Gilpin observer., 1909-11-11
CALLED BY DEATH

AS the years fade, SO pass from
life the old pioneers who wended
their way half century ago to the
geld fields of Colorado. The last Of
these old settlers to answer the sum-
mons is David Henderson, who died
in this city last Friday evening at
the age of rs years. Hardening of the
arteries was the cause Of death. De-
ceased was taken sick three weeks
ago and had to take to his bed. At the
time it was not thought that any
thing of a serious nature allied the
old gentleman. He gradually declined,
though, despite the efforts Of physi-
clans to effect his recovery.
Sunday afternoon services were
held at the Presbyterian church in
this city and the remains were then
taken to Denver where services were
also held the following day at Fair
mont cemetery where interment took
place.
David Henderson was born in Scot
land and came to this country from
Dundee when young. man. He first
located in New York, where he fol-
lowed his profession as a carpenter.
OF a rowing disposition and a longing
for the west, he left New York and
came to Leavenworth, Kas. firing Of
that place after two or three years
residence and learning of the wealth
to be made in the newly discovered
gold fields of Colorado, he came to
this state. A short time he resided
in Denver and came up Clear Creek
until he reached this city. He ar
rived here in 1860 and lost no time
in exploring the gulches for gold. He
bought a placer claim during that
metal at the mouth Of Gold Run at
its junction with Russell Gulch. He
was very successful at gulch mining
and made money from the very
ground that others had abandoned
as practically worthless. He acquired
quite a stake at placer mining, re-
naming with it until he was attract
ed by the big boom which was on in
the Black Hills when gold was dis
covered in that camp in '76. He went
to the Black Hills country and re-
mained there five or six years and
then returned to Central. He was al
SO one of the first in the Leadville
rush, but in none of these camps was
ne as successful as when in Gilpin
county.
In May, 1887, with John C. Jenkins
and Dan Mckay he purchased the
hardware business of C. w. Ladd.
The firm of jenkins Mckay & Co.,
was formed and he retained partner
ship in the business until his death.
He accumulated a handsome fortune
and his estate is valued at between
s125,O00 and Sl50,000. 1t consists of
the For Far mine. the Henderson
block where he lived, and the rest
is in secureties and cash. J. c. Jen-
kins has been appointed administra-
tor of the estate, being required to
give a bond of quarter of million
of dollars.
David Henderson was man Of re-
tiring disposition and very eccentric.
He was an uItiring worker and the
happiest moments of his life were
when he was at his bench in the
timing department Of the hardware
store. He seldom had very much to
say and gave little thought to any
thing other than his work. His mon
cy didn't seem to trouble him, for
while he had fortune sufficient for
the ordinary man, it was not for
wealth that he cared particularly
He was not avaricious or miserly and
was always ready to respond to the
call of the needy. While he lived 4
peculiar life, it to him was happy
cne, and what matters it to man
how he devotes the declining years
SO long as he is happy and content
ed. His business associates wanted
him to quit work some years ago and
live the remainder of his life in ease
but to this he would not listen. He
was energetic, industrious and inclin
cd to life OF work-and In idlenesa
he would have found discontentment
He, perhaps, took 4 wise view of the
situation in refusing to fight his In
clinations. Deceased had no relatives
in this country but leaves two broth
ers, two sisters and several nieces
in Scotland
Card Of Thanks.
To the kind neiphhnrS and friendr