Richens Lacey Wootton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richens Lacey Wootton
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Richens Lacey Wootton
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| Born | 1816 Virginia
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| Died | 1893 (aged 76–77) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Frontiersman |
Richens Lacy Wootton (1816 - 1893), often called "Uncle Dick" Wootton, was a famous American frontiersman. He was born in Virginia but spent most of his life in Colorado. He was known for his adventurous spirit and for building an important road.
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Who Was Uncle Dick Wootton?
Richens Wootton was born in 1816. He grew up to become a true frontiersman. This means he was someone who explored and lived in the wild, undeveloped parts of America. He was known for being tough and resourceful.
Early Life and Adventures
When he was young, Wootton worked as a mountain man. Mountain men were trappers and explorers. They lived off the land, often hunting animals for their furs. He also worked as a hunter at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. This fort was an important trading post in the American West.
Building the Raton Pass Road
One of Uncle Dick Wootton's most famous achievements was building a toll road in 1866. This road went through Raton Pass. A toll road is one where you pay a fee to use it. He hired members of the Ute people tribe, led by Chief Conniache, to help build it. This road made travel much easier through the mountains. Later, he sold this important road to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. This railway was a big railroad company.
Uncle Dick in Books
Uncle Dick Wootton is a character in some books. He appears in Flashman and the Redskins. In this story, a character named Harry Paget Flashman hires him as a guide. Wootton is also mentioned in the famous book "Centennial" by James Michener.
