Peek at the Past

100 Years Ago

December 20, 1923

At a meeting of the Commercial Club Monday night, it was voted to have a community Christmas tree on Christmas eve, Monday night at 7:30. A committee was appointed on finance and decorating as follows: Paul M. Lewis, H. G. Schloredt and Tom Roark. Immediately following the Christmas treat the regular Tuesday show will be given at 8:15. Regular admission will be charged adults, but all juniors are invited to the show free of charge.

The disappearance of Forest Reynolds, mail contractor on the Sundance-Aladdin line, has caused quite a speculation in local circles as to the extent of the young man’s offense. Reynolds took mail to Aladdin Monday and failed to return, dropping out of sight completely so far as officers can learn. Missing with him is Bessie Arnold, fifteen-year-old sister of Mrs. Reynolds, and it is surmised that the pair have gone north across the Canadian line. Reynolds is at present charged with kidnapping, and every effort is being made to locate the runaways.

75 Years Ago

December 23, 1948

The Commercial Club vows that: “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” Christmas Eve to make a special stop at the Commercial Theater where the club will present its annual program to the children of the community. The show will begin at 8 P.M. and close with the arrival of Santa who will distribute treats to all the kids attending. The bill of entertainment is one suited to the Christmas season, with the jolly, sparkling gaiety of our American holiday interspersed with the sacred, worshipful spirit of the first Christmas. Mr. Ivan Cressman has arranged the program, Jennie Haptonstall will play the piano to accompany the musical numbers. The whole program is presented by children from the Sundance grade and high school. The committee in charge of preparations includes Elmer Frank, Rev. Charles Roberts, and Howard Clingan.

Mr. and Mrs. Deane H. Bryan announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Iris Bryan, to Mr. Willis Hughes of Moorcroft, Wyo. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Hughes.

50 Years Ago

December 20, 1973

A fat old gent in a faded red suit is expected to put in his annual appearance at the Sundance Commercial Club’s Christmas party this Saturday. St. Nick told a representative of The Sundance Times this week that he anticipated no trouble in getting to the holiday party for local kids. He snorted into his beard when queried about the fuel situation and said he’d throw a ration of alfalfa cubes into his reindeer before leaving his North Pole headquarters. “My boy,” he said, “there is no fuel shortage where Santa is concerned. I got the highest priority there is and even if I didn’t have there’s plenty of hay stacks scattered about.” Assured by Santa that he’d be at the party scheduled to start at 1 p.m. in the high school gymnasium, the Commercial Club went ahead Friday night with final plans for the event. The club’s representative, Vic Worthington, is working hand in glove with Santa on plans for the event. A program of cartoons is expected to be shown during the afternoon and Santa will pass out sacks of treats to the children attending.

25 Years Ago

December 24, 1998

Fire devastated Main Street downtown Newcastle in the early morning hours Friday, destroying one of the city’s oldest buildings. The building housed four businesses, The Newcastle Zoo, which was a pet shop, Sweet Temptations, Cleaning Unlimited and Buff’s Body Gym. All were a total loss. Another building housing five businesses was extensively damaged. Some businesses were able to salvage their records and contents.