Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Memorial Day Tribute







I would like to share the stories of 3 men who served in the armed forces, this is what they did after they served
Mr. Rogers (Fred Rogers 1928-2003) was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat proven in Vietnam with over 25 confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long sleeve sweater to cover his many tattoos, he was a master in small arms and hand to hand combat. He was able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat. After the war he became a Presbyterian minister and dedicated his life to help children on the right path in life. He wrote the song "Won't You Be My Neighbor" and we all remember his show.
Captain Kangaroo (Bob Keeshan 1927-2004) and Lee Marvin (1924-1987) served together in World WarII. Bob was the sergeant and at Red Beach on Iwo Jima, he stood up and directed his men to move forward and get the h-ll off the beach. He made himself a target so his men could reach safety. He did this more then once and was wounded. He recieved the Navy Cross.
Lee Marvin, under Bob Keeshan's command secured a hot spot half way up Suribachi. He also was wounded and received the Navy Cross. When other actors were selling bonds, Lee Marvin was in the thick of it. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery.
We all remember Captain Kangaroo and the joy his show gave us. Lee Marvin was a suberp actor and we enjoyed his movies.
America's heros don't flaunt what they have done, they go about their lives giving us songs, respect in ourselves, entertainment. They go and do their duty for their country and come home and share with us the beautiful part of themselves.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Have You Ever Googled Yourself?

I decided to google myself, just my first and last name (which is my married name). Frankly, I did this because this is the name I use on my facebook and I've gotten some weird friend requests that I have denied.


I went thru to page 9 and still didn't find me but I found the same name has been around since the 1700's. A lot of obits but the one that gave me the biggest laugh was a black nineteen year old, who lives in Beverly Hills and is interested in relationships with men and women. There was a picture of her and she is sooooooooo hot and soooooooooooo not me.


I'm pondering about putting my middle initial in everything I use now, who would've thunk it, my name belonging to a beautiful black diva. I'm just glad its not the name I use for my writing, I don't want anyone else getting credit for my writing. That sounds a little smug, doesn't it. Well, smug I must be (LOL)


Take care, everyone and google away :)

Friday, May 14, 2010

James Roberts, Gold Miner

In the late 1800's gold was found in Cripple Creek, Colorado. Many found their fortunes and many did not. Those that did built homes and lived in Colorado Springs (and just as a side note: Spencer Penrose did not strike it rich in Cripple Creek, he had a mine in Arizona that was his first million then he came to Colorado) but on to my story.







Not much is known about James Roberts but he has a place in our history because of his head. His skull now rests in the Cripple Creek Museum.







In 1901, Christmas night, he and his friends stopped by the Dawson Club on Myers Ave. After his friends left, Roberts got into an argument with the bar owner, William Brooks. As Roberts turned away, Brooks came up behind him and whacked the side of his head with a Colt 45 . Roberts fell hitting his head on the stove and again hitting his head on the floor.







He laid there, blood oozing from his head for an hour, all the while patrons kept up with their party. The patrons even teased him and told him to get up and have a drink (does the word stupidity come to mind when you read this? It does to mine) Finally someone thinks to call in the doctor but it was to late, Roberts was dead.





Bar owner Brooks and several witnesses were arrested. The lawyer who defends them is called the "Oratorical Whirlwind of the West". He has defended notable outlaws and Colorado millionaires. His name J. Maurice Finn.





Finn's defense is that Roberts had an abnormally thin skull, his client had not meant to kill him with the gun butt. Finn also convinced the coroner to saw off the top of Roberts skull for his defense. James Roberts was buried, in an un marked grave minus his head. Finn won his case, Brooks was acquitted.



Brooks got out of town on the next train after a mob of Roberts friends went after him. But, no one cared about James Roberts skull, it stayed at Teller County Courthouse for decades till a lawyer by the name of P.J. Anderson found it next to a bag of gold in 1974.



Everyone at the Courthouse was excited about the gold except P.J., he wanted to know about the skull and set about to find out about it. Its because of him that we know what happened to James Roberts in 1901. P.J. still practices law in Cascade, Colorado.



The skull had many people coming forward laying claim to it till they found out the gold was only worth $18. A bar in Colorado Springs called "Finn's", named after the famous lawyer wanted it so patrons could drink to Roberts memory. The court wouldn't release it because a judge wanted to use it as an ashtray. That didn't happen either, it went back to the evidence room in the courthouse, pushed in a corner on the floor.



In 2009, P.J. who had been telling the story of Roberts for 35 years came in contact with a woman who worked at the courthouse and related the story to her. She went looking for the skull and found that it had been taken home by another courthouse employee, who willingly returned it. The skull was put under lock and key till its history was confirmed, then it was recognized as a historic artifact.



The Cripple Creek District Museum gave the skull a home and treats it with respect. Every morning the employees say, "Good morning, Mr. Roberts" when they come in and "Good night, Mr. Roberts" when they leave.



Thanks to P.J., Mr. Roberts skull has a home. My hat goes off to a man who followed a story and gave it closure. If you are ever in Colorado, stop by Cripple Creek, its a big gambling town now with lots of casinos. But, as you walk the streets envision the millionaires and everyday people that walked those same streets in the early 1900's. Then stop by the museum and say hello to Mr. Roberts.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Today is my Daddy's Birthday


Today is my daddy's birthday, it is one of the many things that I share with him, for I was born on the same day.
Happy birthday, daddy. I love you.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Only in Colorado

This week is "Ride Your Horse to Work Week" in Colorado Springs. It's the kick off for Pikes Peak Western Heritage Days.



Our vice mayor, Larry Small rode his horse to work passing by the Pioneer Museum. There are still many people here who remember riding horses where the Citadal Mall now stands. Where houses now stand there use to be open space and horseback riding was a big favorite.


The Pikes Peak Western Heritage Days start in the month of May and end in June.