Charter member of The Colorado Territorial Daughters of the San Luis Valley

Mary Elizabeth Chamberlain, or "Lizzie," was born in I863 to Eugene Chamberlain and Mary Gredig Chamberlain in the little mining town named Plum Creek near the present location of Denver. When she was an infant, her parents moved from Plum Creek with a group of French people to Deer Lodge, Montana, which was a French settlement. Her mother was born in Switzerland and her father was born in France.

When little Lizzie was six years old, her mother, knowing she was near death, requested that her husband take Lizzie and her two younger siblings to live with her father, Jerry Gredig. Upon her death, Eugene Chamberlain took the children to his father-in-law who had a sheep and cattle ranch in Colorado where the Rio Grande and Conejos River join.

The grandfather placed the six-year old child in a convent of the Sisters of Loretto in Santa Fe. Even though he made frequent trips to visit her, she was a very lonely little girl, since she spoke only French and could communicate with no one because only Spanish was spoken there. Later, the Bishop's sister came to visit. She spoke French and so Elizabeth was placed in her charge. She taught Lizzie Spanish while she helped her with her studies.

Lizzie was not to be at the convent for too long because her grandfather's partner in the cattle business, A German,

Christopher Stollsteimer, offered to take the child into his home with the agreement to raise and educate her. She was to be "bound" to that family until she was of age.

Elizabeth did not find her life too difficult for the first several months, but that changed and she found she was to endure a life of hard work while with the Stollsteimers. She did, however, learn to speak German during her stay with the family. They lived in Conejos and she was able to see her little brother, Charlie. She missed her baby sister, Adeline, who had since died. She often begged her grandfather to take her home, but he explained that his ranch was no place for a little girl to stay while growing up. In a short time, Mrs. Stollsteimer wanted to further her study in music. Since Santa Fe was the nearest place to get instruction, Lizzie returned with Mrs. Stollsteimer and was again placed in the convent. By then Lizzie had had a term in a Sister's school in Conejos.

Elizabeth, "Lizzie" taken before she had surgery removing an ulcerous growth from the roof of her mouth, caused by a fish bone.

Before long a company led by a wealthy New Yorker by the name of Posthoff had financed a large cattle ranch above the junction on Meyers Creek on the Rio Grande. Stollsteimer also had a share in this ranch and was to manage the operation. They moved from Conejos taking Lizzie with them to their new home. The cattle operation was near a ranch owned by Colonel Albert H. Pfeiffer at Granger above Del Norte.

Chris Sollsteimer and Pfeiffer had had a lengthy friendship so Lizzie met Colonel Pfeiffer's young son, Albert. When the two became young adults, a romance resulted in Marriage.

Lizzie's experiences were rich and colorful. The couple's home was open to everyone and they valued their friendships.

During their later years, after their family was grown Lizzie and Albert moved to Monte Vista from their home at Granger. Lizzie was known as Grandma Pfeiffer because she had attended and helped with the births of a great many babies. She was endeared by them as they grew to young men and women.

Children and adults alike loved to hear Lizzie tell of her trip to Colorado in a covered wagon when she was a little girl with her younger brother and sister. They, with her father and Uncle Charlie, traveled alone, driving a team of oxen. Half way they traded for a team of horses. They encountered a band of Indians on the way and her memories of the experience were frightening.

In December of 1947, near her 84th birthday, she traveled for the first time on an airplane to speak at the annual

meeting of the Colorado Historical Society. During her talk she compared her first plane ride to the trip in a covered wagon. "Traveling in an airplane has jolting along in a covered wagon beat all hollow. It's faster and smoother and you don't have to worry about hostile Indians war-whooping out of the next cloud."

She loved to talk about the horse races she'd seen. "I've never bet a penny in my life, but I'd walk forty miles to see a good honest horse race." She truly loved life and it was evident that life loved her. For her, dancing was pure joy. "My heels get 'ticklish' when I hear a good waltz or schottische." Often she could not contain herself as she'd hold her skirts up a little and dance to the tune of a favorite waltz.

After Albert passed away, she continued to ride in the Sanderson and Barlow stage coach in the Sky High Stampede parade. She called it her "million-dollar ride". The couple had ridden the coach for many years together, he on top wearing an Indian-beaded coat, and she inside. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. One Christmas during her last years, seven carloads of young people came to sing carols to her. They were young people from the high school and the college who had listened to her tell the story of her life.

All who knew Elizabeth Chamberlain Pfeiffer were better for having the experience of knowing this winsome, happy and optimistic little woman whose friendship was so broad and generous. Her buoyant personality made one feel better for being alive and to believe as she did as she expressed the reason life was good to her. "The good Lord has always helped".

Stage coach, ready to take Lizzie on her "Million Dollar Ride". Lizzie and daughter, Lena Pfeiffer Elliott Circa 1948.

All who knew Elizabeth Chamberlain Pfeiffer were better for having the experience of knowing this winsome, happy and optimistic little woman whose friendship was so broad and generous. Her buoyant personality made one feel better for being alive and to believe as she did as she expressed the reason life was good to her. "The good Lord has always helped".

One interviewer wrote of her, "Lizzie, Grandma Pfeiffer, had a philosophy of life that would have made her known to everybody for blocks around even if she lived in the middle of New York City".

She spoke with a bit of nostalgia for the neighborliness which was so important to pioneer life, but she was not one to say folks used to be better than they are now.

Grandma Pfeiffer passed away June 21, 1950. Some of the last words of her eulogy were, "Perhaps Grandma Pfeiffer needs no eulogy for she lives in the hearts of her family and friends and the last thing she would wish is sadness. She is still with us on her "million-dollar ride".

These words were to prove just that.

Today, April 16, 1992, articles aboutLizzie and Albert show up every now and then in newspapers and articles. Second and third generations speak of her and ask for programs to be given about her.

The minister chose to close her eulogy with Edgar Guest's poem, "The House Beside the Road". He did not know that the minister who gave Albert's eulogy twenty years before had chosen the same poem in closing. Nothing could have described the lives of this beloved couple more adequately.

ALBERT AND LIZZIE... "They did not know it then, and if they did, they would not admit that they would become a legend in their own time."

Albert was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico on October 4th, 1857. During his years of retirement, it was not unusual to be interviewed at least once and twice weekly regarding his experiences as the son of Colonel Albert Henry Pfeiffer, for

Lizzie at about 72 years-of-age.

whom Albert was named. He was also in constant demand to speak to organizations and to school children or students at Adams State College.

Albert told of his life as the son of Colonel Pfeiffer, who was an officer with the 1^st New Mexico Volunteers, a cavalry unit, as follows:

Colonel Pfeiffer eventually settled near the Rio Grande below South Fork, Colorado, previous to the year 1872, when he bought 320 acres at Granger with soldier's script. In all the country he had ridden, he looked upon this primitive grandeur with admiring eyes, proclaiming it the most beautiful he had ever seen. Thus the result for Albert's pioneering days in the San Luis Valley.

Colonel Pfeiffer was born in Germany in 1822 of noble parentage. As was the custom in his time and position, a good part of his extensive education was spent in European military academies. One of which was the Military Academy of Stockholm, known for it's excellence in the science of military strategy.

He was fluent in several languages, including Spanish, and as a result of his excellent ability in languages, in later years, Colonel Pfeiffer was able to communicate with the Ute Indians in their own tongue. He was accomplished in the art of fencing and other related skills. One of which he would be recognized for was his ability as a marksman. He was known throughout his military career as a sharpshooter. Even his enemies in battle respected this skill he possessed.

It was around the years of 1840-46 that

this young man from East Freisland in the province of Hanover, Germany, crossed the North Sea bound for the New World called America.

He was the scion of the oldest nobility and one of the heirs-in-law of the fine old Bohnenburg estate, which fell to him through his titled mother, Lady Von Vechter. It is not positively known if the death of his mother and remarriage of his father or the revolutionary movements Germany was experiencing, that caused this sturdy young Teuton to turn his face resolutely toward the New World, leaving all the ancient history connected with his name and race behind him. He was about 22 years of age.

After traveling through the country, he settled in Santa Fe, and tried his hand as a merchant. He was forced to give this up as the credit he had given had grown to the point of being uncollectible. The circumstances did not seem to dismay him to any great degree as stated by some documents. He matter-of-factly closed the door to the store and locking it, tossed the key up on the roof with the expression, "Let the devil take the hindmost!"

Doing what would be the natural thing for him. he enlisted. On the 29th day of June, 1855, lie received a commission from the Governor of New Mexico as a 1st Lieutenant of a cavalry. In time he received a commission of Captain, from Governor Roucher of New Mexico. Eventually he received the commission of Colonel.

Recordings in military archives place him constantly by Carson's side riding

together from the start of his career. He was twenty years younger than Kit Carson, but history and writings tell of the close friendship that grew between the two. The relationship was a genuine one of man to man and officer to officer.

The young officer at times used his own judgement, differing from those in high command. If he was reprimanded, Colonel Carson supported Pfeiffer's actions, even resigning his position on one incident, until the young officer received a reprieve. Carson requested that Pfeiffer be assigned to his command upon several assignments or campaigns. Carson indicated his opinion that his young officer and companion had training beyond comparison to many of higher rank and grade. He recognized this fact as he admitted he had benefited himself in many circumstances.

An article by Augusta Hayes in 1880 characterized Pfeiffer as "A very paladin of the frontier and probably the most desperately courageous and successful Indian fighter of the West". Hayes' assessment of Pfeiffer's military training is borne out by the dispatches of Carson's expeditions.

The young officer was an adventurer and spirited. When in the field on duty, he was strictly self-disciplined and highly professional. But when on leave, at times, he indulged in high-living, drinking and gambling. Carson treated his close friend like a prodigal son. In later years, Kit Carson became the godfather of Pfeiffer's only son, Albert Henry Pfeiffer II. As god-father, Carson gave a I/8 th interest in the St. Vrain Land Grant to his god-child at birth. The deed would someday make him a man

of wealth. This would never materialize as the deed was taken from the effects of Col. Pfeiffer when he was on an expedition. In later years Albert gave up his search, when learning the Court House where the deed was recorded burned to the ground, nothing being saved.

So close was Carson's and Pfeiffer's friendship, Albert told of a personal messenger of Carson's notifying Pfeiffer of the death of Carson's wife. He immediately went to be beside his old friend. Pfeiffer was notified, also, of Carson's grave condition, continuously as it worsened. During this time, Pfeiffer's health, too, was failing.

After retiring from soldiering, he settled on his ranch at Granger. During this time, he was Indian Agent for the Utes. Their reservation was located in the Pagosa area. It is thought he rode by way of Elwood Pass when a messenger was sent by the Utes notifying him when help was needed.

It was the year of 1872, when Albert was 15 years old, that a messenger rode to the ranch at Granger, notifying Pfeiffer that they needed help. Pfeiffer rode to Pagosa Springs to find that help was needed to help the Utes settle an age old dispute with the Navajo of rightful ownership of the Hot Springs. Many battles had been fought and many lives had been lost on both sides. No settlement had been reached. A final arrangement was made. A duel was to be held and fought until death.

The Navajo chose their largest in stature and most capable of warriors to represent them.

Colonel Pfeiffer had, sometime before, been attributed a great honor by the Utes, when they adopted him into their tribe. They fondly called him "Tata Pfeiffer", (father). Because of their high regard for him and his willingness, he was chosen to represent the Utes. Pfeiffer conceded when the Navajo requested knives for weapons.

Pfeiffer's request was that each be stripped to the waist. His reasoning that another weapon not be concealed. The duel was held. It was recorded in the history of the west as the famous "Great Duel". Pfeiffer was the victor.

Thus the Utes ownership of the springs was recognized from that time onward by the Navajo.

Among the many stories written about this famous duel in all it's glory of bravery, on both sides, not one mentions that Colonel Pfeiffer was in his retirement at the age of fifty years, nor do they relate that he had seventeen wounds on his body from poi poisonous arrows which caused constant pain.

Albert and his father shared many things but Colonel Pfeiffer seldom if at all spoke of the death of Albert's mother. As Albert grew older he did know about the tragic event that took. place. Mrs. Pfeiffer was expecting the Pfeiffer's second child. Colonel Pfeiffer, then assigned to the Post at Fort McRae, arranged to take her to the hot springs, just south of Ft. McRae. Three year old Albert was left home with servants.

The Pfeiffers accompanied with an armed escort of six enlisted men and two servant girls set out for bathing in the

medicinal waters. The colonel was bathing in one part and his wife close by in another pool, when they were ambushed by twenty Apaches. Pfeiffer was wounded seriously by an arrow in the side, but was able to grab his rifle and fire at the band. Two privates were killed in the attack and three others cut off from Pfeiffer by the Apaches, fled to the Fort, where help was quickly dispatched. Some of the Apaches were holding the women, while the rest were firing at Pfeiffer. During the pursuit that followed, Pfeiffer's wife and two servant girls were found lying in the trail, still alive, but "badly wounded and bruised", Mrs. Pfeiffer and one of the girls subsequently died. With the trauma of the death of his beloved wife and unborn child, and being seriously injured, months passed before he was able to report for duty in the field.

Through the years that followed, Pfeiffer never remarried. He placed his motherless scan in care of fellow officers during inch periods he was assigned in the field. In order to see his little son, he rode miles to meet a stage bringing the boy, accompanied by an officer.

Colonel Pfeiffer lived a secluded life on his ranch, caring to have only his son and daughter-in-law and intimate friends with him. He carried on continuous games of chess with his cronies. Among them was A. R. Bevan, an Englishman, who rode from the Saguache area to see him. He spent much of his time with Pfeiffer, along with a few others including his long-time friend Christopher Stollsteimer.

A. R. Bevan was the god-father of Col. Pfeiffer's grandchild, daughter of Albert.

Lena Adeline was six months old when she was cradled in the arms of Col. Pfeiffer as he walked with Albert, up a hillside, where he pointed out the spot where he wanted to be buried.

His health continuously worsened. Dr. Hill and Pittman watched over him constantly but could do nothing for him. Six months later on Wednesday, April b, 1881 he died at eleven o'clock in the morning, at 59 years of age. His immediate attendants had no thought death would claim his so soon. He made no struggle but passed quietly from sleep of life to that of death. His last request was that he be buried quietly and unostentatiously.

A. R. Bevan wrote, "He was interred among the foothills overlooking his

beautiful ranch with no crowd nor ceremony, only five being present, as was his wish. What a fitting place for this illustrious man to lie at rest in a grave, hewn from solid rock, among the dark pinon and painted rocks. Here lies what remains of this brave old warrior and here in the pin-clad forest the wind in tuneful lays sings sad requiem o'er his grave. Requiescat in peace can be truthfully and heartily resounded".

Albert made the fence and cross, marking the site. It still stands. Many years later the Daughter's of the American Revolution, erected a monument.

This history of the Pfeiffer family was submitted by great-granddaughter and granddaughter, PAULINE NIELSEN