Edith Lantz Simmons Collection

James Newton ‘Newt’ Simmons lived in Salida during the late 1880s into the 1890s and worked for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad at the ticket office. He was captain of the Salida Wheel Club, a popular bike club in town. In August 1895, the club hosted a 12 Mile Road Race from Salida to Poncha Springs and back again. Newt placed third among the contestants, but because the race was rife with cheating, he later moved up the standings into second.

Edith Lantz had family in Salida and visited them often during this time. Her mother was Clara (Clarisse) Deen, sister to Lily Deen Mosgrove, one of the founders of the Salida Public Library. Edith worked as a teacher and most likely met Newt at one of Salida’s many social gatherings for young people, possibly at a bicycle outing that the Wheelmen would host. They married in 1902 in Victor, Colorado.

The two images below show an excursion to Castle Gardens around 1896. Newt Simmons is at center of each image, sporting his handlebar moustache. Most likely Edith is behind the camera.

Thank you Frances Simmons for the digital donation of this collection.

Below is the Second Time Prize that Newt Simmons won at the 12 Mile Road Race in August 1895 in Salida.

The front reads: Salida Wheel Club – Second Time Prize 1895. The back reads: Compliments of D.J. Kramer For 12 Mile Road Race August 15, 1895.

The Salida Mail article that detailed the events of the 12 Mile Road Race:

Newt and Edith Simmons and friends at Mesa Verde

Edith holding her son, Richard.