THIS & THAT

THIS & THAT

by Paul Knowles

The Art of Rare Prison Spurs When it comes to valuable spurs, Cañon City prison spurs are near the top. Made by inmates and sold in the prison's gift shop, this particular set of prison spurs is one of the most stunning. That's because they are believed to have been made by the prison's best: John Cox. Receiving a life sentence for first degree murder in 1897, Cox became one of the most talented spur makers in the nation.

His spurs are very rare and highly sought-after.

Harry Tracy's Gun Rig Harry Tracy should be the most famous outlaw from the Old West, but shockingly his story is seldom told. He escaped four prisons, evaded numerous "no-win" situations, killed at least 11 men and prompted the largest manhunt in American history. His trail of destruction even led through Northwest Colorado and the Hahns Peak jail. This is Harry Tracy’s gun rig from his arrest in Browns Park in today’s Moffat County during the winter of 1898.

Queen of the Cattle Rustlers Known as the “Queen of the Cattle Rustlers,” Ann Bassett is one of the most colorful figures from the Old West. After her fiancé Mat Rash and good friend Isam Dart were murdered in Browns Park by the infamous Tom Horn, Ann had a personal vendetta against the cattle baron Ora Haley whom she blamed. Although acquitted of cattle rustling charges, she later confessed to nearly everything she was accused of. These are her spurs.

ELEVATE THE ARTS: Visit the Museum of Northwest Colorado. All of these items are currently on display except for the Meldrum 54

Winter 2023

revolver. Instead of the original, a $10,000 replica that the auction house gifted the museum is displayed. PK Art with Altitude

the West Isam Dart's Cuffs Isam Dart's story is highly fictionalized, which is unfortunate when his real story easily stands on its own. Isam was an African American cowboy from Texas living in Browns Park in the late 1800s.

He was good friends with the area’s most well-known family, the Bassetts. Isam was sadly murdered in 1900 by one of the West’s most feared hit-men—Tom Horn. These are the wrist cuffs he was wearing when gunned down in Browns Park.

Gal-Leg Spurs Cowboys, while typically depicted as no-nonsense, weren’t immune to fashion. And when you combine Old West fashion with something a little risqué on the trail, you have a hit! This particular set of gal-leg (or lady-leg) spurs were made by one of the most desirable spur makers in the West—J.R. McChesney. Several makers made gal-leg spurs, however it is believed that J.R. may have actually been the inventor of this popular pattern.

Authentic Fast Draw Rig High-noon standoffs are mostly a Hollywood myth. However, this amazing fast draw artifact is the real deal. Not only is it extremely rare, it’s also the finest example known to exist. Invented by a Texas sheriff in 1882, the Bridgeport Rig allowed a revolver to slide into a belt plate and freely rotate for quick shots. While it did see some use, the military stated that “No trooper who has regard for his horse would shoot from the hip.”

Photos courtesy of the Museum of Northwest Colorado

Art with Altitude

Winter 2023

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