Daniel Golding

Born 1858

Born in New York

Parents from Germany

Jeweler

Aaron Golding

Clerk

Brother of Daniel

Joseph Golding

Clerk

Possible brother of Daniel

The Goldings were siblings who ran a jewelry store, the Diamond Palace, during the 1880s.  Daniel Golding was born in New York during 1858.  His parents were immigrants from Germany.[1]   Daniel had two relatives who worked with him in Leadville, Aaron[2]  and Joseph.[3]   Aaron was Daniel’s sibling, the exact nature of Daniel and Joseph’s relationship is unknown. They were likely relatives, probably brothers.  His siblings do not appear in the Leadville census record so it is unknown when and where they were born.  By 1880, Daniel had moved to Leadville where his relatives followed him a few years later.[4]   The 1880 census lists Daniel as single,[5] however a newspaper article from 1882 refers to Daniel’s wife, regrettably she is unnamed.[6]   This suggests that Daniel married shortly after moving to Leadville.

Daniel first appears in the 1880 Leadville City Directory where he had a business at 122 Harrison Avenue and was partnered with Hatch, Davidson & Co.[7]   He resided at 127 East Chestnut Street.[8]   In 1881, Daniel appears as a jeweler, diamond, and collateral broker once again at 122 Harrison Avenue, but his residence moved to 140 East 4th Street.[9]   In 1883, his business moved to 324 Harrison Avenue where it remained until 1884.[10]   From 1882 to 1885, Daniel resided at 118 East 8th Street.[11]  Aaron first materializes in the 1882 city directory and worked as a clerk for his brother Daniel until disappearing from Leadville after 1884.[12]   Joseph Golding also appears in the directory in 1884 as a clerk for Daniel.[13]

In October 1882, Daniel held the grand opening for his store, the Diamond Palace.  The Leadville Daily Herald sent a reporter to the event who described the affair.  The reporter was quite effusive in his praise for Golding and his business venture:

“One of the most conspicuous events in the history of Leadville was that of the opening of Dan G. Golding’s diamond emporium last night.  The man who is not familiar with Dan’s countenance has certainly neglected his opportunities, and been in a state of constant hibernation.  Dan is one of the young men who came to Leadville full of ambition, that quality being backed and supported by industry and conscientious application to business.  He was enterprising and industrious, and these elements have been rewarded in such a manner as to render him the most distinguished dealer in diamonds and jewelry in the state of Colorado.  He is a happy exemplication (sic) of the old truism that “man is the architect of his own fortune,” and whereas Dan was at one time an employee he is now the sole and individual proprietor of the most extensive jewelry establishment in the west.   For some time past, masons and carpenters have been assiduously devoted to the construction of a building that, for style and art, has no superior in the state.  The “burnt cork” is relieved by a series of gas jets, and

the building looks like midnight in a bed of roses.  For several days past, Mr. Golding has been engaged in issuing invitations to his multitude of friends, and Friday night he received a response that would make any man’s heart palpitate with gratitude and satisfaction.  Shortly after dark the lights shone bright on the French plate windows, and the interior presented an appearance that was regal.  At an early hour, the guests began to arrive and by myriads forced their way into the establishment.  As they started hurriedly into the emporium their footsteps were suddenly arrested by the scintillations of the display window.  In it were diamonds that Croesus would have coveted, and the light from them seemed to vie with the strength of the sun.  This exhibition detained the visitors for some time and a forty eight karat stone transfixed those who saw it.  They lingered long at the door and then proceeded to make the excursion through the store.

The room was elegantly appointed and on the various show cases stood the choicest and rarest exotics that were ever culled by human hands.  It was quite evident that Mrs. Golding had superintended this department as every arrangement showed the delicate touch of the gentler sex.  Violets and roses nodded in the draught of wind that went through the rooms, and had Worth’s dresser been charged with the job he could have made no improvement.  Upon entering the door, the guests were greeted by Mr. Dan G. Golding, the gentleman being in one of his most buoyant and laughing moods.  “Pass on ladies and gentlemen,” was his adopted legend and the sentence was heard often.  It would not be unkind to say that the ladies lingered to contemplate the beauties of that button-hole bouquet; and Dan was one of the most attractive ornaments in the establishment.  On each side the visitor was dazzled with the lustre of diamonds, and these were only relieved by the beautiful casings that protected them; splendid mirrors

reflected the forms of fair ladies; silver card receivers were ladened with the names of ladies and gentlemen and Mr. Golding was in the height of his glory.  It was indeed an occasion that was calculated to make any one blush with gratitude and Dan was justified in bringing the color to his cheeks.  At one case stood Mr. C. Cummings, the chief watchmaker, and a gentleman who is known throughout the country as an adept in the art.  He was most courteous and accommodating, and favored everybody.  At the next case stood Mr. Dan Einstein, who was most captivating in his appearance, and who held the patronage of the ladies until they were elbowed out of the was by the later arrivals.

Mr. Aaron Golding, the brother of the proprietor, is a genuine counterpart of his “big bud,” and possesses those qualities which render him at once entertaining.  Passing through the main room, the guests marched in regular procession into the manufacturing department.  Here everything was active, and the blow-pipes were rapidly reducing the ores from various mines and collection it into immature bricks.  These were distributed to various particular patrons as souvenirs of the occasion, and there are numbers whose chains support these relics this morning.  Among those who occupied tables and furnaces in the manufacturing department were Messrs. William Duck, Galvin Leslie and W. W. Frishelm, and they conducted their delicate labors with a dignity that was perfect.  Passing out of this room the procession was confronted by a surprise that was as startling as it was agreeable.  A long table that was ornated with flowers was groaning under a load of liquids and cakes, and Mr. Sam Scott stood ready with the

 cook screen to respond to all orders and solicitations.  He exhibited his efficiency in the art in the most able manner, and was assisted by Messrs. Gus Smith and Richard Johnson.  After satisfying their palates with libations of every kind they moved on or made their exodus through the left aisle of the store, and were again confronted by monuments of jewelry that glittered under the rays of the gas jet.  In the midst of all of the confusion the crowd was suddenly brought to a stand-still by Mr. Dan Golding, who advanced to the front, holding in his hands a beautiful badge, having as a pendant the figures “20.”   In the centre of it was a locomotive that was in a circle of silver bearing an inscription Mr. Golding said: “Ladies and gentlemen – I have been selected for the performance of a most agreeable duty, the Leadville division of Locomotive speculation having requested me to present this badge to Mr. O. R. Leeman, as a testimonial of their high esteem and regard for his superior qualities as an engineer.”

With this Mr. Golding stepped forward and delivered the present to the gentleman, who, notwithstanding his embarrassment, made an appropriate response.  The being concluded the first brigade bade their host adieu and surrendered to hundreds of others who were ever awaiting an opportunity to inspect the Palace.  Mr. Golding may congratulate himself upon the success of his opening, as it excels anything of the kind in the history of the city.  He was ladened with congratulations and the visitors were lavish in their decisions that it was the most beautiful establishment in the west.  Dan will be delighted to see his friends at any hour in the day and will always greet them cordially.”[14]

Dan and the other Goldings occasionally appeared in the newspapers for other events and activities.  In March 1883, Daniel Golding was one of Frankle and Butler’s guests at the banquet held after the fortunate conclusion of the  Palace of Fashion suspected arson

trial.[15]   In April the same year Dan seems to have fallen into a bit of controversy in his business dealings, “The charges trumped up against Mr. Dan Golding by a dance hall woman should not be listened to by respectable people.  Mr. Golding has made Leadville his home for the past four years and during that time has built a reputation for himself than can more than stand the assaults of this character.”[16]   An article the next day in the Carbonate Chronicle, elucidated upon the conflict between Daniel and the dance hall woman, Nellie Collins.

“Close upon the announcement of Dan G. Golding’s intended departure for the Pacific slope, comes the account of his arrest on five distinct charges.  The warrants for Mr. Golding’s arrest were sworn out yesterday afternoon by Nellie Collins, before Judge Rose.  Nellie heard of Mr. Golding’s intention to leave the city, and having had dealings, so she alleges, at different times with him she swore out the warrants.  In them Mr. Golding is charged with the violation

of a city ordinance, in running a pawn-brokering establishment without a license, also of larceny as bailee.  Miss Collins states that she pledged a watch, chain, bracelets and a ring with Mr. Golding, and has regularly paid the interest there-on.  She went to him and offered to give him the money she had received for the articles, but Mr. Golding refused to give them up.  The other three charges are the dates on which Mr. Golding has pledged articles for Miss Collins.  The warrants were placed in the hands of Capt. Flood Wednesday, and he, together a Chronicle reporter, set out in search of Mr. Golding.  Their efforts were unsuccessful, however, Thursday Capt. Flood renewed his search, but it was not until 1 o’clock in the afternoon that the warrants were served on Mr. Golding behind his own counter.  Mr. Golding was taken before Judge Rose and was held on his own recognizance.  Nellie Collins is the same woman who had the two men arrested some time ago for robbing Pete Thames in the Odeon dance hall.  She is at present employed as a beer jerker or sings in the Odeon.  It is thought that the woman’s charges are unfounded.

In conversation with a reporter, Mr. Golding gave the following account of the transactions: Last October, Nellie Collins came to Mr. Golding and asked him to loan her some money on the watch, chain, coral pin, ring and bracelet.  He told her to take the jewelry to a pawnbroker, but Nellie did not care to do so, as she thought it would not be safe to do so.  She began to cry, and Mr. Golding advanced her $195 on the jewelry.  Thirty, sixty and ninety days passed, but Nellie did not put in an appearance.  At last Mr. Golding sent for her and asked to settle up for the jewelry or pay the interest that had accumulated on them.  Nellie replied: “Oh, let them go.  I don’t want them.  Sell them and be damned to them.”  Yesterday Nellie came to Mr. Golding and asked for the little coral pin which she had pledged along with the gold chain for $100, stating that she had only placed it along with the other things for safe keeping, although the $100 had been given on the chain and pin.  Mr. Golding kindly gave the pin to her.  Nellie then gave Mr. Golding a receipt, giving up all claim to the articles.  Mr. Golding then told Nellie that Mr. Bittinger would keep the articles in

 safe keeping for her until she could redeem them.  It appears that Nellie then went and told a gentleman friend of hers of the transaction, and he asked her to go with him to see if they could not get the articles.  Accompanied by her friend, Nellie again visited the Diamond Palace, and the man who accompanied her, offered Mr. Golding $200 for the jewelry.  This was refused, Mr. Golding stating that unless five per cent.  interest was paid on the articles, he would not give them up.  Nellie then declared that Mr. Golding had no right to ask any interest, as “you do not keep a loan office.”  Seeing that Mr. Golding was determined, and would not be bluffed, Nellie went and swore out the warrant which resulted in Mr. Golding’s arrest.  Mr. Golding has always been noted for his generosity in helping his friends who were in straightened circumstances.”[17]

The conclusion of this incident is not clear and it is not mentioned again in the papers.  However, since Daniel’s business continues to appear in directories after 1882, he seems to have weathered the storm.  In January 1884, Aaron appeared in the papers when he temporarily left Leadville to visit his hometown.[18]   Aaron was also active in the Knights of Pythias during his time in Leadville.[19]   In 1885, the Diamond Palace no longer appears in directories[20]  and Daniel began running advertisements in newspapers highlighting his closing out sale.[21]   A year later in 1886, Sam Mayer, a Jewish pawnbroker began running his own advertisements noting that he had the last of Daniel Golding’s stock.[22]   It is unknown what became of Daniel and his relatives after they closed up shop in 1885.

The face of the pocket watch has printed, "Dan. G. Golding"

On the inside of the back of the pocket watch is engraved "Dan. G. Golding" and also "Leadville Colo". The serial number is 233658.

Leadville Daily Herald. December 24, 1882.

Carbonate Chronicle. February 17, 1883.