Augusta Tabor facts for kids
Augusta Pierce Tabor (March 29, 1833 – January 30, 1895) was the wife of a merchant and miner, Horace Tabor, the first white woman to live in the Idaho Springs mining camp, and a Denver philanthropist. She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 1991 for her contributions to social service and philanthropy.
Early life
Augusta Pierce was born in Augusta, Maine on March 29, 1833. Her father, William B. Pierce, owned a quarry and was a contractor. Tabor, one of ten children and the third of seven girls, suffered poor health during her childhood. She had a lovely figure, thick dark hair and was determined and charming. Tabor was a debutante, grew up in a pampered lifestyle, and believed in women's rights. She was the cousin of Franklin Pierce, president of the United States.
Adulthood
Augusta and Horace Tabor lived in the Idaho Springs mining camp before moving to Leadville. The Tabors established a store and Augusta made money as a washerwoman and as a landlady to boarders. Horace mined for gold in the mountains of Colorado and in 1878, after 20 years, he struck a silver vein that made US$10,000 (equivalent to $303,241 in 2022) per day.
The Tabors established a mansion in Denver after Horace was elected lieutenant governor later in 1878. The 20-room mansion, built at Eighteenth and Broadway for $40,000 (equivalent to $1,212,966 in 2022), was operated as a boarding house after Horace left her for Elizabeth "Baby Doe" McCourt. Augusta was landlady for up to 14 people at a time and was engaged in community activities, such as contributing to civic projects and charities and hosting fund-raising events. Tabor was particularly involved in the Pioneer Ladies Aid Society.
In culture
Augusta Tabor is a major character in the opera The Ballad of Baby Doe by Douglas Moore and John Latouche; the role was created by Martha Lipton at the opera's 1956 premiere. A noted interpreter of the part was Frances Bible, who recorded it in 1961.
