The war now slipped into memory as a new America saw times changing rapidly in so many ways. The telephone had been around for over a generation, but in rural America, it was just taking hold. Rural life was changing, but not as fast as life in the city. Most Americans thought that was where the “action” would be found from movies to speakeasies.
Electricity for the farmers and ranchers in rural La Plata County was still 20 years away, but in Durango, it had long ago changed life. Modern medicine loomed equally as far away, but smallpox inoculation was nearly a century old.
Automobiles were getting faster and more Americans were driving. The horse and buggy were disappearing, but poor rural roads did not. That “old time religion” was making a last stand as the “Roaring Twenties” loomed just around the corner. Prohibition promised to solve a host of problems, Colorado had gone dry in 1916, and now the whole country would soon enjoy it as it became the law of the land. Already bootleggers and “bath tub gin” had made their appearance, while women now had the vote nationally. They promptly helped select Sen. Warren G. Harding as president in 1920, a not very productive move.
Durango Evening Herald Nov. 15, 1919
Marvel Telephone Line Subscribed
Since a committee from the Durango boosters visited the Marvel section in an attempt to reconstruct the telephone system in that section and connect it with the city, the ranchers of that section are taking an active interest in the proposition. It is expected that sufficient funds and guarantees will have been raised to carry the proposition through without further need of funds.
Except for one Indian who is believed to have the disease, no more cases of smallpox have developed this week. All who are ill with it are doing nicely and scarcely ill enough to be in bed.
There were quite a wind last Friday night and it did some damage. The large hay stack on Fergurson ranch is almost a total wreck.
Nov. 17, 1919
William Verburg, a well-known rancher of the Redmesa section died at the Ochner’s hospital. Just a week ago he had an automobile collision with a car driven by Chas. Madsfer.
Animas City grocery destroyed by fire
At an early hour this morning a fire that was thought to have been incendiary in origin completely destroyed the Animas City grocery store.
NEW MOTOR VEHICLE LAW OF STATE IS DRAWING ATTENTION OF MOTORISTS
The new license will be based on the purchasing cost at the factory. The rate is fixed at one half of one percent on all vehicles other than motor trucks.
Revival meetings to be held at the Free Methodist Church at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Tenth Street
Rev. T.D. Saffelt, a conference evangelist of the church, is directing the preaching. The public is cordially invited.
Stock inspector Sam Etheridge departed this morning for Tiffany where he will inspect stock being shipped to the eastern markets.
Duane Smith is a Fort Lewis College history professor. Reach him at 247-2589.
