In 1884 Ouray, vigilante justice for gruesome murder
In 1884 Ouray, vigilante justice for gruesome murder
Area ranchers Michael and Maggie Cuddigan wanted a daughter. They found 9-year-old Mary Rose Mathews at St. Vincent’s Asylum in Denver in 1883. Her mother had died, and her father, a Denver police officer, was unable to care for her.
The Cuddigans brought Mary Rose to their ranch about 10 miles from Ouray. Several reports indicate that neighbors were concerned about the little girl, who often had bruises and didn’t have appropriate clothing. It all came crashing down in January of 1884.
One re...