This is the moment that I truly hope a bit of research that I have done is correct. These are the kinds of rabbit holes that I really enjoy diving down. There were so many articles in the newspapers that I found.
The dates line up, the age lines up. All of it lines up except the initial J at the beginning of the name on this gravestone.
Over 120 years ago, this story of Peter Deus lines up with the grave of J.P. Dues, Born March 22, 1861 and Died December 9, 1904. Find a grave has no record of this grave, and I began searching for info on the headstone that caught my attention.
If this is Peter Deus, which all information I found leads me to believe it is, he was a prominent Sheriff Deputy and son of an Early Pioneer of Colorado.
December 10th, 1904 a headline reads “DEPUTY SHERIFF DEUS DIES SUDDENLY” published by the Colorado Daily Chieftain. “Death supposed to have resulted from an attack of heart failure” the article goes on to explain that while issuing subpoenas at a liquor store, he was stricken by an attack and died before help could arrive. He was taken to city hall and was found to have headache tablets in his pocket along with the subpoenas he was serving. He had taken 3 tablets for a headache just before a bartender noticed that something was wrong.
The previous few years in news for Peter were tough ones. Tales of arrests and shootouts. Another article written about him busting into a courtroom and arresting a judge in October of 1903. He and his wife were also under a decree for Divorce October 17th, 1903. He lost his title as Deputy Sheriff after this and the news was quiet for a short time.
He was charged with contempt of court in May of 1904, the article claims he was serving on a jury and refers to him as a former Deputy Sheriff on that date. He was accused of causing a disturbance during jury vote when he wrote “nit” on his paper and held in contempt.
Then a month later his father Captain Charles Deus then passed away in Augusta, Missouri in June of 1904. His father was an early pioneer in Huerfano county.
The timeline continues with Peter getting a fine for contempt of court, and the judge lays the law down on him. The fine was a hefty $250 with the judge stating that he was imposing such action due to the fact that Peter was law enforcement. As the reading continues for me, I read that he was released from custody on July 3rd, 1904. Just my opinion, but he felt strongly enough about going against the trail to spend time in jail over it. He was serving as a juror for a law suit of I.W. Stanton Company against Philadelphia Investment company. It was in regards to a land survey and use of property. 4 other jurors filed a charge against Deus in regards to his actions.
He was named deputy again in the next bit of information I found on October 28th, 1904. This article was in reference to a disturbance when a displeased gentleman began bantering during the arrival of Governor Peabody. This bantering caught the attention of officers that knew the “banter” had a warrant out for his arrest. There was a large turn out of people present to greet the governor, and the deputies moved quickly to confront the disorderly. The accused was arrested by Deputy Deus and was escorted to jail.
The next unfortunate article was about his death.
It was an exciting morning of reading, then tragedy at the end. It reminds us that we must take care of ourselves. He was only 43 years old and by the sounds of it threw himself into his work. His photo takes on an entire life when you dive into the articles left behind. I do wish that all souls I research were this informative and recorded. I recommend that you visit historical newspapers’ websites and read all about him. There were too many articles to mention them all.
Rest in Peace J. P. “Peter” Deus.
Not Forgotten Colorado 
Leave a comment