We’ve done a lot of grading over the past 150 years in Golden. In reading old Transcripts, I often come across references to bridges that we no longer need to cross dips and gulches that we have since bulldozed away. Kinney Run used to create a significant gulch just east of East Street. That terrain has been flattened over time. Kinney Run has been contained, first in an underground pipe (1959-2022) and more recently in a deep concrete trench.
105 Years Ago
The May 12, 1921 Colorado Transcript gives prominent placement to the article, “Baptist Minister Seriously Hurt by Runaway Auto – Rev. Kelly is Caught on the Bumper of Big Car Which Runs Wild–Narrowly Escapes Death.” The pastor of the Baptist church was getting ready to leave his house on 13th Street and was standing in front of the Overland brand automobile, getting ready to crank the engine to start it.
Unfortunately, the car had been left in gear, and as soon as the engine started, the car leaped forward. The parson was caught by the bumper and dragged eastbound on 13th Street. The road sloped down towards Kinney run, but fortunately(?) the car hit a tree before it reached the gulch. “Had the runaway machine gone twenty feet further down the road it would have plunged into Kinney gulch, and Rev. Kelly could not have escaped being crushed.” As it was, he broke a shoulder and a rib and had severe cuts and bruises on his head, face, and limbs. “He is now resting fairly easy, and will recover unless complications set in.”
A week later, he was on the road to recovery:
Rev. Frank Kelly, who was so seriously hurt by a runaway automobile last week, is now getting along nicely. He is still confined to his bed, but Dr. J.P. Kelly reports him out of danger.
Colorado Transcript - May 19, 1921
However, in early July, he resigned:
Rev. Frank Kelly has tendered his resignation as pastor of the Golden Baptist church, to take effect September 1st. At a business meeting, held Sunday, the members of the church voted to accept the resignation.
Colorado Transcript - July 7, 1921
Possibly inspired by his accident, he changed professions. In 1923, Rev. Kelly and his wife, Martha, both graduated from a chiropractic school in Iowa. They returned to Colorado and opened chiropractic offices in several towns, including Arvada and Golden.
