In honor of Veterans Day, here are some of the military exploits of early Golden residents, contributed by Golden City Councilor (and West Point graduate) Paul Haseman.
Golden military heritage goes back to its founding in 1859. This heritage finds its best expression in historic Golden figures and events. Among them would be George West, the wagon master of the Boston Company arriving in Golden in June 1859. A year later Edward and Helen Berthoud arrived to join Helen’s parents, John and Jeanette Ferrell, who had arrived a year earlier and built the Miners’ Hotel, long gone but at the site of now 11th and Washington.
George West accomplished much as a Golden leader (e.g., Editor of the Colorado Transcript), but he had earlier military experience with the First Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, where he rose to the rank of Captain. Here in Golden and with the outbreak of the Civil War, he was again commissioned as a Captain in the Colorado Volunteers. He then formed Company H of the Second Volunteer Infantry, a unit that not surprisingly Edward Berthoud joined. West served as a quartermaster and fought with the Colorado 2nd Volunteer Cavalry in an important Missouri battle. (See below.)
Years later, 1887, the Governor appointed Brigadier General West to serve as Adjutant General of Colorado State Militia (now National Guard).
His grandson, Neil West Kimball, served in Europe during World War I and in 1934 was also appointed Adjutant General. During Neil’s term and at his urging, the Governor, Edwin Johnson, renamed the State Rifle Range to “Camp George West.” A well-deserved commemoration for a Golden veteran.
Meanwhile, in March 1862 Berthoud joined West’s Company H, receiving a commission as a First Lieutenant, and eventually rising to Captain. Mostly confined to the perimeter of the Civil War in the Kansas Territory, he did not see much action until 1864, when he and his men were confronted by the last-ditch attempt of Confederate Gen. Sterling Price to win Missouri by taking Jefferson City. As he was also an outstand civil engineer, Berthoud, received commendation for his design and quick building of the earthworks around Jefferson City, which helped repel the Confederate attack. (As a minor unrelated fact, early gold miner, George Jackson (Jackson St), faced Berthoud in the Confederate ranks at this battle.)
Although Edward experienced limited but important action, Helen Berthoud earned her way into the Veterans Ring of Honor. And in 1862, when Edward answered the clarion call to duty as a Union officer, Helen went with him. She served as a field nurse from 1862-1865 ministering to the wounded in field hospitals and in camps. This began her legacy of service to the troops, continuing after the war with her service as an officer with the Golden chapter of the Women's Relief Corps, W.R.C. No. 5, which was an adjunct of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), similar to today’s American Legion. In keeping with her commitment to the W.R.C., Helen tirelessly proposed a group home for soldiers and sailors. This goal was fulfilled shortly after Helen’s untimely death at 56 on 2 August 1887, when Edward donated an existing house at the northwest corner of 17th & Jackson to establish the Helen Berthoud Hospital. It served as a home for indigent and disabled Civil War veterans. The State soon took over operation of this home and relocated it to Monte Vista, CO. The Home continues today as the Colorado Veterans Community Living Center at Homelake. It is listed today on the State Historic Register. Thank you, Helen and thank you to the many, many other Golden veterans who have served our Nation. Enjoy Veterans Day, you earned it.
As a final note, a thank you to the Golden High School Student Council, which sponsored a Veterans breakfast last week at GHS, organized by my granddaughter, Sabrina Streich, whose parents are also proud veterans.
