|
GARFIELD
COUNTY, COGENWEB PROJECT
James C Emerson
Another early Rifle pioneer was J.C. Emerson. Here is his
story.
James Carleton Emerson (J. C.) was born July 8,
1862 in Massachusetts. He married Georgina Parker September
5, 1893 in Alamosa. They had four children in 12 years.
George Sargent was born August 25, 1894, Audrey Olive
September 1897, Frank C March 5, 1902, and Harry Clark
August 12, 1907. Audrey died young, on November 1, 1927.
In 1893, when he was 31, he lived in Alamosa and was a peace
officer. But, in 1894, he was living in DeBeque. By 1896, he
was living in Rifle. Records show he was employed as a peace
officer his entire time there. He had other interests
though, in the 1900 census records, he recorded himself as
an undertaker.
J. C. was a charter member of Woodmen of
the World Rifle Camp No. 30, organized March 1896, being the
first Clerk.
He was also a member of the Odd Fellow's,
and was a charter member of Elizabeth Rebeakah Lodge
established July 2, 1896. The Lodge was associated with the
Odd Fellows and by 1916 included 55 sisters and 11 odd
fellows.
One of his first businesses was training horses.
In March 1896, he fixed up one of the stock pens at the
railroad stock yards to use for that purpose. Records show
he was doing some fancy work with the rope and whip.
One
of his many exploits happened in July 1896. As he was taking
the flag down at the IOOF hall, he stepped on plaster in the
garret and nearly fell through the ceiling.
In February
1896, he and Col. Marker are shown as proprietors of the
Marker Hotel. J. C. and family resided in the Hotel, finally
moving into the Goodrich residence March of 1899.
J. C.
operated a guide business out of the hotel as records show
he led 13 Iowan's on a month long hunt beginning September
1899. Another article says it was just 12 persons, that the
13th was not allowed apparently because it was a bad number,
ie they could not find a 14th who wanted to participate.
By March 1899, he was a partner with C. L. Todd in the
undertaking firm Todd & Emerson, the only such business in
Rifle at the time.
July 14, 1899, as Deputy Sheriff, he
caught escapee Ben Kendrick up Rifle Creek. Ben had been
incarcerated for stealing a saddle, but escaped and had been
on the run for six months.
April of 1901, he was at the
milkmaids Convention in the Odd Fellows Lodge as oil spilled
on the stage and a fire broke out. He single handedly and
gallantly beat the flames out with his hat.
The next
month, on May 31, 1901, the Reveille says he nearly lost
sight in one of his eyes in an accident. He splattered a
drop of a corrosive sublimate into his eye but sight was
saved by prompt attention of a physician.
In May 1902,
the Reveille has several notes that strongly compliment J.C.
for his actions during the great Rifle fire. He and Owen
Parker were especially complimented for their untiring
efforts in helping extinguish the flames. Another Reveille
note added W. E. Fisher, Ed McLearn, R. J. Smith, Owen
Parker, Howard Gilford, E. McPhae, and Eli Loeshbaugh to
those especially commended.
As Deputy Sheriff in August
1902, he managed to prevent the lynching of Dr. J. W.
Collins of Rifle. Dr. Collins, who had been in Rifle only a
few months. He was accused of molesting 18 year old Louise
Maxfield while she was under chloroform. Reports reports say
there was a rope around his neck.. Louise was the daughter
of Flora Maxfield who had been a widow 10 years. Soon after,
Flora left Rifle, moving to Salt Lake. The Dr. was charged
with criminal assault and tried in a closed jury trial at
Glenwood. The result was not guilty.
He had a narrow
escape June 15, 1903 almost drowning in the river below
Rifle. He was swept out of a Ford he had driven onto an
island in the river, but managed to hold onto a stolen
horses' tail he was leading back to shore. They made it out
of the river several hundred yards downriver.
The
November 6, 1903 Reveille reported that J. C. had been
elected Town Constable. He was said to be well known and
popular.
In October 1903, he arrested horse thieves at
Ouray with four horses taken from McLearn and Co. In a twist
of fate, Otto Godfretson who returned the horses to McLearn
would be shot dead in Rifle 8 months and 5 days later.
On
July 5, 1904, as Deputy Sheriff, he confronted and then
killed local farmer James Talbot. A drunk Talbot had killed
Corbett's Exchange bartender Otto Godfretson. Talbot had
been a stock inspector and expert brand reader until his
excessive drinking..
J. C. was appointed town Marshal
April 12, 1906.
February 8, 1908, after several weeks of
being in feeble condition, he died of diabetes
complications. He was only 45, and was survived by his wife
and 4 children, the youngest Audrey being only 5 months old.
Georgina never remarried, and passed away in 1952 in
Sutter, California. She outlived J.C. by 44 years.
He is
buried in Rosehill at Rifle. She is buried in Sutter,
California.
                             
|