Hunki Dori Consolidated Silver Mining Company

Summit County, Colorado

Signed: H. A. W. Tabor

Issued/Uncancelled, dated 1890.  Issued at Denver, Colorado

Properties located at Summit County, Colorado

Certificate is signed by  Horace Austin Warner Tabor

Horace Austin Warner Tabor - Also known as "Bonanza King of Leadville", Horace moved to Denver with his wife, Augusta,  in 1859 in search of gold.  They found themselves in Leadville in 1877 where they ran the postal system and a general store.  H.A.W. Tabor was elected Mayor of Leadville in January, 1878.   Later that spring, the Little Pittsburg Mine was discovered, of which Tabor owned part interest.  This fabulously rich mine was the beginning of the Silver Boom for Leadville and a rise to riches for Tabor.  He sold his interest in the Little Pittsburg for one million dollars and purchased the Matchless Mine.   The Matchless made the Tabor's fabulously rich and Horace began divesting his wealth by establishing a bank, newspaper, and an opera house in Leadville.   In addition, he built the Tabor Grand Opera House in Denver. 

Tabor was a well-connected man and was deeply involved in politics.  In 1878, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Colorado where he served until 1884.  He served briefly as a U.S. Senator in 1883 following the resignation of Henry M. Teller.   He unsuccessfully ran for governor of Colorado in 1884, 1886, and 1888.

Horace's relationship with Augusta became strained and the pair drifted apart.  He met "Baby Doe" and they were married in 1883.    Tabor's great wealth was tied so closely to his silver that after the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893 devastated Tabor's fortune, along with Leadville and most of the silver Camps in the state of Colorado.   Tabor continued his life as a public servant becoming postmaster of Denver in 1898.   He suffered from appendicitis and died in 1899.   One of his last pleas to "Baby Doe" was to hold onto the Matchless Mine, no matter what.   "Baby Doe" did just that and lived next to the mine for over 30 years.  She was found frozen to death in a shack next to the mine in 1935.    A sad end to the tragic decline of a once proud and powerful man and his family. 

Signature is bright and strong.

Certificate is in F condition.  Corner has been repaired - see scan

Offered at: $400

Item #AU72907      Order Now!

Cripple Creek Catalogue  |  Autographs Home  |  DSE Home

This page has been visited times.