The Cripple Creek Collection---The Lives of James John Hagerman

The Lives of James John Hagerman
1968 Book by John J. Lipsey

If there was ever a forgotten hero of Colorado history, J.J. Hagerman is the man. Hagerman's vision of a vibrant, thriving Colorado led him to construct the Colorado Midland Railway. Not satisfied with making one fortune, he made another in the silver mines of Aspen. He duplicated his success in the gold mines of Cripple Creek and ended up playing a pivotal role in western labor history. Sadly, like so many before and since, Hagerman lost his fortune trying to tame the land. His project to invigorate the lands of New Mexico cost him a great place in history.

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Construction on the Colorado Midland near Manitou.	This book is filled with 55 illustrations of Hagerman's grand projects. Along with the photos are reproduced letters, telegrams and memos from the Hagerman family archives. As a bonus to rail enthusiasts, the appendix offers much detail on the early operations of the Colorado Midland.
	A Colorado Midland snow plow at Ivanhoe.

The history of Hagerman's Cripple Creek adventures are provided in detail. The correspondence between Hagerman and his fellow mine owners shows him to have been a trusted and well-respected leader. The transcript of the negotiations with Governor Waite during the 1893-94 Labor War will leave little doubt as to why the mine owners placed their faith in Hagerman's negotiating skills.

One of many reproduced letters between Hagerman and his associates.	The Great Flume built by J.J. Hagerman over the Pecos River during his Pecos Valley, New Mexico project.
	This book has to be considered the definitive work on the life of J.J. Hagerman, simply because there is no other book dedicated to the subject. The life of this great man makes interesting and inspirational reading.

The binding on this book is tight and the pages are clean. The dust jacket is in excellent condition, and has been laminated to protect it against wear and damage. All things considered, this is a beautifully bound volume. The price for this scarce work on this great Colorado pioneer is $50.00.