100 years ago: “If Cave Basin was situated near Cripple Creek or Leadville, the camp would be played up as one of the greatest discoveries of a lifetime, says the Ignacio Chieftain. But nevertheless, the stuff is there, and someday a railroad will be built up this valley to one of the best mining towns in the state.”
75 YEARS AGO: “Sweet tooth is fatal to bear: A farmer awoke Wednesday morning and killed a bear that had been robbing his bee hives of honey the past week. The bear, an unusually large one, was estimated to weigh almost 400 pounds. His hide was matted with bees attempting to sting him. The carcass will be distributed to the wildlife department.”
50 YEARS AGO: “Wounded Marine returns from Viet Nam: Capt. A. H. Gomez of Durango returned home Monday from Viet Nam, where he was wounded in the left hand and leg by a hand grenade. Gomez was stationed in Da Nang with the 3rd Marine Division. He has been in Viet Nam a year, and will now have a month’s leave with his parents.”
25 YEARS AGO: “Even DHS cross country coach Ron Keller admitted his team took a big step toward establishing itself as one of the state’s best this weekend. ‘We opened some eyes and turned some heads,’ Keller said after the Demons competed in the Aurora Invitational on Friday and the Boulder Invitational on Saturday.”
Most items in this column are taken from The Durango Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and The Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.
