The silver star., 1897-04-08
or cAPr. .sJAcKaoN

Captain George A. jackson, one Of the
pioneers Of 1858. and the discovered Of
.hs first paying gold property In Colorado,
kas accidentally killed by tho dischsFge !
II his own gun last month. The dcci-
dent occurred In Dolores county, vhiie |
he was returning from the Blue mahn- |
tuihs, Utahl which neH camp he ras
developing. Captain Jackson's first His
oovsry Of Spanish Bar at Iduh6 6pEings
was the Immediate cause Of the rush to
"Piket Peak;" and from that time ds$ed
the Development Of the state: With the
departure Of Captain jackson there pass
III from the stags one Of the tiiost inter.
esting characters in Western history.
The only person who could tell the story
Of Captain Jackson's trials and advcat-
ures on the plains and 10 the mountains,
through 4 period extending a far b9ck
as 1867 and embracing 45 years, has d
parted to q world where concerns *
earth have lost their interest.
Captain jackson was about 90 yeaRlfce
sge, but notwfthstsndinR the, hardsiI =
through which be had passed, he wsl y
the tlme Of his death p man Of tnulpl
strength and endurance. He was btrn
In Glasgow. Howard county, Missotfi.
His mother was a cousin Of Kit Carskn.
and the blood Of the Carsons flowed
through his veins. jackson was a nst-
ural plainsmun. and early in lilo be lea(n-
ed the use Of the gun, becoming A6k-
class shot aud hunter OF unusual atl-
ity. This training proved OF invaluaBie
service to him as years passed. and mSny
times he owed his life TO tho quickness
with which ho could make use OF gsn.
He crossed the plains TO California A
1852. with party Of which Kit CataS3
WIS guide After spending five yearn1n
the gold camps Of the coast hc returned
to Missouri, arriving ut his old home in
the summer ri 1851. Rumors Of gold in
1.-THE sands of Cherry creek. on tho eastern
slope of the mountuins. attracted the
young adventurer from peaceful pursuits
and in tho spring Of 1883 he landed In
Auraria, where West Denver is now To-
Gated? On January 8, 1850. with the aid
Of u hunting knife and tin cup, be
gathered % IN gold dust at the mouth
Of Chicago deeek. IN tfd Clear Crock
canon above Idaho Springs. The dis.
| [eeyasx marked the beginning of shc
..n..>l s:..itas>- a-A mo-
Iss..ssS, oas c..sn .isy3ars
single exception. ever known OH the
American contip9ntx ,,
Captain Jackson sTas :. typical south.
ern man. and early in the war hes joined
the Confederutes. lie fought through.
out the war. attaining tho rank OF cap.
tain. 1t is said that no bravcr man ever
wore uniform than Captnin jackson.
He was born without. the sentiment Of
fear. and the stories wl:irE are told Of his
prowess in tho army would nuke vol.
ume At the close OF the bloody con-
hict he made his home in Tcxus, whore
he was marrled. He leaves wife. q
daughter and sdoptee daughter to
mourn his losa. His daughter is Mrs.
Mark w. Atkin1 Of Ouray. and his
adopted daughter. who was also neice.
is married to Samuel Groendyke Of
Denver. whom tho editor 10 worry we'll
acquainted. Mrs. jackson n ut present
making her homo aish rsla: vcs ut Bon.
ham. Texas.
Captain jackson spent the greater
part OF the timc since the war In pros.
pecting Tor gold. He traverssd the
mountains from British America to Mex.
loo many times. was the founder Of half
= SCORE Of mining camps from some OF
which millions Of dollars havb been tax.
or, and was one Of the larsest mining
operators In Southwestern Colorado.
Tho captain met with many dangerous
adventures In the course Of his prospect.
ing journeys. but his love Of outdoor life
him to Utmost inaccessible local.
ities.and II was through this spirit Of In.
vestigation that he finally made what
he considered the greatest discovery Of
his life. In the Blue mountains, Of
Utah, far from human habitation, he 10
Gated gold claims, and several months
ago no introduced an experimental mill
which he considered marked success.
And 70 ended tho oarecr of one Of the
most noted mining promoters Of tho
shtire Western country.
Mst his path 10 the great unknown be
Itrtxn with roses.
~ -. Y "
Rsnsctions 81 . bachelor.
A Riri alvays remembera = thinv nv