Obit: Neale, Al A.; Montrose Daily Press, November 6,1931, Montrose County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/montrose/obits/neale1.txt Donated by Shauna June 28, 2004 ================================================================================= Friday, November 6,1931 Al A. Neale is fatally injured Pioneer Rancher, Stockmen Dies from injuries as car strikes horse he is riding. Al A. Neale 73,One of the best known residents of the valley and former stockmen farmer was fatally hurt about 8:15pm Thursday evening when a car crashed in to the horse he was riding at the intersection of Riverside Boulevard and the Dave Wood road. Mr. Neale was thrown from his horse and died a few minutes after being brought to a hospital, Never regaining consciousness. About 8:15 pm three sons of Former County Commissioner Martin of Ridgway, Fred, L.A. and H.R. were driving to Montrose in a Buick Roadster, saw a white horse in the road at Dave Wood Road intersection. The driver swerved to miss the animal when suddenly there loomed right in front of the car another horse of dark color. There was a sudden impact as the car struck the horse and rider were precipitated upon the radiator of the car, breaking the windshield and nearly wrecking the car. Investigation showed that the rider was Al A. Neale and that he had been riding the dark colored horse at the intersection of the Dave Wood road and Riverside Boulevard and was leading the white horse behind. Mr. Neale was unconscious with blood running from several cuts. He was taken to the Cal Lewis home near by and later in the car of John Finnegan to a hospital. He never regained consciousness and passed away in a few minutes. He never knew what happened as everything came so quickly. No blame was attached to the Martin young men who are very prominent, well-known and highly respected resident of the Ridgway community. It is stated that Mr. Neale had been in the habit of late of riding horseback along the Dave Wood road. Mr. Neale had been in poor health for many years. Several years ago he lost an arm and since then had not been able to work much and found his greatest enjoyment in working with horse. He was one of the best horsemen in the country. He knew horses and how to handle them and with but one arm could still perform wonderful feats of horsemanship. Mr. Neale lived at Oak Grove and in past years operated a big ranch in Shavano and was one of the most successful ranchers and stockmen, having for several years won the first prize on his pure bred cattle at the Chicago Stock Show. For years Mr. Neale was in charge of the wild west stunts at the Western Colorado Fair. No one ever handled this better then Al. He knew every horsemen, Cowmen, and Stockmen on the slope. He always got together a great aggregation of riders. Ropers and performers who put on a wonderful show. No men ever handled the program better then Al. In later years fate seemed to have been against Al both in the standpoint of health and finances. But he continued to carry on despite his affliction and even last winter caused wonder as he rode spirited horses up and down the street leading two or three behind. Mr. Neale always took an active interest in affairs and for years was the president and guiding spirit of the Uncompahgre Valley Cattle and Horse growers association. No man had done more to advertise the valley then Al Neale thru his winning at the Chicago Stock Show. His Shavno Valley Ranch produced bountifully and was a show place of the valley for years. In addition to his ranching and stock raising interests, Mr. Neale was for years connected with A.R. McCrimmon in the drug business, the firm being known as McCrimmon and Neale for years. Mr. Neale in addition to all his other activities served for a time as a director of the Uncompahgre Valley Users Association. Mr. Neale was also a former member of the Rotary Club several years ago. In addition to his wife, daughter, Mrs. Ralph Gelvin, of Fort Collins, and son Junior at home, he is survived by a brother, Charles Neale, of Spring Creek Mesa, three sisters Mrs. Ella Carroll of Antonito, Colo., and one in Pueblo and one in Kansas. The passing of Al. Neale saddens the whole community. However Al had done his work, he was well along in years, his achievements were of the past and being in such poor health, his going is not so sad as a men in active life departs. Al’s friends were legion and his contribution to the valley will always remain as a memorial of his long and useful life here. Tentive funeral arrangements call for the services at the Home Mortuary Sunday afternoon at 2:30pm with the Knight’s of Pythias officiating at the grave. The History of Colorado published in 1919 said: Al A. Neale, actively and successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Montrose County, was born in California on the 15th day of May, 1858,a son of William R. and Katherine (Collins) Neale the former a native of the state of New York while the later was born in Ohio. In the family were six children, five of whom are yet living, but both the parents have passed away. Al A. Neale was reared in California in which state he received a common school education, and in 1873 came to Colorado, setting in the eastern part of the state. In 1884 however he removed to Montrose County and engaged in the cattle business. He now has 600 head of cattle, all of highbred stock. He engaged in raising and selling cattle in an extensive scale and in 1909,1910, and 1913 he won the grand champion on carload lots of cattle at the International Stock Show in Chicago and in 1917 took second prize in Chicago where he had the championship carload. He was president of the Cattle and Horse Show Association of the Uncompahgre Valley. He owned 500 Acres of under ditch and 500 acres of pastureland. His property is very valuable, much of it being under cultivation and annually produces crops, while his reputation as a breeder and raiser of fine cattle in known thru out the west. In 1888 Mr. Neale married to Miss Edith Dix, a daughter of J. H. and Hattie Dix who in 1907 removed to Colorado and still residents of this state. Mr. and Mrs. Neale have become parents of two children Marjorie E. and Al A. Jr. Fraternally Mr. Neale is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pytias. In politics he is a republican and while never a politician in the sense of seeking office he served on the school board. He is truly a self made man. He started out in business world unassisted by wealth or influential friends. He worked his way steadily upward, determination and energy enabling him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path. His broad experience as a cattle raiser enable him to speak with authority upon the subject and he always enjoys a well deserved reputation in this connection. In business affairs he has always carefully formulated his plan and carried them forward to successful completion and his life record shod serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others. Since the organization of the Uncompahgre Valley Cattle and Horse Growers Association the society holds a banquet each year and on the 11th of January 1918 they held their annual affair at which 650 people were present. On that occasion they sold for the benefit of the Red Cross which brought $1326.50. Which sum was turned over to the Red Cross Chapter of Montrose County. In all war activities Mr. Neale took a most deep and helpful interest and was chosen Chairmen of the third and fourth Liberty Loan Drive for Montrose County and also for The War Saving Stamp Drives, each time caring his district over the top. Whenever and wherever Mr. Neale had found opportunity to advance the interest of the County in support of the war activities he has cheerfully and helpfully done so. From an examination early Friday morning of the spot where the accident occurred the ground showed that the breaks were set on the car about five feet before the first big clot of blood was found where the bay horse was struck. The wheels started to slide there. Ten feet further on was a large pool of blood where the horse rolled off the front of the car. A few feet further on was the pool of blood where Mr. Neale was thrown from the car, which must have been terrific. Twenty feet further on down the road the car had stopped and the water had run from the radiator. It was 81 feet from the first pool of blood to the spot where the water was drained from the radiator. The tracks of the car showed that it was coming from towards Montrose on the proper side of the road, that when it struck the horse the car swerved to the left about three feet from a straight line, then went on down the road on the proper side. Mr. Neale had left home about two o’clock in the afternoon to go toward Ridgeway to get the gray horse. He was about to turn onto the Dave Wood Road leading toward his home when struck. The gray horse was untouched, but the bay had a terrific gash on the right hind, a bruise on the shoulder and over the right eye. At first thought it’s leg was broken, but this was not the case. Friday morning it was quite lively and was walking around in a corral on the J. T. Jones place near the accident. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.