The Golden Rule Ranch

The Golden Rule Ranch

By Mike Bowen, co-author, We Found the Lost Sand Creek Site 

“My grandparents purchased the Golden Rule Ranch on Sand Creek in 1948. Elbert S. Rule originally owned it. He also owned an oil refinery in Wichita and the Golden Rule gas stations in western Kansas and eastern Colorado. The term golden rule stems from a biblical passage, “Do to others as you would have them do to you,” (Luke 6:31). Because of that reference, Grandpa kept the name.” Chuck Bowen – We Found the Lost Sand Creek Site. 

Chuck and Sheri Bowen own part of this land—they named it the Bowen Meadow Ranch. Chuck’s grandparents had Biblical convictions, and it was etched in them to treat others well. 

The reference in Luke 6:31 comes from Jesus teaching the Beatitudes to His disciples. This message brings blessings and warnings, such as “Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God,” (Luke 6:20 NKJV), “But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation,” (Luke 6:24 NKJV). 

The Golden Rule is about treating others well, being honest, as that is how we would like to be treated. 

Our Sand Creek discovery is based on honesty. We discovered over 4,000 period artifacts that were each documented with a photo and GPS coordinate. Looking at them on a map shows how scattered the events were at Sand Creek. Artifacts do not lie. They are the only pieces of substantial evidence that provides true clarity about what happened at Sand Creek. 

What if you learned that something you’ve always heard to be true turned out not to be true? There is a common saying that if you hear something enough and often enough, you will believe it. When Chuck and Sheri informed the National Park Service Sand Creek Superintendent in the late 90s about their discovery, the NPS promised them they would tell their story of discovery. That didn’t happen. They only tell one side of the story. We can only learn about Sand Creek from those who were there. Much of what we’ve heard about it over the years comes from those who were not there. There is another side that you may not have heard. 

Not only is our discovery based on honesty, our book is based on honesty. It is an honest account of discovery. Please get a copy of our book and keep an open mind to the story the artifacts tell. We only use eyewitness accounts, eyewitness testimony and period documents. Soldier accounts can’t simply be discredited because of the stories that have been told over the years—their accounts led to finding the artifacts. We believe we need to share their accounts so people can weigh all of the information and come to their own conclusions.  

Get our book here: https://www.thelostsandcreek.com/#buythebook

Browse our blogs on this website. We have videos from our book programs. See the links below:

Old Colorado City: https://www.thelostsandcreek.com/index.php/2023/09/12/bowen-presents-at-old-colorado-city-history-center-on-how-sand-creek-became-lost/

Springfield: https://www.thelostsandcreek.com/index.php/2023/08/02/bowen-presents-in-springfield-co-on-how-sand-creek-became-lost/

Cheyenne Wells: https://www.thelostsandcreek.com/index.php/2023/07/24/how-did-sand-creek-become-lost-2/

La Junta: https://www.thelostsandcreek.com/index.php/2023/05/02/how-did-sand-creek-become-lost/

Prowers County Genealogy Society: https://www.thelostsandcreek.com/index.php/2023/03/08/how-was-genealogy-used-in-sand-creek-research/

Lamar: https://www.thelostsandcreek.com/index.php/2022/11/03/book-program-clips/

More book programs are coming in the near future. If you would like to host us for a book signing, please email us at chuck@thelostsandcreek.com or send us a message on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BowenHistory. 

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BowenHistory