Post by Doris McCraw aka Angela Raines
 |
| Photo of Pikes Peak by the Author |
Pikes Peak - The easternmost mountain on the Front Range of the Rockies. Coming west, this mountain is what most travelers will see first. Although seventy miles south of the Denver area it was the rallying cry for those who rushed to the Rockies in the 1859 Gold Rush. Most also know that Zebulon Pike attempted to climb the peak that now bears his name in 1806. However, how many know Dr. Edwin James was the first documented white man to reach the summit?
Who was Edwin James and did he summit alone? Read on to find out.
James actually was said to have two other men with him, but so far I've yet to locate their names. In the journal from the Long Expedition', their names have not been found as I read through it. If you would like to read the whole of the book on the 1819-1820 Expedition a copy can be found on Google Books that you can read for free. (Account of an expedition from Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains, performed in the years 1819, 1820.)
 |
| Image of Dr. Edwin James from Wikipedia |
What some may not know is after James' journey to the West he continued to work as a physician along with continuing his studies in botany and geology. While at the University of Michigan, where he was a professor of natural history, it is said he helped to establish the universities natural history Museum.
Some records say that he continued to remain active in the scientific community by corresponding with other naturalists about their findings along with his own findings and observations.
Toward the end of his life, James moved to the town of Burlington Iowa where he died on October 12, 1861, at around the age of 78. After his death, the New York Times was quoted as saying James was, "one of the oldest and most eminent scientific men and the United States."
What is most fascinating to me, I grew up near Burlington, and only really learned James' story after moving to Colorado. Just goes to show you're never too old to learn.
If you would like to learn more about the early women doctors in Colorado Springs, my book: Under the Stone: Early Women Doctors in Evergreen Cemetery" is a quick overview of the subject.
Kuddos to him for getting to the top of the peak. I won't even go up there by car, much less climbing. Thank you for sharing, Doris. From his pic, he looks to be handsome man.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words. I confess I've been to the top eight times. What I didn't put in was Long's impatience and only allowed a brief time to complete the climb and get back down. He probably was good-looking. Doris
ReplyDeleteThank you Doris for such a greatly researched article. We always think Zebulon Pike was the first to reach the top. I wonder why this doctor didn’t get that recognition?
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Dorothy. Zeb never did make it to the top, and since James was part of the Long expedition I think he kinda got lost in the paperwork. Doris
ReplyDelete