Yuma County, Colorado Photographs

Yuma County Pioneer Photographs:

Richard Lumbard, Wray
November 1890 Wray "Dick Lombard has a plan for civilizing the Indians, which we think would work like a charm if Dick could hold out."

Richard cash-claimed a quarter in section 19, 2N 43W in 1891. That was next to Samuel F. Kelly's 1891 cash claim.
Richard was a laborer in 1880 Gage County, Nebraska, 28, born in England, boarding with an Indian agent J.W. Grist 43 and his wife.
He was paid $300 in 1879 for labor for the Otoe agency.
Richard Lumbard was farming in Yuma County in 1900, single, born June 1852 in England, immigrating in 1876, naturalized.

May 1901 "H. L. Gaige this week purchased the Lumbard place joining his own on Holy Joe." (a creek north of Wray)

May 1904 "Dick Lombard from north of Wray was in town Tuesday. He has 140 acres of wild oats and 240 acres of corn in. He says he will have plenty of cattle feed this fall."


May 1906 Wray "Shortly after 8 o'clock Saturday afternoon, when the streets were crowded with farmers and the merchants were busy waiting on customers, the cry of fire started everybody on the run towards the Christiansen barn from which great volumes of fire and smoke were issuing. Before anything could be done the whole building was a mass of flames. In a few moments the fire communicated to Dick Lombard's house, occupied by George Owen and wife, and fanned by a fierce southeast wind, threatened the whole north end of town. Everybody directed their efforts toward saving the surrounding buildings, and every bucket, tub, jar and can in the neighborhood was utilized in throwing water on the Pickett building to check the progress of the flames. O. D. Pickett who had a mare in the barn at the time, rushed in and cut it loose and got it out safely. He then went back and cut some of the other horses loose, but the heat became so intense that he had to make his escape, after having his right hand badly burned. Three horses belonging to Hans Christiansen were rescued, two of which were badly scorched on ther backs and one slightly on the forehead. Twelve horses and mules were burned, owned by the following parties: John Tippon, team of mules; Ernest Akey, team of horses; M. J. Wells, one mule and one horse; Hans Christiansen, three horses; A. R. Speicher, one horse; Bert Ragan, team of horses. Three buggies and three sets of harness were also consumed. By the heroic efforts of our citizens, and the fact that the creek was close by, the fire was confined to the two buildings, and in about an hour's time, it burned itself out.
A burning ember flew through an open window into the Shields hotel and set fire to a bed, but the mattress and bedclothes were promptly thrown through the window into the street. The shingles on the roof of the hotel also caught fire but the blaze was speedily extinguished. Mr. Christiansen estimates his loss at $2,000 with no insurance. Mr. and Mrs. Owens lost nearly all of their household goods, which were uninsured, Mr. Lombard carried no insurance on his building. The efforts of our citizens no doubt saved a vast amount of property.
The origin of the fire is not definitely known, as there was no around the barn at the time but Dick Lombard, who was cleaning up in front. His attention was first attracted by the horses snorting and stamping around. On rushing in he discovered the hay on fire. He shouted fire and proceeded to cut the horses loose, but was unable to got in and out, as the animals had become frantic. The supposition is that someone came in after a horse and dropped a lighted cigar or a match among the hay. A load of oats and hay had been put in the barn about a half hour previous to the fire."

June 1906 "Hans Christiansen traded a house in the west end of town to Dick Lombard for a lot adjoining the site of his livery barn."



September 1907 Wray "The case against Dick Lombard for the illegal sale of liquor was dismissed, the witnesses for the defense testifying that the liquor in question sold to one Cochrane, of Denver, was a fixed up dose of ginger ale, pepper sauce and water."

October 1907 "Charlie Grant, who formerly ran a saloon but has been operating a grocery store in the town of Wray since the town went dry last spring has been arrested on six counts charging him with selling liquor without a licence. Dick Lombard also a former saloonkeeper, was arrested on the same charge."

1908 Wray

March 1909 "Richard Lombard was appointed an officer of the Colorado Humane Society for Yuma county by Judge Jennings this week."

September 1909

In 1910 Wray, Richard is 64, a janitor at the court house, living alone.

September 1912 "Uncle Dick Lombard, the janitor and jailor at the court house, had to work over time part of the past week. One day he had six men and boys under his charge at the county bastile."

January 1913

May 1913 "Richard Lumbard returned yesterday from a two months visit to different points in Kansas."

June 1919 "R. Lombard has sold his interest in the Allen-Lombard store to his partner, William Allan. Mr. Lombard has boon in poor health since he suffered an attack of influenza some time ago. He will try the rest cure for a time in the hope of regaining his strength."

In 1920 Wray, Richard O. Lombard has no occupation, 70, immigrating in 1876, naturalized in 1885, bron in England.

Richard is buried in Wray 1838-1925, in grave 6 of block 5, 11, 43. The only other ones in that are Baron Brown in 3C, Barron Brown in 4, Isaac and Nettie Rose in 1 and 2, and Vesta Mae Wilson in 3D.

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