The Crime and Incarceration of Ray Snowden

I just can't resist a good Idaho Pen story. Not directly Steunenberg related, but the video below is about an Idaho murder and the one and only hanging that took place at the old Idaho Penitentiary. We see our friend Rachelle Lattau, now Curatorial Registrar at the Idaho State Historical Museum, providing the tour and information about Snowden's stay at the pen. I believe Rachelle was the Interpretive Specialist at the time this video was made, just as she was during our November 2007 visit. I was of course in Boise at the time for the premiere showing of Assassination: Idaho's Trial of the Century. The small picture to the right is Rachelle and I during the special tour she hosted for us. Rachelle subsequently earned her well deserved promotion to Curatorial Registrar at the museum. 
(For those receiving automatic emails but not able to see the video about Ray Snowden immediately below...click here and be taken directly to my blog. Better to go there anyway). 
 
Rather accidentally, I ran across an episode of Ghost Adventures filmed at the Idaho pen and looking for the ghost of Ray Snowden. I will leave you to find and view that program on your own if you haven't already. Can't say I was too impressed but always interesting to see the penitentiary. Ghost Adventures described Snowden as "the most notorious inmate confined to the halls of the Idaho State Penitentiary....a man once dubbed "Idaho's Jack the Ripper." I can understand such a characterization for the sake of program publicity, but Snowden hardly stands up to the notoriety of one Harry Orchard. At least they did include Harry on the website as another notorious inmate.
For those that have seen the Ghost Adventures program, they didn't find anything ghostly related to Ray Snowden. No unusual happenings or hauntings. But remember all those rattlesnakes the ghost hunters kept running into and screaming and jumping all over about while climbing the hill behind the pen--no surprise there as they were walking in Harry Orchard territory. 

Other Idaho Pen Stories
Another hanging almost took place at the Idaho pen, that of Douglas Van Vlack. There was a Steuneneberg twist to this one. See below.

Eveline "Belle" Steunenberg Letter to the Idaho State Prison Board Re: Douglas Van Vlack Execution

A Good Hanging Spoiled by John T. Richards

Husband Killer Lyda Southard

More Selected Blog Posts

A CELEBRATED CASE & SEVEN FOOT GOVERNOR

"Steunenberg was a boyish, impulsive and utterly fearless individual, reckless to the verge of absurdity and incapable of actual crookedness of any sort. He knew perfectly well that he had antagonized a very large class of the community, but did not seem to be at all worried over the fact. He was a giant physically, standing seven feet in his stockings, and his physical strength was as great as his courage."

Click image below and go to my Footnote.com viewer.


Seven feet! Why James Naismith (credited as the inventor of basketball) would have been recruiting the governor to be an early Jayhawk at Kansas University. Often these Haywood trial articles were a strange blend of fact and fiction applied to all sides, further confusing the reading public and only fanning the flames of Labor versus Capital.

Picture to the right shows the Jayhawks in 1899 and Naismith standing far right. No seven footers.

BTW, the governor was 6'4", just about the same as my height. See Cousin George Crookham, Jr. and I in our playing days. Cousin George long before I came along! Click link below.
More Basketball

Since I am on a basketball theme (I haven't been mentioning much about the NBA playoffs this year), my Lakers have stumbled their way into the finals against the Boston Celtics. Although I was kind of hoping to see LeBron James and his Cleavland Cavaliers, the tradition of the Celtics and Lakers brings with it more of an historical flavor. Not sure if the Lakers can stand up to Boston or not, what with seven foot big man Andrew Bynum nursing a bad leg. I wonder if any seven foot governors are available?

Memorial Day

It seems fitting this Memorial Day weekend, and nearing the anniversary of D-Day (6/6/1944), that I am just finishing up the book, The Victors, by Stephen Ambrose. Ambrose gives a fair view of both the heroic efforts of the NCO's and other enlisted men that made the success D-Day possible despite the miscalculations and errors that occurred during the landing and subsequent invasion to liberate Europe. The men up front, through individual heroism and leadership, were able to overcome many of the blunders of the commanders (right on up to Eisenhower). A good read and a reminder of the the carnage of war and the sacrifices made to save the world from Hitler and the Axis powers.

Here is a another review of the book that comes from Nathaniel Tripp, a platoon leader in Vietnam. I am not a veteran, opposed the Vietnam war and was a lottery winner in the draft in 1969 as an eighteen year old kid out of high school. I did not even know what "lottery" meant at the time and it is the 1969 military draft that I think of today whenever I hear the word. That's probably why I never play today's so-called lotteries. My winning number was 326--not a million bucks but felt like it at the time. I always look to those that served as far better judges of such books as this one from Ambrose. Tripp ends his review with an important distinction between the history versus the culture of war. However, what I took away from The Victors was not the culture of war, but more the amazing heroism, ingenuity and staying power of what Ambrose terms the "citizen soldier." It is on this Memorial Day we honor all those who have fought and died. At the same time we must remain on guard that the culture of war that Tripp is rightfully concerned about, along with misguided patriotic fervor and our politicians, does not lead us down a road that unnecessarily expends our most valuable resources, the men and women of the American military. I believe Ambrose successfully communicates that view.

I am always amazed when I look back at the efforts undertaken during WWII and wonder if the country could ever be mobilized in such a manner again if world events demanded it. I must admit to not being overly optimistic in that regard.

At this time for reflection, please click her and visit some of my prior Memorial Day related posts.


Hundreds of D-Day and other WWII photographs are available on footnote.com. Click on the image above and you will be taken to my account. Click "Enlarge" and go to the viewer. In addition to this image, you should be able to click on "Open Filmstrip" in the bottom left hand corner of the viewer and be able to access the many other D-Day and WWII photos.

Big Trouble: The Steunenberg Assassination

An informative blog post from Dr. Hans Schantz summarizing the assassination, trial and Big Trouble. Tony Lukas would be pleased with the critique. Thank you Hans for visiting the Governor Steunenberg statue while in Boise and for mentioning my blog in your article.

Click on the link below.
Big Trouble: The Steunenberg Assassination

Nice picture of the governor too. It looks like great-grandpa was finally cleaned up a bit for the Capitol building re-dedication. Click on the picture a couple of times for a close-up enlarged view.

1913 Paterson Silk Strike & Big Bill Haywood

Here is another photo that came with the ones in the previous post. This shows Haywood a few years later in 1913.



April 29, 1913.
Leaders of the IWW who are conducting the Paterson N. J. mill strike. Left to right Carlo Tresca, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and William D. Haywood.
Photo News Dept. American Press Ass'n., 225 West 39th St., New York

Looks to me like Al Pacino could depict Carlo pretty well in a movie. I wish my Italian grandfather, Robert J. Ricciotti (aka Richards), an American Railway worker, had been around longer, as no doubt he could have taught me a thing or two about Carlo Tresca.

Haywood, Moyer & Pettibone Photographs

These aren't anything you haven't see before but are a couple of "original photographs" I recently picked up. Now I don't really consider them originals but they probably were made from an original print or maybe a negative. Hence, I would not pay as high a premium and got them at a reasonably inexpensive price. Maybe someone out there knows more about these kinds of photographs. They were typically archived by newspapers and magazines and used as needed in their publications. The photos are usually much sharper and show more detail as opposed to how they come out on newsprint. We have seen these from coverage of the trial in 1907 and in various publications since.

That's William D. "Big Bill" Haywood in the top photo taken inside his jail cell at the Sheriff's office in the Boise Courthouse. You can click here and view the same photograph in a newspaper article from 1907 by going to my Footnote.com website. And here is the same item as an artists rendition. Lower photo outside the jail/Sheriff's Office, probably on a break during the trial or waiting for the days proceedings to start. George Pettibone, Haywood in his traditional pose turning his bad eye away from the camera and Charles Moyer. Names are written on the back but we know these guys anyway.

View all of my "Spotlights" on Footnote.com.

Mom and that's me under construction.

John (me) and my mom, Brenda Steunenberg Richards, circa 1951, in Pacoima, CA...well you can sorta see me. The valley (Pacoima, Van Nuys, Glendale, etc.) wasn't such a bad place in the 1950's. Parts of it were not so great in later years. It would not be long after this picture that I would be born at Glendale Hospital. We left the valley in 1960 to head up the road to a small, mostly one street and Jungleland town called Thousand Oaks ("T.O."). Not so small these days.

A Look Back - Happy Mother's Day

Mother's day is a little bittersweet this year, but there are always good memories to sustain us. I won't repeat the whole story here, as you can look back a few years by clicking on the link below. That day, when I presented my mom with her honorary high school diploma, and hopefully helped heal an old wound from the 1930's, is one of my more cherished moments from recent times.

Brenda Steunenberg Richards-The Graduate-Class of 1936-Honorary Diploma September 2004

Fortunately, I had the videotape rolling when I presented her with the framed diploma you see in this picture. I think I will get the video out, view it again this mother day, shed a few more tears...and remember all the gifts she presented to me.

Have a Happy Mother's Day weekend everybody. John

More....
Brenda R. Richards (in progress)

My sister Kris entered a comment on this post that consisted of an excerpt of a poem she wrote. It's too good to only have a part of it and and might be missed by folks who don't click on the individual post or the comment link. So here it is below in its entirety. jr

I (Kris) was going through some things and discovered a poem I had written to Mom in 1971, I was about 23 and and the very young mother of a son. On this Mother's Day I want to include an excerpt to my beloved Mom.

Through days of smiles and carefree miles

We pass with nary a care;

Never aware of the troubles & trials,

That someone has to bear.

There’s seldom time to think of she,

Who mends our socks & sorrows;

Or pause a moment to stop and see,

Who’s guiding her tomorrows.

And so we run thru days of youth

To pathways yet to be;

Seeking love, in search of truth,

And finding both in she.

Moments, too, as all shall pass,

And children soon are grown;

Carefree days too soon to pass,

To children of their own.

So we watch and wait and pray,

For a child, young & free;

So we strive to be someday,

A mother such as she.

She, who’s greatest joy is giving,

And sharing unselfishly;

She, who spreads the glory of living,

If this I can one day be.

Loving, beyond so much,

and smiles, though troubles come;

Always there with a tender touch,

If this I can become.

One who’ll always lend an ear,

Though other have to go;

To share a smile and dry a tear,

If this I come to know.

Then, somehow, if this and more,

I ever grow to be;

Perhaps my son will know someday,

A mother such as she.

-- by Kris

August, 1971

A Timeless Tribute

Thank you Jan and Anna Marie Boles for this thoughtful and kind contribution in memory of my mother.

To visit the COI archives and the George L. Crookham collection, comprised of documents and letters from the Frank Steunenberg administration, go to:
G. L. Crookham Jr., Papers

GLC Online Collection

Bibliography/Acknowledgment

Timelines

Idaho Public TV (Assassination: Idaho's Trial of the Century)

More...
Papers reveal how Gov. Frank Steunenberg tried to suppress the Western Mining Wars --BY JAN BOLES ‘65

John's Footnote Spotlights

A Note from Mom - May 1992

"I had a great family - Kris, John, Cindy, Josh & Joey & Dad & I went to Montana de Oro on a nice picnic. John grilled chicken and sausage & we enjoyed that along with other goodies - Kris, Cindy & I made. I heard from Gary Sr., from Iowa, where he is on a job. Then later in the day from Gary Jr. & Sean by phone. So thoughtful of them. Talked to Connie also.
Glad to have a word from Beckie. I love her so much, even if we don't see everything exactly alike.

Beautiful Cards - I just couldn't throw them away. Cindy so thoughtful too, always brings flowers. Hope she and the baby do beautifully - Love all of you
Mom
May 1992"

Written May 1992 after mother's day and recently discovered among some cards my mother had kept. Interesting that she began with "I had a great family." Mom tended to write notes here and there that she knew we would discover later after she was gone. This is another of the little treasures she has left us. Referenced in the note are my sisters Kris (and her son Sean) and Beckie, my brother Gary, his son Gary Jr., Gary Jr's mother Connie, my sons Josh and Joe and my wife Cindy (then pregnant with my daughter Caley). Montana de Oro is a beautiful state park here on the central coast very near our residence. Over the years, Spooner's Cove has been the site of various family gatherings and birthday parties. Good memories. John

Brenda Steunenberg Richards
8/26/1918 - 3/21/2010

Brenda Steunenberg Richards

Brenda Steunenberg circa 1921
Caldwell, ID

Dear Friends and Family:

I wanted to let those friends and relatives that are not nearby or in regular contact know that my mother, Brenda Steunenberg Richards, quietly passed away early this morning (Sunday). She is now with her brother Cal and her parents Julian and Francis and the rest of the clan that have come and gone before us.

Mom has been in nursing care for about four months. I last saw her just yesterday and peeked around the corner of her room before going in. She was begging over and over “dear lord please take me.” She even ask “John, please help me go” but then would say I can’t, as she “didn’t want me to get in any trouble.” She did the same with my sister Kris. Leave it to Mom to always think first about keeping us out of trouble. I was very troubled thinking of her laying there begging to go and am at peace that she has passed away and that her prayer was answered. We were as prepared as one can be at such a time.

My father is in the hospital after a fall and striking his head last week so we are coping with that too. I informed him shortly after the nursing home called and was up to the hospital today to see him.

I will most likely write more about my mother once a little time passes. Arrangements are pending. Mom will be cremated and we will celebrate her life at a later date. She did not want any formal services.

With love and regards from my mother and all our family to all of you,

John

Bob Meldrum's Colt sold at auction

Remember my recent post on March 5th,
Bob Meldrum's Colt Up for Auction.
As we have discussed before, Bob Meldrrum and Charles Siringo were hired to guard Harry Orchard. They weren't concerned about his escape, but were there to discourage any assassination attempts on his life and to perform various other duties involving intimidation and protection. You may have seen this photo postcard from my grandparents (Julian and Francis Steunenberg) photo album before but always worth another look. I would like to find more of these or similar postcards if you ever see any or have some stashed away. Siringo is up toward the top of the stairs and Meldrum is second from the left with his hand/arm reaching behind Orchard (in the derby hat). Rudie Barthell (a step up the stairs just behind Orchard) was another hired gun that we see with this group. The picture was taken at the courthouse in Boise. Click on the photo to enlarge for better viewing. The following link shows much of the same group as they prepare to leave the Idaho Penitentiary.
Meldrum's Colt sold for $258, 750.00. Goldarnit, I just missed getting it! I wonder who did?
Click the link below to see detail photographs of this fine Colt.
Photos showing detail and engraving

And below is the full description from
James D. Julia auction item 2092.
*EXTRAORDINARILY RARE AND HISTORIC HELFRICHT ENGRAVED & GOLD INLAID COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER PRESENTED TO "BAD GOOD GUY" ROBERT D MELDRUM. SN 253161. Cal. 45 Colt. Blue finish with 4-3/4" bbl, full front sight and 2-line address with caliber marking on left side. Left side of frame has 2-line 3-patent dates and rampant Colt in a circle. Mounted with 2-pc smooth pearl grips. Revolver is spectacularly engraved in very unique patterns by master engraver Cuno Helfricht with about full coverage on frame consisting of fine foliate arabesque patterns with gold wire inlay in two patterns on each side of the frame, narrow gold bands on the bbl at the frame and at the muzzle and a gold wire border around the presentation on the back strap. Rear edge of left recoil shield has an unusual geometric & foliate pattern with diamond & dot patterns combined with foliate patterns on the top strap. Loading gate is engraved in a beautiful scallop shell pattern and there is a large flower blossom on the ejector rod boss. Bottom front gullets of frame are engraved with tiny flower blossoms. The foliate arabesque patterns extend about 2/3 of the length of each side of the bbl with fine braided border patterns around bbl address, terminating in intertwined geometric & foliate arabesque patterns. In addition to the gold band around the muzzle there is a 4-panel triangular shaped diamond & dot pattern, and a flower blossom on each side of the front sight. Ejector rod housing has an unusual & well-executed foliate arabesque pattern on outer radius with a foliate spray at the frame end. Ejector rod housing top gullet is fully engraved with a braided pattern. Top of back strap is engraved with a fine shell pattern with chip & dot border and punch dot background. Back strap engraved with the presentation "From The Tomboy Gold Mine Co. Lt'd / Telluride Colo" and the butt strap is engraved "Rob't. D.Meldrum". Trigger guard & trigger bow are engraved in foliate arabesque patterns with a gold wire inlay on the trigger bow. Cylinder has full coverage engraved foliate arabesque patterns on the outer diameter with the flutes left unadorned. Rear edge of cylinder has four borders with a narrow gold wire band inlay and another very narrow gold wire lands on each side of a very fine, wavy border with a chip & dot border at the very rear edge. The serial number was observed in the usual three places on the frame, trigger guard & butt strap with the last three digits of the SN on rear face of cylinder. This revolver is very similar to two other Helfricht engraved and gold inlaid single actions, SN's 242701 and 256058 which are illustrated in full color on pp. 434 & 435 of The Colt Engraving Book Volume One, Wilson. A factory letter accompanies this lot which conforms to this gun. It also states the gun was ordered by Tompkins Hunt Hardware Co., (which was located in or near Telluride). According to factory records, only 2 gold inlaid 1st run Colt S.A.A.'s were ever made inscribed with presentations (this being one of them). As noted S.A. authority Ron Graham states in his letter (accompanying the gun), "The only way this could be any better is if the other (inscribed) one did not exist!" However, it actually gets better. The history of its somewhat nefarious former owner is both interesting and reflective of a time of great transition in the history of the West. While civilized societies were expanding, many areas were still hard and dangerous. In these areas, a lawman needed to be equally hard and feared to survive. It was hard to sometimes differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys. RobertMeldrum was such a man. In 1900Meldrum recognized a Texas fugitive, Noah Wilkerson from a wanted poster.Meldrum simply shot the man and collected his $200 reward without risk of personal injury. This approach seemed to become his policy. By 1902 he hired on as a mine guard and deputy sheriff in Telluride, Colorado, for the Tomboy Mining Co. located high in the mountains overlooking the village of Telluride. It had two serious problems; mineral poachers and organizers attempting to organize the mine workers. In need of a hired gun, the mine purportedly contacted the famous Tom Horn who is believed to have referred his acquaintance RobertMeldrum. While working for the Tomboy Mine company in a covert operation involving the Pinkerton Agency sometime from 1902 to 1904, Meldrum ingratiated himself to the mine (probably by killing some problematic individuals). Tomboy was unquestionably grateful because they not only presented him with this spectacular gun, but also gifted him another engraved (but not gold inlaid) Colt.Meldrum continued his heavy-handed ways and in 1904 killed unarmed Olaf Thissal in Telluride and others as he felt they needed it. He was brought to court on various cases involving killings but was usually acquitted. On a few occasion he worked for cattle growers associations like Tom Horn to dispose of and discourage cattle thieves. Finally in 1912, as a law officer, Meldrum killed another drunk unarmed cowboy, Chick Bowen. Meldrum was again brought up on charges and finally sent to jail. By 1919 he was out on parole and later owned a saddle and holster shop in Wyoming. In 1926 fire destroyed his shop and Meldrum disappeared never to be heard of again. There are far more fascinating details about this bad-good guy. More info and a great exhibit of some of Meldrum's things are available at the Museum of Northwest Colorado in Craig, Colorado. Much of the above information was graciously provided by Director of the museum, Mr. Dan Davidson. In appreciation of this, James D. Julia Auctioneers has commissioned Doug Turnbull to produce an exact copy of this gun which will be donated to the museum as part of its permanent Meldrum collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching including cylinder, grips are unnumbered. Overall retains 20-25% orig blue finish, mostly in sheltered areas on the bbl and in the flutes of the cylinder and on the face of the cylinder. Balance of the revolver is an even bare metal patina showing moderate wear to the inscription on the back strap. Grips are extremely fine with great fire & color. Crisp mechanics, bright shiny bore. 4-38974 JR91 (200,000-400,000)
--James D. Julia Auctions

Governor Frank Steunenberg's Model 1895 .303 Savage Rifle

I guess this is guns week, so in addition to the Bob Meldrum and Harry Orchard Colts discussed in the immediately preceding posts, we might as well cover Frank Steunenberg's Savage Model 1895 .303 rifle. I would like to get better documentation and photographs of this personally engraved rifle given as a gift to then Governor Steunenberg in 1899--but here is what I have to date.
The Savage was reportedly given to Frank by several mine owners. I don't know which ones specifically but would like to find out. One would assume it was presented as a token of appreciation for his action to suppress labor unrest in the Coeur d'Alene. I know that opens up a political Pandora's box but those issues are covered elsewhere throughout this blog, in the history books and the production of Assassination: Idaho's Trial of the Century.

This 1895 has a custom checkered stock, a 26" octagon barrel, a engraved patent date of 1893, a gold crescent butt plate and a blade front site. It takes a .303 cartridge (not British .303) that is no longer available commercially but can still be purchased from various re-loaders. Unfortunately, well intentioned kinfolk had the rifle re-blued, stock refinished and checkering probably sharpened up a bit. Never a good idea with an antique firearm.

A nameplate affixed to the stock says "Frank Stennenberg, 1899, Governor of Idaho." As often happens with the Steunenberg name, it is misspelled on the nameplate. You would have expected the mine owners and/or engraver to have been a bit more careful in that regard. An interesting mistake when presenting such a special gift to a standing governor. The picture to the right is not very clear but you get the idea. The engraved plague may have been silver but was unfortunately blued.

After Frank's murder by Harry Orchard on December 30th, 1905, the rifle passed into the possession of his brother, Will Steunenberg, who mentioned it in his last will and testament ("To Hell With the Man Who Breaks My Will"). Will indicated the rifle should be passed on to either of Frank's two sons, one being my grandfather Julian and the other Frank Jr. Although Julian hunted as a teenager and young man, I don't believe he or Frank Jr. had any propensity toward guns later in life. This picture (Caldwell, ID circa 1905) shows by grandfather Julian on the right, after a fresh kill, a knife in his mouth and holding a rifle. Maybe this one? Probably not but always fun to speculate.

I am not sure the exact chain of ownership from there, but assume the rifle came into the possession of the Steunenberg sisters and passed into the hands of my Crookham kinfolk through the marriage of our families. Later, George Crookham Jr., passed it on to the current kin's possession. Those family members wish to remain anonymous and I will respect their request.
I would like to get the serial # and obtain a letter of authenticity available from a former Savage employee and historian (link is a sample, not for this rifle) documenting the rifles manufacturing date, shipping date, who it was sold to, etc. It would be good to have that letter with the rifle and might be helpful in tracing the early provenance.

I am gratified to know this great old Savage 1895 it is still within the family. Hopefully, I may be able to make a trip in the not too distant future and examine the rifle more closely, study and document its history, obtain more detailed closeup photographs.... and maybe shoot off a couple rounds.

Thanks to my kinfolk for providing the photographs of the rifle.

Shorter barrel on the 1895 pictured above. I believe it was available in carbine (23"), rifle (26"), musket (30") or thereabouts.

Related Websites

Savage Arms Co. History

Early Savage Model 1895

Unofficial Savage Website

Model 1895

Where is Harry Orchard's Colt Single Action Army? Who has it?

If you have a little spare change around, the Colt of Meldrum's in the previous post would be a fine item for your (my) collection. Now if I only knew where Harry Orchard's old Army Colt ended up after being auctioned off a few years back. It wouldn't be as pretty as Meldrum's, as Harry wasn't no gunfighter and probably didn't take very good care of it. A gun was not the chosen tool of his trade and shooting wasn't his type of killing. However, a cowardly shot in the back now and then wasn't against his constitution if he couldn't get his prey with dynamite.

The following auction took place circa 2003-2006. I believe it was likely 2004, as that would have been the only year within that time-frame with Columbus Day falling on Monday October 11th as indicated at the top of the listing. Click on the auction listing for clearer reading. Those of you more familiar with auction houses specializing in old weapons might be able to shed some light on it. If you are the one that bought Harry's Colt, or know who did, I sure would appreciate hearing from you. Not particularly looking to buy, but would like to get some documentation and good photographs for the historical record.


Colt Single Action Army (Wikipedia)

Colt Firearms

Bob Meldrum's Colt up for auction

Remember Bob Meldrum? Well you can now purchase a fine Colt given to Meldrum by the Tomboy Mining Company of Telluride, CO. Meldrum had been recommended to the mining company by his friend Tom Horn. Tom is another one of those characters, like "Hair Trigger" Bob, that moved in and out of various roles as a lawmen, gunfighter, assassin, Pinkerton detective, etc. Meldrum, Charles Siringo and others were hired by the Pinkerton's and/or Governor Gooding during the Haywood Trial in Boise, Idaho. Who was on which side of the law was often hard to distinguish.

Below from James D. Julia Auctioneers


Now move 90 years ahead in history to the Wild West Colorado, specifically Telluride. The lot in question is an extraordinary and rare Cuneo Helfricht engraved and gold inlaid Colt single-action Army revolver. According to the records, it appears that of all of the 300,000 antique Colt revolvers produced over a period of approximately 30+ years, only 16 ever had gold inlay and only two of those gold inlaid ones ever carried presentation inscriptions on the backstrap, this being one of them. The backstrap and butt strap read, “From the Tom Boy Gold Mine Co., Telluride, Colorado to Robert L. Meldrum”. The gun had been on loan and display at the Museum of Northwest Colorado, in Craig, Colorado until the owner learned that the Julia auction company in March of 2009 had sold a similar gold inlaid revolver for around $750,000 and as a result, contacted Julia. While this gun is not in the spectacular condition that the Sears Colt of spring 2009 was, this has something the Sears Colt did not have and that is a most intriguing and exciting western history. Meldrum apparently was a friend or acquaintance of Tom Horn. The Tom Boy Mining Company was experiencing great difficulty with organizers trying to get their workers to go out on strike and poachers stealing minerals from their claims. They unsuccessfully tried to get Horn to come work for them but he was busy at the time and referred them to Meldrum. Meldrum obviously was successful for the mining company because in 1904 they presented him with two beautiful engraved Colts. This one however, is by far the finer of the two with gold inlay; a most extravagant gift in those days. History about Meldrum indicates that his title “hair trigger” was well earned. During his lifetime he killed no fewer than 14 men, most “in the line of duty”. Meldrum was obviously a hard and cold man as at least two of his victims were unarmed at the time he shot them. Meldrum’s history is not only intriguing but a bit mysterious. By the 1920s he had established a leatherwork business making saddles and holsters at which he was greatly accomplished. One night his business was burnt down, Meldrum disappeared and was never heard from again. This extraordinary pistol with its tremendous history carries a presale estimate of $200,000-$400,000.
--James D. Julia Press Releases