“WELCOME TO SHERMAN COUNTY, COLORADO.” That is what a sign along Highway 13 from Rifle to Meeker could have read.
When the Colorado legislature was considering dividing Garfield County in January of 1889, that was the first name proposed for our county. A committee was formed to oppose the division and Chairman, A.G. Still gathered 400 signatures to present in Denver.
The Rocky Mountain News February 9, 1889 issue reported: “There are some people in Garfield County who do not desire a division of that county, as I evidenced by a protest sent to the legislature against house bill No. 107, creating the county of Sherman…”
At the meeting of the legislative joint committee on counties and county lines Feb. 13, W.B. Tebbetts argued in favor of division. He was followed by Judge Hugus of Rawlins, who owned large stores all through Garfield. G.S. Allsebrook and S.S. Green reiterated Mr. Tebbetts’ arguments and claimed that the sentiment of Sherman is strongly in favor of division. John J. Niblock, J. Sheridan, George W. Temple, G.D. Thayer also attended. James Noonan of Glenwood Springs, in opposition to division said that he appeared on behalf of over 1,100 voters of Garfield County. He and his partner were owners of 50 or 60 lots in Meeker, but nevertheless were not in favor of establishing Sherman County with Meeker as county seat.
The Meeker Herald reported that the proposed name of Sherman had been changed to Rio Blanco. I was unable to find out who proposed either name. I am going to guess that “Sherman” was in honor of William T. Sherman, popular Civil War general. The Rocky Mountain News March 26, 1889 edition announced that Colorado Governor, Cooper had signed house bill No. 107 establishing Rio Blanco out of the northern portion of Garfield. The same article announced the new counties of Otero and Cheyenne. Colorado was steadily growing.
NOTE TO OUR READERS: We are seeking photos and personal stories on the Rope Ski Tow on Nine Mile during the ’60s.