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This week in Summit County history: Severs artery with ax at road camp

Compiled by Breckenridge Heritage Alliance
This Week in History
This photo is of Mount Royal, Whichita and Chief as seen from Galena street West of Frisco. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad is seen on the left.
Courtesy Frisco Historic Park & Museum |

This week in history as reported by the Summit County Journal 100 years ago, the week of July 16-22, 1916.

Joe Hope, 65 years old, a cook for the county road outfit was seriously cut Thursday evening when he stumbled and fell on a sharp ax with which he was cutting wood. An artery in the left wrist was almost severed and the great loss of blood came near resulting fatally. He was brought to Dr. Graham’s office from the road camp a mile this side of Hoosier pass, arriving in an unconscious condition. The flow of blood was checked, the wound dressed and the sufferer taken to the hospital, where he is progressing satisfactorily.

Hurried to pull tooth but weds couple instead



A young man appeared at the door of the Masonic lodge room Saturday evening and breathlessly stated that someone was suffering great pain from tooth-ache and implored Dr. Giberson to hurry to their relief. The messenger was Carl Alber and his pleas so touched the heart of the doctor that he tore himself away from the interesting lodge ceremonies in progress, and accompanied the young man with great haste to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Hullander.

Instead of finding someone groaning in the agony of tooth-ache, he found the smiling faces of Miss Lilly Penz and Thomas McKenna, who had suddenly decided that single blessedness was not all that is claimed for it and a wedding was all that would bring alloyed joy and bliss. In this decision, Mr. and Mrs. Hullander heartily agreed and without further delay, Dr. Giberson read the services that made them husband and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Hullander and Carl Alber were the only witnesses of the important event.



Bitterness between county commissioners becomes deplorable

County Commissioners Eli Fletcher and Andrew Lindstrom have a hard time getting along with one another. Although both are Republicans, there is considerable jealousy between them, and sometimes relations between them become alarmingly strained.

At the last session of the board, Mr. Fletcher took exceptions to Mr. Lindstrom’s mysterious actions and insinuations took place at a board meeting one morning and would doubtless have resulted in bodily disfigurement of one or both but for the even temper and soothing words of Commissioner Hampton.

Commissioners have enjoyable hikes

County Commissioners Andrew Lindstrom, and Eli Fletcher went to Kokomo Saturday evening last, where they were joined by Commissioner W.H. Hampton. The three made an excursion by foot to Fremont pass over the wagon road, where they met Manager Brooks of the Wilson mill at Robinson.

It was found that Lake county had succeeded in providing a fairly good road from Leadville to the summit and that the portion between the summit and Kokomo could be placed in satisfactory condition without much expense.

Sunday the commissioners walked from Kokomo to Wheeler, making a close inspection of that part of the road and decided that it would not require unusual expense or effort to make that particular strip answer all requirements of auto and other travel.

Rapid work in sinking marks Oro shaft

Three shifts of four men each are engaged in sinking the shaft of the Oro Leasing company on the ground adjoining the Wellington. They are making good progress and in another six weeks expect to have reached a depth of 250 feet, from which point they will drift to the lead and zinc vein exposed some time ago by dredge operations.

An electric hoist, electric drills and an electric pump constitute the modern equipment of the company and enables excellent success in their work. The drifting will be completed within a short time after commencement of the work and it is confidently expected that a new and valuable ore body will be opened for production.

The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance is a nonprofit organization founded to promote and protect Breckenridge’s unique heritage. The organization offers year-round guided tours and hikes. Go to breckheritage.com or call (970) 453-9767.


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