Tidbits and Asides

Harry Entriken - Civil War Hero, Indian Fighter and More


Every one knew him as Harry. Harry was a Civil War hero cited for "conspicuous bravery" at Petersburg, Indian fighter, saloon keeper, buffalo hunter - and much more. During the Civil War he served with distinction as a Color Sergeant with the 49th Pennsylvania Infantry. After the war was over he enlisted with Co. M, 2nd U.S. Cavalry and was stationed at Fort Sedgwick for 2 years. When his enlistment was up, he didn't return home to Pennsylvania but instead married a young widow named Maggie and opened a saloon in Julesburg (number 3, now called the Weir site). There he hobnobbed with the likes of Cody, Hickok (said to have once wintered there), Tarbeaux, Omohundro, Buntline and other famous or even notorious characters of the Old West that happen to be passing through. After all, he ran the only "watering hole" for miles. Later he and his family would relocate to the present day Julesburg where he was active in the local chapter of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic). ~FSHS brochure

Maggie Entriken


The story goes that one night while Harry was out roaming, someone tried to break into the Entriken business. Maggie shot the man through the door. When Harry arrived home he found the would-be burglar dead on the door step. Protecting his wife, Harry telegraphed the sheriff's office then located at the county seat in Greeley.  "I have shot a man in my place of business. It was self defense," wired Harry.  "What should I do?" "Is he dead?" the sheriff wired back. "Yes," replied Harry. "Then bury him," said the sheriff.

Gambling - The Birth of Legends


"There were five or six bedrooms at Entriken's and a bar, and company for gambling, and it was a great concentration point. [Ned] Buntline met 'Wild Bill' Hickok there, and Bill Cody, and Jack Omahandra [sic] and myself. He found plenty of material for his stories for the 'New York Weekly,' and in them he called Bill Cody 'Buffalo Bill,' and Jack Omahandra [sic] 'Texas Jack,' and me 'Arizona Frank.' 'Wild Bill' already had his nickname. The rest of us didn't deserve the names we got, any more than we might have deserved any other."    ~Frank Tarbeaux

The Death of General John Sedgwick


The famous last words of General John Sedgwick, on May 8th, 1864 near Spotsylvania Virginia,  "They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist..."

Women


Taken from The Rocky Mountain News, Denver Colorado, Monday, July 24, 1865 ---"There are six companies stationed at this post at present, and but three families---consequently females are scarcer than gold coin, and would command a higher premium if offered in market."

Rocky Mountain News, Friday, July 7, 1865 ---"Females are a scarce article at Julesburg. A few gross could be readily disposed of, provided they were willing to go into the ranks."

Rocky Mountain News, July 12, 1865---"A number of men could get employment at this post, as teamsters at fifty dollars per month and rations. Drunken men need not apply. Two or three good wash-women could do a clean business in the soft soaping line."

Fort Sedgwick "Medical Log" Drs. Monroe & Dickson--- "Venereal Disease - No means of propagation in neighborhood."

Crops


Taken from Rocky Mountain News, July 31, 1865---"Six hundred thousand bushels of corn are to be delivered at this Post during the coming fall, at about an average price of .12 cents per pound."  "Wood costs from $65 to $100 per cord delivered to this Post."

Fort Sedgwick Doctor's weather reports---"1869 Rainfall -- 3.90 inches."

Hollywood - Movies and Much More


  1.  Kevin Costner's 1990 Academy Award movie "Dances with Wolves" is a drama about the relationship between a Civil War soldier and a band of Sioux Indians. The film opens on a particularly dark note, as he attempts suicide while being stationed at Fort Sedgwick. 
  2. Produced in 1959,but set during the Civil War, the movie, "Westbound" features Randolph Scott and Virginia Mayo. Confederates are waylaying the Gold shipments from Julesburg Colorado to the Federal Treasury. Randolph Scott saves the day! 
  3. Harold Lloyd, silent film actor in the 1920's was a contemporary of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Harold lived in Sedgwick as a small child.
  4. Burt Lancaster and Lee Remick star in the 1965 movie, "The Hallelujah Trail." The winter of 1867 was predicted to be a harsh one with not enough whiskey in Denver. The populace arranges for a mass shipment of 40 wagons full of whiskey. The cargo becomes the target for many diverse groups, each with their own leaders and plans. The U.S. Cavalry wishes to carry out orders, Irish teamsters want the whisky distributed, crusading temperance leaders wish to intercept the train and destroy its contents, Sioux Indians and Denver citizen militia are also concerned about obtaining their precious share of whisky. Julesburg is the point of interception where mayhem, love & comedy ensue.
  5. "Stories of the Century" was a TV series beginning in 1954 about the famous and infamous characters of the old west. This episode features Jim Davis as Matt Clark, who is sent to investigate a payroll robbery and Gregg Palmer as Jack Slade who is accused of using his position with the Pony Express for his own gain.