Post (C) Doris McCraw
aka Angela Raines
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| Image Property of the Author |
I thought it would be interesting to talk a bit about those early 'politicians' who were involved in the 1861 Territorial Legislative Session.
Let me start with the provision from the February 28, 1861, document creating the Colorado Territory:
"The legislative power and authority of the Territory shall be vested in the governor and a legislative assembly.
The legislative assembly shall consist of a council and house of representatives.The council shall cosist of nine members, which may increased to thirteen, having the qualifications of votors as hereinafter prescribed, whose term of servic shall continue two years. The house of represntatives shall consist of thirteen members, which may be increased to twenty-six, possessing the same qualifications as prescribed for members of the council and whose term of service shall continue one year."
Below is a brief look at some of those men.
Dr. E.A. Arnold, elected president of the council, was a miner who, at the time of the legislative session's convening, was living in California Gulch (later known as Leadville). It was said he had mined in most of the territory. The stories say Dr. Arnold was on his way to Carson Valley, Nevada, when he was set upon, killed, and scalped.
Colonel John M. Francisco - Born in Bath, Virginia, in 1820, he moved around before finally settling in Colorado. He was a government sutler at Fort Garland until 1862. He is credited with building the town plaza, which became LaVeta.
Judge Charles F. Holly - Born in Connecticut in 1819, he was a graduate of Kenyon College in Ohio. He studied law privately with two different attorneys, then practiced law in Missouri. He moved to Colorado in 1860. He served on the Union side in the Civil War as part of the 2nd Colorado Cavalry Regiment. He died in Buelah, Colorado, in 1901.
Victor Garcia - Born in 1832 in what is now New Mexico. He settled in Colorado in 1855 and had been active in politics in New Mexico. He was very active in Colorado politics most of his life.
Jesus Barela - Little is known about Barela. He was probably born between 1815 and 1820 in what is now New Mexico. Census has him in the Trinidad, Las Animas area.
For additional reading about this era in Colorado History, I've included a link to E.A. Bowen's diary entries. E.A. Bowen
As with all history, effort has been made to be as accurate as possible.
If you are interested in being interviewed for this blog, contact me privately with Interview in the subject line.
Until next time
Stay safe - Doris
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