For our in-person meeting last Wednesday, the 13th, we had a return visit from author Brian Carroll. His recent book, William O. Collins, From the Mayflower to the Rockies, With Stops in Between is the result of Brian’s research into the family and personal history of the city namesake who joined the Military late in life to command troops guarding the Oregon and Overland Trails (ie, “fight Indians”).
Was his behavior such that the WOK movement might wish to change the name of our beloved city?
After the attack on Ft Sumpter, President Lincoln called for 75,000 troops to suppress the forces calling for secession. Although William was 52 years old and a successful Ohio lawyer, he answered the call.
William’s son, Lt Caspar Collins, was also serving, and was killed in a battle near what is now named Casper, WY. There exists a biography of Caspar but none for William. Information for the book came from references in books, articles, genealogy, and historical societies. William’s (WOC) roots go back to William Bradford (Mayflower) and subsequent generations followed a path of public service to our developing nation.
This is Rotary, and Brian evaluated what he learned of WOC by applying the 4 Way Test to what we know of his behavior. Brian shared quotes from various sources (including one from Stephen Ambrose) recounting the Colonel’s behavior as he sought to understand the opponent, apply fairness and avoid the indiscriminate use of weapons against Native Americans. From these references we conclude that WOC typically “did the right thing” i.e., he “passed” the 4 Way Test.
William Collins was born in 1808 in Somers, CT. He attended prep school and married into a prominent New England family. He graduated from law school in Cincinnati. His first wife (Pease) died soon after and he remained a bachelor for the next 7 years. He had settled in Hillsboro, Ohio; first as a DA and then in private law practice. He became a highway and railroad president and married his second wife (Wever). He was elected to the Ohio senate.
So,In 1862 he left all this to join the 11th Ohio Calvary and was sent west to protect the pioneers and frontiersmen. Lt Colonel Collins was assigned to Ft Laramie from 1862 to 1865 (his room is modeled at the Ft Laramie site). His troops, the 11th Ohio Cavalry, had been sent to guard the Overland Trail and their post near La Porte was named Camp Collins in honor of their popular leader. The post was moved in September of 1864 to the area that is now known as Fort Collins. Later, when it was asserted that the town was named after his son, Caspar, the Colonel wrote that “it was named after me”. William Collins’ military career ended when he was mustered out in Ohio. He died in Hillsboro in 1880.
The statue of Antoine Janis (corner of Horsetooth Rd and Shields St) memorializes the Colonel’s interpreter. Antoine Janis is thought to be the first white settler in the area and was married to the daughter of another famous local, Chief Joseph.
Based on the scant but carefully researched historical record we can conclude that Colonel Collins was a man that “did the right thing”. Yet another reason to be proud of our fair city and assurance that it’s name will continue to be Fort Collins.