Jacob Edward "Jake" Borah
Marriages
Minnie Hockett Borah - October 1890
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - July 26, 1929
Jake BORAH, Colorado Pathfinder, Dead. Was Guide and
Companion To Some Of Country's Greatest Men Including Roosevelt, Lenna Lupton Bonar
Jake BORAH, internationally known, as a guide and woodsman, died at the
county hospital, Gypsum, Colorado, Friday, July 19, 1929, at 5 p. m. He had
been in failing health for several years and was confined to his bed for ten
days prior to his death. He was 82 years old last April.
Jake BORAH was a true pioneer of the West, a trail builder in every sense of
the word, for he came to Colorado in 1875, came in with his older brother, Al,
and they were driving a bunch of pack horses. With the passing of these men, mighty builders of the mighty West, whose
ranks are thinning fast now, passes an epoch. They were great, these pioneer
heroes who conquered the West, their paths beset with danger of every kind,
wherein often wild beasts and nature herself seemed armed against them.
They will be allotted their full share of fame. But we are, as Reverend YOUNG
very truly expressed it, "too near to them to realize their greatness." Other
generations will pay high tribute to these pathfinders of the West.
In 1885 Jake BORAH came to Gypsum, Eagle County, Colorado, and since
that time he continuously acted as tourist guide, also hunting and trapping.
Few men knew the western states, at that time, as he. He had cover
practically every inch of territory in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, New Mexico
and Old Mexico, often blazing his own trails or those of some tourist party he
was guiding. There was always a hot coffee pot on his camp fire and elk,
venison or bear steak sizzling. He had an outfit of seventy-five pack animals
with mess wagons, and twenty hounds. He also possessed an absolutely
sincere personality, although gruff at times, and an inimitable manner
spinning yarns or episodes of the Wild West. These kept his parties thrillingly
entertained when hunting was poor, which it seldom was in Jake BORAH'S
camp. As an illustration of his success in his profession it is only necessary to
state that during the year of 1904 forty-three bear and thirty-four mountain
lions were filled by the different parties he escorted, and during of winter of
1894 he filled sixty-five lions in the territory surrounding Gypsum. He and his
wife operated a resort at Trappers Lake in 1896, at Deep Lake in 1898-99.
Not many years ago the management of the Colorado hotel in Glenwood
Springs[rings, offered him a splendid salary if he would make his home at the
hotel and relate his experiences to the guests. He curtly refused.
In the spring of 1906, Jake came into national prominence when he served as
chief guide and pathfinder to Theodore ROOSEVELT and his party on their
famous Colorado hunting expedition. ROOSEVELT was president at the time and Glenwood Springs was temporarily our nation's capital, as the party had
its headquarters there. The two men became fast friends during the hunt.
Teddy himself took several pictures of this trusted guide, later sent him an
autographed photograph of himself.
Later, in 1909, Jake piloted Teddy's son, Theodore jr., on a hunting trip. The
young man was traveling incognito at the time, for he disliked the publicity
and fuss made over him because of his illustrious father. Jake's fame was
international, as well, for he escorted many parties from Europe, among them
being the illustrious English engineer, John Hays HAMMOND.
Many prominent and wealthy men of the United States were also his patrons,
and, invariably, after one trip his fast friends. These numbered among their
ranks, Senators LA FOLLETTE if Wisconsin, James STILLMAN, New York
banker, and Henry Payne WHITNEY of New York, Lawrence C. PHIPPS of
Denver, and L. S. THOMPSON of Red Bank, N. J., for whom he acted as
guide on twelve hunting expeditions. Seven of these were in Colorado, one in
Oregon, one in Idaho and three in Wyoming. Mr. THOMPSON on learning of
the illness of his beloved guide wrote him a letter less than a month ago,
recalling old times and expressing every hope for his recovery; and in the
letter was a check for one hundred dollars. Because of his advancing age,
and declining health, Jake sold his outfit in 1911 to Al ANDERSON and Steve
BAXTER, and retired from active life to spend his declining years with his
eldest son, L. J. This was two years after he escorted Teddy, jr., on his
Colorado hunt.
Jacob Edward BORAH was born at Morganstown, Butler County, Kentucky,
April 13, 1847. He was married in October, 1890, to Minnie HACKETT [sic.], one of
the famed HACKETT [sic.] twins. To this happy union were born two sons, L. J.
and LeRoy, both of whom, with their families, survived him. His wife preceded
him on the last long trail twenty years ago. He never remarried, but kept his sons with him and maintained a true home for them until they married and
entered homes of their own, locating in Gypsum canyon on Gypsum creek.
Even then, with advancing years upon him, the independent spirit of the
frontiersman asserted itself, and he invested in a small ranch adjoining that of
his sons. Here he lived alone, during the summers; with only a faithful hound
or two, and always a trusted horse for companions. He was at home in the
saddle and until two years ago, when, he suffered a stroke or paralysis he
rode back and forth to town when he needed supplies, occasionally spending
a few days in town. During the sinters he remained at the home of his son, L.
J.
Jake BORAH faced death as he had lived his life, bravely, unafraid to start
upon the last long trail.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon, July 21, from the
Lutheran church in Gypsum, Rev. W. S. YOUNG, of Glenwood Springs,
officiating and delivering an eloquent obituary that was truly worthy of this
eminent pioneer, paying high tribute to the hardihood and heroism of our
Colorado Pathfinders. Assisting him with several musical selections was a
mixed quartet, Mesdames G. O. BEALE, and Frank DOLL, Messrs. J. L.
MOSHER and W. H. LEA, with Mrs. R. E. CHATFIELD accompanist.
Interment was in Cedar Hill cemetery at Gypsum, Colo.
