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Maria Allen left Cheyenne House to five of her children. Wharton, an avid golfer and the most colorful of all the Allen children, was the only one of her children who continued to live with her at Cheyenne House in adulthood. As co-executors of his mother’s trust, Wharton and with his younger brother, George decided to put up the land and home for sale.
Howard Creel, a good friend of Wharton and Junior Warden at Grace/St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, became interested in the property for use as a church. Howard was once a caddy at Broadmoor Golf Club and his amateur and professional play led to his election into the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame. He was known as the “king of the nation’s left-handed golfers.” Howard’s wife, Mary, was a wealthy oil woman from Houston who also played golf.
Howard spent considerable time with Wharton both on the golf course and Colorado Springs best drinking and dining establishments. Howard Creel negotiated the deal where the Allen heirs would sell Cheyenne House to Grace & St. Stephen’s church for only $75,000. The significantly below-market transaction would secure a tax exemption for the estate.
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