Before Colorado Became a State -Zebulon Pike

 

Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

An early photo of Pikes Peak

I've been talking about Colorado, and on August 1, 2026, we celebrated 150 years as a state. In this post, I'll be looking back to before Colorado was even conceived.

Zebulon Montgomery Pike: Born in January of 1779 in Lamington, New Jersey. His father, Zebulon Pike Sr., was an Army officer who began his career in 1775 during the Revolutionary War. Pike Senior achieved the rank of Major and moved from New Jersey to Illinois, Pennsylvania, and other western areas. He died in Indiana in 1834 at the age of 82.

Pike Jr. enlisted at the age of 15. In 1805, he was sent out on an expedition to find the source of the Mississippi River. He erroneously said the river began at Leech Lake. The actual source was Lake Itasca, twenty-five miles further.

Of course, 1806 was his journey into the 'Southwest' and the failed attempt to climb the mountain that now bears his name. He was arrested in 1807 by the Spanish for entering their territory, in what is now Southern Colorado, and taken to Santa Fe.

He continued his military service through the southern portion of the United States, and when the War of 1812 started, then-Brigadier General Pike led a successful attack on York (Toronto) but was killed in 1813 in the same area when a powder magazine exploded.

He also eloped with his cousin Clarissa Brown in 1801. Of their five children, only one child, a daughter, lived to adulthood.

When he was captured by the Spanish in 1807,  they confiscated his journals and other papers. They were returned by the Mexican government in 1907.

I had the privilege of viewing and photographing Pike's saber and journal. Enjoy.

All images are the property of Doris McCraw

(This is a modified version of another post)

Until next time:

Stay safe - Doris

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon

Women and Colorado Statehood

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Image (C) Doris McCraw

Not only is America celebrating 250 years, and Colorado is celebrating 150 years. Colorado's journey began in 1858-59. Most of what we hear about that time is the men who pushed the idea. However, there were also women involved. This post is about one of those women.

Dr. Alida Avery left her position as a physician and professor at Vassar College to move to Colorado in 1874. Once here, she was involved in the Colorado and National suffrage movement, traveling and speaking on behalf of women. She was also an early proponent of women's participation in the medical association, requesting membership within two years of her arrival.

In February of 1876, the Denver Daily Times had the following article:

February 14, 1876
Denver Daily Times

While women did not gain the right to vote in Colorado's original constitution, they succeeded in securing the right to vote in local school elections and to place the question of suffrage on the ballot in 1877.

Until next time

Stay safe - Doris

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon 

It's Veteran's Day in the U.S.

 

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

As we near the America 250 and Colorado 150 celebrations, it seems fitting, on this Veteran's Day, 2025, to take a look back at one who served in the Civil War in this country. As Lonnie G. Bunch III, secretary, in his piece in the Smithsonian Magazine said in the November 2025 issue, "Service members' stories are quintessentially American, speaking to our resolve, resilience, and resourcefulness. I urge visitors who share my enthusiasm for Veterans Day to seek these stories out, even—and especially—in unexpected places."

This is a repost about a Civil War veteran buried in Evergreen or Fairview Cemetery in Colorado Springs. This post is about Henry C. Davis, who served with Company I, Pennsylvania 51st Infantry.

There are many Henry Davises in the records of this conflict. By starting with his short obituary in the paper, which stated he was 70 years old. From his death date of March 1914, his birth date is probably 1844.   

He is found in the rolls of the 51st. This is a list of some of the battles in which the 51st took part:

1862 - 2-6- Battle of Roanoke Island, 3-14- Battle of New Berne, 6-17 to 7-4-Siege of Vicksburg

1863 - 12-5 to 12-29- Pursuit of Longstreet

1864 -  Battles of the Wilderness 5-5 to 5-7, Spottsylvania 5-8 to 5-12, Ny River 5-9, Spottsylvania Court House 5-12 to 5-21, Assault on the Salient 5-12

1865 - Seige of Petersburg 6-16-1864 to 4-2-1865, Pursuit of Lee to Farmville

According to one source, the regiment lost 12 Officers and 165 Enlisted men killed/mortally wounded, and another 137 enlisted men to disease for a total of 314.

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

Having joined as a private, probably in 1861 when the 51st began, by the time the regiment was dissolved in 1865, Henry left as a Corporal. Henry filed for his pension on January 25, 1893. N. Bickford is the attorney listed on the application. 

At the time of his death on March 28, 1914, he was living up the Ute Pass from Colorado Springs in the small town of Green Mountain Falls, where he owned the home he was living in. Census records show he was single while living in the Pikes Peak Region. 

Why would the Pikes Peak Region be a place he would move to and work as a laborer (street worker)? His death certificate indicates he died of chronic asthma. When you add that to the area where those with 'wasting' diseases would come to be cured, it would make sense that he would try this area. 

There were probably many stories he could have or did tell, but I've yet to find any of those. As I journey into the history of those who reside in the cemeteries, I will find more to add to a larger picture. 

For those who would like to read more about this regiment, here is a link to Google Books and the "History of the 51st Regiment of  P.V. and V.V". https://books.google.com/books?id=HZodAQAAMAAJ

As always:

Until Next Time, Stay Safe & Stay Well

Doris