Time machine: 40 years ago Vail shocked by the death of City Council members

30 years ago

November 25, 1994

A major train derailment near Tennessee Pass spilled 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel into wetlands surrounding a tributary of the Eagle River, Mitchell Creek, but the spill did not reach the river, Vail Trail reports.

“The derailment occurred at 3:30 a.m. in Pando, 14 miles south of Minturn and approximately 5 miles below Tennessee Pass,” Trail said. “The train was from Minnesota and was carrying 54 carloads of taconite, an iron ore pellet used in steelmaking, to Vineyard, Utah. The accident derailed three locomotives and 51 wagons.

---

---

One of two crew members on board, conductor Michael R. Perkins, 48, of Pueblo, was taken to Vail Valley Medical Center with multiple injuries and is in stable condition following the incident. The second crew member was not injured. No cause for the derailment was given.

40 years ago

November 30, 1984

---

---

While Vail was reeling from the sudden death of John Dobson, a former City Council member, a current council member also died suddenly.

Dobson, 69, died of a heart attack on November 23, 1984, while vacationing in Hawaii. A memorial service was held for him four days later in Vail. The day after this memorial service, on November 28, 1984, Vail City Council member Chuck Anderson (42) died in an unknown condition after being admitted to the hospital several days earlier for shoulder pain.

Dobson was the second mayor of Vail and helped create the Vail Symposium, the Vail Interdenominational Chapel and the Ford Amphitheater at Ford Park. Anderson also worked on the Vail Symposium and was the developer of the 156-unit Pitkin Creek Park workforce housing project.

According to Vail Trail, the city was shocked by the deaths of both people.

50 years ago

November 29, 1974

According to Vail Trail, Pepi and Sheika Gramshammer attended the event at the White House.

The Gramshammers were invited to a gala dinner in honor of Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky.

“President Ford thought it would be a great time to invite his old friends, the Gramshammers, to Washington because they are both from Austria,” the Trail reported.

The day after dinner, the Gramshammers toured the White House and spoke with President Ford in the Oval Office. Sheika reported that Pepi did not miss the opportunity to promote Vail, handing out brochures to everyone and inviting Kreisky to visit.

60 years ago

November 26, 1964

The Rio Grande Railroad announced it plans to discontinue the last passenger trains running through the Eagle River Valley, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.

“The company’s slogan ‘Main Line Thru The Rockies’ must now be changed as the company will carve out some of its most scenic territory by carving out the area west of Salida to Dotsero,” Enterprise said.

70 years ago

November 28, 1954

Prominent Eagle County businessman Perfecto Cruz was murdered by Besalirez Martinez as Cruz stood in his Red Cliff tavern.

The Eagle Valley Enterprise reported that Martinez entered the building around 8 a.m. with a .30-30 rifle, searched the bar for Cruz and said “I’m going to get you this time,” before firing three shots, one of which hit Cruz in the arm. the left side of his back.

“When Sheriff W. M. Wilson and his deputies arrived, Red Cliff City Marshal Frank McDonald arrested Martinez,” the Enterprise reported. “The fatal shooting culminated troubles that began in January 1953, when Martinez attacked Mr. Cruz, cutting him in the arm with a sharp instrument on the premises of a tavern. Martinez was then charged with assault with a deadly weapon and served time in the county jail. Mr. Cruz, who was about 40 years old, was one of Red Cliff’s leading citizens and operated his business there for several years. He left behind a wife and two daughters.”