificant word "ranch," (if such a word exists) comes boldly to the front, and crowds it out of our vocabulary to give expression to the significant "farm" of modern reasoning. The cultivation, for instance, of these lands, is a strong reasoning against the application of the former term. Mr. Meyer’s large stacks of rye and barley are awaiting the click of the threshing machine and his potatoes, cabbage, and

garden vegetables show a pride for cultivation. He has fine apple trees, which are thriving well in the second year’s growth and which will certainly prosper and determine the adaptability of the soil for this line of husbandry.

To say the least, we were surprised to find this gentleman so comfortably provided for in the way of home necessities, conveniences and luxuries, and the most palatable dinner prepared by Mrs. Meyer of which ye editor partook with untiring vim and a hearty relish, was a rare country treat, indeed.

Space forbids further comment upon the pleasantries of country life and rustication in Lake Gulch.

Miss Edna Monroe of Cherry Creek, was married on the 25^th of August to a gentleman from Kansas, whose name we were unable to learn.

October 1, 1884

Local

- U.T. Smith of West creek, made a flying trip to Denver last Thursday.

October 29, 1884

Local

· Every Smoker should try "Little Joker."

· The politicians are busy looking after their fences in the mountains this week.

· A pleasant party is reported to have taken place at the residence of David Meyer at Lake Gulch on Sunday last.

· Died – At Bear Canon, October 27, 1884, of typhoid fever, Mrs. Lillie, the charming wife of David Rouse, at the young age of 17 years and five months. She leaves a fond husband and a bright little girl of 11 months to mourn her departure. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Wriston of Castle Rock.

November 5, 1884

Local

- Married – At the residence of Fred Bachman, Denver, Colo., on October 24^th, by Rev. I. H. Beardsley, Julius A Hooker of Middle Kiowa, Colo., and Miss Ollie R. Rex, of Centerville, Iowa.

- We are glad to note the fish industry of Hon. George Engl. He brought home with him on Friday, from Denver, a dozen fine, large German carp, for which he has built a large reservoir on his farm in Lake Gulch into which he put these fish, and will go into the fish culture on quite an extensive scale. In a short time he will stock another reservoir on his place with mountain trout. George has been posting himself on fish hatching necessities and is convinced of his ability to succeed in their culture. The people of the county will hail with pleasure the announcement of his success in this line.

· W.I. Whittier closed his school at the Pratt school house on the 1^st with a nice dinner and sociable.

November 19, 1884

GRAND BALL – To Be Given At Castle Rock on November 27^th

A grand Thanksgiving ball is to be held in the Court House at Castle Rock on Thursday evening, November 27^th. The ball will be under the management of Jose P. Adams, John Bean and C.C. Brazil. Five of the best musicians in the county will be in attendance, and a first-class caller will be present for the occasion. It is of little use to speak of the management of these gentlemen. Their names appearing in this connection is sufficient to guarantee the best time of the season. As the expense of furnishing music and supper is not a small item a good turn-out is requested. Don’t fail to come. If our neighboring towns do us justice by a good representation, Castle Rock will no doubt return the compliment in the future. The expenses of dancing and supper will be, 50 cents for each number and $1.00 per couple for supper, which will be served at Farrell’s. Messrs. Brazil and Bean will act as floor managers, and Mr. Adams will have charge of the finances.

Ladies approve of your smoking "Little Joker."

Local

· Mrs. David Meyer, of Lake Gulch, is visiting friends in Denver this week.

· The Douglas County Cricket Club got "larrupped" again by the Denver Thistles, at Sedalia, On Saturday. Oh, well, our boys got sufficient start on them to aggregate a handsome majority, on a count of scores.

· On the 12^th of November a daughter was born to Charles E. Smith and wife, of Lake Gulch. Charley was in town Monday, happy as a lark.

· Hallowe’n came around in too close proximity to the Presidential election to receive the usual attention. No one noticed its hallowed presence and it passed off without even sympathy from the undisturbed cabbage head.

· Miss Jennie Atchison has returned to Castle Rock, and has been employed to teach in the primary department of the school here during the balance of the term. She has proved an efficient instructor and has won the confidence of the Board and patrons of the school in the past and there is no doubt that her present engagement will be fulfilled with satisfaction to all concerned.

January 7, 1885

The petition circulated in town last week asking for subscriptions for the support of Mrs. Vantilburg and her family of little ones, whose father perished in the cold last week from drunkenness, leaving them in destitute circumstances, was very readily and properly signed by a sympathizing and liberal people. The amount so raised was $24.50. The same petition should reach the attention of the Sedalia saloonists, whose attention had probably never been called to the fact that the deceased was forbidden by town ordinance the right of purchasing liquor in Castle Rock.

Perhaps one of the most pleasant events that has transpired in Lake Gulch for some time occurred at the residence of Geo. Engl one day last week and was the occasion of the happy union of Mr. John Schweiger, of Happy Canon, and Miss Anna Scheider, a niece of Mr. Engl, by Hugh Taylor, County Judge. A large crowd was present to witness the marriage, and a pleasant evening’s enjoyment in the shape of dancing and social games followed the ceremonies. About 40 persons were present and the dancing was continued to a late hour. The happy couple have the best wishes of their many friends in the county.

A pleasant call is acknowledged from Sam Altman, of Larkspur, on Monday. After attending to business with the Commissioners he came in and requested his name placed upon our list. He says he has closed his mill at Larkspur until spring opens.

Last week Coroner Johnson was again called to hold an inquest on the body of Lester Bronson, who died very suddenly at the residence of Levi Wright in the northern part of the county. The deceased was an old man of perhaps sixty years of age. He had made his headquarters at Mr. Wright’s for several years, but had been absent for some months. When he returned home last week he took passage from Denver in a tight, warm car. On arriving at the place where he left the cars he was obliged to walk some distance in the severe cold, and when arriving at Mr. Wright’s house he complained of being afflicted in a manner never before experience, and in a short time he breathed his last. The sudden demise of Mr. Bronson had a startling effect upon the inmate of the house, and the coroner was sent for. When the coroner arrived the body had been carefully interred near Mr. Wright’s house. The first thing that struck Mr. Wright and others persent was death by small pox, hence the hasty interment. Dr. Johnson, coroner, says it is his belief that the conviction of Mr. Wright was correct and that the best means for preventing the spread of the contagion was employed by immediate burial. As the matter stands Mr. Wright is the only person who has been exposed to the disease, and every precaution will be taken to ascertain in time whether it has fastened its grasp upon him so that further spread of the disease is not probable.

February 4, 1885

Mrs. Anderson, of Douglas, who a short time ago, received severe injuries from falling, is now able to be about and was in town one day last week.

Mrs. William Garrison struck it rich last week. She held a ticket in the Louisiana State Lottery drawing and proved to be a lucky number which draws her two hundred dollars. The ticket was sent for collection and the money will be returned by express soon. While Mrs. Garrison has been so lucky yet there is a great probability that she was the first to invest to the drawing from this neighborhood, consequently the liberal return to her is more than likely a bait for future victims. We would not advise the reader to risk a copper cent with a hole in it with the outfit. If you do you are mighty alfiredly certain to regret it.

Mrs. D. R. Hall has been very ill for several days.

The JOURNAL most heartily congratulates Mr. And Mrs. L. M. Larson, of Douglas, upon the arrival at their house of a charming daughter, on February 2d, 1885.

We are glad to learn from H. M. Clay that Levi Wright has not had the small-pox, as reported. His statement to this effect has been corroborated by a number of citizens in the northern part of the county.

April 15, 1885

The Douglas stone quarry has opened again with several men at work, and the foreman, Louie Larson, wants to hire more hands. The outlook is quite favorable for the stone business.

We are not disposed to boast, but we must say that we feel highly complimented by the remarks that have been made by some of the best men of the county in regard to the last few issues of the JOURNAL.

Mrs. Anderson is cooking for L.M. Larson, of Douglas

We noticed J.R. Cantril and wife, Sam Altman and wife, and Walt. M. Priest at Mrs. Evans’ entertainment last Wednesday night.

April 29, 1885

George Engl returned from Denver on Saturday. He said the streets were almost impassable, owing to the heavy snow.

May 6, 1885

Gold Dale Nuggets – May 2

Gold Dale (Valley of Gold) was surely, rightly named, judging from the amount of gold that is found within its bounds.

Our highly esteemed friend, John Ferris, proprietor of the above-named placer mines, is again with us, after having spent several months with his family in southern Ohio. The gold works here will soon be started up, when we will see the sparkling gold shining in every direction, as of old.

Local

· Mrs. David Hall, who has been in Denver for the past few months for the benefit of her health, returned home last Wednesday feeling greatly improved by her visit.

· David Meyer, of Lake Gulch, has been making some more profitable improvements about his ranch this spring. Mrs. Meyer is cultivating a rich garden spot west of the house.

· Fred Doepke, of Lake Gulch, is making a test planting of barley this spring. A portion of his crop he is putting in with the cultivator, and a portion will be sown. We hope to get a report from the result of the experiment.

May 13, 1885

Local

· A dance is announced for Thursday (to-morrow) night. Good music will be furnished by John Herren and Mr. Metzler, of Frankstown. A good time is expected and all are cordially invited.

May 20, 1885

Local

· Married – On Monday, May 18, 1885, by G.A. Triplett, J.P., in the Owens House parlors, Castle Rock, Mr. William W. Jones, of Rock Ridge, and Miss Anna Metzler, of Frankstown, both of Douglas county, Colorado.

· A vigilance committee should be organized at once for the protection of our citizens against the intrusions of professional dead beats and tramps. Posters should be put up at each end of town stating clearly and emphatically that their room is more acceptable to the people than their presence.

· We are glad to note the enterprise of our friends in Lake Gulch this season, in fencing and preparing so much land for cultivation. The last on the list is Julius Seidensticker, who has been fencing a large piece of about 400 acres, including the Sellars ranch. He has put up a good substantial fence and provided for irrigating all the bottom land. This land to receive the care that he will give it will prove to be some of the best land for haying and farming purposes in the county.

May 27, 1885

Local

· Mrs. Meyer went with friends to Denver yesterday.

June 10, 1885

Castle Rock in 1900 – We are all ready to philosophize about the destructive concussions of air castles and to advise the young to try the wheel of fortune (a wheel that is governed by anything but chance) while the measured tick of the clock tolls the knoll of parting moments; but what veteran of time, however much he has learned to cherish the present, does not, at times climb the hill of mediation and cast his eyes toward the rose-tinted clouds of the sunset?

June 10, 1885

The anticipated scenes of sunset glory has assisted many a pilgrim on the desert march of life. We boast of industry, but who toils without the stimulus of reward to nerve him? Suppose you, that Columbus, as he pushed westward under threatening skies, hurried to him doom by treacherous winds, and awed by the melancholy gaze of his companions, appealed not to visions of verdant lands and royal honors to dismiss his own gloomy apprehensions? So in all great enterprises, inspiration is gained from expectations of the future.

Barely a score of years ago keen visions saw is a little village on the Platte the possibilities of a great city. Instruments were then made that have brought the poor and unknown of half a generation ago to the honors of wealth and the first ranks of society. As the till spires of the grand buildings of the Queen City shoot their ghostly forms up in

the glare of electric towers, or reflect the brightest sunlight of the earth, who but would say, The glory far exceeds the fondest dreams of the past.

We have gone with the flights of Joseph Cook’s imagination a few years into the mystic future, to look upon one hundred millions of people under the sway of our government; we know what awaits a city that is granted every advantage to remain always the Queen of cities between Chicago and San Francisco. What shall we call reasonable visions for the new century’s dawn upon the scene of our highest interest – our own town, lying a little nearer heaven and but thirty-three miles from the city, where must center the priceless treasures of the Rockies?

Fifteen years will change the second figure in the date at the head of letters and bills. How many shall write the former? And what shall be the nature of the latter? What buildings will then adorn the lots now grazed by cattle? What faith will the church bell, swinging in the great tower, announce? Or shall three bells touch sweetly the first, third and fifth tones of the scale, bringing to our patriotic settlers blessed recollections of chimes on Thames? What school buildings will then be the pride of our citizens? How many merchants will at that time wait upon the necessities of those who watch over the pastures of this county? The writer ventures no predition in answer to these questions, but, in the light of the historic developments of many other towns with fewer advantages than ours, has penned these questions with a view to carrying over the thoughts of those who consult the possibilities of the future before laying their life plans. These questions, with greather or less force come to the writer as one who expects, if the usual years of life are meted out, with some of the readers of this article to witness the development of this place after the present century has closed its record.

People desiring a home where the advantages of a great city may be _______ without mingling its disadvantages, may bring this town up to the most extravagant hopes of its citizens. But sure it is, that if this is realized we must keep pace with the march of time; as necessities are created, we must meet them; when a greater population makes calls we must answer; when the home-seeker’s knock is heard we must open the door to all the benefits to be secured in competing towns.

As we labor to raise the moral standard of the people, and as we lay the foundations of municipal rule, let me do it as if living in the Castle Rock of 1900. ABE.

Local

· Mr. Grout has been around taking the census of the county west of the railroad. He has finished his work south of this place.

June 17, 1885

Card from Iowa, Eddyville, June 13, 18885

Mr. Waller,

Dear Sir – Enclosed find money order for $3.00 which you can put down in your jeans and give me credit for that amount on your subscription list.

Yours in haste but with a lively recollection of yourself and the Castle Rockers in general.

Wesley Donegan.

(The following ad was placed upside down in the paper – evidently to call attention to it)

Three or four good dairy cows, with or without calves.

U.T. Smith

West Plum Creek

June 17, 1885 (Continued)

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION – Land Office at Denver, Colo. – June 11, 1885

To Geo. Dietrich and whom it may concern:

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim, and that said proof will be made before the County Judge of Douglas County at Castle Rock, Colo. on July 25, 1885 vis: Casper Engl, D.S. No. 16682 for the w hf no qr and se qr nw qr and ne qr sw qr sec. 31 Tp. 8, s r 65 w.

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon and cultivation of said land, vis: John Bihlmeyer, John Hillburger, George Engl, Frankstown, Colo. And Frank Hagg, Castle Rock, Colo.

Louis Dugal, Register.

July 15, 1885

Spring Valley Scraps

We are having a fine shower of rain, just enough to cause the crops to grow finely.

T.P. Hall, of Table Rock, was over on business.

The Flood on Friday

Friday was an exciting day for the citizens of this place, and probably for numerous others who were unfortunately lodged in the place for several hours to await the abate of the water fall. One of the most terrific hail and rain storms that has been known here for twenty years occurred in the afternoon of that day, and lasted for nearly two hours. The oldest inhabitants are unable to relate a similar instance by which so much damage was done and from which such a flood of water passed through the streets of our town. During the forenoon heavy black clouds were hanging threateningly over the vicinity of

Larkspur, a few miles south, and they were seen passing around us both east and west. A little later on in the day a heavy storm could be seen pouring from the clouds as they passed around to the north. The storm which passed east showed a more rapid velicity than that which passed west, which caused perhaps a rupture at a point northwest of this place. As the noon express train arrived here nearly half past twelve, the storm

came in all its fury. It rained, it hailed, it poured, till, the storm became so intense that it was impossible to see a distance of more than fifty yards. Families on one side of the street could hardly discern what was occurring at their neighbors' on the other side, and things about the premises were left to take care of themselves. Hailstones were precipitated thick and fast upon the defenseless and unprepared citizens, but fortunately for the people the hailstones were not large enough to accomplish greater damage than to strip the trees of their rich foliage and to play havoc generally with the gardens and growing crops.

The people who came in on the train we rushing about town in search of something to eat but was unable to find accommodations at the hotels, but the accommodating and obliging dispositions of Judge Farrell and lady in this direction prompted them to prepare meals for those applying so long as they remained in the town. This showed a spirit of public interest which is highly deserving of praise by those of our town who were in sympathy with the hungry travelers who were compelled to remain here until the various washouts of the line could be patched and who would have willingly paid six bits for meals. Mr. and Mrs. Farrell, we say, merit the well wishes of the town for what they did do and for their efforts to do more. We heard curses toward the town till the atmosphere was thick with oaths for possesing such hotels. And after finding a place where a meal could be obtained many would say to inquiring friends: "Hell, yes, we’ve been over to this or that hotel, but you can get a good meal down at an old lawyer’s, down where you see yon sign." And all such remarks as these. There were several newspaper men among the visitors and though we could mention the inconveniences of hotel life in this place to their satisfaction,. Yet we fear that our excuses would not be listened to. One of them is that either of our hotels can be bought cheap for cash. But say the least, such a condition of affairs is an embarrassing recommendation for a town that is striving so hard to be something the estimation of the people as Castle Rock is today and has been for the last few years. Fifty dollars could have been very readily realized in the two or three hours our state friends were delayed here.

The great flow of water was such as to wash every moveable object away and the entire north end of town was under from one to two feet of water and floating hail and debirs. The hill sides east of the rail road track were the scene of a raging river. On the flats on that side of the road the water was, in some places, four feet deep, and this, too, in

places where in ordinary storms the water runs off smoothly. The west side of the big rock presented a scene seldom witnessed in more stormy countries. The three foot cut below the stock yards, with a fall of seventeen feet to the mile, was not sufficiently large to carry off the water. It floated smoothly over the cut and carried huge timbers over it.

Among the damages done is the washout on the rail road north of town, which, owing to a good job in putting in the clvert, the banks were not washed away to any great extent. Going south from this point another wash was made under the track at the south end of the switch and still another south of the bridge. The quarry branch was washed in many

places, the worst of which is about 200 yards from the mine track. More or less damage was done the road all along the line between Denver and Pueblo.

The large stone house belonging to Mr. Hammar, was almost ruined by the flood of water. There is a cellar under the entire building and nine feet deep. The water washed

a trench about twenty feet long by three (can’t decipher this part) side of the wall, and the water flowed in under the cellar wall, filling the cellar to the top, doing a large amount of damage to supplies and things which were in the cellar. The south wall of the house cracked slightly and it is hoped that no further damage will result.

The house in which Mrs. Wright lives experienced a similar damage. The water poured in on the east side and filled the cellar ruining everything there was in it. The well was also washed in.

The chicken crop belonging to Mr. Hancock was floated out over the railroad and scattered about the town.

Mrs. Anderson lost all her young chickens and suffered other damages.

Considerable damage was done to all the gardens in the lower end of town, and numerous other damages are reported.

August 5, 1885

Notice for Publication

July 23, 1885

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim, and that said proof will be made before the County Judge of Douglas county at Castle Rock, Colo, on September 5, 2885, viz:John Keppel, Homestead No. 3952, for the s hf se qr sec 11 and nw qr nw qr sec 13, and ne qr ne qr sec 14, twp 8 south range 69 west.

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon, and cultivation of, said land, vis:

Henry Hassen, Philip Rouse, Rob’t Stombough and H. McIntyre, all of Sedalia, Colo.

July 15 Louis Dugal, Register

Notice for Publication

July 23, 1885

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim, and that said proof will be made before the County Judge of Douglas county at Castle Rock, Colo, on September 5, 2885, viz: Robert C. Grout, Jr. Homestead No.4327 for the s hf se qr sec 22, and n hf ne qr sec 27, twp 9 s r 69 west.

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon, and cultivation of, said land, viz:

Augustus Watson, Sedalia, Louis Fritz, Upton T. Smith, and Robert Green, of Castle Rock, Colorado.

J29. Louis Dugal, Register

Notice for Publication

July 23, 1885

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim, and that said proof will be made before the County Judge of Douglas county at Castle Rock, Colo, on September 5, 2885, viz: Michael Misner, Homestead No. 3781, for the sw qr sw qr, sec 22 and w hf nw qr and nw qr sw qr sec 27 twp 8 s r 65 w.

August 5, 1885 (Continued)

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon, and cultivation of, said land, viz:

John Hilburger, of Frankstown, David Meyer, Charles Sellner and Andrew Misner, of Castle Rock.

July 8 Louis Dugal, Register

September 2, 1885

· In the contested homestead case of Lapham vs. Smith, the evidence in which was taken before Judge Taylor some few weeks since, the Register of the Land Office at Denver has intimated to Attorney Dillon of Castle Rock, that the decision of that office in in favor of Lapham. The contestant, U.T. Smith, is allowed thirty days in which to appeal the case to Washington. At the trial before Judge Taylor, Smith's case was conducted by Att'y Witter, of Denver and Lapham's by Attorney Dillon, of this place.

September 9, 1885

Local -

· While mowing hay last week, Sheriff Anderson mowed the leg off of Mr. Pooley's dog.

October 28, 1885

Local -

Married – On October 21^st 1885, Mr. W. E. Convrse, of Franktown, to Miss Ida Kracaw, of Elbert, Colorado.

· John Hilburger, of Lake Gulch, has been getting material and time for repairs and plastering his house. He expects this winter to catch him in comfortable quarters.

· November 18, 1885

The Chinese agitators at Tacoma, Oregon, are likely to get into trouble. They have bit off more than they can chew handily.

Roll of Honor - The following named persons have paid up their subscription to the JOURNAL since the last issue, for which we return thanks. If any one finds their account not properly credited, they will do us a kindness by advising us at once.

Names Amt. Mo. Yr.

Ben Schutz 2.00 Jun 26 86

Andy Messner 1.00 May 12 86

Sam'l Johnston 2.00 Apr. 1 86

David Meyer 2.00 Jany 1 87

Local -

Mrs. D. R. Hall returned Sunday morning, from a brief visit in Denver.

November 25, 1885

Notice for Publication

Land Office at Denver Colo., November 19, 1885

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim, and that said proof will be made before the county Judge of Douglas County at Castle Rock on December 31, 1885, viz: John H. Hall, D.S. No. 17815, for the se qr se qr sec 6, and e hf se qr sec 7, and nw qr nw qr sec 8 twp 7 s r 66 west.

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon, and cultivation of, said land, vix:

Frederick Dahlmger and James Anson of Denver and Samuel M. Dyer and Jesse F. Hall of Castle Rock, Colo. Louis Dugal, Register

Locals -

Some photographers took in the town last week and succeeded in capturing the image of several of our town people and set the camera on some of the principal dwellings of the town.

December 9, 1885

A Miraculous Escape

As the Leadville express train was passing Sedalia last Thursday night it came near causing another trip for the Coroner to that town. Just as the train was pulling out from the station and before it had got under full headway, the engineer discovered in the darkness the figure of a man lying with his head on the end of a tie, with his body off the track. The engineer had but about twelve feet in which to check the train, and he did not get it stopped before the corner of the cowcatcher struck the man fair in the forehead, putting him square on his feet, but with the exception of a slight cut on the forehead he escaped further injury. The sudden stop of the train caused the conductor, train men and passengers to rush out to see what was going wrong. The victim still stood erect when the crowd got off the train, and he was deathly white and as motionless as a statue, when the conductor asked what was the matter. He was informed by the victimized indivudual that -- "By G_d, that d__d train stuck me a h__l of a lick" etc.

Conductor Smith informed the inebriate that had his train been a broad gauge and had run over him in that manner it probably would have killed him, and pulled for the train to start on. One inch further and man's head would have been severed from his drunken body.

More temperance is required for such men as this one whose life was saved only by a miraculous ___ of fortune.

 December 9, 1885 (Continued)

Notice for Publication.

Land Office at Denver, Colo, November 19, 1885

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim and that said proof will be made before the county judge of Douglas County at Castle Rock, on December 31, 1885, viz: Abijah Johnson, Homestead No. 5466, for the sw qr nw qr and nw qr sw qr sec 1, and a hf ne nr sec 2 twp 8 s r 67 west.

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon and cultivation of, said land, viz:

Rob’t N. Hancock, Sam’l B. Smith, Marcus L. James and John G. Baldwin, all of Castle Rock, Colo.

Nov 25

Louis Dugal, Register

December 16, 1885

Local - The R.S. Hall Company of Sedalia, announces that there will be a Christmas Tree at the Rustic Samaritan Hall on Christmas Eve, December 24, followed by a dance and supper. All are cordially invited to be present. Those who wish to place presents on the Tree for their friends will have an opportunity to do so. Good music will be on hand.

December 23, 1885

Christmas - Giving

Hapless is the lot of man who, in this Christmas time, has no gift to give or no gift to receive. Melancholy must claim him for her own and life to him must be a condition of utter and unrelieved cheerlessness. Now, when Christmas fires are kindled on countless hearths, when all mankind is given over to merry-making and well-wishing, when Kris Kringle usurps all other rule, he who has no home is indeed a woful wight; and he who has a home and yet provides no Christmas tree is a wretch for whose neglect there is no extenuation.

It sometimes goes hard with those who cling to the notion that Christmas Day should be an occasion of quiet, devout, contemplative religious ceremonials, that the popular observance is marked by feasting, hilarity, good humor, and the giving of gifts. Such

persons are not your true philosophers. Christ himself declared that his followers would be known by the fruits of their devotion. And generosity is most assuredly a Christian grace. Because there may appear a very long stretch of sequences between the Adoration of the Magi and Mr. Picwick's frolic under the mistletoe, they are sequences, nevertheless; for, while the solemn ceremony of the one was a recognition by indirection - in the one case there was kneeling in the presence of the Christ-child; in the other, a

December 23, 1885 (Continued)

manifestation of that temper of kindliness which is the sweetest illustration of the Christian spirit.

The interchange of tokens of affectionate regard on Christmas Day is quite in accord with the injunction to love our neighbors as ourselves. The fundamental principle of the Christian religion is exemplified in the gift. All the forms of the day's celebrations are protestations against selfishness. Christ constantly insisted upon self-denial, self-restraint and self-subordination. One's duty to others is variously enjoined in the scriptures. Therefore the Christmas gift comprises the essence of the religion He taught - a religion which, instilling charity into the hearts of men, was to make all men happier through the efforts of each individual to make his fellow happier. The modern method of commemorating the Advent is entirely fitting, even though we give ourselves over to the Good Genius of the Christmas-tree, with only incidental regard to the bells that "knoll to church." The most important observance is that beneath the branches of the gift-bearing

evergreen, where all hearts grow young in the atmosphere of good-cheer and loving kindness. It is there that each one sees the happy results of his own beneficence and finds his full reward in the consciousness of the pervading gladness. Such is the blessedness of practical Christianity; such the beautiful outcome of a religion intended to solace, to ameliorate and compensate - a religion of a Master who finds His most grateful worship in the kindly acts of His children "one to another."

Here, in America, the sprites and elves and genii of ancient lore have not thrived in the popular fancy. Even such superstitions as the Puritans brought over were forgotten or ignored by their children. The occupation of the New World kept their minds too busy with the duties at hand to allow them to ponder upon the supernatural. The American with each succeeding generation grew more practical-minded and the Christmas fairies slipped into oblivion along with the faith in the divine right of Kings. Kris Kringle survived because he was a convenient appropriation and because, perhaps, he was such an extravagant old fellow whose largess was quite in harmony with the somewhat prodigal American disposition. But he alone has survived. He alone has any sort of actuality to the American child. Cinderella and Queen Titania and all the rest of them are read of and enjoyed, but without much faith in their existence. They are contemplated rather as charming creatures of admitted unreality. But St. Nicholas is still expected and eyes are shut to his mythical nature, despite base burners and registers and furnaces. Force a child to a confession of belief or unbelief in his reality, the decision would probably be in the negative; but the delusion is fondly cherished, notwithstanding. He is, as remarked, such a delightful convenience. He invests the Christmas tree with just enough mystery to give exquisiteness to the pleasure of its unveiling - and long may he live to defy the image-breaking spirit of the age! He is the embodiment of good cheer; the genial instrument of impartial benevolence. He does not object if all his gifts bear the signet of father or mother, uncle or aunt, neighbor or friend. He is quite above such incongruities. The sentiment of mutual good will remains. Such is his mission; such was the mission of the angels who sang to the Shepherds of Judea.

The Cradle of Bethlehem - A Christmas Thought

There is something ___________? significant and _________ in a picture which the Christmastide makes prominent - that of our faith beginning in the cradle of a helpless child. The manger of Bethlehem is the symbol of a universal faith. Before that symbol

December 23, 1885 (Continued)

we feel that Christianity should never become a vigorous theology, dividing men into hostile camps; never be surrounded by pomp and the conditions of selfish, worldly power. Because it came to the world even as the purest blessing and the deepest joy come to the household - as a new-born babe! Is not the common Christmas picture significant? What is it gives to the word "Home" its solemn and lovely meaning? What draws to a common center all the discordant elements of the household and changes them to harmony? What gives dignity to love, deeper meaning to labor, and brings all hearts into a generous rivalry of sweet and disinterested love? The presence of the first-born in the home. Then married affection reveals the diviness of its life. Then wife and husband begin to know the beauty and mystery of self-sacrifice. The love that comes with the tiny nestling is the first faint shadow and suggestion of the kind of love which God has for His human children.

This rambles on and on more. I wanted to copy it because I felt it would give me a feel for how Christmas was celebrated in 1885 Douglas County. But I think this editor just likes to ramble. Perhaps the "LOCALS" below will give a flavor or their celebrations.

December 30, 1885

· The handsome cigar stand hung on the Christmas Tree by Charley Palm, addressed to the editor of this paper, is elegant, ornamental and serviceable, and it give us great pleasure to acknowledge the gift and tender our thanks to the donor, with the hope that we may some day be able to get even with him.

· The Christmas Tree was a grand success. The Court House was packed with people, all of whom received many valuable presents. The Tree and interior of the building were decorated in the most tasty and elaborate manner, and the commitees deserve praise for their patience and good work.

· The JOURNAL is late this week because we think we have as much right to take Christmas as anybody. The lack of reading matter is one feature of this issue, which shows the enterprise and prosperity of those who occupy the space. We would print a double sheet each week if the business houses of the county would force us to it, by advertising, and do it willingly.

January 20, 1886

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

Land Office at Denver Colorado - January 9, 1886

Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim, and that said proof will be made before the County Judge of Douglas County at Castle Rock, Colo., on February 20, 1886, vis: David Meyer, D.S. No. 17624, for the n hf sw qr and sw qr sw qr sec. 21, and se qr se qr sec. 20, twp 9 s r 66 w.

He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence upon, and cultivation of, said land, viz: Charles E. Smith, William Nash, Andrew Misner and Julius Seidensticker, all of Castle Rock, Colo.

Jan 13 Louis Dugal, Register.

January 27, 1886

Locals -

- Adjutant S. M. Dyer and Commander, U.T. Smith, of the J.G. Blunt Post, G.A.R., of Castle Rock, regaled in full uniform, took the train Monday evening to be present at the seventh annual encampment of the G.A.R., which met at Pueblo on Monday evening and continues till to-night. The boys presented quite a soldier-like appearance in the new and becoming suits.

Hiram Ellis came over from Frankstown last Thursday all covered with ruffles and smiles about his serene countenance. He said it was a boy weighing seventeen and a half pounds, assuming that a mistake of ten pounds occurred in the market report from Idaho Springs, where the event occurred on Monday, January 18, 1886. He accuses the authorities of Idaho Springs of being extremely negligent in their duties in permitting the little urchin’s advent into the incorperate limits in a denude condition, and says such liberties extended by those authorities is flagrant with mal-administration of justice and is fruitful of accusations of class discrimination in favor of the rich and healthy. The cigars, however, were gratefully received by the boys about town. Mr. Ellis in enjoying comparative good health under the circumstances and is preparing to give his first heir a grand reception on his return in the early spring to his ‘paternal pap.’

February 10, 1886

NOTI