Colorado Mining Town & A Famous Burro

My brother is reading the memoirs of James Moynahan  (1842-1919) (now available on Amazon in paperback or as an eBook) and he shared with me a collection of Historic South Park County photos in a slide show on YouTube (see below).  

James Moynahan, (grandson of Matthew Moynahan of Maidstone, Ontario) was mayor of Alma, Park County, Colorado and the video offers glimpses of the landscape, the buildings and the people in the area during James lifetime.

Source: South Park City: the amazing, authentic restoration of a Colorado mining Boomtown.

James Moynahan (and his many enterprises) are featured in the video as well as a photo of a very famous burro (small donkey) "Prunes" who worked (and later roamed freely) in the South Park area during James' lifetime from 1867-1930.

The Historic South Park County Slide Show

The Historic South Park County slide show below (on YouTube 14:58) includes the Moynahan Fire Station (at 1:43) James ("Jim") Moynahan (at 14:00) pictures of James Moynahan's storefront (at 6:49 and 7:29) and the picture of the Burro "Old Prunes" at the Hocking Mine (at 14:37).

Beloved Burro Old "Prunes" (1867-1930)

In early October I received an eBay alert for a photo of a monument in Alma, Fairplay, Colorado that was built in fond remembrance of a burro named "Prunes". I set off to find out as much as I could about why this burro was so beloved and now I understand the ongoing affection.

Link: eBay "Elderly Man Next To Shrine to Silver Mine Burro Prune"

I guess it never occurred to me when researching the Moynahan family history in the area that there might be some notable history about the animals that were so essential to the pioneers and mining in those early days - the small donkeys (known as "burros").

Prudence (Prunes for short) lived 63 years (when the usual lifespan is 25 to 30 to 50 years maximum) and frequently went to town without an escort and with a list of supplies for his human companion.

Source: Library of Congress

 From "A Burro Named Prunes" by Kenneth Jessen:

"The last mine where Prunes worked was at the Hock Hocking mine in Mosquito Gulch. (see a photo of Prunes with miners at 14:37 in video above)

Prunes became the miners’ pet, shuffling back and forth with ore cars in the dark, damp passages. Superintendent Harry Radford maintained that Prunes was his top jackass.

When Prunes became too old, his owner Rupert Sherwood freed the jack from its collar and traces. He set it free to roam in the sunlight at will.

After Sherwood “pensioned” his faithful jack, the animal spent its final years making the rounds of Alma’s back doors begging for food......"

Clipped from The Dayton Herald Dayton, Ohio 21 Jul 1930, Mon  •  Page 3

".... A blizzard struck Alma in 1930, and the snow drifted deep. The temperature plunged below zero, and Prunes took refuge in an old shed. During the blizzard, the door blew shut, and a snowdrift prevented the old burro from pushing the door open.

Residents noticed that the burro was not making his usual rounds. After searching, they found Prunes half starved in the shed, weak in the legs and unable to walk. He was showered with food and affection, but he did not recover from his exposure to the blizzard."

Clipped from The Dayton Herald Dayton, Ohio 21 Jul 1930, Mon  •  Page 3

So famous was this burro that “Ripley’s Believe-It-Or-Not” made Prunes and his monument famous through their syndicated cartoon . Prunes was also featured in 1943 on the radio version of “Death Valley Days.”

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Fort Worth, Texas Sat, Dec 27, 1941 · Page 13

 Burrow Days

Back in the day in Colorado, the pack burro was the prospector's best friend. Rough and tough pioneers like James Moynahan and others who sought their fortunes in the Rocky Mountains needed a trusted burro at their side. These sturdy little animals carried tools and provisions. 

In homage to these humble animals the "Annual Burro Days" is held during the last weekend in July,  and this three-day event attracts over 10,000 people to Fairplay, Colorado!  

A highlight of the "Burrow Days" celebration is the Burro Race featured in the video below (Link: https://youtu.be/-aPhfwZAKpY)

South Park City Museum

An 1880s Mining Boom Town in 21st Century Colorado

The Memoirs of James Moynahan

BY Andrew and Lynn Muras
James Moynahan was born in Michigan and volunteered for the Michigan 27th Infantry where he participated in many famous battles from Vicksburg to Knoxville to Petersburg, encountering such figures as Generals Burnside, Custer and Potter. After service in the Civil War, he left his native Detroit for fortune in Colorado. He served as Senator (multiple times) in the first Colorado State legislature, won and lost riches in gold and silver mines and helped found a Colorado Mountain town - Alma.

While brief elements of James Moynahan’s life and activities have been summarized elsewhere in historical documents, these hand-written first account memoirs offer unique insights into what life was really like in the mid-1800s.

If you would like to purchase a copy of "The Memoirs of James Moynahan", paperback and eBook versions can be purchased on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K399DDH/)