The romance between
One of fourteen children, Elizabeth was the daughter of Irish parents. Her father owned a clothing and custom tailoring store in
Young Elizabeth was a beauty. Five-foot-four, with reddish golden hair, bright blue eyes and a flashing smile, she gained the nickname “Belle of Oshkosh.” Far from shy, she enjoyed male attention and dreamed of becoming a famous actress.
Unfortunately,
By then, Horace A. W. (“Haw”) Tabor had lived in the Leadville area for a number of years. Originally from New England, he and his wife Augusta came west in 1859, hoping to strike it rich in
Horace’s generosity led him to grubstake many prospectors. In spring, 1878, he backed partners August Rische and George Hook, with an agreement that he would be a one-third partner in any strike they made. The two Germans staked a claim on Fryer Hill, naming it the Little Pittsburgh. They sank a shaft and soon struck soft, black silver-lead ore. Tabor went to work with his partners, leaving Augusta to run the family store. By July the three partners were raking in $50,000 a month. Before long, Hook and Rische sold out. Tabor and two new partners consolidated claims and incorporated for twenty million dollars.
Haw Tabor’s wealth and fame grew. Elected Lieutenant Governor of Colorado in 1878, he served in that post until January, 1884. In Leadville, he organized the town’s first bank, funded the Tabor Hose Company (a fire house, equipment and crew,) built the Tabor Opera House and other properties. He also invested heavily in
The first time Baby Doe met Horace Tabor, she was sitting by herself eating oysters in the Saddle Rock Café. A performance at the nearby Tabor Opera House ended and shortly thereafter Horace Tabor walked into the café with his theater manager, Bill Bush. Both men immediately noticed Baby, and she recognized Tabor. In a little book titled Silver Queen The Fabulous Story of Baby Doe Tabor by Caroline Bancroft, Tabor is described: “He was over six feet tall with large regular features and a drooping mustache. Dark in coloring, at this time his hair had begun to recede a bit on his forehead and was turning grey at the temples. Always very well and conspicuously dressed, his personality seemed to fill any room he stepped into.”
Baby is quoted as thinking, “That’s the kind of man I could love. A man who loves life and lives to the full!” Moments later she was invited to join him and Bush at their table. Tabor soon set Baby Doe up in plush hotel suites in Leadville and
Horace managed to obtain a legal divorce in January 1883. Within weeks he was appointed by the Colorado Legislature to serve thirty days as a
After the ceremony, the Catholic priest learned both the bride and groom were divorced and he refused to sign the marriage license. The marriage caused a national scandal. The Tabors were banned from society in
Despite this shunning, Baby and Horace were happy, and they ecstatically greeted their first daughter on July 13, 1884. They named her Elizabeth Bonduel Lily. Later, they had a second daughter, Rosemary Silver Dollar Echo. Meanwhile, Horace’s political hopes waned. He ran for
Thanks to friends, Horace was named Denver Postmaster in January 1898, a post he held until his death the following year. Legend says that on his deathbed he told Baby to hang on to the Matchless Mine. Unfortunately, the once fabulous mine was now worthless. Baby spent her last thirty years in poverty, living in a one room cabin, the former tool shed of the Matchless, growing old and “mad” according to some who knew her.
Baby Doe Tabor was found dead in her cabin on March 7, 1935. She lay stretched out on the floor, looking as if she'd awaited death. Her rise to riches and tragic end inspired the opera The Ballad of Baby Doe. The libretto was written by John Latouche, who closely followed the scenario set out in Caroline Bancroft’s book.
Footnote
Colorado silver mining plays an important role in Dashing Druid. In the following excerpt, Tye Devlin is remembering a scary scene.
“Lord save us!” he muttered
as a mighty swing of Tom’s pick sent chunks of ore flying. The rocks struck the
stone floor and clattered down the inclined stope they were working.
“Timbering takes time,” the
burly Cornishman argued, swinging again. “I want to see if we’ve struck
anything first. Come on, put more muscle into it. Our lease runs out in two
weeks. Do you want to uncover a rich vein just in time for the company to
collect all the profits? The greedy devils rake in enough off our broken backs
as it is.”
“I’ll grant ye that, but I’d
rather walk away empty-handed than not a’tall.”
“Not I! I mean to walk away
with my pockets lined with silver. And what’s happened to ye, bucko? Have ye
forgotten the dreams that brought ye west? Where’s the daring lad I once saved
from breaking his neck?” Tom chided as more rocks flew.
“He’s right here, ye big ox.
And he’s seen too many men die in these infernal pits to be taking fool
chances.”
Perched on a ladder, Tye gouged out a patch of loose
rock, using a more cautious approach than his friend. Ten or twelve feet
across, the ore face was nearly equal that in height. While he worked the upper
right half, Tom worked the left, standing on a second ladder.
Tom laughed. “Quit fretting. I’ve crawled around
mine tunnels since I was a boy of ten. I know what I’m doing. Besides, we have
your famous luck o’ the Irish to protect us, don’t we?”
“Lucky, am I? After gophering the hills for two
years without finding a thing, I hardly think –” A loud cracking sound cut him
off.
“Tom!” he bellowed, seeing
the ceiling start to give way above the other man’s head.
Lyn, what a great story! I have never heard this before, and I think, although it had a tragic end, it was a fascinating life. Thanks for sharing Baby's story. That is really interesting!
ReplyDeleteCheryl
Lyn, I've heard of Baby Doe for decades, but never knew the story. What a sad end to her life. Great post. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love this name, Rosemary Silver Dollar Echo! Definitely belongs in a book.
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun story full of drama and melodrama both I always get creeped out when men are so much older, though. Too father-figure for me. Yuck.
Enjoyed the post, lots of good research here.
Thanks, Cheryl, I'm glad you enjoyed reading about Baby Doe. I heard of her years ago but didn't know much of her story until I started researching this post. In the "old days" she was regarded as a home wrecker and a floosy, but in recent times she's looked upon more sympathetically, as a courageous pioneer woman who braved the rough mining camps and withstood the ugly things that were said about her. I admire her gutsiness.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, yes, it was a sad ending, but she lived and loved well while with Horace. I hope they are reunited in the next life.
ReplyDeleteTanya, I love Silver Dollar's name too (That's what she went by.) But her life was also tragic. She tried her hand at writing without much success and degenerated into an alcoholic and likely a prostitute. She died horribly, scalded to death in a seedy part of Chicago. She was only in her mid thirties. Baby Doe oulived her and grieved for her until her own death.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too crazy about the age difference, either, but they evidently really loved each other, so that's all that counts.
Baby Doe's gown is truly gorgeous, and the photo of her shows her to really be a beauty. Thanks for the historical tidbit. I really love stories of the Old West--true or fiction.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the worst things that can happen to a person is have wealth and lose it. Those of us who stay poor, know how to deal with it. LOL
ReplyDeleteI wonder what happened to their 2 daughters. They certainly had unique names.
A very interesting article, Lyn.
I enjoyed your excerpt, too.
Lyn--what a tragic story! It gave me goosebumps. She was truly a beauty. You can never predict love, but 24 years is way off.
ReplyDeleteIt's shameful he did not see that she would be taken care of when he died--he could have done better.
To think moving from opulent surroundings to a one-room cabin behind something else is unthinkable. I'd go crazy, too.
Thanks, Lyn, for this fascinating true love story.
I have heard of this before. Love the cover of this book, awesome.
ReplyDeleteI guess they could say easy come, easy go in this situation. I've read about so many women that this has happened to. Very sad, but while life was good they had a great time.
ReplyDeleteLoved the post.
I love the story of Baby Doe! The rags to riches part reminded me of "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" but without the happy ending.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in your drawing. My email address is sannach@gmail.com
Hi Janice,I love her gown too. She enjoyed beautiful clothes and was quite vain about her looks.
ReplyDeleteSarah, Silver dollar died young as I mentioned above. Her older sister, Lily, changed her name and lived out her life away from the notoriety of her parents.
Celia, I agree, Horace should have provided for Baby's future. He did leave her some valuable items, which she packed away in trunks. She never sold them.
Quilt Lady, I'm so glad you like my book cover! Thanks for visiting.
Paisley, they did indeed have a great life while it lasted. Maybe if they'd been a little more careful with their wealth, it would have lasted longer.
Sandy, it reminded me of Molly Brown too. Both women were strong, smart and daring. Of such as these are heroines made! You are entered in the drawing. :)
Wow,how did I miss this great story when I was researching Colorado in the 1880s for my novel Colorado Silver, Colorado Gold.
ReplyDeleteI toured the Molly Brown house in Denver when I was there, and you think they might have mentioned Baby Doe.
Thanks for giving us a great story!
Wow! What a great post. I had never heard this story, very interesting. I'd love to be entered to win your book, it sounds good.
ReplyDeletemlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Terry, it's a shame Baby Doe's story isn't more widely remembered these days. I suppose the sad ending and her notorious image may have something to do with that. Glad you enjoyed the story!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha! So pleased you enjoyed the post. You are entered in my drawing.