Newton Major or “ole Maj” to his friends in Meeker was a very early resident of southwest Wyoming and Northwest Colorado. The first record of him in the West was his marriage to Nellie Reed in December of 1877. In the 1880 Carbon County Wyoming census near the Snake River,[Read More…]
Tag: Meeker History
HISTORY LESSONS: James Kendall — mystery, scandal, and drama
In the Hollywood Westerns, good guys wore white hats and bad guys wore black hats. There was always a prim and pretty maid with a bonnet and lace on her dress being the object of affection of both bad guys and good guys. I always wondered why the fair maid[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Hugus, Part 2
When General Merritt set up a garrison on the White River, J.W. Hugus saw his opportunity to get the Sutler contract there. He had the supplies in Rawlins, the teamsters, and experience. Although I can find no corroboration, I believe that Wilbur Hugus filled the position as Post Trader for[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Hugus, Part 1
John William Hugus was a Meeker Townsite shareholder. The importance of his mercantile company and bank to the development of Meeker can not be overstated. However, J.W. Hugus himself was not deeply involved with the formation of the town. By the time the soldiers had pulled out in 1883, John[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Rio Blanco Store, Part 2
Occasionally, I get feedback that fills in a gap to my story. It is important to me to get these things in print before that knowledge disappears forever. When the Herald Times published the story of the Rio Blanco Store, several people came to us with their memories. One of[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Meeker’s Founding Fathers — George Hazen
George Stillman Hazen, one of Meeker’s founding fathers was one of our earliest settlers and stockholders of the Meeker Town Company. He was born Sept. 17, 1837 in Hiram, Portage, Ohio. His brother, William was a career officer in the army who had won recognition during the Indian Wars of[Read More…]
MUSEUM MUSINGS: Letters from history No. 98
October 8, 1879 General W.T. SHERMAN, War Department: Your dispatch was received. Captain Payne is all right. His command lost Thornburgh and eleven men were killed. Three officers and forty men were wounded. All but one slightly. The command was relieved by Merritt on Sunday morning. Dodge’s company, Ninth Cavalry,[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: How do you feed an army?
At its peak, the Lee and Elk fire had 1,100 to 1,200 men and women working. When a Complex Incident Management Team is assigned to a fire, they arrive as a completely self-contained unit. Tents, sanitary facilities, shower facilities, refrigerated food supply trucks, a saw sharpening shop, and a mobile[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Henry J. Hay, Founder
Henry J. Hay and his brother J. Fletcher Hay journeyed to the White River valley in May of 1880 (according to “This Is What I Remember”). However, the Hay family history states that the two brothers traveled thru the Milk Creek battleground in 1879 and saw dead mules, still in[Read More…]
MUSEUM MUSINGS:Letters from history No. 97
October 8, 1879 General E.D. TOWNSEND,U.S.A. WASHINGTON,D.C.: The following dispatch from General Crook just received. It looks reliable. P.H. SHERIDAN, Lieutenant- General. Fort Steele Wyo. General P.H. Sheridan, Chicago, Ill, : The following just received at Rawlins and given you for what it is worth: The mail-carrier says, in response to[Read More…]
HISTORY LESSONS: Meeker’s Founders — P.P. Harp
When the Army occupied the White River valley (1879-1883) they kept the troops busy by improving the road from Rawlins. The road was realigned and new bridges built to accommodate the heavy traffic of supplying 2000 men. The road became known as the Government Road. The Army was not known[Read More…]
MUSEUM MUSINGS:Letters from history No. 95
Los Pinos Indian Agency, October 2,1879 TO THE OFFICERS IN COMMAND AND THE SOLDIERS AT THE WHITE RIVER AGENCY: Gentleman: At the request of the chief of the Utes at this agency, I sent it to Joe. W. Brady, an employee, the enclosed order from Chief Oray to the Utes[Read More…]