Greeley Daily Tribune from Greeley, Colorado • Page 1

Troops Restore Order In Green Mountain Strife; Martial Law Fol lows Wounding 7 and Blowing Bridge Ben Florance, Long Time Weld Peace Officer, Dies Thursday Heart Ailment Is Fatal To Former Cowboy, Sheriff, and Justice THE GREELEY REPUBLICAN VOLUME I I 2 AFTERNOON EDITION GREELEY, COLORADO, THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1939 TRIBUNE ESTABLISHED 1870 Ren H. Florancc, 72, of 915 Eight- tenth avenue, colorlul Colorado pioneer and a public official in Weld county for 28 years, died at the Greeley hospital at 0:35 a. m. Thursday a a long illness from heart Irouljle. "Judge" Florance as he been known in recent years because of his 14 years as justice of the peace in Greeley, had hnen under an oxygen tent at the hospital since his entry there nearly a month ago.

During that time little hope had been held for his recovery. Three Times Weld Sheriff was threo times sheriff of Weld, county, eight years chief of police in Greoley and 14 years justice of- the peace here. Previous to that he bad been alderman and fire chief of Windsor. He was credited with being the father of. the Windsor fire department.

He was an ardent sporls- man. While sheriff he cleaned up horse stealing in Weld county before tho days of the- automobile, smashed the gambling ring which made Evans notorious from, coast to coast. He was the personal friend of two presidents of tlie United States and received a direct appointment as United States marshal from President William Howard Taft. Known for Fairness and Humor Florance had as many or more close personal friends as any public official In the history of Weld county. He was particularly known for his kiudness, fair dealing and keen sense of humor.

His work'In'rounding up and sentencing criminals taught him a philosophy nbout criino which does not jibe willl that of modern sentimentalists. He often expressed his belief that with rare exceptions, perhaps, crooks are either too lazy to make a living hou- estly or mean or ruthless. Despite this, he was always willing to give a man a second chaneo it lie thought that individual had tho stuff In him to make good. Mr. Fldrance was first married on Dec.

31, 1891 to Barlha B. Frazier of Greeley. She died In 1920. On Nov. 14, 1934 he married Louise Hammond Grimm Who-sUrviVes him.

Surviving relatives include: threa B. A. Brumley of Greeley, Mrs. Itay Oshel of Cheyenne and Mrs. Gus'Brown of Grand Junction; step daughter, Mrs.

Kenneth i'edg- peth ot Phoenix; two sisters, Miss A. M. Floraiico ot Denver and Mrs. Sarah Clarke of Parkersburg, W. six grand children, and his wife, Mrs.

Louise Florance of Grceley. Member of Blue Lodge and Shrine Mr. Florance was a moniber of the Masonic lodge, including the Blue IxMlge anil (ho Shrine, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World. Until recently he was also an Elk. Body is at Satlley's funeral home.

Mr. Klorance was born at Parkersburg, W. on Aug. 27, 1806, the son of Mr. and Mrs.

Loren Florance. From tho first the boy Ben showed that ho could take care ot himself. At 13 he ran away from home and shipped to New Orleans on an Ohio-Mississippi packet steamer, reluming home six months Inter with a new suit and money in his 'pocket. Characteristically, describing the reason why he left homo that first time, Judge Florauce recently said: "Father and I had an argument and, father being the biggest, he kicked my pants." His eyes twinkled when he told thai, in tha same way they did when lie recounted flshlug and sherlffing adventures to a. host of cronies who hung around his Justice'court for 14 years.

(Florance was one of the best storytellers as well as one of the best fishing companions in Northern Colorado.) Came to State 62 Years Ago Whea 20 old, Young Ben stopped in Colorado while on one ot his "bumming" trips across the continent. He liked it and stayed, not returning to Parkersburg until half a century lalcr. His first job was with the Wanless Brothers cattle outfit with headquarters i Brighton, but within the year lie moved on up into the Greeley district. Ho had first landed In Denver and soon dispeised his small money re- eerve so he walked to Brighton to get tho Waniess Job, arriving there with just 10 cents. Farmed and Worked )n In 1S61T Ben came to Greeley and Ejicnt tho next year on the open range northeast oC this cily.

For two moro yeai-s lie farmed on tho old Boyd ranch Just west of Greeley and then became (-mployed by JlancJolph and Jacoba; Groeloy's largest grocery, us manager ot tho Ice and slaughterhouse department. Ho was with this firm for eight years and at tho end of his employment he received always remembered praise from A. W. Jacobs. In Introducing Floranco to Governor Ellas M.

Ammons. father of Governor Teller Ammons, Jacobs said: I want you to meet Ben Florance. Ho has worked for mo for! eight years and never told me a In 1897 Floranco went Into bualnesi Frank Harrington and chey opened a meat market In Windsor; on 4) Ben Florance, above, for 28 yean a public official In Weld county and one of the early cow- punchen of the district, died Thursday at the Greeley hospital after a long illness from a heart ailment. Air Route May Link U.S. with Canada-Alaska (Auoclatcd Washington.

Aug. 3. Air routes Unking the United States, Canada, and Alaska and Improving American defenses In the direction of the Pacific will be outlined nt a Canadian-American conference la Ottawa announced today by the stato department. The conferences will begin neit Wednesday. Outstanding among the plans to be considered la possible institution of plane service between iho United States and Alaska with or without stops in Canada.

Three routes are contemplated, one following tho const from Seattle, one parlly over water and partly over land, and one from Great Falls, Mont. Officials view such prospective improvement In air transportailou as contributing to national defense. Moody Brothers Seek Record for All Planes Springfield, Ausr. Moody brothers, Hunter and Humphrey, remained aloft Thursday for the eleventh consecutive day in their small monoplane, resolved to establish a second sustained flight record before landing. Already possessing a world mark for continuous flight In a light plane, tho brothers set as their next objective a new endurance record for planes of all types.

The heavy plane endurance mark of 053 hours was established in 1937 by another brother team--Al and Fred Keys of Meridian, Miss. To surpass it the Moody brothers must remain in the air for sixteen more days. They decided to attempt It after shattering the light plane record of 218 hours and 43 minutes early Tuesday evening. Their 1 plane Is powered by a 66-horsepower aircooled motor In contrast to thR 220-horsepower engine used by the Keys. The Moody brothers, unlike the Keys, are unable to make motor adjustments while in flight.

Another disadvantage is tho cramped apace which prevents them from moving about. To refuel the young flyers hoist cans o( gasoline from a speeding truck by means of a rope equipped with a snap hook. Paul Carney Takes Honors at Stampede Monto Vista, Aug. Carney of Galeton, took opening dav honors In tho bucking horse contest at Monto Vista's Ski HI Stampede. Carney stayed aboard Utah Baldy to win first money yesterday.

Economy Bloc Kills Housing Washington, Aug. 3. A house coal: tlrri of republicans and democrats today killel President Roosevelt's $800,000,000 housing bill for this eeaslon. The latest rebuff to tho administration topped off Tuesday's stunning defeat of the lending program. Today, as then, the house refused even to consider tho legislation.

Tho vote was 190 to Tho housing bill defeat cleared away one moro harrier to adjournment 'but the senate still was faced with a maze- ot problema on the third deficiency bill. Army Convoy Thru Creeley Friday Morning Fort Warren, Aug. 3. Tho 20th Infantry from Fort Warren will leave here in 161 trucks, Friday movn- Ing for Texas. They will arrive in Greeley on U.

S. highway No. 85, between 9 a. m. and 9:30 a.

m. Friday, army officers said. Weather Colorado--Partly cloudy Thursday night and Friday, showers in mountains Thursday night and Friday and in extreme sonlhwest Friday; ilttla change in temper- aturo. Wyoming--Partly cloudy Thura- day night and Friday, becoming unsettled with ehnwers in western Friday; warmer In northeast Friday. Lpcul for 24 hours ending 8 n.

Thursday: high 90, low 64. Police Chiei Hunter said it was uncertain yet whether the procession would be routed across town on Eleventh avenue or Eighth, but r-s'obatny, Eighth avenue would bo used. Cheyenne, Aug. -Friday a U. S.

army convoy 'over 10 miles long will leave Fort Warren for maneuvers of the new stream-lined division in Tc.tas. Approximately 1,750 men, 161 20 three-quarter-ton trailers, recon-' nolssance cars and motorcycles will string out along the highway 100 yards apart under close military supervision to avoid traffic jams and accidents. will be used through the larger towns to assure the maximum of speed and safety to clear traf- fie. The 20th infantry ot Fort Warren less the 3rd battalion ot the 20th, and the 3rd battalion of the First infantry will be included in the "march" and will represent Fort Warren in the maneuvering ot the new streamlined units at Camp BulUs, Texas, under strict wartime conditions proving or disproving advanced theories ou use of fast mobile units In action. War time rations and other orders will bo in effect.

The troops will camp the first night at Colorado Springs, and Saturday night at Raton, N. M. They will lay over at Amarlllo, Texas, Sunday and Monday. On tho night of Aug. 8 they will camp outside of Big Springs, Texas; Aug.

9, nt Brady, Texas, and Aug. 10 they will camp at Camp Hullig where the maneuvers will bo held. Their first problem will take placo Aug. 14 and from then ou until Aug. 23 they will participate In many problems.

The troops will leave Camp Bullis Sept. 2 and nro expected to bo back at Fort Warren by Sept. 8. New Workers from Weld Being Cared for In Kremmling District Northern Colorado Water Conservancy district, In telephone communication with Kremmling I hursday morning, sought to make certain that more than 100 men from the district who reported for work Wednesday at Green Mountain were being cared for. Orders were given that any of the men who were without funds were to be fed.

The district officials were assured that the workmen who reported there would bo cared for until they could start work. Succeeds Dr. Shale Dr. John H. Fountain, above, of wide training and experience in public health work, has been appointed to head the Public Health Unit in Weld county to succeed Dr.

R. J. Shale. Taft To Head Ticket Of Republicans Washington, Aug. 3.

Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio expressed willingness today to become a candidalo for tho republican presidential nomination in 1940. Tho eon of the former president and chief Justice staled his position In a letter to George F. Eyrlck of the county republican executive commit- too at Cincinnati which had endorsed him for tho presidential nomination. "I ahall be willing when tho time comes," Taft said, "to give my consent to have my name designated aa the first choice by candidates for delegates (to tho republican convention), thruout th Dr.

Fountain Takes Charge Of Health Unit Dr. John IT. Fountain, formerly in tuberculosis control work with the Colorado Stato Hcullli 0 opart men Wednesday assumed Ills duties as Public Health Unit, succeeding Dr. n. J.

Shale. Dr. Fountain'wag given a six-month appointment by the county commi.v aloners on recommendation oE the stato health department nm! the WelU County Medtcal Society. PrJor to his service wjth tho state health department, Dr. Fountain served on llio staff of FItzsinions hospital whore liiii duties were mainly In the of tuberculosis.

A native of Washington, D. G. Dr. Fountain received his public school education in Arlington county. and In the national capital.

There ho attended Georgetown university, receiving- a bachelor's degree in science, and degree of doctor of medicine In 1D29. lie did his Interne- ship at the Walter Reed Goneral Hm- pital, and then entered tlio A Medical scliool For public health sources in Washington for post-graduate (raining 1 Following that lie attended tho Itledical Field- Service School at Carlisle Uarracks, taking 1 courses In the Public Health field. Dr. Fountain served In the Medical Corprt of the Regular army from July 1. 1930, to Sept.

30, 1935. His wldo public; health experience includes service with the California Slato Department of Public Health from Aug. 22, 1937, to A i 25, 1938. His duties included typhoid immunization of migratory laborers, general control of sanitation and communicable dlseaaea in migratory labor camps, tuberculosis survey among migratory laborers, and smallpox epidemic control In the Imperial Valley. With that exception ho has been a resident of Colorado for five years.

Ho is a member of tho Denver Medical Society and the American Public Health association, and of Alpha Kappa Kappa, a national medical fraternity. 50 Range Cattle Die in Weld of Weed Poisoning At least 50 range cattle have died In Wold county this summer from weed poisoning, mostly tho deadly suckleyu Eiickloyana, it was estimated today by Sliorifl Gus Anderson In discussing (he latest report, that George llall of Pierce had lost (onr animals and had everal more sick. Anderson said the loss totals at least to slock' owners and is continuing ns llio drought falls to hreak. The worst trouble la encountered Tvhen herds arc moved to new ranges. Some times the cattle die within tiueo or four hours after being turned into a new pasture when the wecfi grows rank around dried up water holes.

No antidote for tho poison has heen New reports of deaths aro received hero every tew days. Because of tho drought thla Is one of tha worst years In history for weed poisoning, DENVER PnODUCB Denver, Aug. 3, Produce, steady, unchanged. Carr Explains Sending Troops To Tunnel Area Olenwood Springs, Aug. Ralph 1,.

Carr issued a formal statement Thursday explaining his "order of Insurrection" calling out National a troops to restore order In tho Green Mountain dam strike zone. Tho (statement: "After nearly eight hours of constant telephone conversations and personal Interviews with pence i cers, county commissioners and other reputable citizens--many of whom aro eyewitnesses to the facts concerning which they speak--I have reached the Inescapable conclusion that executive action was necessary for preservation of peace, the maintenance of law and order and the protection of the lives and property of persons iu tho counties of Summit and Grand. "Tlicso reports have convinced mo that armed forces are engaging In actual conflict and that hundreds ot men aro opposing each other In such a. manner that violence and bloodshed are imminent. 'A number already have been shot anl wounded.

'Tho sheriffs, members of the boards of county commissioners in both counties havo ashed mo repeatedly lo intercede and to assume control ot tho situation. "They have announced their inability lo handle It. Their statements havo "been confirmed by many others. "A slato of Insurrection exists which must ba stopped. ''Tho only agency for restoring pence avallablb to the governor of Colorado in the National Guard.

"Because of the conditions existing iu these two counties and the apparent certainty of additional clashes within" tho- been forced lo order old IT. Richardson lo movo at once into theso counties to avert trouble. "I am advised that the clashes Wed- ntwlay were between one group of a In Command At Kremmling: Adjutant General H. H. Richardson, In command of the Colorado National Guard charged with the duty of disarming both sides a restoring order in the Kremmling labor war.

Bridge Blown Blocking Dillon Road to Project Green Mountain Dam, Aug. pickets declared three unioti sympathizers were shot and today near tho Green a i dam pJecl. A bridge on Highway D. south ot the project, was dynamited, bloating approach to the project from Dillon. A'bout 100 allots exchanged i B'UUII ut i a picket advance on tho pro- labor organization determined to stay Ject sito held since last night by the out on strike mid another group o( tho eamo organization supplemented by others who are anxious to return to work.

"Tho Intlcr group actually had forced Ihelr way into the work Tue.i- dny and It is reported a ninny actually were at work Wednesday." Sheriff And Tavern Keeper Killed in Fight Husk, Aug. Bill Brunt of Cherokee county and 1. Creel, a a keeper, were shot to (loath and woman wounded In a rondsldo ptotol fight early todny. Tho woman. Myrlo Stanley, 25, an employe of (Jrccl'n tavern, said the ntx foot.

23 year old officer fired the shot which killed Creel and wounded her In the log. Slio told county Attorney Ellis Lew- back to work forces of i i i i workers, rancliera nnil townspeople, reported Colonel F. F. Creceliu 3, reclamation bureau engineer in charge. Crecelius, inside the project enclosure during the firing, said ho did not know whether any one wus hurt.

Claims Is George Judy, 17, a union a i er exhibited to newspapermen, however, a grazing wound across his right hip. said two other men wcvo i and declared they had been taken to Dillon for treatment. Tho wounded men could not be found in Dillon. Pickels, established In a picket line Iwo miles north of project, declnr- cd tho bridgo was a i by (Continued on page, 10) Machine Guns And Tank Array Quiet Scene of Heavy Shooting Martial Law Prevails, Union Sympathizers Withdraw as Army Nears Small Union Will Take She told county Attorney Ellis Lew- 1U11 111 JLU Is thill Sheriff Brunt halted the Creel 1 Holiday as Gvecil Ml car. which was londcd with lecr, by I a front i and that Creel AlOlCSl, It OtatCS fired nt llio sheriff to open tlio piatol exchange.

FBI To Investigate Krcmmlfngf Rioting Associated Pressl Denver, Aug. 3. -Thomas J. Morrlssey, United States district attorney for Colorado, announced this afternoon the federal bureau I of Investigation woufd Investigate the situation at Green Mountain Dam to. determine whether any federal laws have been violated.

Morrlssey made the announcement after conferring with department of justice officials at Washington, by telephone. Earlier he had met at their request with leaders of American Federation of Labor unions whfch struck at the dam July 12. Greeley Labor Solicited for Strike Funds Local i of laljor unions affiliated with tho A.F.r,., particularly those In llio construction trade fields, are now belnjf solicited by the Slate Federation of Labor for funds to carry on tho Union battle at the alrlLcc-lorn Green Mountain project, waa learned today. Greeley members of lalior unlonn said that In tho cltteo Included in tho Northern Colorado Water Conservancy district, It la understood local unions havo tho union, contributed to help in Its demands at Green Mountain. This has boon raised since tho strike- fllarted on July 12.

femborahip of one Greeley local waa reported 1o havo sent In J25. Kven tho members of the locnl cull- nnry union nro asked aid with Press) Denver, Aug. CIO i announced i that "we stand shoulder to shoulder with A. F. ot victims of officially condoned brutality and terror" at Green a i dam and said It waa calling a otic day holiday In'protest.

The union, Iho Colorado Tunnel Workers union of Idaho Springs, announced its position in a statement Issued by Hold Kobinsoii, International president of the Mine Smeller Men's union. Tho group, Is at work on Williams Fork project and will take Its holiday tomorrow, Rohlnaon said: "We hold Governor Carr. I i a Commission and tho sheriff, who deputized and armed breakem. Jointly responsible i the contractor for what has happened at Green Mountain and for any violence which may occur." llo atnted, "there has been a brct.fit- down of law and ccder caused by (he a ot high officials of the a of Colorado." "Wo of tho CIO Miners and Tunnel Workers union havo every reanon to know that i State I i a commission a a cauie of vlg- ilnntlsm and i i a disorder In this atate, acting as a strike breaking agency Instead of al'empllng to bring about genuine bargaining." No Instructions Given Grcclcy National Guard No been instructions of any kind had received Thursday for Gree ley national guard units becaiiso of the labor troubles nt Green Mountain dam to which national guard i from Denver and other towns havo boon dispatched after Governor Carr declared martial law. George A.

Irvln la captain in command of Company and Captain C. H. Carlson commands the headquarters company bora. (Associated Green a i Darn, Aug. Imposing array of national guardsmen moved out of i i i this afternoon under orders to disarm all persons at Green Mountain Dam.

hub of a strife torn zone where two shootings caused the wounding of six persons and the bludgeoning of ft seventh. Heading group was a tank, followed by two trucks with machine guns mounted. Twelve truckloads of soldiers were in the party. Carr Headed for Troubted Zone At the same time Governor Ralph L. Carr headed toward Green Mountain Dam for a personal inspection of the troubled zone.

A a i previously announced plans, tlie governor drove thru Dillon to Hie south without stopping and headed a on highway 3 toward the dam sile. Tho area where sporadic shooting occurred I the night and where three small bridges were blown out quieted before the advance of tho soldiers. Governor Carr ordered the troops into the region declaring it to be In a state "of insurrection" last night. Strike Sympathizers Leave Camp Even before arrival of the guardsmen, massed sympathizers of striking American Federation of Labor workers began leaving the camp they had established at a road Junction three miles from tlie site of the dam. A.

K. Anderson, superintendent ot tho dam construction, sairl "five or six" truck loads of men left during the morning. The strike sympathizers ceased try. lug to halt cars going to the dinn. The first outpost established by the national guard a reaching Kremmling was at a bridge two miles south of town a back-to-work faction had clashed last night i a caravan of slrike a i and had forced them to around.

Two men suffered bullet wounds In tho mole. The guardsmen searched all persona entering the area for weapons with orders to disarm them. General Orders All Disarmed A a General Harold H. lllch- ardson, In command of the soldiers, sent one of his units to Dillon, A-itli orders to find n. suitable base, then move northward along highway 9 lutrolling road and disarming all persons.

The unit was ordered to porn i cars to leave but not to allow any 'ood to enter tho zone. There was no Immediate explanation of the food order. In front of the dam gates where Imck to work t'orres routed union Tuesday evening, aeveral heavy trucks had been drawn up along tlio highways, niL'dng entry by automobile slow. Power Lines Severed, a i Work At Iho a were several a all armed i shot guns, or six- shooters. lusiile project gated al- meat every mini carried a gun.

There wan no work at the project, however, as power lines had been cut during the niglit. Men had worked fcq- a time ye.storday. Man Inside Gates Bljmed for Shooting Anderson said "most of" shoot- Ing which occurred before dawn at tho project was done by a man inside the gates. "Whenever they thought somebody was i i to sneak up toward the project, they just fired I Iho air aa a warning," he explained. In Washington, J.

R. Steelman, director of the federal conciliator service, indicated V.e might ask the rec- a a i bureau to halt work pending mediation conferences. "Regardless of what has already happened or who has been In the wrong up to now, Hie place lo settle labor disputes around the conference table." Tho injured are: Kellerliall.s, 35. of Denver, shot the eye. His condition, according lo surgeons at a Denver hosi.ital, where- ho was lakcn, ia critical.

W. J. Ulalock, 26, of C71 Galapago street, Denver, shot thru the left shoulder and taken to Denver tor treatment. Art Morrow. 43, of Denver, shot one arm.

Georgo Judy, 17, of Yuma. i on the right hip by a bullet. Art a of Denver shot in one leg. Doming. 2S, of Dillon, an onlooker, grazed on tho head by a shot fired ihru the svindshleld of hla truck.

His wound was little more than a scratch. Tho CCC boy grazed on one leg refused to gfvo- hti name. Along tlio rugged mountainsides between IJtllon and Krcmmling, many of the "back-to-work" groitn, especially deputized by Sheriffs Mark Fletcher of Grand county and John Lee of Summit county, have "holed In" behind crags and bonlders. Inside Iho dam site camp, according to A. K.

Anderson, general superintendent for tho Warner Constniclioa (ConUnued on Pnso 4J,.