With
well-documented proof, the citizens of Golden actually
lynched an innocent man in September 1859. The victim
was Edgar Vanover, a pleasant fellow of fine appearance
and strong physique, and probably about 35 years old.
However, when drinking, he was totally out of control.
He and his two partners owned a saloon, and on this
September morning he sold out to them and drank deeply.
Inebriated, he went from one saloon to another playfully
shooting up the glassware at the bar, making wild
threats about killing some one, but harming no one. When
finally disarmed, he returned to his former place of
business and was surrounded by a group of armed men
attempting to shoot him.
Sensing danger, he ran to a nearby cabin, was taken
in, and observed outside a gathering crowd of several
hundred settlers who comprised Golden's population at
the time. A spokesman explained the situation and asked
the crowd to vote for either deportation or hanging. The
vote was unanimous for hanging.
Vanover voluntarily walked out of the cabin, held out
his hands to be bound, and calmly preceded the group to
where an old beef gallows stood. Here, without delay, a
rope was put around his neck, many persons took hold of
the rope, and Vanover was no more. There was no crime,
no judge, no jury.
Only one living witness observed this sordid affair -
a huge cottonwood tree, now eight feet in diameter,
erroneously called "the hanging tree." For nearly 200
years this silent sentinel stood guard over the site
quietly marking the decades slip by. But, like all
living things, its days are numbered. Irreversible decay
within is creating a significant danger, which
necessitates its removal one day soon.
To honor the passing of this living landmark and the
passing of swift early pioneer justice, the community
plans to celebrate this slice of history on Sunday,
August 13, at Vanover Park from 4 to 6 p.m.
An elaborate program planned by the Golden Landmarks
Association will feature entertaining skits, children's
activities, and appropriate poetry and musical
selections. Golden's Living Landmarks will narrate a
timeline of events the historic tree has witnessed.
Sculptors are asked to attend and possibly create a
future artwork of wood from the tree. For a grand
finale, a bagpipe player will offer a fond farewell to
the beloved tree -- a sorrowful, somber dirge of "Going
Home."
Everyone is cordially invited to spend a pleasant
Sunday afternoon in a beautiful park setting, enjoy free
family fun, and celebrate the life and passing of a
200-year-old friend.
Lorraine Wagenbach
