Memories of my Great Grandfather Ed Spalding Deputy Sheriff of Fremont County, Colorado.

[David S. Sharp]

Some of my earliest memories surrond a trip my parents made along with my maternal grandmother. We arrived somewhere in Colorado to a farm where some one special lived. My parents came to the door and were greeted by an elderly couple that came out and hugged my Grandmother and mother. I came to realize later that they were the parents of my Grandfather Clay long past away leaving my Grandmother a widow to raise her only child my mother Elaine.

My Great Grandfather had a Parakeet perched on his shoulder he called Corky, and to me he seemed taller than anyone else there. He took me over to a shelf where he brought down a Silver Star with the words "Deputy Sheriff Fremont Colorado" on it. It became a real treasure to me and I spent many hours with a childhood Hopi friend wearing it while we chased imaginary bank robbers and cattle rustlers. I still have it locked in a safety deposit box with other things of value for I would never choose to loose it.

Ed Spalding had been a Civil war veteren and had been shot as a young lad in the leg by a Confederate Musket ball. (He still had a limp for the musket ball was still in him.) He moved out west to Colorado where experience with a revolver stood him in good stead as a Deputy Sheriff. When we made our visit he was 94 and my great Grandmother in the picture was still with him.

We made one last visit to see them and I asked where Corky was and he told me that he got knocked out and didn't make when he ran into a door jam. My sister found this old photo of him with my Grandfather as a little boy in my Mothers stuff and made a present of it to me. It was interesting to see them when they were younger and to compare my vague memory of our vist 50 years ago.

Dave Sharp

[David S. Sharp]

Hey great, I'm ready - let me know when and where and what to bring.

Dave

[David Bullock]

Last year we had a storytelling party in our yard with pot luck. All the neighbors and friends were invited. Had a Cowboy Poet from down the street entertain us and then I told a few lies. It was a big hit. If it got much bigger, I'd have to order porta potties and get a permit but that's no big deal either. I think May would be a good time as long as it quits snowing by then.

[David S. Sharp]

Sounds great let me know when is a good time. May 8 is my Birthday it would be fun to get a bunch of folks for a session and pot luck. I get so busy I miss out on just fun sometimes.

Dave

[David Bullock]

Let's talk about a Spring Park City get together.

[David S. Sharp]

Hi Dave

That's amazing, that sounds like fun. Sometime after March maybe we could get together some of us to play, potluck and such.

Dave

[David Bullock]

Ok, I knew I knew you and your wife Carol, I just had to brush the cobwebs out of my mind before 2 + 2 came together. Not only did we meet at the Olympus Meeting, You and Carol played for Cathy and I at our wedding in Park City. I'm so excited now because Cathy talkes about getting in touch with you a lot. She would love to learn how to play some of your instruments, are you still teaching? lets get together anyway.

Dave

[David S. Sharp]

Thanks Dave. We met at one of the very first Olympus Chapter meetings I went to some time ago. Both you and Cathy had a lot of wonderful energy. On my fathers side of the family it was common to name one to the kids every generation or so John, named after the John Sharp that was the Railroad contractor at Promontory. My oldest boy is named Dylan John Sharp after him as were cousins and Uncles and my Grandfather John Francis Sharp. There is something in giving a name to a child of love, hope and family memory.

Dave

[David Bullock]

Wonderful story Dave. My ancestory goes back - and then some as have all of our ancestory. Fortunately there have been those who have preserved the history of my ancestors for me and those who will follow. I was going through some records with an aquaintence yesterday and found a geneology chart from back in the 1700's which had my great ancestors name and birth date on it. His Name was Benjamin. His Son was also named Benjamin as was his son Benjamin III. My father was Benjamin the VI and just last year Benjamin X was born. Ten generations of Benjamins and we pretty much know about each one of them, what they did and what they stood for. Although he is just one of the many that had something to do with me being here, I'm pleased that the knowledge of him has been preserved. By your telling your great grandfathers story, Ed Spalding will live forever. Keep telling.