Julie Lence's Blog, page 3
August 2, 2023
Pennsylvania Hospital & the Apothecary
Ye olde Apothecary. Alan Jackson mentions it in his song, Little Man, referring to something from yesteryear that’s no longer in existence today. For many of us, the term ‘yesteryear’ hints to the 1700 or 1800’s, but the first apothecary originated in 754 AD in Baghdad and was operated by chemistry founder, Jaber Ibn Hayyan. Fast forward to the Grocers, a delivery company in London, whose roots extend back to the Guild of Pepperers circa in 1180. The Spicers joined the Guild of Pepperers in 1316, and by 1428, the Pepperers were wholesale merchant traders dealing en gros (where we get the term grocer), and established the Worshipful Company of Grocers. (During the thirteenth century, apothecary acquired another definition as the person who sold these items from his shop or street cart. The term en gros describes a person or company who buys in bulk.)
The Grocers were located in Bucklersbury. They had plenty of shops to store and sell their spices, confectionery, perfumes, wines, herbs and drugs. The spice trade and the development of the pharmacy were dependent on each other, leading to the opening of spicer apothecaries. By the mid-16th century, the spicer apothecaries were today’s version of a Walgreen’s pharmacy, with each shop owner regarded as a highly valued medical professional.
One of the first apothecaries in a United States hospital was created at the nation’s first hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH). In order to better serve their patients medicinal needs, PAH looked for ways to expand, which included incorporating their own apothecary. Founded in 1751, construction of the 3 sections in the Pine Building depended solely on donations from the wealthy, and took roughly 50 years to join the east wing to the west wing and to the dome shaped center where surgeries were performed on the upper floor. The main floor of the dome was the Great Court, housing administrative offices, living quarters for employees and servants, and the Apothecary. PAH co-founder, Thomas Bond, petitioned the Board of Managers for the Apothecary, urging them to contact their associates in England for a person highly qualified in Chemistry and able to manage a small laboratory but not required to diagnose illness or treat wounds, and bring him to the hospital as quickly as possible. The board approved Bond’s request for an apothecary, and by the end of the 18th century, they expanded the apothecary to keep up with an influx of patients by hiring William Gardner as an apprentice in the lab. (It is worth noting that many apothecaries did not attend medical school. They learned their job through apprenticeships.) In 1808, another request was sent to the board to further expand the apothecary, this time explaining surgeons required another person to help because of another increase in patients. The request was honored, with the board relocating the apothecary to a bigger area, and later expanding the dispensing of medicine to employees as well as patients.
Other well-known cities to house apothecaries were Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and what is now Kingston, New York where Gysbert van Imbroch had a general store that sold medicine from 1663-1665. As with the earlier shops in London, many of these stores also sold general goods, perfumes, cosmetics, and assorted drinks. But while the apothecary was fast gaining ground in eastern U.S.A., it wasn’t until the late 1840’s that ‘druggists’ and apothecaries hit the western part of the country. Most of them had never studied science or medicine, and doctor was not their only profession. Dr. William B. Osborn is credited with opening the first ‘drug store’ in Los Angeles, but he handed the business to Dr. James McFarland and John Gately Downey. McFarland and Downey’s store was actually run by Dr. Alexander Hope, another ‘druggist’, as Downey had previously apprenticed in Washington, D.C, and upon arriving in California turned his attention to politics. By 1856, both Downey and McFarland had left their store.
As was the practice of other apothecaries, PAH’s apothecary not only gave out medicines to patients, but also sold soaps, candles and tobacco, and continues to sell a variety of items, with the apothecary ( pharmacist) more essential to a patient’s care than in the past. Today, PAH’s Outpatient pharmacy is located in a different building and has a team of 15 members to fill more than 72,000 prescriptions yearly, as well as provide follow-up calls, give immunizations shots, and ensure patients are comfortable with their medication regimens. The original apothecary had been renovated into office space for hospital administrator and president Robert Cathcart until his 1991 retirement. Today, it’s a conference room with a view of the hospital grounds. In 1997, the board decided to merge with the University of Pennsylvania Health System. In 200, the hospital celebrated it’s 250th anniversary and on June 22, 1965, it was dedicated a National Historical Landmark.
The Grocers were located in Bucklersbury. They had plenty of shops to store and sell their spices, confectionery, perfumes, wines, herbs and drugs. The spice trade and the development of the pharmacy were dependent on each other, leading to the opening of spicer apothecaries. By the mid-16th century, the spicer apothecaries were today’s version of a Walgreen’s pharmacy, with each shop owner regarded as a highly valued medical professional.
One of the first apothecaries in a United States hospital was created at the nation’s first hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH). In order to better serve their patients medicinal needs, PAH looked for ways to expand, which included incorporating their own apothecary. Founded in 1751, construction of the 3 sections in the Pine Building depended solely on donations from the wealthy, and took roughly 50 years to join the east wing to the west wing and to the dome shaped center where surgeries were performed on the upper floor. The main floor of the dome was the Great Court, housing administrative offices, living quarters for employees and servants, and the Apothecary. PAH co-founder, Thomas Bond, petitioned the Board of Managers for the Apothecary, urging them to contact their associates in England for a person highly qualified in Chemistry and able to manage a small laboratory but not required to diagnose illness or treat wounds, and bring him to the hospital as quickly as possible. The board approved Bond’s request for an apothecary, and by the end of the 18th century, they expanded the apothecary to keep up with an influx of patients by hiring William Gardner as an apprentice in the lab. (It is worth noting that many apothecaries did not attend medical school. They learned their job through apprenticeships.) In 1808, another request was sent to the board to further expand the apothecary, this time explaining surgeons required another person to help because of another increase in patients. The request was honored, with the board relocating the apothecary to a bigger area, and later expanding the dispensing of medicine to employees as well as patients.
Other well-known cities to house apothecaries were Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and what is now Kingston, New York where Gysbert van Imbroch had a general store that sold medicine from 1663-1665. As with the earlier shops in London, many of these stores also sold general goods, perfumes, cosmetics, and assorted drinks. But while the apothecary was fast gaining ground in eastern U.S.A., it wasn’t until the late 1840’s that ‘druggists’ and apothecaries hit the western part of the country. Most of them had never studied science or medicine, and doctor was not their only profession. Dr. William B. Osborn is credited with opening the first ‘drug store’ in Los Angeles, but he handed the business to Dr. James McFarland and John Gately Downey. McFarland and Downey’s store was actually run by Dr. Alexander Hope, another ‘druggist’, as Downey had previously apprenticed in Washington, D.C, and upon arriving in California turned his attention to politics. By 1856, both Downey and McFarland had left their store.
As was the practice of other apothecaries, PAH’s apothecary not only gave out medicines to patients, but also sold soaps, candles and tobacco, and continues to sell a variety of items, with the apothecary ( pharmacist) more essential to a patient’s care than in the past. Today, PAH’s Outpatient pharmacy is located in a different building and has a team of 15 members to fill more than 72,000 prescriptions yearly, as well as provide follow-up calls, give immunizations shots, and ensure patients are comfortable with their medication regimens. The original apothecary had been renovated into office space for hospital administrator and president Robert Cathcart until his 1991 retirement. Today, it’s a conference room with a view of the hospital grounds. In 1997, the board decided to merge with the University of Pennsylvania Health System. In 200, the hospital celebrated it’s 250th anniversary and on June 22, 1965, it was dedicated a National Historical Landmark.
July 5, 2023
Denver Madame Mattie Silks
Last month I blogged about Denver Madame, Jennie Rogers. This month I’m featuring Jennie’s rival and friend, Mattie Silks.
Mattie was born in 1847. Some historians believe she was born in Terre Haute, Indiana while others say she was born in Buffalo, New York. Regardless of which is true, little is known about her childhood, including her maiden name or the reason she ran away from home when she was 16. By age nineteen, she was running a brothel in Springfield, Illinois. Many believe her to be the youngest madame on record, and Mattie credits her short height, ample bosom and blonde beauty in aiding her success. She was also a shrewd businesswoman and used those smarts to follow the railroad west, opening several houses along the way to serve the men building the railroad. Trekking through Kansas, and always carrying a gun, she met the love of her life, Cort Thomson, who left his family to follow Mattie. Cort was tall and handsome, thought of himself as a southern gentleman, and held the occupation of professional runner. He firmly believed regular work was below him and would rather move from town to town to run foot races against the locals, earning a wage through the bets placed on him. He also gambled, drank, spent a lot of Mattie’s money, and was married to a woman in Texas who would not give him a divorce, so he and Mattie ‘lived together’.
With Cort at her side, Mattie arrived in Colorado and opened brothels in Leadville and Georgetown before settling in Denver in 1876. She was 29 years old, and like her rival Jennie Silks, knew she could make more money in Denver from the men coming down from the mines in the mountain in search of female companionship. She eventually bought a house on McGaa Street, which later became Holladay Street and is currently Market Street. She hired twelve ‘boarders’ to occupy the house, then went on to buy more buildings on Holladay and rent them to other madames. Because of her love for silk dresses, it is thought this is where her last name originated, though no one knows for sure. Gossip suggests that while in Georgetown she struck up a relationship with George A. Silks, who was a bartender and professional gambler, but with Cort usually close to her and the fact no record exists of Mattie and George marrying, and Mattie using the name Silks while in Kansas, this bit of gossip is likely false.
As with other madames, Mattie did have a wild side and often found scandals attached to her name. She was arrested several times for fighting with other women in the trade, mostly over money or Cort, her most famous fight over him involving Katie Fulton. Mattie had won a thousand dollars on one of Cort’s footraces and threw a party to celebrate. Katie was in attendance and had been trying for weeks to lure Cort from Mattie. The situation came to a head at the party, and with each believing she was the better shot, they dueled in the street with pistols and missed each other, but Cort was grazed along the neck. Some suggest Mattie’s bullet struck him. Others say Katie’s bullet struck him, and each side of the debate wonders if the shooter actually meant to shoot him and not her adversary? With Cort bleeding and Mattie unable to stop the flow, she took him to the hospital. Eventually, he forgave her. She took him back and life continued.
With her business savvy of buying and selling properties along Holladay street, plus her venture into horse racing, Mattie enjoyed a rich lifestyle, complete with expensive clothes she often went to Kansas to purchase. Her dresses always had two pockets; the left to hold gold coins and the right to hold her ivory handled pistol. She became known around Denver as the Queen of the Red Light District, and purchased a ranch for Cort near Wray, keeping the title in her name. Which was a good thing. In 1884, word arrived that Cort’s wife has passed away, leaving him free to marry Mattie, which he did. His daughter (some suggest his granddaughter) came to live with them, but theirs was not a happy home. Cort never abandoned his ways of gambling, drinking, and cheating, and Mattie finally filed for divorce in April 1891. She asked the court to return all of the ranch’s holding to her name, stating that she had given Cort money to keep the ranch going and upon his wasting it on woman, booze and gambling, she feared he was going to sell off everything and continue with his waywardness. The court granted her request, and later, Cort apologized to Mattie. She took him back and ceased with the divorce.
Mattie and Cort traveled to London in 1897 for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and then went on to Klondike to join the gold rush. Mattie ran a house in Dawson City and Cort continued with his gambling and living off of Mattie’s money until Mattie decided she didn’t like living in the mud and the rain and paid an enormous amount for them to return to Denver and her stable of 21 horses on her ranch in Wray before the weather changed and kept them in Klondike. (Interestingly, only one ever won a race.) Mattie resided in a small house on Lawrence Street, keeping her business separate from her personal life, while Cort stayed at the ranch. After a while, neighbors accused him of stealing their stock and changing their brands to his. Hearing the accusations, Mattie hired a new foreman, Jack Ready, to run the ranch correctly . Cort was eventually jailed for a spell, and in 1903 he became deathly ill after accepting a drink from his ranch hands. Mattie was by his side when he died a few days later, some say not from poison but from cirrhosis. She adopted his daughter, Rita, who was sixteen at the time. Rita married at age 18 and Mattie sold the ranch, moving foreman Jack Ready to Denver, where he became her bookkeeper and bouncer.
As I mentioned last month, Mattie went on to buy Jennie Rogers’ parlor, dubbed the House of Mirrors, when Jennie died and had her name, M. Silks, engraved on the door. In 1915, prostitution was abolished and Mattie’s reign as Queen of the Red Light District ended. She tried her hand at operating a hotel, but gave up and went on to sell much of her belongings, taking up residence in a cottage on Lawrence Street. At 77, she fell and broke hip, did so a second time and landed in the hospital. To ensure she had someone to take care of her, she married Jack, and later passed at age 83 in 1929, leaving her estate, which wasn’t much for a woman who has once been filthy rich, to Jack and to Rita. She was buried in Fairmount Cemetery under the name Martha A. Ready, with Cort’s unmarked grave beside her.
Mattie was born in 1847. Some historians believe she was born in Terre Haute, Indiana while others say she was born in Buffalo, New York. Regardless of which is true, little is known about her childhood, including her maiden name or the reason she ran away from home when she was 16. By age nineteen, she was running a brothel in Springfield, Illinois. Many believe her to be the youngest madame on record, and Mattie credits her short height, ample bosom and blonde beauty in aiding her success. She was also a shrewd businesswoman and used those smarts to follow the railroad west, opening several houses along the way to serve the men building the railroad. Trekking through Kansas, and always carrying a gun, she met the love of her life, Cort Thomson, who left his family to follow Mattie. Cort was tall and handsome, thought of himself as a southern gentleman, and held the occupation of professional runner. He firmly believed regular work was below him and would rather move from town to town to run foot races against the locals, earning a wage through the bets placed on him. He also gambled, drank, spent a lot of Mattie’s money, and was married to a woman in Texas who would not give him a divorce, so he and Mattie ‘lived together’.
With Cort at her side, Mattie arrived in Colorado and opened brothels in Leadville and Georgetown before settling in Denver in 1876. She was 29 years old, and like her rival Jennie Silks, knew she could make more money in Denver from the men coming down from the mines in the mountain in search of female companionship. She eventually bought a house on McGaa Street, which later became Holladay Street and is currently Market Street. She hired twelve ‘boarders’ to occupy the house, then went on to buy more buildings on Holladay and rent them to other madames. Because of her love for silk dresses, it is thought this is where her last name originated, though no one knows for sure. Gossip suggests that while in Georgetown she struck up a relationship with George A. Silks, who was a bartender and professional gambler, but with Cort usually close to her and the fact no record exists of Mattie and George marrying, and Mattie using the name Silks while in Kansas, this bit of gossip is likely false.
As with other madames, Mattie did have a wild side and often found scandals attached to her name. She was arrested several times for fighting with other women in the trade, mostly over money or Cort, her most famous fight over him involving Katie Fulton. Mattie had won a thousand dollars on one of Cort’s footraces and threw a party to celebrate. Katie was in attendance and had been trying for weeks to lure Cort from Mattie. The situation came to a head at the party, and with each believing she was the better shot, they dueled in the street with pistols and missed each other, but Cort was grazed along the neck. Some suggest Mattie’s bullet struck him. Others say Katie’s bullet struck him, and each side of the debate wonders if the shooter actually meant to shoot him and not her adversary? With Cort bleeding and Mattie unable to stop the flow, she took him to the hospital. Eventually, he forgave her. She took him back and life continued.
With her business savvy of buying and selling properties along Holladay street, plus her venture into horse racing, Mattie enjoyed a rich lifestyle, complete with expensive clothes she often went to Kansas to purchase. Her dresses always had two pockets; the left to hold gold coins and the right to hold her ivory handled pistol. She became known around Denver as the Queen of the Red Light District, and purchased a ranch for Cort near Wray, keeping the title in her name. Which was a good thing. In 1884, word arrived that Cort’s wife has passed away, leaving him free to marry Mattie, which he did. His daughter (some suggest his granddaughter) came to live with them, but theirs was not a happy home. Cort never abandoned his ways of gambling, drinking, and cheating, and Mattie finally filed for divorce in April 1891. She asked the court to return all of the ranch’s holding to her name, stating that she had given Cort money to keep the ranch going and upon his wasting it on woman, booze and gambling, she feared he was going to sell off everything and continue with his waywardness. The court granted her request, and later, Cort apologized to Mattie. She took him back and ceased with the divorce.
Mattie and Cort traveled to London in 1897 for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and then went on to Klondike to join the gold rush. Mattie ran a house in Dawson City and Cort continued with his gambling and living off of Mattie’s money until Mattie decided she didn’t like living in the mud and the rain and paid an enormous amount for them to return to Denver and her stable of 21 horses on her ranch in Wray before the weather changed and kept them in Klondike. (Interestingly, only one ever won a race.) Mattie resided in a small house on Lawrence Street, keeping her business separate from her personal life, while Cort stayed at the ranch. After a while, neighbors accused him of stealing their stock and changing their brands to his. Hearing the accusations, Mattie hired a new foreman, Jack Ready, to run the ranch correctly . Cort was eventually jailed for a spell, and in 1903 he became deathly ill after accepting a drink from his ranch hands. Mattie was by his side when he died a few days later, some say not from poison but from cirrhosis. She adopted his daughter, Rita, who was sixteen at the time. Rita married at age 18 and Mattie sold the ranch, moving foreman Jack Ready to Denver, where he became her bookkeeper and bouncer.
As I mentioned last month, Mattie went on to buy Jennie Rogers’ parlor, dubbed the House of Mirrors, when Jennie died and had her name, M. Silks, engraved on the door. In 1915, prostitution was abolished and Mattie’s reign as Queen of the Red Light District ended. She tried her hand at operating a hotel, but gave up and went on to sell much of her belongings, taking up residence in a cottage on Lawrence Street. At 77, she fell and broke hip, did so a second time and landed in the hospital. To ensure she had someone to take care of her, she married Jack, and later passed at age 83 in 1929, leaving her estate, which wasn’t much for a woman who has once been filthy rich, to Jack and to Rita. She was buried in Fairmount Cemetery under the name Martha A. Ready, with Cort’s unmarked grave beside her.
June 7, 2023
Denver Madame Jennie Rogers
Back in the day of guns, gambling, and girls, Jennie Rogers was one of Denver’s most popular and richest madams. Alongside friend and rival Mattie Silks, men seeking a break from panning for gold or just wanting female company would seek out one of the two famous houses along Holladay street. Located in downtown Denver and named after Ben Holladay, the street’s name was changed to Market Street after Holladay’s heirs petitioned city council for the change as the street had gained an unsavory reputation throughout the west.
Described as the most beautiful of all the madams on Holladay Street, Jennie hailed from Pennsylvania. Born on July 4th in Allegheny, her given name is thought to be Leah Weaver or Leah Tehme. Her father was farmer John Weaver and she aided the family’s income by selling produce in Pittsburgh’s market area. It was there that she caught the eye of Doctor G. Fries. The two married but with Fries’ job keeping him from home too many instances, Jennie eventually left the marriage and took to traveling the waterways in Pennsylvania and Ohio where she met a steamship captain. She tired of that relationship, and around circa 1870 she took a position as maid to Pittsburgh’s mayor, but when rumors began to circulate regarding her unsavory past, the mayor, though he liked Jennie, was forced to let her go, lending her a large amount of money so she could start her own business. She did, opening her first parlor house in St. Louis.
Jennie’s house in St. Louis was a success, but she eventually heard of the gold and silver rushes happening in Colorado and moved to Denver. Her first house on Holladay Street she purchased from Mattie Silks for $4,600. She made that money back in less than a month, but Jennie’s house wasn’t run as cleanly as Mattie’s. Customers were arrested for smoking opium, some of her girls were arrested for the same and for stealing, and with society women in an uproar over the redlight district, 1886 saw the law cracking down on the parlor houses. Unfathomed by this, Jennie went on to improve her house. Hating the stench hanging in the air of her home from stale perfume and cigars, Jennie was the first madame to open her windows and let in the fresh air, installing bars over the windows so her girls couldn’t admit a man they favored for free. She added fresh wall paper and paint and went on to purchase the house next door, where she joined the two by having a walk knocked out.
Jennie was involved in numerous scandals, most of which are attributed to gossip, with her most famous one involving her wanting to purchase an even bigger house. It was said she had a boyfriend in St. Louis who was the police chief. When Jennie was ready to buy a larger house, wealthy Denver businessman George Splevin was running for governor. Splevin gained his wealth from taking over the company he currently owned and by marrying the former owner’s wife. Rumors abounded regarding Splevin’s first wife as she just seemed to disappear, so Jennie’s boyfriend concocted a blackmail scheme where he buried a skull in Splevin’s backyard and had the ‘D.A.’ dig it up, claiming it to belonged to Splevin’s first wife. In exchange for the charges being dropped, Splevin gave Jennie the $17,000 she need to buy her new house.
Jennie furnished the inside of her new home with oriental rugs, paintings, plush furniture, eye maple tables with mother-of-pearl inlay and a walnut staircase in the entry way leading to the girls’ rooms. She also had a parlor of mirrors and furnished the ballroom’s ceiling with a sixteen foot mirror, but those weren’t the parlor’s only claim to fame. Outside, at the top of the grey stone building’s 3rd story a face was carved in the stone. Most believed this was Jennie’s face. Along the top of the 2nd floor were the faces of 2 men and 2 women. Many thought they represented Jennie’s boyfriend, George Splevin and his 2 wives. Finished with this house, Jennie again bought the house next door and had a door cut into the wall to join the two, making her parlor rival those in San Francisco.
In her personal life, Jennie’s relationship with the police chief fizzled out and she went on to marry John Wood, a bartender from the Brown Palace Hotel. She set him up in his own saloon in Salt Lake City, with folks speculating she wanted to keep her personal life and business separate, and for a time she was happy until she caught him cheating on her. She shot and wounded him and then divorced him. Upon returning to Denver, she expanded her business and holdings, including buying land in the northern area of the city and buying several shares in an irrigation and reservoir project in Logan County. In 1889, she learned her former husband was in Omaha running a saloon. They corresponded, married again in August 1889, and stayed together until John died 8 years later.
Jennie played a crucial role during the Panic of 1893 by supporting hundreds of destitute women. Instead of installing them in parlor houses, she set them up in respectable boarding houses until she could send them home. She also organized a retaliation when Denver’s city council passed an ordinance requiring soiled doves to wear yellow ribbons in their hair when strolling around town so respectable women could avoid them. Jennie had all of the soiled doves walk down the street outfitted in yellow from head to toe and the ordinance was soon revoked.
As savvy as she was as a business woman, Jennie also loved horses and owned her own stable. She was an exceptional horsewoman and could handle a team better than professional drivers. Often she could be seen driving her matching team of grey horses along the streets of Denver. In 1904 she married again, this time to unsavory Archie Fitzgerald, a man rumored to be a Chicago politician. Their marriage lasted a few years, with Jennie thinking to divorce him after he encouraged her to spend her money on trivial matters such as vacations and after learning he was married to a woman in Kansas City and another on the other side of town. She never did, and stayed with him until her death in October 1909. Once her estate was settled, her parlor was sold to Mattie Silks and still stands today.
Described as the most beautiful of all the madams on Holladay Street, Jennie hailed from Pennsylvania. Born on July 4th in Allegheny, her given name is thought to be Leah Weaver or Leah Tehme. Her father was farmer John Weaver and she aided the family’s income by selling produce in Pittsburgh’s market area. It was there that she caught the eye of Doctor G. Fries. The two married but with Fries’ job keeping him from home too many instances, Jennie eventually left the marriage and took to traveling the waterways in Pennsylvania and Ohio where she met a steamship captain. She tired of that relationship, and around circa 1870 she took a position as maid to Pittsburgh’s mayor, but when rumors began to circulate regarding her unsavory past, the mayor, though he liked Jennie, was forced to let her go, lending her a large amount of money so she could start her own business. She did, opening her first parlor house in St. Louis.
Jennie’s house in St. Louis was a success, but she eventually heard of the gold and silver rushes happening in Colorado and moved to Denver. Her first house on Holladay Street she purchased from Mattie Silks for $4,600. She made that money back in less than a month, but Jennie’s house wasn’t run as cleanly as Mattie’s. Customers were arrested for smoking opium, some of her girls were arrested for the same and for stealing, and with society women in an uproar over the redlight district, 1886 saw the law cracking down on the parlor houses. Unfathomed by this, Jennie went on to improve her house. Hating the stench hanging in the air of her home from stale perfume and cigars, Jennie was the first madame to open her windows and let in the fresh air, installing bars over the windows so her girls couldn’t admit a man they favored for free. She added fresh wall paper and paint and went on to purchase the house next door, where she joined the two by having a walk knocked out.
Jennie was involved in numerous scandals, most of which are attributed to gossip, with her most famous one involving her wanting to purchase an even bigger house. It was said she had a boyfriend in St. Louis who was the police chief. When Jennie was ready to buy a larger house, wealthy Denver businessman George Splevin was running for governor. Splevin gained his wealth from taking over the company he currently owned and by marrying the former owner’s wife. Rumors abounded regarding Splevin’s first wife as she just seemed to disappear, so Jennie’s boyfriend concocted a blackmail scheme where he buried a skull in Splevin’s backyard and had the ‘D.A.’ dig it up, claiming it to belonged to Splevin’s first wife. In exchange for the charges being dropped, Splevin gave Jennie the $17,000 she need to buy her new house.
Jennie furnished the inside of her new home with oriental rugs, paintings, plush furniture, eye maple tables with mother-of-pearl inlay and a walnut staircase in the entry way leading to the girls’ rooms. She also had a parlor of mirrors and furnished the ballroom’s ceiling with a sixteen foot mirror, but those weren’t the parlor’s only claim to fame. Outside, at the top of the grey stone building’s 3rd story a face was carved in the stone. Most believed this was Jennie’s face. Along the top of the 2nd floor were the faces of 2 men and 2 women. Many thought they represented Jennie’s boyfriend, George Splevin and his 2 wives. Finished with this house, Jennie again bought the house next door and had a door cut into the wall to join the two, making her parlor rival those in San Francisco.
In her personal life, Jennie’s relationship with the police chief fizzled out and she went on to marry John Wood, a bartender from the Brown Palace Hotel. She set him up in his own saloon in Salt Lake City, with folks speculating she wanted to keep her personal life and business separate, and for a time she was happy until she caught him cheating on her. She shot and wounded him and then divorced him. Upon returning to Denver, she expanded her business and holdings, including buying land in the northern area of the city and buying several shares in an irrigation and reservoir project in Logan County. In 1889, she learned her former husband was in Omaha running a saloon. They corresponded, married again in August 1889, and stayed together until John died 8 years later.
Jennie played a crucial role during the Panic of 1893 by supporting hundreds of destitute women. Instead of installing them in parlor houses, she set them up in respectable boarding houses until she could send them home. She also organized a retaliation when Denver’s city council passed an ordinance requiring soiled doves to wear yellow ribbons in their hair when strolling around town so respectable women could avoid them. Jennie had all of the soiled doves walk down the street outfitted in yellow from head to toe and the ordinance was soon revoked.
As savvy as she was as a business woman, Jennie also loved horses and owned her own stable. She was an exceptional horsewoman and could handle a team better than professional drivers. Often she could be seen driving her matching team of grey horses along the streets of Denver. In 1904 she married again, this time to unsavory Archie Fitzgerald, a man rumored to be a Chicago politician. Their marriage lasted a few years, with Jennie thinking to divorce him after he encouraged her to spend her money on trivial matters such as vacations and after learning he was married to a woman in Kansas City and another on the other side of town. She never did, and stayed with him until her death in October 1909. Once her estate was settled, her parlor was sold to Mattie Silks and still stands today.
April 5, 2023
Character Interview with Camille Prescott
Last month our interviewer sat down with Burke Montgomery from All I Want for Christmas Is You. This month our interviewer is sitting down with Burke’s heroine, Camille Prescott. She’s lived on a farm her entire life with her parents and older sister. Her father took ill not too long ago and passed, leaving Camille, her mother and sister to take over his chores and keep the farm going. Even before losing her father, Camille knew she never wanted to labor in the fields or chop wood. Watching her sister don a man’s coat and trousers and struggle to keep up with their father’s chores solidified her determination to find a man wealthy enough to ensure the future she wanted. But, as Camille and I settle around the table in her kitchen, a pot of tea and a plate of cookies before us, you’re about to discover that the best laid plans are always susceptible to change.
Thank you for meeting with me, Camille. What can you tell me about Burke Montgomery? What did you think the 1st time you saw him? The first time he came to the farm was with Landry, to help Slade put a new roof on the barn. Slade’s an outlaw and married to my sister. Landry is Slade’s brother. He’s also an outlaw and owns the saloon in Jackson Creek. Burke is his bartender. I only caught a glimpse of Burke that morning as he and Landry rode across the front yard toward the barn. Ma snuck up behind me and yanked me away from the window, bade to mop the floors. From what I remember, Burke sat upright in the saddle and didn’t wear a hat.
What was your 2nd thought? I really don’t know. I guess I thought him handsome enough, (she answers, adding a dollop of cream to her tea.) His shoulders are a lot broader than Doug McCallister. Doug is my sister’s ex-fiancé and wealthy. He had enough men working on his ranch to guarantee I’d never work in the fields. He seemed to like the way I brushed up against; I was sure he’d propose marriage to me before the end of the year. (She wrinkles her nose.) Burke has the nicest eyes, but he didn’t have the wealth to keep me from blistering my hands the way my sister blistered hers when she took over Pa’s chores… before Slade came along and took control of the farm.
How did you go from having an interest in Doug McCallister to having an interest in Burke? Doug and his father fell on hard times and moved away. Before that, Ma insisted on several occasions that Burke join us for the evening meal. He was quiet those nights and had impeccable manners. (She pushes the plate of ginger cookies toward me. ) Have one.
I can’t resist; fresh from the oven, they smell heavenly. Thank you. (I bite into the cookie. Mmmm… they taste every bit as heavenly as they smell.) So, it was during one of those meals that you began to have feelings for Burke? Good heavens, no. His chiseled cheeks may have been enticing, but he was still Landry’s bartender, and bartender’s don’t make a lot of money. (She breaks off a bite of cookie.) Besides, it was right before Doug moved away that Glen Stafford came to Jackson Creek to help his uncle enlarge the Stafford property. Glen has pretty eyes, and gossip around the church yard hinted he had just enough wealth to afford me the lifestyle I wanted. Then Sarah Jane stole him from me. (Camille pouts.) I was heartbroken. (And brightens.) But then, Burke happened along and that’s when I had a change of heart regarding him and his work.
What do you like most about Burke? Where do I start? (She bites down on her fingernail for a moment.) He’s loyal, kind, caring. He loves me, and when he holds me in his arms—arms that are more sinewy than any man I know—I feel cherished and safe, happier than I’ve ever been. He’s a good man, and I’m a lucky girl.
How would Burke describe you? Smug, sassy, bold… He likes that about me. (She smiles fondly.) He’d also say I’m a good cook, the prettiest girl in all of Texas, and the only girl he’s ever loved.
And you love him? More than anything in the world.
To find out just what caused Camille to have a change of heart and determine she loves Burke, grab a copy of their Christmas story and read today. Available only at Amazon.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDGFKF7N
Thank you for meeting with me, Camille. What can you tell me about Burke Montgomery? What did you think the 1st time you saw him? The first time he came to the farm was with Landry, to help Slade put a new roof on the barn. Slade’s an outlaw and married to my sister. Landry is Slade’s brother. He’s also an outlaw and owns the saloon in Jackson Creek. Burke is his bartender. I only caught a glimpse of Burke that morning as he and Landry rode across the front yard toward the barn. Ma snuck up behind me and yanked me away from the window, bade to mop the floors. From what I remember, Burke sat upright in the saddle and didn’t wear a hat.
What was your 2nd thought? I really don’t know. I guess I thought him handsome enough, (she answers, adding a dollop of cream to her tea.) His shoulders are a lot broader than Doug McCallister. Doug is my sister’s ex-fiancé and wealthy. He had enough men working on his ranch to guarantee I’d never work in the fields. He seemed to like the way I brushed up against; I was sure he’d propose marriage to me before the end of the year. (She wrinkles her nose.) Burke has the nicest eyes, but he didn’t have the wealth to keep me from blistering my hands the way my sister blistered hers when she took over Pa’s chores… before Slade came along and took control of the farm.
How did you go from having an interest in Doug McCallister to having an interest in Burke? Doug and his father fell on hard times and moved away. Before that, Ma insisted on several occasions that Burke join us for the evening meal. He was quiet those nights and had impeccable manners. (She pushes the plate of ginger cookies toward me. ) Have one.
I can’t resist; fresh from the oven, they smell heavenly. Thank you. (I bite into the cookie. Mmmm… they taste every bit as heavenly as they smell.) So, it was during one of those meals that you began to have feelings for Burke? Good heavens, no. His chiseled cheeks may have been enticing, but he was still Landry’s bartender, and bartender’s don’t make a lot of money. (She breaks off a bite of cookie.) Besides, it was right before Doug moved away that Glen Stafford came to Jackson Creek to help his uncle enlarge the Stafford property. Glen has pretty eyes, and gossip around the church yard hinted he had just enough wealth to afford me the lifestyle I wanted. Then Sarah Jane stole him from me. (Camille pouts.) I was heartbroken. (And brightens.) But then, Burke happened along and that’s when I had a change of heart regarding him and his work.
What do you like most about Burke? Where do I start? (She bites down on her fingernail for a moment.) He’s loyal, kind, caring. He loves me, and when he holds me in his arms—arms that are more sinewy than any man I know—I feel cherished and safe, happier than I’ve ever been. He’s a good man, and I’m a lucky girl.
How would Burke describe you? Smug, sassy, bold… He likes that about me. (She smiles fondly.) He’d also say I’m a good cook, the prettiest girl in all of Texas, and the only girl he’s ever loved.
And you love him? More than anything in the world.
To find out just what caused Camille to have a change of heart and determine she loves Burke, grab a copy of their Christmas story and read today. Available only at Amazon.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDGFKF7N
Character Interview with Burke Montgomery
From March 2023
October 2022 saw the release of my short Christmas story, All I Want for Christmas Is You, featuring Burke Montgomery and Camille Prescott from the Jackson Creek Series. Burke is the bartender at Landries and has had a soft spot for Camille ever since he arrived in Jackson Creek. Trouble is she wants someone else, someone he deems isn’t the right man for her. Our interviewer caught up with Burke at Landries to afford you the opportunity to get to know him better. As usual, Burke is presiding over the saloon from behind the bar, a soiled cloth in his hand as he rubs at an imaginary spot on the polished wood.
Thanks for meeting with me, Burke. What can you tell me about Camille Prescott? What did you think the 1st time you saw her? Landry—he’s the owner of Landries—and me had just come to town. Houston didn’t hold our interest anymore, even with Landry owning a saloon there, so he sold the place and we headed west. We only stopped in Jackson Creek for food and a night’s sleep in a real bed. But Landry couldn’t sleep after we ate. He went for a drink… and a game of stud. Next morning I found him where I’m standing now, learned he won this here watering hole over the last hand, same as he did the saloon in Houston, and was laying down the rules to the girlies that came with the place… rather, they was laying down the rules to him. There was three of ‘em. Patsy and Myrna are still here. Tawny married Landry’s brother and they moved to a ranch outside of town. Anyway, Landry and me been friends since our days on the riverboat. I ran the saloon for him in Houston and figured I do the same with this one, only the kitchen was filthy. I went to the mercantile for some supplies and that’s when I saw Camille. She was standing outside the mercantile’s door batting her eyelashes at some boy. Prettiest little thing I ever did see… and bold. (Burke pauses from rubbing at the wood to crack a fond grin.) Females like her… young, innocent… usually don’t flirt with a boy in broad daylight for the whole town to see for fear their ma will learn of their doings and take a paddle to their backside. (Burke’s grin widens.) But not Camille. She just kept on flirting with the boy.
What was your 2nd thought? That she should forget the boy and flirt with me. Her soft curves would fit perfect against me, but I knew she wouldn’t do as I wanted. I’m older than her… not much to look at… rough around the edges… I have a reputation, not quite as bad as Landry’s, but one that a proper girl such as her wouldn’t welcome.
Do you think you fell in love with her at first sight? (Burke shrugs.) Don’t know. Maybe. (He rubs at the imaginary spot on the bar again.) She did set my heart to thumping. Then again, other females have done the same. (He stills his hand, stares at the wall across from him, his eyes clouding over.) Camille’s the only one who’s made my gut shake. I’ve laid awake a lot of nights staring up at the ceiling and thinking about her. So yea, maybe it was love at first sight.
What do you like most about Camille? Her smugness. Most would be quick to say that’s a bad thing, but Camille’s smart. She knows what she wants in life and isn’t afraid to go after it, including pampering herself. That’s not to say she lounges in bed and demands others to wait on her. She doesn’t. She cooks, cleans, launders clothes, and affords a lot of care to her features and hands; something I appreciate and others consider arrogant or spoiled.
How would Camille describe you? (Redness creeps into his neck and he rubs at the wood again.) She says she thinks I’m handsome and strong. I think she needs to have her eyes examined; I ain’t nothing special to look at. (He rubs harder at the spot.) She also says I’m a good man, sincere, and caring. And, she likes my smile. (He meets my gaze.) She’s the one who’s good and caring… and naive to the things I’ve done, the men I’ve killed… to stop them from hurting someone else.
What is your biggest fear? That the Lord will banish me to Hell instead of letting me spend eternity with her.
How do you relax? Before Camille, I’d grab a bottle of whiskey and seek solitude in my room. Now, I join her on the sofa and watch the flames flicker in the fireplace. Ain’t nothing on this earth better than her curling against me and caressing my chest.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Landry signed over ownership of the saloon to me just after the new year. Camille and I are planning to serve the noon meal 6 days a week. A lot of places in Dodge and Cheyenne do. She’s a good cook. I am, too, and five years from now, with the money we’ve earned, I see us having help at the saloon’s kitchen and two kids sleeping upstairs while she and I continue to relax on the sofa before the fire.
Thank you for talking with me, Burke. You and Camille are a beautiful couple and your readers and I wish both of you a lifetime of happiness.
To get the full scoop on how Burke turned Camille’s attention from the boy at the mercantile to himself, curl up in your chair with their story, All I Want for Christmas Is You. Available only at Amazon.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDGFKF7N
October 2022 saw the release of my short Christmas story, All I Want for Christmas Is You, featuring Burke Montgomery and Camille Prescott from the Jackson Creek Series. Burke is the bartender at Landries and has had a soft spot for Camille ever since he arrived in Jackson Creek. Trouble is she wants someone else, someone he deems isn’t the right man for her. Our interviewer caught up with Burke at Landries to afford you the opportunity to get to know him better. As usual, Burke is presiding over the saloon from behind the bar, a soiled cloth in his hand as he rubs at an imaginary spot on the polished wood.
Thanks for meeting with me, Burke. What can you tell me about Camille Prescott? What did you think the 1st time you saw her? Landry—he’s the owner of Landries—and me had just come to town. Houston didn’t hold our interest anymore, even with Landry owning a saloon there, so he sold the place and we headed west. We only stopped in Jackson Creek for food and a night’s sleep in a real bed. But Landry couldn’t sleep after we ate. He went for a drink… and a game of stud. Next morning I found him where I’m standing now, learned he won this here watering hole over the last hand, same as he did the saloon in Houston, and was laying down the rules to the girlies that came with the place… rather, they was laying down the rules to him. There was three of ‘em. Patsy and Myrna are still here. Tawny married Landry’s brother and they moved to a ranch outside of town. Anyway, Landry and me been friends since our days on the riverboat. I ran the saloon for him in Houston and figured I do the same with this one, only the kitchen was filthy. I went to the mercantile for some supplies and that’s when I saw Camille. She was standing outside the mercantile’s door batting her eyelashes at some boy. Prettiest little thing I ever did see… and bold. (Burke pauses from rubbing at the wood to crack a fond grin.) Females like her… young, innocent… usually don’t flirt with a boy in broad daylight for the whole town to see for fear their ma will learn of their doings and take a paddle to their backside. (Burke’s grin widens.) But not Camille. She just kept on flirting with the boy.
What was your 2nd thought? That she should forget the boy and flirt with me. Her soft curves would fit perfect against me, but I knew she wouldn’t do as I wanted. I’m older than her… not much to look at… rough around the edges… I have a reputation, not quite as bad as Landry’s, but one that a proper girl such as her wouldn’t welcome.
Do you think you fell in love with her at first sight? (Burke shrugs.) Don’t know. Maybe. (He rubs at the imaginary spot on the bar again.) She did set my heart to thumping. Then again, other females have done the same. (He stills his hand, stares at the wall across from him, his eyes clouding over.) Camille’s the only one who’s made my gut shake. I’ve laid awake a lot of nights staring up at the ceiling and thinking about her. So yea, maybe it was love at first sight.
What do you like most about Camille? Her smugness. Most would be quick to say that’s a bad thing, but Camille’s smart. She knows what she wants in life and isn’t afraid to go after it, including pampering herself. That’s not to say she lounges in bed and demands others to wait on her. She doesn’t. She cooks, cleans, launders clothes, and affords a lot of care to her features and hands; something I appreciate and others consider arrogant or spoiled.
How would Camille describe you? (Redness creeps into his neck and he rubs at the wood again.) She says she thinks I’m handsome and strong. I think she needs to have her eyes examined; I ain’t nothing special to look at. (He rubs harder at the spot.) She also says I’m a good man, sincere, and caring. And, she likes my smile. (He meets my gaze.) She’s the one who’s good and caring… and naive to the things I’ve done, the men I’ve killed… to stop them from hurting someone else.
What is your biggest fear? That the Lord will banish me to Hell instead of letting me spend eternity with her.
How do you relax? Before Camille, I’d grab a bottle of whiskey and seek solitude in my room. Now, I join her on the sofa and watch the flames flicker in the fireplace. Ain’t nothing on this earth better than her curling against me and caressing my chest.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Landry signed over ownership of the saloon to me just after the new year. Camille and I are planning to serve the noon meal 6 days a week. A lot of places in Dodge and Cheyenne do. She’s a good cook. I am, too, and five years from now, with the money we’ve earned, I see us having help at the saloon’s kitchen and two kids sleeping upstairs while she and I continue to relax on the sofa before the fire.
Thank you for talking with me, Burke. You and Camille are a beautiful couple and your readers and I wish both of you a lifetime of happiness.
To get the full scoop on how Burke turned Camille’s attention from the boy at the mercantile to himself, curl up in your chair with their story, All I Want for Christmas Is You. Available only at Amazon.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDGFKF7N
November 2, 2022
The Making of a Good Villain
In writing romance, some stories deserve a good villain. Developing such a character sometimes proves easier and more fun than creating the hero and heroine. A villain has a lot more leeway on what he can say or do. He’s the one person you enjoy hating, (think of J.R. Ewing), or even cheer for. Heroes and heroines have to be likeable and cannot commit too many dastardly deeds without good reason (think Bobby Ewing). But what drives a villain? And does a villain have to be a person?
As I do when creating my heroes and heroines, I sit down at my computer and imagine my villain’s appearance. Does he have dark hair? Or he is blond? What color are his eyes? Does he have any visible scars? Is he tall? Is he physically strong? And more importantly, how did he arrive at the point of his life where the story begins?
One of the best villains I created was Lady Luck’s William Larsen. Driven by money and comfort, William was evil to the bone and didn’t care who he killed or hurt just as long as he was the victor in any given situation. He wasn’t a big man, appeared to be a weakling by the henchmen he kept in his employ and the bodyguards who shadowed him, and if you ask the women he kept time with, most would say he wasn’t handsome; their only reasons for being his mistress either his money or fear. As I delved deeper into William’s psyche, because, after all, what makes a man that money hungry and evil, I learned his was not a happy, or normal, childhood. He was an orphan, living along the docks on the east coast, pilfering what little food and clothes he could, taking shelter in one shack after another, fear and human instinct to survive pulsing through him. As he matured, it was the fear of losing what little he’d scrappled to gain and forever living in poverty that kept him chained to darkness; a man who was unwilling to trade his ill-found wealth for honor, friendship, and even love.
Where William is a villain in the form of a person, can there be another form of a villain? One where the author doesn’t imagine hair color or physique but rather something below the surface that can’t be seen with the naked eye? There is and Hunter Barlow knows this villain well. The son of a madame who viewed him as nothing more than a nuisance and brothers who deserted him, one could make the assumption that Hunter’s mother and brothers are the villains in his story, but in truth, Hunter’s emotional turmoil is the antagonist to his protagonist. Betrayal and heartache are what he has to acknowledge and defeat, not a face determined to see him penniless or dead, and sometimes it’s those battles that fester deep within that are much harder to defeat than an evil man.
Whether a person or an emotion, delve as deep as you can into your villain. Find out the reason for such evilness or for a deep-rooted fear of never being loved. I guarantee your snooping will lead you to places you never imagined, and make your story that much better. And your hero will thank you for it.
As I do when creating my heroes and heroines, I sit down at my computer and imagine my villain’s appearance. Does he have dark hair? Or he is blond? What color are his eyes? Does he have any visible scars? Is he tall? Is he physically strong? And more importantly, how did he arrive at the point of his life where the story begins?
One of the best villains I created was Lady Luck’s William Larsen. Driven by money and comfort, William was evil to the bone and didn’t care who he killed or hurt just as long as he was the victor in any given situation. He wasn’t a big man, appeared to be a weakling by the henchmen he kept in his employ and the bodyguards who shadowed him, and if you ask the women he kept time with, most would say he wasn’t handsome; their only reasons for being his mistress either his money or fear. As I delved deeper into William’s psyche, because, after all, what makes a man that money hungry and evil, I learned his was not a happy, or normal, childhood. He was an orphan, living along the docks on the east coast, pilfering what little food and clothes he could, taking shelter in one shack after another, fear and human instinct to survive pulsing through him. As he matured, it was the fear of losing what little he’d scrappled to gain and forever living in poverty that kept him chained to darkness; a man who was unwilling to trade his ill-found wealth for honor, friendship, and even love.
Where William is a villain in the form of a person, can there be another form of a villain? One where the author doesn’t imagine hair color or physique but rather something below the surface that can’t be seen with the naked eye? There is and Hunter Barlow knows this villain well. The son of a madame who viewed him as nothing more than a nuisance and brothers who deserted him, one could make the assumption that Hunter’s mother and brothers are the villains in his story, but in truth, Hunter’s emotional turmoil is the antagonist to his protagonist. Betrayal and heartache are what he has to acknowledge and defeat, not a face determined to see him penniless or dead, and sometimes it’s those battles that fester deep within that are much harder to defeat than an evil man.
Whether a person or an emotion, delve as deep as you can into your villain. Find out the reason for such evilness or for a deep-rooted fear of never being loved. I guarantee your snooping will lead you to places you never imagined, and make your story that much better. And your hero will thank you for it.
September 7, 2022
The birth of the candy bar
Born in Birmingham, England in 1728, Joseph Fry was an apprentice to Dr. Henry Portsmouth, who trained Fry in the medicinal field of herbs, plants, and compound drugs. Fry eventually went on to become a doctor, too, and opened his own apothecary in Bristol in 1748. With a firm belief cocoa powder could help with one’s health, he created recipes for drinking hot chocolate and for using cocoa in medicinal ways, one of which was to cover the ill taste of medicines. In 1761, he and John Vaughan bought Charles Churchman’s chocolate company, along with the patent that came with the company for chocolate refining. They renamed the business Fry, Vaughan & Co., with Fry expanding the company over the years, to include making tablets of chocolate to add to milk and hot water. Sadly, he passed away in 1787 and the company was renamed Anna Fry & Son, with Fry’s son, Joseph Storrs, taking the helm in 1795.
Joseph Storrs was just as talented with cocoa as his father, inventing a method to grind cocoa beans using a Watt steam engine, which led to factory techniques being used in the cocoa business. After his mother passed in 1803, Joseph Storrs partnered with Dr. Hunt and renamed the business Fry & Hunt. Hunt retired in 1822 and Joseph Storrs brought in his sons, Joseph Storrs II, Francis, and Richard as partners. The company was renamed J.S. Fry & Sons and became the largest commercial producer of chocolate in the U.K. Joseph Storrs passed away in 1835 and his sons took control, with Joseph Storrs II adopting a technique of pressing cocoa powder, sugar and cocoa into molds in 1847. It is this Joseph who is credited with creating the 1st chocolate bar, and in 1866, the company began producing the Fry Chocolate Cream Bar with a flavored center surrounded by plain chocolate. (Today, the original chocolate cream and peppermint cream are considered the 2 permanent flavors. Other flavors are strawberry cream and pineapple cream.)
Joseph Storrs II passed away in 1913 and in 1919 the company merged with Cadbury’s chocolate to create a new name, British Cocoa and Chocolate Company. The Fry’s part of the company moved to Somerdale, Keynsham 1923. By 1981, the Fry name was no longer in use at Somerdale, though the factory still produced chocolates for Cadbury. In 2007, Cadbury announced plans to close the factory by 2010. Instead, they sold to Kraft Foods, who went on to close the factory in March of 2011.
Joseph Storrs was just as talented with cocoa as his father, inventing a method to grind cocoa beans using a Watt steam engine, which led to factory techniques being used in the cocoa business. After his mother passed in 1803, Joseph Storrs partnered with Dr. Hunt and renamed the business Fry & Hunt. Hunt retired in 1822 and Joseph Storrs brought in his sons, Joseph Storrs II, Francis, and Richard as partners. The company was renamed J.S. Fry & Sons and became the largest commercial producer of chocolate in the U.K. Joseph Storrs passed away in 1835 and his sons took control, with Joseph Storrs II adopting a technique of pressing cocoa powder, sugar and cocoa into molds in 1847. It is this Joseph who is credited with creating the 1st chocolate bar, and in 1866, the company began producing the Fry Chocolate Cream Bar with a flavored center surrounded by plain chocolate. (Today, the original chocolate cream and peppermint cream are considered the 2 permanent flavors. Other flavors are strawberry cream and pineapple cream.)
Joseph Storrs II passed away in 1913 and in 1919 the company merged with Cadbury’s chocolate to create a new name, British Cocoa and Chocolate Company. The Fry’s part of the company moved to Somerdale, Keynsham 1923. By 1981, the Fry name was no longer in use at Somerdale, though the factory still produced chocolates for Cadbury. In 2007, Cadbury announced plans to close the factory by 2010. Instead, they sold to Kraft Foods, who went on to close the factory in March of 2011.
July 6, 2022
The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
Last month, I introduced you to Spencer Penrose, a successful businessman in the mining industry who helped to shape Colorado Springs as a town and community. Besides erecting a road to the top of Pikes Peak, building the world famous Broadmoor Hotel, and the first hospital in Colorado Springs, Spencer Penrose was detrimental in bringing the rodeo to town.
The history of the rodeo in Colorado Springs dates back to 1911 when rodeo events took place in Sportsman Park located between North Nevada Avenue and North Cascade Avenue, but by the late 1920’s, the rodeo had died out. Penrose brought back the excitement, the skill, and the fun in 1937 by developing and building the Will Rogers Stadium at the Broadmoor Hotel and founding the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. The 1st Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo was held in 1938 and continues today in mid-July. To promote the rodeo, Penrose enlisted the help of his longtime business partner and friend Charles L. Tutt and Jasper Ackerman, also a friend. The stadium at the Broadmoor was home to the rodeo for many years, and after World War ll was dedicated to the men and women of the military who sacrificed their lives for our country. (This tradition continues today, with one night of the weekend-long rodeo dedicated to military members. The Ft. Carson Color Guard is also present at the rodeo. They ride in the parades hosted by Colorado Springs, with their horses stabled on Ft. Carson and their army job titles reflecting their equestrian work.)
During the 1970’s, the Broadmoor needed the land the stadium sat on for expansion. With parking also a growing problem during rodeo week, then Mayor Eugene McCleary joined forces with William T. Tutt, Russell Tutt, and rancher Robert Norris to build a new stadium on Lower Gold Camp Road. Bearing the name, Norris-Penrose Event center, one of Spencer Penrose’s foundations, El Pomar, donated $1.25 million to help reduce contractors’ cost in the building of the stadium. Today, the Norris-Penrose Event center is still home to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. As for the Will Rogers Stadium, it was cut into sections and moved to the new stadium one piece at a time. The land on which it sat currently houses boarding barns. The horseshoe opening was enclosed to make a new entryway and renamed the Spencer Penrose Stadium.
The history of the rodeo in Colorado Springs dates back to 1911 when rodeo events took place in Sportsman Park located between North Nevada Avenue and North Cascade Avenue, but by the late 1920’s, the rodeo had died out. Penrose brought back the excitement, the skill, and the fun in 1937 by developing and building the Will Rogers Stadium at the Broadmoor Hotel and founding the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. The 1st Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo was held in 1938 and continues today in mid-July. To promote the rodeo, Penrose enlisted the help of his longtime business partner and friend Charles L. Tutt and Jasper Ackerman, also a friend. The stadium at the Broadmoor was home to the rodeo for many years, and after World War ll was dedicated to the men and women of the military who sacrificed their lives for our country. (This tradition continues today, with one night of the weekend-long rodeo dedicated to military members. The Ft. Carson Color Guard is also present at the rodeo. They ride in the parades hosted by Colorado Springs, with their horses stabled on Ft. Carson and their army job titles reflecting their equestrian work.)
During the 1970’s, the Broadmoor needed the land the stadium sat on for expansion. With parking also a growing problem during rodeo week, then Mayor Eugene McCleary joined forces with William T. Tutt, Russell Tutt, and rancher Robert Norris to build a new stadium on Lower Gold Camp Road. Bearing the name, Norris-Penrose Event center, one of Spencer Penrose’s foundations, El Pomar, donated $1.25 million to help reduce contractors’ cost in the building of the stadium. Today, the Norris-Penrose Event center is still home to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. As for the Will Rogers Stadium, it was cut into sections and moved to the new stadium one piece at a time. The land on which it sat currently houses boarding barns. The horseshoe opening was enclosed to make a new entryway and renamed the Spencer Penrose Stadium.
June 1, 2022
Colorado Springs Businessman Spencer Penrose
One of the most notable buildings in Colorado Springs is the Broadmoor Hotel, a 5 Star resort that sits below Pikes Peak. Complete with its own pond and golf course, the hotel has hosted major golf tournaments as well as local banquets thanks to its founder, Spencer Penrose. The 5th of seven sons, Penrose was born November 2, 1865 in Philadelphia. His father, Richard Alexander Fullerton Penrose was a doctor and founded Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. His mother, Sarah Hannah Boies, favored the simple life. Spencer and his siblings attended Harvard, but unlike his brothers who graduated with high honors, Spencer graduated at the bottom of his class. He didn’t have the academic drive to become doctors or lawyers that brothers did. Rather, the west and frontier life beckoned him and after graduating, he made his way to Las Cruces, New Mexico where he opened several business and sold them for just enough to cut his losses and move on to something else. In 1892, his brother, Richard and childhood friend, Charles L. Tutt (who was a real estate developer in Colorado Springs), informed him of a potential gold rush in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Penrose made his way to Colorado, where Tutt loaned him the money to buy a ½ stake in Tutt’s Cripple Creek real estate business, to include the Cash on Delivery Mine. The mine was one of the most successful in Cripple Creek, thus solidifying Penrose and Tutt’s partnership that took them to a new business of ore processing in Old Colorado City.
To become successful in ore processing, Penrose and Tutt sold their Cash on Delivery Mine, formed a new company, Colorado-Philadelphia Reduction Company, and brought in partner Charles Mather MacNeill. MacNeill was considered an expert in ore processing and in 1899, the three met with success; their plant was treating over 3 million worth of ore from Cripple Creek annually. The trio’s partnership continued (and enabled them to create a mining, milling, and real estate empire) and took them to Bingham Canyon, Utah where they followed the advice of Daniel C. Jackling regarding success in mining copper deposit. A survey of the canyon’s ore deposit revealed the deposit contained 2 percent of copper that could efficiently be extracted from the ore. Penrose formed the Utah Copper Company in 1903 and worked with a new team to design a mill to extract the copper at a rate that was considered extremely fast, but the gamble paid off and Penrose and his team mined and milled more copper than imaginable. His success in Utah led him to invest in copper mining in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada.
Having made a sizeable fortune in the mining industry, Penrose returned to Colorado Springs. It was here that he met widow Julie Villiers McMillan. The two became friends and later married April 1906 in London, England, despite Penrose claiming he would always remain a bachelor. Spencer and Julie honeymooned throughout Europe. Their stay in grand hotels inspired Spencer to build his own in Colorado Springs. Before that occurred, Spencer and Julie bought and renovated a home near a close friend, to include adding two stories, marble tiles, carved wood panels and crystal chandeliers, and hiring the Olmsted Brothers to design the grounds around the home. (Today, the home is known as the Penrose House, is on the National Register of Historic Places and free for conferences and other such gatherings.)
Penrose again partnered with Tutt and the two came up with a plan to build a road to the top of Pikes Peak in an effort to promote tourism. The road cost $283,000 and was completed in August of 1916. That same year Penrose organized the first car race to the top of the peak. (The Broadmoor Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb still runs today, on the last Sunday in June, and competitors are by invitation only). While working on the road to the top of the peak, Penrose also wanted to build his hotel, or rather, purchase the Antler’s Hotel from Colorado Springs founder William Jackson Palmer and rebuild it. But Palmer wouldn’t sell and Penrose ended up buying a site outside city boundaries for $90,000. He hired several architects to design the hotel of his dreams, and after careful consideration, went on to choose a design from the Warren and Wetmore Firm, who are known for their work on Grand Central terminal in New York City. Ground was broken in April 1917 and in June 1918, the Broadmoor hosted its opening ceremony.
The Broadmoor hotel wasn’t Spencer’s only claim to fame for Colorado Springs. He and Julie were avid supporters to several civic events, including the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Will Rogers Shrine and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, not to mention the Glockner-Penrose Hospital, which was the 1st hospital in Colorado Springs and is now known as Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. Spencer and Julie also founded the El Pomar Foundation to promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado. The organization is still in existence today, supporting the Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and operating The Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun and the Penrose Heritage Museum. Spencer Penrose passed two years after founding the El Pomar Foundation. Julie served as president of the organization until her passing in 1956. Both are entombed at the Will Rogers Shrine of the sun. Spencer was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2001.
To become successful in ore processing, Penrose and Tutt sold their Cash on Delivery Mine, formed a new company, Colorado-Philadelphia Reduction Company, and brought in partner Charles Mather MacNeill. MacNeill was considered an expert in ore processing and in 1899, the three met with success; their plant was treating over 3 million worth of ore from Cripple Creek annually. The trio’s partnership continued (and enabled them to create a mining, milling, and real estate empire) and took them to Bingham Canyon, Utah where they followed the advice of Daniel C. Jackling regarding success in mining copper deposit. A survey of the canyon’s ore deposit revealed the deposit contained 2 percent of copper that could efficiently be extracted from the ore. Penrose formed the Utah Copper Company in 1903 and worked with a new team to design a mill to extract the copper at a rate that was considered extremely fast, but the gamble paid off and Penrose and his team mined and milled more copper than imaginable. His success in Utah led him to invest in copper mining in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada.
Having made a sizeable fortune in the mining industry, Penrose returned to Colorado Springs. It was here that he met widow Julie Villiers McMillan. The two became friends and later married April 1906 in London, England, despite Penrose claiming he would always remain a bachelor. Spencer and Julie honeymooned throughout Europe. Their stay in grand hotels inspired Spencer to build his own in Colorado Springs. Before that occurred, Spencer and Julie bought and renovated a home near a close friend, to include adding two stories, marble tiles, carved wood panels and crystal chandeliers, and hiring the Olmsted Brothers to design the grounds around the home. (Today, the home is known as the Penrose House, is on the National Register of Historic Places and free for conferences and other such gatherings.)
Penrose again partnered with Tutt and the two came up with a plan to build a road to the top of Pikes Peak in an effort to promote tourism. The road cost $283,000 and was completed in August of 1916. That same year Penrose organized the first car race to the top of the peak. (The Broadmoor Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb still runs today, on the last Sunday in June, and competitors are by invitation only). While working on the road to the top of the peak, Penrose also wanted to build his hotel, or rather, purchase the Antler’s Hotel from Colorado Springs founder William Jackson Palmer and rebuild it. But Palmer wouldn’t sell and Penrose ended up buying a site outside city boundaries for $90,000. He hired several architects to design the hotel of his dreams, and after careful consideration, went on to choose a design from the Warren and Wetmore Firm, who are known for their work on Grand Central terminal in New York City. Ground was broken in April 1917 and in June 1918, the Broadmoor hosted its opening ceremony.
The Broadmoor hotel wasn’t Spencer’s only claim to fame for Colorado Springs. He and Julie were avid supporters to several civic events, including the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Will Rogers Shrine and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, not to mention the Glockner-Penrose Hospital, which was the 1st hospital in Colorado Springs and is now known as Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. Spencer and Julie also founded the El Pomar Foundation to promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado. The organization is still in existence today, supporting the Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and operating The Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun and the Penrose Heritage Museum. Spencer Penrose passed two years after founding the El Pomar Foundation. Julie served as president of the organization until her passing in 1956. Both are entombed at the Will Rogers Shrine of the sun. Spencer was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2001.
May 4, 2022
Character Interview with Tawny Monroe
Last month, Cowboy Kisses caught up with Hunter Barlow from the Jackson Creek Series (Book 3). This month, Cowboy Kisses sits down with Hunter’s leading lady, Tawny Monroe. The only child of a Baltimore shipping entrepauner, Tawny’s parents perished in a carriage accident when she was young and she was sent to live with her father’s sister. Her growing up years, Tawny favored the taste of the sea air on her tongue, strolling in the gardens behind her aunt’s stately manor, and working alongside cook in the kitchen. The never ending bickering between her and her aunt she loathed, so when she spotted an advertisement for a mail-order bride in Austin, she readily snuck away to Texas, only to find her intended had passed away. Penniless, she was forced to take a job as a working girl, but the bruises to her skin were to her disliking so she fled to Jackson Creek. Two years she’s been working in the town’s only watering hole and saving coins earned from tumbling customers for a ticket to freedom. And then, deliciously handsome army sergeant Hunter Barlow made her an offer she couldn’t refuse.
At army headquarters, a cup of tea on the small table beside her, Tawny settles into the crook of the sofa and gives me her full attention.
What did you think the 1st time you met Hunter?
Tall, dark-haired and handsome, I immediately noticed his sculptured chest of muscle, imagined curling against him and letting go of my troubles. I had no idea he was an army man. He didn’t wear a uniform, and I merely thought him a stranger passing through town.
What was your 2nd thought?
To accept the job he offered to cook and clean for him at his headquarters. Besides fawning over his muscles, something about him spoke to me, said that I could trust him to not hurt me.
Did you feel it was love at 1st sight?
If it was, I was unaware. I thought whatever urged me toward him was more of a kinship.
What do you like most about Hunter?
His honesty and how he wears his heart on his sleeve. He loves deeply, and I’m the lucky female recipient of that love.
How would you describe Hunter?
He’s loyal, hard-working, and loathes dishonesty. Growing up in a brothel, he was cast aside too many times, and lied to a handful of others. He expects those closest to him to not betray him, because when he loves, that love is for eternity.
How would Hunter describe you?
From the hunger I see in his eyes when he looks at me, I can honestly say he favors me, but there’s more to his favor than lust. He genuinely cares for me and I think he’d describe me as a woman who is loyal, kind and considerate; a woman who is passionate about him, who cares greatly for him and who favors peace over turmoil in the same fashion as him.
What is your biggest fear?
Before meeting Hunter, my biggest fear was my past catching up to me. Now that Hunter is a part of me, my biggest fear is loosing him. I don’t think I’d want to live without him; he means that much to me.
How do you relax?
By cooking. Whether sifting flour or roasting a chicken, peace always settle around me and deep within me when I’m bustling around the kitchen.
Who is your favorite fictional character?
The knight in shining armor, because he is everything I have found in Hunter.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To never give up, and that came from somewhere deep inside of myself.
Thank you for being with us today. It was truly a pleasure talking with you.
You’re welcome.
To learn how Hunter became a big part of Tawny’s heart, grab a copy of their story from Amazon and begin reading today! www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNL43X9
At army headquarters, a cup of tea on the small table beside her, Tawny settles into the crook of the sofa and gives me her full attention.
What did you think the 1st time you met Hunter?
Tall, dark-haired and handsome, I immediately noticed his sculptured chest of muscle, imagined curling against him and letting go of my troubles. I had no idea he was an army man. He didn’t wear a uniform, and I merely thought him a stranger passing through town.
What was your 2nd thought?
To accept the job he offered to cook and clean for him at his headquarters. Besides fawning over his muscles, something about him spoke to me, said that I could trust him to not hurt me.
Did you feel it was love at 1st sight?
If it was, I was unaware. I thought whatever urged me toward him was more of a kinship.
What do you like most about Hunter?
His honesty and how he wears his heart on his sleeve. He loves deeply, and I’m the lucky female recipient of that love.
How would you describe Hunter?
He’s loyal, hard-working, and loathes dishonesty. Growing up in a brothel, he was cast aside too many times, and lied to a handful of others. He expects those closest to him to not betray him, because when he loves, that love is for eternity.
How would Hunter describe you?
From the hunger I see in his eyes when he looks at me, I can honestly say he favors me, but there’s more to his favor than lust. He genuinely cares for me and I think he’d describe me as a woman who is loyal, kind and considerate; a woman who is passionate about him, who cares greatly for him and who favors peace over turmoil in the same fashion as him.
What is your biggest fear?
Before meeting Hunter, my biggest fear was my past catching up to me. Now that Hunter is a part of me, my biggest fear is loosing him. I don’t think I’d want to live without him; he means that much to me.
How do you relax?
By cooking. Whether sifting flour or roasting a chicken, peace always settle around me and deep within me when I’m bustling around the kitchen.
Who is your favorite fictional character?
The knight in shining armor, because he is everything I have found in Hunter.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To never give up, and that came from somewhere deep inside of myself.
Thank you for being with us today. It was truly a pleasure talking with you.
You’re welcome.
To learn how Hunter became a big part of Tawny’s heart, grab a copy of their story from Amazon and begin reading today! www.amazon.com/dp/B09KNL43X9
