Item 57 is an obscurity, The Bitter Days of Baby Doe Tabor and Memories of the High Country, by Theresa O'Brien. This is a small, stapled pamphlet, no publisher stated (evidently self published). Baby Doe Tabor was the 25-years younger second wife of H.A.W. Tabor, a one-time Colorado senator who made a huge fortune in silver mining in Colorado. He was a generous man who gave liberally to civic causes and people needing a hand. Unfortunately, when the government demonetized silver in 1893, and stopped buying the metal, the price collapsed. Tabor lost his entire fortune, finally obtaining a job as a postmaster to earn a living. He died in 1899, and by legend, his final words to Baby Doe were “Hold on to the Matchless,” his main silver mine. Tabor believed it would one day be worth a fortune again. Baby Doe heeded the advice, moving to a small cabin by the Matchless in Leadville, Colorado, where she remained, a recluse, for the remainder of her life (Baby Doe lived until 1935). Neighbors found the 81-year-old widow's frozen body there one morning. $50.
Item 81 includes four original maps drawn and signed by Norton Allen. Allen drew maps for Desert Magazine, creating 747 of them over a 49-year career (and run for the magazine – 1937-1985). Allen guided visitors and treasure hunters through his maps of the desert southwest. These four cover Natural Bridges, Wupatki Basin, Lee's Ferry, and Oljato (Monument Valley), all in Utah. $1,550.
Back of Beyond Books may be reached at 435-259-5154 or andy@backofbeyondbooks.com. Their website is found at www.backofbeyondbooks.com.
