Augusta Tabor
Augusta Pierce Tabor was the wife of a merchant and miner, Horace Tabor, the first white woman to live in the Idaho Springs mining camp, and a Denver philanthropist. She was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 1991 for her contributions to social service and philanthropy.
Early life
Augusta Pierce was born in Augusta, Maine on March 29, 1833. Her father, William B. Pierce, owned a quarry and was a contractor. Augusta, one of ten children and the third of seven girls, suffered poor health during her childhood. She is described as being tall, lithe and beautiful with thick dark hair and was determined and charming. Augusta was a debutante, grew up in a pampered lifestyle, and believed in women's rights. She was the cousin of Franklin Pierce, president of the United States.Marriage
William B. Pierce hired Horace Tabor to supervise stone-cutters who worked on the construction of a mental institution in Augusta, Maine. Augusta Pierce met Horace and they fell in love. Augusta and Horace made a plan to move west to Kansas Territory to help populate the territory with anti-slavery supporters. First, though, Horace traveled to Kansas and worked to save money to get married. He arrived with other members of the New England Emigrant Aid Company in 1855. Horace worked at Fort Riley as a stonemason, and he fought with others to defend the town of Lawrence against pro-slavery men during the Sacking of Lawrence.A member of the Free Soil Party, Tabor was elected to the Topeka Legislature.
Augusta was married to Horace Tabor on January 31, 1857, becoming Augusta Tabor. After their marriage at her family's home in Maine, the couple farmed for two years along Deep Creek in Zeandale, Kansas. They had a son named Nathaniel Maxcy, who was also known as Maxey.
Colorado
Augusta and Horace Tabor lived in the Idaho Springs mining camp before moving to Leadville. The Tabors established a store and Augusta made money as a washerwoman and as a landlady to boarders. Horace mined for gold in the mountains of Colorado and in 1878, after 20 years, he struck a silver vein that made US$10,000 per day.The Tabors established a mansion in Denver after Horace was elected lieutenant governor later in 1878. The 20-room mansion, built at Eighteenth and Broadway for $40,000, was operated as a boarding house after Horace left her for Elizabeth "Baby Doe" McCourt. Augusta was landlady for up to 14 people at a time and was engaged in community activities, such as contributing to civic projects and charities and hosting fund-raising events. Tabor was particularly involved in the Pioneer Ladies Aid Society.