Peek at the Past

100 Years Ago

March 6, 1924

George M. Smith came up from Osage last week for a brief visit with his family in Sundance. Mr. Smith suffered an attack of snow-blindness recently which was sufficient to bar him from active work, although he is recovering.

The St. Patrick’s program Monday night proved to be a success financially as well as being entertaining. It was laugh-provoking from the Grand Opening by a Male Quartet, whom no one had ever heard before and probably never will hear again, to the last selection by Mrs. O’Flarity’s Band.

75 Years Ago

March 21, 1949

There is a possibility that some of the streets in Sundance will be regraveled this spring. Sundance Mayor A. B. Durfee disclosed this week that the city has an offer of 85 cents a ton for gravel delivered and laid in Sundance by Andy Williamson. The gravel is to come from Sugar Loaf mountain east of Sundance. It has been judged as suitable for graveling roads and streets but it is not suitable for use in concrete or for oiled roads. Members of the city council have been considering the possibility of resurfacing the side streets of Sundance with the city paying half the costs and property owners on the streets footing the other half.

Spring Sport Track will be in the spring spot spotlight at Sundance high school after an absence of more than eight years. Coach Tead Weaver announced this week that the sport would again be on the athletic curriculum of the school. Coach Weaver said that 16 hopefuls have checked out suits for the Bulldog squad. While the squad will try for both field and track events, the Bulldog coach indicated that emphasis would be put on relays and dashes. He declined to predict the showings of the Sundance runners this year but he considers the present time records of the district in which Sundance is placed as not “too good.”

50 Years Ago

March 21, 1974

Harvesting of bark beetle infested trees in the Sand Pit Road area in the Bear Lodge has resumed, the Forest Service office here said Tuesday. Forester Pete Dauel said the salvage work is being done by Garhart & Poole, Spearfish. He said the timber harvesting operations will continue until June or July. Dauel said travelers, especially snowmobilers, should be careful about traveling in that area.

Three local students have won awards after being judged as the winners in the VFW Voice of Democracy contest. Judging of the local contest, sponsored by Devils Tower VFW Post 4311, was held Monday night. Billie Mitchell placed first in the event and will receive a $25 Savings Bond. Monte Moeller finished second and will receive a $10 cash award. Third prize of $5 cash was awarded to Diane Gerhart. Theme of the contest was “My Responsibility as a Citizen.”

Sundance student Robin Grunewald piled up 104 points to win the Crook County spelling contest held here March 13. In all, 60 students from seven schools in the county competed in the event. Randy Castello, Moorcroft, placed second while Vicki Semlek, also of Moorcroft, was third. The top three spellers will represent Crook county in the state spelling contest at Cheyenne.

25 Years Ago

March 25, 1999

A conflagration that burned some 140 acres of grassland and timber brought county fire fighting equipment out in full force on Tuesday, March 16, according to Elvin Rush, Crook County road supervisor. A fire flared up Tuesday and is believed to have started from a slash pile that had been set afire the preceding Saturday, when around a foot of snow was on the ground. The unexpected thaw together with Friday’s heavy winds are believed to have contributed to the hazard. It started on the Ray Harley place and spread onto land belonging to Dave Balley, burning grass and some pine needles, according to Duane Queen, whose land joins the fire site.