Duane Smith

Book Review – The Trail of Gold and Silver: Mining in Colorado

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The Trail of Gold and Silver: Mining in Colorado, 1859-2009
By Duane A. Smith
Published in 2009 by University Press of Colorado
ISBN 978-0-87081-975-5
$26.95; vii+282 pages

Reviewed by Virginia McConnell Simmons

After chronicling nearly every facet of gold and silver mining in Colorado, from the Caribou camp to Horace Tabor and Baby Doe, Duane A. Smith has now concisely written the colorful story in The Trail of Gold and Silver. With this, his 50th published book, his friends might wonder whether The Trail of Gold and Silver is meant to be the swan song of our most prolific miner of Colorado’s mining history. Well, don’t bet the claim on it.

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Chaffee: The man behind the name

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Article by Duane Smith

Colorado History – August 2003 – Colorado Central Magazine

JEROME BONAPARTE CHAFFEE — mining man, politician, businessman, mill man, banker, and one of Colorado’s first two senators — was a “mover and shaker” in the 1860s and ’70s. Yet he quickly receded into history after his death in March 1886.

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The Leadville Blues: Colorado’s best “base ball” team

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Article by Duane Smith

Local History – July 1997 – Colorado Central Magazine

What baseball team was Colorado’s best ever? Rockies’ fans would pick one of their favorite nines, while old-time fans would argue for one or another of the Denver Bears’ strongest teams. For the nineteenth century, however, no debate is necessary. The 1882 Leadville Blues sweep all before them, as they did their opponents for one glorious season.

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