Peek at the Past

100 Years Ago

September 28, 1922

At six o'clock Monday morning early risers in Sundance were startled to see a dense volume of smoke rolling over the cliffs of Sundance mountain. Prompt response was made by Hal Baldwin, Walther Williamson, Mel Dudrey, J.C. and Rube Hurtt, and these five held the fire from spreading south and east until a relief of eight more men reached the top. Investigation showed that the fire started from the cabin, which was set on fire from coals left in an old stove by campers the day before. The general opinion is that it is a relief that the cabin is burned down, as it may put a stop to the fire hazard caused by picnic parties at this spot. About four acres of timber was destroyed by this fire.

Edward Finch, who is employed on the ranch of T.E. Livingston on Black's Flat, was the victim of a runaway accident last Friday and suffered a broken arm. He came to Sundance Monday for medical attention.

Word was received here that the ranch home of Clyde Oliver in the New Haven country was destroyed by fire last week. The origin of the fire was not learned.

75 Years Ago

October 2, 1947

Designation of F.E. Goehring as construction engineer for Keyhole dam was announced by the Bureau of Reclamation. A full-speed program will be pushed during the fiscal year on the Keyhole dam and reservoir, which will provide additional water storage for the Belle Fourche project and other lands in South Dakota. The program for the current fiscal year calls for the starting of construction on the access road to the proposed government camp near the dam site and the completion of preconstruction work.

The student body of Sundance high school elected their student council officers recently. They chose as president Bill Newman. Gene Williamson was elected as vice-president and Reed Chittim as secretary-treasurer.

25 Years Ago

October 2, 1997

Crook County's first settlement, the small village of Beulah, has failed in their attempt to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records. The community put on the best Fourth of July Parade and Celebration this year in an attempt to start a new category in the book. The new category would have been the smallest town with the largest parade. There were 194 entries in the parade and over 2000 spectators. According to the Guinness headquarters, they receive 10,000 request each year for new record book categories and it is impossible to publish all of the requests.