Early Days on the Western Slope of Colorado

Early Days on the Western Slope of Colorado is Sidney Jocknick's first-hand chronicle of life in western Colorado, first printed in 1913 according to our description. The catalogue lists this Western Reflections reprint as a 1998 edition, and Open Library's subjects for it are Ute Indians, frontier and pioneer life, and history.

The description calls it perhaps the best primary source of information on the pioneer days of Colorado. Jocknick arrived in Colorado in 1870 and was a friend to, and eye-witness of, many of the characters and events that shaped the state's early history. He tells of Chief Ouray, Otto Mears, future governors, cowboys, outlaws and even Alferd Packer.

Towns get their share of attention. The description names Montrose, Grand Junction, Rico, Ouray and Olathe as places where the book gives valuable information. A museum listing for the same book adds that Jocknick worked as a cook and cowboy at the Ute Agency and kept a chronicle there, and that he was also a prospector and farmer. That mix of jobs is part of why his view of the Western Slope covers so much ground.

This book is for readers of Colorado frontier history who want a participant's voice and not a modern summary. Genealogists and local historians working on Montrose, Grand Junction, Rico, Ouray or Olathe will find it a useful early account. Readers interested in the Ute people of western Colorado and the years leading to their removal will also want to see how a witness described them. It is a long reprint of a 1913 text, so expect period language and attitudes.

Sidney Jocknick is listed in the Open Library author record with the dates 1849 and 1930. A museum listing says he came to the Sunset Slope in 1870, worked as a cowboy and cook at the Ute Agency, and was friends with Chief Ouray and his wife, Chipeta. It also says he prospected and farmed. This is his only book in our catalogue, and his author page lists it.

More about Sidney Jocknick →

The Uintah Museum listing describes Jocknick as a man who was present at the founding of almost every major town in southwestern Colorado. It says he recorded the Utes' timekeeping methods, marriages and burials, and their removal from Colorado, and that he recounted events of the San Juan gold rush.

The listing says he was involved in the Alferd Packer affair and knew Otto Mears. It also says he crossed paths with outlaws and future governors, which matches what our book description says. His friendship with Ouray and Chipeta started while he worked at the Ute Agency.

The museum page gives no publisher, date or page count for the book, so those details come only from our own catalogue and description.

Source: Uintah Museum store listing