WAY BACK!

120 YEARS AGO

From the April 28, 1900 edition of the Silverton Standard:

CHINAMAN ‘NO LIKES MAN WITH GUN.’

“Bones,” a Chinaman conducting the White House restaurant in the rear of Callahan & Lonergan’s saloon, was used for a target last Thursday evening by a stranger who not only escaped the hands of law authorities but the paying of a supper which he had ordered and ate as well.

It was about 9:30 o’clock when a tall, rough looking individual partook of a hearty meal which was ordered of “Bones” in an up and up style, and while the chink was after the third cup of coffee the stranger made for the street, closely followed by other chinks crying out to the stranger that he had forgot something — something like $1.25 — due on account for one full meal. When the man with a satisfied appetite reached the corner of the saloon, he pulled a revolver and fired two shots at his pursuers, which ended the chase as far as Chinamen were concerned but it behooved the stranger to hasten his gait.

As we go to press this morning (Saturday) we learn that the above report as given out by the Chinamen is refuted by the accused, who reported yesterday to the city marshal that it was the Chinaman who fired the shots thinking that he was trying to evade paying for his meal, when, in fact he had merely stepped out of the restaurant to change a bill.

The Chinamen were arraigned in Squire Watson’s court yesterday, but all pleaded alike, the dense ignorance of a Chinamen in a case of this kind is something marvelous.

‘TEN DAY’ SHOOTS’

John Lambert Twice but Without Fatal Results.

At 10:30 o’clock Monday night those in the vicinity of the “Hub” saloon were startled by the report of five shots in uick succession and upon inquiry the following report of the affair was learned.

It seems as if Jack Turner, known as “Ten Day Jack,” had won the affection of a girl, a late arrival from Denver, by the name of Blanche, and for the past week they were at outs. About 10 o’clock Jack was informed that his girl was with Lambert and he, Lambert, was about to capture the fair damsel. Turner at once left the “Hub” and upon his return, he discovered the couple at the bar drinking. Without saying a word he went back through the gate at the upper end of the bar and at once began firing over the bar at Lambert and the girl, Blanche. Five shots were fired from a six-shooter, known as a 38 on a 45 frame, two of the shots taking effect in the right side about two inches under the arm, the balls passing through the fleshy part circling around the ribs and coming out at the front, no bones being broken. Lambert at once went to Dr. Ingersoll’s office where the wounds were dressed.

“Ten Day” walked out of the front door of the saloon going directly to Lillie Reed’s house on Blair street and opened the door, advancing toward the girl, striking her over the head with the gun he had previously used in the shooting, inflicting two slight wounds.

Jack’s whereabouts were unknown during the night as the night watch and others failed to locate him, but on the following morning he gave himself up to the sheriff.

So far as doing anything to suppress this kind of business the night watch will report that he counted the shots — ince, swi, tri, fer, fun.

At the present time, Lambert has so far recovered as to be able to leave his room.

115 YEARS AGO

From the April 29, 1905 edition of the Silverton Standard:

SILVERTON NORTHERN GETS MAIL CONTRACT.

A new contract has been awarded the Silverton Railroad company for the carrying of mails from Silverton to Animas Forks and post offices along the route, making the round trip daily.

Manager E.W. Walter, of the Green Mountain M & M Co., operating in Cunningham gulch, near Howardsville, was a returning passenger from Denver last night. He had been out purchasing machinery for the new mill, work on the foundation of which is being pushed with all possible speed. About May 1 ground will be broken on the railway extension which is to run from the Silverton Northern, near Howardsville, up Cunningham gulch to the mill.

95 YEARS AGO

From the May 2, 1925 edition of the Silverton Standard:

TOWN THANKFUL FOR MOLAS LAKE.

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Silverton Monday night resolution acknowledging services rendered the town by Representative Josiah Watson and Senator H. Slattery in securing passage by the Twenty-fifth general assembly of an appropriation with which to change the course of Molas Creek and establish spawning beds for trout were ordered and made to include Senator Lawrence C. Phipps and Congressman Edward T. Taylor, who by their united work secured passage in Congress of a bill enabling the Town of Silverton to purchase a tract of land which includes Molas lake and of which the diversion of Molas creek is an important feature.

The members of the board are fully aware that the combined work of representatives of the several districts which include Silverton and San Juan county have provided ways and means of assisting them in the work of giving our own people and those of southwestern Colorado, what in time is to be one of the finest small lake resorts in the Rocky Mountains.

65 YEARS AGO

From the April 29, 1955 edition of the Silverton Standard & the Miner:

‘RUN FOR COVER’ WAS ENJOYED.

“Run for Cover” drew record crowds at the Lode Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Generally speaking, it was enjoyed by the biggest percent of the patrons. Locals who were prominent in the picture included Tommy Zanoni, who sat on Cagney’s lap; Mrs. Svea Mowatt, who spoke in Swedish to actress Viveca Lindfors; Danny Salfisberg who pumped the church organ; Mrs. Cecil Walker who played the organ; Rev. M.E. Burke who was the minister at the church and Kay Kolz and Peggy Babitz, who were in the choir and photographed close up. Many other local people were recognized and the scenery of this area was magnificent.

60 YEARS AGO

From the April 29, 1960 edition of the Silverton Standard & the Miner:

POPULATION: 828

A preliminary report on the recent census taken in San Juan County, Colorado shows a population of 828. This figure may change some when residents not here at the time of counting return.

Ten years ago: Three or four dump trucks operated by members of the American Legion were kept busy Sunday hauling debris from the old county courthouse which was wrecked last week. The county’s shovel was kept busy loading the trucks and it will require another day’s work to complete the job.