The Tragedy of One of Colorado’s Most Prolific Silver Families

One of the most well-known figures in Colorado history is undoubtedly Baby Doe Tabor. 

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Immortalized by the famous Tabor Opera House, the Tabor family saw great success and wealth during the silver boom followed by great loss and both Baby Doe and her husband Horace unfortunately met tragic ends.

Colorado History: The Tabors Get Married

Baby Doe met her future husband Horace Tabor during the silver boom in Leadville and before long, Horace divorced his wife of 25 years, Augusta, in order to marry his new, much younger companion.

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The pair moved to Washington D.C. as a result of Horace's political career before returning to Colorado to take up residence in Denver. Unfortunately, the Tabors's lavish lifestyle would be short-lived as the Panic of 1893 resulted in Horace losing nearly all of his fortune.

Colorado History: Horace Tabor Dies

After losing his fortune due to the Sherman Silver Purchase Act being repealed, resulting in the Panic of 1893, Horace Tabor passed away, leaving Baby Doe a widow at which point she would relocate back to Leadville.

Colorado History: Baby Doe Tabor Dies

Prior to his death, Horace expressed that his last wish was for Baby Doe to keep and maintain the Matchless Mine, one of the few possessions the pair had in Leadville.

However, fulfilling Horace's wish would prove to be a fatal decision as the widow tragically froze to death in the mine's shaft house with little food or resources at the age of 81.

Her body would be discovered by neighbors on May 7, 1935.