CO-ROOTS-L Archives

From: "Maggie Stewart" <>
Subject: CAPTAIN LOUIS DEWITT CLINTON GASKILL
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1999 18:03:20 -0400

"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J.
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II


p. 344, 346
p. 345 - photo of Capt. Louis Dewitt Clinton Gaskill and two of his
grandchildren, Albert Dewitt and Myrtle M. Bosley. Taken about 1899.


CAPTAIN LOUIS DEWITT CLINTON GASKILL.

Captain L. D. C. Gaskill, one of the distinguished soldiers of
the Civil war, was one of the leading pioneers of Fraser, Colorado, who
died in Denver, June 24, 1915, having attained an age of nearly
seventy-five years. He was one of those who planted civilization in the
west and who not only built for himself but helped in building the
state of Colorado. Many were the friends who mourned his loss and who
appreciated him as a man of achievement, a genial, cordial man of high
principles and a gentleman. He was born July 4, 1840, in Paris, New
York, but during his residence in that state made his home most of the
time in Albany.

A son of Samuel Gaskill, who had married a Miss Mosher, Captain
Gaskill was educated in New York state, and having received liberal
training, became principal of the Auburn Business College, in which
capacity he served from 1863 until 1868, his labors being attended with
gratifying results. In the latter year he was sent by several Auburn
bankers to Colorado to operate a gold mine, being successful in his
mission. He continued along that line, and in 1872 discovered the
famous Saco silver mine, which he profitably worked. One of his
accomplishments in 1874 was to build a road over Berthoud pass in the
short space of sixty days, which cost fifty thousand dollars, and he
also bridged the Grand river and opened Middle Park for settlement.
Prior to this time he had lived in Georgetown, but he then removed to
Berthoud pass. At the time of his death the Denver Post wrote as
follows:

"Captain Gaskill came to Colorado with his wife in 1868, from
Auburn, New York. He settled in Georgetown, where he engaged in the
mining business. He was the representative of a wealthy New York mining
syndicate there. He made a fortune out of the Saco silver mine in that
place, being worth half a million dollars at one time. Much of this
money was afterward sunk in other mining ventures. At the time of his
death he was still the owner of several valuable pieces of mining
property in Georgetown. He leaves a considerable estate to the two
daughters who survive him: Mrs. A. E. Bosley, 3622 Wyandotte street,
Denver, and Mrs. J. F. Gilbo, of Fraser.

"Captain Gaskill was the builder of the first road over the
Rockies, connecting the eastern and western slopes. This road was built
over Berthoud pass and supplemented the Indian trail, which had been
the only road leading over the pass. At the top of the pass Captain
Gaskill built a roadhouse, where he lived with his family for nine
years. This house gained the name of 'The St. Bernard of the Rockies,'
on account of the hospitality of its owners. Many a time Captain
Gaskill left his warm fireside on a winter evening to go out and rescue
some traveler lost in the snow. His windows lighted persons crossing
the pass to a place of refuge. During the years the Gaskill family
lived on Berthoud pass, the most famous personages of the day were
entertained at their house. Berthoud pass was known all over the
country as an ideal headquarters for hunting parties, on account of the
comfort and hospitality of its tavern. In winter the house was banked
with snow for weeks at a time so only the root showed. Then the only
travelers were those who crossed the pass on snowshoes. The mail was
carried over by the runners every week.

"Captain Gaskill homesteaded one of the first quarter sections of
government land ever taken up near Fraser, Colorado. He moved his
family there from Berthoud pass in 1885. After moving to Fraser,
Captain Gaskill took his place as one of the leaders of Grand county.
The people of the county showed their appreciation of his unusual
qualities by giving him for twenty-five years the office of justice ol
the peace of Fraser. For six years he was county commissioner of Grand
county, and for four years he was county surveyor. The farmers of the
county made him the president of their telephone company and the vice
president of their commercial club. While county commissioner Captain
Gaskill built a bridge over the Grand river at Sulphur Springs, which
is the only bridge ever to withstand the floods. Captain Gaskill's
bridge has stuck through the high water of many seasons, a monument to
the efficiency and thoroughness of its builder."

Captain Louis D. C. Gaskill enlisted for service in the Civil war
on the 8th day of May, 1861, in the Twenty-eighth Regiment o£ New York
Volunteers, and was mustered in May 22d as sergeant of Company G. On
October 9, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in
Company A, and on January 18, 1863, was detailed to command Company C
until March 16, 1863. He was honorably discharged on June 2, 1863,
having rendered valuable and efficient service in the preservation of
the Union. Captain Gaskill's comrades worshiped him and showed him
their esteem wherever possible. He belonged to Byron L. Carr Post of
the Grand Army.

About 1865 Captain Gaskill was united in marriage to Miss Nellie
C. Rogers, of Rochester, New York, who was born there May 16, 1845, and
who with her husband came to Colorado, they making their home at
Berthoud pass. In 1885 they removed to the ranch south of Fraser, and
there Mrs. Gaskill lived until her death on the 22d of March, 1910. She
was buried at Fraser, but after her husband's death the body was
exhumed, and she now rests by his side in Crown Hill cemetery of
Denver. The following children were born of this union: Lutie M., now
Mrs. A. E. Bosley, of Denver; Bertha L., who married Joseph P. Gilbo,
an infantry sergeant at Camp Kearney, California, and Hattie, deceased.
Lutie M. Gaskill married A. E. Bosley, a native of London, England,
July 2, 1894, at Cheyenne, Wyoming, and they have become the parents of
two children: Albert DeWitt, who follows in the footsteps of his
distinguished grandfather and is now doing overseas duty with Company
C, Sixtieth Engineers, and Myrtle M., who makes her home with her
mother. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bosley stand high in the social circles of
their city and both take part in many movements for the general welfare
and progress. Both have been active in war service work, and American
patriotism distinguishes all of their actions.

As mentioned before, Captain Gaskill passed away June 24, 1915,
his demise occasioning widespread regret and deep sorrow among his many
friends, all of whom esteemed him as one of the empire builders of his
state. The funeral took place under the auspices of Byron L. Carr Post,
G. A. R., and interment was made at Crown Hill cemetery. The body of
his wife, who had died five years before and who had been buried at
Fraser, was brought to Denver and was laid beside him. Captain Gaskill
was known among the old-timers as "the squarest man who ever stepped in
shoe leather." For twenty-five years he served as justice of the peace
in Fraser, and as the Denver Post says: "The Captain was the miniature
Hague tribunal of Grand county." People came from miles around to have
him settle their disputes, and many times, when a trial would have
meant money in his own pocket. Captain Gaskill persuaded the
belligerents to settle their quarrel out of court. In his official
capacity he was a mediator for everyone who was in trouble. He was the
oracle for the men of his county, and everybody deferred to him and his
judgment. N. S. Hurd, another pioneer who had known Captain Gaskill for
many years, said of him: "He was a brave man and a gentleman-one of
those quiet, easy-tempered, efficient persons who can be depended upon.
The Grand Army boys worshiped him. Everybody liked him. He was one of
the men who helped to build Colorado." The old mining town of Gaskill,
near the north fork of Grand river, was named in his honor and well
bestowed was this tribute upon one who had done much in building up and
bringing unto civilization this section. His memory is not only sacred
to his immediate family, but to many who had the honor of knowing him
and who appreciated in him a man of the highest worth and character.

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• CAPTAIN LOUIS DEWITT CLINTON GASKILL by "Maggie Stewart" <>