Batchelder (Leopard Creek)

Batchelder Cemetery

San Miguel County, Colorado

Located several miles west of the top of Dallas Divide.  Abandoned house and livestock corrals are on north side of road.  Dirt road to the north goes between house and corrals. 

Cemetery lies on point west of house and corrals where small canyon joins Leopard Creek Canyon.

It is private property with no access.  It was started in 1886 or 1887 when a mining partner of Sam Batchelder broke his neck in a mining accident.  Batchelder buried him on land Batchelder had settled on and later owned.

This information gathered by Beverly Brown.

 

Devincentis, Baby – No dates.  Father was Roco Devincentis.

             Information given by Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David.

 

GALLAGHER, Robert (Robbie) – Died about 1898 at 2 years of age. Sister, Mrs. Jane Finnigan, of Montrose.  Brother, James Gallagher, of Montrose.  Parents, Charles and Anna Gallagher.  Found on 1910 Census. 

Information from Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David.

 

HOWELL, Jim – Died about 1866 or 1867.  Came to Colorado with Sam Batchelder and the two did sluice mining at Placerville.  Howell was repairing the sluice when someone accidentally turned the water in.  The force of the water broke his neck.

        Information from Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David.

 

FEEZER, Harry – Died about 1916.  Wife’s maiden name was Wooten.  Does not show up on 1910 Census with Feezer families. 

Information from Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David.

 

MILLER, James – Died about 1912-1914.  Had a son named Nelson Bulger Miller who lived in Montrose.  Granddaughter is Mrs. Henry Tiddenburg of Montrose. 

Information from Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David.

 

ELLSWORTH, William  – No Information. 

Name from Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David.

 

SPARKS, First name unknown – Wife of Clinton Sparks and mother of Claud Sparks who lived in Montrose. 

Information from Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David.

 

HABEL, Edna M. (Batchelder) – Born 8 Sept 1885.  Died 22 April 1912.

       Husband, Shortie Habel.  Brother, Myron Batchelder, long time blacksmith at Montrose. 

Information taken from Family Bible by Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David, sister.

 

BATCHELDER, Margaret – No marker.  Born 28 March 1894.  Died 3 April 1894.  Brother, Myron Batchelder. 

Information taken from Family Bible by Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David, sister.

 

BATCHELDER, Herbert – No marker.  Born 26 June 1883.  Died 2 July 1888.  Myron Batchelder, brother.  Information taken from Family Bible by Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David, sister.

 

BATCHELDER, Olive – No marker.  Born 16 Jan 1893.  Died 19 Jan 1893.

            Myron Batchelder, brother. 

Information taken from Family Bible by Mrs. Bertha Batchelder David, sister.

 

 

 

 

OTHER GRAVES IN LEOPARD CREEK AREA.

 

    Grave located on private property in Leopard Creek area in Sams Community.  No name or date. 

The story: In the 1930’s a freighter by the name of Ed Sullivan told of helping to bury this man, a victim of a gun shot wound.  “Buried With His Boots On”.

 

    Grave located on Private property on Leopard Creek, San Miguel County.  The grave of a 12 year old boy, name unknown. 

The story: “In 1898, along Leopard Creek a 12 year old son of a family traveling was buried 1/8 mile beyond Batchelder House and across the creek about 100 feet, near an old fence.”  This story came from a letter from Will Watts, December 1982.  Will was a 94 year old fellow who spent several years of his younger life in the Dallas, Hastings area.

 

 

 

 

September 2005