Horace Tabor
Horace Tabor migrated from Vermont to Colorado during the Gold Rush of 1859. During that time, he could have redeemed his mortgaged farm and worked as a miner, but instead decided to invest and open a general store. In 1878, Tabor bank-rolled two partners at the Little Pittsburgh Mine in Leadville, which at that time was rich in silver.
Due to his valiant success, Tabor continued to invest in everything from knitting mills to amusement companies to railroads, which resulted in even more success. In fact, he had millions when few people were millionaires. He built schools, business districts, and opera houses. At one time, Tabor was Lieutenant Governor, a US Senator, and was talked about as a potential presidential candidate. However, all talk ceased once Tabor divorced his wife, fired her as his accountant, and had an affair with Elizabeth McCourt, known as Baby Doe. The scandal squashed any hopes of candidacy and resulted in financial problems. Debts upon debts piled up and after the silver crash of 1893, Tabor was wiped out. He passed in 1899, a successful man with little money to show for it.
Due to his valiant success, Tabor continued to invest in everything from knitting mills to amusement companies to railroads, which resulted in even more success. In fact, he had millions when few people were millionaires. He built schools, business districts, and opera houses. At one time, Tabor was Lieutenant Governor, a US Senator, and was talked about as a potential presidential candidate. However, all talk ceased once Tabor divorced his wife, fired her as his accountant, and had an affair with Elizabeth McCourt, known as Baby Doe. The scandal squashed any hopes of candidacy and resulted in financial problems. Debts upon debts piled up and after the silver crash of 1893, Tabor was wiped out. He passed in 1899, a successful man with little money to show for it.