This week in Aspen history

“A short time since a stranger entered Ashcroft riding a gray horse,” recounted the Rocky Mountain Sun on Sept. 10, 1881.

“Putting his horse up at a stable he commenced ‘taking in’ the town and was soon on terms of intimacy with one or two characters whose reputation was not of the best; several of the citizens concluding that his actions were suspicious determined to watch him. Followed him up a mountain near the town where they suddenly came upon four horses that had been staked out; they also found a bridle and saddle that had been stolen a few nights before from a cabin on Pine creek. Upon such strong evidence that a theft was intended the party returned to town to await the appearance of the stranger, who, however, took the alarm and left the district, not being willing to furnish the corpse for such a funeral as Ashcroft would have given him. Charles Miller who had been his associate while in town was arrested as an accessory, but there being no evidence against him he was released and given just fifteen minutes to leave town. Understanding the nature of the people he had to deal with he was far on his way to Leadville ere the time expired.”

Aspen Historical Society actively preserves and passionately presents local history in an inspired and provocative manner that will continue to anchor the local community and its evolving character. For more, visit aspenhistory.org.