My Family Tree

Home in 1859, Capioma, Nemaha Co, KS (KS State Census as "Nelson Gage")

Provided by Al Rich:

Horatio Nelson Gage and his wife Eliza established a ranch in 1873, near the mouth of Duck Creek on the north side of Yellowstone, near the hot springs.
Since the area was often subject to Indian attack, Gage dug a series of four tunnels leading out in different directions from his cabin. At the end of each tunnel, he constructed a porthole from which he could check the approach of a potential enemy. Evidently, the scheme worked.
In 1877, he built a stage stop to accommodate stagecoach passengers on the line from Miles City to Bozeman, complete with saloon and restaurant, the first in the region. The following year, however, Nelson Gage had a fatal heart attack, leaving Eliza with seven children to rear. The widow took over Gage Station and began to farm the homestead as well as invest in cattle.
Another family tragedy occurred the year after Nelson Gage died; their son Stephen drowned in the Yellowstone trying to save Nelson Story's foreman and a colt; all perished. Their bodies were not found for five months. The Gages had more troubles; son John accidentally brother Horatio in the stomach; he died a few minutes later. Grief stricken, John died within a few months.
Eliza Gage also lost two daughters who died in Helena. The two surviving children, Josephine and Dora, both married and lived nearby.
In January 1882, high winds caused flying sparks to burn down the Gage establishment. Knowing that construction of the railroad was imminent, the Gages rebuilt some of the buildings and opened a road house.