John Tallman was born in 1837 and came, with his family, to the Parker area in 1859 and settled somewhere on the banks of Cherry Creek. He ran a sawmill near Running Creek and was one of the first to reach the site of the Hungate Massacre. He married Elizabeth in 1865 and they ranched near where the Ave Maria Church is today. John supposedly participated in Colonel Chivington’s massacre of Indians at Sand Creek in 1864. A trail ran near their property that was frequently used by the Ute Indians, and Elizabeth would give them food. Indian Chiefs, Colorow, Washington and Ouray were among them. They moved to Castle Rock in 1878 and sold the homestead to William and Elizabeth Newlin. The above coordinates are for what is left of the 160 acre homestead. John and his wife are buried in the J. S. Parker Cemetery.
The Pine Grove School District was carved from the Frankstown District. In 1872, John was the secretary and J. S. Parker was the treasurer. And, yes, it was Frankstown in that day, not Franktown as it is now.
Jonathan Tallman was the brother of John. Jonathan had just bought a mule in Pine Grove (Parker) and was returning to Kiowa and insisted on riding the mule. His friend, John Riley, told him that his mule was not fast enough to outrun any hostile Indians that they might meet. It wasn't. He is buried in the J. S. Parker Cemetery.
To claim this geocache, email the dates found on Mary's head stone. Also, mention one item of information that you find interesting.
Photos are fine. JimReeb@ecentral.com
Thanks Geocaching Colorado for the Geocache of the Month Award, as the second series to win!
