Oh my goodness, you just might have solved a mystery! I was told my some cousins who have done this genealogy work (all by paper and physical visits--nothing on the computer!) that Helene came to Durango to work in her aunt and uncle's hotel. I had no source for that other than their word.
But then I sent off for their marriage certificate and was surprised by her listing that she was from Trimble and not Durango. So you might have it--that the hotel that I thought was in Durange was the Hermosa House in Trimble (I am aware that it is only a few miles down the road but in those days a fer piece) and that they didn't elope to Hermosa House but were married "at home." The justice of the piece led me and another cousin to speculate that they had eloped. I do know that he was Catholic and she was Lutheran so perhaps a justice of the peace was the only way they could have a "mixed faith marriage".
Thank you so much for this sleuthing. Anything I can do for you from Manhattan, KS? Visit a grave? Visit a grave at Ft. Riley?