100 years ago: “Mrs. Olga Little has been packing a lot of supplies to the La Platas. The miners say that during last winter, which recorded the most terrible blizzards in the history of the San Juans, this plucky little woman packed supplies into the Columbus and Tenbroeck claims when no man could be found who was willing to take the great risk.”
75 YEARS AGO: “Norris Rodman of Bayfield is charged with grand larceny and is being held in La Plata County Jail. After a patient and unceasing year-long investigation by Assistant District Attorney Byron Bradford, Rodman finally confessed to stealing musical instruments owned by Kay Kurly, orchestra leader.”
50 YEARS AGO: “Mrs. Bertha Wells of Cortez got tired of a neighbor’s yard full of weeds and, with his permission, changed it into a beautiful garden. Mrs. Wells is shown holding a 13-pound cabbage in this photo.”
25 YEARS AGO: “A welding torch set off an explosion and fire at a natural gas well near Pleasant View, critically burning three workers and injuring four others. Three men were on respirators in critical condition after being airlifted to University Hospital in Denver. The men suffered second- and third-degree burns over more than 50 percent of their bodies.”
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.
