Peter and Maria Magnes, a couple who were murdered in their home in southwest Littleton. The couple has faced many hardships together, including the flood of personal crops on the farm, and the physical danger to the couple in their home by masked robbers. Magnes grew up with an interest in the stories of the Gold Rush that happened in Colorado, which then influenced his sugar beet business. He was often known as “Honest’ Peter Magnes,” Colorado Newspaper collection, The Rocky Mountain News (April 1902) said.
In addition to the Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection, Magnes made the trip to the heart of the state, Denver, on June 18th, 1859, across the plains in an ox cart. He was often called the “Honest” Peter Magnes and was recognized by the community. He received many awards and medals while working as the Arapahoe County Commissioner.
Peter and Maria were born 12 years apart, Peter on March 12th, 1824, and Maria in 1836. However, they had not become married until after Peter’s earlier wife agreed to the divorce. When Peter was farming on his ranch, he had not divorced Bertha during that period. Peter was still with Bertha during the Sugar beet industry. The Littleton Cemetery explains, “When he got there, he was living as a farmer near the land and eventually moved to the area of Petersburg, Colorado, which was then renamed Sheridan,” Littleton Cemetery said. Magnes made an everlasting impact on the farm. “He went away to France to collect sugar beets, then drove them back to Denver, “Littleton Cemetery said. He was a major influence on the sugar beet industry in Colorado in 1865.
Unknowingly, according to The Colorado Historic Newspaper collection. Magnes engaged in a court case against “The Last-Ditch company terminated late yesterday afternoon, and Judge Miller found for the plaintiff and assessed his damages at $328,” Rocky Mountain News said. However, it is not determined whether Magnes won the court case before or after marrying Marie. After the victory of Peter’s case, and during their marriage, the Magnes couple left a legacy. As Peter Magnes was recognized for being honest, they were assaulted and murdered in their home on January 3rd, 1898. The Magnes couple will forever be remembered by the tragedy that occurred to them.
