Two of the best bloodhounds in Colorado arrived in Meeker about 3 o’clock Thursday morning. The dogs were put to work at once. First one dog was put on the trail on the spot where the brick-bat was pulled up from the street. After taking the scent, it followed it to the door of the parsonage.
The scent should have led away from the scene of the crime and to the alleged culprits. Then the other dog was turned loose. He repeated the actions of the first dog and in addition, tried to push in the door. Then both dogs, tied together, were put to work. They made for the front door of the Rev. Gregg’s residence, as on the two previous occasions. The mysterious part is that some person had placed red pepper on the track during the few minutes the track was not guarded, confusing the dogs.
Gregg’s story was breaking down, but he stood firm and made a statement in the Meeker Herald: “… In my stand for law enforcement I have kept myself free from hatred to anyone. I am making the fight purely on principle. I am convinced in my own mind that at least four persons were implicated in the attack upon my home and the church on the evening of Feb. 19, and will pay $200 in cash for evidence leading to their arrest and conviction.” Apparently Gregg was doubling down on what he told authorities on the night of the 19th.
The same issue of the Meeker Herald announced his upcoming Sunday Morning sermon would be “The Immortality of Love.” The evening subject would be “Sin and its Remedy.” The district attorney, Frank Delaney, later discredited the whole fabrication and blamed Gregg and others for trying to create sympathy for his personal war on liquor and bootleggers. This war had long been brewing in Meeker. Gregg believed that local law enforcement was turning a blind eye to illegal liquor and gambling. This led to letters to the Colorado Governor, William E. Sweet, who Gregg knew to be equally fervent in eliminating bootleggers. In a letter from Gov. Sweet, Gregg was encouraged to recruit like-minded men in Meeker to take action, saying “Get rid of politics in your county for a while and clean it up morally. A small vigilance committee should be organized consisting of eight men, who irrespective of politics, will undertake the task of cleaning up.”
Apparently Gregg took this to mean he should collect information on illegal activities. Sweet also arranged to send official help. In the week leading up to the church fire, Gregg was reported to have met with two undercover detectives from out of town. Their names were reported as James Melrose and J.W. Reese. Gregg provided information of interest to the state prohibition squad. Raids were made with proper warrants on Cunningham’s Pool Hall, O’Leary’s Pool Hall, and the Hotel. Arrests were made and evidence gathered. In all only two gallons of liquor was found, but no bootleggers or manufacturer of the “White Mule” was caught.
Charges were brought against the operators of the pool halls for illegal gambling. I could not find any convictions for them. Delaney did take other action. Headlines in the April 18, 1924 issue of the Routt County Sentinel: “Grand Jury Indicts Minister for Faking Mob Violence.” Eleven persons residing in the vicinity of Meeker, including the Rev. David A. Gregg were indicted Monday by a grand jury, alleging conspiracy and attempted arson. I did not find any convictions.
D. A. Gregg was replaced as pastor in September 1925 by Walter A. McCleneghan. There were no recorded church actions against Rev. Gregg. In the 1930 Census, I found him and his wife Clara pastoring a church in Hugo, Colorado. He and his wife are buried in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming.
Sources: Meeker Herald 1924/1925; Coloradohistoricnewspapers.org; National Archives. My thanks to Ellene Meece and the White River Methodist Church.
By ED PECK
