100 years ago: “That the Durango Democrat was one of the most widely and generally read newspapers received by the American and English colony in the Russian town of Dzansoul previous to its capture by the Turkish troops, is the statement of Victor F. Santy, who has just arrived home from the war zone in eastern Europe. He says the Democrat was pounced on when it arrived and was eagerly read by all the men at the mill and smelter then by English speaking employees of the mine. They even fought over it, he says.”

75 years ago: “‘Stranger within the Gates’ a one-act play dealing with infantile paralysis will be presented by members of the Durango High School public speaking class over KIUP.”

50 years ago: “Do you have friends who doubt there are elk in Durango? The Herald’s picture of elk in the vicinity of Miller and Needham schools, which caused last Friday’s paper to sell out quickly, has brought requests for additional copies from far and wide. A brief story of the elk ‘invasion’ was moved via the Associated Press nationwide and appeared in newspapers from coast to coast. To help ease the supply, the picture and a résumé of Roy Pace’s story will be reprinted in nest Sunday’s Southwest Colorado Life section of the Durango-Cortez Herald.”

25 years ago: “Robert Beers, 75, and Bob Jacobson, 61, are both well-known for their business savvy and community activism in Durango. Perhaps less well-known is their prowess on the ski slopes. Beers and Jacobson teach skiing part-time at Purgatory and have seen the resort through its 25-year existence.”

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