An early Moffat County, Colo. resident, Valentine S. FitzPatrick, 102, died July 3, 1988 leaving behind a long legacy of historical information.
He passed away in Limon, Colo. where he was under care for an injured vertebra resulting from a fall he suffered last April at his residence.
He has been living for several years at the Torado Mansion and Museum located at the eastern Colorado plains town of Arriba. He was born Jan. 4, 1886.
Considering his advanced age, Val as he was usually called, was an extraordinary person. He was one of the most energetic and productive individuals in the state. Until the fall which immobilized him at age 102 he kept busy at his writing, and helped with the operation of the Torado Mansion and Museum.
He was the author of several books relating to Northwestern Colorado history and at the time of his death was just finishing one of his favorites, Red Twilight. He also wrote a regular series, Back Trail, which related to past happenings of high interest in Colorado which he was familiar [sic]. Some of his books are now collectors' items and others soon will be. They are treasured possessions to those who own them.
He has done many thing [sic] during his life: ranch hand, cowboy, newspaper editor and publisher, miner, prospector, engineer, musician, orchestra leader, piano tuner, piano restorer and author. He will be remembered as one of Colorado's greatest due to the authenticity of his information. This is because he lived through it was was part of it.
He personally knew Butch Cassidy and some of his band. Butch spent time in the FitzPatrick home on Lay Creek west of Craig and was on a first name basis with his father. Val, as he was know [sic] by many, had on more than one occasion sat at the same table with Butch while the FitzPatrick family shared their meal with him. In all probability, he was most likely the last living person to see Butch, let alone be acquainted with this Robin Hood of western outlaws.
He remembered well such men as Tom Horn, Isom Dar, Elza Lay and the Sundance Kid. He knew members of the Bassett, Hoy and Chew families to mention a few. He was a close friend and worked with the late Jim Robinson. He could recall when Tom Horn has [sic] in Wyoming for shooting a boy and the controversy over it. He was nearly 18 years old at the time. He remembered when the notorious Harry Tracy shot and killed Valentine Hoy of Browns Park 90 years ago.
Val left northwestern Colorado for the eastern plains of the state a long time ago, but he never forgot those early years and his fascinating experiences. He had hundreds of friends all over the US and many in the Vernal area with whom he corresponded regularly. One he highly respected and admired was Ester Campbell Chandler, a long time friend.
He never married and left no family. It seemed like he should go on forever, but no one is invincible. He was a man of small stature, but he was a giant when it came to accomplishments. His name will always be linked with his beloved Colorado, and he'll be remembered as one of its great citizens. For those who knew him, he will be missed but their love and admiration will stay with them a lifetime.
"Historian dies after 102 years" by George E. Long, Vernal Express (Vernal, Utah) July 13, 1988 p. 7 (Newspapers.com)
He passed away in Limon, Colo. where he was under care for an injured vertebra resulting from a fall he suffered last April at his residence.
He has been living for several years at the Torado Mansion and Museum located at the eastern Colorado plains town of Arriba. He was born Jan. 4, 1886.
Considering his advanced age, Val as he was usually called, was an extraordinary person. He was one of the most energetic and productive individuals in the state. Until the fall which immobilized him at age 102 he kept busy at his writing, and helped with the operation of the Torado Mansion and Museum.
He was the author of several books relating to Northwestern Colorado history and at the time of his death was just finishing one of his favorites, Red Twilight. He also wrote a regular series, Back Trail, which related to past happenings of high interest in Colorado which he was familiar [sic]. Some of his books are now collectors' items and others soon will be. They are treasured possessions to those who own them.
He has done many thing [sic] during his life: ranch hand, cowboy, newspaper editor and publisher, miner, prospector, engineer, musician, orchestra leader, piano tuner, piano restorer and author. He will be remembered as one of Colorado's greatest due to the authenticity of his information. This is because he lived through it was was part of it.
He personally knew Butch Cassidy and some of his band. Butch spent time in the FitzPatrick home on Lay Creek west of Craig and was on a first name basis with his father. Val, as he was know [sic] by many, had on more than one occasion sat at the same table with Butch while the FitzPatrick family shared their meal with him. In all probability, he was most likely the last living person to see Butch, let alone be acquainted with this Robin Hood of western outlaws.
He remembered well such men as Tom Horn, Isom Dar, Elza Lay and the Sundance Kid. He knew members of the Bassett, Hoy and Chew families to mention a few. He was a close friend and worked with the late Jim Robinson. He could recall when Tom Horn has [sic] in Wyoming for shooting a boy and the controversy over it. He was nearly 18 years old at the time. He remembered when the notorious Harry Tracy shot and killed Valentine Hoy of Browns Park 90 years ago.
Val left northwestern Colorado for the eastern plains of the state a long time ago, but he never forgot those early years and his fascinating experiences. He had hundreds of friends all over the US and many in the Vernal area with whom he corresponded regularly. One he highly respected and admired was Ester Campbell Chandler, a long time friend.
He never married and left no family. It seemed like he should go on forever, but no one is invincible. He was a man of small stature, but he was a giant when it came to accomplishments. His name will always be linked with his beloved Colorado, and he'll be remembered as one of its great citizens. For those who knew him, he will be missed but their love and admiration will stay with them a lifetime.
"Historian dies after 102 years" by George E. Long, Vernal Express (Vernal, Utah) July 13, 1988 p. 7 (Newspapers.com)
An early Moffat County, Colo. resident, Valentine S. FitzPatrick, 102, died July 3, 1988 leaving behind a long legacy of historical information.
He passed away in Limon, Colo. where he was under care for an injured vertebra resulting from a fall he suffered last April at his residence.
He has been living for several years at the Torado Mansion and Museum located at the eastern Colorado plains town of Arriba. He was born Jan. 4, 1886.
Considering his advanced age, Val as he was usually called, was an extraordinary person. He was one of the most energetic and productive individuals in the state. Until the fall which immobilized him at age 102 he kept busy at his writing, and helped with the operation of the Torado Mansion and Museum.
He was the author of several books relating to Northwestern Colorado history and at the time of his death was just finishing one of his favorites, Red Twilight. He also wrote a regular series, Back Trail, which related to past happenings of high interest in Colorado which he was familiar [sic]. Some of his books are now collectors' items and others soon will be. They are treasured possessions to those who own them.
He has done many thing [sic] during his life: ranch hand, cowboy, newspaper editor and publisher, miner, prospector, engineer, musician, orchestra leader, piano tuner, piano restorer and author. He will be remembered as one of Colorado's greatest due to the authenticity of his information. This is because he lived through it was was part of it.
He personally knew Butch Cassidy and some of his band. Butch spent time in the FitzPatrick home on Lay Creek west of Craig and was on a first name basis with his father. Val, as he was know [sic] by many, had on more than one occasion sat at the same table with Butch while the FitzPatrick family shared their meal with him. In all probability, he was most likely the last living person to see Butch, let alone be acquainted with this Robin Hood of western outlaws.
He remembered well such men as Tom Horn, Isom Dar, Elza Lay and the Sundance Kid. He knew members of the Bassett, Hoy and Chew families to mention a few. He was a close friend and worked with the late Jim Robinson. He could recall when Tom Horn has [sic] in Wyoming for shooting a boy and the controversy over it. He was nearly 18 years old at the time. He remembered when the notorious Harry Tracy shot and killed Valentine Hoy of Browns Park 90 years ago.
Val left northwestern Colorado for the eastern plains of the state a long time ago, but he never forgot those early years and his fascinating experiences. He had hundreds of friends all over the US and many in the Vernal area with whom he corresponded regularly. One he highly respected and admired was Ester Campbell Chandler, a long time friend.
He never married and left no family. It seemed like he should go on forever, but no one is invincible. He was a man of small stature, but he was a giant when it came to accomplishments. His name will always be linked with his beloved Colorado, and he'll be remembered as one of its great citizens. For those who knew him, he will be missed but their love and admiration will stay with them a lifetime.
"Historian dies after 102 years" by George E. Long, Vernal Express (Vernal, Utah) July 13, 1988 p. 7 (Newspapers.com)
He passed away in Limon, Colo. where he was under care for an injured vertebra resulting from a fall he suffered last April at his residence.
He has been living for several years at the Torado Mansion and Museum located at the eastern Colorado plains town of Arriba. He was born Jan. 4, 1886.
Considering his advanced age, Val as he was usually called, was an extraordinary person. He was one of the most energetic and productive individuals in the state. Until the fall which immobilized him at age 102 he kept busy at his writing, and helped with the operation of the Torado Mansion and Museum.
He was the author of several books relating to Northwestern Colorado history and at the time of his death was just finishing one of his favorites, Red Twilight. He also wrote a regular series, Back Trail, which related to past happenings of high interest in Colorado which he was familiar [sic]. Some of his books are now collectors' items and others soon will be. They are treasured possessions to those who own them.
He has done many thing [sic] during his life: ranch hand, cowboy, newspaper editor and publisher, miner, prospector, engineer, musician, orchestra leader, piano tuner, piano restorer and author. He will be remembered as one of Colorado's greatest due to the authenticity of his information. This is because he lived through it was was part of it.
He personally knew Butch Cassidy and some of his band. Butch spent time in the FitzPatrick home on Lay Creek west of Craig and was on a first name basis with his father. Val, as he was know [sic] by many, had on more than one occasion sat at the same table with Butch while the FitzPatrick family shared their meal with him. In all probability, he was most likely the last living person to see Butch, let alone be acquainted with this Robin Hood of western outlaws.
He remembered well such men as Tom Horn, Isom Dar, Elza Lay and the Sundance Kid. He knew members of the Bassett, Hoy and Chew families to mention a few. He was a close friend and worked with the late Jim Robinson. He could recall when Tom Horn has [sic] in Wyoming for shooting a boy and the controversy over it. He was nearly 18 years old at the time. He remembered when the notorious Harry Tracy shot and killed Valentine Hoy of Browns Park 90 years ago.
Val left northwestern Colorado for the eastern plains of the state a long time ago, but he never forgot those early years and his fascinating experiences. He had hundreds of friends all over the US and many in the Vernal area with whom he corresponded regularly. One he highly respected and admired was Ester Campbell Chandler, a long time friend.
He never married and left no family. It seemed like he should go on forever, but no one is invincible. He was a man of small stature, but he was a giant when it came to accomplishments. His name will always be linked with his beloved Colorado, and he'll be remembered as one of its great citizens. For those who knew him, he will be missed but their love and admiration will stay with them a lifetime.
"Historian dies after 102 years" by George E. Long, Vernal Express (Vernal, Utah) July 13, 1988 p. 7 (Newspapers.com)
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