A Glorious Morning
Photo by Richard Luckin
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Friday, Nov. 29th
- All day - The Friday Tour
- All day - Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 5PM - CSM Women's Volleyball - Orediggers vs Minnesota State
- 5-10PM - Golden Hayride Outpost 2 Step Friday
- 7:30PM - A Christmas Carol
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
Monthly Appeal
Thank you to everyone who supported GoldenToday during November.
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A Timely Reminder on Black Friday: If you value your life, SHOP LOCAL
Photo by Richard Luckin
This is my annual reminder to shop local. Here's why it's a good idea:
135 Years Ago
Dr. Perry Kelly has two or three cases of small pox in the country east of us, all of which come into the county from Denver, where the loathsome disease is quite prevalent…. Our county commissioners should institute a quarantine against them at once.
Colorado Transcript, March 13, 1889
As that passage demonstrates, the Transcript tended to regard Denver with suspicion when it came to infectious diseases.
103 Years Ago
The small pox epidemic in Denver has caused considerable worry in Golden, and hundreds of people in this community have taken the precaution of being vaccinated. City Health Officer Kemble reports that there are no cases of the disease here.
Colorado Transcript, December 8, 1921
Denver’s epidemic impinged on Golden’s holiday social season:
103 Years Ago
Firemen’s Dance - One of the most enjoyable events of the season will be the annual Firemen’s masquerade dance which will be held at the Golden opera house on Friday evening, December 30th…. On account of the prevalence of small pox in Denver the committee has decided not to have a costumer come from Denver, but urges that dancers furnish their own outfits.
Colorado Transcript, December 22, 1921
The fear of small pox fit right in with the Transcript’s long-running campaign to encourage people to Shop Local:
103 Years Ago
Golden merchants have an excellent line of Christmas goods and there is no use in journeying to Denver to buy your Christmas goods. Besides, look at the danger of getting murdered, held up, run over or contracting small pox. Buy at home, help your home town and be safe.
Colorado Transcript, December 22, 1921
A Christmas Carol @ Miners Alley
Miners Alley Performing Arts Center opens their Christmas play tonight. Opening weekend was pretty thoroughly sold out the last time I checked, but you can call the box office (303-935-3044) to ask about any cancellations. Do not delay in getting tickets for one of the performances this month!
A loyal and zany take on the holiday classic, adapted for the stage by Josh Hartwell.
Miners Alley Playhouse is proud to present this new and updated version of Charles Dickens' heartwarming story of holiday redemption. Using only a handful of actors to bring dozens of characters to life, it's fast-paced fun that will get you in the seasonal spirit!
As we welcome the holidays in our new performing arts center, this year's version promises to be funnier, spookier, and crazier than ever. Featuring the same cast you know and love, including the roller skates!
The Lights
Lights in the History Park - Photo by Frank Hanou
At this time of the year, we start to see some of the holiday lights downtown. You may be wondering when the full display will appear. The answer is, next Friday, December 6th!
The crowd will meet at 15th and Washington (in front of Foothills Art Center Creative Campus) at 6PM. As they come down the hill, the lights will come on, block by block. We everyone gets to the Welcome Center at 10th and Washington, the Fire Department will lower a giant wreath and the Mayor, with help from a local child, will flip the ceremonial switch and all the lights in Parfet Park and along the Creek will come on. It is a sight to behold! I hope you can make it.
5-10PM Live Country, folk & jazz music @ The Golden Hayride Outpost
Friday nights just got a whole lot more exciting in South Golden! Grab your partner and get ready for a hootin' good time! Country Music Night!
Kick up your boots, grab your pals, and join us at the new Golden Outpost for the Friday night fun featuring:
- James Frisbie playing country, folk, & jazz, starting at 6:30
- Delicious food from Mac Nation Cafe’s food truck
- Custom hat making, branding, and shaping from Olde Town Hatter
- Cold draft beers on tap (and Oktoberfest beers!)
- A full bar (with N/A options too)
- No cover charge. See you there!
Golden Hayride Outpost
17695 South Golden Road (map)
Live Music for Friday, Nov. 29th
- 8PM The Josh Blackburn Band @ Buffalo Rose
Buffalo Rose (main venue)
- 7-10PM Conal Rosanbalm @ Buffalo Rose
- More Live Music
5-8PM Live Music @ Eddy Taproom
5:30-8:30PM Jay Martin @ Barrels and Bottles
6-8PM Karaoke @ American Legion Post 21
6-9PM Earl Nelson Duo @ Goosetown Station
7PM Dave Frisk with Jim Stevens (Crusty) @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: 2023: Short-Term History
One year ago hardly seems like history, but it was still interesting to review the changes between last November and this one.
- Dinosaur Ridge hosted a lecture about the local Atlantosaurus Fossil Beds.
- Golden High School performed Little Shop of Horrors. Mines Little Theater did She Kills Monsters and Trap.
- Miners Alley finished their run of The Cherry Orchard at the beginning of the month. They were moving from their original location in the Foss building to their new one in the Meyer Hardware building. Since they temporarily had possession of two theaters, they produced three holiday plays--A Christmas Story and The Story of the Nutcracker (a children's production) in the old theater, and the Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical in the new one, .
- There was a City Council election. The winners were Laura Weinberg (Mayor), Lisa Vitry (District 1) and Patty Evans (District 2).
- Citizens approved a property tax increase to support the Fire Department.
- The Quilt Museum hosted a lecture on quilt conservation and restoration.
- The Sustainability Board considered providing incentives for electric vehicles.
- The Planning Commission discussed relaxing parking requirements for multi-family affordable housing.
- The Mines Museum held a Mineral ID Day.
- Golden Beer Talks learned about the Ralston dam going in north of town.
- My daughter and I hosted a Wagon Ride through Golden History.
- City Council approved a mid-year salary increase for the City Manager, bringing his compensation to $247,200. He would also receive an increase in January, along with the rest of the City employees. Council also agreed to loan him up to $750,000 to help him purchase a home. He would make interest-only payments at 4.25% per annum until he either sold the house or left the job.
- Golden Anti-Racism Collective Book and Media Group discussed Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.
- Council agreed to annex 54.42 acres north of town for commercial and industrial use.
- Foothills Art Center had hoped to hold their Holiday Art Market in the Astor House, but due to construction delays on that project, they held it one last time in their original building, at 15th and Washington.
Golden History: Frontier Justice
The Transcript doesn’t specify which bridge was used.
Click to enlarge
131 Years Ago
The November 29, 1893 Colorado Transcript described “An Act Worthy of a Sioux Indian.” On Sunday, November 25th, Mrs. John McCurdy was awakened by groans coming from her 18 year old son’s room. She and her husband entered his room and found him covered in blood. The young man identified his much older step-brother, Alex McCurdy, as his attacker.
Alex had accused the young man of having an affair with his wife. As revenge, he knocked him out and castrated him. Alex then left town. A deputy was sent to Denver to look for him, and was expected back on Sunday evening. According to the Transcript,
…there would probably have been a hanging bee, as the people are aware that the lawful penalty for such a fiendish act is entirely inadequate, it being only imprisonment in the penitentiary from one to three years. A big crowd gathered at the Lakewood depot when the evening train came in, but as the expected culprit was not there the crowd quietly dispersed but with mutterings loud and deep.
Colorado Transcript – November 29, 1893
Alex was finally caught and tried the following spring. As anticipated, his sentence was three years in the penitentiary.
LYNCHING AT GOLDEN
Alexander McCurdy Meets a Worse Fate Than His Victim
The horrible crime committed by Alexander McCurdy of Golden against his step-brother, Arthur Berry, has been avenged. At an early hour Saturday morning McCurdy was taken from jail by a strong band of men, and after being accorded the same treatment which he had inflicted upon his victim, was lynched from a bridge across Clear Creek.
Colorado Transcript – June 6, 1894
That article went on to say that the Sheriff was aware of what was happening but was “unable to” get to the bridge in time to stop it. He did, however, catch two of the guards who were serving as lookouts for the lynching. They revealed the identities of the other participants.
The following morning, warrants were issued for the men who performed the lynching. The ring leader was George Vogel. Mr. Vogel disappeared from town for about ten days, then returned and surrendered himself to authorities. He provided bail and was released until the next court term.
The court evidently felt friendly toward George Vogel. So did the Transcript:
Mr. Vogel is one of our most enterprising business men, and all hope he will be able to clear himself of the charges which have been preferred.
Colorado Transcript – June 6, 1894
The trial took place the following November. As the leader of the lynch mob, Vogel was tried first. He was quickly found “not guilty;” whereupon, the charges against the other participants were dismissed.
Vogel seems to have gone on to lead a happy, successful life.
Vogel eventually sold his feed store in Golden and became a Coors distributor in Central City. He and Christina had several more children, all duly announced in the Transcript. He made periodic business trips to Golden, where, according to the Transcript, his friends were always glad to see him.
So apparently, lynching was both legally and socially acceptable in 1894.
Thank you to Wendy Weiman for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of November.
Weather
Overnight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. West wind around 8 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny. High near 45, with temperatures falling to around 37 in the afternoon. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West southwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly Clear, 26°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 48°F
Saturday Night: Mostly Clear, 31°F
Sunday: Sunny, 49°F
Sunday Night: Mostly Clear, 32°F
Monday: Sunny, 53°F
Monday Night: Mostly Clear, 35°F
Tuesday: Sunny, 57°F
Tuesday Night: Mostly Clear, 35°F
Wednesday: Sunny, 58°F
Wednesday Night: Mostly Clear, 35°F
Thursday: Sunny, 56°F
Supporters
Many thanks to the people and organizations who support What’s Happening in Golden? If you would like to support local news, please CLICK HERE!
Sponsors:
($100/month and up)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Solar, Foothills Art Center, Golden City Brewery, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden Hayride Outpost, Kona Bowls, Unite Fitness, Tom Reiley, and Michael Mason
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $550/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Goozell Yogurt & Coffee Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Beth Bidwell, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, Saré Merrigan, and The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $250/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, Rick Flint, Forrest Jones, AC Development, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, and Bud Rockhill
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $110/yr)
Brad Miller & Julie Bartos, Holly Thomas, Jim and LouAnne Dale, Ann Pattison, Thomas Hoffman, Carol Abel, Brian Quarnstrom, Sandra Curran, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Kathy Smith, Karen Smith, Carlos & Nancy Bernal, Robert Storrs, Michele Sannes, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, E Tom Hughes, Crystal M Culbert, Patrick A. Madison, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Deb Goeldner, Christopher Ball, 6th Chair Home Services, Dot & Eric Brownson, Rosemary Coffman, Emeline Paulson, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Carol Abel, Frani R Bickart, Jennings and Litz, Bill Sedgeley, Nancy Hughes, Justin L Wade, Kathi Eggers, Traci Case, Donna Owen, Leslie D Lutz, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser & KC Gilliland, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, Heather Duncan, Lee Ann & Pete Horneck, Carol Cameron, Cheryl Williamson, San Daugherty, Jim Garner, John and Carol McEncroe, the Golden Welcome Center, the Golden Transcript, Koshare Eagle, Ken and Colleen Krantz, Traci Neuman Lacey, Jo Barber, Jamie Cookinham, Kermit Shields, Meridee Cecil, and Vicki Olson.
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser
