Author: rositahistorian

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Artifacts

A New Image of the Early Days of the Rosita Silver Mining Camp Has Been Found

This is a newly discovered image of Rosita, Colorado in the 1870s, and is taken from near the summit of Game Ridge and looking to the west. There are not many buildings visible, which places this exposure very early in the history of the town, probably 1873. The few buildings in the picture appear to be a small cluster of log cabins in the center of the townsite, near the current intersections of County Road 323 and County Road 328. Those would soon be replaced with businesses. Euclid and Grouse or Quartz streets are platted and built in this picture. The era of building cabins anywhere did not last long, and the neatly graded and parallel streets being built in the photo are the beginning of town lots being sold, developed, and then the the Wild West was over almost as soon as it began. Cabins made way for hotels, boarding houses, and rentals.

This image was discovered in a pile of unmarked antique photos, and came with no real provenance or context. It is unusual in the respect that it is an overview of a townsite without the town! My guess is that this exposure was intended as a promotional material for the town, and was used to sell lots in town to investors. The picture provides an interesting and rare view of the early town on the cusp of profound transformation.

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Musings of the Curator

My Friend and a Generous Contributor to the Rosita Museum: Chris Ueberroth

Chris is originally from Stillwater, Oklahoma and moved to Custer County in the late 1990s, where he built his off-grid home with his own hands overlooking Hungry Gulch, just outside of the old town of Rosita. Chris is a man of different interests and talents. He served in the U.S. Army from 1959-1962 with the 378th Ordinance company, and then for another 4 years with the Army Reserves. He is also a faithful volunteer for local veterans functions. Chris is an avid collector of interesting things including a comprehensive collection of cartridge casings, Western railroad memorabilia, and a genuine mine shaft containing a colony of bats and totally exhausted silver deposits.

Chris has an independent and Western heart, loves all kinds of history, and has spent a great deal of time combing the mining town remnants exploring and looking for old artifacts. Over the years he discovered a number of interesting specimens which represented some very rare aspects of human history in Rosita, and have been invaluable to the Rosita Museum in peering back through the years and discerning the very early and heavily obscured eras. Anyone viewing the ‘virtual collection’ portion of the museum website will see his name listed as contributor on a number of artifacts.

Chris mostly enjoys the company of the sweetest beagle dog Sally and his magnificent mountain views these days, but I have seen pictures of him jumping dune buggies and heard harrowing tales of riding Cactus the horse on scary trails in the Sangre de Christo mountains, and learning to mount the horse from behind by running up and jumping, just like in old time Western movies. Chris also “shot the mile” at the NRA Whittington Center. Chris is the best shooter I know, and has never given me bad shooting advice.

I am thankful for my friend, and for the good advice, help, and neat things he has given for display and inclusion in the museum collection. The Rosita Museum is a richer and more interesting place because of him.

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Artifacts

The Death of Truax the Blacksmith, By Intentional Overdose of Morphine, June 1st, 1882, in Silver Cliff, Colorado

A transcription of an article from the June 1st, 1882 Weekly Herald, Silver Cliff, Colorado, and two handwritten letters, one from Mr. Truax to Mrs. Truax, and one From Mrs. Truax to her sister announcing the death.

Weekly Herald, June 1, 1882- This morning it was rumored that one of our citizens by the name of John C. Truax had died of an overdose of morphine, and a Herald reporter at once visited the home of the above named man, on first street below Hudson, and found the awful reality. There he lay on a bed in the back part of the house stiff and cold in death. On making inquiry of some of the neighbors that lived in that vicinity, we found that Mr. Truax has been in poor health and had taken that morphine to soothe his pain which had caused his end about nine o’clock this morning.

The deceased had been in the habit of taking chloroform for some time past, and the evidence was to the effect that he had taken it last fall and occasionally since. G.A. Truax stated that at that time she took part of a bottle from him while he was under its influence, and also he did the same thing several times since.

Mrs. Ada Truax, wife of deceased, stated that at times while in pain, as he suffered from rheumatism, he would saturate his pocket handkerchief with chloroform and lay down and go to sleep. He worked hard and was out late at nights and thought he used it to produce sleep. Had noticed how it worked on him and began to be alarmed, and had forbidden the druggists to sell it to him, but by some means or other he had it and she believes got it from other parties whom he would furnish money to bring it to him. Mrs. Truax said he has taken as high as six grains of morphine before.

As to the cause of his immediate death and the manner we only know that Tuesday night he went to the city drug store with a prescription for his wife, given by Dr. Shoemaker, and while their[sic] asked for some chloroform, and received it on the strength of his wife’s sickness and on stating it was for her. He kept this quiet at home and on the sly -as he knew she would object- took part and slept some. When he awoke yesterday, he asked his wife and another lady to go the store for morphine, but both positively refused. When in this semi-crazy state he would get angry, so much so that Mrs. Truax, being ill herself went to another house for a time, and afterwards sent a note by a boy for 2 grain powders of morphine. Mrs. Truax said she made a mistake and should have asked for half grain powders. A note was returned with the drug cautioning her on the size.

Mr. Truax, last night took half a powder and went to bed. Mrs. Truax also talking about one-half the balance of the same powder and also went to bed sleeping at the front side so as to be sure as to watch him. However in the night, she awoke and saw him up at the stand, by the bedside and spoke to him, asking him what he was doing. He got into bed again and about five o’clock this morning and he was there the second time taking something. She (Mrs. T) said, “John, what are you taking? be careful and not take too much.” Deceased laughed and replied “if he took too much she had money enough to bury him” and went to bed.

Mrs. Truax was awakened shortly after by hearing his heart beating loudly, and the dreadful thought then broke upon her. She immediately got up and gave him some liquor and aroused the neighbors, and Dr. Shoemaker was sent for, but at his arriving there about 6:30, there was no hope. He was in too weak a state to take an emetic and consequently breathed his last a few moments before nine this morning. The coroner empaneled a jury of six men and an inquest was held at 11:30 today. Several witnesses were examined and from the evidence that was there brought out, the only verdict that could be given was that death was caused by his own hands and mistaken judgment.

The deceased has been a citizen of Silver Cliff for some time, and at one time was in business as a blacksmith on Main street, near Dirigo stables, but of late has been working at his trade for Mr. Stewart. He leaves a wife and one little child to mourn his loss.

Letter from Mr. Truax to Mrs. Truax, Sept. 25, 188(1?), Written on His Business Letterhead-

My dear Wife I am now able to write a little am considered better had my things fairly well settled up and was going to-start-east-soon when I was taken very sick the fact is I cannot stand this climate Mrs Fay wrote to you she lived close to wheir[sic] I was sick I ____ good care and shall from now on pain in strength and just as soon as ____ able to travel well go east I have been all day writing this and will write you in a day as soon ____ I would like a letter so well think of ____ J.C. Truax

Letter from Mrs. Truax to Florence Green, Swanton Falls, Vermont, June 2, 1882-

Dear Sister ____ I tell you that I am a lone widow John died yesterday morning at half past 8 oclock the ____ followed him to his last resting place this afternoon at two oclock pray for me Florence for my home is so dessolate[sic] good by your afflicted Sister AE Truax

Categories
Artifacts

Tragic and Poignant Letter from Hugh McKay to Matty, Sent from Rosita, Colorado, May 13, 1882, Sent to Kahoka, Missouri, Letter 2 of 2

Spelling and grammatical errors are retained, and illegible sections are indicated by _____. Clarifications are added in parentheses.

Friday A.M. Rosita May 13th 1882

My Dear Matty

Yours of the 4th was Recd yesterday I was so Glad to hear from you but verry sorry to hear you were Suffering with Bronchitis The big Snow Storm is over weather Clear and Bright, heavy frosts & Ground frozen this morning I am feeling much Better only I am verry week yet, and wont gain any strength until I get lower down I hope _____ this your health has Improved I had Expected to _____ home last Wednesday, but I am doomed to disappointment I have not sold out yet and see but Little Chance to sell there no money hear now, to invest in mines. verry Many of the Best Buisnefs houses have discharged all their clerks & closed doors as there is nothing for them to doo, times are So hard I will I will return home Just asoon as I can I want to Leave hear so verry Badly my Lungs are Teribly Shatered up I have taken so much cold since being sick verry many are Dying from fever & measles, in the mountains a Horrible place for one to spend their Last moments I dont see why you do not get my Letters I write you two or three per week I hope we will soon meet I feel so discouraged I can hardly write to you Jack is going South Soon in to a better climate _____ ______ ______ him up a ranch I hear and is planting potatoes wont do much as he is too Lazy to attend to the calls of nature (several lines of writing become smaller, more hastily rendered, and are illegible, letter resumes on back with legible script) All the Horses in this country are down with pink Eye & Lung feverI hope to bee with you soon Respects to Enquiring friends I have had a fearfull time of trying to hold on to Life I doo wish I could love these mountains I doo hate to see the coaches Leave Every day for the East, and not be able to go with them, write me often

Ever yours

H McKay

P.S. yours of the 13th was Recd Containing ten dollar Bill thank you Matty

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Artifacts

Letter from Hugh McKay to Matty, from Rosita, Colorado, July 3, 1881 and likely mailed to Kahoka, Missouri, Letter 1 of 2

Spelling and grammatical errors are retained, and illegible sections are indicated by _____. Clarifications are added in parentheses.

Rosita, July 2, 1881

My dear Matty,

I rec’d your last two papers & and last letter yesterday evening. I am glad your health is better but sorry you have the blues. Come my dearling, there is a better time coming for us, I hope I feel cheerful and in good spirits. Jack is well. I tell you, we crowding things along so hard that we only have time to think and talk about our business. We came here to make money and we intend to do it. We have the foundation laid for something big and all we have to do is hold on, develop our mine, and we will get our price. We intend dooing just as you have said in your last letter. That is to sell when I have got down to ore bed and the excitement is up. Indication grows stronger every inch we go in our SM (Seneca Mining) claim. It’s hard work and heavy blasting. The crevice is still five feet wide and pitching into the mountain. I can’t see Jack from the ____ as he is under the hanging wall. So far the upper wall is called the ____ Wall and the lower one the Foot Wall. Yesterday noon we came to where both walls were terribly cracked and broken up by the Great Heat passing up through the crevise in the general upheaval of the earth. It has at one time been the bottom of the ocean and has been thrown up by the volcanic eruptions. Now I will post you in regard to our affairs. The ____ Jack and I now own two thirds of it and it is recorded and my name and his in the county clerk’s office. I gave Jack the deed to take care of, we gave $150 dollars for it and the doet (debt) owed on it $100 dollars in work this years taxes before he could own half of it. And he said for us to let him buy it for us that it was worth $2000 for it and that he would not give the man less that $500. That he would not have it for less as Blanchard was a mason. We told him to buy it but he as usual kept assing around to keep from work. So I mistrusted a wrong in him I said to jack one morning, came we will go and see the man ourselves. So we went and in less than an hour we had bought it for 150$. Had a notary public making out the deed bye nine o clock. Was back home at work on our claim so you see, if the doc does not work out, the $100 dollars taxes Jack and I will, and we will, then own it all. As I made the trade to that affect and have it in writing. I feel sorry for the honery devil and we wont be hard on him. We will doo just right, and nothing more. He came back late last Sunday, starved out and brought a ____ along to live off of. Jack and I was very liberal when he came back. He bought an old flye blown beef shank & $25 cents of last years potatoes & $25 cents worth of onions and went to making soop & eating old beef sinews and gristle. After eating all the good meat we had on hand when he came back we thought we could stand it as long as he could but he beat us out when it came to dinner yesterday. There was nothing to eat but some old bones and soop two days old. No coffee poor Jack took a little soop, I eat nothing. I said to Jack let us go and get something to eat and buy a pair of nippers so we can pull the gristle and sinews out of each other. As Tilden’s pills won’t moove them so we went bought a nice lot of something to eat brought it home got supper and you ought to have seen him eat last night at supper. The first one at the table, so to make the story short, he is the most unprincipled, meanyest, creature I ever saw in all my life. We keep an account of everything in the final settlement he will have to come to time so last Thursday we got the country surveyor and has the SM Claim run off. Corners and sidelines all permanently made. The surveyor made out his certificate and we had it recorded, two thirds of it to Jack and I so you see, that I am dooing is done right. So if anything happens to me you will have no trouble in seeing just how everyhting stands, no one can beat you out of it. And today I ____ my interest would sell for ten thousand dollars you can always just put the upmost confidence in Jack, he will never wrong order you wronged out of one cent. So as fast as we open up the claims, everything will be recorded and done right. It costs something it will all come back the name of the SM is changed too Cerargyte. And so recorded on account of it’s showing so much chlorides and horn silver rock. My advice to you Matty is to sell off all stock that will give trouble and work and take good care of yourself so that if I am permitted to return, we can enjoy our selves what little time we have left to live on this earth. And for the by all means, if you can get a good woman to live with you, do so, do it bye all means. It is horrible for me to think how lonely you are. Thanks for the stamps and papers. Jack is going to write you on the piece you sent. I don’t think hard of you for not writing. Oftener I know you doo the best you can, do not send anything to eat by express, it costs too high. I send Mr McCay and Lapoteys boxes of specimens on 28th June by express. Yours are in Mr McCay’s box they are all fine, your name was written on yours, wraped in paper. Don;t give any away. I send you something fine today, it is from Leadville, in cedar box. I will do my best to come see you this winter if I possibly can get away. It cost now from hear to Keokuk $37.50 by railroad. The rainy season is on hand and must have a dry warm house. Postscript on the back page- ____ Theirin we can buy ____ also a shaft house to be working this winter. Postscript on the front page- I wrote you note and Mr McCay’s box to send me $100 which you can do by post office order on Rosita PO I hope we will get to pay one before I will have to use it get Mr McCay to go with you to Keokuk to get. Send regards to all friends and a kiss for Matty. Will write soon, I have no time to write today one but you, I will feel better satisfied for you to get one to live with you.

Categories
Musings of the Curator

The White Whale of Rosita, The Ahab of Rosita

As a seeker of truth and the impartial curator of the Rosita Museum I ride the waves of history where they take me. I usually do not impose any expectations on my explorations, except to hope to better understand the history of the town, and maybe discover interesting specimens for exhibit. There is one specimen which eludes my pursuit. I know it exists, but I have never seen one in person…

Sometime around 1879 a token was used by the Rosita Brewery in at least two denominations, one token marked for 5 cents and one marked for 10 cents.The tokens were produced on the same planchet as a short lived and early token from nearby Silver Cliff, Colorado, from the Horn Silver saloon, and I suspect they were produced by a local or semi-local brass or novelty works. At least two have been discovered previously in Rosita, but I cannot find an example for the museum despite thousands of hours searching, and many excavations of various sizes.

Here is a picture of me after another long day of sailing the high seas of history in Rosita, screaming into the howling wind and sea spray, plunging with reckless abandon towards the horizon beyond which I might find that which has always eluded me; a specimen of the Rosita Brewery token. Where do you think it is? How many years more do you think it will take me to discover an example?

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Artifacts

Upcoming Virtual Exhibit: The cellar of an Old West saloon which burned in the great fire of 1881.

Initial test holes on a site in the business district revealed the cellar of a saloon which has lain undisturbed since it burned down in the great fire of 1881. The original inventory contents of the cellar are still present, along with rubble and charred lumber from the fire. Exavations should be complete by the end of summer, 2025, and photos of artifacts and the excavation will be available for view. This is a rare opportunity to better understand the day to day life of a business in Rosita during the silver mining era.

Categories
Musings of the Curator

The Beginning of Everything

In the summer of 1980 I was 3 years old, and my aunt and uncle were building an off grid cabin in an eddy along Hungry Gulch in Rosita. The cabin was only a floor on pilings at that point, and the first night we camped there on the platform, playing Uno by lantern light and I ate Oreo cookies with a glass of powdered milk. It was Heaven. I stayed up all night in my sleeping bag breathing mountain air, watching shooting stars, and eager to explore when the sun rose.

The first morning I left at sunrise to go look for arrowheads. I was already obsessed with prehistory and arrowheads. I did not find arrowheads, but there was a lost mining town out in the rabbitbrush. It was magical. There was a cabin site near where my relatives were building which I found immediately. In those days there were still abundant and interesting artifacts on the surface of the ground. That morning I found a number of curios which interested me, to include a couple of old suspender ends, a porcelain doll head, the tip of a mining pick, a tinware spoon, and an interesting mineral specimen. I returned to the cabin for breakfast with a handful of neat stuff. They fed me eggs and bacon from Jenning’s Market. My aunt went back to the cabin site with me and we spent some time looking for additional artifacts. We found a few more items, and they are still displayed in the little rock garden alongside the cabin 45 years later.

Over the years I always explored around the ephemeral ruins of Rosita when I came up, and when I was 12 years old I purchased a metal detector with money I earned from selling candy at school at a 400% markup. Candy was forbidden at school, and so I took advantage of the black market premium. The metal detector I wanted was $650.00 in 1990. That was a lot of money to earn. I started with $10.00 in assorted candy I bought from Walgreens in bulk bags, and I worked my way up to a White’s Eagle 2 metal detector. It was the first metal detector with an LCD screen instead of an analog needle and dial meter. It had a big American flag sticker on the battery hatch. I loved it dearly.

When I brought my metal detector to Rosita for the first time I thought I was really going to hit it big. I decided there was a tin can full of silver dollars hidden in the saddle about halfway up the side of Pringle Hill, and I went up there at first dawn. There was nothing there except natural beauty. I returned down into the town site of Rosita with my metal detector and began the first day of my new adventure in life- being completely overwhelmed by tin cans, fragments of tin cans, and sheet tin from roofs and flashing .

The metal detector is almost unusable, and almost every find is tin. But it works once in awhile, and so I swing it around and dig up my tin cans, and I enjoy the process and the eternal joke. I always laugh when I dig up a can, so that the universe can see that I am trying to be a good sport about it. I find many laughs and almost no “treasure” which is fine.

The story of the town that came to life as I saw it thorough old spoons, broken bottles, cartridge casings, tin cans, and the passage of my own life was the story of us. It was full of poignancy and terror and desperation. It was full of deep and high religion and earnest hope. They had churches and they had brothels. Some of those miners had to use narcotics to overcome their fear at placing their feet into a small bucket, grabbing on to a rope, and having a mule hoist them 700 feet down into a totally dark and vertical shaft. There were horse races and balls. They had no electricity, no railroads, limited access to goods, no labor laws, and yet they built roads, banks, hotels, saloons, mines, and steeples.

I even encountered some of the Indians who passed through Rosita for at least the last 13,000 years. Lots of different people and tribes came through the area over the years, but I am not sure that anyone really ever stayed for long and in large numbers. They hunted deer and processed pinon nuts on every little hill overlooking the courses of the arroyos. The first people in Rosita probably saw the last of the Pleistocene megafauna. The last Indians in Rosita were still using little stone arrowheads on the tips of their arrows, but also used little metal arrowheads , and muskets from the fur traders. Perhaps the very last one knapped a cutting/scraping tool out of the deep aqua glass from the broken base of a Carl Conrad and Company Original Budweiser bottle, ca. 1881, before discarding it alongside Euclid Street as it runs through the bottom of Poverty Gulch next to where my mama lives now.

I am as interested in the fields and artifacts of Rosita as ever. Now I am well into middle age and I like digging holes more than I like filling them in. I am currently digging into the cellar of a saloon which burned in the great fire of 1881 and was the end of the original town. Down in the cellar it still smells like charred lumber and smoke. It is just like 1881. The fire boiled the bottles of Rosita Brewing Company beer and popped the tops off in a very precise way. It is amazing and I am grateful to sit in my hole in the field at the intersection of the roads and come to know the passing of time by artifacts in layers of soil, light and dark, and the seasons.