My Colorado
A Family Tree
By Jim Hurd
In a verdant forest north of Steamboat Springs stands an aging aspen tree. Barely legible on its trunk is the word “SHACK,” carved there more than 100 years ago.
I first saw the tree as a youngster when my mother told me its story. That story has to do with why I am a native Coloradan.
After the stock market crash of 1893, “Grandpa” Shackleford and his young godson, James Hezekiah Mudd, left their home in Missouri and headed for the goldfields of Colorado. After crossing the continental divide in Wyoming, they turned south toward the placer works at Hahn's Peak, Colorado. Exhausted and hungry, they pitched camp in a lush forest beside a sparkling mountain stream. It must have seemed like Eden after the hot and dusty trip across the plains.
Before continuing their journey, Mr. Shackleford carved his nickname, Shack, on a young aspen tree to mark that special spot.
James Mudd never returned to Missouri. He took up a homestead in the Little Snake River valley, married a girl by the name of Clara Wood, and raised a family. James and Clara were my grandparents.
That old tree will fall one of these days and a little bit of history will be lost. Until that time, whenever we travel north from Steamboat Springs, we will pull over at a certain special place to enjoy lunch by that cool mountain stream. Maybe we'll take a nap in the shade of the old SHACK tree, and thank Grandpa Mudd for taking that trip with his godfather 112 years ago.
Do you have a special memory or humorous story about living in Colorado? EnCompas is looking for original essays that capture the uniqueness of our state. Payment is $60 upon publication. Entries must be typed, double-spaced and 200–300 words. Please include a daytime phone number. Entries will not be returned. Mail to: EnCompass, Attn: My Colorado, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222, or email: cpatrick@colorado.aaa.com. A response to a submission may take six to eight weeks.
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