Colorado History: John Fitzgerald’s Last Wild Weekend

If you attended grade school in Colorado, it's likely that you learned about significant figures and events in the state's history like the unsinkable Molly Brown, infamous cannibal Alferd Packer, and the tragic Sand Creek Massacre, to name a few.

Read More: Colorado History: Helen Hunt Jackson’s Tragic + Honorable Life |

However, there are plenty of stories from the early days of the Centennial State that are seldom, if ever, taught in the public school system.

One of these old stories tells the tale of John Fitzgerald, a Colorado barber who was just looking to have a wild weekend but, tragically, it would be his last weekend.

John Fitzgerald + a Wild and Tragic Colorado Weekend

If you lived in Leadville in the early days of Colorado, specifically in the 1880s, there's a good chance you had your hair cut by a man named John Fitzgerald.

Get our free mobile app

Despite being a happily married man and successful barber, Fitzgerald decided to make a trip from his home in Leadville to Denver where he would embark on some gambling and even make a trip to an old-timey brothel.

However, the fun ended after some shady characters noticed Fitzgerald's wad of cash and subsequently ended his life for a meager payday of $115.

The murderers would then dump Fitzgerald's lifeless body in Cherry Creek, where it was discovered by three adolescent boys.

The motley crew that took Fitzgerald's life for just over $100 was eventually caught and convicted of murder but because the incident took place in what was the Wild West at the time, they only served 10 years in prison each.