100 years ago: “According to reports brought by railroad men, 27,500 tons of ore is in the ore mine bins at Silverton for immediate shipment to Durango. It is reported that 100 cars have been ordered by the mines to convey this ore to the Durango smelter.”

75 years ago: “An Ignacio restaurant was entered, and the thieves obtained from $80 to $85 in cash. Sheriff Bruce Sullivan went to Ignacio to investigate the robbery, which was at the eating house operated by Charles Neher. The money was obtained from the cash register and from a music machine.”

50 years ago: “Dr. D.W. Melcher, who is one of the local veterinarians, has had a busy week. With school vacation in progress, many families are on the loose, but the pets are not included in the plan.”

25 years ago: “Help is on the way for Bondad residents whose domestic water wells are contaminated with methane gas. A newly formed organization of San Juan Basin oil and gas operators in Southwest Colorado and northwest New Mexico announced its members will raise $100,000 for the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission for the re-plugging of three abandoned natural-gas wells and two test holes near Bondad.”

Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Animas Museum and Center of Southwest Studies. Their accuracy may not be verified.