People

: William Frederick Buthorn; William Buthorn was the owner of the LaCourt Hotel, located on Main Street in Grand Junction, Colorado, beginning in 1907. He was a German immigrant who came to Brooklyn, New York with his family at the age of twelve. He grew up in Brooklyn and lived there until at least the age of 29. A 1901 Nebraska city directory shows him living in Omaha, where he was the proprietor of the Schlitz European Hotel. In 1902, he married Elizabeth Alice (Bittenger) Buthorn. They moved from Nebraska to Grand Junction in 1907. At that time, he purchased the LaCourt Hotel. He was described as a good hotel host. When guests arrived at the LaCourt Hotel, he would greet them at the door in a while suit. He was a member of the Rotary, the Elks Lodge, and other community organizations. He also knew several theater stars of the day, many of whom stayed at his hotel.

: William Fry; Head of the Grand Valley Drainage District upon its creation in 1923. With Billy Weiser of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, he was instrumental in including all of Mesa County's municipalities under the District's umbrella, allowing for their taxation and the District's funding.

: William H. "Bill" Nelson; He was born in Colorado. His parents were Clarence H. Nelson, a Colorado native, saddle maker and salesman, and Minnie W. Nelson. He began working for The Daily Sentinel in 1935 as a Mesa County reporter while he was attending what was then Grand Junction State Junior College (now Colorado Mesa University). While finishing his education at the University of Colorado at Boulder, he worked for the Sentinel during the summers and his vacations. He became a full time reporter in 1940. He remained a staff writer on the Sentinel during the 1950’s and 60’s. He wrote on a variety of topics. He was particularly known for his accurate reporting on water and conservation issues. He won several awards for his writing and for his activism within the community, including a Citizen's Award from the United States Department of the Interior, given for his writing on water issues, his membership on the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and his involvement in other water projects and organizations. His civic involvements include the Goodwill Industries Board (president), the Grand Junction High Band and Orchestra Parents, and the Colorado West Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, a journalistic organization. He married Edith F. Liley in 1946. He belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is buried in the IOOF cemetery in Mesa County.

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