Time Machine: First shootout in Vail’s history leaves one man dead
Vail Trail/Vail Daily archive
50 years ago
Dec. 10, 1974
Paul Norman Dailey Jr. of Lakewood was shot and killed by a Vail police officer after an exchange of gunfire in the Hilton Inn parking lot, the Eagle Eye newspaper reported.
Dailey reportedly shot and wounded Vail resident James J. Morgan just before the confrontation with officers.
“According to a statement released by the Vail Police Department, the incident began when Dailey followed Morgan into the parking lot and demanded Morgan turn over his vehicle,” the Eagle Eye reported. “Morgan refused to surrender the car and was then reportedly shot in the right thigh by Dailey. Morgan began to walk toward the Inn but was ordered back by Dailey who demanded that Morgan take his dog from the car. Morgan complied with the demand, removing both his dog and car keys. He then went into the Hilton and summoned help.”
Hilton employee Josef Svatos went to the parking lot to investigate and Dailey reportedly shot at him. Svatos then ducked behind a parked car and began throwing snowballs at Dailey. Vail Police Officer Andy Gardunio arrived and ordered Dailey to drop his gun.
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“An exchange of gunfire followed,” the Eagle Eye reported. “Svatos was still on the scene throwing snowballs at the gunman. Gardunio reportedly again called on Dailey to drop his gun. The man refused and instead pointed his weapon toward the officers, according to the report. Garduino fired and struck Dailey in the right side.”
Dailey was taken to the Vail Clinic for treatment and later died. The shooting was the first such incident in the town’s 12-year history, the Eagle Eye reported.
60 years ago
Dec. 16, 1964
The United States’ program to maintain a position in the front rank of world Alpine skiing was set to continue with the start of the third National Alpine Training Camp at Vail, the Rocky Mountain News reported.
“Camp Director Bob Beattie will greet 100 top skiers from all parts of the nation,” the News reported. “They will assemble Saturday for the opening of the 2-week camp. It will end with three days of racing and selection of the U.S. Alpine team. On hand will be the leading racers from Denver University, Western State, Colorado, U. Wyoming and other national ski powers.”
Beattie, who was coach of both the U.S. Ski Team and the CU ski team, estimated enrollment will include 70 men and 30 women.
“Among them will be such stars from last year’s Olympic team as Billy Kidd, who captured a silver medal in the slalom, and Jimmy Heuga, winner of the medal in the slalom,” the News reported. “Both attend CU. Climax of the camp will come Dec. 30-Jan. 1. The downhill race is scheduled Dec. 30, giant slalom Dec. 31 and slalom Jan. 1.”
The team was also set to compete in an international meet against France and Austria later that season in Vail.
70 years ago
Dec. 9, 1954
A Sweetwater woman narrowly escaped death when her car skidded off the highway and landed upside down in the Colorado River, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
The woman wasn’t feeling well and attempted to stop her car, but when she applied brakes, the car skidded on the icy road and rolled over the embankment into the water.
“In order to get out, it was necessary to go thru a window,” the Enterprise reported. “When she rolled the glass down, rushing water made it difficult to fight her way out of the car. She managed to crawl out, and pulled herself on top of the upturned car, but knew she couldn’t swim to shore in the icy water.”
Another Sweetwater resident saw her and was able to place planks from the shore to the car to help her off the vehicle.
90 years ago
Dec. 14, 1934
Train worker Jay McDougal of Eagle was one of two people killed when the locomotive of his train struck a boulder on the track near Debeque and plunged into the Colorado River, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
“Forty passengers, many of whom were still asleep in their births, were shaken, but none was injured badly enough to require medical attention,” the Enterprise reported. “Baggage and express cars and one day coach were derailed, but did not overturn. The locomotive plunged down an embankment and fell on one side in the river bed. There was only a small amount of water in the river at that point.”
The 40-ton boulder likely rolled down the mountainside shortly before the train came along.
“Railroad officials said a track walker had passed the scene only a short time before,” the Enterprise reported.
McDougal and the other worker were found in the engine cab.
“Physicians said escaping steam probably scalded them to death,” the Enterprise reported.
