Miscellaneous newspaper articles about Morgan County Colorado
April 15, 1923
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
Miss Patterson is a former student of the University of Nebraska and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She is the guest for a few days of Mr. and Mrs. George Arendt, ??03 Idylwilde Driver, on her way to Fort Morgan, Colo., which was her home when she was attending school here. She has been in Pittsburgh for the past year. (Submitted by Shauna Williams)
July 24, 1923
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
COOUPLE RETURNED ON THEFT CHARGE
F.L. King and J.W. Epperson, deputy sheriffs from Fort Morgan
Colo., left Lincoln Tuesday morning for Fort Morgan with James L. "Fainting
Jimmy," Farris and his 19 year old bride, in the automobile said to have been
stolen by the couple at Brush, Colo., July 19.
Both Farris and his young wife will be charged with auto
theft, according to the sheriffs.
The pair was arrested Saturday afternoon, just a day after
the car was stolen, at Miller and Paines' after it is alleged they had passed a
number of bogus checks. (Submitted by Shauna Williams)
October 6, 1923
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
FORMER NEBRASKAN IS BADLY INJURED IN AN AUTO WRECK
W.J. Breese, twenty years old, formerly a resident of
Norfolk, had a narrow escape from death Thursday when he lost control of a light
truck which he was driving near Fort Morgan, Colo., his home, according to word
received in Lincoln Saturday. Breese lost control of the car on a steep hill
and, in an attempt to stop the machine, drove it into a ditch at the side of the
road. The car turned turtle and was wrecked. Breese was badly cut and bruised.
(Submitted by Shauna Williams)
October 20, 1923
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
LEAVES FARMERS' UNION
Beatrice, Neb., Oct. 20-Delmar S. Hale, who has been manager
of the Farmers Union store at Diller, Neb., the past year, has resigned his
position and will leave for Fort Morgan, Colo., where he will engage in
business. His successor has not yet been named. (Submitted
by Shauna Williams)
August 28, 1930
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
JEWELL ELECTED HEAD OF G.A.R.
Colorado Man New Commander-in-Chief of Civil War Veterans
Cincinnati, O., Aug. 28-James E. Jewell of Fort Morgan,
Colo., 83 today was elected commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic
for the ensuing year.
Jewell succeeds Edwin J. Foster of Worcester, Mass., who
commanded the Union veterans of the Civil war at their sixty-fourth encampment
here which closes tomorrow.
Jewell migrated from Ohio to Iowa and joined the
Twenty-seventh Iowa infantry at the outset of the Civil war. He later became a
well known lawyer, farmer and stockman in Colorado. He joined the GAR in 1879
and was chosen senior vice commander at the Denver encampment last year.
Secrisi Is Vice Commander
Jacob Secrisi, Cincinnati, was elected senior vice commander
to succeed Jewell.
Jewell received 243 votes; Samuel B. Town, Philadelphia, 191;
Harding Merrill, Wichita, Kas., 43; Charles Manson, Portland, Me., 14; and Smith
Stimmel, Fargo, N.D., 10. The result was determined when Kansas switched its
vote to Jewell and Illinois followed. A total of 451 eligible votes were present
and 226 were necessary for election.
Mrs. Margaret Grandle, Pittsburgh, Kas., was elected national
president of the Ladies of the G.A.R. succeeding Cora M. Rowling. She had been
national chaplain. The new senior vice president is Mrs. Ella Berkemeier, Akron,
O. Mrs. Grandle has been commander of the Kansas department for several years
and is a member of that state's industrial commission. She is a past dean of the
Kansas Women's Teacher college.
(Submitted by Shauna Williams)
November 23, 1930
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
REPORT TEACHER SEEN AT SIDNEY
Nebraska Authorities Asked to Search for Missing Woman
Fort Morgan, Colo., Nov. 22-Authorities of Kimball, Neb. were
asked tonight to search for Enid Marriott, 28 year old school teacher of
Wiggins, Colo., who disappeared in Wiggins mysteriously last Sunday night.
Sheriff Rufus A. Johnston of Morgan county made the request
after Mrs. E.A. Lott of Sidney, Neb., a personal friend of the missing teacher
reported to him that she had seen Mrs. Marriott in a hotel lobby in Sidney
Thursday.
Simultaneously with the new clue to Mrs. Marriott's
whereabouts, revelation was made that Ray Oberts Babb, 13, had disappeared near
Wiggins Thursday, November 13.
En route to school with an elder brother, the boy walked
ahead and disappeared into a hollow. A black sedan sped past the brother, and
when the elder boy reached the hollow Ray had disappeared.
The disappearance was not reported. The father, Rex Babb, a
farmer, told the sheriff, because he believed Ray had gone to Masters to stay
with his mother, from whom the father is separated. Investigation today,
inspired by the disappearance of Mrs. Marriott disclosed the belief mistaken.
(Submitted by Shauna Williams)
*Notes submitted by
Virginia Dorff - The young boy Ray Oberts Babb, 13 is my uncle Bob the name in
the paper is wrong it should be Rex Robert Babb his older brother who was with
him is my dad. Their father was Rex Ramos Babb. I don't know if the news paper
got it wrong or if the person who copied it from the news paper got it wrong.*
(Shauna Williams Note - The paper is transcribed as it was)
November 24, 1930
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
COLORADO GIRL STILL MISSING
Strange Disappearance of Enid Marriott Remains Unsolved
Fort Morgan, Colo., Nov. 24-A kidnapping theory, first
advanced in connection with the strange disappearance a week ago of Miss Enid
Marriott, 28 year old Wiggins, Colo., school teacher, today appeared as a likely
explanation after investigation proved other clues false. Miss Marriott was last
seen November 16 near a railroad station, but authorities believe she was
abducted by a man in an automobile.
The teacher's parents here assisting officers in the
investigation believe the girl was kidnapped, because they claim she would seek
to alleviate their worry by notifying them of her whereabouts were it possible.
School officers have added the information a $112 warrant
which was available for Miss Marriott the Friday before her disappearance was
not claimed. Authorities believe had the teacher planned her disappearance she
would have called for her salary.
A report that Miss Marriott was seen in Sidney, Nebr., last
Friday has been proved without foundation. (Submitted by
Shauna Williams)
November 25, 1930
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
FORM POSSE TO HUNT TEACHER
Authorities Convinced Wiggins, Colo., Girl Was Kidnapped
Ranchers Volunteer Aid In Search; Fear Miss Marriott Slain.
Fort MOrgan, Colo., Nov. 25-A sheriff's posse was organized
today to search the lonely prairie country of northern Morgan county for Miss
Enid Marriott, 28 year old Wiggins, Colo., school teacher, missing since
November 16.
Clew after clew proving without substantiation, authorities
were convinced today their original theory of kidnapping explained the woman's
strange disappearance. They believe the teacher may have been slain and her body
concealed in a snow drift.
Meanwhile officers at Cheyenne, Wyo., were investigating a
report that a woman resembling Miss Marriott registered at a hotel there last
Monday with a man. Police said the couple's automobile was similar to the one in
which the woman was believed to have disappeared.
RANCHERS VOLUNTEER AID
Ranchers of Morgan county volunteered to aid the sheriff in
the search for the teacher. unless new clews are uncovered at once, the posse
will begin a systematic search both on foot and on horseback, of the prairie,
sand hills and gulleys in the vicinity of Wiggins.
School official at Wiggins have added the information that a
warrant for $112 available to Miss Marriott the Friday before she disappeared
was not claimed. They are of the opinion that if the teacher planned her
disappearance she would have collected her salary.
Miss Marriott has not been seen since she alighted from a
train at Wiggins a week ago last Sunday after spending the week end in Denver. A
man and a car were on the station platform of the eastern Colorado village when
the train arrived. She is believed to have entered the car with the man and from
that time has completely dropped from sight. (Submitted by
Shauna Williams)
November 26, 1930
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
Missing Colorado School Teacher
Miss Enid Marriott.
Three men are being held at Fort Morgan, Colo., for
questioning about the mysterious disappearance of Miss Enid Marriott, 28 year
old school teacher of Wiggins, Colo. Miss Marriott, who is pictured above, was
last reported seen at Sidney and Nebraska authorities have joined in the search
for her. (Submitted by Shauna Williams)
December 10, 1930
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
NO SEARCH OF NEBRASKA FARM
McClanahan Still Held In Connection With Marriott Case
Gering, Neb., Dec. 10-The hunt in this section for clues to
the fate of Enid Marriott, Wiggins, Colo., school teacher, remains at a
standstill. The teacher disappeared from Wiggins Nov. 16.
Officers here said Fort Morgan, Colo., officials grill M.G.
McClanahan, Scotts Bluff county, rancher today, but no word had reached here on
the outcome of the investigation. McClanahan was arrested Saturday and taken to
Greeley, from where he was taken to Fort Morgan Monday.
Colorado officers said an anonymous letter which described
McClanahan, his ranch and his automobile, but not giving McClanahan's name, led
to the arrest on a charge of kidnapping the teacher.
Whether Sheriff Frank Koenig and Deputy Sheriff Frank White
will search the McClanahan ranch is not known here, but they have announced they
will take no ??? until so instructed by Colorado officers.
Both Colorado and Nebraska authorities declined to say
whether McClanahan is suspected of actually kidnapping the teacher or whether he
is merely suspected of having knowledge of her kidnapping.
(Submitted by Shauna Williams)
December 13, 1930
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
BLOODY HAT IN MARRIOTT CASE
Is Picked Up Near Place Missing Teacher Last Seen
Fort Morgan, Colo., Dec 13-A man's hat, bloodstains on the
crown, and the initials "F.G.R." on the band, was turned over to Sheriff R.A.
Johnson today for investigation in the disappearance of Miss Enid Marriott, 28
year old Wiggins, Colo., school teacher, missing since November 16.
The hat was found by J.A. Watt, police magistrate of Crowley,
Colo. Watt said he discovered the hat near a fence post along the Empire
irrigation reservoir near Wiggins.
Miss Marriott was last seen as she alighted from a train at
Wiggins. Watt also told Sheriff Johnson there was a bloodstained newspaper
beside the hat, but that he did not take it. The hat is size 7 1/2.
M.G. McClanahan, Nebraska farmhand who is held on a warrant
charging abduction, was to be arraigned late today in Justice court. Pending the
fixing of bond, authorities planned to have McClanahan bound over to District
court for trial.
Virtually the only bit of evidence against McClanahan,
Sheriff Johnson said, is anonymous letter written from San Francisco, December
4, which named his as the abductor.
Robert and Frank McClanahan, sons of the accused man, arrived
here last night from Scottsbluff and told Sheriff Johnson they could furnish
proof their father was in Mitchell Valley, Neb., the night Miss Marriott
disappeared. Glen Helm, a farmer, also came here to substantiate the sons'
story. (Submitted by Shauna Williams)
December 14, 1930
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
M'CLANAHAN IS FREE ON BOND
Nebraskan Questioned About Disappearance of School Teacher
Scottsbluff, Neb., Dec. 13-Melvin McClanahan, Nebrasker
rancher who has been held by Colorado officers for the past week in connection
with the disappearance of Miss Enid Marriott, Wiggins, Colo, school Teacher, was
released on bond tonight.
McClanahan brought from Greeley to Scottsbluff by a Fort
Morgan, Colo., deputy sheriff, was released on a $1000 bond here.
The rancher has been questioned at Fort Morgan and Greeley
concerning the disappearance of the school teacher, Miss Marriott disappeared
November 16.
Relatives and friends of McClanahan had gone to Fort Morgan
to testify that McClanahan was in Nebraska when the teacher is claimed to have
dropped out of sight. (Submitted by Shauna Williams)
January 19, 1931
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
SOLUTION NEAR IN GIRL'S DEATH
Colorado Road Worker Held In Disappearance of Miss Marriott
Fort Morgan, Colo., Jan. 19-Sheriff Rupert Johnson said
solution of the two month old mystery of the disappearance of Miss Enid
Marriott, Wiggins, Colo., school teacher, appeared imminent today.
Sheriff Johnson announced Harry E. Moore, a road worker, had
been arrested in connection with the investigation and held incommunicado since
last Wednesday.
Sam E. Lee of the state law enforcement department said
evidence which caused the arrest of Moore included a handkerchief initialed "M"
and a bloody shirt stuffed under a bridge over the Bijou irrigation canal. Lee
said that when Moore's wife was first shown the shirt she said she believed it
belonged to her husband, but later denied the identification. Lee said Moore
admitted he was in Wiggins the night of November 16, when Miss Marriott
disappeared but denied he knew the school teacher.
Pajamas Found in Canal
Pajamas identified as belonging to Miss Marriott were found
yesterday in the Bijou canal. The identification was by Mrs. C.G. Carlson of
Greeley, Colo., Miss Marriott's sister.
Search for her body will continue today, when investigators
expect to chop their way through ice to reach the bottom of a hole twenty feet
deep in the canal. It is at this point, authorities say, that livestock drowned
in the ditch is found. (Submitted by Shauna Williams)
January 23, 1931
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
FIND CLUES IN MARRIOTT CASE
Suspected Death Car is Found and Another Man Taken.
Fort Morgan, Colo., Jan. 23-An automobile which officers
believe may have been used in the murder of Miss Enid Marriott, Wiggins, Colo.,
school teacher, today occupied a pivotal position in the investigation of the
slaying.
The car, a 1926 model couple, was returned here yesterday
from Woodrow, Colo., where it had been bought by a finance concern. Five holes
were found in the upholstering of the machine and found the torn portions of
upholstering there were stains which officers believe may have been caused by
blood. The upholstering was sent to Denver for microscopic examination.
Sidney Hughes, arrested at Wymore, Neb., at the request of
Sheriff Rufus A. Johnston, formerly owned the car. Hughes is en route to
Fort Morgan for questioning earlier in the investigation and at that time told
Sheriff Johnston he once loaned his car to Lloyd Lung of Fort Morgan, who was
placed in jail last night.
Lung, a sugar plant employee, told Sheriff Johnston he had
borrowed Hughes' car the night of November 16, last when Miss Marriott was
slain.
Officers said the machine which was brought here yesterday
answers the description of the one that followed Miss Marriott, from the Wiggins
railroad station after she alighted from a train that brought her here from
Denver.
Harry Moore, also a friend of Hughes, is at liberty under
bond of $2000 on a technical charge of abduction in the Marriott case. Moore's
hearing on the charge is set for January 30. (Submitted by
Shauna Williams)
January 24, 1931
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
HUGHES ADMITS CAR OWNERSHIP
Colorado Officers Push Work On Marriott Murder Case
Fort Morgan, Colo., Jan. 24-Investigation of the Enid Marriott murder mystery
today turned of a search for discharged .38 caliber shells, the size bullet
having caused the death of the Wiggins, Colo., school teacher on the night of
November 16.
Charles Ducker, state highway worker, today told Sheriff
Rufus A. Johnston, he found an exploded .38 caliber shell November 29 near the
bridge over the Bijou irrigation canal in which Miss Marriott's body was
discovered last Monday.
Ducker said he was examining the shell when one of the two
men who loitered about the bridge asked to see it.
"If you don't want it, give it to me," Ducker said the man
told him.
Ducker said he paid no particular attention to the men, since
many persons were searching in that vicinity at that time. Miss Marriott's hat
box had been found two days previously in the canal near the bridge.
Sidney Hughes, paroled convict, was returned to Fort Morgan
Friday from Wymore, Neb., by Under Sheriff H.A. McMullen. Hughes, arrested on
the order of Sheriff Johnston, denied he knew anything material in the Marriott
case.
Hughes said a bullet scarred automobile returned here
yesterday from Woodrow, Colo., was owned jointly by him and Lloyd Lung, Fort
Morgan sugar plant worker, who is held in jail. Hughes told the officers Lung
was driving the car, November 16, the date Miss Marriett was slain.
Sheriff Johnston said he had been informed from Denver
that stains found in the upholstering of the car are not blood.
(Submitted by Shauna Williams)
April 12, 1931
The Lincoln Star, Lincoln Nebraska
RAID MAY GIVE CLUE IN SLAYING
Believe Colorado Liquor Gang on "Inside" of Marriott Killing.
Fort Morgan, Colo., April 11-A gigantic liquor manufacturing
plant, which may have had some connection with the mysterious disappearance and
murder of Enid Marriott, Wiggins, Colo., school teacher, was raided tonight.
Three men were arrested and one woman, 600 hundred gallons of
whisky ready for marketing 9,000 gallons of mash and a still capable of
producing 500 gallons of whisky at a time, was seized.
The raid was conducted by Sheriff Rufus Johnston, aided by
Walter Byron head of a Denver detective agency, and a posse.
Charles Lombardi, 35; John Sabino, 40; both of Denver, Leon
Mullen, 55 of Wiggins, and Mrs. Mullen assertedly acting as lookout, was sunning
herself in the nude when the officers arrived at the isolated rancher near where
the whisky plant was hidden.
It was the largest bootleg manufacturing plate ever
discovered in northeastern Colorado.
For some time there have been reporteds current here that
Enid Marriott was slain as a result of a bootleg gang feud. It was reported that
she "knew too much" about a liquor gang, and was "taken for a ride."
The four arrested were to be questioned concerning the school
teacher's disappearance, November 16, and the discovery of her bullet riddled
body late in December, frozen in an ice clogged irrigation ditch.
(Submitted by Shauna Williams)
