Today, Colorado is known as a "winter wonderland." A century ago, it was quite different.
Young Denver City of 1858 was a simple stop-over city and supply station. Easterners stopped to stock up on supplies as they headed to the California Gold Rush, while mountain men provisioned themselves for fur trapping in the high Rocky Mountains. Although a handful of gold had been discovered at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River the mighty rush of gold seekers to the Pike's Peak region that would make the 59'ers famous was a year away.
As a young growing city, Denver's possibilities were endless. A long list of would-be businessmen flocked to Denver, seeking their fortune. Among the founding fathers were General William Larimer, Samuel Curtis, William Newton Byers, E.P. Stout, John Routt, and David Moffat.
The Christmas holidays of 1858 were particularly joyous for Denver City. Wild game was plentiful, as were potatoes, beans, and dried fruit. All were prepared for the holiday meal. Richens L. Wooten had just arrived in Denver City with the intention of setting up a general store of sorts. Among his several wagon loads of merchandise, Wooten had many wooden kegs of “Taos Lightening.”
Whiskey being almost nonexistent in Denver City, Wooten decided to make an impression with his new clientele by opening a barrel or two and offering free whiskey to all. Naturally everyone accepted, word got around, and in no time, all of Denver City as well as its' rival town across the creek, Auraria, were tipping cups of whiskey.
The rivalry of the two towns was laid to rest, at least for the moment. Before the end of the celebration, Richens L. Wooten was favorably known as "Uncle Dick," and Denver City enjoyed their first holiday season. "Uncle Dick" Wooten went on to become a prosperous merchant, while Denver City and Auraria resumed their feud.
A very different Christmas Day occurred in the Colorado Rockies of 1806. President Thomas Jefferson had engaged a young lieutenant to explore the western region of his newly acquired Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike and his company of twenty-three men embarked from St. Louis, in July of 1806, to discover the head waters of the Arkansas River, as well as document the latitudes of the river and land. (See James A. Crutchfield’s article “Is This Not the Red River?” for more on the expedition.
Provisions for such a journey included two river boats, hardware, scientific instruments, and plenty of food. What was lacking was a sufficient supply of winter clothing. This would prove disastrous.
Pike and his men first saw the Colorado Rocky Mountains in mid-November 1806, from the plains of Kansas. The group followed the Arkansas River westward into the Rockies. In late November, Pike and his company finally reached the base of the prominent peak they had followed and named it "Grand Peak." The group made plans to climb the great mountain the following day. From Pike's Journal:
"Expecting to return to our camp that evening we left all blankets and provisions at the foot of the mountain. We commenced climbing up rocks, sometimes perpendicular; and after marching all day we encamped in a cave without blankets, victuals, or water."
The next day the summit was reached and to Pike's astonishment, his "Grand Peak" was seen some distance away. He had actually climbed Cheyenne Mountain! Today, the "Grand Peak," near Colorado Springs, that Pike claimed could not be conquered, bears his name.
Pike and his men disheartened, continued the President's orders, following the Arkansas River northwest, higher into the Rockies. The high altitude, bitter cold and biting wind took their toll on the animals, and the men were forced to trudge on foot for days through miserable snow storms. Finally, they made camp on the Arkansas River, near the mouth of Squaw Creek (Mount Antero). It was Christmas 1806. The day was very cold and snowing. From Pike's Journal:
"800 miles from the frontiers (sic) of our country, in the most inclement of weather, not one person clothed for winter, without blankets, and now laying down at night on the snow or wet ground; one side burning while the other side pierced with the cold wind. I will not speak of diet, as I conceive that to be benieth (sic) the consideration of a man on such a voyage. We spent the holiday as agreeably as could be expected."
Such was the dismal Christmas Day spent by Colorado's most famous explorer, Zebulon Montgomery Pike.
We should give Yuletide thanks to the early explorers and pioneers of long ago who dared to open up a new wilderness, enduring countless hardships that would lead to westward expansion and eventually Colorado.
Happy Holidays!
Linda Wommack can be reached at LWomm3258@aol.com
