Alice Ann Forman Purmont Worrall

James Waylund Purmort
1864 - April 3,1896
Alice Ann Forman Purmort Worrall
Feb 3, 1867 - Apr 15, 1958
Thomas Elias Worrall
Mar 3, 1863 - Aug 20, 1948
Alice was born February 3,
1867, in Black Hawk, Colorado, to Charles and Keturah Forman.
She married James Purmort on December 12, 1888, in Fairplay. They had four children, Iola "Oley" Wayland1889, Pearl Mildred1891, Lawrence 1893, and Conant Sawyer 1896.
Then, James was killed at Ward in a mine accident, April 3, 1896. As he was driving in a giant powder cartridge with a tamping bar, there was a large explosion. James was killed instantly.
He was well known in Boulder and was an excellent miner. He was superintendent of Chingis Khan Mine at Gold Cliff for 2 years.
Alice was left with 4 small children in difficult financial circumstances. Then another tragedy, their son, Lawrence, died August 20,1896, age 3.
Alice then married Thomas Worrall in Boulder on Feb. 26, 1898, and the family moved to Rifle in 1898. Thomas returned first then Alice and girls arrived later by train from Boulder.
Five children were born to this marriage, Alice Malinda 1899, Keturah Ann 1901, Clara Belle1904, Irma Dolly 1906, and Sarah Emma 1909.
In 1887, Thomas, then 24, first came to Rifle with his father, Nathan Canfield Worrall, who was then 65. They liked what they saw and returned the following year.
After spending the winter of 87-88 in the Albert Ziessness home they moved to the W. L. Clark ranch on Rifle Creek in 1988, and Nathan pre-empted a homestead of 80 acres on Rifle Creek. Together he and Thomas worked at the farm and in timbering. Nathan passed away July 11, 1898, which would be just about before Alice arrived.
Nathan united with the Church of Christ in early life, and after coming to Colorado was ordained elder and began preaching which he continued to do from time to time until a short time before his passing.
Upon the death of Nathan, The Reveille noted the community had lost one of its most worthy residents.
Except for a short period when he worked in the silver mines in Aspen, Thomas made his home at Rifle since that time.
In 1913, another tragedy came to the family when Pearl passed away February 2nd after a lengthy illness. News reports suggest she was engaged at the time. And another report said her friend Charles Clark of McGill, ldaho had arrived in Rifle January 30. Possibly her fiancée. The 1910 census shows Pearl working as a waitress in the Hotel industry, probably the Winchester.

There is a photo here of Alice and her sister Oley in a White Steamer beside the Winchester. Back seat, Gertrude Todd left side Oley right side.

In 1940, Thomas and Alice moved into Rifle.

      

James Waylund Purmort 1866-1896

                      

 

Nathan Worrall      

 

All dressed up for the Rifle Fair, Vance Dinsmore, Pearl Purmort, Aron Wurts and Viola Pyle pause to admire the sheep wool chaps worn by Ed Plummer, on the bull, Bill Wurts and George Kirtchner, owner of the saddle shop where they were made.

 

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