Peek at the Past

100 Years Ago

Nov. 25, 1920

Frank Hickey regained his liberty at Newcastle last Saturday morning when a jury who had listened to evidence for and against him gave their verdict that he was proved not guilty. Although the evidence was mostly circumstantial, the verdict will surprise most people in Crook County who supposed the state had built a strong case. Frank Hickey was arrested last May on suspicion in connection with the mysterious death of Laben Woods. The state was hampered by not being able to put Mrs. Hickey on the stand, who is alleged to know more of the affair than any other. The defense naturally would not call her as bad blood exists between husband and wife.

75 Years Ago

Nov. 22, 1945

Lyle Graham, who was a Japanese prisoner since the beginning of the war, arrived in Sundance last Thursday evening for a short visit with his sister, Mrs. Andy Williamson. Describing the first 18 months of his internment as nothing short of hell, Lyle said the last eighteen months were not so bad. “We just made up our minds to take everything and do what they said” and that way he and the others of his group came out fairly well – those who didn’t just “didn’t come back” – he explained expressively. On Wake, as a civilian employee at the beginning of the war, they were held prisoners there for nine months, then moved again. The last 18 months they were on Fukuoka and were more or less “loose” there though they were forced to work long, hard hours.

Leonard Felton, of Carlile, who was released this fall from the Army, last week took over the management of the Sandwich Shop which has been operated by Dick Dudrey.

50 Years Ago

Nov. 26, 1970

Five Justices of the Peace in Crook County, including two elected by write-in votes will take office Jan. 4 to serve four-year terms, County Clerk Francis Hejde said this week. They are Mrs. Velma Newland, Dist. 24, Colony; Frank Koch, Moorcroft Inside; Jack Vinnedge, Hulett Inside; Amos Ewing, Sundance North Side; and Charles Donaldson, Sundance South Side.

Possibility of state-wide limits on non-resident hunters drew most of the discussion here last Wednesday and Thursday during a meeting of Wyoming Game and Fish Department big game and bird biologists. Garvice Roby, Sundance District 7 big game biologist, who was chairman, said approximately 40 persons attended the event. Roby said that during the meeting the entire state-wide deer hunting situation was examined. He said state deer herds are unable to stand non-resident hunting pressure.

25 Years Ago

Nov. 23, 1995

John A. Moline IV, son of John Moline and Suzette Moline, Sundance and Gregory D. Wagner, son of Dave and Judy Wagner, Sundance are presently home on leave after graduation from 12 weeks of Marine Corps Boot Camp in San Diego, CA. Both are 1995 graduates of Sundance High School and will return to San Diego to complete their combat training.