OCR Text |
Show cultivated. Frederick Ludvigson and George beemus hauled the tirst load of poles out of the canyon for the first telegraph line. In 1890 a railroad was built through the valley, and this helped greatly in the growing and developing of the city and valley. Gunnison is now a prosperous little city, having a good schoolhouse and many modern improvements such as the telephone system, electric lights and an execllent water system, and has a prosperous outlook for . the future. Our white haired forefathers were brave pioneers, Who' fought and struggled for our land; And now, as swiftly rolls the years, We know they were a chosen band. STORY OF PIONEER DAYS. (Written by Wendell Perkins, of the Washington School Eighth Grade. ) (Continued from last week,) President Brigham Young visited the new town about once a year, to see how the people were prospering. It is said that on one occasion, while on his way, a grey wolf crossed his path, and grasping his pistol he took aim and fired. The gun, being heavily heavi-ly loaded and held loosely in his hand, flew back an struck him in the forehead, fore-head, with a force that knocked him out of his wagon. When his companions compan-ions saw the blood streaming from his forehead, they feared that he was killed. This caused great excitement for a time, but it was found that he was not seriously injured Hamilton H. Kearns and Christian A. Madsen were among the most prominent of the pioneers. They always al-ways looked after trouble that arose, and helped very much in other ways. They planted the first orchards and were very successful in their attempt to raise fruits. The first named of these two men became the first bishop bish-op of Gunnison. The latter also became be-came bishop of Gunnison and was the first to plant alfalfa in the valley, which lie found grew very well. A prospecting engineer, by the name of J. W. Gunnison, was traveling travel-ing through and exploring the valley for the United States government, when he was killed by the Indians. The people decided to name their town "Gunnison," after him. Lewis Bunce, a man from. Manti, was the first to build a saw mill in Gunnison valley. It was located where the grist mill now stands. The first schoolhouse was a very rude; affair, being built of logs and used also for a meetinghouse and a dance hall. The benches or seats were made of split logs, with holes in one side into which the legs were fitted. Few books were to be had (and pupils found it very hard to get much of an education. The first school teacher was Mrs. Maria Gribble. Although nob very highly educated she perform-her perform-her duties well. President Young encouraged the building of a fort, for their protection against the hostile Indians, and in 1866 and 1867 a fort wasaccordingly constructed of stone. The walls were very low a-jd they would have proved a poor defence. But the fort at least kept their cattle from being stolen. In the time of the Black Hawk wars some of the settlers joined the forces against the Indians. It is said that during this time an Indian buck became angry at his squaw for being too friendly with the whites, and began be-gan to punish her. She started toward tow-ard the fort for help, but the Indian shot her while she was crossing the road. There are some historical spots near town, that were made so during this time, "Picket Guard," a small red hill near the west border of the city being one of them and which was used as a watching post during the wars. Hardly a day past that some one was not keeping watch at this place. After the war was over the small town began to prosper and the brave pioneers were well paid for their hardships during the early years. Stores and new homes were built up and new settlers moved in to occupy the fertile fields which were yet un- |