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'''Katrina Wolf Murat''' ('''Countess Murat'''; August 20, 1824 - 1910) was the German-born American pioneer, the first European woman in [[Denver]], and the maker of the first [[United States flag]] in [[Colorado]].
'''Katrina Wolf Murat''' ('''Countess Murat'''; August 20, 1824 - 1910) was the German-born American pioneer. She was the first European woman in [[Denver]], and the maker of the first [[United States flag]] in [[Colorado]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
Katrina Wolf was born in [[Heidelsheim]], [[Baden]], August 20, 1824.{{sfn|Daughters of the American Revolution|1917|p=82-83}} Her father was a [[Prussia]]n [[vintner]].{{sfn|Fetter|2004|p=39-42}}
Katrina Wolf was born in [[Heidelsheim]], [[Baden]], August 20, 1824. She married a wealthy German and came to the United States with him in 1848. After his death, she married Count Henry Murat, of a distinguished French family. Shortly after their marriage, Count and Countess Murat went to Europe, and while there, purchased the [[petticoat]] which was destined to be used in the making of the U.S. flag in Colorado. During these days, they lived a life of luxury, but Count Murat, kind, generous and spendthrift, experienced vicissitudes of fortune, and led a vagrant existence for several years before his death in the County Hospital in [[Denver]]. Countess Murat, as she was known in the pioneer days of Colorado, was thrown upon her own resources and eventually followed the humble life of a washerwoman. With her own earnings, she built the little, white frame cottage which was her last home.{{sfn|Daughters of the American Revolution|1917|p=82-83}}

She married a wealthy German and came to the United States with him in 1848. After his death, she married Count Henry Murat, of a distinguished French family.{{efn|In one version of events, Katrina first married Mr. Stolsenberger, crossed the [[Great Plains]] with him, and inherited {{USD|75000}} upon his death. She subsequently met Henri, a dentist, in [[San Francisco]] in 1854 and after marriage, they spent her inheritance on a European honeymoon. A second version of events describes Henri claiming that his uncle was [[Joachim Murat]]. Forced to leave France by the Bourbon kings, Henri escaped to Germany, and found employment at Katrina's father's estate. After Henri and Katrina married, they sailed for the U.S. in 1848.{{sfn|Fetter|2004|p=39-42}}}}{{sfn|Daughters of the American Revolution|1917|p=82-83}}

Shortly after their marriage, Count and Countess Murat honeymooned in Europe, and while there, purchased a red [[merino]] [[petticoat]]. During these days, they lived a life of luxury, but Count Murat, kind, generous and spendthrift, experienced vicissitudes of fortune, and led a vagrant existence for several years before his death in the County Hospital in Denver. Countess Murat, as she was known in the pioneer days of Colorado, was thrown upon her own resources and eventually followed the humble life of a washerwoman. With her own earnings, she built the little, white frame cottage which was her last home.{{sfn|Daughters of the American Revolution|1917|p=82-83}}


==Maker of the first United States Flag in Colorado==
==Maker of the first United States Flag in Colorado==
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When asked, in her old age, how she made the flag without a pattern, her answer was: "How could anyone who has seen that flag and loves liberty and freedom forget what it is like? I knew there must be a star for every State and I counted the States at that time. When you love America, you love the American flag." To commemorate her services a boulder of silver plume granite was placed on her grave, bearing the inscription:— "In memory of the maker of the first United States Flag in Colorado, Katrina Wolf Murat 1824-1910, Erected by Denver Chapter [[Daughters of the American Revolution]]."{{sfn|Daughters of the American Revolution|1917|p=82-83}}
When asked, in her old age, how she made the flag without a pattern, her answer was: "How could anyone who has seen that flag and loves liberty and freedom forget what it is like? I knew there must be a star for every State and I counted the States at that time. When you love America, you love the American flag." To commemorate her services a boulder of silver plume granite was placed on her grave, bearing the inscription:— "In memory of the maker of the first United States Flag in Colorado, Katrina Wolf Murat 1824-1910, Erected by Denver Chapter [[Daughters of the American Revolution]]."{{sfn|Daughters of the American Revolution|1917|p=82-83}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


===Bibliography===
===Attribution===
* {{Source-attribution| {{cite book|ref=harv|author=Daughters of the American Revolution|title=Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l9EQAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA83|edition=Public domain|volume=51|year=1917|publisher=R.R. Bowker Co.|location=New York City|chapter=Denver Chapter, by Grace Deisher, Historian}} }}
* {{Source-attribution| {{cite book|ref=harv|author=Daughters of the American Revolution|title=Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l9EQAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA83|edition=Public domain|volume=51|year=1917|publisher=R.R. Bowker Co.|location=New York City|chapter=Denver Chapter, by Grace Deisher, Historian}} }}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book|ref=harv|last=Fetter|first=Rosemary|title=Colorado's Legendary Lovers: Historic Scandals, Heartthrobs, and Haunting Romances|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nhepDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT39|date=1 December 2004|publisher=Fulcrum Publishing|isbn=978-1-938486-24-1}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

Revision as of 15:51, 6 January 2018

Katrina Wolf Murat (Countess Murat; August 20, 1824 - 1910) was the German-born American pioneer. She was the first European woman in Denver, and the maker of the first United States flag in Colorado.

Biography

Katrina Wolf was born in Heidelsheim, Baden, August 20, 1824.[1] Her father was a Prussian vintner.[2]

She married a wealthy German and came to the United States with him in 1848. After his death, she married Count Henry Murat, of a distinguished French family.[a][1]

Shortly after their marriage, Count and Countess Murat honeymooned in Europe, and while there, purchased a red merino petticoat. During these days, they lived a life of luxury, but Count Murat, kind, generous and spendthrift, experienced vicissitudes of fortune, and led a vagrant existence for several years before his death in the County Hospital in Denver. Countess Murat, as she was known in the pioneer days of Colorado, was thrown upon her own resources and eventually followed the humble life of a washerwoman. With her own earnings, she built the little, white frame cottage which was her last home.[1]

Maker of the first United States Flag in Colorado

Mowat was the first European woman in Denver, and she sewed the first United States flag in Colorado. There was legend, romance and history interwoven with the colors of that first flag. The inspiration came from the region of the Rhine and the land of the Dakotahs, and it came from a red merino petticoat.[1]

It was in the winter of 1858-1859 that Murat, assisted by Wapolah, a Sioux, lovingly sewed the seams of that flag. Murat purchased blue and white muslin, but, lacking red material, cut up a rich red merino petticoat, which she had brought from France. Wapolah aided in sewing the stripes, while Murat arranged the placing of the stars. The significance of the flag was grasped only partially by Wapolah. She thought it applied more to the President than to the country, for she often said, while regarding it: "for the great Father at Washington." Later, Wapolah heeded the call of her own people, returned to the Dakotahs, and was lost sight of. A pole was brought from the foothills and the flag raised by means of rope and pulley, amidst a throng of spectators. Three hearty cheers ended the ceremony.[1]

When asked, in her old age, how she made the flag without a pattern, her answer was: "How could anyone who has seen that flag and loves liberty and freedom forget what it is like? I knew there must be a star for every State and I counted the States at that time. When you love America, you love the American flag." To commemorate her services a boulder of silver plume granite was placed on her grave, bearing the inscription:— "In memory of the maker of the first United States Flag in Colorado, Katrina Wolf Murat 1824-1910, Erected by Denver Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution."[1]

Notes

  1. ^ In one version of events, Katrina first married Mr. Stolsenberger, crossed the Great Plains with him, and inherited US$75,000 upon his death. She subsequently met Henri, a dentist, in San Francisco in 1854 and after marriage, they spent her inheritance on a European honeymoon. A second version of events describes Henri claiming that his uncle was Joachim Murat. Forced to leave France by the Bourbon kings, Henri escaped to Germany, and found employment at Katrina's father's estate. After Henri and Katrina married, they sailed for the U.S. in 1848.[2]

References

Attribution

  • Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: Daughters of the American Revolution (1917). "Denver Chapter, by Grace Deisher, Historian". Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine. Vol. 51 (Public domain ed.). New York City: R.R. Bowker Co. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)

Bibliography