Ida Bell Chatfield

FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY

Ida Bell Chatfield
3rd of 3 children of Clark Samuel “C.S” Chatfield & Louisa “Lou” Tankersley
Occupation: Store clerk/bookkeeper, schoolmistress
Avocation: Singer
Born: Nov 19, 1867, in Mason Co., Illinois or Nebraska
Disappeared: Jun 4, 1886, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado
Died: Jun 4, 1886 (age 19), Pitkin Co., Colorado; according to coroner, a suicide drowning
Body found: Aug 6, 1886 in waters of Roaring Fork River below Red Butte in Pitkin Co., Colorado
Buried: Aug 1886, Ute Cemetery in Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado

***************************

Clark Samuel “C.S.” Chatfield
2nd of 4 children of Levi Tomlinson Chatfield & Lovina Mastick
Born: Jan 9, 1839, Middlefield, Geauga Co., Ohio
Died: Feb 6, 1906 (age 67), Princeton, Colusa Co., California
Married (1): Sep 12, 1858, Louisa “Lou” Tankersley, Havana, Mason Co., Illinois
Three children: Elizabeth Chatfield, Jennie Chatfield, Ida Bell Chatfield
Married (2): Mar 10, 1869, Mary Elizabeth “Mollie” Morrow, Sonora, Atchison Co., Missouri
Nine named children: Della Chatfield, Ora Lovina Chatfield, Clark Samuel Jr. Chatfield, Arthur William “Art” Chatfield, Willard James Chatfield, Mabel Clair Chatfield, Jacquelin Chatfield, Levi Tomlinson “Lee” Chatfield, Margaret Emma “Marjorie” Chatfield

Louisa “Lou” Tankersley
Daughter of John Wesley Tankersley & Nancy Turner
Born: abt 1840, Kentucky
Died: Aug 18, 1868 (age 28), Cañon City, Fremont Co., Colorado
Buried: Nebraska (Clark brought her body to Nebraska for burial)
Married: Sep 12, 1858, Clark Samuel “C.S.” Chatfield, Havana, Mason Co., Illinois
Three children: Elizabeth Chatfield, Jennie Chatfield, Ida Chatfield

1. Elizabeth Chatfield
Born: about Aug 1859, Mason Co., Illinois
Died: Aug 1859, Mason Co., Illinois; inflammation
2. Jennie Chatfield 
Born: abt 1864/1865, Bath, Mason Co., Illinois
Died: between 1870 and 1880 census, Brownville, Nemaha Co., Nebraska
3. Ida Bell Chatfield
Born: Nov 19, 1867, Mason Co., Illinois or Nebraska
Died: Jun 4, 1886 (age 19), Pitkin Co., Colorado; according to coroner’s report from a suicide drowning

***************************

Timeline and Records

Spellings and information in census and other records are retained
as reflected in the original documents

***************************

Sep 12, 1858: Marriage of Clark Samuel Chatfield (age 19) & Louisa Tankersley (age 18), the parents of Ida, in Havana (near Bath), Mason Co., Illinois

abt 1859: Birth of Elizabeth Chatfield, 1st of 3 children of Clark Samuel Chatfield & Louisa Tankersley, in Mason Co., Illinois

Aug 18, 1859: Death of Elizabeth Chatfield, 1st child of Clark Samuel Chatfield & Louisa Tankersley, in Mason Co., Illinois

1865: Birth of Jennie Chatfield, 2nd of 3 children of Clark Samuel Chatfield & Louisa Tankersley, in Mason Co., Illinois

May 1865: End of the American Civil War

After the civil war, Clark returns to his family in Bath, Mason Co., Illinois
According to a Civil War Pension affidavit, on Dec 19, 1866, Clark moves to Fremont, Colorado where he states he resides until 1868; however, in 1867 his daughter Ida is born in either Nebraska or Illinois. Louisa’s mother is living in Illinois during that time, so Louisa may have gone home to give birth to her child.

Nov 17, 1867: Birth of Ida Chatfield, 3rd of 3 children of Clark Samuel Chatfield & Louisa Tankersley, in probably Mason Co., Illinois or perhaps Nebraska (census records reflect both). Louisa Tankersley’s mother, Nancy Tankersley, lives in Mason Co., Illinois.

Aug 18, 1868: Death of Louisa “Lou” (Tankersley) Chatfield (age 28), the mother of Ida, in Cañon City, Fremont Co., Colorado. Clark brings his wife’s body back from Colorado to Nebraska for burial. Louisa leaves Clark with two small daughters, Jennie (age 3), and Ida (age 9 months).

Mar 10, 1869: Marriage of Clark Samuel Chatfield (age 30) & Mary Elizabeth Morrow (age 18) in Atchison Co., Missouri (borders Nemaha Co., Nebraska)
Note: Mary Morrow raises Ida (and according to census records, her sister Jennie, born abt 1864) as her own. Mary, who was also from Bath, Mason Co., Illinois, Clark’s hometown, has ten more children with Clark.

Jul 6, 1870: Federal Census for Benton Precinct, Nemaha Co., Nebraska:
Chalfield, C.S.: age 32, male, Farmer, Value of Real Estate $1,000, Value of Personal Estate, $200, born Illinois (note: Chatfield is misspelled as Chalfield)
Mary E.: age 21, female, keeping house, born Illinois (Mary Elizabeth Morrow)
Jennie: age 6, female, at home, born Illinois (born to Louisa Tankersley)
No Name: age 8/12 (8 months), female, born Nebraska (born Nov 1869 to Mary Morrow)
Francis: age 3, female, born Nebraska (Ida Bell Chatfield, born to Louisa Tankersley)
Note: Mary Morrow’s mother is living in Helena, Johnson Co., Nebraska at this time

Between 1870 & 1880 census: Death of Jennie Chatfield, 2nd child of Clark and Louisa Tankersley, in Brownville, Nemaha Co., Nebraska.

Jun 11, 1880: Federal Census for Littleton, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, C.S.: age 39, married, rancher, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio
Marey: age 29, wife, housekeeping, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois
Ida: age 13, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Della: age 8, daughter, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Ora: age 7, daughter, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Clark S.: age 8, son, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois (age 3)
Arthur: age 1, son, at home, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois

May 14, 1882: Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Arapahoe Co., Colorado:
Ida Chatfield entertains friends at musical.
Note: Ida (age 14) is attending school in Denver

Jun 1882: Clark Samuel Chatfield, Sr., father of Ida, opens a grocery store in Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado.

Jul 1, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
The family of C.S. Chatfield arrived this week. They have taken up their residence on Hyman avenue.
Note: The family had formerly been living in Littleton, Arapahoe, Colorado: Clark Samuel Chatfield, age 41 and wife Mary (Morrow) Chatfield, age 31, and their children: Ida, age 15, Della, age 10, Ora, age 9, Clark Jr., age 5, Arthur, age 3

Jul 8, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
FOURTH OF JULY.
The Celebration at Aspen & Ashcroft.
At Aspen.
… After lunch the people were favored with renditions and songs, and the remainder of the day was spent in all kinds of exercises usually indulged in at a picnic.
Arrangements had been perfected for a dance in the evening at the new school-house, and at the hour of nine the guests began to fill the hall. Among the ladies we noticed: … Miss Ida Chatfield, of Leadville; … At twelve-o’clock the music ceased, and the dancers repaired to their home.

Jul 22, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Hop at Corkhill’s Hall.
The dance given at Corkhill’s hall on the evening of the 14th was a very enjoyable affair. The gathering was not large, but all joined together to make the evening a success. The music was furnished by the Ashcroft orchestra, and rendered in an admirable manner.
Some of the persons that participated in the pleasure of the evening were Mrs. Wustum, Mrs. Lesher, Mrs. Plumb, Mrs. Jacobs, Miss Ida Chatfield, miss Belle Waite, and the Misses Nevitt.

Aug 12, 1882: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Local Brevities.
Miss Ida Chatfield will leave for Denver in a few days to resume her studies.
Note: Ida is age 14.

Jul 14, 1883: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Personal.
Miss Ida Chatfield has open(ed) a private school in the church with between 15 and 20 pupils. We are happy that this neat little edifice is put to so good a use. Miss Chatfield asked permission to use the school house, but for some occult reason, best known to the school board, was denied; that body doubtless resenting the opposition offered by that young lady to the educational department under their own control. Nor did Miss Chatfield get the church without opposition; on Tuesday evening Mr. Deacon Miller arrived in camp from Rock creek and asserted that he had received a letter from Rev. Mr. Paddock, who would not permit the church to be used by any one for any purpose. Consequently the church, the doors of which had been open all winter and spring to every dog that barks, threatened to be locked upon the young school mistress, However, one of the trustees was found, Mr. Corkhill, who gave full permission for Miss Chatfield to use the church, and consequently the school flourishes, and we trust that the fathers and mothers of Aspen will liberally support the young lady, who is in every way qualified to teach.
Note: Ida is not yet 16.

Jan 26, 1884: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Personal.
Miss Ida Chatfield has taken a position in her father’s store as bookkeeper.

Mar 29, 1884: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Personal.
Social circles have lost a star in the departure of Miss Ida Chatfield for her mother’s home at the Cramer ranch on the Roaring fork road.

Jul 1, 1884: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 3):
Miss Ida Chatfield spent the week in Aspen, visiting the home of Sheriff Atkinson.

Sep 13, 1884: Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 4):
Local Pickings.
Miss Ida Chatfield spent the week in Aspen, visiting the home of Sheriff Atkinson.

Jan 18, 1885: Autograph from Ida Chatfield (age 18) to her cousin, Calla Chatfield (age 7):

Denver Colorado.
My dear “little” Coz:-
May the breeze of frowns and passions
Never mar or wound your heart.
Is the wish of your “big”
Cousin Ida.
January 18 – 85.
Aspen Pitkin County Colo.

Jun 1, 1885: Colorado State Census for Eagle Co., Colorado: 
Chatfield, C.P.: age 44, married, rancher, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio (Clark Samuel)
M.E.: age 35, wife, housekeeper, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois (Mary Elizabeth Chatfield)
Ida: age 18, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Della: age 13, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Ora: age 12, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Clark S.: age 9, son, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Arthur: age 8, son, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Willard: age 4, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Mable: age 1, daughter, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Note: Census year begins Jun 1, 1884 and ends May 31, 1885; not known actual date census was taken.

The Clark Samuel Chatfield family is in Eagle County in the census above and in Pitkin County in the census below.
Note: The town of Emma (Pitkin County) is adjacent to Basalt (Eagle County), with the county line running between the two towns.

Jun 1, 1885: Colorado State Census for Pitkin Co., Colorado:
Chatfield, C.: age 45, married, ranchman, born Ohio, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio (Clark Chatfield)
Mary: age 35, wife, keeps house, born Illinois, father born Illinois, mother born Illinois
Ida: age 19, daughter, at school, born Illinois, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Dell: age 13, daughter, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Geo: age 11, son, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois (Ora, dau)
Clark S.: age 9, son, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
A: age 7, son, at school, born Nebraska, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois (Arthur)
Willard: age 4, son, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Mabel: age 1, daughter, born Colorado, father born Ohio, mother born Illinois
Note: Census year begins Jun 1, 1884 and ends May 31, 1885; not known actual date census was taken.
Note: The name entry after Dell cannot be read on the actual record and was transcribed from Ora to Geo, so was mistakenly assumed a boy.

TWO BROTHERS & FRIENDS: 
An interesting sidelight in the short history of Ida’s life is the little known fact she taught school during the winter of 1885 at her cousin Elmer Chatfield’s “Interval House” at Emma, Pitkin County, Colorado.
Source: TWO BROTHERS & FRIENDS: A CHATFIELD HISTORY & GENEALOGY, by Harry Chatfield, 1990

Jun 2, 1886: Eppa Strait, a good friend of Ida Chatfield’s, falls from the wooden bell tower of the Aspen Fire Company

Jun 4, 1886: Friday morning Eppa dies, and Friday evening Ida disappears from her uncle’s (I.W. Chatfield) house, distraught over the death of her friend.

Jun 5, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Death of Miss Eppa Strait.
Wednesday evening at 7:30 o’clock several of Aspen’s young ladies were amusing themselves at the bell tower. They were Misses Edith White, Annie Girard, Genevieve Sweetser, and Ella Chatfield. The latter would not go up the stairs, but crossed the street to Mr. Girard’s home, and sat by the window. Miss White ascended to the bell platform, and seeing Eppa Strait in the street below, called to her. The latter went up the stairs, and out on the platform where Miss White was standing. Miss Girard followed her, and stood upon the upper steps looking out. Miss Sweetser was about half way up the stairs at a window. They were all four in these positions when the janitor, George James, grasped the rope to the tolling hammer and gave one stroke upon the ball to call a meeting of the Cowenhoven Hose Co. Miss Strait stood upon the west side of the tower where the lever which throws the hammer is located, holding by a post. At the stroke of the bell she fell over the side to the ground 54 feet below. It is thought that she was startled by the sudden ringing of the bell, or it is possible that the bell lever may have tripped her, as a low stroke of the bell followed her fall.

Miss Chatfield saw her fall, as also did several gentlemen at the Clarendon Hotel. Mr. Girard was in a back room of his house, and upon hearing the alarm rushed out. He and Mr. Halibaugh, night clerk at the Clarendon, were first to reach the insensible form of the young woman, and she was tenderly borne to Mr. Girard’s house, and Dr. Burdick was summoned. But little could be done for the sufferer and opiates were administered to relieve the pain.
An examination showed that both her lower limbs were fearfully crushed. The left foot was forced up to within six inches of the knee, and every bone was broken to splinters, as was also those of the thigh, some of the latter of which protruded through the skin. The right calf was also terribly mangled, and was thrust outwardly. Her left arm above the elbow and shoulder were shattered, some of the bones protruding; and several ribs were broken loose from the spine. What internal injuries she received could not be determined. Drs. Mollin and Hills also assisted in the examination. She lingered until half past six yesterday morning, when she passed away, having suffered untold agony. At times she became conscious, and moan her sufferings in feeble utterances.

At one time she asked her father who was leaning over her, “What is the matter?”
“You fell from the bell tower, and both of your legs are crushed and one arm is broken.”
“I remember going up to the tower, but do not remember coming down. Then there is no hope for me?”
“But little; if you live you will be a cripple for life.”
“Then the sooner I go the better. I do not want to be a cripple for life.”
This was the most affecting scene, and all who heard the plaintive words were overcome to weeping. A half hour before her death she was heard to moan to herself, but the only audible was a whispered “Amen,” and the tearful watchers could only respond in their hearts. “So be it.”

The funeral will take place to-day at 3 o’clock at the Rink, where Rev. J.A. Smith will preach the funeral discourse, and a quartette, composed of Miss Ella Chatfield, Mrs. Peck, Mr. Rowen and Mr. Sayer, who were the intimate friends in life of the deceased, will render the beautiful hymns: “Home of Rest.” Quartette; “Come Ye Disconsolate,” solo, duet and chorus; and “Asleep in Jesus,” quartette. After the service, the sisters of Adah Chapter No. 4, order of the Eastern Star, of which she was an honored member, will take charge of the remains, and she will be laid to her long sleep in our cemetery with the exercises of that society. She was also a member of the Aspen Chautauqua Circle, a graduate of 1885, and this society will also march in the procession to the grave. The coffin prepared is handsome open top rosewood, and upon a sliver plate is inscribed,
EPPA STRAIT.
BORN, March 9, 1854
DIED, June 4, 1886.

Miss Strait is a daughter of Dr. Norman Strait, assayer at the Aspen Smelter, who came to Aspen in 1881. Miss Eppa arrived here in February, 1895, from her former home in Osceola, Tioga county, Pa., about ten miles from Elmira, New York, where her mother and sister now reside. She kept house for her father on West Main street, corner of Sixth.

Miss Strait was a very intelligent, bright and interesting young lady, and won the respect and love of all those who knew her by her pleasing manners and fine character. The blow was most heartrending to her father, and he is sorely stricken with the weight of his grief. Not only in his home is there resting he shadow of death, but in the social circle of Aspen there is a vacant spot that cannot easily be filled.

No blame in this accident is attached to anyone. Mr. James, who tolled the bell, had no knowledge of the fact of the ladies being in the tower, Mr. Wm. Madigan and Larry Maroney were in the assembly room at the time, and did not hear their laughter, nor had they any intimation of their presence a short distance away.
Note: Eppa was 32 years old upon her death.

Photo source: Photo of Clarendon Hotel w/view looking down the valley from the bell tower: courtesy of Denver Public Library, Western History Department
(Aspen Illustrated F8487, taken bet 1880 & 1890) call # X-17654

Jun 5, 1886: Aspen Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
A FRIGHTFUL FALL
MISS EPPA STRAIT FALLS FROM THE BELL TOWER 
RECEIVING FATAL INJURIES
Last Wednesday evening at 7:30 occurred one of the most heartrending accidents which has ever befallen this community. A party of Aspen’s most estimable young ladies, comprising Misses Ella Chatfield, Eppa Strait, Genevieve Sweetster, Annie Gerard and Ella White met on Hyman Avenue. Someone of the party proposed that they visit the bell tower from whose dizzy heights may be obtained a most picturesque view of the city.
Misses White and Strait were the only ones of the party who climbed to the bell tower, and they were standing by the bell when the janitor, unaware of their presence, rang the bell to call together the Cowenhoven Hose Company. The unexpected ringing of the bell so frightened Miss Strait that she fell backward from the tower to the ground, a distance of fifty-five feet. She was frightfully injured but lingered until six o’clock Friday morning. She was the daughter of Norman Strait who is an assayer for the smelter.

Jun 6, 1886: Disappearance of Ida Chatfield, 3rd child of Clark & Louisa Tankersley, in Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado.
Note: Ida is visiting at her uncle Isaac Willard Chatfield’s home. At the time of his daughter’s death, Clark S. Chatfield appears to be living exclusively in Basalt, Eagle Co., Colorado

Jun 8, 1886: Leadville Daily and Evening Chronicle, Leadville, Lake Co., Colorado (pg 1):
A Mysterious Disappearance.
From parties arriving from Aspen it is ascertained that that orderly, quiet camp is agog over another sensation in the Miss Ella Chatfield (note: Ida), a young lady who resided in Leadville prior to the departure for the new city beyond the range. It appears that on Friday night last about dark, the young lady left the residence of her father, Mr. I.W. Chatfield, who was a former grocer of this city, with the intention of calling at a neighborhood residence. She did not return that evening, and the following morning found her missing. A search was instituted by officers and relatives. The most diligent search, however, failed to develop any trace of the missing girl. Empty houses all over town were searched, but without result. The river bank was searched down as far as the butte, but there was no indication that the young lady had reached the stream. It was thought that she might have gone out on the stage, but the telegram failed to confirm the suspicion. Up to a late hour Sunday night, the matter remained a complete mystery. Miss Chatfield’s relatives cannot account in any way for her disappearance. She is of a rather nervous disposition, and had been deeply affected by the terrible accident that befell Miss Strait. Her cousins relate that she also slept very little since that sad occurrence. Just before she went out Friday evening she undertook to light a lamp but she was too nervous to handle it, and had to call on one of the other young ladies to assist her. This would indicate that she had become very much excited, and a clue to her disappearance may be furnished by her nervous state of mind.
Mr. Squires, a driver on the incoming Canon stage, speaks of a girl that answered the description of Miss Chatfield, and it is possible that in her efforts to escape the scenes of Miss Strait’s untimely end, she has sought friends in Leadville. Her friends and relatives are very much alarmed, and if she be in Leadville a letter to them would furnish relief.
Note: the missing girl is Ida Chatfield, niece of I.W. Chatfield, not Ella Chatfield, Isaac’s daughter.

Jun 9, 1886: Castle Rock Journal, Castle Rock, Douglas Co., Colorado (pg 1):
COLORADO CONDENSED.
Miss Eppa Strait fell from the bell tower in Aspen, a few days ago, to the ground, a distance of fifty-five feet, and was horribly bruised. The doctors have no hopes of her recovery.
Note: same article appears Jun 11, 1886: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 2).

Jun 11, 1886: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 2):
COLORADO CONDENSED.
Ida Chatfield, a young lady of Aspen, has mysteriously disappeared.

Jun 12, 1886: Aspen Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
The hat of Miss Ida Chatfield, who disappeared Friday night, was found in the Roaring Fork nearly opposite to the race track. There is much speculation concerning her strange disappearance, some think she is in the river, others think she has been kidnapped and others think she disappeared of her own accord.

Jul 10, 1886: Aspen Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado:
The interest in the unknown fate of Miss Ida Chatfield remains as great as when her sudden disappearance thrilled the town. Many theories are advanced but the mystery is as deep as ever. The prevailing opinion is that she is alive and still within the city. Wednesday evening after the meeting at the Court House, armed men were stationed at all of the bridges on the roads leading out of Aspen and a sharp lookout was maintained until morning.

Aug 6, 1886: Body of Ida Chatfield found in the Roaring Fork River, Pitkin Co., Colorado

Aug 7, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Finding the Body of Miss Ida Chatfield.
Yesterday afternoon about 4 o’clock J.F. Harding and Louis N. Fontaine, who were fishing in the Roaring Fork below the Red Butte, discovered the body of a woman in the water, and immediately returned to Aspen and notified Coroner Turley. At once the following people started out with wagons and on horseback to the scene: Mr. Harding, Mr. Turley, L.A. Stone, J.A. Small, M.W. Smith, H.H. Wheeler and several others. They drove to the Delahomica-Goodwin ranch below the Butte on the Glenwood road, on the north side of the creek. The body was found lodged between two boulders beneath a small log. It was easily secured, and born up the steep bank to the undertakers wagon, and brought to town. A gold bracelet on the left wrist and a gold pin at the throat and several buttons on the dress were taken from the body and fully identified by Miss Ella Chatfield as the property of her cousin. The clothes were intact, shoes on and buttoned, but the features so much decomposed as to be beyond recognition.
A telegram was sent to her father at Emma by the Frying Pan office last evening as soon as there remained no further doubt of the identity of the body. Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Chatfield came up this morning, arriving here at 7 o’clock. The coroner summoned a jury and held an inquest this morning in the little cabin on Cooper avenue where the remains were laid out upon their arrival in town. The jurymen were Wm. Stone, C.S. Adams.
Ida Chatfield disappeared from the residence of her uncle, I.W. Chatfield, on Friday evening, June 4th, just nine weeks previous to the discovery of her body.
She will be buried in the Aspen cemetery to-day. This is one of the saddest cases on record. She was a bright, beautiful girl, well-known and loved by all, and the mystery which shrouds her death may remain a mystery forever. The deep affliction of her family and friends receives the sympathy of a whole people.

Aug 7, 1886: Aspen Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 1):
MISS CHATFIELD’S Body Discovered in the Roaring Fork Near Maroon Creek.
Ida Chatfield’s Body Found.
The startling news was flashed through the city yesterday that the body of Miss Ida Chatfield had been found in the Roaring Fork below Red Butte. Word was brought to town by J.F. Harding and Louis Fontaine that while fishing along the river they had discovered the body of a woman in the water. They at once notified Coroner W.E. Turley and accompanied him to the place where the body was seen. Notwithstanding her mysterious disappearance occurred no more than two months ago interest in the case has not abated.

The body was found in the canon about a hundred yards below the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Maroon Creek. It lay on the north side of the river lodged with some driftwood between two boulders and hidden from the bank by bushes. Fisherman by the score have passed within a few feet of the place and it was by the merest accident that it was seen yesterday. The body lay on its side with the feet down the river, in still water four or five feet deep. The head was between the boulders where a small stream of water ran through. Across the neck was a long log about eight inches in diameter, around which the hair was wound. The head and arm was all that was out of the water. The body was not disturbed until the coroner arrived, and had probably been there for several weeks. The hair was still tied with a ribbon but the arms were bare and the clothing somewhat torn. When the hair was unwound and the drift wood taken away the body floated out. As it lay in the water it still betrayed the graceful form of a woman, and on the left wrist shone a bracelet, while the dress at the throat was fastened with a still handsome pin. These were late in the evening identified by Miss Ella Chatfield as the property of her cousin, Ida. The body, considering the time it has been in the water, is in a remarkably good state of preservation and the natural form retained. The shoes were on and buttoned, and the feet not at all swollen. But the face was a blank, and not a single feature could be recognized excepting the forehead. When the body was loosened the hair, before it was noticed, had floated off down the stream. A board was placed under the body while in the water, and it was then carried out on the land. A cloth was thrown over the once beautiful but now lifeless form, and it was strapped to the board. Six strong men then began the task of carrying the body of an almost perpendicular cliff. They toiled heroically up the stony hill, and place the body in the carriage. It was brought to town and today the inquest will be held. While this closing action is being enacted the people will anxiously look for some disclosures as to the probable cause of her death.

Miss Chatfield’s father has been sent for and is expected to arrive this morning. Thus has ended one of the most baffling mysteries which has ever agitated the peoples of Aspen.

Aug 11, 1886: Castle Journal Rock, Castle Rock, Douglas Co., Colorado (pg 4):
COLORADO CONDENSED.
The Coroner’s Jury in the case of Ida Chatfield, who was found drowned in the Roaring Fork, returned the following verdict. That they find the body lying before them to be that of Ida Chatfield, and they further find that she came to her death by drowning on or about June 4, 1886; and that they believe she met her death by her own act while laboring under an attack of temporary insanity.

Aug 13, 1886: White Pine Cone, White Pine, Gunnison Co., Colorado (pg 2):
COLORADO CONDENSED.
The body of Miss Ida Chatfield, of Aspen, who disappeared on the 4th of last June, has been found in the Roaring Fork river three miles below the town.
The Coroner’s Jury in the case of Ida Chatfield, who was found drowned in the Roaring Fork returned the following verdict: That they and the body lying before them to be that of Ida Chatfield, and that they further find that she came to her death by drowning on or about June 4, 1886; and that they believe she met her death by her own act while laboring under an attack of temporary insanity.

Aug 14, 1886: Montezuma newspaper, Summit Co., Colorado (pg 1):
The body of Ida Chatfield was found in a lot of drift wood in the river about four miles below Aspen last week Friday. The coroner’s jury returned a verdict of suicide.

Heartache and sorrow once more plagued Isaac Chatfield and his family as summer, 1886 approached. On June 3rd, a close friend of the family, Eppa Strait, fell from the bell tower of the Presbyterian Church and died soon afterward. Two days later, while Ella sang at the girl’s funeral, another tragedy was unfolding. Ida Chatfield, 19-year-old daughter of Clark, had not returned home after visiting at her Uncle Isaac’s home on Friday, June 4th. A thorough search failed to turn up any clue as to her whereabouts, and everyone began to fear the worst. A week after Ida’s disappearance, her father offered a $200 reward for information leading to the recovery of the young girl.

The family’s worst fears were realized nine weeks later when, on August 6th, two fisherman found Ida’s body in the waters of the Roaring Fork River below Red Butte.
Source: Two Brothers & Friends, Vol. IV, by Harry E. Chatfield, Chatfield Western Pub. Colo., 1990, (pg 112)

Aug 14, 1886, Aspen Weekly Times, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
The Late Miss Chatfield
At 10 o’clock yesterday a.m. Coroner Turley summoned the following jury and held an inquest on the remains of the unfortunate Ida Chatfield: William Stone, H.A. Iszard, William Balderston, C.S. Adams, R.B. Hathaway and L.A. Stone.

After a short consultation it was decided to hold a post mortem examination, and Dr. Perry was called. A thorough examination was made and nothing of a suspicious nature was disclosed, as it was feared that foul play had been a cause of the young girl’s death.

The jewelry that was found upon the body was brought before the jury, and it was completely identified by several witness, who knew Miss Chatfield. The clothing was also identified. It was testified that she was of a very nervous disposition, and that at times she was in a painfully depressed condition. During such spells, the testimony showed, she frequently threatened to make away with herself. The day that she disappeared she also had such an attack. The exciting cause was about a dress which she did not have enough money to pay for. One of her relatives had paid for it for her, but she felt very humiliated because of having to be under obligations for a favor of any kind. In talking of it she said she did not want to live any longer. It was testified by those who knew her well that when she disappeared they felt satisfied she had made away with herself while in one of her depressed spells.

Dr. Perry, who made the examination of the body, testified that he found a female affection of a kind which causes great nervousness of the patient, and which, in cases where the patient is naturally of a nervous temperament, often causes temporary insanity. The doctor further testified that with persons suffering from such trouble and mental strain is liable to bring on an attack of insanity, and that such trouble is one of the most common causes of suicide.

The following is the verdict returned by the jury:
STATE OF COLORADO }
COUNTY OF PITKIN, } ss.

An inquisition, holden at Aspen, in Pitkin county, on the seventh day of August, A.D. 1886, before W.E. Turley, coroner of said county, upon the dead body of Ida Chatfield, lying there dead, by the jurors whose named hereto subscribed, the said jurors upon their oath do say: That they find the body lying before them to be Ida Chatfield, and further find that she came to her death by drowning on or about June 4, 1886, and that they believe she met her death by her own act while laboring under an attack of temporary insanity. In testimony whereof, the said jurors have hereunto set their hands, the day and your aforesaid.
WILLIAM STONE,
L.A. STONE,
R.B. HATHAWAY,
H.A. ISZARD,
C.S. ADAMS,
WM. BALDERSTON.

Aug 14, 1886: Rocky Mountain Sun, Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado (pg 2):
Mr. C.S. Chatfield talks of selling out this fall and removing with his family to California.

TWO BROTHERS & FRIENDS: A CHATFIELD HISTORY & GENEALOGY:
CLARK S. CHATFIELD
Ida Chatfield, born in Nebraska, died probably on Jun 4, 1886, the day she disappeared after visiting with her Uncle Isaac Chatfield. Her body was found by two fishermen on Aug 6th in the waters of the Roaring Fork River. Although contemporary newspapers stated that she was a possible victim of drowning, there was never an explanation as to how it could have happened, and her father refused to accept the theory. 
Source: Two Brothers and Friends, Volume IV, Copyright 1990 by Harry E. Chatfield and Chatfield Western Publications.
Box 5703, Security, Colorado, 80931

CHATFIELD, IDA (grave located)
Ida Chatfield was born in Illinois on 19 Nov 1866, the oldest of seven children. By 1885, she was living in Aspen with her parents and siblings. Her father was a ranchman and mother a housekeeper, and all seven of the children attended school. On 12 Jun 1886, the Aspen Times reported that her hat had been found floating in the Roaring Fork River, a few days after she mysteriously disappeared. Much speculation was made regarding her fate, and in early July armed men were posted on the bridges along the roads leading out of Aspen. On July 19, the newspaper stated that an unidentified man had informed the sheriff’s office that he had seen Miss Chatfield at a nearby cabin. He offered to take the sheriff to that cabin for a fee of $500. The money was raised and a delegation consisting of the sheriff and other citizens was taken to the Red Mountain ranch of John T. Peck. Peck was located, insisting that Chatfield had never been there and that the last time he had seen her was at a store in which they both worked in Aspen. The cabin was thoroughly searched, but no evidence of Ida Chatfield found. Finally, on 6 August 1886, two months after she was reported missing, the body was found floating in the Roaring Fork River about a hundred yards below its confluence with Maroon Creek. It is not known if anyone was ever held responsible for her death.
Source: CHATFIELD, IDA: online Biographical information from master list of Recorded Burials of Ute Cemetery, Colorado
Note: Ida was the 3rd of 3 children of Clark Samuel Chatfield & Louisa Tankersley, Her mother died when she was nine months old. Her father married Mary Elizabeth Morrow March 10, 1869, and they had ten children, one who died before Ida, and two who were born after Ida had died. 

The City of Aspen: Community Development:
The town of Aspen was settled in 1880-1881 by prospectors migrating over the Continental Divide from Leadville in search of mineral riches, particularly sliver ore. At the time, Ute Cemetery was a rolling, privately owned vacant field southeast of town. It is estimated that at least 200 graves are located on site, over half of which are unmarked.
The Depression ended the use of Ute Cemetery, and in the decades since 1930 only three burials have taken place there. It fell into disuse and disrepair. With no family left in the Roaring Fork Valley to tend the graves, it was abandoned and the site began its long slide into decay.
In the late 1990s, with historic preservation a high priority in Aspen, local residents began to urge the city to restore the cemetery. This resulted in a process that began with the listing of the site in the National Register of Historic Places. Biographical information was collected about many of the persons buried there and the property documented in detail.
Source: City of Aspen webpage

Aug 1866: More than two months after she disappeared, Ida Belle Chatfield is buried in the Ute Cemetery in Aspen, Pitkin Co., Colorado. Both her birth and death years are incorrect on her stone; she was born in 1867 and died in 1886.

2020. Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau.