The Tabor Triangle – Rags, Riches & Scandal
The story of the Tabor Triangle, a complex web involving Horace, Augusta, and Elizabeth McCourt "Baby Doe" Tabor, is a quintessential American saga of meteoric rise, scandalous love, and eventual ruin set against the backdrop of the rugged Rocky Mountains. This narrative, rich with historical detail and human drama, showcases the transformative power of wealth, the fragility of relationships, and the enduring allure of the American Dream.
At the heart of this triangle stands Horace Tabor, a man who transitioned from humble beginnings as a Vermont stone quarry worker to a Colorado merchant, and ultimately, a silver magnate. His initial fortune was built upon the simple act of "grubstaking" miners in the burgeoning mining town of Leadville, Colorado. This practice, providing miners with essential supplies in exchange for a share of their potential finds, proved incredibly lucrative for Tabor, catapulting him into a world of wealth and influence.
However, Tabor’s newfound riches soon became entangled with personal turmoil. He abandoned his wife, Augusta, a woman who had shared his early struggles and contributed significantly to his success, for the captivating Elizabeth McCourt, known as "Baby Doe." This decision sparked widespread scandal and societal condemnation, forever altering the course of their lives. The Tabor Triangle became synonymous with both opulent living and moral controversy.
The story of the Tabor Triangle is not merely a tale of personal failings; it is also a reflection of the era’s social mores and the intoxicating allure of the Wild West. The rapid influx of wealth into mining towns like Leadville created a breeding ground for both opportunity and corruption. Fortunes were made and lost overnight, and the established social order was often challenged by those who rose to prominence through sheer luck and determination.
The Tabor Triangle represents a microcosm of this dynamic environment. Horace Tabor’s transformation from a hardworking merchant to a flamboyant millionaire embodies the spirit of the age, while his scandalous affair with Baby Doe highlights the tensions between traditional values and the freewheeling lifestyle of the frontier. The repercussions of this affair would ultimately lead to his financial downfall and a tragic end for both him and Baby Doe.
The contrasting fates of the three individuals in the Tabor Triangle offer a poignant commentary on the nature of wealth and happiness. While Horace achieved unimaginable riches, he ultimately lost his family, his reputation, and his fortune. Augusta, despite being left behind, maintained her dignity and financial security, eventually finding a measure of peace in her later years. Baby Doe, captivated by the allure of wealth and social status, found herself isolated and impoverished, clinging to the hope of a return to her former glory until her death. The Tabor Triangle stands as a cautionary tale about the ephemeral nature of material possessions and the enduring importance of personal integrity.
The Tabor Triangle’s narrative arc, from rags to riches and back to rags, underscores the volatility of the mining industry and the dangers of unchecked ambition. Tabor’s overreliance on silver and his failure to diversify his investments ultimately led to his ruin when the silver market crashed. This financial collapse not only stripped him of his wealth but also exposed the fragility of his relationships and the superficiality of his social standing. The Tabor Triangle is a compelling example of the boom-and-bust cycles that characterized the American West.
The lives of Horace and Augusta Tabor began in relative obscurity. Horace Tabor was born in Holland, Vermont, in 1830, and spent his early years working in stone quarries. Augusta Pierce, born in Maine, came from a comfortable middle-class background. Their paths converged when Horace was hired by Augusta’s father, a quarry owner. Their courtship led to marriage in 1857, and the couple embarked on a journey westward, seeking opportunity and a better life.
Their initial destination was Kansas, where Horace joined a group of anti-slavery settlers. He homesteaded a piece of land and became involved in the turbulent political landscape of "Bleeding Kansas." Augusta, accustomed to a more refined life, struggled with the harsh conditions and the constant threat of violence. However, she remained steadfast in her support of Horace, demonstrating her resilience and determination.
In 1859, the Tabors, along with their infant son, Maxcy, set out for the gold fields of Colorado. The journey was arduous and fraught with danger, but Augusta’s resourcefulness and unwavering spirit proved invaluable. She cooked, cleaned, and cared for her family under the most challenging circumstances, earning the respect of the miners and establishing herself as a vital member of the community.
Upon arriving in California Gulch, near present-day Leadville, Augusta quickly became an indispensable figure in the mining camp. She served as the camp’s cook, laundress, postmistress, and banker, managing the flow of gold dust and providing essential services to the miners. Her honesty and hard work earned her the admiration of the community, while Horace focused on prospecting and managing their business affairs.
For nearly two decades, the Tabors worked tirelessly, moving from one mining camp to another, providing provisions and services to the ever-changing population of prospectors. They were known for their integrity and generosity, earning the trust and respect of their neighbors. By the late 1870s, they had amassed a comfortable fortune, a testament to their hard work and perseverance.
Their lives took a dramatic turn in 1878 when Horace grubstaked two German prospectors who struck silver in the Little Pittsburgh Mine. This discovery transformed the Tabors from successful merchants into wealthy silver magnates. Horace quickly became a prominent figure in Leadville, serving as its first mayor and investing heavily in the town’s infrastructure.
However, the newfound wealth also created a rift between Horace and Augusta. While Horace embraced the lavish lifestyle of a millionaire, Augusta remained grounded and cautious, warning against extravagance and urging him to save for the future. Their differing values and lifestyles ultimately contributed to the breakdown of their marriage.
Enter Elizabeth McCourt, a beautiful and ambitious woman who captured Horace Tabor’s attention. Born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1854, Elizabeth, nicknamed "Baby Doe," possessed a captivating charm and a desire for social advancement. She married Harvey Doe Jr., the son of a mine owner, in 1877, and moved to Colorado in pursuit of fortune.
However, her marriage to Harvey Doe quickly faltered. He proved to be a poor provider, and the couple struggled to make a living in the rough-and-tumble mining community. Baby Doe’s beauty and lively spirit attracted attention from other men, leading to gossip and scandal. In 1880, she divorced Harvey Doe and moved to Leadville, where she met Horace Tabor.
The attraction between Horace and Baby Doe was immediate and intense. Despite his marriage to Augusta and the significant age difference, Horace pursued Baby Doe relentlessly. Their affair became public knowledge, causing a scandal that rocked Denver society. Horace eventually divorced Augusta and married Baby Doe in a lavish ceremony in Washington, D.C., in 1883.
The marriage of Horace and Baby Doe was met with widespread condemnation. The wives of Washington’s elite refused to attend their wedding, and Baby Doe was ostracized by Denver society. However, Horace and Baby Doe remained devoted to each other, building a grand mansion in Denver and indulging in a life of luxury and extravagance.
The Tabors had two daughters, Elizabeth "Lillie" Bonduel Lily and Rose Mary Echo Silver Dollar Tabor. However, their happiness was short-lived. In 1893, the silver market collapsed, and Horace Tabor’s fortune evaporated. He lost his mines, his mansion, and his social standing.
Despite their financial ruin, Baby Doe remained loyal to Horace. They moved into a small cottage near the Matchless Mine in Leadville, and Horace worked as a postmaster to support his family. In 1899, Horace Tabor died of appendicitis, leaving Baby Doe with a deathbed promise to "hold onto the Matchless Mine."
Baby Doe spent the remaining 35 years of her life living in poverty near the Matchless Mine, clinging to the hope that it would once again produce silver and restore her fortune. She became a recluse, isolated from society and increasingly eccentric. In 1935, she was found dead in her cabin, frozen and alone.
The story of the Tabor Triangle is a tragic tale of ambition, love, and loss. It is a reminder of the fleeting nature of wealth and the enduring power of the human spirit. The lives of Horace, Augusta, and Baby Doe Tabor continue to fascinate and inspire, serving as a cautionary tale about the pursuit of the American Dream.
