Turning Back the Pages

30 Years Ago
May 19, 1978
• Mr. David Isenhart, a former Gilpin County resident now living in Littleton is now firmly established in chimneys. Mr. Isenhart is a "Master Sweep" trained to clean and inspect chimneys to prevent fires. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, is licensed, bonded, and insured. David was a former assistant fire chief of High County Fire Department's Golden Gate station, in addition to serving as Public Information officer and Fire Prevention officer. The 1974 - 1976 resident of Lakeview also worked as a drill man at the Nye Mine in Apex. He is now a member of the growing Top Hat Chimney Sweeps, Ltd., chain of chimney cleaners.
• City employee, Mr. Dean Smith was driving the City's backhoe when he collided with a cast iron street lamp and sent it crashing onto the wooden stairs alongside the Register-Call offices. A shower of sparks and broken glass littered the Register Alley, while fellow employees chided Mr. Smith for once again, running into City property with the backhoe. Dean had the last laugh this time, when City Engineer, Fred Paddock discovered the street lamp base was almost completely rusted through and said that Mr. Smith's action was fortunate in that it prevented the structure from being felled by winds and hitting pedestrians.
• Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Stone of Aspen Springs have a new granddaughter. Sandra Lee is the young lady's name. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 2 oz.
• Mr. and Mrs. Paul Starbranch, their five daughters and their husbands, their grandchildren and one great granddaughter enjoyed a picnic on Mother's Day. A total of 21 were in attendance.
• A meeting of concerned parents of children attending Nederland Elementary School was held last Tuesday evening at the Benson home near Gilpin. These folks are worried about many problems in the school. Behavior in the cafeteria has been termed "animalistic" with some kids being almost unable to eat due to misbehavior of others. Discipline on the school bus has been a long standing concern. Now some of the younger children are reporting that their classmates are into drugs. The group plans to meet with the principal very soon.
• The Gilpin County Human Services team, made up of representatives of the Department of Social Services, Public Health, Mental Health, Law Enforcement and the School District have endorsed a plan to petition the school board for use of the old school building for a day care center for children. The County has long needed such a facility and the need grows as the population of the County grows. There are many working mothers who could use a day care center not only for all day care for pre-school children, but as a facility for school children who are left alone in the early morning and are alone in the evening until their parents return from work. Children left alone has become a very great concern in Gilpin County.
• Ms. Annie Tipitino has been hired as a full-time first grade teacher for the coming school year at Clark Elementary. Ms. Tipitino has been working as an aide for the Special Education class for two years and has lived in Gilpin County six years. She earned a teaching certificate from the University of California at Davis in 1968, with a background in social work and teaching. Ms. Tipitino is very eagerly looking forward to next year when she will have her very own first grade class.
• The results of the recent election of High County Fire Department officers were submitted by Public Information Officer, William Giller this past Saturday. The new Chief is Bill Lasley, with Fran Eszkorn elected Deputy Chief. Assistant Chiefs are: Station 1. Skip Carro: Station 2. Dan Sullivan: and Station 3. Chuck Grifford.

60 Years Ago
May 7, 1948
• Lee Madero, who earned the gratitude of his country as a veteran of World War I and II, died in Denver, Tuesday, after a long illness. As a citizen of Gilpin County, whose home was at Apex, Lee Madero had many friends throughout the County who regret to learn of his passing.
• Mr. William Muchow's visits in Central City recently have stirred much talk to the effect that he is planning to return to this region and start operations again on the Chain O'Mines properties.
• Julio DeDiego, who is to be associated with the C.U. Art School this summer in Central, and his wife (glamorous Gypsy Rose Lee) have arranged with Anne Arneill Downs to plant their trailer next to her house out on the Casey and do their housekeeping there.
• Between the hours for their classes at the University of Colorado, Don Mattivi Sr. and Paul Eccker with the aid of William "Buck" Jones organized a kite flying contest which brought crowds to Casey Junior High School and Lovers Hill Saturday morning. The tournament was a feature of a project of the Boulder recreation department. With a number of similar spaces available in Central City it is not unlikely that Eccker and Mattivi may duplicate the contest with home juveniles when they return here at vacation time.
• Mr. Jack Hughes came up from Denver on Wednesday. He will be here for some time. Mrs. Hughes and Jackie Parsons came from Denver on Sunday.
• Joe Ress is enjoying mumps at home this week.
• The upper grades of the Black Hawk School, the teachers, and the mothers of the eighth grade were entertained at a pastry luncheon on Tuesday by the eighth grade. This was in connection with their health studies. A very delicious meal was served.
• The eighth grade girls are working on their graduation dresses under the direction of Mrs. Ed. Evans at the Evans home.
• Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bridgman, of Denver, were in Black Hawk last Saturday night to visit Mr. Bridgman's uncle, Mr. Fred Hoery and to attend the Fireman's dance.
• Raspberry Jelly. (Five or six glasses) Two cups raspberry juice, two cups extra-sweet corn syrup, 1 1/2 cup liquid pectin, one tablespoon lemon juice. To prepare juice: Sort and wash slightly under-ripe raspberries, drain. Crush berries. Simmer 10 minutes. Strain through jelly rag. Measure juice and mix with corn syrup, sugar and liquid pectin. Boil until jelly stage is reached (221 degrees) or mixture threads from a spoon. Add lemon juice. Remove from heat. Skim. Pour into clean hot jelly glasses. Cover with melted paraffin.
• Strawberry Sunshine Preserves. Two quarts strawberries, three cups sugar. Wash and hull berries. Leave whole. Add sugar and stir just enough to mix. Heat in a flat pan over a low burner. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. When the boiling point has been reached remove from heat and pour into flat pans. Cover with panes of window glass and let stand in the sunshine about two days, or until the syrup is thick. Seal in clean jars.
• Apricot Pineapple Jam. One pound dried apricots, one pint can of crushed pineapple, 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice and water, three cups sugar. Soak apricots overnight; drain and cu into small pieces. Measure out pineapple juice and enough water to make 1 1/2 cups. Mix together apricots, pineapple and water; cook for 30 minutes over a low flame, stirring occasionally. Add sugar and cook until thickened, about 15 minutes. Ladle mixture into clean sterilized glasses and pour hot paraffin at once.

90 Years Ago
May 3, 1918
• Mr. Albert Leerton left Wednesday for Butte, Montana, where he expects to find employment.
• The play and social given at the Odd Fellow's Hall, Saturday evening, was a decided success financially and otherwise. A great deal of credit is due Mr. Bray, who worked faithfully for its success.
• Mrs. John Mellow went to Denver, Saturday afternoon, to visit her parents and husband. Mr. Mellow is now employed in Denver. During Mrs. Mellow's absence, the Misses Ethel Mellow and R. Thomas are keeping bachelor girl quarters at the Mellow home.
• A dance was given in Zancanella's Hall, on Friday evening, for Mary Ramponi, who left with her parents for their new home Greeley, Saturday. A large crowd of young people were present.
• A reminder for early days passed through the town on Wednesday in the shape of a covered wagon or prairie scooner. The children all sought shelter, pronouncing it a gypsy wagon.
• The school children have raised the amount of war saving stamps and bonds from $393.00 to $527.00 since last week. The Red Cross certificate which has been long delayed, reached the school this week.
• The many friends of Mrs. Fred Wood are sorry to learn that she is ill with pneumonia, and wish her a speedy recovery. Her sister, Mrs. Alva Jones, came up from Denver Monday to be with her.
• Messrs. Hugh Williams and Byron have been around interviewing the people concerning the Liberty Bonds. Four thousand dollars were subscribed in Russell.
• Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Enos left last week for Denver, to live, Dudley having secured work with the Tramway.
• Mrs. Wm. Prouse and sons Andrew and Albert, left Wednesday for Denver, where they will make their future home.
• Mrs. Newlin left Tuesday for Idaho Springs, on a short visit, going from there to Durango, where she will spend the remaining years of her life with her son.
• In Central City, Gilpin County, April 30, 1918, to the wife of Joseph Kimball, a daughter.
• Died, in Central City, April 27, 1918, Richard Dunn, aged 73 years. Mr. Dunn had been a resident of Gilpin County for 45 years, working in the mines as day laborer and leaser and was well known throughout the County. He was an energetic worker, was possessed with a jovial and pleasing disposition, and made friends with everyone. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Sarah Sobey and Mrs. Sam Thomas, both of this City, and three sons, James, of California, John, of Cripple Creek, and Richard.
• Seventeen members of Central City Elk's Lodge went over to Idaho Springs Tuesday afternoon following an invitation from that lodge to take charge of initiatory exercises to be held that evening, when two new members from Tabernash, Colorado, were to be added to the lodge roll. The boys returned early Wednesday morning and report a most enjoyable time.
• Advices received from Denver on Monday, announced the death of Mrs. Julia Ebert, wife of George Ebert in her 62nd year. The family lived in Nevadaville many years before making their home on Fall River, above the mouth of Hamlin Gulch, where Mr. Ebert had mining property. Later they moved to Idaho Springs and then to Denver. Mrs. Ebert crossed the plains behind an ox team in 1862, being then only six years of age, and the greater portion of her years were spent in the mountains. She is survived by her husband and two daughters, Mrs. Laura E. Bauman, of Denver, and Mrs. D. A. McAskill of Nova Scotia.

119 Years Ago
May 3, 1889
• A disgraceful row occurred at midnight last night at East Turner Hall, Denver, which continued for some length of time. Several arrests were made, the arrested persons being Turners who were defending themselves. The rioters escaped.
• The cuckoo whistle at the Prize Mine on Jones Mountain has been changed and is now a fully fledged "Home Sweet Home" whistle.
• Born, in Central City, Gilpin County, April 28, 1889, to the wife of Samuel Short, a son, weight 10 pounds ovoirdupois.
• Born, in Nevadaville, May 1, 1889, to the wife of William Rowling, a daughter.
• Died, at the residence of her parents, at Lakeside, Summit County, on April 30, 1889, Fannie, edlest daughter of W. J. and S. Westlake, in the 23rd year of her life. Her last words were: "I would like so much to stay with you, but I know I cannot, so good-bye."
• The centennial exercise held at Turner Hall last evening drew a large and respectable audience, the hall being crowded. The program published in these columns Saturday and Monday evenings was carried out. The speech of Mr. Livesay is well spoken of by all who were fortunate enough to be present. The social party at the close of the exercises added greatly to the evening's enjoyment, many remaining to enjoy tripping the light fantastic. The affair was a social success.
• Born, in Denver, Colorado, May 1, 1889, to the wife of John Brannan, a daughter.
• The match game of baseball played yesterday afternoon between the Athletics of Central, and the new club at Idaho Springs, on the grounds of the latter, was witnessed by a large number of persons from here as well as citizens of the Springs. It resulted in the defeat of the Athletics by a score of 18 to 15. The game was closely contested, the Athletics playing to great disadvantage, Loughran, their catcher, having a very sore hand, owing to which he was compelled to quit catching before the game ended. A number of disinterested persons who were present were loud in their denunciation of the person umpiring the game, whom they claim acted unfairly towards the Central club.
• J. C. Denny, the night operator at Fountain for the Santa Fe railroad, was fatally shot last night by a lot of tramps. Their object was plunder, in which they failed, Denny not acquiescing in their demand for the combination to the safe. Deceased was about 22 years old.
• John Miles, while engaged in tramming from the cross-cut being driven from the 1000-foot level in the Grand Army shaft on the Gunnell Mine, was instantly killed. It appears that at the time Miles was in a stooping position engaged in filling the car, when the scale, estimated to weigh three tons, fell from the roof of the cross-cut, partly lodging on the car, the other portion catching the unfortunate man on the neck, right side, nearly severing the head from the body, his head being badly mashed. Death was instantaneous. His fellow workmen took his body to the shaft, where it was raised to the surface, placed in a conveyance and taken to the undertaking room of Ed. L. Harris. Deceased was a native of New York State, where he has an aged father and mother still residing. He was an only son, and a brother of Mrs. James F. Murtaugh, of the Eureka House. He also has two other sisters living.
• Mr. Evan Morgan has gone out of the blacksmith and wagon business. He has rented his shop and fixtures to Messrs. Connor & McKay, who will hereafter conduct the business at Morgan's old stand. Evan will try his hand at mining.
• Harry Peers this morning was taken with a fainting spell as he was going up a flight of stairs back of Hense block and fell the full length of the stairway, striking his head on a stone step, inflicting several bruises on his face and head. He was not seriously injured.