Alex Brazelton lived an exciting life!!!
The year was 1862. The Civil War was being fought on the east coast of the U.S. Alexander Brazelton was just 19 years old living in Iowa. He was tired of his life with his abusive father who worked him hard and beat him. He heard that gold was discovered in the mountains of Colorado and decided to look for a better life on his own. He got a job with a wagon train heading west and found his way to Colorado. Prospecting for gold in the Central City and Idaho Springs area with no luck he heard of good cattle and farm land down on the plains. He settled in a valley about three miles south of the present town of Elbert in 1864, and established the first ranch in the area. He came when settlers were in constant fear of Indians and when Elbert County was a part of Douglas County.
At the time Mr. Brazelton established his ranch that area was considered only cattle country. When the railroad went through, the land was soon cut up into many farms. Mr. Brazelton's ranch consisted of 1,042 acres.
The Colorado Springs Gazette dated June 28, 1936, when Mr. Brazelton was 93 years old recognized him as, "The oldest pioneer of the Pike's Peak region,The Dean of Pioneers." Mr. Brazelton on his ninetieth birthday told an interviewer a story that revealed much the type of gentleman he was. He said he had much to be thankful for. That out of about sixty cattlemen of near his age, in the round-up, he was the only one living. He thought the reason was that he never drank intoxicating liquors, as many of those men did. After their work was done they would go to town for a drink. Mr. Brazelton took a drink of beer once or twice with them but thought he should buy something for his children instead, so after that he would do whatever he had to do and start back at once, thus avoiding the necessity of declining the men's invitation.
Mr. Brazelton knew from personal experiences and stories from others of the Indian conflicts. He told of one night when a herder brought Mr. Gomer's horses in, three boys were playing in the valley near by. He gave the warning that the Indians were coming. Two boys escaped in the timber, the other boy was killed. All of Mr. Gomer's horses were stolen.
Mr. Brazelton's Cabin was surrounded by the Ute Indians. He invited Chief Colorow to breakfast, dinner and supper day after day. The old Chief liked bacon and sugar.
He also liked Alex Brazelton. Thelma remembers the story about how Alex used to wrestle with the Indians. " In the fall or around butchering time, the Indians gathered around the cabin and wanted Alex to give them the entrails from the animals. They would like to wrestle with him. If he threw the Indian then all the Indians would cheer, but if the Indian threw Alex it wasn't as exciting to them."
Although The Brazeltons were never harmed by the Indians there were several Indian raids and other troubles in the valley. The people went to the governor in 1864 and a regiment was placed in Sand Creek under the command of Chivington. Alex knew men at different times who had participated in the Chivington Massacre.
Alex made his living on the ranch as much as we know. In the Railroad book by Jim Jones Alex is said to have operated a sawmill and he supplied wood to the railroad company during the winter to build fires to warm the ground so they could complete the work on schedule.
Alex was a tall man, 6' plus. Fair complexion and strawberry blond hair. Later in life his hair turned gray and he used a cane to walk. He was strong and healthy all his life. His niece, Miss Emma Dodd was a nurse and she lived with the family where Alex lived and took care of his every need. She was with him when he died.
He was a kind man with many friends. His character was strong and fair. He had a good nature and was fun loving. He believed in hard work and a fair dollar. He valued and loved his family most of all.
It was 1926 when they moved into Monument, CO to live with their daughter Anna Watts. Here is where Alex lost his beloved wife Emma in 1932. The ranch was sold in 1935 after the flood raged through the ranch and Elbert. Alexander died in Colorado Springs, at the home of his youngest daughter Clara.
The year was 1862. The Civil War was being fought on the east coast of the U.S. Alexander Brazelton was just 19 years old living in Iowa. He was tired of his life with his abusive father who worked him hard and beat him. He heard that gold was discovered in the mountains of Colorado and decided to look for a better life on his own. He got a job with a wagon train heading west and found his way to Colorado. Prospecting for gold in the Central City and Idaho Springs area with no luck he heard of good cattle and farm land down on the plains. He settled in a valley about three miles south of the present town of Elbert in 1864, and established the first ranch in the area. He came when settlers were in constant fear of Indians and when Elbert County was a part of Douglas County.
At the time Mr. Brazelton established his ranch that area was considered only cattle country. When the railroad went through, the land was soon cut up into many farms. Mr. Brazelton's ranch consisted of 1,042 acres.
The Colorado Springs Gazette dated June 28, 1936, when Mr. Brazelton was 93 years old recognized him as, "The oldest pioneer of the Pike's Peak region,The Dean of Pioneers." Mr. Brazelton on his ninetieth birthday told an interviewer a story that revealed much the type of gentleman he was. He said he had much to be thankful for. That out of about sixty cattlemen of near his age, in the round-up, he was the only one living. He thought the reason was that he never drank intoxicating liquors, as many of those men did. After their work was done they would go to town for a drink. Mr. Brazelton took a drink of beer once or twice with them but thought he should buy something for his children instead, so after that he would do whatever he had to do and start back at once, thus avoiding the necessity of declining the men's invitation.
Mr. Brazelton knew from personal experiences and stories from others of the Indian conflicts. He told of one night when a herder brought Mr. Gomer's horses in, three boys were playing in the valley near by. He gave the warning that the Indians were coming. Two boys escaped in the timber, the other boy was killed. All of Mr. Gomer's horses were stolen.
Mr. Brazelton's Cabin was surrounded by the Ute Indians. He invited Chief Colorow to breakfast, dinner and supper day after day. The old Chief liked bacon and sugar.
He also liked Alex Brazelton. Thelma remembers the story about how Alex used to wrestle with the Indians. " In the fall or around butchering time, the Indians gathered around the cabin and wanted Alex to give them the entrails from the animals. They would like to wrestle with him. If he threw the Indian then all the Indians would cheer, but if the Indian threw Alex it wasn't as exciting to them."
Although The Brazeltons were never harmed by the Indians there were several Indian raids and other troubles in the valley. The people went to the governor in 1864 and a regiment was placed in Sand Creek under the command of Chivington. Alex knew men at different times who had participated in the Chivington Massacre.
Alex made his living on the ranch as much as we know. In the Railroad book by Jim Jones Alex is said to have operated a sawmill and he supplied wood to the railroad company during the winter to build fires to warm the ground so they could complete the work on schedule.
Alex was a tall man, 6' plus. Fair complexion and strawberry blond hair. Later in life his hair turned gray and he used a cane to walk. He was strong and healthy all his life. His niece, Miss Emma Dodd was a nurse and she lived with the family where Alex lived and took care of his every need. She was with him when he died.
He was a kind man with many friends. His character was strong and fair. He had a good nature and was fun loving. He believed in hard work and a fair dollar. He valued and loved his family most of all.
It was 1926 when they moved into Monument, CO to live with their daughter Anna Watts. Here is where Alex lost his beloved wife Emma in 1932. The ranch was sold in 1935 after the flood raged through the ranch and Elbert. Alexander died in Colorado Springs, at the home of his youngest daughter Clara.
Alex Brazelton lived an exciting life!!!
The year was 1862. The Civil War was being fought on the east coast of the U.S. Alexander Brazelton was just 19 years old living in Iowa. He was tired of his life with his abusive father who worked him hard and beat him. He heard that gold was discovered in the mountains of Colorado and decided to look for a better life on his own. He got a job with a wagon train heading west and found his way to Colorado. Prospecting for gold in the Central City and Idaho Springs area with no luck he heard of good cattle and farm land down on the plains. He settled in a valley about three miles south of the present town of Elbert in 1864, and established the first ranch in the area. He came when settlers were in constant fear of Indians and when Elbert County was a part of Douglas County.
At the time Mr. Brazelton established his ranch that area was considered only cattle country. When the railroad went through, the land was soon cut up into many farms. Mr. Brazelton's ranch consisted of 1,042 acres.
The Colorado Springs Gazette dated June 28, 1936, when Mr. Brazelton was 93 years old recognized him as, "The oldest pioneer of the Pike's Peak region,The Dean of Pioneers." Mr. Brazelton on his ninetieth birthday told an interviewer a story that revealed much the type of gentleman he was. He said he had much to be thankful for. That out of about sixty cattlemen of near his age, in the round-up, he was the only one living. He thought the reason was that he never drank intoxicating liquors, as many of those men did. After their work was done they would go to town for a drink. Mr. Brazelton took a drink of beer once or twice with them but thought he should buy something for his children instead, so after that he would do whatever he had to do and start back at once, thus avoiding the necessity of declining the men's invitation.
Mr. Brazelton knew from personal experiences and stories from others of the Indian conflicts. He told of one night when a herder brought Mr. Gomer's horses in, three boys were playing in the valley near by. He gave the warning that the Indians were coming. Two boys escaped in the timber, the other boy was killed. All of Mr. Gomer's horses were stolen.
Mr. Brazelton's Cabin was surrounded by the Ute Indians. He invited Chief Colorow to breakfast, dinner and supper day after day. The old Chief liked bacon and sugar.
He also liked Alex Brazelton. Thelma remembers the story about how Alex used to wrestle with the Indians. " In the fall or around butchering time, the Indians gathered around the cabin and wanted Alex to give them the entrails from the animals. They would like to wrestle with him. If he threw the Indian then all the Indians would cheer, but if the Indian threw Alex it wasn't as exciting to them."
Although The Brazeltons were never harmed by the Indians there were several Indian raids and other troubles in the valley. The people went to the governor in 1864 and a regiment was placed in Sand Creek under the command of Chivington. Alex knew men at different times who had participated in the Chivington Massacre.
Alex made his living on the ranch as much as we know. In the Railroad book by Jim Jones Alex is said to have operated a sawmill and he supplied wood to the railroad company during the winter to build fires to warm the ground so they could complete the work on schedule.
Alex was a tall man, 6' plus. Fair complexion and strawberry blond hair. Later in life his hair turned gray and he used a cane to walk. He was strong and healthy all his life. His niece, Miss Emma Dodd was a nurse and she lived with the family where Alex lived and took care of his every need. She was with him when he died.
He was a kind man with many friends. His character was strong and fair. He had a good nature and was fun loving. He believed in hard work and a fair dollar. He valued and loved his family most of all.
It was 1926 when they moved into Monument, CO to live with their daughter Anna Watts. Here is where Alex lost his beloved wife Emma in 1932. The ranch was sold in 1935 after the flood raged through the ranch and Elbert. Alexander died in Colorado Springs, at the home of his youngest daughter Clara.
The year was 1862. The Civil War was being fought on the east coast of the U.S. Alexander Brazelton was just 19 years old living in Iowa. He was tired of his life with his abusive father who worked him hard and beat him. He heard that gold was discovered in the mountains of Colorado and decided to look for a better life on his own. He got a job with a wagon train heading west and found his way to Colorado. Prospecting for gold in the Central City and Idaho Springs area with no luck he heard of good cattle and farm land down on the plains. He settled in a valley about three miles south of the present town of Elbert in 1864, and established the first ranch in the area. He came when settlers were in constant fear of Indians and when Elbert County was a part of Douglas County.
At the time Mr. Brazelton established his ranch that area was considered only cattle country. When the railroad went through, the land was soon cut up into many farms. Mr. Brazelton's ranch consisted of 1,042 acres.
The Colorado Springs Gazette dated June 28, 1936, when Mr. Brazelton was 93 years old recognized him as, "The oldest pioneer of the Pike's Peak region,The Dean of Pioneers." Mr. Brazelton on his ninetieth birthday told an interviewer a story that revealed much the type of gentleman he was. He said he had much to be thankful for. That out of about sixty cattlemen of near his age, in the round-up, he was the only one living. He thought the reason was that he never drank intoxicating liquors, as many of those men did. After their work was done they would go to town for a drink. Mr. Brazelton took a drink of beer once or twice with them but thought he should buy something for his children instead, so after that he would do whatever he had to do and start back at once, thus avoiding the necessity of declining the men's invitation.
Mr. Brazelton knew from personal experiences and stories from others of the Indian conflicts. He told of one night when a herder brought Mr. Gomer's horses in, three boys were playing in the valley near by. He gave the warning that the Indians were coming. Two boys escaped in the timber, the other boy was killed. All of Mr. Gomer's horses were stolen.
Mr. Brazelton's Cabin was surrounded by the Ute Indians. He invited Chief Colorow to breakfast, dinner and supper day after day. The old Chief liked bacon and sugar.
He also liked Alex Brazelton. Thelma remembers the story about how Alex used to wrestle with the Indians. " In the fall or around butchering time, the Indians gathered around the cabin and wanted Alex to give them the entrails from the animals. They would like to wrestle with him. If he threw the Indian then all the Indians would cheer, but if the Indian threw Alex it wasn't as exciting to them."
Although The Brazeltons were never harmed by the Indians there were several Indian raids and other troubles in the valley. The people went to the governor in 1864 and a regiment was placed in Sand Creek under the command of Chivington. Alex knew men at different times who had participated in the Chivington Massacre.
Alex made his living on the ranch as much as we know. In the Railroad book by Jim Jones Alex is said to have operated a sawmill and he supplied wood to the railroad company during the winter to build fires to warm the ground so they could complete the work on schedule.
Alex was a tall man, 6' plus. Fair complexion and strawberry blond hair. Later in life his hair turned gray and he used a cane to walk. He was strong and healthy all his life. His niece, Miss Emma Dodd was a nurse and she lived with the family where Alex lived and took care of his every need. She was with him when he died.
He was a kind man with many friends. His character was strong and fair. He had a good nature and was fun loving. He believed in hard work and a fair dollar. He valued and loved his family most of all.
It was 1926 when they moved into Monument, CO to live with their daughter Anna Watts. Here is where Alex lost his beloved wife Emma in 1932. The ranch was sold in 1935 after the flood raged through the ranch and Elbert. Alexander died in Colorado Springs, at the home of his youngest daughter Clara.
Inscription
Alex and Emma Brazelton
