This Week in Colorado History: Demolition

“The Colorado Transcript” announced this week in 1910 that the Overland Hotel, once “one of the most famous of western hostelries” was to be demolished by its owner, Woodmen of the World, a fraternal organization similar to the Freemasons founded in Omaha, Nebraska in 1890. The Woodmen decided to take this as a first definite step towards the creation “of a permanent home for Golden camp.” Plans already existed for the camp, and the Woodmen were excited about the prospect. The “Transcript” intended to donate a brick wall to the effort.

A Republican attempt to woo voters with alcohol went awry this week in 1910, when their target “was obliged to spend a couple of nights in the county jail.” Despite the county office seeker’s official temperance position, he provided an Evergreen man with a gallon of whiskey “to be used in making friends in that section for the aforesaid aspirant and his co-hunters for office.” The man concluded he was in need of convincing and drank most of the whiskey. The “Transcript” hints at their belief that the Republican doped the alcohol, but given the paper’s Democratic leanings, this statement should be taken with a grain of salt.

Illinois natives residing in Denver organized the Illinois Society of Colorado this week in 1910. The goal was to “preserve the recollections and traditions of the great prairie state, and to observe its anniversaries.” Hon. John W. Springer was elected president of the new society, and all Illinois natives were invited to join.

The Tigers had “whetted their appetites with the Mormons” and were preparing to take on the “somewhat carnivorous” Miners. What pursuit Colorado College was battling Brigham Young University and the Colorado School of Mines in was not disclosed, though football seems most likely.



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