Matchless Mine

Horace Tabor made (and lost) a fortune in the silver mines during Leadville, Colorado’s boom days, becoming one of the most famous of the Colorado Silver Kings. Although Tabor’s first silver discovery wasn’t the Matchless Mine, it’s story remains as one of the most famously documented stories about the Silver King’s mines in the entire country. In 1878 Horace Tabor grubstaked two German shoemakers with two picks, two shovels, enough food for a week, and a jug of whiskey... and in doing so soon found himself on the road to millions with their discovery of the Little Pittsburg Silver Mine. Horace went on to own partial stakes of other successful mines  in the district before he purchased the Matchless Mine in 1879.  The Matchless Mine was the first mine he owned entirely himself, and for quite some time there truly was no mine that was its “match” as it produced up to $2,000/day for Tabor in high quality silver.  The story of the Matchless Mine isn’t only about riches.  The unfaithful Tabor fell in love with Elizabeth McCourt Doe, (better known as “Baby Doe”), and in doing so, created one of the most famous and publicized love triangles of the century.  Horace and Baby Doe lived in luxury until the repeal of the Sherman Act in 1893, which left them nearly broke, struggling to hold on to their beloved Matchless Mine.