Home

75 years ago

From the March 25, 1932, Steamboat Pilot:

Death on gallows

E.J. Farmer, Moffat County rancher, died on the gallows at the state penitentiary at Canon City Friday night. The trap was sprung at 8:18 p.m., and he was pronounced dead at 8:32 p.m. He was the slayer of Joe Jones and Earl Hopkins in Axial Basin in January 1931.

Farmer made the march to the death house with steady step and did not flinch. His last meal consisted of chicken, mashed potatoes, ice cream, cake and coffee. He seemed to eat with a relish and when he finished his meal, he sat quietly in his cell.

Alva Jones, brother of Joe Jones, one of the men slain by Farmer, Charles Honnold and Stanley Brock, brothers-in-law of Jones, Sheriff Tom Blevins of Moffat County, John Ledford and James L. Novell witnessed the execution.

Dr. R.E. Holmes, prison physician, pronounced Farmer dead 14 minutes after the trap had been sprung. As there was no claim for the body. It was buried in the prison graveyard on Woodpecker Hill.

The doomed man spent the last day of his life in prayer and reading the Bible, apparently reconciled to his fate and without hope of executive intervention. He was twice declared sane after examination by psychiatrists.

Farmer's wife visited him a week ago, spending more than an hour with him in the interview cage which a guard kept watch to see that no weapon was passed between the two. The woman was hysterical as she was led away from the cage, her final visit with her husband, to whom she has remained loyal throughout.

Seed loans for farmers

Farmers who expect to make application for crop production loans should call on the County Agent Floyd Moon or the community seed loan committee of the county advisory committee, which is composed of Russel R. Baer of Steamboat Springs, R.I. Gwillim of Oak Creek and James Bowden of Clark. These men will give assistance in making out the necessary blank forms. When properly filled out, the blank is sent by the committee with its recommendation to the farmer' regional seed loan office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Salt Lake City. If it is approved by the regional office, a check is mailed to the applicant.

The county agent and banker member of the county seed loan committee have a supply of the blanks. In Colorado, a "promise and authority" to give a crop mortgage when planted is required. This crop mortgage will be prepared in the regional office after the crop has been planted and sent to the borrower for his signature. Blanks will be mailed to farmers who desire a loan.

Valuations are lower

Clarence Horton, county assessor, was much impressed with the earnestness of the assessors of Northern Colorado who met at Fort Morgan last week. There was practically a 100 percent attendance of the counties represented in the district. Two members of the state tax commissioner also were there.

The 40 percent reduction in the value of cattle will materially affect Routt County, Horton said. Mixed bunches of range cattle were placed at a valuation of $15 to $25 per head. This does not mean that cows will be as low as $15; it means that the minimum average can be $15 including cattle on the range.

Automobiles will be assessed on resale prices to be determined by a monthly publication issued by the Motor Publishing Company of Denver, called the "Green Book."

Large sums for county

Routt County received more than $45,000 for its share of gasoline, motor vehicle and natural forest funds during 1931, according to William Curtis, county treasurer. All of it goes into funds for roads and schools, but it relieves the property owner of the burden. The forest reserve money will be cut in two this year because the government has waived the first payment of grazing fees.

During 1931, the gasoline tax apportioned to Routt County amounted to $32,339. It is based on the mileage of state roads in the county.