Benjamin S. Levin
Born:
Died:

B.S. Levin was only in Leadville for a brief time and until his departure under nefarious circumstances, was well liked, socially active, served as a manager at the Leadville Light & Power Company, and resided at the Vendome Hotel on Harrison Avenue. [1]

An article appeared in the Herald Democrat newspaper on October 11, 1909, that is a fitting demonstration of how Ben was esteemed among his new friends in Leadville:

VENISON DINNER- Mr. Julius Muller celebrated the securing of a big buck on his recent trip with a game dinner at 224 East Ninth Street Saturday evening. It was served as a regular camp dinner with venison and grouse as the features. The dining room had been decorated with grasses and various representations of trees and the meats were cooked in regulation camp style over an outdoor fire. Tin cups and other utensils of the camp were used to carry out the illusion. Miss Pelta of Colorado Springs and Mr. B.S. Levin, of this city, were guests of honor. [2]

On October 17, 1909, Levin gave a “coaching party” in which he took a group of sixteen guests on a tour of the electrical transformers at the Yak mine and the Arkansas Valley Smelter to explain the industrial use of electricity in the mining industry. [3]

This William Henry Jackson photograph of “The Arkansas Valley Smelter” was likely taken around 1900.

Courtesy of the Denver Public Library Western History Collection. (WHJ-684)

William Henry Jackson. The Arkansas Valley Smelter. WHJ-684. [Image]. Denver, CO: Denver Public Library, Western History Collection. 2019.

None of Benjamin’s behavior prior to November 7, 1909, would have been an indicator of what was to transpire over the following weeks:

Again Leadville merchants have been victimized by a worthless check artist, and instead of being a rare occurrence in this city the passing of bad checks seems to have developed lately into a thriving and lucrative industry at the expense of local businessmen.

The latest operative in this connection is B. S. Levin, until yesterday employed by the Leadville Light and Power company who on Saturday night and Sunday Morning passed two worthless checks amounting to about $70, one on E. C. Greene, manager of the Vendome Hotel and the other on Sam Minowitz, [4] proprietor of the Hub clothing store.

Levin left Leadville early yesterday morning ostensibly for Denver where he told some speaking acquaintances, his father, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., was to meet him. Levin, however, told his employers nothing of his intended departure and, on his failure to report for duty yesterday morning inquiries were made at the Vendome where he had apartments regarding him.

Manager Greene then became suspicious and immediately sent the check to the Carbonate National Bank where it was pronounced worthless. It was made out to Levin himself and signed “S. J. O’Toole”.

Later in the day when Mr. Minowitz attempted to have the check tendered to him by Levin cashed he was also told that he had been victimized. The check proffered to Mr. Minowitz was made out to “A. J. Little” and signed as was the one in possession of Mr. Greene, “S. J. O’Toole”. The endorsement “A. J. Little” appeared on the back of the check but the writing in both cases bears a close resemblance to the handwriting of Levin.

A queer coincidence was that both checks were drawn for exactly the same amount-$38.00-and both were presented in payment of accounts. Levin receiving the difference between the amounts due and the amount called for by the checks in cash totaling in each instance something like twenty dollars.

Manager Robertson of the Leadville Light Company said that Levin had been employed by his company for about three months. As far as known, continued Mr. Robertson, his affairs at the office are in first class shape.

It was learned late yesterday afternoon that instead of going to Denver as he had stated, he took Rio Grande No. 2 for the west and is probably speeding toward the coast.

Pleasing of address and affable of manner Levin on coming to Leadville some three months ago easily acquired friends and was quite a favorite in certain social circles of the city. He was very fond of the younger element, although about forty years of age himself, and was quite well known in the various restaurants where he went to entertain his friends lavishly.

His parents are reported to be very prominent in Pittsburgh where it is alleged he had a wife and son. It is said he frequently made himself conspicuous in public by telling stories of his great wealth; frequently stating that he was a large buyer of city warrants and boasting of his travels and investments. Descriptions of Levin have been sent broadcast over the state and it is expected he will be captured within a short time and returned to this city to face forgery charges.

It came to light last night that Levin left numerous creditors behind him in the form of restaurant, clothing, and other debts, which in all will average nearly $200. [5]

Levin made a strong impression on Leadvillians during his stay in the city, many of whom were shocked by the accusations and less than ethical circumstances that surrounded his departure on November 7, 1909. Within a few days authorities in Grand Junction, Colorado reported sighting Levin there on November 9. [6] Two weeks later, the Herald Democrat updated the status of the manhunt for Levin, noting that he had been located in Salt Lake City and the local police had been instructed to take him into custody and return him to Leadville. [7]

On November 22, the Herald Democrat updated the status on the search for Levin once more:

WHERE IS LEVIN?- Nothing has been heard from Salt Lake authorities in regard to B. S. Levin who was instructed by the sheriff’s office here to take him into custody if in that city. It is believed Levin who is wanted in Leadville for forgery suspected that he had been located in the Mormon city and left there before the police had a chance to land him. [8]

On December 2, rumors circulated that Levin was now eastbound in his attempts to evade justice and was on a Rio Grande train headed for nearby Malta, Colorado. Undersheriff Bill Dwyer was dispatched from Leadville in an attempt to intercept him. [9] A search of newspapers and Leadville City Jail records through 1913, indicate that Benjamin was never captured and thus never held accountable for his transgressions.

Edward J. Levin
Born: Pennsylvania, 1875
Died:

Margaret “Maggie” Ross Levin
Born: Kansas, 1882
Died:

Albert R. Levin (Brother of Edward)
Born: Pennsylvania, 1876
Died: Reading, Pennsylvania, 1954

Albert J. Levin
Born: Leadville, 1900
Died:

Edward “Edgar” J. Levin Jr.
Born: Leadville, 1902
Died:

William Levin
Born: Leadville, 1904
Died:

Robert B. Levin
Born: Leadville, September 17, 1913
Died:

Albert R. [10] was likely the first of the Levin family [11] to arrive in Leadville during 1895 and first resided in Bucktown (essentially a suburb of Leadville). [12] Albert was employed in the mining industry as a laborer, but did have interest in mining speculation. This was evidenced though a quit-claim deed tendered to him by Mallia A. Jett for a claim in Oro City for the consideration of $75 on November 16, 1895. [13] His residency in Leadville was scattered and he likely followed opportunities throughout the region before his permanent departure in 1905. [14] The family of Edward Levin, which consisted of Edward J., his wife Maggie, and their four sons, Albert J., Edgar, William, [15] and Robert, maintained the same residence in Leadville for the better part of the twenty-five years.

On the night of September 28, 1895, the elder Albert was part of a delegation that delivered a silk flag to school district no. 10 at Crystal Lakes. [16] Maggie Ross Levin, wife of Edward, came from a Catholic family and likely never converted to the Jewish faith. [17] Edward J. and Albert J. Levin were born Jewish and do not appear to have been very religious in any context. Maggie Levin may have chosen to raise the children as Catholic. The Levins also appear to have a family lineage of first names, and thus two of Edward and Maggie’s sons, Edward J. Jr. and Albert J. will be referred to in this document as “Edgar”, Edward Jr.’s nickname, and “Albert J.” to avoid confusion with their father, Edward Sr. and Albert R. Levin, their uncle.

Early records for the Levin family and their time in Leadville are sparse. Albert R. and Edward worked for the Arkansas Valley Smelter [18] and lived at 500 West Elm Street [19] until 1902 and moved to a more accommodating residence at 723 West Elm Street [20] after welcoming first son Albert J. in 1900, and the second, Edgar, in early 1902. [21] By that year both elder brothers had become railroad workers for the Colorado & Southern line and had dabbled in real estate, mining, and a working farm. [23] Edward had a developing an interest in politics, which he would diligently pursue in later years.

In 1905, Edward, who staked a 160-acre land claim on the Uintah Indian Reservation near Vernal, Utah, which was awarded to him through a U.S. Department of The Interior lottery on August 19, [24] led a group of landowners against corporations who were denying water rights to local settlers. Ed based his argument on a water rights law that stated no one could control water rights if they did not own land adjacent to the source. [25] Albert returned to Pennsylvania by the end of the year and settled in Reading. He was married several times [26] before he died there in 1954 at the age of 78 and was interred at Shomre Habrith Cemetery. [27] The only news mentioned of the Levin family in 1906 was of a toilet set Edward and Maggie presented to Lillian Harris and John Moyle Miner on the occasion of their wedding on February 22. [28] Edward’s interest in politics began to ascend during this period and he received a nomination to serve as a delegate during the Leadville Democratic Convention on March 9, 1907. [29]

In 1908 Edward became the yard foreman for the Colorado & Southern Railroad and the family moved to 328 East 10th Street. [30] On December 19, 1908, Maggie was elected Vice-Mistress of the Brotherhood of United Railroad Workers Ladies Auxiliary. [31] The Levin farm in Utah was reported to have been producing nicely on November 19. [32] On December 24, Edward appeared at a hearing on behalf of James L. Ross, his father-in-law, who had been arrested by the Leadville police and held without bond. Edward testified that he offered to bond Ross out of custody and the jailer did not permit it. It was determined by the court that Ross was arrested in relation to an investigation, and under those circumstances suspects were to be held without bond, however, newspaper articles do not clearly address the charge. [33]

In 1909, Edward became the Yardmaster at Colorado & Southern rail yard [34] and served as an alderman for Leadville’s 17th District. [35] On October 21, Ed and the rest of the Levin family left for Clear Creek on a two-week fishing holiday. [36] On September 1, Ed was a critical witness in a legal case that involved a very peculiar method of fishing:

MEXICAN BOUND OVER- The Mexican, who was arrested on a charge of dynamiting fish in Clear Creek near Granite Sunday, was given a hearing in Justice W. H. Hawkins’ court at Buena Vista yesterday and was bound over to the district court.

Ed Levin, of this city, who caught the three Mexicans at the work of killing the fish, and who in company with some men from Granite later succeeded in capturing one of them appeared at the hearing yesterday as the principal witness.

The penalty for the offense with which the Mexican is charged has a sentence of from three to six months to two years in the state penitentiary and a fine not exceeding $1,000, either or both of which may be imposed on the offender.

The other two Mexicans who were engaged in the dynamiting have not yet been apprehended, but a close search is being maintained for them. [37]

It is unclear if all of the suspects were captured, but in a later newspaper interview Levin identified as many as seven. Two were delivered to Buena Vista, tried, convicted, and fined accordingly. Levin told the Herald Democrat newspaper that he was alone when he first observed the men fishing and that he felt uncomfortable approaching them. Thus, he hurried to nearby Granite, Colorado and enlisted the help of four other men, returned to the scene, and apprehended two of the suspects. Edward said he saw around seventy-five pounds of fish on the shore “…and no one can tell how many more are lying in the deep holes either dead, mortally wounded, or seriously injured. It is terrible and when I saw the work of destruction going on I was never so angry in all of my life.” [38] On October 23, Edgar was among a group of Leadville Jewish youths who were taken on a ride to the Chesapeake mine and toured several other operations on their trip.[39]

In 1910, Maggie became president of the Colorado & Southern Ladies Auxiliary. [40] Ed and Maggie attended a surprise birthday party for fellow Colorado & Southern Yardmaster John McGrail at his home on West Third Street. [41] Edward, a member of the county Democratic party and was identified in a faction described as the “Young Turks”, who had begun to heatedly oppose the “Old Guard” of democrats present at the August 19 meeting of the Democratic Committee. Edward publicly questioned the methods in which voting within the committee were conducted, angrily opposed these procedures, and their legality. Eventually the matter was resolved through individual balloting however this does not to appear to have soothed Edward’s opposition to the activities or their results. [42] On October 8, it was announced that Edward had won the democratic nomination for Lake County Commissioner. [43] On November 5, Ed made his first campaign trip around the county and introduced himself to voters in Twin Lakes. [44] On November 5, the Twin Lakes Miner declared their support for Ed Levin:

Ed. Levin is a consistent champion of labor and coming from the ranks himself, entertains correct ideas of the conditions and needs of those who toil. He will be the next county commissioner. [45]

On November 16, the election results were official and Edward defeated David Harris by 197 votes in his bid to become a Lake County Commissioner. [46]

These were the two candidates for the “County Commissioner, First Commissioner’s District” on the Official List of Nominations, which took up the entirety of pages 8 and 9 of The Herald Democrat.

Official List Of Nominations. (Leadville, CO: Herald Democrat. November 8, 1910). Page 9.

County Commissioner Edward J. Levin, [47] who took office on January 10, 1911, [48] was an extremely active public servant and wasted no time leaving his mark on the community. Ed’s first cause was his questioning of the true taxable value of the Arkansas Valley Smelter which did not supply a detailed invoice of equipment and inventory, noted only a small decrease of horses used at the plant, and that resulted in a $10,000 reduction in taxable value on the enterprise. [49] At the county commissioner’s meeting on April 3, Ed became so incensed with the condition of the county’s finances that the chairman called for the sheriff. Matters that riled Commissioner Levin that evening were bills for county supplied prescription drugs that exceeded the contracted price, whether the county was legally responsible to provide an office and telephone for the superintendent of schools, and a question as to whether or not the county should to employ anyone in the office of county attorney after that individual refused to look up any legislation that required the county to pay for the school superintendent’s telephone or office. That inquiry resulted in a tirade by Levin who hurled insults at both the commission chairman and county attorney. [50]

On May 3, 1911, Edward was named a committee member for the Turnverein Society’s annual May Festival. [51] Edward was the lone dissenting voice in a board of commissioners vote regarding orders by the Colorado State Auditor to create a financial document. Edward’s protest was over failure of the commission chair Christmann to have the clerk read the auditor’s order to the board. [52] Another commissioners meeting, on August 21, resulted in a similar outburst of temper from Edward, this time over his insistence that contracts be signed with property owners in regards to right of way for the new sewer which was to be installed from the hospital to California Gulch. [53] On December 4, Albert was injured at school. Before the afternoon session began Albert climbed atop a turning bar in preparation for a backward “stunt”. He then slipped and fell on his back. According to his teacher, Albert looked pale but did not complain of any ailment. When she questioned him about how he felt he told her of the incident and she sent him home directly. Her report indicated that the boy could barely walk down the schoolhouse steps. It is likely Albert recovered without issue, as there are no other records of the incident. [54]

Edward found himself again arguing with the board of commissioners in their meeting on February 2, 1912, this time the discussion centered on his lack of support for cutting support for the poor and the failure of commissioners Sullivan and Christmann to follow appropriate parliamentary procedure. [55] At the April 2 Board of Commissioners meeting a question came before the panel regarding membership in the Lincoln Highway Association at the cost of $50. Levin supported the idea noting that if the planned transcontinental road were built over Tennessee Pass that would bring 5,000 automobiles and substantial tourism to Leadville. He also noted that Colorado Springs and Glenwood Springs had paid the fee. Commissioner Sullivan opposed the plan and questioned the association’s legal standing. Commissioner Christmann suggested the proposal be held over until the next session and thus no decision was rendered. [56] The board then voted to replace Christmann as chair of the Lincoln Highway Association and Edward was unanimously elected as his successor. [57] In retrospect, a spur of the Lincoln Highway did pass through Denver which connected Colorado to the main artery that passed through southern Wyoming. Leadville’s choice to decline participation likely had consequences for the spur to pass through Colorado Springs to the south, Glenwood Springs to the west, and this affected tourism throughout the area for the long term. [58]

Edwards’s disposition concerning county business continued to follow a path of indignation and he often found himself exchanging heated words with his fellow commissioners. During a meeting on July 2, when Commissioner Sullivan attempted to abate current taxes for the Elgin Smelter which Arthur Kenyon purchased from the county in a delinquent tax sale, Kenyon asked the board for tax relief on the property for new taxes that had accrued since his purchase:

[Sullivan]: “Sit down and mind your own business.”

Commissioner Levin remained standing and went on talking.

“Sit down or I’ll make you,” repeated Chairman Sullivan.

Mr. Levin went on talking, and shouted at Mr. Sullivan: “If I minded my business like you do I would abate all the taxes in the county.”

“Never you mind my business,“ said Mr. Sullivan calmly, “I’ll attend to it all right.”

The matter was resolved when the board agreed to inspect the property and redress its tax valuation, [59] however this serves as another demonstration of Edward’s passion for his political responsibilities. The August 28, 1911, issue of the Herald Democrat noted that the Levin family was enjoying an extended vacation to Ocean Park, CA. [60] Upon hearing that William Jennings Bryan’s train had left Pueblo and would be passing through nearby Malta, Colorado, on September 17, Leadvillian Democrats, including Edward, rushed to the train depot to greet the three time Democratic nominee for president:

…The porter appeared at the steps and rolled his eyes in amazement when he saw the Leadville Democrats stamping for the Pullman. The he waved them back and informed the committee that “Mr. Bryan am asleep and will no be waked.”

One member of the committee looked at the other with just a trace of amazement in his eyes. And they all passed the look around. But the Democrats were persistent and were not to be altogether baffled. They finally prevailed on the dusky guardian of slumber to allow them at least one look into the Pullman where Mr. Bryan was sleeping.

Standing in the doorway of the sleeper they followed the finger of the porter as he pointed to a berth. Then all uncovered their heads to the berth.

And as they stood with the heads bowed in reverence there came from the berth the eloquent and moving snores of the “Great Commoner.” The train pulled out and the Leadvillians got off. Mr. Bryan still slept, still snored on and still dreamed dreams of marching up a road that leads to the White House. [61]

On December 6, 1912, Albert J. appeared as a “Mayflower Sailor” in the high school’s production of A Captain of Plymouth at the Elk’s Opera House. [62]

On January 9, 1913, an article filled with editorial commentary regarding the last days in office for County Commissioner Sullivan and tactics used to pass bills as Commissioner Christmann was bed-ridden and near death while Edward was in Denver on personal business. It appears that Sullivan held meetings and signed contracts at a barely coherent M. Christmann’s bedside in secrecy while Levin was unable to participate in discussions. The following excerpt from the Herald Democrat gives a mordant report of Sullivan’s actions; a man Edward often had perfervid antipathy for during commissioner’s meetings:

…Mr. Christmann, according to the statement of the attending physician, is at the point of death. He is a very old man, and so feeble with age and disease that he is unable to leave his bed, much less transact business.

Mr. Levin, the other member of the board, is in Denver, and unable to be present.

And yet in the face of these extraordinary conditions, the chairman of the board, M.D. Sullivan, late Tuesday night went through the farce of calling a meeting of the board at the bed side of Mr. Christmann and allowed, or went through the form of allowing, thousands of dollars in contracts for the coming year…

…Why is it that Mr. Sullivan, who was so thoroughly discredited at the primaries that his own party rejected him by an overwhelming vote, in the expiring moments of his brief career as a public official, goes to such extreme and extraordinary lengths to fasten contracts here for a whole year in advance?

Does anyone believe that a meeting of an official body held under such circumstances was competent to pass on matters of such importance to the people? One member, Mr. Levin, the member who has another year to serve, is absent and the other member in no condition to transact business!

That being the case it is evident Mr. Sullivan had sole and undisputed power to pass on transactions which should have at least been postponed until a new board assumed office one week hence.

What did Mr. Sullivan have at stake that he was in such a hurry?

How does it happen that he turns over important contracts to agents of outside concerns, gives others to institutions which have no standing here, which pay no taxes, adopting a policy which has never prevailed since the organization of Lake County? [63]

On January 24, 1913, Edward returned from the annual meeting of Colorado County Commissioners in Denver where he and the other Lake County commissioners also attended a meeting of the Good Roads Association regarding development of the Lincoln Highway. [64] On a Sunday fishing trip to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, with his boys on July 13, Edward came back to Leadville with a three-pound trout. To complicate matters, a train along the Colorado Midland line had derailed causing delays. The Levin’s train was held up at the wreck site until the debris could be cleared. They were forced to spend the night in the day car and were finally returned to Leadville with no more distress on the afternoon of July 14. [65]

September 18, 1913, Maggie and Edward welcomed their third son, Robert, into the world. [66] On October 2, Edward and the other county commissioners met with Colorado State Road Inspector Dan Wyman, who found issues with the road over Tennessee Pass and authorized a twenty-man crew to repair and straighten it. Leadville road workers apparently balked at the prospect of taking on work so far from town. [67] On December 31, the board of commissioners voted that the Herald Democrat be Lake County’s official newspaper, responsible for printing, publishing, binding all county owned and generated literature. [68]

In January 1914, Edward retuned from a rabbit-hunting trip to Kansas with 110 of them. Twelve were prepared for a special stew night at Turner Hall on January 7. [69] On January 31, 1914, the Herald Democrat had noted that Edward had been home sick from a cold that was severe enough that there were concerns it may develop into pneumonia and that he had returned to his job as Yardmaster of the Colorado & Southern Railroad. [70] On April 13, boxing fans were disappointed when the heavyweight match, scheduled for twenty rounds at the Elks Opera House, ended when Jim Johnson knocked out Kyle Whitney in the second round of the main event. However, the audience was quite amused by the juvenile lightweight undercard fight between Albert J. and Edgar Levin, which lasted four rounds without either boy losing his feet. [71]

Kyle Whitney, a.k.a “The Black Demon”, fought 53 professional fights between 1905 and 1925 while compiling a 30-11-11 record. His Leadville fight versus Jim Johnson was one of only three times Whitney was knocked-out during that span.

Kyle Whitney. Box Rec.com. ID #040366. 2019. http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/40366

Ed took his family on a two-week vacation at Sloss, Colorado on July 22, 1914. [72] Edward was the Democratic candidate for Lake County Sherriff. In the primary elections conducted in Leadville on September 11, in which only thirty-five percent of Leadville’s registered voters participated, Ed was the leading candidate among Democrats with 603 votes. However, this was still one hundred votes behind Republican Harry Schraeder. [73] An intriguing column appeared in the November 2, 1914, edition of the Herald Democrat urging Edward to reveal his choice for undersheriff:

… It will relieve the public mind to know that no appointments have yet been made by Mr. Levin, but there will be a certain amount of curiosity to know who these “certain parties” are whom “rumor” credits with possible appointment [for undersheriff]. The public would be interested in knowing why this anxiety on the part of Mr. Levin to silence the rumor that a “certain party” is slated for the position…

…It is evident that someone has been mentioned in connection with the office of undersheriff whose name, if mentioned, Mr. Levin believes would not help his candidacy… [74]

Election rhetoric continued the following day when handbills were posted around the city questioning incumbent Republican Sherriff Harry Schraeder’s spending, which was expected to give Ed a boost at the polls. Betting odds on candidates still heavily favored Schraeder, at $100/$90 to Levin $100/$30 by the day’s end on November 3. [75] Later that day it was found that someone connected to the state Democratic Party produced the handbills. Ed quickly separated himself from the action, audited Schraeder’s accounts and exonerated his opponent before the polls opened the next day. [76] Neither the accusation, nor the quick act of fair play aided in Edward’s pursuit for office and he was defeated.

In 1915, Edward went back to work for the railroad and found a job as a brakeman for the Colorado & Southern. [77] Violinist, Albert J., and cornetist, Edgar, both played in the school orchestra, which performed on May 6. [78] Ed returned from a two-week camping trip with his boys at Texas Creek near Gunnison, CO, on August 9. [79]

In 1916, Maggie was the secretary for the Colorado & Southern Ladies Auxiliary and Edward was promoted to the position of councilor at the Colorado & Southern Railroad. [80] P48. Edgar worked as an Electrician; however, the firm that employed him is unknown. [81] Edward withdrew his nomination as democratic candidate for Lake County Sherriff on August 13. [82]

On April 17, 1917, Edward failed to win the democratic nomination for City Alderman. [83] On September 24, Albert J. and his partner, Gladys Weitzel, won a momentous dancing competition while vacationing in San Diego. The trophy was awarded to the couple by silent-film actress, Olive Thomas (1894-1920), [84] and the contest was judged by Siegfield Follies star Virginia Layne. [85] On December 18, Ed and Maggie hosted the wake for her father, Leadville musician James L. Ross, at the Levin home. [86]

In 1918, both Albert J. and Edward found employment as switchmen at the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. [87] Albert J. and Edgar were part of a group of young people who took a two-day trip by automobile to Twin Lakes to enjoy the scenery and attend a dance. [88] The two brothers also attended a dancing party hosted by Miss Marie Edwards on July 27. [87] Albert J. took second place in the 100 and 220-yard dashes and the team of Albert J., Roderick McDonald, and Louis Hopfinger won the relay race at Leadville’s Labor Day track meet on September 2. [90] Edgar and Albert J. both attended the dance given by the Telephone Society at the Elks Ballroom on October 13. [91]

Edward returned from a lengthy visit to California on June 3, 1919. [92] On November 17, Edward won an injury suit against the Travelers Insurance Company. On February 18, 1918, Edward sustained injuries to his hip, groin and leg jumping from the rear of a Colorado Midland Railroad car near the Busk Tunnel and became permanently disabled. The jury awarded Levin $640.00 in damages. [93] Despite the judgment, Levin would not begin collecting on the settlement until March 21, 1920 and several more court appearances to affect its collection. [94] Fifteen year old Edgar was a guard for the Leadville Cubs juvenile basketball team. [95]

On May 6, 1920, sixteen year old William Levin left Leadville for San Diego with the intentions to remain permanently. [96] A mention in the Herald Democrat newspaper showed that Ed returned to the city for a business visit on August 31. [97] As late as October, Edward advertised for want of second-hand furniture: two “first class” dining room tables and “first class” parlor chairs. [98] The Levin’s officially left Leadville for a new home in San Jose, California on July 13, 1921, [99] though Edward and Maggie continued to visit friends in Leadville until 1923. [100]