This week in Aspen history

“A dog up in Eames addition has made a great record for himself,” observed the Aspen Daily Chronicle on Dec. 9, 1890.

“He has proved as great a thief as some men. The only difference is that he does it for mischief and not for the value of the goods. But still the dog, with almost human instinct, never forgets to carry the articles to his own home. Yesterday Mr. Waters’ little girls were over to Mr. Staton’s. They were telling about their dog and what things he would bring home from their neighbor’s yards. They did not know to whom the goods belonged and consequently could not return them to the owners. They said the dog had brought home a broom, shoes, articles from the clothes line, and among other things a wash tub. How the dog managed the wash tub is a mystery, but the girls vouch for the truth of the statement. One gentleman who had been missing goods from his premises concluded he would watch one night to catch the thief. He had a pair of blankets hanging on the line. That dog came along and before the man could stop him he had the blankets half way across the street.” This image shows a boy with a dog, circa 1900.