Find out how a gold mine, a pocket watch, and a letter bring the past to life and bring a family back together. In this episode Jennie and Dianne talk with Ron West. Ron has spent many years portraying James F Burns, Jimmie to his friends, at historic events throughout Colorado. James Burns was a coal miner turned millionaire who was not all that thrilled with his wealth and the other millionaires he was forced to spend time with. Ron has spent years researching Burns and in a twist of fate was able to bring together some lost family treasures and build new friendships. All of this because of a mausoleum in an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery.
Ron West has been a fan of history and a self-professed Taphophile most of his life. To him cemeteries make those stories real. He has spent the better part of the last few years researching and learning about the residents of Evergreen Cemetery and their contributions to the city of Colorado Springs. His goal is to make sure his ‘finds’ will no longer be lost to history. He is a member of the Evergreen Cemetery Benevolent Society and takes great pride in the work the Society has done.