100 years ago: “Politically the Democrats predominate in La Plata County by 500-600 votes. It is quite evident then that Republican candidates to be elected must secure a few hundred Democratic votes.”
75 YEARS AGO: “Languishing in city jail today is Carlos Archuleta, who is said to have assaulted Anselma Maestas so violently yesterday that Maestas made an involuntary visit to the hospital. Archuleta charges that Maestas used uncomplimentary language in describing him.”
50 YEARS AGO: “‘Littlest Marine’ Dies; Believed to be Suicide: Larry E. Talbott, 23, known as the ‘littlest Marine’ was discovered dead in the Rochester Hotel at 9 a.m. Monday. Talbott was five-feet one-and-one-half inches tall and was one-half inch shorter than the Marine Corps minimum. He was accepted in anticipation that he would soon gain the necessary height. At his 1961 fitness tests, he weighed only 112 pounds but didn’t have any trouble lifting and carrying an 185-pound fellow recruit. Talbott graduated from Durango High School in 1961.”
25 YEARS AGO: “Durango Police: Referee reported being assaulted at a softball game Sunday at the Fort Lewis College softball complex at 9:13 p.m. La Plata County Sheriff: Squirrel in a house on County Road 250, reported at 1:37 p.m. Deputy explained to resident how to trap it.”
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.
