Miscellaneous newspaper articles about Baca County California
March 19, 1890
Decatur Daily Republican, Decatur Illinois
Arthur N. Athons, who spent the winter at home, left on the "cannon ball" last evening for his ranch in Baca county, near Vilas, Colorado. He was accompanied by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Ed. Athons, of Trinidad, Colo., who has been visiting relatives in this city. [Submitted by S. Williams]
September 26, 1890
Dunkirk Evening Observer, Dunkirk New York
County Seat War
Two Colorado Towns Engage in Sanguinary Battle Over the Coveted Title
Denver, Colo., Sept. 26-A dispatch from Lamar, Colo., says:
Word has been received of serious trouble between the towns of Boston and
Springfield, in Baca county. Since Baca county was created from Las Animas
county by the last general assembly, there has been strife between these two
towns as to which should have the county seat. The act organizing the county
provided that Springfield should be the seat. At the election last fall it is
alleged that by the manipulation of ballots it was made the permanent seat. The
people of Boston claim that Springfield has not the $5,000 worth of county
property necessary to prevent the county seat from being moved by vote this
fall. The only available building for a county court house was a hotel building
in Boston.
A few weeks ago this was sold at Sheriff's sale and bought by
Springfield parties. Saturday night a party left Springfield for Boston with
machinery to move the building to the former town for the use as a court house,
thus preventing the county seat issue from being raised this fall on the ground
of insufficient property. Rollers were put under the building, which is three
stories high and the finest in the county, and twenty teams were hitched to it.
Inside the house were stationed twelve men armed with Winchester rifles. The
building was moved five miles toward Springfield, which is about twenty-five
miles from Boston, when the people of the latter place discovered the trick and
immediately organized. All available horses and rifles were brought into
requisition and a strong party started in pursuit.
Upon overtaking the building movers the pursuers commanded a
halt, which was answered by a volley of shots from the men in the building. The
Boston crowd then fired and a fierce battle raged, which ended in the
Springfield party being driven from the building. Coal oil was then procured and
the floors of the building saturated. The building was then set on fire and
consumed. Great excitement prevails, but owing to the remoteness of the
scene news is hard to obtain.
Parties have arrived here from Springfield and departed
hurriedly after by all the cartridges they could secure. Several persons are
reported as having been wounded and two are said to have been killed during the
fight. This, however, is doubtful. (Submitted by Shauna
Williams)
March 13, 1910
Colorado Spring Gazette, Colorado
Springs, Colorado
Baca County Court House is Burned
Lamar,
March 12- It is reported that a fire supposed to be of incendiary origin,
destroyed the Baca county court house, at Springfield, at 3 o'clock this
morning, and that the records were burned. Springfield is 50 miles south of
Lamar, the nearest railroad station. (Submitted by Shauna
Williams)
January 6, 1912
Iowa City Daily Press, Iowa City Iowa
"He" Was A Fine Teacher
Young Woman Masked as Man Made a Great Hit in Colorado Town
Colorado Springs, Colo.- A sensation has been created in the
little town of Boston in Baca county, Colorado, and residents of that suburb are
endeavoring to keep the matter under their hats.
About four months ago a dapper appearing young man was
employed to teach the village school. Of splendid address and of refined and
winning manners, the young man soon had friends galore. Aside from being a
splendid teacher, he was proficient as an entertainer, astonishing the natives
with feats of legerdemain, hypnotism and black art until he had the entire
village "going."
But in a sudden burst of consciences the other he revealed
the fact that "he" was a woman, and Boston has been all agog with excitement
ever since. (Submitted by Shauna Williams)