Gold Mining Magnate. First discovered gold at Cripple Creek. Womack had excellent tracking and hunting skills, which helped him while prospecting. In 1890, Womack stared the “last great gold rush” in Colorado. He was not among the 28 millionaires the area produced. When he was down on his luck, fellow gold miner and millionaire, Winfield Scott Stratton wrote him a check for $5,000. As early as 1878, when Womack found a gold chunk, he was not believed when he spread the story while drunk. In Oct 1890, he staked a claim, calling it the El Paso Lode, later known as the Gold King Mine and eventually produced $5 million in gold. His last investor was John Grannis, a dentist. There are many stories and rumors about how Womack lost his mining claim. Gold Rush Expeditions, Inc. printed these stories: “Different sources say that he sold his half of the El Paso to Dr. Grannis for $300, or that he sold it for $500 and a bottle of liquor. It is also rumored that he lost it in a poker game or sold it to pay a hospital bill. Local legend claims that he celebrated the sale of his Womack Placer around Christmas of 1893 by giving away dollar bills to children. He ended up in a fight when he hit one of the grown men who had joined the line of eager children.” His legacy includes a statue in Cripple Creek City Park and Womack’s Casino. The Casino’s menu tells Womack’s story.
Gold Mining Magnate. First discovered gold at Cripple Creek. Womack had excellent tracking and hunting skills, which helped him while prospecting. In 1890, Womack stared the “last great gold rush” in Colorado. He was not among the 28 millionaires the area produced. When he was down on his luck, fellow gold miner and millionaire, Winfield Scott Stratton wrote him a check for $5,000. As early as 1878, when Womack found a gold chunk, he was not believed when he spread the story while drunk. In Oct 1890, he staked a claim, calling it the El Paso Lode, later known as the Gold King Mine and eventually produced $5 million in gold. His last investor was John Grannis, a dentist. There are many stories and rumors about how Womack lost his mining claim. Gold Rush Expeditions, Inc. printed these stories: “Different sources say that he sold his half of the El Paso to Dr. Grannis for $300, or that he sold it for $500 and a bottle of liquor. It is also rumored that he lost it in a poker game or sold it to pay a hospital bill. Local legend claims that he celebrated the sale of his Womack Placer around Christmas of 1893 by giving away dollar bills to children. He ended up in a fight when he hit one of the grown men who had joined the line of eager children.” His legacy includes a statue in Cripple Creek City Park and Womack’s Casino. The Casino’s menu tells Womack’s story.
Bio by: Native5G
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