Horace Tabor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Horace Austin Warner Tabor
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| United States Senator from Colorado |
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| In office January 27, 1883 – March 3, 1883 |
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| Preceded by | George M. Chilcott |
| Succeeded by | Thomas M. Bowen |
| 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Colorado | |
| In office January 14, 1879 – January 9, 1883 |
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| Governor | Frederick Walker Pitkin |
| Preceded by | Lafayette Head |
| Succeeded by | William H. Meyer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 26, 1830 Holland, Vermont |
| Died | April 10, 1899 (aged 68) Denver, Colorado |
| Political party | Republican |
Horace Austin Warner ("Haw") Tabor (November 26, 1830 – April 10, 1899) was a famous American prospector, businessman, and politician. People also called him "The Bonanza King of Leadville" because he found so much silver!
His life story has been told in many ways. It inspired an opera called The Ballad of Baby Doe and a 1932 Hollywood movie, Silver Dollar. A character in the 1987 novel Silver also has a life story similar to Tabor's.
Contents
Horace Tabor's Amazing Life Story
Horace Tabor was born in Holland, Vermont. He was one of five children in his family.
From Stonemason to Storekeeper
Horace trained as a stonemason. When he was 19, he left home to work in quarries in Maine and Massachusetts. In 1855, he moved to the Kansas Territory. He joined a group that wanted to settle Kansas with people who were against slavery. He farmed land near Manhattan. In 1856, he was elected to a special legislature, but it was soon dissolved.
In 1857, Horace went back to Maine to marry Augusta Pierce. She was the daughter of his old boss. Then, they returned to Kansas. In 1859, rumors of gold started spreading. The couple moved west with other "Fifty-Niners" to Denver (which was part of Kansas Territory then).
In 1861, the Tabors arrived in Buckskin Joe, Colorado. They opened a store there. A few months later, they moved to the Oro City area, where Horace looked for gold. Then, they moved to Leadville. Augusta wrote in her journal about seeing the South Park area for the first time. She said it was "one of Colorado's sunsets," which are "glorious."
After a year in Leadville, gold mining slowed down. The couple returned to Buckskin Joe and stayed there until 1868. Horace was the postmaster there from 1863 to 1868. Augusta often managed the post office and took in boarders. Horace spent his time prospecting in the mines. In 1868, the Tabors moved back to Leadville. They reopened their general store and managed the postal system. Horace also continued prospecting and got involved in business and politics. He was elected mayor of Leadville on January 26, 1878, and served for one year. As mayor, he hired Mart Duggan, a lawman who helped make Leadville safer.
The Silver King of Colorado
On May 3, 1878, two miners, August Rische and George Hook, found huge amounts of silver in their "Little Pittsburg" mine. This discovery started the "Colorado Silver Boom." Horace Tabor had helped Rische and Hook by providing them with supplies for free. In return, he owned one-third of their mine. He used his share to invest in other mines. He eventually sold his part of the Little Pittsburg mine for $1 million. He then bought the very profitable "Matchless Mine" for $117,000.
With his new wealth, Tabor started newspapers and a bank. He also built the Tabor Opera House in Leadville. In Denver, he built the Tabor Grand Opera House and the Tabor Block. He was also very generous. For example, in 1884, he donated the land for the Temple Israel in Leadville.
In 1878, Tabor was elected Lieutenant Governor of Colorado. He served in this role until January 1884. He also served as a U.S. Senator from January 27, 1883, to March 3, 1883. He took over after Henry M. Teller resigned to become a cabinet member for President Chester Arthur.
Horace and Augusta Tabor had a son named Maxey. Their marriage ended in January 1883. On March 1, 1883, Tabor married Elizabeth "Baby Doe" McCourt. They had met three years earlier. They had a public wedding ceremony at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C.. Horace and Baby Doe had two daughters: Elizabeth Bonduel Lily and Rosemary Silver Dollar Echo.
Later Years and Legacy
Horace Tabor ran for governor of Colorado several times but did not win. In 1893, a law called the Sherman Silver Purchase Act was repealed. This caused silver prices to drop, and Tabor lost most of his fortune. His many businesses and properties had to be sold.
Even after losing his wealth, he was still a respected public figure. He was made postmaster of Denver in 1898 and served until his death the next year.
In 1899, Horace became very ill with appendicitis. His last wish to Baby Doe was for her to keep the Matchless mine claim. It is said that she tried, but later lost control of the mine. Baby Doe lived in the tool shed of the Matchless mine for thirty years. She died there.
Augusta Tabor, Horace's first wife, became very wealthy in her later years. When she died in 1895, she was one of the richest people in Denver.
When Horace Tabor died in 1899, flags were flown at half staff. Ten thousand people reportedly attended his funeral. He was buried in Denver. Later, his body was moved to Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Jefferson County, Colorado. He now rests there beside Baby Doe.
A lake at the base of Tabor Peak is named after him. It is about 12 miles southwest of Leadville.
The actor Don Haggerty played Tabor in a 1967 TV show called Death Valley Days.
The Story of Silver Dollar Tabor
Horace and Baby Doe's second daughter was named Rosemary Silver Dollar Echo Honeymaid Tabor. The name "Silver Dollar" came from a visit by politician William Jennings Bryan in 1890. He heard the baby laugh and said, "Why Senator, that baby's laughter has the ring of a silver dollar!" This inspired her unique name.
Silver Dollar grew up and worked as a newspaper reporter in Denver. She wanted to write a novel called Star of Blood. She moved to Chicago and lived simply to work on her book. However, her book was not popular.
Silver Dollar used her small fame to get minor acting jobs. She died at age thirty-five in 1925 in an accident.
Images for kids
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Tabor's general store, originally in Buckskin Joe, Colorado, now in the Buckskin Joe theme park near Canon City, Colorado
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Baby Doe, around 1883
