Charlie Utter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles H. Utter
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Arapaho Joe and Charlie Utter at the grave of Wild Bill Hickok
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| Born | March 14, 1842 near Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
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| Died | July 3, 1915 (aged 73) Panama City, Panama
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Colorado Charlie |
| Occupation | Prospector, trapper, guide |
| Known for | Friendship with Wild Bill Hickok; and Calamity Jane |
Charles H. "Colorado Charlie" Utter (March 14, 1838 – July 3, 1915) was an interesting person from the American Wild West. He is most famous for being a close friend of the legendary Wild Bill Hickok. Charlie Utter was also friends with Calamity Jane.
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Early Life of Charlie Utter
Charlie Utter was born in 1838 near Niagara Falls, New York. He grew up in Illinois. Later, he traveled west to find his fortune. In the 1860s, he became a trapper, guide, and prospector in Colorado.
On September 30, 1866, he married Matilda "Tily" Nash. They settled in Georgetown, Colorado Territory.
Adventures in the Wild West
In early 1876, Charlie Utter and his brother Steve led a large wagon train. It had 30 wagons filled with prospectors, gamblers, and people hoping to find gold. They traveled from Georgetown, Colorado, to a new town called Deadwood.
Deadwood was in the Black Hills of the Dakota Territory. Gold had just been found there, starting a big gold rush. Many wagons were "Schuttler wagons," known for their bright paint.
In Cheyenne, Wyoming, the famous gunman "Wild Bill" Hickok joined Utter's wagon train. Calamity Jane also joined them in Fort Laramie. The wagon train arrived in Deadwood in July 1876.
Charlie's Pony Express Service
Once in Deadwood, Charlie Utter started a successful pony express service. He delivered mail to Cheyenne. He charged 25 cents for each letter. He often carried as many as 2,000 letters on a 48-hour trip. This service was very important for the growing town.
Friendship with Wild Bill Hickok
Charlie Utter and Wild Bill Hickok were very close friends. Sadly, Charlie was not with Hickok on August 2, 1876. On that day, a man named Jack McCall shot Hickok from behind while he was playing poker.
Charlie Utter later took care of Hickok's body. He placed a notice in the local newspaper. Many people attended Hickok's funeral. Charlie buried him with a simple wooden grave marker.
Charlie left Deadwood for a while. But he returned in 1879. Calamity Jane asked him to move Hickok's grave. So, Charlie had Hickok re-buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery. The new grave had a cast-iron fence and an American flag.
Life After Deadwood
After the big fire, Deadwood changed. It was no longer a wild frontier town where people could easily get rich. Many people who lost everything left to find gold elsewhere. Charlie Utter also moved on.
He went to Leadville, Colorado in 1880. Then he moved to Durango, Colorado. Later, he was in Socorro, New Mexico, where he opened a saloon.
Charlie Utter's story eventually led him to Panama in the early 1900s. By then, he was losing his eyesight. He owned drugstores in Panama City and Colón. Records show he traveled between the United States and Panama several times, always listed as a "druggist." He returned to Panama for good in 1913. Charlie Utter passed away on July 3, 1915, and is buried in Cementario Amador in Panama.
Charlie's Unique Personality
Charlie Utter was a very noticeable person. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall (167 cm). He was known for being very neat and tidy, which was unusual for that time and place.
He had long, black hair and a perfectly groomed mustache. He wore special hand-tailored buckskin clothes with fringes. He also wore fine linen shirts, beaded moccasins, and a large silver belt buckle. He carried two fancy pistols decorated with gold, silver, and pearls.
Charlie was very private about his tent. He would not let anyone inside, not even Hickok, because he valued his privacy. Inside, he had high-quality blankets from California. He also carried mirrors, combs, razors, and brushes. Most surprisingly, he was famous for his "bizarre habit" of bathing every day!
See also
In Spanish: Charlie Utter para niños
