Leadville, the highest incorporated city in North America, even the name sounds dangerous, and the town was. Fortunes were made and lost in a heartbeat. And some heartbeats were cut short by mine cave-ins, gun fights, starvation, and cold weather.
The characters in my book A Cowboy’s Fate, take an 1800’s road trip from Denver to Leadville. Despite being occasionally called Cloud City, it was a rough and tumble place, with flashes of cultural enlightenment and high living.
The town definitely had its ups and downs. In 1860 gold was discovered, but that played out quickly. Then in 1877 silver became the magnet drawing thousands back up the mountain.
During its peak, Leadville bragged over 30,000 residents. It became the second largest town in Colorado. With 100 saloons and gambling places, multiple daily and weekly newspapers, and 36 brothels. It was even slated at one time to be the capital.
During its peak, Leadville bragged over 30,000 residents. It became the second largest town in Colorado. With 100 saloons and gambling places, multiple daily and weekly newspapers, and 36 brothels. It was even slated at one time to be the capital.
Hardscrabble miners, and ruffians of every nature “settled” the town, but the wealth amassed soon drew all manner of folk to the city, both the famous and infamous. They made the daunting trip by foot, by mule, and finally by train.
The Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railway still follows the headwaters of the Arkansas River route.
The Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railway still follows the headwaters of the Arkansas River route.
And the French Gulch Water Tower is still standing, amidst terrific views of Mount Elbert, Colorado's highest snow-capped peak.
One of the most famous stories associated with Leadville is the saga of Baby Doe Tabor, and it reads like a tragic soap opera.
Previously married and divorced, Elizbeth (Lizzie) McCourt, had already acquired the name Baby Doe and when Horace Tabor saw her, he was enchanted.
Tabor built a grand theater in Denver, and an opera house in Leadville.
The Leadville structure was touted as being the best between Chicago and San Francisco.
Infamous characters like ...Doc Holliday, Frank and Jesse James, Buffalo Bill, Tom Horn, Bob and Cole Younger and the Daltons passed through Leadville. And stories of Wyatt Earp shooting a marble off the piano at the famous Pastime Saloon (still in operation) are a part of what has made Leadville one of the last remaining authentic early western towns.
With the repeal of the Silver Act and the panic of 1893 the Tabor’s fortunes were wiped out. Horace died in Denver. Baby Doe returned to Leadville, and although she found religion, she could find no investors for the Matchless Mine.
Out of sheer guts and determination, she survived another 35 years, visited only on occasion by her two daughters. During the winter of 1935, after a severe snow storm, she froze to death, surrounded by her ramblings and journal entries. Some called her a madwoman—she was definitely a woman from which legends are born, and Leadville claims her as their own.
In 1895, in an attempt to draw tourists to their town to bolster their flagging economy, Leadville constructed a mammoth ice castle. It opened January 1st 1896. Encompassing 58,000 square feet, it was dubbed the Crystal Palace. The palatial building included an ice skating rink, a merry-go-round, a toboggan run, and several social enterprises, including gambling, restaurants, and dance rooms. 
Unfortunately, Leadville had a very early thaw in March, which destroyed the most magnificent ice palace in history.
Today, one of the winter attractions in Leadville is ski-joring, where they close off main street, build terrifying ski ramps, and pull fearless skiers behind a horse running at full-gallop.
pack burro racing....up a mountain.
I hope my characters, Cody and Britania lived a long and happy life in Leadville. A town where, if you're lucky, dreams can come true.
Blurb: Colorado, 1880
Kicked out of England for offending the Royal Family, Britania Rule heads for Leadville, in the Colorado backcountry. Passing herself off as a highborn lady, she pursues her dream of opening a parlor of spiritual enlightenment.
Cody James, her guide, thinks he must be half-crazy to hire-out to a female. But his luck at the gaming tables has run dry, and she’s his meal-ticket out of town. Betrayed by the only woman he ever loved, and shot and left for dead by a man he once called friend, Cody declares himself a loner.
Traveling side by side, they deny their desire for one another, but the Tarot cards say otherwise—and their hot night of passion confirms the prediction. Will love be waiting at the end of the trail? Or could Cody’s past destroy their future?
Excerpt:
Cody burst out laughing, this time even harder.
Glancing around the back of the wagon, the reason became clear and Britania gasped in alarm. One of her trunks had burst open, spewing lacy be-ribboned undergarments hither and yon. These were not items worn by the type of lady she pretended to be. They were outrageous dainties, a jezebel’s delight, couture de jour for a whore.
“Oh, bloody `ell.”
She clamped a hand over her mouth wishing she could call back the words as her upper-class accent gave way to East End twang. On hands and knees, she scurried around gathering up the incriminating garments and stuffing them back into the trunk.
Using only thumb and forefinger, Cody carefully disengaged a pink rosebud-covered corset dangling off the back of the wagon. “Interesting choice of underclothing, Miss Rule. Can’t say as I’ve seen such pretties outside a bordello.” He offered up the garment, the garters taunting and swinging back and forth in front of her nose.
“They were gifts, if you must know,” she said, wresting it from his grasp, “going away presents from my girlfriends. And since I nearly met my death a moment ago, I would think you would be more worried about me, rather than the contents of my wardrobe.”
“Sorry,” he said, his tone indicating he wasn’t—his half-smile reinforcing the point.
He rummaged around in another pack, and extracted a bottle of liquor. “I guess you being such a lady, it would be foolish of me to offer you a snort of whiskey. I know I could sure use one.” Uncorking it, he took a large swig.
Her mouth watered. She had done her share of elbow bending, and right now, a drink sounded just the thing.
My Stories:
Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate*Special Delivery.
Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall
Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart *Promise Me Christmas.
Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream
Romantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence
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1 comment:
Leadville is such a sweet place to visit. Hubbs and kiddo found a pizza place they go to whenever they are in that area, usually when camping at the lakes or hiking in the 14teeners. We have been wanting to take a ride on the Leadville train abut have not. Maybe next summer. Thanks for sharing, Gini!
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