A STORIED HISTORY: William Byers, 1831-1903
Rocky Mountian News
Published February 27, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.
William Byers
1831-1903 * Editor and founder
William Byers launched the Rocky Mountain News in 1859, beating a competitor by 20 minutes for the title of Denver's first newspaper during the Colorado gold rush.
But that was just the beginning for this risk-taking, big-dreaming pioneer, who had already helped found Omaha.
Besides starting the newspaper, he became Colorado's biggest champion, pushing statehood, helping to found the University of Denver, the Colorado Historical Society, the Natural History Society and the city's first library.
"Byers was a pioneer, an opener, a pass-crosser of a pure American breed, one for whom an untrodden peak was a rebuke and a shame to an energetic people," celebrated Western author Wallace Stegner wrote.
He sold the paper in 1878 and died in 1903 at 72, one of the last of the '59ers.
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February 27, 2009
8:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
Bihl writes:
***He sold the paper in 1878 and died in 1903 at 72, one of the last of the '59ers***
not so sure of that. my great grandparents both lived into the 1920s and both were 59'ers. He built the first frame house in Denver at 14th and Arapho. I'm sure there were many others, also....
February 28, 2009
4:19 a.m.
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Thetrainer090 writes:
Stupid question here. What is a 59'er?
March 3, 2009
5:54 a.m.
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Bihl writes:
the 59ers were the ones who settled the area and founded Denver in 1859. My great grandfather was one of them.