Tag: Nederland

30 Years Ago – February 4, 1983

  Gilpin County has again made national news – in the Wall Street Journal, no less – but this time it isn’t a gold mine, or an opera, or Lou Bunch Day, or the tourists that have caused the attention. It’s Gilpin’s own residents. According to the article in the January 25, 1983 edition, Gilpin County has the third highest incidence of alcohol-related deaths in the nation. The information was taken from a study done by researchers at the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Researchers looked at death certificates and averaged the information over a three-year period. The age group involved was limited to 15-74 year-olds and place of residence was used vs. the location where an individual died.

Gilpin RE-1 School Board’s Four-Day School Week committee visited Strasburg and Westcliff in January and found that both schools showed improved attendance for both students and teachers, and both schools showed an annual savings of over $10,000. The longer school days cut the time working parents were forced to have their kids at a sitter and older students were available for sitting services on the day the school was not in session. Certain school clubs used the day for field trips. School Board Chairman Jim Peyrouse stressed that the main purpose of the proposal is to save money – mainly from having less transportation costs since busing would be for one less day a week. The committee recommended handing out a questionnaire about the four-day week at the upcoming Science Fair.

Fire totally destroyed the home of Bob and Virginia Callister and their children, Tuesday, leaving only a charred foundation in its wake. Despite the fact that the response time for the nearby Colorado Sierra Volunteer Fire Department was only 11 minutes, the firemen were unable to save the house. It was completely engulfed in flames when they arrived. About ten people from Colorado Sierra, three people from Central City and three from High Country fire departments helped out. They had several problems with the fire. Colorado Sierra fire chief, Steve Hogan, said they were able to get an outside propane tank covered with snow and water, but there were two large oxygen cylinder tanks in Mrs. Callister’s workroom, which she used to blow glass, that exploded. The explosions were not dramatic, Hogan said. Also, about two dozen shotgun and .22 rifle shells went off in one corner of the house while the firemen were cleaning up. No one was hurt.

Gilpin County Search and Rescue, High Country Fire Department and the Flight-for-Life helicopter were all called out Sunday, January 23, to remove an injured cross country skier from Jenny Lind Gulch. The victim, a Denver man, had fallen about 30 feet down off the trail into the woods and had broken his thigh bone. The injury occurred about three and a half miles in from Tolland, over a 1,000 foot rise in elevation. A friend had made his way to Rollinsville and called for help. Bill Ward, vice commander of Search and Rescue and training officer, Peter Downie, started up the trail on skis pulling a covered fiberglass toboggan, but were later pulled by a snowmobile driven by Roger Durham, the chief of High Country FPD. About 12 people on skis assisted in bringing the man down the trail to Tolland and the waiting ambulance. From Rollinsville, he was transported by helicopter to St. Anthony’s Central Hospital in Denver.

Gilpin RE-1 School District’s funds come from several sources, including on the local level, $510,265 from property taxes, $30,615 from specific ownership taxes and $65,000 from sources such as interest on investments. $522,811 comes in from state sources. Federal money is channeled through the state. The largest expenditure in the 1983 budget is $639,172 for salaries. An additional $146,523 will be spent on benefits. The starting salary for teachers with a degree, but no experience, is $12,800 per year. The superintendent’s salary is $29,920 per year and the principal’s salary is $25,316. Statewide, the average superintendent salary is $32,000 per year and $23,000 is the average annual salary for principals.

The Fifth Annual Lace House Ball was held last Saturday, January 29, in the Grand Ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel of Denver. About 150 couples attended the period event held to make money for the ongoing restoration and upkeep of the Lace House in Black Hawk. About 20 of the people were from Gilpin. It is estimated that they raised $7,000-$10,000 from the combined ticket sales and auction.

Betty Sienko has sold out the Gilded Garter to Bob Brusco and Jay Katz of the Glory Hole.

Even though the weather has not been severe, the constant cold and almost daily light snow has made driving conditions extremely hazardous.

Work continues on the Golden Rose, Bank Building and Teller House, the first receiving insulation, while at the latter, a plusher style of chair was being considered for the Little Kingdom Lounge.

Alterations are occurring at Chicago’s Restaurant, including refurbishment and a change of name to reflect its operation by Gene Carelli.

Lori and Kevin Wright, of Black Hawk, are the proud parents of a baby girl, Lindsey Rebecca, born January 28, 1983.

Fr. Reginald Rodman has left St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Central City. Bishop William Frey has appointed Fr. Cyril Coverley as supply priest for the present time.

Ad: Volunteers Needed: Contact GILPIN MILITIA – “in vino veritas.”

60 Years Ago – February 6, 1953

Editing a newspaper is a pleasing business – if you can stand it. 

Looks like Ike intends to fight fire with fire, by withdrawing the 7^th Fleet from the Formosa Strait.

Funny world. Prices sky-high and we gripe, we moan, but we pay. Prices decline slightly, like meat prices at the moment, and we begin to worry. Is this the recession the experts have predicted?

During Editor Rae Laird’s absence from duties here, the Register-Call still went to press under the guiding hand of George McClure, who has less than two years’ experience in make-up and cylinder feeding. Extended in this column is a vote of thanks for his ingenuity and ability. He has those many essentials that he has graduated now from a “Printer’s Devil” to a real full-fledged printer.

From beginning to end, President Eisenhower’s inaugural address expressed strong and courageous views and was a stirring message and an historic one. Its tone and content clearly showed that the U.S. is ready to take her rightful place in world affairs.

You can’t eat taxes. But you must pay more for taxes than you do for food and clothing combined! We have reached the point where the tax burden is the largest single item of expense to millions of American families. It is generally believed that the danger point to a nation’s strength and vigor is reached when taxes accounting for 25 percent of the national income goes for taxes.

Dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from auto exhausts, home space heaters, or defective chimney connections are back again with winter.

A Day’s Work – ever since I graduated from the 4^th grade in school, I have noticed that each year I have had to work harder and got less than the year before. Now I have found out the cause of this hard- work- for- less, as follows:

Population of the U.S. ……………………. 150,000,000

People 65 years or older……………….….. 52,000,000

Balance left to work…………………………..98,000,000

People 21 years or younger……………….54,000,000

People working for the government.…21,000,000

Balance left to work……………………….23,000,000

People in armed forces…………………….10,000,000

Balance left to work………………………….13,000,000

People in state and city government…12,800,000

Balance left to work……………………………….200,000

People in hospitals, asylums, etc……………..26,000

Balance left to work…………………………………74,000

Bums and others refusing to work……………62,000

Balance left to work…………………………………12,000

Persons in jail……………………………………….….11,908

Balance left to work………………………………….……..2

Two? Just two. You and I – and you’d better get a wiggle on – I’m tired of doing all the work alone.

90 Years Ago – February 2, 1923

  Rubye De Remer in “Pilgrims of the Night,” in six reels will be the picture at the opera house on Saturday evening.

Matrimony is presumed to pay good dividends, but often it doesn’t even cough up the interest.

If German marks keep on going down they will soon make an awful hole in the ground – or perhaps strike oil.

Mining appears to be picking up all over the country, due to increase in prices of copper, lead and zinc, and it looks as though the turning point has been reached for better times.

Get busy and provide yourself with a good income for 1923. The income tax collector wants it, and you should not disappoint him.

The county road from Apex to Elk Park has been shoveled out, and now teams can go through to American City. This is the first time the road has been open since November 4, 1922.

Died: In Central City, January 29, 1923, William Dickerson, aged 61 years.

Carload shipments of ore were made this week by leasers on the Druid Mine to the smelter at Leadville, loaded on the cars at Central City, a car from the Jupiter-St. Clair Mine, loaded at Black Hawk, for shipment to the same place, a car from the Wain Mine to the concentrator at Idaho Springs, and a carload from the Rara Avis property, also loaded at Black Hawk, for the smelter at Leadville.

Several members of the Thomas family, residing in Chase Gulch, are down with pneumonia.

In the two games of basketball, played last Saturday evening at the school gymnasium, between the local team and a team from Idaho Springs and the corresponding teams of the Gilpin County and the Idaho Springs high schools, both games were won by the Gilpin County teams.

Four inches of snow fell last Friday in Apex and the high wind of Saturday drifted the road so that it had be shoveled out. On Monday and Tuesday, the mail came through by auto.

120 Years Ago-February 3, 1893

Silver = 83 7/8; Lead = $3.80

A few days ago the water in the main shaft of the Buell Mine was lowered to a point below the 400 foot level and the debris at that level is now being removed.

January is invariably considered the dullest month of the year not only with the business men but also with the mill men. A trip through the stamp mills made this week convinced the reporter that the mining industry is far from being on the wane. The mills running all seemed to be pretty well supplied with ore, the only complaint met with being that of scarcity of water. 

  Last week, Mr. A. G. Elliott reached the 110 foot levels in the Harkaway Mine. The east level which is in 80 feet was badly caved in places, and it will require considerable time and outlay of money to clean it of the debris and retimber it. The level opposite is in the 110 feet level and shows a strong body of mill dirt and ore that is said to have yielded 3 ounces gold per cord when worked by the Valley View Mining Company.

The Corydon is turning out enough stamp mill ore daily to keep 25 stamps dropping. From Mr. Daniel Procunier, one of the oldest and most continuous residents of Hawkeye District, who was in from Wide Awake on Saturday, we learn that he has interested a number of Denver gentlemen with him in the Procunier Lode, which in an early day was known as the Wide Awake Lode, and relocated by him several years ago.

Mr. Sisty and a pool of men have a lease and bond on the Dew Drop and Mountain Chief mines on Tip Top Mountain. Development work on both properties will henceforth go forward more rapidly than ever.

Next to a funeral the saddest sight is to see an Italian eating macaroni, and ill-bred women eating grapes at a table d’hote.

The people of Clear Creek County have taken action on the proposed forest reserve, and have circulated petitions protesting against the establishment of such a reserve as proposed by Mr. Edgar T. Ensign.

Senator Henry C. Bolsinger came up from Denver Saturday evening and spent Sunday with his family in Nevadaville, returning in time to take his seat in the senate on Monday.

A Washington press dispatch under date of January 28, says: The small Colorado colony in Washington has been temporarily increased by the presence in the city of Mr. Hal Sayr, a prominent Denver mining man. Mr. Sayr’s wife is in very bad health. She has been under the care of Dr. Hammond at his sanitarium for some weeks and it is that draws Mr. Sayr to the capital. The doctor has notified Mr. Sayre that his wife must be removed to a different climate and so he has made all arrangements to spend the remainder of the winter in Cuba. Just when he will sail has not been determined.

Old time cut-and-dried parlor proposals are out of date. An Eurkea Street maid tells how she received and accepted a proposal a short time ago while whirling around in the maze of a “two-step” waltz at a social dance.

Now is the time to begin cleaning up the alleys. Spring will soon be here and the city should be placed in proper condition. Much sickness during the coming summer can in this way be averted. It is cheaper than doctor’s bills.

“Necessity is the mother of invention.” This truism is most aptly illustrated as you watch the old bachelor run a nail through his lace fringe on the upper border of his every-day overalls to hold up his lonely suspender.

The residence of Mr. John Chapman, near Casey Avenue, just below the Truan dwelling was quarantined last Sunday morning by order of the health office of the city, against scarlet fever.

The standing price for trimming Van Dyke beards has been fixed by the barbers at 25 cents.

Steve Cronin, having served out his sentence passed upon him by Judge Becker for assault, that of fifteen days in the county jail, was let out last Sunday. Sunday night he made himself quite obnoxious to the female inmates of one of the temples of illicit love on Pine Street. He was again arrested by Marshal Kelleher on Monday and fined $10 and costs. Not having any money, he was committed to the city cooler for 17 days.

Born: In Central City, February 1, 1893, to the wife of John Kruse, a son.

Born:  In Russell Gulch, January 30, 1893, to the wife of John Clemmons, a daughter.

Born: In Nevadaville, January 31, 1893, to the wife of James Taylor, a daughter.

Born In Central City, January 18, 1893, to the wife of John Hoskin, a daughter.

Deacon John Ballard has sent a challenge to city clerk Robert Haight of Central City, to skate a five-mile race at the rink on Gregory Street.

The grammar and high school departments of the school have organized into two divisions for rhetorical exercises.

The tourist rate to Colorado common points will be $25 during the World’s Fair.

Thirty-two head of beef cattle – two cars – arrived in Black Hawk this morning, consigned to William Harvey and Henry Dennis of this city. The beeves were in good condition.

There was a perfect jam at the ice skating rink last Saturday evening, 85 skaters being engaged in skating at one time.

The anchor ice is raising old Ned along North Clear Creek. On Monday men were at work in cutting a water-way in the ice just above the Polar Star Stamp Mill. The overflow of water at that point promised to inundate the track of the railroad and tramway companies.

It is preposterous to look for sentiment in people who regard buckwheat cakes a breakfast.

135 Years Ago – January 26, 1893

  We learn that this morning about 9:30 o’clock, the Humestown House at Idaho Springs, which changed hands yesterday, caught fire in the third story and was soon entirely destroyed. The fire also spread to Gaw’s Brewery and the dwellings adjoining, which were quickly consumed. There was no insurance as far as we could learn on any of the property.

Electric candles are the sensation in Paris. They emit no heat or smoke whatsoever, while in brilliancy they hold the same ration to gas and oil lamps as sun to moonlight, and the cost only one-fifteenth as much as gas. It is hailed as one of the greatest discoveries of the century.

30 Years Ago – January 28, 1983

  It took only a few seconds before Judge Winston Wolvington in District Court for the charges to be dismissed against Steven Lee Bradley. Bradley was charged with the first degree murder of David Harden Dockery whose body was found on Alps Hill October 27. Charges against Gilbert Orr, who was arrested along with Bradley, had been dismissed at the preliminary hearing in December. According to the district attorney, there is not enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The evidence and probable cause were based on personal statements from witnesses that incriminated Bradley and Orr. The problem arose when every one of the witnesses changed their testimonies and gave different stories after their initial statements.

They originally asked for $7.5 million, but they only received $11,524. After a day and a half of deliberation, the six-member jury returned a verdict in the case of Linda Millican and Nigel Clayton vs. Rick and Shirley Wolf and Bobby Dietz. The suit was brought after Millican’s and Clayton’s two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, April, was tragically killed when a vending machine in the Soda Saloon in Central City apparently fell on her on September 19, 1981. Jurors found the Wolfs, who owned the business, and Dietz, who owned the vending machine, guilty of negligence. The trial began January 19, in District Court, after a full day of searching for jurors. Twenty-five had been called but for various reasons the lawyers were unable to find six acceptable jurors, so the sheriff went out in the streets, local bars and restaurants, nabbing people, about 12, and taking them to the courtroom as prospective jurors, until a jury was finally impaneled.

The Henderson Mine near Empire, and the Climax Mine near Leadville, will remain closed indefinitely. About 2,000 employees are affected. They were to return to work April 4, after a six-month shutdown. Large molybdenum inventories and low sales forced the decision on AMAX.

The new material for the permanent repair to the Gilpin RE-1 gym roof, which suffered severe wind damage January 10, is on order from the manufacturer.

Over 50 people from various county, city and state road departments, along with several private contractors showed up Tuesday morning for a two-day snow-plowing demonstration featuring the Galion A600 All-Wheel Drive Motorgrader with a straight front plow and the International 530 Loader with a single plow. The event was hosted by the H.W. Moore Equipment Company. Making several passes the machines demonstrated their power and traction by plowing the road from Apex, sometimes in waist-deep snow, to the top of the hill near American City. Both machines suffered breaks to the boxed 3/8” steel framework, which anchored the plow hydraulics to the plow, when the blades caught on large rocks. However, the plows, with plenty of help from the crowd, were chained into position and the plowing continued. During a coffee break, one of the Galion’s operators demonstrated its ability to get five of its six wheels off the ground. Gilpin County Road Supervisor Bobby Clay said that although the road is now open, the county will not continue to plow it.

The cross country ski traffic up the Tolland road seems lighter this year, particularly judging from the number of stops made in Rollinsville.

John Myers of Golden, the executive vice president and cashier of Gilpin County Bank, became a $10,000 winner in the new state lottery Wednesday. His winning ticket was purchased at the grocery store in Black Hawk.

On December 31, 1982, Frank Gates retired from 50 years of service with the Central City Opera House Association. During those 50 years, “Pancho” did just about everything and anything connected with the Opera Festival and the historic properties. His artistic pursuits, in and out of the theater, have gained for him outstanding recognition and numerous awards. Gates, who has been painting since 1919, currently has an exhibit of recent paintings at the Mermaid Café. He said he will paint and do a little gardening.

Gilpin County was saddened to learn of the death of Luella R. Fritz on Tuesday of this week. She had been a resident of Black Hawk for many years.

Brian and Sue Adams are continuing to open their lake for ice skating at the times noted on the sign just at the entryway to the Blue Spruce acreage south of Rollinsville on Hwy 119.

The Booster Club, newly formed at Gilpin County School this year, is in the midst of its first membership drive. There is a reserved section at the home games for Booster Club members.

Black Hawk City Council announced: “After February 1, 1983, any dog found running loose without a tag may be subject to disposal.” The City offers free dog tags at City Hall.

Lisa Lorenz, daughter of Bill and Kay Lorenz of Black Hawk, has left for a semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. She is a junior majoring in accounting at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

Mini storage units are now available for rent in the north county. They are located just west of Rollinsville on Tolland Road.

60 Years Ago – January 30, 1953

  The “Virus” epidemic is riding rough-shod up and down the crooked little streets of Central City, and creeping into many of the homes. Today, the grade school students, those not already home with the “flu” – were dismissed until Thursday when it is hoped the epidemic will have run its course.

Old land marks continue to disappear from their accepted and designated spots along the horizon which forms the panorama which is Gilpin County. The little frame house which adjoins the Public Service substation was dismantled recently – everything came down, including the flag-pole. With each pass through Black Hawk, it seems there is a little less that remains standing of the “Fifties Mill.”

Another one of Russell Gulch’s earlier residents has gone. Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon for Wm. Joyce.

Noticed the sign on the Old Gold Store, owned and operated by Clyde Dunahay, has blown down under the pressure of the turbulent wind that has been howling about Central City this last week. It seems that that wind ought to quit blowing now that November has gone and passed.

On January 31, the Pick and Pan Square Dance Club will hold its last dance of the season. Ordinarily the club holds dances every other Saturday all through the winter months, but due to lack of attendance the club has to disband.

The pinnated grouse, or prairie chicken, is trying to stage a comeback, with the help of the nation and many states, including Colorado. The National Wildlife federation has announced creation of a national committee to formulate a long-range plan to preserve the prairie chicken and restore its dwindling numbers.

It is officially stated that the famous collection of gems and precious stones, the Russian crown jewels, is to be sold in foreign markets “To help stabilize the Russian rouble.”

In answer to many inquiries, Rae Laird, the owner and editor of this newspaper is still in Denver recuperating from an attack of pneumonia. Tommy Miller has offered George McClure his able assistance in getting the paper out on time and in reasonable shape.

90 Years Ago – January 26, 1923

  Passengers arriving on Tuesday morning’s train brought reports of extremely cold weather in Middle Park, just across the Gore range from Routt County. At Tabernash, the temperature Sunday night is said to have been 58 below zero, while in Steamboat Springs it did not go down quite to 23 below.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Willis accompanied their son George to Denver on Friday morning where he underwent an x-ray examination to ascertain how badly the bones of his right arm were broken, and have the same attended to. He was playing basketball with companions Thursday evening and in his efforts to throw the ball, the bones of his right arm between the elbow and shoulder were fractured, caused by a muscular contraction.

Messrs. Jake Robeson, Joe Oxley, and William Woodward drove over from Idaho Springs Saturday by auto to discuss the old worn-out proposition of the consolidation of lower Clear Creek County with Gilpin County. They received very little encouragement for their scheme, but enjoyed themselves in meeting with our people.

It takes a wise person to know when to begin, when to stop, and what to say in between.

The “flu” has broken out in many parts of the country and appears to be increasing, and orders have been sent out from Washington to “let down the bars” to physicians who prescribe liquor to their patients, so as to overcome and control the disease. As far as we have been able to learn there has been no cases reported in the mountain districts, and we hope it will pass us by.

The Moffat Railroad has been tied up for a couple of weeks due to the burning of a bridge across Bull Creek, 25 miles west of Denver. The bridge was located between tunnels No. 2 and 3, a short distance west of Plainfield, was nearly 200 feet long, and spanned a gulch 100 feet deep, the sides of which were both steep and covered with loose rock, which made a transfer very difficult until a trail was constructed. Passengers and mail matter have been transferred at this point, and the company expects to have the bridge completed so that traffic can be resumed by the end of the day.

For the first time in history, three women are members of Congress this Wednesday.

In Apex: Thermometers 2 below on Sunday and 6 above on Monday. But during the day the weather has been fine for January, about the same as a January thaw.

A fellow in Denver answered an advertisement in a sporting periodical offering to ship “steam cookers” to anybody in the United States who would send a dollar. He sent the dollar, and when the “cooker” arrived, it was a complete moonshine still, with all the extra parts carefully packed. A federal probe of the Chicago Company will probably result.

Fred Casagranda died at the home of his sister, in Denver, during the week.

Joe Casper is hauling a carload of ore from Russell Gulch to the cars in Central for shipment to Leadville.

The lot of high-grade mineral shipped from the Atlantic Mine, Hughesville, to the sampling works and concentrator in Idaho Springs last week, weighed 4,375 pounds, and brought back a check over all expenses of $1,132. There was very little gold and some lead values in the ore, but from the returns given, it will readily be seen that the ore carried over 500 ounces silver to the ton.

If some people had to live by their wits, they would never be born.

Blake Brothers commenced this morning to load another car of mill ore from the Wain Mine, for shipment to the Idaho Springs concentrator.

Funny things happen in this old world of ours’, and the latest comes from West Virginia, where a woman sues a shoe manufacturer for $5,000 for the loss of her toes. She was seated at an open gas fire to warm her feet, when the shoes exploded and her toes were so badly injured that they had to be amputated. The suit charged the manufacturer that he had used celluloid instead of leather in the inner lining of the shoe tip. With paper soles and celluloid tips now taking the place of leather in foot apparel, wonders never cease.

120 Years Ago – January 27, 1893

The number of marriage licenses granted by county clerk and recorder J. S. Updegraff during 1892 – leap year – numbers 56.

A short time ago several of the window-lights at the residence of Mr. Ed. L. Harris were broken after night, since which time City Marshal Kelleher, having his suspicions as to the guilty party, kept his weather eye open. On Tuesday evening there was a repetition of the same nature, only that the rocks were thrown through the skylight of Mr. Harris’ bedroom. The guilty party who proved to be a miner named Northey, was caught by Nightwatch Ede and landed in the cooler.

Born: In Central City, January 24, 1893, to the wife of Michael Connor, a son.

Born: In Central City, January 23, 1893, to the wife of William Keast, a daughter.

Born: In Central City, January 13, 1893, to the wife of Richard Williams, a son.

Died: In Black hawk, January 20, 1893, Charles D. Hicks, aged 60 years.

Irwin Mahon, president and manager of the Colorado State Bureau of Information, is here collating statistics relating to the mines of the county, which will be used at the World’s Fair in Chicago, where an office is to be opened for the express purpose of giving correct information regarding this industry, of every mining county in the state.

Mr. G. W. Hill last Monday was busily engaged in loading a car at Black Hawk with ore from his Hill Mine on the Mineral Farm. Some of the chunks of ore were so large that they required two men to put them from the wagon into the car. These were clear mineral.

An Austrian named Peter Conti, who is engaged as a trammer in the incline shaft on the Gregory Mine at Black Hawk, met with very serious injuries last Sunday afternoon about 3 o’clock. He had climbed up about 20 feet to an electric signal station and signaled for a loaded car to be hoisted. On getting down again, he made an attempt to step onto the steel wire rope, which was his custom, and ride up in front of the car. In some way or another he missed the rope and the car caught him, jamming him to one side, the car passing on up the incline. His back was badly bruised, as well as other portions of his body.

The reason given by several Central City bachelors for not marrying last year is they were too gallant to try to usurp the ladies’ prerogatory of proposing in leap year. Now they propose to go in and win.

The ice on Missouri Lakes was never better for harvesting for summer use than at the present time. It is very clear and of unusual thickness.

The Alice Mining & Milling Company was incorporated last Friday in Denver, with a capital stock of $5,000,000. The company will operate in Arapahoe, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties The principal seat of active operations will be at the head of Fall river, Clear Creek County, sixteen miles west of Idaho Springs. The company owns 876 acres of mineral land at the head of the river, including good placer ground as well as well-developed lodes of low grade gold ore.

The Black Hawk girl who wore suspenders last summer now wears them as stocking-supporters.

The Union Pacific has adopted a new system for carrying freight into the mountains. Their former custom was to have two engines haul seven cars, but now three engines take up eleven cars, two engines do the hauling as far as the Forks of the Creek, the third following behind doing the pushing. The third then hauls the cars consigned to Black Hawk and Central from that place to the City of Quartz mills.

The Miller Brothers have housed their supply of ice for the summer’s use, amounting in the aggregate to over four hundred tons.

Black Hawk’s Marshal Backus reports that the flow of water from springs for the past week has fallen off considerable, and unless the near future brings snow suffering will surely result.

You’d scarce expect one of my age in merchandise to engage, and hope to get a paying trade, without the local paper’s aid.

  And yet I did that very thing; I opened up a store last spring-this month the sheriff took my stock and sold it from the auction block.

  Don’t view me with scornful eye, but simply say as I pass by, there goes a man who seems to think he has no use for printer’s ink.

There is a truth as broad as earth, and business men should know its worth; ‘tis simply this: The public buys its goods from those who advertise.

135 Years Ago – January 19, 1878

  The Liberty Pole, which has been standing in the Public Square in Black Hawk for about seven years, fell yesterday morning about 10 o’clock, the upper portion of the pole falling across the hindermost part of a quartz wagon to which a team of mules was attached. Fortunately no person was hurt nor any damage done.  The pole was much decayed, but the fall was directly caused by a stay of the railroad derrick. This pole, for about six years, stood on the north side of Selak Street, and was afterwards removed to the Public Square.

30 Years Ago – January 21, 1983

  The route over Rollins Pass, one of Colorado’s most scenic mountain passes, has been closed now for over three years and it looks like it will remain closed a while longer. The road was closed in 1979 because of a cave-in in the Needle’s Eye Tunnel, which is located in Boulder County about 13 miles north of East Portal on the pass road. Estimates of the costs of repairing the tunnel are around $100,000. However the tunnel is not the only thing keeping the road closed. An estimate to repair the two trestles located just west of the tunnel is about $1 million. When the tunnel collapsed, and the trestles were found to be unsafe, the Forest Service closed the road. Signs were posted, however people just tore them down, cleared the rock out of the tunnel and kept right on driving over the road through the tunnel and across the trestles. Next summer, the Forest Service plans to physically barricade the road with boulders and dirt. Just about everybody agrees that reopening Rollins Pass would be wonderful. However money to make the repairs has been unavailable. In the meantime, a group of four-wheel-drive enthusiasts has requested the use of the old wagon road over the pass. The problem with that, according to Gilpin County Engineer Hal Donnelly, is that about a quarter of a mile of the road, on a knife-edged ridge, shallowly covers a gas pipeline and “if somebody drags a differential across that pipeline, they’ll go way high.” The gas line was put in in the late 1960’s to bring gas to Dillon and Vail and carries 600 pounds of pressure. Johnson said any vehicle which accidentally broke the line would “take flying lessons.”

  Jim Russell is the new deputy district attorney assigned to Gilpin County. He said he expects there will be less plea bargaining now, more cases being filed, and more preparation time in the future in Gilpin County.

  Half of the last house at the top of Backus Street in Black Hawk was gutted by fire early yesterday morning. The fire was believed to start in a closet which was right behind the wood (cook) stove. The kitchen area is a total loss. The owner of the home, Sandy Meyers, was not home at the time of the fire. About six Black Hawk firemen were on the scene within eight minutes of receiving the call. The Central City Fire Department assisted, sending first the scat truck and later the pumper truck as well as extra men.

  Six children were injured in a one-car accident on Highway 119, six miles south of Black Hawk on Saturday evening, when the station wagon they were traveling in went off the left side of the road while passing another southbound vehicle. The car struck a guard rail, ripping off the left rear door of the car and skidding 142 feet across the road. Three of the children were ejected. All but one were treated and released from Lutheran Medical Center. The youngest, a two-year-old boy, remained in serious condition with a broken leg, punctured leg, broken pelvis, multiple bruises, internal injuries and a torn urethra. The driver has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and other charges.

  Officer Daniel Boone was appointed as a full-time Central City police officer on January 10. He takes the position which became available upon the resignation of Vicki Banyai.

  County Court Judge Andrew Krodshen swore in five elected county officials Monday morning: Don Diltz (Commissioner, District Two), Judy Smith (Clerk and Recorder), Glenda Allen (Assessor), Leslie Williams (Coroner) and Rosetta Anderle (Sheriff).

  The Central City Business Association gives its enthusiastic approval to a public restroom program, and offers its total support, whether it be mental, physical or financial to the City of Central government.

  A chimney fire at Michael and Martha Hall’s residence in Lakeview damaged a wall, the ceiling and rafters, doing an estimated $1,000 worth of damage. High Country Fire Department responded with six men and two trucks.

  After an executive session, the Gilpin RE-1 School Board announced their consensus to accept the Gibbins children as non-resident students, based on certain restrictions. A policy amendment will be drawn up, allowing acceptance of non-resident students, contingent upon space availability, and will include a variance clause on tuition payments, based on financial need.  The family’s three children had been long-standing students of Gilpin RE-1, but were asked to leave when it was learned that the family’s new house is located in Clear Creek County. Their property, located in Peck Gulch, straddles the two school districts’ boundary line, but is closer and more accessible to Gilpin than Clear Creek. Superintendent Fred Meyers said the effort made by the children to get to school last semester was commendable, considering the significant weather and climate conditions they are faced with where they live-about one mile past Pisgah Lake off the Columbine Campground road, which is not maintained. The students must walk 3.6 miles to the Boodle Mine or 1.8 miles cross country to Apex Road to catch the school bus. The walk to a Clear Creek bus is five miles down to Fall River Road over a significant decline. Tuition will be waived for the Gibbins children for the remainder of the current school year.

  Odds are, somebody’s going to win $10,000 next week. (Colorado Lottery)

60 Years Ago – January 23, 1953

  According to many of the members of the Assembly, if there is to be a general increase in the salaries of state employees the members of the Legislature are going to share in the raises. At present they get $2,400 for the two years. There is a movement to increase the total paid them to $3,600 for the two years.

  A blizzard is howling ominously outside tonight – an old-fashioned, honest-to-goodness blizzard, with gusty winds, and a soft blanket of freshly fallen snow, which is being plastered against trees and buildings like crystal stucco.

  The Republicans have spent something over $700,000 for Eisenhower’s Inaugural celebration – a tidy little sum to invest in an exchange of titles – from General to President – from five stars to forty-eight stars.

  It seems that almost everyone is sick in bed with the flue, a virus infection of the broncular tubes or has pneumonia.

  You have to be married, girls, if you are going to compete in the pancake flipping race in Idaho Springs February 14^th. And you have to wear skirts, something of the type of dress worn by a housewife, plus a head scarf and an apron. Ordinary street shoes will be worn and low heels will be permitted although not running spikes. The length of the race course is 415 yards, down Miner Street, starting at the high school corner and continuing east to a point approximately opposite the old C & S railroad train. Each contestant will be furnished with a skillet, or she may bring her own, and she will be supplied with pancakes, and she must flip the pancakes as she runs. If the contestant drops a pancake, she may recover it and continue with no penalty.

  News is scarce this week, but Russell Gulch is still on the map even if the wind still blows.

  Gold receipts hit a postwar high and silver receipts reached an all-time high at the Denver Mint last year. Officials of the Denver Mint said that 1952 receipts of gold, $805,918 ounces worth $28,207,121 were the highest since the $47,500,000 total of 1942. Receipts of silver amounted to 2, 459,674 ounces worth $2,225,018. The largest previous receipts came to $1,700,000 in 1933.

  Nearly one million dollars has been paid to small mine operators in uranium production bonuses in the Colorado plateau during the last two years.

  Mr. R. L. Laird, the proprietor and editor of this antique newspaper, had to go back down to Denver the first of the week with pneumonia. That is the reason for this paper being in such sad shape this week with a hundred and one mistakes. Please don’t write in canceling your subscription because the boss will be back to get things back to normal.

90 Years Ago – January 19, 1923

  Central City Marshal, Street & Water Commissioner Gray, reports the city water supply as excellent; that all matters are in good shape; that a difference exists between himself and the mayor as to boys using the sidewalks of the city for roller skating, that he had forbidden the boys doing so, and felt that he had the support of the citizens in so doing.

  At the Central City Council meeting on January 11^th, the City fathers ordered that all boys and girls be stopped from using the sidewalks of the city for purposes of roller skating, wagon coasting and sleigh riding. A room in the Harris block on Main Street, is to be fitted up for the convenience of the boys and girls for roller skating, basketball, etc.

  Two fine pieces of ore are on exhibition in the window of the drug store in this city, one from the property being worked by Earl Dickerson in the Perigo section, and the other from development work being done in the northern section of the county by the Gold Lodge Mining Company.

  Keep your thoughts to yourself and you won’t lose them.

  The first capture in the sensational $200,000 currency robbery at the Denver Mint, in which four desperadoes on Dec. 18 held up and robbed a United States Federal Reserve truck, killing Charles T. Linton of the reserve bank guard, was made by the police on Sunday night. But it was that of a dead man, crouched in the front seat of a Buick automobile found abandoned in a garage at 1631 Gilpin Street, with a bullet hole thru the left hand and another thru the heart.

  Golden Transcript: One of the peculiar happenings incidental to the terrific wind storms, which prevailed in this section last week and this was the starting up of the fire in the old White Ash Mine dump, at the western end of Twelfth Street. It has been thirty-six years since this mine was closed by the disaster which cost the lives of several men. For years after the mine was closed the huge culm piles continued to send forth clouds of smoke, but no one had any idea that there was any vestige of fire left after all these years. The continuous wind fanned the fire back to life, and on two or three spots on the big dump, sparks were seen flying.

  A river is just like our experience in life. The farther it goes, the wider it gets.

  It would seem School District No.1, Central City, intends to inaugurate an air service to transport pupils from District No. 6, which they have just consolidated, since there is no public highway for a vehicle transportation line. Great business ideals to have the pupils come from Wide Awake and Hughesville past the Quartz Valley school house, where the pupils legally belong. If the air service is a success, we better have the Government inaugurate a mail service from Black Hawk to Apex during the winter months, to save the expense of keeping our roads clear of snowdrifts.

  The move of the French government officials in marching into Germany has already resulted in serious trouble, and several Germans have been killed, and many wounded. This is the start of trouble which is sure to bring on another war between these two nations, and if it does come, America will take no hand in it.

  John Gilliikson is tearing down the old State Ore sampling works, just below the Black Hawk depot, and is hauling the lumber to his ranch to be used in building sheds and other buildings.

  The contractors will finish their work on the flume in Black Hawk by Saturday evening, and as soon as Marshal Klais is able to secure timber and lumber, the top will be covered and furnish a good sidewalk again.

  Mr. Cavnah shipped a car of second class ore from the Atlantic Mine at Hughesville, to the concentrator at Idaho Springs last Monday, and a third-cord wagon-load of first class to the sampling works at the same place.

  Mr. Eugene Perley shipped a carload of high grade silver ore from the Black Jack Mine to the smelter at Leadville last week.

  If it is true that the good die young it is not to be wondered at that this is a sinful old world. Nobody is hankering to be bumped off.

120 Years Ago – January 20, 1893

  There is no means of measuring the depth of misery felt by the man who suddenly realizes that he has given away the good cigar out of his other pocket.

  The surplus Mormon wives who are to be unsealed had better husband their resources for a rainy day.

  There is a desire on the part of citizens of Russell Gulch to have increased mail facilities, in so far as a daily service and have drawn up a petition which will be forwarded to the Third Assistant Postmaster-General to have it increased to seven days a week.

  Without being slangy, it is perfectly correct to say that when a young man takes his best girl out on the ice and she cannot skate, he will have to let her slide.

  A large-sized Maxwell steam pump was received in Black Hawk on Wednesday for the Rialto Mining Company. Mr. Thomas Cody removed it to the mine in this city the same afternoon. The work of placing it has been commenced. Judging from the size of it there will be no more trouble after it is once placed in handling the water in the mine.

  The Buell Mine is now producing sufficient ore to keep 25 stamps of the New York Stamp Mill in Black Hawk employed during the day time and 15 or three batteries at night. This begins to look like former times when the Buell was a large producer of ore of good grade.

  Mrs. Leonard Schaffnit, of the Washington House, on Saturday evening won the handsome music box raffled for at Barker’s, Mr. J. R. Quigley throwing 42 at high dice, that being the manner in which it was raffled. It is very fine toned, and valued at $50.

  Silver = $83 7/8; Lead = $3.80

  Last Tuesday superintendent J. Ben Lewis reported an important strike in the 400 foot west level of the Gold Rock. He has driven a distance of 800 feet in this level, feeling confident that the miners would encounter ore. The crevice matter is widening as the level is extended. The stamp mill ore varies from 3 to 7 ounces gold per cord in its yield, while the smelting ore has increased in value greatly of late.

  The Corydon Mine pool for the first time in months cleaned up last month an average of 2 ½ ounces gold per cord from stamp mill dirt crushed from that mine. The backstope of the 600 foot level east has widened out and the character of the smelting ore has increased greatly in value.

Born: In Eureka district, January 18, 1893, to the wife of Fritz Gabel, a daughter.

Born: In Central City, January 13, 1893, to the wife of Charles Truscott, a son.

Born: In Central City, January 16, 1893, to the wife of Kenneth McCoy, a daughter. The little child died Thursday evening, January 19, and will be buried today.

Died: In Black Hawk, January 16, 1893, Victor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew G. Larsons, aged 3 years.

Some of the cotillion favors distributed at fashionable dances this winter are thought by experts to be worth as much as six and ten cents each at retail.

Mr. Joseph Retallack has completed tearing down the old Sheridan House and is piling up the lumber on the south side of Gregory Street, above the mouth of the Bobtail Tunnel. Messrs. Crook and Kellerup, owners of the old Sheridan House, have leased the ground upon which the building stood to some parties in this city, who next week will commence work in digging to bed-rock, for the purpose of securing the placer gold that abounds in that section, and also continuing the development of the bed of tailings that was uncovered under that building some time ago. The gulch at that point was never worked in the early days, and the prospects are very favorable for good returns.

Mr. Carlson, section boss of the Union Pacific at this end of the road, between here and the Forks of the Creek, was busy the fore part of the week, in ballasting up the track to the siding from the main track down to the Cashier Mill. The first cars over the new siding were sent down Tuesday, and consisted of two car-loads of coal for use at the new concentration works at the Cashier Mill.

Shrove Tuesday and St. Valentine’s Day fall upon the same date this year. It will be a revel that will at least make the first of Lent welcome.

The citizens of Black Hawk were very much surprised Wednesday afternoon on hearing the sound of a bass drum, which called them to the front doors of their business places and residences along Gregory and Main streets. It was only a parade of masked persons who served as an advertisement for the masquerade carnival which took place that evening at the ice skating rink on Gregory Street. The maskers also visited Central.

135 Years Ago – January 19, 1878

  The Denver Times backs us in saying that Gilpin County may well be proud of her new Opera House.

Mr. McHolland, Mr. Palmer, and another gentlemen were married on last Sunday at La Veta to Kate Lewis, Addie Patterson, and Laura Patterson, in a joke as all parties supposed, but the party who tied the knot was in dead earnest, and was a magistrate. Three divorce cases will be the result.