A short biography, summarized from Freda Carley Peterson's book:
Based on the reports of the time, Tom's suicide came as a shock to everyone in town. Before he died, he got out of bed, showered and shaved, put on a clean shirt, laid back down in bed, and put a bullet in his head.
Tom came to Chicago from Sweden with his parents in about 1850. A Civil War Veteran, Tom was in the Navy and served on the Lackawanna. He returned to Chicago after the war, but the Great Fire of 1871 left him nearly destitute, so he went west, settling in Denver, Eureka, Howardsville, and Las Animas before getting to Silverton.
Tom was one of the earliest mail carriers in the San Juan; a story is told of his carrying mail to Silverton in late December 1875 when he was caught in an avalanche. He managed to free himself, but lost his skis (known as snowshoes at the time). He trudged through deep snow to Burrows Park, where he got another pair of skis and was on his way again, but had to camp out on a frigid December night in the high mountains. The next day, he wrapped his frozen feet in rags, carried on, and got the mail to Silverton on New Year's Day, 1876.
In addition to being one helluva mail carrier, Tom also served as justice of the peace in Eureka, operated a restaurant and grocery store, and was active in local fraternal organizations and Republican politics.
After his death, it became apparent that the motive for his suicide was likely financial ruin, as evidence of heavy indebtedness became known. He left behind his 13 year old daughter, Goldie, of whom he always spoke fondly.
Based on the reports of the time, Tom's suicide came as a shock to everyone in town. Before he died, he got out of bed, showered and shaved, put on a clean shirt, laid back down in bed, and put a bullet in his head.
Tom came to Chicago from Sweden with his parents in about 1850. A Civil War Veteran, Tom was in the Navy and served on the Lackawanna. He returned to Chicago after the war, but the Great Fire of 1871 left him nearly destitute, so he went west, settling in Denver, Eureka, Howardsville, and Las Animas before getting to Silverton.
Tom was one of the earliest mail carriers in the San Juan; a story is told of his carrying mail to Silverton in late December 1875 when he was caught in an avalanche. He managed to free himself, but lost his skis (known as snowshoes at the time). He trudged through deep snow to Burrows Park, where he got another pair of skis and was on his way again, but had to camp out on a frigid December night in the high mountains. The next day, he wrapped his frozen feet in rags, carried on, and got the mail to Silverton on New Year's Day, 1876.
In addition to being one helluva mail carrier, Tom also served as justice of the peace in Eureka, operated a restaurant and grocery store, and was active in local fraternal organizations and Republican politics.
After his death, it became apparent that the motive for his suicide was likely financial ruin, as evidence of heavy indebtedness became known. He left behind his 13 year old daughter, Goldie, of whom he always spoke fondly.
A short biography, summarized from Freda Carley Peterson's book:
Based on the reports of the time, Tom's suicide came as a shock to everyone in town. Before he died, he got out of bed, showered and shaved, put on a clean shirt, laid back down in bed, and put a bullet in his head.
Tom came to Chicago from Sweden with his parents in about 1850. A Civil War Veteran, Tom was in the Navy and served on the Lackawanna. He returned to Chicago after the war, but the Great Fire of 1871 left him nearly destitute, so he went west, settling in Denver, Eureka, Howardsville, and Las Animas before getting to Silverton.
Tom was one of the earliest mail carriers in the San Juan; a story is told of his carrying mail to Silverton in late December 1875 when he was caught in an avalanche. He managed to free himself, but lost his skis (known as snowshoes at the time). He trudged through deep snow to Burrows Park, where he got another pair of skis and was on his way again, but had to camp out on a frigid December night in the high mountains. The next day, he wrapped his frozen feet in rags, carried on, and got the mail to Silverton on New Year's Day, 1876.
In addition to being one helluva mail carrier, Tom also served as justice of the peace in Eureka, operated a restaurant and grocery store, and was active in local fraternal organizations and Republican politics.
After his death, it became apparent that the motive for his suicide was likely financial ruin, as evidence of heavy indebtedness became known. He left behind his 13 year old daughter, Goldie, of whom he always spoke fondly.
Based on the reports of the time, Tom's suicide came as a shock to everyone in town. Before he died, he got out of bed, showered and shaved, put on a clean shirt, laid back down in bed, and put a bullet in his head.
Tom came to Chicago from Sweden with his parents in about 1850. A Civil War Veteran, Tom was in the Navy and served on the Lackawanna. He returned to Chicago after the war, but the Great Fire of 1871 left him nearly destitute, so he went west, settling in Denver, Eureka, Howardsville, and Las Animas before getting to Silverton.
Tom was one of the earliest mail carriers in the San Juan; a story is told of his carrying mail to Silverton in late December 1875 when he was caught in an avalanche. He managed to free himself, but lost his skis (known as snowshoes at the time). He trudged through deep snow to Burrows Park, where he got another pair of skis and was on his way again, but had to camp out on a frigid December night in the high mountains. The next day, he wrapped his frozen feet in rags, carried on, and got the mail to Silverton on New Year's Day, 1876.
In addition to being one helluva mail carrier, Tom also served as justice of the peace in Eureka, operated a restaurant and grocery store, and was active in local fraternal organizations and Republican politics.
After his death, it became apparent that the motive for his suicide was likely financial ruin, as evidence of heavy indebtedness became known. He left behind his 13 year old daughter, Goldie, of whom he always spoke fondly.
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Father of Goldie, Suicide by gunshot, born in Sweden, Civil War Veteran
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