Telluride Oral Histories
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Charles Yates' Oral History
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A Golden Oldies recording, created by Joy Poole, for the Wilkinson Public Library, of an oral history interview with Charles Yates. This was recorded in 1979, originally on a cassette tape. Charles first reviews his family history and then explains why the family came to Telluride, Colorado (a drought in Nebraska and a farmer recommended Telluride). The family moved from Nebraska to Placerville, Colorado in 1912. They then purchased a farm on Wilson Mesa in 1913 (about 11 miles from Telluride).
Charles then describes the 1914 flood, which was a result of a cloud burst and the Liberty Bell Mine changed the course of the Cornett Creek. The Sheridan Hotel had 8 feet of mud! It was cleaned up by anyone willing, and they were paid between $5-$6 a day (about twice the going wage for most jobs).
In 1913, Charles started first grade in Placerville. He then switched to a Wilson Mesa school when the family moved there. Several teacher names are mentioned. The children went to school in the summer because of the deep snow in the area. They started the last week of April and went until the first or second week of December, from 9:00 to 4:00, with an hour lunch and two fifteen minute recess breaks. They packed their lunches in metal buckets.
The teachers were paid around $65-75 a month, but their pay was later raised to around a $100 a month. Charles's parents boarded the teachers in their home. Charles's mother (Ella) made butter and cottage cheese and sold these items in town, along with eggs. The family would travel to Telluride by wagon, which would take around an hour to an hour and a half. Charles's father (Charles) was a farmer and had cattle. He sold hay for a living.
During the winters, Charles says that we liked to shoot rabbits and ski.
After school (Charles finished in the 8th grade), he worked on his father's cattle ranch and on the county roads. He also took a job pluming Trout Lake to Ilium. During the Great Depression, Charles worked as a miner at the Smuggler Mine. He ultimately went back to working on the ranch, but the family sold it in 1943.
The second part of the recording is blank for about 17 seconds due to the cassette tape being changed.
Joy and Charles then discuss the downtown saloons in Telluride. Lots of the saloons offered gambling, sometimes all night. There were professional gamblers. The National Club, The Senate, and the Cosmopolitan are mentioned.
They then discuss the prostitution, including madams and the call girls. Madam Pauline is mentioned.
Next, prohibition is spoken of. There were lots of "bootleggers" in Telluride that made their own spirits. Telluride made the best whiskey! Unfortunately, many of the bootleggers were caught and went to jail, some for up to 8 months!
Finally, the railroads and travel is discussed.
Charles and his wife (Wilma) ultimately left Telluride when his mother grew old and the farm was sold. They moved to Salt Lake City.
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Charlie Wood's Oral History
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An oral history, that is currently on cassette tape at the Wilkinson Public Library: Museum Tape MU38. This is side B: An interview between Sandra Johnson, Alta Cassietto and Charlie Woods. This recording is only 14 minutes long. Side A of this cassette recording is the beginning of the interview-- This can be found under Alta Allan's recording.
Keywords:
35-74
Liberty Bell, Tomboy, Smuggler
74-188
Sheridan, 1914 Flood
188-330
Vanadium Corporation, Naturita
0-35
Charlie Lebonitz, Telluride Transfer
74-188
Leona Koen, Walter Wheeler
188-330
Debi Binder, Charlene Woods
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Cleona Crozier's Genealogy Survey
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A genealogical (biographical) survey taken on July 30th 1990, during an oral history interview of Cleona Crozier, in Telluride, Colorado.
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