Interview with Laura Pettingell

Interview with Mrs. J. N. (Laura Jean Miner) Pettingell – circa 1952

Mrs. Pettingell was born in Cordova, Minnesota, February 15, 1868; her parents being (omitted).  She was second youngest of a family of six children, and is the only survivor of the family today.

During her life she has lived in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado.  During her life she has also visited many other states, and at the writing of this article she is on a tour of the west with her youngest daughter, Hannah C. Franek and her husband Lew J.

Mrs. Pettingell left her birth place of Cordova, Minnesota at the age of (omitted), moving to (omitted).

The family left Atchinson (sic), Kansas when she was seven years old.  They crossed the flats in a covered wagon and she recalls that they were stopped many times by government agents at various points and were held until other wagons with sufficient men personnel arrived to accompany them, so that they would have ample protection against the Indians.

She also recalls that it was necessary to travel with the men being constantly on the alert for Indians and at times it was necessary for the men to say awake at night in shifts to protect themselves against the Indians and large snakes.  An added protection against snakes was to place a large thick rope on the ground around their camp. 

It took three weeks to make the trip from Atchinson, Kansas to Denver.  They selected Denver as their destination because Mr. Miner, her father had a sister in Denver.  They visited with this sister for several days as it was necessary to give their horses a rest.  From Denver they continued their journey to an Uncle’s ranch near Evergreen, Colorado.  They operated the uncle’s ranch until 1882, Laura Miner being fourteen years old at that time. 

They then moved to Grand Lake, Colorado about August 15^th, however Mrs. Pettingell is not quite sure to the day and month of the year.

Her father had a definite reason for moving to Grand Lake at that time.  The reason being, the large, exciting silver boom that was in progress there.  There were seven or eight large eastern mining firms who were then spending large sums of money in operating the silver mines there.

Mrs. Pettingell tells us that she definitely recalls the starting of a newspaper at Grand Lake, known as the Grand Lake Prospector.  She is certain that it was started in 1882 but is not sure of the month being August.  The paper was started by two printers, John Smart and George Bailey.  She mentions that while the paper has changed names and locations several times, she is certain that that is the same paper that is to day located in Kremmling, Colorado and being published under the name of the Middle Park Times.  Mrs. Pettingell states that her parents and her family have been continuous subscribers of that paper ever since and that she has never missed an issue.  (Note: It is possible that the above information given has been known and published before, however, Mrs. Pettingell believes that some pioneers do not agree that the Middle Park Times of today was originally started at Grand Lake under the name of the Grand Lake Prospector.)

According to Mrs. Pettingell, Grand Lake was the county seat at that time, being the county seat of Grand County.  She believes it was about 1883 when the county was split and Jackson County was founded.  She believes it was at that time the county seat was moved to Hot Sulphur Springs so that it would be located in the middle of the county.

In 1888 at the age of twenty, Laura Miner was married to J.  N. Pettingell at Grand Lake.  In 1889 she and her husband moved to Stillwater, Colorado where they proved up on two government claims.  At this time both of those claims are now under water, due to the newly developed reservoirs.

In 1891 they moved to Hot Sulphur Springs where they raised their family of five children, one daughter passing on in infancy.  The other four children are married and live in various parts of Colorado.  The oldest daughter, Mrs. L. R. Harrison and her husband live in Denver; the second oldest daughter, Mrs. V. H. Frey and her husband live at Idaho Springs; the second youngest, Mrs. Lew J. Franek and her husband also live in Denver and her son, the youngest of the family, Mr. J. N. Jr., and his wife reside at Grand Lake.

During their life at Hot Sulphur Springs, Chester W. Chapin and Mr. Pettingell built the Grand Hotel which was torn down several years ago.  Mr. and Mrs. Pettingell operated the hotel for 13 years.

Mrs. Pettingell has claimed Hot Sulphur Springs as her residence until 1941 when her husband Judge J. N. Pettingell passed away and she moved to Denver in 1942.  Since that time she has traveled some to visit her children who have lived in various parts of the states.  At the present she resides at 625 East 16^th Avenue, Denver, having her own small apartment, which is as she herself prefers it. 

Mrs. Richards through the mail has asked the following questions of Mrs. Pettingell and her answers follow:

1. What was the happiest time of your life?

A. I have had a very full, happy life and in answering the question believe the happiest time of my life was when we lived in Hot Sulphur Springs and my children were going to school.

2. If you could have lived your life differently, what would you have done or are you satisfied?

A. If I could go back and live my life over with the experience I now have, I might have done different, but in that we cannot do that, I am satisfied with the life I have lived. 

3. What is your hobby?

A. Sewing, and as a jester, arguing with my three son-in-laws. 

4. What do you think of life today?

A. I think it is quite mixed up and in a h--l of a mess. 

5. Do you have a favorite food, color or anything else, personal things of interest?

A.     Visiting with and enjoying my children, grand-son, and great grand-son.  I enjoy almost perfect health, have a good appetite, and enjoy scenery and have enjoyed traveling even though I am 82 years young. 

6. What was the happiest time in your childhood life?

A. Coming from a family with a number of brothers and sisters we always got along together very well and had many good times together. 

7. Some outstanding incident in your life?

A. I was traveling from Sulphur to Denver, via train and the train was held at Tabernash for 4 days and 5 nites.  Part of the time was spent in the train and in a small hotel there at Tabernash.  It seemed that no one knew when we would be leaving Tabernash and the anxiety of all to get going was quite exciting.  Folks from Denver, Hot Sulphur Spring and other points were constantly phoning me to see if I was alright and how soon I was going to get to Denver.  We arrived in Denver okay and apparently with too much distress. 

8. What is your advice for the younger generation?

A. Because times, living conditions, etc., are so different today it is difficult to know just how to advise them.