Cotopaxi Cemetery - Ester L. Young

OUR MOTHER

Though out of sight

to memory dear

ESTER L. YOUNG

Born in Rutherford

Co. Tenn.

June 18, 1809

Died in Cotopaxi

Colo.

Dec. 9, 1898

So the obvious question is - Why is this person buried here in a separate plot?

At the Local History Center in Canon City there is a note that claims she was

named "Younger" and a member of an outlaw gang, and changed her name to "Young".

I will post a copy of that document here.

This document does not explain why Ester Young was buried separate from the cemetery.

I spoke with local historian Tom Young in September of 2009 about this matter.

Tom's family has been managing the Cotopaxi Cemetery for generations.

Tom said said these Youngs were a "colored family", and that

Charlie McCoy had said (at the time of her death) that "There ain't gonna be no n------s buried in our cemetery!" And so they were buried across the gulch and on the next hill.

Based on the history of Cotopaxi that I know and have read about and have heard and lived,

I would have to say this is most likely a correct addition to the story.

And that's a sad footnote to Cotopaxi History.