85 Years Ago
The October 19, 1939 Colorado Transcript featured a front page article titled “Clear Creek Bill Is Sick.”
For the last week Bill Anderson, one of Golden’s most eccentric citizens, has been ill; but not enough to relinquish his persistent vigil over his beloved Clear creek, on the banks of which he has made his home for many years.
Mr. Anderson had made occasional appearances in the Transcript for several years. He was born in Golden in 1877. From his youth, he was highly religious and had many Bible passages memorized.
He lived with his mother until he was 50, but after her death, he chose to live alone on Clear Creek. Most of the time, he lived on one of the sandbars in the middle of the streambed. People used to worry that he would be swept away in a flood, but he always moved to shelter along the banks before the floods arrived. He lived that way for the last twelve years of his life, despite offers of indoor living options. He had three brothers, including one who lived in Golden.
On October 18th, quite ill, he consented to be moved to the “Jefferson County Farm” (the county poor farm). From there, he was taken to a hospital in Denver.
The November 2nd Transcript announced that “Wm. Anderson Dies In A Comfortable Bed.” The article reported that he had died “of a combination of ailments.”
His funeral was held at Woods Mortuary (at 11th and Washington) and he was buried in the Golden Cemetery. In addition to the obituary that appeared in the Transcript, George Duvall, the owner of the local lumber yard, wrote this epitaph:
“Clear Creek Bill” Anderson is no more.
He left behind a valuable legacy. When it is considered that he was, for many years, absolutely penniless, and possessed nothing of worldly goods, this statement probably sounds maudlin and perhaps a little silly. Yet the fact remains that William Anderson had a deposit of friendship enjoyed by few Goldenites, whatever their stations in life.
Bill was eccentric. This cannot be denied. But he lived life as he saw fit,obeying the law of the land and of his own heart, although he shattered the ordinary conventions.
Everybody in Golden knew Bill Anderson. And almost everyone liked him and, deep down in their hearts, admired his convictions, despite their eccentricities.
Many thanks to an anonymous donor for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of October.
