Craig Daily Press

Craig — Editor’s note: Below is Part 1 of a two-part feature. The article was taken from a July 1922 edition of the Craig Empire. Part two will appear in the next week’s Saturday Morning Press.

Dan Saunders, one of the early settlers of this country, is visiting some of his old-time friends in Craig. He relates some interesting tales of the early days of this country to the Craig Empire.

Mr. Saunders came to this section from Pueblo County in 1886, for the purpose of running cattle in the Yampa Valley.

The old town of Yampa, a few miles up the Bear River from where Craig now lies, was the outpost at that time. It contained but a few buildings, among which were a small place called a hotel and a saloon. In order to get a location in the town, it was necessary for the Saunders family to purchase both of these places as well as several acres of land in the townsite. Saunders was not a saloon keeper, and that his family objected to his becoming one, he nailed the place up and it remained closed until he sold it some time afterwards.

The mail was brought across from Rawlins down the Fortification road and across to the ranch in Hayden, which served as a post office.

It evidently arrived as often and regularly as it does now.

(This wisecrack about the mail delivery was referring to frequent mail delays because of unreliable rail service of the Moffat Road. The Moffat Road at that time still was going over the mountain via Corona Pass, and during the snow months which as we know in the mountains is a good portion of the year, the Moffat Road was often snowed in a good portion of the time and lots of time the mail reaching Craig would be three weeks or so late).

Freighting was difficult and everything of a manufactured nature was high in price. Bulk salt sold at the rate of 3 pounds for a quarter, while a one half pound plug of chewing tobacco cost $1.25.

However, says Mr. Saunders, chewing came down to $0.75, then a fellow could afford to use as much of it as he wanted to.

Mrs. Saunders said shortly after their arrival the first church service ever held out this far was conducted by a Reverend Sutherland in the Craig schoolhouse. This building still is standing, being used as a barn in the west end of town.