Turning Back the Pages

30 years ago – September 12, 1986

A fire in the Gilpin Gardens Subdivision totally destroyed the second floor of a home last Friday. The home, which is owned by Charles H. Morgan, also sustained heavy smoke and water damage to the first floor. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Morgan’s son, Rick Morgan, 21, was awakened by popping sounds and upon investigation, he noticed flames on the north side of the house. Rick Morgan went to wake up his mother, Julia, and his two sisters, Cindy and Melody. They were able to escape the fire by climbing through a window above the garage on the south side of the house. Charles Morgan was at work. The High Country Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call with eight fire trucks and 16 firefighters. Fire Chief Dave Thomas said Monday that they spent six hours on the call. The Gilpin County ambulance also responded to the call, but was not needed. The ladies of the HCVFD auxiliary were able to deliver a meal to the Morgans who are now staying with another son on South Beaver Creek Road.

In less than two weeks, the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Department has confiscated its second marijuana garden, but this time one of the people arrested was found to be wanted for the last two and a half years on three federal warrants. Last Saturday, responding to a tip the department received, a warrant was issued to search the residence of South Beaver Creek Road of John Harry and Sharon Ann Edwards, who were suspected of growing marijuana. Undersheriff David Martinez, Investigator Bruce Hartman, Deputy Jon Bayne (all of the Gilpin Sheriff’s Department), District Attorney’s Investigator Phil Anderson, and Idaho Springs Policeman Chris Wills made the bust involving $50,000 to $70,000 worth of marijuana. According to Bayne, 37 plants, eight converters to convert from 110 voltage to 220, eight 1,000 watt light bulbs, and fertilizer were seized from the garage of the residence. Wayne said the Edwards had only lived at the house a couple of weeks and alleged the plants must have been brought by the Edwards since they were already so big. Both of the Edwards were arrested on a felony charge of cultivating marijuana and conspiracy to cultivate marijuana. A $5,000 bond was set on each of the Edwards. By Monday, Sharon Edwards had been released on bond. John Edwards, alias John Grajek, is being held in federal custody in Denver, awaiting extradition to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is wanted by the FBI, the IRS, and the Drug Enforcement Agency on warrants “in connection with major distribution and trafficking of marijuana and cocaine,” according to Hartman. Harman explained that if Edwards is convicted on all the charges, he could receive up to a 100 year prison sentence. Bayne said Monday that the sheriff’s department plans to ask the DEA for reimbursement for the costs of making the bust.