Nellie O'brien & The Lost Sweet
Tbd : Westcliffe, CO 81252
Custer County, Colorado
Land Description
Nellie O'Brien & The Lost Sweetheart- Nellie O'Brien & The Lost Sweetheart is 4 contiguous mining claims totaling 44.44 acres of private property, in the now lost-to-time town of Querida. The land is a mix of Pine, Aspens, Pinon, lush grassy meadows and high open ground. Almost entirely bounded by BLM land with electricity very near the east border, the land is very private yet near the town of Westcliffe. Alternative energy is also an option, such as solar, wind or generator. The Lost Town of Querida - “My Mistress Edmund Bassick had traveled the world prospecting and sailing. After squandering several fortunes, he had ended up a dirt poor laborer for the Centennial Mining company. After being denied credit for a package of pins, he and his wife seemed most deserving of the great wealth soon to come. His mining claim developed into the famous Bassick Mine. As the Pocahontas Mine declined, the Bassick’s production of gold and silver increased. People abandoned Rosita for Querida and Custer County’s rush continued. In 1879, the Bassicks sold the majority of mine stock to a group of New York investors. Their overly strict management practices lead to theft as ore was smuggled out by disgruntled employees and sold to local saloon keepers. The stolen ore was used to salt worthless mines that would be sold to gullible wealth seekers. A secret group called the Querida Protective Society was formed to facilitate the illegal fundraising and protect members from the domineering mining company. Charges were made against two Bassick officials in a threatening letter from the “Protectives.” The letter demanded the firing of the two men. The company responded with raises for each and the firing of the men who sent it. Tensions rose and a riot seemed eminent. Loyalties were split and those on the company’s side promised to “decorate the trees in the vicinity” with the society members if they did not leave immediately. Most left quietly and the remainder were shipped out. Listed by Lisa Frank & Twila Geroux
