Gilpin observer., 1908-04-02
Black Hawk Communication.

Black Hawk, Colo, March 3Oth, 1908.
Editor of the Observer:
Dear Sir: Will you please give this
letter space in your most valuable
paper?
AS there are many false statements
in circulation concerning the Black
Hawk board of education in its actions,
and as am member of that board, l
deem it my duty to defend the action of
the board. The public has been hear
ing the imaginery side of the story en-
tirely, and as all stories have two sides,
here give the true statements, point
by point.
The board bought the Presbyterian
church building and ground because
they had to do so inasmuch as the pub
lie school building sets nearly half of
its length on the church lot and other
parties were negotiating for the church
property knowing this to be fact, in
tending to hold up the district for
good sum for the portion of the church
ground occupied by the school building.
Some time after the board purchased
the church property, Mr.. Theo. Nelson
asked the board if he could get the
church building for a basketball hall.
After consideration of Mr.. Nelson S
proposition the board decided to not let
Mr.. Nelson have the building. The
statements being made broadcast to
the effect that Mr.. Nelson offered to
pay $1,000 a month, or in fact any
stated sum as rent, or to take a lease
on the building for any definite length
of time are entirely false as far as the
board has any knowledge whatever
Now because the board turned down
the proposition of Mr.. Nelson and after
ward leased the building to Mr.. Thomas
Dunstone some parties are making cap
ital out of it and using it wholly and
solely as political matter in the coming
city and school elections, seeking there
by to poison the minds of the people
against the Taxpayers ticket and
against me as candidate for re-elec-
tion on the school board.
Statements to the effect that Mr..
Taylor and myself acted alo,e in the
above matters without Mr.. Giutzmach-
er's approval or disapproval are also
false. Actions in both above cases
were by unanimous consent of all three
members of the board.
The statements to the effect that the
board put new roof on the building
solely because Mr.. Dunstone had leased
it are also false. The roof had been in a
bad condition for long time and the
matter of re-roofing it was matter of
first concern after the building had been
bought. And can truthfully say that
the board bought the material and gave
contract to Mr.. Chris. Hanson to put
the roof on about the fore part of Dec
ember, 1907, and Mr.. Dunstone did not
speak to the board about leasing the
building until about the 5th or 9Th of
February, 1908.
When Mr.. Hanson was given the con-
tract on the building, the board told
him that they were in no :hurry about
the roof just so he got it done before
the spring wet weather set in. At the
time the material arrived Mr.. Hanson
was employed with the Fifty G. M. Co.
and continued in their employ, and
about three weeks ago Mr.. Taylor saw
Mr.. Hanson and reminded him that it
was getting about time that the roof
was fixed. Mr.. Hanson stated that it
would be some time before he would be
able to do it and suggested that the
board get someone else to do it. So
the board employed Messrs. Thompson
& Hambly to do the work.
also wish to state that the only acts
of the board in which Mr.. Grutzmacher
did not take any part was in the ap-
pointment of his daughter, Grace, as
teacher in our school, although he was
present at those meetings. And in
conclusion will say that there has never
been a meeting of the present board
but what all three members have been
present.
For the benefit of those who are
bowling high special tax levy will say
that three years ago the levy was IL
mills and now it is eight mills, a reduc-
ton of one third.
Very truly yours,