Tag Archives: Colorado Gold Rush

1860 – Wind Wagons Head West

Posted on August 4, 2015 by JvL Bell

IN 1860, WITH PIKE’S PEAK GOLD FEVER RAMPANT, SAMUEL PEPPARD CONSTRUCTED A SAILING WAGON WITH THE HOPES OF REACHING THE COLORADO TERRITORY FASTER THAN A TRADITIONAL OX- OR MULE-PULLED WAGON. THE MAY 17TH, 1860 ISSUE OF INDEPENDENT, A NEWSPAPER FROM OSKALOOSA, KANSAS, DESCRIBED PEPPARD’S WAGON IN THE FOLLOWING WAY. “IT WAS AN ORDINARY LIGHT WAGON OF 350 POUNDS, 3 X 8 FEET X 6 INCHES DEEP. OVER THE CENTER OF THE FRONT AXLE WAS A RAISED MAST WITH A SAIL 9 X 11 FEET. THE STEERING APPARATUS RESEMBLED A BOAT TILLER REVERSED.” Continue reading →

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1859 – Whiskey Hole for Destitute Prospectors

Posted on June 9, 2015 by JvL Bell

IN JULY 1859, WILLIAM HOLMAN, EARL HAMILTON, DANIEL POUND AND A PARTY OF PROSPECTORS CROSSED KENOSHA PASS INTO SOUTH PARK INTENDING TO PUNISH UTE INDIANS FOR KILLING 5 PROSPECTORS FROM GREGORY GULCH. ON THE BANKS OF TARRYALL CREEK IN DEADWOOD GULCH, THE GROUP RAISED COLOR, WITH DANIEL POUND RUMORED TO HAVE FOUND GOLD AS BIG AS WATERMELON SEEDS. THE TARRYALL DIGGINGS WERE FOUND, ALTHOUGH PERHAPS NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME. Continue reading →

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