95 Years Ago
The August 20, 1931 Colorado Transcript reported on the actions of E. B. Wilson–an unreasonably brave conductor on the Golden to Denver interurban railroad.
Motorman Routs Robber With Wrench
At about 11PM on Tuesday August 18th, the Denver-bound trolley stopped at the Denison station (about where the Wadsworth station is on today’s W Line). A man boarded, but instead of moving back to the seats, he produced a gun and told Conductor Wilson to “stick ’em up!”
Wilson, an elderly man, is a trifle deaf and his only reply was “what did you say?”
“Say, dumb, don’t you understand,” the passenger growled, “this is a holdup! Shell out and shell out quick.”
Wilson looked around, saw the gun and grabbed his controller wrench.
Instead of yielding, Wilson grabbed for the would-be robber’s gun while swinging his wrench at the man. The man jumped down and ran away. Wilson gave chase, still swinging his wrench. The robber fired three shots at Wilson, but fortunately his aim was poor.
Braves Bullets to Capture Bandit Car
When the criminal reached his getaway car, he shouted to his confederates to help him. Instead, they joined him in running away from the “elderly…trifle deaf” wrench-wielding conductor. As a parting shot, Mr. Wilson threw his wrench after the retreating crooks.
“Doggone it,” he said, “I missed him but he sure did put on steam.”
The head of the state law enforcement department lived near the station and heard the shots, so he hurried over in his pajamas to give aid.
“He found Wilson standing guard over the deserted automobile and still searching for “that doggone feller who thought he could hold me up.”
The failed robbers were never found. The getaway car had been stolen earlier that evening.
Mr. Wilson resumed his scheduled trip to Denver.
