THE CUSTER INCIDENT

The following article appeared in the May 3, 1912 Delta Independent and reflects “eye-witness” history relating to the 1876 battle at Little Big Horn.

INDIAN TELLS OF CUSTER

As the years roll by and the Indians become more used to the ways of the white man further light is shed upon that memorable battle of June 25, 1876, when Gen. Custer and his 375 troopers of the Seventh cavalry were massacred by the Sioux and Cheyenne’s under Sitting Bull on the Little Big Horn, says a Crow Indian Agency, Mont., dispatch to New York Times. Not a trooper escaped, and history has had to content itself with official correspondence and the story of Maj. Reno, who, instead of going to Custer’s aid, sought safety on a high bluff several miles distant.

Two Moons, a Cheyenne brave, now converted to Christianity, who took part in the battle, has told at least the other side of the story, and he is of the belief that had Custer’s entire command fought as bravely as the Gray Horse troop, there would have been no massacre.

Custer’s men charged right into the Indian camp, he says, without any semblance of order. No skirmish lines were thrown out, and when the Indians recovered from their panic it took but a short time to surround the cavalrymen. Then the soldiers became panic-stricken. According to Two Moons, many dropped their guns and tried to break through the Indians. Many seemed to have become insane. Only the Gray Horse troop rallied, and they fought like demons. They worked their way slowly up the ridge, but the savages shot them down one by one.

Had the whole command done the same, Two Moons says he doubts the Indians would have continued the battle, as they had squaws and children with them, but the helplessness of the troopers was taken advantage of by Sitting Bull. The battle started about 11 o’clock in the forenoon, and according to Two Moons lasted about an hour and a half.

“We didn’t allow even a yellow dog to escape,” said Two Moons, “One ran out from somewhere, and the Indian boys killed it.”

Two Moons declared that the Cheyennes did not recognize Custer during the fighting, as all the soldiers looked alike.

Linda

http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

LA VETA PARK

You’ve heard of Cleland Park and Confluence Park as our two major Delta city parks, but have you heard of La Veta Park? La Veta Park was created in 1908 and was unique in that it was a park completely surrounded by water. It was a man-made island of the Gunnison, but it wasn’t the land that was created, but the water, or moat, around the island.

In North Delta there is a large shopping area occupied today by Delta Hardware, Big-O Tires, and KFC, but back in 1907, a large, round moat was hand-dug and surrounded this area, creating an island, with the moat connected on the north side to the Gunnison River. In April, 1908, an arch gateway was erected at the entrance to the park, accessible by means of a bridge over the moat. In the park, a “dancing platform” was erected along with a refreshment stand and picnic tables. Local musical groups were the source of dance music, and the park became quite a novelty.

There was only one problem, apparently not anticipated. When the Gunnison was in flood stage, as it was frequently in the spring time, La Veta Park was under water. So La Veta Park, while it was dry, was a popular local park, but after a number of years, the park was abandoned, and was officially closed.

It was not until 1924 that the City of Delta began work on their new “City Park.” Originally a two acre swamp, City Park began to take shape and was renamed Cleland Park after Dr. Cleland, a prominent Delta physician who was the driving force behind the swimming pool built in 1927. But that’s another story!

An aerial view of La Veta Park taken in 1921. The sugar factory had just been completed, visible to the left. The park is the “circle” to the right of the sugar factory. At the time of this photo, La Veta Park had been closed for years.

 

Jim

Museum Director / Curator and Newsletter Editor

Jim Wetzel (970) 874-8721

deltamuseum@aol.com

Linda

http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

 

CAMERA COLLECTION ALMOST COMPLETED

Work on cataloging the large collection of cameras and accessories described in the last newsletter is almost complete. The cameras vary from a 1908 Brownie No. 2A box camera up to once very pricey Pentax and Canon models dating to the 1970s. The collection includes over 40 cameras plus an assortment of flash units, lenses, and other accessories.

The museum already has on exhibit the large camera collection donated by Ben Walker years ago, and this collection is on permanent exhibit. Add to this a number of additional cameras in storage, and the museum now has a rather extensive collection of cameras and related articles.

We are currently planning a huge – temporary – camera exhibit for later this year.

Jim

Museum Director / Curator and Newsletter Editor

Jim Wetzel (970) 874-8721

deltamuseum@aol.com

Linda

http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

WHAT’S IN THE MUSEUM?

Tom Horn Bridle

Have you noticed the beautiful horsehair bridle made by Tom Horn on exhibit in the museum? Just who was Tom Horn, and why is this particular artifact unique?

Tom Horn was born November 21, 1860. As a young man, Tom learned the art of horsehair braiding from his father. In idle moments, he was often found braiding horsehair items, from whips to bridles.

Horn left home at an early age and worked as a stage coach driver in Santa Fe when he was 14 years old. He learned to speak Spanish and also lived with an Apache tribe for a while learning their ways and their language. Later, he became a government scout and interpreter. He served as a deputy sheriff and later tried his hand at mining. In 1890, Tom Horn joined the Pinkerton Agency in Denver and even worked with Sheriff Cyrus Wells “Doc” Shores of Gunnison County on several investigations.

In 1894, Horn became a stock detective for the Swan Land and Cattle Company in Wyoming. He was active in the bitter warfare between cattlemen and “rustlers” and took it upon himself to “dispose” of known rustlers, usually by ambush.

In 1901, Horn was tried and convicted of the murder of a 14 year old boy named William Nickell. Horn was waiting in ambush at night for William’s father, and failed to realize that young William was wearing his father’s slicker when he emerged from their cabin to check their horses.

Tom Horn was subsequently sentenced to hang in the Cheyenne, Wyoming prison where he was incarcerated. The sentence was carried out on November 20, 1903.

The horsehair bridle in our museum was braided by Tom Horn while in prison in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This bridle, with colored horsehair woven into an intricate design, was purchased by J.W. Tilley about 1901 or 1902 from the Cheyenne prison while Tom Horn was imprisoned there. Presumably Tom Horn received the funds or was able to draw against them while in prison.

J.W. Tilley and his wife moved to Colorado in 1908, and to Delta in 1912. The Tilley’s had 13 children. Mr. Tilley bought the bridle for his wife, Jenny, who was an accomplished equestrian. While in Delta, the Tilleys became very good friends with Dr. E.R. Phillips and his wife, Irene. Dr. Phillips was a well-known physician in Delta for many years.

When Jenny Tilley died in 1941, her family gave the bridle to Dr. Phillips. Dr. Phillips died in 1963, and the following year, Irene Phillips donated the bridle to the Delta County Historical Society (formed in 1964).

The Tom Horn bridle is on exhibit in the Hodgin Gallery. We have had visitors from Cheyenne familiar with Tom Horn’s work tell us that our bridle appears to be “nicer” than others on exhibit there in the old territorial prison.

Jim

Museum Director / Curator and Newsletter Editor

Jim Wetzel (970) 874-8721

deltamuseum@aol.com

 

History of Delta County —- In the Beginning – Entertainment

Entertainment of for the sports enthusiast was provided by riding bicycles.  The two wheelers were too expensive for children’s fun.  Bicycling was strictly an adult sport and racing them was a spirited summer pastime.  A racetrack enclosed by a board fence was at the site of the present county courthouse on the southwest corner of Fifth and Palmer.  Spectators perched on the fence and cheered their favorites, as they whirled around the track in a cloud of dust.  The Delta County Fair Board not only pitted bicycle against bicycle, but included horse racing and a bicycle versus horse event on its 1897 programs.

Linda

http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

History of Delta County —- In the Beginning – Main Street

Main Street looked better than in those first years, with board sidewalks making more pleasant the entry into the Main Street establishments.  The walks were uneven, but sloped to match each other where needed. Sidewalks were flanked by ditches used to water the cottonwoods that lined Main.  Almost all of the yards were fenced with access through front gates, and there were barns in the rear.  Some places had haylofts and corrals behind them, and there were hydrants in most yards.

Business places were nearly all of frame of log construction with false fronts. There were a few brick buildings such as a section of The Delta House, The First National Bank which was a two story edifice, the Chamber of Commerce building on the east side of Main, and another at 402 Main.  The only street east of Main was Meeker, as the area east of the school ground had not yet been cleared. Beyond that were swampy fields thick with head-high Chico grass.  The area of active building was the tract between Main and the railroad depot which also severed as a telegraph office.  Watering troughs for horses were at the street corners.  The firehouse bell tolled at 9:00 p.m. and, to assure the safety of the citizenry, the sheriff and a night marshal conducted foot patrols.

Linda

http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

Davis Brothers 1886

One of the earliest cattle outfits of California Mesa belonged to the Davis brothers.

They ran their cattle on the Uncompahgre Plateau at the head of the Roubideau, and in the Roubideau Canyon, whereby the Davis family still lives.  Davis Point on the Uncompahgre Plateau is named for these men.

Russell Davis came from Braymer, Missouri in 1886 and bought a ranch on 25 Mesa on the Uncompahgre Plateau.  It is possible that he had some children when he came. In time the Davis family consisted of several daughters and several sons.

One of Russell’s sons, Buford, became interested in cattle at an early age.  He married Edith Rice.  Upon Buford’s death, his wife and son, Henry, continue the operation. (These are the cattle that range our farm in the winter…Hank Davis and his Mother, Edith)

The Davis family (The Lazy X) brand has belonged to them since 1914. Prior to 1906 it was owned by Edward J. Matthews.  Russell purchased the brand in 1914 until 1948 at which time he sold it to his sons, Buford and Randall Davis.

Linda

http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com