MAY 14, 18??

Post by Doris McCraw
writing as Angela Raines

USGS photo of early Colorado

For this post I thought it might be interesting to look back over events on May 14 in the history of Colorado.

As you can see, in 1859 as the area was just being settled, the language and sensibilities were flowery and formal, even for a story of horse thieves. It appear this was a problem in the Cherry Creek area.  You will note, they talk about pursuing them to the 'states'. Colorado was still part of many Western territories at this time. It did not become its own territory until February 18, 1861.

May 14, 1859
Rocky Mountain News Weekly

Photo Property of the Author

For those who don't know Grace Greenwood, she was an author, speaker and traveler on the early days of the Colorado Territory. She, Isabella Bird and Helen (Hunt) Jackson all traveled in the area in the early 1870s. Grace's real name was Sara Jane Lippencott. For a quick overview of her life, here is a link to the Wikipedia page Grace Greenwood  Below is the beginning of an article she wrote about President Grant.

May 14, 1870
Rocky Mountain News

Lest we forget that many came to Colorado for their health. Colorado was one of the states that had a reputation for the curative powers of its climate and mineral waters, both the hot springs and those you drank. Because of that reputation, Colorado from almost the beginning tried to devlope a medical society. The Colorado Medical Society had its beginnings in 1871.

May 14, 1879
Leadville Daily/Evening Chronicle

Of course, most know Colorado was a magnet for women's suffrage. Some of the early female physicians, such as Dr. Alida Avery, came to the region for their chosen profession and to support the cause of women's rights. The article below is from one of the early publications that promoted women's equality.

May 14, 1890
Queen Bee- Denver CO

So May 14, over the early years of Colorado's history is full on interesting facts. In addition it gives us a look at the thoughts, the people and the change in language as more and more people arrived. Sometimes it is good to look back at what was and know that is the foundation of the history we now live.

In my latest novel, "The Outlaw's Letter", I made use of events, and history of Colorado in 1880. It was exciting to have my characters be a part of Colorado's history.

Doris Gardner-McCraw -

Author, Speaker, Historian-specializing in
Colorado and Women's History

Angela Raines - author: Where Love & History Meet

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