100 years ago: “Bill’ Shaffer and Ward Williams came in from their mines in the Deadwood Gulch district, carrying calloused hands and plenty of sunburn, with the advice that they had shipped in their high-grade ore by freight. The property, they say, is looking better than ever before, and they expect to take out enough values this summer to buy off the Allies and stop the German war.”
75 years ago: “Between $800 and $1,000 is the estimated cash loot obtained from the Hansen pool hall in Durango by a person or persons unknown at present. Using a ‘jimmy’ entrance was gained through the back door to the establishment. The safe, from which the money was taken, was opened apparently by turning the combination to the correct numbers.”
50 years ago: “A house across the road from the Santa Rita work project site was torn down by project campers and now the adobe brick from it is being picked over. Usable brick will go into the structure the 16 teenage campers and their leaders plan to rebuild for a community center building.”
25 years ago: “Organizers of the July 4 celebrations at Vallecito Lake and Tall Timber Resort hope an appeal to the La Plata County sheriff will allow them to shoot fireworks despite a fire ban imposed by Gov. Roy Romer.”
Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.
