Tom Sharp

William Thomas Sharp (May 30, 1838 – November 26, 1929) was a former Confederate soldier and later an explorer who operated a trading post on the Taos Trail and founded the now extinct town of Malachite, Colorado. It was located on the Huerfano River in Huerfano County, Colorado. He became a nationally known horse and cattle breeder.

Early life and the Civil War William Thomas Sharp was born in Hannibal in Marion County, Missouri on May 30, 1838. Sharp was a Confederate soldier during the American Civil War, He was then put in a wagon for the far west. and later took up residence in the trading post. It was a route that continued to be used by Utes for travel to and from hunting grounds and by raiding parties in the 19th century. Sharp traded with the Utes, who liked the "flashy" military uniforms that he imported from Union Army and English warehouses. and was on an 85-mile (136.8-km) post road between Walsenburg and Alamosa. Malachite was abandoned after business became centered in nearby Gardner, Colorado.

Livestock breeder The Utes were removed to reservations (Southern Ute Indian Reservation and Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation) by 1876, which changed the nature of his business. He began to import purebred horses from France, England, and Kentucky to cross-breed with "rugged" ponies that had been owned by Native Americans. He received national attention for his bred horses and cattle. His white-faced Hereford cattle were branded with the Lazy S Bar and Reverse S Bar brands. Sharp was active in the Cuerno Verde Livestock Association, including being its president for a time. He was also active with the Colorado State Fair as superintendent of the horse department and promoting the fair.

Personal life His wife, Katherine Durrette was born in Marion County, Missouri in 1844. They were married in Missouri in 1871 and had three children, William, Emma, and Elizabeth. He received the Third Degree in Masonry at the Huerfano Lodge in Walsenburg. Sharp died on November 26, 1929.

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