Here’s
a Lot of Four (4) Autograph Cards Signed
by Colorado Statesman
TELLER AMMONS
(1895 - 1972)
·
28th
GOVERNOR OF COLORADO 1937-1939 – THE FIRST NATIVE-BORN CHIEF EXECUTIVE and
LEADER IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Gov. Ammons tenure included a notable wiretapping scandal
and the controversial execution of Joe Arridy. He lost his 1938 re-election bid
to Ralph L. Carr. Later, he served as a Lt. Colonel in the US Army in WWII, was
a military administrator in Guam, and practiced law in Denver until his death
in 1972.
BIOGRAPHY OF THE HONORABLE TELLER
AMMONS
Teller
Ammons (December 3, 1895 – January 16, 1972) was an American
attorney and politician who served as the 28th governor of Colorado from 1937 to 1939.
He was the first Colorado governor to be born in the state.
Ammons
was born in Denver, Colorado, on
December 3, 1895. His father was Elias M. Ammons, a
former Governor of
Colorado. Ammons' mother was Elizabeth (née Fleming)
Ammons. Ammons was named for his father's friend, U.S. Senator Henry Moore Teller.
He
served with the 154th Infantry Regiment in the United States Army in France during World War I.
After
the war, he returned to Colorado to work on a ranch and in a newspaper office.[ He
earned a law degree from the University of
Denver's Westminster Law School in 1929.
Ammons
was elected to the Colorado Senate in
1930 and served until 1935, when Denver Mayor Benjamin F.
Stapleton appointed him as Denver city attorney.
In
1936, Ammons was elected Governor of
Colorado. He was sworn in January 12, 1937 and served until January
10, 1939.
As
Governor, he was responsible for the execution of Joe Arridy, who
was innocent of the crime he was accused of. Ammons had refused to pardon
Arridy or commute his sentence, and did not address petitions on his behalf.
Other
notable actions during Ammons' term included founding the State Water
Conservation Board and the State Game and Fish Department. The State Industrial
School was restructured, the Big Thompson Highway was opened, and employment
opportunities increased through the Works Progress Administration.
A
scandal hit Ammons' administration in 1937, when eavesdropping devices were
found in his office. Three men were charged and found guilty of conspiracy and
eavesdropping. After one two-year term, Ammons was defeated for
re-election in 1938 by Ralph L. Carr.
During World War II,
Ammons served as a lieutenant colonel on
the selection and assignment board for military officers until 1944; that year
he was re-assigned to the military government of Guam. He separated from the service in
1945. Afterwards, he practiced law in Denver until his retirement.
Personal life
He was
married to Esther Daves Ammons. They had one child, Davis Ammons.
Ammons
died in Denver on January 16, 1972, and was buried in Denver's Fairmount Cemetery
Three of the document
are dated “JUL 1 – 1958” and on is signed on the verso of a US Postal Card with
Denver, Colorado cds postmark dated Jun 4, 1954. Each card measures 5” x 3” and are in overall
very fine condition.
I am a proud member of
the Universal Autograph Collectors Club (UACC), The Ephemera Society of
America, the Manuscript Society and the American Political Items Collectors
(APIC) (member name: John Lissandrello). I subscribe to each organizations'
code of ethics and authenticity is guaranteed. ~Providing quality service and
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