The following news items show how the rest of Colorado learned about and followed events in Durango. Joys and sorrows were mixed together, as were reminders of the old days and plans for the future.
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Durango telephoned about 10 o’clock last night an earthquake shock was felt in Animas Valley about 10 miles above Durango.
Daily Journal, Telluride, May 26, 1908
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Durango. Less than a week after his marriage to Mrs. Sadie Nelson, Dorsey H. Grafflin of this city died suddenly of pneumonia here Saturday.
Daily Journal, Telluride, Sept. 13, 1921
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The Gem theatre is the latest victim to the ravages of the outlaw in this section says The Durango Herald. The building was entered from the rear some time between midnight and daylight this morning and the till and stock looted. While the majority of the establishment’s cash was locked in the big safe, which was not molested, the cash till was robbed of $18.75 in cash, and a large quantity of cigarettes and other small articles were taken from the safe.
Daily Journal, Telluride, Feb. 23, 1922
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Durango golf enthusiasts have leased a 200-acre tract and plans have been launched for the development of a big country club.
Record Journal, Castle Rock, April 14, 1922
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Oil activity is at fever heat in southwestern Colorado, and a wild scramble was made for leases following the announcement of the bringing in of the Leldecker well, twenty-seven miles southwest of Durango on the Kroeger Fergson tract, with a flow of 500 to 600 barrels daily. ... The oil-bearing sand, encountered at a depth of 2,880 feet was penetrated only six inches by drills before the work was suspended. The sand is believed to be the Dakota sand. Oil was reached in forty-five days after the well was first spudded in.
Record Journal, Castle Rock, April 18, 1924
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An epidemic of smallpox has broken out in the city of Durango. The city commissioners, acting as the board of health, have issued orders to the effect that no person shall be permitted to attend the public or private schools of the city unless they have been vaccinated. The board of directors of the public school and managers or persons in charge of private schools are expressly forbidden to permit any student who has not been vaccinated to attend school.
Westland, Brandon, Kiowa County, Feb. 5, 1920
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The Durango Democrat remarks: If Denver wants that Moffat Tunnel, why doesn’t she build it instead of trying to soak the balance of the state? The San Juan managed to put over a railroad and had lands subscribed to the value of over $4,000,000, and they did didn’t ask any state aid. To hell with the Moffat Tunnel as a state project.
Routt County Sentinel, Feb. 3, 1922
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A movement to have a new state formed from territory taken from Southwestern Colorado and adjoining portions of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah is reported to have been set on forth by members of the Durango Chamber of Commerce.
Colorado Farm and Ranch, Eads, June 11, 1915
Duane Smith is a Fort Lewis College history professor. Reach him at 247-2589.