A two million dollar highway improvement program will be carried out in highway No. 160, extending from the Colorado-Utah state line on the west to Walsenburg on the east, if recommendations of the newly formed Highway No, 169 association are carried out. The expenditures will be made this year to relieve unemployment in this district, and the wages will be 70 cents to 75 cents per hour for a 30-hour week, it was indicated. The program will require six to eight months time.
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Harry V. Pyle, of this place, was named vice-resident of Highway No. 160 association for Montezuma and Dolores counties, at the meeting of the directors of this association held following the general meeting at Durango Monday.
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James Black, son of U.S. Black and well known in Dolores, was shot and killed at Vance Junction Sunday. There are several versions as to the details of the shooting. Black was employed on the R.G.S bridge gang. About six o'clock Sunday evening, Mietheen entered the bunk car in which were Black and two other men. The section man accused Black of taking a wrench from the section gang motor car, and a quarrel followed and then a scuffle. As the men wrestled about the car, they fell on a bunk upon which a man named May was lying. He wriggled out from under the two and left the car as a shot was fired. It appeared that Black was trying to take the gun, a small .22 pistol, away from Mietcheen when it was discharged. The bullet struck Black in the right side of the chest, ranged upward and to the left, severing an artery over the heart. Black died almost instantly. At a coroner's inquest held Monday, the shooting was held to have been accidental and Mietchen was released.
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Stoner items: We were shocked to hear of Jimmie Black's accident. Only a short time ago he was putting in a good crop on his little farm and making it look better htan it ever has before. We are deeply sorry for his young wife.
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We are glad to welcome the two loads of strawberries that came up the river Monday.
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Montezuma and Dolores Counties Chamber of Commerce held its regular meeting at Rico Monday evening, some 50 members being present.
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Summit Ridge. Mr. Roatcap is cutting hay this week. Other farmers of the ridge expect to be haying soon.
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The rain seems to have done more damage than good on the Wheatland place. It ruined Mr. Wheatland's beans.