While Buffalo Roamed: The Wild West History of Colorado

Firearm (gun) Accidents 1859 - Frontier Weaponry - Mark Twain - Nevada Territory - Early Crime Scene Investigation by a 17 year old girl on the plains CSI - Sarah Herndon - Samuel Colt - Ethan Allan - The Pepper Box - 

Why was it 3X more likely to die of accidental gun discharge in 1859 Kansas Territory (future Colorado) in the summer of 1859 than today?  On this episode, we hear about some deaths caused by accidental weapon discharge (true events) and discover why it was so much more common a fate in frontier K.T. (Kansas Territory).  Can it be blamed solely on the machinery , or simply human error...or all of the above?

Thanks for tuning in! - JB

Gold Rush 1959 Colorado (Kansas Territory) - Georgia - GOLD - John Gregory (cover art) - Black Hawk, Colorado - Central City, Colorado - Gregory Road - Golden Gate Canyon Road 

The Colorado Gold Rush begins (officially) with a huge gold discovery between modern Black Hawk and Central City, Colorado on May 10, 1859 when John Gregory returns to his hidden strike.  John is accompanied by Wilkes DeFrees and William Zeigler, they ascend Enter mountain (near Golden Gate Canyon Road - present day Golden, Colorado) creating a new path to the "Gregory Diggins".  

This not only launches the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, but expedites any thoughts or talks of making this region a new and distinct territory.

THE explosion occurs!

JB

Introducing SEs (Special Episodes) - On off-Sundays I will release SEs when possible.  These "Specials" will be shows that do not fit in the timeline, or shows dedicated to further detail on a subject.  In other words, an episode labeled "SE" will not coincide (chronologically) with "Es" (regular episodes).

I won't throw in a story from Arizona or France, but I have a few interesting stories that predate the timeline and add value to the larger saga.

Thank you for listening,

JB

A "lazy" Georgian (John H. Gregory - cover art), professional miner, hears about gold near Pike's Peak and arrives early in 1859.  The Georgian did not light the fuse of Colorado, but he placed the charge perfectly, the result and aftermath directly responsible for the West Kansas gold rush (Colorado gold rush) AND the expedited formation of the area from West Kansas Territory to Colorado.  This "lazy" man changes the whole game and puts this space we call Colorado today on the worlds' radar, the old west get a new hub - While Buffalo Roamed...

This episode is part 1 of 2

Thank you- JB

How to Survive the Plains - Tribal Stories from Captain - Randolph Marcy (cover art) - The Prairie Traveler 1959 - Guns and Equipment - Native American Black Beaver - Rattlesnake Bit and Remedy? - Blackfeet Tribe - Denver and Auraria - William N. Byers    

Two interesting guide books, one civilian and one military prove valuable sources for firsthand intelligence regarding heading west in 1859.  William Byers (future editor of the Rocky Mountain News) and General Marcy, Army western explorer both publish wonderful accounts that shed light on the character of the old west, the wild western frontier.

Native American stories by Marcy included.  

The pure dope, not a doctor's version of it. 

HI, JB

First Newspapers in Colorado - William N. Byers (cover art) - John L. Merrick - Cherry Creek Pioneer versus The Rocky Mountain News - Western Traveling Printers - 1440 Johnnas Gettenberg and the printing press (original internet) - Official Record Begins in Colorado

The first newspapers (yes! two newspapers with editors) arrive in Denver City, K.T. (Kansas Territory) not knowing of the other (at first).  John L. Merrick and William Newton Byers have come to the Pike's Peak Gold Regions to begin the permanent record.  A reward for the first paper printed is offered, TWO editors enter...ONE editor leaves.  

Colorado's first "broadband connection"

Authentic letters and articles from the original pioneers of Colorado (from and to the Old  West).  This episode brings color, detail, attitude, and life to the fifty-eighters and fifty-niners who have the honor of arriving in the Denver / Auraria (Colorado) region (Arapahoe County) FIRST.  Arguments, an invention, descriptions of the Wild West, slices of life - this is a great episode to dig into and "hear" the brave arrivals to the edge of western Kansas Territory.

William Larimer Jr. - William Parsons - Henry Allen - John Scudder - Peleg Trip Bassett - A.O. McGrew (the wheelbarrow man)

NON-POP History! 

Homicide - First Execution - First Capital Murder Case and Trial - Denver / Auraria - P.T. Bassett and John Scudder - John Scudder and Thomas Biencroff - New County Elections

The first "legal" execution occurs in Auraria (now Denver) and a friendship ends in bloodshed, this episode details the first murders and trials in the western edge of the Kansas Territory.  John Stoefel is tried for capital murder, the first case of a people's court and execution at the future site of Denver.  Also, John Scudder shoots and kills his former friend P.T. Bassett - the trial and verdict surprising.  Justice in the old west?

FRIENDS and Family 

History of Colorado, Hall, 1889

Two forgotten Native American legends - The Legend of the Manitou Springs - The Legend of the Maiden (Georgetown, Colorado) - Comanche - Ute (Utah) 

Legends are fun and were an excellent way to pass on knowledge, particularly when the circumstances are other-worldly; unexplainable.

The first tale explains the reason why the Shoshone and Comanche became separated and waged war on one another.  The second legend gives an explanation for a figure, a female figure, who seems to stand watch over Georgetown, Colorado.  The statue was observed daily in the frontier days, now, it's very rare to find a person who can locate it on Republican Mountain - but you will be able to after this show!  

There is also a brief history of the Ute Nation and directions to find the mysterious maiden.

Old West!

George Andrew Jackson (cover art) - Gold in Colorado - Idaho Springs - Hot Springs - Wolverine attack - Clear Creek - Chicago Creek

The story of Colorado takes a turn, the first big discovery of gold in the mountains is made in current Idaho Springs, Colorado, near the confluence of Chicago and Clear Creeks.  A hot spring, several mountain lions, mountain sheep and a wolverine greet our hero.  A terrible fight and a treasure map!

Places to know:  Floyd Hill, Evergreen, Bergen Park, Ute Trail, Jackson's Hill, Mother Cabrini Shrine, US40, I-70, Denver, Arapahoe City and Golden.

The people to know:  George Andrew Jackson, Black Hawk (Jim Sanders), Tom Golden

The co-stars:  Glutton (Carcajou)

Mountain Lions - Mountain Lions

Elk - Elk

Tools of note (belt axe, belt knife and skinning knife)

Note:  Where's the mule in the story?  Every time I see this story exhibited, there is a mule.  There was no mule...sorry.

J