30 years ago – June 21, 1985
A motorcycle accident occurred on Highway 119, June 16, which claimed the life of Dean Calvert, 23, of Black Hawk. According to the report prepared by Gilpin County Undersheriff David Martinez, Calvert was found by several passing motorists from Denver and Westminster. The motorists reportedly said they were traveling north on Highway 119 when they observed the wreckage of a motorcycle down the embankment. When the motorists stopped to investigate, Calvert’s body was found next to the motorcycle. They notified the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Department of the accident and the location. Deputy Martinez was dispatched to mile post 8.3, a quarter of a mile north of Black Hawk, on Highway 119 at 9:00 a.m. Reportedly the motorcycle was speeding at around 60 m.p.h. when it skidded 119 feet on the right shoulder of the highway before going down the embankment. Calvert went 69 feet down the embankment, hit a tree, and was airborne for an additional 10 feet. He was not wearing a helmet at the time and did not have on any eye protection. Gilpin County Coroner Dennis White said that an autopsy was performed Tuesday. He said Calvert’s death was attributed to head and chest injuries. Calvert was unconscious upon impact with the tree and died within four to five minutes. The estimated time of death was 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
Saturday, the floozies and their gents turned out to celebrate the annual Lou Bunch Day in Central City. This year’s Lou Bunch Day had an interesting twist. Several free concerts were given throughout the day by the United States Army Command Jazz Band. The band kept its audience enthralled with its snappy renditions of tunes both old and new. The festivities began with a parade led by Mayor Russell C. Russell Jr. and Phyllis Bennett. Muriel Paul was the guest of honor in the rolling brass bed during the parade. The Chicago Spaghetti and Pizza Co. team sped to the finish in the Main Street bed race, with Shirley Wolf and Brad Bellingham in the rickety contraption while Rob Hinton pushed. The restaurant team was the defending champ from last year. This year the team won for best costume. The winner of the bed race this year was the Gilpin Hotel, with a time of 1:01.01, just over a minute. The Glory Hole was second with a time of 1:05.04. Coming in third was the Gold Coin which posted a time of 1:07.05 At the Madams and Miners Ball held that evening at the Teller House, “Skeeter” Bennett was judged to be the best Sporting House Girl, Faye Keller the best Madam, and Shannon Fitzgerald as the best Dandy Dan of 1985.
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