by Charles W. Bowman

Biographies

JAMES W. BEATY

   Mr. Beaty has been successful in his enterprises in the Arkansas Valley as a ranchman and stock-grower. He has relied upon himself for support since he was but a boy, and has always been a hard worker. He was born in Carroll County, Mo., April 6,1843. He was raised on a farm, and attended school for a few terms. In 1862, he removed to Fremont County, Iowa, where he remained but a short time. During 1863 he made a trip to Fort Hallock, W. T., and from there to Denver, where he remained a brief period. About this time, he commenced the life of a freighter. Denver was the point he started from, and to Denver he frequently returned. He spent some months in a saw-mill on Running Creek, and also a short time at Fort Lyon, Bent Co., Colo. The winter of 1863-64 he spent in Denver, and from there he proceeded to Fort Union, N.M. He returned to his starting-point before going to Council Grove, Kan. He again returned to Denver. On a trip between Council Grove and Fort Lyon, while with a wagon train belonging to John Pollock, he had three tribes of Indians follow him. He passed five wagon trains where the stock had been run off and the men were powerless to move. In 1864, when passing between the same points, after corralling their teams, seventy-five Indians appeared, but the train was so well protected they retreated. From Omaha he went to Iowa, opposite Plattsmouth, on the Missouri River. Here he spent a few months feeding mules. After he had finished this engagement, he went to Nebraska City. Up to this time, his brother, Jasper N., had been with him. It was in 1863, during his first trip from Denver to Fort Lyon that Mr. Beaty saw three men who belonged to a Government train who had been scalped by the Indians. It was at a place called Wolfe Bend, thirty-five miles below Pueblo. While at Nebraska City, Mr. Beaty, in company with his brother, bought five yoke of oxen and a wagon, and commenced freighting for themselves. After making several trips to Cottonwood, Neb., and to Fort Carney, they bought another team, consisting of four yoke of oxen and a wagon. They then freighted between numerous points, including Nebraska City, Fort Laramie, Cottonwood, Neb., and Julesburg. They had a contract with the Government to haul 125 tons of hay thirty miles, unloading it at Julesburg. From the latter point they went to Fremont County, Iowa, and bought forty acres of land, well timbered. The timber they cut off and sold, and afterward they disposed of the land. They then began freighting again, with six teams, to and from various places in Colorado. In 1868, they bought four more wagons and twenty yoke of oxen. Their whole outfit now consisted of ten wagons and 100 head of cattle. They freighted for two years more, a portion of the time for the Union Pacific Railroad Company, going as far west as Salt Lake City, wintering, during 1869-70, 125 miles south of the latter place. In January, 1870, they sold out and went to Bent County, Colo., and bought 400 head of Texas and American cattle. Since coming to Bent County, they have taken up Government land and acquired by purchase until they had, in 1881, 2,000 acres, mostly under fence. They also have bought many head of cattle; together with the natural increase, they now have 10,000 head. In addition to the above, they have a bunch of 250 horses, which they claim to be as well bred as any in the State of Colorado. Their stallion is a half brother to the dam of Iroquois, the winner of the English Derby in 1881, the only American horse that ever won that race. They bought the stallion of Alexander, of Kentucky. He is thoroughbred running stock. James W. Beaty was married, January 26, 1872, to Miss Laura M. Gerde, of Missouri. They have two children.