Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneers
August Mottschall
In 1890 Denver, August Mottschall is an expressman, living at 2438 Market.
March 2, 1900 "The trial of this now celebrated case for turkeys and the
Mottschall's was resumed on Friday Feb. 23, with Hon. Jno. R. Williams
county judge of Washington county presiding by coming for Hon. J. S. Hendrie,
who took sick during the trial a week ago. The State commenced where they left off
one week ago cross examining witnesses. Paul Landauer, whose testimony was very
damaging to the prosecution was followed by Frank Hammond and Amos Binford
giving very strong evidence for the defense. Mr. Brown, managing the prosecution, had
subpoenaed several additional witnesses for rebuttal, but as a whole this evidence
was weak and conflicting and failed to come up to expectations of any one and when
Mrs. J. J. S. Harney testified for the State, that Mrs. Mottschall told her last
September that she had only about 80 turkeys and that the wolves were taking them very
fast — that settled it. The jury was out exactly 12 minutes and returned a verdict of
not guilty. This case, although a misdemeanor only, was very closely contested by
both Mr. Brown for the State and August Muntzing for the defense; the latter consuming
three hours and Mr. Brown two hours in addresses to the jury. More than a dozen witnesses
testified for the State and three for the defendants.
Costs amount to near $400. A high priced Thanksgiving meal."
In 1900 Yuma County, August is farming, born April 1860 in Germany, immigrating in 1884, married two years to Mary J. July 1861 Canada. The census index has MOTTSACHALL.
August cash-claimed a quarter in 30, 3N 48W in 1890, near a number of other 1890-1891 cash claimants.
August and Mary J. Mottschall divorced in Yuma County December 5, 1900.
December 14, 1900 
In October 1903 August was delinquent on taxes for half of the quarter.
December 25, 1903 "Mrs. Mary J. Mutschall died at her home north of town on Monday morning."
January 15, 1904 "August Mottschall was down from Yuma on Tuesday and took out letters of administration on the estate of his wife, Mary J. Motchall, deceased."
April 1, 1904 "August Mottschall has made complaint against Albert and Ed Clark and the
old lady that they have taken eight head of cattle belonging to the Mary J. Motchall estate away from him.
We reckon the Clarks are anxious to serve a term for contempt of court."
June 24, 1904 " NOTICE is hereby given, that on Saturday, the 18th day of June, 1904,
between the hours of 10 o'clock in the forenoon, and 5 o'clock in the afternoon of
said day, at Yuma, oounty of Yuma and state of Colorado, the personal property of the
estate of Mary J. Mottschall, deceased, consisting of six cows, two heifers, one roan
horse, one cart, one dark brown horse, one set single harness, one sewing machine,
one saddle and bridle, house hold goods and other articles, will be sold at public
sale, in accordance with an order of court Terms of Sale Cash, and nothing to be
sold for less than 80 percent, of the appraised value.
August Mottschall, Administrator."
October 27, 1905
"August Mottschall, a resident of Yuma county, was arrested here Tuesday
by Marshal Boyce as a vagrant and on trial was sentenced to ten days on the streets.
When his sentence expires Mottschall will doubtless be tried on the charge of insanity, as
there seems little doubt tbnt he is of unsound mind. Mottschall came here last June,
boardingat one of the hotels and it was because that he failed to pay his account
that the arrest for vagrancy was made. According to Mottshall's story he has had quite
an eventful life. He claims to have resided in Yuma county for a number of years
and had considerable property at one time. He has been married divorced and remarried.
When bis wife died some time ago the relatives began a systematic prosecution,
finally securing control of his property and beating him ont of everything he bad.
Since coming to Sterling last June Mottschall has made no effort to secure employment.
E \ ery day and sometimes far into the night he has occupied a seat in the court
house park, but as he made no trouble he was not molested. His particular
hallucination seems to be that the government will reimburse him for his losses
and on the strength of this belief he has contracted debts he cannot pay.
Brooding over his troubles seems to have affected his mind.
Sterling Advocate."
He might be the August Austerall in 1910 Sterling Colorado, age 50 born in Germany, immigrating in 1884, a porter in a hotel. He's living alone, with four young male lodgers.
In 1912 Clear Creek County, Colorado, the Mining Journal reported that the Morning Star property on Saxon mountain has been taken under lease by A. Mottschall and W.A. Patton, work having bee put under way last week. In the adit that was driven 75 ft. a streak of zinc ore is exposed that is from 2 to 3 ft. wide and tests show values of 55 per cent zinc and from 40 to 50 ozs. silver a ton. This property has lain dormant for over 20 years -"
He might be the August Mattshann in 1920 Denver, a farm hand, 59, citizenship unknown.
August died October 14, 1920, according to his estate, under $200 in value, filed in Denver probate in November 1920, B.E. Woodward administator. No heirs were known.
He's buried in Denver Riverside Cemetery, age 50, in block 14, lot 5.
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