The Denver Post, Tues., Dec. 30, 1975

[Headline] Best of 1975

These are the best pictures shot by three Denver Post photographers in 1975, in the opinion of the photographers themselves. [Atlantis picture is last.]

[Top photo] Bill Peters caught the inherent majesty of Union Pacific's Engine 8444, one of the nearly extinct breed of steam locomotives, as it pulled into Denver's Union Station last January on an excursion for rail buffs. The 31-year-old engine, only operable steam locomotive in the UP system, now is kept in Cheyenne for such affairs. The road halted steam service on regular runs in 1962.

[Center photo] Ernie Leyba, who has a good memory, recalled that shoeshines at the National Western Stock Show last January cost 75 cents. Business, he commented, was slow "to boot."

[Bottom photo] Poet Mike Smith, during his last days. was photographed by David Cupp in his Atlantis community home. Smith's book of poetry, "Companions." was published shortly after his death on Oct. 1.
Ellen Finch, an attendant at Atlantis, is with Smith.

Photo of train on top by Bill Peters: The large dark engine of the train coming toward the photographer contrasts against the white of the snow dusted ground and steam coming from the train. Around this are the dark marks of the tracks coming through the snow, posts and tiny people on either side of the train appear dark against the steam and snow, and in the edges of the picture, the dark of the sky and buildings in the background.
Caption - Modern diesel-electrics are more efficient, but they can't match the drama of an old-time steamer, wreathed in steam, as it puffs and snorts and whistles. Bill Peter's "best photograph of 1975 (taken last January) carries the idea of tremendous power as the Union Pacific engine pulls into Denver's union station.

Photo on left middle, by Ernie Leyba: Two African American men sit on either side of a pair of shoe shine seats up on a typical riser. Above the seats, taped to the wall, is a sign that says "Shoe Shine $1.50." The men, both wearing hats, are waiting and appear to have been waiting for customers for some time. Everything looks somewhat worn, and there are large pieces of cardboard or paper on the ground around them.
Caption - Inflation at 100 percent clip hit patrons at the National Western Stock show in January. The law of diminishing returns apparently hit the two entrepreneurs, to judge from the empty chairs, as recorded by Ernie Leyba, who recalled that the 1974 price was 75 cents.

Photo on bottom, by David Cupp: A semi dark room with sun streaming in the window at the back. Silhouetted against the window is an oxygen tank. In the foreground a young man (Michael Smith) with dark beard lies in bed, sheets drawn up to his chin, and his long dark hair laid out on the pillow above his head. He is looking at a young woman (Ellen Finch) who sits by the bed on his left. She is wearing a kerchief and baggy top and fades into the darkness at the bottom edges of the photo.
Caption - Despite extreme pain and weakness, Mike Smith composed poetry from his bed in Atlantis community. To David Cupp, this picture showed the triumph of the spirit. Mike died Oct. 1.

Created on

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Posted on

Sunday 21 February 2016

Tags

Atlantis Community, Ellen Finch, Michael Smith, oxygen

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• Early Atlantis Community, 1975

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