Show LIVE ROCK SPRINGS History of Wyomings Busy and Growing Town ITS MAIN BUSINESS MEN Its Coal Sheep and Cattle Exports Its Growth from a Humble Begin Ing Notes Tho primary steps towards the formation forma-tion of this enterprising Wyoming town were taken as early as 1861 At this time the rtage line was so changed as to Include what is now Rock Springs and very I closely followed the present route of the Union Pacific In 1862 a station house was built at the springs near No 6 mine At this place a high buttress of rocks is formed from which the water bursts forth and from this spring the town was named Coal was first discovered about this time but was only utilized by tho stage line people peo-ple of whom Ben Holliday was the head and front As in all these western towns the Indians at first had considerable to do in making things hvoly and what few poo pie did try to live in Rook Springs had pretty tough rows to hoe until 18GS when the railroad struck the town causing tho abolition of tho stage line and in 1SG9 the Wyoming Coal company opened up No 1 mine A little settlement grow up around the depot and mine and a store was established estab-lished by Blair Bros In 1870 a postoffice was founded In 1ST2 No 2 mine was opened and the town gradually grew until IbSl When the phenomenal development of the west created such a demand for coal Hock Springs being the only known depot for this commodity between tho Missouri and the coast This necessitated the opening of new mines and the increasing of the working I capacity of the old ones and as a natural result tho population took a bound better stores were built dugouts were replaced by houses and handsome residences In 16S7 the passage of the Interstate commerce law enabled outside capitalists to open and operate the mines prior till now tho Union Pacific having had exclusive control of all mining Interests The competition now openea was a signal for a continuous stream of prosperity until today the population popu-lation of Rock Springs is estimated from 5000 to 6000 people and the city has an assessed valuation of 4000000 with almost al-most every line of commerce represented a national bank three newspapers five do I nomination churches vlz Catholic Mormon Congregational Methodist and Episcopal besides a big sprinkling of all the professions The benevolent and secret societies are represented by all the well known lodges Rock Springs has a SCHOOL POPULATION of about 600 with an average attendance of 550 pupils The district school is in charge of Prof A J Matthews assisted by six well qualified teachers ranging from the primary to high school grades They have just erected an elegant schoolhouse school-house of massive proportions three stories In height covering an area of 100 feet square at sn outlay of 20000 It is mado of the sandstone found in Rock Springs which resembles your kyuno It baraons on exposure to the atmosphere They contemplate con-template expending about 21000 more in exterior decorations and improvements including in-cluding fences shadetrees outhouses etc There is also a branch school established at No 4 mine with an average attendance of 100 pupils Rock Springs is quoted as being tho largest WOOL PnODUCtNQ TOWS In tho state It represents no less than 200000 head of sheep with a wool clip of a million and n half pounds of wol which is hipped to eastern points They have n fort established at Rock Springs 1SS5 at the time of the Chinese troubles it is called Camp Pilot Butte and causes a considerable con-siderable disbursement of funds in the town TUB CATTLE INTERESTS are of no mean dimensions although the sheep havo to an extent displaced them as an export but there is ample stock raised for home uso and some little is exported The Union Pacific company is doing the largest coal business in the camp is cm ploying about 1200 men in all and have avery a-very heavy pay rolL They send out between be-tween five and six thousand tons per day which is an increase of over 1000 cars per month and the shipping bills show an increase in-crease of 555000 per month over lost year BOOK SPRINGS COAL COMTJLSr This company was established In 38S7 when Mr P G Quoaly together with local and Lamario capital started with a capital stock of 100000 which has since been increased in-creased to 200000 Last year they produced 1 pro-duced 100000 tons this year they expect to increase to 120000 tons their capacity however is fully 240000 tons per year They are employing from 240 to 250 men 4 with a pay roll of 15000 per month They 4 ship to points both cast and west with Nebraska as their beat market Salt Lake received about 25000 tons last year This company has complete now screening machinery ma-chinery consisting of revolving screens and elevator which reacreons the coal and adapts it especially for commercial purposes pur-poses THE SWEETWATEIl COAL COMPANy < have about 150 men with the same ratio of production from their mines and the Vandyke Van-dyke company are employing seventyfive to a hundred men Among the finest buildings of which Rock Springs can boast we must head the list with the one erected by the First National Na-tional bank folks Tho company was first organized in 1SS7 with a capital stock of 25OUO with Mr Henry G Balch as president presi-dent and August Kendall as cashier It was then the Sweetwator County bank but in the following year it was converted into a national banic tho stock doubled and the present elegant building erected at a cost of 7000 with all tho latest conveniences conven-iences known This year the capital stock was still further increased a surplus fund of 150000 created with an undivided profit account of 11000 Early this spring the central portion was made to the bank which still moro adds to its beauty Tho 1 additional building constitutes the centre I of what will eventually bo two wings the I bank occupying one as above described de-scribed The now portion is occupied occu-pied by Messrs Gates Revcll I who represent the largest drug business i in town t The last wing will be erected by E D Woodruff of Salt Lake city who i owns the adjoining realty and a half interest inter-est in the wall The bank people have expended ex-pended In this building a total of 818500 The upper portions aro used as offices all of which are rented even though tile carpenters car-penters and painters are still around GATES REELL II I I The Central drug store is located in the I central portion of the bank building and is certainly a credit to Rock Springs from I every standpoint The store is elegantly fitted up in natural oak and the preemption dosk Is not peered in the entire state The stock of drugs carried by this firm is complete i com-plete in every detail Mr Walter H Re veil the junior member of the firm fills the position of manager and prescription clerk He is a student from the Canadian College of Pharmacy a young man who is respected by all a good Democrat and last but not least thoroughly understands the drug business in all branches and has a way with him that insures the good will of all The stock embraces a fine line of toilet articles stationery perfumes notions no-tions and all that is understood as part of a I firstclass drug store TIlE BECKWITH COMMERCIAL COMPANY Is the oldest of the big firms in Rock Springs and still remain the largest < firm in town They were established twenty years ago and at present occupy a corner covering an aaa of 100 font square two stories and basement and carry a full stock of general merchandise with a branch at No 1 coal mine Mr T O Minta is the manager at Rock Springs they employ ten or twelve clerks and carry from 40000 to 50000 stock I TIM KINNEY A CO come in ar the next largest store they cover 65x 5 feet two stories and basement carry general merchandise and have been established about thirteen years MUrit D VTOODIIUFF is tho newadealer in Rock Springs His stock includes all that is usually found in a well appointed bookstore Tnc HCKALD vill always be found thero together with any newspaper of importance in the country Mr Woodruff Is a practical painter and paperhanger matting a specialty of sign painting He carries a complete stock of paints oils wall paper etc etc NEWSPAlKKS Rock Springs io well represented by newspapers there being three weeklies The oldest is tho Independent this U t ot the Republican persuasion while the Jlmer published by Mr C J Smith h the organ of Democracy in Rock Springs The He view published by Mr J C Lewis is a bright fearless little Democratic paper and enjoys a good circulation it is well patronized by the business firms and is a most popular paper THE PALACE SALOON For those who enjoy a smile and want it firstclass tbo Palace takes the bun in Rock Springs They are located nearly opposite the depot under the opera house thus being handy for those who have to see a friend while the curtain is down I Mr Will Southern is the genial proprietor and numbers his friends as legion He has his saloon equipped in most elegant style with club rooms and billiard hall in tho j rear The utmost decorum is notlcablo at all times any disorder being promptly suppressed sup-pressed and the disturoer expelled The employees at the Palace aro recognized recog-nized as being most courteous and know how to furnish anything you want from a glass of beer toI tho finest drink mixed by any mixologist of the west The liquors found at the Palace are of the very best that can bo had and are in an endless varlet va-rlet Here is where we can find our old friend Charlie Kattleman who used to hand the honey dew over the counter at J H Meyers in Ogden and sojourned so with the St Elmo last I long us at summer EXCELSIOR LIVERT STABLE This popular stablo is located in the business heart of town and IB owned by that popular gentleman Mr E P Phil brick who Is commonly called judge from his position as justice of the peace Here I I is where we have to RO to get a flratcluss rig or saddle horse and here wo always find the very best BOBOPEAS BESTAUXANT This unique resort for the hungry is engineered by Madame Celina Patnaudo lady who knows just how to please her guests by placing beforo them good whole j > some food which Is always cooked to a nicety and served by a corps of waiters who are courteous to all This restaurant is located in the business busi-ness center of the north side of Rock Springs at a juncture of tho two principal streets thus insuring a tine run of trade at all times OPERA HOUSE EXCHANGE Mr Charles Funk is the proprietor of this restaurant Ho is located next door west of Edgars opera house and his place constitutes the bon ton chewing house in town His bill of fare includes everything or anything ono wauts which Is always cooked up in just the correct style Mr Funks trade embraces the best element of Rock Springs and the prospects are Charlie Char-lie will retire a semimillionaire in a short time We wish him every success as do all his friends w TV PATTERSON CO are located in one of the best positions in town and enjoy a good trade in their line They carry a stock of fancy groceries clears tobacco and summer drinks Mr Patterson Is a practical gunsmith and docs all the repairing of this kind in town and being the only one he has au exclusive franchise This store has beAn running only about two months The venture ia already al-ready a success THC METROPOLITAN This Is the banner aloon of Rock Springs and the resort of the sporting fraternity in central Wyomintr The club rooms are arranged ar-ranged in first class style in every detail and the line of liquors and clears are of the very best The owner Mr John Hartnoy is a noble scion of England and know how to get the best trade In iie sporting circles as well as the bon ton of Rock Springs Our old friend Mr Charlie Tlbbals is the genial pizen mixer n and does it up in good shape being ono of tho best fancv mixologists in tonrn Charlie used to be at the Council on Commercial street WILLIAM COFFEY is almost an old timer having been here the past six years Ho came out to work in the mines and soon secured the goodwill good-will of a host of the boys seeing they were prono to have a glass of beer occasionally occa-sionally ho conceived the idea of opening a resort for his friends He was not disappointed disap-pointed for they the boys rallied up in I good shape and Mr Coffey enjoys a good trade in addition to his labors in the mine I REYNOLDS i CO are running Occidental saloon at which all the accoutrements of a first class saloon sa-loon can bo found including a complete lino of liquors and cigars of the very best quality They are located in the very heart of the business center and command a fine trade Their bull t K is new in every detail having been built since last January They opened up early in February Febru-ary and have done a fine business ever since These gentlemen are careful not to allow any disreputable rows to occur and keep ovcrv thing quiet and orderly W IT M08ITEU f is the tonsorial artist North Bad his location lo-cation Is such as insures a good trado and his ability as a hair slicer makes a trial customer a steady ono We certainly advise those who require tho aid of a barber bar-ber when in Rock Springs to give him a call ROCK SPRINGS STEAM LAUXDltl Rock Springs Is to be congratulated on having a firstclass steam laundry in which all kinds of laundry work is done in the latest approved style They have an eight horse engine which furnishes ntnplo power to run the various washers ironers etc ana the boiler is double this capacity thus enabling them to dry by steam and boil tho water The laundry is managed by Mr James Holmes who is a practical laundryman from Colorado and no work leaves without being done well 1 LMAN OCILU are the butchers of Hock Sprincd Thoy are located on Tufts street and enjoy a splendid trade Toe gentlemen comprising the firm are young and well known and practical butchers They put up lard and bacon for tho market in great quantities The stock of meats embraces all kinds usually found in a firstclass market and is well preserved In their admirable icehouse ice-house built on the Stevens patent I JOUN wt DOWE is the proprietor of the butcher shop just north of the St James hotel > It constitutes con-stitutes one of the best butcher shops in town He carries all kinds of meat in any quantity and has an ice house in which his meats are kept fresh In addition to his butcher business bo carries a line of green groceries provisions etc Be enjoys en-joys a tine trade having been in business about nino years COMMERCIAL HOTEL The largest hostelry in Rock Springs is engineered by Mr Albert Keirle well known m Rock Springs his jovial manner toward his guests gives him a patronage never on joyed by this hotel before H H EDGAR The chief contractor and builder Is Mr H H Edear who has been in harness for the past seven years He has a shop and lumber yard in the most central portion of ROCK Springs and controls the most of the trade His stock of lumber includes all that is found in any first class yard and evidences of his work are found in all parts of Rock Springs Mr Edgar has filled the position of mayor for the past two terms and enjoys the reputation of being a most fair executive execu-tive is popular with all classes and certainly cer-tainly has brilliant future before him He is a young man chuck full of enter 7 prise being first In anything for the advancement ad-vancement of Rock Spr ngs ST JAMES HOTEL I This popular hotel which is run on tho European plan is located immedialoly opposite op-posite the depot It is owned by Mr G W Snodgrass who is fully up to the times in Rock Springs Mis hotel has twenty four rooms in which is found everything neat and clean with electric call bells and all modern appliances A restaurant and lunch counter is run in conjunction at which a meal can be secured at any time and at reasonable prices from a bowl of mush to a Delmouico moat A firstclass bar is alsoone of the features where our bachanaliau friends can satiate their thirst We certainly recommend the St James to our traveling friends HARLEY 4 HICHTEK Salt Lake real estate dealers are doing a world of good advertising for Salt Lake Tney are doing wall and certainly deserve great credit for the Indefatigable work thoy are doing Mr Harley is a resident of Salt Lake has a home near SugarHouse Sugar-House line and is well known as a staunch Democrat and energetic worker A CHALLENGE Mr John Hartney of the Metropolitan saloon in Rock Springs evidently has a vast contldonce in Dave Reese the Montana Mon-tana Kid He puts up any money from 1000 io SUOO on the Kid against any man in America at 122 pounds weight except Van Hurst He wahis the fight to come off in Rock Springs or before any reliable athletic club tho same to occur within one month of the day of signing the articles of agreement THE Unit AM enjoys a good circulation here and Us agent has been the recipient of many courtesies cour-tesies For the information concerning the historical points we are Indebted to the Indcpcnlcnt 9 I |