100 years ago: “The Mancos schools have closed on account of an epidemic of scarlet fever. Three cases, all in a mild form, have been reported, and the health authorities are taking every means at their power to stamp out the disease.”
75 years ago: “Heaviest snowfall of the recent storm was reported on Wolf Creek, where 14 inches of snow fell.”
50 years ago: MONTROSE – “A U.S. forest ranger who was surveying on Horse Mesa 20 miles east of Montrose found a single-engine plane that had been missing since Oct. 18. All four persons aboard were dead. Three were assistant football coaches at Western State College in Gunnison. ... The plane had left Cortez on Oct. 18 and was reportedly bound for Grand Junction.”
25 years ago: “George Kelly, legendary horticulturist and founder of Kelly Place in Cortez, became the first-ever recipient of an honorary degree from Fort Lewis College during a special commencement ceremonies. ... Kelly, 96, using a walker to support himself, stood to receive the honorary degree from FLC President Joel Jones, as robed biology faculty members and an audience of about 50 friends looked on.”
Most items in this column are taken from Herald archives, Center of Southwest Studies and Animas Museum. Their accuracy may not be verified.
