9. Ida Bell Chatfield

Nov 19, 1867: Birth of Ida Bell Chatfield in Mason County, Illinois. Ida is the 3rd of three known children of Clark Samuel Chatfield, Sr. & Louisa Tankersley. Note: some records have her born in Illinois, others in Nebraska.

Aug 18, 1868: Death of Louisa (Tankersley) Chatfield (Ida’s mother), at the age of 28, in Cañon City, Fremont County, Colorado. Ida was only nine months old at the time. Clark brought Louisa’s body back to Nebraska for burial.

Mar 10, 1869: Marriage of Ida’s father, Clark Samuel Chatfield to Mary Elizabeth Morrow, in Sonora, Atchison County, Missouri. Mary Morrow (age 19 at marriage to Clark) takes on the raising of Ida (and according to census records, a sister named Jennie, born in 1864). Mary Morrow, who was also from Bath, Mason County, Illinois (Clark’s hometown), has ten children with Clark.

Jul 6, 1870: Federal Census for Benton, Nemaha County, Nebraska:

Chalfield, C.S.: age 32, male, Farmer, Value of Real Estate $1,000, Value of Personal Estate, $200, born Illinois (note: Chatfield is misspelled Chalfield)Chalfield: Mary E.: age 21, female, keeping house, born Illinois (note: Mary Elizabeth Morrow)

Chalfield: Jennie: age 6, female, born Illinois (note: born to Louisa Tankersley)

Chalfield: No Name: age 8/12 (8 months), female, born Nebraska (note: born Nov 1869 to Mary Morrow)

Francis: age 3, female, born Nebraska (note: prob Ida, born to Louisa Tankersley)Note: Only record on which the child Jennie appears; Francis is probably Ida, and this record has her born in Nebraska

Between 1870 and 1880: Death of Jennie Chatfield (Ida’s older sister) in Brownville, Nemaha County, Nebraska.

Jun 11, 1880: Federal census for Arapahoe County, Colorado Census:

Chatfield, C.S.: age 39, married, rancher, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born OhioChatfield, Marey: age 29, wife, housekeeper, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Ida: age 13, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Della: age 8, daughter, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Ora: age 7, daughter, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Clark S.: age 8, son, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois (note: age 3)

Chatfield, Arthur: age 1, son, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born IllinoisNote: Ida, age 13, is the child of Clark S. Chatfield and his first wife, Louisa Tankersley

May 14, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe County, Colorado:

Ida Chatfield entertains friends at musical.

Note: Ida (age 14) is attending school in Denver

Jun 1882: Clark Samuel Chatfield, Sr., father of Ida, opens a grocery store in Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado.

Jul 1, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 3):

The family of C.S. Chatfield arrived this week. They have taken up their residence on Hyman avenue.

Jul 8, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 3):

FOURTH OF JULY.

The Celebration at Aspen & Ashcroft.

At Aspen.

… After lunch the people were favored with renditions and songs, and the remainder of the day was spent in all kinds of exercises usually indulged in at a picnic.

Arrangements had been perfected for a dance in the evening at the new school-house, and at the hour of nine the guests began to fill the hall. Among the ladies we noticed: … Miss Ida Chatfield, of Leadville; … At twelve-o’clock the music ceased, and the dancers repaired to their home.

Jul 22, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 3):

Hop at Corkhill’s Hall. The dance given at Corkhill’s hall on the evening of the 14th was a very enjoyable affair. The gathering was not large, but all joined together to make the evening a success. The music was furnished by the Ashcroft orchestra, and rendered in an admirable manner. Some of the persons that participated in the pleasure of the evening were Mrs. Wustum, Mrs. Lesher, Mrs. Plumb, Mrs. Jacobs, Miss Ida Chatfield, miss Belle Waite, and the Misses Nevitt.

Aug 12, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 3):

Local Brevities.

Miss Ida Chatfield will leave for Denver in a few days to resume her studies.

Nov 11, 1882: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Quadrille Party.

A very pleasant party was given at the court house on Wednesday evening last… Those present were … Miss Chatfield, …

Dec 16, 1882: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

The Ladies to the Fore.

Pursuant to the call published in last week’s SUN a large number of ladies gathered at the court house on Wednesday afternoon, and Mrs. Cowenhoven was called to the chair…

The following ladies were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions and make final arrangements: Misses Ida Chatfield, …

Jul 14, 1883: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Personal.

Miss Ida Chatfield has open(ed) a private school in the church with between 15 and 20 pupils. We are happy that this neat little edifice is put to so good a use. Miss Chatfield asked permission to use the school house, but for some occult reason, best known to the school board, was denied; that body doubtless resenting the opposition offered by that young lady to the educational department under their own control. Nor did Miss Chatfield get the church without opposition; on Tuesday evening Mr. Deacon Miller arrived in camp from Rock creek and asserted that he had received a letter from Rev. Mr. Paddock, who would not permit the church to be used by any one for any purpose. Consequently the church, the doors of which had been open all winter and spring to every dog that barks, threatened to be locked upon the young school mistress, However, one of the trustees was found, Mr. Corkhill, who gave full permission for Miss Chatfield to use the church, and consequently the school flourishes, and we trust that the fathers and mothers of Aspen will liberally support the young lady, who is in every way qualified to teach.

Note: Ida is not yet 16

Aug 23, 1883: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Local Mention.

Miss Chatfield has closed her school.

Jan 26, 1884: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Personal.

Miss Ida Chatfield returned from Denver on Wednesday, and on Thursday went to her home at Emma.

Miss Ida Chatfield has taken a position in her father’s store as bookkeeper.

Note. C.S. Chatfield’s store is in Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado

Mar 29, 1884: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Personal.

Social circles have lost a star in the departure of Miss Ida Chatfield for her mother’s home at the Cramer ranch on the Roaring fork road.

Sep 13, 1884: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 4):

Miss Ida Chatfield spent the week in Aspen, visiting at the home of Sheriff Atkinson.

Jan 18, 1885: Autograph from Ida Chatfield (age 18) to her cousin, Calla Chatfield (age 7):

Denver Colorado. My dear “little” Coz:- May the breeze of frowns and passions Never mar or wound your heart. Is the wish of your “big” Cousin Ida. January 18 – 85. Aspen Pitkin County Colo.

Calla Chatfield, taken in Denver, Colorado⇒

Mar 21, 1885: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Personal.

Mrs. J.M. Williamson is visiting Miss Ida Chatfield at Emma.

May 23, 1885: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Personal.

Miss Ida Chatfield came up from Emma on a visit to camp on Wednesday.

Jun 6, 1885: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Personal.

Miss Ida Chatfield has gone to Leadville upon a visit and will return in a week or two.

Jun 1, 1885: State Census for Eagle County, Colorado (preprinted date of Jun 1, 1885):

Chatfield, C.P.: age 44, married, rancher, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio (note: C.S.) Chatfield, M.E.: age 35, wife, housekeeper, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Ida: age 18, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Della: age 13, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Ora: age 12, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Clark S.: age 9, son, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Arthur: age 8, son, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Willard: age 4, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Mable: age 1, daughter, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born IllinoisNote: Census year begins Jun 1, 1884 and ends May 31, 1885, so not known actual date census was taken.

The Clark Samuel Chatfield family has two residences in the 1885 census enumerations.

Jun 1, 1885: State Census for Pitkin County, Colorado (preprinted Jun 1, 1885):

Chatfield, C.: age 45, married, ranchman, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio (note: Clark Samuel)Chatfield, Mary: age 35, wife, keeps house, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Ida: age 19, daughter, at school, born Illinois, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Dell: age 13, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Geo: age 11, son, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois (note: Ora, daughter)

Chatfield, Clark S.: age 9, son, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, A.: age 7, son, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois (note: Arthur)

Chatfield, Willard: age 4, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

Chatfield, Mabel: age 1, daughter, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born IllinoisNote: The name entry after Dell cannot be read on the actual record; Ora was transcribed as Geo—and then mistakenly assumed a boy; all other census records have Ida born in Nebraska, this one in Illinois.

Map source: insert ROUTES OF COLORADO AND DENVER & RIO GRANDE RAILROADS IN BASALT AREA
From: BASALT: Colorado Midland Town

The Chatfield’s are living in Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado.

Winter, 1885: Ida taught school during the winter of 1885 at her cousin Elmer Chatfield’s “Interval House” at Emma.

Dec 19, 1885: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 3):

The Alpine Club.

This club held its eighth ball at the Rink last Wednesday evening under the management of Mr. M. VanHoevenbergh. All seemed pleased with the efforts of the Rink management to make the hall comfortable and pleasant, and the Japanese lanterns and other decorations gave a most pleasing effect. The following were among those present: Misses: Ella Chatfield, …, Jacqueline Chatfield, …, Ida Chatfield, …

The crash placed upon the floor makes the roller skating rink the finest place in the land for dancing, and the Rink promises to be more popular than ever this coming winter for dances.

May 8, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Personals and Locals.

Mrs. J.M. Williamson is visiting Miss Ida Chatfield at Emma.

Jun 4, 1886: Disappearance of Ida Chatfield Friday evening from her uncle’s (ISaac Willard Chatfield) house in Aspen.

Jun 8, 1886: Leadville Daily and Evening Chronicle, Leadville, Lake County, Colorado (pg 1):

A Mysterious Disappearance.

From parties arriving from Aspen it is ascertained that that orderly, quiet camp is agog over another sensation in the Miss Ella Chatfield, a young lady who resided in Leadville prior to the departure for the new city beyond the range. It appears that on Friday night last about dark, the young lady left the residence of her father, Mr. I.W. Chatfield, who was a former grocer of this city, with the intention of calling at a neighborhood residence. She did not return that evening, and the following morning found her missing. A search was instituted by officers and relatives. The most diligent search, however, failed to develop any trace of the missing girl. Empty houses all over town were searched, but without result. The river bank was searched down as far as the butte, but there was no indication that the young lady had reached the stream. It was thought that she might have gone out on the stage, but the telegram failed to confirm the suspicion. Up to a late hour Sunday night, the matter remained a complete mystery. Miss Chatfield’s relatives cannot account in any way for her disappearance. She is of a rather nervous disposition, and had been deeply affected by the terrible accident that befell Miss Strait. Her cousins relate that she also slept very little since that sad occurrence. Just before she went out Friday evening she undertook to light a lamp but she was too nervous to handle it, and had to call on one of the other young ladies to assist her. This would indicate that she had become very much excited, and a clue to her disappearance may be furnished by her nervous state of mind.

Mr. Squires, a driver on the incoming Canon stage, speaks of a girl that answered the description of Miss Chatfield, and it is possible that in her efforts to escape the scenes of Miss Strait’s untimely end, she has sought friends in Leadville. Her friends and relatives are very much alarmed, and if she be in Leadville a letter to them would furnish relief.

Note: the missing girl is Ida, niece of I.W. Chatfield, not Ella Chatfield, Isaac’s daughter

Jun 9, 1886: Castle Rock Journal, Castle Rock, Douglas County, Colorado (pg 1):

COLORADO CONDENSED.

Ida Chatfield, a young lady of Aspen, has mysteriously disappeared.

Miss Eppa Strait fell from the bell tower in Aspen, a few days ago, to the ground, a distance of fifty-five feet, and was horribly bruised. The doctors have no hope of her recovery.

Jun 11, 1886: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison County, Colorado (pg 2):

COLORADO CONDENSED.

Ida Chatfield, a young lady of Aspen, has mysteriously disappeared.

Jul 12, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 3):

The Disappearance.

Last Friday evening Miss Ida Chatfield left her uncle’s, I.W. Chatfield’s, residence on Hopkins avenue to go call upon her intimate friend Mrs. J.M. Williamson, who lives two blocks west of the Chatfield home on the same street. As she stepped out of the door her cousin, Miss Jacquelin Chatfield, asker to her light the lamps before she went, which she readily did, as Miss Jacquelin was not tall enough to reach them. She then went out, and has not since been seen. All day Saturday and Sunday Mr. I.W. Chatfield, joined at times by many others, searched the banks of the roaring Fork, Castle and Maroon creeks; the sheriff’s office has had men out in every direction searching the hills, gulches, old cabins, shafts, tunnels, the river banks, and everywhere there was a chance for concealment; but without reaching any clue. Saturday night J.A. Small rode to Emma to notify the parents, and on Monday, Mr. C.S. Chatfield, father of the missing girl, came up to town. The search was continued all day Sunday and Monday. On Monday the father was taken sick and was confined to his bed. Tuesday morning I.W. Chatfield went to Denver, but his diligent search there was without avail.

Different parties kept up the search, and on Wednesday the intense interest on the case was revived by the discovery, by John Manning and Lewis Stone, of a lady’s straw hat upon the river bank below the lake. The hat was recognized as the one worn by Miss Chatfield upon the evening of her disappearance. The spot where the hat was found is one of the most dangerous on the bank of the river. It is just where the river, curving below Hallam Park, first strikes the high bank of the upper mesa. In other words it is the nearest point where a person walking on the mesa could reach the river. The ground is very loose, and a yard further down is a perpendicular break off, from which a person could not hold himself from falling into the river. The latter is very deep at this point, and an eddy there carried the current beneath some logs and float wood.

Wednesday evening a public meeting was held, and a system of thorough search was agreed upon. Thursday several squads of men went down the river and probed all places where a body could possibly find lodgment. Judge Rucker and Capt. Thatcher discovered a handkerchief beneath the water at a drift of wood in the narrow canon at the Red Butte. This was also recognized as Miss Chatfield’s and seemed to confirm the worst suspicions that the girl was drowned.

Twelve other squads were sent to different quarters under order from Under Sheriff Stewart, and every house in town was searched from cellar to garret, and no trace was discovered.

Yesterday and to-day the search was continued, for there are those who will not desist until some explanation of the mystery is found.

The theories in the case are as numerous as there are people in Aspen. At present all the indications are that the girl either, in a moment of mental aberration, wandered into the river, or that discouraged and disheartened by tribulations incident to a peculiar temperament, she committed suicide; or else that she was abducted for nefarious purposes. The theory that she was concealed in town is about given up, and it seems impossible that she could have left town without being seen. It was also reported that a certain woman of Aspen could produce her at five minutes notice, but the reward of $200 has not been claimed. A man in a barbershop said that he knew a man who knew all about it. His very improbable story was that she had left home to be secretly married to a gentleman to whom her parents objected. Others have said that she left town dressed as a man; that she has entered a convent at Denver, and many other theories. It is true that the young lady has frequently expressed a wish to take the veil, but Mr. I.W. Chatfield while in Denver, disproved by inquiry, that theory. It seems most probable that while suffering from exceeding mental strain, she has wandered into the river and met her death. When a young child she fell into a well and her skull was crushed in. She has never entirely recovered from this accident, and at times a severe dizziness has completely overcome her.

The hat discovered was somewhat soiled, but not sufficiently so to indicate that it had been out in the rain of Monday and Sunday, which led many to believe it had been placed there as a foil; but this is not probable.

She was a very pretty girl, with large beautiful brown eyes, brown hair, full fresh features, more than ordinarily attractive, and of a sweet and winning manner. She was 20 years of age, of an independent and sensitive disposition, and very desirous of earning her own living. She has been living at Mr. Kit Robinsons’ ten miles below Aspen, for some weeks previous to coming to Aspen which was about two weeks ago, and had secured the appointment of teacher of the Ten Mile school, recently organized at Woody creek, and seemed very happy to think she would be able to earn her living at respectable employment.

Nothing can be sadder than the story of her disappearance. Not only in the home of the parents, but everywhere comes the ready condolences and proffers of help from all kinds and conditions of people.

Jun 12, 1886: Aspen Times, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado:

The hat of Miss Ida Chatfield, who disappeared Friday night, was found in the Roaring Fork nearly opposite to the race track. There is much speculation concerning her strange disappearance, some think she is in the river, others think she has been kidnapped and others think she disappeared of her own accord.

Jun 12, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Mr. C.S. Chatfield has offered a reward of $200 for information leading to the recovery of his daughter.

Jun 12, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Yesterday Mr. I.W. Chatfield accompanied by a party of six or eight searched the river as far down as Woody creek for the missing girl. Men are stationed at Woody and below watching the tumultuous current. Ida Chatfield had a small black-leather satchel in her hand when she left, the discovery of which would be a most important clue. That she was abducted and destroyed is now the most generally-accepted theory, and the most of the search is confined to the river.

Jul 10, 1886: Aspen Times, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado:

The interest in the unknown fate of Miss Ida Chatfield remains as great as when her sudden disappearance thrilled the town. Many theories are advanced but the mystery is as deep as ever. The prevailing opinion is that she is alive and still within the city. Wednesday evening after the meeting at the Court House, armed men were stationed at all of the bridges on the roads leading out of Aspen and a sharp lookout was maintained until morning.

Jul 10, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 1):

GREAT EXCITEMENT Over the Report of the Finding of Miss Ida Chatfield, at the Ranch of Mr. Peck near the Base of Red Mountain.

The Citizens turn out En-Masse and Search for the Missing Lady.

$500 Reward raised in Five Minutes, but had to be Returned.

The Ida Chatfield Sensation.

Yesterday Under Sheriff James T. Stewart stated to two citizens of Aspen that a man had come to him and agreed that for $500 he would take him to a cabin where Miss Ida Chatfield could be found alive and well. Within a short time the required $500 was raised, as follows: Porter Plumb $50, Joe Small $100. B. Clark Wheeler $300 and Mr. Stewart furnished the remaining $50. Mr. Stewart and Mr. Cooley took the money to W.E. Bailey with instructions to deliver it to Mr. Osgood on their order when Mr. Osgood had shown the sheriff and his aides where Miss Chatfield was to be found.

Then the under sheriff, accompanied by Mr. Osgood, Deputy Sheriff Burno, Mayor Hardeman, W.W. Cooley, Harry Izard, B. Clark Wheeler and Joe Small went to the ranch of John T. Peck, which is located north of Aspen two miles on the second bench of Red mountain. The cabin overlooks the valley and the city. It was found locked. A guard was left to watch the house while Mr. Peck was searched for out on the ranch, where he was found at work with a man. Mr. Peck was asked to allow his cabin to be searched, which he consented to, remarking that he had not seen Miss Chatfield more than twice since he and he were clerks in H.W. Pierson’s store. No sign of a female could be found in or about the cabin, and the men returned to the city and were repaid the money deposited as a reward.

Aug 6, 1886: Body of Ida Chatfield found in the Roaring Fork River, Pitkin County, Colorado.

Roaring Fork River

The Roaring Fork River is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 70 miles long, in west central Colorado It rises in the Sawatch Range in eastern Pitkin County. It flows northwest past Aspen. It receives the Fryingpan River at Basalt. One mile below Carbondale, it receives the Crystal River from the south. It joins the Colorado in Glenwood Springs. The river flows through canyons along most of its route. The Roaring Fork is a swift, deep, powerful river with very clear water.

Source: Wikipedia

Aug 7, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

Finding the Body of Miss Ida Chatfield.

Yesterday afternoon about 4 o’clock J.F. Harding and Louis N. Fontaine, who were fishing in the Roaring Fork below the Red Butte, discovered the body of a woman in the water, and immediately returned to Aspen and notified Coroner Turley. At once the following people started out with wagons and on horseback to the scene: Mr. Harding, Mr. Turley, L.A. Stone, J.A. Small, M.W. Smith, H.H. Wheeler and several others. They drove to the Delahomica-Goodwin ranch below the Butte on the Glenwood road, on the north side of the creek. The body was found lodged between two boulders beneath a small log. It was easily secured, and born up the steep bank to the undertakers wagon, and brought to town. A gold bracelet on the left wrist and a gold pin at the throat and several buttons on the dress were taken from the body and fully identified by Miss Ella Chatfield as the property of her cousin. The clothes were intact, shoes on and buttoned, but the features so much decomposed as to be beyond recognition.

A telegram was sent to her father at Emma by the Frying Pan office last evening as soon as there remained no further doubt of the identity of the body. Mr. ad Mrs. C.S. Chatfield came up this morning, arriving here at 7 o’clock. The coroner summoned a jury and held an inquest this morning in the little cabin on Cooper avenue where the remains were laid out upon their arrival in town. The jurymen were Wm. Stone, C.S. Adams.

Ida Chatfield disappeared from the residence of her uncle, I.W. Chatfield, on Friday evening, June 4th, just nine weeks previous to the discovery of her body.

She will be buried in the Aspen cemetery to-day. This is one of the saddest cases on record. She was a bright, beautiful girl, well-known and loved by all, and the mystery which shrouds her death may remain a mystery forever. The deep affliction of her family and friends receives the sympathy of a whole people.

Aug 7, 1886: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 1):

MISS CHATFIELD’S Body Discovered in the Roaring Fork Near Maroon Creek. Ida Chatfield’s Body Found. The startling news was flashed through the city yesterday that the body of Miss Ida Chatfield had been found in the Roaring Fork below Red Butte. Word was brought to town by J.F. Harding and Louis Fontaine that while fishing along the river they had discovered the body of a woman in the water. They at once notified Coroner W.E. Turley and accompanied him to the place where the body was seen. Notwithstanding her mysterious disappearance occurred no more than two months ago interest in the case has not abated. The body was found in the canon about a hundred yards below the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Maroon Creek. It lay on the north side of the river lodged with some driftwood between two boulders and hidden from the bank by bushes. Fisherman by the score have passed within a few feet of the place and it was by the merest accident that it was seen yesterday. The body lay on its side with the feet down the river, in still water four or five feet deep. The head was between the boulders where a small stream of water ran through. Across the neck was a long log about eight inches in diameter, around which the hair was wound. The head and arm was all that was out of the water. The body was not disturbed until the coroner arrived, and had probably been there for several weeks. The hair was still tied with a ribbon but the arms were bare and the clothing somewhat torn. When the hair was unwound and the drift wood taken away the body floated out. As it lay in the water it still betrayed the graceful form of a woman, and on the left wrist shone a bracelet, while the dress at the throat was fastened with a still handsome pin. These were late in the evening identified by Miss Ella Chatfield as the property of her cousin, Ida. The body, considering the time it has been in the water, is in a remarkably good state of preservation and the natural form retained. The shoes were on and buttoned, and the feet not at all swollen. But the face was a blank, and not a single feature could be recognized excepting the forehead. When the body was loosened the hair, before it was noticed, had floated off down the stream. A board was placed under the body while in the water, and it was then carried out on the land. A cloth was thrown over the once beautiful but now lifeless form, and it was strapped to the board. Six strong men then began the task of carrying the body of an almost perpendicular cliff. They toiled heroically up the stony hill, and placed the body in the carriage. It was brought to town and today the inquest will be held. While this closing action is being enacted the people will anxiously look for some disclosures as to the probable cause of her death. Miss Chatfield’s father has been sent for and is expected to arrive this morning. Thus has ended one of the most baffling mysteries which has ever agitated the peoples of Aspen.

Aug 11, 1886: Castle Rock Journal, Castle Rock, Douglas County, Colorado (pg 4):

COLORADO CONDENSED.

The body of Miss Ida Chatfield, of Aspen, who disappeared on the 4th of last June, has been found in the Roaring Fork river three miles below the town.

The Coroner’s Jury in the case of Ida Chatfield, who was found drowned in the Roaring Fork, returned the following verdict. That they find the body lying before them to be that of Ida Chatfield, and they further find that she came to her death by drowning on or about June 4, 1886; and that they believe she met her death by her own act while laboring under an attack of temporary insanity.

Note: Same article appears Aug 13, 1886, White Pine Cone (see below)

Aug 13, 1886: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison County, Colorado (pg 2):

COLORADO CONDENSED.

The body of Miss Ida Chatfield, of Aspen, who disappeared on the 4th of last June, has been found in the Roaring Fork river three miles below the town.

The Coroner’s Jury in the case of Ida Chatfield, who was found drowned in the Roaring Fork returned the following verdict: That they and the body lying before them to be that of Ida Chatfield, and that they further find that she came to her death by drowning on or about June 4, 1886; and that they believe she met her death by her own act while laboring under an attack of temporary insanity.

Aug 14, 1886: Montezuma Millrun, Montezuma, Summit County, Colorado (pg 1):

GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

The body of Ida Chatfield was found in a lot of drift wood in the river about four miles below Aspen last week Friday. The coroner’s jury returned a verdict of suicide.

Aug 14, 1886: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado (pg 2):

The Late Miss Chatfield

At 10 o’clock yesterday a.m. Coroner Turley summoned the following jury and held an inquest on the remains of the unfortunate Ida Chatfield: William Stone, H.A. Iszard, William Balderston, C.S. Adams, R.B. Hathaway and L.A. Stone.

After a short consultation it was decided to hold a post mortem examination, and Dr. Perry was called. A thorough examination was made and nothing of a suspicious nature was disclosed, as it was feared that foul play had been a cause of the young girl’s death.

The jewelry that was found upon the body was brought before the jury, and it was completely identified by several witness, who knew Miss Chatfield. The clothing was also identified. It was testified that she was of a very nervous disposition, and that at times she was in a painfully depressed condition. During such spells, the testimony showed, she frequently threatened to make away with herself. The day that she disappeared she also had such an attack. The exciting cause was about a dress which she did not have enough money to pay for. One of her relatives had paid for it for her, but she felt very humiliated because of having to be under obligations for a favor of any kind. In talking of it she said she did not want to live any longer. It was testified by those who knew her well that when she disappeared they felt satisfied she had made away with herself while in one of her depressed spells.

Dr. Perry, who made the examination of the body, testified that he found a female affection of a kind which causes great nervousness of the patient, and which, in cases where the patient is naturally of a nervous temperament, often causes temporary insanity. The doctor further testified that with persons suffering from such trouble and mental strain is liable to bring on an attack of insanity, and that such trouble is one of the most common causes of suicide.
The following is the verdict returned by the jury:

STATE OF COLORADO }

COUNTY OF PITKIN, } ss.

An inquisition, holden at Aspen, in Pitkin county, on the seventh day of August, A.D. 1886, before W.E. Turley, coroner of said county, upon the dead body of Ida Chatfield, lying there dead, by the jurors whose named hereto subscribed, the said jurors upon their oath do say: That they find the body lying before them to be Ida Chatfield, and further find that she came to her death by drowning on or about June 4, 1886, and that they believe she met her death by her own act while laboring under an attack of temporary insanity. In testimony whereof, the said jurors have hereunto set their hands, the day and your aforesaid.

WILLIAM STONE,

L.A. STONE,

R.B. HATHAWAY,

H.A. ISZARD,

C.S. ADAMS,

WM. BALDERSTON.

Two Brothers & Friends: Ida Chatfield

Heartache and sorrow once more plagued Isaac Chatfield and his family as summer, 1886 approached. On June 3rd, a close friend of the family, Eppa Strait, fell from the bell tower of the Presbyterian Church and died soon afterward. Two days later, while Ella sang at the girl’s funeral, another tragedy was unfolding. Ida Chatfield, 19-year-old daughter of Clark, had not returned home after visiting at her Uncle Isaac’s home on Friday, June 4th. A thorough search failed to turn up any clue as to her whereabouts, and everyone began to fear the worst. A week after Ida’s disappearance, her father offered a $200 reward for information leading to the recovery of the young girl.The family’s worst fears were realized nine weeks later when, on August 6th, two fisherman found Ida’s body in the waters of the Roaring Fork River below Red Butte.

Source: Two Brothers & Friends, Vol. IV, by Harry E. Chatfield, Chatfield Western Publishing, Colorado, 1990, (pg 112)

CHATFIELD, IDA (Biographical information, grave located)

Ida Chatfield was born in Illinois on 19 Nov 1866, the oldest of seven children. By 1885, she was living in Aspen with her parents and siblings. Her father was a ranchman and mother a housekeeper, and all seven of the children attended school. On 12 Jun 1886, the Aspen Times reported that her hat had been found floating in the Roaring Fork River, a few days after she mysteriously disappeared. Much speculation was made regarding her fate, and in early July armed men were posted on the bridges along the roads leading out of Aspen. On July 19, the newspaper stated that an unidentified man had informed the sheriff’s office that he had seen Miss Chatfield at a nearby cabin. He offered to take the sheriff to that cabin for a fee of $500. The money was raised and a delegation consisting of the sheriff and other citizens was taken to the Red Mountain ranch of John T. Peck. Peck was located, insisting that Chatfield had never been there and that the last time he had seen her was at a store in which they both worked in Aspen. The cabin was thoroughly searched, but no evidence of Ida Chatfield found. Finally, on 6 August 1886, two months after she was reported missing, the body… was found floating in the Roaring Fork River about a hundred yards below its confluence with Maroon Creek. It is not known if anyone was ever held responsible for her death.

Online source: Master List of Recorded Burials of Ute Cemetery, Aspen, Colorado; www.aspenpitkin.com

The City of Aspen & Pitkin County

The town of Aspen was settled in 1880-1881 by prospectors migrating over the Continental Divide from Leadville in search of mineral riches, particularly sliver ore. At the time, Ute Cemetery was a rolling, privately owned vacant field southeast of town. It is estimated that at least 200 graves are located on site, over half of which are unmarked.The Depression ended the use of Ute Cemetery, and in the decades since 1930 only three burials have taken place there. It fell into disuse and disrepair. With no family left in the Roaring Fork Valley to tend the graves, it was abandoned and the site began its long slide into decay. In the late 1990’s, with historic preservation a high priority in Aspen, local residents began to urge the city to restore the cemetery. This resulted in a process that began with the listing of the site in the National Register of Historic Places. Biographical information was collected about many of the persons buried there and the property documented in detail.

Source: City of Aspen & Pitkin County; www.aspenpitkin.com/Departments/Community-Development/Historic-Preservation/Historic-Properties/Ute-Cemetery/