Colorado Springs Court House, May 4, 1916

In a disheveled navy blue dress, scuffed shoes and limp hair straying from a tight bun coiled a top her head, a young woman of twenty approached the bench confronted by a haggard stern faced judge:

“State your name for the recorded,” barked the judge.

“Avis Lela Butler,” she choked.

“And for what purpose do you appear in this court, today Miss Butler,” spoke the judge.

“ What? I’m Misses Butler” replied Avis. “I’m here, your honor, on behalf of my husband, Richard Butler, who undoubtedly is innocent of the charge of stealing horses.”

“But we have an eyewitness Mrs. Butler,” remarked the judge. “This man has already been tried and found guilty. What do you think you can say can change the fact that he was caught red handed with the horses?”

“I only want to say,” Avis began, “that I believe my husband was tricked. He worked for these men a little over a month. How could he have known if they were horses he was to pick up and deliver or stolen?”

“I believe he had no bill of sale, Ma’am,” impatiently remarked the judge.

Avis began to plead defensively, “I need my husband to support our family. I’ve used the last of the money he sent us to come here from Illinois. Judge, I beg you for mercy.”

“I’m sorry Mrs. Butler, the law’s the law and you have given me no evidence contrary to my ruling. Nor is there evidence that your husband will not repeat this crime. Ignorance of his situation is no excuse for breakin the law,” scolded the judge.

A quiet hush came over the courtroom as those present waited to hear what Avis would say. Instead she turned, as though defeated and then quickly turned back as if God’s benevolence inspired her to speak again.

“I’ll work to repay the damage, whatever the man who lost his horses finds fair. If only I could have Richard released to me to help raise the money. We would work honestly and hard to repay whatever damages we owe. My sons need their father and I need my husband. I beg you, sir, have mercy on me and my children. I’ll make sure he stays away from the likes of horse thieves,” pleaded Avis.

With a quick and somewhat less hardened glance the judge surprisingly remarked,

“I don’t want to take the chance of this happening in my jurisdiction again. If you can produce enough money to pay damages to the court and to buy tickets for you both to leave this state and return to Illinois, I’ll grant your husband’s pardon. But he will remain in the custody of the court until such time as you have met these conditions.”

Avis turned to look into Richard’s eyes. He was stunned. He wasn’t a free man but he would be free once Avis could earn enough money. What would he do once he was back in Illinois? Avis didn’t notice that Richard was scheming. She was happy to have a plan that would return them as a family to Illinois.

Avis, as though marching to an internal drum, paused briefly and kissed Richard. “It won’t be long, Richard. You’ll see. I’ll get a job and we’ll be on our way back to Illinois.” Richard said nothing.

As Avis returned to the hotel near the courthouse, she pondered what work she could find. “Excuse me,” she said to the clerk standing at the desk as she entered the hotel lobby, “Could you tell me where I might find work here in Colorado Springs?” The clerk remembered Avis from the night she arrived with her small son and baby.

“We might have a position in the kitchen. We have decided to offer meals three times a day instead of morning and evening. Check with Mr. Bedford the manager. His office is down the hall and to the right. He should be in until 5:00 p.m.,” replied the clerk.

Unable to contain her happiness, Avis replied “Thank you!” Quickly she raced up three flights of stairs to check on her two sons, Roy, a tottering babbling two year old and Shirley who was almost six months.

“Miss Kelly, thank you so much for watching the boys for me,” exclaimed Avis

“Oh twas nothing,” replied Miss Kelly, “Why they’re almost like my own. Avis, since you’ve come here, it’s been like there's been a little bit of home come with you.”

“I’m so glad,” beamed Avis as she began to nurse Shirley while getting some bread for Roy.

“Oh, let me help yaw there. You’ve got your hands full,” commented Mrs. Kelly. “Come to your Auntie Irene, Roy, and I’ll see if we can find some cold milk.”

“Bread, milk, yum,” squealed Roy! “More peaz!” exclaimed Roy.

“Roy, it’s not polite to ask for more,” scolded Avis.

Now everyone seamed to have congregated into Miss Kelly’s room where an ice box provide the cold milk Roy was requesting.

“How did it go in court this morning, deary?” wondered Miss Kelly.

“Oh it went well,” began Avis, “as soon as I can find work, I’ll pay for Richard’s debts and buy tickets for our return to Illinois.”

“How long do you think it will take earn enough to pay the debts and buy the tickets?” inquired Miss Kelly.

“Well, if I could ask a favor of you, would watch the boys? The desk clerk suggested I speak with Mr. Bedford about a job. He has a plan to offer meals three times a day, so he may be looking for someone to help cook in the kitchen,” explained Avis.

“Well of course I will,” replied Miss Kelly, “but I have to clean rooms on the lower floors before the new guests arrived this afternoon.”

“Shirley’s about finished nursing. I’ll change him and lay him down for a nap. Roy may lie down too, after he finishes his milk. Thank you Miss Kelly. I promise to repay the kindness you’ve shown us, as soon as I can get a job.”

“Oh, seeing as we’ve become close these past few days, maybe you could be calling me Irene instead of Miss Kelly,” suggested Irene.

“Bless you Irene,” Avis sighed.

Shirley was quickly changed and laid on the bed of Irene’s room, with pillows surrounding him so he would not roll off if he stirred. Roy followed Irene into the sitting area of the small apartment-like room, as if he were her very own pet. Avis quickly bid good-bye and headed downstairs to Mr. Bedford’s office.

As Avis approached the door, she over heard a man and woman speaking. “Now what experience have you had with maintaining a kitchen and dining area to serve three meals a day?” said the man’s voice.

“Well,” answered the woman, “I’ve worked in hotels in Central City and Leadville.”

“Our clientele are a little more sophisticated than in those cities,” retorted the man.

“I’m sure that people are people and I’d spect they like their food hot and filling the same anywhere,” she affirmed.

“Let me get back with you in a day or two and I’ll let you know my decision,” replied the man. The woman left so quickly that she almost knocked Avis over as she came out of Mr. Bedford’s office. The man who had been speaking appeared at the door and nodded for Avis to enter.

“Are you here to apply for the hotel dining room position?” he questioned Avis. “Yes, I am,” she replied.

Again the man posed the question, “What experience do you have working in a hotel?”

Avis honestly answered, “None Sir, but I’ve helped cook for my five brothers, two sisters and helping hands on the farm. We had very little but we managed to feed everyone from what we grew and preserved ourselves.”

“Well, your honesty is refreshing,” commented the man. “What’s your name?” he asked.

“I’m Avis Butler, Sir and are you Mr. Bedford?” she inquired.

“Yes, I’m Thomas J. Bedford, owner of this hotel,” he replied. “I think, Miss Butler, you may be the person I’m looking for to feed and care for people in my hotel. We have between twenty and thirty people to feed a day from those who stay. Since we have never offered lunch, we don’t know whether that will be profitable or not, but most people eat breakfast and dine with us in the evening,” explained Mr. Bedford.

“Excuse me Mr. Bedford, I’m Misses Butler, and I have a question. How long do most people stay at the hotel?

“Most people who come here stay ten days. Some people, however, who have families here for tuberculosis treatment in the mountains, stay a month or more. Now I have a question, Mrs. Butler, where is your husband?

“He’s waiting for me to get enough money so our family can move back to Illinois. He’s gotten into some trouble and the judge said he will be release if I can earn the money for the damages he caused and we agreed never to return Colorado,” explained Avis.

“Well I’m willing to give you a try, Mrs. Butler, and we’ll see if this venture proves fruitful for us both,” replied Mr. Bedford. “Report to the kitchen at 5:00 a.m. and Martha, our current cook, will show you menus and routines of breakfast and dinner. Your salary will depend on how well this works out, but you room here and your meals will be free. I know you need your money, Mrs. Butler, but for now this is the best I can do.” Avis shook his hand and returned to Irene’s room to pick up her sons.

This day has been a blessing and a curse. I don’t know how long it will take to get the money we need and free Richard, but I’ll have to take things on faith for now, she pondered.

She knocked on Irene’s door to find Roy napping on the floor and Shirley still asleep on Irene’s bed.

Should I ask Irene about helping me with the boys while I worked? I’ll risk it, she thought.

“Irene,” she said quietly, “I start tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. I’ll need someone to watch the boys , however, I won’t get any pay for now. Is there anyone who could help with me?” Avis asked.

“Well, there may be woman who would help you. She has two children and is here because her husband contracted TB. She goes to visit him with the children and is here most of the time until she goes back to visit him again the next day,” enlightened Irene.

“ Is she here in the hotel?” asked Avis.

“Yes she’s on the second floor, room 208 and her name is Mrs. Applegate,” informed Irene.

“Since the boys are napping, Irene, would you mind if I went to talk with Mrs. Applegate for a few minutes before you begin work?” asked Avis.

“Of course not,” replied Irene.

“Oh thank you Irene,” responded Avis as she bounded out Irene’s door to meet Mrs. Applegate.

The rooms on the second floor seamed to be spaced further apart and the furnishings more sophisticated. From outside room 208, soft music seemed to ooze from the door and surround Avis as she knocked. As the door open a round jovial face appeared, framed with golden finger curls and eyes as blue as the sky.

“Hello, I’m Sarah. Are you here to see Mother about Daddy?”

“No, I’m not here about your father. I did, however, want to speak to your mother,” responded Avis.

“Mother, someone is here to speak with you,” giggled Sarah.