By 1890 Fort Collins had developed
into a more cultured and civic-minded community. The
town's women were at the forefront of this process. They
were especially concerned with the issue of prohibition.
When women in Colorado received the right to vote in
1893, Fort Collins women organized on the liquor issue.
Alice Edwards was elected as alderwoman in 1895.
Anti-license men were also elected to the city council.
Thus, an ordinance was passed which prohibited liquor
sales. It would last until 1969.
Fort Collins' women also helped establish a city library.
Members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union helped
gather about 800 volumes which became the core of a
library when a public library association was organized
in 1899. The books were placed in rooms on the second
floor of the Welch Block with Mrs. Jane Budrow serving as
the first librarian. Women of Fort Collins were often
involved in intellectual pursuits. Their leisure time
afforded them opportunity to read and discuss historical
and literary works. Liberal arts courses were begun at
the agricultural college to accommodate female students
for whom technical courses were not deemed appropriate.
Such intellectual courses were not considered worthwhile
by many members of the college community. The development
of a broad-based educational philosophy was long hindered
by those who felt the college, located in a region
dominated by agriculture, should concentrate on courses
relevant to farming, ranching and mechanical endeavors.
This practical emphasis led to the requirement that
students work two hours a day in the garden, shop, or on
the farm.
The college also provided a new form of entertainment.
The first Aggie football team was organized in 1893.
Durkee Field, south of Old Main on College Avenue, was
laid out in 1899.
Cycling was another activity gaining popularity in Fort
Collins. However, it evidently contributed to early
traffic problems. Ordinances prohibited riding bicycles
"or other riding machines" on sidewalks or
street crossings. Riding a horse across a sidewalk was
subject to a fine. Horses could be dangerous, as
occasional reports of injuries or deaths caused by
bolting steeds indicate. In spite of this, townsfolk
honored the animals so important in their lives by
placing a water fountain for them in the intersection of
College and Mountain in 1879. It was removed eleven years
later when street car tracks were laid. (Currently in
front of the Museum). Medical services available to Fort
Collins residents improved in the 1890s. From Dr. Tim
Smith, the old fort doctor, to physician-mayor Dr. Ethan
Allen Lee, Fort Collins had always been served by
dedicated doctors. The tradition was continued by Peter
J. McHugh and W. A. Kickland, who arrived in Fort Collins
during the decade. Both became immediately established in
the community. McHugh married the daughter of Harris and
Elizabeth (Keays) Stratton. He would be elected mayor in
1903. Kickland partnered with Dr. Lee and married his
daughter. He became a noted surgeon and both he and
McHugh would study in Vienna.
Hospital care was being developed at this time. Dr. Peter
J. McHugh, who had his home and office in the
Andrews-Harris house at 303 Remington, converted its'
carriage house into a hospital. Christian White, a
veteran army nurse, offered nursing care in part of a
frame building he built in 1893.
Two of the most distinctive buildings constructed in the
1890s were the First National Bank and the Methodist
Church. Both were designed by architects with local
attachments. Montezuma Fuller, an agricultural college
graduate, designed the bank which was completed in 1897.
It was located at Mountain and Linden. Harlan Thomas, a
former Fort Collins youth, helped plan the church, which
was built at College and Olive. It was dedicated in 1898.
Fort Collins' telephone system expanded during the 1890s.
The Colorado Telephone Company built a line connecting
the town with other Colorado communities, including
Denver. About fifty people subscribed to the exchange
which was first managed by J.R. Wills in his drugstore.
The greatest local industrial advance of the 1890s was
the founding of the sugar beet industry. The Colorado
Agricultural Experiment Station test planted the beets in
the college garden. Research results indicated that sugar
beet culture in Larimer County had potential unequaled in
the U. S. The future of this industry was further
enhanced by its association with the embryonic sheep
industry. Beet tops and by-products from beet processing
provided feed for sheep. This relationship signaled
prosperity for area farmers and, consequently, the town
of Fort Collins.
A less dramatic but significant development was the
creation of the Water Supply and Storage Company, which
replaced the unsuccessful Larimer County Ditch Company.
Thanks in large part to Alfred A. Edwards, who came to
Fort Collins with the Mercer Colony, the new company
investigated and developed new sources of water.
Ultimately, Water Supply and Storage would be responsible
for the irrigation of a large part of northeastern
Colorado.
Fort Collins also had its' difficult times in the decade.
A sensational, but distressing murder trial took place in
1890. Franklin Avery's brother, William, died of what
originally was thought to be a stomach disorder brought
on by natural causes. However, when his wife secretly
married again twelve days after William's death, foul
play was suspected. It was discovered that William had
died of arsenic poisoning. The prosecution could not
prove that anyone other than William himself had
administered the poison. So the former Mrs. Avery and her
new husband, Frank Millington, were acquitted.
In 1895 Fort Collins lost one of its favorite pioneers.
The bell at City Hall rang 94 times to mark the years and
the passing of Auntie Stone in December.
A bitter winter in 1899 brought nine record lows in 28
days. During the first two weeks of February the daily
low temperature went from one degree below zero to 38
degrees below zero. Large numbers of livestock were lost.
Water lines froze and burst. Just carrying on normal
activities was difficult.
Thus ended the "Gay Nineties" and the early
chapters of Fort Collins history. It was clear that the
former military outpost had become a modern community.
Sparked by the developing sugar/sheep industry, the town
looked forward to a prosperous new century.
BUSINESS/INDUSTRY
FLOUR MILL
MUSEUM (GLENDURA) SCRAPBOOK
1895
The mill was located on the corner of Willow and Lincoln.
On October 5, 1895, the mill was burned down, presumed to
be the work of arsonists. Auntie Elizabeth Stone and H.C.
Peterson began building the mill in 1867 completing it in
1868. They owned the mill until December 10, 1873. In
1878 it was remodeled and modernized. Later owners were
Mr. Mason, sole owner; Mr. Hottel in 1881; Colorado
Milling and Elevator Company in 1885. Later the mill was
known as Fort Collins Flour Mill.
LINDELL MILL
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s
The mill burned again in October, 1895, and was rebuilt.
"An interesting article on the rebuilt mill in June,
1896, described part of the structure, the crib, for
storage of grain and feed ingredients as it still stands
today. "The Lindell Mill is all ready for expected
machinery. The new warehouse being built with ten bins
will hold 7,500 bushels. It is built block-house fashion.
The exterior walls have 2x8 planks spiked together one
above the other and the division walls are 2x6's spiked
together. "People who lived near the millrace
scooped water from it for cleaning and laundry work;
children skated there in winter."
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s
Franklin Avery was president. Montezuma Fuller was the
architect.
CYCLING CRAZE
MUSEUM FILES (probably article from the FORT COLLINS
EXPRESS-COURIER)
1890s
"The cycling craze of the Gay Nineties was gaining
momentum in Fort Collins in 1893. The Express
proudly noted that 'P. Anderson & Company have sold
25 bicycles this season; new wheels are sent out almost
daily.' And an advertisement read, 'Bicycles, buy one of
those nobby (sic) bicycle suits at the Collins Cash
Clothing Company.'"
PANIC OF 1893 AFFECTS COLORADO
1893
The memorable "Panic of Ninety-three" followed
the collapse of the Wall Street financial house of Jay
Cook & Company and over-speculation in stocks and
bonds, especially of railroad and steel companies. The
next five years were a period of declining markets,
business bankruptcies, high unemployment and devaluation
of the national paper currency issued to finance the
Civil War.
In Colorado a revision of the national coinage laws by
Congress played havoc with the state's silver mining
industry, the silver dollar being dropped from the
coinage list. Prices for livestock and farm crops hit
bottom. Larimer County was not exempt from all these
factors.
AGRICULTURE
LARAMIE RIVER CANAL
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS SPECIAL EDITION, 1894
1894
A.A. Edwards is now secretary of US & S Company which
has constructed during the past year the Laramie River
Canal, which diverts the water of the Laramie River to
Chambers Lake.
FORT COLLINS SUGAR BEET TESTS
AGRICULTURE IN COLORADO-Steinel
2/27/1892
Comment by Field and Farm magazine on sugar beet
tests at Fort Collins.
FRUIT GROWING
AGRICULTURE IN COLORADO-Steinel
1891
Crandall survey lists Larimer County fruit growers as
Joseph McClelland, Charles E. Pennock, W.F. Watrous, J.E.
Plummer and A.M. Hoag.
TERRY LAKE
AGRICULTURE IN COLORADO-Steinel
1890
Irrigation reservoir filled in 1890. First survey made in
1877-78 by R.Q. Tenney of Poudre Valley.
RESERVOIRS
COLORADO STORY-Hafen & Hafen
1890s
"Among the first large reservoirs in Colorado were
the Terry Lake, the Windsor, and Lake Loveland--all
constructed in the Greeley-Fort Collins region during the
nineties."
WATER EXCHANGE SYSTEM
AGRICULTURE IN COLORADO-Steinel
1897
"Another feature of development in which the
irrigation systems of the Cache la Poudre Valley
pioneered is that of water exchange. This was originated
by the Water Supply and Storage Company and it was found
so beneficial and so equitable that the legislature in
1897 incorporated it in the irrigation law of
Colorado." Allowed owner of a reservoir to supply
water from that reservoir in exchange for water taken out
of the public stream at a higher point to water higher
land.
A.A. EDWARDS & WATER SUPPLY & STORAGE COMPANY
MILLER COLLECTION
1891
"In the history of the agricultural development of
the Cache la Poudre Valley and the fertile area to the
east, no name is more honored than that of Alfred A.
Edwards. To his far-seeing recognition of the production
possibilities of the rich soil, and the related
opportunity for imaginative development of
irrigation-water supplies and delivery facilities, are
due the prosperity of thousands of persons living in a
vast area of northeastern Colorado.
When the Water Supply and Storage Company was formed upon
the wreckage of the old Larimer County Ditch Company in
1891, Mr. Edwards became a director and secretary of the
company, and in 1895 he was elected president and
manager. He then became responsible for the widespread
operations of the company.
The Larimer County Ditch project had proved a
disappointment for lack of sufficient water supply from
its Cache la Poudre appropriations, despite its Chambers
Lake storage and that of plains reservoirs. The new
organization began investigations of possible additional
sources, and ultimately tapped new sources at the
headwaters of other streams."
START OF SHEEP FEEDING
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous
1890s
Farmers and stockgrowers were struggling as prices
dropped for their commodities. 1889 - farmers started
raising sheep. Encouraging results fueled sheep industry.
"As a general thing the business was profitable. It
enabled many a struggling farmer to pay off his debts and
save his farm and home. By feeding sheep and lambs he
made a home market for his surplus alfalfa, coarse grains
and roots and also increased the fertility of his soil,
resulting in larger and better harvests. The impulse of
the prosperity of the farmers during this period was felt
in Fort Collins and the town began to take on new
life."
Nearly 200,000 sheep and lambs in 1896-97.
SUGAR BEET CULTURE/SHEEP FEEDING
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s
"The Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station,
established in Fort Collins in 1888, concentrated on
sugar beet culture. There was a test planting of
one-fourth of an acre in the college garden. Dr.
Ingersoll, president of the college, was director of the
station. He visited the sugar beet factory in Grand
Island, Nebraska. A progress report on the research in
1891 compared the yield per acre of the college,
twenty-two to twenty-nine tons, with that of Germany,
fourteen. Another factor noted was that land cost ten
times as much in Germany as in Colorado. Tests were
reported in 1892 even more glowingly.
The success attained at Fort Collins in sugar beet
culture last year has never been equalled in the United
States. The Department of Agriculture is getting out a
new sugar beet bulletin in which Larimer County is put
ahead of the world.
William Watrous' son, Frank, left the college before
receiving a degree, because he was offered a job at Rocky
Ford supervising sugar beet testing. Local opinion was
sampled to get ideas on the attitudes toward beet sugar
instead of cane.
Added to the excitement over this new prospect for
Colorado agriculture was the realization that feeding
sheep was a new occupation which would be integrated with
the culture of beets. The accidental stranding of some
Mexican lambs in Colorado and the necessity of feeding
them near Fort Collins in the winter of 1889-1890,
together with their successful spring sale brought a
totally new emphasis to local agriculture. Both the sugar
beet tops in the field and the by-products in the factory
supplied feed for the lambs. Unfortunately just when the
experiments made future prospects look good, financial
panic and depression hit the country in 1893. There were
several years of hard times, and Loveland beat Fort
Collins in getting capital for a factory, which began
slicing beets in October, 1901. Local farmers began
raising beets. In July 1902 wagon loads of
German-Russians were brought up from Loveland to work in
the fields."
PEOPLE
FREDERICK R. BAKER ELECTED MAYOR
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous
1895-96
Served four terms.
Prohibition ordinance passed 1896.
AUNTIE STONE DIED
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1895
"The bell on City Hall tolled ninety-four times in
December, 1895, to mark the passing of this favorite
pioneer who, in the days of the fort, had been known from
Julesburg to the Green River as 'Auntie.' "
R.Q. TENNEY
EXCERPT OF STATEMENT
1890s
Read at meeting of Fort Collins Farmers Alliance, July
14, 1890. Excerpt of statement from Denver meeting of
representatives of the Grange, the Farmers Alliance,
Knights of Labor, etc., R.Q. Tenney of Fort Collins
Alliance one of five members of issuing committee: State
meeting called for August 20, 1890, to nominate
candidates for state offices.
Charges: State robbed by high officials; party pledges
proved false; State property passed into hands of
speculators; "Money, and the unscrupulous use of
money, are the powers that make our laws and dictate the
decisions of our courts. We are a commonwealth of
slaves..."
"We insist that there shall be no privileged classes
or persons; no tribute to monopoly; no watered stock to
absorb the greater part of our produce in extortionate
freight rates; no restriction of coinage or volume of
money by corporations or leagues of money loaners; no
fees to unduly fatten office holders; no loaning of state
funds to dominate party nominations; no corporations
between the people and their water for irrigation; that
ours shall not be a government by corporations for
corporations, but by the people for the people; and we
ask for a secret ballot as far separated from bribery and
"counting out" as possible."
On August 4 Tenney was elected delegate to State
convention.
GOVERNMENT/CITY DEVELOPMENT
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
MILLER COLLECTION--COLORADOAN
1890s
"The First Christian Church of Fort Collins was
founded on December 4, 1892, in a makeshift meeting place
in a vacant store building in the 100 block of Linden
Street. Before an improvised pulpit of rough planks
supported by empty wooden shipping boxes and covered by a
strip of red carpet, 66 persons affixed their signatures
to a document known in the church's history as the
Covenant of 1892." Known as Church of Christ and
later Disciples of Christ.
Fort Collins, a town of about 2,000, thus had seven
churches. Pastor Leander S. Brown's efforts helped smooth
some "unfavorable" reactions of established
churches.
OUR STONE HORSE FOUNTAIN
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1897
"A tribute to the horses and their importance in the
life of the town was the erection of a water fountain for
them at the intersection of College Avenue and Mountain,
the heart of the city. The city council gave permission
in May, 1895. Place taken by streetcars in 1908. Scars
and nicks from tongues of wagons were present as horses
jostled against it.
METHODIST CHURCH
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s
Architect was Harlan Thomas. Building Commission - Peter
Anderson, S.H. Seckner, Elza Silcott and Franklin Avery.
Dedicated 1898.
"It added to the growing number of buildings of
distinction on College Avenue since it was located one
block south of the Episcopal Church, on the southeast
corner of College and Olive. Souvenir pitchers from
Austria decorated with a picture of the church were sold
at the Nimble Nickel store on College." Altered and
enlarged in 1912. Razed in 1964.
LOVELAND WATERWORKS
LOVELAND-BIG THOMPSON
1880s
After a deep well failed to meet expectations...October
11, 1886, a bond election was held to fund a waterworks.
Town contracted with Michigan Wood Pipe Company to
construct the plant. The works was completed in the
spring of 1887.
SECRET BALLOT FIRST USED
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s
Australian, or secret ballot, first tried in Colorado in
1888. Fort Collins tried it in 1891.
"Before the election there was a practice session in
Denver and a diagram appeared in the paper. A few people
were bewildered and their ballots had to be discarded,
but the innovation was well received."
CITY GOVERNMENT
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s
Mayors: 1890 Henry H. Hall
1891-92 William B. Miner
1893-94 James B. Arthur
1895-1902 Frederick R. Baker
While sewage was not treated before it entered the river,
there was an attempt to prevent sawmills from putting
sawdust in the river in 1896.
CITY LIBRARY ESTABLISHED
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous
1899
"In 1899 a public library association was organized
and the collection of books gathered up by the Women's
Christian Temperance Union and by the Rev. George N.
Falconer, numbering about 800 volumes, all told, were
donated to the association as a nucleus of a public
library."
Books first placed in rooms on second floor of the Welch
block. Mrs. Jane Budrow was the first librarian. Mayor
F.R. Baker later (few months) appointed a board of
directors which accepted the books from the association.
Books became property of Fort Collins' free library.
Later moved to town on College Avenue until 1903 when
they went into the Carnegie library.
CURFEW LAW
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (Feb. 1934)
1897
Ordinance by city council provided curfew (10 taps) to be
rung at old city hall at 7:50 p.m. each evening from
October 15 to April 15; children under 17 required to be
off streets from 8:00 p.m. to 6 a.m. Fines for violation
$1 to $10.00, or for careless parents up to $25.
OLD ORDINANCES
FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER (3/19/1939)
1890s
Ordinances from before the turn of the century still in
effect in 1939.
Curfew: "It is unlawful for children under 17 years
of age to be on the streets from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. from
April 15 to October 15, and from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from
October 15 to April 15." City marshall was to
"tap" the fire bell 10 times before deadline.
Riding horse across sidewalk subject to fine.
Riding bicycles "or other riding machines" on
public sidewalks or street crossings also against the
law.
WOMEN'S VOTE IN COLORADO
DENVER POST - EMPIRE MAGAZINE (March 4, 1979)
11/7/1893
Referred bill to confer suffrage on women passed at
popular election. Vote: 35,798 for, 29,451 against.
EARLY TELEPHONE SYSTEM
HISTORY OF LARIMER COUNTY-Watrous
1890s
"...the city council granted a franchise to the
Colorado Telephone Company to build a line connecting
Fort Collins with Denver and other Colorado cities. The
line was completed and an exchange was located in J.R.
Will's drug store and Mr. Wills was the first manager.
There was about fifty local subscribers."
"1877-City Hall also had telephone connection
established with the waterworks pump house in case more
pressure was needed during a fire."
AVERY MURDER TRIALS
MUSEUM (GLENDURA) SCRAPBOOK
Article: "Franklin C. Avery's Impact on Fort
Collins."
1890s
William Avery's death (Franklin's brother) in 1890 was
thought to be gastritis, a stomach disorder. But twelve
days after his death his wife, Mary, secretly married her
lover, Frank Millington, in Hastings, Nebraska. William
H. Avery was worth over $100,000. The lovers were
acquitted on charges of feeding William enough arsenic
which, according to one expert, was enough to kill 50
people. The strongest point in their defense was the fact
that the prosecution could not prove that William had not
administered the poison to himself, despite a chemist's
testimony that 14 year old Pearl, daughter of the
deadman, had purchased a box of "Rough on
Bats," a substance which is one-third arsenic. Pearl
denied she had ever purchased the poison, and the jury
took her at her word. The lovers were acquitted.
FORT COLLINS GOES DRY (PROHIBITION)/WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s (1895 election followed by Prohibition)
"...nowhere did the city get involved in social
issues more complicated than the field of prohibition.
This movement became such a political issue that after
the women of Colorado received the vote in 1893 an
alderwoman was elected to the council in 1895. The
organization of the women for the vote in this area
rallied around that one question."
In Ohio Mrs. William O. Collins helped found the Women's
Christian Temperance Union in 1874.
Background of liquor related excesses given. (See,
"Liquor and the W.C.T. U" 1880s.)
"Carrie Chapman Catt, a national figure in women's
suffrage, spoke at the Opera House in October, 1893, the
year the State Legislature gave women the vote."
Alice Edwards, daughter-in-law of Charlotte Calista
Edwards, was elected to the council in 1895 along with
other anti-license male members. "Though Ms. Edwards
moved to another ward in the city and thus lost her
office the following year, the platform on which she had
run was adopted. The council passed an ordinance
prohibiting the sale of liquor. When Frank Miller's
license for his saloon on Linden expired on June 11,
1896, it ended the sale of liquor within the town. The
women had used the ballot effectively."
"The Courier noted:
The melancholy days have come
The saddest yet, we fear,
For every man in town
Must now give up his beer."
Prohibition lasted until 1969.
NATIONAL FOREST PROPOSITION
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s
"The formation of the Roosevelt National Forest was
bitterly fought both in the town and county. Only the
steady support of thoughtful, far-seeing leaders made it
a political reality."
R.Q. Tenney was one of these leaders.
"The system of national forest reserves was devised
in 1890 and the first one was officially established by
President Benjamin Harrison at that time. Just one year
later, R.Q. Tenney and John G. Coy circulated a petition
in Fort Collins to have the three tributaries of the
South Platte included in a reserve to protect the
watershed. Coy and Tenney were charter members of the
Larimer County Stockgrowers Association and they realized
that their industry depended on water. In 1893 the State
Forestry Association forwarded the petition to the
president. Tenney used his surveying equipment and often
guided inspectors during the next ten years while the
project was under investigation. In 1898 a public meeting
in Fort Collins favored the proposition. Peter Anderson
and N.C. Alford added their endorsements.
"The opposition then gathered 208 names on a
counterpetition." However, Roosevelt established the
reserve in 1902.
"L. G. Carpenter, an irrigation expert at the
Agricultural College, supported Coy and Tenney. Their
intelligent leadership was of primary importance in the
crucial decade while the land was still in public
ownership."
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
DR. WILLIAM P. HEADDEN'S PAMPHLET
"ON ALFALFA"
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE -Hansen
1890s
Alfalfa introduced, became one of the most important
crops and livestock feeds in Colorado. Illustrates the
importance of research as aid to Colorado agriculture.
Headden also did pioneer research in sugar beets. He
joined the faculty in 1893.
HOME ECONOMICS COURSE STARTED
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE -Hansen
1895
Theodosia Ammons was the first professor of domestic
economy.
FIRST ELECTRIC LIGHTS AT COLLEGE
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE -Hansen
1890s
FIRST AGGIE FOOTBALL TEAM
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE -Hansen
1893
The game was played without rules, was hard on physique,
and players had little protection.
DURKEE FIELD WAS FIRST FOOTBALL FIELD
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE -Hansen
1899
The field was prepared by students. It was full of rocks.
Located on College Avenue south of Old Main.
FIRST LIBERAL ARTS (Ladies course)
DEMOCRACY'S COLLEGE -Hansen
1890-1891
Men students worked on college farm. Liberal arts courses
not well accepted. Many members of the college community
did not consider "intellectual" courses
worthwhile. Initial consideration of such courses sought
to accommodate female students for whom many technical
courses did not seem appropriate. "The
anti-intellectual outlook was one that would inhibit an
adequate commitment to the liberal arts throughout the
school's history."
"Advocates of a truly 'broad' educational philosophy
would continually experience opposition from elements of
the Board, the administration, the faculty, and a
significant segment of the Colorado populace."
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s
"There was great pride in the practical emphasis. In
1890 the seventy or so students were required to work two
hours every day on the farm or in the garden or shop.
'They do not sit with Plato in their hands or mumbling
over logarithms and conic sections with a piece of chalk
all day.'"
In 1894 the goal was clearly stated: 'To promote liberal
and practical education of the industrial classes in the
several pursuits and professions of life.' The five
courses of study included 'agricultural, mechanical,
chemical, irrigation engineering, and ladies,' though all
classes were open to both sexes. Since the tuition was
free, the annual yearly expense would not exceed two
hundred dollars and it was stressed; 'This included
everything.'
"When Justin Morill died in Washington, D.C., in
1898, his bust in Old Main in Fort Collins was draped in
mourning. His philosophy, embodied in the Land Grant
College Act at the time of the Civil War, had initiated
the program which made the college possible."
CIVIC
LADIES CLUBS
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s
Women had leisure time and used it for intellectual
activities. The Women's Club studies included German
works and Dickens. The Columbian Club studies included
the Bretons and English kings. Books were in short supply
so, "...the club ladies sparked the movement for
getting a public library."
A.H. DUNN MADE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
DUNN BIOGRAPHY-Irish
1893
City school staff reported in Courier June 8,
1893.
High school occupied three rooms in Franklin School at
Mountain Avenue and Howes Street. Enrollment about 60,
staff included superintendent, principal and one other
teacher. Dunn's first graduating class in 1894 had nine
pupils. His salary was $1,000 a year (reduced from $1,100
after the first year). Dunn was a Latin scholar. He was
elected superintendent in 1912.
NATURAL PHENOMENA
LONGEST COLD SNAP
COLORADOAN (2/4/1982)
FEBRUARY 1899
"Back in 1899, nine record lows were set in 28 days.
For the first 13 days of February, the daily low went
from 1 degree below zero to a Klondike-like 38 degrees
below zero. For nine days, it didn't get above
freezing."
Large losses of livestock; challenge to carry on normal
activities; many water lines froze and burst. "It
has never again been so cold for so long in Fort
Collins."
HEALTH/MEDICINE
SULFUR SPRING
MUSEUM FILES (probably COLORADOAN, 1963)
1890s
"Water from a sulphur spring on the Jesse Harris
ranch in Soldier Canyon was popular in Fort Collins
because of its supposed medicinal value,..."
From FORT COLLINS EXPRESS:
"The road from the city to the famous sulphur spring
west of town is lined with vehicles nearly every morning.
The people of Fort Collins are appreciating the value of
this water more and more every day as evidenced by the
amount consumed. It is just a nice ride from here to the
spring and is a favorite run for our local wheelers who
frequently take a spin in that direction before
breakfast."
DOCTORS/HOSPITALS
FORT COLLINS YESTERDAYS-Swanson
1890s
Dr. W.A. Kickland--"...he investigated Fort Collins
partly because of his weak lungs and because he saw a
challenge in the needs of a small town"--population
under 2,000. He became Dr. Lee's partner and son-in-law.
Dr. Peter J. McHugh--also a physician-mayor: "He
moved here in 1890, married Auntie Stone's great niece,
and after 1899 had his office in his home, the
Andrews-Harris house at 303 Remington. He converted the
carriage house into a private hospital. He, too, studied
in Vienna."
"Hospital care was a new idea at the turn of the
century. Christian White built a frame dwelling in the
Loomis Addition in 1893 and fitted up part of it as a
hospital where he gave nursing care. The county hospital
provided limited facilities."
TRANSPORTATION
TRAFFIC HAZARDS
MUSEUM FILES (probably FORT COLLINS EXPRESS-COURIER)
1890s
"Runaway Horses A Deadly Problem." Fort Collins
and Larimer County residents occasionally being killed or
injured by bolting, uncontrollable, horses drawing
carriages and wagons.
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