Kit Carson was born in Kentucky on December 24, 1809. He was a mere sixteen years old when he ran away from home. Although it could be said that he never really settled down, he did call a few places home other than the camps along the trails though the west. Among his favorite stomping grounds were Taos, northern most outpost in Mexico, and home to his second wife Josefa Jaramillo, Santa Fe, and Boggsville, where he spent his last days surrounded by family and friends.
Carson spoke many Native American languages, as well as Spanish and English. His knowledge and respect of Indian, Mexican, and Anglo customs made him a superlative Indian Agent and diplomat, but he was a man of his times, and he upheld the Union Army's prime directive, and sought the surrender of all natives.
In 1842, he married his 2nd wife Josepha Jaramillo, daughter of a powerful Mexican family.
In that same year, he met John Charles Fremont.
Carson was about to become the most
celebrated guide in U.S. history during the Fremont expedition.
Fremont of the U.S. Corps of Topographical Engineers was not a trained military man.
He needed Carson to trail blaze for him.
Finally needing a rest, in 1867, Carson and his family moved to Boggsville.
Carson had been sick from internal injuries suffered from a fall while riding.
He and Josepha and their six children moved into one side of the trading house
set up for them by their relatives the Boggs.
Josepha died approximately six months later during childbirth.
Carson distraught from the loss, and already failing, died a little less than a month
later on May 24, 1868, at Fort Lyon near Boggsville.
In 1869, at the request of the Carson will, both bodies were exhumed from the Boggs'
rose garden and taken back to Taos where they were interred with the blessings of
the Catholic Church where they had been married.
