Turning Back the Pages

30 years ago - March 31, 1989 The ever popular Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Elks Ladies, attracted many area children who scrambled in the Teller House Garden in search of the colorful eggs. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rabbit, giving out candy and hugs to children, as well as some big kids, are one of the focal points of the annual event. It’s Citizen of the Year time again. Nominations for the fifth annual award for Citizen of the Year are being accepted by the Gilpin County Chamber of Commerce. This year there are two categories for Citizen of the Year, both adult and youth. The award winners will be honored at a potluck dinner, which will be held May 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room of the Gilpin County School. Past winners of the award have included Fred Etzkorn, Norman Blake, Angelo di Benedetto, Bonnie Merchant, Murial Paul, and Jeannie Nicholson. Deadline for nominations is April 21. Nominating forms may be picked up at the Black Hawk Conoco or the Register-Call . The Social Register: Gilpin folks who celebrated their birthday anniversaries this blustery month of March: Heino Sunter, March 19; “Old Man Harris,” as referred to by his wife, Trish Harris, but more commonly known as Jeff Harris, March 21; Neil Dolezal, March 18; Phyllis Howe, March 12; and Elizabeth Dudney, March 10. John and Cathy Fickle were soaking up the warm sun’s rays on their trip to Tucson, Arizona, on March 24, 25, and 26. They used the excuse that they were playing golf to get away. Captain Bill Round reports that while working in Africa last month, the crew of a Russian ship came aboard his vessel asking to swap videos. Bill managed to slip “Red Dawn,” into the lot, but it was apparently not well received by the Russians. They came back the next day, “Red Dawn” in hand, asking if the Americans had anything “where the Russians don’t all get killed.” Died: Michael Ryan Mills died Friday, March 24, 1989, from injuries suffered in a 200 foot fall down a mine shaft. He would have been two years old next month. Born April 9, 1987, Michael was the son of Doug and Sandi Mills. He was baptized at St. James United Methodist Church in Central City. Michael is remembered by family and friends as a bright, happy child with a beautiful smile. He was a good natured boy, and a delight to his family. He had just learned to walk last fall. In addition to his parents, Michael is survived by sisters Jennifer Lee Mills, Stacey Lynn Weimer, and Gina Marie Stephens, and a brother, Bart Allen Stephens. Graveside services were held March 29, 1989 at Bald Mountain Cemetery, with Dr. Frank Court of St. James United Methodist Church officiating. Arrangements were handled by Tomford Mortuary in Idaho Springs. Died: Martha D. Boyd of Grand Junction, formerly of Black Hawk, died March 24, 1989, in St. Mary’s Hospital at the age of 84. A resident of Grand Junction for 39 years, she previously worked in the family’s hardware store and was a homemaker. Born April 22, 1904 in Black Hawk to Thomas E. and Beatrice Quiller Dunstone, she spent her childhood in Black Hawk and Denver. She graduated from elementary school in Black Hawk, and graduated from high school in Denver. She attended the University of Denver. In 1927 she moved to Chile with her husband, later returning to the United States in 1941. They moved to Grand Junction in 1950, after residing in Bishop, California. Boyd was a member of the Antiquarian Club. She enjoyed antiques and collectibles, in addition to outings to mining properties. She is survived by one son and a daughter in law, Dunston F. and Marilyn Boyd of Henderson, Nevada; her granddaughter, Sharon E. Boyd of Grand Junction; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held March 27, 1989, in Marin Mortuary. Burial followed in Orchard Mesa Cemetery. Those who wish may make memorial gifts to the charity of their choice. 60 years ago - April 10, 1959 Central City Nuggets: Across the Crossroads, by A.F. Mayham : Chas. Newmeyer, long time editor of the Mining Record , is in the hospital suffering from a blood clot in his left lower perambulator. It has long been tradition that editors have a right to be ailing from time to time. Some have heart trouble, some are weak in the head, some have writer’s cramp, some use cuss words profusely, and some get tired in their pedal extremities. Most every editor has to possess a certain degree of diplomacy as mistakes will happen; in the printing trade mistakes and errors are unknown. Those that occur are designated blunders, or a better word is errata on the part of a “muttonhead.” Editors usually put the finger of scorn on the Linotype operator or the proof reader, but the old backroom adage still holds good when errata creeps in and “follow copy if it goes out the window” used to be standard practice. Charley is getting along as well as could be expected, excusing his life’s vocation. Ray Mohler, an old-time news hound, is at the helm and steering the boat of the Fourth Estate around the shoals and reefs of erudition. Editors brought up in the old time religion had an idea that they had to blue pencil manuscripts (a matter of policy) with the result that the article was “bawled” up, and there are a few of them left but they had one thing drilled into their craniums: the who, what, where, why, and when of an article. Modern “rewriters” go all around Robin Hood’s barn to get to the point of an article, stretch it out and fill in with a lot of meaningless phraseology. Editorials are in a class by themselves—not to be regarded as news items—but solely the opinion of the writer and usually their influence is best where they are least known. As we stated last week, we are extremely tired of this weather. The clerk of the weather gave us two days of nice weather, and then made up for it by overcast skies and snow on Tuesday. Weather reports state “snow flurries in the mountains” and these flurries could consist of flurries between 2 inches and up to 2 feet. It’s so much easier to say “snow in the mountains” rather than flurries. However, noticed in the 60 years column that blow sera temperatures prevailed at that time, but we’re tired of this wet winter and want to bask under the warm rays of Old Sol so that we may discontinue wearing our red woolens, as they are beginning to itch now, after being sewed in them since last November. April showers bring May flowers is but a fallacy, and we wonder where in ‘ell are the showers. Yes, but where are the showers, as a foot of snow fell Tuesday night and Wednesday. Antonio Messina, who has been operating Tony’s Restaurant for the past year, has opened a new eating emporium at the site of Val’s Kitchen on Main Street, and assures all patrons the same delicious Italian and American foods that are found in his establishment on Lawrence Street. He intends catering to banquets and parties, and can seat 140 people at one time. “Tony” has been most successful at his place of business on Lawrence Street and, with the addition of his new cafe, hopes that his friends and visitors will enjoy his most excellent cuisine. Died: The body of Mrs. Mary E. Orahood, mother of A. T. Orahood, justice of the peace, will arrive here for burial tomorrow from Los Angeles, where she died Thursday night. Mrs. Orahood was a Colorado pioneer, having come to this state with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Hilary Hurlbert, in 1860. With her parents she settled in Black Hawk, where she was married to the late Judge Harper M. Orahood, in 1863. As a young bride she moved to Central City where her husband was engaged in the law practice with the late Senator Henry M. Teller. She was a member of the Episcopal Church and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Aside from magistrate Orahood, she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. W. W. Dale, and three sons, Harper H. and George H. Orahood of Denver, and William F. Orahood of Los Angeles.— Denver News Died: Funeral services for Mrs. Evelyn M. Woods, wife of Coroner William Woods of Jefferson County, and who died Friday of a heart attack, will be held at Calvary Episcopal Church in Golden at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. Woods was born in Central City, Colorado, in 1872, and for twenty years taught school in that vicinity. She was the daughter of Joseph Walker, a pioneer Gilpin County mining man. Since her marriage to Mr. Woods in 1905 she has lived in Golden. Besides her husband she is survived by a brother, Fred Walker, and two sisters, Mrs. Nellie Truman and Mrs. Chris Hesselbine of Los Angeles.— Denver Post Died: Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret Morris Becker, 82 years old, widow of the late Judge Clayton F. Becker, who died Monday afternoon, will be held Wednesday afternoon at her former residence in Denver, at 2 o’clock. Dean Benjamin D. Dagwell of St. John’s Cathedral will conduct the services. Interment will be in Fairmount Cemetery. Mrs. Becker had been a resident of Colorado nearly half a century. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and when a young girl moved to St. Louis, Missouri. Forty seven years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Becker came to Colorado from St. Louis. They settled in Central City and shortly after their arrival, Mr. Becker was elected judge of the district. He served eight years and then moved to Denver. Mrs. Becker is survived by two sons, Theodore Becker, Salt Lake City, and Dr. Hubert A. Becker, medical missionary in Guatemala, and three daughters, Mrs. A.L. Collins, Jennie M. and Ruth M. Becker of Denver.— Denver News Black Hawk Gold Dust: Mrs. Yvonne Marshall was up Saturday and moved some of the furniture from her house on Selak Street, which she rents from the City. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hartsock, while in this area on their honeymoon trip, spent a few days at the Hurst summer home in the Bear Mt. District. Mr. and Mrs. Gene Chaney were up from Denver last Sunday. They were celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary. Will Welsh, student at Colorado University, is to be the speaker at the Methodist Church services this Sunday morning. Will is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Welsh who live north of town. The Smith Hill Road has been closed temporarily. A large mud hole, the worst ever, has developed in the road about two miles above the junction with Highway 119. George and Gene Anderle, the district road crew, have hauled and dumped tons of rock in the hole and done all in their power to improve the bog, but to no avail. Married: March 26th, 1959, at a ceremony held at the home of her sister, Mrs. Edgar Schenkman, in Norfolk, Virginia, Mrs. Virginia Knowles became the bride of Mr. Frank Wendt, of Richmond. Mrs. Wendt has lived in Black Hawk and Central City for many summers and plays first cello in the orchestra during the Opera season. Congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple. Died: Funeral services for Mr. Chas. Peterson were held in Loveland, Colorado, on Friday last. Mr. Peterson, a pioneer in that area, died on Wednesday at the age of 90 years, after a brief illness. He is survived by a son, Milford, of Smith Hill, a daughter, Mrs. Leona Warner of Ft. Collins, Colorado four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Mr. Peterson visited with the Milford Petersons the past three summers, and friends he made here were sorry to learn of his passing. 90 years ago - April 5, 1929 Mrs. W. H. Noble and three daughters, from Kansas City, arrived in Central on Tuesday of last week, and left Saturday morning. Mrs. Noble is a sister of Mr. C. O. Richards, and was one of the teachers in the public schools in this city and Nevadaville, some twenty years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Dukes and children motored up from Denver Saturday and spent Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Johnson, of this city, returning home Sunday afternoon. George and Fred McFarlane came up from Denver Saturday on a short business visit, returning Sunday afternoon. They report their father as improving in the lower altitude, but not able to be up and around to any great extent. Dr. William Muckow, president of the Chain O’ Mines Company, arrived from Evanston, Illinois, Sunday, on matters of business connected with company affairs. He left for Cripple Creek Monday, accompanied by Mr. J. M. Tippett, general superintendent of the milling plant of the company, and his wife and daughter, on a business visit. From there, Mr. Muck will continue his trip to the Coeur Alene mining section in Idaho, to inspect an electric separation plant for handling lead and zinc ores. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Teats celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. E. Morgan, of Elizabeth, Colorado, on Sunday, March 24th, having been married fifty years on March 23rd. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan also celebrated at this informal dinner, having been married twenty one years on March 25th. A sumptuous turkey dinner was served to immediate relatives and friends. Those in attendance were, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Teats, Mr. Arthur Teats and wife, Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Parenteau, Miss Bessie Henley, Master Harry Morgan, Ernest Morgan, Bobbie Morgan, Russell Parenteau, Billie Parenteau, Lyle Parenteau Jr. and Earl Parenteau. Mr. and Mrs. Teats and Mr. and Mrs. Morgan were the recipients of many valuable and delightful mementoes on this delightful occasion. 120 years ago - April 7, 1899 Miss Lillie Richards, of Russell Gulch, visited her sister, Mrs. James Rule Jr., at Central City, on Monday 1st, and took in the A.O.U.W. dance given that evening. Mr. Ed. L. Grenfell, former depot agent of the Colorado & Southern Railway at Black Hawk, left Saturday morning for Denver, to enter upon his duties as traveling auditor for the company. Mr. John McGinnis, his successor, arrived on Saturday, and has assumed his duties. Mr. E.F. Olden, of the Gilpin Mill, Black Hawk, left on Monday for Alabama, on a business trip. During the month of March there was shipped from the Black Hawk depot to the smelters in Denver and elsewhere in the state 268 carloads of smelting or end tailings, aggregating 4,824 tons, which shows a falling off from the preceding month on account of stormy weather and the inability of quartz haulers getting to the mines to deliver ore to the mills and sampling works. A party of leasers are working on the Bates Mine in Gregory District, at a depth of 200 feet, and are taking out smelting ore that returns 9 ounces gold to the ton. They are only able to work the upper levels at the mine below them is filled with water. The regular force is again at work on the Topeka Mine in Russell District, and heavy shipments are being made, most of the ore going to Idaho Springs for treatment. Some nice looking smelting ore was being piled up in the bins for future shipment and it is understood that another shipment of high grade ore will soon be made to Burlingame’s assay office in Denver. Born: In Nevadaville, April 1st, 1899, to the wife of J. Rowling, a son. Born: In Nevadaville, April 2nd, 1899, to the wife of John Harry, a son. Born: In Black Hawk, March 30th, 1899, to the wife of Walter Scott, a daughter. Born: In Black Hawk, April 3rd, 1899, to the wife of Charles Frost, a daughter. Born: In Central City, April 5th, 1899, to the wife of Charles Hallihan, a son. Born: In Nevadaville, April 5th, 1899, to the wife of William Dickerson, a daughter. 151 years ago - April 9, 1969 Messrs. Oscar Allen and George Kloppel had brought out the express business and teams of Patten & Bebee. The Veto was a new silver lode opened up in Gilson Gulch, and owned by Updergraff and Kinney. The vein of pay ore was from 6 to 12 inches in width, and shipments made showed values of from $349.45 to $568.62 per ton. George W. Barrett, superintendent of the Winnebago Mine, returned from the East on Friday. George Converse, while descending the shaft on the Terrible Mine, at Georgetown, in a bucket, was thrown out and landed 50 feet below in the bottom of the shaft, and died from his injuries the next day. Henry M. Teller, who had been East on a visit and attending to business matters, returned to Central Friday. The Unexpected Lode, in Lake District, received returns from a lot of ore shipped to the Cheney and Barstow Mill in Lake Gulch, which averaged 11 ounces gold to the cord. Married: On April 8th, 1869, Rev. Albert F. Lyle officiating, Byron S. Lake, of Black Hawk, and Miss Ettie French, of Tully, New York.

Patrick Henry Sweeney

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