In Atlanta, apparently, it is illegal to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or street lamp. There don’t seem to be any laws in this state about giraffes loitering, however. What do you know about this tree sculpture and where can you find it? Send an e-mail with the answers to ColoradoSunday@denverpost.com. Include a digital photo of yourself and your full address in the message. Our favorite correct answer wins a $50 gas card.
How’d you know?
Last week: The little engine, affectionately called a “dinky,” in Fort Morgan
The winner: George Winkler, Brush
This engine was used in Brighton to pull beet cars (sugar beets in gondolas) to be unloaded into the sugar factory for processing. When Brighton discontinued using it in the early 1970s, it came to Fort Morgan. I operated the engine many times when I was a beet end foreman for Great Western Sugar. Around 1978, the little engine that could was wearing out. It sits retired in the Fort Morgan library park and was painted a couple of years ago, and does have the air of a cartoon engine.
Sweet story: J. Corey Yager, Aurora
I will share a story of one factory engine told to me over the years: The engines used by the sugar factory were not in new condition. They moved rail cars or tankers around the yards but were not allowed on the main (rail) lines. For some reason, either mechanical wear or negligence, the locomotive’s gears meshed while the engine was unattended, and the little engine that could, did. It putted down the private lines of the company and out onto the tracks. Pursuit ensued for the runaway. Through the heroics of boarding the engine from a pursuing automobile, an operator retained control of the engine.
The little landmark: Simon Neave, Colorado Springs
Commonly known as a “shay,” this miniature steam locomotive is one of three owned by the Great Western Sugar Co. in Fort Morgan. Since its retirement, this little steam engine has proudly stood at the corner of Kiowa and Main streets in the heart of downtown as a reminder of the city’s past and the agricultural future.
Longtime resident: Martha Lauck, Fort Morgan
I grew up in this area, and many relatives worked growing beets and working in the factories. This little “dinky” was used by the Great Western Sugar Company to pull rail cars of sugar beets to the factory flume, where beets were washed before entering the cutters. My father, in much earlier days, lost a team of horses when his cart tipped while dumping beets. The engine is on display in Library Park on Main Street. The company, now known as Western Sugar, is celebrating 100 years in business. Across the street are the Masonic Building and the old Wyocolo (Wyoming-Colorado) hotel.
