History

Monnie Carrie Belle, Joseph Francis, Carlton Burns Hope Courtesy Photo

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Gray’s Merry Greenwood - Part I of IV

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Author’s note: I’m going to interrupt the series on French influence of the Greenhorn Valley for a few weeks to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of a place very special to me, Gray’s Merry Greenwood.

Monnie Carrie Belle, Joseph Francis, Carlton Burns Hope Courtesy Photo

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William Maillard Pierson II of II

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

The Children of Joseph and Mary Catherine Pierson Joseph and Mary Catherine had seven children that lived to adulthood. In 1866, their oldest daughter, Catherine married Francis Eugene Monnie, in Ohio.Their son, Joseph Francis Monnie was only one-year-old when his father died.

Frank Pierson Brewery Bottle Courtesy Photo

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William Maillard Pierson I of II

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Although it can’t be proven, it is likely that William Maillard Pierson was Joseph’s brother. He was, at the very least, related.What is known, is two of Joseph Pierson’s children and one grandson traveled west to settle in the Greenhorn Valley. Joseph and his siblings were raised near Canton, Ohio.

Pierson, WM Stine, Dolly Courtesy Photo

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William Maillard Pierson IV of IV

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

In April of 1863, a detachment of the First Colorado Cavalry captured two men, Hank Way and the severely wounded John Reilly. John Reilly was a southern sympathizer employed by J.B. Doyle.

Ft Garland 1879 Courtesy Photo

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William Maillard Pierson III of IV

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

In June of 1862, a United State Mail Rider, George Austin, was robbed on his way from Cucharas, (a small community at the base of the Spanish Peaks), to Fort Garland with 30-pounds of mail. He was stopped by Confederates, who took his horse, saddle, revolver and mail.

Two story creamery behind Clarence Duprez Lewis and Mahlon Little Courtesy Photo

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William M Pierson II of IV

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

A large tract known as the Greenhorn country, extended from the present limits of Huerfano County to the St. Charles River near Pueblo, and was added to Pueblo County.

Hicklin Home Courtesy Photo

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William M Pierson I of IV

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Pueblo, while not a representative Western town in these respects, yet in its early days presented some curious combinations, most of them growing out of the heterogeneous human mixture that attempted to form a settlement.

James Benton Grant Courtesy Photo

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Colorado in the Civil War

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

On February 28, 1861, the Colorado Territory was established.In March of 1861, Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as the 16th President of the United States; and the 11-state confederacy was formed. The Colorado Territory was not strategically important in the Civil War.

The Frenchmen of Butte Valley - Part III of III

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The Frenchmen of Butte Valley - Part III of III

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

LOCAL HISTORICAL LOREThe Frenchmen of Butte Valley - Part III of IIIOfficers Quarters Ft Union 1870’sThe two ragged, but heavily armed survivors of the Reynolds gang arrived at Butte Valley. The men purchased $55 worth of goods and continued on their way.

Felipe Espinosa Courtesy Photo

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The Frenchmen of Butte Valley - Part lI of lll

Cheryl Johnson Huban

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

By the fall of 1861, or the spring of 1862, depending on the source; the Frenchman determined the water supply was insufficient at Hardscrabble and relinquished their claims to a man named Vicroy. They moved further south to farm near the settlement of Butte Valley.

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