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Since 1890 there has lived at Colorado Springs a remarkable woman, who, when a girl attending Lincoln High School, Kansas City, Missouri, adopted this motto: "Be fair - be just - be impartial." For the sixty-six years of her life, she told this writer the other day, she has endeavored to live up to her motto.
She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, December 22, 1870, where she attended the public school and then taught in the same school and building from which she had graduated.
While engaged in making and following a career, she met a dapper young fellow by the name of Bert Lamb from the wild and wooly West (Colorado). He told her of the glories and beauties of the little town of Colorado Springs, Colorado nestled in the foot hills of the great Rockies. So charmed was she that she consented to join him as a wife in this fast growing new state. Bert sometimes worked in the mine and again following the cattle as cowpuncher over the range. He was taken seriously ill, because of exposure, and died, thus ended after some eight years, what seemed to be a long and happy life.
With two small children now left to her care, she faced her task with courage and faith and to say it mildly providence has dealt kindly with her.
Due to early training she has majored in things educational
club woman - pioneer in things religious - a natural born politician, having held many political jobs in El Paso County with credit to herself and race.
She devotes much of her time to writing and lecturing in the East and South on the advantages offered by Colorado to homeseekers. In her is the fulfillment of that scriptural saying - "And her children shall rise up and call her blessed" for that is the commandment of those two boys of hers now starting out to make their way in the world.
The possessor of an unusual retentive memory, she can tell, as if it happened but yesterday, many incidents of those stirring times around the Springs. General Palmer, who founded the city, according to her opinion was destined by the Gods to do worthwhile things. He had culture - vision and the art of making and getting money. Yet, he was a man's man and could and would take care of himself under any and all circumstances. If the circumstances meant a fight in the camp or the public square, he was there with the bells on ready to do and dare.
Indian fighting and the coal mine strike claimed much of her attention. Her contention is that the Indian was never the aggressor, but in most cases the victim of exploitation. To cover their sins they proceeded to drive him out, this refused, they were slaughtered in battle.
Mother love is so strange and yet moved in the same line with all women. With emotion she tells of many heart-broken Indian mothers, her growing sons were killed and for days she would dance with frenzy the wild dance of sorrow around a fire at night as her expression of sadness and sorrow because her sons had now gone to the happy hunting ground.
