30 years ago – June 22, 1990
A local citizen phoned the sheriff’s office just after 5:30 Saturday evening to report that a man had just removed a tombstone from the Catholic cemetery and driven off with it in his car. A bulletin was put over the air for law enforcement officers to be on the lookout for the man, and the State Patrol spotted him just beyond Tunnel 1 near Golden. Brett Weldon Bell, 31, of Denver, was charged by the State Patrol with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving under revocation. He was turned over to Gilpin County authorities, who added charges of desecration of a venerated object and felony theft. Bond was set at $2,000, and Bell came up with the money on Tuesday, June 18. He is scheduled to return to Gilpin County on Monday, where he will be advised of the final charges. The headstone, which Bell reportedly said marked the grave of a relative, was recovered. Six markers have been reported stolen from the Idaho Springs cemetery in recent weeks.
Delta Company of the 244th Engineer Battalion has been visible on Lawrence Street in Central City all this week. The “Delta Dawgs” are building a new—and historically accurate—bell tower for Washington Hall. Expect to see the bell in the new tower one day next week. Besides rebuilding the bell tower in Central City, the “Dawgs” are tackling a few projects out at Gilpin County School. The most ambitious task is enlargement of the football field and carving bleachers out of the side of the hill that overlooks the field. The Army Reserve is donating its time, effort, and equipment for these projects—Gilpin School and Central City are providing the necessary materials. It’s an arrangement that pleases everyone. The school gets a first-rate football field; Central City gets a new bell tower; and the “Dawgs” get to spend two weeks camping out at Gilpin County School, which has one of the loveliest views in the area.
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