[At some time after 1955 and at an age of at least 71, Beatrice wrote a narrative about Henry Wagner and his family. A copy of this was found by Bill and Pat Wagner (Bill is Henry and Almeda's great grandson and consequently my third cousin), who made a copy for me. My transcription of it is given below. I have tried to copy her work exactly - spelling, punctuation, etc. Anything enclosed in brackets [ ] are my comments. ). See Beatrice for details of her life.]

Henry Wagner came to America when thirteen years of age. Coming alone via Sailing vessel. 49 days crossing ocean.

Landed in New York & then went on to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Lived with maternal grandfather (name was Mimm; that is all we ever know about that side of the family. His mother died when he was 10 months old.) Quite naturally he spoke no English, being anxious to learn American ways and language, he left the German group and made his home with Americans where he soon learned to speak and read. He was very apt in adapting himself to the customs and language. Civil war broke out before he was 18. He tried to enlist but because of his age, and as I';ve heard him tell, many times - not quite tall enough, but the time soon passed. He entered the Army where he served as a 'Wagoner' until end of war; driving 6 mule team, in whatever capacity ordered. foraging, reconoitering. He was in the service over three years, with Sherman on his "March to the Sea". The men were called "Shermans Bummers"

At the close of War he received Honerable Discharge. Was in the final march called the Grand View, before Lincoln in Wach DC.

He returned to the place in Wisconsin from whence he enlisted.

(I sent for this copy to save handling original as it is fragile with time)

At that time a soldier received $13.00 per month. He had saved his wages (he vever used tobacco in any form or drank) so he had over $300.00 saved up which he loaned to a soldier pal - Louis Hazelman, to start a meat market. Henry Wagner then started in business for himself; that of furnishing oak barrel staves and ship timbers.

He went to Michigan into heavily timbered woods, purchased trees, cut and got them hauled to the Lake (Michigan) where they were shipped to Chicago & Milwaukee & other ports.

While in Michigan he became acquainted with his future wife's family. Boarded with them. It was at her brother James home that they met.

Sometime in the earlier years of American history, two brothers came from England finally settling in the Green Mt. Country of Vermont. They were known as "Green Mountain Boys". Their name was Peabody. Most likely given names were - Moses, and Joseph or Daniel, as all of those names were used in their families often.

The Peabodys have always been very religious and followed the Holy Bible in many ways, especially in naming the children.

The Green Mt. Boys were thrifty & industrious & raised large families, one having 11 children one being grandfather of Almeda.

The children were Moses, Joseph, Benjamin the father of Almeda (I think his full name as I recall hearing was Benj. Bigelow Peabody), Blake, Harvey and Lorenzo. The girls were Sally (Sarah) Betsy (Elizabeth) Cynthia, Nancy and Rachael; all except Nancy lived to old age, being from 75 to 90, past in years Benjamin, 80 lacking two months, Moses 86, Joseph over 90.

This family drifted to New Jersey, then to central N.Y. Benjamin settled in Herkimer Co. N.Y. for a time. There he met Maria Wright who became his wife. Her fathers name was Wright. He was killed in Army. Probably G.R. Maria, her mother's name was Read. Maria's mother died when she (Maria) was 8; her grandmother raised her. Being alone they made their living by knitting and sewing. Maria and Benjamin met when she was 18, a small and delicate girl. He was over 6 ft tall.

Almeda was the 7^th child.

She had a hard struggle to live and grow after her mother died. Her father after a few months remarried, hoping to be able to keep the family together until all could go on their own. The stepmother was very difficul, so Almeda had to go out to work, child as she was. Finally thru the good will of the Methodist church under Regents of State of N.Y. where their home was in Pitcairn, N.Y. she was able to attend school & finally a Seminary getting a diploma to teach school. Her brothers James and Edwin had moved to Mich. Her brother Lelon had joined other adventurers in westward migrating in 1859, settling in Gold Run, Summit Co Colo. Placer mining.

He [Lelon] wrote to Almeda requesting that she come to Colo. And cook for the miners in his camp. Being young and liking a little adventure, she decided to go. Her sister Alvira was widowed, her husband being killed in Civil War accompanied her. They stopped in Mich. To bid good by to all the family, her brother Edwain was working with Henry Wagner, in the big woods. They decided they would as Horace Greely said 'Go west, young man'.

A soldier friend of Henry's, Fred or Bill Luschu went with them. Henry and Almeda had been acquainted 5 weeks when they married. The trip to Colo was begun, by train to Cheyenne Wyo. In early May or last of April 1869, from Cheyenne to Denver by stage coach, out riders keeping vigil to note any appearence of Indians, of which there were many of different tribes, changed horses every 10 miles. Arriving in Denver they stopped at the Car House & corral

The two men hunted around & found a driver who would take them to their destination in Gold Run. Mr Luschu staid in Denver. He was a maker of shoes, therefore he could start his own business.

Hamilton was to be the last stopping place before crossing the range, practically no roads in those days, therefore a very tiring and hazardous journey. They reached Hamilton which was later known as the Peabody ranch as Lelon Peabody went to Tarryall, So Park & opened up placer mining there.

Almeda sent a letter to her brother in Gold Run, by the M. Carrier, traveling on snow shoes. his name was Wm Davenport, later becoming Alvira's husband.

The girls had not seen their brother for 14 years; leaving Hamilton they rode in the wagon as far as possible, the horses could go no further in the snow, so they had camp waiting for the freezing of the snow, so they could walk over the crust, 18 miles to walk. 22 people in camp that night. Big camp fire was made & most of them huddled around it. I think if I remember correctly mu mother (Almeda) told me that was where my father (Henry) "popped the question" - probably in Capital Letter.

Next morning they walked until the Brother Lelon met them with horses. Not being used to "horsebacking" they did not enjoy it very much. The horses had to be led. Arrived in Breckenridge at 9 AM, had breakfast, then on over to Gibson Hill one side which was, they thought, almost perpendicular; what a climb for a "Tenderfoot!. Crossed Gold Run Ditch, which was wide, crossed on horseback, bridge made of lengthwise poles. Almeda's pony's foot slipped between poles, some one quickly grabbed her and pulled her across. Never again would that pony let a skirt come near.

Arrive May 17 at destination. Great log house where Almeda cooked for the men. They had to keep watch for Indians at all times. Sioux, Arapahoes, Cheyennes. Utes were at war with those tribes, and were friendly with the whites. There was one Indian chief which they feared, name "Colorow", stared at us thru windows which had no glass, oiled paper was the panes, nearly always open. They used to bring beads, arrows, & even their horses which they wanted to exchange for Almeda who was a very attractive woman. She was a beautiful singer and was usually singing at work, which she continued to do until past 60 years of age, when an attack of pnuemonia impaired her voice. She never regained her health of strength.

June 3^rd 1869. Henry Wagner and Almeda Peabody were united in marriage. Lelon Peabody, Almeda's brother, being Justice of the Peace performed the ceremony.

They continued to live with her brother, she cooking for the miners, Henry working in the mines.

Aug 12^th 1870 their first child was born, 4 lb baby girl. Was first white child born in Gold Run, Summit Co. Colo. Named Lucy Maria, first name for her father's mother, 2^nd name for her mother's mother.

Lived there 2-1/2 years, when she with baby took a trip back to N.Y. state, visiting relatives there and in Michigan. Intention were, that Henry would go on to Missouri, where he pa\lanned to buy some farm land. But he decided other wise. Went to Georgetown and worked in stamp mill. Almeda cooked for boarders.

Nov 17, 1872, 2^nd child, a son was born. Named John Adam after his paternal grandfather.

April 1873 they moved to the valley, 6-1/2 miles north of golden, which is Co. seat of Jefferson Co. Colo. This became known as the "Wagner Ranch" where they lived 27 years. The ranch was homesteaded, pre-empted and purchased land of the railroad Co. and otherwise. Almost entirely grazing land. Finally owned 1200 [1240] acres, part of which they bought of a Mr. Samuel Eldridge who like Henry Wagner was a veteran of Civil War in Union Army. This acreage was called the Big Gulch. The land immediately at foot of the mountains on west was bought from a Thomas Rowe or Rose. He had built a stone house but did not complete it when he sold out. In a beautiful spot, a gorgeous supply of water from a spring near by; it was the most delicious water any one could drink.

To the south, Karl Wagner, the brother had taken up a homestead. He sold it to Henry.

In order to have more land for winter pasturing & raising upland hay in summer they leased some acreage across the & to the east public road. This land was called Leyden Place. A creek which run thru was called Leyden Creek so named from 3 brothers who owned the land & mined coal by tunneling in the mountain which was called "The Hog Back. These men 1 or two were killed in the mine when it caught on fire from explosion occurring deep in side. One of them was presumably murdered not far away. Thought to be for the gold dust he carried. It was before coin and currency was generally used. Also much gold dust was supposed to have been stached away under rock or buried in the hills. For many years people would come for many miles and places & search for days. In late 1890, a new shaft was opened up, but the fire was still burning deep in the mt. So it could not be operated with any success. Smoke issued continually for years, and occasionally there would be an explosion & flames would belch forth; then die down. On winter mornings & cold nights the cattle would huddle around this opening for heat. One cow got too close & slipped down. Her foot was so badly burnt. Finally had to put her away. Incidentally, it was the cow I learned to milk - my first. (Beatrice L. writing this).

There was no real farm land in that acreage. Upland hay was all the crops there was for feeding, only possibly a ½ acre which was sowed to alfalfa. All grain and other feed had to be brought in by horse and wagon.

Henry was a born cattleman. He loved horses and cattle which was the only means of livelihood excepting when Almeda decided she would help by making butter and selling it. The largest number of milk cows they had was rarely more than 22. All milking & butter making done by hand. Skimming milk, churning, etc.

Cow barns were built for the winter. In summer they cows loose in corral. In summer the milk cows roamed open range. Every evening by 5 oclock the horse was brought out & someone to herd them in. All work was usually done by 8 oclock. In summer it began at 4 A.M. The cattle which were kept for beef in the fall were turned in to the mountain pasture, after yearly branding done. Some one of the family rode the range couple times a week; carried salt to the spot which was called "Salt Pile". In fall they were rounded up & marketed for beef.

The last year in which they made butter 3,444 lbs were made & sold for magnificent sum of 30 & 35 cts per lb.

Lelon P. Wagner, first child born on the ranch Feb 17, 1875. Grace Genevieve next, Feb 25, 1878. Beatrice Lulu last, Jan 25, 1884, another 4 lb baby.

When Rie or Maria (shortened name, always called Rie) was 18, she married Allen M. Cook. His great uncle or might be great great, haven't looked up dates, was the discoverer of Hawaiian Islands. Her marriage I believe was in Oct. 1888. The first child was born on the ranch, July 21, 1889. Name Henry Allan Cook, named for Henry Wagner & his father. The next baby was premature & lived only few hours. He was the last child born on the ranch. Their next child was born on the Taft Ranch near Louisville Colo.

The narrative from here on is from my own memory.

I was very young when father was severely injured by being kicked by a horse, ill for many months. Another accident, which I saw occur, was: He & a hired man named Chris Walters were building a log barn. A log slipped or rolled down & struck my father, breaking a leg. Again laid up for many weeks.

Incidentally the logs were hauled down from the mountains by oxen which I well remember, name Tom and Jerry. One other accident which left him permanently handicapped was being kicked by a horse, 1 foot striking left shoulder, breaking colar bone, other foot right side of his face. I also saw that happen.

About a year after that, I think, am not sure of year, about 1891, John went to my Uncle Lelon [Peabody near Como] & worked there, as Rie & her husband had already went to the place. Then father decided he would drive or herd the beef cattle up there & pasture them till fall where in that mining country there would be ready market in the fall. Lelon went with him. He had to hire a "cowboy to help herd, his name was George Terril. Mother, Grace & I staid on ranch. Milked a few cows, made butter which mother carried to Golden & sold to people whom she knew and were glad to get real good fresh butter. One evening a man came to the house with a telegram for Rie that John had been seriously injured by a horse. All travel was slow. 6-1/2 miles to Golden by buggy or horseback. Next morning we left house at daybreak (summertime) to reach Golden early enough to catch train for Denver, which was about 20 miles from Golden. At Denver we took train for Como (I was too little to be left at home. Father came home to be with Grace & keep things going.

John all but died; his time hadn't come but never again did he know a day without pain. Died at age 36 y, 5 mo & 11 days, leaving 3 children, his wife passed away in 1906. Children were Glenn, Willard & Helen, only Helen living as I write this.

After cattle were sold in fall Lelon came home for a time, but finally wandered out to west coast, then to Prescott Ariz, until mother urged him to return home for John's wedding, which occurred June 12, 1895 to Flora B Juchem.

Lelon attended business college that fall, after graduating went to Cheyenne where he taught in a Business College for a few months but he was always interested in railroading then where he work on Union Pacific.

While teaching, he married Elizabeth Byrne a Denver girl. Her sister was a student in Business College while Lelon was there and met his future wife through the sister.

In 1901 or 1902 [July 6, 1901] my parents sold the ranch to a group of men who formed some kind of oil company. The only name I can remember was a Mose Howell. There was oil there. The well within 20 ft of our house was too oily for use. Also on the ranch were ledges of lime stone, red granite & fire clay. After selling the ranch and all his stock & etc we moved in to Golden. Grace had married in 1896 was living in Golden as was Rie. She was living in the house father had bought from John when he decided to leave Golden. For a time he operated a meat market in Golden, sold out & went to Gillette Colo, a mining town [near Victor and Cripple Creek]. He soon left there, going to a small town east of Golden.

Father bought some lots at corner of 12^th & Araphoe St on which stood a 5 room cottage & a large building which was known as Stanley hall & an 8 room brick house on opposite corner which he rented out. We moved into the small cottage next to the big building. Mother was very ill soon after we went there, so getting settled was slow, it was in the fall of the year. [In 1996 a rejuvenated Stanley Hall, originally built by Joseph Stanley in 1873 is still standing at 900 12^th St..]

Mother had sent for a piano for me. Coming from Chicago it took some time to arrive. Father was having the large building demolished, intending to have the ground cleared, then selling the lots. It was partly razed, roof off & etc. A heavy wind began blowing on the 19^th & as often occurred kept up for several days.

On the morning of the 21^st, father came back from going to the post office & etc & saw while in the office a man from the freight office who told him the piano was there. He asked an express man to bring it to the house, came about 10.30 A.M.

I soon hurried lunch & didn't lose any time getting to the piano. In a few moments mother called "Come quick the building is coming down. We managed to reach the gate when down it came, right on top of our home of which there was nothing left but shambles. There was a heavy wind blowing, had been for 3 days. The building being partly demolished was easy prey for that wind. Considered the most violent Golden had ever experienced.

A woman living across the street from us happened to glance out of her window & saw what was about to happen. She couragesly & unselfishly sent her little boy to tell us to run, otherwise we would no doubt have perished. Her name was Mrs Ida Geotz. The boy was Richard. I was struck on foot by falling brick, no damage. After dust cleared away many people began arriving. The fire station was across the street, only volunteer fireman. Fortunately we had let the fire go almost entirely out because of the wind which seemed to increase in violence for hours afterwards. My piano was badly damaged & most of the furniture destoyed.

The men took the piano over to fire station & in a few days after Rie was able to rearrange the house she and her boys were in, we moved in with her. Piano was brought in & John and I took it apart. Mother wrote to the piano Co. in Chicago telling them what happened & they wrote back, saying to send broken panels & they would replace them. John crated them, off they went. Under each piano key is 12 felt pads. I took keys out in rotation, cleaned the pads & placed them on papers on floor, covered them, where they remained until in March of following year. When they arrived John came up to help a piano tuner & repair man to put everything in shape. There were pieces of brick & chunk of plaster & dirt. Oh it had been a horrible mess. On Mar 19 it was already for service again. How happy we were. That was in 1902. Life settled in to a quiet routine for us all. Mother went to Salt Lake for a visit with Lelon. Father enjoyed chatting with his old acquaintances of other years. Several had been in the Union Army of Civil War, had formed Dodd Post #5, G.A.R. & the IOOF Lodge was part of pap's enjoyment. In 1904 he had operation on one eye for cataract, got sight back in that so he could read & take trips, one to Grand Junction & after G.A.R. encampment in Denver. In Aug or Sept, he & Rie & her husband went to Michigan, on a visit to the remaining relatives of mother.

He had suffered with rheumatism for years & other ailments. On 16 of May 1906 he took violent heart attack, while up to the P.O. for morning mail. He lived until 6.30, Sunday A.M. May 20, 1906, when he passed on.

Mother came to Calif fall, of 1913 & spent 4 months with me; she returns to Colo. & in 1919 came back & lived with me until her death Dec 31, 1925.

So these pages relate part of my parents lives after their meeting in 1869.

Mother purchased a 12 grave plot in the Golden cemetery. In those days families did not scatter as they do now, or as much anyway.

Only my father is buried there, of the immediate family.

In 1917 mother's eldest sister, Alvira Ann Drake was laid there.

A few hours before mother passed away she told me to not take her back as it was mid winter & conditions with us were rather difficult. So I contacted the Union Circle #19, Ladies of the G.A.R. & arranged burial in their plot. Mother & myself & sisters, later on my daughter, 2 granddaughters & my son became members of the Order. Rie & I were already so at time of mother's passing. Mother passed in 1925. In 1955 Lelon died, leaving me the only remaining member of family. Knowing those grave spaces would never be used by us, I contacted the Golden Lodge of Odd Fellows of which my father had been a member & arranged with them to donate the 10 remaining graves to the IOOF for sole purpose space without charge, to a worthy or needy IOOF member or veteran of any war (serving in U.S. Army) as a memorial to my parents. This was done by assistance of Oscar Geotz, a member of the staff on the Colo. Transcript & son of Mrs. Goetz who saved our lives during that dreadful wind.

Almeda Wagner, interred in IOOF Mermaid Park Cemetery, Los Angeles Calif. Dec 31, 1925.

Lucy Maria eldest child also in same cemetery Jan 15, 1953, born Aug 12, 1870.

Grace Genevieve interment Inglewood Cemetery, Calif. Died June 9, 1949. Born Feb 25, 1878.

Lelon P. Wagner, in a San Francis Cemetery. Died June, 1955, Born Feb 17, 1875.

John Adam Wagner, Arvada Cemetery, Colo. Died Mar 28, 1909, Born Nov 17, 1872.

Beatrice L. Rafferty - Last survivor Born Jan 25, 1894. Pre need burial plot in same place as mother.