100 years ago: “A one-story frame house in Animas City owned by Jack McCormick was destroyed by fire. The Durango department was called by someone who said Mercy hospital was ablaze. A good run was made to North Durango before it was discovered the fire was much further north and the local department returned to the barn. The chief of the Animas City volunteer department was out of town and the volunteer company couldn’t get into action and the house burned to the ground. The fire is believed to have been of incendiary origin.”
75 years ago: “Dick Martin of Hesperus topped the market at the horse sale when government buyers bought 15 horses for use in the army. Dick’s horse brought the top price of $200. Other prices ranged down to the minimum $140 advertised. Stockmen present say that the judgment of the buyers was quick and accurate, very little time being devoted to yes-or-no decisions.”
25 years ago: “Advanced publicity promoting a ‘Clean Halloween’ was credited by Durango police as contributing to the quietest celebration in recent years by local ghosts, goblins and other ‘spirits.’ Fewer than 2,000 turned out for the Main Avenue festivities, according to Police Lt. Dale Smith.”
Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.
