Last Day of the Month
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Virtual Events
9-9:55AM Silver Sneakers Classic
5:30-6:25PM HIIT & Sculpt
10:15-10:30AM Virtual: Toddler Time with the Library
2-2:30PM Small Bites: Finding Joy in Self Care and Change
5:30-8PM Virtual: Accelerate Your Career for Mature Job Seekers – Marketing Your Transferable Skills Online and On Paper
Real World Events
9-10AM Women’s Exercise and Bible Study @ First United Methodist Church
10:15AM Baby Time @ Golden Library – WAITLIST
11AM-12:30PM Golden Community Table
6:30-8:30PM Team Trivia Tuesdays @ The Buffalo Rose
Golden History Moment
116 Years Ago
NARROW ESCAPE OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
Quick Action of Janitor Nolan Prevents Explosion
The November 30, 1905 Colorado Transcript described a near-catastrophe at the South School, which was prevented by the school’s janitor, Oscar Nolan.
On November 23rd, Mr. Nolan was leaving the school to run an errand. Glancing back, he noticed steam coming from the escape pipe of the school’s boiler. He ran back, entered the basement and found the boiler dry and very hot, with a big fire in the combustion chamber making it hotter still. He gave the alarm to get everyone out of the building.
He then began working to extinguish the fire, all the while expecting the boiler to explode and kill him. Amazingly, he succeeded in averting the explosion.
Nolan said that he had checked the boiler a short time before and it was half-full–well within the safety range. When he returned, the boiler was completely dry. He speculated that one of the students had drained the water–out of either curiosity or pure meanness.
The Transcript seized the opportunity to criticize the school for failure to practice regular fire drills. The article said that when the alarm sounded,
Most of them understood that the signal meant danger, but as there is no regular drill practiced, the pupils practically rolled over each other in the attempt to be first to get out of harm’s way. The stronger pushed back his weaker comrade, and it is remarkable that no one was seriously injured in the crush.
Colorado Transcript – November 30, 1905
The South School was built in 1873. It housed the elementary school children from the south side of the Creek and the high school students from all parts of the city. It was located on Cheyenne Street, between 13th and 14th Streets, but was demolished in 1965. Today, that block is occupied by the CSM Power Plant and Coolbaugh Hall.
Thanks to the Golden History Museum for providing the online cache of historic Transcripts, and to the Golden Transcript for documenting our history since 1866!
