This snapshot comes from an old photo album. I don’t know the relationship between Elmer and Eva and could not find much information about Eva, but I want to share a glimpse into Elmer Trout’s life.
Elmer was born February 27, 1899, to Vernie and Bertha (Collins) Trout in Canton, Kansas, and by age 11 was living with his maternal grandparents in Pueblo. He enlisted in the Marines at age 19, serving briefly during World War I, and by age 21 was working as a hired hand on the Sanford farm outside of Pueblo. He subsequently moved into town and became a steelworker. In 1927, he married Wilma May Davis, originally from Arkansas, and in that same year, joined the Pueblo Police Department.
While on police duty in Pueblo on Saturday, February 22nd, 1930, Elmer attempted to disperse a large, disorderly group of youths from in front of a pool hall on North Union Avenue. They viciously attacked him, cutting him on the head and face with a knife before knocking him down and repeatedly kicking him. Sixteen of the youths were subsequently arrested, but twelve were released for lack of corroborative witnesses.
As a result of this brutal attack, Elmer developed seizures and other complications, which forced him to medically retire from the force in 1934. As a result of complications from those injuries, he died on September 23, 1935. He left behind his wife, Wilma, and their four children, aged 2 to 7. He is memorialized on the Officer Down Memorial Page at https://www.odmp.org/officer/23681-police-officer-elmer-a-trout and by the City of Pueblo at https://www.pueblo.us/2559/Officer-Elmer-A-Trout .
REFERENCES:
- Colorado County Marriage Records and State Index, 1862 – 2006, at www.ancestry.com
- eBay dealer (dorbitroshi7) item description.
- Find a Grave Index, 1600’s – Current at https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/70986264:60525?tid=&pid=&queryId=95129b9e2cd1044bc7735b7b5988d5b7&_phsrc=dpJ4648&_phstart=successSource
- “In Memoriam,” City of Pueblo at https://www.pueblo.us/2559/Officer-Elmer-A-Trout
- Mote Family Tree, www.ancestry.com
- “Police Officer Elmer A. Trout,” Officer Down Memorial Page at https://www.odmp.org/officer/23681-police-officer-elmer-a-trout
- U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, at www.ancestry.com
- U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 for Elmer A Trout at www.ancestry.com
- U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958, at www.ancestry.com
- 1900, 1910 and 1920 Censuses (www.ancestry.com)
